#U.S. TOUR DATES ARE OUT AND I WANNA GO SO BAD

[harlowarchives]

Can you write something with Jack Harlow where they have a date in ikea, maybe like the reader is not from the U.S., (she could be from somewhere in Latinamerica) and she always wanted to go to ikea, and it could be like a cute montage like in the film 500 days of summer

international, ⁱ 𝐣𝐚𝐜𝐤 𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐥𝐨𝐰.

jack harlow x latina reader!

𝐣𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝐟𝐥𝐮𝐟𝐟 <𝟑𝟑𝟑𝟑𝟑 + ilysmmm ty for my first request boo also such a cute concept

You & Jack met at a concert he was doing in the Dominican Republic, you stood out to him because you were the only fan who knew every lyric to every song not to mention you were insanely beautiful, he interacted with you the entire show dedicating his love songs to you. After the show, he built up the courage to greet you. “Hi, I'm Jack.” He said giving you a nervous smile and then lowering his eyes to meet yours you looked slightly confused but you were just dumbfounded he assumed you must’ve only known Spanish because he followed with “Hola, soy Jack?” you broke into laughter at his rehearsed introduction as he laughed with you “I'm y/n.” you spoke. The rest of the night the two of you bonded & Jack confessed how he was crushing on you all night & that you were the most beautiful girl in the crowd.

For the rest of his trip, you two were constantly together because after his performance he was free to explore & he did that with you. Goodbyes were too harsh for both of you so he scheduled a trip to come to visit him in the US & today happens to be your first date together in the US one twist though because when he was in your country you toured him, you made him promise he'd do the same. “Ready?” He questioned looking over at you before you began to nod eagerly he opened his door and walked to your side to help you down. You and Jack walked into the store and then you began looking around in amazement, taking in Ikea & all its glory. Your mouth was in an O shape & Jack just stood and watched your wandering eyes. The two of you walked down the aisles for a bit before you came to an abrupt stop letting go of his hand you took off flopping onto a white bed with silky sheets and a mattress that felt like a cloud. “Y/N!” Jack called running towards the bed & laying down.

You had your head buried in the covers just as comfortable as can be, after 15 minutes Jack started to bore. “Y/N! I wanna show you something.” He said with a wide grin as you groaned “I wanna stay Jack! Please Jack can we stay?” you pleaded as he shook his head. “Baby, I promise it's much better than this.” He said smiling “Fine!” you submitted.

After Jack had led you blind you heard his voice “Ok, open.” You opened your eyes to a children’s circus tent, you glared at him before rolling your eyes and crawling in the tent as he followed behind you. “My baby brother & I had one of these!” He said pressing on the walls before staring off into the distance then his eyes landed on you who was staring out the window of the tent mesmerized.

“Y/N! You want to go back to bed that bad?” he asked as you eagerly nodded not listening but indulging in the bed.

“Actually J, let’s play hide & seek,” you suggested as he nodded “See! That sucky bed isn't the only fun thing to do in here.” he smiled getting giddy. You two got out of the tent and set the rules, he would hide and you’d seek. You began counting as he ran away back inside the tent with a cheesy smile on his face sitting with his feet pressed together thinking she’ll never find me in here.

You counted walking off into the distance testing out every bed in the store like Goldilocks except all the beds were just right, and employees just stared at you like the nutjob you are. You caught yourself falling asleep forgetting about Jack, but he hadn't forgotten about you. He started getting bored and looked out the window seeing a short curvy curly-headed figure asleep on the bed outside the window & then it clicked. He stormed out of the tent & walked toward you so you wouldn't blow your cover you shouted “I found you.” You said smiling looking around, as he just looked at you annoyed “You’re a great hider!” You lied, you knew exactly where he was the entire time. You had actually taken multiple pictures of him in the tent giggling, he then sat on you suffocating you “SOMEONE HELP! PLEASE!” You called.

He didn't stop he just sat kicking his feet and singing “Lalalala!” as he listened to you wheeze “Ok Amor! I'm sorry please.” You pleaded feeling a weight lift off you. You got back on your feet slumping before Jack quickly threw you over his shoulder “Ok this is the best part.” He said while the blood in your body just shifted around, you began to smell a familiar meaty scent it was strange but in a good way.

Jack placed you down and let you take in your surroundings “You mean they have food AND BEDS?!” you said your face lighting up, your beautiful accent shining through. “J, what's a Swedish meatball?” you said looking up at him “Delicious.” He said.

You two finally got the food you ordered and Jack took you to sit down in their cafeteria but you quickly pulled him from his seat, you led him back to the tent, and his eyes visibly lit up he wrapped his arms around you and the two of you munched on your meatballs and he played with your hair. You were finally ready to go about then you looked across the street “Jack! MATTRESS KING.” You ran as he chased after you.

[monbebe-guide]

Love our Hyungwon

[only-kiwi]

lose you to love me - part 9

slightly shorter chapter but i have lots of ideas and i wanna get loads up for the next few days because i’m going on holiday on wednesday and won’t be on my phone much. love u 🤍

PREVIOUS PARTS:

one

two

three

four

five

six

seven

eight

[REQUESTS ARE CLOSED]

It was all so strange - the whole lockdown thing. No one had seen it coming and it fucked absolutely everything up. Harry was supposed to go on tour next month, and Tobi was supposed to travel all over the U.S to promote her E.P. It wasn’t anything crazy, just radio interviews and a few morning show performances. She had a tour in the works, too, but luckily nothing was set in stone so it didn’t affect that. Tobi was shocked when Harry messaged her, after their talk in the studio, they sort of kept distant from each other. Not intentionally, they just didn’t want to make the other uncomfortable in any way.

She was also happy when he texted, because it meant she wouldn’t have to go home. She felt so bad for not taking this time to see her family but every time she went home, it was the same shit. Tobi loved her family, and she missed being away from them. But anything longer than two weeks with them and they’d start asking when she would get back with Harry or if she was going to find anyone else. She was only 24, she didn’t need to be settled right now.

For some reason, Harry was nervous for Tobi to come over. She’d been to his house several time since they reconnected but this time was different. This time, she wouldn’t be leaving and he didn’t know what it would be like. She was right, last time they lived together, the whole relationship went downhill. Of course, it was different now. But it was very clear how they felt about each other and it could go anywhere.

Tobi arrived and the first thing she did was wash her hands, she sang ‘Happy Birthday’ twice while doing so. Harry took her stuff up to one of the spare bedroom - the one right across from his. When he came back down, Tobi was wrapped up in a blanket on the couch with Netflix ready to go. “Make yourself at home.” Harry chuckled.

Tobi sighed. “Crazy that this actually used to be my home. I mean, it was only for a few months but still. I don’t really like living alone.”

“You don’t?”

“I mean, it’s fine. Sometimes it’s nice when I need some time away from everything but it just gets lonely.”

“I know how you feel.”

Tobi wanted to roll her eyes. “Whenever you get lonely you just find another girlfriend.”

“Hey, that’s not fair.”

“I’m joking.” She wasn’t. “What movie should we watch?”

Twenty minutes into ‘Notting Hill’, Tobi was asleep on Harry’s shoulder. He missed this. It reminded him of how they used to be. He wished they could just go back. God, he regretted so much. He knew they’d spoken about it several times, and that they were fine now - but he knew she still had her doubts and he couldn’t blame her. Harry wondered if they’d ever get back together. It was definitely on the cards, but he didn’t know if Tobi would ever be able to fully get over everything. She needed time, and Harry would wait a lifetime for her. For now, he was fine with being friends and writing songs about what could’ve been.

It was only half an hour late when Tobi woke up, a third of the movie was already done but it was fine because she’d seen it more times than she could count. “Sorry, didn’t mean to fall asleep. Your shoulder must be dead.”

“My shoulder is just fine.” Harry smiled. “Why are you so tired?”

“Guess I just haven’t been sleeping well. I’ve been writing lots too. It’s like my brain won’t shut off, I have a new idea every 10 minutes and I have to get it down.”

“Oh, new songs! Anything good enough?”

“I’m not really sure.”

“We should write one.”

“Might as well write a whole album with all the duets we’re throwing out there.” Tobi joked, but a light bulb went of in Harry’s head.

“That’s the best idea you’ve ever had.”

“Wow, thanks.” She laughed. “I was just joking.”

“I’m not.” He smiled. “I think that’s a really good idea. We’ve already got a couple of songs together. Why not put them all together? The fans would lose their shit, too.”

“Yeah, they would.” Tobi replied. “I think I’d like that. We’ll probably write lots of songs with we’re stuck with each other.”

“I think I’ll quite like being stuck with you.”

Liked by harrystyles, nicholasgrimshaw and 2,134,874 others

tobiskye quarantining with my ex hbu

View all 22,492 comments

tobifan1 WHAT

tobifan2 can they just get back together already

harrystyles Your ex is very lucky

tobiskye @/harrystyles he is

harryfan1 they’re definitely dating again

harryfan2 how did this even happen

tobiskye @/harryfan2 he asked if i wanted to stay and i said yes. nothing wild i promise.

annetwist Look at those eyes 😍

tobifan3 i love u

Liked by tobiskye, gemmastyles and 2,824,100 others

harrystyles Songs and things.

View all 25,839 comments

harryfan3 omg hot

harryfan4 🤍🤍🤍

gemmastyles Put some clothes on

harrystyles @/gemmastyles Tobi said I can keep them off so no

tobifan4 ARE THE DATING AGAIN???

tobiskye it’s the tan lines for me

harrystyles @/tobiskye same

harryfan4 NEW MUSIC????

[xxisxxisxxis]

Gateway Drug | Part Seventy-Four [Pt. 1]

Words: 3k

Warning(s): explicit language, drug abuse

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I exhale, turning to look at Nikki where he's laying beside me, a sickly pale tone to his skin, his black hair tangled, his hand that is clinging to mine, covered in tracks, the same appearance as his other hand. 

I can't help but wonder if I bathed him if he'd wake up. He reeks, and he's rough looking, only adding to my guilt. 

Fred gave him a sleeping pill to ease him off of his coke high--he's been freebasing again, just cooking it up in the room's microwave. 

I don't know what the hell to do about him. 

I wish I did. 

Turning over to face him, I brush his bangs out of his eyes, my fingertips lightly dusting over his cheeks, dark circles under his eyes. 

They were supposed to play tonight, but said Nikki came down with the flu and added the show to the second round of U.S. tours lined up for early next year. 

The Nikki I knew would have never put drugs over his music, his fans, and especially not his relationship. 

But, the Nikki I knew also wouldn't have cheated on me…

It's been hard to accept the fact that the Nikki I fell in love with six years ago, isn't around anymore. 

1981

I finish getting my church dress back on, grinning at Nikki as he gets his pants laced back up, the both of us glancing at each other in the back of my car. 

"What's mommy and daddy gonna say when I send their girl back home all turned out?" He asks me, smugly, and I put my heels back on, scoffing. 

"Gee, just come home with me and find out." I shrug. 

"I'll pass." He mumbles, pulling his shirt over his head. 

"Oh, c'mon, I'm sure they'd love you." I nudge him with my elbow. 

"Your mom would piss her granny-panties." He argues, wrinkling his nose a little and I just blink at him. 

"Maybe...but I'm pretty sure my dad would like you." I inform him. 

"Like hell he does." He says to himself and I just let out a breath. 

"So…" I say after a few seconds of silence and he nods a little, awkward tension filling the air around us. 

"...Well." He lets out in the same tone. 

"Good freaking night." I go to open the car door, irritated that he doesn't offer up to hangout and do stuff other than fool around, slamming the door shut.

"Hey, what's up?" He asks me, getting out next, standing by the driver's door, blocking my way. 

"Nothing. I'll see you later." I mumble, nudging him out of my way, opening my door but he's quickly shutting it before I can. 

"Viv, what's--" 

"--I'm gonna start charging you to sleep with me." I state blatantly and his hazel eyes widen, a shit eating smirk on his lips as he chuckles out, "what?" 

"You'd think since we have sex with each other so often it'd at least make us friends, but all you wanna do when we hangout is screw around and then go do whatever with the guys." I tell him. "And, no, this isn't me being a 'typical girl' and developing feelings for you just because we've had sex. It's me being tired of feeling like I'm just being used to get you off." 

"I'm being used to get you off so it's a win-win, is it not?" 

"You sound like Vince." I snap. "All that's happening is I screw you, you screw me, we leave, and don't talk until we're both horny again." 

"Is that not how this works?" 

"The least we can do is get food afterwards or something." I suggest. 

"...Like a date?" 

I gag at the thought. 

"Ew, no." I tell him and he looks confused. "Like, um...I don't know. But since I don't hate you enough to not hook up with you, anymore, I think we could at least get to know who we're hooking up with a little better."

"Friends with benefits?" He clarifies. 

"No, no, we're not friends." I point out and he let me get in my car. 

"I'll see you tomorrow night?" He throws out and I nod. "Wear something pretty--we're going to McDonald's." He smugly smiles and I roll my eyes, holding back a laugh. 

I'm shaking the memory away when there's a knock at the door and I slowly get out of bed, trying not to wake Nikki, slipping my hand from his as my feet hit the hotel carpet. 

I open the door, seeing Mick.

"They wanted us to go ahead and start getting our stuff together to leave." He informs me. "Apparently Guns has some solo shows at some clubs nearby so they're staying behind and we'll back up with them tomorrow night." He informs me and I nod, smiling softly, before he lets out a small breath. "I know you're hurt, and you've got every right to be, but would it not make more sense to file for divorce before you move on, as opposed to moving on before you even really know if you're gonna leave or not?" He asks next, under his breath so Nikki has no way of hearing it. 

"Ask your married girlfriend that before you come at me with it, Mick, alright?" I ask him neutrally, shutting the door in his face before stepping back to the bed, hesitant to wake Nikki up but doing it anyway so we won't be late. 

I wasn't shocked when Mick let on that he knew about Duff and I because, like with me and Nikki, he just knew when something was up.

Looking back, Mick had a point, but at that time he was the last person I wanted to hear it from, because Emi wasn't estranged from her husband, or even on bad terms with him. She was just cheating for whatever reason while her husband stayed in the blissful dark. Mick was "the other woman" therefore he had no place to speak to me about my relationship with Duff.

"Nikki, get up, we gotta get packed." I gently shake him and he groans out. 

"Baby, let me sleep." He mumbles, eyes squeezed closed, face scrunching slightly for a second. 

"We gotta be in L.A. in seven hours, c'mon." I nudge at him again, and his red eyes open, disgruntled, taking a moment before sitting up.

"I did it again last night?" He asks me, rubbing the crust from his eyes as I slip my slippers on. 

"Yep."

"Are they pissed?" 

"They're worried." I inform him. "I'm worried, too." I add, stepping to the door. 

"I'm fine." He says after me.

"Glad to hear it." I open the door, taking a moment to add, "and I'm not 'baby' to you anymore," before leaving. 

I get to my room and get my things packed, being interrupted by a knock at the door. 

When I get it open, Duff is on the other side, wearing nothing but his underwear. 

"I think I left my necklace in here." He tells me and I step aside, watching him grab it from the bedside table before he turns to me and says, "so, you guys are leaving tonight?" He asks me.

"Yeah." I nod. "Gotta go watch Vince walk down the aisle." 

He chuckles and I do, too, realizing how ironic the reality of it is. 

"...Is, um...Nikki okay?" He cautiously questions.

"Yeah." I nod. "I'm sorry I didn't go back to your room last night, I just thought it'd be best if he eased off before I went to bed and then I accidentally fell asleep before I could leave so…" 

"No, no, Viv, it's fine. You still care about him, even though he's shitty sometimes he's still the guy you've been with for the past six years. I'm not upset that you're making sure he's okay." He nods reassuringly. 

Before I can say "okay", there's another knock at my door, and I step to it and open it, Tommy and Vince waiting for me. 

"Ya ready?" Tommy asks, him and Vince both wearing sunglasses. 

"Yeah." I reply, going to zip my suitcase, Tommy following in after me to grab it, taking a double take when he notices Duff. 

"Hey, man."

"Hey." Duff replies, rubbing the back of his neck, before looking to Vince. "Vinnie, you ready to walk down that aisle?" He asks him with a smile.

"Yeah, just so Sharise will stop bitching about wedding details." He responds with a groan in his tone and Duff chuckles. "But her and Skylar are coming back with me for a honeymoon so just be on your best behavior--not that you aren't most times." He adds. 

"Nah, I'll give Slash and Stevie the heads up, though." He assures him. 

"Thanks, dude." Vince says back.

"Alright, see you when we get back." Tommy says, patting at Duff's shoulder. 

"See ya." Duff says to them as they head out. 

"I gotta pee and I'll be down." I lie.

Vince looks at me, oddly, with a small bit of hesitance before he shuts the door and I rub my lips and look at Duff, fumbling with my fingers. 

"You're not breaking up with me already, are you?" He repeats what I asked him before and I smile and shake my head.

"No, no." I grab his hand and tug him closer to me and he kisses my hair, wrapping his arms around me, tightly, and I rest my cheek against his skin. 

"Just have a safe flight, try not to kill anyone." He tells me and I nod.

"I love you." I tell him, looking up at him. 

"I love you, too." He leans down and kisses me, pulling away too soon. "I'll see you tomorrow night."

"See you tomorrow night." I agree, taking a mental picture of his soft grin.

The next day was spent scrambling to keep everyone together--especially Nikki--because Sharise deserved one day to be with Vince without a fight...little did I know the only fight that would occur would be between Vince and I, and not him and Nikki, like I feared.

"Okay," I straighten her veil, examining her dress one last time as she hands me my bouquet, "you look beautiful, Sharise." I assure her and she continues nitpicking possible flaws in the mirror. 

"I know we're already married so this is just a vow renewal or whatever but I'm nervous." She admits to me, fanning at herself a little. 

"There's no reason to be." I tell her. 

"Where's Sky?" 

"With your parents." 

"Where's Tansy?" 

"Getting her dress on." 

"Where's Nikki?"

"In the bathroom." 

"In the bathroom or shooting up?" 

"In the bathroom. Tommy's on smack watch." 

"Okay." She lets out a breath, trying to calm down. "Vince...is he--"

"He's ready to walk when you are." As I say this, the door opens and Nikki and Tansy come in.

"Sharise, the wedding party's waiting for you." Tansy tells her a little shakily. 

I think she's beginning to withdrawal. 

"Alright. Okay." Sharise inhales and exhales. 

"You got this." I promise her. 

"You're right." She nods and I help her with her dress as she heads to the door. 

Nikki, Tommy, Mick, and a couple other guys I've never met that are good friends of Sharise and Vince are wearing their tuxes with a hot pink sash, to match the bridesmaids knee length, hot pink dresses with black tull underlying the skirt. 

We file into line, Nikki and getting in front of Sharise since she's appointed me with Matron of honor. 

"You showered." I mumble to Nikki, impressed. 

"Tommy threatened to spray me off with a water hose. I didn't feel like being cold." He mumbles and I scoff as the music starts, the doors opening to lead outside, where we have to walk down stone stairs to meet in a spacious courtyard. 

"I'm getting war flashbacks." He says next once it's our turn to start walking. 

"From our wedding, yeah, me freaking too." I reply in a hiss. 

"I was gonna say from Tommy's wedding but sure." He scoffs bitterly. 

"Just don't leave this one every fifteen minutes to slip into the bathroom and shoot up." I ignore his comment, the arm that my hand is looped through tenses up and I can feel him glaring at me through his sunglasses. 

"Don't be a fucking bitch." He tells me as we step down the stairs and approach the guests, seeing Vince and the other groomsmen and bridesmaids waiting for us. 

"Little late for that." I point out. 

"And our wedding wasn't even that bad, Viv." He randomly cuts back to our initial back and forth and I fake a smile for the crowd, speaking through my teeth to reply, "Wish I could say the same for the months to follow it." 

We separate at the alter, and I push my feelings aside when I look to see Sharise stepping down the stairs, looking stunning as ever. 

When she gets down here, I'm straightening the back of her dress as she takes Vince's hands. 

The ceremony doesn't take very long, and once the reception comes and all the pictures are done with being taken, I'm ready to get out of this dress--but it's not ready for me to get out of it.

I grind my teeth, dreading asking this bastard for help, but I know he's got his knife and the zipper of my dress is stuck. 

"Nikki," I tap at his shoulder as he downs another glass of wine. 

"What?" He wipes his mouth with the back of his hand. 

"Can you help me get out of this dress?" I ask him and he suddenly bursts into laughter. 

"I'd rather fuck a pot of boiling hot oil than fuck you." He tells me. 

"No, asshole, I mean literally help me get this off because the zipper is stuck." I explain. 

"Oh." He says, turning me to look at it. "Yeah, I guess." He stands up and I head to the bathroom as he pulls his pocket knife from his pocket.

Once we get to the bathroom, I'm pulling my arms from the sleeves the best I can before I look at him. 

"Just go to sawing away here." I point to the seam that's three-fourths zipped. 

He starts cutting at it, and it soon gets looser and looser to the point there should be plenty of room to finish pushing it down my hips...and I would if his hands weren't steadily holding at my bare sides, his eyes on my back as I look at him in the mirror and wait for him to snap back into reality. 

He never does, and I'm forced to clear my throat to whisk the tension away. 

"Um, I got it from here." I tell him, hinting that his hands on my skin aren't needed.

He just looks at me in the mirror and holds at them tighter, making me go to hit at the tops of his hands, only I realize this is one of the few moments he probably finds peace in because he can pretend, even for a second, that everything isn't screwed sideways. 

I just rest my palms over his hands, making eye contact with him in the mirror, looking us over, and I smile sadly, realizing we won't ever be those people again. 

After his moment is finished, he's gently patting my sides before taking a step back and putting his knife back into his pocket. 

"Thanks, again." I say to him before he goes. "No problem." He mumbles, stepping out. 

I rush back to the bridal suite to avoid being seen half naked, to change into a more comfortable dress.

As soon as I shut the door, I turn around and see Vince nursing a beer, and I jump. 

"Jesus, Vince!" I snap at him, taking a deep breath and he rolls his eyes for a second. "What the hell are you doing here?" I ask him, peeling the dress down my legs, not caring that he's getting an eyeful of me in nothing but skimpy panties since he's seen me completely naked in the pictures of me that Nikki's shown off to him. 

