Rivaflowz.com

heat i'm flowing to right now.

2009-11-04T18:54:00.000-08:00

Yes, i know some of these joints are unreleased. However, I couldn't wait! Don't worry, I will cop the actual LP's when they drop. :-) I'm an artist....we have to support. Click the link's after the photos to download them. The Khalifa & K. Sparks are FREE downloads. However, Kel & Ryan's are up for grabs at Amazon.com. They're well worth the dime....AMAZING tracks.

Wiz Khalifa- Burn After Rolling

Kel Spencer's Salon Stories

Ryan Leslie-Transition

K. Sparks- Super Senior

OH, NO. Did you really think I'd give you the link to download this illegally? Ha! Go SUPPORT Wale; one of my top ten emcees. Nov. 10th! Stay tuned for my Wale "Attention Deficit" review.....

in-(security).

2009-11-03T05:07:00.000-08:00

I'm tainted

thick

peach cobbler thighs

potbelly

brown eyes

I'm flawed

the stars in my eyes

have long since dwindled

no dance in my step

teeth slanted

i tried to correct them

but my gap is genetic

dentist said it wouldn't close

so i know God intended for me to be this way

sorry,

if your makers vision

is so illuminating

that it blinds you

and while you are

clawing around

trying to find your way in the dark

my security

becomes your scratching post

sharp.

he left engraved in my skin

that I'd never be good enough for him

with books

that laced rainbows

around my mind

am i not bright enough for you?

and tongue

that travels farther than wits end

perhaps i spoke to much?

maybe my refusal to chase you

oblige you

grovel behind you

were those your expectations?

am i too strong for you?

no stranger

to lost love

will not break my back

to find you

but in the meantime

I'll twirl my metaphors around bricks

and throw them at your automobile of a heart

and hope you scar

keloid memories of me

will flood your eyes

and I'll be there to press rewind

every time you hear me speak

every time you hear yourself in a simile

every time you try to breathe

good luck finding purity

i hope perfection comes knocking at your door

so you can prove me wrong

but I'm tainted

imperfection elegance

screwed BLISS

darling desperate

I'm flawed

and there's no cure

words to keep you on your LONG journey:

good luck finding your non-existent pure.

pic: from www.skratch-pad.com

orgasmic.

2009-10-31T00:19:00.000-07:00

So my boy @jaychris321 put me on to these.

& I'm in LOVE.

Womans Dunk High 6.0

Find me @:

www.kicksonfire.com

Extra Butter

NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month)

2009-10-29T07:07:00.000-07:00

I know I'm a total GEEK for this; but starting Nov. 1st, its NATIONAL NOVEL WRITING MONTH! The goal is to write a 175 page novel (50,000 words) in 30 days. Is Riva going to accept the challenge? Heck Yeah! I've written novella's (smaller novels) before and I'm sure this will be a piece of cake. (Or pie, whichever is easier to make.) 175 pages divided by 30 days= roughly 6 pages a day. I can do that! It's practically blogging. Most wanna-be novelists start with an idea or sample of what they want their novel to be. Honestly, 75% of these ideas never get carried out. Nanowrimo.com (The Official Site for National Writing) challenges you to a "kamikaze" style of writing. Their belief is writing an uninhibited piece that will allow you to risk putting quantity over quality, and getting the job DONE. There's always time for editing, grammar mistakes, and reworking later. However for those 30 days, all they want YOU to do is WRITE.

Here are the Rules:

Novel must be from scratch: That means no adding to something you've already written. (Damn! That means i can't use my fiction blog for help. :-/)
50,000 words...175 pages
You must read the 50,000 word mark by Nov. 30th @ midnight
Upload it to www.nanowrimo.com for word count verification.
Grab a web badge or certificate if you win!

Yeah, I know there's no cash prize; but accomplishing a novel within a month is a prize within itself! SO WHO'S WITH ME?!?!?!?! BLUE, ARE YOU WITH ME?!?!?!?!

Here's the BEST, MOST GEEKIEST, GREATEST part EVER! They have a "Night of Writing Dangerously." It's on Nov. 22nd (The day before my birthday) from 5-11pm in San Fran, California. It's a six hour writing challenge with dinner, prizes, and of course networking with writers from all around. This would be the greatest b-day gift EVER. Although, i have a million other friends who have their own b-day plans made up for me. *sigh* They don't understand, that I'd rather be immersed in a novel with a good book & a latte, then at a club dancing with random people i don't like. (No offense, random people.) Anyway, I'm dead SET on going. If i don't then I'll be at Barnes and Nobles pouting. Like this :-/.

Anyway here's the link for sponsoring my registration (They ask that you have your registration sponsored by family & friends so they can get the word out. I'd sponsor it myself....but, it's MY birthday.*cough* DAD & MOM, I know you read this blog.)

Well I'm headed to NanoWrimo's website to sign up for the festivities. I think you should take the challenge too! It'll be INVIGORATING. And i don't use "invigorate" for anyone.

kel spencer's salon stories hosted by mc lyte. (i'm on it!)

2009-10-28T09:47:00.000-07:00

(photos taken by me @rivaflowz)

So the press release for Kel Spencer's Salon Stories album Hosted by MC Lyte has arrived. If you don't know Kel's work, get acquainted. He wrote Will Smith's "Switch" and received an American Music Award for it. (That's a BIG deal.) He also happens to be one of my favorite "big brother" role models in the industry. The album premiere party goes down tonight @ Volstead in NYC and you can cop the album on Amazon.com, Itunes, and pretty much any online site that's up to date on hip hop LP's. Kel is a true veteran, a dope emcee, and is EXCELLENT at keeping a concept going within an album, such as Salon Stories exhibits.

Peep Some of the Press Release Here:

New York, NY – Tuesday, October 27, 2009 – After an aggressive viral marketing and social media campaign, Perfect Results Hair Care and Kel Spencer release Salon Stories, now available online via iTunes, Rhapsody, Amazon and other online retailers. Featuring appearances from music's current top influential artists such as Q-Tip, Hal Linton, Def Poets and Lydia Caesar, Salon Stories boasts 20 tracks.

Salon Stories explores the idea of thinking about relationships while giving a few answers to guide one's thoughts along the way. Reflecting upon relationships observed in his own life allowed Kel the ability to write and create songs answering some of the questions women had regarding men in an effort to provoke dialogue between the sexes.

A Brooklyn native, Kel Spencer has co-written smashes for some the most successful entertainers in music including Wyclef Jean, Teddy Riley, MC Lyte, Nick Cannon, and Will Smith. For interviews with Kel Spencer, please contact Nicole Price at pricelessmedia (at) gmail (dot) com.

-from: hiphoppress.com

And by Def Poets...he means me and my lovely pink and green homie, Shanelle Gabriel. I'm on a track about why men cheat, entitled, "Know the Truth" w/ Kel and Sonny Brix.

Listen to me perform a love poem & hear a snippet of the song in the vid below:

Kel introduces me at the 2:20 mark.

PS- I also designed the cover for the SalonStories Album Sampler & did the photography for the new album work. :-)

ascend.

2009-10-27T17:43:00.000-07:00

I wrote this for a friend who lost his father recently:

i can't say i understand how you feel

how your heart probably dropped in the pit

of your stomach

how those light fire eyes must have illuminated

in tears

leaving to caress the brown cheeks of your face

but i can say;

i know he is watching

fiddling his thumbs on the edge of a cloud

smiling at the man I've come to know

I hope you know you are beautiful

music melody wrapped around your arms

not an "iota" of fear as you

tap for your father to hear

He is dancing

on the edge of heaven

with halo's for cymbals

joining your cadence

parading a line of angels

and pointing below

he says,

"that is MY son"

so everytime

your face kisses the sky

remember he dangles his legs on air

and watches you walk to the beat of your own drum

or perhaps; just the beat of his heart...inside of you.

homecoming a la' hampton university.

