Isabel Marant Sneakers

OK,
I'm not really into high tops. They have never been my thing as I think they look weird on feet as large as mine. I rock Puma and Asics all day. Ok, enough free publicity. I saw these shoes in the Beyonce video for "Love on Top" and thought "Wow, Beyonce isn't wearing heels for once" The ones she wore in the video were all black but I actually liked them. I just found out that they in fact, do have a heel. They have 3.5" hidden heel. Once again Beyonce hasn't let me down.

New Video: You Da One

So this is one of the standout tracks for me on "Talk That Talk" I love the airy, fun vibe this song and I was glad she chose this as a single. It's nice to get a break from heartache and heart break (and getting beat up by Chris Brown--I won't let that go, I don't care how many hot songs he puts out) and talk about being in love for a minute.

This video was shot by Melina who shot "Rude Boy" and "S&M" Melina makes good videos but often recycles and just flat out bites other people's style (see: S&M video and anything by David LaChapelle)THis time around she bites herself, as this feels like a rehash of "Rude Boy" I would have avoided any references to Rude Boy" as the song itself has the same island/ raggamuffin vibe, so you would probably want steer the video elsewhere (but that's just my not so humble opinion)Hell, she even does some of the same dances. And the styling is in the same vein as the Armani Ad Rihanna shot.

I know it sounds like I am hating on the video, but I'm not. It's a simple beauty video. Rihanna looks amazing and the video is well shot. Not every video is going to have an intense story like "We Found Love" and I accept that (side eye to Lady Gaga) Let the record show that I love how the smoke coming out of her mouth spells out lyrics. I fear that people will follow suit. I still see people trying to rock RiRi Red hair and it makes me cry inside. Now I'm going to see a bunch of chicks picking up Newports trying to smoke and be sexy. I propose that next video Rihanna picks up a book or a college degree! Ok, that's a lie. I like her best when she's being bad and inappropriate!

Thanks for the early Christmas gift, Rihanna! Sorry I didn't get you anything. But hey, I actually bought (yes paid for) your CD, so that should be good enough!

Art of Celebration

So this new ad for Ciroc came out recently. I have to admit, that I feel pretty lame being about liquor endorsed by rappers, but I was converted during the Robyn concert by a bartender. She turned me on to Ciroc Redberry, and it was game over. What exactly is a redberry? I have no fucking idea, but it makes for a divine vodka. Enough talk about this smooth deliciousness of Ciroc, as I am starting to get hella thirsty and it's only 11am. However, I am OFF, and it's 5pm in Amsterdam so I guess it's GAME ON!

I am posting this ad because I think it's really well shot. Visually it's stunning. It is taking everything in me to stop myself from buying a ticket to Vegas and a case of Ciroc. Anthony Mandler directed. He is the guy behind many of Rihanna's most dramatical videos, and this one has the same cinematic feel to it. Diddy is surrounded by Eva Marcille (of ANTM fame), Chad Michael Murray (who is hot but seems kinda douche-y, but is still HOT) and Jesse Williams (who is just flat out beautiful) This ad is well cast and makes me feel kinda bad about my life right now. I'm sure Ciroc and Vegas would cure whatever it is that ails me...

Lessons in Cunty Dramacality

Ok,
so without owning a tv, I have to be very selective in what shows I watch. I don't watch X Factor as I think it'd be annoying as hell to keep up with and impossible to not have it ruined by people on Facebook. I will say that I saw part of an episode and thought that it was a pretty cool concept. I do loves me some Nicole Scherzinger and I'm always just sitting on the edge of my seat waiting for Paula to stumble into some crazy ass comment that would surely make my day.

Anyway, so last week I saw people online basically cursing the day Nicole was born. She has received a whole lot of backlash over a voting decision that ultimately sent Rachel Crow home. I really don't give a flying fuck about the votes and blah blah blah. What I do care about is the video that resulted. I mean honestly! This, right here... THis right HERE is a lesson in cunty dramacality. I know neither of those words really exist, but I don't think that words in existence can give justice to the red level amounts of raw emotion in this clip.

