U R The Reason I am Feelin' So High

Water to Wine

The passing of Amy Winehouse left me feeling empty-musically of course. But then, here comes Lorine Chia. While perusing http://concreteloop.com/2013/05/music-video-lorine-chia-fly-high, I found this "Cameroon Native" . To me, is something like a mix between Amy and Ms. Jilly from Philly.  Listening to Water To Wine, I got the raspy voice, like that of Amy, and the poetic lyrics of Jill. Lets just say, I am every bit of satisfied. To download her mixtape, which I suggest, visit http://crackmixtapes.com/mixtape/Lorine_Chia-Lorine.  Enjoy Y'all- don't say I never gave you nothing.

Kiss Land ( New Music from The Weeknd)

Glitter Trap

"Pray" x SZA

 What is "Glitter Trap"?- I would say a mixture of bass and RnB. A combination that I am oh too happy with.

And you, and you, and you go back to BLACK

Talk about music to my ears!! Hearing Andre 3000's voice in the morning is heavenly( Beyonce too I guess). Woke up to discover that one of my favorite Amy Winehouse songs, "Back to Black", will be featured on the soundtrack for the highly anticipated film, The Great Gatsby. I searched for a while to find a full version, but there is only a snippet- I'll take that for now!  I am digging the duo's interpretation of the song and almost feel a little bit more compelled to go see the film. Enjoy ya'll!

Taking Cues From MJ

The struggle that is loving and hating Chris Brown. You love him because he has talent, you hate him ( me at least) because he has not demonstrated that talent in music post finger biting incident. However, this new song of his, "Fine China", might be an indicator that he has some good music still left in him. It would appear that Breezy has channeled musical Icon, Michael Jackson, in his vocals and visual presentation. I would be lying like a rug if I said I wasn't feeling it. For some reason, I just wanna open a window and moonwalk in my room....but I have carpet and don't see that going over so well. Enjoy!

Open Your Eyes

....hums to self

"I guess I'm in my feelings right now"

Sex Aint Never Felt Better

About three thousand years ago, Tank, Ginuwine and Tyrese got together and said " Lets make a super male group called TGT". After announcing their assembly, we never heard anything from them. Then, comes this song and I wonder if my musical life would feel any different if I had never heard this. I resolved that it wouldn't. I don't know why these grown men thought a Trey Song-ish ballad would be a good idea.

Here Comes the King

He changed his name to Snoop Lion and decided he would embody the essence of reggae and Rastas. If you don't believe how serious he is about his transformation, just peep the sunglasses- if that aint evidence of his conviction then I don't know what it.

Thighs Spread like Peanut Butter

I just thought the world should see this. RuPaul has a song and video. Here is " Peanut Butter"  with a bounce beat. I feel some type of way that these men have more ass than me- I gotta step my weight up.

Happy Born Bob Marley

Breakfast Can Wait

I LOVE Prince unapologetically! He is my ultimate favorite artist, thus I support his new music. I present to you, a new cut from Prince, AKA the Artist Formerly Known As, BKA, MY BOO! The track is entitled " Breakfast Can Wait" and mine sure did so that I could hear this. As soon as I got word that it was out, I sat myself down and listened. You should too! Enjoy your day folks.

Liquid Love- Chris Turner

Minding my own business and I hear the sound of summer coming from a room. Of course, I go to investigate the situation and discover Queens watching the video for Chris Turner's "Liquid Love". Chris Turner is a part of the Romantic Movement, and has a jazz/soul feel to his melodies. The sounds felt good to my tympanic membrane, and the visual was just as lovely.

A Deeper Love Inside

Whenever I read something written by Sister Souljah, I pretty much become a serious recluse. I can be found either curled up in my bed or the corner of a couch. Either place you find me, I am completely enthralled in the story. There has only been one exception and that was with her novel "Midnight". However, the first day I had "Midnight" I read about 300 pages only to discover there wasn't much being said about Winter. I did pick it back up, finished it in a day and then got the sequel-so obviously those books were still great! I digress though. The point is, if you have read "The Coldest Winter Ever", then you have been waiting to read something-anything- that gave you more. Finally, that 'more' is here. I was pleasantly surprised when I walked to Marcus Books http://www.marcusbookstores.com/  in Oakland in search of a suggested read, and came across this sitting on the check out counter. I immediately asked where the other copies were, purchased one and left a happy ass camper. Since then, yesterday, I haven't really left the couch but to stuff my face with food, pineapple juice and the necessary shower- and even when I got up, you better believe I was walking around the crib still reading. Point I am trying to make here is the book is great! I always enjoying opening a new book, I hate having to part with it-that shit is like a break up to me.

