Fresh Roundtable

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This week we have 6 Young Black Americans. 6 Questions.

Lauren Belle: 22 years old Corporate Slave by Day/DJ by Night, Cincinnati

Missin Link: Grown (lol), Singer/Rapper/Entertainer, Atlanta

JG*: 24 years old, Executive Recruiter/Business Developer, Atlanta

GQ: 23 years old, Law Student, Washington D.C.

Robin Monique: 25 years old, Co-Founder/Editor-in-Chief Polished Cleveland Magazine, Cleveland

Justin: 24 years old, Search Marketing Strategist, Chicago

Check out what our Fresh Roundtable participants discuss, and chime in on your own at the end. Kickin’ knowledge and having fun… its what FXP is all about.

1.       Will we ever see another Michael Jackson?

Lauren Belle: No. Michael was at the right place in the right era. That’s not to slight his talent but with our current Youtube, Bit Torrent, Myspace music culture I highly doubt a mega-star like MJ will ever be seen again.

Missin Link: I don’t think so. We will see who’s next. But it can never be another mike. I think Chris Brown and Usher are good candidates.

JG*: As a hardcore…MJ lover. No we will not. He opened that door, shut it, and locked it. I can’t imagine another artist being able to make music that really transcends genres, races, and cultures.

GQ: No. No further discussion needed.

Robin Monique: The way that the music industry currently operates, with hype and marketability taking priority over the quality and talent, I don’t think we’ll see another Mike. If we do, however, it won’t be within the current crop of pop /R&B artists. Hopefully some cute baby has been born in a small Midwestern town in the last year or so who will one day fill Mike’s shoes.

Justin: We will never see another entertainer, humanitarian, and childhood musical prodigy like Michael Joseph Jackson. With the way music has been going it is hard for me to see that happening specifically because Michael’s music spanned across generations of people – everyone, young and old, listened to Michael Jackson. That is a rarity nowadays.

2.       Keeping on the subject of Michael, what do you think of the possibility of his unreleased music being released posthumously? Do you think it will reach a Tupac Shakur level of production?

Lauren Belle: I’m hoping that they don’t do to Michael Jackson what Tupac’s camp did to him. Music tends to be unreleased for a reason. Plus, his catalog isn’t doing bad sales wise as it is.

Missin Link: I don’t see why his unreleased music wouldn’t be. I think its almost a given. It will exceed the 2pac level…he’s pop, so EVERYBODY about to sample him.

JG*: I would love to hear MJ’s unreleased music, that would make me happy. I just hope that it doesn’t turn into a circus and makes the media act even more of a fool. Either way, I want the music.

GQ: More Michael is always better Michael. However, I heard Pac still has unreleased tracks that bang. I think if it was seriously fire Mike would have dropped it by now. But I’m never one to doubt The King.

Robin Monique: Personally, I’d love to hear new Michael Jackson music that upholds the integrity of his previous work. I sincerely hope that his estate pays attention to how lackluster posthumous releases can damage a brand (i.e. 2Pac) and proceed wth caution. I certainly don’t want to hear Michael singing about the details of his death as if he’s still alive or saying “Rest in Peace” to people who died after him.

Justin: I think only his latest material should be released and that is it. Anything else would be Tupac-like and having people thinking that Mike is somewhere in Jamaica with Tupac. I don’t want to hear any songs from 1997 that didn’t the album. Let the man rest, his classics are timeless and will always be bought by his most loyal fans.

3.       With Sarah Palin stepping down as Governor of Alaska, do you see her still being a Republican candidate for President in 2012? What do you think she’ll do in the meantime?

Lauren Belle: Sarah Palin is a hack. I make it a point not to follow her career. She want’s attention and the media continues to give it to her. That woman doesn’t have a chance in hell of being elected POTUS.

Missin Link: If she stepped down from governor, who wants this chick as president? forreal…she’s ditsy as the teletubbies!

