#EntertainmentPSB: “The Bachelor” Episode Eight – February 29, 2016

The “Hometown Dates” episode is always my favorite because everyone in the family always has a token crazy person. Unfortunately, this season there were a lot of normal (boring) families on their best behavior. That’s with sole exception of JoJo’s mom but we will get into that later.

By: Taylor Johnson @KTaylorPSB with commentary from Brandon Clay @psbpopculture

TAYLOR: Amanda has the first hometown date in Laguna Beach, Calif., where Ben meets Amanda’s ADORABLE little girls. Even Amanda’s little girls are outfit goals in their mini gladiator sandals. The girls spend the day with Ben at the beach followed by a crying toddler filled car ride to meet the rest of her family later in the night. Amanda’s family has real concerns about Ben being too young to take on the stepdad role. Most of the date was centered around crying toddlers so interaction between Amanda and Ben was few and far between.

CLAY: I could tell Ben thought the kids were adorable (I did too). In a normal setting, maybe Ben would stick around to see how it plays out. In this setting, he has three other extremely attractive women who don’t have ready-made families. I don’t see how this can work.

Amanda

TAYLOR: Ben visits Portland, Ore., to see Lauren B. where she immediately tells America how in love with Ben she is. Lauren’s build up to Ben meeting her family makes me excited, and Ben concerned for the drama ahead. Lauren’s sister grills Ben the most and honestly I think he is a little distracted because she’s so gorgeous so he just awkwardly cries. Again, I’m a diva so a guy crying makes me so uncomfortable. While other girls would think this is sweet, I just cringe.

CLAY: Oh Taylor. Let Ben have his moment. Though Lauren’s sister is attractive, Ben is very into Lauren. That’s been evident since the opening episode and was on display again here. That said, I would cry real tears (of joy) in a room with her grilling me as I envision an all-expenses paid overseas trip with Lauren hanging in the balance.

Sister

TAYLOR: Caila is next up on the hometown dates and her turtleneck vest combo is just as confusing as her comments about her and Ben’s relationship. Her dad is the CEO of a toy company so now we know why Caila reminds us of a giggly 13-year-old. Caila’s mom told Caila to tell Ben that she loved him but Caila ignores her mom like every other 13-year-old girl. Ben leaves her hometown without knowing how Caila feels but knowing all things Pilipino thanks to Caila’s mom.

CLAY: Caila’s vibe in relation to the women left reminds me of Emily who Ben sent home. Caila is still maturing as a person. I would be surprised if she makes it to the final two.

Caila

TAYLOR: JoJo’s hometown date was a lot less boring than the other three. Her ex boyfriend, Chad, sends her a dozen roses confessing his love for her. She awkwardly calls Chad right before Ben shows up so she is in tears when he arrives. Naturally seems like a great time for JoJo to tell Ben that she loves him, with tears still in her eyes from her Chad phone call. The only questions I have about JoJo’s ex is if he is the one who bought her that Cartier bracelet that I cannot stop obsessing over. She takes Ben to meet her family and immediately JoJo’s brothers play the role that the producers told them too: crazy, overprotective, jerk. The have to tell her how crazy she is to be in love with someone who she has been on two dates with, and no one is arguing with them. At least someone is speaking the truth because the mom has zero concept of how the show works, partly because she has been drinking wine straight from the bottle all night. JoJo had to tell her that Ben had three other girlfriends at the moment so why not continue to chug?

CLAY: The whole date was excessive. Her brothers made me uncomfortable and I’m not in the mix to date JoJo. I like her though and see her as the main competition to Lauren right now.

Bottle

TAYLOR: Sadly, Amanda goes home and America yells at their TVs because Ben is a terrible person. Amanda isn’t even ugly when she cries during an exit, but Ben kind of is and he can barely keep it together when she leaves.

CLAY: We all saw this coming. Amanda appears to be a chill, well put together human being. She’ll bounce back and hopefully find an amazing guy to build a life with.

TAYLOR: Next week we get to watch Ben tell two girls he loves him in hopes of them being down for some kind of sister / wife situation. I cannot wait for that drama.

CLAY: Me either. From Lauren’s brothers getting Ben at the end of the episode about the “Fantasy Suite” to the red dress JoJo slayed at the rose ceremony tonight, next week should be even more entertaining.

