Each new year marks the begining of a new series of life lessons and experiences. Most deem this as the time to change how they’ve once been for the better, and start over anew. However, in most cases, these ambitions die out before we even hit February. In 2010, the MESH. team would like to give a big #weoffthat to New Years Resolutions. Yes, we should still celebrate to bring in the New Year, but each and every day should mark a time for personal growth and learning. Always strive to make the next day better than your last.

Aisha

MESH.

MESH. now has an official Twitter page! Follow us for updates on our latest posts and events!

MESH. 

Underrated \??n-d?(r)-?r?t\-to not be aware or take account of the full abilities or potential of.

If you’re new to MESH. (where have you been?!) we like to feature artists who we feel are incredibly deserving and whose talents can often go unnoticed or aren’t respected in the way it should-the underrated artist. So far we’ve had our list of underrated R&B artists [here] as well as featured our first spotlight on the talent Jill Scott [here]. For our next installment, we will honor the genius that is Anthony Hamilton.

With humble beginnings in his Charlotte, NC church choir at age ten, Anthony Hamilton discovered his raw talent. With an uplifting soulful voice, he knew his sound could touch the hearts of millions. After several false starts, including two unreleased albums, Anthony began touring with D’Angelo as well has providing backups for artists like 2Pac and Eve. With the release of his album Comin’ From Where I’m From featuring his most successful single to date “Charlene,” he solidified his place as one of Neo-Soul’s leading men.

With studio albums like Ain’t Nobody Worryin’ and my favorite The Point of It All following, it’s hard not to see why Anthony Hamilton’s music is a rare treat to the ears. As always, lets try to break down how sickening the talent is. When you need that song that reminds you of how much you want, need, and respect someone despite your foolish decisions you have “Charlene” or “I’m a Mess” or “Please Stay.” When you need a sensual venture there’s the journey of “Float” or “Change Your World.”  Need a little empowerment? Try “Ain’t Nobody Worryin’” or “Coming From Where I’m From.” And as always there are the beautiful ballads “The Point of It All”, “Never Love Again”, and “Her Heart.”

Simply put, Anthony Hamilton is an artist who can easily convey passion and emotion in his music. It’s the combination of his raspy vocals, subject matter, clever yet relatable lyrics, and the quality of his music. If you weren’t an Anthony Hamilton fan before, I implore you to listen to his music. Several of his tracks have changed my outlook on various situations in my life. His perspective of human emotions is so warm and charming. An Anthony Hamilton track is a feel good track that speaks to thoughts you never knew you were thinking. I expect to hear more inspiring music from Mr. Hamilton in the future and expect his career to grow with each album.

Give some of his music a listen.

Anthony Hamilton-Lucille

Anthony Hamilton-The Point of It All

Anthony Hamilton- Please Stay

Anthony Hamilton- Float

Cj

Now, I made that title for a couple of reasons.

1.) The new music leaks offered have been underwhelming as of late.

2.) “Breaking My Heart (Pretty Brown Eyes)” by Mint Condition has been my throwback jam of the week.

3.) That new Amerie ft. Trey Songz leak (couple posts below- a real winner!) features that very song (what a coincidence).

So I ask…

Where has all the great and exciting music gone?

Speaking of great music, you should give “Breaking My Heart” a listen to right now…

Cj

LeToya Luckett (best known for being an original member of Destiny’s Child) has returned with her sophomore effort Lady Love in hopes to solidify herself as a successful solo force in the industry. The question remains…does this album live up to her successful debut? I think it just might. Although, I doubt this album will perform like her debut (it reached the number 1 spot on Billboard’s Top 200), I think musically LeToya has matured and the slower album offers a greater selection of true R&B cuts. The lead single “Not Anymore” is a perfect example of the style majority of the album takes. Album highlights include the cocky “Regret” featuring Ludacris (one of the album’s best tracks), the fun “Lady Love”, the emotional “Matter”, and the sensual “Good To Me” and “I Need a U.” Although several of the tracks run the risk of sounding similar and some tracks (like “After Party”) shouldn’t have made the track listing, Lady Love is a great sophomore effort from Ms. Luckett.

MESHWORTHY TRACKS:

1. Regret

2. Lady Love

3. I Need a U

4. Matter

5. Good To Me

6. Over

7. Lazy

Are you checking for LeToya’s Lady Love?

