New Music: Brandy Feat. Chris Brown - "Put It Down"

Grammy award winning songstress Brandy has premiered the lead single "Put It Down" featuring Chris Brown from her forthcoming album "Two Eleven", which is due out this summer via RCA/Chameleon Records. "Put It Down"is a mid-tempo track written and produced by Sean Garrett and Bangladesh. This is how you provide an explosive comeback, beautiful harmonies,amazing production, catchy lyrics "Imma put it down, you gon fall in love" and even Brown's rapping matches the record perfectly. "Put It Down" hits iTunes on May 8, take a listen to it below.

Fashion Bish: Beyonce Named "World's Most Beautiful Woman For 2012"

16-time Grammy-award winning songstress Beyonce has been named the "World's Most Beautiful Woman For 2012" by People magazine and graces the cover of the magazine’s new special double issue,which hits newsstands on Friday, April 27. This marks the ninth time she has made the list.

Here’s a highlight from her interview with the magazine:

On being a new mom to Blue Ivy Carter she says: "I feel more beautiful than I’ve ever felt because I’ve given birth. I have never felt so connected, never felt like I had such a purpose on this earth. She’s just the cutest thing. The best thing about having a daughter is having a true legacy. The word "love" means something completely different now."

12 Things You Should Be Able To Say About Yourself…

“You only live once, but if you do it right, once is enough.” — Mae West

You know you’re on the right track when you can repeat each of the following headlines to yourself, honestly. (And if you can’t, this list gives you something positive to work on.)

1. I am following my heart and intuition.

Don’t be pushed by your problems. Be led by your dreams. Live the life you want to live. Be the person you want to remember years from now. Make decisions and act on them. Make mistakes, fall and try again. Even if you fall a thousand times, at least you won’t have to wonder what could have been. At least you will know in your heart that you gave your dreams your best shot.

Each of us has a fire in our hearts burning for something. It’s our responsibility in life to find it and keep it lit. This is your life, and it’s a short one. Don’t let others extinguish your flame. Try what you want to try. Go where you want to go. Follow your own intuition. Dream with your eyes open until you know exactly what it looks like. Then do at least one thing every day to make it a reality.

And as you strive to achieve your goals, you can count on there being some fairly substantial disappointments along the way. Don’t get discouraged, the road to your dreams may not be an easy one. Think of these disappointments as challenges – tests of persistence and courage. At the end of the road, more often than not, we regret what we didn’t do far more than what we did.

2. I am proud of myself.

You are your own best friend and your own biggest critic. Regardless of the opinions of others, at the end of the day the only reflection staring back at you in the mirror is your own. Accept everything about yourself – EVERYTHING! You are you and that is the beginning and the end – no apologies, no regrets.

People who are proud of themselves tend to have passions in life, feel content and set good examples for others. It requires envisioning the person you would like to become and making your best efforts to grow.

Being proud isn’t bragging about how great you are; it’s more like quietly knowing that you’re worth a lot. It’s not about thinking you’re perfect – because nobody is – but knowing that you’re worthy of being loved and accepted. All you have to do is be yourself and live the story that no one else can live – the story of your own unique life. Be proud, be confident, you never know who has been looking at you wishing they were you.

3. I am making a difference.

Act as if what you do makes a difference. It does.

Is it true that we all live to serve? That by helping others we fulfill our own destiny? The answer is a simple ‘yes.’ When you make a positive impact in someone else’s life, you also make a positive impact in your own life. Do something that’s greater than you – something that helps someone else to be happy or to suffer less.

You are only one, but you are one. You cannot do everything, but you can do something. Smile and enjoy the fact that you made a difference – one you’ll likely remember forever.

4. I am happy and grateful.

Happiness is within you, in your way of thinking. How you view yourself and your world are mindful choices and habits. The lens you choose to view everything through determines how you feel about yourself and everything that happens around you.

Being grateful will always make you happy. If you’re finding it hard to be grateful for anything, sit down close your eyes and take a long slow breath and be grateful for oxygen. Every breath you take is in sync with someone’s last.

5. I am growing in to the best version of me.

Judy Garland once said, “Always be a first rate version of yourself instead of a second rate version of somebody else.” Live by this statement. There is no such thing as living in someone else’s shoes. The only shoes you can occupy are your own. If you aren’t being yourself, you aren’t truly living – you’re merely existing.