Taylor-Staff-PicTaylor Johnson serves as Brandon Clay’s personal stylist and is one of the most fashionable people in Atlanta. She’s also the resident expert on Hulu and Netflix. While attending graduate school at Georgia State, she’ll contribute to various categories throughout the PSBPopCulture.com site. You can follow her on Twitter @KTaylorPSB.

Brandon Clay serves as the publisher of PSBPopCulture.com. A self-professed entertainment, music and sports junkie, Clay has been on his game since picking up his first Nintendo and Sony Walkman in the early 90’s. Adding in a SLAM (Basketball) Magazine subscription in the late-90’s had him setup up for lifelong success. Clay is also a founding member of the “Luxury Boys Club” designed to stay on top of whatever is next in the world of PopCulture. You can follow him on Twitter @psbpopculture.

#iTunesSounds: Kirk Franklin – “Losing My Religion” – February 27, 2016

By: Brandon Clay @PSBPopCulture

Kirk Franklin is one of the most well-known gospel artists of all time. Since introducing us to “The Family” back in the 90’s, Franklin has assisted in delivering jewels for the past three decades. His latest album, “Losing My Religion” is a combination of the soulful music and vocals that we’re accustomed to hearing from Franklin. Here’s a look at some of my favorite tracks:

1) Miracles

This is Franklin back in the “Kirk and The Family” days to me with the choir singing both the chorus and the hook. Kirk does his normal 1-2 talking at various points during the song.

FAVORITE LINE: “My Life is a miracle, can’t deny it I’m a miracle. For the price of my miracle, nailed in his hands and his feet for me.”

2) It’s Time

Gospel artists Tasha Page-Lockhart and Zacardi Cortez join Franklin for this one. The choir wasted no time hitting this one punching the opening line. It’s right behind “When” as my favorite song on the album.

FAVORITE LINE: “Giving up feels wrong when you’ve been waiting for so long, for destiny and victory to finally collide. There is no sound more sweeter than when God says it’s time.”

3) Wanna Be Happy?

The CD’s lead single delivers an upbeat vibe as the choir takes the listener from a place of struggle to a place of triumph. The key to it all, giving your life’s desires to Jesus.

FAVORITE LINE: “If you’re tired of being the same, if you’re tired of things not changing, it’s time for you to get out the way. Don’t get stuck in how you feel, say Jesus take the wheel. He knows the road that you need to take. Don’t you wanna be happy?”

4) When

Two more high profile artists, Kim Burrell and Lalah Hathaway, join Franklin on this track. This is my favorite song on the entire album. They collaborate to deliver a silky smooth sound over the laid back instrumental.

FAVORITE LINE: “When will come for your daughters and sons? We’re homesick. We try but we don’t belong. Even if that day is a million light years away, each day we’ll begin with the same question: when?”

5) Pray For Me

Franklin actually delivers the vocals on this one. For years, he’s been the MC of the show. Over this mellow instrumental, he gives us a look at where he is in his spiritual walk asking for prayer in the process.

FAVORITE LINE: “Listen close, you can hear the world crying. Pray for me. It’s saying don’t talk about me, don’t judge me just pray for me.”

Brandon Clay serves as the publisher of PSBPopCulture.com. A self-professed entertainment, music and sports junkie, Clay has been on his game since picking up his first Nintendo and Sony Walkman in the early 90’s. Adding in a SLAM (Basketball) Magazine subscription in the late-90’s had him setup up for lifelong success. Clay is also a founding member of the “Luxury Boys Club” designed to stay on top of whatever is next in the world of PopCulture. You can follow him on Twitter @psbpopculture.

#PSBSportsChop: A Day in L.A. – February 24, 2016

By: Brandon Clay @PSBPopCulture

I get out to Los Angeles a couple of times a year. With the weather, it has become one of my favorite stops especially during the winter months. I took a day trip earlier in the month to visit UCLA and take in their game against Washington State.

Here are some of my takeaways in an Eastern Standard Time(line):

5:25 am: This Rick Ross “Bel Air” alarm is perfect way to get the trip started.

Bel-Air-Alarm

7:00 am: Atlanta Airport is always packed on a Friday morning. Today is no different.

8:05 am: We’re taking off in the Boeing 757…

1:30 pm: We just touched down at LAX. It’s 75 degrees here on a Friday in February. This is outstanding.

