My Gift To You: Give & Receive Love On Christmas Day

How I love the Holiday season. So much love is in the air. Children are happy, Parents share joy and we do it for the love of Jesus Christ. That’s right people, Christmas is not about what new toy you get or which one has the biggest price tag. Nor is it about whose decorations shine the brightest. It’s a celebration!

My favorite part of the holiday season is the music. I love This Christmas by Donny Hathaway and Someday At Christmas by Stevie Wonder. I love hearing newer artists cover holiday greats. Not only does it show homage to the original but it allows them to make it their own. One song in particular that has been revisited by some great artists is Give Love On Christmas Day. From The Jackson 5 to Ledisi, some of my favorite artists have covered this song. I’ve included links to all of my favorite renditions of this beautiful song.

What’s Your Favorite Holiday Song?

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

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.

Download

‘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.

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. 

Artists I’m Feeling: Kid Cudi

With over 100,000 albums sold his first week, Kid Cudi isn’t quite as popular as Lil’ Wayne or even Eminem but is definitely mentioned in conversations along side Kanye West and Common. While having your name and Mr. West’s name in the same conversation isn’t the best thing right now, he still managed to do pretty well with album sales. I’ve been a fan of Kid Cudi’s for a while so seeing him outsell Drake who is on Lil’ Wayne’s young Money label was great. I’ll admit I can be a hater at times because if the masses support an artist too hard I start to question why people are riding them and any enjoyment I get from listening to this artist becomes sheer annoyance. I can’t help it! I don’t know why I’m that way. Even with the 2Pac and Biggie debate, I got so tired of people swinging from 2Pac’s coattails, I instantly became a fan of Biggie’s and never gave Pac a chance.

Back to Kid Cudi. Yes, his voice can be a bit monotone. Yes, his twitter persona is a bit off. Yes, he is aligned with the countries most known jack ass but he’s got skills. From the 1st single, “Day N Night” to his 2nd single, “Make Her Say”, I’ve been extremely impressed with everything this Ohio native has released and the fact that he’s from Ohio….Ohio of all places, makes me like him even more. You mean a hip hopper/rapper (or whatever box you want to put him in) has arrived and he’s not claiming New York or Atlanta. That within itself is a reason to rejoice!!!

If you haven’t gotten Kid Cudi’s, Man On the Moon: The End Of Day, make sure you
get it.