I sometimes wish I could write a story/poem/essay about race and people not react with “Oh it’s about him being Black.” That’s rarely the case. But I feel like the more I try to write characters and subjects that aren’t Black or dealing with racial issues, I’m discrediting myself. I even feel uncomfortable writing this because it’s too Black.
I just want the mental freedom to write like Kurt Vonnegut, but I’ll forever be trapped in the subconscious of Octavia E. Butler.
Oh well. Honestly the only people who will really analyze my works are other English majors and they come in all colors. Rant proven false. =)
As much as I love this genre, there is a serious problem with the tragic story. No matter how good a tragic story is, no one ever enjoys it. Lol, and that is a tragedy on it’s own.
- Richard D. S. Blacksher
1 Help, LORD, for no one is faithful anymore;
those who are loyal have vanished from the human race.
2 Everyone lies to their neighbor;
they flatter with their lips
but harbor deception in their hearts.
3 May the LORD silence all flattering lips
and every boastful tongue—
4 those who say,
“By our tongues we will prevail;
our own lips will defend us—who is lord over us?”
5 “Because the poor are plundered and the needy groan,
I will now arise,” says the LORD.
“I will protect them from those who malign them.”
6 And the words of the LORD are flawless,
like silver purified in a crucible,
like gold refined seven times.
7 You, LORD, will keep the needy safe
and will protect us forever from the wicked,
8 who freely strut about
when what is vile is honored by the human race.
- Psalms 12 (NIV)
So somehow between me finishing/releasing The Soundtrack on Christmas break, I realize I’m about to complete my EP (Embers Vol. 1: Are You Okay?) during my Spring Break. Crazy right? It’s kinda scary though.
Truthfully I don’t want to put it out—Embers Vol. 1. Not that I’m afraid it isn’t good; but I think people might like it more than The Soundtrack. Both projects are completely different. This one is definitely more radio friendly. I’m starting to sound more like a rapper and less like a poet who just so happens to rap. There’s still an overall message to the project, but the music isn’t quite as linear. Like, each song is a complete thought. Not like The Soundtrack. That album was really one looooooonnnngggg story spread out over 10 tracks.
But I put my personal life into that album. I shared stuff on that record only my closest friends knew about me. And it did/is doing better than I thought. But it’s little intimidating watching your loved ones skip over your songs and play the new Tyga joint. That’s no diss to Tyga, but it hurts my pride to see people—who literally saw me put my blood and sweat into The Soundtrack—pass over it because it doesn’t sound like what’s hot right now.
That’s where Embers Vol. 1 is coming from. Because a lot of people, loved ones, weren’t satisfied with the work. Too many metaphors. Too many allegories. Why does the album need a story? No one’s gonna understand that.
They’re right.
So let me suck it up. The Soundtrack served her purpose, now it’s time for Embers. A 6 track long EP with guest appearances by other artists helping to lift my burden of being an out of the box artist. 808’s, ratchet claps, pocket raps, ratchet claps, superficial lyrics, ratchet claps, ratchet claps, and ratchet…claps.
But this might be the one that the public will enjoy the most.
I don’t care. I just hope God is pleased. Even with the ratchet claps.
It’s 3:23AM.
1979 psychotherapy program for Apple II meets SIRI. An interesting conversation between technology.
