portico.abierto

2008-06-10T10:17:00.000-07:00

Just How I Feel

I really love The Wiz! It is a shining example of Black creativity and art. It references cultural nuances that permeate my life. It retells the Wizard of Oz and relates it to the Black experience in a brilliant fashion. The original already has a strong political and social commentary, but the former is more relevant to my experience. Cabs that don't stop. Dancing graffiti. Crazy ass subway. Soulful crows. And Richard Pryor. Nuff' said. It also has protruding elements of positive thinking, which i think is interesting...that piece doesn't translate well into the Black experience. We(black folks and other folks of color) know that its more complicated than just willing your way into anything. But I found this political interpretation of the original characters that I found insightful and thought to myself how it would look for The Wiz. I don't have any thoughts yet, but maybe y'all do. Feel free to comment.

Dorothy: America, with its traditional values
Toto: Prohibitionist party (also called Teetotalers)
Scarecrow: western farmers
Tin Woodsman: industrial workers
Cowardly Lion: William Jennings Bryan
Munchkins: Citizens of the East
The Lollipop Guild: National Labor Union [Note: The Lollipop Guild does not appear in the book (see Chapter 2: The Council with Munchkins), only the 1939 movie by MGM.]
Wicked Witch of the East: Grover Cleveland
Wicked Witch of the West: William McKinley
Wizard: Marcus Alonzo Hanna
Oz: abbreviation for ounce of silver or gold
Yellow Brick Road: Gold Standard, established by William McKinley
Cyclone: economic panic following the Dust Bowl
Winged Monkeys: Plains Indians
Emerald City: Washington, D.C.
Emerald Palace: The White House
Silver Slippers: The silver coin system: Free Silver
Monkeys: child labor
Poppy Field: Rise of the Opium trade ring

Here's a little treat to help you get through the day:
Diana Ross & Michael Jackson - Ease On Down The Road

2008-06-08T10:41:00.000-07:00

Soul Glo Party

Enjoy the musical musings courtesy of DJ Flaco from our last installment!

Soul Glo Set Part 1- DJ Flaco

Soul Glo Set Part 2- DJ Flaco

2008-06-04T09:31:00.000-07:00

The Listening

I don't have much to say these days. I'm relatively happy. But I have to share that I've been listening to some amazing music lately. And I believe it is partially responsible for my happiness. Here are three albums(courtesy of Okayplayer.com) worth integrating into your life:

The Green Album
Appropriately timed, right on the heels of Al Green's new release Lay It Down, comes The Green Album put together by Omer Saar of UniverSOUL Productions. Using acapellas from MF Doom, Biggie, Jay Z, and De La Soul among others, Omer mashes up some of hip-hop's best with classic Al Green tracks. See after the click, where you can view the tracklisting before you download.

Wale: Mixtape About Nothing

Inspired by the Larry David produced 90s sitcom Seinfeld, Wale drops The Mixtape About Nothing today, mixed by Nick Catchdubs and presented by 10 Deep. Wale includes his Roots hit "Rising Up," also featuring Chrisette Michele, as the #2 joint on this mix. Good taste! The whole mixtape is hot, so download c/o elitaste and let that go-go inspired hip-hop hit you in the head.

Wayna - Higher Ground

.... the soulfully sophisticated sounds of Ethiopian-born, Maryland-based singer/songwriter Wayna’s new album Higher Ground might be so slick that no special dexterity be required to achieve auricular penetration. But once its sonics saturate your insides even the creakiest of joints should feel well lubricated and the many irritating frictions of life smooth to the touch...

(All text courtesy of Okayplayer.com)

2008-05-08T09:03:00.000-07:00

Throwback Thursday

Patra feat. Yo-Yo - Romantic Call

Notes: 1. Reggae videos from this era really exposed the world to dancehall choreography and movement vocabulary, truly impactful work. 2. This song/video captures the natural relationship between dancehall and hip hop. We know there were influences from the infancy of hip hop, but seeing the collaboration here, makes it more palpable. Gyals whinin', 6-4s and motorcycles--classic! 3. The tune is dope, hip hop inspired riddim with a great narrative to boot. Patra is in full form: raw, fly and unapologetic. 4. TUPAC is in the video!! Nuff said.

2008-05-02T09:15:00.000-07:00

Xaymaca: An Experience Part II
As promised I'm sharing few more snapshots from my visit to da Yard. Enjoy!

Da Yout' tryin' ta fool me..

Dunn's River Falls

Dunn's River Falls fa' real! Dope experience.

Only cuz he got peeling skills...Peruvian-style

Teachin' da youts how to mural...

2008-05-01T16:01:00.000-07:00

Quote of the Week
"I'm gonna give'em all money to buy tickets to Jerusalem so they can go bathe in the river Jordan, cuz they crazy!" (c) Ray Jean Knight

**My G-Mama in reference to my family's dysfuntionality. I love that woman...a true healer with a prescription.

2008-05-01T15:46:00.000-07:00

Throwback Thursday

Chuck Brown - Bustin' Loose

Notes: 1. I love Go-Go and this is a seminal cut by the Godfather of Go-Go, Chuck Brown. This track essential birthed a new genre. 2. The video isn't the best(layers and superimposition withstanding), but everybody is jammin', its a reminder of a time when dancing was popular among both men and women. 3. Undercelebrated, never duplicated, Chuck Brown(and Go-Go) remain fairly obscure. But this video is a time capsule of a genre still waiting to be properly honored--here's to posthumousity.

2008-04-24T13:54:00.000-07:00

Throwback Thursday

Lo-Key - I Got A Thang 4 Ya

Notes: 1. Mature and sexy...totally appropriate. 2. When Take 6 meets H-town. 3. Video(artistic direction) definitely captures the period a la BBD 4. The outro is bananas! Great vocal dexterity.

2008-04-22T10:37:00.001-07:00

Wish of the Day

I really wish I had this button in my office right about now.
Especially after reading your f*ckin' email.

But, I guess its best I didn't have it...I have too many Naomi Campbell moments.

f.negro/

2008-04-20T18:16:00.000-07:00

Sound Bite Sunday

I love Timba! So much that, seldom do I go through a day without hearing at least one Timba track. Timba is what many call Cuban Salsa, but its much more than that. I won't go into extreme detail here, but there are a few points of importance. Most know that what is now known as Salsa developed out of Cuban Son. Puerto Ricans in New York are responsible for the giving it the name and bringing it into the mainstream via Fania Records. But while Salsa in the U.S., Puerto Rico and elsewhere was developing, a similar musical style was evolving simultaneously, but independently. Timba developed out a Cuban Son as well, but it has had several other influences. Timba is also strongly influenced by Rumba, Cuban spiritual traditions(Yoruba, Carabali, etc.), Songo(Los Van Van), Latin Jazz(Irakere), Funk and Hip Hop. All of this is heard in the music and seen in the aesthetic of Timba. For all of these reasons and more I dig Timba; musically it is extremely rich, full of incredible polyrhythms, fantastic harmonies, unconventional chord changes.... it is just inspiring and intelligent music! Anyway, one of my favorite bands is Bamboleo. Mostly because Lazaro Valdes(Founder and Director) is funky as hell and has a profound understanding of musica bailable. While the roster has continued to change, like most Timba bands, the sound has remained somewhat consistent--driving, edgy, forceful and melodic. But in my opinion Bamboleo was at its height when they possessed the voices of Haila María Mompié and Vannia Borges, Haila in particular. With a powerful and soulful croon reminiscent of a young Patti LaBelle, Haila has the skill and charisma to match her tremendous beauty. She went on to do several other projects(e.g. Azucar Negra) and is still a relevant artist today. However, I believe her most valuable contributions are found in her Bamboleo discography. Here is a live performance, a brief comeback if you will, singing two Bamboleo classics: Con Un Canto Con El Pecho and Yo No Me Parezco A Nadie. Enjoy!

2008-04-10T01:22:00.000-07:00

Throwback Thursday

A Tribe Called Quest featuring Leaders of The New School - Scenario

Notes: 1. Inventive and Fresh: Challenged previous notions of video making 2. New Packaging: Redefined the structure and approach to the posse cut 3. Classic and Transformative: All 5 emcees are in rare form(especially Phife), but this is the true introduction of Busta Rhymes to the world. As a result Hip Hop, as we know it, is forever changed.

2008-04-07T03:31:00.000-07:00

The Lush Life

I live in the middle of no where. So there are moments when I wonder what the hell I'm doing here, and when the hell am I gonna liberate myself from this dysfunctional-ass, barren wasteland. Then I remember that (as always the case) this experience has purpose and that I should make the most of it. I learned long ago that even the most difficult and unlikely situation can be turned into a paradise of cultural and social intersection, and I've developed a knack for pulling it off (thanks Stillwater/House of Nubians). So, in honor of the (Social)Lush Life I thought it would only be fair for me to celebrate the success we've been experiencing.

A close friend (ethnomusicologist, fellow music enthusiast and astrological compliment, Flaco) and I would sit and rant about the need for an alternative social space which not only brought together a diverse group of folks, but also provided an outlet for an experimental musical experience. We would discuss the possibilities for a year with no result. Then I met another young professional( Emily) in the area who was on the same wavelength. We both had been building community, hosting random parties and functions, but we were also looking for some way to consolidate our respective networks. After brief discussion and a little footwork, we arranged to host a gathering at a local bistro & bar. The irony is that some 15 years ago a similar movement occupied the same venue, so it seemed timely and appropriate that we would resurrect that energy. With Flaco at the helm as DJ and the advertising efforts of Emily and myself, the first function(AfroFunk) was a success-- with a significant turn-out and phenomenal participation. So much that, the management of the bar wanted to have the events monthly. The next function(AfroReggae) grew in numbers and left an equally significant impression on attendees, which has brought us to date.

