Life: The 31 Day Challenge

Hello! Hello! When I first started this blog there was a lot more personal musings and a little less outside inspiration but as this blog has grown and changed, so have I. My new vision for my relaunch is to have a blog that seamlessly engages the personal and the inspirational as I tend to believe that they are closely related. Outside inspirations encourage personal growth. For the next 31 days I will be actively involved in the Rosetta Thurman created 31 Days To Reset Your Life Challenge. I discovered Rosetta and her mission at the perfect time in my life and so I am excited to continue this journey of personal growth. I will be blogging about this experience periodically and if you are at all interested in changing your life, I urge you to join. I'm excited! Let the games begin.

New Music: Thinking About You

So, earlier this week a track was released by Frank Ocean titled "Thinking About You". I wasn't too moved by it so I let it sit on my brain for a couple days. BUT THEN today I sat listening to a newly released Bridget Kelly  (Alicia Key's filler in for "Empire State of Mind") track and my wheels started to turn. You know when your brain perks up with that tinge of familiarity? Yes, that. Anyway, Frank Ocean created that track for Bridget Kelly! Catch Frank and Bridget's version below.


Frank Ocean's version



Bridget Kelly's version

Covered:Party

My love for Beyonce is clearly deep and never ceasing so in general I'm pretty tough on ANYBODY who attempts to cover one of her songs but this is too cute to throw shade at. Plus her tone is so slick, reminds me of Jhene Aiko. Check Jenny Suk and Adrian Per in "Party".

Live: Kreayshawn

You know what? Beyonce has spoiled all of us. Her ability to vigorously throw her mane, run in heels and still manage to stay in tune and on perfect pitch has us expecting that from regular people. On one hand, you want to give everybody a break for not being superhuman and on the other hand you want to throw shade at them for not trying harder. I'm on the fence about what I want to throw Kreayshawn's way. Actually, I'm still on the fence about Kreayshawn as a whole. But as they say "make yo paper, boo boo!"

Get More: Kreayshawn, Music, More Music Videos

I'll Miss You Amy

I've only felt this deeply emotional about the passing of two other artists- Michael Jackson and Aaliyah. Amy Winehouse was not an entertainer she was an artist, an artist so truly tied to her art and it's expression that to listen to her music was to connect with her life, her story and her seething pain. Amy's music defined what it was to inextricably connect one's soul to their music. She was soul music. And because Amy was able to pour her entire being into her writing, fans were able to undeniably connect to her truthful storytelling. This is an incredible loss and I can only hope that her musical legacy will live on pass her untimely death and through the tongues of those who truly believe in the power of music.

Documentary: Watch The Throne

I always tell myself "You can be regular or you can be GREAT. The choice is yours."

People forget how much agency they have within their circumstances. In so many instances the decisions we make and the way we choose to believe in ourselves determines the way we manifest of potential. Jay-Z and Kanye consistently live up to their innate ability to be GREAT. There is no substitution for sublime and no shortcut to eminent but it all begins with the seed of belief in your own power. Check Kanye and Jay Z in a short documentary that recounts their rode to the long awaited super album, "Watch The Throne".

New Mixtape: Angel Haze

"But how the f*ck you make a difference and still stay the same?"

Goes one of the lines to the opening track on Angel Haze's recently released mixtape, King. If you can recall, I brought you all her version of 6'7 earlier this year and this new mixtape is thankfully more of Angel's meaningful word play and undeniable talent. She glides effortlessly over the beats of some of your favorite songs and still manages to ignite the familiar music with her own unique story telling. This is a must listen if you're at all interested in being at the forefront of what's next in music. Angel Haze has the gift, the story and the power to make a difference and change not only herself but the overall breadth of the rap game.

Adele on Jools Holland

Adele performed on Jools Holland several months ago and here is the beautiful result of that performance. Absolutely perfect music to guide you into a peaceful evening. So happy that Adele continues to share her gift with us.




And here is her performing "Daydreamer" from her first album, 19.




Peace.

New Music: Emily King

Emily King had been slightly nudged to the comforts of the back corner of my brain. Today, she moved confidently to the forefront of my thoughts and made me experience why I had initially connected with her a couple year's back. I think what amazes me most about Emily King is that she still has so much purity and truthfulness to her art. It is a quality usually only seen at the start of a lot of people's careers, fades during that overconfident middle phase and reemerges after an artist reconnects with their art form. Emily King has somehow managed to grow as an artist and person and still maintain that soulful pulse that draws you to her music. "Every Part" off of the recently released EP, "Seven", will do just that.



I love when I have these moments when hearing a musical expression jolts me back to the place of remembering why I ever started blogging. Emily King and "Every Part" takes me back to that moment.

Live Concert: G.O.O.D. Music

I saw this at the bottom of my youtube video and nearly screamed out in amazement. I haven't even watched this yet but I HAD to share it first. It's a G.O.O.D. Music concert! This can only mean greatness. Watch Mos Def, Kid Cudi, Kanye and Big Sean SERVE in the concert below.



Excited!!!!!

Covered: How To Love

Praise Jehovah! A real singer finally covered Lil Wayne's "How To Love". Brandon Hines has been in my musical collection since my college days when I discovered him randomly via a couple Howard students. He went to Howard and produced an album, eventually landing a deal with Trey Songz. I'm not exactly sure how his music career is floating these days but I was happy to see him still in the game and adding his vocal chops to "How To Love". Check it below!



Still awaiting a Brandon Hines album!

New Music: Theophilus London

Theophilus effortlessly creates the perfect summer tracks. The kind of tracks that make you want to dance care free with a group of your closest friends. "Why Even Try" featuring Sara Quin is just that. Put your slippery socks on and click *play* !!

Theophilus London ft. Sara Quin - Why Even Try (RAC Mix) by RAC

Documentary: Influencers

This documentary is an absolute must see if you are at all interested in the ways in which society is molded by "Influencers". Influencers have a certain confidence in the way in which they exist and interact with the world. From Jay Z to Basquiat to Bill Cunningham, this documentary really delves into the power, courage and dilemma's associated with the lifestyle of an Influencer. Check it!

INFLUENCERS TRAILER from R+I creative on Vimeo.

Beyonce is King Part Dos

This video pretty much made me question my sexuality. And that's that. Check it below!

Watch The Throne

In the same vein as the post below, the royalty continues. Here's the alleged cover of Kanye's and Jay's forthcoming album, Watch The Throne. Oh yes. the excitement grows......

Beyonce Is King

I remember when little rumors started to fly that Beyonce's forth studio album was on the horizon and her stan's started scammering for anything that would support the reemergence of the King. Thankfully, all of it was true and not long after we got wind of Bey's forthcoming album we were served with "Run The World (Girls)". Man, I was scared. I HATED that song. (Still dislike it.) I was scared that Bey was about to release a "B Day 2.0" and ruin her brand, her music and her legitimacy as an artist. BUT Alas, all my worries were silenced once the official album dropped. This is Beyonce's best album to date. Yes, that's my opinion but I believe it to be completely true. This is her best compilation album to date full of hard beats, complex cadences, passionate vocals and all the marks of a true labor of love. This is 4, Beyonce's attempt to solidify her place in musical history. Check her documentary "Year of 4 " below.