Jon Wain 2010, the triple threat

Let's talk about Triple Threats. Yes because I heard good things come in three's. Didn't you? Ok so there's The Dream, Missy Elliot, the legendary R. Kelly, just to name a select few "respectables" who fall into this special category in the music industry. In case you were born yesterday, Triple Threat = a writer, producer and singer. While you may have many that tout their expertise, not all who put out the work, do it well so when you encounter one who does justice to their entire craft you must take note. And I've taken note of writer, producer, singer, Jon Wain. It's my joyful duty to share him (And I'm not usually "that kind" of woman... ;) ).

A young man from the city of Chicago, burning up the musical streets of Atlanta in 3 hot ways has come to stake his claim. He's somebody to look out for with singles like, "Iz you Ready" (Listen and/or download here), a slow jam for the lady or the lover. No this is not the John Wayne of your parent's parent's favorite country western flick, this is the sexy, yet still strong and confident Jon Wain of 2010. Oooh weee. Time to bring in the new.

Want more? Sure you do. For more Jon Wain, follow and connect with him at the links below: *Note for the fans- he actually stays in touch, get at him while you can.

Twitter

Facebook

Soundclick

Jon Wain's website

Lock Out Records talent and artists

Jon Wain video:

Is Sean Paul "Blazing"?

Me/Social Addiction and Sean (Just adorable in person ladies!)

Sean peacing us out as he's leaving for the eveningMoses Davis, Atlantic/Warner music group sales/marketing mngr E. Coast held it down! Great artist meet event. Thanks for the invite Mo.

A great way to start a party weekend is a cocktail hour Friday. All in favor say "I!!". Soooo how 'bout a cocktail PARTY with the drinks, food, a live DJ (hittin' it by the way) and a hot artist thrown in the mix? That gives you what Atlantic records did over the weekend to celebrate the top selling Jamaican artist of all times in the U.S., Sean Paul's upcoming album release, "Imperial Blaze", his fourth album with a definate dance hall flair.

Winner of such accolades as favorite pop artist from the American Music Awards and a grammy winning album, the Kingston artist isn't comfortable living on his past success alone but is on a firey trail to build new ones with his latest installment dropping August 18th, 2009.

Sean flew into Atlanta on Friday to meet fans, media and get it in the popular city. Hitting Atlantic amongst his first stops and club Essos on the east side to end the night. I didn't bother with Essos but his stop at Atlantic was fun. Open bar (tip please!) ummm hello and i like to party so that was a given. Sean mingled (until he took a time out, LOL!) with everyone while the DJ played and remixed all of Seans known hits. Folks were dancing. We had a ball. I have to say that for me Atlantic records (at least the ATL office) rarely dissapoints in that department of throwing great artist meet events. Big up to the label for treating the media right while having fun. Thanks to Yancey Rich & Moses Davis!

Pick up Sean's new album, it will not dissapoint. If you know Sean's music, and of course you do, you already know so i aint saying anything new. Ciao.

Miesha

SocialAddict

http://twitter.com/SocialAddiction

Welcome to the Plies show...starring Plies. 2009 Birthday Bash Rehash!

Plies putting a stamp on the city of Atlanta
Some women find him very sessi (that being said pray HARD to Jesus tonight there there are no lil new Plies in the making from Bday Bash wknd!
Do it!
Nikki Minaj and Gucci

View Birthday Bash video above

Birthday bash started out with a bang for some…literally. Gun shots fired outside of the Phillips Arena in pure large party fashion as people continued to pile in and pack the vast arena. Recession? "You’s a lie" because there wasn’t an empty seat in the house. So here goes, Birthday Bash 2009 who was there, the good, the bad and the say what?!!

Who:
Jerimih, Young Dro, Young LA, Shop Boys, Hurricane Chris, Sean Garrett, Plies, Fabulous, Young Jezzy, Mary J Blige, Trey Songz, Gorilla Zoe, Nikki Minaj, Pleasure P, O.J. Da Juice Man (name to doggon long!) Rick Ross, Keri Hilson, Bow Wow, Soulja Boy, Players Circle, Weezy and more.

Good:
Trey Songz, Gorilla Zoe, Plies took over the stage (and I’m not even a fan), Weezy showed, MJB got on stage

Bad:
*O.J. the Juiceman’s set was way too long. I almost thought it was the O.J. show…
*Radio One said no media this year due to “legal reasons” and that only MTV could cover the event and get exclusives. I think I broke that rule just a teeny tiny but much more could have been done with the access I had last year.
*The show didn’t end until half past midnight.

