Sen. Barack Obama has called for a national discussion on race in America , and one of the folks who sure didn't hold back when asked was Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice.

In a discussion with the editorial board of the Washington Times on Thursday, Rice called racism a "birth defect" of America , and said that black Americans have loved the nation even when it didn't love us.

The Times reported:

"Black Americans were a founding population," she said. "Africans and Europeans came here and founded this country together - Europeans by choice and Africans in chains. That's not a very pretty reality of our founding."
 
"As a result, Miss Rice told editors and reporters at The Washington Times, "descendants of slaves did not get much of a head start, and I think you continue to see some of the effects of that."


"That particular birth defect makes it hard for us to confront it, hard for us to talk about it, and hard for us to realize that it has continuing relevance for who we are today," she said.

Rice later said: " America doesn't have an easy time dealing with race," Miss Rice said, adding that members of her family have "endured terrible humiliations."
 
"What I would like understood as a black American is that black Americans loved and had faith in this country even when this country didn't love and have faith in them - and that's our legacy," she said.

Wow, was all I could say to that.

What was even more stunning was the relative lack of coverage on this issue.
I was told CNN's "The Situation Room" did a piece on her comments Friday.   But when I surfed the Net to see follow-up stories in other papers, it has pretty much been ignored, except for some briefs.

Why would the mainstream media be so dismissive of Rice's comments? Imagine if Rev. Al Sharpton or Rev. Jesse Jackson Sr. said such a thing. Do you think they would have gotten ripped?

The fact of the matter is that Rice was right on the money with her comments, and should be commended. She spoke honestly and openly about the issue, and deserves credit for speaking the truth.

I just wish my colleagues in the media would do a better job at advancing the issue of race in America and our sordid history.

We went bonkers about the Rev. Jeremiah Wright, but when Rice, the nation's chief diplomat, spoke truthfully, it barely made a ripple.

- Roland S. Martin, CNN Contributor
www.rolandsmartin.com

Calling all producers, DJ's in Hip Hop, R&B, Soul, Bass, House, Club!

Indigo Blue Music wants you to try your hand at  remixing Rt!'s first single Hands 2 Myself from his upcoming album due Summer 2008.  Submit all remixes to hands2myselfremix@gmail.com (include bio, photo and website/myspace with each entry).  The original mix is by accomplished HipHop producer Needlz, the 2^nd is by Internationally known DJ Charles Feelgood, another by Washington DC's up and coming Trakslaya, and yet another by Soul Music's  burgeoning producer of choice Twizz from Los Angeles.  All mixes will be posted and voted for throughout the cyber world.  Great exposure, great press and all in the spirit of making good music.  The highest rated remix will find itself performed live and even on the album.  So get it poppin'!

Go to www.myspace.com/russelltaylor and download the a capella of  "hands2myself" and do your magic.

The Deadline is June 20, 2008.

DC at the historically black owned Bohemian Caverns was DOPE. I had a great time.  The band with Kim, Z, Boobie, Dre King, Quincy Phillips and Dennis on bass, was killing. It's a wonderful feeling to do what you love.
I also got a shout out for the first single on www.soulbounce.com.  Check me out.
I am blogging more, so..I'll be back with some serious thoughts...I got two pending.
Rt!

My faith in music is undying...but my faith in people in the music BUSINESS is wavering...dangerously. I know the Laws of Attraction and all say that you bring to yourself of what you speak...which leaves little or no room for negativity. But what do you do when there are promoters faulting on artist fees and blaming it on the artist to save face; when there are "facilitators" talking smack on one end and grinning like a Cheshire cat at the flip of a coin? What can you do when you are really in this business to make an honest living by doing what you passionately LOVE...and it’s soiled by foolishness? How can you not say...all y’all crazy folks just kiss my natural black...well...yellow ass! Some how, that probably does not fall into the Laws of Attraction. HAHAHAHA.
Every once in a while, I come across some really good people that do really good things for what they love, and it reminds me of why I fell in love with Music.
I had just flown in from London to NYC then NYC to Houston then Houston to Dallas (it was MUCH cheaper that way--sacrifice convenience for the love). And when I arrived in Dallas en route to SXSW 2008, I was exahausted in mind, body and spirit. But, I had a rehearsal with the support singers before dinner (so I would not catch the -itis and pass out). When they got to my spot, I was exhausted at the thought of having to teach the entire set ALL OVER AGAIN. Just so you know...playing different cities without your own band is so far from glamorous...it is WORK. Though, the gigs are blessings and I am grateful...so keep them coming (y’all know I like to talk). Anyway, so from the first moment they opened their mouths...I was like...OMG...y’all not only know the music, but y’all are KILLING IT. I was floored. They were amazing. So, we ran through the set, and then ended up singing longer ..just because it sounded so good and we were having fun. I felt like a kid...nevermind I hadn’t slept nor eaten much. It did not matter because I was smitten again.
The next day we all set out for the 3 hour drive to SXSW in Austin, TX. I had spent the entire evening passing out flyers (shout out BHen) and talking up the show. The next day, I did the same, including a TV interview (shout out Mr. Blakes) and an hour long radio interview at a local station (shout out Hot Pepper), then back to passing out more flyers and watching my fellow artists perform (Renee Sebastion, Maya Azucena, Bavu Blakes, Melissa Young and more). The artists were great and really gave their 100%, but the night within the SXSW context overall had some disappointments. Needless to say, we (the singers and I) got on stage and played with a band with which I DID NOT REHEARSE and we rocked the joint for the love of MUSIC anyway. The vibe on stage was so right, it could not have been stopped. It was spiritual and it was so much fun regardless of what was going on off the stage. Afterward, the singers from Dallas (Van, Harmonie & Junye) said to me how grateful they were to have shared the stage with me, and how it was an honor to sing with me. They took the time to learn my music, to rehearse, to drive 3 hours, to perform amidst not so wonderful conditions, and they considered it an honor to sing with me? HELL..the honor was all mine. See, right then, I was reminded AGAIN of why I love music so much, and performing. They did it on love, on respect, on the excercise of using the gifts given to them and sharing it with me and everyone listening. That was the message given to me that night...and it kinda’ soothed away the fact that I wanted to crack a couple of heads. LOL.
Seriously though, when these damn folks in this business get to acting ridiculous, remind yourself of this (and remind me too if I ever seem to need it) ...a very good singer friend of mine shared this sage advice with me the other night...let me paraphrase: God has given you a gift of music. it is your responsiblity and right to share it. He will protect you in your sharing as you do it from you heart and soul. All things that are not of Him, that threaten to hinder or sabotage you, will wither and die in your path.
And you know thats right.
Let the crowd say AI’IGHT.
Now let us get back to the music.
Enjoy the new single.
Peace,
Rt!

