I first became acquainted with Jhene Chilombo, referred to as Jhene Aiko, through some old B2K/Omarion features and later her own album. As of late we’ve heard more and more of her on Kendrick Lamar and Schoolboy Q collaborations as well as a few independent releases. She recently released this “visual teaser” for her upcoming single “Stranger.” I could usually care less about a “teaser;” either give me the whole deal now or just wait until it’s ready to be released in its entirety. However, this wasn’t your typical behind-the-scenes, cut to clips of the video, end with dramatic animated video title and release date, it was a simple, yet creative concept and the song sounds beautiful. If you were to ever do a teaser, take note.
The lovely English songstress, Clare Maguire, does an acoustic cover of Aloe Blacc’s famed “I Need A Dollar” live at The Sun Biz Sessions. Beautiful, sultry voice. You can expect her debut album Light After Dark later this month.
Bonus: “Strangest Thing” (dl)
I’m neither ordained nor nearly educated enough to teach The Word, nor will this post subject you to singing “He Has The Whole World In His Hands;” however, its intentions are to enlighten. In today’s presentation of music, specifically that of music blogs, you’re introduced to new tracks from the same group of artists with the periodical new name, 24 hours goes by and what was once new is now on page 34 of your favorite blog and you’ve since obtained 53 new tracks. People blindly get caught in the hype of getting a single the instant it’s released in fear of being “late” that they don’t take the time to truly digest and appreciate. Sunday School aims to build your musical library and hopefully expose you to some new music (new to the world or new to you) that you might’ve never heard of or forgotten about. The selection is mostly chosen at random -new and old, multiple genres. I ask that you simply trust my taste in music and just download. So as you prepare for the week ahead, why not start with newish music? Might not be your favorite genre or artist but the intent is to expose yourself to something that could potentially open a new world of music for you. If there are songs within the bundle that don’t tickle your fancy, the ‘delete’ and ‘move to trash’ option should rectify all your woes.
Now, for our first lesson:
The first lesson began completely generic. Whatever my iTunes threw at me in the shuffle. However, being that St. Valentine has a big event planned for Monday, I decided to make this go ’round in honor of the occasion. Some songs are for the lovers, some for the love haters, some for the bromancers, some for the fresh in love, some for the jaded by “love”, some for the socially awkward, some for the Rico Suaves and the maneaters, and the one hitter quitters. Regardless your scope on that four letter word get into this collection and accept or reject something new, or simply revisit. (*not all lessons will be nearly this long!)
For a more organized and well thought out collection, check out DC to BC’s 3rd annual S.A.D. (Single’s Awareness Day) Mixtape HERE. If not for the music, at least for the ill ass artwork!
Image via. Huffington Post
Vogue Italia gets it. February 2011.
From the time I first became aware of him a few years back, I was instantly intrigued and drawn to the work of Jeff Ng, largely known as Jeff Staple. Outside of his work with Reed Space, Reed Pages, and countless collaborative efforts, I value his opinion and foresight as a creative individual. There’s a great abundance of information on this man in video format floating around, however, I chose this one because it spoke on more than the typical industry related subject matter. In all things you have to attribute something greater than what’s at hand and truly focus on the bigger picture and the force that’s driving behind it. I like that Jeff acknowledges that the appreciation of life is pivotal for everyone and plays a major role in how we function in all endeavors of life. I believe focusing greatly on many small things enables you to lose sight of the greater things (which are often most crucial and consistent) which, ultimately, have a great influence on the littler things.
For more on Jeff Staple, check this interview.
Psychobabble, as usual.
2010 crash landed in my drunken lap a little over a year ago and unloaded a hoard of events, creations, horrors, and other mysteries during it’s course here in this universe. Though, it ended with a pint sized party girl raining down on Times Square with all of her Jersey Shore glory, 2010 left us with many great marvels and memories. I sporadically jotted down ten souvenirs of 2010. No particular order or meaning. Completely random. I’m sure I left out greater and more monumental things. Like to hear it? Here it go….
1. Pilot Talk 1 and Pilot Talk 2
I am ultimately satisfied with Pilot Talk, and Curren$y gave us two of them!! I believe Curren$y was able to deliver two solid albums strongly characterized by his style in which we love, not watered down by the powers that be. As with everything, these albums received criticism for the slightest imperfections or failure to meet whatever expectations said critic had. However, I thoroughly enjoy both Pilot Talk 1 and 2. Why? Because I simply listened to them. Sometimes you just have to take things for what they are. No preconceptions, just receiving with a sober mind.
2. Runaway, Kanye West.
I tentatively watched and studied every 30 odd minutes of this film. Stunning imagery, beautiful story line, and ill music. What better components could you ask for? I was too pressed to pirate this and I still watch it quite often. Runaway could be played on flat screens in my home as artwork. Oh, and did I mention the Phoenix? Selita Ebanks? Bosom plumage? Allure.
