New Song: Closer by Consequence ft. Band Camp

I think I'm lovin it!

LISTEN:

DOWNLOAD: here

In Today's News... Trey Songz Interview is Simply TOO MUCH + Real Housewives of Atlanta (Season 2!!)

I wasn't going to say anything about this until I saw that one of my other friends posted it on Facebook... I read it a little earlier & was like "Ummmmm really Trey? Definitely doing TOO MUCH. I didn't need to know all of that.." I guess he just really likes to keep it 100 at all times...

[photo from honeymag.com]

Read this ridiculous blunt, honest, graphic Trey Songz interview with Honey Mag HERE:

In OTHER news...

Tonight is the season two premiere of the Real Housewives of Atlanta on Bravo and I am so excited. They're currently playing a marathon of the first season (and the reunion special is coming up in a few hours), leading up to the premiere TONIGHT AT 10PM! This show is so entertaining... some of the women are just EXTRA!

I'm mad they got rid of DeShawn cuz she was too nice & didn't bring enough drama.. If I was anyone on a show like this, I would be her. Cuz I'd actually be DOING stuff (she's got a foundation for young girls to promote self-esteem) and not being dramatic... Whatever. New girl coming tonight, Kandi Burruss, former member of Xscape (you know, the group with Tiny? haha). I wonder how this'll go. And I just gotta say, I love NeNe, even though she kinda has a big mouth and doesn't always "act right." Get it girl, do you boo!! When I'm rich like this though, I'm not gonna be so dang extravagant. I think I'm still gonna be my cheap old self (just with a little more money to spend) .. YAY!

Post about this crazy Tyra episode I saw last night coming soon... Smh, it was heartbreaking. I truly worry for kids these days.

.. Back to the marathon.

<3

NEW SONGS: "Milk & Honey" by Goapele + "Dirty It Up" by Robin Thicke

Yay! Get em girl.

LISTEN:

DOWNLOAD: here.

Still deciding how I feel about this one.. You know I love Robin but hmm.. Thoughts?

LISTEN:

DOWNLOAD: here.

Beyoncé's New Ad

Beyoncé's ad for her new "Sasha Fierce for Deréon," junior label for Deréon... Pretty cool. I approve! (Don't think I'll buy anything, but I still approve.)

New Video: Everything, Everyday, Everywhere by Fabolous ft. Keri HIlson & Ryan Leslie

Love it! Keri Hilson is so cool & Ryan Leslie is always amazing. I gotta hear the whole cd cuz supposedly it's really good.

Check the cameos... Tamala Jones? Trey Songz? Adrienne Baillon?!!!!

Video + Download: Raheem DeVaughn

"Cocaine Dreams" from his Art of Noise mixtape! I've yet to download/listen to it but I will soon! And you can get it HERE.

Another SMH Moment..

Smh... They shouldn't have even made this commercial. Not good.

Video: Best I Ever Had (Director's Cut)

It's still a hot mess video.... even though Trey Songz makes a small apperance.. Womp womp.

Here's the link to the original video and (most importantly) my opinion on DRAKE and the video in general.

Top 20 Favorite Common Songs

(Yay! Pictures that I actually own!)

From the March 9th concert in Providence, RI - Best birthday present ever.

I think it's entirely TOO HARD for me to pick my favorite song by Common Sense aka Lonnie Lynn Jr aka Common. I've been trying for a while. I've said Forever Begins was, for a while at least, just because I can listen to it at any time & keep it on repeat. I swear, I played it so much I nearly killed it when I first got Finding Forever.

So here I am at nearly 3am contemplating this & trying to figure out what the greatest Common song is and I can't really do it. I'm stuck with a 3-way tie for first... But here is a TENTATIVE list of my top 20 favorite ones. And this is just off the top of my head so I'm probably missing some good ones.

(Once again, let me just say that this is MY top 20 list... and of course, there will be differences in opinion).

1. Forever Begins

Sampled "50 Ways to Leave Your Lover" by Paul Simon <- great song

1. Faithful - with John Legend & Bilal.

This is good for playing when you just wanna hear some nice music, but it's also good for when you're actually listening to lyrics/focusing. This. is. IT...

