Music_x_Video || Esperanza Spalding "Black Gold"

Directed By: Pilar Sanz

"Now maybe none else has ever told you so. But you’re golden, baby, black with a diamond soul. Think of all the strength you have in you, from the blood you carry within you ancient man, powerful man build us up civilization." - Esperanza Spalding || Black Gold Lyrics 

I have this tendency to know of an artist and know the extent of how wonderful of an artist they are but it doesn't fully dawn on me until later on. For example I did not appreciate Erykah Badu when I was younger even though her music was constantly surrounded by me, until I've gotten older. Now shes one of my favorite singers and someone I view as my idol.

Now, Ms. Esperanza Spalding. This woman is amazing and I hate to say it but I knew of Ms. Spalding for some time now but never took the time out to actually digest the beauty of her music. The music video I featured above is from her most recent album she released in March of 2012 "Radio Music Society." (I must get the album) This song "Black, Gold" is so amazing due to Esperanza and Algebra Blessett's beautiful voices, the music video from the beginning to end, and LISTEN to the lyrics! The words of the song warms my heart, when I'm feeling down and out this song is something I would need to listen to. I recommend reading the lyrics. -sabla`

Meet: Dex R. Jones of SirReal Photography.

I became recognized with photographer Dex R. Jones of Sir-Real Photography during the summer of 2011 due to a photograph of my friend RipMC. I'm a fan of great photography so I took it upon myself to find more of his work, which I did and just fell in love with the aesthetic of all the photos he created. I got the chance to have a little Q&A with Mr. Jones to get a feel of who he is and why he do what he does. Check it out below.

Photo by Nneka Salmon

How old are you?

As of January this year, I turned 25.

When did you get seriously involved in photography and what sparked your interest?

Photography was always something that I admired. Growing up it was just one of those things that I wanted try or that I felt like I would be good at. But it wasn't until I got to college and took a couple of photography courses, did I actually have a legitimate excuse to get a camera and I had to be good with it otherwise I was going to fail. [laughs] But the funny and I guess ironic thing is that I wasn't good. At least on paper I wasn't. I don't think I ever got an A on any assignments. So I barely passed those classes as I did normally in school. I never consistently excelled. I always had very high highs and low lows but that's besides the point. Once I left those classes, in spite of my grades I still has this desire and passion for taking pictures. I just loved art honestly, and as long as I had the vehicle to continue practicing a new art that's what I was going to do. And now I am where I am: a young photographer. I still have a long journey ahead of me with plenty to learn.

MoRuf

Who or What do you draw inspiration from?

I surprisingly don't get that much visual inspiration. I get Inspiration from the lifestyles and stories of young artist and prodigies before me like Jean-Michel Basquiat and Dave Chappelle for example. They showed so much promise from a very young age and are a reminding example that you can make it while being true to yourself and uncompromising. I can identify with their stories being that I'm young among a number of older artist.

Jean-Michel Basquiat & Dave Chappelle

What are 3 words that you would use to describe your style of photography?

This is probably corny but my work actually is a bit SURREAL to me. My work is hardly ever real, in the sense that I don't do much "documentarian" work. But I still want my work and art to feel real to the audience. I want you to be apart of the story. I want you create your own stories out of your interpretation of the image. I don't really want people to just look at an amazing photo and then just move on to the next one. I like to do things that will really penetrate. My work is also very SIMPLE. Or at least as simple as it can be in this digital age. There's not a lot of smoke and mirrors behind it. Most times it's just me, my models, my simple old camera and the sun in the sky. It's not a lot to work with but we've been working well together so far. I've done the whole studio thing with white backgrounds and studio lights but I usually find it unnecessary. I have a number of images that people actually think I shot in studio with major equipment when but it's just in a bedroom or outside somewhere. [laughs] Last but not least my work is PASSIONATE. I really believe that when you look at my work you get the idea that I am someone who loves what I do and thinks about what I do constantly. This is fun for me but it's not only fun. I take it very seriously.

RIPMC

What is your favorite photograph you've ever taken?

You've gotta understand that that question is like asking me to choose my favorite child. These photos are my babies. [laugh] That said, I'm gonna go with this one simply because I recently had a conversation about it with a friend of mine at a party. It's a nude photo of a woman with....

Music: Full Crate |x| Jesse Boykins III

Album Artwork By: Anthonio |x| Painting By: Brian Elstak

And once again... Jesse Boykins III, but this time Mr. Boykins III has paired up with Amsterdam resident, DJ composer, and sound designer Full Crate to compose two beautiful emotional snatching songs. "Her Throne" (featured) & "See With Me." I hope you enjoy these two songs as much as I do. The Album Artwork though! Incredible. I want that piece hanging in my room, I need it in my life. ( hahah.. seriously)

-sabla`

create. & inspire.

