Intimate and Interactive with Damien Marley and Nas...

Ok…so I know I’ve splashed it all over facebook, twitter, myspace, and anywhere else I could possibly lay it down…but that’s to be expected after spending a night in the studio with 2 music greats, Nas and Damien Marley…right??

Now I must officially blog about it and all its glory…

Was it incredible? Yes.
Was it inspiring? Yes.
Was it cloudy in there? Yes.

In a tribute to Africa, Nas and Damien are working together on a collab that melds the magic of Road to Zion with the illness of Illmatic. And here I was, watchin it all unfold…from vibin to unmarked music, to gettin in the booth and layin down vocals…I got to witness the art and the making of.

Over a few weeks, I was able to sit in on the different sessions, which also included a little visit by Junior Reid (awesome) and met some incredible producers, engineers and musicians…I feel truly blessed. And yes, I just used the word “blessed”…b/c I truly feel blessed, and not because I’ve been hanging out with a bunch of Jamaicans for the past couple weeks. I mean, it may have some influence…but I still feel “blessed”…ok…I digress…and rhyme a little on the offshoot. Yesssssss.

Ok, so back to it. Jim Henson Studios in LA…incroyable…aka…incredible for all the non-frenchies. This studio was INTENSE! The main room had gear that made me feel a little spacey and overwhelmed, and even though I watched very whole-heartedly, I still couldn’t get a grasp of what 97% of the lights and buttons did. However, the second room was a little more my speed. A massive space flooded with drum kits, guitars, basses, grand pianos and congas (notice I pluralized each)…with room enough to spare for an orchestra, a choir, an elephant, and the 10 thousand dreads smoking weed that kept showin up. It was fantastic in all its gloriousness.

So once I sifted through the thickness we were calling air, I sat back, and watched these amazing artists vibe, write, and lay down their creativity with such awe and inspiration, that I felt completely and utterly compelled to keep my path in check, and really keep at this dream of mine.

I’m really lovin it here in LA…wouldn’t change it for the world. It’s incredibly challenging and can eat at your soul…but the moment you feel you have found your breaking point, something great can come around and make it all worth the struggle. And even though I haven’t reached those stars yet, all I can do is keep working hard and ask for the love and support to continue…because in truth…it makes the world of difference, and I’m eternally grateful for all of it!

Mikwetch y’all!

~isKwé