Good Morning All!
I cannot believe how the heavens have opened up this week! I am solar-powered so my productivity runneth a bit low but I'm feeling good, feeling great...feeling great, feeling good, how are you?
Today marks the 9th anniversary of R&B singer Aaliyah's passing. Although I never proclaimed myself a huge fan in the 90s, I really did follow her career through the years and I've continued to celebrate her life and music as I've gotten older. She seemed to be somewhat of a quiet storm, one who blazed trails without having to craft a life made perfectly for PR campaigns. I wonder how she would have dealt with the overly-exposed pop world of today. I venture to say she would have been the youth's Sade, one who dips in and out of the spotlight but always does it with grace.
Aaliyah was one of the first artists of the 90s generation to endorse a brand (Tommy Hilfiger) and move into film. When I listen to her music, I realize just how ahead of her time she was. She may not have had the best voice or the hottest track out, but she had a strong presence in the industry and a voice that continues to be heard. Aaliyah's influence can be seen mostly in Rihanna and Ciara's styles, although I'm no longer impressed with their overall imaging now that they are huge celebrities.
It's interesting to witness how the lives of Aaliyah, Brandy, and Monica panned out. All of them are/were normal girls who just had extraordinary talent. I never knew all I wanted to know about them but as their lives have played out, we've seen the humanity in them - the growth, the heartbreak, the family ties or woes, the transitions, etc. In this day and age of music, the artists are so different. Everything is for show. Nothing is sacred. (Although I love Beyonce, I kinda wanna see her make a mistake. Even just a small one, just to show us that she's not a robot.)
In different ways, Aaliyah, Brandy, and Monica were my r&b heroes. Although Brandy was my ultimate #1 because she was the brown-skinned Cover Girl, I was pretty obsessed with Aaliyah's style; I never understood how she could be so cool ALL the time. I also loved the way she handled herself around the Super Friends - Ginuwine, Missy, Timbaland, & Playa.
Now that Aaliyah has transitioned, I am very happy that she was not around to be a part of the R. Kelly scandals. That would have been the worst. But I am most thankful that her music was pure and she seemed to really love the artistry, as opposed to the exposure. It was very nice to have an around the way girl just dancing and singing because it was a passion.
It'd be nice to see that again but we may never witness that kind of authenticity in pop culture again. Aaliyah is one in a million!
Thursday, September 2, 2010
The ‘Reynold’s Wrap’ Chronicles of Kris – 08.17.10
Good Morning Peeps!
How are you? I have so much to discuss with you, so don't be surprised if you receive multiple messages from me like rapid fire. As of last Friday, my show has closed up shop. We produced 91 really great shows that hopefully some of you got a chance to watch and if not, go to bet.com/thedeal. Message. ;)
A few months ago I shared that I had received a few opportunities simultaneously during this show's season. I felt like the universe was asking me if I was happy - after declaring to a friend days before that I wasn't, that I felt everything was all over the place. Well everything happens right on time. I needed that kind of jolt, that moment of reflection, because alot of times we're wishing and planning for the future so much that we don't STOP to take a look at all that we do have. It took the opportunity to weigh other scenarios that I realized I was content right where I was; that my contributions were valued, that I was growing more comfortable and confident, and that I was where I belonged in that moment...
The decision to remain still was one of the best decisions I made all year. I received plenty of confirmations that I made the right choice for myself, considering I've walked away with tons of experience, confidence, and even a few mentors. So as this show closes its doors, I am thankful I walked out with it as opposed to jumping out of the window prematurely. Sometimes it takes weighing situations to appreciate them.
So, although it's really annoying for people to ask 'well, what are you doing next,' that is the question I am faced with now. But in the meantime, I'm happily occupied with independent projects and JazziDreamer business that should fill up my schedule for the next week or so. Reading scripts, writing, taking meetings. This is what the freelance life requires. :) I refuse to ho-hum it because there's so much to be done...now I just have to figure out how to manage this time. If you know me, you know that I've become not that great at budgeting my time. I'm not sure when that happened but I'm working on it.
Sometimes writing to you helps me find the rhythm for the day. But alas, I have another topic to dive into. See ya in a few minutes! And check out my writing/production reel on http://www.vimeo.com/13940419. Updates are coming this week to www.kristenvcarter.comAND my web series Sellout is on its way before September's out. I can't release the date yet but AJAJAJA!
Love you all,
Kristen Victoria
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