Don't Make Me Rafer Alston YoU!

You better not turn around, because I will Rafer Alston You! This years NBA playoffs have been really physical. When Rafer Alston slapped Eddie House upside his head, I was Laughing My Ass Off (LMAO)! I found this Youtube video which made the slap that much more hilarious to me! When you take Rafer Alston and Dub his voice with Rick James, it equals ComedY!!!!

Hugh Hefner's First African Playmate of the Year

On May 2, 2009 Ida Ljungqvist was named 2009 Playmate of the Year. She is the first African born playmate. She has a degree in fashion design & marketing. She also speaks English, Swedish, adn Swahili.

Playboy selected the right choice! My president is black, and My 50th playmate of the year is black! She definitely recieves the *Mr. Bess* Stamp of approval! SHE IS SUPER SEXY!

Tha Boogie

If Prince, No Doubt, Outkast, The Fugees, Gnarls Barkley, Timbaland, The Neptunes, Cold Play, Kelis, & Missy Elliot all came together and created a musical baby, you would get Tha Boogie. Coming from Rancho Cucamonga, Ca, Tha Boogie is one most creative groups to come out of Southern California. The group consists of three members, who are all uniquely talented, and have an amazing work ethic. NuSchool (Singer/song writer/Rapper/vocal producer/arranger), Korus (Singer/Song writer), and Lejin (Singer/Music Producer/arranger), form Tha Boogie. They write, produce, record, arrange, and perform their own music. They recently just finished up a 10 city tour across the nation with Raphael Saadiq, and are currently working on an EP which will be released soon. Tha Boogie is a group that has captured the attention of many and should definitely not be slept on!

Mr. Bess: How did Tha Boogie Meet?

Tha Boogie: NuSchool and Korus are cousins and Nu School and Lejin connected in high school. We began to make music together as solo artist and then decided to put together the group later on to be more efficient financially since our family was backing us.

Mr. Bess: Your group has something new to bring to bring to the table of the music industry. How does Tha Boogie come up with that unique sound?

Tha Boogie: We just combined all of our influences to our liking, and found ourselves within that. The music we create is just a result of it.

Mr. Bess: Do you have a special process for making a song?

Tha Boogie: Lejin usually begins the direction with the production. Once he has something he feels like should be taken to the next level, he hands it over (like a baton) to NuSchool to begin the whole creation process vocally and lyrically. Once the demos are done, all three of us get together to record our parts and make it cohesive.

Mr. Bess: Groups tend to have creative differences. How do you get over those humps?

Tha Boogie: We're pretty open to all suggestions, and incorporate each others individuality in the creation process. Plus we trust each other enough in what we do to avoid a lot of those differences.

Mr. Bess: Who in the group has the worst bad habit and what are the bad habits?

Tha Boogie: We all have a bad habit and our habit is that we can be quite impatient and like to keep working.

Mr. Bess: Who in the group jokes around the most?

Tha Boogie: We all have our moments and we love them.

Mr. Bess: Who in the group brings everyone together when things are getting out of hand?

Tha Boogie: Well we are pretty similar in ways of being laid back, and things tend to not get out of hand with us.

Mr. Bess: This question is for Korus. How is it being the only girl in the group?

Tha Boogie (Korus): Well it's cool because I'm a bit of a tom-boy, so I'm use to rolling with the fellas, and plus we're family so it's all love.

Mr. Bess: Outkast, Gnarls Barkley, Janelle Monae, and Tha Boogie all on tour together. How does that sound?

Tha Boogie: It sounds like a dream; it sounds like something we would love to happen.

Mr. Bess: You guys and girl are currently on tour with Raphael Saadiq. How did that come about?

Tha Boogie: Well it was casually suggested by the label, and it was something that went from three shows on the west coast to a total of ten shows with cities like New York and Atlanta included, a crazy experience.

Mr. Bess: Raphael Saadiq is currently featured on your song titled “I see U.” Do you have plans on working with him in the future?

