Lance Drummonds Music Blog

Who doesn’t love a hidden treasure?

I had the pleasure of meeting this gentleman. And he’s just that – a perfect gentleman with whom you can get lost in conversations about art, music, and (my personal favorite) food!! Anyone who knows me understands how much of a foodie I am.

…Don’t judge me.

Shoutout to this very talented up-and-coming local (and not so local) artist, Rodney White!

Check him out at: http://rodney-white.com/#/becomings/subjectivetruths/subjective

–Miss Ro

I’m sure we can all agree that, to a certain extent, technology does more good than bad. Amputees can have their extremities again, distance no longer prohibits communication, etc. But then again, with the Industrial Revolution came a lifetime of pollution and other troubles that now affect just about everyone worldwide. (BP anyone?) Read more…

THIS VIDEO IS FIRE!!!!! She looks amazing. The story is very passionate complementing the energy in the song. This was by far one of my favorite songs off “the element of freedom.” Alicia’s acting is on point as is Chad Michael Murray. I’m loving everything about this video! Well done.

LD

(March 13) — Jene Newsome played by the rules as an Air Force sergeant: She never told anyone in the military she was a lesbian. The 28-year-old\’s honorable discharge under the don\’t ask, don\’t tell policy came only after police officers in Rapid City, S.D., saw an Iowa marriage certificate in her home and told the nearby Ellsworth Air Force Base.

Although they didn’t make the list of top albums of 2009, “Wild Young Hearts” by The NOISEttes definitely ranks in my top 10 album of last year, definitely top 25 of all time. Their sound is a fun fusion of rock, soul, pop, and dance tunes. Here’s “Never Forget You”, a personal favorite. Enjoy!

-Miss Ro

Safe sex, to be exact. What better to talk about while we’re still fresh out of the bliss of Valentine’s Day weekend? Yeah…

How many times did we hear in middle and high school that abstinence was the only way to avoid STDs and unplanned pregnancy? At some point, administrators of education realized that abstinence was simply not working for some students (maybe it was the sex in the halls…) and they refocused their efforts towards the promotion of safe sex by way of birth control methods. Everyone had access to free condoms in their school’s health office and, at least in my experience, you were subjected to an uncomfortable four months of Sex Ed wherein an old, wrinkled teacher taught you how to put a condom on a banana and showed you the lovely video of what happens when you skip the condom, also known as “The Miracle of Life”.

We can all agree that children are a blessing. After all, procreation is the key to the survival of a species. STDs, however, are NOT a blessing, nor do they play any part in the preservation of the human race. I am an advocate of safe sex because, simply, IT MAKES SENSE. And I know I’m not alone in this. Read more…

I admit, I got caught up in an episode or two of this Jersey Shore madness on MTV (meanwhile I’m appalled at the lack of musical content, but I digress..). Much like everyone else, I viewed it simply because I could appreciate a nice, hearty laugh at the moment. This week, however, I came across this spoof on the Jersey Shore show, reenacted by a group of kids. Let me just say, this mess is ridonkulously hysterical. Enjoy!!

-Miss Ro

That was my exact expression after I first saw footage of these young women shaking their assets. My good friend brought my attention to the Twerk Team; apparently they’re available for booking.

…Alrighty then.

I’m not sure parental discretion is necessary here but, uh, WOW.
Read more…

…Or disengagement? Who knows how this story will pan out…

Just recently, I was put in the uncomfortable position of informing two male friends, on two separate occasions, that we were not going down the “friends with benefits” road. This sparked the same absurd response from them both: they got upset! One was more rational than the other; to my surprise, they had the same defense in their pleas with me, and I quote, “Any man, unless he’s gay, would have a problem being friends with you without a physical relationship.” I play devil’s advocate in just about any situation so naturally, I had to ponder this idea.

For one friend, I am literally the “girl next door”. Read more…

I came across this article and it touched me so much. We always hear about the indiscretions of athletes and the vapid dilemmas they get themselves into. Seldom do we hear about those who are so appreciative of the opportunities they’ve been afforded that they give back to the institutions most instrumental in propelling their careers. Other millionaire-athletes, take note!

