KINKY

Yesterday (yes on a Sunday) my bestfriend and I went to see the movie "Kinky". When I saw the trailer several months ago on Facebook and I saw my celebrity crush Robert Ri'chard was playing in it, I made it a must go see. Plus I support everything Black. I did forget about it because there was very little to no promotion about it, which I was sadden by because the actors were prime actors and this was not the directors first film. I commented on the Kinky website/post and they sent out a notification that the movie was out and they had a list of theaters that it was showing in, which was not many. 

I would rate the movie as a solid 7. Reason being the introduction was too long and off back it seemed as if it could have been a YouTube series, or even a Netflix Special. The plot of the story was okay could have been better, it just felt dragged and not really well put together. The dialogue had too many long dramatic pauses, the staging of the scenes weren't the best. Like when Robert's character was on his boat and was sipping champagne I saw the bar code sticker still on the bottom of the glass. It was a lot of little things that was hard not to notice. 

I wasn't a fan of  dawn's character until it came time to the bedroom scenes. Her character seemed overly shy and somewhat annoying to me. However the start of all the bedroom scenes had me yelling out "okay ma'am you better get it." It really was the climax throughout the movie. I just it was more to them. They either ended too abruptly and or didn't give much detail as I imaged it would've based off the trailer and my own desires. Especially the bachelorette  party, I wanted more, it was a quick okay hi an bye. For the ending not to tell the story but just say the ending made me super mad and disappointed. 

Overall the movie was pretty okay and if I had to rate it, I would give it a solid 6.5. I wouldn't go to the movies again to watch it but if it was on BHer (BET), Netflix, Hulu, or HBO I was most defiantly watch it again. 

***At the end of the credits I took a picture of the song list of all the songs that played throughout the movies. They were pretty dope. I will be downloading all of them if they are available on Apple Music or Tidal.***

FIND A THEATRE NEAR YOU AT WWW.KINKYTHEMOVIE.COM

Usher - "A"

Okay Usher with the surprise release album.  We know that artist leaves and rebrands themselves by doing the alter egos things; Beyonce vs Sasha Fierce, T.I. vs TIP, Usher vs Usher Raymond. You get the point. On Friday Usher dropped a surprise album produced totally by Zaytoven called the "A", always showing tribute to his home Atlanta. I was skeptic because the two collaborations didn't make sense, Usher is a R&B, Let It Burn, sexual dance moves, confessions, pouring my heart out type of guy and Zaytoven is trap music and club scene music maker. After the first listen all the way through, I AM HERE FOR THIS COLLABORATION! 

Despite Joe Budden's hating ass tweet, we know Usher is not 18. Some of us like change and if it works it works. This is not your typical Usher meaning you can't sing these songs with your parents like you could all his other projects. Being 40 or not this is for US. When I say US I mean the 25-30 somethings. Like I can't sing Ata, She Ain't Tell Ya, or Gift Shop with my moms around. Nope, Nope, not Never. I most defiantly can sing Confessions, My Way, or Nice and Slow. Not charting well with his last single "Good Kisser" in 2014, these 8 tracks is worth all 27 minutes of your time. R&B turned Pop, turn Trap (more or less) artist Usher has proven that he is willing to take risk and is willing to try any genre during any time frame. 

I don't give this album a solid 10 but I most defiantly give is a strong 8. That's just because some of the lyrics and delivery wasn't hitting for me. If you haven't heard it yet, don't go in wanting the old R&B Usher, think about who he is collaborating with and use that perspective. Almost like when first collaborated with Lil Jon and the impact it made during that time.      

      

  

A Piss Poor Job with The HamilTones

 

