Digicel Rising Stars Season 12- Top 5.

Photo credit: Twitter @televisionjam

Seven became five Sunday night on season 12 of Digicel Rising Stars. Jay Keda was first to go and her exit performance was the hit Major Lazor song "Lean On" there were elements of the performance that made me say "ok maybe she deserved to stay".  We rockitive lovers also had to say good bye to the rock duo Vanity Club who exited the competition with Trey Songs hit single "Slow Motion". During their performance that I  realized that the taller guy in the group has the better voice he definitely sounds like a rocker. It sucks that they're gone but the show must go on as there can only be one winner.

Brick Bronson was the guest judge this week and he didn't mince words at all which I felt was good for the contestants because the music industry is brutal and you have to grow thick skin. Jody K was first up and as usual she  sounded good doing a Rihanna and Sia mash up of "Disturbia" and "Titanium"  she was strong vocal wise and the performance though it was low energy was still good. There was some talk about her not feeling well but honestly who cares. As an entertainer people who pay their money to come s you perform will not care iif you're sick the show must must on no excuses.

Samantha Bogle followed with a dancehall medley of some o the topsongs making huge waves on the Jamaican party scene. The judges didn't like her performance and although I understand why they didn't, I like that Samanth always keeps her song choices Jamaican. I mean the night was themed "Club Night" and Samantha was the only one that actually selected songs that are Jamaican club bangers. 

 Roshelle Harris was the nights third contestant she selected did Taylor Swift's "Bad Blood".  She started off rocky and then she decided to do the rap portion of the song and that  killed the entire performance for me and for the judges. By the time she was near the end she was all over the place trying make up for th rocky start and baad rapping but she couldn't deliver flawlessly. Marsha K came out hot as ever and killed her performance!! She had me saying "Jody Who???". She brought sex appeal, strong vocals, hit the runs and riffs in the song beautifully, kept her energy up right through and managed to sound almost like the original singer of the song she selected.  Last but definitely not least was Anna Mariah who was back in fighting shape this week with "Bang Bang". She looked fabulous sang well and nailed the Nicki Minaj verse. Although she didn't manage to hit Jesse J's high note leading into the final chorus she did a spectacular job to reclaim her position as part of the top three favorites. 

***Side bar- I loved how edgy the fashion was from Terri-Karrelle's little black dress to Anna's colorful ensemble.

I don't want to underestimate Roshelle and Samantha but I feel that we have a winner between Jody, Marsha and Anna Mariah. I definitely see a future in the music industry for these three they have the look, the confidence and the vocal ability. Samantha I feel is a strong contender but she has failed to deliver consitently good vocals. The votes are what matters at the end of the day so let's see who will go home or who will be saved next Sunday. Until then thank you for reading and please leave a comment. ‎

Love Note: Phantom Social Media Foes.

   

I haven't written a "Love Note" article in awhile. What I'm going to address is something different from what I usually write about. I have noticed a trend on social media where people are always using memes to throw shade or making posts out of nowhere directed at their "enemies" or so called "haters". I've seen people direct posts at their ex who may or may not care about what that person is doing or with whom. I feel that majority of the time some of these posts are actually fake, directed at some phantom person. I also believe that people create these illusions of conflicts so that their mentions can filled with retweets and there instagram and Facebook pages can be filled with likes and comments on why the post is the "realest thing ever". In other words, some people can't go a day without having some level of drama in their life so they use social media to create drama where it does not exist. Isn't that sad?  I would really like to see an end to all the social media fake battles/drama. So I challenge all the guilty parties out there, the next time you feel like posting something that has nothing to do with your reality ask yourself these three questions:

1. Why is it so important to have people on my time line believe that I just have more enemies than everyone else?

2. If I really do have enemies that I'm making these posts for and about why are these people still my social media friends and if they are not then why am I about to waste time making this post ?

3. If I am having issues with a family member, an ex girl or boyfriend or a friend, why can't I have a one on one conversation with the individual instead of airing the problem on social media and throwing "shade" at the person?

If you can't find some good answers to these three simple questions it means that you are about to post some fake sh*t or you are just crazy looking for attention. The next time you feel like making a post directed towards an individual who may or may not be hating on you for what you supposedly have or the life you are currently living why not post instead:

1. The good things actually happening  in your life. That will get you the same amount of likes as a fake post about made up haters.

