Whodini just didn't even know what they hit on when they wrote them lyrics! I don't think that in 1984, they knew how much those words would reigned true 25 years later.
I have to say...as of right now...I have some pretty awesome friends, but that's not to say that I haven't had a couple of bad apples in my bunch and I still do. I have been neglected, reject, cast aside, talked about, lied about, lied to and down right dogged out by people that I have once called my friends....It's pretty easy to tell when a friendship is starting...but how do you know when a friendship is done?
A wise person said that some friendships are for a lifetime and some are for a season...I totally understand that, and I also feel like it is not about the quantity of friend, but it's about the quality of the people you call friends...bc you can have 5 million friends, but if none are willing to help you when the chips are down or you need a shoulder to cry on....then whats the point of having them there?
The kind of person that I am...if you are my friend then you are my friend...I'm not going to waste energy on people that couldn't care less about me....that may sound shallow...but what really is the point....I am very loyal and if you ever need me, I will be there...i will give the clothes off my back if you need them...
I can go on and on about this and I could tell you so good stories of friends who's seasons have past, friends that I've dismissed and friendship that I fight for daily...maybe on day...I will leave you with this tho....
"A real friend is one who walks in when the rest of the world walks out."
What-up! It's been forever right!?! All is good in the hood.
Inspired by my recent trip to NYC for the SummerStage Concert, I wanted to talk about one of my greatest loves...Music. I'm kinda disappointed in the way that music is today. It really makes me sad that there is no good music being appreciated and written anymore.
It's like today, if you suck as an artist...you can go anywhere, but if you actually have some talent....nobody is trying to put you on.....The Keisha Cole's and Soulja Boy's get all the hype while decent, well-deserving artist have to be stuck in the shadows. Yeah, they have decent hooks that you can bob your head to, but in 3 to 4 years we all are going to forget the name of the song, who sung it and when it came out....The airwaves today is filled with trend music....and IT'S REALLY REALLY PISSING ME OFF!!!!
This post, I'm going to look at the popular, the undiscovered and the just plain bad of the music game right now.....
Lets start with....The Undiscovered....
Steph Jones
Who knew I was going to start with him? LOL...If you know me, you should have known! Steph Jones is one of the top undiscovered talents in my book! Not only is he fine as wine :) but he has a voice that makes you want to listen. It's hard to put Steph into a box as far as genre, but his music speaks for itself. Some of my favorite songs from him are 'Look What You've Done', 'U got that Ooh', 'All Girls', and my all time favorite 'Southern Love'. One listen and I swear you will fall in love!
Mateo
Now, anyone who knows me, knows that I can appreciate a beautiful voice and a handsome face, and Mateo's got 'em both. You know how I know an artist is good...when I listen to them and it feels like tears are coming to my eyes...that's when I've got a winner...and that is what happened the first time I heard Mateo open his mouth! This man....I mean....what can I say... His music has such a conscience...it so real...it specks to you....it paints a picture with words...its exactly why I love music. You can tell that he pours his heart and soul into every word that he sings. Some of my favorite's from Mateo are 'Get to Know Me', 'Complicated' and 'Who'.....OMG, when I first heard 'Who', I literally cried! It is the most beautiful song that I have heard in a very long time....That's talent! I've also had the pleasure of meeting Mateo in person and he is one of the most humbled and down to earth people I have ever met...and that just makes me want even more success to come his way!
Adele
Not only does Adele have a beautiful voice and a beautiful face, but she is a member of the big girls club! LOL! No, But for real....When you hear Adele, the first thing you think is, "Is that voice coming from her?" She literally sounds like her voice is being pulled up from the deep depths of her soul. She is great and mos def worth hitting the repeat button. Some songs of hers to check out are 'Best for Last', 'Now and Then' and 'Chasing Pavements'...You won't regret it.
Jesse Boykins III
Okay, so I can't take complete credit for discovering Jesse Boykins III...My girl Desirea put me on...and God am I glad she did! Now, not only is he extremely humble, but this dude can blow your brain cells out with his voice! On top of that, he has an amazing band and an even more amazing album! Jesse Boykins is the face of what good music is....SUBSTANCE! His voice in my book could be written up there right alone with Musiq and Maxwell...with a little Will Downing kinda feel....he is the truth...PERIOD...the WHOLE album, 'The Beauty Created', is worth the listen but if I had to pick some songs to give you, they would be...'Amorous', 'Come to My Room', and my favorites 'Itis' and 'Sunstar'...Listen out for the trumpet on the CD....its sick....AMAZING!!
The Under-Appreciated......
Jon B.
With 15 years in the game, you would think that Jon B would be a household name, but unfortunately he is not. Jon B is not only one of my FBD (future baby daddy....lol), but he is a talented singer, songwriter and musician. But kids now days are more worried about turning their swag on then knowing good music. Now, I saw him at the concert in NYC and....being a fan is making this hard to say....but he didn't sound all that great...but I digress...One 'off' day doesn't make 'Are You Still Down', 'They Don't Know' and 'Don't Say' just go away!!! This man has 6 albums under his belt, including a Christmas CD!!! He has worked with some of the heavy hitters in the game, including Babyface, Tupac (my #1 FBD), ODB...at that time 'Dirt McGirt', Scarface and more but he still gets no love. I don't know if it is his promotion, label or what...but talent like his should not keep being overlooked....Please check out any of his albums...some of my favorite songs (with album) are 'Inside' (Pleasures U Like), 'Waiting in Vain' (Light it Up soundtrack), 'Are You Still Down' (Cool Relax), 'Paradise in You' (Helpless Romantic), 'Now that I'm with You' (Pleasures U Like), 'Calling On You' (Pleasures U Like), 'Through the Fire' (Strong Everyday), 'What in the World' (Stronger Everyday), and 'Before It's Gone' (Stronger Everyday)....VERY MUCH WORTH THE LISTEN!!
***THIS POST WILL BE CONTINUED BC THE WEBSITE IS TRIPPIN! MORE TO COME***