New Music

You guys know I LOVE music. And, there has been a lot of it released in the last few weeks. So, I decided to share some of my faves. All of these songs are off of projects that I am really enjoying. Get into this new music!

Danity Kane "Tell Me"

Kiesza "Piano"

Remy Ma "Always"

Jagged Edge "Love Come Down"

K. Michelle "Maybe I Should Call"

Jessie J "Masterpiece"

Fifth Harmony "Bo$$"

Giving The Answer His Due

Allen Iverson had his jersey officially retired by the Philadelphia 76er's earlier tonight. This was a bittersweet night for me. I am a total fan of the man. Have been since the first time I saw him shake a few players and drive to the hole. I was mesmerized. Yes, I noticed he was cute. And, this was before the braids and tattoos. Allen was simply adorable to me. But, I was a basketball fan and the man could ball. I had never seen a man who is short by NBA standards with so much heart play the game with such intensity before. Allen owned the court every time he stepped on it. In that moment, he became my favorite player and the Sixers were my team. For a decade, there was nothing anyone could tell me about my player or my squad. They were it for me. So, tonight was special. The crowd in Philly showed up and showed out for AI. His speech made me cry. The crowd was loving him shouting "MVP." It was an epic night that ended with his #3 banner being raised to the rafters. Beautiful send off for Philly's own adopted son. Great job, Allen. 

Celebrating Whitney

Two years ago, Whitney Houston's death shocked the world. I distinctly remember being a little girl singing into my hair brush to Whitney Houston songs. I loved her music and her dresses and the fact that she was a brown girl like me. Even as a kid, I knew how special Whitney was. I grew up to her music. I used to live for her videos as well. Whitney was ours. There was something so classy about her to me. It is hard to believe that she is gone, that it has been two years since her shocking death. I wrote this two years ago about her funeral. I remember watching it and still being in disbelief. 

I am so saddened by her passing still. Listening to her music today has been melancholy. Whitney will always represent my carefree childhood. There isn't a song from her first few albums that I do not know. She was always played in my house. My cousins and I were always singing her songs. So, on the day that she passed two years ago, I decided to celebrate her life through her music. There will never be another Whitney. There couldn't be. She was one of a kind. Still love her voice. Rest easy, Ms. Houston.  

"The College Dropout" Turns Ten

I am a music snob. I like what I like and there is nothing wrong for that. I also judge folks (slightly) on their music tastes. I love to hear music from new acts. Such was the case the first time I heard of Kanye West. The song was "Home" and I was sold.  I knew of Kanye by way of an old Chicago friend who passed me a cd with underground Ye tracks. I also started to hear about him producing for Jay. A decade ago, one of my favorite albums was released. "The College Dropout" became the soundtrack of my life in 2004. There was nothing I listened to more than this cd that year. It was so fresh and different and real. I loved everything about it. Kanye gained a new fan in me. I loved his voice and tone and lyrics. His production was top notch. Dude was just golden. I am very picky when it comes to what rappers I listen to and support. The number is small. Kanye did not have any problem making the cut. I would play the cd constantly. "Spaceship" is still one of my favorite songs ever. I remember the day like it was yesterday.

I also remember the first time I saw Kanye in concert. He was the opening act for Usher's "Confession" tour. I was more excited to see Ye than Usher. This was the rapper who I had been blasting for months. I stood up during Ye's whole set, rapped along to ever song. My cousin was amazed cause she barely knew who he was. She was there strictly for Usher. That was one of the best concerts I've ever attended. I've seen Ye every single time he's been to New Orleans, except for the Yeezus tour. Ten years ago, Kanye gained a fan in me. Now, I may not have loved his latest efforts but I am still a fan. The man is a musical genius. I love his producer side as much as his rapper side. "The College Dropout" will always be classic in my book. It was definitive in my life. I woke up to it and went to sleep to it. I cannot recall any other project that came out that year that I rocked with harder.  There was a hunger and about TCD era Ye. He is still dope. I am still a fan. "The College Dropout" turned ten today. Where did the time go?! Happy Birthday, "The College Dropout."

Ladies Love Lyrics: New Edition "Can You Stand The Rain?"

As my birthday weeks continue to roll on, I decided that I would feature my all time favorite song for this Ladies Love Lyrics post. New Edition will always be my favorite group. "Can You Stand The Rain" will always be my favorite song by them. As a little girl, I didn't fully get the meaning of the song. I actually thought they were singing about not liking the rain. This made sense to me then because I didn't like the rain either. Thank God for maturity. As an adult, I got it. Truly. And, the reason that it made such an impact on me is simple. This song is about loyalty to me. It's the thing that means the most to me. Finding people who are going to have your back through thick and thin, good and bad is important. There aren't a lot of people in the world who will hold you down no matter the situation or the weather. Those people are to be celebrated. When you find them, never let them go. Let's get into those lyrics below. Enjoy!!

