Whats good world, i know i’ve been MIA for sometime and haven’t been keeping up with post on my site. 2011 was a wild one and 2012 has started off the same. In life you’ll never know what it is going to be like so all we can do is keep on moving. Just wanted to take a min and share with you all two new videos that you all are sure to love.
The first one is Cupids ” Do with your boots on Re-Mix” Cupid did an outstanding job with this video. Not only was it wonderfully produced but he was able to bring weathering some of the hottest Zydeco and Southern soul artist out there who are Chris Ardoin, Lil Nate, Leon Chavis, Tucka, JJ Caillier, Curley Taylor, & J Paul jr. This all-star lineup truly delivers a unique treat that you wont find any where else.
Next video i want to showcase comes from the Group Tru Soul. These guys are 5 time Apollo winners. Tru Soul has come up with a new and exciting line dance ” Do Thang”. Please check this video out and let me know what yall think about it.
Christopher “Unc” Jones not only seeks to become the youngest mayor of Beaumont, Texas, but to
bring balance to the city. Many know of Beaumont because of the Spindle Top oil boom or its designation as the fourth busiest port in the United States and 34th largest in the world, based on tonnage, according to the American Association of Port Authorities. It is also the busiest military port in the U.S. and the second busiest military port in the world, in addition to being the headquarters of the Army’s 842d Transportation Battalion, which specializes in port logistical activity. Beaumont is also home to ExxonMobil’s third largest Oil Refinery and Lamar University, which as of 2010 was recognized by Chemical & Engineering News magazine for producing the nation’s most master’s degrees in chemical engineering.
With so much wealth in the city one would think that Beaumont’s overall infrastructure would be in great condition. Sadly this is not the case: two- thirds of the city is in ruin. Streets have been filled with pot holes and abandon homes have been uprooted by trees. The neighborhood surrounding Lamar University is as underdeveloped.
Some people blame the people who live in the area, and that is no fault of the mayor. I say it is because it is up to the managers of the city to enforce laws. There should be tougher city upkeep ordinances for businesses located in these areas. That’s just my two cents, but I bet you’d rather hear more about Christopher Unc Jones, who is currently running for mayor of Beaumont. Who is he? How does he plan on changing the city of Beaumont?
Recently I interviewed Mr. Jones on my weekly radio program, and we spent an hour or so talking about his plans for the city. Mr. Jones’ primary goal is to clean up the city. He says that the city is broken, not just in spirit but in infrastructure, as well. Mr. Jones also desires to bring jobs to the city. Right now, the area offers a limited number of professions, mainly in the areas of petroleum or the medical field. With Lamar offering a wide array of degrees, many Beaumont natives are forced to leave the area to find work. In the interview Mr. Jones also expressed his love for local musicians; he feels that the city of Beaumont should embrace local talent by ensuring they will always have venues like Starvin Marvin’s to perform in. I have only touched on a few items that Mr. Jones touched on. Please take a moment of your time and listen to the interview before you go out and cast your vote.
Where to start with Mr. Z? I’m not going to sit here and give you his bio that’s smeared all over the internet. I met Z about a year or so ago when he was the guest on the IAMCREOLE radio show that I used to Co- host. Since then, Z and I have not only developed a professional relationship, but we have become great personal friends. Now let me kill it before the rumor mills start. Z and I are NOT romantically involved nor have we ever gone in that direction.
Recording Artist Z-Dee and Lady Drama
I had the pleasure of meeting Z face to face in August of 2010. I really did not know what to expect. I did not know if he was going to be as down to earth in person as he had been over the phone. To my surprise, he was even more chill in person then I thought. Since that first meeting, he has always been the perfect host when ever I visit Houston TX.
Now I bet you are wondering what does this have to do with his music? Well, I wanted you all to know the type of person Z is. He takes his music very seriously. He has a passion for his music and his Culture as well. He is very proud to say that he is Creole and there is no shame in it for him.
On April 8th, he released his first video for his latest single Crying 4 U which will be on his upcoming album which is projected to be released in August of this year. Z is working really hard to create a sound that is uniquely his own. He does not want to be seen as a poser or someone who is just a clone of what is popular at the time.
