Holiday Wishes for YOU

To me, the holiday spirit is about more than wanting new things. It's about appreciating what's already here and holding it a little bit closer than usual. My New Year's resolutions don't call for me to be a different person, or replace the people around me. My resolutions are about celebrating what I've already been given by continuing to share my gift, but reaching more people than ever.

Since I've been a full time Hip-Hop artist (MC), you've shown love by coming to shows, rocking my limited kicks and shirts, buzzing about the Manhattan Night album, and referring my rapOetry (positive self expression) workshops to budding artists at various schools.

Thanks to you, I am now poised to:

• release more inspiring kicks and shirts
  
• perform at major venues with legendary MCs
  
• get major distribution for my first solo record
  
• reach more youth than ever through rapOetry workshops

In order to do this, I'm taking on 4 major challenges - with your help - proving the masses (at least a significant number) are ready to support a new Hip-Hop artist radiating respect for self, family, and others.
The FIRST CHALLENGE BEGINS NOW!
It consists of the following 3 steps:



1. Whenever you're at a Hip-Hop event, tell the promoter that Self Suffice the RapOet is available for bookings. I do performances with or without a band, as well as workshops and lectures that share my expertise in MCing. Post your college's name in my blog comments, so I can help you figure out how to bring me there.

2. Prove I'm ready for a KickStarter campaign by helping me raise $5000 by February 2011. All that takes is you and 499 other suppporters donating $10. Of course...
if you donate $50 or $500, we can get this show on the road a lot faster :)

On the donation page, write either shows, music, videos, kicks, shirts, or workshops where it says "Display Name" so I know what you want me to focus on most for the KickStarter campaign. If you don't have a preference, you can just type your name or a website you want people to see.
Here's the donation page.


3. Let the industry know you support self-respecting Hip-Hop artists by

• A. posting a review of my latest release with Mez (J Cole, Dreamville), and Young Cee (Little Brother, 50 Cent) on Amazon.com here
  
• B. liking my facebook page here
  
• C. becoming an official fan here or here
  
• D. following my blog here or here
  
• E. and friending me on twitter.com/rapoet

If we can (1) have a large number of people buzzing about my live appearances (2) raise $5000 by February 2011 and (3) show significant support through Amazon reviews, FB likes, music fans, blog followers, and twitter friends by February 2011...

I will be able to enter the 2nd CHALLENGE, and most importantly...
I will be able to keep sharing this gift of provocative Hip-Hop lyricism! No matter what happens, I sincerely appreciate all the love you have shown me. My holiday wish is that I will raise enough money to continue representing the Best of Hip-Hop Culture, and make the legendary MCs who came before me proud
...with or without a record deal!

Understanding the Way I Am by Eminem Part 2

I took a few notes while reading this book, and saw how Eminem’s journey applies to my own journey as a professional MC. Now I’m sharing that insight with you.
For part 1 of this article, click here



I didn’t post part 2 last month, due to shows for my own album release, as well as Hartford’s Zulu Nation and Temple of Hip-Hop as we celebrated Hip-Hop History Month... Happy 37th Birthday Zulu + Happy 36th Birthday Hip-Hop! But I didn’t forget about the blog, and neither have y'all. I saw this on twitter:

“This is the best blog i prolly ever read----its by Self Suffice RapOets: Understanding the Way I Am by Eminem Part 1 http://t.co/O5mcA2M” @KlokWizeCT

Yes, KlokWize is a good friend of mine (he performed at my album release) and No, I didn’t tell him to write that - lol! I didn’t even know he read my blog. Thanks Klok! As for everyone else who’s been waiting, heeeeeeeeeere we go...



3. Eminem respected his friend’s choice to quit a day job to rap full time
If you continue to do what you love, you will relate to other people who are doing the same thing. You will build relationships with them. You will start having to choose what kind of things you do to make money, what kind of people you hang around, and how you spend your time. If you’re business and social relationships are conflicting with your goals, you will either have to change them, or change your goals. Instead of hating his friend who quit the job to rap full time, Eminem respected his dedication to the goals they talked about, and looked for opportunities to do the same.

There are lots of people who don’t understand how I can make a living doing what I love. But I don’t spend a lot of time with those people; I spend time with others who are pursuing the life they feel called to live. Aside from the people close to me, I read books, listen to stories, and watch videos of people who find a way to create a fulfilling life. Even if I’ve never met them… I RESPECT THEM.



4. Eminem moved in with friends and kept recording
Even if it was awkward at times being a father and trying to maintain a relationship, while being around a crew of dudes battling and writing songs, he continued to team up with people in his community who shared his goals. I’ve been in a few crews, including Undarated, East River Connection, Monsta Island Czars, Khemistry, and Manhattanites, just to name a few. You don’t always agree with each other, you don’t always love every thing every one in your crew does. But when you work with a team, you learn HOW to DISAGREE without destroying each other’s dreams, and without letting them destroy your own dreams. Most importantly, you learn to respect a HIGHER PURPOSE that is bigger than you and every individual in the crew.

If you are part of a team, you don’t just criticize your teammates, you try to understand their perspective. You only offer valuable insight to make them better, because you’re both in the same boat, and if their boat starts sinking… guess who’s going down with it?



5. Eminem's full-time rap friend heard his demos and took him seriously
When Eminem’s friend told him that hearing his latest music inspired him to go back to the lab and work harder, Eminem knew that meant something. He was willing to get feedback from other people, and keep working. He knew that he was on the right track when someone who was rapping full time gave him a compliment.

The first time I performed with KRS-ONE, we spoke on the phone the next day. He told me how good my show was. Recently when DJ Kwame D. was interviewing Pharoahe Monche, he mentioned he was from CT. Pharoahe Monche replied, “do you know Self Suffice?” Both of these events humbled me for two reasons. First, KRS-ONE and Pharoahe Monche are not only two of the best lyricists to ever grab a mic, but they have also built a catalogue, a career, and a legacy out of continual dedication and work. They are certified authorities on what makes a wack MC or a dope MC, and they’ve seen many of both. Second, I’m an unsigned MC, I’m not on the same label as KRS or Pharoahe, I don’t have the same manager, and we’ve never even done a track together. So that means even though they are not making any money from me, and have nothing to gain by recognizing my talent, I’m doing something valuable enough for them to stop for a minute and put my name in a positive light. They’ve both ended many MCs careers, so it’s important to know the value of a compliment from someone who seriously knows what they’re talking about, as opposed to someone who doesn’t have a clue.



6. Eminem’s friend brought him in the end of a battle and people loved him
Even though he had felt embarrassed in the past, he’d continued practicing, improving, and preparing, so he got better results. Most people - after losing at something - find it too painful to try again, and even if they do try again they don’t improve, so they get the same results. Few people take the initiative to improve their strategy.

