A wise man once told me that, “Whatever you focus on will become stronger in your life.” I heard that as a youth, but it’s concise wisdom has stuck with me through my evolution into a man. It is a simple axiom, yet carries profound truth and insight. In this day and age, it is necessary to be aware of such an idea.
What does focus mean to you? It is probably different for everyone that is asked such a question. For me, focus is simply where my attention lies. If I happen to be on twitter all day, I’m pretty much focused on interacting and sharing in the thoughts of a varied population of people. If I am spending my time at the yoga studio, then my focus is on the development of a mind-body connection. You see, where we place the gaze of our mind’s eye will inevitably lead us in that direction.
This understanding is the pillar upon which marketing and advertising are built. These disciplines have realized that by shifting the focus of viewers, that they are able to captivate the imagination. Take a moment and think about how you are focusing your attention.
Are you being mindful of where your third eye resides? Is your reality a conscious selection, or are you passively focused on the whirlwinds of the world around you? These are questions that only you can answer. But, bear in mind, whatever you are focused on will grow stronger in your life. Choose well my friends…
1. 24-7-365- Gang Starr
2. Peace- the Burnerz
3. So Fresh, So Clean- Outkast
4. Victory ft. Nas & John Legend-DJ Khaled
5. Feel Like Making Love-Roy Ayers
6. Knowledge God-Raekwon
7. I’m a Leader-Zion I & the Grouch
8. Come Fly- the Burnerz
9. Afro Connections at Hi 5- De La Soul
10. Jus Sayin-the Burnerz
11. Nautilus-Bob James
12. Golden-Jill Scott
13. Coffy is the Color- Roy Ayers
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August 31, 2010–Oakland, CA–The Burnerz are a new duo consisting of Zumbi of the hip-hop group Zion I and the Houston-based Trackmasters producer,The Are. Now, after a year of scratching out rhymes, making beats, mixing, and mastering, The Burnerz—who met on tour in Europe in 2003—just completed one of the most energizing independent hip-hop albums of the year.
The Burnerz recruited The Grouch, OneBeLo, Martin Luther, and C-Holiday for the album. “Instead of going through layers of editing (like we do for Zion I),” explains Zumbi of his approach, “We tried to capture the raw emotion of both lyrics and beats for this album.”
Zumbi has always set a new standard for socially conscious hip-hop and this album is no exception. The track “The Edge” where The Grouch and Zumbi spit rhymes about snatching victory from the jaws of defeat. “It’s about feeling hopeless and fearful, but having just enough strength to turn around and confront one’s demons,” explains Zumbi.
As the charismatic emcee of Bay Area group Zion I, Zumbi has released six critically acclaimed albums along with numerous EPs and mixtapes. Zumbi contributed to the Grammy-Award winning group Linkin Park’s album Reanimation as well as the BassNectar album, and mixtapes for the Roots, K’naan and Q-Tip. Currently, Zion I are touring with reggae sensations Rebelution. Their seventh album Atomic Clock drops Nov 9.
Veteran producer, The Are, hails from Houston, TX but his production style is more drum-heavy east coast in sound than southern. He began his career with the trio K-Otix in the early mid 90s, touring Europe and releasing the 2001 LP, Universal, and contributing two tracks for EMC (Punchline, Masta Ace, Wordsworth, and Stricklin). But, it’s been within the last couple years, that The Are has flourished: After signing with the production team the Trackmasters, he produced singles for Keisha Cole (“Where this Love?”), Lil Kim and Lords of the Underground, as well as many others. His Michael Jackson instrumental remix CD, Dem Damb Jacksons, became an online collectors item in 2007. Finally, he produced the first single off the forthcoming Keisha Cole album.
Fans will have to wait until October 12 to hear The Burnerz, but they promise to leak new singles (not on the record) every week until then.
All I can say, is that this was a beautiful night. You can tell from the energy of the footage that people were just chilling and enjoying one another. I had the privilege of judging the dance battle that you get to see bits and pieces of. It was fresh to say the least. Shout outs to all the artist who came through and got down. Respect!
The collaboration is a unique aspect of hip hop. This tradition is directly descended from the jazz roots that are a part of the gumbo that came together to form our culture. The technique of joining different groupings of musicians to expand into new directions is necessary to the evolution of the music. These pairings have been used to mentor musicians, as well as create new styles, and genres. It is thus, an essential aspect of the perpetuation of music which represents the feelings of the people.