Tha Boogie: Yeah, sure we have a great relationship with Raphael and he's been very open to us and our ideas and what we are trying to do.

Mr. Bess: You are all currently working on your new mixtape right now and mentioned you had a lot of big name features on it. Can you give us any names?

Tha Boogie: There are a lot of people we would like to work with, so hopefully in the future who knows.

Mr. Bess: What is the name of the new mixtape, and when can we expect it?

Tha Boogie: Well we actually made a switch and it is going to be an EP and we don't have an official name yet for the EP, but we are looking at a release for early summer.

Mr. Bess: If Tha Boogie could work with any artist or group right now who would it be?

Tha Boogie: No Doubt!!!!!!!

Mr. Bess: Name five albums everyone should own?

Tha Boogie:

1. All the Kelis Albums
2. Missy-Supa Doopa Fly
3. Outkast-Speakerboxx/The Love Below
4. Any No Doubt Album
5. Raphael Saadiq-Instant Vintage

Mr. Bess: Your music is very unique. What message do you have for the world through your music?

Tha Boogie: You can do anything.

Mr. Bess: Lastly, do you have any advice for any up & coming artist trying to make it in the music industry?

Tha Boogie: Stay in line, and be yourself!

Be Sure To Check Out Tha Boogie At These Websites:

http://www.myspace.com/thaboogie

http://twitter.com/ThaBoogie

What happend to Hideo Nomo?

Anyone who knows me knows that I am not a LA Dodgers Fan at all (GO ANGELS). A few days ago a random baseball thought came to my mind…..What ever happened to Japanese Pitcher Hideo Nomo?

In 1995 he debuted with the LA Dodgers. His wind-up was so unorthodox they nicknamed it “The Tornado.” 1995 was his year because he started that year’s All-Star game and also won Rookie of the year. 1996 was also a good year of Nomo. Nike gave him his own signature sneaker called the “Air Max Nomo.” After 1997 he pretty much fell off the planet. From 1998-2000 Hideo Nomo played for the New York Mets, Chicago Cubs, Milwaukee Brewers, Philadelphia Phillies, and Detroit Tigers. From 2001-2003 Nomo became rejuvenated, throwing the Baseball as if he just entered the league for the first time. In 2001 the Boston Red Sox signed him and he threw his second no-hitter in his Sox debut. In 2002 he returned to the Dodgers, and ended having his best season since 1996. In 2003 Hideo Nomo started showing signs of fatigue and injury, and his career went down hill from that point on. In 2008 The Kansas City Royals released Hideo Nomo on April 29, 2008. On July 17, 2008 Hideo Nomo officially announced his retirement from Major League Baseball.

HERE IS A LITTLE FACT FOR YOU WHACK DODGER FANS: Hideo Nomo is the Last Dodger Pitcher to Throw a No Hitter.

I Denied My Own Membership at the "Gentlemen's Club"

In the United States the term “Gentlemen’s Club” is frequently used as a euphemism for strip clubs. Wikianswers.com states if you want to become a stripper, you have these four attributes:

1.) Toned Body

2.) An ability to be able to talk and flirt (pretend not to be shy)
3.) Must have thick skin, meaning don’t take anything personally that people might say.

4.) Be a self starter, meaning no one is going to tell you what to do.

In addition to those four attributes, other websites suggested that you have no hair sticking out sides of your G-String, and exercise is a must.

One may ask themselves, “Why is Mr. Bess talking about stripper?” That is a very good question that I am willing to answer. Personally I’m not one who will go to strip clubs often. In my lifetime I have been to a few strip clubs. This one particular day my brother picks me up from work and tells me that we are going somewhere funny. We pull up at the gentlemen’s club in Victorville, Ca. I honestly don’t know what to tell you all right now. It was like I walked into the twilight zone, which featured depressed unattractive strippers, who could not dance. I think a strip club should have decent looking girls that can dance, flirt, entertain, and the club should be appealing at least.

