It’s rare when an up-and-coming artist can get me to come out of my familiar surroundings into the sometimes hostile environment of the music industry. Canadian R&B singer Melanie Fiona is one of those rare artists. A pretty girl who can sing like an Angel is such a rarity these days!
Last night, I had the pleasure of being in the company of such a great talent! Melanie is destined for greatness and I’m glad I got the chance to meet her before the industry swallows her whole and she forgets where she came from.
Wow, she sings like an angel! Melanie, 26, serenaded the industry elite with her powerful pipes during her invitation-only dinner at the Geisha House in Atlantic Station.
Industry execs included SRC Records CEO Steve Rifkind (pictured above with his artist), who invited me up to his hotel suite after the dinner party to “listen to music.” Imagine that!
Steve also invited a few high powered people like Sister2Sister publisher Jamie Foster Brown (pictured above with Fiona), PR queen Tresa Sanders of TreMedia (pictured below with Fiona) who reps Akon and Keyshia Cole, to come to his suite as well. But I politely declined.
Celebs coming out to show their support included Akon, former Destiny’s Child member Michelle Williams, and choreographer Devyne Stephens.
I was accompanied to the event by good friend, celebrity makeup artist Jai Jai (pictured above with Fiona), who worked her magic on my face earlier in the evening. You may recall Jai Jai was totally disrespected by her ex-boyfriend, rapper Shawty Lo, who has since apologized. I always say the best revenge is to be a success, and Jai Jai has hit the ground running toward her goals. She is a young woman with such poise, wisdom and insight to be only 23!
Fiona’s debut album on SRC/Universal Motown “The Bridge” officially drops on Nov. 10!
Thanks to celebrity photographer Prince Williams for the flicks!
MORE pics after the break!
Industry veterans Steve Rifkind, left, (SRC/Universal Motown) and Von Johnson
Melanie Fiona, center, poses with singer Akon, 3rd from left, Steve Rifkind, 3rd from right, Devyne Stephens, 2nd from right and other guests
At first, singer Michelle Williams didn’t want to take any pictures.
She’s so shy… NOT!
Melanie and Akon
Let the rumors begin…
L to R: Def Jam VP Bu (Akon’s brother) in head to toe Louis, Steve Rifkind and Melanie Fiona
Brothers Akon, left, and Bu pose with Universal Motown’s.
After the party, Jai Jai and I went to Cheetah’s for a bite to eat. The food and the atmosphere there was great! But the men would not stop pestering Jai Jai. I wonder why?
Photos by Prince Williams/ATLPics.net
jai jai’s eyebrows are longer than GA-400.
I guess that Benjamin Button look is in now(Michelle Williams). Akon and his brother need to see a doctor they look like they have jaundice by the eyes.
LOL@ Free…….. I am so excited about Melanie. I even pre-ordered it on Amazon. It Kills Me gives me GOOSE BUMPS. She is very talented!
Check you out SR @ invite only events! Glad you enjoyed yourself. I am def checking for Melanie – I like her voice too. Good to hear she sounded good live, so many don’t! I look forward to more from her — no comment on the foundation/makeup people use that makes there skin look orange – I blame it on the light every time.
What race is melanie?
Jai Jai sure is getting a lot of love on Melanie Fiona’s post, for a ZZ-list celeb/regular chick… and she was your date? hmm go ahead Aunty, do you your thing!
Sandra, I have to thank you Ms Fiona is actually the first artist I had not heard of and checked out on your recomendation and liked…a lot.
Why can’t we get a picture of you with your face beat? pretty please. know you like to stay behind the scenes but one little flick?
@LadyJustice, she’s Guyanese, so she is probably multiracial with African & East Indian blood predominantly
@WIGGY DOES “BEAT” MEAN WITH MAKEUP??
SR SKIN looks so smooth – like she needs nothing extra.
She is a young woman with such poise, wisdom and insight to be only 23!
ALONG with a GROWING CHIN-That suckers is Loooooooong!!!
And are you sure Bu named isn’t ACTUALLY BLUE…
And FINALLY — and I’m glad I got the chance to meet her before the industry swallows her whole and she forgets where she came from.
