I wanted to see the movie a second time before I did this review but things came up and I wasn't able to. However, just from the fact I wanted to see it again let me say that if you haven't seen Deadpool yet....GO SEE IT NOW! And if you still need some reason to see it, check out my review below!



First, a little backstory on Deadpool and how the movie came to be. Ryan Reynolds plays Wade Wilson, who serves as superhero Deadpool, known as "The Merc With A Mouth" for his crass and foul mouth. Before he got his powers, Wade was a former Special Ops agent turned mercenary. He soon was diagnosed with cancer and underwent an experimental procedure that granted him accelerated healing powers similar to those of fellow X-Men character Wolverine. However, it also enhanced the cancer in his body which leaves his body looking very grotesque.

This movie came to be after Deadpool made a horrible debut in Fox's X-Men Origins: Wolverine movie in which Ryan played the character as well. After such dismal reviews and plans to already make a solo Deadpool movie in the works, Ryan worked relentlessly with Fox to basically "forget" about that version of Deadpool, and re-create his story to the greatness that's in theaters now.

What made this movie great was the perfect combination of comedy, foul language, and violence, as well Deadpool continuing to claim that he is not a hero, even though he's doing heroic things like saving people. He just does it in his own way with guns, knives and other weapons. Ryan's "love to hate" attitude in my opinion fits the character perfect as Wade goes through the movie in search of revenge for ruining his life and model worthy face. Deadpool's ability to break the fourth wall and talk to the audience is also a highlight that is rarely done in movies but has been done in the Deadpool comics for years and was transitioned to the big screen perfectly.

Promoted as a story of revenge and love, this movie is told through a series of flashbacks, action scenes and foul humor. If you've seen all the commercials and trailers, don't worry. All of those scenes were surprisingly (and to my liking), mostly at the beginning of the movie, with the rest of the film still being filled with tons of other funny scenes. I highly suggest everyone goes to see this movie and stays after for the post credits seen because there may be clues to a possible sequel!
I'm personally looking forward to the movie being released on DVD and Blu-Ray, so I can watch it over and over.

RATING: ★★★★ (four out of five stars)

Stay tuned into The Spotlight for more of our TV, music and movie reviews!


I give this movie 4/5 stars

1:20:00 PM

Rihanna's highly anticipated eighth studio album, Anti, was finally released on January 28, 2015. The project was released through Westbury Road Entertainment and Roc Nation, and has already be certified platinum by the RIAA due to new rules that allow streams to be Yet, she's been reported that this album debuted at #27 on the Billboard charts. The music scene is definitely changing.

While her seventh album, Unapologetic (released in 2012), contained more dubstep and electronic sounds, this album, overall, is pretty mellow and chill in terms of actual music. Overall, Anti is clearly not a commercial album, with clear cut hits that would be typically heard on the radio. Rihanna is just doing her own thing, and loving it! Definitely wanted to sit with this album a while, and take everything in for this review!

As you go through the album, Rihanna continues to be "unapologetic," in the type of music she creates. Like I said, it's a complete 180 from her last album and a good majority of her upbeat work In fact, it sounds more like the majority of her fourth album, Rated R. The 13-track standard edition of the album begins with the SZA-assisted "Consideration," which showcases Rihanna's feelings about her music and overall life. "I got to do things my own way, darling. You should just let me...why you ain't never let me grow?" the duo sings on the mid-tempo track. "Same Ol' Mistakes" agrain stresses that Rihanna needs to fly in her music and overall career, regardless of what her fans and other critics may say.

Rihanna has had no problems opening up on her sexy side in recent years, and continues to prove that on tracks like "James Joint," "Kiss It Better," and "Yeah, I Said It." "Work" which features Drake, is very, VERY repetitive, but the beat is so good, you can't help but sing it and dance. At first, I didn't know about it as a single, but it grows on you! Though she's bold and confident on the outside, Rihanna still shows that she has her weaknesses on the inside, just like we all do.  I don't know how "Desperado" would do on the radio, but the dark, brooding track is definitely one of the best on the album. She is bold about wanting being an outlaw with her lover (while still running away from in love), but still doesn't want to truly be alone. "Woo," has the same kind of feel, where she's stuck in the middle between not really loving a guy, but still secretly desiring him late at night,

The doo-wop inspired "Love On The Brain" is easily Rihanna's strongest track on the album, vocally and musically. It's different for her, as she gives soul on the song. "No matter what I do, I’m no good without you," she belts. "And I can’t get enough... Must be love on the brain." The song was definitely something new for the singer, and I really enjoyed listening to it. The beautiful ballad "Close to You," is also another stand out track, reveals Ri's feelings about a friend she would protect and be there for until the very end. It could very well be about her friendship with ex-boyfriend Chris Brown, but regardless, a very touching way

Overall, I really liked  the album! Rihanna definitely brings stronger vocals that are typically hidden behind auto tune and dance music. I think she's proven her versatility as an artist, diving into different types of music and still shining. This was a more open and vulnerable album, showcasing Rihanna's sexiness and boldness, but also her deepest feelings about her life and love. There were still some tracks that could've been cut or re-recorded like "Higher" (I know the raspy vocals were on purpose, but that was a struggle to listen to). However, Rihanna really brought it on this album!

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

What did you think of Anti? 

10:44:00 AM

Grease is the word! Last night (January 31). the anticipated Grease Live! event premiered on FOX and it was a pretty good show! The show brought together different actors, singers, and dancers for the legendary Pink Ladies and T-Birds: Julianne Hough as Sandy, Aaron Tveit as Danny, Vanessa Hudgens as Rizzo, Carlos PenaVega as Kenickie, Carly Rae Jepsen as Frenchy, Keke Palmer as Marty, Kether Donohue as Jan, David Del Rio as Putzie,  Jordan Fisher as Doody, and Andrew Call as Sonny.

Using various elements and songs from both the original stage production and the 1978 film, director Thomas Kail was able to capture the great energy of this classic musical. Just like with The Wiz Live, I definitely didn't want to compare Grease Live too much with the 1978 film, which a lot of us have seen and love. Obviously, nothing is touching the original, so it's no point of nitpicking based on that.


What I really liked about this show was that, though it was live, it was not on an actual stage. It was broadcast from Warner Bros. Studios, with the cast members moving from set to set through the production. Definitely a lot of work, but it was great because there was so much space to have the various sets and props needed (Rydell High, Frenchie's room, the Carnival, etc). I was pretty impressed by the singing and choreography, which used most of the same elements from the original work, but incorporated new flavor too. The staging and costuming was truly incredible and elaborate, and stuck to the original 1950s setting. Kudos to the crew with all of these cameras who moved just about flawlessly (there was a little bit of an issue during the "Born to Hand Jive" American Bandstand moment where audio was lost and video was glitched...but we'll let that pass).

