Day 30- A song that you haven’t listened to in a while

Stevie Wonder's "Love's in Need of Love Today" from Songs in the Key of Life (1976)

Day 29- A song currently stuck in your head

Rochelle Jordan's "Shotgun" from P R E S S U R E (2012)




I seriously cannot stop playing this song. Last Tuesday she released P R E S S U R E and I have been playing it nonstop since then. I've already mentioned how much I love Rochelle Jordan. It's like I can't get enough of her. Anyway, you should definitely go check it out for yourself here. And while you're at it, check out last year's R O J O.

Day 28 - A song that reminds you of your boyfriend/girlfriend (if you don’t have one, make one up :])

I don't have a boyfriend and I refuse to make one up for this. So I'll just post the first song that comes to mind.

Kelly Rowland's "Obsession" from Simply Deep (2002)

Day 27 - A song you make fun of

Kiely William's "Spectacular" (2010)




When I first saw this video, I was a bit shocked and confused. Although I thought the idea was irresponsible, I couldn't help but laugh at the ridiculousness of the song and video. Since then, I've heard her reasoning and explanation and although I understand what she was trying to do, it just didn't work.

Here's the message she wrote under the video:

ATTENTION: I am an actress and performer. I have been so since my first role in a television pilot at five years old. I played a character when I was a Cheetah Girl. I am playing a character in the music video for the song Spectacular, as I did in the Cheetah Girl movies.

The fact is, that sometimes women get intoxicated and have unprotected sex. My video puts this issue front and center. It is absurd to infer or suggest that I am condoning this behavior. Are Lady Gaga and Beyonce advocating murder with the Telephone video? Of, course not. Was Rihanna encouraging suicide with Russian Roulette? No. Was Madonna suggesting that young unmarried girls get pregnant with Papa Don't Preach? I don't think so. Is Academy Award winner Monique a proponent of incest because of her portrayal of Mary in the movie Precious. Clearly, the answer is no.

I wrote Spectacular and made the video to bring attention to a serious women's health and safety issue. Don't shoot the messenger. 

Day 26 - A song by your favorite band

I don't have a favorite band because there are tonsss of groups that I have loved over the years. So I guess I'll just go with the first thing that comes to mind.

I used to be crazy about Jagged Edge so here's one of my favorites from them:

Jagged Edge's "The Rest of Our Lives" from A Jagged Era (1997)

 

Day 25 - An acoustic song you love

Raheem DeVaughn's "Where I Stand" from The Love Experience (2005)

Day 24 - A cover song

Dwele's "Open Your Eyes" from Sketches of a Man (2008)




This is definitely one of my favorite Dwele songs. Mmmm I love that man :)

Here's the original:

Bobby Caldwell's "Open Your Eyes" from Cat in the Hat (1980)

Day 23 - A song that makes you angry

I absolutely hate it when people make songs over that don't need to be made over. When I heard that The Dream was making over Aaliyah's "One in a Million," I cringed just at the thought of hearing it. But I took myself over to YouTube just to see if I was just overreacting. After listening, I knew I was right. He didn't have ANY business making her song over. AT ALL. He shoulda just left it alone. Then I heard that Omarion made it over too and I was just like WHAT??? But after listening, I actually prefer his over The Dream's. Go figure.

The Dream's version:




Omarion's version:

Day 22 - A song that would be the theme song to a TV show about your life

Alicia Keys' "Troubles" from Songs in A Minor (2001)



Sad, but true.

Mini Twists

I used to constantly wear mini twists for the first 2 years of my natural hair journey. It was simple. I'd wash my hair, twist it up, wear the twists for most of the week, then wear a twistout for a few days and start the process all over again. Once I gained some length I started wearing more puffs and out styles. It has been well over a year since the last time I had mini twists.

I used to only twist on wet hair but this time around, I wanted to do it on stretched hair. So Monday I washed & conditioned my hair then braided it up with Shea Moisture Curl Enhancing Smoothie. The next day I took out each braid, finger combed my hair then braided it back up. Yesterday I twisted my hair with some olive oil and Organic Root Stimulator Lock and Twist Gel. I like this gel because its not too sticky, it doesn't leave my hair hard and my twists are smooth and shiny with minimal frizz. After I take down these twists I'm gonna see how this gel will work for a braidout. Anyway, here's a couple of pics of my twists:

So much excitement lol

My hair is pretty fine and there is low density of my strands. So when I twist my hair, it looks like I don't have much hair. Luckily I have enough hair so that my twists aren't scalpy. However, I still don't have enough volume to make my twists look, ummm cute lol. It's a convenient style and if I do it again it will be to take a break from my hair. But just for style reasons? Umm no. Maybe when my hair is longer. Maybe. 

