Welcome To Transformative & Healing 2020…

Esteemed Friends:

Happy New Year. I can feel that 2020 will transcend 2019.

2019 was a very painful and challenging year for me. It taught me many unforgettable lessons e.g. to keep working on self-love/self-esteem/self-worth; the importance of following my intuition and putting up/maintaining boundaries; working with my shadow side; fueling a transformation/spiritual awakening/evolution; to be more discerning about who I trust or befriend, etc.

I have been detoxing from toxicity in all of its forms (e.g. toxic people/situations/behaviours/thoughts/emotions). In the past year, I have distanced myself from a person that has a toxic and dysfunctional family {namely his son & his sister}. They thrived on gossiping, lying, backstabbing, getting sadistic pleasure from others’ pain, etc. They smiled in your face while they stabbed you in the back. They poisoned my friend’s mind about me and turned him against me. To be honest, they had bad vibes and stole my energy (i.e. psychic vampires that dabbled in the dark arts) and I am so grateful to be away from them. 

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This year I will continue to focus on transformation/spiritual awakening/evolution and healing. I will keep working on my shadow side, fitness, education and other projects (which includes this blog).

This post is the first post of this 2020. I am going to release any fears and judgments about my writing/thoughts/emotions. I am just going to let them flow– this is why they are called stream of consciousness reflections. It is a creative expression with minimal editing.

I close this post with So Fresh and So Clean by Outkast. Despite all that has transpired in 2019, I am choosing to start 2020 feeling so fresh and so clean. I feel my Leo fire energy giving me strength.

The phoenix rises from the ashes.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-JfEJq56IwI

So Fresh, So Clean

OutKast

Produced by Organized Noize

Album Stankonia

SO FRESH, SO CLEAN LYRICS

[Produced by Organized Noize][Hook: André 3000]
Ain’t nobody dope as me; I’m dressed so fresh, so clean
So fresh and so clean, clean

Don’t you think I’m so sexy? I’m dressed so fresh, so clean
So fresh and so clean, clean

Ain’t nobody dope as me; I’m dressed so fresh, so clean
So fresh and so clean, clean

I love when you stare at me; I’m dressed so fresh, so clean
So fresh and so clean, clean[Verse 1: Big Boi]
Sir Lucious gots gator belts and patty melts and Monte Carlos

And El Dorados; so I’m waking up out of my slumber feeling like Rollo
So follow, it’s Showtime at the Apollo minus the Kiki Shepards

What about a ho in a leopard-print? Ah
Teddy Pendergrass, cooler than Freddie Jackson

Sipping a milkshake in a snowstorm
Left her throat warm in the dorm room at the A.U
We blew hay too, athletes might cake you

But you must have me mistaken with them statements that you make ’cause[Hook: André 3000]
Ain’t nobody dope as me; I’m dressed so fresh, so clean
So fresh and so clean, clean

Don’t you think I’m so sexy? I’m dressed so fresh, so clean
So fresh and so clean, clean

Ain’t nobody dope as me; I’m dressed so fresh, so clean
So fresh and so clean, clean

I love when you stare at me; I’m dressed so fresh, so clean
So fresh and so clean, clean

[Verse 2: Big Boi]
Canary yellow seven-nine Seville is on display
My n***a Bongo hooked it up, Omar gon’ dip my rims today
So a n***a can ride out to the Honeycomb Hideout
I’mma show you how to wild out like Jack Tripper
Let me be bambino on your snipples
YKK on your zipper, lick you like a lizard when I’m slizzard

Or sober, six million ways to fold ya
Like Noah’s, I get two’s of youse and you get pretty ‘D’
But I’ll call yo’ ass ’round eight-ish, I know you’ll be there for me, girl

[Hook: André 3000]
Ain’t nobody dope as me; I’m dressed so fresh, so clean
So fresh and so clean, clean

Don’t you think I’m so sexy? I’m dressed so fresh, so clean
So fresh and so clean, clean

Ain’t nobody dope as me; I’m dressed so fresh, so clean
So fresh and so clean, clean

I love when you stare at me; I’m dressed so fresh, so clean
So fresh and so clean, clean

[Verse 3: André 3000]
Those huge baby eyes, get to runnin’ off at they mouth

And tellin’ me everything that’s on your nasty mind
They say you’re malnutritioned, in need of vitamin D
And invitin’ me to that tingle in your spine
I love who you are, I love who you ain’t — you’re so Anne Frank

Let’s hit the attic to hide out for ’bout two weeks
Rick James’n, no chains and whips
I do suck lips ’til hips jerk in double time

The boy next door’s a freak, ha-ha!

[Hook: André 3000]
Ain’t nobody dope as me; I’m dressed so fresh, so clean
So fresh and so clean, clean

Don’t you think I’m so sexy? I’m dressed so fresh, so clean
So fresh and so clean, clean

Ain’t nobody dope as me; I’m dressed so fresh, so clean
So fresh and so clean, clean

I love when you stare at me; I’m dressed so fresh, so clean
So fresh and so clean, clean

[Bridge: André 3000]
And we are… The coolest motherfunkers on the planet
And my, my… The sky is fallin’, ain’t no need to panic
But ooh ooh… I got a stick and want yo’ automatic
Ooh, ooh, ooh… Compatible, created in the attic
And we are… The coolest motherfunkers on the planet
And my my… The sky is fallin’, ain’t no need to panic
But ooh, ooh… I got a stick and want yo’ automatic
Ooh, ooh, ooh… Compatible, created in the attic

[Hook: André 3000]
Ain’t nobody dope as me; I’m dressed so fresh, so clean
So fresh and so clean, clean

Don’t you think I’m so sexy? I’m dressed so fresh, so clean
So fresh and so clean, clean
Ain’t nobody dope as me; I’m dressed so fresh, so clean
So fresh and so clean, clean

I love when you stare at me; I’m dressed so fresh, so clean
So fresh and so clean, clean
Ain’t nobody dope as me; I’m dressed so fresh, so clean
So fresh and so clean, clean

Don’t you think I’m so sexy? I’m dressed so fresh, so clean
So fresh and so clean, clean
Ain’t nobody dope as me; I’m dressed so fresh, so clean
So fresh and so clean, clean

I love when you stare at me; I’m dressed so fresh, so clean
So fresh and so clean, clean

Copied from: https://genius.com/Outkast-so-fresh-so-clean-lyrics

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Wishing you Transformation and Healing,

-V.

Reflection for today…A False Friend Is A Hidden Enemy -Buddha

“A good friend who points out mistakes and imperfections and rebukes evil is to be respected.

An insincere and evil friend is to be more feared than a wild beast;

a wild beast may wound your body,

but an evil friend will wound your mind.”

-Buddha

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It is so tragic to realize that your heart was in the right place with the wrong person. How could you be so wrong? How could you see a soulmate in someone that wasn’t even a friend? They were wearing a mask all along. How sobering and terrifying it is to realize that Judas the traitor was by your side all of this time?

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Loyalty is of the utmost importance to me and it coexists alongside respect. I gave my loyal unto death necklace to someone that didn’t deserve it. Curiously, it got stolen from that person. They were not meant to have it because they were not worthy of my loyalty or friendship. I am the one that is loyal unto death. I have to learn to be more discerning with my loyalty and friendship because it is so dangerous and painful to be loyal to the wrong people.

I found this image on Pinterest. I am hoping to buy another necklace for myself but I haven’t found one. I love the sword piercing through the heart. The message of loyalty represents who I am at my core.

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Please enjoy You Got Me By The Roots Featuring Erykah Badu…

I love when Black Thought says,

“I deal with the real,

if it is artificial then let it be.”