"I was rolling around, in my mind it occured: What if God was a her? Would I treat her the same? Would I still be running game on her? In what type of ways would I want her? Would I want her for her mind or her heavenly body? Couldn't be out gettin bogus with someone so godly. If I was with her, would I still be wanting my ex? The lies, the greed, the weed, the sex?"

1. They Say - Common + Kanye + John Legend = perfect for me...

"They say life is a game so I play hard, writing for my life cuz I'm scared of a day job..." I'm mad they have this video labeled as KANYE WEST though. Hm..

4. So Far to Go - with D'Angelo

Sampled "Don't Say Goodnight," one of my favorite Isley Brother's songs :)

5. Break My Heart

(this is where the numbering/order gets a little fuzzy... I'm not really sure about it!)

6. The People - with Dwele

4th one on the list so far from Finding Forever? Okaaaaay, get em..

7. Be

Short & sweet.. "... never looking back or too far in front of me, the present is a gift & it just wanna BE"

8. Come Close - with Mary J. Blige

Such a cute video, definitely on my list of favorites. I think people sleep on this song. I could be wrong, but from what I see/hear, they do. This is a really good one.

9. The Light

Samples "Open Your Eyes" by Bobby Caldwell... LOVE THAT SONG! And of course, this is probably one of Common's biggest songs (?) Yay. Love it.

10. Punch Drunk Love - with Kanye West & Pharrell

"Hey baby? Am I crazy? Or was you giving me the eye? ... You say maybe? Well you crazy. Because I know I'm too fly..."

This cd (Universal Mind Control) wasn't necessarily all that, but this is my song. Was my ringtone over winter break and after Rock the Bells I was compelled to do it again.

11. I Used to Love H.E.R.

YESSSSSS. I honestly don't even have anything else to say about it!

12. I Want You - with will.i.am.

Another Finding Forever song :) Cool video too.

13. Testify

Yup yup. Another good video (or 9 minute short film, haha).

14. Go - with Kanye West & John Mayer

3 of my favorite people together. This was probably my favorite Common song back when it first came out.

15. The Food - with Kanye West

Live version > studio version I believe.

16. The 6th Sense

Love this cd, Like Water For Chocolate. Great.

17. I Am Music - with Jill Scott

Okay, everyone HATES on Electric Circus... but Come Close & this song are so good that I don't even really mind.

18. Funky For You - with Bilal & Jill Scott

"...long as it's funkaaay..."

19. G.O.D. (Gaining One's Definition) - with Cee-Lo

20. Announcement - with Pharrell

From Resurrection: 1

From One Day It'll All Make Sense: 1

From Like Water For Chocolate: 3

From Be: 7

From Electric Circus: 2

From Finding Forever: 4

From Universal Mind Control: 2

Mixtapes Downloaded Today ( Lola Maxwell & Nando McFlyy )

[Original post July 26, 9:32 pm]

Just downloaded these two mixtapes by DMV artists today but I've still gotta listen to them all the way through. What I heard on their websites was pretty nice though!

Click the first cover for Lola Maxwell's CHECK THE RHYME!

Visit her blog HERE.

Visit her myspace HERE.

Click the second cover for Nando McFlyy's SUPER LIKE NANDO!

Visit his myspace HERE.

:)

I definitely gotta listen to em & pick my favorites to share with the world. Adios.

*update*

Okay so I've now listened to both of them once completely.

Lola Maxwell favorite: #5 Sour Amaretto

(runners-up: #6 Damsels in Distress, #8 Stop Requested, #7 Chelsea)

Here's the video for Stop Requested... she seems pretty cool from all her pictures & videos (graffiti wall!) & what not.

Nando favorite: #7 I Hate(d) My Job

(runners-up: #8 Get It Right, #5 Kickflip II, #9 Super Nike Nando, #2 Talk To Me)

Here's the video for Super Nike Nando

Song You Should Know: "Love Calls" by Kem

You really should know this song because it's oh so good!

From 2002.

Love Calls by Kem.

New Song: Run This Town by Jay-Z + Kanye West + Rihanna

Download it HERE.

I personally don't really like it: Rihanna's voice is annoying in it and it's not really that great. But that's just me. What do you think?

