For the grown and sexy people this question is for you. if someone asked you where the hottest venues or party scenes are in Houston, what would you say? Perhaps, Hush, Visions, M Bar, Shadow Bar, Boaka Bar/Mercury Room, etc., might come to mind, right? Well, this past Labor Day none of these spots were the place to be. Anybody who is anybody was at The Warehouse Live which was filled with a slew of celebrities and fans celebrating the release of Beyonce’s sophomore solo album, “B-Day.”
Inside, the legendary DJ Cutcreator and MC Ralph McDaniels were mixing some of the hottest music on the airwaves along with tracks from Beyonce’s album. Ice sculptures laced with fresh fruit, women decked out in House of Dereon baby tees, and the most awesome birthday cake in the world; plus, all of the flashing lights, free food and drinks just made it better. The entre included crawfish, baked fish, steak and strawberry lemonade.
Then came the VIP room which was extravagant. Next there was the serious airplay of the two released singles “Deja Vu” and “Ring the Alarm.” “Sasha” was in full effect! For those of you who don’t know, “Sasha” is Beyonce’s pumped up alter ego on stage that shuts the place down with her sex appeal, untamed style and overall vocal “rage.” Yet, many skeptics may have began to wonder where “Sasha” could be found while Beyonce is recording. Granted “Get Me Bodied,” produced by Swizz Beats, and “Kitty Kat” is a blazing track, but it stops there on the album.
For those who heard the album, doesn’t it sound a little rushed? Well it was! Beyonce has said herself it only took two weeks to record the 22 tracks and a few minutes to decide which 10 would go on the album. In those two weeks, she hooked up with her song writing and producing friends and went to work.
For her second solo album, she wasn’t at all worried about the “sophomore hoax” that is very popular in the industry. In fact, she came ready to rumble with the women anthems Freakum Dress and Irreplaceable which was written by R&B artist Ne-yo. In the midst of what seems to have been a summer dominated by male summer jams (Young Joc, Chingy, Yung Dro, Lil Wayne, etc.), she was a pretty good relief when Hov spit on what he calls, the summer anthem. Overall, the album could have been better with a piece of that birthday cake!