flying high you know how I feel Sun in the sky you know how I feel breeze
the sky you know how I feel breeze
the sky you know how I feel breeze driftin on by you know how I feel it’s a
driftin on by you know how I feel it’s a
driftin on by you know how I feel it’s a new dawn it’s a new day it’s a new life
new dawn it’s a new day it’s a new life
new dawn it’s a new day it’s a new life for me and I’m feeling good
for me and I’m feeling good
for me and I’m feeling good [Music]
note to self remember to breathe they
note to self remember to breathe they say that we know what we want to be in
say that we know what we want to be in
say that we know what we want to be in our life our passion our dreams from
our life our passion our dreams from
our life our passion our dreams from when we’re 5 years old mine was to be a
when we’re 5 years old mine was to be a
when we’re 5 years old mine was to be a singer I was maybe 5 years old when I
singer I was maybe 5 years old when I
singer I was maybe 5 years old when I began pursuing my career in music and I
began pursuing my career in music and I
began pursuing my career in music and I was determined I was gonna record some
was determined I was gonna record some
was determined I was gonna record some songs I was gonna get on TV become
songs I was gonna get on TV become
songs I was gonna get on TV become famous and then buy an island I still
famous and then buy an island I still
famous and then buy an island I still want that island by the way me of that
want that island by the way me of that
want that island by the way me of that island I used to I grew up in a society
island I used to I grew up in a society
island I used to I grew up in a society I mean I’m Lebanese I don’t know if
I mean I’m Lebanese I don’t know if
I mean I’m Lebanese I don’t know if you’re familiar with Lebanese culture
you’re familiar with Lebanese culture
you’re familiar with Lebanese culture this is our national attire
this is our national attire
this is our national attire just kidding it’s not at the time and
just kidding it’s not at the time and
just kidding it’s not at the time and this is the Lebanese culture is
this is the Lebanese culture is
this is the Lebanese culture is basically a bunch of people who love
basically a bunch of people who love
basically a bunch of people who love life and enjoy every minute they love to
life and enjoy every minute they love to
life and enjoy every minute they love to dress up where they go and they place a
dress up where they go and they place a
dress up where they go and they place a lot of emphasis on the external
lot of emphasis on the external
lot of emphasis on the external appearance you could go to the
appearance you could go to the
appearance you could go to the supermarket and they are you know all
supermarket and they are you know all
supermarket and they are you know all gala mode and here comes a little me you
gala mode and here comes a little me you
gala mode and here comes a little me you know chubby rubra you know trying to
know chubby rubra you know trying to
know chubby rubra you know trying to make her way through life and then
make her way through life and then
make her way through life and then people just had me pegged out I didn’t
people just had me pegged out I didn’t
people just had me pegged out I didn’t even say a word and they just knew
even say a word and they just knew
even say a word and they just knew exactly who I was and they talked about
exactly who I was and they talked about
exactly who I was and they talked about it you know like the physical fear and I
it you know like the physical fear and I
it you know like the physical fear and I didn’t understand what why are you
didn’t understand what why are you
didn’t understand what why are you telling my mother that she should like
telling my mother that she should like
telling my mother that she should like put me on a diet or something why is
put me on a diet or something why is
put me on a diet or something why is this so important to you I didn’t
this so important to you I didn’t
this so important to you I didn’t realize how important it was for society
realize how important it was for society
realize how important it was for society what it did was was at an early age I
what it did was was at an early age I
what it did was was at an early age I started it tired making me feel like I
started it tired making me feel like I
started it tired making me feel like I was always not good enough not smart
was always not good enough not smart
was always not good enough not smart enough
enough
enough I wasn’t pretty enough I wasn’t dressed
I wasn’t pretty enough I wasn’t dressed
I wasn’t pretty enough I wasn’t dressed well enough so from that very early
well enough so from that very early
well enough so from that very early stage I had to like figure out a lot of
stage I had to like figure out a lot of
stage I had to like figure out a lot of life stuff you know for a 6 7 8 year old
life stuff you know for a 6 7 8 year old
life stuff you know for a 6 7 8 year old that’s a lot of material to take in but
that’s a lot of material to take in but
that’s a lot of material to take in but I I never let it discourage me what I
I I never let it discourage me what I
I I never let it discourage me what I did was is I found solace and music like
did was is I found solace and music like
did was is I found solace and music like I’d go tuck myself away in the little
I’d go tuck myself away in the little
I’d go tuck myself away in the little corner and sing and when they teach you
corner and sing and when they teach you
corner and sing and when they teach you to sing that’s how you always open keep
to sing that’s how you always open keep
to sing that’s how you always open keep your eyes open and engage the crowd you
your eyes open and engage the crowd you
your eyes open and engage the crowd you know don’t close your eyes a lot of
know don’t close your eyes a lot of
know don’t close your eyes a lot of singers do that it’s my favorite part
singers do that it’s my favorite part
singers do that it’s my favorite part I love closing my eyes and going into
I love closing my eyes and going into
I love closing my eyes and going into the music and that’s what I used to do
the music and that’s what I used to do
the music and that’s what I used to do and when I sang I was weightless
and when I sang I was weightless
and when I sang I was weightless shapeless nobody could tell me whether I
