Lost lyrics for "The Real Thing"

As part of the release of Jill Scott's Collaborations album, Hidden Beach Recordings packaged the CD with a bonus disc that was a sampler for upcoming releases from the label.

An intro to what was then called "In Stereo" was the first track from the sampler; what it became was "The Real Thing" with different lyrics. (Why thank God! I actually do not like this first version of the song). And the outro of the song "In Stereo", which closed out the 23-track sampler disc, was a less-rocked-out/toned-down version of what we now know as "The Real Thing".

>>> Download: "In Stereo" (Intro) <<< 

>>> Download: "In Stereo" (Outro) <<<

What did ya'll think of those original lyrics?

Reminder: Jill Scott on TVone TONIGHT

Don't forget to tune in to TV One's broadcast of Jill Scott: The Real Thing Tour Live from Philadelphia this evening at 10pm!

Michelle Williams XXL Mag Outtake

Here's a beautiful outtake photo of Michelle Williams from her Unexpected album shoot, thanks to XXL Magazine.

Jill Scott's Real Thing Tour on TVone

Don't forget to tune in to TV One's special airing of Jill Scott's The Real Thing Tour Live from Philly, tomorrow night, Sunday June 29th at 10pm [all times EST]!

I am so excited for the hour-long special!!
But never fear, if you can't watch it tomorrow night, the concert will be replayed on July 3rd at 9pm, and again on July 6th at midnight and 7pm. What looks to be the final airing in the month of July will happen on the 11th at 10pm.

Be sure to keep an eye out for Jill's fiancee Lil John Roberts on the drums! ;)


+
+
Also be sure to catch a marathon of funny-woman Wanda Sykes' comedy show Wanda At Large on July 13th from 2-8pm only on TV One.

Words & Sounds, Post 56

Here's a video of Ashlee Simpson's recently-released track from Bittersweet World, "No Time For Tears":

Jill Scott to perform in Brooklyn in August

FYI: Jill Scott will be performing during the Martin Luther King Jr concert series in Brooklyn at Wingate Park on August 11th.
[Source]

Jennifer Hudson's "Spotlight" Music Video

Here's the official music video for Jennifer Hudson's debut single "Spotlight":


I am really loving this song, and J.Hud looks great in the video, especially at the end on the runway. She is looking hot! And her little wink at the end is so cute. I can't wait for her album in September!

Another Jill Scott video interview

>>>
She’s a three-time Grammy award winning singer, actress, and poet. But today Jill Scott is here to talk about something totally different! She’s found a new bra that promises true comfort and support for full-figured women.
<<<
[Source]

Click the Source to watch the actual video!

Check out this Jill Scott interview

Click HERE to watch a video interview with Jill Scott from BlackAmerica.

Preview of Jennifer Hudson's "Spotlight" Video

Here's an Entertainment Tonight preview/interview with Jennifer Hudson about her new debut single "Spotlight" from her forthcoming self-titled album due September 30th.

The full video will premiere on the BET Awards red carpet this Tuesday, June 24th.

Congratulations to the spectacular artist Jill Scott & Lil' John Roberts

(Oh Hell Yes! Press Release)
{6/21/08 @ 9am}

On June 20th, 2008, wildly talented R&B songstress Jill Scott, 36, announced her engagement to drummer Lil’ John Roberts, also 36, during her first performance at New York City’s historical Carnegie Hall. The two have been publicly linked since Valentine’s Day this year and have been on tour together since last year. The bliss-filled pair had also arrived together earlier this year at the 50th Annual Grammy Awards, where Jill Scott won her third. Roberts, who has been dubbed “Mr. Crown Royal On Ice” by JillScott.com, plays the drums in Scott’s band while in concert. Both Philadelphia natives, it is unknown when the pair plans to marry, but keep it locked on Oh Hell Yes! for all the Jill Scott news to come.

Jill Scott ENGAGED to be married!

A huge CONGRATULATIONS from Oh Hell Yes! is in order for the lovely Jill Scott and her man, who have just revealed their engagement!

Following that bliss-defining interview [see post below], Jill Scott announced her engagement at her Carnegie Hall concert last night in New York City!

Congratulations to the happy couple!