JG*: I’m like this, she was elected by her constituents to do her job, and she in effect, quit. She said “my personal interests are above the things that you have asked me to do.” She had what 15 or so months left to serve? Stepping down is not a good look. I hope she knows that you just can’t step down from President when you see something more attractive you want to do. Stepping down TO run for President is plain silly. I believe Senators Obama, McCain, Clinton, etc all remained at their post until their time was up. Mmmkay? I would be aghast if she ran for President after taking an extended nap break. In the meantime she’ll probably write a cookbook, produce a folk album with Johnny Cash samples, and co-host The View.

GQ: Note: I’m a Republican. No. Hell no. If she runs I’m switching parties. I would like to see her in a Playboy spread though.

Robin Monique: I don’t see how an unsuccessful governor who quits mid-term becomes a viable Presidential candidate. Especially considering her unsuccessful run at the Vice Presidency. But I know for a fact that Sarah Palin is not going to disappear or be quiet. I give it six months before Fox News gives her a TV show.

Justin: I do not see Sarah Palin being a Republican candidate for President in 2012 because she has proven to her followers and those against her that she cannot handle the pressure and scrutiny that she received in the press. Yes, the American media can be harsh and pry in your personal business but it is how you handle yourself in the midst of all that is what makes you stand out as a true leader in America. The funny part in all of this is if McCain would have won the Presidency, would she quit being Vice President of the United States? You didn’t see Barack Obama wanting to quit trying to be President of the United States when the media was trying to claim that he actually was not a citizen of the United States, was a Muslim terrorist and a socialist. Something to think about.

4.       What do you think is the biggest lesson to be taken from the Steve McNair murder-suicide?

Lauren Belle: In the words of the great MF DOOM, keep your hoes in check. If anything I think this might put a damper on ball players cheating, but it seems to be an isolated case of crazy that will no doubt be irrelevent in a months time.

Missin Link: Its a thin line between love and hate! I know she had to show some sort of homicidal, suicidal, unstable, manic depressant behaviors! I couldve seen this coming…I’m sorry!

JG*: Be careful of the company you keep. I’m sure her crazy showed up at some point. Learn how to pay attention! Also, keep your vows.

GQ: These hoes is crazy.

Robin Monique: The easy thing would be to say “don’t cheat.” But infidelity did not begin with Steve McNair and nor will it end with him, so I think all the hoopla about how he “got what he deserved” is ridiculous. NO ONE deserves to be murdered. Biggest lesson to me is to value life. Your own and the lives of others. The threat of getting your heart broken is NEVER that serious.

Justin: I think the biggest lesson to be taken from the Steve McNair murder-suicide is if you are in a good relationship or marriage to really ask yourself, is it really worth putting your health, family, and everything you’ve worked so hard for on the line for someone on the side? You never know if this person “on the side” truly has your interest at heart in the decisions they make with your relations or even if they can be trusted. It is truly a shame what happened to Steve McNair because he could have easily been avoided this spiraling situation. I think it is very important to carefully choose the people you keep around yourself so you will avoid critical situations similar to this one. RIP Steve McNair.

5.       Jay-Z reportedly threatened to pull out of the BET Awards if they let Chris Brown perform. Dame Dash has chimed in saying he’s taking money out of Brown’s mouth. What do you think about the situation? Is it time to let Chris Breezy back in the game?

Lauren Belle: Chris took money out of his own mouth by beating Rihanna. I don’t think he needed any help in black balling himself from the industry. However, I think Sean Carter ought to mind his own business and bun up Beyonce already.

Missin Link: Yeah I think lil homie learned his lesson. Its time to let him back in so we can see/learn some new moves. Is it me or did everybody stop dancing who could really get down; i.e usher, omarion, chris,…soulja boy, jk! gnr!

JG*: Whaaaaat??? Yea* I heard this too and I feel like that’s just a punk move. Whatever your issues are with the man, you need to sit down and stay in your lane. If BET felt like they wanted Chris to perform that is their right. The Jackson Family supported a CB tribute so BET could have very well allowed him to do so. I don’t feel bad for CB though. He shouldn’t have done what he did, therefore he’ll have to pay the price. What I didn’t like though is how Don C. was allowed to ramble for 30 mins considering he was recently arrested for beating his wife, and he has a history of doing so. They should have rounded up all the felons in the room, as well as those nominated and just told them they couldn’t participate. Hmmm wonder what that would have looked like.

