My Theme Song For 2014....

Being happy is a choice worth making.  Try it.  *sips tea*  Want some?  It's delicious. :)

Christmas Came A Little Early, No? (Thanks Beyonce)

Sooooo, Christmas came a little early!  I went to sleep last night and woke up to: 

Beyonce dropped a *gulp* 14-track video album on iTunes around midnight last night. Yep--each song comes with its very own video. *gulp again*  Listen.  Even if you don't like Beyonce (What the !@$& is wrong with you?), you gotta respect her brand: Bold and freakin' fearless. 

No marketing.  No promotion.  No warning.  Nada.  Just greatness.  Well played, B.  Well played.  #VirgoNation

 

Tie Tuesday (Shuggie Otis)

I loooooove music!  All kinds.  My personal catalog includes everybody from James Taylor to Tupac Shakur.  I'm attracted to artists who aren't afraid to step out of the box and be true to themselves. 

That's Shuggie Otis.  He's a serious, accomplished musician first.  An incredible guitarist.  I respect that.  And although his music is clearly influenced by jazz, R&B and blues, his psychedelic & eclectic style always shines through. 

Over the years, Shuggie has worked with Etta James, B.B. King and Jackie Wilson just to name a few.  He scored his biggest hit with "Strawberry Letter 23."  And then he just kinda disappeared - for almost 40 years.  Earlier this year, he released new music with his "Wings of Love" album. Yes!   

Throughout the music industry, Shuggie has been sampled by Beyonce, Outkast, DJ Quick and many others.   

When asked about Shuggie Otis recently, Lenny Kravtiz (another one of my favorites) said, "He's a great example of an artist that erases the borders between genres.  His sweet voice paints intoxicating pictures full of vivid imagery."

I couldn't have said it any better.... 

   

My Winning Powerball Music Playlist

Can you imagine winning $400 million dollars???  I can!   Listen.  If I win the Powerball Jackpot this week....  No--wait. What am I saying?  Scratch that.  *positive thinking*  WHEN I win the lottery (Come on Jesus), I'm gonna celebrate! I'm celebrating with lots and lots of music to commemorate the moment.  In fact, I'm hiring my own personal DJ to follow me around and bless me with great sounds. 

I've actually created my music playlist (with strict instructions) for the big pay day.  Wanna see it, here it goes!   *dancing*

For The Love Of Money (Money, Money, Money) - The O'Jays (I'll start my 1st day as a multimillionairess listening to this song.)

Look Like Money - Yung Ralph (Play this as they're presenting me with my check on TV.  Don't listen to what my momma says - Just play it!)

It's All About The Benjamins - Puffy (All day rotation)

Shower The People - James Taylor (Play this as I'm meeting with my new lawyers to discuss details...Gotta take care of my fam!)

Party Up In Here (Ya'll gone make me lose my mind - up in here!) - DMX (All day rotation)

Before I Let Go (Extended remix version) - Frankie Beverly and Maze (This should play as I'm walking in to my "I won the lottery" celebration party.)

That's What Friends Are For - Dionne Warwick, Stevie Wonder, Elton John, Gladys Knight (My friends will cry when this plays at my party 'cuz I'll be presenting them with dolla dolla bills, ya'll!) 

Let's Get Crazy - Prince (All day rotation)

Things That Make Me Go Hmmmmm - THIS Week (Batman, Lamar, Twerking, Folgers Coffee)

ABC News Article - Twerking: A Scientific Explanation.  Welp.  People are STILL talking about Miley Cyrus' VMA (MTV Video Music Awards) performance.  ABC News even jumped in the mix with an article they posted yesterday about the "science" of twerking.  Included in the post: An Auburn University professor's twerk break down (no pun intended *side-eye*) for those who want to know more.  No.  No--I'm not kidding: http://dld.bz/cNGJp

Folgers is America's #1 Coffee Brand - Yep, you heard it right.  Folgers is top dog in the $100 billion coffee world. Bloomberg Businessweek recently reported  that Americans buy more Folgers than any other brand.  Sorry coffee snobs (Starbucks soldiers), you came in at...number #5 on the list.  

Ben Affleck Is The New Batman - Warner Brothers announced recently that Ben Affleck will replace Christian Bale in the highly anticipated Batman-Superman movie that's scheduled to be released in July of 2015.  Listen.  I like Ben Affleck, but I gotta give a side-eye to him playing Batman.  I mean...huh?  Somebody want to explain that to me.  I'm listening.  *steeple fingers*

Lamar "Lam Lam" Odom - Drug addiction is no laughing matter.  If the reports of Lamar's drug addiction are true, it's really sad.  To make matters worse, reports are out that he's missing too.  Lord, this story is like an onion - layer after layer after layer.....