For every battle I won, and for every packed show where I had the crowd going crazy, I can recall an event where I didn’t do my best. What’s important is that I learned from those embarrassing moments and made my self better.



7. Eminem kept coming back weekly
Here’s another “even though”… EVEN though Eminem had finally won, he continued to enter the weekly battle. It’s easy to hate on those at the top of any contest. But it’s difficult to make it to the top. When you do, the only thing more difficult is to go back in the ring and risk losing the title. Firstly, you don’t have to, because in the public’s eyes you have nothing to gain. Secondly, the crowd who pays attention to the next battle is usually the same crowd from last time, so you’re not getting any new fans.

As simple as this point is… it just might be the key to success. When Eminem continued battling, it became clear he wasn’t just doing it for a self-esteem boost, but that he would be doing it regardless. He does this on a larger scale now by regularly collaborating with whoever’s considered the best in the mainstream. With KRS-1’s continuous releases, he let’s the world know that Hip-Hop is his way of life, not just a stepping stone to something else. When Jay-Z continues to put out records, he proves that even with all the wealth of the music industry, he doesn’t take his opportunity to share insight with the world for granted. This is why it’s good to hear Lauryn Hill coming out of retirement lately – we already know she’s “that chick” from acting, singing and rapping, not to mention winning numerous awards. But what’s the point of all that affirmation of talent, if you don’t continue to share it with the world? The recent “Black Friday” diss record by Lil Kim is refreshing, because it reminds people that when you’ve been proclaimed as one of the best, you have to continue to prove your supporters were right.

Barack Obama could’ve gone down in history as an extraordinary dude, from accomplishments at Columbia, Harvard, the Senate, the Grammies, the Presidency, the Nobel Peace prize, and so forth. Yet he continues to show up every day, facing opposition not only from students, professors, lawyers, Grammy contestants, senators, and would-be presidents, but also from anyone globally that has beef with the world’s number one “super power”. It’s easy to hate those in power; it’s harder to appreciate them when they put their skills to the test; but hardest of all is to be one of them… continually earning your title with an unwavering commitment.

Understanding the Way I Am by Eminem Part 1

If you’ve been following Hip-Hop for the past few years, you know that its bubble has boomed and burst right along with the American Economy. People invested in expensive things (most notably homes) that they couldn’t afford, and worshipped fantasized rap star “lifestyles” that led more to divorce, hospitalization, jail, and death, than they did to improved quality of life. Those who didn’t squander their money in the rush for stocks, real estate and material objects are now happy to have not lost everything. Those who didn’t limit their search for Hip-Hop to commercial radio, television, and magazines are proud to have been helping some very dedicated independent MCs make a living through myspace, youtube, CD Baby, live shows, personal websites, and hand to hand sales.

Yet there is one other, very rare, group to have emerged successfully from this dramatic boom and burst. Those lenders and guides who led investors with a full knowledge of the risks and responsibilities involved, coupled with those investors who worked twice as hard as their lenders to add value, rather than expect to make a fortune from whatever was given to them. What about in the world of Hip-Hop? Were there any pop stars who gave their listeners a dose of the truth (both good and bad) behind the fantasy rap star lifestyles? Were there any Hip-Hop heads who continued to support their favorite MC even after becoming famous, allowing them to spit both “braggadocio” and “real talk”, while never confusing the two?

I can point to a few examples, but the one I’m going to use is problematic due to that never ending rash upon the face of America… racism. Racism worked in Eminem’s favor, because when he was the “white boy” in the Hip-Hop club that wasn’t supposed to rap, it was just that much more amazing every time he won a battle. Racism also worked against Eminem, because after the battles when he was supposed to go home to his fancy suburban, manicured lawn-having, two-parent home, he was actually going home to the Detroit hood with everyone else, living in a dysfunctional family… where he was STILL looked at as the “white boy” that wasn’t supposed to rap. Classism is always more painful than racism, and the worst cases of racism tend to be the ones where classism (limiting one’s choices based on financial circumstance) is tied to the question of race.

After growing up poor and in love with a culture that he was not “supposed” to represent, we might expect him to walk around paraphrasing nothing but, “I’m rich and I’m the best rapper in the world!” After all, that’s what most African-American pop stars - pardon me - "pop ni**as” repeatedly chant to the youth. Think about it. Eminem is at a point from which he could spit hot garbage and still receive praise from millions of people. Don’t get me wrong - I’m sure he does sometimes toot his own horn, brag about his skills, squander his wealth, and call himself a “pop ni**a” like most rap celebrities. My point is that other than a strong sense of personal integrity mixed with a passion for sharing with other aspiring professional Hip-Hop MCs, there is no reason for him to be the author of “The Way I Am”. This book is honest, candid, comprehensive, easy to read, and for the attentive reader, is a roadmap to success – not a rollercoaster ride of braggadocio - a roadmap to success.

I took a few notes while reading the book, and saw how Eminem’s journey applies to my own journey as a professional MC. Now I’m sharing that insight with you:

1. Eminem made tapes, paid for studio time, and got free studio time
Aspiring artists tend to think that if their art is good enough it will suddenly pop up on major TV and radio shows. They believe that’s how the celebrities on the air now got there. The truth is that most “overnight celebrities” have been working on their art for years, proving their commitment to the BUSINESS of music. You might say to yourself, “I’m more talented than [fill in celebrity here]”, and you’re probably right. But if you’re not willing to put your time, money, and energy into being a PROFESSIONAL artist, it doesn’t matter how talented you are – because other than your friends and family, nobody will know.

When my group’s producer was killed years ago, I saved up money, bought production software, and made beats for other local MCs, which eventually lead to me getting a production deal offer with Def Jam through JMJ (RIP). Now I’m at the point where people pay me to record on their beats and invite me to use their studios for free, but that’s because… I’ve already spent years of time, money and energy helping myself and the people around me.

2. Eminem performed and got booed so badly, it was embarrassing
Lasting success doesn’t come to one hit wonders, or to people who always win their battles. It comes to those who can lose a battle, but continue to win the war. I’ve won a lot of rap battles, but the people I respect most in the rap battles are the ones who lose and still show up to the next one. Those are the MCs who are eventually going to win.

It’s funny that in a rap battle with 16 to 32 (and sometimes more) rappers, there is only one person who seems to win the prize. That means there are 15 to 31 (or more) “losers” created by each battle. But what is the real prize? Is it the jacket? The cash? The trophy? If you are going to be successful, the prize is the experience of learning first hand, what works and what doesn’t, for you and for others. It’s the physical and emotional feeling of not being in first place – that knowledge will either drive you to never compete again, or will drive you to do better next time. If you enter a competition and appreciate that experience along with that wisdom, YOU WIN, even if you didn’t come in first place. If you think battling 15 MCs is hard, how will you deal with releasing an album and hearing negative feedback from the “haters” every day? Sadly most people who enter contests take that experience for granted. If they don’t win first place, they quit. If they do win first place, they neglect to reflect on what they could’ve done better. In other words, all 32 MCs in a battle decide whether they are winners… in the moments AFTER the battle is OVER. Yet sometimes all 32 settle for being LOSERS, including the one in first place!

