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My Favorite Halftime Performances!

Super Bowl 58 is coming up on Sunday, February 11, 2024 at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas. The Kansas City Chiefs and San Franciso 49ers will be playing against each other, but as a music and pop culture lover I am more excited about the half-time show! This year’s halftime performer is Usher (playlist here), so this should be exciting! It got me thinking about previous halftime performances and here are my Top 7.

Prince’s 2007 Halftime performance! He was literally playing “Purple Rain” as it just so happened to literally be raining! Click here to watch the performance.

Photo from Google Images

Michael Jackson’s Halftime performance back in 1993 circa the Dangerous album era. It really was a mini concert from the King of Pop. People were passing out at the sight of MJ! Click here to watch on YouTube.

Photo from Google Images

Janet Jackson’s Halftime performance back in 2004. Despite the infamous wardrobe malfunction Ms. Jackson and her dancers hit every 8-count. Click here to watch on YouTube.

Photo from Google Images

Beyoncé, Bruno Mars, and Coldplay got in “formation” during the 2016 halftime show. Click here to watch.

Photo from Google Images

Beyoncé and Destiny’s Child reunited for the 2013 halftime show and literally shut it down! The lights in the arena went out after the epic performance causing a 33 minute blackout. Click here to watch!

Photo from Google Images

The Super Bowl 2022 halftime show was epic! I enjoyed it and the set design was awesome as well as the performances! It was a nice surprise to see Anderson.Paak on the drums and 50 cent make an appearance. Mary J.’s thigh high boots were everything and Kendrick and Eminem, Dr.Dre, and Snoop Dogg were great too! Click here to watch!

Photo from Google Images

Last but certainly not least Rihanna’s 2023 Halftime Performance. She came down from the ceiling pregnant belly and all and still performed! Click here to watch.

I am excited about the 2024 Halftime Show where Usher will perform! I know it’s gonna be everything!!!! I can’t wait. Also, there’s rumors that Usher will be going on tour! If so will you be going?

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That time I met Ms. Susan L. Taylor.

Happy Birthday to the legendary Ms. Susan L. Taylor. Years ago I had the opportunity to meet the former editor-in-chief of ESSENCE magazine, Susan L. Taylor, at my alma mater, Fort Valley State University. She was so kind and spoke about the importance of mentoring and taking care of  your mind, body, and soul. The other day I was going through some old emails and stumbled across the notes I wrote down years ago when she spoke and I felt like sharing them with you all because they are still relevant today.

  • Sometimes you have to shut up and listen.
  • When you wake up in the morning smile and thank God.
  • Be a lifelong learner. College is about exploring.
  • Be personal and write handwritten thank you notes. Call people and remember birthdays.
  • Be kind to your parents.
  • Fire your inner critic who says what people say.
  • Know how to accept constructive criticism that can help you, not knock you down.
  • Read more books and expand your vocabulary.
  • Watch the company you keep.
  • Learn how to be your own best friend.
  • Your body is a temple: Before you sleep with someone think about them being stuck in your life forever.
  • Someone should love you for who you are.
  • Have a ten minute quiet time. (NO computer, NO music, NO phone)
  • Life is change don’t be an empty vessel.
  • If you do not know your history, you do not know who you are.
  • People judge you on your grammar and speech.
  • Elders need to know when to let young generations take reign.
  • The song “Lift Every Voice and Sing” is a powerful song with meaning and paved the way for us now. Lets not take it for granted.
  • Everyone is not a Christian or your religion, have tolerance.
  • Anything that is known is knowable.
  • You are a divine original and have a unique life.
  • Everything in magazines and pictures are edited and Photoshopped.
  • Celebrities and models have flaws and problems..
  • Exercise 20 minutes a day, be healthy, not necessarily a certain body size.]
  • Love Yourself first.
  • Have walk on water faith.
  • Mentor to young children in your community and help them with their reading skills.
  • Sometimes you can physically be here, but mentally elsewhere, so take one thing at a time.
  • Every time you are drunk or high you are eroding brain cells.
  • Know who you are and dream big.
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Chill Mix II

This RnB Chill Mix Playlist featuring a variety of newer and older artists is also available below on Spotify; on Apple Music (click here) and on Tidal (click here).

