LaShara Lashawn

If you think word of mouth is fast then think again because there is nothing faster then shared events and news on social media. A respost with the picture of R &B recording artist Netta Brielle, along with a date of Wednesday Febuary 20, 2019 at Club Liege in Oakland Ca. instantly caught my attention on my Twitter feed.  I instantly made a mental note to attend as I noticed it was posted by Netta Brielle. I wasn’t aware of what she would be doing on that night, I just knew that whatever it was, I wanted to support.

The night had arrived and I looked at my clock and realized I had only a short amount of time to S.S.S. (Sh!#, Shower and Shave), find a date and an outfit after just getting home from work & sitting in traffic for about an hour. I called up my guy friend and told him he only had an hour and a half to be dressed and ready. I told him that my friend was going to be preforming and that I had to be there on time. I lied. I had never met Netta Brielle, yet I knew one day I would. We have a mutual friend and I do follow her on Twitter, well we follow eachother and occasionally we chat back and forth in the comments. I recently started calling her my Twitter sister.

I quickly get ready, making sure I look decent, who knows who else I might meet or see. It is Oakland and at Liege I’m liable to see someone I know. I get to my friends house and rush him along out the door as he ask several questions about the night ahead. Honestly I had no clue at all. I just knew we needed to be there on time. Unfortunetely we were late, to my suprise we found a park right out front. There was no line, the security gurad greeted us and checked our ID’s. I think I was too excited becuase the moment I heard her voice singing one of her songs I walked straight in, and zoomed in on two perfect seats at the bar. The only thing I noticed was that there was a vendor selling food, the super dim lighting meanwhile my friend had been stopped to pay our cover charge. whoops! I figured I’d repay him with a drink later.

After paying he joined me at the bar. I ordered him a drink as I listened to Netta Brielle finish her song. We arrived just in time because it was time for the Q&A. A bucket had been placed out for people to write out questions that she would answer. I instantly looked around for the bucket to try to get my question in. What would I ask her? hmmm I had no clue, but Im quick on my feet. I knew I had to come up with something. Netta Brielle spoke about some of her highs and lows as an artist. Some of the moments in her life that she so transparently shared with the mixed crowd of listeners I knew and some I had no idea about. She went into her experinece being signed to Atlantic records and the pressures she experienced. Atlantic is a major label powerhouse some of her former label mates include T.I., Ed Sheeran, Dram and Curren$ey to name a few. Being signed is a big deal and walking away from such an opprotunity and as she stated “getting back to basics is whats most important” had to be a major adjustment.

Sitting in the center of what is normally the main dance floor surounded by some of the VIP couches which are normally being danced upon and drinks being spilled over from ragging party goers is now filled shoulder to shoulder with people listening, egar to hear what she has to say next. Netta Brielle in a sky blue dad hat with two pins on the side covering her long tresses of hair flowing out the back, she sits on a stool in the center of the room. A drummer to the side of her taps on his bongo drum throughout the night creating a smooth sultry Love Jones vibe. Im totally feeling the atmospher and I know by the looks of everyone I wasnt the only one.

Netta Brielle is a bay area nattive and one thing about a lot of artist from the bay area is that they are going to be who they are and that’s what makes them stand out among the rest. Being asked or basically encouraged to put on some weight and to not talk about her college experience amoung other label/ industry stuggles gave her the notion that it was time for her to leave the label. This was a shock to me becuase I had no idea. What type of fan was I? I felt like my bestfriend kept and imporatnt secret from me!. (yes I know she doesnt know me but ya know what I mean) This drew me in further, yet it was interrupted unintentionally by my friend who was for some reason having a hard time follwing, constantly asking me questions along with “when is she gone sing?” I let him know we would have heard more singing if we had been on time.

As I tuned  back in to what felt like an unplugged music session with everyones gazed focused on this young women who is being so open and transparent right in front of my eyes, she’s no more then 10ft away. I learned about the life changes and adjustments that were made upon leaving the label and returning back home to Oakland Ca. I’v always enjoyed learing about a persons back story it totally makes me feel more connected. I am able to appreciate someone for who they are so much more it can solidify my support.