Why my City PAYS Me to Rap Day 1

Post the Answer to the question I ask you (in the video) below in the comments section

Home Studio Fundamentals

I'm not an engineer, but I did represent Manhattan in a NY Energy Fair once, where my (miniature) solar-powered car ranked top 20 from hundreds of NY state district science projects... and I got a scholarship to study Electrical Engineering at Trinity College in Hartford, CT. Even though I turned down a nice production deal with Def Jam (J.M.J. Rest In Peace) to pursue the New England college degree, I wish I'd figured out a way to do both at the same time.

Going to college for engineering enabled me to move out momma's crib in the projects and raise more money for recording in my own home. But my rap skills enabled me to pass science class and graduate from the most competitive high school in NY (Stuyvesant Science & Mathematics). If you're wondering how... I recorded raps about the ozone layer or whatever we were studying and submitted those instead of final papers.

So studying science has helped me survive as a rapper. And being an MC has helped me survive as a student of science. But I'm not an engineer. Yet, here I find myself - once again - having to know a little bit of science to be a better MC. In particular, I'm converting a regular room at my crib to a better recording space.



One thing I've learned is that successful (productive, happy) people don't waste time reinventing the wheel. Instead, they learn from those who've already succeeded, and if possible they befriend them. I'm fortunate to have 2 such professionals as 2 of my best friends, and in this post, I'll let you eavesdrop on what I learned from them. One is Zaquan, who does a spoken word piece on the title track of my new album "Manhattan Night", and produced one of the bonus tracks as well (can you guess which one?). The other is Mez, who is my partner on rhyme featured on every track of the "Manhattan Night" album (now on sale for limited time here).

Mez barely sleeps since he records, mixes, and masters very big records almost every day, in a top notch professional studio basically around the clock. He's been extremely influential in the career of one of the hottest MCs out right now - J. Cole (Jay Z's lyrical number one draft pick). Zaquan also works around the clock, but he built his own studio into his apartment. He focuses on recording the best underground lyricists in New York City. Since the underground cats don't have a large recording budget, Zaquan has to get the best sound from them in the least amount of time.



Here's a little bit of what I learned from them in a couple very short conversations. Just keep in mind - these points are a streamlined version of MY OWN UNDERSTANDING of the answers they gave me, to the questions I PERSONALLY ASKED them, so this isn't a representation of THEIR EXTENSIVE KNOWLEDGE by any means.

1. Soundproofing a room isn't just about making it quiet for your neighbors and roomates, it also creates a balanced sound in the room.

Due to the shape of a room, the same exact sounds heard in different parts of a room will sound different. When music hits these different parts it will bounce back into your recording device (like your mic), or from your listening device (like your speakers) at different speeds which makes the final recording sound different in your room than it would in another room (or in another studio).

2. Sound bouncing back and forth across the room is the main way that the music becomes unbalanced, "unflat", and full of reverb (reverberation).

In other words it doesn't really matter that your sound hits an unpadded wall, what really matters is that it continues hitting that wall because it's bouncing off the opposite wall and coming back repeatedly. This is why the corners of a room are the priority in sound proofing. The middle of the wall is furthest from every other wall, but the corners are where the walls connect, so the sound bounces between walls alot faster there.

3. Due to the above, the priorities in a room are to soundproof the corners, have lots of space for the sound to travel through before hitting a surface, and avoid reflective surfaces in between.

Soundproofing the walls in between the corners, and soundproofing small rooms would be secondary. For example, padding the walls of a small closet would not be as effective as cushioning the corners of a big room, in terms of soundproofing.

4. Bass traps are more effective than the thin absorption sheets and styrofoam.

Bass traps are thick cusioning materials that absorb sound (converting sound energy into trace amounts of heat energy). The thickness and composition of the materials in bass traps, such as mineral wool or owens corning fiberglass are able to absorb extremely low frequency sound waves (bass), as well as the higher frequencies, while thin soundproofing sheets only absorb high frequency sounds.



That's all for now. I hope this helps you save some money and time. Just remember I'm not an engineer - I'm an MC - independent, and every CD sale helps me support my family (not to mention pay off the college loans). My CD is on sale for a limited time here!

Goals to Action Newsletter: Are you a goal "hoarder"?

Rodger Constandse has posted an article I wrote during his last 28 Day Goal Achievement session as a series of newsletters. Here is a sample of part 1 (you can join the GTA newsletter to get the rest of the series)...


Are You A Goal Hoarder?

>>> NOTE: If you want a proven system that can help you get
organized, increase your productivity and make better use of your
time, you need to check out Achieve Planner:

--> http://www.effexis.com/AchievePlanner/

Hey there,

Today I have a treat for you. One of the members in the 28 Day Goal
Challenge wrote a couple of very interesting posts about the idea
of "Goal Hoarding" and he agreed to let me share them with you.
Today you'll get part one of the series, I'll send you Part 2 next
week. He is a recording artist and recently released an
inspirational rap/R&B album. You can learn more about him and his
album here (You get a special discount until August 7th):

http://rapoets.com/ManhattanNightSale.html


I hope you enjoy his article about "Goal Hoarding"...

Has anyone seen the television show "Hoarders"?

It's about people who keep a whole bunch of "stuff" in their house,
making it hard to move around, find things, and have other people
share the space with them. In many cases the homes become dangerous
obstacle courses, as well as extremely unattractive, and
unsanitary. I've noticed some STRIKING parallels to people who
don't accomplish goals (like my former self!), which I'll point out
in just a moment. But first, here are some recurring personality
traits of a hoarder:

Even though they haven't used any of the "stuff" in years, you'll
notice that the hoarders are EXTREMELY EMOTIONALLY ATTACHED to the
"stuff".



1. They only notice how dangerous and nasty the mess is when other
people are around.

2. They project human attributes on to the stuff, whether it's a
photograph, a dirty old teddy bear, or rusty piece of metal. So,
they respond to throwing out a piece of junk the same as a normal
person would respond to abandoning a small child.

3. They are so focused on "protecting" their "stuff" that they
often end up pushing away family and friends, in some cases
screaming at, ignoring, and ending relationships with loved ones,
after treating them like junk – while treating their junk like
loved ones should be treated!

So what's the similarity?

