Monica, Bryan Michael Cox, and Jermaine Dupri were back at again, making hits at So So Def’s studio: Southside. The legendary duo (Dupri & Cox), are back in the studio with the none other than Monica. Check out the latest episode of JD’s youtube show, Living The Life, as Monica tells B Cox to stop doing her job in the booth, and she lays it down to the fellas of what being married to a southern woman is like. In my opinion it’s just what being with a woman rooted and grounded in God, will do for ya. Explain it to them Monica.
Mr. James Todd Smith is ready to drop his brand new album: Authentic on 4/30/13. With features from Monica, & Joe Thomas, I’m hoping to get the true authenticity of one of the best to do it. I mean heck he has the mic tatted on his arm. Check out some snippets of the album. And this joint with Monica (Closer) yes I can’t wait!
Let me start by saying, it seemed as if this So So Def reunion has been in the making forever. The long 20 year journey that CEO, music mogul, Jermaine Dupri has taken, since 1992 has had all of his fans right along with him. The road has never truly strayed from the script: Taking unknown talent, listening to them, getting to know who they are, translating that through the music he produced and wrote, and wal lah…multi-platinum artists. His unique style is unmatched and unparalled to any…and this fan must say that what he did on this night has not been done since Motown 25! There is arguably no other CEO alive right now that could assemble all of his acts (former or present) on one stage, for ONE NIGHT ONLY.
The one thing I had to make sure of at this concert was that I was able to meet Derrick “D-mac” McKenzie. Now I know alot of you guys may not know who he is now, but trust me, this time next year…everyone will be screaming his name. He is a rapper out of Miami (the best in Dade bar for bar is what he was named by Street Connect DJ’s, along with lyricist of the year award and other accolades). His latest mixtape: Date With Destiny is off the chain, and he’s working on the follow up, Dear Destiny, which is due out early spring. Get ready for him! Oh and one other juicy tid bit…he is the other half of TEAMPHATMAC. 🙂
Right here I told him that I had to get a big hug in…hey it was my first time actually meeting him..hehehe.
Destiny Underwood is a 13yr. old singer/songwriter who I met on Jermaine Dupri’s site, Global14. The young lady had music on iTunes, videos, the works…and her time is definitely coming. You guys have to google her!
Monica and Alesia were caught off guard, but as you can see, Monica stay camera ready lol. And isn’t her natural hair just beautiful? Alesia stays busy coordinating weddings and events, so getting her to be still to take this picture was amazing..lol.
I was able to get a couple of pics with some of the G14 crew before the show.
I was so happy when the show finally started. It was Kriss Kross, Da Brat, Jagged Edge (accompanied by Bryan Michael Cox), Xscape (with Tameka & LaTocha..Kandi nor Tiny showed up), Lil Jon, Playa Poncho, Youngbloodz, Young Jeezy, Usher, Mariah Carey, Monica, Jay Z, Ludacris, & more. I was able to get a few pics…other pics I got from my home girl, Shawntina.
Da Brat came out and did her thang. She rocked Funkdafied, Give It To Ya, & That’s What I’m Looking For. I think I rapped every verse right along with her.
Jagged Edge emerged on the stage with none other than Grammy-award winning Bryan-Michael Cox on piano…and the crowd went ballistic. They sang hits such as Let’s Get Married, Promise, & I Gotta Be.
Then a woman by the name of Monica Denise Brown (yes I had to say her entire name)..because she simply uh SLAYED the stage. Monica sang a verse from her #1 hit (So So Def) Love All Over Me…wait for it..acapella..dang I mean she KILT THE STAGE.
Lil Jon and JD decided that it was time for a DJ battle. Lil Jon let the crowd know (as if the true fans didn’t lol) that he was an A&R for JD, that he also put together the So So Def Bass All Star compilation albums. He brought out Playa Poncho & the Youngbloodz during his set. JD brought out Dem Franchise Boys & he brought out Nelly.
I hope ya’ll remember Bone Crusher! I Aint Neva Scared. Yo I thought the building was going to fall down when we all starting stomping to the song. lol
And yes…KRISS KROSS was in the building. And they started the show off right. Jump Jump!
