Life is a Beautiful Struggle

Although I struggle, I continue to struggle, I hope that one day I'll be solid. I hope that one day when I wake up, I'll look out MY window and know MY value. I'll know that all of the sacrifices, blood, sweat, and tears mean something not only to myself, but to someone else.

I'll feel connected, I'll feel as if my voice matters. In a world that constantly tells me no, tells us NO, "You don't belong, you don't fit in, your not Black enough, your not classy enough, your not man enough, your not woman enough, your not rich enough, I hope that when I look out MY window, my perspective, my voice, my being, will have a positive affect on the lives of others like me and not.

For all of us who are different, rather it be our skin color, gender, sexuality, gender expression, physical ability, ethnicity, religion, thoughts, just know that you are special. And like you, I struggle to see that in myself, sometimes I forget my worth because so many around me constantly tell me that I'm not worthy. But I am, we are. So for all the outcasts out there, I see you baby.

The answers are there, the answers aren't there. Some people know, some people don't know. Does anyone really know?

So just take a look, look out your window, and know that life is a beautiful struggle.

Tamar Braxton Displays the Chaotic Journey of Love - "Love & War" Album Review

It is a great time for R&B! Everybody dropping albums like hotpockets! I am so proud and honored to review the lovely Tamar Braxton's long awaited sophomore release Love & War.  Reality Tv is definitely opening doors of exposure for talented people who really have something to offer music. Settling into motherhood, her talk show The Real, and life as a solo star Tamar is letting us know she is here! WIth her vocals and charismatic star quality, you would think this would be her 5th album.  Let's get into it. 

                                                        Tamar Braxton — Love & War

1. “The One”

2. “Tip Toe”

3. “Stay and Fight”

4. “Love and War”

5. “All the Way Home”

6. “One on One Fun”

7. “She Did That (Interlude)”

8. “Hot Sugar”

9. “Pieces”

10. “Where It Hurts”

11. “Prettiest Girl”

12. “Sound of Love”

13. “White Candle”

14. “Thank You Lord”

1. The One 

A "Juicy" serenade about love, this summer track is so cute! It's a feel good, joyful record. I'm not sure if it should have opened up the album though.  -Golden Track 

2.  Tip Toe

This should have been the Intro to the album! This is a cute record that took me a few listens to come around too. It serves her personality. This record is about keeping the love you share with your boo a secret.... "I Don't want my business on the Wendy William's show".... Love that Part! Its a cute track......makes you want to hit the dance floor and prance. YAS! -Golden Track 

3. Stay & Fight

A song in which Tamar is stating how she wants to stay and fight with her lover. We all go through that with our lovers....the arguments get real....but if you really want that love to last...you have to STAY & FIGHT. It's growing on me, but I skip this track. Her vocals are beautiful though....she gives me Toni. 

4. Love & War

The lead single of this album......could have also been the intro to the project. We all know Tamar had all competition on hush mode when this song went number one on Itunes in 12 hours after it's release back in Fall of 2012.  - Golden Track 

5.  All The Way Home

This gives me Mairah Carey........I'm sure you can hear it in many of Tamar's vocals and range. This one is about fighting with a lover...but thinking about them as you drive away...pedal to the metal....you know you will return to your boo! That's how love and war is! -Golden Track 

6.  One on One Fun

Now this is where things spice up! The album gets less depressing and more raunchy/ratchet. A breath of fresh air....... Tamar coos about having some one on one fun with her boo. I like this side of her. I wish the beat was a little better and the track was longer. 

7. She Did That 

This song makes me want to hairflip all up in the club! :) Mike-WIll-Made-It influenced, She did that serves as a bad chick anthem to assert that Tamar did that! She proved everyone wrong so now turn up! I love it! But it's too short........I don't know why they decided to make the fun tracks short. -Golden Track

8. Hot Sugar

"Pop it, pop it, pop it..YEA BABAY", this sweet record serves baby Braxton well. Lyrics are fire but I do feel like the instrumental lacks something. I want a guitar or some horns or something in the beat of the song...make it more firery! The song also drags a little. A ladies anthem on how to please your boo...... it's sugary and sweet. -Golden Track 

9. Pieces

This should probably be the next single from the album. It's about being in a relationship and not receiving all the love you deserve from your partner! The piano and Tamar's vocals make her open and bare. -Golden Track 

10. Where It Hurts

I skip this one although her vocals are beautiful. The instrumental does not work for the vocals.......

11. Prettiest Girl 

I love this one! Super cute...a celebration of love and how a man can you feel like the prettiest girl in the  world. "I want to say thank you, for making me feel like the prettiest girl in the world, no matter what I got on." This serves as Tamar's version of Beyonce's "Love on Top".  

12. Sound of Love 

I skip this song s well......it is similar to "Where It Hurts". 

13. White Candle

I love the message of this song. It is about keeping your love going and not letting it die. I like the metaphor of not letting the candle melt away...something so white and pure s candle (dope idea)! Tamar's vocals are also very clean on this one. It works perfectly. - Golden Track 

14. Thank You Lord

I love how this song is dedicated to the Almighty! It's beautiful but I expected a little more soul for this one! Me and a friend discussed how we thought it would have a "Destiny's Child gospel feel". I thought Tamar would take us to the Baptist church where we would catch the Holy Ghost! I wanted that Black church energy but it was not delivered. Despite what it lacks, it is still  a smooth way to close out the album. :) 

Tamar Braxton's Love & War can seem a little lost and depressing at times...but in a odd way it balances itself out. A few features could have given it more spark. I am looking forward to her next project! I am excited that Tamar is finally here because she deserves it. She is very talented, serious, and dedicated to this music biz! SHE DID THAT! 

What's Love Got To Do With It? Tina Turner Married at 73!

Yesterday, fabulous Rock/Soul/Pop LEGEND Tina Turner got married to her longtime lover Erwin Bach in Switzerland. Rocking a fabulous, (against the rules) Black and Green wedding dress, Tina Turner beamed as she strutted down the aisle to the love of her life.

Guests such as the one and only Oprah attended right along with Gayle! YASS! 

Now, all I can say is that I am excited. Knowing all that she has been through and overcome, she deserves all of happiness. 

And this her second marriage after Ike Turner, who she married in 1962 and divorced in 1976. I absolutely and happy for her. 

It doesn't matter what time LOVE COMES, BUT IT COMES ON TIME! To think that this is her second marriage at 73, wow. I love it. It's inspiring. 

Hugs, kisses, and wishes! 

Where Are You?

 

"Peek-a-boo"

Hola readers! Wanted to do something, a little check in of sorts. A break from the album reviews I've been serving. :) 

Have you ever been so busy and wrapped up in life that you feel like it's all a blue? You feel like it's passing you by yet you can't stop it. 

This morning I literally googled "how to stay calm" and found a plethora of leads that aid with calmness. 

One thing I literally did was look at my bedroom wall and repeat to myself "I am Calm, I am Happy, I am Focused, I will Succeed" 

Sometimes you have to literally speak to YOURSELF to get it together. I said it about 3 times repeatedly and felt a little better. 

I often have to remember WHERE I AM. And ask myself... Are you enjoying the ride? Did you complete that goal? If not, why don't you do it? 

So for those anxious nerve wrecked bee's out there, it's all gonna fall together. We don't know how, I don't know how, but sit tight and do what you can. 

Hugs, wishes, and kisses.