The Live Version of the Song is ALWAYS Superior to the Original (Pt. 2)- The Covers Edition

Paul Natkin/WireImage/Getty Images

Back with Pt.2, the Covers edition.  There are some song covers that arguably surpass the original version.  Not to say that the song wasn't made for the original artist, but to note that the cover artists' rendition of it is incredible.  Everyone can't do it, but oh man when they do?  Special.  

Jodeci- Lately

I'm so sorry to the Genius, Stevie Wonder, but what Jodeci did in this version cannot be undone.  Jokes aside from the classic Varnell Hill Martin episode, the cadence... rifts... ad-libs...and pacing.  It's THEE one by miles.  On another note, I heard the studio cover of this where they had a video for the FIRST time in 2026.  Repulsed.  This is the only I will acknowledge.

Movie Soundtrack Spotlight: Why Do Fools Fall In Love?

 

This was the first time we saw Mel B. breakout as a solo artist and away from her Spice Girl persona.  The year was 1998.  Soundtracks were still a very important piece of the film, which now seems to be a lost art.  Why Do Fools Fall In Love had a star studded cast of Halle Berry, Larenz Tate, Vivica Fox, and Lela Rochon.  The original music soundtrack was heavily influenced by Missy Elliott and Timbaland.   Now during this time, both artists had an established reputation for innovative and futuristic music videos as well as production.  That translated to the albums' lead music videos and overall sound, something completely different from the norm.  Way ahead of its time.

Arguably my favorite Destiny's Child song.  Top 3 for sure.

APPLY NOW: Beyoncé Launches $500k Grants for Cosmetology Schools and Salons

Yesterday, following the launch of her highly anticipated hair care line, Cécred, Beyoncé announced a new financing opportunity available for the cosmetology world.  Cécred x BeyGOOD have partnered to fund $500,000 towards cosmetology school scholarships and salon business grants.  The Cécred x BeyGOOD Fund aims to celebrate the influence professional stylists have on hair health and the critical importance of advocating for the salon community.

Products officially became available worldwide on the Cécred website consisting of shampoo, conditioners, treatments, tools, accessories, and more.  The site, also, offers a hair quiz for consumers to determine which product would provide the best health care for their hair type.  

 Fostering talent, promoting professionalism, and supporting entrepreneurship within the hair industry is deeply important to us. 

Five specific cities were selected as scholarship and grant recipients for their largely diverse community of hair stylists.  Here are the details and how you can apply...

Time Warp... 2016: Freedom | Beyoncé x Kendrick Lamar #BlackHistoryMonth

I break chains all by myself

won't let my freedom rot in hell. 

 

Related Post:  Time Warp...1984 : Black Butterfly | Deniece Williams #BlackHistoryMonth

You Can Now Interior Design Your Home Like Beyoncé, thanks to Brigette Romanek

Prominent and coveted interior designer, Brigette Romanek, is bringing her personal approach towards interior design to a coffee table near you.  With A-List celebrity clientele like Beyoncé and Jay-Z, Gwyneth Paltrow, Christian Bale, the Crate and Barrel brand and more, her reputation certainly precedes her.   

Romanek's upcoming book, "Livable Luxe", features over 150 photographs that reflect the personality/lifestyle of interior design projects for her various clients along with her own personal related life stories.

Her 'Gucci meets Gap' design blend is admired by many who desire to have give their space a feeling of comfort and style.  Authored by Brigette Romanek and Foreword by Gwyneth Paltrow, "Liveable Luxe" is 240 pages of energetic inspo in more ways than one.

{Personal Post} PHOTOS/VIDEOS: Beyoncé RENAISSANCE World Tour - Toronto

Earlier this month, we headed up to Toronto, Ontario Canada for Beyoncé!  Yes baby, our Renaissance World Tour concert date finally arrived.  A TIME was had.  This was my 4th time seeing Beyoncé live.  The production on this show was mind blowing.  Worth EVERY penny and more.  I documented it, of course, to share :)  Below are compilation video(s) AND photos that I captured of Day 2 at the Renaissance World Tour in Toronto.  Still in awe.

Take a vicarious journey.  Follow me.....

{Watch}:: A Star-Studded Event. LOUIS VUITTON Men’s Spring-Summer 2024 Fashion Show by Pharrell Williams

Last night, the Louis Vuitton Men's Spring-Summer 2024 Fashion Show took place in Paris, France.  What an event it was. Since the announcement in February of Pharrell Williams taking the Men's Creative Director role, it's been up from there.  Personal invitations were sent to A-list Celebrities and Fashion lovers across the globe, who showed up and showed out.  Don't mistake that for being the highlight of the event.   The allure of the entire show held a level of fascinating command on its own.  

