Spotlight Feature: Skye Townsend

An Exclusive TwentyOne Interview with Skye Townsend of BET's "8 Days a Week"

SKYE TOWNSEND

Daughter of comedian and director Robert Townsend, Skye Townsend was born a star...

At a very early age the Santa Monica native showed promise, proving that the talent bug didn’t fall far from the tree. A prodigy, Skye found her passion for singing and began to develop her voice at the tender age of three. Penning her own songs came shortly after, rounding out her phenomenal musical talent and abilities. But it may be Skye’s lust for life and colorful personality that truly makes her a rare gem.

   
Like her father, Skye is a huge fan of comedy, and has long studied the great comedians of our time, which cultivated in her a unique sensibility that goes unmatched in her generation. At 13 and with her parents’ support, Skye took a leap of faith and put her self-made singing videos and her now infamous comedy web series Celebrity Rehab on YouTube. Within two years, the videos produced by the aspiring singer/actor/producer/ fashion designer collectively garnered over 4.8 million views and was featured on several mainstream blogs including MediaTakeOut, Black Celebrity Kids and Bossip. Skye’s hilariously funny sketches and personal v-logs were even touted on Angela and Vanessa Simmons’ Pastry website.

For Skye, who is now 17, it is her creativity coupled with her keen awareness and entrepreneurial spirit that lights her path. “Growing up in Hollywood, I realized that one must be their own team. At a young age I began discovering ways that I could make things happen for myself instead of waiting for a big break to be presented to me,” says Skye, who earnestly believes that like her, “the greats are developed,” while those unlike her who are simply looking to make a name for themselves—”the fakes are created.”

Although she is currently unsigned, Skye has already worked with some of the best in the business: Eric Hudson, Soundz, Ron Grant, Kevin Randolph, Mike Ciro, Rock City, Remo “The Hitmaker” Green, Boola and Omen. These days you can find Skye in the studio day and night working to complete her demo, which promises to be a mash-up of all of her influences—R&B, Classical, Rock, Soul, Pop, Latin, Italian, French, Folk, Electronica, Reggae as well as chart-topping Broadway showtunes. Or you can watch Skye on 8 Days a Week a new scripted docu-style webseries produced for BET.com that follows the life of six ambitious go-getters as they strive to make their dreams come true. In her breakout television role, Skye plays the lead female character, Jade Taylor, a struggling young student set on having the perfect life. Skye is also designing her first fashion collection, which she hopes to release in Spring/Summer 2012.

Whether in front of the camera or behind the mic, Skye represents a new generation of talent with immeasurable creative enterprise. There is no limit for Skye!

    The cast of 8 Days a Week

Skye and TwentyOne have a chat...
How was it growing up having your dad in the spotlight? Is there anything you wish he would've done differently?
-I am so appreciative of how both of my parents raised me. Of course certain things were different and I was exposed to more than the average child. However, my upbringing was very normal. I still got spankings, got in trouble, went on family vacations, and got upset with my parents.

How are you taking all the attention you've been getting just in this past year as an actor/singer?
-I am just humbled by it all. I have been working so hard at all of this for so long and it feels amazing to be noticed for it. I am blessed to be busy. I am always saying "it's a beautiful thing to wake up, check your email and still matter." This is a tricky and unpredictable game.. I am just appreciating all the love people are showing me.


Tell us more about the web-series 8 days a week, how is your relationship with the cast?
-The web series was an INCREDIBLE experience! It was my first time being a "real actress" with "real lines" on set. We all bonded like family and see so much potential in one another. We were just told that the show will be premiering as a one hour special on BET on October 26th because it did so well on the web! I am hoping to watch it on TV as a full series in the near future. I wouldn't want to be working with anybody else.

What do you have to say to people that believe your where you are becasue of your dad?
-I have nothing to say to those people. I try not to pay attention to them. The only thing I have because of my dad is talent and a level head. I am fighting for all of this just like any other artist. Famous parents can't buy you talent.

Are you working on any other projects?
-Yes I am. I am currently looking at several projects relating to film. I have always wanted to do movies as well as TV. I am back on my music and really getting serious and figuring out if I will stay independent or sign a deal soon. God's been blessing me, I am just trying to pace myself and accept the right offers.