Stripper #1: Was a 40 year mother with three children. She wore a blond wig, and stomach that resembled a beer belly or another child was on the way. She would always mention that she was too old to be dancing, and would smoke after her set. She would always hint about being thirsty as well, but never received a drink.

Stripper #2: So stripper #2 had an ok body. She walked up to me with her head down and touched my leg, and then shook my hand and said her name. When she looked up and smiled, I devoured my gin & tonic in one gulp, and yelled “GOT DAMN,” ridiculously loud in my head. Girl looked like she had been brushing her teeth with Pine Tree bark, and rinsing her mouth out with firecrackers. Girls teeth were F*^$%D Up!

Stripper #3: I don’t have that much to say about stripper #3. She had cottage cheese booty, and needed to step up her dance game. She was doing the Bankhead bounce, and two-stepping her whole set.
I’m going to have to say that was my worst experience ever in a strip club. My brother told me there is a strip club connected to a gas station in Wyoming, which features a one armed stripper. I’m trying to go see that before she gets to old….lol! That was wrong of me! Well that concludes my blog tonight. Be sure to check out the next artist feature interview which will feature upcoming California artists named THA BOOGIE who are currently touring with Raphael Saadiq.

Be sure to follow me on Twitter
http://twitter.com/WakeUpMrBess

Artist Feature: VERSIS

Welcome to the second artist feature on wakeupmrbess.blogspot.com. Sorry that I haven’t been keeping everyone updated on my random thoughts, and staying true to my blog a day diet. Despite I go to school full time and work full time, there is no excuse for flaking out on my blog a day diet!

As I said before, welcome to the second artist feature on wakeupmrbess.blogspot.com. How many people get excited when you have a new friend request on MySpace? I know I get excited when I see that message pop up. “I hope it’s a fine girl!” Come to find out, it’s a music artist. Most artists don’t even get a chance with me. I automatically click deny! Well one day I decided to give someone a chance. I got a friend request from an artist by the name of VERSIS. The song that came on is titled “Time’s a Wastin’” which caught my attention right away. He has his own unique style, and all his tracks are definitely worth listening to. VERSIS definitely has a bright future ahead of him. He has the skills and talent to take him a long way, and is someone you need look out for in the future. So next time you get a random friend request on MySpace and it is from an artist by the name of VERSIS, I would just go head and add him because he is making moves!!!!

Mr. Bess: Being that this is your first Blogspot interview, can you let the readers and future fans know a little about yourself?

VERSIS: I'm in this to make people remember the times when the MC was insatiable when it came to nourishment; staying hungry is the key to me. I’m not a songwriting robot, I write when I feel moved. Writing for the sake of it doesn't cut-it for me. I started off as just a fan; slowly, I started noticing I had a way with words. Those words turned to lines, lines to rhymes, rhymes to songs.

Mr. Bess: What inspired you to come up with the name VERSIS?

VERSIS: I initially wanted to be seen as 'the alternative,’ in other words “versus," thus the spawning of my stage name.

Mr. Bess: What made you want to get involved with Hip Hop?

VERSIS: Back in elementary school my cousin and older brother bumped nothin' but the classics.They would play everything from A Tribe Called Quest to the early Black Eyed Peas. I remember listening and asking myself: "HOW do they do that?!" Haha! I got a clue my freshman year of high school. I moved in with my older brother after moms & I had a falling-out. Turns out he had some programs installed on his computer (Reason, Garage Band etc.) I fooled around with that for some time, and then I started writing to my production. My boy from Inglewood, CA, Lucid was a few steps ahead of me on the production. He started sending me instrumentals & I'd get to writing. Sometimes, I’d bring 'em to school via CD and let Foci (featured on "Detonation") hear his and my productions. It wasn't until late '08 that I was urged by a mentor-figure to get a bit more serious about music. Here I am.

Mr. Bess: Who are some of your musical influences?

