birthdays was the worst days, now we sip champagne when we thirsty.

It's my birthday and I'm not a teenager anymore (I'm 20) -- even though I don't feel any different.
Since it's my day of birth, I decided to make a list of people i wouldn't mind partying with (and...cool pictures of famous people and birthday cakes)

#np Party Life, Jay Z

Welcome to the Party Life:

They Say The Best Things in Life Are Free

As an intern in New York City this summer there are three words that describe me: young. broke. and fabulous (yeah, I know it's a clothing line but I'm the reality TV special!). I want to do all of the hip things in the City but I don't want to pay money for them, so instead of resulting in illegal activities I found things for free -- or very discounted, which has lead to my almost perfect summer. (#holdingbackmyperfectsummer:  I haven't found a summer fling and I haven't gotten an iPhone -- apparently their both out of stock)

Let's Go On A Living Spree: 

• Apple Soho Store iTunes Concerts: Thanks to Steve Jobs I've gotten to see some of my favorite performers this summer (still no iPhone though) These concerts are usually held during the week at around 7:00 p.m. Where else would you get a free hour-long intimate Talib Kweli concert? The highlight of my summer was rocking out with  The Roots from the second row (since I they looked like little bugs at the Prospect Park concert, I was sooo far away)  -- Questlove threw his drumsticks in the audience and I feel in love with Cap'n Kirk, he gave a whole Jimi Hendrix tribute session. (#sidenote: How I Got Over is the best album this summer!), even though I was two seconds away from my picture with them I did get to meet some of the band members. 

• Madison Square Garden: One of my good friends an intern at Madison Square Garden, not only did she get free tickets to a concert but it was my first time in there and it was a show to see two of my favorite artist of all time -- Maxwell and Erykah Badu (we missed Badu trying to see Common, which now that I'm writing this I think is pretty funny!) I really felt like Maxwell was singing to me and only me, well atleast some of the photos it looks that way. *snaps back to reality* 

• First Saturdays at the Brooklyn Museum: Every first Saturday from June to September, the Brooklyn Museum opens up from 5 - 11 p.m. with tons of free stuff to do -- from touring exhibits to arts and crafts to karaoke to dance parties.  I went during the first Saturday in July and got to tour the Andy Warhol exhibit, which was awesome. In honor of Warhol, there was an 80s dance party in the street -- oddly I felt like a 80s baby because I knew almost every song that was played. The last on before I got back to school is August 7th. 

(my besties) 

• On Broadway! : I've never been more happy to be a student until I got $27 tickets to see Fela last Saturday -- the tickets were "obscured view" but I saw everything just fine and we got to meet the actors after. Honestly, it was one of the best broadway plays I've seen (obviously, I mean it did win a Tony!) but I loved the dancing, the live music, but more importantly the message -- I left the performance feeling moved and informed. Now that I know there is a Student Rush or Lottery for so many Broadways in New York, I have to see at least two more. 

• EA Sports Launch Party: This party, hosted by Team Epiphany, was filled with movers-and-shakers, the DJ was dope -- no exaggeration, and all we did was play the new Need For Speed video game and network (of course there were complimentary drinks -- some blue Vodka that made my night great!) After, we went to Greenhouse -- free drinks all night! (did I mention the owner bought us a bottle? --- the young.broke.and fabulous life) 

Stay tuned for more free events :) 

Signed fabulously in Pink, 

Tahirah

Boredom: BP Coffee Spill

One word about this video: loved. It was hilarious (I literally LOLed at work) but it also points out BP's ridiculous tactics in attempting to clean up the spill. 

But in real life: BP has repaired the leaking valve in the containment cap and will began to attempt test now that the problem is "fixed" (hopefully for good!) after 3 months...  (NY Times) 

Check it out to add a little humor to your day!  

Fabulous Stamp: V V Brown, Nneka

Nneka 

Big hair. Big voice. Big heart. Nneka Egbuna is on her way to becoming a big star (well, in the US at least – she’s already been compared to Lauryn Hill in the UK, I swear they have better artist!) I don’t remember how I first got introduced to her (I think she came on my Pandora – where I get introduced to awesome music on a daily basis) but I heard her song Heartbeat and I immediately had to Google her. I fell in love with her beautiful, ‘I-don’t-care’, enormous Afro, but more importantly I fell in love with her words – they were so powerful (then she started rapping and I was like whoa!). 

The Nigerian-German, who released her first US album, Concrete Jungle, earlier this year, sings and freestyles over tracks with a reggae rock sound. (She’s like Bob Marley, Talib Kweli, Erykah Badu and Lauryn Hill combined in one!) She talks about everything from love, hope, black consciousness,  issues in her hometown Warri in Nigeria and the relationship between America and Africa. This girl has got a voice!

 #fabulousstamp

Songs You Should Download: Heartbeat, Uncomfortable Truth, Walking -- the whole album in general, the artwork is dope too. 

For The Free: On August 2^nd, Nneka will be performing in New York City at Highline Ballroom

V V Brown 

photo: elle.com 

London produces some of the best artists – (Adele, Amy Winehouse, Duffy, The Beatles…the list goes on) and the indie pop soul singer VV Brown (whose surname is Vanessa) doesn’t fall short. Not to mention her style is something to watch – she even modeled for the 2009 April/May Issue of Vogue and she’s gorgeous!

 I first heard the English singer, songwriter and at times freestyle rapper (she said she would battle Mr. West!) about a month ago when I needed some new music to put on my iTunes and my friend/ music soul mate told me to download I Love You and I ended up buying the whole album. Then BAM! this month she’s one of Elle’s Women in Music to watch in 2010 for their July issue (make sure you check it out there are lots of great woman artists and Rihanna works the cover!) In the article she talks about how people in the industry tried to change her musically, but she was stubborn and kept true to herself and hasn’t changed since – love her for this.

 With her London accent, funky style and unforgettable vocals V V Brown (who is Jamaican and Puerto Rican) is on her way to becoming something big. She released her first studio album, Travelling Like the Light, in 2009 – which if I could describe in one word is fun from the production to the lyrics (she’s no Amy, but she’s making a name for herself) she also has a few ballads. Right now she’s on a summer tour with Maroon 5 and Owl City, unfortunately she won’t be in NYC while I’m here.

  #fabulousstamp

Songs to Download: I Love You (she really shows off her vocals), Shark In The Water, Travelling Like The Light, Everybody

this oil sh*t is slicker than preachers.

And that's why he's one of my favorites.
Talib Kweli has a video for his song Ballad of The Black Gold from his new album with Hi-Tek Revolutions Per Minute (which is a must have for the summer!)

Nodding my head to the beat, I remember I first heard this song when he was performing (for the free) at the iTunes store in SoHo the song spoke volumes especially addressing corrupt govrenment and the oil issues in Nigeria and now that I saw the video, I feel the same way. (Actually. I wouldn't expect anything less)

With everything covered in oil, the video brings the oil spill to life (as though the oil-covered pelicans and jobless shrimpers weren't enough). It's crazy because this song was written before the oil spill occurred (his album was release May 18th, the oil spill into the Gulf on April 22nd) -- the spill will effect this country for years to come and  this video couldn't be more relevant.

Check out the video. (from World Star Hip Hop)

it's been a long time, shouldn't have left you.

i haven't had a post in ages -- but this will change

my summer has been nothing sort of amazing.   New York has kept it interesting, of course.

interning. free concerts. pretty people. long days. great nights. 

#np Show Me A Good Time, Drake  

photos: ashley's camera

wearing: urban outfitters denim shorts, h&m shirt, jessica simpson shoes.