This Sister is on Fire!

I have had the pleasure of seeing T. Miller twice and each time I was blown away. She has the energy and spirit to keep your hands clappin and fingers snappin with every line she drops. I am truly a fan and cant wait to hear more from her. But don't take my word for it, check out the video below to see for yourself and check out more on you tube. Enjoy

Can You Feel It?

Dancing is one of my biggest pleasures and I connect with music on an intimate level. I wrote this poem back in 2004. The words are actually meant to describe an almost sexual experience with the music in the form of a partner. This is definitely one of my favorite pieces.

Can you feel it
I want to get unconscious with you
I wanna wrap my arms around your waist with my face so close that I can taste the faint
Hint of sweat on your neck
As our bodies intertwine, I feel that you are mine, back and forth we feel the beat as our
Feet hit the ground, listening to the sound penetrate our ears
Losing all inhibitions and fears we are unconscious
Can you feel it
Even though there are a hundred people around us, we are alone
As we enter the zone of sex
Feeling like we had “X” I mean ecstasy all in our bodies
Making my nature rise to the occasion, blazin right through you
Can you feel it
Yeah I know you can cause your wonderin who is this man dancing up behind me
With smoke and steam blowin from around and above
Now whose got you crazy in love as you begin to throw it harder, bolder
Hoping this song is never over
We get unconscious
Can you feel it
Yeah boy dance
As were both stuck in a trance
There’s just trust no romance
Just pure unadulterated lust as you can feel the thrust of me dancing behind you
Our bodies are speaking a language that has never been heard
Without saying a word
You can hear it
You can feel it
You can taste it
On the inside I can feel that you are all wet
Will you let me afterwards
This feeling with no logic or reason
Is just a season of bliss
Being spontaneous, I can kiss the small of your neck
Can you feel it
As our bodies join together
Letting the rhythm pump you
As you’re getting unconscious
Letting me bump you
I can feel it, you can feel it
Don’t go into the fire, don’t go into the dark
Just give into the moment
Cause I just might break your heart
Let’s just get unconscious together
And tell me can you feel it

Monster

Kanye West is about to drop his 3rd video from Dark Twisted Fantasy. I really like the song so I hope the video will live up to my expectation. Knowing Kanye, it will. On another note, am I the only one who thinks Nicki killed it on this track!! Check out the preview below.

Def Poetry Moments

Every now and then I like to go back and watch old episodes of Def Poetry Jam. Below is a clip from a 2006 episode featuring Kanye. Say what you want about him but this brother is crazy talented with a swag that is off the radar. Also featured is a clip of the eccentric goddess that is Erykah Badu. I have so many favorites and I will be posting more but these are right up there with the best. Enjoy!

Thinking of Aretha

Sources say that Grammy award-winning singer Aretha Franklin has been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. The Queen of Soul has not publicly confirmed the illness but did release a statement earlier this month saying she had successful surgery. Franklin, 68, canceled all public appearances through May of next year.

Aretha Franklin's family has reported the singer "is doing better than doctors expected." This news comes on the heels of recent Aretha Franklin cancer reports from the likes of National Enquirer. Her family has not confirmed the pancreatic cancer reports and is asking that the media respect Franklin's privacy.Courtesy of Chicago Tribune.

Aretha is a music legend and my thoughts and prayers go out to her and her family during this difficult time.

Culinary Corner:

You are probably wondering why I'm talking about restaurants on this type of blog. Well, I happen to think that culinary experience is a form of expression. Its expression through the senses of taste and smell. Have you ever been to a restaurant and the dining experience was so good that you find that you've been there for hours and didn't know where the time went? Well that is what I experienced at The Drawing Room. The Drawing room, located on 937 N Rush street, is very trendy with just the right amount of class that makes you comfortable enough to relax and have fun. They don't just have bartenders, they have Mixologists. This description taken from their website puts it best.

The Drawing Room features a cocktail program unmatched in Chicago. Created by Chief Mixologist Charles Joly and a team of Master Bartenders, the cocktail list is a collection of classic cocktails, modern creations, punch bowls, hand crafted sodas, and boutique coffee and tea service.

Since opening in 2007, the Drawing Room has focused on sharing the art and history of cocktails with guests. Not only do guests seated at the bar enjoy the knowledge of the Master Bartenders on staff, but the bar will come to the guests seated at tables. The Drawing Room features custom-built bar carts that allow the Master Bartenders to create culinary cocktails table side and interact with the customers anywhere in the venue.

This year the Drawing Room had the honor of being named Cocktail Lounge of the Year by Nightclub & Bar Magazine and recognized at the Nightclub and Bar show in Las Vegas.

In a world where people are turning more and more to pre-mixed, pre-packaged, and manufactured options for their cocktails, The Drawing Room maintains a strong commitment to fresh ingredients, house made mixers, small batch spirits, and the highest level of service for its customers.

The Drawing Room also offers an intimate dining experience in its hidden subterranean location. Chef Nick Lacasse creates a seasonally inspired progressive American cuisine with global influence, whimsical interpretations, and a focus on textural contrast.

