Back to Black.

Back in 2007 I visited my friend Gina in SD for a much needed winter vacation. I remember Gina kept telling me, that I needed to check out this new artist named Amy Winehouse. I am always open to new music and especially if my good friend is saying how BOMB she was.. I had to check her out. "Just Friends", played from her stereo.. and  I was completely blown away. Amy's voice was so soulful and powerful, I felt every word she was saying. Gina then began to show me YouTube videos, and to my surprised she was a little white woman with a big black woman's voice. I also noticed that while she sang LIVE it looked like this voice was coming out of her effortlessly... like she wasn't even trying..! Ever since then I became a fan.

This Saturday we lost a extremely talented woman whose voice had  so much soul, yet she was such a lost soul, which is very unfortunate. Every time I would see Amy in the headlines, I would SMH.. and wish she would get it together, because her music was very special to me and moved me unlike many artist can today. When I would see her look healthier in pictures I would think maybe she is getting it together.. I really was rooting for her.

Addiction isn't something that is easy to conquer, especially if you are famous and have people around you who will do anything you tell them. It was one month ago I was watching the sad video of her last performance. The performance was extremely hard to watch. Amy was mumbling words that couldn't be made out, she couldn't stand straight, and she eventually got booed off. All of this while her band smiled and still played.. my question is why would anyone let her go on stage in that condition in the first place? So sad, and even through her short life she was known as a drug addict, I do believe that in death she will be remembered for her music. To the people who are insensitive and making rude remarks regarding her death, she lost her battle with demons that were tormenting her, which isn't funny or should be mocked at all. If anything you should feel sorry that she couldn't over come her struggles. 

Also within  death, you automatically become a legend, Amy Winehouse will be a SOUL legend and one my favorite albums of all time Back to Black is now #1 on iTunes, and is reentering the Billboard Top 20. Unfortunate to say the least, but maybe now she can be at peace. No one is invincible, it's cliche but say no to drugs.

R.I.P. Amy you were TRULY an amazing talent.

Karmin.

If you are looking for music's next best thing.. Karmin is it! The duo consists of boo's Amy and Nick and they are based out of Boston, MA.

 Don't act like you guys have not seen their cover of Chris Brown's "Look at Me Now", yeah in three months they have generated more than 80 million views on YouTube, and not to mention they got signed by Epic Record's CEO.. LA Reid! All this in less than one year, they are doing something right!

Last night I got the pleasure to see them in a BMI Music Showcase. Let me tell you, they are extremely talented, not only can Amy blow (Her voice gives me goosebumps), but home girl can flow and play the guitar. Nick not only can play the piano, but he also sings, and plays the trombone (yeah!).

I also got to meet Amy, and she is the sweetest ever! Check out some pics I snapped as well as my favorite cover that they did, "Fireworks", by Katy Perry. Best of luck to them!

Me and Amy 

Looking for Love.

We're vulnerable

We're sensitive

And we're complicated people, too

So many people rolled into one

We contain so much

So much creativity

So much energy

So many contradictions

So much confusion

So much clarity

So many moments of faith and fear

So many different characters live within us

All looking for love

- D.J.J.

Otis.

Anticipation is building up for the collab album from Jay-Z and Kanye West, Watch the Throne. Otis Redding's "Try a Little Tenderness" is sampled on this tracked called, "Otis". Kayne definitely brought back the soul on this track! Im liking it... What do you guys think?

History of Hip-Hop Pt. II.

If you are down to have a smile on your face for about 5 minutes straight, this video is for you! Justin Timberlake sat down with Jimmy Fallon to promote his new flick with Ms. Mila Kunis, "Friends with Benefits". Timberlake and Fallon surprised the audience with yet another renditon of the History of Hip-Hop.

LOL for days....

Better Days.

