Stop $elling Dreams

Iggy Azalea Performs at House Of Blues San Diego

2014-05-18T11:34:00.000-07:00

"Once you go great, you never go good, you never go back, even if you could..."

Some of the truest words to live by found in the lyrics from Australian rap artist Iggy Azalea's song "Change Your Life" featuring T.I. Life should be about progressing, growing, gaining a better perspective and moving on to the next level and then repeating the process.

I have to say, I wasn't really an Iggy Azalea fan, but a live performance can change everything. The energy, the crowd, the music and the artist can all blend together as never before to bring foresight to something you all may relate to. The music.

As I was shooting this concert, the song Change Your Life hit me at the right moment at the right time. I was already excited about shooting the concert because Iggy Azalea is one of the hottest artists out, it was her first time in San Diego and my true passion is the fusion of music and photography. i.e. a musical performance.

DJ Wizz Kidd cues the music. The song "Change Your Life" plays. "Have you ever wished your life would change, woke up and you lived your dreams?" I'm sure everyone has felt this and I am no different.

Sometimes, things don't always go as you planned, but the key is to continue making strides in the direction you want to go.

The truth is, as long as you stay focused on your goal and continue heading in the right direction, the opportunities are endless. You never know when while on your path, you will meet someone that will change your life.

Jay Z & Beyoncé - RUN (Trailer)

2014-05-18T05:39:00.000-07:00

Roc Nation & Parkwood Entertainment Present: "RUN"

Directed by Melina Matsoukas.

Starring Sean Penn, Don Cheadle, Guillermo Díaz, Emmy Rossum, Jake Gyllenhaal, Blake Lively, Rashida Jones, Kidada Jones, JAY Z, Beyoncé.

Now this is News. Jay Z and Beyonce making a movie together. It's probably just a trailer for their video "On The Run" rather than an actual full length feature film.

Either way, if its anything like Streets Is Watching, count me in.

Young Jeezy - R.I.P. Feat 2 Chainz (Official Video)

2013-03-24T09:20:00.000-07:00

If the club scene is your thing, then you know Young Jeezy has the club anthem right now. Some tracks are good songs and some tracks get the party started, but when R.I.P comes on the club is usually in full blown Bananas mode!

2 Chainz joins Jeezy to help administer the madness, not to mention be on the look out for all the cameos.

I will say I am a photographer and I do have one question... I know its a video and all but can I ever photograph a party like this!??

Snoop Lion - No Guns Allowed Feat Drake & Cori B.

2013-03-20T19:17:00.002-07:00

Snoop Lion links up with Major Lazer and Diplo to executive produce his forthcoming album Reincarnated. No Guns Allowed is one of the lead singles that has been released featuring Drake. What a combo, right?

Seems a lot of the industry's heavy hitters are dropping new music this week and that is cool with me.

Rihanna - Pour It Up (Remix) Feat Young Jeezy, Rick Ross, Juicy J & T.I.

2013-03-20T12:05:00.002-07:00

Props To Rihanna For getting Young Jeezy and Rick Ross on a track together again. Forget the beef, Get Money And Make Those HITS!

Anyway, Pour Up Remix featuring Young Jeezy, Rick Ross, Juicy J and T.I.

We Are In The Trap...and we love it.

Kendrick Lamar - Don't Kill My Vibe (Remix) Feat Jay-Z [New Music]

2013-03-18T11:06:00.002-07:00

Not to be outdone by the wife, Jay drops the remix to Kendrick Lamar's smash hit, "Don't Kill My Vibe."

Splash is Killing the game by dropping the non tagged version...Props to that site.

Beyonce - Bow Down/I Been On [New Music]

2013-03-17T15:02:00.000-07:00

Beyonce is back with a new track. I guess sometimes you have to let people know how you feel.

Amore's Angels Photos By Ivan S. Harris Photography

2013-02-14T08:49:00.002-08:00

A Valentine's Day PhotoShoot featuring Amore's Angels. Enjoy! Happy Valentine's Day from Ivan S. Harris Photography & Stopsellingdreams.com

Justin Timberlake - Suit & Tie feat Jay-Z (Official Video)

2013-02-14T08:33:00.000-08:00

Word on the street is Jay-Z and Justin Timberlake may be going on tour together. Until this is confirmed, this new Suit & Tie video will have to hold us over.

JT and JZ, eh? Hmmmmm (scratches chin).

Rihanna - Stay Feat Mikky Ekko (Official Video)

2013-02-14T08:28:00.003-08:00

I could be wrong, but I think we have all wanted some to stay at one point or another.

Drake - Started From The Bottom (Official Video)

2013-02-14T08:23:00.000-08:00

Drake ~ Started From The Bottom from OctobersVeryOwn on Vimeo.

Work Hard. Play Hard. Live.

Happy New Year!

2013-01-01T01:36:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year!!!!
From www.stopsellingdreams.com and Ivan S. Harris Photography

Fabolous - Beauty Feat Wale (Audio)

2012-12-12T10:21:00.002-08:00

I know we all tend to get wrapped up within our daily routine, but right now I want you to take time out of this day to find beauty, or start a new special trend or at least appreciate your surroundings.

