THE UNFORTUNATE TALENT OF FRANK OCEAN

I never heard about Christopher ‘Lonny’ Breaux a.k.a. Frank Ocean until mid 2011. I first heard his unique delivery of the hook on Jay-Z and Kanye West’s ‘No Church In The Wild’ in their ‘Watch The Throne’ album. I was impressed but not interested as such until a month later when I heard ‘Novocane’, a single from his mixtape ‘Nostalgia Ultra’. I was impressed once again by this dude who could tell a story while singing with such a smooth style. I was bumping that song for a while but it never really occurred to me to do a research on who the artist was.

Early 2012, I heard another single ‘Swim Good’ from the same mixtape ‘Nostalgia Ultra’. This time, I was sufficiently interested to google him up and I was impressed to find he was a black man. I’d always thought he was white. From then on, I started paying attention. A flurry of other songs reached me in a row, both official and unofficial releases that left me dazed at the immense talent of this 24 year old R & B singer. My anticipation for his debut album increased astronomically.

However, I was severely heart-broken when on the 4th of July, he published an open letter on his Tumblr blog recounting unrequited feelings of affection he had for another young man when he was 19 who he stated, was his first true love. The rage that followed on twitter by his steady growing number of followers was palpable. I was still in denial about this confession so I went back and replayed ‘Novocane’ and BAM! There it was sticking out like a sore thumb! A very subtle hint to his sexuality as he referred to the object of the song as a ‘she’ but says this on the hook:

“Novocane baby baby/ novocane baby, I want ya…/F*#k me good, f*#k long, f*#k me numb”

Now, hold it right there! “F*#k me numb”?! Can this happen to a guy giving it to a girl? No way! Except he’s being hit at the wrong place. Brrrrrr! I even shudder to think about it.

With this realization came regret and anger followed. I am a sucker for good music and a connoisseur of musical talent. Frank Ocean is undeniably the most talented and pure R & B artiste I have ever heard in recent times. I was so pissed, so enraged like his followers on twitter but I was determined not to lose my cool by posting obscene tweets. However, I was at loss at whom to direct my anger. How could one so talented be an embodiment of what I detested? Is this the first time I’m hearing about a gay singer, you may ask? Of course not! We all know about Sir Elton John, George Michael and Luther Vandross. I loved the song ‘sacrifice’ but the moment I heard Elton John was gay, I lost interest in that and any other song he released. In the same way, I never cared much for George Michael or Luther Vandross. So then, what’s the big deal with Frank Ocean? I was already addicted to ‘Novocane’! Several times after the song played out on my playlist, I felt so bad that I had to rant on twitter to feel better.

I can feel your judgmental thoughts against me already and I don’t blame you. In many ways, It doesn’t feel right to judge a man by his sexual orientation (I can’t believe I actually wrote that) but I’m also a firm believer that there’s only one true form of sexual orientation. Homosexuality is a perversion of nature and it will always be and as such, should be discouraged. I’m not even going to bring up the biblical angle. Was it not French physicist, Charles Augustin de Coulomb that said like charges repel and opposites attract? Its a basic rule of nature that I’ve found to be applicable in almost all spheres of endeavour as a result of the dual nature of life. This should suffice for now as the basis of my uncompromising stand. I’ve been very fortunate not to have had a friend who is gay and I pray it stays that way because folks that call me ‘homophobic’ say all kinds of sweet things about them. Frankly, you could be sweeter than honey but once you are gay, I couldn’t care less about having you around me because I’d have to watch my back at all times whenever you are around. Pretty much like going to church on a Sunday in Borno State. Yeah, I’m that paranoid.

My problem with Frank Ocean right now is that he’s just too talented, too gifted and as I see it, a force that’s going to take the music world by storm. What’s worse? The dude is bold, too damn bold! I’ve heard some other songs from his new album ‘Channel Orange’ which was released on the 10th of July, 2012 and was shocked out of my wits to discover open tributes and references to homosexuality! The first I heard was ‘Forest Gump’ where he goes on and on about a guy. Great tune, great beats but insufferable lyrics. The next was ‘Bad Religion’ where he supposedly bares his mind to a cab driver. Then there was this track, ‘We All Try’ where he goes all out trying to sell the idea of homosexuality in a most convincing manner. In what I’d classify as a beautiful song, he says:

“…I believe marriage is not between a man and a woman but between love and love…”

To the unassuming mind, this is a statement that could win almost anybody over with its ‘open mindedness’ but in actual fact, its a subtle encouragement to turn from the laws of nature to perversion.

