J Video: Behind The Scenes of Hot 97’s Summer Jam XX

I’ve had a love/hate relationship with Ebro Darden since starting my struggle hour and a half commute to work in 2012. This was right around the time Ebro began making guest appearances on Hot 97’s morning show, then just the program director trying to save the show’s ratings.

I have always appreciated his fluid on-air personality and the respect he has in the industry, which makes for better interviews; it’s his lack of tact surrounding some highly-sensitive issues that’s left me feeling some type of way more than once (the U.O.E.N.O. Rick Ross controversy comes to mind).

In the video you see the good and the bad, as Hot 97 gives you a behind-the-scenes look at last year’s Summer Jam through the eyes of “the old man.”

I was hoping to learn something new about the concert production process, which didn’t really happen, but having watched the show via live stream, it was interesting to see what was really going on backstage with the artists. (You have to peep Mariah showing up in the middle of the song she is supposed to perform with a champagne glass in hand (7:42). -__-) Check it out!

J Music: Tori Kelly at Gramercy Theater

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Whhewww child, Tori Kelly can blow!! On Tuesday, February 5 Tori Kelly performed at Gramecry Theater for a mixed crowd of industry folks, teeny-boppers, and young adults that hung on her every note. Though the theater was packed, at times the only noise you heard was Tori and her guitar as she hit some of the most surgically produced riffs I have ever heard.  Based on the “oohs” and “aahs” of the crowd, I think everyone felt the same way.

I could go on for days, but I will spare everyone and direct you to my previous post about her virtual Christmas concert in December. For all the good things I had to say about Tori’s abilities then—she sounded even better live. Check out the videos below!

Set List: 

Celestial

Stained

Thinking About Forever

Bring Me Home

Upside Down

Eyelashes

P.Y.T./Rock With You

Confetti

RATING: ✮ ✮ ✮ ✮ ✮ (5 out of 5)

J Music: Jett, New Pop Artist

Bridget (JETT) Hermano born and raised in Seattle, WA has grown a tremendous following on Youtube. In 2010 Jett began work with Tacoma based production crew 2Fifty3 as the only female singer/songwriter. 2fifty3 (consisting of) Derek ‘DC’ Clark, Emmanuel Frayer, Michael ‘MI’ Cole, Christopher ‘Breez’ Fuller and Bridget ‘Jett’. Now with song credits on Tiearra Mari and recently Shontelle, Amber Rose, Neyo, Tpain and Trey Songz under her belt, Jett continues to write. (FB)

Watch Jett cover “Who You Are” by Jessie J and “Foolish Heart” by Nina below. 

Jett is also working on some original music that has great potential. Find a snippet of a song she co-wrote with Infared Ink, produced by Rockwilder below. The “Wake Up Call” preview features choreography which I always appreciate! She seems to have a Danity Kane(ish) sound that I love (they need to come back!) and a great tone. **The full video has not yet been released.

For more information about Jett click here.