In a time when music can become popular for having no meaning or message, it’s great when an Artist really takes a chance to makes the audience think. The Barbadian beauty Rihanna slings a gun in her latest video- ‘Man Down’ and kills a man. Although I don’t believe that one act of violence should lead to another act of violence- in the video Rihanna takes vengeance after being sexually assaulted- or raped. The video shows a struggle between Rihanna and a man that follows her . The video blurs into a subdued Rihanna with the mans hand over her mouth as tears stream down her face. The visual is extremely disturbing and powerful. Obviously it scratches the surface of sexual assault- but it’s an important conversation that needs to be had.
The reggae style song features the lyrics “Momma, I just shot a man dead…I never been so proud.” In my heart and mind- I can’t say I wouldn’t side with a woman who has been brutally raped- even though I know 2 wrongs don’t make a right but in countries where women have NO power, they are merely things- the laws of the civilized nations do not apply. A woman cannot go to her lawmakers and demand justice. There is none. Women don’t have a say- and sometimes the justice is just their own.
“Young girls/women all over the world… we are a lot of things!” Rihanna tweeted following the video’s premiere on BET’s “106 & Park” on May 31. “We’re strong, innocent, fun, flirtatious, vulnerable, and sometimes our innocence can cause us to be naïve! We always think it could NEVER be us, but in reality, it can happen to ANY of us! So ladies be careful and #listentoyomama! I love you and I care!”
To all the women out there who have been raped or assaulted, I wish you peace. Death will not make what has been done go away. Ask Gabrielle Union who spoke out in support of the video. Gabrielle, who was a victim of rape herself, says she tried to shoot her rapist as well- but missed. She goes on further to say that in self defense it’s ok, but not ok if pre-meditated. My question is, we show women being hurt and assaulted in the media all the time- but when women are shown reversing the role they are criticized. Why?
Gabrielle tweets “#Mandown video did a GREAT job of getting the ENTIRE world Talking abt RAPE,” she continued. “I hope tht it leads 2 HEALING & PREVENTS RAPE.”
Recently, I put together a fundraiser for Japan with the help Lipstick and Politics volunteers, we enlisted some pretty amazing Bay Area artists who gave their time and love to the Save the Children cause but also gave away CDs and a live performance.
The fabulous thing about Recording artists is that most love the art of sharing their gift- even when they don’t get paid for it. Now how many jobs do you know would accept no payment for giving you something? To be honest I don’t know many. It’s not surprising for me when I see the generosity of artists -if you think about it we get to enjoy music for free everywhere we go…to a mall, in the store, in the car…just about everywhere we like to hang…
Mira Veda and Mixman Shawn
I don’t think things are going to change soon – music will be everywhere- all the time- but what can change is how we see the value of that gift. If we cherished those that gift it to us and the gift itself – don’t you think we could live in a lighter more loving world?
So next time you walk into a restaurant or bar…think about the gift you are getting…
I knew there would be a time when CD’s would become obsolete, now with the closure of Sony’s two remaining US based CD manufacturing plants- it’s becoming a reality. Let’s face it, many of us don’t really have use for the now unpopular CD. We’ve got our multi-use phones or Ipods that suffice to give us the fix of music whenever we want- why would we care to lug around a mound of CDs to get the same satisfaction? In reality, the CD only holds 15-18 songs at most, my much lighter more useful Ipod- well, I think I’ve got close to 2000 of my favorite songs on there.
Cover of my first album
As an Artist, I don’t really care if we lose the CD. I’m all for the Digital Media revolution. We’ve got so much waste in the world , one less piece of plastic is fine by me. Don’t forget, it costs me more to print and distribute CDs, shopping around for reproduction of my new album was a small research project on its own. I would much rather prefer the digital medium where my music sits somewhere in the cloud and anyone who wants it can easily drop it into their Ipod.
Eventually, physical media will be a thing of the past, I am not sure how long the DVD will survive- considering Netflix streams incredible HD quality movies. The fact is, I can see the face of entertainment changing in the next few years. In the next decade, talent will have to trump production- because everyone will be able to create a CD or make a movie.
Reading the Financial Times today, I was a little disturbed to learn that crisis has created the world’s most profitable bank. Yes, you guessed it, the US Federal Reserve.US Federal Reserve turned $80.9bn profit in 2010. According to FT, most of the Fed’s income – a total of $76.2bn – came from interest on approximately $2,000bn of securities that it has acquired as part of its efforts to stimulate the US economy. Not a bad gig, eh? It’s hard not to shake one’s head, sigh at the vile prevaricators who are destroying our prosperity. I don’t really know who to blame . If i were to ask the Fed, they (who ever THEY are) would say they are helping. Obviously, this issue is deeply convoluted and power blinds, so the answers are really no where to be found…not by me anyway, since i don’t have any real intel.
Despite the desire to look at the issues one-sided, I am trying to counterbalance this disgust with the awareness that there are staggering acts of generosity and kindness everyday. People do help one another. There is good. There is Love. Around the world right now, people are giving their time, their money, their much needed resources to solve problems, feed their fellow brothers and sisters and so on. Yes, there is good. We just have to focus on the art and beauty happening around us and be grateful that looking in the mirror is not as hard as it may be for those who spiritless lizards who see the world through greedy eyes.
