In this coming week's edition of the Michigan FrontPage, we are featuring an interview with the rapper Young Dro. So that I don't spoil the experience for you I will say that the man really needs artist development and media training. And to be fair, it's not just him.
Many of the artists that currently dominate our radio stations and television screens are just plain ignorant, for lack of a better word. Not only have many of them exhibited the fact that they can barely read, they also spew debaucherous drivel to our young people in the lyrics of their music, and they have no grasp on the English language.
Obviously, it is understood that slang is the universal language of self expression amongst young our young people, but it needs to be understood by them that there is a time and a place to speak in that manner. These record labels need to go back to the days of old when artists were groomed to be able to function in the media, and speak intelligently about who they were as artists and the image that they are supposed to portray.
If you are selling yourself as a gangsta rapper, a pimp and hustler, then when a reporter sticks a microphone in your face and asks you why your lyrics degrade women and promote drug usage, ideally, you need to be able to address that question with some semblance of of intelligence. If that's your message, then don't get shy and embarrassed about it when someone calls you on what comes out of your mouth. Know your product, know yourself and what it is that you stand for. If a question from a stranger makes you feel that you need to sugarcoat your response, then maybe you need to rethink the image you are selling.
Ignorance is not cute. Learn when and where to be about business and when and where to be about foolery; especially if you are in the public eye. Like it or not, you are a role model for the simple fact that somebody's kids is looking up to you. Blacks are already often looked upon as less than in White society when it comes to competing, we don't need to give them anymore fuel for the fire.
So artists, at the very least study your craft, examine yourself and read a few books to help you get a firm grasp on the English language so that eventually you can take your foot out of your mouth. Otherwise, don't look to blame the media when you come out looking like an idiot. After all, we can't print it if you don't say it.
Look for the Young Dro interview in this week's digital edition of the FrontPage which drops this Wednesday at www.frontpageconnect.com.
www.black-smithenterprises.com
Sunday, July 19, 2009
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
Hot Ghetto Mess!
There was recently a video posted on YouTube where 6 women in Oakland, CA walked into a beauty salon and began to beat the brakes off of a woman who was servicing a client. Two of the six women mercilessly beat this woman while one woman video taped it and the other three stood and watched.
Video link: http://abclocal.go.com/kgo/video?id=6858547
Now, what would compel 6 grown women to gang up on one person in this manner? And to add insult to injury, this was a group of Black women. As if we don't already have enough negative stigma to deal with.
As I watched the video, I couldn't help be feel disgusted and embarrassed that whoever taped the assault thought it would be cool to post it online like a badge of honor. Grown-ups should be able to find more constructive ways of dealing with their problems than violence. The shear savagery in which this woman was beaten sent chills down my spine.
I mean, at one point one of the assailants grabbed the victim by the hair and began to kick her in the face. I don't know what the woman did to set the mob off, but I'm sure that whatever it was it could have been settled in a more civilized manner.
Seriously people, what is this world coming to? These women should be ashamed of themselves and they should definitely be punished for their actions because if you can take the time to video tape yourself committing a crime and then post it online, then obviously there is no remorse.
Much prayer is needed, folks. Just look around you. The world becomes more and more violent and desensitized everyday. Read Revelations and strive to understand it. There's a blessing in the pages.
www.black-smithenterprises.com
Video link: http://abclocal.go.com/kgo/video?id=6858547
Now, what would compel 6 grown women to gang up on one person in this manner? And to add insult to injury, this was a group of Black women. As if we don't already have enough negative stigma to deal with.
As I watched the video, I couldn't help be feel disgusted and embarrassed that whoever taped the assault thought it would be cool to post it online like a badge of honor. Grown-ups should be able to find more constructive ways of dealing with their problems than violence. The shear savagery in which this woman was beaten sent chills down my spine.
I mean, at one point one of the assailants grabbed the victim by the hair and began to kick her in the face. I don't know what the woman did to set the mob off, but I'm sure that whatever it was it could have been settled in a more civilized manner.
Seriously people, what is this world coming to? These women should be ashamed of themselves and they should definitely be punished for their actions because if you can take the time to video tape yourself committing a crime and then post it online, then obviously there is no remorse.
Much prayer is needed, folks. Just look around you. The world becomes more and more violent and desensitized everyday. Read Revelations and strive to understand it. There's a blessing in the pages.
www.black-smithenterprises.com
Friday, June 26, 2009
My Rememberance of Michael Jackson
As the world mourns the passing of Michael Jackson, I take the time to reflect on what impact his legacy and music had on my life.
Michael Jackson personified, for me, what music and entertainment is and should be. My first recollection of music is that of my mother playing songs like ABC, Stop, the Love You Save, and my favorite J5 song, Goody Girl. I would sit for hours listening to those songs over and over again trying to memorize the harmonies and duplicate the melodies.
