Sir Mix-A-Lot with the Seattle Symphony

So what happens when you mix the HipHop classic and ode "Baby Got Back" with the Seattle Symphony Orchestra? This rendition was composed by Gabriel Prokofiev. Sir Mix-A-Lot invites some ladies on stage and wow they really go for the bum shaking full on. Aside from that these lovers of classic music that seamlessly merges with modern classics know every single word. 

People will call this art and great and fabulous. I just hope the same is said when this song is played within it original form too. It was nice and interesting to see this mix of musical madness.

Buskers and Dinosaurs Natural History Museum

I took my boys to the Natural History Museum during the school half term. It was mainly to see the dinosaurs which I think is the main attraction. We did explore the other stuff on show. Outside was a few buskers one of which was dressed as Sherlock Holmes making bubbles. The randomness you only get in a big city which is my home town.

Take a look at my video montage below showing the buskers followed by a picture slideshow. 

Myriam Sidibe Fights With Soap

Myriam Sidibe is a driving force behind Global Hand Washing Day. She aims to reduce diseases in children by encouraging good hand washing practices with a basic bar of soap. For some soap is a luxury whereas others its just there and neglected. Take a look at what she says it may just change your mind on how you see that bar of soap in your home.

Black History Month UK

October has been Black history month in the UK since approximately 1987. In the earlier years it was simply individual councils acknowledging achievements by the Black community in the UK and abroad. It has grown over the years and continues today. 

You can read up on Black history in the UK from the following websites

Black History Month

Black Presence in the UK

International Slavery Museum

Black Cultural Archives

Of course there are many many more resources out there and books too but these are a good place to start exploring the topic. You don't have to wait for specific time in the year to begin reading your history.

Lupita Nyong'o on Sesame Street

Lupita has become well known for her journey in self love. She previously spoke about the negative thoughts she had towards her deep chocolate brown skin until she saw model Alek Wek strutting down the catwalk. In this brief video Lupita and Elmo discuss the benefits of having skin and express how much they love their skin. I applaud Sesame street for encouraging self love. Remember their "I love my hair song". I just love that more mainstream avenues are joining the campaign for loving ourselves as we are.

Why? The Truth About Jamaica

This is a poem by Kevaughn Ellis about the society issues in Jamaica that pose great questions. It is definitely something that can be applied here in the UK too. Words are definitely powerful.

Sky Sets Diversity Target

In a press release today, Sky Broadcasting announced that it is setting a tangible target to ensure that at least 20% of all new original programming on its channels Sky 1, Sky Atlantic, Sky Living and Sky Arts reflect the audiences that watch them. The aim is to ensure Black, Asian and other minorities are represented better on British TV. This move covers On screen portrayals, Production (including senior roles), Writing and Commissioning.

Stuart Murphy, Sky’s Director of Entertainment said: “Sky is dedicated to making programmes that feel representative of every one of the millions of viewers that watch our content every day, whatever their colour. So we have tackled the issue with the same sense of ambition that we show in all other areas of our business, setting ourselves a set of tangible goals that will hold us to account. Our aim is to kick start a sea change in the on screen representation of ethnic minorities on British television. It’s an incredibly exciting time, and I am very proud that Sky is going to be at the forefront.”

This is good news to read about as for a very long time British TV has been very hostile towards true diversity and representation. This has lead to many talented people leaving England for amazing careers abroad. Others have shown off their talents through online webisodes  such as Brothers With No Game, that have become very popular and pretty much welcomed. One of the things that got my attention is that they are not just covering the actors but those behind the cameras too. So hopefully that means we will never be subjected to another show like the ill fated show The Crouches or even the plethora of shows that contain so called minorities but do not have any of their input.

Happy Independence Day Jamaica

Happy Independence Day to Jamaicans home and abroad and to all their descendants.

Emancipation Day Jamaica

Today marks the 176 year anniversary of Emancipation Day in Jamaica. Slaves were freed and slavery ended on 1st August 1838. Slavery itself in the British colonies was ended four years earlier in 1834 but it was made official in Jamaica on Emancipation Day.

You can read the Governor-General, His Excellency the Most Hon. Sir Patrick Allen's message here. Where he discusses Jamaicans tasting freedom for the 1st time and the hopes they would have had for the future not just themselves but for the nation. He also reflects on the current state of Jamaica. Worth a read.

Let us reflect on those gone by who fought the battle to freedom and many who lost their lives along the way. 

Vlog: Derby Caribbean Carnival Procession 2014

It was Derby Caribbean Carnival last weekend. I walked the procession route with my kids and friends. This is a video of some the highlights. We had typical British weather, rain sun thunder lightning all in one day. The troupes still put on a good show despite the mixed weather.

Throwback Thursday | Althea and Donna Uptown Top Ranking

Althea and Donna's song Uptown Top Ranking was a big hit in 1978. It is almost timeless. Unfortunately this was their only major hit.

