Funny how the hottest track on Nas' latest release is "N.I.*.*.E.R." which would have been the title track. He faced much controversy about the title, so the title was removed. I remember.....Read more
GV7:Random Urban Static The Iridescent Equations of Spoken Word is an original feature length spoken word documentary by the Multi Award-Winning filmmaker Bob Bryan. It is the 7th release in the Graffiti Verite film series and follows a plethora of poets based in L.A. This film features national slam champions, Bridget Gray, Sekou (tha misfit), and Mollie Angelheart. Urban Static reflects the vastness of poetry and life.
It took a second viewing to understand....click here to continue
Des a.k.a. DLUX:THE LIGHT
S.W.H.H. Poet (Spoken Word Hip Hop)
www.dluxthelight.com
DLUX: THE LIGHT! Man, poet, producer, musician, husband, father, and friend from the beautiful city of Portland, OR.
I am listening to "Stupid Black Man" by Larry Elder. While I understand where he is coming from I think the tone is the wrong place. I mean he claims he is trying to motivate black people and convince them to be optimistic about the future. And yet the title of this book is "Stupid Black Man." How is that optimistic? He accuses the media and liberal democrats of using racism as a pawn to draw attention and votes. I think is an outlandish statement to draw attention to his book. The book seems to carry this negative tone. One that does not inspire but just criticizes to the point of being insulting.
There is this challenge that we have to deal with as the young hip hop generation. It's the perception of the previous black generation. I can't count how many times that I have been given advice by older black people. Its well appreciated when it comes from a place of honestly wanting to help. This usually involves actually listening to the current concerns of the young person. Those who just give advice, that is not needed, just to hear themselves talk and to feel like they have given back to the youth do more harm than good.
I was recently told "stay in the books," by a gentleman on Saturday. He said this after he assumed I haven't gone to college by asking "You going college?." Granted, I look younger than I am when I where my hat to the side. I told him I have completed college. "Stay in the books." I laugh at this statement because yesterday I left the library with 20 books in my hands.
If he took the time to connect with me and not look for an opportunity to just hear himself speak, he could of said something that would been of real value to me. Instead, he gave me a slogan he might as well have said "Don't do drugs," "Make love not war," or "Stay black." All things I already do.
The point is time. Making time to connect with the people you want to inspire. Get to know where they stand and respect it before you attack their views. Respect doesn't mean you agree. It means you understand their right to feel the way they feel. Once that connection is established then you can begin to have influence. Larry Elder hasn't made that connection so this attempt to inspire is lost for those who need inspiring. It is written in the way that pundits host their T.V. show debates. He searches only for the evidence to prove his points and negates a balance approach. In essence Larry is guilty of the same tactics he is accusing the liberal media. At the core, the messages are on point but his tone will prevent folks from listening.
Last bit advice that you may not need "Stop talking down to folks!"
One,
DLUX: THE LIGHT
S.W.H.H.Poet
Lately, I have found myself defending spoken word, defending it from over generalizing stereotypes, and people who just don't get it. My main point is that there is too much hatred of things when people just don't understand. There is too much fear of the unknown.
What I have tried to do with things I don't fully understand is say "I don't know much about that." I don't dismiss it as being less than me or an invalid art form. I am not saying that everyone has to love spoken word. I am saying that it is enough to say I don't like it and leave at that. Don't call it garbage, or decide that everyone who participates is phony.
We assume folks reciting these revolutionary poems aren't doing anything because we can't see it. Out of sight and out of mind doesn't mean not in action. This is the kind of thing that gives spoken word poetry a bad name. Besides everyone have different parts to play in the movement. Some deliver the news, some make the news, and others change the course of history. Which part do you play?
Anyway, the beat a week is a joint I call "smooth." Hear it at www.dluxthelight.com click on BEAT-A-WEEK.
Until next time,
DLUX: THE LIGHT
The Spoken word hip hop poet
It told me something that has changed my life.
I recently just fasted for the first time in my life, for three days. The first day was strictly water and no food. The second day I allowed myself to have some much needed fruit. The third day I went back to strictly water until later that evening when I began eating again. My goal was to receive guidance from god and it worked.
Physically I felt hollow for three days, and you don't really understand how much you crave food until you deny yourself the pleasure of eating. Anyway, during this process god told me "If you are afraid, I can't help you." As result I have stopped letting fear stop me from acting.
