You are currently browsing the monthly archive for March 2008.
It took us 2 and a half long years, but Aki, Kumar and I have finally completed our Hip-Hop project, “The Literary Ca(n)non.” It is pressed up and ready for distribution to the public. Dear God, thank you. I almost thought it would never happen.
My lil bros Ak ‘n Kumeezy are so incredibly talented and I am thoroughly blessed to have gotten to do this project with them. The album is produced entirely by DYNAMIC DUO, the Dynamic Souls (Akiyoshi Ehara & Kumar Butler) and features Lalin St. Juste, Tunji of Inverse and Jeimil of Broken Halos. Jeimil is partly responsible for this album because of its title. In “Glory Days,” one of the first the songs we ever recorded together, Jeimil opens his verse with: “This book of lyrics is a literary cannon: ready, cocked and aimed, taking out rap-Italians…” He is famous for this. Our first LP as ‘Braindrops,’ entitled “Apocalyptic Memos,” came from my hearing one if his lines over the beat that would eventually become the album’s title track. “We scribble memos of apocalyptic sorts, to remind us of history and its bloodsport…”
When some S.A.B. (sucka-ass-busta) threatened to sue Jeimil and I because the S.A.B. had trademarked the name “Braindrops,” for his tattoo/piercing parlor, my fiancé Emalyn suggested that we use “Broken Halos,” Jeimil’s solo track from “Apocalyptic Memos,” about innocence being stolen/lost because of oppression.
From a single line in my brother’s poetry, I was able to build a concept that spawned what I feel is my strongest lyrical content to date. Each song is named after a book I love (except the first and last tracks), and is what I personally view to be my own Amerikan literary canon/cannon.
lit·er·ar·y [lit-uh-rer-ee]
–adjective
1. pertaining to or of the nature of books and writings, esp. those classed as literature: literary history.
can·on [kan-uhn]
–noun
1. the body of rules, principles, or standards accepted as axiomatic and universally binding in a field of study or art: the neoclassical canon.
can·non [kan-uhn]
–noun
1. a mounted gun for firing heavy projectiles; a gun, howitzer, or mortar.
Senbei & Dynamic Souls present… The Literary Ca(n)non
(A track-by-track explanation)
1. Foreword (produced by Akiyoshi Ehara)
This song is the introduction/opening of my story. It basically encapsulates the way my mind works, and what I hope to accomplish through music and in life. This song was basically spawned by the cliché: “the pen is mightier than the sword.” All my references to weapons of any kind refer to the power of the written word to inspire the marginalized to combat their oppression. The prophet Mohammed is quoted in the Q’ran stating: “The ink of a scholar is worth a thousand times more than the blood of a martyr.”
2. Paper Bullets (produced by Kumar Butler)
This is the first chapter of my story and is named after one of my favorite books by Eurasian Amerikan author/artist, Kip Fulbeck. It speaks to and for my experience as a mixed race (Asian/Caucasian/Native) Amerikan and the plethora of confusion, clarity, sanity and craziness that runs through my brain each and every single day. “The last Samurai; the last King of Scotland; the last of the Mohicans rolled into one…”
3. The Color of Water ft. Jeimil & Lalin St. Juste (produced by Akyoshi Ehara)
This song features my brother from another mother, Jeimil of Broken Halos and my sister from another mother/Akiyoshi’s partner, amazingly talented vocalist Lalin St. Juste. This song is named for the autobiography of James McBride about his being raised Black Amerikan of mixed race, and his relationship with his white Mother. When McBride asked his mother as a child, “What color is God?” she replied “Baby, God is the Color of Water.” This song is about the power of God/Allah/Jah and how all is one and one is all. The theme of water is symbolic of the “age of aquarius,” and a revolution of the mind that will occur among the human race sometime during our next generation. Water is life (and it is running out).
4. The Alchemist (produced by Akiyoshi Ehara & Kumar Butler)
This song is named for what is probably my favorite novel of all-time, written by Brazilian author, Paolo Coelho. “Alchemy (n): Any power or process of transmuting a common substance, usually of little value, into a substance of great value.” This is for every single person whose made lemonade with lemons. “Through slanted eye-sockets, my people see a normal car and make a rice-rocket…”
5. Kindred (produced by Kumar Butler)
This song was named for Octavia Butler’s award winning science fiction novel about a journey through time and the effects of slavery on the human psyche. It is about the power of kindred spirits and this “chapter,” in my story was written for my partner, fiancé, lover and best friend in the entire world, Emalyn Lopez. (She also did all the artwork for the album!) None of my art is possible without my muse/light/love. Thank you Maganda.