 Check me out at:  http://rtsoulthoughts.blogspot.com/

Listening to Ledisi's Sentimental Mood. Damn if that girl can't sing her face off.
I vowed that I would start to blog more often. I try to kid myself and say that I'll do it so folks can get in to my head, but its more so I can get OUT of my own head. ?. The things we tell ourselves to make the medicine go down easier…hey I am human.
So, I am on the train on my way to the WOULD BE rehearsal in Baltimore for the show that almost happened B. McKnight with Joe at the Lyric. There are so many other sides to this business that no matter how hard you try, it is impossible to prepare for; crazy promoters, stressed middlemen, demanding artists, and then there is me…willing to do whatever I need to do to make it happen. Push the CD at all costs. It is called GRINDING. And I ain't afraid of grinding. But there is a wise seasoned artist, crazy in her own artistic way, God bless her, that told me in Miami in February: "Baby, these promoters treat you how you let them. You give them bargain basement prices, because you want the gig, they will treat you bargain basement-ly". All I could say is, "I know that's right." As I type this, I have let it go. There is a reason and a lesson in this. I don't need to learn it again. So, as I look out of the train window, reminiscing on how far I have come, and how far I have left to go, I search for the middle ground where I can command respect for myself and my artistry, push my project and not settle for less than I deserve. I think that I need to go back to school to learn some of the skills of the magnificent trapeze artist, because it requires the same amount of precision and balance. Ok, I am being a bit dramatic but you get my point.
Performance is my first love. Creating art with reckless abandon, channeling my inner voice, allowing my imagination to go out to play--they all make me feel valid and productive. I yearn for getting back to that place really soon. I will be recording again next month, and that is when the administrative stuff will take the backseat again.
Alas, I am in a sentimental mood, anxious to play with my imagination, and leave those grumpy promoters, reporters, musicians, bookers, managers, handlers, to themselves..LOL
Be blessed, remain grateful and find your passion.
Xo,
Rt!

CrossroadsSomewhere In Between in practice:

In February, I had my only car accident and in essence I had my mortality handed to me on a buffet platter.  I was driving late night back to Washington DC to NYC and I ran into a snow storm.  My truck hydroplaned, and I loss control of the wheel.  After flipping 3 times and landing in the ditch upside down, I some how managed to get out of the truck and went to look for my dog. He had been thrown out of one of the broken windows/windshield.  The only injuries that I suffered: a busted shoulder and some cuts and bruises.  But my dog was killed.  MAN.that sucked.

In an instant, I was faced with my own mortality, the loss of life that I held close to my heart.  During my recovery, I had to search my mind for some sort of resolution of the whole situation.

Life is delicate and is neither owned nor promised-- no matter how trite it sounds.  Every moment counts for SO much.  Times spent with loved ones cannot be taken for granted.  Lifes beautiful moments and quiet times cannot be taken for granted.  Enjoy and savor every momentand even greater, push toward your passion, and if you dont know what your passion is, do the work and get to it.  Go after your passion in every aspect: Love, career, life, spirit.  If I had been injured in that accident to the degree that I would not be able to sing, or act or use my body as a tool to create art. I would be miserable.  Prior to the accident, I spent so much time worrying about making mistakes or being criticized (ne judged). Please listen to the lyrics of somewhere in between.

I had to let go and allow God to move in my life.  And I did, and I have been receiving blessings ever sinceeven the pitfalls have been great. 

Through it all, I appreciate my Mom and Dad, siblings, good friends, my baby, music, NYC, LA, and being financially challengedall of it.  I still miss my best friend: My dog JZ, but you know it would all be in vain if I didnt allow myself to be moved to the next spiritual place.  Appropriating what India.Arie said on this last completely off the dag-gone hook record:  I WANT TO LIVE.I hope everyone that visits my page will LIVE too.  I know I will.  J

Wanna' be in my MUSIC VIDEO?

Hey Family:

So, I am shooting my very first music video after encouragement from my musical peers.  We are shooting Friday, August 25th 2006 beginning at 9am in Brooklyn.  We invite everyone interested to participate:  for more information please submit pictures and/or questions to:  video4rt@gmail.com. 

Peace y'all,

Rt