My Video Pick Of The Week

Rising Up--The Roots f/ Chrisette Michele & Wale

The Roots feat. Chrisette Michele & Wale - "Rising Up" from Three/21 Films on Vimeo.

That's funny I feel this way about Hot 97. Radio keep playing the same songs all day long!

My New Picks

New Tracks via iTunes radio... although I heard I might need to get up on the Zune player. Hmm let's see about that!

Top Video Hairstyles That Should Never Be Duplicated

Cristina Aguilera- Dirty Instead of looking "Dirty" it just looks homeless. I would imagine this is the pile of mess my hair would form into if I ever (God forbid) became homeless and didn't have a comb. We've seen Cristina with plenty of different looks, some appealing and others quite awkward. But the slight dreadlocks, blonde/black mix, with cookie crumbs, lent, and dirt all packed in tight is definitely not one of her more suitable hair styles. But then again I'm sure Ms. Aguilera wasn't trying to appease my tastes in hair when she decided to go this route.So ladies, exoticists, bohemians, artsy peeps etc. stop trying to go for this look. Cristina can style her hair like this one day and wear a strawberry blonde bob the next. And well you guys are kinda stuck with it if you decide to go the messy dread route, so let's leave this one for the video. (Please note I love locks. I intend on locking my hair someday)

Aaliyah-More Than A Woman R.I.P. Ms. Aaliyah!~ But I have a bone to pick with women who are still wearing their hair in the long phony pony with the little raised "bump" at the top. Aaliyah could pull off this hair style because after all, she's Aaliyah. lol No seriously she had a team of stylists (notice more than one) who could blend her hair with the texture of the ponytail and who could create an entire look surrounding this simple yet somehow elaborate hairstyle. In addition, I'm sure the creative (genius) director who created the looks for the shoot did not intend for the style to be worn as everyday casual hair wear. (I like coining new phrases) Ladies, let's retire this style and leave it as one of the many video hairstyles that need not be duplicated.

Amy Winehouse-Tears Dry On Their Own I know this picture is a bit blurry. Amy, I understand you like the 60s-70s Mod-Big-hair-look but for once please wear your hair like a normal person. If we could somehow lock her in the bathroom with only a flatiron or simple curling iron, some Garnier Fructis smoothing hair serum and a few clip in extensions, I think we might have ourselves a new (less suicidal/depressing/drug addict) look for Ms. Winehouse. You know, something a little more presentable like this.... Thatta girl, there ya go :)

Ashanti-Body On Me We all know Ashanti's style is kinda hit or miss. Sometimes she hits the target dead on and sometimes she misses completely. I didn't want to jump all over the bun/Pocahontas braid she sports at the end of the Body On Me video because that overlaps with my number 1 "worst video hair style to duplicate". This hair style is exceptionally fly in the video. I can dig the three braid action on one side with the smoothed hair on the other side to give it the Mohawk look. I also like the idea of the loose curls and exaggerated swoop bang. But, in the wrong hands and on the wrong person this can be a complete Diana Ross MESS. Ladies please do not go to the local hair store and buy a pound of hair and try attaching it to your head. Once again this was a look created for a video not a night out at the club. I can guarantee if you wear this much fake hair out to the club it will get caught in a hook on someones jacket, or possibly in someones earring. :o) Sorry to be the bearer of bad news!


Last but not least, Ms./Mrs. Beyonce Knowles Carter ...whatever! Upgrade U That braid is a definite NO NO. I remember when I was little my mother would try to put one big braid in my hair and I would break out and have a fit. I would roll all over the floor, kick and scream, cry, throw chairs etc because I knew how absolutely stupid I would look with one long thick braid growing out of the crown of my head. I have naturally thick curly hair so one big braid was just not an option, unless my mother was planning on intentionally trying to humiliate me. Ok Beyonce, this is fine for the video. I see you in the back seat of the car with gold interior to match your blonde braid. You should have provided a brief disclaimer at the beginning of the video instructing young black girls to not try and duplicate any of the hairstyles in this video. I must admit this is one of the best vids in 2007, but definitely not the best way to upgrade the style of impressionable young women.



