Hip-Hop artist, Freddie Gibbs, and the cosmically-gifted producer, Madlib, have teamed up to create an EP entitled, Thuggin'. These photos are from their recent show in Brooklyn. Loving the photography and song. Enjoy!
As I am writing this post, just hearing D'Angelo's video play in the other tab has got me emotional (no lie). Remember last year when I featured one of his vintage Voodoophotos as Photo of the Week and I asked where has he been? Well, there is no need to long for our soul brother, because he is back!!!
The internet has been set ablaze ever since videos have begun to surface of D'Angelo's live performance in Stockholm, Sweden, where he has kicked off his European tour. This is his first live performance in over a decade and he looks and sounds better than ever. Just to see an actual band play and sound so funky should put any Soul music lover into a daze, not to mention, he and his background singers sound out of sight!
According to many sites and music blogs, he performed tunes from his earlier albums; as well as, new songs from his forthcoming LP entitled, James River. Can't wait to hear more from D'Angelo, can we all say American Tour Coming Soon??? Let's keep our fingers crossed!
There is an ounce of beauty in all things. No matter what society teaches us, we can learn and be inspired by anything that we see and experience in life. As I continue to mature, I have realized that one of the Universe's greatest gifts is silence. And I know that this may sound funny to many of you out there, but think about it... When was the last time that you really sat down by yourself with no T.V. on, the laptop shutdown, and the phone turned off and you just indulged in the sound of SILENCE.
This is very hard to do in our society because we are so used to having a daily routine and I am learning that as people (and functioning humans) we MUST learn how to do this more in order to live a more balanced and clarified life. So I created a video talking about this a little bit, just to share my thoughts about what I have learned by practicing this in my life.
Enjoy and let me know what revelations you have had if you have practiced this. Peace ♥
Key is an amazingly talented artist born and currently based in Brooklyn, NY. She has been singing ever since she could remember, as she was greatly influenced by her mother and sisters whom sung and worked out harmonies when she was a child growing up. It is honestly no surprise that her musical upbringing has led her to becoming one of the most eclectic and original singers that I have come across.
Key's songs, mostly all written by her, are full of life, wisdom and love. She is also prolific in the sense that her lyrics sit deep within your soul, almost as much as her voice, which is mellow, yet so powerful. Her song entitled, "Storm", exemplifies this as she asks;
"What time is your storm? Will you feel it too? Gaining momentum, destroying, all that you thought were the essential pieces of you."
Key really designs a song as her own with her voice, whether it be a jazz standard or R&B cut, she owns it.
What I also love about Key is her style. It is very rare that you see many artists nowadays that exude individuality as she does. Very classic and chic, she is slightly reminiscent of a young Diana Ross within her photos; playful and very intriguing. But all the while, her music is what really draws people in.
Key lived in Japan around 2001 and actually released an album their entitled, Thoughts From Key, and soon moved back to the States. Since then, she has been creating a name for herself as a solo act performing at different venues in New York; such as, the Blue Note Jazz Club and also performing background vocals for other artists. But what would be awesome is if she released an album this year, I am so ready for that! When you listen to songs like, "Deep Green" and her remix to J-Dilla & The Roots "Antiquity", you cannot help but to wonder what other kind of musical magic she has up her sleeve.
It saddens me to report that Ms. Etta James and Mr. Winston Riley passed. Two musical greats that really left a true mark on the music world. Etta James had been battling Leukemia and to get her health back for years. A couple weeks ago, she had just been released from the hospital and all of her fans were hoping for a speedy recovery. She was such a powerhouse when it came to singing. I will never forget when my friend in college played "I'd Rather Go Blind" for me, I was blown away by the soul and pain in her voice. Nobody could SANG like Ms. Etta James.
And Winston Riley is a legend in his own right. As the founding member of the Reggae group, The Techniques, and producing for the likes of Buju Banton, Super Cat and many more, Riley's work has made a huge impact on Reggae music and its evolution throughout the years.
Salute to both of these amazing artists, we will never forget their contribution to Black culture worldwide.
Happy Birthday to the Queen of Hip-Hop/Soul, Mrs. Mary J. Blige-Isaacs. A woman of so much class and style, who's beauty has always stemmed from the authenticity that she gives to the world. I tend to relate a lot to Capricorns as they are very powerful, yet emotional people that have amazing ways of conveying messages to people. And Mary is NO exception to this. The reason why she has been able to have so much longevity in the music industry is because of this. A true innovator and diva in her own right, all salute the Queen!
This is a picture that I took at my absolute favorite park here in Cincinnati, Ohio. I took this picture this past Fall and it is one that is truly a mind opener. When I look at this picture I can't help but to day dream, gaze, imagine etc... Pictures like this are sure to calm the mind, the conscious and make you feel at ease. Float on, yall!
Happy Birthday to the amazing writer, woman and one of the greatest African American story tellers of the 20th century, Ms. Zora Neale Hurston. SALUTE!
"No matter how far a person can go, the horizon is still way beyond you." - Zora Neale Hurston
I hated hearing people of other ethnicities making comments like this in high school. Or, "Oh, My God! Can I touch your hair?". I heard comments and phrases like this all throughout my matriculation in high school, which was a predominately white, all girl school.
It is very uncomfortable to say the least to have a white person ask you about using the "N word" and hearing them sing a rap song assuming that you like the song and in hopes that it would make them look more cool (so corny). So to see Chescaleigh decide to make a video about typical things that white girls say to black girls is so spot on for me. Now that I look back at it, it is actually very hilarious to see that so many other Black girls have experienced this. Some may find this video offensive, but if you have never experienced this then you wouldn't understand.
I love how Chesca does this in a very tasteful manner. It's as if she is bringing awareness to this topic in a very comical/satire manner. I love it.
Have you ever heard any of these comments before? Share your experiences below.
The work ofAbdi Farah has inspired me ever since I saw him on Bravo'spremiere of their amazing show, Work of Art. After watching the first episode, he immediately became my favorite artist on the show. Not only did I love the fact that he was an African American male showcasing his gift and raw talent to the world, but his art was extraordinary. And so are these neon figures that he created.
Known for his many imaginative sculptures, Abdi shines when it comes to creating life size and small figures that are very intriguing to the eye. And I must say, as a person that loves fluorescent colors, I found these plastic human-shaped figures to be so cool. I can honestly say that I cannot tell whether they are done being cleaned up or not, either way around, I think they are awesome.
Abdi's art is truly one of a kind and I cannot wait to see what he has in store for his fans for the year of 2012. We shall definitely see, but in the meanwhile, I will continually look at these creations in neon amazement.