"Hiding from my in laws." He replies, taking another sip of beer. 

"You're not supposed to be drinking." I remind him.

"Who's gonna tell them?" He asks me, raising his brows. 

"Doesn't matter if the state doesn't know--God knows. That's who you'll have to answer to in the end." 

"Oh-Oh, my fuck." He chuckles out, his tongue swiping the inside of his bottom lip. 

"What? You think standing before God and being confronted with the fact you're still drinking after killing your friend in a drunk driving accident is funny?" I hiss at him.

 "I think the bible warns against becoming a drunkard but doesn't it also say, "you must not commit adultery'?" 

My heart pounds in my chest, my eyes wide, and he stands up from his spot on the fluffy parlor chair. 

"So you can give me shit about killing Razzle and still drinking, but every time the sweat on Duff's back dries after he's done fucking you, it's just another nail being hammered into Nikki's coffin, once he finds out." He says, pointing at me with the hand holding at his bottle. "And that blood's gonna be on your hands." He adds. "Not mine." 

[doyouever-daydream]

Story of Boy Meets Girl

A/N Here I am writing the date I wish I’d have with Spencer Reid but instead I am at home, writing fanfiction for our entertainment, be safe, dear humans!

I wrote this while listening to the When Harry Met Sally score and the (500) days of Summer soundtrack, that’s how I came up with the title, hehe. Also I am a plant nerd (but there might be some mistakes) and for this fic I downloaded a book about the USBG and saw a 20 minute tour on youtube (which is a great thing to do while on quarantine)  and I fell in love and now I wanna go so bad, so if you also like plants hmu and I’ll share the links.

First oneshot for my BAU does Blind Dates series for the prompt blind date for my @cmbingo​ card

Summary: Both, Spencer and (y/n) have no expectations for their blind date, but their mutual friend Penelope seems to think they can be good together so they’ll just have to find out while they visit the U.S. Botanic Garden.

Pairing: Spencer Reid x Femal reader

Warnings: None.

Word count: 2183.

My other nonsense

Penelope was out shopping with her friend y/n, they had met in a hand embroidery class a few months ago, (y/n) was a salvation for Penelope, she was still adjusting to her new job, and her best friends (and boyfriend) were extremely busy fighting bad guys so having her made Penelope feel less lonely. (y/n) on her part wasn’t very social, she got along with her coworkers and most of her close friends were back in her hometown, so for her, Penelope also was a gift from her lucky stars. 

“What’s got you smiling so big Penelope?” (y/n) asked while they were at a vintage dress store.

“Luke’s coming home from a case today, they wrapped the case sooner than they thought” She showed the text message to her friend.

“That’s great, hopefully he won’t get another case during the weekend” 

“I hope so, I really want to spend some days with him without stressing about his safety and the rest of my friend’s safety as well” Penelope sighed, the team have been away many days in some difficult cases that had her nerves on the edge.

“You will, I’m sure you’ll have a great weekend together.” (y/n) smiled at her.

“What about you, huh? What are your plans for the weekend? Any hot date?” (y/n) laughed.

“Ha! No, just me, my plants and comfort food” She sighed.

“Hey, you’re young, you have more than enough time to find someone” Penelope knew she had been struggling with her personal life. Or rather the lack of it.

“Can you call my mom and tell her that too? She has baby fever, or grandchildren fever, I don’t even know how to call it.” She placed of her hands in her face getting anxious just thinking about it.

“What about you? Do you pressure yourself to be in a relationship? To have kids?” Penelope carefully asked.

“Well… I did before, all my friends getting married and me just being the single one, I felt like I needed someone but then I just let it go, and that’s the way it’s been my whole life, everyone with their boyfriends, girlfriends and me, the independent woman that moved half across the country from her family and friends to work in a place that I loved”

“I understand, trust me, I completely understand the need to find someone just so you stop being the single friend but sometimes you just gotta let it happen.”

“I know, I know but I can’t even remember the last date I had!”

That’s when Penelope had an idea.

“How would you feel about a blind date?” (y/n) looked at her with an amused face.

“You know me, I’m too shy and awkward to go on blind dates”

“Let me try, I can be a really good matchmaker, please?” (y/n) thought about it, Penelope had  been playing with an idea in the back of her mind for a few weeks, she even talked to Luke about and he supported the idea so she thought she might go through it.

The next thing (y/n) knew, was that she had a date for Saturday with one of Penelope’s friends, she was too nervous, but Penelope and even Luke reassured her that she’d be fine.

“Uhm, excuse me, are you (y/n) (y/l/n)?” A tall guy with light brown hair asked her.

“Yeah, you must be Spencer, Spencer Reid” Both of them had shy smiles on their faces, hoping their mutual friend was right and they could have a nice day.

“Shall we go in?” He signaled to the entrance of the United States Botanic Garden.

Once they started to walk through the gardens of the USBG, they realized they hadn’t talked at all.

“You chose a beautiful place, (y/n)” Spencer said while he looked around and put his hands in the pockets of his pants.

“Thank you, have you been here before?” She asked in a low voice, feeling really awkward.

“Just once, many years ago, I brought my mom” He remembered fondly that one time her mom had visited him and the only thing she wanted to do was visit the USBG.

“That’s amazing, I want to bring my mom here but she haven’t visited me” She was feeling more relaxed.

“Oh, where does she live?”

“California, she lives there with my dad, and well, all my family and friends are there” Spencer could see the sadness in her eyes.

“How long it’s been since you moved?”

“A year and I’ve seen them, I fly for Christmas and Thanksgiving but I’m not the most social and outgoing person so it’s been a little tough on me” She confessed and he smiled sympathetically.

“I understand, I don’t have many friends beside my team, and Penelope, she changed her job but yeah, it’s just them” He awkwardly explained.

 “Introvert life, I get it” So far (y/n) was feeling more at ease with this nice and good looking stranger. “I think that’s why Penelope came up with this idea” 

“Yeah, maybe that was it” He looked at her and smiled, and suddenly his mind went blank, he didn’t know what to talk about so he did one of the things he did best: telling facts “The story about this place is quite interesting, the first idea for its creation goes back as far as 1796, botanical studies started to be more prominent during the eighteenth century but the creation of it officially started in 1820…” 

Spencer started to quote almost the entirety of a book he had read about the U.S. Botanic Garden, and as they walked through it and (y/n) listened fascinated by the way he talked. Once or twice she had made her own comments about what she knew and soon enough they were comfortable with each other.

Once they entered the Tropic exhibit, (y/n)’s face lit up, Spencer noticed that and stopped talking for a second.

“This is my favorite part of the whole place, I love seeing all kinds of greens and their contrast, also here they have calatheas which are my one of my favorites” Spencer smiled as he listened to her.

“Ah, calatheas, some people refer to them as a family of plants when in reality they are…” He was interrupted by an overly excited (y/n). 

“A genus of plants, they belong to the Marantaceae family, sorry, it’s just I really love this exhibit” She blushed.

“Oh, don’t worry, do you come often then?” She looked even more embarrassed, Spencer was not sure why.

“Uh, actually I work here” (y/n) confessed as she bit her lip.

“Really? Oh, wow, I never asked what you did, and what it is that you do?” He was pleasantly surprised. 

“I have a degree in Botany, I moved all the way from California to work here, today’s my day off obviously, but I always thought it would be nice to have a date here, it’s a place I know like the back of my hand and here I could have something to talk about” She was worried Spencer would think she was pathetic for wanting to have a date at her workplace instead he was worried he had been talking too much.

“Oh God, you love this place, you work here and I just told you things that you probably already knew, I am so sorry” It was his turn to blush.

“Don’t worry, I enjoyed listening to you, I knew some things but not all of them, and I just really liked knowing there is someone else that knows the history of this place, it was really nice” Being the awkward person she was, her face was now as red as a tomato.

Spencer only smiled at her and decided to look carefully at the plants, something (y/n) was grateful for, as she tried to regain her normal color.

“Come on, let’s go up to my favorite spot” Once they were there, Spencer understood why she liked that specific spot.

They looked down from the mezzanine and could see the beauty of the whole exhibit.

“What do you think?” She asked with a small smile.

“It’s beautiful, I don’t think I came up here before” He felt happy as to how the day was turning out, not only the whole place was a delight but the company of (y/n) was wonderful “Add some weeping angels statues and it would be even better” 

“Oh, and maybe a TARDIS” He turned to look at her, he was shocked she had caught the reference.

“Do you watch Doctor Who?” (y/n) looked at him and then back to the scene below them.

“No, I don’t” Spencer’s smile faded just a little, she was still great and he was hopeful they could go out again.

“Penelope does and she talks about it so much, once she did an embroidered TARDIS, and that’s why I got the reference” She played with the fabric of her blouse.

“I am really glad that Penelope thought about this” He said looking at her.

“Yeah, me too” She nervously shifted her weight from one foot to the other.

“Would you like to have coffee?” He dared to ask.

“Sure, when?” She replied while looking at him in awe, she couldn’t believe the date had gone far better than she had expected.

Spencer shrugged his shoulders and looked around “What about now?”

“Yeah, let’s go”

Once they were at the coffee and had ordered, they sat down close to a window.

“So what do you do at your job?” Spencer asked while sipping on his coffee.

“I am a part of the conservation team, but the past few months I’ve been more focused on coordinating activities and the creation of programs for visitors, and I love it, it’s different from what I thought I would do but I enjoy doing that” She held her mug tightly and Spencer sensed there was more to it.

“Was that the position you originally wanted?”

“No, I wanted to work with plants and only plants, but then the opportunity presented and I took it and loved it but my family thinks that I moved across the country for a job that’s not entirely related to my degree, and it’s pretty much a desk job which is not true, but I can’t seem to make them change their minds” (y/n) looked sad.

“Are you close with them?” 

“Very, moving here was by far the hardest decision I’ve ever made and I don’t regret it, but it’s been tough” She looked out the window and Spencer looked at her empathetically.

“I imagine this has been difficult but I’m sure you’re doing an amazing job, I’ll try to go more often and participate in the programs, I’m curious as what you and the USBG has to offer” (y/n) smiled and took a sip of her coffee.

“Thank you, Spencer, but enough about me, I don’t know much about you, I know you’re a profiler but I am unsure as to what a profiler does, care to elaborate on that?” 

Spencer nodded as he went on to what his job was about and (y/n) listened with amazement in her eyes, she knew the BAU chased down bad guys but she didn’t know exactly how they did it.

The stayed there, both of them drinking cup after cup of coffee, and talking about everything and anything, by the end of the afternoon, they both felt as if the had met each other for a lifetime. 

They both walk back to the metro station together and Spencer is feeling unsure as to how he could suggest seeing each other again but (y/n) beats him to it.

“Spencer, I really, really enjoyed today, thank you for coming”

“Of course, I also had a great time today”

“Should we do this again?” She bit her lip hopeful he would agree.

“Go the US Botanic Garden?”

“Oh, not necessarily, I meant go out, I could use some company and I enjoyed yours”

“Ok, yeah, yeah, I would love to see you again” He’s smile was so big his eyes squinted and she felt her heart beat faster.

“Ok, you got my number, right?”

“Yeah, I saved it when you texted me” He pulled out his phone and held it up as if to prove he wasn’t lying.

“Have a good night” She smiled and waved at him, both of them had to take the metro in different directions so she started walking towards the opposite of him.

“You too, (y/n)!” If anyone looked at Spencer they could see the heart eyes he had while seeing the girl walking away from him. 

As he was ready to start his way home, he felt a tap on his shoulder and as soon as he turned around he received a hug from (y/n).

“Bye, text me when you’re home” She whispered in his ear and pulled away to start her way once again.

He stood there watching her walk away, being unable to move, remembering to call Penelope the minute he got home to thank her a million times for setting them up.

[mainexiii]

Always Be With You Forever Day6 Young K x OC

“Soo hyun came back to Korea to see her family, it's been 5 years since she went to the U.S to study, as she stepped her feet in Korea, memories came flooding back, will she be able to forget the tragedy that almost cost her life and killed her boyfriend or a miracle will happen?“ Also posted in AO3 = Mainexiii

also.. im lazy asf so i did not prood read all of this, hence, a lot of grammatical errors coz English is not my primary language. 

I’m having this strange feeling when I walk out on the arrival area at the airport, Jinnie my younger sister waving at her hands rapidly as if I can not even see her, I smile at her and waves back. “Soo hyun! Woah, I really missed you”, teary eyed she hug me tight and kiss my right cheek. “ yuck! You just smudged your lipstick on me, come on!” we laughed and went out of the airport, I was wiping my cheek when Jinnie asked a lot of things about my 5 year vacation in the U.S, well, it’s not just a vacation, I barely lived there during my college years and never came back to Korea.. I did not answer her question and just continue to walked until we reach her car, the both of us are silent the trip to my house, it’s not easy to talk about what happened years ago, it’s too hard to recall my memories that I’ve kept hidden inside my brain just to survive. “Jinnie-ya..can we please not talk about the past? I’m still not ready okay? Please..for me?” you gaze at her direction at holds her other hand and squeeze it. She heaved a sigh and squeeze back my hand. “ Okay.. you know.. after all these years without contact from us and your friends, one of these days you’ll find out about something and you have to be prepare for it”. I was confused about what she’s talking about and just shrugged it off. “ Wait.. is mom setting up a man for me to marry?, if that what it is.. then drop me off right now” I giggled but Jinnie is damn serious right now. “I hope so tho, but unfortunately that not it. I want you to stay strong, okay? She smiled and opened the radio. I panicked at her sudden action “Turn it off!” I screamed at her and she immediately turned off the radio. Jinnie apologized and stopped the car, Jinnie tries to calmed me down by caressing my back, took a deep breath and fix my hair and make up,I don’t want to let my mom see me like this, still a mess after all these years away from home. I face Jinnie and smiled, “I’m fine, Jinnie .. I’m sorry for startling you, I know all for you are worried about me and I’m sorry for everything, I hope you understand what I’ve through. Jinnie hugged me tightly and smiled and gave me an understanding nod. I'm meeting my family at the province with takes three hours of driving, I went by so familiar places and I feel that my heart’s going to burts with all these happy and sad memories with him.

8 years ago when I met Young hoon, everybody calls him brian. We went to the same high school and I was a transferee, he was the class president and he was assigned to help me everything to adjust to the new school, he took me a tour around the whole campus and introduced to different clubs, he was very helpful and nice, obviously the whole class loves him. I was bullied once when I was on my way to home on my first day of class, the kids who seemed to be rebels are ganging up on me , they took my wallet and ripped my school bag thinking they’ll find anything worth to steal, I was frozen walking the whole time and a girl from my class pat me at my back “ Hey, is this yours?” she turned over my lost items including my money, the only thing I did was hugged her and cry. She laughs and hold both of my shoulder, “It’s okay! I already took care of those bitches, they wont bother you anymore” I nod still crying. “Stop crying will you!” she offered her hand and introduced herself, “ I’m Hana, and you must be Soo hyun right?” confused, i looked up at her cause she’s quite tall “how did you know me?” I asked, “ Girl, we’re on the same class!” she replied, “ Oh, I did’nt notice you” doubting that she’s lying. “Brian gave you a tour around the campus?” she asked as we start walking outside the skirts where the bitches brought me, I didn’t even know this place, i felt my cheeks hotness and touch them, I smiled at the thought of Brian, he’s tall, handsome and I’ll figure out the rest, I was smiling the entire time when Hana confronts me, “Yah! don’t tell me you like Brian too?” she stopped facing me crossed arms, what the hell? I’m having a rival here already?! I stare at her her blankly, “ So what? You like him too don’t you? I gave her a question look, “ Bitch no! Brian’s my first cousin so don’t worry, I smiled at her reply and continues to walked when I saw my parent’s car near our apartment. “oh my parent’s already here” I glanced at her and pointed our apartment, “ I lived there!” I smiled at her took her hand, “ I’ll introduced you to my parents sometime” she smiled and shake my hand, “okay sure, but to tell you honestly, Brian has alot of admirers so good luck my friend..” she laughs and I slapped her back. She fakes a pain and laugh again seeing my red face, “ that’s not it,! I don’t like him at all! “ we we’re laughing and my parents called me to go up now, I wave at them and says thanks to my new found friend.

We arrived at the the province and my whole family welcomes me outside the house. Mom walks towards me as I opened the car door and hugs me tightly, I didn’t know I was crying until she wipes my tears, “Thank you for coming back” mom whispers while crying, seeing my mom, dad and two other siblings in front of me wont let me stop crying , I missed them so much that it hurts, everything hurts. We went inside and talk about everything excluding him. The day went by so fast I forgot I'm jet-lagged, mom prepared me a tea to help me sleep. I just want to take a rest now, I hope I’ll dream of him again, that’s the only thing that keeps me reminding of his face, I wished every single day to see him even in my dreams only, I missed him so much I think I will never moved on.

I woke up and look at the time on my phone, it’s already 9 am and I’m so freaking hungry. I climb out of my bed and I noticed a wedding invitation card at my bedside table, I open it and sees the fancy gold emboss font “Kang Hana and Park Sungjin” wow, how did she even know I’m back.”They did really end up together huh,” you smiled and recall little memories with them. I did not open the entire invitation since I don’t have the guts to see them. I took a shower, letting the water run down my body and close the clog to let the water full up the bath tub, I closed my eyes and recall the memories with him, I have to be strong, it’s been 5 years and I just cant accept the fact that he’s gone, I tried dating during my college years but none of them worked out.

After a year of being friends with Brian I decide to make the first move, it’s our last year in high school and I don’t wanna missed the opportunity, I know there’s something going on between us, but we just keep it casual, we’ve spent a lot of time together, holding hands, bus trips while holding hands, eat at cafe’s holding hands, watch busking holding hands and more holding hands, that’s it. We we’re contented about us just like that. We exchange stories about everything at our school’s rooftop. We wants to be a singer someday, play with a band, he’s good at guitars, basses, he was already a trainee at a company so most of his time are just in school, us going out and training, he rarely sees his family since he have been living in the dorm with his soon to be members. It’s fun spending our youth just like that. When I got the courage to ask him out, he already plans something, he brought me to the roof top and picnic basket, he let me sit down and runs at the back of the corner of the roof top to get his guitar, I was so excited I cant stop smiling all the time, he tuned his guitar and smiles at me widely, that the best thing that I liked about him, his smile that can lit up a dark world. He started singing one of his original songs, I listened at him looked him in the face and mouth “ I like you”, he stopped singing and walk towards me giving me a peck on the lips, I squeel covering my whole flushed cheeks. We spent the whole afternoon talking about our future and to travel around the whole world, Brian loves travelling as much as I do, we planned to go to Busan, Daegu and Jeju Island after our graduation. It’s the last day of our graduation and made our first trip to Busan, I was so excited spending my time with him, we ate and ate, went to the beaches, visit historical site. That feeling can never be replace by anyone. We’ve visit a lot of libraries around Seoul preparing for our college exam, he used to say that he loves me everyday, but I cant let out those words because I was unsure if it’s already love I am feeling for him,” it’s okay if you still don’t love me, as long as you let me love you, I’m okay with that” he smiled and hold my hand. It’s been 6 months since we had a trip outside Seoul, I was busy at school while Brian is busy preparing for their debut, Brian is amazing at multitasking, he went to school while practicing his bass skills, he’s so amazing at managing his study hours, practices and me. He always had a time for me, I mean everything, we eat breakfast together since my dorm is also close to his. Even when I’m sick, he can still take care of me, and that’s when I realized that I have loved him all this time, unsure of the feeling .. I shook the bad thoughts away and said my first I love you on his birthday, He keep on jumping and took me by his arms, hugging tightly. He kissed me passionately and I feel my hot cheeks probably flaring at this new feeling, he pulls away and widely smiled at me, “ We should go now” he says holding my hand leading me down stairs and went outside, “ oh wait, my gift for you” I hand him the box containing a couple dream bracelet. “HAPPY BIRTHDAY! You greeted him again with a hug and attached the bracelet on his right wrist. “ Thank you, really,”he hugged me tightly, he love giving tight hugs, his a hugger.

After our final exam, we had planned going to Jeju Island, just for one day since it’s expensive going there. I had pack my bag and prep up myself and called Brian, “ Bri, where are you now” I asked, looking around to see if I miss anything. “I just arrived downstairs, you coming down now?” he replied. “yeah, see you downstairs” I locked up my door went went downstairs.

We arrived at Jeju Island , the both of us feeling excited, we started to wander around , asked some locals what to ride to go to our accommodation, we took the bus that travels for 30 minutes to our place, we’re both excited as we planned the whole trip for months, we listened to some music on his ipod when I notice the sky is getting darker, I was nervous when it started raining heavily, the bus driver went on slowly to avoid accidents. The traffic light went red and the bus stopped, I hold Brians hand and lean on his shoulder, he felt the tension and my hands are shaking, “ You okay? Are you cold?” he ask with a worry look. I just nod and he brings his arms around my shoulder to pull me closer. The traffic light went green and as the bus driver starts to drive, I heard a loud bang! And I black out..

chapter2

I woke up feeling my whole body aches, mom rushes to hold my hand and asked if I was okay. She was crying while calling the doctors. I didn't know what's happening, I only remember Brian and I was on the bus and I blacked out. Brian and I was involved in an accident , fortunately... I was okay ,nothing serious happened but Brian,  he was comatose. I felt my whole world turns into darkness, i immediately went to Brians room and cried for hours.

Days gone by, weeks turns into months...

Brian still not awake, he's condition is not getting good and i blame myself for it. If it weren't for me.. He would've been laying for months in this awful room.

I was with him the entire time, i helped his family taking care of him, i rarely went to school and because of it. . . Im about to fail all my subjects due to absences .

I went to my school to inform that I will be taking a break and also informed Brian's school. I went back to the hospital and as I was about to enter Brian's room , I heard the doctor and Brian's parents talking about his condition.They decided to end Brian's life support.

My whole world shattered .

How can they do this to their own son? !

How can they take a life without taking chances!

This is not fair !

I burst into the room and beg for chances, to give Brian chance to live. I was crying while tugging his mom's coat,

" please don't do this ! I beg you ! Please .."

We we're both crying the whole time and she explained to me the consequences if we let Brian stay like that forever ..

