Year-End Reflection of 2009

[Nine] represents the highest level of change so I definitely look at 2009 as the year of change. So many things happened and almost everywhere 2009 wasn't a good year. But for me it was about learning and growing. I've excepted the mishaps of the year but there's no reason to let this hold me down.

It all started with me being prevented from registering and continuing education at St. John's University. All because my financial aid didn't come through. All the while being told all my documents were processing with that date never came and ended up causing a bigger issue (in me having to pay a full semester's tuition (13,000+) on my own). Resulting in my being unable to return to or transfer unless this is taken care of.

This was the year that I was getting focused 100% on my music. I was putting together my 1st project in studio with the help of two producers... what went wrong? My mind wasn't right! with having to deal with all this mess with my school and with all the reschedule's and missing sessions... guess that's done.

And of course this thing with the economy! This was not the best year for me at my job... and having to try to find a substitute until they got it together... wasn't easy.

Feels like I'm on a long journey going in circles.... and I aint even going nowhere....

[TEN] represents "Rebirth". And I expect, now that I've seen what I've seen and learned so much that I can continue on this path to where I wanna be in 2010. All the things from these past few years leads up to this! Musically I'm ready to do it all on my own if it doesn't work, working with producers & I have every intention to return to school in 2010! Nothing is getting in the way of that. I have learned all i need... is to do what's best for me (it seems I've lost sign of this). So I'll take it 1 day at a time and not worry about where i'll be in a few years but just on the steps i'll take now to get there!

Dante J's Top 12 Albums of 2009

1. The Element of Freedom - Alicia Keys

2. BLACKsummers'night - Maxwell

3. Ready - Trey Songz

________

4. Love Vs Money - The-Dream

5. Man on the Moon: The End of Day - Kid Cudi

6. Sex Therapy: The Experience - Robin Thicke

7. In A Perfect World - Keri Hilson

8. So Far Gone - Drake

9. Graffiti - Chris Brown

10. Rated R - Rihanna

11. Transition - Ryan Leslie

12. The BluePrint 3 - Jay-Z

*Night & Day - Chrishan

*Stronger withEach Tear - Mary J. Blige

Click to read full analysis

Random Thought of The Day (12/27)

Mood: Tired

Song Playing: Fever by Chrishan

Random Thoughts: 2010 is almost here. Time to continue this change. Today I sat here kinda reflecting on the past year in music and this past year of my life often crossed my mind. Things have really changed... I wouldn't say for the worst, I'd just say it was for me to learn a lesson. So from this I'll move on and continue to get to where I'm going. Its all up to me...

Currently: Blogging and on Twitter @HesSoPoetic... bout to go to bed.

Plans for 2moro: Work (i better be scheduled!)... also have a meeting tomorrow... dont know how thats gonna fit into my plans =/ ...

#1 - The Element of Freedom (Top 12 Albums of 09)

1) The Element of Freedom - Alicia Keys featuring “Doesn’t Mean Anything” “Try Sleeping With A Broken Heart” “Empire State of Mind Pt II (Broken Down)” “Unthinkable (I’m Ready)” & “Put It In A Love Song” Aside from any controversy, you CANNOT deny the talent that Alicia has! She cannot put out a bad album. its just not possible. This album is even more epic than the last… this is one album that you MUST own.

#2 BLACKsummers'night (Top 12 Albums of 09)

2) BLACKsummers’night - Maxwell featuring “Pretty Wings” “Bad Habits” “Cold” & “Fistful of Tears” Another classic album… even after an 8 year hiatus, Maxwell doesnt disappoint with this album. EVEN with this album having 8 songs & 1 instumental… THIS album is a classic!!

#3 - Ready (Top 12 Albums of 09)

3) Ready - Trey Songz featuring “I Need A Girl” “LOL :-)” “Invented Sex” “Say Aah” “One Love” & “Yo Side of the Bed” (if that list didnt say enuff….) this is the 1st Trey Songz album (along with Anticipation Mixtape) that was good from beginning to end. I usually only like a few joints off his albums but Trey really worked hard to put together this project…. Trey’s taking over… Usher where you at?

