Today, singer Mila J has premiered her new web series on Rap-Up.com, in conjunction with her
own #MilaMondays!

In the debut episode of Mila J: Made in LA, the singer shows viewers around her hometown of Los Angeles including Leimert Plaza Park The "Smoke, Drink, Break-Up" singer takes fans on a journey around the L.A. she knows and loves, including Leimert Plaza Park. We also meet Mila's father, Kamaro "Dr. Chill" Chilombo, and, together, the pair show a different side to L.A. and give a little insight into Mila's childhood. They showcase that the city is much more than Hollywood, the glitz and glamour city that we all see on TV and in magazines.

It's definitely a cool concept. Excited to see what Mila brings to the table every week. Check out the premiere below!


In addition to the web series, Mila J released her five-track EP, M.I.L.A,. back in September, and is currently working on her debut album to be released next year. You can connect with Mila J on her official website, as well as Twitter and Instagram!

12:28:00 PM

Kim Kardashian West and Kanye West definitely heat things up in their new Balmain ad campaign!

I'm in LOVE with this campaign! We all know that Kim and Kanye are very fashion forward, so it's perfect for them to do together. Congrats to them for snagging the job!

Check out more of the hot pics below!

What do you think of the campaign?

Images via Balmain Paris

10:05:00 AM

On Thursday, December 18, I was blessed with an opportunity to attend and cover Anthony Hamilton's "Home for The Holidays" tour stop in Washington, D.C. The tour features soul singers Leela James and Mali Music, and it was an amazing show!  All three of these great acts were the perfect combo for this tour. The vibe with everybody was positive and chill, and I had so much fun, singing and dancing to wonderful soul music all night!

Read more on my experience, and check out some photos and video below!








Triscina Grey of WHUR 96.3 was the host of the evening, introducing each act. Mali Music came on first as the opener. I had heard some of his music before, but he made me a fan last night. His music, which included hits like "Walking Shoes" and "Ready Aim" was so moving and inspirational. I really vibed with him, and ended up purchasing some of his music after the concert to listen to.

Leela James is one of the biggest balls of energy I have ever seen perform! Seriously, her talent is impeccable, but what really draws you in is her passion for music as she sang songs like "Music" and "So Good." She had the audience glued to her the entire time as she performed and really engaged everyone. She even jumped off the stage and into the aisles to see and touch the people (if you see her silhouette of her and her hair, that's how close she was to me...the light was blinding!). Leela left it all on the stage, and I was seriously impressed.

When I tell you Anthony and his background singers, the Hamiltones, SANGGGGG!!! I almost fell out (*laughs*)! Anthony sang songs from his Home For The Holidays album (an amazing project for the holidays...definitely go listen and buy it!), as well as his classic hits like "Cool" and my favorite "Can't Let Go," as well as his latest "Best of Me." He and his entire band had so much energy and great musical chemistry together...probably the best I've seen between a main act and his background singers ever. Everyone loved their dance steps and soulful voices, especially the ladies! Yes, I swooned. They even did a gospel medley of some old school songs that you would hear in the church!

Overall, the concert was amazing!Anthony puts so much effort into his show, and I loved every aspect of it!  I would definitely go see him again in concert. Perfect for a romantic date night! (*winks*)

Check out my pictures and some great video from the concert below!

...

11:07:00 AM

Nicki Minaj keeps winning! She just released The Pinkprint this week, which is getting great reviews,  and now she's in a new campaign! The rapper will be featured in the Roberto Cavalli Spring/Summer 2015 campaign!

Check out some more pictures below!

Nicki took over the campaign from Rita Ora, and rocks some beautiful printed dresses in the new ads, which MTV snagged. Her hair has so much volume too! It's funny. A few days ago, I was looking at some pictures of Nicki when she first came out as a mainstream artist back in 2009. Thank God for change! I love toned down, normal Nicki. She looks gorgeous as always in these pics. Congrats to her on this new campaign!

Images via Roberto Cavalli

9:10:00 AM

Whenever my girl, designer Ashley Chin asks me for a feature on something she’s got going on, I do it in a heartbeat (literally search her on this blog)! Today, I want to give a little shine to her amazing store, Lux House Mob!

“I think after being a stylist for so long, eventually, I began to outgrow it in some ways. I wanted more for myself and my brand,” Ashley said of starting the store. Back in 2013, I spoke with her and she was planning for a boutique named Vane For Decades, which she changed to Lux House Mob. “I thought it fit me and my direction better,”Ashley said of the name change.

Currently the store offers ring sets, body chains, and beanies, a lot of which have already sold out (my own ring sets are on the way)! However, Ashley has plans to expand the store, working on faux leather clutches that she designed, as well as more body chains, earrings, statement necklaces, and midi rings. “Slowly I’ll start adding in bags, hats, and clothes," she stated.

For the future, Ashley wants her brand to speak for itself. "I want someone to see a product while their out and know it's Lux House Mob," the designer said.  "I learn a lot from Sophia of Nasty Gal and my main thing is making my customers happy and providing top quality."

Lux House Mob definitely has great products, and I can't wait to see more from Ash! Shop Lux House Mob here! Also, be sure to also check out Ashley's official website and follow her on Twitter and Instagram! 

7:34:00 AM

Another spotlight for you all today! As always, if you or someone you know is interested in a feature on The Spotlight, please email me at BrittanyShawnte@gmail.com.

