Bridget Kelly

WEEN Awards

J EVENTS: 2014 WEEN AWARDS AT HELEN MILLS EVENT SPACE

ayminor
Official-WEEN-Awards-Invite-3

On Wednesday night, I battled the cold and CRAZY Uber prices to attend the fourth annual Women in Entertainment Empowerment Network (WEEN) Awards held at Helen Mills event space in Midtown.

WEEN is an organization committed to supporting, promoting and defending the balanced, positive portrayal of women in entertainment and society founded by Valeisha Butterfield Jones. Annually, the organization hosts the WEEN Academy — a 4-week* crash course that trains young women between the ages of 18-22 to be next-generation leaders in the entertainment business. Unfortunately for me, I learned about the academy a few months after my last eligible year, however I made sure to stay connected with the WEEN community by signing up for the WEEN Online listserv (which is open to women of all ages).

Though I couldn’t find a wingwoman for the night, I am beyond grateful that I worked up the nerve to attend on my own. As a former BET intern and media and entertainment enthusiast, I have been to plenty of networking events, but this was my first taste of an industry event — there was no velvet rope,  it was truly an opportunity to mix and mingle with women who continue to pave the way in the industry, from musicians to top executives. Seven women were awarded for their commitment to empowerment and achievement in business and entertainment including MC Lyte, Angela Yee and Sevyn Streeter. In addition to the honorees in attendance, Yandy Smith, Bridget Kelly, Lil Mama and Mona Scott-Young, among several other stars, served as presenters.

WEEN Awards
WEEN founders and honorees. Photo courtesy of WEEN Online/Nyki Elle.

I encourage any young women passionate about the industry to audition for next summer’s class and become a WEEN member today to learn about future events and opportunities.

WEEN Awards-Valeisha-Butterfield
Cîroc girl! Photo courtesy of WEEN Online/Nyki Elle.

Watch a video recap of the event below:

*I believe the 2015 WEEN Academy will be 6 weeks, still free of charge for participants. 

J Video: Bridget Kelly’s “Road To Independence” Trailer

ayminor

I have been looking for a new webseries to watch….

I was hesitant to give Bridget Kelly,  “Alicia Keys’s stand-in,” a chance, but it was her live performance and EP Every Girl that won me over. Still, I had a hard time trying to figure out what Bridget is all about.

In recent years, she has been known more for her appearances at parties than her music, and the buzz she was able to build around singles “Street Dreamin’” and “Special Delivery” quickly dissipated. As much as I would love to party with Bey and Jay on a regular basis, as a musician I’m sure there is nothing worse than sitting on the shelf for the better half of your 20s.

After 6 years with no release date, Bridget has decided to part ways with Roc Nation management and release her debut album as an independent artist in September. In the new docu-series Bridget takes us along for the ride on “The Road to Independence.”

I wouldn’t call myself a fan just yet, but I’m hoping the intimate look at her life and career will change that.

The first episode will be available soon can be found here.

Bonus: Check out Bridget’s latest release “I Won’t Cry,”  — she has some ground to cover in terms of promotion, but I love rooting for the underdog.

J Music: Bridget Kelly at S.O.B.s

ayminor
image

Bridget Kelly has been featured on my blog several times this year as she works toward the release of her debut album.  If you’re not familiar with Bridget, she’s a new artist signed to Roc Nation.  You most likely know her as “the girl who stands in for Alicia Keys on ‘Empire State of Mind.’”  I am hoping by the end of 2013, she will be known primarily for her solo endeavors.

Bridget’s new single “Special Delivery” was most recently featured on my blog. Bridget would close her set with the song, but it was far from the only highlight of the night.

When I first listened to Bridget’s EP Every Girl, I was a bit shocked by how aggressive many of the tracks were in contrast to the more mellow “Special Delivery” and “Thinking About You.” After seeing Bridget in an intimate setting, however, I get it. Her fiesty, yet gentle-hearted demeanor was reflected throughout her performance and in her music.

image

“I’m not mad, a little scorned” – Bridget Kelly

Set List 

  • Empire State of Mind 
  • In the Morning
I loved the live performance of “In The Morning” even more than the subdued vocals on the original track. 
  • Seek and Destroy
  • Thinking About You
  • Say Yes
  • Ex-Factor
  • White Lies
  • Stay (Ft. Ro Johnson)
  • Special Delivery

Download Bridget Kelly’s EP Every Girl here.

Check out Bridget’s website here.

See my post about “Special Delivery” here.

P.S. Bridget just recieved her commemorative plaque as she serve as a writer on Kelly Clarkson’s smash record “Stronger” — Congrats Bridget!

J Music: Ro James at S.O.B.s

ayminor
image

Another great night at S.O.B.s! Ronnie “Ro” James opened up the night with a short set that included a cover of “Creep,” by Radiohead, and his original tracks “Neon” and “Pledge Allegiance.” Although Ro had trouble hearing himself in the monitors, he did his best to work through the technical difficulties and put on a good performance for the crowd.

image

A New York native (amongst other infuences), Ro was dressed in a Fedora hat and leather overalls with two sleeves of tattoos and a gleaming gold tooth. I was a bit thrown off by Ro’s appearance —in a good way (I think).  His demeanor, dress, and direct lyrics seemed to contrast his smooth, sensual tone. I was curious to learn what influenced his image and sound.

Find “Introducing Ro James” below.

Check out Ro’s website here.

“Special Delivery” – Bridget Kelly

ayminor

As I was in the midst of my daily hour and a half commute home from work, I was pulled away from my daydream as “Special Delivery” began to play on Power 105. It is not often you hear a female R&B record on the radio these days, ESPECIALLY if it doesn’t feature a rapper. (You should hear the passion I sing “Titanium” with simply because I am starved for a power ballad on the radio.)

Anyway, thought I would share!

Bridget debuted the song at the Essence Music Festival this summer.

Bridget recently stopped by Sway in the Morning to chat about Luke James, love, and the “Special Delivery” single. She seems like a down-to-earth, cool girl!

For the full interview click here.

Check out Bridget’s website here.

Watch her AMAZING cover of “Thinking About Forever” (originally Bridget’s single written by Frank Ocean) here.