We live in a dangerous world today. Changing times have caused people to forget the real value of real things. The importance of restrictions on freedom can never be overemphasized for no one is truly free when freedom has no restrictions. If there ever was a time to be wary of the Entertainment Industry in America, it is now. The music industry has the most influencing reach amongst our youngsters and the sudden boldness and rate at with which drugs, promiscuity (Rihanna), devil worship (Lady Gaga) and now homosexuality (Frank Ocean) are being preached is alarming. If you ever doubted the Illuminati conspiracies, perhaps now is the time to start paying attention. When Jay-Z, 50 cent and other rappers declared their support for homosexuality, I stated in one of my earlier articles, The Nagging Issue of Legitimate Homosexual Unions http://t.co/LaTu91nz that if they felt so strongly about it, they should have included it in their rap lyrics. Perhaps, I spoke too soon.

That being said, I’d like to add that most of these musicians, stars and idols in Hollywood are fore-runners of the anti-christ. They are trying to soften us for his apparent arrival which appears imminent. That is why we need to really watch the kind of songs, movies, websites, news, books and any other form of educative media our younger generation are exposed to. Its songs like Frank Ocean’s that will make homosexuality seem okay or an ‘alternative life style’ as they call it. Let’s not be deceived.

Malcolm O. Ifi.

Follow on twitter @saymalcolm 

First published on July 16th, 2012; 11:29pm at
http://t.co/IA9DXJUf

A CALL FOR RADICAL AWAKENING

When our president promised to investigate the fuel subsidy imbroglio and prosecute those involved after the revelations of titanic corruption that bedevils the oil sector, I wasn’t too impressed. When I stated my beliefs on why I wasn’t impressed, some labeled me a pessimist; most especially, those of the Niger Delta extraction.

Sadly however, I have been proven right time and time again. Just like I told all who cared to listen last year that voting on the basis of ethnic sentiments rather than by proven track record and strong antecedents would lead to another vicious circle of poor leadership. Today, not a few Nigerians who chanted all sorts of slogans and even sang songs to boost the popularity of this previously unknown man from Otuoke, Bayelsa State to enthrone him in Aso Rock are biting their nails in regret.

A look at the remarkable ascension of our previously-much-loved-number-one-citizen-turned-public-enemy-number-one to the top office in Nigeria shows a completely unremarkable political career that often makes me wonder how he ascended to that top spot. Not many who fought tooth and nail to attain that top spot despite strings of political accomplishments actually arrived there. In Goodluck Jonathan, we found the epitome of political good luck and he will go down in history as one of the luckiest politicians in Nigeria ever to have held that top spot . You all know his story (especially the no shoes part) and his subsequent elevation to the highly coveted post of C-in-C. Nigerians thought the good luck that he was named after would transfer to the nation. How wrong they were!

I do not claim to be overly informed on the many happenings in our political terrain but I remember distinctly that after the Alamiesiegha saga and his subsequent impeachment, his deputy took over. I stand corrected but I do not think there was anything worthy of note in his administration as governor but by miracle, he appeared as running mate to the immediate past president, the late Musa Yar’Adua (God rest his soul). But again, I wasn’t surprised. The political events that occur in Nigeria defy all common sense and logic.
My first danger sign of the kind of man he was came to the fore when he initially refused to declare his assets even when his boss did so. If a man’s hands are clean and all he has acquired in life are via honest means, then he has nothing to fear, right? Well, after much pressure and a specific instruction from “oga” himself, he finally complied. This was a sign; a testament to how he probably illegally enriched himself as governor of Bayelsa State but nobody thought seriously about it.