HEATED!!!! For those who don't know who The HamilTones are, they are the background vocalist for R&B Singer and Songwriter Anthony Hamilton. The HamilTones were in Dallas, Texas Friday October 5th as the main act for the Food For Soul Concert at the South Side Ballroom. This was the worst hosting and venue set up ever. As a gift my mom purchased 3 $65  VIP with Meet and Greet Tickets for me and my siblings. Meet and Greet was suppose to start before the concert which started at 7 pm. Like I said SUPPOSE to. The doors to the venue did not open until 7:34 pm. General admission and VIP was in 1 long line until people start complaining. It took almost an hour to get in, because there were only two people working the ticket booth and only one of them had a half working computer, so all the staffing personnel was operating off sheets of unorganized papers. After finally getting our wristbands and in the venue we were told our seats are when we first walk in. I did not understand how our seats would be the first seats when we walk in if we paid for reserved VIP seating with meet and greet. On the website The table seating which was $35 was supposed to be BEHIND the VIP Seating but they had it the other way around in the venue. It was so many people upset and complaining to the staff but all the employee people said is "its not our fault and nothing we can do." After all that complaining there were people with NO wristbands meaning they bought standing room only, sitting in the VIP Seats and refusing to get up. Security did nothing. One security guy said "fuck it here are some wristbands," to a group of people 3 rows ahead of us. I'm furious at this point. I wanted to leave however I was not going to waste $200 with tax plus $30 for parking. So I stayed. By now it is 10:30 pm and STILL NO HamilTones. The people who was hosting this event had 12 acts before the HamilTones, they were unorganized, ghetto and unhelpful. The Meet and Greet did not start until 12:15 am and so many people left because it was ridiculous on the timing and organization. At the meet and greet we were unable to talk the the HamilTones and only allowed ONE picture before getting shooed out the back door to leave the premises. The HamilTones have reached a plateau in which they should be choosy on who books them, the venue location, the hosting, the band all things that it take to put on a show just like if they were performing with Anthony Hamilton. This concert was a JOKE. 

HamilTones is too great of a group to be hosted by the mere basics. A search to find a better booking agent should be on the agenda. 

-Signed an HIGHLY Disappointed Fan and Customer

A Social Cocktail

A Social Cocktail

Located at The Black Ivy in Deep Ellum

This is a networking social event welcoming established, new and in process entrepreneurs/business owners, artists, producers, writers, teachers, graphic artists, life coaches, food vendors and more. This event is designed to bring people together to build contacts and a support system for each other. Discuss how you will start new projects for the upcoming 2019 fiscal year for yourselves and how we can even involve and give back to youth with our knowledge and contacts. 

Alcoholic beverages, 2 famous signature cocktails and finger foods from sponsors will be served and are included in the ticket price.

The Black Ivy

3002 Commerce Street (Suite B)

Dallas, Texas 75226

CLICK A Social Cocktail TO PURCHASE TICKETS

Dom Kennedy Volume Two EP

Dom this is a solid no for me. Dom Kennedy recently dropped a long awaited full- length EP entitled Volume Two. I simply could not get into it. I appreciate him being true to how he started hwoeve with this I personally feel he hasn't been great since the Yellow Album. The production is the same from 2011, there's no growth. The bars are mediocre at its best. I was even disappointed with his verse on Nipsey Hussle Album Victory Lap, just seemed lazy. The Revamp of 2Pac "Brenda's Got a Baby" did not help my thoughts nor did the video. We all know Dom can do better. He needs better beats, production, and real constructive criticism. I don't want him to turn into just a feature artist because I know he can put out solo projects. If you feel I am being too harsh well that's on you. You are more than welcome to watch "Brenda's Baby' video or click the links below for streaming and or downloading below. 

Dom Kennedy - Brenda's Baby 

Download on Itunes: Volume Two   Datpiff: Volume Two   

Keep Up with Dom Kennedy: www.dopeitsdom.com

Luca Brasi 3

I know I've been waiting for Brasi to drop new music before he went to jail. When he got out I overly anticipated for him to drop some heat. September 28th is here, the wait is over and my brother from another mother came with the blessings of Luca Brasi 3. Straight heat hands down. I did expect more....something that had me going live all the way through, however I am not at all disappointed in this project. Tracks 6 to 11, and tracks 16 to 18 are my favorites so far especially Great Man and In God I Trust.  I hate to compare artist especially against the great, i'm just going to have to say I choose this Kevin Gates Project over Lil Wayne The Carter V. With that being said download that new Luca Brasi 3 NOW!!

