I honestly love this song “No Ones Gonna Love You” by Cee Lo Green. His voice is amazing and he’s one of the greatest artists in my book. Check out the promo video to go with it, I like.
Happy People Products by Nailah Ricco
She calls herself the HSIC (Head Sista In Charge) but you may know her as Nailah Ricco, a New York City native and aspiring lawyer is making a big statement in New Orleans, Louisiana. Nialah is the owner of natural hair and body care line called Happy People Products. By producing products for individuals of color, Nailah’s strives to bring her own happiness to people who enjoy being healthy. Happy People products are 100% safe and crafted with scents and textures to give each product its individuality.
Reesa Speaks: Where did you get the name “Happy People Products”?
Nialah: Actually, I got the name Happy People after weeks and weeks of thought. When I made the decision to trademark my business, I was very cautious in selecting a name– primarily because if it bore likeness in anyway to another existing business, it’s trademark would be rejected. I wanted it to be a name that expressed how I felt when I was at my healthiest, and I wanted it to be a name that ALL individuals could identify with when they finally find something (be it earrings or shampoo) that they have been looking for possibly all their lives. I chose “Happy People” because after all…Happy People do make the world go ‘round. (Hopefully).
Some of the products available now on the website www.happypeoplestore.com include Happiness Bath Wash, Orange Rosemary Bath Salts, honey plum and rosemary body oil.
Not only does she cater to the happiness of your hair, body, and skin, but also Happy People includes handmade glass bead earrings. They are handcrafted to order by Nailah herself, with each pair representing and expression that she wants to share with others.
What’s very unique about this HSIC? She is not only a fellow Hampton University Alumna making a mark in society but also a recent law student in the process of obtaining her Juris Doctorate and receiving her certificate in International Law. She is working on her law school endeavors as well as paying close attention to developing her own business ventures.
Reesa Speaks values artistic people, and especially the ones that have Natural Hair so when asking her about her own Naturality, I thought that it was only right to give EVERY bit of the advice that she shares to you, I couldn’t possibly hold out on the TRUTH!
Reesa Speaks: What advice that you live can you share for women (and men) with Natural Hair?
Nailah: I can give 5 pieces of advice that I live and die by for Women and Men w/ Natural Hair :
1) Love your hair! Love yourself! – sounds simple but its really not. Loving yourself and the things that come as a product of your body can be a long journey. Once you love yourself, you will love your hair. Love is unconditional, doesn’t quit, and doesn’t hurt.
2) Treat your hair like you would your lover – would you fry your lover? Yank your lover around? Would you let your lover behave in a way that is getting out of control? Would you say ugly things about your boo behind his/her back? No. Don’t get fed up and just neglect washing, trimming, pampering or grooming your hair, allowing it to get out of your “control”. And don’t bad talk your hair (Its counter-advice tip #1)!
3) Use your head! – There are some things in life that are just not logical. Sometimes we can blame our naïveté, but other times you may be entirely aware of moments when you over-dye your natural hair, you slip up and use some alien-language’d shampoo or you just do something you know you had no business doing. Use your head when it comes to your hair!
4) Have some self-confidence! – It’s a horrible bi-product of any “ism” you can name, but the truth of the matter is that it is still VERY hard to have natural hair in some arenas of society. Break through! See that as an opportunity to show your self and your natural beauty off. Pick up some self esteem building books, some scented shampoo that makes you feel all that and get back in the game. Be proud, and have some self confidence.
5) Knowledge is Power! – one thing I have found is that the more people learn about their hair, the more they are able to use ALL 4 of the other pieces of advice I have listed. Learning about different styles and products, curl patterns and textures, and even the history of women with Natural, beautiful hair has PROVEN to contribute to amazing self-confidence and a loving relationship between you and your hair. You wont be able to stop bragging about all of the historical figures who had natural hair like yours at your next house party, and you will probably mention the textural strength and superiority of a natural curl to your chicas (homies?) next time your getting a mani (pedi?). Who knows, you may even wow your next date with your body of knowledge on your head full of hair ;-).
Nialah is a goregous woman with such a powerful statement for herself. I can only see greatness in her future! While perfecting her own talents and attributes, Nialah Ricco encourages all your African American business owners to “Follow your dreams, even I they may be fleeting.”
