BROTHERS FROM ANOTHER

Ayyyye so it's been a hot minute since I've posted on here !
shit's been kinda crazy lately ..

but updates about me later (: .

This post is about a diverse couple'a local private school boys gettin together , layin down some beats , and killin the rap game using their school facilities and abundance of free time .

B.F.A. consists of "Goonstar" and "Breez" (aka Isaiah and Coleman)
These fools have 2 songs up already and a fast growing fan base of friends ..
peep the myspace :

http://www.myspace.com/brothersfrumanother

Yes , if you are sick of hearing the same old rap played out on the radio ,
you should listen to these young fresh dudes , Brothers From Another .
The two tracks they got already are dope , so look forward to more cuts of somethin a lil different .
This ain't ya grandpa's hip hop ,
it's the next generation .
These gentlemen are juniors at Lakeside High School . They're international like the U.N. and you know they gotta be smart too .. even with some of that herb killin some brain cells (;
At least they keep it natural ..
So peep the next hot young MCs outta the 206 ... you heard it here first !


( My photos aren't tryna work right now , but check their myspace .. when I get it working again I'll post one up )

Rap Music = Crack Music ??

I'm taking a media studies course for one of my humanities classes this year , and we were assigned reading from this book about media and socialization in society as a whole . One thing that I noticed came up a few times was rap music being influential in a negative way . I took offense to this -- Why , out of all the genres of music , is rap music still pegged as a negative influence moreso than other types of music ? And more importantly .... what have we done to make it that way ? Are we too accepting of derogatory language in rap songs ? I've heard , say , country music with sexist lyrics too . So what's the difference ? What is the factor , or factors , that make it that way ?
I think that it stems wayyy back in history , from slavery to the development of American society that was extremely prejudiced and xenophobic . Back to the oppressed all over the world , the evolution of music , taking ownership of something . Something beautiful among hatred and oppression and colonialism . Expression . Then from ghettos all over the US , then the rise of ethno-centric music , the back to Africa movement .

-edit-

then I wrote this for class , which still isn't finished but it's a draft:

Rap Music: Racial Stereotypes Perpetuated by the Socially Marginalized

Since slavery times in the United States, white people have set modern, American society up in such a way that they have a better likelihood of being more affluent, have better education and job opportunities, and have an overall social dominance. This is where racism comes in: essentially, it is institutionalized prejudice. It is an entire system, government, society that caters to and favors one race over the others.

The development and evolution of rap music comes from a cultural differentiation of minorities from this Anglo-centric society. Hip-hop finds its cultural roots in the 1970s in New York City, spearheaded predominantly by African Americans and Latinos. DJs revolutionized and popularized this particular style of music. Rap music, a sub-sect of hip-hop culture, began as an alternative form of music and artistic expression for many inner city, poverty stricken youth. It became a way to express hardships that came from being surrounded by dangers such as violence, drugs and crime. It birthed an entire sub-culture of urban America.

Today, mainstream rap music has gone through various evolutions and remains a very diverse genre. However, with many people it still holds negative connotations. Since rap music arose from “the ghetto,” people tend to associate it with these stereotypes: violent criminals who are illiterate or uneducated, sexist, poor, and who abuse and sell drugs and alcohol. There is also the assumption of placing a high, almost idolizing value on money or material possessions.

These stereotypes, like all other stereotypes, are founded in some truth. There are countless rap artists and songs, not to mention videos, that portray these images and values. What many people don’t tend to realize is that there are many rap artists that do not hold those same values. And while they might talk about violence, they do it in a way that is mournful and pleading instead of simply condoning it. Or they make a political statement (like Nas or Immortal Technique). Or they recognize certain degrading assumptions and disown them. They shatter the stereotypes.

There has come to be a sort of self-oppression within rap music, where artists perpetuate stereotypes created by other (white) people. This has often been addressed as the “dumbing down” of rap music and lyrics. For example, rapping an entire verse about the combined value of one’s gold chain and sports car while surrounded by women and liquor. These artists like T-Pain and Lil’ Wayne (the self-proclaimed “Best Rapper Alive”) use their music to degrade themselves with songs like “I’m in Love with a Stripper” and “A Milli”. Instead, rap music should be all about its original intent—empowerment of the powerless. On Nas’ new album, for example, he addresses the conservative bias of Fox News and explores the power of the N word. The most passionate music is created from the midst of chaos, hardship and oppression. When one validates a prejudice, it legitimizes the stereotype and therefore is almost like giving the oppressor permission to oppress. It is not only the acceptance but self-degradation when one promotes and validates these stereotypes and prejudices.