#4 Love Vs Money (Top 12 Albums of 09)

4) Love Vs Money - The-Dream featuring “Rockin That Shit” “My Love” “Walking On The Moon” & “Sweat It Out” now if you didnt think this album was classic… than idk what to tell you.

#5 - Man On The Moon: The End Of Day (Top 12 Albums of 09)

5) Man On The Moon: The End of Day - KiD CuDi featuring “Day N Nite” “Make Her Say” & “Pursuit of Happiness” this album was genius! though the singles following “Day N Nite” weren’t as good (or could’ve been replaced with better songs from this album)… kinda underrated… What happened to all the promo?

#6 - Sex Therapy (Top 12 Albums of 09)

6) Sex Therapy: The Experience - Robin Thicke - featuring “Sex Therapy” released in two versions The Session & The Experience (you have to listen to The Experience) this is one album not to be passed over! Each song just flows into each other… only problem I find on this album is that there’s too many unnecessary features… this album would’ve been great with just Robin on it.

#7 - In A Perfect World (Top 12 Albums of 09)

7) In A Perfect World - Keri Hilson featuring “Energy” “Turning Me On” “Knock You Down” & “Slow Dance” -UNDERRATED - though Keri doesnt give off that starpower as others in the game…. she did put together a good album making the cross from songwriter to artist.

#8 - So Far Gone (Top 12 Albums of 09)

8) So Far Gone - Drake (we just gonna consider the mixtape as the album since its been treated like one) featuring “Best I Ever Had” & “Successful” - though i wasnt too happy with the songs picked for the EP bcuz my two favorite joints was left off. This was one of the most talked about mixtapes/albums EVER! and this is what skyrocketed Drake’s career to the point we see him on everything now…

#9 - Graffiti (Top 12 Albums of 09)

9) Graffiti - Chris Brown featuring “I Can Transform Ya” “Crawl” “Sing Like Me” & “Pass Out” though the standard edition in comparison to Rated R falls short. The Deluxe is what gives the album the edge… As a whole what makes this a good album is that it is made up of different styles not just sticking to the usual Pop and R&B genre, there’s a little bit of everything on here…

#10 - Rated R (Top 12 Albums of 09)

10) Rated R - Rihanna cant believe this is in my countdown lol featuring “Russian Roulette” “Wait Your Turn” & “Hard” - aside from all the controversy and just focusing on the music… this was an ok album. Rihanna was album to use this experience and create art out of it and as a whole this album can produce as many singles as Rihanna’s last project did.

#11 - Transition (Top 12 Albums of 09)

11) Ryan Leslie - Transition featuring “You’re Not My Girl” & “I Choose You” Though Ryan Leslie did release two albums this year… I’ll choose this one over the debut album. Ryan Leslie is one of the most underrated artist out! and to be album to put out music this good, mainly on your own and be album to make an impact is good enough. This is what music needs…

#12 - The Blueprint 3 (Top 12 Albums of 09)

12) The Blueprint 3 - Jay-Z featuring “Death of Autotune” “Run This Town” “Empire State of Mind” & “On To The Next One”. Though I usually can never get into a full Jay-Z album… I did enjoy this album. Hip Hop needed it……. and it was something to hold me until Nas dropped an album or something…

Dante J's Top 10 Singles of 2009

1. Pretty Wings - Maxwell (BLACKsummers'night)

2. Try Sleeping With A Broken Heart - Alicia Keys (The Element of Freedom)

3. Love Comes Down - Dirty Money (Last Train to Paris)

______

4. Empire State of Mind - Jay-Z & Alicia Keys

5. Walking On The Moon - The-Dream

6. Sweet Dreams - Beyoncé

7. Sex Therapy - Robin Thicke

8.Everybody Knows - John Legend

9. Best I Ever Had - Drake

10. Imma Put It On Her - Day26

*Pretty Brown ft Trey Songz - Amerie (#4)

