Monday, June 28, 2010
Redemption for a dancer
Ya don't really see moments like these on live television, so I decided to post it for y'all. This marvelous performance by Chris Brown may be the pulse to bring his career back to life. I gotta admit, this man is a natural born showman. I felt his energy magnetically drawing me into every abstract rhythm of his body. Dressed in Micheal Jackson attire, Brown's stage presence was an aura to be recognized that night; at the same time, he came apart at the seams with a dramatic break down during the performance of Micheal's Man In The Mirror. I think what was seen last night was Brown's redemption plea, another chance to awe this world of what he was born to do, another spark of his feet to illuminate stages, and another feel of a thunderous applause. Can we forgive Chris Brown?
Saturday, June 26, 2010
Hair On A Black Woman
Combing black hair is like taming a wild beast. For every black woman her fist perm was a right of passage. I remember quite vividly the ceremony of my first perm. It was an hour of agony,but the burning scalp and smell of chemicals was a virtuous beauty at the end.
As a child of the 90's, my hair was designed into countless urban styles. I frequently requested the Left eye (TLC)style,which consisted of a bang curl in the front of my head and a fan curl on the top of my head. Each moment of my pupil age life that was the style that defined me.
Today, I am 21 and TLC is long forgotten. The styles I wear now are all weave, a sense of being natural is lost. In addition to the forgery, I can't remember feeling hair grease being smoothed across my scalp. Now that the glued in tracks have been removed from my hair, I would like to adopt a more Afrocentric vogue to my ever changing hair styles.
However, there is an colossal size of insecurity when it comes to wearing a my natural hair. It's not an denouement of race, but an oxymoron of black women around me.Siblings, cousins, co-workers, or the sista at the Asian owned black hair shop looks at me in utter disgust whenever I'm wearing a natural look.
Friday, June 25, 2010
Can we call Beyonce the new Micheal Jackson?
It's been a year now since the heart pausing news of Micheal Jackson's death.With a career spanning through nearly four decades, Micheal was more than an entertainer, he was a family heirloom. It's abashed that the public never gave Micheal Jackson a proper applause,nor acknowledge the brilliance in his showmanship until his death. Now that the thrown of pop royalty is empty, who will fill it?
Ultimately, the answer would be Madonna.Although, she sold more than 250 million records within 20 years of her career (wikipedia); radio airwaves hasn't heard from her in quite sometime now. Therefore, the tittle should go or will go to Beyonce. A stunning dancer, internationally sold out concerts,and racial cross over appeal. Beyonce has performed her way into the mainstream lexicon.
The album I am Sasha Fierce is unlike anything I ever heard from an R&B album;my ears had no clear conception of the canticle blaring through my headphones impetuously. Being of both folk and soul, the album exemplifies the inner making of a global superstar.
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
What's the deal with Tyler Perry
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When I saw the episode of the Boondocks titled Pause I was of both rage and disgust. It was thirty minuets worth of Tyler Perry bashing and blatant homophobia.My feelings for another human being has never been so shattered.
But at the same time, Perry's work may need a wee bit of socially conscience critiquing;for example,portraying educated successful black people as callous snobs, or portraying black woman as afflicted damsels;in need of a man to fulfill all of life's bliss. Mr. Perry that has got to stop.I would like for Perry to re-create his character Mr.Brown. Make him look human, raise the I.Q. level about a hundred more notches,and give him a sense of dignity. Far too many black men in this country has lost of never gained their dignity due to incarceration and senseless lynchings.
In Perry's defense, people should actually sit and watch his material. Of course,he's not August Wilson or James Baldwin,but the message in Perry's work radiates throughout many,love and the power of prayer.
This season of the Boondocks is at its closing. Perhaps, I'm the only black person who fails to find the amusement in this show. Celebrating thuggery and excessive use of the n-word on a white owned television network is entertainment,yet Tyler Perry is a modern day minstrel show (smh).
I found this clip of Cornel West, one of the greatest thinkers of our generation. His lecture on Spike Lee and Tyler Perry riveted through my soul. Black entertainers must build each other up,the industry wasn't made for people with a more "shaded" skin tone.
When I saw the episode of the Boondocks titled Pause I was of both rage and disgust. It was thirty minuets worth of Tyler Perry bashing and blatant homophobia.My feelings for another human being has never been so shattered.
But at the same time, Perry's work may need a wee bit of socially conscience critiquing;for example,portraying educated successful black people as callous snobs, or portraying black woman as afflicted damsels;in need of a man to fulfill all of life's bliss. Mr. Perry that has got to stop.I would like for Perry to re-create his character Mr.Brown. Make him look human, raise the I.Q. level about a hundred more notches,and give him a sense of dignity. Far too many black men in this country has lost of never gained their dignity due to incarceration and senseless lynchings.