The reason?

Well, unless you've been under a rock, then you should know today is 12-12-12, the last same digit day that we will see in our lifetime.

With that said, I leave you with a track from Fabolous' The Soul Tape 2, called Beauty featuring Wale.

Beauty comes in many forms. Find beauty today 12-12-12.

JAMES BROWN & 2PAC – UNCHAINED (THE PAYBACK/UNTOUCHABLE) Audio

2012-12-10T17:20:00.000-08:00

Quentin Tarantino, one of my 5 film director inspirations, has done it again with DJango Unchained. DJango (the D is silent) is a film about a slave-turned-bounty hunter who sets out to rescue his wife after she is kidnapped.

To me, being a film director means having control and being in control I think you have a say in which music makes the official soundtrack for your film.

I myself have been doing short films for 4 weeks now (nothing on the level of ANY amateur or pro director, but you have to start somewhere) and each week I encounter something new that inspires me to want to continue on my new film journey.

As I grow to become a true director and not just a passionate wanna be, I intend to have creative control of my films, which means even if its not personally handpicked, I still want to have a say in the music that is chosen, just as I'm sure Mr. Tarantino has done for DJango.

The first single for the soundtrack has been released and its definitely provocative because the people are talking. Unchained (The Payback/Untouchable) is a fresh new blend on an old school sound mixing vocals from the legendary rapper 2Pac's song Untouchable and none other than the Godfather of Soul James Brown's anthem Big Payback.

This blend is super creative in the sense of who would have thought to put these two legends together for a song, let alone use it as the lead single for a new movie. Two words. "Bold statement." I love this track Unchained for the sheer engineering/production aspect alone.

Although Mr. Brown and Mr. Shakur are no longer with us, their music will live on forever and now with the addition of this posthumous remix, forever is a mighty long time because forever now includes...the afterworld.

T.I. - Sorry Feat Andre 3000

2012-11-29T09:39:00.003-08:00

T.I.'s forth coming album entitled Trouble Man is coming soon, until then, hopefully this track Sorry featuring Andre 3000 should hold all of us southern lyricist fans over.

Rihanna - Diamonds (Remix) Feat Kanye West (Audio)

2012-11-16T14:20:00.002-08:00

Perfect Timing. Perfect song. Perfect time to start blogging again. I can always tell when its November (Scorpio Season and My birthday) by my luck seeming to fall my way, like that one time bumping into Usher's Uncle for Tickets to the concert, but I digress.

I think Kanye West and Rihanna must have seen my TRILLION tweets Begging for this remix. Or maybe not because I did ask for Jay as well. I thought the THREE of them together ran the town? Oh well. Beggers can't be choosers.

T.I. - Love This Life (Official Video)

2012-06-19T17:09:00.000-07:00

Its the King...

T.I. is back with his first video from the Trouble Man forth coming LP. I personally like this song and think the video is a great compliment to a great track.

This video also reminds me that if you really want the best things, work harder to go get them. Plain and simple.

In retrospect, sometimes people get caught up with the green pastures in the other yard and want what they think are "better" things, but the truth is they should always appreciate, value and cherish their own life first while working towards their goal.

My Dad always says, value what you have. In the journey to find better, you may find the life you already had was what you always wanted anyway.

NBA Finals: Let's Get Ready To Rumble!!

2012-06-12T15:00:00.001-07:00

Everything happens for a reason. Check out Kevin Durant and Lebron James working out together during the NBA Lock Out.

This year's NBA Finals pits the 2012 NBA Scoring Champ, Kevin Durant against the 2012 NBA's Most Valuable Player, Lebron James. This historic matchup it the first time the scoring champ has faced the MVP in the Finals since Michael Jordan played Karl Malone in 1997.

I think we all know how that went down.

The question is, who will be crowned the NEW King of NBA?

OKC Thunder Vs. Miami Heat.

What are your Predictions???

Nas - Daughters (Official Video)

2012-06-09T00:32:00.000-07:00

Unfortunately, hip hop is vastly lacking when it comes to upbeat intellectual songs nowadays.

Leave it up to Nas to change the norm once again with his new track "Daughters."

Not your average single, but then again, Nas has never been your average rapper.

Check out the new video and tell us what you think!

Big Sean, Pusha T, 2 Chainz and Kanye West - Mercy (Official Video)

2012-06-06T10:45:00.000-07:00

Most rappers taste level ain't at my waist level...

No Church In The Wild - Video Review?

2012-06-01T23:52:00.001-07:00

Since being released earlier this week, the video for "No Church In The Wild" has caused major uproar, mainly because it doesn't feature Jay Z or Kanye West anywhere during the five minute plus timeframe.

Instead, it seems to represent an underlying theme that is becoming more and more prevalent in the music they've made together recently:

question religion, humanity, and everything surrounding it.

