How Black Are You? Top 5 Affirmations of Blackness

Being that its "Black History Month", I thought it would be a good time to write an article about something that's been on my mind for a while. The music we listen to does much more than simply entertain us and occupy time or our sonic background, which I'm sure you know by now. What you may not know is that music is one of the most (if not the most) important aspects of our life. Listening to music is one of very few endeavors in which we can participate that activates and engages both hemispheres of our brain simultaneously.  Music has the ability to serve as a catalyst for trance, thought projection, short and long term consciousness development. That being the case, it almost goes without saying that music is vital to the creation, identification and reinforcement of one's self identity.

I often think about things in terms of anecdotes that can be easily expressed to people as understandable cultural reference points that fit perfectly as metaphors for any given subject matter. Usually I pull from music or movies. One such subject matter is the subject of Blackness. More specifically, the measure of Blackness, or the question... How Black Are You?

I've thought about this, from time to time and mentally catalog song lines that answer this important question. I decided to write a short article covering the Top 5 Affirmations of Blackness, because we are in a very pivotal time in our history where our survival as a people depends on our collective self love. Self love is a direct function of self image - and this is where music comes in. I think this will be a fun and thoughtful exercise which can, hopefully, open up the conversation on our Self Image and Self Love (both as individuals and as a people). So here it is... after my years of music listening and hours of study...

The Top 5 Affirmations of Blackness

5. "... I'm Blacker than Garvey..." - Sa-Roc, True Mastery

Sa-Roc, a relative new comer to the music scene delivers a powerful affirmation, which stays on your mind for days to come. When I first heard it, instantly it was engraved on my mental memory bank. This line references Marcus Garvey, an early twentieth century leader, who's passion, charisma and business acumen catapulted him to a position of leadership throughout the Americas, as well as the world, as the leader of the Pan-African movement. It is Garvey who popularized the notion of operating as one body of people, focusing on our commonalities as Black people all around the Earth, instead of our smaller differences of religion, geography, philosophy, educations, etc. To be "Blacker than Garvey" is a tall order and requires determination and an uncompromising love for our people.

4. "... I'm Blacker than the shadow of the darkest alley that their always scared to go in..." - Brother J (X Clan), Funkin' Lesson

In their classic debut LP, X Clan delivered some of the finest poetry ever penned by Black people in America. Lyrically lead by Brother J, this album offered several classic songs that stand the test of time, as perfect Hip-Hop alchemy. The use of lyrics to uplift,  inform, teach, and create new visual impressions to stimulate a new paradigm is displayed with levels of mastery  throughout this album. In this affirmation, Brother J embraces the strength and power inherent in our Blackness that often frightens white people. This even is delivered with the notion of using this power and fear combination to our benefit, with the very next word in the song, "Boo!"

 

3. "... Black like my baby girl's stare, Black like the veil that the muslimina wear, Black like the planet that they fear... Black like the slave ship belly that brought us here, Black like the cheeks that are roadways for tears... Black like assassin cross hairs, Blacker than my granddaddy arm chair..." - Mos Def (Black Star), Astronomy (8th Light)

Not many groups have put out one album and that album be so perfectly crafted that it is considered to be one of the best of that era (or even of all time)... Black Star is, however, that group! In this timeless song, which is itself an exploration of Blackness, Yasiin Bey (then Mos Def)  gives a chilling list of affirmations! With these, we see and embrace the infinite variety and levels of the beauty of Blackness. The eyes (the window to the soul), the skin and our very planet... we are these things; we are also the experience of pain and pressure, that still live in us today (both from our ancestors as well as our current collective struggle). This set of affirmations simply reminds one that Black is everything.

2. "...I'm Black - Blacker than a trillion midnights..." - Ice Cube, When Will They Shoot?

In his third solo album, Ice Cube gave us an absolutely stunning affirmation of Blackness, in the opening song. This affirmation is especially important because it also addresses the issue of the "African American" question. Ice Cube is very definite that the proper terminology for self identification is Black. The referencing of the blackness of space ("a trillion midnights") is also a reference to the teaching of the original state of the Universe, at the point of Creation... Triple Stage Blackness. Simply put, everything in the Universe... all of life's existence... comes from the Blackness of Space; also known as the Divine Intelligence, or Creator. This intelligence manifests itself into this level of reality via what is called "dark matter", which is another way of saying "dark plasma" (the intelligent energy/power which is the space between all atoms)... also known as melanin. Ice Cube's affirmation links us to cosmic Blackness - Godhood. The more one explores this line, the deeper it goes.

