The HairyKat Chronicles

Hey HairyKats, Check out the first three  chapters of my first book At Odds with God here for free. Then  visit www.lulu.com/ishopkatrinafranklin to get your copy. But it doesnt stop At Odds with God. Check out the sequel It Just-Is Between Brothers/Family Secrets. Thank you for the love and support! Chapter One       “He will turn the hearts of the fathers to their children, and the hearts of the children to their fathers; or else I will come and strike the land with a curse.” Malachi 4:6                                     As the youngest, and the only girl in a family of three older brothers, somehow I ended up being the “man of the house.” My brothers were all named after my mother’s favorite singers – Barry White Jackson, Alvin Green Jackson, and Marvin Gaye Jackson. But there I came, the black sheep, it seemed, separated from the rest even at birth, when I was named Tamia Cheryl Anne Jackson. My fa

I thought this was a neat story originally posted by The Huffington post that covered Dove's real beauty sketches. Women were interviewed and described themselves to a sketch artist who drew photos of them and then were described again to the sketch artist, by strangers that the women had spent time with. There were drastic differences in the sketches. It seems like the self portraits focused on the women's flaws, whereas the strangers described them completely different, highlighting their attributes.  I think often times our insecurities are self-inflicted. People's perception of us is no where close to what we see. While it's highly important to be self aware, I also think its important that we lighten up and not be so tough on ourselves or beat ourselves up for what we lack. We're all divinely crafted. Its time to appreciate that. I think self-perception is something common that everyone struggles with. The underlying theme is to love yourself enough

Cassie released her mixtape RockaByeBaby after experiencing some chart success this year from her studio single King of Hearts. I've been a Cassie fan since the release of her track Kiss Me ft. Ryan Leslie. But since then we've heard little from her from a music perspective. We've definitely heard of her and her personal life, but she's had  no real musical presence. In fact, although Cassie has been in the music game for quite some time she's only released one commercial album self titled Cassie in 2006. For reasons being focusing on her modeling career? I say yes! As beautiful Cassie becomes the face of Forever 21. For those reasons I was excited to hear new music from her. Is she an amazing vocalist? Not really, but she understands how to make hits that are catchy by seeking out great production. I think the production is in fact what makes the mixtape good. Although, the beats overpower her soft vocals, it also makes the songs catchy and worth listen

As we gear up for the April 23rd release of Fantasia's 4th studio album, Side Effects of You , get a quick fix with this new single titled Without Me ft. Kelly Rowland and Missy Elliot. Nothing makes me happier than slick talk in melody format. This song is fire! Enjoy! Can't wait for this album to drop. Go 'Tasia!!!

This week the social media circuits are sounding off about Ray-J's latest single "I hit it first" clearly referencing his video recorded rendezvous with the now world renown Kim K. I feel like he's the only one that takes the song seriously. If he released this track years ago, maybe just maybe we would respect his poking fun at her success but in all seriousness, no one really cares at this point. While I'm not a Kim K. fan per se,  I respect her hustle. People love her, they admire her and her brand, which has nothing to do with Ray-J's penis. He gave her a platform and she rode that baby to the bank! I frankly think he's insensitive in tormenting a pregnant woman with her past transgressions. I suppose Ray-J feels like he made her. Regardless of how Kim has become famous, even it has to do with Ray-J's genitals, I feel like at some point every person that has found success in their lives has someone that has to remind them of "where th

Hey HairyKats, I come to you once gain with new music. It seems these days that rap and hip-hop have taken a turn of overly braggadocious, misogyny that has/is belittling the essence of art form, of thought and expression, better known as the social norm.  With my diminishing faith and hope in the art form that is hip-hop music I find a little glimpse of life in newer artist like Kendrick Lamar, Macklemore, and Ace Da Youngin. Ace Da Youngin dropped his Big Brother mixtape today, April 10th. It is one of the most refreshing pieces of work I've heard in a long time. I like that its well thought out,  from the flow of the overall mixtape song to song ,to the lyrical content and metaphors on each track.  Its not just pointless simple rhyming. Its 12 well executed tracks of quality lyrics over quality production. This could very well be a successful commercial album. He gives us vivid examples of the difference between "rappers and artists" by defining himself