Wordless Wednesday: Black Girl Magic

 

Barbie

 

Elusive Butterfly

Happy Friday, my friends. I found something perfect for the upcoming Valentine's Day. Here is the beautiful and talented Diahann Carroll signing Elusive Butterfly.

 

Here are a few screenshots I got from the video. 

Now, I need to get a dress in that color; and, I love the pink lipstick too. 

Five on the Black Hand Side

Happy February, my friends. Happy Black History Month and Happy Love month. For me every day is Black History! 

I have heard of Five On The Black Hand Side (1973) for years but never saw it. I happened to turn on the grio channel and got to watch it. Some sweet soul uploaded on you tube in it's entirely which is why I am able to share it with all of you.  

 Mrs. Brooks played by the wonderful Clarice Taylor, who most people know as the grandmother from the Cosby Show, is tired of her chavunistic husband. The day before her daughter's wedding day, she decides to take a stand for her own happiness.

 It has a lot of familiar faces including Ja'Net Dubois, from Good Times, and Glynn Turman. It is a story about family and self liberation. A snapshot of the 70's with all its Black is Beautiful theme, embracing African heritage and generational clashes that resonates still today. I love to see someone redo the film. I enjoyed Five on the Black Hand Side. If you are interested, please watch it. You will not be disappointed. 

Manifest Monday: Keep growing and keep learning

Wisdom from The man himself! The Incomparable Denzel Washington.

via GIPHY

The Great Nina Simone

I got turned on to Nina Simone when I saw the american remake of La Femme Nikita, The Point of No Return, starring Bridget Fonda in 1993. Nina Simone's music was all over the movie. As soon as I heard that rich voice, I was hooked. One of the greatest things about Nina for me personally, that my beloved Uncle Charlie loved her too. It was another great thing that bonded us together. Another good movie that used Nina's songs that stands out for me is the 1999 version of the Thomas Crown Affair, that I personally adore.



Nina Simone was proud to be a Black woman. Her lyrics wrote about our struggle, strength and beauty that woman of African descent from all over the diaspora share. I, personally, have found solace and freedom in her music. If you don't know Nina Simone, well I'm about to rectify this. There is a great documentary called What Happened, Miss Simone. Please watch that know about this amazing and complex woman.



Four Women written by Nina Simone is a classic now. It has be redone by many singers. I always had the dream of staging the song as a one act play. One of those ideas floating around in my brain, that I know one day I do. The song takes you on a journey. So stop what you are doing and just listen.

Enjoy!

Lizzo - Good as Hell

Happy Monday. Good as Hell was my jam this Summer. Lizzo,this voluptous sistah, from Minnesota has a great style and chops.

Good as Hell is something you can play when you need to feel good about yourself or tired of your relationship. It's a feel good song. Enjoy.

Diana Gordon - Woman

Happy Friday. In honor of Black History Month, I'll be sharing different artists that I like. Today, I'm sharing Diana Gordon.


An artist from New York, who I heard about a few years ago, under the name Wynter Gordon. She has a long history as a singer and songwriter. She recently co-wrote three songs from Beyonce's Lemonade. Her style ranges from Dance to funk to rock. She does it all.
This song is called Woman;It came out over the summer. It's a great song celebrating being a woman. Enjoy. Turn it up.

Lena Horne: If You Can Dream

This lady needs no introduction: Lena Horne singing If You Can Dream. Enjoy.