Just A Thought

What I mean to say was ... See thoughts always seem to come out wrong or on too strong And here I am left begging to be heard Pleading to be understood But nothing seems to come out right It’s confused, misinterpreted, offensive hurtful But not at all what I meant Our minds are so loud We can’t hear because we’re so turned up about everything Things going on in our lives, our insecurities and flaws that we can’t hear the words spoken We can’t take words for what they are without ulterior motives Why I can’t I just mean what I say without nuances of underlying ideas, thoughts or sarcasm. Why don’t you hear me when I’m speaking? Feel the desperation in my breaths Why aren’t you comforted by the gentleness in my eyes? Why can’t you talk to me without any threat of being attacked? That’s not what I meant at all And now I’m swallowing vowel sounds And choking on consonants Completely uncertain on appropriate verbiage and dying in silence Afraid to misspeak, to be misrepresented by my own words How can we talk?

Dope Writers - Frank Ocean

It has taken me a while to get on this boat ... one because he is just a bit strange, let's just get that out there in the open. But I realize I like Novacane a lot. I think it's a great song. I really like the vibe. I also was browsing through the Beyonce 4 credits and I saw that he was a co-writer on I Miss You. This record is really low key and easy going but it is something I really like about it. The simplicity. I'm not sure how involved he was in vocal production but I like the way she sings this record. The melody is slightly off beat at certain points which I enjoy.

Check it out!

Dope Writers - Diane Warren

This is one of my favorite songs ever ... I just remember being young and not being all that familiar with Aerosmith. But when I heard this song .... wow, it just really hit me. And I know this was a stretch from the normal music that they do. But this really made me pay attention to them. It wasn't until a while later that I saw Diane Warren on Oprah and learned that she was the songwriter behind such timeless hits. Please check it out and enjoy!

Prepare for What You Ask For

If you’re anything like me, you spend a lot of time asking for things to happen in your life. For me it’s in prayers, constantly asking for many things but especially advancement in my career. But I realize that especially in those moments when I am at my wit’s end, God really decides to make moves in my life. And as much as I ask for things, in the moments when something I asked for is right in front of my face, I have a moment of apprehension, which makes absolutely no sense.

Most recently, I have just really been meditating on getting my blog together and having more opportunities for my songwriting. I have received some of the most random text messages and emails in regard to writing that it creeped me out! And my pastor recently spoke about unrecognized resources. These opportunities have been coming from people that aren’t even necessarily in music.

It’s amazing when you find yourself actually receiving the answers you are looking for. But I am realizing you have to be prepared for the things that you are asking for. You have to be ready. Often we approach our prayers without the faith and trust that they will actually be answered. So we don’t even know how to receive the great things that are happening to us because of what we prayed for.

I’ve decided to face these opportunities head on. No matter how afraid I am, I know that these are the things that I have hoped for. I have to tap into the confidence that God clearly intended me to have. He clearly only threw me the bone because he felt that I was ready. Why do we second guess ourselves so often? Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen … Sometimes our faith brings forth things we never thought we’d see.

Dope Writers - Andre 3000

So .... I was talking to someone today about Dope Writers and they mentioned Andre 3000 and I had to agree. The Love Below was CLASSIC. I mean outside of the fact that he is just a dope lyricist. This is one of my favorite songs probably ever. Just so vibed out. And one night I had the pleasure of hearing a cover by one of the Aaries sisters. (You know they're twins, I can't remember which one it was. lol.) But she murdered it! So anyway ... Check it out!
Prototype_ Outkast the love below by lasc35

A night out ...

The music you believe in. You have to support it. If you don’t you can’t be mad that no one else will. It’s as simple as the saying, “be the change you want to see.” You won’t see good music be successful if you aren’t supporting it. You can’t wonder why artists are being dropped and download their CD illegally. It doesn’t work like that. Get out to a live show, buy a CD, do something to support. I have been so fortunate over the last year or so to really meet some extraordinary artists. Many signed to labels but still in the daily grind of making their name and space in this industry. Tonight I got to get out to see Nikki Jean’s show at World Café Live. She’s a great artist. The music feels really honest. She’s quirky and has fun on stage. And she put together a project with amazing writers! From Carole King to Bob Dylan to Thom Bell, the project has something for everybody. I really felt inspired to write after hearing a few of the songs from the project. There really aren’t too many artists that I consider myself a fan of, but I really see something special there. Maybe because she writes the songs that I want to. I sometimes feel like the songs I like to write the most are probably the ones I would have to sing myself. But I’m not a singer, so I’m working on it. As much as I love to see vocalists bring the songs I write to life, I know that there will be a point where I want to just go for broke on songs about the moon and stars that no one else will want to sing. Ha! And I’m fine with that. I look forward to strengthening my chops on guitar and letting it rip. In the meantime, you should definitely check out Pennies in a Jar. My fingers are crossed that it has a break out year, Esperanza style. We need this in music, I think anyway. Looking forward to indulging in the album I purchased. Support the music you love.

#Random - Q Covers 1+1

So I am not sure why this happens but for the most part, I don't like certain songs until I hear them from another artist. Sometimes the artist just doesn't connect even though the song is really good. Well, I like Beyonce's version of 1+1 of course, but I was floored when I heard Q do his rendition. Something about the clarity of his voice is amazing! Also, I remember thinking that 112 was one of the most talented groups ever! I mean all of them could sing really well and with different tones, which seems to be missing from music today! Everyone sounds the same. Anyway, enjoy Q singing a cover of 1+1. Those runs .... Just make me angry. lol.