Two Lotharios from Virginia both bare their hearts and souls on new albums, Chris Brown and Trey Songz

 

 

Chris Brown documentary bares his soul "Welcome to my life" 

    

    

Remember his first role in "This Christmas" in 2007

You know his last name is Brown full name Christopher Maurice Brown and he has something in common with many R&B legends and entertainers, the 1980s Bad Boy’s last name, was Brown (Bobby Brown) the front man, band member of New Edition they share the same last name, and the godfather of soul his last name was Brown (James Brown). Isn’t it kind of funny and a huge coincidence that all three of these artists managed to make some mega hits and they had success throughout their careers for decades to come? They also have something else in common they survived controversy and their fans still were along the ride with them even more.  He was born in 1989, in Tappahannock, Virginia during a time when R&B was becoming more relevant than era. A golden age when Bobby Brown was ruling the airwaves along with New Edition, Michael Jackson, and many other artists were breaking out during this time.

There may something to say about that last name something that may give Chris even more reassurance “Your fans and God got you just keep making great hits”. He arrived on the scene when he was fifteen years old discovered by LA Reid and was signed to RCA he was known as a kid to have a lot of energy dancing, doing acrobatics, and also singing to impress the ladies. He did and it led to him being discovered. He signed his first recording contract and was able to break out with his first hit, “Run It” in November of 2005 Chris made his debut album and 3 million copies were sold worldwide. The rollercoaster ride began and Chris’s career took off like an explosion. For the past 12 years Chris has collaborated with just about every artist on the planet wanting to work with him because of his dancing abilities, singing ability, songwriting, and acting skills as well. He has something in him that is incredibly special and many people within the music industry, his fans, and everyone just about agrees. You cannot deny that he has a gift and it’s something like hiding a huge bright light it’s going to be seen. 8 albums under his belt, 8 mix tapes, 106 singles he has released, he has been on the Billboard Pop and R&B charts for years.

            His latest album, “Heartbreak on a full moon” debuts this fall on November 3, 2017 the CD version and downloadable album on ITunes will be released within two years since his last album “Royalty” named after his little girl, he has been working on this next album, shooting a documentary, “Welcome to my Life”, touring across the country for the “Party” tour, and has been doing a slew of interviews across the country doing promotions. When you see Chris in interviews he’s comical, blunt, honest, real, vulnerable, very intelligent, and holds a great conversation. He has a way where you see him simply for the person that he is completely. You don’t see this image that people have built up in their minds of him “He’s a bad boy—he’s no longer our American sweetheart”. I personally believe he still is and he still has a great image but just like all of us he is human, still growing into the man he wants to be. Even with the battles he has fought personally he managed to still keep fighting to make music. He never stopped he knew what worked for him and made him a great artist. He has been dedicated completely. His new album titled the dark, vulnerable, title “Heartbreak on a full moon” which exposes the many sides his fans know him for he knows how to have a good time with his music, he knows how to cater to the women who have become fans of him, and he can connect with his male audience too making relatable songs too.

Chris has matured over the course of his journey since he was first discovered you see a huge growth in his albums compared to when he first debuted in 2005. He has handled the success, the pressure, and managed to find a way to deal with everything that has been thrown at him.  He knows how to connect with his millennial fans right away. Even through the movies he appeared in "Stomp the Yard", "Takers", "Think Like A Man", and "This Christmas" would like to see him play some more different roles in the future. 

I have my personal favorite songs for certain occasions I love by him too, “Don’t Judge Me”, “Yo Excuse Me Miss”, “Dangerous (Fine China)”, “Back to sleep”, “With You”,  “Ready” featuring Fabolous and many other hit songs I love that he has collaborated with over 50 different artists I believe. Every song has become a hit on the radio, I Tunes, Spotify, Tidal downloads and sales.  Chris Brown’s new album he’s teaming up with Jhene Aiko, Ty Dolla Sign, Future and Young Thug, Yo Gotti, A Boogie with da Hoodie, Usher, Gucci Mane, R. Kelly, A1.  All of these artists he is collaborating with definitely will give Chris some hits everyone on his album has already had a number one hit or more featured on the radio. Looking at his titles clearly you see he has a lot to talk about right now so much has happened to him personally and professionally. You can see he wanted to bare his soul more on this album. It’s hitting stores next month November 3, 2017. For more information on Chris Brown his music, touring, and more visit http://www.cbeworld.com and http://www.itunes.com.  Also make sure you watch his documentary “Welcome to my life” you really are going to see where it all began for Chris as an artist and see him as a whole person not just the stories, rumors, he clears up a lot that has happened you get a better sense of who he is as Chris Brown the artist and Chris Brown a young, African American man, father, son,  producer, singer, songwriter, and person.
     

