9th Wonder releases the track list for his much anticipated project: "The Wonder Years"

ATTENTION! Tonight, 9th Wonder released his track list for "The Wonder Years" dropping September 27, 2011. The cover ALONE stands out. The artwork is characteristic of Jamla records, because that is what they contribute to music: ART. (Just look at Skyzoo's The Great Debater). The fact that 9th is dropping a solo album in itself is incredible, but LOOK AT THOSE FEATURES! Who's excited? *raises hand*

1 Make It Big f. Khrysis
2 Band Practice pt.2 f. Phonte & Median
3 Enjoy f. Warren G, Murs & Kendrick Lamar
4 Streets of Music f. Tanya Morgan & Enigma (of Actual Proof)
5 Hearing The Melody f. Skyzoo, Fashawn & King Mez
6 Loyalty f. Masta Killa & Halo
7 Now I’m Being Cool f. Mela Machinko & Mez
8 Never Stop Loving You f. Terrace Martin & Talib Kweli
9 Piranhas f. Blu & Sundown (of Actual Proof)
10 Peanut Butter & Jelly ff. Marsha Ambrosius
11 One Night ft. Terrace Martin, Phonte, & Bird and The Midnight Falcons
12 Your Smile ff Holly Weerd & Thee Tom Hardy
13 No Pretending f. Raekwon & Big Remo
14 20 Feet Tall f. Erykah Badu & Rapsody
15 That’s Love f. Mac Miller & Heather Victoria
16 A Star U R f. Terrace Martin, Problem & GQ

MOOD music: A song for every mood

I was running outside today, and it was BRUTALLY hot. However, my music was the only thing giving me the pep I needed to keep going. Some songs made me feel motivated, some made me feel grateful, and some made me feel like a freaking gazelle! Ha ha.

Anyhow, it gave me the idea to let you listen to the songs that cater to certain moods, for me at least. When I'm sad, J. Cole has a way of cheering me up. When I feel discouraged or doubted, Rapsody and Chris Brown make me feel worthy, just as Kelly Rowland makes me feel sexy! (PS) RELAX! I can sense the opposition MOST people felt when they read the word "Chris Brown" and "worthy" in the same sentence... But let me say something... Chris Brown is an incredible musician. If I connect with someone by their music, that doesn't mean I connect with someone on their lifestyle, or past decisions they have made. Chris Brown deals with adversity on a daily basis, rightfully so, for the most part. However, I'm a Christian woman who has asked for forgiveness PLENTY in my life, and yes, I do believe in second chances. OK, enough with that tangent. Let's talk MUSIC!

So here we go:

When I am feeling sad, even when everything around me is going well, I listen to J. Cole's "Cheer Up." In this song he even says "Lord knows I can't complain, But even when I do it feels the same... I’m getting high just to fight the lows, cuz that's all I know..." Despite his fame and fortune, he still battles sadness.

When I'm feeling doubted and angry, Chris Brown's "Real Hip Hop Sh*t #3" takes me to another level. Whether it's the fact that, subconciously I know his experiences in the past have made people doubt him, this song makes me feel hopeful. The song just goes HARD. 9th Wonder's beat makes the emotional aspect of the song that much more ALIVE!

When I want to feel powerful as a woman, I listen to Rapsody ft. Estelle, "Fly Girl Power." Seeing as both are inspirational and powerful females themselves, this song gives me courage and motivation. One thing that Rapsody told me that will forever stay with me was, "I'm an emcee that happens to be female... I'm an emcee first." She slashes every stereotype that could possibly be used against her.

"Fly girl power, that's what we've been missin' here...."

When I'm surrounded by temptation, trying to stay level headed, I listen to "100 Keys," by Big Sean ft. Pusha T and Rick Ross. I'm not the biggest fan off Rick Ross because sometimes I feel like his songs are TOO similar, but he is a perfect feature in this song and his lyrics are on POINT.

"And for that paper all the wrong things sound right... Where I'm from they push 100 keys and it sounds like..."

This is one of my favorite songs of all time. This song also has one of my FAVORITE Big Sean verses. If you listen to the lyrics, you'll see what I mean. The beat is incredible too... the incorparation of the piano is perfect. The "piano keys" are metaphorically used, as a "bittersweet symphony." You will see why in the song.

"And don't worry 'bout the info
From where they rob Pintos and could afford Enzos
Cause everybody knows keys open doors, but bricks open windows
Counting a hundred hundreds, more by more
Built this from the tile up, floor by floor
Talk shit, I'll send 'em door by door
Made for the Snow White like 4 by 4s"

A ton of literal and metaphoric meanings in one verse...

When I just want to rock out to one of the greatest songs ever made, in my opinion, I listen to "Legendary" by Royce Da 5'9 and Travis Barker. The song's instrumentals and Travis Barker's drums create a rock vibe, and Royce's INSANE lyrics maintain the raw hip hop feel. It's a multidimensional song that I will be able to listen to for years. I don't even want to post any lyrics because the entire song is a lyrical masterpiece. Just listen!

