Will Sing for Money to Self-Publish

Seriously.

Times are tough financially. It's hard enough to pay for the necessities of life, much less keep up a website (which is why mine is currently down) or spend money self-publishing a book.

So I'm tapping into my other talents to try and put together a few extra dollars to go to print. I'd love to do some studio work. And I'd love to do a little voiceover work too. I can't afford the demos necessary to get the attention I need to book the jobs, so I did a quick YouTube video and I'm hoping someone will stumble across it and contact me to sing a hook...or do a radio commercial...or something behind-the-scenes like that.

You get the idea.

So if you're someone who has a PAYING gig for which I could use my voice, then drop me a line here at my blog. Thanks!

Oh, and yay me for losing another 15 pounds (65 down...many more to go)!

An American Idol Favorite: Joanne Borgella

So I'm excited about the new season of American Idol, of course. And I've picked my favorites, of course! I'll be writing about my other picks later, but right now Joanne Borgella is of particular interest to me. I've been a fan of hers since she appeared on and won MoNique's Fat Chance back in 2005. Apparently, she's had a steady career since then as both a plus-size model and a vocalist. I'm looking forward with great anticipation to see what she brings to the competition this season...

If I Ever Get the Chance to Perform Live I'd Sing This Song

This blog is called, My Pen, My Mic, My Vibe. I've written several posts about my work as an indie author. Several other posts give you a sense of my vibe. But I haven't really talked about my love for the mic.

I sing, you see. And depending upon the day/hour and song, I can really put it down. I've had several opportunities thrown my way that I've thrown a-way, but I won't talk about those here, because I get on my own nerves when I think about where I could be today if I hadn't punked out.

I do know that if I ever got the opportunity again to record one song of my choice, or perform one time onstage with a live band, it'd be this particular sassy, empowering song:

No More
by Kamichi Jackson

(verse one)

To define myself by whether
Or not you’re in love with me
Is to resign myself to failure
A life of insecurity

See now I don’t do confusion
Honey that just ain’t my thing
Mama taught me resolution
In my head her words still ring

(chorus )
It’s not the end of the world if that man don’t want you
He ain’t the one
It’s not the end of the world if that man don’t call you
He ain’t the one
It’s not the end of the world if that man don’t fall for you
He ain’t the one
It’s not the end of the world if that man don’t love you
He ain’t the one

(verse two)

Now I could shy away from being
All that I am meant to be
And I could change my constitution
So that you’d be pleased with me

But that wouldn’t solve the problem
‘Cause then I can’t be myself
Is it really love I’m feeling
If I must be someone else?

(chorus)

(bridge)
I’ve been scorned
By a man who thinks he is too good for me
I’ve been scorned
By a man who is blind to my brand of beauty
I’ve been scorned
By a man whose forgotten that I am a queen
I’ve been scorned
You know what, yall?
I ain’t going through it again
no more

Wish you could hear the melody and the vocal arrangements. You'd love them.

*sigh*

P.S. These lyrics have a copyright, of course (an official one, filed with the Library of Congress and all). Feel free to plagiarize them. The money I win in court from you will give me the funds I need to finally record the song in-studio with a co-producer and engineer. Seriously.

this.sista.is.fierce.

Okayplayer gave artist Muhsinah love recently. Thanks to them, I'm diggin' her sound too and will be looking to see her live here in D.C. soon, I hope. Check her out with your speakers in the on position and become a fan yourself.

Michael Jackson on the Cover of Ebony Magazine

This picture is, um, well, uh, so, you know, like...

Ahem.

So wow, did you see the game Sunday? Any game...?

Congratulations, Brandin Jay!

Creativity runs in my family. My cousin, Natarsha Garcia, is the founder of a performing arts school in Atlanta, where she discovers and nurtures the talents of young future stars. One of her brightest stars is her own son, Brandin Jenkins, who is appearing in the role of Junior in the upcoming Martin Lawrence movie Welcome Home Roscoe Jenkins. Everybody is in this movie: Martin, Mo'Nique, Cedric the Entertainer, Mike Epps, Nicole Ari Parker, James Earl Jones. Wow. Way to kick off an acting career.

