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Fantasia and DJ Khaled tell Fans How They’re Keeping Their Game Strong and Fame from Going Wrong

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The list is in (or out)! As word on the winners are announced, some folks are glad to come out on top. Well it depends on whether you’re looking at the election results or the MTV EMA’s. Candidates in political races usually give their acceptance speeches while award winners get to hold their prized statue.

In the case of the upcoming America Music Awards (AMAs), the list of nominees is out. Word is that Lizzo will be performing on the big stage. She’s been nominated in the Best New Artist category. Also expected to make a showing is Selena Gomez. She’s back in the game with a new attitude and market appeal.

Hot on the charts are two artists among our hit list of music biz players. Fantasia and DJ Khaled give us their take on how they stay relevant. Fantasia who’s best known from her days on American Idol, has released new music and settled into having a family life outside of the glitz and glamour of showbiz.

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For DJ Khaled, it’s always been about sharing ‘major keys’ to his brand identity. He started spinning records for the ‘Miami Vice’ scene and now he’s a top-rated music producer. In recent interviews and posts on social media, they tell fans how they’re keeping their game strong and fame from going wrong.

Her new album recently jumped to the #1 spot on the Billboard R&B list with a concert tour in the rollout. His latest collabs feature artists who have their own standing in the game but who’re ready to produce crossover hits for the charts and movie soundtracks. They keep stirring-up their skills with:

  1. Passion

Think about how television is a way to tell-a-vision. The shows we watch go from vision to script to passion. That may be one way how Fantasia and DJ Khaled keep fans wanting more. Sometimes their music is like soul-vision as they put vision to lyrics and music on a track with a stirring in rhythm & soul.

  1. Path

For them, the paths taken have been different, but the results have been similar. Hot music, awards lists, excited fans. It’s more than just going down some money-making path. It’s also about creating a lit-path. They’re likely to share some life-notes from their journey to bring more light to the passion within.

  1. Purpose

When you see Fantasia on stage, she’s like a next-gen Patti Labelle. When you checkout the music from DJ Khaled he’s like a next-gen Quincy Jones. Similar passions to how they affect the game. But how they affect everyday life itself is more about living with a higher purpose beyond themselves.

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  1. Peace

There are some artists who seem to make news for all the crazy reasons (not calling any names). Maybe they’re still trying to find their peace. For Fantasia and DJ Khaled there’s lots of blessings to go around coming out of their sense of peace. It keeps them in a state of rest when things bring stress.

The AMAs will air on TV during the weekend before Thanksgiving. Lots of artists will be in the building hoping to rub elbows and up their cred. Fantasia and DJ Khaled may have special seats up front. But even if they don’t their passion for music will keep them on a path where they’re thriving and winning.

Tip: The path taken for more exciting times is filled with passion, purpose and peace by how you tell-a-vision your dreams and stir-up your skills.

Talkback: If you’ve seen the nominees for AMA Best New Artist, who’s your pick?

Tracks: Mary J Blige ft. Nas – Thriving – https://youtu.be/98YJEr9NaXc

Jay Rock – Win – https://youtu.be/ZPFnwgsTOWM

Cardi B & Simone Biles Explain How Their Dreams Came Together Even Through Stormy Weather

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Superbowl LII is in the bag and the Philly parade is set. The game might be over but it seems Cardi B and Simone Biles are just getting started. It’s hard to say which one’s the bigger pop culture icon right now. One’s getting ready to tour with Bruno Mars, the other’s back to training for the 2020 Olympic team.

Both have adoring fans who just can’t get enough of their style and story. For Cardi B it’s a case of “don’t judge a book by its backside until you get the backstory.” For Biles it’s a case of “when a dream is in you it’s gotta find a way to come through.” Then again maybe we can say the same thing for both.

Their journeys are somewhat similar in skipping out on college. Cardi B made it through two semesters and had enough. Biles chose to skip out on a UCLA scholarship and instead go pro to fulfill her dreams. Fast-forward their stories and you find them becoming their best by having a ‘no limit’ mindset.

Both did some ‘firsts’ in their game. Cardi B as the first rapper to have her first three singles in the top 10 on Billboard’s Hot 100s. At the Rio Olympics Biles became the first female gymnast to win four gold medals in the same games. Now they’re both working on not being a one-time wonder or passing fancy.

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Biles’ weakness is the uneven bars. She’s much better at gymnastic routines that use the power in her legs. But her electric personality fits well with her performance stick-ability. Cardi B turned her weakest times into breakout moments. Now her music career seems to be on a path of going all the way up.

Their road to glory also came with some ‘stormy weather.’ Biles had to bounce around in foster care until she was adopted by her grand-parents. Cardi B dealt with the separation of her parents and the challenge of finding it hard to get by. They showed courage to stay the course and soar by how they would:

  1. List the dream and make the hit list.

One year after barely missing out on making the National Team, Biles decided to regroup to do whatever it took to bounceback. She soon became a hit on the gymnastic circuit and went on to become three-time world champion. Then she decided to list the dream of making the Rio Olympics and the rest is history.

  1. Learn the ropes and trust the process.

Cardi B didn’t initially set out to be a rapper. But to move past her show-girl days, she began paying attention to some of the big stars in the game. She remembers thinking that she could do that by bringing her own swag and then some. Things went from there, after starting from the bottom and now she’s here.

