I Love Maxwell’s “Love You”
This weekend was pretty cool. Saturday I helped out and attended a friends Partylite party. Thanks to Partylite, I’ve finished over half of my Christmas shopping. I won’t say what I got but let’s just say I cleaned up. For real.
Despite saving hundreds of dollars by getting stuff on sale, that was not the highlight of my weekend. While in Vernesia’s car (my friend), she kept playing this song over and over again. Since I’m not one to hate on someone putting a song on repeat, I listened to without asking her to play another song. In fact, I encouraged her to put it on repeat. Next thing I know, I’m singing along and I am falling in love with this song. What’s the name, you ask? The song was “Love You” by Maxwell.
I’ve had Maxwell’s album for a while now and although I put all of my music in rotation on iTunes, nothing has made get the warm fuzzies lately….until now. When I tell you that I fell hard for this song, I’m being modest. It reminds me of a song on one of his previous albums and that is a good thing. I’m keeping my fingers crossed that he sings this at the Grammy’s but if he doesn’t, that’s their loss because I have it on repeat. And the lyrics….let’s not forget the lyrics:
“I can be anything you want me to be
I just wanna love you
Show you exactly what you mean to me
Honey let me love you”
I’ll let you hear for yourself. If you’ve heard it before, listen again. If this is your first time listening to it, tell me what you think.
Highlights of the Soul Train Awards Show
Tonight I watched the Soul Train Awards Show on BET’s new network, Centric. Unlike so many, I’m not as critical of BET so I am not going to put them on blast nor will I say what they should’ve done. I will say this much….. It seems like whenever an award show is held in Atlanta, Atlanta artists are winners. If it’s in New York, New York artists are winners.
There is no way in the world that you can convince me that Keri Hilson deserved to win the only awards that were handed out. With that being said on to my favorite moments.
- Toni Braxton & “Baby” Trey Songz- I watched this anticipated kiss and the kiss was nothing. Yall (fans) know you were wrong for hyping this up.
- Hal Linton & Melanie Fiona- If you do not know who they are, read up on them. They are the future of Soul Music and you can quote me on that.
- Boyz II Men- Always a pleasure to see them do what they do. Artist like them remind me of why I fell in love with music in the first place. I feel like we’ve grown up together. They’re my childhood friends.
- Chrisette Michele- How many ways can I say underrated. This is another artist that you should look up if you don’t know who she is. Shame on you if you’ve never listened to her music.
- Raheem Devaughn- His song “Bulletproof” with Ludacris is our generations “What’s going on” and he is speaking the truth. I love a man who stands for something.
- The Chaka Khan Tribute- Can we say Soulful. A tribute fitting for a true diva and Ms. Chaka is a diva in the purist sense of the word. I have a newfound respect for Erykah Badu. I have never heard her sing with so much soul without thinking about incense. Fantasia did her thang, now if only she could stop screaming. Ledisi….another one yall need to watch out for. Last but never least, Angie Stone, who is looking good.
- Taraji and Terrence- I loved the chemistry so much I’m wondering if they’re a couple. Taraji’s comedic timing is perfect and she got a decent voice on her. Terrence was suave as usual. I can’t wait for him to play a pimp in a movie…wait, he did that already.
Overall, The Soul Train Awards did what it set out to do…..entertain me. Hopefully you saw it too.
Artists Pay Tribute to 50 Years of Motown In Detroit on Thanksgiving Day
The most quintessential of American holidays, Thanksgiving, is the setting for a special celebration of a quintessentially American musical treasure: the classic songs of Motown. NFL fans will be dancing in their seats at home and at Ford Field in Detroit during the 2009 United Way Thanksgiving Day Halftime Show: A Motown 50th Anniversary Tribute.
The Motown tribute will take place during halftime of the first game of the NFL’s Thanksgiving tripleheader when the Detroit Lions host the Green Bay Packers on Thursday, November 26 at 12:30 PM ET on FOX.
In Motown’s original hometown, this special halftime event features six of the brightest talents from the current roster of Universal Motown Records, performing classics from Motown’s all-American songbook.
Bringing the unforgettable songs of Motown back to the Motor City are Melanie Fiona, Kem, Shontelle, Forever The Sickest Kids, Vita Chambers, and Hal Linton. The dynamic and driving tribute spans more than a decade of Motown classics – every one of the songs among the most recognizable and culture-defining songs in pop music history. Following the performance, fans can visit NFL.COM/THANKSGIVING to find out how to download a copy of the halftime medley, as well as music from each of the artists. Proceeds will benefit United Way.
Teen R&B Star Mishon In Detroit Oct. 31st
ABC Family Lincoln Heights Star & Interscope Records teen R&B/Pop star Mishon will be in Detroit this Saturday He will be in town promoting his hit single, “Just A Kiss” and will perform at WHTD HOT 102.7’s Kiddie Halloween Party. “Just A Kiss” Los Angeles native’s soaring vocal dexterity and considerable teen charm. The track, co-produced by the Interns and Harvey Mason was the number one most added song at urban radio (6/2/09). His debut album YEARBOOK is slated for early 2010, will be a mix of ballads and dance floor pumping grooves but Mishon promises that like his performing idols, he’s got a few fly dance moves of his own saved for the stage.
WHO: Interscope Records Teen R & B Pop star Mishon
WHAT: HOT 102.7
WHEN: Halloween (Oct. 31, 2009)
WHERE: Jumping Jacks
21600 Dequindre
Warren, MI 48091
TIME: 2:00 pm
PHONE: (586) 758-4030
Jaheim’s New Single, “Ain’t Leavin Without You”
The Voice of R&B has returned with his new single “Ain’t Leavin Without You” From the NEW Album in stores FEBRUARY 2010!