When I switched my challenge goal to creating an effective system
for selling shows, recordings, & merchandise, I also had to switch
my milestones.

The steps required to reach each milestone are simple and I KNOW I
WILL ACHIEVE THEM.

But... as I looked at my previous spreadsheet, I felt bad about all
the... "STUFF" I wouldn't get done – LOL! At that point I realized
that my slowness in achieving this goal was STRIKINGLY SIMILAR to a
hoarder's slowness in cleaning their house – wow – humbling!

I've created a list so anyone can catch themselves "Goal Hoarding",
as well as see how similar it is to the unattractive habit of
Hoarding old "Stuff"...



1. Hoarders only notice how dangerous and nasty the mess is when
other people are around.


I was always busy, and always had lots of "to do lists" of more
things to do, as well as records of all the interesting stuff I've
been doing. That let me know I was doing the right thing... even
though I WASN'T!

It was only when other people asked, "Where can I buy your album?",
"Do you have any videos of your shows online?", "When will you have
more clothes for sale?", and so forth, that I realized my busywork
wasn't getting results.

Keeping a list of your actual goals that you can look at every day
prevents you from using busy work as an excuse for goal achieving.

But a list of your actual goals should be a very short list. My
goal progress worksheet has 1 major goal for the month. It includes
1 Major milestone to reaching that goal each week. And finally it
includes no more than a few steps to take each week.

Each step is precise and can be measured with a "yes" or "no", such
as, "Did I store new album files securely online?" or "Did I write
a paypal script to download files after a verified purchase?"

So that's the difference between a Goal Progress Worksheet and a
To-Do List.

Think about it, a "Stuff Hoarder" has a house full of stuff that
they are absolutely sure they will use... but never do.

A "Goal Hoarder" has a To Do list full of activities they are
absolutely sure will get them to achieve their goals... but never
do!



If you are using a very long To-Do list, instead of a very short
Goal Progress Worksheet, the neurons in your brain are mostly
likely as disorganized as the "stuff" in a hoarder's home.

Stop Goal Hoarding!

Pull your major Goals and milestones of the month out of the To-Do
list hoards, and look at your Goal Progress Worksheet Daily. Don't
wait for someone else to interrupt your "busywork" and ask you
where you're major goals are hiding.

You'll get Part 2 next week. Here's some more information about
Rapoet:

The Rapoet appears (performances, lectures, and workshops) at
venues ranging from cafes to colleges, receiving praise from poets
like Alice Walker and MCs like Talib Kweli. Recently, he performed
at Yale University, hosted the Hartford Hip-Hop Festival with Rock
Steady's Crazy Legs, rocked the International Hip-Hop Festival with
KRS ONE, and completed teaching his 2010 Spring semester RapOetry
(positive self-expression) youth classes. He is currently teaching
a RapOetry Summer 2010 course, and releasing a new album.

Learn more about the album here:

http://rapoets.com/ManhattanNightSale.html


And if you want to join us in the 28 Day Goal Challenge, you can do
that here:

http://www.28DayGoalChallenge.com/signup/


Have a great week!

Rodger Constandse


P.S. Here's another resource that you might find helpful:

Is procrastination, indecision or lack of motivation holding you
back?

If you want to understand WHY you are procrastinating and discover
how to find the RIGHT strategies to overcome it once and for all,
you need to
visit:

http://www.GoalsToAction.com/EndProcrastinationNow/

How to Write: Overcoming linear thought

There are many methods to writing, and many stages within each method. What I'm going to tell you about write now, is how to overcome a particular hurdle that comes up in a particular stage of writing. I recently read Mozart's (the famous composer's) description of his music writing process, and assure you that what he wrote also applies to poetry, rapping, singing, master's degree candidate final exams, and every other type of writing I can think of.

Here's what Mozart wrote,

Nor do I hear in my imagination the parts successively, but I hear them all at once. What a delight this is I cannot tell!

Have you ever had a song idea in your head, or a poem, or some other form of unspoken, unwritten text, that inspired you, although you hadn't yet written it down? I have! If you are at that stage after experiencing the unspoken text in your mind, where you are anxious to see it on the page or hear it recorded... this article is for you.



There's nothing more disappointing than being stuck or blocked, just one step away from something great. I use to experience that feeling all the time. I would have a great song or poem in my head, but when I attempted to write it down, I would only get the first one or two words out.

I started to notice a difference between experiencing the unspoken text in my mind, and writing/speaking the text with my voice/writing utensil:

In my mind it was all one piece, as Mozart described, it isn't heard successively but all at once. Although describing this in words might make you think of every word of a poem being shouted at once, or every note of a song played at once... it's not like that! It's more like a painting that has lots of characters, colors, and components, but can be viewed all at once. Somehow, words and music can be experienced the same way in the mind - all at once.

I'll describe what use to happen when I attempted to write, but I've also tried to speak the unwritten text at this point, and the same exact problem (and solution) occurs whether you are writing or speaking. However, I prefer writing at this stage, because when the words are on the page, they are most like the original text in the mind... YOU can SEE/EXPERIENCE them all at once (after all letters are just commonly used pictures, and a written text is just a picture made from lots of these commonly used pictures neatly arranged in rows).

So as I mentioned, when I attempted to write it down, I would only get the first one or two words out. Then I would feel like I'd lost the rest of the text, and desperately try to "remember" some other word or phrase, and at least get a few more of the words down, hoping that would help to jog my memory some more.

Then I realized... it's not a ball of yarn, it's a pot of soup! If you're reading this blog, I trust you have an above average ability to follow metaphors. Writing is like unwinding a ball of yarn, it's linear, one letter comes before the next, leading to a word, leading to a horizontal line of words on the page, just like, unwinding yarn leads from one end of the balled up string to the other.



But now think of serving soup, even though each carrot or matzah ball is combined is connected to the rest of the soup, it would be pointless to try to pull out one one item of the soup, and expect the others to come out with it. Instead, we tend to scoop out a bunch of soup items together (with a very big soup spoon).

When you pull one end of yarn from the ball, the rest follows unless you cut it off. But as you lift the spoon from a pot of soup, whatever doesn't fit in the spoon drips off the spoon back into the pot. When you have a finished text already in your head, it tends to be more like a pot of soup than a ball of yarn.

The feeling that you've lost the text after writing one word comes from thinking of it linearly, like a ball of yarn, or like it is written on a page, or like it is heard with the ears (sequentially from beginning to end). Ironically, that frustration takes up more of your mental energy (attention), which actually can force you to lose the text.

Here's what you can do:
1. First take a second to sit down or walk to a place where you can focus (away from people and things that demand your attention). Don't worry they can have you back in a few minutes :)

2. Soup is a lot tastier than yarn, don't worry about writing/speaking your idea, just savor it for a moment, like the aroma of a nice soup that looks ready to eat, experience it for a moment, hear it in your mind, hum it a bit, taste it, touch it, feel it, appreciate it, acknowledge that it is there, and let it be there.

