Doll Has 10,000 New Fans

More than 10,000 new people have become my fans since I posted new music (after a long hiatus!) on Myspace early this fall. 

I am getting so much amazing feedback, I thought I would share some of the fan comments here:

"Coming from a musical  history and multi-grammy award winning family, I have heard and been around alot of talented people. I have to say that you are blowing me away!! You are amazing, I simply love it. Keep up the great work." Richard T., St. Louis, MO

"You have a really unique voice . . . you gave me chills Ms. Doll . . ." Yung Real, Kansas City, KS

"I'm definitely feeling your music. Gave me goosebumps, I love it!!!! Good inspirational, motivating music. Woke me up, made me wanna dance around . . . Stick to your own style!!!!!" --Tony T., Elm City, CT

"I love your music...electric." Ajay Joseph, Ohio

"I REALLY LIKE YOUR MUSIC, IT HAS THAT LIVE SOULFUL TYPE OF STYLE. YOU ARE INDEED READY FOR THAT LIVE CROWD . . .. I LIKE THE ENERGY YOU BRING TO THE TRACK." JJ M., Houston, TX

"Great music!!" Shaun from Baltimore

"I love your voice it is great. And the pics are beautiful." Young Crim, Greensboro, NC

"I LOVE YOUR MUSIC." D. Wright, Jamaica Queens, NY

"Beautiful voice & unique style . . ." A.D., Dallas, TX

"I'm feelin ya sound. I was bout to refer to you as 'shawty' until i heard smooth operator...lol. I like ya first joint too, fire. Anywayz, keep doin ya thing, you gon make it wit chu soundin like that..." Kwil, Wilmington, DE

"Your music is hot ma . . . " Bronze N., Detroit, MI


"Your voice has just blown me away!" Darius G., Guam


"I think you have an amazing talent." Chris J., New Have, CT

**************
Ok, well, you get the point.  I am so blessed to know that people are feeling the music.  It means so much. Couldn't do it without my producer, the great Uncle Charles.  :AM for life . . .

That's it from my Diamond Mind.  Let me know what's on yours.

Peace from The Dollhouse -->

Glam Squad + 20 Questions for Doll

Celebrity Stylist Saint of Saintes World Fashion is heading up my glam squad and I am excited.  Saint is high energy, detail-oriented, and of course fabulous with fashion.  He will be overseeing my looks at photo shoots, red carpet events, music videos, and more.  Early next year (just a month away – can you believe it!), I will post pics to let you see some of the looks Saint puts together for me . . .

Ok, let’s play 20 Questions. Well, not really 20.

I get asked the same questions over and over again, so I will try to answer a few FAQs here:

1. “Is Doll your real name?”

Yes, Doll is a shortened version of my birth name (Dolyta, that's "dah-LEE-ta", which if it were Spanish would mean "little Dolly").  I was named after my mother, whose name is Dolly.  People started calling me Dolly Jr., then just Doly (yes, one L), then Doll. The name stuck.

2. “Where are you from/what are you mixed with?”

Pretty frequently, people ask me if I am “mixed”, or if my parents are from another country. I don’t know if it’s when I wear certain hairstyles or what, but I have heard it all: when I performed in South America the people there asked if my parents were Latino or if I was Venezuelan.  I have been asked frequently if I am of Asian descent.  And, when I visited South Africa, people from wide-ranging parts of Africa (from Ethiopia to Zimbabwe) asked me if I was from Senegal or Somalia. How flattering, since some of the most beautiful people in the world come from these places.  (Don't worry if you don't see it . . . I don't either!) But no, I was born and raised in Atlanta.  My last name is French but I have no knowledge of any Creole lineage.  I do, however, have Cherokee blood from both my paternal grandmother and my maternal great-great, who were both known for their long jet black hair and high cheekbones.  That’s about all I know.

3. "What kind of music do you sing?"

I make music that moves people. My music is considered contemporary R&B, but it is a unique mix of international dance pop with a lot of funk and a kick of soul. You can hear my roots in gospel, blues, jazz, soul and classic R&B, plus pop, hip-hop, and funk in my sound. Along with singing, I write, produce, and arrange music. I am a self-taught pianist and I write songs on both piano and guitar.  In addition to the big dance-pop-soul tracks I am starting to be known for, I really love to do acoustic performances, just me + piano or a small 3-piece band, because I get to share my heart a bit more.  But all of my lyrics are a really personal glimpse into something I’ve experienced or something that women go through.  My music will move you—you will sometimes dance, sometimes think, sometimes cry . . . you may even be moved to make better choices in life, but you WILL be moved.

