In Rotation: Lekule
Lekule
Emerging Artist
Brooklyn NY
What keeps me sane: In 1986, I wrote, "The only thing that keeps me from self-termination is the great possibility of reaching my destination." Those words still hold true.
Most humbling moment: When I had to go temp for the company I'd left 1 1/2 years prior to pursue an independent styling career. The entire department wound up standing in front of my cubicle as they entered a meeting. I was so embarrassed my glasses steamed up.
Things I obsess about: How to better manage my day, thus manage my life.
Guilty pleasures: Why would I feel guilty about my pleasures?
My kind of folk: Those who believe in themselves and aren't afraid to be about their purpose.
Wackest shit out there: Loud music with nothing to sing about.
Scariest moment: On November 2, 2002, a voice spoke loudly in my spirit and said, "Your life will not be in vain." Right then, I knew that my dreams were God’s plan and that all of the visions and ideas I had for myself (some of which came to me at a very young age) were not a figment of my imagination--they were a reflection of my destiny. Life, as I had once knew it, would no longer be the same. Although I embraced and celebrated this awakening with every fiber of my being, seeing my truth was like seeing my death…they’re both inevitable. I picked up a guitar in January 2003 and I haven’t looked back.
Books that changed my life: The Autobiography of Malcolm X, anything James Baldwin ever wrote, Siddhartha, and Awakening the Giant Within.
Musicians who move me: I gotta walk backwards on this one. Right now, I’m sweating Franz Ferdinand & Incubus. Before them were Jet, Mondo Diao, Kings of Leon and the post-modern rockers, and The White Stripes.
I listened to Nirvana for the first time about 18 months ago and I must say, Kurt Cobain gave me my life back. Where the fuck was I when they were on the scene??? Months prior to that, I let Jimi Hendrix and Jim Morrison get my soul right--beyond their music, it was just them that moved me. When Erykah came in '98, I swear I thought I was going to lose it. She was on a whole ’nother page and I so needed to be there. Lauryn Hill’s MTV Music Awards performance circa '98 got me caught up. I lie to you not when I say that I rewound those few minutes of her set rolling out onto the stage from the time it aired, until 3-something in morning. Each time felt like the first.
Those initial artists who ignited a fire: James Brown, Rufus featuring Chaka Khan, Prince (I saw his "Controversy" tour and didn’t sleep for 2 days), Sade, Michael Jackson because he owned the stage during his time. Madonna made me want to be me.
I heard Kanye’s "Jesus Walks" for the first time about a month ago while in Miami and had an outer body experience. He played his big joker on that one… Now that's the type of mind I'm talking about.
Plans for the future: "To turn the world right side out"…check Slippery When Wet for details. But most immediately, I’ll be singing about the Sexy Bitch who forgot that we were born Free which always gives me the Lekule Blues at CBGB’s Gallery, 8:30pm, June 28, 2004.
"Son of Mary" coming to a stage near you on September 11, 2004.
Message Lekule and tell him what you think
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The 2-Way
Replies: 8
posted by: Brad @ 06/15/04: 01:01 PM EST
luv it luv it luv it luv it luv it
posted by: Duron @ 06/15/04: 01:01 PM EST
Hey Ya! Love the blurb and a great pik too, you look sooo handsome - I will be there with bells on - not really, I promise, but I'll be there. ;-] We should chat about some of the music you mentioned in your Q&A, I'm bored to death with all of my music these days - you know i don't listen to the radio, and yeah Curt was/is all that!
posted by: freelance junkie @ 06/16/04: 12:12 AM EST
much respect to you for exhibiting the strength, grace and patience to find your voice...literally & figuratively. keep doing what you're doing, boo!
posted by: DeTeLLz*..Da TrUtH @ 06/18/04: 02:02 PM EST
WoW.... im so speechless... but your sincerity was obviously coming from your heart, nonetheless you have a focus that cant be distracted. with such a high level of energy and spirit ther will be no stopping your destiny... keep it up....1
posted by: higgins canadiana @ 06/21/04: 12:12 AM EST
Come out to this event...
Bad Brains: The Afro-Alternative Music Summit
Curated by Dalton Higgins
Black musicians have had a hand in creating some of the most inventive new music forms of today; from Orchestral Pop-Noir Romantique, Afro-Kraut and Afro-Clash to Afro-Punk. Others ignore the labels or creative straitjackets placed on them and perform straight up rock n’ roll. Some hip hoppers are picking up guitars. Afro-Alternative introduces us to musicians who have found their muse outside of pop culture-imposed rap and R&B binaries. On the “Sistah’s Who Rock” panel discussion, Graph Nobel, Kim Bingham (David Usher), Michie Mee (Day After) , Tuku (Blaxam), Syreeta Neal, Tamar Kali and others will tackle the gender question. They’ll be joined by Alt-Afro luminaries James Spooner, director of the acclaimed film “Afro Punk”, Murray Lightburn (The Dears), EMI recording artist k-os, Shawn Hewitt, Adrian Miller (20th Century Rebels) and Don Cash. To celebrate this milestone, Kandia Crazy Horse author of “Rip It Up: the Black Experience in Rock n Roll” will launch the book in Canada here and discuss how rock n’ roll, a music rooted in the African-American experience, has become almost devoid of the community’s involvement. Plus, come listen to tunes from some brilliant musical mavericks!
Harbourfront Centre (Toronto, Canada)
Brigantine Room
Saturday July 24th, 2004
3:00-6 p.m
Admission: FREE
Info: urban.groove@eudoramail.com
posted by: c-m. anderson @ 06/21/04: 04:04 PM EST
awesome kelly.
posted by: JVC @ 06/28/04: 12:12 AM EST
I think your already a STAR. Good luck and make yourself proud.
posted by: Vivian Scott Chew @ 07/02/04: 04:04 PM EST
I was so impressed by your CBGB's show this week. I always knew your poetic ability but was floored to hear you sing and play the guitar. You're an amazing artist and an even more amazing human being....
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