Lothario#2-Tremaine Aldon Neverson we know him as “Trey Songz” and “Trigga”

He’s another multitalented artist I would say out of the R&B bunch who I have grown up with these past 15 years probably I would say he’s definitely the gentlemen and the one who wants to swoon you and captivates you with his enchanting and  dark brown expressive eyes. He’s originally from St Petersburg, Virginia born November 28, 1984 right in the middle of the eighties and during a time when artists were partying to all of Pop, R&B hits on American Bandstand, people were still rocking to Michael Jackson and hip hop was at it’s infancy stages too. The shy Tremaine was born but he had  a gift of singing his parents always encouraging him to sing when he was in high school. Atlantic Records eventually discovered him and after he graduated from Petersburg High School in 2002 he moved to New Jersey to begin recording his first debut album. “Just got to make it” is the debut album, which came out in 2005.  About 7 albums and mix tapes later….we arrive at his most personal album “Tremaine” which came out earlier this year in March of 2017. Love both albums Trigga gives you one side of Trey Songz the hip, cool, laid-back, charming playboy, and with Tremaine you really here the human side come out of him, the concerns, the dreams, aspirations, the drama, personal struggles he deals with on this album. Particularly “Playboy” you get he doesn’t want to be seen anymore to the masses as just the “Mr. Steal Your Girl” persona where he’s walking out of a club with his entourage and a gorgeous woman on his arm. Then you see he is dealing with the battle of do I just want to settle down step away and just be a regular person. Do I want to settle into becoming a father, a husband, and stepping outside of the limelight for a while. He’s at that age he’s 32 almost 33….in November. Where you see that he’s dealing with the lifestyle he wants to know which direction do I go into. Do I want to be like my peers and my clique and just party all night. Or do I want to continue wining and dining beautiful women. Or do I honestly want to concentrate on my career and expand myself as a recording artist and entertainer. I love how he’s exposing that side of himself. Showing that although I may be a celebrity I am still a person looking to live my complete full life and enjoy myself. I still want to be like a normal every person who has different tasks,  who has a family, and responsibilities to deal with too. My personal favorites from “Tremaine” , “Nobody else but you”, “Picture Perfect”, “Number 1 Fan”, and a few others love the album and I hope you all will too. Stay tuned I am sure he will be back on tour very soon. He also has a new movie he has done some acting as well in "Texas Chainsaw Massacre", "Baggage Claim", and a few television roles he will star in "Blood Brothers" this year will be released 

Visit http://www.itunes.com/ and http://www.treysongz.com for his latest albums, performances, and more. 

           

"Justin Timberlake will take over Pepsi Halftime show February 2018"

He's taking the superbowl stage again with all of his hits February 4, 2018 

So it’s official Justin Timberlake, 36 will be taking over the Pepsi Halftime show on February 4, 2018 in Minneapolis, Minnesota, I know some people may have mixed feelings but maybe here are some reasons why we have to just let it go because this man has given us incredible hit after hit. So for the past 27 years he has been entertaining us since he started out as a Mickey Mouse Mouseketeer when he was about eleven years old in the 1990s. This is where he met his future ex-girlfriend, Britney Spears, his best friends, and some of his band mates from N’SYNC who would all be apart of the big Pop Music explosion at the end of the 20^th century. They would go on to sell millions of records and would team up again after Justin went solo in 2001. His debut album, “Justified” is one of my favorites to this day I know every track, the stories behind it, who he produced with too. Music geniuses like Timbaland, Pharrell, The Neptunes, Clipse, Janet Jackson, and many more were featured on this album that caused a pop/soul phenomenon. They dubbed Justin the “blue-eyed soul” singer which he definitely is now. He has the kind of voice where you can connect with him on different levels. Whether if Justin wants to turn up and party, he may want to woo you and serenade you in a song, or