Yesterday I read a funny quote on twitter from a friend of mine, ” You don’t have to say Happy New Year to anyone after the 15th if you haven’t spoken to them since 2010.” I thought it was not only funny and but true. By the 15th, you should have reached out to all the people you consider your friends- if not then it’s too late! The nostalgia of the New Year is weening and it’s only the 7th- so by the 15th, I imagine it will be a faint memory.
In any case, I am sending out my New Year’s message to you all..because a week into the New Year is still fine (according to my friend) to say Happy New Year!! I hope you tackle the New Year with a deeper understanding of who you are and what you can do. I know I will. I am grateful to make it though the other side- here in 2011. Having survived to drama of 2010, and believe you me, there was drama! A year full of things not going the way i had hoped or planned..but c’est la vie…this is what it means to live and learn.
One thing i know for sure is that a new year brings new promises..so here’s to all the potential stacked in hopes of every fresh day that we encounter- May this year be unbelievable for you!!
It’s been interesting watching the latest Airport security drama unfold as the ThanksGiving Holiday draws near. WIth only a few days left until one of the biggest travel holidays of the year, I am curious if there will actually be an opt-out at the Airports or if travelers will go ahead with the extensive searches.
For those of you who haven’t heard, ThanksGiving is Opt-Out day – you can check out the link http://www.optoutday.com/ for better info about the machines that seem to be outraging passengers. The x-ray scan machines which leave little to the imagination are no better than the new invasive pat-downs.
Having been subject to racial profiling, i will be thankful for one thing on ThanksGIving- that finally the public understands what most of us with brown skin have been dealing with since 9/11. Most of us who travel mean no harm to anyone. We just want to get our destination without hassle. It’s that simple and THERE HAS TO BE A BETTER WAY TO PROTECT GOOD PEOPLE WHO JUST WANT TO TRAVEL.
Now that the target has narrowed in on just about everyone, the voices that seemed to be muted by apathy a few years ago are screaming louder than ever.
Thank God…hopefully now we’ll be forced to get the TSA better training so they can zone in on those who actually do want to harm people.
Happy Thanks Giving!!!!! hope you have a wonderful holiday.xo
I’ve been struggling with the need to change the release date of the new album, but here it is. The new album drops February 14 2011. I thought, why not make it a romantic drop? Since my album is titled “IN LOVE AGAIN”.
At the end of the day, the only competition i have is myself, and the only deadlines i adhere to are the ones i make. So why not make the changes i need to. I have never really considered myself a part of the machine that makes the music but i respect that there is a machine and a structure. If i would have followed the rules, i may have been the rock star i never wanted to be. But here i am, working quietly and sharing with those who will listen. Because after all there is a little bit of refuge in sharing…no?
San Francisco State University Entertainment Impact Study Commissioned
San Francisco Supervisor Candidates Forum, Monday, September 27, 2010
SAN FRANCISCO (Sept. 9, 2010) —The Recording Academy®, San Francisco Chapter announced today the launch of a sustained advocacy campaign to raise awareness of the value that the music and entertainment industry have on the economic and cultural vibrancy of the San Francisco Bay Area. The campaign’s goal is to grow this important sector by building a coalition of industry stakeholders, developing public policy strategies with elected officials, and commissioning an economic impact study.
The findings of the study will be presented at a San Francisco Supervisor Candidates Forum on Monday, Sept. 27, 2010, 6 – 9 p.m., at Yoshi’s San Francisco (1330 Fillmore Street). The San Francisco Chapter has invited candidates running for the five seats being contested in this year’s election to discuss their positions on the issues facing the entertainment community followed by a Q&A with community members. The event, produced in conjunction with the California Music and Culture Association (CMAC), will feature remarks from state Senator Mark Leno (D-San Francisco) and GRAMMY® Award-winning artist Ledisi, and will be moderated by Priya David Clemens, journalist: CBS Network News, KTVU.
Facebook is definitely here to stay, there is no doubt about it. Most of the savvy tech companies are looking to Facebook as way to expand their demographic targeting and get further connected to the largest social network on the web.
A particular music application for Facebook that i have come to appreciate is called BandPages by RootMusic. I love it. For 1.99$ a month, really nothing for a subscription, you can build a page and put music on it. You can even let people download your music if you are so inclined. I have to say, i like it much much better than MySpace.
Visually, RootMusic has created a nice looking platform. It’s very easy to use and the obvious connection to Facebook is a major plus. I believe i will be posting more new music on my BandPage because i feel more connected to my Facebook ‘friends’. I love the comments and insights on what’s going on in my life and my music.
Now..if only we can spread the connection to the real physical world, we’d have it all.
As i sifted through the mess of news and garbage in email and facebook, i thought to myself, “its amazing how we communicate- there are sooooo many ways”. Before Facebook, before the digital revolution- before telephones…we actually use to speak to people face to face. Being in the moment was probably more likely because we didn’t have a million things pulling at our attention.
I am entering a new phase in my life. I am trying very hard to be in the present moment. To consider that moment paramount. To not take calls if i am trying to spend quality time with friends or family. To allow what’s in front of me to be the most important. I have to say, being around children usually makes me realize how the other things i am doing are really not that important at all. My nephews and nieces demand my attention and there really is nothing i wouldn’t do for them. If i treated everyone i met with the same respect…i might just move my life in a better world. A more fulfilling rich world…
well…here i go..trying..
M.