In order to remedy this validation, more rap artists need to use the influence of their music to send a message of empowerment and positive expression to the masses. Their audience should also recognize that these preconceptions are deeply rooted in the past and illustrate a history of colonialism and racial oppression. Instead of perpetuating negative stereotypes, rap artists should create new, positive images and ideals that the masses can (and will) follow. People need to deem these degrading messages unacceptable and promote positive self-image and fight the legacy of oppression.

Seattle Anti-War Action Coalition

So there's been a recent formation of a Seattle anti-war coalition . Meetings are every Tuesday night from 7-9pm at Seattle Central Community College , Room BE 1110 .

Current actions planned include :
-Fall concert to benefit the G.I. Coffeehouse near Ft. Lewis , which will provide a safe place for soldiers to support each other , protect their rights , express anti-war sentiments and learn about the anti-war movement .
-Educational forum on the war in Afghanistan
-October 11th National Day of Action march and rally in Seattle

I'm on the benefit concert sub-committee within the coalition and so far artists that have said they would perform are Canary Sing , Language Arts , Choklate , Jim Page , and Kasi .

Some of the coalition's Points of Unity are :
-Immediate withdrawal of all troops from Iraq and Afghanistan
-Hands of Iran , Free Palestine
-Support GI resistance and extend full benefits to all veterans
-Reparations to the peoples of Iraq and Afghanistan
-Redirect money from the war to fund desperately needed jobs, social services, education, healthcare, housing and food
-Oppose sexism, racism, homophobia and all other forms of bigotry

The coalition brings together people from all sorts of peace and justice oriented organizations , including Iraq Veterans Against the War , but you definitely don't have to be affiliated with an organization to join .


Anyway , it's a new , great group , and has potential to do a lot of good .
New members are always welcome , even if you just want to come to one meeting . Check it out whether you're an activist or not , if you oppose the war and are for justice it's a great way to get involved .

MILLIONAIRES

Okay so I've literally been meaning to post this for , like , ever .
Because I've been listening to their music/been MySpace "friends" with them for a while now .
And they're up and coming ..

MILLIONAIRES is a cute little pop/electronic band made up of three girls from around LA .

Their lyrics are ridiculous , they wear American Apparel , and they are steadily growing in popularity . 

They're currently on a US tour and recently appeared on MTV's TRL .
They've gotten a lot of publicity . It's not even that they're very talented , they just have hilarious songs and rock their swag hard .
MILLIONAIRES is headed by Melissa Marie joined by her sister Allison and best friend Dani .

They hit Seattle a few weeks ago , and though I missed their show I'm not too bummed cuz it was probably a 13 year old girl fan-fest . Which is , I'm sure , a setback for MILLIONAIRES -- but hey , they're from LA , on TRL , and touring the US . So I'm sure I can speak for them when I say they can't complain .

Remi Nicole

I just happened to click on one of her videos on Youth Radio .

She's a young singer/songwriter from London and her songs are kinda poppy and cute with her strumming on a guitar and her British accent .

I really love the song " Fed Up " and the video for her hit " Go Mr. Sunshine " .

She's a great new artist to check out , her sophmore album is due to drop pretty soon , so watch  out for it .

( Her debut album from 2007 is entitled " My Concience and I " . )

Yeah so , she's dope . Check her out .. 

Myspace

NaS

So I walked into my friendly local Sonic Boom record store and of course the first thing I did was scan the new release shelf . There I found the new album from Nasir "Nas" Jones ( which was a pleasant surprise as I had forgotten the actual release date and have been greatly anticipating it ) ; the "Untitled" , "NaS" , or previously named "Nigger" album . I got it for a sweet deal of $11.99 plus tax and am now officially the proud owner of the NaS album . 

I've listened to it , and straight up , it's dope .

It's fresh , showing a slightly different , more evolved Nas from the " Illmatic " days , but still has the same originality and style . 

One of my favorite songs is " Sly Fox " , because not only is the lyrical content incredible , current and intelligent ,  but the song itself has great production . 

It talks about FOX news and addresses propaganda and politics in a really informed but clever way . His allusions and thinly veiled metaphors and double-meanings dominate the song and make it a really strong , provocative resonant piece . 