On a perfect day I know that I can count on you. When that's not possible tell me can you weather the storm? 

Cause I need somebody who will stand by me through the good times and bad times she will always, always be right there.

Chorus:Sunny days everybody loves them tell me baby can you stand the rain? storms will come this we know for surethis we know for surecan you stand the rain?

I LOVED Def Poetry!

Before I even knew it, I was a Poet. Writing poetry was my introduction to the world that I would always claim as my own. Imagine my surprise and utter glee when I saw the commercials for HBO's "Def Poetry." The poet in me could not wait. I made sure that I was always in front of a television when it was on. I ate it up. I almost always loved every poet. I loved the way that poetry connects all people. The show was a hit in my mind. I was so sad when it just disappeared from HBO with no warning.

Def Poetry was one of the best things on tv. I loved seeing my passion manifested on tv. I never missed an episode. I love that there were normal people on the show. One of the good things about this show was the celebrities that came to do spoken word. I was watching Floetry's appearance on it via youtube. That inspired this post. It's just my favorite celebs on one of my favorite shows. I really wish this show would come back. It was too good to just be over. Enjoy the videos and poems below. I still am!

*Floetry "Fantasize"
(I fantasize about you and all the things I want to do.")



*Kanye West "Bittersweet"
("Bittersweet, you're gonna be the death of me. I don't want you but I need you.")



*Jill Scott "Ain't A Ceiling"
("You say life's being hard on you. Well brother I've got news. It's been hard on me too.")



*Kim Fields "How Come"
("Will cook catfish butt naked in high heels. Suck and fuck like a champ.")



*Malcolm Jamal Warner "I Love My Woman"
("I want to scream out her name and do all the things a man isn't supposed to do.")



*Lauryn Hill "Motives and Thoughts"
("negative imagery holding us down.")



*Erykah Badu "Fans, Friends and Artists"
("Which one are you? Which one are me?")



*Phylicia Rashad "On Status"
("I even dared to write them less.")



*David Banner "What About Us?"
("The levees broke in New Orleans.")



*John Legend "Again"
("And, we're doing it again...")

Classic Music: New Edition "Candygirl"

New Edition is my FAVORITE group of all time. They are the boy band I grew up with. "Candy Girl" is also the first album I ever owned. I played in relentlessly. I drove my mother insane with my love for this group. I was sold from the first time I heard them. They were so cute and brown and had these squeaky little voices. I was in love especially with Ralph Tresvant. My Dad gave me "Candy Girl" and a record player as a gift. Best gift ever as a kid.

Every song on that album was a favorite of mine. But, I was always partial to "Jealous Girl" and "Candy Girl." Every time I hear any of these songs, I am instantly transported back to my childhood. Back to my purple room, me laying on my stomach on the floor listening to this album with my window open as the breeze blew in. New Edition were an essential part of my childhood. Every song they released, every video all stand out to me. That is why "Candy Girl" is a classic album to me. I am still as much of a fan today that I was then. It's been 29 years since it was released. It still holds up. Below are my favorites from New Edition's "Candy Girl."

Characters I Like

Scripted sitcoms are becoming a dying commodity. But, there are those shows that will forever mean something to me. I love a greatly written show with wonderful actors who portray well rounded characters. A question was asked in a group I'm in about our favorite characters. And, also why we liked them. It got me to thinking about the shows I've loved and the reasons behind it. So, I wanted to share with you guys my favorite characters of the last few years.



It is no secret that I am a huge fan of "The Wire." In my opinion, it was one of the most realistic pieces of cinematic gold in the last decade. You know a show is good when you find yourself wishing for the "bad guys" to win. Russell "Stringer" Bell was definitely a bad guy. He was the second in command in a multi-million dollar drug gang. He took his lofty ambitions of wealth to another level. He turned himself into a businessman. He was legitimizing their money. I loved that aspect of him. It does not hurt that Idris Elba is not hard on the eyes at all. I loved Stringer Bell, still do. I was sad to watch his demise but I knew it was all in the game.



A new favorite has to be Olivia Pope of "Scandal." She is portrayed by Kerry Washington and she is brilliant at it. Pope is a former attorney turned political fixer in the DC arena. She is smart, charming, witty and super slick. I like how tough and strong she is while still being vulnerable. The show is brand new, there have only been 5 episodes so far. I am excited to see where this show goes in the next season. I am even more excited about where Olivia goes and how she develops. IT is easy to see why she is a favorite of mine.



From the first episode of "Sex & the City," I was a Carrie Bradshaw fan. I loved how into love she was and the fact that she was a writer. I adored her fashion and her immense shoe collection. More than all of that, I loved the way that she saw life. Through all the loving and losing, she never became a cynic. She grew so much from season one to the end of the second movie. I was always a fan, even when she did things I didn't like or approve of. The show was a distinct part of my life as well as my friends. I saw myself in certain aspects of Carrie.