3. Now write/speak/record just one piece of it. Start with the biggest piece you can pull out of your mind, if there seems to be a most important piece.

4. Now go back to step 2, experiencing the whole piece in your mind again. You can think of this like dipping your soup spoon back in the pot.

5. Now go back to step 3, pulling out the next biggest piece on to your paper or audio recorder. You can think of this like carrying and emptying the soup spoon into your bowl.

6. Continue doing this until you have most or all of the original text in written/recorded form.

7. Now you can give that delicious bowl of soup - oops I mean that recording - to someone else. By the way, if you're not planning to share your poems, songs, texts with other people, none of this will work for you.

The whole point of writing/recording your ideas is to share them with people. Your mind will help you get your ideas out to more people, or help you keep them from reaching other people - either way it is extremely efficient. The more you decide to share your ideas, the more your mind will decode your ideas quickly for other people to consume. The less you decide to share, the more your mind will obscure your ideas and prevent them from being understandable. It's your choice.

3 ways to prevent Hoarding... your Goals pt. 3

I've created a list so anyone can catch themselves "Goal Hoarding", as well as see how similar it is to the unattractive habit of "Stuff Hoarding" (this is part 3 of 3 posts)

3. Hoarders are so focused on "protecting" their "stuff" that they end up pushing away family and friends, screaming at, ignoring, and ending relationships with loved ones, after treating them like junk – so they can treat their junk like a loved one should be treated!

Fortunately, I've never gotten so obsessed with busywork that I've broken up my family – thank God! But I did catch myself staying late at work for hours (more than once) when I could've been spending quality time with loved ones. I've caught myself being defensive when people ask why I'm not more famous, or why I don't have more videos on youtube. And I've seen some of my biggest fans get tired of waiting for me to put out an album.

There's no better reality check than the look of disappointment from someone who wanted nothing more than to tell the world how great your new project is… but never got the chance.

Maybe the most important goal anyone can achieve is to appreciate what they already have, including their friends, family, and the opportunity continue sharing a meaningful connection with them. The more busywork a "Goal Hoarder" does, the less quality time they spend with the people they love… the same people who probably want nothing more than to see you stop worrying about everything and be confident about one major project at a time.

(Celebrating with some of the youth who took my RapOetry class last semester)

So while a "Goal Hoarder" clings to an endless list of "important things", a "Goal Achiever" priorities spending time with important people. It's funny though, when the people around you feel cared for, all those extra details have a way of working themselves out anyway.

3 ways to prevent Hoarding... your Goals pt. 2

I've created a list so anyone can catch themselves "Goal Hoarding", as well as see how similar it is to the unattractive habit of "Stuff Hoarding" (this is part 2 of 3 posts)

2. Hoarders respond to throwing out a piece of junk the same as a normal person would respond to abandoning a small child.

When I started to prioritize my major goals over the long lists of things I wanted to do, I would always make sure I kept those lists of less important things close by. I didn't realize it, but I was actually scared that I'd forget about all those other things that I was doing… even though I WASN'T DOING THEM! I actually felt guilty about abandoning those to-do lists altogether. It seemed irresponsible to just focus all my energy on a few simple things, when there was so much more to be done.

But the truth was that I could easily sit down and write rewrite those long to-do lists any day of the week, I could rediscover those links to useful web sites with a few minutes of searching, and I could accomplish an endless list of tasks that would "help me get closer to achieving my goals". It really doesn't hurt my real family and friends when I throw out the to-do lists. The fact is, they don't even notice, because those to-do lists are full of little things that never make a big difference anyway lol! What my loved ones do notice is the results I get from spending more quality time on major goals :)

But quitting the busywork and abandoning your long to-do lists doesn't mean being afraid to write anything down. It means being willing to commit to what you do write down. For instance, my goal progress list has about a dozen items on it, including my major goal of the month, my weekly milestones, and the precise steps I need to take to reach each milestone.

The important point is that every one of those steps is an action I am committing to taking by a specific deadline, in a specific sequence, not just something I really want to do as soon (or later) as possible.

(photo of my friends and fellow MCs Derek & Toya with their newest student)

So a Goal Hoarder feels guilty about taking their focus away from all the important things they could/would/should do as soon as possible, but a Goal Achiever feels committed to a short list of measureable steps and due dates that will inevitably bring them to achieve a major goal on a specific date, or sooner. Don't feel bad about abandoning your list of things you want to do, instead feel GREAT about committing to the most important activity you can accomplish right now.

3 ways to prevent Hoarding... your Goals pt. 1

I've created a list so anyone can catch themselves "Goal Hoarding", as well as see how similar it is to the unattractive habit of "Stuff Hoarding" (this is part 1 of 3 posts)

1. Hoarders only notice how dangerous and nasty the mess is when other people are around.

I was always busy, and always had lots of "to do lists" of more things to do, as well as records of all the interesting stuff I've been doing. That let me know I was doing the right thing… even though I WASN'T! It was only when other people asked, "Where can I buy your album?", "Do you have any videos of your shows online?", "When will you have more clothes for sale?", and so forth, that I realized my busywork wasn't getting results. Keeping a list of your actual goals that you can look at every day prevents you from using busy work as an excuse for goal achieving.

But a list of your actual goals should be a very short list. My goal progress worksheet has 1 major goal for the month. It includes 1 Major milestone to reaching that goal each week. And finally it includes no more than a few steps to take each week.

Each step is precise and can be measured with a "yes" or "no", such as
"Did I store new album files securely online?" or
"Did I write a paypal script to download files after a verified purchase?"


So that's the difference between a Goal Progress Worksheet and a To-Do List. Think about it, a "Stuff Hoarder" has a house full of stuff that they are absolutely sure they will use… but never do. A "Goal Hoarder" has a To Do list full of activities they are absolutely sure will get them to achieve their goals… but never do!
If you are using a very long To-Do list, instead of a very short Goal Progress Worksheet, the neurons in your brain are mostly likely as disorganized as the "stuff" in a hoarder's home. Stop Goal Hoarding! Pull your major Goals and milestones of the month out of the To-Do list hoards, and look at your Goal Progress Worksheet Daily. Don't wait for someone else to interrupt your "busywork" and ask you where your major goals are hiding.

Ask and it Will be Given: Achieve Goals Now!

