#MusicMonday- Lolawolf.

(photo credit: News.com.au)

On this episode of "Brea's Late with Artists" we take a look at electronic r&b trio, Lolawolf.

Lol but seriously, the band members consist of: James Levy, Jimmy Giannopoulos, and...Zoe Kravitz? YES! From her films to her style, I'm here for all things Zoe Kravitz! I'm still trying to figure out how I didn't know the Princess of 'I-Do-What-I-Want-And-Regret-Nothing' (because we all know her mom is queen) was in a band??

I recently started following her on Instagram and noticed that she kept talking about being on tour, so I headed on over to Youtube and got to searching. Now I'm not sure what I thought Zoe's voice would sound like over a beat, but I wasn't expecting what I heard. I guess I thought she'd have a LOT of struggle notes but she sounds great to me. But then again, her dad is extremely fine Lenny Kravitz and her mom is Lisa Bonet. Both are very talented people, so of course she was born to be great!

The band's music is definitely different than what's being played on the radio now and if you aren't open to listening to different types of music, you may be quick to dismiss it (Kind of like how I am when my friend tries to force me to listen to K-Pop. I just can't seem to get jiggy with that stuff). For comparison sake, their sound is similar to Santigold or even M.I.A.!

 "Summertime" and "Jimmy Franco" were a couple of the first songs I heard from the group. Both are super fun and make me wish I would've heard them sooner. Especially "Summertime", that could've been my anthem this past summer but there's always next year :) And let me not even get into the cuteness that is the "Jimmy Franco" video (which features ASAP Rocky as her leading man). I always wonder how people have such great chemistry in music videos and don't even be into each other like that. But for those 3 minutes and 18 seconds, they sure fooled me. Check out both songs below!!



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Like what you've heard so far from Lolawolf? Checkout their Soundcloud for more awesomeness!!

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#MusicMonday- Banks.

Why hello there, you beautiful people!

 
Well, I'm back!...at least for the remainder of this year. I have so much to update you all on, but I'll wait for Wednesday's post for those deets.

Anywho, I thought I'd come back on this glorious Monday to expose you all to the wonderfulness that is BANKS. As usual, I'm late to the party when it comes to a few artists but I'm always happy I've discovered them.

The LA native has such a chill type of sound and the credible sources over at Wikipedia list it as triphop-like (apparently this is a genre that dates back to the 90's). She cites Lauryn Hill and Fiona Apple as a few of her musical influences and also released her debut album 'Goddess' back in September.

The first song I heard from her was "Goddess" and I immediately wanted to know more about this artist and why I hadn't heard about her sooner. Naturally, I went to Spotify and listened to everything that was available there. After an intense music sesh, I came to the conclusion that BANKS is my fav and I want her to be your fav as well! Check out the lyric video to "Goddess" below.

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Summer Fun: Music Festivals.

Summer has officially started and one event that always seems to scream "it's Summertime!!" is music festivals. For those who are wishing to attend one of these exciting festivals, social media never lets us down as we can always live vicariously through those who are able to attend (again, one of the reason why I love the internets).

Now there are many festivals taking place this summer, but I've narrowed them down to five that, I guess, are my personal favs. If you're favorite festival didn't make the list, please let me know. I'm definitely down to learn about new events! 

Check out my top five summer music festivals after the jump.

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#MusicMonday- Jazmine Sullivan.

It has been 3 long years, but songtress Jazmine Sullivan is back!! 

I can still remember feeling crushed by her tweets in 2011. (In case you missed them, I added the tweets below. Read from the bottom up):



I'm super glad that's over now and that one of my fav's is back just in time for the summer! 

The Queen of the Relationship Anthems has returned with a new song called "Dumb" that features a verse from rapper Meek Mill. On the track she sings about a triflin man boy* who's been playing games with her and cheating. As Sweet Brown so eloquently put it, "Ain't nobody got time for that"!  

In an interview with Billboard the 27-year-old confirmed that she's finished with her third album, Reality Show, and I hope it drops later this year!

If you're wondering why the internets aren't going nuts about Sullivan's return, it's probably because the week the track was released, Solange went HAM on Jay-Z and the media made it seem like there was no other news to report. (WOMP!)  

Check out her first single from Reality Show below!

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#MusicMonday- Ariana Grande.

This past weekend Miss Ariana Grande released a visual for her new song, "Problem". The song features a verse from our favorite Australian bombshell, Iggy Iggs and interestingly enough, some added whispers from rapper Big Sean. According to E! Online, "Problem" (which was released back in April) was already sitting at the No. 2 spot on the Billboard Hot 100 this weekend, so why not drop the visual too?

In the video the Sam and Cat star gives us 1960's realness with her dance moves, white boots, and big hair via Iggy. Grande even spins on a  circular platform all while effortlessly telling her ex boo she's got one less problem without him. 

While I'm still trying to figure out why Big Sean is whispering on the track, you can check it out below.

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#MusicMonday- SZA.

So it's pretty safe to say that I'm really behind on listening to new music/artists; however, this past weekend I came across Kendrick Lamar's label mate, SZA. The 23-year-old singer has a laid back kind of sound, which has been described as "hipster- hop/alternative R&B". SZA released her debut album, Z, back in April following her earlier EP's See.SZA.Run and S.

The first song I had heard from TDE's first lady was "Warm Winds", and let's just say I hit the replay button a few more times than I'd like to admit. On the hook she sings, "Sometimes we hate to leave somebody. What's happening to we? Warm winds on a space ride. When I call your phone on a late night. I recall your soul and it taste like...Gardens, flowers, Warm Winds". 

