http://www.jackiesboylive.com/blog/rss/feedsTue, 05 May 2026 00:03:49 -0700http://www.jackiesboylive.com/blog/post/carlos-battey-jackies-boy--dont-take-life-for-grantedhttp://www.jackiesboylive.com/blog/post/carlos-battey-jackies-boy--dont-take-life-for-granted Carlos Battey, better known as Jackie’s Boy, lost both of his parents at a young age- a massive life hurdle that can disrupt even the best laid plans. However, Carlos took that loss and channeled it into his music, grinding, writing, and networking on the streets of LA. His hard work paid off, and after signing a deal with Universal and working with superstars of all types, he ultimately earned a Grammy for his work with Madonna. Carlos joins us today to talk about perseverance, and motivation in the face of the greatest adversity life can throw at us, on this episode of The Big Break. Follow Carlos on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook Jackies Boy Live YoutubeFri, 14 Aug 2020 03:01:00 -0700http://www.jackiesboylive.com/blog/post/new-music-grammy-songwinning-writer-jackies-boy-releases-powerful-new-single-do-it-again-ft-boyz-ii-mens-shawn-stockmanhttp://www.jackiesboylive.com/blog/post/new-music-grammy-songwinning-writer-jackies-boy-releases-powerful-new-single-do-it-again-ft-boyz-ii-mens-shawn-stockman Carlos Battey artistically known by his stage name Jackie’s Boy is a singer, songwriter, producer, multi-platinum, Grammy Song-Winning Writer/ 4 Time Grammy Nominated Songwriter and ASCAP Rhythm & Soul Winner (2010 Best Remixed Recording Madonna “Revolver”) who has has written hits for Madonna, Justin Bieber, Lil Wayne, Charlie Wilson, Johnny Gil, Jay Sean, Becky G, Jake Miller, Bruno Mars, Flo-rida and Chris Brown. Carlos Battey began his career with his brother Steven, they use to spend their days performing original songs and covers on the River Street Pier in Savannah Georgia to adoring crowds of locals. They enjoyed the small town fame but it wasn’t until the untimely death of their father in 2003 followed by their mother Jackie, the very next year, that the brothers decided to leave town and head to the world’s most notorious music metropolis, LA. (The name ‘Jackie’s Boy’ comes from his mother, Jackie. She was always his true inspiration and his driving force. She inspired him to be who he is and to stay to true to who he is.) The brothers found themselves playing regularly for local crowds and it was at one of these gigs that a talent scout from Atlantic records spotted them and offered them a record deal. His first big break was with Flo-rida and his first Grammy came with working with Madonna. When asked what inspired him to become an artist, he said it was his near death experience that made him realize how short life could be, he stated, “I had started to get a lot of headaches – they were bad. I initially thought it was my wisdom teeth but it wasn’t. After having an X-Ray a large tumor was found, growing on the inside of my jaw. It turns out that the cancer was an unusual kind known as Ameloblaseoma (it’s so rare, in fact, that it accounts for less than one percent of the worlds tumors – Ed.) I decided to go to Miami after finding a great surgeon and I had a 3 month recovery instead of the one year recovery being quoted in LA. I believe that experience led me to understand the true meaning of having just one life, just one voice and I realized that, whilst writing for others is great financially it was time to create music as an artist. I actually made a pact with God that I would never take those gifts for granted again.” Jackie’s Boy recently released his sensual, powerful new single “Do It Again” ft Boyz II Men’s Shawn Stockman. “Do It Again” showcases his lyrical prowess as well as his originality and creativity. When asked asked about the inspiration for the record he stated, “I wanted to make something unique and progressive for R&B lovers. I emailed a rough version of the song to Shawn to check out. He came to the studio and said “Where’s that song you sent me?” I knew exactly what he was talking about. He recorded his verse in 10 minutes! I was extremely impressed and blown away I was working with a true legend. I