The World POST OPRAH

Hello Hon-Tey's!


If your anything like me your probably struggling to deal with The Post Oprah Effect.  Like many Americans and abroad I have watched Oprah for many years, and like many the world normally would stop when her show came on.  I remember as a youngster watching big Oprah, small Oprah and in between Oprah...and if you were like many of her faithful viewers you fail to notice her ever changing metamorphoses.





However, it was after the Color Purple came out that I began to view Oprah Winfrey in a totally different light.  She wasn't just an articulate black woman with a talk show, but she was now an actress. An actress that got my full attention in a movie that later made its way into my collection of noteworthy DVD's.  It was the role of Sophia, Harpo's outspoken, brash and tell it like it T.I.S. wife!  Sophia was my favorite character in the movie, and later I felt slighted when I noticed her name wasn't part of the movie poster credits. 



Now at 9am on weekdays what am I supposed to do with my time?  I can't look forward to Oprah walking out in her Christian Louboutins.  I can't look forward to Oprah saying, "Closed Captioning is brought to you by the following ".  I can't look forward to Oprah having an occasional "sista gurl" moment."  I can't look forward to Oprah looking at a guest like, "Who booked yo crazy azz?"  I can't look forward to Oprah speaking of the "Ugly Cry"! And finally, I can't look forward to Oprah propping her feet on the back of her heels because she doesn't like to wear heels! 




Whatever it is you and millions of others will miss about the Big O, what will forever stand out in my mind is her last show in which she said, "You also have to know what sparks the light in you so that you in your own way can illuminate the world.  You have the power to change somebody's life." That quote will live in me forever!  YAAAAAS Hon-Tey!

Kola Boof - Osama Bin Laden Mistress Speaks

Hello Hon-Tey's!

Kola Boof 

Osama dead, but his mistress tells all! Kola Boof, was Osama Bin Ladens mistress for years. She was one of his "leader" mistresses.  After being called a liar for years, she speaks and Hon-Tey the story she tells makes one think, "Really Lady?!"


Kola Boof recently stated in several press organizations that she meet Osama and fell in love under nontraditional circumstances--after he raped her the first time they met. However, after attempts to make her story public and tell the truth the media shut her down, saying, "she wasn't pretty enough."


She went on to call Osama a "monster, a genius, a poet, a racist woman basher and a very passionate, deeply  sensitive confused being."  and added with emphasis, "Like all of us, he was somebody's child."

Boofs states, "Osama rapped me the first night we met. But out of my fear and determination to survive we became comrades; lovers; we wrote poetry together, I did his hair, I cooked for him, he gave me jewels and money; sent me to Milan on shopping sprees; buried one of his guards that I killed and made it so I only did one night in jail.  Living at La Maison Arabe was hardly the life of a slave--I wasn't in chains, honey."  

According to Kola she was torn down because she was a Black woman of Egyptian/Sudanese descent and not what "white powerful news controllers" wanted to promote.  She adds that one of Osama's wives Najwa Bin Laden referred to her as his "nigger slave whore" a term she obviously didn't appreciate from the "pitiful head covered door mat jockey."

Boof also states, "It hurts to have so much valuable information; so much intelligence and to be so truthful and articulate--yet have "white powerful news controllers" decide that you're not the right image for what they'd like to promote.  Therefore, part of history is always missing.

WHEW!  I don't know about you, but it looks like Ms Boof wanted to go down in history with Osama!  She seems less like a sex slave and mistress...but more of an "ATTENTION WHORE."

Gary Norman Jr , Author, Director, Producer and Publisher

Hello Hon-Tey's!

As you already know I like to give credit where credit is due...and with keeping my promise I would like to put a bug in your ear.  His name is GARY NORMAN JR.  He's one of Chicago's own up and coming Author, Director, Producer and Publisher.  WHEW!  I'm out of breath just typing all of that!

I got the chance to meet Gary while providing services (make up artistry) for his fabulous stage play PINK OCTOBER, based on his novel. PINK OCTOBER is about living with cancer.  The key word is living.  It points out that you are not diagnosed with it and then you die.  There is life before, during and after diagnosis.   This play made me laugh, cry and think on how this horrible disease has taken so many of my loved ones. PINK OCTOBER is not just about cancer, but various types of relationships and situations amongst family, friends and lovers.  PINK OCTOBER puts a fresh perspective on an old problem that has been outted and is now battled openly by the masses.
http://www.pinkoctober.net/index.htm

My personal review for PINK OCTOBER:  2 thumbs UP! - "funny, thought provoking and touches home on so many levels"

There you have it Hon-Tey's  another one of Yo Nikki's moments!  CIAO BELLA!

