SONGS IN THE KIA OF LIFE

"Music is love in search of the right words." --Sidney Lanier

About a month ago I was on my way home from a Jamaican restaurant, when a young lady, who probably won her driver’s license at a Ray Charles dart tossing contest, ran into the driver’s side door of my (now two-door) Acura Legend. Upon impact, my Omar CD skipped uncontrollably, while the Jerk Chicken (with extra gravy) hit the windshield. Lady Charles had three kids in the car (and one on the way). Her Boo seated next to her,jumped out the car--and I'm thinking he wants to add some beef. Instead he looked at the accident, then gave me the head nod, and went into I-HOP and never returned. And, I thought I was the one that wanted to choke her. Man marriage must be rough in these parts. Anyway, Sister Charles (thankfully) had State Farm insurance. And, in two days (on of them being a Sunday) they set me up in a fully loaded, KIA Sportage. Did I mention this was a KIA?

I asked the Enterprise Rental attendant, is a KIA all that you have? He said, yep, you'll love it. Okay, so now I am really pissed. In desperate need of a level-headed thinker to calm things down, I called my cousin Stephanie, who lives in Athens. Hell if you are black and live in Athens, Ga. you have to own a level head right? Besides, I figured I should inform a close relative of this pending beat down at the rent-a-car spot. And, I know Steph is the one relative that would bail me out with minimal questions. But, before I finished the story, (I got to the part about the KIA Sportage) Stephanie starts laughing louder than the AM radio. After three days of sporting the Sportage; I couldn’t take it anymore. I went back to Enterprise and said.., come on man, a Sportage? This time I had a brotha, who said I understand (you had an Ac), so I am going to give you an upgrade (as if you could be down graded from a KIA). I said cool. What’s the upgrade? He said a KIA Amanti. Any minute I was expecting the PUNKED cameras to put an end to this foolishness, then I remembered that I am a celebrity in name only.

When the attendant came back with the “upgrade.” He jumped out the new whip and says (with a straight face): this is KIA’s answer to the E-Class Mercedes. I said; my man, if this is the answer, what the hell was the question? In all fairness, the KIA headlights were the mirror image of the old Benz’ headlamps. So much so, that I pulled into a gas station and this dude pushing a stone-cold S-Class was right next to me. He was parking a black-on-black, cromed-up, 5 double O.. it was SICK. Anyway, he slid out the whip with his hand extended, ready to dap me up on my new Benz-looking whip. But as he walked closer, he caught a glance at the now visible KIA logo and withdrew the dap. He kept walking... I think he even smirked! Punk.
Too tired to put up with much more of this insanity, I simply turned up the heat on the KIA seats, then loaded five of the dopest CDs I own. This five (I feel) should be in everyone s collection: Listen Up:

Jewels – The Self Outside Project
If you like The Roots, then climb on board and ride with this independent label sensation. The virbrant lyrics and live music is simply sick. This is the ultimate driving vibe--no matter what your pushing. Jewels is bred from the VA and the CD made sitting in a KIA seem cool--the tinted windows helped too. One listen and you’ll search their archives for prior releases like: Sunz of Soul; The Situation, Anonanas and Truth Thru Fiction. One of the best kept secrets from the Commonwealth; along with my girl Joye B. Moore who will be a household name one day.

Esthero - Wikked Lil' Grrrls
You really cannot go wrong with any of Esthero's joints, but this one is pure hotness. This yet another one of Toronto's finest kept secrets, with timeless music and endless energy. She has a UK feel, an urban sound, and a Hip Hop groove. If you don’t like this joint, you should probably lease a KIA.... with 22's.

Omar – For Pleasure
There are three things I leave my house with: My keys, an alibi and an Omar disc. If I'm heading to Athens, you can add the 9mm glock to that list. In case you just met me, this is BY FAR my favorite artist. I played this For Pleasure CD at a cosmetology school in Decatur, Ga., and one of the students asked me what language was he speaking. If you are ever in south side of Decatur, Ga., keep driving.

Bob Marley & The Wailers – Rastaman Vibration
I believe this CD was Hip Hop before Hip Hop ever had a name. Classic in every literal sense of the word. This is the best of the Marley collection…even the Decatur students vibed to this one--and I know they had no idea of Marley's vibration. Every Jamaican household has this joint (on some format or the other), along with a picture of the Last Supper and a calendar with the wrong date showing.

Zaki Ibrahim – Once Black America understands that female soul extends far beyond the likes of Alicia, Mary, Faith, and Kelly they'll embrace the world vibes of this eclectic wonder. I could not think of a better place to start my trip than right here with another Roots inspired sister (she, like Esthero, is actually white from Canada too). The Toronto-bred Zaki has a down-tempo, acid soul style that strokes the essence of the heart.. Just close your eyes and picture a funky version of SADE.

T-Mobile wish they had a "five" like this. Now that I've turned in the KIA and got the Ac back..., the Legend continues.

1 love,
Ray Lewis