Thus, Zion I & the Grouch decided to link up for our first album in 2006, entitled Heroes in the City of Dope. I learned a lot in the process, as I am used to writing albums by myself for the most part, outside of editing ideas. Yet, working with the Grouch is much more of a collective effort in terms of forming concepts around songs. It is always inspiring to get a fresh perspective or idea that I would not normally think of on my own. The collaboration is a creative push, a challenge to go further and see what level of beauty can be achieved.
On today’s show, we get to chop it up with all the homeys on a more intimate note about technology, the future of music, and staying centered in a world gone wild. AmpLive holds down the tables, blessing up with choice selections, and the Grouch and I chop up game about life. Tune in..tune up..and evolve.
1. Silly Puddy Remix ft Coldplay-Zion I ft the Grouch
2. 1940- Submarines (Amplive Remix)
3. Better Man- Chali2na
4. Hot Right Now- AmpLive ft. Zumbi, Grouch, Fashawn, Eligh
5. Get Up-Dilla ft. Common
6. U Neva Knew- Heiroglyphics
7. Passin By Me- Pharcyde Remix
8. Last of a Dying Breed- Aesop Rock
9. One Love (Remix)-Nas
10. Childhood Drama-Goapele
Fear. What is this thing? Is it an emotion, a feeling, or a need? I’m not sure exactly how to categorize it, but I feel as though this thing called fear is a tool that is used to pollute our thoughts and minds. A conspiracy you say? Hardly, its just that misery loves company.
I notice this trend when I browse the internet and read the commentary below videos and news articles. The comments posted generally have a negative tone to them. They are often accompanied by racists quiffs, when appropriate, and a blatant disconnection with human suffering. Quite possibly all the autonomy online has exposed the true level of fear that, we humans still possess. It’s scary right? Ah, not so much.
Fear, as far as I know, is an instinctual response that was developed as a means for survival as we developed as a species. In modern life, it still serves its purpose, yet we seem to crave it more than is necessary. It feels that we are constantly pumped full of things to fear thru the media: recession, violence, the BP spill, war. You get the drift. But, what do we really have to fear?
I propose that we relinquish our need to fear anything. To respect is good, to fear is to paralyze one’s self. Just take a moment and imagine what our world would be like if we no longer feared one another because we looked different. What if we were no longer afraid of different religions and cultures? Could we possibly move unto a higher level of awareness as a collective? I think that is very probable once we do away with fear. The best way to treat fear is to turn around and face what is haunting you. It’s never quite as bad as we think it is, and if it truly is that dire, you might as well get it out of the way sooner than later. Releasing it will allow fresh energy to flow in and through your life. Now, go into the world, with courage as your guide.
Morning Sunrise-Twennynine with Lenny White
Good Old Music-Funkadelic
stimela -Hugh Masekela
Rude boy-Lee Perry & Prince Jammy
Flashpoint-Music DeWolfe
Drama Blackcloth-Alan Lew
Overjoyed-Stevie Wonder
What You Won’t Do For Love-Bobby Caldwell
I Walk on Guilded Splinters-Johnny Jenkins
hells kitchen-syd dale
Ghetto: Misfortune’s Wealth-24 Carat
Remind Me-Patrice Rushen
Remind Me-Patrice Rushen
We Can Make It If We Try-The Sylvers
Boogie Back-Roy Ayers
Boogie Back-Roy Ayers
Wind Parade-Donald Byrd & the blackbyrds
Buck’em Down (Remix) voc/instr-Black Moon
I once read a metaphysician’s quote that said “The world is as we see it.” Hence, stating that we color the world around us with our own unique perspective. However, I would like to change it to “The world is as we think it.” Indeed, our thoughts are powerful tools. So powerful in fact that they can build just as quickly as they can destroy. Why aren’t we being taught the power of our thoughts? Well, that my friends, is a question that has been asked throughout time immemorial.
It could be due to the fact that the mind is where power is defined. Thus, as stated by Carter G Woodson, “If you can control a man’s thinking, then you do not have to control his actions.” Sadly, this statement still rings true today. The “powers that be” recognize this fact and use it to their full advantage every waking moment. This is the idea behind advertising. Most people feel that they are unaffected by it. They talk about how they watch TV for 4-5 hours a day, and that it is simply entertainment. But, they obviously don’t understand the nature of the subconscious mind.
The subconscious mind is like a vast storehouse of energy for our thoughts, beliefs, and behaviors. Whatever is fed to the subconscious influences the how we feel, think, and act. By constantly remaining a passive witness to society’s ideals and impulses, we allow ourselves to be casually programmed. Does this sound unbelievable? Check any basic psychology class, and it will break down the basic blueprint of how the mind works. What you will find is that, the subconscious is a more powerful determinant of behavior than the “conscious” mind, which consists of what we normally think of as thoughts. The subconscious is the ground from which our thoughts take root and flower.
