Woodstock was that iconic rock festival that music junkies of my age bracket would only dream of attending. And it’s back, again. Spin magazine is reporting that one of the co founders of the festival is bringing a three day Anniversary concert to New York this summer.
I vaguely remember it making an appearance some years ago…something about setting port a potties on fire and mob rioting. Let’s hope for a smooth ride this year. Lord willing, I’ll be there. May the spirit of the late great Jimi Hendrix light the way.
Peace family! I know its been a while. I’ve been on the prowl, searching for new talent, and I found it in Baltimore neo soul artist, Amahni Philly. Amahni has been breezing up the coast with his new single “Forever”, but he’s no stranger to the scene. He has been performing up and down the east coast, promoting his sophmore album Forever Golden. Philly was able to take a break from his busy schedule and chat with us about the project.
Dropajewel: What made you begin writing music?
Ahmani Philly: Well I’ve always had the passion to write. I always felt it was easier than speaking. Initially it allowed me to release my emotions, personal feelings, visions and thoughts during a time when I didn’t feel heard. During my younger years I was very verbally introverted and when it came to being vulnerable it was sort of like expelling everything I hold within through pen . I even now find myself sometimes speaking in song, rhyme scheme, metaphor or parable.
DJ: Who are your biggest influences?
AP: This is a great but extensive question. My biggest influences are artist who are iconic from the 60’s, 70’s and 80’s. From the instrumentation of Brothers Johnson, Earth,Wind & Fire…to vocals of Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye, Luther Vandross, The Emotions, Patti Labelle, of course on this album Johnnie Wilder Jr. Today’s artist span from TANK, Tweet, Brandy to a more recent Frank Ocean, Jay-z, SZA, Daniel Caesar.
DJ: How does Forever Golden differ from your last album Home?
AP: Home was a very weird place for me vocally because of multiple health and life issues. Home was a push album that half the time my voice was gone…I could barely sing and had so much to say. Meanwhile, I wasstill hiding my true yearning in my heart to be completely transparent about where my heart should’ve been. It birthed music from me trying to harness my thyroid health and figure out how to turn what I viewed as a curse into a pathway toward the falling place of my blessings; hence the Title Home. This led me to the Goldenheart and that’s where Forever Golden came into fruition. Forever Golden was the first time I could speak fully from my heart and soul without holding back, and being overly cryptic or without dark emotions of no hope. This is about a real life love of someone. I call him “the Goldenheart” or “Twin Flame”. Since I love numerology and the zodiac and the artistic connotations I used representations of 2 and 11 life path since I am both. It’s in everything from the art work, to the number of tracks on the album. Especially releasing the album in 2018, a universal 11 and year of spiritual partnerships (Forever Golden).We must overcome challenging early lives (Home), to prove to the world that love never gives up! The number eleven is about double beginnings and two is about the combining of the two separate entities to move forward in a new beginning with peace love and understanding(Forever & Golden).
So This project holds hope in life and a sense of permanent position within me in every aspect of my life moving forward. Forever Golden all about complete truth and being naked and literally comfortable in my skin as I step into the New beginning. As you can see my music comes from deep rooted intimate real life and spiritual experiences. Home was the story to get back to the Forever Golden (Kansas) just like the wizard of oz.
DJ: What do you want people to take away from this album?
AP: I want people to always have hope in love, learn transparency & growth. Take time to redirect, find & never compromise yourself. Remind yourself how much you love [you]. Learn from mistakes or lessons and move forward never backward. Don’t ever stand still and become a victim of your circumstances. Take responsibility and care for yourself. Then the Divine will bring you a heart and the balance that will adore all that you already are and love within yourself.
DJ: What do you think of the soul/r&b game right now?
AP: Well, I think I’m beginning to really love millennial soul as it’s now called. However, I’m not to keen on the fact that hip hop and R&B are lumped together as Urban Music. It’s disappointing. Mostly because R&B is not always “URBAN” technically. Unfortunately, you have to roll with the punches.
DJ: What can fans expect from Amahni Philly in the near future?
AP: In the near future more transparency, visual content, and whatever is laid before my path toward the manifesting of the vision. I would love to do a few collaborations. Who knows? I’ll let the Divine guide me.
Visit https://amahniphilly.com/ for more on information. Show your twitter love @dropajewel and @amahnimusic and don’t forget to check out the album Forever Golden, everywhere you can find good music. #DoItNow #HappyFriday
Rejoice! New music from 60 East and Ariano with The Circles EP. The southern California artists combine lyrical content over stone solid production. In my opinion, this seems like a more personal effort from 60, as most of the tracks can relate to most people at different periods of time. Conceptually, the project takes on the positives and negatives of life and how everything comes full circle. I love the instrumentation and good vibes that this project presents. Two of the stand out tracks on the project are I Will, featuring Ariano’s son, Sage Price, and of course The Light. Don’t take my word for it, check it out yourself! Don’t be afraid to show your love by visiting the website and getting familiar with the twitter pages Ariano and 60 East
I didn’t even make an attempt to watch the Golden Globes last night. I was in bed drinking juice, watching Pokemon and reliving my childhood. I DID however hear of some Black girl magic happening when Oprah was the first Black woman to win the Cecil B DeMille award. Let me drop a quick Jewel on you…
I’m glad that Black people are FINALLY being recognized for excellence in their respective fields. I think seeing people as equal is a great way to break your best ‘A game’ in every aspect of life. Imagine if we could all just be on a leveled playing field? I think we often spend so much time comparing our differences, we often forget how similar we are.
I’m also sad that we have to have so many ‘first’ for Blacks in 2018. That shit is fucking ridiculous. We have ALWAYS displayed excellence, whether the academy sees it or not.
I guess my real question is…
Should we value these award shows at all?
In any event, good Job Oprah. We’ll deserved. Keep inspiring little girls all over the world.
The thing I love most about art, is the fact that it is so open to interpretation, that the artist could paint something one way and the viewer see something completely different. The thing I hate most about art, is chances are, an artist will be good and dead before ever given a decent amount of recognition. Cue this BBC article on Jean-Michel Basquiat, and share your thoughts.
