To my friend...

Reginald "Keith" Johnson

1959 - 2008

I am usually the kind of person that keeps personal things to myself and rarely shares them with anyone. But I feel compelled to say a little something about a close friend who unexpectedly passed away one week ago today. My friend Keith Johnson.

If any of you are familiar with the Washington DC area bar scene, then you will probably have crossed paths with Keith. He had been a staple as a bartender for a long time and had made friends with many people, including me. I met Keith in 1988 at a bar/club called Champions. Let's just say that he helped me out of a bad situation and didn't even know me. When I talked to him after the drama was over, he told me he had seen me around before and thought that he should help. That's the kind of man Keith was. You hear it all the time when someone passes, how they would give you the shirt off their back and would do anything for a friend. It's almost become cliche', but in Keith's case, it is 100 percent true. Over the years he and I became closer friends. I would ask his advice on things and he always gave me his honest answer, which I truly appreciated. I spoke with him 4 days before he had passed and we made plans to possibly hangout at a bar for a minute.

His funeral is tomorrow and his wake was today. I had planned on attending both, but I don't do well with death. I don't want to remember Keith last by being buried, I want to remember him as the guy who would always call me out when he would offer me a drink. Question my manhood, LOL! So many memories I have of hanging out with Keith and just having a great time.

If any of you have met Keith, please leave some memories you have of my friend. I know he is looking down on us.

I miss you man..

P.S. Alright man, I am gonna drink the damn shot! LOL!

The Hollywood Vice

Heath Ledger 1979 - 2008

What does it take for the entertainment industry to wake up and ask what the hell is going on with it's young members? Heath is just the latest in a string of deaths in young Hollywood. Entertainers who were given a gift from God only to let it go to waste. Some people will not agree with what I will say in this blog, but that is just fine. I am not here to trash Heath and others who have passed, only to ask when will this stop. What is going on in Hollywood to make these individuals feel so alone, so depressed that there only escape is death? It hasn't been confirmed by toxicology reports exactly how Heath died, but I am sure the prescription drugs that were found near his body will have a roll. Six different types of drugs folks, six! Shouldn't that raise a flag to someone in his camp?

In just the last month actors Heather Ledger and Brad Renfro have been found dead. This makes you think back to other young artists who died too early. River Phoenix, Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin and Jim Morrison, just to name a few. Apparently, the environment surrounding these people is toxic. Not knowing who you can truly trust. Realizing that most people you meet want something from you instead of genuinely wanting to get to know you. I know that some of you are thinking you aren't in that situation, so how do you know you wouldn't end up the same way. To be completely honest, I don't know, but I hope I would be smart enough to surround myself with a couple of people I know I can trust and who will keep me grounded. I have several friends who are either in the biz are on their way to being in the biz. I hear it all the time how Hollywood can chew you up and spit you out. For every Angelina Jolie, George Clooney and so on, there is a James Dean, Marilyn Monroe and a John Belushi. Someone who has the power and the fortitude needs to stand up and say enough is enough.

All I am trying to say is that these people were blessed, blessed with a gift and wasted it. Many of us "normal" people would have loved to be in the position that they were. Privileged, living the good life and able to affect so many people in so many different ways. Only to take this gift, abuse it and ultimately lose it. Some were suicides, some were "accidental" overdoses, whatever the cause of these deaths, I just can feel sorry for them. Don't get me wrong, I don't want to see anyone die, but if you die at your own hand or doing something stupid or reckless, I have no sympathy for you. Some people won't like that statement, but that's why we have freedom of speech.

Tha Darkside Vibe episode #45

Show intro

Tiger Woods and the lynching comment

News - Britney Spears, Eddie Murphy and Terrell Owens

Tom Cruise preaches Scientology

Can someone please explain Kirk Franklin?

Artits spotlight - Rooney

American Idol recap

Shoutouts/Outro

Tha Darkside Vibe Episode #44

Show Intro

New Year Countdown

Is Dazed and Confused gay?

News

-Britney Spears meltdown

-Would you lie for Hanna Montana tickets?

- Former OC star gets busted

When trannys attack

Arist spotlight - ?

Thriller gets a makeover

Tv show review - Dexter

Show outro/shoutouts

The Ghetto Grinch

So, I am walking around the Arlington, Virginia area today and noticed all of the Christmas decorations and lights. One of the first things that struck me was that I remember these lights and decorations being up at the end of October. What is up with that? See, I have a problem with Christmas and the holidays in general.

Does this make me a Grinch? Maybe, or am I just sick of the commercialization that the holidays have become. I remember when I was a young lad in Maryland, the holiday season was the best time of the year. Everyone was in a great mood, you had the family around to celebrate with and you received gifts. I fell for all the holiday madness hook, line and sinker when I was younger, but it all changed at the age of 8. My mother had suckered me into believing in Santa Claus, the North Pole and all the Christmas jazz. Hell, I loved watching those classic Christmas specials like Rudolph's Shiny New Year, A Charlie Brown Christmas and Frosty the Snowman, just to name a few. We were always told to leave out milk and cookies for Santa and make sure that we went to bed early. All the good children would receive presents. So, I fell for it. That Christmas I woke up early because I had to use the bathroom. In order for me to get to the bathroom, I had to walk down a hallway. The bathroom was across from the living room. When I went towards the bathroom I looked into the living room and who do I see?? My older sisters and mom putting together toys and laying out the presents. They saw me and told me to go to bed. I said to my mother, "I thought Santa Claus put out the presents?" What was her answer? "Yes he does, but he jumped behind the tree." Well, I knew that was a crock but played along with it anyway. From that moment on, Christmas would never be the same again.

