Recent Posts
- You Should Know: Andreya Triana (Video Interview/Soul Bounce)
- Black Cab Sessions: Solange performing “Bad Girls”
- New Album Releases: May 7, 2013
- You Should Know: Onra (Video Interview/The Daily Motive)
- New Video: Janelle Monae & Erykah Badu – “Q.U.E.E.N.”
- New Album Release: April 23, 2013
- New Video: Leonard Friend – “Every Woman”
- New Album Releases: April 9, 2013
- New Music: The Hood Internet – “Suit and Commercial” (Justin Timberlake x Daft Punk)
- NYC: Alt-soul singer Maiysha performs at The Living Room, Mar. 29
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Erykah Badu Reveals “Wild Rabbit” for Hennessy VS
As part of Hennessy VS’ recent campaign, “What’s Your Wild Rabbit,” Erykah Badu gives a behind-the-scenes look at what inspires her to create (aka her “wild rabbit”). According to the cognac’s website, the region of western France near Cognac (where Hennessy is made) is a hotbed for wild rabbits that are rarely seen. According to legend, the wild rabbit is a driving force or ambition in people that leads them from one success to another. I love that!
The neo-soul goddess as well as filmmaker Martin Scorcese and boxing champion Manny Pacquiao are part of the campaign. For more info, visit www.neverstopneversettle.com.
So what’s my wild rabbit? Open mindedness. Everything that I’ve done, do, will do, or write about, from music to film to books to travel, to the people I date or fall in love with, it’s all because I keep/have kept an open mind — in hopes of finding something or someone I never would’ve expected otherwise.
Japan Society Presents: ONE YEAR LATER, a Commemoration of the Earthquake and Tsunami in Japan
On Friday, March 11, 2011, the Great East Japan Earthquake with a 9.0 magnitude hit the coastal region of Sendai, Japan, “causing devastation along a 700km stretch of coastland on the north east of Japan’s Honshu Island.” With waves coming in at 133 ft., and landing six miles inland, it is one of Japan’s worst recorded natural disasters, according the Japanese Red Cross Society.
Lenny Kravitz Dedicates "Push" to Whitney Houston at a Phoenix show
Friday Nite at the Movies w/ 2011 SXSW Feature: THUNDER SOUL
Untitled: a poem
It has been a long-held wish
Gil Scott-Heron – "Me and The Devil" (New Video)
Friday Nite @ the Bookstore: Warrior of the Light, Paulo Coelho
Since I couldn’t decide on a movie for Friday night, went with a book instead. Paulo Coelho’s Warrior of the Light (Harper Perennial, $11.95) is essentially a guidebook, a companion to his bestseller, and my fave The Alchemist. 
Moody Tunes: Que Sera, Sera
Yay! 6-months in New York …
But if someone would’ve told me a year ago I’d be living in Brooklyn, I would have said “GTFOH!” I didn’t see it, at least not within a year – three to five years definitely, maybe? However, last year something happened inside of me, perhaps it was the Cosmos, the Universe shifting their axis and telling me that if I didn’t move now, before I completely lost the courage, I would never do it. So, I took my big-girl pills, quit my job, packed my things, kissed my family and friends in Houston goodbye (rather “see ya soon”), and followed my passion for music, culture and variety in a city I felt has been calling me since I was 10-years old.
Afraid of whom and of what I could become, and afraid of the possibility of actually becoming who I wanted to be: a New York City writer, which, even for the military veteran who’s lived in Haiti and Japan, was VERY scary.
However, once I took ownership of who I was (what I was feeling), and who I saw myself as – an artist, a music journalist, a poet (and many other things), who thrives on people, culture and variety, I soon realized that my full-on happiness would not have existed if I stayed in Houston. Soon after, fear morphed into dogged determination, a get here “by any means necessary” attitude – which if you truly know me, that’s so not me! So with a three-month pit stop in Philly, six months in, I’m a proud New Yorker. Cockiness and all! Goes to show, fear can sometimes be a good thing.
