I get excited when I hear new music, that I LIKE. It's been a while. Music has just been a little too dry for me lately. I was turned on to a band called Little Dragon from a friend of mine. For the first time in a long while I got excited by music again. Little Dragon is so dope to me. I appreciate them for giving us something different. Check them out. Peace T
Follow them on Twitter @TwittleDragon
Saturday, June 12, 2010
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
Monday, April 19, 2010
My Exodus
I had to walk through desert sands
Like the Israelites when they had to pass through the wilderness
In order to get to the Promised Land
The purpose of this wilderness was to show me my wickedness
A place to escape after He delivered me from Egypt
Which represents my flesh
This quest also brought deliverance
From things and people that didn't benefit
Like old habits and corrupt relationships
All this was the Genesis to my Exodus
It started out like this
Like the kiss of Judas
I was betrayed
Been played
Always afraid what people would say
I swayed back and forth like ocean waves
Tossed to and fro
Who would have known my foes were those close to home
Now I've grown and I see there was no trust or no love
Sharing nothing in common except drugs thugs and clubs
Foundation of these friendships were vain
While they remained I started to change
My mind was reaching higher planes
Conversation not the same
Relationships I thought were significant
Became stagnate and a hindrance
Rejected and left forsaken
But no hard feelings taken
These situations only strengthened and my eyes were now awakened
God closed doors on the people I ran towards
Inside these glass shields were the only place I could be healed
From the spirit of rejection that had taken deep root from no fatherly affection
Correction was needed as I proceeded
But before I could continue all flesh had to be shed
I was broken like bread before the multitudes could be fed
I had to understand that it wasn't about me
So many nights I would cry as I stared towards the sky
Asking God, 'Where you at in all of this?'
I couldn't feel His presence
Even doubted if He exists
Such a lonely place when the only person I could be embraced
Was by a man with no face
But still I would chase after a dream I couldn't see
I grew through this journey of long suffering and pain
So for me to stay the same
My exodus would be in vain
To have learned without love
This all don't mean a thing
LOVETiana (1996)
Like the Israelites when they had to pass through the wilderness
In order to get to the Promised Land
The purpose of this wilderness was to show me my wickedness
A place to escape after He delivered me from Egypt
Which represents my flesh
This quest also brought deliverance
From things and people that didn't benefit
Like old habits and corrupt relationships
All this was the Genesis to my Exodus
It started out like this
Like the kiss of Judas
I was betrayed
Been played
Always afraid what people would say
I swayed back and forth like ocean waves
Tossed to and fro
Who would have known my foes were those close to home
Now I've grown and I see there was no trust or no love
Sharing nothing in common except drugs thugs and clubs
Foundation of these friendships were vain
While they remained I started to change
My mind was reaching higher planes
Conversation not the same
Relationships I thought were significant
Became stagnate and a hindrance
Rejected and left forsaken
But no hard feelings taken
These situations only strengthened and my eyes were now awakened
God closed doors on the people I ran towards
Inside these glass shields were the only place I could be healed
From the spirit of rejection that had taken deep root from no fatherly affection
Correction was needed as I proceeded
But before I could continue all flesh had to be shed
I was broken like bread before the multitudes could be fed
I had to understand that it wasn't about me
So many nights I would cry as I stared towards the sky
Asking God, 'Where you at in all of this?'
I couldn't feel His presence
Even doubted if He exists
Such a lonely place when the only person I could be embraced
Was by a man with no face
But still I would chase after a dream I couldn't see
I grew through this journey of long suffering and pain
So for me to stay the same
My exodus would be in vain
To have learned without love
This all don't mean a thing
LOVETiana (1996)
Sunday, April 18, 2010
Prince Unauthorized
Here some great footage on Prince and The Minneapolis Movement. Prince fans enjoy.
missing Part 3
Minneapolis Movement
missing Part 3
Minneapolis Movement
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
Ladies Behind the Lens
There are alot of talented up & coming photographers & filmmakers of our time. Just a few that come to mind are photographers Mel D. Cole, Tone, Kris Perry, Frolab & Imani Waddy. Directors Paul Coy Allen, Earnest Rhea, Stephen Dummit, Rik Cordero, Sieta Williams and Emiliano Styles. But my focus is on the ladies.
Why are there so few female filmmakers & photographers? Why the lack of? or atleast the lack of recognition. It's as if we have been wiped out of the books of entertainment history. Could it be that women are seen as organizers, great at delegating and keeping the house in order - tasks that in the film industry are done by producers - while the men take on the role of director, seemingly giving them power and authority.
Well, we do exist but the numbers are few. Thankfully, things are progressively starting to change. Ladies behind the lens are beginning to flood today's theaters more than ever, with movies as diverse as the women themselves. Yet the struggle for equality, recognition and respect continues.
I believe we play a very important and significant role in our time & era. We are pioneers stepping foot in a predominantly male driven industry. Capturing a time in Hip Hop where new artists are beginning to emerge. The public will always be able to look back and remember the underdog emcees, musicians, producers, fashion, and Hip Hop culture in all its entirety, all through the lens. I am just wanting to pay homage to the females who are help making this happen.
I'm an artist, poet, writer, photographer, music video director & aspiring filmmaker. I am truly thankful to all my musician friends who have entrusted me with their music and allowed me to provide a visual experience to their art.
As an artist, I have always been drawn to capturing love through the lens. Whether it be a child smiling, lovers kissing, an emcee rocking the mic on stage or simply capturing a beautiful sunset. All of these images to me represent love. I have always said that an emcee and a filmmaker are very similiar. We are both storytellers. We are telling a story from words which casts a visual image in one's mind or on screen. We are alot alike in many ways.
I know there are alot of dope photographers all across the globe but I wanted to highlight three special ladies that live right here in Los Angeles. Kyla Wright, Jeanette Parades and Mai Shafik. I will also have the priveledge to be working with two of them this weekend on Frank Nitt's new single with Delicious Vinyl records, "You Go Girl" produced by Terrace Martin featuring,Its A Problem. These ladies are Mrs. Kyla Wright and Jeanette Parades. I will be assisting the talented director Stephen Dummit. Kyla Wright is lead stylist. Jeanette Parades is the lighting director and key grip. Stay tuned for the video. There will be many cameo appearances.
