CLAY CANE // GET YOUR LIFE

Tuesday, July 20, 2010

Philadelphia Shooting Kills Legendary Philly DJ Randy Flash

The violence continues in Philadelphia. During an early morning house party on July 15th in North Philadelphia there was a shooting at approximately 1:45am, three people were shot including the legendary Philadelphia DJ Randy Flash also known as Randy Miller. Yesterday, Randy Miller died. He was 42 years-old.

According to published reports, the shooters were allegedly teenage boys between the ages of 17 to 20 years-old. Supposedly, they are suspects in a shooting earlier that day. Approximately 30 people were inside the house party when a teenager opened fire, three people were injured.

I remember DJ Randy Flash from my days of the clubs in Philadelphia back in the mid to late nineties. I first met him when he worked at the old school record store Sound of Market in Center City, Philadelphia. He always had such a kind energy with his big smile and passionate love for deep, soulful house music. I would periodically see him in New York City and he always showed me love.

I just saw him about three weeks walking down the street in Manhattan. We were both in a rush and quickly said hello. I am completely blown away that he is gone and that the last time I saw him in New York City -- would be the last time I would see him.

Not to rant in cliches, but it's so true, you never know when a hello, handshake, hug and goodbye will be your last with someone. My sympathies go out to Randy Miller's friends and family. Also, please keep the other two who were injured in your thoughts.

In the image above you will see there is a fundraiser for DJ Randy Flash. For all of my Philly househeads, I hope to see you out there. Below is a link to one of Randy's favorite songs, Carl Bean's "I Was Born This Way."

Rest in peace Randy, I know you are in the highest light.

Labels: COMMUNITY, RIP

Posted by Clay :: 12:31 PM :: 0 comments ---------------oOo---------------

Monday, July 19, 2010

Leo, Ru and Ruben

If you didn't get a chance to watch the debut of RuPaul's new show Drag U, read my review for the Edge, which came out Friday:

Logo's RuPaul Drag U

Check out my review of Lenardo DiCaprio's Inception, which also went live Friday and is currently number one at the box office:

Movie Review: Inception

Lastly, if you happen to be watching a lil' television, click over to TV One for Life After, which features Ruben Studdard and includes commentary from various journalists including me. It airs again this Wednesday at 12:30pm, Thursday at 4:30pm, Friday at 10:30am and all throughout the weekend. Check out the clip below!

This text will be replaced

Labels: FREELANCE

Posted by Clay :: 11:25 PM :: 2 comments

---------------oOo---------------

Monday, July 12, 2010

The Madonna Comparisons End Now!

On July 4th weekend I had the pleasure of witnessing the greatest pop concert I have ever seen -- Lady Gaga's Monster Ball. Gaga sweated, sang, performed and emoted like it was the last minute of her life; I reviewed the show over at BET.com.

I have seen Madonna, Prince, Janet, Mariah and several others in concert but Gaga was the greatest. Granted, I didn't see Madge during Blonde Ambition or Mr. Nelson during Purple Rain, this is Gaga's moment so her hunger is extreme like I am sure theirs was then. Now, Prince refuses to sing "Darling Nikki" and Madonna is mortified at being called a "Material Girl." Baby, "masturbating with a magazine" and "living in a material world" is what made you gals famous! But, I digress...

The biggest gripe about Gaga is that she's robbing Madonna's style, edginess and sound. Being a huge Madonna fan, I was giving Gaga the side-eye when I saw her July 4th, but after seeing this fercious force of New York nature in concert -- BAB-BAY, the comparisons end now! Once you get past the blond hair and being Italian women -- Madonna and Lady Gaga have about just much in common as Mel Gibson and Ghandi!

While I love Esther, we all know, and she has admitted, that she is no great singer. She was once called "Minnie Mouse on helium." Furthermore, as original as people think Madonna was, which she is, her critics at the time complained she robbed the styles of Boy George, Debbie Harry and Marlene Dietrich -- clearly these critics just had a case of the "can't takes."

Madonna was/is original, but she was never a Lady Gaga. Gaga has a voice that is more like Pat Benatar, a style that channels Andy Warhol's muses, performance art similar to David Bowie and instrumentation and soul like Elton John. Gaga stands on her own and has clearly been inspired by a little of everything. Thankfully, she has raised the bar in music.

Over the past decade it seems female artists have relied too much on their looks, weaves, popping their cooch and lip-synching. Now these chicks are going to have step up their game, it's taken a long time but finally some art is injected back into pop.

Check out my review of Gaga in Atlantic City, NJ: Lady Gaga Sets July 4th on Fire.

Watch Gaga's wet performance of Teeth from the Today Show!

Labels: Lady Gaga, MADONNA

Posted by Clay :: 8:00 AM :: 4 comments

---------------oOo---------------