With all weddings, music is usually apart of the getting ready, the ceremony, the reception, the first night as a married couple. Today’s show introduces you to some of the songs that I love and some that my Brides have used to commemorate their special day.
As I’ve said before, music is the language of life; it brings us together but for some, it says the words only our feelings know how to communicate. When I am servicing Brides, I try to always have my speaker with a few different wedding playlists. Whether its the love songs for the Bride to really just sit and listen to the words and imagine her love at the end of the aisle. Whether its the girls anthems to keep the bridal squad hype before the last dancing moments being single. Whether it’s just feel good music to keep your mind off the stresses of the day, who is late or what things aren’t going quite as planned. Whatever you need in that particular moment, music can transport you there. Music helps me connect to my bridal squad, as well as provide ‘songs to maintain an atmosphere of joy, love and celebration (as stated by my most recent Bride).’
I mentioned @RandomRoe in the show so I wanted to be sure to provide links for you to check him out.
Click HERE for the link to TGL / BLYNN THE BRAND APPAREL
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Make sure you check in each week in April- IT’S MY BearthDAY MONTH- WE’RE CELEBRATING. EVERY WEDNESDAY AT 10AM EST!
I’M SLIDING INTO 40 ON APRIL 22ND!!!
Interested in free advertising or being a guest on the show, click HERE to schedule a time to chat or feel free to email me at: info@NiSisEyes.com with the subject: Through the Eyes of NiSi radio show
Sy Smith is an underground soul recording artist who helped to pioneer and cultivate the nu-soul scene in LA more than 10 years ago.
Press PLAY. (audio replay available through March 1, 2022)
Moving to Charlotte, NC has allowed me to meet some amazing people and actually get to talk to them as people, not as a fan. It’s been about 2 years to the day since I met Sy. I worked at Middle C Jazz and she did an amazing show. I was able to pick her brain a bit, as well as see her interact with others who enjoy listening to feel good music. As I’ve told you all before, I love live instrumentation and it compliments her voice so well. Who do you know that can hit those Minnie Ripperton notes? And no, not the ones you’re trying to hit in the shower.
SIDE NOTE: Make sure you check out Sy’s tour schedule below!
“Some of the most progressive artists of this genre today came directly from Smith’s band line-ups (including Thundercat & Kamasi Washington). Her catalog of 5 albums includes the self-written/self-produced “Sometimes A Rose Will Grow In Concrete.” All have been heralded by critics for her lyrical/vocal/musical dexterity; her vocal range moving from a gritty alto all the way to a stratospheric soprano whistle register. Her career began with her providing supporting vocals for Whitney Houston, Sheila E., Meshell Ndegeocello, Chaka Khan, Usher, Macy Gray, The Foreign Exchange and The Rickey Minor Band. She’s currently a featured guest with trumpeter Chris Botti (her noted performances include “The Look Of Love” on his Grammy-nominated DVD “Live In Boston” and “The Very Thought Of You” on his 2018 PBS special “Great Performances”).
Sy has won 6 LA Black Music Awards in 2019/2020. She’s also earned an Emmy nomination for her songwriting (Best Music/Lyrics, 2001), 2 NAACP Theater Award nominations; she contributed songwriting and/or vocal arranging to 2020 Grammy-nominated albums by both John Legend (“A Legendary Christmas”) and Chris Dave and The Drumhedz. As a voice-over artist, she’s known among gamers for her role as Aisha in “Saint’s Row” (for which she also wrote/produced songs on the popular soundtrack). Sy is a graduate of Howard University where she earned a B.S. in psychology magna cum laude.
Will you be at Middle C Jazz as we enter the Syberspace? Let me know in the comments below if I’ll see you there! If you can’t be there, a livestream option is available.
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You can stream the show on iHeart, iTunes, Streema, TuneIn, etc.
Make sure you check in next week when we start our series on Bridal Beauty and what goes into being a Bridal Makeup Artist.
Interested in free advertising or being a guest on the show, click HERE to schedule a time to chat or feel free to email me at: info@NiSisEyes.com with the subject: Through the Eyes of NiSi radio show
I found the melodic sounds of Chantae Cann through her collaboration with the live instrumentation of Snarky Puppy (click to view one of my favorite videos). I believe it was around the time that she was on the lineup for the legendary Art of Cool Festival in Durham, NC headed by the beautiful, Cicely Mitchell (oh how I wish it was still going). Since then, I’ve been following her journey and so proud of all that she’s accomplished.
About Chantae: “If we’re being honest, no one’s ever really just heard Chantae Cann. In truth, you experience her.
She opens her mouth and 10,000 hours of studied mononymous legends filter through that voice,
The Stevie.The Chaka.The Erykah, Jill, India and Brandy.
It’s the church in her work. The courageous blend of an authentic soul choosing to exist in the midst of an often inauthentic industry. Yet somehow she chooses to find strength in her vulnerability.
Chantae Cann, the artist, is both jazz and soul. Rooted in gospel, reflective of world rhythm and hip hop.
