Thursday, November 13, 2003

PEACE. The transition from the talk fast to public expression takes place in the early strokes. Hence my lengthy break from posting. Eye have been in deep meditation & intense study ever since the season change. My spirit seeks a major change in the body of this global-technological-oppressive-capitalistic-semi socialist-contradictory-drug induced society. My black skin is itching for a new, different, more gentle, more organic fabric of living.

Excuse my absence. Peace people.



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Friday, September 5, 2003

Please come out & support the newest stage mom on the theatrical scene & Little Miss Kana Eshe' in the Circle Players production of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat . Please come out & support the cast during their final performance weekend!



WHERE: Tennessee Performing Arts Center (TPAC), Johnson Theatre, Music City

WHEN: Friday, 7:30 p.m.; Saturday. 7:30 p.m.; and Sunday Matinee, 2 p.m.

TICKETS: $12-$14 at TPAC Box Office



For more information, visit www.circleplayers.net

Friday, August 8, 2003

"...& the name bestowed upon the little miss-- Eshe'. Life. Cana. Kana Eshe. The miracle of life; full of life miracles." Happy Earthday to the princess of our palace. 6. F. Father (fat-her).



True Knowledge be yours, also!

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Monday, July 28, 2003

**NEW PIECE IN THE GALLERY: EXHIBIT ONE**



12:54 a.m......29 July.....Experience the New Moon

Friday, July 25, 2003

23 July-25 July Gregorian



powerful roots energy undercurrents

ras tafari, elder cedella & heiress

rita marley come to be inherent



mystic streams across the earth blak

eye presence seen within the trinity

it is love we feel from bob thrown aback



powerful roots energy undercurrents

mystic streaming across the earth blak



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Wednesday, July 16, 2003

Come out, come out...wherever you are!



WHO: Count Bass D w/ The Black Eyed Peas

WHAT: Dancin In The District

WHERE: Nashville Stadium/Coliseum

WHEN: Thursday, July 17 @ 7 p.m.

FEE: $3-Free 5 & under (ALL AGES)



The Music City's Hiphop maverick will represent to the fullest! NO ONE...but NO ONE does it better! Believe that!!!

Cee U there...



+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++UHURU

Tuesday, July 8, 2003

Just the other day, a longtime acquaintance crowned me the Queen of Multitasking. And while spreading myself thin is something that I've become known for over the years (no pun--save your Olive Oyl jokes), it is not a title or an ability that I proudly champion any longer. Take right now, for instance...my dutiful obligations for Tuesday, July 8 are as follows:



1. Wife

2. Mother

3. Educator

4. Writer-Revolutionist

5. Co-Manager (Music Business)

6. Publicist (Music Business)

7. Booking agent (Temporary-see below)



Where do I find the time? Quite frankly, I am adding seconds/minutes/hours to each & every day. Sleep? HA! I may complete one cycle of REM. Maybe! But you know what, sleep is overrated. I'm sure that I'll have plenty of time to catch up when the creator marks my transition. Na' mean. Word up. But in the meantime, I do hope to shed some of these layers in order to commit more time to my artistic presence. To writing. Writing, period. Period! Plus the other three headers on my list. Yeah, 4 full-time gigs. I can dig it!



BTW- Any takers for the other 3 jobs? All professionals please inquire here.



UHURU.



Reputable Hip-hop artist/musician/producer Count Bass D is currently organizing a tour to promote his third critically acclaimed release, Dwight Spitz, and his forthcoming release, BEGBORROWSTEEL. Count Bass D is available for one-nighters, multiple-night engagements, festivals, conferences, national and international tours. To schedule bookings, promoters and agents should contact Oriana lee at 615-210-8408 or e-mail oriana@countbassd.com. Visit http://www.countbassd.com to learn more about Count Bass D.

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Friday, June 27, 2003

Mary J. Blige is to Hiphop what Billie Holiday is to Jazz.