shapeless nobody could tell me whether I
shapeless nobody could tell me whether I was good or not I was perfect in that
was good or not I was perfect in that
was good or not I was perfect in that space and I sang and I sang until the
space and I sang and I sang until the
space and I sang and I sang until the age of 16 I thought you know that’s it
age of 16 I thought you know that’s it
age of 16 I thought you know that’s it this is my career I’m gonna become a
this is my career I’m gonna become a
this is my career I’m gonna become a singer and that’s everyone asked me I
singer and that’s everyone asked me I
singer and that’s everyone asked me I was just you know waiting for that
was just you know waiting for that
was just you know waiting for that Island right but I let the noise of
Island right but I let the noise of
Island right but I let the noise of society’s expectation of what I was
society’s expectation of what I was
society’s expectation of what I was supposed to do I let it in and my doubt
supposed to do I let it in and my doubt
supposed to do I let it in and my doubt of myself and my talent and my abilities
of myself and my talent and my abilities
of myself and my talent and my abilities was put into question so I did what
was put into question so I did what
was put into question so I did what everyone you know the right thing to do
everyone you know the right thing to do
everyone you know the right thing to do I went to college and I study the
I went to college and I study the
I went to college and I study the advertising and communication and I
advertising and communication and I
advertising and communication and I sought out a career and there because
sought out a career and there because
sought out a career and there because ultimately I wasn’t a good enough singer
ultimately I wasn’t a good enough singer
ultimately I wasn’t a good enough singer right I mean there was always that fear
right I mean there was always that fear
right I mean there was always that fear that’s me by the way no singing at a
that’s me by the way no singing at a
that’s me by the way no singing at a very young age and so I let that fear
very young age and so I let that fear
very young age and so I let that fear come in and I let it make a dictation on
come in and I let it make a dictation on
come in and I let it make a dictation on my life to leave music I went and I
my life to leave music I went and I
my life to leave music I went and I studied advertising that became my
studied advertising that became my
studied advertising that became my career I went up the ladder you know the
career I went up the ladder you know the
career I went up the ladder you know the usual the weekends the nights the late
usual the weekends the nights the late
usual the weekends the nights the late nights all of that I still do it by the
nights all of that I still do it by the
nights all of that I still do it by the way and I let music take the backseat
way and I let music take the backseat
way and I let music take the backseat this it’s called the imposter syndrome
this it’s called the imposter syndrome
this it’s called the imposter syndrome by the way a lot of very high achievers
by the way a lot of very high achievers
by the way a lot of very high achievers they can’t internalize that feeling of
they can’t internalize that feeling of
they can’t internalize that feeling of success or the the successes that
success or the the successes that
success or the the successes that they’ve had and so they feel that
they’ve had and so they feel that
they’ve had and so they feel that they’re gonna they’re a fraud and
they’re gonna they’re a fraud and
they’re gonna they’re a fraud and they’re about to be pegged out so it was
they’re about to be pegged out so it was
they’re about to be pegged out so it was a relief to know that this is the state
a relief to know that this is the state
a relief to know that this is the state of mind that a lot of people share it’s
of mind that a lot of people share it’s
of mind that a lot of people share it’s doctor Pauline clan’s and Suzanne who
doctor Pauline clan’s and Suzanne who
doctor Pauline clan’s and Suzanne who actually coined that term the imposter
actually coined that term the imposter
actually coined that term the imposter syndrome so I did what everyone does I
syndrome so I did what everyone does I
syndrome so I did what everyone does I got married I thought you know this is
got married I thought you know this is
got married I thought you know this is it I’ll get married I’ll have kids and
it I’ll get married I’ll have kids and
it I’ll get married I’ll have kids and then my life will be just perfect
then my life will be just perfect
then my life will be just perfect because I’d watch Cinderella so many
because I’d watch Cinderella so many
because I’d watch Cinderella so many times
times
times and believe me she walked down that
and believe me she walked down that
and believe me she walked down that aisle and she lived happily ever after
aisle and she lived happily ever after
aisle and she lived happily ever after there was no sequel to that movie little
there was no sequel to that movie little
there was no sequel to that movie little did I know that life came in and I
did I know that life came in and I
did I know that life came in and I became a private detector to find out
became a private detector to find out
became a private detector to find out when the affairs were happening and it
when the affairs were happening and it
when the affairs were happening and it became my life I became but I could
became my life I became but I could
became my life I became but I could smell lies from a mile away now you know
smell lies from a mile away now you know
smell lies from a mile away now you know and here I was you know thinking you
and here I was you know thinking you
and here I was you know thinking you know I’d done it I opened my own company
know I’d done it I opened my own company
know I’d done it I opened my own company I was married and I was about to have
I was married and I was about to have
I was married and I was about to have our first baby and the affairs obviously
our first baby and the affairs obviously
our first baby and the affairs obviously still happening and the marriage broke
still happening and the marriage broke
still happening and the marriage broke he fell in love with someone else
he fell in love with someone else
he fell in love with someone else younger prettier thinner you can just