The second sign, was when he came out to blatantly deny the PDP zoning arrangement that brought him in as Vice President. It was at this point that my opinion of the man was cemented; that he was not to be trusted. After a taste of power as Acting-President, like Oliver Twist, he wanted more. Even if it meant denying the existence of an unwritten zoning arrangement of which he was a beneficiary. He played it sharp and swerved everybody. But I wasn’t bothered much as there is no honor amongst thieves.

The third sign and the deal breaker; first few months after being sworn as president, he sent a bill to the National Assembly for an amendment of the constitutional provision on the tenure of the president to six years single tenure rather than the usual four year double tenure. My danger bells chimed as loud as Big Ben! This was the priority of a president whose election was marred by a wake of massive post-election violence that destroyed the lives of many serving corpers and other innocent victims!

Fourth sign: Mind-boggling corruption. We all have to admit that this current administration despite its propaganda to engage corruption head-on, has redefined corruption and has taken it to new heights. The spate of embezzlements, the brazeness of public officials in stealing hefty sums and the frequency of tales of theft these days leaves my mind in constant daze. How can a permanent secretary steal N2b cash belonging to others and pile it up in his apartment?! How can people heartlessly loot the pension, the hope of earnest and hard working Nigerians?! How can the proceeds of oil which is the birth-right of every Nigerian be shared amongst the so called “CABALS”?! Yet, the president saw it fit to heap the burden of corruption and the inefficiency of its agencies on the impoverished masses by removing subsidy on PMS; the only thing enjoyed by the masses with failure in every sector of infrastructure, notably power. 

Finally, sign number five. Security. Over a thousand people have lost their lives in the most gruesome fashion to attacks by the radical islamic sect, Boko Haram since the advent of this administration a year ago. Attacks have become so rampant that there’s almost a bomb blast every sunday. And after each devastation, yours truly comes on to “condemn the attacks”, “promise to fish out the perpetrators”, declare that “we are winning the war against terrorism” and even more recently, threaten to expose Boko Haram sponsors in his administration. In YOUR administration?! Why haven’t you exposed them already? The lackadaisical attitude of the president to the continuous loss of life by this clear and present danger of Boko Haram leaves me speechless! Perhaps, if his beloved Dame was a casualty, wouldn’t he be spurred into action to deal with this threat decisively? Our lives are not worth much in his sight obviously. The list of woes goes on and on.
What is most baffling, amazing and annoying at the same time is Mr President’s abject lack of finesse; his dictatorial style of government. The way he dishes out policies as if in a whim. The way he makes empty and unrealistic promises; breath of fresh air while he chokes the living day light out of Nigerians…

This current subsidy probe is to me, the greatest hoax of all. It was just another scripted plot to pacify Nigerians after the fuel subsidy removal. It is well known that the culprits of the subsidy sham were and are still the most generous donors to the president’s campaign coffers even as he eyes a second tenure. Little wonder why he refused to suspend Madam Dieziani, Minister of Petroleum and chairman of NNPC and PPRA; agencies that have been indicted as strange bedfellows in this water bed of corruption in the oil industry. It is a trite principle of equity that no man should be a judge in his own case. How an unbiased report is supposed to be arrived at while Madam continually sits pretty in glittering gold with the power to hamper a proper investigation remains to be seen.

More disturbing is the recent allegations of bribery that have rocked the legislature; the people saddled with the duty of all investigations into such allegations of

WHEN ALL THAT IS LEFT

When all that is left
Is a photo and a memory
We long for what was
The beautiful past that faded
From the physical to ephemeral
A flash that dances
With taunts in its springs
The future we once held dear
Dissolved into nothingness
A futile grasp at smoke
Memories and forgetfulness
Defining the fine line
Between elation and deflation
To have what is no more

Trapped in time
The images peer back
That smile that is forever
That outing that remained still
That love, forever unmatched
That bosom friendship
Fresh like yesterday
But long gone
The pride in father’s eyes
The unconditional support and belief
In mother’s eyes
The eternal defense of a sibling
That moment of pride and victory
Sweet youth, than ran after time

Forever a reminder
Of what was which is no more
A pain, but joy to have known
Scars, scabs and the new man
The tears in laughter
Untouchable visions of lessons
The essence of all things past
That live within
Rejuvenated by thoughts so dear
Forever transmitted from heart to heart
Lips to lips and song to song
But as fleeting as they come

Malcolm O. Ifi.

