The Top 25 Played Songs On My Ipod Nano...Right Now

In no particular order...

I'M A KING - T.I. F. BIG SCRAPPY AND BIG KUNTRY
A song that always gets things going. This is the song that Vince Young played before each game this past NCAA football season, and I think we all know how well that all worked out.

DEAR SUMMER - JAY-Z
Jay's goodbye to summer. Essential listening.

1 THING - AMERIE F. JAY-Z
The beat is contagious.

WHOOP THAT TRICK - DJAY
DJay's original street anthem...intoxicating.

LOVE RIDDEN - FIONA APPLE
If you haven't listened to it, please do. "No, no baby anymore, if I need you I'll just use your given name. No more kisses on the cheek from now on, and in a little while..."

NUMBER ONE STUNNA - BIG TYMERS
Ipso Facto.

NEXT LIFETIME - ERYKAH BADU
Erykah's brilliance from the beginning of it all.

HOT 97 FREESTYLE - JAY-Z
Jay went up to Hot 97 and reminded all of those out there why he is the king. "I had to take off the blazer, loosened up the tie, step inside the booth, Superman is alive."

NOTHING COMPARES TO YOU - SINEAD O'CONNOR
A beautiful love song, simple and plain.

SINCE YOU'VE BEEN GONE - KELLY CLARKSON
Jamming on the one.

WE GON' MAKE IT (REMIX) - JADAKISS F. EVE
Theme music for any one of my senior years.

I WANT TO LOVE YOU GIRL - THICKE
You can't stop playing this song once you've heard it once.

THE PANTIES - MOS DEF
George got me into this from the original production of 'Any1Man.'

SELFISH - SLUM VILLAGE F. KANYE WEST
Rest in Peace Jay Dilla.

HOW WE DO - THE GAME F. 50 CENT
"I've got Lamborghini doors on the Escalade..." Why he does, we don't know, but man is it catchy.

I HAPPEN TO LIKE NEW YORK - BOBBY SHORT
I happen to love the music of Bobby Short.

BLACK WOMAN - GEORGE A. PETERS, II
Future Star.

DEAD PRESIDENTS 2 - JAY-Z
"You made it a hot line, I made it a hot song..." You definitely did Jay.

BEAUTIFUL - DAMIEN MARLEY F. BOBBY BROWN
Damien Marley is truly a great talent, and with Bobby singing the infectious backup this song is truly something to behold.

THESE ARE THE TIMES - DRU HILL
I love the video, and the song is cool too.

GIRL - DESTINY'S CHILD
I love this video too. The video helps the song out and makes it that much more entertaining.

IT'S HARD OUT HERE FOR A PIMP - DJAY F. SHUG
The Oscar winner.

CAN I TAKE YOU OUT TONIGHT - LUTHER VANDROSS
Great video. Great song. Luther was still the man at the end.

HIT ME BABY ONE MORE TIME - BRITNEY SPEARS
Spring 1999. I can still hear Tash singing in his baritone in the Tiger office.

ALL I DO - STEVIE WONDER
Joi.

I'm Joe and that's how I see it.

When My Alma Mater Gets It Right

The lady in the picture is none other than the dynamic Dr. Ruth Brown Simmons, President of Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island. She is the first African American president of an Ivy League institution, and is a former Provost of Spelman College, as well as the former President of Smith College. She spoke at this past year's commencement for my alma mater, Morehouse College. Well done.

I'm Joe, and that's how I see it.

Paul Gleason

Many people, like my friends, remember Paul Gleason for his role in 'The Breakfast Club' as Principal Richard Vernon. I however, love his role as Clarence Beeks in 'Trading Places.' While both roles are highly entertaining and hold up extremely well over time, his sinister air and total attitude struck a nerve in me that I've responded to in all of his work.

If you're really a fan of Mr. Gleason, you will also recall his work as a bad cop in the extremely hilarious Chris Tucker/Brett Ratner vehicle 'Money Talks.' He's essentially the same guy in all of his films; tough, mean, but somehow endearing. The first time he was actually nice in a film I remember was in 'Van Wilder' as Professor Todd McDoogle wherein all he wanted to do was get Van to push himself to be the best that he could be.

I think that Professor McDoogle and Principal Vernon were similar in that they wanted the best from their students. Vernon used less conventional methods, while McDoogle applied heat. However, in whatever role he played in, Gleason shined as only he could as a lovably mean old cuss.

Mr. Gleason will be missed, but we've always got the memories on film.

I'm Joe and that's how I see it.