Tracklist

                             1.) Discussion           7.) Find You Again      13.) Luca Brasi Freestyle

                             2.) Shakin Back         8.) Adding Up             14.) Shoulda

                             3.) Ridiculous            9.) In God I Trust        15.) Kung Fu

                             4.) Money Long         10.) Me Too                16.) Don't Know

                             5.) I Got You             11.) Servin H               17.) Tryna Yea

                             6.) Great Man           12.) Wrong Love          18.)  M.A.T.A

  

DOWNLOAD 

Datpiff Luca Brasi 3 Itunes  Luca Brasi 3 SoundCloud Luca Brasi 3

Tha Carter V

 

Lil Wayne - Tha Carter V

• - After being trapped in a label for far too long
• - Dropping a Free Album and pushed it on TiDAL
• - Suing his pops for $51 Million Dollars
• - Dissing his pops 4 or 5 times 
• - Getting his pops to apologize ON STAGE at the Lil’ Weezyana Festival
• - Dropping a TWO part mixtape with Dedication 6
• - Crashing Spotify TWICE last night...
• - And releasing his 1st album solely under his Young Money imprint...

Lil Waynes 13th Studio LP, Tha Carter V, is finally here. Stream below and ENJOY!!!

BELIZE Brings a Gift

My name is Kristina and I am a traveler. I probably spend more time looking and booking flights more than I do work at work (lol). I might go to the same State or Country multiple times but never the same city. I love getting up and going and experiencing life in a new location, even if it is for 2 days or 2 two weeks. I don't blog about my travels but this trip is more than worth it, and the pictures will help tell the story. I travel throughout the year to different states, for concerts, extreme sports, museums etc, but I only travel out the country once or twice a year and it's always around my birthday week in April. I invited my high school and college friend Neyssa and my sister for this trip. I randomly bought the tickets for us on Christmas Day being bored for like $250 round trip per person if that. Months of anticipation goes by and my friend texts me "I know you normally travel alone and don't like groups, but I think you should join the group on Facebook Melanin Travel. Its a group for Black Women who travel the world, share experiences and more." I said sure but did not join until a week later. After joining I saw a post that said "Ladies Post Your Next Trip and When." 50 something comments down I saw a young lady post she was going to Belize in April. I was excited and instantly commented, "me too for my birthday!!!" We went back and forth on what part, what we going to do, how long etc. Then she inboxed me and ask the dates I was going. I informed her of my dates and she informed me of her dates. It was amazing because the only difference was we were arriving two days before her and leaving back home one day before her. I asked was she going with anyone, she informed me it would be just her and she was celebrating her birthday as well there her friends could not make it. I asked her when her birthday was and it was two days after mine. So me being a sucker to make sure everyone has a great birthday and also excited to meet a new person I asked her to join my friend, sister and I if she would like and we could celebrate each others birthday on each day together. We instantly exchanged numbers.

  

I know that some people are skeptic about exchanging numbers with a total stranger especially online but people do it all the time on Tender, Black People Meet.Com, and many other sites. Also I basically stalked her page for a few hours and informed my mom as well just in case. Any-who, we talked, texted and called almost everyday until  it was time for the trip. Sunday Day 3 of my group and I being there was my BIRTHDAY! The tour guide came and picked us up from the hotel and who was in the front seat? My Jessica from the travel group online. Off back her energy was amazing, she was beautiful and so lively. All four of us instantly connected. On the 2 hour drive to the Mayan Ruins we bonded, stopped on the street for fruit from the locals, shopped and had fun! I have had 20 plus birthdays but this is the one to top all birthdays. I meet a new friend and climbed Xunantunich also known as the Stone Lady that is 130 ft tall. I FaceTimed like 3 people so that they could get some of the experience. We toured the Mayan Ruins, climb them and went back and ate the best ceviche ever! The week continued with drinks, fun, bonding and more ceviche! (it was literally amazing and different no matter where we got it from.) It seemed like we have know Jessica for forever, when people started asking what we were and said we were cousins. Hey why not!? Although Jessica is in Maryland at John Hopkins studying to be a Doctor and I am all the way in Texas traveling and being an Accountant, we still text, facetime and talk every other day. I have gained a new friend filled with Black Girl Magic and I would not trade this experience.

There is so much that I am missing out on however I do want to mention the Belcove Hotel in Belize City and the amazing owner and Staff. It was like a bed and breakfast minus the breakfast and add coffee and great conversation. The whole aura of the hotel was "Welcome Home" feel.  Also Spoonaz Photo Cafe and Bar that is about a block away from the hotel, great food, location and workers. Breakfast, lunch and light dinner. 

***Disclaimer my sister did NOT want to be in pictures at all. but she was there***