Jay Z & Beyoncé - RUN (Trailer)

Roc Nation & Parkwood Entertainment Present: "RUN"

Directed by Melina Matsoukas.

Starring Sean Penn, Don Cheadle, Guillermo Díaz, Emmy Rossum, Jake Gyllenhaal, Blake Lively, Rashida Jones, Kidada Jones, JAY Z, Beyoncé.

Now this is News. Jay Z and Beyonce making a movie together. It's probably just a trailer for their video "On The Run" rather than an actual full length feature film.

Either way, if its anything like Streets Is Watching, count me in.

Beyonce - Bow Down/I Been On [New Music]

Beyonce is back with a new track.  I guess sometimes you have to let people know how you feel.

A Hater's Job Is Never Finished...

I believe the saying goes, if you truly have "haters" then you are doing something right. I really feel this statement to be true because even though people will "talk" regardless of what you do, if you are on your grind people will almost always have something to say.

*sidenote: As a kid growing up, when I would do something wrong and started crying, before my mother would do anything else she would say "why are you crying, if you keep crying, I will give you something to cry about" meaning an old school disciplinary whooping. Believe me, I would shape up after that avoiding any further action from happening.

With that in mind, to this day I say if people are going to cry, speak or talk good or bad about you why not give them something to actually talk about.

For years, I have heard people say Beyonce can't sing and she's not talented and she is this and that...you know, people "talking". Well, I don't know what you think about her, but this behind the scenes rehearsal video with no mic or sound effects should shut a few mouths for the time being.

I know, I know... people will still have something to say. Oh well, we should all take a lesson from Bey and keep it moving while not letting any hater stop progress.

s/o to www.MTV.com for the video.

View BTS Rehearsal Video Here.

Fuse: Beyonce Takeover

After talking to different people, depending on what side you are on, it seems certain people have mixed feelings about Christopher "Columbus Day" and what it really stands for.

I guess I could go into the history of this particular day and the person its dedicated to, after all this site is definitely prone to the raising awareness of those potentially perpetuating false reality a.k.a. selling dreams, but today I want to remain positive and focus on motivation.

Instead of dwelling on a subject matter that will definitely divide people, I want to recognize that Fuse is having an all day marathon for Beyonce. You know, the R&B/Pop Diva I have loved since 1997!?

What's funny is some of you may even mixed feelings about her. Oh well you can't please everyone. But I say, use this day to be positive and accomplish some goals or go out and do something you've been meaning to do for a while.

And anyway, this is motivation for me because I would think every artist, business person and activist would want to have their own "day". Why not start working on that today?

Jay Z and Eminem- Home and Home Tour 2010 - Yankee Stadium

September 14, 2010 is a day that I will forever remember. I took the 2am Fung Wah Bus from Boston to NYC and arrived at 5:50 am in Manhattan, got off the bus and took the subway straight to Brooklyn to meet up with my high school buddy who now lives 3 blocks from where The Notorious BIG grew up.

After breakfast and a trip to Times Square, we headed back to his pad to get ready for the concert of a lifetime, the show that some hip hop heads have already deemed “our generation’s Woodstock,” it was the conclusion of Jay Z and Eminem’s Home and Home Tour at the new Yankee Stadium.

Walking up to the stadium, I could already sense the excitement amongst fans as they ushered into the venue. Two of hip hop’s most accomplished artists were about to ignite the stage, both of them Grammy award winners and Billboard Kings, not to mention the rumor that both had a few tricks up their sleeves, mainly superstar guest appearances.

The stage was massive and the stadium was sold out for the evening, scalpers were offering up to $300 for upper deck tickets right before show time.

Once the crowd settled in, Eminem’s set began with a recap of the past few years of his life in words across the Yankee Stadium screens. Recently he’s overcome a tumultuous battle with drug addiction and had a hard time coping with the murder of his best friend Proof.

