DMX gets a lot of flack for who he is. For how he behaves and so on. However bad he may be, or you think he may be. We must not forget the one thing he came to do. That was to lend his voice to the world.
May of you may disagree so I wanted to show case a couple of the times DMX surppased speculation and actually gave us something to think about.
Now I must warn you that you should look pass the fog to see what it is that he is actually attempting to tell us. It is important that you give him the benefit of a poets audience, then, and only then you will be able to see and hear him.
I had the huge pleasure of coming across a great artist in the making. One that will captivate you with words and draw you into a world of emotions that you forgot you had. Allowing you the luxury of feeling again, and the catalyst to love and passions will engulf you as you seep into her world.
With songs such as 'Satisfied' and 'Finally Found you' you will not only hear but see, the elements that are missing in music today. The raw creativity that she shares should not go unnoticed or under estimated. With raw talent on the piano breaking all rules to recreate them in a string of subtle and sultry truths that seeps into your heart grabbing your mind on its way to your eternal soul. Her talent goes far beyond that of your everyday artist. Timeless and ready to share her eternal rhythms against a backdrop of soul that will go unmatched by many.
I took the time to sit down and learn a few more things about this artist. She has allowed Enterpolics into the exclusive world Jennifer Garza. What I am bringing to you today is what she is, and nothing less.
As I went through these answers to her questions. All I can feel is an authentic vibe to what makes her who she is. With a smile that would break the hardest of hearts, and a hand in the kitchen that will strengthen the back of the most loyal of men you will feel at home. From what she has to say, you will see and agree with the fact that there is a need for real artist.
Now you have the opportunity to enjoy her for all that she is.
The Interview:
I am pleased to see that you have brought me aboard. I hope to bring light to the fans and to those who will know you soon. Before I begin, I would like to say, that I had the chance to listen to more of your music and watch your Insider interview and I love what you stand for and I hope to shed more light upon your movements.
So Jennifer what is your favorite song off your current album? Finally Found You
What about this song over the others makes it stand out to you? Well, when I listen to this song, it makes me want to cry. When I wrote this song, it was at a time when I was very much in love and I thought for sure that I found the one that I would be with forever. It's strange how it all fell apart. But ultimately, I feel that God has a different plan for me and I'm ready to embrace it!
Is there a song you would like to release but it is too revealing for you to do so now? No. I'm at a time in my life where I feel that I can just be totally myself and in control of the decisions I make as far as sharing my inner most thoughts and feelings. These days, I don't hold back at all if I have something important to say.
On a lighter note, I would like to know; What led you to soul music? Soul music to me, is anything from the heart. When you hear music from the soul, you can feel someones heart through the song. I don't intend to write music that I cannot feel. Therefore, feelings of my heart are essentially what led me to soul music.
What are some of your influences in the reality we call life? God plays a major role in my life. Anyone who sends me good energy and positive vibes are extremely influential for me.
Are you going to continue using your poetry as a catalyst to your music? Of course! I believe that poetry and music go hand in hand. For me, without a sense of poetry, there would be no song, and vice versa.
Will you always play the piano by ear or will you mix it up with sheet music? I've never really enjoyed reading music. It always tends to create boundaries. I'd much rather play by ear. This way, I can FEEL the music rather than the music feeling me. I hope that makes sense.
Have you ever been approached to change your style? All the time! I try to focus on what I want musically, rather than what everyone else wants. I would just drive myself crazy if I constantly worried about the expectations of others.
Is there any one person that your fashion yourself after? I'm proud to say that I am my own person and I enjoy the freedom of just being able to be me. I'm inspired by many artists, but at the end of the day, I'm an individual with my own mind and my own personality.
As far as to who you look up to, name your top spots? Musically, Lily Allen, M.I.A., Tori Amos, basically anyone who is not afraid to speak the truth. I really look up to people who do not give a shit what anyone thinks. It's so inspiring for me!
Now before I go I would like to let the fans know a little more about Jennifer. Have you ever worked a 9 to 5? Well, before I started doing music, I worked as a chiropractic assistant. I guess that would constitute as a 9-5, right? The job only lasted about 2 months. I couldn't take it. Probably because the doctor I worked for was really horrible and insincere to his patients. He used to get all excited when someone called for a workers comp or car accident cause it meant that he was gonna get paid. What a slime ball! Working a 9-5 was just not for me. That was my first and last experience, thank God. Not to say that a 9-5 is a bad thing. It makes some people really happy. Just not me.
What was your favorite food growing up? Apple Jacks Cereal. Most of the time, we couldn't even afford it and we got the generic version of everything. But when I did have Apple Jacks, they were SO good. It was my favorite cereal. It's so funny because now me and my brothers laugh at the fact that we used to have to get "chips galore" instead of the real brand "chips ahoy"! HAHA! Pobrecito!
Can you cook? Sure!
Do you think it is a way to a mans heart? In most cases. It really depends on the man's upbringing. I never used to have an interest in cooking. When I moved to NYC, I kind of just fell into it. The long NY winters being stuck at home, kind of made it necessary for me to take up cooking. My man at the time loved my cooking. Either that, or he was just trying to be nice and said it was great just to make me feel better.
