I don’t know about you but I’m super happy that the Black Eye Peas (i.e., will.i.am + Fergie et al) are back with another hit record. I am really feeling their latest song - “Boom Boom Pow.” This song has been number one on the pop charts Top 100 for the third week in a row and the number one download on iTunes for yet another week. They’ve sold over a million copies of the digital single - amazing! Although the track is definitely one that will get your booty shaking, the video leaves a little to be desired. I was hoping for another video that I wouldn’t be able to stop watching (like Jamie Foxx’s “Blame It” featuring T-Pain). Anyway, there is something simple and enjoyable about the beat and lyrics that gets this song stuck in my head.  And the album - “The END” (The “Energy Never Dies”) is coming June 9th. Enjoy!!!

-The Caramel Bella

Eighties nostalgia, young love, and the horrors of summer jobs describe the cinematic ride, Adventureland.

Although written and directed by Greg Mottola, best known for the comedic hit Superbad (2007), this film can only be loosely called a comedy. (And if you are expecting a laugh-filled movie experience like his last film, then Adventureland is not for you.) Instead, Mottola delivers a coming of age story set in Pittsburgh in the 1980s.

Adventureland is the story of college graduate, James Brennan (Jesse Eisenberg) who has big plans to move to New York City and attend Columbia University’s graduate school. He wants to become a travel essayist and thinks a master’s degree in journalism will help him because the field is “still an old boys’ network.”

However, James’s big plans and lifelong dreams fall flat when he finds out that his parents are broke. Not only is his college graduation gift of traveling through Europe with his buddy cancelled, but his parents also tell him he needs to get a summer job to save money.

After rounds of applications to every menial and entry-level job in town, Brennan finds he isn’t qualified for anything, except a “games” job at the local amusement park, “Adventureland.” So, tucking his highly educated tail between his legs, he attempts to make the best of the situation.

James soon finds there are some upsides to his rather brainless job. He develops friendships with people who are crazier and more socially awkward than he is. In fact, in some of his summer circles, James becomes the “almost-cool kid.” He also meets a girl, Em (Kristen Stewart) who is the sad, often depressed, and girl-next-door plain. Yet, she is sexy enough to tug at his heart strings. (And if you are wondering who is Kristen Stewart, you must not have seen the latest vampire film sensation, Twilight. She is the young actress who starred in this movie and has become a major success.)

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Weird Al Yankovic has some competition. The guys behind Saturday Night Live (SNL) skits are dropping their own album, “Incredibad,” on February 10. Their latest video, “I’m On A Boat,” features SNL staffers, Andy Samberg and Akiva Schaffer, and hip hop, megastar T-Pain (You have to include “The Pain” on the track because his sound equals instant hit.) The video is ridiculous and it’s nice to know T-Pain can laugh at himself (because we sure are).

Okay, call me crazy or a little out of my mind… but I’m loving Common’s new song, “Universal Mind Control.” I just keep playing it and playing it. It’s stuck on rewind. It’s something about the beat, which is reminiscent of Afrika Bambaata’s Planet Rock, that makes me start dancing. I can’t sit still. That’s one of the qualities of all my favorite tracks. (And of course, the male beauty that is Common surely adds to the package.) Check it out.

Smooches,
The Caramel Bella

P.S. So are you feeling the song and video like I am???

So, what do you all think of Beyoncé’s “If I Was A Boy” video? Personally, I’m digging the video - it makes me like the song. It depicts the complexity of relationships as well as plays into the men are from mars, women are from venus stereotypes — albeit successfully. Most women could probably relate to Beyoncé’s “female-role” character at some point in their lives. Let’s home the boys are listening so our relationships could improve.

And I’m sure all the men out there are loving Beyoncé in the police officer outfit. (Lil Wayne’s Mrs. Officer lyrics quickly come to mind.) She looks great in anything.

Check out the video for yourself. Once again, Ms. B is doing her thang!

President Barack Obama even has Jay-Z fired up. Check it out..

Jay-Z My President is black Remix LIVE 1-18-09 from pleasedontstare.com on Vimeo.

Oh my goodness. The beautiful and fabulous neo-soul songstress, Jill Scott, is pregnant. (She is one of my favorite singers!) According to People magazine, the R&B singer is due April 25th. The father (I think…) is her fiance, the drummer Lil’ John Roberts. I’m soo excited for her.

It feels like everyone is pregnant right now. Over the past month, I’ve found out about 3 pregnancies among family and friends. And over the past year, numerous friends, family and associates are either pregnant or have given birth. Maybe it is just that time in my life due to my age and social circle that the folks around me can’t stop getting pregos! Or maybe, just maybe…. it is finally the signal that I’m ready or longing for a baby. Who knows? I think it’s just a baby boom. What do you think?

All this baby talk has made me think I should switch the subject and go watch Ms. Scott in Tyler Perry’s film Why Did I Get Married? I just love that movie!

XXOO,

The Caramel Bella

Oh my goodness. The superfine Ginuwine (did that rhyme) is back. Well almost… In the first quarter of 2009, Ginuwine will return from his hiatus with a new single and album. And keeping with the sexy theme, singer/songwriter/producer Tank is executive producing his album. I’m sure there will be a couple of hits like “So Anxious” and “In Those Jeans” on this release. We can’t wait Ginuwine! Where have you been?!

Here is Ginuwine in a BET live performance of “So Anxious.”

Smooches,

The Caramel Bella

Check out Zoe Kravitz’ song for Obama called “We are the Ones”. Almost every major celebrity is in the video.

smooches,
The Caramel Bella