Tuesday, January 21, 2014
Wednesday, January 15, 2014
New Issue #V of Responsible ARTistry Magazine (now available)
Check out Issue V of Responsible ARTistry Magazine
Celebrating Nelson Mandela & Black History
Here is the Magazine Link:
#ResponsibleARTistry
Next R.A.c. Project: J-Dilla InSpired
Any ARTists interested in collaborating please reach out here or send an email to (ResponsibleARTistry@gmail.com) and Subject Line is: J-Dilla InSpired.
Tuesday, January 7, 2014
“The Gift It Looks Good On You!”
2014 Inspiration:
“The Gift It Looks Good On You!”
Song by Donald Lawrence
Written By: Heather Jones
With 2014 already here and in full swing many people have started New Year’s resolutions of weight loss, increased finances, better jobs, and many more. As I enjoyed a night at home with friends and family for New Year’s Eve I got the opportunity to smile in knowing that I may not be where I want to be but I’m still blessed. Blessed to see my son’s smile everyday (even through the whines and tantrums), blessed to wake up and go to a job to support my family (hard work and faith will get you through), and blessed to be a blessing (even if my finances are not where I want them to be I can still bless others through time and support).
One day, on a bonding ride with my mother, a song came on the radio that said in the chorus:
“The gift it looks good on you
It looks good on you
The gift it looks good
And you wear it well
God has graced you and you wear it well.”
My mother’s speakers went from elevator music to full fledge concert. We were in the car jamming and having fun. But it wasn’t just the music that made our spirits and bodies happy, it was the message. Knowing that no matter where you are or what you are doing as long as you are following God’s word and will, you will make it through. He has given you a gift tailor made just for you: One that only you can fit into, only your faith can afford, and only your journey can unlock.
What I am saying is be excited to be improved this year and strive for better, but don’t base your resolution off of what you have seen through someone else’s gift. Your gift and journey will be different. But remember “The Gift (Your Gift) Looks Good On You!” Go after what God has called you to do and your year will be bigger and better than any resolution you could have imagined.
ARTicle written by Heather Jones.
Jones is a freelance writer and marketing specialist who explores the cultural impact of music, arts, fashion, and religion. She says, "Adele was one of the first artist I ever did an album review for. The passion and fire that I felt while listening to the album and writing gave me confirmation that this is what I should be doing. " She is a very artistic and open minded person who tries to better herself and others through the transparency of her writing. As a student at UNC Charlotte she received a degree in marketing and gained the skills needed to understand the value of quality in research. There is much ahead for Jones and only God, time, and life's journey can dictate the path.
Thursday, December 19, 2013
Responsible ARTistry Business Recognition
Responsible Artistry Magazine has been selected for the 2013 Best of Saint Helena Island Awards for Media. The Saint Helena Island Award Program is an annual awards program honoring the achievements and accomplishments of local businesses throughout the Saint Helena Island area. Recognition is given to those companies that have shown the ability to use their best practices and implemented programs to generate competitive advantages and long-term value.Each year, the Saint Helena Island Award Program identifies companies that we believe have achieved exceptional marketing success in their local community and business category. These are local companies that enhance the positive image of small business through service to their customers and our community. These exceptional companies help make the
Saint Helena Island area a great place to live, work and play.
Monday, December 2, 2013
Essence Magazine Launches Filmmaking Contest to Improve Portrayal of Black Women
Essence Magazine Filmmaking Contest. (Courtesy Image)
This year, we're excited to discover a fresh new voice to welcome into our Black Women in Hollywood family. That's why we're launching a short film contest seeking visions of Black women that are multidimensional, ones that are different from the stereotypical and often negative images that respondents in a recent, ground-breaking ESSENCE study told us don't truly reflect the totality of who they are.
Filmmaker Challenge: Write and direct an original short film, no more than 20 minutes long, that presents an image of a Black woman in a unique, refreshing way.
