Borders are for people...

For the past few days, I have been mesmerized by the opening lyrics of a song from the Bollywood film, Refugee (2000) directed by JP Dutta, starring Abhishek Bachchan and Kareena Kapoor. With music by Anu Malik and lyrics by Javed Akhtar, the song Panchhi Nadiyan Pawan Ke was sung by Sonu Nigam & Alka Yagnik.

Panchhi nadiyan pawan ke jhoken (Birds, rivers, gusts of wind)

Koi sarhad naa inhe roke (No border inhibits them)

Sarhaden insaano ke liye hain (Borders are for people)

Socho, tumne aur maine (Think about it, what have you and I)

Kya paaya insaan hoke (Obtained by being born as humans?)

Many of us are taking emotional stock take of our lives as 2011 draws to a close. This song speaks about what it means to be born as a human and how birds, rivers and gusts of wind have no borders which inhibits them. I don't know about you, but it's almost as if I envy birds, rivers, mountains, flowers and trees. Compared to these natural beauties, we are on this earth for far less than they will be. As humans, we continue to be arrogant, we hate more than we love and we worship material goods far too much.

What does it mean to live a simple life?

For me, it means having few or no material items. Think about it - the less we have, the less we have to worry about it. How often do we go away on holiday and immerse ourselves into complete relaxation mode? More often than not, we're worried about our home that is locked up and guarded by a security alarm. A house filled with valuables. Electronics? Computers, laptops, TVs, DVD players, DVDs. The list could go on.

Imagine what life would be like as an animal - either wild or domesticated. What about life as a plant? As a tree...living through harsh weather conditions, yet still remaining strong and majestic.

Simply put, we live in a harsh world. Deadly diseases and crime rob us of our loved ones on a daily basis. We gossip about others to feel better about ourselves and kill our soul with that six letter word called "STRESS".

If you're reading this, no doubt you're a fully functional person. We can't suddenly transform into a sunflower, river or a mountain. However, while we're here on earth, let's try to love "things" less and people more.
This brings me to another quote I read recently:

People were created to be loved. Things were created to be used. The reason why the world is in chaos, is because things are being loved...and people are being used.

The more I think about it, the more I would love to be reincarnated as a part of nature - a bird who soars freely through the open skies, a mountain - standing tall and proud, or a rippling brook...drifting into a river and the ocean. Never-ending. Without any borders. Borders are for people.

Chammak Challo - Akon's (leaked) song from Ra.One

Akon's new Bollywood song in Shah Rukh Khan's Ra.One
which was apparently leaked recently.

I wrote this on BollySpice back in February:

Acclaimed singer, Akon will soon be making his Bollywood debut in Anubhav Sinha’s latest venture, Ra.One. Sources say that the director and lead actor of the film, Shah Rukh Khan were keen to have an international star to be included in the film. 

Apparently, on his recent trip to the USA, SRK had a meeting with Akon who is willing to be part of the Bollywood production which also stars Kareena Kapoor. 

Other international stars who have appeared in Bollywood films lately include Snoop Dogg in Singh is Kinng and Kylie Minogue in Blue.

Akon, who performed at the closing ceremony of the IPL (Indian Premier League) in South Africa last year has been signed for an undisclosed amount. 

Ra.One will have music scored by Vishal and Shekhar.

Shah Rukh Khan, Akon & Kareena Kapoor

I Can Feel -Enrique Iglesias & Sunidhi Chauhan

You heard Pussycat Doll, Nicole Scherzinger perform this
with Enrique Iglesias. Now hear the Indian remix with Bollywood playback singer, Sunidhi Chauhan!

Higher -Taio Cruz ft Travi McCoy

My new pick-me-up!

On the Floor -Jennifer Lopez ft Pitbull

How much am I LOVING this tune right now?!

Sheila ki Jawani / Single Ladies

This was done as a class project where students had to synchronize an English music video with a Hindi Song. Here is Beyonce's Single Ladies edited with Sheila ki Jawani from Tees Maar Khan. Very cool!

Happy Song - DJ Fisherman ft DJ Tira & Big Nuz

It's no secret that I love Kwaito! Since seeing DJ Tira & DJ Fisherman live a couple of months ago, I'm convinced that Tira is one of the best artists in South Africa. This track is from Fisherman's album called The Fish Tank Volume 1 and features DJ Tira & Big Nuz. It's my new pick-me-up song! I love it.

Hollywood by Michael Buble

Michael Buble's new hit single, Hollywood from his latest album, Crazy Love - Hollywood Edition is growing on me!

Juju by Black Coffee feat. Zakes Bantwini

After last week's Channel O Music Video Awards when Black Coffee & Zakes Bantwini performed this live, I love it even more!

Maldito Alcohol by Pitbull

Rapper, Pibull has released a full-length Spanish-language album titled Armando. Here's the music video of one of the tracks from the album titled Maldito Alcohol...done only as Pitbull does best!