But there's even more to this kid! Brandin is also a rising singer/songwriter. Check out his work on his MySpace page. And watch for more from this talented triple-threat.

Thank Goodness For Artists Like Anthony Hamilton

I was just in the car, running the streets of the suburban community in which I now live in Northern Virginia (back in the day I'd be rollin' five-deep down Jerome Avenue in the Bronx on a night like this...*sigh* I miss the ghetto sometimes), and I tried, really tried, to listen to the radio.

Two songs in, I'm reaching over to twist the knob into the OFF position because my ears are being assaulted by some R. Kelly song about a freak and her booty up in the club. Not for nothing, but isn't every other song by R. Kelly about that same thing?

I'm just asking.

Anyway, as soon as I step through the door of my mother's home, I pop in Anthony's Ain't Nobody Worryin' CD and exhale deeply, relaxing in the lyrical and vocally-relevant journey that is the music of this soulful virtuoso.

All is right again in the universe.

Why?

With all the shampoo, conditioner, soap in the world--and a stockpile of money to purchase any and all of it at will...

This look--out in public and even after an arrest...just why?

Brandy Is Back In the Studio

Eurweb.com is reporting that singer Brandy is back in the studio. I'm so glad to hear that. She's always been one of my favorite artists, from way back in the day, and I've missed her music. Do your thing, girl...

I can't say that without also saying this: my heart goes out to all the people affected by the terrible vehicular tragedy involving Brandy, which claimed the life of a mother my own age. I feel for her family, her children especially. But I also feel for Brandy, because to live with the knowledge that you may have caused the death of someone--though an accident--is also heartwrenching.

Kindred the Family Soul

Please tell me you're down with this powerful husband/wife duo. If not, you really want to be. Listening to Aja and Fatin sing (both on their CD and onstage) is a musical experience like few others.

Visit kindredthefamilysoul.com with your speakers in the ON position.

I Want This Tee

This is not one of my tees, but I'm diggin' it deeply because I HEART ?UESTLOVE too (if you don't know who he is then shame on you), so I'm street-teaming it (unofficially).

I stood behind him once at the 930 Club in DC. Floetry was onstage and my manager had brought me in through the back door. I was right next to the speakers and a guy with a big ol' afro was standing just below the stage. His hands were dug down deep in his pockets, and he was barely moving...except for the rhythmic bounce of his head. He turned at one point, I caught his profile, and it was then that I realized I was just feet away from a musical genius.

Ah...

Need A Stylish Way to Carry Your Rhymes To and From the Studio?

This messenger bag features a line ("you bring the beat, I'll bring the flow") from "The Micness", a little diddy I co-wrote and recorded with a local producer a couple of years ago. I think it's the perfect gift for the aspiring lyricist/songwriter in your life.

Buy it online at WordCanvas.com for just $29.99.

How to Score a Get-Out-Of-General-Population-Free Card

What do you do when you begin to serve a sentence at Rikers and you quickly realize that each woman around you is ten times the hardcore thug you only thought (and wanted people to believe) you were? Befriend at least one fellow inmate, stage a scuffle in the yard, and get your poseur behind out of General Population (and into punitive segregation for as long as possible) as quickly as you can without losing face.

You can't tell me that's not what went down here. And to be honest, if I were Foxy Brown, I would've done the same thing. There's a big difference between throwing a cell phone at a complaining neighbor and trying to throw a punch at Big Wanda and her crew.

Note to Ms. Brown: Don't forget to have your manager write and send the check to that inmate's family in return for her role as Punk Inmate No. 2 in your little cellblock "play".

Jill Is Back in Full Effect

I have yet to cop Jill Scott's new album, but I am sooooo feeling the first single "Hate On Me"! The title most definitely says it all.

The Hidden Beach family of musicians (and this time I use that term in all seriousness) are just too awesome...

Salt-N-Pepa

I like this show! It's nice to see the ladies working out their issues. Finally, we learn what happened to their musical partnership, and ultimately their friendship. Who knew Salt was dealing with bulimia and depression? Poor thing. She obviously felt that there wasn't anyone she could confide in, for whatever reason. It's sad that she suffered alone.

