Tag Archives: shila iris

My Experience at AfroPunk was so Amazing!

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Me at AfroPunk- Picture Courtesy of Aagdolla Photographer

Me at AfroPunk

This year, the AfroPunk Festival in Brooklyn, New York was amazing! I had been wanting to go for 2 years, but once again I almost flaked out and stayed home. However, some wonderful ladies pushed me to go. I got my small amount of disposable income together and went for it! I am so glad that I did. I would estimate that over the course of 2 days, August 23 and 24, at least 50,000 people got to experience the funk of AfroPunk!

The 10 Major Cool Things About AfroPunk…

1. The beautiful Afrikans! -Gazing into the crowd, we looked so good ya’ll! Go Brown people! Everyone was fly! The Diaspora was well represented.

2. The Music- Oh my! LiAnn La Havas, D’Angelo, SZA, Me’Shell Ndegeocello, Shabazz Palaces, and The Internet were among my favorite.

3. The Vendors- Handmade goods galore! We are so talented! These were the best vendors that I have seen at a festival, ever!

4. The Free Things- they were giving away some very valuable merchandise. No contest, just walk up. Lovely.

5. The Good Vibrations and Energy of the Crowd- Everyone was so welcoming and full of love! “I got the vibrations to change the nation, lick shots in the air, crowd participation!”

6. The Photographers- AfroPunk is well documented.

7. The Artists- There were so many expressionists and bold people who were just rocking eccentric styles! I appreciated the confidence. Keep ya head up!

8. The Bonding Experience of Going with People- Although the ladies I went with only recently joined my Universe, they were great to experience AfroPunk with. We were on the same frequency.

9. What AfroPunk represents and the AfroPunk Official Merchandise. Everything sold out. This festival represents so much positivity. Image of No Hate (Black)

10. The Appreciation- The people who organize AfroPunk are so appreciative of the participants. They walked around and mingled. So wonderful. They send out nice emails to thank you for attending:

THANK YOU
There are few words that can express the amount of gratitude that we have for the AFROPUNK community.  People who consciously make an effort to join us year after year at the festival and online, supporters from around the block and around the world that come together for two days to celebrate culture and freedom with us. For that and more, thank you! See you next year!

Shila Iris for AfrikanEssence… I like saying AfroPunk… smile. Lol.

The Season of the Virgo… I’ll be gone by “September” by Marian Mereba

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VERSE:  Thought we, were a lie, that was fine in the dark… But you, are a storm, to my flame, to my spark

BRIDGE:  Used to turn me on, so on, cause your love was a drug that was stuck in my vein… Now you turn me off, so off, cause I’m sober and over the high

CHORUS:  On my life, I’ll be gone by September, and you’re going to remember… You must’ve forgot I’mma a Queen, you’ll be gone by December… On my momma, I’ll be gone by September… And you’re going to remember… the loyal, the royal, Queen… the loyal, the royal, Queen, the loyal…

VERSE: I was as true, as a forest is green… You, are a fool, for what, you did not see

BRIDGE:  You used to turn me on, so on, cause your love was a drug that was stuck in my vein… Now you turn me off, so off, cause I’m sober and over the high”

CHORUS:  On my life, I’ll be gone by September, and you’re going to remember… You must’ve forgot I’mma a Queen, you’ll be gone by December… On my momma, I’ll be gone by September… And you’re going to remember… the loyal, the royal, Queen… the loyal, the royal, Queen, the loyal…

yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah… you could’ve had it all… all… all… all, yeah, yeah…

Love this song… especially at… 2:46…

mm

Shila Iris for AfrikanEssence; August 28, 2014, 10:08 p.m.

Juneteenth is Indepedence Day for Many

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As we approach the Fourth of July, don’t forget to explore the meaning of Juneteenth.

JUNETEENTH THINK TANK 2014_Page_1

JUNETEENTH THINK TANK 2014_Page_2 copy

Kush Queen  for African Essence

Spring Style Ideas

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Are you having trouble coming up with style combinations? Try these looks. Depending upon the weather, you may or may not need to add a jacket or more layers to keep warm.

Shila Iris for African Essence

Need something to read?