I posted below, just a few of my favorite shots that represent my hearts interests. I also put up some really cool clips of some female directors that inspired me to continue. If you would like to see more of my work, please check myspace.com/lovetiana75. You can add me on Facebook and check my work out there.
My last words I wanted to impart to all women of every color, young & old, all over the globe. Never give up on your dreams. We have been given the gift to tell stories through the lens. Our numbers are few, that is why we really need to support and encourage one another in our craft. In full support and unity rather than competition or division. We represent the ladies behind the lens. We are all one. We represent us. The world needs to see what we see. We add a different, unique and beautiful outlook towards life. The world is waiting. Best of Luck and God bless. LOVETIANA
Talented female directors are all over the globe. Each have a different story to tell.
First female director at CBS. Started out as a receptionist for company.
Female director discussing her shortcomings. I can relate to her alot.
Kyla Wright
If you don't know who Kyla is then you must not have any knowledge of the LA/Detroit Hip Hop scene. Kyla is a hard working, innovative, fashion foward, business savvy, and a lover of Hip Hop culture. She is usually spotted on Sundays at the Do Over capturing Sangria spilled shirts as well as DJ's, emcees and faces in the crowd at a Night Life, Rootdown, or Dilla Tribute event. Kyla is a pioneer and definitely gets my vote as a great representative of a lady behind the lens. You can check out her blog at www.blacknbling.com
Jeanette Parades
I have worked with Jeanette Parades many times on set or capturing a performance of your favorite emcee on stage at various Hip Hop venues. She is an amazing girl, extremely talented and I can say that she is my friend. You will most likely see Jeanette snapping shots at a Freak City Party or at any Delicious Vinyl event. If you would like see more of her art check out:
www.whyiamagenius.blogspot.com
www.jeanetteparedes.com
Mai Shafik
I just recently met Mai Shafik on a road trip to SXSW in Austin, Texas. I was introduced to her through my friend and Producer/Emcee, Dae One. Who would have known that we would have connected on so many levels. I think of the word, "serendipity" when I think of our introduction. I just wanted to experience SXSW and needed a ride. Dae told me that some of his homies were coming up and I could possibly hitch a ride with them. What a blessing in disguise. We didn't even start conversating about our love of film and music till after our 2 day excursion wandering the streets of downtown. The more we talked on our 22 hour drive back home to Los Angeles is that we had many same passions, views and values. Mai has worked with many Hip Hop artists such as Bad Lucc, El Prez, Jansport & Hawdwerk and the most recent project with her crew DRG Films, U-N-I Love Supreme Documentary. You can see links to work she has done with DRG Films. She has been working with them since 2002. You will definitely be hearing more from this talented and wonderful person, Mai Shafik.
http://drgfilms.tumblr.com/
You can follow Mai on twitter @msDRG
Why are there so few female filmmakers & photographers? Why the lack of? or atleast the lack of recognition. It's as if we have been wiped out of the books of entertainment history. Could it be that women are seen as organizers, great at delegating and keeping the house in order - tasks that in the film industry are done by producers - while the men take on the role of director, seemingly giving them power and authority.
Well, we do exist but the numbers are few. Thankfully, things are progressively starting to change. Ladies behind the lens are beginning to flood today's theaters more than ever, with movies as diverse as the women themselves. Yet the struggle for equality, recognition and respect continues.
I believe we play a very important and significant role in our time & era. We are pioneers stepping foot in a predominantly male driven industry. Capturing a time in Hip Hop where new artists are beginning to emerge. The public will always be able to look back and remember the underdog emcees, musicians, producers, fashion, and Hip Hop culture in all its entirety, all through the lens. I am just wanting to pay homage to the females who are help making this happen.
I'm an artist, poet, writer, photographer, music video director & aspiring filmmaker. I am truly thankful to all my musician friends who have entrusted me with their music and allowed me to provide a visual experience to their art.
As an artist, I have always been drawn to capturing love through the lens. Whether it be a child smiling, lovers kissing, an emcee rocking the mic on stage or simply capturing a beautiful sunset. All of these images to me represent love. I have always said that an emcee and a filmmaker are very similiar. We are both storytellers. We are telling a story from words which casts a visual image in one's mind or on screen. We are alot alike in many ways.
I know there are alot of dope photographers all across the globe but I wanted to highlight three special ladies that live right here in Los Angeles. Kyla Wright, Jeanette Parades and Mai Shafik. I will also have the priveledge to be working with two of them this weekend on Frank Nitt's new single with Delicious Vinyl records, "You Go Girl" produced by Terrace Martin featuring,Its A Problem. These ladies are Mrs. Kyla Wright and Jeanette Parades. I will be assisting the talented director Stephen Dummit. Kyla Wright is lead stylist. Jeanette Parades is the lighting director and key grip. Stay tuned for the video. There will be many cameo appearances.
I posted below, just a few of my favorite shots that represent my hearts interests. I also put up some really cool clips of some female directors that inspired me to continue. If you would like to see more of my work, please check myspace.com/lovetiana75. You can add me on Facebook and check my work out there.
My last words I wanted to impart to all women of every color, young & old, all over the globe. Never give up on your dreams. We have been given the gift to tell stories through the lens. Our numbers are few, that is why we really need to support and encourage one another in our craft. In full support and unity rather than competition or division. We represent the ladies behind the lens. We are all one. We represent us. The world needs to see what we see. We add a different, unique and beautiful outlook towards life. The world is waiting. Best of Luck and God bless. LOVETIANA
Talented female directors are all over the globe. Each have a different story to tell.
First female director at CBS. Started out as a receptionist for company.
Female director discussing her shortcomings. I can relate to her alot.
