"So Tonight We're Gonna Party Like It's........"

CHACOYRAMI WISHES EVERYONE IN THE WORLD A HAPPY NEW YEAR AND REMEMBER, "2009 WILL BE JUST FINE!!!!!"

Best of CARSWANI!

Carswani presents his top ten video blog entries of 2008.

Holiday Musical Gem Of The Week - Soul Holiday By Sounds Of Blackness

For our last holiday video of the season, we chose a song that we heard three times during a five-hour timespan on one of Philly's radio station. Enjoy the holiday musical staple "Soul Holiday" by Sounds Of Blackness.

90's Throwback Video Of The Week - Killing Me Softly By The Fugees

This 1996 remake of the Roberta Flack classic made The Fugees a household name. Here's Wyclef Jean, Lauryn Hill, and Pras Michel with their biggest hit "Killing Me Softly".

Look What Santa Gave Chacoyrami For Christmas

Santa Claus gave us another Bichon Frise' puppy this Christmas. We named him "Blanco" for his lack of color. He joins us along with our other dog "BJ".

Season's Greetings

On behalf of Belmo and Curtis, we extend wishes of comfort and joy to all this holiday season.

A Birthday Dinner For Belmo 122308

Check out our vlog featuring us having dinner celebrating Belmo's birthday at JL Sullivan's Speakeasy Restaurant in Center City Philadelphia, PA.

BITCH BETTA HAVE MY CHICKEN WINGS!!!

How would YOU handle the situation?

Holiday Musical Gem Of The Week: Sleigh Ride By TLC

Here is the video for "Sleigh Ride", TLC's contribution, from the 1993 "LaFace Family Christmas" holiday compilation cd. Rest In Peace Lisa "Left Eye" Lopes.

90's Throwback Video Of The Week: Soon As I Get Home By Faith Evans

Here is the video for the second single from her debut recording project "Faith". My favorite song by Faith Evans is "Soon As I Get Home".

Al Reynolds on Best Year Ever!

I think I just threw up in my mouth a little bit.

Holiday Musical Gem Of The Week: God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen By Take 6 And The Yellowjackets

Harmony at its finest is featuring in this video by Take 6 and The Yellowjackets. Seasons Greetings!

90's Throwback Video Of The Week: Marvin and Tammi Medley By Patti LaBelle and Michael Bolton

One of the best male/female live duet performances captured on television features Patti LaBelle and Michael Bolton singing "Ain't Nothing Like The Real Thing", "Your Precious Love", and "You're All I Need To Get By" originally performed by Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell. Patti and Michael sang on the tribute special "Motown 30 - What's Going On?" which aired back in 1990. Enjoy!

Curtis' "IfULeave"

Musiq Soulchild's 5th studio album "onmyradio" is in stores and online as of 12/9/08 and here's my tribute to him.

Holiday Musical Gem Of The Week: What Child Is This By Vanessa Williams

One of my all-time favorate holiday songs is given a jazzy upgrade by the beautiful Vanessa Williams. Here's "What Child Is This?"

90's Throwback Video Of The Week: Beautiful By Mary J. Blige

Although a video was never made for this jam taken from the "How Stella Got Her Groove Back" soundtrack, enjoy the photo still shots taken from the 1998 movie featuring Angela Bassett, Taye Diggs, and Whoopi Goldberg. Here is "Beautiful".

Always Remember

Holiday Musical Gem Of The Week: Every Year, Every Christmas By Luther Vandross

It's December 1st and the holiday season is upon us. For this month only, we present you with a holiday musical gem of the week. The first video of the month comes from the late great Luther Vandross. Here's "Every Year, Every Christmas".

90'S Throwback Video Of The Week: Something's Going On By U.N.V.

Here is a song that has been sung at many high school talent shows including yours truly. From their 1993 self-titled debut album, it's "Something's Going On" by U.N.V.

90's Throwback Video Of The Week: All I Do Is Think Of You By TROOP

This is a TRUE throwback video. Taken from the 1990 BET special, "Inside Studio A", here's TROOP singing a remake of the Jackson 5 hit "All I Do Is Think Of You". Count the number of asymetrical haircuts you see including TROOP in the under 5 minute video.

90's Throwback Video Of The Week: Hey Lover by LL Cool J featuring Boyz II Men

If there was ever a song from the nineties that gave me nostalgic butterflies in my stomach and ants up and down my spine, it was "Hey Lover". Enjoy.