What's a typical day in the life of Skye Townsend?
-Sleeeeeeep! Lol, kidding.. sorta. I write almost everyday. Sometimes I have nothing to do. Sometimes I have no time to even sit down. Any actor or singer can agree that there is never and never will be an exact schedule. I never know what a day will behold.. you gotta just go with the flow.

Describe your personality and style.
-I am bold. I aspire to be fearless. I want to be remembered for being a humanitarian. I am just really passionate about all aspects of the arts. My style is mellow but still funky. When I go shopping, I purposely buy ugly or abstract things and try to make them stylish. I like pulling off things that are hard to pull off.

Your well known for your impersonations of Beyonce, has she seen them or said anything to you about them?
- I have NO IDEA. I hope she knows it's all in good fun. I did them for laughs not to hurt her. I've heard she has a great sense of humor so we will see...

Have you had any bad experiences in the industry, is there any advice you'd give to aspiring actors/singers?
-I have had a few due to the fact that I am my dad's daughter and a few due to the fact that I am a newbie. I wouldn't say bad experiences but some things can be frustrating. My advice to anybody aspiring to be an entertainer is to not get sidetracked by negativity. You gotta have TOUGHHHH skin. But, that isn't developed over night! Don't cover up all emotions.. but know your talent. Never let anybody call you out your name and believe it.

How do you remain humble in such a self-absorbed industry?
-I look at all those less fortunate. People who get excited over a dollar. People who dream of clean water. How can you live a life not being humble after really educating yourself about struggle? I don't get that.

What actor/actress do you hope to work with one day?
-Anybody willing to work with me :).

TwentyOne is a new blog, what are your comments on the site? Is there anything you don't like?
-No complaints over here. It's easy to guide yourself around the site and clear to read! Very cute outfit posts too! :)

Fashion: What They Wore

What did Necole Richie wear in Burbank?

Dress by Keepsake

Shoes by Christian Louboutin

Bracelet by Neil Lane

Purse by House of Harlow



Fashion: What They Wore

What did Beyonce wear last week in New York?

Dress by Carven

Purse by Dolce & Gabbana

Shoes by Walter Steiger

Fashion: Fashion in the White House



First Lady Michelle Obama, avid supporter of new, young design talent, wore a dress by Korean designer Doo Ri Chung to the State Dinner honoring South Korea. The gown, modified for modesty (the original has a thigh-high slit) is from the designer’s Spring 2012 collection.

(via The Cut)

Music: Hip Hop Unedited

Survival of the Illest Cypher 11'

 

Music: Weekend Playlist

love.

Young The Giant- My Body

Music: Weekend Playlist

This should definitely be on your playlist!

Frank Ocean- Swim Good

Culture: Inmates, Hunger Strike

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - A day after California prison officials declared a 3-week-old hunger strike by thousands of convicts over, an inmate advocacy group said on Friday that at least 150 prisoners were still refusing to eat.

The protest began at Pelican Bay State Prison in Northern California and spread to at least 4,000 inmates in seven other facilities at its height late last month, with prisoners demanding an end to what they called inhumane treatment.

Many of the grievances focused on the prison system's use of solitary confinement to enforce discipline and for what inmates say is a means of coercing them to "rat out" prison gang members.

The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation announced on Thursday the hunger strike had ended after prison officials agreed to review procedures by which certain convicts are classified as too dangerous for the general inmate population.

But inmate representatives later said that as of Friday 150 convicts were continuing their protest at two prisons because conditions in which they are held remained unaddressed.

"We know that there are people still going at Calipatria (State Prison) and Salinas Valley (State Prison)," said Isaac Ontiveros, a spokesman for the Prisoner Hunger Strike Solidarity Coalition. "They have been clear that they are willing to keep going at great peril to their own health."

Corrections Department spokeswoman Terry Thornton denied this was true. "The mass hunger strike ended yesterday," she said, adding that Calipatria's group gave up its protest by Wednesday. But she acknowledged that four Pelican Bay inmates were still refusing to eat because they did not believe the strike was over. The weeks of tension coincided with California's implementation of a state-mandated plan to ease prison overcrowding by shifting responsibility for thousands of inmates and ex-convicts to county authorities.

