Check out this blog... T.A.S.K (Thoughts and Such by K)
This week's feature included a REVIEW of the P.S.A. mixtape.
http://thetaskblog.blogspot.com/2010/12/new-talent-excites-me.html
Sunday, December 19, 2010
Check out the T.A.S.K blog
Hi guys,
Check out this blog... T.A.S.K (Thoughts and Such by K)
This week's feature included a REVIEW of the P.S.A. mixtape.
http://thetaskblog.blogspot.com/2010/12/new-talent-excites-me.html
Check out this blog... T.A.S.K (Thoughts and Such by K)
This week's feature included a REVIEW of the P.S.A. mixtape.
http://thetaskblog.blogspot.com/2010/12/new-talent-excites-me.html
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
P.S.A. the mixtape Album Release Party
HOPE TO SEE YOU THERE!!!
I will be performing live!
PURE LOUNGE 1326 NW Washington DC 6-10pm
Hosted by: Martin Lawrence's 1st Amendment Comedian EDDIE BRYANT
Featuring performances by: Benny Blaq Ent. Grafitti Slam Poet DREW LAW and more...
I will be performing live!
PURE LOUNGE 1326 NW Washington DC 6-10pm
Hosted by: Martin Lawrence's 1st Amendment Comedian EDDIE BRYANT
Featuring performances by: Benny Blaq Ent. Grafitti Slam Poet DREW LAW and more...
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
Sirron Entertainment
The P.S.A. Mixtape Album release Party: December 6, 2010 @ Pure Lounge Washington DC
More details to come!!!
:-)
More details to come!!!
:-)
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
It's been a long time....
But it's finally here guys!!
P.S.A. the mixtape
Download here
http://www.mediafire.com/?nye4n8m1ydlc4se
DOWNLOAD LINK
http://www.mediafire.com/?nye4n8m1ydlc4se
P.S.A. the mixtape
Download here
http://www.mediafire.com/?nye4n8m1ydlc4se
DOWNLOAD LINK
http://www.mediafire.com/?nye4n8m1ydlc4se
Monday, May 31, 2010
Go DJ...That's My DJ!
The DJ...
A disc jockey (also known as DJ or deejay) is a person who selects and plays recorded music for an audience.
All Dj's deserve respect for the job they do. I had no idea that they worked so hard until I followed DJ Chris Styles, one of the MANY hard working dj's in the DMV area, around DC to see what he does and how he does it. www.djchrisstyles.com
Being this sort of entertainer carries major responsibility and power. It requires a lot of time, energy, money, and patience.
If I were to go into the history/importance of DJ's and or Dj'ing, this post would be way too long and I would be writing forever. It's just that deep. But I just wanted to take time out to thank all the dj's for what they do.
You rock the crowds. You support the mc's and artists. You give the people what they need before they even know they need it. Everybody has a favorite dj...whose your dj? Find 'em and tell em...Go Dj...that's my Dj!
Keep Rockin Dj's!
Comment at PSACOMMENTS@gmail.com
A disc jockey (also known as DJ or deejay) is a person who selects and plays recorded music for an audience.
All Dj's deserve respect for the job they do. I had no idea that they worked so hard until I followed DJ Chris Styles, one of the MANY hard working dj's in the DMV area, around DC to see what he does and how he does it. www.djchrisstyles.com
Being this sort of entertainer carries major responsibility and power. It requires a lot of time, energy, money, and patience.
If I were to go into the history/importance of DJ's and or Dj'ing, this post would be way too long and I would be writing forever. It's just that deep. But I just wanted to take time out to thank all the dj's for what they do.
You rock the crowds. You support the mc's and artists. You give the people what they need before they even know they need it. Everybody has a favorite dj...whose your dj? Find 'em and tell em...Go Dj...that's my Dj!
Keep Rockin Dj's!
Comment at PSACOMMENTS@gmail.com
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
Unsung Heroes: After the Storm
Why Do Fools Fall in Love
Every Monday afternoon around 2ish, I take the DC metro transit to school. I get off at the Metro Center stop to transfer to the red line. As the metro doors open, I hear the resonance of three part harmony and lyrics to an oh so familiar classic..."Why do fools fall in love." Three guys are standing in the middle of the platform singing and dancing their hearts out for the small Metro crowd. People constantly walk by and drop money in a hat they have placed in front of them. As I walked by I hear comments from those standing near.
"They are really good."
"Now this is real music."
One U.S. Soldier, dressed in his BDU and carrying bags and a backpack, walks up to the crowd and manages to hold his phone up in the air after he says to whomever is on the other end..."Hold on...Listen...can you hear them?"
I've seen these guys many times before. If you've ever took the DC metro train then you've probably seen them too. They are always at different train stations singing for the people: L'enFant Plaza, Metro Center, Gallery Place Chinatown, Woodley Park, Georgetown and many others. As I watched them, I wondered about their story. I wanted to know what was behind the music, how they got here and why they continued to come back to the train stations to perform. So I asked them:
Henry (Baritone), Jamie (1st tenor), and Tyrone (2nd tenor) have been in a group for 9 years. A 4th memeber, Reggie (bass) fills in periodically when Henry can't make it. They call themselves: After the Storm. They were all born and raised in the DMV area.
Did you always have a love for music? When did you know that music was what you loved and wanted to do?
Jamie-"I used to be an athlete. I played football. I never really wanted to sing at first. But I always had the gift. And when God gives you a gift you have to use it. And I have been singing ever since."
Tyrone- "Well I come from a background of music. My brothers and I used to have a group before this one. I always had a love for it since I was little."
Henry-"When I came out of the womb and the doctor smacked me on my behind, I think I came out singing...Oooooohhh. "But I was raised in the church so I always sang in the church."
Do you ever want to make it big or do you just do it for the love of the music?
Tyrone-"I used to want to make it big and sing on big stages but now I just do it for the love of the music. If I make it big, its up the the big man upstairs."
Henry-"If you doing it for the love of money, there will be days when you will pack up everything, leave and never come back. We do it because we love music. It ain't like you wake up one day and decide to become a singer. You are born a singer. Doctors are made. Lawyers are made. Singers and artists are born. Either you got it or you don't. Either it's in you or it ain't. And that is all there is to it."
Do you make a lot of money when you come down to the metro to sing? How much do you make?
Tyrone- (smiles)
Henry- (he smirks)"We do aight."
Jamie- "We eat."
Where can people see you perform besides the metro? Do you perform anywhere else?
Jamie- "Yes, we perform all over the area at banquets and private affairs."
As, I finished up what seemed to be turning into an interview, I thought about all the singers and artists out there who are grinding, performing, creating, and doing it just for the love of music. There are no big lights, magazine covers, million dollar tours, and millions of screaming fans. It is just the music and some smiling faces. And they are doing it for the love of it...nothing more nothing less.
And I thought about my own path and how far I had come and how far I still had to go. Regardless, of what happens in my future, I will still love music. I will never leave it and nothing can keep me from it because it is in me. If I never earned a dime and no one ever knows who I am, I would still pick up a mic or a pen when given the chance. I do it for the love.
AFTER THE STORM is a very fitting name. After all trials and the changes that life brings, you are still singing. After all your other peers gave up and let the music disappear you are still singing. You come back everyday to put a smile on some faces because of your love for the music. Thank you! You are appreciated.
The blog post is dedicated to all the singers, musicians, and artists out there doing it just for the love no matter the circumstances. Tryone, Henry, and Jamie, I admire you. And I respect your grind. You are one of the millions of unsung heroes that we see every day. KEEP ROCKIN'!
There are Tyrones, Henrys, and Jamies in every neighborhood. When you happen to see them and pass by, just tell them thank you.
