You Gave Me The Kiss Of Life

"When I was led to you / I knew you were the one for me / I swear the whole world could feel my heartbeat"

These last few weeks I've felt really in tune with the feelings of my friends. I've listened to them as they've pondered their futures, sat with them as they've spilled their guts, seen them blindly try new things, and watched them as their hearts have broken, like mine once did. I guess you could say it's awakened something inside of me. Over the years it was them helping me to heal from my wounds and now I feel like I've become the big brother, confidant and healer that they once were for me. I feel connected to them. I feel LOVE for them. They helped build me back up to a place of freedom and (self) love and I want to do the same for them. I want them to know that they have someone who loves them because I've seen just how much they love me. I have LOVE and it's their's to share in.

"You wrap me up in / The color of love / You gave me the kiss of life / Kiss of life"

Gang Starr - Mass Appeal

Gang Starr - Mass Appeal
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Fashion Flashback: Beverly Peele & Tyra Banks

....There are some MAJOR snatch backs, tracks and weaves going on here....But it's FIYACE!

Liya Kebede Smolders For ELLE Italia

In the world of fashion there are some models that burn wild and bright in a photo and there are some who glow gracefully, calmly. World renowned model, Liya Kebede, knows how to do both. On next month's cover of ELLE Italia Liya mesmerizes like a soft and beautiful wildfire in front the lens of Alexei Hay. Just look into her eyes and you'll see what I mean. She makes the images come to life and in the editorial she moves like liquid fire in the funkiest get ups (including roller skates and knee pads) and makes it all look chic...well, most of it.

Dani Evans Goes Pink for Victoria's Secret

Click Model and Top Model winner, Dani Evans, has struck commercial gold or rather Pink by booking a job as the newest model for Victoria's Secret PINK's online style guide. Shot next to VS fave, Behati Prinsloo, Dani looks a little wet behind the VS ears but, like a pro, she uses her limbs to fill the image and looks uber cute as she shares the spotlight with the radiant Behati.

Dani is the first (American) Top Model alum to book a job with the lingerie powerhouse and hopefully with a bit of luck we'll see her sporting more of their cute and sexy clothes. Check out the rest of the style guide HERE

*Side Lipton ~ Dani hinted at this gig a few months ago during a radio interview when she mentioned booking a high-profile job and Victoria's Secret requested her to attend their casting for their fashion show this year.*

Merry Crystal-Meth-Mas!!

I'll be gone for a week but I'll be back with more music, fashion and random stuff. Until then here's a little holiday cheer for you and yours.



*Side Lipton* Don't you just love that "Ricky" from the show Noah's Arc is one of her dancers?*

Oh Just Say It...I LOVE You

"Don't even say I love you no more / Cause saying how we feel is no longer allowed....Why do we hurt each other? / Why do we push love away?"

Boyz II Men hit the nail right on the head when they asked that question. Why is it so frowned upon to tell another person, "I love you"??? Many people have said it before, that we've conditioned ourselves to let it be an unspoken understanding that the people around us love us. But how many times have any of us felt unloved or lonely amidst masses of friends, family and random people? How many times have we just needed to connect with another human being, to know that we feel something between each other, some form of comfort? How many times have you just needed someone to understand you or accept you? Well damnit, you can pretty much say all of that in 3 words. I...Love...You. I Love You.

That's what I'm going to say to the people that I love, today. I HIGHLY recommend you do the same. If you have love then give it because everybody needs it.



Boyz II Men- Water Runs Dry

CascadingDesire MySpace Video

V Magazine Size Issue Preview

V Magazine is dedicating their January issue to plus-sized models and has released exclusive images up this upcoming "Size Issue" to models.com. High fashion model Jacquelyn Jablonski and plus-sized model Crystal Renn provide stunning double takes of each other in the editorial "One Size Fits All", shot by famed photographer, Terry Richardson.

Personally I think both girls are beautiful for different reasons. Jacquelyn is giving me FACE for days! And Crystal is giving me energy and LIFE with those poses. Plus she's cute and her body is BODACIOUS....for a model, that is. By regular standards her body is pretty typical. What should also be typical is the appearance of models like Crystal Renn on the pages of fashion magazines. Hopefully V magazine will take inspiration from Glamour magazine and their pledge to use plus-sized models more regularly. To see the rest of the preview click HERE.

Around The Way Girl

"Standing at the bus stop / Sucking on a lollipop / Once she gets pumping it's hard to make the hotty stop."

