Joss & Amy's Caucasian Flavour

So, here at the House of Provocation, we identify soul[full] music to be a central source of emotional and physical joy, reflection and relation. Generally, when we think of our favourite soulful musicians in North American society, we are transported to an earlier time of history.

In my opinion, the spirit of soul is most popular and transparent when listening to Motown Classics. I just can't help but get excited every time I see the commercial for the Time Life Soul Collection...I get sucked in every time! Oh Girl...the Delfonics. Just My Imagination...The Temptations. Damn, these are the oldies, but soul goodies.

So this got me thinking: what non-black artists out there today, are successful and respectful at appropriating the powerful and ultimate proto-type, that African Americans have molded soul[full] music into?

Two artists quickly jumped to mind:

1) --Joss Stone--




It is hard to believe that this girl is not even twenty yet! I was first introduced to Joss, when my brother bought me her first album, Soul Sessions , a few Christmas' ago. Damn, the minute I put it on, this saucy-Brit had my attention. With soulful ballads like, "The Choking Kind," and "Victim of a Foolish Heart," this white girl was working it out! Her music was simple, not burying the meaning of her lyrics, or hiding the rawness of her young, yet wise voice.

How do we know that this girl has succeeded in connecting within the already established realm of soul[full] music??

Joss Stone has sold more than 7.5 million albums worldwide; been nominated for four Grammy Awards; appeared onstage with the Soul-Gods: James Brown, Stevie Wonder, Patti Labelle, Mavis Staples, Donna Summer, and Smokey Robinson. Damn, the girl was even on Oprah! Joss has managed to capture the hearts of many music fans with her warm vintage soul, Motown girl-group harmonies and fiercely jazzy grooves. Respect.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HOBMie_qQeI

2) --Amy Winehouse--




They tryed to make her go to rehab, she said : "No! No! No!" Another vocal threat from the UK! Fresh from her triumphant performance at the Brits, where she picked up the British Female Solo Artist award, Amy Winehouse has her much anticipated new single, ”Back To Black”, released on April 16th. This album is yummy to the soul and quenches the appetite. Another young-mature star recieving international acclaim, Amy seems to workout some darker personal issues then Joss. Joss' music seems to pivot primarily, around the fullfillment and angst of love.

In fact, Ms. Winehouse was in Toronto this past weekend, lamenting it out to a sold out crowd. Check it out:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GY_r9GVdl9A

In comparison to Joss, Amy has one key artistic advantage: she writes all her own music. That is not only refreshing, but exciting to a sould lova like me!

Her raw and sultry voice is something that just seems to stay in my head all day long. I hear it and I can't stop singing it! Not your a-typical soul/jazz singer. Big-ups to this twenty-three year old, English-Jew from North London. Pass me over some Winehouse!

So kids, if you get the time, check out these two extremely talented female soul artists. It seems the UK is a breeding ground for some exciting, non-conventional soul singers with talent. So to that, I say OYE!!

Family Portrait

So my family is not exactly what you would consider, a typical nuclear-functional family. I have learned that, as I have aged. That red wine can be my most precious and constant companion at a family gathering. Sometimes we all need to loosen up to let the good times role!

Exposing the entire dysfunctional nature of my family to the world, is not my primary concern or intention in this post. In fact, it is quite the opposite. From all the tales I have heard or been witness too, in my lifetime -- I know this. No family is perfect.

We all hold our own histories, behaviours and insanities, in accordance to the way we have been raised. Whether it is nature or nurture that makes us who we are, I can not say. Though I myself, think that at the end of the day, we are a product of both.



We all know the admirable qualities we inherit from our parents, as well as the not so attractive habits. I know mine is defiantly my temper. Bad bad temper! Though it is not half as heightened as it use to be, I know that it is often laying latent, looking for a reason to reveal its ugly face!! The recognition is there, now it is time to deal. We all must choose to deal.

Covering our family problems or issues with a layer of soil, does not stop them from resurfacing. Within a certain time or place, your scars will show. We can run, but we can't hide from who we are.