4. "Did you really go to Harvard? What was that like?"

Yes, I went to Harvard.  It was a great experience for me because, despite what you may imagine, I actually met a lot of people there who were just like me, who were from where I was from, who were creative, artistic, fun and loving life. My professors are famous—my advisor, Cornel West, was featured on MTV and in the Matrix trilogy … my department chair, Henry Louis Gates, did the DNA test for Oprah to find what part of Africa she was from, and he was the professor that got arrested in his own home in 2009 and ended up meeting with the cop who arrested him at President Obama’s request in the White House … Crazy.  Some of my friends from Harvard are famous: one friend Derrick Ashong had appeared in a Steven Spielberg film before graduation and now has a radio show on Oprah and Friends; another friend Ryan Leslie is a Top 40 R&B artist . . . But you know, some of my friends from high school are famous too so it’s not just the Harvard thing. Anyway, except for the snow, I loved Boston.  I spent most of my time up there singing, writing songs, and performing in shows, truth be told!  I was a model with Ford Models for a brief time up there, and got more involved with acting while there. But I graduated cum laude nonetheless !

Well, that’s it from my Diamond Mind for today.  Let me know what’s on yours.

Peace from The Dollhouse-->

Derek Blanks (Beyonce, Usher, Ciara) Photo Shoot this month . . . Writing a New Book

Celebrity photographer Derek Blanks is my new photographer.  When I was in L.A. meeting with my attorney, he asked me, "Derek Blanks . . . isn't he the photographer from Real Housewives of Atlanta?"  Yep, that's him.  He has done photo shoots for everybody from Ciara to Usher to Brandy to Beyonce . . . I am excited to be working with him. (I've been so crazy with the photo shoot planning that I still don't have any videos up for you all yet.  But DollTV is coming, I promise. And I am going to be better about writing a blog post everyday if I can . .. at least 4 days a week.)

Derek's studio is in Buckhead, not far from Park Place where I used to live.  Derek and his staff are really professional, but Derek has a great creative energy about him.  He had a lot of ideas for me - the glam squad he recommends is supposed to be super fierce. Like I said a while back, I am going to do a "look book" for each of my first three singles (along with or instead of the video), something that hasn't been done before.  I love fashion, so it's my chance to showcase another passion along with the music.  Derek Blanks is the perfect photographer to capture my vision.  The photo shoot is at end of November.  Yes, I will post the pics!

Ok, so my thoughts for today:
Another reason I haven't been posting consistently is because my life has been so nuts.  Not just with the music launch, but personally too. I keep saying life is finally calming down, only to have something else happen that was completely unexpected.  Going through a divorce and launching a very public career within the same 18-month span has been difficult for me, to say the least.  Among all of the other problems that naturally occur, I had to shut down previous sources of income, chose not to fight over money, and  . . . well let's just say that you quickly find out who your real friends are when money is the topic of discussion. This road I am traveling is not for the faint of heart.  My natural tendency is to be very private and quiet about what's going on with me personally.  But a dear friend of mine told me that I should share my story with the world, not just through my music, but also in written form.  It's true that it's rare to find a woman who has been to Harvard and has also been homeless; who writes, produces, and performs her own music but is also a survivor of domestic violence.  I hadn't really thought about the fact that my story might actually inspire or encourage someone.  But even if I give just one woman hope, I think it's worth the sacrifice of putting myself out there. No false pretenses with me.  I am a real woman who has been through it. What you see (and hear in the music) is real life.

So, in addition to pouring out life lessons in the songs, I am writing my story.  I have been calling it a book, but it is more like a stream of consciousness right now, as I'm remembering things I'd just as soon forget but also seeing patterns that cause my life - and my music - to make sense to me in new ways.  I would encourage women everywhere to be brave enough to tell their stories - to really OWN their stories.  It is sometimes painful, but it is one of the best things you can ever do for yourself.  Just get a journal and write it down.

Well, that's a gem from my Diamond Mind.  Tell me what's on your's.