Just remember where you heard this news first :) 

- Only on Oh Hell Yes! -
[Special thanks to TRAYC on the Hidden Beach Family Reunion]
[After concert-goers, Oh Hell Yes! was the first to break this exciting news!]

[Update:] First I wasn't sure if it was Laman Rucker, but now thanks to the comment below, it is known that her fiancee is the drummer from her incredibly talented band. I'm so happy for their happiness!

[Update 2 (6/21 @ 6:50pm):] Jill Scott's fiancee's name is Lil' John Roberts, who obviously plays in her band while on tour. Check his Myspace here, and click this article to read more about who this love is.

Jill Scott talks about bliss at Carnegie Hall

After the divorce: Jill Scott’s personal bliss

by mitzi miller / metro new york

JUN 20, 2008

On the eve of her first performance at Carnegie Hall, three-time Grammy Award winner Jill Scott dishes on the magnitude of the moment, her upcoming lead movie role and how good it feels to be single again.


This is your first show at Carnegie Hall.

Are you nervous?


Absolutely. I’ve never even seen a show there. I grew up going to Radio City Music Hall, and [performing there] was amazing. But I always thought, ‘Wow, what must it be like [to sing at Carnegie Hall]?’ And to be able to perform there. It’s almost too much.


What should fans expect to hear?


Don’t expect, just come. We flipped the show around and made it really, really funky. We’ve got wonderful musicians, and there are lots of stories inside the music. There’s a lot of intensity and passion; and that’s the way I like it. If the light and sound go as planned … Oh. My. God. It’s going to be amazing. This is my first but it won’t be my last.


You’re slated to star in the upcoming HBO miniseries “The Number One Ladies Detective Agency” based on the best-selling series by Andrew McCall Smith. What attracted you to the role?


Yes, we’re shooting in Botswana this fall. My character, Precious, is a detective who wants to cure all the ills and ails of Botswana. When I read it, I was like, ‘Wow, this is a really courageous and revolutionary woman.’


Is it true that the Botswana govern­ment is issuing a stamp in your honor?


As far as I know, it’s a go. It’s like, I’m 36-years old, I’m alive, and I have a postage stamp. You’ve got to be kidding me!


With your back­ground in theater, do you ever feel torn between acting and singing?


They’re really two different entities. But, they definitely live next to each other. I like to visit each of their houses. They’re great neighbors.


Your last album talked about the pain that comes out of a broken relationship. But today, you’re exuding happiness.

I think it was specifically the divorce. I needed that. I needed to refresh and renew. When you’re unhappy in your personal life, it’s really hard to try and create. I wasn’t feeling good.


Seems like you’ve bounced back pretty well.

I feel wonderful, and I think that’s the key. This is the best life I’ve ever had. I can’t get over it.

Words & Sounds, Post 55

From Ashanti's recently released The Declaration, here is her first single "The Way I Love You".

I have been loving this song for quite some time and want to share it with ya'll...

>>> Download: Ashanti - The Way I Love You <<<

Jill Scott's "Whenever You're Around" LIVE from Philly (TV One)

Follow this link below to watch TV One's performance of Jill Scott singing "Whenever You're Around" live in Philadelphia, from their upcoming broadcast of the concert on June 29th @ 10pm!

>>> WATCH <<<

Album cover of Michelle Williams' 'Unexpected'

Thanks to ThatGrapeJuice.net, here is the official album cover of Michelle Williams' August 12th release Unexpected.

New on AmazonMP3 - Rihanna

Now, I haven't been the biggest Rihanna fan in the past, but with her Good Girl Gone Bad stuff, I have been impressed and excited.

The Reloaded edition of her album just dropped today, and "Disturbia" is an awesome song featured on the re-release.

Click HERE to buy/download "Disturbia" by Rihanna at AmazonMP3!

My favorite 'Girlfriends' photos (S1)

Here are a few of my favorite Girlfriends photos featuring the cast from the First Season:

(Jill Marie Jones, Tracee Ellis Ross, Golden Brooks, Persia White)

(Tracee Ellis Ross, Jill Marie Jones, Mara Brock Akil [creator], Persia White, Reggie Hayes, Golden Brooks - my edit)

(Tracee Ellis Ross, Jill Marie Jones, Persia White, Golden Brooks)

(Golden Brooks, Persia White, Tracee Ellis Ross, Jill Marie Jones)

More on Lira's inclusion on 'Girlfriends': The Soundtrack

>>>
SAMA award-winning singer Lira’s smash hit, Feel Good, has been chosen for inclusion on the local version of the soundtrack album for the popular US television series Girlfriends.

