One of the
cornerstones of a free nation should be the proper education of its children.
In America, it seems that the education of some children is valued over the
education of others. Many like to say that the black and brown community is
always playing the race card on every issue, but in many cases, our communities
are only playing the cards that we have been dealt. I do not see education as a
race issue. I see it as a fundamental right for all citizens without regard to
race, creed, or color.
With that
said, one cannot overlook certain historical facts about race and education in
our country. America has a history of sabotaging and under funding schools that
have a core student population of black and brown children. Many years the
education system has purposely underfunded schools in the black and brown
communities, a tradition that seems to be still here sadly. All over this
country, this phenomena, continues even though our government claims that such
practices have long since been eliminated in America; however, for those of us
on the ground, we know that this is not the case.
Schools in
the black and brown communities seem to be on the hit list of some unforeseen
force that doesn’t want productive schools in our neighborhoods. One such
school that has come under attack recently is Forestville High School located
in Prince Georges County, Maryland. This school has been scheduled to close at
the end of the school year. It is a part
of a broader plan set forth by the P.G. County government, along with PGCPS at the bequest of a County
hired consultant firm.
The larger
plan is to close twenty-nine (29) schools by 2035 according to the “Washington
Post” newspaper reports. I can’t help but wonder if the people making the
decisions for the residents of Prince Georges County have any vested interest
in what happens in the County school system. Why is it always left up to
outsiders, i.e., consultants, education experts, etc. to make plans for schools
in our districts?
The plan
seems to follow the same pattern in our communities. First, they play games
with the school districts to offset the true numbers of children that actually
live in the district and attend schools in the region. This is done so that the powers can isolate
their targets and soften them up for the kill. Then like clockwork, they under fund those schools identified by the consultants to create a problem where
there didn’t have to be one. In the case of Forestville High they did all these
things, and even went a step further. They removed the schools military
academy, which was the first of its kind in the State of Maryland. According to
school advocates, the military academy was a great success and it added value
to Forestville High School and the PGCPS system a value that can't be replaced.
This action
cut student enrollment, which some parents and alumni say helped to put
Forestville High School on the chopping block.
Members of the school’s alumni association have made similar points and
have been outspoken about their views on these issues. At a county school board meeting on February
4, 2016, members of the alumni addressed the board about their concerns, and
the education of children in Forestville, Maryland. But how often have you heard that black and
brown people don’t care about the schools in their community? This show of
support by the Forestville High Alumni should dispel that myth.
Many people
in the community have spoken out and one of those critics of the school board
calling for the closing of Forestville has been Kimberly Harley, a longtime
resident of Prince Georges County, and alum of the Forestville High School. Ms.
Harley and many of her family members have attended Forestville High School, so
for people like her, the closing of Forestville High School would be like cutting
out a part of their family history.
Nothing preserves a community like family history and the pride that
comes with being able to say I grew up on this block and I went to that school.
These are the things that make a community whole and worth living in. At the
school board meeting, Ms. Harley and others spoke to the school board and the
following is some of what Ms. Harley and her fellow alumni had to say:
Ms. Harley
spoke to the board for maybe three (3) minutes, but I believe the things she
said summed up what school should mean to people and the community at large.
Her words brought attention to the real reasons the school should be preserved
for generations to come. Kimberly Harley is a shining example of what good
schools produce. Kimberly said, “The school has produced doctors, lawyers,
politicians, and yes, even P.G. County board members”. She explained to the
board her concerns about the military academy being removed and how it has
affected the school enrollment. Kimberly also stated, “The school had problems
in the past but the school, its students, faculty, parents, and alumni have all
helped the school to overcome those issues". Ms. Harley indicated that the
school is still a valued part of the community and the lives of the people living
in the surrounding areas.
Now, my
friends, it is up to you to act. The residents of the Forestville High School
community need your help. Together we can make a difference. We can save this
landmark High School and its students past, present, and future. Join Kimberly
Harley the parents and educators in their fight to save education in their
school district. Forestville High School and Forestville Military Academy are
pillars in our community, the cornerstones and foundations of all we hold dear
in our lives. We should not deny a single child the opportunity to experience
all that Forestville High has to offer.
Education is
fundamental human right and no one should be denied access to a quality
education in their own community. Forestville High School/Forestville Military
Academy has so much to offer right now, the school has a nationally ranked
girls’ basketball team, nationally ranked Drill Team, County and State ranking
Dancers, Football & Basketball organizations. As we speak, the school is
still making history and shouldn’t we work to safeguard that history? Friends
we have no time to waste we must act now. Please come out and support the
Forestville Knights at the next board meeting is scheduled for February 23,
2016, check the school board site for correct times and details.