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You Got Me

The Roots

Featuring Erykah Badu & Eve

Produced by Scott Storch & Grand Wizzards

Album Things Fall Apart

VERIFIED COMMENTARY BY

Black Thought

YOU GOT ME LYRICS

[Chorus: Erykah Badu]
“If you were worried ’bout where
I been or who I saw or
What club I went to with my homies
Baby, don’t worry, you know that you got me
If you were worried ’bout where
I been or who I saw or
What club I went to with my homies
Baby, don’t worry, you know that you got me[Verse 1: Black Thought]
Somebody
Told me that this planet was small, we used to live in
The same building, on the same floor, and never met before
Until I’m overseas on tour, and peeped this Ethiopian
Queen from Philly taking classes abroad
She studying film and photo, flash, focus, record
Said she working on a flick and could my clique do the score
She said she loved my show in Paris at Elysee Montmartre
And that I stepped off the stage and took a piece of her heart
We knew from the start that things fall apart and tend to shatter
She like, “That shit don’t matter.” When I get home, get at her
Through letter, phone, whatever; let’s link, let’s get together
Shit, you think not, think the Thought went home and forgot?
Time passed, we back in Philly, now she up in my spot
Telling me the things I’m telling her is making her hot
Starting building with her constantly round-the-clock
Now she in my world like hip-hop, and keep telling me…

[Chorus: Erykah Badu]
If you were worried ’bout where
I been or who I saw or
What club I went to with my homies
Baby, don’t worry, you know that you got me
If you were worried ’bout where
I been or who I saw or
What club I went to with my homies
Baby, don’t worry, you know that you got me

[Verse 2: Black Thought + Eve]
Yo, I’m the type that’s always catching a flight
And sometimes I gotta be out at the height of the night
And that’s when she flip and get on some old… another lonely night
Seem like I’m on the side, you only loving your mic
I know you gotta get that paper, daddy, keep that shit tight
But, yo, I need some sort of love in my life, you dig me?
While politicking with my sister from New York City
She said she know this ball player and he think I’m pretty—psych
I’m playin’, boo, you know it’s just with you I’m staying, boo
And when cats be poppin’ game, I don’t hear what they sayin’, boo
When you out there in the world, I’m still your girl
With all my classes I don’t have the time for life’s thrills
So when you sweating on stage, think of me when you rhyme
And don’t be listening to your homies, they be leadin’ you blind
Yeah, so what you saying, I can trust you? Is you crazy?! You my king for real
But sometimes relationships get ill, no doubt

[Chorus: Erykah Badu]
If you were worried ’bout where
I been or who I saw or
What club I went to with my homies
Baby, don’t worry, you know that you got me
If you were worried ’bout where
I been or who I saw or
What club I went to with my homies
Baby, don’t worry, you know that you got me

[Verse 3: Black Thought]
That snake could be that chick and that rat could be that cool cat
That’s whispering, “She trying to play you for the fool, Black.”
If something’s on your chest, then let it be known
See, I’m not your every five minutes all on the phone
And on the topic of trust, it’s just a matter of fact
That people bite back and fracture what’s intact
And they’ll forever be, I ain’t on some “Oh, I’m a celebrity!”
I deal with the real, so if it’s artificial, let it be
I’ve seen people caught in love like whirlwinds
Listening to their squads and listening to girlfriends
That’s exactly the point where their whole world ends
Lies come in, that’s where that drama begins, and she like…

[Chorus: Erykah Badu]
If you were worried ’bout where
I been or who I saw or
What club I went to with my homies
Baby, don’t worry, you know that you got me
If you were worried ’bout where
I been or who I saw or
What club I went to with my homies
Baby, don’t worry, you know that you got me
If you were worried ’bout where
I been or who I saw or
What club I went to with my homies
Baby, don’t worry, you know that you got me
If you were worried ’bout where
I been or who I saw or
What club I went to with my homies
Baby, don’t worry, you know that you got me
If you were worried ’bout where
I been or who I saw or…”

Copied from: https://genius.com/The-roots-you-got-me-lyrics

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Living the pain and poetry of truth is more fulfilling than living a facade.

Has this ever happened to you? How did you handle it?

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Peace & Truth,

-V.

Reflection for today…Critical Reading -Henry David Thoreau & Tupac Shakur

* Editor’s Note: Today {September 13th, 1996} marks the 23rd anniversary of Tupac’s tragic death at the age of 25.

Rest in Peace Tupac.

We will continue to celebrate your life and your legacy.

{Things are not the same without you…}

https://2paclegacy.net/today-marks-23-years-since-tupac-was-killed/ 

In this reflection, I wanted to explore the intellectual and poetic side of Tupac that is rarely discussed {the same happens with Jim Morrison the lead singer of The Doors}.

I hope to explore other artist’s reading lists in future reflections.

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“Readers are plentiful;  

thinkers are rare.”  
–Henry David Thoreau

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Tupac Shakur was always hungry for knowledge.  

He was a voracious reader and student of life. His passion for learning and social justice advocacy was a part of his essence. 

Tupac’s intellectual power came from a vast knowledge of eclectic topics. He loved to explore esoteric, the metaphysical and philosophical topics. This study became the foundation for his song lyrics and life philosophy.

His mother, Afeni Shakur, had already instilled in him a revolutionary education as she was a member of The Black Panthers. She passed on her wisdom and Tupac continued to polish the jewels.

Tupac was truly an autodidact {a self-taught person}. He would educate others through his song lyrics.

“Before his tragic death at age of 25, Tupac rapped about poverty, violence in the black community, police brutality, black empowerment, political strategy and spirituality.” https://www.blackfaves.com/story/11-books-tupac-shakurs-bookshelf-still-relevant-today/

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In this short video, Tupac’s first manager Leila Steinberg discusses Tupac’s love of literature and critical thinking.

“Leila Steinberg is an artist and community organizer who began working with youth twenty years ago in the San Francisco Bay area. As the daughter of a criminal defence attorney, she grew up surrounded by the workings of the justice system and took a front row seat at the personal tragedies and socio-economic pressures that turn so many at-risk youths into hardened felons. Steinberg helps them connect with their hearts and turn anger and pain into creativity.
AIM promotes artistic expression as a way to handle problems as opposed to choosing violence, drugs or other forms of escape. As the program facilitator, Steinberg sees confronting pain as the best way to move past it. She believes self-awareness is a key to making better choices.
Steinberg is committed to helping people who fall through the cracks of society. In 1995 she began a series of specialized programs for youth within the juvenile justice system and those residing in residential treatment facilities. As hip-hop music became the expression of today’s youth, Steinberg began training artists to develop voices powerful enough to reach a generation. While conducting poetry workshops in Northern California, she met Tupac Shakur and he became a regular participant in her class. They shared a vision of developing a space where each artist in attendance is encouraged, inspired and motivated to address social change in their work. Tupac referred to Leila as the “bow” and himself as the “arrow.” –http://www.pinlight.com/leila.htm

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This clip is from the movie Tupac Shakur: Thug Angel.

It is said to be a “documentary examining the politics, music and life of Tupac Shakur.”

This is the description from the Youtube video…

“This is a list of books read by Tupac during his lifetime including while he was at the Baltimore School of Arts and in prison. They are presented in no particular order. The topics include Black history, the afterlife, religion including Zen, war, women’s liberation, music, and poetry. Reading these books, it is clear how they moulded Tupac’s thinking and language. This is a handy list of good reading material if you ever find yourself locked up.”