I would suggest reading the sequel to "The Coldest Winter Ever", "A Deeper Love Inside: The Porsche Santiaga Story". As always, Sister Souljah tells a story while educating you- if I go any further, I fear I will give too much away. I will just give you a heads up-get ready to be sucked in, smile, laugh a little and cry some too.

 I thank Sister Souljah for her talent and I hope to read more!

Witty Unpredicatable Talent And Natural Game

And there I was, standing outside of the Independent, when I was approached by a thick chocolate brother. " I love coming out here. Every time I am here [San Francisco], I see so many beautiful people" he says. Being that I just got to California and still tend to not really talk to strangers at 25, I just nodded and smiled. He put his hand out and I extended mine, told him my name was Tanara and he asked me " do you know who I am?". I had to keep it real, I had no damn clue who this dude was- like at all. I literally assumed he was a California artist, so I informed him that I was from the East coast and apologized. His response " I'm from the East too, I'm from New York".

Rewind back a few hours....

Around 4:50 I get a call from my girl Queens and she tells me to meet her on campus at San Francisco State. Now, I have walked around the block a few times, but I had to actually get my ass to a location I was not familiar with on my own. I looked forward to the travel and learning the new transportation system that will now get me from one place to another. I walked to the BART and hopped on the train to San Fran, caught a shuttle up to campus where Queens and I linked up. We had some errands to run before we hit this GZA show.

Doors opened at 8, but we didn't get there until 10. Standing in line, we saw GZA's car pull up and him get out and walk into the venue- already shit just seemed to be happening on point. We had our wrist bands, drinks and balcony view. The opening act was rocking and then out came GZA- the genius of Wu Tang.

Flash Forward.....

" I'm priest, Killah Priest from Wu Tang", now I'm standing there feeling like a fool. All I could do was smile politely to mask my slight embarrassment. I suppose its a good thing I smiled, "you have really white teeth, keep them that way" he says and then invited me back stage. I told him I didn't come alone and had to get my girl, he told me to go ahead and do what I have to do. I found Queens and told her to get her shit because we were moving from the balcony to VIP. We returned downstairs and like the true sweet and kind man Priest was, he smiled and told security to let us through.

Queens and I got great seats directly across from the left of the stage and a had a wonderful time. When the show was over, I wondered if there would be some expectations. I have seen all the movies, watched tons of interviews and witnessed groupie action in real time.  However, Priest was not at all like that. He was a sincere spirit who was happy to see beautiful black people coming out to enjoy music. When he got off stage with GZA, Queens and I asked if we could go meet him, and it turns out we were more than welcome. Unfortunately, we were unable to locate GZA but I think the time we got to see him perform will suffice for now. Before we took off to go home for the night, we snapped a few pics with Priest and hung out back stage socializing with a cool older cat- who spat some knowledge to us, upcoming artist and other young entrepreneurs.

I think I am going to like Cali just fine!

GZA- from the balcony

GZA & Killah Priest- from VIP

Queens and I with Killah Priest

Ari Lennox

Extremely thankful to my sister who put me on to this songstress. I just got my hands on this song yesterday, it is all I can play. In fact, it is playing right now as I blog this. I would strongly suggest checking this young lady out and downloading her mixtape " Five Finger Discount".

I'm a Ghost

This dude took the time to construct this outfit I was sure would be a fail, yet it worked.  This is possibly one of the best pranks I have seen.

Favorite Reactions:

1) " Am I trippin son?"
2)"Instagram that joint"
3) " Oh Snaps"
4)*crickets* closes window, opens it again.... does double take

Rich Lowe: Lonely Tear Drops

I like when someone can take a song and make it their own. Big things are in this kid's future.

Temptation: Confessions of A Marriage Counselor

Despite the fact that this movie will be promoted on account of Kim Kardashian, whose role appears to be very minor (THANK THE LORD), the main character is actress Jurnee Smollet- I like her. The plot looks exciting and overall the movie may speak to some of our tied down souls who are yearning for more... or something like that. Tyler Perry is going for the erotic thriller-lets see how that goes.

Kicking it, like a foot and a knee

Random nights of Tosh.0 can bring me so much joy as I sit and laugh at the world of viral videos.   What we have here is a young man and an older gentlemen involved in some sort of altercation. Lesson to be learned: clapping and talking smack will and does not protect your face from a little foot to chin action. Climax 1: " The epic fall". Climax 2: " Epic fall the sequel". Climatic Conclusion: " The Getaway".