VERSIS: Man...Not fair….Haha! Let me give you a brief list: Slum Village, Black Milk, SelfSays, Erule, DJ Quik, Black Moon, & needless to say A Tribe Called Quest.

Mr. Bess: March 26, 2009 was your first time on stage at the House of Blues. How was your first experience?

VERSIS: Yes, yes...It was fun. I learned some things that night. If the engineers don't turn your mic up, you gotta turn it up yourself. Haha! I wasn't as nervous as I'd thought I'd be. The moment before I got on stage, my legs started to tremble a little, but I sucked it up, went on, despite I felt the trembles trying to return a few times during the set.

Mr. Bess: In your HOB (House of Blues) backstage video, it is said that a girl went up to you and talked to you. Was that really the first time a girl came up to talk to you…lol?!?!?!?!

VERSIS: Haha! That was Foci trying to burn me in front of the masses. I WILL say that was the 1st time a girl randomly approached me, and gave me a kiss on the cheek. I never did get her name.

Mr. Bess: Random GIRL who kissed VERSIS…….If you are out there, Give him the digits…Hahaha!

Mr. Bess: What is the VERSIS writing process for making a song?

VERSIS: I'd hate to say it as cliché as it sounds, but my everyday life adds to it. I remember certain things from times past, and if they stuck with me, they just may show-up in a rhyme. There has been many times where I'd be in class and something would pop up in my head; I’d scramble for paper, and scribble it down. I'd either start-up something there, or finish it when I'd find a beat to suit it.

Mr. Bess: What message do you have for the world through your music?

VERSIS: Make adversity work in YOUR favor.

Mr. Bess: When can we expect an album from VERSIS?

VERSIS: Haha I felt that was coming...I'm actually working on an EP with my boy, Lucid that should be done sometime this year. Dude's a dope producer, and he is a bit younger than me. I've known him since elementary. That’s all I'm going to say. Oh, and we're BRINGIN' it!!! If you stay ready, you don't got to get ready!

Mr. Bess: Name three albums that everyone should own.

VERSIS: 1.) Slum Village: Fan-Tas-Tic Vol. 1, 2.) DJ Quik: Balance & Options, 3.) De La Soul: The Grind Date

Mr. Bess: If you had the opportunity to work with any artist right now, who would it be?

VERSIS: I'd have to say Elzhi of Slum Village.

MR. BESS: Personally, I prefer Underground Hip Hop over mainstream Hip Hop, because I feel they have more to say, and a better message. What do you believe are the biggest struggles for Underground Hip Hop Artist?

VERSIS: Some of the only adversities I'm facing is being listened to, but not being heard. People tend to just feel vibes and judge music on just that vibe. I also have to deal with the fact that most of the good lyricists make sounds that fall upon deaf ears for some time. Oh yea……and the MISCONCEPTION of the term "underground." I feel that when some people hear that term, they’re automatically turned-off.

Mr. Bess: Lastly, what kind of tips can you offer for someone else who is trying to get into the Hip Hop game?

VERSIS: Do YOU;"assimilation's not an option"

CHECK OUT THESE SITES

www.myspace.com/therealversis

versismusic.com

http://twitter.com/THISISVERSIS

http://www.imeem.com/therealversis/music/

BE SURE TO SUPPORT VERSIS APRIL 17th, 2009 at the 2nd Street JAZZ Lounge IN Los Angeles, CA

Artist Feature: DJ A_RON

Welcome to another day of my Blog, and welcome to the first Up and coming artist on the rise interview. A few blogs ago I mentioned to everyone that i was going to start featuring up & coming artist on the rise on my blogspot page. I have reached out to some people and now I have interviews lined up that you all will be able to read and watch on my page. The very person I got to interview is a long time friend of my mine. This guy got be me into my first Bar and Club before I was even of age. He goes by the name of DJ A_ROn and he is a up and coming DJ on the rise from California. He must be doing something right if he Ryan Leslie giving him a shout out on the video below! Check out the interview, click on the links below, and show him some love. If you would like to be featured on my page be sure to get in contact with me.

