"RUNWAY" Goes #LIVE... ISH* Just got REAL!

Just 3 weeks ago, I contacted musician Steff Reed, also good friend of mine, because I was in urgent need of an acoustic player.  I was scheduled to appear on "Open" for Rhina LIVE on Bronxnet and I had an intimate vision for it.  Initially, I wanted to do my set with Steff but he was busy finalizing stuff for a music video he is working on and some other things (typical lifestyle of any hungry musician in NY), so he referred me to a dope guitar player by the name of JT Maple.  We rehearsed once before the show and KNOCKED it out.  Great vibe, dope musician... AMAZING experience for my first TV show appearance.  Check below...

To watch the performance visit Ruby LIVE on Open!

Prior to this show, my friend told me, what are you waiting for to get your own band? JUST DO IT.  His words spoke life into me, and I could feel the negativity in my push back... I heard myself saying, "But... I don't have a budget for a band... But, I don't know any musicians in NY.. BUT, BUT, BUT..." and I stepped outside of myself and replayed all the things I said.  My friends statement, "JUST DO IT..." was so much louder and powerful.  So, I prayed about it and let the universe align things up.  A week after I performed on Rhina Live, a gentlemen by the name of Mike Fisher contacted me on facebook.  He asked if I was looking for a band and sent me a link to recent work.  I explained to him my vision and all the finer details and he suggested I send him my single so he can vibe with it.  TWO DAYS LATER... This guy puts together the dopest arrangement to a four piece band.

So we met up at a coffee shop in the city, and as I make my purchase, I see a picture of a CD and on the cover it says, "The Band" and "Cloud Nine"... I'm all about signs and foreshadowing, Lol.... We began talking and sharing our goals.  Figuring out how we can benefit/support one another in getting these accomplished.  And afterwards headed over to Ultra Sound Studios.

I had no idea what I was about to step into, the fiery Aries in me was ALL ready for the leap of faith.  With social media nowadays, people say they are a bunch of things and when you finally meet them, their statuses don't match up... lol, but Mike Fisher was the REAL DEAL, very professional and eager to work.  He mentioned wanting to be a music director like Omar Edwards who puts together live arrangements for artist like Rihanna.  Man, when they started playing, I felt like I was at a Janet Jackson concert.  I caught chills, the hairs in the back of my neck stood up and I got emotional.  In my mind I said, "ISH* just got REAL!!"  This was "The Band" and I was definitely on "Cloud Nine."  If you don't believe me, check the band out in the link below, playing their rendition of "Runway" live for the VERY FIRST TIME.

The band are not exclusively mine... YET! lol  They are open to working with other artists as long as the scheduling and budget is right for everyone.  If you are interested in working with Mike Fisher he can be contacted at m.fisher1022@yahoo.com

To support "Runway" visit iTunes Link

Also available on eMusic, Amazon.com, Rhapsody, Google play, CDUniverse

and other digital music platforms...

S/O to the Band:

Mike Fisher, Music Director, Keys

JT Maple, Electric Guitar

J.T. Walker, Drummer

Wallace Smith, Aux Keys

S/O to everyone on my TEAM for pushing and believing

Jevante Qirashawn, Advisor/Manager

Enriz, Louis, Hazel and Chi-Chi of Falu Enterprises & NSUC Entertainment Group

EOne Distribution

"Runway" Collabs w/ Jesus Estrada of Project Runway Season 7?!!

STOP!!! Immediately, hold the presses.  It has been confirmed that I will be collaborating with Jesus and Antonio Estrada, the Estrada Twins of Project Runway's Season 7, for my music video "Runway."  OH-EM-GEEEEE.  I feel like Cinderella prepping for the Royal "RUNWAY."

It is a blessing to find successful individuals who are humble, pure and passionate about what they do.  The Estrada Twins, born in Mazatlan, Sinaloa Mexico, 23 year old identical twins, always dreamt of becoming young and famous fashion designers.  Growing upin a fashionable family, they were inspired by their mother, who was a model.  At two years old, the Estrada's moved to Tijuana, Mexico and shortly thereafter moved to San Diego, California to live the American Dream.  After their success on the Project Runway show they moved to White Plains, NY where they now manage their own boutique.  I am so grateful they have come on over to the east side and furthermore, are interested in being a part of the development process.  Take a look at our meeting with Jesus at the Marteal and Estrada Boutique.