Now he has had the chance to entertain us all on a global scale many people have seen his concerts, shows, but you know the Super bowl is massive because you get to connect with millions of fans from all over the country. Something I believe he has no problem doing at all he has connected to his fans through his music, he knows how to woo the ladies, and he has moves choreographed and emulated from all of his music videos.  Anyone remember his choreography in his  “Suit and Tie” video featuring Jay-Z, “Like I Love You” featuring Pharrell Williams and The Clipse, “Cry Me A River” featuring Timbaland, or “My Love” featuring T.I. these are songs and videos where choreography is memorable his moves are slick, smooth, and you see influences of his musical inspirations and idols, Michael Jackson , David Bowie, and many more people who you see his trade mark moves.

Justin can put on a show, he can entertain you with his instruments, his dance moves, his songs, and he can make you think and feel in a song captivating you into another world. Most of all he can transform and become a different character whether he’s being comical and acting like a buffoon on SNL, being romantic and debonair in movies like “Just Friends”, transforming into an animated troll in the Oscar winning 2016 hit film, “Trolls” the movie with his song that everyone loves “Can’t stop the feeling” which me and many movie goers and music lovers love the upbeat positive music. You can see he has the ability to transform and go into diverse roles. Love it he can continue to do more as a performer and can see him doing more comedies in the future.  He has the special gift and the “it factor”. He’s grown up completely in this industry he’s no longer the curly cued front man from N’SYNC. He has established himself now as a full out entertainer, performer, father, and husband now.

 So will all of you watch the Superbowl and see what the “Prince of Pop” can bring the stage? I guarantee you I will be watching along too.

For more information visit http://www.nfl.com, http://www.justintimberlake.com, and http://www.pepsi.com

           

"These two Demetrias have quite a lot in common" : Demetria McKinney and Demi Lovato

These two multitalented ladies have way too much in common even their birth names, nicknames, and the month they were born in is similar and exact. That is way too scary. I think these two were just destined to have phenomenal voices, they have resilience, strength, and have crossed over into music, television, film, and are incredibly talented. Their voices full of fire, soul, passion, pain, and you can connect with who they are right away.
Demetria Number#1-Demetria "Demi" McKinney-The newcomer to the R&B game

The first Demetria her full name is Demetria Dyan  McKinney her family and friends call her “Dee Dee or Demi”. She was born August 27, 1979 in Albuquerque, New Mexico.  She has starred on the television hit comedy produced by Tyler Perry’s “House of Payne” for six years from (2006-2012) she played struggling  and recovering drug addict, mother of 4 , Janine Shelton-Payne on the television series. I loved the character but there was something about although she was battling personal demons, there was a fight in her that she didn’t want to give up or stop at all. She wanted to fight for her children, she wanted to clean up her life, and she wanted her family bond to be close, strong, tight, and wanted to change her life. She definitely did Perry took us on a journey between “Janine’s” personal battles how it affected the Paynes on the television show. Also it raised controversial topics, dealing with personal struggles, drug abuse, addictions, recovery, spirituality,  and what it takes to get your life on a clean and sober path.  Demetria played the role and it definitely was definitely believable something that I could relate to in my family I have seen people overcome and struggle with many addictions too. I loved the character it is relatable we all know someone who battles and has to find a way to clean up their life to get them to be a better and the best version of themselves.

Another role Demetria recently played the late, great, amazing, Whitney Houston who of course was a role model to me growing up and millions of fans as well. Love Whitney still sing her songs to this day and she will forever be a voice we will never ever forget. Demetria sings as well and would make Whitney bow at her feet when she played her in the controversial role of the Bobbi Kristina story. Many were not too excited about this story making it to the mainstream but executive producers and networks fought to tell the story of Bobbi Kristina her relationship with her mother, her boyfriend and fiancé  Nick, and also how she wanted to follow in her mother’s footsteps to become a pop and R&B recording artist too. Demetria did an incredible job and fans have been supportive from watching it on television and You Tube praising her and saying “I only want to see Demetria McKinney playing and acting as Whitney Houston from now on”. Which is a pretty high compliment  from fans that love her. 

