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Tag: music
#TBT Jamaica Carnival 2018 🇯🇲💃🏽
I love carnival. I love Soca. I am Jamaican 🇯🇲. It writes itself. In my lifelong carnival chase, it only makes sense that I went home one time for the one time. Aight, so boom! 💥
Pickups
Caesar’s Army A.M.Bush
Length. I’ll admit I didn’t get there RIGHT as the band house opened, and that may have been my undoing, but we waited for a while. The band house and distribution system were pretty organized. Far better than most of my experiences with pickups in Miami. I put my wristband on ASAP because I don’t want no problems. That’s like, my general mantra.
Xaymaca Costume
This went quite a bit faster. We waited in two groups, and were quickly processed before heading inside the mas camp to collect. I had some challenges with my costume’s fit, but fortunately, my section’s designer, Keisha Als was present and accommodating for my friend and I. Within an hour after voicing my complaint, a seamstress was at work on my costume.
FYI: Regardless of whether or not a thong is the only option pictured, please specify (and express to customer service representatives if need be) that you want a particular bottom. Also, the prototype will NEVER be the same as what you receive. NEVAH!
Fetes:
Afloat
Dope. DJs were good. Bartenders and drink selection were good. Vibes were perfect for the first fete of our trip. UNTIL… the party went on forever. There were unidentified liquids all over the floor, the bathrooms ran out of toilet paper, and the bar was devoid of napkins. After a while, it felt like the two boats from the Dark Knight, and we were meant to choose. The Joker nearly had us dancing to death. But, I lived!
Tribe Ignite
Semi-stush vibes. It was a good time, but so soon after Afloat we hardly had the energy to give a second performance. Kes was amazing, and so was Allison Hinds. DJ Puffy had a great set, and I LITERALLy ran into Shall Marshall. Star-studded, but we still left early because we were tired and hungry; the meat-free and pescatarian options were non-existent.
Medz
HOT AF! Lordt! It’s like we were being punished for the previous night’s wotlessness! We got there late, but no matter, the boat never left. It was a dock party. A boat-adjacent party. Medz were readily available, but shade certainly was not. Vibes where you could catch a breeze… then they ran out of water. Fin.
A.M. Bush
As always it delivered. A series of connecting busses to the bush, and a slightly bewildering walk in the dark to the trucks. Just enough time to get your mind right, and sip just enough social lubricant before the paint started to fling. I love it every time. Picked all the best food lines and got tastes of my favorites. Corn soup, doubles (well not really as they ran out of everything except chickpeas), and jerk. Then a long nap in the return bus. A.M. Bush is the best! Period.
P.M. Fete
Logistical failings aside, it was a good time. (If you register online, that means it automatically dumps into a cache. Then how TF are you unable to find my name!?) If you wanted, you could scope the ones you wanted to find on the road; see your pre-mas boo in costume. Very chill, multiple bars. Again, we left early; road in the morning.
Xaymaca Cool Down Fete
Sand, when carried by the wind, feels a lot like little knives. But thankfully, that was the worst part. Had the forethought to bring a bag and snacks, and we set up a little camp. As the sun set, and our drinks set in, it really was the best party of the entire trip. The DJs played a mix of music, and and the evening breeze was perfect. Perhaps because it was the last, we appreciated it more. Bittersweet.
ROAD
The whole point. The reason I bought my flight and secured my AirBnb. If I’m being honest, I didn’t give it my all. Heart wasn’t in it. The heat was intense, the route felt forever-long, and the streets were so narrow that with stormers there nearly wasn’t room to breathe! I felt a little meh about my costume, and I knew drinking would only make me whiny. The pointy and obtrusive costumes were so painfully large, that at times we could hardly see. The lunch stop was efficient and just what I needed. The dinner stop, not so much. Vegan options were virtually nonexistent, so we left a bit early. Although, the end seemed somewhat ambiguous. Were we headed back out onto the road? We’ll never know.