*Update*

Okay I listened to it maybe 3 times and I officially don't like it. Rihanna has never been all that good to me, she's just had a couple of cool songs that I listened to when they were big/new. I don't ever think "Oh hey, I'm bored, let me go listen to a Rihanna song.." The last Rihanna (solo) song I listened to was in February... :( And that's only because I liked her back when she was new/had more hair/seemed more innocent. But WHATEVER. Her voice is just mad annoying on this track & she takes up most of the song, to be honest.

Now, about Jay-Z: I knew I wasn't crazy the other day when I said he wasn't all that. I've never really been into Mr. Carter that much... he's definitely had great songs & good albums, I probably would've been a huge fan if I listened to all of his old cds. I'm not saying he sucks but he isn't doing that much for me right now and I'm comfortable enough to say now that I don't really care much for him. And that I don't expect his cd to be all that.

Overall: a big thumbs down & a "womp womp" ... This is the 2nd womp related to Rihanna and also the 2nd one related to Kanye. Is that a sign? :/

Chris Brown's Apology...

Blah blah.. I don't even really have anything to say about it, to be honest.

Song You Should Know: "Journey" By Otis & Shugg

I used to hear this alllll the time when I was younger & it still comes on the radio every now and then. Love it!

This is one of those songs where I say... if you don't know it, you betta learn!

Journey.

Otis & Shugg.

1998

produced by Raphael Saadiq (yay!)

Bad Chick : KERI HILSON

The other day I thought I should honor women that I consider to be bad chicks... like women who are just doing it WELL, whether it be in terms of music, fashion, activism, attitude, whatever.

I.

LOVE.

Keri Hilson. She is honestly just TOO FLY. I've recently been opening my eyes to how great she really is. She's a songwriter and a singer from Georgia... and she might as well be a model too, since she looks good in damn near everything she wears. If I only had 10% of her style, I think I'd be doing well. She also seems like a really fun, chill, cool person - all of this combined makes her someone to look up to.

More female celebrities need to get like Ms. Keri because SHE is truly a bad chick.

Her cover of Gnarls Barkely's "Crazy"

Another Best I Ever Had Remix.... (Trey Songz)

Listen to it HERE.

Hm. Well, I had high hopes for my man Trey but it's really not all that hot. I like that it's a little different from the other remixes but it's still not that great. Maybe I'm crazy...

What do you think?

[still love you though Trey! haha]

NEW VIDEO: Make Her Say (Poke Her Face) by Kid Cudi ft. Kanye West & Common

The video is here now! Yay!
& My bad for the name mistake last time... I didn't know it was officially called "Make Her Say" now.. Whatever. All I know is, my man Common is looking good (as usual!). Remember: No one else could've pulled off performing in basketball shorts & a tshirt :)

*PREVIEW* New Video: Poke Her Face (Make Her Say) by Kid Cudi ft. Common & Kanye West

I didn't really like the song when I first heard it but it's growing on me... Maybe Kid Cudi in general needs to grow on me too. Hm... Anyway, it looks like it could be cute/good!

New Song: Despicable Me by Pharrell

Download it HERE!

Well, It's Official...

I made a Twitter account.

After 6+ months of complaining about it & hating on it because it was just another pointless way to stay constantly connected to people & to have all your business out there as if someone actually really cares what you're doing every second.... I finally did it. And no, it's not necessarily because I love facebook so much I want to be all over something a similar. It's because I wanna be able to follow musicians and public figures, news sites and organizations, and all that. It's also going to be connected to this blog, so if anyone isn't trying to sign in / make a gmail account to follow this, you can follow it/me on twitter & get the updates. You can ignore all the other random updates I may possibly do though!!

:)

twitter.com/FOREVER_begins

(Or you could just not follow it at all. And stay away from twitter. I honestly wouldn't blame you or be mad. Cuz I should've stayed away !!!!)

-----

More to come [hopefully] soon. I need to stop staying up till 5am though. GOODNIGHT.

Words of Advice

"I'd like to dedicate this to all of the Creator's righteous children.

I have some food in my bag for you.

Not that edible food -- that food you eat? no...

I have some food for thought.