For more info on the Estrada Twins please visit:
www.martealandestrada.com

To support the single "Runway" please visit:
iTunes
Google Play
Amazon.com

MY PUERTORICAN-FREAKIN' WKND in QUAD STUDIOS w/ Julio Cortez

Man... I had no idea, that a morning brunch with my family at El Nuevo Portal, in downtown Brooklyn, NY, was foreshadowing a latin collaboration with Grupo Niche's colombiano, Julio Cortez. WHAT AN HONOR?!! And... my family keeps telling me, "You need to do Spanish music!!," and I want to so bad, but most of my connections have been in Hip Hop and R&B.  Well... that is no longer the excuse!!!  Julio eagerly said to me, "I want you to email a melody, so that I can compose something around your voice and see how that turns out," AHHHHHH! Lol.  It is something different for me.  Even though I do not have much experience creating latin music, I grew up on Spanish Pop Baladas and Salsa; I learned to speak Spanish listening to Cristian Castro, Guillermo Davila, Ednita Nazario and Ana Gabriel, Hector Lavoe, El Gran Combo, to name a few...  So, this is my moment to tap back into those days when I lived in Carolina, PR and life was so simple.

While, my fellow Boricuas were on 5th Avenue celebrating the Puerto Rican Day Parade, I was in the studio celebrating my culture in my own way.  Check out footage below from our session, and if you like it say, "WEEEEEEPPPAAAA!" in the comment section below... haha

JCOLE -vs- KANYE WEST... Who would you pick?

My oh my, is it going to be an interesting summer in Hip Hop.  Set to drop on 6/18/13... #teamgems got an exclusive stream of J. Cole's project "Born Sinner" which is also available for preorder via iTunes and it is DOPE.  No, I am not being biased to the fact that I am featured on the chorus in 5 different cuts "Crooked Smile f. TLC" "Where's Jermaine? Skit" "Trouble" "Ni**z Know" and "Born Sinners"... lol, it really is a good hip hop album and when you dig into his lyrics, he's kicking knowledge and inspiring our generation, not to mention going toe-to-toe with one of Hip Hop's greatest, Kanye West.

Photo Retrieved Via
http://www.personamagazine.net/j-cole-vs-kanye-west/

Don't believe me?  Go and pre-order the album on iTunes.  I am telling you it is going to be an INSANELY HOT ALBUM, as if the summer isn't hot already on its own.  With Kanye's highly anticipated #YEEZUS project coming out as well, which I was blessed with the opportunity of also contributing too, I am ready for the HEAT WAAAVVE!  Kanye has already started promoting his first single "New Slaves" by randomly projecting its video on building sides throughout the world. I do not want to talk too much abut Kanye's project, I will let him surprise you...lol


Support the artists and check out their official site links below:

JCOLE Nation -vs- Kanye West  I cannot take sides :( Who would you pick?

Support me too and and check out my single "Runway" which was just recently added to 104.7 KISSFM

Aren't we all #BORNSINNERS?? Exclusive collab w/ J. Cole...

First and foremost, I must say that God has blessed me with an amazing opportunity to be around some the most talented/creative individuals in the game.  Recently,  I formed an alliance with the Audio School Online Choir led by Ken Lewis and Alvin Fields.  This opportunity came by ways of one of the most down to earth amazing women I know and look up to, Ms. Carmen Roman, whom I met as a teenager participating in the New York City Housing Authority Choir.  By ways of this group, which you will hear me mention a lot, I have been given many opportunities to grow as a musician and a human being just trying to survive in New York City.

:: drumrolls ::  Early May we had the opportunity of working with J. Cole on his new album which is ALREADY catching a big buzz titled "Born Sinner."  One of the cuts we worked on is titled "Crooked Smile" and it is out already.  Click the sound link below "on my way on my way on my way down.... oooooohhh... lalalalaalala" lol, that us with TLC, WHO KNEW!  The choir is very prominent at about 3:33. We had so much fun being directed by the talented and down to earth Mr. J. Cole himself, peep the photos too and support #BORNSINNER #CROOKEDSMILE on your local radio stations.  I feel a GRAMMY coming on... Best Wishes to #JCOLENATION on this upcoming release 6/18/13.

Top to Botton & Left to Right:
Ken Lewis, Alvin Fields, J. Cole
Alvin Fields and I
The Audio School Online Choir

#BORNSINNER 6/18/13

Please make sure to also check out this exclusive "Power Trip" Remix inspired by my encounter with J. Cole, set to drop 6/21/13 on my new mixtape, "The Remix Queen:  I RE-Invented the Remix"

Also, support JCole's blog and check out his take on working with us by clicking--> #JCOLENATION

Walk to End LU?US

So, I am officially back in New York City after going on a personal and spiritual hiatus in Albuquerque, New Mexico where my mother's side of the family owns property.  I almost did NOT come back home, lol, but had way too many pending responsibilities and tasks to complete.

