Teen Savvy

UPDATE: Facebook Makeover

2013-04-26T10:51:00.001-07:00

Since ending Teen Savvy I've still been doing my thing on the web. The made-over Facebook page (HERE) is where you can find just about everything that you would usually find on this site.

Happy 4 Year Bloggerversary: The End.

2013-03-28T05:52:00.001-07:00

It's been a long, prosperous journey and all good things must come to an end. Starting this site opened many doors for me. Most importantly it's an outlet for expressing my creativity. If you're a regular here I'm sure that you noticed a decline in posts and online activity overall and I apologize. The plan was to go out with a bang, but last weekend I contracted a cold and everything slowed down.

I don't want to leave any questions unanswered. Teen Savvy is ending because

I promised myself that I would stay true to the site's initial objective of delivering the happenings of the entertainment world from a teen's perspective. There are tons of teen sites on the web, but how many are writing about rap beefs and reality shows OR are actually ran by teens? How many blogs in general are ran by one person with a lifelong love of music and popular culture? This site is my brainchild, my baby and I'm just as sad as my loyal readers to see it go. We hit over a million views by the way! The site's Facebook, email and Twitter accounts will most likely be taken down today, but I'll keep the site itself up for as long as I can. My twitter is @TSNesha, but will probably change soon considering what 'TS' stands for. The 'Contact' tab will be updated with additional info.

Thank you to everyone that has supported me over the years. A simple tweet or site comment is reassurance that someone is reading what I produce and publish. Yesterday I went through my favorites on Twitter like a cornball to read all of the well wishes from my peers and even people I look up to sent to me over the years.

Times are changing, I'm getting older and bigger things are on the way! Thank YOU for your continued support. I may just start personal blogging more as a way to keep the creative juices flowing.

XOXO NESHA

XXL Unveils 2013's Freshman Class

2013-03-27T10:31:00.002-07:00

The day is finally here! XXL's annual Freshman Class issue is on stands now with ScHoolboy Q, Trinidad Jame$, Joey Bada$$, Ab-Soul, Logic, Action Bronson, Kirko Bangz, Travi$ Scott, Dizzy Wright and Angel Haze making the list. If you squint and turn your head slightly to the left you'll notice Chief Keef cam in as The 11th Freshman. Congratulations to all ten rappers!

(source)

Chris Brown Readies 'X' Album

2013-03-26T12:57:00.002-07:00

Why do I feel like I'm the only one that didn't know Chris Brown had an album on the way?

Its been less than a year since Chris Brown released his fifth studio album, Fortune and the singer is already gearing up to release a new LP simply titled X. The project is said to put a more soulful Breezy on display rather than the nearly techno Breezy that can be heard on Fortune. In case you were wondering why he chose this specific letter as his album's title, x is the 24th letter of the alphabet and the singer will be 24 when the album drops.

X's first single "Fine China" co-written by Sevyn Streeter, is set to be released April 1st.

“You can start a fight, but I ain’t fighting back/I’m cool with it/I simply came here to party/Why would I trip off the bulls**t/When I’m on the good s**t?”

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"I'm keeping it fresh but it pays homage to the old greats, Stevie Wonder, Sam Cooke and Michael Jackson," Brown says. "I don't like to go with what the crowd is doing or what I hear on the radio. I go with a gut instinct and what I feel in my heart."- Brown to USA Today

Interview: Brandy, Lauren London & Jay Ellis Visits 'Wendy'

2013-03-26T12:31:00.001-07:00

This morning singer/actress Brandy sat on the couch with Wendy Williams. While on the show the soon to be Mrs. Press talked her upcoming wedding as well as her upcoming movie and television roles.

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The "Put It Down" singer was then joined by her "The Game" cast mates Lauren London and Jay Ellis. The two actresses are the new additions to the show which is in its sixth season. London plays Keira Whitaker, a former child star while Ellis will be a new player on the Sabers team name Blue.

In case you missed it (like me) watch the clip after the jump!