Kyla Wright
If you don't know who Kyla is then you must not have any knowledge of the LA/Detroit Hip Hop scene. Kyla is a hard working, innovative, fashion foward, business savvy, and a lover of Hip Hop culture. She is usually spotted on Sundays at the Do Over capturing Sangria spilled shirts as well as DJ's, emcees and faces in the crowd at a Night Life, Rootdown, or Dilla Tribute event. Kyla is a pioneer and definitely gets my vote as a great representative of a lady behind the lens. You can check out her blog at www.blacknbling.com
Jeanette Parades
I have worked with Jeanette Parades many times on set or capturing a performance of your favorite emcee on stage at various Hip Hop venues. She is an amazing girl, extremely talented and I can say that she is my friend. You will most likely see Jeanette snapping shots at a Freak City Party or at any Delicious Vinyl event. If you would like see more of her art check out:
www.whyiamagenius.blogspot.com
www.jeanetteparedes.com
Mai Shafik
I just recently met Mai Shafik on a road trip to SXSW in Austin, Texas. I was introduced to her through my friend and Producer/Emcee, Dae One. Who would have known that we would have connected on so many levels. I think of the word, "serendipity" when I think of our introduction. I just wanted to experience SXSW and needed a ride. Dae told me that some of his homies were coming up and I could possibly hitch a ride with them. What a blessing in disguise. We didn't even start conversating about our love of film and music till after our 2 day excursion wandering the streets of downtown. The more we talked on our 22 hour drive back home to Los Angeles is that we had many same passions, views and values. Mai has worked with many Hip Hop artists such as Bad Lucc, El Prez, Jansport & Hawdwerk and the most recent project with her crew DRG Films, U-N-I Love Supreme Documentary. You can see links to work she has done with DRG Films. She has been working with them since 2002. You will definitely be hearing more from this talented and wonderful person, Mai Shafik.
http://drgfilms.tumblr.com/
You can follow Mai on twitter @msDRG
A Love Supreme 2.0 (Trailer) from DRG Films on Vimeo.
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Monday, February 15, 2010
I LOVE PRINCE
The very first live performance of Purple Rain in Minnesota in 1983. History right here. Please enjoy before this is removed. WOW. I am going crazy right now.
Prince Rogers Nelson was born June 7, 1958, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, to John L. Nelson and Mattie Shaw.Prince's father was a pianist and songwriter and his mother was a jazz singer. Prince was named after his father, whose stage name was Prince Rogers, and who performed with a jazz group called the Prince Rogers Trio. In a 1991 Current Affair interview, Prince's father said, “I named my son Prince because I wanted him to do everything I wanted to do.”Prince's childhood nickname was Skipper.
In a PBS interview Prince told Tavis Smiley that he was "born epileptic" and "used to have seizures" when he was young. During the interview Prince also said that “My mother told me, one day I walked into her and said mom I’m not going to be sick anymore, and she said ‘why?’ and I said; ‘an angel told me so.’”
Prince's sister Tyka was born in 1960. Prince's parents then separated when Prince was ten years old and Prince lived with his father. Prince moved out after his father found him in bed with a female friend. Prince moved into the home of a neighbor, the Andersons, and befriended their son, Andre Anderson who later became known as André Cymone).
Prince and Anderson joined Prince's cousin, Charles Smith, in a band called Grand Central while they were attending Minneapolis's Central High School (which later merged with South High School). Smith was later replaced by Morris Day on the drums. Prince played piano and guitar for the band which performed at clubs and parties in the Minneapolis area and was managed by the mother of one of the band members.[citation needed] Grand Central later changed its name to Champagne and started playing original music influenced by Sly & the Family Stone, James Brown, Earth, Wind & Fire, Miles Davis, Parliament-Funkadelic, Carlos Santana and Jimi Hendrix.During this time Prince was also a student at the Minnesota Dance Theatre.
Career
In 1976, Prince created a demo tape with producer Chris Moon in Moon's Minneapolis studio. Unable to secure a recording contract, Moon brought the tape to Minneapolis businessman Owen Husney. Husney signed Prince, at the age of 17, to a management contract and helped Prince create a demo recording at Sound 80 Studios in Minneapolis using producer/engineer David Z. The demo recording, along with a press kit produced at Husney's ad agency, resulted in interest from several record companies including Warner Bros., A&M, and Columbia records. With the help of Husney, Prince signed a recording contract with Warner Bros. records. Warner Bros. agreed to give Prince creative control for three albums and ownership of the publishing rights.[citation needed] Husney and Prince then left Minneapolis and moved to Sausalito where Prince's first album, For You, was recorded at the Record Plant recording studio. Subsequently, the album was mixed in Los Angeles and released in 1978.
Musical beginnings: 1977–80
In 1977, Pepe Willie, the husband of Prince's cousin, Shantel, formed the band 94 East with Marcy Ingvoldstad and Kristie Lazenberry. Willie added Andre Cymone and Prince to the band. Prince composed music for the lyrics written by Willie and played guitar and keyboards on some studio recordings. Prince also wrote for 94 East including the song Just Another Sucker. The band recorded tracks which later became the album Minneapolis Genius – The Historic 1977 Recordings. In 1995, Willie released the album 94 East featuring Prince, Symbolic Beginning which included original recordings by Prince and Cymone.
Prince released the album For You on April 17, 1978. The album was written and performed by Prince, except for the song "Soft and Wet" which had lyrics co-written by Moon. According to the For You album notes Prince produced, arranged, composed and played all 27 instruments on the recording.
The cost of recording the album was twice Prince's initial advance. Prince used the Prince's Music Co. to publish his songs. The single from the album reached #12 on the Soul chart and #92 on the Pop chart. The song "Just as Long as We're Together" reached #91 on the Soul chart.
In 1979 Prince created a band which included André Cymone on bass, Dez Dickerson on guitar, Gayle Chapman and Doctor Fink on keyboards, and Bobby Z on drums. Their first show was at the Capri Theater on January 5, 1979. Warner Bros. executives attended the show but decided that Prince and the band needed more time to develop his music.
In October 1979, Prince released a self-titled album Prince, which was #4 on the Billboard R&B charts, and contained two R&B hits: "Why You Wanna Treat Me So Bad?" and "I Wanna Be Your Lover". Prince performed both these songs on January 26, 1980, on American Bandstand. On this album, Prince used Ecnirp Music – BMI.