2:20 pm: Hertz doesn’t have the small convertible that I rented available. So I wait…

2:35 pm: Celebrate success (DJ Khaled voice). Hertz just let me take a Porsche Cayman off of the lot for the day.

2:52 pm: NEW MUSIC ALERT – It’s only right to listen to Tory Lanez “L.A. Confidential” as I take the back way from LAX to UCLA.

3:45 pm: Westwood Village is the spot for lunch. It’s easy to tell that people here are used to this weather though. No one seems overly excited about the day. The whole city of Atlanta would be out if it were 75 degrees back home.

4:30 pm: I LOVE UCLA’s campus. It’s one of the nicest I’ve had a chance to visit. The renovation to Pauley Pavilion is golden.

5:15 pm: I’m watching in the gym Redshirt Junior Nicole Kornet workout with coach Jenny Huth. Kornet is a big forward who can really shoot the ball. She’s sitting out this year after transferring from Oklahoma.

5:27 pm: Huth’s skill workout is crisp. Kornet is posting to score, reading screens to get shots and using the pick and roll to create.

5:58 pm: Director of Operations, Pam Walker, has to be amongst the best in the business. She’s organizing the Play4Kay initiative tonight and let me take a picture of in my grandmother’s memory.

Play4Kay

7:30 pm: Head coach Cori Close has her team focused. From the shoot around to the film room, Close demands excellence. It’s been cool to see her progression since the first time we sat in her office after getting hired in 2011.

8:47 pm: Just spent an hour with assistant coach Tony Newnan. The conversation ranged from the girls game at the high school level all the way to former Bruins, Zach LaVine and Kevon Looney, now in the NBA.

8:58 pm: No surprise at all that Redshirt Junior guard Kari Korver is the first one on the floor for the Bruins. She’s out here going through a shooting workout before the team hits the hardwood. There is a reason she is shooting 40% from beyond the 3-point line during Pac 12 play.

10:00 pm: It’s game time in Westwood. Naismith Midseason 30 Team member Jordin Canada is on my radar tonight. She’s had a fantastic season so far averaging 16 points, six assists per contest.

10:42 pm: I still remember watching Senior guard Nirra Fields play for Oak Hill during her high school days. Fields has put together a terrific career and currently leads the Bruins at 16.3 points per contest. She’s on track to represent Canada in the 2016 Olympic Games.

11:35 pm: UCLA is going to win this one. Keep an eye on Sophomore Monique Billings. Her activity and energy on both ends of the floor was crucial to the victory.

12:15 am: Spent time at Chick-Fil-A with assistant coach Shannon Perry. Without question, she’s in the mix on the PSBPopCulture Best Dressed “Watch List.” Keep an eye out for that segment during the NCAA Tournament thanks to Taylor Johnson.

2:00 am: Back at LAX ready to head home. Until next time, L.A.

Brandon Clay serves as the publisher of PSBPopCulture.com. A self-professed entertainment, music and sports junkie, Clay has been on his game since picking up his first Nintendo and Sony Walkman in the early 90’s. Adding in a SLAM (Basketball) Magazine subscription in the late-90’s had him setup up for lifelong success. Clay is also a founding member of the “Luxury Boys Club” designed to stay on top of whatever is next in the world of PopCulture. You can follow him on Twitter @psbpopculture.

#PSBPopCulture: Kylie Lip Kit – February 24, 2016

By: Taylor Johnson @KTaylorPSB

The Kylie Jenner Lip Kits have been the must have item for makeup addicts everywhere. Unfortunately getting your hands on one isn’t easy. Both times they have gone on sale all of the Lip Kits have sold out in less than 30 minutes. I was lucky enough to get my hands on two colors this time around because my sister, Brooke, texted me as soon as they went live. Kylie announces when the lipsticks go on sale on her social media with zero heads up. So if you want to be one of the lucky few that gets a kit, I suggest following her on Instagram or Twitter.

The Lip Kit is a matte liquid lipstick along with the matching liner. I might love the liner more than the actually lipstick. The liner glides on better than any other liner that I have used. I have never used a liquid lipstick before, but clearly I have been missing out. It goes on as easy as lip gloss but stays on like lipstick. It even smells amazing! The kit stays on for several hours however my suggestion is to wear a clear chap stick over the top of it. The chap stick reduces the chances of your lips drying out and less lipstick transfers when you are eating and drinking.

