I don’t know about you guys, but tonight, I’m partying like its 1999!

Don’t be fooled by the effervescent optimism in my opening line. I am calling upon such inherent good-vibes out of sheer desperation and yearning for feel-good survival because, in all honesty, I’ve been rather down of late.

Can’t quite put my finger on it, which means it’s likely a culmination of weights that I’ve been witnessing/experiencing of late, which are feeling a bit heavier with each passing day – but go on, I/we must – because there is no other choice, and there is no other way but forward.

I know it’s not an exact fit for week “99,” however, dropping some “Prince” here to lead off my Top-5 did me a whole lot of good in making me feel better – feel right – and feel like I ought to feel – and for that I am grateful and smiling ear-to-ear. I hope it makes you feel good too!

That my dear friends is the power and beauty of music!

If you haven’t done so already, please check out all of the post's associated with the forthcoming Open-Mic Mega-Collaboration.

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The Original Announcement Post

Update #1.

Update #2.

Update #3.

Update #4.

Update #5.

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Should anyone have any questions or wish to participate in the “Mega Open-Mic Collab,” feel free to hit me up on discord >> @passion-ground#5524.

Next Up, a few words about our Sponsors

Please, VOTE for These WITNESSES...

IMPORTANT: Before we move on, please don't forget to vote for @Pfunk as witnesses! @pfunk is our biggest supporter, and plays a major role in helping to fund, the Open Mic contest each week.

We should all be proud and honored that @pfunk continues to weigh in at #18 on the witness list! It wasn’t that long ago that he was struggling to hold onto the #20 slot. Let’s keep this up, okay - @pfunk all the way!

In addition to @pfunk, I am also adding @curie, @ausbitbank, and @aggroed to my short list of “must-vote-for” witnesses who support the Open-Mic venue.

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You can vote for each of these witnesses right now by going directly to this link: https://steemit.com/~witnesses

With all of that said, following some further insights as to how I judge entries, let’s get on with it, shall we?

Steemit Open Mic Week 99

My Process

As one of the esteemed Open Mic judges, it is my job to come up with (or “curate” as it were) a short-list of my top 5 entrants each week. With all of the great talent here, that is by no means an easy task. Sure, tossing in another 5 honorable mentions helps, but not when my weekly list starts out with 100 or more of my favorite entries... You guy's rock - I'm tellin ya!

Yes, I am a Libra – so I have an inherent drive deep within me to be fair and balanced – good qualities for a “judge” if you ask me. That being said, I’m still human – filled with emotion and subjective feelings – just like you. So, in order to mitigate my subjective tendencies to the best extent possible, I’ve come up with a method by which to narrow down my selections in a more objective vs. arbitrary manner.

Here’s how I go about my personal judging process: I first start out with a list of 100 or more of my most favorite entries for the week, and score them (yes, subjectively) in six distinct categories via a spreadsheet. The categories I’ve selected for scoring are in general harmony with those explained by @luzcypher in his post titled How We Pick The Top 3 Entries, referencing such.

To get a more in-depth perspective as to how I personally go about selecting my artists, please refer to What I go through as an Open-Mic Judge.

Even though it’s still a “subjective” process – diligently going through each scoring category to come up with a “total” score for each entrant helps to minimize any overzealous subjectivity that I may harbor with respect to any specific entrants.

Quite often, this exercise doesn’t give me the exact results I would personally prefer to see – but that only means that my system of judging is working as intended and designed. With all of that said, here are...

My Top-5 Picks in Order

FIRST PLACE: @minuetoacademy – Es Por Tu Gracia - (Cover)

As @minuetoacademy apparently believes - I too believe there is a higher power at work in this world. Granted, many of us are convinced that such a higher power is in fact, the evil of Satan that rules over our domain - and with good evidentiary reason, I might add. However, there indeed exists the grace of God and/or a higher power of “good” that shall always triumph over the evil that clearly permeates much of our world. Aside from all such truth, this song, performance, and its core essence speak to all of the truly good-hearted amongst us! Bravo, brother – in the end, the collective good in us all, shall indeed prevail over our inherent evils!
https://steemit.com/openmic/@minuetoacademy/steemit-openmic-week-99-minuetoacademy-es-por-tu-gracia-interpretacion

SECOND PLACE: @lillywilton – How Loved You Are - (Original)

