Introducing – Way Back Wednesdays with @YungCoff!

Ladies and Gentlemen,
I’m excited to present to you the newest addition to the Coffey Break, Way Back Wednesdays! This entry is reserved for times when music is doing too well for only one playlist a week. This rare but adventurous playlist starts with the 1992 hit “Headbanger” by EPMD. For all you out there missing the era of B-Boys and jheri curls, sit back, relax, and listen to Eric and Parish make dollars. 
(Old school Hip Hop)
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ujm3YYI7MZM]

(Alternative Hip Hop)
In my opinion, Maniac by Kid Cudi featuring Cage is his finest work. This song chronicles the inner battle that kid cudi faces on a daily basis. No matter how positive the rapper stays,pieces of the torment he went through as a child seep into his music. He samples St. Vincent a melodic indie rock band that’s puts an eerie twist to the track, but simultaneously calms the mood.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2-PsePpZvoM]

(Alternative)
Foster the People gained initial success with their smash hit “Pumped up Kicks” back in 2011. The group’s ability to develop an atmospheric and Psychadelic pop/ dance sound allows them to draw attention from various demographics. The track I’m sharing with you all today is called Houdini, enjoy! 
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_GMQLjzVGfw]

(Electronic/ Dance)
One artist that fellow Coffey Breaker, Chandler, has included on multiple playlists is Madeon. The 18 year old French Dj has the ability to create music that evokes positive emotions. The track I chose to add to this list is “The City” 
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iqUBmeFn7qM]

(Retro R&B)
There were few female R&B groups as iconic to the 90’s as TLC. While watching one of my favorite movies last night, Step Brothers, I realized that the police chief regularly uses TLC hooks in conversation. The last quote he used was “Creep, creep.” Which reminded me about one of this band’s most popular tracks. 
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LlZydtG3xqI]  

This concludes the first edition of Way Back Wednesday! So as always Keep Calm and Coffey Break On! -Elliot

CHAN’S HOT LIST 10.8.12

Detroit native Danny Brown approaches hip-hop with a high energy charismatic flair. After being turned down by 50 Cents label G Unit because of his skinny jeans, Brown took his lyrical prowess to A-Trak’s label Fool’s Gold Records. Check him out as my feature track of the week. -Chandler

Rap} Grown Up- Danny Brown

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=10Vs9Ag0GPo]

 

Rock} Microphone Fiend- Rage Against The Machine

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aOwutDkZeUo]

 

Electronic} Let Your Love Grow Tall- Passion Pit

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=05ROcQpVbKw]

 

Indie Rock} So Here We Are- Bloc Party

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dzZQJZdcCU4]

 

Indie Rock} Blindsided- Bon Iver

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sy3lJIxyZ60]

 

New job. New beginning. Endless opportunity.

Hey guys!
This is long overdue, but I have exciting news! God is amazingly wonderful and gracious! I couldn’t be more excited to announce that I have a new job! As of September, I was brought on the Houston Style Magazine team as their Fashion and Social Media editor. My first assignment was Mercedes Benz Fashion Week Spring 2013 which I attended with Houston Style Magazine National Entertainment reporter Rebecca Briscoe in New York, New York.
I had the wonderful pleasure of interviewing author and celebrity stylist June Ambrose after the Rebecca Minkoff show! Video below, enjoy!

June Ambrose on MBFW, Her Must Haves &  Being a Rockmom!

For those of you who may be unfamiliar with June, aka the Style Curator and Rock Mom, here’s a tidbit about her from her website: 

Whether designing custom metallic leather pants for Sean “Diddy” Combs and Busta Rhymes, One of a kind pieces for Jay Z & Will Smith or Styling & crafting couture outfits for divas such as Zoe Saldana, Missy Elliott, Kelly Ripa, Kim Cattrall, Mariah Carey, Mary J. Blige, Alicia Keys, Estelle, Garcelle Beauvais and Ciara, June has left an indelible mark on today’s youth, inspiring countless trends and major fashion statements found in popular culture.