Prince's next album Dirty Mind was "certified gold" and the single "Uptown" reached #11 on the Billboard chart and #1 on the R&B charts. Prince was also the opening act for Rick James' 1980 Fire it Up tour.
Controversy era: 1980–84
In 1980 Prince released the album, Dirty Mind, which he recorded in his own studio. Dirty Mind contained sexually explicit material, including the title song, "Head", and the song "Sister". In February 1981, Prince made his first appearance on Saturday Night Live, performing "Partyup".
The songs on Controversy were published by Controversy Music – ASCAP a practice he continued until the Emancipation album in 1996.
In 1981, Prince formed a "side project" band called The Time. The Time released four albums between 1981 and 1990, with Prince writing and performing most of the instrumentation and backing vocals, with lead vocals by Morris Day.
In 1982, Prince released a double album called 1999 which sold over three million copies.The title track was a protest against nuclear proliferation and became his first top ten hit in countries outside the U.S. With his video for "Little Red Corvette" he joined Michael Jackson and Lionel Richie as part of the first wave of black artists on MTV.[citation needed] The song "Delirious" also placed in the top ten on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. The album was also number six in The Village Voice's annual Pazz & Jop critics poll for 1983.
[edit] The Revolution: 1984–87
During this period Prince referred to his band as The Revolution. The band's name was also printed, in reverse, on the cover of 1999 inside the letter "I" of the word "Prince". The band consisted of Lisa Coleman and Doctor Fink on keyboards, Bobby Z. on drums, and Brown Mark on bass, and Dez Dickerson on guitar. Following the 1999 tour, Dickerson left the group for religious reasons. In the 2003 book Possessed: The Rise and Fall of Prince, author Alex Hahn says that Dickerson was reluctant to sign a three year contract and wanted to pursue other musical ventures. Dickerson was replaced by Wendy Melvoin, a childhood friend of Coleman. At first the band was used sparsely in the studio but this gradually changed during the mid-1980s.
Prince's 1984 album Purple Rain sold more than thirteen million copies in the U.S. and spent twenty-four consecutive weeks at #1 on the Billboard 200 chart. The film of the same name won an Academy Award and grossed more than $80 million in the U.S.
Songs from the film were hits on pop charts around the world, while "When Doves Cry" and "Let's Go Crazy" reached #1 and the title track reached #2 on the Billboard Hot 100. At one point the #1 film, #1 single, and #1 album in the U.S. were Prince creations.[citation needed] Prince won the Academy Award for Best Original Song Score for Purple Rain, and the album is ranked 72nd Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Albums of All Time.The album is also part of Time magazine's All-Time 100 Albums.
Prince performing in Brussels during the Hit N Run Tour in 1986 After Tipper Gore heard her 12-year-old daughter Karenna listening to Prince's song "Darling Nikki" she founded the Parents Music Resource Center. The center advocates the mandatory use of a warning label ("Parental Advisory: Explicit Lyrics") on the covers of records that have been judged to contain language or lyrical content unsuitable for minors. The recording industry later complied with this request.
In 1985 Prince announced that he would discontinue live performances and music videos after the release of his next album. His subsequent recording Around the World in a Day, held the #1 spot on the Billboard 200 for three weeks.
In 1986 his album Parade reached #3 on the Billboard 200 and #2 on the R&B charts. The first single, "Kiss", reached #1 on the Billboard Hot 100. The song was originally written for a side project called Mazarati. That same year the song "Manic Monday" which was written Prince and recorded by The Bangles, reached #2 on the Hot 100 chart.
The album Parade served as the soundtrack for Prince's second film, Under the Cherry Moon. Prince directed and starred in the movie, which also featured Kristen Scott Thomas. In 1986, Prince began a series of sporadic live performances called the Hit N Run Tour. The European tour went to Europe in the summer and ended that September in Japan.
After the tour Prince fired Wendy & Lisa and replaced Bobby Z. with Sheila E.. Brown Mark quit the band while keyboardist Matt Fink remained. Prince then recruited new band members Miko Weaver on guitar, Atlanta Bliss on trumpet, Eric Leeds on saxophone, Boni Boyer on keyboards, Levi Seacer, Jr. on bass and dancer Cat Glover. (Wikipedia)
Prince Rogers Nelson was born June 7, 1958, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, to John L. Nelson and Mattie Shaw.Prince's father was a pianist and songwriter and his mother was a jazz singer. Prince was named after his father, whose stage name was Prince Rogers, and who performed with a jazz group called the Prince Rogers Trio. In a 1991 Current Affair interview, Prince's father said, “I named my son Prince because I wanted him to do everything I wanted to do.”Prince's childhood nickname was Skipper.
In a PBS interview Prince told Tavis Smiley that he was "born epileptic" and "used to have seizures" when he was young. During the interview Prince also said that “My mother told me, one day I walked into her and said mom I’m not going to be sick anymore, and she said ‘why?’ and I said; ‘an angel told me so.’”
Prince's sister Tyka was born in 1960. Prince's parents then separated when Prince was ten years old and Prince lived with his father. Prince moved out after his father found him in bed with a female friend. Prince moved into the home of a neighbor, the Andersons, and befriended their son, Andre Anderson who later became known as André Cymone).
Prince and Anderson joined Prince's cousin, Charles Smith, in a band called Grand Central while they were attending Minneapolis's Central High School (which later merged with South High School). Smith was later replaced by Morris Day on the drums. Prince played piano and guitar for the band which performed at clubs and parties in the Minneapolis area and was managed by the mother of one of the band members.[citation needed] Grand Central later changed its name to Champagne and started playing original music influenced by Sly & the Family Stone, James Brown, Earth, Wind & Fire, Miles Davis, Parliament-Funkadelic, Carlos Santana and Jimi Hendrix.During this time Prince was also a student at the Minnesota Dance Theatre.
