I would like to start this review with a bit of honesty – keeping it completely one hundred, as they say – I do not really understand the platform/content of the site I am about to review. Not all of it anyway. And more important, I don’t like some of it either. But what I do like, I love, and all of it is something that I appreciate and find refreshing. But I am getting ahead of myself, so let me start with the basics.

Creative Control is a website co-founded by music video directors Coodie and Chike, the creative minds behind Kanye West’s first video “Through the Wire” along with Erykah Badu’s controversial 2010 video “Window Seat.” The site is a part of the DD172’s portfolio, Damon Dash’s umbrella entertainment company.
The site itself is a network of sorts, consisting of music videos from independent artists-of-color along with online television shows and odd ends, videos that are neither music videos nor television show, but one-off content pieces that are distinctive regarding the subject. One considerably great find is a video showcasing a young Kanye West receiving a new Mercedes Benz jeep and asking the dealer about the Maybach before it hits the U.S. market. Irony is not dead. (For those of you completely out of the loop, he rides around in a deconstructed one with Jay-Z years later in the “Otis” music video off of the album, Watch the Throne.)
The site itself is visually disarming and beautiful. Occupied by mainly black and white video, the video stills are housed against a smooth white, expertly simplified visual interface making it easy to navigate and get lost in. The only thing more encompassing than the stills exhibited like a well-edited photo essay are the subjects that offer snippets of their life and art. Uniquely defiant, enthralling, young, extravagant in their presentation and openly experimental, the subjects are that new black. Or maybe that old black that hadn’t found its place in the stream of current culture or was escorted out of it? (You see Mobb Deep’s Prodigy promote his newest album in one of the Odds and Ends videos along with other familiar faces from the annals of hip hop and pop culture.)
What I love about the site is simple – it showcases black artists being artists. I don’t like some of the things on the site, because some of the work just does not appeal to me. But that is a taste issue. For example, there is a video with Chanel Iman titled “Chanel in Run a Way” that I find to be a limp attempt at art; reminiscent of a perfume commercial, pretty with low impact. I do love that it has a format where it can exist and I respect the bravery it takes to put it out there. But it isn’t really about anything, so I moved on next.
There are extreme highlights to the site as well. I stumbled onto the site after getting hooked on a series called “The Menthol Show,” which is co-produced by a friend. Hosted by Ren Jett, a graduate of FIT, the premise of the show is to have one assumed tastemaker introduce you to other tastemakers based in New York. Ren makes a natural and easy connection with each episode’s subject by starting off with the “Or” segment. “Or” serves in a place of a traditional teaser trailer, where Ren asks the subject to choose between two seemingly random things, such as Janet Jackson or Regina King. (She chooses Janet of course, but I have a soft spot for Regina because she is a brown actress that STAYS working.)
Another favorite is the “Gatekeepers,” which humanizes the men that sometimes won’t let you pass go at some of NYC’s hottest spots. Sam Sneed, and his friend The Chad, offer up hilarious stories and insights into the less than human condition of NYC party goers. Attractive and dapper, these men detail the serious dangers of their profession along with the human follies that come up when people dress to impress… and miss. In one show segment, they talk about women’s fashion faux pas and proper dress etiquette. In another video, they describe a man sniffing coke in the middle of a crowd and to be fair, scenes like that are what make living in a city – this city – great. The show is best when highlighting the crazy that exists on the sidewalks and pathways leading into the club. These stories, no matter how foul, make you want to be the gatekeepers.
And that is what I love about this site. Whether the content appeals to you or not, it compels you to invest more than a slight glance at the work being showcased (even if they only offer that much per video). You gorge on the views and appetites of each subject…perhaps envious of the artistically slanted and wonderfully rambunctious (you assume) lives that they must be leading; only to realize that there is no need. Not because their life and opinions are more beautiful than your own, but that they too are a work in progress.

Check it out: http://www.creativecontrol.tv/www/

Back to the original point of this article – I believe now is the era of the black video mixtape. Distribute to your homies!

First up is The Misadventures of Awkward Black Girl, a web series about an intelligent, witty, passive aggressive and self-described awkward girl that speaks my truth from the opening credits.

The series comedically articulates the inner monologue of a woman who is agonizingly meandering her way through her 20s, one painfully self-conscious moment after another. The show follows lead character, “J”, played by writer and director Issa Rae, as she endures some of the most fundamental aspects of any young adult’s lackluster life post-college. [SPOILER ALERT] My favorite episode is the fifth one, “The Dance,” where J attends the party of her at-work crush. The episode starts with her “bestie” at work needing to talk her into going to the party, and it ends with her crush kissing her at-work nemesis.