Today we have designer Valencia Jean, who I met briefly at the Made In The DMV Conference a few weeks back. Valencia is an androgynous fashion designer, creating clothes with neither a clear masculine nor feminine look. “I prefer men's clothes because I love the way men walk and feel when they feel good about themselves. But now, men are really starting to pay attention to they look, what's out, what's the trend?,” the designer said. “It allows [me] to really be creative with men’s style. But when I make women's clothes, it has a tomboy feel about it.”





Born in Dayton, Ohio, Valencia moved around a lot with her dad being in the Air Force, living in Ohio, Virginia, Maryland, Germany, Alabama, and Atlanta, GA. Her experience specifically in Germany, and a class trip to England, exposed her to new cultures at a young age. “As a child, to experience different people and the way they live allows you to realize how we are similar and different. It allows you to really appreciate people.” Valencia’s great grandmother, great aunt, grandmother, and mother all were seamstresses, so it’s no surprise that she took up sewing when she was little. “I guess you could say it’s in my blood,” she joked.

In high school, Valencia decided that she wanted to pursue a career in fashion, and chose to attend The Art Institute of Atlanta (AIA), where she learned about the business side of fashion and grew in her craft. As far as the business side, she looked to Ralph Lauren who provided a business method that she connected to. Ashton Michael also serves as inspiration to Valencia, noting that “his style and clientele is something to achieve.” Since her upbringing itself was “worldly,” she says that her style isn’t based on just one place, but rather “the fashions of the world.”

Currently, Valencia is working on some custom made sweatshirts, inspired by singer Vedo, whom she actually made one for as a gift. “When I posted [a picture of him wearing it], there was a huge demand for them,” the designer said. Now, she’s in talks with an investor to fund the creation of more sweatshirts for buyers. Valencia is also working on a collection, collaborating with another designer to make samples. She plans to present the finished collection in a future fashion show!

In terms of what sets her apart from other designers, Valencia believes that she is different because she’s a woman designing for men. Her goal is to “create a brand that embraces that blurred line as far as masculinity and femininity,” she said. In the future, she wants to advance in the industry with her designs. “As a fashion designer, you have to forecast what will be a trend, or the next big look,” she stated. “With that being said, I just want to always be ahead of the curve.” However, she doesn’t want to be limited to just fashion design. She has the goal to become “the face of fashion.” “I want to be a judge on Project Runway. I also want to produce a sewing machine collection with Brother,” the designer revealed. “As a designer, I want 7 different brands that I already work on. I am an artist at heart, meaning anything artistic. I want to act a little, paint, dance etc. I just want to have fun and make money having fun!” Don’t ever put her in a box!

You can check out more from this talented designer by connecting with her on Instagram (both personal and professional pages) as well as Twitter! 

8:43:00 AM

Fox has officially released a promo for Glee's upcoming sixth and final season!

In the short trailer, Rachel and Kurt return to McKinley High to reinstate the Glee Club, which will bring them head to head with Sue Sylvester. There's also a run in with the Dalton Academy Warblers, and Rachel sings everyone's favorite song, "Let It Go!" (*Sarcasm* It's a good song, but it's time to let it go!). I'm not exactly all that happy that Rachel and Kurt are back in Ohio, since they should be making their dreams come true in New York. However, as a true Gleek, I'll be watching!

The final season of Glee returns Friday, January 9 with a two-hour premiere beginning at 8 p.m. ET. You know it's the end most times when your show is on a Friday...

Check out the short promo below!

Image via Entertainment Weekly

9:24:00 AM

Continuing to keep the spotlights coming! As always, if you are or know of artists, producers, designers, etc., that should be featured on The Spotlight, email me at BrittanyShawnte@gmail.com! 

Today, on the blog, we have McCro Music Group! Founded by producers Darnell McCro and Don Vanhorn, who I had the great pleasure to speak with for a while.McCro Music Group is dedicated to catering to the artists, not just being beatmakers.

Read up on how these two talented and humble producers got their start in music, how they first connected, and where they hope to take McCro Music Group in the future!



Darnell’s family had a background in different aspects of music, so it wasn’t a surprise that Darnell himself gravitated toward music at a young age. “I didn’t even really know what a ‘passion’ was back then,” he stated. “I just knew that I loved music.” When he was eight years old, the producer asked his parents for a Casio keyboard from Toys R Us, which was the start of his journey. His mother obliged to keep him busy and out of the streets. From listening to artists like Brian McKnight and Alicia Keys among others, Darnell began to play music by ear, trying to mimic their sounds. In high
school, he really branched out into playing the piano and singing, honing his craft under one of his teachers, and even teaching other students to play! Under a mentor, Darnell began to experiment with different sounds, working with production software, inspired to create his own sound rather than copy others. “I just kept tweaking the sounds and melodies here and there, and before you know it, I had a track,” he said.

Don got his start in music much later in life. He was more into sports in his teen years, but still always had an interest in music. During college, he played football his first year, but decided to get involved in another program that caught his eye. “It was this program called ‘Studio Recording Technology,’ and I said, ‘Let me just try that,” he acknowledged. “[I] tried it, and fell in love with it.” At around 21, Don snagged an internship at Sony Records working under songwriter/record producer Cory Rooney, who’s worked with a multitude of artists including Mary J. Blige, R. Kelly, Jennifer Lopez, and Destiny’s Child. “I was up under his wing basically, meeting everybody and doing records with everybody,” Don reminisced. After a deal fell through with another music group, the producer was “music-less” for about a year and a half. A year later, he met Darnell at a party in the club, and instantly connected. Between the two of them, they have worked with August Alsina, Bruno Mars, Dipset, Austin Brown, and more, and have signed their first artist, Eli Smith.

