The Grammys

· You knew it was coming ·

Feb 17, 2016 / 0 Comments

Two words. Kendrick Lamar. Artists who want to use their music to talk about the #blacklivesmatter movement and what it means, (ahem, Beyonce) THIS is how you do it. I’ve always liked Kendrick.  I like what he has to say and I like how he chooses to say it.  I caught myself holding my breath from the moment his performance started.  It was powerful, electrifying, and it was right on time.  Oops, sorry, I lied there is a third word and that word is HAMILTON.  I knew this musical was about President Hamilton, but I was completely unaware that it was a hip-hop musical!  I’ve heard nothing but rave reviews and now I see why.  Color me enlightened.  Chances are I won’t be able to see the play any time this millennium  but bravo to Mr. Lin-Manuel Miranda!

I usually like the Grammys because the show pairs artists together that you wouldn’t normally see share the same space otherwise. (Kendrick Lamar and Imagine Dragons anyone?) I have to be honest, the show was boring overall.  I absolutely loved Pentatonix and Stevie Wonder’s tribute to Maurice White of Earth, Wind & Fire, I just wish it had been longer.  I was completely underwhelmed by the Lionel Richie tribute.  To me they picked the wrong artists to participate in the tribute. Gaga gave her best David Bowie impression.  Bonnie Raitt is always amazing.  I have to say it, I’m not sure why Justin Bieber exists.  I love Andra Day and Ellie Goulding…separately.  Just my two cents 😉 What did you guys think?

What are we meant to do?

Feb 11, 2016 / 4 Comments

I know that’s a heavy question. How does one know what they are meant to do? A major part of answering that question is realizing what your passion is and I don’t think you have to look far to find it.  I believe you can feel it in your soul.  You know what matters to you and you know what inspires you. So how do we get stuck doing things we weren’t meant to do?  The answer to the question may be a little more complex.  Take me for instance, I got my first job when I was 20 years old and have been with the same company ever since.  I didn’t go to college as I always knew that college wasn’t for me and luckily I didn’t have a mother (single parent) who forced college on me.  However it was known that once you graduated from high school you’re either  going to work or go to school.  And you know what happens? Life happens.  You move up, you get a raise, you get bonuses, you are able obtain the things you need to live a relatively comfortable life, comfortable in a realistic way.   I envy the people who have years in a job that pays the bills, who up and quit to pursue the job they LOVE.  That takes courage.  It takes courage because those people were afraid and did it anyway.  I can tell you that if I’m not passionate about something and if it doesn’t fill me with excitement then I’m not putting 100% of my all into it.  Most people are like this by design.  I get the job done, no more, no less.

So what would I rather be doing? Running an animal sanctuary on a farm somewhere or writing songs and getting nominated for a Grammy.  It’s scary when the years tick by and you come to the realization  that the life you live is not the life you desire.  Yes I’m content and I’m still young but guess what? I have a mortgage along with other bills to pay.  If I were to quit my job today then where would I be?  I’m sorry to say I’m not writing this post because I have the answers. I’m writing it because I don’t.  If you feel the same way just know you are not alone.   But there is hope because the great thing about life is that you get to change the script and what I’ve also realized is that you don’t have to make dramatic changes in your life style to start living the dream.  Not the American dream, that’ a fairytale.  I imagine that for people with families it’s even harder to do. Here’s what I do know, it’s not impossible. Right now, are you doing what you believe you were meant to do? If not, what would you be doing instead?

Formation

· Why I'm not sippin' the Kool Aid ·

Feb 9, 2016 / 6 Comments

The Good: Beyoncé is a force to be reckoned with. Whether you care for her type of music or aesthetic is irrelevant.  Her work ethic is out of this world and her drive is why she is one of the most influential women in world. I like Beyoncé but my world doesn’t hinge on whether she releases a surprise album (genius I might add) or video or not. The imagery and symbolism for her new song “Formation” speaks volumes.

The Bad:  Musically and lyrically it’s not saying much, but Beyoncé’s music rarely does. I hate to break it to you but I’m not buying Beyoncé’s pro black movement. She likes her “Negro nose with Jackson 5 nostrils” but her negro is Jay-Z and he’s no slouch. She likes her “baby hair with baby hair and afros” but wears blonde tresses as if she were born a natural blonde. It’s easy for her to celebrate black panther culture, and sit on top of police cars because SHE will never have to fight the #blacklivesmatter fight. She says she creole, never black. News flash: She’s black. I’ve seen so many memes and posts discussing this song and the video and I get the feeling that because Beyoncé is owning her blackness it makes being black “cool” now. Another news flash: black people have been living as black people every day for quite some time now. This is nothing new.  The same people who were clowning their negro sisters and brethren yesterday for taking their significant other to Red Lobster for dinner are celebrating it today. The same people who made fun of their negro sisters and brethren for having wide noses now have a change of heart? All because of Beyoncé? You do realize that she’s only black when it’s convenient as well right? If it takes Beyoncé’s sub par song to make you feel good or proud about being black, that’s a deeper issue, but y’all keep right on sippin’.

Side note: Baby Blue is too cute!