Spend the Holidays with Jennifer Hudson

Well I don't mean this literally however Jennifer is currently filming a show titled "Home for the Holidays: A Christmas Special, which is set to air sometime next month on the ABC Network.

This past week Hudson visited her alma mater in Chicago- Dunbar Vocational Career Academy. It was here that she was inspired daily to become the woman she is. Of course the tapes were rolling so lets look forward to seeing how that went. I'm sure she inspired the youth!

Shortly after the tragic turn of events Jennifer face in 2008 with her family, it didn't take long to bounce back... if you missed it take a look at her singing the National Anthem at the 2009 Superbowl. below. She was also featured on this years VH1 Divas along with Chrisette Michelle and Leona Lewis which was hosted the one and only Paula Abdul!

Jennifer Hudson Sings the National Anthem

City Hatas blow cold wind

They call Chi the city of hella hatas,but we love em cuz its them that made us, all in all like Iverson they trade us, so sum pack up & ship off to stack paper, but imma be here a while... im about changes, so windy city hatas get ready... n remember its ya'll that made us!

xoxo,

RaeStar*

Upcoming Events/Shows In Chicago

***Nov 3rd*** Live with Chef Lovely of Hells Kitchen www.UICRadio.org 7pm tune in LIVE! ft. Chicago artists,promoters, DJs and more

***Nov 4th*** Snoop Dogg @ The Congress Theater 8pm $36

***Nov 4th*** Ghostface @ The House of Blues 9pm $21

***Nov 12th*** Jay Z n Friends- College Tour @ Assembly Hall U-of-I 8pm Tickets start at $46

***Nov 25th*** Kid Sister @ The House of Blues 6:30

***Nov 26th*** Chris Brown @ The House of Blues 8:30

Well, Well, Well... Wale

I'm shocked that there are still some people who don't know who this guy is! When he released "Nike Boots" with Lil Wayne on the remix he definitley made a name for himself.

Earlier this year he dropped one of the hottest mixtapes I have heard in a long time. Titled "Back to the Feature" this 22 track mixtape Produced by the infamous 9th Wonder includes appearance from Joe Budden, Currensy, Talib Kweli and Bun B. JUST TO NAME A FEW. Mainstream these days... yes... but Wale stays true to his roots. You can definitely hear some of that DC classic "GOGO" vibe in some of the songs. "Night Life" and "Sweatin out Weaves" are both reminiscent of the "gogo" vibe in my opinion.

Upon releasing a single [Chillin ft. Lady Gaga] from the upcoming album- Attention Deficit, Wale has certainly gotten some attention. He performed as the house band on this years MTV Video Music Awards. Also he has joined the College Tour featuring Jay Z, J. Cole and N.E.R.D. Has he yet gotten the respect he deserves? I think not. Im excited to hear Attention Deficit... I imagine it will be like another breath of fresh air as Lupe Fiasco was for me! Attention Deficit is set to be released on Nov 3rd via Mark Ronson's label Allido which is subsidiary to Interscope. Features include Chrisette Michelle and Jazmine Sullivan and then some with the production of Mark Ronson, Cool & Dre and Scyence

Follow Wale on twitter @Wale hear his mixtape "Back to the Feature"

Download Mixtape | Provided by DatPiff.com

Video Pick

Ok if you know me... you know how much I love Common... this video was recently released... One of my favorite songs from the UMC album... Make my Day! Its different, I pictured something complete different but its his video and I still like it!

http://bit.ly/1XDMu

Glamourizing Hip Hop Ain't The Same

So I know that many people speak on how Hip Hop glamourizes so many negative things... a "hustlas lifestyle", half naked women in videos blah blah blah... Lovely, of Chicago's TEC Records has definitely given "glamorizing hip hop" a new definition!

Gracing airwaves of midwestern radio with her remix to Jeremih's "Ima Star," she decided that it was time for her voice to be heard. Entitled Hip Hop Glam, Lovely delivers 12 tracks produced by Buda and Tony Baines(Well Known Chicago Producers). Each delivering something different, Lovely has introduced us to a new genre of music and yet there is still a track for just about every type of person!

