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Tuesday 30 June 2009
Friday 26 June 2009
Michael Jackson
I won't catalogue all his records in a discography. I won't attempt to have some kind of flair-ridden literary summary of his life's work and mishaps like that music magazine director on the TV news coverage tonight. I don't need to. We all know. And that says a lot in itself.Writing this though, at 4am, I am in a state of shock.
Looking at Michael Jackson's life makes me realise that all his troubles were for a reason. A bigger, BIG picture. Look how many lives he touched... it's mind-boggling. He was one of the biggest stars ever. It's almost as though he couldn't have avoided going through all his pain in order to do that.
So no. Instead, I'm going to talk about how Michael Jackson's music, not made, but makes me feel:
Inspired
AspirationalWonderment
Entertained
Touched
Happy
Reflective
LivelyPassionate
Motivated
PeacefulUnderstood
Love
Is there another artist in the whole world that has been able to evoke every one of those emotions from and to a genuine place? AND transcend that common message to all groups of people?? Less than the fingers on my right hand.
But God aligned the stars for Michael Jackson's purpose before he ever had a clue what it was. A tribute to his life and the talent he showed cannot stop at him alone, as it was also those who inspired, drove and shaped him to be (what I wrote my first Mute Diary Blog in six months about today..) the best that he could be.
In achieving that, to millions he became the best entertainer there'd been.
I have seen him my whole life. And I am a fan. Today, a sad one. And it's the very presence of someone like Michael that ever gave me the the desire to try my best, and gave me the ability and width of vision to be able to ever look beyond the stars, performing musical and historically boundary breaking events in ways the world had never seen before, and will never see again.He strived for excellence, and held it til the end. I remain bemusedly envious, awe-striken and compelled to do the same.
Next month, I am excited and humbled to be performing with the musical master that is Leon Ware at the Jazz Cafe in London, July 16. Mr Ware wrote MJ's angelically vocalled "Wanna Be Where You Are" back in the early 70's. I pray we get to perform it - I would be so deeply honoured.
Tomorrow, a day after Michael Jackson's death, I will don white socks over black trousers, without shame.
This is as close as I ever got to meeting Michael - two of his very dear friends, Quincy Jones and Chris Tucker. And my excitement at meeting Quincy, was majorly due to the work he achieved with Michael. (I remember being an obsessed kid, waring out my tape of 'The Making of Thriller' - listening to John Landis talk about their relationship and work ethics.) My prayers go out to all his family and friends.
Mine is just one of the many countless lives he touched and inspired. I am unreservedly thankful, and I feel privileged to have been part of a generation that witnessed the phenomenon, greatness and sweetness, that was Michael Jackson.
Rest In Peace
Thursday 25 June 2009
THE MUTE DIARIES Entry 13: Your Best - A Dream State
Anyone who's been pursuing their dream will know how hard that alone can be. Then you also have all the ups and downs of normal, sober life. So you're basically battling to be awake and asleep at the same time. Guess you could call it like, being in a Dream State...
Sounds impossible. But we all know it's not. We've seen it happen.
I'm under no illusions in saying this. Even the most successful people have to brush reality, even if its just wiping their own butt. Each person's life is multi-faceted. But I'm talking when you hit that point of balance, where you live-(your)-dream daily. That's dream-state.
There is a lot to contend with, which is why I don't judge anyone for having a dream they don't follow - to have as much security as possible is not a stupid thing. There are many elements you need on the journey to get where you're going:
You must be brave, and strong.
(check)
*
You must be passionate
(check)
*
You must work hard
(check)
*
You must have talent
(I question, but OK, check)
(According to Malcom Gladwell, you need love more than talent. Think I agree)
*
Everybody's 'best' is different. Hell, everybody's 'good' is different. That doesn't mean others are wrong, but ONLY YOU know what your best is. And if this must isn't part of your journey, I gotta say, I truly envy you. Because trying to get what your best is across to other people, is one of the hardest things ever...
If you (like I) have exacting standards of YOURSELF, it's hard to get that across without being labeled.
EXAMPLE: Pop super, MEGA STAR will get called 'difficult' and 'hard to work with' because people don't get that they can't stick around all day to sign autographs or party til 3am cos they gotta sleep early to preserve their prized vocal. So they can do what they came up here to do. AT THEIR BEST.