An earlier round of protests originated at Pelican Bay in July and ended a few weeks later after corrections officials promised concessions. But the hunger strike resumed on September 26 and later spread to other prisons throughout the state.

At its peak, prison officials counted more than 4,200 inmates as participants, though prisoner rights groups said that as many as 12,000 convicts had at some point joined in refusing food.

Inmates were pressing a list of five demands -- an end to group punishments; an end to a "debriefing" policy that requires an inmate to identify fellow gang members in exchange for getting out of solitary confinement; an end to long-term solitary confinement; adequate and nutritious food; and greater privileges for prisoners confined to isolation indefinitely.

"If you're in the SHU (secure housing unit), there's an unwritten rule that the only ways you can get out are to make parole, debrief, or die," said Carol Strickman, an attorney for the group Legal Services for Prisoners with Children, which helped broker a deal to end the protests. "They want you to give it up ... to name names, rat out people."

Prison officials aim to modify their "secure housing unit admissions" policy by early 2012, Thornton said.

(via yahoonews)

Music: Tribute to an Angel

In her precious 22 years, Aaliyah achieved more than many do in several lifetimes...

The music industry truly lost an angel 10 years ago. A decade later and her legacy has yet to fade, I strongly agree with others that if she were still alive many artists wouldn't be as successful. Her music captured the very essence of what her listeners were feeling right down to the baseline. It wasn't just about the lyrics or the fact that her vocals were unchallenged, the music said so much under each word...you could and still can listen to instrumentals and feel were she was coming from. [sighs] I always wonder were she'd be now, who would she collab with? Lil Wayne, Drake, J. Cole, which either of them I think would have been epic. There's no doubt she'd surpass anyone's expectations, where she was before she left us was only the beginning. I guess I'll just continue to listen to my old school music, they never have or will make them like Aaliyah. Salute.

Celebrities Pay Tribute to Aaliyah

Look of The Day: Cassie attending CULO launch event

This is my kind of style! I love everything about this look from her edgy yet chic hair, right down to her Christian Louboutin heels. 

Over the weekend Cassie attended the CULO by Mazzucco Book and Art Exhibition Launch hosted by Diddy, one of the collaborators for the book highlighting the female form. Cassie kept it sexy-chic in a coral blazer, a mesh bustier top, black pants and pumps.

Get The Look:

Asos Boyfriend Blazer here

Studio La Perla Mesh Underwired Body here

Gap Skinny Pants here

Sam Edelman Pump here

Chain Necklace here

Culture: Reality Check

So I was up early researching things happening all over the world, and I stumbled across some very unsettling news. I always knew about starvation, but I'm guilty of never really focusing on the issue until now. Did you know someone dies of starvation every 6 seconds!?
...and to my suprise hunger is the No. 1 cause of death, AIDS and Cancer follow after, wow. So you mean to tell me that an illness we can control and have thousands of cures for (different foods, water, etc) is the leading cause of death. I have a serious problem with this, and myself because I've done nothing to help, we all don't have millions of dollars, but we all can do something! Clicking a button and making a donation isn't enough for me, I'll be doing something hands on, soon!

Music: Today in Music History

 Ocober 13, 1979


Micheal Jackson's "Don't Stop Til' You Get Enough" off the Off The Wall album, topped the charts and stayed there for a week."Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough" was Jackson's first single to peak at number one on the United States Billboards Hot 100 chart in seven years, and his first number one song on the soul singles chart. The song charted within the top ten on worldwide charts,  a few months after the release, the song was certified gold, and eventually certified platinum.

Nerds: Apple Crowned World's Top Brand

You know the saying "the apple doesn't fall far from the tree"? Well the ones over at Apple don't seem to be fallling at all, as they've been crowned The World's Top Brand.


The iPhone and iPad maker beats out Coca-Cola, Microsoft, Google and IBM, according to new research on brand valuations.

Apple (AAPL) is the world's top brand, according to research released Wednesday by brand-valuation specialists Eurobrand, comfortably beating out second-place finisher Coca-Cola (KO).

