A Message for the Jazzyfatnastees:<P>I was reading your journal postings at the Blacklily site, when a thought occurred to me:<BR>Maybe if you stopped acting like the pre-judgemental authority on everyone else's music, you two might have better records sales and exposure. Be very mindful of the fact that what you do and say comes back to you. It's called Karma. Remember: We are all works in progress.<P>Said From Someone Who Wants You to Become More Than What You Are Being Right Now.

not that the Jazzies need us okayplayers to defend them but anyway---<P>without going into a long post about the current state of music, radio, tv, etc...<P>keep in mind:<P>that you haven't seen the Jazzies criticizing anyone's talent<P>that there is a difference between an artist and a mere entertainer<P>yes, growing into the use and full breadth of your talents is for most of us a gradual process<P>growing into oneself as an artist involves a process as well<P>the two growth processes are interwoven but can exist separately (i could have the best voice in the world and continue to sing meaningless $-making songs for a whole career) (i could barely have a voice but make up for it in other ways by being creative and sincere)<P>naturally, if you are struggling to create as an artist --- in an environment where it seems that you could cast off what you stand for and believe in and quickly succeed --- you will experience frustration --- and probably, try as you might to fight it, you're going to find yourself with a bit of disdain for some of the people reaping the rewards of the industry<P>just my opinion.<P>Peace, Love, and Blessings<P>"Well, I like to eat, sleep, drink, and be in love.<BR>I like to work, read, learn, and understand life." - Langston Hughes "Theme for English B"

whats up - i just read the comment, but i didn't quite understand where u were coming from :)<P>i read all of the journals (3) at blacklily (in their entirety) and i didn't see where they were being judgemental or scornful towards any other artists. they were talking at one point about how angie stone and macy grey were selling ? units a week or something, then they were talking about their personal struggles with the industry; as far as "the wound" video and radio. i mean, yeah she sounded kinda bitter about their acceptance and sales but she wasn't hating on anybody. just because she was speaking on the careers of others doesn't mean that she was making their career look dismal, obviously by her other entries, the nastees are doing their best to keep their heads above water by keeping a positive outlook, i can respect that. peace - billy<P><BR>"you gaze confused/ at me from the stage while my camera rewinds/ yes - flashed a contraband memoir of an obsession divine/ in this life i want just a mere fraction of your prescious time/ when i relinquish to you all of mine" - <P>from my labelmate Soir's spoken word piece, "F.A.N.S" <BR><a href="http://www.geocities.com/gabbana36" target="_blank">http://www.geocities.com/gabbana36<;/a>

Blah blah blah...like you talk about music...<P>Uno<BR>Improv!?<P>"(Shyne) was disrespectful so we had to beat his ass. He's one of them niggas that will speak to you when nobody's around and then act big on you later. So we laid his ass out."---Lil Cease...A Leo <img src="http://www.okayplayer.com/dcforum/Images/wink.gif">

I meant to say "Like you NEVER talk about music"<P>And the reason why Jazzy is selling like they are suppose to is because MCA ISN'T DOING THEIR FUCKING JOB!!! (sorry, but tell me I'm lying? One Effing copy per Virgin Mega Store? da fuck outta here...)<P>Damn kid you stuck a nerve...<P>Uno<BR>Improv!?<P>"(Shyne) was disrespectful so we had to beat his ass. He's one of them niggas that will speak to you when nobody's around and then act big on you later. So we laid his ass out."---Lil Cease...A Leo <img src="http://www.okayplayer.com/dcforum/Images/wink.gif">