Super Bad (added this because my pain is real):
I lost my new favorite ring. POOOO! :(


Say What a.k.a. Whachu Talking Bout Willis:
*So tell me why did Jeezy bring his surprise guest out, Mary J. Blige who we LOVE but didn’t have her sing a song, or even a hook? Who da who??!!
*Rioters, Picketers were outside the arena marching along not so merily with signs ranging from women’s rights all the way to Iran. Now large crowds are a great way to get attention and this would have been good for the “Rainbow People” (do gooders, Peta types, rioters) if it were any other place but birthday bash. I mean Birthday Bash? Did the Rainbows not do their research to know who would be there? There were more people holding up Plies and Rick Ross promotion signs for the ancy kids attending the concert to much care. There were some worthy causes being stood for in that hot sun so I sure hope the rioters efforts weren’t wasted any more than trying to teach a new born to do Halle Berry…I’m just sayin’…

Final Verdict:
Birthday Bash 2008 was much better. Better performances, better access for media and I miss T.I.

Watch the Video above for Birthday Bash EXCLUSIVE footage of Plies, Hurricane Chris, Sean Garrett & more…

Thanks to Dennis Byron (pictures & video capture) for his help and for capturing the “unlawful”. LOL!

Miesha
Social Addict
www.SocialAddiction.net
http://twitter.com/SocialAddiction (Follow me)
Thanks for your support.

Sex, Lies & Videotape

Greg Street, model Angela Buggs, DJ Judgemental, Dennis Byron (manegement)
Maff Test & DJ Judgemental

Well not really. No sex (Not directly. Hmm..not that i know of). No lies. (Not today anyway).

There is something overtly illicit and indulging about pool parties. The secret taste of forbidden seems to stir the air. There is something openly sensual about water, warm bodies, beer, swim caps & loose lips that sink ships. You don’t have to say this out loud. It’s just known. You know what I mean? Yea you do. So what happens when Greg Street, Dennis Byron, DJ Judgmental and sexy singles from the A town meet on a Saturday afternoon? Well that I’m not telling. These lips are not loose. No ships will sink…not on my watch.

I can share some jewels though. Come closer to your screen here...closer...closer. Okay. Here it goes. I love a good party. Yes i do. And while that's not a jewel to all that's a perfect preface for the bauble i'm divulging. And that's that you should have been there. It was what you would call, good times. New artist Maff Test had his listening session with photographs snapping and video rolling (so yes the video part is true), Dj Judgemental did his thing, Greg Street played the primo host, people ate, folks drank, a few cuties swam and the rest i'll keep to myself as i often do quite a many things. I'm not the kid who used to share her toys. In fact i never had them. Don't ask me about now...

Ciao.

Miesha
Social Addict

http://www.socialaddiction.net/
induldge

www.twitter.com/SocialAddiction (show me love)

*photos provided by Dennis Byron

Maff Test, musically yours...

Maff Test

Maff Test...i wasn't so sure about him at first, that's the truth. There are so many rappers or would be's out here that it's a task for me to get excited about a new claimant. I met Maff last weekend at a Greg Street (V103 radio Atlanta) and Dennis Byron (Hip Hop Weekly contributor) hosted pool party/Maff Test album listening event at the Block Lofts in Atlanta. Things were swinging and the day was winding down with the sun in a race close behind. And in he walks. The young Illinois (raised close to my hometown = brownie points) bred rapper sauntered into the room followed by a few of what i would guess to be his entourage. He was clean from head to toe. All eyes and cameras were immediately on him. Talk about making an entrance. Yet with all the hooha that followed him walking into the room and making such the fuss...he had a certain controlled poise about him that can be respected by the young and desperates trying to still cling to youth in an unfriendly industry. I hate the word swag (ugh too overused!) but as i dig into my "sometimes" bag full of rejected vocabulary words i pull out "swag" for Maff Test, Young Harvey born Jason D. Frazier.