younger prettier thinner you can just
younger prettier thinner you can just put all those labels in there and I
put all those labels in there and I
put all those labels in there and I found myself a single mother a single
found myself a single mother a single
found myself a single mother a single mother of a boy by myself back in
mother of a boy by myself back in
mother of a boy by myself back in Lebanon in that society that is Arab and
Lebanon in that society that is Arab and
Lebanon in that society that is Arab and wants you to get married and never get
wants you to get married and never get
wants you to get married and never get divorced no matter what happens so not
divorced no matter what happens so not
divorced no matter what happens so not only was I divorced I was divorced with
only was I divorced I was divorced with
only was I divorced I was divorced with a child big one
a child big one
a child big one not marriage material you can imagine
not marriage material you can imagine
not marriage material you can imagine and it brought in a lot of stuff now the
and it brought in a lot of stuff now the
and it brought in a lot of stuff now the thing is people are judgmental not
thing is people are judgmental not
thing is people are judgmental not because they intend to be horrible
because they intend to be horrible
because they intend to be horrible people
people
people it starts from as as early as the age of
it starts from as as early as the age of
it starts from as as early as the age of three you know you look at people you
three you know you look at people you
three you know you look at people you see them in a different light you can’t
see them in a different light you can’t
see them in a different light you can’t identify with them therefore you choose
identify with them therefore you choose
identify with them therefore you choose a distance so they don’t do it on
a distance so they don’t do it on
a distance so they don’t do it on purpose but that’s why I felt compelled
purpose but that’s why I felt compelled
purpose but that’s why I felt compelled as a mother that whenever I had a single
as a mother that whenever I had a single
as a mother that whenever I had a single opportunity to insert one positive
opportunity to insert one positive
opportunity to insert one positive message about my children’s perspective
message about my children’s perspective
message about my children’s perspective on other people or life that I would do
on other people or life that I would do
on other people or life that I would do so we have every summer we go to Lebanon
so we have every summer we go to Lebanon
so we have every summer we go to Lebanon and we spend the summers there if you’ve
and we spend the summers there if you’ve
and we spend the summers there if you’ve been to brahmanah this is our city our
been to brahmanah this is our city our
been to brahmanah this is our city our hometown and there’s this little
hometown and there’s this little
hometown and there’s this little ice-cream shop there the owner of the
ice-cream shop there the owner of the
ice-cream shop there the owner of the ice cream shop has a daughter called yes
ice cream shop has a daughter called yes
ice cream shop has a daughter called yes Mina yes mean as a little person with a
Mina yes mean as a little person with a
Mina yes mean as a little person with a huge personality I remember I took nigh
huge personality I remember I took nigh
huge personality I remember I took nigh on my daughter for the first time she
on my daughter for the first time she
on my daughter for the first time she was just about three at the time and I
was just about three at the time and I
was just about three at the time and I and I saw him when she saw us me now you
and I saw him when she saw us me now you
and I saw him when she saw us me now you could tell she was time to get ideas in
could tell she was time to get ideas in
could tell she was time to get ideas in her head you know this one she looks
her head you know this one she looks
her head you know this one she looks like an older person but she’s small and
like an older person but she’s small and
like an older person but she’s small and what’s going on here and the image was
what’s going on here and the image was
what’s going on here and the image was starting to form so I went off tune I
starting to form so I went off tune I
starting to form so I went off tune I and I said oh my god doesn’t she look so
and I said oh my god doesn’t she look so
and I said oh my god doesn’t she look so interesting mommy look at her big smile
interesting mommy look at her big smile
interesting mommy look at her big smile come let’s go get to know her and talk
come let’s go get to know her and talk
come let’s go get to know her and talk to her
to her
to her and we went and we spoke to yes mean on
and we went and we spoke to yes mean on
and we went and we spoke to yes mean on yes muna had gone to brahmana high
yes muna had gone to brahmana high
yes muna had gone to brahmana high school so she spoke perfect English and
school so she spoke perfect English and
school so she spoke perfect English and the Arabic barrier because my kids
the Arabic barrier because my kids
the Arabic barrier because my kids barely speak any Arabic and they hit it
barely speak any Arabic and they hit it
barely speak any Arabic and they hit it off and now my daughter whenever she
off and now my daughter whenever she
off and now my daughter whenever she wants to go to the ice-cream shop she
wants to go to the ice-cream shop she
wants to go to the ice-cream shop she wants to go and see us Mina she’s not
wants to go and see us Mina she’s not
wants to go and see us Mina she’s not going to the ice-cream store
going to the ice-cream store
going to the ice-cream store so that was one opportunity that I had
so that was one opportunity that I had
so that was one opportunity that I had and I’m continuously planting these
and I’m continuously planting these
and I’m continuously planting these kinds of seeds where I tell my kids look
kinds of seeds where I tell my kids look
kinds of seeds where I tell my kids look beyond the first impression may be that
beyond the first impression may be that
beyond the first impression may be that first impression that you got from that
first impression that you got from that
first impression that you got from that person was honored they were having a
person was honored they were having a
person was honored they were having a bad day they didn’t feel like talking