think this record feels different than others because it speaks to both new R&B lovers and classic R&B lovers alike.” Check out “Do It Again” here: https://fanlink.to/cRCF Jackie’s Boy has been featured on Billboard’s New People to Watch. Jackie’s Boy is brilliant, gifted, with stellar talent and accolades to match. His artistry is a breath of fresh air to the industry; he doesn’t compromise himself to follow the popular trend. He is destined to reach super star status and become a household name. Projects Flo Rida “Sugar”- Billboard HOT 100: 5• Madonna FT David Guetta “Revolver (Remix)”- Grammy Award for Best Remixed Recording, Non-Classical.• Chris Brown “Graffiti” * Mann “Buzzin”- Billboard HEATSEEKERS SONGS: 1• Sean Kingston featuring Justin Bieber “Eenie Meenie”- Billboard HOT 100: 15• Johnny Gill ft New Edition “This ones for me and you” #1 R&B Billboard Charts (2016)• Charlie Wilson “Im Blessed” #1 R&B Billboard Charts (2017) Suggested Articles: Calmatic Breaks Down the Creation of Anderson .Paak’s “Bubblin” Visual Christina Aguilera Connects with Goldlink for Anderson .Paak-Produced “Like I Do” Fri, 14 Aug 2020 02:58:00 -0700http://www.jackiesboylive.com/blog/post/jackies-boy-wins-his-first-ascap-rythm--soul-award-for-his-work-on-charlie-wilson-latest-hit-im-blessed-feat-tihttp://www.jackiesboylive.com/blog/post/jackies-boy-wins-his-first-ascap-rythm--soul-award-for-his-work-on-charlie-wilson-latest-hit-im-blessed-feat-ti Mon, 25 Jun 2018 00:20:00 -0700http://www.jackiesboylive.com/blog/post/revival-released-everywherehttp://www.jackiesboylive.com/blog/post/revival-released-everywhere Mon, 15 Jun 2015 09:00:00 -0700http://www.jackiesboylive.com/blog/post/lifetime-gets-it-right-with-whitney-houston-biopichttp://www.jackiesboylive.com/blog/post/lifetime-gets-it-right-with-whitney-houston-biopicYaYa DaCosta and Arlen EscarpataLifetime’s ambitious new made-for-TV movieWhitney gets a lot of things right.For starters, Yaya DaCosta (Lee Daniels'The Butler) is spellbinding and compelling as a young Whitney Houston who enjoyed the riches and respect that came with her unparalleled fame but also struggled with the cultural and personal isolation that level of success can bring.Arlen Escarpeta (Final Destination 5) is equally convincing as an even younger Bobby Brown. And when the small-screen flick premieres Saturday January 17, viewers will get a glimpse of the first time the two met at the 1989 Soul Train Awards. She was a nearly 26-year-old international pop star and he was 20 and just as rapidly securing his place as the bad boy of R&B. But the two had undeniable chemistry almost immediately and a firework-filled flirtation between DaCosta’s Houston and Escarpeta’s Brown is undeniably endearing.Oscar-nominated actress and first-time director Angela Bassett smartly captures that romantic connection while also emphasizing the pair’s vastly different careers with a juxtaposition of their performance and musical styles.First, Brown is shown singing "Every Little Step" (with vocals provided by Carlos Battey of Jackie Boyz) and gyrating and flashing his muscular stomach as much as humanely possible. Not long after, Houston takes to the stage and belts out a practically angelic rendition of "The Greatest Love of All."While it is a little unnerving to see and hear Bobby Brown perform first in a movie called Whitney — can’t wait to read the negative tweets about that — the chronology fits the story. After all, it’s his performance that captures Houston’s rapt attention and compels her to talk to him, which then opens the door for him to ask her out on their first date.It is during this courtship phase that we see Houston is actually rather introverted but the cocaine that she sniffs and her older brother helps supply, transforms her into her shoulder-shimmying alter ego in front of the cameras and on stage. We also see that her best friend and assistant Robyn Crawford (the always likeable Yolonda Ross fromTreme) is her only friend and one of the few people she trusts. A possible romantic connection is implied but left to the viewer to determine.During those early months of the couple’s relationship, Brown is also portrayed