Republican Woman

This is a song rewrite that I wish I'd come up with that I stumbled across while looking for some YouTube video.   It's rapped to the tune of 'American Woman' and skewers all those crazy Republican women we all know and loathe.

Enjoy!

Happy Birthday, MJ

Today would have been the 'King of Pop's' 52nd birthday. Still hard to believe that the only way we'll see him perform ever again is on video and not in a concert.

One thing is certain. Michael Jackson's music will live on for generations to come.

Louisville Shoutout-Bootsy Style

As the date for Carla Wallace's Lawn Party gets closer, missing all my peeps in Da Ville. Just wanted to post this and let you wonderful people know I'm thinking about y'all.

This is from a 1978 Bootsy's Rubber Band concert in Da Ville which has a Louisville centric version of 'What's The Name Of This Town?' Calicard turned it into a video tribute to his hometown that made me smile when I saw it.

1986 Phyllis Hyman Performance and Interview

Y'all know how much I love Phyllis Hyman and hate the fact she's no longer on this planet gracing us with her singing talents. We recently passed the 15th anniversary of her death on June 30.

While searching through video for my Facebook page VJ stint I stumbled across this 1986 appearance and interview of Phyllis on David Brenner's 'The Night Life' show.

So you know I had to post this video for your (and my) viewing pleasure.

Me Time2

Hey TransGriot readers!

Should have posted it earlier, but needed to take a me day to recharge and refresh the creative writing juices and do some social media interactions.

If some breaking news happens that's just too irresistible for me to not comment on, I'll get that post up as quickly as I can.

Will be back up and writing tomorrow.

Labi Siffre 'So Strong'

TransGriot Note: I've always loved this song and the lyrics contained in it by British singer Labi Siffre. While this 1985 song was inspired by events in apartheid ruled South Africa, it reminds me of the struggles that trans African Americans face not only to claim our rightful place in American society, but our struggles within a TBLG community that seeks to denigrate and whitewash our existence out of a history we helped write, and elements of the African American community that tries to deny our existence on specious religious grounds.

***

The higher you build your barriers
The taller I become
The farther you take my rights away
The faster I will run
You can deny me
You can decide to turn your face away
No matter, cos there's...

Something inside so strong
I know that I can make it
Tho' you're doing me wrong, so wrong
You thought that my pride was gone
Oh no, something inside so strong
Oh oh oh oh oh something inside so strong

The more you refuse to hear my voice
The louder I will sing
You hide behind walls of Jericho
Your lies will come tumbling
Deny my place in time
You squander wealth that's mine
My light will shine so brightly
It will blind you
Cos there's...

Something inside so strong
I know that I can make it
Tho' you're doing me wrong, so wrong
You thought that my pride was gone
Oh no, something inside so strong
Oh oh oh oh oh something inside so strong

Brothers and sisters
When they insist we're just not good enough
When we know better
Just look 'em in the eyes and say
I'm gonna do it anyway
I'm gonna do it anyway

Something inside so strong
And I know that I can make it
Tho' you're doing me wrong, so wrong
You thought that my pride was gone
Oh no, something inside so strong
Oh oh oh oh oh something inside so strong

Brothers and sisters
When they insist we're just good not enough
When we know better
Just look 'em in the eyes and say
I'm gonna do it anyway
I'm gonna do it anyway
I'm gonna do it anyway
I'm gonna do it anyway

Because there's something inside so strong
And I know that I can make it
Tho' you're doing me, so wrong
You thought that my pride was gone
Oh no, something inside so strong
Oh oh oh oh oh something inside so strong

Because there's something inside so strong
And I know that I can make it
Tho' you're doing me, so wrong
You thought that my pride was gone
Oh no, something inside so strong
Oh oh oh oh oh something inside so strong

Houston Music Mood

Y'all know I have much love for my Houston homegirl Beyonce, but she isn't the only well known musician that has broken out of the Houston area to fame and stardom.

My hometown has produced a lot of musical talent across many genres of music from gospel, blues, country, R&B, rap and jazz.

So I'll give you a few examples of the immense music talent that call or used to call Houston home.

Archie Bell and The Drells



the late Johnny 'Guitar' Watson



Everette Harp



Yolanda Adams



Jade



Ronnie Laws



Y'all knew I was going to have to show some love for Destiny's Child

Miyia's Interview

This is a interview featuring my little sis Miyia that appeared on Fox41 News in Da Ville yesterday.
It was nice learning a little bit more about one classy young lady.



Being trans is not as easy or effortless as some of us make it. There's a lot of gut wrenching pain, drama and that we go through to become the happy, well adjusted people you see on the other side of the trans crucible.

And sometimes it tests your faith in many ways, but if you hang on, the tough times don't last as the saying goes, tough people do.

'She Was Never He' Video

Boy George has a trans themed song entitled 'She Was Never He' that I like. I finally found a YouTube video of it that y'all can peruse until I catch up on the sleep I lost from my cross country holiday bus ride.

Makes Me Wanna Holler

The last two days I've been participating in panel discussions, putting the finishing touches on a speech for a TDOR event Sunday on Long Island, writing a piece for the glaadBlog that just got published yesterday, and will be attending our local TDOR service tonight.

The classically timeless Marvin Gaye song 'Inner City Blues' that is playing in the background of this YouTube video is encapsulating some of what I'm feeling today



The senseless loss of all these people simply because of who they are really does make me wanna holler.

Still Missing 'Lufer'

April 20 has a lot of negativity associated with it in terms of being Adolf Hitler's birthday and the anniversary date of the Columbine High School shootings in Littleton, CO. The 10th anniversary of that event is being marked today.

But it's also the birthday of one of my favorite singers in Luther Vandross, who was born in New York on this date in 1951.

He's been gone from us since July 1, 2005, but for those of us who bought his albums, got our groove on or conceived our children by candlelight with his voice in the background, got married with someone trying to sing one of his songs or attended his sold out concerts, we definitely love and miss him.







'Lufer' was a once in a generation kind of singer, and this legend was taken away from us far too soon.

Transwomen Rap!

These Black transwomen have the skillz to pay the bills. Introducing Foxxjazell and Pam Jones from the 310 and Katey Red from the 504.



That's Los Angeles and New Orleans for you peeps who don't know the area codes for those cities.

Happy Mother's Day

(photo-painting Mother's Love by Kolongi)

Happy Mother's Day to all the mothers (and 'errbody' else) who read TransGriot! I've already sent my cards and gifts to my mom and sister. Hope you've had a chance to call the favorite moms in your life, whether they are your biological ones or people who were like mothers to you.

And now, let me put my DJ hat on and post some Mother's Day music videos for you to enjoy.

The Intruders I'll Always Love My Mama extended version




Tupac's Dear Mama



Happy Mother's Day to all those special women everywhere!