THE OBENSON REPORT

This is probably one of the coolest things I've seen and heard in awhile. It's simple yet, quite seductive and haunting in a way only Grace Jones can deliver. The song is called Corporate Cannibal, and it's the first track from her upcoming new album titled Hurricane which is scheduled for release in October this year! You can guarantee that I'll be checking it out! I'm no Grace Jones afficionado. She always seemed a little too esoteric for me, especially in my youth. But now, as an adult, I'm much more drawn to the bizarre than I ever was... maybe because I can be a little idiosyncratic myself :o)

By the way, the woman is 60 years old! And this is her first studio album in almost 20 years!

"Pleased to meet you... pleased to have you on my plate... your meat is sweet... your life is my sport..."

I've seen this clip in about 5 different places in the last 48 hours, each one accompanied by oodles of comments dissecting it. I'm not so sure it's worthy, but I thought I'd jump on the bandwagon and post it as well for those who haven't had the pleasure of deconstructing it.

What is it? It's supposedly a music video for Kanye West's hit "Flashing Lights," (a track I like, by the way), directed by both Kanye and Spike Jones (director of Being John Malkovich, Adaptation, and countless music videos for a wide variety of artists). At just over 2 minutes long, I doubt it's the full-length video, but rather a trailer for what will likely be a series of videos. Or it could just be a publicity stunt! Either way, it's working, as it seems to be generating quite a bit of pub for Mr West, who probably doesn't need it.

Anyway, check it out, and leave your thoughts... the woman in the video is apparently a known model who goes by Rita G (never heard of her), and the guy tied up in the trunk towards the end of the video is Kanye himself.

Not black film related, but I just wondered...

I've never been an Amy Winehouse fan. Nothing personal... just haven't heard anything she's done that I like. I could care less about her personal struggles, and they have no influence on my lack of interest in her music.

This will probably be the only time I'll ever mention her on this blog :o)

She won 5 Grammy Awards last night, and apparently, there are some people out there who don't think she deserved any of them, because of her personal struggles. One of those people is Natalie Cole.

From FOX News (Yeah, I visit Rupert's domain from time to time):

--- Not everyone was happy about Amy Winehouse’s big win at the Grammys Sunday night.

“I don’t think she deserved it,” previous Grammy-winning singer Natalie Cole said. “I think she needs to get her life together first, and then get the awards later."

Winehouse took a break from rehab to perform via satellite from London at the Grammys and collect five awards.

Cole also called Winehouse “crazy,” and complained that we are teaching youngsters that they can get rewarded for bad behavior.

Winehouse won in the categories of best female artist, best female pop vocal performance, best song, record of the year and best pop vocal album ---

So, dost Natalie Cole protest too much, or is her criticism warranted? Do you give a damn?