What turns you on in life? Being free! I value my freedom in life. I've learned that having the freedom to be exactly who you are, is extremely liberating and really satisfies my soul.
If you could love all over again, would you pick your first love? Hell NO! That boy was SO wrong for me. He never gave a shit about my feelings and he made me cry all the time.
Also since you are moving out to the west coast. Tell me when can we expect to see you in the Arizona-phoenix area, Cali, and Vegas venues? It would be great to have you. Phoenix needs it, and Tempe is next door and your style will be a pure fit. 2008, west coast, it's on bitches! ;-) It's a celebration bitches! LOL No but seriously, I plan on having shows mostly on the west coast this year. I'll be going back to NYC and Houston as much as possible too. But west coast, see you a whole lot in the near future! Looking forward to it! I'll be posting dates up on my myspace, so check back! :-)
Now that you have the opportunity to share with her. Take a further look into her world and see what she has in store for true souls.
An artist that married her music with out knowing that the wedding took place, is one of the ways to describe Brig Feltus. All of the other explanations of this artist comes from sitting down and listening to her sing. While you soak up the vibes, you get these chills down your back, that refuse to stop there, they crawl back up then engulf your body, until you reach a euphoric state of being. Yeah that is Brig Feltus, a drug unlike any other.
However it does not matter what I say. What matters is that she will tell you her self. Don't just take my word for it. Brig and I had a thorough cyber session that will bring your spirit much closer to what she is offering.
I'm sitting here thinking that their are many individuals that are not yet hip to the sound. Not yet aware of what you are putting down. I myself have had the pleasure of stumbling into your subtle sounds of raw energy.
So to get this going I would like to share these questions with you.
What is music to you?
***music is sound that touches (or impacts) the spirit in any of a vast number of ways. i hear music in many things that often get ignored or taken for granted. for example the crickets bowing their songs outside my bedroom window in the warm night, just now...or the heightened tone of my lover's voice when he is aroused...or the hearty laughter of someone who comes from rural rooting...or the rap tap tap of someone at my door.
Why your brand of music?
***because it is real. it is truth. sometimes it is so true that it makes me cringe. sometimes i'm writing things that i feel but am not proud of. sometimes i'm writing things that are so beautiful that i am embarrassed. it's not about technicalities. modern musical technologies have removed the humanity from much of what is generated in the music "industry", causing it to become more industrial than artistic. my brand of music is artistic and sincerely expressed. you'll feel that when you listen to it.
What makes your sound so unique?
***i am a bit of a throwback when it comes to my personal musical preferences. i like the music that came before this generation of manufactured pop stars. when there was genius to behold in it. we all know that feeling when we experience an artistic expression that makes us aware of something magically bigger than ourselves. that is, for me what genius is. it's not a technical thing, it's a purity and impact-fulness. i don't know if i am genius. but i am for sure carrying a light in me that people can appreciate. in a day and age when that purity and impact-fulness is rare, i believe my music at very least encourages and inspires others to see those things, by reminding the listener of their humanity. but maybe you wanted a less weighty answer? okay, then on the lighter side, my sound is unique because my musical influences are so broad and varied that you can't pin me down easily in terms of who i sound like. i sound very much like me. also, i am considered a rare bird in this business... a black woman writing and singing rock influenced, guitar driven, lyrically poetic songs. it's tricky because some white folk can't see me as rock and some black people can't see me as soul. as if i cannot be both. i am both, and more. i am jazz, rock, soul, blues, heavy metal, psychodelica, folk, Broadway show tune, baroque, r & b.... that's what makes me (and my music) unique, in my most honest state, i am a massive mixture of experiences.
Have you ever worked a 9 to 5? If so what did you do?
***yes, of course. i was a makeup artist and hairstylist up until i was led to this journey a few years ago unexpectedly. that's a long story that is a good testament to the fact that there is such a thing as destiny.
What are your favorite things about personal relationships?
*** intimacy. companionship. safe harbor. sex. freedom to be. making ritual and tradition.
What are the worst things about relationships?
****mortality is the hardest. imperfection and death.
How do you apply life to your music? directly, quickly, without hesitation or editing.
What is the process to your making your music?
***i live then i write. sometimes my songs start out as poetry. many of the songs on the album started out that way. i don't play any instruments prolifically but i can work out chord progressions well enough to get a basic song structure. i'll start putting together a progression then see what poem i have that fits the feel of it. or sometimes when i collaborate, it is purely stream of consciousness, meaning i'll be writing about whatever is on my heart at that exact moment in time.
Last but not least.
Who would you like to work with in the industry?
****too many to name. i would love to work with some of the legends. i would have to really sit down and make you a huge list. if i start now, i will only disappoint myself because I'll leave someone off that i really want to work with badly.