His demons eventually led him to the brink of suicide and right as he hit rock bottom, he bounced back up with last year’s release “Relapse,” which was received with much commercial success but garnered harsh critical ridicule amongst both fans and music critics.

Oddly enough in “Talkin’ to Myself,” a track off of Eminem’s groundbreaking smash hit of the year, “Recovery,” he touches on the subject directly:

“Them last two albums didn’t count /Encore I was on drugs/ Relapse I was flushing them out/ I’ve come to make it up to you/ Now no more f&^king around/ I’ve got something to prove to fans cuz it feels like I let em’ down/ So please accept my apology/ I finally feel like I’m back to normal/ I feel like me again……”

Indeed, Eminem did make it up to fans this year with “Recovery,” and after his short story was told on the screens, he stormed the stage for the first song of the night “Won’t Back Down,” with his traditional hoodie nearly covering his eyes as he hit every lyric on point and looked as agile as he has in years during a live performance, bouncing back and forth across the stage.

After a few tracks off “Recovery,” including “No Love” featuring currently incarcerated rap star Lil Wayne, which prompted the sold out crowd to chant “Free Weezy,” Em brought up and coming artist B.O.B on stage to perform their hit single of the summer “Airplanes Pt. 2.”

Following the first guest appearance, Slim returned to the stage and did a few more classics including the chilling “Stan,”” the award winning song that really branched his music far beyond hip hop as he performed it with Elton John live at the Grammy Awards.

Suddenly a huge roar could be heard from the Yankee Stadium crowd as Queens’ native 50 Cent took the stage. 50 received a very warm reception as he performed “Patiently Waiting” with Eminem, his most memorable hit “In Da Club,” and later had the lights cut out in the stadium and was joined by Tony Yayo and Lloyd Banks of G- Unit as they donned glow in the dark outfits and performed “I Get Money,” arguably the most notable performance of the night so far.

That was until Dr. Dre made his way onto the stage and I thought a bomb had gone off in the stadium the crowed roared so damn loud upon his introduction.

Dre came out to perform “Still D.R.E” and then went into “Nothin’ But A G Thang,” with Eminem filling in admirably for Snoop Dogg’s verses.

Following Dre’s exit, Eminem went into current hits off “Recovery,” including a captivating performance of “Love The Way You Lie” (minus Rihanna) before going into old school hits “The Real Slim Shady” and “Without Me,” which about 80% of the crowd tried to rap back to him, bar for bar.

The lights dimmed and Eminem took a few emotional minutes to personally thank his fans for continuing to support him during the past few years of his life changing experiences.

He admitted that he was wrong in so many ways and never wanted to find himself in such a rough place again before the chorus for “Not Afraid” began echoing in and his best performance of the night began.

The whole stadium was rapping along with him as he confessed his sins in the hit song and reminded them that:

“It was my decision to get clean/I did it for me/Admittedly, I probably did it subliminally for you/So I could come back a brand new me/You helped see me through/and don’t even realize what you did/ Believe me you/I been through the ringer/But there’s little they can do to the middle finger/ I got a tear in my eye/I feel like the King of …my world/Haters can make like bees with no stingers and drop dead.”

“Not Afraid” live at Yankee Stadium sent chills down my spine, Em delivered every verse flawlessly and the live band backing him had him dancing across the stage after his final verse, for the first time during a live performance in years, Marshall Mathers looked like he was at peace. Eminem thanked the fans one more time and exited the stage.

However, the crowd wasn’t going to let him get off that easy.

Chants of “Slim,” “Em,” “Marshall,” and of course “E-MI-NEM,” ripped through the sold out crowd, the lights came back on and the superstar delivered his Oscar Winning song from the film “8 Mile” “Lose Yourself.” The fans went wild and I even jumped out of my seat to give him a round of applause.

A short firework show followed his exit, the lights went dim, and on a chilly night in the Bronx thousands began anticipating the entrance of the King of New York.