Questions, comments and booking info for AFTER THE STORM please email PSAcomments@gmail.com
Download AFTER THE STORM VOLUME 3http://www.zshare.net/download/751810633941474b/
Aint too Proud to Beg
Every Monday afternoon around 2ish, I take the DC metro transit to school. I get off at the Metro Center stop to transfer to the red line. As the metro doors open, I hear the resonance of three part harmony and lyrics to an oh so familiar classic..."Why do fools fall in love." Three guys are standing in the middle of the platform singing and dancing their hearts out for the small Metro crowd. People constantly walk by and drop money in a hat they have placed in front of them. As I walked by I hear comments from those standing near.
"They are really good."
"Now this is real music."
One U.S. Soldier, dressed in his BDU and carrying bags and a backpack, walks up to the crowd and manages to hold his phone up in the air after he says to whomever is on the other end..."Hold on...Listen...can you hear them?"
I've seen these guys many times before. If you've ever took the DC metro train then you've probably seen them too. They are always at different train stations singing for the people: L'enFant Plaza, Metro Center, Gallery Place Chinatown, Woodley Park, Georgetown and many others. As I watched them, I wondered about their story. I wanted to know what was behind the music, how they got here and why they continued to come back to the train stations to perform. So I asked them:
Henry (Baritone), Jamie (1st tenor), and Tyrone (2nd tenor) have been in a group for 9 years. A 4th memeber, Reggie (bass) fills in periodically when Henry can't make it. They call themselves: After the Storm. They were all born and raised in the DMV area.
Did you always have a love for music? When did you know that music was what you loved and wanted to do?
Jamie-"I used to be an athlete. I played football. I never really wanted to sing at first. But I always had the gift. And when God gives you a gift you have to use it. And I have been singing ever since."
Tyrone- "Well I come from a background of music. My brothers and I used to have a group before this one. I always had a love for it since I was little."
Henry-"When I came out of the womb and the doctor smacked me on my behind, I think I came out singing...Oooooohhh. "But I was raised in the church so I always sang in the church."
Do you ever want to make it big or do you just do it for the love of the music?
Tyrone-"I used to want to make it big and sing on big stages but now I just do it for the love of the music. If I make it big, its up the the big man upstairs."
Henry-"If you doing it for the love of money, there will be days when you will pack up everything, leave and never come back. We do it because we love music. It ain't like you wake up one day and decide to become a singer. You are born a singer. Doctors are made. Lawyers are made. Singers and artists are born. Either you got it or you don't. Either it's in you or it ain't. And that is all there is to it."
Do you make a lot of money when you come down to the metro to sing? How much do you make?
Tyrone- (smiles)
Henry- (he smirks)"We do aight."
Jamie- "We eat."
Where can people see you perform besides the metro? Do you perform anywhere else?
Jamie- "Yes, we perform all over the area at banquets and private affairs."
As, I finished up what seemed to be turning into an interview, I thought about all the singers and artists out there who are grinding, performing, creating, and doing it just for the love of music. There are no big lights, magazine covers, million dollar tours, and millions of screaming fans. It is just the music and some smiling faces. And they are doing it for the love of it...nothing more nothing less.
And I thought about my own path and how far I had come and how far I still had to go. Regardless, of what happens in my future, I will still love music. I will never leave it and nothing can keep me from it because it is in me. If I never earned a dime and no one ever knows who I am, I would still pick up a mic or a pen when given the chance. I do it for the love.
AFTER THE STORM is a very fitting name. After all trials and the changes that life brings, you are still singing. After all your other peers gave up and let the music disappear you are still singing. You come back everyday to put a smile on some faces because of your love for the music. Thank you! You are appreciated.
The blog post is dedicated to all the singers, musicians, and artists out there doing it just for the love no matter the circumstances. Tryone, Henry, and Jamie, I admire you. And I respect your grind. You are one of the millions of unsung heroes that we see every day. KEEP ROCKIN'!
There are Tyrones, Henrys, and Jamies in every neighborhood. When you happen to see them and pass by, just tell them thank you.
Questions, comments and booking info for AFTER THE STORM please email PSAcomments@gmail.com
Download AFTER THE STORM VOLUME 3http://www.zshare.net/download/751810633941474b/
Aint too Proud to Beg
Friday, March 26, 2010
Back to the Basics
Hi Guys,
I'm still in the mix trying to hold it all together. I have a full load that includes three different vocal classes this semester. All the while, I'm still rehearsing, gigging, and working on my project P.S.A. due to be released in June 2010.*fingers crossed*
I've never been vocally trained. So I would say that I've relied on natural, raw talent to get me by in the past. But that doesn't fly in class. I have professors who can all seem to spot my vocal weaknesses within seconds. And because I cant see what they see, I get frustrated.
They all seem to be trying to push me (which I totally understand and greatly appreciate.) But there is this one professor who really pushes. I mean he PUSHES ME. It seems like he is always riding me. "J," (he calls me J) "your breathing is too shallow! Drop your jaw! Diction! Tonality!" And it drives me nuts most of the time. I look around class thinking, "Am I the only one who is messing up because this person right beside me is clearly not on the right note and I am. Why is he picking on me?" I'm almost ashamed to say, but I teared up last class. Usually, I just brush it off, but for some reason, this time, I kind of broke down. I didn't understand why I wasn't getting it. I sing so well outside of class, but in class I suck! Everything was new to me. I wanted to "flex" or "squall" as the singers would say. But what he was asking took control, discipline, and PATIENCE.
After talking it out with some friends, I realized that I have to throw everything that I thought I knew about singing out of the window. I HAVE to do this in order to receive and be able to apply the new techniques that are being given to me. I know that in the long run, it will help me tremendously. So I have to stick with it: Start from scratch and re-learn everything.
And today it hit me. Life is a lot like this. Sometimes we get complacent, stagnant, and so used to things being a certain way that we are opposed to any change of circumstances or anything new in our lives regardless of whether it will benefit us or not. I think my opposition came from fear. The fear that my voice would change or that I would lose something valuable. But I realized that by allowing myself to give in to what was being taught, I was actually gaining something a lot more valuable.
If we only allow ourselves to open up, act in humilty and let go of what we think we know, we can begin to learn more and receive bigger and better things in our lives. Sometimes we have to be stripped of what we already have in order to make room for what we are about to receive. But we can only receive it if we let go of the old in order to make room for the new.
I'm still in the mix trying to hold it all together. I have a full load that includes three different vocal classes this semester. All the while, I'm still rehearsing, gigging, and working on my project P.S.A. due to be released in June 2010.*fingers crossed*
I've never been vocally trained. So I would say that I've relied on natural, raw talent to get me by in the past. But that doesn't fly in class. I have professors who can all seem to spot my vocal weaknesses within seconds. And because I cant see what they see, I get frustrated.
They all seem to be trying to push me (which I totally understand and greatly appreciate.) But there is this one professor who really pushes. I mean he PUSHES ME. It seems like he is always riding me. "J," (he calls me J) "your breathing is too shallow! Drop your jaw! Diction! Tonality!" And it drives me nuts most of the time. I look around class thinking, "Am I the only one who is messing up because this person right beside me is clearly not on the right note and I am. Why is he picking on me?" I'm almost ashamed to say, but I teared up last class. Usually, I just brush it off, but for some reason, this time, I kind of broke down. I didn't understand why I wasn't getting it. I sing so well outside of class, but in class I suck! Everything was new to me. I wanted to "flex" or "squall" as the singers would say. But what he was asking took control, discipline, and PATIENCE.
After talking it out with some friends, I realized that I have to throw everything that I thought I knew about singing out of the window. I HAVE to do this in order to receive and be able to apply the new techniques that are being given to me. I know that in the long run, it will help me tremendously. So I have to stick with it: Start from scratch and re-learn everything.
