Mixed Race Celebrity Mondays: Giancarlo Esposito

Giancarlo Esposito is an American actor, director and producer. He has acted on Broadway, in films and television and directed and produced both movies and television. He was born Giancarlo Giuseppe Alessandro Esposito on April 26, 1958, in Copenhagen, Denmark. His father is Italian and his mother is African-American. He lived in Europe and settled with his family in New York City at the age of six.

He had his debut on Broadway in 1968, in the short-lived play, "Maggie Flynn." During the 1980s, he had supporting roles in numerous films, among the most popular, "Maximum Overdrive," "King of New York," "Trading Places" and "Taps." During this same decade, he appeared in guest roles on the television series, "Miami Vice" and "Spenser: For Hire." In 1988, he received his breakthrough in movies teaming with Spike Lee in "School Daze." Later, he starred in Lee's productions of "Do The Right Thing," "Mo' Better Blues" and "Malcolm X."

In 2006, he starred with Queen Latifah and Timothy Hutton in "Last Holiday." His directorial debut was in the 2008 movie, "Gospel Hill." He played a leading role in that same film. He has both directed and made guest appearances in the TV shows, "NYPD Blue," "Law & Order" and "The Practice."

He was awarded with both an Obie and a Theatre World Award for his role in "Zooman and the Sign" in 1988. He received his second Obie Award for "Distant Fires" in 1993.

Those Days Are Cummin'!

Pardon the pun, I simply couldn't pass on that opportunity! Get ready, folks! April is already here and Spring has officially arrived and underway. The days are now longer (amount of daylight) and the temperatures are slowly getting warmer. The trees are sprouting new buds and the grass is getting greener. A clear indication that soon those days of frolicking naked outside, especially at the beach, aren't far away. Start planning now for those fun times in the sun! Think summer! Think naked! In the meantime, enjoy the full frontal view of the hottie sharing his glory here!

Mixed Race Celebrity Mondays: Lenny Kravitz

Lenny Kravitz

Lenny Kravitz has always been one of my favorite celebrities. He's one fine looking man as well as being his own man, himself; never one to fit inside any one definition nor the standard "box" that society wants us to remain inside. I've been to two of his concerts live and both were an experience and a special world, unto themselves. Bro Lenny can perform and work an audience like few in his field. His longevity in the world of entertainment is a testament to his remarkable abilities. Although not a gay man (although I wish he were), he obviously is comfortable with his body and harbors no fears of sharing his nudity with others.

Leonard Albert "Lenny" Kravitz was born on May 26, 1964, in New York City. His mother is Roxie Roker, a woman of African-Carribean descent from The Bahamas. She is well-known for her role as Helen Willis in the hit TV series, The Jeffersons. His father is Sy Kravitz, a Russian Jew who was a NBC television news producer. He was named after his uncle, PFC Leonard Kravitz, who was killed in action during the Korean War.

Lenny with Dreads and Nude

 Kravitz attended P.S. 6 for elementary school and before entering there already was demonstrating his interest and propensity for music. By the age of 3, he was regularly in the kitchen banging on pots and pans, using them as drums. It was during elementary school that he began to play the drums and soon adding the guitar to his repertoire. "My parents were very supportive of the fact that I loved music early on, and they took me to a lot of shows." he is quoted as telling the media.

In 1974, at the age of 10 years old, the family moved to Los Angeles, California, when his mother secured her character in television. While there, for three years he sang with the California Boys Choir where he learned classical music. He also sang with the Metropolitan Opera and also performed in Mahler's Third Symphony at the Hollywood Bowl. It was when living in Los Angeles that Lenny was introduced to rock music, listening to Led Zeppelin, Kiss, Aerosmith, Jimi Hendrix, Pink Floyd, Cream and The Who. Other significant influences were Marvin Gaye, Miles Davis, Bob Marley and John Lennon. He attended Beverly Hills High School and it was there that he taught himself to play both the piano and bass. He was a mediocre student spending more time with music than his studies. He graduated BHHS in 1982, and convinced his parents to fund a recording session in lieu of college tuition.

From this initial demo, Mr. Kravitz received offers from several record labels. At the time, he was also told to change his style as he wasn't "black enough" for R&B-friendly radio stations nor was was he "white enough" for rock-friendly stations. "I refused," he told the Los Angeles Times in a 1989 interview.