Last Friday Party

This was my first Last Friday Party, and I was excited as ever. The event was going to be Jozi DJs vs Durban DJs and the line up included: Fistaz Mixwell, Christos, DJ Tira and DJ Fisherman. Numbers was packed to capacity that they even had to close the door and refuse people in! I spent the whole night in the DJ box - which I think was a safe & wise thing to do! Fistaz didn't make it after all, but OH HOT DAMN! The other DJ's sure made up for it. My brother and I both agree that Tira isn't just a DJ - he's an entertainer and performer. Loved his set!

After the gig, I tweeted a bunch of things with the hash tag Things I Learned Last Night:

...you can get high JUST on music.
...how much I really love Kwaito music.
...that DJ Mo exists in different sizes and forms (and different names) > Intersexions
...sometimes I'm safer jamming alone in the DJ box.
...I have no tolerance for jezebel's after midnight.
...saying I'm the DJs sister will make guys take a back step - literally.
...you get DJs and then you get DEEJAYs.
...I STILL don't get what's behind wearing shades in a club.
...It's pointless trying to rationalize with a girl in a blonde weave at 04:30.

Jezebel (Professor ft Oskido & DJ Tira)

So this choon - Jezebel - has swept across Mzansi. And yes...I like it!

What is a Jezebel? Put simply, a girl who swoons over DJ's :) I don't know what the song means exactly - but be sure that I'm going to ask a few DJ's I meet next week (Fistaz Mixwell, Tira & Fisherman) when they're down in EL for The Last Friday Party.

Lady Gaga's Meat Dress

Yeah yeah, I know - this is stale news, but I didn't blog about it before. So, I'm just uploading these photos of wacky Lady Gaga who wore a "meat dress" at the MTV Video Music Awards on Sunday, September 12 2010. Got these pics via e-mail from my dad!

Wham: Wake me up before you go go

This song has been on replay in my mind for ever so long!

Chef! Performance

I was given tickets for a performance called CHEF! so on Wednesday, June 23 2010 Joo-hyeon and I went to Yeongdeungpo after work. The show featured traditional Korean instruments, B-Boying and acrobatics all while making bi-bim-bap. It's very similar to the famous Nanta production. No camera's were allowed, so unfortunately I have no photos or videos.

 

Michael Jackson - 1 Year Later

Last year on this day, I wrote a blog post: Michael Jackson is no more - a sad day for the world.

Michael Jackson passed away on June 25 2009.

I can't believe it's been a year. I remember waking up and doing my usual morning routine of checking emails and tweets. For the next hour, I was scanning news sites and was on the phone to my mother & brother in South Africa about the breaking news that The King of Pop was reportedly dead.

Remembering Michael Jackson, the legendary King of Pop on this day.

Turn it Up by T.O.P

Presenting to you, T.O.P's (of Big Bang fame) latest single.

As I told my friend, Nicki (who sent me the link to this music video) T.O.P's sex appeal lies in his eyes. How else can one explain that even sitting in a chair, covered from head to toe and surrounded by sexy women, he is still sexy? Nicki says, "he has the whole attitude going for him, he has that vibe, it's more confidence" Watch the video and you decide :)

Mama Afrika's Pata Pata

Since the 2010 World Cup Kick Off Concert with Hugh Masekela & Lira's performance of Miriam Makeba's Pata Pata, I have been crazy about the song. Here's the lady herself performing the song (I'm not sure where)

World Cup Songs from Korea

World Cup 2010 madness has hit the world. 3 days till kick off!

Everywhere I go in Korea, I see the FIFA symbol, and although I don't "get" soccer, I still get a rush when I see the SA flag & I hear people talking about Nam-Aprika or Nam-a-gong (Korean for South Africa).

Stores and radio stations are playing World Cup songs, like the two below by very popular groups, Super Junior & Big Bang - which features Kim Yuna (Olympic Gold Medalist).

Take a look at the videos & let me know which one you like!

Victory Korea by Super Junior

Shouts of Red by Big Bang featuring Kim Yuna (South Korea's first Olympic champion in figure skating)

Flo Rida Concert

On Friday, May 21 2010 I went to the Flo Rida Concert in Seoul. It was insane! I almost didn't go and my ticket was only booked two days before.

I had no idea that Flo Rida could set the stage on fire like he did. He performed songs from his two albums, Mail on Sunday & R.O.O.T.S while the group, Git Fresh performed songs from their album, Booty Music.

The concert started a bit late and for about 20-30 minutes in the beginning, there were performances by Korean entertainers.



 
Flo Rida burst on stage getting people on their feet when he opened with In the Ayer.

He autographed some towels which he threw into the audience.

Elevator

Flo Rida said he came to Korea to find his shawty and proceeded to describe what she looks like - Apple Bottom Jeans, Boots with Fur...yeah, the crowd went crazy!

He called some girls onto stage to dance with him as he sang the song that is arguably his claim to fame, Low.

Things started to heat up and there were shrieks of joy when he removed his t-shirt!

Sugar

Right Round (Spin)



Available (Single Man)



Flo Rida was joined by his official DJ, DJ Entice as well as Git Fresh.

Git Fresh - She be like



The audience interaction was incredible and he even jumped off stage a few times.