Saturday, July 5, 2014

"Excuse Me While I Kiss the Sky..."

“Music doesn't lie. If there is something to be changed in this world, then it can only happen through music. ”
― Jimi Hendrix









    Eighteen years ago today, July 5th 1996- Atlanta, Georgia's most iconic hip- hop group OutKast released "Elevators (Me &You)" from their second album "ATliens" and I've been an admirer of  Andre "Andre 3000" Benjamin and  Antwan" Big Boi" Patton ever since. The song peaked at #12 on the Billboard charts which helped cement their place in mainstream music yet OutKast always remained authentic, staying true to their own unique alternative style.  Musically, honoring sincerity is something Jimi Hendrix emphasized early in his own career.  Andre Benjamin, thirty-nine, portrays one of the most legendary guitar heroes of all time in the upcoming biopic "Jimi: All Is By My Side", a glimpse of  Hendrix's most successful year 1966-67. Hendrix died of accidental asphyxia stemming from a drug overdose in 1970.  It has been noted that the estate of Jimi Hendrix refused to loan the music rights to the film for Andre Benjamin to perform as Hendrix, citing they wouldn't do it unless they were allowed full participation in the movies production.  "All is By My Side" is set for a September release and it's already generating quite a world-wide buzz. Check out a few clips above and make your own comparisons.

     The screenplay was written and movie directed by John Ridley who most notably won the Oscar for his work on the incredibly potent "12 Years a Slave". Did director John Ridley intuitively know that Andre Benjamin would be the perfect fit to play Jimi Hendrix? Those who have previewed the movie say Benjamin's performance is "spot on" and "electrifying". The film will feature British beauty Imogen Poots as London socialite Linda Keith and Hayley Atwell as Hendrix's captivating muse, Kathy Etchingham. Both women are credited with launching Jimi Hendrix's career. Can't wait!



  Happy B-day D!