WHAT BUJU BANTON, BEENIE MAN & SLIM PERFECTION ALL HAVE IN COMMON

Buju's Beautiful Eyes & Spirit

Ok - ladies & gentlemen - guess what Buju Banton, Beenie Man and I all have in common?  I will give you a few moments to think about it (feel free to comment below if you like)...  Ok - there are few things let me list them for you:
1.  We all have beautiful eyes
2.  We all work in the Reggae Industry
3.  We all are Lovers of Reggae Music  (last one & most importantly)
4.  We are all born in 1973!!!!!

Let me tell you about the 70's - I am proud to be a 70's baby, there was a lot going on musically speaking during the 70's.  I know what you're thinking "flower power"  the "Peace" sign.  Maybe you're thinking about disco music - Donna Summer & Chaka Khan.  The 70's was such a nostalgic era to be in.  The music was ALIVE with bands, real music - who remembers the 8 track?  Vinyl and sitting on the floor looking at and reading album covers.  Some of the art work those days were so cooky and colorful.

Do you remember the vans on the street?  All the crazy looking artwork that was on them?  It was cool if you owned a Trans Am Car and so many other notable things about the "70's".  But when God said in July of 1973 that one of the most talented Voices of Jamaica would be born and his name shall be Mark Anthony Myrie (Buju Banton) and then God said yet another Voice of Jamaica will be born in August of 1973 and his name shall be Anthony Moses Davis (Beenie Man)  and when God said another Voice of New York emerging from Kings County will be born in December of 1973 and her name shall be Peggy Laibhen (Slim Perfection) - it was so!  By the way my new website launches this week feel free to visit www.slimperfection.nyc

Let me tell you something about 70's babies - don't sleep on us we are super multi-talented people who strive to do the right thing in life.  I'm not saying that the era as to which you were born in isn't special - but I'm not talking about your era right now - I'm talking about mine :)

So as I approach my Birthday (12/3) Week & Month the celebration begins as soon as December rolls in - I celebrate all month long!!! Every day given is another day to give thanks of course I am beyond grateful each time I wake up and see the sun shining through my bedroom curtains.  Happy to be able to see, speak, hear, write, type, text, smile, love, laugh & work.  God is awesome!  

So as long as I have breath in me - the goal is to do, to be, to help, to honor and to achieve.  Till my next entry...

Beenie Man & Slim Perfection - Irie Jamboree 2k13 @ the Barclays Center

Slim Perfection @ Henrica's Restaurant in Queens in Celebration mode for 12/3

 

POSE OFF WINTER FASHION FUN!!!

COUNT DOWN TO 12/7/14 - @ MAGNET - A SIMPLY SAID PRODUCTION!

I am in prep mode, I am looking forward to seeing you and I am in full anticipation mode.  So hoping Thanksgiving for you was a blast.  I did have a good time with my family.  As usual my family are chuck full of comedians so while we're at the table we remember the good old days and everyone is having a laughable time.

Will you be at Pose Off this year?  Do I get to shake your hand and say to you "thank you for coming?"  This year's sponsors are giving away some great gift items right in time for the holidays.  It's a perfect reason for you to come out on a Sunday and see some great fashions, a few musical surprises and enjoy yourself.

If you would like complimentary entry - YOU MUST ARRIVE @ THE VENUE BEFORE 7:30PM - your code word for free entry is "Pose Off"  If you sing/chat the song like Red Fox & Screechy Dan not only does that allow you free entry but you get entered in a raffle for some really cool gifts.

Come out support & enjoy the show!  Till my next entry...

MY STORY ON SHABBA RANKS

90's Shabba Ranks - Still a Major Influence in the Reggae Industry Today

Where do I begin with Shabba Ranks.  I promise to give you a great article on all his many achievements in the music industry, including the records he broke, his influence on other artists and how his music has impacted generations of reggae lovers worldwide.

But this entry is on my story with Shabba Ranks.  Now Shabba is one of my favorite Reggae Artists he's part of the Top 7.  Just in case you're wondering who also has made my list of all time favorites, I will just name a few - well you already know Shabba Ranks is there, Buju Banton, Beenie Man, Capelton, Lone Ranger, Mad Cobra - and I'll stop right there.

Okay so when I was just a little girl in my wee teens (smile) all of my family members knew how much I loved Shabba Ranks.  Well for the first time in the States Shabba Ranks was coming to Queens.  He was performing live at the Legendary Q Club this was in October if my memory serves me right and I wasn't even 16 years of age yet.  Now my sister decided as an early birthday gift to take me to this concert.  I was super excited but was not the legal age to get into an establishment such as the Q.

So we went on Jamaica Avenue to shop for the appropriate I.D. that would show that I was 21 years of age.  After taking care of that and doing some shopping that weekend was one that I would never forget.

When we arrived at the Q Club and of course, successfully passed through security we found a nice spot across from the stage and I waited.  If my memory serves me right DJ Roy was the MC to introduce Shabba.  All I remember is watching him jump across the stage with the mic in his hands and he said "I'm not going to a circus, I'm not going to a fair - " and the rest is history.  I screamed, and screamed and had so much fun watching my A-1 DJ do his thing on the stage and of course doing all of his hits at the time.