Remember, trying to be anyone else is a waste of the person you are. Embrace that individual inside you that has ideas, strengths and beauty like no one else. Be the person you know yourself to be – the best version of you – on your terms. Improve continuously, take care of your body and health, and surround yourself with positivity. Become the best version of you.

6. I am making my time count.

Time is the most valuable constituent of life. Make the time for what does matter today. Really being in the moment, finding passion in your life, seeing the world and traveling, or just seeing the world that’s around you right now, being with great people, doing amazing things, eating amazing food and savoring life’s little pleasures.

Remember, your time is priceless, but it’s free. You can’t own it, but you can use it. You can spend it, but you can’t keep it. Once you’ve lost it you can never get it back. You really do only have a short period to live. So let your dreams be bigger than your fears and your actions louder than your words. Make your time count!

7. I am honest with myself.

Be honest about what’s right, as well as what needs to be changed. Be honest about what you want to achieve and who you want to become. Be honest with every aspect of your life, always. Because you are the one person you can forever count on.

Search your soul, for the truth, so that you truly know who you are. Once you do, you’ll have a better understanding of where you are now and how you got here, and you’ll be better equipped to identify where you want to go and how to get there.

8. I am good to those I care about.

In human relationships distance is not measured in miles, but in affection. Two people can be right next to each other, yet miles apart. So don’t ignore someone you care about, because lack of concern hurts more than angry words. Stay in touch with those who matter to you. Not because it’s convenient, but because they’re worth the extra effort.

When was the last time you told your family and close personal friends that you loved them? Just spending a little time with someone shows that you care, shows that they are important enough that you’ve chosen — out of all the things to do on your busy schedule — to find the time for them. Talk to them. Listen to them. Understand them.

Many times it’s our actions, not just our words that really speak what our heart feels for another.

9. I know what unconditional love feels like.

Whether your love is towards a child, a lover, or another family member, know the feeling of giving love and not expecting anything in return – this is what lies at the heart of unconditional love. Life through unconditional love is a wondrous adventure that excites the very core of our being and lights our path with delight. This love is a dynamic and powerful energy that lifts us through the most difficult times.

Love is beautiful and unpredictable. It begins with ourselves, for without self-love, we cannot know what true love can be. In loving ourselves, we allow the feeling to generate within us and then we can share it to everyone and everything around us. When you love unconditionally, it isn’t because the person you love is perfect, it’s because you learn to see an imperfect person perfectly.

10. I have forgiven those who once hurt me.

We’ve all been hurt by another person at some point or another – we were treated badly, trust was broken, hearts were hurt. And while this pain is normal, sometimes that pain lingers for too long. We relive the pain over and over, letting them live rent-free in our head and we have a hard time letting go.

Grudges are a waste of perfect happiness, it causes us to miss out on the beauty of life as it happens. To forgive is to set a prisoner free and discover the prisoner was you.

11. I take full accountability for my life.

Own your choices and mistakes, and be willing to take the necessary steps to improve upon them. Either you take accountability for your life or someone else will. And when they do, you’ll become a slave to their ideas and dreams instead of a pioneer of your own.

You are the only one who can directly control the outcome of your life. And no, it won’t always be easy. Every person has a stack of obstacles in front of them. But you must take accountability for your situation and overcome these obstacles. Choosing not to is choosing a lifetime of mere existence.

12. I have no regrets.

This one is simply a culmination of the previous eleven…

Follow your heart. Be true to yourself. Do what makes you happy. Be with who makes you smile. Laugh as much as you breathe. Love as long as you live. Say what you need to say. Offer a helping hand when you’re able. Appreciate all the things you do have. Smile. Celebrate your small victories. Learn from your mistakes. Realize that everything is a lesson in disguise. Forgive. And let go of the things you can’t control.

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15 Things Real Friends Do Differently...

As we grow, we realize it becomes less important to have more friends and more important to have real ones.

Remember, life is kind of like a party. You invite a lot of people, some leave early, some stay all night, some laugh with you, some laugh at you, and some show up really late. But in the end, after the fun, there are a few who stay to help you clean up the mess. And most of the time, they aren’t even the ones who made the mess. These people are your real friends in life. They are the ones who matter most.

Here are 15 things real friends do differently:

1. They face problems together. – A person who truly knows and loves you – a real friend – is someone who sees the pain in your eyes while everyone else still believes the smile on your face. Don’t look for someone who will solve all your problems; look for someone who will face them with you.

