Illuminating
the talents of new artists; independent rhythm with a mainstream flair!
Shining the light on Jessie J.!!!
Not just a pretty face…not just a great pop artist…not just an
R&B artist or whatever category she seems to fit in, British-born Jessie J.
is one of the few artists out today with the ability to encompass a plethora of
genres through her immaculate vocals and amazing soul.
Considered the one in her family to “put her life into a
melody”, Jessie wrote her first hit, Big
White Room, when she was 17— based on the true story of a young boy who
lost his life while Jessie was hospitalized at the age of 11. To this day, Big White Room is a Youtube fan
favorite, being viewed over one-million times. Jessie stated, “Big
White Room is a comfort blanket, and I am so happy that people can personalize the
meaning of the song.”
Jessie’s amazing song-writing ability has allowed her to
write songs for Chris Brown and Miley Cyrus (Party in the USA), just to name a few and she was also fortunate
enough to have one of her songs, Sexy
Silk, selected by NIVEA for their worldwide campaign.
Today, Jessie is signed to Lava/Universal Records her in the
U.S. and Island Records in the U.K. “I feel like my album is an example of what
exists in the world of music right now…it’s like when you go clubbing these
days; you don’t have a pop room and a separate R&B room, they’re all
together...people just appreciate great music!”
The title track and first single, Who You Are, is about the point in Jessie’s career where her
aspirations were hanging by a thread. “I want people to know that I am an unedited
version of myself. I plan to expose the good and the bad to show and show that
life is about being WHO YOU ARE…”
…When I saw Jessie J
performing between performances at the 2011 MTV Video Music Awards, I was like,
‘I don’t know who this girl is with this blinged-out cast but I love her
voice!!’ When I heard the acoustic version of Big White Room, it seriously
almost brought me to tears! In my eyes, she
was a perfect blend of Katy Perry with her girly style with the raw emotion and
edge of Pink; which for me, was something that was not only genuine but
something worthy of the world’s listening ear. Someone who was below the radar
over here in the States, you can now hear Jessie’s music everywhere! For
example, I turned on the television and was surprised to hear her hit, Price
Tag, on the Monopoly: Electronic Banking commercial, as well as, some other
shows on VH1! With everyone so commercialized, it’s so refreshing to have an
artist who is extremely talented and who also marches to the beat of her own
drum. I feel like individuality is one factor that is missing in music today
and Jessie J is just that!! If you are not familiar with Jessie, get familiar
right now because she definitely one to be reckoned with!!
The summer days have bid their farewell until next year and
as the autumn and winter months rapidly approach us, it’s important to switch
our attention to from maxi dresses and cargo shorts to the fashionable
outerwear that we’ll be donning this season!
Just as important as what’s underneath, the type of coat you
wear says just as much about your sense of style and has just as much potential
to get you that ‘wow-factor” you’ve been looking for while being warm and cozy.
Designers create looks based on the trends that they know we’ll
latch on to over a season; some trends more unique than others. When it comes
to the outerwear of the season, let’s take a look at the factors and styles
that are guaranteed to steer you in the right direction when looking for a coat
this fall…
Androgyny-
·Have you noticed that women’s fashion is
becoming a little more masculine? With the “new woman” being very business-oriented
and career-drive, everything from hats, shirts, shoes and coats, we’re
beginning to see sleeker silhouettes, sharper edges and darker colors. In one
word: FIERCE!!
Color-
·A common misconception is that you have to wear
neutral colors, such as brown, black or gray in the winter. WRONG!!! Just
because the summer months are over, it doesn’t mean that you have to lose all
the bright colors. Brighter hues are making their presence felt and brightening up moods during the cold, winter months.
Texture-
·Whether you choose to play to safe with wool or
love to push the envelope with leather and faux furs, don’t be afraid to play
around with the different textures out there!
Styles-
·Are you a pea-coat type of person or do you
prefer the styling of a cropped trench or military coat? The great thing about
having a plethora of styles is that you can purchase multiple styles to accommodate
any occasion!
These are just some factors that I hope will help as you search
for the right coat this season! And men, please know that all of these factors
can also help you! Now, get out there and get shopping; the snow is coming
soon!
Ray-J and Fabolous come to blows of their own after
the Mayweather/Ortiz fight in Vegas
As if things weren’t already heated after the unexpected
knockout of Victor Ortiz by Floyd “Money” Mayweather, things were just getting
started for rapper Fabolous and R&B singer Ray J. According to reports, on
September 17, Fabolous took to Twitter to discuss a scene on the HBO
documentary ‘24/7’, which featured Mayweather and Ortiz as they prepared for their
highly-anticipated Las Vegas fight.