For more information on Happy People Products visit the website www.happypeoplestore.com
Dwele at Yoshi’s in Oakland
Tempura Sushi, Sweet Potato Fries, and the clinging of cocktail glasses weren’t the only sounds at Yoshi’s in Oakland on a Friday night. R&B artist, Dwele opened the beautiful summer weekend with two shows on Friday night, July 9th, in the Jazz Club. With the timeless sounds of his new album and snippets of his old discography, Couple, friends, and families gathered near the stage to experience his live band and vocals.
I felt the anticipation as the light dimmed and the announcer introduced him to the stage. Dwele immediately came in, basked in his standing ovation, and grabbed the mic with his neatly shaven goatee, and his laidback Detroit demeanor. The band responded be playing an all time favorite “flapjacks” with the help of the audience. Ladies snapped their fingers and the fellas were groovin’ as he went through a few selected songs like “I Wish”, “and a small breakdown from his current album “W.ants W.orld W.omen”. He introduced the band like any artist but what was so special was Oakland’s own KevChoice was on the keys, a very popular hip-hop pianist that makes appearances in the Oakland nightlife scene.
Dwele became very interactive and strolled through the crowd to “What’s not to Love”, and “How I deal”. By showing gracious love, he conducted a tribute to Oakland with the background singers “Oaktown” over the instrumental to Usher’s “There Goes My Baby”. Although his selections seemed very new to the audience the show ended abruptly and he exited the stage right in the mist of our excitement. I was almost upset and joined into the demanding of an encore. He finally came out and thanked Oaktown with a song that definitely sealed the night. Whether it was a short evening or one of the first shows of his tour weekend, you would truly have to be a true Dwele fan to understand the experience at Yoshi’s.
Be sure to check out more reviews on music, Arts, and Entertainment at my page on the Examiner.com http://www.examiner.com/x-57925-Oakland-RB-Music-Examiner
No Justice and No Peace
When the world seems to crash down on you, I will be there for you.
In a society that have never accepted the color of your skin, the power of your destiny and the magnitude of your soul, I will be there for you.
I don’t point the finger in this situation, because I too am a black woman, suffering in a world that has never fully accepted my well being. From my “rebellious” hair to my rooted curves, white America will never fully understand me. So I raise my fist for justice.
Justice.
If you haven’t been following the Oscar Grant Bart Shooting Trial, just think of Oakland, California revolting in a modern day Rodney King riots over police brutality that seems to slip away in America. About a year ago, a young black man by the name of Oscar Grant was shot and killed on the Bay Area Rapid Transit by a police officer pleading innocent with the “I thought it was a tazer” tale. I knew the police officer wanted to tame him, but in no way do I feel that he should have led it to death. Accident or not, when life is involved it is never something that should be taken lightly. Earlier today the verdict was released that police officer Mehserle is found guilty of involuntary manslaughter with 2-4 years in prison. Being that he has already done a year and some change his time is served with just a slap on the wrist and he will be let loose for “accidently” killing an innocent black man. I can’t even imagine how the family of Oscar Grant feel and to know that the killer will be free, free in my mind, but not in soul; this is not what I call justice.
Peace.
How can we bring peace to a community that has forever been foreshadowed in society as one of the worst and dangerous cities of America, Oakland; where black boys and girls grow up and only the gifted and blessed get out free. Where crack babies are having crack babies and the cycle repeats because they are neglected because of a drug that has never died in our community. This drug has infested our minds, took over our school systems and has corrupted our hearts. What can we do? Do we continue to let the system betray us time and time again or do we as a black community rise up not with sticks and stones but with our intellect and education to beat the system. The only way that black people can ever beat the system is to be more powerful and smarter than it. Become lawyers, Civil Rights Activists, officers, and prove that Justice can and will be served.
To my black men, keep your head up to the heavens and the sky. This is a very discouraging time in your lives but just know that even though another innocent one of us has fallen short to the system, this should not give us less of hope of our character. Use this trial as a reminder of how powerful you need to be in America and how you will help lead us as a people to get to our promise land; a place that to many, seems so far away…..
Date Night?
