Making His Band: i’m over it

Sorry yall. If you were looking for this week’s recap/commentary of Making His Band you’re out of luck. I watched Monday’s ep and I had started to blog about it. Mid-way through, I lost interest. The show is simply not that interesting anymore. I don’t know if it ever was. Not even Jaila’s fabulosity can save it. I’m completely uninspired to force myself to watch every Monday and even more uninspired to write about it. No worries, plenty of other places on the web to get your Diddy fix. In related news, Diddy’s new MTV show, Starmaker is not work watching. It’s safe to say that all of these reality talent shows (American Idol, America’s Got Talent, and Diddy’s own shows like Making The Band) have already run through America’s wannabe singers. Who else is out there that hasn’t already been to a casting and summarily rejected? Those rejects are on Starmaker. Will not be tuning in anymore.

When Diddy brings back Da Band and Dylan (hot fiyah), THEN there will be something to blog about!

Making His Band ep03: teamwork

Count Diddula working on his vocals

[Contains Spoilers]
Back on the scene after last week’s back to basics catastrophe. To be honest, I’m not as committed to this show as I am to others but I’m watching it so you don’t have to (or so that you know you’re not the only one!). Anyway, let’s get to this week’s recap.

Where last week was about the individual, the musicians were put into groups tonight to focus on programming, playing as a team and sonically reproducing the feel of Last Train to Paris. While it’s apparent that many of the musicians weren’t formally trained or know the fundamentals, they’re here now because they’ve taught themselves or have a natural ear for music. Broken up into 4 bands, the musicians had three days to three songs (Point of No Return by Expose, Pleasure Principle by Janet Jackson and Take On Me by A-Ha).

Out the gate, Brockett was hype. “Once we get the sounds right… there’s nobody gonna play with the kinda feel I can play on these records. Trust me,” he proclaimed. I liked that kind of confidence and from what we’ve seen so far, Brockett can really back up all the tough talk. He can afford to run the keys all he wants in his group though, because he’s the only keyboardist there.

In the next group, Lynnette was on keys along with Jason aka J-Sweet and they weren’t meshing quite as well as they needed to. Everyone cannot be the leader/music director but at this point, with it being a competition and all, I don’t think that’s an easy concept to swallow. Hence, discord. I really like Lynnette though. I feel as though she’s hella talented and humble which is a rare combination. What I’ve noticed is that J-Sweet has a very negative and defensive attitude. Every time Lynnette says something or asks a question, J-Sweet gets super condescending and patronizing. Ew. It’s not the way to rally a team if you ARE the leader. To be fair, I don’t think Lynnette should react by running away.

Making His Band ep02: Fundamentals

Last week’s premier was the massive weeding out of less than stellar talent and our first intro to the musicians who made it into the house. This week, we get a closer look and more Didtastic shenanigans, of course.

The house is not a home. It’s a freaking mansion. That place is huge and fits 30 people, son! Amenities include a pool worthy of ___ and a mini theather with stadium seating.

Lynnette and Brockett (who violated by wearing sunglasses indoors) have a connection to Berklee and a formal music education. Most of the cats in the house seem self-taught though so it’ll be interesting to see how education or lack thereof impacts their sound. The judges apparently feel that music education is important at some level because they stressed technique on the first challenge. FUNDAMENTALS is the name of the game. Brockett made a pretty good analogy likening everyone to new NBA players who gotta go back to basics and shoot free throw drills. Although, I must say that the slam dunk v. free throw comment reminded me of the racist assumption that Black players have natural skill and athleticism whereas white players work hard and dedicate themselves to training. I’m not saying Brockett is racist at all, by the way. I’m just saying.

Making His Band ep01: Diddy be strokin’

… his ego, that is. Nobody loves Sean Combs more than Sean Combs, but you already knew that. I guess he wasn’t sure we knew that because he spent the first 10 minutes of his new reality show Making His Band talking about himself and his rise to musicianship or whatever. I guess Diddy said screw trying to make a band with chicks (Danity Kane), dudes (Day 26) or rappers (Da Band). He’s putting together a team of singers, drummers, guitarists, bassists and keyboardists to back him on his next project, “Last Train to Paris”. While some may scoff at Diddy trying to step grow musically (really?), he might be onto something. Afterall, he is Bad Boy’s top artist and highest priority.Along for the ride are judges Laurie Ann Gibson (why?), Om’Mas Keith (producer/lyricist), Rob Lewis (songwriter), Nisan Stewart (musical director), and Romeo (vocal coach).