However, they didn’t realize Demetria can really sing there were no tracks being played no lip-synching. She can actually sing. I was in the car with my family back in September  in Washington, D.C. and I heard a familiar song come on 102.3 Magic’s radio station  and I heard the song a couple of months ago. I loved the song and kept thinking who is this woman I usually can figure out who’s singing on the radio within about 10 seconds I can recognize a voice, a pitch, a note and I will know who the person is singing and crooning on the radio. (Ah, what can I say it’s a gift when you love music lol =) ).

Yet, I couldn’t place this person and sure enough when I looked up the song something told me it was probably Demetria McKinney for some reason the tone of her voice. It all made sense when I heard it. She has a song called “It’s not easy” on her debut album, “Officially Yours” just came out October 6, 2017 and her song is already being played all over the airwaves. She has a gift and she’s pretty incredible love the song.  Demetria has also been on many television series, “The Quad” , “Being Mary Jane”, and appeared on “Real Housewives of Atlanta” for a season too.  She has incredible acting chops and a great singing voice hope we will being seeing a lot more from her in the future. She signed with EOne Records and now has a break out hit. Everyone loves her song “Easy” which has become a new anthem for women.

Demetria Number#2- Demetria "Demi" Devonne Lovato-"The Disney Kid becomes the Woman with the Voice of Gold"

Officially Yours out now debuted October 6, 2017 

The show launched Demetria's career

Bobbi Kristina debuted on TV One October 2017

The Second Demetria….born Demetria Devonne Lovato you know her as “Demi Lovato” also her nickname is “Dee Dee”  born on August 20, 1992, also born in Albuquerque, New Mexico just like Demetria McKinney and both born the same month which is pretty incredible there’s something about these two that have so much in common. I would love to see them team up with something whether recording a song, a movie project. I can see something about them that would just work. She originally starred on Barney and Friends as a little girl when she was around 8 years old and then joined with the Disney family, “The Demi and Selena Show”, “Disney’s Friends for Change”, “The X Factor”, “As the Bell Rings”, she broke out and came out with her first album, “Here we go again” in 2009, her sophomore album , “Unbroken” in 2011 which launched the hit, Skyscraper, next “Demi”, and  my personal favorite, “Confident” her song inspires me every single day I play that song every day before I go to work, if I am preparing for an interview, or something that requires me to step outside of myself I know I have to put my game face on and really get ready. Confident was a hit all across the board Demi’s album she won a GLAAD Media Vanguard Award,  9 Teen Choice Awards in a variety of categories, and best song of the summer in 2017 for “Sorry Not Sorry”, this woman’s voice is incredible, work ethic, personality, and story is inspirational on so many levels. I call her “The voice of gold” cause her pipes she’s incredible I was listening to her perform her new album she was doing a live performance with DJ Elvis Duran and she was hoarse. I could hear it in her voice I knew “Wait a minute something’s not right she’s overworking her voice” lol…(see I know my artists lol you know when someone’s going to give you the performance of their life). She did that a week later Demi performed at the Somos Una Voz Hurricane Relief telethon for Hurricane Maria victims in Puerto Rico and she was incredible I was like “Okay, this woman is on her star quality mode” she’s incredible she rested and you can tell she just had it her voice was pure silk and she hit all of her normal octaves and notes. 

Demi has a new album coming now in 2017 with two hits already on the airwaves “Sorry Not Sorry” the summer anthem  and “Tell Me You Love Me” (love this song will definitely hear this being played at a lot of weddings in the future). The song is incredible it has a lot of old school soul to it. Love where she is going in her music she’s crossing over into all different genres. She’s heading into that multi genre status. The footsteps like Whitney Houston,  Madonna, Mariah Carey, Aretha Franklin, Beyonce, Celine Dion,  Lady Gaga, Christina Aguilera,  Britney Spears, and many others have crossed over into breaking barriers in music not just focusing on pop music but they can cross over into Dance, EDM, Hip Hop, Rap, Latin, Soul, Jazz, they continue to collaborate and evolve. These two “Demis” or “Dee Dees”  have the fight, the strength, the talent, the power to become some incredible hit makers in the future.