" Soo-ya, we dont want Brian to suffer too, his condition is not getting good his body is so weak right now . I dont want my child to suffer like this .." I saw the sadness and sorrow in her eyes, the pain of watching his son getting weak.. I also can not stand watching Brian suffer, but I can not let Brian lose his life without even trying. I won't .

But the decision is not mine to make.

They're going to end his life the day after. I have to be with him on that last day , my heart aches to much there's no tears left to cry .

My heart is too numb.

D-Day

Brian's whole family is waiting for me at the hospital, while me .. Still at home, crying my heart out, " I thought there's no tears left" I mumbled.

I get up packed my clothes and documents and book the earliest ticket and went straight to the airport.

Brian's mom keep on calling me but I ignored and sent everyone a message that I'm boarding bound to America and never to contact me. I turned off my phone and cried myself to sleep.

I just lost the love of my life and im going to a unfamiliar place and tried my best to forget him.. But how can i? When I left my heart and soul in Seoul .

I finished taking a shower and went outside to grab some brunch, I found a cafe that serves American brunch sets and went inside . I keep on thinking the wedding invitation, I miss my best friend so much and she might hate me forever if I wont go to her wedding, I don't know what to do anymore .

Someone sat infront of me, I raised my head and saw Hana crossing her arms while glaring at me . Im so shock I almost spit my food,  " Hana! " I get up and hug her . She hug me back and gave me a wide smile.

"I missed youu Soo-ya!!!! " we hugged tightly and sit down. " Soo! It's been years.." She said giving me a faint smile "I know.. It's been years and I missed you too,  and I'm sorry Hana ..for everything"

"I understand you Soo, I know the pain that you went through but it's not worth it,  you made yourself a mess,  after all these years, no one knows where on America are you, you wont let us comfort you, you completely shut us down in your life.. And im telling you Soo, all those tears .. It's not worth it."

The pain that i've felt all those years.. I know, i did not help myself overcoming it. It was so overwhelming i kept myself busy working and studying, just to forget Brian .

But it did not help, because at the end of the day.. Brian is the only one who i think of. My love for Brian is irreplaceable. I blame myself everyday until my heart don't let any people inside it.

"It's not worth it Soo, it's the time for you to moved on and be happy, because it's not your fault okay?" I tried to remain calm for a few seconds, i wont let my tears be visible for this is the day that i have to let my old self go and open a new door and let people inside it. I take Hana's hand and squeeze it "Thank you Hana, i'll try my very best"

We went outside the cafe and walk towards the parking lot, she have to run some errands for her wedding tomorrow and bid goodbye as she went inside her car.

As I was going to the opposite direction, Hana's car stopped beside me she roll down her window. "Soo! I have to tell you something tomorrow, please come okay?! It's very important and you deserve to know it, please come okay?" She said and I answer her with a smile and nod and . She smiled back and drive away.

I gather my thoughts about everything, it's time for me to moved on and be happy again it's been years and there's too many people that i've pushed away. I shouldn't let myself be forever like this, it's time to say goodbye to Brian.

It's Hana's wedding day at 12pm and there's still a lot of time for me to visit Brian's grave. But.. I dont know where he was buried. I'll just ask Hana later after the wedding.

I arrive at the wedding hall and went to the bride's room. Hana was talking a picture with my high school friends and i feel so guilty losing contacts with them, Hana notices me as well as my H.S friends, their faces look shocked to see me and turns into an apologetic smile, I composed myself and greet them warmly, they hug me tightly and atleast i felt that they really miss me.

I turn my attention to Hana and praised her with compliments, the girls and we're catching up when the Host is announcing to start the wedding, we went out of the room and went to our table. As the wedding starts , I wander if im seeing familiar faces at the event and my eyes landed on Brian's mom, she was looking at me and give me a warm smile and a nod, i smile back and my heart skip a beat seeing her, it was so nerve wrecking... I always feel so attached at Brian's mother, during my stay at the hospital she also takes care of me when my mom is not around, we share stories about Brian and our trips and i felt her happiness as we talk about Brian.. I shrugged memories away. On the middle of the wedding the announcer says that there will be a surprise perfomance of a band called Day6, I looked at Hana and her face turned pale while she look at me, I'm confused at the sudden reaction and I looked at my friends , seeing their faces the same reaction as Hana while looking at me, suddenly i feel nervous and ask what is happening. They can not answer me and just keep silent when another stage appear and there i saw a familiar man with four more people each holding their instruments, the band starts singing when the man holding a bass put it down and went in the middle of the stage and hug Hana while singing, I stand up to see a clearer view and i froze .

No way this is happening, i was still frozen when the man singing averts his eyes on me, i recognized the same eyes, nose and lips, it's Brian. It's Brian! How is this possible? He's dead! Brian..is dead. My tears started to fall and notice Brian's reaction, he give me a small smile and finished singing. My kness are weak and i grip the table to lean on, my friends help me to sit down, and tries to calm me.

How can i calm when the man i grieve for years is alive?! I can not gather my thoughts my mind went blank as i was about to leave the venue .. Someone stop me by holding my arm, i face that person and my heart shatters to see him this close to me. I just let my self cry as he holds both my shoulder , the overwhelming feeling makes me unconscious and I blacked out. Again.

Chapter 3

I woke up hearing different voices , i open my eyes and saw Hana still in her wedding dress.

"GOD SOO! YOU'RE AWAKE! she hugs me tightly and cry.

It wasnt a dream..

Hana explained everything , They we're supposed to end Brian's suffering on the day that i left, but Brian's mom change her mind and give another chance for Brian to wake up, they keep on calling me to tell me the news but i already went abroad. After a month of intensive prayers a miracle happened and Brian woke up. Yet they still cant reach me. After months on theraphy, Brian decided to went after me on America but i  never told them where i live even my family didn't know. Brian eventually became busy because of training and catching up homeworks for school, and tried to move on from me too. He debut in a band two years ago and became known globally, which ofcourse I did'nt know because I shut myself from the universe...

My mind went blank,  all those pain and rejection and guilt , those feelings that ruined me..i cried and cried until i calmed down, Hana left me in the hotel room and went back to the venue. I lay down overthinking about Brian, how do i react when i see him again, that..if he still wants to see me ,but i want to see him badly my heart aches for him,  he probably hate me for leaving him. I hate my self too. All these years of heart break, i feel so pathetic. I heard  knocks on the door, i went down the bed and open the door...and Brian stands there, I took a step backwards as he went inside and lock the door. I can only hear our breathing standing face to face ,no one tries to speak.

We just stare at each other,when he took a step forward and holds my hand. The moment our skin touches all the memories with him came flashing back and all i can do is cry. He pulls me in a tight hug as i sob inside his arms. I keep on crying on his shirt as i feel the warm liquid on my head, i look up at him and saw him crying too. We cried in each others arms, we lay down the bed, he hugs me closer and stroke my hair still crying. No talking just tight hugs.

Chapter 4 Brian’s POV

After the accident i woke up in the hospital and never saw soo hyun again.. She went away unknowingly what happend to me , she thinks IM DEAD. We can not contact her phone, email we didnt even know her address in the states. She shut everyone down. Occationaly she sent letters to her family without the return address. That's the only communication that they have. She never came back.

I tried hard to finished my studies and training and finally i debuted with my band. I still cant forget her i think i will never forget her , she took my heart with her and i never dated anyone else , my friends even think im gay . Everything reminds me of her, my dream bracelet, the rooftop, the shirts she gave me on special occations, our favorite restaurant, she's everywhere. I cried so many sleepless nights thinking about her, i miss her so damn much . And eventually i set aside my feelings and focused on my work and studies ,and i graduate finally, i think of her every single day, so many what if's, she might be happy right now, she must've moved on . Thinking about her with another man makes my heart beats faster, i should be with her, she should be with me celebrating life. But she never came back.

It's Hana's wedding day, im not supposed to be at her wedding because of conflict of schedules but it was cancelled so i went and surprised her.

But i was the one whose surprise.

Soo hyun, the love of my life, is here.

We made eye contact, i can see her eyes full confusion, hurt, mixed emotions. I smile at her and she rushed to the door. I chase her calling her name and grab her arms, she froze standing looking at me and cry. As i was gonna hug her she collapsed.

I went to her room after Hana explained everything, she cried and cried as I hug her tightly . God i missed her so much i cried along with her, we didnt talk and i just let her cry her heart out. She fell asleep still sobbing. I watch her intently, i still cant believe it's her, i never thought she's coming back into my life again, she must've felt guilty about the accident she blamed herself all these years thinking that i was dead.  

"I'm sorry you went all through that" I stroked her hair, planting small kisses, i hug her tightly and she open her eyes, looking at me without blinking ,intently fixed her gaze on me, i smile at her and touch her cheeks..

"It's not a dream right?" She kissed my hand

"No babe, i'm real and alive" I cupped her cheeks and trails small kisses on her face and gently kiss her lips.

"I think it's time for us to be happy, you should let go all the burdens, let's start a brand new chapter of our life,okay? I missed you babe, i missed you a lot" i kissed her again this time passionately to let her feel safe and that im here with her.

" I love you Bri, thank you for being alive"

" I love you more Soo, thank you for coming back"

[sinceileftyoublog]

Billie Marten Interview: Quiet Confidence

Photo by Katie Silvester

BY JORDAN MAINZER

“Where are you calling from?” I asked Billie Marten during our Zoom last month.

“East London,” she replied, “Like everyone else,” simultaneously rolling her eyes at and embracing the scene in which she’s found herself embedded.

The 22-year-old’s wry sense of humor, observations, and self-awareness complement the earnestness she’s shown on her three LPs, especially last month’s terrific Flora Fauna (IMPERIAL/Fiction Records). Though the rawer aesthetic of the record was influenced by a spontaneous, drunken purchase of a bass guitar, and many of the album’s instrumentals were fleshed out in the studio with producer Rich Cooper, Marten both dug deep within her psyche and branched out to the world around her to tackle the album’s themes of self-care and empathy. Opener “Garden of Eden” doesn’t waste any time, its drums rumbling and guitars scraping as Marten compares caring for people to tending to plants. It’s a sentiment that hits even harder after a year-plus of lockdown-induced isolation, when for many of us keeping our pets and plants alive was the only thing we felt like we could control. Throughout the record, Marten’s honest about her relationship with herself, relatable in her alternating between endurance and self-doubt. “Trying hard to teach myself a lesson / Give my body patience to bree free,” she sings on the hip hop-influenced “Heaven”; even if a partner or folks in the world around her think they’re already self-actualized, Marten’s looking out for her own mental health. On the flipside, a chaotically fuzzy stomp like “Ruin” has Marten declaring that treating others like she treats herself would be bullying: “Got a war with my body / Never win, never lose,” she sings desperately. 

Flora Fauna is much more than a collection of the good days and the bad days, though. Marten communes with all sorts of living things, from street pigeons to gardens. And perhaps the most consequential song on the album is “Human Replacement”, a song about women not being able to walk alone at night, inspired by a seemingly increasing rash of violent attacks on women in the UK over the past few years. In its juxtaposition of infectious groove and essential, in-your-face subject matter, it reminds me of U.S. Girls’ weighty “Incidental Boogie”. For Marten, putting herself in others’ shoes, in a sense, allows her to become something else. On minimal closer “Aquarium”, over strummed acoustic guitar, she sings, “Do you wanna go to the aquarium? / I feel I lately wanna drown / Sit down, stare out, shut up, and swim around.” She’s able to nurture an environment by immersing herself in it, like how dirt finds its way on her face and between her teeth on the album’s cover.

Marten’s getting ready to get back out there, with some festival dates in the summer and a UK tour in July. For now, she’s relishing reflection and admissions. Towards the end of our interview, in which she had her camera on but I didn’t, she told me, “I like that your camera’s not on. It feels like I’m in a confession booth.” Flora Fauna’s got to be the greenest confession booth in the world.

Since I Left You: How did you approach the order of the tracks on Flora Fauna?

Billie Marten: I definitely wanted it to follow the classic storyline writing/curve. “Garden of Eden” starts off with the plant, everything’s open, and you really get the main feel of the album there, and “Creature of Mine” is twisting you up to this darker, punchier world, and “Human Replacement” is very in-your-face. “Liquid Love” would be the plot twist. Then, eventually, we float down to the second side of the album and get back into that acoustic-y world slightly more, but it’s definitely still different from the first two albums. Laid bare with nothing but an acoustic...on the last song of the album. I love that it’s quite a loud beginning but very quiet ending, which is what a lot of album campaigns end up being. You’re selling this thing you’ve made for two years, and it’s all, “Look at me, here I am, here’s what I’ve been doing, here’s how much better I am.” That air of improvement has to be there. But in the end, it is what it is. Take it or leave it. I’m not a naturally outgoing, competitive person, so I quite like finishing it with an air of quiet confidence rather than being brash and loud.

SILY: "Garden of Eden” almost has its own quiet confidence. It starts like you’re already in the middle of a conversation.

BM: I definitely wanted it to be immediate, like you’re dropped into my life without any warning. Have you seen Soul?

SILY: Yes.

BM: What did you think?

SILY: I thought it was very good. What about you?

BM: I loved it, and I thought it was the best philosophical education you could have in two hours. It made me think of it that way, because he drops to the real world. I wanted that feeling here.

SILY: I read an interview you did that had the title “We really are just plants,” and I was thinking that while reading about the record before it came out and eventually listening to it. Was it important for you to start the record with a song that compared us to something that’s also living but we don’t always think about as living?

BM: Absolutely. Well said. We’re actually really easy to take care of. That’s why I wanted to simplify it down in the melting pot. Take away emotion from it. In the end, we just need water and light and a bit of space, but not too much, to survive. I was very aware of that whole concept. Especially in London, it’s, “Look how much I’ve grown or will be growing in the future,” not, “How’s everyone else doing? How’s your soil?”

SILY: On “Liquid Love”, you sing about “wanting to wake up as a human every morning.” Does that song point to an eternal optimism?

BM: That was very much an affirmation type line for me. That line about waking up every morning was about how glad I was able to do that, because not everyone gets to do that for a long time. The song’s a love/hate relationship with drinking, which I was doing quite a lot of in the first few years of music. I get hangovers really badly. It doesn’t take me a lot to be completely out of action for the entire next day. That line was about just waking up and feeling proper and normal as a human, because I’ve spent a lot of days not being able to function, and it was really getting to me. We rely on our conscience to remind us to take care of ourselves all the time.

SILY: Is your relationship with drinking now different?

BM: It’s definitely a lot better, and I’m a much happier person. I don’t use it the same. I don’t need it in my life; I just enjoy it. 80% of us probably have the same struggle with it. It’s something you can control, and something that takes us out of real life entirely. It takes up your attention for hours and hours at a time. It’s an incredible mask for genuine problems. With music, it’s around a lot of the time. Some people just can’t function without it. I have big realizations all the time. My body’s telling me to stop doing it and stop smoking as well. I keep getting tonsillitis every month. I think it’s its way of saying to chill out.

SILY: The theme of being able to control certain things seems to pervade the record. It relates to nature, too. On the album closer, your garden seems to represent a balance, a place where you can influence nature but not control it.

BM: I have a really strong urge to protect an environment. I use the word cradle a lot. It’s important that humans can do that with other ones. I wanted that side of confidence I’ve developed but to let people know it’s okay to be and remain vulnerable. I think those are some of the best sides of people. If I think of my friends, I don’t think of them as who they are when they know they’re being watched. I tend to think of what they’ve been through, their low points, who they are when they’re being honest. “Aquarium” is very much that sort of confessional poem.

SILY: There are other natural entities in song titles on here that symbolize something, like “Walnut” and “Pigeon”. I think I read the latter is a yoga pose?

BM: No. I was literally referring to the one-legged pigeons that hang around London that are all gammy and rough and ready and tough characters.

SILY: The pigeon is really smart and historically used for a lot but we think of them as rats.

BM: They’re complete vermin.

SILY: It’s almost like the way we treat nature and/our ourselves.

BM: Exactly. There’s such a different between a rural pigeon and a capital city pigeon. They’re almost completely different species. It’s funny. I’m getting a lot of misconstrued things coming out of this record, people saying I’ve left London, I’ve found spirituality, the pigeon thing. All of these things just aren’t true.

SILY: That’s sometimes a good thing. Of course there’s a line where someone says something completely wrong and claims it to be true, but do you like in general for people to be able to interpret your lyrics the way they want to?

BM: Yes. I’ve had a lot of experience [with the former], especially because we’re doing these things on Zoom, and then you read the written piece and it’s so different from how the conversation went. It’s an interesting social experiment. But I love when people take images and phrases and meanings for themselves and make them their own. It’s a great sign someone’s getting something from your music even when it’s not happening in your head.

SILY: On “Creature of Mine”, that post-apocalyptic, “this is our last chance” type vibe--Is that a scenario you often entertain, and how do you feel about it?

BM: I’m a sucker for diving deep into rumination in a very large, existential plane. Thinking just spirals until it gets bigger and bigger and you get to a point where you’re completely irrelevant. Like watching Cosmos or David Attenborough. [It puts] your existence into a tiny hole. I think sometimes that’s really positive because it helps me understand when I’m nervous for a performance or gig, it’s good to put yourself in perspective. However, it sometimes makes you not want to do things because they’re ultimately not important. It’s a fine balance with that style of thinking. It’s automatic for me. It’s my constant thought train.

SILY: Are there other places on the album, even if not in the same context, where you refer to that spiraling thought process?

BM: I think “Ruin” is especially difficult in that I was noting down my thought process, and that’s what the verses are. I don’t know why I do it, but it makes me feel good. I needed to do that to get it out of me and understand how ridiculous that thought train is. The chorus tries to put this analogy of [wasting] time being a crime. That’s what I was doing: I was wasting a lot of time thinking about it, so every time I sing it, it’s a weird slipstream universe type thing.

SILY: I asked the question hoping you would say “Ruin”. When you sing, “Got a war with my body / Never win, never lose,” it reminded me of that thought process. It goes in a circle. It’s not a linear thing.

BM: There’s no point in putting an element of battle into it. There’s no opponent. It’s just you. You could try and find opponents with other people, but that doesn’t usually work out either. This whole album is fleshing out these huge subjects I ultimately have no control over. Putting my two cents in and leaving it at that, making these musical, experimental creations. 

SILY: “Human Replacement” seems to be one where the juxtaposition between the instrumentation and subject matter is sort of contrasting. It’s this funky strut, but the song’s about women feeling and being unsafe alone at night on the streets. Were you conscious of that contrast making that song?

BM: Me and my producer [Cooper], that was the first song we did together in this album, so it needed to come out very immediate. I just had that [sings melody], and he sat on the kit just trying it out. I had no idea what I wanted to talk about. I was going into this Queens of the Stone Age, grungy, late-night mood. I didn’t have the narrative because what they sing about wasn’t relevant to me. I was looking outside and hearing all the sirens and hearing about what was happening in the news every day, and it was a subject that needed to happen. I wouldn’t say I’m in any way a political writer, but it is a massive problem. It’s a shame that narrative came out of me. The subject matter had to match the severity of the song. I couldn’t really talk about my own feelings in that song. It had to be a bigger subject.

SILY: Are songs like those more or less difficult to perform live?

BM: I don’t know. I worried about playing that one live because it’s so serious. My between-song chat is very much not serious. It’s my personality, which is who I am when I’m not performing. So I was worried I wouldn’t give it the air time it needs. Then again, most people don’t even listen to lyrics. They just like the way a song feels. It’s important to entertain those people as well. It can’t be all doom and gloom. I would say it’s harder than talking about myself, which I’ve been doing since I was 12.

SILY: How was playing your gig?

BM: It was at Banquet [Records], a record store in South London. I thought we were gonna be in the actual shop, me and my long-term collaborator and bandmate and TM Jason. He just makes a bit of [drum] kit, and I’m on acoustic. It turned out to be in this proper venue in this theater. It was a gig. I’m really glad we got pushed into that environment. Anything else would have been a lot more daunting.

SILY: Was it your first time playing many of these songs?

BM: Yes. There are still ones I have no idea how to play. I need to figure that out quite soon. [laughs]

SILY: Are you looking forward to touring?

BM: Yes. Massively. I really needed this break to make me realize that because I think gigs can be really hard for people. I definitely find that. There have been certain moments where I wish I wasn’t going on stage. Now it’s just like we have been given this gift again of living normally. It would be incredibly inappropriate to feel otherwise.

SILY: What else is next for you?

BM: Definitely writing. I want to start recording again. I can do it now since we’ll be so busy. It’s shaping up into a completely different soundscape again, which is interesting. You’re always going.

SILY: Anything you’ve been listening to, watching, or reading lately that’s caught your attention?

BM: This band called Coco. I don’t even know how I found them. They’ve got no information about them whatsoever. I think they’re American. They have 3 songs on Spotify. They’re very very good. To be honest, I’m not very good at watching things at the moment. I watched Nomadland and loved that. Mostly it will always be The Simpsons. To be honest, I’ve been too busy recently. I’ve been looking forward to June. Wait, we are in June! It’s the 2nd day of June. Well, I’m looking forward to this month, where I can do more domestic things again and stop talking about myself. [laughs]

[loyolahcmass]

Homily on Happiness by Token

Here is the preview of Fr. Rossi’s homily on Happiness by Token:

Hopkins Mass Homily

 “Happiness”

by 

Token

 “Show me where Happiness is”

 The first time Ben Goldberg rapped in public he was 13 years old. 

 It was July 1, 2012, and Goldberg was part of a swarm of 30 or so kids who intercepted Hopsin, a Los Angeles-based rapper who had just finished performing at a local club. 

 While Hopsin signed autographs, Goldberg stepped forward.

 “Yo, I’m going to rap for you,” Goldberg told him.

__________

 This wasn’t a premeditated decision. 

 He didn’t weigh the consequences of embarrassing himself in front of someone he idolized, not to mention a crowd of his peers. 

 But Goldberg, who had already given himself the stage name Token, was confident. 

 It was as if he had spent the last three years building to this — countless hours in his room, pen to pad, constructing intricate rhyme patterns. 

 Hopsin was known for the complexity of his rap “flow”. 

 Goldberg thought he’d have to appreciate his style. 