2. They give what they can because they truly care. – One of the biggest challenges in relationships comes from the fact that many of us enter a relationship in order to get something. We try to find someone who’s going to make us feel good. In reality, the only way a relationship will last, and give us joy in the long-term, is if we see our relationship as a place we go to give, and not just a place we go to take. Yes, of course it is okay to take something from a relationship too. But both sides should be giving. It can only be a ‘give and take’ if BOTH SIDES are GIVING. That’s the key.

3. They make time for each other. – It’s obvious, but any relationship without any face time is going to have problems. You shouldn’t have to fight for a spot in someone’s life. Never force someone to make a space in their life for you, because if they truly care about you, they will create one for you.

4. They offer each other freedom. – A healthy relationship keeps the doors and windows wide open. Plenty of air is circulating and no one feels trapped. Relationships thrive in this environment. Keep your doors and windows open. If this person is meant to be in your life, all the open doors and windows in the world won’t make them leave.

5. They communicate effectively. – It’s been said many times before, but it’s true: great communication is the cornerstone of a great relationship. If you have resentment, you must talk it out rather than let the resentment grow. If you are jealous, you must communicate in an open and honest manner to address your insecurities. If you have expectations of your partner, you must communicate them. If there are any problems whatsoever, you must communicate them and work them out. And communicate more than just problems – communicate the good things too.

6. They accept each other as is. – Trying to change a person never works. People know when they are not accepted in their entirety, and it hurts. A real friend is someone who truly knows you, and loves you just the same. Don’t change so people will like you. Be yourself and the right people will love the real you. If you feel like changing something about your friend, ask yourself what change you can make in yourself instead.

7. They are genuine, and expect genuineness. – As Leo F. Buscaglia once said, “Never idealize others. They will never live up to your expectations. Don’t over-analyze your relationships. Stop playing games. A growing relationship can only be nurtured by genuineness.” Don’t play games with people’s heads and hearts. Remember, love and friendship don’t hurt. Lying, cheating and screwing with people’s feelings and emotions hurts. Always be open, honest, and genuine.

8. They compromise. – Real friends meet in the middle. When there’s a disagreement, they work out a solution that works for both parties – a compromise, rather than a need for the other person to change or completely give in.

9. They support each other’s growth changes. – Our needs change with time. When someone says, “You’ve changed,” it’s not always a bad thing. Sometimes it just means you grown. Don’t apologize for it. Instead, be open and sincere, explain how you feel, and keep doing what you know in your heart is right.

10. They believe in each other. – Simply believing in another person, and showing it in your words and deeds, can make a huge difference in their life. Studies of people who grew up in dysfunctional homes but who grew up to be happy and successful show that the one thing they had in common was someone who believed in them. Do this for those you care about. Support their dreams and passions and hobbies. Participate with them. Cheer for them. Be nothing but encouraging. Whether they actually accomplish these dreams or not, your belief is of infinite importance to them.

11. They maintain realistic expectations of their relationship. – No one is happy all the time. Friends must keep realistic expectations of each other. Notice when you’re projecting something onto the other person that has nothing to do with them, like a fear from a past relationship, and then make an effort to let it go. Recognize when you’re looking for that person to do something for you that you need to do for yourself, like making you feel lovable or take care of your needs, and then release those expectations and do it for yourself.

12. They honor each other in small ways on a regular basis. – Honor your important relationships in some way every chance you get. Every day you have the opportunity to make your relationship sweeter and deeper by making small gestures to show your appreciation and affection. Remember, making one person smile can change the world. Maybe not the whole world, but their world. Your kindness and gratitude matters. Make an effort to really listen – not just wait to talk. See the other person as if for the first time. It’s all too easy to take someone for granted. Really notice all the wonderful things they do, and let them know what you see.

13. They listen, and they hear every word. – Giving a person a voice, and showing them that their words matter, will have a long-lasting impact on them. Less advice is often the best advice. People don’t need lots of advice, they need a listening ear and some positive reinforcement. What they want to know is often already somewhere inside of them. They just need time to think, be and breathe, and continue to explore the undirected journeys that will eventually help them find their direction.

14. They keep their promises. – Your word means everything. If you say you’re going to do something, DO IT! If you say you’re going to be somewhere, BE THERE! If you say you feel something, MEAN IT! If you can’t, won’t, and don’t, then DON’T LIE. Real friends keep promises and tell the truth upfront.

