My 2013 Yearly Wrap

My motto for 2013 - "Just keep swimming" - c/o "Finding Nemo"

Am I the only one who was not ready for 2014? This was the first time that the start of a new year did not excite me. My mind was just preoccupied with I-don't-even-know-what. Now that we're into the second month of 2014, I'm finally beginning to reflect on the previous year. I hadn't realized how much I achieved and what amazing experiences I came across in 2013 until now. So, here's a glimpse into my 2013 reflection for those interested in reading.

In January, I traveled to one of the most livest cities in the countries. "Sin city," baby! My cousins, some friends, and I spent a few days in Las Vegas, Nevada to celebrate my older cousin's birthday. We had the most fun to kick off 2013! Needless to say, "what happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas."

Las Vegas, January 2013

In February, I finally got around to starting this blog, In Tune with Ms. Waddy...to be continued.

Brandy concert at the TLA in Philly, March 1, 2013

After years of Moesha reruns, Never Say Never repeats, and meeting Brandy during the summer of 2012, I was finally able to see the singer perform live to start off my March. As expected, she tore the house down and sang her tail off!

Brandy and Latifah Waddy at WDAS-FM in Philly, July 2012

Just a mere 5 days later, a little bundle of joy was added to my life. My niece, Tamia, was born March 6th! She shares her birth month with her Aunt Tifah! Speaking of celebrating a birth, my 23rd birthday was the most fun I had on my birthday in a while.

Tamia Messiah Waddy, a few days old, born March 6, 2013

Robert, Mickey, Patty Jackson, and Latifah Waddy, Disney Resort Showcase, April 2013

I headed to Disney World and New York in April. I went to work with my mentor, the legendary Patty Jackson of WDAS-FM, in Disney for the annual Resort Showcase. New York was a carefree day trip mostly spent at the Wax Museum with my cousin.

New York, April 2013

Latifah Waddy and India Arie, Philly, June 2013

Fast forward to June; it was a HUGE month for me! First off, I witnessed India Arie sing live in the WDAS-FM radio studio. It was one of those outer body, surreal moments. It was as if I were standing next to my body, watching myself watch India sing. It literally sent chills through my body to hear the depth of soul in her voice less than 5 feet away from me. I thought I was blessed to have just experienced that moment. Watch her perform Complicated Melody below.

THEN (also in June) ...

Dime found on the cab floor, Los Angeles, June 2013

I was invited to fly to Los Angeles, California to work with Power99Philly's Cappuchino. Not only did I get to go to a city I've always wanted to visit, but I had the chance to work at the BET Awards Radio Remote and attend the live awards show. To be surrounded by so much talent in a breathtaking city was unbelievable! When I was first asked to work with Cappuchino out in LA, of course I was ecstatic, until...I found out that I would miss my family's annual celebratory event of my late Mom Mom's life. After much consideration and discussion with several family members, they encouraged me to not think about it as missing her event, but doing something she would be proud of. I know my Mom Mom was up there in heaven bragging to all the angels what her granddaughter was doing. She loved to brag to her Bingo friends about the accomplishments of her grandchildren when she was here on Earth with us. I was a little more at ease with my decision to accept the job opportunity. On the morning of my Mom Mom's event, I was headed out in an LA cab. I looked down to watch my footing as I got out of the cab and what did I find right there on the floor of the cab? A dime! Yes, a dime.

Altamese Waddy, Senior Day at Church

This dime was not just a mere luck at finding 10 cents. It's been said that finding dimes have a spiritual meaning of a loved one from heaven sending you a message. The day that my Mom Mom passed away from lung cancer in her bedroom, I found a dime next to her dresser on the floor. So on that late June morning in LA, when I found that dime on the floor of the cab, I knew my Mom Mom was reaching out to let me know it was alright that I was missing her event with our family. It was meant for me to be there in LA for the BET Awards and the Radio Remote. I love my Mom Mom; may she rest peacefully.




Toward the middle of summer I attended a stage production of August Wilson's Fences in downtown Philly. Radio personality and budding actress Tiffany Bacon played the lead female character, Rose, alongside the producer and director Kash Goins, who played the lead male, Troy. A little side note, it was ironic that I played Rose for my acting final scene during my senior year in college. Moreover, I was surprised and elated that everyone I invited to attend to play actually enjoyed it. You know how hard it can be to get some folks to try something new, haha.

"Fences," Philly, July 2013

I tried more new things in August to enrich 2 of my loves - music and film. I attended the Made in America Music Festival as well as The BlackStar Film Festival. While Made in America was extremely fun, the film festival was an enriching couple of days. The festival opened my eyes into the current state of black independent film. I even had the opportunity to meet and speak with legendary filmmaker Spike Lee.

Little league cheerleading began in August and I decided to coach! Not only was this new experience rewarding as a coach, but as an aunt as well. Seeing my niece's skills and enjoyment for the sport grow as the season went on just warmed my heart. Additionally, my other niece, who was just a year too young to be on the team, hung around practices and picked up A LOT of different skills on her own. The season ended in December and since then they've both been practicing all of their cheer skills on their own. I think they've officially caught the cheer bug!