Overall. Quite good. I will certainly be running it back. It owes me some money and I am going to get every one of my coins!
What are YOUR travel plans for 2018? If Roze Goes, so should you ‘
Love yourself,
Happy Valentimes Day!
Let me first start off by stating that I absolutely HATE when people pronounce it “Valentimes Day”. When is Valentime? Point to it on a clock! When in the calendar year is it Valentime!? If you pronounce it this way, you don’t deserve any chalky heart-shaped antacid candies. deserve to eat ONLY chalky heart-shaped antacid candies! FOREVER!!!
Moving on…
Pal-entine’s Day, Gal-entine’s Day, Single’s Awareness Day… For semi-Bitter Bettys and Barrys such as myself, this past February 14th took on a slightly different tone than the mainstream. For many of us it was a silent massacre. Millions of eligible bachelor’s and bachelorette’s unwanted bodies strewn about highways and workplaces; their faces twisted in agony with cold eyes glossed over. Tortured mercilessly, some for days, with your stories of how “Bae surprised me. He/She/It/They are sooo thoughtful!” We lept like lemmings to our deaths.
For me, it consisted of staring at my phone, rolling/thrashing on the couch, and sort of mumble-sobbing. Mind you, I’m usually that emotional on every other day, it just FELT more poignant on that day… you know, on account of the nationwide peer pressure. (Note to whomever: DO NOT, I repeat, DO NOT get onto any social media on any holiday ever! Just don’t. Even Leif Ericsson Day.)
Moving on…
I’m gonna talk with (not TO, because I’m not your mom) you about what I, and perhaps you, SHOULD have done if you were V and/or D-less on Alentine’s Ay.
What you should have done was look yourself in the eye (with the aid of a mirror, I guess) and realized where love in your life MUST originate. It has to start with you. And its going to take work.
“The fact that someone else loves you doesn’t rescue you from the work of loving yourself.” – Sahaj Kohli
I know how it sounds, but without self love you will search for someone to love you, and you WILL be disappointed. In truth, you’re looking for someone to give you everything you need, and that person already exists. [clears throat and prepares for how lame this will sound:] YOU ARE YOUR SOUL MATE! [rolls eyes aggressively] Other people can only compliment you, they will not be a balm for every wound, address every fear or concern, and they will not/ cannot be your source of happiness. That well must spring from within. Otherwise, when theirs dries up you will be back at square one again, and the hunt for wholeness will continue. If/when they leave, you will be the worst kind of alone.
Moving on…
What does loving yourself look like? To know that, you’ll have to dig deep. Really examine many of your current and past relationships. Relationships of all kinds: friends, lovers, co-workers, and even enemies. They’re all vital in the shaping of your self-love. If you think about the way they made you feel, and the actions that yielded those feelings, you’ll put together a sort of make-shift recipe for self love. How can you replicate that satisfaction for and in yourself? This same process of personal-inventory will reveal to you what you can do in relationships with others to yield more satisfaction.
My Self Love Recipe
3 tbs. of regular physical activity 1/2 tsp. reaffirming motivation
1 cup of positive self-talk 1 lb. of workplace fulfillment
1 tbs. hanging out with friends 1/2 cup music and dancing
1/2 cup working on a passion/hobby 1/2 cup alone time (not TOO much)
1/2 tsp. getting cute and going out 1 cap-full of Moscato
1 pinch of new experiences
*1 handful of sexy chocolate man (can substitute caramel or macadamia)
* for experienced bakers ready to involve a partner
Moving on…
Finally, for my Bitter Bettys and Barrys, my sisters and brothers, don’t forget that Valentine’s Day is just a capitalistic ploy by THE MAN to shift from what’s really going on… BLACK HISTORY MONTH!!! [raises fist emphatically]
In parting I leave you with this,
Love your self. Black, white, alone, in a relationship, sorta short, freckly or what have you.
Remember to follow and join the mailing list. Love you! Kiss your mom for me!
Roze Goes
#TBT Art Basel 2017
Do you like traffic 🚘? Overpriced Drinks 🍸? Tourists 📸?