Video Specs: 3GB Max. File Size; File Types: .mp4 or .webm
Deadline for submissions: December 5, 2013
One winner, selected by a panel of ESSENCE editors and industry tastemakers, will be honored in the company of A-listers at our 7th annual Black Women in Hollywood luncheon on February 27, 2014. Past honorees at this elite, Oscar-week event have included Oprah Winfrey, Halle Berry, Shonda Rhimes, Viola Davis, Suzanne de Passe, Kerry Washington, Cicely Tyson and more. The winning film will also be featured on ESSENCE.com, with a portion played at the Black Women in Hollywood luncheon.
For More Details Visit the Official Site http://www.essence.com/shortfilmcontest
Tuesday, November 26, 2013
Lyrical Food For Mind Consumption from the AMA's
IMAGE COURTESY OF GREG NISSEN
Macklemore and Ryan Lewis picked up two prizes at the American Music Awards last night, for Favorite Artist and Favorite Album in the Rap/Hip-Hop categories. And while Stevie Wonder has pledged to stop performing in Florida and other Stand Your Ground states, the two men were in Florida yesterday, and decided to use the confluence of geography and a platform to make a different kind of statement about the same issue.
“Due to the fact that we are in Florida tonight accepting this award I want to acknowledge Trayvon Martin and the hundreds and hundreds of kids each year that are dying due to racial profiling and the violence that follows it,” Macklemore said in the duo’s video acceptance speech. “This is really happening. These are our friends, our neighbors, our peers and our fans, and it’s time that we look out for the youth and fight against racism and the laws that protect it.”
The statement was both a good use of the televised broadcast, and a reminder of one of the issues that’s dogged Macklemore during his rise.
Peep the Lyrics:
ARTist: Macklemore & Ryan Lewis f/Evan Roman
Track: A Wake (The Heist)
Now every month there is a new Rodney on Youtube
It’s just something our generation is used to
And neighborhoods where you never see a news crew
Unless they’re gentrifying, white people don’t even cruise through
And my subconscious telling me stop it
This is an issue that you shouldn’t get involved in
Don’t even tweet “R.I.P Trayvon Martin”
Don’t wanna be that white dude, million-man marching
Fighting for a freedom that my people stole
Don’t wanna make all my white fans uncomfortable
“But you don’t even have a fuckin’ song for radio
Why you out here talking race, trying to save the fucking globe?”
Don’t get involved if the cause isn’t mine
White privilege, white guilt, at the same damn time
So we just party like it’s 1999
Celebrate the ignorance while these kids keep dying
It’s just something our generation is used to
And neighborhoods where you never see a news crew
Unless they’re gentrifying, white people don’t even cruise through
And my subconscious telling me stop it
This is an issue that you shouldn’t get involved in
Don’t even tweet “R.I.P Trayvon Martin”
Don’t wanna be that white dude, million-man marching
Fighting for a freedom that my people stole
Don’t wanna make all my white fans uncomfortable
“But you don’t even have a fuckin’ song for radio
Why you out here talking race, trying to save the fucking globe?”
Don’t get involved if the cause isn’t mine
White privilege, white guilt, at the same damn time
So we just party like it’s 1999
Celebrate the ignorance while these kids keep dying
Full ARTicle Here
Monday, November 4, 2013
New Issue of Responsible ARTistry Magazine (now available)
Thursday, October 3, 2013
Respect To Sinead O'Conner for Open Letter to Miley Cyrus
As ARTists we are here to InSpire right? We are here to share our gifts and talents, but what happens when we lose sight of who we are inspiring and influencing? We may or may not chose to take ownership of the responsibility that comes with the notoriety, fame and recognition but we all know it's there. So we have so much respect for Sinead O'Conner for taking the time to pen Miley Cyrus an open-letter in response to Cyrus's recent Rolling Stone interview. Read full letter below.
Dear Miley,
I wasn’t going to write this letter, but today i’ve been dodging phone calls from various newspapers who wished me to remark upon your having said in Rolling Stone your “Wrecking Ball” video was designed to be similar to the one for “Nothing Compares” … So this is what I need to say … And it is said in the spirit of motherliness and with love.
