I’ve been a huge fan of Nas’ since Illmatic and when I met him during my freshman year when he and AZ performed at our homecoming concert (dayum I met a lot of folk working on SU’s SGA but I digress). When I first saw Kelis, I immediately became a fan but when I heard her on N.E.R.D.’s “Truth or Dare,” I loved her. So when the news of them getting together was so great to me. Nas always seemed so serious and when he got with her he seemed so happy. I was disappointed when word of their split went viral. They were a couple I really liked and watching Nas’ “Behind the Music” this weekend I found that my feeling was correct. He spoke on how he was so happy when they met and began dating. Clearly things didn’t work out for their relationship but for that time, he was genuinely happy and in love with another…
For some reason watching him talk about that relationship and finding love made me feel beyond hopeful that things can work out. Over the years something about Nas seemed so deeply sad yet the times he was in the relationship to now he seems genuinely in a better place. I think love seems so scary because I often focus on “it might end,” “what if doesn’t work out” “I don’t want to lose this relationship so I’ve got to make it work”. The Nas/Kelis situation has changed my mind. Now instead of being concerned over how long it’ll last, I’m more focused on allowing it to manifest in the first place. We shall see…
I love Drake and The Weeknd. They have great sounds that blend quite nicely. So while the Canadians’ song CREW LOVE doesn’t quite define what I’m speaking of here, the cool beat, unique sound of The Weeknd’s crooning and the catchy chorus makes it today’s Motivational Music Monday song of the day! I’m fortunate to have some really good, solid, long lasting friendships in my life. I’m also VERY grateful for the love of my crew(s)! Since I’ve moved to New Orleans, I’ve found several groups that I ride with! There’s always someone (or group of someones) down to hang and have a great time. Life can become so routine with work and goals to accomplish but I’ve found that having a crew provides great balance to the hectic-ness of life. So without further ado, enjoy the song and some images of me and some of the folk from some my crew(s).
On Friday I came to the conclusion I want to climb a tree.
This realization came on Friday evening around 7pm when I was at work. I was planning to go to a Curren$y concert that night if I got off in time…actually I was hoping my current boo-thang would want to hang out and I was going to skip the concert and be in his presence. He didn’t which made me grumpy and I started acting out. I remembered I hadn’t finished watching this Tony Robbins video from Oprah’s Lifeclass I had pulled up earlier in the day. In the clip he was talking to Oprah about how she had walked across fire as part of his “Unleash the Power Within” seminar. Robbins uses overcoming the fear of walking on fire to help people overcome their biggest fears. That’s when it hit me – I am afraid of climbing trees and I will climb a tree to set myself free. I’ve never climbed a tree-as a kid it seemed so scary. I have always wanted to be adventurous enough to just do it but I was afraid of breaking my arm. (Funny story I have a great little white lie story I tell about jumping out of trees attempting to break my arm in the 4th grade but I digress.)
There was one small issue with the timing of this revelation. It was on Friday…April 20th…4.20 and I was going to a Curren$y concert…yeah so let’s just say as I tried to tell people how I wanted to climb a tree to set myself free, it wasn’t coming off quite the way I had intended. I did find one great listener (asides from my girl Tori who was bout it the moment the idea struck), this awesome WTUL radio personality Miss Lilly was the only one down for my adventure (I think my friends Brit and Nicoya thought I was ON ONE lol). On Saturday morning when I woke up all I could think about was climbing this tree. I’ve been reading up on it and driving around looking for the perfect tree.
