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.

The Live Version of the Song is ALWAYS Superior to the Original (Pt. 1)

Tony Krash/Badu World

Can you believe this draft has been sitting since 2022?  I was vibing the other week and had a light bulb reminder.  I never published it!  What better time than now?  Half of the U.S. is snowed in today.   

Live versions are unique.  Typically filled with vivaciousness and exclusivity to that specific performance in all aspects.   It takes a special kind of everything to put a live song in the category of being considered better than the original/studio version.  That special thing where you prefer to hear the live version instead.  The common denominator is simply this.  It contains soul that the original just does not acquire.  

For instance... 

Marvin Gaye - Distant Lover

Could be the screams.. could be the horns... could be the yearning.  It's. just. there.

Our Picks: Top Albums of 2025

2025 was .... something.  Nevertheless, you can always count on music.  Keeping up with the annual tradition of compiling our personal lists for our top albums/projects of the year.   Check out our favorites from 2025 after the jump!

In Memoriam... 2025

 Gone, but not forgotten.

In memoriam...

Derrick Ward

Sam Moore

Brenton Wood

DJ Juice

Time Warp... 1997: Appletree | Erykah Badu

Circa 1997.

Funny how the most random memories can carry with you for decades through song.  One of my countless times in Raleigh growing up.  Erykah was the new hot artist.  Unc had the Baduizm album blaring throughout; Appletree on at this point.  "I have a hoe... I take it everywhere I go".  Unc started laughing and said 'That girl wild" as he walked past to go light a cigarette.  I think of that every time i hear this song.  

Happy Birthday Unc.  I miss you.

Today... we jam.

 

Related Post:  Time Warp...1992 : Follow Me | Aly-Us #BlackHistoryMonth

Related Post:  {Personal Post} PHOTOS: Water Lantern Festival 2023

Is This Thing On?...

I went back to Europe for 2 weeks in June/July as a treat to myself for accomplishing something major.  Plus, I really was in dire need of a vacation.

I packed my laptop with plans to publish draft blog posts and new ones during my down time on the trip.  What I found was that... I was completely exhausted from screentime and just wanted to enjoy the various cities/countries I visited.  Not being confined or pressured to a schedule, but rather just doing whatever the hell I wanted to do.

Once I landed back to my home turf, I unpacked my laptop to use it to look something up.  What I then found was... it wouldn't turn on.  I left it plugged up for an entire day thinking maybe it just needed a good charge.  To no avail.  

That was the beginning of July.

In case you were pondering the reason for the pause in posts.  I am happy to say today...

I want you to put the word out there that we back up.

Doechii Launches Online Hub for Help With Anxiety

Christopher Parsons

Somebody's watching me...it's my anxiety.

Fresh off the heels of her latest single, Anxiety, grammy award winning music star Doechii launches an online hub for dedicated help with the mental health condition.  AnxietyIsWatchingMe serves as a place for connection, healing, and empowerment; reminding that you do not have to walk the path alone.  The site offers general resource links/aids, community based programs, and an international section for 10 countries outside of the U.S. 

In addition, Visitors can share personal resources, coping mechanisms, or words of advice that may help someone battling anxiety.

ADDICTION's 15th blog-aversary!

15 years in this thang.  

While the 'blog-era' dissolved as access to information and the way people consume it changed, ADDICTION remained.  I'm allowed to express myself through interests and it's something I hold dear.  THANK YOU as always to the visitors and supporters.  From day ones to newcomers.  

We still going up.  

Xoxo, Dolcezza. 

 

Related Post:  ADDICTION reaches over 500k views! :: 14th Blog-aversary!

Our Picks: Top Albums of 2024

The streets were FED this year.  Tradition stands.  We compiled our personal lists for the top albums of 2024.  Check out our favorite projects after the jump!

In Memoriam... 2024

Getty Images

Gone, but not forgotten.

In memoriam...

Hinton Battle

Carl Weathers

Hydeia Broadbent

Dexter Scott King

The Brooklyn Museum Introduces New Advice Column, "Dear Ms. Lonely Arts"

New Line Cinema

Calling all lovers (of anything)!  The holiday season can be a bittersweet time for most.  Shorter days, colder weather (depending on your location), sorrow, reflections of the year... what have you accomplished?  what have you not?  and so forth.  The new advice column from the Brooklyn Museum couldn't have come had a better time.  A time where people need it the most.

"Dear Ms. Lonely Arts" offers sanctuary and community to those seeking advice.  Here's how it works:

Sister Souljah Announces a New Installment to The Coldest Winter Ever, "Love After Midnight"

{Warning: SPOILERS Ahead for 'The Coldest Winter Ever" and "Life After Death"}

The Winter Santiaga story is not over.  Sister Souljah has resurfaced with an announcement of the new 384-page installment, "Love After Midnight".  This novel is said to pick up where we left off... confirming that Winter is alive and is back making her own world once again.  Midnight being in the title could be alluding to his character presence in this one possibly.  It's described as a 'hip-hop hood style, global romantic comedy'.  Interesting.  