I didn't think anyone need to explain what Cam Newton is
going through right now with the media but maybe I was completely wrong.
America doesn't get it at all or, at least, she is playing blind to the fact
they Cam Newton is being singled out because he is a black man who has chosen
to use his voice. For many people, the Cam Newton story started during the two
weeks leading up to the Super Bowl. But for me, the story started a year or so
back. At that time Cam and the Panthers football team were having a tough year
and Cam's responses to the press came under the microscope. His response was
not widely accepted by the mainstream media and a lot of them started
demonizing Cam for some of his responses. In my mind, Cam was only being
himself and responding as he felt he was allowed to as a man.
See this is where the trouble begins for the young football
star. Cam Newton a grown man was thinking, I can just be myself and America
will understand and act accordingly. Maybe someone should have given Cam a
lesson about what happens to outspoken black men in America. Those of us in the
black community understand this and we know what can happen when a young black
man speaks out. This is seen as a break in the slave code for the racist power
structure anytime a black man takes a stand on principles of manhood America
sees it as her responsibility to break that black buck down. In my granddad's
time, they described what Cam is doing as being uppity. In their minds Cam is
being ungrateful and uppity when he speaks up for himself and America has a
long history of trying to destroy any black man who would be bold enough to
display any kind of manhood.
There will be those who will say I'm playing the race card
but that's only because they want to reserve the right of playing the race card
for themselves. The history of this kind of reaction to black men speaking up
is well documented and no one can claim otherwise. It's too bad the media
doesn't take the time to really listen to Cam because I feel his message is a
positive one for our children to hear no matter what their race may be. Cam is
saying something that should be valued all over the world but in America most
of all. In the America that prides herself on being freedom loving and a
respecter of its citizens rights to be treated equally. She should of all
peoples of the world be in total agreement with Cam's message of individuality
and pride in oneself. Why is it so bad what Cam is saying??? When we can
honestly answer that question then what's really going on here will reveal the whole racist scam.
If we all could be honest for a moment, I think we know that
what is happen to Cam Newton is shameful. We should be embarrassed but sadly we
are not because this sickness is so ingrained us that we don't even see a
problem with what is going on. It's not just white folks either because there
are many blacks who have because of their slave programming said just as ugly
things about Cam as white folks. It seems they are just as blind to the racist
tactics of the power structure. Cam is being held to higher standard than any
of his white counterparts and everyone
knows this but they play dumb. I only wish I could have given Cam some
advice back when he was having an off year. I would have told him what all black men
in America should be told about this country.
We must begin to teach our sons that we are behind enemy
lines. We must tell them the truth about this country and never allow them to
get comfortable as long as America continues to live out her racist behaviors.
Our sons must learn to speak in code when talking to the enemy's press. We must
teach them the tricks that the media plays and how to avoid the traps they set
for us in their questions. Cam Newton is changing the game of football forever
and we need to change the way we respond to these racist tactics. When the
media attacks one of our people we need to be united in our efforts to support
them when it is clear they have done no wrong and the media is targeting them
for assassination. Lastly, to my people I want to say, teach your children the
truth and should they become successful like Cam instruct them well on the
tactic of our enemies and let Cam Newton be the last black man they try to use
their buck breaking tactics on.
This month on the blog we bring you the musical
talents of a young man, Qadir Hakim aka Goalden Chyld out of Chi-Town also
known as Chicago, the windy city. During my monthly music trolling session on
the internet, I came across this young man and his music. The video was titled
“Goalden Chyld – It’s Our Time”. The video started out with me interested in
the words being said in the form of spoken word poetry, but as the video ended
I heard some really great music and I wanted to hear more. First, let me say I
do have a slight bias towards any kind of music that speaks truth to power. I
call that kind of music Rebel Music. Anyone who knows me knows that I have a
great deal of respect for an artist who are not afraid to take a stand in their
music and say something meaningful to the people.
Okay, enough about me and my views on music. Let’s
talk about the artist we are here to celebrate. The artist is Goalden Chyld or
G.C. for short. I sent an email to the young man to see if I could acquire an
interview for the blog. He was delighted to hear that I was interested in his
music and sent back a response that same day.
Many times people say artists are not talking about anything in their
music today, but again I have discovered another example of them not knowing
where to look for “Rebel Music”. This artist is one of many like him who take
the time to create music that says something and music that we can recognize as
true works of art. Goalden Chyld is an artist that possesses a great deal of
lyrical skill and creativity. Not only is he saying something meaningful in his
music, but he is making it enjoyable to listen to as well. Because as we all
know everyone hates to be preached to especially when the preacher is boring as
hell.