 One Hundred Years of Solitude
Written by: Gabriel Garcia Marquez

1984
Written by: George Orwell

Ah, This!
Written by: Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh

All God’s Children:
The Boskett Family and the American Tradition of Violence
Written by: Fox Butterfield

All You Need to Know About the Music Business
Written by: Donald Passman

And Still I Rise
Written by: Maya Angelou

Art of War
Written by: Sun Tzu

Assata: An Autobiography
Written by: Assata Shakur

At the Bottom of the River
Written by: Jamaica Kincaid

The Autobiography of Malcolm X
As told to: Alex Haley

Bhagavad-Gita As It Is
Written by: A.C. Bhaktive-danta Swami Prabhupada

Black Like Me
Written by: John Howard Griffin

Black Sister:
Poetry by Black American Women, 1746 to 1980
Edited by Earlene Stetson

Blues People
Written by: Amiri Baraka

Catcher in the Rye
Written by: J.D. Salinger

The Complete Illustrated Book of the Psychic Sciences
Written by: Walter B. Gibson and Litzka R. Gibson

The Confessions of Nat Turner
Written by: William Styron

The Destiny of the Nations
Written by: Alice A. Bailey

The Diary of Anais Nin
Edited and with a Preface by: Gunther Stuhlmann

The Dictionary of Cultural Literacy
Written by: E.D. Hirsch, Jr., Joseph F. Kett, James Trefil

The Grapes of Wrath
Written by: John Steinbeck

Great White Lie:
Slavery, Emancipation and Changing Racial Attitudes
Written by: Jack Gratus

The Harder We Run:
Black Workers Since the Civil War
Written by: William H. Harris

Here and Hereafter
Written by: Ruth Montgomery

I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings
Written by: Maya Angelou

I Shall Not Be Moved
Written by: Maya Angelou

Imitation of Christ
Written by: Thomas a Kempis

In Search of Our Mother’s Gardens
Written by: Alice Walker

Initiation
Written by: Elisabeth Haich

Interesting People:
Black American History Makers
Written by: George L. Lee

James Baldwin: The Legacy
Edited by: Quincy Troupe

Kabbalah
Written by: Gersham Scholem

Life and Words of Martin Luther King, Jr.
Written by: Ira Peck

Life as Carola
Written by: Joan Grant

Linda Goodman’s Sun Signs
Written by: Linda Goodman

Makes Me Wanna Holler
Written by: Nathan McCall

The Meaning of Masonry
Written by: W.L. Wilmshurst

Moby Dick
Written by: Herman Melville

Monster:
The Autobiography of an L.A. Gang Member
Written by: Sanyika Shakur

Music of Black Americans: A History
Written by: Eileen Southern

Mysticism
Written by: Evelyn Underhill

Native Son
Written by: Richard Wright

Nature, Man and Woman
Written by: Alan W. Watts

No Man Is an Island
Written by: Thomas Merton

Nostradamus: The Millennium & Beyond
Written by: Peter Lorie

The Phenomenon of Man
Written by: Teilhard de Chardin

Ponder on This: A Compilation
From the Writings of: Alice A Bailey & the Tibetan Master, Djwhal Khul

The Practical Encyclopedia of Natural Healing
Written by: Mark Bricklin

The Prince
Written by: Niccolo Machiavelli

The Psychedelic Experience:
A Manual Based on the Tibetan Book of the Dead
Written by: Timothy Leary, Ph.D., Ralph Metzner, Ph.D., Richard Alpert, Ph.D.

The Psychic Realm
Written by: Naomi A. Hintze and J. Gaither Pratt, Ph.D.

A Raisin in the Sun
Written by: Lorraine Hansberry

Roots
Written by: Alex Haley

Savage Inequalities: Children in America’s Schools
Written by: Jonathan Kozol

Secret Splendor
Written by: Charles Essert

Serving Humanity
From the writings of: Alice A. Bailey

Sisterhood is Powerful:
Anthology of Writings from the Women’s Liberation Movement
Written by: Robin Morgan

The State of the World Atlas
Written by: Michael Kidron and Ronald Segal

Social Essays
Written by: LeRoi Jones

The Souls of Black Folk
Written by: W.E. Burghardt DuBois

Teachings of the Buddha
Written by: Jack Kornfield

Telepathy
Written by: Alice A Bailey

The Tibetan Book of the Dead
Written by: W.Y. Evans-Wentz

Thoughts and Meditations
Written by: Kahlil Gibran

Tropic of Cancer
Written by: Henry Miller

The Visionary Poetics of Allen Ginsberg
Written by: Paul Portuges

Wisdom of Insecurity
Written by: A.N. Watts

Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance
Written by: Robert M. Pirsig

Copied from: https://www.thuglifearmy.com/index.php/tupac-reading-library.html

{Goodreads also has an alternate list of books that Tupac read}.

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For more information…

Henry David Thoreau…http://thoreau.library.ucsb.edu/thoreau_life.html

Tupac Shakur…http://2pac.com/

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000637/?ref_=nmbio_bio_nm

https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/23942.Books_Read_by_Tupac_Shakur_

Tupac Shakur: Thug Angel Movie…http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0314806/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1

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Peace & Poetic Love…

-V.

Reflection for today…Running -Jimi Hendrix & The Pharcyde

“If I’m free, it’s because I’m always running.”

– Jimi Hendrix

Alice Braga plays Teresa Mendoza in the brilliant television series Queen of The South {USA network}…

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What are you running from?

What are you running to?

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Please enjoy Runnin’ by The Pharcyde…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jQ-RrGCSa2M

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For more information…

Jimi Hendrix…https://www.jimihendrix.com/

The Pharcyde…https://thepharcyde.com/

Queen of The South Television Series…https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1064899/?ref_=nv_sr_1 

Alice Braga…https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0103797/?ref_=tt_cl_t1 https://www.instagram.com/alicebraga_oficial/?hl=en

Reflection for today…I Against I -The Bhagavad Gita & Mos Def

“He who has conquered himself by the Self,

he is a friend of himself;

but he whose self is unconquered,

his self acts as his own enemy like an external foe.”
–Bhagavad-Gita, VI.6

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You can be your best friend or your own worst enemy. It really is your choice. Sadly, most people are their own worst enemies. They consciously or unconsciously engage in self-sabotage/self-destructive behaviour.

This is the shadow side that Carl Jung talks about. {I will be discussing this fascinating concept in future posts}.

The question is: how to emancipate yourself from your self-destructive prison?

How do you stop fighting yourself?

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Please enjoy I Against I by Mos Def…

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Lyrics

“I-ya, I against I, flesh of my flesh, and mind of my mind,

two of a kind but one won’t survive,

my images reflect in the enemies eye, and his images reflect in mine the same time,

I-ya, I-ya, I against I, flesh of my flesh, and mind of my mind, two of a kind but one won’t survive,

Right here is where the end gon’ start at, conflict, contact ‘n’ combat,

fighters stand where the land is marked at, settle the dispute about who the livest, 3 word answer, Whoever survive this, only one of us can ride forever, so you and I can’t ride together, can’t live or cant die together, all we can do is collide together, so I skillfully apply the pressure, won’t stop until I’m forever… one! A doorstep where death never come, spread across time til my time never done, and I’m never done, walk tall, why ever run? when they move if I ever come? bad man never fret the war, tell’em come general we have the stock, the mad fire burn I-ya,

I against I, flesh of my flesh, and mind of my mind, two of a kind but one won’t survive, my images reflect in the enemies eye, and his images reflect in mine the same time, I-ya, I-ya,

I against I, flesh of my flesh, and mind of my mind, two of a kind but one won’t survive, survive (x16)

Reign supreme in your U-N-I, V-E-R-S-E with the sharpness, narrow row building no space for partners, no space for drivers, no space for walkers, no space regardless, your on my path then get off it, hardheaded and unresponsive, get they lives put on target with harshness, come with the canons sparkin’ they darken, who am i? one man squadron, Ma stir the fire this time that’d snatch your tomorrow, the thousand-yard spear that’ll pierce through your armour, you can get it on right now if you want to, but when ya front 9 get marched through, I warned you, You know who forever belong to,

I-ya, I-ya I against I, flesh of my flesh, and mind of my mind, two of a kind but one won’t survive, my images reflect in the enemies eye, and his images reflect in mine the same time, I-ya, I-ya, I against I, flesh of my flesh, and mind of my mind, two of a kind but one won’t survive, my images reflect in the enemies eye, and his images reflect in mine, survive survive (x16).”