Judge Postpones Jodi Arias' Penalty Phase Trial AGAIN - This has GOT to be the longest criminal trial, re-trial, penalty phase trial in American history.  I mean, how MUCH is this costing taxpayers???  

 

Tie Tuesday (George Duke)

The music industry lost one of its greats recently....

When most people mention George Duke, they call him a jazz keyboardist.  But he was so much more than that.  He was also a producer, composer and arranger of some of the most amazing songs of all times.  A musical genius.  

You may not know this, but George Duke's career spanned almost 50 years.  Fifty years! Talk about longevity.  During his career, he collaborated Miles Davis, Frank Zappa, Michael Jackson and many, many more.  He also worked as musical director for the Soul Train Awards, and many other special events throughout the country. He even scored songs on soundtracks for "Footloose," The Five Heartbeats" and "Karate Kid III."  

I'm totally convinced there was nothing he couldn't do musically.  His talent was priceless, and his legacy will impact  and influence generations of music lovers.  He left us with some really great stuff.  His absolute best work.  His heart and soul.  How can you not love and respect someone like that? 

     

 

Tie Tuesday (Marvin Gaye)

In the wake of the Trayvon Martin tragedy, I've been listening to a lot of Marvin Gaye lately. I've always loved his music, but what I love more is his social activism THROUGH his music. 

I wish more artists would use their talents to evoke social change.  I believe celebrities and artists should use their star power to shine a spotlight on human equality.  After all--it's the fans, the every day people who support them.  I applaud those who do (Go Solange!), but it would be great to see more.   

That's my plan.  I'm no celebrity, but I'm an artist.  Marvin Gaye did it through lyrics and music.  Me?  I will continue to write.  I will rally people around me.  I will speak up.  I will share my experiences with others, and share those of my community too.  I will do my part and then some. 

  

Tie Tuesday (Héctor Lavoe)

I loooooove music.  All kinds!  My taste in music can't be described.  It just depends on my mood really.  I'm a fan of a wide range of talented artists.  Hector Lavoe is at the top of my list!  Whenever I listen to his music, I smile....and dance. :)  

He was born Hector Juan Perez Martinez.  To distinguish Hector from other Latino singers, a former manager made him adopt Felipe Rodriguez's moniker, "La Voz" ("The Voice"), and it turned into his stage name, Lavoe. 

"The Voice"......perfect choice.  In 2006, Marc Anthony and Jennifer Lopez starred in El Cantante, Hector's life story.  It was tragic and sad, but his music.... Amazing. 

If you love great music and you don't know who Hector Lavoe is, do yourself a favor and get to know him. You will not be disappointed.  I promise. 

Tie Tuesday (Jay-Z)

I've always loved Jay-Z, the rapper.  But Jay-Z, the business (not businessman)?  Whew!  I'm not sure about you, but he inspires the heck out of me.  He grew up in the Marcy Projects in Brooklyn, but today at age 43 he's reportedly worth nearly $500 million. 

With stakes in the Barclays Center, Roc Nation Sports, Budweiser Select (Co-brand director), Carol's Daughter (He knows what women like) and Rocawear (He sold it, but still has stake in the company), Jay-Z has literally gone from a street corner to a big, beautiful corner office.   

                                                              " I'm not a businessman, I'm a business, man."  -Jay-Z

Tie Tuesday (MmmHmmmmm)

I looooooooooove a well dressed man.  So, starting today I'm kicking off 'Tie Tuesday'!  Every week, I'll give some love to a man who deserves it.   

The first one goes to Justin Timberlake!  SO appropriate and timely too.  He released his latest CD last week entitled, "The 20/20 experience" and the first single is....you guessed it, "Suit and Tie."   Click Here to see Justin perform it live!

The Harlem Shake: A PR Lesson

Do me a favor, go to YouTube and type in the words "Harlem Shake."  Tell me what you see. I'll wait (there are more than 220,000 results).  *sips smoothie*  

The Harlem Shake.  Get into it.  It goes a lil' something like this... Put something on your head /over your face (a hat, scarf or ______)... *Harlem Shake techno music plays*  Start dancing slow, do whatever you want.  Then, as the music climaxes, just wild out.  Get crazy, wacky, jump up and down....do you for about 30 seconds.  That's it! 

Crazy, right?    

As a PR professional, I'm always fascinated when something goes "viral."  Part of me thinks, hey--this kinda stuff doesn't just happen.  No freakin way!  There has to be someone or something behind this. The other part of me understands and appreciates great PR.  

