Tag: Music

I Ain’t Got Nuttin But Love For Ya, Baby!

Published on by Roshonda B3 Comments

That was one of my favorite songs by the late, Heavy D. In which the Five Heartbeats way before Heavy D took it over, had their twist and spin to it. However; both renditions are EPIC to say the least.

  • Image credit: Bing ( Heavy D & The Boyz)
  • Image credit: Bing (The Five Heartbeats Movie)

There’s a song we used to sing in church a LONGGGGG time ago, while we were marching around to put our offering in the collection plate at the front of the church and it was a song entitled “Give and I’ll Give it Back to You” – The song went a little something like this…

“Give and I’ll give it back to you / Give and I’ll give it back to you / Give and I’ll give it back to you / Pressed Down / Shaken Together, Running Over/ Back in Good measure / I’ll give it back to you.”

I used to love that song, I don’t know who the original writer was or is, but it was a nice song that indicated, what we put in the collection plate, would be given back to us 100-fold. I said all of that to say, in life – it’s good to give back when someone has given something to you. Or at least in my mind that’s how the world’s supposed to work.

I have never been the type of person to allow someone to do something for me and not repay them back. It may have not always been in monetary form, but small gestures of kindness go a long way.

Well, since today is the last day of February – I know, I can’t believe it either!! I thought I’d share an act of LOVE for a couple of bloggers whom either followed me recently or went through and seemingly liked everyone of the previous posts I created. It truly made my day and week most days. While I have gone through and showed love back to them by either “reading” and liking their posts or becoming a follower. I thought I’d be cool for you to get to know them as well as their engaging blogs.

So, in no random order – please go, read, visit AND perhaps give them a follow, if you’re not already. While LOVE is an act that should be shown EVERYDAY. Let’s close out this month by giving some of that love away, pressed down, shaken together, running over and back in good measure!

For all the bloggers that have checked out, liked, viewed and or followed me within the last month or two. I just want you to know that I Ain’t got nothing but LOVE for ya! Thanks for your support, comments and the follow. I really do appreciate it and YOU!

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EnSpired: From The Car to The Red Carpet: It’s Ryan Coogler, Director of Black Panther

Published on by Roshonda B4 Comments

photo above courtesy of bing

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Okay, so unless you’ve been M.I.A for the past month, don’t have a television or just don’t go to the movies – AT ALL! then maybe you weren’t aware of a movie called “Black Panther” in which grossed more than 240 million dollars (US) and over 400 million worldwide in it’s opening weekend of (February 16, 2018); which is the highest grossing opening of all time, according to Vanity Fair. Can somebody say WOW!!! and I don’t even think that’s a good word to describe the magnitude of this  moment.

At the helm of such success is none other than 31 yr old  film director, Ryan Coogler. However; this is not Coogler’s first acclaimed film – he also directed and wrote Fruitvale Station, starring Michael B. Jordan and Creed, in which again starred Michael B. Jordan and Sylvester Stallone in which gained much notoriety for Coogler.

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Creed (2015) & Fruitvale Station (2013) – Directed by Ryan Coogler

So, as you can see – Coogler is no stranger to the film world; although this may be your first time hearing of him. Out of both films, Black Panther leads the pack and has taken Coogler from being sought as just acclaimed director to being put up in the ranks with such likes as Steven Spielberg. According to CNBC, when Coogler was a kid, he received his first comic book in which was “Black Panther” – fascinated by the fact that there were comic books that contained African Americans, this sparked something in Coogler – BUT, film-making was not on his to do list – football was.

When the football program got cancelled at his college (Saint Mary’s), Coogler transferred to Sacramento State with the intent to play football, but got whiff of a film school at the University of Southern California – Los Angeles by a professor:

“It was either go there or play wide receiver. “I was short, my prospects weren’t the highest, so I jumped off that cliff and drove to L.A.”

A major jump that lead him to live out of his car during his first semester at USC – however; that didn’t bother Coogler, whom used that “gray” time as motivation to create a series of short films, one in which included a film entitled “Fig” which chronicled the life of a prostitute trying to bring positive change to her life all while raising a child on her own. 

“That film is from deep research, I spent Christmas break on the streets and got a lot of stories. I never want to shy away from the truth.”

In creating his third film and with a budget of $200 million, Coogler was determined to bring a black super hero to the big screen and that he did. The little boy whom questioned if there were any black people represented in comic books, has now opened up the doors for many young African american boys and girls to see themselves in print and on the big screen as heroes and she-ro’s. Thanks Ryan Coogler, for being persistent and paving the way!!

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Stars of Black Panther (Bing) – from left, Chadwick Boseman; Danai Gurira; Lupita Nyong’o; Michael B. Jordan  

Move over Hollywood, Ryan Coogler is here to Stay!

 

Roshonda N. Blackmon – Creator of A Blog, A Magazine. It’s JustsumInspiration, Author, Speaker & Encourager

Snoop D.O.G.G is Taking it to Church in New Gospel Single “Words Are Few”

Published on by Roshonda BLeave a comment

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So, just in case you read the title wrong….YES! Snoop Dogg, whose real name is Calvin Broadus, the godfather of funk and rap is coming out with a new gospel album and it’s been “mom” approved!

Like you, I probably would have never imagined Snoop Dogg ever coming out with a gospel album as all I’ve ever known him for was dope (not literally) lyrics and funky, get your groove on beats…..Well, mama did say that God can use anybody and Snoop Dogg is no different. Over the years there’s been quite a bit of controversy in “gospel-dom” (for lack of a better word) when a secular artist merge into the gospel neighborhood and it’s even more of a crime when a gospel artist decides to do music with “secular” artists. I mean, didn’t God come into the world to save everybody??? I’m just saying…

But sometimes the Christians feel as though, they are the only ones going to heaven and if a secular artist crosses over – they get a lot of dirty looks, especially if a christian artist decides to work with them. Let’s face it, God gave us all talents and while some may have went a different road with theirs, it doesn’t mean that God loves them any less or won’t accept them – I mean as Christians, we can be haters, unforgiving and un-accepting of others, especially if they’re “NOT LIKE US”. But I’m so glad God never was or will be that way. Can I get an AMEN!!

I have to admit, I actually loved the single “Words are Few” in which also features the artist B Slade (formerly known in the gospel world as Tonex). It’s a powerful song of redemption, forgiveness and “please don’t judge me” – I’m still a work in progress, so move on. Go ahead Snoop, I’m listening!

According to media site Uproxx the rapper will be promoting the album via a reality show entitled “True G The Gospel of Snoop” the show will air on The Impact Network, in which had this to say about Snoop’s upcoming reality series:

See Snoop Dogg on his journey as a husband, father and community caretaker. Go inside the album as he reveals his source of inspiration. Hear Snoop’s personal testimony and stories of God’s grace through his many trials and tribulations.

Snoop Dogg stated that he promised his mother Beverly Broadus-Green, who’s also an  ordained minister that he would do an inspirational album.

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Putting together a gospel album has “always been on my heart” and no time feels better than the present. Snoop Dogg

And Mrs. Green gave her son the thumbs up on his decision; the rapper shared his text and her response on Instagram in which you can see here.

If the other songs on the album sound as good as his first single, Snoop may very well be on his way of winning over the Christians as well. *Maybe*

Listen to “Words are Few” below and let me know what you think in the comments!!

 

Roshonda N. Blackmon – Creator of JustsumInspiration, Author, Speaker & Encourager

Let’s Live Well, Laugh Loud & Love Hard!