Mixtape Review – Tinashe ‘In Case We Die’

Track Listing

First off, I have to say that I’m very upset that today was the very first time I have heard of Tinashe. I don’t know if I was under a rock, or what! She is amazing! I stumbled upon her name on the upcoming mixtape releases on Datpiff, when I saw that she’ll be dropping a brand new mixtape entitled ‘Reverie’ soon! So I had to go check out ‘Just In Case We Die’ which was released in February of this year.

‘Just In Case We Die’ Official Mixtape trailer’

Tinashe is a fellow Aquarian, so right off the bat…I LOVE HER! HA! At the young and tender age of 19, she’s known as an American actress, singer, and dancer. Seriously, who are her promoters? More people need to know about this young lady! She reminds me a lot like Jhene Aiko, who in-turn reminds me a lot like Cassie,  and I absolutely adore both Jhene and Cassie’s music! The production gives me the same vibe I get when I’m jamming The Weeknd, and that is definitely not a bad thing!

It’s futuristic, sexy, dreamy, and new age sound puts it at number one of my downloading list! This is something I will listen to over and over again. Not just a few tracks, but ALL OF THEM! I applaud this young lady!

Best Tracks *It was hard for me to select the BEST tracks, but here go my faves!*

3. Let You Love Me

“I like it when you come in and take up all the space in my mind.” Love that line in the hook. She’s a bold young lady. Very raw and uncut in her lyrics.

6. Boss

It’s cocky, it’s sexy, it’s trippy, it’s EVERYTHING! I’d love to get my hands on this instrumental. It speaks to my soul.

9. This Feeling

I’m in love with the production of this track. Something to bop my head to, and one I’ll have on repeat…trying to let that feeling fade away.

15. Chainless

“I’ll take yo man like hey ho watch this!” ha! I see why this was the main single from this tape. It’s catchy, it’s fun, and it makes you dance! She makes you feel yourself on this one!

I’m so addicted to good music, and THIS is good music. Check out her youtube channel for more videos ‘tinashenow’ and her website http://www.tinashenow.com!

Mixtape Rating – 4 Stars !!!!

‘Reverie’ Mixtape Trailer

9-6-2012

Mixtape Review – Trae Tha Truth ‘Tha Blackprint’

Track List 

1. Intro ft. Dj Scream
2. Sick Of This Shit ft. R. Kelly
3. Choppa Talk ft. Young Jeezy & Yo Gotti
4. No Lie
5. I Do This ft. T.I., Rico Love & Dj Khaled
6. Don’t Like ft. T.I.
7. Bitch I’m From Texas ft. Z-Ro, Paul Wall, Slim Thug, Kirko Bangz & Bun B.
8. Rollin’
9. Interlude (T.I. Speaks)
10. Tell Me That I Can’t ft. Meek Mill
11. Remember The Rain
12. Fucked Up World ft. Z-Ro & Young Noble
13. Sick Of Being Broke ft. D-Bo & Dj Scream
14. I Got Em’ ft. Waka Flocka
15. Fighting Words ft. T.I. &  Juicy J
16. I Run This City ft. T-Pain
17. County Jail ft. Lil’ Boosie
18. Gutta Chick ft. Rich Boy, 2 Short, Wayne Blazed, & Twista
19. I’m On 2.0 ft. Big K.R.I.T., Jadakiss, J. Cole, Kendrick Lamar, B.O.B., Tyga, Gudda Gudda , &
Bun B.
20. Outro ft. Dj Scream

Since 1998 Trae Tha Truth has been representing H-Town on the rap scene. As part of the S.U.C., Guerilla Maab, and A.B.N. alongside Z-Ro; Trae has made his name known in the underground rap game. He’s dropped 7 solo albums, 8 collaboration albums, and a countless number of mixtapes. Recently announcing his signing with T.I.’s Grand Hustle label, Trae has truly set upon a broader horizon in his music career.