Now, I've always loved Stevie Wonder, and it turns out so did Emily and Flaco. As the musical director for these functions, I knew that eventually I wanted to do a tribute to the Wonder of Stevie. March would have been the ideal time being that that's the month of his birth, but it just didn't work out that way. This weekend is the Billsville Jazz Festival and really the first sign of Spring, so we thought it would be a great time to bring Mr. Wonder to the fore. I know that DJ Spinna & Bobbito have being doing these "Wonderfull" parties for some time(in NYC, LA, every-damn-where) and I've never been, but I've always imagined that it would be a sight to behold. Inspired partially by their genius, I decided to title our function, "Wonder-ful," my own cheeky way of respecting their creativity, but stating the obvious: the world has been transformed by this man, so a tribute party is not really all that original. I just wanna do my part in honoring his legacy, while trying to maintain the sanity of myself and others. If you're in the area, feel free to drop by(check flyer below). Or better yet do your own tribute to Stevie! I'm sure your neighbors/co-workers/children/friends or whoever is in the vicinity when you're paying homage will appreciate the beauty and funk(see: Tricia Rose)! Otherwise just enjoy this clip of Stevie live--at his best! This is my mantra for the upcoming week...I'm gonna need it.

Stay Suck Free- f.negro

Party Flyers:

2008-04-06T09:32:00.000-07:00

Sound Bite Sunday

As with most folks, my love affair with music is organized around memories: people, places, pain, joy, anger, genius, etc. I remember one of the first time's I feel in love with a band because of a woman. There was this sister named Fenyx who I was interested in at the time, and on her outgoing voicemail message was this song that always made me want to leave a message. The track was lush, jazzy, soulful and thematically rich. The lead singers' voices had such gravity that you couldn't help but listen and hope for more. I later found out that the group's name was Incognito. That was almost 10 years ago, to this day I'm still thankful for that sister's sophisticated musical tastes as they have continued to influence my listening choices and consumption.

This band has always touched me in very complicated and diverse ways, challenging and developing my emotional intelligence along the way. Hopefully, this introduction will open a similar portal for you. Please enjoy Still a Friend of Mine, one of my favorite tracks and in my opinion, Incognito at their finest--with Maysa Leak singing lead.

*Incognito are a British band, widely regarded as one of the key members of the English acid jazz movement. Throughout the band's history, it has been led and driven by composer, record producer, guitarist and singer, Jean-Paul 'Bluey' Maunick.

Incognito - Still A Friend of Mine

Stay Sucka Free,
f.negro

2008-03-14T13:00:00.000-07:00

Top Five Friday - Books This Year (So Far...)

1. Timba: The Sound of the Cuban Crisis by Vincenzo Perna

2. Sibusiso Mbhele and His Fish Helicopter by Koto Bolofo & Sibusiso Mbhele

3. An Unbroken Agony: Haiti, from Revolution to the Kidnapping of a President by Randall Robinson

4. Parable of the Sower by Octavia Butler

5. Darker Nations: A People's History of the Third World by Vijay Prashad

Do the knowledge and check one or two if you get a chance. Great reading!

f.negro

2008-03-14T12:59:00.001-07:00

Lykke Li - Little Bit

I just had to share.

2008-03-06T07:55:00.000-08:00

Bobby Brown - Get Away

Just because I know the feeling. Nothing like a lil Bobby to get you by.

2008-03-02T21:28:00.000-08:00

Sound Bite Sunday (part 2)

f.negro: Hi. My name is fidel and I am a new found house junkie...
HA(Housers Anonymous) attendees: Hiiiiiiiiiii fidel!!!!

Yes bloggership, I am in love with house music. This is relatively new for me, but I have been feeling the need to publicly own my passion for deep, soulful, beat heavy house! I came to house through a rather unconventional route. I first begin to listen to music that had been strongly influenced by house, namely South African Kwaito and Angolan Kuduro. Both of which are infectious and pulsating, popular dance music in their respective countries and region. I have some good friends from South Africa, Swaziland, Mozambique and Angola, they're truly the ones to blame for this unhealthy addiction that I have recently developed. Whenever I talk about house I feel the need to emphasize its origin in the Black community. As with most Black musical expression, house music has been appropriated and given a new face and cultural viability. Anyhow, I've chosen a couple cuts that speak to me. Whether you're a house-head or fairly new to the genre, I hope that you're able to appreciate.

Stardust was a one-time musical collaborative effort consisting of producers Thomas Bangalter, Alan Braxe and vocalist Benjamin Diamond. The short-lived group released the immensely popular club track titled "Music Sounds Better with You" in June 1998. The song, which is based around a sample from "Fate" by Chaka Khan, was an instant smash, and many have dubbed it the greatest house song of the millennium. It was recorded in Paris by Daft House productions, of which Bangalter, one half of the popular French house duo Daft Punk, is head. The song was conceived in Rex Club, Paris, where the trio were playing a live set. Bangalter and Braxe created the instrumental, which Diamond instinctively sang the title words over. The next day they laid down the track in the studio, adding the Chaka Khan sample. Enjoy this classic! Stardust - Music Sounds Better With You

Shaun Escoffery is a British Soul/R&B singer who collaborated with turntablists/producers DJ Spinna and Ticklah to recreate his already soulful tune, "Days Like This". DJ Spinna(born Victor Williams) a relatively underground DJ and producer is known for his experiments with hip hop, soul and funk. He has done a tremendous amount of work remixing artists such as Mary J. Blige and Stevie Wonder, but is probably most known for his contributions to the underground hip hop scene. That being said, this track comes as no surprise, but is in fact an incredible testament to his musical sensibilities. Victor "Ticklah" Axelrod is the keyboardist for afrobeat supergroup Antibalas, but is also known for his trans-genre production, working with the likes of Mark Ronson, Amy Winehouse and a number reggae artists too great to mention. Obviously this terrain is not unfamiliar to him either. So, please sit back and enjoy this new classic! Shaun Escoffery - Days Like This (DJ Spinna & Ticklah mix)

Stay Sucka-Free Y'all!

f.negro

2008-02-24T23:26:00.000-08:00

Sound Bite Sunday(part 1)

So, I'm sorry folks. I've been locked in the hyperbolic time chamber and have now emerged with some more biscuits(2) to share...I graduated from Oklahoma State University. There I met many of the folks that would eventually become my extended family. We were part of a small tightly-knit pan-African community that inadvertently responsible for my diverse and densely populated musical palette. One friend, in particular, was(and still is) largely responsible for developing and deepening my appreciation for reggae music--Ermias Wondimu. He helped me to understand the transcontinental importance of this expression, he helped me discover the political agency in the music, and lastly he helped me situate reggae in the dual consciousness of the African living and breathing diaspora. Now, before I met Ermi I listened to reggae, but did not realize the breadth nor the depth of the art form. From Wondimu I learned how to hear the difference between dancehall and ragga, roots and rocksteady, lover's rock and dub, and I'll be forever indebted to him for that. So courtesy of my Habesha brotha please, enjoy these biscuits from the Yard!

Gregory Anthony Isaacs (born 15 July 1950) is a Jamaican reggae musician. Isaacs was born in Fletchers Land, Kingston, Jamaica. In the 1970s, he emerged as one of the most prolific and popular recording artists in Jamaica. He released a number of self-produced singles on his African Museum (JA) record label, formed in 1973 with Errol Dunkley. Much of Isaacs' output reflected the 'conscious' themes of roots reggae, but Isaacs is probably better known for his lovers rock material. The 'Cool Ruler' never fails to creatively inject romance and tenderness into a tune with his honey-laced vocals. These tracks capture Issacs' ability to be delicate and firm. Gregory Isaacs - Special Guest Gregory Issacs - Body Language

Steel Pulse is a well-known roots reggae musical band. They originally formed at Handsworth Wood Boys School, in Birmingham, England and comprised of David Hinds (lead vocals, guitar), Basil Gabbidon (lead guitar, vocals) and Ronald McQueen (bass). Hinds, as songwriter, has always been the engine behind Steel Pulse, from their early days establishing themselves in the Birmingham club scene onwards. Formed in 1975, their debut release, Kibudu, Mansetta And Abuku arrived on the small independent label Dip, and linked the plight of urban black youth with the image of a greater African homeland. Their first release for Island was the Ku Klux Klan 45, a considered tilt at the evils of racism, and one often accompanied by a visual parody of the sect on stage. By this time their ranks had swelled to include Selwyn 'Bumbo' Brown (keyboards), Steve 'Grizzly' Nisbett (drums), Alphonso Martin (vocals, percussion) and Mykaell Riley (vocals). Handsworth Revolution was an accomplished long playing debut and one of the major landmarks in the evolution of British reggae. Pulse has always struck a chord with me because of their musical clarity and ability to perform fiery protest material. Hopefully these tunes will convey, in part, their profound impact on the genre. Steel Pulse - Ku Klux Klan Steel Pulse - Blues Dance Raid

Stay Sucka-Free Y'all,

f.negro

2008-02-17T21:09:00.000-08:00

Richard Pryor At His Finest

Just a reminder of why our comedians are important.

2008-02-10T11:00:00.000-08:00

Sound Bite Sunday

I grew up in Sand Springs, OK. A place where my appreciation for the blues was nurtured deliberately and inadvertantly. At this point in my life that appreciation has become a signifcant part of my identity as it reminds me of home, informs my world perspective and comforts me in those moments of frustration and despair. Because of my childhood experiences I've grown to enjoy bluesicians such as John Lee Hooker, Robert Johnson, Leadbelly and Muddy Waters, but that wasn't my generation of the blues. I was introduced to the blues through my constant visits to this juke joint down the street from my house called QV's(Queen Victoria and yes that was her legal name, gotta love Black folks). I loved going to QV's because they had a Ms. Pacman game, a pool table, a jukebox and some of the most colorful personalities ever! From Wayne Jenkins the most popular neighborhood wino to Baker the neighborhood womanizer(and father to some 10-20 children, no one really knows). QV's was a place where conflict was negotiated, a place where revenge was exacted, a place for celebration, a place to gamble, but most of all it was THE source of music during my adolescence. It was the only place to get the most up to date music from Hip-hop to R&B. But QV only had those tunes in the jukebox for us young folks who came to play Ms. Pacman and an occasional game of pool. For the most part she had the contemporary blues classics spinning. I'm talkin' 'bout Clarence Carter, Johnny Taylor, Bobby 'Blue' Bland, Millie Jackson, Tyrone Davis and Latimore. Yeah, those where the giants, but there are some signature tracks that define my experience in her juke joint. Hopefully y'all can appreciate these quintessential blues artists and tracks...