Vikings’ Madieu Williams Donates $2M to Alma Mater
Donation creates global health initiative center

Published : Thursday, 05 Nov 2009, 9:46 AM CST

COLLEGE PARK, Md. – Minnesota Vikings safety Madieu Williams is donating $2 million to his alma mater, the University of Maryland, helping form an international health initiatives center.

The donation satisfies advice given to Williams by his mother at a young age. Williams came to Maryland from Sierra Leone at the age of 9. According to a Washington Post report, Williams’ mother always said if he ever found himself in a place to make a difference, he should do it.

The University of Maryland announced the creation of the Madieu Williams Center for Global Health Initiatives. The $2 million donation from the 28-year-old Williams is the largest gift to the university from an African American alumnus and the largest amount donated by someone his age.

The university says the center will focus on local, state-wide and global health initiatives, with particular attention to public health initiatives in Prince George’s County, Maryland and Freetown, Sierra Leone.

Williams considered establishing a scholarship fund but decided to do something larger with his donation.

-Miss Ro

I enjoy very few things more than discovering new talent. I can’t say this one is new though… Amelle Berrabah, of British pop group Sugababes fame, is one hot tamale. Her voice kinda makes me want to put her on a plate and sop her up with a biscuit! This vid Read more…

Although they’re *ahem* the competitor and all of the rest of the Cheer Factory commercials have annoyed me to no end, who can deny the way these kids break it down? Gap’s Holiday ’09 ad campaign is on it! Here it is; check out the 0:09 mark Read more…

One of my favorite tracks on “The Ecstatic”, the latest release from emcee/actor Mos Def, now has a music video! Check out “Supermagic” after the jump. Read more…

Who’s excited about the forthcoming project from Norah Jones? I’m terribly stoked! Personally, I have followed her career since its inception, from her first album “Come Away with Me” to her many collaborations with some of my favorite artists (Andre 3000, Q-Tip, Talib Kweli, etc), to her latest single, “Chasing Pirates” (peep the vid after the jump). Read more…

In this lovely digital age there are so many different means of getting your opinion out. I’m not here to say what’s right or wrong; good or bad; true or false. I’m here to say all of it. You probably won’t meet a more diplomatic person. But I digress…

They say chivalry is dead.

I’m not saying they’re wrong, but who are “they”? And what’s led them to believe that chivalry is on a side street somewhere belly-up?

I think that as a generation, we’re ALL to blame for the downfall of Sir/Mme Chivalry. Let’s take current events as a point of reference. Tiger Woods—really? Cheating is wrong, point-blank-period. But why be so sloppy about it to the point where there are voicemails that don’t even need to be traced back to you because you SAY YOUR NAME? Hello!!! This is the jump-off’s phone we’re talking about, not your wife’s. At the very least, come up with an alias! Cheating, as wrong as it is, becomes more hurtful the more deliberate it appears. More crucial than your reputation, your wife and children are at stake. This is your well-being that you’re toying with. I could go to Cadillac tomorrow and ask them for an endorsement deal but they wouldn’t give me one. Why? Because I’m not a person that the masses look up to.

To deviate from Tiger, there are so many other public figures that have been caught with their hand in the jar of infidelity. We can all argue that it is a stupid move to cheat (or be sloppy about cheating) if you’re famous. But that doesn’t exempt the rest of us. “Infidelity” has as negative or uncomfortable a connotation on a relationship as “dissonance” on music. “Jump-offs” have been referenced as “Temps”, which is amazingly fitting. Your place as a “Temp” is, indeed, temporary so assume your position! This is assuming that it has been established in the beginning that there is a main piece and said “main piece” is on the same page as you—that you’re both allowed to see other people. If you’re getting your swerve on, why can’t they?

On the converse side of things, why cheat in the first place? If you don’t want to be in a committed relationship, lay the ground rules so that your mate can choose whether he/she wants to be an option and not a priority. It is only fair that you lay all of the cards on the table, so to speak. As long as all parties are abreast of the situation, wouldn’t that make life easier? At that point, if the prospect decides to go along with it, they have no claim to you and you can make this argument should there be mention of infidelity. Honesty is key, before you do the deed! If not, in the end all you get is MESSY.

Miss Ro