G.E.E.K.

....so I had this vision right. It was after reading some Baldwin interviews and Maya Angelou stories. And it was about how these artists back in the day used to hang out and create and inspire each other. But they were all on first name basis and called each other for advice or just to party or congratulate each other on an artistic accomplishment.
So last month I started this movement called G.E.E.K. I basically wanted to connect all the artists that I've met over the years and get them into one capsule of art, via website. G.E.E.K. stands for Artists striving for GROWTH, EXPANSION, EVOLUTION and KNOWLEDGE.

So the ultimate thing is with each artists' growth, the group will grow and expand and the movement will began. And the dope thing is we have 36 geeks so far and they barely know the diversity within their own group. We have someone who has shot a full-length movie, a PH.D. philosophy student, a fashion writer for USA TODAY, a country music bassist, a MTV talent coordinator, several underground hip-hop artists, a publicist at a large publishing firm, a musician that has played Carnegie Hall, several entrepreneurs...and it's more GEEKS coming.

These next couple of years will be the beginning of the renaissance. That's what I'm here for - stay tuned for G.E.E.K. updates. Peace+Love

Dash Snow 1981 - 2009

...the reason why I know about NYC artist Dash Snow is because of this timeless read from 2007. I found his story tragic and inspiring at the same time. I also saw Snow as one of those kids that had the world handed to him and didn't know how to make it a total positive, instead, shunning the security that so many people crave. But...I always noted that I wanted to work with him one day (I have a big list of artists I want to work with) in the future. Now...unfortunately that will never be....Peace+Love

Obama on Africa

...President Obama, like myself, is a believer that Africans have to take care of Africa. And they can...their kings and queens. Peace+Love

For the South

...this is for the real fans of the south and hip-hop. a dungeon family reunion. this aint for people that got hip to outkast when aquemini dropped. this is for the fans that had the laface christmas album with Playa's Ball on that joint, the winter before southernplayalistic dropped. for us that have the dungeon family album with the wacky cover of them at the table, for us that knew cee-lo as the soul of goodie mob and not the dude in gnarls barkley. not hating at all on those that did not know of them before hand..just saying, this is for the other down south folk. peace+Love

/a>

implosion.

i am not sure if most writers feel this way about their first novel. not saying that i can not be a unique being but...it seems (and i am experiencing) an implosion of sorts. just the content, time, energy, self doubt, small victories, etc. all of it seems, is, a lot. or it could be the depth of what i am writing - i dont think the same jagged implosion would happen if i were writing a comedy. yet i am writing a drama, set in the shadow of baldwin, dealing with death, art, racism, survival, rebirth, poetry.
so...for me...to gather enough material and words and to describe each scene with the type of emotion needed for such...i sort of take emotions of the past and present, then transfer those feelings to describe the scene.
so death is me re-dealing with deaths of those close to me, the feelings of numbness, wanting to drink ur nights till morning. love lost, when ur such a wreck from heartache that you forget food is needed for survival, a stomach lost appetite. or rage...when someone calls you out of your name in a malicious way...how i felt, feel, the adrenaline. i ( and writers), just try to transcribe what has already broken and rebuilt me in my past.
you just try to write feelings...your feelings inside your character's story.
and it's hard not to be so involved...and then leave that state to dare have a social life and 9to5...and there's this sense of misunderstanding from the people you are around because they don't understand the artistic implosion that has lit the belly within.

Best tribute cover yet

...MJ

VIBE 1992 - 2009

...one of my all-time favorite publications...all through J-School I wanted to write or be a featured editor at Vibe and GQ. Hopefully it can make a comeback. Read details here.

Note: My favorite Vibe cover 1996

Real Talk

Pharrell drops some real talk about MJ...

Art Spot...

...some things people see as regular I see like the artist probably sees...as art. Note the things Jay has blowing up in the video. Dope. Peace+Love

7.7. 2009

Our modern day Al Green returns the first week of July. Maxwell is suppose to release three album in three years. He describes the last of the three: “Blacksummers’NIGHT,” is intended to be “the slow jam record of all time, hopefully of all time ever,” he said, chuckling, “like you might have to include condoms in it.” Read this great article on his resurgence here.

Michael Jackson

Michael Jackson 1958 - 2009

The greatest entertainer the world has ever seen. No one will ever duplicate the things he did for music, for culture and for the world. Never has music seen such an individual and talent like Michael Jackson. From child prodigy to living icon, he symbolized creativity. His music will last 10 lifetimes and span more globes than we know exist. He will be missed forever. Peace+Love

Iran

...President Obama talks Iran and mentions Neda Soltan. Peace+Love

Tupac by Ruby Dee

...dope girl.

Authors & Podcasts

...I'm not a podcast master...meaning, I don't listen to many podcasts or know many websites you can find them. But I am an aspiring author so for 'training' purposes I try and listen to authors I've read.
Question?
Have you heard a great author podcast?
From an author of literature? And I know literature is serious most times, but does that mean it has to be boring when it's discussed?
I reference James Baldwin again because the few times he was interviewed, it was far from boring. I don't think these authors are boring...not in real life. I think they've trained like me...listened to readings, podcasts, and have looked up to other authors.
I've looked up to Malcolm X, Muhammad Ali, MLK, Nat Turner..loud people. With something to say...something to yell.
Question?
Can there be a mix of the two.
Question?
Will I be the one?

Battle in New Orleans

...Mos basically challenges Jay-Z (and team) to a friendly battle royal to see who the best MCs in the game are right now...Mos said his team would consist of himself, MF Doom, Jay Electronica, Nas and Black Thought. Look...Jay-Z is a brilliant man and a rock start and Kanye (who is presumed would be on his team) is a brilliant man and a pop icon. But an MC Battle...I'm going with the Might Mos and crew. Hope this happens..watch video below as Mos explains it all. Peace+Love