Constantly reminding you of how amazing it must be to live where you already live.
“There’s so much art and culture, you must really love it here! 😒🙄 I’d move in a second if I could!”
This year I focused on art: capturing, hearing, and tasting as much of is as I could!
Went to crazy galleries and triple booked myself so that I could see, experience, and do the most!
RIP 💀👻🧟♀️ to Flipagram! We hardly knew ye! 👼🏾⛅️✌🏾
Wanna know how you can be the best Basel Baby 🖼 👶🏾 possible?
No worries, I got you with this handy dandy notebook resource guide!
The next time you’re “at the bottom”, as we Miamians say (only Pitbull actually says this) , make sure to look for me. I’m probably somewhere standing WAY TOO CLOSE to a painting!
I’m creating beef with security guards to up my street cred!
Check out a previous year’s Art Basel exploits with my friend Crystal @cryscassidy on IG!
Art is for everyone! It should only be free! #freetheart #freetheartist #rozegoes
Black Music Month!
So typically, what you would find here is feature or brief review of one ore more musical artists and a few of their respective songs. A couple YouTube videos, or a hyperlinked set of lyrics.
Not this month. This time it’ll be a month-long list of songs and artists that mean something to me. Epitomizing black music for Madam Rozé.
Let’s check what Wikipedia has to say…
So to switch it up I’ll be adding to this post daily (hold me accountable, dammit!) with the answers to each day’s question.
I’ll post days 1-3 here exclusively, and if you follow me on Instagram (or vice versa) you can see my real-time answers that I’ll follow up with an entry here!
Black Music Month: #30DayMusicChallenge
Day 1. “Too Close” x Next
In my defense I was, and still am, an odd child. I truly believed this song was about personal space. I didn’t see the video until I was already a man (Bane reference) and didn’t put two and two together because of my math anxiety. Sue me! I love it now that I’m an adult!
Day 2. “He Lives in You” & “Circle of Life x 🦁🤴🏾
Trick question, it’s a tie. I literally get chills every time I hear this. I got goosebumps pasting this link. Real talk. Lion King is a staple for most 90s babies, and ain’t nothin black-er or more musical than animated lions!
Day 3. “Boogie Wonderland”
x Earth, Wind & Fire 🌏💨🔥
I sweater god! If Taylor Swift tries to get her hands on this for the next volume of “Now That’s What I Call Gentrification!”, I will write a letter to my senator! Big mad!
Day 4: “Hotline Bling” x Drake
The young lady Aubrey Drake Graham describes seems to living her BEST LIFE! She has chosen to reject the stay-at-Home “good girl” narrative he shaped for her, and is flourishing beautifully. Classics misogynoir and heteronormative toxicity! Plus he a dead beat anyway. But that damn 7th grade maths teacher dance is my weakness!
Day 5: “This Woman’s Work”
Kate Bush x Maxwell
Pray God you can cope! Let me spell out the long and sordid history of this quasi-confusing song! First written by Kate Bush for the soundtrack of the film “She’s Having a Baby”, Maxwell covered it in the early 2000’s, and he quickly became a black people standard! His video, shows one of grief and loss as a lover copes with the death of his partner. And Kate Bush’s video, and expecting father deals with the stress of his wife giving birth and his surge of emotions. Somehow! Black people have made this a “get you pregnant” mix tape hit, but it wouldn’t make sense at all given the information from these two artists. However, I love it nonetheless, and a black man’s falsetto is a beautiful coveted thing!
Day 6: Fav Hip Hop/R&B Collab
“Let’s Get Married” REMIX
X Jagged Edge feat. Rev Run
I almost HATE that I love this song. I definitely used to think “wow, he basically states that we’re playing around, and not getting any younger!”, and I found that to be a little callous! BUT age has wizened me, and it hits my ears a little softer each time. I mean I’m not doing anything, and I could use the tax benefits, so why NOT get married!? 🤷🏾♀️
Day 7: Favorite R&B Duet
“Alone Together” Daley x Marsha Ambrosius
I’ll be honest. Daley kinda Rick Rolled me. He hit me with the Bobby Caldwell. :whispers: “At first listen I thought he was a black man!”. BUT the beauty of black culture, is that is welcoming and pervasive! Mazel Tov!