I get what Pep is saying too, though. She felt abandoned, confused, hurt at the way her girl ended their partnership and dropped their friendship. I would've been angry too. But at least now she knows why things went down the way they did. And now, hopefully, they can heal from this.

The funniest part of the first episode? When they ended up performing at Salt's church (instead of Shaq's event--a birthday, I think it was) and Pep forgot where she was and did a little move that Salt had to check her on with a quick pat on the behind to keep her from droppin' it. The audience laughed about it and Pepa shook it off, but I'm thinkin' it's gonna get old real quick if Pep has to keep giving in to Salt's demands. My call? That they will stop living in the past and come to accept each other as they both are now as grown women, and mend their friendship. But also that Salt will realize that their lifestyles are toooooo different and she'll eventually bail again unless Pepa is willing to do some sort of Christian rap (which I don't see happening). Who knows.

Meanwhile, I caught a part of their interview on Tyra. Spin looks beautiful and she was rockin' that yellow gold eyeshadow. Congratulations to her on all her personal and professional successes as well!

American Idol: My Take

Okay, so it was inevitable that I would comment on AI. After all, this blog is about music and literature as I see it, so why not?

So this is my third year watching AI. I didn't watch the first two seasons because, well, I just wasn't interested in what I imagined would be manufactured talent. But I got hooked the moment I heard Fantasia. Oh, that voice...and that stage presence...

Not that I wasn't a Jennifer Hudson fan! The girl has undeniable talent, and I'm pleased to see that she won the Dreamgirls role. Why shouldn't she have the opportunity to shine as well? I wish her well (though I'm not really feeling the whole J-Hud moniker, nah). And Latoya London. The grace, the elegance (in addition to her obvious talent). I see good things for her. Perhaps a more minor career than the others? Successful in her own right nonetheless.

Now this year...let me call it...

Mandisa! Undeniably talented, undeniably beautiful. I think she'll be among the top 5. Whatever the outcome, she should go on to great things, which should include being a plus-size model. I like her style.

Kinnik! Why aren't people seeing what I see? This girl has the talent, the class, et cetera. She won't win, I know that. But she's definitely someone the legendary Mr. Davis (Clive to too-loud Brenna, ugh) should call up after the competition.

Paris! Little Paris. Why does she remind me of a little Fantasia? She's a star in the making, though I don't believe she'll win this competition. What I'm proud of? That she came on the show at all. As the granddaughter of Ann Nesby, I believe she could've gotten a contract through that connection alone. But it seems to me that she wanted to do this on her own merit and that's commendable. (Though telling America your grandmama is Ann Nesby certainly doesn't hurt.) Oh, and if she's smart, she'll be trying to grab up a book deal with the daily journal she's keeping.

Gedeon! Honestly, he looks insane to me. I'm talking straightjacket-worthy! That smile, that hair. But oh, that voice! He won't win, but he can go on to have some sort of career if he plays his cards right. And I believe he will do just that. He's certainly not lacking in confidence.

Sway! Oh, I was so sad to see him go. I know his performance Wednesday was below par (especially after his previous performance...him all in white...that hat...cheverre), but I was hoping he'd stick around. He'll be fine, though. He's got the talent. He's a cutie. And Diddy has probably already called him.

When all is said and done, I believe the two left standing will be Chris Daughtry (though Elliott Yamin might fight him vocally along the way...did yall see him sing Moody's Mood For Love?? every note, every run, every time) and...insert female name here. I honestly can't call that. Maybe it will be Mandisa. Of the females, she has the most stage presence, in my opinion. And I imagine that, with her music degree, she's probably a fine songwriter as well. That to me is the sign of the truest musician.

Time will tell. Meanwhile, you know where I'll be every week. Call me and we can talk about the performances.

But only during the commercial breaks.

"The Micness" Theme Song Lyrics

music produced by brian "virtuoso" wilson
lyrics, vocal arrangements and vocal production by kamichi jackson
copyright 2004


this is where I come to let my worries go
this is where hiphop meets soul
dj you bring the beat
i'll bring the flow

this is where the rhythm comes to stay
this is where lyrics play
this here is smooth at its best everyday

music makes me feel so alive
no i can't ignore it
it lingers in my mind

it calls my name boy
music's my game boy
nothing is the same boy
when music takes control