Let's talk the Pink Ladies and the T-Birds. Julianne did a pretty good job as Sandy. Her dancing, of course, was on point, and her singing was pretty good. I have to give her respect for her version of "Hopelessly Devoted To You," because she definitely gave her all on that! Unfortunately, I was not as impressed by her love interest. Aaron as Danny was average in terms of his acting. Though he's a good singer and a decent dancer, I didn't truly believe him as a bad boy. He could've brought more energy and a little more natural. However, when it came to his moments with Julianne, they definitely brought the chemistry together.

Carly Rae was really cute as Frenchie. She definitely captured Frenchie's personality throughout the entire show. Now, I love some Keke, but she definitely overplayed her role as Marty, as well as Kether as she played Jan. While you want to capture these characters well, it still should feel natural, and I didn't feel that with these two. However, Keke really brought it with her solo on "Freddy, My Love," which was featured in the stage production of Grease. As far as the other T-Birds, Carlos, David, Jordan, and Andrew definitely had great friend chemistry as this legendary crew. I LOVED Jordan's vocals and guitar skills on "Those Magic Changes!" Going to check out more from him.

I have to give MAJOR kudos to Vanessa Hudgens, who killed it as Rizzo! Sadly, Vanessa's father passed away of cancer on January 30, the day before the broadcast. I personally don't know if I would've been able to hold it together, but she was a true pro! She brought the pettiness in her performance of "Look at Me, I'm Sandra Dee," and later the emotion and vulnerability in "There Are Worse Things I Could Do." I already knew that she was more than Gabriella Montez from High School Musical, after her performance in 2013 flick Gimme Shelter, but she proved herself again in this one. Vanessa really shined!

One of my biggest issues was with the live audience used. It was a good idea in theory, because it allowed for space to be filled up in certain scenes like the American Bandstand and carnival scenes. It also allowed   Maybe I'm being a little picky here, but I was distract at multiple points by the fact that you had extras sitting with them in costume, but the audience were just in their regular clothes. I guess maybe you can't expect a network to fit audience members with costumes, or tell them to dress up in 50s attire, but I wish they did. There was also a lack of energy at times, which took away from certain moments of the show. I also REALLY didn't like that race at Thunder Road. Though there's only so much you can do, and I have to applaud FOX for trying, it was still weird as you can just clearly tell the cars were standing still being shaken from left to right. I almost wish they had filmed that scene and played it live, but what can you do?

The climactic Carnival scene was absolute perfection to me! Julianne and Danny killed the chemistry together "You're The One That I Want" and the entire cast really did well as the show ended with the classic "We Go Together!" I was impressed by the entire set up! Overall, it was definitely a good version to watch. It's already gotten several rave reviews. I'm actually really liking these live shows...I look forward to reviewing more!

RATING: ★★★★ (Four stars) 

What did you think of Grease Live? 

Images via FOX

11:10:00 AM

The Wiz Live!, a live remake of the Broadway version of The Wiz, aired on just hours ago on NBC, and EVERYONE is talking about it!

The cast was jam-packed with great talent including Elijah Kelley (Scarecrow), Ne-Yo (Tin Man), David Alan Grier (Cowardly Lion), Queen Latifah (The Wiz), Mary J. Blige (Evillene, the Wicked Witch of the West), Uzo Aduba (Glinda, the Good Witch of the South), Amber Riley (Addaperle, the Good Witch of the North), Stephanie Mills (Aunt Em), Common (The Bouncer) and introducing Shanice Williams (Dorothy). Of course, we all know the story. It follows Dorothy who, after getting swept in a tornado, attempts to find the Wiz with new friends to make it back home. She, Scarecrow, Tin Man, and Cowardly Lion learn a lot about themselves during the journey. Of course, The Wiz has a lot more flavor than the original, and this live version stays true to that.

Of course, we know there were great expectations with this musical, seeing as The Wiz is considered a classic, especially in the black community. However, I watched it as if I was watching it for the very first time, because trying to compare would have sucked the fun out of it. With a star-studded cast, special effects, great choreography and music, vibrant costumes, and the fabulous Cirque du Soleil, The Wiz Live! truly shined. It was an incredible musical to watch at home, perfect for the family, and it left me so moved and inspired!

What I loved about this version of the musical is that it sticks to the original plot and feel of The Wiz, but still manages to include modern technology, slang, music, and even dances (I know y'all saw Ne-Yo with the Dab!). It was seamless combining the feel of both the original and new eras. The songs and choreography were awesome (shout out to choreographer Fatima Robinson). The sets and costumes were bright and beautiful, and the visual effects were great. And what can I say about the Cirque du Soleil performers and background singers?! They were such a great addition to this production.

The cast themselves had great chemistry!  Everyone shined in their moments on stage. Shanice, in her debut, held her own with these well-known talents, giving solid, clear vocals and showcasing her training in musical theater. I think she has a little bit more growing to do in the acting field, but she definitely made her mark tonight. Mary J. did pretty well, though, at times, I didn't believe her in her role as Evillene. It seemed a tad bit forced. Overall though, I enjoyed the cast

The music. I must talk about this music. Now, I've loved me some Amber since back when Glee first aired, and Elijah since his role as Seaweed in Hairspray, so I know their talent as singers.  Of course, Queen, Ne-Yo, and Mary can sing, and Stephanie Mills, who was Dorothy in the original play, is legend. They all did well. However, David's passion in his voice took me for a great surprise! He really stood out in this role, especially when he sang. But it was Uzo's version "Believe in Yourself, and Shanice's "Home," that BROUGHT DOWN THE HOUSE! I knew that Uzo was trained at Julliard and heard she could sing, but had just never heard her before. Her voice and appearance was stunning, and a complete 180 from her role as Crazy Eyes in Orange is the New Black. Shanice, as a newcomer, had something to prove, and she did so by closing the show with that classic song. Her vocals are pretty distinct, and, with her enunciation and tone, you can tell she was trained in the theater. She did a great job. Unfortunately, the soundtrack isn't available until December 11th (at least on iTunes), but you can preorder now. 

The Wiz Live! boosted my spirits and gave me inspiration and motivation. I know that's probably odd to say about a musical, but there were so many great words of wisdom in the script as well that stuck with me. Plus, as a black woman, to see this entire production of black people giving their all on a stage was so beautiful to me. It really was watching black excellence. I was really proud.

