#TheMeadowsNYC

So I went to my first Music and Arts Festival, and I loved every minute!!

SideNote: I wonder how they decide who’ll perform, the order and the length of their set. It was a good flow to the schedule.

At first my only reason for attending was to sample and eat as much food as I could get my hands on. Of the three day festival, I could only get Saturday off from work, but getting to see Tory Lanez in person was the icing. So much energy! I’ll forever respect him. LL Cool J has had hits that I definitely rock with but not enough for me to see him in person, well he brought out Q-Tip, and I nearly lost my mind!! I opted not to see Future, and saw Big Gigantic. Didn’t know them before but I throughly enjoyed their set. They did a EDM collab with Biggie Smalls, so how could I not love them?

However I’m highly upset I missed Big Boi’s set. I had a killer migraine that morning, and just couldn’t get it to settle down quickly enough. I experienced Erykah Badu, but felt she was too regal to record. The food and drink option was plentiful, and I left feeling full and fulfilled.

This was the second year of The Meadows and I will surely be attending next year, all three days! Have you guys ever been?

Tristan J

With Onion Gravy

There’s a Baltimore club music song, that states. “French Fries and Onion Gravy”, I should note that its one of my favorite songs to dance to. Saturday, I went to the Meadows Festival in Queens, the highlight… I ate French Fries and Onion gravy! Since I’ve lived in New York, I haven’t frequented any eateries that serve it, so of course I had to order myself a batch! It was like eating a cloud, the french fries were not oily, but were fried to perfection. The gravy was the ‘icing’ that transported me back to my hometown. In my excitement I didn’t pay attention to the name of the restaurant, I got my ‘cloud’ from so wish me luck on my search for perfection.

SideNote: I’ve given up eating fried foods, but I allowed myself to cheat for the day.

Have you guys ever experienced the magic?

Tristan Jonez

Watch The Fade to Blk

I’ve come to have more of an appreciation of Jay-Z as I’ve gotten older.

Big up to my homie Deja, because of said friend, I am able to listen to the FULL collection of work by Jay, on Tidal. I wanted to hear his interview which was exclusively, on Tidal, but then I started to miss being able to hear his music whenever. Yesterday, I was going thru some of the music, and really thinking about his songs/albums and which one or ones relates to my life. Watch the Throne is my absolute Favorite body of work.

SideNote: I’ll be happy when Kanye and Jay, finally sit down and hash out whatever the issue is between them. Listening to Watch the Throne, has me all in my feelings as they make AMAZING music, it’s such a special body of work. As men, I know it sometimes take a bit longer to reach out when lines have been crossed, but as family, we all gotta swallow our pride and make the move.

SideNote II: Although I haven’t really had a chance to listen to 4:44, Watch the Throne will forever be Number one for me. Every time I listen to the album I feel as though I am fucking royalty, and I am coming into my own as a blk princess. I love the contrast between Jay-Z’s voice and Kanye’s. Even the flow of the album sits well with me, honestly one of both their best work.

Tristan Jonez.

Chief Don’t Run.

So who’s responsibility was it to tell me all about Jidenna? Cuz y’all dropped the ball miserably. Why wasn’t I told about how amazing as an artist this man is? Or at the very minimum, why didn’t anyone tell me about his album? Shame on you guys for trying to keep this talent away from me! For the past week I’ve been obsessed with his music! Between Jidenna and Wale, I have my music palette filled. It’s weird because when I think I am done with listening to The Chief, I’m right back to bumping it.

So … because I am a Johnny come late with everything, especially music, I am out of luck in securing tickets for his tour. Yup! I will not be seeing Jidenna perform anything live! I am so heartbroken as I KNOW his album would be the truth. I’ve never seen him perform any of his songs, or even seen any videos from him but I know he would just give his all to us, the fans. Especially since he came to Molly’s (perceived) rescue on Insecure… I know, I know, that’s not real life, but hey! Do you guys have any favorite songs from this album? It took me forever to narrow it down to just three, but the whole album is FIRE!

Top Three: Chief don’t run, Bambi, The Let Out… Honorable mention Little Bit More, Helicopters / Beware, Some Kind of Way and Trampoline

Tristan Jonez

WALE!