I usually don't talk this openly about my relationship with god. I thought I had to have complete understanding to bring the subject up, like I have to prove the existence of god when I questioned it at times. I've decided that is not my job and I just need to do as I am called to do. If I'm afraid and don't act, god can't make away for me.
Life changing
The Beat-a-week was down last week. I do apologize. I did put the beat online last week but the player wasn't working. So you have two to check out this week.
For this week "Uh Oh" a track that reminds me of Janet Jackson's Velvet Rope Cd.
Last Week "Get Up" chill laid back joint similar to "Me & U" by cassie from the bad boy camp.
More developments on the way so go to dluxthelight.com to join my email list. I am going to be recording another piece for a PayWhatChaLike mp3 download. All the supporters on the email list will have access to these no minimum price downloads. Click here to join
Until next time,
DLUX:THE LIGHT
The Spoken word hip hop poet
Reggie Miller, one of the greatest basketball players without a ring. I remember one playoff game, I don't which team he was playing so I'll say they Knicks for the purpose of this story. New York was up by two baskets something like 5 points and 30 seconds left on the clock. The pacers are in a full court press trying to make something happen.
They are on the Knicks home court and the feeling was that the Knicks had it all wrapped up. Until, Reggie Miller gets a steal on the inbound pass, steps back bust a three. Lead is now two, 12 or so seconds remain in the game. Through a series of missed free throws by the Knicks, Pacers get the ball back with one shot and guess who takes it and steals the game from the Knicks. What does this have to do with hip hop in Portland?
Many on the underground have been waiting and praying for the fall of Jammin' 95.5. Today was supposed to be the day, but they Reggie Miller-ed the underground scene by moving up the dial to movin'. 107.5 is now the new jammin'.
I truly sit in the middle on this one. It would have been interesting to see how hip hop would develop in Portland. Some say 95.5 recked the progressing hip hop scene while others disagree. I'm not going to lie; I did enjoy the radio recently. Dj's were being more expressive and creative with the mixes. I heard some old school Outkast on 95.5, and not just on Sunday. It was mid day, mid week!
I will have to echo the sentiments expressed in the Oregonian today. I hope the new jammin' recognizes what makes hip hop culture great and works to develop that appreciation in the youth through the radio. We'll see. A new game has begun, and I'm not leaving the arena early.
One!
DLUX: THE LIGHT
Beat-a-week this week "NDGroove of Thangs to Come" One of my retro tracks with a damn good groove if I say so myself.
Check it out here => music.dluxthelight.com
For those in the Portland, OR area there is an event you should check out. "The Prospective Gents Club 3rd Annual Youth Step Show" Here's the info:
Time and Place Date: Saturday, May 17, 2008
Time:6:00pm - 8:30pm
Location: Nike's Tiger Woods Center
Street: One Bowerman Drive
City/Town: Beaverton, OR
Don't let the one bowerman drive confuse you. It's at the Nike World Headquarters in Beaverton at The Tiger Woods Center. This is high energy and exciting event lots of fun every year. Good ahead and check it out.
Beat-a-Week this week is "The Creep." It back to format this week, drums and the whole nine. Again, you know where to go music.dluxthelight.com!
Until Next Time!
DLUX:THELIGHT
Good People, I have to apologize because the beat of this week is not a "beat" at all. It contains melodies and harmonies but no drums. It's a pretty song though. This is "Amalia's Song" and it's based on a melody that my wife, Marshelle, came up with along time ago, on the guitar. It is dedicated to her mother (R.I.P.). I hope you enjoy. Go to music.dluxthelight.com to check it out!
I'm still working on completing K.I.M. (Keep it moving), my third album. Life keeps tripping me up though, but I will not be denied. Also my own ambitions get in the way. I want to rework the website and let people listen to all my music through dluxthelight.com. Allow free downloads for those who join my email list. I want to include more flash on site as well. I guess, I just have to take on one project at a time. Well, that's the dilemma when you are the one man management team. Be easy, folks!
One,
DLUX:THELIGHT
Are you a fan of Gnarls Barkley? Then check this site out http://www.fronttobackbacktofront.com. They are giving their next album away for free as a download with a twist. The whole thing is backwards! Y? Y not? Its quite an interesting experience to listen to backwards. If you actually allow yourself to listen to it backwards you might wonder, what if this is the way we heard music. Trippy!
