I was just thinking ... co-writing

Some people really aren’t into co-writing. I personally find that it’s one of my favorite ways to write. I mean clearly it’s cool to be in your own head and come up with ideas. But I enjoy sessions where everyone is bouncing ideas off one another. But there also has to be a vibe there in order to make a session fruitful.

I’ve been in sessions where nothing really gets done because opinions can differ so much. So it’s all about finding co-writers that you really have chemistry with. And some people get funny thinking “oh well I will have to share the money when it comes.” I’d rather have the best possible song even if other people will get a share. 

Sometimes working alone you can end up repeating melodies or just sounding too similar to things you’ve already done. I even see co-writing as a challenge because it’s so easy just to impress myself. In co-writing everyone has to be on the same page ultimately and it’s great when I can write something that other writers appreciate.

But in co-writing, there are some things to remember. You have to know exactly what each person is bringing to the table. Nothing worse than the people who just hang around the studio with no particular significance to the sessions that want to put their two cents in. All of a sudden they think they are a writer. 

SPLIT SHEETS. As awkward as it can be when a person won’t start a session without one, it can be a good idea. Especially when going into sessions with people you don’t write with all the time. But this way everyone knows where they stand. You’ll have someone changing one line that they sang and then want to be listed on the credits as a writer … But that’s a whole other blog that I’ll probably never write to protect the innocent. Lol. But nonetheless, I love the music that I create on my own, but I have a great appreciate for many of the writing partners that I’ve found along the way.

One last thing is that as an up and coming songwriter, co-writes are great to have with more established writers. It’s a great way to get your name out there and then when you do get your own reputation you have a lot more under your belt.

Music that will last forever ...

In this time it is very hard to think past the next few seconds, minutes, let alone years and years to come. We live in a society and in a time where everything is right now. This I find is a monster when it comes to the music industry. A lot has changed in music, not all bad and not all good. But one element where I feel we suffer is making timeless music.

There are so many songs that I hear today, that I can’t even remember once they go off. Let alone remember them for years later. There are certain songs from growing up, that I know every single lyric to and even the adlibs. There was such a quality in the lyrics and in the melody. These songs related to our experiences and deep feelings.

Now I am CERTAINLY not a new music basher. There are so many new artists and songs that I like. But I still think that as a whole music is suffering. I can’t tell you how sick I am of the super sexually explicit R&B songs. It’s like enough is enough. There has to be a more creative way of saying these things. I do believe it’s affecting some of the way young generations view themselves and relationships.

Not to stand on that soap box forever, but I did come across this record by Bonnie Raitt and funny enough, years later here is Tank as well covering it. A little white lady (kick butt guitar player and all but you know what I am saying) from back in the day to one of the influential writers of our time, and the song still makes sense. I am not sure that years later people will cover “Invented Sex” or “Deuces”. No disrespect to Chris Brown or Trey Songz, I’m just saying.

Check out the two versions below: "I Can't Make You Love Me" Composers: Mike Reid and James Allen II Shamblin
Bonnie Riatt


Tank

Dope Writer - Priscilla Renea

Rihanna's career has exploded. I mean I never thought the Pon da Replay girl would have this type of career. But with the right people behind her, she has really become one of the biggest players in the industry. I'd like to think that is in part to the great producers and songwriters she has behind her as well. That includes Priscilla Renea. A talented artist in her own right, she helped co-write "California King Bed" which is a song that really grew on me! She also has a cut on the new album Talk That Talk called Watch N Learn, which I haven't heard yet, but everyone has been talking about it. In any case, check out California King Bed in the meantime!

Dope Writers - Kevin McCall

This record really killed it for me. It's a little heavily sexy which I rage against often. LOL. It's just in general I feel like it's over done at this point in music, but this one was executed well enough for me to disregard my disdain for super sexed music. Haha. Nonetheless, Kevin McCall is the man that many are citing as one of the reasons that Chris Brown is having such a great resurgence. Check him out as one of the composers on No BS.

Dope Writer - Carole King

You are talking about one of the POP songwriting queens of the world here. Carole King was such a beast when it came to writing catchy tunes that had you tapping your feet. I remember this song being in so many films and it has lived well beyond the era in which it was created. Which is what most of us songwriters really need. Who cares if your song is #1 on the billboard chart for a couple of weeks. I want to write records that live beyond time frame. Carole King, a classic songwriter. Check her out!

Just an unoriginal thought ...

