Sunday, July 14, 2013

Verdict is in

After a few hours, I have calmed down enough to compose a logical message. The news of George Zimmerman being found not guilty for the obvious murder of a young teenage black boy, did not surprise me. However, the verdict still sparked a fire inside of me.  Throughout the Trayvon Martin trial, it was clear to me that he was going to get off.  Zimmerman was going to walk out the courtroom a free man because he was just carrying out he normal behavior of this country.  As I kept up with the news and tracked my social media timeline, I saw that people were still unable to grasp the totality of what this case meant.  Yes, the actions of Zimmerman are disgusting, but what we should be more appalled with is the fact this case showed in 2013 nothing inside of this "great country" has changed.

America was built on murder, to be more specific, the murder of African people. What this case proved was that today, in 2013 with your silent black president, the African body still means nothing. I would like for people to take a look at what is important here in these states and recognize, that it is not you. Whether you are black or white, hispanic or asian. If you are a breathing living creature, you do not matter in this country.  With that being said, I bring the focus back to African people because we are a group that has been severely oppressed and will continue to be if we do not get ourselves straight.  We can not continue to rely on this country to have our backs.  We can not continue to rely on this country to bring about justice and or peace.  We can and must only rely on ourselves.  

While people are trying to figure out what to do, I am displeased with the answer being to riot.  Why have I not heard anything about establishing unity?  Coming together as one should ALWAYS be the first step in taking action. Working as a unit and having solidarity is the best way to get through times like this.  Furthermore, operating as a people is what we need to demonstrate that we mean business.  How can we ever expect others to respect our minds, bodies, rights, families, children, women, and men if we are unable to do that for ourselves?  Our attention needs to be on the following: 1) Unity/Community- this would be inclusive of strengthening our relationships and families, and forging better platonic bonds where we don't have hate from woman to woman, or man to man, or woman to man, and man to woman. 2) Education and Economy and 3) Health and spirituality. This trial was an indication that we are still in a struggle!  We are still struggling with ourselves and answers will not be found in contentment and the constant begging of approval from a country that will never and has never accepted you!  Our dependency on grand wizard America is gross. Our mind set is disturbing and we need to break away from it immediately. 

While we work on reclaiming our greatness as a people, the global community has a job to do as well!  People of all races and ethic backgrounds should be filled with emotion and start taking action.  Wrong is wrong, and right is right.  What happened with Trayvon Martin was WRONG.   There is no other way to put it.  In order to have a transformation, we as human beings have to stop perpetuating these ridiculous ideologies that have been placed on groups of people.  I do believe that my generation and the generation after us have a fighting chance at doing this.  We have a fighting chance at transforming many issues that plague this society from race to poverty.  I hope that in my lifetime I am able to see the destruction of the tyranny we are under.  I hope that we are able to create a brighter future for our children where they are not gunned down with snacks, burdened with insane debt, or spied on.  We should want to implement a better way to live- if we don't, then we have done a grave injustice to ourselves and those who come after us!

Friday, June 28, 2013

Stacyann Chin- Such a BEAST (in a good way)

Last night, I had the opportunity to go see a live reading by poets and authors at an event called Vona. Amongst them were writers such as Junot Diaz, Jimmy Santiago Baca, David Mura, Faith Adiele, Ruth Forman, and my personal favorite, Stacyann Chin.

All of the writers were amazing, but this particular piece by Stacyann was just phenomenal!  Stacyann is a spoken word poet, performing artist and LGBT rights activist.  She has the most adorable baby girl and is just a thorough ass WOMAN.  She got up on stage last night ( I wish I could have recorded it, but I wasn't ready- I know... I got caught slippin) and told us about a tweet this man sent her that read: You're a dirty carpet munching cunt that belongs in my kitchen, washing my dishes and cock. Write a poem about that....”  and so she did.  I found a video of her performing the poem and I got the words just in case you need to that too.  ENJOY