I decided to get KoKo K and Posie K. KoKo K is a neutral shade of light pink that is great for an everyday look. Posie K is a darker pink color with neutral undertones that makes more of statement. Posie K is definitely my favorite of the two! All of the colors have some kind of a neutral undertone, which is very on trend right now so honestly you can’t go wrong with any of the six shades.

The kits are sold at www.kyliecosmetics.com for $29. For now they are sold out, but if you are REALLY desperate they are being resold on eBay for an average of $200. However, I suggest you wait until she restocks and announces they are back up for sale.

After receiving mine in the mail, I had this message for team members Brandon Clay and Jordan Davis:

Tay-Jordan-Clay

Taylor-Staff-PicTaylor Johnson serves as Brandon Clay’s personal stylist and is one of the most fashionable people in Atlanta. She’s also the resident expert on Hulu and Netflix. While attending graduate school at Georgia State, she’ll contribute to various categories throughout the PSBPopCulture.com site. You can follow her on Twitter @KTaylorPSB.

#EntertainmentPSB: Sports, Music and Entertainment Summit – February 21, 2016

By: Jordan Davis @JDavisPSB and Brandon Clay @PSBPopCulture

The Sports, Music and Entertainment Summit was created by Jah Rawlings. The SME Summit provides a network for students and individuals in pursuit of careers in sports, music, television, film, and fashion industries. It was held at the Blackburn Conference Center on the campus of John Marshall Law School.

Brandon’s Panel Thoughts:

*** Follow Brandon on Instagram and Snapchat: @BrandonClayPSB

Fortunately, the summit was rescheduled due to weather concerns as I was in Austin, Texas on January 23rd. I sat on “The Playbook: The Business of Sports” panel with Jah, Cecelia Townes (practicing attorney) and Matthew Givens (sports agent).

The Playbook Panel

Bria Janelle (Smith) of LoudGenius.com served as the moderator. Bria actually played in our events as a high school prospect so she provided a first-hand take of the growth to the crowd. I tried to convey the energy, passion and spirit needed to make it in the industry. There will be some no’s along the way. The key is knowing when those signal whether an idea needs to be modified or if it’s an executive who is missing the boat on an idea worth executing. That comes with a feel for the market which can only be gained over time. The questions that came from the audience were outstanding and allowed me to also infuse my love of fashion as well as music into the discussion. Thanks again to everyone on stage and the people who put the summit together.

A couple of thoughts I shared with the audience from the music industry:

“Chains are cool to cop but more important are lawyer fees. That’s how it is now, that’s how it’ll always be. I’ll never change. This is always me.” – Jay-Z

“Music and sports are so synonymous cause we wanna be them and they wanna be us.” – Drake

Jordan’s SME Summit Take:

***Follow Jordan on Instagram and Snapchat: @PalmtreeJD

We pulled up to Blackburn Conference Center at John Marshall Law School around 12:10. After taking pre-panel pictures, we chopped it with some of the panelists while the panel before Brandon’s came to a close. They even had one of the producers of Love & Hip Hop Atlanta sitting on the panel.

Once Brandon’s panel got started, they gave some really good insight into the start up of a business and the different obstacles a person would come across. Towards the end there was a a brief “Q & A” in which some great questions were asked including discussions about religious tolerance in the sports/business world. I thought it was a great seminar to attend for anyone, including myself, who wants to really pick the brain of some successful entrepreneurs & CEO’s. I even heard a student say, “this is the best conference I’ve ever attended. All of the panelists were so accessible after they spoke.”

Brandon’s Post-Summit Take:

I want to personally thank everyone in the audience who took the time to come and speak to me afterwards. Jordan said we were there an extra 75 minutes. Truthfully, it felt like 10 minutes to me. Your stories, passion and vision for the future motivated me throughout the remainder of the day. There were people I’ve known for years coupled with fresh new faces. We’re all in the same boat in terms of helping each other move forward. I want to shout out everyone who took time to place a card in my hand, follow me on social media or sent me a follow-up email / text since I left yesterday. Here’s to hoping I don’t miss anyone:

Ali Abedi
Benjamin Aqua
Scott Bates
Chad Berger
Julius Bryant
Erin Chance
Nicole Davis Edwards
Sara Gershon
Latisha Hanna
Nicole Metsch
Joycelynn Okezie
John Rose
La’Porscha Smalls

Here’s more of what went on at the SME via Jordan Davis…

Clay on Shaping Lives through providing college options:

Onsite pre-panel discussion prep:

The Playbook Prep

Clay on youth mentorship:

Clay on the importance of the family unit:

Post panel discussion with attendees:

Mr.Clay.Driver

Clay on corporate partnerships:

You know Clay like Draymonndddd

A photo posted by JD (@palmtreejd) on

J-Davis-PSBPopCulture Jordan Davis is a contributor to PSBPopCulture.com with a unique blend of #PSBPopCulture reviews. Davis has been rocking the latest trends since arriving here in 1995. He is currently a student at Kennesaw State, a Social Media Intern with PeachStateBasketball.com and is well on his way to being the youngest in charge sooner than later.

