Throwback Thursday: Beyonce- "Irreplaceable"

I felt like this song was appropriate for this weeks throwback song in order to celebrate Beyonce's new album 4, which was  released this Tuesday (June 28th). This is her fourth solo album under Columbia Records and her first album being released without her being managed by her father. Since Beyonce began promoting this album and doing non stop perfromances, she has reminded people why she is such an amazing performer. I myself find her to be an inspiration and I hope to accomplish half of the things she has done thus far within this industry. This afternoon her television special Beyonce: Year of the 4 aired on BET, MTV and VH1. She showed people what she had been up to the past year she spent off the stage, and her process of putting her album together. Beyonce now manages herself and in my opinion I think she is doing a great job so far. I've said this in a previous post and I'll say it again. "Beyonce has this entire summer on lock". Tomorrow she will be performing for Good Morning America, so I already know New York is about to be off the hook, so I'll make sure to stay out the city tomorrow. Other than that I hope you guys enjoy this weeks throwback song.



NEW MUSIC: "Countdown"/ "How to Love"



Marvin's Room

It seems that many people have been making trips to Marvin's house lately and has been all up in his room. Who's Marvin you ask? Lols, "Marvin's Room" is one of the new hot tracks from Young Money rapper Drake. He has been releasing songs to give people a taste of what to expect from his upcoming sophomore album Take Care. This song has become so popular that everyone and their mother is doing a remix. However, two of the hottest remixes that has everyone talking is the remix made by JoJo and the remix by  Teyana Taylor.

Drake's



JoJo's

Teyana Taylor's

WHICH ONE DO YOU LIKE BETTER?

Throwback Thursday: Pretty Ricky- "On the Hotline"

This weeks throwback song goes to Pretty Ricky. I was coming off the train and walking home when this song came on and it just brought back so many memories. When Pretty Ricky came out I was so in love, well I was only in love with Pleasure P. "On the Hotline" is from Pretty Ricky's sophomore album Late Night Special, released back in 2007. My sisters and I used to always watch this video and dance to it. After this album Pleasure P split from the group and went on to have his own solo career. The group replaced him about three times. After he left the group I lost all interest anyways. They later released their third album entitled Eighties Babies, in my opinion the songs released from the album sucked and I didn't even care to get that album. However the group had a great time in their prime with their first two albums.

Pretty Ricky-On The Hotline by ZICARLOS



Tyga- "First Time"

I spoke about this song last year in October when it first got leaked. It was than apart of Tyga's last mixtape Black Thoughts Vol.2, this song features Pharrell Williams. The video is finally out and I'm really excited because my strong like for this song turned into LOVE this song. Tyga's video for his first single "Far Away" off of his upcoming album Careless World should be released really soon.

Ledisi- "Pieces of Me"

Ledisi is a singer, songwriter, record producer, CEO & actress. She is from New Oreleans, Louisiana and began her career in the music industry back in the late 1990's. She was part of a group named Anibade. After being unsuccessful in getting her group a major deal she decided to form her own label and call it LeSun Records along with Sundra Manning. She released her debut and sophomore albums under LeSun Records before gettin a major deal with Verve Forecast. She recieved two grammy nominations for both her third and fourth albums. One thing that I like about Ledisi is even when she wasn't able to get a major deal she took it upon herself to release her music under her own label. She took the saying "If they won't give it to you, you have to take it yourself". As an aspiring singer thats inspiartion. That just lets me know that no matter what if I know I'm good at something than I have to keep pushing with or without support, or with or without help from anyone. I'll admit when I first heard of Ledisi I didn't pay her any mind. I would see her music videos and she flip the channel. I never really gave her a chance. However after entering high school where I study vocal music I was able to learn that I need to be more open to different kinds of music. I learned to value and a appreciate an artist for the kind of voice they have and not the kind of beat they have. When I say Ledisi has an amazing voice, I mean this women can sing her ass off. When I seen her sing at the 2010 Black Girls Rock Award Show in the "Four Women" performance I literally was in tears. No matter how high or low. That's one of my goals as an artist. If I can touch people with my voice and bring them to tears, than my job is done. Ledisi's new single "Pieces of Me" is off of her new album Pieces of Me, released last week. I remember hearing the song, but I had forgot about it. When Ledisi performed on 106 & Park last week thats when I remembered the song and said I had to make a post on it. This song is really great as she expresses the pieces that make her the women that she currently is. I believe many women can relate to this song, because we all have pieces to us that make us the people that we are.