So, what happens when one no longer accepts the programming of their subconscious mind? New thoughts, feelings, and beliefs are unleashed when we unplug from the vast web of influencers in our environment. In a way, we are freed to explore the inner workings of ourselves, the great vastness within. Thus, the true revolution begins within. To change the world around us, we must first change the world inside. This is the essence of struggle and resistance. The struggle to free the mind of senseless babble, while resisting the lure of the world of senses around you. Your mind is the center of this battlefield. Fight the good fight.
Theme From S.W.A.T Rhythm Heritage
The Champ Mohawks
Darling Darling Baby The O’Jays
Skew It On The Bar-B Outkast
Out the House (Fresh Check) The Honor Roll
nushooz i cant waitfunky remix nu shooz
out in cali country DJ SwiftRock
Topsidin’ feat. Moxmore Trackademicks
Beat Box Art of Noise
Doowutchyalike Digital Underground
New Jack Hustler Ice-T
makossa #3 main/inst che che makossa #3
The Seed Cody ChestnuTT
The Seed 2.0 The Roots
Thought at Work The Roots
Miami Will Smith
Single Life Cameo
Give Me The Night George Benson
What A Tribe Called Quest
CaliWay (Platurn Party Break) DJ Vinroc/Dj PlaturnCaliway (grown folk version)
J Billion feat. Spank Pops & 1O.A.K Bounce (INST) Vaughn Mason & Crew
As humans, enthralled with all the wonders of modern life, most of us are constantly caught in the spin cycle. We have responsibilities and aspirations, let alone biological needs that we must care for. We have jobs to work, and food that we must put on the table. With all of this going on, it is easy to forget that we are living out history day by day. At times, great opportunities lunge our way, but our attention is absorbed and thus, we miss the chance to participate in the history which is being created around us. Today, is one of those moments when we have been called to that moment, to include ourselves in the rapidly changing world around us.
This show begins with Vinroc and I, doing our normal thing, breaking down the good word, and playing some music to ease the soul. Yet, by the end of the segment, we are told, while on air, that the Oscar Grant verdict will be released a mere hour after our show ends. As we finished the show, Youth Radio was already shutting down in preparation of the “civil unrest” which was in my opinion being indirectly encouraged by the media. The mood of the entire building suddenly turned somber and expectant. Vin and I left the building, and as we did it was obvious that the entire city of Oakland had received the same news. Cars were rushing towards on ramps, and traffic was already building up. Well well, the news sure did a good job of rustling up paranoia. As I navigated thru the streets towards my next destination, I could not help but notice the vast differences in the way that people were responding. Some folks enjoyed a quick pick up game of soccer not a 5 minute walk away from downtown, while others were already scrambling to get to the what would eventually the epicenter of the ruckus, 14th and Broadway. This show captures a quick moment in history that we should not soon forget.
1. Radio Daze (Feat. Blu, P.O.R.N., Dice Raw) The Roots
2. Dear God 2.0 (Feat. Monsters Of Folk) The Roots
3. My Way Nas – The Lost Tapes
4. Dear Summer(Feat. Jay-Z) Memphis Bleek
5. Hold You Down (Instrumental) The Alchemist
6. Hold You Down (Feat Prodigy & Nina Sky) The Alchemist
7. leflah vocal/instrumental The Fab 5
8. Kick Push Vinroc remix Lupe Fiasco/Vinroc
9. trials of love mobb deep (prodigy)
10. The Realest Mobb Deep
11. mobbin (foxy gitars,mobb single remember) Vinroc
12. LIFE mix 1.0 J Billion/Vinroc
13. Ready Set Go feat. Moe Green TRUTHLiVE
The concept of society is based on rules and agreements. The authorities constantly program the people with ideas that they can either accept or reject. Acceptance breeds inclusion and greater degrees of comfort if you will. Rejection, on the other hand, is basically tantamount to declaring all out warfare on the system. When the rules of society are not obeyed, we have police and the legal system which are supposed to deal with the corruption. However, what happens when the authorities themselves make a mistake in perpetuating their precious societal mores? How do the people governed by, and accepting of these laws react when they are attacked by the very same authorities that are supposed to protect them? These are the questions that surround the Oscar Grant verdict coming up this week.