Cj

Aaliyah Dana Haughton

Today August 25, 2009 marks the eight year anniversary of the untimely passing of one of R&B’s most precious jewels, Aaliyah Haughton. Aaliyah, or ‘Babygirl’ as her fans like to call her, is credited for reshaping the music industry for R&B and hip hop in the 1990′s. Her angelic and sweet vocals coupled with gritty and unforgettable beats (especially those from Timbaland and Missy Elliot) sparked a unique sound of her own. With hits like “One In a Million” and “4 Page Letter” Aaliyah slowly became a dominant force and respectively earned her title as the ‘Queen of Urban Pop.’ Just as her latest (an vocally her greatest) album, the self-titled Aaliyah, was released her live was tragically taken and shook millions who admired and adored her. We remember Aaliyah through her songs, and see her unique beauty in her videos and photos. She was a remarkable artist and a trendsetter (don’t act like you didn’t see every girl rocking their “Aaliyah hairstyle”). Let’s take a look at some of her most memorable videos as we continue to mourn the loss of a true GREAT. RIP Babygirl.

Let us know: What’s your favorite Aaliyah song?

Cj

The first day of class is over and I’m exhausted. The past week and a half were crazy for the MESH. PNC’s but we’re back and in full force. The party was a huge success, and once the photographers get back to us, we’ll have the pics for your viewing. MESH. has huge plans for the future and we look forward to your continued support.

MESH.

This time tomorrow night you’ll be vibing, mingling and sipping a little at MESH.‘s premier event, LEGIT: A MESH. Affair. Swagged out in one of the smoothest venues on U Street, the MESH. team will present you to a new level of class and sophistication. Are you on the guestlist? We hope so, because this is an event you do not want to miss out on.

MESH.

This month marks the eight of new music, albums, and more importantly of the year (This year is going by fast). From January until now, we’ve witnessed some of the most remarkable and unremarkable efforts in the music industry. We’ve experienced girls “Rocking That Thang” while living the “Magnificient” live. We’ve all spoken “Gibberish” avoiding the inevitable way love can “Knock You Down.” 2009 has been debut year of new artist while seasoned artists experimented with new sounds. Songwriters and producers have switched roles becoming artists while rap stars tried their hand in rock. It also marked the return of some old favorites. And the best part about it is, there is still four months remaining.

MESH. has compiled a list of the  year’s top albums (in our opinion) thus far  (Disc 1) as well as the albums we can’t wait to get our hands on (Disc 2). Let’s get into it.

—

2009′s Best Thus Far

The Dream — Love Vs. Money

The Dream‘s sophomore effort Love Vs. Money continues where his debut Love/Hate left off. The gritty/clever lyrics from The Dream coupled with the amazing production of Tricky Stewart produced one of the year’s greatest efforts. The album solidified the Dream’s impeccable craft of effortlessly creating memorable tracks such as “Put It Down” “Love Vs. Money” “Mr. Yeah” “Fancy” and basically every song on the album. It was a musical delight to the ears from the first track to the last. This is what new R&B should sound like.

Ryan Leslie- Ryan Leslie & Keri Hilson- In a Perfect World

As mentioned in a previous MESH. post [here], there has been a growing phenomenon in the music industry of producers and songwriters jumping from behind the spotlight to take the forefront as artists. Ryan Leslie‘s self titled debut proved why he is one of the most talented producers in the game. The infectious rhythms in tracks like “Gibberish” and “How It Was Supposed To Be” filled the entire album and was a great (but sadly under appreciated) effort. Songwriter Keri Hilson had a large buzz about her talents before her debut album was released. Known for penning several hits, and being ‘that girl’ on Timbaland’s hit “The Way I Are,” Keri looked to establish herself a strong force with In a Perfect World. Her efforts were stifled at first as her first singles didn’t pick up but when her #1 hit “Turnin’ Me Off” became a certified club banger, things changed. Her album has several gems on it including the sultry “Slow Dance” and the beautiful “Make Love.” Keri & Ryan both had incredible albums this year.

Maxwell- BLACKsummers’night &    Joe- Signature

2009 marked the return of R&B favorites Maxwell and Joe. Joe‘s album Signature went under the radar a little but was a very solid effort. It when back to classic R&B and allowed Joe to showcase his artistry. The smooth tracks of “Wanna Be Your Lover” and “Metaphor” showcase the quality of the album. Maxwell‘s release was perhaps the most anticipated R&B comeback of the past five years. BLACKsummers’night is a classic album filled with heavy soul, funk, and sultry instrumentals blended with Maxwell’s signature falsetto. His lead single “Pretty Wings” was one of the most touching tracks of the year while other songs on the album such as “Playing Possum” and “Stop The World”  also speak to Maxwell’s ability to embed genuine emotion within each song he sings. Great comebacks.