In a particular scene, Ray J is seen in Mayweather’s home, playing the piano
and singing his 2005 hit “One Wish”. Finding amusement in this, the Brooklyn
rapper tweeted, "Nah but Floyd saying we havin a concert
in my living room & the camera cuts to Ray J singing 'One Wish' on the
piano had me in tears!!" "Get it..? Ray J concert in the living
room!! *Lil Wayne voice* N---- Ray J doin a concert in his living room...
Lmaoooooo."
Seeing nothing funny about the
statements, Ray J approached Fabolous minutes before he was to perform at the Palms
Hotel in Vegas to confront him. Words were exchanged and before you knew it, an
all-out brawl took place. In the initial report, Fabolous allegedly knocked Ray
J unconscious before being arrested.
In an interview on Power 105.1’s
“The Breakfast Club”, the younger brother of R&B singer Brandy took to the
air to discuss the night in his words and why he took offense to Fab’s tweets.
"Don't disrespect me and Floyd like
that," Ray J explained in a heated tone. "I play piano on that
motherf---in' piano every day. That's my big brother, n---a we grew up
together. So if you think that I just came over there and sang a song, n---a
you got me twisted. N---a I'm over there everyday."
When asked about the rumor that
Fabolous knocked him unconscious, Ray J went from heated to livid! "N----s
sayin' Ray J got beat up?" he questioned. "I'll sock that n---a in
his face again my n---a. All I'm saying is if you got Fabs number, tell that
n---a to send a picture of his face right now."
To be continued….
{Ray J's Rant on 105.1 "The Breakfast Club"}
Musiq shines light on breast cancer with
his new video, ‘Yes’
"Dedicated to all loved ones
who are in the fight against breast cancer," those are the endearing words
commencing the visuals for Musiq Soulchild's 'Yes,' a single off his sixth
album, 'MUSIQINTHEMAGIQ.'
In a specific scene in the video,
Musiq accidentally walks in on his girlfriend in the bathroom as she fixes her
bra to hide the painful truth that she has breast cancer. Angered, she slams
the door in his face. As he sings, "Don't you feel like/ You never gotta
worry about my/ Feelings changing for you over time/ 'Cause when I say I'm
here/ Girl, I mean it," she lets her guard down and embraces him knowing her
battle.
An ambassador for Susan G. Komen
for the Cure Circle of Promise, the ‘Love’ singer welcomed real breast cancer
survivors on the set of the video, where they make a cameo as he weds the woman
who has his heart and his support.
October is Breast Cancer Awareness
Month!!
{Musiq Soulchild; Yes}
Beyonce opens up about pregnancy and plans
on creating her own record label
A very private Beyonce stunned the
world when she revealed that she and hubby Jay-z were expecting their first
child together on the 2011 MTV Video Music Awards; and since then, the glow of
the ‘Dangerously in Love’ songstress has been undeniable. While promoting her
House of Dereon line in London with her mother, Tina Knowles, Beyonce opens up and shares
her joys of being a mommy-to-be!
"I am having so much fun, it has been
the most fun time now that it has been announced and I don't have to, you know,
it was really difficult to conceal, " Beyonce told CNN UK. "But now that I can
be proud and excited about it, I'm having so much fun shopping -- it's
great!"
As if creating a clothing line
while being pregnant wasn't enough, Beyonce, 30, is showing no signs of slowing
down. Taking a backseat from the limelight for the time being, Mrs. Carter
announces plans to follow in the footsteps of her father, Matthew Knowles, creator
of Music World Entertainment and hubby, founder of RocNation, to create her own
record label. "I am starting my company, my label," the R&B star told
the Associated Press. "I see so
many male artists building these empires and passing their knowledge on to
other artists and development. I see myself doing the same thing and hopefully
other younger artists when they grow up and they have been around for 15, 20
years, they can do the same thing.”
With a new baby and new career
ventures on the horizon, 2012 is looking to be Beyonce’s best year to-date!
{Beyonce; 1+1}
Forbes selects Diddy as first rap
billionaire, but other rappers disagree
Back in the 90s Bad Boy Records
CEO, Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs told the world that “We can’t stop because we wont
stop!” and with over a decade in the game, it’s safe to say that the driving
force in Diddy-Dirty Money may have been on to something.
Forbes Magazine has predicated
that the hip-hop mogul will be the first rap star to be featured in the
renowned Forbes 400 list of American’s richest citizens, beating out Jay-Z and
50 Cent.
Currently estimated at a nice $550
million, Diddy is cruising close to a billion with his healthy profit with
Ciroc vodka, valued close to $1 billion, ownership stakes in his Sean John
clothing line and Enyce clothing line, his marketing company Blue Flame, and of
course, Bad Boy Records.