(source)

That New: Ashanti "Never Should Have"

2013-03-26T12:03:00.003-07:00

Monday night singer Ashanti released her new single "Never Should Have" via iTunes. I waited it out for her to confirm that it was an official single before I bought into the hype or rushed to listen to it. Eventually the singer took to Twitter and referred to "Never Should Have" as a 'single' and was met with rave reviews from commentators. The song made it's actual debut on Lifetime's Army Wives, the show in which Ashanti plays as 'army wife' Latasha. Check it out below!

HOT or NOT?

Now here's what I REALLY think of the song. (read more)

It's a cute song and sounds perfect for a television or movie soundtrack. Some are comparing it to something that Mariah Carey would do, but Ashanti in a way puts her own stamp on it once you get into the chorus. She sounds great vocally, I'm into it for the first minute or so until she starts verse two and it's the same thing all over again. I applaud Ashanti for being an artist that sticks to her sound and what works for her without going too far left. "The One That You Love" and "That's What We Do" should have been much bigger than they were. They were a new, sassier Ashanti willing to serve R&B at a time it isn't being served.

Eve Releases 'Lip Lock' Album Cover

2013-03-26T12:02:00.002-07:00

Rapper Eve goes 'simple' for the cover of her upcoming 3rd studio album, Lip Lock. This album is long overdue and without a major single that fans have latched on to I'm a little scared for her. If you don't keep up with the music world let me make it a little clearer how long overdue this album is. "Tambourine", released in April of 2007 was an original Lip Lock single. The new era Lip Lock is set to be released May 14th with a video for her current single "Make It Out This Town" on the way.

Read on for a sneak peek of the song's upcoming video!

Snapshot: Beyoncé & Blue Ivy

2013-03-25T07:23:00.001-07:00

Beyoncé and daughter Blue were spotted out yesterday afternoon and the photo above spread everywhere. Of course where there's a Bey story there's controversy. The innocent looking daughter-mommy duo caused those who find anything negative to say about ANYTHING to make assumptions about the weight/age of Blue. The toddler, who is a year and 2 months old is frequently being cited as 'too long' when it's clear that Beyoncé isn't even holding her all the way up. Some say that she should be walking instead of being held as if they birthed her and has a say so in what she 'should' be doing. Some even said things like "she was just little in the documentary", as if the documentary was a live Ustream of the family's life. *end rant*

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Just that easily Beyoncé gives the spectators something else to focus on as they wipe their knees off from bowing down.

Spotted: Willow & Jaden Smith + More

2013-03-25T06:00:00.000-07:00

Pic via: Axelle/Bauer-Griffin

Cool kids, siblings Willow and Jaden Smith arrived to Saturday night's Kids' Choice Awards arm in arm.

Pic via: Axelle/Bauer-Griffin

Singer Fergi also walked the purple carpet at the Kids' Choice Awards

Pic via: PacificCoastNews.com

Over the weekend Keri Hilson performed at Pure Night Club at Caesars Palace Hotel and Casino in Vegas

Video: JoJo "Andre"

2013-03-21T11:51:00.001-07:00

Related: New Mixtape: JoJo 'Agápē'

One of my favorite voices of this generation's music, JoJo has officially released the music video for Agápē single, "Andre". JoJo's EP came and went without much recognition, but this track stuck out from the rest almost immediately when the project dropped. Inspired by the undeniable swag and intellect of Andre 3000 the tune pays homage to the guy in the room that you just can't ignore. Get into the video after the jump!

Peep cameos from Leah Labelle and Karina Pasian

Throwback Thursday: Redman "I'll Bee Dat"

2013-03-21T08:59:00.002-07:00

Remember when music videos were fun and you could actually catch them on 'regular' channels? I would wait on Redman's "I'll Bee Dat" to come on just to see ole girl crash into the car as if I didn't see it coming. Read on to reminisce!

