a final encore

music // concerts // join me!

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Too Good x Needed Me (Mashup/Cover) x Conor Maynard + Sarah Close

#flames 

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Remembering Prince: Four decades of City Pages stories

The collective heart of the Twin Cities shattered into a million purple pieces last Thursday. That's when Prince Rogers Nelson, our proudest export and favorite son, was discovered dead at his Paisley Park compound in Chanhassen, Minnesota. The Minneapolis-born music icon was only 57. Since his death, the cause of...

“On the screen [in Purple Rain], his presence lives up to the purple prose it has spawned. Stylish, sensual — and perpetually self-absorbed — his persona recalls James Dean and the best of a whole generation of rock 'n' roll heroes, evoking simultaneous feelings of identification and pathos.”

King. 

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One Dance/Turn Me On (Mashup) x Travis Garland

#views

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...And she’s done it again.

Hotline Bling (Cover) x Daniela Andrade

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Say It (Phazz Remix) x Tory Lanez + Ed Sheeran

Remixes on Remixes!

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With the myriad of all the “Hotline Bling” remixes we have been blessed with, it’s hard to pick a favorite, y’all. This one is in the running for my top spot as it throws in JB’s “What Do You Mean?” masterfully. The drop at 2:45 is everything. 

“Bieber’s Hotline” (”What Do You Mean?” + “Hotline Bling” mashup remix) x Brayton Bowman

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Bryson Tiller, can you stop being so disrespectful with your talent and amazing songs? K, thanks.

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Friday vibes: 1998 x Chet Faker feat. Banks

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JoJo Is Back with a 'Tringle' of Singles

The wait is over. Nearly a decade since her last album, a battle with her longtime label, and three ...

PRAISE!

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J. Cole’s Forest Hills Drive Tour, 8.15.15

In my humble opinion, summers are made for cookouts, road trips, + outdoor concerts. Luckily, J. Cole put together a summer full of impressive lineups that joined him on several legs of the Forest Hills Drive Tour. First off, YG brought the L.A. vibes out in full force. He didn’t play my favorite track “Who Do You Love?” but on the bright side YG did bring out surprise ATL guests Rich Homie Quan + Young (It's the Maf*ckin World) Jeezy (!) Obviously everyone was here for Rich Homie Quan unexpectedly performing “Flex.” Up next was R+B crooner Jeremih with all the hits in tow. I’ve appreciated the music released of late by Jeremih, including his collaboration EP with producer Shlohmo.

Big Sean then took the stage. Dark Sky Paradise was one of my favorite albums of 2014. The emotion behind the album was notably moodier, but the growth + relativity was obvious. Y'all know those songs you sing + feel in your soul? This album was full of them. The crowd was in the zone during "Blessings," "I Know" + his verses from "All Me" + "Clique." Of course, a special shout out goes to my 2014 theme song "IDFWU." It's a song where you picture that ONE person (or a whole roster) as soon as the intro starts. Needless to say, a sea of middle fingers immediately went up + everyone screamed the lyrics.

This is my third time seeing J. Cole live + his shows just keep getting better. The interesting thing about the rapper is the connection he has with his fans. His is a story that is built on a foundation of rising from humble beginnings, yet for all the success J. Cole has attained, he remains surprisingly accessible. We all saw this first hand as he hit cities across the U.S. to grab a bite to eat with fans or even kick it in living rooms during the week 2014 Forest Hills Drive was released. Or see Exhibit B where he’s hosted the Dollar + a Dream tour series that actually featured ticket prices of a dollar. No big deal. Since releasing albums without any promotion seems to be all the rage these days, J. Cole did just that in late 2014. He released no singles, did no promotion, + yet 2014 Forest Hills Drive still rose to #1 on the charts. Not many can allow the music to speak for itself.