The Girlfriends soundtrack album features some of the world’s biggest female stars, including Grammy-nominated singers Amy Winehouse, Mary J Blige, Erykah Badu, Jill Scott, India.Arie, Chaka Khan, Angie Stone and Corinne Bailey Rae.

Urbaniti Entertainment, the US company that produced the album, used an exclusive reworking of Lira’s single, made especially for the Girlfriends soundtrack for release in South Africa.

Commenting on the inclusion of Feel Good on the album, US executive producer Lynnette Jenkins said: “Lira is extremely talented and, along with her soulful vocals, she is exactly what we were looking for to add to this powerful lineup of female stars.”
<<< [Source]

Hidden Beach online store to be opened later this month

Keep checking back to the Hidden Beach store to see when it opens later this month.

>>> http://shop.hiddenbeach.com/ <<<

Jill Scott, Beyoncé to perform on the BET Awards

Jill Scott is confirmed to perform an Al Green tribute at BET Awards where she is also nominated for Best Actress for her role in “Why Did I Get Married”.

Also, Lil Wayne leaked that he and Beyoncé will be opening the show with Usher for their "Love In This Club, Pt 2" remix.

The BET AWARDS 2008 is Live on June 24 @ 8:00 pm.

Kelly Rowland going to South Africa

>>>
Sun International went into overdrive to secure an A-list performer and they are thrilled to introduce for the first time in South Africa, the sensational Grammy Award winning R&B star, Ms. Kelly Rowland. Kelly will step into the limelight at the POSI+IVE Festival on Saturday 14 June at 20h00.
Kelly Rowland tickets are on sale now at Computicket from only R195 to R295.
Kelly Rowland will also do a cameo performance at the Mercedes-Benz POSI+IVE Rocks extravaganza on Friday 13 June 2008.

Kelly Rowland rose to fame with the success of Destiny’s Child during the late '90s, with her cousin and good friend, Beyoncé Knowles. During that time, Destiny's Child catapulted into the new millennium as one of the best-selling female musical groups in history.

In 2002, Rowland's solo debut, Simply Deep, was released. "Dilemma," the album's first single, featured a duet with Southern rapper Nelly. It had a two-month stay at number one during the autumn of 2002. Her second solo album, which was more R&B-oriented materialised in July 2007 to much acclaim. So far, the album has released three top 5 singles including the international smash and number-one billboard hot dance club hit "Like This", as well as the Snoop Dogg-collaboration and the top ten U.S. Billboard Bubbling Under R&B/Hip-Hop Singles Chart "Ghetto" and international number-one single "Work."

In 2008, a digital compilation of the album, entitled Ms. Kelly: Diva Deluxe, was released, featuring her new song "Daylight". As of April 2008, Kelly has sold 273,000 copies in the U.S. and 1.2 million worldwide.

Rowland is a firm advocate of AIDS relief and along with other international celebrities, including Sun International’s glamour girl Charlize Theron, Avril Lavigne, and John Mayer, featured in ads for the “ALDO Fights AIDS” campaign. Kelly also teamed up with Kanye West, Nelly Furtado and Snoop Dogg to raise awareness about AIDS.
<<< [Source]

"The dog ate" Ashlee Simpson's tour

According to Ashlee Simpson herself, "the dog ate my tour."

>>>
Dear friends, fans, lurkers, stalkers and shittalkers!
I'm really sorry to announce that I'm going to postpone my tour this summer.
My team gave me a few reasons I could use:
1. jury duty (but you can get out of jury duty once)
2. creative differences (but I'm a solo artist so that didn't make sense)
3. not in the mood/have a headache (wait, that was an excuse for Pete! and it didn't work. See next reason)
4. the baby
...and that's where I drew the line.
The truth is I want to put on an amazing show for you the next time I come to your town. I promise I will be back, better than ever and ready to rock out. Until then,
Love,
Ashlee
<<< [Source]

Vote for Jill Scott's 'Beautiful Face' on BET

Follow THIS LINK to vote Jill Scott for the "Beautiful Face Award - My Black Is Beautiful" at BET.