6. Prophet ft. Jeimil (produced by Akiyoshi Ehara)
This song is named for the 26 poems that comprise the works of poet, author and philosopher, Khalil Gibran and features the incredibly gifted, Jeimil of Broken Halos. Gibran’s book as well as this song are about the human condition, life and what Jeimil and I forsee in the coming future. Aki flipped an old Willie Williams’ sample and the beat sounds like a bushel of bananas!
7. Reefer Madness (produced by Kumar Butler)
This song is named for the book by author Eric Shlosser about three pillars (marijuana, migrant labor, pornography) of the “underground economy,” that produce almost 10% of the Gross Domestic Product each year. This “chapter” is about how the effects of cannibus are an extremely “slippery slope,” for young working-class men of color who seek escapism. The song describes the immensely negative effects of marijuana, as well as the feelings using it brings that would entice people like me to seek it out. “It’s a suit of armor, when busters try to harm us / I beg ya’ pardon your honor, but I’m roasting flora and fauna…”
8. Wretched of the Earth ft. Tunji (produced by Kumar Butler)
This song was named for the groundbreaking literature published by Frantz Fanon, who was the 20th century’s preeminent thinker on decolonization/colonization and the pyschopathology of the colonized mind. This “chapter,” features my good friend & incredible emcee, Tunji of Inverse. This song is about the blatant and the undeniable fact that there will never be peace in this world until there is true justice. This song is dedicated to Kumar’s big brother, Jahmari Butler: We love you and we’ll see you when you get there…
9. Things Fall Apart (produced by Akiyoshi Ehara)
This song is named for the opus/novel by Nigerian author Chinua Achebe, about the development of the conflict that arises when tradition clashes with change. Not unlike Achebe, I use my storytelling voice for this one. This “chapter,” speaks widely to my Buddhist beliefs in regards to thinking about suffering being a fundamental part of life, and that everything in our world is impermanent. It is about cherishing what you possess that is good in life, but also understanding fully, that the “bad,” won’t be around forever either. I will not always be blessed with my youth and surrounded by loved ones; while ate the same time like Rome and England before it, my country will not always be the most powerful in the world. I wrote this song for the victims of 9-11 (when did we stop thinking/talking about that?) and every single person, regardless of origin who has died senselessly since then. “Everything’s impermanent, it crumbles and breaks…”
10. A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius (produced by Kumar Butler)
This song was named for the memoir written by David Eggers about his caring for his younger brother, following the cancer-related deaths of their parents. This final “chapter,” is about my growing up in the Richmond Public Schools, my view of the state of Hip-Hop expression, the affects of poverty and oppression on the minds, hearts and souls of all marginalized people in Amerika, and my hopes and prayers for the beautiful young people I work with everyday. This final “chapter,” is about how hard I am working everyday to see that the people I love are taken care of and have the biggest lives possible, despite the plethora of obstacles in their/our way. This final “chapter,” is a testament to how Hip-Hop saved my life.
11. Epilogue (produced by Akiyoshi Ehara)
This track is the closing of “The Literary Ca(n)non.” It features snippets of my SHERO Arundhati Roy’s “Come September,” speech and is a wrap up of the entire album. It is my final attempt to unite literature and Hip-Hop music/expression. Arundhati Roy states:
“Writers IMAGINE that THEY call stories from the world, and I am beginning to believe that vanity makes them think so. But it’s actually the other way around. Stories call writers from the world. Stories reveal themselves to us. They colonize us. They commission us. They insist on being told.”
There were a multitude of obstacles and voices in my head, insisting that no one would ever care about the story of a Japanese/Scottish/Mohawk kid from the east bay told over breakbeats and boom-bap. But the world called this story from me. It insisted on being told. “The Literary Ca(n)non,” is the unabridged autobiography of the last 3 years in my life and proposes that, “The American way of life is simply NOT sustainable, because it does not acknowledge that there is a world beyond America.”( Arundahti Roy) I hope you enjoy my/our story.
(The answer to your questions are: YES, I am reading “California for Dummies,” YES, I am holding it upsidedown and YES, WeGoesStueyLikeYadadaiYeetadee.)
The album can be purchased at the Broken Halos MySpace Page, Amoeba Records (SF & Berkeley Stores) & from myself, Aki and/or Kumar for ONLY $5 (maybe more at Amoeba). Holla at cha kinfolk!