as a hopeless cocaine-free romantic, who is too young to drink legally but already has two children by two different women.In other words, these were two severely flawed but very well-intentioned people who wanted to legitimately love and be loved but didn’t always know how to go about doing that in a healthy and mature way. Whitney wonderfully brings that tension to the forefront and even positions Brown as a sympathetic figure in the process.As for the music, Deborah Cox is nothing short of perfect as the voice behind Whitney. Where DaCosta nails the Grammy winner with every wig, breathy sigh and toothy smile, the Canadian songstress providing the vocals impressively hits many of the crystal-clear notes that made Whitney the most amazing singer of her generation.Fans can look forward to hearing Cox’s beautiful vocals on some of the icon’s most memorable hits including the aforementioned "Greatest Love of All" as well as "I’m Your Baby Tonight" and "I’m Every Woman." What a breath of fresh air it is to actually hear and sing along with actual songs Houston sang, which is a luxury failed biopics such as Lifetime’s Aaliyah: The Princess of R&B and Jimi: All Is By My Side didn’t have without the music rights.Securing the rights proves especially beneficial when DaCosta’s face and physical articulation are paired with Cox’s voice on "I Will Always Love You," a scene that will have you reaching for the tissues. Cathartic and tragic, the scene reminds us why Whitney’s death, nearly three years ago at the age of 48, was such a waste and a loss. Like no other song she sang, the legend’s take on the Dolly Parton classic is a declaration with layers of meaning.On one hand, the song sums up her tumultuous 15-year marriage to Brown and on the other hand, the song encapsulates her rollercoaster relationship with the music industry and the public. Although Bassett and screenwriter Shem Bitterman (Betty & Coretta) set up Brown and Houston’s fateful first meeting at the Soul Train Awards, the two fail to include the fact that Houston was booed at that very same award show.In reality, Brown sang "My Prerogative" not "Every Little Step" and Houston sang "Hold Up the Light" with BeBe and CeCe Winans not "The Greatest Love of All" on that night nearly 26 years ago. That’s neither here nor there.But in order to paint Houston in a more compassionate light, it would’ve made sense to see her bristle at the boos some of the audience members dished out. It happened not when she performed but when her name was mentioned as a nominee in the Best R&B Urban Contemporary Female category.Houston lost the award to Anita Baker but, from what people have said, it really hurt her to not be fully embraced by her own people simply because she had found success as a crossover artist. So why not create a scene where an understanding Brown lends his shoulder and tells her she is soulful enough or that she is a legend who didn’t have to prove anything. It’s all dramatized anyway, right?Because if there’s one flaw to Whitney, it’s that there isn’t enough Whitney Houston. Despite not having her family’s blessing, Bassett and Lifetime created a tasteful, touching and entertaining take on the singer’s life from 1989 to 1995 – but through the lens of her relationship with Brown.Yes, Houston’s very public battles with drug abuse as well as her toxic marriage came to define her life in later years but she was more than that. It’s also clear that this is a Lifetime movie and the network has a knack for showing women through the spectrum of their relationships — often as the victim — with men.That said, either change the name of the movie to Whitney and Bobbyor give viewers more than a few hits, wigs and giggles. Give us more Whitney Houston. That’s all anyone wants when they watch a story that supposed to be about her life.Thankfully, there’s more to love than loathe about Whitney. In addition to strong performances from DaCosta and Escarpeta, expect noteworthy turns from Suzzanne Douglas as Cissy Houston and Mark Rolston (The Shawshank Redemption) as Clive Davis.Whitney premieres Saturday Jan. 17 at 8 p.m. on Lifetime.READ ARTICLETue, 17 Feb 2015 08:00:00 -0700