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It's a celebrations, b*tches!

At least that how it feels, since Usher's new video is being played around the clock today. The new release, "Hey Daddy (Daddy's Home)", from his upcoming cd, Raymond v. Raymond, seems to signal the return of Usher as the reigning king of R&B. The new album will be the first since Usher's divorce from Tameka Raymond (hence the title) and is sure to center around the ups and downs of relationships. Many of his fans who were upset that he decided to get married will no doubt accept the crooner back with open arms.

Ummm, yeah. The video is a little sessy. Enjoy.

What songs/videos can't I get enough of this week? One is a bizarre techno video, another is a new city anthem, and the last is straight old school.

Lady Gaga - Bad Romance

Can't decide which I love more: the actual song or the visually stunning video. Although I am coming very late to the Lady Gaga party, I am really feeling her cd, The Fame and am looking forward to the upcoming EP, The Fame Monster.

I feel a little silly repping the NYC, but that what this damn song does to me. More than just a catchy chorus, the new anthem of New York makes anyone in earshot happy to be from New York or pretty excited at the thought of going there.

Ok, I'm not going to start complaining about how the kids today wouldn't know a real love song if it walked up to them and slapped them in the face. But...ahhh...if you think about it... Anyway, along with many other hits including Just Once and Baby Come to Me, James Ingram had another hall-of-famer with the ballad, One Hundred Ways.

Some good drinks, a good meal, and a Michael Jackson concert on multiple big screens. That's what it took to bring me to the brink of tears. Aside from becoming misty-eyed while hearing Paris speak at the funeral, this was the first time I really felt overwhelmingly sad about his death.

This would come to a surprise to anyone who knew me a a preteen or teenager. I was completely obsessed with the "Off The Wall/Thriller" Mike. Even though, I've been a fan as far back as I can remember, during my elementary and junior high school years, I'm pretty sure that he was my fiance...that is until Prince came along, but that is another story.

In that moment, I saw and remembered his GREATNESS. Millions of albums sold. The Jackson 5. Off the charts solo career. Electrifying performances. He was an unbelievable entertainer and artist. The energy emanating from the concert engulfed the entire restaurant. I wish I'd had a chance to see him in concert, I probably would have retained much more "fan-love" for him previous to his death.

I have been a conflicted supporter for a while...sometimes, I say that I am an "enlightened" fan...that makes me feel better. I can simultaneously accept that he is both the "King of Pop" (a much deserved title) and oftentimes troubled, tragic soul.

It's the oft-worked on face, assumed bleaching, "children in my bed" situations, and later "Why couldn't his kids have his own DNA?"

After Bad was released, the escalating surgeries, the noticeable changes in his skin color, and some eccentric behavior, I decided to break up with Michael. While I continued to enjoy his music over the years, especially Dangerous and Invincible, he was no longer my boyfriend. I suppose I took it personally. Some say he considered his face a work of art and other say that he was trying to make up for the (short period of) time as an unattractive preteen. During all that time, I believed Micheal was trying with all his might to not look like me. Now, I just feel bad for him.

The big blow was the multiple child molestation accusations. (After the first incident, why not make sure it would never happen again?) What was most damning for me was Michael's own words. I saw "the most loving thing you can do is share your bed with a child" interview. While I don't know what happened and he was not convicted, at the very least, he engaged in EXTREMELY inappropriate behavior and at most, a crime.

I think it was last night's tequila that made it easier to forget his troubles and reminisce about the great times.

Today, I am conflicted, uhhh-ummm, I mean "enlightened" again.

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