Day 21 - A song you want to dance to at your wedding

I'm gonna take the classic route (or corny, depending on how you feel) and go with the electric slide! Of course I coulda chose a cheesy slow love song because there are tonssss of those. But when I picture my wedding I picture my family blended with his family all excited, laughing and joking, dancing together on the dance floor. Plus, what's a Black wedding without the Electric Slide??? lol

Marcia Griffiths' "Electric Boogie" from Carousel (1990)




Sooo am I the only dodo that didn't know this song was sang by a big deal, hugely famous Jamaican Reggae artist? Please tell me I'm not the only one. Oh, I am? *hangs head in shame and slowly walks away*


Oh and also I'll add my favorite group dance everrrr! The Cha Cha Slide oh yeahh !

Mr. C The Slide Man's "Cha-Cha Slide" from Cha-Cha Slide: The Original Slide Album (2000)




If you know me you know my favorite parts are "hands on your knees" and "how low can you go." Oh best believe I will be breaking it down at my wedding hahaha

Day 20 - A song from a new album you are waiting for to come out

Dwele's "What Profit" from Greater Than One, which will be released August 28, 2012



To put it simply, I LOVE Dwele! I love his mellow, smooth style. I love the fact that he writes beautiful and clever lyrics, produces his own stuff and that he plays so many damn instruments lol. I have all 4 of his previous albums and I am really looking forward to hearing his new stuff :)

Braidout Pt2

Last week, after I wore my great braidout, I decided to try a twistout. So I twisted my hair with Shea Moisture Curl Enhancing Smoothie thinking that I could have decent definition from a dry twistout. Well I was wrong, dead wrong lol. After I twisted my hair, I took one down a few hours later and there was not one wave, curl, nothing. So I swapped my twists for braids and this is how it looked the next day:

This only adds to my love of braidouts. Yeah, I think twistouts have ran their course with my hair.

Day 19 - A song you’re currently obsessed with

There are numerous songs that I have had obsessive moments with - songs that I've had to listen to at least 5 times every time I played them. Usually there's always one song that I can't get out of my head. But right now, I don't have one soooo I'll pick a random song that I love.


Joss Stone's "Proper Nice" from Introducing Joss Stone (2007)



I absolutely love this entire album from beginning to end. It's definitely one of my faves.

Day 18 - A song you have as your ringtone/want to be your ringtone

I haven't had a ringtone in two years. I'm not the least bit interested in having one now. Soooo here's a song that I love so much that I could stand to hear it every time my phone rings.

Cheryl Lynn's "Encore" from Preppie (1983)

Day 17 - A song that annoys you

Nicki Minaj's "Stupid Hoe" from Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded (2012)



 I swear I just lost brain cells -__-

Day 16 - A song that holds a lot of meaning to you

Ledisi's "Lost and Found" from Lost and Found (2007)



I've talked about this song, not once, but twice.

And unfortunately, not much has changed.

I'm working on it...

Day 15 - A song people wouldn’t expect you to like

One day I had my MP3 player on random and a Kelly Clarkson song came on. My friend was a bit taken aback and said he couldn't picture me walking to class with this music playing in my ears. I was a bit offended because while I make it very clear that I love Soul/R&B/Neo-Soul music, that doesn't mean that I can't enjoy other genres. Now I'll admit, most of the non-black artists I listen to have some soul. I love Joss Stone, JoJo, Justin Timberlake and Robin Thicke. And when I was younger I used to love me some 'NSync, Jessica Simpson, Pink and Kelly Clarkson. Shit, I still do lol.


Kelly Clarkson's "Behind These Hazel Eyes" from Breakaway (2004)

Braidout!

After I washed and conditioned my hair, I applied Tresemme Flawless Curls Lotion Creme, aloe vera gel and Nature's Blessings Hair Pomade. I usually do about 10 braids but I felt like doing them smaller so I ended up with 24. I was a bit skeptical and scared that my hair would come out flat. But it came out great! I love the combination of the products, the definition and shine, and the fact that I had some body.

