Today was an awesome surprise! I am in my second week back home in
Atlanta, and most of my time has been consumed with networking and
brand building. (Sorry I didn't finish the countdown!) My Internet has
been down the last couple days. So, I was in the library just earlier
sending off some emails, and once I was done, I picked up a Rolling
Out paper and began casually flipping through. Just a few pages in, I
found myself face-to-face with a familiar presence from DC's
independent artist scene, who would be performing in just a few hours.
So, i decided to shoot her a friendly message letting her know I'd be
in the audience. (If you don't know her from her own work, you may
recognize her voice on the racy track "Lights On" from my album
LOVOLUTION: The Urban Alternative.)
First of all, I already knew she'd be "up to it", because I never
really know what to expect from YahZarah, except that it will be
something hot! After arriving a little early, I got a little face time
with her, and we caught up a bit. Finally, she said, "Let me head
backstage so I can get painted." From my experience in entertainment
(music, theatre, modeling, film, etc) I understood that to mean that
she's going to get her makeup done.
Little did I know, she meant that literally! This hot little five-foot
numba came out on-stage in full body paint and a mask!! The design of
it was something you might expect of a Jackson, namely Michael or
Janet, featuring black, gold, and, of course, purple. Though some
might also say her costumery was somewhat Gaga-esque, who can she be
called but YahZarah?
This was on top of the INSANE vocal performance she delivered!! I
heard someone in the audience say, "Minnie Who??" I had to agree. She
definitely holds her own and come second to no one.
I am honored to call her a friend and one of the hardest working, well
presented, and humble independent artists on the planet! I only hope
to be such an original and polished talent in my lifetime.
DO YOU REAL HARD, and folks have to respect it, love it or hate it!
It's time out for mediocrity, no matter what the calling. Either go
hard or go home!
Respect to Darien Brockington, who really did his thing on the
opening, Killa on drums, and Brandon on guitar! The band was on POINT!
Peace.
KEV.O
..:: IMUNURMe ::..
Not to mention, this transition was a hot one! I stay in Charles R
Drew Hall, and it had no air conditioning! Again, this was 2001.
Needless to say, by the time I was out of there, I knew precisely how
to place the fan, crack the window, and crack the door so that room
felt like heaven! That is until I tried 'hell wings' from Cluck-U
Chicken, the first and only time I ever had to sign a waver for some
HOT wings! This was also the first time I had ever shared a room with
someone I did not know. Weird!
Anyway, what made the transition a little easier, was that I looked at
DC as a slightly more urban version of home. I mean, folks are
hospitable and all, but don't let me walk up to somebody I don't know
and say hello. DC is a metropolitan, intercultural place, but I had to
learn that I'm just not gonna catch a cab in sweat pants.
I also remember being intrigued by the activism in DC. I think the
first display I saw, as I was waking up Georgia Ave on my first day of
class, was the Black Panther Party standing in the parking lot of
McDonalds. Who'd have know I would go on to be involved with some of
these movements?
2001 was the year I met some of the foundational members of my circle
of friends. I think Taylor Pace and Muhsinah were the first two people
I met - Taylor during placement exams and Muhsinah in the practice
rooms. 'Til this day, I still regard them as two of the most talented
people I know.
As months passed, I met more and more people to call my closest
friends. Since my DC experience had started out on the upside of
interest I knew I'd have some good times ahead of me.
..:: IMUNURMe ::..
September 1, 2010, will mark the beginning of a new experience in my
hometown, Atlanta, GA, as adult. Why, you ask? For a few reasons.
It'll give me an opportunity to not only spend some much-needed time
with my family, who I miss immensely, but also to further pursue my
musical career. Atlanta's so different these days from the way it was
growing up. So, it'll be a much-needed change of scene for me too.
While Atlanta is where I was born and raised, DC is where I became a
man. With so many memories that make up my DC experience, I thought
I'd share some of my biggest and most treasured DC moments. Starting
September 22, as a countdown to my departure, my blog will feature a
special segment called SUITE202Ex. As I share, please join me on this
trip down memory lane, and share your stories with me.
Peace.
KEV.O
..:: IMUNURMe ::..
..:: IMUNURMe ::..
Besides, who am I to be afraid of? Of course, I don't always look like
a rockstar, but I don't imagine I ever look like a thug. I mean, the
closest I get to that is a white tee and a pair of Howard University
sweats! Right now, I'm wearing fitted jeans, a fitted polo, and chucks.
All this is to say DON'T DO THAT!! It's offensive. If your purse is
gonna be taken, it's gonna be taken.... PERIOD! Thieves are not
gentlemen, silly!
..:: IMUNURMe ::..
