Chrisette Michelle Cools out NYC/ River To River

Yesterday in NYC was a picture perfect day by Rockefeller Park; the swelled sun ready to rest perfectly over the cool waters; the rustling trees over a tad bit of wind; Everyone listened to the directions of the songstress who performed when she tweeted “Look 4 the Statue of Liberty! Listen for the MUSIC!” It was Chrisette Michele, performing for free to hundreds of people for the River To River festival, celebrating its 10th Anniversary this year.

Chrisette started off performing hits such as “Be Ok,” “I’m a Star,” and “What You Do” donned in a blue and green floral print flowy dress, green studded arc earrings, those famous eyelashes, blue heels and pink lipstick. She then joked about her car as an into to “Aston Martin Music”, sans Ricky Rozay, wishing she had the car she sang about in the song. Fans in the audience moved around in their chairs and waved their hands in the air for that one.

“I had an epiphany! I’m gonna sing about it,” Chrisette chimed as the intro to “Epiphany.” With emphasis on every word, the pint sized singer opened her eyes wide at “How many times did I fall for your lies?” A short tribute to Erykah Badu followed with “On and On,” before “Goodbye Game” from her latest album “Let Freedom Reign.” “Best of Me” and “I Don’t Know Why But I Do” had the crowd feeling lovey-dovey, and Chrisette ended by dedicating the song to the “17 people that are still in love here today.”

“Golden” was a highlight of the night. With a jazzy upbeat twist, Chrisette vocalized smoothly, then gave the stage to her counterparts midway, asking her keyboardist, guitarist, bassist, back up singers, and drummer “What does Golden Love sound like?” The questioned then used their instruments to their hearts content. Her drummer, Habbert Cheeks III, stole the show, banging so fast and so hard like his life depended on it. Chrisette ended the song showing off her silly side, with sound effects, and even added in a few “moo’s.”

Chrisette took everyone to church, singing an earth shaking “Total Praise,” then ended with “Blame It On
Me” and “Fragile,” in which she invited everyone to get out of their seats and come to the stage. It was a cool out end to a cool out night.

--Girl Blue(TR)



Writing.

:)

SWAG! SWAG!

The Cool Kids "Swimsuits"

"Swimsuits" is The Cool Kids' second single off of When Fish Ride Bicycles, due out July 12...

and it's hot!

The Cool Kids - "Swimsuits" (Featuring Mayer Hawthorne) by greenlabelsound

The One Question Interview--Mickey Factz

Q: What do you consider your grittiest bar to be?

If you could ask your favorite artist only one question, what would you ask?--GB

Photo Credit: slamxhype.com

GB HIGHLIGHTS: MICKEY FACTZ x FREE SHOW

As part of Apple's Black Music Month Celebration, all around the US in the month of June free shows are going down in Apple Stores to the likes of Ryan Leslie, Big K.R.I.T, and Tabi Bonney. Last Thursday, fans stood in line in NYC waiting for a wristband for the next big thing on Jive, Mickey Factz.

SneakerBox Chock was the opening set. Before his pool of too-hip guests the Camden, NJ rapper performed some of his bangers to an unsuspecting crowd. Most of his set was bombarded with swarms of sirens and bringing the beat back, typical DJ stuff. And when it became too much for the room to handle, he spat a freestyle about his imperfect past and asked the audience something like, "What did you expect? Me to come up here and say I was the number two best rapper?" (And while that was a valid affirmative point, it took the audience a bit of time to warm up to it.) Performing "Shoestrings," "Shades," and "Move," SneakerBox worked hard, but gained some head-boppers at the end of his set.

He gave the stage to Mickey Factz, who came on stage wearing white, skinny jeans and printed tee included. He didn't get too far in before he performed some new hits off of his debut album, The Achievement, like "For the Culture" sans Marsha Ambrosius and a new track called "Dusk Till Dawn." In the thought-provoking but dance party track about an ex, Mickey sang relatively high over a pop production, and jumped up and down in place to the raving beat. It's not much different than "It's Automatic," but it experiments with a bit more crossover dance music. Mickey also performed "It's Automatic," "Paradise," "Diamond Dust," and a fly "We Young" in which at the "don't stop, get it get it" part he did a cool two step, a little pop/lock action. Post show, he greeted fans and snapped flicks.

After six mixtapes and on the cusp of a label LP he ended the night ready to take on the world, or at least, album sales.

The album, The Achievement, comes out this fall on Jive records.

--Girl Blue (TR)

Balance

her.lips.are.copper.wire.

whisper of yellow globes/ gleaming on lamp-posts that sway/ like bootleg licker drinkers in the fog/ and let your breath be moist against me/ like bright beads on yellow globe/telephone the power-house/that the main wires are insulate/(her words play softly up and down
dewy corridors of billboards)/then with your tongue remove the tape/and press your lips to mine/
till they are incandescent...

jean toomer.

The One Question Interview--Mama's Gun

Mama's Gun did a Twitter Q&A session Monday to commemorate the release of their album, The Life And Soul, in the UK. They answered many questions, and I got to get a question in. To my very surprise, I got an answer from each of the guys. Then they turned the tables and asked me the same question. That's when I realized, hmmm...maybe my questions do require some thought! But those are the best ones.

As for the answers, I love the Stevie love, and my favorites off of Songs in The Key of Life include "Village Ghetto Land" and "Sir Duke;" I picked Talking Book. Specifically because of "Maybe Your Baby" and "I Believe When I Fall In Love (It Will Be Forever)." When Professor mentioned Aretha, it made me think of her gospel album I like, Amazing Grace: The Complete Recordings. And Donny Hathaway is a favorite of mine too, along with D' Angelo's Voodoo, specifically "Left and Right" and "One Mo' Gin."

If you could only ask your favorite artist one question, what would you ask?--GB

QUESTION: What three funk/soul albums must every human listen to in his or her lifetime?

Spiller:

Lewis Taylor, Lewis Taylor
I Want You, Marvin Gaye
Extension of a Man, Donny Hathaway
Bonus: any of Stevie Brown's albums

UJ (Jack):
Songs In The Key Of Life, Stevie Wonder
Rejuvenation, The Meters
Voodoo, D'Angelo

Eighties

Mothership Connection, Parliament

Songs in The Key Of Life, Stevie Wonder
Head Hunters, Herbie Hancock

Andy Platts
Inspiration Information, Shuggie Otis
There's a Riot Goin' On, Sly & The Family Stone
Lewis Taylor, Lewis Taylor

Professor
Live, Donny Hathaway
Live at the Fillmore West, Aretha Franklin
Songs in the Key Of Life, Stevie Wonder

*Me! GirlBlueSTL:
Talking Book, Stevie Wonder
The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill, Lauryn Hill
1st Born Second, Bilal

Vintage Clip 2

Two years ago, Ryan Leslie went to his first prom. It was the "Ultimate Prom 2009" where students from the High School of Fashion Industries in NYC were treated along Chelsea Piers to performances from Ryan, Kat Deluna, and many other acts of the moment. On the carpet, Ryan had some timeless and inspiring choice words for the fashion graduates. But what he said didn't just go for those who like to sew. Listen below. FYI, that number he provided is no longer in service, and his twitter is @ryanleslie, no more underscore. Hope you seniors are enjoying your prom/grad season! You did it!

And remember, it's not old, it's vintage. :)

Hi.