R&B (introduction)

Lights are dimmed down, spotlight center stage. The bass, soft spoken and easy going, slow dances with you once, then leaves chill bumps on your arms and you ask what was his name. Piano, Mr. Old and reliable, with its standard chord progressions; but his beautiful improve skills will remind you why you went to the left side of the bar where he is to get a drink. The trumpet sets out to get your attention one way or another even if that means cat calling across the bar. His approach is unwelcome if it were anyone else, but there’s some kind of charm to him. The sexy saxophone, a passionate lover, promises a good time and will go home with a lady or two. The percussion gathers his band mates back together for the show by reminding them what time it is while also eyeing their girls. But the world stops once the songstress steps into the light approaching the mic. She takes a pause in the dimly lit room. The world goes quiet with only the whisking, whistling sound of cigarette smoke in the air. Finally, the eyes of the goddess emerges, now ready to address the world. Within the first acapella phrase the audience hears her inspirations: the sultry sound of Jasmine Sullivan, the lyricism of Jill Scott, the improvisation of Erykah Badu, the perfect tone of Lalah Hathaway, the heart of Musiq Soulchild, the love and enjoyment of Marvin Gaye, the soul of Aretha Franklin. All of whom inspire her own sound and style and her name is known. Within the single first note the audience knows her family, where she grew up, what she has been through and where she is going. She is a best friend of sister. She is having a one on one conversation with you. You know exactly who she is. At last the band joins in but it is the songstress who controls the world’s rotation. This is life through my eyes, the eyes of a songstress.

Who is Rachel? I am one lives boastfully behind fewer spoken words than the next person. The remaining of the voiceless words becomes various provoked thoughts transforming into literature, diary entries, social commentary, reviews and so much more. In short, I am a writer who stores many creative ideas in my head based on the world around me. Such daily events prompt ideas of stories, poems, etc., and sparks a burning passion that won’t leave me alone until I write it out. This blog is to do just that, write about everything under the sun and bringing my stories to life. I am also very passionate of music as I am a musician myself and have been singing for nearly all my life to this point. At times I combine both talents to further express my artistry.

Who is Miss Black? Unapologetically black, plain an simple. This is not to say my site is strictly about black culture, but just as music and creative writing are apart of me, so is my origins and pride. They are all defining identities of me that I am passionate about expressing. No, I do not declare one race superior of any other, but I will celebrate my blackness out loud (yes, in my writings too) to uplift others like me since we were condemned for just being us. And God bless that he gave me this last name that also serves a symbol for the love I have for my family; people I will talk about quite often.

If you love reading compelling stories and poetry, look no further. If you don’t mind viewing an alternative perspective on cultural events and media, stop on by. If you hold interest in food, music and entertainment, and anything nostalgic I have a little of that too. The further you read you’ll learn what is in the mind of a silly yet creative and unique young black female author journeying through her mid twenties.



Poetry

Part 1

I love Janet; I would do anything for her. I first met her during my college days back in ’75. She sat in front of me in my statistics class. She had a slim figure, long honey brown hair, caramel skin complexion, dimples on both sides of her face that showed especially well when she …

Untitled

I made you in my image.In a desert world was pulled beauty in the mist of ashes. With dexterity you were sculpted from mahogany divine, pressured by global animosity to then form in the shape of curved majesty. Two unequaled souls equipped for your completion. You werecreated by sweet redbones and harsh brown timbre; molded …

About The Author

Rachel Black was born February 26, 1994 and is an Akron, OH native. She is the third of four sibling being the only girl. Musical influences from both sides of the family prompted her parents to place their children in the arts where they could excel and grow a love for it. Black has attended performing arts schools in her upbringing, leading her to obtain a Bachelor’s degree in music performance and graduating cum laude from Bowling Green State University. Black is currently attending Kent State University furthering her music studies to receive her Master’s degree. While music has been her focal point, she also has a love for writing and has been doing so from a very young age. She has even studied creative writing as a minor degree at Bowling Green. Black has the goal publish her works in the neat future, starting with her work with this blog.