I am dancing, sangin', crying, reminiscing', and making the keys click on my Chromebook.
Yooooo! My whole soul was LIFTED! I am expecting a letter from the property managers. I am sure my neighbors reported me for disturbing the peace last night! D-Nice's 9-hour #ClubQuarantine virtual set was more than a vibe. It was a fucking LOVEFEST! Attendees included Janet Jackson, Michelle Obama, Tracee Ellis Ross, Mary J. Blige, Gabrielle Union, Diddy, Rihanna, Steph Curry, Will Smith, Sheila E., Bruno Mars, the elements-Earth, Wind & Fire, and that's naming a few! I've added songs to my playlists that I have forgotten about and Spice Adams was a damn MOOD!!!
D-Nice took me on a stirring journey down memory lane! When he played Usher and Alicia Keys "My Boo", I remembered exactly who I sang it too (he sang it to me too). Luther Vandross's "Bad Boy/Having A Party" reminded me of the basement parties at my grandmother's house. I realized I still remembered the dance routines from New Edition's "If It Isn't Love" and Janet Jackson's "Pleasure Principle". I was in tears when he played Stevie Wonder's "Love's In Need Of Love Today". That song is more relevant than ever! I was on my knees when he followed it with Aretha Franklin's "Until You Come Back To Me". It evoked so many memories of my late mother. Earth, Wind, and Fire's, "Sun Goddess" has me looking forward to the summer, sun, and shea butter!
" The precise role of the artist, then, is to illuminate that darkness, blaze roads through that vast forest, so that we will not, in all our doing, lose sight of its purpose, which is, after all, to make the world a more human dwelling place." James Baldwin
Even in the most apprehensive times, black music and creativity have such a way of liberating and uplifting us that is so profound, it is hard to verbalize it. This has always been refracted through our history- from spirituals that were sung by our enslaved ancestors, to "We Shall Overcome" the song that was the face of the Civil Rights Movement, to the uplifting song "Ain't No Stopping Us Now", to the expressive griots of hip hop culture, and everything in between. Music has always had the ability to address social, economic, and political issues. It is a go to and a safe space for many people in times of adversity. Yet, the most effectual thing about music, is its unifying power! That's exactly what happened last night! D-Nice, THANK YOU! I also want to thank all of the other deejays, musicians, and creatives that have been sharing their gifts with us. Your art does not go unnoticed.
I swear when this pandemic is over, we are going to throw the biggest soul train line having, fish frying, bid whist playing, spades "I got six and a possible", off brand soda in the cooler, who made the potato salad, line dancing, ya'll take ya'll asses outside and out of grown folks business, stashing to go plates in the back of the fridge, drunk ass uncles, shit talking aunties, dance contest with the cousins, biggest lovefest, cookout ever!!! Who gon' host it? LOL! Love ya'll!
Peace,
Black Butterfly
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