Mr. Bess: Most people don’t you as well as I do, so give the readers a little background on you.

DJ A_Ron: Well my name is Aaron, but most people know me as A_RON. I've been spinnin’ on the 1’s and 2’s since 97. The last 5 years I’ve been heavy in the club scene in Orange County/Los Angeles area. I also play the drums, and have been for about 17 years. I'm Filipino and I love food! Haha.

Mr. Bess: What inspired you to become a DJ?

DJ A_Ron: The music was and is my main inspiration to become a DJ. The more and more I got into it and started doing clubs, just being able to move the crowd and make massive amounts of people dance to the music you play was a dope feeling.

Mr. Bess: As an up and coming DJ, What keeps you motivated to keep on doing what you are doing?

DJ A_Ron: What motivates me to continue doing what I do is the constant support I get from my friends, family, my industry peers, and even the people at the clubs I play at. Being a DJ isn't as easy as most people think, but having the support from your family and friends helps. It's also an awesome feeling when you just finished rocking a club and the people come up to you at the booth and tell you that you've made their night that much more enjoyable.

Mr. Bess: As a DJ, who amongst your peers do you look up to?

DJ A_Ron: One person I really look up to and admire as a DJ, is DJ Vice. Not only is he an awesome DJ, he's just as humble as he is talented. He is definitely one person who has changed the face of DJ’n forever. He plays at clubs from Hollywood, to Las Vegas, to New York, and Miami and is co-owner of one of the newest street wear and custom shoe boutiques in Santa Barbara called CRSVR (pronounced Crossover). He's been named the number one club DJ in the nation, with an already booked schedule though the rest of the year. Vice definitely hustles, and I only hope to be half as successful as he is.

Mr. Bess: What do you feel are the biggest challenges for an up and coming DJ?

DJ A_Ron: One of the biggest challenges in being an up and coming DJ is getting your name out there. A lot of beginner DJ’s think they can buy the equipment and DJ at a club over night. It doesn't work that way. You have to really go out there and network to get your name out there, eventually the gigs will follow.

Mr. Bess: How do you feel about the current state of Hip Hop?

DJ A_RON: Hip-Hop today is very much different from when I first started DJ’n. You have artists like Soulja Boy and songs like "Stanky Leg" that are really popular today as opposed to hip hop back in the early 90s. Hip hop is always changing and evolving to the times, and I am very interested to see where hip hop will go in the future.

Mr. Bess: Many people do not know you have produced a couple songs for some up and coming artists. What kind of future do you see yourself having as a producer?

DJ A_Ron: Yeah, I've produced a couple songs for some up and coming artists, the most recent was "Vodka Tonic" for Jennifer Fabian (www.myspace.com./JenniferFabian). It really started off as just a "for fun" project that we did, and it ended up getting a lot of love and support in the clubs. I always wanted to produce music for artists since I started DJ’n and playing drums. Some of today's hottest producers started off as DJ’s, for example Dr. Dre and Just Blaze. I've always enjoyed being a part of the creative process when it comes to music and I hope to do more productions in the future. DJ’s have their ears to what’s hot in the streets, radio, and in the clubs, so that's what makes them great producers.

Mr. Bess: Currently you are part of an online radio broadcast called the Tuesday Night News on http://www.offtherecordmixshow.com/. How have you benefited from the Radio show?

DJ A_Ron: Being a part of Off the Record Mix Show has been great! Just being able to play music via online radio, to anybody tuning in worldwide is awesome! It’s different then just playing at a club. I've been able to meet some great people thru the radio show, from fellow DJ’s, artists, and being able to interview them and promote them on my radio show. I've even made some great friends with some DJ’s and artists that I probably wouldn't be able to meet in a regular setting, if it wasn't for the radio show.

Mr. Bess: Out of all the venues you have spun at, which one made you feel like you have reached that super star status?