The "PR me" knows that phenomenons like these are unexpected, totally organic and will eventually fade away.  But for me, great PR is addictive.  And viral PR?  Woo la la.  LOVE it!  And while you can't predict when something will go viral, there are some things you can do to get people interested and excited about your product/company/service, and grab their attention like the Harlem Shake: 

• Create something that quickly entertains/educates your audience, and hits a nerve.
   
• Use the power of the Internet/social media to pass it on to others; make it sharable (If it's a video, make it focused, consistent and short.)
  
  
• Don't duplicate what's already been done - People won't be as engaged if they've seen/done it before.
  
  
• Don't be afraid to add a bit of humor (be careful...it HAS to be funny or it could backfire.)
  
  
• Luck - Even with the best strategy in place, sometimes success involves a little luck.

Remember there's no blueprint to creating something viral.  But if you incorporate the above elements in your PR plan, you'll create something that's impactful and memorable.

Happy New Year!!!!!!!!! My 2013 Theme Song Is.....

I KNEW this would be my theme song the minute I heard it.  It made me smile real hard. :)

*singing*  "Hellllloooo.  Hellllloooo.  Hellllloooo!  Wave hello, hello, hello."   *salute*

 

Change Is A Good Thing: Sparkle 2012

1976

Ok so, I have a confession to make.  When I heard that Hollywood was set to remake the movie Sparkle, I was soooo disappointed. Jordin Sparks as Sparkle?  Whitney Houston as Effe?  I said to myself, self (I call myself 'self'), "Why would anyone want to touch that movie.  Like, why???"  Because...the original version of Sparkle is everything. EVERYTHING. 

It's my favorite movie of all time. I fell in love with it as a kid and I've been in love with it ever since. The story. The characters. The music. They should have called it "Unforgettable" because once you see it, you'll never, ever forget it. The original movie was released in 1976. Over 35 years later, here comes the remake....

Sparkle 2012.  Two-thumbs up!  Brava!  Yeeeessss!      

The remake vs. the original - are there similarities?  Sure.  Is the remake entertaining?  Absolutely.  But, this is a very different movie.  You'll see three sisters who want to sing.  An overprotective mother.  Conflict and consequences.  But, it is....different.  And like most remakes, this version isn't a soulless carbon copy.     

The 2012 story line isn't nearly as gritty as the original.  The characters are familiar, but more flawed and endearing. The music is so freakin' dope (R. Kelly produced the soundtrack)!  And yes, the ending is predictable.  But the road to get there had twists and turns that were layered, complex and full of surprises. 

2012

And Whitney?  One word:  Awesome.  (That being said though, I was totally not prepared in any way to hear her voice.)  Her version of "His Eye Is On The Sparrow?" Jesus. You could hear a pin drop in the theater.  Beautiful.    

As I write this post, I'm having a huge slice of humble pie. Silly me.  My expectations for this film were extremely low. I mean really, does Hollywood ever get it right when it comes to remakes?  Not often.  But, I believe in giving credit where credit is due.
 
This adaptation of the original Sparkle stands on its own. It's a refreshing bright light in a world that believes that reality TV "stars" and Madea are authentic representations of my community.  It's not perfect, but it is inspirational. And it's a great reminder that change is good, if it's in the right direction.  

Up Close & Personal With Amber Bullock

Meet Amber Bullock.  She's beautiful, talented and she captured the hearts of millions as the 2011 Season 4 winner of BET's hit show Sunday Best.  Amber's debut CD, entitled Thank You was released in late 2011 on Mathew Knowles' Music World Gospel label and entered at #1 on Billboard's Top Gospel Albums chart.

Her signature jazz-infused, neo-soul style is in full effect on her sophomore project, So In Love, a collection of feel-good inspirational music released in July 2012.  A St. Louis native,  Amber partnered with producer PJ Morton on So In Love and describes their union as a "match made in heaven."         

THINKPink caught up with Amber during a recent visit to Atlanta.  She was in town to tape a live recording (she killed it by the way).  Check out the interview to find out more about Amber and her "feel good" music:

Your voice is amazing!  When did you know you had a gift, that your voice was special?  Thank You!  I've been singing all of my life. I don't ever remember my voice being special really, because I grew up around so many people with special gifts. I just blended in with them. 

A lot of people may look at you and think, Amber is very beautiful, she has a great voice, she's so talented, why doesn't she sing secular music? What would you say to those people?  I come from the church.  I'm a church girl.  I'm only singing what I know to sing.  I believe that gospel music is a genre worth fighting for.  I'm blessed to join the fight to keep gospel music alive. But, gospel music shouldn't be in a box.  Gospel means good news, it doesn't mean "churchy."  I'm not trying to give churchy music.  I'm trying to give good news music.      
      
