First and foremost, I’m truly amazed by how outstanding the writer GQ’s own Amy Wallace is. She definitely brought back my excitement for the old D’Angelo that I once drooled over, ya’ll know what I’m talking about. For the first time in over a decade the cornrowed wearing, brown sugar, soulful brotha graces GQ magazine for a photo shoot. Amy Wallace got a chance to interview him and watch him on stage where she wrote us the most descriptive, gritty, yet inspiiring piece that I think any artist that fell off should appreciate. Here is just a taste of the story…
“…Which helps explain why, months later, high on cocaine and drunk off his ass, D’Angelo found himself ejected from his car on that balmy Virginia night, hurtling through the pitch-blackness, flying. When he hit the ground, he broke all the ribs on his left side—and dealt another blow to his foundering career.”
A few months back I was introduced to this lovely lady and fell in love ever since. Lianne La Havas describes herself as “Nothing like Corinne Bailey Rae or Andreya Triana, but we all have similar hair.” – That she does but her voice is also amazing. This London soul singer has been on the scene in UK for awhile where she released her first EP Lost & Found in October of last year.
Check out her new song + video “Is Your Love Big Enough” which is on her debut album coming out July 9th!
Check out her free EP here and visit her website for more of Lianne La Havas!
In case you missed it, cause I definitely wasn’t paying attention to the snore fest of this year’s Billboard Awards. Check out John Legend and the beautiful Jordin Sparks as they pay tribute to Whitney Houston. Jordin graced the stage and blew away the audience with “I Will Always Love You”. I thought it was much softer than J. Hud, however I liked it a lot.
I seem to be catching the major late bus when it comes to new artists and music lately, however I couldn’t pass up this California girl, that not only my friend’s have been tweeting her sultry lyrics but also has been a radio sensation with her hit single, “Only Wanna Give it to You” featuring J. Cole.
Elle Varner is a 23-year old West African, Black, and Swedish bred songstress has released her first album, Perfectly Imperfect. and Although I haven’t reviewed it yet, I have been stuck on her latest mixtape, Conversational Lush. The tracks remind me of an old school meets new school sound, with a very sultry voice to compliment. Elle also switches it us with her rhymes. Rapping over a jay-z inspired beat. I instantly downloaded her tape into my iTunes and have been jammin’ all week. My favorite songs are 32 flavors, Feel like a Woman, Refill, and So Fly. Maybe it’s the fact that I can personally relate the lyrics or the songs just went a long with this gorgeous weather the Bay Area has been receiving.
In the march issue of Ebony Magazine, Elle Varner is featured in the “Watch the Space” where she discussed one of her songs, “So Fly”. It’s a true story of a girl battling self-esteem issues at the time when she was batting a low point in life. She says, “At the time I work “So Fly”, I was heavier. I was in college and was really struggling with body image and being accepted. I thought losing weight would make me better in some way… I started to make better health choices, better food choice, however you look and whatever size you are, you still have these issues.”
I agree that regardless of your weight or body image you can still struggle with self esteem issues. This song teaches her listeners that you can be fly at any shape. Don’t compare yourself and your worth to anyone else just because society has conditioned us to do so. By using the “What if” sequence in her lyrics kind of sends a reminder to love your own body and soul.
So basically all I need Is to be everything but me Colored contacts Liposuction And some implants Somehow that don’t make much sense I must be out of my head If I think, that I am governed by material things.
Hope everyone had an enjoyable Valentine’s Day or just a happy Tuesday (For the lonely and bitter lol)
Shout out to Clutch Magazine for keeping me up to date with this new one!
Check out this new web series “The Couple” while on your coffee break and share your thoughts! I definitely yawned a lil bit when they got to the texting argument, however this is really today’s relationship drama.
We’ve all been mourning the loss of the greatest vocalist of all time, Whitney Houston who passed away Saturday February 12th shortly before the grammy’s. There are still speculations on the cause of her death and although substance abuse was very prevalent in her latest years I just don’t want to believe that she’s gone because of it. Although I was thankful, I was slightly fed up with the grammy’s and their lack of tribute to Whitney Houston so I’m so glad Glee came through with a performance from Amber singing “I Will Always Love You” … check it out!
Hello all! I’ve been quite a stranger this month, however don’t get me wrong I’m still keep up with the latest and newest. Just haven’t had the time or strength to post every moment. Check out the videos I’ve spotted this week that I’ve been playing on repeat. Enjoy =)
I almost found myself hesitant to see Red Tails, but that’s what reading mixed reviews, looking at comments, and having small debates before even seeing the film would do to you. This past weekend social media went on a marketing frenzy to support the all black cast Red Tails, which is a film about the Tuskegee airmen; first black elite flight corporation.
Those of you who don’t know, the Tuskegee airmen were black pilots that fought in World War II, and although Red Tails was based on true events, this film gave just a snippet of the segregation, trials and triumph they went through as pilots in the 1940’s. It was no history lesson but rather a classic war movie about courage, triumph, and fear. I didn’t come in expecting to learn something new about black history or critiquing whether or not the facts of the Tuskegee were accurate enough to my liking. However, I’m definitely going to give George Lucas of Lucasfilm all the credit for picking up this film when no one else would because we do need to keep all black films and actors in Hollywood whether it be George Lucas or even Tyler Perry.
I’m not the biggest fan of action movies, war or combat, but having Andrew McGruder (Creator of Boondocks) as one of the writers gave the screenplay a soft edge. I was on the tip of my seat during the battle scenes and I felt a since of pride after every victory of the red tails. One of the four main actors that stood out to me was Nate Parker “Easy”. He was the captain of the team and a also drunk. In one scene he was going to give up on leading the pack after injuring two of his airmen, but after Terrance Howard gave that cheesey “Never Give Up” speech he flew the Red Tails to victory. I got it but it could’ve been more.
Yeah, Lucas didn’t spend a lot of time perfecting the dogfight scenes or the sentimental moments, and sure he could’ve cropped out the love interest, and not to mention the dialogue was corny cough cough Ne-Yo , but I am happy I went to support the movie and the purpose of Red Tails for me was expected. I encourage everyone to go see it and help it’s box office sells, then you can be a movie critic later =)
Rapper/Actor Ludacris launches an educational website with his 3rd grade daughter Karma, creating her very own online platform to help make learning fun and exciting for kids her age. Karma’s World was her idea and with the help from her dad she was able create an exciting concept for grades K-6. I had a chance this morning to view a few of the games and capture the essence of learning. It’s kind of like Dora the Explorer, the black girl version, and with a cool soundtrack. Not only does it take you on an interactive journey, the site offers lesson plans for parents and teachers, sing-a-longs to learn fractions, ethical lessons, and the act of politeness.
I commend Ludacris on this business venture because it is necessary for young children to find learning fun, especially from on of your favorite rappers. You can’t stop them from being on the internet so you might as well give them some positive to do.
Check out Karmasworld.com and share it with your little ones!
Reesa Speaks 