Beyoncé For H&M (Pic)

2013-03-21T08:15:00.000-07:00

If you're not a Beyoncé fan or find yourself unable to tolerate her, it would probably be best that you avoid all media outlets for as long as you can. H&M has officially announced their new partnership with the superstar singer along with the release of a photo from their upcoming campaign. Beginning in May “Beyoncé as Mrs. Carter in H&M" ads will be ran in print and through commercials accompanied by a new song recorded by the singer titled "Standing On The Sun".

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“I’ve always liked H&M’s focus on fun and affordable fashion. I really loved the concept we collaborated on to explore the different emotions of women represented by the four elements – fire, water, earth and wind. It was a beautiful shoot on a tropical island. It felt more like making a video than a commercial,” states Beyoncé of her new venture.

(source)

Sneak Peek: VH1's 'The Gossip Game'

2013-03-21T08:02:00.001-07:00

The world of media is never ending and with everything playing out through social media these days, the public knows more about the people behind the scenes now than ever before. The mecca of reality TV, VH1 saw dollar signs and created a show based on seven women of media, The Gossip Game set to premiere April 1st. Kim Osorio, Angela Yee, Jas Fly, K Foxx, Sharon Carpenter, Vivian and Ms. Drama are the network's newest stars.

Read on for the extended trailer of The Gossip Game...

Side note -- Love & Hip Hop Atlanta season 2 premieres April 22nd

Get More: The Gossip Game

I'll be watching. Will you?

Future Labels Girlfriend Ciara's 'One Woman Army' A Classic

2013-03-20T08:49:00.001-07:00

The Miseducation is a classic, The Breakthrough is classic

Rapper Future just made it a little harder for Ciara to bomb this go-round. During a recent interview with Fader Future dubbed his girlfriend's upcoming album One Woman Army 'a classic' stating:

"It’s easy working with a superstar who’s done it over and over and over several times, making hits. So outside our relationship when we in the studio we just go freelance and just let her do whatever she do. As an artist I’m there to critique what she got going on to better her. She's so professional and intelligent you wouldn't believe it. Behind the scenes her voice is so big, she's so empowering. That’s why One Woman Army gonna be one of the greatest albums she’s released. Cause she took her time with it. She overcame a lot and through time you can tell when she puts this album out it's going to be one of those albums that you look back - I’m already calling it a classic before it even come out.”

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I don't know much about ~~algebra~~ Future, but this is the guy that survived "Racks" and helped CiCi create the best song of her One Woman Army movement, "Body Party". We can all judge for ourselves whether or not the album is a classic when it drops June 4th.

Read on for Future's full Fader interview...

That New: Jhene Aiko "Everything Must Go"

2013-03-20T08:05:00.002-07:00

Jhene Aiko puts her signature smooth, melodic sound on wax with her latest release "Everything Must Go". The singer shared the new song with fans in celebration of her 25th birthday. Take a listen below:

HOT or NOT?

More TLC Biopic Actors Revealed

2013-03-15T07:20:00.000-07:00

The filming is barely underway of TLC biopic, Crazy Sexy Cool: The TLC Story and we're getting casting deets almost daily. Whoever it is that has been releasing/leaking this info should just stop, it's not looking good. The more surprises the more I feel entitled to judge the casting decisions. Giving Lil Mama, Keke Palmera and Drew Sidora the benefit of the doubt was easy, but it's getting harder to hold in my opinions on the rest of the cast.

Evan Ross (ATL) being casts as hit maker and the father of Chilli's son, Dallas Austin became the first of the new cast announcements. He has the acting chops, looks a little like Austin and has that natural laid back persona in real life (during interviews). Rochelle Aytes (White Chicks) as Pebbitone's Pebbles Reid was a little less of a go for me. Pebbles discovered and signed the trio, but was later accused of doing funny business with TLC's money, causing them to file bankruptcy. Can't wait for those scenes. Now on to ~~Cole~~ Carl Payne as L.A. Reid. When actors do massively popular roles, they are unfortunately placed in that very box by viewers until a game changing role drops from the sky that alters the public's opinions of them. Jaleel White is forever Urkel, Tisha Campbell-Martin is Gina (for life), LisaRaye is Diamond and Carl Payne is Cole. Although L.A. Reid could be his game changing role.