Day 8: Fave Remix
“Hurtin Me” Stefflondon RMX
Sean, Paul, Popcaan, & Sizzla
Roze’s Remix criteria questions:
1. Does it smack!?
2. More or less than the original?
3. Are there too many cooks?
4. Does the feel of the song change?
5. Beneficially? Or harmfully?
6. Does it achieve more or less acclaim?
This remix smacks harder in my opinion. It’s new features only enhance the song, and the new vibe created with indefinitely extend the life of summer anthem! I get to wail the lyrics while drinking mimosas. We are DEEP into brunch season!
Music Monday Vol. 5: Ultimate Rejects
Electric Soca, Electrik Karnival, TrapSo, whatever you call it, it’s Bess. This soca + EDM fusion sub-genre takes inspiration from traditional calypso, house, and dancehall, and modern pop and hip-hop.
On the cusp of this genre, solidifying it’s fan base with each new hit, are the Ultimate Rejects. Their hit “Full Extreme”, and the tens of subsequent road-mixes, won over the 2017 Carnival season.
Behold…
If I love you. I gotta put you onto that new new!
And I do love ya.
Roze Goes
Music Monday Vol. 4
This Monday we’re diving into Afrobeat!
[SN: I think Wikipedia is the mascot of the internet. The people’s medium. A peer-reviewed and crowd-funded outlet with a world full of contributors and a transparent sense of responsibility to its readers! Check out what’s threatening Net Neutrality now and contact your representatives or sign a petition! Our oceans, space, and inter-webs are the last frontiers; protect what freedoms we have left!]
Afrobeat
Distruction Boyz
“Roll On”
“Madness”
Diaspora Across the Water…
MC Fioti “Bum Bum Tum Tum”
MCs Zaac e Jerry “Vai Taca Taca Taca”
If I love you. I gotta put you onto that new new!
And I do love ya.
Roze Goes
Art Basel Miami 2015
I’m no hypebeast. I don’t mind being terribly behind on trends. I don’t need up-to-the-minute updates. I like to think that I could live off the grid if necessary. I’m the type of person that likes to wait for the hype to settle, like dust after a storm. I don’t want other people’s opinions to spoil experiences for me. I haven’t seen a single episode of Game of Thrones, and I don’t care! Yeah, I’m THAT person. I CAN wait to vet all your movie and music suggestions and be 3-4 years behind, 3-4 years from now.
In the spirit of having just watched all the Harry Potter movies, I present to you my overview of Art Basel Miami 2015!
For an extended weekend (12/3 – 12/6) artists and observers flock the city of Miami to host and attend an array of art-focused events. The jewel of this weekend is the maze of instillations housed at the Miami Beach Convention Center. Millions of peices, prices, and people of interest get together to sample the labor fruit salad of countless aspiring and established artists.
Thursday night I attended Swizz Beatz’s Casa Bacardi House Party. Each night featured a different lineup and I was fortunate enough to attend the opening night with Alicia Keys.
It was SENSATIONAL! Hot – and unbeknownst to me outdoors – but sensational! I saw Saun Ross, Sevyn Streeter, Beyonce’s stylist Ty Hunter and Angela Simmons! I was at arms length but couldn’t manage to say anything. Poot.
Friday night I attended this…
It too, was sensational. I love virtually any opportunity to enjoy the company of other carribeans. Put that with art and food trucks; it’s my idea of cultural overload! Wining. Wukkin’ up. Works of art. I bumped into a few friends and IG celebs. I MET ESTELLE!
Saturday was a mashup. I met up with friend and stylist Wise Kouture and took the convention center by force!She made a vlog! Here’s the link!
