May 2010

As Barbara Streisand sang in “The Way We Were,” “Memories/Like the corners of my mind/Misty water-colored memories…” blah, blah, blah! Sometimes memories are a pain, sometimes they are a joy, sometimes you need to think about the future and stop living in the past. And sometimes you can’t remember a damn thing! Well this week is all about memory (or lack thereof) so check it.

Aries, Leo and Sagittarius:

You’re feeling quite nostalgic this weekend so kick out those bell bottoms, afro wig and party like it’s 1975. Go ahead and embrace your old school flavor and let these new jacks know who put it down first. When you step out in the club you better hurt somebody!

Capricorn, Taurus and Virgo:

You’ve got the missing blues this week. You miss your old hips, your old cheekbones and your old butt. You even miss your old ex. Honey, don’t look too far back or you just may stuck in a moment you can’t get out of. Time heals all wounds but it don’t make ya any hotter so just deal with it babe and move on!

Libra, Aquarius and Gemini:

Remember that one lover who put it on you like no other? Remember how you were sprung and was spending your paycheck on them every week? Remember how that lover hit you off good one last time, stopped returning your calls and ya ain’t had a real orgasm since? Remember how foolish you felt? Good, let that be a lesson learned. Tough love, baby!

Cancer, Scorpio and Pisces

You’re moving so fast that you can barely remember if you’re wearing underwear or not. Go ahead and check now with yo naughty self… It’s time to slow down and think back to a time when you were less busy and a whole lot more lazy. Sure it’s good to work hard but if you can’t remember what you working so hard for then tell me, really…?

I'm JizzleJazzle and remember don't be good, be fabulous!

By Souleo. Recently tennis champion, Venus Williams came under fire for her sexy lingerie inspired look on the court that once again pushed the envelope of sportswear. In honor, we're taking a look at some of the most memorable sports stars who make a statement with their style on the court, field, ice and golf course.

Venus Williams:

Sex sells but does it also make you win a championship? Venus put that idea to the test with this sheer sexy look that was one jump or dip away from being a total "wardrobe malfunction."

Dennis Rodman:

It was always a disappointment watching Dennis play basketball because you just knew that all his outrageousness was stifled by a uniform. How great it would have been to see him play a game in drag. Well, our wishes were never fulfilled but Dennis still managed to make a statement on the court with his arms full of tattoos and colorful hair.

Serena Williams:

It's hard to think of any other female sports star that has created as many fashion statements on the court as Serena. From the knee high leather boots to the rock star leather jacket Serena always brings her A-fashion game.

Chad Ochocinco:

If Dennis Rodman plated football he'd look like this. Chad is one of the NFL's most colorful characters. Here, the color of choice is gold with a mean grill, stud earrings and a blonde Mohawk that makes us recall Mr. T.

David Beckham:

Sometimes less is more and David knows that better than any other sports player as he's raked in millions for posing in his underwear for Emporio Armani. We can't say that not wearing a shirt is style but it's certainly eye catching on the field.

Johnny Weir:

When it comes to crossing boundaries few do it with as much style, sass and confidence as Johnny Weir. After all, it takes a real man to don a low cut corset, tight suede pants and hot pink. You go girl boy!

Tiger Woods:

We are still not completely over his cheating scandal but at least he can still dress. Tiger's fashion choices bring an air of sophistication and cool that are a far cry from the hideous loud plaids and bold primary colors that were once associated with golf attire.

Lebron James:

It's the headband. Lebron is rarely seen without it and it's become his signature. We don't think we could recognize him on the court without it.

Which other sports stars do you think make bold and fresh fashion statements?

By Souleo. Somewhere between the sensual grooves of Maxwell and the hip soul of Musiq Soulchild lies the sound of Dwele, who has carved a niche for himself in the soul music scene.  From the classic Slum Village song, "Tainted," his feature on Kanye West's smash "Flashing Light" and his solo hit "Find a Way," Dwele has proven to be no stranger to success.  He's now returned to further his achievements with his fast-rising lead single, "What's Not to Love," from the forthcoming album, W.ants. W.orld. W.omen. (W.W.W.).  The album features David Banner, Slum Village, and fellow crooner, Raheem DeVaughn.  Recently, he also became the face and voice behind the launch of McDonald's new product line, McCafe.  But today he joins JimmyJazz for another fun installment of The Questions.

