Dangerous hee hee...

I have to admit this is one of my favourite Michael Jackson albums, though this may change once I’ve listened to his whole collection. I initially lost the tape I had (showing my age) but got my hands on another copy after the sad news of his death last week. I am now on the quest to own every Michael Jackson album. Funny how I wasn’t in a rush to do this before? I know it’s sad that his demise has made me appreciate this guy for his raw talent and musical abilities.

So back to Dangerous, why do I love it? Because new jack swing was big at the time and this album really captured that era. This is the year I began to appreciate music and no matter how hard I tried to follow the crowd at school and pretend to love Take That (side-eye) R N B/hip hop was my comfort zone. Teddy Riley (the front man of R & B groups Guy & Blackstreet) hooked MJ up as he produced some of the tracks. Compared to his previous albums this was quite “urban” for our Mike, hence the reason I don’t think it was received as well as “Bad” and “Thriller”.

I listened to this album on Monday at the highest volume that my mini stereo could manage and it’s GOOD!!!! It’s all about the production for me and this album was big with powerful introductions on each track, heavy bass lines and tight percussions. I remember rushing home from school to watch The Box (no MTV Base during my school years) to view his latest videos. Michael was really into cameo appearances at the time. Who remembers the “Jam” video with Kriss Kross, Michael Jordan and who can forget Heavy D…”jam, jam here comes the man”…… I’m getting too excited, so before I begin to rabble on I’m just going to post my three favourite songs/videos from the album. Enjoy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Monologue Slam

I am soooo proud of myself right now!!!!!!!!! Yesterday was the day of my Monologue Slam which took part at The Vibe Bar on Brick Lane. I have to admit the week leading up to the event I never encountered any nerves and that did not change yesterday- praise god! I had memorised my piece by last Thursday and because it was only for the duration of one minute it wasn’t that long. I recited Maya Angelou's “Phenomenal Woman” and added a few tweaks here and there to give it a bit of spice.

So I get down to The Vibe Bar at 7:15pm and join the rest of the hopefuls in a back room to do some quick warm up exercises. The night was hosted by James Alexandrou (Martin Fowler from Eastenders) and he spoke us through what to expect from the night. He explained that there were some big directors watching us and that we should give it 100%. I must admit at this point I was thinking I haven’t come here to be head hunted and cast as the next Sonia in Eastenders lol. I’m here to recite my monologue as it’s part of my Drama Class –standard! The room was full of some serious actors/actresses and I was beginning to wonder am I being a bit blasé about this evening? I am not one to take things too serious! Not sure if that’s a good or bad thing?

So were all warmed up now and feeling a little looser. James explains that we need to be better than the act before us and to take this as a real competition-no pressure eh? I talk to a few people and find out that I’m the seventh act to go up. We all leave and get a feel of the stage that isn’t that big. At this point the room is still empty and nerves are no where to be found. I’mm thinking this doesn’t feel right the nerves will surely kick in sooner or later.

The group from my drama class have a quick re-cap with my tutor who tells us to just enjoy the night. Some of my colleagues explain they wish they had my confidence as they are really nervous. Hmmm am I exuding something that I don’t know about?!?!? I had said to myself even if I felt nervous (which I didn’t) I wasn’t going to start speaking it into existence. The more you say it, the more you’ll start to believe it!

It’s now 8pm and the room is beginning to fill out and there is quite a few black folk. I always use to feel that they would be harder to please and would be more critical, I’m not sure where I have picked up that perception from. Anywhoo it’s now time to start and there are about 70 people watching and waiting for us to make our debut!

The first few acts go up and I’m now beginning to feel the buzz, the adrenaline rush, still no nerves. I just can’t wait to get up onto the stage and own it… and then my time comes and my name is called. I go up and the lights are so blinding I can’t see any of the audience’s faces. I begin my piece and pace up and down the stage and use a lot of body moevements and try to project my voice as best I can. I’m into the second verse and I realise I’m beginning to love this! The confidence just grew the longer I was on the stage, I didn’t want to come off. The crowd seemed to like my piece and I received a rapatorous round of applause.

This experience was really good for me and pushed me out of my comfort zone and confirmed to me that I have a lot of potential that a lot of people still haven’t seen. I spoke to my friend and she said I need to be more aggressive and really chase this dream/career.

R.I.P

I really don't know what to say.....I'm in shock! Prayers go out to his family right now.