Brandon Clay serves as the publisher of PSBPopCulture.com. A self-professed entertainment, music and sports junkie, Clay has been on his game since picking up his first Nintendo and Sony Walkman in the early 90’s. Adding in a SLAM (Basketball) Magazine subscription in the late-90’s had him setup up for lifelong success. Clay is also a founding member of the “Luxury Boys Club” designed to stay on top of whatever is next in the world of PopCulture. You can follow him on Twitter @psbpopculture.

#EntertainmentPSB: “The Bachelor” Episode Seven – February 18, 2016

By: Taylor Johnson @KTaylorPSB with commentary from Brandon Clay @psbpopculture

TAYLOR: Ben takes the girls back to his hometown in Warsaw, Ind. There is definitely a small town feel to the episode. As an aside, I don’t think Jubilee would have blended in well here at all. Ben is eager to tell his parents all about his six girlfriends, which isn’t weird at all (tongue firmly in cheek). Ben takes the girls by pontoon boat (lame) to the house that they are going to stay in while they are in Indiana. The boat ride made for some interesting hair and left JoJo’s extensions in plain site. Finally, she has a flaw: poor placement of extensions.

CLAY: Jubilee would not have made it 24 hours in Warsaw. She should be glad she’s back home enjoying life as a war veteran.

TAYLOR: Lauren B. gets the first date and immediately the girls express all of their jealousy similar to Olivia’s time as Ben’s go-to girl. Ben takes Lauren B. on a tour of Warsaw in a cheesy red pick up truck. Talk about the most boring date ever. Their last stop was at the community youth club, so the date only gets more horrible for Lauren. I love kids, but babysitting isn’t a date I dream about. Even Ben knows this date is boring so he brings out reinforcements including NBA All-Star Paul George of the Indiana Pacers. Ben brings up again the fact that the girls said Lauren B. is different around Ben than in the house. Well I certainly hope she isn’t trying to date any of the girls in the house, so maybe that is why she is acting differently.

CLAY: I’m a HUGE basketball fan and actually appreciated that Lauren made a couple of shots. I do think Ben and the producers are painting the picture of her as a potential mom in addition to wife.

Paul George

TAYLOR: JoJo gets the second one-on-one date to Wrigley Field. It’s where the Chicago Cubs play baseball games. I say this because if someone say Wrigley Field to me, I’d have no idea what they were talking about. JoJo and Ben have the entire field to themselves to play baseball together. Their chemistry is undeniable and I have no doubts in my prediction of her being in the top two but Ben is nervous that JoJo is closed off. I mean you do have five other girlfriends Ben.

CLAY: Jojo won real points with me this week. She’s confident without being arrogant, pretty without coming across as conceited. The “Mrs. Higgins” uniform they made her wear got her to open up on camera about her feelings more so than previous episodes.

Wrigley

TAYLOR: The group date this week was with Becca, Caila and Amanda. All of these girls are gorgeous, but Amanda’s outfit is something that I need in my closet like tomorrow. Becca spent most of her date complaining about how Ben hasn’t reciprocated any feelings like he has for other girls. Not the best move Becca. Amanda gets the group date rose so her and Ben ditch the other two girls to sit there and wallow in self pity. Becca can’t stop crying all the way home, so basically she knows she is going home.

CLAY: For as far as she advanced, I never saw a real chemistry develop between Ben and Becca. She was very guarded (and who can blame her).

TAYLOR: Ben continues his date with Amanda by WORKING THE MCDONALD’S DRIVE-THRU WITH AMANDA. I take back my comments about Lauren’s horrible date. If a man EVER took me to McDonald’s, they would regret it. I mean he recovers by taking her on an adorable Warsaw Fair date but I’d be still be mad about McDonald’s. I guess I’m just a diva.