I read on the New York Times website, that this play is a test run for a Broadway revival! From what I've read on social media, people loved it, so we're able to go see it in New York! I would definitely make that trip.

RATING: ★★★★ ½ (Four and a half stars)

What did you think of The Wiz Live?

Images via NBC

8:49:00 PM

Singer Oktoba dropped his debut album, Smoke Signals, on October 29, a great project I had the opportunity to check out. All tracks on the album were written and performed by the artist, mixed and produced by Tim Bidwell at The Clockwork Owl Studio, Brighton. The project was mastered by Nick Lewis at Brighton Mastering.

Blending folk, pop and Americana, the singer/songwriter based in Brighton, England, created a mellow album that showcases his vocal ability and songwriting skills. "As songwriters, we are given the intimate platform to describe our lives," Oktoba said of his work in a statement. "I really try when writing, to write honestly, giving the listener something that feels familiar and something that they can relate to, no matter who they are or where they're from." With Smoke Signals, the singer definitely accomplishes that aspect, offering a lot of great material and messages that listeners will be able to connect with.

Check out more of my review below!


Oktoba gives us a sense of himself and his own thoughts on life and love on the album. The title track  speaks on him venturing away from home to go after his dreams, which isn't always easy, especially in the midst of those who may not understand. However, the artist seems confident in the fact that he's found his calling in life, and refuses to buckle. "Call me right, call me wrong," he croons. "Call this dream too long, goodbye, I'm not coming home." I can definitely understand that.

With tracks like "On My Mind," "I'll Be Fine," "You To Me," and "Wind Fire Water Stone," he sings of an incredibly strong love and appreciation for another, valuing not only the moments they have together, but how that person helps shape him to be who he is. And, in listening to these tracks, I remembered how music is subjective and reaches people in their own individual elements, just as Oktoba stated. Even though these are romantic songs, I began thinking of specific family members and friends who I need in my life, and couldn't bear to live without.

One of the major tracks on the project is the singer's track, "Run," which speaks to the innocence and incredible fun of being young, and life as an adult takes a lot that away, unfortunately. "We used to play upon the sands, building castles with our hands. When they crashed down, oh, we'd build 'em tall," Oktoba sings a tale of youth. "But now to build a castle, man, I must find first the master plan that stops me crashing through the floor." On the chorus, he states, "When you walked, you should've run." It can be seen as a message of encouragement to the young to live life to the fullest, and a moment of nostalgia and sadness for adults who have now had to put their "childish ways" aside. However, to me, it serves as encouragement, as an adult, to not overthink things and to still enjoy life regardless of what may come my way.


It would have been nice to hear a few more upbeat tracks, but I love how cool and calm the music on this project is. I also really enjoyed listening to the actual lyrics, and I think that listeners will be able to connect to it as well. Oktoba gives a lot of great messages throughout the project that I could relate to my own life. I'm not a huge folk fan, but I'm finding that I'm expanding my horizons more and more when it comes to music nowadays. This is definitely a great project that I'm glad to have in my music collection, and you should too!

RATING: ★★★★½ (Four and a half stars)

You can buy Smoke Signals now on iTunes and other online outlets! Be sure to check out more from Oktoba on BandCamp, SoundCloud, and YouTube. You can also connect with him on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram! 

4:39:00 PM

Rapper Mosliano has released his debut EP, Moments, for listeners this week (Sept. 15)!

Mosliano himself serves as executive producer for the project, along with Daniel Sullivan, Mixed by Colin "Pyrex" Sprows, the EP is a small sample of Mosliano's work. We get a sense of where he is in life at the moment, hearing pieces of his life.

Check out the EP and my short review below!





The mellow intro track, "The Moment," Mosliano makes it clear that he is working towards developing his craft and making a name for himself in this industry. The artist is taking chances, living in the moment, and stepping out of his comfort zone to advance. "I'm flying out overseas," he raps. "Hardly in my city anymore, hard to believe." From his rapping, he's clearly hungry for his moment in the spotlight, and a better life. On the sexy "City Nights," the rapper admits that he is tired of waiting  "We've been talking all that big sh*t and I just want to break you off," Mosliano boldly admits. On this track, and the next,"3 AM," however, the words can be hard to understand, and the message can be lost on listeners.

On "Aliyah's Interlude," we hear a woman's voice, seeming like she's leaving a message, expressing her feelings about, I'm assuming, her relationship with Mosliano. She admits it's hard for them to understand each other, showcasing there's some trouble in their relationship.The final track, "She Knows," seems like a continuation of this interlude, with the relationship officially ending. The two went their own separate ways, and don't talk anymore, which many of us have gone through.

Listen to the EP in full below!


From what I have heard from Mosliano, I know that he incorporates singing and mellow melodies in his music. This project, he revealed, was actually inspired by the R&B tracks on Drake's So Far Gone, which can definitely be heard. However, I have to admit I would have love to hear more actual rapping than singing on this debut, but I get where he was coming from, from a creative aspect. I appreciated him revealing his thoughts on where he is in his life, currently. Like I stated earlier, though, it's hard to understand the words as he sings, and the message can be lost on listeners. I truly do believe in Mosliano's potential as an artist, though, and I know he has a strong passion for music. I look forward to hearing more from him in the future.

RATING: ★★★ (Three stars)

9:45:00 AM

I was able to go check out an advanced screening of Ricki and the Flash this week, which stars Meryl Streep as the title character. I just had to see Meryl rocking out in a band for myself!

Read a brief synopsis of the film below:

"It's been a roller-coaster ride for Ricki Rendazzo (Meryl), a one-time wife and mother of three who left her family behind to follow her dreams of rock 'n' roll stardom. Now, the singer and guitarist must face the music when she returns home to Indiana to reconnect with ex-husband Pete (Kevin Kline), troubled daughter Julie (Mamie Gummer) and engaged son Josh (Sebastian Stan). Filled with regret, Ricki hopes to find redemption for all of the bad choices that she made in the past."

Check out more of my review below!

Note: Some spoilers may be ahead.


When daughter Julie becomes depressed after her husband leaves her, Ricki flies out to see her at her ex's house. At first, it's rocky with everyone under one roof, since Ricki left the family to do her music. However, Ricki's fun-loving, down-to earth attitude begins to win Julie and Pete over again. In some regards, we see that Ricki is kind of what the family is missing, and that Julie and Ricki are actually a lot alike. As Ricki begins warming up to them, though, she begins to really feel a part of the family, and has some unrealistic expectations of just being able to step back into her kids' lives. However, when she meets up with her sons Josh and Adam (Nick Westrate) and Josh's fiancee Emily (Hailey Gates), it's clear that that's going to take a while for them to warm up to her again.