I will be back next week with more about what I've got coming up as we countdown to 2010 (can you believe it?!).

Peace from the Dollhouse -->

NY Red Carpet Black Girls Rock Fundraiser! Doll's October Events

How is it October already?! I am headed to New York on October 17 for the 4th Annual Black Girls Rock Red Carpet Event.  Mary J. Blige, Regina King, Raven Symone, Janelle Monae, Tracey Ellis Ross . . . and me! plus a lot of other good people of course. Really just glad to have my face in the place to support an amazing cause.  I'll let you know how it goes.

I am also headed to L.A. this month for some key meetings that will help me get the ball rolling on my TV and music projects.  More info to come.

Finally, I have a new song posted, "Masquerade," that you can listen to here: www.ammusicgroup.com/music It has been said that women and men are from different planets.  Perhaps that's why they often have such a difficult time communicating.  So the song "Masquerade" is about a woman who has been going through the motions in a relationship where her needs are not being met.  Too many of us can probably relate!  Anyway, let me know what you think of the song.

My thought for the day:
"Wearing masks is how we survive . . .
Covering the empty inside.
We learn the rules so that we can play;
How much of life is just a charade?"
If you are not happy where you are, don't stay there for the sake of someone's feelings.  Speak the truth in love, and do what you have to do to get where you need to be.  You have one life, and the clock is ticking y'all.

That's a gem from my diamond mind.  Tell me what's on yours.

Peace from The Dollhouse -->



.

Yep ... My OWN TV Show; Haters Already?!

It's September and it's official!  I am starting filming for a new reality series about me as I (re)launch my recording career, my magazine, my fashion line . . . Yes, there are already too many reality shows on TV!  But one more won't make it worse, and I aim to use mine as a platform to inspire people, especially women, to get back up when life knocks you down, so maybe it will be worth it!

We have to film enough footage over the next few months to be edited into a pilot, and from there we'll see which networks are interested.  In the meantime, I hope you will tune in on YouTube and UStream as we film the next few months of my life (from now 'til Christmas before there is a break).

So what will we be filming for the rest of the year?  I am sort of in between moving back home to Atlanta, but I still haven't bought a house or anything so we'll have to go through that whole process.  I have to hire a stylist and do a lot of photo shoots and video shoots for the 2010 album launch.  I have to attend the mandatory industry events and parties.  And my goal is to discover a new talent in fashion design to start work on my new line.  Of course, I will be in the recording studio, collaborating and making new tracks.  I will have planning meetings for the magazine and the big launch event in Atlanta in January (or will it be March?!).I'll be meeting new people and I'm sure running into some haters along the way.  And my business philosophy after being burned quite a few times is to do all of this yet remain debt free!! A show where business meets celebrity meets publishing meets fashion meets music, fueled by these ideas as they flow out of my Diamond Mind (I'm coming back from hiatus after much personal drama!). It will be fun ride, so stay tuned.

Anyway, my thought for today:

I got a hateful message from someone I don't even know on Facebook telling me what they think I should do because they heard that I did something "terrible" to one of our mutual friends.  I was at first really upset and offended by receiving this message.  Like first of all, WHO ARE YOU and how do you have the nerve to send me a snippy message about something you have nothing to do with? And second of all, if any "friend" of mine has an issue with me, a "friend" would pick up the phone and call me rather than talk about something behind my back. 

But I was only fuming for a few minutes before I remembered some wisdom from one of my mentors: he told me that when people even think that you might have a little bit of fame, power, money, or importance, they will automatically think every part of your personal life is theirs to comment on.  This is true not just for celebrities (I am not a celebrity clearly, but a lot of people know me whom I do not know); it's true for anyone living life in a way that catches the attention of other people.  My mentor asked me if I was really ready to have my life put on display for the world to comment on and blog about, critiquing and/or criticizing my every move without ever knowing the facts about my life.  I have decided, I am ready (to quote my producer Uncle Charles) for whatever.  That is, WHATEVA.  I have to live my life without caring what people think about me.  Any real "friend" will pick up the phone and talk to you if they have beef.  The rest need not apply.

That's a gem from my Diamond Mind.