A strobe light shot down onto the stage as Jay Z rose from below gripping the mic and the thousands of fans in attendance began chanting “HOVA” at the top of their lungs as Brooklyn’s beloved emcee began his opening number, The Intro track from his “The Dynasty: Roc La Familia” album.

After the freestyle, he began a current one in which he rapped:

“Break a record in this b&^ch, HOV/ Hit them with that BALCO.”

Undoubtedly, Jay Z and Eminem were already breaking records with the tour, all four shows had sold out shortly after they went on sale months ago, the previous night’s show was the first ever concert at the new Yankee Stadium, and tonight was the grand finale, which in hip hop slang “would put up MJ Numbers.”

Jay Z knew what was at stake and what he was about to deliver was the most epic performance I’ve ever witnessed live.

After the opening tracks, Jay went into “Run This Town,” flashing strobe lights were everywhere, cameras snapped pictures, and Jay had the crowd do their best impersonation of Rihanna on the chorus before Kanye West ran onto the stage decked out in a bright red suit with gold chains and viciously delivered his closing verse to the hit single off of Jay’s “Blueprint 3” album. Kanye and Jay did a mini-set together as they performed their new hits “Monster,” and the remix to Kanye’s single “Power.”

After the duo mesmerized the fans in attendance, Jay took time for an interlude and spoke about meeting a legend the day before. Apparently, Jay ran across hip hop pioneer Kool Herc the day before and invited Herc to join him at Yankee Stadium for tonight’s concert.

Hova had the crowd give Herc a standing ovation and thanked the hip hop legend for his impact:

“We wouldn’t be here without you.”

After the acknowledgment of Herc’s presence, Kanye jumped into “Good Life,” the most colorful set of the night, as West rapped and the screens on the stage lit up like a carnival. Following Ye’s exit from the stage, Jay brought out legendary producer Swizz Beatz for Hova’s hit “On To The Next One,” before bringing out Slim Shady for their verbal spar “Renegade,” which was released on Hova’s original “Blueprint” album.

After the duo’s performance, Eminem embraced Jay Z and thanked him for the tour, with Jay responding that the feeling was mutual, then Em turned to the fans and once again thanked them for coming out, he was so emotional I thought he was going to shed a tear upon his exit.

The show continued with Jay performing a new single ft. Rick Ross, who was mia for the set, entitled “Free Mason,” in which Jay strikes back at those who believe he is involved with Freemasonry:

“I told you I’m amazin’/ Not that I’m a Mason!”

Jay rapped during the set, which included Christianity symbols portrayed on the screens. Shortly after, up and coming rap superstar Drake joined Jigga on stage for their song “Light Up,” which both emcees breezed through smoothly and Drake donned a Yankee fitted to pay respects to the city he was in.

However, Drake’s performance of “Up All Night,” ft. Nicki Minaj, who joined him on stage, was a little bit rough as he seemed to slip up on a few lines, but most of the fans didn’t even notice (guess I’m just pickyJ)

During his 90 minute set Jay also paid respects to a few of hip hop’s fallen soldiers as he rapped Pimp C’s verse acapella off of “Big Pimpin’” and demanded that the DJ play Notorious BIG’s hits “Juicy,” and “One More Chance,” as he instructed the crowd to rap the lyrics.

Images of New York City began to flash across the screens and the Yankee symbol down on the field was illuminated as the beat kicked in for “Empire State of Mind,” fans raised their cell phone screens and lighters, making the stadium look as if one big light show was going on.

Screams of “BROOKLYN!” “HARLEM!” “QUEENS!” “SOUTH BRONX!” “STATEN SON!” “YONKERS!” “EAST BK!” and of course, my sole “WESTCOAST!” filtered through the stadium as Jay rapped about the city that made him who he is today and dropped his now famous line:

“S%^t I made the Yankee hat more famous than a Yankee can.”

However, by far the most captivating song of the night was when Jigga brought out his “wifey” Beyonce to sing the chorus for “Young Forever,” jaws were dropping all around the stadium upon the entrance of the beautiful pop Queen.