There are no new ideas there are only new ways of making them felt. I think that’s what Audre Lorde said. As disheartening as it may seem it can be true in a certain way. I mean especially as a writer. We want to feel like we came up with the cleverest way to say something. But really, what hasn’t been said in a song? How many different ways do you think you can fall in love, be heartbroken, and be torn between decisions. I hate to be the one to break it to you but someone has probably said it before you. But the wonderful truth in that, I heard someone say, is that there are generations experiencing those same feelings for the first time. That is what keeps us relevant. We get to tell these stories for the first time to that boy who just started to like that girl in their class or that girl that feels like she isn’t enough. So that idea makes me think everything doesn’t have to be so clever all the time. It annoys me when the emotion gets lost in a song because the writer is trying so hard to say something in a different way. Now I am not saying that we shouldn’t try to be innovative with our lyrics and words, but I am saying, don’t lose that raw emotion. Don’t lose that way of connecting with an audience in the same way you felt the heartbreak in songs like “If you think you’re lonely now” or “On Bended Knee.” Those songs for me didn’t have to have extra analogies or rap punch lines they just laid it all out, their feelings and I was able to identify with it. I want to write records that people break down crying to like I used to! I don’t always want to think so hard about how I am supposed to feel about the record! Guess that’s the end of my soapbox. Haha.

No Matter How Nice your Boots are ...

No matter how nice your boots are, you can always step in dog poop. I know that sounds so strange but the funniest thing happened to me today. Recently I bought a couple pairs of new boots for the winter season. All my old boots had literally began to fall apart, so I figured it was time to grab some new ones. I was even beginning to feel subpar because my boots were beginning to look so worn. So I felt really good about putting on my new boots to head to church. As I’m walking toward the church, stomping in my new boots, all of a sudden I felt my boot slide and I had to catch myself. And then I got a whiff of the sweet aroma of dog poop. As I began to put two and two together I realized exactly what I slid on. Hahaha. I looked at the bottom of my shoe and for sure there was poop on the bottom of them. It’s just so funny how, you can think that you are moving on up in the world and that you finally have something that makes you feel good and step in dog poop! Not having the latest boots … definitely First World problems as my co-worker and friend Caitlin Vivian would say. A Christian Laboutin can be just as easily smeared in poop as a payless shoe.

If I didn't already know who I was ...

Know who you are. Because the world will constantly try to define that for you. Without a strong sense of self, you can easily be destroyed. Constantly comparing yourself to others, wishing and hoping that something was different about you. But understand what God says about you … that you are beautifully and wonderfully made, crafted in his image. Every single one of us. No matter how much weight you want to lose, or how thick your glasses prescription may be. We are perfectly imperfect. I have found myself at so many points, sizing myself up next to other people, based on what they have, how they look, blah blah blah. At a certain point you have to just get tired of it. The funniest thing is when I’ve wanted something someone else had and they expressed to me that they wanted something I had. That’s how you KNOW you’re being ridiculous. Lol. But seriously, it’s a great thing to grow into a confident woman. But it takes time! I am still a work in progress, but the key is being around other confident women of God that can show you the ropes. I’m never afraid to give props where it’s due, but sometimes I don’t give myself the same props I give others. I’m pretty awesome myself. Lol. What one woman has doesn’t take anything away from what you have. That’s something that so many of us have to learn. We can all be beautiful, successful, and talented. And passing that confidence along to the next generation, is one of the greatest gifts we have to give.

#Random - Joan Jett and the Foo Fighters on Letterman

So ... I knew the music but I didn't know a lot about Joan Jett until I saw the movie The Runaways! What an awesome, twisted story. And then I realize who the woman was behind these timeless songs. So apparently Joanie jumped on stage with the Foo Fighters at their show at MSG. SO ... Here they are performing last night on Letterman. Is her voice awesome or what? Pure Rock & Roll Chick!

I was just thinking ... co-writing

Some people really aren’t into co-writing. I personally find that it’s one of my favorite ways to write. I mean clearly it’s cool to be in your own head and come up with ideas. But I enjoy sessions where everyone is bouncing ideas off one another. But there also has to be a vibe there in order to make a session fruitful. 

I’ve been in sessions where nothing really gets done because opinions can differ so much. So it’s all about finding co-writers that you really have chemistry with. And some people get funny thinking “oh well I will have to share the money when it comes.” I’d rather have the best possible song even if other people will get a share. 

Sometimes working alone you can end up repeating melodies or just sounding too similar to things you’ve already done. I even see co-writing as a challenge because it’s so easy just to impress myself. In co-writing everyone has to be on the same page ultimately and it’s great when I can write something that other writers appreciate.

But in co-writing, there are some things to remember. You have to know exactly what each person is bringing to the table. Nothing worse than the people who just hang around the studio with no particular significance to the sessions that want to put their two cents in. All of a sudden they think they are a writer. 

SPLIT SHEETS. As awkward as it can be when a person won’t start a session without one, it can be a good idea. Especially when going into sessions with people you don’t write with all the time. But this way everyone knows where they stand. You’ll have someone changing one line that they sang and then want to be listed on the credits as a writer … But that’s a whole other blog that I’ll probably never write to protect the innocent. Lol. But nonetheless, I love the music that I create on my own, but I have a great appreciate for many of the writing partners that I’ve found along the way.