Now, I recognize the description may make the show seem cliché circa John Hughes, but what makes the series so good are J’s accurate internal observations. From her recognition of the competition among women layered into any party to her awkward grasps at interacting with people that she doesn’t know, this web-series is a comedy, but considering how accurately her insights zing home, it feels autobiographical (though I believe the biography is my own). The cinematography and production design is pretty basic, but from what I gather on her website, her work seems to be independent of any outside sponsors or donors. Also, as an independent comedy series on the web, the purpose of this show really isn’t about special effects or high-value visuals. The Misadventures of Awkward Black Girl is about the thoughtful and frequently hilarious representation of a young black woman in the world… if you like that sort of thing. And if you don’t, check out the first episode when J writes violent rap lyrics to help her get over a break-up with an ex-boyfriend; that was just good TV.

There is a new episode every month. Check it out and let me know what you think.

*To all of our readers, please note that I make reference to both A.O. Scott and Manhola Dargis, the two chief movie critics for the New York Times, as if we were friends. I have never met either, but I know I will eventually and they will be damn pleased.

Masters of the lie, the visual lie.

Look at you.
You got on heels, you ain’t that tall.

You got on makeup,
your face don’t look like that.

You got a weave, your hair ain’t that long.

You got a Wonderbra on,
your titties ain’t that big.

Everything about you is a lie,
and you expect me to tell the truth?

F*ck you!
~ Chris Rock, Bigger & Blacker

Okay, that’s a bit much but it lies adjacent to a different point that we here at AfroThought have been meaning to tackle. Recently an associate expressed befuddlement that guys always approach her when she feels she is not looking her best or at least not presented in a way she would prefer her first impression to appear aesthetically. She gave an example of an instance when she was approached while she had no make-up on. We doubt she was busted, but apparently she didn’t expect to be seen. Conversely, whenever she is out on the town looking like a “vision of perfection” from her “hair follicles to her toe nails” only the C-team steps to her. We figured we should clear any misconceptions over this image phenomenon by presenting our perspectives.

The Gentleman’s Thoughts

The Genius’ Thoughts

The Prophet’s Thoughts

Now, the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (International Federation of Association Football) set this World Cup in South Africa. Clearly FIFA has been slipping on their location scouting. They should be familiar with South Africa’s vuvuzela, also known as the “lepatata”. Not only that, given all the things that could be going down at this World Cup, vuvuzelas are the least of their worries. It’s like getting upset about a gnat when you’ve heard wild pachyderm roam the area.

Granted, the vuvuzelas are potentially dangerous. 127 decibels is literally deafeningly loud; think jet engine. However a ban on vuvuzelas would have been excessive, petty and slightly insulting.

For starters, it’s a stadium full of cheering, shouting, singing football fanatics. The average football stadium reaches 117 decibels. Record highs rival the vuvuzelas. Hearing damage occurs over 85 decibels especially in prolonged exposure. So the increased volume is not vastly offensive. People destroy their hearing everyday regardless so the vuvuzelas are only aiding the inevitable for the most part. Perhaps the only downside is that the drone drowns out the other magnificent sounds of a stadium. The chants, cheers, etc are lost and that is a shame.

However, the vuvuzelas bring a different joyful dynamic that also capture the location. Deep down that is the point of moving the host location of the games; capturing a piece of the local culture and bringing that into the festivities as well as bringing the world to meet this location.

The passion of the spectators is part of what makes the game so great. It’s impressive that these fans can collectively maintain nearly incessant drone. Also, the sound the vuvuzela makes is kinda cool. It’s like extremely macho bees suffering roid rage. Very musically savvy bees holding a B-flat (Bb3). But the ominous tone makes the events unfolding on the field seem more badass than they do otherwise.

Alternatives to an outright ban would be to create vuvuzela free sections. Stadiums could even charge slightly more for the tickets to those seats. Besides, it’s only one World Cup. Four years from now it will be somewhere else with it’s own unique benefits and detriments.

In summation, get some earplugs and enjoy the game.

DISCLAIMER: Clearly this is particular to my experience and I don’t mean everybody. But I’m in the heat of the moment and I want to generalize. Besides, if majority rules…

I am officially disappointed in everyone. People really suck, and no, I’m not jaded. People just never make sense. I’m so angry about this, because I see the logic in each situation. I am a reasonable person. I have a good grasp on reality. When I screw up, I’ll say so; and when people screw up, I’ll say that too. And when people just fail, it continues to disappoint me and makes me realize more and more how much people… well… suck.