Since knowledge is infinite,

It has infinitely fell on me, so um..."

Erykah knows what's up.

As I've lived these short 19 years of my life, I guess I can say I've learned a little bit. I've picked up a few things here & there and stored them away in the little pockets of my brain, hoping to be able to find them when I really need them. So here is a list of tips, advice, words of wisdom from the fresh young mind of a 19-year-old, self-proclaimed "old lady." Some are funny, some are random, some are taken from songs, some were inspired by my own life, some were inspired by the people around me.

I just hope someone actually reads them. And I'll probably come back and add to this when necessary.

:)

1. Do NOT try to holla at a girl while you're working.

2. ... And if you do, don't ask her if she wants to try on the lacy panties hanging up in your store. I don't think that's gonna go over too well.

3. Don't give a girl the eye or try to holla while she's with her parents.

4. If your parents are protective of you (no matter the extent), just know that they do it because they (more than likely) love you.

5. Live your life like it's golden (thank you Jill Scott!).

6. If you're ever feeling down, or you need something to pump you up before you take a test: listen to "Just Fine" by Mary J. Blige. I swear by it - I've done it for every test since I started college.

7. Also: right before you go to sleep, make a list of things encouraging yourself ["I will pass this test!" "I can do anything!" "The Lord will make a way some how!"] on Word or something, make it pretty/colorful, and minimize it. When you wake up, get on the computer, bring the window up, and read it. It'll make you feel better.

8. When it comes to relationships, the question should always be "WHY am I with this person?" not "WHY NOT?"

9. Avoid creepers at all costs. Not matter how cute/fine/sexy they are. Please.

10. Remember that sometimes people will say anything to get what they want. Be sure other people have the right intentions...

11. That being said, make sure YOU have the right intentions. (That goes for any decision you make or any action you take).

12. Don't hang with a group & talk about how you hate certain people... and then go hang out with those people like you weren't just talking mess about them. That's called immaturity.

13. Not everyone is going to like you... but it's okay.

14. You can't change someone who doesn't want to be changed. NO MATTER HOW HARD YOU TRY.

15. Don't accept the mean, the reckless, the insensitive, or the harmful way people treat you, even if you know the reason behind it.

16. If ALL of your friends are telling you (for WEEKS) a guy (or girl) is bad, and can point out specific reasons or examples why, maybe you give it some serious consideration...

17. Don't be afraid to communicate with the people in your life. I know, it's hard sometimes, but better to say something and have it not work, than to not say anything and wonder how things would have been different if you had.

18. Pick your friends like you pick your fruit. -- Erykah

19. Don't waste your time trying to be what you're not... & don't waste your time trying to get what others got. -- Erykah

20. Please wear clothes that fit you... please.

21. Guys, don't ask a girl you haven't even SPOKEN TO for her number, just cuz she's cute.

22. Girls, don't give it to them!!

23. Don't make a whole facebook album of you & your significant other lying in bed, kissing each other. If you really want the world to see that you know how to kiss each other, maybe put up ONE picture, as a default.

24. Do NOT make out on the dance floor. I'll say everybody has one chance to do that, but anymore than that & it's unforgivable. That mess is not cute.

25. Care for other people. You can't live in this world all alone.

26. That being said, don't care for people so much that you forget to care for yourself. That is of the utmost importance.

27. Don't overuse the word 'hater.'

28. Don't think you're superior than others because of your: taste in music, your clothing style, your money, your job, your hometown, your relationship status, or your looks.

29. Don't pressure anyone into doing anything they really & truly don't want to do and if it's not going to help them in any way. That goes for weed, sex, alcohol, bungee jumping, stealing, sneaking out of the house... EVERYTHING.

30. If you're going to drink, please don't be a mess. Again, I'll give everyone one or two chances to be a mess in public, but after that, it's a wrap.

31. Don't automatically assume that someone who doesn't talk to you much / someone who you are intimidated by is stuck-up. Sometimes they are... but often, they're not. They're just shy. Or quiet.

32. Don't try to get with the same girl your best friend is trying to get with, especially when you guys have talked about it.

