Keep an Ear: Bridget Kelly

By J9 of J9's MusicLife

Keep an Ear: A feature post that presents up and coming artists you should keep an ear out for.

So Twitter has been buzzing lately about 25-year-old, songwriter/singer Bridget Kelly, a.k.a. BeeKay or BK and her single Thinking About Forever, written by Frank Ocean (you know the dude behind the song Novacane).

BK got her big break in the spotlight when she filled in for Alicia Keys singing on Empire State of Mind with Jay-Z on his international tour, his concert w/ Em at Yankee Stadium, and the 9/11 Benefit concert.

Long before being on stage with Jay, BK was singing as a kid and listening to the sounds of Motown, Jazz, and Pop at home.  She attended the LaGuardia High School for Performing Arts in New York City (same school the musical Fame was based) and says it played a major part in her pursuing a career in music and allowed her to hone her talent.  BK's musical influences include Mariah Carey, Brandy, Whitney, Pink, Alicia Keys.

Now, BK is in the studio working on her debut album which she says is a very emotional driven album that will represent an aggressive yet vulnerable side.  She's working with many famous writers/producers like Frank Ocean, The-Dream, Ne-Yo, James Fauntleroy, and Shea Taylor.  She also plans to release an EP beforehand as an introduction to who she is which will include the single Thinking About Forever.  So make sure to keep an ear out for that when it drops.  BK has also collaborated with such musical greats as Dr. Dre and Nas for potential singles on their upcoming projects.

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Willow Smith Whips Up a Movement Despite Negativity

By J9 of J9's MusicLife

Willow Smith, 10-year-old daughter of Will and Jada Smith, has turned into an overnight star due to her popular debut single, "Whip Your Hair."  Before even knowing who's kid she was, Jay-Z listened to her song and loved it.  Eventually, he signed Willow to his label, Roc Nation. 

For those who remember, Willow is like the Raven-Symone of today.  In 1993, Raven came out with her first single "That's What Little Girls Are Made of" when she was only 8 years-old.  Click here to see the video.

In the mist of Willow's debut success, many have already started to shed a bad light on her.  It started before her single dropped, when she shaved the sides of her head.  Some felt she was too young for this type of hairstyle and frowned upon Will and Jada for condoning it.

If I had a girl, I probably wouldn't allow her to shave her head.  But seriously, what's the harm?  Recently, many people were allowing their little boys to wear a shaved Mohawk style.  What makes Willow so different?  Is it because she's a girl?

On May 14, 2010, the whole Smith family was on Oprah and Willow's hairstyle was discussed.  She and Jada explained that "her beauty didn't depend on her hair."  Willow wanted to be free and not worry about her hair when she participated in activities like swimming.

I think for a young, black girl to feel that her hair isn't a big deal, shows confidence.  Such an outlook is rare, especially in the black community when even older women are obsessed with their hair.  If anything, Willow is a young role model for little girls out there teaching them to be proud of not only their hair but who they are in general.

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