No TRUE-ER WORDS has ever been SPOKEN Ms. Sandra
I LOVE MELANIE FIONA HER SONG IT KILLS ME IS THE ISH. I HOPE THAT SHE DOESNT BECOME UNDER RATED BECAUSE OF THE LIKES OF BEYONCE AND KERRI HILSON
@spinal truth maybe Akon & Bu (that’s short for Abubakar right Sandra?) are carriers for sickle cell or have had too many buts of malaria.
Sandra said:
Industry execs included SRC Records CEO Steve Rifkind (pictured above with his artist), who invited me up to his hotel suite after the dinner party to “listen to music.” Imagine that!
“Listen to music”, huh?
Did anyone get a chance to view Trey Song “I invented sex” video? WOW!!
And Sandra, his leading lady was not LSLH :surprised:. She was a beautiful chocolate sista!
ummm, that’s nice but I want the real juice!! Freddy O ranted that you had him put out and called the police on him! Is that true? Seems like he stay caught up
Jai Jai’s eyebrows are hideous, and it’s a shame because she’s otherwise a pretty girl!
Melanie Fiona looks like Cookie Johnson.
I never heard of her but I sure will check her out.
Not one picture of you Sandra?
@KARAZ
Whatever the case is, it is not attractive. And neither is Jai Jai never ending eyebrows, but I refuse to comment any further about her since she is a friend of SR.
I already heard the album..i will say the tracks she has already released are the best..with some that leave alot to be desired..she has a tremendous talent that can’t be denied
Jai Jai’s eyebrows need help…not a good look.
And will someonw please alert women that leggings ARE NOT PANTS!
Iyonah, yes and don’t get me to lying I never heard that saying before in my life except on SR I think the first time was Daisy and SR herself.
sandra you have alot of pull in this town (off topic…lol) ppl should not underestimate you at all. wow!
I like both of Melanie’s songs that I heard on the radio. I think look for her cd today if she has one out.
Is Steve Rifkind the guy rumored to be dating Sanae Lathan and still married?
oh ok thanks karaz
@spinaltruth, their eyes are not the only things unattractive about Akon & his brother!
I think it’s a wise choice not to talk about Sandra’s girlfriend and her walking eyebrows, lest we get put on Sandra’s list and are banned
@dblaq… DAMN Freddy getting the GO KICK ROCKS Treatment ???
That Fiona gal is purty!
Jai Jai is getting her mommy dearest on!!!!! I SEE YOU JAI!!!
DANG IT! Michelle was on to somthing with her Scotland Yard fit…but something just looks off. I don’t even know. It’s still kinda cute.
I like those boots Melanie! Look at Michelle trying to sneak some gucci in on us….! I have nothing further.
Why oh why does JFB look like the Hunchback of Notre Dame? She needs to retire that outfit and hairdo immediately!!! I mean what the hell is that???
Hermosa…….GOOSSSSSSSHHHHHHHHHHH IM SO SICK OF LEGGINGS.
Seriously….I can’t take much more. Broads went crazy with them thangs.
oh jamie foster still in town i met her at soul train she is nice her and my mama was talking like they knew each other lol and melanie sang the hell out of some song at the soul train awards i cant remember what though
CTFU @ MOMMY DEAREST!
Divine, you snap crackeled and popped up on the truth!
And will someonw please alert women that leggings ARE NOT PANTS!
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Did any of the pictures above cause you to say that. I’m asking because both ladies wearing leggings look appropiate…
As I was typing I looked up and saw what you’re talking abuot. With her coat on it was fine. That is a pet peeve of mine too.
I ha- don’t like how the in pose for ladies at these events seems to be the booty angle shot.
NO WIRE HANGERS…..EVER!
@DB
I will admit that I love me some leegings, especially with sweater dresses. Thats what I wear to work everyday.
BUT, I hate seeing broads that wear leggings as pants…thats not cute…thats gross and tacky.
So yall didnt eat at the Geisha house Auntie, but yall ate at Cheetah’s? (side-eye) Jai-Jai is only 23? WOW! (no comment)
leggings are undergarments..worn underneath dresses or long shirts…If i see your a$$ or the shape of your vagina…you are dead wrong and should go to fashion jail!