Then when I was seven Thriller came out. That's when I started to notice how cute Michael was, and it was that year that I swore that I was going to be Mrs. Michael Jackson when I grew up. I remember drawing a mustache on Brooke Shields because she had the nerve to be in my man's poster which hung by my bed close enough for me to kiss every night.
From that point on, I began to gravitate to Michael Jackson's music. I loved the way he sang his songs with so much feeling, emotion and melody. That's always been what did for me musically; music and harmony. Everything about most of his songs was memorable to me because of the way he sang it, the arrangement of the lyrics, the add libs, everything. That's when I decided that I wanted to be a singer and began trying to write my own songs.
Human Nature, Lady of My Life, This Place Hotel and Can You Feel It for some reason were all songs that caught my ear, and Man in the Mirror always made me a little emotional right at the part when the choir begins to sing. Not to mention the countless other songs that I spent hours memorizing and mimicking, but never could seem to get quite right. Ah...the memories.
I smile when I think of the backdrop that Michael Jackson's music has contributed to my life and my aspirations to write because I wanted my songs to sound like his. I often dreamed of him one day singing a song that I'd write just for him. Then I think of his life and how troubled he must have been.
To live your life in the public eye is a burden that Michael Jackson was forced to bare from a very young age, and I truly believe that he dealt with it the best that he could. For all his quirks and perceived eccentricities, he was always true to himself. He did not pretend to be anyone but who he was.
Even though his passing was an unexpected shock to the world, we must all realize that death is the one thing that is promised to all. Beneath the surface of the superstar, Michael Jackson was a troubled man who was beautifully human. I can only hope and pray that he was at peace with God and accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as his personal Savior before he passed so that his soul can have rest with Him in paradise.
And for all that he created that contributed to my life and the lives of those around me, I thank him.
Rest in peace, Mr. Jackson. You will never be forgotten.
Sunday, June 21, 2009
A Note to Single Mothers on Father's Day
Don't use the child to "whip" the father for past wrongs, punish him for not being with you, finding someone new, get more money or get back at him for being happy without you. It's not right. Your child should not have to be deprived of a father because your feelings are hurt, because guess what? You are not only hurting that man, you are destroying your child. Children need their fathers! Little girls develop much of their self-esteem and perception of themselves through their relationship with their father. Little boys pattern who they aspire to be after their fathers; and don't get it twisted...a woman can not teach a boy to be a man. Try as she might, she will fall short somewhere.
It breaks my heart to see how many men close to me suffer in these types of situations when it is so unnecessary. If you have a child with someone, you have to learn to put your differences aside for the sake of your children. They didn't ask to be here so don't make their lives miserable because you feel that you have a point to get across. You may not think that they notice, but trust me they do.
So keep that in mind this Father's Day season and give that guy a call and let him know that all his good efforts have not been in vain. Heck...there's still time to wish him a Happy Father's Day and really mean it.
www.black-smithenterprises.com
Friday, January 16, 2009
Did I Make a Mistake
Ok, so here we are just a few days away from the historical swearing in of the first African American president of the United States. And I, like millions of other voters, got up early and went to the polls to make sure that I did my part to cast my vote for Barack Obama, not because he is black but because I felt that he was the best man for the job.
But now as I watch each day unfold with a new announcement as to who will fill the various spots for this or that for the inauguration, I have to wonder...did I make the wrong choice?
I made myself get past the fact that Barack supports abortion (which I am adamantly against), and I explained away the fact that he essentially deserted the man who pastored him for more than 20 years because the media started giving him a hard time. But now that reports have revealed that he will allow Eugene Robinson, an openly gay pastor,to deliver the invocation at the inauguration kickoff event in effort to present balance for the gay community I really find myself wondering if I lined up behind the wrong person.
As a Christian, this really convicts my heart because the bible blatantly says that homosexuality is wrong. There is no sugar coating it, that's what it says. And while it is not for me to judge anyone's lifestyle choice, I can not endorse it. And to see a man who claims to be a pastor, a man of God chosen to lead God's people to Christ stand in a pulpit and openly proclaim that he is gay and be proud of it is a mockery of the calling he is supposed to be answering. And then for the man who is going to be my president, my leader, to endorse something that he knows is wrong (because Barack does claim to be a Christian) just to pacify a group of people leads me to wonder what other issues will he compromise on just to keep people from being mad at him.
Barack's whole campaign was based on change and I brought into that. But while I believe that he has the potential to be a great catalyst to getting our country back on the right track, the fact still remains that we need a strong leader. Someone who is not afraid to do what's right no matter what people say. This country was built on the principals set forth in the bible, and to throw those out because of convenience is like ushering in a platform for complete chaos and loss of morality.
