300th Post: Summer Re-Cap

With the cold weather moving in far too early, I guess it’s a good time to wrap-up my summer and show you all some of the fun that I’ve been having.  I say it all the time, but I’ll say it again…I think music makes the world go ’round!  I didn’t quite have enough time to go away, but I managed to sneak in some fun when possible.  Between working and sifting through the many thoughts in my head about where I want to live in a year, it was MANDATORY to get in some dancing and friends/family time.  I will preface this re-cap with this statement: I spent time with the people that are nearest and dearest to my heart and people that I knew I could genuinely ENJOY myself with.  That’s so key!  So, if you take nothing else away from this post, remember that there is NO time for drama in this lifetime and so much time for daaaancing (lol)!

Keeping in line with the whole music idea, I was able to see some of my favorite artists this year.  I never posted about this (and I know this is a summer re-cap, but hold tight), but I got the chance to see DAVID GUETTA in concert (I even got media passes to go back stage)!  By far, one of the coolest and most amazing nights I’ve had at a concert.

David Guetta

David Guetta

David Guetta

David Guetta(That’s me!)

Fast forward past the Rihanna concert that I went to because I already posted about it right chereeeee!

I made and impulsive decision with my friend Talia and decided to take a road trip to my hometown, Philly, for the Jay-Z and Justin Timberlake Legends of the Summer tour.  It was super duper cool to attend an outdoor concert (since it was arena tour) with thousands of screaming fans.  Check it out!

Rocky

Legends of the Summer

Legends of the SummerLegends of the Summer

Legends of the Summer

Legends of the Summer

Legends of the Summer

Legends of the Summer

Legends of the Summer

Had a freaking awesome time and had great seats (winning!)…to top the summer off I spent my Labor Day weekend in Philly again for Jay-Z’s Made in America Festival!  It was SO freaking hot outside, but I saw some great acts including: Solange, Beyoncé, Empire of the Sun, Calvin Harris, Kendrick Lamar, Wiz Khalifa, Dead Mouse and many more!

made in america

made in america

made in america

made in america

made in america

made in america

made in america

made in america(This was during the Beyoncé performance; it was so packed!)

Thanks for taking a peek at a few fun moments over the past several months!  I had a blast and will update you on my concert-going experiences after I attend the Beyoncé concert in December and the Magna Carta World Tour in January!!! WOOOO-HOOOO!!!

Meek Mill vs Kendrick Lamar: Is It Beef or Dangerous Waters?

Source: EatingHipHop.com

Source: EatingHipHop.com

Most people can appreciate a good Hip-Hop rivalry.  With some rappers turning to mainstream styles of music, it’s easy to feel like the Hip-Hop culture isn’t what it used to be.  Then there are rappers who remind everyone that Hip-Hop is still alive and their passion for wanting to be the greatest, turns into true rap beef.  Recently, rapper Kendrick Lamar has been catching some heat for stirring the pot with his “Control” verse that called out some pretty famed artists such as Drake, J. Cole, Wale and Meek Mill, to name a few.  In response, Meek Mill stayed true to his Philly bad boy persona and fired back in his new single, Ooh Kill em:

Man you claiming you the king of New York
What the f–k wrong with you n–ga, step back

Hundred shots, aim straight at your snap cap
Everybody want the crown so I snatch that

Heard your gun go doo-dooo-dooo
Well my gun go blap-blap-blap-blap

What the f–k I gotta whisper to n-ggas
To earn my respect just to get to these n–gas

Go Ether, Takeover or Jigga on n-ggas I really go 2Pac and Biggie on n–gas
What the f-ck wrong with him
Like really I’m sick of you n–gas

You’ve been in the game like a year and some change
And you feeling yourself so I’m killing these n–gas like…

What was Kendrick’s response?  Well, let’s just say he used a recent performance in Brooklyn, NY as his opportunity to set Meek straight:

I been doing this shit for years. I mastered this sh!t.
I have no time for irrelevant n—as [or] new n—as.
There’s one n—a in particular that needs to realize that there’s ‘levels’ to this sh!t.
I’m MOTHER F–KIN’ KING KENDRICK.

The drama spilled over to Twitter and let’s just say…things are heating up.  I hope the beef stays as beef and not violent.  We all know the reality of how wrong things could go.

Miss America Could Change Forever: Bare Your Tattoos!

Source: Yahoo Shine

Source: Yahoo Shine

Growing up, I loved watching all beauty pageants.  I never once considered competing, but I will say that it was always exciting to see perfect women on stage, representing their country/state.  Fast forward to present day, who would have ever thought we would be seeing contestants sporting tattoos for the world to see?!  I must say, a tattoo lover myself, it is SO refreshing to know that there is a chance for a REAL woman to win the competition.  I believe that standing out in a crowd is not always an easy thing to do and it takes  a special kind of person to do it fearlessly.

I am speaking of Miss Kansas, Theresa Vail!  She is one tough gal to say the least.  She is an “inked-up boxer, mechanic, bow hunter and U.S Army Sergeant” according to Yahoo! Shine  The world will be able to witness, for one of the first times in Miss America history, a woman who is breaking the barriers and redefining what is “acceptable”.  Want to read the full Yahoo! Shine article?  Click on the link below:

Read Theresa Vail’s Story Here!

Jay-Z Announces Magna Carta World Tour!