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For more information…

Bhagavad Gita…http://www.bhagavad-gita.org/

Mos Def {who is now called Yasiin Bey}…https://www.facebook.com/yasiinbey/

Carl Jung…https://www.cgjungpage.org/

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Peace…

Tonight America Chooses…

Tonight the United States of America chooses their leader- their president.

The world is watching. So many people are hoping for change.

I sincerely hope that the United States makes progress in their quest for life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness (as stated in the declaration of independence).

Here I present a video of one of my most respected and favourite artists/musicians/poets…Dead Prez…This is their appearance on Def Poetry Jam called “4 The Hood.” It includes the beautiful and heartfelt “Window To My Soul.”  

Their spoken word pieces and music are filled with intelligence, social justice, critical thinking and soulful, revolutionary poetry. 4 the hood begs the question: is money the real president?

Is voting really choosing between the lesser of two evils or the evil of two lessers?

Lyrics

RBG…RBG…

Look look
Yo, you expect me to vote for the lesser of two evils?
NEVER!
It’s more like the evil of two lessers.
That’s like sayin’ – M! Choose your oppressor!
Pick one! Jeffery Dahmer or Hannibal Lecter
You want Crack, Coke, Pepsi or Dr. Pepper?
THEY ALL FU**ED UP and neither one of ‘em better
Cuz Crack is like a Democrat
Cocaine – Republican
Marijuana – Independent Party
SAME GOVERNMENT!
You really think your vote counts?
Ask my folk down in Florida didn’t they straight THROW they sh*t out!
And them crackas act innocent,
KNOWING they depend on this
Benefit from HUSH money from big businesses
MONEY is the president!

Dead Prez,
Dolla dolla bill, and I bet no convention ain’t spinnin’ this
Soon they gon’ need us
BELIEVE US
When these cats pick rappers to be POLITICAL LEADERS?
Don’t be pawns, be Lolita Lebrons
Run up on them all like ‘Muthafu**a it’s ON!’
If CONGRESS can’t make PROGRESS
Let’s change the PROCESS –
NO MORE TOMS RUNNIN’ FOR OFFICE!
Talkin’ like that these crackas’ll call you crazy
What’s crazy is, ain’t no difference in ME and JAY-Z –
The SAME BOAT brought us the SAME PLACE in slavery
So we rock the same chains anyway
BABY, BABY!

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For more information on…

Dead Prez, please visit: https://deadprezblog.wordpress.com/

https://twitter.com/deadprezrbg

https://twitter.com/sticrbg 

Def Poetry Jam…http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0329823/ 

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Peace & Namaste….

-V.

Jim Morrison Predicts The Evolution Of Music…

Jim Morrison was a wise man beyond his years- a true old soul.

In this short video clip, Jim offers his predictions on the future of music.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iS3dIyHpAgc

Jim Morrison – The Future of Music

Jim cites the blues and folk music {or country music as he said later} are the roots of American music; namely rock n’ roll. He thought that rock music was a fusion of the blues and folk/country music. Jim felt that rock music was dying and that musicians were returning to their roots in either the blues or folk/country music. He prophesied that in the future music would turn to electronics; specifically he foresaw the rise of electronica/trip hop, rap music, hip hop and the DJ {disc jockey}, etc.

Did Jim’s shamanic powers grant him his futuristic vision?

Regardless of how he was able to foresee the future, Jim was a visionary.

{I would have loved to see the evolution of The Doors’ music and Jim’s poetry}.

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Please enjoy this electronic remix of The Doors’ interviews…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bkh2Dqe6QLc

T_Mo – The Future

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For more information on Jim Morrison…

https://thedoors.com/

Peace & Namaste…

Reflection for today…The Value of Money -Nikola Tesla

     “Money does not represent such a value as men have placed upon it.”

-Nikola Tesla

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In this short video clip, Moby discusses the value of money.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zSGwVm-Tj_s

He notes, “the ultimate goal in acquiring money is to have enough money so you don’t have to worry about money. 

His observation, “the best thing about money is when you don’t have to pay attention to money” is paradoxical.

It is a paradox that you can stop paying attention to money only when you have money.

This begs the question of how much money does one need to have in order to stop paying attention to it? 

{I suspect that it varies from individual  to individual}.

Moby talks about how he grew up poor and even lived in an abandoned factory in a crack neighborhood.

*It should be noted that at no point in time does he complain about the poverty he experienced.

One senses an air of gratitude from Moby for these experiences.

His humble beginnings are quite the contrast to his massive success as a musician. I believe that Moby truly deserves and enjoys his success- financial and otherwise.

His last point was that he doesn’t understand the pursuit of money for the sake of money.

Chasing money for the sake of money sounds like greed to me.

To me it seems that Moby is asking existential questions about human existence.

Specifically, he is questioning purpose and what brings happiness and satisfaction. 

He does not think that happiness is derived solely from money.

Moby Loves Animals & Is An Animal Activist…

However, Moby notes that money can improve the quality of your life.

Sociology teaches us that a person’s income and social status greatly impacts their health and quality of life.

Sadly, society is not a level playing field; hence, the vital and urgent importance of social equality is understood.

Moby invites us to define success and find happiness and satisfaction on own our terms. 

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Please enjoy Paid in Full by the legendary Eric B & Rakim…

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E7t8eoA_1jQ

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Do you agree or disagree with Moby?

Why or why not?

What does success mean to you?

What brings you happiness and satisfaction in life?

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For more information…

Nikola Tesla…http://www.pbs.org/tesla/ll/index.html

Moby…http://www.moby.com

Eric B. & Rakim…http://www.ericbnrakim.com

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Moby Wishes You Peace, Love and Happiness…

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Reflection for today…What is Important In Life -Henry James

“Three things in human life are important:

the first is to be kind;

the second is to be kind;

and the third is to be kind.”
–Henry James

Compassion Is At The Heart of Buddhism…

…”It’s the kind words you gave to that homeless man without judging that man
it’s the fact that you gave;
and showed compassion ’cause he humbly asked you for change…”

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Please enjoy Helpful by Dead Prez…

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fy7cZP3dSVc

“[Pulse of the people]
[If it feel good to ya]
[It’s okay to smile]

can’t get but so far in this life being selfish.
a free spirit
a giving heart
that’s what wealth is
we rich when we recognize the power that’s within
it’s not all about the money
it’s the time that we spend
it’s the hand that we lend
to a friend when we can
it’s the kind words you gave to that homeless man
without judging that man
it’s the fact that you gave;
and showed compassion ’cause he humbly asked you for change
i know the blessings I receive is not just for me
a shared blessing comes back to you
that’s what I believe
to help someone in need
to throw down some rope
to be a ray of hope
ya know?

sometimes you gotta help somebody
sometimes you gotta help somebody
sometimes you just gotta be helpful
when life gets stressful
sometimes you gotta help somebody
sometimes you gotta help somebody
what goes around is gonna come back ’round
what goes around is gonna come back ’round
when you help somebody

donate my extra clothes
to a clothing drive.
help the lady cross the street
bring her bags inside.
send a letter to a prisoner to lift his spirit.
be a mentor to a child ’cause it takes a village.

lend a hand, help a brother
that I learned the hard way
all for one
one for all
it got to be the squad way
the early bird get the worm
it’s corny but it’s true
first impressions last forever
careful how you move
first you crawl
then you walk
the 1 before the 2
nothing new under the sun
the golden rule
lazy people work the hardest
that’s my motivation
everything in moderation
even moderation

yo
yo, when you put out your hand,
is it to give or to receive?
see what goes around will come back around
I do believe
that the positive and negative is relative to where you live
not from experience
that’s what we tell the kids
’cause they are the seeds
the stronger the root
the stronger the tree
if we eat from the fruit
the stronger we be
if we do it today
tomorrow we free.”

