Track Review of "Mononeon" from Album Testimonializm "The Symphony in J Minor"

Track Review of "Mononeon" from Album Testimonializm 

Cincinnati artist J-Skillz delivers us a groovy retro record on his album Testimonializm. With  production reminiscent of  Zapp (sampled in songs like California Love, Knockin Da Boots, Keep Ya Head Up). Paying homage to the originators of G-Funk, J-Skillz delivers relaxed, playful verses over varied guitar runs and finger snaps. Listeners will also here an influence of T-Pain's "Buy You A Drink" across the record as well, giving it a more modern but still dated flare. The song ends with a skit that gives preview of the rapper's comedic spins laced across the rest of the album.

This record and album can be found on major streaming channels everywhere.

Buddy: Reigning Prince of LA

Buddy: Reigning West Coast Prince

His rap moniker may conjure of thoughts of simplicity but this West Coast rapper is anything but that. Coming into the industry, being the last artist of Star Trek label at just 16 - we long waited his triumphant return. Harlan and Alondra debuts his array of talent and his maturity since we heard him rapping about his teenage misfit years.

Here’s what tracks I absolutely can’t get enough of:

• Shameless. Beginning with an intro that demonstrates his ups and downs while pursuing his love of music. The hook, the production, amplifies his persona while helping us to get a clearer vision of his goals as an artist.
• Hey Up There. Once again acknowledging that the road to success can get weary, he enlists the help of Ty Dollar $ign to illustrate that it’s not where they are, but where they are on their way to, that we should be in expectation for.
• The Blue. With smooth, souled vocals similar to Anderson Paak, Buddy croons on this track. Snoop Dogg joins him on this metaphoric soulful record.
• Speechless. Explicit about his intimacy skills, Buddy paints a surprisingly mature and vivid picture about his bedroom tricks.
• Trippin’. Buddy and Khalid deliver us honest about the journey they experience under the influence.

Harlan and Alondra is a must play for the summertime.

Single Review: Summertime by Meaux

New Orleans native Meaux, whose vocals have been used on Kid Rock's albums, who has been the opening act for performers like Darius Rucker and whose dance moves have brought her on stage with acts like Beyoncé - Meaux is breaking out on her own. Now that we’ve had a chance to gleam at her background, let’s get to her new record, Summertime.                                                                                                                                                              A melodic pop record with crisp percussion that carries a  sprinkled deep bass line. Meaux layers the track with a mid-range and at times breathy voice. Lyrically, the song appears to be about a reminiscing summer love that didn’t reach its full potential. Even  lyric reminiscent of Erykah Badu’s Next Lifetime with Meaux’s Line “maybe in another life, we can get it right".

While I have an strong appreciation for the cadence and production change in the bridge and feel that the expanding production at the end of the song will serve as a great way for Meaux to showcase her choreography - the mix quality and lyrics become hard to distinguish in the second verse. This clarity issue gives me some trouble following her love lost story. However, overall this record has the potential to be a good introduction for Meaux to showcase her many talents. 

For more information on  Meaux, click here.

Are You Considered a Yeller on Social Media?

Are you known as a yeller across your social media?

Some may be confused by this question because they may believe that in order for you to come off as yelling via written text you have to have exclamation points in your posts. Quite the contrary. If your social media is more of you constantly advertising your rates, mixed with buy nows and your discounts of the day- you're a yeller. You are the equivalent to a person with a bullhorn.

If you're a yeller, its very easy for you to get tuned out and people to get turned off by your messages. Try these tips in your next five posts and see the changes:

*Share your thoughts on a trending topic. For example if you're a budding restaurant owner talk about what inspired you or about your experience at another establishment.

*Thank your followers for following you. Realize that following others is a privilege

*Retweet if you like and agree with what you agree

*Share insight about your field or expertise

When you are a more talkative and becoming a source of information, more will gravitate towards in terms of followers, likes and customers.

The 1,2,3's of Entrepreneurship Book Review

Book Review: The 1, 2, 3s of Entrepreneurship 

Author: Shanti Das

Shanti Das took the leap of faith to start her expand her entrepreneurial wings within her hometown of Atlanta. While building her company, mistakes were made and often enough she considered throwing in the towel on her business pursuits. However she was able to stay motivated and resilient. By adhering to the wise counsel from established professionals in every industry, she was able to stay the course.  Shanti delves out thirty business and motivation tips to provide guidance and insight for today's business owner.

The tips that stick out to me:

-Never stop pitching. Your pitches may might not get an immediate yes, but a few months- or even a few years- down the road, the potential client may be interested in what you have to offer-Saptosa Foster & Shante Bacon from 135th Street Agency

-Excellence Begets Success. Integrity in your work is infectious. When you are excellent, people take notice, they respect you and will gravitate to you. Midwin Charles, Esq from Midwin Charles & Associates LLC, TV Legal Correspondent.

Check out more about this author, her book and her business:http://pressresetent.com/pre/about-us/ 

G.O.A.T.s Only Great As Their Teams

Lebron has amazed us with his ability to work his way to his 5th NBA Final. Making bold decisions, including figuring out whether to leave or stay with Cleveland. The masses want to appoint Lebron with the label G.O.A.T., but has he earned it yet?

In Phil Jackson's book, Eleven Rings, it breaks down the team dynamics that took the Bulls and Michael Jordan to championship heights. George Mumford helped Michael shift his perspective on being a leader of his team. George mentions that "It's all about being present and taking responsibility for how you relate to yourself and others.. and that means being willing to adjust so that you can meet people where they are. Instead of expecting them to be somewhere else and getting angry and trying to will them to that place, you try to meet them where they are and lead them where you want them to go."

Lebron and the Cavaliers have a lot of work to face off their opponents this June. May Lebron's leadership skills and his team's endurance help the odds ever be in their favor.

Picture from m.deseretnews.com
Lebron James

Examining Tyga's Mindset- Do you want to be famous or rich?

                                                                         (image from imgkid,com)

Opinions on Tyga vary across the board but I want to take the time to examine this lyric of his:

" I don't wanna be famous, I just wanna be rich..."- Tyga, 40 Mill 

This lyric stood out to me because it reminded me of the question my business partner and I would ask a lot of the artist that we worked with. Do you want to be famous or do you want to be rich? While there are a few individuals who are both famous and rich, it is important that we talk about the difference. To be famous, is to be well known, well recognized. To be rich is to obtain large sums of money for your creative works. Some of the richest people, aren't necessarily known, they may be the owners and creators of a specific product. Whereas those who are famous may be living a luxurious live style that is being given to them via a loan. Their lifestyle is borrowed and any money made is taken to pay for that loaned lifestyle. 

Tyga expressed in his interview to the Breakfast club how he began to research more about the money he was supposed to be making from his label. Then he also proceeded to talk about his other business ventures. Being concerned about the growth and longevity of your money is important if one is to continue to be rich. 

So, do you want to be famous or be rich?