Ask yourself these questions on this list, in order, at least once. Each question leads to the next. Please post a comment after doing this. I enjoy knowing that I gave people something that helps them Achieve Goals Faster. Thank you!



why do people fail to achieve goals>

why do people fail to work on achieving goals>

why do people fail to continue to work after beginning>

why are people uncertain that their work will pay off>

why are people uncertain of how much work is needed>

why are people uncertain of how much time is needed>

why do people avoid setting aside time for achieving>

why do people avoid tracking time spent on achieving>

why do people avoid setting aside more or less time after tracking>

why do people want to have goals achieved without working>

why do people ignore the work others do to achieve goals>

why do people ignore the connection between goals, work, and identity>

why do people who achieve goals work to keep achieving more>

why do people who identify with goals inevitably get more work done>

why do you have to contact goal achievers in advance to get their help>

why do people feel fortunate when goal achievers spend time with them>

what goal do you want to achieve right now>

what work do you want to do to achieve it right now>

what time do you want to set aside to do that work right now>

what identity have you become to set aside time to do goal achieving work?

Welcome back goal achiever!

Selling Music without a Record Deal!

Did you hear about my birthday party?
My best friends got together and had
KRS-ONE, along with some of the othr best MCs
from around the world come to Hartford, CT
for one unforgettable weekend.





They booked venues, got 'em packed, and took photos
while I performed and sold my brand new merchandise.
A mob of them even tried to get me to release a new album
(we'll get back to that in a second)!

Anyway, it's important for you to know about
my birthday (I'll be posting pics throughout the week),
because April is national poetry month.
So it seems true that some people are Born Poets! AND
it makes sense that so many people have come to know me...
as the RAPOET!




I'm not saying you HAVE to be born in April to be a
born poet. And I'm not arguing that you can't make someone
into the most successful poet in the world either.

But you better believe I'm pasionate about what I'm about to
tell you right now - and I know it's going to offend certain
types of people. But here's the truth...




Some people have gotten too obsessed with making successful MCs
(which are the poets of Hip-Hop culture) out of people who
are so far from being MCs that they actually insult anyone
who loves lyricism... LITERALLY. I don't just mean they sound
horrible, I mean they will verbally tell you that anyone who
raps better than them isn't a real MC!





I may be better than the average MC, and even better than the
above average MC, but the majority of people who you try
to talk to, will not even have a clue until more
people are listening, buzzing about, and - of course - buying
this music.

So Congratulations to everyone who's been asking me to release an album. It's the last day of National Poetry Month - It's time - I need YOUR HELP!

1. Respond to this post with a quick comment, about why you want me to sell a lot of records

2. Add your email to my private mailinglist here




3. tell everyone on your mailinglist, blog, and social networks (or at least tell 5 people) to comment on this post too.

4. I'll be sending an important treat to everyone on the list (hopefully next week) once I get enough subscribers...

Thank You!

Baby Step 2 to Using Sign-In with Twitter

This is Baby Step 2 of using Sign-in with Twitter

Click here for Step 1.
Click here if you want more practice with HTML.

Unlike HTML, which you can write and view on your own computer before uploading to the internet, PHP cannot usually be viewed on your personal computer. That's because PHP is a server-side scripting language, which means it relies on information that is on a remote server to make the page look different depending on what the viewer does at their local computer.

If you don't have a server, you won't be able to use PHP or create a website that lets people Sign-In with Twitter. I highly recommend this affordable server provider, because they always update with the latest versions of PHP and other technologies.

Beyond this point, I'll show you what to do once you do have a server...

2. Writing a 10 second PHP program:

A. open notepad.exe or whatever program you use to type on your computer
B. enter the following 3 lines
<?php
phpinfo();
?>
C. save the program as myphp.php(the ".php" is the file extension, which tells the computer what type of file this is)
D. close myphp.php
E. upload the file to your server (remember the location)
F. use a web browser to visit the location
http://www.example.com/foldername/myphp.php
G. notice all kinds of information about the version of php you are using, if it's installed. If it's not installed contact your server provider, or switch to mine.
H. open notepad.exe or whatever program you use to type on your computer
I. enter the following 3 lines
<?php
echo("My first PHP program!");
?>
J. save the program as my1stphp.php(again, the ".php" is the file extension)
K. close my1stphp.php
L. upload the file to your server (remember the location)
M. use a web browser to visit the location
http://www.example.com/foldername/my1stphp.php
N. notice that "<?php" and "?>" don't show up in the browser. These are instructions that tell the browser what to do, not what text to show

Baby Step 1 to Using Sign-In with Twitter

I decided to use "Sign-In with Twitter", which will allow artists already signed-in to twitter access to my booking program, without having to use (or remember) another username and password. Hooray!

Unfortunately, it's not that simple! Boooooo!

Fortunately for you artists reading my blog, I'm going to show you how to do it while I'm figuring it out for myself. (Anyone with a simpler faster example, feel free to leave a comment.)

1. Sign-In with Twitter requires something called the Twitter Application Programming Interface.

2. Using the Twitter Application Programming Interface requires understanding something called cURL.

3. Using cURL requires understanding something called PHP.

4. Using PHP requires understanding something called HTML.


So let's take baby steps by...

1. Writing a 10 second HTML program:

A. open notepad.exe or whatever program you use to type on your computer
B. enter the following 3 lines
<html>
My first HTML program!
</html>
C. save the program as myhtml.html(the ".html" is the file extension, which tells the computer what type of file this is)
D. close myhtml.html
E. Double-Click myhtml.html (since you saved it as a ".html" file, it will open with a web browser, like Firefox, IE, or Safari)
F. Notice that "My first HTML program!" shows in the browser, but <html> and </html> don't. Remember this, because HTML, PHP, cURL, and Twitter-API all have 2 parts: the text that shows up in the browser just as you typed it, and the part that tells the browser to do things but is not itself displayed.

The secret's not secret: Time is MORE than money

Time is worth more than money, pay attention...

The information age was great. What would you like to know? You can learn it! If you have time to look beyond the first page of google results, you might even learn it for free. Who would you like to learn from? You can web 2.0 follow them around all day! And if you have time to think about their posts enough to reply with understanding compassion, you might just get a discount on their next class, or... meet them in person!

That's right, if you have time to type the right combination of letters on a keyboard, you'll receive all the most relevant wisdom of the ages (and up to the minute breaking news)... but then you'll also need time to read, listen, or otherwise experience that information. Understanding requires experience. Experience requires time. So you might want to google the phrase, "where to find time". But I'll save you the time of doing that and just give you the answer right now.

The most valuable piece of information the information age has to offer is...

Noone on Earth has more hours in their day than anyone else. You can compare your money, assets, liabilities, ethnicity, relationships, social web followers, and so on, but you have just as many hours in your day as everyone else.

So to reach your goals, you need time to find better information, and connect with better experts, and experience that information, and test that information, and refine that information, until you are successful. But you've discovered that you already have as much time as everyone else. So what's missing? Is it money? Fame? Plastic Surgery?

