Inspiration is an Oddisee

It's been a tumultuous week for me. With so much going on, it's easy for me to lose clarity, focus and balance. Today, Sarina and I were talking about feeling uninspired when I said, "Inspiration: Let it come naturally or seek it".

I was casually browsing Instagram when I found Justin Mashouf's account and mashouf.tv. I eventually stumbled upon his inspiring video of Yasiin Bey (Mos Def) discussing the significance of the late Malcolm X.

Serendipity.

The video of Bey led me to the aptly-named Oddisee (a play on the word 'odyssey', if you didn't catch it).

Mind blown.

Oddisee says: "Belong to the World" is a song about making a transition from feeling like I didn't fit into anything, into understanding we belong to everything. It is a song about understanding that the world is bigger than the small things we want to be a part of.  

About the video: Director Zack Kashkett worked to provide a sense of isolation and introspection that often accompanies the physical and metaphorical idea of being inside and alone juxtaposed against spacious shots of Oddisee within the larger world outside. The sense of isolation goes away when the scope gets large enough and the world's size becomes encompassing not enclosing. This is similar to the sense one gets when they realize they are part of something greater.

'Belong to the World' is one of his songs from his latest album 'The Good Fight' but I listened to 'People Hear What They See' and an older instrumental album 'The Beauty in All' which I found to be reminiscent of Jhene Aiko's beats. I was mesmerised. Truth be told, I'm really feeling his recent work too. And guess what? He's coming to Auckland and Wellington this December :)

Music, when done right and when it fits, can move, uplift and inspire you.

Moral of the story?

Inspiration: Let it come naturally or seek it, but most of all, be open to it.

Inspiration. Sometimes serendipity but always an odyssey.