And today it hit me. Life is a lot like this. Sometimes we get complacent, stagnant, and so used to things being a certain way that we are opposed to any change of circumstances or anything new in our lives regardless of whether it will benefit us or not. I think my opposition came from fear. The fear that my voice would change or that I would lose something valuable. But I realized that by allowing myself to give in to what was being taught, I was actually gaining something a lot more valuable.
If we only allow ourselves to open up, act in humilty and let go of what we think we know, we can begin to learn more and receive bigger and better things in our lives. Sometimes we have to be stripped of what we already have in order to make room for what we are about to receive. But we can only receive it if we let go of the old in order to make room for the new.
Thursday, March 11, 2010
If at first you dont succeed...
Ever tried to get something you wanted and no matter what you did...nothing ever worked out?? And you just knew that you would die if you could not get that promotion or make that team, or book that gig and book that audition! Only later to find out that you didn't get what you thought you wanted for a reason!
There's always a reason.
Sometimes the reason is that we didn't really want it, or that it wasn't the best fit for our lives, or that we weren't ready to handle what comes along with it, or that we were predestined to be in another place doing something else at that time, or maybe it was somebody else's turn to have it before us hence the saying, "A delay is not a denial."
It could have been a number of things. As we look back at the journey of our lives, only each one of us knows why certain things happened. Of course we didn't know right away. "Time" took its precious "time" revealing what we so desperately wanted to know immediately after we failed...the question of Why?
It's okay to focus on the why's...but we should also focus on the how's. I like to call it "strategy mode." Okay, I didn't get that audition or book that gig. How do I book this one or the next one or the next one after that? How can I improve so that next time the outcome will be different? How can I use this disappointment as a teacher so that next time I will know "what to do" or "what not to do?" How can I take from this experience in order to gain knowledge that will prepare me for success in the future?
Failure is a part of life. It's bound to happened one time or another. The secret is all in how we deal with it. And we all cope differently...
Even Michael Jordon, the greatest player to ever play the game of basketball in the NBA league, was cut from a team once. Tyler Perry, who never finished high school, spoke of being molested and abused as a child, and who was once homeless, now owns a multi-million dollar movie production empire. Donald Trump went bankrupt three times before he gained his real estate fortune. Sean "P Diddy" Combs was fired from Uptown Records before he went on to start his own entertainment company and now owns a clothing company. His net worth is over 300 million dollars. John Paul Dejoria was fired from every job he ever had, he was also homeless once and collected cans in order to afford to eat from McDonald's 99 cent menu everyday. He now owns the million dollar system of John Paul Mitchell Hair Products. He is also the guy who is responsible for importing and introducing us to a very fine tequila we all know and love so dearly...Patron.
Should I go on....there are plenty more...do your homework...the proof is in the pudding. No great tragedy ever happens to those who aren't destined to be GREAT!
So take those failures and become better, grow, and keep trying until you get where you want to be.
Keep Trying!
Comments: PSAcomments@gmail.com
There's always a reason.
Sometimes the reason is that we didn't really want it, or that it wasn't the best fit for our lives, or that we weren't ready to handle what comes along with it, or that we were predestined to be in another place doing something else at that time, or maybe it was somebody else's turn to have it before us hence the saying, "A delay is not a denial."
It could have been a number of things. As we look back at the journey of our lives, only each one of us knows why certain things happened. Of course we didn't know right away. "Time" took its precious "time" revealing what we so desperately wanted to know immediately after we failed...the question of Why?
It's okay to focus on the why's...but we should also focus on the how's. I like to call it "strategy mode." Okay, I didn't get that audition or book that gig. How do I book this one or the next one or the next one after that? How can I improve so that next time the outcome will be different? How can I use this disappointment as a teacher so that next time I will know "what to do" or "what not to do?" How can I take from this experience in order to gain knowledge that will prepare me for success in the future?
Failure is a part of life. It's bound to happened one time or another. The secret is all in how we deal with it. And we all cope differently...
Even Michael Jordon, the greatest player to ever play the game of basketball in the NBA league, was cut from a team once. Tyler Perry, who never finished high school, spoke of being molested and abused as a child, and who was once homeless, now owns a multi-million dollar movie production empire. Donald Trump went bankrupt three times before he gained his real estate fortune. Sean "P Diddy" Combs was fired from Uptown Records before he went on to start his own entertainment company and now owns a clothing company. His net worth is over 300 million dollars. John Paul Dejoria was fired from every job he ever had, he was also homeless once and collected cans in order to afford to eat from McDonald's 99 cent menu everyday. He now owns the million dollar system of John Paul Mitchell Hair Products. He is also the guy who is responsible for importing and introducing us to a very fine tequila we all know and love so dearly...Patron.
Should I go on....there are plenty more...do your homework...the proof is in the pudding. No great tragedy ever happens to those who aren't destined to be GREAT!
So take those failures and become better, grow, and keep trying until you get where you want to be.
Keep Trying!
Comments: PSAcomments@gmail.com
Sunday, February 28, 2010
Sunday, February 21, 2010
John Mayer: Really A Racist.....or.....Just A D--n Good Musician????
This past Saturday, I ventured out to downtown Washington DC. The streets were crowed with thousands of teenyboppers dressed in short skirts, leggings, and 3 inch stiletto boots holding signs that read "We love you John Mayer!" Those same streets were also crowded with "baby boomers" draped in thick scarfs and pea coats as they tried to make their way into the 20,000 seated capacity Verizon Center along with the overly zealous teens. All ages...young and old in the freezing cold to see John Mayer in Concert: Battle Studies.
As I made my way into the arena, I scoped the scene for any African-Americans that I could find. There were few. I had already purchased my ticket to see him in November of 2009, and I'm guessing a lot of others had done so as well. But I wondered how many African-Americans had changed their minds or refused to attend due to his recent remarks in a Playboy Magazine Interview regarding his feelings towards African-American women.
"I don't think I open myself to it," Mayer said of dating black women. "My d--- is sort of like a white supremacist. I've got a Benetton heart and a f-----' David Duke c---. I'm going to start dating separately from my d---."
"Someone asked me the other day, 'What does it feel like now to have a 'hood pass?' " he told Playboy. "And by the way, it's sort of a contradiction in terms, because if you really had a 'hood pass, you could call it a n---a pass. Why are you pulling a punch and calling it a 'hood pass if you really have a 'hood pass? But I said, 'I can't really have a 'hood pass.' I've never walked into a restaurant, asked for a table and been told, 'We're full.' "
As I read his quotes, none of it really offended me. In my mind, I thought, "What's the big deal?" Until....I researched David Duke. Oh how bliss ignorance can be!!!
For those of you who don't know, David Duke is probably America's most famous unapologetic racist and anti-Semite. "Our clear goal," he has said, "must be the advancement of the white race and separation of the white and black races. This goal must include freeing of the American media and government from subservient Jewish interests." He opposes integration, calls himself a "white nationalist", and his political perspectives are colored almost entirely by race. He was elected Grand Wizard of the Klu Klux Klan (KKK) from 1974-1978. http://www.nndb.com/people/210/000024138/
I have to admit I was shocked as I read, but somewhere deep inside me, I still couldn't bring myself to be offended. I think the David Duke dude is hilarious. Who would ever take someone with that much hate for people seriously? I laugh at stupidity. *kanye shrug* I didn't really care.
As the show started, I analyzed. I was waiting to find some sort of flaw or sign of racism so that I could back my African-American brothers and sisters and join them in their anger. The music was so emotional. The blues...with it's early 19th century African-American origin. The blues...derived from slaves in the deep south who sang spirituals and "field hollers" as they worked. And today, this "white boy" from Connecticut who claims to not be attracted to African-American women is on a stage getting paid and performing for thousands of screaming, adoring "Caucasian" fans the very music created by those who he claims to not be attracted.
