T-Pain’s latest album, “Thr33 Rings,” opens with an avalanche of ignorance.

In just the first minute and a half, listeners are greeted with 11 utterances of the N-word and multiple expletives.

But fear not — and listen on.

Yes, T-Pain may be lowbrow, even occasionally offensive — but like any good ringmaster, he knows how to entertain. And despite a few missteps, “Thr33 Ringz” gives the best evidence why T-Pain has become the most potent force in music outside of Lil Wayne. And guess what, folks — it has nothing to do with a vocoder.

While T-Pain’s crafty use of Auto-Tune has been so successful it’s been imitated by the likes of Snoop Dogg and Kanye West, reshaping the sound of urban music, the core of T-Pain’s success has more to do with his uncanny ability to create catchy hooks than the electronic amplification of his voice. Past songs like “I’m N Luv [Wit a Stripper]” and “Buy U a Drank” probably would have been hits regardless of the vocoder-effect, thanks to their crafty grooves and T-Pain’s winking humor.

T-Pain’s hitmaking knack is even more evident on “Thr33 Ringz.” “Chopped N Skrewed” is a clever, hilarious synth-groove; “Blowing Up” is a seductive club song boosted by the sexy cooing of Ciara; and “Can’t Believe It,” a hit featuring Lil Wayne, is a slow, sweet jam for the ladies, on which T-Pain’s lays on the charm.

But T-Pain shines the most when he’s injecting a comedic touch, like “Therapy,” a breakup song (with West) that has plenty of hilarious (and unprintable) moments. Much like his label-mate, R. Kelly, T-Pain has a knack for singing about the basest subjects (like the ironic “Long Lap Dance”) in a manner that makes it so appealing you can’t help but sing along.

Not so funny are the skits. Though a couple featuring comedian Eddie Griffin will crack you up, for the most part, they drag down the CD.

The CD’s most disappointing moment comes at the end with “Karaoke,” on which T-Pain slams his imitators; it’s full of anger and easy shots, an unnecessary rant that should have been left in the studio.

SOurce:  Associated Press

Comedian Wanda Sykes says she's 'proud to be gay'

LAS VEGAS (AP) — Comedian Wanda Sykes says the passage of a same-sex marriage ban in California has led to her be more outspoken about being gay.

"You know, I don't really talk about my sexual orientation. I didn't feel like I had to. I was just living my life, not necessarily in the closet, but I was living my life," Sykes told a crowd at a gay rights rally in Las Vegas on Saturday.

"Everybody that knows me personally they know I'm gay. But that's the way people should be able to live their lives," she said.

Sykes, who is known for her feisty and blunt style, said the passage of California's Proposition 8 made her feel like she was "attacked."

"Now, I gotta get in their face," she said. "I'm proud to be a woman. I'm proud to be a black woman, and I'm proud to be gay."

Sykes' appearance at the Las Vegas rally surprised organizers. She was in town performing at the Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino.

justin Timberlake (Saturday Night Live) 11/15/08

Beyoncé - Single Ladies Live (snl 11/15/08)

Beyonce "if i were a boy" live (snl)

I AM PROTECTING MY PERSONAL SPACE SINCE THERE ARE NO LAWS TO PROTECT THAT FOR ME, says Kanye, but goes on to say this:

"HERE'S WHAT HAPPENED...WHEN I LEFT THE CLUB, I WAS ENCOUNTERED BY A THIRSTY PAPARAZZI AS USUAL. HE FELT HE HAD MORE RIGHTS TO MY SPACE THAN ME, SO I PUT MY HAND UP TO PREVENT HIM FROM TAKING MY IMAGE. I DIDN'T ASSAULT HIM BUT MERELY PUTTING MY HAND UP TO COVER HIS LENS. MY SECURITY YELLED, "GET THE CAMERA OFF HIM." I GUESS IN ALL THE COMMOTION THE CAMERA SCRAPED HIS NOSE.

THREE HOURS LATER I GET A KNOCK AT MY HOTEL DOOR. THERE WERE FIVE POLICE OFFICERS IN FRONT OF MY ROOM AND I HAD NO IDEA WHY. I HAD MY SECURITY GO SPEAK WITH THEM. THE COPS WERE VERY CORDIAL BUT TOLD ME THEY HAD TO ARREST ME BECAUSE A COMPLAINT WAS FILED. THAT WAS THE BOGUS PART. THEY PLACED ME IN HANDCUFFS AND DROVE ME TO THE STATION. THEY SPOKE ABOUT HOW THIS WAS OBVIOUSLY A PUBLICITY STUNT BY THE PHOTOGRAPHER BUT THEY STILL HAD TO GO THOUGH THE MOTIONS. WHEN I GOT BACK TO THE HOTEL THERE WERE PAPARAZZI HANGING OVER THE BRIDGE ABOVE THE HOTEL TRYING TO GET A SHOT OF ME GETTING OUT THE POLICE VAN. EVEN THOUGH I WASN'T CHARGED, THE DAMAGE WAS DONE. SURE ENOUGH THE NEXT MORNING, PLASTERED ACROSS EVERY MEDIA OUTLET... KANYE GETS ARRESTED. IT DIDN'T MATTER THAT I WASN'T CHARGED OR THE FACT THAT I HADN'T ASSAULTED ANYONE. ALL THAT MATTERED WAS THAT I WAS ARRESTED."

 Read the full post on Kanyes Blog [Here]