I, DaVida Chanel Smith, vow to climb a tree as I attempt to free myself from fear and really live the life I envision. Season one of Lifeclass taught that I’ve always had the power…climbing this tree will teach me that I believe in that power. Oprah said, “The only courage you ever need is the courage to fulfill the dreams of your own life.” I’m summoning the courage…
I found myself feeling a bit remorseful today. Things are going so so…I feel like I’ve been taking two steps forward and one step back. BUT THEN I remembered from where I have come. This journey has been super long and I know I’m closer than I’ve ever been before. I’ve survived way worse than this…and thus today’s Motivational Music Monday song is none other than Destiny’s Child SURVIVOR. I’m not gone give up, I’m not gone stop, I’m gone work harder…and so it is. I’m GONE MAKE IT! Mantra of the day. ENJOY
Last fall I was thrilled to produce my first stage play HIP HOP IS ALIVE for the New Orleans Fringe Festival. It was an exciting, amazing experience that strengthened my belief that I AM a producer! My play was strongly drive by music, the hip hop soundtrack to my life. The festival recognized that and now I get to speak about how music plays a part in my creativity in this month’s after the fest convo!!! I’m BEAUCOUP (look it up) excited!!! All of my creative ideas start with music! And I can not wait to share how! So if you’re in New Orleans on Tuesday, April 17 , come check me out at the Fringe Fest’s Pillow Talk at the Lost Love Lounge from 7pm-9pm!!!!!
My girl Jamey Hatley shared this with me on yesterday…what a great mantra before bedtime and a great way to start my day! ENJOY
I was about to complain about the usual issues associated with Mondays at work – ESPECIALLY after a holiday. But I refrained! My Super Twitter Friend, William Del Toro, hipped me to this…now no more case of the Mondays! Not quite motivational music but hope it helps you through the day….
On January 28-29 I auditioned for a production of FOR COLORED GIRLS WHO CONSIDERED SUICIDE WHEN THE RAINBOW WAS ENUF. A fan of the choreopoem, I HAD to audition. That day I had A LOT going on! I had a brunch with my friend/colleague, a shoot for my friend Gian’s short BOTCHED, an audition for a student film at UNO and lastly, the FOR COLORED GIRLS audition. By the time I got to the audition I was excited but while waiting for my turn, I got a bit cocky. I could tell I was the oldest in the room and the girls were so chatty…not like film/tv auditions where it is dead silent. My ego got ahead of itself and when it was finally my turn to audition, I sucked! It was the kind of suck where I had to just keep smiling because I knew it was horrific. Luckily the director was looking for a bubbly, smily type so I got the callback. I knew I had to bring it the next day and boy was I right-she had us all perform in front of one another and these young women were bringing it! I was overjoyed when I got the word I had made the play because it was truly a competitive field. I felt a sense of accomplishment and instantly began to feel overwhelmed. The play opened in just seven weeks!
We rehearsed everyday except a few days off for Mardi Gras. The material was unlike anything else I’d ever experienced. There wasn’t any dialogue or stage direction so paying attention to our director’s notes during practice was essential. During this I was still working daily as a travel coordinator on a TV, getting to know my new boo, wrapping up one job and starting a new one in the midst of rehearsal – so things were crazy. But the material, the cast/crew and the director made me feel as if it was going to pan out. And did it ever!
The show opened on Friday, March 30 and to say it was well received would be an understatement. There were audience members who had seen the piece in the 70s and thought it was on point and clearly presented. On Sunday when we wrapped after our set nine performances, I felt an extreme sense of empowerment. I had set a goal of delivering a good performance and had done the work to make it a reality. Every night was new and that forced me to grow more and more as an actress and as a person. Moreso every night I had to listen to Ntozake’s words over and over again. And they sank in. This was a process I had no idea would move me as much as it did. As one of the last lines of the show states, “I found God in myself and loved her fiercely,” exactly what this project made me do! I’m beyond grateful for the opportunity and can’t wait to see what comes next!
Tonight I’m going celebrate in literary style!!!! My friend L. Kasimu Harris, a talented photographer and writer I met in the fab New Orleans Melanated Writer’s Group I’m proud to be a part of, does an awesome blog for the Oxford American! (Yep you remember correctly-he’s the fab photog behind my bday brunch photos!!!) So exciting since in our first meeting he stated his goal was to tell stories with both his pen and camera and focus on things he loves. And if you’ve met Kasimu you know he’s got a “thing” for style!!! CONGRATS to him! In New Orleans? Come check him out at the party tonight! If not, check out the blog anytime by clicking here. Au revoir! (It’s my Parish Chic ta ta for now! LOL!)
I’ve heard humble beginnings invite glorious ends. This video inspires me by reminding me everyone has got to start somewhere!