Copied & Pasted from: http://www.songmeanings.net/songs/view/3530822107859444044/

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Thank you Stic & M-1 {Dead Prez} for this inspirational song.

I love Dead Prez.

Their music is full of pure wisdom.

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For more information on…

Henry James…

http://www.online-literature.com/henry_james/

Dead Prez…

http://deadprezblog.wordpress.com/

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How can you be helpful?

You never know how much your words and actions can help someone in need.

We are all interconnected as sentient beings.

Why not have compassion for each other?

One love.

“A Friend In Need Is A Friend Indeed…”

Peace & Namaste…

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Reflection for today…Faith In One’s Spiritual Path -Paulo Coelho

“In order to have faith in his own path,

he does not need to prove that someone else’s path is wrong.”
―Paulo Coelho

Warrior of the Light

Stic Man Praying…

Buddhism is an inclusive spiritual path…

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Please enjoy “No Way As The Way” by Dead Prez…

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qEXB0WsFVKg

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I love how inclusive “no way as the way” is.

“…My mind is a Buddhist temple.

The truth is simple.

I try to be principled.

Walking with a warrior’s spirit.

Aint’ nothing like learning from first hand life experience.

I’m a realist.

That’s all I deal with.

Respecting truth, that’s all I build with.

A child of the universe.

My religion is life and it’s just as valid.

I strive for balance…”

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For more information…

Paulo Coelho…http://paulocoelhoblog.com/

Dead Prez….http://deadprezblog.wordpress.com/

Their new album “Information Age” is available for purchase now…

{Thank you Stic Man & M-1!}

https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/information-age/id565661367

http://www.amazon.com/Information-Age/dp/B009I5LNMW

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Peace & Namaste…

Reflection for today…Potential -Doris Lessing

“Any human anywhere will blossom in a hundred unexpected talents and capacities simply by being given the opportunity to do so.” 
— Doris Lessing

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Society is not a level playing field.

Equal opportunities are mostly urban legends.

Spoken word poets and hip hop artists often speak about social inequalities and injustice through social commentary.

Some hip hop artists educate, enlighten/uplift consciousness and inspire.

Stic Man & M-1 are Dead Prez: My favourite hip hop artists/activists/revolutionaries

Tupac Shakur was a brilliant poet/artist/activist/revolutionary

This poetic narrative storytelling made me fall in love with hip hop because it gave a voice to the voiceless.

It was the poetry of the streets.

Many will not like the social commentary.

It is so incisive and critical but it has to be because the living conditions are full of suffering and injustice.

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It should be noted that conscious hip hop and punk music have many parallels.

They both fight against the status quo.

They both subvert the dominant paradigm.

*

Black ice is such a gifted poet and spoken word artist.

He shoots from the hip and his poems go straight to your heart and mind.

In his poem Imagine, he meditates on social inequality and how different life would be if equal opportunities actually existed.

He proposes to “put love where the hate is.”

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Please enjoy his poem Imagine.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8kVT89O6cLo

“What happens in neighbourhoods where the self-esteem has been overshadowed by the decay and the children no longer play the way they used to?

Where young boys choose to follow figures that had no father figures…

Whatever happened to that we shall overcome shit?…

Photo Courtesy of: http://www.neh.gov/files/divisions/preservation/images/we_shall_overcome_full_page.jpg

Cold winters are sheltered by crack houses instead of recreational centers that they claim to not have the paper to keep open for operation…

What’s a young boy to do when he doesn’t want to do wrong but there’s a lock on the right door?

When he has the heart of a soldier, the aggression of a prizefighter but no one’s taught him what to fight for…

Young Tupac was one of many boys without fathers {as Black Ice says}.
However, the absence of his father was eclipsed by his mother’s fierce love.
Afeni {a former Black Panther} passed on infinite wisdom to her son so it isn’t true that “no one taught him what to fight for.”
“My mother taught me three things: respect, knowledge, search for knowledge.
It’s an eternal journey.” -Tupac.
I included this caption of Tupac because he had “the heart of a soldier and aggression of a prize fighter”- not to mention the mind of a revolutionary leader.. 
In the end, Tupac defined manhood for himself and became quite the revolutionary man.

I would have loved to see Tupac become a father…

See, most of our families are fatherless and quite poor so we miss out on meals as well as kisses and hugs.

Photo Courtesy of: http://zunlee.com/

You’ve got the audacity to cut the funding for the facilities that keep us off the streets then ask us why we sell drugs.

Imagine if we put down our dices and guns, picked up our daughters and sons and put a little love right there where the hate is…

Photo Courtesy of: http://zunlee.com/images/sized/assets/blog/DSC_9675-Color_720_1080_c1.jpg

Imagine if these little inner-city kids had the same type of schools that these rich kids have way out there in the sticks…”

–Black Ice

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Imagine we lived in a world where there was no suffering, injustice/oppression, “third world” class distinction or any class distinction whatsoever.

This is the world that I want to live in…

Art by BANKSY

Peace & Namaste.

{More posts about poverty/social inequality/injustice, sociology, spoken word poetry, Tupac, Dead Prez, Black Ice and hip hop coming up in the future…}

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For more information…

Dorris Lessing…http://www.dorislessing.org/

Black Ice…https://twitter.com/BLACKICETHEPOET

Tupac…http://www.2pac.com/

The Tupac Shakur foundation…http://www.tasf.org/

Dead Prez…http://deadprezblog.wordpress.com/blog/

“Tupac’s Legend

Tupac Amaru Shakur was an inspiration to millions.

While  2Pac was most famous for his rap career,  he was also a gifted actor, poet and thoughtful while outspoken advocate for the poor and the overlooked in America. During his life, he produced an immense amount of artistic work, which included studio albums, major Hollywood feature films, and published works.  He was most prolific in the music industry, selling over 75 million albums. 2Pac’s unapologetic lyrics were relevant, important, and reflective of the hard lives led by many. His music earned attention and respect through a poetic style that embraced street vocabulary while being innovative. Today, 2Pac is still considered by many to be one of the biggest influences on modern hip-hop.

2Pac’s career has earned him six Grammy nominations and three MTV Video Music Award nominations. In 1997, Shakur was honored by the American Music Awards as the Favorite Hip Hop Artist.

Born on June 16 1971 in New York City, Shakur’s parents were both members of the Black Panther Party whose militant style and provocative ideologies for civil rights would come to influence 2Pac’s music. At an early age, Tuapc’s love for performance and the arts began to show, as he began acting at age 13 and later enrolled in the Baltimore School of the Arts before dropping out at 17. Shakur broke into the music business with rap group Digital Underground as a back-up dancer and roadie. Eventually Shakur released his first solo album in ’91, 2pacalypse Now. 2Pac’s music career began to grow as his second album, Strictly 4 My N.I.G.G.A.Z included two top 20 pop chart tracks: I Get Around and Keep Ya Head Up.

Shakur’s legal battles began after he established his rap career. In the early nineties Shakur faced a wrongful death suit which settled out of court, accusations of assaulting police officers where charges were ultimately dropped, and even an incident where Shakur sustained five gunshot wounds from shooter Dexter Isaac. In 1995 2Pac was sentenced one-and-a-half to four-and-a-half years in prison for sexual abuse. However, not even prison could slow the success of Shakur’s career.