Just like in real life, they made a perfect combination on stage, leaving me to believe that true love just might still exist in today’s society.

Beyonce exited the stage and Jigga began to perform “Thank You,” before stopping halfway through and jumping into “Encore,” which many thought would be his swan song for the evening. But the self proclaimed “God Emcee” was far from done.

“New York City it sounds like you’re not ready to go home yet!?”

Jay asked his fans.

Everybody began throwing up the Dynasty Diamond and chanting HOVA, HOVA, HOVA, before Jigga responded: “For anyone who hasn’t been down since “Reasonable Doubt,” you can head to the exit.” Jay Z’s protégé Memphis Bleek joined him for an encore that included verses from old school Jigga hits “Where I’m From,” “Dirt Off Your Shoulder,” “Best of Me (Remix),” and “Jigga My N&*ga.”

Finally, Jay spent about 15 minutes thanking all the fans in attendance for a memorable night and their continuous support, the lights at Yankee Stadium came on and the thousands of people in attendance ushered toward the exits to jump on the subway or hop in their cars.

On my way out of the stadium it finally donned on me that I had just witnessed history and these artists are truly the voice of our generation.

To say I was inspired by the show would be a major understatement, now more than ever I realize I have to do whatever it takes to make my dreams come true, life is too short to not make your dreams reality………………………

Forever Young ft Beyonce [HD]

Happy Birthday To WHO!?

If there was ever a reason to be motivated to accomplish your goals, I think NOW is the time. So before I say anything else... in the words of Jay-Z, "Catch Up!!!" He'll Show Us How To Do This, Son...

I'm sure its not the first time, but in the eyes of the hip hop community, Jay-Z has set the standard in what it means to truly accomplish your goals and realize your dreams.

This past weekend the Jiggaman bought his wife Beyonce an Island for her 29th birthday.

What did you get for your 29th birthday? I can't wait to see what she will get for the Dirty 30!

The reality is, no matter how big or small the island is, he bought her an island that she can escape to if things ever get too tough.

If that is not motivation, I don't know what is. I would love to be able to buy my __FILL IN THE BLANK HERE__ an Island.

Happy birthday, Bey!

To everyone else, including me...GET TO WORK!

*sidenote: the good thing is now you can slack off for the time being with your gift giving all while saying, "Hey, this is all I have, I'm sorry I can't buy YOU an island!" Ha.

Telephone

Most of you already know I like almost anything that has to do with Beyonce, including guest appearances and features.

Well friends, I'm proud to say Lady Gaga's video for Telephone featuring Beyonce has finally been released after being delayed.

I'd also like to say, I really like the idea of Beyonce and Lady GaGa half naked in the video cruising around town in the P*Wagon, but other than that I don't get this video and I can honestly say I'm lost.

I do however like the creativity and the fact that they based some of the video's concept from Thelma And Louise.

Other than that, as Beyonce would say, "I'm Speechless."

With that said...have fun with the video kids and thanks to http://www.missjia.com/ for posting the entire video!

Lady GaGa - Telephone featuring Beyonce

Grammy's...

There is so much to say about this years 52nd Annual Grammy awards. Overall, I was very pleased with the show.

Beyonce made history by being the first female artist ever to take home 6 Grammy's in one night. She was so emotionally charged and overwhelmed that she broke her usual code of personal silence by thanking her "Husband" and telling him she loved him. I think even Jay-Z was surprised by her unorthodox move.

Drake became the first artist ever to perform at the show and win a Grammy before actually releasing an album. Taylor Swift made history by being the youngest artist to win a Grammy for album of the year and Mr. Big... ahem, Ego, Kanye West made history by actually not showing up to an award show even though he was nominated.

I am #teamkanye all the way and actually to tell you the truth his absence was definitely felt. He was nominated in a slew of categories and actually won a Grammy for "Run This Town" where he was featured with Jay-Z & Rihanna.