Flash forward to today and my attitude towards the holidays has only become worse. Most people don't even know what the true meaning of Christmas is. Luckily, my mother sat me down when I was younger to tell me that Christmas was more then getting presents. I find it hard for me to say Merry Xmas or Happy Holidays when I truly don't mean it. Don't get me wrong, I appreciate someone taking the time to say it to me or whatever, so I feel obligated to respond. Christmas is way too commercial. Most people are mainly concerned about getting stuff. I remember a friend of mine gave her boyfriend a really cool hand made gift. Something from the heart and very nice. He got her a very expensive necklace. He was absolutely pissed that he just got some homemade present. That's what gift giving has come to. Buy someone something expensive and receive something inexpensive in return and see how you react to it. The holiday spirit just seems fake to me. Could this just be me? Am I truly the Ghetto Grinch?

Santa, please help me!

Tha Darkside Vibe #43

Show intro

The greatest house party ever!

News:

Jamie Lynn Spears is pregnant
Survivor runner up plays the sympathy card
Amy Winehouse suicide pact

Nelly and Allen Iverson on OJ Simpson

WWE 15 Year Anniversary

Artist spotlight : Dre Robinson

21 Things about Men and Women

Show Outro/Shoutouts

An open letter to Prince....

If you haven't heard the news, Prince is suing several websites citing copyright infringement. Before you read this open letter, check out the entire story by following this link:

Prince sues fan websites

Ok, now that you have read the entire story and know exactly what is going on...can you believe this? Let me first start by saying I am a huge Prince fan. Anyone who knows me knows this is a fact. I will talk until I am blue in the face about Prince. Let me run into someone who is just finding out about him or wants to know more about the man and his music, watch out. I am breaking out the cds, playing important tracks and taking the person through his amazing career. I wrote a blog not too long ago about the first time I heard his music, that was almost 27 years ago. That day truly changed my thoughts and views towards music. Yea, I listened to stuff here and there, but was never really into music until Prince. He can definitely be credited for my overwhelming love of music, not just his but all types of music. This is why I am so saddened by what is taking place.

There are obviously two sides to this story, Prince's side and the fans side. Now, I can completely understand him having a problem with sites that are illegally using his photos, videos and music for some sort of financial gain. Claiming to be "official" sites connected to Prince. That is completely wrong and the man has every right to sue those entities. But come on, the 3 main sites he is after are: Housequake.com, Prince.org and Princefams.org. I am a member of all 3 sites as well as the official Prince site 3121. com. The interesting thing is on each of those fan pages it clearly states that they have no official affiliation with Prince and any companies related to Prince. They clearly spell out in no uncertain terms that they will not tolerate any illegal posts, selling of or asking where to purchase any music, movies and anything related to Prince. These sites are maintained by these folks absolutely free, because they love and respect his music. No money is being made on these sites, none. These sites are for information purposes only. Even though I have a huge knowledge of Prince, I can't know everything. These sites have come in handy several times when I wanted to find out some information.

Prince, this is FREE PUBLICITY! WE ARE THE FANS WHO HAVE STUCK WITH YOU THROUGH THICK AND THIN! From the good times (Purple Rain, Dirty Mind, Sign o' the Times), to the not so good times (pretty much the entire 90's). From writing slave on your face, fighting your record label for ownership of your music. Your comeback at the Grammy awards with Beyonce to your amazing performance at halftime during the Superbowl. We have been there, every step of the way. I personally have been ridiculed and called a homosexual for being a fan of yours. Did I care? Not one bit, because the music is just that powerful. Your true fans are not here to take you down, but to enjoy the gift you have been given. Why would you want to hurt the people who have been there with you from day one? The only thing you are going to do is alienate this hardcore and loyal base of fans. Of course, the lawyers are going to try and spin this situation to make it look like it's not aimed at the fans, but it is..no matter how you try and paint it.

Instead of backing down, those 3 fan sites I mentioned earlier are getting together to fight back..I say FIGHT THE POWER! Sometimes you gotta spank big daddy to make him realize the mistakes they are making. You want to know the true definition of irony? Prince is the one of the main artists who pioneered the use of the internet to get his message and music out to the masses. Last year he won an award for "reshaping the relationship between fan and artist." Go figure. It just blows my mind how he can do this to his most loyal fans, truly blows my mind.

When I first started to write this open letter, I will admit it was filled with some curse words and a very bitter tone. I chose not to use that version, but tone it down and just say how I feel without being angry. All I can say to you Prince is, years of myself and others being loyal dedicated fans and this is how you repay us? If any of you are interested in finding out more about the movement called Prince Fans United, I urge you to go to their website and show your support.

Prince Fans United!

No matter what you do or how crazy you get Prince, your music will always be what keeps me as one of your fans. It's too bad you don't realize right now that this is hurting you more then helping you.

stay purple people...