Another interesting dynamic is between Ricki and Pete's wife Maureen (Audra McDonald), who has stepped in for Ricki as the children's mother for the past 20 years. Of course, Ricki feels like she can come back in like nothing's changed, but Maureen disagrees and would like her to go back home. After all, it was Maureen that was there for all of the big moments in the children's lives. There's a lot of tension between these two mothers, which sparked my interest when the movie started to lull a bit.

In the end, the family all comes to a happy conclusion as Meryl plays with her band, The Flash, at Josh's wedding. They realize that, as dysfunctional as they may be, they're all still family, which I expected. I found myself getting caught up in the emotional moments a little bit, I can't lie.

Meryl herself is a legendary actress. There is no denying this. With every character I've seen her play over the years, even with her acting as Ricki, I never see Meryl. I see the character. She's played a variety of different characters over the course of her career, and that's because her talent is impeccable. She truly becomes the character, beyond just the hair, makeup, and costuming. It's the taking on of different accents, different body movements, different tones, etc, that separates Meryl from a lot of other actresses. Meryl, seemingly effortlessly, gave a great rock 'n' roll character in Ricki.

Though I love Meryl, the film itself is definitely pretty predictable. It's a story of a regretful mom tries to reconnect with her kids, and manages to in some way (this time through some good old rock 'n' roll). Nothing wrong with that, but it's just predictable from the jump. And I know it's a movie, but let's be real. Twenty years of abandonment issues can't just be swept under the rug with a few cover songs. I would have loved to see more real conversation about Ricki uprooting to LA, and what her family really went through because of it. I also would have love to see more interaction and conversation between Ricki and her two sons, Josh and Adam. She mainly bonded with Julie and Pete until the wedding. However, this is a comedic drama, so you can't really expect all that I guess.

Overall, it's a cute movie, though kind of sappy, with funny moments and pretty good music (Meryl has a decent voice!). I can't say I absolutely loved it or would buy it, but I did enjoy watching for a night.

RATING: ★★★ 1/2 (three and 1/2 out of five stars)

7:40:00 AM

Last night was the 2015 BET Awards, and it was definitely a great show! This year marked the 15th anniversary of the awards as well. During the pre-show, hosted by Terrence J and La La Anthony, we got to see some retro moments from the shows over the years which was cool to see. We also saw stars hit the red carpet and the style suite, as well as performances from MGK, Natalie Rose, Jeremih, and others. I really only watch the pre-show to check out the interviewers' skills, to be honest, but it was a decent prelude to the actual show.

Check out the rest of my review below!


Kendrick Lamar opened the show with "Alright," and it was a great choice! With the#BlackLivesMatter movement continuing to make headlines,Kendrick's stage layout was like a legit riot and march complete with many dancers, a huge American flag, and a tagged police car. The song is intense but still uplifting, and it was definitely a powerful start to the show.

The show itself was hosted by Anthony Anderson and Tracee Ellis Ross, who star together on the hit ABC show Black-ish. Anthony and Tracee came out with their own crazy remake of Estelle's "Conqueror," cracking jokes at Rachel Dolezal, Usher, and others and getting laughs from the audience. Both wore leotards (Anthony needs not ever do that again!), and Tracee was hoisted into the air doing little tricks that were funny but still cool to watch.

Laverne Cox and Gabrielle Union presented the first award of the night, Best Actor, to Terrence Howard (Empire). Afterwards, Janelle Monae performed her latest song, "Yoga." Though this isn't my favorite song, The Electric Lady brought the energy per usual! Jidenna joined right after with his hit "Classic Man" as Janelle Monae danced alongside him. It was a very bold and good performance from both. After this performance, the stars of the upcoming movie, The Perfect Guy, Sanaa Lathan, Morris Chestnut, and Michael Ealy, presented the Best Female Hip Hop Artist to, of course, Nicki Minaj, making this her SIXTH award in this category in a row. Not surprised at all. Though I still believe that Iggy should've won last year, Nicki has been making huge moves since then with her new album and videos. She deserved it this year, but I would love to see another female rapper beat her next year. We also got a special look at The Perfect Guy, which many of us have already seen trailers for. I'm excited for the movie, though I'm hoping it won't be a big let down.

The stars of The Game came out to announce the next award, and we got a special surprise from the show's former star Pooch Hall announcing that he and Tia Mowry will be back for the series finale of the show! They announced the winner of Best Male Hip Hop Artist which went to Kendrick Lamar. Of course, as a Moon, I wanted Wale to win, but I'm also realistic. Kendrick is more popular (and this is really a popularity contest), but he is a great lyricist as well.  Chris Brown then hit the stage, performing a snippet of his song  "Liquor" and then performing "Ayo" with Tyga. I still don't like that song, so I wasn't really paying attention to the performance. However, when Omarion joined Chris to perform "Post To Be", my head turned back to the TV. It would've been great to see Jhene Aiko as well, but it was still a good performance. Neither of their vocals weren't up to par completely, but the energy was definitely there! Already there is an Illuminati rumor going around with that pyramid setup they had, but I liked that performance.

During the commercial break, Tracee brought out her rap persona, TMurda, having a short battle Kevin Hart's own persona Chocolate Droppa! I wish she had brought that to the main stage, because I love TMurda! La La then brought out singer Avery Wilson for a Music Matters segment. It's always nice to upcoming artists on the show! The Weeknd performed a bit "Mood Music," which went into a duet of "Earned It" with Alicia Keys. I love the song, but HATED this duet. Both of their vocals were ALL over the place, which I, unfortunately, have come to expect from Alicia's live performances. However, I expected more from The Weeknd. Before Kelly Rowland presented the award for Best New Artist, Charlie Wilson surprised us with a little snippet of "Outstanding!" For the first time, all of the nominees were given a Samsung Galaxy, and the winner received a call! When the phone rang, the "nominee" was Anthony Anderson decked out in a costume, taking home the award for Sam Smith!
with

Boris Kudjoe and Nicole Ari Parker took a moment to spotlight Bivian Lee and his organization, Son of a Saint, in New Orleans, which is working to assist black boys through mentorship programs and classes on life skills. Donnie McClurkin then gave a small tribute to Andrae Crouch, who passed away earlier this year. singing "The Blood Will Never Lose Its Power." The show's tiny gospel moment.

