KEHLANI "BLUE WATER ROAD" ALBUM REVIEW
An album that feels more vulnerable for Kehlani, “Blue Water Road” showcases the growth and offers a newer perspective from Kehlani when paired with motherhood and showcasing her true self. You can feel the process was different for this album from Kehlani’s previous works but it still maintains what we have come to love about Kehlani’s music, with they’re tone, story telling and lyrics.
Proceeded by the singles “Alter,” “Little Story,” and the Justin Bieber assisted “Up At Night,'“ the calm melodic sounds flow well throughout the project. Standouts include “tangerine,” and “everything” which Kehlani released the music video for with the release of the album. The album leans into Kehlani’s most vulnerable spaces with the Syd assisted “Get Me Started,” ( and showcased on the Syd feature “Out Loud” — off Syd’s Broken Hearts Club) and the with the Jessie Reyes feature, “More Than I Should” sonically flowing together that their vocals often blend together adding the mystery of who is singing which part.
The album’s closer “Wondering/Wandering” is the track that leaves you wanting more of this vibe that Kehlani has created perfectly summing up the space that Kehlani has found. Vocals can be heard from Kehlani’s daughter adding the perfect end but also beginning to what this album leads Kehlani to.
Stream/Download 'blue water road': https://kehlani.lnk.to/bluewaterroad
Purchase album bundles: https://kehlani.lnk.to/store
SIERGIO "BEFORE IT'S TOO LATE" ALBUM REVIEW
R&B is thriving. And if you need any convincing, check out, Before It’s Too Late by Siergio. The album — which released April 29th, following the singles “Take You Out,” and “Complicated.” Before It’s Too Late has definitely entered the chat when it comes to the conversation regarding “Male R&B” and is arguably among the R&B Albums of The Year.
Moments of nostalgia comes with elements of 90s / early 00s R&B, Its very clear that Siergio has studied well and applied the necessary elements to creating this project and does it in a way that demands its seat at the table.
While streaming platforms are lined with “Go To Artists” taking up the homepages, “Before It’s Too Late” is a project that deserves a spot in the top spots. Whenever an album can bring you back to that classic R&B feeling and feel the void of what many have said to be missing from R&B, take notice. It is hard to pick stand outs when the project is cohesive as a whole and any selection can be stand outs and favorites can change often.
Highlighted tracks (according to Apple Music), — since released, has been “Energy.” “Complicated” “Xtc,” and “Take You Out.” Initial feedback seems to lean to “Closer,” and “Lie To Me,” and for this review, “Eden,” “Leave Him,” and “Clothes On,” come to mind, but looking at the tracklisting, its hard to leave any track out including “You,” “Switching Up”… etc.
As the albums opening track “Energy,” really sets the tone of the journey you are about to take — “Don’t worry baby, I’m giving you the energy you need. Baby I’m gonna take you there with me,” which, as a listener applies to the themes of a relationship but also the state of R&B. “Complicated,” creates the journey of the back and forth, tug of war of relationships struggles, ultimately showcasing the theme of pleading for love and showing how things would be better. By the albums end “Lie To Me,” displays ‘all cards on the table’, finale of getting through and obtaining a love, no matter what could be standing in the way, pure R&B perfection.
“Before Its Too Late” is available now, streaming and on sale at siergiowashere.con
Elon Musk purchases Social Media platform Twitter for $44B
By now, everyone knows the news that Elon Musk purchased Social Media platform twitter for 44 Billion dollars. The sale which seemed to happen overnight saw Musk, basically purchasing about 9 percent of Twitter stock, to rejected to join Twitter’s board of directors to moving to purchase the platform. In hopes to “allow free speech to reign” and “bring new features to the platform” as well as “verifying all humans” said Elon Musk in a press release.
So what now? What does it mean? What happens to Twitter now? Also, how does this effect the social media space — especially after seeing Facebook’s shift to Meta, and the swift shift in Instagram no longer showcasing user’s following, as a feed but opting for the sponsored posts and “you may like” feed. While the story unravels it does open up the dialogue and think pieces around the current news. With tweets pointing out Musk’s recent offer to the UN of providing 6 Billion if they could provide steps that could end world hunger and others stating how the possibilities could exists for everyone if they received the same treatment as Musk, as banks were willing to put together 44 billion dollars just for him to purchase Twitter.
Opportunities like this don’t really exist for those with plans to start a business. Loan options are difficult to obtain for some, even if there is dream and a plan to make the money grow, banks will still deny a loan that could possibly make the next million/billion dollar idea. Interestingly enough, as the man with a $260 billion+ network, its nothing for a bank to magically pull together 44 billion for him to use.
“Black Twitter ran the value up on all this social media shit,” - Comedian Karlous Miller tweeted.