Anyway week 12 continues on my Beat-a-Week ( http://music.dluxthelight.com ) with "Got Dem Beats" A track I made for my Peninsula Elementary hip hop tech class. We have the last couple verses to record today and tomorrow they perform the song for their school. The song is called "Let's get Crump." I'll post the finish song on dluxthelight.com along my other class' songs.
Still working on the Album K.I.M. and performing all over the city. Much respect to the students of Lewis and Clark, great show, great workshop. That's it for now!
One Love
DLUX:THELIGHT
Music.dluxthelight.com
I stayed up late to write this one. Sorry Marshelle :(
If you must know I am a supporter of Obama. He visiting Oregon this Friday and I plan to take my son to the rally. Isaiah will be missing school Friday for this, why you ask? Here's the first serious Black candidate for the U.S. Presidency and we have the chance to see him in person. Missing this would be like missing the march on Washington D.C., the "I have a Dream" Speech when you live two blocks away. If Barack Obama becomes the President of the United States, he would of accomplished something that I seriously believed that I wouldn't see in my lifetime. It's an emotional possibility and I want to be able tell the story to my grand kids about how we saw the first African American President.
One last note before I go to sleep, I'm not voting for Barack just because he is black. Since he is a black man I am more exciting and interested in the process. Of course it is silly to vote someone just based on their race or gender, but I will say this. It is human nature to be drawn to people of a similar nature. We create entire communities based on our similar beliefs and cultures. When your culture is under represented in the public discourse and the political process, and you see someone similar to you its natural that your support goes toward that person.
The rub is that the African American is often overly simplified. We see a darker complexion; the assumption is that we have the same beliefs. Answer this question, how many times have you felt like the ambassador for your race? Me, many times, at least daily, the only time I don't have this feeling is when I'm no longer the minority. This is when I'm in the black neighborhood. Despite the struggles that face these communities, it feels good to see a wide variety of people with the same skin color as mine.
It's this good feeling that adds to excitement for black folks in my opinion. For some all they need is the emotional charge to gets them voting for someone. So why am I voting for Obama, I FEEL he is committed to do what's best for the country. I say feel because all politicians say they want to do what's best for the people all they time, but I actually believe Barack Obama. I know I probably wouldn't agree with all of his decision but I feel his motives are in the right place. To make it simple, I trust the guy(him being black is just icing on the cake), but I leave room for disappointment. After all, at the end of the day, it's still politics, stupid!
One,
DLUX:THELIGHT
music.dluxthelight.com
My son, Isaiah, is pretty patient kid for being 5 ½ years old. He can wait a whole 30 seconds before asking me where are we going, what we're doing, and can I have peanut butter on a spoon. I joke but really I can tell him to go play or draw some pictures and he'll be content. While I go teach a class or give a private lesson on free-styling and beat boxing as I did today.
Sometimes it makes me wonder is this my kid(You know I couldn't deny him even if I wanted to, the crowd would get me on Maury). Cause truth be shouted from the roof tops, I'm an impatient person at heart.
I read about The Roots touring in Japan, Add-2 in articles all over the internet, and the homie sleep getting his track in movies. I'm like man I need to push harder. I tell myself "I'm only one man and there's only so much I can do with a son, wife, and household to maintain." I know this is a legitimate reason, but it always has the familiar ring of excuses I hear from my students, when I say it out loud.
We get caught up in our grind that we don't take time to see how far we've come. Marshelle always reminds me of the good ol' days of hanging microphones from ceiling fans and neighbors below us with brooms to strike their roofs in Morris code for "SHUT UP!" Now people ask me what studio did you record in? Who did the mastering? When I tell them the answer they give me that impressed look like "Wow, you did this in your house."
The sonic quality has come along way just like my career, and I have to realize I'm right where I want to be. I am by no means content. My ambition has not been satisfied and I doubt it ever will. I guess you have two choices when you see success happening around you; Be appreciative of what you have accomplished, which energizes you to accomplish more, or get discouraged because you feel you're behind, which leads to stopping your pursuit all together or pushing too hard and burning out.
