© Harold Jacobs
After seeing Janet Jackson perform at the Staple Center, I decided to call her hot line to leave a message saying how much I enjoyed the show. In the message I made the comment that I couldn’t believe how anyone could pull off doing such an elaborate show like that, night after night when in fact I was tired from just watching it! Weeks later, Janet cancelled a number of shows due to illness. Subsequentially, this illness became the fodder of many gossip rags and media outlets proclaiming, once again, that she is pregnant. There are even reports that insinuate that Janet is faking her illness in an effort to avoid shows that have “poor ticket sales” when the truth of the matter is that not only has Billboard and Live Nation reported that nearly every show Janet has performed over the past month has nearly sold out (both Los Angles and Vegas were sold out shows) but she has also gotten rave reviews from both the fans and critics alike. No one outside of Janet herself and her medical team can decry with any level of certainty about her health status and frankly, I just don’t think it’s anybody’s business. Janet has been known to be very passionate, very professional and a workaholic who cares very deeply for her fans. I don’t think she would cancel her shows for any frivolous reasons.
I definitely think there is a mutual respect that Janet shares with her fans. She has been there for us in song and dance for over two decades and as evidenced by the sold out show I attended, we most definitely will always be there for her. From when the lights first went out and L.L. Cool J hit the stage to the very end of Janet’s show, we all were on our feet, enjoying the music and loving every second.
There are many other female performers on the scene nowadays but I have yet to see any other female artist bring it the way Janet does. The woman still has “it” and she did not miss a beat! The Rock Witchu Tour is definitely Janet Jackson at her best. She started the show with “The Pleasure Principle” and from there she, her dancers, and her band kept hitting us hyped up with hit after classic hit. The highlight of the show for me was seeing Janet perform her old songs from Control, Rhythm Nation, and The Velvet Rope. I nearly died when I saw that she added the chair routine back to “I Miss You Much”… that was definitely one of the many high lights of the show for me.
I was also very much astounded by the show’s artistic directions. While the music was most definitely nostalgic, bringing up memories from when I was 14 and saw her perform for the first time with her Rhythm Nation Tour in 1990, the stage and costumes were lavishly designed with more futuristic textures and visuals, giving the whole show a gratifyingly unique experience. There were also large video screens that also projected beautiful visuals that went along with the performance as well as virtual appearances by recording artists such as Q-Tip, Dave Navarro, Nelly, and Jermaine Dupri. While the pyrotechnics were a bit frightening sometimes, I do have to say that it added quite a bit of excitement to the show‘s opening and songs like Black Cat, Rhythm Nation.
When the show ended, I was on cloud nine. On my way out I actually ran into her older brothers Jackie and Tito of Jackson Five fame. I actually had an opportunity to speak with them. Not only are they legends who contributed greatly to the success of both Janet and Michael, but they also are both very kind and down to earth guys. Tito even complimented me on the tee-shirt that I was wearing with Janet’s face airbrushed on the front.
Coincidentally, there was also a little blonde woman with a ton of security being escorted throughout the crowd. It was until much later when I discovered that it was indeed Britney Spears. From the performance Janet just gave I imagined she was front and center taking notes.
As Janet continues on from her illness and fulfill her other concert dates, I and countless other fans wish her nothing but the best and we thank her for giving us the opportunity to rock with her all these years.
After seeing Janet Jackson perform at the Staple Center, I decided to call her hot line to leave a message saying how much I enjoyed the show. In the message I made the comment that I couldn’t believe how anyone could pull off doing such an elaborate show like that, night after night when in fact I was tired from just watching it! Weeks later, Janet cancelled a number of shows due to illness. Subsequentially, this illness became the fodder of many gossip rags and media outlets proclaiming, once again, that she is pregnant. There are even reports that insinuate that Janet is faking her illness in an effort to avoid shows that have “poor ticket sales” when the truth of the matter is that not only has Billboard and Live Nation reported that nearly every show Janet has performed over the past month has nearly sold out (both Los Angles and Vegas were sold out shows) but she has also gotten rave reviews from both the fans and critics alike. No one outside of Janet herself and her medical team can decry with any level of certainty about her health status and frankly, I just don’t think it’s anybody’s business. Janet has been known to be very passionate, very professional and a workaholic who cares very deeply for her fans. I don’t think she would cancel her shows for any frivolous reasons.I definitely think there is a mutual respect that Janet shares with her fans. She has been there for us in song and dance for over two decades and as evidenced by the sold out show I attended, we most definitely will always be there for her. From when the lights first went out and L.L. Cool J hit the stage to the very end of Janet’s show, we all were on our feet, enjoying the music and loving every second.
