New Music Review: Busta Rhymes - "Back on My B.S."

After the bomb (and I don’t mean that in a good way) that Busta Rhymes dropped back in 2006 titled, The Big Bang, a great deal of fans started to doubt whether Mr. Rhymes was going to be capable to delivering the same kind of heat heard on albums like Anarchy and Genesis.

Before all hope was lost, radio listeners were given a taste of what Busta and his crew were working on with the song, “Don’t Touch Me… (Throw Da Water on Them) during the fall of 2008. It was with this single that Flipmode fanatics everywhere rejoiced as we were treated to glimpses of the old Busta Rhymes.

Rhymes’ newest record, released May 19^th, teeters on the edge between throwback and club banger. Tracks like “World Go Round” support Busta’s rhymes with the kind of synth-bass beats found in a techno club but still have the substance to keep the die-hard fans happy.

It’s understandable why Busta has to play devil’s advocate with his current, mainstream sound but it’s good to hear that he’s found a stable balance between the past and present.

Busta Rhymes - "Respect My Conglomerate"

-BJW

DubiousEndorses: Black Eyed Peas' "Boom Boom Pow" music video

Aside from the shameless plug for the newest HP touch screen desktop, the Black Eyed Peas have pulled out a gem with the video for their hot single, “Boom Boom Pow”.

Let’s put it this way, if Hype Williams, director for the “Universal Mind Control” video, and the Black Eyed Peas collaborated on this song, there is a good chance that this video would have been a very strong contender for video of the year.

Black Eyed Peas - "Boom Boom Pow" music video.

Futuristic and very digital, the “Boom Boom Pow” video is a perfect example of what happens when you don’t shortchange your budget when it comes to visuals. Between Fergie rocking a skin-tight bodysuit and Taboo actually doing something decent with his hair, there’s nothing negative you can really say.

Unfortunately, it's going to take a lot more than a few digitized geometric shapes and some choreographed pop n' lock moves to get the nasty taste of the "Fergalicious" video out of our mouths. Their current effort, though, is definitely a step in the right direction.

-BJW

Tech Review: The Zune HD

Having gone through the lion's share of Apple products in the past 7 years or so, I found it quite refreshing when I came across this device on the Gizmodo.com website.

Given the fact that I don't have the right media credentials to get any pertinent information on its specs or release date, I've left it up to Gizmodo and friends to provide the skinny on what's to be expected and what's still in the dark:

OLED 3.3-inch multitouch screen at a 480x272 resolution, web browser (IE-based), Xbox Live integration (Xbox will get Zune's videos instead of their own separate version), HD radio receiver, 720p TV output and streaming music directly from the Zune store via Wi-Fi.

Here's what we still don't know:

• Will the Xbox platform also get access to the Zune music library? THAT would be a huge coup for the Xbox platform over the PS3, being able to stream music on the fly just like the Zune HD.

• How much will this supposed Xbox music support cost? Our guess is that it'll be free, if you have the unlimited-rentals Zune Pass, but you never know.

• Will this go the other way? Will you be able to access Xbox Live's game trailers and videos on your Zune? Will the two repositories merge?

• How about Live Anywhere, the damn cellphone/mobile device Xbox Live access that was first shown off in 2006 that we're still waiting for. Will Zune HD be the device that FINALLY gets this?

• Xbox games on the Zune? Is this what Microsoft is waiting until E3 to announce? That the Zune will be getting not just games, but Xbox-quality games? Xbox Live Arcade games? They'd have to be retooled for the touchscreen Zune controls, sure, but slapping the Xbox brand on it will sell some Zunes.

• How much will it cost? The OLED touchscreen probably isn't cheap, and if that supposed Xbox game integration is true, that means costly hardware to back it up.

• Where's the Zune Phone? Even if everything we surmised above is true, there's still one caveat: it's not a phone. People only have so many pockets, so it doesn't matter how great a mobile device is—if it's not their phone, which must be taken around everywhere, it'll get left behind much of the time.