Random back story to the Tresemme's lotion. My old suitemate left her bottle when she moved out in 2010. I brought it home, thinking that I would return it to her when I saw her. Since then she's been to my house, I've been to her house and we've met up quite a few times. Out of all these chances to return it, I never remembered to return it. A few weeks ago, I saw it on my dresser and was like "heeeyyyy, I should try this product out! I mean, she's got to have replaced it since then, right?" So first I did a wash and go but I didn't use gel so it didn't hold up as well as I'm used to. I do like the product though.

Day 14 - A song you like hearing live

ANYTHING by Raheem DeVaughn!!! OMG that man is a beast live! I've been to three of his shows since 2007 and whenever he performs in NYC, I try to go see him. He knows how to give a good show and you always get your money's worth. Also, I love the fact that he has his homie Demont Peekaso on stage creating art as he's singing. It gives the show a great feel and a little something extra.

Raheem DeVaughn's "Ask Yourself" from The Love Experience (2005)
I recorded this video 3/10/08 at B.B. King's



My absolute favorite part of this performance is when everyone on stage drops and the music stops. When the song starts back up again....mmmmm :)

 Raheem DeVaughn's "Marathon" from Love Behind the Melody (2008)
 I recorded this video 3/10/08 at B.B. King's



Dammit. I think I lost my drawers...

Day 13 - A song you sing to in the shower

Vivian Green's "Ain't Nothing But Love" from A Love Story (2002)



This is one of my favorite songs. It just feels so good :)

Day 12 - A song that reminds you of your best friend

Deborah Cox's "Nobody's Supposed to Be Here" from One Wish (1998)


Every time I hear this song I think about the time when me and my bestie sang this as a duet. We sounded...umm...yeah...lol


Brandy's "Best Friend" from Brandy (1994)


I can't hear this song without thinking of my sister. Everything that Brandy is saying about her brother Ray J in this song, I can relate to. I love my sister and whenever I hear this song I dedicate it to her.

Day 11 - A song that reminds you of summer

Amerie's "Why Don't We Fall In Love" from All I Have (2002)

Day 10 - A song that makes you cry

Kelly Rowland's "Stole" from Simply Deep (2002)



Yup. I cry almost every time I listen to this song or watch the video.

Day 9 - A song that makes you want to dance

Michael Jackson's "Don't Stop Til You Get Enough" from Off the Wall (1979)

Frankie Beverly & Maze's "Before I Let Go" from Live in New Orleans (1981)

Day 8 - A song you liked when you were younger

This is a tough one for me.

I grew up in the 90s and that is my favorite decade for music. There are tonssss and tonssss of songs I liked when I was younger. I loved listening to the radio, playing my cassettes and watching Video Music Box. Since I can remember, I've always been in love with music. Me and my sister would record songs off the radio, sing along, and make up dance steps. Since there is so much 90s music to choose from, I'm just not going to choose a song from that decade lol

When I was around 7, I don't know what program I was watching but one day this video came on...



...and I fell in love. Soon after, my love of sexual songs began smh. Since then, this has always been one of my favorite songs.

Here's a longer unedited version:

Mtume's "Juicy Fruit" from Juicy Fruit (1982)




Of course this song has been sampled numerous times. No offense to Biggie or Keyshia Cole, but the original will always be my favorite.

Day 7 - A song that is your guilty pleasure

Ok, I'm just gonna say it...I love Turquoise Jeep! Last year, somehow I ended up watching "Fried or Fertilized" and I sat and watched all of their videos. Then I showed all my friends. We sang and danced along like a bunch of fools but I didn't care cuz it was fun. That's pretty harmless right? The guilty pleasure part of it is that I downloaded most of their songs and put them on my MP3 player. I get a little bit of joy if I'm walking to the store and "Lemme Smang It" comes on. These songs/videos me laugh and I just find their randomness hilarious lol.

So here are a few of my "guilty pleasures" from Turquoise Jeep:

Turquoise Jeep Records: Keep The Jeep Ridin' (2010)

"Fried or Fertilized" by Yung Humma ft. Flynt Flossy & Whatchyamacallit

"Lemme Smang It" by Yung Humma ft. Flynt Flossy

"Why I Gotta Wait??" (Single 2011) by Flynt Flossy ft. Yung Humma




Yes this is a bunch of craziness. But I love it lol 


Go check out their other videos. You know you want to.

Day 6 - A song you can always relate to

Alicia Keys' "The Life" from Songs in A Minor (2001)