2009-10-26T14:36:00.000-07:00

I know, i've been COMPLETELY M.I.A. I had to conquer midterms, homecoming, and my first open mic; which all went pleasingly well. Homecoming was a blast. Hello Kitty (Briana) & Mir Mir spent practically the ENTIRE week crashing at the "flow" crib. There were no DUI's, COPS, or abuse of substances involved but, unlike other college students we don't need those three elements to seize the day. Enjoy the flicks. ;-) I'll be blogging soon. ;-)

kill me....now. -hiphop

2009-10-11T09:17:00.001-07:00

female emcees. bloggers. & the 45%.

2009-10-06T08:46:00.000-07:00

Upon trying to find a new studio to produce a spanking *new* sound, I've come across many trifling producers and studio owners. To test the theory, a younger male emcee friend of mine and I scoped a couple of these places in Hampton Roads, VA. When my homeboy entered and asked how much a session including mixing, mastering, and the works would cost, they told him $20-$30/hr, pending on where we went. When I entered the same place and presented myself as a female emcee, the same men would quote me anywhere from $45-$55/hr. Why the huge difference you ask? Well here's the answer. Producers, studio engineers, and the like have lost faith in female emcees. Yes, I can throw my hands up in protest, write a long drawn out feminist rant on it, and even make a song depicting my emotions about it. But, why? We kind of deserve it. I'm not justifying the clearly sexist actions of these men. However, industry people are more prone to work with people they feel they can profit from. Upon hearing me flow, people would approach me with beats, studio time, and graphic design ideas for my next mix tape. To them it was an honor to have their work side by side with what they thought would be the next BIG thing. But, now they aren't even listening to females. With women like Nikki Minaj, Angel Lola Luv, Tila Tequila (really?).....who really wants to listen? What's with all the degrading nicknames....Minaj as in Menage a Trois', Barbie?, Nikki LEWINSKY?!?!?!?!?!, Tequila like the liquor, Lola luv...really? All these Lil's, Shaquana's and Mama's. Are we children? Now don't get me wrong, the songs are catchy, they have one or two bars, but who is taking you seriously?

REALLY?

REALLLYYYYY???

REALLLLY?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!

Here's the problem:

Women aren't writing their own music: With Nikki sounding like Weezy....you don't think he's in the studio feeding her lyrics? A lot of the lyrics femcees are spitting are NOWHERE near original. I always hear a male influenced flow.
We've forgotten Hip-Hop is an art: Have we forgotten how to produce, beat box, and create hooks. Where's the variety? The versatility?
Sex isn't EVERYTHING: Must we dress like a stripper, superwoman, or a whore to get attention? Queen Latifah just dropped her album "Persona" and you don't even see CLEAVAGE anywhere in her promotion. Yet, every time i see a mix tape of any other female emcee, she's scantily clad with pink or purple in the background. I understand Lil' Kim and Foxy we're the ones who started this trend. However, they were depicting their actual reality. Females come into the game and do a complete 360 with their personality, looks, and morale.
Dedication: Men have never let anything come to us easily. Stop waiting on your producers to call you up, a record label executive to offer you something, or a man to show you how to do it.
Experience: If you've never held a gat or pulled a trigger in your life. REMOVE IT FROM YOUR RHYMES. It annoys me when females start talking about a gangsta life they never led.

Honestly, men expect the same from every female emcee they come into contact with. I always get a look of surprise when i enter a cypher. "Yo, she spits like a dude! She's Beast." They expected me to start talking about my body parts, my man, or some sexual act that I've committed. Wrong.

Now to address the female blogger's. Most of my followers are poets, writers, or women keeping a written log of their everyday experiences. I thoroughly enjoy these blogs because they boast substance. However, I've been reading some of these hip-hop and gossip bloggers and I'm disgusted. Their "About Me's" boast stories of how they've conquered the web and attained all these "influential female" and "black woman of the year" awards. If you're given such a role, you should maintain a composure that deems you a ROLE model. Yet, these same women are having affairs with the celebrity men they write about, have nude photos and sex tapes online, and neglect to address the real matter at hand. You're a groupie, that can write. You glorify the aspects of the world you would love to be a part of and then dive right in when the waves you've put wind to, come floating by.

Hello, 45%! Yes, I'm speaking to you. The disrespectful, lewd, overtly sexual, stereotypical woman. Yes, you! Let me make a few things clear. You're sexy, not a sex symbol. Your temples are VIP, not open during vacancy. You're mother's, not baby mommas. And you're bold and beautiful, not bitches. I'm not asking everyone to be a lady, to cross their legs, or wear clothes that cover you from head to toe. I'm asking you to respect yourself. It starts with us. When men see a woman that is confident, although she may not be the sexiest thing ever, it's sexy enough to get their attention. Don't you think the same ideal concurs with respect?

I'm not perfect, no female is. But, I'd like you to take a look at the young ladies in your life. Your cousin's, daughters, sister's and mentee's. Listen to the lyrics they reiterate in the back of your cars whilst the radio is blasting. Ask them who their favorite female rappers are. And prepare to be very afraid.....

Take Note of REAL Femcees:

Jean Grae
Lauryn Hill (SMH)
MC Lyte
Eve
Queen latifah

Femcees that you might not know (Youtube Em'!):

Babs
Lil' Mama (Yes, I went there.)
Kibree
Kristyle
Vikki Flames
Miss Nana
Lure

Honestly, I don't support some of these girls bars. But they all have MAJOR potential.

And after a FUN (sike) search...I found some girls who are worth shedding light on. 5 more years; and they will be problems. Clearly, they have role models that aren't poisoning our radio waves. (None are older than 15)

-riv-

forgotten ninja: a memoir.

2009-09-29T20:58:00.000-07:00

"Love the conversation, and her kicks is like a Sensei."

-J.Cole

Despite the quote, I am NOT writing another J. Cole review. This entry is a dedication; to that person in your life that sometimes goes unnoticed. It always happens unexpectedly during our most idle moments; whether gazing out of a train window, sitting under the dryer at the salon, or daydreaming while facing the ceiling, it will hit you. A notion dances through your mind and suddenly connects with a memory that has faded. That faded memory is of a mentor I had during my pre-teen years. During one of my late night journey's home (from a show, no doubt) in New York City's Penn Station, I bumped into an old sparring (martial arts) partner of mine. We spent the whole train ride home reminiscing and catching up on things. When we started the conversation about our former Sensei (teacher), this young man informed me that our Sensei was involved with drugs, sent to a group home for older men, and eventually migrated to Florida. I was a bit saddened but I laughed it off and we continued to talk about our present-day lives. After he got off at his stop, I leaned back in my seat and listened to the murmur of the tracks beneath me. At this very moment, it HIT me, Sensei had a very large impact in my life and to find out his present situation had deeply saddened me.

