Oprah Joins Hollywood’s Elite In The Fight For More Black Films

By JAKE COYLE 11/06/13 10:29 AM ET EST

NEW YORK — NEW YORK (AP) — Oprah Winfrey has heard this story before.

A wave of high-profile films about black people receives accolades. A heart-warming trend of greater on-screen equality is declared. Hollywood basks in its multiculturalism — and then returns to business as usual.

From the slavery odyssey “12 Years a Slave” to the day-in-a-life drama “Fruitvale Station,” this fall has been a banner season for films of racial struggle told without white protagonists and largely by black directors. As one of the stars of the Civil Rights history “Lee Daniels‘ The Butler,” Winfrey is a proud player in a rare moment for African-Americans at the movies. But she and many others have tired of celebrating occasional aberrations of what should be Hollywood’s regular output.

“We’ve been through this before,” says Winfrey. “I don’t want it to be, ‘Oh, gee, we had the 10 films and now it’s another five years before you see another one.'”  2013 is a historical high-point for black-themed films, a culmination of Obama-era cinema. But the filmmakers and actors who made this confluence happen are resolutely against being resigned to a mere trend story, soon to be followed by another lull in diversity.

Read on Oprah Joins Hollywood Elite-More Black Films

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7 Ways to Get an Artist to Cut Your Song | MusicWorld® | BMI.com

Cliff Goldmacher states:

Writing for yourself is where it starts, but keep the artist in mind throughout your process

When you’re starting out as a songwriter, a common scenario is that something in your life moves you to the point where you’re inspired to write about it, and thus, your song is born. This may still be the case – and on some level, I hope so – but if you’re hoping that someone other than you will record your song, here are some essential strategies to keep in mind.

1. Make your song memorable and easy to learn.
There are several ways to create a memorable song. First and foremost, is there something about it that sticks in the listener’s mind and sets it apart? That’s a great place to start. Almost as important, though, is whether the song is easy to learn. If it is, then lots of things can happen. Not only can music fans pick up on it and sing along, but an artist is much more likely to connect with it and learn it as well. Lyrically, making sure your rhyme scheme is consistent in the verses and that your choruses are simple and the same from chorus to chorus is a great start. Regarding your melody, while it should be unique and memorable, it also helps to keep away from something so complicated that it’s tough to learn. Remember, in order for an artist to record your song, they have to learn it. The easier you can make that job for them, the better.  Read more on ….

7 Ways to Get an Artist to Cut Your Song | MusicWorld® | BMI.com.

Whitney is back and I’m loving every moment…

I am soooo happy to see and hear Whitney again!  It was great to see two powerful women sitting together and embracing the love and support that women need to have for each other.  It is up to us to pull our sisters up from any type of oppression and help to bring them forth out of their turmoil.  I had tears in my eyes and somethimes could not utter a word as Whitney and Oprah had their conversation about the struggle that many women face whether famous or not.  As I sit here expressing my thoughts, it fills my heart with joy to see the love expressed by millions about the return of Whitney Houston.

Whitney-You are every woman and you are inside of us all!

It is What it is!!!

It is here, finally the beginning of a new chapter.  The artist is no longer in the midst of self absorbing comments of how great the product is primarly because he/she is listening within the bubble of their own development.  What I mean is the product is now going main stream and will be heard by millions, some of whom may affirm the many lyrics created in the studio, in the car, in the living room or within the realms of that secret place of peace.  While others may not appreciate what was created by the artist and wound his/her soul and make them retreat.

But it is too late!!!  Now is the time for the confirmation that maybe YOU are that artist and YOU have the capabilties to be successful by becoming that mainstream artist by way of your own creativity.  The product is out!!!  It is available to the world and you have to brace yourself.  It is What it is…don’t be afraid but step forward and put your stamp on your future. 

I have found that many artist, after several years, get to this point in their career and give up or become so afraid of public opinion that they retreat to that comfort zone that they created early on in their development stages.  That time when their circle of friends tell them what they want to hear and not what they need to hear. 

Well, I say to those who want to take the steps in building any career and get to that point of achieving success this… “do not allow minor insecurities decide your fate or keep you from fulfilling your dream.”

Speaking of….my day!

Certainly today has had it rewards. Just knowing that in a very few short days, there will be another artist breaking into the market. The anxiety for the artist is through the roof, so much that the artist is not even asking questions or commenting on the fact that all of his childhood dreams are realizing themselves.

It’s funny how we wish and wish for things to happen in our lives and when it happens we are in disbelieve. As the saying goes…be careful what you wish for because you just might get it!  And I would venture to say …be thoughtful about what you wish for and you will get it!!

Why Don’t You Believe?

It has always made me curious… When people are about to enter a path that looks like it will lead to success, they always find excuses for why it should not happen. I call this a lack of believe in oneself!!!

Micheal Jackson

I am mourning the loss of a musical genius!  Not only that, a person whose life has been scrutinzed. Do we not only do this to high profile individuals or do we do this to our neighbor, co-worker or someone we don’t really know. We should all take a look in the mirror-I am talking about the one that reflects and really check ourselves!!