Rihanna reaches Global Icon status with Anti in 2016

When you made it in Times Square with your poster you know your album is a beast. Took this last night 5/26/2016

I remember when this young lady first came out I was traveling abroad to Italy  learning beginner's Italian with “Macaroni” (Marisa, you all know one of my dear friends). So as we were traveling I remember visiting the internet café and there was a television on at the time. I look up and see MTV on and this girl moving her hips and dancing across the screen. She had long dark brown beautiful hair and hazel-green eyes.  She had a thick Caribbean accent and then her name flashed below and they said her name and it was Rihanna. The summer of 2005 was when I learned all about Rihanna and her music. I have been meaning to write about her a lot more often as well. I feel sometimes as a writer you have to time things and wait for the right moment. Sometimes you just know when it is the right time to release something and this definitely the right time for her. She has had over 8 albums over 52 singles have been released and have all made it on to the Billboard Hot 100 either in the United Kingdom or the United States. Rihanna has reached global icon status in a matter of a decade her career has taken off like wildfire. She has completely developed herself as an artist entirely. A recording artist is supposed to develop themselves, their craft, know the history, the present, and techniques behind their art form. They also learn how to create music, the business side of music, and promoting themselves too.

                For her as an artist she branched off into every single genre of the industry: R&B, Pop, Rock, Rap, Reggae, Dance, Club music, Country, and I believe if she wanted to do Jazz she probably could as well I think with the right song any melody you find for her I think she as an artist can connect to it. I didn’t realize at the time you know she was so young and was singing about issues and problems in relationships that 16 year olds don’t need to be singing about quite yet. She had a way of singing songs that even at a tender young age she could sing about grown woman’s problems in a problematic relationship. She has a raw ness, a vulnerability in her voice where you can see now she has been through things. The first time we all got to know her she was this beautiful Barbadian princess who could be relaxing in a hammock and singing fun, upbeat songs. Now she has evolved into the eclectic, rebel, bad girl, and enchantress. She has a way to grab people and get their attention right away. She has become a rebel and developed a strong exterior over the years to develop herself as an artist, speak her mind freely, and gain more control too. I don’t believe she is a bad girl I just know one thing Rihanna knows how to sell albums point blank. She has got the right musical army of soldiers behind her all the way they make sure she is taken care of completely. One thing I have noticed she has continued to expand her brand and herself as an artist with dancing, modeling, endorsements, clothing line, shoe line, and she has broken so many records.   

                Robyn Rihanna Fenty has broken a record of being Dior’s first African American woman to grace their campaign. She did with their Secret Garden collection in her stylish shades, red lipstick, and of course they have the right lady she’s 5’10 inches tall, with model looks and features. You she has the whole entire package, she has done some acting as well appearing on SNL in many skits, Battleship, and lent her voice to the main character of Home (2014). She has shown that she can cross over and work with just about anyone. She has worked with Kanye, Jay-Z, Justin Timberlake, her ex-beau, Chris Brown, Future, Drake,  and so many more. I would love to see her work with more female artists and possibly do some more songwriting as well. She has a way of transforming herself as a chameleon completely. She can become anyone she wants to be.  

 

 

2011 released "Rated R" featuring "So Hard" and "Talk that Talk"

 

 

2010 Relased

 

Her first album, "Music of the Sun" in 2005 featuring "Pon de Replay"

 

She released a reloaded album of Good Girl Gone Bad in 2007 featuring hit "Take A Bow" and "Umbrella"

 

2012 Unapologetic "Stay", 'Birthday Cake" and "Diamonds"

One other personal memory I have was when I was working at Roc A Fella Records doing my internship at Universal Music Group Records and I remember for the first time hearing “Umbrella” being played definitely a true hit. It was originally written for Mary J. Blige but she refused the pop confection hit. Truly a gift I believe because this song is played all over the world, in so many television, movies, and will be forever a karaoke go to song too.

One of her biggest accomplishments she just won a Billboard Award for Billboard Chart Achievement Award on Sunday at the2016 Billboard Music Awards and just performed “Love on the Brain” from her latest album  her new single just released in March is all ready climbing the charts right now. She has won numerous in the past as well from Billboard, American Music Awards, MTV, and more. So this woman isn’t slowing down at all. Expect more music and more of her fashion label in the future. For more information on her new album and upcoming projects visit http://www.rihannanow.com and follow her on Facebook, Snapchat, Instagram, and Twitter.