bad day they didn’t feel like talking
bad day they didn’t feel like talking they’re not introverts it just so
they’re not introverts it just so
they’re not introverts it just so happened that they people are in the
happened that they people are in the
happened that they people are in the layers they’re not in that little
layers they’re not in that little
layers they’re not in that little synopsis that you’ve given yourself from
synopsis that you’ve given yourself from
synopsis that you’ve given yourself from because you know you’ve seen people you
because you know you’ve seen people you
because you know you’ve seen people you can peg them out I learned that there
can peg them out I learned that there
can peg them out I learned that there was a kryptonite to people the judgement
was a kryptonite to people the judgement
was a kryptonite to people the judgement of us and it’s called confidence if you
of us and it’s called confidence if you
of us and it’s called confidence if you ever walk into a room and you have the
ever walk into a room and you have the
ever walk into a room and you have the slightest self-doubt people smell it on
slightest self-doubt people smell it on
slightest self-doubt people smell it on you like dogs smell fear Nelson Mandela
you like dogs smell fear Nelson Mandela
you like dogs smell fear Nelson Mandela once said that courage is not the
once said that courage is not the
once said that courage is not the absence of fear but rather the triumph
absence of fear but rather the triumph
absence of fear but rather the triumph over it
over it
over it I feel like confidence is not the
I feel like confidence is not the
I feel like confidence is not the absence of insecurities we all have them
absence of insecurities we all have them
absence of insecurities we all have them I’m sure we all have our list but it’s
I’m sure we all have our list but it’s
I’m sure we all have our list but it’s coexisting with them it’s understanding
coexisting with them it’s understanding
coexisting with them it’s understanding why they’re there forgiving yourself for
why they’re there forgiving yourself for
why they’re there forgiving yourself for having them being self-acceptance
having them being self-acceptance
having them being self-acceptance so I created Rupa robot was born again
so I created Rupa robot was born again
so I created Rupa robot was born again River the girl who hated her curls
River the girl who hated her curls
River the girl who hated her curls growing up now I celebrate my curls this
growing up now I celebrate my curls this
growing up now I celebrate my curls this is my my symbol or my logo if you like
is my my symbol or my logo if you like
is my my symbol or my logo if you like so I celebrated my curls the little
so I celebrated my curls the little
so I celebrated my curls the little lines are my scars I went back
lines are my scars I went back
lines are my scars I went back throughout my life and I made peace with
throughout my life and I made peace with
throughout my life and I made peace with all the different phases of my life
all the different phases of my life
all the different phases of my life every single scar that I had I wore like
every single scar that I had I wore like
every single scar that I had I wore like a badge of honor
a badge of honor
a badge of honor you know I did well and I finally I was
you know I did well and I finally I was
you know I did well and I finally I was owning up to it and my motto is truth
owning up to it and my motto is truth
owning up to it and my motto is truth strength and love because I want to
strength and love because I want to
strength and love because I want to approach everything with truth and
approach everything with truth and
approach everything with truth and genuine State of Mind I want to be
genuine State of Mind I want to be
genuine State of Mind I want to be strong no matter how tough it gets and
strong no matter how tough it gets and
strong no matter how tough it gets and love as much an abundance of love right
love as much an abundance of love right
love as much an abundance of love right here to give and to take as a mother of
here to give and to take as a mother of
here to give and to take as a mother of two kids now remarried because I found
two kids now remarried because I found
two kids now remarried because I found love again you know they say love like
love again you know they say love like
love again you know they say love like you’ve never been hurt before it works
you’ve never been hurt before it works
you’ve never been hurt before it works but find someone who will push and
but find someone who will push and
but find someone who will push and support
support
support so I found myself in that strong family
so I found myself in that strong family
so I found myself in that strong family support system and I thought okay I’m
support system and I thought okay I’m
support system and I thought okay I’m bordering on 40 I’ve always wanted to be
bordering on 40 I’ve always wanted to be
bordering on 40 I’ve always wanted to be a singer I’ve abandoned it for so long
a singer I’ve abandoned it for so long
a singer I’ve abandoned it for so long but I want to be a singer again you know
but I want to be a singer again you know
but I want to be a singer again you know yes okay I did a career I did it really
yes okay I did a career I did it really
yes okay I did a career I did it really well I still do it can’t I do both can’t
well I still do it can’t I do both can’t
well I still do it can’t I do both can’t I be a singer and an executive during
I be a singer and an executive during
I be a singer and an executive during the day yes I can and so I decided I’m
the day yes I can and so I decided I’m
the day yes I can and so I decided I’m gonna work on my first album and I
gonna work on my first album and I
gonna work on my first album and I called it Mama’s back cuz I’m a mama and
called it Mama’s back cuz I’m a mama and
called it Mama’s back cuz I’m a mama and I’m back I came back to music with so
I’m back I came back to music with so
I’m back I came back to music with so much enthusiasm you think I was like 16
much enthusiasm you think I was like 16
much enthusiasm you think I was like 16 you know like I’m doing my first album
you know like I’m doing my first album
you know like I’m doing my first album and all of this the perks that come with
and all of this the perks that come with