GQ: I really really really hate hypocritical self-righteous rappers. Jay…you used to sell drugs that killed people. Get real.

Robin Monique: I actually heard that Cover Girl threatened to pull their ads from BET, since Rihanna’s one of their spokeswomen. Either way, before Chris gets back into the game, he needs to show some remorse. Find T.I.’s crisis management team to help him get his career back on track because rocking a chain that says “Ooops” is not  a smart move for a man who just plead guilty in a domestic violence case.

Justin: I am a fan of Jay-Z but if he threatened to pull out of the wack-ess BET Awards I’ve ever seen if they let Chris Brown perform then I would really have a problem with that because of CB’s desire to give a great tribute to Michael Jackson. The tribute to Michael Jackson was sub-par and would have been better if Chris Brown performed. So if Jay-Z truly was “blocking” Chris Brown then he really did not care how the show was going to turn out or about the tribute that they were planning for Michael Jackson, who was a bigger star than either Jay-Z or Chris Brown. As far as letting Chris Brown back into the game, I think there is a time and place for everything. A lot of people are still very mad about what Chris did, but I think those flames have calmed down by now. His songs are back on the radio, I think its time we give him a pass just like we give most stars that mess up.

FXP in the Fire: Nas reportedly decided to divorce Kelis because he couldn’t handle the fact that she made a sex tape prior to their marriage, that he had no knowledge about. You’re married. You find out your spouse made a sex tape 2 years before your marriage that would rival even the “best” porn. What do you do?

Lauren Belle: I’d wonder why I wasn’t aware, but it probably wouldn’t be a deal breaker. But then I’m a woman and we all know there’s a double standard when it comes to sex tapes. Everyone gave Kim Kardashian the side eye. Meanwhile, Ray-J is somewhere singing about Sexy Ladies.

Missin Link: I wouldn’t care! He’s mad it got out!…understandable! But damn Nas, don’t let ur pride mess up your marriage!

JG*: First of all, I’d ask to see it. LOL I mean if everyone else is seeing it, I want to see it too! I’m sure I’d be pretty pissed, but not enough to divorce my huasband. This would probably be a lie of omission because that’s just not really a question most people ask. Well at least not at that time. I’m sure he didn’t think to ask, “Hey baby, you don’t have any sex tapes out there do you?” I bet she didn’t think to necessarily tell him because she never thought it would become public property. How many of you all tell all that you’ve done sexually in the past? I mean that’s not particularly appropriate. “Sweetie, I’ve done this, this, that, oh and that…twice.” As a celeb she should have probably at least mentioned this, but a divorce? No sir. Pick up your manjangles and run your house like a man. LOL Call me Christian but only adultery undo’s those vows. It happened before him, this is clearly about his wounded pride. We all know how delicate the male ego is. But… such is life.

GQ: If I asked about it and she lied, she gets the boot. If I didn’t conduct the proper due diligence then I’ma try to get a video of my own.

Robin Monique: The only way I’m upset is if he’s pulling out tricks on this tape that I’ve never seen. And even then, his only “punishment” would be to perform said tricks on command! Lol.

Justin: Hmmm. I would not divorce her at first, but I would try to stop the distribution of the tape so no one else can see my wife rocking her thang…And then divorce her later.

That wraps up this week’s roundtable. Let us know what YOU think about these topics in the comment section. If you’re interested in being on a future Fresh Roundtable, contact SWaltonJr@gmail.com.

Tagged as: Chris Brown, Jay-Z, Marriage, Michael Jackson, Rhianna, Sarah Palin, Sex, Steve McNair

Article by FreshXpress Staff

theFreshXpress.com is a collection of free thinkers and individuals that have come together to give voice to a nation of young African Americans. It is our mission to provide fresh thought, fresh perspectives, and fresh debate on issues relevant to the African American community.

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