New Weeknd for your weekend. ‘Might Not’ is off the Canadian rapper, Belly’s, most recent mixtape Up for Days, which just dropped. Give it a listen. Definitely enjoying Abel on this track.
A$AP ROCKY FT. MIGUEL, ROD STEWART, & MARK RONSON – ‘EVERYDAY’
Mark Ronson, sure. Miguel, definitely. Rod Stewart? Probably not someone you would have ever thought would be featured on an A$AP Rocky track. I dig it. We can expect A$AP’s upcoming album, At.Long.Last.A$AP. (A.L.L.A.), on June 2.
There’s been some talk about Drake being featured on Fetty Wap’s track ‘My Way.’ Well, here it is. He joins Fetty arond the 2:30 mark. Listen to Drake’s melodic flow below.
Stream Ciara’s sixth album, ‘Jackie,’ on Spotify. I haven’t listened to it yet, literally just logged on, but I know this is what I’ll be listening to today. Ciara has definitely put out some bangers like ‘Ride,’ ‘Goodies,’ ‘Like a Boy,’ etc., so I have pretty high hopes for this album, which is named after her mother – how appropriate with Mother’s Day being right around the corner. 🙂 Give it a listen, and let me know what you think. Happy Monday, readers!
SERGE’S SELECTIONS
“HAVE AN OPEN MIND AND AN OPEN HEART”*
With my love of and fascination with the Kardashian krew, you didn’t think I’d pass up Brucey, now would ya? I tuned into his interview last Friday, along with the 16 million other viewers. Some think it was a money stunt. Others think this may not be a real struggle or problem. Others also say, “I don’t care. Why should I care? It doesn’t relate to me.” Those are your opinions, and that’s great.
But these are mine:
1. If you actually watched it, he chuckled quite hard at the fact people think this is being done for money. The Kardashians didn’t even appear on the interview. I feel that if he wasn’t associated with the Kardashians, this ‘money stunt’ accusation wouldn’t be so intense.
2. I could never imagine being an Olympic athlete (or an athlete at all) or a person in general internally struggling with gender identity. Especially a male athlete and such a public figure, truly feeling like they don’t belong in their own skin. So yes, I’d say that was a struggle and difficult to tell the world.
3. You’re right, it is really none of our business – it’s his personal life. But just because you cannot relate to this issue, I cannot either, it doesn’t mean you should dismiss it. There are lots of situations and issues I cannot relate to, but I can still have empathy for that person.
4. His interview educated me on the transgender community and other terms/phrases associated with gender identity.
Ultimately, if Bruce’s interview had even the slightest impact on someone else going through the same thing, then that’s what truly matters. Saving a life, preventing a teenage suicide, or any age suicide for that matter, struggling internally with how to tell people. If all it did was save or help one person, then talk away, Bruce!
And if you really don’t care about what he has to say, the transgender community, Bruce, or the Kardashians, then you shouldn’t be wasting your precious time by posting negative statuses on Facebook. 🙂 Also, if you’re reading this and don’t care, keep all negative and nasty thoughts to yourself. Please and thank you.
*Said by Bruce Jenner at the end of his interview
VIDEO: DEORRO FT. CHRIS BROWN – ‘FIVE MORE HOURS’
For those of you who didn’t make it to Coachella this year, Chris Brown will make you feel like you were there in his newest music video. The video is basically a giant rage cage on a school bus. My favorite part is obviously during the dance break when CB shows off his epic dance moves. Love or hate him, he can dance. When he arrives at his final destination, he joins Deorro and Travi$ Scott on stage while spraying champagne at the Coachella crowd. It’s a pretty dope video. Check it!
CAN’T FORGET THE BOY!
And shoutout to Drake for winning ‘Crossover Artist Of The Year’ at the 2015 Billboard Latin American Music Awards. He beat out Pharrell and Jason Derulo in this category. He also took home ‘Tropical Song Of The Year’ for Romeo Santos’ song ‘Odio,’ where Drake is a feature. To read more, you can visit his ultimate (and my favorite) fansite, wordonroad.net.