Over the years Sensei occasionally passed through my mind but, I'd always assumed he'd moved on to another state or country to teach the craft after he closed the dojo. To picture a man I'd considered to be one of the strongest men i had ever met, weakened, bothered me incessantly. I'd joined the dojo at the very beginning of my teenage life and immediately felt like part of the family. Sensei was a tall Italian man with a good heart that had perfected his craft in Japan. The room was padded with safety mats, canes, and suits (for ninjas). My mother decided that i needed an after school activity to keep me busy, prior our encounter with the dojo. Annoyed by the entire situation, i withdrew when Sensei extended his hand. He must've encountered such a reaction from students quite often because he grabbed my arm, smiled, and said, "Hey Girl! We're going to have some fun?! Right?" I was so taken aback by his animation that i instantly gravitated towards him. After that first trial class, I spent the next three years at the dojo. There are many experiences that were grand during my tenure at my favorite after school hangout, however, I'll only cover a few.

I loved McDonald's, and everyday right before i got to the dojo, I'd grab some food. When Mcdee's dropped the fajita on their dollar menu, i was one of the first to try it. Lucky me, I ended up with a stomach virus for 3 days. Upon entering the dojo, i threw up all over the mats and fell down curling up in the fetal position in pain. Sensei took me to the after school room and allowed me to lay on a cot and then he went back to the sparring room and cleaned up my mess. For someone that barely knows you to clean up after you, shows a good heart. Sheesh, I don't even know if i would do that. He then brought me tea and soup until my mother came to get me at the usual time.

The second incident happened when one of the boys at the dojo tried to disrespect me. Tugging at my gi (uniform) and saying lewd things to me while we were supposed to be sparring on the mats, Sensei appeared from nowhere and snatched him up by the collar dragging him to the office. He then called his mother and asked him not to come back to the dojo. This may be cliche however, when i asked him why he'd banned the boy from the dojo he said, "I was defending your honor."

Sensei was there when i wanted to give up writing because i thought no one would ever really listen. He would walk past me writing in my journal after classes and say, "If you don't get your black belt, at least get that Pulitzer." Throughout pre-teen insecurities, disagreements with not-so-great friends, and staying out of trouble; Sensei always had my back. During the last year at the dojo, I assisted with the summer program. I helped teach beginner classes, gave out snacks to the younger students, and even implemented new programs. In a way Sensei showed me that i enjoyed working with youth and teaching.

I soon started high school and became extremely flooded with work and frequented the dojo less and less. One day i drove past the dojo with my mother to find out it had been shut down. We continued to drive home as i pondered what had happened to the blue and white sign that boasted after school, summer, and beginner lessons.

Throughout my life I've had many mentors but after writing this entry i realize Sensei was one of the most memorable. I've googled him and looked him up in the yellow pages to no avail. Without the dojo, alongside the morals and values bestowed unto me by my parents, I fear my head wouldn't be so adjusted to my shoulders. Adorned with the canes, grappling gear, swords, and dragons; I can still hear him obliterating the punching bag.....ichi, ni, san, chi.......

"Sensei Ni Rei"

(Bow to Sensei)

-riv-

cole is COLD. a feminine perspective.

2009-09-28T15:53:00.000-07:00

Considering the fact that this is a relatively "personal" site; you should know, that when I comment on an emcee....it's serious business. Hailing from Fayetteville, NC (a.k.a. The Ville, Fayettenam) Jermaine Cole (J. Cole) is way more than warmed up, as his second mixtape title suggests. This man is suited up, on the court, and the game. Whether he knows that or not, I don't know. However, he must know he is a SERIOUS problem. (That's a good thing. Lol.) He just signed to Jay-Z's RocNation. :-)

I'm always fussing about the reiteration of misogynistic ideals from emcees (if we can call some of them that). However, even though J.Cole has his occasional disrespectful lyrics. (Ex: Split You Up.) , he speaks more from experience rather than just disrespecting females because he feels like it. His songs, specifically those involving women, are story oriented. I literally felt like i was reading a story during the tracks, "Losing My Balance", "Ladies", and his last verse on "Dolla and a Dream II." He repeats more than once of his longing or appreciation of a woman with a beautiful mind and even expresses disdain towards woman who aren't goal oriented.

On the first verse of "Losing Your Balance", he talks about the phony materialistic girl:

"Ms. high profile, caught you shopping on canal// I guess it makes sense seeing as phony is your style// Your hair and your nails just as phony as your smile// Fake eyelashes, you drew your eyebrows// A n*&ga bout' to ask, do you pride yourself?// And make up like a mask, tryna hide yourself// Seems on the outside, you thinking your the s*^t// But it's the soul that's inside, you ain't even knew existed//"

Like most storyteller emcees, he brings his target down and then proceeds to tell her about herself. Usually, the next bars are uplifting or bring about some sort of realization. (I promise you that many emcees do this.) The listener will humble herself as he drops the next earsplitting bars that deem so true about many of the females i know today.

"Hope this will reach you and you understand// That your value ain't determined by another man// Cuz right now you let them brothers get the upper hand//"

I was in the silent library with this in my headphones and I shot up out of my seat, "YOU TELL EM' J!" For a female who has watched many of her friends bring themselves to a point where salvation is KEY, those words touched my heart. I have probably used the same bars in conversation form towards insecure girls that allow my advice to trickle into one ear and out of the next.....far too many times.

The song's second verse is about his hometown. Cole talks about violence, drug dealing, and internal issues he has with his city. However, i've decided halfway through this blog that i want focus on the "female-oriented" aspect of Mr. Cole's lyrics. Not many album reviews talk about how the emcee affects the female listeners. The last verse is about a female who he finds attractive because of her mind. (Sidenote: Go Download: Mind Sex By Dead Prez)

"I got a thang for this lil mama// She do it to me, plus her brain is for real, Imma sucka for love// i guess, won't catch her up in the club, she ain't into that//Kind of chick, that rather rent a flick, and get intimate//"

Cole goes in to talk about how he's addicted to this girl because of her intellect and not necessarily all the other aspects other rappers talk about. (I don't think i need to explain that.) His last line is.....

"My homies beefing cuz' i never come around a lot// Keep on telling me i changed, things ain't the same// And ever since she came around, i never wanna hang// They tell me that it's foul, how a chick will make me switch// But man I can't help it dog, her mind got me whipped."

I have NEVER seen this many references to mind, brain, knowledge etc. without it being a metaphor for a sexual act! Amazing.

Another song I'm really feeling is, "A Dollar and a Dream II."

Peep it:

"Sally I know I ain't been answering your calls// But s*&t, let me explain, it's because, times been hard// Been running around trying to find a job// I hear my phone ringing in the morning, 9 o' clock// And it's you, can't even front i press ignore// I still got your letters lying in my dresser drawer// You telling me about all the things you did for me// When i was broke you sent me dough and that was ??? for me// You was there every year when i needed you// And you were so quick to give, i had to be with you// Remember when i used to call you on your phone line// I knew it was official when my mama co-signed// But in no time, a ni*&a graduated// I hit the real world, baby girl i'm sad to say it// But i was using you, you gave a *bleep* major stacks// And i know in my heart one day that i'm gon' pay you back//"\

(**CORRECTION**LMAO. ROFL. I just had my HAT handed to me! I guess because i've paid out of the pocket for school for so long, i didn't catch on! This next verse is in reference to Sallie Mae & the Loans he got for school. Still, it doesn't lessen the feelings it evoked in me. :-/)

It's an amazing track; give the whole thing a listen....Above.

I've got SO much to say about Mr. Cole, but i don't want to prolong the inevitable. However here are a few of my favorite tracks from the two mixtapes:

**super favorites!!!

"The Warm Up" (2009)

Lights Please
Dreams ft. Brandon Hines
Dollar and a Dream II
Heartache
Ladies Ft. Lee Fields
Hold it Down
Losing My Balance (Bonus)**

"The Come Up" (2007)

Simba
I'm The Man**
Dead Presidents
Can't Cry
I Do My Thing

(You can download them @ 2dopeboyz.com or getrightmusic.com. Just search: J. Cole)

I've been sitting by hip-hop's bedside for a long time. He stirs occasionally, but has never risen from his coma. Today, the crisp blue bed sheets ruffled, and i watched him stir once again, and then he did something he's never done before.....he spoke to me.