__________

 “You chumps know it is dumb. Hoping / this young Token / for fun won’t split you, cut open / I come roaming / with a lyrical gun loaded. . . . ”

 The crowd fell silent, Hopsin included. 

 It felt, Goldberg would later say, as if he were onstage.

 When Goldberg was done, Hopsin offered affirmation and advice. 

“I see what you’re doing, and it’s sick,” he told him. 

 “You have the techniques, but sometimes take it slower and kind of steez it out a little bit — and have some fun with it.”

__________

 It wasn’t as if Goldberg had any doubt about his path before that point, but he recalls this moment as galvanizing. 

 “That night was the night of my life for years,” says Goldberg, now 19. 

 But there’s been competition for that title lately — much of it in the past 2 years.

 In October 2015, Goldberg’s entry to a rap video contest went viral, ultimately tallying more than 2.5 million views on YouTube. 

 In April 2016, he had another viral hit: a six-minute-long performance on the influential Sway in the Morning hip-hop show on Sirius XM that was so powerful it moved a co-host to tears. 

 Then in September of last year, he released a mixtape, “Eraser Shavings,” which reached number 3 on the iTunes hip-hop charts and made it into the top 40 overall. 

 His work caught the attention of Mark Wahlberg, who helped him land a guest spot on a November episode of the “Wahlburgers” reality show and a role as a college kid in the movie Patriots Day, released last December.

__________

 Goldberg also had the opportunity to tour for the first time in 2016, doing several solo dates in France and Switzerland — two places where one of his viral hits got heavy play. 

 Then, he played more than 20 dates in the U.S. 

 This time, he was an opening act. The headliner: Hopsin.

 “He doesn’t remember that night,” Goldberg says, laughing. “I reminded him many times.”

__________

 From an early age, hip-hop was a therapeutic for Goldberg. 

 Even as a first-grader, he was getting suspended from school for yelling at his teachers and fighting. 

 “He had this explosive anger,” says his mother, Leslie. 

 At home, he’d have an episode — screaming, throwing things — and then retreat, horrified about what he’d done. 

“He would go into his room,” she says, “and you could just see in his face that he was crestfallen. 

 He’d ask, ‘What’s wrong with me?’ ”

__________

 Goldberg went from therapist to therapist and was eventually diagnosed with depression and anxiety. 

 He was also slow to read, and doctors identified a language disability. 

 And, yet, as he continued to work on his word skills and composition, writing became an outlet. 

 “When he started writing, you could see he used it that way,” says his sister, Madeline, who is five years older. 

 “He’d blow up, try to say something, and if he didn’t have the right words, he would go to his room and write.”

__________

 It worked. 

 “I don’t think I realized, holding this pad, this is the answer — this is the reason why I don’t feel bad anymore. 

 But subconsciously, I knew it, and that’s why I kept going back to it,” he says. 

 “Honestly, at some points, it feels like it’s all I have to get this negative energy off of me.”

__________

 Soon, Goldberg’s diary-like writing turned into poems, and the poems turned into raps. 

 He started recording himself when he was 10 years old, using GarageBand and rhyming over beats playing from the computer’s speakers. 

 They were self-therapy sessions set to music. 

 “I was basically hiding them from everybody, because they were for me,” he says. 

 But one day, a friend found them on his computer and pushed him to create a YouTube channel and upload them. 

 After some protest, Goldberg relented, releasing his first song — him rapping over the beat for Lil Wayne’s “Drop the World” featuring Eminem. 

 His MC moniker at the time was his initials, BDG (Benjamin David Goldberg). 

__________

 “When I got my first positive comment on YouTube, I was like ‘This is what I need to do for the rest of my life.’” 

 “The fact that somebody could like something that I love to do so much, it’s like 

‘That’s it — that’s what I’m going to do. There’s no question.’”

__________

 And that’s where his song “Happiness” comes in.

 It’s the first track released from his first major project “Eraser Shavings.” 

 It was released on the 23rd of September 2016.

__________

 “Happiness” is an emotional Hip Hop track that is sure to pull on the heart strings. 

 Before the release of this track, Token took to social media.

 There, he said,“ This video I got is next level, man….

 “I’m showing you guys a part of me that I never put out there before.”

__________

 This song presents some insights into Token’s life at home and his family’s history with depression. 

 It’s about two teenagers.

 A boy who has no friends and seems to have nothing going for him

 Ironically, it’s also about a girl, approximately the same age, who appears to be perfect in everyone’s eyes, but, in fact, is in the same state as the boy.

 Through their stories, Token airs his feeling towards mental illness and the affects it has on him, his family and other people. 

 It asks the big question, “What is happiness?” 

__________

Goldberg says in the song,

 Sometimes I just am feeling down

Sometimes I just feel no one will ever understand

Sometimes I wanna cry

Sometimes I want to crush my family's so-called medication look in their eyes

And tell them they don't need it as long we just have each other

But then sometimes I watch them suffer

I just wonder where happiness is.

 But, I think he answers this question by the way he’s been living and working.

 What’s he been doing?

 He’s been reflecting on his life, finding out what his talents and abilities are, and then disciplining himself to develop those talents further.

__________

 We as Christians can add one more element to that equation: God.

 We can ask God to help us think about and consider who we are, who he has made us to be, and then pray that He will help us acquire the disciple needed to expand those talents.

__________

 Token says, “Happiness ISN’T as easy as "happy life = happy person” and “sad life = sad person.” 

 “There’s a lot that doesn’t meet the eye…"

 He certainly is correct there.

 It takes hard work and patience.

 And it takes help from outside ourselves.

 The psalmist is right on the mark this week:

 You are my God whom I seek.”

[kmp78]

I didn’t wanna spam you with ten separate messages K so I put hem all in one. So much fuckery happened last night and I can’t left it without commenting. 

“Am I the only one who thinks he is not sober these days?

Be honest, guys.”

No K you are definitely not the only one! Either he’s using something or he is having a mental breakdown of some sort. He is behaving way too peculiar for someone who’d be sober or in full mental health. I get being weird, but the way he is acting isn’t even normal weirdness anymore. It’s just plain strange and worrisome. The way he looked agitated and nervous and kept movig his legs nervously and looked like he has to pee really bad the whole time while he kept his hands on his crotch. What the fuck was that? Or he was secretly jerking off in public. At this stage it wouldn’t even surprise me at all considering the way he’s been acting. 

“I agree there appears to be "something” going on. Maybe he’s on serious painkillers that have warped his mind?? But a sane human doesn’t walk around looking/acting like this. I know J gets weird when he’s out of his comfort zone, which is often imo, but this was a whole other level. Right now it’s like watching a breakdown happen, or somebody with bi polar.“

Exactly.  Something is not right with him and I don’t mean his back. Either he’s started using drugs or he’s become dependant on strong pain killers that are fucking up his mind and judgement or he is having a massive midlife crisis and an identity crisis or he is having mental health problems. I don’t know which one it is but it’s one of those. He’s not alright. 

"Maybe SL is in really bad condition ? We can make fun of his alcoholism, but we don’t know that stays behind closed doors. JL didn’t do this before,even then SL skipped gigs.”

“I don´t know if alcoholism is something that should be made fun of per say, but I def think he needs to answer for flaking out of work he is being PAID for because of it - or because of whatever else it may be that is causing his absences.

Absolutely he needs to be held accountable.”

I don’t know what’s going on with S but if it’s any kind of substance abuse problems then he absolutely needs to be held accountable for missing shows and not doing his job. If you don’t do that you are just enabling him and making it worse for him. That’s why  many finally seek treatment (if they don’t overdose and die before that), when they hit rock bottom. Before that they think everything is okay and think they don’t have a problem and keep using if it doesn’t have any consequences for them. Most people don’t realize that coddling is enabling. If you REALLY care about someone and want what’s best for them, you don’t coddle them. It’s like with kids too. If you let them do whatever they want when they are little just because you don’t want them to cry, you don’t have to wonder later on when they have massive problems in school or trouble with the law because they are not used to behaving like a normal person and no used to following rules. But sooner or later we all do have to face consequences from our actions. If our loved ones won’t do it, someone else will. Or they end up killing themselves in the process. The longer one delays, the harder it will get. We’ll see where J will end up too when the sheep keep enabling him.

“Maybe fans need to stop WASTING TIME (and $$) on him, the band, and doing a thing for them, like voting all day like some fools do.”

He apparently wants to be left alone so fans should do exactly that. Not pay any attention to him. Not buy his crap. Unfollow on sm. He doesn’t post himself on sm anymore anyhow and he doesn’t want to share anything with us anymore and doesn’t want to have any kind of interaction with fans so let him be alone. Use your money for something better. 

“So tacky of J using U2’s shinning moment getting the global icon award to promote himself and his own band. No matter the topic or place, it all “changed [his] life.” The guy calling him Jay Leno after they won and went down to where Rita was at was hilarious, but J got pissed right away and asked what the guy’s name even was and tried to make a snarky remark.”

MY THOUGHTS EXCATLY! When he started with the “U2 changed our lives” I wanted to bich slap him. J is so full of SHIT! Does he really think people are THAT stupid that they can’t see through his bullshit? Everything always conveniently changed his life. Pay him enough money and he will say YOU changed his life. He’s pathetic. 

I loved the guy who called J “Jay Leno”! It served J right!

“I ended up unfollowing J on all his sm, everything is selling not only Tw is false, you get nothing following him, there are more interesting people to follow, Letoland is boredom incarnate.”

Same. I unfollowed all his accounts long ago. “Not all tweets my own.” We know J. Not all your awards are “your own” either. *cough bought MTV award, bought GQ Man Of The year award cough* 

“The fact that J used his speech time and "thanks"on sm to promote the tour tells the award was nothing but marketing, ofc they knew they’ve won already.”

His speech was so cringeworthy and ridicilous. The whole “We are Americans, it’s the land of immigrants. We welcome you with open arms.” ARE YOU FUCKING HIGH OR SOMETHING? What does any of that have to do with being at the MTV awards IN EUROPE and winning (=buying) the alternative award? Did he think that everyone in Europe wanna move to the U.S. or was he implying that Europe isn’t welcoming immigrants. And again, why did he even bring it up? Other than to try to promote his sad documentary that no one cares about that may be relased some time in the next 50 years.

“J looked like a senile grandpa that was let out of his Miami retirement home for a club date with his pool boy, Flaco, and got a Viagra-induced semi-boner in his diapers due to the anticipation. The easy-step medical sneakers, high-water track pants pulled up to his nips to cover up the Depends… who was the cruel creature that put together that mess and why does he hate J so much? Or maybe it’s just sheer extreme thirst that no ounce of residue self-respect can possibly cover up at this point.

Grandpa did get a nice dig in with that “What´s your name?”comeback… Hihi!

Don´t worry, J. I have no idea who that drunk yob is either.”

That is honestly the perfect way to describe his whole look and how he acted! He looked like he had a hard-on the whole time and hekept putting his hand in front of his crotch all the time so it made it even more obvious. It looked like he was trying to hide it He probably thought he looks so hot and felt so important, the thought made him hard. Or he was so anxiously waiting to get to Paris to have Natalia suck his dick and  the anticipation was killing him. 

***

WORD, anon.

I don´t really have much to add here.

Just agreement all over the place.

(Disclaimer and rules)

[eyez-ff-blog]

○○ eyez | fifty-seven

Beija yawned as she exited the backstage area of the arena, feeling the heat wash over her body as she looked up at the darkened sky. She could still hear the thumping bass from the show going on inside—she hummed softly along with the familiar instrumental as the security guard walked alongside her towards the tour bus. Once she got close enough to where the bus was, the door opened for her, and she waved at the driver.

“Have a good night, Mrs. Cole,” The security guard spoke once he helped her onto the bus.

“You too, thank you,” She said before she stretched her arms over her head. “Where is she?” She asked the driver.

“In the back with Gina,” He said, and she nodded as she slowly inched towards the back of the bus. When she opened the door, Gina was sitting at the side of the bed next to a sniffling toddler. Niya’s eyes were slightly reddened and tears were still dripping down her face. Her arms were crossed over her pajama covered chest, and her bottom lip was poked out in clear anger.

“You’re supposed to be back here sleeping—not having a tantrum,” Beija sat down next to her child before running a hand through her hair.

“No,” Janiya huffed simply, before leaning against her mother’s arm.

“Yes, little girl. Your sleeping pattern is going to be ruined at this rate. I know you wanna go watch daddy, but you need to go to bed,” Beija sighed once Niya began to whine again. “I got it from here, Gi. Thanks for calling me,” She said.

“I got you, B. Goodnight, mama,” Gina leaned down to hug Janiya before leaving the two girls alone in the bedroom together.

“If I stay with you, will you go to sleep?” Beija asked, and Niya wrapped her arms around her mother, her small body unable to even get her arms halfway around Beija’s pregnant belly. “Okay, fine. I’ll stay with you,” B watched Niya closely as the toddler sniffed again.

The tour had been going on for about two months now—July had just arrived, and since Beija was right on the heels of her birth, this would be the last night that she and Janiya would be traveling with Jermaine. They were now in the second leg of the U.S. section of the tour, and J had crafted the dates so that they’d be close to Houston right when it was time for Beija to stay home. Lauren would be coming to pick the girls up in the morning and they’d make the trek back to Houston from Dallas. It wouldn’t be too long before Jermaine followed suit; after the show in Dallas, he’d be off to San Antonio, then two Houston shows—one show for the tour, and then the Freedom Festival.

The biggest event in coordination with the Forever Boy Project would be held on the 4th of July, and Beija had to be there despite her being within the closing weeks of her pregnancy—she had been planning the festival ever since she started the charity, and she wanted it to be nothing short of successful. The day would start with a peaceful rally and protest where citizens would get a chance to converse and vent to the police department about their grievances, fears, and concerns about the practices of the force. Then in the afternoon the festival would actually begin; black businesses of all kinds would be in a flea market type setting, and patrons would be able to buy clothes, food, art, and more. To Beija, it was a perfect way to foster a sense of community among African-Americans in the Houston area. Throughout the day, musicians would take to the stage and perform. Jermaine was headlining the festival, and after his set there would be the typical fireworks display. All ticket sales were going towards the charity.

Beija had been trying hard not to stress out about what was to come for her business-wise; if the festival went well, she would want to press forward and do more towards her goal of fostering more safety in the streets she roamed as a child. With more exposure would come more responsibility and she would quickly learn how to hold her own as not only a businesswoman, but an eventual mother of two. And at the moment, her daughter was not accepting of the idea of leaving her father behind—Beija had no earthly clue how to comfort Janiya.

Niya and Jermaine had been as thick as thieves since she was born; from what Beija knew, the first day of Janiya’s life was filled with her father as he pretty much camped between the hospital’s nursery and the hospital room Beija was in. Janiya wasn’t a terribly acting child but it was clear that she had J wrapped around her finger even though she didn’t know it fully. She loved her father, and now that she was a bit older she didn’t understand the concept of her going somewhere and Jermaine not coming too. Beija felt bad about having to see her daughter be distraught, but she felt it’d be easier on everyone if she took her back home while preparing for work and the oncoming child that was just about ready to emerge.

While Janiya slept, Beija decided to send some final emails and get the last details in for the festival; it had been a flurry of activity in the last couple of days and once the baby was born, she’d only be at peace for the week she’d get in the hospital. Then, it’d be the true crunch time.

“Hey,” She glanced up from her laptop when she heard Jermaine come into the area, and she flashed a smile as she nodded in greeting. “You left early? You should have seen it—the energy was so crazy,” He explained, and she nodded slowly as she glanced down at Janiya, who was now sleeping peacefully.

“I had to. She didn’t wanna go to sleep,” Beija sighed softly before she reached over and moved some hair out of the girl’s face.

“You gonna be alright at home? She’s getting more restless these days,” Jermaine slipped off his sneakers and sat them by the door before getting into the bed slowly. “And I can tell it’s not gonna be any better once I get back on the road,” He added.

“I’ll be okay.Before she knows it you’ll be home again and we can go back to what we were doing,” Beija yawned as she leaned back against the headboard. “I understand why now,” She said softly.

“What?” Jermaine asked.

“Why you wanted to go ahead and step away from the mic. I was so stuck in thinking about how it was ‘too soon,’ but then I got to thinking about the kids and factoring that in. I eventually want them to lead a life where they’re not too gassed on who we are and forge identities for themselves. They can’t do that when we’re both working all the time. I guess I’m still feeling like we can do everything at once, and we might not be able to,” She explained.

“And that’s alright. We do what we can, right?” J reached over and ruffled her hair. “We’ll figure this out as we go. But you need some sleep before Lauren comes in the morning,” He said.

Beija yawned slightly before she nodded, saving her work on her laptop before shutting it off and closing it. “Yeah, because with the way Lo drives, I can’t sleep with her at the wheel. Gotta make sure she not breaking any laws,” She chuckled as she slipped her laptop in its bag.

“You all packed? Or do you need help?” J stood up before he slid out of the t-shirt he had on and tossed it on top of his bags.

“I’m all packed,” She mumbled before she got comfortable in the bed. Once J rejoined her in bed, she tugged at one of his dreads. “G’night, punk.”

“Night big head,” He said as he sank into the plush mattress. Beija watched as Janiya curled up near Jermaine’s body, and she shook her head before she closed her eyes. She knew she wouldn’t sleep much tonight, but she’d have to try because the next morning would be a struggle for her. More than likely it was because of her hormones, but she felt the same anxiety that her daughter did. But out of the two of them, one of them had to be the adult.

The morning seemed to creep up on Beija quicker than usual, and when she did wake up she was alone in bed. Once she got out of bed, she tried to freshen herself up a bit before she put on some clothes and exited the back. Jermaine and Janiya were already up and about; while Niya was eating some breakfast, J was running through her color and shape flash cards as he had been doing nearly every morning since the tour began.

“Morning,” Beija mumbled softly before she grabbed a yogurt from the fridge, sitting down across from them once she retrieved a plastic spoon to eat her food with. “Are you feeling better today?” B asked Niya, and the girl smiled as she moved off J’s lap to come to greet her.

“I already got her bathed and everything. Packed whatever things were lying around...Lauren texted me and told me she just hit the area so she should be here soon,” J reported, and Beija nodded slightly as she watched the toddler try to eat some of her yogurt. “Niya, let mama eat. You just had food.”

“I’m hungry,” Niya reasoned, looking back at Jermaine with slightly furrowed eyebrows. Beija couldn’t help but laugh at how similar the girl looked to her father in that one moment. They were truly twins when it came to their expressive faces. Jermaine could never truly hide his facial expressions at times and it was becoming apparent that Janiya couldn’t either.

“It’s okay. I’ll have Lauren go and get us something before we hit the road—this yogurt isn’t going to hold me for long anyway,” Beija allowed Niya to have a couple spoonfuls before she ate the rest herself.

The knock on the door brought them out of their calm, and J stood to his feet before he walked towards the front of the bus to see who was visiting. After some mumbling, Beija could hear the door shut. “Lauren’s here,” She heard, and she nodded to herself as she stood up to her feet.

The process of getting Beija and Janiya’s bags from the tour bus to Lauren’s SUV wasn’t a long process, but the small stints of conversation between the girls eased up the tension that seemed to build. Beija was becoming more and more antsy because she couldn’t help but to wonder and worry about one important thing—what if Jermaine wasn’t in the area or even near Texas when their son was born? The thought had crossed her mind every now and again but now that they were embarking on splitting up for the time being, the thought stuck out and it frightened Beija a little bit. She didn’t want to be without her husband, and she didn’t want him to miss the birth. As much as she was trying to keep Janiya calm, Beija was feeling anxious herself. She usually wasn’t this dependent on Jermaine being around her, but this was an important time for them and she felt that her reluctance of separation was justified in this scenario.

“You better be behaving while you’re on this road, B. I’m not trying to fight your ass when you get back to me,” Lauren and Bas were leaning against the woman’s car, and Beija chuckled softly to herself as she watched the two of them.

“I’m chillin’, girl. Don’t stress it,” Bas pressed his lips against the girl’s forehead before he tapped the side of it briefly. “Alright, Beija—I’ll see you in...like a day or so,” He laughed before he approached her and hugged her gently. “Be careful with the nephew,” He rubbed at her stomach as he spoke.

“You know I’m trying to,” Beija chuckled softly before she let out a huff. “Where are those two? You guys gotta get to San Antonio soon...”

As Jermaine stepped off the tour bus, she could hear Janiya’s soft crying as he carried the toddler over to the car. “Hey, hey. Stop all that crying. Daddy will see you tomorrow, okay?” J frowned as he kissed the girl’s forehead.

“No,” Janiya whined as she held him tighter, and he sighed as he opened the backseat door to try to get her strapped into her car seat. Beija frowned as she listened to her daughter’s whines evolve into full-on cries.

Once Jermaine got the baby into the car, he helped Beija get in next as Lauren took to the driver’s seat, and B rolled down the window once the door was shut. Jermaine leaned against the door, glancing at Janiya as she cried and continued to make a fuss in the backseat. “You’ll be okay, B?” He asked as he looked back at her.

Beija wanted to cry herself—her emotions were knocked off its normalcy and she wanted badly to say that she was probably not going to be at eased mind until she saw him again. But he still had a show to do and an obligation to his craft. She had to suck it up and wait this out. “I’ll be alright,” She said, and she closed her eyes when he kissed her forehead. “I love you.”

“I love you more,” He pulled back and gently nudged her cheek before flashing a smile to try to brighten her obvious mood dip. “I love you, Niya! Be good for mama,” He said before he nodded at Lauren. “I’ll see you in two days, ma. Be safe,” He nodded.

“Got you, bro. Tell Cody and Dame I said hey!” Lauren said, and Beija could hear Jermaine hit the top of the car door in parting before the car started to pull away. Beija rolled up the window and she frowned when she heard Janiya continue to cry. “You want me to stop somewhere for food? There’s a Taco Bueno near here and I can get us some breakfast,” She suggested.

“Yeah. I think that and a nap is what me and the girl needs right now,” Beija nodded as she tried to get comfortable in her seat.