1. "I'm Black and I'm Proud!" - James Brown, Say It Loud (I'm Black and I'm Proud)

The number one affirmation of Blackness is the most simple: "I'm Black and I'm Proud!" James Brown (master of countless aspects of our collective consciousness) single handedly reestablished our lost heritage of self identity, with this song. Without directly teaching it, we were at once reconnected to our ancestral pride in calling our selves Black. Just as our identities as Moors or Kemites, we have always identified with Black. This is because, as a people, we have always known that Black is more than simply a color. Black is the presence and manifestation of the power of the Universe, a collection of all energy together, in harmony as one. Black is the connection to the Divine; the conduit through which we commune with the Universe and Creator. It is in the Blackness of our mind that we imagine, create, and build reality, which later manifests into our visual perceived reality. Not to mention that it's so simple and catchy, that it stays on our collective consciousness for years and years (maybe even forever). 

To listen to these powerful affirmations in their original contexts (each of which are legendary in their own rights), I've included them below. You're also encouraged to leave comments about these or sharing your own Top 5 Affirmations of Blackness!

True Mastery, Sa-Roc (from Nebuchadnezzar)

Funkin' Lesson, X Clan (from To the East, Blackwards)

Astronomy (8th Light), Black Star (from Mos Def and Talib Kweli are Black Star)

When Will They Shoot?, Ice Cube (from The Predator)

Say It Loud (I'm Black and I'm Proud), Parts 1 & 2, James Brown (from Say It Loud - I'm Black and I'm Proud)

Until next time, remember... Everything is Sound, Keep Listening!

The Return of Christ Energy

As 2014 came to a close, we were quietly given a masterpiece to take with us into 2015 and help lead the path into the future... D'Angelo has given us an album of sublime excellence; an album that represents and illustrates the Return of Christ Consciousness. Black Messiah.

When I first listened to Black Messiah, I wasn't sure what to make of it. I had high hopes... expectations... for the long awaited return of D'Angelo to studio recording. I was looking forward to hearing another Brown Sugar... a reinvention of soul music - a new standard. What he delivered was something else... something greater. This is an album for the subconscious. Sublime. Soul Food.

On my first listen, I didn't make it all the way through, because I was distracted by the fact that D'Angelo's voice is hidden beneath the music, for just about the entire album. Something stuck in my brain, however and compelled me to take another listen. Upon my second listen, I was able to appreciate the superb musical arrangements and masterful instrumentation. I wasn't yet convinced (consciously). I recognized that the music was fantastic, but I regret that he chose to keep his voice hidden. Still something kept playing in my mind... Ain't That Easy is stuck in my forward consciousness, so I listen to it once more. It is with the third listen that I began to understand the masterfulness of this work.

This album is not made for our conscious mind, but for our subconscious. This is communication at a higher level, designed to speak to, and activate, our higher self - the Christ Consciousness. This is the Black Messiah. This was revealed to me, as I realized that D'Angelo was using his voice as another musical instrument. By giving his primary instrument a position among the rest of the band, this allowed for a subtlety of communication - energy transfer - to take place, without being hindered by the conscious thought brought about by hearing lyrics of a song. Black Messiah is a beautiful and perfect album, when understood and experienced in this light. It tells the story of our people, while simultaneously speaking to each listener on an individual level. Just as millions of people have waiting (and are still waiting) for the return of the Black Messiah (Jesus the Christ), this album brings the listener into the awareness that the return of Christ is a return to Christ Consciousness. The Saviour is each of us - saving our selves and each other. This is evidenced by the placement of songs, melodies, lyrics (which can be readily understood and which are hidden or obscured), vocals and instrumentals, to invoke specific feelings and thoughts which serve to connect us to specific events and principles of nature. The understanding of prophecy is evident throughout the master work, as well. 

