Way-back-when-Wednesday (Brenda Fassie)

Don't ask me what made me think of this gem by Brenda Fassie, because I don't know. All I know is that she fascinated me as a kid and I used to love watching these kids at their 'wedding'.



I truly believe that she served a very important purpose and none of her struggles were in vain. Her smile was so REAL.

PS- those crying kids are killing me lol
PSS - I haven't been to a wedding ko kasi in a while. Someone needs to get married real quick. And please don't have your wedding at a fancy place. I want a tent in the hood lmbao

Money, money,money ooh aaahh

I have never been wealthy, but I have always been able to afford my rent, car payments etc. I even had a savings account many ages ago. I have never been poor either: never had to go without a meal, always had a roof over my head etc. So money was not a factor in my 'comfortable' life until....

This journey has made things less than comfortable for me (financially). I never thought I had to decide whether I should buy new pants, because I look like a hobo, or have 2 more studio sessions. I never thought I would be looking at (body) lotions prices and seeing which one is cheaper lol.


I have had some people ask me why I don't approach a label or a sponsour or find a rich sugar daddy... Okay, maybe the not the sugar daddy, but you get what I'm saying.The reason I used up all my savings, gotten a loan etc is because this is my journey. I have a very specific vision for how I want things to be and I don't want any interference so early in the process.

A few years ago when I was just starting out. I met a guy who wanted to help me out. Lets call him D. Bagerry. So D. Bagerry had all the right connections and was musically inclined and he had a business on the side and he was a from a wealthy family AND he was a know-it-all. I was so glad that someone was offering help, because I really didn't know where to start. Alarm bells started going off when he suggested I change my name. He said all the worlds biggest stars had names that were easy to say and something about the number of syllables or some crack pot B.S.

I said no to the name change and we moved on. Before I knew it he had written songs for me that were not really what I had in mind for myself. I couldn't write songs, so I thought I'd give it a try. When I failed to be who he wanted me to be he accused me of being a crappy singer and demanded everything back. I was so hurt because all I was looking for was a little bit of help and validation... Which was the problem.

I wanted someone to hold my hand and show me how things worked. Instead I got D.Bagerry and egg on my face. So on we moved and eventually learned how to write songs etc. The moral of the story is: no matter how great the intention is. As soon as somebody has put money into something, they want to give their opinion and input. And in most cases they will expect you to make those changes.


I reserve the right to tell people to EFF off if they try to tell me how to realise my vision. I am the one wearing old jeans, putting on cheap lotion and buying my greens at fruit and veg city... Therefore I am the one who has the last say. On the surface it may seem like 'money' stuff, but its really me taking ownership of my destiny. For now I will be juggling finances, putting a hold on Veuve and sushi days and be checking prices of lotion.


I sleep better knowing that whether my album makes it or bombs, it was my OWN.

Gratitude

"When you are grateful, fear disappears and abundance appears."

-Anthony Robbins

Today was amazing. There are really no words that can express how fuflfilling it is to spend more than 12 hours of the day doing what you love. After spending many hours at the Red Bull Studios, I went to do the radio show. Tomorrow is my last day in the studio and we are shooting an EPK of sorts.



There are so many reasons why I shouldn't be happy, but there are just as many reason why I should be happy.

Way-back-When-Wednesday (Montell Jordan)

I was singing this song a couple of days ago and I just HAD to post it here.



OMW! I love the plastic on the couches, the dance moves... I love it all. I still love this song lmbao. I NEED that gigantic gold chain that the woman, at the dinner table, is wearing. For real!!

So many surprises

I dont know whether I mentioned this, but this week I'm recording a few songs at the Red Bull Studios. And the whole set up is so cool. I'm collaborating with Oltak (an amazing music maker!!) and one of the nicest DJ/producers Audiophile021 (pictured below)




Anyway, yesterday I was on my way out of the studio when I see these CD's by the door. Being the cat who never gets tired of being chased by that sadistic hit-man a.ka. curiosity, I picked one up. It turns out its a compilation of songs made in the Red Bull studios. So Steve (Audiophile021) says 'Ja just take it. You're featured as well'.




Last year I attended the Red Bull Music Academy Taster and put vocals on a DJ MX track called 'Like I see you'. That is the track featured on there. I was so pleasantly surprised. Here I was, feeling so sorry for myself just a few weeks ago. Not knowing that my voice was being heard. Check out my name below (hee he he he he)



Then a few days ago, DJ MX sends me an email. He released the song as part of an EP (Like I see you) and the EP has already made its way up to 21 on the Afrodesia charts. Its only been on there for a week. I'm so happy for MX, because he is also just one of the nicest, most hard working and sincere guys I know. Check out his EP here.


Love to you Beautiful Ones :)

Never ending story

I am back AGAIN and this time I have a good reason for having gone away.

It seems that making this album is going to take longer. I mean... I knew it was going to take a while, but I was not prepared for HOW LONG it would actually take. I think I stopped blogging because I didn't know what to say. I would imagine a bunch of posts saying "still recording... Still anxious... Not sure how I'm affording this..." don't make for a very interesting blog.

I think I also went through a little bit of a depression. All this money was being poured into a-never-ending-project and I was in a constant state of creating. The manager (Ms Marcee) suggested I take a break... Which I could, because the money well was drying up fast anyway.

This is in no way meant to be a depressing post. I am no longer depressed and I have decided to celebrate all my mini victories. So here goes:

• We have 3 COMPLETE songs (mixed, mastered & ready for consumption)



• The first single (Are you listening) was described as 'ground breaking' by a reviewer



• I recorded 5 more songs, with producer 1, that are soon to be mixed etc.



• I performed at a friends company launch 2 months ago and the audience was pleasantly surprised and so lovely to perform to (see pics below)

• I am in the Red Bull studios this week, working on some out-of-my-comfort-zone tracks



• We are shooting a video next month (for 'Aching Head') and the if the treatment is anything to go by... *blowing my own horn*



• The shoot for the sleeve is happening next week and I'm really excited about it. It makes me feel that we are getting closer to completion.

I am nervous and excited about the road ahead. I will definitely keep you posted *wink*