Aside from that competition, another proud moment came to me in 2013 when my cousin and best friend became a correctional officer in September! She had been searching for a steady well-to-do job for a while now, and she finally made a break. I'm still so proud of and happy for her!

October was yet another defining moment in 2013 for me. Not only did I get to work at Power99's Powerhouse concert for the second year in a row, but I also attended and worked at B.E.T.'s Black Girls Rock! event with Power99's Cappuchino. Moreover, after keeping in contact with everyone from my internship program, I was finally offered a position with Clear Channel Media and Entertainment - and of course I accepted it! My motto for the year has been "just keep swimming." Just take life one day at a time and even if you feel like you're about to drown, keep swimming; keep on keeping on. It paid off. Literally! Check out Part 1 & Part 2 of our Black Girls Rock! experience.

What happened in November, I never could have imagined. I was invited to attend a ceremony honoring THE Berry Gordy. The music mogul received the Marian Anderson Award here in Philadelphia for his influential contribution to music. The evening was filled with performances and attendance from Smokey Robinson, Boyz II Men, and Kool & the Gang. To be in their presence was awe-inspiring.

By December, I thought my year of exciting events was over.  However, I was soon asked to work backstage at Q102's Jingleball Concert for the second year in a row. THEN on Christmas, my brother surprised our family by proposing to his girlfriend.

...and she said YES! What a great way to wrap up my year with family!

As we begin the second month of 2014, I've been trying to find my new motto for the year. I've been struggling throughout all last month, but I think I finally have it: "Don't ever let somebody tell you... You can't do something. Not even me. All right? You got a dream... You gotta protect it. People can't do somethin' themselves, they wanna tell you you can't do it. If you want somethin', go get it. Period." - The Pursuit of Happyness

The Pursuit of Happyness

Here's to another spectacular year! I'm going to keep swimming and go get it.

Just When You Thought She Couldn't Get Any Better...

...Announced via her Facebook page, Beyonce Giselle Knowles-Carter hits us with a visual album!!!!

Post by Beyoncé.

Who in the music industry has ever done this, E-VER? (In my Kanye voice) Nothing more needs to be written. Prepare for greatness people; there truly are levels to this artful entertainment thang. Go Bey!

The self-titled full visual album is available on iTune right now. Songs can be purchased individually on December 20th.

Waddy Weekend Wrap - Mon 12/9

Nelson Mandela - My condolences go out to the family and friends of Nelson Mandela as well as the people of South Africa and those who passed away fighting alongside him to end apartheid. Although he was the former President of South Africa, his lifelong dedication to the freedom rights of his people transcends across a global spectrum as well as an intergenerational lifeline. After news of his passing began to spread through social media wildfire, I saw several posts from friends disgusted by their child's lack of knowledge. Their child had no idea who Mandela was, let alone what he fought for and continues to stand for. I thought, there is no way our younger generation does not know of Nelson Mandela. To my surprise, when I told my little sister that Nelson Mandela passed away, she asked me, "Who's that!?" All I could do was shake my head in shock. So of course I had to tell her all of what I knew about him. Since the school's aren't teaching it, it's up to us. I don't even know why I was even surprised. My high school didn't even offer African American history until the end of my sophomore year. Forget about the history of any "minority" group who contributed to American history. It's as if no "minorities" are a part of American history unless they're the enemy. RIP Nelson Mandela (1918-2013). I pray for a world where my future children and grandchildren will know all there is to know about their history. "What we need is not a history of selected races or nations, but the history of the world void of national bias, race hate, and religious prejudice." - Carter Woodson

Soul of Her Shoe - Frankie Darcell of WDAS-FM has implemented a book club as part of her radio presence here in Philadelphia. For the first Book Club Meetup, 3 books were spotlighted including Sunny Anderson's Sunny Kitchen: Real Food for Real Life, Massi J. Smith's Mischievemakers, and Soul of Her Shoe by Okitchy Robertson. Check out the footage from that night.

I read Soul of Her Shoe this past Saturday night. Yup, that's how a 23 year old single young woman spent her Saturday night and it was fabulous! Soul of Her Shoe introduces 8 women all described as different types of shoes based on their personalities. There's the stiletto (diva), slipper (lazy), sneaker (hood rat), pump (mysterious), clog (bitter), and the boot (b**ch), along with the flip flop and sandal. Aside from some of the repetitiveness in the presentation of each shoe, it was a very good read, a real page-turner. Robertson is planning to continue the book into a 3-part trilogy series. I'm interested to see if she'll transform it into a play. As I was reading, I could see the book in visual form. I will say though, I didn't find myself relating to any of the characters; I'd describe myself more as a wedge, a mix between a flat and a heel, a combination of sporty and girly. LOL! Loved the book!

Call Me Crazy, But... - Sevyn Streeter's new EP album Call Me Crazy, But... was released last week. I had the chance to listen to it in whole over the weekend and absolutely loved it! Seven tracks from Sevyn! She reminds me of a mix between Kelly Rowland and Aaliyah, but still her own unique self. I predict a successful musical career from Sevyn. Check out these pics from her release party.