After getting home from Dallas, Beija’s task for the day was to get her and Janiya together for the next couple of days. Since the festival was being held on the 4th, she and her family decided to have their usual cookout and private memorial for Rashaad on the 3rd and go see Jermaine perform later that evening. The cookout was being held at Beija and Jermaine’s house, and it would be the first time that it wasn’t hosted over at her parents’ home. She didn’t mind it, however—not only would she not have to travel to or from anywhere, she was taking on some familial roles that were at one point exclusive to her parents. With that being said, she spent most of the day shopping for food, decorations and clothes for she and Janiya to wear. While the little one was still in kind of a funky mood, Beija did her best to try to cheer Niya up.

“Let’s see...do you like this outfit, Niya? I know you don’t like dresses that much, but overalls are cute,” Beija held up the white denim jumpsuit as the child sat in the cart, and Janiya shook her head before Beija let out a sigh. “Come on, boo. You don’t like none of these?”

“No,” Janiya crossed her arms as she frowned slightly, glancing down as her lap.

“Look...I know you miss daddy, but you gotta cheer up. I don’t like this attitude you have and I’m too tired to deal with it,” Beija’s voice grew stern before she placed the overalls into the cart. “We’re gonna get these overalls and you’ll wear it with a t-shirt. Now, are you hungry?” She asked.

“Yes,” Niya said simply, rubbing under her eye slowly.

“Okay, let’s go eat,” Beija pushed the cart from the aisle of clothing before they headed towards the register. Once Beija paid for the clothes, the two of them left the store before they headed towards her car to head for the nearest restaurant. Once she got Janiya secured in the backseat of her car, she got in and pulled off from the parking spot before heading towards the main road. “You want some chicken?” She glanced at the rear-view mirror to take a glance at Janiya.

“Nuggets,” Janiya specified, and Beija chuckled lowly as the woman nodded.

“Yeah, I know. Fine, we can go to Chick-Fil-A,” Once Beija approached the next traffic light, she took a left turn and headed down the street before they reached the fast food place. Beija still didn’t really feel entirely comfortable going to fast food places because she didn’t want Niya to grow accustomed to that type of food. But when they did eat out, it was usually at ‘high end’ places so that the chance of the food being a little fresher than usual would be higher.

Once Beija parked the car and got Janiya out, the two headed inside before stepping to the counter to order their food. While Beija got a chicken nugget kids meal for Janiya, she got a simple chicken sandwich for herself—two to be exact, with some fries and lemonade for them both along with some water. An employee helped bring the finished food to a table, and once Beija diluted Janiya’s lemonade with some water, the two began to eat. It wasn’t too long before Beija heard her phone’s ringtone, and she pulled it from her purse before checking the ID and answering it. “Hey, J. You doing alright?” She greeted.

“Just got out of rehearsals,” Jermaine replied, taking a deep breath. “How you doing?”

“I’m well. I’m out with the girl and we just sat down for lunch,” She explained before she sipped some of her lemonade. “You wanna talk to her?” She asked.

“Yeah, let me talk to her,” Beija licked over her lips before pulling the phone away from her ear, passing it over to Janiya.

She watched as the girl took the phone, and she grinned once she realized who was on the other line. “Hi daddy,” She greeted. “Miss you. Eating. Nugget,” She said, and Beija chuckled softly as she ran a hand over the girl’s head. “Yes. Mhm. Love you,” She handed the phone back, and once Beija took it, she tucked it between her shoulder and her cheek as she took another bite of her sandwich.

“She was rushing me off the damn phone,” Jermaine chuckled softly, and Beija let out a grunt of amusement as she chewed her food. “She must have been hungry.”

“Probably. She was grumpy a little while ago so that might be it,” B leaned back against the booth as she glanced around the restaurant. “How was rehearsal?” She asked.

“Long as hell, and boring. Ain’t got nobody to bother,” J chuckled softly. “I miss you.”

“Aw...you’re such a sap,” Beija laughed a bit before she placed a hand on her stomach. “I miss you too, though,” She revealed.

“I know,” J laughed a bit. “Let me stop before you beat my ass,” He joked.

“Yeah, you might wanna cool it,” She chuckled before she watched Janiya close up the box that once held her food. “You finished?” She asked.

“Yes,” Janiya grabbed a napkin, and Beija nodded as the girl wiped her mouth.

“Alright, well we’re about to head home. I’ll talk to you later,” She spoke to J as she sat up a little in her seat

“Yeah. And I’m coming down as soon as the show’s done so I should be there early in the morning,” Jermaine yawned a bit. “I’m gonna go take a nap before I gotta do my sound check later. I love you.”

“Love you too. Have a good show tonight,” Beija hung up the phone before she slipped her phone back into her purse. “Come on, kid. Let’s get home,” Beija said as she began to clean up the trash on the table.

Once Beija and Janiya got home, Beija changed Leo’s water and fed him before letting him out to use the bathroom. Once he was taken care of, two went upstairs before Beija got Janiya down for a nap. Beija entered the master suite and undressed herself before putting on something comfortable. She slipped into bed as she heard her phone ring again, and she pulled it off the charger she had it on to see that Alisha was calling. She swiped the ‘talk’ function before pressing the phone to her ear. “Hey mama,” She greeted.

“Hey, baby. How are you?” Alisha asked.

“I’m good—just got home and laid Niya down. I might take a nap myself now that I’ve gotten everything I needed for tomorrow,” Beija yawned as she sunk into the bed, turning on the television in the room. “I gotta get up early and I’m not excited about it, but at least Kieran and Alonzo are coming tomorrow to help me cook,” She added.

“I told you that you could just ask me or your father to help out,” Alisha laughed a little bit. “It’s not like you’re fully able-bodied right now, baby. I wouldn’t have minded helping.”

“I know, but this is our first cookout where we’re doing everything. So you and daddy gotta just sit and relax for once,” Beija laughed a little bit to herself. “Now I know where I get my workaholism from,” She joked.

“Mhm, I suppose so,” Alisha began to laugh along with her. “But in all seriousness, once the baby is born I don’t want you working too hard. I know it seemed effortless when me and your father did it, but there were a lot of things we sacrificed—time with your children is important,” She reminded.

“Yeah, I know. Me and Jermaine have been talking about it a lot lately, especially since he announced that he might retire. I’ve been thinking about what I might do myself. I mean, we have enough money coming in to where the kids don’t have to worry about anything but you know me—I didn’t go to college for four years just to you know...not be working. I wasn’t made to be a stay at home mom. But I feel guilty at the same time because J is literally letting go of everything just to be a family man,” She explained.

“Ah...I see what you mean. That’s a hard pill to swallow on both ends, I’m sure,” Alisha paused for a moment. “But maybe there’s another way you can still work and be there more for your children. You should look into some careers that connect to your degree that would give you less hours dedicated to work and more to family,” She suggested.

“I was thinking about that, too. That’ll be my next goal once I get used to the new baby and what I’ll need to do for him,” She said before she ran a hand over her hair.

“Speaking of the new baby, when do you think he’ll be due?” Alisha asked.

“I know it’ll be within the next two weeks. So at this point it’s any day now. If I go past two weeks they’ll have to go and take him out themselves,” Beija mumbled before she ran a hand over her stomach.

“Are you okay with that?” Alisha asked. “I know last time was so hard for you. I just want to make sure your head is in the right space.”

“I don’t know what I’ll feel afterwards, but right now I’m doing okay...I am a bit frightened, but I’m doing my best to keep those negative thoughts out of my head. I’m doing everything I’m supposed to do, so whatever happens was supposed to happen. Honestly, I’m more concerned for Jermaine than me at this point. I can tell he’s feeling really antsy about this,” She revealed.

“You think so? I can’t tell—he seems like he’s always on top of things,” Alisha’s surprise couldn’t be hidden and showed all in her tone of voice.

“Well yeah, that’s how he likes it. He doesn’t like for people to worry about him, but I know he’s wondering what I wondered when I had Janiya. I wanted to be for her what you are for me, and when everything went down the way it did, I already felt like I failed as a mother. But it’s way different with him—he didn’t really have his father growing up, and then even his step-father changed up at one point. He only had fragments of examples and I know that messes with him. I told him that he’d be fine, but I don’t know if he believes me,” Beija felt good about being able to confess her concerns to her mother. She knew she could tell Alisha anything and it’d be kept between the two of them.

“It will take time, B. Not everyone grew up as fortunate as you did. Despite what we went through with Rashaad, you at least had your parents. And even when we fought and argued, we never thought about divorce. Not every child is that blessed to never have to deal with a divorce. Some kids never see their parents together, so you have to remember that. Once Jermaine sees how his children benefit from his love and effort, he will believe in himself a little more. You just have to be there for him like he was for you. That’s true marriage,” Alisha explained.

“Yeah...you’re right. I just hope I can do enough to reassure him,” Beija mumbled.

“You can only do and say so much—the rest will be up to him to decide. But go ahead and get some rest, okay? I’ll see you tomorrow,” Alisha concluded.

“Alright. I love you,” Beija smiled.

“I love you too! Talk to you later,” Beija hung up once Alisha did, and she placed the phone back on its charger before she leaned back against the mattress. She took a deep breath and stared at the ceiling, allowing her nerves to slowly calm. She knew her mother was right; whether she and Jermaine were ready or not, their son was coming. And just like J stepped to the plate and helped Beija through her hard time, she had to be prepared to do the same.

[60s70salbumreviews-blog]

Fat Mattress - Fat Mattress 1 (1969) UK

(Psych/Folk Rock)

The group was formed in late 1968 by Noel Redding with Neil Landon, Jim Leverton and Eric Dillon. 

Redding and Leverton had been involved in the flourishing early 1960s group scene in South East Kent which also included Landon. Dillon was brought in by Leverton who had met him while playing in Englebert Humperdinck's backing band. The band was formed while Redding was a member of the Jimi Hendrix Experience, with a view to enabling Redding to both play guitar and sing, as well as to record original material. While with Hendrix, Redding was restricted in all of these aspects. Martin Barre was briefly a member of the band, but soon left to replace Mick Abrahams in Jethro Tull.

The first major public exposure of the band was as the opening act on a Jimi Hendrix tour of the United States, during which Redding would perform with both bands. The group was signed to Polydor Records and released the eponymous Fat Mattress album in 1969. The group had an initial flurry of interest, Magic Forest, the single from the album became a minor hit in Europe. 

The group made an appearance at the 1969 Isle of Wight Festival and though the band saw modest success in touring with The Jimi Hendrix Experience, they were unable to achieve on their own merit. Their own U.S. tour was cancelled after completing only five dates of an initially anticipated thirty. The group disbanded shortly after releasing the second album. 

Redding left the band half way through the second album to go to the States to front a US/UK band called Road. He later formed the Noel Redding Band in 1975. Redding's departure meant disintegration for the band. Leverton joined Juicy Lucy and later became a member of Savoy Brown's Boogie Brothers with Eric Dillon.

"It was one of the most confusing times of my life. The first Mattress album knocked me out - they produced it, they wrote it and it seemed inevitable to me that they would be huge. But it fell apart around everyone's ears. No matter how much time and effort was put into the group, nothing seemed to go right." - Chas Chandler 

All Night Drinker begins with Wood playing the flute. The combination of the flute with the guitar and bass is very enjoyable. “...I’m an all night drinker baby, drinking all your love...” I Don’t Mind sounds very similar to The Byrds! I’m pretty sure that’s what they were trying to achieve with the harmonies. It does make me want to dance around so who cares if they were trying to sound like them. Acoustic number Bright New Day is one of my favourites. The chords are really catchy and vocals are not bad either. Petrol Pump Assistant is a bore. I couldn’t listen to it past 40 seconds. I skipped it. Next is a tune I’m sure you might have heard. Mr Moonshine is next. This is the first song I listened to by them and I recall watching the video and thinking “That guy with the poofy hair and glasses looks just like Noel...” And then when I read the description in the video, I was like “Holy shit, it’s fucking Noel!” I had no idea he sang and could even play the guitar. The tune is very catchy and makes you wanna groove. You even get to hear Noel sing (he’s not that good honestly) “...Sitting there she looks so beautiful. I think she must be quite divine...” Magic Forest features Leverton on lead vocals. It’s a good tune and I can see why it was a hit. Now I feel like going to a forest and blasting this song... She Came In The Morning is an ok tune. Another one I was bored with and skipped. Everything’s Blue is a very upbeat tune! It makes me wanna tap my foot and snap my fingers. Walking Through A Garden is a weird psych tune. In a good way. How Can I Live ends the album. This tune features Mitch Mitchell and Jimi Hendrix, Noel’s ol’ pals. It’s a decent track. Not bad. The harmonies are pretty. 

This is a pretty decent album and I do recommend giving it a listen atleast once. It’s very psych pop/folk. I think Noel did a good job with this band. But he shouldn’t sing. From what I heard, I think he’s best off playing bass or guitar and doing backing vocals. 

*Bolded are my favourites off the album.*

1. All Night Drinker 2. I Don't Mind 3. Bright New Day 4. Petrol Pump Assistant 5. Mr. Moonshine 6. Magic Forest 7. She Came In The Morning 8. Everything Blue 9. Walking Through A Garden 10. How Can I Live

Neil Landon - vocals Noel Redding - guitar, vocals Jimmy Leverton - bass, harpsichord, organ, vocals Eric Dillon - drums, tuned percussion

GUESTS: Mitch Mitchell - drums, percussion on "How Can I Live" Chris Wood - flute on "All Night Drinker" Jimi Hendrix - percussion on "How Can I Live"

[movietvtechgeeks]

Latest story from https://movietvtechgeeks.com/taylor-swifts-first-last-concert-2017/

Taylor Swift's first and last concert of 2017

Sitting backstage in her dressing room with her cats, Taylor Swift was Instagramming videos of them while listening to her fans chanting “Taylor! Taylor!” Right before they started she could have heard DJ and good friend Ruby Rose calling out from her turntables inside the 62,500 foot pop up club (yup, they make em that big and it will be gone as quickly as it went up) in Houston “If you guys screen loud enough, Taylor will hear you.”

Moments later she emerged to see 9,000 over excited and screaming fans and performed a very tight and packed seventeen song set. She even granted her fans two surprises with two songs never performed before.

Swift gave a blowout performance leaving everything she had on the stage. With good reason, as it looks like this was her first and final concert of 2017.

It’s actually a smart move after the rough year of publicity she had in 2016 where fans began seeing a different side of the singer/songwriter. The more business savvy one and not the young woman who wants to be your best friend one. Taking this sabbatical will help fans miss her and forget all those misses like Calvin Harris, Tom Hiddleston, Kanye West and Kim Kardashian.

“Taylor’s a smart woman, and even she knows she let herself get overexposed, ” a long-time pr pro said. “When a celebrity heads into the land of overexposure, fans begin to take them for granted and begin to notice their flaws. When you disappear for a period of time, it gives them a chance to miss you and forget those flaws that were shown.”

Here’s the highlights from her pre-Super Bowl 51 show.

Going It Alone “I don’t want you to think Zayn is going to come out, because he’s definitely not,” Swift immediately cautioned while introducing “I Don’t Wanna Live Forever,” her Fifty Shades Darker collaboration with the One Direction alum. “I saw a lot of phones go up in the air. The only one you have here is me, I’m so sorry.” The crowd didn’t seem to mind, helping Taylor out with the oh-oh-ohs during her stripped-down take on the steamy song.

Little Big Taylor Another live debut was “Better Man,” the Hot Country Songs No. 1 that Swift wrote for Nashville quartet Little Big Town. Not only has she never performed it live, we’ve never heard her sing it ever. Swift made epic use of her background singers for the performance, having them join her out on the circular stage and creating her own vocal group, a la LBT. “I never really knew what it would feel like to hear my song on the radio and have someone else singing it. Turns out, it feels awesome,” she said before the song. “I feel really grateful to the artists who have decided to record the things that I have written. The one drawback is just that you don’t really get to hear the crowd sing the songs back to you.” This intro also led into an acoustic take on Calvin Harris and Rihanna’s “This Is What You Came For,” which she famously wrote with her EDM ex.

On Theme There’s a Taylor Swift song for every occasion — even Super Bowl. “I figured you guys are going to be watching football, and I wrote a song when I was 16 that features, like, cheer captains and bleachers, and I don’t know, I felt like it might be appropriate to play tonight,” she said to introduce her 2008 crossover smash “You Belong With Me.” “I mean, it’s really old, but…”

Grammys Flashback For Swift’s last concert, at October’s Formula 1 U.S. Grand Prix in Austin, Texas, she apparently faked out a few fans when her bedazzled white grand piano rolled out onstage. “When I sat down at the piano, a lot of people were chanting the name of a song I haven’t played in a long time. You know what I’m talking about?” she asked, referencing her famous hair-flipping 2014 Grammys performance of the Red track “All Too Well” behind the keys. “So I figured that next time I was in Texas, if you wanted to hear ‘All Too Well,’ I would play it.” And so she did, re-creating the hair-eography that made the original performance so memorable (and meme-able).

Parking Lot to Paradise When Swift’s multi-year deal with AT&T was announced back in October, one of the most exciting aspects of the partnership was the promised Super Saturday Night performance, portions of which will stream on DIRECTV’s Taylor Swift NOW at later dates (so don’t worry if you didn’t have the golden ticket in Houston). And the fact that the Club Nomadic venue — which also hosted Bruno Mars, The Chainsmokers and more artists over the past few days — was constructed out of thin air allowed for a lot of customization. “Literally, this was a parking lot in October,” Roger Hyde, DIRECTV/AT&T Entertainment Group SVP of creative services, told Billboard before Saturday’s party. “It literally was nothing. All they wanted was that it had a nice view of downtown Houston, and it had good access, and we had the opportunity to build something this big. Knowing what [Swift’s] folks wanted to do as far as the stage was concerned, we could build it around her. It’s literally a custom environment. It’s very intimate — as big as it is, it’s very intimate. No matter where you are, you’ll feel very close to her. And no matter what camera angle you see the footage from, there will be fans in the foreground and the background. She’s going to be surrounded by her greatest fans.” That setup included a video screen that spanned the entire stage, a circular platform in the middle of a sea of her supporters and a few well-timed bursts of pyro that kicked up the already-hot performance.

Only 2017 Show? Did Texas once again score Swift’s only show of the year? Last year, her Grand Prix performance in Austin was her one-and-only live event of 2016. And she seems to think this could be it for this year — at least for now. “I have to be really honest with you about something: As far as I know, I’m doing one show in 2017. And as far as I know, this is that one show,” she said to wild cheers. “So what I’m trying to tell you is, by coming here tonight, you’re essentially attending 100 percent of my tour dates for the year, so thank you! You’re the crowd in my most recent daydreams, when I’m thinking about being onstage, so I was wondering: If you don’t feel like dancing for yourself or screaming for yourself, you don’t feel in the mood or whatever, you’re like stressed out, would you do it for me tonight?”

Speaking of Dancing… Anyone who has watched a music awards show in the past five years knows Swift loves nothing more than to get her groove on. So we all knew how this party had to end. “Houston, would you like to dance?” she asked before her final number “Shake It Off” left fans dancing out the doors and into the crisp Houston night.

Taylor Swift’s set list for AT&T Presents DIRECTV NOW Super Saturday Night: New Romantics 22 Blank Space I Knew You Were Trouble Style I Don’t Wanna Live Forever You Belong With Me This Is What You Came For Better Man Red We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together Love story All Too Well Enchanted/Wildest Dreams medley Bad Blood Out of the Woods Shake It Off

  Taylor Swift’s pre-Super Bowl concert broke some news: She announced it may be her only concert of this year; she performed for the smallest number of fans in some time – 9,000 people is intimate for this pop star – and she sang her newest single live for the first time.

She also made some references to football during the 90-minute show, telling the crowd about her early country-turned-pop hit, “You Belong With Me,” with lyrics about high school cheerleaders, bleachers and boys.

“I felt like it might be appropriate,” she said.

Swift rocked the night at Club Nomadic – starting late Saturday and ending early Sunday morning – wearing a sheer, short Versace dress and fresh bangs.

The 27-year-old mostly performed songs from her Grammy-winning 2014 album “1989” and 2012’s “Red,” including pop smashes like “Shake It Off,” ”Blank Space,” ”Bad Blood,” ”Style,” ”We Are Never Getting Back Together,” ”22″ and “I Knew You Were Trouble.”

“It’s good to be in Houston, Texas tonight,” she yelled.

She worked the stage from the left to right, and strutted up the middle platform to sing closely to her feverish fans at the annual DIRECTV NOW Super Saturday Night – where past performers include Justin Timberlake and Rihanna.

“I swear you don’t. You don’t want it,” Swift said after fans begged for the towel she used to wipe the sweat from her forehead.

Swift also debuted the live performance of “I Don’t Want to Live Forever,” her Top 5 duet with former One Direction member Zayn from the “Fifty Shades Darker” soundtrack.

The crowd – full of Swift’s fans 18 and over – roared loudly, in hopes Zayn would appear. “He’s definitely not (here),” she assured them.

But she asked the audience to sing along, as she stripped the song to acoustic form, strumming her guitar.

She also slowed things down when performing songs she wrote for others – saying it was one of her biggest accomplishments of the last year. She sang a soft version “This Is What I Came For,” the EDM hit she wrote with former boyfriend Calvin Harris (Rihanna’s vocals are on the original). Swift also sang “Better Man,” a recent No.1 country hit she wrote for Grammy-winning group Little Big Town.

Swift’s last tour was a stadium trek with 60,000 seats. The singer, who won the album of the year Grammy last year for her first official pop album “1989,” said the pre-Super Bowl show would likely be her only one this year.

“As far as I know I’m only doing one show in 2017, and as far as I know, this is that show,” she said. “You are attending 100 percent of my tour dates.”

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Movie TV Tech Geeks News

[isthespiceoflife]

H4thOJ!

Fireworks? Never a bad idea on the 4th, esp in Jersey City right on the water!Did I mention Snoop Dog’s performing? Yep Ummm...but if it’s too played out...how about pool party/bbq? Always in season! Catch Brasstracks (DJ set) @Dream Hotel on a Happy 4th, if you’ve never partied -- compliments Corona Electric Beach, like it’s your LAST.

On NOW, “Represent: Hip-Hop Photography” at the Smithsonian (in D.C.), running ‘til May 5, 2019. U got time!

Opening exhibit reception for artist Olimpia Zagnoli’s “Cuore Di Panna”, May 25 (this Friday) in LA @HVW8 Gallery, RSVP.