What do you want the world to hear when they listen to your music?  My new CD, So In  Love features different kinds of music.  It features go-go, hip-hop, reggae, jazz, country and pop.  When people listen to it, I want them to feel like they've been on a perfect date.  I want people to feel good.  I want to bring back 'feel good' music.  Gospel music means good news, so I want to produce good news music that makes people feel good.   

Who are your biggest musical influences? I love PJ Morton. I also love Kirk Franklin, Brandy, Kiki Sheard and J. Moss. 

I believe in speaking things into existence.  So, when you win your first Grammy Award, who will you thank first?  God.  My parents, my daughter and her father. 


Follow Amber:
Twitter: @SingAmber
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/singamber
Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/singamber/

My Pic of The Day: THIS is Swag!

Listen.  If this isn't inspiration, I don't know what is!  My momma calls this lady, the "Queen" and I concur.  Chaka Khan is looking amaaaaazing these days, isn't she?!  She's 60 lbs lighter, 59 years old young and on the "10 Hot-o-Meter" scale, she's a 12!  




Chaka Khan



10 Reasons Why I Loved New Edition (Still Do!)

1. When I was growing up, there weren't a lot of boys on TV who looked like me. New Edition   
    caught my eye and well....the rest is history.

2. Bobby Brown - Ok, so...I know Bobby has had some issues. Who hasn't??  But, back in the
    day, Bobby was an amaaaazing entertainer!  New Edition was good, but I think Bobby made
    them great!

3. My mama and I would sing New Edition songs together. We both knew the lyrics to all of
     their hits. How dope is that??

4. Ummmm....have you seen the Candy Girl video??? I soooo wanted to be in that video! :)

5. Collectively, they were great.  But, Ralph Tresvant, Bell Biv Devoe and of course, Bobby

    Brown could rip it a-la-solo. 

6. I liked watching them grow up.  We were around the same age, so it felt like I knew them.  

    Like I really knew them.

7. They always seemed like regular dudes. Very humble beginnings. I can appreciate and
    I respect a "come-up" story.

8. I'm a sucker for good choreography.  Their tight steps really put them in a league of their
    own. So much that Beyonce paid homage to them in her 'Love on Top' video.  Dope.

9. If it weren't for New Edition, there'd be no New Kids on The Block, no Backstreet Boys, no

    Boyz II Men, no 'N Sync.... I could go on & on, but I'll stop here. 

10. They've been in the entertainment business for over 30 years...and they still got it!  You
      gotta give them props for that! :)

Dear Whitney, I Will Always Love You...

Not much to say here....

My heart is so filled with sadness.  For me, Whitney Houston didn't just represent a great talent. Growing up, she embodied grace, elegance and undeniable beauty.  She ruled the the music world for many, many years and left a lasting musical influence on a lot of people.

I hope she'll be remembered as a legend.  I hope her legacy includes her being a mother and a daughter, someone who touched so many of our lives with her talent, her struggles and her death....

R.I.P. Whitney.

Whitney Houston (Arista, 1985)

10 Lessons I Learned From Don Cornelius

I hate to hear about a suicide death.  It's even more disturbing when it's someone you know...or someone you feel like you've known forever.  

Don Cornelius needs no introduction.  The fact that he started Soul Train with $400 and turned it into the most iconic TV and music dance show of our time is....beyond amazing.  I learned some valuable life lessons from this man:

1. Don't just be a businessman, be a business man. (See the difference?)
   
   
2. When you follow your passion, everything will fall into place.
   
   
3. Always, and I mean always look your absolute best. #swag
   
   
4. Dancing, good music....makes everything better.
   
   
5. Sometimes it's not what you say, but how you say it. (Love, Peace & Soul)
   
   
6. Don't be afraid to fight for something you believe in...especially if you're right. (Dick Clark's 'Soul Unlimited'. Look it up.)
   
   
7. Stay committed to your decisions, but flexible in your approach. (Diversify)
   
   
8. Be gracious to others and the universe will be gracious to you.
   
   
9. Leave a legacy.
   
   
10. Dream big.  Really big.
    

    

    Don Cornelius

    
                                         

R.I.P Jamesetta Hawkins

No words...

Etta James

My 2012 Theme Song (Hey--Don't Judge Me)

Soooo....I won't go into detail about me and my theme songs.  Click here to find out the scoop on THAT & to see my theme song from 2011!  

I'm SO excited about 2012, my Pink vision (wink) and all of life's opportunities, challenges and victories.  Bring it on!!! :)

Some folks listen to gospel, jazz or something really soft & mellow to feel inspired.  Me?  Not!  Whenever I have an important meeting or I'm nervous or unsure about something, or when I just need to feel motivated & hyped, I turn to this.... 

So, ALLOW ME TO REINTRODUCE MYSELF. My name is Steeepphhh!!! :) 

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