Thanks Drake - In other news, Drake announced his plans to build a recording studio inside Philly's Strawberry Mansion High School. The critics came out quick, asking why Drake didn't decide to contribute something a little more "universal" like books, a library, or even computers to reach more students. Well Drake is in the music industry and he's giving back to the students interested in a field that's often forgotten in conventional schooling, the arts. Some students learn best through music and other art forms. I hope the teachers are able to use it for educational purposes as well as extracurricular fun. Kudos to you Drake, please see this through.

Interview with Filmmaker Michael Dennis

Michael Dennis and Latifah Waddy

I had a chance to interview CEO & Founder of film company ReelBlack, Michael Dennis. He talked extensively about his screenplay, 2Pac is Alive. Stay up to date on the latest from Mike D and ReelBlack here.

Let me know your thoughts. Do you think 2Pac is still alive? Do you think he faked his own death?

Meet Momma Pope

I am super excited about tomorrow night's new episode of Scandal! It airs at 10pm on ABC. #ScandalThursday

Kerry Washington & Khandi Alexander
Hollywood Reporter (ABC/Richards Cartwright; Charley Gallay/Getty Images)

At the end of last week's Scandal, we found out that the president may have shot down an airplane that Olivia's mother was aboard. Furthermore, Olivia's own father , Rowan (played by Joe Morton), may have been behind the entire operation. But who is Momma Pope?

Well, get  ready for a flashback episode to meet Maya Lewis (She never took the Pope name). According to Hollywood Reporter, Khandi Alexander (Treme, CSI: Miami, The Corner, ER) will play the matriarch and Yara Shahidi (Imagine That, Salt) will portray a young Olivia.

Aww, look at the cute, dysfunctional Pope family.

                                  

*Final 4 photos (C) Getty Images: Joe Morton/Rowan Pope (top left), Khandi Alexander/Maya Lewis (top right), Kerry Washington/Olivia Pope (middle center), Yara Shahidi/Young Olivia (bottom center)

Waddy Weekend Wrap (11/1-3/13)

Gabby News - Gabrielle Union is gracefully covering the December issue of Essence Magazine. The Being Mary Jane star just celebrated her 41st birthday this past Tuesday! Speaking of Being Mary Jane, BET re-aired the movie edition Sunday night after Black Girls Rock! 2013. The Being Mary Jane series debuts at the top of the 2014 year on January 7th.

Essence Magazine

Passing on the Cheer - On Saturday, My 6 year old niece participated in her first cheerleading competition ever! Her team did an amazing job! Check out the video for yourself! They came in 1st place! I was more proud to see her joy in cheerleading. Her confidence has truly grown throughout the cheer season and I'm glad she's caught the cheerleading bug!

What a good Hart - Kevin Hart donated 500 computers to local Philadelphia Schools and Recreation Centers. Some computers went to 8 Philly, while the remaining went to rec centers across the country. Hart was at Allen M. Sterne Elementary School Friday afternoon with Mayor Michael Nutter. Word has it, Hart will continue to contribute to his hometown's school district. He said, "I will be involved in building our public school system up and getting it back to a place where we can stick our chest out and say we are Philadelphia, and our school system is doing the right things."

Kevin Hart & Legislative Aide Jason Dawkins at Sterne

Black Girls Rock! 2013 - The 3rd annual Black Girls Rock! aired last night on BET. I had the chance to attend the taping on October 26th with Cappuchino from Philly's Power99. It was PHENOMENAL!

Latifah Waddy

Some of the highlights from the night included the performances from Amber Riley (Glee) and Kelly Rowland ft. Sevyn Streeter, along with Philadelphia's own Patti LaBelle. The Community Activist Celebrant was Ameena Matthews who gave a powerful, true acceptance speech. It was so lengthy that BET had to the cut a lot of it down for the television program. Fortunately, an extended Black Girls Rock will air tomorrow night at 7:30pm on BET. It is a must-watch! Below is a video from our red carpet experience during the night of the taping. Check it out below!

Power99/Latifah Waddy

Waddy Watch: Jonathan and Wayne Lewis of Atlantic Starr

I remember my 10-year-old self helping my mom clean the living room. She'd be vacuuming with the stereo turned up loud. Secret Lovers. Always. When Love Calls. Circles. Send For Me. Those are just some of the songs from legendary R&B group Atlantic Starr that I heard coming from the speakers. I'd shout over the volume, "Mom, turn it down!" Of course she wouldn't. She was in the groove! Now-a-days, as we clean together, both of us attempt to sing the lyrics at the top of our lungs, probably out of tune. Haha! The moral of the story is that Atlantic Starr has some of the most timeless music in R&B history and it's intergenerational.

Recently, I had the chance to interview brothers and Atlantic Starr group members Jonathan and Wayne Lewis. In the video below, they reflect on their past performances, speak on the current state of the music industry, and tell us what we can expect at their upcoming show right here in Philly.