Stars of Tomorrow

There is so much talent coming from this generation and there are two individuals that have caught my eye specifically. The first one is Jawan Harris and the other is Cymphonique.

Jawan Harris is a 14 year old singing sensation that was recently singned to Jive Records. I've seen him before on the 106 & Park countdown with his song "Another Planet" featuring Chris Brown. However he really caught my attention with his new single "Keisha" featuring Tyga. Before anyone says anything Tyga is not the reason why I like this song. I can't explain why but when the video finished all I could sing "Keishaaa". Not to mention this boy can sang, not sing but sang. It was his youtube videos that attracted Jive's attention anyways.

The next star of tomorrow is Cymphonique. Every one may know her as Lil Miss Swagger. She is also the daughter of Master P and little sister of Romeo. I've know about her for awhile, but it wasn't until recently that she had a song that caught my attention. Her new single "Something" is one of the first songs that I actually like from her. Not to mention the video is nice and she looks more mature. I guess because I'm older I had to wait for her to grow a little before her music appealed to me.  

New Videos: "I Do It"/ "Novacane"

Throwback Thursday: Tupac- "Keep Ya Head Up"

This weeks throwback song is "Keep Ya Head Up" by the legendary Tupac Shakur. Today he would have been 40 years old. However he lost his life 15 years due to a senseless act of violence. Yesterday the person responsible for the shooting that took place in Quad studios back in 1994 finally admitted to the shooting. Now all we need is for his murderer to come forth. Tupac was more than a rapper and a actor. He was a poet and I believe an activist. He spoke on the real day to day issues people faced, and made songs like "Keep Ya Head Up" to motivate people. He said things that people were afraid to say. Many people viewed him as a "thug" but to me he was a true artist.

Happy Birthday Tupac & continue to R.I.P   

New Music: Kelly Rowland ft. Big Sean "Lay It On Me"

 Kelly Rowland has released her second single following her number one hit "Motivation". Her new single "Lay It On Me" features G.O.O.D Music rapper Big Sean. This song will appear on her third studio album Here I Am, set to be released in late July. I think this makes a great second single, and it is a great club hit. Although I'm not old enough to get into clubs. At first I was hesitant when listening to this song because Kelly Rowland's music doesn't really suck me in right away. However this song was able to get me way faster than "Motivation" did.

        

Favorite Looks of the Week

I think I'm going to make Favorite Looks of the Week, a weekly thing like Throwback Thursdays. This would be my third Favorite Looks of the Week, so I hope you agree with the looks I picked. If there are any other looks that you feel that should have been apart of this segment feel free to email me the looks along with the event the outfit was worn at. Email me at princessjade94@gmail.com

My favorite Gossip Girl Leighton Meester at the 2011 MTV Movie Awards.

Nicki Minaj at last weeks 2011 MTV Movie Awards, many people didn't seem to like this look because she toned it down a little. However over the top is not always the way. I think she looks good & her shoes are to die for.

My favorite model Selita Ebanks wore this dress to Samsung's Hope for Children Gala here in New York City, she then wore the same thing to Big Sean's listening party later on that night. I also like her new hairstyle and hair color.

Many people may hate her now, but I still love Auntie Keri and I love this dress she wore to the 2011 Glamour Women of the Year Awards over in London. However I do think there could have been better shoes to go with the dress.

If I had to give Kanye West an award it would be for most fashionable rapper. This is the casual/dressy look he wore to the CFDA Fashion Awards here in New York City. He is currently working on his own fashion line. Knowing Kanye it'll be very creative and fashionable, as well as expensive.

New comer on Gossip Girl Tika Sumpter wore this very different but creative dress to a Tracy Reese event. I like the cut of the dress and the print at the top. I also think the nude heels was the perfect match to go with the dress. Not many people can pull this look off, but she was successful at doing so.

Other favorites outside of events:

These are just two of Kelly Rowland's promo pictures for her upcoming album. Her album Here I Am was pushed up to July 26th after her single "Motivation" hit number one. The shoot was done by popular photographer Derek Blanks. Let me add that it was hard for me to choose which two I liked the most because every picture came out beautiful.

These are some pictures of Cassie from her spread in NYLON Magazine. I think she makes a better model than singer, but than again who am I to judge. She is really beautiful though.

Tiffany Evans recently shot the cover for BE Magazine, she parted ways with her manager Matthew Knowles some time ago. She seems to be taking complete control of her career as well as start her own entertainment company.