Now the moment you have been reading for; ladies and
gents I give present to you Goalden Chyld! Our subject got his start in music
at the young age of eight when his father local Chicago rapper Hashim Hakim
gave him a rap verse to memorize. Later his dad took him to the studio to record
the verse. From then on G.C. loved making music. I asked G.C. what influenced
his music and he said: The message in my music is heavily influenced by
Minister Louis Farrakhan. Now I can understand why his music is so fiery. Then
I asked if he had any family members that were into music other than his dad.
He said his mother Chandra Hakim grew up singing in the church choir. Goalden
Chyld has a rich family history in music and that is evident when you listen to
his music.
G.C. said growing up listening to the garbage on the
radio inspired him to take a more activist approach to making music. He says he
could make some of the trash he heard on the radio, but that’s not his way. He
said it was always in him to make music and he has wanted to do it since he was
a young child. I asked what else G.C. did besides music. He said, “I'm a youth
mentor and an activist”. Based on that we can see Goalden Chyld is not just
talking when he makes music; he is being true to the spirit of his art. He is
striving to be a walking example of his music. I asked if he played any
instruments and he said he was a novice piano player. We already know that
G.C.’s dad introduced him to Hip Hop and his mom gave him an understanding of
singing but when I asked who his teachers were, when it came to music he said:
“I’m currently teaching myself the science of making music”.
Moving on, I asked about the first song of his that
I had ever listened too. The song is called POWER” and it is the feature song
of this interview. When I heard the track I want to smash up something. The
beat is dope and the lyrical context is like Public Enemy on steroids. Please
tell me you know the rap group Public Enemy. If you don’t know who the rap
group Public Enemy is you need your Hip Hop pass revoked. But enough about that
let’s find out about G.C.’s track “Power”. I asked: what does it take to make a
track like that come to life in the mind of an artist. Goalden Chyld said: “I
decided to write this song when I thought about how great we are as a people
and because our power as a people are truly great beyond measures”. He went on
to say: “However, I know that our true power is being slept on in the world
because we're so divided and disconnected, which in my opinion is no
coincidence”. G.C. says: This is all by design to ensure that we never tap into
that power and that power he referring to is “Black Power”. He said: Now
getting back to your question; what it takes to make a song like this is true
love, dedication, and research of once self and his or her people!
After understanding the track “Power”, I wanted to
hear from G.C.’s point of view what he feels his music is about. To that
Goalden Chyld said: "My music is
about freeing the minds of my oppressed brothers and sisters and the black
family as a whole". "It’s about getting us to love and understand one
another while at the same time getting us to come to the realization that our
true power is in our unity". I asked what got him fired up musically. G.C.
says: "When I ponder on my people’s condition and think about the fact
that we're products of a crooked system, then problems my people face become my
song topics". I said to Golden Chyld: what makes your music different.
G.C. says: "I do more than state the problems in the black community I
also try to give them a sense of hope by offering what I believe is a
reasonable solution". "Also, I have been blessed with the abilities
to sing, rap, and do poetry with a strong message, proficiently, so my music is
a unique combination of the three".
I asked Goalden Chyld what kind of music he listen
to outside of Hip Hop. Also, what made him choose Hip Hop. G.C. said he listens
to Jazz, R&B, Country, Rock, Neo-Soul you name it! I love what each genre
uniquely brings to the table and they all add to my creativity. As for choosing
Hip Hop he says: I chose hip hop because
that’s closest to heart and I felt that Hip Hop was one of the easiest and
smartest ways to get the message across to my people, the youth in particular.
I asked if he was into any artist in his genre and he said there are some. He
named a few and why he liked their music. He said: J. Cole and Kendrick Lamar;
I like them for their courageous ability to provide a message in their music
while being in an industry heavily consumed with foolishness. He said some
others were Lauren hill "The miseducation of Lauren hill." Kanye West
and Jay-Z "Watch the throne". Andre 3000 and Tupac, just to name a
few artists and projects he really enjoyed.
We talked about performing on stage and G.C. shared
his first time on stage. He said the first time was in Colorado when he was 14
or 15 years old. He said: I performed the first verse I ever recorded which was
the same verse I recorded when I was eight years old. The titled of the track
was "dear dad". I asked if he liked performing for his fans. He said:
I love it I feel free it's an escape also I don't refer to my people as fans
they're family. I wanted to know about a memorable moment in music for him and
G.C. talked about when he performed for Minister Louis Farrakhan and when he
performed for Russel Simmons former C.E.O. of Def Jam Records. But most of all
he was proud when he finished recording "Stand for Justice or Else".
He said: That was the best feeling because I knew this was the beginning of me
helping change the world.