33. Don't spend your money like its endless. Be logical.

34. Remember to thank the people in your life who have always been there for you.

35. Ladies: don't accept any guy yelling at you, cursing at you, or disrespecting you. You deserve better.

36. Guys: the same thing goes for you. I know all the negative attention is always on the guys, but there are plenty of horrible girlfriends out there too.

37. Don't leave your drink unattended at a party, bar, club, whatever! That ain't safe!

38. Everybody was made in the image of God, so unless they have done something to themselves (bad makeup, bad weave, bad plastic surgery, poorly fitting clothing), you really have no right to talk badly about how they look. We all do it (I definitely do), but it's still no good.

39. YOU were made in the image of God, so remember it when you're feeling like you don't look good.

40. Open your eyes: there are amazing people and things in life that go overlooked & ignored.

41. The perfect person for you may be right under your nose. But you're just not looking...

42. YOU CANNOT CONTROL EVERYTHING / OTHER PEOPLE. You may be able to INFLUENCE, but you cannot CONTROL.

43. Be open to other perspectives. You don't have to agree, but you do have to be respectful.

44. Know when to stand up & give your opinion...

45. But don't always be pressed to make everyone else think like you. You may just turn them completely off from your idea/opinion. Womp womp.

46. NICE GUYS: I'm sorry you get often the shaft when it comes to girls. Just wait, you're the ones they'll all want/need in their lives. You're a commodity. Remember that. Don't try to change please.

47. BAD BOYS: Enjoy it now cuz it won't last unless you change. No one can settle with a true bad boy forever.

48. GIRLS: Give nice guys a chance! And stop lusting after those hot mess, dangerous, bad boys.

49. An obvious one I've forgotten to say... but obviously a lot of people must not know: don't be having sex until you're ready and you can do it RESPONSIBILY. Nature may tell you that you may be physically ready but that doesn't necessarily mean you're emotionally ready.

50. You're not the sun. Nor are you the Son. The world doesn't revolve around you... so stop thinking it does. And stop being so selfish.

51. "You are who you surround yourself with."

More to come... :)

*SUBMIT YOUR OWN TOO*

ROCK THE BELLS 2009

Yesterday (well, July 12), I went to Rock the Bells in Maryland with my friends... and had a great time! It was ridiculously hot (like, I was melting in the sun/heat. and now my face looks burnt/crispy) + I was feeling sick + they wouldn't let us bring in our lawn chairs + there were some HOT MESS people sitting next to us who kept dancing around & messing people's stuff up & acting like hooligans ... but it was ALL WORTH IT.

This year was my first time going and I'm so glad I did. Definitely doing it again next year. It was perfect: it started cooling off right when my favorite people were coming on. My boo (the original boo, before Trey Songz!) Common aka Common Sense aka Lonnie Lynn Jr. performed & I was too happy. Dude rolled up on stage in some basketball shorts & still worked it. Surprisingly he didn't do "The Light" but it was okay. I just wish he could've gone longer. It definitely didn't top when I saw him for my birthday in Providence because this was a shorter performance and we weren't up close to him... but it was still great. It's a great feeling to hear the intro to a song and know what's coming. Getting all hype about your favorite songs is nice. When Talib Kweli & Hi-Tek before Common, Talib started doing "Get Em High" but stopped and was like ".. Y'all ain't ready for that yet!" So when Common brought him back out during his performance, we definitely thought they were gonna do it together. Haha. Love that song!

Big Boi came out & did a bunch of Outkast songs, which was really entertaining. I had forgotten about some of those songs... Outkast was/is great. I wish I had been more into them when I was growing up. The Roots performed but at that point I was kind of out of it. Then Busta Rhymes came on with his ol' chunky self... He got so big, I think he just couldn't keep it going. "We gotta fit 20 years of history... into 20 minutes" or some mess like that. We know, we know... He played like 30 seconds of a song & then stop. It was frustrating, but I still had a great time when he came out. Definitely the most fun! But I have to say, I wish he didn't do "Arab Money." That song is whack. That also reminds me, Tech N9ne is some mess. Never listening to Tech N9ne ever. I like Chali 2na, he was cool. K'Naan was alright, but I wouldn't really listen to him too much I don't think... ANYWAY, Nas was the last act. Damian Marley was supposed to be with him, but he wasn't there. I was sad cuz I wanted them to do their new song "As We Are"... I've been listening to the 1 minute snippet every day for the past two or three weeks. We didn't stay till the very end of Nas but it was all good cuz I had just seen him in April for Brown's Spring Weekend... front row center, that was the best.

Sigh... that was a really disorganized/rambling recap but overall I must say: I had a good time and can't wait to go again next year!

Old Favorite: Casanova by Ultimate Kaos

"I am not your Casanova. Me & Romeo have never been friends..."

Yesssssssss... never sick of it. I dunno who all remembers this but I think I'll be listening to it forever. I love it when songs remind me of when I was younger or of certain events in my life. It makes me think I'll be remembering my childhood forever because I'll definitely never stop listening to songs like this.

[the VIDEO.]

-----

I need to get up on this. It's been a week. Time to actually put some of my thoughts out there.

Rock the Bells thoughts & much more to come sooooon...

My Wedding Song : This Will Be by Natalie Cole

I want a fast & a slow one. And this is most definitely the fast.

:)

Love this song!!! & Look at how pretty her eyes are.

New Video: BEST I EVER HAD by DRAKE

Of course, I used to watch Degrassi, so I knew who Aubrey Graham was. When my friend played a song for me at the end of January, I couldn't believe it was the same person as lil Jimmy from the show. I admit, I liked the song.

Am I really crazy for not being as hype about Drake as everyone else is?! ... I actually don't think I am. He's definitely really talented. I won't deny that I bump Drake songs all the time - in my car, on my iPod, & in my room. "Closer" & "Houstatlantavegas" are two of my favorites. He's definitely better than a lot of other people who get played on the radio...

BUT, that being say, I think he is slightly overrated. People are doing too much. Yes, it's pretty fly that he's got so much buzz around him & he hasn't even released an album. He's on the radio cuz of his mixtapes. Wonderful. But if I hear one more girl say anything like "OoOoohhh it's my boo Drake!!" or "He's so fine, he's so sexy." or "Oh yeah, Drake is my baby daddy!!!"... I might explode.

Y'all don't even know how unexcited I was to see him at the BET Awards. For real though. I mean, if I had done my BET Awards response like I've been meaning to, you would've known how disappointed it was that Young Money was the second to last performance. Womp womp...

Here's the video to Best I Ever Had (another song I love btw... but still. lol whatever)

*****UPDATED: 3:00 AM******

So I've finally officially watched the video. And all I can do is give it three W's: one for WHACK & two for WOMP WOMP. This was the most pointless video I've ever seen. No actually probably not the most pointless, but other pointless videos are at least entertaining or visually interesting. This was so whack. All it had was greased up girls running around & stretching in short shorts and shirts with no bras. All that running probably hurt, I'm telling you. Big boobs + running - bra = BAD NEWS BEARS. And when they had they little moments where he was talking, it was still no good. I normally like his voice & figured, "Oh maybe this can help save the video"... but no. It didn't. The "take the d" part was funny but not redeeming.... And I'm mad Kanye directed this. It really looks like no one directed it. Another whack video associated with Kanye (this one & Paranoid). The basketball thing could've been cool, but it just didn't work out at all. Nor did the video at all go with the song.

Only thing I liked in this: Drake's sweater.

The end.

New Video: Under by Pleasure P

This is his second video (right?) and once again he does that thing where he has some lil makeshift stage where he's singing/performing with dancers in the background. And once again, the dancers are the best part / the highlight of the video... I'm not complaining or saying it's bad or anything, I'm just pointing it out lol. Anyway, I'm a lil ashamed to say that Pleasure P isn't all that bad... I mean he's not ever gonna reach favorite artist status, but he definitely doesn't suck completely like his group Pretty Ricky does. HA.

PS. Love Tia :) Why isn't Tamara getting as much attention as her sister? Womp womp.

NEW MIXTAPE DOWNLOAD - Trey Songz : Anticipation

Just downloaded it... I've only listened to two songs (Make It Rain & Showerlude) which I got from hiphopearly like an hour or two ago.. but you know I love my boy Trey :)

Download HERE.