Miranda Lambert versus Chris Brown: Freedom of Speech versus Double Standard

A musical war has broken out pitting Country music singer Miranda Lambert against embattled R&B singer Chris Brown.  I try to remain neutral concerning issues like this, especially since there is no definitive right or wrong way for either party to react.  As we all know, 3 years Chris Brown brutally beat up his then girlfriend Rihanna.  

Ever since that time, his music career has gone on an downward spiral.  His album sales diminished, he lost his celebrity sponsorship and ad campaigns and was banned from attending and performing on award shows and stages he once electrified.  Fast forward till 2012, Chris' career is finally starting to see new light.  He is once again being welcomed back into the musical community and because of that many people are angry -- one such vocal person is Miranda Lambert who started publicly declaring at her concerts that Chris Brown doesn't deserve to ever grace the stage again after he was invited to perform at this years Grammy awards.  Here is where I straddle the fence.  First things first, Chris Brown was wrong for what he did.  No excuse, no down-playing, nada!  

However, how long does he have to be bear a past mistake?  What irks me is that people take it upon themselves to continue this ugly cycle of hatred targeting him, but in essence how is that hatred any better than the act he did?  How is that he has to continue to wear his scarlet letter, but we venerate others?  Case in point, Whitney Houston.  As you all should know, I have the utmost respect for Whitney, yet was she not an abuser of drugs and alcohol?  Yet, when she died some of those same people who smear Chris Brown praised her!  How is that any different?  Both international pop stars, both celebrities in the public eye with adoring fans who look up to them and both committed illegal and immoral crimes and acts!  Also, look at YouTube and Ellen Show sensations Sophia Grace Browlee & Rosie imitating Nicki Minaj and singing her provocative lyrics, this is viewed as cute and acceptable, but should little girls be singing and imitating that type of subject matter?  This is only a few celebrity example, but why is it that we choose to make some people "examples" and others do the same or even worse and it doesn't get the same response in the media?  Something to think about!  

My purpose in writing is to ask each and every reader -- THINK before you JUDGE, and LOVE before you HATE!  I wish that all in these embattled situations get the help they need, and certainly hating them every chance we get will not lead them to getting that help, it just feeds the problem!

PICTURE SOURCES: http://www.mirandalambert.com/ & http://www.chrisbrownworld.com/us/home

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Remembering Whitney Houston... (1963 - 2012) Her Untimely Death, Musical & Theatrical Legacy at age 48 - The Death of Music's Reigning Queen, but The Voice Will Never Be Silenced...

Whitney Houston... just saying her name evokes emotion.  Instantly you become reminiscent of the first time you heard "The Voice" or you may think of her past struggles and triumphs and now her untimely death.  To many people, Whitney was an unstoppable survivor, to have come through so much and now to have such a tragic end.

One of my first Whitney memories was when I was around 9 or 10 years old singing with my Mother.  We used to "battle" to see who could hold the final note of "Greatest Love of All" the longest.  She would  always be able to hold it the longest...but hey I was just a tike, my lungs where still getting stronger!  From then on, I kept practicing this note and other famous Whitney melismas (adlibs, vocal stylings) throughout my vocal training over the years.  This paid off in my High School glee club where I became the male featured vocalist and often had to sing Tenor solos.  In fact my voice became so well trained I would even have to sing with the Sopranos on some songs.  And I credit my love of music and tutelage of my musical progress to listening to Whitney Houston.  I am no exception to singers learning at the footsteps or should I say vocal cords of Whitney.  From Christina Aguilera to Deborah Cox, Brandy to Tevin Campbell, to a whole new generation of singers like Charice Pempengco and the list goes on and on... We all, male and female, Black, White, Hispanic or Asian wanted our piece of "The Voice"...

Rather than jump on the bandwagon and be one of the first racing to post about our Whitney, I decided to take a few days to contemplate my words and just let my feelings flow and so they have right now, flowing like those rich melodies of hers we have come to love.  We will always love Whitney, we always cherish our memories, our laughter and tears, and most certainly the music.  Whitney was more than just a singer, she was a talented actress, noted movie producer and philanthropist -- she also had this distinct personality that was all her own, she could be classy  and command attention when she walked in a room and also take you back to the hood or just be the girl next door we first came to know her as such.  Whitney is still leaving her mark even today, I know I like many other fans are waiting on pins and needles to see her final project, a now posthumous release of the remake of 70's film "Sparkle" that she executively produced which stars Jordan Sparks as the title character.

