#QueenofRap #QueenBey

So I'm so excited about this remix of flawless. I'm not the biggest Beyonce' fan but Flawless and some other songs on her latest album are definitely my shizniyee (Scrappy got me ya'll). I've been raving over it since it was just a rumor and I've finally had time to research it an had it myself and I wish it was a little bit cleaner. Though it does not stop the craziness of the track. Plus they put one of my all time favorite joints ever in it Spottieottiedopealicious on the bridge!!!!!!!! (Outkast in the building!) Hopefully the official track is a little cleaner and flows better but regardless its great. Nicki had some bars but I've heard better from her honestly. Flawless is still flawless honey.

SB

(P.S. I have only found sped up copies of it on video and the others ones are on sound cloud and via other site if you would like to listen. Sorry guys)

Yay Queen Colbie

Many times in music we have someone make music that gets on your nerves, motivates you, forces you to see things differently, uplifts and many other things. I was doing my usual scroll on social media and saw Colbie Callait. I love her music. I love her sound. I love her singing personality. Then I listened and watched the video and give it all the stars possible. I love the diversity in the video, i love the message, I love it!. A lot of times we as women forget how beautiful we are naturally. Understanding that make-up is a decision we make but our first thought she always be these are beauty "enhancers" not beauty "makers". This video is the definition of #BeYou.
This means be who you are unapologetically. People will do what they can to make you feel inferior to them but, it is up to you to know your worth. I love it. All the women in the video are beautiful. This is a must listen and definitely will be added to my iTunes library. Bravo Queen Colbie!

Queen Kat

So I'm doing my usual scrolling through Instagram and art caught my eye. I saw phenomenal colors mixed with perfection of lines on a dope canvas. A dear friend to the blog posted this Queens phenomenal work and I just had to get her for a feature. This Queen is dope ya'll check her out.

1. What inspires your work?

Right now Bob Ross, people & cartoons inspire my work. Very odd combo. I grew up watching Bob Ross on PBS & his positive attitude never stopped him from painting even when he made a mistake. He would say "There's no such thing as mistakes, only happy accidents." I mess up a lot when I'm drawing, but I somehow turn it into something creative. I also used to be terrible at drawing portraits. It's now all I seem to be drawing! I try to get creative with the portraits so they aren't simple. I love going wild with the hair or backgrounds. Right now, I'm kind of trapped in this real/cartoony drawing phase. I love the bold lines that give my drawings more of a graphic look. Like on Power Puff Girls or Dexter's Lab. All of these things come together & are shown in my style today.

2. Who are some of your inspirations?

Aside from Bob Ross. I follow a lot of really dope artists on Instagram believe it or not. It's so great to see that there are other people my age out there rocking the art scene. Anything from photographers to sculptors to tattooists to painters. Some of the artists that I'm huge fans on Instagram are fans of my work & that blows my mind! It definitely keeps me going. 

3.Where did you get your start?

I got my start at a young age of 5 years old. My Ma (mother) sat me down on weekends & had craft time. She would teach me how to draw basic things, sew & make some really weird stuff! I made a few ugly monkeys out of panty hose in my day LOL! As I got older she taught me more about how to draw with dimension & perspective. Over time, with help from my Ma & art classes, my skills really grew. My Ma recently taught my 26 year old sister to draw. Drawing is definitely a skill that can be learned at any age.

4.What are you goals and aspirations?

My large goals: I would love to show my work at Art Basel Miami some day. It's a huge exhibition held on South Beach every year with about 50,000 attendees. I also would like to become a well-known artist across the United States if possible. My small goals: I'd like to become less critical of my work & be proud of it. I'm extremely critical of my work if it isn't perfect on the first try. Nothing is perfect on the first try. I'm still struggling with that lesson. 

5.What would you say to aspiring artists?

I would say that this road is rough. Most times people around me don't understand my dream of becoming a great artist. They try to convince me that it's a waste of time & not possible. I've lost a few friends while following my art dreams. This isn't a path that most want to take, but don't give up. I feel like shredding my drawings & throwing all my materials out my window at least once a week. This all takes time. Keep going. Keep practicing. Keep learning. Keep growing.

6.Do you live by a quote? If so what is the quote and how does it motivate you?

I live by 3 quotes:

1) "God is in the details." - Ludwig Mies Van Der Rohe 

Details can make or break a picture. I prefer the high detailed route. 

2) "To avoid criticism: say nothing, do nothing, be nothing." - Aristotle

Critique is inevitable if you want to get somewhere. Criticism isn't always bad either. I've received critiques from other artists that have helped improve my work. Some people don't like criticism. I on the other hand welcome it.  

3) "Who am I? I could be anyone." - Rango

Yes. Rango. An animated movie about a lizard who finds his life purpose through a role-playing journey of which he gets lost in the desert. A very existential quote that really hit home for me. I can be whoever I want to be. Right now, I'm working on becoming a great artist. 

7. How can people follow you work?

Simple enough, I post my work on Instagram (@TheKathedral). But I would eventually like to create a small website where my work can by viewed & purchased even for the people who don't have instagrams. 

Decisions, Decisions

So everyone is bugging about the casting of the late great Aaliyah in the new lifetime biopic. Zendaya Coleman has been cast as Aaliyah. Some of the controversy around this is 1. She's not black 2. She does not look like her 3. Who is she? etc.  Honestly, at first I was like who the hell is she, she doesn't look like her and wth! Then I though to myself. This is loooooonnnnngggg over due. Aaliyah was a beautiful spirit, a talented signer, and a wonderful person. Beyond all of her external looks (Beyond Beautiful). I don't know Zendaya but she had better embody all of that. Make-up can get her to the visual portion. Getting back to the part when I said I don't know her, understand, I don't listen to a lot of this new stuff. I've seen her at NYFW and I've also listened to her song and her voice is not as mature but then again she's only 17-18 y.o. If I were in her shoes I would be honored as hell to play such a phenomenal star.

When I discussed this with friends they feel as though race and skin pigmentation should not even be a factor. Agreed, but, I really had my favorite pic as Teyana Taylor. I love her style, her voice, she's just great. Her friend, TyroneBee on IG, leaked some of her audition tapes (listed below). Teyana just embodies that Tomboy style Aaliyah had. I'm not so sure about the sweetheart and everything else Aaliyah was internally.

http://instagram.com/p/pZvrq_t4Kb/?all_comments_on_ad
http://instagram.com/p/pZu4vIt4Jg/?all_comments_on_ad
http://instagram.com/p/pZt1plt4IG/?all_comments_on_ad

At the end of the day no one will ever be satisfied of someone trying to play the part of someone so great. The bottom line is someone is doing it and it needs to be done so whomever does it holds a great position and critics will be watching and jotting notes but know you did it for her.

-SB

Mr. Dave Chapelle!

After all of the rumors and all of the time we have had without him Mr. Dave Chapelle is back. I was/am a fan of the Chapelle Show. I still watch re-runs and Dave Chapelle Block Party was epic!!!!! I was doing my daily (watching youtube videos) and came across Jimmy Fallon and Dave Chapelle.
- Your Welcome