 

I'm gonna be real with ya'll...

ADDICTION reaches over 500k views! :: 14th Blog-aversary!

Over 510,000 and counting.  WOW.  I remember having the "hitting half a mil would be crazy" conversation.  Now we here! ... in a realm of our own.  THANK YOU 100x and more to all the visitors and supporters along the way.  All LOVE.  

Taking it all in and celebrating today.    

Xoxo,

Dolcezza

Related Post:  ADDICTION reaches over 400k views! :: 13th Blog-aversary!

Our Picks: Top Albums of 2023

img by Valeria K

This year for music was pretty good!  More quality singles than full projects, but overall good.  Continuing with tradition, we compiled our personal lists of the top albums of 2023.  

Check out our favorite projects after the jump!

Make History: NASA is Allowing You to Send Your Name to Jupiter's Moon

Send for me.

What a random and cool way to close out 2023.  Be a part of history!  No pun intended, NASA has launched a "Message in a Bottle" campaign and is encouraging you to participate.  You are invited to submit your name to be engraved on a micropchip traveling to Jupiter's moon, Europa.  1.8. BILLION miles away.  In 2024, the Europa Clipper spacecraft is headed to this icy moon to explore further on whether environmental conditions there are suitable for life.  Whoa.

New Video: Can't Go Back | Sampha

I’ve wanted to work with Saad Moosajee for a minute and so grateful I got a chance 🙏🏾 I spent a lot of time predicting negativity would come my way based on previous life experiences. I would rush past everything thinking I had no time to do anything. I think writing this song was part of learning how to forgive myself in that state of being and to say it’s ok to start now. It’s not always too late. It’s just as important to slow down and recognise I have boundaries and a bandwidth.

-Sampha

It rained all day today.  Come to think of it, I haven't done a rainy day post in a minute.  *makes a note to revisit.  I stumbled across Sampha's new video for one of my faves on his latest album, Lahai.  Reading his personal note about the song/record give the lyrics a deeper meaning for me.  The video aligns as it should.  Check it out:

Related Post:  Dolcezza Picks:: New Music for a Rainy Evening

Related Post:  {Watch} New Video:: N95 x Kendrick Lamar

Giving Back: Rapper T.I. Opens An Affordable Housing Development in Atlanta

...we have to make sure that the people who made this city and the culture of this city what it is, still have a place in this city and can afford to stay there. Somebody has to be a part of that charge.

- T.I. to Bilal and Troy Milling/'Earn Your Leisure Podcast

Clifford "T.I" Harris Jr. is dedicated to his city of Atlanta, GA.  Aside from reppin' in countless verses and highlighting the city in the self named movie, ATL, T.I. had his eyes set on a project for his own community.  In 2022, he spoke of a new mission to create a real estate development of affordable housing in his home area of Bankhead.  Fast forward to present day.  He made it happen.

Grab Your Glasses: An Annular Solar Eclipse is Happening Soon

Todd Heisler/The New York Times

 “The next annular eclipse seen in this part of the country is actually going to be in 2046.  It’s going to be a long stretch before we will see this phenomenon again, so we’re really encouraging folks to go out there and observe safely.”- Kelly Korreck, NASA eclipse program manager.

 Stargazing.

The time where the moon passes between the Earth and Sun is happening this month.  In 10 days to be exact.  Depending where you are on the path, the eclipse will last from 1-5 minutes.  Also named "The Ring of Fire", the solar eclipse is a special celestial event to witness.  NASA urges viewers to wear safe solar viewing glasses (non damaged) or utilize a safe handheld solar viewer to prevent solar ray burn to your eyes.  Sunglasses "won't work".   

img via Travel+Leisure

The solar eclipse will be partially visible in 49 of the continental U.S. states, but will be completely visible in these locations starting at 9:13am PDT:

Time Warp... 2000: Get Up | Amel Larrieux

Circa 2000.

I was in North Carolina at my cousin' house for summer break.  This was one of Unc's many CDs.  I played it on my own when he and my aunt went to work one day and my cousin was like 'Why you listenin to this?'. LOL.  Me and Unc always connected on the music tip, among so many other things now as an adult.  He knew the vibes.  A bond unbreakable. 

You transitioned exactly two weeks ago.  The pain felt in my heart is hard to convey with words.  "Niece" will forever keep your name alive.  Here we were on the beach this year, sippin and relaxin to the tunes from your speaker.  I'll always hear this song and think of you; and the lyrics were a message of something you always pushed.  

Happy Birthday Uncccc.  Take a break from settin ppl straight up there. lol.  

This is for you.

Related Post:  Time Warp.... 2000 : What Means the World to You | Camron