The I.$.H. Presents...The Late Night Sessions Mixtape Vol. 1

Every once in a while, I have to give back as thanks for all of the things that are given to me, and with the Christmas spirit still lingering, I figure I have one more gift to give. (I mean some of the best gifts come the day after Christmas anyway...ha).

How many times have you had a hot date coming over and you end up scrambling to make a playlist to set the mood but just can't find the right songs in time before the doorbell rings. Ahhh, thanks to me, you can look no further.

When I am working, as you all should know, I always listen to music to groove to, edit photos and surf the web. During this time, there are certain songs that tend to stick in my head and I may have to repeat them several times.

Back when I used to DJ, this is how I would compile the latest mixtape/mix CD for the people. If I would get enough songs that were what I call "a repeatable", then I would get to working on that new hot ish for the streets.

Even though I don't DJ anymore, it ALWAYS has been about the music. I have such a strong passion for new music, especially new R&B music and usually when I hear my new found favorite joints, I want to share the passion with the people, hence the reason I USED to DJ.

I definitely am an avid believer in movie night, DVD night, or date night etc, which is the perfect time to share your new favorite songs, so my gift to you all is my mixtape "The Late Night Sessions" obviously FOR PROMOTIONAL USE ONLY to get mood right for you and your special "friend".

Download it, unzip and enjoy with your boo...ha!

The I.$.H. Presents...The Late Night Sessions Mixtape, Vol. 1

18 Bonus Hidden Track

*mixtape cover photo courtesy of I Am Lost Photography

LT and Me...the book signing...

Last Friday, thanks again in part with TV Host Eric Edwards & A-List Television show, I had the privilege to cover Ms. Loreane Tomlinson, mother of San Diego Charger Ladainian Tomlinson, new book signing.

In the process of signing books, Ms. Tomlinson also spoke to fans about why she wrote the book and what its like living in San Diego after moving from Texas. Ms. Tomlinson has also partnered up to start a new magazine called San Diego Business Woman that should be released early 2010.

The book signing, and Magazine launch was a great event with catered food, a tequila bar and hosted appetizers in a lavish plush house out in Del Mar. All in All, I would have to say, as always, more fun times for just another Friday night in San Diego.

*photos courtesy of A-List Television Show

Stingaree 4 Year Anniversary

This past Saturday, Stingaree celebrated their 4 Year anniversary in style with a host of big San Diego names making an appearance to show some love. Of course I had to be in the building for this event.

I think secretly, since I have only missed 1 anniversary party, I always hope Kanye will come back. Kanye West hosted the grand opening in Dec of 2005.

Coincidentaly, NYE of that same year I moved to San Diego...I guess I just missed the party. Oh well, maybe next year. Congrats Sting!

*photos courtesy of ISH for J Public Relations

Chargers Love The Kids...

Big Brothers, Big Sisters of San Diego County held an ice skating event at the Gaslamp District's Ice Rink near Horton Plaza. The event paired big brothers/sisters with their "Littles" against other Bigs/littles in an Ice Skating competition.

Santa Claus along with San Diego Chargers Luis Castillo, Darren Sproles, Alfonso Boone and Brandon Siler came out to cheer on the BigBrother/Sister teams as well as took time out for photo-ops and autographs. The event was a great, positive way to pay back to the community, kids and fans.

Thanks to Samantha Lang of Big Brothers, Big Sisters for all your support.

*photos courtesy of ISH for Big Brothers, Big Sisters of San Diego County

Emergency, Man Down...Man Down...

To use or not to use...it's not just a question, its a lifestyle choice. Yesterday, millions of North American Blackberry smartphone (i.e. Crackberry, a powerful, addictive cellular device that gets work done while being mobile) users scrambled for dear life because their best friend/phone was living in a nonfunctional, lifeless state due to the Internet data service temporarily being down.

RIM, manufacturer of Blackberry smartphones, reported a service outage to the whole North America for a period of time. I personally must admit, I'm an avid Crackberry user and with my device being down, I suffered from functional withdrawals.

(Pookie voice from New Jack City) It's bad man, I needed my Crackberry man...it just keeps calling me.

Now, some of you may say, I don't get what's so big about this device that makes people freak out, but I want to point out a very important issue while throwing a SSD flag as well!

First, ALL phones, ALL phone carriers and ALL technology comes with service issues from time to time so before you iphone users start jumping for joy and other "trendy-following, use-a blackberry-because-its-cool-users" start switching to other phones, I want to say PUMP YOUR BREAKS!

*sidenote, To be honest, the Iphone can never truly be "superior" to Blackberry until it does a few things which I will get to.

Ok, so why are these crackberry junkies going nuts for their device? Blackberry has superior functionality because it manages a lifestyle, network or business with the touch a few buttons all while being mobile. Sort of a computer on the go without having to lug your laptop around.