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I'm almost afraid to find out who they're going to choose to play Andre Rison.

(source)

Nicole Scherzinger Explains Why She's Not Successful

2013-03-15T06:51:00.001-07:00

The Illuminati theorist are loving this, I'm sure.

Nicole Scherzinger, 34 cites her refusal to sell her soul to the devil as the reason for her lack of massive success. The former Edens Crush and Pussycat Dolls groupmember told UK newspaper The Independent:

“This is such a tough industry, you know. To make it, you really have to sell your soul to the devil. That's probably why I haven't quite reached the top of my mountain. I mean, where's my Tony Award, my Grammy, my Oscar? Why don't I have any of those things yet?”

In the same interview, Nicole also said she probably would have gotten further in her already successful career if she were “more slutty.”

“I come from the most religious family. My grandfather is a priest. And if they support me in all this, and they do, then I'm OK. I'm being sassy and classy; I'm having fun. I'm not coming from a dark place. To be honest with you, I sometimes wish I were more slutty. I'd probably be a lot more successful if I were.” (source)

And here I was thinking that Nicole S. was popping somewhere else in the world in addition to achieving a little success stateside. She did have a Behind The Music special to air, how many artists can say that? A network actually felt the need to document her story and share it with viewers. Besides the fact that I'm nosy, I watched her BTM special to find out why her Pussycat Dolls band mate's mic volumes were always on -10. According to Nicole she was the one putting in all of the work both in and out of the studio.

Welp.

Rumor Spill: 'Love & Hip Hop Miami' Premiering This Year

2013-03-15T06:26:00.000-07:00

Guyana , Brianna Perry, Trina & her artist Nisha Rockstarr

The tweet posted about the premiere season of Love & Hip Hop Miami did not come from an official VH1 Twitter account, but was retweeted by reliable, all things VH1 account 'VH1 Info'.

The LHH Miami cast has not been announced (nor has the show been confirmed), but rapper and Miami native Trina was scheduled to star in her own VH1 reality show way back when. This could be the network's way of finally giving camera her promotion machine reality show. A pilot was shot yet the show that followed the rapper as she promoted her fifth studio album, So Amazin never saw the light of day. Don't believe me? Just watch:

Love & Hip Hop always has an artist or two that have been in the game forever (Jim Jones, Joe Budden, Rasheeda, Stevie J, Scrappy). The city has a huge underground scene that I'm not all too familiar with for Mona Scott-Young to choose her cast from. Mona revealed not too long ago that there was to be a Miami spin-off before she decided on the drama-filled Atlanta as the second city to take her highly successful show. Love & Hip Hop New York's ratings are on a down-slide. The show has raked in less than 2 million U.S. viewers weekly for the past five weeks.

Rumors have also surfaced that there may also be a Chicago installment of the show. Chicago's rap scene has grown increasingly large outside of the state in just the past few years, aside from your Common's, Kanye's and even Twista's that have seen mainstream success.

Lost Footage: P!nk, Usher & Mya Give Dance Tribute To Janet Jackson

2013-03-15T06:00:00.001-07:00

MTV gave Janet Jackson her flowers while she could still smell them back in 2001 with her own MTV Icon tribute special. The singer became the first musician to be named an 'MTV Icon' with artists like P!nk, Usher, Mya, Destiny's Child and Macy Gray hitting the stage in her honor. I need a VH1 Divas tribute to Janet in the near future, with a performance from Ciara.

Read on for P!nk, Usher and Mya's performances of "Miss You Much", "Alright", "The Pleasure Principle" and "Rhythm Nation"...

Peformance: Jarell Perry On AXS Live

2013-03-15T06:00:00.000-07:00

I'm betting on Jarell Perry when it comes to the future of music. The talented singer recently took his soul-filled single, "Getaway" to the AXS Live stage. On March 18th Jarell will release his debut album, Simple Things. The project will be available for free download on his website (here).