Then came the best performance of the show, the Bad Boy reunion!  Puff Daddy, Mase, 112, Faith Evans, the Lox and Lil Kim performing a medley of some of Bad Boy's biggest hits, including "I Need a Girl Part 2" "Love Like This," "Peaches and Cream" "Mo Money, Mo Problems," and "It's All About The Benjamins (Remix)." Pharrell also hit the stage, and there was a moment where only Biggie's voice played and a picture of him flashed across the screen in remembrance of him. The only thing that I did not like about this performance was French Montana stepping on that stage in that moment. I know he's signed to Bad Boy, but he didn't need to be there. To me, he was an unnecessary interruption to history, and it killed the vibe. However, the performance overall was AMAZING! I felt like I was reliving pieces of my childhood. I joke sometimes about the current Bad Boy curse (with artists coming on and quickly falling off), but Puff and his label really brought the TIMELESS hits back in the day. Honestly, this should've closed the show. Would've been so hype!

Afterwards, the kids of Black-ish and Silento came out to dance to Silento's hit "Watch Me," hitting those Whip and Nae Nae dance steps hard! Terrence J with a guest introduced another Music Matters artist, Andra Day, who I definitely plan to check out!

This year's Lifetime Achievement Award went to the legendary Smokey Robinson, with video John Legend, Aretha Franklin, Berry Gordy, and Janelle Monae. Tori Kelly gave a beautiful rendition of "Who's Loving You," and then Robin Thicke performed a soulful cover of "Ooh Baby Baby." Ne-Yo then hit the stage with "The Tears of a Clown." As Smokey accepted his award, he was so grateful for the accomplishments and strides made over the length of his career. Seeing Smokey speak openly to God about his talent and career, thanking different people, was so beautiful He also spoke to artists telling them truthfully to be humble and grateful for their gifts. "You didn't start this. You were not the first in line. You are not the end of the line, so don't be full of yourselves," he stated firmly. PREACH SMOKEY! The legendary singer/songwriter ended the tribute, singing "The Tracks of My Tears," "Cruisin'" and "My Girl." I would loved to see this tribute done with more artists, though. It seemed so short of a tribute, but then again, the show was already long enough. I noticed quite a few people on my Twitter timeline negatively commenting on Tori and Robin being chosen for the tribute because they're white. I couldn't care less about their color. Yes, I know that this is the BET Awards, but black people also listen to blue eyed soul. Hence the hype of Sam Smith, Tori, and Robin. We can listen to them and buy their music, but we can't let them have some shine too? Granted, I would loved to see other artists perform during that tribute, but the ones chosen are talented artists, regardless of color. The BET Awards have not in the least been "whitewashed." I need some of yall to go sit down somewhere.
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After the tribute, Meek Mill, Chris Brown, and Nicki Minaj came on stage to perform Meek's new song, "All Eyes On You." I'm sorry, but this wasn't a performance-worthy song to me. Honestly, the only reason I think Meek was on that stage was because of Nicki. There had to have been a deal behind the scenes to make sure SHE was there. Monica and Keyshia Cole then presented the Centric Award to The Weeknd, who apparently left the award show for some reason, so they accepted on his behalf. Anthony and Tracee then came out like Luscious and Cookie Lyon from Empire, with Terrence Howard soon coming out to introduce his Empire family, Jussie Smollett, Serayah, and Yazz. The trio performed "No Apologies" "Drip Drop" and "You're So Beautiful," hit songs from the show. People were a little irked that these three performed, BUT Empire is a huge show that created some pretty good music. Also, all three of them are actually signed artists, so why shouldn't they perform? I loved seeing them on stage.

NBA legend Kenny Smith honored legendary sportscaster Stuart Scott, who passed away from cancer at the beginning of the year. Anthony Hamilton and Prince Royce performed Percy Sledge's "When A Man Loves A Woman," Ben E King's "Stand By Me" and B.B. King's "The Thrill Is Gone," paying tribute to these great legends who passed away this year. We also saw a collage of those killed in the recent Charleston shooting as well. Michael B. Jordan then led a tribute of those who have participated in the #BlackLivesMatter movement, showcases pictures from Ferguson, Baltimore, Cleveland, and other cities. Big Sean then performed "One Man Can Change The World," "Blessings," and "IDFWU," with E-40. I would've loved to hear more of "One Man Can Change The World," especially after the tributes, but oh well. I have to admit, this is Sean's biggest year of his career so far, so kudos to him.

BET chairman and CEO Debra Lee announced the winner of this year's Humanitarian Award, Tom Joyner, who has put in work for years in radio and education, giving away millions of dollars in scholarships over his years in the industry. He believes in education wholeheartedly, as well as voter registration, health awareness, and other issues facing the black community. He has given back to help others achieve their goals, and has done an amazing job. Well deserved Tom!

Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis began the long-awaited tribute to Janet Jackson, who was awarded the first award for Ultimate Icon: Music Dance Visual! I wouldn't say I'm a Janet stan, but there is no denying the impact that she has had all over the world. Tinashe, Jason DeRulo and Ciara came out with dance tributes to a medley of Janet songs, which were cool. No singing, just dancing, which was perfect. I wish that Chris Brown had been a part. Not sure what happened behind the scenes but he definitely would've been a better pick than Jason. Then again, Chris was on the stage half of the show anyway, so maybe it was better to give somebody else a shot. I would've loved the tribute to be longer, but, again, there were time constraints. Maybe if we start cutting down some of these sub-par performances we can have better tributes...just saying BET! After the dances, Janet walked out calmly and applauded everyone for their work, and accepted her award, as parents Joe and Katherine Jackson watched from the audience. I kind of wanted her to perform, but just her being there was great! This is a perfect start to her new era, as she gets ready to release new music and go on tour!

Brooklyn Nets' Jarrett Jack presented the Fandemonium Award and Best Male R&B/Pop Artist to Chris Brown. Afterwards came a moment I was personally waiting for! K. Michelle performed her latest song "Hard To Do," with Tamar Braxton hitting the stage right after to sing her new song "If I Don't Have You." Tamar then apologized to K and they performed a duet of "If Only You Knew," bringing out Patti LaBelle herself! Yes, they ALL had pitch issues, BUT, after all this social media shade, I was just happy to see Tamar and K bury the hatchet and move forward. I hope that they record a song together in the future!

Zendaya and a contest winner announced the winner of the Viewers' Choice Award, Nicki Minaj feat. Drake and Chris Brown for "Only." Rihanna then gave a minute snippet of her song "BBHMM." I love Rihanna, but she could've given this during the pre-show, especially for how long this show was (Again, BET had an extra half hour allotted than in years past, and they STILL went over). Then again, I'm sure this was a deal for BET to get Rihanna there in the first place for mor raitings. The show ended with Fetty Wap, performing "Trap Queen," with Anthony and Tracee giving a signoff to end the show!

