I Can't Escape Thoughts of the Seal Seal
The Super Bowl, Kendrick, a story from 2013 + more
Kiss from a Lime
Before I address the Super Bowl Halftime Show I can’t take a step further in this newsletter without addressing the Seal seal. If you somehow missed this violation against humanity you can see more here. This commercial starts with Becky G taking a sip of Baja Blast, being transported via boat to an idyllic alcove, and then being serenaded by the artist Seal, as an actual seal, to a remix of “Kiss from a Rose” now “Kiss from a Lime.” The boat is piloted by a Jason Momoa look-alike. I know Jason was immediately on the phone with his agent after seeing this commercial. He never misses an opportunity to get a check. However big, however small, he wants to be part of it all.
Heidi Klum1 is probably thrilled she didn’t have to field questions about this. After seeing this commercial I completely forgot what it was about (a theme for this year’s commercials), but I have been served a number of behind the scenes clips (mind you I never once asked). Apparently, Taika Waititi directed it. Rita Ora2 come get your man. I would probably rank this above Free Guy, but under Thor: Ragnarok when it comes to his directorial content. All I can say is I hope this is addressed on Who? Weekly since it’s now part of the Rita Ora universe.
Ultimately, I can’t stop thinking about the grotesque Seal seal. It immediately reminded me of the “Puppy Monkey Baby” commercial from 2016. Again, I could not remember anything about that commercial besides the creature. Guess who was behind that one? The sickos at Mountain Dew! Enough. Let us rest.3
When I Hear Music, It Makes Me Dance
Everyone say, “Thank You, Kendrick!” What a year for a single individual. I would think an artist would peak after taking home a Pulitzer Prize for an album, but not so. Not only did Kendrick bring back the diss track, but he put elevated hating back to where it belongs (center stage), swept his Grammy noms, and performed the Super Bowl Halftime Show. The show was ripe with political commentary, symbolism, Easter eggs, a denim lewk, and, a perfect, cheeky little grin delivered to the camera while speaking to Drake with his full chest. Also, Sam Jackson. The whole crowd screamed “A Minor.” Poetry!
I do have to share a quick story about Kendrick Lamar. I saw Kendrick perform in March 2013 at, of all places, Wake Forest University. I was in law school at Wake at the time and my friend Charlie mentioned an event we should check out on the main campus. We tended to avoid the main campus for the most part. As law students, we were largely relegated to a single hallway in a building we shared with the business school kids.
On this evening, we attended WAKEstock, a little musical festival that would be held in an on-campus field. I had never heard of Kendrick Lamar at that time4 and was mostly excited because, though Kendrick was the opener, Macklemore & Ryan Lewis were the headliners. POPPING TAGS.5 I remember being legitimately so excited to hear “Thrift Shop” live. The thought of this reversal now makes me ill.6
I kind of remember not liking either performance, but we were all in an immediate bad mood on arrival, because what I do remember is that the crowd was nuts. Like everyone was out of their minds. It was so out of control, that the youths attending Wake Forest University, likely fully dressed in peplum, Aztec print (I am addressing myself here - peep the scarf in the photo), neon, Ed Hardy, boat shoes, and bauble necklaces BROKE the crowd control barrier and stormed it. There was a lot of shoving and elbowing, with the show starting and stopping. They officially had to fully stop and cancel the show. We were, as a crowd, too hopped up on the idea of attending a $40k per year university, while also taking your grandpas hand-me downs. It was too much for us to handle.
Really all I have to say about this was that I did see Kendrick before it was cool, but didn’t appreciate it all. It’s strange to consider that we, as a crowd, never rushed Kendrick’s set, or even thought too much of him being there, because we just didn’t have the vision to see what he would become.7 Not the Black History Month story I want to tell, but the one I must.
It’s The Grab Bag
One of my favorite podcasts of late is Lemme Say This, hosted by Hunter Harris and Peyton Dix. Hunter is always one of my favorite cultural commentators and these two complement each other so well. Peyton brings a very funny energy to the chat that I appreciate. For example, she recently compared Nosferatu to the animated movie Anastasia, and I see the vision. We can’t all be as tuned in as Hunter, but we can all criticize like Peyton and I appreciate that.
I finished Anita de Monte Laughs Last by Xochitl Gonzalez over the weekend and loved it. The story jumps between 1985 and 1998, between Anita de Monte, a rising art star who dies unexpectedly, and Raquel, an art student coming into her own. Their stories cross paths in unexpected ways. There was a little bit of mystery, lots of art, and some magical realism/ghosts. It stoked the fires of my rage!
I got so many compliments on my Super Bowl recipes. I used basically all of Harrison Wallace’s recipes. The potato nachos and crispy chicken Caesar sliders were particularly great. Follow him on TikTok or Instagram.
Speaking of Instagram, Rachel Dratch has been posting an SNL throwback series to celebrate the 50 year anniversary. I’ve been enjoying following along. I really need to watch the 50 Years of SNL Music documentary. I’ve watched the opening sequency about 10 times because it’s so well done and mesmerizing. Questlove is behind it so no surprise. The SNL50: The Anniversary Special comes out this weekend and I’ll also be sat. Unfortunately, it looks like Bill Hader will not be there, but I did see that his gf Ali Wong is maybe pregnant? Congrats to all. I love them both.
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Cheers!
And Giselle over the course of the same evening. Another night of wins for the girls.
And Stede. I can’t resist a moment to plug Our Flag Means Death.
I also counted 2 commercials about flying facial hair, that nasty tongue commercial, and whatever the hell that was from Hims & Hers. Also no Wicked Part 2 trailer which annoyed me.
Mind you this was before To Pimp a Butterfly and DAMN.
I’m so happy there was no Spotify Wrapped back then.
I wasn’t yet 25 so my pre-frontal cortex hadn’t developed or some nonsense? I have no defense.
Except for my friend Charlie because he was always an early adopter of excellent music.