Tha Blackprint, which dropped on 8/29/2012, and now is a little shy of 20,000 downloads on DatPiff, is definitely worth a listen. With a speedy, unique flow, Trae proves that he is ready for the next level. Staying true to Houston’s authentic sounds in music, and delivering tracks that we southerners are used to riding to.

This mixtape just might put Trae on the map! There are features from, T.I., T-Pain, Big K.R.I.T., Jadakiss, Lil Boosie, Waka Flocka, Young Jeezy, Meek Mill, and many more. It’s about Houston! If Trae is doing it this major on the mixtape, I anticipate his next studio album.

Best Tracks

5. I Do This ft. T.I, Rico Love & DJ Khaled

This song is HARDBODY! Trae slowed down the flow a little bit, and ripped it! T.I. spits flawlessly, and brings extra flavor to the track. They did that, fa real!

7. Bitch I’m From Texas ft. Z-Ro, Paul Wall, Slim Thug, Kirko Bangz, & Bun B. 

Houston came together on this one, reminding me of how much I love my city! I love when artists stay true to where they are from. I love every bit of this song, and every person featured.

18. Gutta Chick ft. Rich Boy, 2 Short, Wayne Blazed & Twista

Something slow and soft for the ladies on this track. This is my first time hearing Wayne Blazed sing, and he reminds me a lot like Lloyd. The O.G. 2 Short gives us his classic nasty flow, and Rich Boy who I forgot about is on the track as well. Love it!

19. I’m On 2.0 ft. Big K.R.I.T., Jadakiss, J. Cole, Kendrick Lamar, B.O.B., Tyga, Gudda Gudda, & Bun B.

There is so much talent on this one track, it’s ridiculous! The lyrics are very real, and I know they will touch a lot of people. I’m happy that Trae did a collaboration like this one! He really surprised me.

This was more than a decent mixtape for the Houston native. Anybody who was sleeping on him, should wake up now!

 

Mixtape Rating – 3 Stars !!!

Mixtape Review – Diamond ‘The Young Life’

There are a few mixtapes that I’ll be reviewing today, but my homeboys made this one easy for me! So I’ll let him tell you what he thinks first!! By the way, if you want the latest news, gossip, newest music, book reviews, music reviews, and great cooking recipies; check out ConnectingThaDotz!!! Let’s see what they had to say about this mixtape!

Track List

Atl Rapper Diamond has finally released her mixtape The Young Life. This young lady stays grinding and has even expand her production and lyrical content.  Diamond still spits her flows at a break neck speed with plenty of attitude, but shows a softer side on tracks like “Butterfly.”

Diamond infuses more elements into her hip hop beyond the heavy 808 driven tracks Atl is known for.  She is attempting to expand her sound by making folk twerk, but crafting joints that could be played at the VMAs as well.

Diamond is on the right track.  I understand where she is trying to take her sound as a MC.  All Diamonds needs really is one break through song and it could even be a feature.  If she continues to evolve her sound she will be a force to be reckoned with.   I see the potential.

Download the mixtape here:The Young Life

Standout Tracks: Jelly, 32 Flavaz, Shoe Game Crazy, Butterfly

“Jelly” is ballroom muzik!  This is one of the standout tracks from the album.  I could see people walking to this track and battling.  This song could also be played at a hood house party.  At first people might not get the song at first, but eventually they would to grind out.

“32 Flavaz” Diamond’s infamous punch line has been remixed and she hit it out of the ball park with this one.  One first listen I thought the song would be nothing more than  club anthem for the ladies, but on the second verse she tells an interesting story of Mr. Wonka &  Miss. 32 Flavz.  Overall solid track.

“Shoe Game Crazy” is a fun track that is not meant to be taken too serious.  I would have loved a feature on this track from Trina or Rasheeda.  The production on this track was pretty nice and Diamond talks hershit while rocking a pair of Giuseppe.

