Charles-David feat. Pretty Ricky: "Good Stuff" Snippet

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Good Stuff

Music Review: Amerie "In Love & War"

After a big hiatus, Amerie is back with her third studio album entitled Love & War. I've been a fan of Amerie since "Why Don't We Fall In Love". Since then, she also grabbed a hit with "One Thing" and the rest is history.

She remained a presence on the net with her mixtapes, Because I Love It and "Because I Love It 2. Stating that if you love something, you do it no matter what people say or think about you.

Some of her tracks on this new album hit like some 90's feel good New York hip-hop mixed with a little D.C. go-go. The repetitive, layered, percussion and horn patterns, and absence of a solid instrumental melody leave her voice raw and exposed to be heard in it's purest form.

As an artist myself, I respect the fact that she doesn't use a lot of effects to change the tone quality of her vocals. I see you Amerie! Some may say that her sound may sound a bit dated but, ultimately, Amerie is staying true to her sound. Even after several other artists took her sound and ran with it to make a quick buck (Beyonce'). I'm just saying.

Overall, I'm feeling her new album, but it would be nice to know what some of ya'll think.

Listen to snippets from the new album In Love & War here!

In Love & War releases to stores November 3rd.

Private Screening of "Precious" At The Bridge Cinema De Lux in Los Angeles

Last night I got the opportunity to watch the film "Precious:Based on the Novel Push by Sapphire". The film, which is already getting numerous accolades at film festivals across the country, was directed by Lee Daniels, the same director who directed "Monsters Ball" and "Shadowboxer". Daniels, known for his dark topics and raw visuals, didn't stray far from his deeply engaging formula to captivate our attention in this film.

The film is about a 16-year-old girl nicknamed Precious, played wonderfully by newcomer Gabourey Sidibe, who inside inspires to be something she feel she could never be or have. Instead, is downtrodden by her reality of abuse and hatred by her mother played by Mo'Nique and sexual abuse from her father. The cycle of mis-education and guidance that's in her life reflects on Precious in ways that will affect her for the rest of her life. But ultimately what makes the difference is the gift of choice. Precious wanted more out of life than the people who "loved" her did.


This impactful film seemed to resonate strongly with women. Even though this is a film that I encourage everyone to see, I know this film can spark great conversation between a mother and her daughter.

I think as a movie goer, and for a film as wrenching as this one was, I expected to relate to a film like this in one aspect or another. I've never lived in an environment like the one Precious lived, but I believe we all know a girl growing up who may have had a similar story, or maybe living this story now. The dynamics of a mother/daughter relationship can be a difficult one and in Mo'nique's career-changing performance, she did an awesome job portraying a mother, who had her own issues that were never discussed and in turn reflected that same pain into her daughter.

For a lot of families, especially African-American families, there are issues and family pains that are never discussed in the home. Because of that, the emotional pain a parent can feel can feed negatively on their children and family, which in turn creates that cycle of abuse, pain, and anger. But the beauty of it all is we all, like Precious, have a choice to either continue that cycle or to make a conscience decision to stop it and take steps to change it.

Even though the film dealt with serious topics, it did have very funny moments. Particularly during times where Precious was with her fellow classmates.

Panelist Kanade Cobin Richardson , Tanya Kersey , Antwone Fisher, Vonda Paige and Adrienne Lamar

After the film was over, there was discussion about the film and a panel of speakers including author, Antwone Fisher, who divulged that he is currently working on film "Training Day 2".

I strongly encourage people to see this film when it hits theaters November 6th, especially mothers and daughters. This is a film that not only shows the desperation that one person can inflict on another, but also the hope someone can give as well.The film also stars Mariah Carey, Paula Patton, Sherry Shepard and Lenny Kravitz.

Watch the Trailer Below

60 Lbs Later...From 306 to 245.

So after all the running and sweating, and a change of environment, I have managed to knock off not just 60 lbs off my body, but of my past and my life. I feel like a new person these days. I would of never thought that loosing this much weight would significantly impact so many aspects of my life.

I've always been a big kid. When I was born, I weighed 11 lbs., 12 oz. I remember hating to go shopping in the "husky" section at the clothing store. Husky was just another word for "fat kid". It reminded me of a dog, and it was pretty embarrassing to me to shop in that section. Yes, little boys also have issues with their weight. Not just little girls. We just want to look like Superman.


Me at 13 yrs old in McDonalds in London.

Because of my stocky size, people always assumed (and still do) that I played football. I was a music kid, a nerd I guess you would say. I was pretty shy and insecure with my appearance. It got to a point where I didn't like going to a mall or being around crowds. I always felt like people were staring and laughing at me. Having a little skinny brother who made fun of you almost daily didn't help much either. But it's those things that mold you and make you into the person you are. It either makes you, or it breaks you down. Despite those moments of insecurity, there was always this will and expectancy for more. Somehow at a young age, I always got the "bigger picture".

So as a typical person who is naturally big, I had my up and down moments, where I would loose 10, gain 20. Loose 30, gain 50! It never stopped! It was frustrating. I felt like I was running an uphill battle with my eyes closed and one leg! It was a particular time where I had lost like 40lbs and I said to myself "I feel exactly how I felt when I was 40 lbs bigger." What was the point, so I started gaining the weight back.

Also being on both sides of the scale made me not like people much. I noticed how people would treat me and look at me... or not look at me when I was bigger, and then treat me different when I was smaller. I always could attract people, but there was defiantly a difference. And to me, I felt I was the same person inside both times and to think people are so judgmental really made me mad.