15. They stick around. – The sad truth is that there are some people who will only be there for you as long as you have something they need. When you no longer serve a purpose to them, they will leave. The good news is, if you tough it out, you’ll eventually weed these people out of your life and be left with some great people you can count on. We rarely lose friends and lovers, we just gradually figure out who our real ones are.

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12 Lessons We Can All Learn From Highly Successful People...

“The only work that will ultimately bring any good to any of us is the work of contributing to the healing of the world.” — Marianne Williamson

Success can mean different things to different people, and I noticed that many of us have some kind of resistance to the word success, even though deep down inside, that is exactly what we all want, to live a successful and meaningful life.

Observing the world and from reading the stories of the many great men and women that lived and still live on this planet, I noticed that many of the highly successful people are in a way or another living by the same set of “golden rules.”

Today I will share with you a few of the lessons we can all learn from these people, as I am sure many of us will find them very empowering, helping us live a more inspiring, balanced, happier and successful life. Ready? Let’s start:

1. No Dream Is Too Big

You should not limit yourself to aspire on achieving only those things that seem realistic or possible, because many of the things that today exist and are possible are so because of those “crazy” people who dared to dream big and make the impossible possible. So why not be one of them yourself?

“We grow great by dreams. All big men are dreamers. They see things in the soft haze of a spring day or in the red fire of a long winter’s evening. Some of us let these great dreams die, but others nourish and protect them; nurse them through bad days till they bring them to the sunshine and light which comes always to those who sincerely hope that their dreams will come true.” —Woodrow Wilson

2. Listen to Your Heart and Intuition

We come to this world with our work already in our heart and by listening to our heart and intuition, we will find bliss and we will live a successful life.

The person who said it best is no other than Steve Jobs: “Have the courage to follow your heart and intuition. They somehow already know what you truly want to become. Everything else is secondary.” — Steve Jobs

3. Seek Balance

“I believe that being successful means having a balance of success stories across the many areas of your life. You can’t truly be considered successful in your business life if your home life is in shambles.” — Zig Ziglar

4. Pay Little or No Attention to The Naysayers

Another great lesson that you can learn from these people is the importance of self belief and self trust, for there will be so many people who will try to stop you from walking your path, and if you personally don’t believe in yourself and the power of your dreams, chances are that you will give up and you will become one of the many people out there who complain about how hard life is and how nothing seems to work for you.

“Dream and give yourself permission to envision a YOU that you choose to be.” — Joy Page

5. Take The Path Less Travelled

Dare to take the road less traveled, for only this way you will achieve great success in all areas of life, dare to leave the tribe.

“Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail.” — Ralph Waldo Emerson

6. Gratitude Attracts More of The Things You Want In Life

No matter how far you go in life, always remember to express your gratitude and appreciation for what you have and where you are, for all the amazing people that are present in your life, for all the lives you transformed and empowered just by doing the things you deeply believed in, and for staying true to yourself.

“Be thankful for what you have; you’ll end up having more. If you concentrate on what you don’t have, you will never, ever have enough.” — Oprah Winfrey

7. Success is a State of Mind

It all starts in the mind and if you want to be successful, you have to feel it and act like it already happened. A good way to understand this is to think of those poor people who win the lottery and who, because of their scarcity mindset end up losing most of those money in a very short period of time. Why is that? Well, they do have the money but not the mindset…

“Success is a state of mind. If you want success, start thinking of yourself as a success.” — Dr. Joyce Brothers

8. You Don’t Have to Know Everything

No matter how much you learn, no matter how much you grow and no matter how successful you will become, there will always be things that you won’t know, and that’s perfectly fine, it’s normal. You don’t have to know everything. With all your money, you can now surround yourself with all kind of great minds that will know what you don’t know, helping you to fuel your dreams and visions and to have things happening the way you want them to.

“All our knowledge brings us nearer to our ignorance.” — T. S. Eliot

9. Be Present In All That You Do

Live in the present moment, enjoy life, stay focused and engaged, appreciate what you have while at the same time keeping an image in your heart and your mind of where you want to go. Love yourself and love your life.

“Do not dwell in the past, do not dream of the future, concentrate the mind on the present moment.” — Buddha

10. You Already Have Enough

We need to understand that constantly chasing after the next big thing, chasing after more and more, will make us feel like we are lacking. This is poverty thinking. Wanting more and more comes from a feeling of not having. Start showing your appreciation for all that you are, for all that you have, because in this moment, you do have enough.