“Simple Things is the truest introduction of myself to the world. Musically, I’m exploring all of the sounds I’m a fan of right now, from indie-acoustic to dubstep and chill-wave. Lyrically, I wanted to capture some basic human emotions that can’t always be explained in a love song. Those are the simple things I want people to take away. Every song describes a certain moment – take, eat, it’ll be the soundtrack to your life.”

Read on to view Jarell Perry's AXS Live performance...

Video: Lea Robinson's "Started From The Bottom" (Cover)

2013-03-14T19:05:00.003-07:00

Lea Robinson just dropped her R&B take on Drizzy Drake's come-up anthem "Started From The Bottom". The video almost doubles as a webisode as the singer travels from the studio to various spots with her friends. Be on the lookout for Lea's debut EP, 808s and Leggings.

Read on to check out the video...

Download this song (here)!

Spotted: Melanie Fiona, Bridget Kelly, Miguel & More

2013-03-14T14:20:00.001-07:00

Pic via: John Walder

Roc Nation was in the building as Melanie Fiona and Bridget Kelly partied at the 80's themed birthday celebration of Legendary Damon in NYC.

Pic via: Imeh Akpanudosen/Getty Images

Miguel on stage during Alicia Keys' "Set The World On Fire" tour

Pic via: SPW/Splash News

Diddgy all smiles, leaving a West Hollywood nightclub

Pic via: Owen Beiny/WENN.com

Lala's Beverly Hills retail therapy

Pic via: JD Pht Bx & MCGM / Splash News

Soon to be 'Mrs. Press', Brandy leaving Beverly Hills restaurant Crustacean

Nicki Minaj Goes 'Normal' In ELLE

2013-03-14T13:58:00.001-07:00

Queen Barb, Nicki Minaj puts her new toned down look on display on the cover of next month's issue of ELLE. Dressed in a all black the rapper is wearing a strap-trim napa leather Tom Ford jacket paired with American Apparel leggings. Minaj is clearly having a fashion evolution (or epiphany), but will this new change reflect on her lyrics?

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On her dramatic make-under for her ELLE photo shoot:

Nicki: "When I saw myself with barely any makeup at, it was such a… like, I'm so, so attached to my pink lipstick, it's hard. I feel that it's become a part of me. To go in front of the camera, without pink lips or big ol' crazy lashes— you know, nothing— I felt naked. It was scary! So this photo shoot was a real accomplishment in my eyes."

On experiencing bullying in school as a child:

Nicki: "I went through a lot of bullying early on. Girls made my life a living hell. We had come to America from a different country. My brother and I had accents. It was very tough. So I've always put up this wall— it was a self-defense mechanism growing up— because I was almost expecting people to attack me. And I still have it. It's sad."

Her advice for women on how to command respect:

Nicki: "My advice to women in general: Even if you're doing a nine-to-five job, treat yourself like a boss. Not arrogant, but be sure of what you want— and don't allow people to run anything for you without your knowledge. You want everyone to know, Okay, I can't play games with her. I have to do right by this woman. That's what it's all about." (more/source)

Read on for more of Nicki's ELLE spread...

Throwback Thursday: Monica "All Eyez On Me"

2013-03-14T13:42:00.001-07:00

Monica's "All Eyez On Me" is one of the singer's musical gems that I feel was over looked. We all know that she isn't big on dancing, but the blend of the Michael Jackson "P.Y.T." sample, catchy lyrics and vocals made the perfect party anthem. Released in 2002 the song became one of Monica's least successful singles, peaking at #69 on Billboard's Hot 200 chart. Reminisce after the jump!

Link Exchange: Iggy Azalea's "Work" Video & More

2013-03-13T08:17:00.001-07:00

Grand Hustle's own Iggy Azalea chronicles her 'started from the bottom' in the video for her new single "Work". Iggy first performed the song will on Rita Ora's 'Radioactive' tour before it's official release last month. Head over to HotJunk to check it out!

New Video: Kelly Rowland "Kisses Down Low"... TheIncredibleCreation

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Chelsea Handler Talks 50 Cent on Oprah's Next Chapter... CottenKandi