Congrats! 
This week’s playlist, in no particular order, features 10 songs that I’ve been listening to on repeat the past couple days. There’s a little Nick Jonas (strange, I know), French Montana, Rihanna, and others. Surprisingly Drake isn’t on here. Give it a listen! Any songs you like? Don’t like? Never heard before? Would love to know!
SERGE’S SELECTIONS
MY TRIP TO THE OVO POP-UP SHOP
Last Sunday I ventured to the OVO pop-up shop Drake is hosting in Los Angeles. Like most pop-up shops or really any urban clothing store, they are very small inside. I approached the door, only to be stopped by a security/bodyguard type man, if you will, sporting an OVO t-shirt. I patiently waited until a few customers left, and it was my turn to go inside. Drake visited the shop on April 8, and I had to think that if I was there on that day, I would have fainted. The store is so small, we could have literally bumped into each other. ANYWHO. Check out some pictures below. And you know I had to buy something – the checkout bag is even OVO-approved.
BEYONCÉ AND JAY Z TO RELEASE JOINT ALBUM ON TIDAL
Earlier this week, internationally recognized DJ, DJ Skee, revealed the highly-anticipated joint project is nearing completion and will be released exclusively on TIDAL, Jay Z’s streaming service. Now I’ve downloaded the app but have yet to subscribe, even for the free 30-day trial. I’ve been reading a lot on the pros and cons of the app, mostly cons (the biggest being the $20 monthly fee compared to Spotify’s $9.99/month, which is what I have and love). I like the exclusivity TIDAL offers to its subscribers, such as this album for example. However, I think the app needs some fine-tuning and updating before I fork over $20/month. Now if Jay Z were to call me personally (like he’s doing to subscribers to thank them) to tell me why I need to sign up, then maybe I’ll reconsider. So for now, I can only hope the album will get put on Spotify or somewhere on the Internet so I can listen. Guess I’ll just have to be patient!
Do any of you use TIDAL? If you do, what do you think of it so far? Those who don’t have it, why not? Would love to know your thoughts.
Off of The Weeknd’s back-to-back performances at Coachella and with it being 4.20 (on the West Coast still at least), I couldn’t think of a more appropriate playlist to put together for you guys. Abel Tesfaye’s music isn’t like your typical R&B. It’s dark but sexy, features slow tempos with lyrics about sex, drugs, and partying, and is typically sung in quite the falsetto. I’m obsessed.
If you haven’t listened to or even heard of The Weeknd, I highly suggest you check him out. And no I’m not just saying this because he is Drake’s protégé – he is truly talented. And having seen him perform multiple times, his talent on the stage is equally brilliant and breathtaking. Check out some of my faves below.
SERGE’S SELECTIONS
DRAKE ANNOUNCES ‘JUNGLE TOUR’
Notice Los Angeles isn’t on here. I already looked at flights to Houston, which happens to be Memorial Day Weekend. Tickets go on sale tomorrow. I need to calm down. However, if anyone out there would like to donate funds, that would be greatly appreciated. You will be featured in a blog post.
Future will also be joining Drake on the tour.
KANYE WEST COVERS TIME’S 100 MOST INFLUENTIAL PEOPLE
I know what you’re thinking… WHY would Kanye West be listed as an influential person? He’s so mean. He’s the worst. He’s a terrible person. Blah blah. How many of you have actually followed him throughout his musical career? The man is brilliant and creative. Extremely talented. An epic performer – his Yeezus tour was a full-on production. In the words of Taylor Swift, ironic I know (and can’t believe I’m quoting her), but the “haters gonna hate hate hate hate hate.”
Tesla Motors and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk wrote a tribute to Ye in the magazine. “He’s not afraid of being judged or ridiculed in the process. Kanye’s been playing the long game all along, and we’re only just beginning to see why.”
And yes, I will be purchasing this issue of Time.