It was the bible that tells us that it is wrong to steal, kill and lie. And if someone were to propose that a known liar or serial killer proudly stand up speak on behalf of the president America would be up and arms. For those are not badges to be worn with honor. So if we accept open homosexuality in the pulpit, then what's next? The man in the pulpit is supposed to be helping to deliver those who suffer from that affliction.
I don't know. This is just something that has been on my mind very heavily. Tell me what you think, because I'd really like to know.
www.black-smithenterprises.com
But now as I watch each day unfold with a new announcement as to who will fill the various spots for this or that for the inauguration, I have to wonder...did I make the wrong choice?
I made myself get past the fact that Barack supports abortion (which I am adamantly against), and I explained away the fact that he essentially deserted the man who pastored him for more than 20 years because the media started giving him a hard time. But now that reports have revealed that he will allow Eugene Robinson, an openly gay pastor,to deliver the invocation at the inauguration kickoff event in effort to present balance for the gay community I really find myself wondering if I lined up behind the wrong person.
As a Christian, this really convicts my heart because the bible blatantly says that homosexuality is wrong. There is no sugar coating it, that's what it says. And while it is not for me to judge anyone's lifestyle choice, I can not endorse it. And to see a man who claims to be a pastor, a man of God chosen to lead God's people to Christ stand in a pulpit and openly proclaim that he is gay and be proud of it is a mockery of the calling he is supposed to be answering. And then for the man who is going to be my president, my leader, to endorse something that he knows is wrong (because Barack does claim to be a Christian) just to pacify a group of people leads me to wonder what other issues will he compromise on just to keep people from being mad at him.
Barack's whole campaign was based on change and I brought into that. But while I believe that he has the potential to be a great catalyst to getting our country back on the right track, the fact still remains that we need a strong leader. Someone who is not afraid to do what's right no matter what people say. This country was built on the principals set forth in the bible, and to throw those out because of convenience is like ushering in a platform for complete chaos and loss of morality.
It was the bible that tells us that it is wrong to steal, kill and lie. And if someone were to propose that a known liar or serial killer proudly stand up speak on behalf of the president America would be up and arms. For those are not badges to be worn with honor. So if we accept open homosexuality in the pulpit, then what's next? The man in the pulpit is supposed to be helping to deliver those who suffer from that affliction.
I don't know. This is just something that has been on my mind very heavily. Tell me what you think, because I'd really like to know.
www.black-smithenterprises.com
Friday, January 2, 2009
A Year in Reflection and Looking Ahead
Well, 2008 is officially over and I have welcomed 2009 with open arms. It still amazes me at how fast time goes by after you reach adulthood. 2008 was a whirlwind year filled with a lot of accomplishments (I finished my third book and completed my first feature film), a year of growing pains and learning experiences.
I have learned that God is always in control no matter how much the urge to worry persists; I have learned to really appreciate my family for who they are in spite of my perception of who I think they should be; I have been blessed with the job of a lifetime as the editor of a publication that I love; I've gained some life long friends and said good-bye to some bad influences; and I have learned that no matter how hard things get, you have to always keep pushing forward. Your problems do not define who you are, they help shape you into the person that you are destined to be.
So in 2009, I pray that God will continue to prosper my family in spirit and in health. I pray that he will strengthen my marriage and watch over my children. I pray the He will give me the wisdom and courage to do those things that I know that I should.
In 2009, I will not waste time on things that do not matter and I will work hard to be the woman that God made me to be.
I pray for all of you reading this that your lives will be enriched with love and happiness, but most of all that you find yourself in Christ if you haven't already. If you have haven't, all you have to do is ask Him.
Jesus is everything, and with each day that passes I realize that more and more. The growth is not easy, but as I stated earlier...you have to keep pushing on because nothing worth having ever is. As this world grows darker, my desire to allow his light to shine in my life grows stronger. And for that I am thankful.
I have learned that God is always in control no matter how much the urge to worry persists; I have learned to really appreciate my family for who they are in spite of my perception of who I think they should be; I have been blessed with the job of a lifetime as the editor of a publication that I love; I've gained some life long friends and said good-bye to some bad influences; and I have learned that no matter how hard things get, you have to always keep pushing forward. Your problems do not define who you are, they help shape you into the person that you are destined to be.
So in 2009, I pray that God will continue to prosper my family in spirit and in health. I pray that he will strengthen my marriage and watch over my children. I pray the He will give me the wisdom and courage to do those things that I know that I should.
In 2009, I will not waste time on things that do not matter and I will work hard to be the woman that God made me to be.
I pray for all of you reading this that your lives will be enriched with love and happiness, but most of all that you find yourself in Christ if you haven't already. If you have haven't, all you have to do is ask Him.
Jesus is everything, and with each day that passes I realize that more and more. The growth is not easy, but as I stated earlier...you have to keep pushing on because nothing worth having ever is. As this world grows darker, my desire to allow his light to shine in my life grows stronger. And for that I am thankful.