Inspired by producers like Timbaland and Rodney Jerkins, Darnell got the idea to start an in-house production team like he saw Timbaland when he worked with SBI (Surrounded By Idiots). "Also, one of my former partners, he had formed a music group," Darnell stated. "And he was giving me insight on what to do if I really want to succeed behind the scenes and on the scene." So it was his goal then to form a team of team players who wanted to see each other grow and be successful in this industry. Don V was the first producer that Darnell teamed up with, after they shared their credentials and Don emailed him some music to check out. "I already pretty much had the studio equipment and stuff like that. I just needed the workers," Darnell said. "And the first beat he sent me, it was fire! It was a go." They began to share ideas, and acquired all the right credentials to make sure the group was ready to do business. "We have a quote," Darnell said. "It started with a vision, became a plan, and the plan transitioned to reality." 


The pair realize that that a lot more goes into their calling than some may realize. "Our job as producers is to bring the artists' imagination and creativity to the white light," Darnell said of the group. "It's much more responsibility when you use that word 'producer.'" Both Darnell and Don scout and work closely to build classic music and bonds with artists, not just creating beats and selling it off. "I would like to see not just me, Don and the company grow, but I want to be able to build and work with multi-talented, phenomenal artists who just have that it factor, who's really serious about going somewhere and not just talking about it," Darnell stated.

These guys have undeniable talent and passion, but what impressed me the most about them was their hustle, humility, and appreciation for music. They work their regular 9-to-5s, raise their children, and head to the studio to put in work. It's all about scheduling for them both, but they make it work as they hustle to make producing their full-time jobs. We talked for a while about how there's some major misconceptions about what's it like working in the industry. Everyone thinks it's a glamorous and rich lifestyle, based on what they see maybe on reality TV, but that's wrong most of the time. There may be glamorous moments, but it's hard to make it out here, and a lot of us, regardless of what role we play, are grinding above and beyond every day to make a name for ourselves in this industry.  "What people don't see is the struggle," Darnell admitted. "You need to have a mentality for this business, and you gotta pray."

Currently, Darnell and Don are working with artists from all over, and attending music events to take them to the next level! They are also networking with people who can put them in good positions in this industry, while still keeping their same character, being humble, and not being afraid to ask for help. In the end, McCro Music Group is about making timeless music that will make a difference in people's lives. “My partner and I want our legacy to inspire people, especially young black people,” Don said in a previous interview. "We want people to know that whatever you set your mind to, you can do it. You have to work not only hard but smart.”

You can hear more from McCro Music Group on Soundcloud and Facebook. You can also connect with Darnell and Don individually online (Darnell- Twitter & Instagram / Don V- Twitter/ Instagram). Support these talented producers! 

7:48:00 AM

Beyoncé is celebrating the anniversary of her self-titled surprise album with a short film "Yours and Mine."

In the video, The singer reflects on her life and career as various clips from her life and videos play. She discusses her fame, admitting that sometimes she just wants to be normal. “I sometimes wish I could just be anonymous and walk down a street just like everyone else,” she says. “Now that I’m famous, it’s really, really difficult to do simple things…When you’re famous, no one looks at you as a human anymore. You become the property of the public. There’s nothing real about it.”

Bey also speaks on loving yourself and your body and the importance of feminism. She also slams any rumors still going around that she and Jay Z are splittling “One thing that’s for sure,” she says to close the film. “The love I have for music, for my husband, for my child, is something that will last far beyond my life.”

Check out the short film below!

6:58:00 AM

The 2015 Golden Globes are right around the corner, and the full list of nominations are out now! Comedic actressesTina Fey and Amy Poehler will host the show for the third time on Jan 11, 2015, and there's a lot of great films and shows up for awards!


See who made the cut below!

Best Motion Picture – Drama

"Boyhood"
"Foxcatcher"
"The Imitation Game"
"Selma"
"The Theory of Everything"

Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy
"Birdman"
"The Grand Budapest Hotel"
"Into the Woods"
"Pride"
"St. Vincent"

Best Actor – Motion Picture, Drama
Steve Carell, "Foxcatcher"
Benedict Cumberbatch, "The Imitation Game"
Jake Gyllenhaal, "Nightcrawler"
David Oyelowo, "Selma"
Eddie Redmayne, "The Theory of Everything"

Best Actor – Motion Picture, Musical or Comedy
Ralph Fiennes, "The Grand Budapest Hotel"
Michael Keaton, "Birdman"
Bill Murray, "St. Vincent"
Joaquin Phoenix, "Inherent Vice"
Christoph Waltz, "Big Eyes"

Best Actress – Motion Picture, Drama
Jennifer Aniston, "Cake"
Felicity Jones, "The Theory of Everything"
Julianne Moore, "Still Alice"
Rosamund Pike, "Gone Girl"
Reese Witherspoon, "Wild"

Best Actress – Motion Picture. Musical or Comedy
Amy Adams, "Big Eyes"
Emily Blunt, "Into the Woods"
Helen Mirren, "The Hundred-Foot Journey"
Julianne Moore, "Maps to the Stars"
Quvenzhané Wallis, "Annie"

Best Supporting Actor
Robert Duvall, "The Judge"
Ethan Hawke, "Boyhood"
Edward Norton, "Birdman"
Mark Ruffalo, "Foxcatcher"
J.K. Simmons, "Whiplash"