Arziel Hill (September 30, 1935, Naples, Texas — April 27, 1984, Dallas, Texas) known popularly as Z. Z. Hill, was a blues singer, in the soul blues tradition, known for his 1970s and 1980s recordings for Malaco. His Down Home Blues album (1982) stayed on the Billboard soul album chart for nearly two years. The title track was the best-known blues song of the 1980s.This track, plus the songs, "Someone Else Is Steppin In" and "Open House" have become R&B/Southern soul standards. Z.Z. Hill has been a integral part of my life soundtrack. Down Home Blues is a quintessential blues cut, rich with a classic bassline and incredible guitar solos. Z.Z.'s signature voice is gritty, passionate and provoking, easily inspiring the most sober of us to grab a fifth of Wild Irish Rose and find somebody to grind on. I only hope that this tune reminds you of or properly introduces you to one of the last great blues icons. Z.Z Hill - Down Home Blues

Milton "Little Milton" Campbell, Jr. (September 7, 1934 - August 4, 2005) was a blues vocalist and guitarist best known for his hits "Grits Ain't Groceries" and "We're Gonna Make It." Most popular in the sixties, he eventually became one of the lesser known greats of the genre, combining traditional lyrical structure with smoother production. Although Little Milton has greater notoriety for the aforementioned tunes, his 1984 classic "The Blues Is Alright" is somewhat of a modern anthem for the genre and briefly revived his career. If you've never heard the blues, this is a great place to start. Its uptempo, funky and emotional. Guaranteed to get any southern party jumping, listen to Little Milton and learn to testify. Little Milton - The Blues Is Alright

Stay Sucka-Free y'all...

f.negro

2008-02-09T03:39:00.000-08:00

Healing

I need some healing (Erykah Badu - The Healer). As I sit in this moment feeling abandoned, I wonder about my relationships. I question what is real, who is in my life without compulsion and what deserves to be edited. I've always had what I like to call a healthy paranoia, but that takes a lot of energy to maintain. However, the consequence of trust can sometimes be irreparable. A few weeks ago I posted a John Mayer video called, "In Repair." Somehow I never fully recovered from that situation and since then more has decided to pile. I am navigating the pain of betrayal. In my battle to fight the robots and vampires I have been confronted with the gross abuse of my commitment to that which is greater than myself and still stand alone...Again, holding the bag.

I appreciate all of my companero/as who have been there to urge my sanity and strength. I find solace in knowing that even in this hyper-reality there is still truth and love. That there is loyalty that supercedes the xeroxed interactions afforded by fuckery and duplicity.

In times like these I'm reminded of my purpose. And I'm reminded by the women in my life of what I must do. Here's to my conscious, the voice of sistas: healers, warrior-queens, lovers, historians, brokers of patience, liberators, mothers, educators, black, brown and beige you are.

Thank you for the reminder Mahalia and Duke-Black, Brown and Beige, Pt. 4 ( Come Sunday).

Stay Sucka-Free Y'all...please
f.negro

2008-02-04T17:52:00.000-08:00

Last Word(s) Before Super/Fat Tuesday (Si Se Puede!)

Right now Papa Legba is prolly visiting New Orleans as folks get ready for Mardi Gras. He'll remind the people of why Congo Square is important and how the spirit of revelers past must evoked. The Zulu Social Aid and Pleasure Club already feted....celebrating. The Mardi Gras Indians just now arriving, folks waiting to join the krewe. All the while the presidential race is a stewin'. I could use a piece of that celebration, so I'm going home to pay tribute in my on way and think about the potential consequences of tomorrow. Here's to choices, or at the least the illusion of them...

Stay Sucka-Free Y'all,
F.Negro

2008-02-04T17:47:00.000-08:00

Prince - The Beautiful Ones(Purple Rain)

So I was having a moment today..."a haunting musical tale of emotional longing and unrequited love." Can I find some of this? Just a gram.

2008-02-03T09:54:00.000-08:00

Sound Bite Sunday(s)

I am a knower that music is a vehicle and medium of change. Political, emotional, mental and spiritual change. It has this power to impact us on a subatomic level, transmitting beautiful and ugly notions alike. I prefer the former. So in honor of music's positive aesthetic and purpose, I would like to introduce Sound Bite Sunday. Every week I'll post some of the most delectable musical biscuits this quadarant of the galaxy. Old and new, domestic and international, all of which are suited to inspire and contribute to a more colorful and diverse musical palette.

I love soul and funk. These genres lay at the foundation of my childhood. My mama sings and my father was a musician, both are music junkies. So, this post is a tribute to their generation. A time when music was rich with good vibes, even if the lyrics were infused with pain and tumult.

Roy Ayers, vibraphonist and Jazz/Funk icon, has given the world an incredible soundtrack to live to. Although probably best known for tracks like Everybody Loves The Sunshine and Searching, I would argue that Running Away is one of his greatest contributions. From the first, "doo be doo/run, run.." it is impossible to be still. With an infectiously funky bassline, heavy polyrhythms and story of a one-sided love, the groove is clearly made for a disco crowd. But this cut is timeless, made for Sundays and moments of celebration. Take your time(slow load) and enjoy... Roy Ayers - Running Away

A fairly obscure funk and soul singer, George McCrae has a few tunes in his discography that apparently made a serious impact in the 70s, only one of which that I know. And the only reason why I know the tune is because of its heavy sample usage. Here' s my attempt to turn on the rest of the planet to Sir George and his undercelebrated genius. Check this cut and let me know if you can identify the (most popular) songs that used this sample... George McCrae - I Get Lifted

Until next time....Stay Sucka-Free y'all.

f.negro

2008-01-30T07:08:00.000-08:00

Harry and David Mystery(Hardy Boys?)

So, for the past couples weeks I been trying to figure out a mystery. I typically don't like such suspense, but this was situation was peculiar. Three weeks ago I received this big ass box. It had nothing on it except the names: Harry and David. I'm like who the hell is Harry and David, and what do they want?! Because, we know that often gifts have strings attached, especially from people we don't know. I was extremely slow to open the box, because I'm distrustful...I mean calculated like that. A week went by and I was like, f@ck it!, let's see what's up in this joint!. To my surprise there are all types of goodies...Milk Chocolate Truffles, Bing Cherry Chocolates, Mint Chocolates and Dark Chocolate Moose Munch(yeah I was like what the hell is that too!). Heavenly. I'm not a huge chocolate fan, but I occasionally have an ultra-sweet tooth, so it was right on time. I've shared with visitors who are almost always beyond satisfied. But there was something else in the box that made my month. There are certain items in the fruit family that just touch me in a special place because they remind me of my childhood, like plums and peaches. To my content there was three of the most beautiful PEARS I've ever seen in my life!!!!! Now, I STILL don't know who the hell sent the package, but I would like to thank them for the clandestine contribution to my happiness. So maybe y'all can help me figure this out, any thoughts? Any of y'all got clues or strategies of discovery that I can employ? I'm open to the possibilities.

**Questioning my sucker-free'ness since I fell for the okie-doke and took the bait.
f.negro

2008-01-21T05:27:00.000-08:00

Still Here
I’m tired. Only because I know what this really means.
Listening to the highly disregarded as there is conversation about …more nothing.
No meaning. No card carrying. Just more cotton silently being picked.
And we wear the bags with pride, possessing not even the decency to be indignant.

I’m exhausted from wondering when the alignment will be right for the shift to occur.
But until then… until then, there will only be more rape and disempowerment.
I’ll hold my dick hoping not to get lynched in the meanwhile.
Because we will be niggas until we collectively decide to be…*frustrated sigh*

Can We? Resist. Lament. Rage. In Cage?
My friend is afraid of the water, the air and the stare--so where will she find the gall to say:
“fuck you, I’m not your slave!”?
Not in Essence, or on Oprah, or at Berkeley. We are industrial.

You’ve been programmed. Wake up. We miss you. Why are you/we still here?

In Memoriam: Martin Luther the Kang, Andy Palacio.

2008-01-21T04:11:00.001-08:00

Podcast Junkie?
If you haven't checked the Rappers I Know Podcast(volumes I-IV), ya slippin', sleepin' and doing ya'self a serious injustice. Always refreshing and musically kaleidoscopic(werd?), Kay and the crew keep me engaged. And although these podcasts are nothing more than digital mixtapes, it still feels dope when I'm rockin' out like Bilal and The Flaming Lips-just imagine.

Sidebar: If you think your horribly transparent attempts to be disengaged are worthwhile, feel free. I still reserve the right to balk at them wolf tickets you trying to sell.

**Sucker-free, continually
F.Negro

2008-01-15T01:33:00.000-08:00

Morning Glory II

So I was inspired by my sister this morning. I read her blog last night and it made me think,"how have I been spending my mornings?" I too live really close to my job and I too take my sweet ass time getting to work. However, my mornings are typically a lot less productive than my dear sibling's. But this morning I woke up with purpose. And here's what I did:

Ijuba(prayer)
Put on Rappers I Know Podcast Volume I, which is a wonderful way to ease into the day.
Busted some suds, those dishes had been calling.
Reorganized my closet and prepped laundry.
Packed my lunch(Sauteed Mango Pasta..mmmm).
Finished acquiring the afro-latin music collection of Mr. Niko Laboy(gracias sir!).
Finished watching Venezuela Rising.
Shaved, took a shower.
Made breakfast.
Did lesson plan for dance class.
Screened Bomba Video Montage.

all before 9:30am....thanks for the inspiration sis!

2008-01-12T04:05:00.000-08:00

Casual Theatre

For those who don't know I'm a junkie of the Arts, especially the Performing Arts. So, recently I had the opportunity to coordinate a cabaret, which turned out to be more of a culture cauldron/variety show then a cabaret. It was our experiment in casual theatre, providing an informal space for artists to share their work. And it was a huge success! With almost 20 acts and close to 100 people in attendance, I would say there is still a place for creative expression in the form of performance.