Uhhhh Sandra…. Not pics of you?????????
On another note….
Hermosa Says:
@DB
I will admit that I love me some leegings, especially with sweater dresses. Thats what I wear to work everyday.
BUT, I hate seeing broads that wear leggings as pants…thats not cute…thats gross and tacky.
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Ditto!!!
@Keely: Maybe it’s the eyebrows and lipstick that makes her appear older than what she is. I dunno
At second look – Steve looks like he would enjoy a plethora of people in his suite- esp in taht pic where he is with Von? LOL — cracked me up – ok bye!
Regarding Jai Jai… It’s the GROWING CHIN !!!!!
And Ole Gurl LOOKS more like the black version of Taylor Dane
(That’s just My Opinion…)
@ Keely and Yvonne
Its not just her a lot of these younger chicks look much older than the stated age. I have said it before the A has some extra long years.
BTW Sorry to have answered you q Iyonah and not wish you a happy birtday hope this and all your days are all you wish for.
Jai Jai has a face similar to Sheree’s
@Hermosa i totally agree with u. Jai Jai should know better. is her shirt tucked in to those tights??? :confused:
Hermosa, what about the faux leather ones? I saw a chick in Wal-mart that was rockin’ em! LOL! No Ma’am!
Umm Auntie,
You could have got in one of those pics, so we could see you all “made up”….LOL
@RTB
that is not acceptible either. I don’t care what type of legging it is…they are undergarments.
lol
@ HERM…I wore them, too. I have 1 PAIR. 1. THAT’S IT. As a casual look, I didn’t have every color. I’ve seen some people straight STUNT IN THEM BAD BOYS.
And I saw people that had them on everytime I saw them. My eyes are tired. That’s all. I’m just saying, for me.
Aww Sandra had FreddyO thrown out, I know he’ll be mad when she doesn’t even put up a post on her website addressing him
Sandra on the other hand, what is really good? You got a restraining order on FreddyO? What happened?
It can’t be baseless, I know what it takes to get a TRO on another party.
Wow – Jai Jai got relevant all of a sudden? What was in her Insta-Celeb kit?
I have on leggings right now with a tunic(long) top and knee high boots.
They need to come with neon orange hazardous sticker
Warning wear these ONLY with tops or jackets that are longer than at least 75 % of your booty. Failure to do so can result in buring of the retina of others.
Thanks Sandra I’m a Melanie fan! I agree she is so pretty she is a natural beauty! One time for the BrownSkin sistas in the house.
@wiggy….YOUR ARSE IS CRAZY!!!!!!!!
If I get in trouble, for conduct unbecoming…IM MAKING A PALLETTE ON THE FLOOR AT YOUR HOUSE. AND I AIN’T PAYING RENT. AND IM EATING 3 SQUARE MEALS A DAY.
Wow…insta-celeb kit……..CLASSSIICCCC!!!
Thanks Wiggy!
@karaz where you hear that?
You got it Divine.
Also it is not neccesary nor will it ever be for the monkey paw print to be visible.
wiggy2272003 Says:
You got it Divine.
Also it is not neccesary nor will it ever be for the monkey paw print to be visible.
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DEAD!
wiggy2272003 Says:
I have on leggings right now with a tunic(long) top and knee high boots.
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I Have on the same thing. its a sweater dress though. i think im CUTE today. lol
iyonah its on his site
“was accompanied to the event by good friend, celebrity makeup artist Jai Jai ”
LOL… I knew you didn’t put that cry for help(S.O.S) for nothing.. This is so sad!!!!
@Hermosa
I totally agree..that “rapper” Nicky Minaj got it bad. That’s all she wears…..ewwww! Those and vests as shirts.
Wack a$$!
@wiggy yes I say Monicas face stays beat to death! Meaning her make up is on point
I did the leggin thing in middle school so as a grown woman I just can’t but I am not anti leggins just not for me
I saw Treys vide!
LJ, I did too till my husband was like why you wearing tights?
now do yall like her music enough to buy it, or just to listen to when it’s on the radio? there’s a huge difference.
for the record jai jai been in da limelight for a while now, too bad people is sleeping on her!!!