Obviously
you are a rotting dick/an ass wipe
an open sore existing
among the worst tumors that plague humanity

you are an apology someone should have made
to women
centuries ago

today you remain
a very good reason abortions should be legal
and available
to every woman who finds herself
carrying the figurative fetus of your fetid misogyny

get the fuck out of my womb
you hater of your own origin
you forget you came from some woman’s cunt
the pussy you so deride
provided path for you
to get here spewing such sick soliloquy

your existence
makes a good argument for capital punishment
only I hold myself
accountable to a more compassionate code of ethics
so I refrain from advocating
for the archaic quartering of you
I will also resist the urge
to imagine you shackled in sequestered servitude
kneeling at the altar of some woman’s holy cunt
washing her feet with your mouth
only
I would not wish her the degradation
of your tongue on her flesh
your feet on her floors

you are the thing I will spend my entire life
trying to protect my daughter
from/the slime of your ignorance
the sweat of your hate
coward that you are
hiding behind the intangible shroud of the virtual
your keystrokes are the only ones with any power
impotent
unimportant little man
you splatter the male identity
with the putridity you exude
rotting apple/gonorrheal wound
refusing to heal/you would have us conclude
that most people with penises are like you

but for the stellar examples of men in my life
I would think you the norm
your actions would inform the love I cradle
for the small boys in my circle
earnestly learning
how to be better than the monster you are

far and away
fairy tales and fiction pervade what they know of vaginas
valuing virginity over the virtue of being fair
bravado over advocating for equality
you make me wish I had a son
to personally prove your antithesis possible

Frankenstein
you frighten me
with your ability to keep breathing
your inclination to replicate
to recruit
to keep pressing the boot of your discrimination
upon the necks of generation after generation
after generation

the only thing that prevents me from raising arms
and going guerrilla after you with guns
is our collective dedication
to the eradication of your kind
across all the borders of feminism
and race
and spaces held wire against the throat of equality
women resist heart and body
cunts and collarbones
kitchens and bedrooms
we rebuke all you offer as fact
the act of tweeting something does not make true

you are only a narrow opinion
constructed poorly
one hundred forty characters/your cavalry
is not nearly as committed as mine
you and your cronies were contrived
to keep the best parts of us broken
these poems you and your drones continue to encourage
these litanies I continue to compose
will stand as evidence your crumbling tyranny
time will hold your actions
your utterances
as shameful

as it was with every disease before you
the strongest/most admirable parts of being human
will keep adapting/over and over
history has already shown us
what doesn’t kill us/will make our resistance stronger
however unpleasant
the uphill task of surviving you as pandemic
can only make our species more immune


motherfucker/your cavalry/is not nearly as committed as mine


Sunday, June 9, 2013

1st June Sunday

My taste buds have evolved. I am now in support of red wines. It's baby steps, but this Gnarley Head Cabernet Sauvignon is delish. 

U R The Reason I am Feelin' So High

Water to Wine


The passing of Amy Winehouse left me feeling empty-musically of course. But then, here comes Lorine Chia. While perusing http://concreteloop.com/2013/05/music-video-lorine-chia-fly-high, I found this "Cameroon Native" . To me, is something like a mix between Amy and Ms. Jilly from Philly.  Listening to Water To Wine, I got the raspy voice, like that of Amy, and the poetic lyrics of Jill. Lets just say, I am every bit of satisfied. To download her mixtape, which I suggest, visit http://crackmixtapes.com/mixtape/Lorine_Chia-Lorine.  Enjoy Y'all- don't say I never gave you nothing.

Tuesday, May 14, 2013

Glitter Trap

"Pray" x SZA

 What is "Glitter Trap"?- I would say a mixture of bass and RnB. A combination that I am oh too happy with.

Friday, May 3, 2013

A Bounty on Your Head


- For sister Assata and the rest of you too -

You came into this world with a bounty on your head.
Born with "Black skin" although you are a soft brown.
Coils about your crown.
Spirit bright
Mind profound

So you discovered truth.
Understood that Black bodies weren't bullet proof. 
Black necks are only but so strong
and freedom songs don't right all wrongs.
You knew that turning cheeks didn't stop nobody from getting that ass beat.

I'm sure there was fear, after all you have a bounty on your head.
But, you did what I would have done
Took up defense against those who trespassed you.
Denied your family the ability to eat.
Had your people shaken with fear in the streets
terrified of the oppressors terror.
You knew it was time to get up.

Time to inform the people
and feed the people
both knowledge and food.
But as your name, you would have to struggle
with a crown and bounty on your head.