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Monday, June 16, 2003

2Pacalypse Now hit me like mama's backhand when eye first caught wind of it back in '92. In my opinion, it's Tupac's most lyrically eloquent album to date. Today, we celebrate the life & purpose of possibly the most influential brother in the Hiphop era. Happy Birthday Afeni & thank you for sharing with us the life of Tupac Amaru Shakur . Too bad he doesn't have an OFFICIAL website. What's up with that? To martyrdom & beyond...

Wednesday, June 4, 2003

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Let us not forget the government proclamation *establishing* Black Music Month. To be authenticated--as follows:



For Immediate Release

Office of the Press Secretary

June 29, 2001



Black Music Month, 2001

By the President of the United States of America

A Proclamation





America's rich musical heritage reflects the diversity of our people. Among many influences, the cultural traditions brought to this land from Africa more than four centuries ago and the remarkable musical achievements of African Americans since then have strongly and unmistakably improved the sound of American music.



From historical burdens such as slavery and injustice to the celebration of faith, much of the origin of African-American music reflects our national story. The work songs, shouts and hollers, spirituals, and ragtime of an earlier era laid the creative foundation for many of America' s most distinctive and popular musical genres. These include rhythm and blues, jazz, hip hop, gospel, rap, and the roots of rock and roll.



Jazz, often called America's classical music, so influenced our culture that Americans named a decade after it. Like the country of its birth, jazz blends many traditions, such as African-American folk, rhythm and blues, French Creole classical form, and gospel. Through the creation and performance of music like jazz, black Americans were better able to exchange ideas freely across racial and cultural barriers. Before our Nation made significant strides in truly promoting equal justice and opportunity for all, black and white musicians in the genres of jazz, blues, and country played together in jam sessions, recording studios, and small bands. In many ways, their art preceded social change, allowing black and white musicians to meet as equals and to be judged on their musical ability, rather than the color of their skin. Their music also provided an outlet for African Americans to speak passionately and brilliantly to the rest of the Nation and the world.



From New Orleans and the back roads of the Mississippi Delta to Harlem and Chicago, black musicians set enduring and distinctive standards for American creativity. The blues of Ma Rainey and Bessie Smith, the gospel of Mahalia Jackson, the jazz of Duke Ellington, and the soul of Marvin Gaye claim fans of all ages from around the world. The trumpeting genius of Louis Armstrong and Dizzy Gillespie illustrate the exceptional musicianship so prominent in various genres of African-American music.



The career of Marian Anderson, the world-class contralto who was denied permission to sing in Constitution Hall because of her race, symbolizes the achievements of so many black American musicians. Performing instead at the Lincoln Memorial in 1939, she drew an audience of 75,000 and inspired the world not only with her rich musical gifts, but also with her determination and courage.



The music of Marian Anderson and other African-American artists has greatly enriched our quality of life and created one of our Nation's most treasured art forms. As universal and original expressions of the human experience, their body of work, both past and present, entertains, inspires, and thrills countless people around the world.



NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE W. BUSH, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim June 2001, as Black Music Month. I encourage all Americans to learn more about the contributions of black artists to America's musical heritage and to celebrate their remarkable role in shaping our history and culture.



IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this twenty-ninth day of June, in the year of our Lord two thousand one, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and twenty-fifth.









GEORGE W. BUSH

# # #



I'm typing an e-mail to Ari Fleisher to see if he can contrast hip-hop and rap music & further distinguish between the two. I'll post it when they catch wind of the site. C'mon...after that pathetic plea for Negro allegience, the least that the bushwackers can give me are a few extra hits. Sight?



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Tuesday, May 27, 2003

Below are the results for an online quiz that I took.

It supposedly rates the color of one's aura...

What do you think?




Violets are the inspirational visionaries, leaders
and teachers who are here to help save the
planet. Most Violets feel drawn to educate the
masses, to inspire higher ideals, to improve
the quality of life on the planet, or to help
save people, animals and the environment.



What Is Your True Aura Colour?
brought to you by Quizilla



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Monday, May 19, 2003

On the day we recognise & celebrate the birth day of El Hajj Malik El Shabazz.



Hiphop Appreciation Week (May 18-May 25)





The Honorable Davey D Says...