Ok, now I get it...I think.:-/ And I waited...waited...and waited for the insult to set it. It never found me. So I gave up. As I watched and listened to this "white boy" perform, I became engulfed. I lost myself. And all I did was feel. That is what his music did to me. And that is what the blues is all about...a feeling. An escape from all the sadness and pain in the form of a functional musical expression. Anybody can have the blues. And all of a sudden race was not an issue. This "white boy" sure did know what he was doing. And I was in love...with the blues!
Mr. Mayer closed the show after returning for an encore while playing a guitar solo. I watched as his hands fingered the instrument...how they glided up and down it as if it were a woman's body. He explored the instrument like a man would explore a lady's body parts during a very intimate, very erotic sexual encounter. As I realized that I was beginning to become slightly turned on I changed positions in my chair. Awkwardness came to me...I looked around as if to check to see if anyone else had figured out my thoughts. Everyone else was just as entranced as I was. I was safe to let go. He laid the instrument on the stage as he bended down on his knees. It had his undivided attention and he begin to pluck it, string it, and play it. I felt like I was watching something I wasn't supposed to be watching. When he was done...I was in awe. I wanted more. Then a big light bulb went off in my head.
Now I see why so many African-American women were pissed off. After watching how he plays his instrument, I could see why women would look at him sexually. As he performs, he oozes it. It seeps from his pores. They probably had thoughts of wanting to have sex with this man. And when he stated that he wasn't attracted to black women. He crushed their dreams. I had figured it out!! This was a simple matter of hurt feelings and rejection.
Attention! Attention! Ladies and gentleman please realize that there are many people in this world from all walks of life. Everybody will not like you or be attracted to you. Point blank! Period. If John Mayer is not attracted to African-American women, then that is his preference. And we all have them. At least he was consistent. He equally offended gays, African-American women, and Jews. The man's father is Jewish. Come on people! It clearly was a joke. The man is human and has his likes and dislikes. And so do you. I know plenty of African American women whose vaginas are "Black Panthers from the early Malcolm X Civil Rights Era" and will never ever allow entry from a "Blue Eyed White Devil" penis. Now is that racist??? The only difference is they don't live their lives in front of millions to be condemned because of it.
Bottom Line: Stop judging people. We all have different tastes. Some people like fat, skinny, brunette, blonde, light skinned, dark skinned, tall, short, White, Black, Latino, Asian, Palestinian, Bangladesh, whatever, whatever, whatever! Get over it! I don't think John Mayer is a racist though I do not condone his use of the N---a word. That is the biggest no-no. But as I look at the context of what was said, I honestly don't think he meant any harm. I think he just told some really bad, really corny, really lame jokes. In his attempt to try to seem cool, he bombed...really badly.
His band was made up of predominately African-American musicians. Two African American female background singers, the drummer was black, keyboardist was black, guy on 2nd guitar was black. It would be kind of hard to work with that many African-Americans, be a racist and no one figure it out until you make a statement in Playboy. If he were a racist, I'm quite sure the world would have been found out long before now. He just isn't attracted to black women and that is all there is to it. I don't care and I'm a black women. So I don't really see why anybody else cares. He gets the job done. He delivers. My consensus is...he is a DAMN GOOD MUSICIAN! He preserves a music genre created by African Americans that many African Americans don't even play anymore. I say: Keep Rockin' Mayer!
Care to comment: Please do or email your thoughts, ideas, suggestions to PSAcomments@gmail.com
I took some pics and posted a video...hope you enjoy because I sure did!! :-)
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
Re: Ultimate Ultimatum
Hi guys,
I often get a lot of feedback on my blogs. And I got some responses that I want to re-post. They were sent from two males: one who is not a musician and in a relationship and one who is a musician and married.
Feel free to comment or email me at PSAcomments@gmail.com...
RESPONSE 1:
I admit...
I can’t comment on what it’s like to be in a relationship with a musician…but I can comment on what it’s like to be in a relationship with an active person period.
I’ve learned that it takes a VERY special person who is willing to give up A LOT to be involved with a person who is very active. Generally, I am the type of person who places the things that I enjoy in life ahead of anything else b/c they are what makes me, me. So anyone involved with me either has to take it or leave it at the door…..
So while you are saying that NON-MUSICIANS are the ones giving their MUSICIAN significant other the ULTIMATE ULTIMATUM…that is not REALLY the ULTIMATE ULTIMATUM….the TRUE ULTIMATE ULTIMATUM is YOU as the MUSICIAN giving the NON-MUSICIAN the ULTIMATUM to put up with your late nights, hectic and last minute schedules to live your dream. That is the ULTIMATE ULTIMATUM…and ask me how I know so….because the person who is with me understands that my extracurricular activities are vital to the essence of me, and in order for me to be me so that I can be the person that they love I have to stay involved…
Anonymous
RESPONSE 2:
I for one know how hard it is for your mate to understand why artists love their craft so much. When I moved to Atlanta, I was fresh out of college with a newborn little girl and I was beginning my retail management career. I knew I loved producing/writing, but I also knew I needed a backup plan if it didn't work so I enrolled in grad school. I spent very little time with my family because the routine was work, studio sessions, and school. I soon realized that being active doesn't mix well with family, so I backed out of music and school.
Now that I'm married, I realized that I just can't leave music alone. I feel like Pookie, "it just keeps calling me," LOL. So, I sat my wife down to explain to her that I can't leave music alone whether I am successful with it or not. She fully supports me as long as I don't neglect the family. So I say, it takes a strong person to deal with an active person, and it takes an even stronger active person to maintain a healthy relationship.
Anonymous
Feel free to comment or email me at PSAcomments@gmail.com
I often get a lot of feedback on my blogs. And I got some responses that I want to re-post. They were sent from two males: one who is not a musician and in a relationship and one who is a musician and married.
Feel free to comment or email me at PSAcomments@gmail.com...
RESPONSE 1:
I admit...
I can’t comment on what it’s like to be in a relationship with a musician…but I can comment on what it’s like to be in a relationship with an active person period.
I’ve learned that it takes a VERY special person who is willing to give up A LOT to be involved with a person who is very active. Generally, I am the type of person who places the things that I enjoy in life ahead of anything else b/c they are what makes me, me. So anyone involved with me either has to take it or leave it at the door…..
So while you are saying that NON-MUSICIANS are the ones giving their MUSICIAN significant other the ULTIMATE ULTIMATUM…that is not REALLY the ULTIMATE ULTIMATUM….the TRUE ULTIMATE ULTIMATUM is YOU as the MUSICIAN giving the NON-MUSICIAN the ULTIMATUM to put up with your late nights, hectic and last minute schedules to live your dream. That is the ULTIMATE ULTIMATUM…and ask me how I know so….because the person who is with me understands that my extracurricular activities are vital to the essence of me, and in order for me to be me so that I can be the person that they love I have to stay involved…
Anonymous
RESPONSE 2:
I for one know how hard it is for your mate to understand why artists love their craft so much. When I moved to Atlanta, I was fresh out of college with a newborn little girl and I was beginning my retail management career. I knew I loved producing/writing, but I also knew I needed a backup plan if it didn't work so I enrolled in grad school. I spent very little time with my family because the routine was work, studio sessions, and school. I soon realized that being active doesn't mix well with family, so I backed out of music and school.
Now that I'm married, I realized that I just can't leave music alone. I feel like Pookie, "it just keeps calling me," LOL. So, I sat my wife down to explain to her that I can't leave music alone whether I am successful with it or not. She fully supports me as long as I don't neglect the family. So I say, it takes a strong person to deal with an active person, and it takes an even stronger active person to maintain a healthy relationship.