In it he states :

" Misinformation ,

Pimp the station ,

Over-stimulation ,

Reception

Deception

Comcast digital Satan

The Fox has a bushy tail

and Bush tells

Lies and Foxtrots

So I don't know what's real . "

Yeah , this shit is fuckin ill . 

I suggest you go to your local record store and cop . 

Because yeah , you could download it or buy it on iTunes , but we all know the best part of an album is opening the plastic case and flipping through the inside cover while listening to it all the way through . And come on , it's less than $20 of your hard-earned paper going to something that's well worth it . Trust me .

The Capitol Hill BLOCK PARTY

So my whole deal on this is ..... 

who the fuck wants ta buy me tickets ??

I'm most excited for GIRL TALK !!!!! , Common Market , U.S.E. , The Physics , Kimya Dawson and Chromeo . 

But I also suggest checking out The Pharmacy , PWRFL POWER , Natalie Portman's Shaved Head , Vampire Weekend , Akimbo , Schoolyard Heroes and Devotchka . 

Uh but basically , it's a little on the expensive side but if there's enough acts you wanna check out it's definitely worth it -- it's located right off Bobby Morris , off Broadway around Pike & Pine . 

Line up ! :

Friday July 25

King Cobra Stange

4-4.30 Black Whales

5-5.30 The Pharmacy

6-6.45 Truckasaurus

7.15-8 Airborn Toxic Event

8.30-9.15 Champagne Champagne

9.45-10.30 Pleasure Boaters

11-11.45 The Heavy Hearts

12.15-1 Lesbian

Vera Stage

4-4.45 Talbot Tagora

5.15-6 Abe Vigoda

6.30-7.15 Mika Miko

7.45-8.30 PWEFL POWER

9-9.45 Say Hi

10.15-11.15 Natalie Portman's Shaved Head

Neumo's Stage

4-4.30 Black Eyes and Neck Ties

5-5.45 Head Like A Kite

6.15-7 Past Lives

7.45-8.30 The Emergency

9-10 The Dodos

10.30-11.30 Jay Reatard

11.30-3am SING SING AFTER PARTIES FEAT. PASE ROCK , PAUL DEVRO , AND PRETTY TITTY 

Main Stage

4.30-5.15 Common Market

5.30-6.15 U.S.E.

6.30-7.15 Menomena

7.45-8.45 Girl Talk

9.15-10.15 Les Savy Fav

10.45-Midnight  Vampire Weekend

Saturday July 26

King Cobra Stage

2-2.30 Angelo Spencer

3-3.30 New Faces

4-4.30 The Whore Moans

5-5.30 The Loved Ones

6-6.45 Sleepy Eyes of Death

7.15-8 Voyager One

8.30-9.15 Velella Velella

9.45-10.30 Feral Children

11-11.45 Book of Black Earth

12.15-1 Zeke

Vera Stage

2-2.30 TBA

3-3.45 Little Party & the Big Business

4.15-4.45 The Physics

5.15-6 Man Plus

6.30-7.15 Black Elk

7.45-8.30 Akimbo

9-9.45 Grand Ole Party

10.15-11.15 Schoolyard Heroes

Neumos Stage

2-2.30 Kristen Ward

3-3.30 The Hands

4-4.45 Darker My Love

5.15-6 The Builders and The Butchers

6.30-7.15 Jaguar Love

7.45-8.30 Throw Me the Statue

9-10 Steed Lord

10.30-11.30 Super Secret Special Guests !

11.30-3am SING SING AFTER PARTIES FEAT. CHROMEO DJ Set , FOURCOLORZACK , & PRETTY TITTY

Main Stage

2-2.45 Kay Kay And His Weathered Underground

3.15-4 Cave Singers

4.30-5.30 Kimya Dawson

6-7 Fleet Foxes

7.30-8.30 Chromeo

9-10 The Hold Steady

10.30-Midnight  Devotchka 

Youth Radio

I dislike most radio stations , but today I've been listening to Youth Radio's All Day Play ...

they have some good shit , currently I'm listening to Erykah Badu on it and they've been playing some new N.E.R.D. and John Legend , too .

One song that I thought was tight though is the remix of M.I.A.'s " Paper Planes " ft. Bun B and Rich Boy , which you can listen to here on imeem.

This is the link for YouthRadio

You can click on the orange box and it streams through iTunes .

