Introducing singer/songwriter Jade Alston. Hailing from Philly, she has been on the rise since she was 14 years old and has watched the industry evolve, applying it in her music while maintaining the essence of R&B. Her trademark of a voice meshes well with the fresh spirit entering the R&B realm, making Jade a force to be reckoned with.

Jade recently released her debut EP, Single On A Saturday Night exclusively via Singersroom.com, and the effort features Grammy-nominated songwriter Claude Kelly, who co-wrote the lead single “Missing You Lately” while Grammy-winning producer Chuck Harmony also contributed to the project. The 10-track body of work tells the universal tale about a single woman on a Saturday night. Each track off the EP plays like a journal entry into Jade’s personal diary.

Get to know R&B’s latest newcomer as she properly introduces her self, talks about her latest release, her Toni Braxton comparisons and more.

VIBE VIXEN: If you were talking to R&B as a person, how would you introduce yourself?
JADE ALSTON: I’d say, ‘Waddup, homie, I’m your new biggest nightmare.’ [laughs]. Just kidding! I’d say, ‘What’s up R&B, let me introduce myself as your one of your biggest fans and hopefully future innovators.’

When did you realize that you had a special talent that could be shared with the world?
I’ve always wanted to sing, but I didn’t consider my talent special until very recently. I didn’t really have confidence in my voice because I wanted to sound like everyone else. I have a low voice and that took some getting used to. I wanted to sound like Beyoncé or Whitney Houston or Christina Aguilera. It wasn’t until this past year actually that I accepted my voice and my sound and made it special to me first. The fact that anyone else considers it special is extremely exciting and humbling to me.

What inspired the concept of Single on a Saturday Night?
I have gotten dumped! [Laughs] So of course I had to write a bunch of songs about it. The actual phrase was inspired by my favorite series/movie Sex and The City. Being newly single, I overdosed on the entire series at once, trying to cope [laughs], and one day the title just came to me. It’s actually a play off of one of Carrie Bradshaw’s best quotes. She says: ‘If you are single there is always one thing you should take out with you on a Saturday night… Your friends.’

A lot of people get a Toni Braxton vibe from your tone. How do you feel about the comparisons?
I love Toni Braxton! Her voice is so signature. She represents that sexy, sultry tone like Anita Baker, Phyllis Hyman and other similar, signature vocalists. So if I can come in and be the next great artist to have that lane, then I’ll definitely take it. It’s a huge compliment.

What’s next for Jade Alston?
My goal is to continue to grow awareness for my current project with visuals, live performances, tours, etc. Overall though, expect years and years of innovative, relatable music. That’s my personal challenge for myself.

Be sure to listen and download Jade Alston’s Single on a Saturday EP here.

The exclusive, behind the scenes video chronicles Amanda’s journey through a beauty transformation as she shoots the publicity campaign for DTD, as well as highlights the exclusive piece created by Gwen Beloti which will be available for purchase on Smashing Darling and select boutiques in NYC.

The Design the Dream dress will also debut live in Gwen Beloti’s spring 2012 collection, along with a luxury handbag from Daughter of Zion by Eboyné Jackson during New Jersey Fashion Week, October 9-13.

A portion of the proceeds will benefit two organizations near and dear to the creators’ hearts —  Little Dresses for Africa and Adonai Partners.

Source

“Qream was created for contemporary women who work hard and want to relax with friends at the end of the day,” Pharrell Williams told AllHipHop.com. “I want them to reward themselves deliciously.”

The drink will be in partnership with Diageo, one of the world largest spirit producers who’s popularly known his hand in launching celebrity liquor brands. In addition to developing the taste of Qream, Pharrell also designed the bottle, the marketing and advertising campaign, and will serve as the brand’s cultural ambassador.

“Women make up half the population and Qream is about celebrating that power,” Pharrell said. “To work with Diageo in bringing something original like Qream and the notion of delicious living to market has been a thrill.”

The drink is set to hit shelves nationwide late July.

Our North Carolina Vixen Rapsody recently took her rapping talents to Tony Touches’ Toca Tuesday Shade 45 show, where she showcased why she she had her eye on Jay-Z’s throne. Check out the 9th Wonder-backed lyricist spit ear-catching bars with ease. Also, if you haven’t copped her latest release Thank H.E.R. Now, do the favor of treating yourself to a nice audio fix. And lastly, if you haven’t caught our Q&A with the female MC, check out the interview here.

Skylar Grey, the mid-twenties singer/songwriter behind the pen game for Eminem and Rihanna, Dr. Dre, Lupe Fiasco and Diddy-Dirty Money, is stepping out on her own with the video treatment to her first buzz single, “Dance Without You.” In this video we find the songstress appearing as her original self, Holly Brook, and possessed before the dark-taunting, egoistical Skylar Grey rips out of her back. After the battle in a doctor’s room, the scene closes with Holly laying lifeless on the ground and Skylar walking off with no emotion of remorse. That doctor is surely in for a treat when he enters the room.

Skylar’s upcoming album Invisible is set for release this fall.

Watch the vid:

You don’t have to be a hipster to indulge in the latest helping from London based designer Fleet Ilya! Bringing the visor back with smooth leather grace, the leather accessory brand releases their Summer 2011 visor line. The visors come in soft pastel and natural colors, along with two different styles of buttons on the side — the single or double gold buttons. Not too sure about how the heat will affect a comfortable fit with the leather material, but this style of this creation is nothing less of sleek! What do you think? Should the leather designers just stick to other type of accessories?

Check out more pictures here!

via HighSnobette

In this month’s issue of Vogue Italia, the elegant King B earns her self a spread in the high fashioned magazine with inspiration from the late Hollywood bombshell, Grace Kelly. A recent stan for fur — as showcased in her “Run The World (Girls)” video and album artwork for 4 — Beyonce keeps the tradition going with snow white fur draped over Tom Ford gowns in the shoot. As she’s also continuing European promo for her fresh new album 4, her single “Run The World (Girls)” is currently sitting at #1 on the Billboard Dance/Club Play charts. Who runs the world? Bey, indeed.

Check out the pictures from the shoot here.