RIP Baatin

If you don't know who Baatin is of the Hip Hop group Slum Village...Then there is a problem. This man had an impeccable style, ridiculous flow and beautiful spirit. Today marks one year since his passing and Hip Hop lovers all over the world are sending him praises. He was born in Detroit, Michigan and there he met two other dudes from around the way, T3 and J Dilla, and created one of the greatest Hip Hop groups of all times. Being that I was just in Detroit last weekend and I was able to get a feel for the city that I always had so much respect and love for, musically, it was only right that I pay tribute to this great man.

We miss you, Baatin! We will continue to RAISE IT UP! Peace and ♥

P.S. Slum Village just released their new album, Villa Manifesto, last Tuesday which includes material from T3, Dilla, Baatin and Elzhi...Simple amazing!

The Color Purple

So there is no coincidence why purple is one of my favorite colors, why the name of this blog is "Inna Leigh's out of Her Mind and in Purpleskyyys" and why the movie The Color Purple is one of my favorite movies (lol)....Well, its a color that is just so powerful to me. It has various meanings; it can mean royalty, it is the last color of the color spectrum and represents the crown chakra.......But to me, its just a color of freedom, love and all good and positive things wrapped into one.


I came across this awesome National Geographics article last night called Life in Color: Purple. This article shows pictures from different places all over the world that have a hint of purple in them; they are simply amazing. The picture above was taken in Tasmania on an ancient bridge built in the early 1800s.....Cool right? There are more purple pic included on the link below.

Life in Color: Purple- National Geographics

And to my people who may be fans of other colors, please don't get discouraged....They have amazing pictures of red, yellow, green and everything else. So if you are as into colors and scenery like me, please check out these cool articles. National Geographics is awesome.

Well, I hope you all have an amazing weekend. I will be attending Macy's Cincinnati Jazz Festival all weekend. I will be seeing acts that range from Charlie Wilson, Erykah Badu to Raheem DeVaughn....So you know that im excited right? And with all of this color talk, let me end this post with a very COLORFUL video. Take care, yall! Peace ♥

LIL KIM - CRUSH ON YOU from LA BELLA SOUL on Vimeo.

Mmmhmmm......I'm feelin' this one...

Flying Lotus is one peculiar artist, but in a very magical and artistic way. I just came across his new video for his single "Mmmhmm" off of his latest album Cosmogramma that dropped earlier this year. The groove is undeniable. It takes me to a higher level, automatically. The video is like a kaleidoscope of a whole bunch of unearthly things that are weird, but oh so lovely at the same time. The fellow singing on this song is an artist named Thundercat and his vocals just add to the flava of the flow. Flying Lotus has been out for years, and being the nephew of the great John Coltrane just adds to his musical genius. His music is a mix of jazz, r&b, techno mixed all together into one......And it is simply amazing!

Feel the funk yall, this is for all of my futuristic lovers out there! Enjoy! ♥

Flying Lotus - Mmmhmm (2010)

Flying Lotus's: website

Inspiration....

Recently, I have been on hiatus....Doing a little soul-searching and finding out more about myself and my creative side. And through this, I found that art, which has always been inspiring to me, is something that I absolutely love. I came across a great artist named Regina Agu a couple of weeks ago and her art is truly one-of-a-kind. It is a breath of fresh air and it is very whimsical and dreamy in my opinion. One of her pieces that directly inspired me is the one to the left of this post (click to enlarge).

As soon as I saw this simple drawing of a young man floating into air...I was in love. It is something very free and happy about this drawing. Don't we all wish that we could just dance around and do whatever we want at times without being judged or looked at in a weird way? Well I know that I do....And to make a long story short, after seeing this I was inspired to create a short story about a young boy based off of this picture. This is the first time that I have EVER written a short story, but why not try something different to see where it leads you right?

Artist Jesse Lott and Regina Agu

I have recently shared with Regina my love for her work and the inspiration that this piece in particular has given me and I am waiting to hear from her. Once edited, I may post the story up for you all. Possibly may even share it with the world on another level. I suggest that you all check out more of Regina's work, it is truly amazing.

Have a blessed week guys, one love! ♥

Regina Agu's:
Flickr
Website
Twitter

Prettiest thing EVER...