and all of this the perks that come with it it’s amazing how when when you decide
it it’s amazing how when when you decide
it it’s amazing how when when you decide that you’re gonna go in a certain
that you’re gonna go in a certain
that you’re gonna go in a certain direction the universe just comes to
direction the universe just comes to
direction the universe just comes to your rescue because they know she’s
your rescue because they know she’s
your rescue because they know she’s going for it we better help her so I met
going for it we better help her so I met
going for it we better help her so I met a producer based in Los Angeles I met
a producer based in Los Angeles I met
a producer based in Los Angeles I met musicians based all over the world that
musicians based all over the world that
musicians based all over the world that worked on this record there was the one
worked on this record there was the one
worked on this record there was the one of the voices the backing vocalists on
of the voices the backing vocalists on
of the voices the backing vocalists on this album is the same person who goes
this album is the same person who goes
this album is the same person who goes on tour with mary j blige like I adore
on tour with mary j blige like I adore
on tour with mary j blige like I adore mary j blige and her backing vocalists
mary j blige and her backing vocalists
mary j blige and her backing vocalists is on this it just goes to show that
is on this it just goes to show that
is on this it just goes to show that there’s an alignment that we have no
there’s an alignment that we have no
there’s an alignment that we have no idea exists but it comes in full force
idea exists but it comes in full force
idea exists but it comes in full force when we say I am going for this I got
when we say I am going for this I got
when we say I am going for this I got the opportunity to perform at this huge
the opportunity to perform at this huge
the opportunity to perform at this huge concert where you had the usual lineup
concert where you had the usual lineup
concert where you had the usual lineup you know Cee Lo Green Missy Elliott
you know Cee Lo Green Missy Elliott
you know Cee Lo Green Missy Elliott rubra just like part of the name as I
rubra just like part of the name as I
rubra just like part of the name as I was about to get on the stage we’re
was about to get on the stage we’re
was about to get on the stage we’re talking 60,000 people like it’s like a
talking 60,000 people like it’s like a
talking 60,000 people like it’s like a carpet of people and I was about to get
carpet of people and I was about to get
carpet of people and I was about to get on stage my knees were shaking like
on stage my knees were shaking like
on stage my knees were shaking like crazy I was going to faint I saw stars
crazy I was going to faint I saw stars
crazy I was going to faint I saw stars and I was I remember standing there
and I was I remember standing there
and I was I remember standing there singing it’s about time I got on that
singing it’s about time I got on that
singing it’s about time I got on that stage and I reclaimed my place I’m a
stage and I reclaimed my place I’m a
stage and I reclaimed my place I’m a singer and this is my voice take it or
singer and this is my voice take it or
singer and this is my voice take it or leave it it was a wonderful day by the
leave it it was a wonderful day by the
leave it it was a wonderful day by the way I will never forget the experience
way I will never forget the experience
way I will never forget the experience of like tasting the fruit of the pursuit
of like tasting the fruit of the pursuit
of like tasting the fruit of the pursuit of your passion it tastes beautiful and
of your passion it tastes beautiful and
of your passion it tastes beautiful and it’s not about the money it’s not about
it’s not about the money it’s not about
it’s not about the money it’s not about the records the Billboard charts it has
the records the Billboard charts it has
the records the Billboard charts it has nothing to do with that it’s just the
nothing to do with that it’s just the
nothing to do with that it’s just the fact that I was true to myself and my
fact that I was true to myself and my
fact that I was true to myself and my inner calling and I went for it all the
inner calling and I went for it all the
inner calling and I went for it all the way I called my quest finding my Venus I
way I called my quest finding my Venus I
way I called my quest finding my Venus I even created a
even created a
even created a called finding my Venus for me Venus is
called finding my Venus for me Venus is
called finding my Venus for me Venus is that perfect alignment with yourself
that perfect alignment with yourself
that perfect alignment with yourself when you believe in yourself enough you
when you believe in yourself enough you
when you believe in yourself enough you forgiving yourself you love yourself you
forgiving yourself you love yourself you
forgiving yourself you love yourself you appreciate yourself exactly the way you
appreciate yourself exactly the way you
appreciate yourself exactly the way you are and that for me is that ultimately
are and that for me is that ultimately
are and that for me is that ultimately and we have multiple talents I’m not
and we have multiple talents I’m not
and we have multiple talents I’m not just a singer I’m not just a writer I’m
just a singer I’m not just a writer I’m
just a singer I’m not just a writer I’m not just a communications expert I might
not just a communications expert I might
not just a communications expert I might decide to become an astronaut tomorrow
decide to become an astronaut tomorrow
decide to become an astronaut tomorrow seriously I might do that
seriously I might do that
seriously I might do that but but you’re entitled to that multiple
but but you’re entitled to that multiple
but but you’re entitled to that multiple diversity of self don’t I don’t like to
diversity of self don’t I don’t like to
diversity of self don’t I don’t like to feel like I’m in one box I’m in this box
feel like I’m in one box I’m in this box
feel like I’m in one box I’m in this box at the moment we don’t know what’s gonna
at the moment we don’t know what’s gonna
at the moment we don’t know what’s gonna happen later I felt also this major
happen later I felt also this major
happen later I felt also this major desire to use my voice you know to shed
desire to use my voice you know to shed
