Happy Birthday to Beyoncé! Listen to the B-Day episode on “The As-I-Amber Podcast” on Spotify and Apple Podcasts!
I finally finished The Beyoncé Bracket. I didn’t create this game. I just found it on social media and filled it out. As a member of The Beyhive, 🐝 I found this bracket’s song selections were kind of difficult to choose from, and certain songs on the bracket are better performed live in concert versus just listening to in your headphones.
There is also different energy on stage when Beyoncè is performing on tour alone versus performing with Jay-Z. I’ve also provided a blank copy of the bracket, so you all can play too. Click the link below to listen to my favorite songs on my Beyoncé Playlist on Spotify and click here for the Beyoncé Playlist on Apple Music and here for the playlist on Tidal.
This bracket game is similar to the NCAA March Madness Basketball Tournament bracket instead of teams it’s songs. Out of the categories given you pick the song out of the two that you like more and that song advances to another round with other songs. Kind of like 2 basketball teams play a game and the winner moves on to the next level game and competes with other teams. It’s fun! Let’s play!
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.
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
Aaliyah, Brandy, and Monica albums are still in heavy rotation years later. It is still crazy because they were teenage solo stars making hits competing with grown folks on the R&B charts and their influence is still felt.
Check out the Spotify playlist below.
We hear the growth, maturity, and development in their voices and lyrical content. Check out the playlist consisting of all 3’s first 3 albums. Click here for Apple Musicand Click here for Tidal
The annual One Music Fest was held on October 8-9, 2022 in downtown Atlanta. I really enjoyed myself. This was my fifth time attending.
The As-I-Amber YouTube Channel #OneMusicFest review.
It’s like Coachella meets Soul Train because the focus is primarily Hip Hop and R&B/Soul artists. Check out www.OneMusicFest.com for more info.
Ms. Lauryn Hill
This year’s headliner was Lauryn Hill and Jazmine Sullivan and a plethora of other artists on various stages such as DVSN, Ja Rule, Ashanti, Tank & The Bangas, Sean Paul, City Girls, Jeezy, Gucci Mane, Saucy Santana, Alex Isley, Lupe Fiasco and Chloe.
DVSN performing.
There were also food trucks, other vendors, sponsor tents, and cool backdrops for selfies. There was even an outdoor Roller Skating rink set up to skate if you desired.
Skating areaTank and The Bangas
My favorite performances were from Lauryn Hill, Tye Tribbett, Sevyn Streeter, Alex Isley, and Jazmine Sullivan, and when The City Girls brought out surprise guest, Usher, to perform their latest single “Good Love”.
Usher & Yung Miami/Caresha from City Girls.
During Lauryn Hill’s performance of the song “To Zion” her son Zion came out on stage with his children too. It was beautiful. Lauryn Hill is a grandma yall! Wow.
Lauryn Hill’s son Zion and his children too.
Also, Jazmine Sullivan her background singers were phenomenal and Jazmine even opened up about her personal life. She shared that her mother is battling cancer right now and to comfort her everyone in the audience cheered for Jazmine’s mother by saying “We Love You.”
Jazmine Sullivan and her background singers.
Singer-songwriter, Sevyn Streeter, also put on a great performance and she and her background dancers looked great in orange.
Sevyn Streeter & her dancers!
Tye Tribbett’s high-energy Gospel performance was amazing too and really ushered in the presence of God.
Type Tribbett
BET’s Original 106 & Park hosts, Free & AJ, were hosts on one of the stages too.
I even got to meet singer-songwriter, Alex Isley. She was walking around after her performance and I walked up to her and asked for a photo. She was so kind and smelled good too. The funny thing is just a few weeks ago I wrote about her for Magnetic Magazine, (click to read)and then boom I met her!
Singer-songwriter, Alex Isley, and I.
There were thousands of people at the event and even Stacey Abrams’s campaign was there promoting others in Georgia to register to vote.
I felt as if I got my money’s worth seeing so many artists at the two-day event. Overall I enjoyed myself at One Music Fest and if you are a fan of R&B/Soul and Hip Hop I highly recommend going!
My friend Yasmine and I at #OneMusicFest
The As-I-Amber Podcast on Spotify and Apple Podcasts and other platforms.
Aaliyah, Brandy, and Monica albums are still in heavy rotation years later. It is still crazy because they were teenage solo stars making hits competing with grown folks on the R&B charts and their influence is still felt.
Check out the Spotify playlist below.
We hear the growth, maturity, and development in their voices and lyrical content. Check out the playlist consisting of all 3’s first 3 albums. Click here for Apple Music and Click here for Tidal
The As-I-Amber Podcast & Blog 