In Perry's defense, people should actually sit and watch his material. Of course,he's not August Wilson or James Baldwin,but the message in Perry's work radiates throughout many,love and the power of prayer.
This season of the Boondocks is at its closing. Perhaps, I'm the only black person who fails to find the amusement in this show. Celebrating thuggery and excessive use of the n-word on a white owned television network is entertainment,yet Tyler Perry is a modern day minstrel show (smh).
I found this clip of Cornel West, one of the greatest thinkers of our generation. His lecture on Spike Lee and Tyler Perry riveted through my soul. Black entertainers must build each other up,the industry wasn't made for people with a more "shaded" skin tone.
Sunday, June 20, 2010
Does anyone have a cure for the common cold?
I've tried the lemon and honey concoction,a remedy that has stayed in my family for perhaps six decades and still cannot overcome this cold. If you are a germophic,hand washing addict like me;the common cold is a highly dreaded acquaintance. Since the outbreak of H1N1 I have became conscience of the under functioning immune system;for example,if an individual just happens to sneeze around me I always have a mini-sized bottle of purell in my purse.
As I lay here in my queen-sized bed,cuddled by a hand woven quilt. My thoughts ponder about where this human inherited cold could have came from. Maybe, it's the dust descending from the ceiling vents of my four walled bedroom. A long day is mapped for me to conquer tomorrow and my immune system is being hit by the sneeze cough combo.
Father's Day
Sorry if this post seems a wee bit different from the scholarly, artistically, and socially conscious post's "The Preacher's Daughter" follower's has became drawn to,but I need this time to thank my father and all other father's out there. The role of a father is a stern one;it requires alot of tough love and lack of vulnerability.However, this description only fits my father,a gulf war vet, avid football fan, and war movie enthusiast. Despite the macho characteristics I just gave you, he also does laundry and have superb culinary skills. When I was a sinless five year old with supernova exploding eyes , my father(not us in the photo) taught me how to read and write. I recall turning the pages of "Uncle Jeds Barber Shop" and keeping my first journal. Each night for countless hours my father was preparing his little girl for the unethical justice toward black Americans in this country. Happy Father's Day to my pop's and all others around our globe.
Saturday, June 19, 2010
Who is John Coltrane?
Being an ardent fan of any sort of creative art, I decided to introduce my ears to something different;something of which the lyrics are felt and not ignored by an exasperate treble and a strenuous bass.It's called Jazz music and I'm in awe. Now that hip-hop has ingrained itself into the young black identity, grass root music such as blues and jazz are unheard of. When I first heard of John Coltrane I was in a heated debate with a beloved uncle of mine about the impact of hip-hop and its affect on black America. Through the tangled converse of words and sentences the name John Coltrane was mentioned.At that point, my discretion to win the debate was over. I was blossoming with curiosity about this jazz artist who can hold a note until day fades into night. This month serves as a tribute to black music;therefore, we must not let the mighty beast of hip-hop steal the cultural and social relevance of other black music genera's; making black artist like Coltrane an unknown to young cats like me. Once I familiarize myself with his work, an english paper is definitely in the works. Just listen.
Meet the world's best beat boxer
Hip -hop has finally embedded itself into the global art form. This clip shows Japan native,Hikakin (hope I spelled his name correctly) beat boxing the theme song to Super Mario Bros. As some of you may have read on a past post, I blogged about Super Mario Bros. This whimsical, yet peculiar performance by Hikakin would have paired exquisitely. When it comes to using one's vocal chord's as rhythmic instruments, Hikakin needs no conductor. Watch and listen.
Friday, June 18, 2010
Life of a twenty-something
The first step in becoming an adult is obeying the sound of a screaming alarm clock. Being an indolent twenty-something, responsibility is an unfamiliar syllable to me;It comes with hard work and leaving the confines of a comfy queen-sized bed. As the days shorten like sand in an hour glass and sound becomes mute, I am learning how to take flight on this jagged view of the world,looking for wind in any direction.
Growing up is at its most perplexing when we forget the moments that defined our lives,for me its learning to ride a bicycle.It was a time when I held knee scrapes like battle scares and silver medals. The pain of falling and the urge to get up is a spirit that left this frail body of mine,but one day I will zoom through the steepest hill this side of the universe has ever seen. Gotta take it one day at a time and it starts by obeying the alarm clock.