“Butterfly” this joint caught me off guard I didn’t want to like this song, but after three listens I couldn’t help it.  The production shows Diamond in love and gives a bird’s eye view into her life.  This song has mainstream appeal, but Diamond doesn’t comprise too much of sound.

Thoughts?

Before I listened to this mixtape, I listened to Ron Browz ‘Stranded on Lenox’, well I TRIED to listen to it. I couldn’t even get through the first 3 songs. Now tuning in to Diamond’s ‘The Young Life’ mixtape. She’s come a little ways from her Crimb Mob days, I must say. After listening to this the first time, it wouldn’t be anything I’d bump again, but I’ll give Diamond her props.

“Diamond is on the right track.  I understand where she is trying to take her sound as a MC.  All Diamonds needs really is one break through song and it could even be a feature. “ – ConnectingThaDotz Diamond Mixtape review

I agree with this. She’s growing in her music, and this definitely isn’t the last we’ll hear from Diamond. I anticipate the next mixtape to be better! Most outstanding tracks on this tape are, “32 Flavas”, “Jelly”, and “American Woman ft. Verse Simmonds”.

 

Mixtape Rating – 2 Stars !! 

The Ink Trail – Pick Up The Pen…Pick Up The Pieces

This week’s post in The Ink Trail comes back from December 2009. You know, looking at all of these old blogs gives me so many emotions. Sometimes, I cringe at the words I’ve written. Lord knows I have truly grown up, because I wouldn’t dare post many of the things written back then, today! Goodness, thank God for growth and wisdom! This is why I chose to share this particular blog, because it speaks on just that!

 

Hello blog world! Long time no write. A little over two months to be exact. I’ve been completely submerged in my everyday life. I’ve been comfortable; yet treading the steady waters of my life. I’m bitter-sweet about this year ending already. So many things have occurred this year packed into a small punch hitting me square in the face. I’ve been doubled over in the anxieties of the emotional rollercoaster I’ve been riding all year. All things; good and bad are taken in stride no doubt. Somewhere along the bumpy ride; I lost my pen and many pieces to my life’s puzzle.

A new operation is in order. I’m devoting myself to picking up that pen again, and getting back to letting my ink drip; outlining the footprints of every step that I take. I’m still totting my duffle bag full of ideas, dreams, goals and unwritten thoughts of success. My brain is oozing over with agendas for the new year. This will be a life changing year for me. I’ve worked my ass off all year only to hold a steady head barely above water. I’m proud of myself nonetheless, because I held my own. I was making it day in and day out by myself. However, it’s time for me to take off. But I can’t do that without making a change. A BIG ONE! I know what I have to do, and I’m in the process of taking the proper precautions. My daily routine will not be the same, and it scares me shitless, but it’s time. I’ll be twenty-six years old in two months. I have goals to meet by my 30th birthday; February 12, 2014.

Life without thankfulness is devoid of love and passion. Hope without thankfulness is lacking in fine perception. Faith without thankfulness lacks strength and fortitude. Every virtue divorced from thankfulness is maimed and limps along the spiritual road.

– John Henry Jowett

Wisdom, maturity, patience, love and thankfulness have all been taken to the next level throughout this year. Although, not everything went the way that I planned this year; I still came out on top. I’ve lost some very dear loved ones along this year’s journey, and I miss them more than what any words can express. That alone lights the fire underneath me to push forward, and make my loved ones proud; those fallen and standing.

Back then I thought that my 30th birthday was so far away, but February 2014 is JUST around the corner. So much has changed since December 2009. I never did pick up that pen the way I intended to, but I did however pick up my pieces, dropped them, and picked them up again. Life has taken me on many dips and turns since then. I’m still standing though! Those goals I set to accomplish before my 30th birthday are still planned to be achieved! I’ve picked up my pen again, and I’m finally……FINALLY ready to live out my passion! I’m thankful for those pieces that I’ve dropped, those pieces that I’ve misplaced, and those pieces that I have not yet found, because if it weren’t for these pieces; I wouldn’t have a thing to write about with this pen!