"The purpose of the 6th Annual Hiphop Appreciation Week (May 18th-25th, 2003) is to continue decriminalizing Hiphop's public image and promote the unity of Hiphop Kulture. Plans for the 6th Annual Hiphop Appreciation Week have already begun! All suggestions, endorsements and approvals for the 6th Annual Hiphop Appreciation Week events can be emailed to haw@templeofhiphop.org. This year our theme is responsibility. Lets us take time during this week to be conscious of how Hiphop looks and acts in society."



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Tuesday, April 29, 2003

Check out a brand new exhibit in the Gallery.



Reputable Hip-hop artist/musician/producer Count Bass D is currently organizing a tour to promote his third critically acclaimed release, Dwight Spitz, and his forthcoming release, BEGBORROWSTEEL. Count Bass D is available for one-nighters, multiple-night engagements, festivals, conferences, national and international tours. To schedule bookings, promoters and agents should contact Oriana lee at 615-210-8408 or e-mail oriana@countbassd.com. Visit http://www.countbassd.com to learn more about Count Bass D.



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Monday, April 28, 2003

What a beautiful earth day it is indeed for a creature so undeserving as myself! Thank you mother for this birth day...thank you creator for the magnificent sunshine that fuels my energy. How blessed it is to live to celebrate the close of another year & the dawn of the next! Reach out: orianalee@writehanded.com





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Wednesday, April 23, 2003

KUSH EKUNDAYO, the original black man-child, is celebrating his 2nd birthday. He has the same birthday as the world renowned playright, Shakespeare. It's no wonder he is a genius...right? Send him lots of well wishes at kush@writehanded.com.



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Tuesday, April 22, 2003

Homegirl, KIMBERLY LOCKE has truly come into her own on American Idol. As one who has been in the business for a minute now, eye am usually not engrossed by these types of shows because they are SOOOO commercial. But since this particular show is based on the auditions that were held here in the Music City, eye've been paying a lot of attention. As a matter of fact, it is the only show that eye make any effort to watch (besides Seinfeld a couple nights a week). Between Reuben, Kimberly Locke & Clay eye can't stop the madness. But Kimberly is on my list for future collabos with Count. She's tight! Her range is wide-open. She's versatile & her personality is finally shining through. Personality is about the only thing that she has consistently lacked. Now Reuben, on the other hand, has been mad consistent, through & through. But she's the homegirl, so eye hope to see her as runner-up to the 205 rep. The straight wrap do...that's her look. Eye am so proud that she has found her place!



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Monday, April 21, 2003

NINA SIMONE, the high-priestess of soul, has made her transition back to the essence. Eye was never so blessed to see her in person, but through raspy emotion she made me know her spirit. My head-over-heels love for Nina Simone's music was born out of a Nikki Giovanni interview that eye read in the early mid-nineties. In the background, Giovanni had a poster of a woman that eye didn't recognize at the time. Considering my fanatic allegience to the poet, at that time, eye thought it best to find out who this was who so inspired her. Even now, memory recalls that photograph clearly. It must have been the power of her presence that reeled me in initially, but it was the magnetism in her vocal sway that made me a believer. "I'm Going Back Home" sends my limbs into a sanctified frenzy each listen. Today is no exception.



Sang Nina! Sing Eunice a deep, sweet lullaby. May she rest in peace! "Come ye"!



++++++++++++++++++++++++++++UHURU

Wednesday, April 16, 2003

Hiphop is finally being represented in every commercial medium. With my own two, eye sat beside my children this morning groving to Jay Z's classic Hard Knock Life---on Sesame Street. Yes. The Children's Television Network. No jive. Playing on the hook from the musical Annie, the producers put together a party scene where children danced to the sounds of a preschool-aged DJ. I didn't happen to notice whether or not he was rocking the Fisher Price record players that many of us enjoyed in the 70's or if they went all out with Technic 1200's. By the way...does anyone know if eBay sells the audio Viewmaster players?



++++++++++++++++++++++++++++UHURU

Monday, April 14, 2003

THEY [do not exist] : Lighten up, Oriana. You're always so heavy. So serious!