Lenny Shirtless with Nipple Ring

He finally made a record deal with Virgin Records in January, 1989, and his first album, Let Love Rule, was released on September 6, of that same year to mixed reviews. The album was a moderate success in the USA but proved to be an instant hit in Europe and Australia. He was soon signed on as the opening act for rock groups: Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, Bob Dylan and David Bowie. In 1990, he wrote and produced, along with Ingrid Chavez, "Justify My Love" for the pop artist Madonna for her album, The Immaculate Collection.

In 1991, he released his second album, Mama Said, which soon rocketed to the Top 40, his first album to do so. Two tracks from this production, "It Ain't Over Til It's Over" and "Always On The Run" both landed on Billboard's Top 100. This success marked his official arrival into the rock scene and his astronomical career was now in orbit. From here on out, he was now recognized as both a talent and phenomenon within the music industry. In 1993, his third album was released, Are You Gonna Go My Way, which earned him the BRIT Award for best international male artist in 1994. This disc also won the MTV Video Music Award for Best Male Video in 1993 for the title track.

Now established in his chosen profession, the early awards were soon followed by others. Between 1999 and 2002, he consecutively received The Grammy Award for Best Male Rock Vocal Performance, breaking the record for most wins in that category and for most consecutive wins in any category. In addition to the Grammys, he also received The American Music Awards, Radio Music Awards and Blockbuster Entertainment Awards.

2009: Lenny and Ass

Lenny Kravitz is recognized throughout the world as an accomplished singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, record producer and arranger. His acclaimed unique style incorporates elements of rock, soul, funk, reggae, hard rock, psychedelic, folk and ballads. His latest album, Black and White America is due to be released in the Spring, 2011.

I, and many other mixed-race offspring, can identify with Lenny Kravitz as he shares his experience of not being black enough nor being white enough, early in his career. His achievements are an inspiration to us all.

Mr. Kravitz participated in the benefit auction for the Red Hot Organization, in conjunction with Amazon.com, in their efforts to raise public awareness concerning HIV/AIDS in 2001.

April Fool's Day

Your Hat Doesn't Go On THAT Head!



That's Not Your Foot!

                             

No Shame Morning Ritual

Masturbation

Masturbation: wanking, beating, popping, nutting, stroking, freeing and the limitless other slang terms used to describe what the overwhelming majority of us men performed countless times daily on our cocks when we were adolescents. Releasing our pent-up frustration and sexual longing. It's as natural as drinking water to relieve our thirst. Parents, clergy and others may have told us otherwise. However, the reason they knew that we were doing it is because they did the same themselves. Therefore, so we wouldn't enjoy it too much, they planted that seed of guilt and shame.

As a responsible, adult, same gender loving man in a committed relationship with another, I still sometimes masturbate myself. Of course, the BF and I mutually masturbate (among other activities). Yet, when he's away on a professional trip, I'll wake up some mornings and need to handle my business before I even get out of bed. Sometimes, whether the BF is home or not, I'll just play a DVD and nut simply because I feel so inclined. It's simply a part of being a man. I have, at times, entertained my BF by masturbating in front of him. And, he has reciprocated by allowing me to watch him do the same.

Masturbation, we all did it at one time or another while in our teens. Most of us continue this male ritual even now as adults. So why do so many of us still view it as shameful and deny performing this safest sex act? After all, it's no big secret. We all know that we all do it. Likewise, most of us know there's nothing wrong with masturbating. So, where's the problem? As long as we're being responsible and performing the act alone or with other consenting adult partners, there is nothing illegal or disgraceful about it. It's merely a masculine thing. It's a natural release valve to prevent us from going postal in an inappropriate time or place.

I'm not ashamed to admit that I, as a grown man, masturbate. In fact, when I consider the alternative, the inablity to perform this manly deed, I'm both grateful and proud that I'm able to do so! 

Nudity

Michelangelo's "David" Statue

"What spirit is so empty and so blind that it cannot recognize the fact that the foot is more noble than the shoe and the skin more beautiful than the garment with which it is clothed?"

Michelangelo

Stand Proud

Sometimes, a man just has to do what a man needs to do. Be himself, even if it means being alone and not following the crowd. Remain true to himself and not just go with the flow. A man needs to be strong and proud of who and what he really is regardless if it means standing solo and apart from the rest.