If there are any others you can think of please leave a comment letting me know. I'm certain there are other completely offensive hairstyles many of us commoners have tried to pull off, but they just need to be left in the video

Billboard Hot 100 50th Year Anniversary

This is one of the most useful resources for any music blog. Go online to the Billboard website for lists on the All Time Top Artists, All Time Top Latin Songs, Hot 100 Songs Of The Year 1958-2007. This is definitely some interesting stuff people, so go check it out!

Concert Must See

Two of my favorite artists are performing at SOB's the last week in September. I think I might go to both since VH1 slighted me on the Sadiq tix way back in August. (I'm still a little salty about that) Teedra Moses's The Young Lioness was set to drop sometime this year, but until then we shall enjoy her in concert.

Sidebar--The Soloist Staring Jamie Foxx

Another fall must see!

Teenie Bopper Part Deux: Teyana Taylor

I'm really starting to believe Harlem USA is its own planet. I mean, have you ever been? As soon as you step off the train and breathe the air, it's almost as if you've walked onto the pages of a story book. The place is quite magical and by far one of the most historical neighborhoods New York City has to offer. (Ok enough...moving on) Our second teenie bopper for the week ,Teyana Taylor, is Star Trak Entertainment's new teen protege. The 17 year old singer/rapper skipped onto the scene in 2007 decked out in her fresh Air Force Ones, Heatherette dresses and 10 speed mountain bikes. Her debut album From A Planet Called Harlem was scheduled for release in August. Although the album didn't drop, the Jazzy Pha produced hit single Google Me has received lots of attention over the internet via Youtube. You've also probably seen her 80s themed MTV Super Sweet 16 episode. (You know you're getting old when kids have themed parties for the decade you were born)But what else is there to know about the self proclaimed teen president of the nerd squad? This excerpt from a Trace Magazine article discusses Ms. Taylor's sense of style, her working relationship with Pharrell, and even her somewhat secret crush.(provided through Concrete Loop)

TEYANA ON TEACHING BEYONCE
Beyoncé even enlisted Teyana to teach her the dance for a segment in her “Ring The Alarm” video.

“She was mad focused and really wanted to learn,” recalls Teyana.

TEYANA ON HER CRUSH
“It’s Shia Labeouf! I’ve got my eye on him. I mean, for real. He’s so cute and I looove his swagger.”

But she makes sure to note that her career is her boyfriend

“Yeah, I do have my eye on Shia, but to be honest performing is my boyfriend right now. That’s just what I really love and we’ve been together for so long.”

TEYANA ON HER LOOK
“I always stood out as far as dressing,” she says. “I like to look different and people know me for that. My look is a mix of old-school hip-hop and skater.”

TEYANA ON PHARRELL
“I sang for the Senior Vice President of A&R at Universal, and he asked me the top five people I would really want to work with and my first three were Pharrell. It was crazy to meet him. I mean I love that dude and we connected,” Teyana recalls.

Pharrell couldn’t agree more, “I heard about how talented she was, and I wanted to meet her. I was impressed she could, sing, dance and rap, so we gave her a shot.”

TEYANA ON RECEIVING FREE CLOTHES FROM ‘HEATHERETTE’
“I love their clothes. They make a dress, and it’s not like a pretty princess dress. It’s not girlie but more rock star and out there. That’s like the only dresses I’ll wear. They are just like me – they are unique and don’t care what people say. I fell in love with them, and them with me,” says Teyana.

In all honesty, I think the young teenie booper's style is more engaging then her music. Don't get me wrong, I dig a few of her songs. Let's see, if I were a stary eyed, naive 16 year old kid I would probably ditch Lil Momma and go cop From A Planet Called Harlem as soon as it droped. But since I'm past the teenage love affair stage and looking more for...umm grown up music, I'll just download a few tracks from iTunes. The fact she's Pharell's young protege and the most recent act in the Star Trak line up has her teenage fans in a craze. Having a great production squad is half the battle, and when one of your label mates is the King of hot beats its almost inevitable that you'll sell records. She can dance, she can sing, she has tremendous style, and she's interesting. After all there's nothing worse than a boring entertainer. (cough cough Deborah Cox, Maxwell, just to name a few) Check out her website for more information on tour dates, events, and featured articles.