To learn more about the "My Black Is Beautiful" Awards at BET, follow THIS LINK.

EXCLUSIVE: 'Girlfriends' Soundtrack Sampler & Press Release

This extremely exciting Oh Hell Yes! EXCLUSIVE is an album sampler video for Girlfriends: The Soundtrack that I personally made using the iTunes album.


In addition, using the official press release from Avatar Records, I got some info for my own press release for Girlfriends: The Soundtrack.

So, here it is:
+ The CD will be available in stores on AUGUST 11th!!!
+ The album is a tribute to the long-running series
+ Chrisette Michele, an artist who has appeared performing live on the show, raves that she has "always loved 'Girlfriends'."
+ Erykah Badu, another artist who appeared during the eighth season to perform her song, adds that she "was honored to be a part of this special television show."
+ The soundtrack has been in the making for over 5 years, thanks to the series creator Mara Brock Akil.

So be sure to pick up your copy of the album on August 11, 2008!

South Africa gets an exclusive track for their 'Girlfriends' Soundtrack

>>>
LIRA ON GIRLFRIENDS SOUNDTRACK

SAMA award winning vocalist Lira’s smash hit ‘Feel Good’ is getting international love. Her track has been chosen to appear on the official Soundtrack album to the US Hit TV series ‘Girlfriends’ which is currently being screened on SABC1 every Friday evening at 20:30. The Girlfriends Soundtrack album features some of the world’s biggest female stars including 9 Grammy Nominated Artists including the likes of Amy Winehouse, Mary J Blige, Erykah Badu, Jill Scott, India Irie, Chaka Khan, Angie Stone, Chrisette Michele and Corinne Bailey Rae. The version of ‘Feel Good’ on the album is a brand new exclusive reworking of the single made especially for the Girlfriends Soundtrack.


Commenting on Lira’s inclusion on this prestigious Girlfriends Soundtrack album, US soundtrack executive producer Lynnette Jenkins from Urbaniti Entertainment, LLC who is releasing the record in North America said: “I am very pleased and excited to have (South African label) Just Music release the Girlfriends soundtrack in South Africa. This soundtrack contains 9 Grammy nominated world-class artists and South Africa’s own incredible SAMA award winning sensational vocalist Lira. She is extremely talented and along with her soulful vocals is exactly what we were looking for to add to this powerful lineup of female stars”.

Girlfriends is an American sitcom created by Mara Brock Akil and produced by Kelsey Grammer, best known for the his own award winning TV show ‘Frasier’. It premiered in 2000 on US TV Channel UPN becoming one of the longest running sitcoms of the new millennium. The theme song to Girlfriends is sung by R&B musician Angie Stone. The show is produced by CBS Paramount Television. It’s glamorous stars are Tracee Ellis Ross (Joan), Golden Brooks (Maya), Persia White (Lynn) and Jill Marie Jones (Toni) - the sistas you see on the cover of the CD.
When Girlfriends returned to US screens in fall 2007 for its 8th season it became the longest-running live-action sitcom currently on network television, as well as one of the highest-rated scripted shows on television among African-American adults and women 18-34.

Well South Africa's love this programme too, and no doubt people are thrilled that Lira's on this globally released compilation. We couldn't get hold of her for a comment, because this popular star who is currently at work on her third album, is performing at a product lauch in Benin, West Africa.
<<< [Source]

FREE Alanis Morissette song on Amazon MP3!

Follow this link to Amazon MP3 for a free track from Alanis Morissette's new album, Flavors of Entanglement.

Legal and free, gotta love it!

>>> "Citizen of the Planet" FREE mp3 <<<

Jennifer Hudson's "Spotlight" Single on iTunes & AmazonMP3

Jennifer Hudson's debut single "Spotlight" has just been released to iTunes and Amazon MP3.

I am really really feeling this song, and I am a huge supporter of Jennifer Hudson. I think everyone will be pleasantly surprised by this song. And of course it's written by Ne-Yo, so you know it's good.