That was the best Sweet 16 Gift anyone could have given anyone, but I was the recipient and I have the memories.  Now through out the years working in the Reggae Industry I have seen Shabba and watched him perform live.  Shabba Ranks live performances are energy packed and his moves - so tribal.  He's still a sexy Reggae Icon that holds his own with each performance.  So catching him live is a treat.  Yes there was a time where he took a hiatus so to speak from the industry and when he returned - well it was just GREAT to hear him on the air waves again.  In my opinion, musicians may take a break but they never totally abandon their God given talents.

Now as an adult, and not a 15 year old watching Shabba for the first time.  When I bump into Shabba it's always a pleasure and it's always professional and cordial.  I didn't share with him my story of when I was a bright eyed teenager until last year some time; just in the office away from all the people, bright lights and stage.  Shabba chuckled and said he should have been recording my story.

Shabba Ranks - Rexton Rawlston Fernando Gordon, also holds the title as King of the Dancehall, being one of the most popular artists within his era and as an International Reggae Artist who took Reggae music to mainstream and helped broaden it's horizons.  Simply Said Media gives you a 21 Gun Salute.  Just my way of saying "I'm proud."

Now I promise to give you a then & now about Shabba Ranks and list his groundbreaking achievements as well.  Not today but you know if I am going to give you a story let me at least present the Artist in the best way a writer can.

Till my next entry...

Shabba Ranks & Slim Perfection - @ Irie Jam Studios Winter 2k13

Shabba Ranks & DJ Roy @ Irie Jam Studios Winter 2k13

NEVER GIVING UP ON SELF

The Thoughts of a Rootsy Woman who takes Pride in her People

Hi there my loyal readers.  I must say as much as you click on a post & thank you so much for doing so.  Maybe, just maybe - take the time out & "follow me" so that I can keep you updated on all things Simply Said and current happenings within our community.  Not to mention meaningful commentary that should enhance or improve your state of mind as opposed to some of the garbage that we either fill our minds with or end up being subjected to.

Allrighty then - let's talk about self.  Questions number 1. 
Do you love yourself?  Take some time to answer that question.  Do not confuse selfish desires to loving yourself - there is a difference.  Let's take our bodies for instance.  Sickness can come from various sources.  Some of what causes our bodies to breakdown has a lot to do with what we are putting in our systems.  If you LOVE YOURSELF YOU WOULD NOT PUT HARMFUL THINGS AND/OR SUBSTANCES IN YOUR BODY THAT WOULD CAUSE DAMAGE TO YOU.  If you believe in the saying you are what you eat - then go by the rule I go by "Everything in moderation" too much of anything - is NOT good for you.  If you want tips on how to "Love yourself" feel free to comment below & we can start a convo from there.

See once you figure out that YOU are responsible for YOUR happiness and NOT others a light bulb will go on in that bright head of yours and by maintaining a positive perspective and/or attitude towards matters - all of a sudden you will begin to see the pieces of the puzzle come together.

Now my topic today is "Never giving up on Self".  You see when I walk in and around the neighborhood that I live in and see a grown man who doesn't appear to have missed a meal, perhaps even overweight to the average 6 foot plus black male and you're asking a woman for money and if I give it to you because after all I was taught to share if I have it.  Let me continue to paint the picture a grown man asking other people including myself for money.  Then later in the day you are sitting on a crate on the corner smoking a cigarette or something else, did I just fund your smoking habit?  Let me further paint the picture - a grown man with a name brand leather jacket on, appears as though he's living quite well AND HAS NEVER MISSED A MEAL.  Chooses to ask for money rather than attempting to use those hands on people skills to fill out a job application - not only did you give up on SELF but you've decided to LEAN on others and are content with just that.

What I hate to see in the community are the petty drug dealers that are still on the corners asking patrons as they enter stores if they smoke - because I guess you can buy a "loosy" from them and anything else that would be for sale.  The decisions that we make in life not only effects you the individual but the people around you as well.  The Petty Drug Dealer has GIVEN UP on attempting to make an HONEST DAY'S PAY.  Therefore giving up on self.

I'm sorry Ladies unfortunately, society, the entertainment industry and some women have given the red stamp approval to have you believe that a stripper's pole, having one, using one, being a stripper aka exotic dancer is a GREAT career choice.  As opposed to learning a trade or getting a college education.  For the younger generation to think that it is acceptable to aspire to be on a pole as opposed to a more reputable career where you are not subjected to being seen as only a piece of meat - well yeah with that scenario - you've given up on self.  I do not consider that as survival I see it as a cop out.

When I walk around the neighborhood and see countless people whose priorities consists of substance abuse (to drown or forget about their troubles), violence (because they've decided to loose control within their troubles) crime (because they've decided to break the law to remedy their troubles)  YES you have lost hope & given up on SELF.  

How do we break the cycle?  You can not go by society's fast paced point & click or touch & send speed.  As an individual YOU MUST STOP & PAUSE every day if you could, once a week is great, SELF EVALUATION & REFLECTION IS KEY.  If you can just stop for a second and do self inventory of your life and where you are going with it you can save yourself some serious heartache and stress.  It starts with you, your home, your surroundings and your community.

Trust me, what you do matters.  If you lost hope on the things that matter most to you, than you lost your way and have to do everything you possibly can to return to or restore that zeal you once had on life & your pursuits.

Don't give up on yourself - I haven't given up on you - believe in YOURSELF as I believe in YOU.

Till my next entry...