  1. Bring the funk and raise the roof.

The funk for Biles is how she became a force on the floor. She’d find the zone where passion was just rolling towards perfection. The funk is that feeling of being in a good groove. It’s something fans can sense when it happens. The funk for Cardi B has her becoming a force where she gets to raise the roof.

  1. Spread the love and live the life.

Recently Biles shared that she was also the victim of sexual abuse. She kept those feelings repressed for years but now her healing comes from being able to tell her story and spread the love. Beyond a new boyfriend to talk about and fiancé to have and hold, these ladies are in a good place to live the life.

When you look at their life, your life or my life you see what you see. But after a while things seem to turn out fine. Biles and Cardi B’s stories remind us that even if you’ve had some downside, you can still reach the upside. These ladies are doing it big, making their mark and owning their place in the showbiz game.

Tip: When you have a dream in you it finds a way to come through by learning the ropes and trusting the process.

Talkback: Does Cardi B have it in her to be more than a one-time wonder?

Tracks: Usher ft Young Thug – No limit – https://youtu.be/3w0yqAdJ1iY

Mary J Blige – My Life – https://youtu.be/6DLZc97nWf0

Taraji P. Henson, DJ Khaled: Two Among Many Who’ve Had a Career Year For Sure #BigTimeUniversity

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#BigTimeUniversity – “Small Talk, Street Dreams, Next Level”

This production of “Wise-up Wednesdays” Blogcast by Douette ‘Doc’ Cunningham is a presentation in “social media entertainment from the groove-track of life!” #WUWECAST

LOL Tube – Got Funny?

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Theme:– “The Year of ‘Flashlighting’ – Get Seen!”
A New Way to Shine with Highlights, Insights and Media-bites that’s Exciting (Old-School Flava)

Lamar Jackson takes the Heisman award for contributions to his Louisville team. He beat-out four other finalists to join football’s best-in-class. Then there’s DJ Khaled & Taraji P. Henson who’ve been white hot this year even before the Christmas special. They’re two among many who’ve had a career year for sure.

According to Yahoo Celebrity Khaled told ET earlier this year “I feel like people can relate to me because we all go through wins and roadblocks and passion and pain and it’s a vibe.” Khaled and Henson might have different experiences but they could share their 4 keys on going from hidden figure to six figures.

For Henson’s latest role in the movie Hidden Figures she plays the true story of Katherine Johnson, a math whiz who worked behind the scenes at NASA. It reminds us of times we’ve had to go from scared to bold. The long-and-short of it is being able to fess-up our truths before we can bless-up the world.

If Khaled’s Instagram tells us anything, he did it with an eye on having more life. It’s the way we step-up to a cause or live-up to our dreams. He’s been busy raising his rap impresario game while sharing his keys for success. Even Drake gave Khaled props with gold plated keys for him and his new born son.

So Henson’s missing from the Golden Globe nods. Was it a snub or a slight rub? Khaled’s got his first #1 album Major Key on the Billboard 200. Their journeys line-up with the quote “Things are going to get in your way but whatever you do never stop showing-up.” Keep runnin’ since God can save the best for last.

Groove-Track: Will Smith – How Da Beat Goes On – https://youtu.be/s435h8Xc-wE

Theme:– “The Year of ‘Flashlighting’ – Get Seen!”
A New Way to Shine With Highlights, Insights and Media-bites that’s Exciting (New-School Flava)

Lamar Jackson takes Heisman award. That’s big and makes him man-a-yard. Louisville teammates gotta be happy. Teasing him kinda feels sappy. Beating-out four other jocks. As college football’s best-in-class stocks. There’s Henson & Khaled who’ve been white hot. Before Christmas special or career top spot.

As told by Yahoo Celebrity note. Khaled on ET that he’s not yet GOAT. But feels like people can relate. With wins, roadblocks and things on the slate. Passion and pain has its own vibe. Khaled & Henson might pitch their own tribe. Giving 4 keys on going from hidden figures. To top billing and major six figures.

Henson’s latest role you see. Movie Hidden Figures history. Plays true story of math whiz. Who was part of NASA biz. Reminds us of what it takes. When fear gives us the shakes. Go from scared to being bold. Like winners of days old. Long-and-short is simple to say. Fess-up your truth, bless-up the world any way.

If Instagram is where he lives. Snapchat is where he gives. Wanting to have more life. For him the fans and cool wife. In how he’d step-up after a pause. Or live-up to dreams and a cause. Busy raising his impresario game. Then came more fortune the same. Even Drake gave props with gold keys in his name.

So Henson’s missing from Golden Globe list. Snub or slight rub the gist? Khaled with first #1 album reach. On Billboard 200, listen for his speech. Their journeys taking different roads for sure. But lines-up with idea close to the core. Things get in the way but no matter what. Keep runnin’ as God has your lot.

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Tip: The key in moving from hidden figure to top billing is making sure your work and life make a killin’.

Talkback: No Golden Globe for Taraji: Snub or a slight rub?

Groove-Tracks: Kim Burrell – I See a Victory – https://youtu.be/zM_ngicKTqU

Pharrell Williams – Runnin’ – https://youtu.be/96kIL2GV27I

This production of “Wise-up Wednesdays” Blogcast by Douette ‘Doc’ Cunningham is a presentation in “social media entertainment from the groove-track of life!” #WUWECAST