What is Hip Hop Glam? Described as a mix between hip hop and pop with a flare of DIVA behind the lyrics. Lovely states that she only speaks of what she knows... nothing more nothing less. "Who fuckin with that?!" Lovely says. Not to mention this girl COOKS!! Chef Ramsey couldn't dull her shine as a contestant on Season 6 of the Fox network culinary reality show Hells Kitchen. Lovely is nothing to be played with!

Some of my favorite tracks from the album include U&I, You Fucked Up, Bullshit and Once Mo.

Be sure to check out her website www.lovelytec.com
Get the Album Hip Hop Glam on Digital Download at www.digstation.com/lovely
and be sure to keep up with her on Twitter! http://twitter.com/lovelytec

A little insight I gained from Chicago's Very Own... Carrot Top Distributing

I often wonder how does indie label/artist music distribution work. You know... how these independent record stores get some of their music, and how some artist make the shelves of stores in Chicago like Reckless Records. Within 2 hours time, the GM of Carrot Top Distributing definitely layed some things out for me and lets just say its not as easy as some might think. Some people feel like all they have to do is talk to the store owner "good enough"...maybe drop a couple of hundred dollars. Not that simple... its their store they operate as they please!

As with many other facets of the entertainment industry, doing business with independent and privately owned music stores is about building relationships. I am never told enough how important networking is! Dont just meet someone.. meet them, stay in contact, leave a lasting impression the first time around, you have to make people want to help you.

I learned a lot in regards to how carrot top operates, but I just want to emphasize the importance of building lasting relationships with people... Keep in mind you never know who you might be working for one day or who youo might need to work for you!

Signing out,
Rae Chardonnay

Incomplete Dreams

Some of us dream of so many things. But do we dream of the hardwork, the trials and tribulations, the disappointments? Do we dream of the tears that will come, the fears of failure. Do we dream of the fact that many people will not take us seriously? No we do not. Dreams are wonderful but they neglect to inform of us of a lot. Therefore our eyes must always be open and we must try our hardest to prepare for the unexpected.
~RaeStar*

"Magic"- A Briefing of how music hooks on the fabric of the fashion world

Who am I to say that music and fashion have an equal affect on each other? If you say no one then you might be correct. But proceed not to make that call so quickly.

At this years ultimate fashion industry trade show known as Magic, a style which came to be called S.L.A.T.E. [Select, Lifestyle, Apparel, Trends, Emergence] has produced its own hit. S.L.A.T.E. is a host of styles composed from different brands stomping their way on the grounds of the fashion industry. These designers have been inspired to create these styles by a grand number of musicians, hipsters, & artists. Amongst those inspirations are those from the styles of skaters, surfers, & different street communities. In a brief interview I conducted with an attendee of "Magic 2009", she expressed to me how she felt music played its role in fashion and how fashion stitched its seams in the world of music. "In every section of the show, music was being played. Its like music puts people in a particular mood to make purchases" she stated. I found that to be funny but all truthful at the same time considering that when I go shopping, no matter what store, there is music being played. The aura is typically very trendy and fresh with urban area set ups and music. She also reminded me of how many artists have developed their own clothing lines from Gwen Stefani [Harajuku Lovers & L.A.M.B.] to the Simmons family with their multiple fashion lines.

So who am I to say that fashion IS inspired by music and vice versa? I don't have to say it... the designers sing for themselves.

Social Networking

I love the idea of being able to network without leaving home. I dont love the idea of things not being original. Facebook was fine the way it was before they started to make it like myspace vice versa... Anyway Abstrakt Konceptions myspace page is almost done! I will heading off to Chicago for good June 6th... bitterSWEET!

xoxo,
RockStar"R"

I specialize in Dreaming while I'm awake!!

So its OFFICIAL!!! Abstrakt Konceptions is Now Abstrakt Konceptions Ent., LLC Logo and business cards are done. Currently working on the myspace page and getting my artists music together! Im so excited about life and what's to come

http://www.myspace.com/akent13