So a strong presence is nice but not good enough for me. So what challenged me? I heard the music. And it's not that i like every song that Maff is delivering, not everything is always a winner with even the best of artists. It's his sound. It's his story. Meaning that he is telling a story with a great sound. Weaving a tale while sounding off is something that i miss in hip hop so when such is encountered my attention is captured. Plus he's a bit of an enigma. Somebody wise must have told a young Maff not to "throw his pearls to swine". Maff abided not one to over share or give all of his inner secrets away he remains a bit of a mystery fueling the curious to find out more on this new up and coming rap superstar. So meet Maff Test, a young man with a remarkable inner strength who is steady working his craft to become musically yours.

Will Maff Test survive the ugly biz and make pretty? You decide. Check him out on Myspace and Twitter. Really listen.
http://www.myspace.com/mafftestmusic (Check out Maff Test music. Look out for the song "BE" on his page.)
http://twitter.com/mafftest

Thanks to Dennis Byron for the party invite, a journalist, a photographer and truly one of the most eloquent men in hip hop. His wisdom is appreciated.

Miesha
Social Addict
www.SocialAddiction.net

Chopping it up in the studio with Rock City...so WHEN is that album coming out again?

Rock City,Timothy & Theron Thomas at Artist Factory studio

...And if the brother rap, reggae, pop (yes they CAN do it all) duo had the a dollar for every time someone asked them that question...well they'd just have a lot of dollars. Not that they need them because trust my dudes have been in the game longer than your favorite popcorn candy rapper who stumbled onto the scene bringing mediocre music to the offended ears of the public. They've put in their time. So basically they are doing aight ya dig? Yet aight and even very aight is not enough for them. They are pushing for a monster success and courageously taking matters musically until their own hands despite the labels' (Interscope) hold on the album release. How? MIXTAPES & heavy personal Internet marketing! Don't you just love Twitter?

Since i think these guys damn rock (you get it ROCK City?? Ehh?!!) it's my job to tell yall why you need to go to their myspace and download their mixtapes and join the PTFAO movement. Most who follow the talented brothers know what PTFAO means but for those that don't google it and you will understand how that acronym is becoming a phenomenon within itself.

You can listen here to the talk I had with Rock City sitting with them at the Artist Factory studio in Atlanta one evening. We chatted about music, celebrity friends, movies, family, love lives, cheating men in the industry (yes ladies...lol!), the virgin islands, and when the FREAKIN' album is coming out...ya know just casual talk. That's what i wanted, for them to say their piece so i let them flow. These boys are hilarious, very real and serious about their gift which is not only writing for famed artists like Jennifer Hudson and Janet Jackson but singing and rapping. They are musical creators in every sense of the word.

The attached video here is a little freestyle action i got Timothy & Theron to give me. I'm tellin you...Dem bowyz they serious dae mon! Wow...ummm yea so maybe like i shouldn't try to do that again...i'll stick to my good ol' English. Anyway enjoy, support, rock to them...you will love them. If you don't you're probably just a bum and that's cool. We need all types in this world for balance.

Thanks to Rock City manager Ray Daniels (dude you remind me of Irv Gotti mane...for really though. But don't be mad...Irv is paid!) for the interview set up. Every time i see Ray he is serving up a smile and i love to see it. Thanks to Sabrina Montgomery of Dream Catchers Entertainment, also part of the Rock City team. You hooked me up on the singles i needed, one that i attached to the end of the video ("They the effin BEST!", a Drake remake but dare i say better...) here. I will put out 3 other singles from the Sneak Peak mix tape next week on this site just because i can. :)

These men (and lady) are champions. Rocky City has wisely surrounded themselves with a team full of great energy & I enjoyed chopping it up & just chillin'. Sincerely to true artists, much success...

p.s. "Right About Now..."

Rocky City Twitter:
Timothy Thomas- www.Twitter.com/RockyCityVI
Theron Thomas- www.Twitter.com/R_City
www.Myspace.com/RocyCityVI

Miesha
Social Addict
www.FindEntertainmentNow.com

Welcome to Dreamland. From Atlanta to the world with Vawn & Drumma Boy

Drumma & Vawn

Chopped it up at Justin's restaurant with Vawn & Drumma Boy (Jazze Pha was mia), creator and super producer team of welcome to Dreamland, a reality TV show competition to find a female winner with the best overall musical package. Welcome to Dreamland isn't a stranger to television. The show got it's successful start on Atlanta's own local, Peachtree TV. Due to the shows success it was picked up to be re-run on BET for national viewing. Loving the good news.

