For 4-5 years I tried to find an instrumentalist to partner with on covers. And then I just decided to teach myself how to play. My first full length cover with my uke.
Chords: F, C, Am,G (Bridge: Dm, Am, G, F)
J Video
Behind the Scenes: Feb 2016 Promo Shoot
The Title Track to 2015: Unbreakable Smile
Instead of my annual end-of-year reflection piece, I decided to let the music speak for me. I choose the track, “Unbreakable Smile” from Tori Kelly’s debut album because it perfectly personifies my year. There were many milestones — another year of ayminor.com, moving to a new city, my first apartment, a new job, 25 (!!) — but also the challenges in finding my true purpose in life.
That’s when I realized I wanna make a difference
Change other people’s lives, give hope, even for a moment
Use my name for good and change the game I could
Though everything hasn’t gone exactly according to plan, I am not discouraged — I am taking the lessons learned from my successes and failures to apply to my (new) master plan for 2016.
I can’t thank you all enough for your support, and I can’t wait to produce more (and better) content next year. Happy New Year’s Eve and cheers to changing the game in 2016!
J Events: Andra Day at U Street Music Hall [VIDEO]
Andra Day performed at U Street Music Hall on October 18, to promote her debut album Cheers to the Fall. Watch snippets from her phenomenal set including “Gold,” “Forever Mine,” “Rise Up,” “Mistakes,” and her encore cover of “Big Poppa.”
J Music: Jazmine Sullivan’s Reality Show Tour at the Fillmore
My first post in the new year, cheers to 2015!
Last week I had the pleasure of attending my first Jazmine Sullivan concert and I promise you it was every bit the experience you’d think it to be.
I arrived a few minutes after 8:00 to another sold out crowd for the 27-year-old phenom. As soon as her husky vocals came through the loud speakers the crowd roared — she came right back with the same energy. That her vocals were on point comes as no surprise. It was her presence that is a true testament to time, healing and facing your demons.
The theme for her comeback, the tour, and her new album Reality Show is self-love, and these days, Jazmine practices what she preaches. She is happy. She is healthy. She is confident. You saw it in her smile, toss of her hair, even in a few Beyonce-like booty pops (I swear). She’s worked through the pain of her abusive relationship, the insecurities that come with fame and she can now stand firm on who she is. For that, I am thankful for her four year hiatus; she’s a better performer because of it.
You gotta put yourself first. – Jazmine Sullivan
Watch her performance of “Forever Don’t Last” below:
https://youtu.be/CMpdAPHOYaA
Not to worry, Jazmine was still able to effectively channeled her pain without wallowing in it. When performing records like "Forever Don't Last," and of course, "In Love With Another Man," she had folks catching the holy ghost because of that raw, captivating emotion.
The Reality Show Tour opener Jordan Bratton was a natural performer and brought something a little different to the show — a soul-electronic fusion. I’ve yet to find much intel, other than his new single “Danger ft. Fabolous,” but I will keep an eye out.
Luckily for any who missed her March tour dates, Jazmine has added new stops in April, including another performance at the Fillmore. Buy your tickets now before it’s too late!
Check out my snapchat from the night:
J Video: Bridget Kelly’s “Road To Independence” Trailer
I have been looking for a new webseries to watch….
I was hesitant to give Bridget Kelly, “Alicia Keys’s stand-in,” a chance, but it was her live performance and EP Every Girl that won me over. Still, I had a hard time trying to figure out what Bridget is all about.
In recent years, she has been known more for her appearances at parties than her music, and the buzz she was able to build around singles “Street Dreamin’” and “Special Delivery” quickly dissipated. As much as I would love to party with Bey and Jay on a regular basis, as a musician I’m sure there is nothing worse than sitting on the shelf for the better half of your 20s.
After 6 years with no release date, Bridget has decided to part ways with Roc Nation management and release her debut album as an independent artist in September. In the new docu-series Bridget takes us along for the ride on “The Road to Independence.”
I wouldn’t call myself a fan just yet, but I’m hoping the intimate look at her life and career will change that.
The first episode will be available soon can be found here.
Bonus: Check out Bridget’s latest release “I Won’t Cry,” — she has some ground to cover in terms of promotion, but I love rooting for the underdog.