While it's hard to do at times, every time I think of what I've done, what I got in the works, and what I aspire to do, I feel more encouraged and inspired to keep going. The other piece to being appreciative for what you've already accomplished is that you begin to see that you did what you said you would do unaware that it could be accomplished. The first song, the first album, the first show, the first tour. There are major hurdles that you had to leap in order to be where you are and you did. This strengthens your faith (not necessarily a religious faith) and with strong faith you can be patient.
If you know and believe that you will do EVERYTHING you set out to do in life, it's like knowing the end to a film or basketball game. If you know the Tarheels will win the NCAA Championship this year, why would you worry if they happen to be down anytime during any of their games?
So I know I'll meet the people I need to meet and attract the opportunities I need to do everything I truly intend to do. How? That I'm not sure of and that can make me a little antsy at times, but I calm down. Speaking of calming down, enjoy this laid back beat-a-week called Isaiah's Lullaby. It's very mellow like a lullaby, go fig. This is a song about my son having nightmares when he was little (or littler, he still small). He use to cry in his sleep and it would take 15-30mins to wake him up sometimes. The lyrics tell the story, just enjoy the track for now.
One!
p.s. Yes I'm currently performing all over Portland. Join my email list for more details.
Someone decides to disrespect my wife and call her out her name, and then proceeds to insult my son, and to make matters worse this person has the audacity to call me the n-i-g-g-e-r word and mean it in the worse possible way.
Finally, an opportunity to release my full rage on this individual who, to put it quite frankly, doesn't who he is f*ing wit. As horrible as this situation would be, I think we deeply desire these types of confrontations. We want to be fully justified in taking a baseball bat to face of our perceived foes. Why worry about the consequences when you know you are right in being engulfed in your anger?
Well as I strive to become the person I want to be, I am afraid I have give up my desire for the "I wish a n***a would" moment. I guess it's a pride thing for people to want to defend their beliefs to the point they cross the line of their values and morals. I just realized that all actions have reactions and affect some body. As gratifying as releasing the anger maybe, you always have to deal with the fallout. Just some food for thought.
This week its "News 4 You" for the beat-a-week. Hope you enjoy it! When I'm done with this song you hear my singing ability or lack there of. If Snoop can sing on a track so can I damn it!
If you haven't done so, check my daily treat to you, rhyme-a-day. I compose a new rhyme everyday to keep my skills sharp and build my vocabulary. Until next time, share your thoughts below!
One,
DLUX:THELIGHT
Happy March! This month I'm stepping in my studio to begin recording my next album, K.I.M.(Keep it Moving). I thought it would be appropriate to feature instrumentals from the upcoming album on music.dluxthelight.com for the month of March.
Kickin' it off, we have "Got Some Sense." This song will display my sense humor and unique story telling ability when the lyrics are recorded. Until then go to music.dluxthelight.com to hear this beat and my other beat-a-week creations.
One!
DLUX:THELIGHT
p.s. A rhyme-a-day keeps the haters at bay. New tumble blog rhyme-a-day.tumblr.com Visit Today!
"Diggin'" because when you listen to this track you feel like diggin' the crates to find that old school juke joint cut. Well, thats what it makes me think anyway. I was just in a mode of old school jazz and a swing style. I have more beats along the same lines but I'll present them later on music.dluxthelight.com. Go to music.dluxthelight.com to hear this track and my other beat-a-week creations.
I'm looking for themes to make beats on. For example: I plan to have a month where the beats will be based cartoon theme songs and childhood shows (Like Nickelodeon's David the Gnome). Let me hear some of your ideas on themes. Please make a suggestion. You don't want to leave me to my own devices. I kinda crazy when comes to the music ("Hey You Guys" for example). I NEED THEMES, THEMES, THEMES! Let me know what you think.
One!
DLUX:THELIGHT
p.s. A rhyme-a-day keeps the haters at bay. New tumble blog rhyme-a-day.tumblr.com Visit Today!
Bad, I have been busy. If you checked music.dluxthelight.com on Monday the beat of the week is "Aww Yeah!" This is a laid back joint and those who know my style from the very beginning (I'm talking before Quest for Truth) know that I love making smoothed out tracks. Soulful bass lines and emotional strings are combined with lyrical melodies (sing-able melodies) for this track. Don't get fooled by the silence, the track is not over. Check it out, music.dluxthelight.com!