Career
In 1976, Prince created a demo tape with producer Chris Moon in Moon's Minneapolis studio. Unable to secure a recording contract, Moon brought the tape to Minneapolis businessman Owen Husney. Husney signed Prince, at the age of 17, to a management contract and helped Prince create a demo recording at Sound 80 Studios in Minneapolis using producer/engineer David Z. The demo recording, along with a press kit produced at Husney's ad agency, resulted in interest from several record companies including Warner Bros., A&M, and Columbia records. With the help of Husney, Prince signed a recording contract with Warner Bros. records. Warner Bros. agreed to give Prince creative control for three albums and ownership of the publishing rights.[citation needed] Husney and Prince then left Minneapolis and moved to Sausalito where Prince's first album, For You, was recorded at the Record Plant recording studio. Subsequently, the album was mixed in Los Angeles and released in 1978.
Musical beginnings: 1977–80
In 1977, Pepe Willie, the husband of Prince's cousin, Shantel, formed the band 94 East with Marcy Ingvoldstad and Kristie Lazenberry. Willie added Andre Cymone and Prince to the band. Prince composed music for the lyrics written by Willie and played guitar and keyboards on some studio recordings. Prince also wrote for 94 East including the song Just Another Sucker. The band recorded tracks which later became the album Minneapolis Genius – The Historic 1977 Recordings. In 1995, Willie released the album 94 East featuring Prince, Symbolic Beginning which included original recordings by Prince and Cymone.
Prince released the album For You on April 17, 1978. The album was written and performed by Prince, except for the song "Soft and Wet" which had lyrics co-written by Moon. According to the For You album notes Prince produced, arranged, composed and played all 27 instruments on the recording.
The cost of recording the album was twice Prince's initial advance. Prince used the Prince's Music Co. to publish his songs. The single from the album reached #12 on the Soul chart and #92 on the Pop chart. The song "Just as Long as We're Together" reached #91 on the Soul chart.
In 1979 Prince created a band which included André Cymone on bass, Dez Dickerson on guitar, Gayle Chapman and Doctor Fink on keyboards, and Bobby Z on drums. Their first show was at the Capri Theater on January 5, 1979. Warner Bros. executives attended the show but decided that Prince and the band needed more time to develop his music.
In October 1979, Prince released a self-titled album Prince, which was #4 on the Billboard R&B charts, and contained two R&B hits: "Why You Wanna Treat Me So Bad?" and "I Wanna Be Your Lover". Prince performed both these songs on January 26, 1980, on American Bandstand. On this album, Prince used Ecnirp Music – BMI.
Prince's next album Dirty Mind was "certified gold" and the single "Uptown" reached #11 on the Billboard chart and #1 on the R&B charts. Prince was also the opening act for Rick James' 1980 Fire it Up tour.
Controversy era: 1980–84
In 1980 Prince released the album, Dirty Mind, which he recorded in his own studio. Dirty Mind contained sexually explicit material, including the title song, "Head", and the song "Sister". In February 1981, Prince made his first appearance on Saturday Night Live, performing "Partyup".
The songs on Controversy were published by Controversy Music – ASCAP a practice he continued until the Emancipation album in 1996.
In 1981, Prince formed a "side project" band called The Time. The Time released four albums between 1981 and 1990, with Prince writing and performing most of the instrumentation and backing vocals, with lead vocals by Morris Day.
In 1982, Prince released a double album called 1999 which sold over three million copies.The title track was a protest against nuclear proliferation and became his first top ten hit in countries outside the U.S. With his video for "Little Red Corvette" he joined Michael Jackson and Lionel Richie as part of the first wave of black artists on MTV.[citation needed] The song "Delirious" also placed in the top ten on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. The album was also number six in The Village Voice's annual Pazz & Jop critics poll for 1983.
[edit] The Revolution: 1984–87
During this period Prince referred to his band as The Revolution. The band's name was also printed, in reverse, on the cover of 1999 inside the letter "I" of the word "Prince". The band consisted of Lisa Coleman and Doctor Fink on keyboards, Bobby Z. on drums, and Brown Mark on bass, and Dez Dickerson on guitar. Following the 1999 tour, Dickerson left the group for religious reasons. In the 2003 book Possessed: The Rise and Fall of Prince, author Alex Hahn says that Dickerson was reluctant to sign a three year contract and wanted to pursue other musical ventures. Dickerson was replaced by Wendy Melvoin, a childhood friend of Coleman. At first the band was used sparsely in the studio but this gradually changed during the mid-1980s.
Prince's 1984 album Purple Rain sold more than thirteen million copies in the U.S. and spent twenty-four consecutive weeks at #1 on the Billboard 200 chart. The film of the same name won an Academy Award and grossed more than $80 million in the U.S.
Songs from the film were hits on pop charts around the world, while "When Doves Cry" and "Let's Go Crazy" reached #1 and the title track reached #2 on the Billboard Hot 100. At one point the #1 film, #1 single, and #1 album in the U.S. were Prince creations.[citation needed] Prince won the Academy Award for Best Original Song Score for Purple Rain, and the album is ranked 72nd Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Albums of All Time.The album is also part of Time magazine's All-Time 100 Albums.
Prince performing in Brussels during the Hit N Run Tour in 1986 After Tipper Gore heard her 12-year-old daughter Karenna listening to Prince's song "Darling Nikki" she founded the Parents Music Resource Center. The center advocates the mandatory use of a warning label ("Parental Advisory: Explicit Lyrics") on the covers of records that have been judged to contain language or lyrical content unsuitable for minors. The recording industry later complied with this request.
In 1985 Prince announced that he would discontinue live performances and music videos after the release of his next album. His subsequent recording Around the World in a Day, held the #1 spot on the Billboard 200 for three weeks.
In 1986 his album Parade reached #3 on the Billboard 200 and #2 on the R&B charts. The first single, "Kiss", reached #1 on the Billboard Hot 100. The song was originally written for a side project called Mazarati. That same year the song "Manic Monday" which was written Prince and recorded by The Bangles, reached #2 on the Hot 100 chart.
The album Parade served as the soundtrack for Prince's second film, Under the Cherry Moon. Prince directed and starred in the movie, which also featured Kristen Scott Thomas. In 1986, Prince began a series of sporadic live performances called the Hit N Run Tour. The European tour went to Europe in the summer and ended that September in Japan.
