WANT..

WANT..

i want -my god given right to choose who represents me
i want my god given right to live the life i call free
i dont want to see any more naked black women on b/e/t
i want black men to stop talking about how they don’t respect me

why should we let anybody tell us who we are
only we know who we can be
i will say these words til I’m dying
cuz i wont stop, i cant stop- ‘til you hear me

people have lived and died so we can stand and walk tall
they feared for own their lives but somehow they kept going.. strong
do we feel we owe nothing to them but to dress fly & party on and on?
i am so sick and tired of us living as though we are invisible
look at the life of the man
who fought & lived from day to day
trying to figure out how to lead his people
to the promised land, the PROMISED LAND
leaving behind his young wife and children
wrapped up in our pain and suffering (the world of living)
how do we repay him for all that he gained
by grown women clappin their asses
and grown men refusing to take stances
maybe this is a necessary ill
maybe we’re just lettin’ off steam
but i can’t see how this is the answer
my people, this can not be the way

i’m talkin’ to our mothers, fathers, sisters & brothers
i’m talking to our children
i’m talking about - black pride
where is it?

by any means necessary, if necessary
by peaceful means when we can
i’m asking if we think we are past fighting for our civil rights
as though the movement has ended
when in fact it has only (truly) just begun
if our leaders of yesterday were here today, we would have marched to new orleans
BUT FIRST, we would have marched after the 2 bush elections
are we not tired of being taken for granted in voting fraud scandals and by pop personalities who speak so cavalierly of lynching and nappy headed hoe’s?
of students who hang nooses from trees for sport, cops who maim and murder in the name of the law.. irate comedians who resort to racial slurs and epithets in a moment of panic
and loss of self control, calling people nigger..
nigga? please
you know what?
i hereby refuse to call another black person nigga

in my dreams i often see the image of a black cat
and in her resides the spirit of nefertiti
like an angel she comes to me
and softly chides
“you were not sent here to simply just.. be
but to fight, raise hell and rebel for that which you believe



things haven’t really changed for people like you and me

young men sent to fight for a country that would rather see them die than educate their minds
young women raising families without fathers is another sign of our times
WHERE ARE THE FUCKING BLACK MEN WHO WILL STAND BESIDE US??
we have the highest rate of aids, but are the ones who can least afford to see a dr
we shop the most yet own the least
1 out of 9 black men is in prison..
but none of that will stop me from trying to make YOU // hear ME..
why should we be so familar with defeat?

i want -my god given right to be protected by the police
i want my god given right to have honest and fair representation by my govenrment
i -want -my -for -ty -ac -res -and -a -mule
don’t you?
we live in a land where we still encounter racism every day
yet so few speak for us in a way that is not sensational but instead rational and with intellect and poise
we forget that this fight is not over
that the revolution MUST GO ON
because the revolution will STILL be televised

our heroes are dying

or else
they are slandered, ridiculed, and brought down before our very eyes
yet we stand unmoved, unphased and unprepared
the elders of our tribe disappear before us
as our last line of defense
but it is easier to build a monument than to start a movement
there is a pain in my heart that is hard to describe
it is not unlike the feeling you get when love has betrayed you
except it is a country that has failed me, failed all of us..
so i guess you could call it heartbreak

it will begin with me
let the movement begin



the time is now to take a stand..

Epiphanies

Sometimes.. I marvel at little things and big things.. Things we take for granted, for instance, I was thinking today about how amazing human life is. Don't you think it's a miracle that 2 people can come together, fall in love, mate, and out of that union can come another human life? A tiny baby can come from 2 people falling in love?? How amazing is that? How amazing is it to watch a person grow, and learn and grow more and be shaped by their families, and friends, their surroundings, their education, and watch them become who they're going to be?

The only part that is difficult is watching people die. Still haven't been able to wrap my brain around that one yet. I once read a story, that in the very near future, disease had been conquered, there was very little crime, people could live as long as they wanted and they chose when to die. The interesting thing was, you would think people would choose to live forever if they could, but once all their family and friends began to die, staying around didn't have the same appeal and people eventually began to feel lonely. Even though their children were still around, even though they could make new friends, there was something comforting about having at least a few people in your life who knew everything about you, people with whom you had shared memories and experiences. In some small way, I guess I could understand that.. But life is quite amazing, isn't it?

Short Blog..

Ok, so I had a blog all written up and ready for you guys since last week but it was kinda’ dark and I haven’t written in a while so I didn’t want to come back after a month or 2 of silence with a gloomy entry (will post next week)..

