The Beauty in the Beat: July 2017

Tuesday, July 25, 2017

Get down with that mixed sound...Collaborations

Some artists are like Fire and water, some are like water and oil, but when they come together...

It just works!

There is nothing more amazing than people using their differences to create something beautiful...

When it comes to music I LOVE it when it's original, when it's funky, and when it could be down right weird, but it works.

I'm diving into collaborations today. It may be cross genre duets or just two different and conflicting sounds melding together. Whatever it is, it probably didn't look good on paper, but despite everything it turned into a masterpiece.

1. Broken

Amy Lee and Seether...

You could start with their appearances, but let's focus on their sounds.

She is Melodic, Symphonic Rock and he's a gravelly southern, punk rock (?) He's frickin' Seether okay?! You try to put him in a single Genre!

Day and night, but it totally works for them when they come together for this song Broken...

2. Close My Eyes Forever

Though they may have gone to the same hair dresser in the 80's there isn't an obvious connection between The Prince of Darkness and Lita Ford. But when they came together on this track it was so beautifully haunting.

3. Hands of Death

I suppose this one wasn't too far fetched.

When Rob met Alice...

The sick beats that Rob has always brought to the table, and the voice combination is almost a sensory overload. Go ahead Burn baby Burn.

4. Cannonball

Skylar Grey & X-Ambassadors

They are all super hot, but this difference is in their sound.When they came together for Cannonball it was honestly unlike anything I've heard before.

5. Love the Way You Lie

Rhiana & Eminem

With her R&B vocals meshing with his Rap lyrics it didn't automatically scream "Hit song", but thankfully I'm not in charge of setting these collaborations or I would be out of work. These two were loved so much together that they did it again with Monsters!

It may have started with Dido and a man named Stan, but it paved the way for a bunch of unlikely hit collaborations for Eminem; Such as Sia, Yelawolf, and Skylar Grey to name a few. Each time the slow funky sound just works with Eminem's high octane rap style and I haven't heard anything that I don't like yet.

6. Under Pressure

Queen & David Bowie

I'm not going to lie, this may be old, but it gets my music geek juices flowing!

I'm not sure it gets better than this!

Freddie Mercury and David Frickin' Bowie TOGETHER!

Though it was written the year I was born, and the album Hot Space was released 26 days before my birthday, I'm pretty sure it's what inspired me to believe that Music was Magic!

Ugh, just look at the two of them together!

7. Do what you want

Lady Gaga & R. Kelly

Controversies be damned I love R. Kelly!

I may need to think about adding this to my next sex list, but that's besides the point. Electricity crackles with these two together on this track!

8. Lift me up

Five Finger Death Punch & Rob Halford

New School meets Old School

The king of leather & these young pups collaborated to give us a what for!

This song became my anthem for not giving a F**k about anyone else's opinions and relying on myself. I'm grateful for this union no matter how it came about!

9. Portland Oregon

Jack White & Loretta Lynn

By far one of the weirdest collaborations that I have ever heard of.

However, like everything else it just works if you can truly appreciate what has happened here...

This collaboration crossed genres, AND decades!

Growing up Loretta Lynn was one of my Mother's favorite singers, and as a teenager I loved the White Stripes (Still do)

10. Rise & Fall

Sting & Craig David

Another cross Genre collaboration, but it's not that big of a surprise, because Sting is so very versatile. Maybe I just really like this song guys!

11. Best Friend

Yelawolf & Eminem

Eminem has had his post, I know. I just couldn't pass this one up...

12. Periscope

Skylar Grey & Papa Roach

Skylar Grey has already proven herself to go head to head with any body and make it a masterpiece!

13. Stay the Night

Zedd & Hayley Williams

14. Over and Over

Tim McGraw & Nelly

Another cross Genre Collaboration

This is on the slower side for Nelly which is why it fits the country side

15. Shed some light

Brent Smith & Lzzy Hale

Both Rockers with two very different styles

16. Another way to die

Alicia Keys & Jack White

I had expected a little more of her crooning with a funky back beat, but it's still pretty cool.

