Wednesday, October 10, 2012

BET Hip Hop Awards 2012

Some of the hottest artists of your favorite summer hip hop records and albums all united for BETs 2012 Hip Hop Awards in Atlanta, this past Tuesday. Hip-Hop fans have been in heavy anticipation for BETS "cypher" sessions and preformances which included legends such as RZA, DMX, Talib Kweli and, Jean Grae. As well as lyrically captivating and upcoming artists from Top Dawg Entertainment Ab-Soul, ScHoolBoyQ, and Kendrick Lamar. Lamar also went home with the lyricist of the year award, beating out hip hops legendary veterans Jay-Z and Kanye West. Wiz Khalifa, Juicy J, 2 Chainz, Young Jezzy, and T.I all gave thrilling energy-filled performances to some of the dopest track bangers of the year. Then, Violator Management artist preformed a touching tribute to its founder and CEO, Chris Lighty. A Tribe Called Quest preformed "Award Tour", while Busta Rhymes vamped the tribute with "Put Your Hands Where My Eyes Could See", and Missy Elliot encouraged the crowd to "Get Your Freak On" to celebrate Chris Lighty's legacy.  


Show Opener: Wiz Khalifa The Cypher: Jean Grae, Sarkodie, Ab-Soul, Talib Kweli  
The Chris Lighty Tribute: LL Cool J, Funk Mater Flex, A Tribe Called Quest, Busta Rhymes, Fat Joe,  and Missy Elliot.

Thursday, May 24, 2012

return of forever,



Keeping it cool. 



With Love, Elle.

Sunday, May 6, 2012

for the happy,

In your ear:
It is Sunday, and everything I do is based on my mood ring.

The asteroids galaxy tour, Lady Jesus

The asteroids galaxy tour is definitely a band that resides on my bucket list to see live before age 25. The bands 2008 single "The sun ain't shinning no more" instantaneously grabbed my attention and I was undoubtedly hooked after that. The Asteroids Galaxy Tour has a psychedelic sound reminding me of a combination of Oh Land and Holly Smoke. I suggest everyone take a listen to the bands music!


The asteroids galaxy tour, Bad Fever

The moon lives in the lining of your skin.

-
Pablo Neruda


With Love, Elle.

Saturday, May 5, 2012

THE full moon,

Tonight's full moon in Scorpio is also a SUPER MOON!


You can catch me staring out my window seal, but here are some insights on tonight's moon that I gathered from various readers of the stars. 

“This Scorpio Full Moon is also called the Wesak Moon, the most auspicious day in Buddhism, for it celebrates the birth, enlightenment and death of Buddha.  In this energetic opposition between Taurus and Scorpio, we are all called to the great union with Nature and the heavens, celebrating the Divine within Nature and within ourselves.  Like the Buddha, we are called to acknowledge the divine spirit in our human nature as we overcome and release the emotional demons that plague us and separate us from our spiritual inheritance…”

“This Taurus/Scorpio Full Moon asks us to become aware of the people and things we give the highest value to, and to look at the emotional trauma that keeps us apart.  It’s time to question our values and beliefs about money, power, happiness and our connection to each other and to the Earth.  There are powerful forces at work determined to keep the old system alive, regardless of how many people and places it destroys.  But we are equally powerful, and the Cosmos is lending us energy to break-through our paralysis and stand up for our beliefs. “

“Not only is this a significant Full Moon in Scorpio, but the emotional currents are very strong. And under a Full Moon’s influence emotional tides run high and low.  Have no doubt we are going to feel – intense with just about everything and perhaps everyone. This can be helpful practice to trust yourself and the in another. Extreme emotions ranging from dark to light may arise at the slightest trigger. We have the opportunity to purge, let go and rebirth our emotional selves now.  We may need to intimately express our feelings to someone. We can practice deepening our trust within ourselves here.”

