"I Only Move Forward, Never Backwards, Darling."
Grace Jones: by definition she's a Disco Fashion Queen and for me, she's a testament doing you and nothing but you. Now, let's get into her lore, darling!
80s baby, but the 90s raised me; maybe that’s why I’m so drawn to the 80s aesthetic.
Vibrant, flamboyant, and the eclectic mix of color and styles pulls me in. The time when Studio 54 was at its peak, providing a realm of decadence where you left all inhibitions at the door. Pushing the envelope excessively and not giving a damn about the folks that didn’t see the vision.
Grace Jones. She may not be a blerd girl by definition, but she is a Renaissance woman and androgynous icon, who even now is light years ahead of her time.
“I can be a pain, but most of all, I can be a pleasure.”
GJ is a living example of what happens when you prioritize authenticity and self-expression over fitting in.
Pull Up To The Bumper
Pull Up To The Bumper was released in 1981 and solely written by Grace Jones.
The lyrics were risky and even led to some radio stations refusing it to play it on air.
I wonder if this was what was making some of the men blush:
Pull up to my bumper baby
In your long black limousine
Pull up to my bumper baby
And drive it in between
A sexually liberated queen - I stan!
A Lil Strangé
Now, this is how I was introduced to Grace Jones.
Although Angela should have never got back with Marcus… oh, and the whole office love triangle with a sprinkle of MILF on the side in the form Lady Eloise (Marccuuusss… I don’t have any panties on) - Boomerang is one of my favorite comfort movies.
Strangé brought the fashions, drama, and comedic release. Living up to her name (both in fiction and real life), our good sis was all about taking risks. Before Erykah Badu was selling Pvssy incense, Strangé was putting panties in the face of black chemists so they could properly capture her essence in bottle form.
Boomerang was a movie filled with black women in power (and despite making them cut up over a man) I wanted to be a blend of all three - sexy, compassionate, and lil bit Strangé.
Move Out The Way
For Grace Jones to be a feature on the Renaissance album feels poetic. If I were to break a strong vow to never collaborate - I would break that vow for Beyoncé.
“I don’t collaborate. You’re born alone, you die alone, and you get on stage alone.”
Grace Jones
I imagine it was a mixture of Southern charm and genuine respect for artists she collaborates with that won GJ over. Jones wanted no parts of auto-tune when it came to her vocals, and that request was honored, leaving her vocals raw and real for this bop.
Move out the way
I'm with my girls and we all need space
When the Queens come through, part like the Red Sea
Move out the way
How many times I'ma say
Issa home run when the team touch base
UnSung
Grace Jones is not one to hold her tongue and has been very candid about how she perceives the industry today.
“I have been so copied by those people who have made fortunes that people assume I am that rich… but I did things for the excitement, the dare, the fact that it was new, not for the money, and too many times I was the first, not the beneficiary.”
I'll Never Write My Memoirs
In the era of TikTok, samples, and reboots, GJ’s words ring true. At 76 years old, Grace Jones still considers herself an underground artist and has no plans to change her rhythm to appeal to a younger crowd.
My hyper-fixated deep dive allowed me to truly appreciate Grace Jones for who she is: a force to be reckoned with who stands on her business.
The things that she has accomplished - singer, songwriter, model, actress, activist, and visionary has inspired artists, blerds, and creatives alike.
So, to you, Grace Jones, here are your flowers for standing in your authenticity and living life like stop signs never existed - we should all be this lucky.
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I saw Bloodlight and Bami in theaters when it first came out and seeing her tell her own story on the silverscfeen was incredible. She’s a true Jamaican bad gyal and Queen.