Our families are a true testament to who we are, or who we are not. So take a look at your family portrait, and appreciate it for all its worth. Fond memories, utter disappointments. Kind words and discouraging behaviours. Reaching understandings and really forgiving someone. We are all made from the DNA of our families. Unless we take the time to learn about them, we will never comprehend the thread that binds us all together as a family. Blood runs thicker than water, but we all bleed.

ONE.

I Dedicate this to Mama.....

To all the mama's, baby mama's and baby mama's, mamas....

Wishing you all a very Happy Mother's Day!!

To my mama. Thanks for all your love, affection, strength and wisdom. Love you and you guide me to be a kinder person and a better human being.

Raise your glasses, to all the special ladies in your life. Chin, chin.

Destiny....I'm Gonna Look From Where You Call Me

Appreciate. It is simple to take the smallest things for granted. The clearness of a blue sky, the smile that forms across your lovers lips when you say " I love you", the laughter of children on the playground.

We are all faced with choices in our lives. These choices reflect not only your desires, but also your convictions. We make the choices we make based on our experiences. School exposes us to the various palettes of knowledge. We feel inspired, curious, outraged and often discouraged by the challenge it may present our minds. But we must not run at the sight of a challenge. We push through, not through choice, but determination.

Family allows us to learn the dynamics of a forming relationships and learning how to make them survive, unconditionally. We understand what it is to provide, to feel deprived, to feel anger, resentment. But also, we learn that nothing runs thicker than blood. We are merley a reflection of those around us. We either embrace them or reject their sustenance. Work teaches us to occupy ourselves and receive compensation through striving to better our skills, personalities. Monetary or personal, hopefully work is an environment that allows you o develop. Like school, it teaches us to dedicate ourselves to a goal.

Lovers allow us to unwind, break-free of all the hectics and ill-fate that the world has within its chaos. Laying in the arms of one-another, with mercy, compassion and vulnerability. You form a bond and you try to grow together with the best of intentions. You both merge into each others dreamscapes and reality fields. You learn to be strong through them and weak around them. It fills you up with joy in the present, and with hopes of the future.

Life may not be easy and at times, not even kind to you. But this is where your power lays: in your choices. You must be at ease with the knowledge that though it may not be easy, you have made a choices about how you act and behave towards your family, education,career and lovers.

If you can look in the mirror and tell me you like what you see, honestly, you are one of the few. Laziness and ignorance does not allow you to lead a life of fulfillment and joy. Rule your destiny, it is yours to create.

Don't get discouraged, get determined.

MARY-JANE, Mistress for Life

Bumpin the trunk, with the windows rolled up....PuFf!

Shooooooot! As the weather heats up, I can't help but smell the scent of wholesome goodness, wherever I go. No, I am not referring to BBQing (though that too smells delicious.) I am talking about my boo for life, Mary-Jane.

As I strolled the streets of the Gaybourhood yesterday, the smell was potent. So many people with small, squinty eyes were smiling at me. This makes me smile right back. There is love in the air!

The world would be a lot better, kinder and calmer if we all just partook in the occasional tokeology. Think about it. People would be far more bonded together through nature! Higher elevation! Sess or hydro, the basic formula leads to GOOD TIMES.

For many years, I have been aware that most of my friends are devoted to the puffin lifestlye. This was never an intentional kinship formation. It just seems to be the way it is. I don't look for pot heads, they sniff me out! Moreover, I have had some of my most revealing, enthusiastic and intelligent conversations with my peeps, when I have been high-flying, adored.

Now, I understand the counter-argument. Pot makes us fry our brain cells and for some, it becomes a silencing mechanism. I am aware that some of my memory capacity has declined from this sweet indulgence, but every action has a counter-reaction. Boozing eats away our livers, the sun fry's our skin, and eating excessively causes obesity. All in moderation, kids.

Sitting at "Roacharma," in Kensington Market, I realized the actual universal appeal and commonality weed bridges among people. Young, old, black, brown, black. Rockers and raggas...everyone smokes weed. If you have the opportunity, I would suggest taking a trip down to the "Roacharma," and blazing one in the back. It is a fun expereince and one of the only public places, in Toronto, ythat you can "legally" get red. Enjoy a tea and the company. PUFF.