Directed by Romain Gavras, this video is extremely political and controversial, and quite frankly I could probably write a 20 page essay examining the theories/ opinions surrounding this detailed piece of art, but I'll keep it simple and summarize the main points that come to mind.

The video opens with a man holding a Molotov cocktail in his hand, it's apparent there's many supporters willing to fight this war with him.

He then launches the flaming bottle at a barricade of police, and a riot ensues.

Jay Z's verse has the eerie lines:

"lies on the lips of a priest/ Thanksgiving disguised as a feast..."

Then he goes on to ask:

"Is Pious pious cause God loves pious?

Which seems to reiterate the ongoing "myth" that Jay Z doesn't believe in man made religions, some go as far to say he's involved with the Illuminati.

Interestingly enough he compares himself to a God at the end of the verse:

"Jesus was a carpenter, Yeezy he laid beats/ Hova flow the Holy Ghost, get the hell up out your seats, PREACH"

During the mayhem, clips are constantly shown of Greek God Statues, and as the riot in the video displays more violence, the statues are shown covering their eyes, almost as if to say "not even Gods can support this madness anymore."

On the back of one of the helmets belonging to a riot team member, is P94, which ironically enough can be quickly translated to Precinct 94 in Brooklyn, NY, fairly close to where Jay Z grew up and also well known for having the Pope visit in the mid 70s.

Following his visit, a street next to the precinct was named after him.

In the video, the rioters are fighting against the "enforcers" who are wearing P94 helmets quite often.

Why the number, there's got to be some significance behind it right?

Is this another "not so hidden" symbol blatantly denouncing government/ religion as a whole?

Kanye's lyrics go further into detail concerning the possible formation of "a new religion," and the destruction of religions as our society understands them.

"We formed a new religion, no sins as long as there's permission/ and deception is the only felony."

The new religion seems to be centered on subjective reality, the idea that everything is ego driven, or in other words, each person should embrace his/ her beliefs and that's all that really matters. (research Thomas Nagel if you want further detail)

What do you think this video represents? Am I reading too far into the lines? Does Jay Z really think he's God or a God? Has he completely lost faith in our society and government regulations?

Or is he simply leaving a bunch of "clues" out there for fans like myself to purposely discover?

Being the keen business man Jigga's shown to be, knowing that drama sells, and will continue to in the foreseeable future?

I'll stop selling dreams now and let everybody formulate their own opinion........ enjoy the video.

Happy Memorial Day From Your Family At SSD

2012-05-27T23:32:00.001-07:00

Too many people take Memorial Day for granted. They spend their holiday getting boozed up, relaxing at the beach, and looking at the day as an excuse to not be at work.

What they SHOULD be doing is taking the time out to thank a veteran for their service, or to simply reach out to a currently enrolled soldier, and THANK THEM for our freedom.

Personally, I feel that Americans too often take our magnificent country for granted and are so hypocritical to say that they'd rather live somewhere else. Move to a third world country for a month, I can guarantee you, you'll be crying, pleading, and begging for your freedom in no time.

I'm blessed to say I've had many relatives fight for this country, several of my closest friends are currently serving our country, and my own father is honored enough to have his body laid to rest at Arlington National Cemetery.

So before you crack a can of beer open today or throw some hot dogs on the grill, pick up the phone, and thank a soldier or veteran today.

Then enjoy the rest of your holiday, but NEVER forget where your freedom comes from, or the people who've given their lives and STILL put themselves in the line of fire to make it a reality.

That being said, Happy Memorial Day from $TOP $ELLING DREAM$ .......... And an extended salute to all of our troops overseas, get home safe gentlemen, we can't thank you enough for your courage.

That's That ISH I Don't Like...

2012-05-25T09:48:00.002-07:00

I had a whole novel I was going to write but instead I will keep it simple. Anyone giving false hope or Selling Dreams, that's that ish I don't Like.

Keep it real, keep it honest, keep it moving.

If you ever wanna call someone out for something you don't like, reference this post as your meme! :)

Have a happy Friday!

Congrats To Jessica Sanchez

2012-05-23T22:45:00.001-07:00

San Diego's Jessica Sanchez American Idol 2012 Runner Up
Photo By: Mark Davis/Getty Images

Tonight, San Diego native Jessica Sanchez became the runner up for Season 11 of American Idol . Many thought with her mesmerizing voice she would be a shoe in to win, but the winner Philip Phillips won with a record setting 132 million votes.

Even though she came in second, you can rest assured she will be just as successful as if she had won seeing that her voice has been shared with the world.

Hats Off to Jessica Sanchez because honestly second or even third place isn't bad out of the millions that try out every year.

DJ Khaled - Take It To The Head feat Chris Brown, Rick Ross, Nicki Minaj & Lil Wayne

2012-05-23T21:01:00.001-07:00

Finally, one of my favorite songs this year has dropped the visuals to go along with the track. DJ Khaled's Take It To The Head features Chris Brown, Rick Ross, Nicki Minaj and Lil Wayne.

If you pay close attention, you may realize that the video is set in a VERY familiar place. My first thought was, "Um, I've been there before."