There was everything from Flamenco to Spoken Word and Beat Boxing to Tango. The highlight of the night for me, though, was the tribute to Donny Hathaway. One part poetry, one part music, the suite was my way of publicly thanking Mr. Hathaway for providing healthy examples of Black male vulnerability. And subsequently expanding my definition of manhood. Art truly inspires. Pay attention world.

**Stay Sucka Free,

F.Negro

(photo credit: M.Sanchez)

2008-01-11T10:55:00.000-08:00

Freaky Friday

It is Friday and I don't wanna work. But I feel like writing...or at least posting some randomness. So here are a few things:

The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) is calling on artists of conscience to wear orange as we demand the closing of the prison at Guantánamo Bay and an immediate end to six years of injustice. How can we stand by and allow such corruption and bigotry to masquerade as justice. Read more. And remember Free the San Francisco 8!

Where the hell is D'Angelo?! I don't know about the rest of the world, but I'm in need of a D'Angelo album. I know he's had his substance abuse issues and run-in's with 5-0(does this sound like another Marvin Gaye story?), but he needs to get his shit together because the world is falling apart in his absence. Soon recovery black man, please go ahead and drop another musical biscuit.

In other news, why the f@ck?! is every body jocking Rihanna? Is having a 'Badian songbird that much of a novelty that the planet needs to pause and reverse direction to accommodate her presence? She has a big ass fo'head and sounds like she's sangin' through a starburst wrapper. Let it go folks, let it go"...and just walk away" (c) Ed, Love Jones

Lastly, does Team Obama really have a chance? I'm curious to know what folks think. After the caucuses I have mixed readings, but I love the thought of a co-presidential structure. The balance would be phenomenal. Oh, what y'all that Barack was running alone? Shiiiiiiiit. Michelle is gonna be telling whoever, to do whatever, whenever and however she wants...unapologetically. Only because she has the political sophistication and courage to do so. Let Team Obama get up in there and watch the world change or at least 1/4 of it.

In Heavy Rotation: The Legend of Bobby P-Soundtrack(www.myspace.com/themodvillians)

The Call to Activism
1. Malcolm X: "Time To Stop Singing"
2. Goodie Mob - Free
3. Freestyle Fellowship – Inner City Boundaries
4. Black Ice – The Path

The Mission
5. Jeru the Damaja – Can't stop the prophet
6. Nas – Revolutionary Warfare
7. Malcolm X: "Anybody Can Sit"
8. De La Soul – Trying
9. Omega Watts – Mind Power
10. Brand Nubian - Love vs. Hate
11. Kathleen Cleaver: "Equal Rights"

The Message
12. Public Enemy – Gotta Give the People What they Want
13. Umi – Fuck A Stereotype
14. Scienz of Life – Still Standing
15. KSalaam – To The Rescue
16. Dead Prez – Walk Like Warrior
17. KSalaam - Cardinal

The Outcome
18. Dead Prez – Happiness
19. Huey Newton: "We Are One"
20. X-Clan: Culture United

Until Next Time.

**Stay Sucka Free and away from Rihanna(Knock-Off Beyonce of the Year)

F.Negro

Just How I Feel*

2008-01-04T03:24:00.001-08:00

Welcome 2008. It appears that there is, yet still, more work for me to do. Thank you, but I need an exit...already.

Tryin' my damndest to stay sucka free...
f. negro

*This is a live performance of In Repair by John Mayer from his Continuum album. (September 13, 2006-Webster Hall, NY)

2007-12-26T00:19:00.000-08:00

Anticipating Act II: Patents of Nobility(The Turn)

As far as I'm concerned, for all intents and purposes, Hip Hop has long began its (commercial)funerary march. Not that there isn't a roster of artists who are challenging the status quo or thinking critically/creatively about how use the art form, but the industry provides the illusion that this is so--and we know perception is reality. Obviously we're not talking about the Talib Kweli's, The Roots, Mos Def's, Common's, Lupe Fiasco's and the Kayne West's who are unafraid to stand alone AND have cache. I'm talking about the others like: K'naan, Amanda Diva, Umi and Krukid who by in large are outside of the the general public's musical margins and are consequentially silenced. This means how we think about expression/existence has been reduced to this monocular perspective. I find that problematic and saddening. Problematic in that it stifles the way in which we dream and (re)invent ourselves. If Young Jeezy, Lil Wayne, 50 cent, T-Pain and Jay-Z are the only accessories* we have for identity and self-concept formation then there are some serious issues. I find it saddening because it is humanistically and artistically negligent to not create access to expression(s) that inspires something more than consumption and material acquisition. Not that I don't understand where those values are coming from or that I question its validity, but in addition to that perspective there have to be options which are just as visible and accessible. That's why I would like to introduce to Jay Electronica.

A fairly obscure m.c. with an underground-cult following, Jay E. is evaporating all notions of what is Hip Hop. His first 'official' offering was Act I: Eternal Sunshine(The Pledge), which is his unconventional attempt to redefine the hip hop track. The content is dense, the delivery is strategic and the production is peculiar, yet hypnotizing. When listening I found that I had to use a different set of ears(and a different part of my mind for that matter) to fully appreciate his approach(it seems more like a suite than a song, all courtesy of Eternal Sunshine Of The Spotless Mind). Jay Electronica is not for everybody, but he is an example of the possibilities that have yet to be explored. Unfortunately, most of the world will never become acquainted with his work. But I and the rest of the okayplayers will be anticipating his next taste of mind-enthralling inspiration. Here’s to the resurrection(of Hip Hop that is)! Do the knowledge, then act like ya’know!

**Stay Sucka Free!
F. Negro.

* I deliberately use the word accessory, because in no way whatsoever should hip hop be completely responsible for such development, but to ignore its power and presence is simply naive.

2007-12-21T01:16:00.000-08:00

[Note to self and those who have been drinking, et al. : I am a thief. Only because I knew you would second guess your offering. I had to take it. It belonged to me, and now...]

I am editing my life ad nauseam,
but while sitting in emotional diffusion
I find you inside this moment.
Reminding me of life’s elegance,
kissing me with your essence.
But you can never know,
because it is in conflict with our existence.

Incandescent is your contribution
colliding with my dysfunction, balancing me along.
But I want to shepherd your imagination to my world
where we can muse and fuse, inculcating the darkness
with wine truths that intoxicate our improper reality.
Recovering the tastes from our past lives together, re: live.
How else can we connect so? There has to be history,
intangible, allusive and celestial as it may be.
Even in our most tenuous of breaths, I am secure
and connected to the purpose of this time phrase.
Hoping to never exhaust the invention of our interface,
I remain open to its spiritual notions.
Unsaid and unheard, but felt and uncurbed.
Even though, you can never know.

I stand present, in defiance of what is unpopular
yet in congruence with Vadzimu’s choreography,
allowing our spirits to be conflated ad infinitum.
Let us share our residuals with the emotionally destitute,
maybe we can replenish the barren and disenchanted.
Or inspire a new calendar of moons for Hyacinth flowers to bloom.
Either way you can never know, because I am a thief.
I have stolen the moment to (re)communicate
that my heart is in your possession.
Hopefully you will be at the next train stop,
still fighting my procrastination.

2007-12-20T17:31:00.001-08:00

Anti-Requiem:
Sun Ra’s Space Is the Place

I recently had the distinct pleasure of screening Sun Ra’s Space Is The Place (1974). Populated with layers and layers of philo-spiritual commentary and black liberation imagination, this film constructs a hyper-intelligent musical experience that makes it worth adding to the must-see-list.

Plot Summary: Sun Ra lands his spaceship in Oakland, having been presumed lost in space for a few years. With Black Power on the rise, Ra disembarks and proclaims himself "the alter-destiny." He holds a myth-vs-reality rap session with black inner-city youth at a rec center, threatening "to chain you up and take you with me, like they did you in Africa" if they resist his plea to go to outer space. He duels at cards with The Overseer, a satanic overlord, with the fate of the Black race at stake. Ra wins the right to a world concert, which features great performance footage of the Arkestra. Agents sent by the Overseer attempt to assassinate Ra, but he vanishes, rescues his people, and departs in his spaceship from the exploding planet Earth (The Internet Movie Database).

But the strength of this film note is better understood in the context of Robin D.G. Kelley’s Freedom Dreams: The Black Radical Imagination. In this text amongst other topics, Kelley explores the value of the Afrofuturist/Interstellar Movement initiated by Sun Ra and his “Arkestra” and later joined by Parliament/Funkadelic and the “Mothership Connection”. Both of which indicate and address the protracted need within the Black community to escape the present society for something better, an alter/destiny. Kelley escorts the importance of redefining freedom and provides further examples of those who desired, “to escape the wretchedness of daily life through music” such as: Lee Scratch Perry(The Black Ark Studios), X Clan(Exodus in a pink Cadillac…), Afrika Bambaataa(“Planet Rock,” Soul Sonic Force) and Arrested Development (“break / outta of the country / and into more country”). I find it fascinating(though not surprising) that Black popular culture occupies the seat of radical imagination and resistance and am thankful for Robin D.G. Kelley’s contribution, but where are my other non-academic contemporaries who are thinking critically about these issues? How can we (re)read more recent expressions that possess similar elements of freedom-seeking? I think Sun Ra has a clue: "Equation wise, the first thing to do is to consider time as officially ended. We work on the other side of time. We bring them here, through either isotope teleportation, transmolecularization, or better still, teleport the whole planet here ... through music." Let’s revive Bro. Ra and his imagination. Right on to the real/reel!

**Stay sucka free!

F.Negro

Discovering Rumba*

2007-12-03T11:07:00.001-08:00

For the past year and a half I have been exposed to a battery of traditions from the African Diaspora that to date had only been noteworthy pages in the many books that I decided to consume in an effort to expropriate some cultural material/capital. Traditions that have been on the periphery, at best, in the Black(African) experience in the U.S., but are connected in very intimate ways nonetheless.

