a period of 365 days that has me shook. that I don’t feel ready for. that will challenge me in new ways, some of which will be undesired. yet a period in which I will prevail over the hurdles that have plagued me for nearly two years. a period in which I will rediscover purpose in my work. in which I will build on the relationships I forged in 2016. in which I will travel more domestically and internationally. in which I will put my mental, physical, and emotional health first. (Written 12/31/2016)
I may not have travelled internationally, but a year later I am proud to say I held myself to this definition. Here are a few new pictures that capture some of my best moments in 2017.
At the start of 2015, I had 6 goals. Seeing (and meeting) Jojo was one of them.
Two years ago that may have seemed impossible, but after a year of leg work under her new label Atlantic Records, Jojo has finally been able to get her career back on track. The artist formerly known as translucentbrownsugar went into full promo mode in August 2015 releasing new music, embarking on a international tour and prepping a new album for 2016.
I’ll be honest, when I first heard her three new singles (the #tringle III.), I was so distracted by the direction of her music I didn’t fully appreciate the EP for what it was. (I had hoped she’d maintain the urban/r&b influence from her early years, and I didn’t hear that in any of the singles.)
There was no greater confirmation than hearing the tracks live that musically Jojo is exactly where she needs to be. As she has evolved, so has the music and ultimately she is still serving transcendent messages that her fans can connect to — maybe more powerful than ever before.
If her near-perfect 45-minute set wasn’t enough (I sang EVERY word from the front row), it was her encore performance that was the nail in the coffin. Jojo performed “I Am,” a new record that may be the title track off her upcoming album. It blew me away and really struck a chord.
Though I wish I could teleport you all back to U Street Music Hall, we will have to settle for the footage below. Check it out, and support her album when they set the release date.
#TeamJojo Out.
When one of your favorite artists has an appreciation of a cappella music ?. Jojo had a Ohio high school group join her for "Save My Soul," only wish the mics were working properly! If you can't get enough, check that out as well above.
Back from the Chi! Good thing I finally got around to checking my emails from last week.
The hosts of the inaugural Landmark Music Festival will be giving away 500 pairs of free festival tickets in a lottery to be held on Thursday, May 28. You have one day to apply — the lottery closes at 5:00p tomorrow! Find more information about the Landmark Music Festival here and full details about the lottery below.
Feeling lucky? Today, the Trust for the National Mall kicks off a public lottery for 500 pairs of free GA tickets to the fest!
You have from 9:00 a.m. EDT on May 21 until 5:00 p.m. EDT on May 27 to be entered to win a spot at the inaugural Landmark! That evening, 500 winning names will be randomly drawn and all entrants will be notified of the results by email the following day.
In partnership with the Trust for the National Mall, Landmark Music Festival will be the first event held to support the Trust’s Landmark Campaign for the National Mall, which will establish various events and promotions to raise awareness, participation and fundraising to restore the most visited national park in America, the National Mall. The grounds, which were built to honor America’s brightest leaders and bravest heroes, is suffering from a growing amount of deferred maintenance and needed upgrades to the infrastructure of the park, which has not seen a major renovation in 40 years. (landmarkfestival.org)