“Most emcees are also concerned about telling their own coming of age stories. Their voices are easily likened to the voices of young poets, often contemplative and introspective to the point of questioning their reality, upbringing, and the society that bore them. Yet, where a special form of attention is paid to crafting a poem or a prayer, it is seldom the same sort of attention used in writing a rhyme. The braggadocio aspects of emceeing are a distinguishing factor. Part of the unique power of hip-hop is its internal sense of competition. Every emcee is automatically pitted against the others. The competitive nature of the art helps create an environment where most are concerned about displaying their skills while at the same time putting down the skills or abilities of others. As in any gladiator-like sport, those involved are most concerned about not leaving themselves vulnerable on any given side. It is this factor that serves to distinguish the emcee form the poet. Whereas an emcee may see displaying his or her vulnerabilities as a weakness, a poet will often see the ability to display vulnerability as a strength. It is when the careful balance between the two is found that hip-hop is at its most powerful…”
-Saul Williams
It’s been a minute since I did a DUBS post, but last night’s loss to the L.A. Fakers hurt me soul. It feels as if from jump (ball), the refs, league, ESPN/TNT/every sports analyst in the country (except Jim Barnett and Bob Fitzgerald) wants us to lose. If you missed it, we lost in overtime due to a TERRIBLE call by the officials when Monta Ellis was dragged to the floor by Derek Fishface of the Fakers.
GSOM had this to say about it:
Overtime – The call that ruined everything
5 minutes was all that was in the way to victory. Special K (Buike’s nickname and I’m sticking to it) was HUGE! Lunging towards the basket on the first play creating a foul gave the Warriors the first lead. Monta contributed as he picked up his play nailing an open shot and creating another steal.
As our hearts pounded in excitement and fear, Kobe once again assisted to Fisher for a 3 pointer. Clock winding down this is how it ended:
58 Seconds Left: Warriors with a 1 point lead.
43 Seconds Left: Fakers distribute the ball as they nail a 3 pointer to take the lead by 2.
30 Seconds Left: Monta drives to the basket and as the ball rims out Special K puts it in to tie the game. WHAT A PLAY!
9 Seconds Left: Fakers run the clock down as Odom grabs a pass in the paint for an easy layup. Fakers by 2.
4 Seconds Left: Inbound pass set in Faker territory. This is it. The last play of the game. Nellie’s timeout prepped the team to tie it or shoot a 3 for the win. As the whistle blew and the players wrestled for position … the unthinkable happened. Fisher fell to the ground grabbing Monta with him, and the ref Delaney, blew the whistle calling an offensive foul.
Game over.
Kobe and Baron ended the night with 30 points and 7 assists each. Jackson scored 29 but it wasn’t enough. Incredible game … but horrendous ending.
I am SO tired of the Bay catching the shaft, but at this point I almost feel used to it. The LEAST the refs could have done was call a double foul. What SHOULD have happened was a foul on Fisher and Monta going to the line for free throws. To have the opportunity to win 2 in a row against the LakeShow taken out of our hands by the referees is to me, a metaphor for the lives that progressive, working-class Bay Areans live in Amerika. Even when we try to play by the rules to get ahead and make our quality of life better, outside forces come in and don’t even allow us to compete.
I realize fully that folks from the Yay can sometimes be stereotyped as thinking that their sh*t don’t stink, but (here I go…) from the Bay’s attempts to legalize same-sex marriage and going “green,” to commercial radio killing the homegrown Hip-Hop scene’s Hyphy movement, this country just doesn’t seem to be ready for the future the Bay Area is striving towards. We are collectively more creative, diverse, open-minded, liberal and unique than the vast majority of what is known as Amerika.
The loss to the fakers last night may have come down to one bad call, but throughout the game Baron was smashed as he drove the lane and whsitles were silent, while if someone is to even breathe near Kobe Bryant, it sounds like a fight breaking out during recess at an elementary school playground. Yadadaidig?
Our team, for the first time in 12 years seems to represent the area in which they play. Long gone are the days of drafting Todd Fuller and Andrew Declerq. The day we dealt Mike Dunleavy and Troy Murphy to acquire Stephen Jackson and Al Harrington was the day the “Golden State Warriors,” became the OAKLAND WARRIORS. And with that, came the HATRED. We are seen as a team of misfits (Baron: 2nd in the league in Technical Fouls), miscreants (Jack) and out-of-control-youthful play (Monta aka 1 man fastbreak). Add that to journeyman Matt Barnes, D-League phenom Azubuike and a Coach (Nellie) who lets his players PLAY, and you get a team that doesn’t command much respect from a league that has heralded the Spurs’ “fundamental-style-of-play,” for the last decade (BOOORING).