On Saturday, May 18th, 2013 I participated in the Walk to End Lupus with my very close friends and supporters.  I have not shared this with you all on my blog, but in March, right before I sought refuge in Albuquerque, I was diagnosed with Lupus.  Being affected by this disease that took almost 3 years to diagnose, I decided I wanted to make it into a positive experience for myself and get involved with the cause while networking and surrounding myself with people who were supportive of me.  The walk began at the South Street Seaport and went on into the Brooklyn Bridge's half point and whipped back around to the seaport.  The entire time we were cheered on by other people impacted by this disease. I grew to understand that I was not alone.  On the day of the walk we raised $500.00 as a team.  However, I will be accepting donations year round because, next year, I anticipate multiplying my fundraising times three!!

I would like to give a shot out to my very good friend Raquel Rodriguez and the Clinton Hills Community over at Public School 11.  Together, they helped raise the most money for the walk.  The children came together to give back to the cause and developed character through contributing to something outside of themselves.  You guys ROCK!!  To learn about my journey with Lupus or to make a contribution to the cause please visit my Lupus Donor Page ASAP!

In the meantime, I am also preparing for my first music video ever to my single "Runway" which is scheduled to come out top of this summer.  As a result, lots of photo shoots, networking and getting ready to take my music to the NEXT LEVEL!  We are still recruiting designers for this video as we are going for a Guiness Book of World Record attempt as the video with the most looks on one person-->ME... lol.  Oh man, I love to play dress up so this is going to be SUPER FUN.  We have already nailed over 100 up and coming designers from all over the country.  This is going to be EPIC!  Check out the press release below as well as some behind the scene shots from the last photo shoot.

Special shout out to the amazing team I had during this photoshoot:

Makeup Artist: Camara
Hair Stylist: Nigella
Photographer: Anthony Herbert
Behind the Scenes Team: Partyzonealert

Cia'o... Hasta PRONTO!

omgRUBY Remixes Bruno Mars' Hit "When I Was Your Man"--> "My New Man"

Hear it here first... The "Remix Queen" is on a roll again and here is a preview of the first cut that will be appearing on the next Remix Queen Mixtape, "My New Man" -->in response to Bruno Mars' smash hit "When I Was Your Man."

In the original song, Bruno Mars vulnerably speaks about not being mature enough when he was initially confronted with love.  As a result, he ends up missing out on a good woman.  The response takes place during Bruno's ex girlfriend's wedding.  He tries to catch her before she walks down the aisle, but she already has made up her mind and in the first verse, proceeds to help Bruno understand it is too late.

The second verse, the bride-to-be, sings her vows to her new man.  Right as the preacher asks if anyone  objects to the marriage, Bruno then interrupts and wails with his bridge "Though it hurts, I'll be the first to say that I was wroooonnng," But it is too late, and the bride reminds him that she has moved on.  Take a listen below, download, like, share, comment... SPREAD THE HEAATTTT.  Summer might come faster. lolol

Lyrics

1st Verse

My king bed to myself

Yes it feels a bit bigger now

A song I wrote is on the radio

So, I'm feeling great :)

When our friends talk about ya

You sound like a little clown

I feel so bad that you can't forgive yourself

For your mistakes

Now you crying like.. OooOOoH

Too young, too dumb to realize

1st Hook

That I don't really like flowers

Or holding hands

It's the thought that matters

But you never cared

To bring me around your family

When all I wanted to do was share

Yes now, I'm dancing

At my wedding

With another man

Movin' on....

2nd Verse (the vows)

My life, my heart, my king

You're my getwaway

Saved a woman like me

I never felt so alive

Never in my dreams did I think you'd come my way

Feels like I'm in heaven everytime I close my eyes

When you hold me I'm like... OoooOOOohhh

To the one who finally made me realize

2nd Hook

That I deserve a bed of flowers

Candlelit bubble baths

Good loving ever hour

That we had the chance

To bring me around your family

And be so willing to always share

Now now, we dancing at our wedding

And you're my man

(Priest:  If there is anyone who objects to this marriage

Speak now or forever hold your peace)

Bridge

Bruno:  Although it hurts.....

C'mon really? Save it...

3rd Hook

'Cause I don't really like flowers

Or holding hands

It's the thought that matters

But you never cared

Now we're around my family and all I wana do is dance

With my new man, my new man, my new man

My new man...