“When I chased after money, I never had enough. When I got my life on purpose and focused on giving of myself and everything that arrived into my life, then I was prosperous.” — Wayne Dyer

11. Giving is Receiving

This is available not only for us as individuals, but also for us as communities, big corporations, nations, etc. If you have read “From Good to Great” by Jim Collins you already understand what I am talking about, and if you haven’t you might want to read this book as you will probably get a lot of insights out of it. The more we give, the more we will receive. Where great value is provided, success will always follow.

With an open heart, share everything you know with others. Give the best of yourself to the world, let your own light shine and know that: “In today’s environment, hoarding knowledge ultimately erodes your power. If you know something very important, the way to get power is by actually sharing it.” — Joseph Badaracco

12. Humility

As you will walk your path making all of your dreams come true and achieving really beautiful things in life, humility will definitely be a lesson you will master and people will love that about you. There is nothing more gracious and noble than seeing somebody who is really successful as being humble and modest.

“Do you wish to be great? Then begin by being. Do you desire to construct a vast and lofty fabric? Think first about the foundations of humility. The higher your structure is to be, the deeper must be its foundation.” — Saint Augustine

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Words From the Wise...

“When I think of music, I think of it in totality-complete;from the lowest blues, to the highest symphony.” -Donny Hathaway

“I go for the music that gives me goosebumps, music that touches my heart and soul.” - Quincy Jones

“I just do what I want to creatively. Music is fun. It opens minds to dream great dreams.” - Isaac Hayes

“Songwriting is a gift from God. I always try to write a song, I never want to just write a record.” - Smokey Robinson

“The true beauty of music is that it connects people. It carries a message, and we, the musicians, are the messengers.” - Roy Ayers

“Music is what you feel. When I’m giving up material, I’m giving up honesty, heart, soul and pure love.” - Marvin Gaye

“My career has been about saying things the way people say them. Using melodies not that I can sing, but that the people can sing.” - Lionel Richie

“I really do seek to create music that is timeless. The most important thing is, when I give the music, I am satisfied with it, that it speaks for what I want to do.” - Stevie Wonder

New Video: Emeli Sande - "My Kind of Love"

Scottish singer-songwriter Emeli Sandé recently premiered her music video for her fourth single titled "My Kind of Love", taken from her hugely acclaimed debut album "Our Version Of Events" that topped the UK Albums Chart and will be released in the US on June 5."My Kind of Love" is a heartfelt track,with powerful emotion and rich melodic. The concept for the music video was actually inspired by Emeli's time studying medicine at Glasgow University; "During my time studying medicine, I found it hard to write, but one of the things that inspired me were the patients and the interaction that they had with their loved ones during their time of illness. When people arrived at the hospital, money and status became irrelevant and only health mattered, which sparked an honesty between people which was amazing. This interaction, declaration of support and love, was the inspiration for "My Kind Of Love" and something I wanted to try and portray in this video". Emeli visits her sick sister (played by Laya Lewis) in the hospital, and decides to take her out on the town to boost her morale.

New Video: Ledisi - "Bravo"

Grammy nominated singer-songwriter Ledisi recently premiered her music video for her latest single titled "Bravo", taken from her Grammy nominated and critically acclaimed 5th studio album "Pieces Of Me"."Bravo" is a uptempo track that has a great message about self-love "I got a new walk, and a new point of view; a new purpose for everything I do", she sings. The the Erica D Hayes-directed music video is uplifting and powerful .

New Music: Ayah And Slakah The Beatchild – "Keep Up"

Canadian producer Slakah The Beatchild and Canadian songstress Ayah teamed up to create a beautiful track titled "Keep Up", it`s a soulful dance floor/House track featuring drums, key stabs and subliminal vocals urging you to catch them if you can. Listen to it below and you can purchase it for $1.50 over on their Bandcamp page.

New Video: Jessie Ware - "110%"

South London based songstress Jessie Ware has premiered her music video for her third single titled "110%" , taken from her upcoming debut album "Devotion" due out this summer via PMR. "110%" is a refreshing bass-pop track, produced by Julio Bashmore it features a choppy two-step beat that keeps the pace with Ware's breathy vocals. The Kate Moross directed music video was filmed in beautiful settings, a field of flowers, a pretty veranda, and a bridge over untroubled water.

Live Video: Rita Ora Performing "R.I.P" And "How We Do(Party & Bullshit)" Acoustic

Roc Nation artist Rita Ora recently stopped by Philadelphia radio station 96.5, to perform an acoustic version of both her UK single "R.I.P" and her Us single "How We Do(Party & Bullshit)", with her guitarist.