A better judging team couldn't have been put together for the show. Drumma Boy, the cool, hit winning producer who keeps turning out hit after hit for major artists battles his team against the equally award winning, world famous and energetic Jazze Pha. The two producers have two different styles as they put these girls to the test in a boot-camp like tough love fashion at times but they both have the same goal, make a star!

Catch the show Tuesday nights at 10:30 p.m. on BET. If you missed it last season or even a few episodes...here is your chance. If you have already seen it, you can look for season two coming soon to BET. Either way, show support.

Watch the video attached above to find out more about the show as well as what Drumma Boy has been up to musically. He also has some GREAT guidance for the up and coming producers. He gave major love with this one, many thanks.

The audio is here for those who are solely listeners.

Thank you to Rahiem Shabazz for the info & camera work, World for the editing and Keisha McCotry of Prominence Marketing Group for the interview.

www.twitter.com/DrummaBoy_Live

www.twitter.com/MrVawnATL

www.twitter.com/JazzePha

Miesha
Social Addict
www.FindEntertainmentNow.com

Vibe VSessions presents

Rock City, Ray (manager), Denise & friend
Yung LA and Jason Geter
Yung LA and Young Joc with guests
Jay Carter (right)
Slim
DJ Don Cannon keeping it movin'
Yung LA performing, "Aint I"
Julie Dexter rocking
Rudy Clarence (very friendly)

Kalene, Mz.Smith (sweet girls/group) and the host with the most, Kenny Burns

People that know me know that EVEN though i'm a social addict i at times struggle between going to events and being a complete homebody nerd. It's comical really...the battlefield of the mind, the imposing display of the two powers that go on in my brain. Anyway not to bore you with the inner workings of my mental, the moral of the story is that the social addict always over powers the homebody. I guess she is stronger. And that's a GOOD thing.

I'm glad i went to participate in Vibe's VSessions, a concert series featuring several up and coming artists that perform live in front of a sometimes non cooperative audience. It just depends. The popular urban magazine teamed up with Heineken deciding to bring their party to Atlanta's Loft in midtown providing beer for all who were thirsty. Kenny Burns made an impressive host and the fabulous DJ Don Cannon kept everyone on the floor entertained in between sets.

Performing artists to look for: DTP's Rudy Clarence, Julie Dexter, Warner Records’ Teairra Mari, and Grand Hustle’s Yung LA. They all did an impressive job! Rudy and Julie were very soulful, while Yung LA drew the most positive feedback and attention from the crowd. I definitely think he is the break out artist that Grand Hustle NEEDS right now. He's got...IT.

Popular artists like Ludacris, Young Joc, Slim (formerly of 112), and one half of the multi talented duo Rock City came to show support along with label execs and other personalities like, Jason Geter, Chaka Zulu and Jay Carter of Soul Fusion. New artists Mz. Smith and Kalene, teaming up with Diddy & Dawn Richard (formerly of Danity Kane) making the group Dirty Money dropping their 1st album this fall, greeted media and guests in the VIP suite taking pictures and generating the excitement that comes with new talent.

Thank you to 135th Street Agency's Saptosa Foster for the access and of course to Vibe for hosting a great event. I didn't just come to cover the event and take pictures but i had fun. Woohooo!!

Miesha
Social Addict
www.FindEntertainmentNow.com

p.s. Yall who know Luda know that your man is in and out. I wouldn't call him a social butterfly by any means...and that's okay. That being said there are some pictures here that are missing however if you look up this event you will be able to see more pictures!

Leron Rogers gives us the truth on the H.R. 848 bill. Is it fair to radio stations to pay performers when their music is played??

Leron Rogers, partner of Hewitt & Rogers at his Atlata office, gives us the business of this business

When I first heard about the H.R. 848 bill being passed I was perplexed. I didn't understand why an artist should get paid to have their song played on public radio when really the radio did them a favor in a sense by giving artists, some otherwise unknown, free publicity. But for over 50 years the H.R. 848 has been in and out of discussion in the music industry. Should performers get paid? Why and why not? What does that mean money wise and etc. Well finally the pioneers for the financial benefit of the artists such as Q Parker (formerly of 112 & client of Leron Rogers) lobbied enough and H.R. 848 came to pass. I took my questions to 9 year attorney of Atlanta's Hewitt & Rogers, Leron Rogers to better understand what this bill passing would mean for radio stations, performers and the general public...US! Looks like i was very uneducated on the matter from the knowledge i received from Mr.Rogers. I invite you to take a listen to the audio attached here to fully understand how this benefits the artists who up until this act were not getting a dime off of public radio play meaning no royalties. Satellite radio play does pay the artists. But first some facts:

It pays to be a writer: Writers already get paid for songs played on the radio (no wonder if pays to not only perform but write your own music!)

