Wednesday, August 25, 2010

THE AALIYAH STORY

WRITTEN BY OUR HIP HOP SISTER MICHELLE WOODS


Can you find all of the Aaliyah song titles in the story? There are 53!

A Story for all folks born before ‘82
Enjoy!

“Ok little shorties, come over here and sit down for a second. Who has ever heard of Aalyiah?”

The kids hands go up and they shout out all different types of answers, “Lil’ Jody says, “my older cousins name is Aaliyah…” Lil’ Kevin says, “No, she’s talking about the famous girl who used to sing.”

I said, “ That’s right Lil’ Kevin, Aaliyah was a very special person and she touched many lives. Would you like me to tell you all a little bit about her?”

The kids shout, ”Yayyyyyyyy!”

“Ok, this is THE AALIYAH STORY”

Once upon a time, there was a girl. No a young Woman., No a woman…. Wait. Ok. She was definitely more than a woman. In any case, her name was Aaliyah Dana Haughton. She had a mother and a father and one brother. As she was growing up she would sing all around the house. She had a dream! When she was a teenager, sometimes she would even bust a loose rap! She had a famous aunt who helped make the journey to the top a little extra smooth! She would visit different record companies and whenever they didn’t feel she was a perfect fit, she would simply try again.

Aaliyah had heart and style. She was known for her baggy pants and midriff tank tops and T-Shirts. She would let her long black tresses hang low and everyone copied her trademark side bang over her eye! Sometimes she would replace her bang with a patch! I really don’t know what to tell ya, Aaliyah was beautiful!

Lil’ Timmy interjected, “ Everyone says my mom is beautiful and they say she looks JUST like Aaliyah.” “Well, nobody looks JUST like someone else Timmy, especially JUST like Aaliyah. I don’t wanna say they don’t resemble each other but…” I didn’t even have to finish; I think Lil Timmy got the picture!

So, Aaliyah was on a rise to stardom. She was talented, pretty, and her dancing was hot like fire! She was compared to the likes of Janet Jackson and it was warranted. But when the press would compare Ciara and Beyonce to her, the fans would say,”u got nerve.”

Aaliyah didn’t care what people said about her and the allegations that she really thought age ain’t nothin but a number when it came to her dating Superstar producer R. Kelly. She always had a very “it’s whatever,” kind of attitude! She’d simply check in with the fans and ask, “are you feelin me” and then tell them that everything’s gonna be alright.

She was born to sing and always focused! Aaliyah was a rare creed who was plucked like a rose and broken in /the game like an eclipse of the sun. It didn’t take her long to become a movie queen and head over to the dark side in a film called Queen of The Dammed. She starred in a few movies where she was able to rock a different beat and she was able to work it out! Her fans stuck around because she was genuine and no matter what she went through she always came back in one piece! There was nothing messed up about Aaliyah. I gotta give it up to her parents because they did a great job with her!

She was also very mature for her age and well beyond her years. Even with love. Aaliyah would ask, ”are you that somebody” and even if she ended up heartbroken from going back and forth  with the same guy, she’d always be able to read between the lines and suggest, “we need a resolution.”

Aaliyah would always represent for all the ladies in the house and tell us not to rock the boat no matter how john blaze the guy/girl is and to just hold on until your were at your best! The lyrics to her songs were never forgotten. It was like she was speaking directly to us saying, “don’t worry, I gotcha back.”

Then she would dance her butt off  and I would sit in front of the TV with all I need! I’d have my dance clothes on, a glass of water, my 4 page letter that I sent to her fan box each week and a headshot of her that I got from her fan club!

Those were the days when saying I care for you and asking are you feelin’ me wasn’t about putting yourself out there.  When saying never no more and I refuse was about self empowerment. Sometimes I would wonder “what if I can be a girl like you and make beats 4 the streets?!?”

When Aaliyah was 22 years old she was on an airplane heading home from a music video shot and the plane crashed. Her life was cut so so  short and it left a void in the hearts of us all!

Fellas, maybe in you’re world your girlfriend is hot but did she know Aaliyah. I mean if your girl only knew!!!

