A Beautiful Reality Check Part 1

By viewing my post and my interest you've more than likely discovered that I am a very REALITY conscience person. I love music so there for I need to adjust some of my settings on this blog. I just wanted to write a post about India Arie for a little while. She is very talented, categorized as Neo-Soul music. I just wanted to speak about her song, Beautiful Surprise or at least share the lyrics for now. Read over the lyrics then I will discuss them later, leave a comment about the lyrics.


[It's like yesterday
I didn't even know your name
Now today
You're always on my mind
I never could have predicted that I'd feel this way
You are a beautiful surprise
Intoxicated every time I hear your voice
You've got me on a natural high
It's almost like I didn't even have a choice
You are a beautiful surprise

Whatever it is that you came to teach me
I am here to learn it cause
I believe that we are written in the stars
I don't know what the future hold
But I'm living in the moment
And I'm thankful for the man that you are, you are, you are
You are everything I ask for in my prayers
So I know my angels brought you to my life
Your energy is healing to my soul
You are a beautiful surprise
You are an inspiration to my life
You are the reason why I smile
You are a beautiful surprise]

Donnie Hathaway Serenades Reality

Donnie Hathaway is one of the strongest vocalist I've ever heard. But, before i go on with my personal opinion, I'll give you a brief summary of his music history. He was born in Chicago and shortly after was raised by his grandmother in St. Louis housing projects. At the age of 3 he became known as a child prodigy because of his vocal ability. He received a full music scholarship to attend Howard University. Not completing his Fine Arts degree he moved on to further his music career in 1967. In 19701 he wrote and recorded the single that went on to be the urban anthem, The Ghetto.
Listening to his music you could feel what he was singing. He had a strong emotion and pain behind he voice. He repeatedly composed songs about the empowerment of his people in the 70s. He realized the harsh REALITY of poverty, deprivation and injustice. He died at an early age. He suffered from depression and was found dead in front of his apartment complex, suicide was concluded.
If you ever listened to any of his recordings what did you conclude?

Rap Music Meets REALITY

Yes, believe it or not I am a big fan of rap. The most important message that I want to convey to my readers is I love the message not the image. I want to get one thing clear, I love rap artist not rappers. Rappers feed off the image and the latest trend. Rappers just babble on and on, making no sense. That is exactly why people say,"I don't understand a word!" A rap artist delivers a message, tells a story. A rap artist career has longevity. Included among the list of rap artist are Tupac Shakur, Biggie, Nas, Jay-z, Common etc. In REALITY what is the difference between a rapper and a rap artist?

Watch this video of a real rap artist.

Lauryn Hill - Reality Education

Lauryn Hill is one of the greatest artist to me. She was able to education my generation. I remember when I was in high school she just released her solo album entitled, 'The Miseducation Of Lauryn Hill.'
The album cover design was a very creative piece. It was an old wooden desk with the pencil holder and engraved was her self portrait. Her expression was as if she was seeking a higher understanding of what she had been taught all her life. I know for me it was like she had just realized that she had been miseducated.
The message she delivered in her lyrics was an eye opening REALITY to the black youth at that time. The whole scenario of the album was a black male teacher educating his students allowing them to think for themselves, you know use your brain. Her message was so subliminal that if you weren't listening for it, you still got educated.
Did you listen to the album, if so was it a REALITY check?
Post a comment and let me know what you thought of the album.
Reality of the matter is that every young black woman should own a copy of this album!

Musiq SoulChild Delivers Reality Music

Lyrics play a vital role in the success and longevity of music. A successful songwriter delivers timeless music. I know timeless music when I can clearly remember word for word songs more than a decade old. I remember back in the 90s still in high school when Musiq SoulChild came onto the mainstream music scene. It was the introduction of Neo Soul to my generation. I'll never forget his song, LOVE. The lyrics were so powerful, meaningful and most importantly REAL.

Musiq is a timeless artist who composes his own lyrics. His lyrics offers a glimpse into his personality. My favorite is 'Who Knows' which is a very thought provoking song. One of the verses is as follows -
"know that love is not just something to do
It’s the moment that transcends
Our physical into a more spiritual level of understanding"
from 'Who Knows' written by Musiq SoulChild
Who knows what these lyrics mean, do you? Well leave me a comment on what you think he is trying to say and keep posted for my response to these lyrics.
Musiq SoulChild writes REALITY.