The last time I felt this way was prolly when I played for the JV squad as a sophomore in High School (ECHS Gauchos, blud!). I was the literally the only player on the team, not of Black/African heritage. (Primarily from the bench =P), I watched in disgust as referees HATED on our team from jump (ball) when we played at Prep/Private schools where the teams/players were wealthy and/or white. When I left the team the following season to play in the Japanese-Amerikan church leagues (where I averaged a double-double – yee.), my old teammates let me know that they were getting hated on EVEN MORE, because of the absence of my pale face and un-menacing Asian physique on their sidelines. =T *SIGH*
“I don’t need a ton of melanin in my skin, to see my country’s covered up some devilish sh*t. Sh*t.”
GO WARRIORS.
Haters: please keep hatin’! It just makes our shine, that much brighter come playoff time (sorry Dirk, but it aint happening ths year – Cry me a river Mark Cuban).
Peace and blessings to the beautiful people.
C+
*NOTE FROM THE AUTHOR: A friend of mine recently commented RIGHTLY on not supporting the use of the word “b*tch,” (in picture above) on a BLOG that celebrates feminism and anti-oppression. I have decided not to take this picture of Hillary and the little girl down, but to explain why I put it up in the first place. I think my background as a raised working-class person of color can cause me to momentarily get caught up in my anger and frustration because of how I view my country, and at times forget to be fully anti-oppression. I DO NOT CODONE THE USE OF THE WORD B*TCH to degrade any womyn because of the multitude of ways sexism/heterosexim/homphobia oppresses more than half of the world. At the same time, another thing I cannot condone is a politician who is supposed to be fighting to “break glass ceilings,” and speak “for the people,” use the politics off fear to win votes by appealing to Amerikans’ prejudices, ignorance and shortcomings. My doing this post was actually spawned when one of my (feminist, womyn of color) friends emailed the picture to me. Celebrated womyn’s-rights activist Linda Burnham wrote an amazing article entitled: “The Tightrope and the Needle,” which speaks to many of these issues in regards to race and gender. Hillary’s actions as of late, and her becoming everything she used to combat and despise increases my “lowered expectations,” but in retrospect (hind-sight is always 20-20), I would NOT have put this picture up. At the time it FELT justified, and it is for this reason I leave it posted, with an explanation (not an excuse – because I was greatly mistaken in my actions) for why I put it up there.
*My bad sisters. I will work hard to see this doesn’t happen again (though I personally know a few of you agree with that caption). My fury at racism makes me blind at times to the myriad ways I benefit as a heterosexual male, and I apologize deeply for my negligence and oversights.
Here we go…
In the wake of Jeremiah Wright’s (the Reverand at the Chicago Church that Barack Obama and his family attend) comments about “September 11 being a case of the chickens coming home to roost,” and Black Amerikans needing to sing “Goddamn America,” instead of “God bless America,” I have to admit that Barack Obama’s speech in response to this issue truly moved me. My broshot over at TheCheddarbox wrote a lil’ bit about it, but I feel the need to bite off him and throw in my 2 cents.
[Jeremiah Wright goin' stuey on Amerikkka]
Tim Wise is a anti-racist activist/white ally who recently wrote an article adressing the comments of Jeremiah Wright and White Amerika’s response to those words. While I don’t believe he is saying anything that hasn’t been said before by prominent activists of color, it is always refreshing to me when someone who benefits as a member of an oppressor group is able to confront their own feelings of guilt and use their privilege to reach for what is true. He states:
For most white folks, indignation just doesn’t wear well. Once affected or conjured up, it reminds one of a pudgy man, wearing a tie that may well have fit him when he was fifty pounds lighter, but which now cuts off somewhere above his navel and makes him look like an idiot.
Indignation doesn’t work for most whites, because having remained sanguine about, silent during, indeed often supportive of so much injustice over the years in this country–the theft of native land and genocide of indigenous persons, and the enslavement of Africans being only two of the best examples–we are just a bit late to get into the game of moral rectitude. And once we enter it, our efforts at righteousness tend to fail the test of sincerity.
But here we are, in 2008, fuming at the words of Pastor Jeremiah Wright, of Trinity United Church of Christ in Chicago–occasionally Barack Obama’s pastor, and the man whom Obama credits with having brought him to Christianity–for merely reminding us of those evils about which we have remained so quiet, so dismissive, so unconcerned. It is not the crime that bothers us, but the remembrance of it, the unwillingness to let it go–these last words being the first ones uttered by most whites it seems whenever anyone, least of all an “angry black man” like Jeremiah Wright, foists upon us the bill of particulars for several centuries of white supremacy.