So it was love at first sight when I laid my eyes on this beautiful purse. And you might ask, who this purse belongs to...no one but the 1 and only, Kelis. At her album release party in NYC on Wednesday, she rocked this stone-studded pocketbook that matched her dress perfectly. I am SO feeling this bag and I really would love to have it (I already know it costs a fortune, but there is nothing wrong with admiration). She has not announced who created this purse or her lovely dress, hopefully she will tell because it is bangin'.

I hope you all enjoy looking at it as much as I do. And I must say that Kelis indeed looked like "The Boss" that she is on this night that was dedicated to her. Go, Kelis! Love ya 4eva!
Peace, yall! ♥

P.S. Her new album, Fleshtones is out....COP DAT!

Kelis - 4th Of July (Official Music Video) from 233004095 on Vimeo.

We'll always remember you...

Harvey Fuqua, singer, songwriter, producer and mentor to the incredible Marvin Gaye passed away July 6, 2010 at the age of 80. Fuqua was a member and the lead singer of the legendary R&B/Doo Wop group, The Moonglows. They were a big hit during the wave of rock-n-roll that was rockin' America in the 1950s, with hit songs such as "Sincerely" and "See Saw". In the late 1960s, he became an executive at Motown Records in their Artist Development sect at the request of Berry Gordy. There, he made musical magic with many of the great artists that were a part of this label such as, Marvin Gaye, Tammi Terrel, Junior Walker, The Marvelettes and many more.


Not only did he groom artists like The Supremes, The Temptations, Junior Walker and the All Stars and The Four Tops, he produced songs like "Sexual Healing" for Marvin Gaye and "You Make Me Feel" by Sylvester. Fuqua truly does not get all of the respect and props that he deserves for how he built up what we would call the music business for African American entertainers. We salute you Harvey Fuqua and your work will always be appreciated.

More on Harvey Fuqua: Billboard.com

New Music Tuesdays: Big Boi is doing it BIG!

So the day has finally arrived. It has been a long time coming for us Outkast fans who have been waiting for one half of the group to come out with a mixtape or even one unofficial single. But the buzz of Big Boi dropping a new album got his fans excited months ago, and we knew that he wouldn't let us down with this one.

Today Sir Lucious Left Foot: The Son of Chico Dusty has officially been released and I am so excited. After listening to a couple of the leaked songs (ooops :-) on the internet weeks ago and viewing his video for his first single off of the album, Shutterbug, I knew that this album would be classic material. With Big, you can always expect him to incorporate a funky, out of this world type of sound to his music....while still having that dirty south hip-hop twang to it. And this album is just that and more! I am so excited that week after week many Hip Hop albums have been dropping this summer, and Big Boi is just putting icing on the cake with this one.

Go support this album, yall! If you are looking for some good music to listen to while trying to cool off on these hot days ahead, pick up Sir Lucious today! You won't regret it.
Have a great day, peace yall! ♥






Big Boi's website

If the shoe fits, wear it...

Especially if they are Billionaire Boys Club sneakers!



BBC has unveiled their new low-top sneaker for their Fall/Winter 2010 collection and I must admit that I would cop these if I was a dude. I really love them because they are simple, canvas shoes....But they are still very different in their own way. You could rock these with almost anything; they would give your average outfit a dope/street feel. They kind of remind me of shoes that you would see people in California wear or maybe its just me lol.




Anyways, I think they are hot. And mostly anything that Pharrell Williams is rocking will sell to the masses. Its great to see him modeling again, lookin' hot and fly as ever.
Ya feelin' it? ♥

Billionaire Boys Club website

A weekend of great surprises...

It is indeed the end of the week guys and you know what that means, WEEKEND TIME! Plus, the fourth of July will be on Sunday so there will be many things going on ALL over the U.S. Although July 4th isn't much of a day to celebrate to me, it is a time that you are able to cookout, relax and be with family and friends. Also, my sister's birthday and a couple other family members birthdays land within this week so I have alot to be excited about.

So I hope that whatever you all do, please be safe and celebrate GOOD TIMES! And remember one thing, have fun!
Blessings and love! Peace ♥