desire to use my voice you know to shed light on the things that matter and I
light on the things that matter and I
light on the things that matter and I feel like this is my moto having your
feel like this is my moto having your
feel like this is my moto having your voice heard presents you with an
voice heard presents you with an
voice heard presents you with an opportunity to place the things that
opportunity to place the things that
opportunity to place the things that matter in the limelight so that more
matter in the limelight so that more
matter in the limelight so that more people can be made aware of it I have so
people can be made aware of it I have so
people can be made aware of it I have so many passions I love supporting autism
many passions I love supporting autism
many passions I love supporting autism and by the way in autism music therapy
and by the way in autism music therapy
and by the way in autism music therapy apparently gives them so much vocabulary
apparently gives them so much vocabulary
apparently gives them so much vocabulary to kids who would otherwise speak a few
to kids who would otherwise speak a few
to kids who would otherwise speak a few words but yet when they sing their vocab
words but yet when they sing their vocab
words but yet when they sing their vocab expands another favorite subject to me
expands another favorite subject to me
expands another favorite subject to me is empowering other women sisters and
is empowering other women sisters and
is empowering other women sisters and mothers and I feel like with the journey
mothers and I feel like with the journey
mothers and I feel like with the journey that I went through we have a lot of
that I went through we have a lot of
that I went through we have a lot of things in common and I love to use my
things in common and I love to use my
things in common and I love to use my voice for you know getting my sisters
voice for you know getting my sisters
voice for you know getting my sisters out there being stronger doing what they
out there being stronger doing what they
out there being stronger doing what they want to do there’s this lady called
want to do there’s this lady called
want to do there’s this lady called Louise Hay she wrote a book when in her
Louise Hay she wrote a book when in her
Louise Hay she wrote a book when in her 80s
80s
80s it’s called empowering women I love that
it’s called empowering women I love that
it’s called empowering women I love that book so much that I got like a bunch of
book so much that I got like a bunch of
book so much that I got like a bunch of copies kept them with me in the car
copies kept them with me in the car
copies kept them with me in the car ready to give another powerful mama a
ready to give another powerful mama a
ready to give another powerful mama a book and she talked about the unity
book and she talked about the unity
book and she talked about the unity between women she said that women are
between women she said that women are
between women she said that women are always intimidated by each other they
always intimidated by each other they
always intimidated by each other they compare each other to one another
compare each other to one another
compare each other to one another whereas each one is different in her own
whereas each one is different in her own
whereas each one is different in her own way your scars your experience your life
way your scars your experience your life
way your scars your experience your life makes you unique just the way you are
makes you unique just the way you are
makes you unique just the way you are you don’t have to have the same features
you don’t have to have the same features
you don’t have to have the same features to you know feel at par we don’t have to
to you know feel at par we don’t have to
to you know feel at par we don’t have to be apart and I feel this is probably one
be apart and I feel this is probably one
be apart and I feel this is probably one of the biggest challenges that we have
of the biggest challenges that we have
of the biggest challenges that we have to unite as women then you will see what
to unite as women then you will see what
to unite as women then you will see what power means
I always we are all super women we are
I always we are all super women we are all Wonder women I always find myself
all Wonder women I always find myself
all Wonder women I always find myself having a conversation with someone who
having a conversation with someone who
having a conversation with someone who doesn’t like their hair or their hair is
doesn’t like their hair or their hair is
doesn’t like their hair or their hair is too blonde or too brunette or too curly
too blonde or too brunette or too curly
too blonde or too brunette or too curly or too flat or God makes no mistakes if
or too flat or God makes no mistakes if
or too flat or God makes no mistakes if he gave you that nose
he gave you that nose
he gave you that nose he knows that it fits your face why
he knows that it fits your face why
he knows that it fits your face why there’s not an amount of plastic surgery
there’s not an amount of plastic surgery
there’s not an amount of plastic surgery in the world that we can do to make us
in the world that we can do to make us
in the world that we can do to make us feel better about ourselves it’s a
feel better about ourselves it’s a
feel better about ourselves it’s a decision when we choose the thing is the
decision when we choose the thing is the
decision when we choose the thing is the inspiration is out there like growing up
inspiration is out there like growing up
inspiration is out there like growing up I remember I used to look around and see
I remember I used to look around and see
I remember I used to look around and see where am I gonna find this kind of
where am I gonna find this kind of
where am I gonna find this kind of inspiration I found it at home I have a
inspiration I found it at home I have a
inspiration I found it at home I have a mother who’s a career woman she’s an
mother who’s a career woman she’s an
mother who’s a career woman she’s an artist and she’s a curator and she’s a
artist and she’s a curator and she’s a
artist and she’s a curator and she’s a pioneer in her own right and she was
pioneer in her own right and she was
pioneer in her own right and she was always like this mother of three
always like this mother of three
always like this mother of three battling in the world and she there’s