Anonymous
Feel free to comment or email me at PSAcomments@gmail.com
Sunday, February 14, 2010
Ultimate Ultimatum
I'm married to music.
I say it all the time. As a matter of fact, I hear it all the time too. Musicians sit and talk about how hard it is to balance a relationship and chase a music career at the same time.
If you are putting the amount of time and energy you need to put into getting where you want to be, it's almost impossible unless your significant other is either extremely understanding or they are in the music business too. The main complaints are: I never get to see you, we don't spend enough time together, you are always at the studio, you always have a gig, why can't you stay home tonight?, you come home too late, I think you are cheating on me, you put your music before me.
And the truth is most musicians do and always will put music before anything else in his or her life. I can’t speak for all of them, but for the most part, this is pretty much true. I don't think it's an intentional thing...and I am speaking for myself when I say this. I honestly cannot help it. My career is my focus. It is number one in my life behind God and my family. Everything else falls in line after it. I will drop any and everything if it pertains to anything dealing with the advancement of my career.
I've had relationships fall apart because I wasn't willing to sacrifice the time away from my music to make it work. So instead of dragging them along and promising them that I would change, I just ended it. I knew I wasn't going to change. No need to lie or string anybody along. I wasn't cheating. Music is just my first love. And it always will be. I've yet to learn how to balance a blossoming relationship and still maintain a strong focus on my career. For some reason I can't do both.
I've had some of my musician friends talk about failed relationships with me and I've had similar situations myself. A lot of non-musicians who are in relationships with musicians expect to be put first in the relationship. A couple of friends have even had their significant others give them ultimatums. NOT GOOD!
To any non-musician dating or in a relationship with a musician: Please try not to give your loved one an ultimatum. If you know that music is his or her passion, why would you want to take that away? Why would you ask them to give up something that makes them happy? You will never be able to fill that void. My suggestion is to try to work with them: Try to understand. I know it's hard. And unless you are in the music business grinding it out every day and night you probably won’t be able to fathom the obsession. Most don't get what the big deal is...and probably never will. But I will say this... if you give an ultimatum and you ask your significant other to choose between you or the music, 9 times out of 10 you will be disappointed. And if he or she does choose you, resentment will set in, and the relationship will eventually fail. Now there are exceptions to this rule. But for the most part, this is a general rule of thumb...just my opinion.
But today's lesson is: NO ULTIMATUM!
I think the saying goes: “When you love someone, you’d give up anything for them. If they loved you back they’d never ask you to!”
I say it all the time. As a matter of fact, I hear it all the time too. Musicians sit and talk about how hard it is to balance a relationship and chase a music career at the same time.
If you are putting the amount of time and energy you need to put into getting where you want to be, it's almost impossible unless your significant other is either extremely understanding or they are in the music business too. The main complaints are: I never get to see you, we don't spend enough time together, you are always at the studio, you always have a gig, why can't you stay home tonight?, you come home too late, I think you are cheating on me, you put your music before me.
And the truth is most musicians do and always will put music before anything else in his or her life. I can’t speak for all of them, but for the most part, this is pretty much true. I don't think it's an intentional thing...and I am speaking for myself when I say this. I honestly cannot help it. My career is my focus. It is number one in my life behind God and my family. Everything else falls in line after it. I will drop any and everything if it pertains to anything dealing with the advancement of my career.
I've had relationships fall apart because I wasn't willing to sacrifice the time away from my music to make it work. So instead of dragging them along and promising them that I would change, I just ended it. I knew I wasn't going to change. No need to lie or string anybody along. I wasn't cheating. Music is just my first love. And it always will be. I've yet to learn how to balance a blossoming relationship and still maintain a strong focus on my career. For some reason I can't do both.
I've had some of my musician friends talk about failed relationships with me and I've had similar situations myself. A lot of non-musicians who are in relationships with musicians expect to be put first in the relationship. A couple of friends have even had their significant others give them ultimatums. NOT GOOD!
To any non-musician dating or in a relationship with a musician: Please try not to give your loved one an ultimatum. If you know that music is his or her passion, why would you want to take that away? Why would you ask them to give up something that makes them happy? You will never be able to fill that void. My suggestion is to try to work with them: Try to understand. I know it's hard. And unless you are in the music business grinding it out every day and night you probably won’t be able to fathom the obsession. Most don't get what the big deal is...and probably never will. But I will say this... if you give an ultimatum and you ask your significant other to choose between you or the music, 9 times out of 10 you will be disappointed. And if he or she does choose you, resentment will set in, and the relationship will eventually fail. Now there are exceptions to this rule. But for the most part, this is a general rule of thumb...just my opinion.
But today's lesson is: NO ULTIMATUM!
I think the saying goes: “When you love someone, you’d give up anything for them. If they loved you back they’d never ask you to!”
Friday, February 5, 2010
When Life hands you lemons...
Hey guys,
Long time...I miss you all. But this has been the most hectic month ever and we're only five days into it.
Firstly, I'm now enrolled in school at the University of the District of Columbia pursing a degree in Music with a concentration in Voice Performance and a Minor in keyboard. Secondly, I'm still working on P.S.A.. The project is coming along well. And I am really excited about the turn it's taking...I think we have some really good material and I can't wait for you to hear it. I've been so busy, I can hardly think straight.
On the surface, it may look like I have it all together but trust me, you guys have no idea what I've been through the last couple of weeks. DC has had the most snow days this winter since I've been here and the day it started to snow again my precious car was towed. For what? Yep...you guessed it...unpaid parking tickets. So I don't pay my parking tickets...who does?...shoot me! :-) They decided to take the car on the weekend when all of the offices were closed. I couldn't really get upset...I knew this was coming. I just didn't know when and this was all my fault. I just had to stay calm and wait until the following Monday to get the car. :-(
So Monday morning, I wake up bright and early to go get my baby out of the impound. I kept calling but for some reason I couldn't get a cab. It took me 4 hours to finally realize that no one was coming so I walked down the block to catch the bus. When I finally got to the DMV, paid the tickets, and retrieved my car, I was relieved. It literally took all day. But the day went a little more smoothly than I had planned so I had no complaints. I was just glad to have my car back.
I'm driving along highway 295 singing along to Drake and Timberland's "Say Something" on the 93.9fm radio station when I hear this big pop and all of a sudden my car starts to pull towards the right...almost like my alignment was off or something. So I pulled over and discovered that I had a flat tire. In my mind I'm thinking...I'm going to miss my class. I immediately call roadside assistance and guess what happened next? My cell phone was dead. By then, I began to panic. I was stuck on the side of the road with a spare and no jack and a cell with a dead battery. And just when I started to give up, this random guy pulled up beside me. Thank God he had a cell charger and he allowed me to borrow it so that I could complete my roadside assistance call.
And as he pulled off I listened to the roadside assistant representative tell me that she was having trouble contacting a driver in my area. I WAS STUCK. By now I'm thinking, I'm never going to make it to class. She told me she would keep trying and right as I got off the phone with her, a DC truck pulled behind me with these big flashing headlights. As I looked in my rearview mirror...I felt like I saw the lights of God. LOL! I was so relieved. The guy changed my tired for me and I was off to class. The day had been saved and all was well again. Until...
I get about a block away from my place and as I'm slowing down to make a turn, I all of a sudden hear tires screeching and I hear this loud crash. I feel this big force that jerked my car forward. At first I'm a bit delusional...In my mind I am thinking somebody had a wreck. Then seconds later, I realize that somebody was me. So as I'm getting out of the car this lady walks up to me and asks me if I'm okay. I tell her yes. When my mind finally comes back to planet earth...I see that I was involved in a three car accident and I was hit from behind. I was fine, Thank God. Everybody involved was fine. No broken bones, just a little damage to my car.
