WILL ACTIVISM RETURN TO MUSIC?

During rap artist Nicki Minaj's Rolling Stone interview, she was asked why more black artist's aren't speaking out with regards to #BlackLivesMatter.

Minaj responded, "But look what happened to Kanye when he spoke out. People told him to apologize to Bush! ... Because how many times can you be made to feel horrible for caring about your people before you say...it's not worth it..."

It's sad that black artist's are made to feel their careers will be jeopardized should they decide to involve themselves with activism.

When Kanye spoke out about the racial strife in New Orleans during the Hurricane Katrina catastrophe, he was applauded by many but made to feel inadequate by a few -- that few made him meet with George W. Bush, to issue a public apology for calling the nation's leader a racist.

But Kanye West honed his activist genes honestly, with a professorial mother and aerial photo journalist father, who educated him on the racial epidemic that long plagued their existence -- teaching their son how to survive as a black man in America; Kanye brought his education into his artistry.ALL THESE PEOPLE DERIVE FROM A POLITICAL PAST THAT COULDN'T BE IGNORED WHILE MAKING STRIDES TO PENETRATE THE ENVIRONMENT THAT PURPOSELY KEPT THEM OUT, THEY HAD NO CHOICE ON WHETHER OR NOT ACTIVISM SHOULD-BE EXERCISED BECAUSE IT WAS CRYSTAL CLEAR TO THEM THAT IT WAS NECESSARY.

Artists are natural activists, because many artists' stepped into their careers on the strength of activism.

Ruby Dee, Lena Horne, Pam Grier, Diahann Carroll, Eartha Kitt, Ossie Davis, Harry Belafonte, Sidney Poitier, Langston Hughes, Paul Robeson, Alice Walker, Henry Louis Gates Jr., Lorraine Hansberry, Public Enemy; all these people derive from a political past that couldn't be ignored while making strides to penetrate the environment that purposely kept them out, they had no choice on whether or not activism should-be exercised because it was crystal clear to them that it was necessary.

Moreover, because activism has always been apart of the arts in one way or another, it would seem easier for artists to use their ever-present platform to shine a bright light on the places where injustice lies. After all, if minorities from the past challenged the status quo when racial violence was at its most extreme, then why wouldn't minority artists seek to challenge it now since the load has been made somewhat lighter, due to the efforts of those whose shoulders we now stand upon? Is it really fear of being blackballed? Fear of losing profit? Fear of losing fans?

And if an artist can use their artistry to shock people's nerves through the form of nudity, foul language, improper conduct with regards to murder, weaponry and illegal drug trade, why is it then more difficult to influence art in a positive and progressive manner using ingenious activism to responsibly affect the livelihood of people versus negatively?

Is seeing the naked body doing much to progress society, unless it supports a particular cause? What about foul language -- is it a great tool for youth to have? Do gangs, guns, killing and the use of harsh drugs serve a positive purpose for humanity? Then why push these topics on our children more so than the tools that'll help them to live?

Yes, art can be explained as the unexplainable and anyone can deem their work of art to be just that, but in hindsight given the precarious past that has brought us into the present moment of #BlackLivesMatter and the #ICantBreathe movement, doesn't it almost seem obligatory for not just minority artists...but for all artists to join in solidarity with the people?

On a side note: Hip Hop artist Q-Tip, recently broke down the fundamental understanding of where Hip Hop came from and what it really means to be an artistic activist.

2015 LA

Beyonce's 15 Minute VMA Performance was Epic

After you watch the MTV VMA's, do you ever only remember those distinct performances that had a chilling affect on you?

For me, it was performances by Beyonce', Nicki Minaj, and Maroon 5, that completely stole the show. I also appreciated the SNL funnyman Jay Pharoah, who was hilarious and had me chuckling quite a bit.

Nicki Minaj's Anaconda; I hardly know where to begin as her live performance was just as great as her music video! The set design, costumes, and choreography all intertwined perfectly while Nicki spit her venomous lyrics as she shook that rump shaker all over the stage, while making you comprehend the true meaning of the name...Anaconda. 

As Nicki gyrated all around -- the look on singer Rita Ora's face was absolutely priceless, as she appeared to be hypnotized by the twerk master that stood before her.

Newly married front man Adam Levine, led the Maroon 5 band into a rocking first song that tore the house down as he belted out his words with eyes closed, head back, foot tapping, and his signature staccato voice drove the chorus home. All you could do was rock your head and shimmy your shoulders, as you fully understood that the song Maps -- is a definite must have.

Beyonce. Beyonce. Beyonce.

One can hardly find the words to describe the amazing artistry of this extraordinary woman. If I had been near her as her performance ended, I would have taken slow strides toward her and then poked her with one finger -- to see if she was really human. But that's the feeling that she gives me when she performs -- a feeling that she doesn't seem almost real. Her level of performance intensity and drive surpasses anything that I would've ever imagined coming from any one artist. 

She took you from slow pace to fast pace so quick that it left your head spinning, and her words were so real and poetic as it captured a unique blend of:

- Grimy; "How did you wake up this morning?" 

- Reality; "We're taking this a little to far." 

- Charisma; "You're no angel either baby." 

- Sarcasticness; "Sometimes sh*t goes down when there's a billion dollars on the elevator." 