I must admit that when I first read this, I assumed it was written by a person of color, most likely of Black/African heritage. When I saw Tim Wise’s picture I was admitedly surprised (he kinda look like Ricky Gervais from the original “The Office”). I give him credit for speaking so candidly about what is real in regards to White privilege and systematic racism, but I must remember to make efforts not to hold him up TOO high. I think what can sometimes happen in my mind when it comes to combatting oppression, is that when I see someone who is part of an oppressor group speaking out against that oppression, I get very excited. My being very excited about anyone contradicting oppressor “patterns,” is not the problem, but the fact that my standards for most whites, men, heterosexual folks, middle/upper-middle/owning-class folks are so incredibly low.
Ex: It literaly amazes me when I meet another raised-working-class, heterosexual man of color who does NOT use the word “gay,” to describe something he dislikes or the word “fag,” to describe a person he dislikes. When I come across straight, blue-collar, brothers of color who choose not to contribute to the oppression of GLBTQ folks, I am usually taken aback.
I think I have these same lowered expectations of who can be my President. My sorry-ass VOTED for John Kerry. =( That is a hard thing to admit, but I am thrilled that my options as far as “the lesser of two evils,” seem to be a helluva lot less evil than in previous elections.
["A More Perfect Union"]
What impresses me so much about how Barack Obama is his ability as a mixed race person of color, to understand fully, the anger, resentment and sheer killing rage that has been passed on through generations of families/children of African heritage in Amerika…while also possessing the ability to communicate why this rage exists, to white/European Amerikans who have historically been sanguine in their benefitting from the oppression of so many. Where Jesse Jackson failed to reach many people who are “pigment-ally challenged,” Obama’s understanding of how many white folks’ minds operate due to his upbringing, has helped him to not go ignored. And THAT mi compadres…makes me wanna raise all my expectations.
In your face BILLary Clinton (howabout talking about Iraq and the economy instead of why Barack won’t be a good Pres for a change? Imagine that sh*t…),
C+
p.s. Thanks & praises to ALL those who made “Hip-Hop 4 Humanity,” a smashing success.
HIP-HOP 4 HUMANITY
THIS THURSDAY, MARCH 20 at 9pm @ CLUB OTIS in San Francisco, CA…
…all hell will be breaking loose.
If you live in the Bay Area and understand fully that “Thursday is the new Friday,” PLEASE make you’re way to “Hip-Hop 4 Humanity,” a charity concert put on to benefit AYPAL (Asian/Pacific Islander Youth promoting Adocacy & Leadership) and “Oremi,” a non-profit org whose goal it is to unite children who have a parent in the prison system, with adult mentors.
I created “Hip-Hop 4 Humanity,” back in college at UC Santa Cruz to benefit the Santa Cruz Homeless Shelter, and was given the brilliant idea to bring it back to the BAY from the homie Remshot, producer/rapper of Rising Asterisk (hardest working HipHoppas I know). Broken Halos (Jeimil & I) will be joing R.A. and a slew of other talented/intelligent artists (Lalin St. Juste, Adriel Luis of iLL-Literacy, and others…) when we take to the stage this Thursday, to benefit our little east bay brothers and sisters of color.
There will be a sliding scale donation of $7-$20 but nobody will be turned away due to lack of funds!!!
CLUB OTIS is located at:
25 Maiden Lane
San Francisco, CA 94108
PLEASE come out & join us for a night of breakbeats, boombap, beating the system into submission, and intoxication with NO props for Reagan. DJ P.Sani, DJ Olly and DJ Joedobo (Hip-Hop, RnB, Reggae/Dancehall, funk, soul) will be killin’ the wheels of steel all night long!
Hope to see you there! (Mention this ad for a FREE smile and a handshake from yours truly!!! *No cash value*)
PEACE & BLESSINGS
Senbei
Now the poor klu klux man see that we’re all brothers / Not because things are the same becuase we lack the same color / And thats green, now that’s mean / cant burn his cross cause he cant afford the gasoline / Now if a muslim woman strapped with a bomb on a bus / With the seconds running give you the jitters? / Just imagine a American-based christian orginization / Planning to poison water supplies to bring the second-coming quicker
-Lupe Fiasco
I put my underwear on backwards yesterday. No, I’m serious. I’ve come to a place recently where I am so tired and jaded by my life inside the sphere of public education through Amerikan capitalism, that I didn’t know which way my arse was. This is what I took notice of on my drive from home to work yesterday:
1. Chevron Premium Gas: $4.13/gallon
2. Crack addict waiting by bus stop
3. Homeless man standing in the middle of busy intersection with hands to the sky, cars swerving to avoid killing him
4. Lavonya Middle School is located across the street from liquor store and mortuary/funeral home
5. Richmond Police Squad car follows my “rice rocket” for 5 blocks near Kaiser Hospital
6. Chevron Oil Refinery spewing black smoke into the air
7. Bridge Toll: $4
8. San Quentin State Prison
9. Get to After School Program Coordinators’ meeting and discover:
-Two 5th Graders have been caught drinking beer on bus (literally “going dummy on the yellow bus”)
-Middle Schoolers at another site caught selling “pills” (literally showing their “thizz-face”)
10. Get to my school and fnd out two of my kids have been arrested during class for “possession & distribution”
11. Go to take a piss and discover my underwear are on backwards. =T
I don’t mean to sound to cynical, pessimistic or ungreatful for the plethora of gifts that life has blessed me with, but I feel like I am dying sometimes while I maintain a huge smile on my face. “Dying on the inside, but outside: you’re looking fierce…” (-2Pac). I’ve been feeling lately, like the blatant oppression in my and so many others’ lives, coupled with our ability to become numb to it all has made us crazy. Not ‘crazy’ as in “send ‘em to the insane asylum,” however. I feel right now, like maybe THOSE folks are the sane ones. The people who refuse to to just accept this “reality,” and scream at the top of their lungs hysterically, kicking, punching and fighting the world that exists arround them. None of what we perceive as “reality-based” is real. People who choose “reality,” are often shunned by Ameirkan society, labeled “un-American” and/or murdered.