Well that day, I didn't make it to class. :-( But the next day, I woke up with a new perspective and a more determined frame of mind. While telling friends my story, I watched while people's jaws dropped. They couldn't believe all of this happened in one day. Neither could I. I was even more surprised that I handled it as well as I did without over-reacting and mentally jumping off the ledge. But one friend in particular said something that really stood out to me.
"When you are on the right path and doing well, there will be evil forces that come in to try to steer you off course. They don't want you to get to where you are going. They come to try and trick you into thinking that you aren't where you need to be and to influence you to give up."
DON'T GIVE UP!! The path on the road less traveled is always more narrow. So I say to those evil forces..."That's all you got?"
Haha...I'm built for this.
When life hands you lemons....
make lemon drop martinis and sell them!!! :-)
Long time...I miss you all. But this has been the most hectic month ever and we're only five days into it.
Firstly, I'm now enrolled in school at the University of the District of Columbia pursing a degree in Music with a concentration in Voice Performance and a Minor in keyboard. Secondly, I'm still working on P.S.A.. The project is coming along well. And I am really excited about the turn it's taking...I think we have some really good material and I can't wait for you to hear it. I've been so busy, I can hardly think straight.
On the surface, it may look like I have it all together but trust me, you guys have no idea what I've been through the last couple of weeks. DC has had the most snow days this winter since I've been here and the day it started to snow again my precious car was towed. For what? Yep...you guessed it...unpaid parking tickets. So I don't pay my parking tickets...who does?...shoot me! :-) They decided to take the car on the weekend when all of the offices were closed. I couldn't really get upset...I knew this was coming. I just didn't know when and this was all my fault. I just had to stay calm and wait until the following Monday to get the car. :-(
So Monday morning, I wake up bright and early to go get my baby out of the impound. I kept calling but for some reason I couldn't get a cab. It took me 4 hours to finally realize that no one was coming so I walked down the block to catch the bus. When I finally got to the DMV, paid the tickets, and retrieved my car, I was relieved. It literally took all day. But the day went a little more smoothly than I had planned so I had no complaints. I was just glad to have my car back.
I'm driving along highway 295 singing along to Drake and Timberland's "Say Something" on the 93.9fm radio station when I hear this big pop and all of a sudden my car starts to pull towards the right...almost like my alignment was off or something. So I pulled over and discovered that I had a flat tire. In my mind I'm thinking...I'm going to miss my class. I immediately call roadside assistance and guess what happened next? My cell phone was dead. By then, I began to panic. I was stuck on the side of the road with a spare and no jack and a cell with a dead battery. And just when I started to give up, this random guy pulled up beside me. Thank God he had a cell charger and he allowed me to borrow it so that I could complete my roadside assistance call.
And as he pulled off I listened to the roadside assistant representative tell me that she was having trouble contacting a driver in my area. I WAS STUCK. By now I'm thinking, I'm never going to make it to class. She told me she would keep trying and right as I got off the phone with her, a DC truck pulled behind me with these big flashing headlights. As I looked in my rearview mirror...I felt like I saw the lights of God. LOL! I was so relieved. The guy changed my tired for me and I was off to class. The day had been saved and all was well again. Until...
I get about a block away from my place and as I'm slowing down to make a turn, I all of a sudden hear tires screeching and I hear this loud crash. I feel this big force that jerked my car forward. At first I'm a bit delusional...In my mind I am thinking somebody had a wreck. Then seconds later, I realize that somebody was me. So as I'm getting out of the car this lady walks up to me and asks me if I'm okay. I tell her yes. When my mind finally comes back to planet earth...I see that I was involved in a three car accident and I was hit from behind. I was fine, Thank God. Everybody involved was fine. No broken bones, just a little damage to my car.
Well that day, I didn't make it to class. :-( But the next day, I woke up with a new perspective and a more determined frame of mind. While telling friends my story, I watched while people's jaws dropped. They couldn't believe all of this happened in one day. Neither could I. I was even more surprised that I handled it as well as I did without over-reacting and mentally jumping off the ledge. But one friend in particular said something that really stood out to me.
"When you are on the right path and doing well, there will be evil forces that come in to try to steer you off course. They don't want you to get to where you are going. They come to try and trick you into thinking that you aren't where you need to be and to influence you to give up."
DON'T GIVE UP!! The path on the road less traveled is always more narrow. So I say to those evil forces..."That's all you got?"
Haha...I'm built for this.
When life hands you lemons....
make lemon drop martinis and sell them!!! :-)
Thursday, January 21, 2010
Press Play
They call them "hot-heads," "firecrackers," "trigger-happy." They go from 0 to 60 in less than .05 seconds. If you make these kind of people angry...most know its a wrap! The bad news...they more than likely will always cause a scene if someone tries to push their buttons. The good news....no one hardly ever bothers to push their buttons because they don't want to cause a scene.
But what about the quiet ones...the calm ones..the cool ones...the ones that remain a mystery? The ones that the Average Joe can rarely ever figure out or understand. People will always want to test their patience. Why?...because they are calm. People wanna know what makes them tick, what rubs them the wrong way. Why...human nature I guess??? Who knows. There is always a struggle for control. And you can't control what you don't know or understand.
If you think I'm lying...just take a few days to examine your friends. Which one is the hot-head and which one is the cool one? Watch to see how people respond to each...and see if what I'm saying doesn't hold true. People will more than likely try to come at the person who is known to be the calm and cool one when there is a misunderstanding or disagreement. They will think twice before they even begin to bother the "hothead." Why?? I have no earthly idea? Well I do, but I don't wanna go there in this post.
Everybody wants to be the man. But everybody is not. These people who are not "the man" but want to be so badly are who I like the call....THE BUTTON PUSHERS!! The sole purpose for their existence is to push your buttons. They make it their business to piss you off. Your reactions to their button pushing is dependent upon how important they feel about themselves. If you don't react to them, it enrages them and they try to find more buttons to push and most of the time will not stop until they get some sort of response. When you do react, it gives them a sense of relief and a sense of satisfaction. Sad but true.
You ever heard the saying, "emotions will have you broke." It's so very true.
Sometimes you gotta suck it up and bite the bullet. If you don't...you will be the one with a thousand great songs that on one ever hears because you don't know how to control your temper. It takes many sacrifices to make it in this business. I MEAN A LOT OF THEM! You gotta know when the light is green and when it's red. Blowing up at every little thing is not a good look or a smart move.
And here's the worst part of it. Sometimes to test you, people will purposely push your buttons to see how you will react. They wanna know how you are going to respond when you are pissed off. Will you be able to keep your head? Can you express yourself and your difference of opinions without crossing the line? You've got to keep your cool. No matter how angry you get... you might not wanna blow a fuse when you aren't the one holding all the cards. A move like that could have you out in the cold and broke. And know that, the more calm you are, the more they will try to test your patience. Your task is to hold it together. Say what you have to say, but just be careful how you say it because the main ones trying to test you aren't the ones who hold the cards either. They are more than likely the ones who want to be "the man." You don't want to let a "button-pusher" cost you an opportunity. But you don't want to continue to be disrespected either. There is fine line. If you execute correctly, your point will be made loud and clear and you will still be able to continue on your path to success.
