#EntertainmentPSB: “Up Close & Personal with Daron Jones” – November 4, 2015

We were in attendance for the “Up Close & Personal with Daron Jones” show last night at the A-Loft. The show was in conjunction with the release of his “The Unofficial Diary of Daron Jones” mixtape just over two weeks ago. With over 500 people in attendance including A-List celebrity Ludacris, the lounge was packed with fans and guests of the hotel drawn to the sounds of the performance flowing into the lobby.

By: Brandon Clay @bballplusmusic

His pre-show demeanor in the back before going on set was very much that of an artist embarking on a fresh start to his veteran career. Jones opened with the classic track “Crazy Over You” and rolled from there with some material from his days as a member of the RnB group 112.

With his eyes covered by designer shades, Jones did a quick cover of the Drake hit “Hotline Bling” getting full crowd participation on that one as well. He moved into his cover of Donny Hathaway’s “A Song For You” off of the mixtape then weaved into “Superstar” by the late Luther Vandross.

The Sports Utility Vehicle captured the performance in its’ entirety.

You can watch the show here:

Here’s a link to Jones’ website/discography

Brandon Clay is a contributor to PSBPopCulture.com through his various genre reviews. A self-professed entertainment & music junkie, Clay has been on his game since picking up his first Nintendo and Sony Walkman in the early 90’s. You can follow him on Twitter @bballplusmusic.

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#TeenLifeStyle: “Sweet 16” – November 3, 2015

Every 15-year-old looks forward to two things: turning 16 and getting their license. For me, I was dreaming about my Sweet 16 months ahead of time. In March, I told my mom, “I want to have an awesome Sweet 16.” She told me it was possible, and we began planning for a party around my September birthday… in March.

By: Stella Alverson @StellaAPSB

My party evolved from being a huge Sadie Hawkins dance to being a party of 80 friends and family at the Sugar Hill Golf Club. The first object of focus was my dress. I dreamed about wearing this Sherri Hill light blue and white polka dot two-piece dress with a pearl halter top. We made it happen. After that, everything else was planned around my dress: the cake, the invitations and the decorations. The venue came next. My mom and I spent days scouring over the internet looking for a place that could hold a party like I wanted. We found the Golf Club relatively early in our search, and after our first visit, we knew it was the right place. The venue was confirmed. We set the date for August 29th.

Then, the invitations were ordered with light blue and white polka dots, to match the dress of course, and they were sent out a month in advance, and then the planning really hit high gear. The DJ was hired, a fireman by day, DJ by night; the three tiered cake was planned and ordered, vanilla with buttercream icing with three different designs; this party was definitely happening, and no one was more excited than I was. Throughout August, the excitement built up to the point where people were constantly asking me what to wear or who was coming. On the day of the party, my parents gave me my present—a new silver Buick Encore. I couldn’t believe my eyes after being told I was getting my dad’s brown Passat for years. I’m SO glad that didn’t actually happen!

Then, my best friend Savanna and I went to get our nails and hair done before leaving to the party. My dad drove us to the party in his new Buick LaCrosse (yes, he also got a new car), and the party officially began. I made it my mission to take a picture with everyone so that I remembered truly everything that happened. One of my friend’s mom was the photographer, and I appreciated her so much that night. We danced all night long, took group pictures, group selfies (thank you Cody for the selfie stick), and had a blast dying our tongues different colors with the Kona Ice sno cone truck’s delicious flavors. All in all, Twitter holds over a 100 of those memories along with Dropbox holding hundreds more, gotta love limited phone storage, and I love looking at them every day.

ED’s NOTE: I’m still mad I wasn’t invited. Stella, you are having another party next year so I can come and be a part.

Stella-A-PSBStella Alverson is a contributor to PSBPopCulture.com with her #TeenLifeStyle articles. Alverson has been around the PSBPopCulture.com Team since her early days and is well versed in how we do things around here. She is currently a Honor Roll student at Buford High School and is on her way to playing college volleyball upon high school graduation.

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#iTunesSounds: The Unofficial Diary of Daron Jones – November 3, 2015

The “Up Close & Personal with Daron Jones” event is at the A-Loft Downtown Atlanta at 6:00 pm on Tuesday, November 3.

A well accomplished R&B singer and songwriter, Jones will perform his “The Unofficial Diary of Daron Jones” mixtape that just released on October 17th. The former 112 group member recreated several of my favorite songs including Stevie Wonder’s “Overjoyed.” Jones nailed this one with a sound that stood out on the classic track.

If you can’t make it out, our friends at The Sports Utility Vehicle will live stream the performance.

You can watch the show here:

Here’s a link to Jones’ website/discography

Brandon Clay is a contributor to PSBPopCulture.com through his various genre reviews. A self-professed entertainment & music junkie, Clay has been on his game since picking up his first Nintendo and Sony Walkman in the early 90’s. You can follow him on Twitter @bballplusmusic.

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#EntertainmentPSB: Beats Studio Wireless – November 2, 2015

Since 2008, Beats headphones have become the signature brand for a majority of music consumers worldwide. The company has had so much success that per Wikipedia, on August 1, 2014, Apple Inc. acquired Beats for US $3 billion in a cash and stock deal, the largest acquisition in Apple’s history.

By: Brandon Clay @bballplusmusic

The headphones range in price from around $179 to upwards of $400. The Studio Wireless are my favorite release to date. In talking with my friend and NBA Fantasy League counterpart, Joel Hemingway, he raised the question “are they worth it?”

My response is yes. Here are my thoughts on why:

They use Bluetooth technology to eliminate the need for wires connecting a music player to the headphones. The Studio Wireless also charge with a USB cord as opposed to needing batteries. Both are major positives in my book from a functionality standpoint. Toss in the various color ways and endorsers of the product itself and the Beats line is my go-to right now.

SIDENOTE: I remember my man Sean Darks walking around the gym with his pair on years ago while watching his daughter Taylor play. After that, I had to go scoop a pair myself.

Another member of the NBA Fantasy League crew, Dain Pool, asked me yesterday if there was another brand that I thought was worth a look. I told him for the time being Beats has control of the market in my eyes. I missed out on the “Straight Outta Compton” Limited Edition headphones and now have that on my Christmas Wish List.

Brandon Clay is a contributor to PSBPopCulture.com through his various genre reviews. A self-professed entertainment & music junkie, Clay has been on his game since picking up his first Nintendo and Sony Walkman in the early 90’s. You can follow him on Twitter @bballplusmusic.

Category: #EntertainmentPSB | LEAVE A COMMENT