Mya Releases a New Video for "Mr. Incredible"

 Mya has always been one of my favorite R&B singers. She was featured in a previous post (5 Female Artist You Need On Your Ipod) and I have been a dedicated fan since her debut album in 1998.

Her 2012 album, K.I.S.S., was largely underrated and stays in my rotation. She finally released a retro-inspired visual for my favorite song on the album, "Mr. Incredible". Could this mean there is a 2013 album on the horizon??

Check it out here and let me know YOUR thoughts on the video:

-T. Amour

Jhene Aiko's "Wrap Me Up"

Happy Friday!

Here's the latest joint from Jhene Aiko. As usual, she combines her smooth, soothing vocals over a unique beat. Jhené brings male vocalist James Fauntelroy along for the ride on this sweet, serene journey.

Check it out here!!

This is a perfect song for the winter season! Her debut album, Souled Out, is due in early 2013.


-T. Amour

Merry Christmas!!!

T. Amour wishes each and every one of you a very Merry Christmas!!

Enjoy your family, friends, life, and this tune by TLC!! New blog posts coming up this week!!

With Love,

-T. Amour

5 Songs to Get You In the Mood for Christmas

Hi everyone and Merry Christmas Eve to those who celebrate!

If you are anything like me, the Christmas spirit doesn't hit you until the last minute (like when you wake up on Christmas Day). For me, once I graduated and no longer had Christmas breaks or parties to look forward to, the season lost its luster in my eyes.

Sometimes, life sucks. Many of us find ourselves missing loved ones during this time or year. Or, maybe we are depressed because we can't afford to get as many presents for our family and friends as we would like. Instead of focusing on what we lack, let's make a deal this year to appreciate all we do have and the people that are around us right now. Deal? I am sure your presence is worth more than presents to those who love and care about you.

Now, here are 5 songs to get you in the mood for Christmas. As always, there are many more but these songs are a great start!

And, for those who are celebrating Kwanzaa this week, Happy Kwanzaa!

1) Donny Hathaway - "This Christmas"

Many have tried, but no one has been able to sing this song like Donny.

2) Mariah Carey - "All I Want for Christmas"

Bring on the ridiculously happy feelings...

3) The Temptations - "Silent Night"

There is no Christmas without this song. Point. Blank. Period.

4) Kenny G - "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas"

Great instrumental!

5) Run DMC "Christmas in Hollis"

For all the classic hip-hop fans out here, this is a 1987 classic.

What are some of your favorite Christmas tunes? Comment below!

With Love,

-T. Amour

Trey Songz: The Chapter V Tour Charlotte NC

Happy Sunday!

I attended the Chapter V tour on Friday, December 14th in Charlotte, NC. As a fan since his 2005 debut (freshman year of college...good times), I have been to several shows and watched him grow as an artist and performer. I blog about Trey often ( See Chapter V review and 5 Great Songs by Songz) and wanted to do VIP, but couldn't due to recent events.

Like the album, the Chapter V tour was a grand experience. Since his Anticipation 2our, he has added backup dancers, singers, and sax/trumpet player to elevate his performances to another level. Trey brought R&B crooner Miguel and rising soul singer Elle Varner on board to prove that the essence of R&B still exists.

Here is a breakdown of what happened at the concert. For those who have not attended yet and plan to, I will try not to give away too many details.

Elle Varner - The show started immediately with Elle Varner. Elle looked and sounded ABSOLUTELY wonderful! I love how she has an old-school tinge to her voice, yet her music is heavily embedded with hip-hop undertones. To my chagrin, she only performed about a couple of songs, including her hits "Only Wanna Give It to You" and "Refill". However, she did a rousing version of my favorite single on Perfectly Imperfect   entitled "Not Tonight". Great band and a pretty kick-ass dude beatboxing.