That's why I say upside the head of this blog "Greatness is the new rebellion"
Being your best comes at many a cost:
So, when people want to save bother, and say they DON'T WANT OR NEED your best, it feels like a
I've blogged before:
...meaning that if you want perfection, it'll take you forever and might mean you risk never getting your point across (even on this page - 'I don't do perfection' - look to your left). I will admit, I have previously called back songs from radio airplay because they were a straight-outta-my-wack-bedroom-studio recording and got into the right hands, at the wrong quality. Call me stoOpid (I like to spell it like that cos it kinda emphases the level of stupidity...) but its just an example of how important it is to me (and I'm not alone... see Claude Kelly's Tweets from 24 June 2009)
At times, satisfactory is good enough. You HAVE to draw the line, or you'll never get things done. But when its such a hard labour of love, it means everything that you can make it YOUR best, regardless of the next 'best'.
Be you in an office, a singer, a street sweeper or the Prime Minister. If it matters to you, don't let people tell you not to care. That's twisted. I may not do perfection, but I still expect a lot of myself. Then if people say it's WACK, it's cool! You know you tried.
It's hard enough trying to get to dream-state, with so much other noise. With this passion and respect for my craft, I want to put NOTHING but MY best foot forward. If not, may as well wake the hell up.
(Now, should I re-do this post, not quite up there...) *PUBLISH*
Sounds impossible. But we all know it's not. We've seen it happen.
I'm under no illusions in saying this. Even the most successful people have to brush reality, even if its just wiping their own butt. Each person's life is multi-faceted. But I'm talking when you hit that point of balance, where you live-(your)-dream daily. That's dream-state.
There is a lot to contend with, which is why I don't judge anyone for having a dream they don't follow - to have as much security as possible is not a stupid thing. There are many elements you need on the journey to get where you're going:
You must be brave, and strong.
(check)
*
You must be passionate
(check)*
You must work hard
(check)
*
You must have talent
(I question, but OK, check)
(According to Malcom Gladwell, you need love more than talent. Think I agree)
*
For me, there is another must. For me, it's the biggest must.
I MUST give my BEST.
PROBLEM!
Everybody's 'best' is different. Hell, everybody's 'good' is different. That doesn't mean others are wrong, but ONLY YOU know what your best is. And if this must isn't part of your journey, I gotta say, I truly envy you. Because trying to get what your best is across to other people, is one of the hardest things ever...
If you (like I) have exacting standards of YOURSELF, it's hard to get that across without being labeled.
EXAMPLE: Pop super, MEGA STAR will get called 'difficult' and 'hard to work with' because people don't get that they can't stick around all day to sign autographs or party til 3am cos they gotta sleep early to preserve their prized vocal. So they can do what they came up here to do. AT THEIR BEST.
That's why I say upside the head of this blog "Greatness is the new rebellion"
Being your best comes at many a cost:
Time
Work
Blood
Sweat
Tears
Money
Sacrifice
So, when people want to save bother, and say they DON'T WANT OR NEED your best, it feels like a
SLAP
IN
THE
FACE
IN
THE
FACE
I've blogged before:
"the desire for perfection can hinder the connection"
...meaning that if you want perfection, it'll take you forever and might mean you risk never getting your point across (even on this page - 'I don't do perfection' - look to your left). I will admit, I have previously called back songs from radio airplay because they were a straight-outta-my-wack-bedroom-studio recording and got into the right hands, at the wrong quality. Call me stoOpid (I like to spell it like that cos it kinda emphases the level of stupidity...) but its just an example of how important it is to me (and I'm not alone... see Claude Kelly's Tweets from 24 June 2009)
At times, satisfactory is good enough. You HAVE to draw the line, or you'll never get things done. But when its such a hard labour of love, it means everything that you can make it YOUR best, regardless of the next 'best'.
Be you in an office, a singer, a street sweeper or the Prime Minister. If it matters to you, don't let people tell you not to care. That's twisted. I may not do perfection, but I still expect a lot of myself. Then if people say it's WACK, it's cool! You know you tried.
Such big talk for such a little fish?
