james brown

Beyoncé and Lizzo, ‘Two Peas in a Social Change Pod’ Who Aren’t Just About the Brand but Also Being at Their Best and Taking a Stand

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Remember when Lizzo melted after finding out that Beyoncé sang happy birthday greetings to her? She didn’t think one of her idols would have her on mind. It’s the kind of thing Beyhive fans knew all along. She tries to look beyond herself just like when she called out public officials in the Breonna Taylor case.

These days it’s almost as if Beyoncé and Lizzo are like two peas in a social change pod. They’re looking at the issues and making it plain. They’re connecting with fans letting them know they feel their pain. Over the past few weeks, they’ve been clear about one thing: it’s time to do our civic duty.

The music biz as with everything else has seen shutdown due to Covid-19. Concerts on pause, album drops have slowed. The usual hype before project releases are low-key. That hasn’t stopped these ladies in their tracks. As artists, they aren’t just about the brand, but about being at their best and taking a stand.

With her latest fashion line statement about to drop, Beyoncé is still turning it out. She’s building on the ‘Ivy Park’ brand she started and teamed-up with Adidas. It’s a kind of throwback to an 80s vibe, while the promo says to find your ‘beast bode.’ It’s as if the subtext could also be to flaunt your ‘beauty streak.’

For Lizzo, she’s brought much attention to being ‘body positive’, or as she prefers to say, ‘body normative’. For the ‘big girls club’, she has become proof positive about feeling good in your skin. But what they both bring beyond fashion statement or plus-size placement is how to find your flow when you:

  • Be Still

The impact of Covid-19 on essential workers has been seen over these past months. They tend to be more out-front and vulnerable. The impact to others has been things coming to a grinding halt. For Beyoncé, “It was the first time in my life I’ve been so still.” Sometimes that’s where your flow starts.       

  • Be Creative

After releasing the first edition of the clothing line, Bey’s looking to make waves with the updated looks. During the downtime of her music she’s been busy in the uptime of her fashion. When you flow your gifts, talents and skills, there’s always room to be creative. You might even surprise yourself sometimes.   

  • Be Ready

During the early stages of her music Lizzo wasn’t sure how she’d incorporate her classic side with her pop side. Her classic side comes with the flute. Her pop side comes with the lyrics. But her creative process flows from musical sound to breakout rhythm in turning out the hits with crossover appeal.  

  • Be Real

They both do their best to keep it real. For Lizzo, her ‘real’ flows from not acting like more than who she is, while being ‘bold & fearless’. For Beyoncé her ‘real’ flows from being even bigger than who we think she is, while showing ‘calm & coolness’.  Flow makes you ‘be real’ and when you’re real you find flow.  

As musical artists they might have different ways in how they flow. But as music stars they’re about being at their best and taking a stand on social issues. Their love for the game is just as strong as their love for their fans. And at their best, they make us fell good about ourselves in doing what it takes to level-up.       

Tip: Find your ‘beast mode’ or at least find your flow when you be still, be creative, be ready and be real.

Talkback: Which is it, ‘bold & fearless’ or ‘calm & coolness’ that brings out your best?

Tracks: Ciara – Level Up – https://youtu.be/Dh-ULbQmmF8

James Brown – I Got You (I Feel Good) – https://youtu.be/Lrv-Morm-c0

James Corden & Howard Schultz Found Themselves Unlikely Dream Jobs, but Nailed it! #BigTimeUniversity

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This production of “Wise-up Wednesdays” Blogcast by Douette ‘Doc’ Cunningham is a presentation in “social media entertainment from the groove-track of life!” #WUWECAST

LOL Tube – Got Funny? 

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Theme:– “The Year of ‘Flashlighting’ – Get Seen!”
A New Way to Shine with Highlights, Insights and Media-bites that’s Exciting (Old-School Flava)

Who knew that Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz grew up in the projects? Well, that’s the story he tells in an online feature. It gives us a sense for why making money and being a force for good can go hand-in-hand. Schultz and James Corden seemed to have found themselves in unlikely dream jobs, but nailed it.

As Late Night host Corden once told the Wall Street Journal “In many respects it’s the dream job for me. I don’t know if it’s playing to my strengths. It’s more like ignoring my weaknesses.” Schultz and Corden know about that moment you feel like “it’s now or never” while others tell you “it’s not gonna happen.”

Corden is one of those “Brits turned Yankee.” He had doubts about taking the Late Night gig. He wasn’t sure about being up to the challenge. But he kept his nose to the grind with other things to perform on stage. It was one such occasion where a CBS exec saw him and made the decision to offer him the spot.

After some time, he eventually came to his senses. He went with the “It’s now or never” option. He’d get a chance to participate in the late night space. His show has now created cultural hooks as a Youtube sensation with the wildly popular “Carpool Karaoke.” Corden’s busy hosting and his team’s busy posting.

Schultz told the Huffington Post how his father-in-law said to him “It’s time you give up this [coffee] hobby and get a job.” But his wife who was the bread-winner in the family told Schultz “We’re going to follow these dreams that you have. We’re going to see this through.” So he was busy going for the big payback.

Groove-Track: James Brown – The Big Payback – https://youtu.be/5cDuwibflL4

Theme:– “The Year of ‘Flashlighting’ – Get Seen!”
A New Way to Shine With Highlights, Insights and Media-bites that’s Exciting (New-School Flava)

Howard Schultz says he grew-up “projects” poor. That’s one way he gives his score. So he says in online feature story. So people can appreciate his biz glory. Making money high on his radar. A force for good both near and far. Schultz and Corden in unlikely dreams jobs. But nailed it by not being slobs.