Eurobrand rated Apple's brand value at more than $96 billion, well ahead of Coca-Cola at nearly $76 billion.

Apple, however, was not the only tech company with high brand awareness. Microsoft (MSFT), Google (GOOG) and IBM (IBM) rank third, fourth and fifth, ahead of McDonald's (MCD), AT&T (T), Procter & Gamble (PG), Pepsico (PEP) and Philip Morris International (PM). (Microsoft owns and publishes MSN Money.)


Apple, which launched its new iPhone 4S last week, continues to prove phenomenally popular with both investors and consumers. Recently, for example, Apple's stock hit new highs, briefly surpassing oil giant Exxon Mobil (XOM) in market cap.



Earlier this week, the gadget maker announced that the new iPhone 4S had smashed the company's record for preorders in a single day. Apple received more than 1 million orders for the iPhone 4S in the 24 hours after the device’s preorder debut, besting the record of 600,000 same-day orders for the iPhone 4.

Shares of Apple, which reports its fourth-quarter results next week, were rising 0.9% Wednesday morning at $405.70.










(via msn)

Culture: Bhutan: The Fifth Dragon King Marries a Commoner

Love can be found in the tiniest places, even in Bhutan, a very small Himalayan nation. I love when men and when of royal standards choose to marry the person they truly have a desire for. The concept of hand picking a bride from a list of eligible royals, as if their a victim behind a two-way mirror picking out the suspect,..where's the love in that?  Love should never be determined by which to people can be worth more as a union, don't get me wrong you and your companion being a blessed unit financial is awesome...but if that were to be taken away, what finer grain holds your love together? Anyone can want to be married, yet, not everyone wants to be a companion and the searcher of your soul.

                             Getty Images

PUNAKHA, Bhutan — The fifth Dragon King came down from his golden throne to place a silk crown upon the head of his bride. Monks chanted in celebration and she took her seat beside him Thursday, becoming the new queen of the tiny Himalayan nation of Bhutan.
King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck of Bhutan holds the hand of Queen Jetsun Pema, a 21 year old student at London's Regent College, after their wedding on today, October 13, 2011.              
                                               
                                                                  










(via today)

Fashion: Nicole Miller S/S 2012 MBFW

Just a Peek of Nicole Miller's S/S 2012 Runway Show

Designer Nicole Miller never let's me down, I've yet to come across a piece that I don't fall in love with, whether it be for myself or someone else. I personally would wear every piece seen here, as is and with other items I already own in my closet. She definitely won me over with the prints, stripes, and color. The looks are certainly not for the fashionably timid, confidence and assurance with self are a must to hold these hems together.

                                                               

my fav!

Caio Bella!

Culture:World News: Fear rises, floods rise in Thailand

Fear rises in Bangkok, as floods rise in Thailand

Thailand's capital was braced for unprecedented flooding Wednesday, amid the monsoon rains that have overwhelmed much of the country as well as Laos, Cambodia and the Philippines in recent weeks.
"It's going to be clearer over the next couple days" whether Bangkok can be spared the brunt of the flooding said Matthew Cochrane, spokesperson for the International Red Cross in Bangkok.
So far, 281 people have been killed and four people are missing in Thailand, according to the country's Flood Relief Operations Command. Some 60 of the country's 76 provinces have so far been affected, impacting some eight million people.
"It's really quite serious, these are the worst floods in Thailand since 1949," Cochrane said.


"These floods started in June really and started to move south and have really caused huge damage the whole way down," Cochrane said. "They've affected hundreds and hundreds of villages and towns, they've wiped out 2.5 million acres of farmland. This is a very, very serious disaster."
Over half a million square kilometers -- an area the size of Spain -- are affected by the floods in Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam and Laos, according to CNN meteorologist Jenny Harrison.






(via CNN)

Fashion: Kanye West Dw Presentation S/S 2012 Paris Fashion Week

"Oh taste and see that fashion is good"

Kanye West debuted his new women's line, Dw, named after his mother Donda West at Paris Fashion Week over a week ago. I expected nothing less from the hiphop visionary, with cutting edge silhouettes, bulky furs and a hint of color, Dw had Kanye written all over it. With the help of British designers Louise Goldin and Katie Eary and Giuseppe Zanotti designed the shoes specially for the collection, Kanye achieved his desired look. It's also said that the clothing line was inspired by Christine Centenera an editor at Harper's Bazaar Australia.