Read below to discover his possible Beyonce alter ego, how eating flapjacks is connected to his sex life, what keeps him up at night and more.

When I was younger: I was the only kid listening to jazz music on a Saturday.

Stop the hype: There is a lot of hype around material things especially within the younger generation.  They feel that everything has to be flashy and gaudy and that's not the case.  That alone is holding us back so that hype needs to be shut down.

Currently crazy about: My new iPad.  I am a gadget freak.

Favorite brand: Triple Five Soul because it blends the urban look and the dressy look.  You can dress it up or down and ride the fence.

I dance in my underwear to: Alicia Keys, "Unthinkable (I'm Ready)."

If I were your man: You'd try to make me your husband 'cause I'm a chef.  My special dish is chicken fettuccini.

If I were the opposite sex: I would be Beyonce.

The one thing that makes me a good lover: I love to eat flapjacks.

When I'm alone in bed at night: I usually think about music and new ideas and melodies.  It happens so fast that I don't have time to get up and lay it.

Five years from now: I will probably have the penthouse in France.

For more music and all things Dwele, please visit:

www.dwele.net and www.youtube.com/dwele24

You can also follow Dwele on Twitter at:  www.twitter.com/therealdwele

By Souleo. Identifying those who possess good sense of style is a subjective task bound to create debate.  One of music's most debatable cases would be recording artist, Macy Gray.  There are those who love her '60's inspired fashion choices, penchant for throwing on the eccentric accessory and dramatic hair.  Then there are those who simply don't.  Either way it hasn't stopped Macy from turning heads whenever she's on the red carpet thanks to the singular force of her individuality; and Macy wouldn't have it any other way.

"I didn't know I had a sense of style until someone said I did.  You just like what you like.  At one point I got talked into dressing up a little bit and wearing my hair different but I'm still into my old hippie s*** and still love my afro.  My daughter wears Forever 21 and H&M and looks adorable but I'd never put on half that stuff," she said.

So what are the essentials that creates Macy's unique look?  Read on for her top 3 style must-haves.

Style Must-Haves:

Be kissable:

Definitely lip gloss because your lips talk for you, kiss for you and it's important.  I use MAC.

Forget about heels:

Definitely some really great sneakers since as girls we get pressure to wear heels.  So it's important to throw on sneakers and have your feet feel good.  Right now I'm a Vans freak with 13 pairs.  I have these suede ones and I just brought some green ones too.

Before leggings there were pants:

I wear a lot of pants and I'm big on the cut of my pants.  I get most of my pants made though.  I do love vintage pants.  They are beautiful and have the best cuts from the '60's and '70's for a girl's shape.  It is slimming from the hip down and got flare at the bottom.  They make legs look gorgeous, long and thin.  I don't know why they make it anymore.

For more on Macy visit:

www.macygray.com

Check out the new single, "Beauty in the world," from her upcoming release, The Sellout:

Everybody and their mama, cousins and nieces love money but not everybody including their mama, cousins and nieces know how to use it.  That's why this week I'm giving you tips on getting your dollars together.

Aries, Leo and Sagittarius:

Slowly put down the credit card, turn away from the counter and exit the store without a backwards glance 'cause chile you need to reign in that spending of yours.  You've been a-splurging and ringing up items like a new-to-the-game rapper with their first (and probably last) hit.  It's time to act like ya got some sense and stop the stupiditary!  Yup, I just made up a new world 'cause that's how pissed off your spending habits are making me.

Capricorn, Taurus and Virgo:

20 must be your favorite number 'cause you're always asking for a spare $20 so you can smoke a 420 and pay back on the 20^th of the next month.  So stop acting like you're 20.   As Keri Hilson would say "Get your money up, Get your money up!"  That's right it's time to stop begging for handouts and take back your pride this week.

Libra, Aquarius and Gemini:

We done all been there.  Meeting someone who gives sex so good you just can't help but want to buy them everything in the world.  But honey that kinda loving just don't last.  Once they find the next baller they leave you high and dry (literally if ya catch my drift).  Don't treat your money like you do your legs-spreading it all around town!  Ya heard?!

