Ramblings of the Internal Voice

"The difference between her and I is that she has visibility, I don't. The difference between he and I is that he has visibility, I don't. The difference between us and them is they have visibility, we don't. Are we all one in the same? Are we all truly the same? You told us that we were equal, if so, then why are they dying everyday? Why are they forced into selling their bodies, why don't they have access? Why aren't their lives valued? Why don't our parents love us for embracing our truth? Why does society set up all of these structures, as if we are mice in an experiment, in a maze of ceiling dreams, of sky-high dreams, only to laugh in our faces and bite us viciously with rejection? Do you feel the sting? Because I feel the sting." - Kaleef Lauren

I Do Take

Yes it is 6:26am. And I am laying down listening to Amel Larrieux's new album Ice Cream Everyday Amel's music, her voice, energy, purity just does something to me. This particular song on the album, I Do Take, just pulls me. It hits home for me. I think its because the song is about accepting someone in their totality, accepting their flaws and all until the end.

It makes me think of love, marriage comes into play but I'm speaking of commitment, but pure unconditional love is what it makes me think about. Last night a friend a I had a conversation about love. She feels like she will never be married because she has never seen a real, long lasting, healthy relationship n her family. Like her, I've never seen love in my family, never saw an example of two people unifying in existence and the turnout being something beautiful except my older sister's relationship (which gives me hope!).


We then had a conversation about transgender people falling in love with each other. She asked me, "Kaleef, will you ever be with a transgender man? What if you fell in love with a man and he was perfect, your everything, then he told you he was a transgender male?" I thought about it, and I told her that I would accept him since he obviously accepts me and my flaws. Love is so rare in this world. When you think about it, many of us are lucky to find partners that love us for simply being us. In my eyes, love is when you have access to someone's complete self. You see the real them, their spirit. You embrace them in their highest moments and lowest falls. And how many of us actually find that? The world has all these damn barriers of race, gender, sexuality, religion, all these complexities that guard us and at times holds us back.


Anyways, take a listen to this beautiful song below. It's everything! :)



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gZBR2cFJoJg

Brandy Receives Homage - 20 Years in the Game!

Hey hey hey! Woah! haven't posted in a while! Anyways I must say that  ran across this 'Thank You' video that was created by True Exclusives to pay homage to the one and only Brandy! I was so excited to see other artists give brandy her props because she DESERVES IT! I hate when people totally dissuade her work and contribution to the industry and often compare her to Beyonce (No Shade at all, I love both!). It is not fair! Brandy opened doors for the artists that we see today! I just don't want her to get overlooked like so many other fantastic artists such as Toni Braxton and Monica. Her runs, vocal range, creativity, and dedication... = priceless!

What's your favorite Brandy album? I love me some Full Moon and Afrodisiac! All of her albums give me life! 

Check out the video and tell me what you think!

Life is a Beautiful Struggle

Although I struggle, I continue to struggle, I hope that one day I'll be solid. I hope that one day when I wake up, I'll look out MY window and know MY value. I'll know that all of the sacrifices, blood, sweat, and tears mean something not only to myself, but to someone else.

I'll feel connected, I'll feel as if my voice matters. In a world that constantly tells me no, tells us NO, "You don't belong, you don't fit in, your not Black enough, your not classy enough, your not man enough, your not woman enough, your not rich enough, I hope that when I look out MY window, my perspective, my voice, my being, will have a positive affect on the lives of others like me and not.

For all of us who are different, rather it be our skin color, gender, sexuality, gender expression, physical ability, ethnicity, religion, thoughts, just know that you are special. And like you, I struggle to see that in myself, sometimes I forget my worth because so many around me constantly tell me that I'm not worthy. But I am, we are. So for all the outcasts out there, I see you baby.

The answers are there, the answers aren't there. Some people know, some people don't know. Does anyone really know?

So just take a look, look out your window, and know that life is a beautiful struggle.

Miley Cyrus Loses "Vogue Magazine" Due to Twerking Antics

Earlier today Anna Wintour announced how she is pulling Miley Cyrus from the December issue of Vogue with sources stating that she found it "distasteful".

We all know that her goal was to strictly cause controversy and leave something that will be remembered. But this is just plain embarrassing. She released a statement about wanting to do what Britney, Madonna, and others have done for shock. But it's tacky and distasteful. If she wanted to be sexy so badly and push the limit, it could have been executed a better way. Who is on her team? Someone needs to get her! The song is cute though! :)

I think she should have went the Christina Aguilera route of rebellion.


What do you all think?

Pulling You In - Consistency

As I move and shake my way through life...sometime I get lost or caught up in the day to day. I sometimes won't post as often or go on a rampage. For those of you who actually read what I write, the album reviews, celebrity updates, poetry, and thoughts, please know that I appreciate it! Launching this blog has been challenging for me because at times I wonder "who really cares about what I write or think? Who really believes in me?". Then I tell myself that I came into blogging simply to prove to myself that I can do and establish my presence in media. Everything I blog about...are actual conversations or parts of my life. My hobbies, talents,and so forth are in the development stage right now.

