I’m just going to leave this right here. I’m pretty confident this will be on Drake’s Views from the 6 . It’s definitely got a slower feel to it – not my favorite, but I’ll give it a few more listens. Also, apologies in advance if the track gets taken down, so enjoy it while you can!
And it got taken down – as did most of the others 😦 I will keep an eye out for another link for yinz!
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.
“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! 
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.
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!
As if the kiss seen around the world wasn’t enough of a surprise (Madonna kissed Drake during his Coachella set for those who don’t know – yes, I’m jealous if you’re wondering), a bonus track from If You’re Reading This It’s Too Late was just released online. Check it below. Thank you, Drake, for the constant tunes.
It only makes sense that my first ‘Music’ post feature songs from none other than the Toronto rapper himself, Mr. Aubrey Drake Graham.
Before I go into that though, here’s what you can look forward to in the ‘Music’ section:
Serge’s Selections. These beginning of the week playlists will feature new music that’s out, music I’m currently listening to, throwbacks, remixes, DJs I’m into… essentially any type of music I want you to jam out to. I can’t promise they will be kid-friendly versions (sorry, mom), so make sure you have your headphones in if you’re listening at work. The playlists will be through SoundCloud, so you can listen directly from the blog post, and you don’t even need an account*. Just press play and enjoy!
Weekly W(rap)-ups. These will be posted near the end of the week and will include a few music news headlines that happened throughout the week. Topics will range from concert announcements to a new album that is dropping to artist gossip (because everyone wants to know Drake’s next move, right?) to music videos and more.
While most of the playlists and wrap-ups will have an urban feel, I really do love all music, so you can expect other genres here too. I mean, I have to let you know when Queen Bey drops a new track! Just no country. Unless Drake decides to throw on a cowboy hat and boots. Then we’ll talk.
So here it is, the first playlist of californyinz…
SERGE’S SELECTIONS – HOPE YOU ENJOY LISTENING!
PS – Adam, I made sure to add ‘Worst Behavior’ for you.
*For those of you who do have a SoundCloud account and want more music, you can follow me here.
Welcome to my blog, californyinz! This has been a long time coming, so I am very excited it is finally up and running and even more excited you are here reading!
Why californyinz? Having vacationed to the City of Angels since I was baby Serge, now a resident of the state (almost four years!), and having been born and raised in the Steel City, both California and Pittsburgh have always held and will continue to hold special places in my heart. I wanted a creative way to combine these two loves of mine through writing and knew a blog was just the thing!
californ + yinz*
= californyinz
This isn’t a blog about Drake, you ask? Well yes, I could indeed dedicate a whole site to the 6 God, but that sounds a bit stalker-esque. However, there most definitely will be a Drake presence throughout, as well as a hip-hop music and live entertainment influence, as those are two things I am very passionate about.
What makes this blog different from other lifestyle blogs? This blog stems from experiences with my friends and family. Without them, it would be one lonely girl going to the GRAMMYs, Vegas, a Lakers game, the beach, or wherever else alone. Who wants to read about that? Because of yinz, I have enough stories to curate some pretty epic content for californyinz, so you can expect some personal shout outs!
Get ready to follow my journey from here on out in California and from those frequent trips I make back home to Pittsburgh. Yes, I still consider Pittsburgh home. This bigger platform, compared to Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram, will allow me to tell yinz about my West and East Coast happenings and all things hip hop that I love.
Thank you for taking time out of your day to read this. I look forward to sharing my ‘californ’ and ‘yinzer’ experiences with you!
And shout out to my roommate Megan, follow her on Twitter @megstraw – she’s pretty awesome, for helping me choose the fonts for the californyinz logo!
*How someone from Pittsburgh would say “y’all” or “you guys”
Californyinz 