I feel like I’m saying, “Hey look over here, I’m awesome. Sometimes a little goofy… but overall awesome, wanna go out??” And everyone who is single is like “Hmmmmm. Nah, not right now…” or “Umm, I’d rather settle.” I mean, really? You’re gonna settle? I’m giving you the choice of a big juicy steak (or whatever your favorite meal is) or just a pickle and in your dumbassery you say “Umm, I’ll take the pickle.” REALLY? Ol’ settling ass!! Anyway, now that I’ve told you how people suck, how about I paint a completely hypothetical picture for you?

Tell ‘em Why You Mad
So… boy likes girl when she is not ready, and when girl wants boy, boy says ‘I’m not ready.’ Hmmm, is this a game? Did I forget to bring my mitt to this boring game of toss the interest? I mean, clearly people like to play games.
Why would you try your hardest to convince someone to be with you, when they have just told you they were not ready? Maybe they are ‘damaged’ from their previous relationship? Maybe they’ll tell you that they need some time. Maybe when the time comes, you’re like “Well, no I don’t want to try…” Hold up. Okay, you wanted to try when the person wasn’t trying; and now that they are trying, you don’t want to try? You = stupid, dumdum, goofy ass, just overall incompetent. Yes that is you, and yes, you fail at life.

I honestly believe that you can’t be nice to people and you can’t make anything easy for them BECAUSE THEY ARE STUPID!!!!! I’ve gotten so much farther being a bitch, rather than being the fun-loving, caring, awesomesity that is me. (Not conceited, just giving myself some props). Even still, the most annoying part of this completely hypothetical situation is that a small part of me was questioning, “Do I really want to date this person? Do I really want to try?” He is awesome, but now he has totally proven that he is just part of the goofy-ass herd that is walking away from the water. Really? WOW! I mean, I can only do so much. I’ve basically prepared this great meal, filled up your fork, placed it in your mouth and your stupid confused insecure ass won’t chew!! I officially dislike you strongly. Basically, I’m off you. I’m off every damn thing!! Excuse my language.

So this situation leads me to the place where I am now, confused. I’m just not gonna try; ‘cause when you don’t try, you don’t get hurt or disappointed. I mean, I went a whole year not trying and I had a blast! Now I’m trying and it is lame, I mean really lame.

Relationships are supposed to be fun, but this sucks. What sucks even more is that I seem to connect better with guys who are IN RELATIONSHIPS. Really? It’s like, “Hey! I’m awesome and you’re awesome and…. oooh wait, you have a girlfriend. Oooh and you’ve been dating for 2 yrs. Oooh and your moving in together in August. How flipping lovely! (Damn you and your happy ass girlfriend! I hate you.)

I’ve tried to analyze this conundrum I seem to have found myself in, done some soul searching, talked to friends and these guys in relationships and wonder… is it me?? Am I doing something wrong? Is there something I am not realizing that I need to change?? The response is always the same, “Oooh just wait, when the time is right it will happen” or “You’re awesome and if people don’t realize this, then they are stupid.” I hate that! I love you, friends, but stop telling me how great I am and how everyone else is stupid. I mean, are people really that stupid? Am I really that great that I’m still single? I’m not in a super rush to be “in a relationship”; I just want to hang out with ONE PERSON who make sense.

I mean COME ON!! I’m just so fed up with everyone. I have officially decided not to try. I am going to just go to school, work, and play and if anyone can keep up, I’ll rock their world! Until then I’ll be in my own.

You are in the shoe store and become overwhelmed with the vast variety of shoes on display. There are almost too many shoes to choose from: different colors, different fabrics, different heels, flats, stilettos, boots, sneakers, etc….and of course different prices! Some are intriguing, while others do not interest you in the very least.

You come across one pair of shoes. Do they fit? Are they your style? One good way to find out is to try them on….

You ask for your size and the retail clerk brings you a shoebox with a pair of shoes. You gently open the shoebox and pull out one of the two shoes laying ever so neatly in it. Before putting on the shoe, you must first remove the shoe you currently have on and bare your foot. You notice how worn the shoes you are current wearing are. Perhaps it was a good idea to go shoe shopping today??

However, some are afraid of going shoe shopping because they are embarrassed of showing their feet to others. But one must open up and reveal onself because this is the only way to try something new. Or one may rather continue wearing the worn shoes, which will eventually pierce holes through them and will cause feet to blister. This will cause pain….