Video: Amere - More Than Love ft Fabolous

Here's the video for Amerie's 4th? single.... "More Than Love"its a shame how she gets overlooked as good as her CD was. I wonder what happened to the label releasing 3rd single "Pretty Brown" ft Trey Songz? smh that wouldve been the best move for this album... In Love & War in stores now

Chrishan's Night & Day Trailer

Chrishan's Night & Day In Stores Now
BUY/DOWNLOAD / iTunes Download

Random Thought of The Day 004

Mood: GREAT actually!
Song Playing: Said And Done by Mary J. Blige (in my mind)

Random Thoughts: People are very funny over the internet or behind closed door... or hidden! how ever you say it lol.... i mean damn i aint kno there was so many ppl secretly crushin on me or whatever it is... over twitter & tumblr... o_O ....... but its whatever continue posting and asking those random outrageous ass questions on formspring... it keeps me entertained....... Are You Single or taken? seemed to be asked alot.... i guess i'm kinda taken cuz the person i want knows what it is and i know what it is... just a few things that need straighten out and I'm good! w/them... but yeah if that makes sense lol

Currently: READY....... lol

Plans for 2moro: more cleaning..... iHop, movies and chillin with my ppls that i dont see much... this is always fun!

Random Thought of The Day 003

Mood: kinda happy i guess.... or just in a normal mood
Song Playing: Unthinkable (I'm Ready) by Alicia Keys

Random Thoughts: If you ask me I'm ready (I'm ready)... You asked so yeah... LOL... Its Fxckin snowing in NYC still... its beautiful kinda... especially for those who's never seen and ESPECIALLY before they come tryna clean the streets and get it all dirty! Today was better than yesterday especially after getting some wise words and inspiration from someone. I'm motivated to keep moving to get to this place that i should be.... only time will tell.

Currently: Wide awake... listening to The Element of Freedom... Tumblring, Tweeting, Blogging... watching vids.... too much shyt instead of sleeping LOL

Plans for 2moro: i have no idea... maybe just continue using FL Studio til i learn more... and create more beats... and maybe i'll get back to writing

Alicia Keys Photos for Giant Magazine

SEXY! AINT SHE?

Dawn Richard w/Chris Brown - Fallin Down

Fallin Down - Chris Brown & Dawn Richard[Click Here To Listen] / [Click Here To Download]

This is a hot record with Chris Brownalone…. but sounds good with Dawn.
I just wish her vocals were recorded in better quality.

Random Thought of The Day 002

Mood: blah, tired, out of myself, sick, drained.
Song Playing: no music for the moment
Random Thoughts: No thoughts, really... my head hurts. Tryna figure out why... must have alot on my mind. Too many things to sort out at this time.......

Currently: In bed bout to go 2 sleep... just felt the need to do this post so it can be a daily thing. Aside from not really blogging much on here today also needed to post something.

Plans for 2moro: suppose to help with some cleaning and putting up some decorations for xmas (at the last minute)..... but i aint gonna feel like it. Its suppose 2 be a snowstorm so yeah.... so much for going out or anything

Random Thought of The Day

Mood: bored, tired, contemplative, awake, creative.
Song Playing: Pray For Forgiveness - Alicia Keys
Random Thoughts: Alicia Keys always puts me in this state... I'm in deep thought... thinkin about random stuff. I feel like writing some rhymes, some poetry... a song. But I feel like I've lost sight of the things that makes me! I haven't written anything in a while... nuffin. All dreams of getting my first project of music finished... faded away and I'm back to square one.... Always back at square one. Tryna start over.......

Currently: Attempting to blog this here & on Tumblr, slowly Twittering [ @HesSoPoetic ], listening to Alicia Keys album and tryna figure out what else I wanna do before I finally attempt to go to sleep.

