WCW: Ella Mai

Y'all Can Stop Singing Boo'd Now

Top 3 Songs

1. Trip

2. Sauce

3. Good Bad

Honorable Mentions

1. Everything feat. John Legend

2. Own It

I remember when I had this huge fascination with Ty Dolla $ign. He was just somebody I had to listen to all the time, even followed his tour stories on YouTube. Anywho, I remember a song he was featured on from this Spotify playlist and I immediately fell in love...with the girl on the song. Her voice was different. It wasn't breathy like Jhene Aiko or strong like my good sis Keke Wyatt. It was chill, not mediocre, and not unforgettable, her voice laid in the cut.

To this day, She Don't by Ella Mai featuring Ty Dolla $ign is my favorite song when referring to Ella and her works of music. After learning who she was I found out her EP didn't come out yet, I have the attention span of a gnat so I just moved onto other music. When I came back to her world sis had her second piece of work under her belt.

Ella Mai Howell is not new to the United States; she lived in New York at the age of 12 and stayed for about 6 years. She went back to England and studied at the British and Irish Modern Music Institute London. While studying she began singing in a group called Arize. The group went onto audition for X Factor.

Even though they didn't get past auditions, Ella didn't give up. The group broke up, but Ella was still working on her craft. She was doing covers for popular songs before The Shade Room reposted her one day. Followers started coming out of nowhere once that happened. DJ Mustard caught wind of her talent and the rest is history I guess...

Sike. The grind didn't stop there. She made three EPs before Boo'd Up came to the light. I felt that Ella was slept on until this point. Her voice was heard but maybe not taken seriously. Forget voice, the lyrics she would sing always spoke to my soul. Boo'd Up was out around my birthday and I was hype.

Then scrolling through Instagram I saw she did a video and a couple people I knew were in there. There was Khalid I was totally thrown off when I found out she was friends with @alissaashley. While I was blown away by the cute video this song was legit everywhere. I remember driving down to D.C. for Broccoli Fest and everyone was playing it. She was everyone's favorite voice by this time.

I didn't think she would blow like this. Boo'd Up is the least lyrically driven song she's made so far. But what do I know, I just write blogs.

Ella's self titled, debut album is everything I expected it to be. I'm happy she stuck to her old ways with monologues before and after songs. Gives you raw Ella feels. This album would be considered a sneak up album. For some the initial listen to the album would be a let down. But this album is a true introduction into who Ella Mai is; you get to know something other than Boo'd Up.

Ella Mai has made songs that fit every feeling and scenario I have been in. She Don't describes what every woman thinks when a man cheats or leaves them for someone who isn't true competition. Anymore goes into how that love was the "one", he starts acting up, so now your time is up in the relationship and they are able to leave. Services aren't needed anymore. Then there is Naked, a single that made me look at what I truly wanted out of love. Would the love of my life really love me for my flawed appearance, character and spirit? An Ella Mai song makes me go into thought of what I want romantically. She knew after not making it on X Factor and the group not working out that she was still needed. Ella kept striving and guess what, people know her for more than Boo'd Up now.

WCW: Sevyn Streeter

Top 5 Favorite Songs...So Far

I don't remember if I heard I Like It in a show or saw the video first. All I remember is realizing her voice was different from what I have ever heard before. It wasn't soft and airy like Jhene Aiko and it wasn't bold and pure like Jennifer Hudson either. I would consider it a younger sister version of Brandy's voice, just less raspy. Her voice was and still is fun and clean, in my opinion. My Woman Crush Wednesday goes to the fun and clean Sevyn Streeter. Her music, I feel, is timeless, full of passion, and is sung with much conviction. You can't tell me she doesn't come with the 'it' factor in the area of her content. I say that because as a performer I have heard multiple mixed reviews; more bad than good, but that is none of my business.

Amber Denise Streeter is from Haines City, Florida. She is the daughter of Tim and Karen, and a sister of one brother (that I know of).

She got her first big break at the age of 9 with the group TG4. TG4 which is short for Tom Girl 4 fell short after a group member dipped and they signed to another record label.

After that shot at fame came and went young Amber stayed to the music and got discovered. She was apart of a trend that now molds talent scouting for today, making music for MySpace. Amber, now Se7en, is added to group Rich Girl in 2007. Before disbanding for pursuits of solo careers, the group opened up for Beyonce on her I Am...World Tour. Well nothing held Ms. Streeter back because by March of 2012 Sevyn was signed with CBE imprint.