Laura Izibor- Let the Truth Be Told &   Electrik Red- How To Be a Lady Vol. 1

New artist Laura Izibor showcased her songwriting, producing, and singing talents on her debut album Let the Truth Be Told. The adult contemporary album is filled with empowering songs fuzed with soul. Tracks like “MMM” and “From My Heart to Yours” sum up what to expect on the disc. Her album is said to be in the lineage of Jill Scott and Lauryn Hill, which speaks to how genuine her sound and music is. Electrik Red (comprised of Naomi, Sarah, Lesley, and Binky) came with pure heat with their debut How To Be a Lady Vol. 1. The ironically titled disc included a slew of songs that speak to the power, sexuality, and fun of being a lady. Their debut is one of the most well put together debuts with production from The Dream and Tricky Stewart, their sound is distinct and original. From the sultry “9 to 5″ to the fun “P is for Power” the girls have looked to take R&B girl groups to the next level.

Fabolous- Loso’s Way &     Drake- So Far Gone (Mixtape)

The year in hip hop hasn’t had too many spectacular releases but has had some amazing mixtapes from the likes of Kid Cudi, J. Cole, Wale and others. One album that is impressive, is the the recently released Loso’s Way from Fabolous. From the single “Throw It In The Bag” to “Money Goes, Honey Stay” to the gritty “There He Go” and “Pachanga,” Loso’s Way signals a growth within Fabolous. Simply put, the album bumps hard and might be well on its way to be a classic.  Although it’s not an album, it would  be foolish not to include the So Far Gone mixtape from Drake. It was perhaps the biggest treat to hip hop this year.  It generated a large buzz and following for a rapper who hadn’t even released an album yet. Every track form it is memorable rather it be “Uptown” or “Houstatlantavegas” or “Successful” or the now single “Best I’ve Ever Had.” It catapulted Drake into a light where most rappers only dream to be making his debut album one of the most anticipated albums of the year. I’m sure he will deliver.

Honorable Mention:

Chrisette Michele- Epiphany

India Arie-Testimony: Vol. 2, Love & Politics

2009 so far has been an interesting year for music and with several anticipated disc soon to be released, it will definitely be a memorable year for music. Stay tuned for Disc 2: The Best To Come as we list the albums you will definitely want to get your hands on.

Cj

[The Scenario]

The MESH. PNC‘s were all innocently enjoying their Sunday evenings:

Aisha-Just getting out of seeing Orphan…mentally preparing herself to drive a truck.

Aaron-Still recuperating from a lavish loft party.

Cj- Getting his ass kicked in a game of Monopoly.

[Then out of nowhere, they discover]

MESH. is a finalist in two categories (Best New Blog, Best Group Blog) for the 2009 Black Weblog Awards!

Excitement? (Hell yeah!)

MESH.| Music. Edge.Style.Heaven. would like to say thank you to all who have continually supported us. We didn’t realize the success we could accomplish and owe in large part to you guys. We ask that you continue to stand by us as we grow into an unstoppable force.  We’re delighted that the MESHlife has become a legitimate lifestyle and encourage everyone to dwell in it and get lifted!

Now, the work isn’t over yet. We need for you to go [HERE] and vote for MESH. in categories 9 & 16 (Those are the only ones you have to worry about as you can only vote for a certain number of categories). Help us achieve this award and spread the word about the awards as well as our blog.

THANK YOU!

MESH.

Rocsi opened up on 106 & Park yesterday about her Anorexia in high school.

This is definitely a must watch for young women and men. Anorexia is not just an issue in one particular community, and the struggle with one’s body image is something that goes on with a majority of people. Minorities tend to shun topics of depression and issues with self-esteem, when in fact these issues are extremely prominent within our community.

I was extremely suprised to see Rocsi open up like this on public television, and glad that she made it clear that television personalities and celebs do NOT wake up “like this”. The hair, the makeup, the fly clothes etc.. is just for the camera’s–even your favorite celeb or idol isn’t flawless. Thumbs up to 106 on this one.

- Aisha

P.S.

I’m glad to be back ya’ll !

Music. I once said to my MESH. PNC Aisha and roommate Tallas, music is the driving force in our lives. It’s the rhythm to which we channel emotions, the beat to how we handle situations, and the soundtrack to our soul. Deep right? Well, here at MESH. we like to know what our viewers have etched into their musical spirits. We want to know….what four songs are on heavy rotation on your iPod and can’t seem to leave your head? But first, we offer ours.