Late night host his latest fame. With a show that bears his name. Told Wall Street Journal job’s right for him. With strengths over weaknesses on the slim. Knowing about the moment he did feel. This can’t be true or for real. Between “it’s now or never” thinking. And people’s “it’s not gonna happen” winking.

Corden moves from England to L.A. “Brit turned Yankee” is what some say. Had those doubts like normal people do. Wasn’t sure he could come through. Kept his nose to the grind. Letting things play-out and unwind. So he’d perform on stage as before. Where CBS exec offered him the spot and more.

After some time came to his senses. “It’s now or never” wasn’t just pretenses. He’d get his shot in the late night space. To participate and earn his place. A show oozing with cultural hooks. And Youtube links for later looks. Wildly popular “Carpool Karaoke” stream. Corden’s busy hosting, web postings by his team.

Schultz telling media outlet. Of father-in-law putting down the gauntlet. Saying it’s time to give-up this coffee thing. Get a job more enterprising. But his wife as bread-winner stood by her man. Focused on building this dream with a plan. To see it through the sense of lack. And reaching for the big payback.

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Tip: Getting past life’s haters and naysayers takes a strong sense of “reality check” for the big payback.

Talkback: What might we learn from Schultz and Corden about the “big paycheck” vs the “big payback?”

Groove-Tracks: Puff Daddy & the Family – Finna Get Loose – https://youtu.be/m8Z9fUXNVoI

Glass Animals – Life Itself – https://youtu.be/yd9p4n5hLEg


This production of “Wise-up Wednesdays” Blogcast by Douette ‘Doc’ Cunningham is a presentation in “social media entertainment from the groove-track of life!” #WUWECAST

‘Diddy’ Combs, Samantha Bee Find Wind Beneath their Wings for Hitting the Sweet Spot #BigTimeUniversity

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This production of “Wise-up Wednesdays” Blogcast by Douette ‘Doc’ Cunningham is a presentation in “social media entertainment from the groove-track of life!” #WUWECAST

LOL Tube – Got Funny?


doc_lg

Theme:– “The Year of ‘Flashlighting’ – Get Seen!”
A New Way to Shine with Highlights, Insights and Media-bites that’s Exciting (Old-School Flava)

There’s a new ‘B’ in town..that’s Samantha Bee. She’s the recent late night host and the only female in the ranks. Meanwhile, back in Harlem USA, Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs is launching a new Charter school in his hometown. They’ve found new wind beneath their wings for hitting the sweet spot & lifting street value.

In a press statement Combs said “I want to impact the lives of young people in my community and build future leaders. All our children should be able to pursue their dreams. That is something I can impact with this school.” Diddy has gone from ‘good to gush’ by turning his career milestones into dream projects.

Before getting her own gig, Bee worked with Jon Stewart on the Daily Show for 12 years. Combs as the all-time rapper is teaming up with noted Educators to bring a new slice of success to students. They have used their early days in showbiz to figure-out how to crack the code or break the mold in media & music.

It’s that same tenacity that he hopes to bring to students. Maybe what works for connecting smarts to hearts might be the same as what’s helped him go from rapper to mogul. It’s in reaching people where they are and taking them to a place where whatever it takes to win, feels good. That’s the real hotspot.

The buzz around Bee these days is whether her rise will help to expand the club of female late night hosts. When asked about Stewart’s role she said “He gave me the platform for me to teach myself.” Maybe that’s how Diddy sees this effort as the next frontier in his quest to flex more eagle-high dreams.

Groove-Track: James Brown – I Feel Good – https://youtu.be/rfVU_t940dw

Theme:– “The Year of ‘Flashlighting’ – Get Seen!”
A New Way to Shine With Highlights, Insights and Media-bites that’s Exciting (New-School Flava)

There’s a new ‘B’ in town. With enough honey to go ‘round. That’s Samantha Bee from Comedy Central. Now with her own TBS portal. Meanwhile back on the Harlem block. Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs brings new school house rock. Both with new wind beneath their wings. Hitting sweet spot and street value things.

In press statement saying he wants to impact. Lives of young people as a ‘hood contract. To build future leaders and teams. So that kids can pursue their dreams. Something about doing it in school. Where learning is the main rule. He’s gone from ‘good to gush.’ So he wants kids to feel the same rush.

Before getting her own show. Bee worked in Jon Stewart’s comedy row. Spent 12 years doing funny bits. Now she’s ready to do the hits. Combs as all-time rapper’s delight. Teams-up with Educators in the fight. Bringing kids a new slice of success. To crack the code or break the mold after recess.

Same tenacity he hopes they gain. Knowing how to channel the pain. What works for connecting smarts to hearts. Helped him go from rapper to mogul parts. In reaching people where they are. Taking them to place of a star. Doing whatever it takes to win. A real hotspot that pops a grin.

Buzz around Bee is if her rise. Will expand the club or reach the wise. Female hosts in late night ranks. And some women in their spanks. When asked about Stewart’s mentor role. Kinda wants to say ‘bless his soul.’ It’s how Diddy sees his next milestone. Eagle-high dreams to stepping stone.

samantha-bee

Tip: Going from good to great and doing everything to win means teaching yourself whatever it takes.

Talkback: How will we know if late night TV is ready for more women in the big chair?

Groove-Tracks: The Roots – How I Got Over – https://youtu.be/zI4D1QOLGuM

 

Jess Glynne – Ain’t Got Far to Go – https://youtu.be/GxPcu7F7gWg

This production of “Wise-up Wednesdays” Blogcast by Douette ‘Doc’ Cunningham is a presentation in “social media entertainment from the groove-track of life!” #WUWECAST