Does money make any of the divorced and materialistic parents separated from their children better parents? Does fame make the top 10 rappers on MTV's video countdown more talented than the dozens of talented MCs winning a featured spot at their local venue or battling on GrindTimeNow? Did plastic surgery make Michael Jackson more attractive or Donda West happier (R.I.P. to both)? The answer is clearly no, so let's get back to time...

We learned from the information age that we have the same time and access to knowledge as everyone else, but let's PAY MORE ATTENTION to what that REALLY MEANS:

Time is not as simple-minded a concept - as the people who think it is - think it is - LOL! Hours and minutes are not set in stone, as we will see more clearly with earthquakes shifting the Earth's axis and the duration of our days. Don't Worry, I know better than to bore or offend you with a showcase of intelligence explaining a concept that goes beyond first grade addition - LOL!

But to reach your goals, you must understand that time is really a comparison of 2 numbers. It's a contest between 2 activities. Like any sport with 2 teams... at the end of the day the winner is determined by comparing one number to another. For example, the number of times the earth spins around its axis versus the number of times it revolves around the sun is usually about 365.25 to 1. Since this doesn't change much, we are smart to base our calendars, holidays, clocks, and appointments on this comparison.

Our habits are the same. Since we tend to crave, or be compelled, to do the same things on a daily basis - businesses both legal and illegal are smart to base their income on what people regularly do. Maybe not smart enough to guide their customers to healthier, happier, more fulfilling lifestyles - but they are smart enough to pay their bills.

This is how the Attention Age is emerging from the Information Age. Humans don't change the number of times the Earth spins around every year, but we CAN CHANGE the number of hours we spend on each activity each day. The Masters of the Attention Age will be able to completely eliminate the time spent on things that don't help them achieve their goals, while maximizing the time spent on things that do help them achieve their goals.

As IntangibleWealth recently hinted, it doesn't matter what your particular goal is, or even your current level of experience. But it does matter how much Attention you Pay to your goal. Attention is measured in time. Not hours, days or years, but more importantly... how many times you chose to focus on reaching your goal versus how many times you let your focus go to something else. If you really look at these 2 numbers through honest eyes, you'll probably want to cry - LOL! Then your mind will exercise it's right to come up with the most brilliant rationalizations for why it's okay. Most of them will concern other people - and their flaws. If you're really smart, you'll come up with an argument about how Motivated Morons never get anything done. You'll tell yourself you don't know enough to do anything about your goal.

The truth is that history is tragically colored with the repeated strokes of motivated morons achieving more than their unmotivated brilliant peers. The tortoise and the hare is a nice story and we are happy for the tortoise. In real life, when uncaring morons get to their finish goal before compassionate, brilliant slackers, the results are horrible... and the consequences effect all of us. This is serious business, Hitler was just one example.

So don't worry about being a moron, because regardless of how ignorant or untalented you think you are, the continued decision to focus on your goal will make you a winner. And what's really funny, is that brilliant people are just morons who keep focusing on something until they get it - talented people too. Even if you're unsure of the best way to reach your goal, you can reserve time to practice what you do know. Which means, when you do discover a better activity to reach your goal with... you've already reserved time and space to do it in. If your heart is in the right place, your success will take us all to a better place, even if you start out moving in the wrong direction.

I think a lot of people take an overly optimistic or pessimistic view of goal achievement, because they miss this point and see it as a mysterious thing. If I practice at my local basketball court every day, I'll be better prepared for the NBA than if I just wait to be recruited. If I record into my cel phone every day, I'll be better prepared for the professional studio than if I just wait for a super producer to find me. I'm sad reflecting on all those who became bankrupt or suicidal after winning the lottery... but I understand. They simply weren't prepared to use the thing they so desperately wanted.

The age of information didn't make us all smarter, it just revealed the age of attention. As my bro Darren inspired me to realize through his recent blog post, the kid who studies a language every day with an old dictionary, will be better prepared to speak it than a kid who owns the most expensive language software but never uses it. And chances are that kid with the old dictionary will eventually come across that expensive software too... and know exactly what to do with it.

Rapoet's 2010 Playlist Wk #4

In Week #2 I featured a Reflection Eternal record, featuring Mos Def, J. Cole, and... Jay Electronica. Well last week it was clear that DJ Enuff wasn't the only one who felt like Hip-Hop radio deserved to hear Jay Electronica, as "Exhibit C" was heard within the rotation of several commercial channels.

Week #4 of Hip-Hop's livest year yet introduces you to some more radio ready MCs, who your local commercial radio programmer might want to check up on, Final Outlaw as featured on Jay Smooth's illdotrine page, Loer Velocity currently being pushed by one of the key players behind the legendary days of Def Jux (DJESE), and Homeboy Sandman who's gotten just about every cosign an MC can get without a major label budget (starting with the Source's "Unsigned Hype").

1. "Fallen Heroes"

2. "World of Poverty"

3. "Extreme Measures"

Peace to everyone that came out to see me, Zee, Fadil, Mal B, and Wiz at the Haiti Benefit last night (I'm told we raised some good funds for a good cause). To everyone who's coming out to check me at the "Freedom Hip-Hop" show tonight... see you in a minute!

How to Make a Living as an Artist in 5 Steps

I was challenged by the Willpowa Network to explain, "How to Make a Living as an Artist". Here's how you do it...

1. It's easy to let day to day things interrupt your art, but you can also let your art interrupt the day to day things.

Keep a pad and utencils around, if you're at a computer, keep a txt, paint, or recording program open (depending on your art). If you have a cel phone, learn to quickly open the voice recorder, tasks, notes, or memos so that you can quickly write down new ideas as they come.


2. Breathing is involuntary, because it is vital to your survival. Consider making your art the same.

Set a minimum goal of 10 to 60 minutes daily to practice your art. If you miss your daily goal, don't even worry about it. The more you try, the more you'll succeed. This is a focused set of time, even if it's just 10 minutes, for you to do your thing. No TV, internet, phone, or any other interruptions... and no judging. There will be time to edit later, but now is the time for unrestrained creativity!


3. Plants do not survive in the dark, and neither will your artistic career.

Find a job where you can use your artistic ability. If you really can't do that, then keep pictures of your art, or your performances where you work - and bring up the subject of your art whenever you can (try lunch time, not randomly in the middle of a staff meeting). If you are at a job that doesn't support you being an artist at all, find a school, library, or non-profit organization where you can volunteer.

4. Great ideas and energy are just that - if people can't own it, they won't pay for it.

If you've done all the above, the people who you are volunteering or getting paid to help regularly, will be dying to support your art. If you don't have it packaged, they'll have to shop elsewhere. If it's music, keep a few CDs with you whenever youi're out. If it's visual, print out a couple posters or shirts. If it's performance, have lots of business cards with you. The price doesn't have to be on the package, but you should be prepared to answer the question, "How much do you charge?" They are paying to get something that they can't have without paying for - a ticket, an experience, something tangible - remember that.