Even though I am a Baltimore Chick through and through, I Love Wale!! I know I know, he’s from DC and this is a forbidden love, but I can’t help it. There’s something about him musically that I can not get enough of. It’s like he knows everything about me so he writes songs that speaks directly to me. There hasn’t been an album released by my boo Wale that I didn’t love and rock until I couldn’t listen anymore.

I’m currently obsessing over his latest release, SHINE. I believe this is his best work to date. However I always feel like he continuously pushes himself, with each album release. I love that he has incorporated more of the sounds from his country, although he does have more features this time around. I honestly couldn’t pick my top three but I forced myself to do so.

Top Three: My Love, Fashion Week and My PYT … honorable mention CC White.

Tristan Jonez.

SideNote: Wale’s Summer on Sunset (Mixtape) is Fire. It’s unfortunate that I haven’t been able to put the album on my phone and Spotify is not up on game. If you get the chance to listen to the album, Please listen to Day by the pool, its ridiculously sick!

LilMiss Katy Perry

I’ve always been a Katy Perry fan, Always.

However, with her newest release I found myself not really caring much about it. I wasn’t actively seeking out any new music from her. As a black woman, I love when artist include my culture in their music, but it needs to be genuine. Don’t stan my culture because you have new music coming out and need some type of an edge. I’m sure I borrow and incorporate other cultures into my life but I am still true to who I am.

Although, Katy is an artist, I felt I recognized her as that artist. With the new album, Witness, I didn’t know who the hell she was. As a fan, I didn’t recognize her. I am all for evolving, I think as a woman, you should be applauded for finding the courage to change. As an artist, I want you to experiment with music and sounds, I want you to find sounds that make your own heart beat, but I want you to try to stay true to your hard core audience. If you want to add some soul, please do. BUT don’t create a whole new persona, that a fan, such as myself, cant recognize you.

I am always willing to give the music a chance. I may not like/love who ‘Katy Perry’ is currently but I cant deny her music speaks volumes to me.

Tristan Jonez

Side Note: If you decide to give the album a chance my favorite songs are Tsunami, Chained to the Rhythm and the very soulful Pendulum.

Tremaine (The Album)

Its been a full week since the release of Trey Songz self titled album “Tremaine”, and for starters it is appropriately named. In my opinion, this is Trey’s most intimate work, it not only shows his maturity as an adult, but it shows his vulnerability as a man. Although cliche, I could see this album being named Trey Songz V. Tremaine, but he embodies both part of himself, equally. So he is not battling himself, he has accepted that he wants to settle down (Nobody Else but You) but at his core he is still a (Playboy). Trey shows he is still ‘Mr.Steal your girl on (The Sheets…Still) but its as if he’s telling us he is trying to be for only one girl. Imagine you have the opportunity to not only express your feelings but you are able to act on those feelings, the only catch is, you have until the (Song goes off)

Trey Songz takes point on (Animal) as he describes how ‘wild’ his lady gets in bed. In this song he is matching his movements to her. In my mind, the video would be visually pleasing, with them being in the jungle, a camera in hand, but it wouldn’t be cheesy.

My favorite song has to be (1×1) the beat flows perfectly with the lyrics, I don’t want to call it classic club song, but it definitely should be in club banger rotation. Imagine being at a function, and you make eye contact with a stranger from across the floor, however he doesn’t approach immediately, so you start preforming for him. And while he is watching you, in his mind he is dreaming about coming over at 3am.

(Picture Perfect) Is a song from Tremaine to us. He’s asking us to examine if its really as it seems. Are we really happy, does that man your with truly make you happy. Because if it isn’t there is someone out here that’s willing to put in work for you time, ‘cuz your worth it.

Tremaine is definitely an album you should pick up, yes it is a bit different from his past work but he has matured not only in age, but musically.

Tristan Jonez

Bounce that Ass.

I’m currently head over heels in love with bounce music. I’ve been fortunate enough to have been able to see Big Freedia in person at Brooklyn Bowl in 2015. However It is my goal to see Big Freedia in person in New Orleans. I think I may get that chance as she is performing in NOLA at the end of February. I’m even thinking about attending Mardi Gras this year, but I don’t actually like Bourbon Street at all. However it is something on my bucket list I want to do.

I’m currently listening to New Orleans Bounce Essentials on Spotify, Do you guys have a favorite bounce song or artist?