They've also been playing a lot of songs I've never even heard of , like " Chainsaw " by Daniel Merriweather and " Hangin' " by Spank Pops ft. 1 o.A.k. 

I've also heard some Santogold , Bun B , Wale , Rick Ross and Keak Da Sneak .

It's pretty tight .. if you have iTunes you need to check this shit out .

No commercials , just dope music all day .

THAT'S STUPID !

The new mixtape from The Cool Kids entitled       " That's Stupid " is out today !

Click here to download !

It's nice and chill like we always expect from these dudes , and I think the tracks flow really nicely into each other .

I WANT THESE ....

ooooh suuuuper bad yo .

but ,

they're sold out ..

married to the MOB

Brian Gathii

A Kenyan-born London designer , Brian Gathii's debut graphic tee line To-orist is HOT .

Like really , it's original , fresh , and just all-around dope .

He mixes 80's neon with African inspiration ,

and comes up with these dope tees .

check it out .

info snagged from : NYLONmag.com

" SEEING SOUNDS "

Brand-new release from N.E.R.D. 

Includes the tracks " Everyone Nose " , " Spaz " , and more .

This ishh is FIRE ! 

Like really , I love it .

It's really sophisticated , unique , and fun to listen to .

Cop it now !! 

On iTunes or your local record store .

IT'S A CELEBRATION ,

BITCHES ....

my supa sweet SEVENTEEN , yeee boiee !!

go shawdy , it's ya birthday

(:

lol

yo shoutout to everyone who wished me a happy bday today ,

good times (:

love to all !!

<333

ROCK THE BELLS

is comin' at a location near you !

Well , at least to us Seattlites .

The Vancouver location has been changed to the Gorge amphitheater here in Washington !

It will be on September 6th

tickets on sale TODAY ( till 10pm .. password: RIPDILLA )

and saturday , June 7th 

here

$50 big ones

but well worth it ....

Line-up is as follows :

A Tribe Called Quest

NAS

Mos Def

The Pharcyde

De La Soul

MF Doom

Murs

Spank Rock

Sage Francis

Blue Scholars

The Cool Kids

Afrika Bambaataa (DJ Set)

Jay Electronica

Wale

B.O.B.

Kidz in the Hall

Amanda Blank

Supernatural

Scratch

DJ Green Lantern

I'm hella pissed that Method Man and Redman , Raekwon and Ghostface , Immortal Technique , Dead Prez , Kid Sister , and Santogold won't be making appearances in the Washington location .

But I'm suuuper pumped for Wale , Kidz in the Hall , The Cool Kids , ATCQ , Pharcyde , NAS , Mos Def and De La Soul . and everyone else !

Rock the Bells website &

MySpace

Me and my girl Maya are planning on going ,

but we're probably gonna get scalped tickets on craigslist or something before the show ...

get excited .

SHWAYZE

So my girl Dierdre , on top of the music game as always , posted about these dudes pretty recently .

" takin my paper like I'm a goddamn fax machine ... "

They are currently on a HUGE tour around the US -- I mean these dudes are going EVERYWHERE . 

... including Seattle ! 

August 9th , at Warped Tour 

Location TBA 

They're also featured in a new Pontiac Vibe commercial , singing their single " Buzzin " , which is the perfect chill summer song , check out the music video here .

Keep an eye out for these dudes , they have a unique sound and they're clearly doin' big things .

UPDATES !!!

soooo ...

haven't been on this shit in a while ,

I've been hellllllla busy lately .. gotta step my blog game up lol .

but uh 

gotta get all up to date and updated and whatnot .

1. As you know , Kanye released 3 different music videos for his hit " Flashing Lights " .

My personal favorite was #2 , with the stop-motion and the fucking GORGEOUS model ( who goes by the name of Charlotte Carter-Allen ) . I am absolutely in love with it . It also rekindled my fondness for the song .

2. Get ready ... for the new N.E.R.D. release droppin 6/10 , " Seeing Sounds " watch out for that you all know that single " Everyone Nose " which already has a video to it and everything .

3. Almost forgot ! ROCK THE BELLS tour has changed its wrap-up in Vancouver , BC to the Gorge here in Washington ! Sept. 6th ; down for a lil road trip ?? If you don't know what Rock the Bells is , I suggest you look it up or refer to my previous post about it .

4. Talib Kweli show on the 15th , I'm about to get tickets , about $30 get on that . 

5. CAPITOL HILL BLOCK PARTY-- July 25th-27th 

Includes appearances from ..

