I can’t remember if I’ve ever raved about Ryan Leslie here. I’ve certainly done it in my real life. I even got Toni hooked on him. She went with a group of our friends to the Essence Music Festival in New Orleans this summer and saw him perform live. There was something about him looking at her and touching her hand. It was enough to make her think they bonded. (She has a loose hold on reality sometimes. :cP)

Early this summer, he posted a link to download his new single “You’re Not My Girl.” Which I did promptly. I listened to it, loved it, and then forgot about it. This isn’t the first time this has happened and it doesn’t mean I don’t love the song. It happened with the first Amy Winehouse song I ever downloaded (”You Know I’m No Good” free from iTunes). I would hear it come up on shuffle and say to myself, “Self, why don’t you listen to this song?? It’s amazing!”

Anyway. That’s what happened with this song. I also read his blog. He posted the video for the song on there and when I finally got time, I watched it… and fell in love with the song all over again. I’ve been rocking that song ever since. For realz. I love that song so much I’m actually thinking of making it my ringtone, replacing “Off the Wall” by the late great Michael Jackson.

If have not been fortunate enough to hear this fantastically catchy, greatly amazing song, lend me your ears.

I am almost near tears right now (despite what people think, I do have feelings!). I cannot believe that Michael Jackson is dead. I called my mom to tell her and she ended the conversation with me, saying she needed to “get herself together.” MJ was younger than both of my parents and aside from me being hurt by his death, I’m thinking, “What if that was my parents?” Maybe it’s selfish of me, but that’s what I think of every time someone dies. It definitely puts life in perspective for you.

All the controversy aside, Michael Jackson was a legend. A legend. Fuck all the money issues and court cases. He is, as one network stated, quite probably the most famous man in the world. MOST FAMOUS IN THE WORLD. People CRIED because they were in his presence. He was creative, innovative, and he was a genius. Anyone who disputes that is a liar and their feet stink. There are people who were not even alive during his true “reign” (ie Chris Brown) that are emulating him in their careers. His is a style that will never die.

With that said, here’s a list of my favorite Michael Jackson songs, kinda sorta in rank order, with accompanying videos:

1. Rock With You
2. Off the Wall
3. Remember the Time
4. Don’t Stop Til You Get Enough
5. The Love You Save (Jackson 5)
6. Wanna Be Where You Are
7. Never Can Say Goodbye (Jackson 5)
8. Thriller
9. Beat It
10. Who’s Loving You? (Jackson 5)
11. Blame It On the Boogie (The Jacksons)
12. I Just Can’t Stop Loving You
13. Human Nature
14. The Way You Make Me Feel
15. Smooth Criminal (This one makes it on the video alone)

You’ll notice that the Jackson 5/Jacksons songs that I’ve listed aren’t the most popular ones (ABC, etc). Those weren’t as dear to me as these. Some of them aren’t actual music videos, but performances.

Rest in peace, Michael. <3

I wanted to get one more post in for May. And I’m BARELY squeezing it in on time. The easiest way to do ti? A simple video about absolutely nothing. I hope you don’t have high expectations for it… because you will be utterly disappointed. If you’re wondering about the webcam pictures I mention, they’re on my Twitter page.

HAPPY JUNE! ;D