I'm speaking specifically of the Afro-Cuban cultural palette. Without going into great detail, Cuba has been in conversation with the U.S. since the first slaves arrived in the western hemisphere. Most of which were negotiating this new space by preserving, modifying and syncretizing spiritual systems and social traditions in an attempt to respond to a moral and cultural imperative that urges those with any ethnic foundation(e.g. Yoruba, Carabali, Arara, Bantu-Congo) to maintain those traditions to the best of their ability. We see elements of this throughout the Diaspora whether it shows up in Jazz, Spiritual Baptists, Timba, Reggae, Gaga, Candomble, Cumbia or Zouk.

Lately, I've been deeply exploring the Cuban component of these retentions thanks to the many new acquaintances and companions I've made as a result of my current employment situation. And it has been rewarding in ways that words can't capture! It speaks to a place in my spirit that was severely neglected until now. Prior to my recent contact I knew about Cuba through my spiritual practices and my interest in Latin dance, but never had any direct contact with Black Cubans or those who were custodians and purveyors of Afro-Cuban culture. Amongst other things, I've had the opportunity to learn how to play Bata, which for spiritual reasons has been and will continue to be crucial to my development, but I want to dedicate this blog entry to an expression that has slowly captured my attention: Rumba. Rumba emerged in the 19th century as a secular dance and music among Black Cubans from various ethnic groups, including: the Lucumi (Yoruba), Abakua (Carabali), Arara (Dahomey) and other Bantu related groups. Both sacred and secular traditions of these groups influence Rumba, especially the Abakua and Bantu forms such as Yuka and Makuta. There are three main types of Rumba: Yambu, Guaguanco and Columbia.

But why the hell am I writing about this?! Well, because I feel Rumba has created a space for me to re-imagine life. It challenges pedestrian notions of existence, in that, Rumba with its transnational presence transforms once sterile space(physical, mental, spiritual, political) into a dense, dialectic composite of identity in constant maintenance and (re)construction. Rumba urges me to think about how I relate to myself, which subsequently informs how I relate to the world. This I gather even though I don't fully understand it conceptually, musically or choreographically. Regardless of that I found this message, my discovery, critical and important enough to share. So, if you get a minute explore Rumba. It may touch you as well. But for now, enjoy the clip above. Roman Diaz, Pedrito Martinez and Alfredo Diaz rumbeando for a good friend of mine on her birthday. I thank her for being a crucial conduit in my discovery of Rumba. Gracias Berta!

**Stay sucka free!

F.Negro
*This is a Rumba at Berta Jottar's house celebrating her birthday on Ojo-Obatala. (Williamstown, MA-September 24, 2007)

2007-09-16T09:19:00.000-07:00

THE BLUES*
From Jena 6 to San Francisco 8...and Megan Williams

It appears that justice has a propensity for miscarriage when it comes to us(and other historically oppressed peoples for that matter). The elders and da yout' dem. How is it that we sit still while such bullshit parades as reality? Furthermore, how is that we allow such characterizations and injustices to occupy the periphery? And I'm not talking about the simple issues of why isn't this on CNN or Fox, I'm talking about our everyday conversations. We seem to be more "interested" in celebreality and entertainment. If I hear one more reference to the 50 cent-Kanye West soundscan battle I'm gone burn a muthafucka up. I'm serious! I mean other than those two and their respective music companies, who gives a damn who sells the most records? I'm inclined to believe that that information will not significantly impact anybody's life. And someone may retort that the Jena 6(5) and San Francisco 8 cases don't mean shit to them, but I would ask those skeptics to think about how easily that could be them or someone they love. Being falsely criminalized is something that happens daily to Black folks, especially those with something meaningful to say and action to back it up(please click San Francisco 8 link above). But how flagrant it is for these young brothas to even be imprisoned, facing up to 100 years for a fuckin' fight is beyond words. How the fuck do you turn a high school fight into attempted murder?! Asinine. But it is refreshing to see community members, activists, academicians, artists, and students respond to these issues. Because it seems we forget real quick what happens when the world doesn't give a damn about you because of how you look, what you think, where you live, etc(It feels like Katrina happened 50 years ago). But the vanguard is still reminding us and speaking loud about these atrocities, like the Mighty Mos Def on Bill Maher: click here! And to add fuel to the fire, there is the Megan Williams case, where a young sista was tortured and raped in West Virginia. Please click here to learn about this horrific story. It seems that while we have so much to be happy and grateful for, there is much to be upset, pissed off and indignant about. Look folks, while we stay seated the world is happening and instead of sufferin' and shmilin' we need to get up and bust a grape!! Sign a petition, tell a friend, send an email, donate, whatever--just do something! Remember: silence is consent.

Until next time y'all stay sucka free,

F. Negro

*The Black News = The Blews(The Blues)

2007-09-13T05:27:00.000-07:00

Test(icular.)
Not a champion, but a professional-I have learned to disengage and run like the best of 'em. I'm tired now, have been for quite some time. Unable to find justifiable reasons anymore, because the hedge of illusion has been removed. Talked to a friend yesterday who told me he was getting married, I aptly replied: "Shut the f@ck up!" Only because I never thought I would see the day that he committed himself to something more than himself and his career. After that conversation I was left numb--thinking about all that I lose sight of much too easily. I wonder about being Him for you and what that would entail. Is that the next step to take? All of this lip service I've given about being loved unconditionally and when those conditions are present I become callous or distant, as if I'm protecting myself. From what I'm inclined to ask, but that wouldn't be authentic nor original. I am a conservative monogamist by chart, however it appears that there are some latent fears that override my inheritance. There is a piece of history that I have yet to fully come to terms with, and it continues to neutralize my passion for risk. Disallowing my heart to discover freedom again *sigh1*.

i want to spend my words wisely, writing for you melodies

that appeal to your sense of sound and sweetness.

discarding your reservations of the unknown.

editing the reality that you have so uncomfortably sewn.

i want to be that renewal that sustains commitment and desire-

that renewal which repopulates your spirit with infants of inspiration...

so that we may grow and develop a family of artists

destined to change this quadrant of the cosmos.

Somehow I'm dissatisfied with the way I breathe these days, the air is absent of your fragrance. What if I see you again so that my asthma can be cured? *sigh2* I often wonder if you have the fortitude to deal with my nonsense and pathology--or are you misinformed about who I am. How can I lie despondent when the architect of hope rests in the balance of our dreams? I can deliberate over those questions no longer. I need to either take the damn exam or walk away a la David Ruffin. Be brave and defy logic, odds, enemies and fuckery.

2007-09-10T07:29:00.000-07:00

Re: Birth

So I'm a horrible blogger. I always manage to busy myself with other random projects like: rehearsal, work, sitting on my porch, thinking...you know--life. But I felt compelled today. I am moving closer to 30 and had the opportunity to celebrate my bornday with some beautiful folks--my new extended family. It was a wine and waffle party, inspired by one friend and reimagined by another. I also received some very thoughtful and provocative gifts via snail mail(gotta love that shit!). All of which I want to publicly thank everyone for--rather your contribution was direct or indirect!![Question 1: Are you still in/out my life for the reasons you entered?]

This time of year is always sensitive for me, because (re)birth is a delicate moment in life. It is the period were we (re)enter this space and contribute our concentrated molecules to the socio-spiritual ecology of the planet/universe. The world is altered as a result and subsequent events work to continue the universal balancing. It is an honorable day for most, but for me it can be a bit of tear-jerker. I feel that I'm still reconciling...My need to finish healing my relationship with my biological parents is an issue that is illuminated ever year at this exact time. In fact, this year was the first time that my father EVER told me happy birthday! I'm still not sure how I feel about it...I'll have to get back to you. [Question 2: How do you heal/reconcile that which has produced so much pain?]

There are some that I care about who I didn't hear from and it made me wonder, has the season of our relationship passed? Is it worth broaching the topic? Or am I just overreacting?....truly a reflective day. There was a rush of emotions, traversing the continuum from sad to mad, happy to excited, dispossessed and tenuous--explosive and exhausting yesterday was(in my gangsta Yoda voice). That's why I sat/laid on my couch the WHOLE day. [Question 3: Where is this going?The way I feel about you is undeniable, even though its not always communicated clearly. Sorry, I know I'm fucked up, but I hope you find what you're looking/waiting for. I hope we find it simultaneously]

This year I want to love myself again. I want to love my family & friends more. I want to love HER better. I want to kiss the soil of my fore bearers. I want to remember/be reminded of/pay attention to why I am HERE everyday. I want to have my grits with catfish. I want to continue becoming the man that my grandfather raised me to be, that my father wanted to be, that my brother admires in me. I want to be fearless, passionate and purposeful. And I want to learn how to live the life my ancestors prayed/wished/hoped for me. I just want to BE THANKFUL! I learned that from a Fallen Angel, obrigada.

Until next time--stay sucka free.

F.Negro

2007-07-23T19:47:00.000-07:00

Reconciling the Path's Heart, pt. 1

"...Black men in America are being removed from the earth like loose sand in a wind storm..." ~Haki Madhubuti

....I divined for him, casting the Obi Abata, Akorani: A quarrel or difficult situation. Amosun has been fatherless for too long and now the shadow has displaced the sheet of tears once visible by shades of the sun. In the mirror, his stained face conjures memories of the missteps made while negotiating his manhood, pillaging the path. He celebrates the young warriors turned pimps and thugs, while basking in the absence of balanced love. The same balanced love that inspired his conception, that same balance of earth and wind that was once a harness for his strength, but are now weapons for his labyrinth. That charming ambiguity of his used to disarm all who dare to navigate its tangled roads without first acquiring a legend or without leaving three pennies for Latopa--the gatekeeper. He has learned to exploit the insecurities of those intrigued. Through self-discovery he observed that everyone has a void waiting to be plenished and most often welcomes unassuming, yet foreign solutions. This is a skill he inherited from his father. I asked Amosun did he find it ironic that even in his father's absence he managed to adopt the same traits that characterize his forebear, he replied "Irony don't mean shit, why resist your destiny?" He continued, "I'm not here for you to ask them questions, just tell me if it is safe for me to travel to Maputo or not." He wanted to visit a friend who spoke endlessly about the opportunities in Moçambique. The need for financial infrastructure(i.e. money laundering), the beautiful women and the bountiful land, all of which were all attractive enough for him to relocate forever. It also offered a welcomed change to the concrete cage that informed his lifestyle and worldview: Paterson, NJ.