Bow Weezy hit the stage and reminded us of where he started. He performed, Fresh Az Im Is, Outta My System, & Like You. We all were praying to see Ciara hit the stage. Main I just don’t understand people from the A, not represent for JD. I mean everyone knows that Ciara & Bow are long over..so why not come and perform the song that is arguably one of the biggest hits of your career..smh. Nevertheless this fan was sure happy to be the one that Bow serenaded.
The Scott sisters (Tameka & LaTocha) representing for the group Xscape. Now let me just say, out of all the acts this one was suppose to be very special to me. Why? Because had all 4 of those ladies hit the stage together (Kandi, Tiny, LaTocha, & Tameka) the house would have not been able to recover. As a fan, it was all any of us wanted to see. Because whether the group would have been truly reconciled, or simply there to show respect for Jermaine Dupri & So So Def on it’s 20th anniversary, it would have show other ladies the power of God/healing/restoration/and yes sisterhood.
I must admit I was extremely disappointed by the decision that Kandi made to not attend the show (but I also know that this thing is just not black & white…the HURT RUNS DEEP), but the fact that TINY did not show up is an entirely different situation. While everyone is on Kandi…at least she has voiced that she has issues with both Scott sisters in the group (namely LaTocha), but to all of our knowledge there was no “beef” as far as Tiny was concerned with ANY member of the group. So why was she not there? I mean it was the 20th anniversary of the label that put her on (hey those platinum albums, allowed the door to be opened for No Scrubs to be written, and all of her other accomplishments) it allowed us (the fans) to know her name…and she did not show up? I seen the pics of her and her hubby online on ski’s etc…and I’m not knocking family time…but was this REALLY not that important for her to fly in..do the show..and fly back out? I just don’t get it.
Well this is my thoughts to Kandi & the Scott sisters…hurts, pains, are genuine to the person who is feeling them. And to the people who simply don’t understand why, all you have to do is step out of your shoes (perspective) and step into the person who is still dealing with the pains & hurts, to get an understanding (take yourself out).
Jd told Nelly: “If you are going to come on my stage, then I need you to be Nelly.” Whelp off came the shirt..lol. Thank you JD.
So So Def’s reigning princess of R&B came out and performed her top 10 hit, You’re The One…Dondria simply can sang. She belted the song out like nobody’s business. It’s funny because the whole crowd was singing along…and yes her sophmore album is over 70% finished..and there will be a release this year. Her new single: Little Things should drop sometime early spring.
Now how could JD do a 20th anniversary show, and Usher not come through. Well that’s exactly what Usher was thinking. He promptly let it be known that no one has more #1 hits with JD than him. And he gave a taste of U Got It Bad, My Way, Confessions, Burn, & more…then brought out Ludacris and Lil Jon, & they performed: Lovers & Friends.
It’s funny that a lot of people did not know that Anthony Hamilton was signed to So So Def when he first hit the scene with Charlene. Well he came through to show love to JD and peformed that hit for the crowd.
Lil Jon, Ludacris, & JD performed Welcome to Atlanta. I was hoping that Diddy would come out and perform, because according to his instagram he seemed to be in the building. Yet the performance was beautiful. Ludacris expressed his gratitude to JD for putting him on his first joint back in the day.
And what everyone was waiting for…Jay Z hit the stage to honor Jermaine Dupri. They performed Money Aint A Thang together. Then Jay proceeded to drop a few verses to some of his hits..but he had to let the DJ know first…”I don’t do the vocals” referring to the fact that he needed instrumentals with no vocal on them. Nice!
Up close and personal view of Bone Crusher…uh Rich Ross who..he started this lol.
Mariah Carey came out and presented JD with his 20th anniversary cake…”Congratulations Jermash” When they dropped her song…the crowd went nuts…and as it seemed she may sing..her MIC WAS NOT WORKING…smh!
Da Brat came out with the lighter…lol, to light the candles on the cake. How appropriate that his lil sister, and one of his best friends in the industry presented him with this.
Mariah would not have missed this even for anything. Hopefully these two are in the studio working on her new album as well.
I capped the night off with seeing one of my favorite artist and asking for a pic. Dondria is one of the most humble & gifted singers to come along in quite some time. Her journey started on youtube, and now she is part of one of the most historical moments in history. She has the right label at the right time.
And again, for all of you who don’t know..this is PhatMac. lol
Phatfffat & D-Mac were nice enough to take a picture for me. Although I love other celebrity couples..this one will always be my faves.
