Took a little break from working on the EP to put this together for y’all. “The Bluest” was written to a beat The Pocket Queen did using a video clip of Chadwick Boseman playing the guitar on the set for Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom. I decided to share this verse with After watching Sinners this past Tuesday with my wife, I thought it was fitting to revisit this piece and share it with y’all. I originally uploaded this joint on Instagram with a video with me rapping along with clips of Chadwick and Pocket Queen jamming. I might put that out here if this gets much attention.
and now with out further adieu … (Some crowed participation is needed. Press play above and read below!)
“You Can Eat It All … What You Got? You Got Some Left Overs …” - Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom (2020)
The Bluest (Lyrics)
I pick the bluest pen and think about the indigo/1
Feeling as blue as the Miles Davis record yo/
Beneath the surface of a skin that ain't perfect/2
The color blue moves through my veins with a purpose see/
An almond eyed girl named Pecola woulda told ya/
The Bluest Eye something like a killer roller coaster/3
In fact its the same color kings used to reign/4
— Indigo, the reason why slaves was in chains/
They want to be royal, see your hue is/5
Dependin’ on the blues they put you through/
They tryin’ to say we spoiled, but the truth is/
Their means are as crude as oil, see, ya/
False generosity, got you jockin’ me/6
Mad cause I’m collectin’ ends to get some property/
Whether collectin’ Ps or that Dirty green cream/7
This deep color blue is in every colored theme/
See, the color green ain't the currency/
Its more like the blue that Frank served to fiends/8
Addicted are You to the deep color blue/
That marks all the sadness in everything me do/
Liner Notes
May update with some more info in the future regarding this verse specifically. But, it does relate to themes I touch on in the EP I’m dropping this summer. For now, I will leave it at this life update around putting the EP together:
I’ve got the first track Mixed working with an engineer residing in Japan! Its been fun to hear the progress he makes as soon as I wake up here in Los Angeles, 16 hours behind him. We are currently working on track two, the title of the track is “Milky Way.” A throw back memory lane teenage and coming to terms with sexuality, the beginnings of life in the womb which leads to track three, a song about disappointment after being in the weeds of that purple haze. Excited to put this out, but, it ain’t cheep to do. Please support me, see links below for some tea to support the EP.
Vocals performed by and now Miguel.
Lyrics poem written by and now Miguel.
Track mix and mastered by Hear No Evil (and now Miguel).
Instrumental from The Pocket Queen Instagram post (I think she took down the original video).
Dear Listener-Reader,
Thank you for engaging with my work. It takes capital and time to complete this EP independently. Please consider supporting my work by visiting my store, or treating me to a cup of tea.
If you are interested in learning more about me, check out my previous post On The Doc, Found/Lost Connection, or Page Made Magus.
With warm and loving gratitude,
and now Miguel
This writer never really liked using blue pens ever since he had the chance to use them in grade school.
Many layers here but, a personal one is, I have a skin condition that causes a lot of pealing and flaking. It was something I was very embarrassed of and often shamed for by care givers and adults who aint know no better. Another layer is, a confession, “I am a Sinner.” A craving for the “impure.” And finally, aren’t we all on journey to see that our skin is perfect, to learn how to be comfortable in the very flesh that holds you?
Bizarre Ride II the Pharcyde (1992) Album. There is a sorta chasing or coveting the white gaze that white professional recording artist deal with. Maybe that is what makes this music thing Bizarre. Black music is the root, but, we are force to exchange the root in order to hold paper, coin, or wooden plantation chips. All in the name of success. Spoiler alert! Bizarre Ride II the Pharcyde album dropped the same year that Stacks visits Sam after the movie credits, ha!
Napoleon’s Throne was indigo. I saw his throne in real life and was filled with discussed for who had to pick the crop that colored his ass when he plop upon his throne. Ironically, “You’re Da Man” is one of my favorite songs by Nas. “It was clear why the struggle was so painful …/”
The Israelites Ask For a King (1 Samuel 8:4-22). I grew up Catholic but I am not a practicing Christen. I am a Buddhist. However, I think the desire for Kingship is a sort of social sin. That being said, I can’t front like I haven’t wanted to be royalty either. And of course, this is a reference to the song “Royals” by Lordes.
“false generosity” see Paulo Freire, Pedagogy of The Oppressed
P as in Pound Sterling coin coming from the Island of Britain and Dirty Green Cream reference to Wu-Tang who hale from the Staten Island. This color currency is rooted in diasporic triangulated trade. Love to my Back folk in the UK! Ps. I love the show Top Boy (its on Netflix if your looking for a good show to watch. Start off with Top Boy Summer House).
Frank Lucas played by Denzel Washington in American Gangster (2007). In the Movie, and in real life, Frank sold heroin and branded his product as Blue Magic.
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