First of all, I’m not writing this in hopes of clearing my name. I don’t feel there is anything for me to apologize for. I stand behind everything that I’ve said. No, I’m not perfect. And I am prone to say how I really feel, if given the chance. I don’t like everything I see and hear. I am opinionated. I do try really hard not to judge, but it’s hard when I constantly see women being treated like cattle and demeaned on video. Yes, yes I know that no one put a gun to their heads and told them to take off their clothes but how many times do you have to hear that that’s all your worth before you believe it? Not everyone is blessed enough to have that support which encourages self worth.<P>A couple of years back, our local black radio station went on air and stated that they declined the resonsiblity of being role models for our youth. After a couple of rap artists( who I won’t name, and notice I said rap not hip-hop… there is a BIG difference!) stated the same, this after someone from the NAACP criticized their lyrics and images. Imagine that. Why do you think that is? I don’t know how much I would agree with them, but I do agree that whether we like it or not as performers we are the chosen desciples. It is up to us to educate those that come after us. PERIOD………….<P>As for selling albums…… well, I hope that we will because I think that we have something positive to contribute to this confussed world. But if not another album is bought I will always know in my heart that what we created I would want to share with my children and my childrens children. This is not about this moment this is about tomorrow. I care. I will spend the rest of my career trying to improve what the consumer is feed.<P>Besides, the journals are meant to be a way for you to take a peek into our minds... if we start sensoring what's the point?<P>Tracey (from the Jazzees)<P>Belief initiates and guides action<BR>Or it does nothing....<P>Embrace diversity.<BR>Unite<BR>Or be divided,<BR> robbed,<BR> ruled,<BR> killed<BR>By those who see you as prey.<BR>Embrace diversity<BR>Or be destroyed.<BR> Earthseed: The Books of the Living<P>

Trac-E!<P>wanted to take this opportunity to give you and your patnah' big fat shout out! Seen ya'll go from Ahmir's living room to Time effin' magazine! Not bad yo, not bad at all... Tell Fatin i said yo please, i mjust missed him in the chat...<P>no matter how many funny looks you done givin me for some of my stranger comments (opinions, ideas, actions, etc) i still give ya'll props for stickin it out...<P>PoZi (;=<P>the picture takin, mountain bikin', looped thinkin' philly phanatic; Esquire.<P>ya'll gotta do a Lilly in Chicago so i can finally get to one btw!

Hey Mpozi, I see your still crazy.... haven't seen hide nor hair of you lately, have you moved to Chicago? I will pass the message on to Fatin, he's doing well... married with child. Thanks for the shout out and will be looking for you pix on the cover of Time. Peace<P>Tracey (from the Jazzees)<P>Belief initiates and guides action<BR>Or it does nothing....<P>Embrace diversity.<BR>Unite<BR>Or be divided,<BR> robbed,<BR> ruled,<BR> killed<BR>By those who see you as prey.<BR>Embrace diversity<BR>Or be destroyed.<BR> Earthseed: The Books of the Living<P>

Future Filmmaker Over Here<P>hey tracey! <BR> Ryan here...I don't have MUCH to say. But, i'll say this: I read your journals the other day, and I don't see anything wrong with them. Base point: These are your thoughts and viewpoints and NONE OF US have any right to challenge or interrogate them. You were just expressing your thoughts on music today. :) (I COULD be evil and name artists that easily pop up in my mind when reading your journal..But, i won't go there. :)) If anything, they gave me a little insight into who you and Mercedes are and where you are coming from. Personally, I love your album (I finally BOUGHT it after holding it hostage for a month from a college friend of mine. :)) Musically and Lyrically: It's one of the BEST albums i've heard in a LONG ASS TIME. <P>Sales and Radio Airplay: WHO GIVES A F$CK? I mean really, we ALL know that groups/artists who go platinum (Britney/Backstreet/Ginuwine/Tyrese/N'sync, etc.) in all reality only sell records b/c of their image/etc. NOT their vocal capabilities (and the ones i named CAN'T SING!). It doesn't matter if you guys sell 20million or TWENTY albums. WHat i'm hearing is AMAZING music done by two AMAZING black artists. Personally, i only buy work from folks whose work stands the test of time, i.e. artists who may not sell OUT THE BOX, but always come with it in terms of lyrics/music/etc. IMHO, the jazzyfatnastees are what most groups SHOULD BE ASPIRING TO BE but aren't nowadays. :) <P>But, i've been rambling. :) I wish you two the best of luck. You'll always have a fan in me. :)<P>Ryan Canty aka SankofaII<P>P.S. what was it like working with Me'Shell Ndegeocello?? (have you ever thought of working with her on future albums??) Any advice for folk who are aspiring singer-songwriters? (i'm one). :)

thats right sis' keep real and keep it right. word is bond! Boyah! <P><BR> peace &love kion....... who do u work for? whats your occupation?yah damn skippy!