 

 

You hear her on the radio now read how she got there-Angie Martinez-My Voice

The book just debuted this month with a foreword written by: rap artist/songwriter, J Cole

I have something definitely to share with you all when it comes to this special woman. You can hear her voice on the radio. It’s something about people’s voices and faces we have a tendency to remember especially when you have known or seen the person for a long time. Her story resonates with mine we both are familiar with the radio industry and how it works. I wanted to be in the music industry for a long time always wanted to be a singer/songwriter or become an actress actually. As many of you know my background let me into the media field.  So as you know I grew up around the radio industry. My mother, Gina is an account executive she works in the sales/advertising department of radio. She earned her degree in broadcasting from Stony brook University. So radio and music have always been a part of my life but when your mother is around that industry you really grow up around it.

                My mother has been around the industry of radio since the mid-1980s she found a job working for CBS Radio the year before I was born. She worked there for a few years before getting the opportunity to work and relocate to Washington, D.C. to work at Majic 102.3 radio station with Cathy Hughes. So for me being able to grow up around that I always knew I was attracted to the arts, entertainment. I love being able to see what they do actually. It really hit me when she got the chance to work at 93.9-Kiss FM in Washington, D.C. that’s when I discovered I had a knack for doing interviews, also I fell in love with having the opportunity to meet celebrities too. The first group I met was the R&B 1990s band, Immature who would later become IMX. I knew from that day this is it I am supposed to be in the music industry some way or somehow. So when my mother and I had to relocate back to New York she went first for a new opportunity I of course was right behind her. This time she would cross over into mainstream radio though. She had the chance  first to work at WBLS Radio station this was when I discovered many deejays one in particular, Wendy Williams who would go on to have a successful career in radio broadcasting, film, and television. Hence the “Wendy Williams Experience” and now “Wendy Williams Show”. So you all wonder how does  Angie Martinez fit into all of this. I will get to that in just a moment. In 1998 my mother asked me and told me she would be working for a new radio station well one that caters to a younger audience WQHT’s HOT 97 in New York City. I told her she should do it and the rest is history. She worked there for about 5 years during that time was definitely some of the most memorable times of my life and hers. In 1999 I would get the chance to experience my first summer jam concert. I loved it I was very young but it taught me how to grow up fast. I had a chance to see the faces of the radio station. One in particular of course is Angie Martinez she would emcee the show along with DJ Funk master Flex and many other people. Angie is one of the fiercest Latinas in the radio industry game. She has interviews hundreds of rap artists, R&B, pop and international stars from all over. You can recognize her voice instantly.

                I would also listen to her show and many others. I still do so it’s definitely a part of me so now when I hear she has a book I am like really!!! I have heard about her book with her Latin recipes, I have heard her album she had a single called “Mi Amor” and “If I can go” on the radio that was pretty popular where she crossed over from deejay to rap artist. So now that she has expanded her brand is incredible. In 2014, Angie left Hot 97 which of course many of us were like all sad because she has become apart of the 18-45 crowd when it comes to music. She has not lost her touch though she still conducts some of the best interviews in the business. She treats people very welcoming like their her personal friends. Although some are her personal friends she makes them feel at home when behind the microphone.

                One of my best memories of Angie has to be for my sweet sixteen she wished me a Happy Birthday for my 16^th birthday. So that’s something I won’t forget that I still have my sweet 16 video and the tape of dedications from everyone  including DJ Funkmaster  Flex, Red  Alert, and Angie to all of you thank you sending mucho besos !!!  For more information on Summer Jam (see I am giving you all a plug lol!) visit http://www.hot97.com for more information on Power 105 visit http://www.power1051fm.com , and for more information on Angie, her books, and music visit http://www.thevoiceofny.com follow them on twitter and Instagram too!!!!