King of Bebop

Before the King of Pop, there was the King of Bebop. That’s right, Yardbird, aka Bird, aka…CHARLIE PARKER!  Today we have so much to celebrate. So much talent to be thankful for behind the melodies. 92 years ago, this man was born with an attitude that would dare to be reckoned with. During his times, there were many obstacles in his way, and he could’ve given up on many occasions. He could’ve stopped playing what the people labeled as perverse, and downright wrong, but he kept on playing those notes on his legendary saxophone. Later becoming a major icon to the hipster and beat generation cultures.

Charlie “Bird” Parker, is definitely one of my favorite jazz musicians, not because of his music alone, but because of his mind and his intellect. They said he was crazy, but you know what they say, “there’s a fine line between ingenious and insanity”. He was no doubt a genius. Along with other legends like Dizzy Gillespie, Thelonious Monk, and Charlie Christian he developed and paved the way for the Bebop culture. His music that was once rejected has had an enormous influence on the jazz world. Thank you!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BIRD!!!

The Day a King Was Born

54 years ago, the King of Pop was born! Today we celebrate his life, his legeacy, and remember him as one of THE most talented people to walk this earth. Michael Jackson is known all over the world, and by every generation. His music is truly timeless! My kids will know about MJ, my kid’s kids, AND my kids’s kid’s kids will know who this man is. Words just cannot express how his music has touched the world!

We all have read books, seen interviews, seen movies about his past, and we all know that the little boy from Gary, Indiana had more than a troubled journey. However, if it wasn’t for his journey, we wouldn’t have been blessed with the sounds, the emotions, and the memories that come through his music. I just want to take a trip back down memory lane, and share the albums and songs that I love the most.

Off The Wall 1979

My favorite Tracks

Don’t stop til you get enough
Rock with you
Workin’ Day and Night

I remember my mother guarding this record with her life every time my dad went through his “selling everything in the house” frenzies. This was her favorite MJ album. I probably hit my first dance moves to this album. I’m still trying to get her to pass down that vinyl record today!

Thriller 1982

Favorite Tracks

Thriller
Beat It
Billie Jean
Human Nature
PYT

This is my all time favorite MJ record. HANDS DOWN! Do you see the hits on this album?! We all know Thriller, some of us even know the entire choreographed dance. You’re bound to hear at least 2 of these songs being sang at any karaoke spot anywhere in the world on any given day! This album was, and STILL is….EVERYTHING!

BAD 1987

Favorite Tracks

Bad
The Way You Make Me Feel
Man In The Mirror
Dirty Diana
Smooth Criminal 

MJ gave us something raw and different with this album. He proved that he wasn’t that sensitive guy that everyone knew him to be. He pulled out the knives on this one, and rocked our souls! My favorite, favorite, FAVORITE MJ song is only this album. This song probably gave every man courage to walk up to a lady at some point. That lady he thought was out of his league. That lady he let pass him by many a day without uttering a word! As a matter of fact, here is the video!

The Way You Make Me Feel

Today we celebrate the birth of a legend, and we thank him for his passion, his talent, and his journey!

Happy Birthday Mike!!

 

Styles P ‘The Diamond Life Project’ – Music Review

Track List

1. Black Diamond ft. Jadakiss (Intro) (Prod by Poobs)
2. Gripping Over Here ft. French Montana & Pusha T (Prod by Jahlil Beats)
3. Poppin Bottle ft. Uncle Murda
4. Yo Trill Shit ft. Bun B (Prod by Lex Luger)
5. Black Diamond 2 ft. Jadakiss (Skit)
6. Thru The Struggle ft. Curren$y & Raheem DeVaughn
7. Diamond Life (Prod by Rahki)
8. Keep Me High (Prod by Ted Smooth)
9. Throw Down ft. Trae Tha Truth & The Godson (Prod by VDonSoundz)
10. Black Diamond 3 (Skit)
11. The Myth (Prod by Alchemist)

It’s the OG from D-Block! Styles P dropping that classic Yonkers flavor in your ear. We remember him from the hip-hop group The Lox, which consisted two other members we know quite well; Sheek Louch and Jadakiss. We remember him from rolling with the Ruff Ryders. Well he’s back with The Diamond Life Project!