I am actually nervous to push the limit and truly say how I feel at times about topics in the world, media and so forth. I fear controversy, hatred, etc. The reason why is because this is an opening of me, an expression of minds I wanted to do for a long time!

So I know that consistency is key....but I'm just trying to figure myself out in this BIG WORLD! As I do that, I wonder what will pull people into my blog.


Just a rant of mines. I hope whoever reads enjoys what I create.


Thank You,
-KL

Tamar Braxton Displays the Chaotic Journey of Love - "Love & War" Album Review

It is a great time for R&B! Everybody dropping albums like hotpockets! I am so proud and honored to review the lovely Tamar Braxton's long awaited sophomore release Love & War.  Reality Tv is definitely opening doors of exposure for talented people who really have something to offer music. Settling into motherhood, her talk show The Real, and life as a solo star Tamar is letting us know she is here! WIth her vocals and charismatic star quality, you would think this would be her 5th album.  Let's get into it. 

                                                        Tamar Braxton — Love & War

1. “The One”

2. “Tip Toe”

3. “Stay and Fight”

4. “Love and War”

5. “All the Way Home”

6. “One on One Fun”

7. “She Did That (Interlude)”

8. “Hot Sugar”

9. “Pieces”

10. “Where It Hurts”

11. “Prettiest Girl”

12. “Sound of Love”

13. “White Candle”

14. “Thank You Lord”

1. The One 

A "Juicy" serenade about love, this summer track is so cute! It's a feel good, joyful record. I'm not sure if it should have opened up the album though.  -Golden Track 

2.  Tip Toe

This should have been the Intro to the album! This is a cute record that took me a few listens to come around too. It serves her personality. This record is about keeping the love you share with your boo a secret.... "I Don't want my business on the Wendy William's show".... Love that Part! Its a cute track......makes you want to hit the dance floor and prance. YAS! -Golden Track 

3. Stay & Fight

A song in which Tamar is stating how she wants to stay and fight with her lover. We all go through that with our lovers....the arguments get real....but if you really want that love to last...you have to STAY & FIGHT. It's growing on me, but I skip this track. Her vocals are beautiful though....she gives me Toni. 

4. Love & War

The lead single of this album......could have also been the intro to the project. We all know Tamar had all competition on hush mode when this song went number one on Itunes in 12 hours after it's release back in Fall of 2012.  - Golden Track 

5.  All The Way Home

This gives me Mairah Carey........I'm sure you can hear it in many of Tamar's vocals and range. This one is about fighting with a lover...but thinking about them as you drive away...pedal to the metal....you know you will return to your boo! That's how love and war is! -Golden Track 

6.  One on One Fun

Now this is where things spice up! The album gets less depressing and more raunchy/ratchet. A breath of fresh air....... Tamar coos about having some one on one fun with her boo. I like this side of her. I wish the beat was a little better and the track was longer. 

7. She Did That 

This song makes me want to hairflip all up in the club! :) Mike-WIll-Made-It influenced, She did that serves as a bad chick anthem to assert that Tamar did that! She proved everyone wrong so now turn up! I love it! But it's too short........I don't know why they decided to make the fun tracks short. -Golden Track

8. Hot Sugar

"Pop it, pop it, pop it..YEA BABAY", this sweet record serves baby Braxton well. Lyrics are fire but I do feel like the instrumental lacks something. I want a guitar or some horns or something in the beat of the song...make it more firery! The song also drags a little. A ladies anthem on how to please your boo...... it's sugary and sweet. -Golden Track 

9. Pieces

This should probably be the next single from the album. It's about being in a relationship and not receiving all the love you deserve from your partner! The piano and Tamar's vocals make her open and bare. -Golden Track 

10. Where It Hurts

I skip this one although her vocals are beautiful. The instrumental does not work for the vocals.......

11. Prettiest Girl 

I love this one! Super cute...a celebration of love and how a man can you feel like the prettiest girl in the  world. "I want to say thank you, for making me feel like the prettiest girl in the world, no matter what I got on." This serves as Tamar's version of Beyonce's "Love on Top".  

12. Sound of Love 

I skip this song s well......it is similar to "Where It Hurts". 

13. White Candle

I love the message of this song. It is about keeping your love going and not letting it die. I like the metaphor of not letting the candle melt away...something so white and pure s candle (dope idea)! Tamar's vocals are also very clean on this one. It works perfectly. - Golden Track 

14. Thank You Lord

I love how this song is dedicated to the Almighty! It's beautiful but I expected a little more soul for this one! Me and a friend discussed how we thought it would have a "Destiny's Child gospel feel". I thought Tamar would take us to the Baptist church where we would catch the Holy Ghost! I wanted that Black church energy but it was not delivered. Despite what it lacks, it is still  a smooth way to close out the album. :) 

Tamar Braxton's Love & War can seem a little lost and depressing at times...but in a odd way it balances itself out. A few features could have given it more spark. I am looking forward to her next project! I am excited that Tamar is finally here because she deserves it. She is very talented, serious, and dedicated to this music biz! SHE DID THAT!