3. Snowpocalypse 2010
Last year DC hit an all-time record for snowfall, totaling somewhere around 52 inches! Unlike anything I had ever seen before, I delved into the depths of that white world! For nearly two weeks the wintry mix of white fluff and thick ice turned dc into a deserted Narnia on steroids, and I loved every moment of it! I can’t recall a day I didn’t venture out into the seemingly empty world. As much as I care to share my tales, I’d hate to incriminate myself.
*I’m merely a peasant, no fancy schmancy high megapixel/resolution/zoom camera here, but that picture, that’s snow that said “fuck yo kneecaps and your waistline!” I bullshit you not.
4. World Cup 19, South Africa
I remember seeing images of the stadium being built in 2009 and contemplating selling a kidney or organ of lesser biological value to be in attendance. Needless to say, that transaction didn’t go too well. However, watching the games, crowd coverage, and culture surrounding the events in action was thrilling enough! I still hear vuvuzelas buzzing. World Cup 2010 created nearly 700k jobs in South Africa and contributed a small (yet, sizable) percentage to their GNP.
5. Progress
This can be loosely interpreted. Wherever there was progress, there’s appreciation. Life pitched all types of shit my way (and continues to do so), but what’s most important is that it continues and for the better. If you’re not familiar, that image represents The Great Progression. Stalk that movement HERE, it’s worth the stakeout. I figured it was better than the image I originally gestured to use (and no, I’m not nor have ever been pregnant. The image does represent progress, though.)
6. The Quality of Mixtapes
2010 spit out some great mixtapes that sounded like albums, or what albums should/could be. Off top, my favorites:
Kush and Orange Juice, Wiz Khalifa
Friday Night Lights, J.Cole
Trap or Die 2, Young Jeezy
Blue Dream, $urreal
Longterm 2, Ab-Soul
Just to name a few. There were more notable ones, I’m sure. That was just off top, as aforementioned.
7. The Reeferlution
2010 experienced a surge in cannabis culture. It’s nothing new, as with anything under the sun; but the widespread acceptance or interest in the herb was astounding. Marijuana music swept across many genres, though sativa saturated lyrics were most potent in the rap world. I feel rather blah on the subject. If you smoke, it’s something you’ve been doing and will, presumably, continue to do whether its widely accepted or not. Quite frankly, I’d rather not hear about it so much, I’d rather be about it in the privacy of good company. Not that dat tree doesn’t spark my interest (corny, but unintended, pun), I’m just sick of it being the focal point of nearly everything!
8. Street Style Takeover
The fascination with street style seemingly climaxed this past year. The consumer has a great interest in the fashion choices and styling techniques of the everyday man or woman or the not-so-everyday man or woman, but in a common setting. The accessibility of a vast sea of style and its application day to day has made such an impact on the fashion industry, fashion bloggers now have a place at fashion shows and spreads in notable magazines.
9. How To Make It In America, HBO
I didn’t think the acting was exceptional or the cinematography was groundbreaking, but I did find the storyline ambitious and inspiring. It was real. It was insightful. It kept me watching and I think it was a realistic grasp on a lifestyle much of our generation chases.
10. People.
Well, of course 2010 birthed people. It wasn’t so much the births of people (conversations with newborns can be difficult), but the births of new relationships with people. I met so many people in 2010. Some good, some bad, some hood, some fab (ok, enough dr. seussing). Some influential, some life changing, for better and worse. Nonetheless, my life was shaped by the lives of others. Though my condition may not be perfect, I love it! Kind of like that lump of clay you intended to spin into a mug, but turned into a bowl that you love just as much.
Ok, ok. Same sheriff, new ordinance.
Blogging has gotten so terribly generic it’s distasteful! 50,000 blogs are created a day. Not that I consider myself a blogger -my grammar sucks and this is simply productive bullshitting for me, but I do have some brilliancies (see, I made that word all the way up!) raving in my mind, along with some pretty rad discoveries I’d like to share. This post is more so for readers (assuming there are some….just kidding. I know there are. WordPress has a tight stats section! lol) to achieve some understanding as to what exactly 808s and Cupcakes is about. It is more or less an assemblage of my adventures, my findings, my realizations, among other acts of random.
Not exactly sure what drove me to write this. However, I do feel some hold blogs to such high standards. In life, not all things should be handed to you. Read a book, watch world news, seek information and inspiration from sources other than some 20-somethings that use adsense checks for their bar tabs not that I do that or anything. No intentions to deter you from blog surfing. By all means, do it!! I devote far too much of my time doing it. But please acknowledge other outlets.
That’s all. Psychobabble as us-u-al….
This viola meets violin duo known as Charly & Margaux hooked me with their enthralling cover of Rosco Dash’s “Show Out” and “No Hands.” As an instant fan, I subscribed to their youtube channel and anticipated the jewels they drop ever so often. Rather than keeping them as personal entertainment in my list of favorites, I thought I should share. Support the arts and tell a friend to tell a friend to tell a musician. For more on the girls, check out their website.
Roscoe Dash Medley:
All of the Lights:
Lanvin Puzzle Wedge Pumps, $1,280. Check please!!
808s And Cupcakes 