battling in the world and she there’s
battling in the world and she there’s not a thing she wanted to do that she
not a thing she wanted to do that she
not a thing she wanted to do that she didn’t go for traveling the world
didn’t go for traveling the world
didn’t go for traveling the world showing her art it started there Nina
showing her art it started there Nina
showing her art it started there Nina Simone Nina Simone when she was eight
Simone Nina Simone when she was eight
Simone Nina Simone when she was eight years old she was a musical prodigy and
years old she was a musical prodigy and
years old she was a musical prodigy and she was about to give a concert and they
she was about to give a concert and they
she was about to give a concert and they wouldn’t let her parents sit in the
wouldn’t let her parents sit in the
wouldn’t let her parents sit in the front row because this was still in the
front row because this was still in the
front row because this was still in the segregation era she refused to get on
segregation era she refused to get on
segregation era she refused to get on stage this is an eight-year-old girl the
stage this is an eight-year-old girl the
stage this is an eight-year-old girl the inspiration I got from that story alone
inspiration I got from that story alone
inspiration I got from that story alone is incredible to have that kind of
is incredible to have that kind of
is incredible to have that kind of bravery to stand up Oprah will and Coco
bravery to stand up Oprah will and Coco
bravery to stand up Oprah will and Coco Chanel by the way I love Coco Chanel and
Chanel by the way I love Coco Chanel and
Chanel by the way I love Coco Chanel and Oprah who told us you can be a
Oprah who told us you can be a
Oprah who told us you can be a multi-billionaire you can be this
multi-billionaire you can be this
multi-billionaire you can be this pioneer you can educate hundreds of
pioneer you can educate hundreds of
pioneer you can educate hundreds of women every year yes you draw
women every year yes you draw
women every year yes you draw inspiration from that – uncle tomb
inspiration from that – uncle tomb
inspiration from that – uncle tomb uncle tomb is an Arab woman who grew up
uncle tomb is an Arab woman who grew up
uncle tomb is an Arab woman who grew up in an era that was so oppressive to him
in an era that was so oppressive to him
in an era that was so oppressive to him and yet her voice was beyond the
and yet her voice was beyond the
and yet her voice was beyond the beautiful music that she made she was
beautiful music that she made she was
beautiful music that she made she was very opinionated outspoken and nobody
very opinionated outspoken and nobody
very opinionated outspoken and nobody could third shoot her down
could third shoot her down
could third shoot her down ella fitzgerald also in an era and her
ella fitzgerald also in an era and her
ella fitzgerald also in an era and her music and she broke barriers and music
music and she broke barriers and music
music and she broke barriers and music even with with the compositions that she
even with with the compositions that she
even with with the compositions that she used to make she created scatting Jill
used to make she created scatting Jill
used to make she created scatting Jill Scott one of my favorite artists before
Scott one of my favorite artists before
Scott one of my favorite artists before she got on stage one day they were doing
she got on stage one day they were doing
she got on stage one day they were doing a documentary on her and the reporter
a documentary on her and the reporter
a documentary on her and the reporter asked her he said you’re about to get on
asked her he said you’re about to get on
asked her he said you’re about to get on stage right after Erykah Badu don’t you
stage right after Erykah Badu don’t you
stage right after Erykah Badu don’t you feel a bit nervous and she’s like honey
feel a bit nervous and she’s like honey
feel a bit nervous and she’s like honey have you heard my voice
she believes in this thing called the
she believes in this thing called the queendom
queendom
queendom and in the in the queendom we are all
and in the in the queendom we are all
and in the in the queendom we are all beautiful we can all do and achieve and
beautiful we can all do and achieve and
beautiful we can all do and achieve and grow and you know there’s room for all
grow and you know there’s room for all
grow and you know there’s room for all of us
of us
of us my favorite Maya Angelou Maya Angelou
my favorite Maya Angelou Maya Angelou
my favorite Maya Angelou Maya Angelou was so sassy by the way the way she used
was so sassy by the way the way she used
was so sassy by the way the way she used to write is beautiful there’s this
to write is beautiful there’s this
to write is beautiful there’s this little poem that she wrote she says in
little poem that she wrote she says in
little poem that she wrote she says in it pretty women wonder where my secret
it pretty women wonder where my secret
it pretty women wonder where my secret lies I’m not built like a fashion model
lies I’m not built like a fashion model
lies I’m not built like a fashion model sighs and when I start to tell them they
sighs and when I start to tell them they
sighs and when I start to tell them they think I’m telling lies I say it’s in the
think I’m telling lies I say it’s in the
think I’m telling lies I say it’s in the reach of my arms and the width of my
reach of my arms and the width of my
reach of my arms and the width of my hips it’s in the stride of my step and
hips it’s in the stride of my step and
hips it’s in the stride of my step and the curl of my lips I am fine I am a
the curl of my lips I am fine I am a
the curl of my lips I am fine I am a woman phenomenally Phenomenal Woman
woman phenomenally Phenomenal Woman
woman phenomenally Phenomenal Woman that is me part of embracing the past
that is me part of embracing the past
that is me part of embracing the past and the history of myself one of them
and the history of myself one of them
and the history of myself one of them was the fact that whenever I sang I
was the fact that whenever I sang I
was the fact that whenever I sang I cried I’m a very emotional person put a
cried I’m a very emotional person put a
cried I’m a very emotional person put a cartoon up and there’s an emotional
cartoon up and there’s an emotional
cartoon up and there’s an emotional moment pass the tissues please and I’m I
