The HairyKat Chronicles

its that time again where I give you hairykats some tracks for your ears in between tracks for your...tracks...hey, I was trying to be clever did it work? lol whatever. I come to you on this monday evening with greater than one beautiful surprise. I love how that flows. that's the name of the albums released this week by Dwele titled Greater than One and Beautiful Surprise by Tamia. Let me start by saying Dwele is my dude. I remember about 5 or 6 years ago hearing him perform his 2nd studio album Some Kinda at the House of Blues in Universal Hollywood. I remember standing there , I was with a group of friends, but  felt like I was there alone, head cocked to the side, staring at this brotha with the chocolately skin letting the words of his every song just flow off of his lips. Wooooh. Dwele is best known for his use of horns in his songs. I absolutely love his music , his music is like that breeze on a hot day that ever so slighlty blows your curtai...

The RnB Mixtape King Trey Songz, (pause, "Did she say RnB mixtape King?" ,"YES I DID", "name another RnB artist that did a full SUCCESSFUL, sold-out tour off of a mixtape"...go ahead, I'll wait...) lol. As I was saying, RnB Mixtape King Trey Songz hits us with another chapter in his Songbook titled Chapter V. I've particularly enjoyed watching, (I meant hearing,) ok hearing and watching, lol... the Virgina Native grow as an artist,coming into his own unique sound. When you hear a "yup, whoop, or harmonous hmm," to an intro of a song, you know its Trey on the track. I must admit I was a bit nervous for this album as many of my favorite artists have "crossed over" to the sound of pop (side eyes Ne-Yo, swear I wish Let me Love you was a "regular" rnb song, anywho)... Trey has crossed over in a different way by introducing us to Trigga the rapper (in case you haven't met him on Trey's Lemme Hold that Beat...

2 Chainz comes to us with his first studio album as 2chainz  rather than Tity Boy, titled Based on a T.R.U. story. The College Park Native was apart of the original group Playaz Circle on DTP /Def Jam Records. (Side note, is DTP the new Bad Boy, CEO prosperous, artists....ugh not so much...no shade Luda...shrugs.)  "50k for a verse no album out" are the lyrics that roam through my head as I think about 2chainz being featured on almost every single on the airways right now. Following the Jay-Z, Niki, and Wayne formula of establishing a fan base before the album with heavy featurings, 2Chainz is presumptiously one of the hottest if not thee hottest MC out right now. His southern drawl and witty lyrics has deemed him a t.r.u. representer of  the southern sound. I was originally drawn to 2chainz , when the music was off, while reading one of his interviews. His faith in God and his faith in his abilities were admirable to me. Its rare that artists shou...

Shame on me for having a hair blog and not blogging about my favorite salon in Inglewood. Mark Brulee the Owner of Hair Solutions in Inglewood has been cutting Kayden's hair for over a year now. Let me tell you the first time Kayden walked in he was crying and screaming and trying to escape his fear of the shears, but now the kid just walks in comfortably and sits right in the chair with no problem. Mark does men and women's hair. So head on down to 252 S. Market Street in Inglewood and get hooked up! Make your appointments today: 310-491-5053 (salon) or call Mark on his cell (310)594-1626 BTW: Destiny is also a stylist at Hair Solutions. I'll be sitting in her chair soon! She can press some hair yaw! Check em out!!!! 

I was first introduced to the sound of Ace Da Youngin on the Roots to the Treetop radio show this past Tuesday ( http://www.soundsofthecave.com/ ) so I decided to check out his album titled The Classic available on Itunes. Ace Da Youngin reminds me of a Young Nas-Jay-Z-Talib-Young Chris type mesh.  Ace released his first album The Classic, June 20th , 2012. He gives us poetic lyrical content over head-bopping production. With heartfelt thought provoking songs like Pop Dukes and Her Song to Me to slick talking tracks like That's Bad and Pimpin in French ft. DC The Classic is a good solid album. Check out the single from the album That's Bad and Other Ace da Youngin Tracks: That's Bad Video Ace Da Youngin-Right Here Ace Da Youngin-Non-Fiction

We met Elle Varner on BET's music matters in 2010, where she showcased her captivating vocals. She teased us with her mixtape this past winter titled Conversational Lush. And now, we get a refill with her debut Perfectly Imperfect.  Her  vibratos remind me of  Chrisette Michelle and her raspiness reminds me of Jazmine Sullivan,  which would worry me a smidget as a new artist. To the untrained ear, you'd seriously think this was either of the two, Christte Michelle or Jazmine Sullivan. Despite the distinct comparison,  the catchiness of the Re-Fill single and her distinguished beauty is a start to getting our attention and letting us know she is Elle, but as she progresses in her career, I hope that she finds the formula to keep our attention, in ways that sets her apart from other artists of her genre. Notably Elle plays the flute, piano, and guitar. I would love to see her hit the stage and/or studio with her raw voice and guitar an...

Its the talk of the town, Gabby Douglas, 16 year old Gold Medalist, isn't being celebrated by a great deal of our (African American) community because too many people are focused on her hair? With me barely being able to keep my strands constrained when going for a light walk in the neighborhood I couldn't imagine the perplexity of maintaining tresses during gymnastics. I get it I get it, she's representing for African-American women to the world but seriously, the comments are becoming a bit small minded. Its just hair, or is it? Stop me if I'm digging too far deep into this but historically I feel that African Americans have a complex about perception. I think the mental oppressions of our past as a collective has caused this underlying tone of the need to maintain a certain apperance so that we aren't judged as poor or weak, etc. Its not just our appearance but the way we carry ourselves as well.  I've heard countless comedians joke about the dif...

when it comes to hair color we sometimes talk in number rather than color such as Honey Blonde, Peanut Butter Brown...you catch my drift, but from time to time we need guidance on how to blend and buy...don't be afraid to check the chart! 27 is my  FAVORITE!

If you haven't noticed I'm pretty open minded to trying new things. I don't know why but there was always an intimidation factor when it came to Carol's Daughter and their products. Maybe its their beige labeling that just reads....'SPENSIVE...yup 'SPENSIVE lol. Well I'm finally a believer. I took a walk on the wild side and looked into their products. Since I've been wearing my own hair with a twist of weave incorporated I wanted some product that would make my press last longer and make my hair look healthy and blend with my silky straight tracks. I went for their repair/damage system because I put my hair through so much. It contains Monoi Oil, and the treatment is actually called Monoi ( http://www.carolsdaughter.com/Portal.aspx?CN=A0F2985885DB&BCID=419AE9DFBCA7 ) . Can we say HAIRCRACK! My hair was sooooooo soft! Un-believable this stuff is! I got the three piece starter system that comes with shampoo, conditioner, and hair mask. It c...

Hey HairyKats, A few blogs back ( kats have nine lives?: reviving hip-hop ) I featured nine artists that have what it takes to revive the hip-hop we call dead! Well I'm excited to present to you Broad Life by Young Murph The Kid... , you gotta love an album with a Coming to America sample! Check the link! and My favorite song from the album Early Birds. http://www.hotnewhiphop.com/i_am_ymtk-ymtk-broad-life-prod-by-trev-case-mixtape.58137.html