BEAUTY SUPPLY STORE ROBBERIES!!!!

Hello Hon-Tey's!



It been so much going on in the world these last couple of weeks - from Donald Trump talking smack about Obama...to one of the Guardsmen being banned from attending the Royal Wedding...to BEAUTY SUPPLY STORE ROBBERIES!


Yes, you read right!  Thieves who broke into a Chicago beauty supply store made off with nearly $80,000 worth of human hair.  The store owner, Jay Han, said he believed the thieves knew just how valuable the hair could be on the black market.  "The tresses are used to braid hair and for hair extensions especially in the African American community", he said.  Videotaped surveillance outside his shop showed a white van driving up to the back of the store on Sunday morning.  Three men used a metal bar to pry open the door.  The men left the shop with large plastic bins full of the packages of hair and other items including wigs with natural hair.  Mr. Han, stated, "they didn't take any money."


I guess this is becoming a TREND in the urban community.  Chicago is not the only city to fall victim to WEAVE JACKIN.


Nashville, TN was where another incident occurred. However, the suspects didn't make it far.  One was caught and the other is still on the loose.


Montgomery, AL.  The suspects are still at large.


Dearbourn, MI - Approximately 80 Velvet-brand hair extensions were stolen from the store.  Unfortunately, The owner of the store was shot and killed.


This is ridiculous!  Is getting your weave done that important?  Well, to some I guess it is.  So much so that one will LIE, CHEAT, STEAL AND KILL for a new do!

Lady/Water No Get Enemy by. Fela Kuti

Hello Hon-Teys!

I've been gone for a while, I was gathering my thoughts and focusing on my bread and butta!  However, I'm back and I wanted to share with you a legend that was known by some but has inspired many.  I am speaking of Fela Anikulapo Kuti!  Born October 15, 1938 as Olufela Olusegun Oludotun Ransome-Kuti, a Nigerian musician, activist, composer and politician whom was famous throughout Nigeria, Europe, UK and United States in the late 1950's up until his death in 1997.  

Fela sang about political issues throughout the world and abroad.  As his music became more popular he used it as a soapbox to voice his political opinions, which in turn made is recordings more politically motivated.  Fela's music became very popular among Nigerian public and Africans in general.  In fact, he made the decision to sing in Pidgin English so his music could be enjoyed by individuals all over Africa, where the local language spoken were very diverse and numerous.

Afrobeat is the muscial style performed by Fela Kuti.  Which is a complex fusion of Jazz, Funk (espeically the music of James Brown)  psychedelic rock and traditional West African chants and rhythms. Some elements often present in Fela's music are the call - and - response within the chorus and figurative but simple lyrics.  Fela's songs were also very long, at least 10-15 minutes in length, and reaching the 20 or even 30 minutes, while some unreleased tracks would last up to 45 minutes when performed live.  This was one of the reasons that his music never reached a substantial degree of popularity outside Africa.  His LP records frequently had one 30 minute track per side.  Typically there is an instrumental  "introduction" jam part of the song, perhaps 10 - 15 minutes long before Fela starts singing the "main" part.

THE SHRINE (named after the famous nightclub in Lagos, Nigeria) is located in Chicago, IL and NYC is dedicated to Fela Kuti and his sons Femi and Seun Kuti among other groups or individuals that play Afrobeat music.

Some of my favorite Fela recordings are:

ZOMBIE

LADY/WATER NO GET ENEMY

EXPENSIVE SHIT

LADY

SHUFFERING AND SHMILING
YELLOW FEVER

2000 BLACKS GOT TO BE FREE

NO AGREEMENT

Well Hon-Teys, thanks for tuning in to my world...and I hope I have opened a new window for you to view music to.  Until we chat again...CIAO BELLA!

Backstage with Lorenzo Owens - What Kinda Man

HELLO HON-TEY'S!

Some of you didn't know that I like to rub elbows with individuals who are major go-getters and trendsetters in ALL arenas - and Lorenzo Owens is just one of those individuals that I am proud to say I have personally known for years. Originally from Milwaukee,WI now residing in Chicago. Lorenzo began his music career while in college after he began to see what effect his voice had on listeners.  He then took that talent on Oprah, (beat out 15,000 hopefuls) and snatched up his spot on the finalist competition, with Stevie Wonders All Is Fair In Love. Ren (what close family and friends call him) is currently on the grind and enjoying what he likes to do best.  SANG!!!!

