I have always wanted to know how Esperanza Spalding, gets her curls to be so big and perfect. Earlier this week, she sits down with Parlour Magazine to talk about the products she uses and being natural. Check out the full article Here
And also if your feeling real curious check out my previous article on the who-abouts of Esperanza Spalding Here
John Legend and The Roots with Melanie Fiona and Common, did a remake of “Wake Up Everybody” Originally by Harold Melvin. I love this song because my mother used to play it every morning when it was time to go to school and it would always play on KBLX in the bay area every morning. Just listen to the lyrics, it has a lot of significance today. Enjoy!
One of my tweeters last night were watching this program and tweeted to me how cute this HBO Family program was so I decided to stay up and catch the re-run because I was curious to why Happy and Nappy was in the same sentence on television. HBO Family has a program called “Happy To Be Nappy and Other Stories of Me” which was taken from the actual book series by Bell books. This program has small segments narrated by popular voices like Mary J. Blige and Rita Moreno to teach young children to be happy with who they are. I thought it was so cute because insecurities do start at a young age and its very seldom that you will find a show in the runnings with Seasame Street and Barney (are those still running?). Story lines like “It’s Okay to Be Different” and “Happy To Be Nappy” would be the many reasons why I would let my child watch these shows.
Happy To Be Nappy comes on around 8 a.m then repeats in the evening around 6 pm so its a show you wouldn’t want your children to miss 😉
These kids are so adorable. The Bots are these two boys, Mikaiah Lei (17) and Anaiah Lei (13) who sure to be out the bieber craze with their up and coming rock band. With Mikaiah on the guitar and vocals and Anaiah on the drums together they make a tough dynamic duo in punk rock culture. Check out these hit song “Stop” which will be played all over the country as the youngest boys band to perform with the Warped Tour. P.S. you don’t have to be a pre-teen to rock out to this aggressive/expressive band!
check out their site http://www.thebotsband.net for more information on their music
I was watching VH1 Soul last night and came across Rebbie Jackson’s video for “Centipede”. At first I thought it was Janet but sure enough after I seen her lack of rythmn it had to be Rebbie. I thought I’d share with you guys this because I don’t know if you can remember but Rebbie tried to come out with her own album. #FAIL I actually like this video, It’s funny!
When it comes to showing my love for my brothas, especially the ones who rock naturals and locks, N’Art Designs has the cutest slogan t-shirts for me to express that. Check out the online store http://nart.spreadshirt.com/ for t-shirts expressing naturality and the love for the brothas. Kudos to the owner Artaska Perry for her creativity. Rock it or Knock it?
This is the dopest video concept of love I’ve seen all summer. “Loverazor” is off Sir Froderick’s debut album Heartaches and Heartbreaks on Record Breakin’ Music. This video was directed by OneiRose and it captures the essence of the song using his mysterious origins as an artist. Sir Froderick is known as ” The Alchemist of or musical MacGyver”. His debut album is complete with his rollercoaster ride of emotions with relationships. Check out the short video and tell me what you think. Is love like a razor?
M.I.A kept it Bollywood with her new video for her hit single “XXXO”, I am learning to appreciate her softer sidebut do we give her hugs and kisses for this one? Tell me what you think.
East Bay Express hosted its yearly “Best of The Bay” 2010 East Bay edition festival along the Jack London Square waterfront in Oakland, Ca. on August 6, 2010. For those of you unfamiliar of the Best of the Bay, every year the Bay Area readers and editorials vote on the best everything, from Restaurants to small business, and even nightlife and wineries.
This year there were over 71,000 voters that produced this year’s “2010 Best of the BayList”. It was the perfect Friday evening for over 15,000 Oaklanders to enjoy ethnic foods and a variety of activities that presented the best of the East Bay. Attendees gathered on this Friday night to view live painting and graffiti art galleries, Dance Competitions, fencing, and Blues bands to entertain the eclectic crowd who came out to support the Best of the Bay. Oakland’s own, Goapole made an appearance as one of the judges for the B-Boy contest that accumulated this biggest crowd at the main stage that I was unable to see for myself with my tippy toes.
The best part of the festival were the many food vendors. The festival brought you different types of the best ethnic foods such as Mexican, African, Jewish, and even soul food Vegan, which gives our Bay Area taste some diversity. From 5-11 p.m I was able to enjoy live bands and interactive music that was sponsored by Amoeba Music and the Bay Area Blues Society. Oakland showed love and showed out for this successful event. If you missed it, better come out next time!
For more information on the winners of the Best Of the Bay 2010 Visit:
If you are into Hip Hop a name that you must remember aside from Lupe Fiasco, Kanye West, and Jay Z is the up and coming aspiring music artist and producer, Miles Brandon. This Oakland native is coming full force with a duo combination, talent, style, and versatility. Miles started his interest with a love of poetry at the age of 13 years old, where he grew up to discover that his passion was in Hip Hop. By taking spin offs from his name, he produced a few mixtapes with his current one “Mile High Club” that has been released this summer. He writes, produces, and raps about his voyage and his determination to elevate one’s mind in society’s growing music culture. The song “Overdose on Love” derives from the relationship woes with his girlfriend. By mixing party songs and strong messages, Miles designed a versatile mixtape that all Hip Hop heads could agree with.
The different tone and structures in creating his own beats is what makes him stand out amongst the many aspiring to reach the top. When asking about his latest mixtape he says, “You should never feel to settled, which is why I am ready to do even better than before.” By having that mindset to perfect every song, Miles Brandon encourages anyone else aspiring in his field to bring the most presentable and sound bound music that you can create. In my opinion he reeks originality in more ways then one.
What makes Miles Brandon standout? Creativity; Not only is it from within but it’s shown on the outside as well. With a love of shopping and fashion, Miles makes sure to keeps his threads fly inside and outside of the studio. With his 80’s influenced style and his Hip Hop inspired creativity, Miles Brandon “Mile High Club” is what needs to be leaking through your speakers.
Listen and download his mixtape here:
Check out this video for “The Take Off” produced by The A List Team’s Charles Jim-George (@keepitCharlie) a very creative producer, photographer and awesome friend.
Reesa Speaks 