Lilly’s classic musical and theatrical training really resonates here. I mean WOW – her lullaby, “How Loved You Are” is a masterpiece for the ages! Lilly’s performance and composition truly sound like it came straight from Broadway! I love this! What an immense treasure this is…
https://steemit.com/openmic/@lillywilton/rqfbmpf1

THIRD PLACE: @papaudeme – Zosi - (Original)

It’s been quite a while since we’ve heard from Sir Papaudeme, but it was well worth the wait! His original rendition of this love song entitled “Zosi” is utterly captivating on every front. I thoroughly enjoyed this original song and performance, and I’m certain that you will too!
https://steemit.com/openmic/@papaudeme/steemit-open-mic-week-99-zosi-original-composition

FOURTH PLACE: @addiesworld – Bring Me the Horizon - (Cover)

Not only did Addie crush this cover – but she did so looking smokin’ hot as ever! Bottom line: Addie is a true artistic talent, she also happens to be blessed with physical beauty as well. What a killer combination! God bless you, girlfriend. Stay hungry, stay grounded, and stay passionate… I loved this!
https://steemit.com/openmic/@addiesworld/steemit-openmic-week-99-bring-me-the-horizon-avalanche-cover

FIFTH PLACE: @katrina-ariel – Back to Myself - (Original)

Katrina’s performance is exactly what I needed this week! She broke from her comfort zone and rendered an original composition of optimism and self-worth. “Back to Myself” is a place we all need to visit on a regular basis. The important distinction that Katrina imparts is that her basic tendency is to be compassionate – and putting other people first. We have an overabundance of narcissists in this crazy world of ours, and her message here is directed toward all the good people in this world – and to give them, along with herself, the immense credit that they so rightly deserve. I love this to pieces – I see you, girlfriend!
https://steemit.com/openmic/@katrina-ariel/steemit-open-mic-week-99-original-music-back-to-myself

My Top-5 Honorable Mentions in Order:

First: @abelfernandez – Distracciones del Color - (Original)
https://steemit.com/openmic/@abelfernandez/wpanl0ju

Second: @dianakyv – MI TODO - (Cover)
https://steemit.com/openmic/@dianakyv/9sxg7kqa

Third: @douglasferreira – Solitude - (Original)
https://steemit.com/openmic/@douglasferreira/steemit-open-mic-week-99-solitude-original

Fourth: @ingridkorneelia – Ide Were-Were - (Cover)
https://steemit.com/openmic/@ingridkorneelia/steemit-openmic-week-99-ide-were-were-cover

Fifth: @yrmaleza – Canción de amor - (Cover)
https://steemit.com/openmic/@yrmaleza/lfhanb8s

Thank you for reviewing my selections for this week’s Open-Mic contest. If you find this content I’ve curated entertaining and of value to you, then please consider up-voting and/or re-steeming it.

Peace, Love, and Justice for All

A Very Special Shout Out To:

The following 20 artists who were very much on my radar, each within a splitting hair of making it into my overall top-10, and whose performances I loved, cherish and respect most assuredly. This special list is very much an extension of my most honorable mentions.

They are - in no particular order:

@juliolunar, @lifetipsbysn, @honeymoon-1611, @shephard, @alejandra23, @alcoholisedbsoul, @elisonr13, @samidbarid, @melor9, @mcmusic, @mayneth, @paintingangels, @andreamaestre1, @manuelmusic, @drewley, @enazirma, @orianabarreto, @k0wsk1, @tarotbyfergus, and @cabelindsay!

Another Special Shout Out To:

The following artists whose performances I very much enjoyed this week.

They are - in no particular order:

@camuel, @wilins, @kayclarity, @siomarasalmeron, @leomolina, @juanmolina, @miguelblanco, @brianhey, @lk666, @nnorukaanointing, @davidsuarezms, @steevc, @digitalopus, @davidfar, @renial, @nadabrahmasounds, @ricardogmusic, @julian.alejandro, @samjgonz, @carlosgu, @rjcha, @sanami, @adreini, @eib, @donatello, @jons0318, @wethepatsies, @gibber, @ragnarflok, @skycorridors, @beto14, @robertonavs, @natashamartinez, @edwardstobia, @zullyscott, @gersonvasquez, @graceleon, @cpereira, @cristmounicou, @funkmedia, and @carlosvidal!

Much love and thanks to each and every one of you who have touched a part of my heart and soul - not only this week but forever!