Despite various accolades and titles, June Ambrose has been every bit of an awesome example of how to grace her transition to greater fame in humility. She was unbelievably warm and approachable and gave us a meaningful (& long!) interview. It was a really pleasant experience, and I will definitely use her welcoming disposition as my personal standard in the future.  Just watch 😉
Best,
-Chelsea

[slideshow]

Natural Hair: Product Review

Hey Guys!

It’s downright shameful that it has taken me this long to get to another natural hair post, but I have come across an amazing product and I want to share it with our readers! The product is called the Dark & Lovely 6 Week Anti-Reversion Cream Serum. Check out the description from their site:

Our first styling product developed specifically for relaxed hair, allowing you to preserve your straight, smooth hair up to six weeks in-between relaxing. It is designed to help control frizz, lock in shine while keeping hair soft, full of body and manageable from one shampoo to the next. Also suitable for use on color treated hair.

…I know, I know. We’re natural. Why would we need an anti-reversion product for relaxed hair? I’ll tell you why. I recently went to New York for Mercedes Benz Fashion Week Spring 2013, and we had the pleasure of attending the Harlem’s Fashion Row show. Harlem’s Fashion Row was held at Jazz at Lincoln Center on September 7, 2012. The show featured four incredibly talented emerging designers as well as HFR’s designer of the year: Latisha Daring. It turns out that Dark and Lovely was a sponsor, and the Anti-Reversion Serum was in the gift bag. After weeks of sitting in a gift bag in the corner of my room I thought to myself what the heck I’m just going to try it… OH. MY. GOSH!!!

I don’t know what the secret is, but whatever they put in that product makes my hair so unbelievably soft. It’s incredible. The product worked so well on my hair that two days later when I went to the salon my hairdresser asked me what I was using on my hair because she was blown away by how how it felt and the way it moved.

Here’s the catch. My advice is to only use it if you are wearing your hair in its natural state -the serum will revert your hair because it is meant to be used on wet hair and then blow dried. If I am wearing my hair flat-ironed,  I’ll use it maybe once a week, if that, and then section my hair, individually brush out each section with a wig brush and roll parted hair with flexible hair rods, leaving them in overnight (photo in album). This is the best alternative to putting heat on my hair btw.

Check it out . It’s just a suggestion lol, but I loooooove it! It’s been wonderful for me, and I’ll def be recommending it to all my natural girlfriends 😉

God is love,

Chelsea

[slideshow]

 

THE BEAUTY REVIEW WITH MEAGAN BALL-JORDAN

Ruby-Woo MAC lipstick (Matte)

Red Lipstick MACRed is one of my favorite colors. Red is the color of love, fire, heat, and passion. I used to love watching my Aunt paint her nails fire-engine red with flaming red lips to match. Growing up, my sisters and I were never allowed to wear red anything because my dad thought that color was too grown for us. They say, if you want a man’s attention, then wear red! My dad may have been on to something by not letting us wear much red but as soon as I was grown and on my own, I bought my first tube of red lipstick and I have been in love ever since!

 

Most people are afraid of red lipstick because of its vibrancy, the attention it draws to the mouth, and the fact they think it just doesn’t look good. Red lipstick actually makes the teeth look whiter and can instantly add a pop of color to any makeup palette or outfit. One of the red lipsticks that I adore and drives the men insane is Ruby-Woo by MAC. It is a matte red lipstick which I prefer because it doesn’t have that extra shine or sheen to it and it is only $14. Ruby-Woo has blue undertones and compliments my dark-brown skin (I am African-American). Not all reds are created equal.  There are true reds, red with blue undertones, and red with orange and pink undertones.  Most people are wearing the wrong hue for their skin tone and finding the right hue is essential to  pulling off the red lip.  Life is about taking risks; Take a risk, put on that new lipstick and paint the town red!

 

Purchase at MAC stores or online at www.maccosmetics.com

 

Meagan Ball-Jordan is a beauty connoisseur and grad student currently residng in Dallas, Texas. Keep up with her on Twitter @MeaganElyce!