    A variety of very well styled pieces and models walked the runway at the Maison with unwavering attention.  Pharrell presented a soundtrack of new songs that debuted on this very special evening, including a Clipse reunion (where Pusha T takes noticeable shots at rapper Jim Jones).  Pharrell's version of Unspeakable Joy with the Choir and production was absolutely phenomenal.  Bravo.  Catch more photos and the video of the entire fashion show after the jump!   

{Photos/Trailer} :: A First Look at Donald Glover's Beyoncé Inspired Series, "Swarm"

*trailer added 02/27

"We just thought it'd be fun to make a post-truth Piano Teacher mixed with The King of Comedy."

- Donald Glover to Vanity Fair.

Donald Glover aka Childish Gambino is tapping his creativity into the tv world once again.  The series idea was pitched to Atlanta writer and producer, Janine Nabers, who was on board with the modern "anti-hero story".  Swarm enlists Dominique Fishback (Judas and the Black Messiah), Damson Idris (Snowfall), and singer Chloe Bailey as lead roles.  Notably, Malia Obama is apart of the writers room.

APPLY: Beyonce's 'BeyGOOD' Foundation teams up w/ the NAACP to help Families Facing Eviction

 

BeyGOOD announced they will be giving $5K grants to individuals and/or families who may be facing evictions, foreclosures etc. in 2021.  COVID-19 has affected everyone in many many ways, including financial.  With no sure sight on when this will end, these grants will most certainly be of assistance to countless of those in need.  

To find out more details and how to apply, please visit the NAACP website.  Direct link HERE.  Round 1 of the online process opens up January 7, 2021.  Round 2 will open the following month and so forth.

If you are a small black-business owner affected, BeyGOOD also has a Black-owned small business impact fund to assist.  To apply and find out more details for this fund, click HERE.

Spread the word to someone you know that may be in need. 

Related Post : Pharrell Williams launches non-profit initiative- "Black Ambition"

{Watch} :: Beyonce's "Where is Your Park?" Athletic Line IVY PARK Promo

Previous Post ::  SLAY :: Beyonce' releases new single/music video "FORMATION"

SLAY :: Beyonce' releases new single/music video "FORMATION"

I like my negro nose

with Jackson 5 nostrils.

Early Saturday evening (EST) was surprisingly shut down as Beyonce released a new single/music video for 'Formation'.  Set in New Orleans, this indirect empowerment anthem features super catchy lyrics accompanied by a heavy hitting production.  Meanwhile if that and the crisp choreography isn't enough, the 'Stop Shooting Us' segment where the police put their hands up with the black kid in a black hoody dancing, congregation praising the Lord, and drowning of the police car is one intense sonic boom punch of black symbolism.  This song and video couldn't have come at a better time (personally) and even sweeter...during #BlackHistoryMonth.

Can I (Official Version) | Drake x Beyonce

Can I...
Baby....

I'm sure all remember earlier this year when a snippet of this song surfaced on the internet.  Many were anticipating Drake would release the song hours later etc. but to no avail.  Yesterday, on OVO Sound Radio/Apple Music Beats 1, OVO Co-founder El-Khatib played the official version of the track.  I gravitated to the snippet... and hearing the entire cut is no different.  It's addictive.  Short.. but listen to 'Can I' below::  

Related Post :: Runnin' (Lose it All) | Naughty Boy x Beyonce x Arrow Benjamin

Runnin' (Lose it All) | Naughty Boy x Beyonce x Arrow Benjamin

Memories turn to dust
please don't bury us...

British producer/songwriter Naughty Boy (who has worked with heavy hitters such as Rihanna, Sam Smith etc.) releases a semi-up tempo ballad assisted by Beyonce and Arrow Benjamin.  Bey's vocals prevail powerfully all the while Arrow's tenor tone evens out the cut with welcomed male notes.  A nice mesh.  "iF I lose myself, i Lose it all......"

Body Like a Work of Art :: Beyonce'-inspired Skyscraper set for construction in Melbourne (PHOTOS)

Ever seen 'Yonce's video "Ghost" (the track before 'Haunted')?  If not, I posted below.  That is exactly what the Australian firm, Elenberg Fraser, is aiming for - the scene where the fabric is wrapped around the entire body that is (1:15 mark).  