So to a summer, I say cheers. Light one up and pass it over. Happy blazing!

Check out info on the Marjuana March:
http://www.cannabisweek.ca

Hip Hop Hoooray Hooo!

This past Thursday, with my fabulous gangstarrs at my side, I attended "Hip Hop Karaoke." This event took place at "The Boat" in Kensington Market. I had been to this venue for a previous party and enjoyed the ambiance and intimacy. Kensington Market is just one of those cool, Bohemian, hidden treasures of Toronto.

I was like a virgin to this experience -- It was my first. However, I was really excited by the hope that I would get to see some talented MC's do their thang! Spit that shit on the MIC!

It was curious to see what this sort of event brings out in terms of a crowd. Interestingly enough, from my not-so-sober observations, the crowd was primarily Caucasian and Asian. This is truly quite revealing of the impact that this at once, underground, African-American style of lyricism has had across cultures, spaces and classes. These kids did not look like hustlers from the block, that is for sheezy! However, approximatly 60% of Hip Hop is consumed by Caucasian, middle to upper-class youth.

Ok, so my review. It was a good time. I mean, I did not see anythign earth shattering, but decent. I give most of these people an "A" for effort. It is not easy to get in front of a room and throw down some rhymes like that. I really did enjoy two of the MC's -- they had a good flow and present energy. However, on the other side of the game, there were a couple performers that just needed to be thrown into the projects.

It was evident that a couple of the "girl groups," were not so...well...fly. Think high school party, too much liquor and "Shoop" coming on. Cha-bam, all of a sudden the three white girls transform into, Salt-shaker, Pepa-corn and Spinderalla-hoe. Playa please!!

YOU WISH!

Though I had fun, two things did come to mind that bothered me about this event:

A) They had no Tupac! WTF?? Must I say anything? Being not only a big fan of hip hip, but also the history of hip hop, how can you not offer one of the most crucial MC's in the history of hip hip? SHAME!! I saw BIGGIE, but no PAC. SHAME!! This just seems sac-religious.

B) Not enough representation of female MC tracks. This was really annoying. In total, there may have been about seven tracks by a female MC. I defiantly think hat the organizers need to assess that there in a uniqueness that some female MC's discuss in their work, that is not represented in the males lyrics. Male hip hop can be very virile. It seemed bizarre that they had no Eve, or barley any Lauryn Hill. I just ask for some respect to the ladies.

Deep down in my heart, I know this was a G-rated showing of MC talent. It was not like being on the block in Brooklyn, or the WEST SIDE of Cali. Seeing real MC's who live and breathe to tell their stories. That would just blow me away.




Though, I would defiantly say this was a night of entertainment. By no means was this as gratifying and exciting as seeing a new talent come out with his/her own lyrics and originality. Karaoke is not free styling, we know this.

Good times though. Good friends usually makes for a good time (0:
Keep the hip hop alive. Word.

Birthday Bash Extravagenza -- BLOP BLOP!

Madre di dios! Enough birthdays already. It seems that the Aries folk have taken over my life for the past week. As the readers of the blog are aware, Derrick's birthday was this week. In addition, it was my GF's on Tuesday and my brothers was yesterday!

So tonight is the night that the final bash takes place.
*Breathing in for dear life*
It seems like Whitney after a crack fit, I have no sense of reality or time these past few days. I wake up and just say happy birthday to the first person I see. Don't judge me...you try and keep anything in me straight!

YOU WISH!



No matter what people say, birthdays are very important days. They represent the day your mama pooped your sorry-ass out her pum pum. Just for her being in labour, we should celebrate your arrival. We honour the female reproductive system and a man's ability to shoot a winner!! HOORAY!

On a more personal level, I do not think that you should celebrate your life, if you did nothing productive or noteworthy for the past year of your existence. I feel in this case, you (aka: the loser) should try to shove yourself back into your mama's vagina for processing. Maybe you are not quite finished turning into a real boi?

To those I have celebrated with, Happy Birthday and love to you all. Keep on surviving and stay real....

OK, back to the bottle.... ONE NIGHT ONLY!

PS. JB Fletcher -- I still have love for your birthday, next week. Fear not!