Festival Fever

Can you find me amongst the crowd…I’m in the second row with my hand in the air skinning teet! JOKE!!! Not really, I know I play too much! However this is how I will be next Saturday as I’m attending the Montreux Jazz Festival-YEAH BABY!!!!!!

I’ve become a real festival junkie I know I’m a bit late but I’m jumping right on that bandwagon. Why go to a concert when you can go to a festival and get a handful of acts on the same stage. Dance around and laze in the sun if the weather’s nice and providing it’s an outdoor event (that’s my only gripe about Montreux), meet new people as you’ll be there for a few days and drink, drink, drink some more if that’s your kind of thing the list is endless. Hence the reason I’m jetting off to Switzerland next weekend with my home girl. The line up for this year is SICK and its hip-hop all the way for me. I’ll be jigging along to Mos Def (that reminds me I need to listen to his new album ASAP), Black Milk and Little Brothers. It was pretty hard deciding which week to go as Black Eyed Peas, N.E.R.D, Lilly Allen, Q-Tip and Raphael Sadiq are a handful of the acts to grace the stage during the 2 week festival.

I think it’s because this is my first festival and that it’s out of London which makes it all the more appealing. To see everyone jumping in the air with their plastic cups, swaying/rhyming/dancing to the beats and to just feel the vibe within the arena. I better be careful I don’t forget myself and act a fool out there, as I know I’m going to be extremely hyper and will probably mirror the behaviour of the people around me. The only difference being that I won’t be intoxicated like some.

My only hitch now is what to wear? I want to look cool but not overdressed and comfortable enough to tap my toes but still girly…. decisions, decisions!

The Taking of Pelham 123

I've just got back from “The Taking of Pelham 123” screening and I have to say it was good! I’m intrigued to see how the original panned out as this is a re-make of the classic 1974 thriller.

Synopsis in a nutshell:- Denzel Washington plays the character of a transit cop who goes up against a group of hijackers lead by John Travolta who take's over a subway train in exchange for a ransom of course. This film is very gory and left me a little uneasy at times, so much so I was covering my ears and eyes to avoid witnessing any more bloodshed.

John Travolta put in a good performance (although not as good as in previous roles such as “Face Off” and “Swordfish”) and played the role of an audacious hijacker well. Denzel was Denzel and played the role of good guy transit cop down to a tee. The typical roles that we are used to seeing Mr Washington play. Despite this film getting mixed reviews I enjoyed it and I give it a 5 ½ /10.

Drama Week 7

Only 3 weeks to go and I can see the progression that the whole group has made.... sniff I’m so proud of us all. So next week is the big one the monologue slam the week we have all been preparing for. The week where we gauge whether we have taken anything away from these Drama classes.
Today was all about practicing our one minute monologues and ironing out any problems. I need to memorise my piece by next Monday which won’t be a problem as it’s not that long. Everyone liked my piece and the only advice I was given was to ham it up a bit, in other words K-Hart just act really extra on stage next week. I’m actually looking forward to it now as it will be such an achievement for all of us. Just to think how timid and self-consciousness some of us where when we started 7 weeks ago and to see us now-WOW!
If anybody had asked me last year whether I could see myself performing a drama/speech in front of a room full of strangers they would have got the side-eye. Who me?!?!?!? Not that I thought I wasn't capable, I just couldn't see me putting myself in that kind of situation. As an associate of mine said "when the pupils reading to learn the teacher will come".

Jill come back!

Golden oldie for ya’ll. I heard this song on the radio this morning and it brought back memories. This song was most prominent during my last year of college 2000/2001, the year I decided to knuckle down and focus.

I wasn’t quite ready for this album when it first came out. I had a copy and gave it away- WHY?!?! I was too into Bad Boy, Dru Hill and Total at the time. I think the reason why I really love this song is because it reminds me of a good old friend/associate of mine. He was originally from Bristol and came to study in the land of Brum and had a slight edge compared to the usual Birmingham mans dem (I wonder what he’s doing with himself now). Anywhoo he was into conscious music the likes of Jill Scott, Erykah Badu and Lauryn Hill and he helped influenced my musical direction.

So I brought the album again “Who is Jill Scott? Words and Sounds vol 1” to follow fashion and grew to love it. I think this is Jill’s finest work to date but then I’m always a bit biased when it comes to artists and their debut albums. Not to mention I went to see her at Brixton Academy when I first moved down south and to this day that gig is still part of my top ten. Jill you need top drop another album soon!