Why Hello There!

I hope this note finds you doing well. This song is about sharing good news! [To find out WHAT the news is, go ahead and listen to the song ;-) ]

I wrote this arrangement based on the song "Ain't A That Good News", an African-American Traditional song that I heard in church growing up. Every sound you hear in this song was done by my voice, so this song counts as one of my IWAAM's (Ice Water Artistry Acapella Music). I'm excited about the milestones this song marks, and I look forward to whatever good thing comes next.

'Till next time, I wish you well. And remember...

"Stay Icy!"

Yours Truly,
Ice Water Artistry
[Signed digitally May 8, 2021, the date this song was originally recorded]

Good News

Lyrics:

How can I convey to you
In a way you'll understand?

I'm nostalgic for my memories from the distant past
When I used to walk the campus, Yard, and go to class
For the cool breeze of warm eve's of nights now naught
For the thrill of doing tings for which I wasn't caught

I have memories of happenin's only I know now
The ones I made them with ain't reachable, they all spread out
Though we're far apart, I learned in class 'bout diaspora
How we all span the globe and we came from Africa

Zoomin' in my senior year taught me 'bout location
And how it and memory are tied; together they make occasion
Like bein' in Cook Hall's Lounge, pourin' out libations
Like praisin' God in Cramton, Rankin Chapel; givin' adulation

Like all-nighters; Founders, iLab, commemoratin'
The buzz of voices givin' way to the most dedicated
Like The Yard packed at Homecomin', Graduation
Stark contrasts in presentations though they both 'bout celebration!

How can I convey to you
In a way you'll understand?

That
This place is more than what's in the news
This place is more than picturesque aerial views
In its nuanced history, you'll find the truth
This is my HBCU

This place is more than what's in the news
This place is more than picturesque aerial views
In its nuanced history, you'll find the truth
This is my HBCU

I'm dually writin' both generic specific
Talkin' TP, G-P; Toilet Paper, Georgia-Pacific
Listen close 'cause if you blink your ears you gon' miss it
The tell all story; how I do and both don't miss it

I miss the ones who made me feel like more than just a number
Than just a bank account that keeps the school from going under
I know that higher ed's a big business, institution
I know that 'cross the years
Due to debt and death, we've lost some students

May they rest in peace and power
While we continue uphill battles for a more just, equitable future
Top reason, Howard; why I'll miss it
In that sea of blackness, I ain't need to justify my existence

Home by that Reservoir, Home by the Sea
Hampton for Mom, Howard for me
If you question need for 'em, please go listen and read
The HBCU "secret sauce" worth more than degree!

This place is more than what's in the news
This place is more than picturesque aerial views
In its nuanced history, you'll find the truth
This is my HBCU

This place is more than what's in the news
This place is more than picturesque aerial views
In its nuanced history, you'll find the truth
This is my HBCU

I hope 
To return 
One day 
To pilgrimage to The Mecca

And I don't 
Like to say 
Goodbye
So for now, it's H-B-C-U-later


About This Track:

Ice Water Artistry's song "This Is My HBCU" speaks to his specific Howard University HBCU Experience, as well as his appreciation for HBCU's in general. Listen for a small taste of what makes Ice Water Artistry's music so cool and refreshing. (Refreshing; like a tall, cold glass of ice water. Sip sip? Cold Ice Water... aah!)


Credits:

Music and lyrics: Jonathan J Salley
Produced by Mixtape Seoul
Mixing Engineer: Jonathan Salley
Mastering Engineer: Jonathan Salley
Recording Engineer: Jonathan Salley

Vocals: Jonathan Salley
Background Vocals: Jonathan Salley
Vocal Trumpet: Jonathan Salley
Whistling: Jonathan Salley

Graphic Design: Teunice Curtis (Instagram: @_xNicee)

This Is My HBCU

Lyrics:

This is what I need you to do: (I'm listening)
Get vulnerable, get raw; give real, dig deep
Don't leave nothing on the table when you leave
Get to work, clean house: sweep, sweep (I will)
You know you can't take nothing with you when you go (I know!)

That's why I want to see you leave a legacy (No... no!)
That stretch from where you are
To where The Artisan Galaxy's heavens be!
(Don't go; don't go! I'm not ready for you to go...)

How do you want to be remembered
When your life sentence's final verdict is rendered?
Will it be what it is?
Will it be what you made it?
What's your legacy gonna be?
What's your legacy?

I am artistry
Creativity is my calling card, identifying mark
It's imbued in me, it's a part of me
I am art on earth; period.

Name means art is try
Sorry to the little green Jedi master
Who said do or die, cuz, there is no try
'Cause, where I'm at in mind, I do not subscribe

Grief, death, loss is a way of life
Just like love, hope, joy... Oi! (Oi!)
Friend died with no warning, I need closure
Got me rocking side to side while asking myself questions

How do you want to be remembered
When your life sentence's final verdict is rendered?
Will it be what it is?
Will it be what you made it?
What's your legacy gonna be?
What's your legacy?

