fridays, i'm in love | "your love" by nicole scherzinger

TGIF! It's Friday, and I'm in L-O-V-E!

-/-/-/- 

I need you in the daytime
Especially in the night time
I'm never in my right mind when I'm with you 

-/-/-/- 

Nicole Scherzinger returns with "Your Love."

Unlike the artists featured on my previous posts who are talking about failed and unhealthy relationships, Scherzinger takes us to the beach to confess her love. 

Unfortunately for her and us (the listeners), the song's production makes her sound like she can't sing. And we all know she can - Nicole was the voice of the Pussycat Dolls (remember them?). The girl can sing. So why not let her? The song would greatly benefit from removing the auto-tune. There's no need for it. At times, this song feels like it can be a J Lo song. Also, the lyrics are not the best. But they are catchy. And I guess that's what mainstream pop is all about at times, right? 

-/-/-/-

Boy, your love makes me feel like
Roo-doo-doo-da-doo!
Roo-doo-doo-da-doo!

Roo-doo-doo-da-doo!
-/-/-/- 

Earlier this week, Scherzinger released the music video for "Your Love."

Click play, listen, and tell me what you think about it.

  

19 years later // still dreaming of you, selena

Photo by Blanca Charolet. Nov. 1994

Today marks the 19th anniversary of Selena's death. On March 31, 1995, rising tejano singer Selena was tragically murdered by the former president of her fan club. But 19 years later, Selena is still remembered, still missed, and still relevant.

When I was growing up in the 1990s, my mother used to play her music all the time around the house. In fact, she still does. Whenever I visit home, you can find us singing and dancing along to Selena's voice. But it's always so bittersweet. Just as we get in the groove of one of her songs, we are quickly reminded that her promising life and talent were cut short. 

From her daring fashion choices to her musical style, Selena was ahead of her time.

So, let us look back at the talent that was Selena. 

As a pop-cumbia-rap fusion, "Techno cumbia" is a perfect example of how her sound would mix genres to produce something innovative, youthful, and artistic. And the music video even features her iconic purple cut-out dress! Enjoy.

Crop tops, anyone? Oh Selena, I'm still waiting for someone to make my heart go "Bidi bidi bom bom."

And this fan-favorite released posthumously in the summer of 1995.



Here's a video montage of her (with a little bit of JLo as Selena) set to "I could fall in love."

Lastly, a video blending various of her live performances of "Como la flor."


Rest in peace, Selena Quintanilla-Perez. Gone too soon, but remembered always. 
 
What is your favorite Selena song? Or better yet: what are your favorite Selena songs? 

artist spotlight // dominique young unique

Let's talk about model-turned-rapper Dominique Young Unique.

In 2013, she was the featured vocals on "Earthquake," the single collaborated on by British DJ Fresh and American dj Diplo.

Earlier this year, Le Youth featured her vocals on the TLC-sampling "Dance with Me."

And now, here's Dominique's major label debut: "Throw it down." The music video is an explosion of sensual overload: twerking guys, shopping carts on fire, some sick dance moves, great styling, and of course her characteristic spitfire rapping.

The music video for "Throw it Down" follows the trend of repositioning men in the typical roles held by music video girls (like J. Lo did in "I luh ya papi" and Kylie Minogue did in "Sexercize").

So, what's next for Dominique Young Unique? If her future continues to see her evolve her sound and production, then we're all in for a treat.