Best Supporting Actress
Patricia Arquette, "Boyhood"
Jessica Chastain, "A Most Violent Year"
Keira Knightley, "The Imitation Game"
Emma Stone, "Birdman"
Meryl Streep, "Into the Woods"

Best Director
Wes Anderson, "The Grand Budapest Hotel"
Ava DuVernay, "Selma"
David Fincher, "Gone Girl"
Alejandro González Iñárritu, "Birdman"
Richard Linklater, "Boyhood"

Best Screenplay
Wes Anderson & Hugo Guinness, “The Grand Budapest Hotel”
Gillian Flynn, “Gone Girl”
Alejandro González Iñárritu, Nicolás Giacobone, Alexander Dinelaris & Armando Bo, “Birdman”
Richard Linklater, “Boyhood”
Graham Moore, “The Imitation Game”

Best Original Score
Alexandre Desplat, "The Imitation Game"
Johann Johannsson, "The Theory of Everything"
Trent Reznor & Atticus Ross, "Gone Girl"
Antonio Sanchez, "Birdman"
Hans Zimmer, "Interstellar"

Best Original Song
Lana Del Rey, "Big Eyes" -- "Big Eyes"
John Legend and Common, "Glory" -- Selma"
Patti Smith and Lenny Kaye, "Mercy Is" -- "Noah"
Sia and Greg Kurstin, "Opportunity" -- "Annie"
Lorde, "Yellow Flicker Beat" -- "The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part 1"

Best Foreign Language Film
"Force Majeure"
"Ida"
"Gett"
"Leviathan"
"Tangerine"

Best Animated Feature Film
"The Book of Life"
"The Boxtrolls"
"How to Train Your Dragon 2"
"Big Hero 6"
"The Lego Movie"

Best Drama Series
"The Affair"
"Downton Abbey"
"Game of Thrones"
"The Good Wife"
"House of Cards"

Best Actor in a Television Series, Drama
Clive Owen, "The Knick"
Liev Schreiber, "Ray Donovan"
Kevin Spacey, "House of Cards"
James Spader, "The Blacklist"
Dominic West, "The Affair"

Best Actress in a Television Series, Drama
Claire Danes, "Homeland"
Viola Davis, "How to Get Away with Murder"
Julianna Margulies, "The Good Wife"
Ruth Wilson, "The Affair"
Robin Wright, "House of Cards"

Best Comedy Series
"Girls"
"Jane the Virgin"
"Orange is the New Black"
"Silicon Valley"
"Transparent"

Best Actor in a Television Series, Comedy
Louis C.K., "Louie"
Don Cheadle, "House of Lies"
Ricky Gervais, "Derek"
William H. Macy, "Shameless"
Jeffrey Tambor, "Transparent"

Best Actress in a Television Series, Comedy
Lena Dunham, "Girls"
Edie Falco, "Nurse Jackie"
Julia Louis-Dreyfus, "Veep"
Gina Rodriguez, "Jane the Virgin"
Taylor Schilling, "Orange is the New Black"

Best Mini-Series or Motion Picture Made for Television
"Fargo"
"The Missing"
"The Normal Heart"
"Olive Kitteridge"
"True Detective"

Best Actor in a Mini-Series or Motion Picture Made for Television
Martin Freeman, "Fargo"
Woody Harrelson, "True Detective"
Matthew McConaughey, "True Detective"
Mark Ruffalo, "The Normal Heart"
Billy Bob Thornton, "Fargo"

Best Actress in a Mini-Series or Motion Picture Made for Television
Maggie Gyllenhaal, "The Honorable Woman"
Jessica Lange, "American Horror Story: Freak Show"
Frances McDormand, "Olive Kitteridge"
Frances O'Conner, "The Missing"
"Allison Tolman, "Fargo"

Best Supporting Actor in a Series, Mini-Series or Motion Picture Made for Television
Matt Bomer, "The Normal Heart"
Alan Cumming, "The Good Wife"
Colin Hanks, "Fargo"
Bill Murray, "Olive Kitteridge"
Jon Voight, "Ray Donovan"

Best Supporting Actress in a Series, Mini-Series or Motion Picture Made for Television
Uzo Aduba, "Orange is the New Black"
Kathy Bates, "American Horror Story: Freak Show"
Joanne Frogat, "Downton Abbey"
Allison Janney, "Mom"
Michelle Monaghan, "True Detective"

7:15:00 AM

Love to feature upcoming people on the blog, and not just artists! The Spotlight features a multitude of entertainment industry professionals  from designers to producers, to marketing firms! Everyone is welcome (Check our Interviews section).As always, if you are or know someone (artist, producer, designer, etc.) that should be featured on the blog, please email me at BrittanyShawnte@gmail.com.

Today, we have GLE (Get Lifted Enterprise) Marketing GLE is a full-service promotion, marketing, and branding firm based in Potomac, MD. Founded by Dontè Reams, GLE offers a variety of services including sales & business development, event productions, talent management, and media & marketing services, developing creative plans for high-profile clients.


“Our team consists of high-caliber marketing consultants and campaign designers who have successfully worked with client from different industries,” the company overview reads. GLE Marketing is committed to the client, developing strategies that fit the client’s needs and desires but still go outside the box.