Money talks: If a smaller radio station makes less than $100k a year, the flat fee the station has to pay out to artist for their music is $500/yr which is little more than $40 a month!

So is V103, Star 94 and other radio stations we love going to start charging us to listen: NO! This affects the listener not a bit. The only radio that remains to be paid for is satellite via separate subscription and choice.

Why is this still a battle: Some black radio stations are complaining that that this is going to shut them down however what about the black artists that are not currently getting paid for providing content that keeps most stations alive? In a day and age where music sales have dramatically changed, I say these artists could use this extra money which will not break the bank if you look at the figure example above.

Educate yourself: For more information and to get involved beyond this appreciated information from Counselor Leron Rogers, who is part of People you Need to Know, Who's Who, and frequently is called upon to speak on entertainment and legal related panels, you can attend Atlanta's first town hall meeting regarding the performers royalties on June 25th this summer. Check out: www.MusicFirstCoalition.com

Thank you for your time. Feel free to share your thoughts, no matter what side you're on regarding this hot topic! I'd also like to thank Leron Rogers again for his time & knowledge as well as the wonderful Cherry Banez (PR) for the great opportunity.

Miesha
Social Addict
http://www.findentertainmentnow.com/

Keri Hilson's "Turning them ON!"

A lovely Keri Hilson killin' 'em in that dress, parties w' Johnta Austin & JD (Haha @ JD tryna tall up on the couch)
Rich Boy rocked the mic
Fabulous looked like gumby
Diamond & Scrappy showed up representing "Hood Luv" (and WHAT?!)
T.I. signed off

Baby fans at DTLR signing... :)

DTLR pics from BE Magazine

View TONS more Keri Hilson party photos here in FreddyO's gallery, great pics, you don't wanna miss these!

Critics can say what they want about, Keri Hilson. Like how talentLESS she is, how she's JUST another pretty face, or how she's too arrogant to sell records, but the numbers don't lie and "Miss Keri Babeee" showed out. Keri dropped her first album, "In a perfect world" this past Tuesday, with one day sales hittin' at about ummm...85-90k units sold, HELLO! You may not love her, you aint gotta like her, but you gotta respect the hustle.

Hilson made her small mark from sought after, talented writer to song bird after coming onto the scene with her first single, club banger, "The way i are" with producing music legend, Timberland in later of 2007. Smart move Keri. She then threw the illllllllest birthday party i had been to in 2007. ATL shawty! I can't even talk about it too deep...trust me it was just THAT party. BUT i will tell you, she had major talent rollin' through to show ya girl love that had many people asking the same ol, "Who she (this "one song" unknown singer) effin to bring out all these stars?". But such talk is nothing new in this critical industry. The celebs at Keri's "coming out" party were humble, not stuck in VIP all night but mingling with the fans and media, while Team Keri (Kudos always to Garner Circle PR!) set the whole affair up to resemble your favorite 1980's movie complete with McDonald's happy meals...(yes really), free shots of some tasty madness and gift bags for all guests with things like Hennessy in them. I love a star that's not stingy or at least has pure sponsor power pull. Ummm yeah...memories & good times...aaaaah.

Well Hilson has been on a small tour this week to promote her album across the states making a stop at home in Atlanta yesterday. She packed out clothing store, DTLR last night with a line down the ding dang (thanks Necee) block with fans wanting to get a piece of the tall beauty. Later that evening she had Music Business Politics' Hannh Kang set up club Opera ala Alice in Wonderland style as she partied it up with celeb friends, Polow Da Don (and his bevy of beckies...you will see), Richy Boy, power mover Shocka Zula (DTP), super producer Drumma Boy (doing BIG things & going out of the country in a few days), Fabulous (love him), Diamond (post Crime Mob), Lil Scrappy (newly DTP signed AND Diamond's boo), Jazze Pha and my favorite, T.I. (prayers & respect go out for his year & a day sentencing given today). There were others too but right now i don't feel like saying all the names so view the above lovely pictures taken from my friends over at the phenomenal BE Magazine and celebrity photographer Freddy O and see it you can "name that celeb"...or not. I'm still a lil salty that Keri had us waiting till ummm...almost 1 am to get pictures, etc. But i got over it. The DJ WAS HOTT, there were a couple performances, and the party inside was...aight. I just don't find pleasure in partying with a bunch of silly 21 year olds, who mostly took up the dance floor, these days. Besides my job was not to party but to capture. And i think i did just that. So after i did i was ghost. Ciao!