With that said, what more can I say than to give my condolences to her daughter Bobbi Kristina, her most loyal mother Cissy Houston who never gave up on her throughout her battles and to the rest of her extended family and friends.  With a style and grace unlike another, throughout all of her ups and down, Whitney had that special hold on our hearts that we will always remember -- and that's how I choose to remember Whitney Houston...

PICTURE SOURCE: http://www.whitneyhouston.com/

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"Soul Train" Creator\Host Don Cornelius Found Dead at age 75...

TV visionary and popular host of "Soul Train" Don Cornelius has been reportedly found dead due to an apparent suicide.  Reports are showing no foul play was discovered and this truly was a self-inflicted mortal injury.  Wow... no disrespect but what a way to kick off Black History Month.  Mr. Cornelius was known for his smooth voice and his undeniable "swagger", a word people in my generation use to refer to unique style and charisma.  I remember as a young kid watching his ground-breaking program and enjoying his interviews with all of my favorite artists.  

Its sad to hear about anyone's passing, but especially when someone takes their own life.  The last time I remember seeing Mr. Cornelius was at the 2009 BET Awards presenting a Lifetime Achievement Award to The O'Jays.  During his introduction he was forced to sit in a stool at the microphone and was noticeably out of character.  He seemed disoriented, possibly in the begging stages of dementia or Alzheimer's, but that's my own speculation.  I say that to ease my own mind why someone that is loved by so many people would do this.  Perhaps we will never know, but one thing I am for sure, there will never be another journalist, host or presenter quite like the ever smooth and elegant Don Cornelius.  To his family my condolences and may he rest in peace...

Picture Source: Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images

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Beyonce gives "birth" to Blue Ivy Carter on 01/07/2012...

...so, Beyonce has reportedly removed her pillow, I mean "given birth" to her daughter Blue Ivy Carter over the weekend on 01/07/2012.  If you follow Beyonce you know she is obsessed with the number 4, Ivy stands for the Roman numeral IV for the number 4 and the first name Blue has four letters and is also both parents favorite colors.  Coincidentally Blu is also the first name of Jay-Z former girlfriend and protege Blu Cantrell, but I digress...  So, yeah...  Fittingly all I can do is a *Kanye shrug*.  With that said, I am going to close by saying congratulations King B and I hope you and Jay enjoy parenthood!

[PICTURE SOURCE: Unknown, copyright infringement not intended.]

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Justus' Top 12 for 2012!!!

...growing up it seemed like future years such as 2000  & 2010 where unfathomable and so far off!  By this time I thought we'd be in flying cars, had robots for teachers and a cure for the common cold, but alas, though we are far more advanced now, it's not quite what I expected as I enter into my 30's *gasp*, the big reveal dun-dun-dun!

Things pretty much are still the same as when I was a young innocent dreamer at age 9 reading stories about the future thinking age 30 would mean I'd be married with a house fool of kids, and really I still feel like a teenager, even though I am out on my own and enjoying the single life!

Now at the turn of the new year, I decided to list my top 12 "hope fors" for the year 2012!  Look at 2012, are you ready?  I am ready to "take on" you and lots more!  ...enjoy the list! :)

-- Justus,
Blogger Extraordinaire of "Justus Takes On..."

My hope for 2012 is...

#12 - ...for VH1 & Bravo to stop exploiting women and minorities for ratings!

#11 - ...for people to stop being obsessed with iPhones, when they really are not the best phones on the market!

#10 - ...for people to stop cheating on "Words with Friends" knowing good well that, "QI" "QUA" and the like are not real words and they are actually using the cheat app to get 75 points for playing 2 or 3 letter combos on every play!

#9 - ...for the Kardashian's to collectively have a seat!

#8 - ...for the creator of "Glee" Ryan Murphy to stop writing & producing such ridiculous material in all his shows!

#7 - ...for Ciara, Ashanti, Amerie, Olivia and every other underrated singer to have a hit record!

#6 - ...for all retiring celebrities to stay retired and for those that need to to please do so! *cough* Regis... all aging action heroes the later!

#5 - ...for all celebrity criminals(child molesters, killers, etc) to really go to jail for their crimes, while the average criminal on the news gets 25 to life for a robbery!

#4 - ...for YouTube to stop changing it's layout every month and screwing up everybody's access, videos and upload speeds!

#3 - ...for someone deserving to win on a reality talent show! *sigh* ...sorry Simon, I can't!