The object of this music game for some is to see how many they can take out or how many will take themselves out. Don't give major attention to minor people or things. Concentrate on what's important and keep your eye on the finish line. You don't wanna let anything insignificant and petty ruin your potential opportunity because at the end of the day..if you think about it...it's really not that serious. HANG IN THERE!! If you get mad and take yourself out of the game...then what is the purpose? All your talent goes to waste. They will be moving on with their lives making money while you are on the sideline still mad about something that doesn't affect them either way. Sad but true. It makes YOU look like the fool...a broke fool! :-/
Moral of the story....keep your focus. And don't let people push your buttons. Know when to agree, agree to disagree, and disagree without being disagreeable. It's important to know how to separate the personal from the business. And know when it's business it's never personal.
Stay Focused! Which one would you rather be.....
HIM
OR HIM
But what about the quiet ones...the calm ones..the cool ones...the ones that remain a mystery? The ones that the Average Joe can rarely ever figure out or understand. People will always want to test their patience. Why?...because they are calm. People wanna know what makes them tick, what rubs them the wrong way. Why...human nature I guess??? Who knows. There is always a struggle for control. And you can't control what you don't know or understand.
If you think I'm lying...just take a few days to examine your friends. Which one is the hot-head and which one is the cool one? Watch to see how people respond to each...and see if what I'm saying doesn't hold true. People will more than likely try to come at the person who is known to be the calm and cool one when there is a misunderstanding or disagreement. They will think twice before they even begin to bother the "hothead." Why?? I have no earthly idea? Well I do, but I don't wanna go there in this post.
Everybody wants to be the man. But everybody is not. These people who are not "the man" but want to be so badly are who I like the call....THE BUTTON PUSHERS!! The sole purpose for their existence is to push your buttons. They make it their business to piss you off. Your reactions to their button pushing is dependent upon how important they feel about themselves. If you don't react to them, it enrages them and they try to find more buttons to push and most of the time will not stop until they get some sort of response. When you do react, it gives them a sense of relief and a sense of satisfaction. Sad but true.
You ever heard the saying, "emotions will have you broke." It's so very true.
Sometimes you gotta suck it up and bite the bullet. If you don't...you will be the one with a thousand great songs that on one ever hears because you don't know how to control your temper. It takes many sacrifices to make it in this business. I MEAN A LOT OF THEM! You gotta know when the light is green and when it's red. Blowing up at every little thing is not a good look or a smart move.
And here's the worst part of it. Sometimes to test you, people will purposely push your buttons to see how you will react. They wanna know how you are going to respond when you are pissed off. Will you be able to keep your head? Can you express yourself and your difference of opinions without crossing the line? You've got to keep your cool. No matter how angry you get... you might not wanna blow a fuse when you aren't the one holding all the cards. A move like that could have you out in the cold and broke. And know that, the more calm you are, the more they will try to test your patience. Your task is to hold it together. Say what you have to say, but just be careful how you say it because the main ones trying to test you aren't the ones who hold the cards either. They are more than likely the ones who want to be "the man." You don't want to let a "button-pusher" cost you an opportunity. But you don't want to continue to be disrespected either. There is fine line. If you execute correctly, your point will be made loud and clear and you will still be able to continue on your path to success.
The object of this music game for some is to see how many they can take out or how many will take themselves out. Don't give major attention to minor people or things. Concentrate on what's important and keep your eye on the finish line. You don't wanna let anything insignificant and petty ruin your potential opportunity because at the end of the day..if you think about it...it's really not that serious. HANG IN THERE!! If you get mad and take yourself out of the game...then what is the purpose? All your talent goes to waste. They will be moving on with their lives making money while you are on the sideline still mad about something that doesn't affect them either way. Sad but true. It makes YOU look like the fool...a broke fool! :-/
Moral of the story....keep your focus. And don't let people push your buttons. Know when to agree, agree to disagree, and disagree without being disagreeable. It's important to know how to separate the personal from the business. And know when it's business it's never personal.
Stay Focused! Which one would you rather be.....
HIM
OR HIM
Monday, January 11, 2010
♪♫ ♪♫Live your life....Aye...aye...aye!♪♫ ♪♫
"Mind your own business!!!"
One of the most commonly used phrases of all time. We all use the term so loosely. Why is the phrase used so much? Is it because people really don't mind their own businesses?
Hmmmmmmm????? Let's play the question game real quick...a couple of hypotheticals to get you thinking...
If you saw your friend cheating…would you interject or not? What about if you saw your friend physically abusing his/her significant other, then would it be okay to interject or not?
Who would you confront...the friend or the person you saw your friend cheating with? Supposed the other person knew your friend was involved or married and simply did not care? Then what? Or what if that person did not know your friend was involved? Then who is to blame? Supposed your friend got angry with you because he/she claimed you weren't minding your own business?
And let's say, after all the dust settled, your friend still decided to cheat, only with someone else. Then what was it all for...were your actions in vain? Where you right or wrong to intervene? Was it really any of your business?
And what about a woman in the abusive relationship?
What if you tried to rescue her? What if she didn't want to be rescued? What if your friend claimed you weren't minding your own business and you got into a physical altercation with him and SHE got angry with you instead of him? Supposed she called the police...ON YOU? Suppose YOU went to jail? And let's just say your friend decided to cut you off over this. And what if after all that, she still went back to him. Again I ask, what was it all for...were your efforts to save a battered woman in vain?
Either way , was it really any of your business? This is where we leave Black and White and enter the Grey area. Where do we draw the line? What one man may see as fulfilling his civic duty the other may see as "Hating." So which one is it? Who is right and who is wrong...
It's simple...there is no right and no wrong. There are so many variables. It all depends on each particular person and situation.
And that is just it...You have to go off of what you feel and what you believe. I am the one who doesn't believe in interjecting unless asked...If I see something someone else is doing I try to keep my mouth closed and I let the universe work its magic. Even when asked...my response is usually, "No, your situation has nothing to do with me!" Unless I am directly involved and it does not pose a threat to my career or my sanity, there's no need. I could care less. But I can't tell those who do the opposite that they are wrong. Acceptance is ideal here. You have to accept the fact that the next man may care about something that you could care less about. I think they are stupid. But then again who am I to judge? They may think the same about me...which is even more stupid...but I digress! Anyway...
In the music business, it is absolutely imperative that you mind your own. It is dog eat dog...and every new opportunity has the potential to blossom or blow up in your face. This is a game of chess, you must make your moves carefully and only intervene when necessary or as it relates to yourself. No one really has the time to butt into someone else's business, they are too busy trying to fix their own. If you have the time...then there is obviously a lack of focus on your own career. You are in charge of your own destiny.
When have you ever heard any rumors of Beyonce going out of her way to hate on or diss another singer or anyone who steps to Jay-z for that matter....it's rare...think about it. She never even bothers to fight back. She disappears when need be and is always focused on her next move, not the people who insist on interjecting in her life. When people hate on her, she fights through her music, by succeeding. There is a reason why she is on top. And the ones who took the focus off of their own careers to try and intervene in her life are where?.....ummm right MY POINT EXACTLY!
That is why we have free will and the power to choose. You are a slave to your own choices. You choose your battles. Hopefully you choose wisely because, in the end, it could cost you! If it works to your advantage…then great! But if it doesn’t, you can only blame yourself. Can we just say...THE DOMINO EFFECT!? You'll come out with scars and bullet wounds that weren't meant for you but for the person whose business you were trying to mind. And you can only be mad at yourself. You will look up one day and find the person you were so worried about 10 steps ahead of you. And you will wonder when and how they got there. It's simple...they were minding their own business when you thought they were so worried about you. And you’ll find yourself wondering was it worth it…then you’ll be asking yourself…why didn’t I just mind my own business??!!
One of the most commonly used phrases of all time. We all use the term so loosely. Why is the phrase used so much? Is it because people really don't mind their own businesses?
Hmmmmmmm????? Let's play the question game real quick...a couple of hypotheticals to get you thinking...