Cancer, Scorpio and Pisces

It's time to treat yourself to a little sumthin' sumthin'.  You been so good helping out the freeloading family and friends that you forgot what it's like to enjoy your own money.  So lay your dollars out on the bed, get naked and lay all up in it, take a bath in it, make love in it.  Do whatever ya want 'cause baby it's yours!

I'm JizzleJazzle and remember don't be good, be fabulous!

By Souleo. When you think of gutsy, strong and powerful female characters in hip-hop fiction you are bound to think of some of the protagonists created by New York Times bestselling author, Nikki Turner.  From Isis Tatum (Black Widow) to Yarni Taylor (A Hustler's Wife) and now Beijing Lee (Relapse), Nikki's female characters have consistently dealt with themes of sex, family and love.  With Relapse, these themes converge as we follow Beijing from almost being sold by her drug addicted sister to satisfying the illegal desires of high-end clients to falling dangerously in love.

JimmyJazz hit the reading chair with Nikki to get her personal take on some of her most consistent themes.  Read on to see why she supports women who use their bodies to get ahead, what real family is and the importance of self-love.

On the sexual escapades of the rich and famous:

When you have that type of wealth and power people will do anything to please you.  We always want what we can't have and I think that wealth and power gives them access to those things.  I'm okay with the women who provide those services so long as they take it to the next level.  I'm the biggest advocate for girl power.  I'm happy that they are able to make money off of their beauty and body.

On family:

Family is a strong part in who you are and what you have to endure.  My grandmother always said 'Figure out where a man comes from and his family.'  As I get older I agree that family plays a lot in your life.  In my personal life I believe that family is who you choose.  Just because we don't have the same blood doesn't mean that we are not family.   You have to make your own reality sometimes.

On the need for self-love:

Many people go through life looking for love.  I think having companionship is the dream.  For girls we have been taught to have the white picket fence and this knight in shining armor.  Sometimes it is the allure of men that catches a woman's interest and in life there is one person who has that power over you.  When you love yourself if you do get into a relationship that is volatile you can get out and that's a message of the book.

For more information please visit:

www.nikkiturner.com

By Souleo. It's hard to imagine Hot 97/Sirius Satellite Radio and FUSE TV personality, Dee Vazquez ever being afraid to voice her opinion.  After all it's her job to ask questions and speak out on hot topics.  Still Dee has had to build the confidence to communicate her thoughts after an episode of violence in school when a fourth grade teacher yelled at her to "shut up," she refused, and when she tried to escape, the teacher physically assaulted her.  It is this moment that brings Dee back to the place of fearful blind submission to authority that she reflects upon in the new book, Souls Of My Young Sisters: Young Women Break Their Silence With Personal Stories That Will Change Your Life written and edited by Dawn Marie Daniels and Candace Sandy with a foreword by Mary J. Blige and Madeline Smalls the executive director of Mary's non-profit, The Foundation for the Advancement of Women Now (FFAWN).

Dee spoke up and out with JimmyJazz about how her heritage conditioned her to be silent, on the process of still conquering her fears, how hip-hop helped her find courage and more.

On being taught to be silent:

My mother grew up at the end of the Rafael Trujillo dictatorship and he was compared to Adolf Hitler.  If you were dark-skinned or spoke out against him it was off with your head.  So that means that as a young girl my mom learned from my grandmother about how to behave under oppression and she passed it on to me.  So in my household we were taught to not speak up, say this or that or look that way.  In that environment you deny so much of yourself that you don't get to bask in the glory of your identity.  You continue that oppression and you have no freedom of speech.

On what she still struggles with till this day:

Even to this day sometimes I hold things in.  I'm not big on creating conflict.  So I'm trying to get out of apologizing all the time.  It's that fear of being "loud and ghetto" as my family would say.  But when you're able to stand up for yourself I don't think that's being "loud and ghetto."  You have every right to do that and I'm learning more and more to be comfortable with that.