DJ A_Ron: Hahaha, I wish I was at a "Super star status" level of DJ’n! One venue that I recently played at, that made me feel like I've "made it" was LAX in Hollywood. That place is such a historical spot that some of the best in the business have played at. It's also co-owned by DJ AM too. When I walked into the DJ booth the first time, that night, there was a poster on the inside of the booth of him. I felt like I was at DJ AM's house, playing on his turntables, so I had to make sure I did better than usual job that night.

Mr. Bess: Also out of all the venues you have spun at, which spot has the hottest females?

DJ A_Ron: Hahaha! Oh man, this is a hard one! (Pause) No pun intended, haha! There isn't just one venue that has more hotter females than the other, but a few venues that have some dope eye candy(s) are LAX (Hollywood), The Highlands (Hollywood), and the waitresses at Mai Tai Bar in Long Beach are definitely dime pieces!

Mr. Bess: What is the hottest song in the clubs right now?

DJ A_Ron: Ron Browz is definitely killing it in the clubs right now with "Pop Champagne" and even with "Arab Money" and "Jumping out the Window"!

Mr. Bess: If you could go on tour with any artist right now who would you go with and why?

DJ A_Ron: If I could go on tour with an artist, it would probably have to be Ryan Leslie. I've been following his youtube videos since day one, when he first produced "Me and You" for Cassie and instantly became a fan. He's a dope producer and artist, and to be his tour DJ would be a dream come true!

Mr. Bess: You failed to mention that Ryan Leslie did a drop for you as well!

Mr. Bess: Who is the best player in the NBA right now?

DJ A_Ron: My dude Kobe Bryant! Hands down!

Mr. Bess: Who is going to win the NBA finals?

DJ A_Ron: The Lakers! Letssss Gooo!

Mr. Bess: Do you envy Tony Parker because he is married to Eva Longoria?

DJ A_Ron: More than you'll ever know!

Mr. Bess: What are 3 things you cannot go without everyday?

DJ A_Ron: My Blackberry, My Laptop, and TWITTER! Haha follow me at www.Twitter.com/DJA_RON!

Mr. Bess: Filipino’s have some amazing foods. What dish would you recommend to someone who has never tried Filipino food?

DJ A_Ron: Chicken Adobo! That's the usual dish that everyone tries first, but my personal fave is Sinigang with the spareribs! Just the way my mama makes it!

Mr. Bess: I can’t deny it…..Chicken Adobo hits the spot every time!

Mr. Bess: No one has been able to answer this question, but do you know what juicy fruit gum taste like?

DJ A_Ron: It tastes fruity to me! Whatever that is?!?!?!

Mr. Bess: Being that you are single, what 5 qualities do you look for in a female?

DJ A_Ron: 5 qualities that I look for in a female are:
1) Style (Gotta know how to dress!)
2) Family Oriented
3) Undertanding (Of my lifestyle, and the work I do)
4) Gotta be able to dance!
5) Gotta have ass!

Mr. Bess: You heard it first ladies! If you have those 5 qualities and more get at DJ A_Ron!

Mr. Bess: If you could ask President Obama to change one thing, what would it be?

DJ A_Ron: I really don't know! I think he's doing a great job so far. Maybe if he could kick down us DJ’s with more money, or just me!

Mr. Bess: What advice do you have for any up and coming DJ’s?

DJ A_Ron: My advice would be to keep practicing and keep grinding. The only way you're going to get better as a DJ is to keep practicing. Go out and network, meet promoters and other DJ’s. Don't get discouraged when you first start out, Rome wasn't built in a day, and you can't rush greatness. Be patient and don't let anyone knock your hustle!

IF YOU NEED TO CONTACT DJ A_RON CHECK OUT THESE SITES


http://www.dj-aron.com/


http://twitter.com/DJA_RON


http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1142804252


http://www.myspace.com/DJXARON


http://www.youtube.com/DJXARON