Some of the clients that Dontè and his team have worked with include Day 26, Marques Houston, Pastor Troy, and NFL players Anthony Smith and Josh Morgan. What Dontè feels separates GLE from other marketing firms is the fact that “it’s a one stop shop.” The variety of services that the firm offers are great for companies, artists, and other clientele within the DMV, and Dontè hopes to build the company to reach other regions as well, including NYC.

You can connect with Dontè and GLE Marketing on Instagram, and their official website will be up soon!

8:26:00 AM

I've never done too many hip hop reviews for Spotlight or any of the websites I've written for honestly. The last one I remember doing for a mainstream artist was my review of Wale's sophomore album Ambition back in 2011...and that was for a music writing class my senior year at Loyola (*laughs*).

However, I'm trying to do more music and movie reviews, and it starts with the albums that I'm actually buying, which includes J. Cole's junior album, 2014 Forest Hills Drive. Cole did something different this time around by deciding not to collaborate with anyone or drop any singles, just giving his listeners a release date of December 9th, an order link on iTunes, and a video for his Intro as he rides his bike through NYC. Now the album is here, and the reviews are mostly pretty good!

What I respect about Cole is that he is really is about his music. Sure, every artist is somewhat driven by sales, but some artists take it too far releasing terrible content with a catchy hook that the audience is sure to dance to (*insert whoever's name here*). To me, Cole isn't like that. He carefully crafts his lyrics, which, as a listener, I love, because he is one of very few rappers who makes me think (as a blogger, I get annoyed when I can't get it, because I'm trying to write a damn review here!). Throughout the album, Cole literally takes listeners on a journey through his younger years until now, and you really get a feel for who he is as Jermaine and not just J. Cole. 

Check out my song by song review below!

"Do you wanna, do you wanna be...happy? Do you wanna, do you wanna be...free? J. Cole scratchily (yet still sexily...ahhh!) croons on the "Intro," just him and the piano. Though I'm sure the intro pose questions to listeners, it also seems to be his own self-reflection of where he wants to be in his own life. "Do you wanna be...free? Free from pain, free from scars, free to sing, free from bars," he sings, seeming to want to break free from his own box that he may have been put in as an artist. Not that this intro is all that deep, but I liked developing my interpretations. However he meant it, it's a start to the album that shows that it should be a personal, reflective album.

If you believe in God, one thing's for sure. If you ain't aim too high, then you aim too low." "January 28th" is actually Cole's birthday, and here is where his journey begins. The rapper admits that he doesn't have his life figured out completely yet, but he's still confident is his abilities and what he brings to the table as an artist, believing himself to be a "rap god." He also discusses "the value of a black man's life," bringing to mind the recent Ferguson and Eric Garner Grand Jury decisions. The beat is smooth, and Cole's honesty and rap flow kept my interest as I listened.

"I want it bad, and I ain't never been obsessed before... she wrote a note that said "You ever had sex before?" Cole takes us back to his first time in "Wet Dreamz" and I found myself chuckling the entire song. You know guys. They try to act like they got it all together when it comes to scooping a girl, especially when it comes to having sex. Cole's honest that he was the same way, but behind the scenes was practicing and planning for his first time with a girl from his math class. Only to find out that she was a virgin too...plot twist! It's a smooth song, that is a nice walk down memory lane for Cole and probably other guys out there too.

"Listen, you everything I wanna be that's why I f**ks with you. So how you looking up to me, when I look up to you?" "03' Adolescence" takes us back in 2003, when Cole first graduated from high school and headed to NYC to go to St John's University. It's clear again here how great he is at storytelling. Cole admits that as a boy from Fayettesville, NC coming to the big city, he suffered from self-esteem issues from his clothes, to funds, to getting girls. He admired one of his friends from school who was selling dope on the side getting a little money, only to find out that his friend looked up to and wanted to be like HIM. It made Cole realize that he had come so far, and refuse to take any of his opportunities for granted from here on out.

"Small town n***a Hollywood dreams...I know that everything that glitters ain't gold. I know the s**t ain't always good as it seems, but tell me till you get it how could you know?" Cole admits in "A Tale of 2 Citiez" how he wanted to be done with the Ville and make it big to escape the lower class life. He speaks on how people here commit crimes on the regular, but can't blame them because they only want material things too. Cole realizes that fame and fortune might not be all that it's cracked up to be, but how would you really know unless you've experienced it. He wanted to at least see for himself, as most of us do! Oh, and this beat? EVERYTHING.

"I came to bring the pain, my brain too quick.You see how I maneuver this game, I ain't stupid..." With a heavy 80s/90s reminiscent beat, "Fire Squad" will seemingly put you in the middle of an old school hip hop battle or cypher where Cole just goes in! Of course, he's gotten some fire for discussing white privilege and appropriation in hip hop with Justin Timberlake, Eminem, and Macklemore as examples. And yeah, he'll probably watch Iggy win a Grammy as he has to force a smile. Can't say I completely disagree about what he said, but, to me, it made it seem like music genres have color. Why can't whites love and be involved in hip hop, and kill it (well, not many of them), without it always being attributed to their race? JT and Eminem are amazing because of their talent and material. The reason Macklemore did so well, honestly, is because he has a more mainstream sound that can crossover to many listeners than a lot of other rappers, not necessarily because he's white. And Iggy? Well, Iggy's Iggy, but I still like her! But anyways, that's just a few lines of the song. Cole also discusses how he's different, and yes, one of the best in hip hop, even if the sales and attention don't necessarily show it.  The way he attacked on this track, who could deny him that? Overall, this was a solid track, and I applaud Cole for it.

