I love it! I have to get some stuff custom designed for my girls, Vitalize Entertainment artists, Nexus For more of her jewelry designs, visit www.AllyMarie.com.

A special Thank You to our non-profit partner Hip-Hop 4 Life and our sponsors, Blue Coat Gin, Jane Carter Solutions, New York Yoga and Carolina Notepads.

Huge Thank You to DJ MistahClean of Vibe Spice Productions who provided the 90s music for the night. Our music set got raving reviews.

To the performers: Nexus, A.Don.Iz and Young Voice, you guys SHUT IT DOWN and we’re all going straight to the top!

Our guests, recording artists Par-city and D. Chamberz and Tanyka Renee of the Lingerie Football League, much love for coming through.

Thank you to all of our guests for showing support and A SPECIAL THANK YOU IN ADVANCE TO ALL THE BLOGS AND PRESS FOR YOUR COVERAGE OF THE EVENT, THE COMPANY AND THE ARTIST PERFORMANCES. I APPRECIATE IT.

Fete Fatale will return in the Spring of 2011 bigger and better than ever. To stay in the know, please sign up for our site updates below.

There are going to be live performances, familiar faces, new faces, “special guests,” drinks flowing, hors d’oeuvres, gift bags, unparalleled partying, HD Radio giveaways from One Caribbean Radio… and a whooooole lot more.

The musical theme is a Night of Nostalgia. We’re soooo over 80s parties, so let’s step into a new era. How about strictly hits from Our Golden Era, the 90s!!! In case you need help figuring it out, here are some key words to paint the picture:

Biggie, Mase, Lost Boyz, Busta Rhymes, Onyx, Pac, DMX, Ruff Ryderz, Fugees, Foxy, Kim, Total, Aaliyah, Brandy, Monica, Brownstone, Missy, TLC, SWV, Old Mary J, R. Kelly, Blackstreet, 112, Jodeci, Boyz II Men, Bankhead Bounce, Tootsie Roll, Butterfly, Pepperseed, Bogle, Santa Barbara, Cry Baby, Log On, Dubs, Joyride Riddim, Bruckout Riddim, Orgasm Riddim, Undawatta Riddim, Cutty Ranks, Lil Vicious, Shabba Ranks, Mr. Vegas, Beenie Man, Red Rat, Square One/Alison Hinds, Machel, Krosfyah

Radio, blogs, mags, photogs and videographers will be on site so make sure you get fresh. You still have time to step your Spring sexy all the way up.

Event flow
8:30-10:30 Open Bar Mixer
10:30-11:00 Live Performances by A.Don.Iz and Young Voice
11:00-2:00 I ♥ The 90s Party

This is a FREE but RSVP only affair. RSVPs accepted until the list is full, so MAKE SURE YOU RSVP ASAP. RSVP@VITALIZEENT.COM

The event is sponsored by:
One Caribbean Radio, 97.9 HD2 – www.OneCaribbeanRadio.com
Hip-Hop 4 Life – www.HipHop4LifeOnline.com
Jane Carter Solution www.JaneCarterSolution.com
New York Yoga www.NewYorkYoga.com
Carolina Notepads www.CarolinaPad.com

If you were at Vitalize Entertainment’s launch event Fete Fatale, you know all about these girls Nexus. They shut it down at the loft party and are making waves to take over your tomorrow. Covering hits like Mr. DJ by Zhane and Secret Place by Danity Kane, this artist promo is just giving you a taste of what Vitalize Ent is cooking up. Download the artist promo for free here and be sure to let us know what you think.

From Soul to Pop-Rock, good to hood, Nexus is a dynamic duo hailing from Brooklyn, NY who came to connect the dots. Citing Jill Scott, TLC, Selena, Aaliyah and Brandy as just some of their musical influences, budding teens, Kaylah and Shantel have musical taste beyond their years. “I knew I wanted to sing since I was in elementary school” says Kay, “I remember singing along to my mother’s Whitney Houston and Mariah Carey CDs. Music keeps me sane. It’s my life. No one understands!”

Though their approach to music is mature, their sound is still young and jam-packed with fun. The duo has a clear vision of their musical identity. They are not to be boxed into an R&B-only set with a pigeonholed sound. “I think we both got put on to pop-rock music around age 13. My school was very diverse” says Shani. “We met a lot of different groups of people that were into different types of music. I love Paramore and Demi Lovato. I think Kay and I both love to rock out as much as we love soulful R&B.”

