this is for the open-minded: 23 years of supernova
Photos courtesy of India Mallard (Ms. India).
“I believe when someone passes away
Either a star is born, energy so pure
That it creates new worlds
Or as the soul releases
Shatters into pieces
Becoming free-flowing thoughts
For my mental thesis”
From the moment Supernova first touched my ears, it felt as though a new dimension of understanding and inspiration had been unlocked in my life. The album, with its bold spirit and profound messages, became a beacon of light during times of uncertainty and growth. Lisa "Left Eye" Lopes, through her fearless creativity and unyielding passion, transformed not just music but the very way I perceive the world around me. It brought my inner child to life during the darkest moments of my life, filling my heart with a sense of joy and wonder that had been deeply buried. It was as if, in the midst of my struggles, Supernova reached into my soul and reawakened a part of me that had long been lost, offering solace and a spark of hope when I needed it most. Supernova wasn’t just an album; it was a collection of powerful affirmations that reached into my soul, reawakening a part of me that had seemed a bit murky traveling through the unknown depths of adulthood.
It became a soundtrack to my journey, a source of solace and strength. Each track, with its unique blend of energy and introspection, spoke to the core of who I am, guiding me through personal challenges and triumphs alike. Lisa’s visionary artistry and unwavering commitment to her craft have left an indelible mark on my life, reminding me that true brilliance shines through adversity and change. This album, in all its transformative power, has been more than just a collection of songs; it has been a catalyst for my own personal evolution, encouraging me to embrace my own path with the same fervor and resilience.
It is full circle that Lisa’s “mental thesis” was a testament to the power of personal evolution and the unyielding nature of spirit, a concept that resonates deeply with the cosmic marvels we see today.
Just a few days ago, NASA SN 1181, one of a handful of supernovae documented before the invention of telescopes, made headlines with news of its rebirth. It is quite fitting that on the anniversary of a timeless work of art, reflecting a very similar, if not the same, concept, imaginative discoveries in the scientific world are being unveiled. Science and music are closely interconnected, not only through frequencies and sound waves...
P.S. - The images of these supernovae capture the essence of what I envision "A New Star Is Born" to look like when brought to life visually. <3
In a poetic twist of fate, the recent discovery of SN 1181 —a "zombie star" that survived a supernova explosion—echoes the profound themes of Lisa 'Left Eye' Lopes' Supernova. This celestial wonder, defying expectations and continuing to shine in a nebula formed by colliding white dwarfs, serves as a cosmic metaphor for resilience and eternal energy. Although SN 1181 is 1,000 years old, I feel the same principle applies to a 23-year-old piece of art. Just as SN 1181 emerged from the ashes of a supernova, continuing to exist and evolve, Left Eye's Supernova album embodies the idea that true energy and essence never truly end. Instead, they transform and persist in new, powerful forms. Left Eye’s philosophy that the spirit and creativity endure beyond physical presence resonates deeply with the survival of this remarkable star.
SN 1181's ("guest star") survival through such a cataclysmic event aligns with the timeless philosophy that energy and essence never truly end but rather transform and persist in new, powerful forms. This idea is mirrored by the Hubble Space Telescope’s recent observations over two days ago, which have spotlighted the ongoing wonders and remnants of supernovae - specifically SN 2022ADQZ and the galaxy LEDA 857074 - revealing how these cosmic explosions lead to new stellar phenomena and inspire a deeper understanding of the universe.
As we reflect on this cosmic discovery and the anniversary of Left Eye’s Supernova, we are reminded of the unbreakable continuity of light and inspiration. Both the star and the album symbolize the unyielding spirit that defies finality, celebrating the infinite potential for renewal and rebirth.
Lisa always said, "Energy never dies. It just transforms." Here is a significant scientific example from SN 1181: a new star is born! Man, she was truly ahead of her time... And so it is only right that this think-piece concludes with a quote from the final song that is physically seen on Supernova's tracklisting; one that is fitting for not only Lisa's wishes and mission for this album but also numerically aligns her requested release date. Although Lisa honors her late talented father, Ronald Lopes Sr., in this song, I believe it reflects her immortality in real-time and her ability to birth new fellow "Eyenetics" posthumously.
“And on August 16, 2001
Anything that I wish to release
Release? I see
First of all I give you my thanks for preparing me
To be open and free
I release my mind releasin’ my soul
Release the courage to break the mold
Release my record 20 million sold
Release my pops you’re free to go
Create a new galaxy, yes dad
You’ll still be right next to me”
According to Jacopo Prisco of CNN, it took astronomers a staggering 840 years to pinpoint the exact location of SN 1181 within the Milky Way. This long journey to uncover the star's true place in the cosmos reminds us how easily even the most extraordinary phenomena can be overlooked or misunderstood over time. Similarly, I hope that Supernova—an album rich with Lisa's visionary artistry and deep messages—does not suffer a similar fate of being underappreciated or forgotten.
Just as the significance of SN 1181 was fully recognized centuries after its initial observation, Lisa's Supernova deserves to be rediscovered and appreciated by new generations. This album, much like The Star, carries a profound legacy that should not be diminished by the passage of time. The parallels between them are striking: both represent resilience, transformation, and the enduring nature of true energy and creativity. Let us ensure that Supernova shines as brightly in the hearts and minds of listeners as SN 1181 now does in the night sky. Much like Lisa did during the 7 streaming days on Eyenetics.net, she took faith into her own hands and illuminated the world with her light.
Happy Born Day to Supernova, and a blessed rebirth day to Ms. Lisa "Left Eye" Lopes. Our love for both is boundless and unconditional. You are forever our supernova! ˗ˏˋ ★ ˎˊ˗
India Mallard
Contributing Writer | She/Her/Hers
India Mallard (pronounced In-dee-uh Mal-erd) is a Hip-Hop and Black cultural archivist, an aspiring Hip-Hop appraiser, and a multimedia storyteller based in Maryland, USA. She grew up in a unique environment that combined the Tri-state area and the Dirty South, cultivating her innate cultural mosaic perspective. Mallard is an alumna of Bowie State University, the oldest Historically Black College and University (HBCU) in the state, where she earned her B.S. in Visual Communication and Digital Media Arts (VCDMA) with a concentration in Digital Cinema and Time-based Media. She is also notable for being one of three scholars who completed the Hip-Hop Studies and Visual Culture minor program, studying under the first female MC in Hip Hop history, MC Sha-Rock.
Additionally, Mallard owns and operates Soulful Haze, LLC, a multidisciplinary company that aims to connect generations in Black Culture and promote equality in the music and art enthusiast communities through research and archival services. The TB+PS (That Brain That Pac Sparked) blog and podcast, as well as her symposia efforts, are an embodiment of these efforts.
When not crate digging at her "wrecka stow" or browsing bookstores, India is actively involved in researching and writing essays on performing arts in the African diaspora, with a focus on film and Hip Hop culture. She is affiliated with organizations such as Women in Film, the Playwrights’ Center, the Association of Moving Image Archivists, the Hip-Hop Education Center, and the National Honor Society of Leadership and Success (NSLS).
Currently, India is a graduate student at the University of Maryland, College Park, pursuing her master’s degree in Library and Information Science and a certificate in Museum Scholarship and Material Culture while manifesting her multi-hyphenate dreams.