After the tour Prince fired Wendy & Lisa and replaced Bobby Z. with Sheila E.. Brown Mark quit the band while keyboardist Matt Fink remained. Prince then recruited new band members Miko Weaver on guitar, Atlanta Bliss on trumpet, Eric Leeds on saxophone, Boni Boyer on keyboards, Levi Seacer, Jr. on bass and dancer Cat Glover. (Wikipedia)
Friday, January 22, 2010
Age of Aquarius
My born day is February 12, 1975 which makes me an Aquarius. I am a humanitarian and have a passion to bring the people together. We are artists. Strange. Artistic. Revolutionaries. Peace Makers.
Now in the Age of Aquarius, everything becomes unified. All our differences, all our dualities mix together like the fragrances of a flower shop, with all of the different flowers adding their bouquet to the overall mix until they are inseparable. Each individual flower remains distinct and individual, each one’s fragrance is unique and discernible when you come up close to it, yet joined together in unity with the others in the wonderful mixture that is the smell of the shop.Our individual worth comes from inside, from what we have inside, through our development, our evolution, and what we can give to society. Now our drastic differences dissolve and we integrate into the whole. We integrate and unify with the energy of the universe, with the great cosmic spirit.Mystically, Aquarius signifies friendship. Friendship bursts upon us in its most elevated sense, in its most noble aspect — with understanding, collaboration, and fraternity. Love and friendship will have nothing to do with possessing or ego. The idea of love meaning "you belong to me" ends in the New Age. The thought of friends of convenience, friendship based on an ulterior motive such as business ends. Love and friendship based on anything other than pure love, the divine and pure love of God, changes the sentiment into a coin of exchange — you no longer have love or friendship because of who you are, but because of what you do or can do for me.This is the era of peace, of unity, of love. The polarity of Aquarius, Leo, floods us with its complementary characteristics. The celestial throne of the Sun, Leo, encourages, ennobles, enriches, and enlightens us for the growth of our hearts, the growth of our inner beings. Together with Aquarius, Leo promotes the integration of our individuality with our unity with all humanity. We realize that we must first be something in and of ourselves to be something for others.
Aquarius
January 20 - February 18
Aquarius is the eleventh Sign of the Zodiac, and Aquarians are the perfect representatives for the Age of Aquarius. Those born under this Sign have the social conscience needed to carry us into the new millennium. These folks are humanitarian, philanthropic and keenly interested in making the world a better place. Along those lines, they'd like to make the world work better, which is why they focus much of their energy on our social institutions and how they work (or don't work). Aquarians are visionaries, progressive souls who love to spend time thinking about how things can be better. They are also quick to engage others in this process, which is why they have so many friends and acquaintances. Making the world a better place is a collaborative effort for Aquarians.
The Sign of Aquarius is symbolized by the Water Bearer. In much the same way that the Water Bearer brings that precious liquid as a gift, Aquarians shower the world with their thoughts and new ideas. Luckily for Aquarians (and the rest of us), they are at a near-genius level, so their minds churn out some amazing things. Their thought process is also inventive and original. While Aquarians are happy to bestow these ideas as a gift with no strings attached, they are much happier when the rest of the world agrees with them. Naysayers will quickly find out that Aquarians can be impatient, even temperamental, with those who disagree. Yes, these folks can be quite fixed in their opinions, in keeping with the Fixed Quality assigned to this Sign. Even though Aquarians are happy to give, and they do, it's often on their terms and within their comfort level. Generally, that means ample space, since these folks are freedom-loving and individualistic and need to roam (and yes, they do enjoy travel). While Aquarians are generally sympathetic and compassionate, they like it when things go their own quirky way. Some might call their behavior eccentric (and they would be right), but when you consider that the Aquarian's heart is truly in the right place, a few oddities should be overlooked. In their own way, Aquarians treasure their many friends and acquaintances and want to give back as much as they can. They do not give themselves easily - perhaps their judgment of human nature is too good for that - and are sometimes accounted cold. But once they decide that someone is worthy of their friendship or love, they can exert an almost hypnotic and irresistible mental attraction on them and will themselves become tenacious friends or lovers, ready to sacrifice everything for their partners and be faithful to them for life. However, they are sometimes disappointed emotionally because their own high personal ideals cause them to demand more of others than is reasonable. And if they are deceived their anger is terrible. If disillusioned, they do not forgive. Aquarians work best in group projects, provided that they are recognized as having a leading part in them. They have a feeling of unity with nature and a desire for knowledge and truth that makes them admirable scientists, especially astronomers and natural historians. They may excel in photography, radiography, electronics - anything connected with the electrical and radio industries - aviation and everything technical. On the arts and humanities side their progressive tendencies can be expressed in writing, especially poetry, and broadcasting, or as welfare workers and teachers. Some have gifts as entertainers and make good character actors (having an ability to mimic) and musicians. The more psychic among them possess healing gifts, especially in curing the mentally sick. Aquarians have a gift of healing and they use it through their arts whether music, poetry or their words.
From the album Soul Zodiac by Cannonball Adderly and Nat Adderly & their sextet featuring Rick Holmes
Now in the Age of Aquarius, everything becomes unified. All our differences, all our dualities mix together like the fragrances of a flower shop, with all of the different flowers adding their bouquet to the overall mix until they are inseparable. Each individual flower remains distinct and individual, each one’s fragrance is unique and discernible when you come up close to it, yet joined together in unity with the others in the wonderful mixture that is the smell of the shop.Our individual worth comes from inside, from what we have inside, through our development, our evolution, and what we can give to society. Now our drastic differences dissolve and we integrate into the whole. We integrate and unify with the energy of the universe, with the great cosmic spirit.Mystically, Aquarius signifies friendship. Friendship bursts upon us in its most elevated sense, in its most noble aspect — with understanding, collaboration, and fraternity. Love and friendship will have nothing to do with possessing or ego. The idea of love meaning "you belong to me" ends in the New Age. The thought of friends of convenience, friendship based on an ulterior motive such as business ends. Love and friendship based on anything other than pure love, the divine and pure love of God, changes the sentiment into a coin of exchange — you no longer have love or friendship because of who you are, but because of what you do or can do for me.This is the era of peace, of unity, of love. The polarity of Aquarius, Leo, floods us with its complementary characteristics. The celestial throne of the Sun, Leo, encourages, ennobles, enriches, and enlightens us for the growth of our hearts, the growth of our inner beings. Together with Aquarius, Leo promotes the integration of our individuality with our unity with all humanity. We realize that we must first be something in and of ourselves to be something for others.