Separately, the girls of Nexus started their musical journeys the same way most girls do – singing into brushes in the mirror and putting on shows for family. They are your cousins, your sisters, your teenage crushes. They sing, they dance, they love experimenting with hair and makeup. On the low though, they have the drive of a three piece suit businessman. They’re not letting anyone or anything stop them from being heard.

So, what makes this duet different from female duets of yesterday? Unlike the Changing Faces and Zhanés of the 90s that were comprised of two women of similar EVERYTHING that eventually melded into one entity, both Shani and Kay have a distinctive sound, look and personality. Where Kay showcases bold, powerhouse vocals a la Jill Scott or Marsha Ambrosius, Shani covers a more silky-smooth, melodic tone a la Faith Evans or Aaliyah. They scratch each other’s backs as they play off of each others strengths. Two voices, one mission: to save the world of music, one ear at a time – all the while being a voice for young girls, and rocking out to the key of life.

“The art of making love seems like a pastime, whereas f*cking, has become this generation’s making-out. I think men pursue it a bit more aggressively then women — after clubs, after school, etc. I personally enjoy the occasional quickie but never OD. Too much sex can be counterproductive, and truthfully, I’m pursuing monogamy — even if it is pessimistically searching. Sexing, in my humble opinion, has nothing to do with feelings or physical attraction for that matter. I think a woman can be sexy but not cute or bun-able (aka “wifeable” in DC terminology). These women are the ones who get me thinking ‘bout pulling their hair back and moving some furniture, but nothing more then a 15-minute — 25 if there’s some VSOP nearby. There is no passion, no strings attached. There may be welts and bruises.

It’s essentially a sexual spar between two vigorous opponents — with no losers. Henney with no chase. No Jodeci. No kissing. Get your clothes and leave when it’s over. Please don’t sleep next to me. Please don’t call me for 24 hrs… and we can do this again.
But don’t assume I haven’t been on the receiving end. I’ve even mistaken a f*ck for a love session before. Not fun. Making love is simply put: poetry in motion. Stroke her to the beat of her favorite song. Strawberries, Champagne, a bubble bath, eye contact. Hearing her heart beat while slowly handling business.

The aftermath of lovemaking is almost as important as the actual act. Gazing at the ceiling until we doze off. Running fingers through hair. Her playing with the dreads, ears, or whatever she deems necessary after the act. Sometimes a female needs to be reminded that there are feelings behind the sex. And to never be confused with sexing.

Making love, in my opinion is what makes the world go round. The toughest dude, the most cold hearted gold-digger — they all have that thing. Even if it’s buried in a dark place. I believe the art of making love (when it ACTUALLY is LOVE… MUTUALLY) is like an exercise of the soul. It’s like massaging the deepest feeling you could have for someone.

Long story short; if we are just screwing, don’t call unless you are making an appointment and when we are done, don’t wait around for breakfast. CIAO!”

Check the rest of the interview at Honey Magazine

Everybody talks about ending the year with a bang, and while I’m down for that I am more concerned about how I wanna start/handle the year to come. Idk bout ya’ll, but I would like to have a clean slate for the new decade. In the past year, I’ve had both good and bad times with men. Though bad experiences suck, I appreciate all that life gives me. As hard as it may be, we (men & women) cannot allow past heart breaks shape our future in love. If we do then we’ve given those losers too much control and we will lose this battle. This is something that a TON of black women deal with everyday. Sometimes that heartache and pain that a man has put us through makes us tough as hell on any guy that follows. We can’t keep doing this! You will drive yourself crazy and you may drive the right guy away. Fortunately, I have been able to bounce back from the bullshit and not have baggage for the next guy to claim. Don’t be sorry about something not working out, just use what you’ve learned to be careful the next time. This goes for men as well. Just because a chick burned you doesn’t mean that the next girl is gonna do you dirty. I always knew this was an issue, but if ya’ll haven’t heard Wale’s song “Diary” feat. Marsha Ambrosius, PLEASE take a listen. When I first heard the song I wanted to shed a thug tear because it speaks the TRUTH! So there’s my first point for the new year: let everyone new that enters your life start with a clean slate. Like in “Dangerous Minds,” when Michelle started every student out with an A and as they eff up, take points away.