"She asked me if I'm scared to fly...to tell the truth I'm terrified. I never been that high before. Very bad reason not to go, terrible reason not to go..." On "St. Tropez," we hear Cole tell the story of his career finally taking off, and his acquiring of the fame and fortune that he wanted back in "A Tale of 2 Citiez." Though he was nervous about actually making it, and was afraid to get caught up in the lifestyle, he is now focused on his career. With that intense focus, his personal life sometimes takes a hit, especially with his relationship with his family and girlfriend. However, he's still going after his dreams.

"Lord will you tell me if I changed, I won't tell nobody, I wanna go back to Jermaine, and I won't tell nobody..." On "G.O.M.D.," it's clear in this part of the journey that Cole has gotten caught up in the life, but still has his doubts about it all. His relationship is done after he went off messing with other woman, and he secretly wants to just be Jermaine again. Towards the end, he begins to see that there is more to life than just fame, especially for black people. However, he knows that rapping is his gift, so he plans to use it to make his and others' dreams come true (with his new label Dreamville Records).The track takes you through several different beats, but somehow someway, they mesh. I really liked this one.

"But then I thought back, back to a better me,before I was a B-list celebrity...Before I started callin' b***hes b***hes so heavily, back when you could get a platinum plaque without no melody. You wasn't sweatin' me..." "No Role Modelz" is somewhat the beginning of Cole's "snap back to reality" moment, though he's only speaking about the women that surround him in this. To him, long gone are the days of the independent woman that he could really fall in love with (though I can argue that guys who think like that either aren't looking hard enough, or are trying to win those women over with money and fame, which won't work for a real woman). Now, he's stuck with "hoes from reality shows," who seemingly have no character or personality. Kind of your own fault though, Cole.

"Reflection bring regrets, don't it? Rejection makes you defensive...So you protect your pride with your reflexes, but life is a game with no reset on the end..." Cole continues to reflect on his past in "Hello," thinking specifically of a woman he used to see, who has now moved on with her life and has two kids of her own. He still pines for her, and regrets that he let that relationship go.

"I keep my faith strong...I ask the Lord to follow me. I've been unfaithful...I don't know why You call on me..." Cole recognizes just how far he has slipped in "Apparently," and wants to correct his screw ups. Apparently  He dropped a nice video which features some clips of his mom and his house at 2014 Forest Hills Drive.

"On the road to riches listen this is what you'll find... the good news is n***a you came a long way The bad news is n***a you went the wrong way. Think being broke was better..." "Love Yourz" brings us to Cole in present day, who, after all this time, has really shown growth and improvement. He realizes that happiness isn't necessarily found in the fame and fortune that he has acquired now. He tells listeners to be happy with what they have, because this life ain't all it's cracked up to be.

"I've got a feeling that there's somethin' more...something that holds us together. Something that holds us together..." The smooth ending to the album, "Note to Self," gives us Cole's final outlook on life. After this journey that he's taken us on throughout the album, we find that his belief is that loving each other is the most important thing. That's what holds everybody together, and I definitely agree. The rest of the track is literally credits (which is why it's 14 1/2 minutes long), as Cole shouts out his team, his family, his label, and other artists. Different, but a good moment for him.

This is probably my favorite J. Cole album now. I LOVE vulnerability in artists, and this is Cole's vulnerable, self-proclaimed "F*ck Hollywood" album. He's been open in other songs before this obviously, but I loved the fact that this album took us through a whole journey of how Cole became the Cole that he is right now in 2014, even with the ups and downs of his career. I could see why he didn't put out any singles, because this isn't an album that has any songs they will play on the radio and people will rock out to. They might play "Apparently" every now and then, but it's not an every hour on the hour type of song. This album is a STORY, and Cole does an amazing job telling it. This is a full body of work where Cole is just expressing himself, whether you rock with it or not. And I love it.

RATING: ★★★★★ (Five stars)

What did you think of J. Cole's latest album?

7:00:00 AM

Julia Roberts is now the new face of Givenchy's Spring 2015 campaign!

In her picture, the actress rocked a tuxedo in a a black and white shot. According to E! Online, creative director Riccardo Tisci told Yahoo Style that Julia was his first pick for the campaign. "A lot of people see Givenchy as only 'haute couture,' or only 'street and urban,'" he began. "For me, Julia is many things. She has this strength as an actress, but she's also this beautiful American woman. She's a big star, but she's not a paparazzi or a blog monster. It's going to be my tenth year at Givenchy in March, so I wanted to represent the woman who is more mature, beautiful, talented, but also unpretentious."


Julia also said that she and her sister joked about her new role as a model. "She goes, 'How are you suddenly turned into a supermodel You're almost 50,'" Julia said. "It's funny! So what did she think of the campaign shots? "Well, it's impossible for me to be totally objective and not make four or seven jokes right now," she said. "I wish I looked like that! If you could see me right now, you'd be laughing so hard. I think they're very cool images and I think all the clothes would have been things I would have chosen for myself."

Julia is 47 and still looks great! She is in my top 5 for actresses, and she just seems like she would be really fun to hang with. Congrats to her for snagging this campaign!

10:16:00 AM

British royalty meets music royalty! Prince William and Kate Middleton met Beyoncé and Jay Z last night at the Brooklyn Nets game!