It goes -- Fall, Winter, Spring... Summer! Well, U all know if U lived thru NY’s winter, how harsh weird it was. We’re in 80+ degree weather in Spring, yet there seemed to be NO TRANSITION. Which means, let’s get out-side, I mean right here in NY! Riis Park Beach anyone? There’s been so much going on nationally n’ internationally, from Kanye’s ‘free thought’ as a precursor to promote his latest music, NBA playoffs is heating up, then there’s the ever-revolving media circus surrounding this madman, not to mention his staff. Ummm...what else? So much going on, I need a RED BULL! See some below beats, if U may -- including some treats rockin’ from Cali, to JA. And don’t forget, Cinco De Mayo this weekend passed, esp if you’re not Mexican!

The WORLD CUP 2018 hits Russia this summer, June 14 to be exact is kick-off/opening ceremony. Don’t be surprised to see this symbol instead of yesteryear’s “Bolting”, every time someone from the African diaspora scores, celebrating ‘black excellence’ n’ living out loud, the ‘wakanda’ dream!

From Side Hobby, to Cash Flow: Shooting for Brands! This Saturday, May 5 (don’t worry you can drink after U elevate your photography career) in NYC! 

Art150 = Jersey City -- so venture outta ya ‘hood this weekend, n’ hit up the JC!

Not to be missed, in Red Hook (yes, Brooklyn), the “1-54 Contemporary African Art Fair,” kicks off TODAY (5/4-5/6)!

Tonight’s your last chance to catch the Grace Jones flick, “Bloodlight & Bami” @BAM.

U won’t wanna miss this (n’ no that’s not Jazzie B from Soul II Soul, it’s Comrade Cav)! UK II BK, going down @Black Flamingo in W’Burg w/DJ Misbehaviour, tomorrow Fri, May 4.

Wait ya turn boy!? Missed that? Then go to this “Everyday Afrique” (Memorial Day) @Output!

Schomburg Talks: Carnival traditions in the African Diaspora thru the lens of T&T. On June 20th, “Consecrating the Consequence -- Masquerade, Performance n’ Spirituality in Carnival” happens @Schomburg Center for Research in BC, from 6:30-9p. RSVP.

After almost a year after a mishap in immigration/passport issues, this tour is finally on n’ happening. Tricky is here in the U.S., catch him as he promotes his latest 2017 Ununiform album, if U can (below dates)!

5/3 - New York City, NY @ Irving Plaza - Tickets 5/5 - Detroit, MI @ Magic Stick - Tickets 5/6 - Chicago, IL @ Bottom Longue - Tickets 5/7 - Minneapolis, MN @ 7th Street Entry - Tickets 5/9 - Denver, CO @ Marquis - Tickets 5/12 - Seattle, WA @ Neumos - Tickets 5/13 - Portland, OR @ Doug Fir Lounge - Tickets 5/14 - Vancouver, BC @ Rickshaw Theatre - Tickets 5/16 - San Francisco, CA @ Mezzanine - Tickets 5/17 - San Diego, CA @ Music Box - Tickets 5/18 - Los Angeles, CA @ Fonda Theatre - Tickets

Yea, this May 10th David Bowie event @BK Museum, will soon sell off! A Music video binge on some of Bowie’s best.

Celebrity photographer & director Markus Klinko presents: “2000s” -- an exhibit open to the public (June 14-30), @Mouche Gallery.

X Gallery and EnFoco join together to present “Queer Eye” -- a photographic artistic exhibition celebrating LGBTQ Pride month, opening June 1-30 w/an artist (Lola Flash) meet n’ greet on June 14.

Join these two house music master DJs (Chicago’s Roy Davis, Jr. + France’s Franck Roger) in Paris @Glazart, June 9. Peep all the invite info, and no I don’t have flight info haa!

Cuco’s Tour Dates:

5/5-6 - Pomona, CA @ The Glass House

5/26-27 - Cleveland Square Park, TX @ Neon Desert Music Festival 

6/1-3 - Randall's Island, NY @ Governors Ball

7/21-22 - Exposition Park, LA @ FYF Fest

8/2-5 - Grand Park, Chicago @ Lollapalooza

8/3-5 - Parc Jean-Drapeau, Montreal @ Osheaga Festival

8/10 - Los Angeles, CA @ The Shrine

8/10-12 - Golden Gate Park, SF @ Outside Lands

A rare happening, Fishbone’s on tour (see dates below)!

Thu, May 24/18 - Pioneertown, CA - Pappy & Harriet's Fri, May 25/18 - Las Vegas, NV - Punk Rock Bowling and Music Festival Sat, Jun 23/18 - San Diego, CA - 91X Beer Festival Fri, Jun 29/18 - Los Angeles, CA - Levitt Pavilion, Downtown LA Sat, Jul 14/18 - Ventura, CA - Surf Rodeo Festival Sat, Jul 28/18 - Tokyo, Japan - Fuji Rock Festival Thu, Aug 23/18 - Silver Spring, MD - Fillmore Fri, Aug 24/18 - Brooklyn, NY - Brooklyn Bowl Sat, Aug 25/18 - Worchester, MA - Palladium 

BRIC’s Opening Night Concert n’ Gala feat. Common, hits us June 5. Don’t sleep, it’s FREE. It just sounds (n’ he looks) fancy!

Annually, most equate summer in Europe n’ the U.S. to...? Yes, outdoor reggae festivals! And this one’s been growing bigger n’ stronger each year, in Monterey. California Roots Music & Arts Festival is hitting 9-years old, w/a line-up that’s special.

Protoje has a new LP (A Matter of Time), pushing “No Guarantee” n’ is on tour w/Chronixx, see dates below!

MAY 24, 2018 - SUBTERRANEAN - CHICAGO, IL - BUY TICKETS MAY 25, 2018 - SUMMER CAMP FESTIVAL - CHILLICOTHE, IL - BUY TICKETS MAY 26, 2018 - UNION STAGE - WASHINGTON, DC - BUY TICKETS MAY 27, 2018 - CONEY ISLAND AMPHITHEATER - BK, NY - BUY TICKETS

Awwww...that’s Ziggy Marley w/his lil’ ‘Ziggy’, he’s going on tour -- to promote his latest Rebellion Rises, see dates below:

UPCOMING NORTH AMERICAN TOUR DATES:

Dates:                                   City:                                                       Venue:

6/8/18                                   Napa, CA                                           Uptown 

6/10/18                                Carmel, CA                                         Sunset Center

6/12/18                                Jacksonville, OR                                Britt Pavilion

6/13/18                                Seattle, WA                                        Seattle Zoo

6/14/18                                Portland, OR                                      Portland Zoo

6/16/18                                Kamas, UT                                           DeJoria Ctr

6/17/18                                Winter Park, CO                                 Hideaway Park

6/18/18                                Aspen, CO                                           Aspen

6/19/18                                Albuquerque, NM                 Villa Hispana Outdoor

6/20/18                                Phoenix, AZ                                        Van Buren

6/22/18                                Santa Ynez, CA                                  Chumash

6/23/18                                Sacramento, CA                                 Ace of Spades

6/24/18                                San Francisco, CA                             Sigmund Stern

8/23/18                               Bellvue, CO                                  Mishawaka

9/1/18                                   Vienna, VA                                         Wolf Trap

+UPCOMING EUROPEAN TOUR DATES!

It’s incredible how fast this movement grew into something actually cool, over just a few years. It WAS poorly organized, poorly attended n’ pathetically not a true reflection of the carnival zest from Trinidad, representing in LA. But that’s recently changed, also incorporating other cultures from across the globe! Don’t miss from June 21-24 in H’wood, the Hollywood Carnival & Parade + ‘nuff activities surrounding this better soca-infused weekend of LA Carnival’s non-stop bachannal!

Hop on, but don’t hop off ‘til it docks. You’re invited, btw...this is a one-time only summer event, don’t lapse.

If you’re performing at one of Brooklyn’s coolest venues, National Sawdust, there’s something really cool about you. And that’s why U should check Underground System on Sat, June 16 @7p. Hopefully tix are still left!? If not, there’s 2 other upcoming shows (see below) too!

Feeling a lil’ nostalgia living in NYC, for the Pacific Ocean, Venice Beach n’ West Coast Gangstarr rap? @Project Parlor in BK, every 3rd Saturday, from 3p-8p, Str8 West Coastin’ got ya ‘chronic’ needs!

Above, catch the duo -- Adrian Younge + Ali Shaheed Muhammad aka The Midnight Hour w/band in NYC on Weds, June 20 @Manderley Bar (McKittrick Hotel). And below, back in their home-base of LA, catch them on Saturday, June 23 @Lodge Room. These shows should be a top priority, if music is your thing, ya feel me?

This year, Reggae Sumfest organizers are really kicking up some dust in branding this year’s festival (July 15-22 in Montego Bay), to be their best yet. For instance, it has now expanded to 8 days of real authentic Jamaican entertainment n’ food, amongst other forms of entertaining one’s self ;-) 

See lineup + schedule below.

Sun. July 15   Sumfest Colour-Fest Beach Party @Tropical Bliss Beach | Doors Open: 3pm | (Ticketed)

Mon. July 16 Sumfest Street Dance @ Hip Strip, MoBay | Gates Open: 7pm | (Free)

Tues. July 17 All White Party @ Pier One Restaurant & Bar | Doors Open: 8pm | (Ticketed)

Wed. July 18 The Blitz “All Black” Party Feat. Safaree and Stefflon Don @ (Venue TBD) | Doors Open: 8pm | (Ticketed) 

Thu. July 19 The Inspire Awards @ Iberostar Hotel | 5pm-9pm | (Invitation Only) 

Thu. July 19 Reggae Sumfest Presents: Irish & Chin's World Clash 20th Anniversary @ Pier One Event Center | Doors Open: 8pm | (Ticketed) Tony Matterhorn, Mighty Crown, Ricky Trooper and Pink Panther!

Fri. July 20 Sumfest Symposium @ Montego Bay Conference Center | Time TBD | (Free) 

Fri. July 20 Sumfest Festival Night 1 @ Catherine Hall Event Centre | Doors Open: 7pm | (Ticketed) Popcaan, Aidonia, Bounty Killer, Sizzla, Spice, Tommy Lee Sparta, Agent Sasco, Ding Dong, I-Octane, Stonebwoy, Harry Toddler, Yanique, D-Major, Kemar Highcon, Dance Expressions, Govana, Tosh Alexander, Shano, Jah Fabio, Kim Nain, Rygin King, Vanzo, G Don V, Press Kay plus special guest stars 

Sat. July 21 Sumfest Festival Night 2@ Catherine Hall Event Centre | Doors Open: 7pm | (Ticketed) Damian “Jr. Gong” Marley, Beres Hammond, Maxi Priest, Cham, Capleton, Raging Fyah, Jesse Royal, J Boog, Fantan Mojah, Keznamdi, Empress Ayeola, Naomi Cowan, Jah Dore, D’Yani, Stushi, plus special guest stars.

And everyone in NYC -- young n’ old, has to hit up at least one of these, come summertime. See below, or FULL line-up here.

[paulodebargelove]

Happy Birthday Usher Raymond IV (born October 14, 1978) is an American singer, songwriter, dancer, and actor. Born in Dallas, Texas but raised and lived in Chattanooga, Tennessee until moving to Atlanta, Georgia. At the age of 12, his mother put him in local singing competitions, before catching the attention of a music A&R from LaFace Records. In August 1994 he released his self-titled debut album, Usher. He rose to fame in the late 1990s with the release of his sophomore album My Way(1997), which spawned his first U.S. Billboard Hot 100 number-one single, “Nice & Slow”, with top-five singles “You Make Me Wanna…” and “My Way” earning him his first two Grammy Award nominations in 1998 and 1999. His third studio album 8701 (2001), produced the number-one singles “U Remind Me” and “U Got It Bad”. The former won him his first Grammy Award in 2002, along with “U Don’t Have to Call” in 2003 for Best Male R&B Vocal Performance.

Confessions (2004) established him as one of the best-selling musical artists of the 2000s decade. It sold over 20 million copies worldwide, bolstered by its four consecutive Billboard Hot 100 number one singles —"Yeah!“, “Burn”, “Confessions Part II”, and “My Boo"—and has been certified Diamond by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). Confessions earned him three Grammy Awards in 2005, including Best Contemporary R&B Album. Here I Stand (2008) and Raymond v. Raymond (2010), debuted atop the Billboard 200, produced the Billboard Hot 100 number-one singles "Love in This Club” and “OMG”. The EP, Versus, also produced the Hot 100 top-five single “DJ Got Us Fallin’ in Love”. Looking 4 Myself (2012), also debuted atop of the Billboard 200 chart and produced the Hot 100 top-ten single “Scream”. Raymond v. Raymond and Looking 4 Myself notably received Grammy Awards for R&B singles “There Goes My Baby” and “Climax”.

The RIAA ranks Usher as one of the best-selling artists in American music history, having sold over 23.8 million albums and 38.2 million digital songs in the United States alone. To date, his worldwide sales stand over 43 million albums and 75 million records overall, making him one of the best-selling music artists. Usher has won numerous awards including eighteen Billboard Music Awards and eight Grammy Awards. At the end of 2009, Billboard named him the number-one Hot 100 artist of the 2000s decade, the second most successful artist of the 2000s decade, and ranked Confessions as the top solo album of the 2000s decade. Billboard also placed him at number six on their list of “Top 50 R&B/Hip-Hop Artists of the Past 25 Years”. Usher has attained nine Hot 100 number-one singles. He has been inducted into the Georgia Music Hall of Fame and the Hollywood Walk of Fame. In 2008, he started his own record label Raymond-Braun Media Group (RBMG) a joint venture with talent manager Scooter Braun. The most prominent artist Raymond represents is Justin Bieber.

Early life

Usher was born in Dallas, Texas, the son of Jonetta Patton (née O'Neal), from Tennessee, and Usher Raymond III. Usher spent the majority of his young life in Chattanooga: his father left the family when Usher was a year old. Usher grew up with his mother, then-stepfather, and half-brother, James Lackey (born 1984). Directed by his mother, Usher joined the local church youth choir in Chattanooga, when he was nine years old; there, his grandmother discovered his ability to sing, although it was not until Usher joined a singing group that she considered he could sing professionally. In the belief that a bigger city would provide greater opportunities for showcasing his talent, Usher’s family moved to Atlanta, Georgia, where there was a more conducive environment for beginning singers. While in Atlanta, Usher attended North Springs High School.

Career

1987–96: Musical beginnings and Usher

At age 10, Usher joined an R&B local quintet called the NuBeginnings, which was organized by local music svengali, Darryl Wheeler. Usher recorded 10 songs with the group in 1991, and the ensuing album, Nubeginning Featuring Usher Raymond IV, was only made available regionally and by mail order. However, Patton took him out because, according to her, it was a “bad experience”. The album was re-released nationally in April 2002 by Hip-O Records.

At age 13, Usher competed on Star Search, where he was spotted by an A&R representative from LaFace Records, who arranged an audition for Usher with L.A. Reid, the co-founder of LaFace; Reid signed Usher on the spot to a contract with the record company after singing Boyz II Men hit record “End of the Road” . Usher’s mother left her job as a medical technician to manage his career, but later broke up their relationship as manager-client in May 2007. Usher was introduced on “Call Me a Mack”, a song he recorded for the soundtrack album to the 1993 drama-romance film Poetic Justice. During this time period is where young Usher first met Chilli, his label mate who he would later date down the road.

Preparing for his debut album the unthinkable thing happens to Usher and he loses his voice. Usher was going through puberty and having a difficult time adjusting his voice. LA Reid became skeptical of Usher and put his recording on hold thinking about dropping him from the label. Usher pleaded with the label to keep him and L.A. Reid did. From this point Reid didn’t know what to do with Usher so he sent him to New York in the spring of 1994 to live with Puff Daddy to attend what Reid called “Flavor Camp”. Usher quickly adapted to the lavish lifestyle of Puff Daddy although in an interview with Rolling Stone, he expressed it as the “Hardest days” of his life. “I had to knuckle up, figure shit out in New York” he said. As he lived at Puff’s house in Scarsdale, he noticed that “There was always girls around”.

On August 30, 1994, LaFace released Usher’s self-titled debut album behind the co-executive production of Sean “P Diddy” Combs.Usher peaked at number twenty-five on the Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart and was accompanied by three singles: “Can U Get wit It”, “Think of You”, and “The Many Ways”. The album has sold over 500,000 copies, to date. The album received backlash because Usher was singing about sex which the public had a hard time believing coming out of a 14-year-old’s mouth. Again the LaFace had their reservations about signing Usher because the album wasn’t as successful as they anticipated. At this time Jonetta Patton, Usher’s mother took control of his career and put him in more talent shows the summer of 1995 building Usher a larger fan base and ultimately putting more confidence in L.A. Reid.

After graduating from high school, Usher continued to develop his skills as a stage performer and laid the groundwork for his second album. He also appeared on their version of “Let’s Straighten It Out”, a 1995 duet with fellow Atlanta teen recording artist Monica; and on “Dreamin’”, from LaFace’s 1996 Olympic Games benefit album Rhythm of the Games. He was also featured on “I Swear I’m In Love” off the 1996 Kazaam soundtrack.

1997–2003: My Way and 8701

Usher developed a friendship with American record producer, Jermaine Dupri, with whom he co-wrote and produced several tracks for his second album, My Way, released on September 16, 1997. The album’s lead single, “You Make Me Wanna…”, reached number one in the United Kingdom, becoming Usher’s first record to be top single; the record led to his popularity reaching in the country. It also became Usher’s first gold- and platinum-certified single in the United States. The album’s second single, “Nice & Slow”, peaked in January 1998 at number one on the Billboard Hot 100, giving Usher his first US number-one single. Later in February of the same year, the single was certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America; My Way has been certified six-time platinum in the United States.

“You Make Me Wanna…” won the Best Male R&B/Soul Single at the 1999 Soul Train Music Awards. In the closing months of 1997, Usher embarked on a series of tour engagements including a spot on Puffy’s No Way Out tour, dates with Mary J. Blige, and the opening spot on Janet Jackson’s The Velvet Rope Tour. Usher’s first concert album, Live, was released in 1999, which featured appearances by Lil’ Kim, Jagged Edge, Trey Lorenz, Shanice, Twista and Manuel Seal; the album has been certified gold in the United States.

Usher made his acting debut on the UPN television series Moesha, which resulted in a recurring role on the series and subsequently his first film role in 1998’s The Faculty. Usher’s extracurricular activities outside of the recording industry gathered momentum over the following year as he was cast in the soap opera, The Bold and the Beautiful. He completed two more films, She’s All That, and his first starring role in Light It Up. He also appeared in the Disney TV movie Geppetto.

Usher’s third studio album, originally titled All About U, was slated to be released in early 2001. The first single, “Pop Ya Collar”, was released in late 2000 and became a number two hit in the UK but underperformed in the United States. The album was subsequently pushed back and retooled after select tracks were later leaked to the radio and Internet. After having revised and renamed to 8701, the album was released August 7, 2001 (8.7.01). The first two singles “U Remind Me” and “U Got It Bad” each topped the BillboardHot 100 for four and six weeks, respectively. 8701 has been certified four-time platinum in the United States.

Usher appeared in the 2001 film Texas Rangers. In February 2002, Usher won a Grammy for ‘Best Male R&B Vocal Performance’ for “U Remind Me”. The next year, he won the same award for “U Don’t Have to Call”, making Usher the only artist aside from Luther Vandross and Stevie Wonder to win this award consecutively. In summer 2002, Usher contributed vocals to P. Diddy’s “I Need a Girl, Part I”. The year closed out with a trio of TV series appearances, all in November, on The Twilight Zone, 7th Heaven, Moesha, andAmerican Dreams, the latter in which Usher portrayed Marvin Gaye.

2004–09: Confessions and Here I Stand

Usher’s fourth studio album, Confessions, was released on March 23, 2004—just as its first single, “Yeah!”, was in its sixth week at number one on the Billboard Hot 100 and fifth week on top of the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles Chart. The album’s nearly 1.1 million unit debut sales was the highest first-week numbers ever scanned by a male R&B artist and the seventh best of the Nielsen SoundScan history. To date, the album has accumulated sales of over 20 million copies worldwide, over 10 million of which were sold in the United States, earning the album a Diamond certification by the Recording Industry Association of America.

The album’s second and third singles, “Burn” and “Confessions Part II”, also topped the Billboard Hot 100, the former for eight weeks. Usher became the first artist to top the Billboard Hot 100 Airplay with four consecutive number-one singles, In September 2004, “My Boo”, a duet with American singer-songwriter Alicia Keys, also peaked at number one at the Billboard Hot 100, becoming the album’s fourth number-one single. In December, the album’s final single “Caught Up” peaked at number eight on the Hot 100.

Confessions earned Usher numerous awards, including four American Music Awards, two MTV Europe Music Awards, two MTV Video Music Awards, and three World Music Awards. At the 47th annual Grammy Awards ceremony in 2005, Usher won three awards, including: R&B Performance by a Duo or Group With Vocals for “My Boo”, which he shared with Keys; Rap/Sung Collaboration for “Yeah!”; and Contemporary R&B Album for Confessions. At the 2004 Billboard Music Awards, Usher was recognized Artist of the Year, in addition to receiving 10 other accolades.

Usher supported Confessions with the “The Truth Tour”. The tour set featured a small stage up on top of the main stage, where the band played with Usher and his supporting dancers left with enough room to perform. The smaller stage had a mini platform attached to it which lowered to the main stage and had two big staircases on both sides of it. To the left, a group of circular staircases climbed to the top, and to the right, there was a fire escape replete with steps and an elevator. Kanye West and Christina Milian was the opening act for the tour. Usher at select dates would bring out special guest, during his Atlanta show taping he brought out his artist at the time Rico Love to rap a verse on the song “Throwback”. During a more intimate part of the showing Ushers dancers selected singer Monica from the crowd to be serenaded by Usher while he sang album favorites “Do it to Me” and “Superstar”. Usher also performed Confessions Pt. II remix where Kanye would appear from back of the stage. Then lastly Usher would also bring out artist Lil Jon and Ludacris where they would finish the show performing the hit “Yeah”. This concert date was filmed to make the official tour DVD of Truth Tour: Behind the Truth “Live from Atlanta”. It has been certified by the RIAA selling more than 7 Million copies.

