All posts by crabzinabarrel
Great Night with G.O.O.D. Music Pusha T & Cyhi Da Prynce in DC
By Urbansocialight
G.O.O.D. Music artists Pusha T and Cyhi Da Prynce graced the DMV with their presence for the Heineken Red Star Access Tour. This event was an intimate evening of good hip-hop music hosted by the beautiful Adrienne Bailon (who is also sweet as pie!) The only way to score tickets was by following @DCtoBC on Twitter who gave away 100 tickets to select individuals. Every ticket winner was also allowed to bring a guest and was treated to delicious light fare and free Heineken all night!
The evening was fantastic and Heineken allowed guests to take as many pictures and videos as we’d like. So here’s a video of Pusha T performing “So Appalled” “Popular Demand” and “Grindin”.
More videos of the night are after the jump!
Continue reading Great Night with G.O.O.D. Music Pusha T & Cyhi Da Prynce in DC
Uptown XO – EFFORTLESS
New music coming from one of the best to do it in the DMV, Uptown XO. Monumental 2 coming soon.
BET Awards = EPIC FAIL
By @Urbansocialight
I was really upset at the BET Awards because, per usual, I had some hope of them having some semblance of a reputable award show, yet again I was completely let down. I have to applaud Kevin Hart for trying to be a good host, he started off strong and the skits were very funny. Indeed , there were also great performances from many artists including Mary J. Blige & Anita Baker, Jill Scott, Cee-Lo & Marcia Ambrosius, Alicia Keys & Bruno Mars, Chris Brown, Mary Mary and Patti LaBelle who also received the Lifetime Achievement award. But the stand out performance came from Kelly Rowland, who shut haters up with a sexy performance, where she proved a woman can sing without being half naked (*gasps*). Her vocals were SO on point!
Let’s just highlight the pitfalls: poor sound, too many repeat performers, the HORRIBLE Fan Fav mix-up, Kevin Hart missing for an hour, Debra Lee’s outfit, Shirley Caesar’s outfit, the cursing censor being asleep on the job, in summary, to quote our Twitter page: “Technical difficulties is an understatement”. The gospel and Lifetime Achievement performances can’t be the only saving graces EVERY YEAR! That’s why they do the Stellar’s and the Celebration of Gospel and a thousand other positive award shows (Shout out to the CMT Awards). I think that this will be the last year I’m participating in this coonery that like’s to pose as an award show.
That being said, I was extremely upset at the Reuter’s headline, “Stars with criminal pasts honored at BET Awards”. Are you bloody kidding me? Our entire society glorifies criminals and drug addicts (i.e. Paris Hilton, Lindsay Lohan, “Celebrity Rehab”, etc.) Equally as many rock stars have been arrested as rappers. Hell, Steven Tyler (whom I love BTW) has been arrested and no one wrote an article “Drug Addict and criminal Steven Tyler to be the new Idol judge”. The title alone is racially charged dribble and Reuters’ should be ashamed. If you are into hogwash read here.
Question of the Day: What did you think of the 2011 BET Awards? Reply to us on Twitter and we’ll RT the best tweets! (@CrabzInaBarrel)
Janette…ikz “I Will Wait For You”
By Urbansocialight
Our own Manda J sent me this clip of this spoken word artist Janette..ikz (pronounced “Genetics”). This woman is TheTruth.com (as Tamar Braxton’s husband Vince would say). Hailing from Long Beach, California Janette…ikz is a part poetess, part singer, part singer and a whole lot preacher. Our non-religious readers are warned this poem is laced with Biblical text but hopefully it transcends religions. This piece is called “I Will Wait For You”.
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Genetics-Janetteikz/112000052151727
Booking: bookgenetics@gmail.com
JFK ft Nike Nando & Hunit Grand – KICK IT
Turnz – The Level (Mixtape)
A-Game – Since 1988 (Mixtape)
I wanna say the A-game can go and their from Drake’s home town Toronto. Download “Since 1988” Mixtape when you get a chance below. Enjoy the music folks.
Laelo Hood – Cool f. Pro’Verb & Lyriciss (Video)
Patti Labelle Performs At U.S. Dream Academy “Power of A Dream” Gala
By Urbansocialight
A few nights ago, I had the honor of working the U.S. Dream Academy “Power of a Dream” Gala. The U.S. Dream Academy connects at-risk youth—particularly children who have a parent who is incarcerated—with mentors who help guide their academic careers. The U.S. Dream Academy was founded by noted gospel singer Wintley Phipps the program, which also helps children who are academically behind, operates in 10 cities, including D.C. and Baltimore.
Amongst the nights honoree were: U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Regina M. Benjamin, Sheila C. Johnson, Robert Townsend and Dr. Delbert W. Baker. All the honorees were extremely gracious and so down to earth. Dr. Benjamin, in her full military dress, mingled with the crowd as did Robert Townsend, who shook the hand of everyone he passed.
Being a music journalist, the highlight of the evening for me was the outstanding music. First, there was a performance of “This Little Light of Mine” by some of the children in the program from across the nation. The a cappella group Committed, who won the show “The Sing Off”, gave great performances of “Sweet Home Alabama”, “September”, and one of my all-time favorite songs “Let’s Stay Together”. One of the final performances of the night came as a duet between Wintley Phipps and the illustrious Patti LaBelle.
Patti spoke about her recent performance for Oprah and how Oprah had been such a blessing for so many people and she wanted to pass it along by sharing the evening with the U.S. Dream Academy. Her classic version of “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” had everyone jumping for joy. Having had just celebrated her 67th birthday(and looking fabulous!) Committed sang a beautiful happy birthday to her. I was supposed to be working the event, so I only got a few minutes to actually tape her performance, but I how you enjoyed the little portion I was able to capture. Enjoy!
For more information about U.S. Dream Academy please visit www.usdreamacademy.org
CRABZINABARREL 