Today is the last day of January which means that tomorrow will start off a new month, but to me it means something completely different. It will mark a year since I have created my blog: Inna Leigh's Out of Her Mind and in PurplesSKYYYS.
It really makes me emotional because I started this blog out of pure fun and wanting to create a place where I can just store my ideas and thoughts. Never did I think that I would get random followers and such loving feedback and commentary from people. The fact that the things that I think and feel on a daily bases touches people touches me beyond comparison. This blog is really a haven to me. It is one of the ONLY places that I display my creativity and what is really inside of me. That is why this blog means so much to me.
So I would like to thank my sister, the creator of BLANKBARECLEAN blog for promoting my blog the way that she has and supporting me so much throughout this process. Without her, I don't know where I would be. I would also like to thank all of the things that SURROUND me and INSPIRE me because if it wasn't for those things whether it be music, art or whatever this blog wouldn't exist. And last but not least, I would like to thank the higher power that created me and allows my soul to come into contact with things on the Earth that allows me to create such positive and creative energy to share with you all.
I also want to thank my followers and even those that do not follow my blog but still comment on my posts. This let's me know that I am really making people think.
And just to remind you all.....This is only the BEGINNING! PEACE and ♥
If it is not already obvious from my blog picture, I am a ♥'er of Kelis. She has always been innovative, eclectic and down right sexy when it comes to her music and style......BUT....what about this fashion statement?
YAY or NAY?
I don't know. I really like it, I think that it is so extreme and weird which is how Kelis has always been....but is it a lil' too extreme when you look twice?
I hope everyone had a great week and weekend is going swell. I did not have classes yesterday, due to the snow that took over Nashville (Snow in NASHVILLE? Weird, right) so I have just been chilling and spending time with friends....NOT wanting to do assignments. But I already know that I need to stop fronting and finish up this report on Saudi Arabia before I get a grade that I SO don't want. So i'm a drop this Mos Def knowledge on yall for the day, one of my favorite songs of his. DJ Honda as the producer and Mos Def as the lyricist = a sick ass song. My favorite lyric from this song is:
"Memories don't live like people do, they always remember you
Whether things are good or bad, its just the memories."
The lyrics speak for themselves, so I just want you all to zone out to this soothing beat, as Mos Def mesmerizes you with his truthful words. Have a great weekend guys. Stay positive and be blessed! ♥
So I am sitting in class doing some research on the culture of Saudi Arabia for my International Business class and I came across some pictures of the desert land there and thought that they were so beautiful. It looks so peaceful and serene there. I automaticallty thought of this video and song when I saw the pictures. The scenary is so similar and really puts me at ease. Erykah kills it in this video and song. Blessed love and vibez, Happy Wednesday!
Don't care what the world seh; (Natty Dread) I'n'I couldn't never go astray. (Natty Dread) Just like a bright and sunny day: (Natty Dread) Oh, we're gonna have things our way. (Natty Dread)
I am having a Bob Marley Special tonight. Just sitting here listening to all of the songs that he made that set me free, mentally. I can remember the day that I got my hands on his Legend album at the age of 15 1/2, ever since then my life has NEVER, EVER been the same. Its because of Bob's music that I am conscious about my culture and who I am.....And I know that I am one of millions of people that feel this way about him. Grandpa Marley passed on young, but his music is more realer and relevant than ever. This musical prophet was and still is my musical savior, so I give all honor and praises to him and what he did for the world through his music. We miss you, Bob!RASTAFARI!
So the question of the day is, where isMissy "Misdemeanor" Elliot? I'm just sitting here having a late night jam session going through my vault of late 90s early 2000s hits and I am realizing how Missy's music and production dominated the ending and beginning of two eras. I mean Missy is just sick. From the production, to the singing, the lyricism and outlandishly attractive videos......The woman is ill and you can tell that her vision was put into everything that she did. Whether she was producing for the late Aaliyah or thinking of a new and creative way to get her fans attention through her videos, Missy never seemed to keep us uninterested and was always re-inventing herself.
I mean really, what happened to this kind of creativity.?.?
When I think about it, it kind of upsets at how the music industry doesn't even reflect anything as fresh and creative as Missy's work. It's as if people accept this horrible music that is out there now. Everyone sounds and looks exactly the same. But enough for the pity tea party's......Music like this may not be heard now, but its timelessness is all that matters to me. Missy Elliott may not be around now as much as she used to, but music like this can never be swept under the rug. I just wish that I could turn on BET or maybe even MTV and see a video that could capture my attention with its music and visuals like Missy's did. Can I get a witness? ;-)
Well, I would like to end this post by wishing everyone a Happy Monday and I hope that positivity follows you everywhere you go. Hotep!