There is a video circulating the web with a few professional black women speaking on how/why they are single and why it is so hard to date.

Lastly, let us all STOP playing effin games with each other. Yeah we all like the chase and the lil cat and mouse game may be fun in the beginning, but that shit gets old…QUICK! Honestly, there is no book of dating rules that says you can/can’t do this or that. The only rules you should play by are those that are true to you. Sidebar: you can take your friends’ advice if you wanna, but in the end it Is your life and your feelings so do what you want…who gon check ya boo?! For example, if you’re dating someone and you feel like you truly like them, don’t start pushing them away because you want them to chase you. That is so freakin stupid! When that person calls you, don’t take every other phone call. Don’t decide to not call them for a week because you wanna be the “cool” one. All that game playing, will have them saying “I don’t have time for this” and you will soon be back to square one. Don’t play yaself thinking “ohhh this is gonna make them want me.” True it may for a second, but as soon as someone else piques their interest you will be forgotten. And while we’re NOT playing foolish games, let’s keep it honest too. This whole lying thing is oh so overrated. A lot of men have this misconception of me saying “I only want the truth” meaning I want some of the truth. Nope not me, give it to me straight NO chaser! I don’t care how hurt you may THINK I’ll be, I will have more respect for you if you tell me the truth. Yeah the truth can hurt, but being lied to hurts deeper and longer so don’t disrespect me like that! To sum up my final point: less games and more honesty… I mean it is the best policy right?!

Let me know what ya’ll think and what you wanna see done differently for the new year of dating. I’m sure there are more issues out there, but these are pressing to me. Remember have fun! Dating shouldn’t be a burden. You only live once, make it count…oh and definitely BE SAFE!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

I personally know more than a handful of successful black females who fit the criteria of the women being interviewed in this video. They’re concerned about their biological clocks ticking, of never creating the family they always wanted to go along with their otherwise picture perfect life. It is an awful thing to see a woman who has it all together settle for someone who has nothing and is basically a leach. At the end of the day, those parasitic relationships never work out anyway. I don’t think anyone should settle for less than what they deserve, but I think given the statistics, it’s definitely worth it for black women to figure out which of their criteria is necessary and which is complementary. For example, if a black woman went to grad school and/or is making $100K+ a year, has a perfectly fit body, beautiful face, great personality and is family oriented – does she need a man who is all of that 6′2″, likes to cook, rollerblade AND makes $20K more than her? If so, good luck to you. And even in a not so extreme case, there are women who have a modestly successful life – living comfortably – who have an issue finding decent black men who can at least provide for themselves. What I want to say is hold on, we are out there… you may have the odds against you but we are out there.

Watch the video and let me know your thoughts. Feel free to share your struggles, observations or possible solutions.

I’m a 25 yr old VERY single lady, so naturally I go out do single things and meet guys. Out of the last 4 guys I’ve met only ONE was childless. Now a few years ago, if you had a kid or kids I wasn’t checkin for ya, no ifs ands or buts about it. But recently I came to the conclusion that it is going to be extremely hard for me to meet guys without a kid. I just feel like I’m in the age range (25-30) where it’s very common for single men to have kids. Now that I’m older, I don’t have a big issue with dating guys with kids. I also feel like if I wanna date, I don’t really have room to be judgy towards men with kids. By the time I rule out those that are in situations, those that don’t like the ladies, and the unworthy ones, the pickings are slim.

Based on responses received on twitter, I’m not the only female experiencing this. While discussing this common theme with a few guy friends, they said that they don’t meet too many baby mamas. Even in friends/associates, I have one girlfriend who is expecting but I have MANY guy friends that have kids. If single women are meeting/dating baby daddies then who’s dating the baby mamas?! Are the baby daddies still dating the baby mamas AND other women? Are the baby mamas too busy to date? Do their careers and kid(s) take precedence over dating? Are the women in this age range not having kids as much as the men are (lots of guys date younger women)? I don’t know the answer, but I was curious to know what other people think is goings on…

What do yall think about all of this? And ladies, how do you feel about dating baby daddies?