>>> Buy on iTunes <<< 

>>> Buy on Amazon MP3 <<<

EXCLUSIVE: Jill Scott - "Family Reunion" [Live in Paris]

Woo hoo!! I was finally able to find this song!

I am a HUGE Jill Scott fan and this song has been eluding the 'net since September...

After buying The Real Thing: Words & Sounds, Vol.3 on iTunes and then the Deluxe Edition from the CD store, I was not about to buy the Walmart exclusive album just for one extra song. 

I almost did, though, when it turned out that this Oh Hell Yes! Exclusive track wasn't included on Jill Scott: Live In Paris+, but I restrained myself and saved some dough.

Now I am very pleased to bring you the mp3 of Jill Scott's live rendition of "Family Reunion [Live In Paris]"!!

If you download the track, PLEASE please PLEASE leave a little appreciation in the comments.

>>> Download: Jill Scott - "Family Reunion [Live In Paris]" <<<

'Dollhouse' being talked about by Joss Whedon & Eliza Dushku

Here is a video of Joss Whedon and Eliza Dushku (of 'Buffy the Vampire Slayer' and 'Angel' fame) discussing their new FOX series 'Dollhouse', set to premiere January 9th!

Full concert of Jill Scott's to air on TV!

<<<
TV One is proud to present Jill Scott: The Real Thing Tour (Live in Philly) -- a chance for you to witness one of music's biggest stars perform in of the year's biggest shows.

Fresh off the release of her latest album, The Real Thing, Scott takes the stage in front of a packed hometown audience to perform a mix of her latest releases -- including Hate on Me - and classics A Long Walk and Golden.

If you've never seen her in concert, or don't have the gas money to go, call some friends over, light some candles and check out Jill Scott: The Real Thing Tour June 29 at 10 pm (ET) only on TV One.
>>>
[Source]

New Banner for Oh Hell Yes!

Site News

Here is the official new banner of Oh Hell Yes!

What do you think of it?

Words & Sounds, Post 54

Here is a great song from the extremely talented Sara Bareilles called "Morningside" which appears on her debut album Little Voice.

>>> Download: Sara Bareilles - Morningside <<<

Solange "I Decided" Video Premiere

Here's the video premiere for Solange's new single "I Decided". I am loving this video! It's very fresh... I like what Solange is bringing to the scene. Here's looking forward to August 26th when the full album, SoL-AngeL and the Hadley Street Dreams, arrives!



Any thoughts?

Sara Bareilles interview from CNN

>>>
Check out Sara Bareilles in concert and you'll find a singer who's clearly having fun on stage.
Bareilles

Sara Bareilles says she tries to look at life through humor, an attitude reflected in her songs.

During a recent show at New York's Beacon Theatre, where she opened up for British singer James Blunt, she cracked jokes, shared anecdotes, and gave a seasoned performance that belied her ingenue status.

And she was definitely connecting with her audience: After one song, when woman screamed out, "You're sexy!" Bareilles countered: "No, you're sexy, girl! I'm feeling you!"

Bareilles didn't always feel so at ease on stage, sometimes rushing through her songs because she figured the audience was eager to see the main attraction. But with the success of the melodic, slightly sarcastic "Love Song," it's safe to say that she's become the main attraction.

The piano-accented hit, which got a huge boost when the music service Rhapsody used it to advertise their service in a television commercial, is still high on the charts after nearly six months. The wit and humor she injects into "Love Song" and her stage act is evident in her oxymoronically titled debut, "Little Voice" -- and in her recent interview with The Associated Press.

Q: When you were excited when Rhapsody tapped your song for their TV commercial?

SARA BAREILLES: I actually was a little bit apprehensive about it. I had some worries about doing something that was so commercial, because for me it's always been really important to stay focused on the live performance and make sure that my presence in the media overall is about the music, because that's what's most important to me. ... But then I thought, well, it's for a music service, and I like the idea of what Rhapsody is, so I felt like it was OK for me to do it. I had no idea it was going to affect album sales the way it has or even the exposure. I wasn't really thinking that far ahead. It's been a huge blessing for sure.

Q: These days, it seems imperative for artist to have a commercial tie-in. Have you resisted other things?