THEY [do not exist] who toss in two broken coppers: Smile. It cain't be that bad.



If not for my serious nature, I'm not sure that I would have such a distinct voice. If I didn't instinctly wear a weight of the world visor, I would very likely not have foreshadowed my career as both a writer & educator back in the 2nd grade. But make no mistake, homegirl loves to party! And party pumps my system when I revisit old school Hiphop jams that once screamed furiously from my boom box-- both before & during the Golden Era. Dual cassette, equalizer & high-speed dubbing...you know the deal. Cold-chillin on my grandmother's porch in the LL stance-- geared down in flea-market Cazels (Gazelle knock-offs), Member's Only windbreaker, gold nugget rings & hot pink fat laces that adorned my polished white Air Force Ones. I was Just 2 Much *my fly girl moniker. Back in the day, it meant everything to LIVE the culture, inside & out.



Back in the Days, a photograph book shot by Jamel Shabazz, is a top-notch representation of the memories that feed the nostalgic muse. Every single trend that Hiphop fpopularized in the 80's, from the cool pose to fashion, has been eloquently bound -- projecting the very funky fresh street charisma that now pervades mainstream. Introduction by Fab 5 Freddy. Essay by Ernie Paniciolli. One for the collection!



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Saturday, April 12, 2003

And who can doubt that it will lead to the worst disorders when minds created free by God are compelled to submit slavishly to an outside will? When we are told to deny our senses and subject them to the whim of others? When people devoid of whatsoever competence are made judges over experts and are granted authority to treat them as they please? These are the novelties which are apt to bring about the ruin of commonwealths and the subversion of the state. --Galileo



++++++++++++++++++++++++++++UHURU

Thursday, April 10, 2003

Thanks to you for your patience...thanks for your support. MP3's COMING SOON!



++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++UHURU

Wednesday, April 9, 2003

Ever had the notion to loosen the reigns of this pseudo-Democracy leaving all tangibles behind & uproot to Neptune? It's certainly a thought that grows more & more pervasive ever since my daughter posed it in school yesterday:



woman-child: Momme, can we got to Neptune some day?"

oleE: "Who knows babe? But humans have never visited any other planet besides the simulated trips to Mars?"

woman-child: "Well...can we go to Mars again?"



And maybe that's just the move for those of us who are sick and tired of compromising the natural authority of our godly introspect just to feed the sick greedy monsters hiding in the Bush. Funny enough...just to scratch the surface triggers hidden allergens...more when I recover.



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Sunday, April 6, 2003

IN THE KNOW...IN THE KNOW...yes eye am, but moreso on a global scale these days.

Originally, eye had every intention of resuming the weekly IN THE KNOW newsletter

regiment in January...but all truth be told, once the brainstorm hit realizations too fell.



Reasons for publishing IN THE KNOW:



1. To create a general awareness among the local American Afrakan community about

events that pertain to American Afrakan culture.

2. To challenge American Afrakans in Nashville to support events that will further grow

the community through means of economic, mental, spiritual & cultural elevation.

3. To provide a free community service as a direct means of "giving back".



Since initially publishing IN THE KNOW, more than one or two local calendars have regularly

begun to arrive in my Inbox. More websites with sections devoted to current local events

have also since come into existence. With that considered, IN THE KNOW, as you

know it, has been permanently suspended. Thanks for all of your support in meeting

these goals in a relatively short period of time. Please stay tuned for more musings...



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Saturday, April 5, 2003

Where is she? What's going on with her website? Does she still write? IN THE KNOW?

All questions darted at me over the last 6 months. Still here in the ville...against my will...still writing...

more than ever actually. Which is why eyem invisible, but never transparent, so keep guessing.

Booker T. Washington ancestrally directed me to this post...it's his birthday, you must know

& though eye support black economics more than political gain, eye channel his legacy just the same.

Black is the point...you know?



Those of you who are curious to hear my stance on the jacking taking place in Iraq...next time.

Don't trip when you catch a glimpse of me on World Nightly News.



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