Dear Diary,
Well that was cute. I said that I was moving Diary of a Mad Black DJ to Substack- and after 1 full edition, I'm coming back. LOL!
There are a good bit of folks that love substack, so I will still publish there as well- however, my full diary will remain here on IAMLIKWUID.COM
This year, I've only written four entries- the lowest amount of diaries since I started doing these journals years ago. For my faithful readers, I apologize for not being able to publish more often.
I began writing these journals as a form of therapy and unfortunately therapy wasn't enough this year. But as things continue to get better, I take each moment, each day and each opportunity one day at a time. I plan to hope back in and share when I can. I feel blessed that my words can touch others. Everytime I get and email, a like or a ping from one of you, it pushes me forward. So thank you all. And although this year was a rough ride for me, dear God, I'm HERE!!!!
Speaking of which, have you seen Wicked, yet? I had the pleasure of catching Ms. Erivo in The Color Purple on Broadway in 2011. She was phenomenal- (I was full on snot-nose crying in that theater from her performance).
I was blown away by her performance in Wicked- my partner and I have been belting impromptu performances throughout our household for the past few weeks.
Within the revival of my inner theater kid- it has also been fun to tap back into vast history references on witch, coven and "difficult women". One such reference being based on "The Wonderful Wizard of Oz".
The post reads a little confusing, but one thing that is crystal clear is the influence of Matilda Joslyn Gage on society and her impact on abolition, women’s rights, and Native American rights. As we all enjoy the reprise of "coven" culture, I would highly recommend doing a deep dive on some of the outspoken women who went against the grain and inspired some of these pop culture characters.
Speaking of outspoken women and powerful voices. One of the best writers in history has joined the ancestors. Nikki Giovanni was such a big influence on my musical journey. I used "Ego Trippin" as a writing prompt for the majority of my Hip Hop Education courses. There has been a resurface of the conversation between Nikki Giovanni and James Baldwin, so I won't reference that wonderful exchange, however, I will share her performance on Def Poetry Jam and this one! Thank you so much for your life's work and I am happy that as a queer woman she was able to find love, no matter what! <3
Art
Sermon of the Matriark is coming January 9, 2025. The album is finally here, lovhers. In January, I mentioned a collaborative project that I've been a part of for the past year with W4RP Trio. I'm excited to say that the album is complete and we're having a release party next month. The Needle Drop gave us a shout out last month...
I'M SO EXCITED ABOUT THIS... (from W4RP)
Come celebrate with W4RP Trio — the internationally touring chamber music group whose daring cross-genre experiments dip into everything from modernist orchestral works to tango and bleeding-edge jazz — as they release their newest album, Sermon of the MatriarK, out January 9 on Phenotypic Recordings®.
A collaboration with the barbed and poetic lyricism of rapper LiKWUiD, Sermon of the MatriarK is a towering conceptual work strives to, as W4RP put it, "honor the strength and resilience of women across the Black diaspora." W4RP constructs a propulsive and ominous sound that evokes Stravinsky-esque theatricality, fire and brimstone gospel music, rhythms from the worlds of contemporary minimalism and jazz, and grandiose hip-hop production.
W4RP will be joined by LiKWUiD and the wonderful "Emergence Collective" lending their staggeringly beautiful voices to the evening.There will be an opening set by the Amazing Kayla Williams (Viola/Voice), who will be performing a set of her Folk/Jazz/Classical inspired original music.
If you are a lover of Meaningful Music, Passionate Artistry, and most importantly, Good Vibes, you are in for a night to remember, and we would love to see you there!!
Based on Charlie Daniels' The Devil Went Down to Georgia
Hip Hop in China!!!!
Following my trip to China this year with the talented Toni Blackman, I was excited to hear that Hip Hop in China continues to expand as a positive cultural impact globally.
...Hong Kong also ushered in unexpected HIP HOP diplomacy in late September! The Cultural Promotion Department of the U.S. Consulate and Hong Kong's DO IT FOR THE CULTURE FOUNDATION and creative workshop SLEPT BASE welcomed the first HIP HOP cultural promotion ambassador Toni Blackman and her partner DJ LiKWUiD to visit! After the two completed their exchange in Hong Kong, they were even approved to visit Guangzhou to continue their Hip Hop cultural exchange trip!
I hope that the youth of China, Hong Kong and globally continue to be empowered to utilize hip hop as a positive means of expression.
Banjee Boombox is a vibrant woman led QTBIPOC (Queer Trans Black and Indigenous People of Color) festival collective committed to creating safe spaces for women, gender expansive and sexual diverse (LGBTQAI+) artists. Each month, I will share tips, tools and opportunities that may prove helpful to artists and creators below.
New Voices AMPLIFY is an 8-week marketing accelerator for independent creators who have an existing podcast and are ready to take it to the next level. A cohort of 16 applicants will be selected to participate in mentored cohort workshops and will receive a $1,000 stipend and 1 year AIR membership. | |
The NYSCA/NYFA Artist Fellowship is an $8,000 unrestricted cash grant available to artists living in New York State and/or one of the Tribal Nations located therein. This grant is awarded in fifteen different disciplines over a three-year period (five categories a year) and the application is free to complete. The NYSCA/NYFA Artist Fellowship is not a project grant, but is intended to fund an artist’s vision or voice, at all levels of their artistic development. | |
Artists & Mothers is a nonprofit organization with a mission to support emerging and mid-career artists who identify as mothers. Awarded to New York City-based artists with children under the age of three, grantees will receive a grant for nine months of childcare to be used with the provider of their choice. | |
Art Omi: Music invites ten to twelve musicians and composers from around the globe to come together for two and a half weeks each summer for a uniquely collaborative music making residency. Art Omi: Music encourages its participants to share ideas, perform each other’s works, and write music for one another, while exploring their own musical vision and broadening their artistic and cultural horizons. Informal concerts invite the public to experience the creative process, collaboration, and development of the residents. |
Banjee Boombox Playlist ADDS-
The Lauren Keyana "Keke" Palmer dropped Master of Me this year and I finished the audiobook in one sitting and one morning walk. I loved every minute-HIGHLY RECOMMEND IT- her narration was flawless, and she delivered each word in full Keke Palmer fashion. (Chapters 22-30 are pure gold, btw, especial Ch.29.)Further, she dropped clips from her podcast within the audiobook that enhanced the listening experience. 10s across the board Keke!
Meklit Hadero joins Queue Points to talk about the Intersection of Music, Storytelling, and Community Building! THIS IS SUCH A GREAT LISTEN.
Beyonce's recorded HEATED had me in a chokehold, y'all. For real, my Spotify algorithm is still recovering. But let me tell you about the duo that wrote the record...they wrote 7 OTHER songs on Renaissance. They are fire! I've been following them for some time, but in the spirit of the holidays, I had to circle it back to this classic Christmas jam with the Kelly Rowland. <3
And in case you missed it...DOECHII <3 <3 <3
And remember...
And lastly, if we didn't learn anything else from Elphaba and Glinda, remember that everybody ain't your ally. So, stay strong and march on- be encouraged.
And before you leave, some Black Excellence
If you haven't seen Jamie Foxx's new special on your streaming app, be sure to check it out over the holidays. He gives testimony, love to his family, and there is about 20 minutes where Jamie Foxx is just being Jamie Foxx!!!! Pure genius! #WhatHadHappenWas
Happy Holidays y'all <3
L is for Love,
Fay
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