B2B_Cover[1]

Late Nights and Heavy Hearts – The Playlist

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1. Otis Redding: Try a Little Tenderness

“WHEN SHE GETS WEARY, TRY A LITTLE TENDERNESS, I KNOW SHE’S WAITING, JUST ANTICIPATING, FOR THINGS THAT SHE WILL NEVER POSSESS. BUT WHILE SHE’S THERE WAITING, TRY JUST A LITTLE BIT OF TENDERNESS. THAT’S ALL YOU GOT TO DO. NOW IT MIGHT BE A LITTLE BIT SENTIMENTAL, NO, NO, NO, BUT SHE HAS HER GRIEVES AND CARES. BUT THE SOFT WORDS, THEY ARE SPOKE SO GENTLE AND IT MAKES IT EASIER TO BEAR,,, YOUNG GIRLS, THEY DON’T FORGET IT.”

2. Max Roach Quartet featuring Abbey Lincoln: Freedom Day

RIGHT AT 2:34 MY HEART SCREAMED FOR THE STRINGS! I FOUND MY FREEDOM IN THIS WONDERFUL MELODY. “SLAVE NO LONGER, THIS IS FREEDOM DAY!”

3. Abbey Lincoln: Brother Where Are You?

AND BECAUSE ABBEY IS SUCH A GREAT STORYTELLER AND GRIOT, I JUST HAD TO HEAR ONE MORE BEFORE I WENT INTO MY SLUMBER. “IT SEEMS THERE ARE VERY FEW, WHO WILL ANSWER OUR BROTHER’S CALL. BROTHER WHERE ARE YOU, THEY TOLD ME THAT YOU CAME THIS WAY.”

4. Isley Brothers: Prelude to Harvest for the World

GROWING UP, MY MOTHER PLAYED THIS RECORD MANY MANY NIGHTS. SHE HAD A BEAUTIFUL AND SOULFUL VOICE. WHEN SHE SANG IT, I FELT EVERY WORD. TONIGHT I WAS THINKING OF HER, AND I HEARD HER SINGING THIS IN MY HEAD. “GATHER EVERY MAN. GATHER EVERY WOMAN. CELEBRATE, CELEBRATE YOUR LIVES! GIVE THANKS FOR YOUR CHILDREN. WHEN WILL THERE BE, A HARVEST FOR THE PEOPLE? WHEN WILL THERE BE, A HARVEST FOR THE WORLD?”

5. Sade: Feel No Pain (She is a beautiful woman and I love her music)

SO, I WAS THINKING OF MY FATHER AND BROTHERS AS WELL, AND THIS REMINDED OF THEM. “HELP THEM TO STRIVE, HELP THEM TO MOVE ON. HELP THEM TO HAVE SOME FUTURE, HELP THEM TO LIVE LONG. HELP THEM TO LIVE LIFE. HELP THEM TO SMILE. DON’T LET THEM STAY HOME AND LISTEN TO THE BLUES…       DON’T  LET THEM LOSE, WE GOTTA GIVE THEM A CHANCE. IT’S GONNA COME BACK ON EVERY ONE, IF YOU DON’T MAKE THEM DANCE. DON’T LET THEM STAY HOME AND LISTEN TO THE BLUES…    ONE DAY, WE’RE GOING TO WAKE UP.WITH GHETTOS ALL AROUND. ALL OVER, MY FRIEND. HAVE YOU EVER SEEN A MAN BREAK DOWN?”

6. Michael Jackson: In the Closet

I WAS HAVING MIXED EMOTIONS, SO I HAD TO LEAVE OFF WITH THIS. THE UP AND DOWN ROLLER COASTER RIDE I N THIS SONG, RELAXES ME. THE SOFT FEMININE SPEAKING AND THEN THE SMOOTH RAUNCHINESS OF MICHAEL, I LOVE IT! CAUSE… “THERE’S SOMETHING ABOUT YOU, BABY, THAT MAKES ME WANT TO GIVE IT TO YOU. JUST PROMISE ME THAT WHATEVER WE SAY OR DO TO ONE ANOTHER, FOR NOW, WE’LL MAKE A VOW TO, KEEP IT IN THE CLOSET!”

TOUCH ME THERE, MAKE THE MOVES, CAST THE SPELL.

Peace and Love,

Kush Queendom and Shila Iris, Saturday, May 17, 1:49 a.m.