Overall, the show was VERY long, but I really enjoyed it! The Bad Boy reunion was definitely the biggest highlight, as well as the Smokey tribute. As with any show, there were its shares of hiccups and dull moments, and I really wish there had actually been more announcing of the awards live. However, it was definitely a great show to watch this year!


What did you think of the BET Awards 2015?

Images via Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP, MTV, Earl Gibson III/Getty Images for BET, Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP, Mark Davis/BET/Getty Images for BET, Christopher Polk/Getty Images

9:50:00 AM

After releasing two EPs and other songs, including popular covers, Tori Kelly is set to release her debut studio album Unbreakable Smile on June 23! I just had the opportunity to see her perform this past weekend, and heard some of her new songs, so I had to review the album for the blog.

Seeing Tori live, it seemed to me like she was very sweet and down to earth. She’s been releasing music for a while, and seems determined to not let the industry change her or her music. Unbreakable Smile is a clear reflection of all of that. The album is a mix of pop and soul, and speaks on the ups and down on relationships, the importance of staying positive in life, and her refusal to conform to the industry. It’s a really awesome, fun album, perfect for the start of summer, but it’s also filled with great messages that we can all relate to in some way. With teens as Tori’s target audience, this is a great album for them to listen to, hopefully learn something from, and be inspired.

Check out my review below!

The album starts out with the simple intro “Where I Belong,” where Tori discusses finding her destiny in life as a singer. “I’m just a girl with her guitar, trying to give you my whole heart,” she sings. She belongs on stage and in the studio, creating and singing great music for her fans. That’s where her heart is. The title track, “Unbreakable Smile,” is really upbeat and fun, and really showcases Tori’s positive outlook on her career and life in general. Even though she’s famous, she refuses to conform to the industry. She wants to use her name and music for good. She realizes that many people will think she’s naïve for this mentality, but she feels like everybody makes a clear decision on how they choose to live, especially with fame and fortune. I definitely agree and applaud her for her resolve.

The lead single, “Nobody Love,” is probably one of my favorite tracks on the album. It’s about being a little apprehensive to have that special love with a person, but, in the end, you don’t want or need to run once you’ve found it. “I try my best to fight to it, say ‘I hate you,’ but I always stay,” Tori sings of her love I am in love with the beat, and the hook is so catchy! Plus Tori’s vocals are really incredible on this one, and she sounds like she’s really having a lot of fun on the track. “Expensive,” which features a rap from Daye Jack,” is a message from Tori letting us know that money doesn’t buy love. She’s a simple girl. She’d rather spend time with her special someone, than be showered with expensive gifts. Again, this is another important well-needed message for those who believe that gifts are all that’s needed to keep someone.

“Should’ve Been Us” is a mid-tempo song with a slight 90s vibe with Tori wondering about a past love and what would’ve happened with them if they had moved forward with their relationship. The ballad “First Heartbreak” changes the overall upbeat tone of the album at this point. Tori opens up and shows her vulnerability as she expresses the fact that she’s never been really emotional, but now that she’s in this relationship, she’s changed. She’s looking toward the future with this person, and even worries that one day he might leave her for some reason, and doesn’t want that to happen. “Guess that means I really love you, cuz I’m afraid to make mistakes,” Tori sings. “If you ever left me, that would be my first heartbreak.”


“I Was Made For Loving You” features the talented Ed Sheeran, and provides a calm and beautiful acoustic for the album. Their voices were truly flawless together. “I was made for loving you, even though we may be hopeless hearts just passing through,” the duet sings collectively. Such a great collaboration…another favorite of mine! On the mid-tempo “City Dove,” Tori admits that she doesn’t know her fate, especially in the ever-changing music industry, but she’s going to continue to work towards her greater purpose.

Tori admitted herself on Twitter that “Talk” is “about wanting to tell the world to go away.” All she hears is talk, but no one is really saying anything of importance. This song can definitely be related to her career (and probably her personal life as well), though the message is somewhat muddled. “Funny (Live)” is the only live acoustic song on the album, and I loved it so much! Tori sings yet again about not giving up your soul in this industry. “What is your definition of a true superstar?” she asks. “Is it beauty? Is it money? Is it power? Is it fame?” The deep passion in her vocals on this track literally gave me chills!

“Art of Letting You Go” details an experience that many of us have gone through: struggling to let someone go whether they now have another significant other or just weren’t good for us period. “California Lovers,” which features LL Cool J, is perfect for summertime, bringing a chill Californian vibe to the album. Tori sings of not missing a former love, until the summertime hits, and she’s reminded of all of their great memories together. It’s very different to hear LL on this, but his verse worked well on the song.

We get more vulnerability from Tori on the ballad “Falling Slow,” who admits that she’s not a perfect person, and she’s going to mess up undoubtedly in her relationship. However, she doesn’t plan to give up and hopes her significant other doesn’t either. This was also another track where Tori’s vocals and harmonies really stand out. The standard album ends on a high note with the upbeat “Anyway.” Again, she admits she’s not perfect, but “this is the only that I know how to be,” she sings. Regardless if people leave or stay, she’s going to be herself. “Take it or leave it babe. I’m not gonna change,” Tori sings firmly. “If you don’t understand, I don’t need you anyway."

I truly loved this album, and found myself connecting with just about every song in some way.Not only is Tori an amazing singer and songwriter, but she uses her music to motivate listeners and get us all thinking. Her inspiring messages, like on "Funny," shine on the project. There was a perfect balance of fast-paced, mid-tempo, and slow tracks, as well, and the songs were all mostly catchy and/or memorable in someway You can also hear her clear-cut passion and dedication towards her craft every time she opens her mouth to sing. It's that soul and passion that is much needed in this industry, and will catapult Tori to the top. She definitely gave her all on this debut!

The bonus track version of the album gives listeners two extra tracks, “Dear No One” (previously released) and “Beautiful Things.” You can purchase Unbreakable Smile on iTunes, other digital outlets, and in stores on June 23!

RATING: ★★★★★ (Five stars) 

12:04:00 PM

Last week, we featured singer RYLI's music video for her sensual track "Tell Me," on The Spotlight! The track is featured on a five-song EP entitled, Enter, which was released on May 18. The project was written and produced by RYLI, along with BLVCKSCOTT, and The Unscripted.