moment pass the tissues please and I’m I
moment pass the tissues please and I’m I don’t care I like I expressed it I don’t
don’t care I like I expressed it I don’t
don’t care I like I expressed it I don’t mind but growing up you’re made to think
mind but growing up you’re made to think
mind but growing up you’re made to think that being emotional or hypersensitive
that being emotional or hypersensitive
that being emotional or hypersensitive as I like to call it is it’s not a good
as I like to call it is it’s not a good
as I like to call it is it’s not a good thing but yet in retrospect I found that
thing but yet in retrospect I found that
thing but yet in retrospect I found that it was this kind of emotion that enabled
it was this kind of emotion that enabled
it was this kind of emotion that enabled me to connect with the audience that I
me to connect with the audience that I
me to connect with the audience that I sang to I was about 18 years old and I
sang to I was about 18 years old and I
sang to I was about 18 years old and I was performing a song that I wrote for
was performing a song that I wrote for
was performing a song that I wrote for my mother and there was a profound song
my mother and there was a profound song
my mother and there was a profound song you know where I confessed that I made
you know where I confessed that I made
you know where I confessed that I made my mother’s life horrible for the past
my mother’s life horrible for the past
my mother’s life horrible for the past he needs for teenage years that I’d
he needs for teenage years that I’d
he needs for teenage years that I’d passed with but it was and this woman
passed with but it was and this woman
passed with but it was and this woman and the audience started to cry and I
and the audience started to cry and I
and the audience started to cry and I looked at her and I just couldn’t
looked at her and I just couldn’t
looked at her and I just couldn’t understand how my voice had reached her
understand how my voice had reached her
understand how my voice had reached her and she got emotional and she cried I
and she got emotional and she cried I
and she got emotional and she cried I was still 18 so I wasn’t aware of you
was still 18 so I wasn’t aware of you
was still 18 so I wasn’t aware of you know the impact that you could have but
know the impact that you could have but
know the impact that you could have but that for me was that confirmation in
that for me was that confirmation in
that for me was that confirmation in retrospect of one of the things that I
retrospect of one of the things that I
retrospect of one of the things that I perceived to be my biggest weakness was
perceived to be my biggest weakness was
perceived to be my biggest weakness was actually my biggest strength as an
actually my biggest strength as an
actually my biggest strength as an artist that is what helped me connect to
artist that is what helped me connect to
artist that is what helped me connect to people whenever I spoke to them
people whenever I spoke to them
people whenever I spoke to them and so once I found this freedom to
and so once I found this freedom to
and so once I found this freedom to express my voice again and go for it and
express my voice again and go for it and
express my voice again and go for it and I’m gonna make other albums I’m still
I’m gonna make other albums I’m still
I’m gonna make other albums I’m still writing music now and whatever comes
writing music now and whatever comes
writing music now and whatever comes bring it I’m just ready for it and
bring it I’m just ready for it and
bring it I’m just ready for it and finding that voice meant that I’m not
finding that voice meant that I’m not
finding that voice meant that I’m not quiet anymore like if there’s something
quiet anymore like if there’s something
quiet anymore like if there’s something that happens in my life that I’m or or
that happens in my life that I’m or or
that happens in my life that I’m or or or a matter that is placed in my mindset
or a matter that is placed in my mindset
or a matter that is placed in my mindset and that I have to comment on it I’m not
and that I have to comment on it I’m not
and that I have to comment on it I’m not happy with it I would say it it gets me
happy with it I would say it it gets me
happy with it I would say it it gets me into trouble granted yeah but I speak
into trouble granted yeah but I speak
into trouble granted yeah but I speak because I have that freedom we have that
because I have that freedom we have that
because I have that freedom we have that freedom to speak it’s about time that
freedom to speak it’s about time that
freedom to speak it’s about time that women as women we stood up and really
women as women we stood up and really
women as women we stood up and really took ownership of that freedom that we
took ownership of that freedom that we
took ownership of that freedom that we have I mean if we look back just a few
have I mean if we look back just a few
have I mean if we look back just a few decades ago they didn’t have a third of
decades ago they didn’t have a third of
decades ago they didn’t have a third of the voice that we have they couldn’t
the voice that we have they couldn’t
the voice that we have they couldn’t vote they couldn’t speak they couldn’t
vote they couldn’t speak they couldn’t
vote they couldn’t speak they couldn’t go out they couldn’t draw nothing look
go out they couldn’t draw nothing look
go out they couldn’t draw nothing look at us we’ve come a long way and once you
at us we’ve come a long way and once you
at us we’ve come a long way and once you taste that freedom holla
taste that freedom holla
taste that freedom holla in Arabic they say hellos means no you
in Arabic they say hellos means no you
in Arabic they say hellos means no you can’t and I’d like to end this with the
can’t and I’d like to end this with the
can’t and I’d like to end this with the words of Nina Simone who said well
words of Nina Simone who said well
words of Nina Simone who said well freedom is mine and I know just how I
freedom is mine and I know just how I
freedom is mine and I know just how I feel it’s a new dawn it’s a new day it’s
feel it’s a new dawn it’s a new day it’s
feel it’s a new dawn it’s a new day it’s a new life for me and I’m feeling
a new life for me and I’m feeling
a new life for me and I’m feeling [Music]
[Music]
[Music] [Applause]
”
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