A song that truly fits this morning's mood is "Winter Sadness" by Kool and The Gang. Today I opened up my blinds and saw snow pouring down onto the ground, but there was a sense of sadness that came along with every snowflake that hit the ground. A very eerie feeling, kind of like this song. The song is pure instrumental with a couple lyrics sang in the beginning of the song; it is such a soothing song. But what is so weird about this song is that people usually never associate winter with sadness and gloomy feelings......But looking outside this morning proved otherwise.
So this week I have been gaining alot of knowledge during this journey called life and I have been realizing alot about my surroundings and who I am. I feel that the state of the world is in trouble and I also feel that the state of the Blacks in America is even worse. I've been learning alot about the true culture of the Blacks in America and I am realizing that what we are a depressed people. We don't even realize how great of a people we are and where we come from, and this un-acknowlodgenement is really hurting us....ESPECIALLY the future generation.
So I end this week off with a dedication to a brother, a REAL BLACK MAN who has a special place in my heart: Tupac Amaru Shakur.
I think it was meant for me to just see a documentary on him on TV that inspired me to end off my week's teachings right. This man was a true soldier of the system. He was born in a prison, his mother was a drug addict, he grew up on welfare, was introduced to the streets BUT then became one the GREATEST rappers to ever grace this Earth. Tupac could've been your average statistic but he had enough knowledge to know that he did not have to continue to let the system hold him back so he went out for his dreams and he indeed inspired others along the way. Rapper, activist, prophet, idol, thug, nigga, soldier, gangsta.....All of these words describe Tupac Shakur and I am thankful that we at least have a person of the past to look to who we feel stood up for us (Blacks) and what we believed in. Tupac was never scared and would not want us to be scared. In order to make a change in the world you have to change yourself first.
So this video is dedicated to ALL Black people in the struggle whether it is mentally, emotionally, financially...Whatever it is....We can make it, we just have to hold each other up and stay positive. This is my favorite song by Tupac, thank you Tupac for all that you did for us. Your life will not be forgotten. THUG LIFE
P.S. the beat to "Keep Ya Head Up" is sampled from Zapp & Roger's "Be Alright". Yall know I had to add that in. lol
I don't even know where to start with this one.... Zapp and Roger.....
Just the name of the group alone and that special someone that brings the best out of them puts butterflies in my stomach that I cannot describe. *Whew* I watched a documentary on Zapp & Roger during Thanksgiving Break and ABSOLUTELY fell in LOVE with their music.....Especially the leader and creator of the band....Roger Troutman...*Lord, knows I love him*...
This band was based out of Dayton, Ohio by the way of Hamilton, Ohio (only 45 minutes away from my hometown!) and was started by one little boy that wanted to just play music....Roger Troutman. Roger wanted to master every instrument that was presented to him at an early age guitar, harmonica....You name it, he played it! His family took notice of his talent, so his father began to take him to clubs and different events and would bet money that no one could out play his son and indeed no one could!
By 1978, Roger and his brothers Terry, Lester and Larry and a few other musicians had created a group and would perform locally and earned a name for themselves in Southwestern Ohio as a great group with an amazing sound and tight stage show. Bootsy Collins, another great funk artist who played guitar for Parliment Funkadelic and also an Ohio native, heard about Roger and his band. He invited the band to Detroit to hear of their music at first hand and loved what he heard. At this time, the band was called Roger and The Human Body but the Godfather of Funk, George Clinton, convinced them to change their name to Zapp (Terry's childhood nickname)....And the rest was history.
What was so special about this group was the driving force behind the group's music: Roger. He could play damn near any instrument and master it. He loved to incorporate all kinds musical genres into his sound: blues, soul, r&b, jazz...He loved it all and wanted it to be heard in his music. But the most important instrument and driving force behind Roger's sound was the talkbox. It was the first time that a voice that sound so robotic yet melodic and soulful had been heard and recorded......Mentally and musically he was before his time. He wrote and produced most of Zapp's hits and would often tell his band members "Whatever you do, don't ever make my fans bored"...But there was no way that we could ever be bored with songs like "More Bounce to The Ounce", "So Ruff, So Tuff", "I Can Make You Dance", "Computer Love" and the many other songs that Zapp blessed us with.
I have a new found respect for this band and Roger in particular. I feel that he is not credited enough for how much of a genius he was. He was a great composer and musician and created a new sound that had never been heard of before. RIP Roger Troutman, thank you for inspiring the world with your creativity and dedication to making people feel good about themselves through the message in your music.
And in these videos you will see why he was so ahead of his time...Look at the performances....You got singing, dancing, playing of instruments...You have interaction with the audience....Every key is on point....Just simply amazing!