Check out Z-Dee’s first video and please share it.
To stay up to date with everything Z-Dee please join his Fan page on Facebook
Shadeism affects us even when we do not even know it. What has only been really been viewed as an American issue can be found all over the world. Bet you are wondering what Shadeism is, well is when social class within a community is determined by how light ones skin is. This customs can be found in many African, Caribbean, and South Asian Diasporas.
Personally I feel that Shadeism is not a natural ideal. In all the areas where people of color live that suffer with Shadeism; at one time have been under British control. Thus it is a learned behavior that was placed within the Cultures even with all these areas today being free and independent. The habits of outside control are still alive and well. I do not consider myself or a scholar or a psychologist, but I do know that these practices must stop. One may wonder how can we stop when this way of thinking is found everywhere in the media. How can I teach my children differently?
Well I am a great example of this, I was truly brought up not to see color. To love people for how they acted and not what they looked like. Could this
because I know how it feels to be looked as the “ bright” chick or was it because my parents and grandparents never really spoke of what a person looked like, but rather how people acted toward them. Bellow is a documentary that speaks about Shadeism and gives a brief overview of the issue.
You all know culturally I am Louisiana Creole and that Shadeism has existed with in our community since its birth. Personally I feel that this not really a major issue anymore but I know many may disagree. I guess that is where I shall end this entry, I would like to know from those of you who are La Creole does Shadeism exist today? For those of you who are not does Shadeism exist within your community?
Ki ça di vou zot!!!!!! Well i did it, got my first solo show under my belt. If you missed the live broadcast here is the podcast. Be sure to check it out and check me out next week on Thursday at 3pm EST 2pm CST and 12 PST on www.party934.com.
Sorry i was so late with posting the podcast but i had a busy weekend. I attended my cousins bridal shower and had such a blast. There is nothing better then being
around all the women who have played a major role in my life. So on this weeks show i will be showing love to all my girls out there so let me know what is you favorite Girl Power song, or a song that just makes you feel special. Also if you are not a member of my fan page look me up www.facebook.com/theladydrama
The hot topic among critics today is how Hip Hop music is the cause of rebellious behavior among teenagers. I do agree that today’s’ popular music sends the wrong message to today’s youth, But I strongly believe that blaming the behavior solely on music is wrong. If parents would start being parents and teach their children that music is just entertainment and not everything we hear or see; we should do. I listen to mostly Hip-Hop and you do not see me on the Conner selling drugs or doing anything that they say do in the music. In this paper I will argue that Hip-Hop is not responsible for teenagers who act out but it is the parents’ reasonability.
Child psychologists have done countless studies on the effects of music on the today’s youth. Many say that negative music such as hip hop are the main causes of negative behaviors. One study by the Tripler Army Medical Center in Honolulu, Hawaii came to the conclusion that most of the teenagers who listen to Hip Hop were already having problems in Elementary School. Most people do not start heavily listing or understanding music in till they reach their teen years. So how can you blame the music on the teenagers’ behavior? It takes a person time to pick up negative traits if a parent is watching and paying attention to their children. They should be able to pick up on those negative behaviors and hopefully get their child back on the right track.
I truly believe that music is one of the most expressive forms of art because there is something for everyone. I just hate when people try to blame the problems on music. Music is just a self-expression of things that the writers have gone thru. It is not like someone woke up one day and said I am going write a song about someone dying today. Music reflects the society that we live in. So in till society cleans up its’ act musicians will write about what is going on in their community.
During a focus group of college freshman the question was ask what is Hip Hop? A young woman in the group stated that “Hip Hop is now; it’s in your face, and it’s real and honest”. This is the mindset of nearly all the Hip Hop listeners; majority of the Hip Hop audience feel that they can relate to the music.The Arthur of the article “ Hip Hop is now: An evolving youth culture” states that “ the young people immersed in Hip Hop culture are not ignorant as many might claim; quite the contrary; they highly evolved, intelligent people.” If today’s youth is as bright as this Arthur implies they should know the difference between right and wrong. This is only true if the parents have taught their child the difference at an early age. Another reason why Hip Hop has the image it has is mainly the record labels intent to make profits “ Glamour sells, violence sells, and graphic sex sell.”