Dw

Fashion: Take It? or Leave It?

Forgive me, I just need a few moments to take all this in... so at first I thought this was an ill-fitting dress, turns out its a top, with an ill-fitting skirt with a horrible hemline. All I will further say is the shoes are Charlotte Olympia and the top is designed by Isabel Marant. Hilary seems extremely confident in her look, so I won't judge, but there's my honest opinion.

I'll let you decide this time.

Take It? or Leave It?

Culture:Sports: Detroit Lions 5-0 #TeamMichigan

For starters, the Detroit Lions were on Monday Night Football, for the first time in 10 years! Major.

....and now their 5-0? I must say as a Michigan native, I'm proud!

Detroit Lions fans counted down the final seconds — as if it was New Year's Eve — when the franchise finished its first Monday night game in a decade. Matthew Stafford's second touchdown pass put Detroit ahead in the third quarter and Jahvid Best's  88-yard run later in the period gave the Lions a double-digit lead in a 24-13 win over the Chicago Bears.

''It was electric,'' Stafford said. ''Our fans came out and did an unbelievable job.''
The Lions did a pretty good job, too.

Detroit (5-0) is undefeated through five games for the first time since 1956 — the year before its last NFL title. Lions coach Jim Schwartz, though, refused to be celebrate, pointing to the team's next game on Sunday at home against the San Francisco 49ers.
''We'll start on San Fran in about an hour and a half,'' Schwartz said shortly after midnight.
The defending NFC North champion Bears (2-3) are off to their worst start since 2007. They are three games behind Detroit and defending Super Bowl champion Green Bay (5-0) in the division.

Stafford lofted a pass to Calvin Johnson for a 73-yard score — extending his NFL-record start with nine TD catches in five games — early in the second quarter.
Best's 88-yard run was the second-longest in franchise history, trailing only Bob Hoernschemeyer's 96-yard run against the New York Yankees on Nov. 23, 1950. It was 3 yards longer than Barry Sanders' longest gain on the ground.

Smith was dumbfounded that Best wasn't touched on the run through a hole up the middle and past the secondary.

''Hard to swallow,'' Smith said. ''Jahvid Best is a good player, but we can't let that happen.''
Stafford was 19 of 26 for 219 yards with two TDs, including the go-ahead score to Brandon Pettigrew from 18 yards with 9:55 to go in the third quarter. Best more than doubled his previous career-high with 163 yards rushing on 12 carries. Johnson finished with five catches for 130 yards and for the first time this season, he didn't score twice, but he made an impact as usual against a team that tried to slow him down with double coverage.





(via foxsports)

Music: Ri Ri Releases "Talk That Talk" Album Cover

The new cover art for  Talk That Talk, Rihanna's sixth LP album, has been released and my has Rihanna evolved over the years. Some people love the edge the artist has put on, others disapprove of her actions, and find it to be a negative connotation to her image (shrugs)...after all this time you'll either love her or hate her.

The album is set to drop on November 21, 2011 and with her recent single We Found Love, I wonder what the tone of the album will be...mmm.

Love or Hate?

Culture: Politics: " The 9-9-9 Plan"

I am a Democrat, however I thought this was very interesting, being that either things go for the upcoming Presidential election, we will all be affected by it in some manner.

There was one clear winner from Tuesday's Republican presidential debate, based on the simple metrics of name recognition: businessman Herman Cain's "9-9-9 Plan."

Facts about the "9-9-9 Plan" here.

Virtually all the candidates at the debate table had something to say about Cain's plan to replace the tax code with three, flat nine-percent federal taxes on consumption, business and income. Cain, once delegated to the remote wings of the debate stage, has enjoyed a surge in the polls ever since he won the straw poll in Orlando, Fla., last month, and at the first debate since he joined former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney and Texas Gov. Rick Perry in the top tier, Cain and his policy proposals took up more of the debate's time than the ideas floated by any other candidate.
Of course, this isn't to say that any of them praised Cain's idea. Far from it. In fact, everyone who had an opportunity took shots at the plan.