After that we went to the Yeelen Gallery for an event that showcased the works of black female artists and highlighted many of the socio-economic perils we face.
I met Tico Armand (IG:@iamtico) a model, style icon, and just generally phenomenal black woman!
The weekend was moving. I felt so many feels.
I made a vid!
In parting I leave you with this… Free art!
Roze Goes (Née Nancy)
Music Monday Vol. 3
I love Soca. End of story! I want to share with you some of my favorite shower/commute/cooking/gym music. It moves me. AND you can play (some of) it for children!
This time I want to be a little more deliberate about sharing with you the origins and history of Soca music. It’s more than whinin’ and jumping up. It’s more than costumes and glitter (Although I LOVE costumes and glitter!). It’s a growing and changing art form that bridges the Atlantic and houses an array of influences and influencers. Do more than listen, learn.
Soca
“Criminal Wine” x Lyrikal & Patrice Roberts
“Rough Wine” x Machel Montano
“Like It Like This” x Patrice Roberts & Kes
Non- Soca
“Fantasy” x Alina Baraz & Galimatias
Tank & The Bangas on NPR’s Tiny Desk!
If I love you. I gotta put you onto that new new!
And I do love ya.
Roze Goes
Music Monday Vol. 2
I stopped checking for most mainstream music in ’08. I don’t want most of that in my spirit or ears. I probably won’t listen to your mix-tape. But on occasion, just ONCE IN A WHILE, I might just take a suggestion. I may stumble across a few gems. It’s gotta be different, though.
This Monday’s playlist takes its inspiration largely from the soundtrack of one of my favorite shows; Issa Rae’s Insecure.
Again, they’re broken into three categories: Dance, Bump, and Chill.
Dance. (dance, bih!)
“Deep” – Lizzo
“Body” – Kes
“Feteland” – Kerwin Du Bois
“Want More” – Rotimi Ft. Kranium
Bump. (for the car… duh)
“Real Bitch Problems” – TT the Artist
“Go For It” – Issa Rae (NSFW)
“Pretty Girls” – Kid Cidi Ft. Too Short (you can speed past Too Short’s verse)
Chill. (dassit)
“Insecure” – Jasmine Sullivan Ft. Bryson Tiller
“Needy Bees” – Hick Hakim
“I Don’t Know” – Nick Hakim
Take the time. Take note of your thoughts and feelings when sound waves hit your ear drums. Be cognizant of what you consume. Orally and aurally. Peace.
I love you.
Roze Goes
Music Monday Vol. 1
I’m no connoisseur. I’m no expert. I’m no critic. I just know what doesn’t sit well with me. I’m about 36 years behind, and I don’t even mind. I have no qualms about living in a time capsule. When I venture out of it, the few songs that stick, stick forever.
Sharing and exploring music is intimate, so this is a smedium deal for me. I’ve been othered and called weird for liking “white people music” for so long that it takes effort to really enjoy and align myself with the values represented in mainstream black music. I take suggestions from people whose interests and lifestyles resonate with me.
Here goes. Hits. Misses. Videos.
Hits
“About You” – XXYYXx
I don’t know how to explain why this song is so sexy! Like chopped and screwed meets art gallery.👩🏾🎨
“Combine” – Kes (aka Kes the Band)
I like his/their infectious upbeat positivity. For the culture, for sure! Makes good workout music. Might play this at my wedding.💍
Misses
“Bruck Off Yuh Back” (Remix) ft. Breezy
First off, this culture vulture business has to stop. Second, fake patois makes my stomach hurt!😑
Videos
Afro-beat, pop, punk, soca, jazz, or house is LIFE!💃🏾
I love how the minimalism of the video helps you focus on the primarily dark-skinned beautifully-adorned women! I’m here for this harkening toward the motherland in music of late! Yes lawd! 😫😭
Plus, TWO VIDEOS!