90's Throwback Video Of The Week: Sentimental by Deborah Cox

With a new album, "The Promise", in stores and online on 11/11/08 and a new baby due in February '09, Deborah Cox has a lot to sing about. Taken from her 1995 debut album "Deborah Cox", here's "Sentimental"

And What?

Say hello to our First Family of the United States.

90's Throwback Video Of The Week: Freedom ( Theme From Panther) by Various Artists (feat. Mary J Blige, Queen Latifah, En Vogue

In honor of our newly elected President of the United States, Barack Obama, here's Freedom (Theme From Panther).

2008 World Series Champion Philadelphia Phillies

"The curse has been broken!!!" After 25 long years, The City Of Philadelphia has been granted a city championship given by the Philadelphia Phillies baseball organization. Played in Philadelphia, they defeated the Tampa Bay Rays 4 to 3 in game 5 of the World Series winning 4 games out of a possible 7. Way To Go!!! Thanks Phils!!!

90's Throwback Video Of The Week: Expression By Salt-N-Pepa

Last week I purchased Let's Talk About Pep, the tell-all book from Sandy "Pepa" Denton. One half of the iconic female rap group, Salt-N-Pepa, Sandy shares her ups and downs as a superstar as well as a human being. In honor of Sandy, Cheryl (Salt), and Dee-Dee (Spinderella), here is "Expression".

Karaoke At Woody's - Part One

Curtis sings "Spotlight" by Jennifer Hudson at Woody's Karaoke Night.

Karaoke At Woody's - Part Two

Danny sings "Bump and Grind" by R. Kelly at Woody's Karaoke Night.

Karaoke At Woody's - Part Three

"Pretty Ricky" from NBC's "Clash Of The Choirs" sings "Lady Marmalade" at Woody's Karaoke Night.

90's Throwback Video Of The Week: So Fine By Mint Condition

For this week's vintage song for the nineties, we paying homage to all of the beautiful women of yesterday, today, and tomorrow. Here's "So Fine" by Mint Condition. Video's provided by Ognuttymuff.

Chacoyrami - Philly's Outfest 2008 Part One.wmv

Here is part one of Philly's Outfest 2008 featuring Noah's Arc star Wilson Cruz endorsing Barack Obama for President of the United States.

Chacoyrami - Philly's Outfest 2008 Part Two

Here is part two of Philly's Outfest 2008 featuring drag performances.

Chacoyrami - Philly's Outfest 2008 Part Three

Here is part three of Philly's Outfest 2008 which features Shampoo nightclub's dance party.

Curtis' B-day 2008 - Part One

Curtis celebrates his birthday with friends. Part One

Curtis' B-day 2008 - Part Two

Curtis celebrates his birthday with friends. Part Two

Curtis' B-day 2008 - Part Three

Curtis celebrates his birthday with friends. Part Three

90's Throwback Of The Week: Shanice - When I Close My Eyes

In honor of my best friend's commitment ceremony, this week's 90's throwback of the week is by one of his favorite female vocalist. Here's Shanice singing "When I Close My Eyes."

Skyi and Lu's Civil Union - Let No Man Put Asunder

Here is a video from my friends Skyi and Lu's commitment ceremony taken on 10/10/08.

Happy Birthday Curtis!!!!!

This day, October 11th, marks Curtis' 31st birthday. Stand up Libra!

90's Throwback Of The Week - Zhane' - Crush

While attending Philly's Temple University, Jean Norris-Baylor and Renee Neufville formed Zhane' and released two albums under Flavor Unit/Epic/Motown Records in the mid 90's. Here's Crush from their last album Saturday Night.

The "Down Low" Man vs. The "Up High" Brotha... Where Is The Love? Part 2

Check out Curtis and Belmo's take on men trapped in the closet versus openly gay men in the workplace.

The "Down Low" Man vs. The "Up High" Brotha... Where Is The Love? Part 1

Check out Curtis and Belmo's take on men trapped in the closet versus openly gay men in the workplace.

Tamia - Stranger In My House

This video came on vh1 Soul and instantly brought me back. Take a trip with me and Tamia back to 1999.

"The Power Of The Pussy"

Does the female sex fail to realize how much clutch they possess? Believe it or not, there are some ladies out there who take a seat and forget what they are sitting on. All around me, in reality and fiction, I see how women are subjecting themselves to any bullshit men throw at them and taking it. What if I were born a woman? Something tells me if I were born a female, I would be the baddest bitch there is.