Former Utah Gov. Huntsman reduced it to "a catchy phrase" and joined former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum in saying it would never be signed into law.
Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney suggested that the 9-9-9 scheme would be "inadequate" to solve the nation's problems.

"Herman, I have had the experience in my life of taking on some tough problems," Romney said when Cain asked if he could name every single one of the 59-points in his economic plan. "And I must admit that simple answers are always very helpful, but oftentimes inadequate."
Minnesota Rep. Michele Bachmann even made a joke that referenced the mark of Satan from the Book of Revelation.

"You turn the 9-9-9 plan upside down, and the devil's in the details," referring to the number "666"--the mark of the beast described in Revelation. But none of his detractors were able to stop Cain from repeating the line all night. Perhaps not anticipating that the candidates would spend their own time discussing Cain's proposal, the moderators ran a pre-arranged clip of Cain touting it a few weeks ago and asked all the candidates to comment on it. Again. So they did, and the "9-9-9 Plan" got a fresh dose of air time.

It was as if every time the candidates mentioned those words--"9-9-9"--Cain got a little more powerful.

This is one marketing scheme, however, that won't last without an upgrade.
One independent analysis of the Cain's plan suggests that it would not create enough revenue to sustain the government's most basic functions. When asked about this, Cain simply dismissed the premise and repeated the "9-9-9" pitch.

"The problem with that analysis is that it is incorrect," Cain said, dismissively.
If he wants to stay in the top tier, he'll have to come up with something better than that. As a lesser-known candidate who only received precious few opportunities to speak in past debates, he could say his bit about the 9-9-9 Plan, and the moderator would move on. But the platform he has earned by landing at the top will require him to expand on his ideas and even come up with new ones.
But at least for tonight, everyone's talking about the 9-9-9 plan, and Cain couldn't have asked for a better gift from his opponents.

2 Techie Must Haves

I'm truly a Techie Nerd, technology just makes everything so much easier, when convienent, right? Well I look around for some new interesting stuff, and came across some pretty convienent techie accessories.

 

     

1. Pierre Cardin PC-7006 tablet. The fashion world’s first attempt at entering in to the wonderful world of iPad’s, the PC-7006 is an android based tablet device, equipped with a 7-inch touch screen, a front-facing 1.3-megapixel camera with more than ample storage space. A perfect fusion of two different worlds, this is elegant design and user-friendly technology at its very best. Now for, $448, purchase here.

2. Touch your way to easy, affordable printing with our Photosmart Plus e-All-in-One – B210a. You'll get affordable lab-quality photos, everyday documents, creative projects, and Web pages. Plus, HP ePrint1 and integrated wireless will keep you connected on the go.

 purchase here.

Fashion: Kelly Rowland x4

Anyone who's knows me, know's that I love Kelly Rowland. One of the many reasons, would be because she's so diverse! She's like a different woman everytime she steps out, from rocker chic to effortless colorblocking...long, short, or curly hair, I just love her.

She's seen here in a ruched white dress, designed by Kenneth Cole, at a Miami Dolphins vs. New England Patriots game.

At the MTV Music awards on August 28, 2011 in Los Angeles, in a Falguni & Shane dress and Christian Louboutin heels (left). Leaving lunch in a Diane von Furstenburg long print maxi dress, and brown Fendi handbag (right).

Here she looked chic, taking on the colorblocking trend in a dress by Victoria Bekham, and blue suede Christian Louboutin platforms.

Ciao Bella!

Fashion: Kim Kardashion Breaks Rules

All-White after Labor Day? Yes!

Kim Kardashian spotted in NYC with her mother Kris Jenner, and sister Kourtney Kardashian, stepped out flawlessy in an all-white 1970s inspired ensemble and a added flare with Christian Louboutin Python pumps...and I love it! It reminds me a lot of the legendary Cher's signature look back in the 1970s.