As if going on Dates exist these days, I’ve come across some cool spots that you should know about and I should look forward to in my future. With the single girl woes beyond me, we always find the perfect places to go on dates when were lonely. HA! I’ve decided to share with you the top 3 places that I would take my significant other on a date in the Bay Area.
MUA
2442 Webster St. Oakland, Ca.
(courtesty of Oakland town Art)
This eclectic place has the perfect happy hour. I met one of my girlfriends here for drinks, and despite the hot bartenders that might distract you the have great FOOD! Happy Hour is from 4:30-6:30 pm where you can indulge Quesadillas, Kabocha Squash Tempora, or cripsy Tofu. If you’re feeling hungry I’d go for their famous Hamburger and fries, all made to order. The setting is warm and the enviornment is creative, with great music and conversation you will be sure to enjoy ur date.
Exploratorium
3601 Lyon St. San Francisco, Ca.
Okay, call me a nerd but I love going to museums and re living my childhood. You learn so much and it’s very interactive for you and your date. The Exploritorium is celebrating its 40th Anniversary, you can experience the sound sandwich, cow’s eye dissection, and even a canoe tour. So forget about your dinner plans and hit San Francisco for a day of exploring the human body, culture, art, and science.(Ah, educational).
Yoshi’s
510 Embarcadero West, Jack London Square, Oakland Ca.
So, I’ve been to both the one in Oakland and in San Francisco and for some reason I find it a little cozier for a perfect date night. If you are anything like me snuggling up to your mate with the sounds of Dwele, Goapole, Mos Def, or even other known jazz sensations would be the perfect way to start your weekend. Over japanese food and cocktails, if you seem to agree with the nightlife, I’d suggest you get your tickets for your latest jazz, smooth ensemble.
There you have it, my top 3 picks for the perfect date in the Bay Area, I honestly think that couples have no excuse when it comes to places to go and things to do in your location. I always seem to spot a museum or bar somewhere, get creative and ditch those sorry excuses for boredom.
Hair Spotter: Shingai Shoniwa of the Noisettes
Lead singer of the Noisettes, Shingai Shoniwa caught my eye with her powerful outspoken mane. This Indie Punk-Rock Artists, is a English native of Zimbabwen descent. With a focus on making the soundtrack of her life, Shingai was featured in magazines like Rolling Stone and the New Yorker as one of the leading artists of the International music industry. With songs like “Scratch Your Name” and “Never Forget You”, the Noisettes have become the forefront of the new punk rock today. I love the fact that the leading singer uses Kinky Curly products just as I, realizing that no matter what nationality or how much fame you’ve aquired we all share the greatness of our naturality 🙂
Here you can see her naturality in action with last year’s video “Dont Upset The Rythmn (Go Baby Go)”
Bay Area’s new Soul- The R.O.D Project
I’ve been back in the bay for well over a month now and when I first step foot in the bay the song “I Can’t Stand You” was playing on out hottest station KMEL Jams. It’s been a hit for awhile now, so I was recently put onto the new Bay Area Soul and in previous posts he is well known alongside artists like J. Myers and London in the R&B. R.O.D has headlined in the past House of Soul with artists like Goapole and Dwele. I have two songs to share with you “I Can’t Stand You” and “Beautiful”…look out for him in the future!
“I Can’t Stand You”- It reminds me of the hyphy movements favorite soud and of course we all have that one we couldn’t stand, so here’s the anthem
Pharrell- Prettiest Girls
Corrine Bailey Rae- Closer
This is one of the best songs on her latest album, she looks goreous, indeed!
Vodpod videos no longer available.
Corinne Bailey Rae Debuts ‘Closer’ Music Video, posted with vodpod
Janelle Monae- Tightrope Rmx ft. B.O.B, Lupe Fiasco
There is nothing you can down play right now about the sizzling Janelle Monae, not only his her curls bouncing but her latest album “ArchAndroid” is amazing and she is really blessed to be in the industry at this time. If you didn’t peep her performance of the Prince Tribute at the BET awards, oh you are missing out! Enjoy this remix version of “Tightrope”, great shots!
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VIDEO: JANELLE MONAE/ B.O.B./LUPE FIASCO-TIGHTR…, posted with vodpod
Reesa Speaks 