Throwback Thursday: Spice Girls- "Wannabe"

This throwback thursday makes me happy because it allows me to go back to my happy childhood. This weeks song is "Wannabe" by the infamous Spice Girls. It's hard to believe this song is more than 10 years old. Actually makes me feel old, but it makes me think of good times. I remember always watching their movie Spice World. I knew every word to every song. I used to buy the lollipops and stick the stickers on my wall. I even had the doll, I had Sporty Spice. She came with a red hair piece, and I used to wear it in my head every where I went. Sadly one day I lost it while in the movie theatres. The last time I seen the Spice Girls perform was the 2008 Victoria Secret Fashion Show. Of course they did a wonderful job, and they all looked great. I wish they were still together, they were part of the good times in my life♥.

STOP THE VIOLENCE

This is a post I've been waiting to do because I feel that it is really important. Not only that, but it truly comes from deep down within my heart. I've said this plenty of times and I don't mind repeating myself once again. I am so ashamed of my generation, I have yet to understand all the deaths due to senseless acts of violence. I don't know why everytime I turn around someone I know, or a friend of mine knows a person who has recently passed due to violence. Or when I turn on the television I hear that someone else has lost their life, and no one seems to ever know why. It just seems like people now a days lose their lives just because. It seems to be something that is allowed into today's society as well because these murders always continue to be unsolved. Every night I pray to God and ask him to take the hatered out of his children's hearts and replace that with love and peace. It always puts me in a bad mood when I know that someone right now at this moment is going to get killed due to jealously, being at the wrong place at the wrong time or because someone just felt like killing. Another thing that bothers me is this has been happening way before my generation. You would think as the future gets older you can count on the future becoming a better place. In reality everything that is done is learned from those that came before us. I just really wish there was someone to lead by example and let people know that killing people does nothing, but create even more problems. Just expressing myself through this post is upsetting me. I'm not saying lets hold hands under the sun and get along, but I honestly would LOVE it if the violence would stop and people were given the chance to LIVE, LOVE & LAUGH. All I can really ask is for everyone to PLEASE GET YOUR SHIT TOGETHER.

Throwback Thursday: Vanessa Carlton- "A Thousand Miles"

This weeks throwback song is "A Thousand Miles" by Vanessa Carlton. After hearing Beyonce's new song and hearing the sample of "A Thousand Miles" in the song it rekindled my strong like for this song. I first heard this song in the movie White Chicks, of course thats before I widened my musical horizons. However after hearing that song I kept singing it over and over again. I have memories of walking the halls of my elementry school and singing this song when I should of been in the classroom learning. "A Thousand Miles" is off of Vanessa Carlton's debut album Be Not Nobody, released in April of 2002. At the time she was signed with A&M Records. With this song alone she was nominated for three grammy's. She is currently signed to Razor & Tie, her new album Rabbits on the Run is expected to be released later this month on the 21st.



NEW MUSIC: Beyonce- "Best Thing I Never Had"

I really really like this song. This is Beyonce's second single off of her upcoming album 4. I can honestly say that I'm excited for this album because Beyonce has yet to disappoint with the songs she has released. When Beyonce said she was going for something different, she really meant it. For all my REAL music lovers if you listen closely you can hear a similarity to "A Thousand Miles" by Vanessa Carlton. I'm not sure if anyone else noticed it, but after the second listen I totally heard that song within this song. Therefore I would like to thank my vocal teacher for training my ears. However Beyonce is really singing singing on this track, and thats what is making me look forward to her new album.

Best Thing I Never Had by Beyoncé

LIKE THIS SONG?



Working for Dreams

Anyone who is a dedicated reader to It's Whatever knows by now that I am a aspiring singer. For those who may not know it is a very hard thing to achieve. I attend a performing arts high school, so for the past  three years I have been seriously studying music. Every single day I LOVE music more and more. To the point that I can no longer picture myself doing anything else. However I am having a hard time. One thing I developed entering high school was insecurity issues. Being around so many talented people you begin to question whether or not your good enough. Making my dreams come true is the only thing I want to achieve in life. Forget falling in love with someone, if I could have the career that I aspire to I would be satisfied. All of this cannot be achieved unless the aspect of confidence is present. Without confidence being present my dreams cannot, will not and never will happen. That's what I'm searching for deep down inside. When I do believe I have the confidence I'm always accused of  not having the confidence I know I have. If it's not my confidence than I'm always "nervous". I'll admit sometimes I am, but when I'm not people still say that I am. I really want this, so all I can do is continue to try. I'll be returning to my private lessons this summer, hopefully I can move closer to my dream.