There are many other female performers on the scene nowadays but I have yet to see any other female artist bring it the way Janet does. The woman still has “it” and she did not miss a beat! The Rock Witchu Tour is definitely Janet Jackson at her best. She started the show with “The Pleasure Principle” and from there she, her dancers, and her band kept hitting us hyped up with hit after classic hit. The highlight of the show for me was seeing Janet perform her old songs from Control, Rhythm Nation, and The Velvet Rope. I nearly died when I saw that she added the chair routine back to “I Miss You Much”… that was definitely one of the many high lights of the show for me.I was also very much astounded by the show’s artistic directions. While the music was most definitely nostalgic, bringing up memories from when I was 14 and saw her perform for the first time with her Rhythm Nation Tour in 1990, the stage and costumes were lavishly designed with more futuristic textures and visuals, giving the whole show a gratifyingly unique experience. There were also large video screens that also projected beautiful visuals that went along with the performance as well as virtual appearances by recording artists such as Q-Tip, Dave Navarro, Nelly, and Jermaine Dupri. While the pyrotechnics were a bit frightening sometimes, I do have to say that it added quite a bit of excitement to the show‘s opening and songs like Black Cat, Rhythm Nation.
When the show ended, I was on cloud nine. On my way out I actually ran into her older brothers Jackie and Tito of Jackson Five fame. I actually had an opportunity to speak with them. Not only are they legends who contributed greatly to the success of both Janet and Michael, but they also are both very kind and down to earth guys. Tito even complimented me on the tee-shirt that I was wearing with Janet’s face airbrushed on the front.Coincidentally, there was also a little blonde woman with a ton of security being escorted throughout the crowd. It was until much later when I discovered that it was indeed Britney Spears. From the performance Janet just gave I imagined she was front and center taking notes.
As Janet continues on from her illness and fulfill her other concert dates, I and countless other fans wish her nothing but the best and we thank her for giving us the opportunity to rock with her all these years.
The effects of failed relationships in the Big Boy community. As a promoter of Big Boy parties, it has come to my attention that some of us within the Big Boy community are somewhat scared to make that first approach, albeit in a club or any other social function. The communication that I have received is that there is a strong fear of rejection and shame. So I was pondering how would a Big Boy change the perception in this situation? So here's my suggestion: Walk out on faith and allow yourself the confidence to step up to the plate and make that approach in a club or any other social setting. 
Saw an old friend on the street
We know those haters gonna try to fight
In the story of my life, one of the most absolutely horrendous chapters would most definitely have to be my experiences with working at the House of Blues on the Sunset Strip. In retrospect I can see now that "disappointment" was a huge part of my ill feelings towards that experience. To me, the House of Blues was synonymous with everything young, hip, fresh and liberal. It was for me a den of profound hippies making an honest buck on their search for a higher truth and I was ever so honored to be elected to be a part of that trek.
However, one glorious day, the Retail Store stocked little figurines that displayed Jesus Christ on a crucifix with an exaggerated afro. Offended customers complained so much that the Retail Store decided to not stock them; though patrons still bought coffee cups with Ganesh rocking out with a guitar, t-shirts with Shiva holding various cosmetics in each hand, piled themselves into the Ganesh and Buddha rooms, made out, drank alcohol and smoked weed in front of statues that represent God for millions of people… including some of the cleaning staff who used to leave tidings of dried flowers at the feet of the statues every morning after cleaning up the mess left behind the night before.
I ask Caucasian women, would they feel comfortable with the idea of all media outlets claiming dark women with afros and hips to be the epitome of the classic American beauty? Would they begin to curl their hair in thick locks, wear dark brown contacts and eat carbohydrates the same our sisters dye (die) their hair blonde and wear blue contacts?
I see a McCain run America as one big House of Blues; a state where "We're First"… and so many of us are not the "We" he has in mind. A state where our culture, our customs, our ethnicity are not respected, cultivated or appreciated but more or less… commoditized and used to filter money to the upper class. We'll never be on the main stage, but we'll clean the toilets, and sweep the floors and sell the tickets. Our sexuality will be acknowledged if it affects the greater fiscal picture. Our Gods will be nothing more than amusing fixtures in the background.