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BlackBooksCafé of Baltimore
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send Feedback to kcwbigelow@netzero.net BBC March '04 commentary on the contrary
Contrary to the soul deficient pop culture of today… music shapes who you are…how you are… and where you are…and sometimes not so subtly defines your beliefs It’s a lot to talk about this month… 2004: the year of the monkey is shaping up to be quite memorable. Aiiiight bbc family we got Politics, music *of course*, and well shit what else is there. In the immortal words of todd terry… “let’s go… let’s go”
The Politics of it all….Haiti!!! in a single word We need to be united against bush and his policies against Haitians seeking refuge here… and on that note… Bush’s administration in general…a horrid state of conditions… stevie wonder put best in his song: you haven’t done nothing…
We are amazed but not amused *********************************************************************************** Gentrification!!! (has nothing to do with genes or cloning!! LOL) ~I have often written in my commentaries about Baltimore’s state of underground music and culture. And through various travels to other cities and discussions with other “folk” outside of Bmore; I’ve discovered that we are not representative of an isolated occurrence or condition. It is my belief that GENTRIFICATION can be directly linked and associated with the politics of nite-life in Baltimore. I wrote a letter about it… He’re rit go!!!! (Excerpt from letter) Baltimore unfortunately is not alone in this plight. Many cities with large African American populations are experiencing the results of “gentrification” gentrify, -fied, -fying": to convert (an aging area in a city) into a more affluent middle-class neighborhood, as by remodeling dwellings, resulting in increased property values and in displacement of the poor. gentrification - Webster's Dictionary of the American Language (1988). The results of gentrification reach beyond just the re-facing of a city’s population. Gentrification fosters and promotes the inability for Blacks and Whites to coexist and experience one another on a positive cultural plane. How can you expect us to spend our monies here in a city where we have NO economic presence in the lucrative arena which is being created by pushing us out of Baltimore city? If African American residents and entrepreneurs are being pushed out of Baltimore city and African American entertainment venue ownership is not encouraged nor promoted…How can existing predominantly white venue owners value our patronage when they are don’t have the opportunity to be exposed to experience of African American Professionals. How can one expect entrepreneurs who don’t live in Baltimore city but prosper from an entertainment business in Baltimore city, to respect and/or understand the cultural entertainment needs of the majority African American population? It’s all relative folks!! I challenge Baltimore’s legislative bodies (I.e. the Mayor’s Office and City Council) and the public and private communications entities (I.e. radio and newspapers) to re-examine the Baltimore night life inequities when it comes to ownership and patronage. Wouldn’t we all be more enriched by an environment where all people are encouraged and supported to participate in the economic and social arenas thus promoting economic and social growth of a city in need of racial, cultural, and economic healing? Please click here link to read the entire letter. (link) *********************************************************************************** What’s your anthem for 2004? Are you defined? That one song that hits you as soon as you hear it. you ache to hear the song and run it in the hole when you get a hold of it. It takes into your own world on a crowded dance floor…need I say more? It has been quite a while since I have “lost my mind” to a song…been a lot of great music lately, but I haven’t really found “my” song for the new millennium! In the 80’s *soooo many songs!!!* But for me …it was Let Me Go- Heaven 17… in the 90’s there were a few!!! But electribe 101 “talking with myself” defined me @ that time! And now my anthem is Kenny dope’s “I Got a rhythm” The first time I heard “I got a rhythm” I lost it BBC! I couldn’t believe what I was hearing! I found my song!!! Poor sam burns he probably thought I was going to attack him when I ran up in the dj booth @ sonar… to ask him … “what in da hell was that song he just played… Sam the man burns smiled like he just stole the pannies off of beyonce… As He smiled, he asked me “ you like that ??” and then told me about the song!!
I got rhythm for you baby if you have the time... I got rhythm for you baby if you have the time...
I got rhythm
for you baby if you have the time... I got rhythm... YEAH
Rhythm I got rhythm for you baby if you have the time... I got rhythm for you baby if you have the time... I got rhythm for you baby if you have the time...
Oh, the RHYTHM.... Yes, Rhythm… Tell Me would you like if the DJ brought it back Tell Me would you like if the DJ brought it back For me, I see who I am within the qualities and construction of this song. The lyrics are just ridiculously sublime. It’s cleverly seductive, brazenly bold, creatively stimulating, and the beat would turn gomer pyle into Gregory hines. This song has an old soul to it and the brother singing it has a resemblance to marvin gaye. Definitely my motto for my moment… BBC, what is your song for the moment? A bovine challenges the BBC family to define themselves via the music….Post it on the message board!! Define yourself!!! Be heard! A Bovine is out! Hetep! (Ultimate Divine Peace) I got rhythm for you baby if you have the time….. *chuckle* Email me @ kcwbigelow@netzero.net for any suggestions or feedback to this or any commentaries.
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KBig is a devoted House music supporter and an independent writer for the BBC. This is her monthly commentary in which she will touch on different aspects of nightlife to music or whatever. In her own words this is her "Commentary on the Contrary" and reflect her views and not necessarily representative of this whole website. |