According to an attendee who spoke with Us Weekly, the Duchess and Duke got to the game seven minutes into the third quarter, sitting next to retired NBA player Dikembe Mutombo, who reportedly explained the game to them. Jay and Bey, who were also in attendance, walked across the court to meet them, all while while "God Save the Queen" and then "Crazy In Love" played!

As previously reported, the Royal Couple is visiting the States, making some appearances and conducting meetings and what not. Good to see them just relaxing and having a good time!

Image via Christopher Wahl/Vanity Fair

8:01:00 AM

Blake Lively was spotted out and about in the NYC streets on Monday, Dec. 8, glowing and looking gorgeous!

The actress, who got all glammed up, literally to go to The City Bakery, rocked a slate sweater, fur-trimmed charcoal cape, and leather J Brand leggings with six-inch booties. Us Weekly, who snagged the pictures, said the fly maternity outfit was reminscent of Blake's days at Serena van der Woodsen in Gossip Girl, and I have to agree! That bag alone needs to be in my closet!

Two of the pieces are available on her lifestyle site, which sells clothes from some great underground designers. The cape is by Alicia Adams Alpaca ($895), and the stacked golden cuffs are by Mikal Winn (from $132 to $144). I can only PRAY I look half as stylish when I get pregnant (years and years from now!).

Seriously, this photo is so good, it could be her new avi easy. And all she looks to be doing is crossing the street!

Image via Jesse Bauer/dbdpix.com

4:59:00 PM

Country singer Miranda Lambert snagged the cover of the January 2015 issue of Marie Claire, openly discussing her marriage of over three years to Blake Shelton, her weight loss, and her feelings on creating music.

Miranda admits that she's head over heels in love with Blake, admitting that he's the light of her life. "I'm not sunshine and roses. Blake's the happiest person on the planet,” she told Marie Claire. “He pulls me out of my darkness … Literally, everything is the best about being married."

The singer also opened up about her recently weight loss (she dropped around 20 pounds earlier this year!). "When you have to walk out there in front of thousands of people, it does feel good to know that your s—t’s not jiggling, I’m just like anybody else, insecure and scared of looking bad or being criticized," she admitted. However, she included that it's not as big a deal as everyone is making it out to be. "Everybody's making this big, giant thing about it. It's way too much focus on women's bikini photos, and I hate it. Why do we care? I want women to love themselves whatever they've got going on," she continued in the interview.

She also spoke about her start in music, and how she strives to create authentic lyrics.
 "I didn't have any other plans. I didn't go to college,” she said of playing in bars underage without supervision. “There was no, 'if this doesn't work out…' It was like: 'This has to work out!' When I walk into a bar and smell old beer and cigarettes, it smells like home, because that's where I grew up." The singer strives to make real music that people can connect with as well. ""Early on, an artist told me, 'Don't be yourself. Perform and be someone else,’” she said. “And I thought, 'That seems like exactly the opposite of what I should be doing.' Then I had people wanting me to adjust my lyrics to be more appealing to the masses or whatever. I said, 'No, that's bulls—t.’ I'd rather sell four copies of something that's real than 4 million copies of something that's fake." Well all right Miranda!

I'm not in love with the cover, but I loved reading the interview. Both Miranda and Blake seem so down to earth, and this interview proved it even more.



Image via Boe Marion/Marie Claire

11:29:00 AM

Royalty has arrived to the States! Prince William and Duchess of Cambridge Kate Middleton arrived in New York City Sunday, Dec. 7!

According to Us Weekly, the royal couple is currently staying at the Carlyle Hotel in Manhattan's Upper East Side. "It's good to be here," William told the hotel's managing director Giovanni Beretta before being escorted to his suite. William's own mother, the late Princess Diana was a great fan of the hotel during her trips to the States in the '90s.

It's not all fun and games for the couple, of course. They're going to be very busy with meetings and events during their stay! Shortly after their arrival, they headed to a private event for the American friends of the Royal Foundation.  Today, Dec. 8, Prince William will travel to Washington, D.C. to meet with President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden at the White House and then off to the World Bank to discuss illegal wildlife trafficking.  He will then fly back to NYC and check out a Brooklyn Nets basketball game at the Barclays Center (no word if Kate will be in attendance, but it would be a fun date night!).

Hoping that Prince William and Kate enjoy their stay!

Image via Neilson Barnard/Getty Images

5:27:00 AM

K. Michelle's sophomore album Anybody Wanna Buy A Heart? is set for release on December 9, 2014. Almost a week ago, the singer has teamed up with her home network VH1 to stream the album, and I'm glad I was able to take a listen before the album dropped.

What separates K. Michelle from many other singers is that she is REAL. Real to the point where she can admit that the man she loves has a baby by another woman, and she'll never be able to compete with that. She wears her heart on her sleeve, at least when it comes to her music, and, in a world of commercialized artists who are starting to sound mostly the same, I will always appreciate that about this woman.

AWBAH gives that rawness that we've come to expect from K. Michelle, but in a much more mature way. It's clear that K has been busy writing with other songwriters, and experimenting with different sounds, and it worked in an incredible way!

Check out my song by song review below!

"I know it's easy to point your finger at me, cuz I say the things that all of yall think..." "Judge Me"
starts the album off strong as K. Michelle admits that she's only human. She may have messed up in the past, and will mess up in the future, but only God can judge her. Infused with jazz elements, including a short but great saxophone solo, the song had me hooked from the beginning, wanting to hear more!