I am extremely concerned for you that those around you have led you to believe, or encouraged you in your own belief, that it is in any way “cool” to be naked and licking sledgehammers in your videos. It is in fact the case that you will obscure your talent by allowing yourself to be pimped, whether it’s the music business or yourself doing the pimping.
Nothing but harm will come in the long run, from allowing yourself to be exploited, and it is absolutely NOT in ANY way an empowerment of yourself or any other young women, for you to send across the message that you are to be valued (even by you) more for your sexual appeal than your obvious talent.
I am happy to hear I am somewhat of a role model for you and I hope that because of that you will pay close attention to what I am telling you.
The music business doesn’t give a sh– about you, or any of us. They will prostitute you for all you are worth, and cleverly make you think its what YOU wanted.. and when you end up in rehab as a result of being prostituted, “they” will be sunning themselves on their yachts in Antigua, which they bought by selling your body and you will find yourself very alone.
None of the men oggling you give a sh– about you either, do not be fooled. Many’s the woman mistook lust for love. If they want you sexually that doesn’t mean they give a f— about you. All the more true when you unwittingly give the impression you don’t give much of a f— about yourself. And when you employ people who give the impression they don’t give much of a f— about you either. No one who cares about you could support your being pimped.. and that includes you yourself.
Yes, I’m suggesting you don’t care for yourself. That has to change. You ought be protected as a precious young lady by anyone in your employ and anyone around you, including you. This is a dangerous world. We don’t encourage our daughters to walk around naked in it because it makes them prey for animals and less than animals, a distressing majority of whom work in the music industry and its associated media.
You are worth more than your body or your sexual appeal. The world of showbiz doesn’t see things that way, they like things to be seen the other way, whether they are magazines who want you on their cover, or whatever.. Don’t be under any illusions.. ALL of them want you because they’re making money off your youth and your beauty.. which they could not do except for the fact your youth makes you blind to the evils of show business. If you have an innocent heart you can’t recognise those who do not.
I repeat, you have enough talent that you don’t need to let the music business make a prostitute of you. You shouldn’t let them make a fool of you either. Don’t think for a moment that any of them give a flying f— about you. They’re there for the money.. we’re there for the music. It has always been that way and it will always be that way. The sooner a young lady gets to know that, the sooner she can be REALLY in control.
You also said in Rolling Stone that your look is based on mine. The look I chose, I chose on purpose at a time when my record company were encouraging me to do what you have done. I felt I would rather be judged on my talent and not my looks. I am happy that I made that choice, not least because I do not find myself on the proverbial rag heap now that I am almost 47 yrs of age.. which unfortunately many female artists who have based their image around their sexuality, end up on when they reach middle age.
Real empowerment of yourself as a woman would be to in future refuse to exploit your body or your sexuality in order for men to make money from you. I needn’t even ask the question.. I’ve been in the business long enough to know that men are making more money than you are from you getting naked. It’s really not at all cool. And it’s sending dangerous signals to other young women. Please in future say no when you are asked to prostitute yourself. Your body is for you and your boyfriend. It isn’t for every spunk-spewing dirtbag on the net, or every greedy record company executive to buy his mistresses diamonds with.
As for the shedding of the Hannah Montana image.. whoever is telling you getting naked is the way to do that does absolutely NOT respect your talent, or you as a young lady. Your records are good enough for you not to need any shedding of Hannah Montana. She’s waaaaaaay gone by now.. Not because you got naked but because you make great records.
Whether we like it or not, us females in the industry are role models and as such we have to be extremely careful what messages we send to other women. The message you keep sending is that it’s somehow cool to be prostituted.. it’s so not cool Miley.. it’s dangerous. Women are to be valued for so much more than their sexuality. we aren’t merely objects of desire. I would be encouraging you to send healthier messages to your peers.. that they and you are worth more than what is currently going on in your career. Kindly fire any motherf—er who hasn’t expressed alarm, because they don’t care about you.
Sinead O'Conner
Dear Miley,
I wasn’t going to write this letter, but today i’ve been dodging phone calls from various newspapers who wished me to remark upon your having said in Rolling Stone your “Wrecking Ball” video was designed to be similar to the one for “Nothing Compares” … So this is what I need to say … And it is said in the spirit of motherliness and with love.