This is for the model I saw at Erotically Speaking, Saturday night. "I love you. You're from around the way."


LL Cool J - Around The Way Girl
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Fashion's Boot Camp Clique

I'm not too big on army men but these men in L'equipe Sport & Style's latest editorial, "Boot Camp", give a new meaning to the term "stand at attention." Shot by noted photographer, Richard Phibbs, "Boot Camp" showcases some of the hottest male models, including, Jenry Bejarano, Chad White, Kerry Degman, Oraine Barrett as they train and play in the latest style clothes of the season. The men look regal and proud, as well as stylish (way too stylish for the services, might I add). Let's hear it for the boys.

D'Angelo - Lady (Remix)

I love this song and the fact that D'Angelo put two of my favorite R&B QUEENS in the video, best friends, Erykah Badu and Joi (Who was pregnant at the time with her daughter, Keypsiia, and STILL rocking sheer gowns, high heels and some fierce bra and panties. YAES heffa!!).

*Side Lipton: DJ Premier produced this remix*

Tyra Banks: The QUEEN of the Victoria's Secret Runway

"There's a statue of Michael Jordan that says, 'The best there ever was. The best there ever will be.' When I think about Tyra, that's the way I think about her. Tyra understands how to work the runway better than anyone I've ever seen. She owns it when she's out there. She's as good as it gets." ~ Ed Razek, Chief Marketing Officer, Victoria's Secret.

*Side Lipton/Correction ~ Tyra Banks didn't walk in the 2006 Victoria's Secret Fashion show. She retired from modeling in 2005.*

Kershaw: A Numéro Cover Goddess

Abbey Lee Kershaw was shot by photographer, Miguel Reveriego, for the cover and accompanying editorial of Numéro #109 and the result is ethereally stunning. From what I've seen of the editorial, the rest of the work is absolutely genius. Trust me when I tell you there are more pics to come.



*Side Lipton: I love that bit of areola peeking through her hair.*

Abbey Lee Kershaw: My VS 2009 Fave

Watch the first video below and watch the dancers right before the run out on stage. Look at their faces as they get ready. I know that feeling. That last bit of tension, fear, aggression and joy before you perform in front of an audience. It's breathtaking and frightening all at the same time. I've done enough performances to know that once you hit that stage you're either going to let the anxiety paralyze you or you're going to let go and let the spirit of fun take over.

At the 2009 Victoria's Secret Fashion show Australian model, Abbey Lee Kershaw, did the latter. Most people have been talking about Chanel Iman's walk and undoubtedly she was UBER CUTE, but I believe Abbey Lee outdid her. I've been thinking about the show ever since it aired and I can't stop thinking about her walk. Everytime she hit the runway she commanded the audience and sometimes the performers, The Black Eyed Peas. She never took the show or herself too seriously. She let the moment take her and she wasn't afraid to get "cheeky." (Pun intended)

Watch her segments of the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show, below.


Star Trooper Segment. 2:49 mark.


PINK Planet Segment. 1:50 mark.


Enchanted Forest Segment. 2:57 mark.

The Return of Erykah. The Return of the Ankh

Erykah Badu is set to release her new album New AmErykah, Part II: Return of the Ankh on February 23, 2010. Recently she did an interview with Billboard and gave them a sneak peek of her upcoming album.

I called it 'Part II: The Return of the Ankh' because this album is the sister of the left side of my brain -- it is the right side," Badu explained during a listening session this week at New York City's Chung King Studios. "'Part I was the left side of my thoughts -- it was more socially political and my thought process was more analytical. This time there wasn't anything to be concerned with -- the album is more emotional and flowy and talks about feelings. It reminds of the days of 'Baduizm' -- this is just about beats and rhymes in a cipher."

From what Billboard describes of Return of the Ankh's sound Badu is going to be blending this free flowing style with a heavy dose of hip-hop and some very personal storytelling.

On the banjo-laden "Don't Be Long," Badu pleads her lover to return soon although she understands "you gotta get your hustle on." She taps into her inner B-girl and pays homage to the Notorious B.I.G. on tracks like "Get Money," which features elements of the Junior M.A.F.I.A. feat. Notorious B.I.G. track of the same title, and "Incense," on which she harmonizes the Biggie lyrics, "there's gonna be a lot of slow singing and flower bringing if my burglar alarm starts ringing," over a beat reminiscent of Alicia Keys' "Unbreakable."