Chile! Look what you done did.
Your net worth right now is 2 million.
New Jersey saying you violent, with no evidence around it.
Say they coming in the name of justice
and they don't care how long it takes, they expecting you to pay.
If you happen to die before they get ya, I suspect they'll dig your body up before it hits the grave.
No time to decompose
Tie ya up so everyone knows " Any nigga, anytime, can GO!"

You better stop living out in the open, showing you free.
Stop it now, cuz you got them worried.
They can't have us out here thinking we human
Imagine us rising up every time a family portrait is ruined.

There's a bounty on your head!
They wanna smother you in red
make you an example for the rest of us to stop and be appreciative for the scraps we got.
They need you to be forgot!
All your teachings gotta to be untaught.
Your death is being bought.

40 years later and there's still a struggle.
Unfortunately, not all have received the memo.
No worries, the message is trickling.
Its stamped in the image of Kendrick Johnson and all our children
Affects our friends and bleeds through the music.

The message is clear: FREEDOM IS STILL NOT HERE.
It’s spelled out on bank receipts
and feeds on the empty belly.
The message is inscribed on the bricks of demolished schools.
It travels through veins, rings effortlessly in fired up crack pipes.
You can hear it echo in broken homes
see it in stereotypes.
In the silence it screams " DON'T BELIEVE THE HYPE"

Cuz this fight aint done.
Not for no one with a bounty on their head. 
Born with "Black skin" although you are a soft brown
Coils about your crown
Spirit bright and mind profound

It aint over for none of us, despite what it seems.
Wipe the sleep from your eyes of the " American Dream"
Look up-reach high
Ah shit, you found your bounty- its about damn time!                        

Monday, April 22, 2013

And you, and you, and you go back to BLACK


Talk about music to my ears!! Hearing Andre 3000's voice in the morning is heavenly( Beyonce too I guess). Woke up to discover that one of my favorite Amy Winehouse songs, "Back to Black", will be featured on the soundtrack for the highly anticipated film, The Great Gatsby. I searched for a while to find a full version, but there is only a snippet- I'll take that for now!  I am digging the duo's interpretation of the song and almost feel a little bit more compelled to go see the film. Enjoy ya'll!

Monday, April 1, 2013

Can We Get Kinky Tonight?

"Vroom"x Falcons

Go ahead... Vibe with it

Taking Cues From MJ


The struggle that is loving and hating Chris Brown. You love him because he has talent, you hate him ( me at least) because he has not demonstrated that talent in music post finger biting incident. However, this new song of his, "Fine China", might be an indicator that he has some good music still left in him. It would appear that Breezy has channeled musical Icon, Michael Jackson, in his vocals and visual presentation. I would be lying like a rug if I said I wasn't feeling it. For some reason, I just wanna open a window and moonwalk in my room....but I have carpet and don't see that going over so well. Enjoy!

Sunday, March 31, 2013

Earring Board




New Merchandise coming soon to my online shop! Canvas based Earring Boards.

Tuesday, February 19, 2013

It bes like that

Closed Door

I waited and then it came.

A knock at the door...

Peering through the peep hole, I saw it was you.

My heart came crashing down.

Lifted my hand, grabbed the door knob, but it fell limp.

Standing there, on the other side, I listened for what you had to say.

The door-deep, thick and protecting, caught all the sound.

Stuck within the still, unable to escape- I never heard a word. 


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Sunday, February 17, 2013

P.S. I Love You


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For those of you who are not familiar with Stacy Barthe, she is a song writer and songstress. She has released her new EP "P.S. I Love You". So far, I am enjoying it... especially her cut " Stingy". To download or stream the EP click this link http://www.djbooth.net/index/albums/review/stacy-barthe-ps-i-love-you

Enjoy your Sunday!

Monday, February 11, 2013

"I guess I'm in my feelings right now"


Sex Aint Never Felt Better


About three thousand years ago, Tank, Ginuwine and Tyrese got together and said " Lets make a super male group called TGT". After announcing their assembly, we never heard anything from them. Then, comes this song and I wonder if my musical life would feel any different if I had never heard this. I resolved that it wouldn't. I don't know why these grown men thought a Trey Song-ish ballad would be a good idea.