I told him that going to Maputo was not such a wise choice right now, but that he should seek further counsel. He wasn't pleased to hear that, because that meant soliciting the services of Ifalodun Amusan, my father. My father always liked Amosun and treated him as his own son. I'm sure that's one of the main reasons why Amosun became part of the Ile. Being that my father was a babalawo, an olubata and overall a well-respected elder in the community, he functioned as a surrogate father to many of the young Black men in our community. For reasons I could deduce, he was hesitant to seek guidance from my father in this matter because he knew that my father would ask questions that, out of respect, Amosun would be compelled to answer. Instead, he came to me.

He would regularly ask me to divine for him, but my inquiries would routinely be dismissed. According to Amosun friends shouldn't broach such topics and those who do border suspicion. So, normally I would ask without prying, but this circumstance required deliberate thought and action. That being the case, after reading the Obi I pushed the questions and once again he disregarded my inquiry. I urged Amosun to speak with my father, because his situation warranted greater spiritual technology. Since I'm just an apprentice and not fully initiated, my father's the only person in north Jersey who can be of use. Amosun knows this, but doesn't want to be held accountable for his intentions.

2007-07-21T13:24:00.000-07:00

What Ever Happened To Billy Ocean?

So, for those who don't know I am an okayplayer, which means I frequent the website founded by The Roots' musical director, Ahmir "?uestlove" Thompson. But more than that, being an okayplayer is a way of life...I'll save that for another entry. Anyway, this is one of my favorite places to peruse and discover new artists, books, movies, etc. They support a host of my most loved artists and their message boards always generate interesting and often comical discussion. Today, I was taking full advantage of the overwhelming amount of idle time I had on my hands and decided to go to okayplayer.com and see what was new. I came across a strand on the message board that said: Billy Ocean. Trini-born and UK's biggest selling Black artist of all time, he is most remembered for his song "Caribbean Queen", which you can find here.
I love that song, my mama played the hell out of that record and "When The Going Gets Tough". What's interesting though is that originally the song was titled European Queen, but Clive Calder(Jive Records) thought it would "sound more exotic and appeal to a wider audience," if Billy was talking about a Caribbean Queen or an African Queen(which was recorded as well)... [silence]...no comment. Either way, I had an image in my mind about what Billy O. looked like. After seeing my mama's beat up Love Zone album cover like 126 times, I had that jheri curl and smile etched into my memory, securing Billy Ocean as the quintessential UK Black pop artist forever, in my mind. What was striking to me about the strand on the okayplayer message board was that someone commented that Billy Ocean was now a Rasta. I froze for a moment and thought about that, tried to imagine Billy as a Rasta....THIS is what is what flash figurizes in my mind when I think Rasta and not that there is anything essential about being a Rasta other than the belief in the principles peculiar to that spiritual system. But....Billy Ocean?!?! It just rocked me. However, it touched me that that brother found solace in this spiritual tradition after being consumed by the commercial music industry machine. It is a testament to our constant evolution as humanoids galavanting the planet in search of something more. Here's to new and life-altering/affirming experiences. Thanks Billy O. !

2007-07-19T23:29:00.000-07:00

Emotion Emigrant.

"Now, I dun made up my mind and I won't be moved on dis."

(c) Lazarus, Black Snake Moan.

I need to leave this place(the Republic of Emotionality) only because it makes it impossible to live a productive life. Being purged from someone's life is painful, much more painful than words allow our thoughts to commit to. And what's more, is that voidance reverberates for life encounters to come. It appears that there is a movement developing at this very moment, one of which I never had the foresight to predict or imagine. There is a concerted effort-by those who have occupied my life in some capacity or another- to evacuate and abandon the relationship I have with them. An odd phenomenon. Only because this vacancy calls to question how such an event can happen and not be connected to an elusive message/truth that I'm ignoring about myself. And I'm searching, wondering how I have traversed a path that begets such emotional violence. I feel like I must have been/am a relationship terrorist. That's my only explanation for being removed from the respectful commentary of someone's life. Destroying the lives of those I encounter with malice and blatant disregard for the moral imperative that should govern all human interactions. Maybe I have yet to honestly observe the palpable humanity of those I consider to be close to me. Maybe I have yet to act in that vein, failing to actively honor someone's worth strikes me as being more criminal(thus more punishable) than being ignorant of it.

This reminds me of a piece I wrote called Mr. Unspecial. It came at time that was somewhat similar, in that it was a moment of evacuation. These experiences always manage to organize themselves around extremely imperfect conditions, as if the universe is waiting until you're off balance to catastrophically disrupt/alter your life. While there is infinite value in the growth that is consequential to these episodes, the exhaustion and relationship death are not tangential. In fact, they are unredemptive and impossible to totally recover from.

So in my mind, it is logical to abandon my emotionality for a more rational state of being--read stoic. Why continue to submit yourself to experiences that torture essential aspects of your being--f*ck that, it's insanity. So I'm packing my bags and I'm emigrating to a new emotional(or lack thereof) home. I'm thinking this self-imposed exile will disparage any newcomers, saving my corner of the cosmos from the impending spiritual combustion. The universe has more than enough nebulous matter without the addition of my dysfunctional contribution.

2007-05-16T20:03:00.000-07:00

I dream all the time, but I never write'em down. A friend of mine used to always tell me to start a dream journal, but I'm too stubborn...and lazy. I think my dreams are becoming increasingly more insightful, with the intent to inform my life path. I dreamt about my uncle just now(i know, i know napping this late, but i've been in a damn airport for two days!). The thing that stood out the most in the dream was that my uncle's brother was trying to share his perspective on my uncle's life. It always interesting how those around us can have a grossly inaccurate idea of who we are and refuse to hear anything contrary. In that whole dream as my uncle's brother was telling HIS story, my uncle was nodding in disagreement. Like, "how could you have fucked up this story so bad?!" I feel like that sometimes. A lot of times. It is hard to be something outside of the constructs that those around you create and that sometimes we create for ourselves. We want to fulfill the expectation, we want to stick to the script. Because otherwise we are hypocrites, negligent, "not being ourselves" and a list of other stuff. That is a hard life to live, but we do it everyday. We perform our identities, philosophies, worldviews, loves, passions, interests, etc. And when we don't the world is like, " what's wrong? are you ok?" or "who the hell are you?" or "i can't believe you, fuckin' shakara[see Fela]!" This is a stressful life and somehow we always manage to race to increase the number of stress springs in our life. I am on a detox program however. Yep, the poisons have started to ooze out. So, now I want to rewire my mind. You know, upgrade and diversify my life by developing an imagination circuit. I know that sounds a little post de facto, but I think that mechanism is imperative to my life RIGHT NOW. I just finished a book by Kurt Vonnegut(whom I never read) called "A Man Without A Country". It is this witty, satirical and critical compilation of musings from a somewhat disaffected and cynical German-American author. He talks about how we no longer have to develop this imagination circuit because we're handed thoughts, art, and creative expression in a package. So when we see a face, we just see a face. When those with an imagination circuit would see a face, they would see a face with stories. I feel like somebody stole my imagination circuit, so instead of trying to locate the culprit, I'm gonna just build a new one. How ya like them apples? Because I think that circuit is important in helping me discover how I'm gonna love, live and more importantly be free. I can tell you all day what freedom isn't, but I struggle like a brand new mute trying to communicate what I envision freedom to be. I probably couldn't write a simple short story to save my life, because I have learned to rely so heavily on creative/artistic technology(i.e. movies, television), which makes you a lazy thinker. I want to dream newly and not feel like I have to follow a script. I want to embrace my newly discovered identity as an artist and share my gifts so that they may inspire. I want to help imagine>create>produce a world that my great grandchildren and they're contemporaries can live in where they don't have to struggle and fight, but if they do they'll know how to do it creatively and with dignity.... Damn. Gil is speaking so clearly, no oatmeal there.
Until next time,
Stayin' sucka free and dreamin' of freedom at the same time!

2007-03-17T11:23:00.000-07:00

Dear Me,

It has been a such a long time since i've been honest with you. So long that i don't think you listen anymore...i wonder if anyone listens anymore though, but that's just because i've been trying to forget...that's another conversation. i just wanted to let you know that i have blood on my hands. blood from the sociopathic murder spree that i've been on the past 3 months. stabbing and strangling the relationships that have meant the most to me.....until irreparable damage has been done-relationship murder in the 1st degree. family, love, friends, career--fuck it, none of it has mattered. just my need to abandon muthafuckas the same way that everyone else has exited my life when it was convenient. i'm tired of being there for everybody....i'm tired of absorbing the poison from everybody else's life. i'm dying inside from the vat of the toxins that resides comfortably in my heart. The vat that has ALL of the shit that the world decided to give to me as a gift. The gift that has been enriching my human journey, helping to calibrate my world perspective. i'm sorry but the world and everybody in it can kiss my ass right about now. and yes Me too, you've been nothing more than a source of stress, attempting to be a voice of reason and balance, forcing me to be everything to everybody. i'm so tired of your childish efforts to impact and love, fight and cry for people who are really not interested in your insignificant thrusts at altering the planet. yeah, i've had enough of that. So, i think it's time for you to find a new address, because you're not welcome here anymore. it's time for me to be a little more selfish and you're impeding the progress. You have official been served. You have 48 hours to get all your shit up outta here; the Cocoa Butter and incense, Cheikh Anta Diop and Edwidge Danticat books, the Steel Pulse and Public Enemy cds, the Ashra Kwesi and John Henrik Clarke videotapes.....yeah, take all that bullshit somewhere else. I'm getting back to basics. Giving a fuck takes way too much energy i find, so this is the most effective course of action. Shouts out to all those who help me make this decision, you know who you are! It has been quite a struggle, but now i'm really free. i don't know what the hell i was talkin' bout before. slave this and that, shit i am going to take my proud place in the realm of Niggadom and call it a life. This is my bona fide goodbye to Me and everybody else who loved and appreciated his ass, that nigga is leaving.

