When compared to his contemporaries Lenny Kravitz is in a league all his own. He’s an extremely gifted singer, songwriter, arranger, producer, and multi-instrumentalist who marches to the beat of his own drum. His retro-leaning music is an extraordinary blend of rock, funk, r&b/soul, folk, and reggae (to name a few). Album after album Kravitz proves that you can have style with substance and purpose. Happy Black Music Month!!! 😀
When Chaka Khan burst onto the scene as the lead singer of Rufus back in the 70s–the world was never quite the same. Jazz, Soul, Funk, Rock, Gospel, Pop–you name it she can sing it (effortlessly). Her inimitable, stratospheric vocals, unique style, and stage presence still leave audiences captivated to this day. A beautiful singer, songwriter, and musician–she’s truly one of a kind. And most certainly–iconic and legendary. Happy Black Music Month!!! 😀
© BuddahDesmond
Whenever the feeling comes along I’m temporarily paralyzed.
Can’t seem to move, think, or speak normally.
A momentary loss;
Have to make myself snap out of it to get beyond it.
Whenever that feeling takes over,
I have to regain my composure.
It’s like I’m fighting against a foreign invader–with everything within me—to win.
Whenever that feeling comes along,
I have to do what I can to conquer it.
Don’t want to be the victim of my own defeat.
Can’t pass the blame on anyone else if I can’t deal;
When the beat drops I just have to ride it
Never going against it,
Just naturally flowing with it
When it hits it captures me,
Seizes my soul,
Taking control of every word I say and every move I make
This groove colors the night,
Painting scenes never realized before,
Igniting otherworldly emotions,
And deepened connections.
Don’t want this musical excursion to end.
Why should we ever have to step outside of this groove?
If I were its proprietor I could mass market this experience
     so that everyone could get a fix.
Cause after a groove like this–how can your life ever be the same?
© BuddahDesmond
Nothing rings true
Nothing quite real
It’s all staged and scripted
Better than make believe
Left wondering if anything gets past the pretense
So contrived
Like co-stars with bad chemistry
Though they keep trying–disbelief is never suspended
Except for those weak, naive minds who continue to fall for it
Meanwhile, those in the know are waiting for the showdown
If you ever wonder why the reception is icy
or lacks the warmth you feel you’re accustomed to
check yourself
You may not be as genuine as you think you are
You may not be genuine at all
Just fake and phony
100% fake and phony
(c) BuddahDesmondÂ
If you really meant what you said, why apologize?
Anyone could feel the words,
they were jam-packed with passion.
Could the presentation have been different?
Yes.
Could your tone have been less caustic?
Yes.
If anything, you should apologize for how you said what you said.
Otherwise it’s meaningless.
Phony apologies don’t suffice in any instance.
Unless it’s sincere and heartfelt–keep it to yourself.
(c) BuddahDesmond
Recently had the opportunity to catch Jill Scott live as part of her Summer Block Party tour. And what an amazing experience it was. Still think and dream about it to this day. So I wrote this poem as an ode to her magnificence.
Just Jill: Words & Sounds Live
There’s something about Jill–
Natural beauty and wonder,
Talent that seems limitless,
Has a heart and soul so deep, so pure that it boggles one’s capacity
    to understand.
She gets you as soon as she makes her appearance–
Immediately captured.
She’s a musical wizard,
Who casts her spell within the first few notes.
The studio is great,
But there’s nothing like the real thing live.
Jill’s larger than life spirit commands the stage.
Head held high, never down;
Always standing in high-esteem like a regal Goddess,
Like the Queen that she is.
Undeniable authenticity,
And a familiarity that makes you feel as if you’re in the good hands of a
    loved one.
Jill’s better than your best friend–
    she’s family.
So real, so genuine, so true;
She goes places very few dare to go on and off the stage.
Saying all things we’d like to say so beautifully, so eloquently–
She’s not afraid to go there.
She’s fearless.
She’s wide open to the point of being selfless.
That’s why we relate;
That’s why we–your core fans–just can’t let anything get in the way ofÂ
    what we’re feeling when it comes to you.
Jill takes us on a journey–one we’ll always wish could last a little while
    longer.
The ride is an indelible experience–
One we’d relive any chance we get.
Because Jill’s the whole package;
Never needing to depend on the pyrotechnics to put on a great show–
She’s golden like that,
She’s divinely touched,
And we are so grateful that we can experience the blessings.
Whatever it is, whatever it is;
Let it be, let it be.
YES!
Let us PLEASE let Jill Scott be!
© BuddahDesmond