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!

The Wire

I have finally finished watching all 5 seasons of The Wire and I can honestly say it is the best TV show I have seen to date. I know it sounds a little cliché but honestly no show has gripped me like this. I love “Desperate Housewives” and “Heroes” but neither of their storylines are as compelling and hard hitting as “The Wire”. The cast are the ones that really make the show they are so convincing and bring a sense of realism to every storyline from Marlow Stanfield, Snoop, Omar and Stringer Bell… oh I miss it already! The final season focuses on journalism and ties up all the loose ends of the last 4 seasons. What am I going to watch on TV now?!?! Hats off to the creator David Simon he did a brilliant job, so much so I have gone on and brought his book “Homicide- a year of killing on the streets”. If you haven't watched The Wire what are you waiting for?!?!?

Drama Week 6

6 down 4 to go! I have to admit their have been times where I’ve wondered if these drama classes are benefiting me, and yesterday’s class confirmed that they are! I have seen a difference in my confidence levels both in and out of classes. In particular within my Entertainment slot that I do fortnightly on the radio. The self-consciousness is slowly beginning to disappear; it’s funny how we are so critical of ourselves. Sometimes we are our own worst enemy!

Yesterday’s class was really fun! We started off with our usual warm up/ shouting exercises. Then we moved on to a quick game, there were 5 props on the floor e.g. a string of pearls, a flower, a box etc. We then had to improvise with the use of all 5 props; it was fun to see how creative and spontaneous each member of the class could be. It was then down to business as we had to prepare for our monologues slam in two weeks time. This involves us having to recite a story, piece, poem to a group of about 100 people. I have decided to do a piece by Mayou Angelou titled “Phenomenal Women” but I’ve tweaked it a bit and really made it my own. I can honestly say I’m not nervous about it, although this may change once I take to the stage. Although I usually just psyche myself up and pretend that I’m with a group of friends. It feels like I step out of myself once I’m in performance mode….watch out MTV-NY Imma coming!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!