On how hip-hop helped her find her voice:

To grow up and listen to A Tribe Called Quest, Mary J. Bilge, Lil' Kim and Biggie and those that expressed themselves in hip-hop was inspirational.  There is something about seeing someone take control after going through the same things you are in regards to doubt and being oppressed.  A lot of people need that confidence to speak up and when you see them do it you become empowered and think you can do it too.

On using her media platform to encourage others to speak up:

Not everyone has this platform so I tell people to focus on whatever you have in your mind focus because you can do it, but you have to first speak up.  You have to be empowered to reach your dreams and say I want to do this and to make it happen.

For more information on Dee please visit:

www.deevazquez.com

For a comprehensive list of upcoming Souls of My Sisters events please visit: www.soulsofmysisters.com

By Souleo. Who says you can't have fun in hip-hop?  Certainly, not the New Orleans hip-hop duo, SoleFresh.  The wit, flow and punk hipster style of Nardo (Leonardo Jonze) and Knoxx (Knoxx St. Peter) adds just the right element of distinctness to make them stand out among the hip-hop pack clamoring for a chance at the big time.  Not only that but they also have the help of super producer, Mannie Fresh who has signed them to his label, Chubby Boy Music.  The two high school friends are currently working on their forthcoming album entitled, Peace, Love & Overweight Babies.

JimmyJazz cracked it with them as they talked what it's like hanging out with Mannie, how the party scene of New Orleans influenced their music, bringing fun back to hip-hop and more.

On experiencing the good life with Mannie Fresh:

Leonardo: One night when we recorded our album Mannie said he'd take us out to dinner.  I thought we were going to a nice steakhouse.  Instead we went to a party at Lil' Flip's house.  There was an open bar, pool and girls all around.  We were these two white kids pulling up in a Phantom and it was funny.  Hopefully there's more of that to come.

On how New Orleans influenced their music:

Knoxx: New Orleans has a personality and that influences our music.  You won't hear jazz or trumpets and trombones but the personality is there.

Leonardo: Our music is free and fun loving and that describes New Orleans culture.  We don't need a reason to party.  It's a fun city so that carefree vibe comes across in our music.

On bringing laughs back to hip-hop:

Knoxx: We are about bringing fun back to hip-hop these days.  You watch local news and get depressed for a week.  There are stories of somebody raping someone.  Our music is a release and somewhere you can go for a few minutes and have fun.

On their relationship dynamic:

Knoxx: What keeps us going is that we have a similar mentality.  We both like to have fun and are against raping people and that's what keeps the group going. [Laughs]

Leonardo: We were friends before business.  So we are boys before anything.  If you go into business you got to do it with friends.

On getting conscious:

Leonardo: Our music will become more socially conscious and state our beliefs a little more as we continue.  It's profound to see the effect music can have on people.  So if we can do that we want to do it with positive stuff.  We are accepting of everyone and believe that stereotypes are not cool so that's part of our message.

For more information please visit:

www.myspace.com/wearesolefresh

By Souleo. Sure, you know Mannie Fresh for his sharp production skills with Cash Money Records, Grammy nomination and over 23 million records sold.  But we bet you didn't know that he shops at Walmart, would drive a Honda Civic or shies away from the bling scene.  Are you just as surprised as we are?  Well, read on for more as Mannie tackles "the questions," with JimmyJazz.

Stop the hype:  This rich image is so overhyped and they need to kill it.  Artists are pressured to look like a million dollars and I'm like that's so overhyped with all the jewelry and popping bottles.

I can't get enough of:  Drum samples.  Sometimes I take days and days going through old records finding new snares and all that.  If I hear a good snare it still makes me smile.

Currently crazy about:  I got some files of Marvin Gaye's studio sessions.  I can solo his vocals, the bass lines and keyboards.  So I'm going crazy right now.

I wish I could:  I wish I could have got paid for every song that I've done.

Favorite clothing brand:  Walmart.  I buy all their T-shirts with the words on them and slogans.  That's what I rock every summer for $5.00.

You'd be surprised to know:  I'm not about material things.  I'll drive a Honda Civic so that doesn't matter to me.

I dance in my underwear to:  Marvin Gaye acappellas.

Check out tomorrow's post to get acquainted with Mannie's new project, the hip-hop duo, SoleFresh.