2007-01-04T12:13:00.000-08:00

Standing in Ibo Landing

You make me blue. Like the color of my blood before it oxygenizes. And I pass tense to cast my line of confusion because it is too intense to bear. I listen to you. In my dreams of freedom you talk shit like a rogue angel looking for the revenge God wouldn’t grant you the courtesy of exacting. Sometimes I don’t know what you want though, because while I should have knowledge of your thoughts through understanding, I resist the process on some level because I still wonder. My pathological past does not allow my heart to heal; it remains bloodstained from the emotional war that we so uncomfortably bypassed so that we could spoon romantically in the aftermath. Posthumously envisioning this climatic life on the thirteenth moon of Neptune in the hereafter….I remain blue. I freestyled through a pool of paint thinner trying to find the real, but disavowed my reality remains. Inconsistent and hyperfunctional-- I pretend the world around me exists inside of a kaleidoscope of astrological Crayolas, coloring my transition with moods of indigo, sapphire and periwinkle. I have searched for that smile my imagination has constructed so meticulously, but abandoned it has left me in my quest of discovery. I no longer want to live inside of a barren canteen, hoping that one day the water from Bastet’s gourd will rinse away my blue. But I will continue to hope, because it is all that is left after the inspiration is gone. As I stand alone with my thoughts of our beginnings on Ibo Landing.

2006-12-29T09:16:00.000-08:00

Mem'ry of Freedom

Last night I bathed in the new memory of freedom. It happened when I got word that another one of ours had fallen…only to rise again in the consciousness and spirits of those who were effected by his life. For the first time I truly wondered what would be my legacy…have I committed and commuted the path of sincerity and sacrifice for a greater cause or had I been nothing more than a conch shell screaming manufactured nothings that carry less than a water pail with holes in it?

I had to be still for the first time, so that I could grapple and negotiate that answer(s). As I traversed my thoughts I saw my stifled maturity stumbling in my relationships past and of late. I saw my broken promises stained with tears and petrified from abandonment. I saw my insecurities laughing at my self-sabotage and negligence. Wandering down this road I was flooded with shame, because it has taken me this long to acknowledge, act and accomplish anything less than remote.

I still question my purpose, but I’m comforted, reinforced and inspired by the spirit of one who has walked, stumbled and resisted the pathology resulting from the same oppression that has been responsible for my underdeveloped coherence. He has inspired me to no longer resist in ways that are safe, but to risk that which is only material in the first place. What is money when you cannot spend it freely? What is flesh if you cannot encounter the world authentically? What are words if your love cannot be conveyed sincerely? And what is freedom if it does not truly mean to be free anyway?

May your and my spirit find each other again, until then I will I continue the work you have started and carry on with the strength and wisdom you have imparted. Vicotoria Acerta! Somos companeros, siempre….

2006-08-07T10:19:00.000-07:00

Firestorm

I stand…alone in the preceding calm moments before the firestorm. Taking last opportunities to be open and absorbent…it may never be after this. That’s the possibility and that is enough to make me question my own strength. I knew it was only a matter of time…its like realizing there is only so much air left… so you just take your time…trying not to panic…but being as still as possible to enjoy and honor what it is you have. I felt the heat of the storm approaching…I seen it resting in the horizon…building…preparing to occupy and ravish the next space….to leave nothing more than ash ,debris and decay…maybe purified spirits. I know the potential….and I acknowledge my feelings, as well as your emotions…its terrifying and uncomforting…but necessary all the same.

I stand in conviction …self-assured…with secure thoughts that if there is no more…it was miraculous and righteous. That it was the highest expression of God and that no one can ever erase these moments from existence.

But I stand…confused and as if I have been given notice…using every ounce of my emotional strength not to break down and give in to the mounting weight of the unknown…the possible void. It is a pivotal moment…our equinox…and I respect its importance even as I prepare to face darts of fire. ..I want wholeness for you…I want solace and comfort for you…and growth…and ice cream. I’m so scared right now that I want to close up and run. Denounce what I feel…lie to myself and remember how easy it used to be. I see the storm coming and I think in a solar language that reveals my truth…that I must confront this storm…even at the likelihood of death. There is nothing romantic about it…but empowering. I proclaim ownership in this… bold and daring, I welcome the outcome, because it is to be, no matter my futile efforts. I just need one last moment…maybe I won’t get it… maybe you’ll fade into someone else’s dream and I’ll walk with only memories.

I can smell the firestorm… the stench of open wounds, the fragrance of overburned body oils…the odor of the future… and its poignancy is unbearable, but I remain positioned in the understanding of your needs…I open my arms…with my body defenseless and receptive to the unforgiving temperature…waiting to be devoured…as darts ablaze penetrate my skin…my bones…my veins and muscles…I stand accepting the pain…surrounded by the storm…the fire torments and eats my already punctured skin…I feel my body’s weakness emerging…but I continue to stand with the conviction of a born again Christian or converted Muslim…I know the storm can only last for so long…but how much can I endure…that I don’t know…I will stand until there is no more of me left to stand or until the storm is gone.

Either way…I can say I kissed her…I seen her…I hugged her…I touched her face…I gave myself to her…I learned how to “be” from her…I trusted her…I was loyal to her…I tasted her…I shared with her…I appreciated her…I reminded her…she reminded me…maybe I’m taking it too far…but I’m prepared… for whatever…in the eye of the firestorm I find the sweetest thoughts of you. I stand soaked in flames embracing the most beautiful thing I have ever experienced in my life and it is ….the greatest feeling…. in the world.

2006-07-21T02:16:00.000-07:00

Esperando

O céu está nebulado e a tua beleza esta a partir-me o coracao,
mas, nunca te abandonarei. Quero que voce fique comigo para sempre.
Podemos beijar quando voce quiser …e so dizer. Estou esperando...

The sky is cloudy and your beauty is breaking my heart,
But, I will never abandon you. I want you to stay with me forever.
We will kiss whenever you wish…just tell me. I am waiting…

2006-07-21T02:01:00.000-07:00

Our Garden

My inner obsessions with your imaginative way of existing is seducing me…reproducing an infallible experience that seems imprecise but that is the very spirit of your giving…and that’s why I love your patchwork. It is perfect in its emotion…balanced, real and diverse.

In my adoration, my mouth waters for tastes of you. Searching for that ever-so familiar vibration…blend-scented touches that you occasionally open yourself to. You pulled back the blinds on your window so I could look in…and I feel so inspired. Your creativity reaches me even when the reception isn’t clear or the messages not intended for me.

I’ve been blessed with god’s eyes to see-- you in ways that are alien to you, but have become natural to me. That’s how I can explain those blind pieces-- those fine pieces-- those portions of the high priestess ‘to be,’ in living color and stained glass. You have breathed into me another side of life that was violently absent. Even in your caption, you read like a prayer. And I absorb those captioned clouds as they pass by. Those puffy and beautiful clouds that remind us of marshmallows, cotton candy and powdered sugar…everything indulgent and delightful, but full of sincerity because they have the potential to rain. I’ve seen the storms produced in pre and post-sweet tooth to find elements of your artistry encrypted in water. Sobering and rescuing in its presentation…I still create time to fondle your craftswomanship. Arousing the moment and saying fuck atonement because this time there were no mistakes made… only cookie-flaked songs played --that deliver salvation…all of this in one lady.

Because of this, I have a gift to give. Here are two flowers for you…put them next to where you sleep. Pretend one is my heart…the other my mind. I blossomed to speak to you…remind you of your godessiness, of your promises-- to yourself, of your ability to touch others and feel in challenging ways…hear my petals beat and my stamen speak as your imagination leaks into to my being, erasing that ceiling of limitation…replacing it with the guarantee of life abundantly… balancing the grit and sensuality… uncovering the rewards of an ancestral, romantic scene and reliving that. Poor and pocketless we enjoy the wealth of our affection…its inconsistency…its intensity…its confusingly-natured harmony…its lessons and religious following.

We are a cult classic… a personal habit that became a community practice…we are what it looks like to have romantic integrity and internal access. This is our contribution, our ode to the life process. Illustrating to those near and dear---abroad and don’t give a fuck about—how exquisite and obnoxious…difficult and problemless lovers can be. Now they can’t say they don’t know. Now we can’t say that we don’t know. We just can continue to embrace/nurture what we can…and grow…water the garden.

2006-07-18T21:02:00.000-07:00

Holes In My Pockets

I’m scared to put my keys in my pockets,
‘cause I might lose’em.

But if I could get you to sew’em up then
I’ll be good, I’ll have trust again in my pockets.

I don’t want to put my peppermints in my pockets cause I
Might drop’em and my breath won’t be fresh when I see you.

I want it to be fresh so when I tell you “I miss you,”
You’ll remember how those words smell.

But I gotta get you to sew my shit up!
So my pockets won’t hiccup and give up that memory.

I don’t dare put my cell phone in my pocket
‘cause it my fall and break, then how the fuck am I going to talk to you?

Or make dinner arrangements with you,
or set a time for us to rendezvous on our sacred Sundays?
So we can pray (have conversation),

sing hymns(I woke up this mornin’ wit’ my mind...)

and say to God, as we lay, this is a reflection of him/her…

I refuse to put your heart in my pocket
because I want to hold it next to mine
so that there are no more illusions in rhyme—bear witness
these are the “shining times.”

Where devotion is illuminated, shade is eradicated
and the true needs of our relationship are no longer placated, but “sewn.”

We’ve grown and we need to sew these pockets,
so we can reap the gifts the cosmos has been waiting to give us---us alone.
No more holes. Let us sew.

2006-07-18T20:59:00.000-07:00

The Sample

My heart beats thoughts of you…thoughts that are burned in the skyline of coincidence. Pregnant thoughts of feeling that are waiting to be ushered into existence, to be told to spirits in the flesh the world over: mo gba ti e, te siento, nimekunoki videadly, yene konjo
I have visions of our commerce—visions that we burst into conjugate dust!, as we discuss us in the future-past tense, in the unhidden vastness of attraction.

Snapshots of you are played in amphitheater-like moments of my dreams, without seams but connected like fiends-- chasing that high that is insatiable.

