Dope Girls Brunch

One of my girls, Mary Pryor of We Fancy Agency, who I greatly admire put together a brunch today for a group of like-minded women to come together and discuss their fears and set-backs in their life/careers. This is the second meeting which Mary had created and will continue on a weekly basis until the main event in September in a loft. Firstly, let me explain why I admire someone like her.. She is intensely self-motivated, driven, creative, intelligent and sociable. But the crazy thing is … she’s unemployed. She has been going through a lot of life and career challenges but despite all that, she still manages to work on projects and host an event like this. Each week the meeting will present a new topic of discussion and new women invited but of course once you’ve attended one, you can go to the next one. I made a few new friends who I wouldn’t normally meet on a regular basis. The purpose is that the safe-space created allowed us to confide in each other and provided helpful insights and encouragement to create something positive. Without a meeting in this environment, it would have probably taken months or perhaps never for some of the people to open up or provide new opportunities that may have not existed otherwise. The diversity of the group also makes it an interesting dynamic. Even from backgrounds in dance, art to marketing to music, we were all able to relate and contribute to each other’s opinions. If I can say, this is the one thing positive about being in a shitty economy. It is a humbling experience and it brings people together.

Superbad BDAY

Tonight

Introduction of Softwear by Microsoft
This an exclusive and private event. Admittance is by invitation only.
Invite is non-transferable.

Featuring the official unveiling of the apparel line designs inspired and created by actor and Grammy winning Hip Hop artist COMMON

December 3rd
8:00pm – 12:00am

Hosted by COMMON
Music By DJ Biz Markie

Foreign Exchange is coming!!!

Foreign Exchange

I’m so excited! I’ve been a fan since my friend, Jen, turned me on to them last year. And finally they are going to be in town in November to perform.

“Four years after the release of their critically acclaimed debut “Connected,” The Foreign Exchange returns with their sophomore set, “Leave It All Behind.”

Consisting of singer/songwriter Phonte and producer Nicolay, The Foreign Exchange came together via the online hip-hop community Okayplayer.com in 2002. After trading files through Instant Messenger for over a year, Nicolay (living in his native Holland at the time) and Phonte (a Raleigh, NC resident) completed their debut album before they ever met each other in person. The album, “Connected,” was released in 2004 to positive reviews, and was praised by legendary DJ’s such as Jazzy Jeff, King Britt, and DJ Spinna for its inventive mix of hip-hop, R&B, and electronica.

“Leave It All Behind” finds The Foreign Exchange much closer in geography (Nicolay has since become a resident of Wilmington, NC), but located much further from their hip-hop origins. The duo’s second full-length is a dark, multilayered affair that features Phonte showcasing his abilities as an exceptional lead and harmony vocalist, while Nicolay extends his musical palette to include sprinklings of jazz, downtempo, and house. The lush, Darien Brockington-assisted “Take Off the Blues” picks up where Connected’s sleeper hit “Come Around” left off, while the complex polyrhythms and dreamy synthesizers of “Sweeter Than You” are described by Phonte as “swing jazz for the next century.” Marc Mac (of legendary UK production team 4hero), also contributes a string arrangement to the duo’s glorious cover of Stevie Wonder’s oft-forgotten 1991 gem, “If She Breaks Your Heart.”

In addition to appearances from longtime FE affiliates Darien Brockington and Yahzarah, the album also features guest shots from producer/keyboardist Zo! and vocalist Muhsinah.”

They will be performing on November 15th at Highline Ballroom.

Peep website: http://www.theforeignexchangemusic.com/

Show info: http://www.fusicology.com/new/index/events/detail.cfm?id=17934&rid=3

Raphael Saadiq

This man has been around for a minute. He delivers on all fronts when it comes to good vibin’ music with the blues, soul, etc etc. His next performance is coming up and you might just kick yourself in the ass for not going. Cop tickets to go to the show. Bring your friends, girlfriends, moms, dads… Check out SOBS FOR MORE INFO : http://www.sobs.com It’s going to sell out so get it fastttt!!!

MILK studios BBQ and Fantastic!

Party at the MILK 10th Anniversary BBQ where there was free flowing alcohol, bbq, skaters, art, photographers, alcoholics, rock bands and more.

The night ended at Sutra where my favorite artists were in the house. Thanks to the TASTE CREW.

Dwele and I

Dwele – Sketches of a Man

Dwele’s long awaited album, “Sketches of a Man”, finally drops in stores today. Containing 20 tracks with the single “I’m Cheatin”, reviews from friends who got early copies have been positive. I’m excited. =)

Last night’s show was SOLD OUT at SOBs. I arrived at 7pm to set up and there was already a line of people waiting to get in. I heard word from Kozza of SOBs that one of the first ladies standing in line hoping to get tickets had driven from Virginia, picked up her friend in Philly and headed to NY just to see Dwele. True fans indeed.