While incarcerated 2Pac’s latest album at the time, Me Against the World, was number one in the pop charts and would later go double platinum. Shakur became the first artist to reach number one in the pop charts while serving a prison sentence. Making the most of his time in jail, 2Pac became a passionate reader. Among his favorites were the works of Niccolò Machiavelli, an Italian Renaissance writer whose works were in part the foundation for western political science. Shakur’s appreciation of his work inspired the nickname: Makaveli.

After serving only eight months of his sentence, 2Pac was out on parole thanks to a 1.4 million dollar bond paid by Suge Knight, CEO of Death Row Records. Now signed with Death Row Records, Shakur went on to create All Eyez on Me, which featured hits How Do You Want It and California Love.

2Pac’s life was cut short in September of 1996 when Shakur became the victim of a drive-by shooting while his car waited on a red light. While Shakur survived the surgery that followed he was pronounced dead almost a week after the attack.

Even today, 2Pac’s influence is wide-spread. From the Library of Congress where his song Dear Mama was added in 2010 to the National Registry, to artists like 11 time Grammy winner Eminem who in an interview with MTV said:

“He made you feel like you knew him. I think that , honestly, Tupac was the greatest songwriter that ever lived. He made it seem so easy. The emotion was there, and feeling, and everything he was trying to describe. You saw a picture that he was trying to paint.”

2Pac leaves a legacy of honesty and passion in his songs. Respected by many,  2Pac has become an inspiration for artists and a standard in rap music.”

-Copied & Pasted from: http://www.2pac.com/legend/

The Tupac Shakur Foundation

“MISSION

Our mission is to provide training and support for students who aspire to enhance their creative talents. Each and every child desires freedom to creatively express themselves. We provide an environment that encourages freedom of expression, serves as a resource for families, and empowers via education.

ABOUT

The Tupac Amaru Shakur Foundation (TASF) is home to the Tupac Amaru Shakur Center for the Arts, just outside of Atlanta in Stone Mountain, Georgia. TASF was founded in 1997 originally as the Shakur Family Foundation by Afeni Shakur, mother of multi-talented Tupac Amaru Shakur. Since its inception TASF has offered performing arts camps, essay competitions, youth book clubs, visual arts workshops, community development projects, and scholarships to students pursuing undergraduate degrees.

On June 11, 2005 the TASF opened the Center! The Center is dedicated to providing youth and the community with educational programs in the arts. It is a fact that early arts education improves school grades, as well as offers invaluable life lessons while building self-esteem and confidence. For nearly 15 years, the Foundation’s programs have served youth of all social and economic backgrounds, giving countless young people the courage to get off the streets and learn vital skills that have the potential to positively impact their communities. The Center is open to the public and hosts several noteworthy events throughout the year.

MORE ABOUT TUPAC

Tupac Amaru Shakur dealt with great obstacles such as homelessness, hunger, and pain, amongst other situations during his youth. Performing arts provided the hope that would seed the expression that would one day influence generations worldwide.

Tupac accomplished a lot before his murder at the age of 25. At an early age, he wrote and organized family productions, casting himself as the lead and his older cousins in supporting roles. Tupac formally trained at the 127th Street Ensemble and Baltimore School for the Arts. At the age of twelve, he experienced his first formal stage role as the character “Travis” in the stage play ‘Raisin In the Sun’ at the prestigious Apollo Theatre in Harlem.

Tupac was eventually cast in several feature films and recorded several chart topping albums. In fact, he released the first ever double hip-hop CD.   Today, years after his physical departure, he is the second highest selling Hip-Hop artist of all time. His gift- his words and creative talent- continues to inspire others around the world!“

-Copied & Pasted from: http://www.tasf.org/the-foundation/about-tasf/

Tupac Sends You Peace…

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Cee Lo Green speaks about resilience, love and the price of success…

 

I was first introduced to Cee Lo Green on Goodiemob’s Soulfood album.

It is a classic hip-hop album which I still listen to.

Cee-Lo’s soulful singing and rapping are unforgettable.

Here is a song that I listen to when I need some strength. I include it to give you an idea of Goodiemob’s and Cee-Lo’s soul. 

It is Goodiemob’s “Free.”

Goodie Mob has since broken up although there might be a reunion in the works. Cee-Lo has moved on to Gnarles Barkley and a solo music career.

He was interviewed on The Hour. 

I love what Cee-Lo says at 1:20:

“…People would maybe envy the success that you have or the fame, the celebrity…you know but I’m not sure if we talked about it you know specifically if you want to pay the same price that I did…”

He paid quite the price. 

Cee-Lo felt he was “thrust into manhood” because his mother had become a quadriplegic as a result of a car accident. He had to watch his mother suffer for three hellish years from complications due to her paralysis until her death.

He felt there was “a transferral of energy” and that he took on her spirit and her wish for him to be a success as a person. 

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His fierce love and reverence for his mother are so inspiring.

He speaks about it in the chilling song “Guess Who” on Goodiemob’s Soulfood album.

Here it is:

 

Cee-Lo’s fierce love and heartfelt devotion to his mother makes my heart melt every time I listen {along with the rest of Goodiemob’s’}.

He is a phoenix that rises from the ashes; his resilience is the essence of who he is.

 

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Reflection for today…Love Song -Jean Grae

Jean Grae is one of the best lyricists/MCs that I have heard.

Jean Grae Is The Phoenix Rising From The Ashes…

Her gift of story telling is evident in every song.

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Please enjoy Love Song by Jean Grae…

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hrWL7ieIU7A

This song is not only about love in relation to others but in regards to one’s self.

Self-love is what was born of deep pain.
  The protagonist in the song starts from being a naive victim and then transforms into a heroine. 

She comes from a place of dependence and grows into independence.

My favourite line is, “What I thought was gold was only gold-plated…“
 How many times have you met someone who you thought had a heart of gold only to discover otherwise; hence, the gold-plated reference.

*How rare it is to find a heart of gold in this world…but it’s not impossible.

Don’t forget that you can have a heart of gold ;).

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Love Song Lyrics

“She grew up believing in passion and love
Whose folks divorced and remarried
Very naive
 Seen life and commitments that shoulda been dead and buried
Highly sentimental
Sensitive
Gentle beyond the point she should be
What might be obvious to most, she says they too bitter
Can’t see the world the way she does
Clean lungs, undamaged liver
Sees thugs through a pink-tinted glasses
Occasionally
Weed does make her giggle
Listen to some music closer
Dudes approach her
Lightly
Wanna be her lover and she obliges
Likes to cuddle under the covers by candlelit fires
Oblivious to lying schemes to talk her out of clothes
Says she’s just in love with love
Cuts her classes
Spending too much time entrancing romancing
Things are changing quickly
She’s asking “why aren’t you spending more time with me?”
 N****’s eyes are getting shifty
Coming over later smelling of pussy
On his face, jeans, and sweaters something’s fishy
And it’s not what he tells her, man, it’s what he don’t
And she don’t understand and for some years, she probly won’t
Just wants an honest man
For goodness sake
They backstabbing and cutting her throat
 Restraining orders follow, but she still optimistic about it
 Like Annie, thinking tomorrow will maybe be a better day
 I let her pray on bended knees “ask him to send prince charming, please”
She’s never cheated
Treats her man well
Cooks, cleans, dresses sexy for him
Halter tops and tight jeans
Would break the law for him
Go through a couple of these relationships
Still stays strong
She’s too young and dumb to call it quits
Learns that she carrying twice
Scared and afraid the first time
 The second she don’t even cry
Makes her wipe away his tears and it hurts
They always leave return crazy, so she doesn’t flirt
Spends time warning the babies
Goes through a couple of these relationships and still stays strong
Too young and dumb to call it quits
Its still a love song

