Tupac Amaru Shakur June 16, 1971- September 13, 1996
This man is one of the greatest rappers that ever lived. We want to celebrate Tupac on the day of his birth and indeed the whole world is, as well. I just really thought about how influential Tupac would be if he was still alive. He was such a revolutionary.....He was an advocate of change and the youth actually listened to him. I have a feeling that this world would be so different if he was still around. We miss you, bruh! And love you sincerely! No more tears!
Hmmm....The rain in Southwestern Ohio recently has been hella weird this past week. So to find out that this happened last night some miles outside of my city is not a surprise. But it is so much deeper than it looks..... A sign of the times.....Of the world that we are living in.
Kelis recently performed at an event for ELLE and also just shot the video for her new video "4th of July". Since then, she has revealed her new copper-blonde hair color. I must admit, it is a very funky-stylish color but I don't know if I feel it on her as of right now. And I have been a Kelis fan for year, but recently I have been questioning some of her fashion statements. And what's up with her skin tone and uneven foundation. I'm not trying to tear the sista down, just really wondering where she is coming from with these recent choices.
So what do yall think? (BTW, I love this picture. Very dreamy.)
I have very, VERY exciting news for all of my music-heads in Nashville. The amazingly talented, Res will be there next month on July 15th to perform in concert at 2nd Avenue Live. If that isn't enough, two other amazing artists will also be performing, Ya Za and Denitia Odigie AND this will be a triple album release party (YAY!).
Res has always been one of my favorite artists and I have always felt that she does not get enough credit for her music and unique sound. I have been a fan since her debut album, "How I Do", and I am so excited to hear that she will be in Nashville. After just recently being introduced to Ya Za and Denitia Odigie's music, I must admit that I am in love. Ya Za's sweet and melodic voice is one of a kind. And the way she uses her vocals on her different beats is phenomenal. Denitia Odigie is quite a trendsetter as well, with her soothing lyrics, voice and captivating beats. This show should go down in history, because these three sisters are all BAD in their own way. And I cannot wait for the people of Nashville to be hit by there music.
DaKatalyZt MUZIXITY MC, who I've fore mentioned on my blog, has made it possible for Nashvillians to hear these three beautiful women in one concert and for that we are thankful. To learn more about these three artists, follow the links below.
PLEASE spread the word, everybody! This will be a night of music to remember! Got out and show your support and I will also keep you all posted on this event. Peace ♥
Marvin Isley (top row; last person on the left) played the bass guitar for the legendary group, The Isley Brothers. He passed June 6, 2010 at the young age of 56. RIP brotha, we're still here rockin' with ya. Shoutout to Lincoln Heights, Ohio.
Ok, so I watched VH1's Hip Hop Honors honoring the "Dirty South" last night on VH1, and I was not pleased. On a scale of 1 to 10, i'll give the show a 4.5-5. Honoring Southern Hip Hop in general is already a touchy subject in the eyes of many Hip Hop fans. The South's music has always been downplayed and seen as "too country" or not "hip hop enough" by other regions, so I knew that this show was going to be interesting in the way that they honored the south.
I was happy to see Uncle Luke, No Limit Records, and Organized Noize be honored...But what about Cashmoney Records? And I know that Outkast turned down the offer to be honored, but damn, I couldn't stop thinking during the show how excellent it would be if they were there. Also, Timbaland's tribute was poppin' because of Missy Elliot (you already know she wasn't going to let him down). She pulled out a couple of songs from the early 2000's that we all loved, but what was up with Fabolous and Keri Hilson performing songs that came out like 3 years ago? Timbaland has so many classics that date back to the 90s that I know SOMEBODY could've put performances to them. But when you have a studio audience that gets more excited to see DRAKE come out and perform a southern classic that he shouldn't have performed more than seeing Nelly and Murphy Lee perform "Southernplayatisticadillacmuzik" then you know what kind of show you are dealing with.
I mean, there is so much more that I can say about the show but I will leave it at that. Also, many people wondered where Scarface was last night, well see what he had to say about this "dirty dirty" show in his own words:
I was nominated [to be honored at the "Dirty South" VH1 Hip Hop Honors] but I declined to accept because I don't wanna be classified as just “Dirty South.” I'm Hip Hop, man. I’m not going because I feel slighted. Even though it was a nice gesture, I feel like it’s just a pacifier. They’re like, “Let’s give these n***as down there a pacifier so they can stop feeling left out. We’ll make Luke and all these n***as down here look funny,” you know? “Let’s put a plate of fried chicken and some watermelon and let’s just do some n***a-ass s**t.” (laughs) Quote, end quote. "Some n***a-ass s**t." Fried chicken and watermelon. "s**t, the faster we get this over with, the better."
Well, if you all watched the show...How did you feel? I'd love to hear your opinions. And to Southern Hip Hop, thank you for the inspiration and the realness that you brought to light and for ultimately putting the south on the map.
Peace, yall! ♥ P.S. What the fuck was up with that ending? Rick Ross, Pitbull? Then Jermaine Dupri tributing to So So Def by himself? Oh, no!
In my eyes, EVERYDAY is a day to celebrate Black music...This is because 96% of the music that I listen to is from Black artists and because it is the music that makes me feel happy and that represents who I am as a person. But just for holiday's sake, I would like to kick off this month with a classic song from the greatest singing duo of all times...
Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell, two artists who were one of a kind when it came to their music and sound....and when they came together, NOBODY could try and replicate their sound as a duo.
And 3 decades later, this Hip Hop and R&B CLASSIC was birthed!Happy Black Music Month everyone! I love our music so much......ITS A CULTURE, ITS A LIFESTYLE.....ITS US! How will you celebrate this month? Peace, yall! ♥
Current TV is one of the most informative and refreshing stations on cable/satellite tv. Their documentaries are by far some of the best that I have seen. These documentaries ranging from the topics of music, movies to homosexual awareness. You name it, THEY SHOW IT...And it is needed. Today, I happened to come across a documentary on a troubled Native American reservation camp in South Dakota. Rosebud, South Dakota has a high crime, rape and sexual assault rate amongst its community. This caught my attention because I have always known of the crimes that have plagued these camps; as well as, the depressive and abusive state of the people their, but seeing this video proved it all to be that more true. Without giving too much of this video away, I just want all people who have a heart for mankind and the world around you to watch this. This just goes to show what can happen to people when everything is taken away from them that they know to be real. And being that blood from indigenous Indians of America runs through my veins, it makes it that much harder for me to watch this. Our ancestors wouldn't have wanted this. We need to make a change, one day at a time. "One nation, under God, with Liberty and Justice for all". -America
More on this documentary and Current TV: click here
Picture: Dakota Indian Woman in a concentration camp in the late 19th century