-riv-

the wing man (woman).

2009-09-26T10:02:00.000-07:00

"I see Boyder and ask him, yo can you take her fat friend?// He laughs and then digs in, hell yea i'll be your wing man"

-Asher Roth
The wing man, wing woman, whatever we're calling it nowadays, NEEDS a blog entry of its own. I have entirely too many friends calling me with the question, "Yo Riv, I'm trying to go out with this dude and he's got his friend with him, can you come along?" NO. It's not that i've never been on a double date, or don't enjoy them. However, being the wing woman/man is an entirely different subject. This is going to sound so awful but, lets be honest, the "friend":
is usually....
1) Not attractive.
2) A scrub. (Meaning he only gets dates when his boy's girl has a friend (wing woman.)
3) Entirely TOO comfortable with the situation. "I mean my boy's getting kissed, why can't I?" BECAUSE I DON'T KNOW YOU. Duh.
Despite these common attributes found in the "friend", woman continuously grab a wing woman for the first date. The home girl who called you in to be the wing woman is not concerned about your trauma from this situation. All she cares about is spending time with her love interest. She doesn't care if his friend is missing all his teeth, is slightly disrespectful, or if you've got something better you could be doing with your time. She'll always bust this line on you, "Just this one time. I really want to see him." But there will be a NEXT time, I promise you. She will try to convince you with everyone, that he might be "the one" and make you feel like you'll be ruining her chances of finding true love if you don't tag along.
For men, the wing man situation is different. There is no guilt involved. Usually the wing man's task is to distract the less attractive girlfriend who's "blocking." That's another blog entry.....
Ladies, if your age no longer has a teen on the end of it, wing women are OUT of the QUESTION. You're old enough to go out on a date solo. Just follow the rules:
1) Let someone know where you're going & who you're with.
2) Meet in a public place if you don't know him too well.
3) Bring your OWN cash (in my case, car) along, in case he ditches you. (Lol.)
Real men will find that you bringing along a friend is immature. If he's the one suggesting you bring a friend for his boy, he is the immature one. If he's truly serious about building a bond between the two of you, he won't need a wing man. That goes vice versa for you ladies. Double dates with men, you and your friend are ALREADY INVOLVED with, is okay. However, for initial contact....GO ALONE. Wing men/woman cause drama, he said & she said, and cross conversations. They're unnecessary and quite frankly, lessen the contact between you and the man you wanted to get to know.
So do me a favor, call up your wing woman, take the wings from her back, attach them to yourself......and FLY SOLO.

-riv-

waiting.

2009-09-19T19:41:00.000-07:00

Imagine. A skin tight black ruffled tank top, bootleg jeans, and open toe heels. Her lips draped in clear gloss, eyelashes laced with mascara, and drop curls draping the smooth soft brown skin of her neck. A single black tear drops into her white wine, painted by the now smudged mascara. The stickiness of her gloss, fades from her lips with each sip. And the curls fall flat as she wipes her eyes. These are the characteristics of the stood-up female. Her eyes glance the door every five minutes, the "question-marked" text messages flash across her dates screen, and she feels a ghost vibration of the phone in her purse that has ceased to ring since she got here. Ask her why she's come? Ask her why she didn't have him come to get her? Ask her why after 2 hours and a long conversation with the bartender, is she still here?

There is one simple answer. LOVE.

The unattainable.

The detrimental.

The mystical.

Some women will tell you they are too independent for the two step, the diamond ring, the kids, the house and car, and of course the man. However, we've all pondered it at least once. This pondering is the sole cause of baby momma drama, late nights, dealing with the "other" woman, arguments, and of course the infamous "waiting." Whether you're waiting for him at the bar, the alter, the commitment, or on the stoop with the child you brought into this world together. We as women, are always waiting. Even though we flail our arms to Beyonce's "Irreplaceable" and Ne-Yo's "Independent Women", we are still haunted by "waiting." While we are watching the sand sift down the hour glass, our worst fears come to life. The clutching of pillows at night, the deadly stares in our mirrors picking at our insecurities, and the dance of our fingertips along our physical aspects we'd love to hide.

For the woman who is torn watching her friend(s) prance from man to man, and feels she is all alone. You're one in a million. Most of us are waiting; for the right one, for that aisle, and for something everlasting. I am that girl who waited last night, who tapped her fingernails across the glass as his footsteps shimmied behind me. I am the girl who never tires of waiting but is fed up with disrespect. Disrespect is the reason i rolled my eyes. Disrespect is the reason i snatched up my purse. Disrespect is the reason I left. But waiting, that sweet sorrowful journey with a light at the end of the road, is exactly what i walked into when i left that bar. I am not afraid of the two step, but i refuse to dance with the undeserving.

His text message said, "I'm Sorry, Can we try this again?"

I told him, "Sure, grab an umbrella, and stand under my rain check on that. But most importantly. WAIT."

-riv-

**Shoutout to MizzDMW for her own blog entry on waiting after being inspired by this one.*

used.

2009-09-11T07:05:00.001-07:00

So, next week I'm hosting an event judged by Leila Steinberg (Tupac Shakur's Former Manager). The event will pick one winner out of spoken word artists, rappers and r&b singers to go to Hollywood to perform at the legendary "Mic Sessions" that Mrs. Steinberg runs in California. The event's theme is promoting non-violence & the essence of destiny. So when i was asked to write two poems incorporating the themes of destiny, i started to think of the events of this year and how they might have affected my "destiny". I don't regret any of the decisions of 09', they've made me a better person. However, the most prevalent theme in my mind when i think of this word is LOVE. This year has been nothing but trials and tribulations when it comes to the testament of that forbidden "L" word. If Love's a roller coaster, 09' has left me under the tracks watching everyone else enjoy the ride.

Of course this notion...brought on a poem:

Destiny (n., pl. ): The inevitable or necessary fate to which a particular person or thing is destined; one's lot.
(courtesy of answers.com)

The Trey Songz Lyrics that sparked it, From "Infidelity":

"You kept me on this pedestal//
No matter how much I let you down ( down, I let you down, down, down )//
With all my infidelities//
You loved me so incredibly//
Inside I'll fall apart//
If you ever love someone instead of me ( instead of me )//
[ So you deserve a better man ( instead of me, instead of me ) ]"

Here's the piece:

Used

My lips held close to microphones
On the night your lips were wrapped around hers
I spit you love poems
In front of the world
Whilst you made her yours

The trips on I-95
Between your place and mine
Our fingers intertwined
Did that ever cross your mind?
While you were between
Our love and her lust
Somewhere along the line
Did the image of me
Gripping a stage for dear life
In her eyes, shine
Did the ghost of my fingertips
Travel up your spine?

Did she ask why you shivered?
Closed the window because she thought it was cold
Was that the point where you told her, NO?