We cannot expect to benefit in the United States of Amerika from the pain, suffering and oppression of those outside our borders continuously. We cannot continue to fuel colonialism and exploitation, and not expect some kind of retribution.
In this same way, Amerika itself cannot expect to treat its “minorities” (women, people of color, GLBT, immigrants, non-Christians, etc.) with such blatant disregard and a lack of dignity/respect, and never expect that some kind of justice is in store for those in power. 2Pac diagnosed this eloquently and effectively:
The
Hate
U
Gave
Little
Infants
F**ks
Everybody
This resonates around the globe. Israel can and will not EVER bomb the Palestinian people into submission. The longer Israel occupies Gaza and continues to pillage, steal from, murder and rape Palestinian children, the more suicide bombings will take place. A suicide bombing is literally a act of sheer HOPELESSNESS. It is an act of desperation. If somebody repeatedly takes from another, the very hope and will to survive, that act will undoubetly be revisited upon the perpetrator with no end in sight. As a people who suffered greater than almost any group in history at the hands of Adolf Hitler and the Nazis, you’d think Israeli people would think twice about completely demoralizing, conquering and committing genocide against another group of people. Wouldn’t you??? I want to fight against anything in my mind that would make me think otherwise.
Don’t give the black man food, give red man liquor / Red man: fool, black man: n*gga / Give yellow man tool, make him railroad builder / Also give him pan, make him pull gold from river / Give black man crack, glocks and things / Give red man craps, slot machines / Now bring it back, bring it back, bring it back, bring it back…
-Lupe Fiasco
Bring it back. ThankGodItsFriday. NO JUSTICE = NO PEACE.
C
Yesterday (March 9) marked the 11-year anniversarry of the death of Rapper, Christopher Wallace, known to has fans as The Notorious B.I.G. aka Biggie Smalls.
Born in Brooklyn, New York, Biggie grew up during the peak years of the 1980s’ crack epidemic and started dealing drugs at an early age. When Biggie debuted with the 1994 record Ready to Die, he was a central figure in the East Coast and increased New York’s viability at a time when hip hop was mostly dominated by West Coast artists. The following year, Biggie led his childhood friends to chart success through his protégé group, Junior M.A.F.I.A.
While recording his second album, Biggie was heavily involved in the East Coast-West Coast hip hop feud dominating the scene at the time. On March 9, 1997, he was killed by an unknown assailant in a drive-by shooting in Los Angeles, California. His double-disc set Life After Death, released fifteen days later, hit #1 on the U.S. album charts and was certified Diamond in 2000.
Biggie was noted for his “loose, easy flow”, dark semi-autobiographical lyrics and storytelling abilities. Since his death, a further two albums have been released. MTV ranked him at #3 on their list of The Greatest MCs of All Time.
This man’s flow was untouchable. While I personally believe there are rappers alive today who could have held their own against him should he have survived until present time, Biggie was so special because he made it dope to be “fat, black & ugly as ever…” His vivid lyrics voiced the life of a brilliant and resilient young man who had grown up under poverty, oppression and exploitation. He was a King amongst kings, and during the West Coast’s 90’s Hip-Hop takeover, he kept NYC and east Coast Rap relevant and flavorful. Along with 2Pac, he is most likely, your favorite rapper’s, favorite rapper.
[Here is one of my personal favs from the original King of BK]
R.I.P. Christopher Wallace. (1972-1997)
“Biggie Smalls is the illest…”
C
AMY WINEHOUSE is a strange animal. Amidst alcoholism, a broken heart, a website betting on when she will die(!) and a new marriage, she is one of the brightest young musicians in the world.