When you take a look at a lot of the platforms, the discuss on the culture that brings attention to it and builds it up always arises. When platforms ditch their original plan for what Black Culture creates, it is constantly questioned, “Why don’t we have our own or create our own?” Facebook, originally started out as a tool for college student now a social media platform that incorporates ecommerce, advertisements and more. Clubhouse originally started as an app for venture capitalist to hold conference meetings now a tool for voice conversations and discussions on just about anything. The feature now a thing for Twitter with the addition of Twitter Spaces. A lot of features find their way accross social media platforms once it is made popular by Black Culture. The now discontinued Vine, made popular by a lot of Black Creatives saw their work recreated and reproduced and media attention given to White creators who copied their work. The rise of TikTok now sees platforms moving to add similar features, Youtube Shorts, Instagram Reels and the discontinued Twitter feature fleets. The question arises again, when do Black Creators gain the level of revenue or residuals from building up a platform that letter gets sold for billions?
*OBSERVATIONS LAUNCHES SPRING 22 COLLECTION
The line which announced its collection earlier in the week led by design Adrian Noir includes Staple Denim Jacket ($250.00), Staple Denim Jeans ($185.00), Tactical Trouser ($250.00), Internal Conflict Hoodie ($180.00), Utility Vest ($175.00) and Messenger Bag ($270.00)
Spring '22 "Psychological Warfare" is now available online at observations.shop
CHLÖE RELEASES NEW SINGLE "TREAT ME"
Chlöe has released her second solo single and video for a new song titled “Treat Me.” The song samples Bubba Sparxxx and the Ying Yang Twinss 2005 hit “Ms. New Booty.”
“Treat Me” is the second single released from Chlöe after stepping out from Chloe x Halle. With this release, Chlöe could be closer to announcing her debut solo project soon. Check out the video below.
SIERGIO ANNOUNCES NEW ALBUM "BEFORE ITS TOO LATE"
After the previous release of single/video of the new single “Take You Out” in January. Sergio announces his third studio album “Before Its Too Late.” The announcement included the album cover and visual preview.
"Before It's Too Late," the third studio album from Siergio, available everywhere on April 29th, 2022. Preorder is available now.
Stay tuned for more updates at siergiowashere.com
Ashanti receives star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame
Ashanti was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. As the plans have been in motion for a while with Ashanti announcing it in 2021 after winning Soul Train’s Lady of Soul honor. With the plan for the star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, Ashanti also discussed the plans of rerecording her debut album Ashanti, as the timing coincided with the 20th Anniversary of its release.
Ashanti was celebrated at a ceremony that featured Tichina Arnold (“Martin,” “The Neighborhood”) and Ja Rule (label mate and collaborator) as guest speakers. Her debut single “Foolish” brought Ashanti to success, following her introduction on Ja Rule’s “Always On Time” and collaborative effort with Fat Joe, “What’s Luv". With the success of these singles, Ashanti debuted with 504,593 units sold in its first week, which scored her a spot in the Guinness Book of World Records as it landed No. 1 on the Billboard Charts as was the most albums sold by any debut female artist in the chart’s history.
To celebrate 20 years in the game, Ashanti also released an NFT collection that dropped which promises to offer a digitized way to own music collectibles such as tour merchandise. With this collection, Ashanti reshot the cover artwork of her debut album.
Hollywood Walk of Fame producer Ana Martinez stated, “Ashanti is an award-winning singer, author, actress and executive producer. She has proven her talent in many different Hollywood industries and is an example for young girls who want to be in the ‘biz.’”
Ashanti’s star can be found at 7060 Hollywood Boulevard.
ELSV PODCAST - EP23: OSCARS, BEYONCÉ, WILL SMITH & THE SLAP
In this episode we discuss The Oscars and the SLAP (reluctantly) because everyone else is talking about it. Are we over it? YES! But I guess we'll dive into what we think about the Slap to Chris Rock face during the Oscars. Also Beyoncé, opening the show. and continuing to be the focal point of opening shows/promoting shows while continuously being snubbed of awards.
New Music - Normani - Fair (and why the standard of needing to dive into Norman's personal life to connect to her musically)
Intro/Outro Music - Kelly Rowland - Ghetto
ELSV Website - https://elsv.net/
Merch - https://elsv.net/shop
Watch On Youtube - https://youtu.be/oPbI1DFCwXk & Join ELSV For The Live Stream
Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/elsv
New Shit Playlist: https://music.apple.com/us/playlist/new-sh-t/pl.u-6mo44kvcWjp8E0
ELSV GAMING CHANNEL - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_pu5IpaoVFGVFR8ZoWO0lQ
TWITCH - https://www.twitch.tv/elsvnate
