HAPPY NEW YEAR!

I want to FIRST say HAPPY NEW YEAR to all those who follow this blog and care about what Anesha and I are into. It was a triumphant 2009 for APLUS Music Group and 2010 is going to be the continuation! In the forefront, we have found 7 VERY talented artist from Southeast Michigan whom we are EXTREMELY excited about working with this year. I will write a separate blog ALL about our movements forward with the AWESOME 7! Also, we're still writing and carefully crafting our way through this maze called the music industry. Interesting....

In other news, married life is GREAT to me. Otis and I are getting into a nice groove of things and we are SERIOUSLY enjoying each other. Praise Jesus for the mysteries of marriage. Amazing what a 3 way union can turn in to (between CHRIST, husband & wife). Thanks for all your well wishes and prayers. God has done a WONDERFUL thing for us. OH! Guess what?! ANESHA GOT A DOG!!! (soooo jealous!!!). Her name is Mattie and she is a 5 yr old Jack Russell Terrier. This little darling was at the Humane Society and needed a home... SO ANESHA ADOPTED HER!! YAY!!! MATTIE, the APLUS MASCOT!!! She's a DOLL! :0)

Stay tuned for all our info on upcoming APLUS events and happenings! Things are progressing nicely and we want to keep yall informed of GODS BLESSINGS!!!!!

Love yall!

Antea Shelton

I'M MARRIED!!! :)

HHEEEEYYYYY!!!! Its been awhile!!!! Life is BEAUTIFUL guys! I am married to my favorite guy on the planet, my best friend, MY HUSBAND, Otis Shelton. Thats right! I AM MRS. SHELTON!!! POW!!!!! lol The wedding was amazing as was the reception and the ENTIRE WEEKEND!! So many of my family and friends partied ALL WEEKEND with me! It was simply blissful!! We honeymooned in Negril, Jamaica and it was WAY FUN!! Jet ski's, ATV's in the mountains, snorkeling and LOADS of partying and laying out on the beautiful beaches of Jamaica! ...and now I am back in Detroit and back to reality and I must admit, the honeymoon has continued!! :)

Now that I'm back home, I've gotten back to work and back focused on APLUS MUSIC GROUP! Anesha and I are GREATLY anticipating the release of the 3 main projects we have songs on. Justin Bieber, Jennifer Lopez and Mary J Blige. We are also looking forward to Adrienne Bailon's first solo project release on Island Def Jam. Of course, we've been getting it in with D.Emile (OUR FAV!!) as well as Jim Jonsin and The Featherstones! Also, looking forward to doing records with Canadian producers Let's Go To War really soon!! It feels great to be back to work after my 2 month "marital hiatus"! LOL Besides songwriting, we've been developing a few new avenues within the company to positively exploit young talent and present opportunities to unsigned artist who need help "getting connected". We'll definitely keep everyone informed on our progress and how you can get involved!

Before I'm finished, I just want to leave you all with a thought. Something thats been on my mind. 2 words. Love and compassion. As a Christian, this is the base of my belief in Christ. Every action, every life choice, everything I do is driven by my love for Christ and my compassion for His children everywhere (Christian or not.) There are many people who will read this who ARE NOT Christians however, this cannot stop you from feeling love and compassion. I really feel that the problems that we face in our country, world, finances, with our children, in schools, at work and even in the music industry would simply dissolve if we learned to GENUINELY feel compassion towards others and, if not love towards God, AT LEAST love for ourselves. So i said all that to say this: Love God, Love yourself and be COMPASSIONATE towards each other. Think about something EVERYDAY that you can do for someone else to help them along WITHOUT looking for anything in return!!

Ciao!

Antea Shelton (hee hee. cool huh?)

Pray 4 us.... Pray 4 them.....

Hey Everybody!

DISCLAIMER: this blog will be a bit more serious then the others. I have to get something off of my chest after an event tonight broke up my normal "goundhogs day" existence of studio and hotel.....

As you know, we have been in California for 10 days working on Jennifer Lopez, Adrienne Bailon and some other things for Danja. Tonight, while doing our thing as we normally do, a young woman, very beautiful, maybe native american and white, walks into the kitchen. I am fixing Anesha a cup of tea and she starts talking to me. Obviously she is QUITE intoxicated (a bottle of mostly empty Jack Daniels, cap off, in her hand). Initially, its playful and just drunken ramble and stammer. I try to get it together quickly and get outta there but, as im fixing the tea THE TEA BAGS BURST IN THE CUP... so I had to start over thus causing the "drunken convo" to continue.... (obviously this was God forcing me to have to stay much longer in her presence then I initially wanted. Something I'm JUST NOW realizing)