- Girl Talk ( ALL AGES this year !!! )

-U.S.E. ( always fun , GREAT energy )

- Common Market ( local hip hop )

-Natalie Portman's Shaved Head

-PWRFL Power

-DeVotchKa

-Chromeo

-Kimya Dawson ( !!! )

-Schoolyard Heroes

-Akimbo

-The Physics ( love em )

and more !!

More info here

and tickets here

More updates coming soon.... (:

KICKS ...

oooh , I'm fuckin with these ....

just my steez(:

Top 2 photos : 

Nike Terminator Hi Quickstrike - Olympic Rings Color Pack 

Bottom 2 photos :

Nike WMNS Air Force 1 High QK Color Pack

yessss . fuckin dope .

SHOWBOX summer shows !

COMIN UP .....

5/29 - Hip-Hop Held Hostage ft. OneBeLo with JFK as Ninjaface (from Grayskul) and Sandpeople @ Showbox SoDo 21+

6/15 - TALIB KWELI with Common Market , Gabriel Teodros and Grayskul 

6/20 - The Dandy Warhols @ Showbox SoDo

6/24 - RZA as Bobby Digital ft. Stone Mecca with special guests The Saturday Knights @ Showbox SoDo 

So I'm definitely going to Talib ...

& if you want tickets to the Dandy Warhols get them as soon as they go on sale cuz that shit'll sell out fast . 

LOCAL MUSIC ...

Physics + OneBeLo + Macklemore + Blu

- Sunday , May 25th

- @ Chop Suey 1325 East Madison St.

- 8pm

- All Ages/Bar with ID

- Advance tickets $10 @ Cellophane Square/ticketweb.com/Sonic Boom/Chop Suey

- Music selections by DJ Marc Sense

Presented by:

LacedUp

Seattle Weekly

(sound)

206 Proof

CLICK FOR TICKETS

THE BAKE SALE ...

Out Today !!

Yes yes y'all ,

one of the most anticipated debut albums has officially DROPPED from Chicago rap duo THE COOL KIDS . 

The Bake Sale features the tracks Black Mags , 88 , etc. as well as brand-new tracks that I am pumped to hear !! 

Mannn , May 20th just snuck up on me ,

I gotta cop this shit tomorrow ....

where'll you be ? 

Hit the record store shelves , this shit is seeeerious . 

It's available on iTunes ,

but I'm hella tryna get a hard copy , the cover and everything is dope !

Gotta admit ... I just downloaded the Black Mags ringtone onto my phone .. 

FRENCH CHICKS ..

Are amazing . As two up-and-coming ladies UFFIE and YELLE have demonstrated so well .

Not only are they talented , rising musicians  ( Yelle was on on MTV recently ) , but both model as well-- Uffie for Married to the Mob ( top ) and Yelle for Reebok ( bottom ) :

Here's some other pictures , Yelle top and Uffie bottom . 

Unfortunately I can't paste songs into here ,

but look them up :

www.myspace.com/uffie

www.myspace.com/iloveyelle

They both have a cute , electronic sound that is unique , fun and girly , while at the same time dancable and catchy .

Uffie sings in English and has very tongue-in-cheek lyrics , such as in her song " Dismissed " , which says :

" Oh please excuse me bitch but I fuck all you wannabes

it's just straight into that gossip , you don't have any fizz

a lot of people read your crap , this is web pollution

this is why I ain't complaining bitch over free promotions

if you just called me a cunt in some other word like ___

but after this you'll be the one sucking a whole lot of dicks

you brought my popularity ratings higher than ever

thank you , your whole bullshit comments have worked real clever !

before I answer you bitch , let me spit one question :

if you hate me so much , what's up with your obsession ?

I just do my things tight and I don't care about heights

so run back to your computer , your mum and your crack pipe "

Yelle sings in French , which I can't understand , but it's really cute and reminiscent of France Gall ( like the song " Teeny Weeny Boppy " ) .

Be sure to check em both out , they have a young , fresh , unique style and their music is fun , not to mention they're both up-and-coming with increasing popularity here in the US .

New NOOKA watches

So I saw these online and was like oooh , these are dope , right ? I mean I'd like to get one of these on my wrist ( or three ) . Too bad they're $130 to $140 a pop , depending on the style . But hey , if you've got the funds , by all means ... 

Reeboks

So admittedly there are few Reeboks I see that I actually like .