A sweet message left in my ask box on Tumblr:
"I am so inspired by who you choose to be :) you remind me why i really like being dark-skinned. Sorry i didnt exactly "ask" anything, i just like to make a habit of acknowledging genius from time to time. Thank you for a needed refreshment. Please don't ever stop! I would be a little hurt."

My answer:
I really don't know what to say :) but, thank you
your kind words relinquished me from the stress I'm enduring right now. And trust me I will never stop being who I am, It will hurt me more if I do as it should anyone beginning to hide from who they truly are. I am truly humbled by your words, so once again Thank You <3.

That beautiful message was sent to me a few months ago to me on Tumblr and I had it sitting in my drafts here on Blogger, procrastinating on posting about it since. I guess my procrastination was occurring for a reason.

When I had this post sitting in my drafts, I chose to entitle it "create. & inspire.", due to the inspiration I inflicted on someone else. Now looking at this months later it has done more than humble me it has inspired me. In the past I had this "lost" feeling hovering over me and I don't think I completely bounced back from that feeling like I thought I did. I have not successfully created anything since my Parsons application process, and I don't even feel GoldenSense is the same, It kind of lost it's essence. I've been posting but not the same way like I use to. Overall, I haven't been impacted by inspiration or I wonder if I have stopped acknowledging my past Inspirations.

This message who was sent by someone anonymously, is that impact of inspiration that I haven't felt in a while. I feel like I lied to whoever sent that message in a sense because "who I am" was beginning to unconsciously fade, I felt like I began to loose my purpose. I'm starting with this post to be on my road to redemption to getting back to creating and inspiring. Not only to inspire others but to serve as my own inspiration to keep pushing with passion and ambition because this isn't me. -sabla`

Jesse Boykins III "Shine"
For Now on, due to the fact that I feel every experience in life has a song to match to it as it's soundtrack, every post I put up will have a song for you to play along with it. I chose Jesse Boykins III "Shine" track off his album "The Beauty Created" because I simply need to 
Shine Again.

The Sky Is The Limit Showcase.

The Sky Is The Limit Showcase presented by Nigel G. and Aglaelle N. was hosted by Sunglasses Designer of Ubiquity, Mojo Disco and California native Jocelyn Ryann. They put on a night of talent, tribute, awareness, and straight Love. My expectations for this show was met and then exceeded. I must give it to the host who kept me laughing and DJ Blackout who brought me back to my childhood with the throwback "Jams" with some Aaliyah, Bell Biv DeVoe, Whitney Houston, and some TLC just to name a few. But the true reason for this showcase was to raise awareness for breast cancer and pay tribute to some of the queens of music who returned to the essence just too soon for us fans to handle, Lisa "Left Eye" Lopes, Aaliyah, and Whitney Houston. There was dancing, singing, poetry, step teams, rap cyphers, even a CHRISTIAN RAPPER! Why did I exaggerate the fact that there was a christian rapper, it's because I'm going to be honest, I was a bit nervous because I'm particular when it comes to Hip Hop and I heard some rappers who raps for the big man upstairs and It didn't rock my boat but this rapper who is a female, HeeSun Lee killed it and changed my pre-judged opinions. Overall the night was an experience, I commend everyone who took the stage and did their thing.

-sabla`

Host Jocelyn Ryann & Mojo Disco

"Our potential is limitless, some people may tell you that you can’t do this or that but as long as you believe in yourself and have the dedication, you can accomplish anything. Whitney Houston, Aaliyah and Lisa “Left Eye” Lopes are perfect examples. Through their gifts they were able to demonstrate to the world that you can be anything that you want to be, gracing us with songs such as “I Will Always Love You”, “ One In A Million” and “Unpretty”. These three artists were able to leave a major impact on the world through their music. Although they may have passed away they still live throughout their music." - Nigel G.

Poets Ashley August & Katherine George.
Recent News:
On April 7th these two poets performed at the Apollo Theater in the Urban Word Teen Slam Finals and both won the chance to be a part of Urban Word's Slam Team to represent New York at the Brave New Voices National Poetry Slam.

Rapper Yahiness
(pronounced Yah-Highness)

Christian Rapper HeeSun Lee. Listen to her song "Open Your Eyes" Here

Rapper Sha Summers. Watch his most recent music video "Lyrical Therapy Part 1 & 2" Here

“Sky Is The Limit” is an artist showcase that includes a tribute to Whitney Houston, Aaliyah, and Lisa “ Left Eye” Lopes. They have faced many challenges but were still able to accomplish many goals that they set out for themselves and eventually became pop icons; changing the view of how people viewed them through their music. Although we deal with a daily struggle, we should never allow any minor problems that we are faced with to stop us from making it to the top." - Nigel G.