I’m a little disappointed that there are only 11 tracks on this tape, and 3 of those tracks are skits! I feel that Styles P has been around long enough to give us more than what he gave this go around. I have an ear for authentic sounds, and I can say that Ghost truly did stick to that grimy, cut-throat, choppy flow that everyone grew accustomed to. Would I listen to this mixtape again? Probably not. It’s not his best work, but it’s not his worst either. I still salute him nonetheless JUST for sticking to his roots, and not allowing the industry to change up his style!

Best Tracks:

4. Yo Trill Shit ft. Bun B (Prod by Lex Luger)

You might as well get used to me choosing anything featuring Bun B as a favorite track of mine. You can’t go wrong with his feature, period! Lex Luger produced this track quite nicely, and gave Yonkers and Texas the opportunity to blend perfectly over the beat. “This that Yonkers trill shit, UGK & D-Block”!

6. Thru The Struggle ft. Curren$y & Raheem DeVaughn

I’m glad Styles P teamed up with Curren$y on this track. It brought about a very smooth sound to vibe to. Raheem seducing us on the hook like only he can do best just added to the reasons in why this is one of the best tracks on the tape.

10. The Myth (Prod by Alchemist)

This track totally reminded me why Styles P is STILL one of the most underrated MC’s out there. The Alchemist produced a sound so classic, I thought I was listening to Wu-Tang Forever ’97! Every part of the map has their own original sound, and this has New York all over it!

Mixtape Rating – 2 Stars !! 

A Piece Of Cake – Book Review

 

Book Description

A Piece of Cake by Cupcake Brown

There are shelves of memoirs about overcoming the death of a parent, childhood abuse, rape, drug addiction, miscarriage, alcoholism, hustling, gangbanging, near-death injuries, drug dealing, prostitution, or homelessness.

Cupcake Brown survived all these things before she’d even turned twenty. 

And that’s when things got interesting….

You have in your hands the strange, heart-wrenching, and exhilarating tale of a woman named Cupcake. It begins as the story of a girl orphaned twice over, once by the death of her mother and then again by a child welfare system that separated her from her stepfather and put her into the hands of an epically sadistic foster parent. But there comes a point in her preteen years—maybe it’s the night she first tries to run away and is exposed to drugs, alcohol, and sex all at once—when Cupcake’s story shifts from a tear-jerking tragedy to a dark comic blues opera. As Cupcake’s troubles grow, so do her voice and spirit. Her gut-punch sense of humor and eye for the absurd, along with her outsized will, carry her through a fateful series of events that could easily have left her dead.

Young Cupcake learned to survive by turning tricks, downing hard liquor, partying like a rock star, and ingesting every drug she could find while hitchhiking up and down the California coast. She stumbled into gangbanging, drug dealing, hustling, prostitution, theft, and, eventually, the best scam of all: a series of 9-to-5 jobs. But Cupcake’s unlikely tour through the cubicle world was paralleled by a quickening descent into the nightmare of crack cocaine use, till she eventually found herself living behind a Dumpster. 

Astonishingly, she turned it around. With the help of a cobbled together family of eccentric fellow addicts and “angels”—a series of friends and strangers who came to her aid at pivotalmoments—she slowly transformed her life from the inside out. 