In spring of 2005, Usher scored a number three Hot 100 hit as a featured vocalist on Lil’ Jon’s “Lovers & Friends”. In 2007, Usher also collaborated with R. Kelly on the track “Same Girl”, for Kelly’s album, Double Up. He was also featured in a remix version of Omarion’s “Ice Box”. Usher also appeared on the track “Shake Down” on American singer-songwriter Mary J. Blige’s 2007 album Growing Pains. In November 2005, Usher starred as a disc jockey named Darrell in the Lions Gate film, In the Mix.

On August 22, 2006, Usher took over the role of Billy Flynn in the long-running Broadway musical Chicago. Usher, whose opening night this week brought out stars Penélope Cruz, Gabrielle Union, Clive Davis, and Rosie Perez, and others. Usher played the role of Flynn for two months but a case of strep throat brought an abrupt ending to Usher’s run in the Broadway revival of the musicalChicago, which saw a spike in ticket sales after he joined the cast. The New York Post reports that Usher’s absence has cost the production an estimated $400,000 in refunds to disappointed ticket buyers. Producer of Chicago, Barry Weissler also issued a statement sending his thoughts and best wishes to Usher for a quick and speedy recovery. Usher made a spectacular Broadway debut, bringing a great dedication, work ethic and his amazing talent to the show. We all hope that he might return at some point for the many fans that were unable to see his wonderful performance as Billy Flynn. Usher has found a new home on Broadway and is welcomed back anytime.“

Here I Stand was released on May 26 in the United Kingdom and May 27, 2008, in the United States. The album debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 Chart with first-week sales of over 433,000 copies. To date Here I Stand has now sold over 1.5 million copies in the United States, been certified platinum by the RIAA, and has sold over 5 million copies worldwide. While not approaching the success of his previous album, it received positive reviews from most music critics, who praised the maturity in the album’s lyrics. To promote Usher’s fifth studio album, the single "Love In This Club” was sent to radio in February 2008 and peaked at number one on theBillboard Hot 100. It went on to spend three consecutive weeks at the top—becoming Usher’s eighth number-one single and the fastest-rising song of his career. It also reached No. 1 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart. The single was another huge international success for Usher. It reached No. 1 on the New Zealand Singles Chart, No. 3 on the Irish Singles Chart, No. 3 on the Eurochart Hot 100, No. 4 on the UK Singles Chart, No. 5 on the Japan Hot 100, No. 5 on the German Singles Chart, No. 5 on the Belgian Singles Chart (Flanders), No. 6 on the Canadian Hot 100, No. 8 on the Swedish Singles Chart, No. 8 on the Australian Singles Chart, No. 9 on the French Singles Chart, No. 9 on the Swiss Singles Chart, No. 10 on the Norwegian Singles Chart, No. 12 on the Austrian Singles Chart, No. 13 on the Belgian Singles Chart (Wallonia), and No. 18 on the Finnish Singles Chart. The follow-up single “Love in This Club Part II”, which features American singer Beyoncé Knowles and rapper, Lil Wayne, peaked at No. 18 on the BillboardHot 100 and No. 7 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart. Its third single “Moving Mountains” peaked at No. 18 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart and reached No. 6 on the New Zealand Singles Chart. The album’s fifth single “Trading Places” peaked at No. 4 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart. In September 2008, Usher announced he would embark on the 15-date tour One Night Stand, in which the audience is only females. On January 18, 2009, Usher performed with Stevie Wonder and Shakira at the We Are One: The Obama Inaugural Celebration at the Lincoln Memorial. He also sang “Gone Too Soon” at the memorial of Michael Jackson on July 7, 2009.

2010–11: Raymond v. Raymond and Versus

Raymond v. Raymond, was released on March 26, 2010, in Germany, on March 30, 2010, in the US, and on April 26, 2010, in the UK. The album was expected to follow in Usher’s Confessions album’s footsteps. Raymond v. Raymond was released only months after Usher’s divorce from Tameka Foster. “Papers”, a song about divorce, was released as the first single for the album in October 2009. It topped the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart for two consecutive weeks, becoming his tenth number one single on that chart. It also peaked at number 31 on the Billboard Hot 100 in the United States. Critics praised the song for its emotion. “Hey Daddy (Daddy’s Home)”, was released as the second single on December 8, 2009. The single peaked at number 24 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and number 2 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart. The song was released as the second international single in July 2010. “Lil Freak” was announced as the album’s official second single in the United States. Usher and Nicki Minaj shot the music video for the song on March 9, 2010, in Los Angeles with director TAJ Stansberry. It reached number 8 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart and number 40 on the Billboard Hot 100. It became Usher’s fourth Top 40 hit single from Raymond v. Raymond, when including the buzz single “Papers”.

“OMG”, which features will.i.am, is the third official US single and the first international single. The song received mixed reviews, complimenting the song’s dance and club vibe but criticizing the Auto-Tune effect. It reached number-one in Ireland, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, Australia and the United States. The song became his ninth number one in the United States, making him the first 2010s artist to collect number one singles in three consecutive decades, and only the fourth artist of all-time to achieve the feat. Usher also became the third artist to have at least one number one song from five consecutive studio albums. The song’s choreography and dance-heavy accompanying music video has been compared to that of “Yeah!”. “There Goes My Baby” was released to airplay as the album’s fourth single in the United States on June 15, 2010. The song reached number 25 on the Billboard Hot 100, and number-one on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, becoming Usher’s eleventh number-one hit on that chart. The song ended up tying with “You Make Me Wanna” for fourth longest stay on the chart with 71 weeks. All of the album’s singles received incredible air play. On April 7, 2010, Raymond v. Raymond debuted at number No. 1 on the US Billboard 200 chart, becoming his third consecutive No. 1 album and selling an impressive 329,107 copies in its first week of release, making him the first male artist since Eminem to have three consecutive albums debut at number one on the Billboard 200 chart. After one month of release the album was certified Gold by the RIAA. On June 17, 2010, the album was certified Platinum by the RIAA.

Raymond v. Raymond also dominated the International Charts. Debuting inside the top 10 in Canada, the United Kingdom, Holland, Australia, Germany, Spain, and Italy. Due to the huge international success of Ushers newest single “OMG” and the good first week sales for Raymond v. Raymond Usher is considered to have repaired his mainstream image and to have made a good comeback. The album reached number-two in Australia and the album has been certified gold by the Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA). The album debuted at number four in Canada and has been certified Gold by the Canadian Recording Industry Association (CRIA). Raymond v. Raymond debuted at number-two in the United Kingdom.

Usher announced on July 8, 2010, a follow-up extended play to his sixth studio album Raymond v. Raymond called Versus, and a deluxe edition of Raymond v. Raymond, both to be released on August 24, 2010. Usher described Versus as “the last chapter ofRaymond v. Raymond”, and that it would explore the subjects of being newly single and a father. The album included 9 tracks, including 7 new tracks, Raymond v. Raymond single “There Goes My Baby”, and Justin Bieber single “Somebody to Love (Remix)”. The tracks would be included on a deluxe edition of Raymond v. Raymond. The album debuted at number four on the Billboard 200 chart and is preceded by the singles “DJ Got Us Fallin’ In Love” featuring Pitbull, for mainstream audiences, and “Hot Tottie” featuring Jay-Z, for urban circuits.

The first single from the album, “DJ Got Us Fallin’ In Love”, was released to iTunes on July 13, 2010, and sent to radio on July 20, 2010. Due to strong digital sales the song debuted at number nineteen on the Billboard Hot 100. The song became the fourth highest debut on the Billboard Hot 100 of his career, behind 1997’s “Nice & Slow” at number nine, 1998’s “My Way” at eight, and 2010’s “OMG” at number fourteen. Since its release, it has gained international success, peaking in the top 5 in the United States, Australia, and New Zealand. It reached the top 10 in Canada, and Europe. It reached number-nine on the Billboard Hot 100 in its third week of release, and became the first time Usher has had two top-ten hits on the Billboard Hot 100 at the same time since his albumConfessions. It also became Ushers sixteenth Billboard Hot 100 top-ten hit of his career. The second single, Hot Tottie has reached number nine on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart and number twenty-one on the Billboard Hot 100.

Usher appeared at the 2010 MTV VMAs on September 12, 2010. He then performed at the 2010 American Music Awards on November 21, 2010, and also won the awards for Male Soul/R&B artist and Favorite Soul/R&B album for his album, Raymond v. Raymond. According to Rap-Up.com, Usher has started working on his next studio album, and that he is again teaming up with long-time collaborator Rico Love. The OMG Tour began in November 2010 and ended on June 1, 2011, it made $70 million worldwide.

Usher also made an appearance at the Super Bowl XLV to sing his song, “OMG” with The Black Eyed Peas’ singer will.i.am.

2012–14: Looking 4 Myself and The Voice

In November 2011, Usher revealed that for his next album he was working on a new type of music which he has depicted as “revolutionary pop”, which combines different genres to form a new sound. His seventh studio album Looking 4 Myself was released on June 8, 2012, worldwide and received generally positive reviews from contemporary music critics. American singer-songwriter and record producer Rico Love was interviewed by Billboard magazine stuff, where he spoke about his relationships with artists and experiences. He commented on how Usher wanted to do things differently on the album compared to his previous efforts, saying: “What he wanted to do [on Looking 4 Myself] was explore himself musically. He stepped outside of what was safe and normal. He wanted to make an album that expressed where he was going sonically and not just where he’s been for the past 12 to 15 years. He’s growing, developing, moving, shaking, and being something that’s new, cultural, and that’s affecting people sonically. That’s kind of forcing the people to grow and elevate”. In an interview for MTV News, Usher stated that Looking 4 Myself is “the most artistic of an album” he has ever had in history. When questioned by Reuters during an interview regarding the latter quote, and how this project was different, Usher explained that he felt he was near a ‘rebirth’ and that prior to Looking 4 Myself, he felt restricted and conformed to a specific standard. He said to himself “I gotta go with what I feel and hopefully people will follow me”.

The lead single from Usher’s seventh studio album is titled “Climax”. It impacted Urban radio on February 21, 2012, and was made available for purchase as a digital download on February 22, 2012. It impacted US mainstream radio on March 13, 2012. The second single released from the album was “Scream” and the third single “Lemme See” which features Rick Ross. “Scream” was premiered on April 26, 2012, while “Lemme See” was premiered on May 8, 2012. On Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay, “Climax” enabled Usher to add a second song of his in the six longest stays at number one for (11 weeks) after “You Make Me Wanna” with (12 weeks).

In 2013, Usher substituted for CeeLo Green as a coach for the fourth season of NBC’s The Voice. His last act, Michelle Chamuel, lost the winning title to Danielle Bradbery, mentored by Blake Shelton. He returned for the sixth season and his last act, Josh Kaufman, won.

On March 19, 2013, Usher made initial notice of his eighth studio album, titled UR, was being in the works. Talking to The Fader, he described the album as “everything you can imagine”, saying that it’s “gonna be freaking out of here”. In an interview with singer-songwriter Eric Bellinger by Rap-Up, the former explained that he, along with Jermaine Dupri, Bryan-Michael Cox, and Brian Alexander Morgan, was working on Usher’s next album. Bellinger compared the album’s music to Usher’s Confessions (2004), saying that it is “more R&B, more urban” than Usher’s Looking 4 Myself. The latter declared that his next album would show that he is “still Usher”. “Good Kisser”, a dance-heavy throwback R&B track, was released as the first single allowing Usher to achieve his 13th no.1 on the Airplay chart, tying Drake for most leaders in the list’s history. Produced by Pop & Oak, it was performed at The Voice. Since then, two other singles have been released from the album: “She Came to Give It to You” featuring Nicki Minaj and “I Don’t Mind” featuring Juicy J. The latter allowed Usher to lead the Rhythmic charts with the most number ones (13).

On August 25, 2014 Usher announced his UR Experience Tour in support of his then-titled eighth studio album UR. The UR Experience kicked off in Montreal, Quebec on Nov. 1 and closed in Tampa, FL. on Dec. 14. The 27 city North American leg was supported by opening acts DJ Cassidy and R&B newcomer August Alsina. The European leg of the tour visited 23 cities and the support would be Nico & Vinz. “With The UR Experience, I want to give my fans an ever-changing live show full of surprises and special guests,” Usher says, via a press release. “I am really excited to be with my fans and give them an Usher experience like they’ve never seen or heard before.” While on tour, with the collaboration of Honey Nut Cheerios, he released “Clueless,” a new song that If you purchased a specially-marked Honey Nut Cheerios boxes at Walmart, you will receive a download code to get the song for free.

2015–present: Hard II Love and Hands of Stone

On October 16, 2015, Usher released an interactive music video exclusively on the music streaming platform Tidal called “Chains” that featuring artist Nas and Bibi Bourelly. “Chains” literally forces the viewer to confront the issue of racial profiling and police brutality head-on: By utilizing the webcam on the viewer’s computer as well as facial recognition technology, “Chains” paused mid-song whenever the viewer’s eyes deviate from the video. Usher performed the song for the first time at the Tidal X:1020 concert on October 20, 2015 at Brooklyn’s Barclays Arena. On January 14, 2016, after continual delays of his eighth album, Usher announced via Daniel Arsham Instagram post that he changed the title of the album from UR to Flawed. It was scheduled to be released in April 2016, but has been pushed back with no release date. On June 9, 2016, Usher released a new single from his expected forthcoming albumFlawed on the music streaming platform Tidal titled “No Limit” featuring Young Thug, along with a second single titled “Crash” on June 10 for all digital platforms.

On June 12, 2016 it was reported that Raymond signed a management deal with business partner Scooter Braun, who represents Justin Bieber whom him and Raymond have a joint venture with. This report was confirmed by Usher while doing a sit down interview with Ryan Seacrest at the 73rd annual Cannes Lions Festival in Cannes, France during a panel on June 21, 2016. Usher furthered his acting career, starring as American former professional boxer Sugar Ray Leonard in the 2016 American-Panamanian biographical sports film Hands of Stone about the career of Panamanian former professional boxer Roberto Durán. In it, he starred opposite of Édgar Ramírez, Robert De Niro and Ruben Blades. On August 26, 2016, Hands Of Stone premiered worldwide. “Missin U” was released as a third single by RCA Records on August 26, 2016 for online streaming and digital download, along with “Champions” (from the Motion Picture Hands of Stone)“ both on Vevo. "Rivals” featuring Future, also was released as a fourth single, and debuted exclusively on Tidal with it’s accompanying video. It was released on Vevo on September 2, 2016.

Hard II Love was released on September 16, 2016 and received generally positive reviews from contemporary music critics. The lead single, “No Limit” featuring rapper Young Thug initially impacted Urban radio on June 9, and eventually peaked at number 32 on theBillboard Hot 100, and number-one on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay and Mainstream R&B/Hip-Hop charts.

Artistry

Musical style and influences

Usher’s music is generally R&B, but he also shows versatility by incorporating pop, hip hop and blaxploitation funk. Contextually, Usher’s music has an autobiographical nature with emphasis of lifestyle, relationships and love. NME’s Lucy O'Brien marks that 8701“introduces touches of '80s rock guitar and the minimal rhythm of '80s hip hop”, noting that “Versatility is the key here: staccato beats with mellifluous melody, rich slow-jams and edgy harmonies”. On Raymond v. Raymond and Looking For Myself, he explores Synthpop, hence further expanding his appeal and range by collaborating with Latin and dance artists like Pitbull, Romeo Santos, and David Guetta. Complex editors view Usher’s artistry to bring out “the best of pop music in R&B”. They described his dynamism of working with a range of contemporary genres and producers as “Neptunes Usher” in reference to “U Don’t Have to Call”, “Crunk Usher” in reference to “Yeah!”, and “EDM Usher” in reference to “Climax”. Hard II Love sees Rolling Stone’s Maura Johnston further commend his ability, claiming the album “manages to stretch the boundaries of R&B while winding toward the brooding atmospherics that have enveloped much of pop”, whereas Stereogum’s Chris DeVille expands “The guy’s natural singing prowess and effortless ability to jump across genre make him a national treasure.”

On many occasions, Usher has named Michael Jackson as his biggest influence. Usher once told MTV, “He influenced me in so many ways, more than just music ….. as a humanitarian, as a philanthropist, as an artist, as an individual who transcended culture. I wouldn’t be who I am today without Michael Jackson.” During the television special 'Michael Jackson: 30th Anniversary Special’, Usher was able to dance with Michael while performing “You Rock My World”. Prince being another main influence, Usher said “every album I’d always do like one song that is very Prince-influenced, because he’s a great influence on me musically, especially just kind of being expansive and creating music that represents many different genres.” In Time magazine’s “100 Most Influential People” issue, he explained “I was interested in music and trying to find a model. It was Michael, or it was Prince. He had an attitude, a rawness that Michael didn’t have. He was not urban, but he was our version of what cool could be.” In addition, he has spoken of Marvin Gaye and Stevie Wonder as great musicians and philanthropists stating that “they figured out what they were as they were going, by inspiration as well…allowing their music to speak to where they were and what they had to say”. Other musical influences include Luther Vandross, Janet Jackson, Maze featuring Frankie Beverly, Al Green, Boyz II Men, and Bobby Brown.

Usher was inspired by Frank Sinatra’s My Way album released in 1969 so much that he decided to name his sophomore album My Way. Prince would inspire “Nice & Slow” while giving him his first number-one single on Billboard 100. Usher’s third album 8701 would be inspired by love and heartache, containing influences from Donny Hathaway, Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye and Michael Jackson. His fourth album was inspired by rapper Eminem, who he credited for being transparent. Usher said in an interview with Sway Calloway; “the honesty of hip-hop and what Eminem was saying on his records it motivated me, like, if he can be that honest through hip-hop – and there’d been other story tellers but never quite as vivid as his. So I was like, we need to keep it real like him. I wanna go all the way in.”

Vocal style

Raymond possesses a Leggiero tenor vocal range of 3 octaves and 2 notes. At the age of 13, he set the record for the longest note ever held by a child on Star Search, with 12 seconds. Rick Juzwiak speaks “his vocal range is even more impressive than his emotional one” with emphasis on his falsetto being “something that sounds as natural as a speaking voice…he’s the picture of grace against shrieking synths”. Juzwiak emphasizes the singer’s expressiveness by commenting “his emotional range is vast enough to sell tenderness, lechery and wistfulness within minutes of each other”. Usher had been working with Atlanta Grammy nominated music and vocal producer as well as vocal coach, Jan Smith, since his teenage years on early albums such as My Way and 8701. Smith cites Usher as “the single most gifted singer I’ve ever worked with in 26 years”. On Looking For Myself Usher received positive acclaim for his vocal ability on singles such as "Climax” and “Dive”. Consequence of Sound’s Ryan Hadfield praised Usher stating that he was showing his “superior R&B vocal range”. Matt Fibula from PopMatters added “Usher’s voice has never sounded better—and that’s saying a lot”. MadameNoire named him on their list of "Male Singers With the Best Falsetto Game”, citing songs such as “Superstar” and “Can U Handle It?” from Confessions along with “There Goes My Baby” and “Climax” as his most exemplifying ones.

Performance and showmanship

Usher has received praise for his stage presence and voice during live performances. His performances and dancing technique have often marked comparisons to his idols Michael Jackson and James Brown. He told People Magazine in 2008 that “James Brown introduced me to soul. Because of him I was given a clear view of what a real performance is and should be. I learned showmanship from him.” Jim Harrington from The Mercury News said “Usher is a man of many talents. - Yet, his biggest selling point on the live stage remains his fancy footwork. This guy can dance like nobody’s business.” Chad Batka for The New York Times said “He has established himself as one of R&B’s supreme performers and craftsmen, following through on what he learned from Michael Jackson in particular: songs that alternate between choppy and smooth, vocals punctuated by exultant high whoops, a dance vocabulary.”Rolling Stone describes him as the “Award Show King”. Maura Johnston explains that “His dedication to choreography dates back to the days when Janet Jackson made videos that looked like they were shot in one take. He’s an entertainer that would have been stunning at any point in the last 60 years of television.”

Art and feminism

Usher is a staunch fan of art and also supports feminism. In 2014 December, he attended Art Basel Miami and participated in an art installation at JJ Brine’s VECTOR Gallery at Select Fair by performance artist Lena Marquise “Body As Commodity” during which she offered collectors to purchase 10 minutes of energy for $100. The news of the participation became the #1 reported on event of Art Basel Though Usher refused to issue any official statements about his participation, many assume his participation has to do with support for art and feminism due to the topic and tone of Usher’s recent release at the time of song “I Don’t Mind” featuring Juicy J which talks about supporting the work of an exotic dancer, hinting at his support for the new wave of feminism.

Usher is an art collector; in an interview with Vulture he said: “It’s significant to where you are in your life,” explaining his turn to art collecting. “As you get older and have children, your reflections on what matters begin to change.” Raymond says “I started slowing it down,” he went on, “enjoying the places I went, going to museums, understanding the nature of what artists were trying to say.” Raymond is good friend with graffiti and street-style-inspired artists RETNA, who did the cover art for Justin Biebers studio album “Purpose” as well is a contemporary American artist, Daniel Arsham who directed his music video “Chains” and did the cover art for his singles “No Limit” and “Crash”.

On Tuesday, June 2, 2015 Usher was honored alongside Robert Di Nero by the Gordon Park Foundation Dinner and Auction in downtown Manhattan for his contributions to the arts at a charity gala in New York. Receiving the Gordon Parks Patron of the Arts Award, named in honor of the late photographer-turned-filmmaker Gordon Parks.