When I was younger there was this station on regular TV (when we got our free statellite cut off ;-)) that played music videos. I want to say it was called Mega TV or something...ANYHOW...I remember seeing this video and falling in love with it. I had never seen anything like this video. The moving objects, a voice so peculiar yet soulful and that infamous roach that still makes my skin crawl until this very day. This video was art to me and still is....And the message behind the song is amazing. Sometimes we all HAVE to step back away from the world and realize what kind of life we are living....Whether it is a virtual reality, virtual insanity or just living in an illusion. It is alright to step back and question things in life because then again.....This is YOUR life. Live on!
Here is a lil' summary of what I think the definition of music is and how it relates to me. I used this in the Harajuku Lovers Fragrance contest last Winter that I did not win :-(. I just thought it was a nice lil' free-write that explains who I am.
Music is a universal language, but for me it is a way of life. Music makes you happy when you are sad, it's something that you can relate to when you feel misunderstood, and it can bring joy to sadness. That is me, all the way....Always positive, full of life and always wanting to help....Full of imagination and personality.....That is what music is to me....That's why I am music....
Tonight a musical angel that had the chance to grace this Earth and bless us with his melodic talent has been called home to the heavens. Teddy Pendergrass died today and it has hit me in such a way that I had to dedicate a post in honor of him immediately after I got the news. He was truly one of a kind and there will NEVER BE another TP. This really saddens me because he was just recently hospitalized for medical complications and I had also just begun my research on his life and music a couple months ago. So this post is in honor of him and his life.
Teddy Pendergrass was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on March 26, 1950. Ever since he was young, he had a desire for music and wanting to sing. He began to sing in church and was also chosen to be a part of the All-City Elementary School Boys Choir at the age of 6. As a he began to build up his reputation as a drummer, he got his first big break in 1969. Harold Melvin was looking for another member for his band, The Blue Notes, and Teddy fit right in.
Harold Melvin and The Blue Notes became one of greatest R&B/Soul groups of the early 1970s. With Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff, the creators of Philadelphia International Records and the Philadelphia Sound, backing them they had nothing to loose. With hits like, "If You Don't Know Me By Now", "I Miss You", "Wake Up Everybody" and "The Love I Lost", The Blue Notes made it known that they were a music group that was a force to be wreckoned with. And with Teddy leading most of the songs with his powerful and heart-wrenching voice, people started to take notice to this group especially the lead singer.
Teddy left The Blue Notes by 1975 to start his solo career. This is when he really got a chance to do what he wanted to artistically, which was something that he couldn't do with The Blue Notes. His first self titled album did very well and for the rest of the decade he would bless his audience with songs like "Love TKO", "Close The Door", "The More I Get, The More I Want" and "Turn Off The Lights". Teddy Pendergrass had officially made a name for himself in the music industry by the late 70s and early 80s and has been dubbed one of the greatest R&B/Soul artists of his time.
By 1982, Teddy was at the height of his career. Then tragedy struck. He got into death-threatening car accident that made him paralyzed from the neck down....But this did not stop Teddy. Since then he has released 7 albums, toured and been more active then ever. Although the car accident almost took his life, he would not allow it to take his soul and God-given purpose. He also created the Teddy Pendergrass Alliance, which is a national organization that helps those who have damaged spinal cords rebuild their lives in any way possible.
Teddy Pendergrass was a true artist that will never be forgotten. It is so hard for me as a music lover to keep hearing about all of these great Black artists and performers that are dying. But one thing that we must remember is that their souls are still here through the music and great deeds that they have done for us. So, I leave you with one of the greatest performances that I have ever seen. I mean Teddy's voice roars in this song and it really touches my soul, and I know it will touch yours too. RIP, Teddy Bear! We miss you! ♥
I would like to start off by saying Happy New Year to all of my followers and to all that don't follow my blog but happen to come across this post....Happy New Year to you too! God bless you and live it up in 2010! (How weird it is to now say two thousand AND TEN)
Well, I am not big on "New Years Resolutions" because 9 times out of 10 those resolutions don't work to your liking, so you just beat up yourself throughout the year when you fall short. I just feel that everyday is a new day for people to change their lives and do something new to impact others. Now, I am not saying that I do not believe in change or trying to improve your life, I just feel that it shouldn't take every 365 days for the whole world to do it or recognize this.....Everyday should give you a NEW feeling of life and if not then that day should show you something to make you appreciate the next day.
So to everyone that I love and care for: thank you so much for being there for me throughout the year and holding me up. This year has been VERY interesting, but throughout it I have learned alot about myself and life and I am still learning. To the new opportunities and goals that I plan to accomplish this year: Look out because I have to COME OUT OF MY SHELL, OR ELSE! It's time to reach for the stars, AND I WILL BE REACHING HIGH!
So like I said, God bless you all......Live it up.....Change your lives for the better and help someone else along the way! Hotep!
"You can't stop my go I've been born to be who I am Bright light from a distant star Miracles, answered prayers."- Casa Bey
