New York City Talk

Hospitality InviteI've been celebrating my birthday all month and topping it off is the exclusive invite to the Beyoncé I AM Tour...had to snag those Killer Bey tickets and the passes to the hospitality lounge for Mrs. Z and her guests.  We're in the building at Madison Square Garden, checking in at the undisclosed gate to gain entry into the infamous world of Bey!

Drinks and food will be served before and after the show and I will bring you inside the tour for the re-launch of Crème Magazine.  Sorry!  You gotta wait…can’t give you everything, plus I’m not there yet!  In a few hours I will be out the door ready to sing some of my Beyoncé favorites.

“Stop the track…let me state the facts…told you to give me a minute and I’ll be right back…!” Read more

Maxwell Album CoverI decided to take the 11 block walk today and head to the Sony Building for the Maxwell listening session for his highly anticipated release BLACKsummer'snight and well...I'm open!  From beginning to end, Maxwell is back, in a huge way and bringing soul music back with him.

BLACKsummer'snight is the fourth studio album from Maxwell...a trilogy of 3 installments: BLACK (set to release July 7); SUMMERS' (2010) and NIGHT (2011). 

By definition, "BLACK will be a darker, soulful compilation.  SUMMERS' leans towards the Gospel side and NIGHT a cool collection of slow grooves."  However, after listening to the 9 tracks today, I will say this: BLACK is beautiful...sensuous...exquisite and worth the wait. Read more

Beyonce DVDMusic World/Columbia Records proudly announces the release of Above and Beyoncé Video Collection & Dance Mixes.  Providing a showcase for Beyoncé's first foray into the world of electronica, Above and Beyoncé is a breathtaking assemblage of groundbreaking music videos and dance-oriented remixes of chart-topping tracks from the Read more

Alvin AileyJune is only beginning and already there's so much to do!  This week I will attend the Hatch Match, a speed dating style format, except for entrepreneurs and investors.  You get 2 meetings and 5 minutes each to pitch your dream.  I'm all in!  Last year over 40 angel investors showed up amongst 400 guests.  Tickets are going fast, so sign up now: Read more

Mos Def's new album drops on my Birthday and I'm ECSTATIC!  I had a chance to attend Mos Def's concert in Carnegie Hall last year and was so inspired by his artistry.  He's a classic hip-hop and although Mos wears many hats, he truly shines when he's on stage doing what he was born to do.

By now, I've seen Mos perform many times and my favorite performances are when he's joined by the Hypnotic Brass Band Ensemble.  Artists like Mos are a dime a dozen and should be supported for their lyrical mastery.

The Ecstatic will be available In Stores On June 9, 2009. Special guests include Talib Kweli and Slick Rick. 'The Ecstatic' produced by Oh No, Chad Hugo, Mad Lib, Mr. Flash, DJ Preservation, J Dilla, Georgia Anne Muldrow.

Check out the video of his new single "Casa Bey." Read more

Phillipe Chow opened in Hamptons today just in time for summer.  Ooooh, I wish I was there, however, I was in Brooklyn chillin at the Act Now Foundation's short film program on Love, Life, Race & Diversity. 

I watched a cute little film called "Afterschoole'd" by Joe Hernandez-Kolski; about a preppy guy, claiming to be a "hip-hop" connoisseur only to get busted and "schooled" by someone who knows that he's not "keeping it real."

On the hip-hop tip, there are a lot of events happening in New York next week.  Starting with Def Jam's 25^th Anniversary.  Hard to believe it was 25 years ago when Def Jam was born and I learned to do the wop to the Beastie Boys, "Paul Revere"

"Here's a little story I got to tell..."  Those were the days.  The event is set to happen at an undisclosed location and the list is...HEAVY.

Artists past & present will converge to celebrate Def Jam's 25^th Birthday! Read more

B.o.B (Photo Credits: Jesper Norgaard)Spring is here which means shoe shopping is a must.  If you are a shoe addict like me, there are a few cool deals you should know about.

First up, Reebok has been partnering with a few interesting artists lately.  Their Remix collection, only available in Footlocker stores, is inspired by classic hip-hop artists.  Each artist is required to "remix" a hip-hop track and spin it their own way.  Partnerships include emerging hip-hop artists like Kidz in the Hall, who remixed Special Ed's "I Got it Made."

Check out my last blog on the launch:

On May 21st, Bobby Ray (Rebel Rock/Grand Hustle/Atlantic Records) AKA B.o.B will be the third artist in the series to re-interpret a classic song, which will be announced on May 21st. The new track will be available for download exclusively to customers who purchase styles from the Reebok Classic Remix collection, at Foot Locker stores nationwide. Read more

HabanaEveryone knows that the place to be every summer is Habana Outpost--one of the first eco-eateries in New York!

"Eco-Eateries are restaurants that use earth-friendly practices in their design, construction, and day-to-day operations. Habana Outpost aims to reduce wasteful consumption and promote sustainable solutions."

Their biggest restaurant is in Brooklyn's trendy Fort Greene neighborhood (where I live).  Their other locations are, "Manhattan's Cafe Habana and Habana To Go, opened by Sean Meenan in 1998, serve home-style Latin food with unique Cuban and Central Mexican accents. Habana Outpost, located in Fort Greene, Brooklyn, shares the same celebrated cuisine but also functions as a community gathering space. Regardless of the location, the food is renowned and the atmosphere welcoming." Read more

Brown Girls BurlesqueOne of my favorite pastimes in New York is theater, especially the off-Broadway shows.  They are usually productions put on by independent artists, rising writers, directors and actors.  The most recent Broadway show to really create a buzz was Passing Strange, which became so popular, Spike Lee decided to make it his next film subject.

Passing Strange recently premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival where Spike Lee and the cast spoke about the film after it was screened by an audience of industry and festival attendees.

A few productions on my list to see are The Newlyweds-not the game people!  This production is an Aditi Pictures presentation, - written and directed by Beverly Orozco. Read more

ActNow FoundationIt's not summer yet, but New York is on fire.  Salsa Mondays kicks off Monday May 11^th at Tavern on the Green.  Although general admission is $10, if you're on the Soul Latino guest list, you get in free before 7PM.

How's that for an after work wind-down?  Dancing under the stars never felt better!  Unless of course, you're watching movies under the stars...

This summer the line up of movies and places to be seen is excuisite!  There's just so much to do in so little time. 

Movies under the stars begin to take place in places like Bryant Park, River Flicks, even short films on rooftops with Rooftop Films, which kicks off May 15^th - September 20th. http://www.rooftopfilms.com/summerseries.html

Here's Rooftop Film's May 15^th Line Up: Read more