#2 - ...for every celebrity in rehab to get a clue!  If it's all too much for you, JUST STOP!  At the end of the day, your worth more than what you're doing to yourself, LITERALLY and FINANCIALLY!

#1 - ...for this blog to take over the world!  ...yes that's right Pinky!  ...take over the WORLD!

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Rachel Crow Eliminated from X-Factor… too young for stardom?

I know I am a little late with this post, but I wanted to give my comments on the Rachel Crow elimination scandal on X-Factor.  First things first, I think she is a talented young lady.  However, judging by her reaction to being eliminated, it proved to me that she is much too young and not mature-minded enough to handle the fame.   Having the so-called “X-Factor” means you have the certain something about you that says you shine and have the undeniable talent that makes you special and different than the regular performer.  Rachel’s melodramatic temper tantrum showed me that while she may be talented, she certainly is NOT ready for the entertainment business. 

The X-Factor show is just a small taste of the hustle that goes on behind the scenes of seeking out fame, trust me as a former amateur stage actor who once had dreams of being on the Broadway, Television and the Big Screen, I know that the simple rejection you all saw showcased was nothing in comparison to the imposition of body image, honing your craft and constant rejection you face when being scrutinized by both any potential and even your own team of agents, producers and movers & shakers in the industry.  All in all, in our era of “15 mintues of fame”,  anyone who has makes a publicity driven buzz like this can have a successful career, all they need is the right promotion to get their dream come to life.  Look at Jennifer Hudson and Clay Aiken from American Idol, though technically losers they are the most successful acts out of the show hands down. 

And just a side note, ya’ll stop hating on Nicole Scherzinger, just… stop! SMH!  …would else would you expect from some who herself got her start on a reality singing show!  Yes, calling all fans, who remembers one of the original reality singing shows Popstars on the WB?  Nicole knows how it feels to be rejected and how cruel these reality shows can be when she competed to be in the girl group that became Eden’s Crush, so she knows better than any of those judges what Rachel was about to feel, so THAT is why it was so hard for her to make the decision.  And that in turn cause her to withdraw her ability to cast the deciding vote that was already evidently  was going to happen anyway regardless of her vote that Rachel was going to be set home.  So just stop with all the noise and “get over yourself, goodbye!” (…yes, that’s the key line from Eden’s Crush first single" for all you who have done your research!)

PICTURE SOURCE: http://www.thexfactorusa.com

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T.I. & Tiny on “The Wendy Williams Show” & comments on their new VH1 reality series “T.I. And Tiny: The Family Hustle”…

So, this past week rapper and ex-con, twice removed and his wife, former Xscape singer, Tiny visited the Wendy Williams show.  *pause* …let me just preface this commentary with three very important details.  #1 – I am a fan of T.I. and I am rooting for him and his family to overcome his recent legal\criminal troubles.  #2 – I am also a fan of Wendy Williams and what her talk show represents – gossip and hot mess.  And finally #3 – No pun intended, telling it like it T… I… TIS! 

Now with that said, any celebrity knows that when there are a trending hot topic, whenever they go to any type of interview, they are going to discuss the good, the bad and the ugly.  Even more importantly, if you are going on the Queen of All Media’s show, you automatically know that she is going to tell the truth and not sugar coat her interviews, she is known industry wide for that.  Even worse, celebrity’s sign a discussion waiver of what they will allow to be talked about in an interview.  So please tell me why with all that said, why was T.I. acting like, lack of a better word, “a punk” when Wendy Williams asked them how were they adjusting to T.I. being home and how their VH1 series opens up with him still in jail.  These were valid questions, nothing was said rudely, nothing was implied maliciously and again, REMEMBER, this is Wendy Williams, she had every opportunity to read him, but she didn’t!  And ya boy T.I. was acting like because he put on a designer suit and flashed his bleached white teeth that everything is supposed to be glossed over and not addressed. 

First of all T.I., no let be clearer, Mr. Clifford Harris, the purpose of your “reality” show is to show how your family is having to “hustle” after enduring 2 years of legal and family issues that you placed upon them.  Secondly, your show actually showcases the transition from prison life to home life and MOST IMPORTANTLY, you are the idiot who allowed yourself to be in those situations, so don’t put on the “I’m changed act” when you were the one who violated your probation, got released a year later then got put back in custody when you violated your parole release agreement, so you sir can go have a seat!!!  Peep out a clip from the interview below…

T.I. and Tiny on The Wendy Williams Show…

PICTURE SOURCE:  http://www.wendyshow.com/ & http://www.vh1.com

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