A Piece of Cake is unlike any memoir you’ll ever read. Moving and almost transgressive in its frankness, it is a relentlessly gripping tale of a resilient spirit who took on the worst of contem-porary urban life and survived it with a furious wit and unyielding determination. Cupcake Brown is a dynamic and utterly original storyteller who will guide you on the most satisfying, startlingly funny, and genuinely affecting tour through hell you’ll ever take. 

Cupcake Brown took me through some ups and downs while reading this book. I was a little skeptical about reading another memoir (or fiction)  so soon after James Frey’s ‘A Million Little Pieces‘, because despite what critics say; I did indeed love that book. So when hearing about ‘A Piece of Cake’, I thought I’d buy it and just keep it on my bookshelf. However, while caught up in a rough patch in my own personal life, I decided to read about someone else’s problems. Stop wallowing in my own self-pity, and read about someone who clearly had it harder than I ever could imagine.

My Good Reads Review

I was on the fence about this book when I began reading it. The story was entirely too dramatic for me. A great chunk of the story was extremely redundant, and I became bored with it. However, rounding towards the end, I was enlightened, and found myself very fascinated with her journey. I even shed a few tears. The writing style was fair. There were moments when I wish I knew her current age and the current year, and the constant use of slang was rather annoying. All in all, this was a pretty good read! Check out my official review at www.illustrioushustle.com

There were many ways that I was able to self reflect while reading this book. In my opinion, that is one of the key aspects in reading a good memoir. Can your readers relate in anyway? Is your journey one of inspiration? Will your memoir be one that will forever be locked in the minds of your readers? Well, this book was all of that and more to me. Cupcake Brown’s story is thrilling and remarkable. It takes you from point A to point Z, with a little annoyances along the way, but it’s still a fascinating story.

Book Rating: 4 Stars !!!!

Sparkle – Movie Review

Starring

Jordin Sparks
Whitney Houston
Derek Luke
Mike Epps
Carmen Ejogo
Tika Sumpter

I finally went to go see Sparkle today. I will say if it wasn’t for this being Whitney’s final film, I probably wouldn’t have gone to see it. I only say that because, I wasn’t a diehard fan of the original film. However, I’m glad I gave it a chance!!!

The movie didn’t truly follow the 1976 version, especially when it came to the music. There were parts in the movie when I actually forgot it was 1970. However, this new age Sparkle definitely hit me with some surprises.

The acting was phenomenal in this film. I wasn’t one bit disappointed with anyone!! Even Mike Epps showed his skill, which truly shocked me. I was a little iffy about his playing this role, but not bad! Not bad at all. Jordin Sparks. I hope that she blesses the screen again after this film. She truly was amazing. Breathtakingly gorgeous, with a voice  for the GODS! I was also glad to see Tika Sumpter in this movie. I hadn’t seen her since she played on The Game. Playing the role of Delores, she gave me that independent, “take no crap” attitude, and I loved it!!!

Despite, my previous comment about the music above, I did love the music in the film. Giving Him Something He Can Feel is definitely a classic, and I loved the performance in the remake. It was dripping sex, and I’m sure LOTS of people enjoyed it besides myself. There were also some great musical artist that cameoed in the film. I won’t spoil the surpasses, but I was happy to see some of my favorites on the screen. I was actually pleased with R. Kelly being the executive music consultant. He may have been the reason behind the Nina Simone song playing during a pivotal part in the film.

Favorite Quotes

“Why would the Lord give me this gift if I couldn’t use it?” – Sparkle
“It’s really hard to follow your dreams, but you have to because you might write a song that may saves someone’s life.” – Sparkle

Standing ovation for Whitney Houston!!! She was one of the executive producers of this film and she did an outstanding job. I managed to get through the movie without crying and rolling through the aisles too! She is most definitely missed, and I’m truly appreciative that she blessed us one more time. We love you Whitney!

I rate this film : 4 Stars !!!! 

A Quote to a Writer

I was just surfing blogs, and came across this quote. It hit close to home, and hit the nail on the head with how I believe writers truly feel. Check it out!

A Quote to a Writer.