Friday, December 26, 2008
One on One with Brandy
By Janaya Black
After a four-year hiatus, singer Brandy Norwood has resurfaced with a hot new single, Right Here (Departed), and is looking forward to the release of her highly anticipated new album, Human, on Dec. 9.
During a brief visit to Detroit to take part in the Thanksgiving Day Parade, the Michigan FrontPage had a chance to catch up with Brandy to find out what she’s been up to.
FrontPage: From the time that you dropped your first album to this point, what has the journey been like for you in the entertainment industry?
Brandy: The journey in the entertainment industry has been exciting! Of course it has its ups and downs but music is my life and in order to get my music out there I have to go through the music business. I have learned so many great lessons being an artist and I have met so many wonderful people to help me reach goals.
FP: On your last album your song Should I Go? Eluded to the idea that you were undecided about whether or not you wanted to continue your music career, so what made you decide to do another album?
Brandy: The reason why I am back with a new album is because I realized that it is my responsibility to make good music. It is the way I give back to the world. God gave me a gift and if I don’t use it by sharing it, then it’s all in vain.
FP: The song Departed is HOT! Who wrote it and what was the inspiration behind it?
Brandy: It was written by the "writing camp" and Darkchild. They were inspired by some of my life experiences. I connected to the song the first time I heard it. Everybody needs somebody and to know that you have people there that you can depend on or call on is a blessing.
FP: At this point in your career do you see yourself doing more albums after this, or do you plan to do more movie projects or a combination of both?
Brandy: I definitely plan to do more albums in the future and expand my acting career as well.
FP: How do you balance motherhood with everything that you have going on?
Brandy: I love being a mother and I always make sure that I get quality time with my girl because I am gone a lot now that I am working. I have a lot of help. My mom and my cousin help me with her when I am gone. I make sure she is loved and happy all the time as if I was right there. I also speak to her everyday if I am working on the road. My daughter understands very well that everything that I am doing is for her and that makes it a lot easier.
FP: Do you have any other projects in the works? Movies, TV, etc...
Brandy: I am developing television projects right now! Acting comes very natural for me and I look forward to playing a character that people can grow and love!
For more information about Brandy, visit www.foreverbrandy.com. To read more stories by Janaya Black visit www.black-smithenterprises.com.
For more new content, entertainment and lifestyle, check out this week's FrontPage digital edition at www.frontpageconnect.com!
After a four-year hiatus, singer Brandy Norwood has resurfaced with a hot new single, Right Here (Departed), and is looking forward to the release of her highly anticipated new album, Human, on Dec. 9.
During a brief visit to Detroit to take part in the Thanksgiving Day Parade, the Michigan FrontPage had a chance to catch up with Brandy to find out what she’s been up to.
FrontPage: From the time that you dropped your first album to this point, what has the journey been like for you in the entertainment industry?
Brandy: The journey in the entertainment industry has been exciting! Of course it has its ups and downs but music is my life and in order to get my music out there I have to go through the music business. I have learned so many great lessons being an artist and I have met so many wonderful people to help me reach goals.
FP: On your last album your song Should I Go? Eluded to the idea that you were undecided about whether or not you wanted to continue your music career, so what made you decide to do another album?
Brandy: The reason why I am back with a new album is because I realized that it is my responsibility to make good music. It is the way I give back to the world. God gave me a gift and if I don’t use it by sharing it, then it’s all in vain.
FP: The song Departed is HOT! Who wrote it and what was the inspiration behind it?
Brandy: It was written by the "writing camp" and Darkchild. They were inspired by some of my life experiences. I connected to the song the first time I heard it. Everybody needs somebody and to know that you have people there that you can depend on or call on is a blessing.
FP: At this point in your career do you see yourself doing more albums after this, or do you plan to do more movie projects or a combination of both?
Brandy: I definitely plan to do more albums in the future and expand my acting career as well.
FP: How do you balance motherhood with everything that you have going on?
Brandy: I love being a mother and I always make sure that I get quality time with my girl because I am gone a lot now that I am working. I have a lot of help. My mom and my cousin help me with her when I am gone. I make sure she is loved and happy all the time as if I was right there. I also speak to her everyday if I am working on the road. My daughter understands very well that everything that I am doing is for her and that makes it a lot easier.
FP: Do you have any other projects in the works? Movies, TV, etc...
Brandy: I am developing television projects right now! Acting comes very natural for me and I look forward to playing a character that people can grow and love!
For more information about Brandy, visit www.foreverbrandy.com. To read more stories by Janaya Black visit www.black-smithenterprises.com.
For more new content, entertainment and lifestyle, check out this week's FrontPage digital edition at www.frontpageconnect.com!
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