And freakin' Whitney Houston, man...

This woman...

This was one of my favorite videos to watch as a kid...


Absolutely phenomenal...

AND the 80s...

Mmm, the 90s...

For something so repetitive, this song is super good...


Oh man, her voice...


Such good dance music!


Too bad I was too young to go to any 90's parties. At least I got raves and punk shows, I guess. O.o

Chico DeBarge, again...

It's like some songs were written just to get your groove on to. I mean, this song, "Style," has it all: a slow, gradual build, a smooth, rhythmic tempo, and lyrics that compliment a woman. If this isn't sexy, then I don't know what is.



Sing it to us, Chico...

Though it is kinda funny to see him as a 1980's Prince look-a-like.

Umm, some Sarah Vaughn, please.

Sade

I never was a fan of Sade. I saw her albums, of course, in record stores of my youth. I knew she had a weird, eclectic following and I knew it wasn't necessarily for me. I tried, even, to like her. I gave a few songs a good listen. But I was just like, "Nah, it's cool."

Until recently. Some fine young man, part Creole-descent, came into my house and sat at my computer and played this song:



I was like, "Who da fuck is dis?!"

"Sade."

"Hmm," I replied. "I really like this."

"This woman's got some soul."

And has she ever.

Has. She. Ever.

India.Arie

This woman! Let me tell you about this woman right here!

I was 17, working at Warehouse Music in Marina Del Rey, when this woman's first album, Acoustic Soul, came out. We played it over and over on the music system, promoting it. I didn't think much of it. I knew I kinda liked the single Video, but that was about it.

Now, 12 years later, I found myself searching for more positive, uplifting music. Something more aligned with where I am at today. I don't want songs about fucking, drug use, pussy, booty bouncing, club life, and fucking people over. I want music that's inspirational, that I can relate to, that can lift me up. 

A girl friend of mine posted this to my Facebook page a while back, and all I could think was, mmmhmm, dat's right! (*snaps fingers*)

What's better than a woman preaching to other women the treasure in loving yourself just as you are?!

Nothing, probably.

So then I did it. I downloaded Acoustic Soul and slowly but surely found myself loving the message India.Arie carefully crafted for our ears. And a plus? The following song, Brown Skin, totally highlights the true desire I have for a fine, brown-skinned brutha to come wandering my way and into my life. YUM!




mmmMMM!

Her second album, Voyage to India, has also worked it's way onto my list of pretty darn good albums.

Orange is the New Black - Netflix Series

When I saw the very first preview - aired at the end of an Internet-streamed Netflix movie, I was intrigued.



What's not to be intrigued by here? Besides the interest in a good-looking white woman venturing into the confines of a federal prison, and the assumed hardships awaiting her sheltered life, the cast is also stellar: Laura Prepon (That's 70s Show), Jason Biggs (American Pie), Natasha Lyonne, and Taryn Manning. Did I mention it's also created by Jenji Kohan? You know, the creator of the Showtime series Weeds?

I watched all 13 episodes in approximately 3 days. From the pilot I was hooked. And by hooked I mean I was entranced by the characters from the get-go. I wanted to know who what where when why, and especially, what happens next. 

I found the back story of each character to be told creatively. I found myself empathetic to each and every character at some point in the series. And the character progression of Piper Chapman, the main character naive blonde woman, is kinda perfect. I mean, if nothing else, it has shown me to stop being so polite, stop being such a pussy, and really man up in life, grow a pair, and just be myself already, unapologetically.

I also love transexuals. Look for the tallest person in the above photo.

'Nuff said.

Wishing on me a fine half-brutha with light eyes...

An afro would also be nice...

Some sistah afro lovin'...