African Fashion Trend of the Day 2014

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BE BEAUTIFUL IN YOUR OWN SKIN, CREATE YOUR OWN TRENDS

African2

Love this fit. I would add an ankh ring…

Ankh Ring

and these earrings (I have short hair)… 

EARRINGS

Shila Iris, May 13, 2014

The Hooded Dress

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I have this growing obsession with hooded dresses. Oddly, I do not own any… yet!

hooded kente cloth jacket? yes!
very nice!
hooded tunic’s are hot too!
hooded cropped shirt…

The book I’m reading:

822640

Oh my! This book is magnificent! Look at that dance move! Dare you to try it! Smile.

Thanks for visiting African Essence.

Kush Queendom

Got time to browse?  http://www.afropunk.com/     www.zmalfashion.com

My Love for Seydou Keita

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WHO IS HE?

SEYDOU K

Seydou Keita is the self-taught photographer who sparked my interest in portrait, fashion, and family photography; as well as photojournalism and macro/micro face picture-taking. He is best known for his works of art captured between 1940 and 1960, exhibited in hundreds of gallery’s nationwide. That is a great accomplishment for any photographer. He is also known for his books:

  1. Seydou Keita
  2. You Look Beautiful Like That
  3. Photographs, Bamako, Mali 1948-1963

I don’t want to go on a rant about how much I love him, but I will say that Seydou’s work continues to take my breath away. I am always discovering new elements in his photography that I may have missed the first time around. I often mention his name in conversations when I am asked about how I nurture my eccentricities. I honor the greatness in other people. Seydou’s work has challenged and inspired me to share my gifts with the world.

There are many people who are capable of taking exceptional photos but, if you are looking for a teacher, examining his work may help you to understand what photography is really about. With him, it was more than just a picture, it was history, culture, fashion, and reality.

Here are some of my favorite pictures that you can find on the internet. However, there are so many great photos in his books, so if you have a library card, check them out!

In Janet Jackson‘s video, Got Til It’s Gone featuring Q-Tip and Joni Mitchell, the images reminded me of Seydou’s work. Let me know what you think.

Other photographers whose work I appreciate.

Gordon Parks
Deborah Willis and Carrie Mae Weems…https://africanessence.wordpress.com/muses/

Looking for reasons to become a photographer? Examining Seydou Keita’s work- you just may want to try it out!

I am Kush.

Related articles

 

 

Men That I Will Always Love… Musically :)

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Seeing Usher on the cover of the November 2013 Men’s Health Magazine reminded me of the highs and lows of R&B music over the past decade or so. For me the music used to be all about the experiences of life and love, but now it has more of an egocentric nucleus with artists lashing out and praising themselves rather than the aforementioned. Call it evolution, but I call it disappointment! R&B was so pure, fun, mellow, groovy, enlightening, and worthwhile. I turn to the past to get stimulation…

Resurrecting the past is not always a good idea, but in 2013, it seems to be my only option when it comes to music. So, I turn to the men I loved in the 90s and early 2000s. I always get a kick out of these videos because they portray honest emotions, attitudes, and dress codes.

Donell
Musiq
D’Angelo
Usher
Yasiin

CLICK ON THE SONG TITLES TO VIEW THE VIDEOS VIA YOUTUBE.

#1 Usher: You Don’t Have to Call  Usher has a lot of music that I like., but this is one of my favorites from him. Why? Because he was having so much fun in the video! He is constantly smiling (1:03, 2:03, 4:01, 4:40, 4:55) and he has some cool dance moves. I especially like when they are in the car and do the bounce! I also love the parking lot dance and the way the crew walked into the party! Hilarious and so cool. He had skates on his heels… oh my! I cannot get enough of this video. It always brings my mood up. Enjoy.

#2 Donell Jones: Where I Wanna Be  All I can say is that I get confused too sometimes Donell. We will work it out!

#3 Musiq Soulchild: HalfCrazy  You think that you are crazy? No, I am crazier Musiq! I love this song and I will always cherish your music because it helped me to understand a lot about emotions. Also, that kiss he delivered at 1:36! Whoo hoo! Makes me wanna…

#4 D’Angelo: Lady  I am waiting for the day when I can see a D’Angelo concert. You just don’t understand. And yes D’Angelo, I am your lady for life!

#5 Mos Def: Umi Says  Now known as Yasiin Bey, he is probably my mos fav lyricist of all time. Amazing at any thing he practices.