CLAY: All caps Taylor, really? Haha. Let’s keep it all the way honest here. The McDonald’s placement was great to continue their season-long promotion of breakfast being served all day through “The Bachelor” partnership. This might not be the last we see of the Golden Arches this season.

Drive Thru

TAYLOR: Emily went on the last one-on-one date and he took her to meet his parents, which was very surprising. She was asking questions about ducks so it made for an awkward conversation, and even more awkward was when she wouldn’t stop talking. Ben’s mom was not a fan of Emily and without saying it, she said Emily was immature. Ben immediately speeds home in the pontoon after that comment from his mom so he could break up with her. He then proceeds to break up with her while all of the other girls watch from the window. As much as Emily is a bimbo, she took the breakup in the classiest way possible.

CLAY: Emily still has a long way to grow in maturing. Spending time away from her sister and finding a potential career path would help. The time on the show helped I’m sure.

TAYLOR: Ben sent Becca home during the rose ceremony, and she was not happy. I can’t blame her because she has now been rejected on the Bachelor twice. Caila, Amanda, Lauren, and JoJo are all taking Ben home to meet their families which is always a great episode because everyone always has at least one embarrassing family member.

CLAY: She saw it coming though. All the tears, the “please don’t hurt her.” As a guy, that’s not what we want to hear with one girl we are dating let alone six. Hometown dates next week should be really interesting.

Taylor-Staff-PicTaylor Johnson serves as Brandon Clay’s personal stylist and is one of the most fashionable people in Atlanta. She’s also the resident expert on Hulu and Netflix. While attending graduate school at Georgia State, she’ll contribute to various categories throughout the PSBPopCulture.com site. You can follow her on Twitter @KTaylorPSB.

Brandon Clay serves as the publisher of PSBPopCulture.com. A self-professed entertainment, music and sports junkie, Clay has been on his game since picking up his first Nintendo and Sony Walkman in the early 90’s. Adding in a SLAM (Basketball) Magazine subscription in the late-90’s had him setup up for lifelong success. Clay is also a founding member of the “Luxury Boys Club” designed to stay on top of whatever is next in the world of PopCulture. You can follow him on Twitter @psbpopculture.

#PSBPopCulture: Kendrick Lamar’s Effect on the Rap Industry – February 17, 2016

By: Donte’ Grant @DineroJones and Brandon Clay @psbpopculture

Donte’s Take on Kendrick at the Grammy’s:

Kendrick Lamar walked away last night with five Grammy Awards, one being obvious, best rap album. “To Pimp A Butterfly” is easily one the best albums of the last decade, of any genre. The Grammy’s one slip up last night was not recognizing its greatness and honoring it with Album of the year.

Brandon’s Take on Kendrick’s impact on the industry:

Lamar’s ability to win album of the year on a major stage this week without a “radio-friendly” single is validation that music content is still the most important part of the game. His style of dress, word content is very non-traditional in comparison to the status quo of the industry in 2016. Now Lamar has been on features ranging in genre as far over as Taylor Swift‘s “Bad Blood,” so it’s not as if he hasn’t built a name brand that allowed him to take a chance with his latest album. That said, Lamar represents a noticeable variation musically from some of the other mainstream A-List rap artists in Drake, Future. With samples including Lalah Hathaway on “Momma,” the album was so appealing to me that I completely skipped over “These Walls.” I just got to dive into that track during the Christmas Holidays.

Donte’s Take on To Pimp A Butterfly:

Kendrick Lamar’s critically acclaimed, instant classic plays out like a Spike Lee film in sound.  Though it doesn’t explicitly bill itself as a movie like good kid, m.A.A.d city did, but the seamless interlocking dramas contained here feels filmic nonetheless, and a variety of characters appear across the album’s soundscape.

The opener, “Wesley’s Theory”, turns the public downfall of Wesley Snipes into a kind of parable. Snoop Dogg drops by on “Institutionalized”; Dr. Dre himself phones in on “Wesley”. The mood is wry, theatrical, chaotic, ironic, and mournful, often all at once; yet it all blends together effortlessly: On “For Free? (Interlude)” an impatient woman ticks off a laundry list of demands before Kendrick snaps back that “This …. ain’t free!” and roars through a history of black oppression, spoken-word style, definitely a highlight of the album.

