Música Monday: Ariana Grande

Monday blues got you down??!  I have the perfect remedy for that, y'all.

In these times when synthetic sounds and vocals rule the airwaves_ugh_a beacon of shining light has come forth to break the monotony that is po(o)p music.

This week's Música Monday is dedicated to the fantastic talent (and my baby mama) that is Ariana Grande.

The 20 year old singer from Florida made a splash onto the scene as Nickelodeon's Kat on the sitcom "Victorious". Now stepping out of the shadow of Victoria Justice and out on her own, with her first album "Yours Truly" this phenomenal talent is on her way top.  With vocals akin to the likes of early Mariah Carey and a style that harkens back to the pop R&B music of the early 90's  which is totes my fav, Ariana Grande is sure to be a lasting figure in the music industry.

Some standout tracks from Yours Truly are the opening track "Honeymoon Avenue" which gives me so many feels, because who doesn't love a good "let's get back together" song. 

"Lovin' It" features a sample of Mary J. Blige's "Real Love" which has an amazing mid-tempo groove that gives me so much life

 AND CAN WE JUST TAKE A SECOND TO TALK ABOUT THOSE FREAKING AMAZING VOCALS??!!!!! (listen to "Almost is never enough")

"Daydreamin'" gives a good insight into Ariana's musical doo-wop-meets-90's-R&B aesthetic.

 I LOVVVE ME SOME ARIANA!!!!

May a little dose of new music brighten your Monday and boost your week!

Ttyl,
Jeshua

Música Monday: John Legend "Love in the Future"

Happy Monday friends!!

Yes I know, one doesn't usually associate Mondays with joy and or...uh...jubilation,  but everything is better with a little new music right??!!!

That's why every Monday will be Música Monday here on boifromipanema.com.
I will be sharing a different song, artist, or album for your listening pleasure!!

This is gonna be a serious catch all of musical genres, so hopefully there will be a little sabor for everyone.

Music from Bach to Beiber and everything in between!!!!



This week's selection is the new album by John Legend "Love in the Future" which is an album I'm sort of obsessed with at the moment.  

Some stand out tracks are "All of me" John Legend's ode to his wife Chrissy Teigan.

The track "Made to Love" has a cool Afro-industrial driving beat which I find completely infectious.

"Dreams" gives me so many feels it is almost unbearable!!!

And let us not forget the brilliant "Who do we think we are" which samples Jean Knight's "Mr.Big Stuff" and features rapper Rick Ross.

The entire album is totally solid, and totally worth a purchase 
IMHO..........

Take a listen for yourself!!

May a little dose of new music brighten your Monday and boost your week!

Ttyl,
Jeshua 

Duets for a Year: Coffee House Sessions

So recently I have been trying to get back on my performing game.

After an injury and resulting surgery a while ago, I was forced to call it quits.
To be honest, insecurities and doubts really got to me during my rehab time and only recently have I really been back in the studio dancing and picking up my instruments and using my voice again.

And let me me tell you..

.ooh chil' it is rusty!!!! 

Nevertheless the answers to my prayers have come in the forms of my talented musical friends who are always pushing me to "Keep Pushing!" lol

you know who you are ;P

When my good friend Taylor Gordon asked me to accompany her in this performance, I couldn't be more excited!

This performance was an awesome opportunity to play my guitar in public (for the first time...oh LAWD I was so nervous but alas.. It went pretty well.

 Here is one of my favorite pieces that we performed that night, our version of  the Carrie Underwood song "So Small"

Smothered and Covered

So now that it's summer time, the nights are warm, inviting and just begging to be spent out on adventures. This cover happened after one such adventure

...at four in the morning...

when I was just getting home.

(sigh)

 Why I decided to sing at that unholy hour of the morning is beyond my comprehension...

alas...

My cover of John Legen'd Ordinary People :D

BoifromIpanema's Summer-time Shenanigans

 So with summer quickly approaching, everyone is getting ready to hit the beaches.

 There's nothing like some good music to get the beach party and those summer-time shenanigans started.

 Here is a playlist of some of my favorite Latin artists and songs both past and present.
 Gonna definitely put this playlist on this weekend :D

What are some of your favorite beach/summer songs?

Happy summer y'all!

 

All opinions are my own.  Content and/or other value provided by our partner, Target.

Se Habla Música: 2013 Billboard Latin Music Awards recap

¡¡¡¡¡VIVA LATINO!!!!   

This past Thursday the stars descended upon Miami for the annual Billboard Latin Music awards.  Now being the total music junkie that I am, I was super excited for this awesome music event! I have had my Billboard Latino CD blaring in my car for weeks in anticipation.

No cares given.  

It's amazing because, no matter the region or countries of origin, these kinds of awards bring together the biggest stars of Latin music onto one stage to celebrate the music that makes us who we are as a people!  

And I'm always down with that!

Not to mention the amazing live performances and touching tributes. If you missed it, here's a quick recap of the festivities and winners:

~Brazilian artist Michel Teló took home the award for Song of the year with his hit (and my personal favorite) "Ai Se Eu Te Pego".

~Also nominated for this award was Don Omar for his collab with Natty Natasha for the song "dutty love".

~Though not a winner for Song of the Year,  Don Omar had a major night scooping up a total of ten yes, that was TEN, Latin Billboard awards including Latin Rhythm Album of the Year and Latin Rhythm Artist of the Year.

~"Fast&Furious 6" co-stars Michelle Rodriguez and Vin Diesle made an appearance announcing Don Omar's Victory as Male Artist of the Year........ but can we just be honest and and talk about how Vin Diesel's speech was super weird and awkward??!  I mean, he seemed to be having some technical issues with the height of the microphone.  Luckily, Michelle Rodriguez looked so stunningly elegant and spoke so eloquently that I nearly forgot the uncomfortable two minutes leading up to that moment.  

~I guess you could say that the night's biggest winner was the late Mexican-American singer Jenni Rivera who was killed in a tragic airplane accident in Mexico late last year.

~Jenni Rivera was awarded with six Latin Billboard awards and nominated for ten awards, including two nominations for Album of the Year and two for Mexican regional album of the year.

~The honors continued pouring in as many music stars and industry professionals payed a warm tribute to the life, music, and legacy of Jenni Rivera.

Other winners included Jennifer Lopez, Prince Royce, Maná, Shakira and many more.

For a full list or winners and nominees, check out the Billboard official website.

If you like this post, don't forget to share it and leave me a comment!  I'll be choosing one lucky reader to receive a $25 dollar Target gift card as well as a copy of the 2013 Billboard Latin Music Finalist CD filled with tons of great música to get any party going!

a Rafflecopter giveaway Disclosure: Content and/or other value provided by our partner, Target.