Brig leaves the Cyber session with one last thought "Nicely delivered inquiries. and thank you for your support." My imagination runs wild and I take it upon myself to picture this slow but subtly rhythmic walk, getting up from her computer to take a breath. I could not do anything but rejoice after capturing the time of this worldly artist who has so much to offer, tapping my sexuality and in the same essence my mind to ask more of myself, in terms of getting things done, but with my own essence and not in the terms of what other expect of me.
Al I can say is that Brig Feltus, will leave you wanting more out of everything around you, but with absolute surety, purity, and honest. Listening to " Once in a lifetime" you get it, or with "Take me There" you remember loves beautiful embrace. Her essence of R&B and Rock, is not the only fusion taking place here. There is something else that can and will be a hard task for any artist to match. Brig Feltus, has a class with no equals.
If ever you have had the pleasure of sitting at home with a glass of the best spirits, while sitting back and listening to great sound splashed rhythms, then you know. Now you are on your way to experiencing the utopia of music that is Brig Feltus, a great artist, married to her sound, such as a painting that was carefully and slowly ingrained against the canvas making a unique masterpiece. If your mind has not experienced that, then you don't know Brig and it is high time you get to know Brig Feltus. If you have, then you do know, and may just be the one that I saw smiling at me today.
If my word does not do it for you. Head over to her CD store and read the reviews for yourself and listen to samples of the songs.
Yesterday I was entranced by art that spoke to my soul. Art that contained a rhythm you could dance to, cry to, build with, and share amongst those with eyes beyond the ones implanted on their faces. This enchantment was to my surprise as I have stated yesterday. My only mission in searching the web was to make some buddies and bring some more attention to what Enterpolics is all about. However it did not work out that way, but to my delight it worked out even better than I could have planned.
I led you to believe that the page went by the name Divine Madness, this was an error on my behalf, that was the tag line of the day, that I now may have painted them into using the phrase as a name. It worked in catching my attention. However from the art work that is displayed I am under the impression, that the art comes from a place far beyond pure talent, but and educated soul that sees the world through eyes that God wished we all utilized.
That impression that has been placed on me has led me to my first ever Cyber Interview. It remained simple with two questions. However I now see the world through a greater scope from its usual complexity, scaled down to a simplistic journey. So I had a Cyber chat with Wendy Nikolle of Fusion Art Collective, by way of e-mail and these are her words, raw and uncut. The Interview
It is a pleasure to meet you acquaintance here.
Forgive me the oversight on the name {Divine Madness} that is a "Ooops" on my part. It is kind of catchy and perhaps it is a piece in the works.
Thank you for checking out the blog and I appreciate you giving me the go ahead on featuring the full website.
Since I want to do this right and to your benefit. Allow me a brief synopsis on the site and answer these two questions.
Why art?
And
What about this particular form of art captivates you?
The response:
Why art ??
Unlike society today where everything has it’s category or place in life, Art paints the appearance of things, good or bad, without having to put it into a category of social correctiveness. It is a powerful vehicle for communication and way to express visions that are beyond the capacity of words and a medium for cultural enlightenment. Art is something that makes us more well-rounded as humans and is always subjective. For all, art stimulates different parts of our brains to fill us with a flush of emotions. Weather it be to laugh, cry, or even riot with anger or confusion in a single picture. It is the highest aspiration of the human spirit and everyone should have the opportunity to experience it. Exposing art to everyone platforms the next generation of cultural innovators.
What about this particular form of art captivates you?
Although I have experimented with multiple mediums of art, I mostly chose to paint because it is the most forgiving and versatile when it comes to technical abilities. I am able to use it as an emotional "vent" and that alone makes me a better person.
With that being stated, I realized that this artist and her collective has something to offer art as a whole. Showing us capability, letting us know, that if we all had to our way of providing our art in its purest form, we would have the ability to master the perception of what we are offering to the audience.
This has been a lesson and less about making friends, as time slips by, it has become more about that mark that has a personal signature that can not be erased if you scribbled it from the heart. The soul is a terrible thing to waste and I have learned that the Fusion Art Collective is not wasting one bit of the soul. The spirit of these artist shine bright in their paintings, photography, and poetry, and that there is truth beyond words and recognition.
***
If you have any questions for Wendy Nikolle' and the artist featured on Fusion Art Collective. Contact the artist with your inquiry. Thank you and I hope that this is the first of many interesting interviews.
JOHN ROCKINS UNIVERSITY has been brought into existence do to a silent demand for representation. A representation in the media of Ethnic American Films, music, books, and plays. Although this blog is not singular in a focus solely on Ethnic American art, it allows the reader to see that it fits into a full spectrum of works, across the entire industry.
With the exposure JRU's hopes to be a piece of a large pie. An integral part that can be shared at all tables involved and with all who take an interest in the art of our modern day as well as past, and leaping towards a greater future.
No longer should Americans or the America we love, have a split down the center. If in art that continues it will forever bring out the underlying mistrust, and misunderstanding that we face in reality.
I hope to bring all races together with this blog and to bring about a change within our work in the media as well as the art forms of entertainment that we love.