"Southside with You" debuts this summer 2016

         Talk about a treat and love letter to and from the Obamas. I cannot believe after two terms and nearly eight years now that President Obama and his wife, Michelle have been in office in the White House now. I can still vividly remember sitting next to my father at his old apartment in Riverdale, Maryland and we were watching the live broadcast of him being sworn in and taking the oath of office with his hand on the bible. On that very cold January 20, 2009 day President Obama's wife, his two children, Sasha and Malia were observing and taking in the momentous occasion. What better way for them to be honored now with a romantic, drama, and biography about how their life and relationship all began in the summer of 1989.  I see this as a fitting tribute to the two of them especially with his last year in office and era of him and wife as the first African American family in the white house. I remember seeing Obama campaigning around New York, I even had a chance to do some phone banking for him in 2008 and in 2012 with his second term. It has been one experience I will cherish always I met many people along the way who are apart of me. I remember it very well and this part of my life will always be with me. I was in college at the time getting ready to vote for the first time. I missed the ’04 election due to my birthdate but was very happy for this election would fall just 2 days after I turned 22 years old. On November 8, 2008 I voted for the first time and am very proud I had a chance to vote for President Barack Obama on the ballot in Jersey City that fall day. It was a momentous election for not only himself, but for the country, and the world. It has redefined us completely as a country and a generation.

         I love that they decided to do a film on him especially right before he is leaving office later on this year and this is his last year and term. The entire family embarks on a new journey together next year and new chapter of their lives. Sasha it was just announced all over every single media outlet in the fall of 2017 she will be attending her father’s alma mater, Harvard University. She plans to major in film production (Wise choice) she even completed two internships working with the Steven Spielberg and on CBS’s “Extant” with Halle Berry. I wonder how will the world be “Post-Obama”, “post-Obamacare”, and how is this going to affect us all. Well obviously there has been hope, change, and a beautiful mark across the board for everyone to witness and experience. Now not only do we get to have a piece of history, memorabilia along the way.  In August we will now have a romantic drama about the Obamas and how the journey in the summer of 1989 in Chicago, Illinois where a young, Michelle LaVaughn Robinson met Barack Hussein Obama. This will be one of the films to remember. The film is directed & starring Richard Tanne, produced and starring Glendon Palmer , Robert Teitel, & Richard Tanne  is starring Parker Sawyers as a young Barack Obama as he is attending Harvard University. It will also star Euphemia “Tika” Sumpter who will play Michelle Obama nee Robinson.  Talk about the role of a lifetime. Tika Sumpter has starred and played many interesting characters just saw her most recently, “Ride Along 2” (2016) and she her resume is quite impressive, “One Life to Live”, “Stomp the Yard: Homecoming”, “Gossip Girl”, “The Game” (2011) , “What’s your Number?” (2009), “Think Like A Man” (2012), “Sparkle” (2012), “ A Madea Christmas” (2014), Tyler Perry’s “The Haves and the Have Nots” on the OWN network, and BET’s “Being Mary Jane”.

         As she will play Michelle the film will focus on how the couple first developed, their friendship, how their love, loyalty, commitment formed, and how the first family redefined themselves.  They both have achieved greatness since he first became senator, during his campaign, during two terms (2008-2012) and (2012-2016) his last and final term. They achieved many milestones, goals, and have even inspired couples all over the world not only to have a romantic relationship with their partners, husbands/wives, but to also develop a better business sense, they redefined family in the White House. I believe he has set a great example for African American men as fathers. You see a great deal achieved. He has inspired many men young and old.

What a beautiful way for them to be honored it is extremely bittersweet to say good-bye to them. They have become a great part of my life, volunteering for the campaign along with thousands of others has taught me something about fighting for change and what you believe in as well. It taught me why it is so important to give back as well. So now along with his and her biographies, photos, memories, videos, documentaries, hats, buttons. We will now have a romantic/drama film to show that true love and the right person can open up some major doors for you as a person.

Sundance was already released the film internationally on January 24, 2016 and now the film will debut within the country in  theaters on August 26, 2016. For more information I suggest you visit http://www.sundance.com , http://www.imdb.com/title/tt4258698/, follow Tika and Parker online for more information until the film’s website is posted and up. Of course you know I had to include photos my dear readers you may see some throwbacks you have never seen. 

       

2009- The Inaugural Ball Photo remember these Jason Wu designs &  to the left the 2013 Inaugural Ball dinner