While changing in the men's locker room at work, some of my mother's former co-workers asked me how she's enjoying her retirement. After telling them she was doing just fine, one gentlemen, Tony, spoke briefly about the first time he encountered my mother, Janet. The 5 foot, hazel-eyed beauty was given a stare from Tony that clearly said "Damn! Who the fuck is that?!" He said she then counteracted with a side eye look that loudly spoke volumes of "Nigga, please!". As a consolation, I mentioned to the guys that my mother gave me that same side eye, " Nigga, please!" look all the time as a teenager. Laughter erupted throughout the room. My mom had all those sorry ass bastards' noses all up in the air with every switch she threw at them.

I understood the strength of a woman after a dispute with my mom when I was 17. My grandfather, my mother's father, gave me my first man-to-man talk about women including his daughter. I can't remember much from that conversation since at that age I wanted no parts of girls and was convinced that I liked men. However, I can recall my "Pop-Pop", a man of the cloth, saying after the talk, "It's all about the power of the pussy." For the first time in my short life, I gagged.

Whenever I'm out and about with my friend, Skyi, we people-watch mainly at the fellas. Every now and then a lady with tossed hair, tight body, and natural beauty who exudes all types of fierceness will walk by. Then without a cue we'll look at each other and say," Now THAT'S how I'd look if I was a bitch." Skyi would follow up with, "See bitches don't know how to do it. If I was a girl, my hair and nails would stay done. My ears, hands, neck, and wrists would stay iced out and my clothes would fit me like an extra layer of skin. I'd have these niggas eat'n out of the palm of my hand. You feel me? I'd get it all without giving up any pussy." I would pipe in with "Meanwhile, there are some women who give the ass up for a juice box."

If I could stress one point to my female counterparts, it would be for ladies to accept dominance between the sexes. If men have physical strength then women have the power of the pussy.

I Dig Wayne Brady

Today I purchased from iTunes " A Long Time Coming", the debut cd from Emmy award winner Wayne Brady. Now this is the same Wayne Brady who only a few years ago hosted his own daytime talk show which succeeded Rosie O'Donnell's chat fest. This is also the same Wayne Brady who, in my opinion, dominated the one hour improv show, "Whose Line Is It Anyway?"

What made me purchased his CD were his attempts to remake the classic, "A Change Is Gonna Come" by Sam Cooke as well as his jazzy, laid back version of "All I Do" from Stevie Wonder's "Hotter Than July" LP. His first single from the disc, "Ordinary", has stapled itself onto the urban adult contemporary radio playlist of many R&B/Soul stations nationwide. His deep, smooth vocals delivered ear satisfaction worth sealing the deal.

Check out the CD "A Long Time Coming" by Wayne Brady.

Ain't Nobody Like Chaka!

Here is my first video created with the Windows Movie Maker software featuring the one and only, Chaka Khan singing live at the N2N Festival held in Philadelphia during the Labor Day Holiday. Enjoy!

It's Unofficial ( Summer's End )

The "unofficial" end of summer known as Labor Day came and went with the 19th annual Neighborhood to Neighborhood Street Festival. Hosted by Pennsylvania State Senator Anthony Hardy Williams, the N2N Festival gathered thousands to the West Philadelphia area for an afternoon of food, fun, and music. Headlining the event was Multi-Grammy Award winner Chaka Khan singing her greatest hits. Below are pics from the celebration.

Chaka Khan performing.

State Senator Anthony Hardy Williams

Master of Ceremonies local comedien TuRae

Philly Def Poetry Jam Great Black Ice

Philly native soul singer and fellow C.A.P.A. H.S classmate Bilal

Out With The Old And In With The New

With the summer season out, so was the old blog template. Here is our new digs for the fall season titled, "Chacoyrami - When Darkness Falls".

Sunday Of Unity

Veteran Philly R&B radio station WDAS 105.3 FM hosted its Unity Weekend on the Waterfront as a celebration of 30 years of unity. For the first time in the station's history, the annual event has changed locations from the Ben Franklin Parkway to Penn's Landing's Great Plaza. In addition to site switch, the festival's line-up has been split into two, giving attendees an extra day of entertainment.

Belmo, our friend, Skyi, and myself arrived towards the end of the day when we caught the headliner of the concert series, R&B/Soul singer, KEM, who performed a set of his many hits such as "Love Calls", "I Can't Stop Loving You", along with a rendition of Luther Vandross' "Never Too Much".








KEM being police escorted offstage.

concert stage left

Spirit of Philadelphia cruising upriver




Curtis, Belmo, and Skyi

Carribana

The following are pics from the annual Carribean Festival at the Great Plaza at Penn's Landing whick took place on 8/17/08.