YO NIKKI:  What artist dead or alive would you love to work with?

REN:  I can never name just one, but I would have to say Gladys Knight, Jill Scott, Chaka.  The list goes on and on.

YO NIKKI:  We all saw you on Oprah, did that appearance help your career in anyway?

REN:  ABSOLUTLEY!  In every way, it gave me a world wide platform of over 11 million viewers at the time. In such a competitive industry as this (where everyone is going after the same dollar, where everyone wants the spotlight and very few get it) being on the show gave me leverage over all of that.  Don't get me wrong it's still a grind, but I got a BIG hand up and beyond that I'm blessed to get up everyday and do what I love. Not to mention it was OPRAH!  What more can I say!

YO NIKKI:  Are you currently working on any projects?

REN:  Yes.  Currently working on my 3rd recording project among many other things in the works - but I'll keep em quiet until I get some confirmation on them. 

YO NIKKI:  What do you think of the current state of the R & B industry?

REN:  The industry is the industry.  It comes with it's good  and bad. As we well know the face of the music is changing.  We are all trying to see what it will look like in the near future.  My hope is that we get back to "music", "real music" minus all the gimmicks.  Real artists...we need an outlet and we need to be supported by labels that can get behind out individual visions.  I remember a time when music made you want to fall in love.  We don't hear that very much anymore and I believe it shows in how we relate to one another.  The love epic is very quiet these days, but I have high hopes that we will get back to it.  Until then I will try and stay focused and committed to my craft and let the rest flow.

WOW!  This interview was my favorite thus far, Lorenzo and I shared a bond, because I was featured in his first video,  I played the "other woman".  Therefore, while chatting with him we got a chance to catch up on what's been going on in each others (grown up) lives since then. This interview was like a chit chat session to say the least.  YAAAAASSSSSS!!!!  


To learn more about Lorenzo Owens log onto his website:


www.lorenzosite.com

Thanks for your support REN!

Coming to the stage: DRUNKEN MONKEE!!!

HELLO HON-TEY'S!

Currently trending in my world is DRUNKEN MONKEE!  An artist from Chicago, IL, who I met 6 plus years ago while attending Columbia College. His musical style stands out from various angles. WHY?  Because his on stage energy is off the chart!  His lyrics are clever and eyebrow raising!  And last but not least his personality is ELECTRIFYING !  While chatting with Monkee this morning after a crazy and slow start, I finally got down to the bones of what makes up the "DRUNKEN MONKEE", and after our interview...I  needed a freaking nap!

YO NIKKI:  Where did the name come from?

MONKEE:  Growing up being exposed to Jackie Chan and the late great Bruce Lee and overall Asian Martial Arts Culture, I then started to really emerge myself and gravitate towards it - thus becoming Drunken Monkee.

YO NIKKI:  Who is your Target Audience?

MONKEE:  Man, when it come to audience.  I really don't like to limit myself.  My music covers a diverse crowd:  Fat girls, sumo wrestlers, Pokeman, silver hawks, bourgeois women, ugly folks, ASSHOLES, fancy women.  I cover the whole gamete!  I don't want to limit myself.  Basically my audience is people who don't mind letting their balls and clit show!  (bursts into laugher)

YO NIKKI:  It seems as if performing comes natural, how long have you been performing?

MONKEE:   AAAAHHHH, Well, I've been performing since I was 1 yrs old let my family tell it.  When I was young I got a hold of my moms rum and performed Rick James, Give It to Me Baby, and from there - brought us here.  It also started in high school when I started African dance (begins to give a dope azz African beat), but professionally I've been performing for 15 years now.

YO NIKKI:  What is your "theme song" that plays over and over in your head?

MONKEE:   (starts to scream with the baby in the background) If I were to have a theme song it would have to be Jim Morrison (The Doors) Five to One...and the BIBLE, "John the Baptiste" - Burning Bushes!  Was that Blasphemy? (bursts into laugher)

YO NIKKI:  Well, you know I have to ask a question for the ladies, Are you single?  And what song describles your perfect female?

MONKEE: YEAH I'm single...and DAMN, I would have to say the perfect song is  Bootsie Collins, I Got the Munchies For Your Love.

There you have it HON-TEY's a little DRUNKEN MONKEE for your SOUL!  For more of your Drunken Monkee go to:  


www.Reverbnation.Com/drunkenmonkee

UPCOMING EVENT CHICAGO, IL