Some of the other stand-out tracks include "Fall In Love" which finds her candidly warning potential lovers, "You're loving me and I'm driving your Benz / you're loving me and I'm fucking your friends;" the harp-heavy " Out of My Mind Just in Time (Part I) (Undercover Over-Lover)," on which she pleads, "I hate for you, when I hate you too, if you want me to;" and " Out of My Mind Just In Time (Part 2)," on which she confesses, "I am a recovering undercover over-lover / recovering from a love I can't get over / and now my lover thinks he wants another," over piano strokes.

Concerns over internet leaks of her music have caused Badu to become very protective of her work, and understandably so.

"Jump In The Air" was slated to appear on the album, but parts of it leaked on the internet earlier this week, and as a result Badu is unsure if she will include it on the set. "If anything leaks, I won't put out this album," she said about potential future leaks. "I worked too hard for that to happen. Let a bitch make some money some kind of way."

Yaes Badu!! I so hope it doesn't leak, then...but when it does (This is the state of the industry. Even Sade couldn't hold off anyleaks of their for single until it's appointed release time) I'll be there to share it with you. But seriously, buy her music. It's good stuff.

To see the rest of her article with Billboard click HERE

Ken Dahl - The Adahlcalypse

If there were two words to describe Ken Dahl's sound it would be massively playful. In the world of out music he provides a bizarre element of fun and folly that's both provocative and outrageous. He's undoubtedly the prince of the playground and with his colossal group of producers (Garlic Bread, MJK, GotDion?! and Royce 2 Kool) providing that element of "massive" sound Ken Dahl has created a musical playground of electronic pop for his latest album, The Adahlcalypse.

The first half of the album is loaded with dynamic tracks starting with the up-tempo song, "Gamez." Filled with high-gloss synth grooves and keyboards "Gamez" sounds like a classic 80's dance record blended with retro game show sound effects. And for Ken love seems to be a losing game as he describes a relationship crumbling under the weight of a lover's deceitful ways.

Besides relationship drama, comedy is also a major element in Ken's music and his comedic nature is never more apparent than on the funky interlude "U Make Me Laugh". Over a simple drum beat, slinky bass plucks and synths Ken gets sassy as he confronts his boyfriend about a random number he's found, "I got this number right out of your pocket / Some bitch named Shaquanmanisha / Yeah, we're gonna call this hoe up right motherfucking now." It sounds like an unabashed modern twist on a Klymaxx record and you can't help but to laugh along as Ken giggles slyly in the background.

Despite his penchant for comedic thrills, Ken still knows how to cleverly handle personal issues such as confidence and self-esteem in his music. On "Walk The Plank" he equates moving past self-doubt to walking the plank of a sailing ship. Over Garlic Bread's beat of blaring whistles, pounding bass, and gun shots, Ken of taking a gamble, "No one got no where / Without taking a risk / Without doing something different / Without pushing the envelope and slashing it up / No one!"

On "Lesser Gorl" Ken gets downright sassy as he bemoans anyone comparing themselves to him or attempting to steal his style, "You lesser gorl / Subtract from me then we got you type of gorl." It's defiant and bold, as well as an undeniable club and ballroom banger.

Ken takes a walk on the sexual side for the song "Rocket" which he fills with metaphors about amusement parks and space rides to express his love of the phallus, "Can I ride your rocket? (Can I ride your rocket?) / Put it in a socket? (Put it in a socket)" It's deliciously randy and the kind of record that you'll quietly sing to yourself before you realize that you're singing it aloud in the most random of places.

The highlight of the album is the intensely sexual track, "Heavy." With it's deep ripples of electronic static, synth blips and snaps, it sounds like the musical equivalent of an engine revving up for a high octane race. It's a barrel of fun as Ken sings of outrageous tales of men coming on to him with heavy swagger before he kindly returns the favor, "Gonna give him something for the road / I take the pump / I put it in my car / I ram it real hard / Then I stop / To feel the pump".

Perhaps taking a cue from Prince, Ken jokingly takes his sexuality in an offbeat direction and tackles the topic of incest on the track, "Cousin." As synth blips, scratches, warbles and flares roll over top of each other Ken details his dismay over an all too awkward meeting with his former lover/cousin at a family cookout; "I can't believe I kissed my / Cousin, cousin / Oh my god, oh my god / I can't believe I did my / Cousin, cousin." It's shockingly catchy in an uneasy but strangely cool kind of way.

