Black Girls Be Winning Grammys

Did you watch the Grammys  last night? I didnt but I twatched it (watched it via the plethora of tweets).  I promise this will not be another post about Kelly’s dress, Frank’s singing (or lackthereof) or Katy’s boobs.

…. ok I will talk about Katy’s boobs for a quick moment.  Women have breasts.  Breasts of all shapes and sizes.  I just find it really interesting how people talk about boobs.  Folks really think they have the right to say when boobs should and should not be displayed and how and how much.  When they think it looks good or doesnt ruffle their sensibilities, they accept it.  But if someone is exposing themselves as they see fit and outsiders dont agree they have so much to say.  I have a lot to say about boobs but I’ll leave that for another post.

The Grammys that I was most interested in weren’t even being televised so I am very pleased to announce that Esperanza Spalding and Robert Glasper took home Grammys last night!  Esperanza won her second and third Grammys for Best Jazz Vocal Album (Radio Music Society) and Best Instrumental Accompanying Vocalists (“City of Roses”).  If you didnt know, she received her first Grammy in 2011 for Best New Artist beating out the Biebster.

And, in my humble opinion, one of the best albums of the year, Black Radio by Robert Glasper Experiment won Best R&B album.

But why is this so exciting to this broke lil Black girl who will not prosper not nary a bit by these awards? Well first off Esperanza is the latter day saint of New Age Naturals.

I mean just look at her! She is serving Diana Ross realness for the GAWDS! Photo Credit

She is a prodigy and her music is awesome.  I am glad that I get the opportunity to experience her artistry.

And oh Robert…

He’s the one in the middle. Yup. Photo Credit

First off, he’s my kinda fine (Remember that post? No? Refresh your memory here.).  Second awf, his album rocks! And third off, he lives for his team! He really crafted an album with all these people that he likes and respects.  That album is full of art and love and fun and that can be felt in every song.

But I am especially excited about these wins because one of my first few posts, Black Girls Be Listening to New Music and Getting Sentimental: Gregory Porter’s Be Good were about these artists which means that this Black Girl’s got taste!! Two out of the three artists in that post got Grammys last night and Gregory Porter… well…

Did my big teddy bear crooning boo Gregory Porter win? If so, he can celebrate in my bosom. If not, I'll console him… in my bosom.

— Jiggly Afro Puff (@MadameMonarch) February 11, 2013

So yeah… the biggest winner could be Gregory Porter.  Call me boo.

Cover Photo

Black Girls Be Listening to Music and Getting Sentimental: Gregory Porter’s Be Good

Thanks to the good algorithms over at Spotify I have been introduced to some amazing music lately.  It started with an inkling to check out Esperanza Spalding and see what all the fuss is about. And her latest album, Radio Society Music, is absolutely worth every decibel of hype thats been hyped.

(And do you see that fro?! What Im experiencing is what we can “Hair Envy”.

She won the Grammy for Best New Artist, beating out The Bieber, and I couldnt be happier.  Her music gave me exactly what I am looking for right now. Life, energy, inspiration, funkiness and truth.  I actually bought her album. Like paid for it, from iTunes, with my real American money.  If you know me, and even more so if you know my generation, you understand how big this is.

Then the algorithms at Spotify recommended Robert Glasper based on my Esperanza Spalding preference and Let Me Tell YOU!! The Robert Glasper Experiment’s Black Radio is the perfect blend of jazz and hip hop.

And the special guest appearances include Erykah Badu, Musiq Soulchild, Chrisette Michelle, Ledisi, Lupe…yes on one album.  And his version of Sade’s “Cherish the Day” featuring Lalah Hathaway is sublime and stays on repeat in my head.  Not to mention that the album soundtracks my entire 75 minute commute from the door of my job to the door of my house. It’s almost like it was made just for me. 🙂

So unable to believe my good musical fortune I return to the genies at Spotify for my third blessing, and a blessing it was.  I see this Gregory Porter character suggested based on Robert Glasper and I dont know why but I decided to give him a try.  And I sat and listened unable to hit skip once.

But the title song, Be Good, literally haunted me. With lyrics like “I trim my lion’s claws and cut my mane and I would if I could but that woman treats me the same” and “She said lions are made for cages, just to look at in delight. Dare not let them walk around cuz they might just bite” I started to overstand.  This is a song about loving someone but they are scared of you. Your power, your strength, your truth, your light. And you want to change so bad so that they wont be afraid, but you cant.  You are who you are and you cant help it.

I’ve been there, ready and wishing I could dim my star so that someone could hold me without their own insecurities getting in the way.  I’ve cut my mane and I’ve trimmed my claws but I’ve always had teeth, teeth I cant hide no matter how hard I smile.

But Im learning that anyone that  can only handle you when you are less than yourself does NOT deserve you.  In fact, if they want you to cower and make yourself small so that they can feel comfortable, dont walk, RUN, away.  The right person will not only accept you but push you to be the best person you can be, even if that person scares them a little bit.

Have you discovered any great music lately? Let me know!