At this point I am now losing my mind trying to find out who is the supporting vocalist on Chris Brown's Fortune album. After snooping around on the blogs I found out she was Brown's new artist and she "had new music on the way." I waited with bated breath for Kevin McCall and we all know how that turned out. But, to our surprise Sevyn became a success story. I was shocked when I Like It came out, but still apprehensive to be a full time fan. Then y'all, It Won't Stop came out and I was sold. I followed her on basically every platform of social media and watched her flourish with glee.

Around the time of my 18th birthday I was blessed with Call Me Crazy, But... I was vibing out to it but at that time I didn't relate to the lyrics so it wasn't on my rotation of albums. A good honorable mention though.

Fast forward to a year later, I am in college and annoyed with men all together. Track 5, B.A.N.S., sets the tone and brought words to my indescribable feelings as of 2014. This album has contributed to the woman most people try to read on a daily basis. Thank track 5 especially for this outcome.

In between time, in the meantime Sevyn was working and dating. First off as a rumor, and then later confirmed by both parties, Sevyn was dating Mack Wilds.

I was so here for the creative duo. He is a rapper, singer and actor, and Sevyn is a singer and writer; match made in music heaven I guess. Well just like her ventures in girl groups this was shortly lived.

At this time it was as if I looked up from my desk and missed a whole relationship. Sevyn was onto new music and a new man. Don't Kill the Fun came out and so did her relationship with rapper B.O.B.

During the break in between her freshman and sophomore studio albums Sevyn planned to release two EPs, but ended only releasing one.

Shoulda Been There Pt. 1 included a song with then boo Bobby Ray. And then before I knew it he was gone. Good thing because baby boo is off nowadays. But Shoulda Been There was real bop.

Singles from Girl Disrupted are slowly creeping out after the EP was released. I felt this project was super slept on. You could possibly consider this an album consumed by the sophomore slump. She had great features; The-Dream, Wiz Khalifa, Jeremih, Dej Loaf, August Alsina, Dave East, and Ty Dolla $ign.

This album was cute...wish there was better promo because, again, it was slept on. Don't get me wrong there was some promo campaign but it fell off once the album was actually released. You can't fault her, it was her team ultimately. She came with the talent just no strategy to share it with the world.

Now look, a year later and Streeter is BACK! Her latest single, Yernin, has me doing such. I am in the need for more music and not love.

I think the last time she had a bang like this was the release of Fallen with Ty Dolla $ign. In between those releases so much has evolved for R&B. For a second I thought there wasn't going to be any room for my sister friend at the table. But there I go doubting true talent. Her writing skills are out of this world. If it wasn't for the dope artists who support her and a GREAT fan base I would've been behind on this wave of Streeter.

Y'all better get ready, she's about to get ready to give us some beautiful music.

What is your favorite Sevyn song?

WCW: Serena Williams

Diary of a Mad Black Woman

Dear Diary,

Well this U.S. Open was a bust. From them telling me I can't wear a jumpsuit to me being called a sore loser. I just don't understand where I went wrong.

I swore I was going to prove everyone wrong and come back on top after having a child. Man, think the only thing that this transition into motherhood did was make me soft. That damn umpire would've gotten a racket thrown upside his head if the old me was playing.

I don't understand that all these years here they are still treating me like I'm nothing special. These people know I have the talent, but I really feel that they are trying to discredit me. And poor Naomi. That poor baby just wanted to play tennis. Damn, I hope and pray that this changes for the better...

" Did I not raise you better? How many times have I told you, you have to be what? You have to be what? - Twice as good as them to get half of what they have." - Rowan Pope (Scandal S6 E1)

Papa Pope truly said it best. His quote has followed me all through grade school and high school. I bet every child in a black household has heard this saying or something like it at least once. My mother used to say it all the time, with her graduating from a PWI (predominantly white institution) she felt the pressure. She also knew me living in a culturally diverse environment that racism might not be a serious issue, but sexism would. I want to talk about a woman who has conquered it all, from racism to sexism, she is a true conqueror.