She was truly one in a million and I got to give it up to my girl. She’s the one I gave my heart to because she was never giving up. Even though on this side of heaven she’s never comin’ back I always found it amazing that she keeps giving you more and coming out with new songs!

If I could I would go as a man undercover into heaven and look Aaliyah in her eyes and say, I came to give love and I miss you!

TBC

Monday, August 23, 2010

How to work and play

What's goody?!

I found some useful info while reading on the plane headed back from Atl to Los Angeles in a magazine the driver let me keep, BEST LIFE. According to Nivea:

Work Smarter
Just say NO
You can't be everything to everyone. If an obligation keeps you from doing something more important, learn to say "no" gracefully. You'll have more time to pursue your goals.

Play Harder
Play date
If you want to play hard, you need to make it a priority. Schedule time in your calendar once a week that is devoted to extracurricular activity and stick to it, no matter what. You'll find that devoting this time to play will help you keep your mind flexible, your batteries charged and your life in balance.

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Sunday, August 22, 2010

Happiness takes balls

Recently I came across an article in Best Life with Ryan Reynolds giving his thoughts on a few topics. I thought to share:

Happiness
"In order to be happy, you have to be willing to be disliked. In order to respect yourself, you have to be unafraid to disappoint others. You have to make tough decisions. That takes balls. The people who have made the greatest impressions on me in my life take care of themselves and don't always look for the most pleasing answer in any given moment. Happiness, like so many things, is a choice...."


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My Black is Beautiful

Hey ladies and gents, brothers and sisters, workers and slackers, pc'ers and mac'ers!! Just finished up a dj set at the Cobb Galleria in hot a** ATL, all jokes aside. Played a few classics for the Proctor and Gamble sponsored "MY BLACK IS BEAUTIFUL" event.

Several generations of beautiful black, oops I meant African American women (I try to be PC at times but) were in attendance and didn't hesitate hitting the floor to slide to the sounds of Teena Marie and Luther V.

Pampering was the focal point of the gathering and while some of the women sat just listening to the sounds of DJ MC Lyte others stood in line to get their grooming on. Nails, hair, make-up and massages, all for the glorious price of $Free.99, gotta love it.

The next MBIB is in Houston, TX on September 11th and NYC on the 18th. Come out ladies and get your pamper on!!

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Sunday, August 15, 2010

Exercising Patience

Feels so good to finally be in a space where all that I know, doesn't need to be said. A space where everything I hear, doesn't need to be repeated. A space where I can quickly assess who and what really deserves my attention.

I've learned to ask myself to what degree and at what cost will I allow myself to be pulled away from who I really am at the core? What's worth deviating from my overall plan? What means more than staying focused?
The answer, undoubtedly, NOTHING!

It's taken years for me to put me first but I have finally arrived. But not a day goes by that I don't ask this simple question of myself, "Am I doing for me, what I would so graciously do for another?"
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Saturday, August 14, 2010

Jordan Brand

125th st in NYC. Jordan gives money away to 3 children's organizations. Seen here on the jumbo tron at Rucker in Uptown Manhattan.
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Michael Jordan

At the World Basketball Festival in NYC Michael Jordan donates 23K to the Harlem YMCA and 23K to the Boys & Gilrs Club.
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Friday, August 13, 2010

Time to Move

Questions:

What happens when you take a look around and find the person you are trying to be is surrounded by people who far from the greatest company?

Answer:

You move!! You get hauling that ass like a bat out of hell.

Reason:
No one is going to take care of you better than you, so start acting like it! Begin taking the steps immediately that are going to get you to where you want to be. If you expect to win you can't do it running away from the finish line.

I once heard someone say, look at your five closest friends and you're looking at you. If there's something you see that you don't like or doesn't represent the true you, shake dem fools...jokes?...nah "I'm so fa real".

Change is possible but not when all you see is what you're trying not to be. When all you hear is not what you care to internalize. Gossip gets old quick and is just as poisonous to the person listening as it is to the person speaking it. Misery loves a whole lot company.

Look for something different. Read different books, visit different sites and go to different places where you can meet a whole new group of people. Use a different vocabulary from what you are accustomed to and you might find yourself in the midst of new people who are also looking for a new way to be inspired and frankly just a whole new way TO BE.