While some may argue the fact the
hip-hop mogul Jay-Z didn’t make the cut, with his Live Nation deal, 40/40 Clubs,
and ownership of the New Jersey Nets, it comes to a shock that Cash Money’s CEO
Brian ‘Baby’ Williams, is against Forbes choice, citing that rapper Lil Wayne’s
Young Money camp has there hearts set on breaking the bank!
"I think Young Money Cash Money would be
the first billion-dollar brand in hip-hop," Baby claimed, in an email to Forbes. "We
strong and growing every day as a brand and fast. Within the next few years we
will be billionaires."
{Diddy-Dirty Money; Your Love}
R&B Singer Vesta Williams dies at 53
On Thursday September 22, R&B
singer Vesta Williams was found dead in a California hotel room.
According to a recent interview,
the 80s songstress was in what seemed to be good health. "I'm just actually excited
about being 53 years old and alive and well and kickin'," Williams shared
at the 2:18 mark. "I don't have any problems, nothing, no medical
problems, nothing, and I'm too blessed to be stressed."
Having several hits climb the charts, her biggest hit came
in 1989 with the song, “Congratulations”, which scored a #5 position on the Hot
R&B/Hip-Hop song charts. Amongst that hit, six more of her songs landed in
the top 10 on the charts from the mid-1980s to the early 1990s; none reaching
certified gold status.
According to TMZ,
several prescription pill bottles were found in the El Segundo, Calif. hotel room where Williams was found dead. Law enforcement
sources stated "several bottles" were discovered at the scene, some
apparently empty.
Treated as accident of suicide for
the time being, toxicology results for her official cause of death will become
available in the next 6-8 weeks.
{Vesta Williams: Congratulations}
Thursday, September 22, 2011
~*Flashing Lights: Our Time Is Now!*~
Illuminating
the talents of new artists; independent rhythm with a mainstream flair!
Shining the light on: Elle
Varner!!!
The product of musical prestige, Elle Varner was always
destined for musical greatest. The daughter of two songwriters, Elle grew up in
the midst of creativity, studios and the melodies of sound. Stepping into her own
style, Elle is now a singer/songwriter in her own regards, as well as,
musician; playing the piano, flute and guitar. Graduating from such exclaimed musical
programs as L.A.’s AmazingGraceConservatory,
The Grammy’s in the School and NYU’s Clive Davis’ Department of Recorded Music,
Elle has proven that hard work and determination are truly some of life’s
greatest rewards. Performing at the 2010 BET Awards, as an artist in their
Music Matters campaign, Elle, now signed to J Records, can be heard on the remix
to Miguel ft.J.
Cole’s hit, All I Want is You (Him). Powerful
and sultry, her voice is captivating, like the voices of those well before her
time. Her 90s-influenced single, Only
Wanna Give It to You ft. J. Cole, (currently #79 on Billboard’s R&B/Hip-Hop
charts) brings back the funky-fresh feeling that R&B music of this day is
seriously lacking. The mic is just getting warmed up for Elle Varner and after
hearing her, you agree that the best is yet to come!
Check out some of these clips of Elle Varner doing what she
does best and for more information on the songstress:
~ Also, you can support the movement and buy Only
Wanna Give it to You on iTunes now!!
Only Wanna Give it to You ft J. Cole:
All I Want is Him (Miguel/J. Cole remix):
So Fly:
Off-the-Record with Melodic Fashionista~~~~~
….the very first time
I heard Elle Varner was on the 2010 BET Awards and the first thing I thought
was ‘OMG, this is the breathe of fresh air that TRUE R&B has been missing!’
The reason I’m drawn to Elle is because she has the vibe and style that is
similar to one of my favorite R&B songstresses, Chrisette Michele! From her
soulful tone to the art of story-telling, as through the lyrics of her image
awareness single, So Fly, Elle understands that exceptional music is more than
a hot beat but the actual talent behind that beat. Up until this point, purely
by coincidence, all of the artists that I spotlighted on ~* Flashing Lights *~
have been male, therefore, I knew it was time to share with the world how the
ladies were doing it! I’m honored to have Elle Varner as the “First-Lady” of ~*
Flashing Lights *~ and I am definitely looking forward to all that her
high-anticipated debut album has to offer!! The light is shining bright on you, Elle..get it girl!!!