17. Anywhere but here

Maria Brink & Five Finger Death Punch

She's a Savage and they're bad ass! This mix isn't odd, I just happen to like it.

18. Scream

Michael Jackson & Janet Jackson

Yes, they're siblings. Their styles are radically different and I for one was stoked about them working together.

19. Bittersweet

Ville Valo & Lauri Ylönen

Him & The Rasmus need I say more?!

20. Walk this Way

Run DMC & Aerosmith

I don't have to explain this one...

21. Just give me a reason

P!nk & Nate Ruess

22. Maria Maria

Carlos Santana & The Product G&B(Ghetto & Blues)

Carlos Santana is no stranger to collaborations and he always adds his hot Latin sound to each track, but The Product G&B added the extra flavor...

23. Bring me to life

Paul McCoy & Amy Lee

24. Let Me Go

Avril Lavigne & Chad Kroeger

This one surprised me...

25. Gravity

Maria Brink & Papa Roach

*** Bonus****

Helmet & House of pain

Faith No More & Boo-Yaa T.R.I.B.E.

Onyx& Biohazard

Enjoy!

Sunday, July 23, 2017

Feelin' Funky

Sometimes you have to dance to the beat of your own drum...

I am a weirdo, I am a freak, I do not fit into a box.

When it comes to life I believe in originality and being perfectly imperfect. Sometimes it pays to be an outsider. Embrace the different, the funky, the wild, and definitely the strange!

I call this my "Funky" playlist. Though I'm a hardcore rocker, this music inspires my creativity in going the extra mile of odd. This includes Soul, Alternative, Punk, Folk, but I just call it Funky.

If you know who you are or if you're still trying to figure it out take a listen and tell me what you come up with.

*This playlist is a little long, but it was so hard to cut it down and not include songs that I have listed in previous posts*

Saturday, July 22, 2017

Work out tracks. Move your A$$

Want to look like This...

Or This...

Today's post isn't going to make you look like that, but it can help get you started on your journey.

I start my 8 millionth attempt to lose weight so to get me started I've compiled my favorite ass moving motivational songs. If you're toning or going for all over weight loss, I guarentee you can not sit still with these beats bumping in your ear!

I have included songs for Strength training, Cardio, Circuit training and whole body exercises. Time for me to lace up these shoes and get started, but I want to hear from you if these songs move you as they do me. Wish me luck 😏

Friday, July 21, 2017

Fight for your life!...Suicide Prevention.

Suicide Prevention Hotline:

1-800-273-8255

When the blackness swirls around you,

reach out to someone,

grab hold,

and hang on Baby!

You are loved, you are needed, you are wanted and you are ENOUGH!

This blog will probably be the hardest one for me to write. The topic is fresh, the topic is hard, and the topic is personal. There is a lot of stigma surrounding suicide. So I will try my very best to navigate this rough water if you will keep an open mind to my intentions when my words fail me. I will not get into the specifics, this is not a debate, this is for support and community.

Many hide behind smiles and laughter, when they're drowning inside. There is a hopelessness buried, that is suffocating them. I say they, but I mean WE. To publicly admit that I myself have thought about, and tried to end my life is difficult. It's hard, and it's embarrassing, but there is a power in speaking out...

Though it's been many years for me, it is still a struggle. Everyday. Every hour. Every minute. Every second. The first thing I want you to do is to create a safe circle for yourself. People who you know will be real with you, People you trust, and people who understand. Next, I NEED you to speak up! It's hard, I know more than most how hard it is, trust me though it's not just for you even if you think it is. By being real with your struggle you may give hope to another person who's afraid to speak up. Frequently take stock of every good thing in your life. Make a list, poster, playlist; something, anything to give you a constant reminder of why you're here and why you need to continue to be here.