But these are pretty fresh ... 

karmaloop.com check itttt .

Walking Around - Pablo Neruda

It happens that I am tired of being a man. 

It happens that I go into the tailors' shops and the movies

all shriveled up, impenetrable, like a felt swan

navigating on a water of origin and ash.

The smell of barber shops makes me sob out loud.

I want nothing but the repose either of stones or of wool,

I want to see no more establishments, no more gardens,

nor merchandise, nor glasses, nor elevators.

It happens that I am tired of my feet and my nails

and my hair and my shadow.

It happens that I am tired of being a man.

Just the same as it would be delicious

to scare a notary with a cut lily

or knock a nun stone dead with one blow of an ear.

It would be beautiful

to go through the streets with a green knife

shouting until I died of cold.

I do not want to go on being a root in the dark,

hesitating, stretched out, shivering with dreams,

downwards, in the wet tripe of the earth,

soaking it up and thinking, eating every day.

I do not want to be the inheritor of so many misfortunes.

I do not want to continue as a root and as a tomb,

as a solitary tunnel, as a cellar full of corpses,

stiff with cold, dying with pain.

For this reason Monday burns like oil

at the sight of me arriving with my jail-face,

and it howls in passing like a wounded wheel,

and its footsteps towards nightfall are filled with hot blood.

And it shoves me along to certain corners, to certain damp houses,

to hospitals where the bones come out of the windows,

to certain cobblers' shops smelling of vinegar,

to streets horrendous as crevices.

There are birds the color of sulphur, and horrible intestines

hanging from the doors of the houses which I hate,

there are forgotten sets of teeth in a coffee-pot,

there are mirrors

which should have wept with shame and horror,

there are umbrellas all over the place, and poisons, and navels.

I stride along with calm, with eyes, with shoes,

with fury, with forgetfulness,

I pass, I cross offices and stores full of orthopedic appliances,

and courtyards hung with clothes on wires, 

underpants, towels and shirts which weep

slow dirty tears.

- Pablo Neruda

I love this poet , really .

This is translated from Spanish to English .

and while works in the original language are better ,

this translation is really good 

and I don't even have the original anyway .

This poem is really powerful to me though .

Especially with some background knowledge on the situation in Chile in Neruda's time .

Talib Kweli

.. is playing at the Showbox , on June 15th !

( with Grayskul , Common Market and Gabriel Teodros )

$27 , a little steep , but it's TALIB ..

Who's coming with me ??!

NIKE X LIBERTY WILSHIRE DUNKS

Nike has teamed up with Opening Ceremony to release these floral-print dunk trainers , which are an interesting , fresh combination in my opinion . 

I'm usually not a floral-pattern kinda chick , but I like em , I think I could rock these ...

Be sure to check these out ladies .

BAPES

" The ever-popular A Bathing Ape Bapesta is coming out in a new Baby Milo model . These shoes feature patent leather and interesting patterns to create a unique looking shoe . The Baby Milo Bapesta will be available in three different colorways- green , blue and pink , all great shades for spring . "

These sneakers were released in late March , I gotta say I'm kinda likin em .

The Bake Sale

The highly anticipated debut album from Chi-Town's hip hop duo The Cool Kids is about to drop May 20th , just a couple weeks from now !

It's called The Bake Sale and will feature tracks like " Black Mags " and " 88 " , as well as unreleased tracks that I'm super pumped for .

Better cop that shit , I'm not sure but it'll probably be out on itunes too .

... makes me think that maybe I needa move to the Chi ....

ROCK THE BELLS TOUR ...

So I been meanin to update this shit ....

but seein as I have a mac there are some difficulties with pasting shit into here ,

which is some fuckin bullshit .... 

but anyways ,

check this shit out :

http://www.guerillaunion.com/rockthebells/

Lineup is as follows :

-A Tribe Called Quest

-Nas

-Mos Def

-De La Soul

-Rakim

-Method Man

-Redman

-Immortal Technique

-Dead Prez

-Murs

-Spankrock

-Kid Sister

-Santogold

-The Cool Kids

-Jay Electronica

-Wale

-B.O.B.

-Kidz in the Hall

-Amanda Blank

-Flosstradamus

-The Pharcyde

more TBA ...

I'm tryna drive to Vancouver BC ( the closest it's comin to Seattle )

August 30th ,

to see ATCQ  , Nas , Mos Def , Murs , Spank Rock , The Cool Kids , Jay Electronica , Wale , Amanda Blank , and the Pharcyde

Tickets go on sale Saturday , May 17th at 10 AM ......