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Thursday, June 17, 2010
Step aside T-pain
Living in a recession and the worst environmental crisis in U.S. history( B.P oil spill), this clip covers the gray feelings with a technicolor blanket of joy. I never knew politicians had so much comedic wit. I'm Feeling blessed to live in a country where gratuitous individuals could express their political opinions through creative art.
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
Change on the inside and police brutality in Seattle
After 3 months of writing , I came to the conclusion that "Adventures into Life" had no snap to it;no mark the world could identify me by. Above all other reasons, it didn't describe the pure hearted, yet bantered spirit that I am. "The Preacher's Daughter" fits this blog seamlessly;my father is a preacher and I am indeed his daughter.
After the Rodney King trial, I thought (like lynching and church bombing) police brutality was a past obsession. South Seattle citizens of color are well acquainted by the wrath of the Seattle police department. Numbers cannot measure the amount of clips I seen which involves the Seattle police abusing their powers against citizens of color. Apparently, jay walking is a serious offense in Seattle. Take a look.
Monday, June 14, 2010
Too Mime Anointed
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I saw this clip a few weeks back and was astounded how God used this dance group to bring forth the message. Never have I seen worship in a form of synchronized dance,by this being a Pentecostal church dance praises a far too common. As a devotee of theatrical arts, the performance of Too Mime Anointed is worthy of every applause;I antcipate their performance at the Gospel Youth Explosion next month. All gratitude goes to my cousin Daygo for this clip.
I saw this clip a few weeks back and was astounded how God used this dance group to bring forth the message. Never have I seen worship in a form of synchronized dance,by this being a Pentecostal church dance praises a far too common. As a devotee of theatrical arts, the performance of Too Mime Anointed is worthy of every applause;I antcipate their performance at the Gospel Youth Explosion next month. All gratitude goes to my cousin Daygo for this clip.
To be young,Gifted, and Black
My spirits are always lifted to watch young black males defy everyday stereotypes. I heard of this clip from a co-worker and was in awe by this young man .This kid really have his black history skills on point;in addition, his vocabulary is bigger than his adolescent body. With Obama charisma and a Dr. King presence, this young man is bound to a become future leader. He's in my thoughts and prayers.
Saturday, June 12, 2010
Green Day on Broadway
With the Tony's vastly approaching upon us, this post is necessary. For those who may not know from a previous post, I'm a fan of theatrical arts. My affinity for the theater started when I was a mischievous 7 year old; My second grade teacher took the class to see Charles Dickens' "A Christmas Carol". I never seen another theatrical production since then, but going to see a Broadway play/musical is definitely on the bucket list.
Besides the fact that they are a punk rock group and wear more eyeliner than Rupaul, I don't know much about Green Day,but this Broadway remake of 21Guns is masterfully woven into an anthom for generation y. It's bound to become a modern classic like Rent's "Seasons Of Love" and I anticipate watching the cast performance tomorrow night on CBS.
The clamorous faith of Cassidy
The moment I saw this something laid heavy on my heart,so I thought I should share
it with you. Cassidy is goin in on his freestyle rap about the goodness of God. There are infinite ways to praise God and seeing it expressed through a rapper
is an awe-inspiring experience. The clamours faith of Cassidy shows that we don't have to be preachers or a missionary to spread the love of God; only a burning light illuminating for the entire world to see.
Thursday, June 10, 2010
hip-hop and literature
Sorry it's been awhile,between working with fidgety four year olds and reading " The Great Gatsby" a woman don't have time for much,not even a blog. Being a novice writer, I really need to adopt F. Scott Fitzgerald's writing style and read more of his work;I never knew poetic sentences could collide with an ingenious vocabulary.
While searching youtube, I discovered two of hip-hops buried treasures, Wale and Lupe Fiasco;two of the most underrated lyricist in the game. After listening to this and smiler lyricist, I think hip-hop's gangster image is slowly diminishing;however, the homophobia and misogyny still remains.
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
love is patient
I never knew the need of companionship until my ears laid on this song. The lyrics are an outcry for anyone who have fell in love and met concrete on the way down.
Wednesday, June 2, 2010
Abbey Road
Sorry If this clip is a bit different from all the other apples in the sack. For some enigmatic reason this song will not stop playing in my mind. I'm not sure what the lyrics are about,but the bass soloist is really goin in. Thirty- something years after their break up, the Beatles have never ceased to amaze mankind with such finger snapin melodies.As an ardent fan of hip-hop music, their lyrics are slowly sculpting my bass system heart into an electric guitar. Goodnight.
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