For the most part this is a strongly catchy record. The only missteps are on the second half of the album where the songs start to lose their dynamic appeal. "U Flopped" has a good rock inspired beat but it doesn't blend well with Ken's atypical vocals and it makes the track sound awkward. "Feel Ur Beat" sounds like it's missing a layer of sonic weight and doesn't make enough of an impact to be memorable. Besides "U Make Me Laugh" the saving grace of the album's latter half are "Exposure" and "On The Moon," two solid tracks that get the job done but never fully reach the same effect as the album's first half.

Ken Dahl's creative spirit is definitely outside of this realm and requires a bit of imagination and fun on the listeners part to fully digest it. But once you've become comfortable with all of the slides, rides and toys of Ken's musical playground you'll find that he's one exhilirating playmate. Enjoy the play date, kiddies. It's worth the listen.

To download The Adahlcalypse click the link below
Ken Dahl - The Adahlcalypse

To learn more about Ken Dahl check out his MySpace page.
http://www.myspace.com/kendoll4u

Sade - Soldier of Love

The first single from Sade's upcoming album of the same name "Soldier of Love" has finally leaked. Written by Sade (the group) and co-produced by Mike Pela, the song comes off as a call to arms to their listeners, their fellow soldiers of love.

Over the bands military style beat of minimalist drums, heavy guitar jabs, and sparse horn blares Sade effectively sings of surviving the hardships of love and life, "I've lost the use of my heart / But I'm still alive / Still looking for the light / And the endless pull on the other side."

It's her serene tale of war and love. Her personal statement of strenth. But it's when the song hits it's anthemic chorus that the group really taps into the strength of its listeners and shares in the glory of a war well fought as they chant, "I've been torn up inside (Hoooo!) / I've been left behind (Hoooo!) / So I rise / I have a will to survive / In the wild wild west / Trying my hardest / Doing my best / To stay alive."

Sade's observation of the world, as it stands, is harsh. But what they've also observed is the strength of the human heart and as they've done on past records they've pulled upon that strength and created a softly powerful record for both themselves and their listeners. March on to glory.

To hear and download "Soldier of Love" click on the link below.

Sade - Soldier of Love

Millie Forte & Baron - Show Me Your Love

The star child, Millie Forte, is back once again and this time around he's come with a surprisingly new sound. Where once heartbreak was his inspiration Millie has now tapped into a wellspring of love and desire for his latest song, "Show Me Your Love," with fellow electro hip-hop artist, Baron.

With it's cascading waves of synth rhythms, propelling snaps and drum beats, and electro guitar plucks "Show Me Your Love" feels like a perfect piece of dance happy euro-pop. More importantly, it feels happy. It's the type of joy that is absolutely infectious and I doubt anyone can resist breaking into dance as Millie and Baron sing for you (and their men) to "Show Me Your Love / Why don't you give it to me?"

As the song hits its bridge Millie shows us more of his softer side as he gently croons lines like "Hold on to my heart (my heart) / My heart (my heart) / Noooowwooo da dooo dooo." Like so many R&B crooners before him, Millie could break hearts and break minds (plus catch a few man-panties) with that type of sound.

Millie may want us to show him our love but what he's showing us is that he's not a one-trick pony. He's multi-dimensional and capable of commanding both our hearts and our feet. Show us what you've got, luv.

To hear "Show Me Your Love" check out Millie's MySpace page.
http://www.myspace.com/millieforte

And to hear more music from Baron check out his page.
http://www.myspace.com/baronartist

TwitChic: Steven Meisel meets Twitter

Twitter has been ushered onto the glossy pages of the fashion world by one it's most legendary photographer's, Steven Meisel, in this month's issue of Vogue Italia . The twitter inspired shoot, "Feeling...," mimic's the aesthetic style of a twit pic with commentary and showcases some the top models of past and present in some candid scenes shot by both themselves and Meisel. Twitter and Vogue Italia just got so many more cutting edge cool points in my book.

Leopard print tresh box chic. Yaes!

This leather jacket is RAD!

I love everything about this (except the smoking. BOO!). The boots, the pink leggings, the skirt, the pose, SESSILEE. It's CHIC!*

Gisele was quite preggers when she took these photos and yet she's already a MILF...well...for some lesbians, bisexuals or straight boys, that is. You see that DONK on her, though. Hubba hubba!

Oh Naomi. May your lace-fronts never fail you :-]

Doesn't she look like a Miley Cyrus/washed up Disney pre-teen treshbox???

You can see the rest of the editorial by clicking HERE and HERE