That previous message was not meant to tick anybody off. I believe that we could talk forever about the state of our music. However, this ain't just about music. This is about the many facets of life as well. I took the initiative upon myself to make some people aware of something affecting them, whether they realize it or not. If you all disagree with me, that's cool, because I don't make these universal laws, I just strive to adhere to them. Remember:(1)What we do and say definitely comes back to us-That's immutable. (2)It's okay to be a work in progress. Lastly, thank you, Mercedes for your most recent journal entry. The exchanging of opinions and ideas should be for examining issues in different dimensions. In seeking wisdom, we should learn how to receive from ALL things what is beneficial to our learning process. Through finding the lessons, we eliminate negative effects and feelings. I hope that THIS message doesn't leave anyone angry-just aware. --Peace

I think the only thing that will come back to you under karmic law from criticizing someone is you will be criticized yourself.<P>I'll forever stand by the idea that critical discourse about is a GOOD thing.<P>PS: If karma controlled album sales, a lot of mean people who sell lots of records never would have gotten signed in the first place...<P>Peace,<P>Spirit<BR><a href="http://amphibians.iuma.com" target="_blank">http://amphibians.iuma.com<;/a><BR><a href="http://infiniteloop.iuma.com" target="_blank">http://infiniteloop.iuma.com<;/a><BR>DC hip-hop is on the rise...<P>"High grade when I create beats/if I don't get signed/I'ma be the most dope bum that ever walked the streets" - <BR>Aychell (HL, of Khemystery)<P>"If it walks like a duck, quacks like a duck, and looks like a duck, it's probably a tool of the conspiracy" - unknown

>I think the only thing that will <BR>>come back to you under karmic <BR>>law from criticizing someone is you <BR>>will be criticized yourself. <BR>>I'll forever stand by the idea that <BR>>critical discourse about is a GOOD<P>about ART is a good thing...<BR> <BR>>thing. <BR>>PS: If karma controlled album sales, a <BR>>lot of mean people who sell <BR>>lots of records never would have <BR>>gotten signed in the first place... <BR>><BR>>Peace, <BR>>Spirit <a href="http://amphibians.iuma.com" target="_blank">http://amphibians.iuma.com<;/a> <a href="http://infiniteloop.iuma.com" target="_blank">http://infiniteloop.iuma.com<;/a> DC hip-hop is on <BR>>the rise... <BR>>"High grade when I create beats/if I <BR>>don't get signed/I'ma be the most <BR>>dope bum that ever walked the <BR>>streets" - Aychell (HL, of <BR>>Khemystery) <BR>>"If it walks like a duck, quacks <BR>>like a duck, and looks like <BR>>a duck, it's probably a tool <BR>>of the conspiracy" - unknown <P><BR>Peace,<P>Spirit<BR><a href="http://amphibians.iuma.com" target="_blank">http://amphibians.iuma.com<;/a><BR><a href="http://infiniteloop.iuma.com" target="_blank">http://infiniteloop.iuma.com<;/a><BR>DC hip-hop is on the rise...<P>"High grade when I create beats/if I don't get signed/I'ma be the most dope bum that ever walked the streets" - <BR>Aychell (HL, of Khemystery)<P>"If it walks like a duck, quacks like a duck, and looks like a duck, it's probably a tool of the conspiracy" - unknown

Sure Tracey was a bit harsh in the last one..but seeing into the mind of what all the artists REALLY have to say is more interesting than fakeness.<BR>Btw,,I was REALLY impressed Mercedes knew who Sleater-kinney was..cuz they are dope.<P>Also, on a happier note, my girl was in SF and heard Jazzies being played over the speakers at Virgin..and the DJs I am calling to request the jazzies in boston, actually KNOW who they are now.<BR>slowly slowly slowly..its gonna happen, I believe that. <img src="http://www.okayplayer.com/dcforum/Images/happy.gif"><BR>Peace,<BR>Steve

I keep a journal and have been doing so for years. And if mine journal was posted for everyone and their mother to read, I'm sure they would think that I'm judgemental, arrogant, catty, envious, insecure, suffering from dementia, and at times in need of a bottle of ritalin. But the thing about journals is that you are not writing them to make others feel good. So if someone feels that you all are being judgemental or too harsh or petty or whatever...so what! That is how Mercedes and Tracey were feeling and I personally find their honesty refreshing. <P>So please Mercedes, don't think twice about what you write. Please, just keep doin what cha doin--musically and journally (yeah, I know that ain't a word:)<P>isha

right... and you probably think common is a hater & he would go platinum if he would just do a video called “trickin’ ice on my baby mama.”<P>(yeah i know u didn’t really say that but its just as ridiculous as what you did say)<P>incog poetic<P>“i could swing off anything/ even the string of a harp”<BR>-rakim