Chop and Quench delivered a message of global unity and  their horns sounded to praise, “man’s enhancement of life”. Words of inner-peace were delivered, as the drums beat in honor of “man learning to seek true happiness”.  “We are not meant to pay to live. God created a world where people should live for free,” he announced to The 1896 Studio and Stage. All the while, island flags waved and large plates of curry goat, plantains with rice and peas scented the venue.

Guinness kept the glasses flowing in preparation for headliner Gyptain. Bushwick could not contain itself once he and his long dreads swung across the spotlight. The tall, dark and handsome Gyptain did not sound the same live…he sounded even better. The Jamaican favorite “Hold Yuh” brought in great vibes.  Guinness really outdid themselves.  You don’t have to be in a stuffy venue, serving tiny hor d’evours to have a great time.  Caribbean folks know how to turn up.

Like all great things, Jhene Aiko is well worth the wait. The young woman opened B2K’s “Scream Tour” and sang on your favorite rapper Drake’s hook. For over 10 years, she’s been on the music scene and  sharing the spotlight. Finally, at 26 years young Jhene Aiko was given her moment with Island Def Jam.

All her star-studded collaborations and Billboard features were placed on hold. Her debut album” Souled Out” includes her heart, her story and only her vocals. After building a foundation to that caliber… no assistance was really necessary. Well, with the exception of Common’s enticing spoken word. “Souled Out” is a retro fused inspiration for the new generation. It pulls from your mother’s records and adds the bass from today’s urban influence. The album is pure and stellar artistry, dug up from deep within.

She is a  sapiosexual true to her craft. Jhene Aiko never compromises her sound or  message. She is on a mission and no amount of industry pressure has set her off course. Jhene Aiko has not altered her slim figure or chosen occult symbolism. She does not wear designer clothes but instead is beautifully wrapped in bohemian linens.  She walks on stage barefoot and resounds poetry.  Her lyrics are printed in all her releases and serve as comfort for those distressed. Only advanced minds are able to grasp her cryptic wording towards peace. Humility is not often placed in the limelight but she dares to be different.

“Souled Out” is for the free spirits and thinkers. The music is for the loyal women who’s hearts were torn in half by their Superman. It is music for the runts of the litter who’ve overcome. The “weird” kids.  Jhene Aiko has mastered the art of story-telling. Her simplistic communication is impactful but transcends. Meaningful music prevails and everything comes in it’s perfect timing. There was no selling out for the release of “Souled Out”.

Art is meant to disturb the comfortable and comfort the disturbed.

Photo: Official “Souled Out” Album Artwork

Lyrics

[Verse 1: Jhene Aiko]
Yes, this is all I have left in me
Said, she had just, self expressed
Herself to death, now nothing’s left
Nothingness
She finessed it
She the best
And I said, and I said
Pretty bird, and I said
Pretty bird, pretty bird, pretty bird, pretty bird
Sounds so pretty when you cry
Pretty bird, pretty bird, pretty bird, pretty bird
You’re so pretty, but why I never see you fly?
Pretty bird, pretty bird, pretty bird, pretty bird
Please don’t die, please don’t die
Pretty bird, pretty bird, I know your hurtin’
Well so am I, so am I
Pretty bird, pretty bird, pretty bird, pretty bird
Please don’t cry, you can fly
And there’s a blinding light inside of you
There’s a blinding light inside of you
And they can not deny you, they can not deny you
Pretty bird, pretty bird, pretty bird
Pretty bird, pretty bird, pretty bird, pretty bird
Please don’t die, please don’t die
Pretty bird, pretty bird, pretty bird, pretty bird
Please don’t die, please don’t die
Pretty bird, pretty bird, pretty bird, pretty bird
Pretty bird, pretty bird
Sounds so pretty, when you cry
Pretty bird, pretty bird I know your hurting, well so am I
Pretty bird, pretty bird, pretty bird
Pretty bird, pretty bird, pretty bird
Pretty bird, pretty bird, pretty bird
Please don’t die, please don’t cry
Pretty bird, pretty bird
We need your life, we need your life

[Verse 2: Common]
The city heard, the sounds of a pretty bird
Yelling from Slauson to 53rd
What happens if you holla and can’t be heard?
For the birds and the drama, I paint these words
They say through the pain is how we learn
You landed on the window of pain, simple and plain
It’s hard for you to fly in the rain
The way love goes is not the way that it came
Come fly, un-die, be born again
I’ve seen the strongest of them be torn from men
Ripped apart and get put back together
Them the ones with the most beautiful feathers
Lets, flock together, rock together, Nirvana
A birds persona to be free and honor
The sky, that’s when you really most high
Unafraid of the unknown and now we know why

[Verse 3: Jhene Aiko]
Pretty bird, pretty bird, pretty bird

Note: Fan Made Audio Video 

 

Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won’t feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It’s not just in some of us; it’s in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.

Author: Marianne Williamson

The world tries to conceptualize the “audacity” of modern women, as if women were supposed to forever walk this fine-instinctive line or stand watchfully behind. Society deems what is acceptable and fiercely limits a woman’s potential. We “respectfully” set her hurdle a little lower and request she leap a tad bit slower. Women consistently hate one another’s beauty and lust over the others’ possessions. Women belittle each others intellect and become filled with resentment. Well…this is a man’s world so my heart need not break from expectations. I can become anything I dream of, as long as I do not surpass your limitations.

Excerpt from “Flawless”

We teach girls to shrink themselves, to make themselves smaller.We say to girls, “You can have ambition but not too much. You should aim to be successful but not too successful otherwise you will threaten the man.” Because I am female I am expected to aspire to marriage. I am expected to make my life choices always keeping in mind that marriage is the most important. Now marriage can be a source of joy and love and mutual support. But why do we teach girls to aspire to marriage and we don’t teach boys the same? We raise girls to each other as competitors. Not for jobs or for accomplishments, which I think can be a good thing but for the attention of men. We teach girls that they cannot be sexual beings in the way that boys are. Feminist: the person who believes in the social, political and economic equality of the sexes.

By: Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie