What Will 2008 Bring O Magic Crystal Ball?

2007 is almost over and I thought I'd take some time to reflect on what I'd like next year to look like. In other words, my reflections are projections.

I'm pretty sure I'm going to leave my current consulting job and try to figure out something more stimulating for money.

I'm writing my dissertation. No title yet, but the topic is "The Performance of Gender and Sexuality in NYC Hip Hop from 1985 to the Present." I'm looking at 5 iconic subjects to think through how NYC hip hop has been particularly influenced and influential in discussing, critiquing and playing with gender and sexuality. "What is this hip hop we talking about?" you ask. Mais, oui. And my dissertation sets out to illuminate hip hop's fruity/fun history.

Travel. I know I seem to travel a lot, but I want to go places and do meaningful things, not just go on vacation. Vacation is hot, don't get me wrong, but I need to be creating: music, writing, friendships, love. You know what I'm saying?

Yoga Training: I'm contemplating taking a yoga teacher training in either the late summer or early fall. Do I want to be a yoga teacher? I don't know. But I do want that skill.

Complete Meditation Training. I've just completed Level II of the Shambhala Meditation Training. Level III is in March and there are five levels in the first series. I'd like 2008 to see me getting through number 5.

Finish and promote my solo album. I really have been avoiding working on my own career and have been so distracted by making things happen for others. I'm in the studio already, so now to finish those songs, lay down those tracks and promote the hell out of it.

Learn a music program. I have both Garage Band and Reason on my lovely Mac Book Pro. Anyone want to help a sista out???

I'll keep you updated. This blog has no pics because I am at work. See? One more reason to quit.

I've Been Tagged...

Ok, so appparently, I have to share 5 things about myself here, that ya'll don't know.

1. I am a big, fat sap. I love sentimental things: sad songs, sad movies, talking animals are guarenteed to make me cry and so forth. It's true, very, very true.

2. My dog, Bronte, is probably my best friend. HEY! She doesn't talk back...much.

3. I heart hot chocolate. Some of you know this, but I do drink it all year long.

4. I am fastidious, bordering on neurotic. I like things clean and orderly.


5. I lived on a farm as a child.

PS- shanteparadigm.com and myspace.com/shanteparadigm have been updated.

Fave You Tube Vid of the Week

I admit it. I don't watch television, but for some reason, I love watching clips of TV shows on my computer. Sigh. I am weirdly twisted.

I have many, many, many YouTube vids saved but I will start giving you some that have recently changed my life:

First of all, for all of you MadTV fans out there, you don't get any funnier than Ms. Debra Wilson--cuz she is genius!!! This is her doing one great Whitney Houston impression.



To say she is brilliant, is an understatement. She does many great characters, but her Whitney is the bomb!

Enjoy!!!!

2008 Appearances

Well, we're in a recording lull, as both Music Man (aka Pat Rivers) and me gotz school to deal with.

I'm basically blogging because I am sick and peeps keep posting wack shit on my MySpace page. PEOPLE! When it says "post a comment." it doesn't mean to post some crazy thing about your new book/album/kitten/facebook/sock drawer arrangement. Geez! It means say something TO or ABOUT the person you are leaving the comment for. And end rant here.

Okay, so appearances in 2008, so far:

Jan 10th-Greenwich Academy, Greenwich, CT. talking about being a music entrepreneur. This is my high school alma mater. 7-10pm. I'm still slightly traumatized by my high school experience, but, here goes nothing.

Jan 17-22- Yoga Journal Conference, San Francisco, CA. This isn't really an appearance per se, but I will be in SF...doing lots of yoga. Can I stay with someone? LOL...no really.

Jan 23- Astrea Fundraiser at Cattyshack, Brooklyn, NY. Me, doing some songs, come, enjoy and get your drink on. See? That rhymed, that's what I do, rhyme. Yay me! Hmmm, I see I'm on neither website. DIVA TIME!!!!!!

Here's the blurb:
Brooklyn, NY

Lesbian Justice League Celebration
Wednesday, January 23, 2008 - 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.
With Executive Director Kate Kendell Esq.

Catty Shack Club & Bar
249 4th Avenue
Brooklyn, NY 11215
Suggested donation $10

Come party with the Lesbian Justice League: The National Center for Lesbian Rights and The Astraea Lesbian Foundation for Justice as they celebrate 30 years of fighting the good fight. Executive Directors Kate Kendell and Katherine Acey will be in attendance. This Outreach party for both organizations features a special performance by Shante Paradigm, a Brooklyn emcee and singer. Attendees will have the chance to win fabulous door prizes.

For more information, please contact Eleanor Palacios at epalacios@nclrights.org or at 415.365.1309.

At some point, I am supposed to be doing a radio show, but I have to return the call...I need a manager ya'll. It's true.

Okay sweet kisses to all who gave me love in 2007.

SP

Journal of Sonic Ethnography Meeting

Hey Ya'll:

I'm a pretty lucky lady. Not only do I make music sometimes, write about music and culture for my scholarly work, I am an Editor for the soon-to-be launched, Journal of Sonic Ethnography.

The Journal, supported by the Music Department at New York University, is just getting started. We met today to discuss our web design, content, issue themes, etc. My role is....uh, I'm the...Edi-t-or of Per-for-mance Stu-dies, yeah that's it. Anyway, I do some stuff that none of us have figured out yet.

The greatest thing is that we are creating a multi-media online journal incorporating sound, visual, text, and whatever else we can manage.

My very handsome, very cool, very talented colleague, Chris Tabron, is also on the Board.

But here's the truth: anyone who is on a board of something called the Journal of Sonic Ethnography is a serious nerd-ball.

Here are some pics of us:

First, our intrepid leader (on a rotating basis, of course) Ben Tausig.

Then we got the rest of us (excluding moi) just chizz-nillin':





One of my friends asked me to blog more. I'm really trying. That's a New Year's resolution for sure.

Toodles!

SP

Garden Party, 5pm, 10/28.

Come shake off your Halloween party lethargy at Oupost Lounge in Brooklyn. Me, baron, Rose Royce, Fucci and Noa D, liven it up for FREE!!

http://collect.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=music.showDetails&Band_Show_ID=16332177&friendid=122804732

Peace Out East 2007 CANCELLED

Hey POE fans:

Due to a variety of issues, including the major venue backing out and insurance issues, POE 2007 has been cancelled. I am definitely sad and disappointed as this year's line-up was dazzling. I am re-thinking how to present Queer hip hop music in 2008 and hope to have a new plan for making it available in NYC in the next year. For now, I am going to meditate, lick my wounds and keep it moving.

Peace and Blessings,

Shante Paradigm

GO NYC's August Music Issue

Hey Ya'll:

Just wanted to let you know I'm featured in Go NYC's August Music Issue. Check it out here.

In other work, I'm working on the line-up for this year's Peace Out East and it's looking like a good one.

I'm also writing a blog for Velvet Park magazine, I just need to get it done!!

More soon.

SP

Une, deux Shows Thursday, August 2, 2007

I have not one, but two Brooklyn shows this week! Come check me out on Thursday for a short set at RANT ART. I'm going on around 8:30pm, just doing one song.

If that window of opportunity is too narrow, I'll be headlining later that night at, the show happening at OUTpost Lounge. I am doing a longish set around 10:30, only 5 bucks for two performers!! Don't miss your girl.


Much Light,

SP

Where in the World is Paradigm?

Okay Paradigm Fans and Supporters:
It's been a month since my last update, so there is lots to catch up on. I'll just give you the highlights.

Right now, go and check out http://www.blogger.com/img/gl.link.gif. Yours Truly is one of the featured poets. This issue is edited by my friend, Emmanuel Xavier and he's done a gosh darn good job of picking some fine poets. Check it, check it, check it out!

So, I had some shows and that was all good. Last month, I got to go back to Toronto, where I last was for the Pick Up the Mic world premier at the Toronto Film Festival in 2005. This time I went for Toronto Pride and performed for my largest crowd yet, I think there were 300-400 people and it was exhilarating! Johnny Dangerous, DDC and Cazwell were there and I got to some lovely time with a new artist-friend, Belladonna and The Awakening. Here's me with Belladonna and the band before the show.
I also got my own dressing room with my name on it. Granted it was on a piece of lined paper that was torn down to make room for another guest, but still...I signed my first autograph, at least I think it was my first. Look Ma! I'm a star!!!!