New Video: PJ Morton - "Don't Break My Heart"

Young Money/Cash Money recording artist,singer-songwriter and producer PJ Morton has recently premiered his music video for his new single titled "Don't Break My Heart," which is taken from his recently released EP titled "Following My First Mind" EP.The Jack Wallis directed music video sees PJ dealing with a relationship crumbling to pieces and not being able to prevent its demise.

Introducing Rita Ora

Introducing rising British singer-songwriter and recording artist Rita Ora, who is signed under Jay-Z's Roc Nation label. Ora was born in Kosovo,Prishtina, but immediately moved to London where she grew up,"I moved to London when I was one and I have not left ever since, apart from going holidays. When I moved here, I obviously did not realize the struggle parents had to go through at first. They had to learn a new language, find jobs to support the family. It sure was not easy growing up, but it was very loving and caring as me and my family are really close. I speak Kosovan fluently since we communicated in that language at home. It helps me with my music because it makes me strive for the better and make it out of the council estate. I did not want my family to live out there anymore. Even though I haven't done anything yet, it drives me, motivates me, and enhances my work ethic. There is also a lot of things to write about. If you have a perfect life, then you don't have anything to write about".

She attended and graduated Sylvia Young Theatre School, she began her career as an actress. Her most notable appearances as an actress are in the "The Brief" and the movie "Spivs". She subsequently worked with Craig David on two songs, before she signed to Roc Nation.

Ora recounts how she got signed to Roc Nation:

"I have been signed to Roc Nation for nearly three years. I am 21 now and I signed when I turned 18. During these three years, I was finding myself. I have an amazing boss and people around me that have proven their smartness in the music industry, telling me to relax, to find myself and be patient. I was like, "What? I just want to release something. I just want to do something." I didn't even care what it would be, just have something out on the market. They were just like, "Hold yourself. Trust us." And I did it. So I took these three years to develop, to go through stuff, and I have grown so now I feel like is the right time to release my music.

The deal with Roc Nation is my first record deal. Before I got introduced to Roc Nation I was singing a lot. When I was 14 I had a production deal with a man named Martin Teriffie who would just let me use the studio for free and see how I develop. A&R's would go in and out, in and out. I made myself visible just so that they can see me and somebody would come up to me or something like that. Martin's plan was obviously to produce and sign me to a label. That did not work out but I met a lot of people through that period. One of the people that I met was Brynee, who was an A&R for Universal at that time and she knew Jai Brown who works with Jay-Z. You know Jay-Z runs Roc with TyTy and Jai. Brynee was like, "There is this guy that I want you to meet".She introduced me to Jai over the phone. That was at the time when Roc Nation just started. Once they settled all the paperwork with the label launch, he basically flew me over to New York City. I met all the guys and got my first record deal. It was just about timing at the end of the day. I really believe in timing, persistence and patience, and making the right decisions. "

Ora describes her upcoming debut album:

"It is all about feeling good. It is my first album and I don't want people down because I don't feel strong enough. I want people to enjoy my music. I want to make very honest music. So honesty is the main theme of the album. I am not talking metaphors but being honest with myself and lyrics. There is a track on my album called "Party & Bullshit" which is literally about party and bullshit (laughs). There is this amazing song called "R.I.P." which was written by Drake. The song deals with girls taking their own and being honest with themselves and letting their men know what we are really about. Very female empowering. But my album is not all about that. I am also displaying my sensitive side and I also talk about me f*cking up my love life. Like I said, there is a lot of honesty on that album."

"I am so grateful about all the people that contributed to this album. Chase N' Status, Stargate, The-Dream, Drake, Sia, we wrote tracks together which is amazing. There is a feature with Tinie Tempah. This song is really important to me since I do not want to forget about the UK just because I am a U.S. label. I am still rooted with the UK since I was raised here. My label also persisted in me staying connected with the UK although the whole album was recorded in the States."

Fashion Bish: Joan Smalls Covers Vogue Australia

Puerto Rican model Joan Smalls has just landed her second Vogue cover of the year – this time for the May issue of Vogue Australia, photographed by Kai Z Feng and styled by Naomi Smith, Joan wears Spring outfits from Prada, Dolce & Gabbana, Roberto Cavalli, Jil Sander, Nina Ricci, MaxMara and others. Joan knocks it out of the park here, not only does she look great but her expression totally enraptures you.

