Mood Music Moment: Take Off Your Cool

By Judah

This week’s Mood Music Moment is by Andre 3000 and Norah Jones. Take off your Cool is a very simple yet poignant song. Filled with long breaks and guitar solo’s.

Side Note: I am really thinking about taking guitar lessons. I am a real big fan of musicians and I think it would be dope to become one. Make write a little here and there and play it on my guitar.

This song is off the Outkast album: Speakerbox/The Love Below. It’s hard to believe the album came out almost 10 years ago…Time sure does fly.

On a human level the song is about allowing yourself to become vulnerable. At times you put up a wall that will prevent people from getting close to you. Other times you wear a mask to hide your true self. You could be playing the roll of the clown from which you are the funniest guy in the room. Everyone knows you are funny but have no clue who you are. In this case the Andre and Norah are speaking to someone of interest and would like them to drop down their swag a notch and understand who you really are…Enjoy.

[Norah Jones]
Baby, take off your cool
I wanna see you, I wanna see you
Baby, don't be so cool
I wanna see you, I wanna see you

[Andre 3000]
Baby, take off your cool
I want to get to know you
(Take off your cool)

Side Note: Norah Jones is a classic beauty to me. She wears very little make up, simple clothing, not too revealing. Instead of show all of her goodies she leaves some to the imagination…But that’s another blog post.

Mood Music Moments: War (of Samson's soul...)

By Samson

In light of the whole May 21 "the world is ending!" craze, I thought I'd kick off my first Mood Music entry with a song that is dear to my heart. This album came out when I was a freshman in college, and Judah happened to be my roomate. I remember it was almost winter, so the amazing imagery in the song captured the season, and whatever was going on at that point in your life. Hit play on this song while you read the post, and I'm going to just let my thoughts flow however they come out...

I just happened to be in a relationship with my high school sweetheart who was going to the same college (See Do or Die: Holding onto Your Mojo). We had our ups and downs, but as far as I can remember we were in a good place when this came out. In a way, the "feel good" yet melancholy nature of the song brings back the emotions I felt about the relationship in those days. Our good times were GREAT, but it was almost like the calm before the storm, because in the backdrop we both knew we were at a new place in life and changing, and perhaps things were leading up to their inevitable end. But in that moment, with all the BS going on, I was happy. If hell comes crashing at my door later on so be it, but for now I'm feeling alright.

"I got a blunt for my chronic, a juice for my tonic, I know now that I'm feeling right if it goes down..."

"And I know it's not my time to go now... Cause God's got my back in this showdown, so I know we'll be alright."

Not condoning getting lit to solve your problems, but I can dig the sentiment. It's cold outside and people are going crazy, but I'm not worried about that right now... I'm feeling good. And no matter what, I know whatever turmoil that is bound to come will only make me stronger and I'll get through it.

"Caught a glimpse of myself in the Barney's shop window, kinda see my father's features creeping in a little."

Nas always takes time out his verses to add some stream of conciousness type thought or imagery. I do this all the time, because the older I get, the more I look like my father. And at the point of my life when this came out, I was coming of age, so I realized I wasn't a boy anymore. I began to look like a man, act like a man and deal with adult problems and situations. And it was time for me to learn HOW to deal with them.

"There's a war in the streets tonight, and all this drama's got me feeling uptight. I don't know what I'll do if I don't see my boo 'cause she's standing, on the corner of Linden Boulevard... Holding our baby in her arms, so hold on your daddy's in sight."

No matter what stress life's changes brought me, I still in the back of my head envisioned a future in the relationship. Yes, kids and all. Perhaps I was thinking heavier than a young man should have been at that time, but putting this song on gave me glimpses into what I hoped would be a beautiful future.

But at the same time...

"Planned to be a strong black family, but we were too young, too strung, too much flashin'"

"Nothin but the worst type, worst night, when we brought my baby home the first night, cursed like sailors..."