The Premiere Tower will stand tall at 226 metre high on 134 Spencer St. in Melbourne, Australia boasting the icon's curvacious figure in art form.  

"This project is the culmination of our significant research.  The complex form - a vertical cantilever- is actually the most effective way to redistribute the building's mass, giving the best results in terms of structural dispersion, frequency oscillation and wind requirements" 

{Watch} Real Love :: Beyonce debuts 'Die With You' to Jay-Z for their 7th Wedding Anniversary

***UPDATE 4/7/15- Sorry guys... they took that video down SO fast. It's only available on TIDAL now. 

...Darling, I wake up..
just to sleep with you 
...I open my eyes..
so I can see with you...

In lieu of celebrating their 7th anniversary today, Bey debuts a new feeling drenched ballad 'Die With You' to her hubby Jay-Z in an intimate moment of only them in a room with a piano and great acoustics.  Bey sings ever so beautifully professing her heart to Hov as he records the entire thing - in which you see him smiling away at the end.  These lyrics here.  This.  Is.  LOVE. 

'I don't need these legs.. if I ain't walking by your side..."

Watch Below:: 

{Personal Post} Photos/Videos :: Summer Concert Series Pt. 1 - Dipset & Jay x Bey's 'On The Run'

The end of summer has officially arrived. While I am excited for Fall....I love Fall... I'm, also, going to miss summer. Not so much for the heat and fashion, but for all the outdoor activities and fun. Contained in those outdoor activities and fun were concerts :-). I took a few photos that I never posted... until now. I have to make two separate posts considering the magnitude of photos. I'm super bummed that I can't share the videos with you all up here (I've tried several times and failed :-/). I really got some awesome footage on my phone. It, also, allowed you to capture the true essence of the show.
Part one of my series entails the Dipset Reunion Show (DC) and Jay x Bey's On the Run Tour (Baltimore Show)::

DIPSET Reunion Show

[Watch] 'BANG BANG' Short Film Pt. 1 starring Jay-Z and Beyonce

”We’re not trying to do this literally, it’s not that we’re Bonnie and Clyde. We’re on the run from everything. On the run from becoming a cliché. On the run from doing the same thing again.” – Hov.

For those of us who attended a show during the 'On the Run' tour stretch, we saw a few of these clips throughout the show. Turns out, the footage is actually clips from a trilogy of short films directed by Dikayl Rimmasch called 'Bang Bang'. Nowness released the first clip of the series chronicling Hov and Bey's cinematic life 'On the Run'.
The On the Run Tour is set to air on HBO this Saturday, September 20th. Watch the trailer here.
Take a look at 'Bang Bang' PART 1 after the jump::

Flawless (Remix) | Beyonce x Nicki Minaj

Of course sometimes shit goes down
when it’s a billion dollars on the elevator...

I love when Bey gets in animal mode. As if she doesn't shut it down already enough... she comes through and reminds folks why she reigns supreme. Late Saturday night, Ms. Yonce' dropped the Flawless remix featuring Nicki Minaj.
'And you can say what you want... I'm the SHIT.'
Gah Zamn Gah Zamn Gah Zamnnn. Listen below::

Trailer :: HBO set to air Jay-Z and Beyonce's 'On the Run' Tour

***UPDATE from 7/10 post- Trailer Added.

via Jeff Daly/AP Photos

If you don't have a chance to make it to one of their shows on tour, don't fret... it's coming to HBO. ;-).  In September, HBO will premiere their first concert event exclusively with the 'On The Run' tour show; announced by HBO prez Michael Lombardo today.  The taping for this special event will be during their Paris, France stop on the tour.   

It seems they have a growing working relationship with HBO as this is not their first time appearing.  Jay's 'Picasso Baby : A Performance Art Film and Bey's 'Life is But a Dream Documentary' both aired on the network.  Most recently, Bey's Beyonce X10 is airing before each True Blood episode on Sundays.  Now this.   Tiiiight.

I was at the show this past Monday... and you already know... a post is coming soon.  I have a few photos but much to say lol.  I'm excited to see the show again.  

s.o. to EW.

Related Post: Cinematic Trailer : "Run" | Jay-Z x Beyonce

Spoken Word : 'The Beyoncelogues'

Nina Millin revamps dramatic monologues of Beyonce songs into what she calls.. 'Beyoncelogues'.

Her incredible theatric performance is presented in a mini web series of 'Irreplaceable', 'Mine', and her 'If I were a Boy' performance... sheesh.. that one was real. I hope she does more in the future. Check them out below. Not only did Nina do a fantastic job, this is pretty dope::