"Why can't they understand sex is irrelevant. Just a game in my head that I'm playing, and I'm winning..." "Love 'Em All" is the first single off the album, but I can't really get with it just yet. When I first heard it, my first thought was that it came off like K was perfectly fine with sleeping around, but I get what she's saying, I guess. She enjoys just having fun hanging out, and is not really ready to settle down just yet, at least at the time she recorded this.  It would be a double standard to judge her for this one. Guys in both R&B and hip hop make songs like this all the time, so why can't she? This is classic K who's going to say how she feels, when she feels, in spite of how you feel. Again, we hear the experimentation with a new sound, incorporating some electric guitar with the heavy beat.

"It's like a jungle sometimes. It makes me wonder how I keep from going under..." K sings on the hook for "Going Under" It's a lighter, mid-tempo track, which uses lyrics from Grandmaster Flash's famous hook from "The Message." K. Michelle opens up about another failed relationship. We all know that she is searching for real love, and she describes that search as a jungle. It's a struggle to want love, and seemingly not being able to find, but she's not going to stop trying.

"You gon' suffer for everything you did. You gon' suffer. You gon' suffer. I done took too much of this..." In the ballad "Cry," K admits she wants revenge on her ex-lover who hasn't treated her well in the relationship, but not the typical tire-slashing way. He may have moved on to another woman, but he's going to see how much K did for him in the relationship, and he's gonna pay her back in tears and hurt. K wants to see him hurt from losing her,  believing she was the best thing in his life.

"Love comes and cleans you out. Love's got an enemy now..." "How Do You Know?" is the opposite of "Going Under," where K admits wanting to give up on love completely. She describes love as a fleeting moment sometimes that just takes from her. It's hard to forget the past and start again, especially when she's been hurt so many times. It's a raw ballad and we've all probably experienced her exact thoughts. It's another perfect song where we think it, and K sings it.

"What you gonna do when I put that pretty thing on you? I usually don't do this, but I'd do it for you..." On the mid-tempo "Hard To Do," K admits that she and her man have both messed up in the relationship, but missing him is too hard for her. She'd honestly them rather be making love than fighting. It's a real sexy song, but not over the top explicit. I liked it a lot.

Damn I can't compete with a baby...is there any room left in your heart for me? "Maybe Should I Call" is the second single for AWBAH and I loved it from the moment I heard it. It's rumored to be about Idris Elba, who now has a baby son that was born earlier this year. Even in the video, K almost calls a English number! Regardless of who it's actually about, K shows vulnerability in this song, admitting that she loves a man, but can't bring herself to actually call and express those feelings. Plus another girl and a baby is in the way now. Hard to get around that.

"Wanna eat it up and lick the plate...you know you just can't have one taste, lawd.." "Something About The Night" is another freaky song, but again not explicit. It's clever, using the metaphor of K as dinner and dessert that her man can't get enough. It's something about the night that brings out this side of her! The track incorporates funk, and K's voice blends perfectly.

"I miss the way we used to talk, but I don't miss your lies..." "Miss You, Goodbye" is the track to REALLY get you in your feelings. Anyone who has been in a bad relationship and really moved on knows the feeling of missing your ex sometimes terribly, but realizing that it's better to just be done. You're happier that way. K gives it her all on the mid-tempo track.

"If I could give him a heart that only beats for me...give him a set of eyes that only look at me..." K literally names the names of her exes and their good and bad qualities on "Build A Man Intro/Build A Man." She wishes she could have a little piece of each to create the "perfect" man. The song has a classic 60s Supremes sound to it, as K sings about customizing this man to her specific preferences. I bet a lot of ladies want to be able do this, but that's wishful thinking!

"I'd be the best he ever had, he'd be on his best behavior. He would make me so proud..." On the ballad "Drake Would Love Me," K lets her ex know that even though he doesn't appreciate her, someone else will, like Drake! Seems like it's a little bit of a crush there?! It's not my favorite track on the album, but I liked K's play of words with Drake's actual songs like "Best I Ever Had" and "Worst Behavior." Maybe I'll warm up to it as I play the album more.

"I keep learning the same lessons, while I'm missing out on blessings..." The mid-tempo end to the standard album, "God I Get It," is actually a perfect track to end the album. K admits that she can be a mess at times from drinking too much and acting up to picking the wrong men. She realizes that her choices are blocking opportunities that she could have for her career and life, as she speaks to God very candidly. However, she is working on getting her life together, and it was great for her to put that in song. I definitely think listeners will connect with this track.

I truly LOVED this album. K's sound and material was completely different that what I've heard from her on Rebellious Soul. The main difference between AWBAH and Rebellious Soul is K's MATURITY. She developed great material and music with her songs, just like I hoped she would. K is clearly growing as an artist and as a person, and it's reflective in her music. Honestly, Rebellious Soul was very pass and go. Half of her album was good, and the other half was unnecessary to me (Sorry I wasn't trying to hear how K was trying to f*ck somebody like she was trying to pay bills in that last album [see 'Pay My Bills']). This album, I listened to all the way through, and didn't want to skip...EVER. I connected with AWBAH in a major way, and am proud as a fan of K's growth. This album could very well get her some Grammy noms! If it doesn't, then I can officially say she might have been snubbed.

RATING: ★★★★ 1/2 (Four and a half stars)

I can't wait to have this album in my iTunes library! Make sure to snag your copy of Anybody Wanna Buy A Heart in stores or on digital outlets on December 9, 2014!

What did you think of K. Michelle's sophomore album?

7:39:00 PM