I got to stay at two fly hotels: The Gladstone and The Drake

This was my room at The Gladstone. Sometimes touring can be so Sweet.

Saturday night's show offered it's own set of excitement for me. The two highlights were being the headline of CKLN's show, the second, was doing a rendition of "Wade in the Water," that featured Tim'm T. West and Solis of DDC. It was FIRE! That's Tim in the back. Solis, I'll get one of you too!

Loads of other things happened, but i was lazy and didn't blog. The best part was my interview on MTV. Canadian MTV, but still MTV.

Click here to watch, go to the left and scroll down to the Video that has Princes Harry and William as the topic , i be there in the Queer Culture mets Hip Hop article. SUPAH-STAHHHHHHHH!


Don't forget, Peace Out East submissions close at the end of the month, so if you want to perform, sumbit now.

Suspect Thoughts

My friend, Emanuel Xavier is guest editor for an online journal named suspect thoughts: a journal of subversive writing. Check out Issue #18 that's up now.

Yours Truly, will be in the next issue (#19, which runs July-December, with my poem, "They Call Me 'Star-Fucker.'" I'm incredibly honored and excited to be a part of this project: free, online and subversive, it doesn't get any better. It's also a delightful challenge to keep writing rhymes, songs and poetry. Even though they all deal with setting words to rhythm, tone, melody, key, timbre, etc., I find that each genre lends itself to a different kind of flexibility and latitude. Each has it's own limits and its own expansion. Let me know what you think when it hits the web July 1st.

More to come.

Peace and Blessings,

Shante Paradigm

NEW DATES for Peace Out East

The new dates are October 5, 6 and 7th. call for artist goes out next week, venues and sponsors to be announced.

email: info@peaceouteast.com for more details.

new POE website coming as well.

Cheers,

SP

Shante Paradigm Website

Hey Ya'll! The Shante Paradigm website is live. I know it need work, but a girl is just proud to have it up after owning the URL for a year with nothing there.

I will continue to use to site for musings and other such things. I am working on Peace Out East right now, so look for the updates to get more frequent.

As a little treat, I will leave you with two videos for discussion.

The first is a fabulous YouTube creation called, Miss Cleo vs. Milan, this is outrageously funny and fantastic. I'm really digging the quotidian topic, the high phone bill from calling Miss Cleo, but really the fake Cazels are the star of this video....but that Theo Huxtable shirt is a close second.The gold teefs round out the top three.

Speaking of old school vibes, my boy Bryan alerted me to a lovely little bubble gum song, that is helping to renew my faith in age-appropriate hip hop. Lil' Mama's "Lip Gloss" is kinda the jam (shut up Loo Loo)! I mean, shouldn't a 17 year-old be rapping about school lip gloss (from Mac), her locker, anxiety about the cool crowd, her Yankees cap (Booooo, the Stankees suck, Mets baby!!!), and other such innocent topics? No gats, no drugs, no Courvoisier, no clubs, no Jags and rims, just kid stuff. Plus this little girl can rap, even if her subject matter is pretty silly. Check it out! Oh, but black people with light eyes scare the bejesus out of me! She looks like Bow-Wow's lil sister. Anyway, here's Lip Gloss. I can't figure out why she is grabbing her crotch so much. And why must black people always try to make our children grown, Lil Mama? Lil Man, etc,. Sigh, we've got problems, but at least we can sang and dance...

Hit me up with your comments: shante@shanteparadigm.com


One Love

Oh I know...I'm Bootleg

*sigh* I'm sorry for the lack of updates--it's been a busy six weeks. I was busy with my Area Exams in order to qualify for my doctorate (once I write my dissertation). I PASSED!!! This is great news and means that my self-imposed prison sentence of being a graduate student is over and now I get to be more of an independent scholar. All is not complete and I am not yet a Doctor of Ideas, but I will be working on my dissertation proposal this summer. After I finish that and my committee approves it in the Fall, I can "officially" start writing my "diss," but ya'll know I've been working on that baby already. Anywho, I'm sure to blog about my participation in my exciting Lacan Summer Reading Group, who is Jacques Lacan? Click Here, por plus d'information.