I am extremely concerned for you that those around you have led you to believe, or encouraged you in your own belief, that it is in any way “cool” to be naked and licking sledgehammers in your videos. It is in fact the case that you will obscure your talent by allowing yourself to be pimped, whether it’s the music business or yourself doing the pimping.
Nothing but harm will come in the long run, from allowing yourself to be exploited, and it is absolutely NOT in ANY way an empowerment of yourself or any other young women, for you to send across the message that you are to be valued (even by you) more for your sexual appeal than your obvious talent.
I am happy to hear I am somewhat of a role model for you and I hope that because of that you will pay close attention to what I am telling you.
The music business doesn’t give a sh– about you, or any of us. They will prostitute you for all you are worth, and cleverly make you think its what YOU wanted.. and when you end up in rehab as a result of being prostituted, “they” will be sunning themselves on their yachts in Antigua, which they bought by selling your body and you will find yourself very alone.
None of the men oggling you give a sh– about you either, do not be fooled. Many’s the woman mistook lust for love. If they want you sexually that doesn’t mean they give a f— about you. All the more true when you unwittingly give the impression you don’t give much of a f— about yourself. And when you employ people who give the impression they don’t give much of a f— about you either. No one who cares about you could support your being pimped.. and that includes you yourself.
Yes, I’m suggesting you don’t care for yourself. That has to change. You ought be protected as a precious young lady by anyone in your employ and anyone around you, including you. This is a dangerous world. We don’t encourage our daughters to walk around naked in it because it makes them prey for animals and less than animals, a distressing majority of whom work in the music industry and its associated media.
You are worth more than your body or your sexual appeal. The world of showbiz doesn’t see things that way, they like things to be seen the other way, whether they are magazines who want you on their cover, or whatever.. Don’t be under any illusions.. ALL of them want you because they’re making money off your youth and your beauty.. which they could not do except for the fact your youth makes you blind to the evils of show business. If you have an innocent heart you can’t recognise those who do not.
I repeat, you have enough talent that you don’t need to let the music business make a prostitute of you. You shouldn’t let them make a fool of you either. Don’t think for a moment that any of them give a flying f— about you. They’re there for the money.. we’re there for the music. It has always been that way and it will always be that way. The sooner a young lady gets to know that, the sooner she can be REALLY in control.
You also said in Rolling Stone that your look is based on mine. The look I chose, I chose on purpose at a time when my record company were encouraging me to do what you have done. I felt I would rather be judged on my talent and not my looks. I am happy that I made that choice, not least because I do not find myself on the proverbial rag heap now that I am almost 47 yrs of age.. which unfortunately many female artists who have based their image around their sexuality, end up on when they reach middle age.
Real empowerment of yourself as a woman would be to in future refuse to exploit your body or your sexuality in order for men to make money from you. I needn’t even ask the question.. I’ve been in the business long enough to know that men are making more money than you are from you getting naked. It’s really not at all cool. And it’s sending dangerous signals to other young women. Please in future say no when you are asked to prostitute yourself. Your body is for you and your boyfriend. It isn’t for every spunk-spewing dirtbag on the net, or every greedy record company executive to buy his mistresses diamonds with.
As for the shedding of the Hannah Montana image.. whoever is telling you getting naked is the way to do that does absolutely NOT respect your talent, or you as a young lady. Your records are good enough for you not to need any shedding of Hannah Montana. She’s waaaaaaay gone by now.. Not because you got naked but because you make great records.
Whether we like it or not, us females in the industry are role models and as such we have to be extremely careful what messages we send to other women. The message you keep sending is that it’s somehow cool to be prostituted.. it’s so not cool Miley.. it’s dangerous. Women are to be valued for so much more than their sexuality. we aren’t merely objects of desire. I would be encouraging you to send healthier messages to your peers.. that they and you are worth more than what is currently going on in your career. Kindly fire any motherf—er who hasn’t expressed alarm, because they don’t care about you.
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