1.) We have an adorable pre teen (I think? I didn't feel like Googling it to verify) whose dream may/may not be crushed

2.) We have Nicole giving a long ass speech as to why she voted the way she did. The whole time she is fighting tears and boos

3.) We have a collapse on stage (she straight up gave me black woman at a funeral fever with that one) The other contestant tries to help but is pushed away by the host.

4.) We have a mother comforting her crying child on stage while she blubbers 'You promised!'

5.) We still have Nicole crying. This time Paula throws herself over Nicole in an act of one upsmanship.

6.) We have the girl giving an Evita-esque exit speech after her dramatic montage is played.

Well played Simon and friends. I think I am hooked from here on out.

Talk That Talk

Last week Rihanna released her SIXTH album, "Talk That Talk" I know that she is still getting radio spins off last year's "Loud" but that wasn't enough for our girl. In true Rihanna fashion, she rushed back to the lab and put out another album. Initially she made it seem like this was going to be a re-release of "Loud" just in time to milk some extra sales out before holiday. Thankfully she just went ahead and did a full album. I freaking hate re-releases and think they punish true fans and are lazy as hell.I don't think she was taking my emotions into account when she and her people made the decision, but I sure as hell would like to think so.



TTT is lead off by the amazingly infectious single "We Found Love" I freaking love the song and apparently I'm not alone as I'm hearing it played everywhere. I think this single is kind of what I was wanting when Rihanna talked about wanting to get loud and dance on the album "Loud" which was good in my opinion, but not as dance-y as she hinted. I hated it with people from Barbados play with my emotions like that. The follow up single "You Da One" was penned by one of my fave writes, Ester Dean and has promise to be pretty big as well.


Ok, so Rihanna has a new album with a bunch of successful singles, what else is new? WELL, my whole point to this is I am kind of surprised to see that Rihanna has never had a number one debut. According to recent numbers TTT won't help her break that slump. She is poised to sell 197K in her opening week, putting her at a solid #3 behind NICKELBACK (I know, I thought they were dead too) and Michael Buble's Christmas offering. Looks like baby Jesus is having a stellar week on Billboard. I must say that 200k isn't a bad showing, but Rihanna is supposed to be the IT girl right now. She has a legion of fans (dubbed the navy) who are hardcore and quick to come to her defense. Where was the Navy when it came time to shell out 9.99 (or 13.99 for that good-good deluxe)?


Most will look to the fact that the album leaked two weeks before the release date. Everyone's album now leaks beforehand. Look at Drake: his album leaked hardcore yet he was still able to pull out a respectable debut of 631k. I know people who actually got Drake on bootleg and STILL bought the album when it came out. That is what I call a true fan. Well kind of. I guess a true fan would buy it regardless, but we are in the age or "try it before you buy it" so I guess music is no different. Now artists have to prove why you should actually go out and buy a CD instead of streaming it on Spotify or downloading illegally. I actually resisted the advance copy I had sitting in my Dropbox for a week (thanks Max!) because I wanted to do this CD right. I wanted to buy it, look at the album art, read the liner notes and hear it from start to finish the way it was intended to be heard. I usually reserve this treatment for people I respect and like (sorry Kesha)and I'm glad I did. I thought this was a pretty solid effort. My main complaint is that "Birthday Cake" is only 1:18. Girl, why you toying with me?! "Cockiness" also stands out as pretty huge track.


So what's my advice? WELL, I think Rihanna could do well with a healthy does of girlsitthehelldownforaminute. I get that she is striking while the iron is hot and while Beyonce is pregnant, but I think some time off would be a good idea. Give people a little time to miss her. I know even I had a moment of "I feel like I JUST bought a Rihanna CD" when I was in line at Target. She is lucky enough to not be Ciara and actually have label support, so she has to hustle a little less harder when she is ready to come back. Maybe she could write a sternly worded tweet to the army, shunning them for being such broke and raggedy bitches. OR, she could just continue doing what it is that she's been doing. Double digit #1's is nothing to scoff at. I'm pretty sure she's still getting paid (better than me) so I'm not about to go run to my prayer circle to lift her up just yet...