Fashion Bish: Max Silberman In "Max Appeal" By Yasmine Petty

Rising star on the fashion scene Max Silberman poses for a new series titled “Max Appeal” photographed by Yasmine Petty.

The Journey Is About Being More Human - Not More Spiritual...

By Mastin Kipp

Wayne Dyer and Deepak Chopra have said many, many times that we are "Spiritual beings having a human experience." And this is SO true.

One thing I've found in the personal growth world is that many of us tend to focus so much on the spiritual side of things that we forget to be HUMAN.

I think that personal growth, spiritual work and walking on The Path are not really about being more spiritual. I think they are about being more human.

I used to think it was about being more spiritual, but that's not what I am thinking and feeling today. Because, at the end of the day, what does being more spiritual REALLY mean? To me, it means simply to be more loving. It doesn't mean to be more right, or more in charge or more anything other than more LOVING.

And when we are more loving, towards ourselves AND others, then the direct result of this is to become more HUMAN. When we love ourselves and have compassion towards ourselves, we have more love and compassion for others. This makes us more human. This takes away the separation and allows us to step into Oneness where we focus on and celebrate what unites us and love, but not condemn what makes us different.

So, instead of trying to measure ourselves against some spiritual standard of achievement of how we SHOULD BE and beating ourselves up for what we AREN''T, I truly believe it's about being more LOVING and, as a result, being more HUMAN. After all, why would spiritual beings choose to exist in human form other than to experience the joy, ecstasy and total amazingness of giving, receiving and BEING LOVE?

This means, honoring our emotions. Learning from them. Not making them wrong. Not making ourselves wrong for always needing to learn. Not making ourselves wrong for not always getting it right. Not making ourselves wrong for our mistakes. Not making ourselves wrong for having our dark side and fear - NO.

RATHER, it is about accepting, loving and knowing that all these things are what make us human. And when we LOVE, ACCEPT and EMBRACE these, we raise our vibration (that is to say, feel better) and that new vibration emanates OUTWARD into the world and people can FEEL IT, instead of needing to PROVE anything.

To me, this is what the spiritual journey is all about - becoming more human.

Live Video: Jessica Sanchez Singing Jazmine Sullivan's "Stuttering"

Filipino-Mexican powerhouse Jessica Sanchez gave a soulful rendition of Jazmine Sullivan's "Stuttering" on American Idol. Not only is she the youngest competitor in the competition, but she possesses vocal chops way beyond her years. Randy Jackson praised the young singer saying, "What you did tonight to me is you set the bar really high.” He went on to say, “Dude, that was superb! That was at like the highest degree!"No matter what happens to Jessica in this competition, she will be a successful vocalist.

New Music: Luke James - "Mo’ Better Blues"

NARS/Mercury/ Island Def Jam singer-songwriter Luke James has recently released a new track titled "Mo’ Better Blues",which he released via his Youtube. James showcases off his signature falsetto on this heartfelt, smooth,soulful track ,which is a a taste of what we can expect taste on his much-anticipated debut album, due out later this year on.

New Music: Nelly Furtado – "Big Hoops (Bigger The Better)"

This beautiful Canadian songstress Nelly Furtado has recently premiered her new single titled "Big Hoops (Bigger The Better)" which will be released on April 17 , taken from her forthcoming album "The Indestructible Spirit (IST)"which hits stores June 19."I began writing these songs around the time I released my Spanish album Mi Plan, I was in a great headspace, feeling refreshed and ready to really deliver in English again. This album is all about positivity, youth, good energy, and the relentlessness of the spirit. I want people to live this music the way we did when we wrote it. I want them to jump, dance, scream, laugh, cry, love, and vibe to it, and to turn it up very loud everywhere"."Big Hoops (Bigger The Better)" was produced by legendary producer Rodney "Darkchild" Jerkins , it's a catchy,refreshing urban-pop track with a great breakdown towards the end.

10 Habits You Must Quit to Be Happy…

When you quit doing the wrong things, you make more room for the things that make you happy. So starting today…

1. Quit procrastinating on your goals.

Some people dream of success while others wake up and work hard at it. Action and change are often resisted when they’re needed most. Get a hold of yourself and have discipline. Putting something off instantly makes it harder and scarier. What we don’t start today won’t be finished by tomorrow. And there’s nothing more stressful than the perpetual lingering of an unfinished task.