Follow on twitter @saymalcolm

First Published on October 29, 2012. 5:39 at http://saymalcolm.wordpress.com/2012/10/29/when-all-that-is-left/

UNSTRESSER

A relief in time of pain
Morphine to make me numb
The lazy smile on my face
At nothing funny in particular
Like in a room full of nitrous oxide
And I see the funny side
Of the cruel tide

Far from me, but I feel you always
Like a pleasant leech
You cling to me everywhere
I converse with you in my heart
I kiss you in my thoughts
And I perceive your scent in the wind
As clear as your voice in my head

A day is never complete
Without a dream romance
Where your heart danced with mine
That dance of love where all fades
In that one moment of understanding
And afterwards, still we lay
And drift to the world of white and grey

Malcolm O. Ifi

First published on October 23, 2012. 10:02pm at http://saymalcolm.wordpress.com/2012/10/23/unstresser/

KHALEESI AND I

A penny for your thoughts
A dollar for a sighting
Silver for the music in your voice
And all I own for a feel
Of you right next to me

The sun would shine again
As if it were lit in my heart
For a thousand years
Time would stand still
For a chance to capture every moment
The wind shall sing us songs
And we shall sway to her rhythm
While locked in tight embrace

The rain will fall to our delight
As we ponder together
The mysteries of life and love
Through the wetness and the cold
We shall cling to each other
And our warmth shall birth the sun

The strength of a king combined
With the priceless worth of his KhaleesiA song for legend

Malcolm O. Ifi.

Follow on twitter @saymalcolm

First Published October 21st, 2012. 4:24pm at http://saymalcolm.wordpress.com/2012/10/21/khaleesi-and-i/

RETURN TO HUMANITY

The upright man
Desired tools, and tools he created
With this was his life made easier
With less crude methods of survival
Thus came the thinking cap
And the fiery pursuit of knowledge
The mind turned out
To be a far greater tool
Drunken by new found power
And the endless possibilities
Afforded by this thought machine
He sought to conquer the world
Not once refraining from
Dishing death to fellows
Absolute power he chased
Like a fair maiden
Till he gorged himself
On the blood of the simple

Time flew, agitations grew
A new thought awoke
And set the hearts of the young ablaze
Tolerance, was the gospel
Only peace could sustain
The remnants of our frail nature
But he arose again
Time tempering not evil machinations
Corrupt thoughts spread like cancer
Blood, bombs and charred flesh
Smoke, debris, chaos, leveled cities
To bring a smile on the face
Of the blood thirsty demon
With the mask of an angel

Take a cue from nature
Whose light shine on all
Whose rain discriminates not
The elements are all our friends
Regarding not greatness, colour or creed
But the right to be
Only, the right to be

Malcolm O. Ifi

Follow on twitter @saymalcolm

First Published October 8th, 2012. 7:37 am at http://saymalcolm.wordpress.com/2012/10/08/return-to-humanity/

A TALE OF SORROW...AND OF HOPE FOR TOMORROW

There was a dream once
Of a beautiful young belle
Soft spoken and endowed
Versatile and well skilled
Courted by many
Till a subtle maneuver
And not-too-subtle overtures
Made her the unwilling maid of another
She became the victim
Of domestic violence
As he violated her, time and time again
Her children arose in anger
In defiance they stood up to him
And like King Pharoah of old
He let the people go
They began the Isrealite journey
Burning with hope and excitement
The future looked bright
Green land lay at the horizon
The wilderness the only obstacle
Armed with compass and map
They began the tedious trip
And conflict emerged
Coups and counter-coups
Brothers killed brothers
To lead mother by the hand
Mother shed tears of sorrow
For her bountiful jewels
Inspired insatiable greed
52 years on, mother still weeps
For her sons developed
Oedipal complex
And violated her over and over again
She cried silent tears
As she was plundered without mercy
Her once radiant beauty