The whole "no white after Labor Day" is old, played, and overrated, but you can gladly let one day out of 365 days, determine what you can and can't wear. White during the Fall is perfectly fine, you wouldn't wear a white sweater inthe summer would you? Although I don't think you should do all-white shoes during the Fall haha. Fashion is meant to be fun, it's not to be limited to foolish cliches made by people who had no style anyway. So like myself if you like it, wear it, everything isn't meant for everybody, some can wear what others can't. As long as you feel confident in what your wearing, the opinions of others shouldn't matter, I've yet to come across the official rules of fashion list...and even if there were such a thing I wouldn't dare follow it!

Ciao Bella!

Music: J.Cole "Cole World: The Sideline Story"

After two years of anticipation, J. Cole releases his debut album Cole World: The Sideline Story. Can the Roc Nation signee’s offering live up to expectations?

Yes, in all of the obvious ways, what J. Cole has been achieving in the more than two years since he signed with Roc Nation and dropped his acclaimed mixtape, The Warm Up, certainly is amazing: rocking stages domestically and abroad; gaining legions of fans and feeding them free, purchase-quality music; shining as a featured guest next to the likes of Jay-Z, Kanye West, Talib Kweli and more; and simply having the ability to make a living doing what you love.
But it’s these same factors that have positioned J. Cole’s major label debut, Cole World: The Sideline Story, in an uphill battle against expectations.

Thanks to a number of factors (most glaringly, the Internet, and all it has spawned) the current moment of hip-hop music consumption is unparalleled—a fact particularly relevant to artists’ debut albums. Sure, everyone from N.W.A. to Nas to Kanye West created anticipation for their soon-to-be-classic debuts, but the blanket of expectations now flaps more expansively for those anointed as “next” by excited fans and critics, on the heels of album-esque mixtapes, the national tours that they trigger, and rampant release date delays.


The last two tapes that the Fayetteville, North Carolina native has dropped (The Warm Up and Friday Night Lights) have been deemed great by some and even classic by others. And this, in many ways—the heightened, if ridiculous, expectations—prove the leading detriment to a very strong debut album from J. Cole. Cole World: The Sideline Story is possibly better than either of the two lauded mixtapes for which he’s become known. Yet, it was looked upon to be much more—that Cole would take a leap, not a step—and it’s not quite that.


Preconceptions aside, the album is able to put a check mark in each of the boxes next to the laundry list of abilities that have thrust Cole into a discussion as a possible torch-bearer for a generation.
There’s the piano-backed “Intro,” presenting the same kind of solemn yet inspiring opening with which he’s begun his last two projects. “Dollar and a Dream III” is vintage Cole, spitting for nearly five minutes about highs and lows, dreams and reality. He does so over a looming, slow-building beat that has a few distinct sections, each sounding developed but derived from the previous one. Here, on the first full track, we get a taste of Cole’s growth as a producer that continues to reveal itself over the 16-track project’s entirety.


Was the height of the bar set for J. Cole unjust?


No. On the contrary, it’s complimentary and deserved. It wouldn’t be placed there if it weren’t something he was capable of reaching. On Cole World: The Sideline Story he taps it a few times, and shows he’s on his way to fully grasping it.





(via xxlmag)

Music: Drake's "Take Care" Release Date Pushed Back

Canadian rapper Drake has been forced to delay the release of his anticipated album Take Care to create time to clear samples.

“I managed to create this album in my hometown of Toronto, and the thoughts and stories I wanted to get across just became so clear,” he said on post from his official website. “It truly felt like when I was here 3 years ago making So Far Gone. So I have completed 19 songs (17 on physical and 2 on bonus), and have run into a roadblock of clearing 3 samples in time to make the October 24th date.”


The rapper said that the new date is now November 15, and he opted to delay the release rather than remove the songs in question.

“My options were to take the songs off and make the birthday release happen, or to take an extra couple weeks to get the paper work right and give you the album they way I NEED you to hear it,” he said in the open letter. “The choice was clear as day for me. November 15th you will get Take Care the exact way I created it with no trimmings. This music means too much to me to get attached to dates and I do apologize for the delay but I promise that it is only for the benefit of our experience together.”


Drake also said that the Club Paradise tour to accompany Take Care would be delayed to make concessions for students on winter break. New tour dates will be released shortly.






(via allhiphop)