Me with Malice from the Clipse in 2004

I've never really been a "foody"...a person who's mouth just waters thinking about food. I never really have a taste for particular foods, and naturally I like eating healthy, but I realized that I ate because I was bored. Ultimately when you are overweight, there is a reason we all eat. Whether it's emotionally like depression, or chemical in-balances that makes you crave certain foods. For me it was boredom. I remember numerous times..and I still do this, when I am bored, I will make something to "pass time" and then eat it in like 5 seconds! After I ate it, I felt like that didn't pass any time, so I'd do it again, and again, and again. This happened more frequent after graduating from college and living in Kansas City. I knew I wanted to move to California. I felt stuck and unchallenged. I was bored and started to feel a little hopeless that I would never leave Kansas City. When that feeling of hopelessness sank in my head, I really didn't want to take care of myself period. But in spite that, I still felt that sense that this phase wasn't going to last forever.

I had never quite hit the 3-0-0 mark, but I was tap dancing at that number's door. I was about 297-298 lbs. Thankfully I'm 6'2 and gain weight pretty much everywhere. A lot of times people ask me, "Have you been working out?" I would be like, "no, just fat!". Since I was so close to the infamous mark, the Curious George side of me wanted to see what it felt like to be 300 lbs. I ended up getting to 306.

I started to feel the affects of my weight gain on my body. My knees ached when I woke up every morning, and I had to pop them to get moving like the Tin Man from the Wizard of Oz. Just walking my knees would ache sometimes. I still would go to the gym and I would run on the treadmill, but I could barely do 15 minutes before I was out of breath. And you could forget about doing push ups. About 15 was my limit before my whole side would ache!

When I went to Los Angeles back in 2007, to visit my friend from college, I was in the worst mood ever! I was mad he lived in an apartment that was like three stories high and there was no elevator. I was sweating by the time I got to the top stairs! And forget walking around! I frequently told Marques to "slow down!" Why was he walking so fast! I didn't want to accept it, but I knew I was out of shape.

I was a beast at 306 lbs New Years Eve Dec. 2007 in Las Vegas

We had went to Las Vegas for New Years and took some pictures of course. I always was down for taking a picture, but I hadn't taken any pictures of myself for a while. When I saw those pictures we took back from Vegas, I hated them. I felt like I looked old and tired, and that's just not what I wanted to look like. That was the spark that made me say "oh hell no" and ignite a change. I knew I wanted to get in shape, but I've already lost weight just because, and this time around I wanted to loose it for a bigger purpose. This process ultimately took almost two years.

taken 5.8.08 300 lbs.

Normally when I would loose weight, I would have in my mind that I did not look good until I got to a certain point, or a hit a certain number, so the whole time I was not liking myself. When loosing weight you have plateaus where you don't loose anything for long periods of time. That's usually where I would break. But this time around I realized regardless where I was in the process, I needed to ultimately like myself. I am a perfectionist and pretty hard on myself, as I think we all are. We can be our own worst enemies. To make this short. I started to like myself at every step of the process, not including the fact that I finally moved L.A. thus sparking my mind again. I'll save all the other details for my autobiography...

Two Moons photo shoot in New York City, NY 2009

I'm not gonna sit here and say that now everything is good and I have no problems. This will be an issue until the end of time. But now I've learned to accept myself and accept that fact that I will have bad days, weeks, or even months. I still want to loose maybe another 30 lbs because I want to get defined. That is my ultimate goal. But despite where I am, I will like myself and that is the most important to me. I may not be where I want to be, but I'm not where I was. And as always, I will keep you posted!

Steph Jones: "Gravity" Mixtape

Steph Jones has finally released his highly anticipated mixtape entitled "Gravity". He says that it feels like "a huge weight" has been lifted off of his shoulders, since this is the first time he has released anything. He thanks all of his "frands" for sticking by him this long.

He calls this his "lifetape" because he has put his heart and soul into making this album. When you listen to the tracks, you will defiantly hear the emotion in his voice.

Jones also says,"This is the first installment of several themed mixtapes. This is a chance for our young to listen, feel, and get into music that truly comes from the soul and I'll be the guy to show them."

The eclectic "lifetape" features production and music from Sean & Kadis, John John Robinson, The Co Stars, Audio Push, and more.

Photography for the cover was done by Steven Taylor (@steventaylor) and artwork done by Justin DeWalt (@deadbeatt).

Download Steph Jones "Gravity" here!

Tell me what you think! What are your favorite tracks from the lifetape?

Mayer Hawthorne: "Just Ain't Gonna Work Out"

The other night, this song played on a giant video screen at a lounge spot in Hollywood, and instantly grabbed my attention!The black and white imagery and format of how the song was written worked well together.He's kind of like a male Amy Winehouse, with that old R&B sound and barber shop harmonies. He looks the complete opposite of someone you would think would sing like this. Maybe that's why I like it.

I read that this track was released on a red, heart-shaped 7-inch single, like the one in the video. The uniqueness of this video has sparked my interest in finding out more about Mayer. That's what a single is suppose to do! Check the video out. What do you think?

Come to India...

In a bit of an Indian Mood right now (red dot, not feather). I love the instrumentation of Indian music, and the imagery of those Bollywood movies are entertaining! Check out this video. I like the voice of the girl singing in this video. She has very distinct sound. And her eyes are ridiculous! WOW!