He also was supposed to be apart of Drake's performance of Forever since he was featured on the track with Lil Wayne and Eminem. But his actions at the MTV music awards were unsanctioned and rude so I guess he needed to take a break and maybe the Grammy awards exec board panel made him sit down somewhere as well.

Other than Kanye being M.I.A., the night was full of action and didn't disappoint. Jamie Foxx had a party on stage during his performance of Blame it. Pink made sure she kept the crowds mouth watering for more by being drenched in water and swinging from a tight rope wearing a tight cat suit. And Lady Gaga brought out Elton John as they sang a duet while both playing the piano.

And of course at the end of the night you knew the question was bound to come up. Would Kanye's outburst from the MTV Music awards help Taylor Swift and would it hinder Beyonce in winning album of the year...

I really don't know, but I will say this, only a few Urban, (meaning rap, reggae or R&B) albums have ever won Grammy of the year. Thriller and Speakerboxx/The Love Below are the two I can think of off the top of my head. I was kind of upset about how some of the media wrap up shows down played the rap category as Jay-Z, Eminem and Drake all did pretty well winning in the category.

Numbers wise, the country music genre sells the most albums, so that should tell you how hard it is to beat out any country singer with or without Kanye's outbursts.

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...

It's My Birthday and I'll Dream If I Want To...

Something people may or may not know about me is, I am a music fanatic. I am addicted to music, I need it around me at all times. Some of my favorite artists have to be attached to my hip because I never know when I'm going to need a fix.

I have found there are certain people that share this addiction with me and as soon as we hear something, hot and new it's like..."Yo, did you hear this!!!?" That's why I love art so much because, art is full of passion and passion needs to be shared. So, being up early, I feel the need to share something with you.

The reason I am a huge Beyonce fan is because I fell in love with her voice on her ballads, such as Killing Time, Crazy Feelings and Dangerously In Love but it seems that my favorite song on I Am...Sasha Fierce has become a ballad as well. Hmmmmm...Bey, you never cease to amaze me.

Sweet Dreams, The Ballad...

*Song courtesy of imeem.com

Video Phone...the extended mix...

Happy birthday week to me!! Seriously, it must really be #scorpioseason if Lady Ga Ga and Beyonce team up to take sexy to the extreme by making the extended remix video for "Video Phone" ... W. O. W. ...

Beyonce - Video Phone Extended Remix Ft Lady Ga Ga

*Video courtesy of Worldstarhiphop.com

Sweet Dreams Or a Beautiful Nightmare...

I don't think anyone knows more about dreams coming true than me, even if the dream is as remedial as meeting your favorite celebrity. Now, I don't want you to think growing up it was my life's goal to just meet celebritys, but I grew up in a small town where the biggest celebrity that you would probably EVER see or meet was the mayor of the city or some hometown hero. (All though Lionel Richie is reportedly from there but that remains to be seen.)

Okay so now that Michael Jackson is gone, people have been scrambling to figure out who's next in line to be the world's next megastar. I could be wrong but I think its gotta be B! I mean, I have been a fan since "Killing Time" (LOOK IT UP!!!) so I can admit that I'm a little biased. I remember back then I used to say, "Beyonce is gonna blow up and leave Destiny's Child and I'm gonna meet her blah blah.) If you do remember the song "Killing Time", their first ALBUM hadn't even been released yet...
I remember the way we used to talk, "Yeah that's my chick, she always come to the crib." You know when youre young you always selling dreams to the homeboys, ha ha) I mean I had to be like 17 at the time...I didn't know how I was gonna meet her, I just knew I was!

Fast forward 12 years and here we are... and actually it IS my life's work as celebrity event photographer. So I did meet Beyonce, (not that she would remember but oh well, I met her and GOT the professional photos to prove it...LMAO!) Dreams come true if you keep believing!

Here is her latest video dedicated to me...

Sweet Dreams...