OVO POP-UP SHOP IN LOS ANGELES
I really don’t have much to write about this but just wanted to let you all know that if you’re in LA you should stop by. I plan on doing so – obviously. I need to cop some OVO swag, ya dig! For those of you not in Los Angeles, you can order OVO merch online here.
Happy shopping!
…til Greek Week. That was the motto of Alpha Gamma Delta each year leading up to the best week of our lives, which is currently going down at Westminster College. Talk about a perfect #tbt. For those unfamiliar, let me break down what the week entails.
SPORTS. Lots of sports. Since I’m an all-star athlete and didn’t want to show off my talents 
among the other members of the Greek community, I stayed on the sidelines during events (pictured right), giving my fellow sisters a chance to participate. False. We wouldn’t be on this 16-year winning streak if I even attempted to partake in any of the events. You’re all welcome.
And yes, you read that correctly. The sisters of the Alpha Epsilon chapter of Alpha Gamma Delta have won Greek Week 16 years in a row, and I couldn’t be MORE proud to be a part of this organization. Red, buff, and green – what what whaaaaat.
I digress. Back to the events, which include: basketball, swimming, pie eating (I probably could have done okay in that), tug-of-war, kickball (Nee, remember when Z-Train pummeled you LOL – glad you’re okay), rock climbing, track events, trivia, and a singing competition known as Greek Idol. I may be missing some, but you get the gist. Events conclude on Friday. Also during the week, each organization learns a dance routine. The dances are performed Saturday night at my favorite event called Sing n Swing. Both Greek Week and Sing n Swing winners are announced that evening. There is a fraternity and sorority winner. *insert chills*
5, 6, 7, 8! Sing n Swing is where I come in. This is really what I live for. Eighty plus girls. Mixing music. Picking out costumes. Creating formations. MANY thanks to my fellow choreographers and especially to the extremely talented Ms. Amy Schillinger for willing this task down to me my freshman year. #honored. See below for our 2011 (my senior year) winning choreography. *insert more chills*
While the bond of sisterhood in general is quite strong, the bond that occurs during this single week is something I cannot explain, and I’m sure this goes for you other Greeks out there, too. But I’m telling you. Something about Alpha Gamma Delta. Few things make me emotional, but thinking back to all of this… CAN I GET A TISSUE.
What I wouldn’t give to go back to this week and to chant ‘to the Eps, to the Eps’ to celebrate both the Alpha Gams and the brothers of Sigma Phi Epsilon’s wins by dancing on tables with multiple champagne showers (pictured left). Miss you, Johnny. *crying*
I am so proud to call these girls my sisters, both ones I went to school with and current ones whom I’ve never met (yes, that sounds creepy, but you completely understand if you’re Greek). With their determination, pride, good sportsmanship, and talents, I am not surprised we have won 16 years in a row.
Sisters, I leave you with this song. It is sure to pump you up before, during, or after any event and especially before you leave the suite on Saturday night to head over to Orr Auditorium. Jillian and Lindsay can attest to that (10, 10, 10, 10!).
So good luck to all Greek organizations this week but most importantly, good luck to my sisters of Alpha Gamma Delta. I hope you squirrels bring home another win, and I hope you crush it on stage Saturday night. Wish I could be there.
Always Gonna Dominate,
Three flights. Thirty-six hours. Ninety years old.
Last weekend my aunt, uncle, and I flew into Pittsburgh to surprise one of my most favorite people in the whole wide world – my grandma. And boy was she so so surprised! Thinking she was going to the Montour musical that evening, which actually doesn’t start until next weekend, she claimed she wasn’t ‘dressed’ for dinner once we told her the plans. She mumbled this through the tears and crying. Grandma always has to look the most presentable. With that being said, I think this blog post could best be told through pictures. Enjoy 🙂
red-eye from LAX landing in the burgh
#sergesselfiestick bros – Michael’s man bun not pictured
delicious dinner from Alla Famiglia
Happy 90th, grandma! You are one of the flirtiest and most kind-hearted people I know! I am so glad I was able to fly home to celebrate this milestone. Until next time!
Californyinz 