The album is dotted with religious moments and analogies, like modern bible passages written by an urban man. God even appears in the guise of a homeless man in “How Much a Dollar Cost”, and closer “Mortal Man” ends on a lengthy, surreal dream interview with the ghost of 2Pac and Kendrick himself. 

Screen Shot 2016-01-25 at 12.29.24 PMDonte’ Grant is a contributor to PSBPopCulture.com. He’s been a part of the team since playing pickup basketball with Clay at the Georgia Southern recreation center. Grant, a 10-year music industry veteran, a former A&R at Atlantic Records, Jeezy’s CTE label, and founder of TheOrganizedGrind. Follow him on IG @MuchoDineros and Twitter @dinerojones.

Brandon Clay serves as the publisher of PSBPopCulture.com. A self-professed entertainment, music and sports junkie, Clay has been on his game since picking up his first Nintendo and Sony Walkman in the early 90’s. Adding in a SLAM (Basketball) Magazine subscription in the late-90’s had him setup up for lifelong success. Clay is also a founding member of the “Luxury Boys Club” designed to stay on top of whatever is next in the world of PopCulture. You can follow him on Twitter @psbpopculture.

#EntertainmentPSB: Bryson Tiller – “T R A P S O U L” Nationwide Tour – February 16, 2016

By: Brandon Clay @PSBPopCulture

Bryson Tiller stormed right through 2015 debuting with a No. 1 album, “T R A P S O U L.” Team members Jordan Davis and Taylor Johnson joined me at Center Stage for the show. Here is a look at our night through Snapchat and Instagram:

Looking, looking, looking….

A photo posted by JD (@palmtreejd) on

Brandon-and-Taylor

Brandon Clay serves as the publisher of PSBPopCulture.com. A self-professed entertainment, music and sports junkie, Clay has been on his game since picking up his first Nintendo and Sony Walkman in the early 90’s. Adding in a SLAM (Basketball) Magazine subscription in the late-90’s had him setup up for lifelong success. Clay is also a founding member of the “Luxury Boys Club” designed to stay on top of whatever is next in the world of PopCulture. You can follow him on Twitter @psbpopculture.

#EntertainmentPSB: Bachelor Episode Six – February 15, 2016

By: @KTaylorPSB

This week’s version of Olivia: Victim Olivia. She says that she is the victim of bullying because she reads books and likes to talk about smart things. But then uses phases like “come at me bro”, so who are we really going to believe (Not you, Olivia).

Jennifer goes home and says “I just don’t think Ben really knew me” well Jennifer, America and Ben didn’t really know you. Poor girl. At least she didn’t sob her way out of the mansion and still has her dignity in tact.

This week Ben takes the girls to the Bahamas. Finally a trip worth signing up for this show.

Caila is the first to get a SECOND one on one date. Cue Olivia dagger eyes. Ben grills Caila about the other girls on their date, but shoutout to Caila for not throwing anyone under the bus. Ben comments on the fact that Caila smiles too much and doesn’t have meltdowns and cry like any other normal girl, what a terrible trait to have. Caila manages to confuse Ben just enough about where she stands with their relationship that he just gives her a rose just to shut up.

Caila-One-On-one

All the sudden we know who Leah is for something other than her bad fashion. The girl has a meltdown in the bathroom when Caila gets a second one on one date before she gets her first. She says “I don’t even know why I’m still here” and honestly we can’t disagree with you Leah. We just learned your name 5 minutes ago.

The group date is what appears to be a nice quiet boat ride with Ben but it turns into a romantic swim with pigs. Some of the girls get attacked by pigs in the water, and I know what you are thinking and no Olivia didn’t show up. Ben quickly realizes how awkward things are when 6 girls in bikinis are on a date with him. Even more awkward is how much I find myself typing Leah’s name but the girl just wont stop crying. Leah throws Lauren B under the bus to try to get herself a slim chance of getting a rose this week. Then lies about doing it and completely forgets this stuff goes on national television. Leah tries to do damage control by sneaking into Ben’s room in the middle of the night, Courtney Robertson style, minus the model status. Leah’s plan epically backfired on her and Ben sent her home. Leah we all knew you were making a mistake that night as soon as you put on that terrible white ruffled shirt and jorts.