Here Comes the King


He changed his name to Snoop Lion and decided he would embody the essence of reggae and Rastas. If you don't believe how serious he is about his transformation, just peep the sunglasses- if that aint evidence of his conviction then I don't know what it.

Thighs Spread like Peanut Butter

I just thought the world should see this. RuPaul has a song and video. Here is " Peanut Butter"  with a bounce beat. I feel some type of way that these men have more ass than me- I gotta step my weight up.

Wednesday, February 6, 2013

Happy Born Bob Marley


Breakfast Can Wait


I LOVE Prince unapologetically! He is my ultimate favorite artist, thus I support his new music. I present to you, a new cut from Prince, AKA the Artist Formerly Known As, BKA, MY BOO! The track is entitled " Breakfast Can Wait" and mine sure did so that I could hear this. As soon as I got word that it was out, I sat myself down and listened. You should too! Enjoy your day folks.

Monday, February 4, 2013

Liquid Love- Chris Turner


Minding my own business and I hear the sound of summer coming from a room. Of course, I go to investigate the situation and discover Queens watching the video for Chris Turner's "Liquid Love". Chris Turner is a part of the Romantic Movement, and has a jazz/soul feel to his melodies. The sounds felt good to my tympanic membrane, and the visual was just as lovely.

Saturday, February 2, 2013

A Deeper Love Inside


Whenever I read something written by Sister Souljah, I pretty much become a serious recluse. I can be found either curled up in my bed or the corner of a couch. Either place you find me, I am completely enthralled in the story. There has only been one exception and that was with her novel "Midnight". However, the first day I had "Midnight" I read about 300 pages only to discover there wasn't much being said about Winter. I did pick it back up, finished it in a day and then got the sequel-so obviously those books were still great! I digress though. The point is, if you have read "The Coldest Winter Ever", then you have been waiting to read something-anything- that gave you more. Finally, that 'more' is here. I was pleasantly surprised when I walked to Marcus Books http://www.marcusbookstores.com/  in Oakland in search of a suggested read, and came across this sitting on the check out counter. I immediately asked where the other copies were, purchased one and left a happy ass camper. Since then, yesterday, I haven't really left the couch but to stuff my face with food, pineapple juice and the necessary shower- and even when I got up, you better believe I was walking around the crib still reading. Point I am trying to make here is the book is great! I always enjoying opening a new book, I hate having to part with it-that shit is like a break up to me.

I would suggest reading the sequel to "The Coldest Winter Ever", "A Deeper Love Inside: The Porsche Santiaga Story". As always, Sister Souljah tells a story while educating you- if I go any further, I fear I will give too much away. I will just give you a heads up-get ready to be sucked in, smile, laugh a little and cry some too.

 I thank Sister Souljah for her talent and I hope to read more!

Thursday, January 31, 2013

Witty Unpredicatable Talent And Natural Game

And there I was, standing outside of the Independent, when I was approached by a thick chocolate brother. " I love coming out here. Every time I am here [San Francisco], I see so many beautiful people" he says. Being that I just got to California and still tend to not really talk to strangers at 25, I just nodded and smiled. He put his hand out and I extended mine, told him my name was Tanara and he asked me " do you know who I am?". I had to keep it real, I had no damn clue who this dude was- like at all. I literally assumed he was a California artist, so I informed him that I was from the East coast and apologized. His response " I'm from the East too, I'm from New York".

Rewind back a few hours....

Around 4:50 I get a call from my girl Queens and she tells me to meet her on campus at San Francisco State. Now, I have walked around the block a few times, but I had to actually get my ass to a location I was not familiar with on my own. I looked forward to the travel and learning the new transportation system that will now get me from one place to another. I walked to the BART and hopped on the train to San Fran, caught a shuttle up to campus where Queens and I linked up. We had some errands to run before we hit this GZA show.

Doors opened at 8, but we didn't get there until 10. Standing in line, we saw GZA's car pull up and him get out and walk into the venue- already shit just seemed to be happening on point. We had our wrist bands, drinks and balcony view. The opening act was rocking and then out came GZA- the genius of Wu Tang.

Flash Forward.....

