Soulful Sunday - Divas of Rap

I often say that I don't like rap music. That isn't necessarily true... I don't like rap music of today. Because it sucks. The end. LOL. No, really, rap music of today does not hold a candle to rap of the 80s and 90s. As Momma Hot, Black and Bitter would say, I'm just not into that "slap your momma, kill your daddy" music. I also can't be down with music where the n word is thrown around, every other word. Can.Not.Do.It. That isn't just nostalgia or my age, honestly. I like(d) the empowerment of the early rap... and the ability to actually UNDERSTAND the lyrics. It was about beats but mostly artists wanted you to be able to HEAR and get what they were saying. Generally what they were saying was 1. get your shit together or 2. they were the best in the business-- and I can get behind both sentiments. They regularly sampled from GREAT music, often touched on pertinent social issues and (generally) had clothes on in videos. Miracle, right? The window for good rap music was the 80s through the year I graduated from high school (1996). After that, the decline was fast and real (sad face). Here are a few rap divas from a time when rap was played on my discman-- that was not that long ago. If the discman was long gone before you were born, sit back and listen to some real rap!


YoYo - You Can't Play With My YoYo

**So listen to my Y-O, here's my bio and next to me, you're not fly, no!**






Monie Love - It's A Shame (My Sister)

**You've been kissed, dissed, listed as a dumb one-- I hope he likes sad songs, he's gonna hum one** NOTE: I want to post this song for some of y'all after I read your Facebook posts... let it go, girl.



MC Lyte - Poor Georgie

**If you love someone you should say it often. You never know when they'll be layin' in a coffin**


Salt N Pepa - Expression

**I'm not a man, but I'm in command; Hot damn, I got an all girl band**




Queen Latifah - U.N.I.T.Y

**Since he was with his boys he tried to break fly. I punched him dead in his eye and said, "Who you calling a bitch?"**

I Have A Secret

I have been a little reclusive lately. I have been writing, but not posting; flaking out on my friends and not keeping appointments. Essentially, I have been a mess. There is a reason. I have been busy... keeping a secret. For the last seven and a half years, life has been... consistent.

On January 1, 2005, I moved to the Chicagoland area and almost immediately fell in love. I love the food (not shocking for those of you who know me) and the access to the city. On certain days, I even love the people that live here, shocking, I know. I've grown to accept that February through April will probably be so cold that the first couple of breaths I take when I walk outside will make me question whether my trip is actually necessary; that trips to the grocery store will be ridiculously expensive; and that any sort of traffic ticket will likely aid in putting you in the poor house. I don't bat an eye when a drink costs as much as a ticket to the movies or there is "free" entertainment on the el. I don't think it is 100% weird when someone on a street corner tries to sell me socks or ice cold water on very warm days. I just think it comes with the territory. These are the things that make the city consistent.

For better or worse, this secret is making me break out of the consistency of my life and begin anew. The most consistent thing in life is the idea that life is consistently changing. By the time you read this, my change will already be in full swing. My secret is that I am leaving Chicago. For the last two months (almost) I have been making plans to move back to my hometown-- closer to family, best friends and all that comes with that. Chicago has been my home for the majority of my adult life. I will miss the friends that I have made. I'll miss my favorite haunts in the city and more than I would like to admit, I will miss the city. With all her faults there is no other place that I would have wanted to spend these years. This Queen on Lake Michigan has given me tons of laughs and even more tears. I bought my first home here; struck out on my own here; and stubbornly made my way... here.

I've had great jobs and shitty ones- same with bosses... same with acquaintances. I've met people that I will be in contact with for the rest of my life, and those whose information won't make the move back to Ohio. I carry some of you in my heart and some of you are permanently on the bottom of my shoes. My love runs deep; my appreciation for the life lessons runs even deeper. As I pack another box, I remember you all- most of you fondly; hoping beyond hope that I have made an impact on Chicago, since she has definitely made one on me. Farewell Chicago. I look forward to seeing you again someday.


 

Soulful Saturday - Al Green

So- you know how you hear a song on the radio and you know EXACTLY who sings it? You know how a song can just explain EVERYTHING that you are going through, like it was written for you own crazy ass situation? Do you know songs that just don't sound right when they are remade? Yep, me too... Al Green made some of those songs. Oh, you KNOW when Al Green comes on. His voice is full of that 70s funk that we all should love. These songs make you want to love you lover one minute and slap the shit out of him the next. Makes you love LOVE just a little bit more, but reminds you of the pain that you feel when it is over. These songs make you believe that there is still that one person out there and he is full of all the things that you desire and deserve. In the words of Al himself "love will make you do right, make you do wrong; make you come home early, make you stay out all night long... power of love." On with the sing along and the funky dance party!! Thank you Al!!

Love and Happiness

*Happiness is when you really feel good about somebody. There's nothing wrong being in love with someone...
*Be good to me -- I'll be good to you. We'll be together.



Tired of Being Alone

*I'm so tired of being alone, I'm so tired of being on my own...



How Can You Mend a Broken Heart?

*I could never see tomorrow. I was never told about the sorrow.
*How can you stop the rain from falling down? How can you stop the sun from shining? What makes the world go 'round?
*How can you mend this broken man? How can a loser ever win?



Let's Stay Together

*I'm so in love with you- whatever you want to do is alright with me...
*Since we been together-- loving you forever is what I need...Let me be the one you coming running to; I'll never be untrue.





For the Good Times
(personal favorite-- one of the BEST break up songs out... one with I have blessed a few exes with...)

*Don't look so sad-- I know it's over. But life goes on, and this world keeps on turning.
*There is no need to watch the bridges that we're burning.
*Lay your head on my pillow. Hold you warm and tender body close to mine. Hear the whispers of the raindrops falling softly against my windowpane. Make believe you love me one more time... For the Good Times.
*I'll get along, I'm sure you'll find another.