Plans for 2moro: nuffin major.... probably just work! its 2 damn cold for me to feel like doing anything or attempting to make plans with anyone to have everybody say they cant... $$ for me 2 save at least.

Video: Alicia Keys - Unthinkable (I'm Ready)

Alicia Keys stopped by 106 and park yesterday to promote new album The Element of Freedom... which is in stores now!... during her stop at 106 she talked about the new album, working with Beyoncé & Drake and also performed Unthinkable (I'm Ready), Empire State of Mind Pt 2 (Broken Down), Try Sleeping With A Broken Heart and No One.

The New HesSoPoetic (Official Website)

Welcome back to HesSoPoetic (Official Website)... here we are again with another redesign. I felt the other new layout was too much and I wanted something simple so this basic design with a few tweaks. Though the original plan to start blogging more on music I like and bringing music downloads to readers was a good idea at 1st... i just dont have a desire to host files for music and post download links here........ especially when there are a million blogs doing the same. So back to the original plan of poetry, videos and music from me and hopefully those are more frequent so i can keep the site updated. All other blogging will be done over on Tumblr

Stay tuned for more updates....

oh yeah and peep my Alicia Keys album [The Empire Edition]

Album Review: Chris Brown - Graffiti

Graffiti (Deluxe Edition) (Rating 4/5 ✩)
In stores: December 8th

The album begins with lead single "I can Transform Ya"which features Swizz Beatz & Lil Wayne. Though the song didnt stand out instantly after a while it grows to be a good track for a single. The album follows with promo single "Sing Like Me" and the album starts to pick up. The track is simple and Chris sings without all the effects and autotuned vocals and shows the true talent that he is capable of. "Crawl" (the album's 2nd single) and more of a song that draws from the experience this passed year makes for one of the excellent tracks on this album. Following is one of the supposed singles "So Cold" which again comes from the experience of the passed year dealing with Rihanna. 1 of the songs I think could of been left off the album and replaced with a song from the deluxe edition to prevent two versions so soon.

"What I Do" (the 1st uptempo joint on the CD since the opener) couldve made the perfect 1st single but I'm guessing with what has gone on this passed year... it wouldn't have been appropriate. The song features Plies and is produced by The Runners. The Ryan Leslie produced "Famous Girl" follows and touches on what is claimed to be the relationship between Chris Brown & Rihanna. This makes for the album's better tracks... including a play on other artist song titles. "Take My Time" gives you the "Take You Down" feel from Exclusive and then on to what makes this album good. Chris touches on production & songs meant for any audience and gives you that universal feel of music. You get a feel of different types of genre's and not the usual R&B and Hip Hop with songs like "I.Y.A. (In Your Arms)", and "Pass Out" featuring Eva Simmons along with most of the deluxe version tracks.

The album closes with 3 of the most personal joints for this album "Lucky Me" "Fallin Down" & "I'll Go" which touches on what Chris Brown has gone through and has to go through after the events that has taken place with Rihanna. This also makes for another strong part of the album. The Deluxe Version tracks and bonus tracks left off is what would've made this a perfectly great album without there being 2 versions so soon. "Gotta Be Ur Man" "For Ur Love", "I Need This" & "I Love U" featuring Ester Dean (off the Deluxe Version 2nd CD) are stand out tracks that should have just been included on the Standard Edition. Bonus tracks "Chase Our Love" (international) & title track "Graffiti" (iTunes) also should've been apart of the album!

But as a whole the album covers a wide range of variety of genres and comes together as a great album (with all the songs). Standout Tracks: Fallin Down, I Need This, Lucky Me, I Love U, I'll Go, Crawl & Famous Girl. My Choice for follow up singles Famous Girl, Fallin Down & I Love U BUT rumored next singles have been stated to be "Wait" featuring Trey Songz & The Game, "Sing Like Me" and "Pass Out. We'll have to wait and see what the actual direction will be...