Team Keri! She is rockin' it. Good voice, great production. GET Keri's album here!

Thanks to, Tahira Wright of Branded PR, Nicole & Garner Circle PR and Hannah Kang of Music Business Politics for that last minute entry.

Miesha

Social Addict...well sometimes. I get sleepy sometimes yall...

p.s. special love to Taylor at In The Know, Jason at BE Magazine, Ryon Horne at the AJC and Gyant & SOHH...always a pleasure!

Gorilla Zoe, "Don't Feed The Animals" movie event

The man of the hour,Gorilla Zoe

Shawty Lo, Drumma Boy (hot producer, interview coming), a cute kid, Greg Street V-103 Radio, and Squeak, my boy! (Drumma's Manager)

Block, Rocco, Raw Report, Zoe, Raw Report

I liked Zoe's sound from, "Hood Ni**er". Unique voice. I dig him. But i never took him serious as an artist/rapper until last night during his, "Don't Feed the Animals" movie premiere at Atlanta's Movie ATL in association with his newly released album from Block Ent. Films, Bad Boy South & The Raw Report. (BTW why is it that Bad Boy suuuuuuuuucks but Bad Boy South continues to thrive...Maybe the Puffster doesn't run that entity so much. Hmmm??! I digress.)

Speaking of "Hood Ni**er", Gorilla Zoe showed his hood side on this project. No i mean REALLY showed his hood side. The movie featuring Zoe, Block, and a full cast may have been GHETTO but it was real. I appreciate Zoe's no holds barred approach to displaying the truth about the struggle of a shadowed past as he tries to change his life for his music. Add a little bit of drama, a not so kid friendly T&A scene (ummm WOW) and lots of HOTT music from his new album (which i will NOW be copping thank u very much!). Zoe did a great job with his character, himself.

View movie trailer here.

Before most the crew ran off to the after party at Tongue & Groove (the rest partied at The Ultimate- thanks Laura!), I got a chance to talk to Zoe last night, who had just gotten off a plane to hit his premiere, and he told me that even though this is his first film (Block's baby with Block Ent. Films) that he plans on doing much more acting. The main motivation for the movie came in from the album of course. Hey yall...wasn't he supposed to be the original "Biggie" in 2008's "Notorious"? Hmmm. Anyway keep an eye out for ya boy, he's definitely an artist worthy of respect for his originality. He pushes the envelope but not in an annoying way or as if in a desperate ploy for attention.

Buy the album out TODAY, you will not be disappointed! Here are two songs off of the record, one also featured on the movie ("Doe Boy") that i REALLY liked & thought you'd like to. I got the clean version but STILL not for kids please.

Gorilla Zoe, "Doe Boy" HOTT!! (have listened to at least 15 times today...i know i am an addict...)
Gorilla Zoe & Rick Ross, "what it is"

Thanks to Tahira Wright from Branded PR for the invite & sending the songs for me. I appreciate you and your hard work. Check out Zoe tonight on BET's 106 & Park!

Be easy...

Miesha
Social Addict

T.I. is still "Untouchable" as he celebrates his 28th birthday in style! Plus "Paper Trail" selling out in stores!

Birthday boy flashing me a smile right for the camera!
Tiny and Tip (looking like an angry red man. Probably tired of pictures huh?)
Gentleman, Toccara (looked FAB!!) and Mr. Kevin Liles (clean the whole weekend)
Kenny Burns doing what Kenny does...acting out (during Sean Garrett interview)
TBoz (that's her bro sliding away)
Young Bre (upcoming artist) and Jerry Clarke (Island Def Jam)
Mr. Knight looking clean per usual.
Drumma Boy (my 1st interview EVER. I'll never forget. Thanks to Squeak his awesome manager for that last year.)
Me and Jarvis- DTP artist (i saw the ladies all over this one yall! All you gotta do is say, "Record Deal" and the claws come out. Sad.)
Lisa and Ed Hartwell (Real Housewives of ATL and NFL)
Alpha and Deon Grant (Seattle Seahawks)
Open bars are from the deBil!
Victorian ladies happily shaking their groove thangs in a cage

