THE OBSERVATION BOOTH
OP-ED By Andrea Dialect
It was hilarious how the subject matter presented itself as this week’s submission. There I was, transporting my students to school. The usual daily regimen while driving, despite the radio play going on in the vehicle. (Most of the aides like listening while were in transit.) I’m listening to my audiobooks in the left ear on my earphones.
But on this morning, something happened. Surprisingly, my focus had been snatched away from my studies by SWV as they crooned “Weak,” one of my favorite songs! Although I quickly shoved myself back into the learner’s seat of my developing discipline when I realized that it meant literally. It was amazing to see how quickly a simple tune can make one stray, and the rest is history.
Snatching the mic is when you hear your favorite song, rap, jingle or etc, and if you were in the room or arena on that stage with the artist of that particular whatever. You’d Snatch that mic and sang, spit a rap or hee and haw or hum that tune as you owned it. You’ll perform that thang harder than they ever do. Might even help em off the stage if ya have to. Because that’s your whateva man!!
Anything bubbling up in the ol dome for you yet. What songs or whatever are surfacing? Surely, something has shown up. SWV’s song “Weak” may have made me so for a moment. But if Anita Baker, I’m talking her entire albums, Oleta Adams with that “Get Here” or LL Cool J’s “Around the Way Girl” just to name a few. If they donned that stage with yours truly likely, somebody somehow trips or something and need be carried off when I snatched it, and I get to pushin, swayin and singing or when I get the urge to sang our songs. By the way, Salt N’ Pepa’s “Push It” just showed up. Don’t judge me, lol.
Below, you will find Artist proof that makes each of our participants like myself an unapologetic culprit. I also had each contributor participate in a little mini-survey. The title choices were: Mic Grabbin, Snatch the Mic, Mic Snatchin, and Grab the Mic. By popular demand, one made the cut. But, Mic Snatchin is ‘what we’re doin!
ASKIA GRAY – Teacher, Mic Snatchin
Snoh Aalegra definitely; I love “The Alarm” and “Temporary Highs” (no skippin front to the back) “H-E-R” Her whole album. The front, the back everything, and I don’t skip, but there’s always one that you can relate to, like “Exhausted.”
These two albums are in my high rotation. Janet Jackson is one of those artists. All of her albums are wonderful. Choose one of Janet’s that you like to sang I said! Oh lord…She said!
PHENOM – Student, Mic Grabbin
“What is your behavior like when you hear something that you like?”
I’m more of a chill kinda person. I can get a little hyped even when its hype music but not really. It’s not a lot of music that move me like that ,but J. Cole’s is the only artist that I relate to. I vibe with “Intro” and “January 28,” “St. Tropez” I also like.
“Missing My Idols,” By Trippy. He also has two others that I like. Called “Can You Rap Like Me” Part one and two. Tyler The Creator I kinda like, but his stuff is kinda weird. Yep, He’s kinda of weird. I asked my grandson if he can rap like me and he said… Nada , I heard crickets lol!
Pam Brown – Entrepreneur, Grab The Mic
I start my day off with music. I dress to it and drive to it. I listen to gospel; this is my driving music and I also listen to my meditative music (usually instrument 432 hertz meditation music) while driving. But for anything else. All of Sade’s music. Anything, every word stuff like “Smooth Operator,” Prince’s “Purple Rain.” Maroon 5’s, “She Will Be Loved,” Martika’s “Toy Soldie,” “Careless Whisper” by George Michael.
I love the classics songs like Lisha Fischer’s “How Can I Ease the Pain.” The Culture Club. I love the Gospel Song by Tasha Cobbs, “Break Every Chain.” As far as rap goes, I like Pop Smoke’s “Dior,” Gunna’s “Top Off.” I used to listen to a lot a Reggae; artist like Super Cat, Shabba Ranks and Patra. OMG!
WILLIAM – Music Enthusiast, Grab The Mic
I love “Changes” by Tupac. I blast it so loud that you can see people bopping the heads to it outside. The other is Tupac’s “Life Goes On and “Dear Mama!”
I also like Lucky Dube’s “It’s Not Easy and “I’ve Got You Babe. Google him. His music is life changing. He’s like a Bob Marley type of guy. He was a Bob Marley type he’s gone now.
I like music that I can resonate wth. Songs like Jerusalema – Master KG featuring Nomcebo, Diamond Platnumz – Marry You featuring Ne Yo and Diamond featuring Davido, Number One.