Peace from The Dollhouse -->

Here are the Top Four Contemporary Divas I respect for what they bring on the mic as well as in life:
1. Mary J-for being a strong role model and not letting life get the best of her
2. Queen Latifah- for being a pioneer on wax, on TV, on the big screen and breaking barriers
3. Alicia Keys-for her humanitarian focus not just self focus at the height of her celebrity
4. Chrisette Michele-for staying true to her own musical style in this fickle industry

It's hard to find artists that genuinely earn respect in this day and age. And female artists are becoming a rare breed. Kudos to all those who are stayin true and letting the light shine from your Diamond Minds.

That's my gem for today.

My schedule:
I took it easy for Labor Day. I have the opportunity to produce three TV pilots this fall, plus working on this album, doing some shows, and laying the groundwork for the clothing line and the magazine launch in Atlanta in January. No breaks for me between now and Christmas, and I love it! Can't complain about gettin' paid to do what you love now can you?

Peace from The Dollhouse -->

Thanks, Tyrese! My Inspiration This Week.

I am in the studio today, but I like to end or begin every week with some links to videos that inspired me.

The first video is a speech from a great mind, Steve Jobs, speaking at Stanford commencement (remind me to tell you the story of how I almost ended up at Stanford instead of Harvard!)

The second video is on Rachel Roy, superstar fashion designer (love, love, love her!).

Steve Jobs: Tyrese Gibson told me about this one: Thanks, Tyrese!




And here's Rachel Roy. Watch Vogue TV Documentary Part 3 for her philosophy on pursuing a dream. 
Rachel Roy Video

I will catch you guys next week.  Follow me on Twitter over the weekend.

Peace from The Dollhouse -->

My Ryan Leslie Story (Mr. Right vs. Your Dreams Pt. 2)

Here's how I know Ryan:

When I was singing, writing songs, and performing at Harvard, I did so alongside some talented folks, including International R&B superstar Ryan Leslie (Britney Spears, Cassie, Danity Kane).  No, he's not the Mr. Right mentioned in the title: we were just friends.  Here's the connection to yesterday's post:

Back at Harvard, I recorded a song with Ryan and another friend of ours for a special project Ryan was doin'.  I was a popular vocalist/performer on campus/around Boston at the time, and Ryan and I had always performed in the same talent shows/had respect for each other, etc.  So we co-wrote and recorded the song (I found it the other day; I was even rappin' on the song--LOL--but it was actually a good track).  Ryan was a great producer even then.  Anyway, something happened after the session and Ryan lost everything we had done.  He needed to re-record all the vocals.  He asked me more than once to come back in the studio with him.  I told him no.

Ryan never knew why I said no.  He went on and did his thing without me.  But the real reason I "couldn't" re-record is because my then-boyfriend (we later eloped, then the 5+ year hiatus from music that I talked about in yesterday's post) didn't want me to do it. There were early signs even then (which I should have picked up on) that my boyfriend was jealous of my performing and my popularity (I had just had my acting debut in the Cambridge Theater a few months prior).  He basically wanted me all to himself.  I was so in love, I wanted to show him that he was more important to me than my music.  Well, I can tell you now how naive that was! 

He was important to me, but ladies, no man you are not married to should be coming between you and what you love to do.  What on earth?! If he wasn't ready for all that I was doing (I walked away from quite a few other MAJOR opportunities for this man; I just didn't know any better at the time), then he wasn't ready for me.  I was just so scared that I would lose him.  Silly me.  If you have to be less of yourself to keep your man, ladies, he is not the one.  How hard is that to figure out?  Took me much too long; once I got into the relationship, even when everything fell apart, I stayed because I wanted to show that I was loyal, that I wasn't selfish.  But truth of it all is: when it comes to your dreams, you gotta keep your eyes on the prize.

Ryan ended up getting signed by Diddy; he just got a nomination for BET Best New Artist this year. And believe it or not, Ryan wasn't the only famous friend I came up in the game with.  (Yes, I have more stories like this one! How crazy is that!) But fortunately, I never stopped singing, writing, and believing, and I was able to get back in stride before it was too late. 

I will never forget how it felt the day my friends started texting me saying "You'll never believe it!  I just heard Ryan Leslie on the radio!  I just saw him on BET!"  I was so happy for him, and more determined than ever to follow my passions and share my gift with the world.  Ryan is a genius (If you don't know, you HAVE TO check him out: www.ryanleslie.com).  He hustled hard and let that genius out of his Diamond Mind.  Now the world is richer for it.  I am letting mine out now, and I am telling you, you've gotta let yours shine too!  You never know where it will take you.