After your wonderful dining experience, head on over to Le Passage. Its a night club that is attached to the Drawing Room!

So if you are looking for a cool place to take friends or out of town guest for the holidays, I strongly suggest The Drawing Room and Le Passage. You wont be disappointed.

Move on me baby!

This has to be one of my favorite songs off Fantasia's new album. I have been waiting to see a clip of her performing this song. What I expected to see was fantasia rockin this performance with her signature shoulder shakes and barefoot antics, but she was pretty subdued. Still this was a great performance. Fantasia is classic and will always have her place in the music industry. If you don't have the album, I strongly suggest getting it. A great listen from beginning to end. Enjoy!

Hump Day Thought

On a personal note I have really been trying to find the balance between taking things seriously and just trying to enjoy myself and be happy. I tend to lean heaviliy toward taking things too seriosuly. So I have been working on a self project and one of the things that I am doing is just stopping and enjoying the moment. When I went to lunch today I actually opened my eyes and breathed. Its funny the things you suddenly notice. All this time when I go out for lunch, I have been walking past this beautiful art shop on Michigan Ave. I decided to go in and look at some of the art in the window. Some of the pieces were inspiring. With that said, if you are like me and sometimes rushing through life, just stop, take a moment and open your eyes wide. You might be surprised at what is looking back at you.

On The Rise

So I have been hearing a lot of buzz about up and coming artist Miguel.

Miguel Jontel is only 23 years old, but by most standards he's already a seasoned music industry veteran. The multi-talented singer, songwriter and producer began writing music when he was eight years old as a way to cope with the devastation of his parent's divorce. For 15 years, Miguel honed his skills, doing whatever he could to break a highly competitive music industry that unfortunately wasn't quite sure what to make of him. "I would go to meetings and I would be doing this music as this kid who looks like he's half-Asian and black, his name is Miguel, but he sings. Like, who are you?" he told the Boombox in a recent interview. "This was before the Latin market was even something people were paying attention to here in the States."

Miguel began steadily building a buzz after working with underground rapper Blu on his album 'Below the Heavens' and making an appearance on Asher Roth's 'Asleep in the Bread Aisle.' A highly personal song of Miguel's ('Sure Thing'), which was not originally intended for release, ended up making waves online, racking up over 7 million plays on his Myspace page. Now, with a full-length debut solo album on the way, Miguel is poised for superstardom with his genre-spanning blend of hip-hop, R&B, jazz and soul. Courtesy of Pop eater

This song is giving me an old 90's feel in a good way. Check out the video below of his current single All I want is you featuring J Cole

The Storm

This is a piece that I wrote and just wanted to share with you guys. I wrote it during a time when I was feeling really defeated and just needed to encourage
myself and feel empowered. The pic was also taken by me as well. Yeah I dibble a little in photography too:) I hope you enjoy and feel free to send me some pieces. Just make sure you credit yourself or the author when you send it.




This storm, this rage that I cannot contain,
As I try not to blame and take action
I have begun to speak.
First starting off in a chrome monotone
I begin to speak louder.
Ooh the power I begin to feel
As I let my heart spill out all of its emotions.
Going through the motions is a thing of the past
How long will this last you ask, well I don’t know.
But what I do know is that speaking out loud feels so good.
As it should, I feel empowered, bold, even elated.
Have I already stated how good I feel?
Why yes, well let me stress that point again.
When I look into your eyes, I am no longer afraid
No longer afraid of what you might say, feel or think,
Because this time, it’s all about me
And as you can see I am the priority of this moment
No longer will I lay dormant and be bounded by these chains
Or be the left over remains of that thing you called tough love
With the pieces of my heart shattered on the floor
If you look up and listen you can hear the sky roar
Listen to my voice as I try to warn
There is nowhere you can hide or run from my storm!

Love and Attention

This piece was written by me. I was going through a moment when I was going on a lot of dates and not finding the qualities that I wanted in a partner. I had to stop and ask myself, what do I want from my partner? It was simple. I hope you enjoy it and let me know what you think.

What I need is love and attention
Someone who, i don't even have to mention
When I want to be loved and caressed
Someone with the finesse to stroke my back so gently
knows how to speak eloquently but hard,yet sensitive
and never apprehensive about how he lays it down
knows how to play around, but when it time to get down
He gets right to the point
Massages every muscle, every joint
Until nothing is tight anymore
A brother when I walk through the door
Says baby how was your day
And actually listens to what I have to say
Without that blank look on his face, staring into space
Going in one ear and out the other
I need a brother that keeps me satisfied
In my case, I wont say hes never cheated or lied
but at least he's man enough to keep it real
Yall know what I mean
When he fucks up, he still comes clean
So nothing is a surprise when I hear it from someone else
Doesn't talk just for his health
He thinks before he speaks
With every word making me weak
His whispers in my ear are loud
He is much endowed.....when it comes to the knowledge he shares
No one dares to come between me and my man, He makes my heart glisten, listen
Our love is never ending ascension
This man gives me love and attention