I don’t think so…
I never thought you’d ever become one of these poems
Where regrets fist my lines
And blood becomes ink
The let go poem
The never again poem
The goodbye, amen poem
Here’s the part where I go the hell in, poem

I am convinced there will be mercy for your soul
I lied when I said you made me whole
The synonym for the space in my heart
You filled with your lies and false assurances

Keep your syllables
I’ll keep my metaphors and similes
And avoid the mass of love poetry
That has disintegrated into ashes since you set me free

This is my decree
For all the women who have been misled
When you’ve only loved wholeheartedly
When your joints become sore
From bending your back for the undeserving
When the wings from under your eyes
Start to fly around the memories
Of the wasted late nights
When your palms start to itch at
The thought of spending money that was tight
When your knight in shining armor
Is not as “heavy” as you imagined and takes flight

I loved you, and I say that loosely
USUALLY,
I don’t waste the pages of my journal
On heartbreak and those who have tired of me
But I’ve written this in a word document
So when I’m done, I can delete
I don’t know what you’ve been told
But only I’m in control of my destiny.

-riv-

As for the event I'm hosting, it's this upcoming Wednesday, September 16th, 2009 from 8:30pm to 10:30 in Norfolk, VA. If you need more info or would like to compete, contact me @: RivaRhymez@aol.com

a bloggers plight.

2009-09-01T07:04:00.000-07:00

Locking the door behind my mother this morning, a cold wind blew in and brought me to a halt. "Summer is over." So I've decided to wrap up the season with my experience. Since we've covered most of the negative aspects like dating and the misguided preteens in my class, I figured we'd cover the things that make my life complete.

I feel there are six essential tools for blogging:

1) The Journal: Our most intelligent posts/rants all start somewhere. Whether it is on the blue and white lines of a notebook or the blank page of Microsoft Word, we're deeply in debt to the place where we keep our thoughts.

2) The Camera: To capture the greatest experiences of our lives.

3) The Phone: For when the unexpected happens and you're not lugging the 10 pound camera bag.

4) The Reads: For stimulation of the mind and avoiding "The Writer's Block."

5) The Laptop: For Posting on the go. (Psssstttt...Barnes & Noble just made their Internet complimentary!)

6) Your Mind: Sometimes we leave these behind, considering some of the posts I've seen lol. (Just wanted you to remind you, in case you lose it.)

So here's a quick glimpse into my summer:

As you can tell by the pic on the bottom right, i went HARD in the bookstores this summer:

(from top to bottom)

The Lucky One By Nicholas Sparks
Pobby and Dingas By Ben Rice
Drown By Junot Diaz
No One You Know By Michelle Richmond
Year of The Fog By Michelle Richmond
The Thrall's Tale By Judith Lindbergh
Damage Control Edited By Emma Forrest
The Scandalous Summer of Sissy LeBlanc By Loraine Despres
Pecking Order By Omar Tyree
The Testing of Luther Albright By MacKenzie Bezos
Holy Skirts By Rene Steinke
A Changed Man By Francine Prose
The Other Side of Paradise By Stacey-Ann Chin (the red indicates my favorite book of the summer) I usually get tons of tweets about what reads I'd suggest, above you'll find all the delicious knowledge i devoured this summer. ALL GREAT BOOKS!

Music of the Summer: These are the albums I've had on constant replay. (You'll see, my taste is extremely varied. It's been a very R&B and Pop summer.)

1) BLACKSummer's Night: Maxwell

2) Exposed: Kristinia Debarge

3) Lady LOVE: Letoya Luckett

4) READY: Trey Songz

5) Epiphany: Chrisette Michele

6)Salon Stories Sampler: Kel Spencer

7)And of course fabulous beats courtesy of producers: DSimms & Justice Stokely Hall

And of course the great events of the summer:

Performing alongside Chrisette Michelle and Other UW Poets in the Mcdonalds Slam hosted by 98.7 Kiss FM
The Erotic Slams @ Legends Lounge
My Middle School Group (Professionals Only) that I enjoyed teaching this summer
Performing with Yung Nate and Other Emcees at the Nuyorican
The HU Alumni Picnic with Jamalcolm and the KQ's
Night's Out with the HG Crew: Bowling, Bars, Clubs and BBQ's
Working with Kel Spencer on Various Projects
The Parle Female Poetry Tour
The Birth of my 2 Beautiful Godsons: Ethan and Shaunito
Photoshoots with Public Lotto, Kel, Justice, and Jessica
Writing/Recording In the Studio
Featuring on Kel's Upcoming Album
Hanging with the litle cousins
& even the awful dates that taught me so much more about my standards

and so much more...

I've complained a lot about my summer, but now that I take a look back on it, it wasn't so bad after all. I challenge everyone else to post the positive aspects of the season.

:-)

-riv-

do the new journal dance! (xplore journal)

2009-09-01T06:30:00.000-07:00

The front cover says it all, a HUGE "E" made out by a pile of books, says E for Erica! LOL, it actually is the first letter of a longer sentence. The cover actually says explore "Explore New Boundaries." And the best part of it ALL, it has storage space!!! There's a small one-pocket folder in the back waiting for those napkin, receipt, and random piece of paper poems & thoughts.

Journal 1,980,293?

Lol, NO we haven't got that far....but one day......

-riv-

receipts.

2009-08-30T09:09:00.000-07:00

A few months ago, I encountered a bookstore during a trip to Maryland called, "Friends of the Library." The store's purpose was to resell books that were no longer in use at the libraries in the area, and to buy and sell used and unused books. The fun about used bookstores, is that you never know what you're going to get, its always a surprise. One, may perhaps come across the insane scribblings of a mad man in their novel, the first edition of a glorious tale, missing pages of your favorite book, or a book that's gone out of print and you can't find anywhere else, the list goes on. However, on this particular trip, I came across a book by Betsy Lerner, called, "The Forest for the Trees." The instructional book is "an editors advice to writers." I deemed it an interesting read, considering that I'm going to publish soon. (Crosses fingers here.) Even though I recommended the book months back when i bought it, on this very blog, I never finished it. It wasn't until grabbing it before getting on the subway for work this summer, for lack of a new read, that i started it again. In the book i came across three old receipts from 2003. Every used book has a tale....

She and I are more alike than she will ever know. On March 11, 2003, she visits three stores, Barnes and Noble, New York and Company, and Rite Aid. Her receipts adorned with everything, from a book on writing to Neutrogena speaks of her self consciousness. She is obsessed with what the world will think of her, her writing, and her face. New York and Company: Knit Skirts, Jewelry. $69.49. Plus Tax. $72.97. I imagine her sitting on the metro, riding to each store. If she was driving, I don't imagine her having the time to place her receipts here. While twiddling her thumbs against the crisp pages of her new book, in her mind, she pieces the outfit she just bought onto her body for the interview. Tomorrow is the big day. Barnes and Noble: Writing Advice, Short Stories, Journal. $37.99. Plus Tax. $38.99. She is a writer, most definitely. A journal for her sorrows, advice for her insecurities, and the short stories for a prime example of what her work should look like. She wonders, "Why can't i just write like me?" Surveying the passengers of the train car, she believes they are all watching her when she looks away, she answers her own question, "Because their all listening, it must be perfect." She's made it all the way to Arlington, Virginia. This must be home. Pharmacies we stop by are always close to home. Rite Aid: Makeup Sponge, Face Products, Shampoo. $42.07. Plus Tax. $43.62. The face tells it all, it speaks character, prestige, and honesty. Her face must be trustworthy. A lovable face for the biography photo on the back fold of her book, if she gets that far.