" I'm priest, Killah Priest from Wu Tang", now I'm standing there feeling like a fool. All I could do was smile politely to mask my slight embarrassment. I suppose its a good thing I smiled, "you have really white teeth, keep them that way" he says and then invited me back stage. I told him I didn't come alone and had to get my girl, he told me to go ahead and do what I have to do. I found Queens and told her to get her shit because we were moving from the balcony to VIP. We returned downstairs and like the true sweet and kind man Priest was, he smiled and told security to let us through.

Queens and I got great seats directly across from the left of the stage and a had a wonderful time. When the show was over, I wondered if there would be some expectations. I have seen all the movies, watched tons of interviews and witnessed groupie action in real time.  However, Priest was not at all like that. He was a sincere spirit who was happy to see beautiful black people coming out to enjoy music. When he got off stage with GZA, Queens and I asked if we could go meet him, and it turns out we were more than welcome. Unfortunately, we were unable to locate GZA but I think the time we got to see him perform will suffice for now. Before we took off to go home for the night, we snapped a few pics with Priest and hung out back stage socializing with a cool older cat- who spat some knowledge to us, upcoming artist and other young entrepreneurs.

I think I am going to like Cali just fine!



GZA- from the balcony

GZA & Killah Priest- from VIP


Queens and I with Killah Priest




Tuesday, January 29, 2013

Funky Soul


Get up, get out and do sumthin

I did it! Finally got up the nerve to do the one thing I have been in deep contemplation over-taking a risk. January 27, 2013 I kissed my momma and daddy goodbye, spent one last night in my room, and took off. It is a scary ass thing to do, but a bold and liberating one as well.  Never in a million years- okay maybe not a million- did I think I would pack my life into three duffle bags and come across the country to live in a state I have never been too-California.

A place I have only read and heard about is now my home and I am determined to make it.  I kind of have to since my parents looked me in my face and said don't come back ( not exactly that harsh, but you get what I am saying). I don't mind though, I actually look forward to laying my own foundation. Sitting around in an office, staring out windows and wishing I could do more, was not going to cut it. Coming out here was more than just a way to go beyond the familiar, but a real opportunity to find myself and Mary Tyler Moore it out. I have got to see if I can do me on my own. Soo, I took my own advice and said " fuck it, it's now or never" and right now I can proudly say, I am sitting in Oakland, California writing!

Sure, there are somethings to be vexed about-like finding a job- but I think its best to keep in mind all the wonderful aspects of life and this move, instead of viewing life as a glass half empty. As cliche as it is, I find that keeping positive is the best policy. Of course there will be hardship, but when is all just rainbows, glitter and daydreams of dancing onstage with my boo Prince?? In life, there will be challenges. Life doesn't care about your age or lot in life- it just decides when it wants to happen to you and mine thought now was the moment. Who am I to say no to that?

With that said, I hope that everyone who has the burning urge to get up and go, just dives in. Life isn't really a box of chocolates to me (especially since I have to be in the mood for chocolate, so when I get some, you are damn right I know what I am going to get), its more like a big body of water- you jump in and you either sink or swim.  Your move doesn't have to be as drastic as picking up your life and moving it across country, it can be as simple as picking up a new hobby. Just do what feels right to your soul. I would strongly suggest a little preparation, but sometimes life hits you fast and you don't have the time to do that- I ain't judging.

I would like for people to be happy and feel more free in the decisions shaping your life. For me, this is where I not only want to be but NEED to be. Surrounded in the spirit of freedom fighters, art and creativity. I have been here for a day in half and I can already tell ya, it won't be all peachy, but it will be rewarding. The main goal must be to stay focused while enjoying the experience that is life, as much as I can!

Friday, January 25, 2013

Ari Lennox


Extremely thankful to my sister who put me on to this songstress. I just got my hands on this song yesterday, it is all I can play. In fact, it is playing right now as I blog this. I would strongly suggest checking this young lady out and downloading her mixtape " Five Finger Discount".

Wednesday, January 9, 2013

I'm a Ghost


This dude took the time to construct this outfit I was sure would be a fail, yet it worked.  This is possibly one of the best pranks I have seen.

Favorite Reactions:

1) " Am I trippin son?"
2)"Instagram that joint"
3) " Oh Snaps"
4)*crickets* closes window, opens it again.... does double take

Rich Lowe: Lonely Tear Drops


I like when someone can take a song and make it their own. Big things are in this kid's future.