That’s it for now folks. These men… hmmmm

Kush Queendom

P.S. You might find this book to be valuable.

The Black Male Handbook: A Blueprint for Life

FaLL LoOk BoOK PaGe 2… wear what you got

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This Autumn I am focusing on wearing what is already in my closet. I won’t be purchasing much of anything. I gained some weight and had to let some things go. However, I had enough stretchy clothing to carry me for a while. My motto is no CONSUMERISM. Thank you Lauryn Hill for solidifying my decision! She gets deeper than fashion in her hot new track.

Today’s Look: The Lavender Sweater Dress

FROM HEAD TO TOE:

  • Stretchy fabric used for head wrapping from JoAnn’s.
  • Lavender dress from Venus. I was quite disappointed when I first bought this dress because I ordered the smallest size they had and it was too big! However, I gained 5 lbs and now I can fit it! It was on sale for $19 last year. I really like it now! Venus has nice dresses for women who have curves. I normally would buy from the sale and clearance sections. This dress has to be hand washed.
  • The black and gray multicolored sweater is from TJMaxx. It was $25 which is more than what I would normally pay, but I needed a sweater. I have worn this for 3 years and I hand wash it as well.
  • The stockings are gray from Target for $4.
  • The shoes are by Aldo. They were expensive because of the leather. It’s called the Fornilli.
  • Sterling silver earrings from a guy who came into the beauty salon selling jewelry! $10. Sterling silver rings from thrift stores, Passport to Peru, and City Buddha.

Final Note: Sweater dresses are one of my favorite items of clothing so when I saw this one for just $19, I jumped on it! They can get pretty pricey, but I’ll stay in the under $30 range. It’s difficult for me to pay over $25 for any article of clothing that is not mud cloth or Kente cloth. I normally buy them at the end of the season for more than 80% off. I’ve gotten them from Dots, H&M, Dillards, and online, all for under $20. This dress is made with viscose and is very thin and a bit see-through. Wearing with stockings is a must. You may even have to wear a slip.

The Kush Queen for African Essence

P.S. Have you been reading? Don’t slip. Queens must read. This is the first fiction book I’ve read in years and I’m liking it. Doctor Sleep by Stephen King.

Doctor Sleep (The Shining, #2)

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Learning How to Wear Skinny Jeans Part 2

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Yesterday I shared with you all how I wear my black skinny’s. This is my red pair. Check it out and let me know what you think. Don’t be afraid to like this post if you are a wordpress blogger and subscribe using the follow blog option in the menu to your left. I’d appreciate it! Thanks!

I got the red earrings at Glitter for $1.00.
I like the pleather belt. I will be head wrapping a lot for the cold weather as a protective style as opposed to getting weave.
Again, with skinny’s I like my booty to be covered as much as possible.
This shirt is so cool.
The jeans were $9.99 at Kohls.
This shirt was $7 at Body Shop. I’ve seen the design at many different stores.

Peace and so much love,

The Kush Queen for African Essence Blog

BLOG PROMO

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Lovin Oprah These Days… She Can Rock an Afro!

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Cover of the Sept 2013 Issue
Page 27 of the Sept 2013 Issue

This is Oprah on the cover of the September 2013 issue of The Oprah Magazine. I am really digging her boldness these days. She is fun, open, and risky! That is a great way for a woman of her age to be- ageless at heart! The point of it all: Tressed to Impress, all about the hair.  I really just think that she is visually showing what it feels like to experiment with and to explore hair. I love the textured fro. Beyonce’s stylist allowed her to borrow it and it weighs in at 3.5 lbs. Wow! It is reminiscent of Chaka Khan, Diana Ross, and Ms. Badu:

Diana Ross
Diana Ross
Chaka Khan
Chaka Khan
Chaka Khan
Erykah Badu with Chaka Khan
Erykah performing a tribute to Chaka
Love it!
Esperanza Spalding’s lovely big fro’

Oprah says that she wish this wig were her own hair. I love it! She talks about hair because she wants to know why it has such a hold on women. I agree. Oddly, I asked my friend yesterday what he thought about my hair over the phone. I dyed my hair and the roots had begun to show and I wanted to know what he thought about that. He said to me: you are focusing too much on it! You have good taste and it’s beautiful any way you wear it. I believed him. He isn’t shallow at all (but he cannot stand weave!). I could come out any way that I pleased and he would not care. Gotta love a good friend! This is the biggest my hair has been. I only wore it like this for a photo shoot. I couldn’t handle it the next day day. The Afro pics were of me in Vegas at an NBA party! It was so much fun!