Public image

Usher is widely regarded as a sex symbol from a young age, predominantly for his stage persona. Fusion states “Usher—one of the greatest R&B sex symbols in the past 20 years, paving the way for Chris Brown, Trey Songz and Justin Bieber—used sex as a major part of his image”, while VH1 considers him to be “the sexiest male performer ever to walk a stage”. People magazine named Usher the “Sexiest R&B Star” in 1998, quoting singer Monica who said on stage, the sexiness was manifest in “his movements, his gestures, the way he expresses his lyrics.” Actress Adrienne Frantz who played with Usher in The Bold and the Beautiful also said “Usher definitely has a way with women. His smile is sweet and sexy at the same time”, adding “he’s a great kisser.” Usher made the cut forPeople magazine’s “Sexiest Men Alive” in 2004, as he did 4 years later again in 2008. In 2005, Madame Tussauds New York unveiled a wax figure of Usher during a competition to launch The Usher Interactive Experience. Another wax figure was unveiled alongside other singers for the opening of a “VIP room” in 2007. Rihanna told MTV in 2006 “I was in love with Usher when he first came out. I was just like he’s so fine![…]I thought he was the hottest thing. I think he was my first crush definitely.” After his marriage, the sexual nature of his music was expected to mature as The New Yorker writer Sasha Frere-Jones writes “The challenge here is to convince us that he is a married and responsible man—grown and sexy, without sacrificing the louche, frictionless sense of play that made him famous.” VH1 have listed Usher at number 9 of its 100 Sexiest Artists List. According to Glamour magazine, Usher was one of the “50 Sexiest Men of 2010”. In 2012, Billboard reviewed his fashion evolution stating “The singer came onto the scene in the '90s rocking baggy jeans and suits that made us question his celebrity status, but over the years this R&B star has developed his own signature look, rendering him a modern day fashion icon”. In 2013, Complex magazine placed Usher in its “Most Stylish R&B Singers of the 90’s” list. InStyle magazine rate him both for sex appeal and style as he was included their “Hottest Celebrity Abs” collection before coming under “37 of the Most Stylish Dads”.

Legacy

Billboard named Usher the Hot 100 Artist of the 2000s decade. Usher had the most no. 1 singles on the Billboard Hot 100 charts with 7 and held the no. 1 position for a total 41 weeks. He also scored eight No. 1s on the R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart more than any other artist. Confessions was ranked as the top solo album of the decade, selling over 20 million copies worldwide. Considered by Vibe to be “the Thriller of our generation”, Complex says the album “became pop culture catnip” because of its theme. Pop music critic, Sasha Frere-Jones of The New Yorker remarks that “For a while, Confessions was pop music” and says it “may turn out to have been the last true blockbuster in pop”. According to Angus Batey of The Guardian, Usher is “hailed as the best dancer in pop since Michael Jackson, and credited with inventing Justin Timberlake (the former 'N Sync star’s debut album was built from Usher’s blueprint).” Jody Rosen says “He’s the biggest male pop singer in the world; sometimes, it seems like he’s the only one, in a marketplace still dominated by divas”, and describes him as “the most reliable hit-maker of his generation”. Usher has attained 9 Billboard Hot 100 number-one singles, tied with the Bee Gees, Elton John, and Paul McCartney.

James Brown, known as the Godfather of Soul, performed a duet with Usher in 2005 at the 47th Grammy Awards in which he honorably dubbed him the “Godson of Soul”. Brown reiterated “The new godson; Usher, the new godson” following the performance. Usher later responded saying “James Brown will always be the Godfather of Soul and to receive that compliment was great on national television.” Usher was inducted into the 29th Annual Georgia Music Hall of Fame in 2007, and the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2016 with a star located at 6201 Hollywood Boulevard.

Billboard ranked “Yeah!” at number 14 in their “Greatest of All Time Hot 100 Songs”, while VH1 ranked it at number 15 in their “Greatest Songs of the 2000s”. Confessions is placed at number 16 on Billboard’s “Greatest of All Time 200 Albums”, and critically ranked 48th amongst their “88 All-Diamond Certified Albums” list. Vibe magazine placed it at number 10 of its “Greatest 50 Albums since '93”. Time magazine’s pop stardom ranking metric, ranked Usher 3rd in history, based on all-time chart performance and contemporary significance. Usher is placed at number 14 on Billboard’s “Greatest of All Time Hot 100 Artists” list, before also being included in their “35 Greatest R&B Artists of All Time” list at 31. Yahoo Music classed Usher as the best R&B act behind Michael Jackson in the 2000s purely based on album sales. Described by Fuse magazine as an “R&B icon”, he was ranked at number 10 in their “100 Most Award-Winning Artists” list.

Usher is known as “Mr. Entertainment”, and has also been referred to as the “King of R&B” by BET. The BET Honors honored him for his contributions to music with a Musical Arts award, presented by Bobby Brown who said “You remain a game changer, for your discipline, for your perfectionism. You’re just a god man”. BET recognised Usher’s influence on many contemporary artists such as Chris Brown, Trey Songz, Jason Derulo, Miguel, Drake, Justin Bieber, Omarion, Ray J, August Alsina and Eric Bellinger. Ne-Yo further cited Usher as an influence upon the honor saying “I feel that without Usher, there would be no me, there would be no Chris Brown, there would be no Trey Songz. He paved the way for us”. Other R&B, hip hop and pop artists who have cited Usher as an influence are Bruno Mars, Zayn Malik, Jeremih, Sam Hunt, Leon Bridges, Sammie, B.Smyth, and Jacob Latimore. Actor Tahj Mowry cites 8701as an influence in his role of pursuing music and a singing career.

Achievements

Usher has received numerous awards throughout his career from having one Diamond certified album in Confessions, two multi-platinum albums in My Way and 8701, two Platinum albums in Here I Stand and Raymond v. Raymond, and one Gold album inLooking 4 Myself, collectively selling over 23 million albums in the US and 43 million albums worldwide. This includes eight Grammy Awards, eighteen Billboard Music Awards, nine Soul Train Music Awards and eight American Music Awards. In 2004, Usher set the record for most Billboard Music award wins in a single night by a male artist, taking eleven awards. At The 26th annual ASCAP Rhythm & Soul Music Awards in 2013, Usher was honored with the Golden Note Award which recognises extraordinary career milestones in American music.

On the Billboard Hot 100 chart, “Nice & Slow”, “U Remind Me”, “U Got It Bad”, “Yeah!”, “Burn”, “Confessions Part II”, “My Boo”, “Love in This Club” and “OMG” have all reached number-one accumulating 47 weeks at the top, more than any other male artist. Usher spent 28 weeks at number-one in 2004 alone, marking an all-time record for most cumulative weeks spent atop in a calendar year on the Hot 100. He broke the record set by Glenn Miller and His Orchestra in 1940; whose records spent 26 cumulative weeks atop on charts which preceded the Hot 100 era. “OMG” made him the first 2010s artist to collect number-one singles in three consecutive decades ('90s,'00,'10s). He became the fourth artist of all-time to achieve that feat behind Stevie Wonder ('60s,'70s,'80s), Michael Jackson ('70s,'80s,'90s), Janet Jackson and Madonna ('80,'90s,'00s) and became the third artist in history to have at least one number-one single from five consecutive studio albums. On the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, Usher has 13 number-one singles tied with Michael Jackson and Marvin Gaye. Usher also has 13 number-one singles on the Rhythmic chart, and 15 number-one singles on the Airplay chart, with “You Make Me Wanna” (12 weeks) and “Climax” (11 weeks) becoming two of the longest stays atop on the latter. Billboard also placed him at number 6 on their list of “Top 50 R&B/Hip-Hop Artists of the Past 25 Years”. Usher has topped several Billboard Year-End charts, including three in 2004. He topped the Hot 100 Songs chart with “Yeah!”, while “Burn” held second place, making him the first act since The Beatles in 1964 to have two singles occupy the top two positions. He further topped both the200 Albums and R&B/Hip-hop Albums charts with his Confessions album. On the 2000s Billboard Decade-End chart, “Yeah!” finished second, behind Mariah Carey’s “We Belong Together”.

Other ventures

Business ventures

Usher founded vanity record label US Records, in 2002. The label is a subsidiary of Clive Davis’s J Records, which is distributed by Sony BMG. The first album released by US Records was the soundtrack to In the Mix in late 2005, which was used to introduce the label’s acts, such as rapper Rico Love, Canadian teen R&B artist Justin Bieber, and R&B vocal quartet composed of Jon A. Gordon, Michael A. Gordon, Courtney Vantrease, and Robert Brent p/k/a One Chance, and singer Rayan. Usher served as songwriter-producer in the project. The Raymond Braun Media Group, which Justin Bieber is signed up to, is a joint venture between Usher and Bieber’s manager, Scooter Braun.

Aside from recording music, Usher is involved in other businesses, including several restaurants. Usher is a part owner of the Cleveland Cavaliers professional basketball team. He is part of a group which bought the team with a reported total purchase price of $375 million. He became the third pop artist to own a large stake in an NBA team. On June 19, 2016 Raymond won the 2016 NBA championship with the Cavaliers as a minority owner. In 2007 Usher worked with Richard Herpin and Honoring Blanc for the fragrances Usher He and Usher She. The promotion for the fragrance, featured Usher and Martha Stewart in the Macy’s, “The Magic of Macy’s” commercial. In September 2008 Usher released the fragrances, UR for Men and UR for Women. Usher fifth fragrance, VIP was launched in 2009. Usher served as the contestant mentor for the Top 10 Week of Season 9 of the television show American Idol. He appeared on the ITV1 show Britain’s Got Talent on June 5, 2010. Recently Usher joined as a new coach of American reality talent show The Voice alongside Adam Levine, Blake Shelton and Shakira for season 4, which premiered on March 25, 2013, on NBC.

On March 30, 2015, it was announced that Usher is a co-owner, with various other music artists, in the music streaming service Tidal. The service specialises in lossless audio and high definition music video with curated editorial. Jay Z acquired the parent company of Tidal, Aspiro, in the first quarter of 2015.The slogan “Turn the tide” and the hashtag “#TIDALforAll” was used by various artists on social media during the buildup to the press conference relaunching the service. Usher, along with sixteen artist stakeholders (such as Alicia Keys, Kanye West, Beyonce, Rihanna, Madonna, J.Cole, Nicki Minaj and more) co-own Tidal, with the majority owning a 3% equity stake. The idea of having an all artist owned streaming service was created by those involved to adapt to the increased demand for streaming within the current music industry, and to rival other streaming services such as Spotify, which have been criticised for their low payout of royalties.“The challenge is to get everyone to respect music again, to recognize its value”, stated Jay-Z on the release of Tidal.

On June 28, 2015 Usher became partners with Yoobi the fast-growing school supplies company called based out of The Los Angeles. The company donates a portion of its products to schools and has brought in over $20 million in revenue between June 2014 and June 2015, CEO Ido Leffler tells Inc. exclusively. Usher line of supplies with Yoobi features a collaboration with Jonni Cheatwood, the artist who does the designing. The slogan is “Mixing street smarts with school smarts". The collection is available online and at Targets nationwide, and for every purchase, school supplies are donated to kids in need in US classrooms. When asked why he partnered with Yoobi, Usher said, “Preparing future leaders through my New Look Foundation has always been about having the proper tools to succeed in life. If they don’t have the tools, young men and women from underserved communities can’t even begin to understand the idea of having a new or different perspective. So that’s where this collaboration came together giving young people the tools and supplying them with hope.”

Endorsements

Usher has worked with MasterCard since 2004, together they launched the Usher Debit MasterCard. A sleek black card, which features the Usher’s face, has that was passed out to concertgoers during his nationwide The Truth Tour.“ In 2009, Raymond partnered with Belvedere Vodka, launching the campaign Product (Red) that went to donate half of all profits from a new special-edition bottle to fight HIV/AIDS in Africa. MasterCard again teamed up with Usher in 2015 to surprise one cardholder. Usher was disguised as a street performer to surprise one of his biggest British fans, who was flown in to Los Angeles as part of MasterCard’s Priceless Surprises campaign in support of the 2015 BRIT Awards.

Usher, in 2012 partnered with the number-one selling dance game Microsoft Dance Central 3. Exclusively made on Kinect for Xbox 360. His role in the game was to bring his iconic talent and lend out his authentic choreography of his dance routines to his hit songs “Scream” and “OMG”. Usher himself provides voiceover instruction for players participating in the Dance Central 3 game. At the launch of the game Usher gave a surprise performance of his song “Scream”.

In 2013 Usher partnered with Samsung shooting a 2:28 minute short film directed by Rich Lee that included his single “Looking 4 Myself” from his then new album. The video features two Ushers in a face-off, as “down-to-earth” Usher seeks revenge against his “celebrity” alter ego after fame destroys his relationship. According to superstar, Hancock and The Matrix inspired the choreographed fight scenes with himself. The short film featured him using a Samsung’s smart TV using the new motion control features that allows users to swipe through the channels. The commercial generated twenty-two million views making it the second highest viewed Samsung commercial behind LeBron’s Day with the Samsung Galaxy Note II.

In 2015 Usher teamed up with Pepsi for The New Pepsi Challenge along celebrities Serena Williams, Usain Bolt, and many others. Every month, Pepsi “ambassadors” will use social media to issue a new challenge, many of which blend social responsibility with popular culture that encourages consumers to “do something different.” Usher’s challenge invited fans to capture a single photo of an image that they feel inspires and amazes others to look at the world in a new way. The winners photo would be selected and used in an upcoming Pepsi film.

Acting career

Usher made his television acting debut on the American sitcom Moesha in 1997 playing Jeremy Davis, the love interest and classmate Moesha played by Brandy Norwood. He has acted in feature films, debuting in 1998’s The Faculty. In 1999 Usher appeared as a student disc jockey in the teen romantic comedy film She’s All That. The same year he starred in his first leading role in the movieLight It Up with Rosario Dawson, Vanessa L. Williams and Forest Whitaker. The following year he played in Gepetto and Texas Rangers. He starred in the 2002 Twilight Zone revival episode To Protect and Serve as a police officer. Usher continued to make appearances in various television shows, including the period drama American Dreams (2002) in the role of Marvin Gaye. In 2005 he starred in the crime-comedy film In The Mix with Chazz Palminteri and Kevin Hart. He has acted on stage, making his debut on Broadway in 2006 in Chicago as lawyer Billy Flynn and joining the cast of the Off-Broadway play Fuerzabruta in 2012; the former performance was critiqued by theater critic Ben Brantley as unfitting for the character played (Usher was “cast so hard against type, you would think you would hear him cracking from the collision”), despite commending Usher’s vocal and choreographic performance in the show. In 2013 he began filming his role as boxer Sugar Ray Leonard for the upcoming American biographical film Hands of Stone the follows the life of Argentinian boxer Roberto Durán. In the film he stars alongside Édgar Ramírez, Robert De Niro, Ellen Barkin and Ana de Armas. The film debuted at the Cannes Film Festival in Cannes, France on May 16, 2016 and is set to release in the United States August 26, 2016.

Usher quietly married his long time girlfriend and manager Grace Miguel in September 2015 while vacationing in Cuba. Speculation was made of the two being married when Miguel’s Instagram post showed a picture of a gold wedding band on Usher’s finger. He confirmed the marriage during an interview on The Ellen DeGeneres Show.

Discography

Studio Albums

Usher (1994) My Way (1997) 8701 (2001) Confessions (2004) Here I Stand (2008) Raymond v. Raymond (2010) Looking 4 Myself (2012) Hard II Love (2016) Tours and concerts

World tours

Evolution 8701 Tour (2001–2002) Truth Tour (2004-2005) OMG Tour (2010–2011) Euphoria Tour (cancelled) The UR Experience Tour (2014–2015) Regional tours

Share My World Tour (1997) The Velvet Rope Tour (1998) No Way Out Tour (with Puff Daddy & The Family) (1998) One Night Stand Tour (2008) Televised concerts

Michael Jackson: 30th Anniversary Special (2001) United We Stand: What More Can I Give (2001) One Night, One Star: Usher Live (2005) We Are One: The Obama Inaugural Celebration at the Lincoln Memorial (2009) Filmography

The Faculty (1998) She’s All That (1999) Light It Up (1999) Geppetto (2000) Texas Rangers (2001) In the Mix (2005) Killers (2010) Justin Bieber: Never Say Never (2011) Scary Movie 5 (2013) Justin Bieber’s Believe (2013) Muppets Most Wanted (2014) Hands of Stone (2016) Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping (2016) Last of the Showmen (2017) Stage productions

Chicago (2008) (Broadway)

[philtatosjimin]

WINGS Tour in NEWARK 3/24

Hi so this is going to be my concert experience/report of the Wings tour. I’m still so excited and honestly can’t wait to talk all about bts. Also sorry if there are any mistakes or inaccuracies I now have wifi so I’m a few days late to post this. I may also repeat myself a lot sorry about that lol 

Overall I had an amazing time!!! It was so much fun and now I just want to see them live again :( The only thing I was disappointed with were faults of my own but I arrived around 3 pm so pretty much all the merch was sold out and the photo booth had closed before I got to it (but I rmr you could still get into it if you had taken this survey but I didn’t lmao) So to those going to later dates, if you wanna get the good stuff I’d get there as early as you can.

Ok now on to all the members. I was in section 212 row 6 and I had perfect view of center stage but every thing on the main stage was a little hard to see (peep to all the people I met you all were so nice omg) 

Namjoon - A BABE!! He was so sweet and cute y’all. I love him and his dimples were on full show I’m still crying. He did most of the talking and thanking. He talked about the rainbow ocean (which in person is so gorgeous!!) and thanked the fans for it. He also taught the crowd how to say ‘together’ in Korean, I feel so bad tho I forgot what it was. He’s also hot as hell in person okay fansites don’t do him justice, he just GLOWS he’s so tan omg and his face is sharper in person. He’s such an amazing performer he was so energetic. I almost forgot during reflection when he would sing “I wish I could love myself” we all sang back “we love you” (no I wasn’t cry I just had sweat in my eyes) and towards the end, i couldn’t hear what he said but I found out through twitter that apparently he said “I wish we could [love] ourselves” which :((( I’m trying. 

Yoongi - First, he’s so gorgeous in person holy shjt. 2nd he was so energetic and loud he was always asking the crowd to scream. He’s overall just an amazing performer as well he was jumping around and having fun!!! I felt like he smiled so much! Especially during wings and cypher they all got so crazy. I almost cried during First Love, it was such a beautiful performance yoongi was so passionate and just on fire like I was so captured in his performance. He was also super thankful to the fans it was sweet. The crowd seemed to love him the most as well the stadium screamed pretty loud whenever he was on screen (for all of them really but mainly for yoongi, hobi, and taehyung) 

Seokjin - he’s beautiful y’all... I know we all know this but he’s just such a cutie pie. He did so amazing during his solo, awake is one of favorites off the album and he nailed it live. He was more quiet but he still made an impression. He also had a glow to him. He also came over to the left side a lot towards the end so I was really happy about that even if he looked like a tiny ant. i wish I could say more about jin :(( but I can’t remember much more about him but he was really sweet and smiley. 

Jungkook - He really is such a cutie omg,  he was super sweet and smiley as well. HIS SOLO WAS AMAZING I really get so annoyed when people clown him for the choreo but its so amazing and he did so well!! He hit all his notes as well. He was such a great performer and really energetic. It was so cute when jimin asked the crowd if they “liked it” [the concert] and jungkook replied with something like “I did” or “I liked it” 

ok now onto my sunshine line

TAEHYUNG - BOIIII GOT 👏 FACE 👏 HE’S SO GORGEOUS AND BEAUTIFUL AND TAN IN REAL LIFE OMG!! HE WAS SO LOUD AND ENERGETIC AND DURING SONGS LIKE NOT TODAY AND FIRE HE WAS SO AGGRESSIVE. He KILLED his solo, it was so captivating I love his voice, he nailed all his high notes!!! I couldn’t stop screaming. He’s just so beautiful and sweet like bandanna taehyung in the flesh was an out of body experience. He was so cute and playful :(((( 

HOSEOK - !!!!! BTIHC boy had me weak in the knees!!! Hobi’s always been my bias wrecker but shit I couldn’t stop filming him and taking pics of him. He has two solos, boy meets evil and MAMA and they were both soooo good. Mama was so energetic yet emotion and he killed it during boy meets evil the crowd was so loud for him. Truly he was a crowd favorite everyone screamed so loud for him every time he appeared. It was the cutest thing when he introduced himself and he did his “I’m your hope~” thing but he said “your my hope” to us and I screamed so loud djkjd I can’t even begin to go off about hobi during cypher he was so h*t I jsut sjdsk I him 

Now last but not least my baby jimin 

JIMIN 💖- OH!!! MY!!! FUCNIG!!!! GOD HE’S SO BEAUTIFUL IN PERSON I WAS SO FAR AWAY BUT FROM MY SEAT I COULD SEE HIS GLOW I CAN’T IMAGINE BEING IN THE PIT LIEK HE SOUNDED SO GOOD!!!! HIS SOLO WAS AMAZING!!! I WAS SO PROUD OF HIM. LIE WAS JSUT SO GOOD I CAN’T STOP THINKING ABOUT IT!! WHEN HE FLIPPED HIS BLINDFOLD ON I FELT MY KNEES SHAKE.= HE WAS SO CUTE AND SMILEY AND POWERFUL!!! WHEN HE INTRODUCED HIMSELF I SCREAMED SO LOUD. HE SEEMED SO GRATEFUL AND I WAS SO EMOTIONAL TOWARDS THE END AND HE NAILED ALL HIS NOTES IN SPRING DAY, 1! 2! 3! AND LOST. He was just so good during lost and save me and bs&t. I wanted to see a brunette/black haired jimin in person and he delivered when will your fave ever!!! No but really I’m just so happy I saw him he’s so pretty and sweet and nice like I could use every adjective till I have no more I can think of to describe him but I just love him so much and he really seemed like he was enjoying himself :((( (they all did really) and during encore when he jumped it was so cute and he came over to the right side more towards the end so I didn’t see a lot of him if they were on center stage :/ 

They all seemed really thankful and grateful it was so sweet!! They were all nice and when they did wings and did their little dance off it was so cute I could’ve cried I just love!! to see their dynamic and they have such a great friendship and you really see that in their performances 😭😭 I just have so much appreciation for them they really gave it their all after traveling and promoting they still put on such a good show. 💕💕

I hope everyone going to the later U.S. dates has so much fun and really enjoys themselves. I was pretty shy myself but I wish I could’ve put myself out there more and talked to people. Make sure you eat and drink lots of water!! Also I bought a $60 army bomb and I honestly don’t even regret it lmao