Tomorrow will be thrust into her face, and she'll be ready. Lerner's advice ringing in her ears, dressed to impress, hair glowing with a face to match, the smell of coffee in the air, as the editor presses his eyes to the only baby she's ever cradled. Like small children, parents understand what the critics mean by, "Her dress is so pretty." It's the same as telling the author, "Your grammar is good." Where's the commentary about the content? It's the editor or passersby way of not telling you that your baby is ugly. This is the feedback that the literary opponent fears. The battle between staying in the journal or falling into the hands of the judgemental. But, this writer knows her final wage of war. She is ready to take on the blows, her artillery evidence strapped within the back of this book she once read. I wonder if I've ever held her finished product within the last four years. I wonder if she is plagued by the same quest for love and obsession of journals to fill with the woes of that quest. I am curious what pushed her to sell this book. Was it the yearning to pass great knowledge unto another writer? Or was it the getting rid of a reminder of her failure? This is what i know: A woman walked into a bookstore, a pharmacy, and a clothing store. These are the facts. Whether or not her dream was fulfilled, I might never know. However, the fact that i found solace within the places she visited, and the commonality we share, is more than enough. She is the insecure yet confident, smug yet humble, writer yet amateur woman we are all at one point and time in our literary lives. And that's reason enough to thank her for giving me another reason to write. Another reason to write: Priceless. No Tax Here.

"That is part of a power of a book: it is an unspoken invitation into someone else's world, someone else's psyche."

-Betsy Lerner, The Forest for the Trees"

-riv-

banana lemonade?!?

2009-08-21T19:17:00.000-07:00

I stopped at a spot called "Swich" (short for sandwich) with Blue and my co-worker Larry after work today. I had a GREAT sandwich with buffalo chicken, blue cheese crumbs, and tomatoes. However, that wasn't the BEST part. There's this "Banana Lemonade" that they have as a signature drink that is OFF THE CHAIN. I know, it sounds weird but the$2.95 was well worth it, and to think...I complained at first. It's around 15th and 8th in NYC, a bit lazy to Google it, but i know you will. Tell em' Riv sent you. (It won't get you a discount though lol.) Enjoy!

-riv-

(photos via my new iPhone 3Gs 32GB! woohoo!)

losing their grasp.

2009-08-16T14:38:00.000-07:00

He is far too charming for his age. At seventeen he opens doors, smiles every time he sees you, and offers to grab your lunch during his break. The student who works underneath me is the perfect gentleman. However, this is not the first time I’ve witnessed this. His actions reflect that of my younger cousin, whom I absolutely adore. We’ll call him, John. Standing at 5’11, brown skin, and very intelligent, John is “almost” the perfect teenager. After school you can find him at home helping his little brother with his homework, accompanying our grandmother to the store, or sketching in his room. I have never worried or wondered his whereabouts. He is always in the safest place, home. Starting at a young age we all noticed his knack for creating, managing money, and his yearning for accomplishment. He is now on his way to a four year university for graphic design, has saved most of his money, and designs and manages his own clothing line. I watch from the outside, waiting for him to stumble, falter, or his progress to slow down. I often find myself wondering when his chivalry will become nonexistent, when puppy love will change his course of life or his manner will start to decline. However, he has yet to disappoint me. The disappointment begins with the men that I’ve met lately. These men show none of the characteristics my father and uncles have. All my life I’ve seen nothing but loyalty, commitment, and honesty from these men. I struggle to see these characteristics in the men I come into contact with. (Dating-wise of course, the men that are my friends are exemplary.) I’ve been on a few dates this summer and find myself slowly backing away from the idea of “love.” I find myself more content with thought provoking reads, the lines of my journal, and a cup of Joe lately.

Date #1

“You intimidate me, I’m used to uptight girls that I can shut down or shy girls that I can take charge with. But, you’re so relaxed and so on point with your questions, it scares me a little.”

He goes on to explain how he was “traumatized” by his previous relationship (which ended a year ago), how it ended because he was possessive and she lingered too long on other males, and even explains every move that resulted in it going wrong. Although, he was equipped with the experience to avoid making the same mistakes, he backed away from the challenge. Like the coward I’d already me him out to be after his first statement, he states that he’s not ready for a relationship. Hold on, Stop, Rewind. Did I ask you for one? Here we are on our second date, at the beach at night (his idea), and just talking about life…and you automatically assume I’m looking to be your wife? After he goes on a tangent about marriage, children, and the ages he’ll be ready for both (which I was barely listening to), I asked him if he was ready to go. I mean, what else was there to discuss? You’ve clearly stated that you’re afraid of me, explained why it wouldn’t work, and tried to convince me of your theory with past “results.” First of all, I didn’t even ask you about relationships or anything of the sort. Secondly, I didn’t ask you on this date! If you were so uncertain about the result of our “arrangement”, why put yourself through it? After the gloss of lips, pressing of the humidified strands of my hair, and the purchase of a nice outfit, I looked forward to the banter of the second date. I anticipated the awkward moments, laughter at the random events of the night, and our eventual goodbyes. Instead I was confronted by a bumbling fool who couldn’t keep his composure. After playing the cool, calm, collected Rico Suave while asking me out, did you lose it? Did all your thoughts and memories of the past collide together whilst I asked you ordinary questions? What are you going to do with your life? What are your interests? I apologize for not being the kind of girl who states clearly, “If you ain’t paying my way, it ain’t happening.” You know, like you said, the one you can SHUT down. Or perhaps I should have played the submissive role? So you can “take charge.” Negative. I’ve always been confident in my “swagger” and don’t intend on lessening it for someone who’s intimidated by the fact that I’ve got it together. I didn’t ask for COMMITMENT, however, now that you’ve shown that you’re incapable of such a task, I’m no longer interested. Want to know what took the cake? He asked on the ride home how I felt about “Friends With Benefits?” He didn’t even deserve so much as the flip of the bird as I gave him a silent goodbye with my back.

Date #2

“I’ve been on the other side of the fence for a while but, I’ll try anything. It’s just that I’m not sure that I’m ready to be with a woman again. I don’t even know why I’m here.”

Whoa, Whoa homeboy, if you’re not confident in who you are then you shouldn’t be dating. This brother had the nerve to ask me out to an open mic and the promenade, when he wasn’t one-hundred percent sure if he even liked women. Are you kidding me? Thank God for him admitting this on the first date, however, you lost your honesty card from line one. I should’ve been told that before we took a step out of the door. I am not your experiment nor am I interested in helping you figure out what’s right for you. Sometimes, humans need to take a step back. Not all decisions are made by testing the variables, and not everything is a hands-on project. (Sure as hell he didn’t put his hands on me.) I have tons of friends/associates who are gay and we get along fine. However, they are honest about who they are and even during the times they couldn’t figure it out; they didn’t bring unknowing friends along for the ride. That my brother, is a solo journey. After the date he explained how sorry he was and hoped I wouldn’t hold a grudge against him. I didn’t hold a grudge, or disrespect him, but, I did give him the advice to figure out what he wanted and then try the whole “dating” thing again. Hey, even if he comes to the conclusion that he’s bisexual, asexual, trisexual, or whatever….as long as he’s secure in who he is, is all that matters. Then perhaps he can provide security to whomever he’s with, with a side of HONESTY.

Date #3

Now, I don’t have a direct quote for this date. Yet, it seems as if all these men lack this ideal. If we are together, dating, committed or even married, I expect your LOYALTY. Cheating, gossiping, lies and much more all fall under the category of having no loyalty. Most of the fathers of my god-children still have women on the side, talk behind their girls or fiancés backs, and put their trust in people on the outside of the relationship. Everything comes full circle. Everything. Why is it that I have to hear my best friend crying on the other end of the phone that some woman has called her and explained that she is his “real woman?” Why must they hear their dirty laundry being washed in the machines of those who pass nothing but judgment? The point of Relat-ionships is to RELATE. If you have a concern, discuss it with your significant other and not the world. Don’t take your frustrations out by invading another human’s life. (The Other Woman) SOLVE YOUR ISSUES AT HOME. Jeez.

