Jay Sean Like My Summers

I recently discovered hot British Indian singer, Jay Sean. All my South Asians, have you already heard of him?? He did sign on to Cash Money Records earlier this year, maybe that's why I heard his song, "Down," on the radio.

Well, "Down" has definitely kept its place on my summer playlist this year. "Down" definitely epitomizes the songs I listen to during my summer days in Florida, besides the old school techno scene like Rockell. The beat sounds like it should be part of the Hot Import Night's scene, where the bass hits you from the system to your body. Well, if you really love Colby O'Donis and Qwote, Jay Sean is your man.

Check out "Down" and his other songs on his myspace.


Jay Sean - Down

America's Got Talent's "Susan Boyle"

Tonight America's Got Talent (AGT) and So You Think You Can Dance (SYTYCD) called out my name. If you don't know, one of my guilty pleasures is watching reality TV shows. So I have noticed it's been quite awhile since I've watched any, but maybe when you need to find financial stability again, you don't miss it.

Well, I'm glad I didn't miss tonight's AGT, even if I was jumping between AGT and SYTYCD (one song I loved was "Rock Your Soul" by Elisa.) I witnessed America's "Susan Boyle." If you've been living under a rock in the deep sea, you still should know about Susan Boyle, but if not, I'll recapture. Boyle auditioned and competed in Britain's Got Talent earlier this year. She was referred to the public as an ugly duckling who auditioned just for her mother in the hospital. But she had a beautiful voice, one that resounded to the world as one of the most powerful, sweetest voices to exist. And she moved on to the next round! Viral media took a storm and started to post articles, blogs, and videos of Boyle. Fame and exposure took a toll on Boyle's tender soul that it caused a breakdown. But that's just a little jiffy about Boyle.

So back to the point, America's "Susan Boyle" is Kari Callin. From what I remember, Callin knows she has a great voice. She's auditioned before, but have always known she hasn't gotten the job due to her looks. A look which seems to be from a cleft surgery. The story Callin told the audience and judges tonight was about her audition on a cruise ship. She got on stage, but before she could even open her mouth, the coordinator said she wasn't fit for the position. Ugh, what an outrage! Thanks to AGT, Callin's talents are publicly known now. If I were Callin, I would rub the TV success to all those people who denied me/her. I hope she wins or at least make it into the final rounds. And even if she doesn't, I wish her the best to find something in any music-related industry. Talent like hers should not be wasted, Hasselhoff, Piers, and Sharon know that all too well.

Oh and one more thing, even though I love Mariah Carey, I thought it was ridiculous to end the show with MC's new music video, "Obsessed." But props to MC and her management for figuring out a way to incorporate the music, i.e. hubby - Nick Cannon.

Hip Hop Theater Festival

It's already mid-July, and so much is happening around the DC metro area. I guess it's a given, when some parts of the year, it's blistering cold. Now this week, if you haven't heard the buzz from students, thespians, or hip hop enthusiasts, the Hip Hop Theater Festival (HHTF) is in town.

HHTF (founded in 2000) creates a more active presence of hip hop and theater. HHTF creates the awareness that hip hop isn't what Fox media presents as the "bling" and "thug life", but allowing artists such as lyricists, thespians, producers, and spoken word artists to present the relevant social issues to the public. And for those who don't know, hip hop has elements of the emcee, the dj, the taggers and the b-boy/b-girl dancers; it is not a thug/ho life affair.

HHTF in DC started this past Monday, July 6th, with the AM Radio Live Art and Performance and will continue to bring panel discussions, other theatrical performances, and dance parties until Saturday, July 11th. I had the great opportunity to volunteer at the festival this year and getting a chance to see Voices Remix: A People's History of the United States this past Tuesday was amazing. Granted I got to see the last 15 minutes of the show, but it still moved me regardless. I've always appreciated spoken word thanks to people like Bao Phi, Doug Kearney, Kelly Tsai and my peers at UF (especially those at EXHALE).

I love these art shows and festivals especially when the performances are available and free to the public at any point of the day and week. This is a great accessibility and opportunity to those who would otherwise believe they had no time and/or money. I loved the fact that HHTF had Zomo the Rabbit: A Hip-Hop Creation Myth at the THEARC, one of the few performances specifically geared towards the younger audience. Seeing all the kids' faces after watching the show was so cute. Not only was it cute, but knowing they had this great opportunity filled up my warm fuzzy heart. Thank you to all HHTF coordinators, staff, performers, sponsors, and the DC Arts Commission for bringing HHTF to DC. Oh and even though they may not know it, it was great meeting Regie, Dave, William, Clarence, Alorie, Clyde, Kamilah, Tommy, Ms. Shirley, and Morgan and everyone else!

Today is the last day of the Hip Hop Theater Festival, so check out Step into a World at Benning Park Recreation Center at 12pm and try to get into the "SOLD OUT" closing night performance, Don't Hit Mama, at Dance Place at 9pm. For more details about the events today, visit http://www.hhtf.org/.