How quickly the year is coming to a close! Besides stuffing myself to my heart's content, Thanksgiving is also nice because it means Christmas is right around the corner. I can't believe I haven't seen my mama in a year. It'll be wonderful to return to her love, kisses & cooking.
Two more shows left.It's been a very difficult, but essential year in my development as an artist and as a person.
More on this later... I need to really reflect on it.
This Wednesday in NYC marks my return to
The Blackberry Soul, a series that got me my underground start in the scene.
Mental Supreme, the MC who has maintained his weekly Hip-Hop/R&B Open Mic for an unheard-of five years, has invited me back to showcase & compete against 12 of New York's latest up and coming R&B/Soul Singers. Even after hittin' big and touring with Snoop Dogg this year, we still stay in great contact. Real street fam, right there.
At these kind of showcases, there's always some fantastic surprises. I can always count on at least one or two singers to complete light the stage on fire... it keeps me on my toes! I am pretty excited to see who else is really killin' it on the R&B scene. (
This just in... an R&B group from GERMANY is coming to perform too. WeRD?!?!!)
Really refreshing talent in this genre has been dwindling lately... except, of course, my future wife Alicia Keys. Been listening to "
Like You'll Never See Me Again" on repeat. I'm comin' for you, darling.
Secondly, I'm hitting up Madison, WISCONSIN, of all places.
Flying out there Saturday morning. If it's 30-40 degrees here, I can only imagine how much more frigid it'll be up there. I wonder if mittens are better than gloves?
After that, the remainder of the year will be spent writing & recording for my next album. Translating all my hard times into good music.
Speaking of which, I recently forgot to bring a borrowed acoustic guitar (that I spent two hours asking around for) to a gig I had with Louis. I thought he grabbed it (& he thought I grabbed it.) There we were, 2 hours away from home, me with my keyboard, and Louis?
Vudoo: "Yo, do you have any other instruments in your trunk?"
Louis: (Uncovers a shaker.) "Yup. I'll harmonize too. Lover come Oooooovahhh!"
Vudoo: "..."
Louis: "Yeah... this is definitely a problem."
We ended up googling a music store nearby and bought a brand new one. Louis helped me purchase my first, very own acoustic guitar. An Ibanez Acoustic Electric. Sounds pretty nice for $250 (cheap, for a good acoustic.)
Now I can be like every other singer-songwriter and actually walk around while singing and playing my instrument. No one appreciates this mobility more than me, having carried my godzilla keyboards all over the contiguous United States.
So I'll be gettin' my guitar on like whoa in the bedroom. Just going to enjoy the process of learning and playing to the whim of my heart. Becoming proficient shall definitely increase my Vudoo Sexy Quotient. Watch out yo...