She throws on her shades and unsuccessfully attempts to help me fix this cup of tea. While preparing, she goes into a small rant about her real father serving a life sentence in jail and her step dad and real mom being ministers.... Needless to say, I was slowly beginning to see where this was gonna end up. Driving herself to a semi distraught state, she tells me about her parents wanting her to sing praise and worship on Sunday mornings but she hates it because they strip her energy and so do her writing and business partners in the music industry. Then she talks about being anointed and how she loves feeling God's presence in church but she's confused when she sings her rock music and feels the anointing. She asked me "if its rock music then who is giving me this gift to sing".... In my mind, throughout her ramble, I'm praying "Lord. Speak to her through me. Lord tell me what to say".

Now, anyone who knows Antea knows that I LOVE Jesus.... I try to live an upright life (as best I can) and I strive to be better through Christ DAILY however, I am TRULY not the one preaching at the studio, pulling out the bible or throwing oil on folk. I pray to be led and if a situation arises where I speak of Christ or "minister", I do... but usually, it doesn't arise...... that is, until tonight....

I proceed to answer her question as best I can by telling her that there is only ONE gift giver but He also allows us to use the gifts as we will.... She continues to vent about being confused and knowing she has to lead her friends and business partners to the truth. On and on she goes until Anesha walks in and breaks it up. For whatever reason she stops, takes off her sunglasses and says "you have a great spirit. I just knew I had to talk to you when I saw you. Before I leave, I wanna get your number so we can pray together." Immediately I responded "Lets pray right now!!!" We grab hands.... and we pray. I bind the enemy and plead the blood (amongst MANY other things). The conversation ends and we go back to our separate studios.

An hour or so has gone by and I am still thinking about her. Saddened by her condition yet amazed. Of ALL THE PEOPLE HERE , she corners me, a Holy Spirit filled Christian woman of God and the end result is prayer in a place that I would never suspect... I praise God and I am still prayerful.....

This whole blog has ONE PURPOSE! Remember your brothers and sisters who are out in the battlefield called the music industry. Some of us are not that strong and find ourselves looking for love and comfort in drinking, drugs and a life of partying and ignoring the voice of God. Pray for those who are in turmoil internally, who are confused by the enemy and who can't find their way clear.

God has chosen SO MANY OF US to go on the front lines.... Unfortunately, the "glamorous side" of the industry lures us away thus, the scenario tonight... I thank God that Anesha and I are together and we pray for each other. Our parents pray for us. You pray for us. I THANK GOD I am not alone.....

An Announcement.....

HEY KIDDIES!!!

It has been too long, of course, since my last blog (I feel like I say this EVERYTIME I blog)!! I am currently in California working on Jennifer Lopez's new project! EXCITING! God is soooo amazing you guys. In with producer Jim Jonsin (Lollipop, Kiss Me Thru the Phone, Whatever You Like, Beautiful Nightmare, Radio) and songwriter Jordan (Piano Man "Brandy"). We'll be with Danjahandz later this week (Knock You Down, Turnin Me On, The Way I Are, Promiscuous Girl, Say it Right etc....) uh, can you say FAVOR?!? lol.... love it!!

So, guys, I actually have a very specific reason for blogging today. I want the WORLD TO KNOW something very important. SO, take note... tell everybody, SPREAD THE WORD! Anesha and Antea Birchett, AKA "APLUS" are no longer signed to Darkchild! ok??? so stop saying that! (lol) We just recently signed to ??????? Publishing! (can't say til check clears lol)

::TAKE NOTE:: It was a CRRRAZY blessing to be affiliated with someone so talented and amazing as Rodney but, that season of our career is done and we have been blessed to take everything we learned and gained from Darkchild and apply it to our future as writers and entrepreneurs! so there you have it....

Besides Jennifer, we are looking forward to cutting a few more records on Adrienne Bailon. Such a talented girl!!

On another note, I am getting married in NINE WEEKS!!! omg!!! :::insert panic attack here:: LOL Most normal brides would be in the thick of planning details... and where am I? California... *sigh* sooo much has not been done BUT, its all good. I'm gonna just have to have my planner take care of the details if I can't be there..... I love my Otis... can't wait to be Mrs. Shelton! YAY!!!!!!

ok guys, there's my life in a few lines... I shall try to update BEFORE i get married! LOL

Love YALL!!!