Aquarius
January 20 - February 18
Aquarius is the eleventh Sign of the Zodiac, and Aquarians are the perfect representatives for the Age of Aquarius. Those born under this Sign have the social conscience needed to carry us into the new millennium. These folks are humanitarian, philanthropic and keenly interested in making the world a better place. Along those lines, they'd like to make the world work better, which is why they focus much of their energy on our social institutions and how they work (or don't work). Aquarians are visionaries, progressive souls who love to spend time thinking about how things can be better. They are also quick to engage others in this process, which is why they have so many friends and acquaintances. Making the world a better place is a collaborative effort for Aquarians.
The Sign of Aquarius is symbolized by the Water Bearer. In much the same way that the Water Bearer brings that precious liquid as a gift, Aquarians shower the world with their thoughts and new ideas. Luckily for Aquarians (and the rest of us), they are at a near-genius level, so their minds churn out some amazing things. Their thought process is also inventive and original. While Aquarians are happy to bestow these ideas as a gift with no strings attached, they are much happier when the rest of the world agrees with them. Naysayers will quickly find out that Aquarians can be impatient, even temperamental, with those who disagree. Yes, these folks can be quite fixed in their opinions, in keeping with the Fixed Quality assigned to this Sign. Even though Aquarians are happy to give, and they do, it's often on their terms and within their comfort level. Generally, that means ample space, since these folks are freedom-loving and individualistic and need to roam (and yes, they do enjoy travel). While Aquarians are generally sympathetic and compassionate, they like it when things go their own quirky way. Some might call their behavior eccentric (and they would be right), but when you consider that the Aquarian's heart is truly in the right place, a few oddities should be overlooked. In their own way, Aquarians treasure their many friends and acquaintances and want to give back as much as they can. They do not give themselves easily - perhaps their judgment of human nature is too good for that - and are sometimes accounted cold. But once they decide that someone is worthy of their friendship or love, they can exert an almost hypnotic and irresistible mental attraction on them and will themselves become tenacious friends or lovers, ready to sacrifice everything for their partners and be faithful to them for life. However, they are sometimes disappointed emotionally because their own high personal ideals cause them to demand more of others than is reasonable. And if they are deceived their anger is terrible. If disillusioned, they do not forgive. Aquarians work best in group projects, provided that they are recognized as having a leading part in them. They have a feeling of unity with nature and a desire for knowledge and truth that makes them admirable scientists, especially astronomers and natural historians. They may excel in photography, radiography, electronics - anything connected with the electrical and radio industries - aviation and everything technical. On the arts and humanities side their progressive tendencies can be expressed in writing, especially poetry, and broadcasting, or as welfare workers and teachers. Some have gifts as entertainers and make good character actors (having an ability to mimic) and musicians. The more psychic among them possess healing gifts, especially in curing the mentally sick. Aquarians have a gift of healing and they use it through their arts whether music, poetry or their words.
From the album Soul Zodiac by Cannonball Adderly and Nat Adderly & their sextet featuring Rick Holmes
Monday, January 18, 2010
Be An Extremists For Love
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. is a man who my life has personally been inspired by. He is my personal hero and I want to acknowledge him in honor of his birthday. I am drawn to men & women who inspire me by their words, actions & courageous spirit in the midst of opposition and adversity. He stood up for what was right even when it was not socially acceptable.
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. is one of the very few political leaders that ignites my spirit when I hear him speak. His speeches always leave me feeling empowered. Truth, passion & conviction resonate with my soul & provokes me to rise up to be a better human being.
His words inspire me to serve my brothers, sisters and my community. I can personally say my involvement with my community, "Alliance for Lupus Research" and "Childrens United Nations", has been inspired by his messages that we are to serve others.
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.has been that example to me of what a true leader is. A servant.
I am not a perfect leader. I do not have a background made up of Degrees or come from a financially wealthy family. But I do however strive every day with the resources that surround me to become to be an active leader, friend, servant and example of inspiration like him in my world.
May we all be extremists of love at this capacity or even greater.
Happy Birthday Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Thank you for being a courageous human being without ever losing sight of the vision you had for us, which is freedom. We are still living out your dream.
"Letter from Birmingham Jail" dated April 16, 1963
"But though I was initially disappointed at being categorized as an extremist, as I continued to think about the matter I gradually gained a measure of satisfaction from the label. Was not Jesus an extremist for LOVE: "Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you." Was not Amos an extremist for JUSTICE: "Let justice roll down like waters and righteousness like an ever flowing stream." Was not Paul an extremist for the Christian gospel; "I bear in my body the marks of the Lord Jesus. "Was not Martin Luther an extremist?: "Here I stand; I cannot do otherwise, so help me God. "And John Bunyan: "I will stay in jail to the end of my days before I make a buchery of my conscience, " And Abraham Lincoln: "This nation cannot survive half slave and half free. And Thomas Jefferson: "We hold these truths to be self evident, that all men are created equal..."So the question is not whether we will be extremists, but what kind of extremists we will be?. Will we be extremists for hate or for love? Will we be extremists for the preservation of injustice or for the extension of justice? In that dramatic scene on Calvary's hill three men were crucified. We must never forget that all three were crucified for the same crime-the crime of extremism. Two were extremists for immorality, and thus fell below their environment. The other, Jesus Christ, was an extremist for love, truth and goodness, and thereby rose above his environment. Perhaps the South, the nation and the world are in the direct need of creative extremists.
- Dr. Martin Luther King. Jr.
Let's all be creative extremists for LOVE and strive after greatness and purpose like leaders like this. We are all created to accomplish great things on this planet but always remember these gifts were intended to bring us all back to one thing at that is to LOVE. And it begins with self. Before we see peace and love in our homes, our neighborhoods, our cities, our nation or even our world, this peace that we all desire to see on this planet must FIRST take place within our own hearts.