I wanted to know if he ever got nervous on stage and
he said: "I'm always nervous before performing, just not as nervous which
is humbling because I always turn to God and pray to overcome". He says
"it’s natural to be nervous and in time your will build confidence".
He says it help to stay ready. G.C. says he practices at one or two days a week
and he memorizes his work to stay prepared for anything. Being an artist myself
I asked Goalden Chyld how he kept things balanced in his everyday life. He
responded with this: "It's very
difficult but the love for the art keeps me going". "You've gotta be
1. prayerful 2. self-motivated and a disciplined person to be an indie artist
and not to mention being a revolutionary artist". G.C. wants his fans
(Family) to know this about his music. That it's 100% real and from the heart,
it's not for money but for freedom justice and equality and that he makes music
to change Hip Hop and the world forever.
The last thing I asked is what he thought about the
state of music today and he had these words to say on the subject. "It's
sad because the devil is at work and he's working harder than ever but his time
is up". "It won’t not long before music goes back to what it should
be which in my opinion is a tool for the revolutionary free minds of the
people". Goalden Chyld says going forward he will be making more music and
videos and doing his best to change up Hip Hop and the world. He also wants his
music to send the message to his people that it’s time to wake up rise up
because we have a kingdom to build. I believe him and take at his word and I
also believe artist Like Goalden Chyld need our support just as much as we need
him to combat this overflow of foolishness in today’s music. Please get out and
support this artist because as I say we need him. Below check out the links for
the G.C.'s music movement and do your part to keep Rebel Music alive.
For the last few weeks people have turned their focus away
from Bill Cosby and began to focus on the Oscars. This year’s Oscars had no
black nominees for any of the major awards. In fact there was a total lack of
nominees of any color other than white. The New York Times even held it up, a
joke on the front page of their paper a week ago. I don’t get why everyone is
surprised; this has been the history of the Oscars and it really wouldn’t be a something that I would consider talking about, if it had not been for one of Hollywood
darling black couples speaking out against the Oscars. Will and Jada Smith have
been for some time Hollywood’s token black couple that is pushed on public to
show how diverse Hollywood has become. If you ask me they seem to want to be
the new Ossie and Ruby D. but they lack the strong convictions of our elders in
too many ways to name.
I recall a few years ago Jada Smith was trying to justify
her young daughter lying in bed with a 21 year old grown man. Everyone was, so
understanding but not me I felt she was setting a bad example for not only her
daughter but for other young girls as well. Sense it was Will and Jada’s child
people let it die. Jada became quite after that whole thing blew up in her
face. From that point anything Jada had to say, I found something about it a
little suspect and I didn’t much care to hear from her. I thought to myself she
seems a little off since her and Will got hitched. I didn’t think of her much
as a rebel anymore because it seemed Hollywood and marriage had subdued her. So
when she came out with her spill on boycotting the Oscars I look at it as her
sharing her nonsensical logic again. How could this woman turn activist on the
very industry that her and her entire family was making a living off and a
really good one if you asked me.
The reason I have a problem with her stance on the Oscars is
she never seem to mind going to the Oscars especially when her husband was a
nominee. Now out of the blue she wants to go activist. I myself can think of
plenty of things we should boycott as a people; things that are way more
detrimental to our people than some dam awards show. I mean in 2016 with all
the dirty nasty things that the system on a whole is been doing to people of
color and it’s this shit she wants to go to war over? There are a whole bunch
of things worth making noise over and this may be on the list but it’s not a
priority. It’s sad that black folk like Will and Jada never seem to be able to
find there voice when the people need them to speak out. On the other hand they
seem to want the people to come riding to the rescue on issues that directly
affect them and their livelihood.
I have a problem with many of the so called prominent people
of color who roll right along with the program until the system comes crashing
down on them. They never can find time to speak out when black men and women
are murdered by the police. In fact a lot of them make heavy donations to the
same police departments that murder their brothers and sister. Most of them act
as if they can see us on the ground as they step over us on their way to be
super stars. When it was Jazzy Jeff and The Fresh Prince we were needed because
Hollywood didn’t give a fuck about them. I’m not saying they owe us anything
but at least they could remember that they come from us and even now they are a part
of us. Also they could be more thankful to us because after all we are the ones
who watched their movies and pay for tickets when Hollywood say they couldn’t
sell. We cheered them on when they had no name and we were the ones who help
the world to see them as something more.
The other issue I have with these black Hollywooder’s is,
most top celebs like Will and Jada have a tremendous amount of money prestige
and influence and yet they are still begging for scraps at their master’s
table. Can you imagine watching your parents fight and grovel at the feet of
another for scraps that fall from the table especially when your parents did not have the means to care for themselves. Has it never accrued to them to start
their own motion picture studios and form their own awards system to give
praise and honor to whom they deem worthy. What is this obsession that lives in
my people that make them want to suffer this society and all of its abuses?