Kelly Rowland and Big Sean is a sexy collab, and this song represents just that... Catchy beat too!

When I am feeling confident and driven, Skyzoo's "Written in the Drums" has a way of intensifying that feeling. Knowing Skyzoo, and having had the incredible opportunity to interview him, I got a first hand sense of his passion and talent. He is hands down one of the greatest lyricists in the game. See what I mean:

Sexy song. Sexy Beat. That is all. Actual Proof x Median x Bluu Suede. The lyrics are stellar. There are certain artists that have such unique sounds... Enigma of Actual Proof is one of those artists. I love the tone of his voice! Him and Sundown (other half of Actual Proof) have the intelligence to create abstract stories with their lyrics.

The wait is finally over: Presenting, Actual Proof's "STILL HOTTER THAN JULY"

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE MIXTAPE STRAIGHT FROM DJ BOOTH

Too much good music out this week! Listen here!

WAY too much good music out this week... LISTEN TO THESE MASTERPIECES!

ROYCE da 5'9 ft. Travis Barker: Legendary



CHRIS BROWN ft 9th WONDER: Real Hip Hop Sh*t #3



Tory Lanez ft. King Midas: Speeding Cuz I Miss Her



Wiz Khalifa ft Currensy and Big Sean: O.T.T.R



Los: I'm On One



Leona Lewis: Collide

The Price of Wonder

I refuse to believe there is a such thing as coincidence. Everything happens, good and bad, because it is all part of a strategic plan. Whoever's plan that may be, is up to you.

Two weeks ago, my best friend randomly decided to move up to New York City. She had just graduated from Florida State University, and she wanted to pursue her event planning/marketing career in a place other than Boca Raton, Fl. She would be the only person I could see surviving in NYC, because she has that promise. She is the most motivated and inspirational girl I know.

After I visited her, and spoke with her on the day she was leaving, I was inspired to go to the Big Apple myself. I hadn't traveled out of the state in years, and I need to venture out of my comfort zone, even if I was weary about it.

It "just so happens" that my boyfriend, CJ, was asked to do a job up in Manhatten. He became aware of this about one week after Jenna left. He asked me to come.

"Wanna come to New York?"

"Maybe... when?"

"Next week."

"Whoa..."

For those of you who do not know me, I have terrible anxiety/panic attacks. That is 95% of the reason I have not made it past Orlando in five years. Seeing my best friend so willing and able to put her doubts aside and just GO and TAKE RISKS, inspired me to do the same.

Two days before I leave, I "just so happen" to get a message from Joyce He, label manager of Jamla/IWWMG Records. She said that she saw that I was going to be in NY, and was wondering if I wanted to go to the NYC Premier of "The Wonder Year," a documentary about 9th Wonder, made by Kenneth Price. This was once of the most amazing opportunities I have ever gotten in my life.

The point of this blog is to tell you about this film. However, just the fact that I was able to watch it at a PREMIER event, is a story in itself.

Walking into the venue and seeing all of these incredible faces, Yung Guru, 9th Wonder, Rapsody, and so many more, set the tone for the evening. However, nothing could compare to the hour and 20 minutes that "The Wonder Year" itself gave me.

I will talk about the film in a general sense, and mention things that especially stood out to me, because I want every single person to see it. I don't care if you like hip hop, I don't care if you don't like music, this film is a tool to educate, inspire, and entertain.

EVERYTHING is talked about in the film. Everything from 9th's childhood, to his split with Little Brother; the good, the bad and the ugly.

There is no holding back.

9th points out in the film that he has people that love him and people that don't like him. We all do. However, if you judge or question his career, make sure your accomplishments can take up an entire wall of space before doing so.


Exhibit A: Taken by Sharif Karim. 9th Wonder's Wall of Accomplishments

 Despite the fact that this documentary was incredibly entertaining, it taught me so much.

Before knowing about 9th and who he really was, on a personal and professional level, I was that person that would automatically discredit artists who have made it big. Essentially, I would consider them "mainstream" and lacking substance. 9th taught me that a dope artist is a dope artist. "It doesn't matter if they sell 10,000 albums, or 500,000 albums."

In the documentary, you will also hear commentary from artists like Drake, J. Cole, DJ Premier, and many more. You will also hear about his experience with his first sample he sold for $50, to his contribution to Jay Z's "The Black Album."

One of my favorite things he says in the film was how everyone is a rapper, everyone is a dj, no one is a fan anymore. It's so true! No one is JUST A FAN. What is the music for if we can't enjoy it? He puts these kind of things into perspective.

Finally, in "The Wonder Year," the audience is able to meet Patrick Douthit: Father, professor, friend, fan, school boy, brother and son. You see his hometown and get a sense of where everything started in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.

9th is going to kill me for this

If this film couldn't get any more inspiring, the director, Kenneth Price, was actually doing this film for his college thesis...

This film, whether it's the production or the content, will give anyone motivation. Anyone at all. Whether you like hip hop or not.

So the Price of Wonder? Priceless.