My Favorite MLK quotes:
Hatred paralyzes life; love releases it. Hatred confuses life; love harmonizes it. Hatred darkens life; love illumines it
--Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. (1929-1968)
Love is the only force capable of transforming an enemy into friend.
--Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. (1929-1968)
Like an unchecked cancer, hate corrodes the personality and eats away its vital unity. Hate
destroys a man's sense of values and his objectivity. It causes him to describe the beautiful as ugly and the ugly as beautiful, and to confuse the true with the false and the false with the true. Power at its best is love implementing the demands of justice. Justice at its best is love correcting everything that stands against love.
--Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. (1929-1968)
Man must evolve for all human conflict a method which rejects revenge, aggression and
retaliation. The foundation of such a method is love.
--Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
We must accept finite disappointment, but we must never lose infinite hope.
--Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
The quality, not the longevity, of one's life is what is important.
--Dr. Martin Luther King Jr
Everybody can be great because anybody can serve.You don't have to have college degree to serve. You don't have to make your subject and verb agree to serve. You only need a heart full of grace. A soul generated by love.
--Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. (1929-1968)
If man hasn't discovered something that he will die for, he isn't fit to live.
--Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Life's most persistent and urgent question is: What are you doing for others?
--Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Every man must decide whether he will walk in the light of creative altruism or the darkness of destructive selfishness. This is the judgment. Life's most persistent and urgent question is,What are you doing for others?
--Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
We must combine the toughness of the serpent and the softness of the dove, a tough mind and a tender heart.
--Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
I know, somehow, that only when it is dark enough can you see the stars.
--Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Let us be dissatisfied until that day when nobody will shout, "White Power!" when nobody will shout, "Black Power!" but everybody will talk about God's power and human power.
--Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. is one of the very few political leaders that ignites my spirit when I hear him speak. His speeches always leave me feeling empowered. Truth, passion & conviction resonate with my soul & provokes me to rise up to be a better human being.
His words inspire me to serve my brothers, sisters and my community. I can personally say my involvement with my community, "Alliance for Lupus Research" and "Childrens United Nations", has been inspired by his messages that we are to serve others.
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.has been that example to me of what a true leader is. A servant.
I am not a perfect leader. I do not have a background made up of Degrees or come from a financially wealthy family. But I do however strive every day with the resources that surround me to become to be an active leader, friend, servant and example of inspiration like him in my world.
May we all be extremists of love at this capacity or even greater.
Happy Birthday Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Thank you for being a courageous human being without ever losing sight of the vision you had for us, which is freedom. We are still living out your dream.
"Letter from Birmingham Jail" dated April 16, 1963
"But though I was initially disappointed at being categorized as an extremist, as I continued to think about the matter I gradually gained a measure of satisfaction from the label. Was not Jesus an extremist for LOVE: "Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you." Was not Amos an extremist for JUSTICE: "Let justice roll down like waters and righteousness like an ever flowing stream." Was not Paul an extremist for the Christian gospel; "I bear in my body the marks of the Lord Jesus. "Was not Martin Luther an extremist?: "Here I stand; I cannot do otherwise, so help me God. "And John Bunyan: "I will stay in jail to the end of my days before I make a buchery of my conscience, " And Abraham Lincoln: "This nation cannot survive half slave and half free. And Thomas Jefferson: "We hold these truths to be self evident, that all men are created equal..."So the question is not whether we will be extremists, but what kind of extremists we will be?. Will we be extremists for hate or for love? Will we be extremists for the preservation of injustice or for the extension of justice? In that dramatic scene on Calvary's hill three men were crucified. We must never forget that all three were crucified for the same crime-the crime of extremism. Two were extremists for immorality, and thus fell below their environment. The other, Jesus Christ, was an extremist for love, truth and goodness, and thereby rose above his environment. Perhaps the South, the nation and the world are in the direct need of creative extremists.
- Dr. Martin Luther King. Jr.
Let's all be creative extremists for LOVE and strive after greatness and purpose like leaders like this. We are all created to accomplish great things on this planet but always remember these gifts were intended to bring us all back to one thing at that is to LOVE. And it begins with self. Before we see peace and love in our homes, our neighborhoods, our cities, our nation or even our world, this peace that we all desire to see on this planet must FIRST take place within our own hearts.
My Favorite MLK quotes:
Hatred paralyzes life; love releases it. Hatred confuses life; love harmonizes it. Hatred darkens life; love illumines it
--Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. (1929-1968)
Love is the only force capable of transforming an enemy into friend.
--Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. (1929-1968)
Like an unchecked cancer, hate corrodes the personality and eats away its vital unity. Hate
destroys a man's sense of values and his objectivity. It causes him to describe the beautiful as ugly and the ugly as beautiful, and to confuse the true with the false and the false with the true. Power at its best is love implementing the demands of justice. Justice at its best is love correcting everything that stands against love.
--Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. (1929-1968)
Man must evolve for all human conflict a method which rejects revenge, aggression and
retaliation. The foundation of such a method is love.
--Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
We must accept finite disappointment, but we must never lose infinite hope.
--Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
The quality, not the longevity, of one's life is what is important.
--Dr. Martin Luther King Jr
Everybody can be great because anybody can serve.You don't have to have college degree to serve. You don't have to make your subject and verb agree to serve. You only need a heart full of grace. A soul generated by love.
--Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. (1929-1968)
If man hasn't discovered something that he will die for, he isn't fit to live.
--Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Life's most persistent and urgent question is: What are you doing for others?
--Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Every man must decide whether he will walk in the light of creative altruism or the darkness of destructive selfishness. This is the judgment. Life's most persistent and urgent question is,What are you doing for others?
--Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
We must combine the toughness of the serpent and the softness of the dove, a tough mind and a tender heart.
--Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
I know, somehow, that only when it is dark enough can you see the stars.
--Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Let us be dissatisfied until that day when nobody will shout, "White Power!" when nobody will shout, "Black Power!" but everybody will talk about God's power and human power.
--Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
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