I can't wait to see what else she has in store for us because my SZA listening session has yet to end. The video to "Warm Winds" is below so sit back, press play and listen to the wonderful sounds of Miss SZA.



(photo credit: HNHH.com)

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#MusicMonday- Tiffany Evans.

Little Miss Tiffany Evans is now a grown woman, ya’ll! I swear she was just 12 like, yesterday. Last month the 20-something began installments to her #TiffanyTuesdays series which will include unreleased tracks from the singer. I’m sure she’s giving fans everywhere a new favorite day of the week.

In her latest installment “Give Me Wings”, she sings about a love who “healed her from the inside out” and “brought her back to life”. Could this song be a ode to her husband? Either way its such a beautiful song and Miss Tiffany’s voice is, well, phenomenal. But hasn’t it always been?

If you haven’t already, check out her previous #TiffanyTuesdays tracks “Footprints" and "Thank God U Lied" but in the meantime press play and listen to "Give Me Wings" below!





(photo credit: Rated RnB)

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#MusicMonday: Elle Varner- Cold Case.

Can I just say that I love Elle Varner? Her first album was on repeat for monthsss! From her sound, to her lovable personality, she’s just amazeballs.

Last week Miss Varner released “Cold Case” a song from her upcoming sophomore album. This song is everything! The beat alone makes you want to hit a mean bankhead bounce.

I can’t wait for her next album. Give me a release date, girl and I’m there!

Check out “Cold Case” below. Trust me, you won’t regret it.





(photo credit: HipHopSince1987)

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K-pop Ruined My Life (Part 2 of 3): Rain Bi.

Where I last left off in my tragic tale, I had just opened up a can of worms— one that I ultimately decided I did not want to close…not just yet anyway. While Girl’s Generation had given me my first taste of what K-pop was, it was something, or rather someone, else who sealed the deal on my K-pop addiction.

Anyone who knows me has heard this name at least once: Rain Bi (pronounced like the letter ‘B’).

He’s been in a few Hollywood productions but most notably in American film as the main character in the movie Ninja Assassin. Rain also had a lead role in Speed Racer the movie and he’s currently filming The Prince. He even won the Biggest Badass Award at the MTV Movie Awards in 2010 for Ninja Assassin. (If you haven’t already, check out his other acting roles).

Anyone whose ever used Youtube knows that you start off watching one thing and suddenly you’re watching a video about terrible parents who feed their infants lemons just to get a laugh. Well somehow I ended up watching his performance of “Hip Song” and it really changed the game for me.

That tight white dress shirt.

That dance.

His perfect JB swoop.

I was totally and completely in love. I showed this video to anyone who I could tie to a chair long enough. (Sorry, Shadizzle) It’s also what really sent me down a dark and terrible K-pop path.

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K-Pop Ruined My Life (Part 1 of 3): Girls Generation.

Every person has a turning point in their life whether it be for the bad or for the good. There comes a time when everything changes and nothing is the same nor will it ever be again. I know where that turning point was for me. It was the summer of 2009 and I can see it like it was yesterday.

If I could go back in time to where I was five years ago I would grab myself and give my butt a good round house kick into the library which is where I should have been—studying for Organic Chemistry, of course. But unfortunately such time travel technology does not exist and poor misguided old me is still sitting alone somewhere in Tampa, laptop in lap, falling into the trap that what would soon become the bane of her existence.

Hello, my name is Josey and I am addicted to K-pop.

According to the very reliable resource, Wikipedia, K-pop is defined as “a musical genre originating in South Korea that is characterized by a wide variety of audiovisual elements. Although it comprises all genres of “popular music” within South Korea, the term is more often used in a narrower sense to describe a modern form of South Korean pop music covering mostly dance-pop, pop ballad, electronic, rock, hip-hop, R&B, etc.”

So clinical. Straight forward. Innocent. But I’m going to let you know now that K-pop is So. Much. More. Than. That.

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#MusicMonday: Drake & Beyonce.

I originally planned to do a “Fav singles of 2013” list today but after I heard a Bey and D’Angelo mashup and got a double dose of Drake’s new songs, I had a new plan.

If you know me you know I LOVE GOOD MUSIC, so let’s get into it.

Back in September of this year, Mr. Soft Ghetto released his third album Nothing Was the Same. A track called Trophies that he previewed in a video trailer for his new album, didn’t quite make it on the album. But alas my pretties, Drake has finally given you what you’ve been waiting for.

And In case you missed it, in the wee hours of the morning on Saturday he released a remix to Soulja Boy’s song “We Made It” (SN: Where the devil has that child been??)While the song is pretty hot, the delivery reminds me three much of Migos ‘Versace’. WOMP!

Check out both tracks below and let me know which one is your fav.






Now prepare your ears for greatness.

Ya’ll know I love Queen Bey, right? If you remember shortly after releasing her fifth album she previewed it on iTunes radio and discussed each song. On Rocket she said, “Rocket is one of the (more) sensual songs, it reminds me of the vibe I got when I first heard D’Angelo’s Untitled.” Well Mashup King, JAYBeatz must have taken that comment and ran with it because he did what he does best and created a mashup with both songs. Talk about an eargasm!!! Just press play and tell me it how much it makes you want to smoke a cigarette after.



(photo credit: E Online)

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