"Regret the sex but not Desi [His daughter]"

Perhaps things were going too fast so we were bound to spin out of control. Because I vividly remember relating to the first part of the verse about how cool it'd be to see her holding our kid and being happy, but at the same time the above lyrics struck a chord with me also. I could picture us having some spats and having a baby in the mix to further complicate things. That tends to happen a lot of times when relationships begin to go at warp speed in a direction toward change or a possible end, that mix of emotion and uncertainty tends to result in "Let's figure things out" sex, or an attempt to reconnect and see if something is still there. And in the process, baby's get made. So though the parents couldn't figure out how to keep it together, a kid is brought into the world. And a man/woman coming of age together mixed with good and bad, arguments and make up sex, hormones and fear, ambition and uncertainty can be a potent cocktail. I'm just thankful I never had to experience that because kids deserve to have parents that already have their stuff together.

All in all, for me this is one of those songs that take me back and create a definite mood. I'll be 60 years old one day, and if this song comes on it'll give me a mellow vibe, some happy thoughts and deep thought. And though it takes me back, as time goes on the song will take on different meanings and give me different thoughts, which it already has.

And above all...

"I've grown up and thankful for lessons God gave me."

Mood Music Moments: King of R&B!

By Judah
Anyone who really knows me will tell you how much I love New Jack Swing, Bobby Brown, Bell Biv Devo, New Edition, Another Bad Creation, Boyz II Men (before they went soft) and the movement as a whole. New Edition was Wu-Tang or Dip Set before having a crew was even thought of. Every member of New Edition or it’s affiliates all found success. Just to make it clear...they were the first artist singing on rap beats way before anyone else. Before there was an Usher, Trey Songz and Chris Breezy.....there was BOBBY BROWN. They all say they were inspired by Michael Jackson but they know in their hearts those pelvic thrust come from Bobby B.

This week’s Mood Music Moment is by Bobby Brown...the king of R&B...lol This is another song written by Babyface. In my honest opinion there are two songwriters that matter in the last 100 years. One is Smokey Robinson and the other is Babyface. Don’t Be Cruel is the title track from his second album again titled Don’t Be Cruel. Enjoy..lol

Mood Music Moment: U know whats up

By Judah

We have been a little M.I.A with the blog the last few weeks so I thought I might update you on whats going on in my life and give you some Mood Music while I am at it.

This weeks Mood Music Moment cut is brought to you by Donell Jones from his second album Where I Wanna Be. The song U Know Whats Up is a classic record with vocals by Donell and co-written by Anthony Hamilton. The song is about coming across a female that you are drawn to without question.

I was recently exposed a young lady about a week ago I didn’t expect to meet. Basically I connected with her on a mental level that I haven’t had the pleasure of experiencing in quiet some time.

I have written many a post about the interactions between man and woman. In these post I argue that man and woman can not be friends. I implore readers not to get caught up in being friends with a woman and to make your intentions known. I have abandoned this thought process in this case...lol I’m going to write about this in more detail later but for the moment enjoy the Mood Music.

Mood Music Moments: Party Life

By Judah

It was coming...you knew it. Only a matter of time before the greatest MC of all time graced his presence in Mood Music Moments.

Regardless of circumstance Jay-z is the most consistent rapper of all time. Jay-z is 12 plus albums in the game and still is producing heat. Jay-z's work ethic is the total embodiment of mastering a craft.

Today we have a cut from the album American Gangster. Party Life is a grown and sexy record with an R&B touch. I can appreciate Jay-z due to the fact that as he grows as an artist I have had the pleasure of growing with him. The older you become the more experiences and situations mold your perspective. At one point he was rapping about guns, coke, weed, and hoes. Now at this stage of his life he has calmed down a bit and is now rapping about things relevant to his life.

This track is about confidence. You control how your universe views you. If you want people within your environment to respond to you, one must project the desired energy.

Mood Music Moments: That's Not My Name!

By Judah
This weeks Mood Music Moment is brought to you by The Ting Tings. That’s Not My Name is off their debut album We Started Nothing.