5. People view ads and buy stuff everyday - why not yours?

Find out where your type of art is being advertised or promoted, and add yours to the list. Newspapers, blogs, radio, there are so many avenues for this, so dedicate a day out of each week to do this. And the reverse is true too... If you start your own blog, video channel, or other outlet, people will start to depend on you for content... and advertisers will pay you to promote their content as well.


Here's my blog:



Now Go Make a Living as an artist!

Rapoet's 2010 Playlist Wk #3

Week #3 of Hip-Hop's best year ever includes a joint I saw Rakim do live the other night (from his new album "Seventh Seal"), a collaboration between Icon the Mic King and Elzhi (of Slum Village), and a leaked version of a new song featuring... yours truly

1. "Won't Be Long"

2. "Wordperfect"

3. "Feel So Bad"

Rapoet's Downloads: Reflection Eternal

Like I said in the last post, Hip-Hop will be very lively in 2010. More Proof:

Download the new Reflection Eternal Mixtape here

While you're downloading that, listen to this collab I did for Furyus in 2005 called "MLK DAY"

I'd like to think that putting this out there in the universe paved the way for Will.I.Am and Common who put out this "I Have a Dream" song for the "Freedom Writers" sountrack in 2007. It helps that Common says (in the song), "Dear Self, I wrote a letter just to better my soul... My story like yours yo, it gotta be told."

If you're still downloading the new Reflection Eternal Mixtape, check this out:
While celebrating Martin Luther King Day, I spoke with a veteran of the Mississippi Civil Rights Movement regarding the role of SNCC (the Student Non-violent Coordinating Committee). SNCC was extremely influential in getting non-White Americans to liberate themselves from legalized racist oppression during the 1960s.

The funny thing about talking to people who were actually active in the Civil Rights Movement (in my experience), is they usually laugh when you ask them about how it's portrayed in the latest popular media reference. For example, Martin Luther King is overwhelmingly portrayed as the accessible Civil Rights activist, while being contrasted with Malcolm X, who is portrayed as the unapproachable one.

The truth is that Martin and Malcolm were only 2 of a large number of courageous people who made countless significant non-violent sacrifices to achieve freedom for all human beings (and we should be aware that many of them lost their lives and family members even before Martin and Malcolm were murdered).

Another misconception is that SNCC (as well as Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.) was primarily concerned with Black and White people being able to play and work together. Although that seems like I fine idea, it is an extremely oversimplified version of what was taking place. Sometimes, when you oversimplify things you actually take the truth out of them.

Black and White people were certainly already working together during the 1960s. However, if you've ever seen (or been one of) two people at the same job who didn't get along, you start to understand the issue.

- Imagine one of those people could never get a promotion, or receive equal pay, no matter how hard they worked
- Imagine people were allowed, and even encouraged, to physically and verbally abuse one of those people
- Imagine one of those people was not allowed to use the working bathroom, water fountain, cafeteria, and other standard areas of the job site

Now you start to get a truer image of what it was like in the 1960s. And it wasn't just about Black and White people. Much like the case of Mumia Abu Jamal was not just about a "Black man" and a "White cop". It challenges the entire issue of whether we should even have a death penalty, which might legally execute a person wrongly accused. SNCC challenged the entire issue of discrimination and prejudice. Not just against Black people, but against all people - including discrimination by White people against other White people! By the way, there are many other types of people besides "Black" and "White" in the United States, and the Civil Rights Movement directly improved all of our lives, all-inclusively.

To say that one loves their dog is fine. However, most people do not send their dog to school, do it's homework, marry it, and so forth. Most importantly, they would not let their dog take them to court, invest their money, or leave them at will. In the same way, to say you want Black and White people to work together is fine. Yet to say that during a disagreement, everyone is entitled to legal representation; when their is an election, everyone is entitled (and permitted) to vote; when there are facilities on the job site, everyone is given free access to them; these rights go far beyond Black and White people getting along. They go straight to the core of what happens when any human being doesn't get along with another human being, in a civilized society.

I feel that one of the most amazing, unique things about SNCC was that people like Bob Moses went door to door asking disenfranchised African-Americans, how their lives could be better, without being patronizing or threatening. Being able to listen to other people's frustrations and then work together to help them reach their goals was the true essence of SNCC, in my opinion. That is much harder to do, and more significant than "White and Black people holding hands." I salute those who did this work in the Civil Rights movement.

I believe they paved the way for the Zulu Nation, Temple of Hip-Hop, and others such as myself, to continue doing this work through Hip-Hop Culture today. We go beyond getting people of different colors to say our lyrics, write our names, play our beats, and do our dances - we do the difficult work of getting them to respect each other, and themselves, as they respect us...

You can see this About.com article for a review of some of the major activities and laws that were passed during the Civil Rights Movement.

Rapoet's 2010 Playlist Wk #2

Here's Week 2. If you thought Hip-Hop was alive in 2009, just wait 'til you see what it does this year...

1. "Just Begun"

2. "Locusts"

3. "Shootin"

Rapoet's 2010 Playlist Wk #1

I'm going to do U a favor. For those who don't know I've been a DJ for over 10 years. Not the kind that juggles, scratches, and so forth (although I'm pretty good at changing pitches and matching tempos). I'm the kind that digs for good music every where. Open mics. Commercial radio. Obscure underground websites. And everywhere in between. The kind that has to rip open the packaging, and test it out before I judge it.

So like I said, I'm going to do U a favor. I'm going to give U a list of 3 songs that you can listen to right now with the same computer U R using to read my blog.

1. "Life Is Better"

2. "A Star Is Born"

3. "Day in the Life" (at 18:00)


Which of these songs is your favorite?


Any artists that want to be on my next playlist can put a video on youtube and post the link on either this blog or my main comments page. If you're not an artist, but you want to post a link to one of your new favorite songs, that's cool too.

HOWTOBEANMC #20,100,107: Most people think of a playlist as a list of songs played in a certain order, but in the music business... the most important playlist is a list of a DJ's top played songs of the week. DJs report their top 10 most played songs to magazines that put them all together to find the national top 10 songs of a genre. When I first started DJing at a pirate radio station in the Lower East Side of Manhattan, I played whatever I wanted and free styled on the air with my friends, most of whom were unsigned artists. Later on, when I became a Music Director of an FM radio station, I reported the station's top 10 to magazines like CMJ and Thembisa Mshaka at Gavin. By the way, the most reputable top 10 reporter in Hip-Hop right now would probably be RapAttackLives