If you saw your friend cheating…would you interject or not? What about if you saw your friend physically abusing his/her significant other, then would it be okay to interject or not?
Who would you confront...the friend or the person you saw your friend cheating with? Supposed the other person knew your friend was involved or married and simply did not care? Then what? Or what if that person did not know your friend was involved? Then who is to blame? Supposed your friend got angry with you because he/she claimed you weren't minding your own business?
And let's say, after all the dust settled, your friend still decided to cheat, only with someone else. Then what was it all for...were your actions in vain? Where you right or wrong to intervene? Was it really any of your business?
And what about a woman in the abusive relationship?
What if you tried to rescue her? What if she didn't want to be rescued? What if your friend claimed you weren't minding your own business and you got into a physical altercation with him and SHE got angry with you instead of him? Supposed she called the police...ON YOU? Suppose YOU went to jail? And let's just say your friend decided to cut you off over this. And what if after all that, she still went back to him. Again I ask, what was it all for...were your efforts to save a battered woman in vain?
Either way , was it really any of your business? This is where we leave Black and White and enter the Grey area. Where do we draw the line? What one man may see as fulfilling his civic duty the other may see as "Hating." So which one is it? Who is right and who is wrong...
It's simple...there is no right and no wrong. There are so many variables. It all depends on each particular person and situation.
And that is just it...You have to go off of what you feel and what you believe. I am the one who doesn't believe in interjecting unless asked...If I see something someone else is doing I try to keep my mouth closed and I let the universe work its magic. Even when asked...my response is usually, "No, your situation has nothing to do with me!" Unless I am directly involved and it does not pose a threat to my career or my sanity, there's no need. I could care less. But I can't tell those who do the opposite that they are wrong. Acceptance is ideal here. You have to accept the fact that the next man may care about something that you could care less about. I think they are stupid. But then again who am I to judge? They may think the same about me...which is even more stupid...but I digress! Anyway...
In the music business, it is absolutely imperative that you mind your own. It is dog eat dog...and every new opportunity has the potential to blossom or blow up in your face. This is a game of chess, you must make your moves carefully and only intervene when necessary or as it relates to yourself. No one really has the time to butt into someone else's business, they are too busy trying to fix their own. If you have the time...then there is obviously a lack of focus on your own career. You are in charge of your own destiny.
When have you ever heard any rumors of Beyonce going out of her way to hate on or diss another singer or anyone who steps to Jay-z for that matter....it's rare...think about it. She never even bothers to fight back. She disappears when need be and is always focused on her next move, not the people who insist on interjecting in her life. When people hate on her, she fights through her music, by succeeding. There is a reason why she is on top. And the ones who took the focus off of their own careers to try and intervene in her life are where?.....ummm right MY POINT EXACTLY!
That is why we have free will and the power to choose. You are a slave to your own choices. You choose your battles. Hopefully you choose wisely because, in the end, it could cost you! If it works to your advantage…then great! But if it doesn’t, you can only blame yourself. Can we just say...THE DOMINO EFFECT!? You'll come out with scars and bullet wounds that weren't meant for you but for the person whose business you were trying to mind. And you can only be mad at yourself. You will look up one day and find the person you were so worried about 10 steps ahead of you. And you will wonder when and how they got there. It's simple...they were minding their own business when you thought they were so worried about you. And you’ll find yourself wondering was it worth it…then you’ll be asking yourself…why didn’t I just mind my own business??!!
Monday, January 4, 2010
This is how we do it
(Singing) It's so cold in the D..........C!
It's freezing but I'm still doing it...Working hard...back at it! The holidays are gone and everybody is getting back into routine of things...including myself! I decided to post a little something so that you guys could see how we get down in the studio...in the flesh...RAW....mistakes...bad notes and all...
Until next time...Peace
It's freezing but I'm still doing it...Working hard...back at it! The holidays are gone and everybody is getting back into routine of things...including myself! I decided to post a little something so that you guys could see how we get down in the studio...in the flesh...RAW....mistakes...bad notes and all...
Until next time...Peace
Saturday, January 2, 2010
PAID IN FULL
A new year, a new day, and a new everything so we all say! But it's easier said than done. We all make promises to ourselves that we rarely ever keep. And for what? I want to start the year off on a positive note so I wont rant and rave too much in this post. But the purpose today is to get us all to reflect. Well you don't have to, but I will.
Think about everything you went through this past year. What were you worrying about January 1, 2009? Did everything eventually work itself out? Was there even a need to worry? Whether we knew it or not, what was going to happen was going to happen...Doesn't matter if it was a failure or a triumph or if you worked extra hard or barely lifted a finger. Actually there was no need to worry at all. Everything was already set in stone and if it was a failure know that it was probably for the best to teach you. If it was a triumph know that there is now more required of you.
2010 should be the year we all have more FAITH! With all that has taken place in 2009, if there are those who still don't believe then I feel sorry for them. GOD is in charge and he is REAL! All we have to do is follow his lead. Everything is already drawn out. He already sent his son to pay the price. That is one promise that will surely be kept. All we have to do is ENDURE the trial! And yes, people will talk about you, yes they will condemn you, call you names, laugh at you, lie on you, hang you on the cross and leave you, betray you, persecute you, deceive you...but at the end of the day....IT'S ALL PAID IN FULL. We just need to endure to the end. ENDURE!!!
I tell myself everyday that if they did it to Jesus Christ they will definitely do it to me...who am I? So this year I will bear my cross and I will carry it down the path that he has set for me regardless of the trials that may come. I will not stop and MY FAITH WILL NOT FALTER! If he brought me to it...he will bring me through it!
Most of us know what we need to do and what we should do we just don't do it. We see the path and think its too hard or impossible. So we run around in circles like the children of Israel lost in the wilderness for 40 years when it doesn't have to be that way. If Jesus did it...so can you! So bear the cross because there is life in the end and your reward will be waiting.
All the resolutions in the world mean nothing if you don't believe. You'd be surprised at what just a little bit of faith can do! :-)
BELIEVE!
Think about everything you went through this past year. What were you worrying about January 1, 2009? Did everything eventually work itself out? Was there even a need to worry? Whether we knew it or not, what was going to happen was going to happen...Doesn't matter if it was a failure or a triumph or if you worked extra hard or barely lifted a finger. Actually there was no need to worry at all. Everything was already set in stone and if it was a failure know that it was probably for the best to teach you. If it was a triumph know that there is now more required of you.
2010 should be the year we all have more FAITH! With all that has taken place in 2009, if there are those who still don't believe then I feel sorry for them. GOD is in charge and he is REAL! All we have to do is follow his lead. Everything is already drawn out. He already sent his son to pay the price. That is one promise that will surely be kept. All we have to do is ENDURE the trial! And yes, people will talk about you, yes they will condemn you, call you names, laugh at you, lie on you, hang you on the cross and leave you, betray you, persecute you, deceive you...but at the end of the day....IT'S ALL PAID IN FULL. We just need to endure to the end. ENDURE!!!
I tell myself everyday that if they did it to Jesus Christ they will definitely do it to me...who am I? So this year I will bear my cross and I will carry it down the path that he has set for me regardless of the trials that may come. I will not stop and MY FAITH WILL NOT FALTER! If he brought me to it...he will bring me through it!
Most of us know what we need to do and what we should do we just don't do it. We see the path and think its too hard or impossible. So we run around in circles like the children of Israel lost in the wilderness for 40 years when it doesn't have to be that way. If Jesus did it...so can you! So bear the cross because there is life in the end and your reward will be waiting.
All the resolutions in the world mean nothing if you don't believe. You'd be surprised at what just a little bit of faith can do! :-)
BELIEVE!
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