I have not begun to gather my words to express the impact of hearing that we’ve lost music. Michael Jackson was a symphony. He will always be remembered, his music will live forever and in his memory I will remember a night where his music elevated me and I danced my cares away. Let’s remember how his music lifted our spirits and made us feel like dancing and celebrating every moment we have together.
Here is a recap of an event I attended a few months ago, produced by Keistar. I hope we will all gather again to celebrate his legacy.
At 8:30 PM I decided I’m heading to Keistar Production’s infamous Prince VS. Michael Jackson Soul Slam. I’ve wanted to attend this party since I arrived in New York and I refused to miss this one…it started at 10. I called a friend who left my name at the door and when I arrived, the line stretched in two directions.
I heard someone call my name as I waited to go pass the rope (It was Liquid, on arrival to film the party, he was waiting for his producing partner Charles). As we headed inside, people of all styles and backgrounds were filling up every nook and cranny in Crash Mansion. The DJ was warming up with a few Prince and Michael Jackson joints, waiting for Prince’s own DJ Rashida and DJ Spinna to hit the LT’s (laptops).
I began to connect with some of the people in the crowd and met one of the voice overs in the Old Navy commercial…you know the one, with the mannequins and one of the garments are ripped off. We had a long talk (Mysterious “VO” and I)…who promised me an exclusive interview after the contract was over…will keep you posted!
One Crown Royale and Gingerale later we found ourselves in the VIP section, and on our feet gigging with DJ Polite…who became my dance partner for the duration of the evening. The crowd was jumping and roaring as DJ Rashida got ready to rev us up like a 18-wheel drive ignition…”Dearly Beloved, We are gathered here today to get through this thing called life…” and from there, it was take off!!!!
http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x3vx4e_lets-go-crazyprince-the-revolution_music
My jacket was thrown to the side, and sweat pouring down. I felt like I connected with the character in HBO’s new hit show “Alice” a young girl who had lost her father…only to find herself. Since my dad died suddenly last year, I had closed myself off to hanging out and enjoying myself, locked myself into work and wanting to tap into what’s important. I discovered on this journey to self, the most important thing is to indulge in life, friends and enjoy every moment we have while we’re here together.
I was jumping on my feet, singing along to “Are we gonna let de-elevator bring us down? Oh no, let’s go!!! Let’s go Crazy…let’s get nuts!” My Mysterious VO friend yelled “I feel like I’m in Purple Rain!”
I was beginning to think Prince was winning the battle, and I remembered, it was about Prince vs. Michael Jackson and their disciples…before I could finish the thought, Ms. Jackson (if you’re nasty) chimed in…I turn to my left and THERE’S DIDDY sporting a white Michael Jackson glove, Q-Tip behind him and DJ Rashida on que with “So, why you wanna go and do that, and do that huh?…”
Yes, it’s true “You don’t know what you have ‘til it’s gone” but you don’t know what you need until it shows up in your face…and I needed to let go!!!
Diddy, Ed Lover and other celebs in the place became part of the crowd. By 12 midnight, it was all about becoming one with the music. And DJ Spinna was ready to rock the crowd…teasing us with the soft spoken talk of “Don’t stop ‘til you get enough:
“You know I was…I was wondering if um…we should keep on because the force has a lot of power I think…it makes me feel…it makes me feel like OOOH!”
And he’d stop the track…and insert “Can you dig it?!” from the film classic–The Warriors. He’d keep this going until the crowd roared as loud as the film, until the party goers were in sync and erupting into an orgasmic OOOH!!!
That’s when the beat DROPPED and we sang along with Michael Jackson and his track “Don’t Stop ‘til You Get Enough.”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4_hz2am90Hk
Like the lyrical madness, I was “melting like hot candle wax”…and began my back and fourth journey to the ladies room to cool off. When I got back, cameras were on Diddy and Ed Lover having a dance battle…I am Diddy stickers were posted above his VIP booth…and Diddy was doing Michael Jackson moves…arms stretched wide and white gloved hand imitating Michael Jackson’s “I’m Bad” video playing on the screens hanging from the ceiling.
The place was on fire! And so was I…then “Pleasure Principle” (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JrZoa3MPINU ) bounced in and all the ladies (including me) started the song and routine… “You might think I’m crazy, but I’m serious…” across the way I locked shoulder dances with Diddy, imitating Janet and her infamous moves. All we needed were our wrist bands, knee pads and band aid….which then brought everyone to the steps of Thriller and we all know, there’s no dance routine, like the Thriller routine:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AtyJbIOZjS8
Next to me, BET’s Stephen Hill got his groove on along with Mike Muse, Ouigi (Brooklyn Circus) and more! I even bumped into Kiki (KA Kitties) and Eisa (Angela’s Mixtape). There were so many people there…yet, in the middle of conversation you’d find yourself throwing your hand in the air like in church, getting ready to break to the floor.
I danced all night long and by 3:30 AM I went into the middle of the dance floor to connect with the crowd-which was now at its sweatiest and wildest peak. All of us jumped in unison, soul clapping through the massive space as we sang along to “Wanna be Startin’ Something”
The break and sounds were just like this Michael Jackson concert:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xg0AsWruz4k
I found myself getting hoarse, but couldn’t help singing with the hundreds of people in the room as we yelled HEE HAW!!!!
“Lift your head up high…and scream out to the world, I know I am someone, so let the truth unfurl…no one can hurt you now, because you know it’s true…Yes, I believe in me, so you believe in you…Help me sing it…ma ma se, ma ma sa, ma ma coo sa… ma ma se, ma ma sa, ma ma coo sa… ma ma se, ma ma sa, ma ma coo sa, ma ma se, ma ma sa, ma ma coo sa… ma ma se, ma ma sa, ma ma coo sa…”
Imagine hundreds of hands in the air, hundreds of people jumping to their feet as high as they can leap…and singing every word…including Diddy…it was such an uplifting and awakening evening that I felt enlightened after I left. What a connection of creative energies.
By 4AM I was heading out the door and so was Diddy. It was so great to see him hanging with us, bringing some extra light to a party that is still shining within me.
I’m sorry people, but you haven’t been to a party unless you’ve been to a Keistar party.
One taxi later, I was in Brooklyn in a warm soapy shower ready to sleep like a baby!
We miss you Mr. Jackson!
Dominga Martin-
We’re giving READERS the chance to win a pass to see Maxwell Live on July 8th for THE EARLY SHOW in NEW YORK!!!