It was predicted back in the Spring of 2011 and with the
fall fashion season well underway, many new styles and trends that have hit the
runways of New York, Los Angeles
and Paris have all had one thing in common: COBALT BLUE!!
Whether
you are rocking cobalt blue from head to toe, as in the formal, red
carpet-inspired gown or using it as an accent to your favorite garment, as in a
sleek blazer or killer pumps, nothing says fashion like a pop of color!!
And men, don’t think you are out of the loop because
cobalt blue looks good on you too! By pairing a blue sweater with a pair of
tailored slacks or a gray turtleneck, jeans and a blue blazer, you will have
created new life and brought an innovative flair to what once was a simple,
standard men’s ensemble.
Not sure on the possibilities that cobalt blue has to
offer you?? Check out some of the latest and greatest of this new fall hue and if
you are someone that loves to push the envelope on style, combine this color
some of your other fall-favorite hues and keep the heads turning all season
long!
~* Strategize, Accessorize, Mesmerize!*~
Accessories:
the golden touch of fashion!
Spotlighting: Hats!!!
In
relation to an ice cream sundae, nothing says “sundae complete” like the cherry
on top and the same could be said in regards to fashion. Whether you are a man
or a woman, nothing says “outfit complete” like the donning of a fierce
headpiece!! And FYI fellas, ladies love a man that looks sexy in a hat; just
ask around! Be it a fitted cap, beret or fedora (my personal fav!),
accentuating any outfit with the addition of a hat will not only earn you “cool
points” in the eyes of fashionistas alike, but show your audience the confident
that you possess! Check out these fresh hats and see which style works for
you!!
And
for those that believe that they do not have the “look” needed to do a hat
justice, know this: There is a hat out there for everyone; therefore, it’s not
that you cannot wear hats, we just have to find the right hat that fits your
personality and style!!
New Era "59Fifty MLB Black and White Fashion" www.lids.com ---- $34.00
Made of 100% Wool
Fitted, Structured, High Crown, Normal Bill
Primary Design - Medium Raised Embroidery Letter on Front Middle
4. Wool Blend Stitched Band Winter Fedora www.Sears.com ---- $24.99
Khaki Wool Blend Stitched Band Winter Fedora Hat Made of 35% wool and 65%
polyester.
S/M and L/XL are available.
Crown measures 4 inches deep with
stitched band, fully satin lined inside. Brim measures 1 3/4 inches wide.
Thick,
warm and soft material.
Hand wash only.
Available in khaki, purple, brown, black
and charcoal. Imported
Could be worn by men or women!!
These are just some examples of the hats that are out there! If a style here doesn't interest you, that's fine! The beauty of fashion is that you are free to explore the plethora of options the world has to offer to find what works best for you!
It has been almost a year since my last post and for that I am deeply sorry!! I have gone through a lot of life changes which required me to step away and do some re-evaluation of self. After heavy debate and lots of requests from my readers, *~* So Golden *~* is back and in full effect!!! A one-woman show, I have given birth, conducted the research and constructed *~*So Golden *~* all by myself in such a way that you guys would continue coming back for more, and while it was a great process, I'd be lying if I said that it wasn't taxing and time-consuming!! (Check out past posts to see for yourself all that I did!) In order for me to continue doing what I love by providing you with the latest and greatest in music and fashion, all while making things a little easier on myself, *~* So Golden *~* will undergo a slight tranformation...
Dont worry!!! All of your favorite segments will still be in *~*So Golden *~*, just in a new format! Instead of compiling all of the juicy goodness in one day, *~* So Golden *~* will be divided up into 3 days:
* Tuesdays will be devoted to fashion with Fashion 411 and Stategize, Accessorize and Mesmerize; giving you the In's and Out's of the latest trends and accessories in the realm of fashion.
* Thursdays will shine light on the undiscovered, independent talent in music with the Flashing Lights: Our Time is Now.
* Saturday will wrap up the week with In Case You Missed It; the segment that recaps the music news of the week!
Before we get started, I just want to say thank you to everyone that has supported and rolled with *~* So Golden *~* from the beginning and thanks to all the new readers that are soon to come! *~* So Golden *~* opened so many doors and I know it was not only through my success but your continued love and support; this love and support that has brought *~* So Golden *~* back to life!!
So with this being said, welcome back to *~* So Golden *~*...an exclusive life of music and fashion and I hope it's all that I dreamed it would be for you!! Smooches *oxox*
A fly, unapologetic, free-spirited "Glamour Girl"; unafraid to march to the beat of her own drum! Using music as the GPS through life, Goldn's love of music and fashion extends past the four walls of her universe and into your space! Hold on tight and enjoy the ride... It's about to get real!