Basic Bitches PLEASE Sit Down

Ok, so above are two shoes: Shoe 1 comes to us from D Squared and is called the SKATE MOSS (haha, I love this name) boot. It was inspired by, skating. If you didn't know that you are dumb. SO dumb. Shoe 2: is from Alain Payson and was seen on Beyonce yesterday, which means that this might be a trend to look out for. Now I know Beyonce has a way of doing things that make people think "damn, why didn't I do that?!" but I don't think this shoe is for everyone. This shoe is for bad bitches only. Actually, I stand corrected: this is for bad bitches with GREAT balance. This is not, by any means appropriate footwear for expectant mothers or broads who just tend to trip a whole lot. You have all been warned. Feel free to do Beyonce things when you are umm, Beyonce.

Thowback Joint: Country Grammar

Today's throwback joint is dedicated to the Cards and their World Series win. I feel like this is how the streets of STL are looking right about now: a bunch of dudes kicking it by their 'lacs while a bunch of hoochies dance and pop their coochies around them. God bless the Lou!

New Video: 25/8

Mary J Blige is back and ready to serve up a warm serving of raw emotion for her new single, 25/8. She took the time to explain the song which I thought was pretty damned self explanatory, but whatever. It's about needing more time to love someone. Cute. MJB looks really good and her performance scenes are filled with cunty dramacality. I know neither of those words exist, but if Mary can be talking about 25/8 then I feel free to make up my own shit. Boom.

The Only Broad to Survive ANTM

I have always loved Eva from ANTM. I loved her cycle and I loved her over the top personality. I am glad to see that she actually escaped the ANTM curse and is actually getting paid to be pretty and smize. Tyra must be somewhere feeling really proud right now. This shot also features Jessica White, who is notorious for having a HORRIBLE temper and for beating bitches up. It's funny that she is giving us all Naomi Campbell fever. Coincidence? Girl, stop!

Ok, so I have really been into this artist called Bridget Kelly. She just dropped an EP this week called "Every Girl" and I really like the outcome. She definitely has an Alicia Keys vibe to her, and got a lot of attention on Jay Z's tour singing Alicia's part on "Empire State of Mind" I like the songs "Seek and Destroy" "White Lies" and "Thinking About Forever" Get her EP for free at http://www.bridgetkelly.com

New Video: Angry Girl

I'm not sure if this is TRULY a video, but at the rate things are going for Syleena Johnson, I'm going to guess this is probably all we are going to see for this song. So this song comes to us from two AWESOME R&B singers who have been struggling to keep their heads above water in the music industry. Kinda sad. I, for one, LOVE Syleena's deep and throaty (tee hee) voice and enjoy her music. Tweets "Southern Hummingbird" STILL puts me through it.

Good to see them both on a track talking real talk to those "Angry Girls" out there who ruin it for everyone else. Everyone knows an angry girl, and if you don't you are probably her. (or him)

You. Betta. WORK.

I woke up today groggy as hell and came across this photo on Nicole Bitchie.com and I instantly knew why I woke up. How this girl has remained relevant post "Precious" is BEYOND me. TO her I say: Go on and get cha money, whore!!

In my head Gabby is humming Kanye's "Can't Tell Me Nothing" which makes this shot even better.

Coco and Breezy

So I might be lame (ok, we both know that's a lie) but I have never heard of Coco and Breezy. Thanks to a cameo in Beyonce's video for "Party" I just googled them and found out that they design sunglasses. They are responsible for these shades. Bless these women. Their glasses are pretty dope and I would love a pair. *"You DO know it's about to be Christmas, right?" side eye*

Statute of Limitations

OK,
I don't know if people know this but I am not a lawyer. Well at least not in the state of Florida. At any rate, I do know a thing or two about statutes of limitations. The statue of which I am speaking is in regards to calling someone out. You are all probably in the dark so let me get you up to speed:

Like 6 months ago I go out to the club and end up chatting up some kid outside. He seems nice and I find out he's alone and I invite him to hang with me and my friends. He proceeds to be all up on me and I'm instantly over the situation. He proceeds to call and text me and I just ignore him. He moves away to his home state and I think I'm in the clear.

WRONG.

I am minding my own last week when I got a text from a number that I didn't know. The text said "was gud?" I was racking my brain and couldn't think or anyone that illiterate so I guessed it was a wrong number.

WRONG.