(I got the)
Sauce like Worcestershire
Like mic, hot for sure
Icy cool, Icy hot (Hot! Hot! Hot!)

Unique, one of one
My art haute couture
That means custom made
By hand, start to end

Budget is irrelevant
Price tag, what is that?
Tailored to fit my body, voice and style
My best is good enough
I can be myself
I'll learn that in a while

Grief, death, loss is a way of life
Just like love, hope, joy... Oi! (Oi!)
Friend died; no warning, I need closure
Got me rocking side to side while asking myself questions

Oh oh oh oh
How do you want to be remembered
When your life sentence's final verdict is rendered?
Will it be what it is?
Will it be what you made it?
What's your legacy gonna be?
Said, what's your legacy?

I don't pretend I have the answers anymore
So I settle for discovery as I live life and ask more questions

Mmh
Will it be what it is?
Will it be what you made it?
What's your legacy gonna be?
What's your legacy?


About This Track:

Ice Water Artistry's song "Deep Conversation" brings self-reflection on life from the depths of Icy's soul for the listener to experience with him. Listen for a small taste of what makes Ice Water Artistry's music so cool and refreshing. (Refreshing; like a tall, cold glass of ice water. Sip sip? Cold Ice Water... aah!)


Credits:

Music and lyrics: Jonathan J Salley
Produced by Dylan Graham and Jbyss
Mixing Engineer: Jonathan Salley
Mastering Engineer: Jonathan Salley
Recording Engineer: Jonathan Salley

Vocals: Jonathan Salley
Background Vocals: Jonathan Salley

Graphic Design: Jonathan Salley
Photo by Andrea Moura from Pexels

Deep Conversation

Hey there, Ice Water Artistry here!

So... here's a song. I titled it "Feelings" because that was the only word I felt applied to the whole song. The song is done acapella, meaning everything you hear (vocals, background vocals, sound effects, vocal trumpet, whistling) was made by my voice! Hopefully, you enjoy what you hear. If so, leave a comment below. 

[And if you DON'T enjoy it... don't tell nobody. Hahaha, just kidding (sort of, not really; know what I'm sayin'?)]

But for real: I'm only looking for constructive criticism with a positive tone to it, so you can keep any thoughts that don't fit that description to yourself. Thanks in advance, friend.

Lastly, the song has what I consider five "parts" to it. As a challenge, see if you can tell where each part begins and ends!

Well, that's all for now. To everyone here, there and everywhere:
Stay Icy!

Sincerely,
Ice Water Artistry
> ME: Drip! Drip!
> YOU: Hey! Whut? Yahh!

Feelings

Hey Hey,

How ya' doin'? It's been a while since I posted a song. This song I'm sharing is called "Take Care", and it's written for a friend who is going on a trip soon. I thought this would be a nice way to say "See you later" to them. When you listen, you'll hear my voice doing main vocals, rapping, background vocals, sound effects, vocal ad-libs, whistling, and a vocal trumpet sound I'm developing.

Oh, by the way, I made the album art myself! Also, this is the Acapella Version of "Take Care". (There's another version, with a track behind it, that will be released later)

Well, that's all for now. This is Ice Water Artistry, SIGN-ING OFF!.

Stay Icy!

Take Care (Acapella Version)

Take Care

ME: Drip! Drip!
YOU: Heyy, Whut? Yaaaahhh!!!!!

Hey Hey!... Ice Water Artistry here, back with another song to share. This one's called "Mask On". And if you're wondering (you're probably not though...) yes, I used an instrumental of Future's "Mask Off"... because, why not?! 

Anyway, the song  is meant to be a fun reminder to the Howard University community to continue to do their part in helping everyone stay as well as they can during this COVID-19 global pandemic.

Well, that's all for now. This is Ice Water Artistry, SIGN-ING OFF!.

Stay Icy!
- IWA

*****

Beat: Future - Mask Off (Instrumental Reprod. Inspectah K.)

Cover Art: Courtesy of Pexels.com. All image rights belong to Anna Shvets, the photographer. (Note: I cropped the original image)

Lyrics, Vocals and Whistling by Ice Water Artistry

Mask On

Hi! My name's Ice Water Artistry, and I'm on a musical journey to rebirth my galaxy. Why? Well, it sorta-kinda-most-definitely got destroyed... Look, right now, all I know is this:

1) My home galaxy and its people, The Artisans, were destroyed. (I'm the last one...)
2) Once I reach my full musical potential, I'm supposed to rebirth my galaxy

How, exactly? No clue yet! (TBD)

Join me?

-Ice/ IWA

Ice Water Artistry

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