Even now when my people that are at the top of their professions with mass
amounts of wealth and knowledge go back to their oppressors with hat in hand on
bended knee to receive nothing except scorn and ridicule. What kind of madness
drives them to need love from their rapist? Who would want love from a system
that still sees you as sub-human no matter how much you achieve?
Only when we play the butler, the maid, the thug, or the
slave and like it, will Hollywood award us an Oscar or give any kind of
recognition to us in their beloved Hollywood. I bet the movie industry and the
oppressors of the mind get a kick out of taking highly skilled black actors and
turning into players in the new era minstrel show. The sad part for me is the
fact that my folks are still lining up for the job in 2016. You can’t get
love from an industry that was built on destroying your very image. How can you
act surprised and complain when your masters spit in your faces. I mean come on
man; you really thought Hollywood would recognize work by actors and actresses
that gives dignity to the image of the black race when for years Hollywood has
done nothing but reinforce stereotypes. In this day and time given all that has
happened in the last few years with regards to race you couldn’t really believe
Hollywood would change. When the political butt heads like Trump say they to
make great again they mean they are taking us back to a time that made them
comfortable.
How much more abuse will it take before you see they will
never change? Not only that but they don’t want to change so the best thing for
you to do is take your talents elsewhere. What are you afraid of when you have
everything you need to succeed? Not only that but the world already secretly
adores and worships you and everything you do. Think about that and then I want
every major black player in Hollywood to rethink their stance on being a part
of the same system that denigrates demeans disrespects and destroys the image
of your people. Then I want you to stop begging for a place at their table and
gather yourselves to build your table. We people whom they call black are the leading
influencers of the world yet we are at the same time among the poorest people
in the world. Let’s come together and build our dreams into a vision; a legacy
that we can leave to our children. One where we are seen as hero’s and not
slaves and beggars pleading for scraps from another mans table.
Ms. Smith if you really want to use your influence to change
things I suggest you turn to your brother and sisters in the entertainment
industry and build something we can call our own. Also to my people let us not be
so easily swayed to focus on things like this that in the long run are very low
on the list of things we need to address. Even though it is an important issue
that must be addressed at some point, we have more pressing issues and it may
serve us better to address those first. I’m just trying to get my people to
understand a lot of these issues are nothing more than distraction from the
larger goals of our people. Lastly Ms. Smith if you were sincere in your message
to us then be a little more constant in your activism so that we can take you
at your word more easily. As a people we need prominent figures such as yourself to
be more vocal and to use your influence to inspire others to get involved in
the fight.
Since the
presidential election of 2008 there has been something wicket brewing in the
United States of America. It seems we are returning to familiar sentiments of race hate that
has been for a long while hidden in the background of the American political
landscape. Racism has always been a part of American politics but for a short
while from the 1970’s until 2008 our country seemed to be headed in the right
direction with regard to the people’s acceptance of the outward racism or hate
speech towards others. Now days it seems more Americans are tolerable of hate speech's, and actions of hate that are perpetrated on the undesirables of our nation (Blacks Browns and poor Whites).
Mainly, the acceptances hate speeches that are directed at so called black and
brown people has gain favor as of late. Mostly because of men like Donald Trump who say the most disgusting things about people of color.
One can’t
help but think the election of Barack Obama has a lot to do with this
resurgence of hate in our nation. Maybe Mr. Obama being elected was the last
straw for many closet racist who have been waiting in the shadows for an
opportunity to turn this slow burning fire of racial hatred up to full blast. I
don’t know for sure if that is the true but, with all of the hate that has been
handed down over the last few years it sure as hell feels that way. You
may feel different about what caused this up tic in racial bitterness, but for
me I see Obama’s presidency as catalyst for the emergence of Donald Trump and
the views he puts forth to the American people.
In my mind
Donald Trump has proven himself to be a clown and a buffoon, while at the same
time it is also clear to me that Mr. Trump is no fool. In his bid for president
Trump has set out on the same path that many men before him have walked upon in their bid
to hold the office of president of the United States. Men like George Wallace
and Ronald Reagan come to mind when I listen to Trump speak. All though some
claim Wallace was a repenting racist at the end of his life I still see shades
of his early days in our present candidate Donald Trump. I wasn’t around in the
Wallace days so I could only go by what I saw on film. However I did get to hear Reagan’s comments
about coming to my hometown Washington DC and getting rid of those young bucks and
welfare queens.
