Picture this. 1994. A young Afrobella is living in Trinidad, still in high school, and watching videos on BET and MTV every day. One day the video for Patra’s Romantic Call comes on the television. “My property is my property!” declares a stunningly beautiful black woman with thick braids sprouting from her head like a…
Jams
Top Five Favorite Moments of the BET Awards
I can’t hardly keep up with myself. The past four out of five weeks, I’ve been somewhere on a trip. I have SO much to write about for you! Expect a whole lotta catching up in the next few posts! First things first, last Sunday I was amongst the stars at The Shrine Auditorium in…
Working Out Like The FLOTUS — What’s On Your Playlist?
Michelle Obama inspires me on so many levels, bellas. She inspires me in terms of her poise, her grace, her accomplishments, her style, and in the way that she makes health and fitness a priority. I’m trying to do the same in my life, and the First Lady’s workout regimen inspires me. Check out this…
RIP, Donna Summer
When I read the headline on TMZ, my heart sank right into my stomach. The Queen of Disco, the woman who contributed so much glamour and glitter to the soundtrack of my life, Donna Summer, has died of cancer at age 63. This year has been awful, in terms of losing my childhood musical icons….
The Genius of Marley, The Man and The Movie
When I think back on the earliest songs I knew and my earliest childhood memories, Bob Marley is there as the soundtrack. In my mind’s eye, I can remember seeing news footage of his funeral on Panorama, Trinidad’s national news program when I was a kid. Of course, I was only three. This may be…
Esperanza Spalding On Fashion, The Oscars, and Radio Music Society
She’s got beautiful hair and a stunning face, and she’s talented like nobody’s business. Esperanza Spalding has the whole package going for her. I’ve been a fan for a while now – remember this 2008 interview? Even then I knew she was going to be HUGE. So much has changed for Esperanza since then. She’s…
Who’s Going to see Fela! in Chicago?
The first time I heard the music of Fela Kuti, I was a college student visiting Chicago. My then-fiance-now-husband, our dear friend Carol (check out her hilariously named food blog!) and I were driving around downtown with a hilarious, gregarious cab driver. He was blasting Fela Kuti — together we heard Teacher Don’t Teach Me…
RIP, Etta James
Last week, Etta James was heavy on my mind. I was visiting my homeland of Trinidad, soaking up the sun and sand and having a blast with my family and old friends. Even in the midst of that, there was Etta. “Hey, have you heard this Flo Rida song?” my brother asked. Good Feeling is…
What I Love About Lianne La Havas
It takes me a minute to discover new music. I don’t mean to be a late adopter, it just takes me a while to find new artists I’m intrigued enough to attach myself to. Whenever I hear new music I LOVE, I’m gonna make an effort to share it with you! And right now my…
Be Thankful
It’s so easy to look at life and see the flaws and downsides and failures and disappointments. But today isn’t about that. Today is about the positive. The good stuff. The successes and the blessings. Family, friends, health, love. Celebrating the things in life that you are most thankful for. This year I have SO…