Everything is Everything as the say on the Michael Baidsen show which is one of my favorite drive time radio events. Host Baidsen is all about his peeps and keeping it real on all levels and from all angles. I feel his vibe and likewise I do what I can to keep it kicking in high gear and going to the mat to talk about matters that many of you are thinking about but most likely not saying much aloud. It's COP 24/7, hot, live and otherwise rocking and rolling in the heat of summer 2012 and beyond. If you are not following us, subscribing, opt-in e-mail or bookmarked, then what the hell are you waiting on. This is Arkansas only daily updating portal featuring news and views for the LGBTQ community and beyond. Now run and tell that!
Channel Orange: Musical Youthquake
There's lot of noise and static competing for both your and my attention each and every day. As I produce this forum I never quite know exactly what's going to make the cut or be that item that reaches out with a "over here stupid" thud. The news about Frank Ocean his coming out break through caught my attention because I said "who the hell is Frank Ocean anyway?" I realize that as I have crossed over that precious 18-49 demographic some of the newer artist escape my radar and many times my interest. However Mr. Oceans coming out news seemed to be one of those "thud moments" that many folks were talking about as well as the fact that his CD busted to No. 1 on I-Tunes. Therefore I had to learn more about Frank Ocean, who is actually named Christopher "Lonny" Breaux and was born and raised in New Orleans. Also he is not only a rising star R&B singer but has been apart of the hip hop collective Odd Future, but has song writing credits for the likes of Justin Bieber, John Legend and Beyoncé respectively. Alright I'm now updated and so are you. Although news of Andy Coop's step out was widely covered, it appears that Mr. Ocean's news caught fire while fueling discussion about the so called "gay hip hop agenda," black homophobia and most surprising to me was chatter that somehow Ocean was selling out to get gay white folks to buy his music since it wasn't selling otherwise. Really? I listened to several of his songs which I found intriguing and which must be reflective of his surroundings. However I don't know how appealing songs about "rocks in a glass dick" or "the babe with the stripper booty with a rack like "wow." is suppose to play. As I previewed much of his CD, It seems that Ocean has a soulful talent for gritty storytelling but some of it might not be for mass consumption. There have been some comparisons to neo-soul diva Jill Scott and even a "modern day" Marvin Gaye. I'll have to mull that over as I continue to listen to his music. Nevertheless, I felt that what he wrote on his blog was frank and honest which he felt compelled to share with the world. He said,
"In the last year or 3 I've screamed at my creator, screamed at the clouds in the sky, for some explanation. Mercy maybe. For peace of mind to rain like manna somehow. 4 summer ago, I met somebody. I was 19 years old. He was too. We spent that summer, and the summer after, together. Everyday almost… Sleep I would often share with him. By the time I realized I was in love, it was malignant. It was hopeless. There was no escaping.
He continues "I don't know what happens now, and that's alrite. I don't have any secrets I need kept anymore… Thanks to my first love, I'm grateful for you. Grateful that even though it wasn't what I hoped for and even though it was never enough, it was… I feel like a free man. If I listen closely… I can hear the sky falling too."
Every person's personal evolution or journey is different complete with complexities that are unique to every situation. I believe that his experience with a "first love" revealed to himself that not only was he capable of loving but learning to loose love and move forward. It's a powerful lesson that I've cherished as I too have loved and lost but never loosing sight of horizons ahead where I will love again. I applaud Oceans bold move to not be denied the right to blend his personal stories within his art. It's so unfortunate that these artist are being challenged about their lyrics and the messages that they resonate. There are so many songs that fill my soundtrack tapestry, such as Janis Ian's "Seventeen," Roberta Flacks, "The first Time I saw you Face," Luther Vandross' version of "A House is not a Home and lately I've been jamming Diana Ross's "The Boss" with those prophetic lyrics of "love taught me who was the boss," still ringing loud and clear in my mindset. I hope that Ocean and all who are in the shadows working their way to their personal realities will demonstrate to many gay and lesbian youth's that they are beautiful, talented and not broken. High five's all around for Ocean for keeping it real. Check out his tune "Bad Religion" which he performed on the Jimmy Fallon show. This embed is possible from the Stereogum.com.
Channel Orange: Musical Youthquake
"In the last year or 3 I've screamed at my creator, screamed at the clouds in the sky, for some explanation. Mercy maybe. For peace of mind to rain like manna somehow. 4 summer ago, I met somebody. I was 19 years old. He was too. We spent that summer, and the summer after, together. Everyday almost… Sleep I would often share with him. By the time I realized I was in love, it was malignant. It was hopeless. There was no escaping.
He continues "I don't know what happens now, and that's alrite. I don't have any secrets I need kept anymore… Thanks to my first love, I'm grateful for you. Grateful that even though it wasn't what I hoped for and even though it was never enough, it was… I feel like a free man. If I listen closely… I can hear the sky falling too."
Every person's personal evolution or journey is different complete with complexities that are unique to every situation. I believe that his experience with a "first love" revealed to himself that not only was he capable of loving but learning to loose love and move forward. It's a powerful lesson that I've cherished as I too have loved and lost but never loosing sight of horizons ahead where I will love again. I applaud Oceans bold move to not be denied the right to blend his personal stories within his art. It's so unfortunate that these artist are being challenged about their lyrics and the messages that they resonate. There are so many songs that fill my soundtrack tapestry, such as Janis Ian's "Seventeen," Roberta Flacks, "The first Time I saw you Face," Luther Vandross' version of "A House is not a Home and lately I've been jamming Diana Ross's "The Boss" with those prophetic lyrics of "love taught me who was the boss," still ringing loud and clear in my mindset. I hope that Ocean and all who are in the shadows working their way to their personal realities will demonstrate to many gay and lesbian youth's that they are beautiful, talented and not broken. High five's all around for Ocean for keeping it real. Check out his tune "Bad Religion" which he performed on the Jimmy Fallon show. This embed is possible from the Stereogum.com.
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