Album Review: Alicia Keys - The Element of Freedom

The Element of Freedom (Rating 5/5 ✩)
In stores: December 15th

The album begins with a few lines of poetry as Alicia Keys states what the element of freedom is and then the album takes off with the perfect lead track "Love Is Blind". The song itself takes us in a different direction from the usual Alicia Keys song and gives us a new feel with the different effects and backing vocals and chants. Great song to start off the album and set the tone! The Lead single "Doesn't Mean Anything" follows. Although it channels As I Am track "No One" it is still a great song and fits in well following "Love Is Blind". Keys then follows with the 2nd single released, "Try Sleeping With A Broken Heart" which Keys draws in so much emotion and feeling with a whispery vocal arrangement. The song again shows Keys in a different direction and makes for one of the best songs on the album.

The album continues taking you on this ride, giving you this feeling of freedom as Alicia Keys explains dealing with hard times in love, how to deal with the emotional feelings, ways to come out better in the end and risk to take for love on tracks such as "Wait Til You See My Smile", "That's How Strong My Love Is", "Love Is My Disease" and "Unthinkable (I'm ready)" which features backing vocals from Drake. Alicia also goes on with the wishing & longing for love with songs like "This Bed" and "Distance and Time" and then there's the unexpected track "Put It In A Love Song" which features Beyoncé. The song highly channels the usual Sasha Fierce and "Single Ladies" but still keeps the Alicia feel to it and could make for the album's 3rd single. The album closes with "How It Feels To Fly" (which also makes for one of the best songs on the album), Keys brings in the choir to sing in the background and shows risking everything to know the feeling just because and "Empire State of Mind Pt II (Broken Down)" which also touches on coming out better in the end of hardtimes and continuing on with dreams. Though the song does not feature the newly recorded verse from Jay-Z, the song still stands out.

The album as a whole takes Alicia Keys to another level and brings another classic. Stand out tracks include: Try Sleeping with a Broken Heart, How It Feels To Fly, Love Is My Disease, That's How Strong My Love Is & Love Is Blind. My choice for follow up singles would be "That's How Strong My Love Is" & "Love Is Blind". BUT if "Put It In A Love Song" is the actual 3rd singles as rumored then I'd go for "Love Is Blind" following. Alicia Keys perfectly present the personal story of everyone with this album, you are guarenteed to connect with this one.

New Music: Brandy

Brandy - Something's Missing
Romeo & Juliet [Prod by Stargate]
Between Me & You (Prod by Stargate) [DEMO]

Pre-Order: Chrishan's Night & Day

Tracklisting:

1 Night & Day (Intro)
2 Sexy
3 Get It Girl (feat. J Watts)
4 Revenge (Interlude)
5 U Had It All
6 Gucci Swag
7 Bitch Look At Me Now (feat. Meech)
8 Fever
9 Bullshit
10 Get Out My Face
11 The Return (Interlude)
12 Sex Playlist
13 Break Ur Heart
14 Screamin' In The Pillow
15 Mr. One Hitta
16 Slow (Interlude)
17 Bedroom
18 In The Sheets
19 That Shit
20 Trick Look At Me Now (Uptempo) (feat. Meech)
21 Nothin' 2 Me

Album in stores December 22nd
Pre-Order Now Only on www.myspace.com/chrishansworld

Dope Art

Dante J News: December 2009

So its already the last month of the year so soon...... so much to reflect on and so much to look forward to in the future. I've finally redesigned my site with a new look (again) and I am finally starting to blog and post things on here that I want to share with my readers. I think its safe to say I'm back (again ,s>for now,/s>). The goals for this month is just to set up myself for the future I am looking forward to. Continue making goals for myself and continue making moves. I know things have been going downhill with certain things but for me now... its just time for me to focus on what's going on now and all the things I can do now and only hope for the best. Things can only look up for me now.