My life after Oprah has been just that; Life! It’s been crazy wonderful, my life “out loud” now looks how it’s pretty much always looked in my head. I get to sing just about everyday, I get to share my ideas and philosophies and folk actually listen…lol. Of course, Oprah and Harpo, Inc. awarding me 250,000 as a result of having won Oprah’s 1st Karaoke Challenge has helped with the bills… But it’s been awesome actualizing my “true life” and seeing folks around me affected and infected with good energy via my music. I’m grateful to Oprah because she gave a brotha $250,000, yes…lol, however my hearts gratitude is truly because I got the chance to see up close, someone who recognizes that when we access who we are truly called to be…other peoples lives change. I’m happy to be living what I believe is my “true life”. Last November, on the Oprah Winferey show I was awarded an amazing platform… Little did I know then that Oprah would hold my boarding pass to my best vacation ever!!! The vacation has gotten so good, that I’ve decided to stay! Lol.
Veteran Executive and “Star Maker” Antonio “L.A.” Reid served as a guest judge/ guru on Oprah’s 1st Karaoke Challenge… As a result of having seen me perform there, “The Boss” as I call him, decided to offer me an opportunity to record a song. That opportunity taught me what it was to fight for a dream… Nothing was promised, but the possibilities were absolute and endless. Song after song and session after session…we got it in…
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There were long nights, a lot of anxiety and new lessons daily. I learned them, even the ones I didn’t want to… Mr. Reid and my A&R Max Gousse along with my sister and manager Breeze have been major champions for me. They’ve spared me no rod in the process of my becoming and for that I’m grateful.
What began as a “shot” has become the life I live now. Four months after that start, my first single “Miracle” was released on the Island Def Jam label, Oprah herself debuted it on her show. “Miracle” opened a door for a much bigger conversation to be had. It’s funny how we often try and route our lives, pressing desperately for our own personal idea of who and what we should be, to come to fruition. Basically blocking my own dreams. I’m thankful though that with help, I recognized at the right time that I was “in the way” of my own path. I wanted it to look a certain way… I’m so grateful that my successes have looked NOTHING like what I would have suspected. The dream for my life is bigger and better than the small version I had locked my thoughts around. An awesome discovery 🙂
Living your “true life” is a vacation we all should experience. When you’re working toward your child hood dreams, the hard lessons and experiences seem to come just as “hard”, but are endured and even persevered with no discontent.I’m trying to vacation on this here Island every day!!!!
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Lady O. was gracious and kind enough to introduce my first joint, “Miracle” back in April. Sam (Watters) and Louis (Biancaniello) wrote an amazing record that I was more than excited to sing it. It made me feel a certain kinda way when I heard it. It felt familiar and haunting… It was pretty much what I had hoped to say in a previous real life situation. I was happy I got to reconcile that thing in the booth!