Shes got a good man
Shes 19, he’s 21 and sweet and honest
Promised to love her
Talk of marriage
She would never wanna be somebody’s baby’s mother
Use rubbers occasionally
When she’s flowing
Open to all the affection and gifts and all the good manners he’s showing
He’s trying to build a life for himself
Studies late computer shit and she’s missing attention that she’s not getting
Sex dwindles
Crawling in the sheets
 He say “ya tired” and she say she feel “neglect and defeat”
Just doesn’t see his ambition
She wanna be the universe and hold his center position
Starts hanging round the best friend more
 Crazy attraction takes impulsive action
Drop the drawers
And falls in love
The world explodes
And she confesses “yeah I did it, so?”
They so tight it like he moves when she stretches
 Over the couple years
Too many stresses
Girls who wanna fight her
Bitches writing letters
Friendships disappearing
Plus he rhymes, so it’s competitive
Pressure miscarriage
They break up fifty times a week and make up just as much
 He fuckin’, and I know, but pretending I’m out of touch
It’s getting strained and gets physical
She cries until the river dries and leaves her dead and cold
Packs up her things and leaves behind what I thought was gold was only gold-plated
 Thinking of all the other ones I coulda just left and up and dated
Singled after four years
Starting over never easy
But it takes some time to realize your own worth
Come into your own
Play your mental rebirth
She starts penning some better poems
Straighten up her bank account
Likes to take herself out
I’m getting better at it
I’ve had a few relationships
But still too young and dumb enough to call it quits
It’s still a love song

Love
All I ever want is you
All I ever had, leading in my life was you
All that ever was, all I ever had

Maybe it’s easier to talk about this shit in third person
Learning better
Looking for love in all the wrong places
Like I’m Eddie Murphy
Curse me to repeat the same cycle
I’m breaking
No longer think relations make a better woman
Just for life, I’m pursuing
Growing, but hopelessly romantic still
Tasted weather in the bitter climates
Love the sunshine better
Dreaming of dream proposals
Decent moral values placing higher on my chart
Trying not to have a shallow heart
But battle scars are deep and reaching to the depth of hell and back
Try to give up the grudges
Think it’s experience and move from the clutches of sadness
It’s difficult
Sometimes I wish I wasn’t an adult
Adolescent primetime sitcom star
I’ve been too far and too much, too hard, for too long
It’s still a love song.”
-Jean Grae

Here’s hoping that you realize your own worth and find the person that has a heart of gold {not a gold-plated one}.

Here’s to hoping you find the person that deserves you, your love, heart and soul.

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For more information on Jean Grae….

please visit: http://jeangrae.com/

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Peace & Namaste…

Boogiemonsters – Recognized Thresholds Of Negative Stress

Recognized Thresholds Of Negative Stress Lyrics

Verse One: Mondo, Vex

I can see your only eyes, locked into your skull
My backbone the zone and when I roam my mind is full
Guess who? I’m swoopin through the air like pestilence
I know your nerves are shot and skin is tight from my presence
Got the aura of a gazelle and roll like an ox
I linger in the air and make my vocals bust shots
To your dome, I’m thicker than a junkie’s nostrils or veins
The membrane, of a party, nucleus of the brain
The cytoplasma, is gettin phatter as it grows
And expansions of the soul so throw the trash below dig within
Your mental will extend upon arrival of the truth the spiritual
Ya hear it nigga you’ll get loose
So light the wick and let’s get busy
Like a stick into your teeth
I override the threshold, and take it back to the sea
Who can it be? Dance up in the party
Come and grab the microphone, come and move my body

Well I came through the door, I said it before
I never let the stress get me down anymore
So as we walk through the thresholds of snake in the grass
I thought of super vicious shapes, lyrics begin to mass
Feel the blast as the format of the rap smacks the skit
No profanity but the tongue is rough spit
Verbal vomit, strings the atomic
Some electrospectroscopic storm, rising from the quorum
It’s like water all up in your grill as we be strokin to the doom
Eliminating gloom as we walk in
With the WalkMan’s on, turned up to ten
Apocalypse is comin, Boogiemonsters’, transcend
With the
Dan-ne-na, dan-ne-na
Dan-ne-nanny-yah on your block
Rock the ill one for energy, blesses as the mess
Penetrates the thresholds of negative stress

Chorus: Repeat 2X

[Dan-ne-na, dan-ne-na] The recognized thresholds of negative stress
[Dan-nah-nah-neyaa] The recognized thresholds of negative stress

Verse Two: Yodared, Myntric

I like the bare back when I rip my rap on the track
MC’s be beggin for mercy, but we don’t be cuttin no slack, see
Yoda’s on attack and Myntrick got my back
Peep the ver-nacular, cause I don’t know how to act

Spectacular, back you up like Dracula
Feedin off the energies, flip em like french toast I be the spatula
My man my blackness, we’re, comin through the fatness
The drifter, floatin to the mist of the wackness

Attack us like a virus, look into my iris
Save that Achey Breaky Heart stuff for Billy Ray Cyrus
Just one of four Jugganauts, breakin down the walls
I fall into my zone and I realize all

So bring the noise b-boys, cause we’re back
Peep the naked flow, bust the dreaded afro check the track
And plus the microphone, when I take you back
Represent the Boogie Down, monster when the sound hold me black

Chorus:

Verse Three: Vex, Mondo

Well it’s the taker of the took-en, the shaker of the shook-en
My head will bop and rock like the niggas bop in Brooklyn
On the block, so you don’t stop
And ya don’t stop when I rock and the nine goes pop

Remember me, I be the kid with the Catholic uniform
But nowadays, ahh, the girlies just swarm
I don’t know why, I’m walkin through the negative stress
Ghinga levi, is use-ful and still may get the thresh

Well I’m that little peasy-headed kid from back in the day
The one that could run fast, cut and go the other way
And run a three-eight forty, leave ya in the chills
Leave ya at the twenty standin still holdin ya dillz

I used to get frustrated with my Nike’s
It never matched my wears, I used to be in tears
I used to be chillin, I used to roll dice
Nowadays I’m thrillin, my wears are twice as nice

And nice on the rhyme flip, watch how my rhyme tip
Just gets more complex, as we come, let me say my name is Vex
Fe fi fo fum, ho hum, yes I said it, before
But bring it in, Mondo, my man cause he got more

One day I be the rich and famous sittin in my Nova
Scoopin chicks, gettin chicks, to flip like bend over
Got my powerful, ice-ring, and everybody’s witness
And the swing techniques, so flow you fly freak

So in ninety-four, yo, it’s all about the music
Here it comes, spiritually, now you can, use it
So ah, eliminate the worst and the best
And eliminate the threshold, of negative stress.

Passin’ Me By- The Pharcyde

Who is Passing You By???
Or Who Are You Passing By???

I Love The Pharcyde…
 

 Passin’ Me By is a True Hip Hop Classic…





Bizarre Ride II the Pharcyde is a Classic Hip Hop Album…so original, creative and fresh.