Enter is definitely an appropriate title, as RYLI lets listeners into a bit of her world, and vulnerably expresses her emotions on the modern R&B project.

Check out more of my review below!

Enter begins with the dark into, "Fallen Soul," which is short but has impact, drawing you into wanting to hear more of the project. The sexy "Tell Me" is the standout track of the EP. RYLI really opens up, telling her partner to give her clear instructions on what she needs to do to satisfy him in the bedroom! 

The mid-tempo "Hold Up," featuring BLVCKSCOTT, RYLI tells her partner to not rush the process in their relationship. "Heartbreaker" slows things down, and this is where you hear RYLI the best, and where we get another sense of her vulnerability, though not in the same way as "Tell Me." She opens up about her deep feelings for another, but he constantly keeps her waiting for a real response. The project ends up on a fun note with the upbeat "Lights Camera Action," where RYLI sings of her rise in the industry. She's steadily been working to get to the top, and she doesn't plan to stop!

Check out the EP in full below!

As a whole, Enter is a cool project to listen to. I really enjoyed the production, and liked the overall chill vibe of the EP. My main issue, though, is that sometimes RYLI's own voice gets drowned out. The lyrics can get lost at times as well from lack of enunciation. However, she has some great, catchy material on there, as well as vivid imagery and storytelling, especially with "Tell Me" and "Heartbreaker." RYLI is certainly on her way, and I look forward to her dropping more material with her debut album, Fear, dropping next month!

RATING: ★★★½ (Three and a half stars)

You can listen to more of RYLI's music on SoundCloud, and follow her on Twitter and Instagram! Also, let us know what you thought of the project below! 

5:04:00 PM

British singer, songwriter and producer Monique recently released her EP, The Gift, which has garnered great reviews from Alt Sounds, Urban Development, ILUVLIVE, Guestlist Magazine and the MOBO Awards! 

The EP was inspired by Monique's own pregnancy and her embracing of motherhood (she recently gave birth to a baby boy!). The singer states that the EP “explores the theme of time and moments in a world that moves so fast that we rarely stand in the present. There are moments that bring us face to face with ourselves and others that are willing us to take a look in the mirror. To stop and consider our course or just to simply enjoy, be thankful and content."

Check out more of my review, and stream the EP below!

Though only 18 minutes, The Gift takes listeners through Monique's own personal journey of self-acceptance. On the project, the singer goes through the ups and downs of love, abuse, and the reminder to be grateful for each day. If you listen, it really is a life story filled with ups and downs, ultimately finding a great happiness.

The beautiful and mellow “Forever With You” starts the EP, honoring a timeless love that Monique promises her soul to. “You have my soul for a lifetime, a few minutes just won’t do. Give me forever, forever with you,” she sings. The mid-tempo “Wanna Be Where You Are” recounts Monique missing her love, who is working to make life better for them both. The EP takes a dark turn with the ballad “Doing Time” as Monique reflects on an abusive relationship. “Like a whisper in the wind, no one heard a thing,” Monique sings of the troubles hidden behind close doors. On  “Nothing’s Certain But The Past,” however, she is determined to make a change and not let her past affect her present and future any longer. By the end of the EP, Monique is in a much better place as she opens up about her optimistic views on the title track, "The Gift." She reflects on her present, stressing to listeners the importance of enjoying and being grateful for today!

This is truly a great project with beautiful music from beginning to end. Monique’s soulful vocals drawn you in from the very start and keeps your attention throughout. It's a very mellow, smooth, and well-written project that you will definitely enjoy!

RATING: ★★★★½ (Four and a half stars)

You can purchase The Gift on iTunes now and stream the EP below! 

Check out more about Monique on her official website! You can also follow the singer on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. 

7:45:00 AM

Wale released his fourth album, The Album About Nothing, on March 31, which you KNOW I copped (three physical copies with the different covers plus the digital version from iTunes...no games here). I contemplated long and hard whether or not I was going to review this album. As a huge supporter of his, I knew that this album was going to be different, and I partly just wanted to enjoy him telling his story. As an entertainment blogger, I felt obligated to share my thoughts on the album. I decided to sit with the album this week, and THEN review (I mean, as J. Cole said, "1 listen reviews are fxcking up hip hop."). For lyricists like Cole and Wale, you need to really study their work to truly understand, so I did.

Using a Seinfeld theme, as used in previous mixtapes The Mixtape About Nothing and More About Nothing, Wale incorporates dialogue from the show, as well recorded conversations between him and Jerry Seinfeld himself! The album features production from DJ Dahi, Pro Reese, No Credit, Ayy Dot, and more, as well as vocals from stars like J. Cole, SZA, and Usher. I literally haven't stopped listening since the album's release. Honestly, I was impressed, the most impressed I've ever been by any of his studio albums. The vulnerability and expression is on another level on TAAN, and that is impressing many people, beyond just his fans.

Check out more of my review below!



Olu doesn't hold back at all from the beginning. He goes in on "The Intro About Nothing," explaining the concept of this album. The album goes through a variety of topics, seemingly about nothing, but it's everything at the same time. This project is Wale's self reflection on his personal life and career, with Jerry acting basically as his conscience throughout the album (and seemingly in real life).

On a good portion of the album, Wale opens up on how he feels about where he is in his career. He is getting to the point now where he is beyond irritated from the lack of respect from others for his work and contribution to the hip hop culture. He wants to be allowed to grow, and demands understanding from everyone, including even his fans. "They like, 'You stuck with us, cause you let him fly,' / Swear this life is like a helium balloon, I'm sorry, but I gotta fly," he raps on "The Helium Balloon." He refuses to be held back by anyone from growing in his career, making the music he wants to make, regardless of who may accuse him of selling out since signing to Maybach Music Group. This is in direct response to those fans who say they miss "the old Wale," when, in all actuality, Wale's lyrical content hasn't died one bit. Regardless of what people feel, the rapper knows that he has done pretty well, opening up on his accomplishments on "The Success," and telling haters "fxck you, leave me alone" on "The Middle Finger." He admits on the track too, that he was suffering from depression and taking drugs just to stay awake and work.  He also admits on "The Glass Egg" that it's hard to balance his stardom with the material things along with friends and women. It's hard to know who to trust, especially with people constantly hounding him for opportunities. These songs help to explain why Wale has snapped as much as he has.