Aisha:

1. Chameleon- Christian Milian

2. Winner- Drake

3. Regret-LeToya Luckett

4. Want It- Lloyd

Aaron:

1. When You Hear the Baseline – Major Lazer feat. Ms. Thing

2. Crumbling Therapy- Overdoz

3. Winner- Drake

4. Ask Them Hoes- Lil’ Wayne

Cj:

1. Whatever You Want- Consequence ft. Kanye West & John Legend

2. Playing Possum- Maxwell

3. Regret- LeToya Luckett

4. It Would Be- Trey Songz

We are really anxious to see the comments on this one. So again we ask…

What are your top 4 songs of the moment?

Cj

Immediately after the death of Michael Jackson, beyond the many tributes and speculation was the lingering question of who exactly his successor would be–or if he’d have one at all. Not many came to mind when coupled against MJ’s magnitude of super stardom. However, The Root was the only place brave enough to say what was on everyones mind –that the self proclaimed diva, Beyonce Knowles may infact be the heir to his throne.

For our generation, the death of the “Man in the Mirror” only exposes the sorry state of contemporary music, and begs the question: Who’s next?

I’ve got one word: Beyoncé. It used to be two words, but such are the heights the 27-year-old from Houston has scaled in a career that has already spanned two decades. Say what you will about her scantily clad BET tribute to Michael—she is the only living performer to even approximate Jackson’s blend of talent and cultural clout. Yes, she’s a woman; but her work ethic, daring musical choices and chameleonic artistic presence makes her more of an heir to the Gloved One than any man out there. The fact that she is already one of the most famous people on the planet only adds to the case for passing her the torch. [continue reading]

What do you think?

Aisha

MESH.

So I saw this picture of Michelle Obama and loved it. This picture is so meaningful, if you’ve ever heard the phrase “Speak softly and carry a big stick” by Theodore Roosevelt.

Aisha

..In the bedroom that is. Heres a commercial Drake did for practicing safe sex. Supposedly people are saying it’s not good for his image. If promoting the use of safe sex isn’t a good look, I don’t know what is.

Aisha

Watch live coverage from the Michael Jackson Memorial below. UPDATE — make sure to take it off of Mute. (the button with the mic & X)

RIP.

MESH.

Happy Independence Day! Be safe, BBQ and firework it up!

MESH.

What: Photo from Kobe Bryant x Lil Wayne cover shoot for VIBE’s 16th Anniversary Juice Issue (Sept. 2009)

I’m not getting over this easy. Final Meal- I gotta take this slow and savor every moment, no matter how difficult it is- things can only get better after this right?… or worse; depending on what you’ve done leading up to this moment.

People ask… “why did VIBE go out like that?… You had to have seen it coming?”

Does this answer your question?

Things were on the come -up. VIBE had just shot two of the most talked about men [not named Michael Jackson] for the cover– we won’t even get to the story that was being crafted by legendary reporter Keith Murphy.

Hell no we didn’t see this coming. We were too busy putting together hot shit like this. But alas, you learn, and you move—can’t even say that. Let’s just say you learn. I’m just mad you all couldn’t have seen the wonders we had planned for this next issue. Smh.

Via former VIBE Music Editor Sean Fennessey’s blog: Brokedown Palace

AR

Just because Kanye West does it, does NOT make it OK.

Sorry, something deep in my spirit told me I had to share that with the world. Now, let me explain my frustration. A brand, shoe, social-networking site, or hell-energy drink becoming extremely popular due to a celebrity is almost as natural as lightning during a thunderstorm. It’s to be expected. I also can understand certain celebs getting credit for “starting” trends that have already been around. But, I refuse (and I mean refuse with the utmost sincerity) to believe that because Kanye West wore a pair of “classic” Timberland boots to the BET Awards, they are on the come up. 

Kanye West is a pretty fashionable cat (Although lately he just hasn’t been doing it for me, and those shoes for Louis? Horrible). Mr. West is known for starting trends, breaking trends, twisting trends, and doing any other verb you can think of to trends for several years now. He is credited to being one of the “early birds” who was aware that denim (especially the classic Jean Jacket) was back on the rise. He’s started a style that many men have tried to emulate. So to him, I give much credit.

But it stops there. Just because him or any other celebrity wears or does something does NOT always mean that the trend will become popular or even should (Would you believe I saw someone try to rock that awful mullet he had?) Now, if you can pull them off great, but I personally hate “classic” Timberlands and don’t see anything stylish about them. But this isn’t really about Timberland (by the way their new collection is sick), it’s about the fact that folks need to realize how to truly be their own person. I love those folks who are true to themselves no matter what and don’t have to follow a celebrity trend or try to emulate a celebrities style solely because they think it will make them cool and not because they truly appreciate the aesthetics. But I digress.

Folks just remember to be yourselves and just because Kanye does it…doesn’t mean everyone is going to want to do it too.

Cj