Sure, I can tell you of all the dates that have ended in ruin, but why? I’ve covered the aspects that concern me most. Anyway, somewhere along the line a man’s innocence falters. He can either overcome these obstacles by some heavy realization. (A heartbreak, loss of “the one”, realizing life is too short, etc.) However, most of our generation show no progress nowadays, even when that realization comes along. My cousin John is the reason my hope hasn’t faltered. As I watch his fingers dance around the edges of a tip of a pencil and craft his future stability, I know, somewhere there is a man who still exhibits the morals and values that make a man, a MAN.

-riv-

do the new journal dance! (w.p.d. journal)

2009-08-16T11:43:00.000-07:00

This is the "Write, Plan, Doodle" journal, also designed by Pratt Insitute. No, i did not scribble on the front of it. Lol. That's how the journal is actually designed. The words show the layout of the pages inside. The unique thing about the journal is that its named for it's purpose. On the bottom half of each paper there's graph paper for "planning." On the top half there is lined paper for "writing." Towards the side of the page there is a small section for "doodling." The journal would be ideal for artists or people who like to sketch out their ideas with an explanation.

Is this journal 300 or 3,000?

The world may never know.

:-)

-riv-

the story behind the header.

2009-08-16T10:23:00.000-07:00

It all started with, "Ms Erica, you didn't design that!" My middle school students were convinced that i didn't create the images for their newsletter. So, they decided that i should show and prove! After much chaos, they finally came to the conclusion that i should put my whole body into the sneakers i had on. (Lol, cute.) So, we spent our free time taking a shot of the sneaker with one of the kids holding it up and then another shot in the lunchroom with me hanging over a table. I then hooked up my laptop to a projector to show them how to create the image in photo shop. They loved it! Towards, the end when i positioned the image of myself to make it look like i was in a sneaker...THEY FREAKED OUT!

Anyway, they made me promise that i would actually use it for my website and i promised I'd incorporate my favorite things into it as well. Hence my current journal, read, and Starbucks cup in my hands. Look above & Enjoy!

-riv-

broken moves.

2009-08-04T19:44:00.000-07:00

She samba's too well for her age
Knows all too well the gyration of hips
The lure of eyes
How to take a man to heaven

And she's only eleven

Imagine...
Tio's and Tia's at family gatherings
Encouraging her overgrown sways
For their sheer entertainment

The cousins
Who have twiddled their thumbs
While creating future perversions
Along her pathway

The father who will not believe her
The mother who will say she's overreacting
And the boys who will deceive her

She sits in my classroom
Shy and quiet
Two things she is farthest from
When i turn my back
Her cuss words
Are louder and more vulgar
Than the next girl

Tongue snaps faster
Bird Flips quicker

Her intrigue surpasses my own, at 21
Little boys watch her Bachata through their daydreams

I wonder if she knows i can see right through her...

Her voice timid and weak
Against the tremble of the railroad tracks
On the way home from our latest trip
"I...I...I've peed myself"

This is the persona, I know all too well
The middle school aged female
On the borderline of cracked nail polish
and partially glossed lips
Hands on hips
Popping bubblegum
Alluding hopscotch boxes
Learning to switch

Their clothes practically melted to skin
"Awwwing" mothers who find it cute
Fathers who feel as though they are too young to care

This is where it starts....

On the cusp of child and womanhood
Where intuition is barely existent
And guidance falters
The only training for them are coming from bra's
Second languages are beckoned into kisses
I bet the FRENCH teach their girls
To keep a croissant between their legs
Until they are old enough to get their own dough

The tug of war...
on the never-existent wedding bands
the over-used wombs
the dance between adolescence and cognisance

In particular,
the 2-step of those who've been forgotten
like the invisible hands
clenching my arms for balance
when the train abruptly stops
as her innocence will,

soon enough.

-riv-

do the "new journal" dance! (no really, it exists.)

2009-07-29T20:48:00.000-07:00

And surely Blue makes fun of me every time i do it, after purchasing a new journal. :-)
Anyway, I grabbed a new book i found interesting and a journal which was also quite unique. I will not divulge where i got the journal from However, i will tell you that it's specially designed by the graphic design students @ Pratt Institute. The journal is called "The New Age Journal." Of course it would be, decorated by technology and futuristic signs. This makes journal three-hundred eighty....oh,who cares, i lost count. It's part of the family now & that's all that matters. :-)

The new book i purchased, accompanied by my new journal above, is by Michelle Richmond and it's called "No One You Know."
Here's a small piece of the review by Publishers Weekly:

"Twenty years ago, Ellie Enderlin's sister, Lila, a mathematical prodigy, was
murdered, and Andrew Thorpe, Ellie's English professor and a friend, exploited
the family's grief with a true-crime bestseller that claimed Peter McConnell,
Lila's married lover and colleague, was the killer. On a coffee-buying trip to
Nicaragua, Ellie encounters McConnell, whose life was destroyed by Thorpe's
conjecture. Sparked by this meeting, Ellie traces her way back through Lila's
life and work, pursuing leads that the manipulative Thorpe abandoned when they
did not fit his literary ambitions. Though many of Ellie's suspects lead her to
dead ends, each gives her greater understanding of her sister, of mathematics
and of herself. When she finally discovers the truth, Ellie's clarity about the
past brings her new hope for the future. Vivid descriptions and loving
explanations of the city and intelligent forays into the sciences of coffee and
mathematics enhance Richmond's quietly captivating novel."

I'm not a huge mystery person but, the synopsis is quite complex & the remarkable cover caught my eye right away. I don't enjoy easy reads, i feel this book will pan out to be one that is quite the opposite. I'm so excited about reading it! It has GREAT reviews & was on sale for $2.95 @ Strand in HARDCOVER. Now if you live in NYC, you should know all about Strand Bookstore and their out of this world discounts. I don't know how they do it....& I'm not complaining/questioning. Keep it going.

*yawn* Work, bright and early tomorrow morning! Peace, for now.

-riv-

spend your young money. TRUST, you'll thank yourself later.

2009-07-20T15:50:00.000-07:00

Misogyny to the MAX! Drake, my contradictory brother, what will be next?

I'm sure by now most of the hip-hop oriented world has seen Drizzy Drake's video for "Best I Ever Had." On the second day it dropped, I searched the tweets for the most recent commentary on it. Of course, the men enjoyed the flopping breasts of the "basketball players" and ignorant comments Drake made. However, most women were livid and/or annoyed, which prompted me to write this blog. (Which I'm sure were K.West or Yung Money influenced.) But, this is NEVER the Drake I came to know. I remember watching Degrassi YEARS back, and they were doing a mini-episode on what each of the characters did on the side of their acting careers. They gave us a sneak peek of Drake in the studio, so i was NOT at all surprised when he popped up on the screen, no longer wheelchair Jimmy. However, even though Comeback Season (his first mixtape) and most of his initial tracks has minimum negativity as most "dope/conscious" emcees sometimes slip up and embrace, it was relatively GOOD. (And i call very FEW rappers GOOD, nonetheless GREAT. *Ahem...cough...Lupe*)

So lets start with the lyrics of the song, "You're the Best":

The song describes a girl as the apple of the "rappers" eye. He makes a few misogynistic comments about other girls being "hoes." However, primarily the idea of the song is to praise & worship a girl who he feels is superior to all the other girls he's been with. Here are some of the ideals this woman possesses:

1) "Sweat pants, hair tied, chillin' with no makeup on
That's when youre the prettiest I hope that you don't take it wrong"

Here Drake implies that his girl is at her "best" when she is au' natural.