My first Woman Crush Wednesday goes to a queen that I clearly have taken for granted for too long. Serena Jameka Williams - Ohanian. In my world, she has been something of the norm. I grew up with Brandy on my television and radio, Will Smith in every other movie, and the Williams sisters being played on the weekends. Sports Center was always being played since I am the only girl of three children. Then my mother is pro-black and a feminist, so anybody dominating an all male space was going to be praised. Lastly, my parents are news buffs and Real Sports was always being played. I hope you get it by now. It was understood that black excellence was important and the Williams sisters were apart of that excellence. When you grow up seeing black people on big scales of success I believe they are taken for granted. I can admit I took Barack and Michelle Obama for granted. Shoot, to see Uncle Barry and Auntie Chelly Chell in the White House right now would make my day. Sigh.

Serena is and will always be black excellence. But her and her sister's road to this grand scale of excellence was not easy. From the media pitting them against each other to them over sexualizing her outfits, Serena has been through it.

At first I was going to write about how America is taking advantage of the excellence Serena brings to the court, but nah I'm good on pointing out the obvious. I will write about how she has shed light on the black woman experience in today's time.

The black experience is being great but having to be greater than someone of the melanin deficient race (my definition, quote me if you would like). There is a severe difference in the black man's and black woman's experience (in my opinion but if you observe this opinion can be a fact). In the pecking order of America (or in any other country, in my opinion) it is men, women, black men, then black women. I am not going off recent studies, I know us black women are lower I am just trying to make a quick point. Since black women are at the complete bottom just think how we are being treated at school, work, dating, hell just life overall. Now, look at my cousins Serena and Venus and understand this fight is never ending.

Serena goes onto to fight the good fight on the court by herself when European beauty standards are thrown her way. She's too thick, showing too much skin, it (y'all know they were talking about her booty) can be a distraction. Let's not forget the bead debacle back in the 90's. I bet those ticket sales skyrocketed when sis popped up on the court with that catsuit for the first time in 2002.

Before Serena was being praised for surviving death after giving birth, she was being judged for the man she marries and starts a family with. But this criticism is coming from her own community, males specifically. The same community that praised her for her great talents and bangin' body is telling her 'Nah sis, not him he's not the one to make you happy.' Bi-racial relationships are for another day. It seems like she can never do anything right but play tennis huh?

I say all this to say that Serena is a groundbreaker all across the board. One of two daughters to make it big, great competitor of a sister (against her star athlete sister Venus), amazing wife (that man would die for her), and great mother. She is a mirror of us women in one or all aspects of life. The only thing is her job is on television and we get to see her argue with triflin' behind coworkers around the world. Just think your argument with Bob over a presentation was televised, how would you look?

This past weekend we saw Serena clock in, have her character almost assassinated on live television and clock out to be deemed the sore loser of a somewhat rigged game. I felt for her. People with some type of authority can take the smooth taste of a black woman for granted. Ladies think about when you first started your job, you're nice to everyone and will do almost everything to prove that you're the best for your position. Then over time unnecessary shade is thrown your way and opportunities you know you can benefit from are thrown towards people who are not even qualified to boil water. But once we rise to the occasion and stand our ground, we are full of attitude and rage. But you know what, ya damn skippy I have an attitude, came here to do my job and get slighted with a slanderous attack instead, tuh the nerve.

Then after one disagreement has simmered down at the office, you have a cartoonist attack who you are physically and morally just to get a rise out of the dying situation.

I'm glad this was revealed for the world to see. This is the third time the world has tried to pit Serena against another black tennis player. First it was her sister, then it was Sloane Stephens now it's poor Naomi Osaka. Had to correct myself, a friend who knows sports corrected me on a couple of things. Black women deal with this on a daily basis. If you're great you have to be greater than them. If you're both great, one has to go.

As a woman it is hard to have a place in an all boys club. But to add race to this hard enough life is tipping the intensity scale over the edge. I am amazed at the women I meet and interact with on a daily basis that walk around with a smile on their face. I swear as soon as I had hit the age of 21 and saw what the world was doing to women like myself, my chip formed and hung around for a while. At this tender age of 23 I sit back and thank women like Serena who come with love and ease. Black women will get the respect we deserve. Oh and y'all gonna get this black girl magic whether y'all like it or not.

Say what you want about Richard Williams (Serena's father), him and his wife raised women who stand up for what they believe is right and sit down for nothing less. They work twice as hard and demand respect even harder. Happy Wednesday.