Trump seems
to be the bullhorn for the new age racist. In fairness I must say Trump claims
not to be a racist but dam he sure sounds like one. When he started his campaign, a lot of people wrote him off as a joke and said he was just grandstanding and he
didn’t have a chance in hell. They really didn’t understand how Trump was going
to play the game. At his first press conference he made it clear that he was
going to play the race card to the max. Foolish folks said that in this day and
age that wouldn’t fly with the American public. They believed Americans would
never go for that kind of politics but they were all so wrong. Just goes to
show how blind people have become to the history of racism and the history of
successful racist politics in America. Maybe Donald does indeed have a chance
in hell; yes the hell that has become America.
We can’t lay
all of the blame at Mr. Trump’s feet because we must acknowledge there are a lot of
folks in America that identify with the message of racial intolerance that Donald
is putting out to the public. I don’t know why people act all surprised when his
rallies are over flowing with people because what he is saying is what a lot of
so called white Americans feel, and live by in their every day lives. Now he is indeed playing to their emotions and sickness just
as the democrats play to people of color when they use Mr. Trump as a lighting rod to get our votes. The people falling for the demarcates line of bull are just as
blind as the folks on the opposing side. Donald Trump is giving them forum to express the hate they already
felt in their hearts. My concern is most of these ignorant people don’t
understand he is playing them and he is stocking the fire for his own
self-interest.
What Mr.
Trump is engaged in is very dangerous for our nation and just as irresponsible
as anything I could think of in this life. For his ego he is willing to risk
what little gains this country has made in the area of race and equality. Yes
Trump has become the symbol of all that is wrong in the world but I’m not upset
with him as much because what do you expect from a spoiled little rich boy who
has never had to work for a thing in his life. On the other hand I am very
disappointed in my fellow countrymen who would allow such a poser to rule over
your good sense. We are letting a windbag with a bullhorn turn us back in this
country hundreds of years. Why is this happening because we are supremely
afraid to face once and for all the beast that is racism.
America
started as a racist cowardly nation and it looks like that’s the way she wants
to end. I feel sad in my heart that there are still people in the world who
believe the lie of racism, but I am really ashamed of the fact that people
of good mindset and noble thinking are unable to puck the bullhorn from the
hands of these weak minded men like Trump. Men who would destroy us all for the sake of having ex-president of the United States on their resumes. Donald Trump is only one
man but the reflection of his ideology live in the hearts of many Americans. I wish it
wasn’t so, but at least now we can own up to it and hopefully do something about
it before our world is lost forever. Stand up for the world and the entire human race say something. Let’s not let dumb Donald be the death of us all.
Mr. Trump
says “America needs to be great again” but I say she was never as great as she
could be if we would only rid ourselves of all our divisions. For many
Americans, America has never reached her greatness because of the shame of slavery, racism, and oppression that has always held her back. America has a chance to achieve
greatness but, she never will as long as we allow rich men to play the race card
and divide us all. I think it’s time we give the bullhorn back to men and women
of good standing and stand up against bigots, racist and the elitist who’s only
desire is to control us. So they play black against white, young against old, and haves against have-nots, until we are all defiled and wicket. We are better
than this, let's show them now once and for all that they will not rule our
minds with this lie of racism. There is only race the human race and neither rich elitist or dumb Donald can change that fact.
Welcome to the Days of Joy Entertainment fashion blog. This blog is dedicated to the discovery of new talents in the industry of fashion. We want to highlight people with talent in the fields of Photography Modeling and Design. We would like to give these people and their talents a chance to shine. If you would like to be featured of the blog or you know of someone who deserves a chance like this please contact us at funtimes@daysofjoyent.com. Thank you and please enjoy the blog
This month on the blog, we present one of my hometown’s
hidden treasures, Danielle Lyndsay, a young woman with legendary roots in the Washington
D.C music scene ... With a unique and powerful voice, this young woman has the
stuff that it takes to hit it big in the music industry. I first heard her when
I was flipping through a popular indie artist site. Her voice called out to me.
There was pain in her voice but it felt calm and soothing to my ears. The way
she sang the song stayed with me and I listened, over and over again to the
track, each time gaining a little more insight about this young artist and her
music.
After a few weeks, I wanted to set up an interview
with Danielle so I contacted her through email. I told her how much I enjoyed
her music and asked if she’d like to be a feature story on our blog. She said
she would be happy to share her story with us and our readers. The way she
responded to our request showed how humble and classy she is as a person. This
made me feel good about picking her as our first artist to be highlighted on
the blog for 2016. Now with no further delay we present to you, Danielle
Lyndsay.
