VIDEO: K'naan "Wavin' Flag"

Last year, while "THE KRU" was in the studio, K'naan stopped by and graced us with his presence. I had heard of him, but wasn't too familiar with his music, but Krucial spoke highly of him and was definitely inpired by this young artist.

We were heavy on IT'S SO KRUCIAL - KYTE.TV that time and K'naan decided to stay and joined us while we went "LIVE" with the fans -- played us "Wavin' Flag"; and a few others from his album Troubadour. The album is honest, deep and rich with words. I was definitely a fan after that and so was the rest of THE KRU. (If you haven't picked it up, I suggest you do. You will not be disappointed.) Now a year later, "Wavin' Flag" is the official song for the FIFA World Cup 2010 in South Africa. The honor is definitely well deserved, and I couldn't be more happier that this young poet/rapper/musician/activist/..... is being recognized globally for his talents. CONGRATS K'NAAN!!!! For more information on K'naan go to K'NAAN WEBSITE and follow him at @IAMKNAAN

VIDEO: K'NAAN "WAVIN' FLAG"

K'NAAN "Waving Flag" -Celebration mix- Dir: NABIL from nabil elderkin on Vimeo.

HERE IS HE ORIGINAL VIDEO:

K'NAAN "Waving Flag" album version from nabil elderkin on Vimeo.

Alicia Keys announces Freedom Tour 2010 US

For all of our KRUtons aka KRUsaders for as Ivona would say AKRUtons (lol),

Here are the US tour dates for The Freedom Tour 2010. Sending all of you my love...THANK YOU for all of YOUR love & support! Because of all of you, record sales prove that as long as there is great music being made, lovers of music will support! Despite the album leak, The Element of Freedom sold over 417K the first week. Now that's what I call having The Element of Success. (Thank you Krucial for making music that we all love & appreciate!)

DATE CITY VENUE
---- ---- -----
March 03, 2010 Chicago, IL Allstate Arena
March 05, 2010 Detroit, MI Fox Theater
March 06, 2010 Detroit, MI Fox Theater
March 13, 2010 Mashantucket, CT Foxwoods Casino
March 17, 2010 New York, NY Madison Square Garden
March 19, 2010 Newark, NJ Prudential Centre
March 20, 2010 Atlantic City, NJ Mark Estess Arena
March 22, 2010 Boston, MA Agganis Arena
March 24, 2010 Baltimore, MD 1st Mariner Arena
March 25, 2010 Washington, D.C. Verizon Center
March 27, 2010 Miami, FL American Airlines Arena
March 28, 2010 Tampa, FL St. Pete Times-Forum
March 30, 2010 Atlanta, GA Phillips Arena
April 02, 2010 Dallas, TX Nokia Theater (Grand Prairie)
April 03, 2010 Houston, TX Toyota Centre
April 06, 2010 Los Angeles, CA Staples Centre
April 07, 2010 San Jose, CA HP Pavilion
April 09, 2010 Las Vegas, NV Mandalay Bay


It's all love baby!

Truly yours,

Jnyflower

Alicia Keys Drafts Drake for "Freedom" Album

Alicia Keys Drafts Drake For 'Freedom' Album
Newsroom | Posted on 11/16/09 | Filed Under: R&B News, Alicia Keys


Alicia Keys' decision to move back her album due to great music may have something to do with Drake.

According to longtime Keys' collaborator Kerry 'Krucial' Brothers, Keys has logged time in the studio with the "Best I Ever Had" rapper/singer.

"Wow this new Ak and Drake is fire! I love my job," Brothers wrote on Twitter over the weekend.

Later writing what could end up on a song, Brothers wrote "If you have something to say... U should say it right now".

Keys' forthcoming album "The Element of Freedom" was due December 8 but has since been moved back to December 15.

Announcing the slight pushback, Keys wrote "Luv having the freedom to create beautiful music, so I’m pushing the album back to DEC 15th... So many more amazing songs!!!," on Twitter.

"The Element of Freedom" also follows the release of the now Billboard Hot R&B/Hip Hop Songs no.1 charting single "Empire State of Mind" (Jay-Z).

Tasha Reid (Yoon Mi Rae) - "Black Happiness"

My friend Denyce Lawton tweeted and sent me a link to this amazing Korean/Black rapper, Tasha Reid (Yoon Mi Rae). I was really impressed by what she was saying in her lyrics. This really touched my heart and I can now say that I am now a fan of hers! The personal message in the music is what captured me -- I love honest music. Let me know what you think! Thanks Denyce!!!




* Black Happiness by Tasha

My skin was dark from my past
People used to point at me
Even at my mom Even at my dad who was black, and in the army
People whisper behind my back
Said this and said that
I always had tears in my eyes
Although I was young
I saw my mother's sadness

Everything
seemed like it was my fault
Because of my guilt
I washed my face everytime during the day
With my tears I melt the white soap
I always hated my dark skin
why O why
Does the world judge me
When I hate the world
I close my eyes

I put my soul into the music my father gave me
I feel the volume
And fly higher and higher
Far away
la musique

(When I hate the world)
(Music soothes me)
(you gotta hold on)
(and love yourself)
(When I hate the world)
(Music raises me up)
(so you gotta be strong)
(you gotta hold on)
(and love yourself)

Time passed and I was thirteen
My skin was dark brown
Music doesn't judge color
They give me light
I lead my music
We lean on eachother
I don't feel lonely
Then one day
I was given a chance
I held on to my microphone

And suddenly I was on stage
I say goodbye to music and ask it to come back
Then I became nineteen
I have to lie
I put white makeup over my face
They told me to wear a mask
They said my mom's race was okay
But not my dad's
Every year my age was nineteen
During times when time stopped

I felt like I was in jail
And I leaned on myself
I spent endless, painful days
I ignored their warnings
And because I missed music
I tried to escape
But no, I got caught
I prayed all night
And now I'm free

"The Kru" is made up of "The Krutons"

As many of you know, our team is called "The Kru", but in order to incorporate all of our wonderful kyters and twitterkins into the mix I have officially decided to call you "The Krutons" (All matter, everything we see around us, is made up of protons, neutrons and electrons--and now we got KRUTONS!)

So after I had finally decided to let my twitterkins (The Krutons) read my blog about Kerry (bka "Krucial"), I realized that many of you share my sentiments about K. But then again, how could you not admire his unforgettable personality, charm and genuine connection. Kerry has a presence to him that makes you feel like he's been that friend you've had for over 20 year--that feeling of familiarity and it's because he is one of few who let's you see HIM and not a mirage or a halogram of who he is. I encourage all of you to comment and share your love, questions and thoughts about Krucial, as I share with you my journey; my love for music, my dedication to the people I love, and my gratitude to the people who support us and keeps us inspired: THE KRUTONS!!!!

Thank you to everyone who continues to follow us on twitter, join us on kyte, ustream, facebook, myspace and websites. We appreciate your love, support and especially your positive words of encouragement. I would like for all of you to know that every single one of your love is felt and that our inspiration is to keep bringing you GREAT music and content to keep making you proud. We do it for the love of music, but also for those who share our sentiments.

Music is what feelings sound like.

Photo of Kerry "Krucial' Brothers, Jr taken by Jnyflower Choe