This is no substitute for seeking professional help, but just a little something to help take the edge off.

I am here to tell you repeatedly if necessary; you have a purpose in this world!!!

Of the many, there is only one you!

There may have been an external factor in why you now have to deal with the demon in your head, it may be in your internal chemistry, but it's there. More than likely it always will be, but that doesn't mean that you have to surrender.

I believe that there is a fight inside everyone, it just takes the right motivation. Hopefully this will help.

I have always been able to handle anger much better than the sadness that creeps in and if this is you too, I can work with that. If this isn't you, I still urge you to reach out to find your inner fighter!

Don't give up!

Don't be fooled though this is a battle, not to the death, but for the right to live! You are a warrior and every battle you have faced to this point in your life has made you stronger and more equipped to handle the next. Do you know what that means? It means that YOU ARE ALREADY VICTORIOUS! Yes, you have already won! I want you to rage against the demon as if it's trying to kill you, because it is. It is trying to steal something that is irreplacable. You.

I don't get sad I get pissed! I am possessive! Someone could love my family, but they could never be me. I'll be damned if I let someone else be there to experience my children growing, to play with my grandkids, or to see the weddings, graduations, and the births that I would miss! The people around you, yes they love you, they need you, and I can assure you that despite what you believe they will miss you. Of all of the people in the world they chose you, now it's your turn to choose them!

This Playlist today is my personal playlist. It inspires me to FIGHT. I fight for my sanity, I fight for my family, and I fight for my Life and I encourage you to fight with me. There is beauty in community, I will carry you when you struggle and I know that you'll be there for me!

So prepare for battle Soldiers!

I hope this helps. Keep fighting the good fight!
Check in and let me know that you're okay!
Feedback is always appreciated; the good and the bad.

Thursday, July 20, 2017

Bo$$ Bitch Boost! G!rl Power p2.

A Boss Bitch knows who she is...She just has to let others know.

This is the grown woman version of my last post.

I push for the empowermen of women because I know how it feels to be broken, used, and abused. To lose yourself, to feel worthless, or to base your worth on another's opinion is UNACCEPTABLE! I created this playlist for the purpose of reminding all of you Beautiful, Strong women of who the hell you are! Get your sexy boots out, put your hot panties on and strut your stuff to remind these MF who they're dealing with!

I LOVE YOU ALL! 💖

Wednesday, July 19, 2017

Daughter, To thine own self be true...

My Girls are so amazing and I realize that it's 100% just who they are. They are strong, determined, and loving. They are comfortable with who they are and though they've struggled with the same issues that many young women and girls face, they overcome. I am constantly amazed with everything they do and my hope is to inspire other girls to make their own path and own it.

Dear Girls,

Be bold, be fearless, be awesome, but most importantly be YOURSELF! You are already enough. You are fierce. There is only one of you which makes you unique so don't diminish your worth by trying to be someone else. Life will happen the good and the bad, but no matter what you will come through just fine.

You are already strong, you have survived every day up to this point on sheer force of will. Do your thing baby girls and add your own special flare to this world. You set the standard for how you will be treated everyday, don't settle for less than the best.

Love always,

The strong women who were once little girls

When you need a dose of G!rl Power just listen to these songs:

G!rl Power

Tuesday, July 18, 2017

Femme Fatale... Hardcore Hotties: Women of Rock

"Anything you can do I can do better."

For years women have been made to feel like they should be at home in the kitchen, with a baby on their hip. Fulfilling her husband's every wish and caring for her children, with no life of her own.
Thankfully that time has passed...

These Rockin' ladies are proof that they Rule the world! Mic in hand, baby on the hip, hubby in tow they do it ALL and they look so damn good while they're doing it. Sit down and buckle up as we roll through my favorite 25 Women of ROCK! They're in no particular order, because let's face it, I couldn't if I tried.

Otep Shamaya