Welcome to my world
It's hard enough trying to get to dream-state, with so much other noise. With this passion and respect for my craft, I want to put NOTHING but MY best foot forward. If not, may as well wake the hell up.
(Now, should I re-do this post, not quite up there...) *PUBLISH*
Wednesday 24 June 2009
Photo. Shoot!!
HOWDY CAMPERS ;)
It was a looong whole day of shooting and we got some gems. Here are a couple of set shots from my wonderful stylist Becca who I'm totally in love with. (No homo)
(This is pre-shoot - just testing the lights daaahling)
Like I said, a long day!!!
I got some really cool bits to wear, especially from Dee & Rickey (I heart Lego!) Nike (everyone asks me about my Cortez) and exclusives from Religion (who I adore!) from their Autumn/Winter '09 collection - not yet available! In some shots I wore Mui Mui boots that I could have run a marathon in... (ok, maybe not, but def a half marathon... so comfy.)
One of the best things about the shoot was that I got to do one of my favourite things:
Climb!
Yes, I got my ass on a block and up that ladder to dizzying heights of the studio for a position I relish: The TOP!!
But topping that is just working with very creative and professional people, who take what they do VERY seriously - just like me.
So a big...
I'll be getting a video camera of my own soon - YAY! (as I mentioned, my last one got busted and I aint been able to fix it since) so I've caved and I'm getting a newbie. (Shout out to Sarwan who came through to record the happenings of the day)
You know what that means kids, I'll be back on Kyte - I will finally be able to share some of these lil ideas I been storing up!!
So my next post (if all goes as planned) will be of my new promo single starting to do the rounds, produced by Donae'o - bringing summer alive!!
Final shots soon.
Kisses xx
But topping that is just working with very creative and professional people, who take what they do VERY seriously - just like me.
So a big...
THANK YOU!!!
I'll be getting a video camera of my own soon - YAY! (as I mentioned, my last one got busted and I aint been able to fix it since) so I've caved and I'm getting a newbie. (Shout out to Sarwan who came through to record the happenings of the day)
You know what that means kids, I'll be back on Kyte - I will finally be able to share some of these lil ideas I been storing up!!
So my next post (if all goes as planned) will be of my new promo single starting to do the rounds, produced by Donae'o - bringing summer alive!!
Final shots soon.
Kisses xx
Thursday 18 June 2009
Sewuese, Incisive & T.E.1 Studio Session
Hey people, how the heck are ya? Let me knows.
Me? I've been here there and everywhere. London to Moscow to Mongolia... (yes, this time when I talk about going to Mongolia, I'm not joking! Yes, it really is as far as it sounds)
Outside a Bhuddist settlement
(More pics on't way)
Sometimes you just gotta live life (and report it after!)
So we got some catching up to do. Here's a little bitty of a 'straight-of-the-plane' session I got started with Incisive and T.E.1 (if you don't know, check out these two very talented guys. Artist and producer)
CLICK ME for Incisive's Page
CLICK ME for TE1's Page
Listen closely. You'll hear - the song's fire
More to come including pics from Moscow, Mongolia, studio vids and yesterday's nutty photo shoot.
Stay on!
x
Me? I've been here there and everywhere. London to Moscow to Mongolia... (yes, this time when I talk about going to Mongolia, I'm not joking! Yes, it really is as far as it sounds)
Outside a Bhuddist settlement
(More pics on't way)
Sometimes you just gotta live life (and report it after!)
So we got some catching up to do. Here's a little bitty of a 'straight-of-the-plane' session I got started with Incisive and T.E.1 (if you don't know, check out these two very talented guys. Artist and producer)
CLICK ME for Incisive's Page
CLICK ME for TE1's Page
Listen closely. You'll hear - the song's fire
More to come including pics from Moscow, Mongolia, studio vids and yesterday's nutty photo shoot.
Stay on!
x
Flamer Flames: I've Got Steps
Check out my boy Flamer Flames doing his thing. Track and vid, "I've Got Steps"
Saturday 6 June 2009
MPHO: Box n Locks
So good to see MPHO up in this vid and doing her thing. Blaaaayyyzzin'! Brand new trail peeps... this is a tune. Such a shame I missed MPHO on tour with Mr Hudson. It's exciting times for British music.
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