In less than three months Secretary of State Hilary Clinton and the entire State Department, have embarked on a digital diplomacy overhaul aimed at spreading the word about American foreign policy and restoring Washington’s tainted image. This overhaul, being a part of a broader internet outreach by the Obama administration, has already surpassed Clinton’s predecessors.

Here’s the rundown:

• They’ve revamped the State Department website and blog to include colorful graphics and exciting new features, one of which allows the user to sound off on how Secretary Clinton should handle situations that may arise during her tenure.
• You can track Clinton’s foreign travels on an interactive map.
• You can keep up virtually with the Secretary’s every move via outlets such as Twitter, Facebook, Flicker, and YouTube.
• Before you could only pose questions in the departments ‘Ask the Secretary’ column which has now been changed to also include a  ‘Text the Secretary’ option.

I’m excited for this change. It makes Secretary Clinton WAY more accessible than any of the men and women that sat in her seat before. Just imagine being able to track her travels, post questions about her progress, and even follow her department on Twitter. It all may seem a bit overwhelming but its nice to know that this Administration actually wants to know what we think about the activities taking place in the world.

Be sure to check out the links above and make your voice heard!

Tis’ the season for change! In an effort to remain transparent and connected to the public, YouTube has announced the creation of two very important channels that will give average Americans like you and I the ability to candidly view the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate. The House Hub and Senate Hub channels on YouTube have made government accessible more than ever before; becoming the digital equivalent to a backstage pass to government.

After using the channels myself to search for my Representative and Senator, I can attest to the fact that these political outlets are very easy to use. House Hub has an interactive map component that allows users to simply find their state, click on it, and voilà! you’ve found a list a Representatives that serve your state. Senate Hub is a little different. Each week a video is chosen from a member of Congress that solicits questions about the pressing issues in our country (think, recession). Users are then able to send in their ideas via Google Moderator about how to resolve these pressing issues and vote on the ideas others have had. The top two most voted on ideas are then addressed by the Senator of the Week.

I totally recommend getting involved with these two channels. If you’re anything like me and like your voice to be heard, then this is a wonderful and easy way to make it happen. If you see something in your state, city, or neighborhood that needs attention, this is a GREAT way to contact the right individuals to make change happen wherever you are!

Visit House Hub & Senate Hub today!

Solange Knowles steps out (and WAY in front of the other Knowles sister) with a fresh and fun sound on her new CD, SoL-AngeL and the Hadley St. Dreams. The album features a dream team of collaborators including three-times Grammy award-winning music producer Mark Ronson, the ever-so-funky Cee-Lo, Pharrell, Jack Splash, The Neptunes, the legendary award-winning Lamont Dozier, and Bilal.

Here’s the good word:

Inspired by the ’60s and early ’70s, Solange showcases a Motown influenced sound that has been given a brand-new kick while at the same time offering her love of London-inspired Electronica on a few select hits. Highlight tracks on SoL-AngeL and the Hadley St. Dreams include The Neptunes produced “I Decided - PT1,” and the Freemasons version of the same tune, “I Decided - PT2,” the Soulshock & Karlin produced “Sandcastle Disco,” the Cee-Lo penned “T.O.N.Y” and the honest and revealing co-written and co-produced by Solange, “God Given Name.” A new video for “Sandcastle Disco,” directed by Solange herself, recently debuted on MTV’s F’N MTV and BET’s 106 & Park. —Marketwatch.com

Download I Decided (Pt.1) and Sandcastle Disco HERE and tell us what you think!

Make sure you check out the video for I Decided via YouTube and pick up Sol-Angel and the Hadley St. Dreams out now on the Geffen label!

Hurray for Friday! Here’s a classic!

Have a good weekend ladies!

This stunning video tells of the powerful social and economic change brought about when girls have the opportunity to participate in their society. More info at thegirleffect.org

Here at M.I.S.S. Crew, we make it a priority to give our fellow ladies shine but once in a while we come across a well-deserving boy or two to highlight.

Enter MGMT.

Formerly known as The Management, MGMT consists of Ben Goldwasser and Andrew VanWyngarden. On their debut album, Oracular Spectacular, the duo bring nothing but next level shit straight out of Brooklyn! Their sound is a mix of psychedelic dance tunes and electro-rock—reminiscent to the sounds brought to us by Prince and Malcom McLaren in the ’80s. I can’t think of anything more to say than DON’T SLEEP ON MGMT!

WATCH the video for MGMT’s “Electric Feel” below and DOWNLOAD “Electric Feel” HERE!

For more info on MGMT check out their super-fun main site, whoismgmt.com and of course The Official MGMT MySpace!

Learn to make beautiful jewelry from vintage pieces in this video Nylon did with Lula Frost!

I had some time to myself today (for once) and had a chance to catch up on my thoughts. I found myself getting some relief and relaxation from watching videos on YouTube. Lame, I know. The funny thing was that watching old videos made me feel reconnected and rejuvenated…perhaps it was even therapeutic. So, my point is that I ended my videofest with this:

I don’t care what you all think…but if I was that Queen in the video, I would have reacted the same way. MJ was looking oh-so fly with his pressed hair and gold jacket! Now-a-days, I wouldn’t feel the same way, but as a kid, I remember being infatuated with this video. It brought back good memories…hopefully it brings some good memories to you too. 

Do you remember the time? 

Below you have the latest video from a M.I.S.S. Crew favorite—Sharon Jones & the Dap-Kings. The video is for “Tell Me,” a song off their latest album 100 Days, 100 Nights. The video was filmed in Bushwick, Brooklyn and is directed by Adam Elias Buncher.

Download “Tell Me” HERE and make sure you buy 100 Days, 100 Nights!

As it was said in last week’s We Got the Beat highlighting UK songstress, Duffy, maybe it’s something in that UK water that has them “…churning out talented ladies left, right and center…” cause today, we have yet another UK songstress to tell you about:

Her name is Adele. She’s fresh and soulful and is already creating a huge buzz. This soul singing newcomer is the first recipient of the Brit Awards Critics’ Choice, which was given to artists who at the time had yet to release an album. Adele has also been hailed by the British press as “the new Amy Winehouse” and, hence, together with Duffy and a few other rising stars of 2007-8, as one of the so-called “New Amys”.

Adele singing Chasing Pavements Live:

Adele says of herself, “I’m a soul singer and I love writing soul, pop and jazz tunes, some acoustic stuff and some really big ballads,” and when asked how she felt about the gossip and criticism about her weight, Adele told The Times, “I’ve always been a size 16-18, and been fine with it. I would only lose weight if it affected my health or sex life.”

The song “Daydreamer,”off Adele’s full-length debut, 19, is about her bi ex-boyfriend running away with another man and as scandalous as that sounds, the track is beautiful and very moving.

Download “Daydreamer” HERE and check out more of her on the official Adele MySpace page.