One last thing is that as an up and coming songwriter, co-writes are great to have with more established writers. It’s a great way to get your name out there and then when you do get your own reputation you have a lot more under your belt.

Dope Writers - Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis

This is one of my favorite songs ever from New Edition. Sorry folks I was too young to really appreciate the "Candy Girl" days. But when I heard this song I definitely fell head over heels. I still sing my heart out to this on the regular bases. Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis are some of the most talented songwriters of our time! You probably don't even know how many of your favorite songs are written by them. DO YOUR RESEARCH! Haha. "Again" by Janet is one of my favorite records of all time as well! I didn't even know they wrote it. Check it out!

Living Distracted ...

Are we ever really focused on one thing? Do you ever feel like you have a person’s full attention? I’m not sure there is such a thing anymore. We are constantly battling in our minds. What’s the next thing I’m going to say, what I have to do when I get home … etc, etc? The mind can be a prison, clouding your freedom to enjoy the day, or a conversation, notice the little things. And when did it become acceptable to stop conversation to tweet, to text or answer the phone? What happened to the idea of I’ll get to it later? It’s disappeared along with the common courtesy of “undivided attention.” We live in a world with such a sense of urgency. Everything is RIGHT NOW, but we simply can’t do everything at once. No matter how hard we try. We are suffering socially. We are missing the very crux of what made social media popular in the first place. And I say this not as a condemner but guilty as charged. But I want to be better. I can’t continue to live a life unfocused, not concentrating on the activity at hand. It’s a dangerous place and it’s proven every time someone dies at the wheel of someone distracted by a text message or an email while driving. We must learn how to refocus and live each moment as it comes and not simultaneous to everything else in our lives.

I was just thinking ... Choices

Life is all about choices. Even choosing not to choose. “Our biggest fear is not that we are inadequate …” Most of us know the rest of Mandela’s speech but I would add to that “we are afraid that more of our fate is in our hands than we think.” God gives us direction, he gives us a path … But the choices we make help dictate the bumps and smooth plains along the way. If you want something different in your life, pray for direction and don’t veer off course. Stick with the process and make wise decisions. You are even making a choice when seeking His council. You must move or nothing is going to change. Most of us don’t want to own up to the things that we can do differently, that INCLUDES ME! I know that I need to make different decisions and I am working on getting there. No more standing still.

Just a Thought

I Lost My Soul Today ... I lost my soul today Thought I had it Then I realized I left it on the train Not sure where it’s headed I just know that it’s gone I’m just left with no sense of where I belong But I’m still trying to head home Trying to find a way But empty on the inside Nothing keeping me grounded I’m light Doing everything to stop myself from taking off in flight See my soul was heavy, solid Kept me all together Wish I knew where that train was headed.

#Random - Halle and Chloe killing I Was Here by Beyonce

So perusing youtube, came across these two young ladies. I was just reading an article on Diane Warren in Billboard too! She strikes again. Check out the tune she wrote for Beyonce sung by these two beautiful young women. They are so adorable. lol

Untapped Resources

I know a lot of people … in various fields and various points in their career in this business. But I have a hard time tapping into that at different points. No one wants to be used. But the reality is, this industry is very much about relationships and I have a hard time asking people to help. I try my hardest to support all the things that people have going on, but when it comes to self promotion, I suck! It is just awkward trying to sell yourself, but you have to! If you can’t talk yourself up, sell your brand, no one else is going to do it for you. I have been pushing myself lately to focus on my endeavors. No one else has an issue sending me texts or messages asking me to support their stuff …. But it can be funny how when you are looking for people to help you don’t hear anything from them. So I end up in this weird predicament of wanting to reach out to peers for help but knowing that it will slightly change the nature of the relationship if they don’t come through. So I end up trying to do it all on my own. It’s difficult to balance the whole thing. Support and co-signs from others are very coveted, but I also try to hold on to the pioneers that had to persevere even when no one else could see their vision. The greatest partner in this entire world is God. With him all things are possible … so I am learning to relinquish my thoughts of wanting others to help me get where I need to go. Knowing that God works through people there are some people that will be there … and those that won’t can pretty much kick rocks. Haha. That’s harsh, but you know what I mean. Gotta appreciate those that do believe in you and the rest will catch on eventually with everyone else.

#Random- Common Blue Sky

I my friends am a fair weather hip-hop fan! I'll admit it. hahaha. I most commonly find myself liking similar types of rap. All that being said, what a great song from Common! Sometimes you hear music that sounds like a soundtrack to your life, and every superhero needs theme music right? Check it out!