I Love My Africa | Africa Rise Up

MultiChoice's Africa Rising, is a campaign focussed on creating shared value, designed to inspire Africans to become involved in community-based social investment projects. 

I really do love the theme of this song and the campaign it is for. Africa as a continent is rich. It is about time that Africa and her many countries stand up and be great.  To be great every African at home and abroad must do their part to help propel their communities forward. Have a listen to the song and tell me what you think.

The artist featured in this song are Tiwa Savage, Davido, Sarkodie, Micasa, Diamond and Lola Rae.

Loving the Natural Hair in Hellmann's Advert

Saw this Hellmann's Mayo advert online and now on TV. What I love about it is that on UK TV there is an array of natural textured African-Caribbean hairstyles on display and even being styled in a salon. Well done to the casting team.

Please note that I am not affiliated with Hellmann's in anyway!

Channel 4 discussion with Dencia

Dencia defends her product and its name on Channel 4 news. She argues that her cream although named Whitenicious is not a bleaching agent but a spot treatment and blames the media for the image it has. Dencia actually on her social media outlets has thanked the media for mentioning her product. Before and after pictures of Dencia clearly show that she is an avid skin bleacher. Regardless of what she says, many who seek help with hyper pigmentation are not going to see her product and think that it helps to even out the skin tone. The image it portrays is of a pale ghost like lady promoting a product that places "white" skin at the top of its agenda.

Does Scotland Have Issues With Race?

BBC Scotland aired a show called The Street. It featured a Black man busking in Glasgow being racially and physically abused by two drunks. The busker's name is Melo and he does not sit back and take the abuse at all. He tells them to leave him alone. When the skinny one goes to punch him he moves swiftly out the way and the drunk racist falls into the shutters and down the steps. When Melo is being called out of his name he shouts back yes I am Black and I am proud. Never let someone make you feel that your race is something to be ashamed of ever.

The clip does show passerby's stepping in to help the busker just before the police turn up and arrest the larger man who continues to spew racist abuse. What is sad is that he blames someone based on the colour of their skin on the woes of city. How wrong is he. What I found even more interesting was that question is now being asked - Is Scotland racist? Scotland probably has its very own race issues like every other european city or town has. Question is has anything ever been done about it and how are communities engaged in dialogue. The UK as a whole has issues but not everyone wishes to talk about it. Silence is not the answer.

Read more at the Daily Record

Nice Concept - Make Homeless Smile

Saw this video on FB and searched for the original on YouTube. A group of guys decided that all the usual trend videos do not actually make any real difference in the lives of people. So they figured they would make a difference to the homeless by putting a smile on their face. Watch the video to see how the small things in life can make a big difference.

Increased Number of Black Teens going to University

I came across this wonderful article on the BBC news pages that proclaim Black teens university attendance has increased. Also they are now more likely to apply than their white counterparts. 

There has been a big increase in applications from ethnic minority youngsters in England, particularly black teenagers, rising from 20% to 34% between 2006 and 2013. Chinese teenagers are the most likely to apply, followed by other Asian youngsters, with white teenagers the least likely to apply, with 29% seeking places.

"Our new analysis of demand by ethnic group shows that white pupils at English schools now have the lowest application rate of any ethnic group. There has been significant growth in demand from black pupils," says Ms Curnock Cook, the UCAS chief executive.(source)

The current Conservative - Liberal Democrat shared government alliance has been making it harder and inaccessible for young people to go university. Fees have gone through the roof. Yet the very people who want you to pay never paid for theirs. I am just happy to know that this has not stopped the ambitions of young people. The survey overall said that 50% of teens apply to go. So all is not lost. I encourage everyone teen young adult and grown folk to go and get your education. There is a reason why privileged folk revere education. Don't ever think it is not for you. 

Katie Hopkins class discrimination

I have been seeing this video making the rounds on FB for a few days now and finally decided to watch it. For those who do not know Katie Hopkins wrote an article for a newspaper a while back declaring that she forces her kids to segregate themselves from poor children. This video now also shows how she forms an opinion on a child based on their names. 

One thing her appearance on This Morning has proven is that she is indeed a bit of a snobbish hypocrite. She stated on the show she hates geographical names yet one of her kids is called India. She also has a child called Poppy. There are so many things that can be said about that name and what it stands for. Maybe she did not do her research. Maybe she forgot her recent fame is down to her being on a reality tv show. So much for her snob etiquette. 

I pray for her children. Simply because they are being taught discrimination is okay. What other criteria will they use to build a superiority complex as their mum moulds them in such a disgusting way. Shameful.

Michigan Choir | Long Time Gal

I saw this on FB though after doing a Youtube search it came up that this was indeed 3yrs old. It is of an American university choir singing a traditional Jamaican song called "Long Time Gal".


Below is a video showing a more traditional way the song is sung. I think the Michigan choir did a very good interpretation. Enjoy.

No to YOLO

My random thoughts on YOLO and all its trappings.