Tristan Jonez

Just like the Videos

Sometimes I wonder if real life ever simulates the music videos I love. I am an R&B Chick through and through, so of course I’m listening to Joe. One of my favorite songs/video of his “If I was your man” So in the video he screws up his relationship with his woman, she leaves, finds a new man. Her new man, to me, looks like an upgrade from Joe, takes care of her, treats her well, but the love doesn’t run as deep as it did with Joe. Anyway by the end of the video, Joe finally realizes that “his” girl is about to be gone forever, so it makes a final plea for her love, but in a surprise of events, the girl chooses to walk away from Joe.

Clap. clap. Clap.

Yes Girl! You didn’t appreciate me while I was yours but now that I am happy with the new man you want to come back? Too damn late. If more people stayed away when they walked away, folks would value love a lot more than they currently do.

Tristan.

RR

Raleigh Ritchie is Life to me.

Every. Single. Album. Is an amazing body of work!! No matter what you are currently going through, he will make you feel like you are the most important jewel he’s come across. Timeless music is what’s created when he blesses the mic. It’s like my heart recognizes him, his voice, and his musical style. Visually his music comes alive. Sometimes I wonder who is creating videos for the songs that are played on the radio, but I look forward to Raleigh Ritchie, never mind that he’s a good looking lad.

My favorite song will forever be Bloodsport. The chorus is “Loving you is a blood sport, Fighting in a love war.” Loving me personally isn’t a blood sport but I do think that I’m like a mountain; I can be overwhelming to some people. However just as with a mountain or anything that gives you reason to pause, you just have to take it one step at a time.

Please take a listen to his new music, Mind The Gap, it’s phenomenal. Seriously to date, his best body of work, and everything he releases is top shelf shit. Listen to it and tell me what’s your favorite song… My favorite absolute two are Sicko and Unicron Love, Motions comes in right after the two. It’s my goal to see him perform, in someone’s festival, in someone’s country.

You down?

Tristan J.

I Dare You.

Jazmine Sullivan is my girl! She’s such a friend in my head! So obviously I love all her albums, and I’m genuinely excited that she’s still making music. Reality Show Album, song ‘If you Dare’ is my anthem. “Stop thinking small when you could have it all” I don’t know about you, but I want to have it all and then some. Do you know the requirement to having it all? You have to have the balls to dare. Of course daring doesn’t mean anything without some sort of action to back it up. But the first step is Daring to believe you can actually be living the life you want, if you believe you can be living it high then you can. Clearly I’m not the be all or end all of what you should or should not be doing but I want you to live your best life. HELL I want to live my best life as well, so I find that its my job to motivate you in any way I can.

Start Living your Life Babe.

Tristan.

“If You Dare”

Why you only see in black and white
You should be living in color
You walking now when you were made to fly
Don’t be scared to fly
Stop thinking small when you’re larger than life

You’re amazing, so am I
Let’s dress up fancy and drink wine
Let’s go crazy, don’t be scared
Cause we can conquer the world,
Cause we can conquer the world
If you dare

Oh-oh-oh ohhh, oh-oh-oh ohhh, oh-oh-oh ohhh…
You could be living it right
You should be living it high
You should be living it

Things could be better than the way that you’re living
Open your eyes cause you don’t know what you’re missing
You’re in the dark but you could be glistenin’
Stop thinking small when you could have it all

You’re amazing, so am I
Let’s dress up fancy and drink wine
Let’s go crazy, don ‘t be scared
Cause we can conquer the world, Cause we can conquer the world
If you dare

Oh-oh-oh ohhh, oh-oh-oh ohhh, oh-oh-oh ohhh…
You could be living it right
You should be living it high
You should be living it

Oh Caroline stay away from the light
Cause people never make it out alive
So come on down because you’re going too high
(But she heard)
Don’t be scared, start living your life

Oh-oh-oh ohhh, oh-oh-oh ohhh, oh-oh-oh ohhh…
You could be living it right
You should be living it high
You should be living it

Oh-oh-oh ohhh, oh-oh-oh ohhh, oh-oh-oh ohhh…

And I warned you not to go
Did you have to leave me low
You could be living it right
You should be living it high
You should be living it
Oh-oh-oh ohhh, oh-oh-oh ohhh, oh-oh-oh ohhh…
And it’s driving you insane
But it’s running through your veins
You could be living it right
You should be living it high
You should be living it