We chopped it up a bit and I asked her “when did you
first become interested in music”. [Danielle] “I've always been interested in
music’. “I can remember as a young child memorizing every song I heard and then
performing them for whoever would listen’. ‘I think my love of music is
something that I was born with, not something I just found of interest’. That
was an interesting perspective and I hadn’t heard it put that way before. Next
I asked her how long she had been perusing a career in music. Danielle said, “I've
been perusing music professionally for about 4 years and I've been songwriting
since high school”. She continues, “What started as a hobby in poetry and
creative writing turned into my craft once I married my love of writing with
singing.
We talked about her family and whether anyone in her
family had been involved in music. She said “My father Derrick Ward is the
family musician”. Derrick Ward aka “Dirty D” is a member of the legendary DC
Go-Go band Trouble Funk. Before that he was a member of a few groups & a
solo artist. [Danielle] “I was fortunate enough to grow up with a vocalist and
performer in my home to help mold me”. For those of you who have never heard of
Go-Go music let me explain it as best I can. If the Funk R&B and Afro Cuban
music had baby its name would be Go-Go. To be short I call it Urban Afro Funk.
You would have to experience in a live venue to fully understand.
I asked her, “When did you know you wanted to do
music professionally”. She said, “I came into contact with a relative who also
has a love of music and he encouraged me to take my artistry seriously”. [Danielle]
“Before then, I knew I could write and sing, but I just didn't know the
directions I wanted to take yet”. She said, “We co-wrote my first full song
recorded it and I guess it was fate”. Then I asked if she had any other interest
besides music. Her reply was, “I'm also a professional dancer, choreographer,
and I also recently started acting”! [Danielle] “You'll see me in my first
major role in an upcoming web series called Insomnia”. [Danielle] “My life as
an artist means that I'm a walking art form and a representation of my various crafts
and talents”. “I'm completely drenched in the arts. It’s my way of life”.
I fired off my next set of questions starting first
with, “Do you play any instruments”? Danielle said, “A long ago I played the
clarinet and I kept the skill of reading music”. [Danielle] “I'm teaching
myself to play the piano which has helped so much in the process of producing
my EP”. Then I asked, “Who was the first person to teach you about music?” [Danielle]
“My middle school band teacher, she was the first to teach me about making
music and arranging melodies”. [Danielle] “As far as writing, I feel like life
has been my teacher and I picked up a lessons wherever I went”. She shared some of her fondest memories about
music and she had this to say, “As far as memories, I think I'm making my
favorite memories now”. “I try not to
get caught up in the past moments, I don't want to get stuck in what I've done,
but continue to revel in what I'm doing”.
Later on I asked questions about the song that drew
me to her. The song the title is “SCREAMING OUT LOUD”. I asked what made her
write a song like that. She said, “I wrote it after a really long fight with a
boyfriend”. [Danielle] “I got so sick of saying the same things over and over
so I wrote what I truly wanted to say down and gave it to him”. They say pain
is sometimes the best producer of good music and after hearing Screaming Out
Loud I have to agree. It is a wonderful piece of music. Everyone should listen
to at least once because it is truly a great tune.
She went more in depth on her reason for writing the
piece saying, “The song is about wanting your partner to understand the hurt
behind every argument”. [Danielle] ‘It’s about wanting your lover to feel what’s
behind your anger and talk to about the things that a lot of people have trouble
communicating”. [Danielle] “I feel like arguments and heartbreak often comes
from moments of miscommunication and misinterpretation’. “The song is about
saying what is true and genuine’.
Then I asked Danielle what it takes to write a song
like that. She said, “it was incredibly
hard to record the song for me emotionally’. “I didn't know what I wanted to
hear with it, only that I wanted it to feel like a breaking heart”. [Danielle]
“I have an amazing production team that was there for me and helped me bring an
amazing track to life”. “We also recorded an acoustic version of the song that
was so beautiful, even better in my opinion”. “It's also one of my more vocally
challenging songs which I love, because it pushes me to train harder to hit a
lot of those notes and make it pure”.
I asked her to explain what her music was all about.
Danielle, “My music is all about being a powerful woman, reinvention and
mystery”. “I think as a woman, I hold a lot of power and beauty but at the same
time I am vulnerable”. [Danielle] “I love putting those aspects in my music
because I know there are so many women who want to say the words I sing a lot
of times but they can’t find the words”. [Danielle] “The “From the Ashes” project is a
great representation of that. It's all about my "Phoenix Phase". “It’s about the old Danielle dying and a new
Danielle being reborn into a more confident, powerful creature”. I asked her what
makes her music different and she said, “I make music like a dancer. I have to
feel and see the music for it to be a real fit for me”. “My music is rhythmic and it moves and it's a
representation of how I move whenever I dance”. “I love breaking all the rules when I make
music”. “I don't believe in doing things
the same way everyone is doing it”.