"Better Days"

I used to sit and wonder
Would I ever be happy
Life was so bittersweet
So many disappointments
Too many ups and downs for me
When you live a nightmare
It's hard to dream

But sometimes life just isn't fair
So why complain nobody cares
And I don't wanna waste nobody's time
So I'm

I'm about to change my vibe
Today the sun's gonna shine
'Cause I made up my mind
That today will be the start of better days
Leaving old shit behind
And move on with my life
The blindfolds off my eyes
And now all I see for me is better days

Afraid of my reflection
Tell me that's not me I see
That's who I wanna be
Stuck somewhere in the middle
On half full or half empty
Waiting for somebody to come and rescue me

Can't let that petty attitude
Start to jade my point of view
Only thing that does is bring me down
So I'm

I'm about to change my vibe
Today the sun's gonna shine
'Cause I made up my mind
That today will be the start of better days
Leaving old shit behind
And move on with my life
The blindfolds off my eyes
And now all I see for me is better days

Hurt so many times before
I used to cry but no more
Let it go and life can feel
So good
Stop lying the blues

Can't let that petty attitude
Start to jade my point of view
Only thing that does is bring me down
So I'm

I'm about to change my vibe
Today the sun's gonna shine
'Cause I made up my mind
That today will be the start of better days
Leaving old shit behind
And move on with my life
The blindfolds off my eyes
And now all I see for me is better days

90's Nick.

For the longest my friends and I have sat back and reminisce  about the old school Nickelodeon in the 90's. Back in my day before there was Drake and Josh.. there was Kenan and Kel, before there was iCarly.. there was Clarissa Explains it All. Back when TV was the ish.. musical guest stars on All That and TLC singing the theme song?! (GET OUT!!). These little Disney FREAKS don't know good music or television if it hit them. Well now these DISNEY DINGBATS can see how wack their television experience is compared to OURS.

MILLIONS of us demanded.. and it's finally coming to TeenNick at midnight starting July 25th!!! Yes bring out that orange couch and get ready to be in pure nostalgic awesomeness!!!!

OWWWWW Here It Goes!!!!

Retweet.

Yayyyy!! Notorious' star, Antonique Smith Retweeted my blog post of her singing Adele's "Someone Like You." Always got to point it out when someone shows L-O-V-E!! Check out the blog post if you missed it   HERE   and if you haven't seen Notorious RENT IT NOW!! 

No Dream Is Ever Too BIG!

Black Girls ROCK.

Stacey Dash & Aaliyah.

Antonique Smith.

The name may not sound too familiar but one day it will. For those of you who caught the "Notorious" movie, the bio pic about the Notorious BIG, she may look familiar. Antonique played Faith Evans, and  to me she was probably the best casted role in the film. Not only did she look exactly like Faith, but her voice blew me AWAY! In the scene when she sang "I Remember" in the booth and she was looking at BIG, I felt the emotion  in every word she sang.

If you haven't seen Notorious go check it out because it is a great film and they have been playing it on BET non stop. So go catch that!

Check out this amazing youtube video of her singing Adele's "Someone Like You", you will get goosebumps!

Best Thing I Never Had.

Even though people are saying Beyonce's "4" isn't commercially pleasing.. it's Beyonce she is at the point in her career where IT DOESN'T MATTER! Best Thing I Never Had is a absolutely beautiful song and the video is just as visually appealing. The video is very different from "Who Run the World".. it's a nice little contrast from her walking over grown hyenas to "Best Thing I Never Had", her beautifully running with a wedding gown.

Beyonce in lingerie? I can dig it!

EMPTY.

"How Empty of Me to Be So Full Of You."

THUG LIFE.

For those of you who want to up your digital game.. available for the first time ever... All of Tupac's classic albums are available for download!! I think it's a must have for your musical libraries if you haven't already copped them. 

Download HERE!

Downloads includes; 2Pacalypse Now, his 1991 debut album which includes "Brenda's Got A Baby," "Trapped" and "If My Homie Calls."

Strictly For My N.I.G.G.A.Z., his 1993 platinum album featuring "Holler If You Hear Me," "I Get Around," "Keep Ya Head Up" and "Papa'z Song."

Thug Life - Volume 1, originally released in 1994 from his group that also included Big Syke, Macadoshis, Mopreme and The Rated R, with "Bury Me A G," "Cradle To The Grave," "Pour Out A Little Liquor," "How Long Will They Mourn Me?" and "Str8 Ballin'."