After deciding it may be a good time to try on some new shoes, you untie the negative strings and gently remove one shoe. You wiggle your toes, arch and flex your foot noticing this feels pretty good. Once your foot is bare, stretched and relaxed, you carefully pull out one of the shoes from the shoebox, and try it on. It fits! You want to see how it looks on you.

You walk over to the mirror to see how the new shoe looks (while still wearing your worn out shoe on the other foot). You like it. It looks good on you. You like how it looks on you. You like the feeling of this new shoe. Fellow customers in the shoe store compliment how great the shoe looks on you. You compare it to your old shoe you are still wearing and wonder why it took you so long to try on new shoes. But before making a decision, you must stop glorifying this one shoe and how it good it looks and try on the second shoe in the box.

While walking back toward the shoebox where the second shoe awaits, you notice a couple of numbers on the shoebox that you did not realize before. It’s the price! OMG! Are you willing to invest in these shoes? Though they feel great and make you feel different in a positive way, are you ready to make a sacrifice to buy these shoes? Maybe you would like to try on the second shoe in the shoe box to make your ultimate decision…

Though shaken by the conflicting feelings of loving how great the shoe looks and uncertainty of taking on the responsibility of the investment, you open the box and unveil the second shoe. It looks exactly like the one you have tried on just from a different perspective. You still like how it looks, but now you have uncovered more information from the pair. You already know you like how the one shoe fits, but you are not sure whether you can invest in this pair. You are willing to try on the second shoe to find out more information about the pair.

More quickly than before, you undo the laces of your worn shoe and bare your foot. You gently pull out the second shoe from the shoebox and slide your foot in it. Now you are wearing the full pair. You stand on both feet and realize you were more balanced than then you were wearing your worn shoe with the one shoe because these shoes have a slight heel. You want to walk towards the mirror again to see how the pair of shoes look on you. They look great! But do they fit your personality?

You start to think about this. Do these shoes fit your personality? You remember that you have always wanted a pair of heels. However, since you have worn your beat up shoes for such a long time, you thought that you would never feel comfortable or used to wearing heels. But the shoes you are wearing now feel great. These shoes are perfect for your because before rushing into getting four inche heels, starting out slow with a slight heel is the best choice for you. Just like a baby crawls before it walks, one must take baby steps before jumping into something completely foreign and new.

After giving it some thought, you decide you are going to take the pair of shoes! You are willing to invest in this pair knowing that it looks great on you, it fits your growing personality, and it will teach you how you walk in heels.

You happily walk back to the bench you have sitting on, you carefully remove the shoes, put them back into the shoebox and put on the worn pair you were wearing. You tell the retail clerk that you will take them. She says it is a great shoe and it is a good choice. She takes the box from you and puts it behind the register.

While you gather you things and walk towards the register, you notice another shoe store across the store you are currently in. There is a BLOWOUT SALE….50% OFF ALL SHOES! Even though you did decide that you were willing to invest in the pair of shoes that you found in this store, you do not want to buy them before checking out the sale in the other store. You know that you do not have to make a big investment in the shoes in the BLOWOUT SALE, and who knows? There might be one just as great as the shoes you just tried on. You walk towards the register and tell the retail clerk that you will be back in a few minutes.

You hurry to the store with the BLOWOUT SALE and see boxes are all over the place. Disorganized, disorderly, people trying on many pairs of shoes at once, and you are looking through the boxes trying to find something similar to the shoe you found in the previous store. Boxes, boxes, boxes…..shoes, shoes, shoes….You notice that there is not as much variety as in the other store, You only see flats, or really high heeled shoes – nothing in between. After looking through many boxes, and trying on many shoes, you are dissatified and did not find a shoe that made you feel like the shoe from the previous store.

After searching for shoes in the BLOWOUT SALE for an hour, you hurry back to the previous store and tell the retail clerk that you still want the shoes that you tried on previously. She apologizes and says that the last pair was just taken ten minutes ago. You look around and you see someone wearing the shoes you previously tried on and happily walking out of the store. This person looked really happy and content with the shoes……while you just missed out in having the shoes that you really wanted, even though they were on your feet one hour ago…….

The moral of the story:

The first shoe represents the body, looks, physicality……
The second shoe represents the soul, personality, and getting to know more…..
The worn shoes represent the baggage from your past and previous relationships…..
The BLOWOUT SALE represents looking for something “better”…..
The pair of shoes represents what you want……..
The price represents investment in relationship……..
The slight heel represents a gradual improvement………
The bare foot represents vulnerability……….
Shoe shopping represents willingness to see something new……
Customer walking out with the pair of shoes you previously tried on represents losing what was yours to keep.