"Living Single" was my absolute favorite show. And, Maxine Shaw was my absolute favorite person on it. She was this no nonsense, brass, witty attorney in Brooklyn. She was sarcastic, intelligent, strong and funny as hell. She was amazing to me. I thought she was the most complete character on the show. She always knew who she was and what she wanted. I admired that about her character.



"Law and Order: SVU" has been a staple in my life for 13 seasons. Olivia Benson & Elliott Stabler are my absolute favorites. I loved their partnership. Especially the fact that they have never been romantically linked. They have just always been great friends and partners. This show is just amazing to me. I really miss Stabler though. I haven't been that into it this season. These are just some of my favorite characters on television. Who are some of yours? Let's dish!

One of My Favorites

Animated movies make me happy. I've totally gotten nothing done on this Sunday because ABC Family decided to play Disney movies all day. Forgoing my usual routine of HGTV, Food Network and/or football, I indulging in it. I finally watched "Cars" for the first time. I see now why it's a favorite amongst my nephews. I loved it as well. And, then my absolute favorite movie came on. "Beauty and the Beast" makes me feel like a 12 year old. From the opening number to the closing credits, I'm all into it.

I think I identified with Belle because she was a bookworm. I have always been one as well. Growing up, none of my friends were into books as I was. Reading has been my thing since I was 3. Belle was depicted as an odd and peculiar girl. During those awkward teenage years, those words defined me. The songs in "Beauty and the Beast" are classics to me. I know every word to the movie and every song. I also think I loved the fact that it was an unconventional love story as well. Belle and the Beast fell in love with each other's souls. How beautiful is that? The bookworm in me spoons every time he gives her the library. Seriously, I could've lived in that room forever.

The characters in "Beauty and the Beast" are all adorable and memorable. I feel the same way every time I watch it. I've been smiling at the tv since it came on. I'm such a kid! The soundtrack for the film is quote impressive as well. I find myself humming "Be Our Guest" randomly. It's just a really fun, feel good animated movie. It is the epitome of happiness in film to me. It takes me back. Hopefully, you guys got to enjoy it today as well. If not, you sshould have a copy in your DVD collection. Enjoy the music below.

Celebrating Greatness

Today is the anniversary of two totally different things. 15 years ago, my favorite rapper Jay-Z released his debut cd "Reasonable Doubt." And, two years ago, the world lost the musical genius that was Michael Jackson. I distinctly remember both days. Jay's release made me a lifelong fan. Michael's death affected me in an odd way. I just couldn't believe that he was gone, especially given the way he died.

My absolute favorite MJ album is "Off The Wall." In my opinion, OTW totally trumps "Thriller." It is the most complete and cohesive album. I love it from beginning to end. It's superior to "Thriller" musically, lyrically, and conception wise. I think that it shows MJ and Quincy Jones at their best. One of my favorite songs by him is "I Can't Help It." Michael was the gift that my Mom passed on to me. He was her favorite child star. The first concert she ever attended was a Jackson 5. And, many years later, my first concert was that of another wildly popular boy band New Edition. I'm not one to get into all of the controversy that surrounded him. That is not important. He was a gift to music. He is missed.





"Reasonable Doubt" is a classic cd. I've owned no less than 3 copies of it. Jay-Z's flow and lyrical wordplay captivated me from my first listen. After Tupac's death, I wasn't necessarily moved by anyone. Until I discovered Jay's "Reasonable Doubt." It's hard to believe that it's been 15 years. I have a bunch of favorites on this cd. Granted, I knew nothing of the Marcy Projects or New York street life, but I felt him. There was something so sincere in his voice and delivery. Jay painted a picture with his words. I could see his story. I could feel his pain. This creates always brings me back. I still love it. I own every Jay cd but this one will always be special to me. Here are two of my favorite songs off of RD.

April is National Poetry Month: Robert Frost

April is National Poetry Month. So I've decided to share some of my favorite pieces with you weekly. Poetry is one of my absolute favorite things.

Nothing Gold Can Stay by Robert Frost

Nature's first green is gold,
Her hardest hue to hold.
Her early leaf's a flower;
But only so an hour.
Then leaf subsides to leaf.
So Eden sank to grief,
So dawn goes down to day.
Nothing gold can stay.

Get Into It: HTC Evo 4g

The HTC Evo is it. This phone is the best phone I've ever owned. I love it. The Android system is sick. I'm a huge fan of the plethora of apps available. I am especially partial to the Wordfeud app. It's like Scrabble on your cell. I love how easily the Evo can be personalized. Everything about my Evo is uniquely me. The talktime is great. I'm all about Visual VoiceMail. The text messaging app Handset is awesome. I also really love the integration of my contacts through Twitter and Facebook. The HTC Evo is available through Sprint Now Together With Nextel exclusively. It retails for $299.99. Get into it.