This particular day, I walked into the office and heard a new sound coming from every angle of the 14th Floor. I heard this woman belting out lyrics to a tune that was unfamiliar, yet amazing. What caught my attention was the way that this voice captured everyone in the office. It could be heard from the Urban Promo Department, to the Hot 100 Marketing Department, down to the little cubicle in the corner where the interns sat. Even I, as I stepped off the elevator, had to stop and take in the music around me. The day was, February 22nd 2011. The day “21” was released.

As I walked to my cube I stopped by my boss’s office, who by this time was singing along to the lyrics to what I now know to be “Rolling in the Deep” as if he had a writer’s credit on the album, I chuckled a bit and then asked, “Who is that?”. Some what annoyed at my ignorance and the fact that I abruptly interrupted him, he simply replied. “Adele”. I chuckled again at his playful frustration as I stood there and listened to the song with him.

Once it was over, he turned to his computer, typed in a URL, and long and behold there it was; the YouTube clip that put a face to the soulful voice. I watched as Adele stood in one place, no sweat, and belted out the lyrics to “Rolling in the Deep”. Instantly, I WAS IN LOVE! It wasn’t just the fact that she was crazy talented but the fact that what I saw in front of me was no commercialized, size two, make-up eater. Instead it was a gorgeous full figured woman, wearing a simple black shaw and pants, accompanied with a pair of tiny little hoops that dangled from her ears. She was simple. Simple and simply talented! From that moment on, I became a fan (and I don’t just claim that title for any ole’ body).

“21” has since gone on to sell 10 Million copies worldwide since its UK release in Jan. and US release in Feb. of 2011. Predictions place the album at a minimum of 13 million copies worldwide by the close of 2011. I am glad to see that the rest of the world agrees with my obsession. Or maybe I’m the one late to party and am agreeing with them. Either way, Adele has stolen the hearts of America. Can’t wait to see what she delivers next.

The YouTube clip that changed it all:

In other Adele news, the soul tress is covering the October 2011 issue of Vogue UK magazine. In the article she disguises her take on her weight in the industry, and what she does before hitting the stage.

Snippets from the mag. (curtesy of Necolebitchie.com):

On getting pre-show anxiety:

“I puke quite a lot before going on stage. Though never actually on stage. But then, I sh*t myself before everything … the bigger the freak-out, the more I enjoy the show!”

On her weight in the entertainment industry:

“I’ve seen people where it rules their lives, who want to be thinner or have bigger boobs, and how it wears them down. And I don’t want that in my life. I have insecurities, of course, but I don’t hang out with anyone who points them out to me.”

On being single:
“I do get massively distracted when I’ve got someone in my life, which I can’t afford to do right now. Besides, no one treats me as well as I do.”

On preferring sons versus daughters:

“I’ve always got on better with boys. Most of my friends are boys. Like, if I ever have children, I want five boys. Boys love their mothers whereas girls can be so mean to each other.”

I LOVE ADELE!

It’s been a while! What’s going on in my world?? Well for starters I’ve moved on to a new job. I am now a Digital Producer at Citadel Broadcasting for WPLJ FM (since July). It’s a different vibe for me. Where as all of my previous positions I was surrounded by urban music, culture, and directly in the mix of everything “happening”. Now I find myself really behind the scenes. Here it’s less about the entertainment and culture and all about the money. Sometimes I think I work in Ad Sales versus the viral world. But nonetheless, I have a great boss and I work with an amazing team. Overall, though it is different I love it, and I am grateful. I am secretly mapping out how I can effect change here and really bring the “Lifestyle” into our content and the office. Stay Tuned for that.

I have also been working with my Non-Profit Organization,America’s Behaved Children. I am working on our end of the year calendar. Great things are in the works. Be sure to check out the site: abc-inc.org

Other than that, I’ve been good. Just working and strategizing. I will be sure to check in more often.

With Love,

Nell

ABC.inc (America’s Behaved Children) is a non-profit organization with a goal to improve and enrich the lives of today’s youth. We strive to teach children how to conduct themselves in order to guarantee a successful, happy, and prosperous future. We drill in the importance of honor, humility, ambition, and dedication.