 Its still all love after all these years…
 

 The Pharcyde – Passin’ Me by Lyrics

“Now in my younger days I used to sport a shag
When I went to school I carried lunch in a bag
With an apple for my teacher cause I knew I’d get a kiss
Always got mad when the class was dismissed
But when it was in session, I always had a question
I would raise my hand to make her stand, come to my desk and
Help me with my problem, it was never much
Just a trick, to smell her scent and try to sneak a touch
Oh, how I wish I could hold her hand and give her a hug
She was married to the man, he was a thug
His name was Lee, he drove a Z
He’d pick her up from school promptly at three o’clock
I was on her jock, yes indeedy I wrote graffiti on the bus
First I’d write her name then carve a plus
With my name last, on the looking glass
I seen her yesterday but still I had to let her pass
She keeps on passin’ me by…

When I dream of fairytales I think of me and Shelly
See she’s my type of hype and I can’t stand when brothers tell me
 That I should quit chasin’ and look for somethin’ better
But the smile that she shows makes me a go-getter
I haven’t gone as far as asking if I could get with her
I just play it by ear and hope she gets the picture
I’m shootin’ for her heart, got my finger on the trigger
 She could be my broad, and I could be her nigg*
But, all I can do is stare
Back as kids we used to kiss when we played truth or dare
Now she’s more sophisticated, highly edu-ma-cated
Not at all over-rated, I think I need a prayer
To get in her boots and it looks rather dry
I guess a twinkle in her eye is just a twinkle in her eye
Although she’s crazy steppin’, I’ll try to stop her stride
Cause I won’t have no more of this passin’ me by…

Time for me to voice my opinion of not even pretendin she didn’t have me
Strung like a chicken, chase my tail like a doggie
She was kind of like a star, thinking I was like a fan
Dude, she looked good, down side: she had a man
 He was a rooty-toot, a nincompoop
She told me soon your little birdie’s gonna fly the coop
She was a flake like corn, and I was born not to understand
By lettin’ her pass I had proved to be a better man

She keeps on passin’ me by…

Now there she goes again, the dopest Ethiopian
And now the world around me be gets movin in slow motion
When-ever she happens to walk by – why does the apple of my eye
Overlook and disregard my feelings no matter how much I try?
 Wait, no, I did not really pursue my little princess with persistance;
And I was so low-key that she was unaware of my existence
From a distance I desired, secretly admired her;
Wired her a letter to get her, and it went:
My dear, my dear, my dear, you do not know me but I know you very well
Now let me tell you about the feelings I have for you
When I try, or make some sort of attempt, I symp
Damn I wish I wasn’t such a wimp
Cause then I would let you know that I love you so
And if I was your man then I would be true
The only lyin’ I would do is in the bed with you
Then I signed sincerely, the one who loves you dearly, PS Love Me Tender
The letter came back three days later: Return to Sender, damn
She keeps on passin’ me by…”

*

For more information on The Pharcyde,

please visit their official website…

http://thepharcyde.com/

*

Peace & Namaste…

Tricky Spoken Word Piece & Interview -AllSaints Basement Sessions Special Presentation

This Shakespearean style soliloquy/spoken word piece is one of the many reasons why I love Tricky.
He is so unique.
There is no one like him.
His delivery is raw and exploding with confidence and wisdom.
He is a poet and an artist.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s4Fks524_34

Tricky Photo Courtesy of: http://www.alwaysontherun.net/tricky1.htm

Copied & Pasted from AllSaintsShop youtube channel…

“From his early collaborations with ‘Blue Lines’ era Massive Attack through his own highly influential recordings such as Maxinquaye, Tricky is a man who has done more to expand the definition and artistic aspirations of Hip Hop than almost any of his peers.

The otherworldly sprechgesang delivery stands in stark contrast to the braggadocio style of most other rap artists.

AllSaints Basement Sessions and GQ talk to the Bristolian icon about coming up with The Wild Bunch, becoming so famous so quickly, the artistic process and his exciting upcoming collaboration with Massive Attack.“
  Enjoy, AllSaints
AllSaints.com/Music

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1xARDTgvdbQ&feature=relmfu

*

For more information…

Tricky…http://www.trickysite.com/

*

Peace & Love…

The Prostitution of Time in Tricky’s Song Contradictive…

 

“….Reflect on your life
Time isn’t real
How much time can you kill?….”
-TRICKY

My respect and love for Tricky/Adrian Thaws and his music only grows with time.
He is an artist that does not truly exist in any category.

It can be said that he is a “trip hop artist” but it can also be argued that he is a hip hop artist because he raps and whispers.
He is simply an artist in the truest sense of the word.
To me, he doesn’t fit in any box because Tricky is just too fluid.

His liquid, mercurial lyrical style flows like water.
And no one has a voice like his…love his voice!

This song speaks of time being an illusion.
Contradictive is esoteric and existential at the same time.
Its beauty is that it is timeless- just like Tricky’s music.

I am always excited to hear Tricky’s music- vintage or new.

I would LOVE to see Tricky in concert and to meet him in person.
 
What kind of questions can one ask Tricky?

The answer is the most creative ones you can think of {e.g. Is life an illusion? Is death a new beginning? Is time an illusion?}.

*Sigh…one can at least dream…

Love you Tricky!!!

To learn more about Tricky, please click on this link to visit his official website: http://www.trickysite.com/

*

Peace & Namaste…

Supa Star -Group Home

“Born in the ghetto it’s hard to survive
Some have achieved and many brothers tried
But I realized which life to choose
I wanna make money so I gotta pay dues
But there’s no rules and you only have one chance
If ya fuck up kid you face the circumstance
At night I use to scream and shout
Livin’ in the ghetto trying to get the hell out
So I would try as I watch my friends die
But all I could do was sit back and cry
These are feelings I’m expressing through my rhymes
I been through hard times so many problems on my mind
I wasn’t living rich and I also wasn’t poor
I try to appreciate but I deserve more…”
-Group Home

Reflection for today…The Days of Old -Paris

http://www.parismusiconline.com/

“Reminisce’ back when I was only a child
Back in the days of livin’ carefree lifestyles
As long as we wasn’t caught, bein’ bad was cool
and we were never at a loss for something to get into
Children in the neighbourhood, down at the park
Sunny days when we played at the old schoolyard
where kickin’ it live was a familiar scene
Kenny M. and Big Gene know what I mean
But nowadays it seems life just ain’t the same
Everybody’s involved in the game or a gang
and when we die, it seem like nobody cares
It ain’t no love in they cold-hearted stares
Thinkin’ of payback, of makin’ a hit
Now Cowboys and Indians become real-life shit
and life means nothin’ when the heart is cold
It ain’t the same as the days of old.

Yeah…it ain’t the same as the days of old.

It’s a unity thing, much love for my people here
But what good is love if the people don’t really care?
The triggers are cold at the O.K. Corral
but it ain’t O.K. when my people live foul
Another sad case of the black-on-black
It’s a fact, some of our people don’t know how to act
Can’t go to the club, can’t to the store
Can’t chill with your girl, can’t go to the show
Can’t do anything without some fool actin’ up
You start to believe that black folk are savage but
before you do, allow me to say
that in the old days we didn’t act that way, see
Kings and Queens were the names of the righteous
but the sons of slaves are insane and we might just
self-destruct and erupt without a chance to grow
This ain’t the days of old.

Damn…this ain’t the days of old.

I don’t know…c’mon.

(Sound bite of George Bush)
There is no match for a united America…a determined America…an
angry America…our outrage against the ploy unites us, brings us
together behind this one plan of action – an assault on every front.

Better wake up…

So I say, what will it take before we change up?
Some more of us dead, or more of us locked up?
Or maybe even more of us will blame the white man
before we understand now the problem’s not him
What I’m tellin’ ya is actual fact
I’m ain’t pro-human cuz all humans ain’t pro-black
Remember in your mind that there still exists
a plan to bring down a black fist
See the struggle is uphill, life’s at a standstill
Jack popped Jill now he don’t act real
And every livin’ moment got her singin’ the blues
Her sole provider can’t afford the baby’s shoes
That’s the cycle so many of us go through
America’s black holocaust continues
and I just hope we wake up soon before we fold
I miss the days of old.

Damn…I miss the days of old.

Listen…it ain’t the same as the days of old.”
-PARIS

 

 

 

Saul Williams…I Am Hip Hop

“I’ve Never Really Been Afraid To Evolve…
I Allow Myself To Evolve- Artistically, Creatively…”
–Saul Williams

“I was basically writing poetry to fill the void between the hip-hop I was hearing and the hip-hop I wished I was hearing. Because, at that time, that whole gangsta bullshit hip-hop was becoming commercial.”

— Saul Williams

I Love Saul Williams!!!

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