I suppose we'll just have to wait and see...

-BJW

DubiousCraves: Nike Air Yeezys

I really don't like to promote people who have very little problem promoting themselves, but there is something beautiful and undeniable about the (fairly) new set of sneakers that are the product of a Nike and Kanye West collaboration.

Air Yeezys evoke a certain swagger and genius of design that's unparalleled.

Unfortunately, it's rather hard to find a pair at all in Charleston, so it would be in your best interest to make that trip to the source and cop a pair of your own: the Internet. Be careful, though. Just like custom-made Dunks, for every legitimate seller in the world, there are 100 more willing to swindle you out of your hard-earned cash without any remorse.

-BJW

DubiousSighting: Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater: 50 Years Cultural Ambassador to the World

There is much justice my words could even begin to do when it comes to describing the Alvin Ailey dance company’s performance. Unfortunately, the powers that be did not allow photography (flash or otherwise) during the show, so mere words will have to do.

What made the 8 p.m. performance so memorable was the fact that the audience was treated to a little something extra—or in theater terms, “Program B”—which meant the addition of an anniversary highlights video that chronicled the life and times of Mr. Ailey and his vision.

After the short video, we were treated to one of the most prolific dance performances to ever grace the Gaillard Auditorium stage. No exaggeration here, my friends, everything from choreography and lighting to the raw talent of each performer just shined with each leap across the stage and pirouette under the spotlight.

Revelations: "Wade in the Water"- Alvin Ailey Dance Theater Company.

The best segment of the night was definitely “Revelations”, easily the most famous all Ailey’s works. From start to finish, it lived up to every inch of its reputation, causing even those unfamiliar with Ailey’s accomplishments to stand up and cheer (much to my chagrin).

In the end, 50 Years… was the perfect way to round out this Memorial Day weekend. Every twist and turn was executed down to a tee. Unlucky are those who didn’t secure their seat for one of the few events that will undoubtedly define the 2009 Spoleto season.

-BJW

DubiousLive Television is a GO!

This is a milestone for the life of the DubiousOne!

Through the magic of Qik video (and jailbroken iPhones), I will now be able to bring you some of the most up-to-date information on everything you need to know about Charleston style, fashion, music, technology and more.

Granted, I will still try to be as active as possible with my writing and posting, but D.O. Live TV will become a new conduit for the bulk of my posts.

To stay current on the newest "eposides" of each week, be sure to follow me on Twitter via @gqbound. Any tweets that contain the hashtag, #qikbound, will let you know that I'm about to DO IT LIVE!

It's a new day, ladies and gentlemen. I hope you're ready!

-BJW

New Music Review: Asher Roth - "Asleep in the Bread Aisle"

Now that everyone is starting to come down from the high that was “I Love College”, Asher Roth fans can finally get a taste of what this college-aged rapper from the suburbs is all about. Asleep in…is, as expected, an eclectic and often hilarious album that falls somewhere between weekend keg bender and Afroman. With songs such as “Blunt Cruisin’” (a testament to the age-old practice of driving under the influence) and “Sour Patch Kids” (a playful, but poignant, jab at other underground rappers that leave an unpleasant taste in his mouth), there’s something out there for everyone.

Self-proclaimed “hip-hop purists” will tell you that Roth’s debut album is a dwarf in comparison to the unsigned material found on his Greenhouse Effect mixtape, but with support from artists such as Cee-Lo Green, Busta Rhymes, Jazze Pha and Keri Hilson, Roth will have no trouble proving critics wrong.

Produced mostly by Mr. Roth, Asleep in the Bread Aisle has become the perfect stepping stone for a modest, suburban kid from Philadelphia an opportunity to make him name known in the high-stakes world of mainstream hip-hop.

Listen Now: “Lark on My Go-Kart”, “Bad Day” and “I Love College”.

-BJW