Without being too long-winded, I'll give a quick synopsis of the album (which is best enjoyed as a continuous listen). Think of this entire album as a continuous message from our Higher Self (Collective Consciousness) to our conscious minds, as we experience this level of reality.

... And Higher Self says to us, "You can't leave me, it Ain't That Easy. You will endure what will feel like 1,000 Deaths and then loose your self identity and exist in The Charade fashioned by your enemy. He will play Sugah Daddy, but you will remember that  I AM Really Love. You will then begin to make your way Back to the Future (Part I), as you realize you must reconnect to your past to ascend to your full potential. You have to pursue this goal Till It's Done  (Tutu), which will take Prayer , meditation and perseverance. Do not Betray My Heart, lose focus, or lock yourself out The Door of our elevation. Return Back to the Future for (Part II) of your greatness, so we may begin  Another Life."

This can be seen as the story of Black People, as we have journeyed through the last few thousand years, or as each of us in an individual progression of growth, as we learn and grow toward our divinity. We are the messiah for which we have waited... we are awakening to our past, present and future. We are all connected and it is time for us to elevate into another expression of reality. Those of us that wake up first are charged with the duty of waking up others. 1,000 thanks to D'Angelo for helping to wake us up.

Standouts (This was VERY Hard to do, as every track is stellar):

Ain't That Easy - The opening song for this timeless set of music is wonderfully infectious. With a groovy soul strut, the music rocks you with a familiarity that recalls your mother's arms, or the embrace of your true love. D'Angelo's vocals play hide and seek with the rest of the instrumentation for much of the song, however there are important places where his singing takes the spotlight, and he grabs hold of you (and you won't want him to let go). This music - this song - is ripe with memories of the fondest things in life...in fact, Life Itself! This brings forward thoughts of the things in life without which you truly cannot live. In fact, in a rare instance of vocal clarity, one of the most important lyrics is delivered when D'Angelo delivers the sage advice, "You won't believe all the things you have to sacrifice, just to get peace of mind. Yet you take what they give, as if it did suffice.Still, it's just a waist of time." Lesson: that which is most precious in life, is that without which we cannot (and will not) do. This song can easily stay on repeat in your brain (and you won't be upset about it, either). Classic.

Really Love - This song begins softly, with a peek into an intimate setting, presumably between lovers. It eases the listener into the pocket of its space and time, like a perfect dream. This is one of the standouts of the album, as it perfectly captures the delicate feeling of love (as illustrated by the vocals), along with the rhythmic nature of love's momentum. Once we begin loving (or rather realize we have begun to love) the continuous swelling of life's experience with this other individual is much like a dance. The Vanguard perfectly captures the essence of this dance. The same is true when the love we realize extends to any other aspect of life.

Another Life - The Jewel of the album. Hands down. This is the most beautiful song D'Angelo's ever composed. This is what it's all about. Another life. A new start. A new life, with love. The piano work in this piece is magnificent, as it takes precedence, leading the band into a bright future. This song will stimulate your thoughts of whatever perfection looks and feels like in your mind. Just like perfection, Another Life doesn't feel like a destination - it's more like another level, or quality, of life. The song has this soothing effect, that keeps one looking forward. The absolute best comes toward the end, where D'Angelo's vocals take over in a multi-layered expression of love and wordless emotion the likes of which have not been witnessed since Marvin Gaye. This song is therapy, for life today to inspire us to reach for our perfect life tomorrow... and make that tomorrow be our today.

 

So, if you haven't taken the opportunity to listen to this album (or only made it through one listen, or less), I recommend that you take the time to listen again... and again. You will certainly be rewarded.

And, as always, remember... All of Life is Sound; Keep Listening...

Soundtrack for 2014

Today is 1/14/15... the Perfect day for the reflection on 2014, from a 2015 perspective. I thought about this for a while and when I started writing down the prominent songs and albums that defined my 2014 Soundtrack to Life... There was just too much! I was going to do this as a Top 10 style list, however I've opted for a different approach...

This is my Soundtrack of Life 2014 (at least some of it):

What's yours? (Leave you listing in the comments.)


Until next time... Remember, All of Life is Sound... Keep Listening!