2. Post a thank you or a message of appreciation to all the good people in your circle who are always lifting you up. That too will keep your your timeline active with likes and comments if that's what you really want.

3. Make your status a motivational quote for those who may be in need of a message of hope to help them get through the day. You can find positive and empowering memes online too.

4. Inbox the person who you are having issues with and seek to find a resolution in private. You don't need to always put those you are having conflict with on blast.

5. If some one has a problem with you for no real reason you need not waste a moment of your precious time paying attention to what does not bring value to your life. If you have haters it means you are doing something right. Side bar: sometimes it means you are doing something wrong too but either way people are going to talk so let them talk.

People, life is way too short to keep dwelling on negative things and negative people. So what if no one likes your pictures, so what if your ex is stalking all your social media accounts? Seek not to be messy seek not to waste your energy on trivial matters. Live a clean life online and off line.

Thank you for reading.
Love: Yasheka.

Digicel Rising Stars Season 12- Movie Night.

         

Photo credit: Twitter @televisionjam

This week the result or elimination round had a twist Jay Keda and Anthony Miller's wild card Amoui were the two with the lowest votes thus were set to face off to see who would remain in the competition. They both sang the songs they did the week before. Amoui was first up and I thought she sounded much better last week. She had some pitch problem and went off key especially when she was ad-libbing near the end. Jay Keda sounded better this week so I thought she was the clear the winner. With Anthony choosing his wild card as the winner of the face off Alaine was left to break the tie and with her selection Jay Keda was left to fight another night.

If last week wasn't enough with the contestants being judged by a celebrity choreographer, added to the panel this week was singer,actor and music producer Bryce Wilson. I like this element and I hope it continues.The night was all about movies. I expected some great song choices from movies most Jamaicans would know but as usual contestants went for songs they felt people know and would guarantee them votes. Anthony's critisms was true to his "Killer Miller" nickname. Some of his comments were cringe worthy though so thank God for Alaine who was the reassuring voice.

First up was Marsha K  with a song from the movie Thunderdomes "We Don't Need Another Hero" by Tina Turner. I'm not sure ho many Jamaicans even know that movie or that song but any ways- she started off key which all the judges made mention of. Her raspy undertones were reminiscent of Tina but that still wasn't enough for me to love her song choice. On a scale of 1-10 I'd give her 6. Vanity Club the only males left in the competition followed and they decided to sing  Aero Smith's "Don't Want To Miss A Thing" from the movie Armageddon. I'm eztremely happy and I'm sure everyone who loves rockitive and have been rooting for this duo like myself must be over the moon too becuase  they did very well they really rocked out. Anthony Miller who has been very critical of them gave the duo thumbs up for their song choice, performance and even their style. I loved their song and I thought they delivered it well.

Anna Mariah took her song from the movie Pursuit of Happiness. The track was "Bridge Over Troubled Water" by Roberta Flack. She was a vision in the light blue or mint green chiffon dress she wore but all the judges agreed that she didn't pull them in as much as they needed her to. That song if delivered correctly could move even the hardest of hearts to tears. Remember how Tessanne sounded when she did that song on The Voice. I think Anna selected the song becuase of the Tessanne factor. I agree with guest judge Bryce that technically she was good but the emotion and passion she needed to have inorder to reach the audience just wasn't there. I wish she had left that song for maybe gospel night. Anna is still one of my favorites in the competition though so hopefully J.A. will not hold this week's song choice against her.

Jay Keda was next and she did her best with  "Lady Marmalade" from the sexy movie Mula Rouge. My face was doing all kinds of things during her performance. Yes she started off sexy but then the back up vocalist were left to do most of the work and carry song. She selected a song that she could have put a fabulous arrangement to but didn't. It felt Karaoke to me and I think the problem was that she didn't do the Christina Aguilera version of the hit song. Roshelle Harris sang "The Climb" from Hannah Montanna:The Movie. This young lady has a powerful voice but her rendition of the song was just boring. I actually like this Miley Cyrus song but Miss Harris sounded almost like she was leading a high-school graduation song. The judges all felt that though it was an ok performance the song didn't do much for them and I have to agree.