The secret to getting ahead is simply getting started. Starting, all by itself, is usually sufficient to build enough momentum to keep the ball rolling. So forget about the finish line and just concentrate on taking your first step. Say to yourself, “I choose to start this task with a small, imperfect step.” All those small steps will add up and you’ll actually get to see changes fairly quickly.

2. Quit blaming others and making excuses.

Stop blaming others for what you have or don’t have, or for what you feel or don’t feel. When you blame others for what you’re going through, you deny responsibility and perpetuate the problem. Stop giving your power away and start taking responsibility for your life. Blaming is just another sorry excuse, and making excuses is the first step towards failure; you and only you are responsible for your life choices and decisions.

3. Quit trying to avoid change.

If nothing ever changed there would be no sunrise the next morning. Most of us are comfortable where we are even though the whole universe is constantly changing around us. Learning to accept this is vital to our happiness and general success. Because only when we change, do we grow, and begin to see a world we never knew was possible.

And don’t forget, however good or bad a situation is now, it will change. That’s the one thing you can count on. So embrace it, and realize that change happens for a reason. It won’t always be easy or obvious at first, but in the end it will be worth it.

4. Quit trying to control the uncontrollable.

If you try to control everything, and then worry about the things you can’t control, you are setting yourself up for a lifetime of frustration and misery.

Some forces are out of your control, but you can control how you react to things. Everyone’s life has positive and negative aspects – whether you’re happy or not depends greatly on which aspects you focus on. The best thing you can do is to let go of what you can’t control, and invest your energy in the things you can – like your attitude.

5. Quit talking down to yourself.

Nothing will bring you down quicker than berating yourself. The mind is a superb instrument if used right, but when used incorrectly, it becomes very destructive. Be aware of your mental self-talk. We all talk silently to ourselves in our heads, but we aren’t always conscious of what we’re saying or how it’s affecting us.

As Henry Ford once stated, “Whether you think you can, or you think you can’t, you’re right.” One of the major causes of why we fail is due to self-doubt and negative self-talk. The way to overcome negative thoughts and destructive emotions is to develop opposing, positive emotions that are stronger and more powerful. Listen to your self-talk and replace negative thoughts with positive ones, over time you will change the trajectory of your life.

6. Quit criticizing others.

The negativity you bleed out toward others will gradually cripple your own happiness. When you truly feel comfortable with your own imperfections, you won’t feel threatened or offended by the imperfections you see in other people.

So stop worrying about the flaws you see in everyone else, and focus on yourself. Let the constant growth and improvement in your own life keep you so busy that you have no time left to criticize others.

7. Quit running from your problems and fears.

Trust me, if everyone threw their problems in a pile for you to see, you would grab yours back. Tackle your problems and fears swiftly, don’t run away from them. The best solution is to face them head on no matter how powerful they may seem.

Fears, in particularly, stop you from taking chances and making decisions. They keep you confined to just the small space where you feel completely comfortable. But your life’s story is simply the culmination of many small, unique experiences, many of which require you to stretch your comfort zone. Letting your fears and worries control you is not ‘living,’ it’s merely existing.

Bottom line: Either you own your problems and fears, or they will ultimately own you.

8. Quit living in another time and place.

Some people spend their entire lives trying to live in another time and place. They lament about what has been, what they could have done, or what might become. However, the past is gone, and the future doesn’t exist. No matter how much time we spend thinking and lamenting about either, it doesn’t change anything.

One of life’s sharpest paradoxes is that our brightest future hinges on our ability to pay attention to what we’re doing right now, today.

We need to live more in the moment. Living in the moment requires active, open, intentional awareness on the present. Don’t fantasize about being on vacation while at work, and don’t worry about the work piling up on your desk when you’re on vacation. Live for now. Notice the beauty unfolding around you.

9. Quit trying to be someone you’re not.

One of the greatest challenges in life is being yourself in a world that’s trying to make you like everyone else. Someone will always be prettier, someone will always be smarter, someone will always be younger, but they will never be you. Don’t change so people will like you. Be yourself and the right people will love you, and you’ll love yourself more too.

10. Quit being ungrateful.

Not all the puzzle pieces of life will seem to fit together at first, but in time you’ll realize they do, perfectly. So thank the things that didn’t work out, because they just made room for the things that will. And thank the ones who walked away from you, because they just made room for the ones who won’t.

No matter how good or bad you have it, wake up each day thankful for your life. Someone somewhere else is desperately fighting for theirs. Instead of thinking about what you’re missing, try thinking about what you have that everyone else is missing.

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