As he came out to “Intro,” the sold out amphitheater (#19kstrong) went crazy. After “January 28th” J. Cole asked us if he could perform all of 2014 Forest Hills Drive...in its entirety. Looking around at everyone’s faces I saw identical “um, yes please!” reactions. He then proceeded to actually perform the entire album, which featured support from us as he would allow the crowd to complete lines (or even whole choruses) throughout the set. We proved to be especially helpful during “G.O.M.D.” + “Wet Dreamz.” The commentary between songs was also great as he did everything from hilariously pick on some in the crowd to imploring us to NOT call Atlanta “Black Hollywood.” I’m definitely in favor of that last point. Not to leave out the folks who wanted to hear the throwbacks, Cole also included vignettes of hits including “In The Morning,” “Work Out,” “Lights Please,” + “Power Trip.” The real is back, indeed.

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Joss Stone, Water For Your Soul

One of our favorite British imports is back. Y’all know that I absolutely adore the artists that have been emerging from the UK of late including everyone from Jessie Ware to Lianne La Lavas. However, soul songstress Joss Stone was one of the OG’s that struck gold with her signature rich, earthy tone in the early 2000s. She recalled visions of our classic R+B stars immediately upon hearing her voice. Honestly, how could you ignore her amazing flip of the White Stripes’ song with “Fell in Love with a Boy” on her breakout The Soul Sessions?

Stone returns with Water For Your Soul, an album that instantly transports you to the Caribbean once you hit play on songs like “Love Me” + “Wake Up.” Released via her own label, Stone’d Records, the album features a distinct reggae/world feel supported by production from the likes of Damian Marley (you may have heard of him). It’s a fitting backdrop for the earnest lyrics that have become a staple throughout Stone’s career. Examples of this abound in tracks like the breezy feel of “Sensimilla” + yearning expressed in “Stuck on You.” The timing of the album release is fitting as the album feels like summer, full of light. The LP is available tomorrow.   

Website:

http://www.jossstone.com

Twitter:

@JossStone

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Human (Marian Hill Remix) x Aquilo

When Spotify’s “Discover Weekly” playlist completely and utterly gets you >>> #onrepeat

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Drake Just Dropped a Savage Meek Mill Diss on OVO Sound Radio! | NOISEY

The Toronto king gets "Charged Up" and lets off warning shots.

Damn, Gina.

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Unstoppable (FKJ Remix) x Lianne La Havas

So excited for her upcoming LP, but until then this remix is a staple on my summer playlist.

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Alessia Cara x Bad Blood (Cover)

Yassss to everything that’s happening in these four minutes.

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Tori Kelly, 6.15.15

First gaining traction through her appearance on American Idol + amazing covers (no, seriously), singer/songwriter Tori Kelly is finally getting the shine she deserves. After two EP releases, her debut album, Unbreakable Smile, (psst…it’s only $6.99 right now on iTunes so hurry up + buy it) is out tomorrow. On the surface, her music is classic feel-good pop but underneath you can make out the soulful vibes + humble positivity that makes you just want to root for her to win.

In support of the upcoming release of Unbreakable Smile, a tour is underway + the response from Atlanta was to sell out our date. Held at Center Stage (one of my favorite concert spots in the city), the line stretched all the way around the site + down the street before the doors opened. The homegrown, diverse fan base, cultivated by years of steady quality music + remixed covers, was out in full force to support. Opening for Tori was singer Gavin James + he reminded me of Passenger with his penchant for the acoustic troubadour style.

As Tori came on stage, the crowd was ready to proclaim their love for her through the devout knowledge of the lyrics (every song was a sing-a-long) or at every pause between songs. An adoring fan definitively stated that he loved Tori “more than chocolate” which caused her + everyone else to laugh hysterically. She went back in the vault, singing a mix of her classics (“Paper Hearts,” “Dear No One,” “Confetti”) + medley of covers (“Thinkin About You,” “Suit + Tie,” “That Thing” [!!!]). A good portion of the set included music from the new album, which sounded even better because of her amazing live band. Now, I don’t want to brag but the Atlanta show was also pretty cool because Tori shot her “Should’ve Been Us” video that day around the city + live during the concert. I’m not saying we’re her favorite…but I’m pretty sure we are.

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When they kill it live >>> @torikelly better slay #ATL #torikelly #soldout