Author: ayminor

J Music: Treat Me Like Fire – Lion Babe

ayminor
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I saw someone mention this track in the comments section of my favorite blog so I decided to check it out.

Due to my often short attention span, I typically give new music from an unknown artist 10-15 seconds to impress me (30 seconds tops).  As the video opens with a drawn out (though fierce) framed shot of a human lion(ess), the visual really tested my patience.  Had I not given the track a chance, I would have missed a great track accompanied by a beautiful visual.

After watching the video you may think that the track is by a solo artist, however, Lion Babe is actually a duo, Jillian Hervey (vocals) and Lucas Goodman (production).   Jillian’s name may sound familiar as she is the 23-year-old daughter of Vanessa Williams. Despite the connection, by taking on a stage name it seems she wants to build her career on her own merit.   This is the first release from Lion Babe. 

Download “Treat Me Like Fire” here.

Find more information about Lion Babe here.

J Art: Celebrity Painter Ray Tennyson

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http://instagram.com/p/TR1h58uEif/

When Keri Hilson tweeted a portrait of herself painted by Ray Tennyson, I took to Google to find out more about his work. Ray has done portraits of a number of your favorite celebrities including Jill Scott, Angelina Jolie, Drake and Aaliyah.

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Tennyson is a painter, and a darn good one at that. His passion is pop-art portraits, and earlier this year, he started painting Thunder players.

It changed his life.

What used to be done around a part-time job is now Tennyson’s full-time vocation. People are paying good money for his work, which is featured throughout this section.

“I never thought I’d be living off paintings,” he said.

He shook his head.

“Never.

The cost varies depending on the number of treatments needed, the doctor, or the region. 

Read the full article here. Great story.

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Find more information about Ray on his website here.

Watch the creation process of his “Aaliyah and Drake OVO” painting below.

Read More to see the finished product.

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J Music: “Should Be You,” a Better Preview of Ne-Yo’s Latest Album, R.E.D.

ayminor

I heard this song a few weeks ago and I have been playing it non-stop ever since. Everything about it screams classic 90s R&B (the Puff Daddy Diddy verse is the icing on the cake).

The song has gotten a few spins on New York radio, but has not been released as a single.  A mistake in my opinion because had he released this in conjunction with the dance/pop tracks (“Let Me Love You,” “Let’s Go”) I would have considered buying the album.

In response to criticism he has received regarding his shift in genre Ne-Yo always responded:

When people get the album they’ll know what it is, I’ma put it that way.  When people get the album they’ll understand what it is… I’m going to let the album speak for itself, I feel like good music needs no explanation…

Anybody who feels like I’m not R&B no more, listen to this album and shut your face. (Power 105.1 The Breakfast Club)

I decided to give R.E.D (Realizing Every Dream), Ne-Yo’s fifth studio album a listen on Spotify (largely due to “Should Be You”)  and to my surprise it reminded me why I loved Ne-Yo in the first place. I understand his frustration, but he can not blame fans for being confused as to which direction he is taking his music.  I believe in room for creativity, but it must be done tactfully when you are in the stage of your career that Ne-Yo is in.

R.E.D. is worth a listen — check it out!

J Reads: 21 Secrets for Your 20s

ayminor

My friend posted “21 Secrets for Your 20s” on my wall this week, and she couldn’t have had better timing.  It is so easy to feel inundated with personal problems (especially for those of us who have a “dramatic flair”) when in all actuality the problems you think may be unique to you are actually shared by most of the people your age.

The possibility for greatness and embarrassment both exist in the same space. If you’re not willing to be embarrassed, you’re probably not willing to be great.

This is the quote that stuck with me the most from the article. For New Year’s I decided I was going to try something different. If you know me, then you know I am usually pretty conservative in what I wear. This year I opted for pants and a bowtie instead of my standard little black dress.

New Year's Eve 2013

Obviously it wasn’t anything crazy,  but it was definitely out of my comfort zone and my outfit produced some positive and negative, yet comical reactions from complete strangers.

This brings me to my New Year’s Resolution. Stop playing it safe. Take risks. Start small, with an outfit, and work my way to the big stuff. You can literally consume all your time worry about other people’s opinions, but lest we forget:

You’re nobody until you’re talked about. – Gossip Girl

Read the full article here.