Another topic that Hip Hop music has taking a bad wrap for is the vulgar language that is used to describe Women. In today’s time young ladies have such a hard time maintaining a positive self image. So one would think hearing the words bitches and ho’s in music would cause the problem to get worst. If you listen to the context of the words in the song it refers to women who are in fact those negative things. If anything it should make a woman look at her self and say do I act like that. If so she should change the way she acts because that is the image she is portraying.
If you take a trip back in time every genre of music has face some type of negative abuse. Rock and Roll, Blues, Jazz, Disco, Rhythm and Blues, and even Classical music. They were all accused in casing negative behavior in the listeners. Being that Hip Hop is barely thirty years old it will be a long time before it really gains respect as a true Art Form. This being said parents and the community should wake up and realize the greatest influence on a child is the people that he or she comes into contact with on a daily basis.
Growing up my Grandparents all ways had some type of home remedy to cure what ails you, from a wasp sting to skin burn. In fact it is said that my pawpa was born with a veil over his face that is said to be a sign of a born healer or Traiteur. I can remember my papaw’s specialty was skin burns, he would pray over the area of the body that was in pain. He never prayed out loud that was one of the traditions of Traiteur.
My mother also says that all the Traiteurs that she has knows of never take payments of even accept thanks from their clients. They feel that it is their duty to use the gift that was placed inside of them by God. Traiteurs are still practicing today and have evolved over time. They have started practicing over the telephone, my father was in need of their special abilities and called for prayer and his recovery was speedy.
The methods of Traiteurs vary from region to region of Louisiana most are Catholic but yet some are Protestants. Many like to associate Traiteurs with “Hoodoo” and satanic worship when it’s far from that. Traiteurs do prescribe weird things to cure you ailments, which are weird but have nothing to do with the devil.
Bellow is the link to the trailer of Good For What Ails You which can be purchased at http://coteblanche.com/. I sugest that you pruchese this Film because it gives a rare glims in to the lives on Traiteurs, which sadly is becoming a lost practice. Just like anything thing if you do not practice it you lose it, many of the youth of the day are not interested in keeping up the traditions of Folk medicine.
Bonjou,
It has been a while since I’ve updated my blog. This summer, I have been working with several projects. Now that I have restructured; I will be using my blog space more effectively.
I have never formally introduced myself. My name is Shannon Lwiz Boutte. Some of you know me as Lady Drama, the former Co- host of the Iamcreole Online Radio show. I am a native of Beaumont,Tx, where I have lived all my life; but, my second home has to be Grand Maris, Louisiana. Grand Marais, La is a community is located outside of New Iberia deep in the heart of Creole Country. I have fond memories of growing up in the Country as some like to say. I grew up in simple life, where family was everything. Just about all social events included family. I guess that’s why Creole family values are so close to my heart.
Other than being a proud Creole I am in love with the Arts (from poetry to all types of music and dance). I feel by keeping up my Blog and also incorporating Video blogs of my own; I can better serve the Creole Community. My interest goes way beyond just my wonderful Creole Culture. Don’t be surprised to see topics that stray away from the subject. I also love to showcase new talent who I think is worth a listen, so be on the lookout for that as well.
As I enter my last year of College and prepare for Grad school; I hope you all join me on this journey in life. It is sure to be a wild ride. Just know you’ll never know what to expect from Lady Drama.
Bellow is one of the first videos i did last year it will give you a small look into my background.
To show support of one of the few publications out there dedicated to Creole Culture i have deiced not to write a full post today. Everyone please go and download Mo Creole Magazinn, there is so much in this one issue. You will find that it covers everything that has gone on this pass spring. From Mardi Gras to the tragic oil spill. So please support Mo Creole, who i must say has truly been a mentor to me over this last year. Mèsi Boukou Mo Creole