Amy Winehouse’s “Back to Black,” album just won 5 grammy awards. It is one of my favorite albums of all time and I must admit, there was a good period of time when I listened to it almost obsessively. I recently heard a new song of hers produced by Mark Ronson, who did the majority of “Back to Black,” and has worked with Lily Allen (who is another Brittish white girl who sings ferociously).
Click HERE to here the super-fresh-ta-death song: “Valerie.” WOW.
Amy, I’m not sure where you are right now but you need to say “yes, yes, yes,” to REHAB. Your decisions regarding your personal life, combined with the paparazi/media watching your every move, has not been doing you any favors when it comes to your public image.
You are way too talented to die of alcohol poisoning (amidst other “substances”). Please don’t let “Back to Black,” be your final album.
(Self) love is (not) a losing game,
C
p.s. u single-handedly destroyed every single stereotype i ever had about young jewish girls from england with yo’ hyphy/talented ass. =P
HYPHEN Magazine has been doing BIG thangs in the Asian Pacific Amerikan community for some time now.
Hyphen is a magazine about Asian America for the culturally and politically savvy. Built around a clarity of image, word and social awareness, Hyphen takes form from the artists, thinkers and creators who are shaping a new multiethnic generation.
Hyphen is not a formula but a sensibility—not a collection of recycled fare with an Asian flavor, but original reporting on stories that move beneath the mainstream. Curious and questioning, Hyphen looks into the hard issues, but also the Asian American by accident, by tangent or by happenstance. Visually arresting, it strikes the gut with clean design, sharp photography and original illustration.
Like its readers, Hyphen is many things—cool librarian, shy musician, dorky hipster, cute techie. Like Asian America, its interests are varied—politics, art, health, music. Much like the hyphen connects words and concepts, Hyphen magazine connects readers with Asian America as it happens.
Their latest press is entitled “The Hybrid Issue,” and focuses on the identity of Multiracial Asian Pacific Amerikans like yours truly. The cover (is a bit ridiculous to me and) features author and UCSB Professor Asian Amerikan Studies and Art, Kip Fulbeck.
My favorite article concerning the term “Hapa/hapa,” is entitled “Lost In Translation,” written by an aquaintance of mine, Oakland-based writer for the Nichibei Times (Bay Area Japanese Amerikan Newspaper), Alec Yoshio Macdonald. This piece covers “the trials and tribulations of public (language) transportation. Some Native Hawaiians say “hapa” is being misused.” This piece basically emcompasses both the sense of belonging and liberation that the term “Hapa,” brought to many Asian Pacific Amerikans of mixed race, as well the pain appropriating the term brought to Native Hawaiians of mixed race.
As a Professor of Asian Amerikan Studies at San Francisco State University, Wei Ming Dariotis is my SHERO and has been one of, if not THE first academics to specifically focus on the study of Asian Amerikans of Mixed Race. Click this to read her article “HAPA: The Word of Power.” It is truly fascinating. I recently completed my application process for the Asian Amerikan Studies M.A. Program at SFSU and hopefully will be working directly with her in the Fall. Keep yo’ fngers crossed!
The realization of how the term “Hapa,” has harmed Native Hawaiians when being used by mixed race API Amerikans has caused me to decide that I must discontinue my use of this word to self-identify. At the same time, I felt incredibly saddened at the thought of abandoning this word. I have for the majority of my life, found solace in this word. It gave me community, identity, security and a recognition differing from the ‘Black-White’ paradigm that dominates conversation relating to Race & Ethnicity in Amerika. It gave mixed race API Amerikans a space to gather where their “Asiatic authenticity,” was never questioned.
Despite the plethora of freedom this word brought me and many like me, the plain and simple fact is that it was at the expense of the genocide and colonization of indigenous Hawaiians. If I am to always stay the course of anti-oppression, I cannot allow myself to continue using the term “Hapa.” If any multiracial API Amerikans out there have any ideas as to a new nomenclature for our constituency, I’d love to hear your ideas! I’ll be brainstorming and will make a new post in regards to some ideas. Holla at cha boyboy, (ex)Hapas.
Peace and Mahalo,
Senbei
Just because…
I/we miss you. Sh*t aint been the same since u left. No one in rap seems to speak from their heart the way u did. People try to imitate you, but what they don’t seem to realize is that the best way for them be like you is to emulate you. To emulate u simply seems to be fully being and loving yourself, and not apologizing for it.