Bottom line is be courageous and unafraid to MOVE....now GET GONE and make something magical happen!!!

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FLASHLIGHT

FLASHLIGHT - Only the very best musicians play the #FLASHLIGHT stage - - - mostly all who play on the biggest records and tour with the biggest artists...This is their home, a place to freestyle with each other and connect on many planes...every experience is experimental music over grooves. We welcome all Vocalist and MC's who know they have what it takes to be amongst the BEST!

The Dj/Host is the legendary icon/artist MC LYTE. Spinning Classic Break Beats while the Band and the vocalist freestyle creating an authentic experience landing into the Ultimate Jam! Co-Host is Radio Personality DEVI DEV. Vocal Host is American Idol Finalist LEAH LABELLE.

- IT'S GOING TO BE SENSATIONALl!
Event Information Tuesday August 17, 2010

Every 2nd and 4th Tuesday
9:00 pm - 2:00 am21+Cover: $7.00Music: Rare Groove, Soul, Hip Hop

Tuesday, August 17, 2010 9:00 pm - 2:00am

4923 Lankershim Blvd
North Hollywood, CA 91601
(818) 763-6581


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Wednesday, August 11, 2010

My turn?

Some of us sit bewildered, "I've got all this damn talent and know how and
1 no one sees it
2 no one cares
3 I can't get a break
4 I'm living to survive
5 ya ya ya ya"

God doesn't lie and neither does the universe. If you've been given a talent, and most of us have, it's time you let those around you know. It's not about being famous, it's about using that talent to inspire another. It is ultimately God working through you to touch those that may need to be reminded of how beautiful life is.

So while you're sitting back hoping to be someone on TV or regretting all the time that has gone by and you missed your opportunity for celebrity remember...there's a real live person steps away that can really use inspiration through your singing, art,
poetry or whatever it is that you do. Everyone's a star if they allow themselves to shine, your turn is NOW!

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Successful People

"Successful people aren't born that way. They become successful by establishing the habit of doing things unsuccessful people don't like to do."Unknown

Thanks Ash Cash
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Thursday, August 5, 2010

Don't take it Personal

Don Miguel Ruiz said it best in his best seller, The Four Agreements.


"Don't take anything personally - Nothing others do is because of you. What others say and do is a projection of their own reality, their own dream. When you are immune to the opinions and actions of others, you won't be the victim of needless suffering"

Why get your pants up in a bunch because you weren't invited to the party? OR get huffy because the jerk you held the door for didn't say a mere thank you! OR your friend forgot your other friend sent a message thru the first friend to call and so you never did and now you appear to be the non-communicative ass-hole.

Though it may be extremely difficult to see someone else's actions totally independent of YOU it just so happens people are moving through their own lives that are filled with ups and downs and everything between. Nothing anyone does to you is because of just you.

Live love!
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Don't take it Personal

Don Miguel Ruiz said it best in his best seller, The Four Agreements.


"Don't take anything personally - Nothing others do is because of you. What others say and do is a projection of their own reality, their own dream. When you are immune to the opinions and actions of others, you won't be the victim of needless suffering"

Why get your pants up in a bunch because you weren't invited to the party? OR get huffy because the jerk you held the door for didn't say a mere thank you! OR your friend forgot your other friend sent a message thru the first friend to call and so you never did and now you appear to be the non-communicative ass-hole.

Though it may be extremely difficult to see someone else's actions totally independent of YOU it just so happens people are moving through their own lives that are filled with ups and downs and everything between. Nothing anyone does to you is because of just you.

Live love!
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Sunday, August 1, 2010

Preparation

And I don't mean "H"!! Lol. I mean having your game together so tight that who you are and what you do can never be questioned nor threatened.

Those who follow will always be behind. Never starting trends, never trekking new terrain but always remaining the same...
in second to last position,
ready to champion someone else's mission,
because they have none of their own, scared to be alone,
no ambition
Stuck, no transition
Fishing
For the next thing to follow
Wishing
for a better tomorrow
But motionless w still thoughts that are hollow
I give it to u straight, no chaser to swallow

Ahhh but those who await their fate prepared... Now that's a whole 'nother story...stay tuned.
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