Through a host of different programs and campaigns we show kids that they can have whatever they desire as long as they take the necessary steps to prepare and conquer. We help children reach goals and bring dreams to life.

Our children are indeed “The Feet of the Future”. ABC is dedicated to shaping our children in order to guarantee a better future for us all.

We currently seek Mentors (male and female). If interested please email: ABCinc2011@gmail.com

I have been busy on my manuscript lately. I decided that it was time for me to really focus on my dream and make it happen. So excuse me for my neglect.

One of my favorite authors, Terry McMillian has a quote written on her site. It reads: “Write as if no one is going to read it. It will liberate you. Then go back and start over.” These words has literally changed my life.

I want to be a writer because I have so much that I want to say to people. However, we live in an emotional world. You can’t always say or do as you feel. Sometimes you have no choice but to speak as you are expected to speak and act as you are expected to act, in order to spare the feelings of the ones around you. Well through my writing I found that I was able to act however I wanted through my characters. I was able to speak the way I wanted. I was able to say all the things I wanted to say to the people who I wanted to hear it. Through my words, characters, their actions, and reactions I deliver a message. A message that I pray touches the right person in all the right ways.

Writing is my therapy. So I vowel to write as if I have no audience. I will indeed be liberated. Hopefully you will to as you read through my pages.

Look my for book, coming soon. It is untitled as of right now. However, once I choose a title I promise that you guys will be the first to know.

I am Linguistic LOVE.

Peace <3

This event is for you! Gain exposure in front of the right people and build your fan base. Come out!

Auditions will be held at Jive Records (a division in Sony Music). All submissions can be sent to: theinternshowcase@gmail.com Get them in quick cause auditions start next week! We only want the best of the best, so space is limited.

“Take me to another place / Take me to another land / Make me forget all that hurts me / MAKE ME UNDERSTAND YOUR PLAN“

“A Blues For Nina”

Say baby, can I be your slave
I’ve got to admit girl, you’re the shit girl
And I’m diggin’ you like a grave
Now do they call you daughter to the spinnin post, or
Or maybe Queen of 2,000 moons
Sister to the distant, yet risin’ star
Is your name Yimmy-Ya
Oh hell nah, it’s got to be Oshun
Ooo, is that a smile me put on your face child
Wide as a field of Jasmine and Glover
Talk that talk honey, walk that walk money
Hound legs that’ll spank Jehovah
Shit, who am I?
It’s not important
But they call me Brother to the Night
And right now
I’m the blues in your left thigh
Tryin to become the funk in your right

Who am I?
I’ll be whoever you say
But right now, I’m the sight raped hunter
Blindly pursuing you as my prey
And I just wanna give you injections, of sublime erections
And get you to dance to my rhythm
Make you dream archaetypes, of black angels in flight
Upon wings, of distorted, contorted, metaphoric jism
Come on slim
Fuck yo’ man, I ain’t worried about him
It’s you who I want to step to my scene
Cause rather than deal with the fallacy
Of this dry ass reality
I rather dance and romance your sweet ass, in a wet dream
Who am I?
Well they all call me Brother to the Night
And right now, I’m the blues in your left thigh
Trying to become the funk in your right
Is that alright?

“Love Jones” (c) 1997

I learned early on that you can complain and complain about things until your face turns blue. But if in the end if all you did was waste your time complaining then you will find yourself still in the same exact predicament. No progression. Rationally thinking, life will indeed sometimes grab you by the throat and leave you grasping for air. However, if you allow yourself to be choked then you WILL be choked….and eventfully die. I don’t know about you guys but I’m not going out like that. So I prepare now. I make sure that I am guarded and equipped with all the necessary weapons, so that when life tries his hand, I got something for his ass.

The sour part of life is simply a test. Sort of like the SAT’s; a test to show you where you stand. It’s an outline that shows you where you need to improve in order to successfully reach the sweet. If you do not so hot the first time, just dust your pretty little bottom off, prepare, and be ready for the next opportunity to take a stab at it.

We all are sour patch kids…. sour in the beginning, sweet in the end.