2) "And she a patient in my waiting room
Never pay attention to the rumors and what they assume"

Here he states that she has his back, no matter what. (i.e. groupies, gossip, wack emcees by his side *ahem...lil' wayne/weezy f. baby/repeat a pun over & over again.*

The second verse kind of goes off into a tangent about materialistic things, some more misogynistic things, and his ego. However, the song is ended with the comment that a song like the one he just performed is dedicated to a "special someone." The first verse doesn't even correlate with the second verse, and the video applies to absolutely none of it. (Reflect on the video below @ the end of the blog.)

The VIDEO exemplifies none of the ideas from the song. The video implies that Drake is a pedophilia-type coach of high school female basketball players. (Who were played by woman all over 18, hopefully.) The video also shows that during teaching the girls how to "play basketball" they only did stretches. (Sexual innuendo intended.) During their champion game Drake tells them that they must take the "D" , like the champions they are. In basketball language, this would mean defense. However, in the hip-hop world we all know what was implied. As the girls ascended and descended the steps in tight outfits that barely held their private parts in, their breasts flopped directly into the camera. (When asked to run up and down in scantily clad outfits with your breasts spilling out, did they think their breasts would be the STARS of the video? I wonder if they watched the video and suddenly lost their star pride when they noticed their faces were not a primary focus, at all.)

Let's backtrack and scope the lyrics of an older track by Drake, "Video Girl":

1) "And She Simply A New Model/ Stay Spending Dollars/ But She Got Less Sense Than A Empty Perfume Bottle"

Here Drake speaks not-so-highly of the intelligence of the women in these videos.

2) "Regina Hall And Garcelle And Alice Neal /Young Girls These Here Women With Big Dreams /Role Models That You Can Watch On The Big Screen /If You Refuse To Change And You That Chick Still /Respect Yourself, Dont Be Convinced That These Tricks Will /You Got An Audience Believe It Or Not /My Cousin Who Cant Speak Know The Lyrics To Tip Drill"

Here he even mentions some of the women in the industry who he feels are exemplary. He also dares to tell "video girls" to respect themselves and warn them that their younger female counterparts are watching them.

YET, these same women graced the footage of your new video. (Let's not even get started on the last one.) I feel as if the people around you are influencing your style Mr. Drizzy. When it was just you & 40 zoning in the studio.....you were OCTOBER'S VERY OWN. However, you're sounding a little weezy & giving me tre' (trey) headaches nowadays. LOL. Pun intended.

I had a conversation the other night, with a friend who has stopped listening to hip-hop a couple years back, because it wasn't reflecting the stuff he was in love with. (Black Star, Nas, Biggie, Rakim etc.) He was a serious Hip-Hop Head and taught me most of the things i know. He literally turned off ALL the BET, MTV, Hip-Hop Radio Stations and avoided it on the Internet all together. Every few months we'd catch up and I'd try to get him to fall in love with hip-hop again. I tried to introduce him to the not-so underground like Blu, Wale, Charles etc....But, he wasn't having it. Well, lately he's been working in a nightclub as a bartender and could not avoid hearing some of the tracks that are out right now. During our phone call the other night he says, "I heard some Drake the DJ was spinning from "The Comeback Season/So Far Gone the other night. For the first time in a while i wrote some rhymes Riv. He's not GREAT, but he's good enough to get there." Now, that's power. He turned on his radio a couple days later and heard "Every Girl ft. Young Money." His next statement was, "That's why i don't listen to the radio because they just diminished some of the hope I've had for this dude." I hurriedly sent him all three of Drake's tapes & told him to ignore the sound waves. (Drake's attempt to sell, by selling out.)

Pssst....Drizzy.....I miss your individuality.

CHECK IT ABOVE
"Best I Ever Had"

Sincerely,

An OLD fan.

thanks, but no thanks.

2009-07-19T22:50:00.000-07:00

Dear Estranged Lover,

We met when I was three; your embrace came to me in the form of green and beige, colors of augmentation. It was then; I knew that I’d grow with you. You quoted Hurston, Hughes, and Salinger while I browsed your shelves of inner beauty. My parents knew you well, appreciated the old school knowledge you kicked back to me, the influence you had on my thoughts, and the people you introduced me to. They were never afraid to leave me alone with you. We’d sit in nooks and read for hours while the smell of vanilla bean and passersby drifted onto the pages of the book I was reading and eventually circled the flesh of my nose. Our threesome in life was inevitable; Barnes and Noble would become my completion. However, like Adam and Eve, the more I learned, the more noticeable your flaws became.

During my collegiate years, my stare landed upon the small table by the Starbucks labeled “African American Interest.” You’d placed Toni Morrison’s “The Bluest Eye” next to “Desperate Hood Wives” and the like. I tried to figure out what you were hinting at, “Is this all African-American’s were supposed to be interested in?”, “Had you no respect for the prominent minority authors who deserved just as much placement with the rest of the fiction?”, and “Why is it that there were an insignificant amount of copies compared to the ten or twenty of other authors?” On July, 12th, 2009 I headed to my favorite place in the world to obtain Stacey-Ann Chin’s “The Other Side of Paradise.” I’d flipped through the pages of the acclaimed memoir during previous visits to the store. However, at $24.95 (hardcover price), the recession side of me begged me to walk away. Next paycheck, I ran out to obtain it, first thing. At entrance to B&N, I walked straight to the information desk. A thin Caucasian woman asked me what I needed help with, and before I could mention the full name and author of the book I was looking for her she pointed me to the autobiographical section at the declare of “memoir.” After ascending the escalator, I browsed the section and could not find the book under the “C’s.”

Traveling back down to the information desk I assumed that Stacey-Ann’s book was probably so good, they forgot to restock the shelves with it, when it ran out. An equally disinterested, now black woman stood at the counter and mumbled that she’d take a look in the back for it. After a 30-minute wait for her to come back, she checked something on the computer. She said, “Ahhhh, it was sent back. I checked the Simon & Schuster box in the back and guessed that if it wasn’t there, it has been sent back to the publisher because it wasn’t selling.” I was annoyed, especially because I’d had the same encounter while looking for Junot Diaz’s “Drown” and Jill Scott’s poetry book as well. Apparently, after 3 months on the shelf, before people can even catch wind that a book is acclaimed, they are sent back, predominately the literature written by minorities. I left the store without as much as a glance at the journal section. (AND THAT’S SERIOUS.)

Afterwards I went straight to Borders Books & Music; I was on a mission to fulfill my memoir craving. There were two young teens working at the counter that I told of my problem at Barnes & Noble. They were hell bent on having me become of a satisfied regular customer so they started their search almost immediately. They couldn’t find the book in their autobiographical section where it was supposed to be. However, they checked the other subjects that the book could be categorized under. They finally found it in the World History section after ten minutes. I was so happy that I found the book; I even signed up for a membership and glanced the journal section.

As for you B&N, my disappointment in you has run long and deep. I appreciate the help within my upbringing; however, I refuse to be only a second when it comes to you displaying the talent of my people. After my calculations, according to how many times I’ve been to Barnes and Noble in my life, (Every weekend, practically) my parents and I have probably spent well over $42,000 within your store during my lifetime. I’ m sorry our love had to end this way. Maybe when I’m idle or in dire need of a journal and you’re all that’s nearby, I might come a’ calling. Until then, au revoir!
Sincerely,

New Borders, Books, & Music Member