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Usher

Some people on Twitter started a debate about which R&B singer is better? Chris Brown or Usher? In my opinion vocally Usher is the winner! He’s been a star since he was a teenager in the 90’s til now in 2021. Usher performed on stage with Michael Jackson and helped pave the way for other male R&B stars like Chris Brown. I think Chris Brown is a great performer and dancer, but recently I haven’t heard him sing without auto tune. Also, Usher does not have an abuse track record. Anywhoo, Longevity, dance moves, and good music clearly makes Mr. Usher Raymond the winner! Click the link below to hear the Usher Playlist on Spotify and click here for Apple Music and here for Tidal.

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Travel and Concert Ticket Tips

I still daydream about being in Greece and 🏊🏾‍♀️ swimming in the Mediterranean Sea, eating authentic gyros, and seeing history. I feel blessed to have had these experiences and want to share some travel tips. **FYI- Some of these tips were applicable before the 2020 pandemic.

Santorini, Greece Summer 2016
Travel and Concert Tips on my YouTube Channel
  • Have an open mind and be open to trying new foods and experiences.
    • Ask, research, and Google various legitimate travel groups and payment plan programs where you can pay 💰 for your trip in installments.
  • For concerts sign up to your favorite artists fan club website or use certain entertainment credit cards because they usually offer presale codes or preferred seating.
  • If you travel within the U.S. frequently invest in TSA pre-check, so you can skip and don’t have to stand in the lines as long as others. It’s $85, but last five years.
    • Get a passport from your local post office at least 3 months before your trip. If you already have one make sure it’s not close to expiring because you may need to renew it.
    • Understand the culture and customs and laws of the place you’re traveling to. What you can do in the USA you may not be able to do in whatever country and what’s considered “normal” in the USA may be “abnormal” overseas and vice-versa.
    • Get a visa depending on what country you’re traveling to.
    • Know where the U.S. Embassy is and sign up for their alerts etc.
    • Google or watch YouTube videos of common phrases, courtesy, and sayings in the country.
    • If you’re in college go to your foreign language department or ask about study abroad programs and scholarship requirements.
    • Have an up to date shot/vaccination record.
    • For safety purposes do NOT post your exact location on social media until AFTER you get back.
    • Travel off season. If somewhere is crowded or more expensive in the summer try going during another part of the year.
    • Call your bank and credit card provider to let them know you’ll be out of the country.
    • Call your cell phone company to establish an international phone plan.
  • For more information click here to listen to “The As-I-Amber Podcast” on Spotify and Apple Podcasts by clicking here.
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Whitney Houston: We Will Always Love You!

Whitney Houston’s self-titled debut album from 1985 is still a classic. Whitney’s voice was everything! It has been 10 years since the singer-actress passed away. Whitney didn’t have to distract audiences with flamboyant sets, dance routines, and costumes she just sang. It’s very rare that a performer can just rely on vocals and personality to emotionally captivate an audience in song and film. Whitney, like lots of other people had her share of struggles, just displayed on camera. It’s bittersweet, because she was on a comeback. However, Whitney’s legacy will most definitely be her vocal range and ability to sing every genre from Gospel to Pop. People forget that “I Will Always Love You” was a country song, written and originally performed by country star, Dolly Parton and “I’m Every Woman” was originally performed by R&B diva, Chaka Khan .Whitney paid respect to other female vocalists, but her version of the song is what people of a certain age usually think of first. I will always remember where I was when I found out about the deaths of Michael Jackson, Aaliyah, and now Whitney Houston. I remember being at a college basketball game and everyone started looking at their phones thinking it was a cruel internet joke, but it wasn’t. I remember going to my dorm room and crying on the phone to my momma and watching CNN and going on YouTube to listen to her musical catalog.

Whitney’s debut on vinyl from my Daddy’s vinyl record collection.

When I was little my mother use to play Whitney’s music on cassette tape in the car all the time! I think their impact is different for various people, but I grew up listening to their music, singing their music around the house, and watching them on award shows and movies in the 90s. For young black girls growing up in the 90s, we didn’t have “Princess and the Frog”. “Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella”; starring Brandy as Cinderella and Whitney Houston as “ The Fairy Godmother” was a “big deal”! Whitney Houston paved the way for other solo artists like Brandy, Beyoncé, Mariah Carey, and Monica. There will never be another “Whitney Houston”, she will be forever missed by her family, friends, and fans.

Check out Singer Jade Novah’s Tribute. – Click here

Apple Music Playlist Click here:

Spotify Playlist below.