Roxy J sang "Victory" from the movie Gospel. What can I say about her performance that I haven't said already. (See previous reviews). I Agree with Anthony she does the same thing vocally every week it's getting really tiresome. She needs to learn vocal control or dynamics. She wasn't victorio selecting
that song. Roxy was pretty off key from start to finish the song sounded weird. Jody Kay James sang "Free Way of Love" by Aretha Franklin. The song has been featured in the movie "Pink Cadillac". Before I could
write that hers was the best performance of the night I wanted to hear what Samantha Bogle was coming with. Samantha sang one of my favorite love songs "Thousand Years" from the Twighlight Movie. I love the song so much so that I used it for my bridal march. I like Samantha she can sing, she has one of the best tones in the competition in my opinion and I tried to love her rendition of that Christina Perri song but it didn't connect. She needed to be softer so that the tone of the song would feel more beautiful. Maybe if she had just stood behind the mic stand instead of walking out the outcome of her performance would have been different. That takes me back to Miss Jody Kay I can safely say without a doubt that hers was the top performance for the night from start to finish she had my attention, she delivered vocally and she captured the essence of the song.

People will vote not necessarily for the best but I think Roxy J and Roshelle may end up in the bottom two next week. As usual Terri looked great, Alaine's hair style and color looked fabulous on her. The Chill room was fun this week so kudos to Sanjay. Let's see what next week brings.

#DRS12 80's Theme.

Photo credit: Television Jamaica Twitter

I still cannot believe I missed the Reggae and dancehall theme last week. From the highlights I can tell I missed out on a good show. Ashanie Reid was the one eliminated from the recap I thought she sounded ok but the voters decided so that's that.
It was the final wild card battle and up was Anthony Miller's selections Denna and Amoui. The song was not the best for a battle but I like Amoui straight away and Anthony chose her as the winner of the battle.
Music from the 80's was the nights theme and the guest judge was Tanisha choreographer to the stars. I honestly expected that there was going to be more dancing but instead there was lots of bad song choices, poor vocals and lackluster performances.

Teacher Jody Kay James was first up and she sang a very old boring 80's ballad "I'm Changing" she sang beautifully and looked great but I hated that song as did Anthony and Conroy.

Roxy J who was brought back by Alaine last week sang "Make It Like it Was" by Regina Bell. I remember  Lenya Wilks did this song when she entered and sang it much better than Roxy did and was voted off so let see if Roxy J will be saved by votes next week. I didn't like her vocal performance any at all she maybe because it was pitched too low and her already deep voice sounded very rough.

Vanity Club gave us their rendition of "I'll be Watching You" by Police I wish they didn't choose that song. All the judges agreed that there was a disconnect. The amount of good rock songs from the 80's they could have done Ahh boii I still wana see them in the competition though.

Roshelle Harris gave the first upbeat 80's performance and honored the late Whitney Houston on her birthday with "How Do I Know". It was a great song choice she just needed to smile more and if she had some back up dancers and good choreography would have landed her the top spot for the night.

Jay Keda gave her rendition of  Phill Collins " Against All Odds" but it wasn't the right song for her and all the judges pretty much said so too. They didn't enjoy her performance of that song and as much as that's one of my favorite Phill Collins songs I didn't like her performance either.

Anthony's Wild Card Amoui Ashman sang Madonna's  "Like A Prayer" her voice was ok but the performance didn't grab me.

The seventh contestant Samantha Bogle happy she did an upbeat track but she could have done more with the track her vocal performance was good apart from one awkward note near the end. The judges all agreed that the song didn't go anywhere and the movements were safe.

Conroy's wild card Marsha K sang "Total Eclipse" of the heart in some parts of the song I agree with Conroy that she had moments in the song where she sounded like Bonnie Tyler I agree with guess judge Tanisha that good vocals doesn't a good performance make. Engage the audience make eye contact that makes 100% of a difference when on stage. That was the lesson tonight also tuck in your stomach and smile when hitting hig notes.

The best was saved for last. When Anna Mariah took the stage I sent out a tweet asking that she would perform the hell out of the song and she did. She embodied that Thriller video by Michael Jackson and though I agree with guest judge Tanisha that parts of the performance sounded and looked like musical theatre all the judges and I agree that she was definitely the best performer of the night.

Over all this may just have been the worst week since season twelve started. Hopefully next week will be much better.