I loved the Facebook-related videos from the Blame It On Ashley team so much that I subscribed to their YouTube channel. For those that don’t know, this means that whenever Blame It On Ashley posts a new video I receive an email alert. So today I received an e-mail alert about a new BIOA video, and I was all primed for laughter, but instead I got this video. It features a sister by the name of Lady Terror taking her poetry to the streets, and even doing yoga at the Carry-Out (yes, the Carry-Out). Now, as much as I LOVE yoga, I would never do it at the Carry-Out (serious lol to that). Notwithstanding that fact, . . . Wow. Just Wow. Because this sister is so committed to bringing her message to the people that she goes directly to where they are. Point blank. Bullhorn in front of the liquor store. WHAT?!?

Now a confession: I personally feel called out by this video (and think a lot of other artists may too). I feel that way specifically because on In the Air (the last track on Moonlight Revolution) I basically professed that I was going to take my message to the people whether radio picked it up or not…

“I’mma tell the truth till the roof’s off this place, if they don’t play it or what, I don’t give a ____ I would move units out the side of the ice cream truck, call the kids and tell em to eat it up, like the Revolution is comin, don’t run, don’t duck.”

And figuratively, that’s what I thought I’d been doing…
( ███████████████████] Load grammatically incorrect sentence)
I’ve been doing a lot of shows ever since MR dropped… I’ve been trying to reach out and stretch to touch audiences that might not easily be exposed to what I am offering… I haven’t been going after the so-called conscious crowd… One of my friends who teaches creative writing at 3 high schools has integrated Moonlight Revolution into his curriculum… In my mind I’ve been like ‘Yes!–I’m getting my message out!’ Then I see this video and I really have to think: Is that really what I’m doing?

I think the answer to that is a resounding NO. So, yes, I’ve officially been (unofficially) called-out (if that makes any sense). I wonder why we wait for official shows, and official venues. If we have a message, we have a message. What’s stopping us from just rockin anywhere? Noise ordinances? Please.

Anyway, beyond feeling called-out– more importantly– I feel inspired. I commend Lady Terror for being committed enough to completely step out there with her message. You won’t find me doing yoga up at Yums, but I will definitely be exploring more expansive outside-the-box methods of disseminating my art from here on out. Please let me know if you have any suggestions.

Peace always.