Her debut release, Journey to Golden, landed at #1 on the iTunes Jazz Charts and #7 on the Jazz Billboard Charts in March of 2016, and was a much welcomed introduction to the songstress. By the time of her follow-up release, Sol Empowered, we were well into the story. Earning #8 on the Jazz Billboard Charts, this album resonates with so many because they genuinely connect to the story. And Chantae, if nothing else, knows how to make a connection. Whether it’s the parents who divulge the fact that their kids listen to and sing along to her songs, or those who express that Chantae’s artistry has gotten them through some pretty tough times. Chantae makes music that serves as a safe haven for those seeking respite and reformation. All the while undergirded with a simple, but profound truth: Love Heals.
When she’s not working, Chantae can be found in her private time binge-watching episodes of Sister, Sister or freestylin these bars since she is an incredible emcee in her head …for now. But even if she’s not in your Top5 Dead or Alive GOAT convo for rappers, Chantae is one of the best kept secrets in music. She’s collaborated with PJ Morton, Masego, Tarriona “Tank” Ball, Snarky Puppy, Foreign Exchange, and Jonathan McReynolds. Chantae has electrified stages with Cory Henry, Robert Glasper, and Marcus Miller. She’s opened up for India.Arie, Tweet, Avery Sunshine and Lalah Hathaway. With her sights set on Barack and Michelle’s Spotify playlists and new music on the way ….”
~ from Chantae Cann’s website
I mentioned during the last artist spotlight with Liv Warfield that I love live instrumentation. Listening to all these amazing instruments come together and to think of all the time and patience put into learning how to be the best musician is dope. Please support the arts! Having an artistic outlet has made some very well rounded individuals with extraordinary talent. I love being able to introduce you to the music that I vibe to all the time.
From a distance, yet oh so close through social media; Chantae Cann has been a beautiful spirit over the years. I don’t know when the world is going to open back up so we can enjoy the power of music together and bringing people together. Make sure you follow her on her social media (links below) and if the world opens back up for us to play; go check her out in person.
New YouTube video: Walk. With. Me- Episode 1 “Take Back Your Power”
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“L.I.V. talks from her soul…,” I heard these words in one of the first songs I heard from Liv Warfield. It was a live version of the song “Brotha Man.” This amazingly talented woman definitely told the truth and is most definitely one of my favorite artists.
About Liv: “A former track star and gymnast, Peoria, Illinois-born Liv Warfield began building her legend, in of all places, Portland, Oregon. Despite having no formal background in singing, she gained the respect of local superstars and became an icon in her own right.
While she takes cues from musical influences like Nina Simone, Etta James, Sade, Tina Turner, and Mary J. Blige, Warfield has carved out a style all her own, which can best be described as “alternative soul with a lil bit of Rock ‘n’ Roll.” In 2006, she self-released her debut album “Embrace Me.” By 2009, she caught the eye of the one-and-only Prince and ultimately joined his group the “New Power Generation.”
After touring for several years and soaking up as much knowledge as she could from the ultimate music mentor, Warfield made her big splash on the national scene in 2014, first as a featured artist for Vh1’s “You Oughta Know” campaign, and then with the release of her major label debut album “The Unexpected,” which was executive produced by Prince. What followed were show-stopping performances on “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon,” “The Late Show with David Letterman,” and “The Arsenio Hall Show;” a 2014 Soul Train Music Award and nominations for two others; a BET Best New Artist Award nomination; an interview with National Public Radio; and high-profile cosigns from Lionel Richie, Cindy Lauper, and Nancy Wilson of HEART. That same year, Warfield’s performance closing out Essence Fest was hailed as one of the most memorable after shows at the New Orleans House of Blues. In 2015, the accolades only kept growing, with Warfield and the NPG Hornz being named one of the top 10 bands to see at the Montreux Jazz Festival in Switzerland. It’s no wonder she has left celebrities like Letterman declaring it’s time to “cancel show business!” ~from Liv’s website
I don’t remember the day, nor the hour but I was watching The Arsenio Hall Show and the musical guest was Liv Warfield backed by Prince’s New Power Generation and her soulful background singers singing, “Stay (Soul Lifted).” From that day forward, I have been hooked.
Where it all began…
It’s something about live instrumentation and stage presence… its something about Liv leaving it all on the stage; not caring if her hair is messed up or if she’s making faces- she is providing you with an experience. It’s Liv being her authentic self in her live Instagram videos for Whiskey Wednesdays or allowing us to take a peek inside her experiences, breathtaking views, or simply just living in the moment when the music overflows from her soul.
The amazing thing about having my own radio show, is having the ability to introduce the world to music that I love; to the amazing musicians that I’ve encountered whether in person or through their gifts.
New video: #TOYLAND By Ray Angry feat. Questlove, Black Thought, Marcus King, Pino Palladino & Liv Warfield
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Faith Fitz You, LLC– Official clothing brand (website will go live) launch January 1, 2022