I pray for you-- to visit me every night.

The in and outsight that comes with your presence is profound, like the time when I discovered sound and began to dance like no one was watching. Like the time I decided detoxing was not just for winos and crackheads, but was a process to facilitate that moment of truth that we all dread. I have been fed…

And I have always said, “I love the rhythm of life.” It is multivariate, empty and full, balanced like gas and ice—the price… of Ma’at is not conceptual, but its reality is perpetual. This is the product of a sample. One touch- two words-provocative tastes and smells that dwell and resonate for centuries passed and to come.

All because of a sample…the idea that nature’s ointment has acted as the catalyst for ample-- expression, drama, karma and maturation is inconceivable; but believable, because here we lay in the unsettling space of feeble and secure relation.

I remain patient, with unfettered impressions of our next life. Waiting to be married to another sample.

2006-07-18T20:48:00.000-07:00

Due to high demand i am going to re-release portions of Mesha Moments for the viewing pleasure of those who peruse...

**stay sucka free, ride on them vampires.
fidel.

2006-07-06T15:18:00.000-07:00

America, America....you bitch! How much longer will the world stand by as you vanquish, batter and pillage the oppressed? Because you don't have an interest in securing democracy....only tyranocracy.

In light of the 4th its seems evident that much more. Threatening to dispose every country other than your own of terrorism, neo-slavery, and good ol' fashion sophisticated pimpin'. You like to beat your women, coerce them into compromising, demand the dividend and then call them harlots after you have put them in jail for prostitution. How Platonian is that? De pwa, de mezi (two weights, two measures: double standards!). It is the American way! Bastions of organized gangs called democrats and republicans vilify the needy and protect the greedy. We can see the slavocracy, field niggas ain't track stars and find ways to resist. persist. and exist outside the physical repression.

Long live the freedom fighters who stand up to the Gooch and his compatriots of perfunctoriness! Beat they ass when they least expectin it!

**stay sucka free, ride on them vampires!

2006-07-04T04:12:00.000-07:00

What to The Slave is the Fourth of July?

Upon looking at what today is, i really felt the need to make a statement. However, i wanted to contextualize my commentary with a quote...immediately what came to mind was Frederick Douglass' speech on the 4th of July, circa 1852. After review, i said to myself..."fuck it, put the whole damn thang up there!" So, please excuse the length, but dig the strength as Brother Douglas leaves us some timeless words to meditate on.

Fellow citizens, pardon me, allow me to ask, why am I called upon to speak here today? What have I, or those I represent, to do with your national independence? Are the great principles of political freedom and of natural justice, embodied in that Declaration of Independence, extended to us? and am I, therefore, called upon to bring our humble offering to the national altar, and to confess the benefits and express devout gratitude for the blessings resulting from your independence to us? ...

What, to the American slave, is your Fourth of July? I answer: a day that reveals to him, more than all other days in the year, the gross injustice and cruelty to which he is the constant victim. To him, your celebration is a sham; your boasted liberty, an unholy license; your national greatness, swelling vanity; your sounds of rejoicing are empty and heartless; your denunciation of tyrants, brass-fronted impudence; your shouts of liberty and equality, hollow mockery; your prayers and hymns, your sermons and thanksgivings, with all your religious parade and solemnity, are, to Him, mere bombast, fraud, deception, impiety, and hypocrisy-a thin veil to cover up crimes which would disgrace a nation of savages. There is not a nation of savages. There is not a nation on the earth guilty of practices more shocking and bloody than are the people of the United States at this very hour...

Go where you may, search where you will, roam through all the monarchies and despotisms- of the Old World, travel through South America, search out every abuse, and when you have found the last, lay your facts by the side of the everyday practices of this nation, and you will say with me that, for revolting barbarity and shameless hypocrisy, America reigns without a rival...

complete speech: douglassarchives.org/doug_a10.htm

2006-07-03T23:52:00.000-07:00

the sufferhead manifesto

"We younger Negro artists who create now intend to express our individual dark-skinned selves without fear or shame.....We build our temples for tomorrow, strong as we know how and we stand on top the mountain, free within ourselves." ~Langston Hughes

who is the whore of black creative expression? where is the resistance?
where are the impending cries of the smoke laden opposition, the dialectic deference to the slave? the blood has nothin' more but empty regeneration, the newness it is dying...

to stay safe is to submit your will and freedom to the superstructure that has forced the aggression. we are compelled and in need to make space for it is not given by any means, under or overstood. rapid indigestion from the snap music and commercial airplay, i find the culture at an impasse. when will we interface with the new voice, who will find the elements to succeed the sound that has reshaped the world and made America rich?...Again, "off the backs of Blacks."

the noise sounds a lot like that fuckin' owl lickin' that Tootsie roll pop...simple, disenchanting, and irrelevant. the avant-garde of the black cultural poetic is buried deep beneath the pervasive material of vampires and devils. unconscientious ethnic suicide...sings in the music unlike a heroine induced Lady Day relating to Lester Young so romanctically, soulful and honest.

But, keep on lying brotha', the truth has her own quartet and will dedicate a song to yo' ass. celebrating your deceit and betrayal. hustle some mo' to get yo' high right, then stop finga-fuckin' the spirit that birthed your genius or pay the price, experience the fury of a paranormal world scorned.

we, the original sufferheads call to question, in unorthodox fashion the diseases of this corporate plantation that continues to kill our children and cultural tapestry. psycho-lobotamists at work all the while we lay dispassionately donating our blood and mind to the financial reinforcement of the diametrical other. illegal listening and theft leave the hood vulnerable like a hooker tryin to get money on the side...suckin' dick for sardines and peanut butter to feed her little sista' .

the music has to begin to reflect the dysfunction of acquiescence and cultivate the new soul, the emancipated voice of rhythmic liberationisms inside life affirming blues notes. abandon the bankrupt cultural despots of this oppressive wilderness and embrace the heaven of inspired exploration, see God in bringing forth the authentic and impactful...how real is your voice?

R.I.P. Jay Dee (J Dilla)

2006-07-01T06:19:00.000-07:00

"Once upon time...they called me a terrorist too!"

It is not amazing to me anymore how much spins under the radar, but when you have several former members of the Black Panther Party held in contempt and jailed for refusing to testify before a San Francisco grand jury investigating a police shooting that took place in 1971! and nobody knows about it or responds, there is a serious problem in our community. This situation (as it has yet to be fully resolved) is still present and warrants a response/support from those of us at all interested in justice, human rights and our own personal freedom(s). Let's take the time to become more aware of the issues that affect us and our own, because its easy to not feel whats happening, but it is all fundamentally interconnected. The residual(s) will find its way to your life sooner than later if it is not confronted now. Do the knowledge...

**stay sucka free, ride on them vampires!

www.sfbayview.com/041906/onceuponatime041906.shtml

2006-06-29T00:13:00.000-07:00

Jesus Christ is a Dixie Nigga (re:verb)

if Jesus Christ rolled up on my G-mama porch tomorrow she would say,
"Nigga please!" Because that highly publicized memory of the man has been painted as pink as them priests Dan Brown is pissed off about in the Da Vinci Code.

if Jesus dropped by the Abyssinian Baptist Church this Sunday
Deacon Jones would kick that nigga's ass right after devotion for
propagatin such protracted blasphemy. because, the 2nd comin is gonna look a whole lot more like Malcolm-Jamal Warner than Matthew McConaughey, but Deacon Jones don't give a damn!
"my Lord and Savior ain't no nigga!"

if Jesus tried to tell George W. Bush why he ain't goin to the upper-room
he would put that nigga in jail in Guantanamo Bay real fast, because "this man is evil and we must fight against terror." They would beat that nigga like the rest of the Al-Queda POWs, like those Black Panthers detained in New Orleans circa '74, like all those other said "terrorists" throughout history that fought for something this country didn't believe in.

if Jesus was walkin' through the Fillmore District in San Francisco he would hear mo' "nigga's" than an episode of the Boondocks cartoon. And he would start preachin and teachin' on that same corner Common was talkin bout. Galvanizing the poor and disenfranchised to move toward a brighter day. And they would kill that nigga...again. For being a threat to national security.

Thoughts of an Educated Field Nigga
(respect to Frank Marshall Davis)

**stay sucka free, ride on them vampires!

2006-06-28T03:19:00.000-07:00

the 4400

my imagination is dry right now,
but i want to write/right.
i need to write/right... the self-imposed abduction
is the impetus for such thoughts.
searchin' outside of myself for the answers
that lie comfortably inside, correspondin' exquisitely
with the subconscious in need of more space to reside

the future has captured my responsibility
and obliges me to communicate to the now
the corner. the so-called foreigner. the dilapidated zoos
that we call our communities all cry out for our attention
but we stand still...stale. like the heroes and heroines of past,
we leave nothin' more than inspiration behind,
what's left after we can longer relate?

i've found my abilities, all these years suppressed
by the distraction that we call life
i have identified the enemy, the politic is clear.
i am now lookin' for my comrades to construct tomorrow,
armed with weapons that can longer be compromised
by aggression and manipulation
so that we can create a world that will save our children
a world that allows us to be...out of love and justice

time has delivered the message, no more fuckery
no more bitches and niggas or dick-suckin' crackheads
that hell below which curtis said we'll go has pervaded our reality involuntarily.
impregnating the season, these new moments with liberation

who will remind the world of our humanity? the 4400. the we that is unconsciously, subconsciously, consciously strugglin' to be free.

2006-06-28T01:09:00.000-07:00

Poundcake Pimp!

WIll somebody please take the liberty of slappin the shit out of Bill Cosby with a sock full of quarters!?! i'm growin' tired of his hypercritically, hypocritic and unjust ramblings about poor urban (read:Black) culture. the elder has a good heart, but his misguided attempt to teach to the truth to youth is bout as pitiful as Dubya Bush trying to deny his criminal negligence on the part of Black folks in New Orleans. Can somebody please tell dead prez Uncle Bill needs an anthem....until then, his ass is on BlackWatch! Stay tuned.....

p.s. who the hell be stealin' poundcake?!?!www.blackcommentator.com/188/188_cosby_hill.html