He called me and them reminded me of who he was. THen he went on to tell me that I "dogged him out" Like seriously? I was taken aback. I mean. Had he called back in May, I might have expected it, but to call half a year later? Damn! Needless to say the conversation was HELLA awkward, but I made it through. I felt like an asshole and I don't like being the type of person who hurts others. I tried to put myself in his shoes but then I remembered that I'm not nearly as extra, or masochistic as he is.

SO this long ass story does have a point: When someone plays you, you need to act a damned donkey right then and there! Can't do it then? Well you have a week to do so. Anything after that makes you look hungry and desperate. The person you are trying to call out is going to give you that "are you really STILL talking about this?" expression, so save face. Do it in the moment or soon thereafter or just let it go and let gawd handle it. A smart check is to delete the fucker's number from your phone as soon as shit goes down. 1.) It saves you from texting/calling them later on (even worse when you've been drinking) and 2.) It always leads to that awkward "WHO IS THIS!?" text response, which in itself is a great way to check someone.

My wine is done and lawyerly speaking, so am I.

New Video: PARTY

So Beyonce unleashes yet ANOTHER video off her "4" CD. I really am not sure what her thought process behind putting out 3 videos in one month is. Her label came out and said they were ready and willing to promote this CD for a long ass time as they believed in her vision. Mind you this is when "Run the World" was seen as a flop. Not sure what's going on, but I'll take Beyonce videos all damned day.

I have been waiting to see the visuals for this track from the moment that I heard that she was filming it in a *gay gasp* trailer park!! Sounds ridiculous, but I have always had a slight fascination with them. When I was younger and really into photography, I had envisioned high fashion in a trailer park and thought the juxtaposition would be GENIUS.(File this under "I knew I was gay when...") Apparently Beyonce thought the same damned thing. She is forever "borrowing" from great artists, so I feel quite special. Now, feel free to cut me a check. Thanks!

The video has a chill, summertime vibe, which makes me wonder why it is being released in the dead of fall? The party looks like SO much fun and I really wish I would have been invited. You know who else probably feels the same way? MICHELLE WILLIAMS. Kelly Rowland and Solange (who looks a LOT like dancehall star Patra) are all up in the clip, and Shelly can't be found ANYWHERE. What gives? IT's not like she's busy.

I see that Bey switched the rappers from Andre 3000 to J Cole. Smart Move. J Cole is hot right now AND on her baby daddy's label. Cha Ching bitches! I do think I prefer Andre on this song. I like the flow he brought and I think he would have it into this video concept better than J Cole. He has a bit more hipster style than J.

Overall, I like the video and think it's shot well. Much of it looks like outtakes from a fashion shoot and I love that. Now I just need to find myself a good ass house party to attend (hopefully in somewhere a bit more fabulous than a trailer park...)

Throwback Joint 9.21.11

So today's throwback joint came to me because of my love of things that Black people are supposed to love. I am lazy and refused to grocery shop, so I bought an 8 piece of fried chicken from Publix to tide me over. I don't know if anyone has ever tried it, but honey and fried chicken is AMAZING. Get into it STAT. So anyway, after having some chicken, I wanted something sweet, so I cut myself some watermelon from the farmer's market. I was let down, as I have been getting watermelons from my grocery store (which I am sure if filled with pesticides and other bad shit that would make me want to buy local) and they were sweet as hell, but this one just tasted like a whole lot of nothing. I am not one to waste a good watermelon, so I thought 'what would Mariah Carey do?" and then I was like "duh, drizzle some honey on that shit and keep it moving" Once again I was saved by Mariah.

So yesterday I am on Facebook and I see an ad telling me that September is national honey month (in addition to National Latino Heritage Month) and I thought it was a sign. I had to really get into Mariah's Honey and make it today's throwback joint. I am not one to fuck with signs that the universe tries to send me.

This video is genius. I remember when it first came out. Mariah looked AMAZING. I wasn't used to seeing her ankles and she was running around in that Bond-esque swim suit and Gucci heels. My little zesty heart couldn't cope with it! Mariah is acting in this clip which should have all given us a glimpse into why "Glitter" was doomed from the jump. We see her dancing for the first (and last I believe) time. Listening to it today makes me wish hear Mariah belt out and sing. Keep the dancing and acting though. Thanks.