Do you remember?

I remember when I first heard the sultry sound of DC native J.Holiday's voice and experienced his presence live on stage in all of his fine glory. It was my sophomore year at Howard University and he opened up for the main act at Howard's Homecoming R&B concert and I asked myself, "Who is this dude?" He sung, "So anxious" by Ginuwine and from that moment I was hooked on him, I mean his music.

When his debut album finally came out I couldn't get enough of the timeless R&B tracks "Be with me", "Suffocate", "Thug Commandments" and "Fatal". I killed this album and still do. I am so pleased to hear that J.Holiday's debut album "Back of My Lac" is nominated for 2008 Best Contemporary R&B Album. Hopefully, the man gets his due accolade at this year's Grammy's, which will premiere Feb 8, 2009. Good luck J!


His new single "Its Yours" off his unreleased sophomore album has been blazing most urban radio airwaves and if your local station hasn't been playing his music you better call and make a request. "Its Yours" just makes me fall in love with his voice and contagious swag all over again.

Its Yours - J. Holiday

Do you remember Amerie?




Isn't she a beauty? Not only is Amerie gorgeous, but she is smart "Georgetown University Graduate" and her music is truly missed. Her debut album "All I have" is in my opinion a classic album and was a major, but unnoticed contribution to the neo-soul era. This Korean and Black chica released a mix-tape entitled "Because I love it Vol 1" last year, which was hosted by DJ Clue and laid crazy dormant in the music industry. Why? Who knows, but i'm dying to find out so i'm going to hit up her manager/MySpace and see if I can get an interview and see what's up with her because i'm curious about when she will release her 3rd album. If you check out this site http://loveamerie.com/ you can hear her mix-tape in its entirety.

"Take Control" this is definitely one my favorite tracks from her mix-tape.



Before Rihanna there was the princess of the Roc Detroit, Michigan native Miss.Teairra Mari. "Is there any boys around who know how to make a girl feel!?" I still haven't found one, so Teairra if you have any pointers hit me up. Yes, that was my jam about 3 years ago and I know you hated to love that joint, but you have to admit it was hott in "05". Well, Teairra is back with a new single, "Hunt 4 u" featuring Pleasure P of Pretty Ricky.



Lost, but found tracks by Teairra Mari:
No, No, No featuring Charles Hamilton

No No No - Teairra Mari

Exclusive (2oo8) - Teairra Mari

U Said (FuLL) - Teairra Mari

Are you feeling these tracks? Or should Teirra stay gone?

This my favorite Teairra Mari Track! Brings back drama filled memories, this song is the truth young ladies so listen to ya momma's!

Phone Booth - Teairra Marí

Most Slept on Artist, Album, Video, and Song of 2008.

It's 2009, woohoo!!! Can you feel the weight of all 08 baggage lifted off of your shoulders? I know I can and I am so amped that my new Beginning has Begun. In the words of Lil Jon, "Yeah!". I was chatting with my friends last night and its so crazy how we really didn't reflect on the drama of 08 and the only words that slipped off of our tongues was, "This is our year!" Honestly, I believe when you speak something into existence that you truly mean its no turning back. Forward Movement with a stronger stride and swagg is what I will be doing in the "09" in my stilletoes...

I originally wanted to do a recap of "08", but I believe the things of the past shouldn't be resurfaced unless its for a phenomenal reason such as MUSIC. So, I decided I would nominate the Most slept on album, artist, video, and song of 2008. Then, i'm going to stop there with the old and bring in that brand new flava of 2009 to ya ear.

Drum Roll Please!!!

2008 Most Slept on Artist of the Year



Ayah: I swear this woman is the epitome of what a most slept on artist is all about. Ayah released her mix-tape, "Problem Woman" early 2008 and if I keep making copies of her album and passing it on to anyone who is willing to listen and continue mentioning her name on my blog, or pitch a feature story to a major publication Ayah will get her break. I back her talent up 100 percent and she is more than deserving of some shine because her talent is phenomenal. From her unique Canadian vocals and harmonies to her honest lyrics and her flawless and realistic looks, which are not a result of being airbrushed. Its true beauty that sistah's can relate to and brotha's can appreciate. I interviewed her last year and she was one of the realest people that I have interviewed up to date and chatting with her was like talking to an old friend who had a just released a banging album. Ayah is paying her dues by spreading her music around the world and performing in NYC, DC, Toronto, and coming to a city near you. For more information on Ayah hit up her MySpace page www.myspace.com/ayahmusic.