Wale's incredible story telling and metaphors shine on the album as well. "The Girls on Drugs" is a prime example. First appearing on Wale's Festivus mixtape late last year, the track made the album, after some serious work for sample clearance of Janet Jackson's song "Go Deep." A continuation of "90210" from Attention Deficit, Wale tells a vivid story of women using drugs to mask pain, insecurities and other issues, specifically within the industry. However, this is a true life story that exists with every day people, as well. "The White Shoes" is another song that connects the shoe culture with vanity in today's society, but serves also as an inspirational track for listeners. In spite of others who may judge, he lets them know that everything will be all right, using the "white shoes" as a symbol of happiness and confidence in oneself.

"The God Smile" is probably my favorite track on the album. It's Wale's proclaimed "Moonz Anthem," where he lays out his plan to continue shining for his home area, the DMV, but also plans to bring others together to make an even bigger impact than if they were to all shine individually. The rapper plans to continue to "illuminate" in the midst of darkness, as does a moon, and he knows that his core fans will be there, no matter what ventures he goes into.

Another stand out track on TAAN is "The Pessimist," featuring J. Cole on the hook, where Wale speaks candidly on black culture, and how, looking around, it admittedly has him feeling hopeless about where we're headed sometimes. We hear his views on issues in the black community, from police killings of innocent blacks, to black on black crime, to situations leading to incarceration and even blacks' mostly negative representation on reality TV. It's one of those tracks that can be a great conversation starter, as well as a catalyst to actual change if people truly pay attention.

Another great track on the album to listen to is is "The Need To Know" featuring SZA. The sultry song, which samples Musiq Soulchild's "Just Friends" on the hook, speaks on a secret friends with benefits situation with Wale and a friend. Everything between them is on a need to know basis, meaning no one needs to know and they can go on about their business. The track is just HELLA SEXY, and, though I personally wouldn't be able to handle this I don't think, it's definitely one of my favorites. I hope he makes a video!

Wale has another sexy track, "The One Time In Houston," a cautionary stripper tale for all those who get caught up in thinking that these girls really love yall, when, in all actuality, they love that loot! The rapper has other tracks specifically for the ladies including single and bonus track "The Body," featuring Jeremih, and the third rendition of "The Ambitious Girl," titled "The Bloom (AG3)," which is a Motown-feel, uplifting song for all the real ambitious girls out there. He compares us (yes, I'm including myself...the song is beautiful!) to flowers on the verge of blooming. We will face our struggles, of course, but Wale encourages us, knowing that we will succeed. Wale also shares his views on marriage on "The Matrimony," admitting that his love life took a back seat to his career, but he does want marriage and a family (honestly, he thought he would have it by now). Featuring vocals from Usher, the song serves as a retrospect for Wale in terms of that lack of balance, and how it had a negative effect on his former relationship. He opens up quickly about some real situations in life, like his breakup with Solange Knowles and a miscarriage with the ex that he mentions before in the Intro, which I'm sure was extremely hard for him to do.

Though the Seinfeld theme is nothing new for Wale, TAAN is the album that I most connect with, and the only album since Attention Deficit that I loved listening to straight through from the beginning (to be honest, there are a few tracks on Ambition and The Gifted that I had to personally warm up to). With TAAN, I play this straight through, or on shuffle, depending on how I feel, and I have some tracks on constant repeat. The album is that smooth. There is no "Clappers" on this album. You won't hear another "No Hands." Just straight story telling with Wale's lyrical content and impeccable wordplay. He's way more vulnerable on this album than others, which makes him really relatable as a person. I think now, and this is just my opinion, that he's getting older and he's thinking more and more about what he wants out of life in general. This album truly reflects his thoughts and feelings, and, as a fan, I loved that he opened up this way. As a music lover, I admire and respect him for letting listeners in on a deeper level. There is no doubt in my mind. On TAAN, he definitely illuminates.

RATING: ★★★★★ (Five stars)

1:45:00 PM

I recently featured music and did an interview with alternative R&B/pop singer Ash! On February 10, 2015, the artist dropped her debut project, The Perfect EP, for listeners! The four-track EP was produced by T Brown, who has worked previously with Janelle Monae (Ash is also a background singer for The Electric Lady!).

Ash’s debut reflects her own feelings on love, and, between the actual music and lyrics, listeners are bound to really connect with the EP! "The Perfect EP, I hope helps change the conversation in music. I think the way I've chosen to write about love will add a cool twist to the dialogue that so many artists are already having. At the very least I hope it compels people to love deeper," Ash said of the project.

Check out my review of The Perfect EP below!

“I feel like the world is ours, long as we are, are together…” The mid-tempo track, “Lost” begins the EP as Ash sings about her life and love. Even though sometimes she feels like she is far from where she is supposed to be, she’s never lost as long as she is with the one she loves. Any risks or costs are worth it to her. Personally, I've been here. When things are going wrong, having people, romantic or otherwise, in your life that can lift you up and be there for you is incredible. No greater feeling.

“I know you don’t want my love…I know you don’t need it, but I love you anyway…” The second song on the project, “Anyway,” is a fun, upbeat dance track that I really loved. Ash sings of wanting to make things work with her love, even though he doesn’t seem to want her. Though it all, she loves him—when he makes her happy and even when they disagree and he pisses her off! That’s true, unconditional love, that is really hard to find!


“No regrets, no apologies…love affair between you and me. I don’t care what nobody thinks cuz all I want is all I can see…” “Dear Dream” is a softer ballad where Ash describes her love as being the perfect dream for her. No matter what anyone has to see, he’s all she can see and is all she really needs. It was a very beautiful track that I had on repeat for quite a while.

“You don’t have to be, all these things are extreme…Let’s forget them, and just enjoy the ride…” The EP ends with Ash’s single, “Perfect,” which was featured on The Spotlight earlier this year. The energetic and bubbly track is the perfect way to end the project! The light-hearted song gives the message of finding a love that will do the simple things and Ash states that he’s perfect just the way he is. She doesn't need much. The song was actually a tribute to her father, who recently passed away. It’s a very fun but real track to listen to. When you really love someone, you realize that he or she doesn’t have to be perfect. Their flaws and imperfections don’t matter. The love you have for that person outweighs it all.

The EP is really chill and relaxing to listen to. When I spoke to Ash, she seemed like such a bright, fun, and positive woman, and it definitely shows in this project. Her vocals and the music production shine on their own, but the message of love throughout the EP shines even brighter. As I listened, I realized that this EP doesn't even have to be seen just in terms of romantic love. It's all about love in general. Regardless of what you go through, when you have real love in your life--from your significant other, your family, or your friends--it's truly a beautiful thing. I loved the EP, and will definitely be having it play on rotation on my iPhone!

RATING: ★★★★★ (Five stars)

You can purchase The Perfect EP on iTunes now!

10:10:00 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?

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