Human graciously offered to help me take a picture with Dwele. I was beside myself. I don’t think I have ever thought of meeting an artist whom I absolutely love and I had planned on the way to the show to prepare a list of questions to ask but when the moment came, the conversation sounded so forced and unnatural from me that I squashed that idea.

I remember  walking in the back area and introducing myself, also mentioning that I work for Asya, shook his hand and he was the nicest guy. As I stood next to him to take the picture…. the right side of my face could not stop twitching. I probably look like i had face spasms. It wasn’t a good look. But without a doubt, that was the highlight of my night.

Ayo opened up the stage for the night. She reminds me a bit of Amel Larrieux with her child-like quality. Ayo’s music was great. She sang with her heart, blew me away during “Down on my knees” and even got in the audience to dance with everyone.

Dwele maintained a smooth and sexy steez throughout his show. He charmed the ladies and sang to them including the new hit “I’m Cheatin’”. Dwele broke it down for the audience what the song is about which is NOT about cheating on his girl with a different girl. Figure it out. The venue was packed adoring fans which created an excellent dynamic for the show. Now that I’ve got to meet him and see him perform, all I have to do is listen to the album.

 

Wednesday Night parties

Wednesday night has got to be the hottest day of the week. From weekly parties to random one-offs, there’s no shortage of places to be at!

I finally checked out The Upstairs hosted by the lovely Fiona Bloom. The venue was sophisticated and it was the perfect setting for an after-work crowd.  I invited my high school friend, Gina, to come along. We haven’t seen each other basically since we graduated in 1999. My god, I’m old. It was good to catch up and reminiesce the old times when we were silly and irresponsible. Now we’re just silly. We met a few new folks including a brand ambassador of Sagatiba, re-connected with Lauren of NextAid,  Maya Azucena and hung out a bit with the regular party people… DJ Parler, Derreck and Human. If you haven’t checked out the spot, you’re missing out! For regular party updates, peep more on http://www.thebloomeffect.com/blog/.

We left around 9:30pm and I headed over to SOBs for the Lupe Fiasco show. Man, he totally killed it. Matthew Santos opened the show and got back on later for their collabo song. Lupe rocked with a live band and the crowd went nuts over him. They chanted his name and gave him the rockstar treatment. The show was sold out a month and a half before the event so thank you Alex D. of SOBs for hooking it up! P.Diddy was also in the house promoting his new artist, Janelle Monae. I’m not sure if she got on stage last night but you can check her out tonight at her free concert at Highline Ballroom.  RSVP to badboyrsvp@wmg.com. Concert starts at 8pm.

After the show, I hopped over to Blue Owl where everyone was there to check out the weekly party, The Hump, and/or celebrate DJ Tahleim’s bday. Of course Big Jeff was there… this guy knows EVERYBODY in New York. It was packed when I arrived and I ended up hanging out only for a little bit for I was beat from running around all day and drinking without having had dinner or lunch. I called it quits after that. It was good times.

Tonight, will be heading over to the LRG party and so it continues.

The Roots Listening Party

Held at Sutra on a Monday night, the venue offered an intimate setting among fans and music industry folks alike. I was about to head home for the night around 1am when my friend texted me that Mos Def was right outside so I stayed later than anticipated. Lucky that I did or I would have missed the highlight when ?uestlove got on deck. There was a bit of technical difficulty for about 10mins but a guy by the name, Jay, who I would meet again a week later at the Brand Nubian show at Knitting Factory, started spittin’ some ol joints and everyone just flowed with it, creating the good connective vibe amongst everyone. Finally the music kicked off and cheers erupted. Mos Def and Black Thought got on the mic and basically rocked it. It is always exciting to see The Roots perform and their latest album, Rising Down, albeit a bit darker than previous ones is still a great cop. I’ve been listening to it over and over these past few days. The party went on well past 2am but I can’t party like I used to on a weekday so it was quits for me after they got on.

 

Check out more pics from Okayplayer.

The “Frosty Freeze Ta Pleeze” Benefit Hip Hop Jam

Hosted by Ken Swift, VII Gems NYC.

Come through to support, give a hand and represent real Hip Hop for living legend Rock Steady Crew B.Boy, Frosty Freeze.

All proceeds will go to the “Freeze To Pleeze” Fund.

Hip Hop Culture is about positive energy and strength in Unity so lets get together and Rock the house for Frosty Freeze!

Special appearances & performances by
Guest DJ’s, Writers, MC’s, B.Boys & B.Girls, ….

Friday, April 11, 2008
10:00 PM – ???
All Ages
cover: FREE

 

Venue Information:

Goddard Riverside Center 647 Columbus Ave 91st & 92nd. Columbus New York, NY 10025 http://www.goddard.org/