And I’m off to new adventures so I figured this is definitely part of the “Indie Star” part. As you all know, I’ve been working on a new record for the last 2 years. The thing with me though, is that I’ve become very indecisive over the last few years. Hell, even before the last record came out, I had another one practically finished and ready to go. Naturally that makes it very hard to decide what my next move should be all the time because I’m always second guessing myself and not having anyone to reign me in (like a manager or label). Which just means I keep procrastinating and starting new ideas and projects. This is the kind of thing that is a pitfall (or a curse) for an independent artist. It doesn’t matter that you can do a lot of things well or how versatile you are. What matters is getting your product out there and keeping your artistry in the forefront, minds and hearts of your fan base. This is key! And it certainly doesn’t help being a perfectionist..

Anyhow, let’s just say that I’m starting to move forward and I might FINALLY have some very much needed help which is a good thing, actually it’s a great thing! So under advice of my perspective new associates, I’m looking for songs. I write, of course, and produce but in an effort to get out of my own way and to try something new, I’m taking songs from other writers and so I’ve been listening to songs for the last month and oh boy, is it EVER hard to find a good song! That’s a whole other blog, but let’s just say that it’s really surprising to me, how even with the internet being the tool it is and people having as much freedom and creative control as they would like, that there’s still not so much originality. Everyone still wants to write and sound like everyone else.. Even songs from the pro’s. Not knocking it, well I guess I am in a way, but they weren’t all bad, just thought I’d get a lot of variation and fresh ideas, but really, not so much.

I will say this, searching for songs has put me in touch with a few people I haven’t spoken to in years. Some are people I’ve always been fond of and, or admired so it’s been awesome to reconnect with them and it actually makes my heart glad. And of course, they had great songs! I recently reconnected with my high school best friend as well and another guy I was in my first ever band with who was reminding me of some of our childhood escapades and whoa! These are some stories! I’ll be sending some your way soon because you will get a kick out of hearing some of these! Boy, I’ll tell ya’ when I’m done with the music, I’m gonna’ write a book!

By the way, look for some new stuff on Youtube soon and tell me what you think.

Hey, my birthday is in 2 weeks. I’m a Christmas baby ;-)
May you all know comfort, joy and peace this holiday season.

Anyway’s, all for now.. will keep you posted. Oh, and I’m trying out a new tagline..

Love, Light & Music <3

On The Sofa With Vivian Sessoms..

BILLIES BLACK & POLLEN NATION PRESENT
“On The Sofa With Joseph Riley Land Featuring Vivian Sessoms"

Up & coming journalist, Joseph Riley Land, will do an Oprah style interview with yours truly, Vivian Sessoms next Wednesday, October 13th at 7pm. We’ll be discussing the making of the new record, due out in the spring of 2011, latest tour schedule, upcoming shows, love, life and everything in between. Chris and I will perform a few new songs as well, which will be our first performance in 2 years so you don't want to miss this!

Date: Wednesday, 10/13/10
Time: 7:00 pm
Cover: $0
Food & Drink: $10 Minimum
Address: 271 W 119th Street
Phone: 212.280.2248
*Bring 2 people, get an Albright tee shirt, for FREE!

I know, I know... It's been a really long time.. Too long in fact, so make your way on over to Billie's Black next Wednesday evening to hear all the latest

Check out the website here:
http://www.viviansessoms.com/

And my Twitter page here:
http://twitter.com/viviansessoms

Youtube page here:
http://www.youtube.com/chynadall

Looking forward to seeing you there, and remember.. music can change the world.

Flying High In Heels or Flying In High Heels, That Is The Question..

I always gaze at other travelers who are packed so efficiently and lightly with such envy. They are usually crisply pressed and well dressed to boot, which makes it even worse. Then there’s the woman in high heels, the light makeup, the freshly coiffed hair and her smart little travel outfit, be it jeans, shorts or what have you, which usually just makes me stop and stare in silent awe and admiration. It reminds me a little of when my grandmother used to talk about how people used to get dressed up to travel. They wore hats and gloves and stockings and matching coats and dresses and shoes and bags. It's all so very MAD MEN.
Of course, no one dresses up that much anymore, but mind you, I’m still on the complete opposite end of the spectrum. I can usually be found wandering around the airport in sweats (that double as pajamas when I’m home, I'm sad to say). Sometimes they might be a snug fit (Juicy’s if they’re clean), but that’s usually about all the sexy I can muster on a flight that’s more than 2 hours long and those will usually be worn with Uggs (as in fucking ugly boots).
Needless to say I get a lot of suspect looks from airport security..
I have a friend that insists when I come to see him anywhere, I must not where those things on my feet! Of course he is gay but I’m pretty sure he’s only echoing the sentiment of most, if not all straight men.