Yes, Iphone has a world of great apps, but the fact remains and will ALWAYS remain that until Iphone is able to be used on ALL cell phone carriers and offers a physical keyboard it can never be superior. Blackberry delivers the consumer an array of options such as a physical keyboard, touchscreen, and the option to choose a device on all major cell phone carriers. Choice is always superior to limitation.

Like I said, it comes down to superior marketing vs. superior product. I'm sure there are fair weather friends that switched to different devices during the RIM outage, but do you really think RIM will go out of business soon?

No, because RIM has a superior product. Of course Apple won't stop selling Iphones either because they have a superior marketing team.

In the end, you personally have to find the phone that works best for you. And that is not selling dreams but realizing the truth. For I$H, I despise ATT as a service and I HATE touchscreens so the choice is obvious, its crackberry for life!

Soldier Of Love

It's Tuesday which means new music is released, but I have something even more interesting than current artists' new music being released.

Last week, I discussed how Sade will release a new album on Feb 8, 2010. Well today is December 8, 2009. This is an epic event, yes I said it.

Why is today an epic event? Because the album cover and title track to Sade's new CD have both officially been released to the world and Sade has not released new material in 10 years, so you will have to forgive me for being excited.

Soldier Of Love is my "I'm Focused" song for today because I feel everyone should be a soldier of war.

When you deal with love, sometimes you become wounded, but you have to get back in the fight because love is needed to survive whether its through intimatcy with a mate, with friends or with your family.

Anyway, without further delay here is the video for...

Sade - Soldier Of Love

Chris Jones Birthday Party

Ridiculous Entertainment CEO and my friend/business partner, Chris Jones, celebrated his birthday in style this past weekend featuring live performances by recording artists Tommy Redding and Rio, along with a host of others. I know right now you may not know who some of these names are, but with time I'm positive that you will.

Chris Jones is the co-founder of SSD, and also the founder of the Ridiculous Entertainment Record label, so you will be hearing more about these up and coming artists on this site from time to time.

Chris Jones Birthday Party Pics HERE...

Rihanna & Shy Ronnie...

Rihanna made her SNL debut this past Saturday doing a skit with Adam Sandberg. I don't know who is making Sandberg's beats but they are hot!

First, Sandberg scored the infamous sketch-turned-hit, I'm On A Boat with T-Pain and now Shy Ronnie with Rihanna. Hopefully Kanye or someone can get on the remix, but either way its a pretty funny, cool song. Oh well, check it out.

Rihanna & Shy Ronnie - Fire & Ice

*video courtesy of http://www.hulu.com/

*Adam Sandberg photo courtesy of ISH for http://www.mavrixphoto.com/

Movember Means Awareness...

November is known for a lot of things including a few national holidays such as Veteran's Day, my birthday, Thanksgiving, and of course #scorpioseason.

But what you may not know is November is also known to some as Movember, an annual, month-long celebration of the moustache, highlighting men’s health issues, specifically prostate and testicular cancer.

Men all around the world start growing moustaches to raise money for men's health awareness. At the end of the month each city holds a party where men style their moustaches to replicate their favorite moustached film/TV character.

Movember Madness At Bondi Photos Here...

More Photos courtesy of BoogieNightsEvents.com

Flaunt Fridays w/ Svedka Bar

Flaunt Friday returns with a special hosted Svedka Vodka bar and photobooth for the evening. VIP's that RSVP'd for the event had a chance to take some sample shots of Svedka Vodka and then take some photos in the Svedka Photo Booth. All in all, it was a trade off of "Shots for a shot" to top off the fun-filled night.

Flaunt Fridays hosted by Svedka Vodka photos HERE...

Dreams Come True...

Have you ever wondered why your favorite artists have never collaborated? A lot of times it can be ego, record label politics or just something as simple as a scheduling conflict.

All of my life, my passion has been music and art. I love music. Its undeniable...

...And as much as I would want certain collabs such as NaS and T.I. (Topless, thanks Dr. Dre.), Jay-Z and 50 Cent (thanks to Reebok for that one) and Sade with Pharell's production skills (By My Side Remix) wait...oh wow, come to think about it, I guess dreams can come true.

I'm sure you all know by now, for me it's official. I love Beyonce, I love Alicia Keys, I love music and I am proud to finally say, the collaboration has happened.

Alicia Keys and Beyonce appear together on a new track called Put It In A Love Song from Alicia Keys' new album appropriately titled, The Element Of Freedom.

With egos aside, conflicts put to rest, and just the freedom of expression left, not to mention in a business driven industry, for once it is all about the actual music, talent, and raw passion rather than the business side.

Thanks to Alicia Keys and Beyonce, this is a great time for art because the art form categorized as music is delivered in its authentic form as it was intended to be.

Thank you to Queen B & A. Keys...

Put It In A Love Song

p.s. This is my "I'm Focused" Song for today because its starting to get cold and everyone needs a DVD buddy...ha ha ha...