Props go to Imani and the 2nd annual youth summit. It was a great event and believe it or not it was the first time I have performed in a church. I think on an unconscious level I tend to avoid churches because I don't feel Christian enough (which is fine by me). The kids were great! My up beat and up tempo style seems to be going over will with the youngsters. I plan to get these kids hooked on my style while their young and when they listen again in 15-20 years they'll actually get what I'm saying in my verses. Case in point, I'm still trying to decode "Me, Myself, and I" by De La Soul that will always be my joint since I was 12 or so. I didn't know what they were talking about but it felt good sing. As I dig into the lyrics, it makes love the song more and give 2 kudos to my inner child for having great taste.
So I'll create a new style for Portland, OR that all the kids will love, they will appreciate it, and thank themselves (and me) for it later. That's the plan!
Join the List, Join the Blog, I'm out!
DLUX:THELIGHT
music.dluxthelight.com Beat-a-week!
Dluxthelight.com
Unless my team has made it to the super bowl, I always go for the underdog. For some reason, I have it planted in my head I'm an underdog and I identify with people counting you out before you enter the arena. It's just a classic me against the world attitude. If I truly think about it I have more support than I will admit. That's how I keep my drive going. I fight a fight that doesn't really exist (at least not yet).
I feel justified in this tad bit of paranoia, because people are often skeptics first. This means you take the grand stage to state your master plan for the world and your first response is "you can't do that." You can quote me here "People will give every excuse why they can't do what they don't want to do." People today don't seem to want to believe.
But I do and that's why I tear-ed up and almost did the man cry when Plaxico Burress said "Nobody gave us shot," then you see a tear roll down his cheek. I want that feeling of over coming all the odds and doing what you said you would do. The other great moment, Eli Manning refusing to go down and makes a pass to David Tyree, who uses his "ups" and helmet to make a literally back bending catch. I jump out my seat on that play. Resilience, perseverance, and unwavering faith are what you need to be successful as an underdog. The NY Giants today really cemented my faith in the underdog and in turn faith in me. Go fig!?
As an act of my solid faith in myself, I am embarking on a producing a beat a week for an entire year. This is definitely a challenge and will test my claim to being a prolific producer. Where do you get to hear these beats, at my newly created online music store music.dluxthelight.com. Stay for the beats and check out the tracks as well. Most tracks our just .99 and there are ringtones too. I'm taking do it yourself music making to a-whole-nother level. Don't worry; I won't be creating a dance video anytime soon (I can't promise I won't, because I like to dance, YOU!!!!!!!!!).
Until next time,
DLUXTHELIGHT
Beat-a-week at mmusic.dluxthelight.com visit today!
MLK Day is the start of Black History season in my eyes. You can call it "black history's new year." I like this time of year because a lot of performing opportunities come up. This means more dollar bills to pay bills from a holiday season run-a-muck. I know there are black performers out there who refuse to perform during this time. They feel it is insulting to only be asked to perform during "black history month." These are the same people who get upset at Mcdonald's for airing their Black History 365 commercial only during February. They're also the people that won't take a high pay, set your own hours, be your own boss, company car, and maximum benefits, type of job, if they feel they are only being offered the position because they are black. And I understand.
(DLUX got a big 'ol) But, it is one thing to ask a black investment banker, to go down to the street corner, tap dance, sing, and shine shoes for $1000. This is something she doesn't normally do (I would hope). But if you are asked to do what you do and you are treated with respect and getting well compensated then play on player (Emphasis on the -er, I'm on the west coast). Especially for us conscious, positive, motivational, type of black artist. Any opportunity you get to speak to the masses you should take because you don't know who needs to hear you words that day.
Refusing to perform during Black History Month is like saying….
"Oh you only like the beat, you can't buy my music!"
"It's only 99.9% effective. Well I ain't using it!"
Even weeds have their purpose in the garden. The person who wants to use for a "one month stand" and not call you anymore is ignorant (Not as a character judgment, but as lack of knowledge). You can't let the shortsighted, stop you from seeing the big picture. I don't remember the verse verbatim, but doesn't everything work to glorify the most high?
Let me know your thoughts,
DLUXTHELIGHT
MUSIC.DLUXTHELIGHT.COM