On the other hand there is nothing worse that trying to be cute while you’re traveling and being totally miserable and worn the hell out when you arrive. I remember only too well traveling with my mom when I was kid and getting smacked upside the head for the smallest thing because her feet hurt. Still, whenever I see other people arriving at their destinations looking so fly, so fresh and so clean, clean, it makes me wonder why I always choose to run around looking like a damn homeless person. Especially when I am as PASSIONATE ABOUT FASHION as I am.. I mean, I’m running around with my head tied up in a rag up under a hat, so I’m not messing up my hair, no makeup (ok, every once in a while I will do lipstick), layers of sweats so I don’t get cold on the plane (it does get damn cold on the plane), uggs, and way too much damn luggage to boot!



Another point to consider though, is how people treat you when you’re dressed well as opposed to dressed like a bum. As I observe this strange breed of people I admire so much, I notice they are usually treated very well. They ask for something and behave in a way that suggests they expect their request to be granted. I, on the other hand, ask for something, am told no, then ask again only to be told no again, then insist, then demand, then start screaming for the damn manager. Only when the person attending to me is told that I too am traveling in business class, just like the well dressed person before me, do they concede and realize that my request wasn’t so ridiculous after all (hahahahahahaha). And that’s only some of the time, sometimes the person will be like “git yo’ raggedy ass on outta here, hell naw I aint updatin’ you’ mileage account, heffa you know you aint got no damn mileage account”, or “you know you don’t belong in the executive lounge, now git!”
Other passengers roll over my feet with their luggage, men DO NOT offer to help me put my bag in the overhead even though I am 5’2” and visibly struggling trying to get a bag more than half my size (yeah, I know, big for a carry on) higher than my head. They will however, offer to help the well dressed woman, even though she may be 5’11” and carrying a pocket book the size of a wallet. It’s ridiculous and of course it’s not something I’m unaware of, hell I’m in the music business. It’s just that I think I’ve kind of gotten in the mindset that where travel is concerned, it’s comfort first and worry about looking good when I get off the damn plane ergo heavy bags. But I’m thinking I need to rethink this whole travel effect.. So I’ve decided to try a little experiment, stay tuned..



The shoes I wore on the plane..

The Beauty Of The Landscape..

(My accountant Bob and me.. Photo courtesy of Mary Crane, Bobs wife)

For some reason each time I visit Canada, it always reminds me of the 60's or 70's..
Like the US, but like I remember it as a little girl..
There's just something about it that takes me back to a time...

Sometimes it reminds me of France a little.. Hearing people speaking french in the
French-Canadian regions..
Sometimes it even reminds me of Australia with the Provinces and all that.. But
mostly it reminds me of the US about 30 years ago..

Obviously, it is a lot like the United States because of the close proximity to us
and the ability to observe, learn, and borrow so easily from one another.. Being our
neighbors and allies we're able to go back and forth extremely easily..
Gonna pause for a bit, I'm about to watch a movie.

So on a sidenote, I saw a great french film called Micmacs.. It's adorable! Go see
it, great cast, funny, sweet.. You'll love it. You won't even mind reading the
subtitles, promise..

Back to Canada, whenever I visit, I always find that I see so many things that
remind of being a little girl, mostly products (I saw a can of Tab cola today, when
is the last time you saw one of those?), TV programs, old buildings.. Remember when
there use to be a red fire alarm stand on every street corner in the US?

I don't know if I'm saying Canada is behind because it does seem very modern, it
seems to have every comfort we're used to at home. In fact, compared to a lot of
places I've traveled to, it is one of the closest to the US in having technological
modernization available to all with the exception of Germany, Switzerland and Japan,
I think (some other smaller European countries should be included in that as well)..

And yet, there is something a little old fashioned about the place and I don't mean
that in a bad way..
It's something to do with the people.. They are very kind, they're interested.. The
pace of life seems slower.. Even in the fast paced cities.. I don't know... Maybe
I'm talking out of my ass but it really reminds me of when I was a little girl..
.
I not saying people dont care in the states, not at all.. but I don't know.. It just
feels sometimes as though we've become so inundated with information and technology
and 9/11 and the war and Katrina and the BP oil spill.. Presidents getting impeached
and accused of cheating.. And everything in between..
You just become immune after a while... numb..

It doesn't feel like that here.. This country is big as hell and yet, everywhere you
go, feels like a small town..
I'm not that up to date with Canadian politics and I know no one person, or place is
perfect, so I'm sure Canada has had it share of scandals and disasters just like
us.. But hey.. they've got healthcare too..

This isn't an argument for or against Canada.. And it certainly isn't a comparison
by any means.. Or at least, not meant to be.. Its just my own little observation.
But there is something very lovely and quie

Just enjoying the day in beautiful Canada..