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Well, I believe that the hair/head is a crown and it should be cared for with love, but, if it becomes consuming then think about a cut! For me, hair is most beautiful in its natural texture. Not chemically processed or dyed. What you were born with is what you must love. Everything else is just temporary decoration. Colors and weaves should not define a woman. We must show our own hair and love it. I love my bush. Do you?

The Kush Queen aka Queen Duafe aka Shila Iris aka ishilai aka The Fifth Element for African Essence Blog

Queendom- Understanding When it is Time to Take the Throne

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SOMETIMES QUEENS NEED SPACE to plant seeds…

I woke up this morning from a dream that was disturbing, yet liberating! Different people in my life that had once held me back, were drowning in a gigantic cesspool of chaos. I had the ability to save them, but I let them drown. I am excited about this message because I don’t often understand my dreams and I end up ignoring them. However, this dream said to me that it is time to save myself. I have been trying to save others, meantime losing sight of my own purpose. I am here for me right now and I am not afraid to find the space that I need to survive.

This past summer, I got a lot of complaints from my family and some friends about my presence in their lives. After hearing these complaints, I spent a lot of time trying to work out what they needed from me in my mind. I could not stand that they were crying about my absence, never stopping to ask me if I was doing OK! Instead they selfishly complained and tried to place the blame in my lap, saying and actually believing that I must have a problem with them. That was such BS. For years I was the person in my family and in my friends lives that would pick up and travel to see them. That is the only way that we saw each other. Not once did I complain about them not coming to see me. I gladly went to meet them where they were rather it be Atlanta, Baltimore or the other side of the city, I was the one “showing up!” Now that I need space to clarify my life, all of sudden I am a villain. Please!

The gist of the disagreements was that I don’t come around anymore. My response: deal with it! I am going through some things and that does not mean that you should not call or keep me in the loop. It just means that I am not going to be the initiator all the time! If you want me somewhere, put in that same effort that I put in when I was coming to see you. Damn! Get off my back! Understand that I used to be a princess, but now I am a Queen and you must let me take the throne in the only way I know how. Let me grow at my own pace.

Peace and love,

The Kush Queen for African Essence

P.S. “You are a first lady worthy of a king” they say. Well let me make my life better, let me find what it is I need to survive. I am not in a place where I have a lot of time & $ to play. However, when you want to hang out, just call. I have to plant the seeds if I want to harvest the fruit. All I want is peace.

The Music of Ntjam Rosie

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There are so many beautiful women singing beautiful music! I love it. I am so high on this song. A friend of mine suggested this and I am so glad that he did! This song reminds of a time in my life when I was truly alone, but not lonely. I needed to be alone.  I was a young (er) woman, growing and learning and in need of solitude. Thank you Ntjam for the great vibes.

I used to hear music like this in my mind when I lived in DC. I would ride the Metro around the entire city until I got tired.

NtjamRosie_Videoshoot_site

Queen for African Essence

P.S. Looking for a book to read? I came across this book on Toure’s website. I really want to check it out. The story sounds so interesting: Soul City by Toure.

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Comments from Readers Were Blocked

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I just want to make an announcement about people who have visited and commented on my blog. I really thank you all for visiting my “art space” and making suggestions and just showing so much love. Many of you have sent positive vibrations my way on a regular, but much to my amazement, I wasn’t getting the comment notifications!

Why I am posting this? I hadn’t realized it, but it turns out that wordpress has blocked over 700 comments from users and readers of African Essence. These comments date back to 2012 and they were sent to a folder marked “SPAM” for various reasons. I am saddened that I missed out on so much positive feedback! There are too many comments to weed through, but I did check the most recent one’s from July. I have responded to those comments on various articles which can be found in my archives.

If you ever posted a comment and I did not respond, I apologize. I take this blog very seriously and I hope you come back soon. I have corrected the problem with the SPAM so PLEASE FEEL FREE TO CONTINUE TO COMMENT AND SEND SUGGESTIONS.

Peace, love, life, & wisdom.

-Queen

It's always love and art.

It’s always love and art.