I may just be an 80’s baby, west-coast biased dude, but no one has ever really come close to you the last decade. Your music is still relevant and I believe fully that had you survived, Bush wouldn’t have gotten away with half the sh*t he did. I feel so heartbroken when I think about what this country/world did to you. It was almost like we didn’t deserve to have you living amongst us. Like, this world wasn’t good enough for someone like you. I’m sorry you were born into such a sh*tty situation. I am still taken aback at what you were able to accomplish in the 25 years you were alive. I’m 25 right now and I damn sure aint ready to die. I feel like I’m just getting started. If/when you see God, can u ask her to keep watch over me and my peoples and continue to guide us gracefully through the calamity that is North Amerika?
Yo, someone stole my “Resurrection,” DVD and I was hella mad. If you figure out someway to send me a free one or help me find my old copy, I’d helluv appreciate it. That movie is super-clean! I hope heaven is dope (wtf am I talking about? It’s heaven)! Say waddup to my Grandpa and Jichan should u see them. They both prolly never heard ur music, but I know they value authenticity and charismatic personalities and would love and respect you.
Aye, remember when I talked to you through that Ouija board back in College? I hope that actually WAS you and not some fake-ass, wannabe-Pac spirit. They prolly got Ja Rules and 50 Cents in the afterlife too huh? Meh. I am still pretty sure it was you because you said your favorite drink was Hennessy and that Suge shot you, but you weren’t mad and you just felt sorry for him. No one else in the room besides me listened to your music enough to know you liked Hennessy or knew who “Suge” is, and I sure as hell wasn’t moving that game piece. Ima be hella mad if that was a wanna-be-imposter-Pac-spirit f**kin’ with me. =T
Anyhoo, when I die, It’ll be dope to cop the albums you made in the afterlife. You prolly feature Miles Davis and Billie Holiday on them and have mixtapes hosted by Malcolm X and sh*t. I can’t wait to hear that! (On second thought…yes I can.)
Ima take off now Pac, but would you ask your beautiful mama to please stop putting your posthumous records out? Them sh*ts just really aint that good (to be honest with you ’cause I respect you) and I think you didn’t put them out for a reason. It also doesn’t GO when rappers/producers you used to dislike or never met are on your new records…jus my two cents.
PEACE, BLESSINGS & THANK U, THANK U, THANK U! REST in PEACE in Thugz Mansion!
Love (no homo…phobia),
Colin
Tupac Amaru Shakur (1971-1996) R.I.P.
So this is a weird post. I came to a realization this morning and I have to share it with the world. Listening to Pete Rock play a sample of Peter Tosh on his new (amazing) album, “NY’s Finest,” shed light on the meaning of of one of my favorite Peter Tosh records, “Bumbleclot,” from the album “Wanted: Dread & Alive.” In Peter Tosh’s song he sings about an experience he had when “some spiritual vampires held him down.” In “Bumbleclot,” he sings, “one night an evil spirit held me down, I couldn’t make a single sound, until JAH told me, ‘use the word,’ and now I am free as a bird…”
It occurred to me that what Peter Tosh was describing is known as Sleep Paralysis. My fiance used to suffer from this a lot during College and she describes it as feeling like someone (a ghost) is sitting on your chest and holding you down. She also maintains that it was far more likely to occur if she were under the influence of a certain flora and fauna that Peter Tosh help to make famous with the song, “Legalize It.” I happen to believe also, that certain people are very spiritually powerful. I think certain folks are more susceptible than others to things relating to the spiritual world. Peter Tosh is one of these folks and apparently, so is my brilliant artist-partner-fiance.
[Fuselli's "Nightmare": Most likely an early interpretation of "Sleep Paralysis"]
In the beginning of “Ready Fi De War,” on the new Pete Rock album, there is a super-dope sound byte of the late Peter Tosh (of Bob Marley & the Wailers) discussing the meaning of “bumbleclot.” He basically states that he has always know this as a curse word of the Jamaican version of the Rastafarian religion, and the night when “some spiritual vampires hold me down, I could not move at all, until I shout, ‘move your BUMBLECLOT!!!” and he was released. Driving to work today, I put it all together that when “JAH told me (him), use ‘the word,” that “the word,” was “BUMBLECLOT!
“Sleep Paralysis,” (aka getting visited by a ’spirit’ aka dead person) is probably not much fun. Ima tell wifey as soon as she gets home, that I have discovered the answer to all her BUMBLECLOT sleep paralysis problems. Yee!
C
p.s. If you never really listened to Peter Tosh before, peep this: If Bob Marley is the Martin Luther King of Reggae, then Peter Tosh is Malcolm X.
p.p.s. That new Pete Rock album is HOT fiyah. Support good music and actually go buy this one. You won’t be sorry. Chiggy-Check it!