MAY IN CALI! :-)

HEY!

so its my FIRST out of town blog! I'm at *********** studios in L.A with D.Emile and Anesha working on finishing up Adrienne Bailon's first solo project away from 3LW and the Cheetah Girls... The songs have been AMAZING and this has been alot of fun! Eventhough funds are low, our morale is high all things considered. As Shani says, "the middle ground always seems the longest. You guys are at the END of the middle ground...." *sigh* so all is well! We are still waiting to get into our new publishing deal. The race has begun and the negotiations are in high spin so, as we wait, we write! :-)

Cali has been GREAT by the way! The sun and warm breeze.... our hotel is actually nice. There's a pool on the roof! That in itself has been SO RELAXING! Tweeting and facebooking by the pool...................... only thing I HATE is being here without Otis. Thats always really hard for me.... Oh, I know I forgot to tell you guys but, we are moving the wedding up to this year (hopefully August) and decided to exchange our vows and rings here in Michigan. Unfortunately the swine flu mania has swayed our decision to marry away. So we're staying here in the States so no one will feel obligated to travel with the uncertainty of the virus. A private ceremony with family and then our OFFICIAL WEDDING SHINDIG!! (I'll be sending invites in the mail soon!!!) Then of to Negril for 7 days of romance and vacationing!!!!!!

I love my life! God has blessed me to go on such an amazing ride!!!!!!!!!!! The sights are breath taking along the way but whats most exhilirating is knowing the destination is more then I can EVER IMAGINE!!!! so exciting!!!!

ITS WARM OUTSIDE!

Today is April 17th! and I am loving my life! I must admit guys.... I am far far from where I think I should be right now BUT I am strangely happy! Its all Christ that makes me so excited about my life. So many promising adventures on my horizon. With my family, my fiance and my company, APLUS Music Group! ITS GREAT! :-) So anyway, enough with the morning rants.. lol... today is Friday and I have PLLLAANNSS for tonite! ooooo BIG STUFF! I rarely go out in these streets (if you know me you know you can catch me at only FIVE places: The studio, with Otis, teaching (music or subbing), at home or at church! See, only five... (thats so sad! lol) HOWEVER, tonite I've planned to hang out with friends!! Dinner to celebrate my brothers birthday (YAY TIM!!!) and then over to this lil spot to hear my girl I went to high school with(who is BIG TIME NOW!) perform! (YAY TAYMA!!!) so yea guys, I'm a lil bit amped up!!
So like in a week I'll be with The Runners and The Inkredibles to do some records (HOW EXCITING) and hopefully right after that we'll be diving into some gospel songs! ALWAYS love that! Things are looking great with Jennifer and Adrienne and MJB. PRAY SAINTS!
I love my life! I love you guys! LEAVE YOUR COMMENTS!!

CIAO!

A New Beginning

Its April 3rd, 2009.... ten months before I am Mrs. Antea Joy Shelton.... WOW......*pause* That is so weird to type.... "Mrs. Antea Joy Shelton".... God is so amazing.

I wanted to write today to help me take in all this amazing stuff that's happening to me right now. Sometimes, my life is so crazy that I don't really get the chance to sit and breathe in the magnitude of everything.... Now is that moment for me. Typing/writing slows my brain down and helps me to soak in my life... enjoy my life...reflect on my life.

I thank the Lord Jesus for choosing me................. Choosing me to be a songwriter (because I CERTAINLY didn't pick this path for myself. Thanks Shani for saying that to me last time we were together! "Songwriting chose me, I didnt choose songwriting..."). I thank God for choosing me to find the man He created to be my husband and for choosing me to be on the career path HE chose.... *BIG SIGH* My God.... I could scream and cry and shout right now (but I'm in a classroom full of 7th graders so I won't... lol)! I am so so so amazed and grateful and in awe....

Craziest thing is I have not led the cleanest life. I have not been upright and blameless in my life. I have QUITE a private history... quite a past that only very few know about. Above and beyond ALL OF THE THINGS I'VE DONE WRONG and ALL THE TIMES I'VE FAILED, God STILL picked me. Dang. Thats so crazy. And to think, I just KNEW I had messed up my life and God was never going to bless me because of all the things I have done wrong.... but He proved His word to me "my sins thrown into the sea of forgetfulness..." YES!!!!

So, on another note (industry stuff now), Anesha and I are looking for a new publishing deal. Yea, we are not Darkchild anymore.... We've been in with Jennifer Lopez and Adrienne Bailon (from the Cheetah Girls) of late. We are looking forward to working with new Def Jam artist, Justin Bieber as well as Karina Pasian. I'm praying to God (agree with me please!) that within our new publishing agreement we will have good success, solid networking opportunities and MOST of all God's favor.... In this industry, I've learned, that you just cannot get a shot if you are not favored by God.... APLUS is favored.... and our God is bigger then their politics! :-)

I'm excited about the future! Marriage, a new publishing deal and a new beginning for Anesha and I. This is very good.