Most Slept on Album of the Year


Not only is Ayah the Most Slept on Artist of 2008, but her mix-tape "Problem Woman" is the Most Slept on album of 2008.
My favorite songs on this album are, basically every dang song cuz "Problem Woman is hott! Listen up!!!

"So wrong"

So Wrong (Bonus) - Ayah

Passing Me By - Ayah feat Skyzoo

Feelin It (Feat. Nickelus F) - Ayah

Need I say more. If you are interested in showing Ayah some love and purchasing a copy of her mix-tape, which I know you are more than interested after hearing those tracks just hit up her site, http://www.ayahmusic.com/.

Most Slept on Video of 2008
Solange,T.O.N.Y.


If any artist has proved their point more in 2008 it would definitely be Solange. This woman has earned my respect as an artist and shut everyone and their momma's up if they dare to mention or compare her to you know who, which is understandable. I can tell Solange busted her behind last year to create her own spotlight and she avoided the shadows that the media tends to place her in. Her album "Sol-Angel & The Hadley Street Dreams" which was released September 12, 2008, received rave reviews last year, had the industry talking, but still didn't have the streets talking. I accidently stumbled across the album at my internship in September and decided to give it a listen expecting to hear nothing of substance, but when I pressed play I was immediately drawn in and surprised at what this Sol-Angel had to say. This album is filled with subliminal messages, metaphors about her life, and a sneak peak of what to expect of her from now on... One song that caught my attention was the first song on the album, T.O.N.Y., which had an interesting video to follow. The video T.O.N.Y. definitely put the song in perspective for me because I thought Tony was an actual dude who turned out to be toxic and distracted her from loving herself or falling in love with someone else. I don't know, but you can always interpret art through your eyes. I think we haven't seen the best of Solange yet and that's why her video T.O.N.Y. is the Most Slept on Video of 2008.



I'm curious, what's your interpretation of T.O.N.Y.?

Most Slept on Song of the year
Raphael Saadiq
The way I see it 9-16-08
"Oh Girl" featuring Jay-Z

My friend Shandha and I went to a private taping of a Raphael Saadiq show at the Harvard Club in Boston and boy were we tipsy, I mean we were wooed away by Mr. Saadiq and his performance. The band was crazy, his back up singers were ridiculous especially the sistah. I loved his album, "The way I see it" because it has that old skool Motown sound, which I love. I'm definitely feeling the original "Oh girl" track, but you know I love my boy Hov, which is just a stamp of approval on why this is the Most Slept on song of 2008.

Oh Girl - Raphael Saadiq featuring Jay-Z

Well, that's all "08" wrote for Most Slept on Artists. Happy New Year!!! Still bringing Brand New Flava To Ya Ear, Eyes, and Heart in 2009...

UK chicks who rocked the industry in "08"

Estelle, Leona Lewis, and M.I.A., are all women from diverse backgrounds and styles of music, but they have one thing in common. These chicas all derived from the UK and tore up the American music scene this year. Yes, this dynamic trio killed U.S. music charts this year and stole the hearts and seduced music listeners not only with their great looks, but unique styles and sounds.

Take me on a trip, I like to go some day!!! Estelle


Estelle released her debut album, "Shine" this past February under John Legend's label Home Shool. She is nominated for song of the year for "american boy" at the upcoming Grammy's which will be airing soon. Her latest video "Come Over" featuring Sean Paul is hott! This joint brings me back to basement house parties in the hood and slow dances that would make your mama bring out the belt if she peeped you grinding to this song. If you haven't copped Estelle's album you should do yourself a favor and check it out cuz its really, really good and features Wyclef, JL, The Louis Vuitton Don, and Cee-Lo. Unfortunately, Sean Paul is not featured on the original track on her album, but maybe a deluxe release will be coming soon... Oh yeah, please check out Sean Paul's dance moves in this video, he kills me with his little whine. Don't hurt him Estelle!




No one on the corner has Swagga like her! M.I.A.
Yes, this is the lady behind T.I.'s "Swagga like us" track, which would not be blazing radio airways or the entire music scene right now without the sampled hook from Miss. M.I.A.'s Paper Plane track.



Not only am I feeling her unique style, Sri Lanka looks, and crazy sound that makes you say, "what the hell did she just say?", but the woman has talent oozing out of her system. M.I.A. is a producer, song writer, visual artist, and clothing designer.

M.I.A. Rockin her hott shiny dress!


