Big Congrats to DC’s Own Black Alley

Did u catch @weareblackalley on @fox5dc this morning?? Congrats to @animalblkalley and the whole squad for winning first place over the weekend at Paisley Parks inaugural Battle of the Bands! Well deserved, hard work and dedication never fails!! #dc #dmv #dcornothing #acreativedc #ontherise #artists #creators #entertainment #media #livemusic #livingthedream #nevergiveup #success #gogetit 

2017 Coast 2 Coast Music Convention

The 2017 Coast 2 Coast Music Convention was a success. After winning 3rd place in Los Angeles back in March, my journey continued in Miami. I met so many awesome people who are well connected in the industry. I had a chance to attend some panel discussions which featured the director of A&R at Atlantic Records, legendary producer Rockwilder, and well known and respected PD Jill Strada from 99 Jamz in Miami. I am looking forward to following up and building with the connections made.  Motivated Elevation Music and Publishing here we come!! Shout out to all the other DC artists that represented the District well. 

Happy Birthday Queen

Happy Birthday to the one and only Beyoncé!! So much can be said about this woman, but she continues to be a trailblazer for women and I respect that 💯💪🏾💪🏾💪🏾💪🏾💯! Often imitated but can never be duplicated! We love you Bey!!

DMV’s Own Logic Sparks the Conversation About Suicide During VMA’S as “1-800..” Single Races Up Charts

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DMV’s own Logic represented in a powerful way at Sunday’s VMA’s. He performed his single “1-800-273-8255,” which is the actual phone number for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline.  He rapped lyrics like “I want you to be alive / You don’t gotta die today,” he stood alongside survivors of suicide attempts and individuals who lost people in their lives to suicide. The song touches home for me because I have been personally affected by suicide and people who deal with depression.

Logic performed the song alongside Alessia Cara, Khalid, and suicide attempt survivors.

The statement of support for people dealing with depression and other mental illness appears to have left an impact on viewers. Billboard reports there was a 50% increase in calls to the number after Logic’s performance. The Lifeline’s Director of Communications Frances Gonzalez stated, “Sharing that healing and hope are possible helps individuals in crisis, [and] as changes the conversation around suicide from one of isolation to one of hope and connection.”

The song is also impacting charts as the national platform of the VMA’s gave awareness to the positive song. According to HitsDailyDouble , “1-800-273-8255” saw a sales boost after the VMAs. The song jumped from #18 to #3 on the iTunes Store chart after his performance.

Still Missing AALIYAH

Aaliyah died on this day 08/25/01 in a plane crash while traveling back to the U.S. after shooting her iconic “Rock the Boat,” video in the Bahamas.    Aaliyah’s presence and time in the industry was precious, she paved the way for starlets like Beyonce, Ciara, and Tinashe. Her work with Timbaland and Missy Elliot was innovative and groundbreaking. There was a certain mystery about Aaliyah that kept her fans intrigued and in tuned to whatever she was doing. 

Sixteen years later, Aaliyah’s life has been made into a movie, books have been the subject of her life and her music has been sampled and revered in past and current generations.  She will continue to be a standard that upcoming starlets are held too.

We are still missing you!! Continue to rest in power!!

Rest in Power, Dick Gregory, Dead at 84

Dick Gregory 1967, Chicago, USA

Rest in Power to Dick Gregory! His family confirmed the sad news on his instagram page last night.

Dick Gregory was a comedian and civil rights activist who broke barriers in the 1960s and became one of the first African-Americans to perform at white clubs. He often used segregation and racial injustice as material in his comedic acts. He definitely broke down barriers and was a active voice for the people. Condolences to his family and friends.

 

How to Stay Fresh….

Balenciaga $645.00

Gucci $1,050

Gucci $1,790

Gucci $1,250

Givenchy $795.00

Balenciaga $695.00

Balenciaga $595.00

MCM $195.00

Here are my favorite items of the week.

From Balenciaga to Gucci to Givenchy and MCM, high fashion has always been one of my favorite past times. When choosing to decide what you gonna drop a bag on, you should be mindful. First, unless you got money to pay no need to try and play. Second, don’t buy something just because of whose name is on it, but buy it because it can be a staple within your wardrobe and can wear for years to come. Thirdly, find pieces that are authentic and true to your individual style vs. trying to keep up with the joneses.

ATTN SZA Concert Ticket Holders: SZA Postpones Tour Due to Unforeseen Circumstances

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VIA: BILLBOARD  The launch of SZA’s CTRL Tour has been pushed back “due to unforeseen circumstances,” a rep for the singer confirms. The first three dates — Richmond, Va., Washington, DC, and New Haven, Conn. — have been postponed.

Fillmore Silver Spring, the venue she was scheduled to play Thursday night (Aug’ 17), announced the cancellation of the concert on Twitter earlier today.

Ticketholders for the Richmond date can attend a show on the new date of Aug. 21. Rescheduled dates for the other two stops are in the works but not yet announced.

SZA’s trek will now begin on Sunday (Aug. 20) at Fete Music Hall in Providence, R.I.

Chris Brown Reveals Details of the Night He Assaulted Rihanna (Video)

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In February 2009 R&B singer Chris Brown was arrested for brutally assaulting his then girlfriend, pop star Rihanna.

Now, for the first time, Chris admits Rihanna was also abusive throughout their relationship. In a clip from ‘Chris Brown: Welcome to My Life’ Chris explains,

“This is the first time I get to say anything, and I still love Rihanna but I’m just going to be honest. We would fight each other. She would hit me. I would hit her. It never was ok…Like, I don’t like you slapping me…If I go on stage and I got a scratch on my face and I got to explain it like, “Oh I fell.”

Chris also explains in graphic detail what happened that night inside the car,

“With a closed fist, like I punched her, and it busted her lip, and when I saw it I was in shock, I was ‘f***, why did I hit her like that’?

“So from there she’s… spitting blood in my face, it raised me even more. It’s a real fight in the car, and we driving in the street.”

“I’m like ‘yo, we tripping, what the f***, what are we doing?’ She tried to grab for my phone, and I’m not giving her my phone, to throw it out the window.”