Packing for Portland

On my way to give a keynote at the WebVisions event in Portland, OR. I'm still finalizing my slideshow for my talk, Is Print Dead? How Digital Media is Changing the Face of Publishing.

More about the event over on my FastCompany.com blog. That's also where any coverage I do of the event will live.

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The Mainstream Media's Fascination with Gay Rappers (Again)

Where to begin with this one? I guess at the ending instead of the beginning. So there's a new book, Hiding in Hip Hop: On the Down Low in the Entertainment Industry--from Music to Hollywood, written by a former MTV staffer, Terrance Dean. (H/T to Hashim Warren for sharing the Newsweek piece on Google Reader.)

The release of the book was blogged on BET.com's Beneath the Underdog previously and though the reader lambasted the book for its potential of outing people, the writer of the post turns around and does just that by asking readers who they think will be mentioned in the book. OFFENSE #1

The Newsweek piece immediately starts off on the wrong step:

"In a hooded sweatshirt and baggy jeans, Terrance Dean doesn't give off "gay" on first sight—and he has worked hard to present himself that way." OFFENSE #2

I thought we were past that already in 2008 that "gay on first sight" business that is. But there's loads more to uncover here.

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How to Cover Michael Jackson

Michael Jackson + Fergie VS Fall Out Boy

Video: Fall Out Boy - "Beat It"

Perhaps Fall Out Boys' video for "Beat It," (above) is a little too wacky, but the truth is, their cover of the song has contributed a lot more to the musical tradition of MJ than anything on that Thriller 25 does. Case in point, listen to Michael Jackson Ft. Fergie on Thriller 25 with a mashup of "Beat It."

It's an update at best. And Fergie, bless her soul, isn't really putting forth the oomph. She's basically parodying MJ. It doesn't sound like a 2008 version of the song, regardless if a Casio-sounding bridge was added, followed up my MJ's vocals on reverb. Futuristic? Not. What does sound totally 2008 and completely fresh is the Fall Out Boy version. Why? Fall Out Boy has taken the track and reworked it to make it their own. That's innovation. The Fergie version sounds bootleg, as if it weren't even sanctioned by a major studio, but instead my 18 year-old-niece created it on her computer.

[FOB's cover of "Beat It" is the top track on my muxtape]

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MashBash Was A Blast w/Grand Master Flash

Highlights from MashBash NYC Featuring Grandmaster Flash.

Attended MashBash @ Webster Hall and it was really off the hook. Here are some video excerpts on YouTube and Qik and Audio Shout Outs on Utterz. Everything listed in reverse chronological order.

YouTube Video: Grand Master Flash @ MashBash NYC

Qik Video: Grandmaster Flash @ MashBash

Bill Cammack Shout Out On Utterz

Baratunde Thurston Shout Out On Utterz

Welcome Utterz

(all video and audio produced on a Nokia N95 the stereo audio capabilities on this phone is amazing)

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When Did Madonna Get Black?

It's funny. Around the same time that fellow writer Clay Cane was saying Madonna Goes Black (Again), I was wondering exactly when was it that she ever got black. I had written a post then, but sat on it for reasons I don't care to mention at this point. And while I now know that Clay thinks Madonna is black after her 106 & Park appearance with Terrance and Rocsi, I still want to know how and when. So my post still has legs, even though this episode is over like a fat rat.

Granted, if you're an old head like me, Madonna was always a part of your record collection. She made danceable risqué, club music and her dancers and background singers always felt familiar and soulful -- read black, or at least mostly black. And if nothing else, the black kids got them. No not kids -- family -- as in LGBT. Madonna pumped at the Garage and Warehouse (you old New York heads know what I mean) just as much as Colonel Abrams ("I'm Not Gonna' Let You") and Marshall Jefferson ("Move Your Body"). Granted, "Borderline" was hot, but it was not black. Not at all. Not even octoroon.

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Video: BlogHer Biz '08 - Moving from "Should" to "Can"

YouTube Video: BlogHer '08 Break Out Session #1 Part 3

Break-Out Session #1
Moving From "Should" to "Can"
Track: Social Media Creation Best Practices

You've heard all the reason you're supposed to have a company blog and more. But let's talk about moving from "should" to "can." From technology choices to time management, community policies to common pitfalls, this session is designed to help you figure out what will give your company the greatest comfort level and potential for success when launching a blog, podcast or online community. Technologist and author Susannah Gardner moderates this discussion. Fast Company's Lynne d Johnson will talk about the why and how behind Fast Company's recent evolution from magazine web site, with blogs, to a more interactive social community. We'll also get insight on how PBS Parents is making the journey from "should" to "can" by talking to the Director of PBS Parents, Jean Crawford, and one of her blogger/consultants, Jen Lemen...someone who is associated with the most authentic and creative aspects of the blogosphere, but is helping organizations tap into their opportunities to be a part of it.

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Amy DuBois Barnett, Get Yours! Book Signing

Video: Amy DuBois Barnett, Get Yours! Book Signing shot on a Nokia N95

Was up in Harlem today and ran into Amy DuBois Barnett at Carol's Daughter on 125th Street. She was there conducting a book signing for Get Yours! How to Have Everything You Ever Dreamed of and More.

Photos were being taken by Piper from that photographer reality show on VH1 -- The Shot. Piper's been working with celeb photog Johnny Nunez of Nubuzz photo, who also stopped by while I was there.

It was funny running into Amy as I we were just working together about a week ago when James Andrews and I hosted Carol's Daughter Blogger Roundtable, and she moderated the interview between the audience and Lisa Price of Carol's Daughter. It was good to see Johnny too.

Tim Moore has superbly edited video of the roundtable on his site:

Carol’s Daughter Blogger Roundtable pt1
Carol’s Daughter Blogger Roundtable pt2

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