Chris M Jackson Drops Words of Wisdom With “She’s N Mi Blud”

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When it comes to someone making rap music, a 64-year-old grandmother is not exactly the first person that comes to mind. Despite the unconventional trajectory, the North Carolina native, who acknowledges she always had a way with words, only recently started putting lyrics to beats in the last few years. The result of this recent pursuit is “She’s N Mi Blud,” an easygoing, heartfelt single that debuted earlier this year and draws from her dynamic life and the common thread of love.

Although her entry into the rap world may be far from the norm, Jackson found a comforting place to create “She’s N Mi Blud,” an inspiring track that perfectly captures her remarkable storytelling and courage to overcome setbacks. Reflecting on her past, Jackson shares that after contracting polio as a baby, which left her paralyzed from the waist down in her younger years, she did not allow such physical limitations to keep her from experiencing a happy life. Eventually, she would heal, join the military, travel the world, get married, and revel in new experiences. However, it wasn’t until she was older that she began to channel those experiences creatively, transforming words and emotions inside of her into beautiful poetry and a children’s book.

Everything changed for Jackson in 2021 when something just clicked inside of her. A friend stuck in a creative rut turned to her for help. So, Jackson said, “Give me one word and 10 minutes, and I’ll give you something back.” In the end, she wrote three songs for him, but it also made her realize—if she could write for him, why couldn’t she do it for herself?

So, she did, and that’s when Jackson became a songwriter/rapper. With, “She’s N Mi Blud,” the message is about the love that transcends the traditional standard of what makes a family.  “I wanted to express that family isn’t always about blood,” says Jackson. “It’s about the bond. It doesn’t matter what race or religion you come from—if you’ve grown up together, they’re your family. That’s why I spelled “blud” the way I did. It’s not just about blood relations; it’s about deeper connection.”

According to Jackson, “She’s N Mi Blud“ is what she calls a ‘love rap,’ free of cursing, with a universal message of unconditional care and acceptance. The lyrics such as “Love is the biggest weapon” and “Kiss me, love, me, save my soul…” are direct and simple, set to the sounds of reggae and Jackson’s straightforward voice.

When asked about her creative process, Jackson describes it as almost meditative. "I’d be riding down the road, humming, and then the words would just come to me," she says. Within a week, she pieced together the verses that would become "She’s N Mi Blud," humming melodies and scribbling down lyrics whenever inspiration struck.

Her music may be new to the world, but her gift for storytelling isn’t. "I’ve always had a way with words," she says, reflecting on her years as a poet and author. And while “She’s N Mi Blud” is only her second single, following “My Baby” in 2020, Jackson is already making waves. Her grandkids can’t get enough of it. “They sing it—and they are proud of me,” she beams.

What’s next for Chris M Jackson? She is content with “She’s N Mi Blud” being a stand-alone single, though she’s open to future projects. Whether she’s writing songs or stories, the ultimate goal is to make people feel loved and important. “I may be 64, but I’ve got a lot more to say,” she says with the subtle confidence of someone who knows that age is just a number.

Stay up to date with Chris M Jackson and her music by following her on Instagram.

 

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Screenwriter And Musician Lamar Woods Returns To Music With Flavorful Sophomore Album, ‘Highly Sensitive Person’

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Authentic, humble, creative, and genius—these words capture the essence of screenwriter and musician Lamar Woods. His latest work, the sophomore album Highly Sensitive Person, released earlier this year, reflects his extraordinary talent and a perfect start to the year.

Highly Sensitive Person showcases Woods’ ability to blend genres with finesse. The album’s 19 tracks weave together hip-hop, jazz, soul, folk, and R&B elements, creating a rich and immersive listening experience. For example, “True Love Will Find You In The End”—a cover by Daniel Johnston—commences with warm acoustic guitar and Woods singing before a trap beat emerges mid-song, and he unleashes his bars. This shows that Highly Sensitive Person is a sonic roller coaster with unexpected twists and turns, keeping you on your turns.

“I wanted to do an album that bangs the whole way through,” Woods explained. “Like if I was Costco, this was a little taste of me (like samples), every version of me. I’m from Atlanta, so I love trap music, and I love trap beats…I don’t really rap on them a lot. I was just like, ‘Maybe we just throw it on there even though it didn’t technically really fit with the album that much.’ But I like the idea of being like, ‘Ths is also a part of me.’ There’s a trap part of me. There’s that boom-bap part of me. There’s the folk part of me. There’s a love song part of me. I wanted that album to feel like you’re really getting to know me because if you knew me if we were to hang out and talk about music, we’re talking about everything…like Langhorne Slim, Arcade Fire, Boldy James, Jazz and Miles (Davis).”

Woods has crafted a sonic landscape that feels both nostalgic and innovative. His lyrical flow, paired with the thoughtful inclusion of skits—an often overlooked art form in modern rap—adds a unique dimension to the album. Drawing from his experience as a screenwriter, Woods uses these skits to enhance the storytelling within the album, creating vivid scenes and narratives with fellow comedians like actor Mike Mitchell that deepen the listener’s engagement. He encourages his listeners to listen to the entire album in order.

Woods’ dedication to music has been unwavering since high school, where he formed a band that performed a unique blend of rap, hip-hop, and punk. His commitment to his craft was evident in the vibrant music scene of his city, where he performed at local venues like The 5 Spot, Eddie’s Attic, and Smith Ole Bar, building his underground following. After graduating from Georgia State University, Woods fearlessly relocated to Los Angeles to pursue a career in Hollywood, temporarily putting his music on hold. However, his dedication to music never wavered, and he found success as a screenwriter, contributing to notable shows such as Grand Crew (NBC), Brooklyn Nine-Nine (NBC), Single Parents (ABC), New Girl (FOX), and Survivor’s Remorse (Starz). He co-wrote and starred in It’s a Party, available on Roku and Amazon.

Like many, the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic became a turning point for Woods as he felt pulled back to his musical roots. Although he hesitated to pursue music again, he couldn’t deny his first love. This reconnection led to the release of several EPs and LPs, including his debut album, Wine Bars, in 2021. Building on this momentum, Woods released Highly Sensitive Person in 2024, an album that further cements his place in the music world.

Highly Sensitive Person is just a semblance of Woods’ talents. The Atlanta-bred is getting ready to expand and showcase just how versatile his music palette is with upcoming projects listeners must look forward to.

Listen to Highly Sensitive Person here.

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