So what do my days look like now? Well, I've just returned from my favorite place in the Mexican Yucahttp://www.blogger.com/img/gl.link.gif=tan that shall remain nameless because Snow told me to stop blogging about it, less rude, fat, American heathens descend upon it, ruining all it's pristine glory. Well, it's already happening (thanks to me), but I still will refrain from naming the place. Anyway, it was glorious--the best time I've had, even as it was difficult as well. Here's me writing just a few days ago:
I think I was writing my friend Sandy Bell an email.

I did yoga twice a day most days. Once at a local place, with my lovely Mexican teacher, Carla, and also with the incredibly intense and energetic Elise. I also cultivated my self-practice, which I can't find any good links for right now so sorry. But I tried out some Yin Yoga to help me balance my more vigourous Hatha Vinyasa practice. But wait, where's the hip hop? Why all this yoga-smoga talk? Hey, hey, relax, I'm getting to it--it's all part of the same thing. Not convinced, read this article while I'm writing.

what's new for your girl Paradigm with song and rhyme? Well, I have two shows in Toronto next month for their Pride and some other things cooking in Detroit and my fair City, the N-Y as well.

Next blog, will be about my last two shows in Denver and Brooklyn, my Buddhist retreat, Peace Out East and much much more. Holla!

Listening to RIGHT NOW: Jean Grae's "A-Alikes," from This Week


write me ya'll!

Spring Awakenings

Hey ya'll, Happy Spring and all that jazz. My good friend and fellow PhD candidate, Frank Leon Roberts, interviewed me for his blog, Brooklyn Boy Blues, which is just to the right as well, under Frank Leon Roberts in my Friends O' Paradigm section. I'm talking about the music scholarship side of my work. Let me know what you think.


This is the picture from the Princeton Event, I blogged about last time. From left to write, Larry D. Lyons, Dr. David Malebranche, Lynne d Johnson, Dr. Cornel West, et moi. I was going on and on about how Princeton had their own water, see the bottom of the picture, until I recalled that NYU and Smith College do as well. Why do these schools need to bottle their own water and advertise themselves on school premises? Don't people who are already there, know where they are?

Also, exciting news: My good pal, Eric Pritchard let me know that Homegirls Make Some Noise! Hip Hop Feminist Anthology is out. It contains an article her wrote, "Sista Outsider: Queer Women of Color and Hip Hop," which interviews me, Jen Ro and Mz. Fontaine, as well as talking about Hanifah Walidah. check it out!

I have a show coming up in a few weeks. I'll be blogging about the details while on the road. I've got exams for school from April 12-24th, but will blog my little heart out after that.

SP

A Treat

and, if you haven't, cop that Amy Winehouse, NOW!

March Madness. It's carpets, it's madness.

Sorry it's been a minute ya'll. I had to take a little escape to one of my favorite places on Earth: Tulum. I know it's odd to link a site that translates, "Crazy white dude," but all the other ones were even more WACK! Fix that, cuz Tulum is the bomb! Here's me looking crazy in the hammock.

I flew back early from my vacation to be on a panel, "Hip-Hop and Homophobia: Exploring Bisexuality, Masculinity, and the DL," organized by Princeton University's LGBT Center (big shout to Larry Lyons and Deb Barasky for making that happen). I was pumped because I got to sit on the a panel with Dr. Cornel West!! Yo, and that cat is as off the hook as he is brilliant. Marc, sorry I didn't tell you beforehand--it was hectic, but I got his number, son, holla. Anywho. Other panelist, were Dr. David Malebranche and Lynne d Johnson. It was pretty lively and think Princeton never had so much hip hop, queerness and blackness all in one place. Very dope. All the panelist where incredibly artrickulate and down-to-earth.

I've been checking out shows, you know, artists got to get inspired and such. I saw my homie, Reuben Butchart at his album release party for Golden Boy. He's sensational and you should see him live--Quebecois soul. Two days later, I had the privilege of seeing Antony & the Johnsons with the Brooklyn Philharmonic at BAM. All I can say is "wow." It was truly a sensationally powerful experience. His voice is dazzling and transportative. Plus, he did the most unbelievable rendition of Beyonce's "Crazy in Love." Seriously. Brilliant insanity.


In terms of my own work, got lots going on: next week, I'll be uptown as an audience member at, what looks to be a great panel at Harlem Children's Zone, a screening and dialogue about Byron Hurt's film, Beyond Beats and Rhymes, sponsored by GenderPAC. Should be cool.