"It was the best of times, it was the worst of times; it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness; it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity; it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness; it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair; we had everything before us, we had nothing before us; we were all going directly to Heaven, we were all going the other way."
A Tale of Two Cities- Charles Dickens. Hmmm or was that, "T.I. versus TIP"- Clifford Harris? It does talk about both sides of the self inflicted, dueling rapper. No no no, actually it is "Paper Trail" which tells a tale of two cities. A man who has been on the dark side and is entering the light. Who lost almost everything and then starts to gain the respect back.

It was the worst of times October 2007 when the king was busted on illegal weapons charges hours before he was to take the stage at the 1st annual BET Hip Hop Awards in Atlanta. But it seems that the particular defeat was cleverly disguised as a victory as the MC, refreshed and wiser is emerging a year older, and a HOT new album stronger. With "Paper Trail" furiously flying off the shelves in record stores in an age when hip hop is NOT selling for the majority. I'd say for this southern gentleman, It is the BEST of times.

Well my 2nd Favorite rapper (second only to Andre 3000) did it again! He threw himself (with the help of Music Business Politics and The Garner Circle PR at the Biltmore hotel in Downtown Atlanta) another crazy birthday party but not only to celebrate another physical year of life but the birth of a newer him, and the release of his newest album monikered to pinpoint how he journaled the lyrics instead of his normal off the dome style. And it makes a difference!! Everyone i've talked to thus far is saying, "This is his best work yet!". A male friend happily told me yesterday, "It seems I can play the whole thing without skipping any songs." Now I've always stanned for T.I. Just a couple years ago my best girlfriend and I used to scream in lust (yeah i said it) and awe when ever he'd come on TV (so sad). That's why I jumped to be an intern for a year at Grand Hustle Records during that time. I always believed in his talent. We see T.I. is confident, we see T.I. can rip, but "Paper Trail"...oooh weee. The newest edition to his discography leaves its own trail. A trail of fire blazing wilding yet still in total control daring other rappers to try to match his current grandeur. This album might be the baby. But this baby is a little man (you know the type ladies...), with a mustache and muscles. So patna, be easy. And if you haven't copped, "Paper Trail", duh. What are you waiting for? If you can't get it in stores, get it online here. I found it for the slackers right there on Buy.com for less than $11.00. It's selling. Not only because it's damn good but because controversy and drama sells albums point blank PERIOD. This man has his share. Again the whole album is smokin' but my favorite track is: "My Life". What a perfect calabo with mega star Rihanna. I bump this one hard over and over again in my hooptie. :-)

Thank you to Nicole and her team at The Garner Circle PR (thank you Daniel for looking out) for the invite and Music Business Politics (Hannah Kang and Grand Hustle GM) for entry. I also thank the open bar which made me sick. J/K. No honestly, i am a light weight and that's why i don't really drink. Hello! But the party was lovely. Kevin Liles (Atlantic Records royalty!), Jason Jeter, Toccara, Tione (T-Boz), The Hartwells (Ed and Lisa), Michael Knight, Sean Garrett, Kenny Burns, Jerry Clarke, Young Dro, Big Kuntry (album dropped 9.30.08 as well...which i don't understand but okay...) Alphamega, Deon Grant, Jazze Pha (he goes to ER party though), Ryan Cameron (V-103...hmmm where was Frank?), Stay Fresh (producer), Drumma Boy (Producer), Andrew Young, Jarvis (DTP artist), Ecstacy, and more came to help Tip and Tiny celebrate for not only the party but some even for the entire Grand Hustle take over weekend (including, comedy show, skating, and a Sunday power brunch hosted by Liles and Tip). I must say, great touch on the ice sculpture and the quartet playing in the beautiful Biltmore hotel lobby. Classy. Last years' party held a little more star power and was even more crowded (which i don't enjoy crowds) but this year was better in that the people i spoke with I was able to network with. A special thanks to Island Def Jam VP, Jerry Clark who was part responsible for my short term sickness but mostly responsible for keeping me laughing for a good 20 minutes. I look forward to our interview. Good peoples...

p.s. I no longer lust after the likes of T.I. I have moved on to greener and more darker skinned pastures.
:)

Miesha
Social Addict