So I talked to Samson the other day about the direction of 2 Cent Tab and Mood Music Moments. I have known Samson since high school so he knows I have all types of music in my cd player. He challenged me to post music from a different genre each week. I like The Ting Tings. Their album is dope. Its a catchy feel good song.

The premise of the song is that she gets hit on every other minute...its one of the drawbacks from being attractive. Men call her out her name all the time. She is letting you what procedure is...”call me by my proper name when you address me”...lol Gotta love those Brits.

Mood Music Moment: Hey Lover

By Judah

This weeks Mood Music Mood is by LL Cool J’s “Hey Lover.”  I was on Facebook the other day talking to some friends about differences in how a child of the 90’s would approach talking to a girl he liked, as opposed to a child in 2011.  In the 90’s there was no Facebook or texting, and fewer chat rooms, so everything was face-to-face contact.  Today, a kid doesn’t have to worry about butterflies or having a clean haircut, or even fresh breath...  he can do all of his game spitting via the world wide web.  I personally think approaching a girl face-to-face builds character and allows kids to develop social skills.  

LL Cool J’s “Hey Lover” was my theme song for when I was macking to my crush in elementary school.  I would play this song when I wanted to hype myself up and get into the mood.  The song comes from his last critically acclaimed album, “Mr. Smith.”  He isn’t what he used to be, but one can always reminisce at his greatness.

Nothing Lasts Forever

By Judah


On my way back to my hometown I had a hard time finding some mood music for my drive. I pulled over to the side of the road and proceeded to open up my glove compartment and find something cruise to. I came across The Lost Tapes, an album by my favorite rapper Nas. I don’t listen to him as much as I use to but he is no less dope. Nothing Last Forever, was the fourth track on the classic disc.

Everything will eventually come to an end
So try to savor the moment, cuz time flies don't it
The beauty of life, you gotta make it last for the better
Cuz nothin' lasts forever ~ Nas



I once saw this line as Nas basically saying slow down and smell the roses. Sometimes you have to take a time out in life and enjoy what you have in front of you because it may not be here tomorrow. The 20 year old Judah and the 25 year old Judah may have less in common that I would think.

As I was driving up 95 I sat and thought about what the song means to me today. My analysis has changed a bit since I was the introspective young college kid. I believe the song is similar but has a different meaning. Since I was that kid, I am a little more worldly, read a few more books, and experience a deal of moments in life.

I believe Nas is saying one should confront his Mortality.

When you live through understanding your death two things happen.

First item that becomes clear is that you have a new found connection to all things organic. By understanding that all things God given will pass you will understand it’s connection to all life. We will all pass at different times and stages in life. This understanding will bring about a new found respect for the human experience.

Second, when you have this freedom the insignificant things become less and less important. The energy used on meaningless issues can be transferred to things that are important to you. A respect for time will also follow. Everyone likes down time, and the ability to unwind. This is completely understandable but there is a difference in taking a break and putting things off. There is nothing proper or acceptable about procrastination. When you put things off you will loose productive moments in your life that you will not be able to get back.

Saying I will live forever is an optimistic outlook on the life. It sounds nice...but it’s not realistic. Accept the ideal that one day you will pass just as all life and dive into your passions.

Mood Music Moments: It's a Cole World!

By Judah
So Samson has been obsessing over this new MC by the name of J. Cole for a while. Now I love music and the emotion it brings but I am very critical of what I allow my ears to listen to. I am not persuaded by the sheep that flock to iTunes to buy the latest hit record, but I listen to music based of critical reviews. I am a big fan of musicians, not pop stars.

I finally gave J. Cole a chance and played his latest mixtape. It’s hot to say the least. I am very impressed by his style, content, and overall talent. I picked “Dolla and a dream” from his older mixtape, “The Warm-up” as this week’s Mood Music Moment because it spoke to me. I have been there. Everyone dreams, goes through hard times, and finds the beauty in it, all at the same time. It’s a Cole world...

Mood Music moment

By Judah