Netta Brielle recants a preformace that she had at another local venue called New Parish. The day before the scheduled preformace her vehicle had been repossed and she had to take an Uber to the event. In her voice you can her the slight sadness that fell over the room but in her next breath she demonstrated a enormous amount of greatfulness because she then thanked the auidence and her fans/ supporters becuase as she arrived in her Uber the lines was wrapped around the venue to support her. An applause was given in support as she sharred this tough moment in her life. Im not sure how many people would want to share such a tough moment.

As she was adjusting to a less glamourous life style she experiences some great losses in her personal life. Unfortuanetly three people very close to her including Bay Area legend Tha Jacka passed away. She stated that “maybe this all happened for a reason”. As we all can imagine making such an adjusment must have taken a toll on her and she explained that it was tough especially when calls stop being answered and emails arent being responded to. Netta Brielle had a lot to deal with and decided to go seek therapy and still continues to go. A woman asked her would she consider herlsef an advocate for mental health? and Netta responded with a”absolutely” many people applauded. As she spoke about her experience many heads nodded in aggreance and understanding, people claped and some shouted out in support with encouraging words. I was so glad to see all the people that came out to support. I was asked by a guy at the bar who was the girl on the mic, Netta Brielle she’s a singer I replied. The guy nodded his head in approval as he walked away with his drink in hand.

It was question and answer time. The bucket was now in the hands of  woman who would later share her experince meeting Netta Brielle and being offered prayer from her. As the lady read the questions Netta answered each of them thoroughly. She was asked what she wanted in her career, how could we as a city help her, and how was she able to be so calm when performing or talking in a setting such as this amoung other questions. As I listened to the questions I was trying to figure out how I could some how ask her a question. I had no paper, the lady was too far away, some people where just shouting out their questions and I was not about to do that. So I waited.

I heard a familiar voice ask a question and in perfect timing the lady walked righ in front of me. Right then I asked my friend if it was okay to ask a question, not sure why I ask him but that reassurance sure did help.  I kindly approached the lady and asked if it was okay that I ask a question and she said yes. I was handed the mic and as Netta Brielle finished answering a prior question my mind began to race, I still had no question. As Netta Brielle focused on me I knew I had the floor.

This is a parphrase of my question:

Hi Netta Brielle my name is Lashara. First I want to say happy belated birthday!! (This cued an applause which helped me gather my thoughts). I call you my Twitter sister, If you don’t, you should follow her on Twitter. Plug. So you said how when you were at the label they said how you should not talk about going to college. I feel that artist having that college experience is extremely helpful I appreciate them more being that I went to college with (friend whose voice I recognized) and IamSu. What do you think is the experience/ difference between an artist who had the college experice (which makes them older/ more mature when they enter the inndustry) as compared to a child star?

While listening to her response I think I might have zoned out a bit. I just couldnt believe that I was able to stand in front of her and ask her a question!!!!. I felt like an interviewer from BET or something. Netta Brielle answered my question with pure ease. She did mention that at one point she did want to be a child start however she is greatful for her college experience even though she was encouraged not to talk about it. A few more people asked their questions and then I heard another familar voice and it wasnt an old friend however another classic artist with the most distinctive voice, it was D’wayne Wiggins of R&B and Neo Soul group Tony! Toni! Ton’e!. as if the night couldnt get anymore special. He gave Netta some great words of encouragement and reassured her of his support for her.

There after she gave us what some had been dying for, especially my friend and that was to hear her powerful voice. This wasnt a few OOoos and aahhhs she sang like she was infront of a major crowd or a packed out house.  People yelled out request, sang along, got to their feet and enjoyed the moment. Times like these dont happen every day. I was so glad to be apart and witness this moment. I am sure that she gained some new supporters and enlightened us all that night. One thing that I will always carry with me is that just because things dont go as planned or if you notice that they arent it’s okay to step away and it dosent make you any less talented or smart. When she was done everyone clapped, and I took advantage of the moment and got a few pictures and some small talk, we laughed and joked for a bit too. This was a night I would never forget. Netta Brielle shared her story with us all that night, she was open, raw, unashamed, beautful, powerful and so Oakland.

Check her out on Itunes and Sound Cloud https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aGwxUJ3OsNM