There’s something about a Jaheim song that just oozes soulful. As someone many consider the “urban” version of Luther Vandross, Jaheim is definitely underrated. Produced by: Kaygee for Divine Mill Productions, “Ain’t Leavin Without You” contains elements of the recording and composition “Help Is On The Way” written by James Stanley Carter; published by James Carr Music (BMI) and performed by The Whatnauts.
Listen & Tell Me What You Think
Tyler Perry vs. Spike Lee
I normally don’t get involved with entertainment debates because it’s just not worth it but here’s my two cents.
If I wanted to debate in favor of Spike Lee’s statement, certain people make it very hard for me to want to align myself with them. The fact that we’re divided on a issue of the way a man chooses to express himself creatively is a shame within itself.
But I find it hard to agree with anything coming out of the mouth of Spike Lee supporters because of the tone and disdain that is attached to their words. A common theme that I’ve seen among those “standing up” for Spike Lee’s statement is them putting down the mindsets of those who happen to enjoy watching Tyler Perry’s movies. Enjoying Tyler Perry does not make me less “Black” than the next person. Hell, I have a natural. Does that make me more black than someone sporting a weave? No, So get over yourselves!
Agreeing with Spike Lee does not make you more educated, more conscious or more intelligent than the person who could care less about what either man is doing and/or saying. I do think it’s interesting that I have yet to hear a person in support of Tyler Perry put down one person who is in support of Spike Lee because unlike Spike they refuse to resort to name calling.
I compare this whole debate to the way people feel about the music of the next generation. Have you ever noticed that people who love old school hip hop fail to see the value of the music of today. I’m guilty of this but so I completely understand that. Each generation thinks their generation is better than the next. It never fails. My dad thought his generation was better than mine and I will probably feel the same way about my son’s generation. A little generational superiority never hurt anybody.
However, when you start talking about the people who support or are entertained by things you don’t care for, that’s when we have a problem. You are entitled to your opinion but questioning one’s mental capacity because they like a movie that none of us are making a dime on is taking it too far.
This post is not intended to choose sides just to merely make it known that putting people down who don’t agree with you is not cool. Please feel free to comment.
Stetsasonic: The Original Hip Hop Band Releases Mixtape
Stop, check it out my man
This is the music of a hip-hop band
Jazz, well you can call it that
But this jazz retains a new format
No disrespect, but before there was The Roots or any other hip hop group that infuses band elements into their performance, there was Stetsasonic. Formed in 1981 in Brooklyn, NY, they were trailblazers by being one of the first hip hop bands to infuse a live bands during their performance adding jazz elements to their music.
Originally, the group was known as the Stetson Brothers, after Stetson Hats, but it changed its name to Stetsasonic for its debut, On Fire (1986, 1986 in music). It was their second album In Full Gear which produced their most successful single, Talkin’ All That Jazz (I still recite the lyrics to this day).
They eventually broke up soon after the release of Blood, Sweat & No Tears but by lending their skills to help in the careers of others (Mary J. Blige, Red Hot Chili Peppers and others), they have a place in hip hop history.
They recently released Stetsasonic: The Original Hip-Hop Band Mixtape. Complete with 21 tracks, it takes you back to a time when hip hop was pure.
‘Who Knew’ Kevon Edmonds Sounded So Good
Babyface is credited as being the break out performer in his family but as an artist, I prefer Kevon Edmonds. He may not be as well known but if you love music the way I love music, then you are familar with his 1999 release 24/7. That album was great!! Gem after gem, that album was on repeat as I fell asleep nightly.
Well Kevon is back with his new album Who Knew marks his return to sharing his artistic talents with his fans. From singing, songwriting and producing he does it all.
His new album drops tomorrow but in the meantime listen to his new single “OH” and tell me what you think.
This Is Hilarious!! “Run This Town” Spoof
Sometimes you have to laugh at life and there’s nothing better than a parody starring a comedian poking fun at some of your favorite artists.
Affion Crockett, who is a comedic genius and impressionist portrays Kanye and Jay-Z in the video, as well as Chris Brown. Today the enormous viral Youtube video, directed by Michael Tiddes, went from Crockett’s Youtube subscribers, to Facebook users, to Twitter links, onto thousands of blog sites! It even garnered Chris Brown himself to retweet the link of the video by saying “Affion Crockett.. my big homie,” in humor of course. With all the media attention and celebrities talking about it, including Perez Hilton’s tweet titled “Hunt Chris Brown,” it has definitely supported that there is a need and space to put sketch comedic parody back on the map.
As the comedic break out star on MTV’s Wild’n Out and Short Circuitz with Nick Cannon, both shows delivering spoofs and comedic improvisational battles. Affion never fails to deliver, so don’t be surprised if another video comes out next week. For more videos, please visit Affion’s Youtube channel at www.youtube.com/affioncrockett
New Video: Melanie Fiona, “If It Kills”
This week new artists with new videos have been on FIRE from the fun yet spunky “Dollhouse” from Priscilla Renea and the sultry and raw “If It Kills” from Melanie Fiona, new female artists are making noise. From my first time speaking to Melanie Fiona, it was obvious that she had something special to offer the world of music. It’s about time we heard from some new and upcoming voices. I like the Beyonces, Alicia Keys, and Ciara’s but we NEED variety. We NEED other artists to rock the boat and Jazmine Sullivan and Chrisette Michele cannot do it alone.
I’m really excited about both of these artists. Check out Melanie’s newest vid, “If It Kills” and tell me what you think.