"Paper Planes"


Leona Lewis



Some may think Leona Lewis is nothing, but a carbon copy of Mariah Carey- Oops, my bad Mariah Cannon. Even with her recycled style and sound she still killed the industry this year by winning the 2008 Billboard Best New Artist Award, so give the sistah props where they are due and not to mention she is repping for biracial women all across the world. Not only did she sell millions of records, my girl had two of the hottest singles out in 08 including, "Bleeding Love" and "Better in time", which is definitely a song that helped me and probably a zillion other folks across the globe get over past relationships. I'm not sure if she wrote the song, but she delivers it in such a way that convinced me that I will be aight without that JERK.

Check out my Love him, but let him stay Gone with his Trifling self song "Better in time"! I'm sure that's what Leona meant to say.

Artist Site

More Videos

Battle of the Soul Beasts: JL Versus RL

John Legend Versus Ryan Leslie


In 2004, I fell completely in love with the sultry sound of John Legend's voice. After seeing him in concert several times in Washington, DC, Maryland, and Boston I was more than sure that he would be the Stevie Wonder of my day. Okay, I might be pushing it, but the brotha comes closer than most post Stevie. It is inevitable that my boy JL is overflowing with talent. Its so hard to keep your eyes off the redbone brotha, with the little curly fro, tight leather jacket, and piano.

It really saddens me to admit to having a musical affair, which lead me to fall in love with Ryan Leslie. All it took was me watching him finesse the "I get money" track on YouTube and he stole both ears with my huge dangling gold earrings on.


Now, do you see why I had to cheat on JL?
I never thought another man outside of the hip-hop world had the ability to steal my attention and become so infatuated with his sound. I think Mr. Leslie is giving John Legend a run for his artistry, but thank God there is room for more than one hip-hop/soul artist.

Check out his new video "How it was supposed to be"! I love this track!!!


Ryan Leslie's album has been pushed back several times and I know you are probably addicted to him already, but you have to wait until his February 10, 2009 debut album release.

[Sidebar] Has anyone peeped John Legend's fine brother/back up singer Vaughn Anthony?



Isn't he just yummy? Back off, that's my man!

I AM... Sasha Fierce Review

The Queen B has returned like she never left with continued fierceness on her 3rd album I Am... Sasha Fierce. Beyonce has proven that she can give her listeners what they want, don't want, the unexpected, and more. I Am... Sasha Fierce force feeds its listeners with fresh unfamiliar sounds of folk, soul, and pop music packaged into a double album.

Beyonce always seems to release an album right on time for the ladies to demand nothing, but the utmost respect and treatment from the fellas and send an urgent wake up call to those who need to step their relationship game up a couple of notches.

On her leading single Single Ladies (Put A Ring On It) Beyonce blazes the track in her lyrics announcing that going with the flow will not keep your woman around, "Cuz if you liked it then you should have put a ring on it, If you liked it then you should have put a ring on it! Don't be mad once you see that he want it!" On this album she delivers more than enough empowering female anthems like she did on B-Day for the Divas around the world on tracks Diva which is inevitably the female version of Lil Wayne's Milli, Video Phone, where she confidently spits, "Boy you cute and you ballin/ You like it when i shake it/ Shawty on a mission what yo name is?/ What?/ You want me naked?/ If you liking this position you can tape it on ya video phone." The risky lyrics are unlikely to hear from Beyonce, but Miss Sasha is unapologetic about her sassiness.

Beyonce's debut album Dangerously In Love was all about her new found love and discovery of her subtle inner diva, on B-Day she snatched her golden mic and revealed Sasha to the world, and now Sasha is front and center shattering everyone's musical expectations. On I Am... Sasha Fierce Beyonce collaborates with producers and writers Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds, Stargate, C. "Tricky" Stewart & Terius "The-Dream" Nash, Rodney "DarkChild" Jerkins, Sean "The Pen" Garrett, Jim Jonsin, Rico Love, little sister Solange, and Ryan Tedder.

Songs on Beyonce's I Am... disk reveals a more personal side of the 27-year old newly wed and now she's singing about having found love instead of being in tumultuous relationships with shady dudes where she had to send them to the left. Don't get it twisted because she takes you back to that fierce woman that will check a dude in a minute on songs If I Were A Boy and Broken Hearted Girl. Songs that do the album justice include Hello, Disappear and Ego where Beyonce sings, "He talks like this cuz he can back it up/ He got a big ego/Such a huge ego/ I love his big ego/ It's too much/ He walks like this/ Cuz he can back it up". Is this song about her hubby, Jay-Z? Well, Beyonce leaves that up to her listeners to decide in their analyzation of tracks such as Hello, Halo and Sweet Dreams. The album is very versatile, but could have done without tracks Ave Maria, Satellites, and even Radio.

I Am... Sasha Fierce definitely meets the expectations of her last album and shows that Beyonce-Sasha is unstoppable.