For both Demetrias visit http://www.deedeesworld.net , http://www.demetriamckinney.com, http://www.demilovato.com hope the Lovatics and Demetrians will be listening and staying tuned for the next hits coming out for these ladies. Also visit http://www.fabletics.com 

Special Note: Also for everyone who has been impacted by any of the hurricane disasters definitely will not be forgotten we still will continue to support you all. It's going to take time to rebuild your cities, homes, towns, your hearts, minds, and memories. Visit http://www.somosunavoz.com for helping those in Puerto Rico too.

Demi on Ellen 

Fabletics campaign she teamed up with Kate Hudson and joined creating her own collection 

New single, "Tell Me Love You" debuted September 2017 

Demi's new Fabletics collection for 2017 visit http://www.fabletics.com 

9 Years of HBS Blog We made it another year

You know I always commemorate and celebrate my blog's birthday it's actually (October 21st) but I couldn't help but wait lol.... because this means so much you all don't see how I am behind the scenes coming up with stories. I am either watching many different shows, online videos, reading, paying crucial attention to how people change their clothes, their hair, all of the popular things happening. I remember from my basi

c reporting class these top things: Prominence, Timeliness, Controversy, Read-Worthiness, anything that will get people's attention. You will be surprised sometimes the best stories are not made up...they just happen actually. 

 It's a job but I love how this "digital gift" came into my life when I needed an outlet. I don't even consider it a job anymore. I consider it to be a "passion project".  I needed to learn more about promotion, how to get not only my writing voice out there but I needed to discuss things that we all have on our minds too. I knew about promotions from attending many radio promotions and music promotions with my parents. Yet I had to tweak and really learn the art of promoting and selling yourself and someone else's brand. 

Many of you probably don't know that I was a staff writer I was  young when it happened and I was thrilled to write for my college newspaper but at the same time I didn't realize I was developing a brand for myself. I was 19 when I started writing for my school newspaper, The Torch which I did for a year until I graduated. That was my training I learned how to interview people and how to get my stories out there. I will never forget the day I made the front of the paper. It meant that you would paid a bonus whenever you made the front of the paper. I loved every time I was published whether it was in front of wherever just to be making my dream come true. Kept me going I told my 4th grade teacher "When I grow up I want to be a writer and an actress". (She thought I was a great writer and a good puppeteer I used to put on puppet shows as a kid I will discuss that later). Anyway though to grow into a writer it takes work and creativity. We often work alone which is something  one of my Mass Media & Communications professors warned me. He and I were both only children(I am from my mom but I have a big brother too ). Yes we are alone at times but we learn to become our own best friend and what makes us happy, what gives us a jolt to write something. Sometimes you do experience writers block too it happened to me in college it was a crazy feeling but that does happen too. So when you write I channel the 5 senses....taste, touch, sight, sound, and hearing. You need to be descriptive to the T, videos help a lot these days, and photos you can be really detailed. So with all of social media advancements writers we have it really good these days. You can get the interview, take photos, and video and you're really good. You have more tools and skills to make a fantastic killer interview or blog post, or newspaper/magazine article. 

  I was learning what it takes to make someone's business more popular and successful whether it is food, clothing, books, music, a new cd, a restaurant,  or television and films coming out  to get out there right away. 

I still love it and I love how my blog gets to grow with me as I mature, grow up, and head into the decade of my 30's I have been writing since I was 21 and I will be 31 in November. So you will hear me talking about more topics that are grown up,  more things that adults discuss and what happens along my journey in my career, my personal life, and my friendships too. Also you are going to see the blog evolve. Ever since I first developed the blog it made me realize you have some stories to tell why not consider a biography, or books about my life, my family, children's books, and a lot of fun different topics. It also keeps me focused and aware of the change that is happening around us too. I am planning to join up with SquareSpace to create my own website where the blog can be featured there, and working on my books too. So there's a lot happening right now you all have to stay tuned. As I always say "There's so much more to share" believe me....lol! 

Thank you to all of my readers for all of your support you rock!!!!! Love you =) 9 years now wait until next year will be EPIC!!!!! LOL ☺❤xoxo Bacios Besos Kisses Hugs and Thank you for keeping me going to write.-Chloe Riccardo aka "Honey Brown Sugar"

Make sure you follow me on  Facebook @facebook.com/honeybrownsugar, Twitter @honeybfly6, and Instagram @chloejewelriccardo  I rejoined this summer and very happy to get my passion project out there even more. There's so much now for me to discuss my hands are going to be on overdrive.