So the Didster has a team looking for a “certain butter”, the kind of band that can carry the show without him. The first episode is always a massive weeding out process where they feature a few hopefuls, get the audience attached, then brings down the axe on some of your faves. We’ll see what happens with these guys…

• The violin player, Lee, is hot. I get the feeling they won’t know what to do with him because a violinist wasn’t in their original concept of the band. It sounds great in the mix though.
  
• White keyboardist Brockett was given props but told to “put it in context.” Hip Hop isn’t his first genre or what he trained in, but I think he is amazing.
  
• Kristoffer, the big dude drummer. Is. Not. Playing.
• Jamareo, on bass, is so sweet. I want him to make it. He’s my pick for the final band!
  
• Couple of the white guys, were pretty sick on the guitar. Blake looks like he knows it too. Uh oh, that won’t be good. After talking about himself, Diddy’s next favorite thing is breaking down anyone who thinks they can come close to his orbit. The other dude Alex up and said his amp was tired when criticized. Diddy’s #3 fave thing… torturing people who make excuses.
  
• In the beginning I was all “I’m pretty sure the big girl singer is a man. Thank goodness it was verified that Jaila was born Michael. It would have surely driven me crazy for episodes to come. Homegirl’s voice DEEP den a mugg! That’s a throwback to LaVerne on I Wanna Work for Diddy, except LV was much more fabtastic!
  
• Oh damn Dina, they basically said you hit (the drums) like a girl. What?! Haven’t they heard of Sheila E? Joy got up right after her and crushed the drums. Score one for the ladies.

Those folks (except Dina), and several other musicians made it into the house. Let the madness that is Diddy + MTV ensue!

Dear Aubrey,

You can keep on talking about how “real” you are and I could care less. Somehow, you think by saying you were keeping it real, you can make it out like Diddy was just afraid of your “realness”. Nah, that’s not it.

Keeping it real: Damn shame what she did to that dog.

In my opinion, Diddy was right on point. When you came into the group you were always a lil’ firecracker and I think that worked in your favor. It surely wasn’t because of your stellar vocals. We spent like 5 episodes straight one season dealing with your vocal limitations! You also can thank your looks for your spot in Danity Kane. We’re talking girl groups and there are no ugmos allowed. Lately, however, you’ve just gone too far and I don’t think that’s what Diddy wants. Be clear on this, what Diddy wants is all that matters. He probably has an ironclad contract on yall and even if you’re not in DK, I bet you’ll still be making HIS money. That’s neither here nor there, tho.

I mean, you’re always on the ‘net and on gossip TV running around all wild and shit. You and your roll dawg D. Woods (I never really liked that she didn’t just go by Wanita) were all cavorting and gallavanting with sailors and celebrities. Oh, and explain THIS shit:

How can you cry foul when Diddy says you’ve been too wrapped up in your own image? Side projects consisting of showing your ass? Now, of course lots of pop starlets are in magazines posing sexy and I’m sure many people will say those pics are hot. That’s cool if that’s what you’re into and that’s what the group is about. Unfortuntely for you, that’s NOT what DK is/was about. If Diddy wanted Lindsay Lohan, he’d have put a Lindsay Lohan in the group.

You’re screaming about keeping it real. Take notes from Chappelle on that one. Sometimes, keeping it real goes wrong. If Diddy doesn’t let you back in the group (cuz let’s face it: this could be a big publicity stunt), I sure hope there’s a demand for more pics of your ass and that you haven’t saturated the market already.

Very truly yours,
Renee Raddick, Esq.

I vote. I drank. I’m supposed to stop but I cain’t.

Ciroc Obama. It’s not just Diddy’s new “AKA” moniker.
Yesterday, my girl Brokey hipped me to a new drink for the politically-minded and pop culture saturated. Yup, the Ciroc Obama! I cannot wait to mix up a yummy apertif named for our presidential hopeful b/w a vodka best known for its association with Diddy for the inauguration parties. (oh, you ain’t know we was gonna party like Chapelle’s reparations skit?)

Chambord Ciroc Obama

I asked her what was in the C.O. and she reported: Ciroc, blue caracao, lime juice, & sprite. Okay, sounds good. The blue drink makes me think of blue states, and that’s hot. I got curious and Googled ‘Ciroc Obama’ and spotted another recipe being served at a Chicago bar. That version mixes Ciroc, Chambord, Fresh squeezed lemonade, and features a sugar rim. I’on’tknow about that sugar rim, though. Are they trying to say my boy Barry is sweet? Pause.

To be honest, I haven’t had Ciroc yet but I’ve heard that it’s good. I’m wondering, is it ELITE enough to carry the Obama name?