Next we talked about what gets her creative juices
flowing and Danielle said, “Anything; when I'm the studio I love it dark and
loud”. “When I'm on stage it's completely opposite”. “I need silence and bright lights”. “I'm quite moody, so whatever mood I'm in
that's the music I'm going to create”. I
wanted to know what kinds of music she listened to outside of her genre. She
said, “I listen to anything that sounds good”. “I listen to rock, country, classical. I also
draw a lot of inspiration from other forms”. “Music is music”. I asked how she would classify her music and
she said she doesn’t choose a style or genre and that she thought the music
world was evolving into a non-genre specific world and that's beautiful. [Danielle]
“The music I make now sounds like contemporary R&B with a little bit of
trance and a lot of classical influence’. “That's just because those are the songs I'm
hearing as of now”. “I could wake up
tomorrow and want to make country music, which is possible because I love
country music”.
We talked about artist she respected and Danielle
had this to say, “There are a lot of artists in many genres I've been listening
to lately”. “Right now I love Banks,
Seinabo Sey”. “I'm a huge fan of Janet
Jackson and I'm so happy she's back”. [Danielle]
“She's (Janet Jackson), has always been a powerhouse performer that inspired me”.
[Danielle] “It’s not because of her name
(Janet Jackson), but because of who she proven herself to be”. [Danielle] “I love the big names like Beyonce,
Rihanna, and Adele. She says some of her favorites are Queen, Guns N Roses,
Prince, Michael Jackson, Celine Dion, and Drake. [Danielle] “There's just so
many”! “My music library is nuts”.
Then we talked live performances. Danielle shared
some of her stage history. She said’ “The first time I was ever on stage I was
4 years old”. She says, “I love
performing. The stage is my favorite place to be”. “What's so gratifying is having people that
know the words to your songs as an artist that can really feel what you're singing”.
She also shared some of her high points
on the stage. [Danielle] “Performing at
University of Maryland Homecoming and being the opening act for Sebastian
Mikael”. “Those were some of the biggest
crowds but my favorite was the first time I played in NY”. “It was in small
downstairs bar with no more than 50 people”. “It was so intimate and genuine, in the one of
the busiest cities in the world; at that moment there was nothing else”.
I couldn’t leave out her personal life so I asked, “How
do you balance your music with other obligations - mate, children or job”. She said, “It's pretty simple right now”. “I don't have any children”. “I'm single”. “I'm married to my career right now”. “I’m very fortunate that I get to pay my bills
doing what I love, whether it is dancing, teaching, etc.” [Danielle] “I used to stay shut indoors, never
going out, because I thought that's what I needed”. “I've gotten so much better at taking care of
myself, allowing myself some free time”. “Time to just live so that my art becomes
better and my creative spirit can expand”. I asked, “How hard is it to be and indie
artist in today’s music industry”? She
says it’s extremely hard. [Danielle] “In
my career it’s just me”. “I'm managing
myself”. “Booking myself in places I
want to play”. “I'm lucky to have a
production to team that works with me to hone my sound, but I'm very hands on
with my work”. “Staying relevant and being my own machine is
the hardest part’. “In today's digital
age, anyone can be put out music, get some hits, but it takes true dedication
and patience to be an artist and wait for your time”.
Before ended I had a few more things to ask. I had a question about the state of music
today and Danielle said this, “I think we're in a revolution”. [Danielle]
“As I said before in this digital age, anyone can put out music”. “People are doing more cross genre work”. “Artists
are taking their power back”. “I do
think the art of songwriting is dying because people are so focused on saying what's
hot right now”. [Danielle] “I wish more
artists would put out bodies of work and not just a CD with some hot tracks on
it”. I asked, “What would you like your fans
know about your music”? [Danielle] “I
want them to know it's real”. “I'm real’.
“My vocals & words are real”. “I don't make music because it's the hot thing
to do”. “I do because I need to, in
order to survive”. “My music and I are one”. [Danielle] “I'm fun, I'm bold, and I’m sexy”. “Listen to my music and you'll get to know me”.
Next I asked her, “If you could reach
your fans with one message, what would that be”? She said for them to Inspire, Dream, Believe
because that's what Danielle Lyndsay is all about.
I predict that we will hear more from this power
artist in the future. Her voice as well as her mind is beautiful and artist.
Danielle Lyndsay gives us all new hope for music. She is the total package.
Danielle is smart, talented, and sexy. I
hope this story will encourage you to support this delightful young woman who
is trying to make waves in the music industry.
Below you will find links to Danielle’s music and more. Again I ask that you find time to support
this hidden gem who is every bit the expression of music and love. It has truly
been my pleasure to write about such a talented lady and I am doubly proud
because she is from my hometown of Washington D.C.