Me Against The World, the triple platinum 1995 smash that debuted #1 and was Grammy nominated for Best Rap Album, with "Dear Mama" (also Grammy nominated), "So Many Tears" and "Temptations."

R U Still Down?, the posthumous, two-disc, quadruple platinum 1997 album (in its explicit version), featuring "Do For Love" and "I Wonder If Heaven Got A Ghetto."

Crush.

Teeny Bopper: teeny·bop·per

 n.a young teenager who is enthusiastically devoted to popular music and to current fads.

When I was 11 years old I was just that. My room was covered from the ceiling to the floor with all Backstreet Boys and Spice Girl posters. If I heard any of their songs on the radio I would turn it up and make the speakers bleed. No one could tell me nothing about them, I would often find myself fighting with other girls who liked *NSYNC.. and made many of my friends like the Backstreet Boys if they didn't already. I must say that I understand the crazes now (Justin Bieber, Jonas Brother, and Selena Gomez), because I understand the way that these type of artist can make you feel. I knew the Backstreet Boys more than I knew myself.I knew when their birthdays were, their favorite colors, and where they were born.  I would run home and record any TV special or award shows they were going to be on just to catch a glimpse of them. It's crazy how one could become so devoted and die-hard for these guys.. but it was easy.. because they were so cute and made bomb ass music. I knew every word to every song and played the HELL out of all of their albums. 

Of course everyone had their favorite Backstreet Boy and mine was the southern charmer Brian Littrell, with piercing blue eyes and dirty blonde hair, and that beautiful voice.. he was a cutie 4sho. #Firstcrush 

So here's to our first crushes and the way they made us feel. They don't make em' like this anymore....


#Missingthe90s

Fortune.

"In order to capture a city.. first capture the heart of the people.. :)"

Whoops Now.

Janet Jackson's album, "Janet." has been on repeat all week now! One song reminded myself of my friends and I. Since it's a three day weekend (Thank GOD) and we are all set to go on a mini vacay and have some fun in the sun.. "Whoops Now" is my anthem! It's fun, catchy, and sweet! Goodbye West LA.. Hello Huntington Beach and San Diego.. cya next week!!

WHOOPS NOW!!!!!!

"Whoops Now"

Friday morning and all my work is done
I've packed my bags
I'm on the run
I got a feeling that I'm gonna have some
Fun in the sun with my friends and he's got me goin

[CHORUS:]
Whoops now
Sorry I can't go
Whoops now
Sorry I can't go
Whoops now
Sorry I can't go
Sorry I can't
Sorry I can't go now

Friday noon and my boss is on the phone
He's telling me that I can't leave home
An extra hand at work is what he's called for
He said we need you here
To my friends I'm goin

[CHORUS (2x)]

It makes no difference if you're off work or not
You dream your weekend hand on the doorknob
Out with your friends, hey, fun in the sun now
That's when the phone rings

Friday evening and I'm all alone at home
I know my friends are havin fun
I'll plan my weekend, damn it, leave the machine on
Next time he calls he'll hear my voice sayin loud and clear

[CHORUS (2x) w/ "I'm out havin fun in the sun with my friends"]

With my friends
With my friends
With my friends
With my friends

With Ann and Rusty
Tina and Moody
Ken and Nancy
Lynette and Tony oh oh oh

Lisa and Jimmy
Gwen and Julie
Kimble and Josie
Tish and Michael oh oh oh

Karen and Terry
Betta and Katie
Don and Kevin

Ricardo and Puffy oh oh oh

Come on you guys
Anguila here we come!
Here we come now
To the restaurants
(I'm starving! let's go)
For some lobster
And some sleeping
(some sleeping?)
And some you know what else
(what else?)
You know!
(no we don't know! like what else?)
Tiddlywinks
(tiddlywinks? I thought you were talking about you know what)
What?
(you know!)
I like that part too
Oops! 

New Agenda.

"And to a world SICK with HATE... Get well soon."