I'm there bro .

Epic Nights ..

So yesterday , I was about to meet my posse on broadway ... like literally . 

So I had to wait for Aisha right , she had to drop her shit off at my house ,

it takes her like an hour , apparently there were like four handicapped people on her bus ( damn handicapped people ... haha ) but she finally gets here , so we go take the bus to broadway ( at this point it's pouring down rain like craaazy right , it was sunny but right when we needa leave it's raining .. ) , so we meet our posse and go get sushi , which ends up being a bill of $73 , not even joking . So I mean we get some money together and pay , then sing fuckin , Put It In My Mouth ( I Said My Motherfuckin Mouth ) , hella loud by this restaurant hahaha , uhhh so then Danae and Lauren gotta bounce so me , Julia and Aisha head to American Apparel and I kinda don't have enough money cuz I put $40 down on sushi , so Julia has to loan me some , then the dudes are callin ( Isaiah , Kooler and Adrian ) and want us to walk in the fuckin rain to Laced Up , we were like NO haha . So we go to the video store and they meet us in there , we get a couple movies and when we walk outside it's fuckin snowing . Again . It's helllllla cold , and wet , and we get to the bus stop and realize we missed the last one by like three or four minutes . Buuuullshit . We gotta wait like half an hour for the bus so we're standin by the 43 stop and it's hella cold , and we're just chillen and listening to music and shit , and then we see these two people stick their head out their apartment window you know , just kickin it haha across the street , on like the fourth floor or somethin . So we're like HEYYY ahaha and they wave and shit .... and then we're just waitin for this damn bus and the people go away but then the dude comes back to the window and he's tryna tell us somethin but we can't hear him .  So then the lady comes back and she's like tellin us to go over there or whatever , and we're like okay what the fuck are they doin .... and we send Aisha over across the street hahaha , and the lady lowers this thing down , and Aisha runs back across the street and in her hands is like six fuckin condoms , tied with this hella long purple string hahahahaha . Clownin right ! So we each get one hahah , those people are like YEAHH and it's just hella funny ... then the bus came and we were like BYE ... and they're all " WHAT ARE YOU DOING ? " or somethin right and Isaiah's like " YEAH WE'RE BOUT TO GO PARTY HOPPIN ALL NIGHT YOU KNOW .. THANKS " 

yeahhh iono it was a good night though ... hella funny shit .... NO HOMO ..... game killin ....... etc . ahahhahah ..

Three Years Later .

I was thirteen ,

Going on fourteen .

May tenth .

The doctors stuck

this IV needle into

my left hand and

pumped my veins with

life saving substances .

They knocked me out

stuck a needle in my back

and I woke up with this scar .

Three years later

pills still

sticking in my throat

still

exploding upon impact with

stomach acid .

Three years later I 

still don't know why ,

why .

why me , why this , why then ,

what now what do I do .

Three years later 

I 

still can't tell you where

these three years have gone .

Between pills and 

needles

and

not recognizing my 

reflection who

I saw in the mirror I 

changed 

from the outside in 

or maybe it was 

the other way around

inside out

like a sweater once worn that

you forget to put 

in the laundry and

it gets lost somewhere 

among those other threads and fabrics

woven together overlapping 

thrown on the floor and

maybe kicked into the closet or

under the bed or something

long forgotten .

In my self evolution my

self realization and

self evaluation self reflection I

finally realize it's not about me .

I got sick but so what .

Ten days in the hospital ...

but I have insurance and

suddenly I have these pills and

these needles that

keep me alive .

And so although they may get

stuck in my throat sometimes that's nothing

compared with the

genocide and

global warming the

corrupt government and the

starving children ...

Three years later they may

get stuck in my throat but

at least I can wash it down with 

a sip of water , or something .

So I say baby it's fair ,

cuz even though life is unfair I've 

fared 

well

that's for sure .

Cuz in my American upper-class 

I think I can handle

sticking pills in my throat and 

needles sticking

skin , in 

the inside of my elbow .

I don't know what my future holds or

if you'll be around and

if you'll be there for me or

how many pills I will have to swallow tomorrow or

next week or 

three years from now .