That's my gem for today.

My schedule for today:

I am planning a big event (a Ladies-Only Celebration of Inspiration) for my magazine in Atlanta in January 2010 so I need to make a few phone calls.  (I hope all you ladies will join me. Hey, since Ryan inspired me, maybe I'll ask him to come! He was named one of New York's 50 Most Desirable Bachelors, so you girls will like that I'm sure!)  But I will spend most of my day today workin' on the lyrics for "Who's Dat Lady" (new joint) and getting ready to re-record the vocals for "Wishing Well."  I am making a video of these studio sessions, so you guys will be able to check it out soon.

Peace from The Dollhouse -->

Mr. Right vs. Your Dreams

A word for all my single ladies:

When you are running full speed chasing a dream, there's no room in your life for negative people who want to bring you down, or selfish people who want to keep you to themselves.  I learned this lesson the hard way when I took a 5+ year hiatus from my dreams several years ago, all in the name of love.  Not only did the relationship not last, but I ended up way behind and far off of my normal pace of hustlin' and makin' it happen where my dreams are concerned.  I got it back on track, without missin' much of a beat, but I know for a fact that this kind of resilience is actually a miracle. Lightning doesn't usually strike twice.

So that's why I tell every girl I meet (and every dude for that matter): if you've got a dream, stay focused!! I don't care who promises you what, or how much somebody claims to love you.  You've got to learn how to do you and let true love come and find you. That goes for your family as well as for your friends. If they love you, they will stand back and step aside while you follow your heart.  If they really love you, they will support you, not hinder you.  If they can't stand in the light of your greatness, they are not ready for you or worthy of you, so keep it movin'!!  At the end of life, you will have to stand before God and give an account for what you did with your time, gifts, talents, and opportunities.  What are you gonna say then?  You can't be scared of losing love - love yourself!

That's a gem from my Diamond Mind.

My schedule:

Today, I have another rehearsal later on and then I will be workin' on a few new songs we're considering for the album (AM Music, ya heard?!). I am pushin' hard getting last minute details of my life ready for the whirlwind that's going to start after Labor Day and won't end for me until Christmastime.  But I am doing what I love!!  I can't complain!!

Go do something great today.

Peace from The Dollhouse -->

Who Does Doll Think She Is?

Here's a bit about me: I switched high schools right before my junior year - I walked straight into Frederick Douglass High School in Atlanta as a new face among people who had been going to school together for years.  Immediately, I was top of the class . . . on the Northstarettes (dance team) . . . had a popular boyfriend at our rival school . . . I was singing and performing so exceptionally that I got Jane Fonda's attention . . . recorded a Billboard Top 40 record with a gospel group in my spare time . . . won almost $1 million in music and academic scholarships including one to Harvard. I wasn't tryin' to achieve these things, I was just generally living my life and doin' it big 'cause that's the only way I know how to do it.  People who didn't know me used to whisper about me all the time: "Who does she think she is?"

My life has changed in a lot of ways since then, but some things are the same.  I have had my personal struggles, but I have also traveled the world and I have an unshakeable faith and philosophy about life.  Now that I am making a name for myself doing what I love--music--and building a media company (developing TV shows, writing books, publishing two magazines, starting a fashion line and more), some people may be (not-so) secretly thinking the same thing: "Who does this Doll think she is?"  Well here is my answer:

0. If you don't know me yet, you are about to so you might as well get ready for me.
1. I don't think I am anyone, I KNOW who I am . . . a blessed child of God
2. I don't just jump into things . . . I take everything that I do seriously and surround myself with the best people to make sure that I do it all brilliantly. Pride is thinking you can do everything and thinking you know everything.  Humility is KNOWING that you can do nothing on your own and depending on God to shine His light through you.
3. The real question is, who are YOU and what are YOU willing to let shine out of your Diamond Mind?  The world is yours - go get it!

That's my word for today.

My schedule for today: I have to record a few demo tracks to get ready for my studio session on Friday. But first I have to finish getting this new blog and twitter thing set up . . . I know I am late getting on twitter but I was avoiding it!  Now that I'm doin' it, though, it's fun . . .

Peace from The Dollhouse -->