I have been to more concerts than I can count..but I will say without a doubt this had to be the best concert I have ever attended. Congratulations again to Jermaine Dupri for 20years of excellence.
R/B is making a full recovery in this year of 2012. With albums from Monica, Brandy, Miguel, & Chris Brown topping the charts this year, I’m so happy to hear my favorite genre on the rise again. Now singer/songwriter, Ne-Yo is gearing up to bring us his offering in the form of R.E.Don 11/6. Check out this new joint, Forever Now.
James Fortune & Fiya enlists the help of legendary gospel singer Fred Hammond, and R&B Diva Monica to his single, Hold On. The song is the second official single off of his latest album, Identity. Enjoy!
One of the hottest songwriters around, Torica Cornelius is ready to branch out, and let her words be heard in the context of it’s writing. You know me, I believe no one can tell a story like the one who wrote it. The grammy nominated songwriter has written songs for the whose who of the industry, from Field Mob (Sick Of Being Lonely) to Monica. She also has a hot new single, that is tagged as the “break up anthem of the summer,” called These Shoes, that is available on Itunes right now.
I have patiently waited on this mixtape since she announced it, and I must admit it was worth the wait. A Perfect Mistake is the prequel to her debut album: A BEAUTIFUL MESS, that is slated to be released later this year. See what makes me love Torica music, is the gift of songwriting that she has been given. As she remixes some of the hottest joints of 2012, I can’t wait to hear how she spins the song.
My favorite is the the remix to Kirko Bangz, Drank In My Cup, her flow is impeccable as she let’s us know about the dude she sangin about: “he’s my type/perfect height/hustler/swagger right/shoe game so fresh/he got my interest..”-my favorite line. Then her spin on Rihanna’s hot new jam, Cake, Torica is going to make ’em Wait! Ah don’t take my word for it, Listen now!
The singer also takes a moment to honor the incomparable Whitney Houston, by singing a sample of her #1 hit, I Have Nothing. Take a listen, and download the entire mixtape right here.
Monica’s new album: New Life, is slated to be released 4/10, and it’s a must have for all the r/b lovers. With that being said, another favorite on the album, is the cut called, Amazing! The song is another Bryan-Michael Cox and Jermaine Dupri collaboration. Take a listen..and again, cop this joint on itunes.
Heck with all of these amazing songs on this album, I can’t imagine the ones that didn’t make it.
Uh can you say, #1 on the R/B charts again for the songstress Monica? Well if you can’t, I will! Monica’s new album: New Life, has it all. With the success she is having from the first single, with Brandy, “All Belongs To Me,” Her in studio chemistry with Rico Love cannot be denied. So with that being said let me tell you how she pulled me all the way in with, Daddy’s Good Girl. The song, which was produced by Rico Love is sure to be a hit, if they make it an official single. Take a listen, and PLEASE GO TO ITUNES AND PREORDER THIS ALBUM. If you love R/B, Monica is giving it to you just the way you like it. Just like with her previous album, Still Standing, Monica is as open, truthful, meaningful, and pure with her music as she can be…please just get the album..trust your girl. 🙂
R/B divas, Brandy & Monica recently did an interview with Hot97’s Angie Martinez, where they “accidently” revealed that there was some type of “physical fight” that happened between the two in 1998. Honestly it’s so funny watching them get so embarrassed about the details of what happened. Monica makes sure to let everyone know that she was “only 16” when it happened, and that she apologized. Brandy on the other hand is absolutely uncomfortable with the conversation, and attempts to save her sister from the probing questions that follow from Angie Martinez. One thing is for sure, only blood could make them more sisters than they already are. Check out the interview.
Ah now I know that true R/B is on it’s way back. Brandy and Monica hook up after 14yrs..since their #1 single The Boy Is Mine dropped, to give us the visual for their brand new single, It All Belongs To Me. The song was written and produced by Rico Love, has the two women doing their best Thelma and Louise impression. The soulful joint is slated to be on both ladies new albums, Monica’s New Life which drops 4/10, and Brandy’s “2 11” which is slated to drop in June. It’s rumored that their will be two different versions of the track for each one’s album. The video was directed by Chris Robinson, who also directed Monica’s Love All Over Me video. Check it out.
GOD'S PLAN-MY SUCCESS 