As you grow and you’re pruned, the world crashes down around you defaulting to ash.
The dust of the ones you loved and thought loved you too, all scattered into miniscule fragments.
The after glow of day knowing you are destined to live the life of a phoenix. Whats always yours has always been, and will forever be.
Leave me to my thoughts, the ones you are mad when I express…the ones you cant control. The life you think you possess and the one I behold.
Those who watch the storms come…dare I beg you, pray them away?
And whats wrong with chasing waterfalls? The rivers and lakes I know are drying up like fadded memories and things I love to forget. Hate to remember you and the summers we fell in aubile laughter created in love.
I bring you greetings from the hyperbolic death bed of a conspiracy theorist; here is my eulogy.
I saw a tweet from Yoko Ono, wishing Paul McCartney a Happy Birthday. As tradition would have it, I quoted the tweet and added a “Paul is Dead” for good measure. As I scrolled the comments to see who had done the same, I was disappointed. No one had mentioned Paul’s very non existent death, a theory as old as the Beatles themselves. What a fucking world”, I thought to myself…”or am I just old?” The state of the current free world (pun intended) is in upheaval. Anarchy of sorts is upon us and many are excited or scared to death of: the pandemic, the importance of Black lives, killer hornets, the return of sports, a president and his twitter account as my list could continue on and on. What I am NOT seeing is a bunch of the conspiracy theorist in record numbers. Where are the people who believe this is all a government cover up to bring on the new world order? Where are the breakdowns about the book of Revelation and mark of the beast? Where are the urban legends about the loc ness monster in the chlamydia infested artic ocean? In my Lestat voice “come out come out, wherever you are.” Lets make modern philosophy and cynicism great again.
Greetings, ye quarantined! If you are reading this blog post, you are lucky enough to fall into the category of the living. That sentiment alone should be enough to make you want to thank the most high God for another chance at life. With COVID-19 running through the hyperbolic streets of planet earth, we’ve been forced to take a moment and get the hell away from each other. Literally. Some of you have been sent to work from home, others carrying on their day to day work life in the trenches. Others have been laid off completely. Some are currently sick and quarantined, others are praying they arent sick and trying to keep others safe. Regardless of where you fall, I want to extend to you a hand of hope.
In my short lifetime, I have not experienced a pandemic that effected me directly. I have seen mass tragedy in media alone, and sent prayers for others in time of sickness and war. Nevertheless, this coronavirus has forced each of us to examine the life we are currently living. This is not just a virus that affects the poor or the “third world country”…this is for us all to endure. Our belief systems may differ all over the globe, but I encourage you to look deep within and find that glimmer of hope. This is a time where we can each do our part to keep each other as safe as possible and try to beat this thing. Wash your hands. Stay home if you can. Call an empath and lend an ear, because they are carrying the world in their hearts. Get social on social media. Join a mediation line.
I know we were expecting the zombies to come, but take heart. They will not let us down. But on a serious note, I’m praying for our world. Let’s take care of each other. We shall overcome. We always do. Love, light and blessings.
When walking after the flesh, you will constantly find all to be vanity…most done in chaos and indecency. All for naught. Nothing. At all.
I briefly found myself searching for happiness in food and drink. What soda, what beer will quench my thirst? What food can fill me to the brim of satisfaction? Which pretty girl will kiss my fears and hide my shame? How much money do I need to ease my families burdens and send me to unknown land for my magic feet? Where are the Joneses and what are we in competition for this week?
What happened in the news to make us weak? What holiday approaches so we can momentarily ignore the sorrowful time warp we call life? Who would you be if drugs had devoured you?
Summers here and the time is right for dancing in the street…with a book of some kind. Like a kid in a candy store, I got excited looking at new releases for this summer and the upcoming fall. My email has been one ongoing notification signal after another with: good reads reviews, e books, local library updates, audio book subscriptions etc. Needless to say I’m drowning in more literature than I can keep up with…and I couldn’t be happier! Allow me to share what I’m reading currently and I hope you will do the same.
“Buck: A Memoir” by MK Asante
Asante was actually a professor at Morgan State University when I was studying some years ago. I never got to take any of his classes, but we spoke a few times. I was told that his lectures were all the rave due to his love of the Hip Hop culture and views on the world as we connect to it. “Buck” is his autobiography, growing up the mean streets of Philadelphia and overcoming adversity to become a filmmaker, writer, emcee, and professor to name a few. I JUST snagged this hard copy and will dive in head first soon.
“Brief Answers to the Big Questions” by Stephen Hawking
I just finished this read a few days ago and got damnit am I thankful for the mind of Mr. Hawking. I know nothing of cosmology, but this book gives us the short answer to the timeless questions that are unanswered today…according to Hawking of course. Do aliens exist? Should the human race try and relocate to another planet? Is God real? I absolutely LIVE for the existential moments in literature that feed my inner question mark. You are not alone science nerds. Come one, come all. You have friends here. Rest in Peace, Mr. Hawking.
“I Will Teach You To Be Rich” by Ramit Sethi
What is a summer reading list without a self help book? I think I’m half way through this, but there are some REALLY good tips for the financially challenged here. If we are ever going to get ahead, we have to stop running from our finances, crack a book, and take a hard look at our retirement options before it’s too late. Sethi offers readers the play by play on choosing banks, investment options, and automation to make money work for you. This book is a quick read, I recommend it to anyone.
“Music Theory: From Absolute Beginner to Expert” by Nicolas Carter
I play entirely too many fucking instruments to know nothing about theory. I guess it’s time to crack a book on it, eh? I have this in audio book form and it’s only bout 2 hours long. I’m hoping to get some insight.
Well, that’s my list of current reads for now. I’m hoping to add some fiction to the list soon. What books have your hands occupied this Summer? Follow me on Twitter @Dropajewel and let me know your thoughts. #doitnow
Apple may be getting rid of iTunes, according to the Rolling Stone article below. My thoughts? ITunes, along with any other apple program I’ve ever tried to run, has crashed every computer I’ve ever had…especially among various radio stations in the Mid Atlantic region. *sigh* Good times…the end of an era indeed. See you on the other side of the Jordan, iTunes.
The year is 2019, and we do not yet have access to flying cars. On the bright side, I am pleased to announce that technology is still moving right along in its respective industries. Check out what Nike is into in the article below.
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
![Not Another Summer Reading List [2019]](https://dropajewel.files.wordpress.com/2019/08/20190802_230340.jpg?w=570&h=510&crop=1)
![[Interview] Catching up with Soul Singer Amahni Philly](https://dropajewel.files.wordpress.com/2018/08/20180805_145630198755282.jpg?w=706&h=510&crop=1)
DropaJewel, because someone has to 