The epic two on one, Olivia vs. The Twin. Good job Bachelor producers. Olivia tells us that she will be Emily’s mom on the episode because she is so young. Side note to all of this is that they are both 23. Emily sees Olivia putting on a one piece so she pulls out who most cleavage bearing bikini top. Olivia’s strategy: emphasize how “intellectual” she is and that she reads a lot because the twin doesn’t. Emily’s strategy: cleavage bearing bikini and telling Ben that she wants to grow up with him. Sex appeal wins. Emily defeats her and saves the girls from evil Olivia for the rest of the week. She is so hated that they leave her stranded on an island in the middle of what looks likes a hurricane.

Ben cancels the cocktail party because he is confident enough of who he is going to send home on the dreaded ride with Leah and Olivia. Unfortunate other Lauren gets sent home early from her vacation. He was probably still scared from that image of her waking up that retainer in.

I am curious how entertaining the show will be from here on out because Lace, Jubilee, and Olivia are gone. Hopefully someone else loses their sanity.

Taylor-Staff-PicTaylor Johnson serves as Brandon Clay’s personal stylist and is one of the most fashionable people in Atlanta. While attending graduate school at Georgia State, she’ll contribute to various categories throughout the PSBPopCulture.com site.

#PSBPopCulture: Deeper Than Basketball – February 12, 2016

By: Brandon Clay @PSBPopCulture

I was on hand to watch Branden Mayweather and Geoffrey Pierce coach their school teams to Georgia High School state tournament bids yesterday. I’ve known them both since we were students and to watch them positively impact the next generation in their own way is refreshing. Mayweather walks the sidelines in a suit and tie with hard bottom dress shoes. Pierce does his 1-2 in a short sleeve polo, khaki pants and a crisp pair of Jordan’s. Let’s rewind to how it all came full circle last night.

I met Branden 17 years ago in the old gym at North Gwinnett High. At the time, he was a seventh grader playing for Bill Green‘s Northeast Atlanta Hawks club team. I was a senior at North when Bill asked me to come and help coach the team. Basketball has always been a passion of mine so I decided to give it a shot. Over the course of the season, Branden and the other kids including Lee Burrell, Jason Cook, Jake Green, Isley Malone and Darren Williams amongst others. Some of those guys went on to play high school varsity and even at the collegiate level with Mayweather being one of them.

After the Hawks season ended, I headed off to college myself at Georgia Southern University where I connected with Geoffrey. Ironically, he attended high school at Central Gwinnett before heading to Statesboro for college himself. It was living next door to Pierce on a campus best known for winning football national championships where my vision for Peach State Basketball, Inc., rose from the concrete like a tree in Brooklyn.

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Sidenote: Special shoutout to Brookwood coach Daniel Bowles whose team lost a tight one to Pierce in yesterday’s state qualifying matchup. I remember playing pickup ball at the YMCA with Bowles during his days as a student at Brookwood. He was passionate about the game back then and might just be more passionate about it now.

Pierce and his roommate, Chapman Logan, were there every step of the way as the G(winnett) Co. Report got off of the ground. Websites were far more primitive with fonts and graphics being limited making content king. We spent hours to develop what was a groundbreaking site complete with rankings and player interviews.

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“The GCoReport”

Along the way, Pierce developed an itch to teach the game himself chasing the dream to Grayson High in 2013 after working at Meadowcreek. Logan and another GSU alum, Sam Clonts, still support Geoffrey’s calling to this day and were on hand for Grayson victory last night.

All the while, Mayweather was building his resume with a stint as an assistant at Archer before accepting the head job at Central in 2013. Along the way, he’s become an integral part of the Peach State Basketball family and his facility serves as the hub for all of our Elite Basketball Academy camps. He’s even hired Front End Supervisor, Vincent Smith, as a part of his Central basketball operations staff.

Mayweather and Pierce are prime examples of the fact that relationships are everything in life. For the young men they coach now will become the next generation of coaches, leaders and teachers. I just hope they’re listening and paying attention. If so, they too will have a story to tell about how the game of basketball helped them build lifelong relationships with first class people.

Brandon Clay serves as the publisher of PSBPopCulture.com. A self-professed entertainment, music and sports junkie, Clay has been on his game since picking up his first Nintendo and Sony Walkman in the early 90’s. Adding in a SLAM (Basketball) Magazine subscription in the late-90’s had him setup up for lifelong success. Clay is also a founding member of the “Luxury Boys Club” designed to stay on top of whatever is next in the world of PopCulture. You can follow him on Twitter @psbpopculture.