Source: Facebook

Source: Facebook

Will you be going?  I love seeing Jay perform!  He has officially announced his Magna Carta World Tour and I can’t wait.  Here is the list of cities for North America:

November 30th St. Paul, MN Xcel Energy Center
December 1st Lincoln, NE Pinnacle Bank Arena
December 2nd Denver, CO Pepsi Center
December 6th Anaheim, CA Honda Center
December 7th San Diego, CA Valley View Casino Center
December 9th Los Angeles, CA Staples Center
December 10th Fresno, CA Save Mart Center
December 11th San Jose, CA SAP Center at San Jose
December 13th Las Vegas, NV Mandalay Bay Events Center
December 18th Oklahoma City, OK Chesapeake Energy Arena
December 19th Houston, TX Toyota Center
December 20th San Antonio, TX AT&T Center
December 21st Dallas, TX American Airlines Center
December 27th Atlanta, GA Philips Arena
December 28th Birmingham, AL BJCC Arena
January 2nd Ft. Lauderdale, FL BB&T Center
January 4th Charlotte, NC Time Warner Cable Arena
January 5th Greensboro, NC Greensboro Coliseum Complex
January 8th Cleveland, OH Quicken Loans Arena
January 9th Chicago, IL United Center
January 10th Detroit, MI The Palace Of Auburn Hills
January 12th Brooklyn, NY Barclays Center
January 13th Brooklyn, NY Barclays Center
January 16th Washington DC Verizon Center
January 17th Uncasville, CT Mohegan Sun Arena
January 18th Boston, MA TD Garden
January 19th Uniondale, NY Nassau Coliseum
January 21st Pittsburgh, PA CONSOL Energy Center
January 22nd Newark, NJ Prudential Center
January 24th Montreal, PQ Bell Centre
January 27th Toronto, ON Air Canada Centre
January 29th Philadelphia, PA Wells Fargo Center
January 30th Buffalo, NY First Niagara Center
January 31st State College, PA Bryce Jordan Center

*Fashion Alert* Who’s Wearing Kanye’s Margiela Mask Now?

Say what you want about her, but Kim rocked this Karl Lagerfeld shoot for CR Fashion Book.  She stepped out of her normal comfort zone and created some very interesting masterpieces.  Check out the photos below:

Source: CR Fashion Book

Source: CR Fashion Book

Source: CR Fashion Book

Source: CR Fashion Book

Source: CR Fashion Book

Source: CR Fashion Book

Source: CR Fashion Book

Source: CR Fashion Book

Source: CR Fashion Book

Source: CR Fashion Book

Jade Wilson is Proving Age is Nothing But a Number!

I feature a lot of people on DaniTheDreamgirl, all pursuing some form of passion.  This next feature is no exception!  When the opportunity came along to interview Jade Wilson, I had no doubts that she would be great for the Dreamworld!  Jade is a spunky teenager with a whole lot of positive energy and love to spread across the world.  This 13 year old has an immense amount of passion not only for music, but also for some fairly important world issues such as human trafficking and bullying.  Jade began singing at the age of 7 when she started memorizing the lyrics to her favorite songs; now she’s a YouTube sensation!  Check out what she shares about her career, her journey thus far and what it’s like to be a young person with a purpose:

jade wilson

On your road to success, what’s the biggest thing that has happened to you so far?

So far meeting all my fans, being able to perform on the anti-bullying campaign concerts. I feel really fulfilled doing this kind of work.

How does it feel to know that so many people are watching you via social media?

It‘s not as scary as it looks and sounds,  I still talk to everyone like normal–even though they treat me like I’m some rockstar! The truth is, I still feel like a regular kid…same old me.

How do you handle criticism that you may receive via social media?

Since you only live once (YOLO) it makes me want to do better and move on. I take constructive criticism well, I scrap the other stuff.

At your age, your voice is still changing, how do you handle/overcome that hurdle?

I have been doing work with vocal coaches and participating in artist development programs in Atlanta. So this has been helping me learn my vocal range and how to deal with any vocal changes that may come about.

What artists do you look up to and why?

Nicki Minaj, because she’s so unique to me and colorful. I also adore some of the greats, like Aretha Franklin and Gladys Knight.

Was “Don’t Give Up” inspired by real-life events?

When I read the lyrics, I immediately connected to it, because I want to be the voice for those who have been bullied and give them courage. Hearing it from a peer, I think my age group will accept my message to stand up and don’t give up.

I know that you are taking part in advocating against and building awareness for major issues such as Human Trafficking and bullying. Does it add any pressure to know that you are speaking up about some pretty big issues going on in the world?

Yes, especially when people look up to me and I can inspire them to do something better or join the cause. I actually cried the first time I heard about this issue and the problems associated with this dreadful activity. But just to be able to help in anyway and bring awareness to this makes me feel better than any pressure.

What specifically are you doing to help combat about these issues and when were you first moved to take a stand?

Starting with the positive messages in my songs, participating in programs aimed at informing the youth at places like the boys and girls club. Also speaking with as many radios, blogs (like yours) and events to bring mainstream awareness.

What upcoming projects do you have in the works?

We have been recording my first album, and my label (RFMAP in Atlanta) is working on putting together an Anti-bullying campaign radio tour, starting with my single,   “Don’t give up.” Also I will be working with a lot of influential people and filming a reality show with the hopes of reaching even more people.

How can fans support you on your journey?

As always, follow me on YouTube, Twitter (@realjadewilson), Facebook and Instagram (shrimpling). We also have signature merchandise that everyone can buy (my “Swerg” t-shirt is a top seller right now). Also we are going to start a crowd funding campaign that my fans can pledge to help me advance on my journey.

jade wilson

*New Music* Tamar Braxton “All the Way Home”

Tamar-Braxton-All-The-Way-Home

THIS is why I love Tamar Braxton!  She was told “no” over and over again, given a million excuses as to why it just wasn’t her time yet and look at her now!  She knew she had the talent and she refused to be overshadowed by her superstar sister, Toni Braxton.  I say, “KUDOS!!!” to you Tamar and keep on bringing the dope tracks; I love this one.  Enjoy her new single, All The Way Home.