I was just thinking ... Sometimes we trip!

The devil is subtle ... It says that in the bible. But somehow we seem to miss when he is trying to sink his ways into our brain! The worst part about it is that sometimes he uses the people close to you in order to cast seeds of doubt and fear. Almost like clockwork there comes a time when I just feel like I'm not working hard enough. In this business sometimes you think that if you're not on yet, then you have to kill yourself until you're there!!! And someone brought it to omy attention that this feeling normally sinks in after I talk to a particular person. And the worst part about it is that I don't even realize that it's happening! So this year I am trying my best to focus on God's purpose and plan for my life. Forget everybody and everything else that makes me think I am not working hard enough. I bust my butt on the regular bases and everything that I am striving for I will get. I have a track record.

I was just thinking ... It's not too late

It’s only too late if you say it’s too late. A phrase that we hear very often but most of us don’t take heed. I have heard the pastor say this so many times, and I believe it with all my heart, but I find sometimes my actions don’t reflect that. When I hear that, I think of all the other people that think it’s too late for them to follow their dreams, or start a business, but I was overlooking how to apply it to my own life.


There are so many things that I wanted to do when I was younger. You couldn’t have told me that I wasn’t going to be a choreographer when I was young. But I was too afraid to audition for a school like Cappa and I didn’t really know what type of career I could have. So I moved on to a more sure thing … Music??? Lol. In any case I also wished that I played an instrument or that I had more vocal training when I was young. I even like to blame my parents sometimes, wishing that they would have helped me channel my interests more. But now that I am grown, what’s the excuse?

As much as I hear the words “It’s only too late if you say it’s too late,” why am I operating as it’s too late? Deep inside, I LOVE writing, but I also want to be able to sing. Number 1 I feel like it will help my writing a bit. Sometimes I have ideas that I am afraid to execute because I feel like I won’t be able to convey the idea correctly. Number 2, there are some songs I want to write, just for me. It’s so hard as a writer to always focus on what you want someone else to sing. You have to be relatable, you have to have ideas that a singer will want to sing about. But what about those personal experiences of your own that you just want to pour out? Artists have the freedom to be them, where I feel that many times as writers, though we are writing from our own perspective, there has to be a certain air to let that artists fly as well, if that makes any sense.

All this to say, darn it I am taking a vocal class!!! I always feel like, well I can carry a tune and if I just had a little direction I may be able to sing better. I can’t die knowing that there may have been a big voice inside of me that was never heard. So I am stepping out and seeing what happens. I will just have rest and peace of mind if I take the sessions and still suck. Hahahaha. At least I know I tried! I always feel like “Oh most people start singing when they are like 3!” I feel like how on Earth can I start honing this craft at 25? But God is real! And whatever is in his design, will happen for you, regardless of age, sex, what it looks like, what it feels like. And anyone who knows me knows that I sing ALL THE TIME! It may be a bit pitchy and all over the place, but I sing my little heart out.

I am excited to embark on a journey. I am still focused on writing great songs, but I will be interested to see what can happen if I work on my voice a bit. IT IS NOT TOO LATE! It’s NEVER TOO LATE! As long as we have breath, we can do things differently, we can try something new! It’s just one of those things. I’ll let you guys know how it goes! Starting in January.

Dope Writers - Linda Perry

I don't know about you, but I wouldn't have known the chicks from 4 Non-Blondes would go on to define the sign of two extremely influential artists in our time. I'm talking about Linda Perry. She has carved out such a sound for artists like Pink and Christina Aguilera, among others that is like no other.

Her lyrics are raw and honest. Those deep feelings that one may be afraid to say, but is relieved someone else said it for them.

The song "Beautiful" really struck a chord with me. That was before the video which really hit home for many people. The feeling of not being good enough, is one most can relate to!

Check out the record below, composed by the great Linda Perry.

#Random ... Refreshing Imagery

Say what you will about music videos and media, but one thing is certain, we as black women are not always shown flattering images of ourselves. From booty popping to long weaves and racial ambiguousness, you may end up wondering where the images of everyday Black women are. Someone brought this video to my attention, “Feeling More” by Tabi Bonney featuring Nicole Wray. It really made me smile to see all this beautiful black women with natural hair in this video!


Now I do not hate on women who choose something different, but often times when beauty is depicted on the TV screen, it is not of a woman with kinky curls. And it’s funny because when my hair was relaxed, I never even thought about it. I never thought about the fact that I rarely saw women on TV with their natural hair texture. Shoot, I didn’t even know what my natural hair texture was like.

Sometimes I feel like we are victim to things we don’t even realize. How will you ever know how beautiful you are if no one ever shows you? Or takes the time to spotlight that? Many young girls are suffering from an identity crisis. Many of our young girls are growing up with low self-esteem and they don’t even know it. I had no idea how attached I was to the idea that I had long hair. And I always wanted even my relaxed hair to be straighter, which made no sense at all.

I’m not saying everyone should go out and only use natural girls for their videos, but what a beautiful thing to show the many sides of beauty. Quite frankly, our girls need it. They need to know that they are gorgeous too, even with their frizz, and hair that won’t quite lie all the way down. There are so many men that appreciate it. Mine does! Lol.

I just want to scream “Hey little Black girl, you’re beautiful too!”

Check out the video below.

Dope Writers - Cee Lo Green

So, the first time that I heard this record I really fell in love. I mean plain and simple, I was floored. The arrangement and feel are sick on this song. Cee Lo really just did it with this song. Who would have thought that the little weird guy from Goodie Mob would make such classic music. I have developed such an appreciation for Cee Lo. That boy sangs which is so much more than you can say for many artists today. Don't let the feathers and the costumes fool you. There is some real artistry going on when Cee Lo steps into the lab. My interest was initially peaked with the Gnarles Barkley project and I've been hooked ever since. Always looking forward to his new music.

Check out Fool For You written by Jack Splash and Cee Lo Green. And Lady Killer is an awesome album. You should definitely check out the whole thing.

Music and Fashion

I am often floored by the amount of talented individuals I come across in my daily travels. Most recently, I received a dope denim vest from a young designer, Annastaisa Smith known to most as Sole Barbie whose collection is called Vintage Extinction. The line includes denim vest and jackets for men and women, crafted and altered by Smith herself. A retro look, you will most often see Smith rocking her collection with Js on her feet and a snapback covering her head. These vests are fun, fashionable and will get you a lot of “Where’d you get that from?” questions on the street. 

Make sure you check her out on her blog http://insidesolebarbie.blogspot.com and keep up with her on twitter @CallMe_SOLE. 

And take a look at me rocking my new vest below!