Though, I’m nowhere near living solely off my writing (soon though!), I’m on a higher elevation of creativity, energy, and decision-making than I’ve ever been. I’m more self-aware and more willing and able to open myself to different people, situations, and experiences than in the past. (And who knows, with all this excess energy, maybe a ridiculously juicy relationship is awaiting me). I’m open. If it’s meant to be, we will be.
So, I guess this is not only an anniversary note but my open letter to the Cosmos, the Universe, my family, and friends (old and new) for guiding me here. I’m an energy-centered person, (as well as a smart ass) but I thrive off of good energy, good vibes, and good people – and clearly a lot of great energy is being thrown my way.
Dr. Cornel West @ Borders Columbus Circle
The book is a pocket-size tome of inspiration and courage for us common folk. Hence, in his opening remarks he goes “Brother Tavis [Smiley] (who was in the audience) wanted to know if I would ever write a book for ordinary people to read.”
Wearing his signature black tuxedo jacket and vest, he opened with excitement in the face of change as President-elect Barack Obama enters the White House. Going on to say “It’s the end of the Regan-era, conservative politics” and that we as a people are “In a spiritual constipation … we want to do good; but it just won’t come out.” What a visual?
“Hope” is a series of essays on topics ranging from “Courage” and “Faith” down to “Leadership” and “Wisdom.” Also included is a free CD that’s part interview by Tavis Smiley and part spoken word with Dr. West.
In person he’s more down-to-earth than the radical persona we see on television. Don’t get me wrong, Dr. West is still opinionated just more relatable in person. With an audience of twenty and thirty-year olds on up to fifty and sixty-year olds, he reeled us in by weaving talks of music into his speech. Saying how we’re all connected by it, this universal language. Name-dropping greats like John Coltrane and Curtis Mayfield to convey certain points, he has an eclectic love for music. Even in the “Music” section of book, he mentions Lil Wayne and Jay-Z. Dr. West is 55.
It’s funny, even before I decided to write about this event, I was taking notes as if I was a student in one of his classes. It was that kind of atmosphere, I wanted to retain as much of his wisdom as possible.
Nonetheless, being that I’m still in that transitory state of settling into New York City life, one of the most inspiring messages I grabbed from Dr. West was “Stay in your lane.” Meaning stay true to your life’s calling, as did John Coltrane and Curtis Mayfield.
Hope On A Tightrope in stores now.
43Things.com
The whole point of the exercise is that the list can be practical or frivolous or a combination of both. Mainly, the idea is to just get the molasses out your ass … I mean dreams, and go for it!
Why Are You Here?
Maybe we’re all like John in some way, searching and praying for something unbelievably different yet we have no idea how to make change happen. In comes three questions on the cafe menu — Why are you here? Do you fear death? Are you fulfilled?
Seems simple right? Through wisdom and humor this book will lead you on your path to finding your purpose for existing. It has for me. (More on that later:)
Eat, Pray, Love
I’m in India.
Well…not really. I’ve been consumed with Eat, Pray, Love, since January 12th. And yeah I too want to set out and meet my Guru, book a flight, stay in an Ashram (a convent of sorts) and just while away my day in meditation and deep thought. I can live like that, for awhile at least.
Eat, Pray, Love is a lovely memoir by Elizabeth Gilbert, who at the age of thirty, had everything going for her: a well-paying job, house, husband, money. Yet she wasn’t happy. After enduring a tough divorce and a serious bout of depression, she made a radical change. She quit her job, sold her worldly possessions, and packed her bags for a year-long journey to examine three aspects of herself. Her wandering ways led her to three different countries and cultures: she sought pleasure in Italy, learning Italian in the process; devotion in India, making peace with past mistakes; and on the Indonesian island of Bali, she learns the delicate balance between what she thinks she wants and what she really needs.
Well, I have to get back to India…I should be in Bali by the weekend! This is a great book on self-discovery and change. If you’re needing it, do read it.