But I do know that 

though life isn't fair 

I've

certainly fared

well .

thoughts .

so last night I was thinking ,
cuz I always do right before I go to sleep ... just think of random ass shit ....

but anyways
I was thinking how I'm almost off prednisone .
I mean , 2.5mg every other day .
that's practically nothing .
and I'm about to get off it altogether ,
but not till after China .


it's so crazy .
I thought about how
the past almost 3 years that drug
has been such a huge part of my life .
when I was hospitalized I was pumped with a gram of it daily ,
through IV .
a GRAM . that's sooo much .
when I was released I was on 80mg/day .
and all it's fucking shitty ass side effects .
I mean my looks totally changed ,
because it does unflattering shit to your appearance .
fuck .
for the first time ever , this year ,
I've been the most comfortable with myself
I've ever been . ever .
I feel like my body is my own again ,
because for a while it was so changed
from the pred .
and then I would think that soon it would go away
and I would look like my old self .
but I mean , that was almost 3 years ago .
and I look at old pictures of myself ,
and I don't even like how I look ...
which is bad . I should . I should be okay with it .
but honestly I'm so glad I don't look like that anymore .
and I wonder , if I'd been on it indefinitely ,
if I hadn't been tapering it all this time ( well .. except that flare that one time , that set me back so much , it fucking sucked )
I mean , what would I think of myself ?
now I think I have pretty healthy self esteem , honestly I do .
but fuck .
I'm a different person .
I've changed so much ,
and I can't always tell if it's the natural progression/maturity
or if it's caused by my experiences .
and it's both .
but I can't help but wonder
how I would be otherwise
I mean ,
how much of me would be the same ,
and what would be totally different .
I just don't think it would compare .
I got diagnosed right before my 14th birthday , at the end of 8th grade .
and everyone changes from middle school to high school .
but I don't know at all who I would have been .
my life would be so fucking different .
I dunno .
I mean , I can't imagine the last few years without prednisone .
and now , that shit is finally almost out of my life .
not indefinitely though ,
whenever I have flares ( which will come throughout the rest of my life ) ,
I'll have to go back on it .
this isn't the last time I'll take pred in my life , at all .
shit , though .
for the very first time since I got sick ,
which was a really defining , life changing event obviously ,
I'm not going to be on prednisone .
I can't even explain what that feels like .
it's insane .
in a couple months I'll be completely off it ,
for now .
next step is cellcept . but I'm still on a lot of that ,
1500mg a day , 6 pills .
that shit sucks too .
but I mean
I'm one step closer .
I'll never recover from this disease ,
it's going to be with me my whole life ,
it's a part of me now .
but , I can at least start to remember what normal is like again ,
maybe .
not completely .
I still get my blood drawn every two months .
I have to take osteoperosis medication once a week for my low bone density , caused from the side effects of the pills that are keeping me alive .
I mean ,
shit ,
life is crazy .
this is who I am .
and I've realized I've been talking about it more ,
more openly and casually .
it's still painful but whatever , shit happens .
I remember going from 30mg to 25 . that was so exciting ,
every time I had a doctor's appointment ,
and my rheumatologist or nephrologist would turn to me and say ,
well , I think we can cut back on your prednisone again .
and how when I had that small flare a couple winters ago ,
I was down to maybe 10 or 15mg a day ,
and I had to go back up to 30 or so ,
and taper even more slowly back down .
that was so frustrating , being so close and then having endless months ahead of those fucking pills .
wow . this is weird .
my life is really changing .
I'm almost a senior ,
I'm trying to plan for the SAT ,
internships this summer ,
college shit ,
my gap year after I graduate ,
travel plans ,
moving out in like a year .
I don't know ,
I just think
it's kind of amazing .

yeeeeah ..

Alright , so , I just hopped on this trend ,

I guess the intent is that maybe you'll learn something

from me talkin some random shit , haha ,

but uh really though ,

I guess I can use this both for myself , to just get my thoughts out there ,

or if anyone actually reads this hah ,

get feedback ,

whether it's in agreement , 

argument ( I love a good intelligent argument ) ,

or insight ...

that's what I'm about .

I wanna see some other points of views on things ,

I'll start by puttin mine out here ,

and we'll go from there .

Who knows ,

maybe we can unite the world

by respecting each others opinions more

and listening to people you don't agree with .

If you're surrounded by like-minded people ,

you won't learn anything ,

so I'm tryin to learn as much as I can ,

" expand my horizons " , as it's called ,

and shit ,

maybe YOU can benefit too ,

who knows .