Music Monday: South African with a Little Jazz

It is Black History Month (woohoooo) I love history, I love my people.  I found a marvelous website www.blackpast.org with a multitude of information.  It is moving and powerful to see how a people, a cultural group, was dissected, robbed, pillaged and raped of its prosperity and humanity; but continue to be trendsetters, contributors, people of power.  As I was reading today I came across this story of Miriam Makeba.  An intriguing story of music, love, beauty, exile, war, peace and ultimately world changing decisions.

Miriam Makeba

 Zenzile Miriam Makeba was born in 1932.  Imagine, or think back to your knowledge/awareness of what the world was like, internationally for people of color.  Now imagine this striking beauty, boldly trying to make a name for herself in the music industry, making a name for a new sound African Jazz.  In 2012 the odds would be in her favor, she is beautiful talented and creative.  In 1932, the odds were slightly different as she was black.  Even in Africa, it mattered.

1965

The story continues to describe how she makes her way through a social justice performance, anti-apartheid musical, in South Africa in the 60's... she ended up in exile through a visa to Vienna.  While in exile she met Harry Belafonte and came to the US.   Long story short, she she won a Grammy, a peace prize, married Stokely Carmichael, served in the United Nations, CHANGED THE WORLD as we know it on so many levels. 

1959

I am so inspired by her international efforts to do what she loved and made the world a better place, 1932- 2008.

Makeba in 1959 Come Back, Africa

http://youtu.be/V74f9eIi9c0

Makeba & Belafonte 1966 Grammy Award Winner

Makeba & Carmichael

Makeba & Carmichael

Makeba in her STUNNING older years

ANOTHER MARVELOUS VIDEO HERE (embedding option disabled)


Who inspires you, whether talent, drive, beauty, words feel free to comment who and why. 
Continue to take advantage of this month of February, Black History Month, so we can learn more about the cultures that we are either a part of or which surround us.

Music Monday - Your My Boy Blu!

Blu, born as Johnson Barnes is this generation's version of Common just a west coast version; in my opinion.  Some others would compare him to Lupe, but almost all posts are deeming Blu as superceding any competition. 

He has an original sound and creative flow.  I LOVE his presense on each track.  The hooks are MARVELOUS and my favorite part.   For the most part he is a clean rapper, his lyrics aren't about hoes money and cars.. which is refreshing, however he does use a few choice 'adult' words.  Still better than A LOT of rappers/ hip hop emcees currently selling out crowds.
He has had many mixtapes and albums come out.  The most well known of the bunch is 'Below the Heavens'.  You can read more on the Hip Hop DX article from 2008, where he was named Rookie of the Year, back in 2007. 

 

For more up to date info check out his myspace and twitter.  For now hit the play buttons below for my two favorite songs of his. 

Jesus Christ and music are the two things...

For "Music Mondays" I am featuring the MARVELOUS band, Worth Dying For.

They rock the planet, and are seriously talented.  It is very hard to find groups that fulfill the talent requirement, while still being beautiful people.  I was reading their bio, of course because I am slightly obsessed... :) and I love the part about "Jesus Christ and music are the two things that consume the thoughts and lives of the band." I completely identify with this consumption.  Next for me is food, but music and Christ; I don't know if it gets better than that on earth!

My favorite song on this album is first HIGHER followed by SAVIOR... fantastically AWESOME!

You should totally check out their youtube channel, better yet buy their album! They ROCK!