Miguel - This was only my 2nd time seeing Miguel in concert. The last time was in December 2010 when he was an opening act for Usher during his wildly successful OMG tour. Of course, Trey Songz was also in the building. He was a new artist with only one single and an underrated album under his belt. I was familiar with the songs and enjoyed his performance, but he was largely overlooked by most of the audience. On this tour, Miguel brought his A++ game. All decked out in a fly leather jacket and slim dress pants, he put on one hell of a show, performing his smash hit "Adorn" as well as a couple of songs from his latest CD Kaleidoscope Dreams. The highlight of his set was when he took a moment to acknowledge the horrific tragedy that took place earlier in the day. Miguel poured his heart into singing "Candles in the Sun" as a tribute to the Sandy Hook victims. I cried :(

Trey Songz- Trey was Trey. His set started off with a musical timeline reflecting on his biggest hits. As all the fans reminsced and anxiously awaited his arrival, Chapter V logos flashed across the screen. Once Trey emerged, the energy and excitement was non-stop. The concert participant was pulled through a bevy of emotions as Trey Songz took us to the club, bedroom, and the joys and pains of love. Recently, he has been struggling with sickness, yet it was barely evident as his gave his all on stage. I have three personal favorite moments:

1) "One Love" - Trey performed this song in honor of the fallen victims from Sandy Hook Elementary School. His pure emotion touched everyone present and many were hugging and in tears. Beautiful song, beautiful vocals, and a beautiful moment I will never forget.

2) "Fumble" - I love this song in ways I cannot begin to describe. I recorded this song until my camera met its demise. Since so many arms and cell phones were in my way (I'm 5'3), I turned to the jumbo screen. Forgive my shaky camera work, I was just as excited as the people around me lol

3) The girl with the halo - Before Trey came on stage, I noticed a girl in the upper level section with all white on and a halo. She was so cute and appeared to be young, but she was no doubt a Trey's Angel. At the end of all his shows, he always brings the house lights up and recognizes a few people in the crowd. He glanced over at her section and shouted her out. To her surprise, he asked her to come on stage. Once she arrived, he gave her a Chapter V gold necklace, a kiss on the cheek, and hugged her as the crowd cheered her on. I later saw her in the hallway with her friends and a HUGE smile on her face.

The tour was great!! Can't wait until next time...maybe I will be on tour with Trey as a writer/blogger to capture his city-to-city experiences :) We can all dream, right??

-T. Amour

Classic Poetry

I love this excerpt of John Donne's "The Bait". Donne was a poet and satirist who lived many, many moons ago (late 1500s-early 1600s). The whole poem is beautiful, but this is my favorite stanza.

For any movie lovers out there who recognize it, this excerpt was recited in the 1994 film Jason's Lyric.

"Come live with me, and be my love,
And we will some new pleasures prove
Of golden sands and crystal brooks,
With silken lines and silver hooks."

I hope your Tuesday was terrific.

-T. Amour

SHE DID THAT! Tamar Braxton's "Love and War"

The day has finally come! The youngest of the Braxton clan, Tamar, has released her long-awaited single, "Love and War" and I am loving it!

For those who don't know her, she is the flamboyant sister of Toni Braxton, who was one of the hugest stars of the 90s. She released a debut album entitled Tamar in 2000 to little fanfare (although it is an excellent album). Her recent rise to fame came on the reality show, Braxton Family Values, and her position as an instant fan fave led to her own show, Tamar & Vince, alongside her husband Vincent Herbert (a record producer and songwriter who brought Lady Gaga to fame).

With this single, Tamar proves she is her own artist and a new formidable force in the R&B world.

Check it out!

Love ya Tamar!

-T. Amour

Jhené Aiko's Releases New Video for "Mirrors"

Jhené Aiko (whom you all know is a favorite of mine) released a stellar visual for her song "Mirrors". As usual, Ms. Aiko brings an incredible level of depth and artistry to this song!

I cannot wait to see what 2013 has in store for her!

*All rights reserved to the owner of this video*

I hope your Wednesday was wonderful.

-T. Amour

Happy Birthday Jay-Z

Today is Jay-Z's 43rd birthday! Jay-Z (born Shawn Carter) is one of the true legends in the rap game with more than 10 successful albums under his belt, iconic songs, a net worth of nearly $500 million, and a beautiful wife named Beyonce.



Jay-Z is an incredible rapper, entrepreneur, and record producer who has inspired many of today's artists to pick up a mic and drop bars. 16 years after his solo debut, the classic Reasonable Doubt, Jay-Z is still a prominent force in rap culture and his career truly proves that there are NO limits to success!

One of my favorite Jay-Z albums is The Black Album (2003). I was 16 years old and this was the first CD I played in the whip when my mom finally gave me her 1998 Mitsubishi Eclipse. Every time I hear a track from this album, a good memory comes to mind.

Cheers to you Shawn Carter! Check out a clip of "Public Service Announcement" from The Black Album

Happy Birthday Jay,

-T. Amour