- Sexiness; "You want me -- I walk down the hallway -- you like it -- the bedroom's a runway -- slap me -- I'm quick to the doorway -- kiss -- bite -- foreplay." 

- Raunchiness; "Let me sit this ass on you -- show you how I feel -- let me take this off while you watch me -- that's mass appeal -- don't take your eyes off it -- watch it -- if you like you can touch it baby -- do you want to touch it baby?"

- Purity; "Come on baby won't you hold onto me Blue?"

- Beautifulness; "I'm just jealous -- I'm just human -- don't judge me -- If you're keeping your promise I'm keeping mine." 

Like an onion has many layers that one must peel back to get to the core of it; Beyonce' is a W-O-M-A-N with many different layers -- so many complexities, which she brilliantly fit all that is her into one concert of song and movement. She gave all of us -- all of her, on all of her many levels at one time and personally I appreciate her candidness, and how she made a masterpiece with it.

I've been riding with Beyonce' since her Destiny's Child years, and to watch her evolve into the true artist that she is today only makes me super excited about her future evolution, and what fantastic musical rides that she has in store for us. 

I want to ask Beyonce "does it get any better than this?" But something tells me that her immediate response would be, absolutely.

Queen Bey's performance closed out the show -- and rightfully so, as her husband and baby girl joined her on stage to reward her with the Michael Jackson Vanguard award. Congratulations Mrs. Carter, you definitely earned this prestigious award for your unshakable, undeniable, and truly gifted soul.

#Smh #MakingHistory #OutOfBodyExperience 

Catch the MTV VMA's on a repeat, I promise you won't be disappointed. 

2014 LA

BET Awards 2014 Rocked the House

The BET awards never ceases to amaze me, as I am always ready for some 'good ole' authentic black soul music and I love to feed my political appetite as well, which was effectively done by this years host, comedian Chris Rock. 

Mr. Rock (seen above), always gives you the political realness for reality with a side of laughter to go with it and lets face it, with the political sphere being what it is today it helps to laugh when you really want to cry -- which is why I enjoyed his comedic skit at the Monster Truck rally where he quizzed white people on all things BET, it was absolutely hilarious!

Singer Pharrell and infamous rapper Missy Elliott opened up the show with 'Come Get It Bae', which seemed to get everyone in the mood for a good time. I was most impressed and excited to see Chris Brown perform his infamous hit 'These Hoes Ain't Loyal', and waited anxiously for him to bust out in one of his legendary dance routines which he did, and I was thoroughly entertained.

It was great to see rapper Lil Wayne again -- and in good health might I add, since he has been pretty much hidden

from site lately and I often missed his lively performances coupled with his poetic lyrics. And Hip Hop Queen Nicki Minaj, never disappoints as she meshed femininity with her at times hardcore lyrics during her 'Pills and Potion' theatrical segment, giving you rough and smooth all at the same time while flashing that fabulous body that keeps your eyes glued to the television set.

As Nicki (seen-r) accepted her fifth award for the Best Female Hip Hop Artist category, it was said that she threw slight shade at rapper Iggy Azalea who performed earlier in the show, as she calmly and facetiously stated "What I want the world to know about Nicki Minaj is when you hear Nicki Minaj spit, Nicki Minaj wrote it," and she went on to thank the CEO of BET Debra Lee, for rewarding "Authentic" artists. Calling out the carbon copies, Nicki? I ain't mad at you!

Singers John Legend, Ledisi and Yolanda Adams sang brilliantly their tributes to the legendary Lionel Richie, who received the BET Lifetime Achievement Award. Then Mr. Richie got on stage to remind us why we've followed him for so many years, as he performed hits like 'All Night Long' and 'Easy Like Sunday Morning'.

Then BET took it back to the 90's with hits like, 'All I Do is Think of You' by Troop, 'I Wanna Sex You Up' by Color Me Bad, and 'Freaky With You' by Silk.

Actress Phylicia Rashad walked out on stage looking timeless, graceful and womanly, as she delivered her speech on legendary artists who've recently passed on, Maya Angelou and Ruby Dee. 

Chairman and CEO of BET Debra Lee, gave the audience a history lesson as she took us down memory lane with her speech and background images to remind us of Freedom Summer 1964, using it as a symbol of the progress we've made thus far with Civil Rights Activist Myrlie Evers-Williams, accepting the BET Humanitarian Award as she eloquently stated that there's still more progress to be made and to keep up the good fight, as she expressed that there was a time when black people weren't allowed on television networks.

Which is why I was especially happy to see so many new black movie trailers during the commercial breaks, it was at least 4-5 new black films coming out with all black casts -- and that's something to be proud of for sure.

Towards the end of the show Robin Thicke pleaded his 'Forever Love' case through song once more to his estranged wife Paula Patton, as a means of trying to win her back after she left him due to his previous infidelities. 

But the highlight of the evening was the performance by Jay Z and Beyonce, which seemed like a bit of a trick as most people thought the duo was in the building and set to give a live show -- but no such luck. The married couple is still carrying out their 'On The Run' tour but allowed BET to show their 'Partition' performance via satellite, which was as equally entertaining, sexy and impressive even if it wasn't a live show.

Overall, the 2014 BET Awards rocked the house and I can't wait to see how next years show will top this one. 

2014 LA