“Come Closer” – Wiz Kid ft. Aubrey Graham
The more aesthetically immersive version…
BRUH! What if there’s a club scene in Black Panther, and this song is featured!? 😱💀
Anywho that’s all I’ve got. Burn your bridges, listen to new stuff. It’s not ok to write off whole genres based on generalizations. I’m trying to leave 2008!
If I love you, I have to want better for you.
Roze Goes
BEYONDSLAY: Miami Got Into Formation
Pre-Show:
I got to my seat WAY early and played chicken with the concession lines; debating with myself about whether or not Bey was worth missing or starving for. I starved, no question.
DJ Khaled, serial collaborator and Snap Chat Inspirational Speaker Inception-ed us by bringing out another unnamed DJ while he performed a slew of his favorite ad-libs and hype-man bits from singles spanning the 2000’s. He brought with him a slew of artists that performed snippets and kept the crowd entertained.
Features
2 Chainz (the artist formerly know as Tity Boi), Yo Gotti, Lil’ Wayne (surprisingly NOT dead), and even (Father Time) Trick Daddy dusted off his old bones and performed his verse from the ever-popular urban-affirmation hit “I’m So Hood!”
Concert:
At the far end of the arena was the stage, and on it was a dimly lit giant white cube; an almost imperceptible seam running the length of it. Finally, the cube comes alive. Slowly, it begins to rotate and a fervor tears through the crowd. We’re all speculating.
Will the cube open to reveal Queen Bee? Is she going to emerge from under the stage? What song will she perform first?
The show opens with the Superbowl 50 controversial single “Formation”. Bey comes out with her dancers serving us all-black corseted Zorro realness!
Beyoncé: “Ladies if you think you slay, say ‘I slay.’ ”
Me: “I slay!”
Beyoncé: “If you came out tonight to have a good time, say ‘I slay.’ ”
Me: “I slay!!!”
Beyoncé: “If you work hard, pay your own bills, and don’t need nobody else, lemme hear you say I slay.’ ”
Me: [screams] ” I SLAAAYYYY!!!” [vomits]
The whole concert was an artfully arranged mashup of some of her greatest songs. From tracks on the recently released Lemonade, all the way back to “Me, Myself, and I”. She worked in contemporary hits like O.T. Genasis’ song “Cut It” retooled with her classic hair-flipping, shoulder-bouncing choreography. She even paused briefly to turn the cube purple as fans sang along to “Purple Rain” in a touching tribute.
You can read all about the lineup and her several costume changes anywhere on the interweb. What you can’t find anywhere else is the renowned Roze Goes significance.
Takeaway:
I left the concert reinvigorated. I was entertained and inspired by a black woman who is beautiful inside and out. I learned, and was reminded of, a few things:
- Everyone and anyone can slay, no matter your circumstance!
- Black women are what dreams are made of! The actresses, dancers, musicians, songwriters, choreographers, stylists and all others involved with this behemoth of a project. All invaluable. All purposed.
- I gotta get fit! That woman danced for HOURS, and didn’t once sound tired. Her thighs were immaculate!
- Issues, real life issues visit everyone. No one is safe, and not even money can insulate you from everything. Your life is just as important, and your problems just as real. You have the same 24 hours as Bey and can do with them whatever you wish.
- Use your gifts. Beyoncé put money in the pockets of all the professionals in the stadium that evening. There is no reason why you shouldn’t do what you can, and use what you can to be as fulfilled as possible.
- Blackness is performed however you want. She’s been catching so much flack for using profanity, expressing social justice themes, and shedding a light on a culture that she had always been a part of, but somewhat removed from. She is (and we are) collard greens, neckbones, negro, creole, conservative, or whatever have you.
Here’s what else you can’t get just anywhere. My fellow blogger Wise Kouture’s Formation Inspired look book.
She doesn’t know it yet, but she’ll be helping me put together my Birthday/Halloween Costume… {coughs Beyoncé!}
And finally, the thing that I think brought you all here…
As always, kiss you mom for me. Today’s my Mom’s birthday! Love you, Betty!
Roze Goes