I'm doing some studio work with the AV Folklore peeps who are bringing their groovy sounds and art from London.

Next month, I'm heading into the studio to work on some more songs for my solo album. I'm doing in a show in Denver...I know, but hey, cool, right. It's going to be the hotness. Check it, check it, check it out, just channeling a little LONS there (isn't INSANE they have a wiki entry?). My "studio" look (notice how I'm mad important and on the phone).

What else? Oh, in a totally different musical vein, I'm bringing it back and singing classical/operatic music on May 19th at my high school alma mater, in a tribute to the woman who basically convinced me I could have a career as a singer. She died 10 years ago from stomach cancer, but had a heavy influence on my life (and many others). We're singing some of her fave songs. Oh don't worry, I'll make sure Snowflake takes mad pictures and I will post them here. And you will all laugh.


Still studying for my doctoral qualifying exams next month, that's also part of the reason I've been a bit off the radar. Doing so much yoga it's insane and loving it. I have a great school and am getting super-buff, even if Snowflake still makes fun of my bebidas belly. I'm all about yoga and creativity.

Oh yeah, buy my album.


I will be writing soon. Seriously. I have to write about my obsession with Chris Brown. And my adventures with my homie, Keasha, who's coming to NYC next week.

Save the date for Peace Out East 2007

Hey ya'll Peace Out East 2007 will happen Thursday Oct 18-Saturday Oct 20th in New York City. Venues and Times TBA. Call for artists will happen in late April/early May.

If anyone wants to help me update the POE website, that would be eexxxxccccccceeeelllleeeennntttttttt.

More regular updates this weekend.


smooches,

Shante Paradigm

February Ain't No Joke!

Greetings and Salutations from beautiful Brooklyn! It's cold, ya'll. Anyway, this week brings a couple of little updates of the interview variety. One is an audio interview from WNYC's Soundcheck that I did with Soce, the Elemental Wizard in December and this one has our performances (the website doesn't). It was definitely cool to have independent, queer hip hop representing on NPR, but, there's still a long way to go in terms of hip hop artists being actually listened to as artists by other "music aficionados." The dynamics of race and gender tend to come up as well, and many, many people think hip hop started 5 or 6 years ago by the limited artists they constantly check. Listen for yourself and let me know what you think.

The second interview is by my high school alma mater, my how things have changed. Read it here. And yes, it was as scary as it looks. Scarier.

In other news, the B.Q.E. album, The Digm and the Dutch is out. How many of ya'll copped that? Come one, pleeeeaasssseeee. I understand all my friends who are broke-ass, don't worry, you keep showing me love. But, really, buy that. Feel free to holla at me or Dutchboy with your feedback.

In other news, I have some projects brewing that I can't talk about right now, but hopefully, I will be able to write more soon.

Okay I have to go study, 'cuz I'm a nerdy scholar and spend way too much time here. I'm working on some songs though, no lie.

P.S.: Oh well, Blogger doesn't let you upload big audio clips. Email me if you'd like a copy. Damn I need to learn coding. Help!

Until next week,

SP

B.Q.E releases album and more!

Dear Friends and Fans of Shante Paradigm, B.Q.E., and Peace Out East:

Happy New Year! I hope 2007 is going well for everyone. It's almost the end of January and its already been a tough year for people I love. 2007 is also going to be be a year of great things, one of them is already here: the long-awaited B.Q.E. full-length album, The Digm and the Dutch. It's out now, so go buy it! Don't worry, no need to leave your house, just click any of these links below.

Only $10 on our Myspace page
CD Baby We love our CD Baby
iTunes Only want a few songs?

I've (re)launched this blog to consolidate the various projects I have going and am interested in. I hope you log in frequently, as I am planning to blog with updates once a week, even if they are minor.

This blog will feature news about my music projects, including B.Q.E. and Peace Out East, and interviews with and news about various LGBTQ hip hop artists and scholars. I hope to introduce people to some lesser-known, but well-deserving artists. If you're interested in being interviewed, please email: shanteparadigm@gmail.com


Here's a clip from Here!TV from POE 2006
More to come soon!

Buy my album! I need to eat.

One,

SP