BAREILLES: There's been a few things, like in terms of being in a TV show, or things like that. Never felt comfortable for me -- I'm not an actress, I don't pretend to be one, so I always wanted to really focus on songwriting and live performance. But I realize that cross-promotion is imperative, in a lot of ways it's how people find new music now, through television and through movies.

Q: You studied communications at UCLA. When did you decide to focus on becoming a musician?

BAREILLES: I started writing music really young, I guess around age 6, and I sang in choirs and did musical theater, but I was kind of a late bloomer in the sense of really finding my voice through songwriting. It probably wasn't until I was around 21 and started to realize kind of the connection between songwriting and my own sanity. I was living in Italy at the time -- I did a year abroad -- and I didn't have any musical outlet and I was totally depressed all the time, and I couldn't figure it out, and I had this kind of epiphany one day, and I ended up at this little music school, and I reconnected with music. ... It wasn't just a hobby, it was part of my identity.

Q: How would you describe your songs?

BAREILLES: I would describe the music as kind of sassy. It definitely has an attitude but it's very honest. I'm a real stickler with myself about that. I don't write from a place that I don't truly feel very connected to. I think that there's some humor in it. I try to encourage myself to look at things through humor and process the world around me with a lighter side, but it got some spunk to it -- it's not the weepy lilting singer-songwriter album.

Q: You say your songs are autobiographical. Some of them talk about relationships. Do you ever hear feedback from any of your past loves?

BAREILLES: They've all actually been really respectful of that. I think you can't date a songwriter and not expect to show up somewhere (laughs). It's like, what are you going to do? ... I'm not really bashing anybody in these songs. I would expect an angry phone call if I wrote one of those songs.

Q: Finally, did you really write your own biography that's posted on your Web site?

BAREILLES: I did! We hired somebody, a really sweet person and he wrote a bio, but I just didn't like it. It wasn't me. It's like, I don't need somebody to tell my story, I'll tell it! It was the only way I felt like my humor was going to get communicated, and my potty mouth, and all of the things that I want people to understand about me. I didn't want to hide any of that.
<<<

[Source]

New 'Unexpected' Michelle Williams photo

How hot is this picture?! Michelle Williams of Destiny's Child fame is looking fabulous in this new promotional picture for her August 12th solo album, Unexpected.
[Thanks to: That Grape Juice]

Words & Sounds, Post 53

A few years back, Jill Scott did a song for the soundtrack of the movie In Too Deep called "Dreamin'".

It's a really really beautiful song and Jill sounds, as always, like perfection.

>>> Download: Jill Scott - Dreamin' <<<

This week on iTunes (Michelle, Ashanti, MJB)

Here are some recommendations from Oh Hell Yes! of what to buy from iTunes this week:


+ Michelle Williams - We Break The Dawn (The Remixes EP)


+ Ashanti - The Declaration (Full Album)


+ Mary J. Blige - The Breakthrough (Full Album) ON SALE FOR $7.99

EXCLUSIVE: 'Girlfriends': The Soundtrack +

300th POST!

In celebration of my 300th post on Oh Hell Yes!, the eight wonderful seasons of Girlfriends, and the release of the amazingly well-crafted Soundtrack to the show, I have put together 8 more songs that were featured in various episodes of Girlfriends.

In addition to the twelve tracks that I know ya'll already purchased on iTunes, the extended Oh Hell Yes! Exclusive Edition of Girlfriends The Soundtrack includes the following songs:

13. 'Girlfriends' Theme - Angie Stone (TV Theme Song)
14. We Fall Down - Donnie McClurkin ("Trick or Truth", S2.7)
15. Seasons Change - Corinne Bailey Rae ("After The Storm, S7.1)
16. Single - Natasha Bedingfield ("Just Joan", S7.7)
17. At Last! - Etta James ("It's Been Determined", S7.22)
18. My Man's Gone Now - Nina Simone ("Baghdad, My Bad", S8.2)
19. Clumsy - Fergie ("Save The Last Dance", S8.8)
20. One Thing - Amerie & Eve ("Save The Last Dance", S8.8)

>>> Download: Girlfriends The Soundtrack + Oh Hell Yes! Exclusive Edition <<<

[Both the front and back covers were made by me!]