 ”It may be that we find ourselves in an uncomfortable power struggle or struggling to trust self in some way. But engaging in the extreme point of view of ‘right and wrong’ only makes things messy and more confusing and no one wins. It is possible to step away from it and realize the lesson within it, find the middle ground and move on.”
-Dipali Desai

“Forgiveness is a huge part of any healing process as is the need to remain as non-judgmental as possible. Pluto both fuels the need to dig deep and the knife to open old wounds, allowing them to drain. Mars in Virgo is very well suited to going over the details but since it is also exactly in conjunct Uranus in Aries, it will be less patient than usual. Go easy on the criticism – both of yourself and others.”
-astrologer Diane at Libra Seeking Balance
“The focus will be on our self-worth, resources and our core values. Taurus seeks comfort and acceptance for ourselves as we are; Scorpio seeks to reveal our vulnerabilities, unmet needs, desires and hidden resentment. We may feel it is impossible to avoid the intensity of our feelings at this powerful Scorpio Full Moon. Yet, a small amount of objectivity can make our feelings useful rather than destructive. Taurus reminds us of what we cherish. Scorpio shows us what we need to transform. We are in the process of a universal transformation.”
“The Scorpio Full Moon is revealing the hidden motivations, hidden agendas and important truths about the misuse of power and our resources worldwide.  We are changing from short-term, shortsighted gains to long-term, life-enhancing goals.”

Friday, May 4, 2012

the warning signals,




the moment you catch yourself adding artificial Love to your relationship,
that isn't that bad,
that could be worse.
the second you find yourself saying, "Love is not always suppose to be blissful"
you better run, sprint, and fly away.





With Love, Elle. 

what happens in Vegas,



A friend of mine asked me "how do you get over a shitty heart-break?" I believe I'm still to young to exactly know how, but with experience I have managed.
  • cut your phone service off
  • stay away from social media
  • rid of all memorabilia (pictures, clothing, written acknowledgments, the text messages you review non-stop, the whole nine...etc)
  • exercise, and eat well   
  • surround yourself around positive people and atmospheres 
  • converse with individuals who have been through tougher Love struggles than you (& be grateful) 
  • examine the break-up as a catalyst for growth, and a reminder to always Love thyself better. 
  • do NOT listen to Lykke Li's "Possibility" 
  • do NOT, i repeat DO NOT watch Blue Valentine 
  • do NOT sentimentalize about your failed relationship, be honest and acknowledge at one point & time you both were raw with venom.  
  • cry whenever necessary, even at inappropriate moments like in the middle of your philosophy presentation or standing in the government documents section in the library. 
  • make peace, send your former partner Love, learn from the light and darkness you experienced in-between, and next time do not over-look the warning signs.
  • find a couple you respectively admire and ask them "how does it feel?" so next time you can know when its Love.  
  • in one to five years you will be over it and you will sleep so well because of the realization that you were always Loved.
everything that happens here, stays 
there is never one who "looses" you can only win or learn. 



With Love, Elle.

the kids just ain't alright,

Forever Youthful 


In-between classes, volunteering,  and working I found time to have a nice meal and drew up a couple of my old friends.

In your ear:

Kendrick Lamar, R.O.T.C


R.O.T.C is from Kendrick Lamar's stimulating 2010 project Overly Dedicated [O.d] which instantly gained him attention. Compton native Lamar is an informative conscious lyricist that is commonly known for his mainstream single "I do this" featuring Jay Rock and his affiliation with Black Hippie. His latest project Section 80 released in 2011 was ranked as one of the top digital hip-hop releases of the year. Lamar is scheduled to drop another album this year called, Good Kid in a Mad City. Kendrick Lamar should definitely be considered a breathe of fresh air for the hip-hop lifestyle, and I highly suggest everyone to take a listen.

Kendrick Lamar, Ronald Reagan Era ft RZA



With Love, Elle. 

Saturday, April 28, 2012

through peace & war,



With Love, Elle. 

so please don’t try to serenade me, I am a one man band

In your ear:


Lianne La Havas, Tease Me



Recovering undercover over-lover, 
recovering and Lianna La Havas puts me in a blissful soul asylum. It was quiet irresistible for me to not be struck with immediate admiration for her beautiful raw vocals paired with her luscious guitar instrumentals. Lianna is definitely my favorite artist of the year so far and I am not ashamed to say I played her song "No room for doubt" on repeat so consistently my roommate asked me to listen to a different record. I suggest everyone take a listen to her music, I guarantee you will fall hard on your musical knees.  


With Love, Elle