The anticipation hangs in the air, thick that the rapture of swollen vines. Windows are already boarded up here in the studio and throughout downtown Oakland in case rioters take to the streets. There have been whispers that OPD is calling in back up from as far south as LA, in addition to many of the surrounding suburbs in the Bay. It feels as if everyone is expecting the worst reaction possible. Do they know something that we don’t? If justice is truly served, and Johanne Meserhle, the murderer of Oscar Grant is convicted, than there is no reason to protest. Oscar’s life can never be given back, but a ruling of manslaughter would at least acknowledge some degree of negligence. I am concerned that Meserhle is acquitted. In that case, there is definite reason to be angered. We were angry already, but this is the stuff that destruction is made off.
I wonder if this had been a young white man shot face down on the Bart in San Francisco would it even be a question as to the guilt of the murderer. No, what is being called into question is the value of black life in American society. How easy is it to kill a young black man in cold blood, and without reason? It seems that they are telling us what they think of us with every deliberation and negation of justice that takes place. I understand the rage, but please, breaking the windows of small shop owners downtown will not do anything to bring redemption. Calm and cool minds will prevail.
Tune in to this week’s show as special guest J Period, Robert Collins, Amp Live, and 1-O.A.K. discuss the importance of how we handle the verdict.
1. 7-Zumbi X Bannon
2. Casio Training- Flying Lotus
3. Come Together-J Period ft. the Roots & Zumbi
4. Subliminal Minded-J Period ft Black Thought
5. Rumble in the Jungle-J Period ft Q Tip, Busta Rhymes, & Lauren Hill
6. Red- Dilla
7. Mister Magic- Grover Washington Jr
8. Whats the Difference- Dr Dre
9. Ova the Woods-Outkast
10. the Return of the Crooklyn Dodgers-Crooklyn Dodgers
11. Road to Zion-Damian Marley
12. Ur the Man-Nas
13. Can’t See the Soldiers-J Period
14. Cell Therapy-Goodie Mob
15. Cold as Ice-MOP
16. Testament-Cormega
17. Hip Hop-Dead Prez
I once read somewhere that sports were a metaphor, of war. If so, then we are living in violatile times, although the World Cup, is more of a grand spectacle. Being that, the whole world is involved, the political and social ramifications of the “football” can hardly be denied. Honestly, I haven’t been interested in “football” since I was a youth. But since the World Cup in ’06, I’ve been riveted by the collective attention which it demands. In many ways, it’s bigger than the Olympics. There is much greater parity, which makes the competition all the more thrilling. Although juggernauts like Brazil and Argentina feel pre-destined to dominate, smaller countries like Uruguay, Switzerland, Ghana, and the Netherlands are able to eek their way onto the world stage. It is truly fascinating when we consider how many eyes and minds are focused on this one event.
What could we accomplish as human beings if we all got together and focused on ending poverty and oppression in the same way, and with the same passion that we view sports? I think we could truly change the world. Just a thought. Science of Breath…on the move.
1. Ghost Town-the Specials
2. Friends-Nas X Damian Marley
3. Never Been- Wiz Khalifa
4. Mezmorized-Wiz Khalifa
5. Highs N Lows-Kid Cudi
6. I’m Beaming- Lupe Fiasco
7. Flying Kites- Cool Kids
8. Dear God 2.0-the Roots
9. Beamer Benz or Bentley-Lloyd Banks
10. Window Seat-Erykah Badu
11.How Many Mics-the Fugees
12.Candy Man-Jay Electronica
13.the Burnerz-the Burnerz
14.Cannons-Currensy
15.Mathematics-Mos Def
16.the Edge-the Burnerz
17.Ghost Children-Deuce Eclipse
18.Go Hard-Zion I
19.Ride-Nappy Roots
20.Nautilus-Bob James
21.Hold Yuh-Gyptian ft Nicki Minaj
22.Gadgets Go Go-Chali2na
Whoa! World spin..begin..faster..FASTER! That’s how I feel y’all. I know..intense right? Indeed. No worries..we’ll be good. I just got to let it out every now and then. There seems to be so much going on these days. At the tip of my mind remains the tragedy of the BP spill. What have we done? I have a distinct feeling that we’ll be dealing with the aftermath of this for the remainder of our lives. I read something that said that the leak was spilling over 2 million gallons a day!! What? That is completely impossible to fathom in many ways, but it sounds like its easily the worst environmental disaster in history. How will the ocean be effected by such negligence? It’s scary to contemplate the ramifications. Still, we keep on pushin’ thru. I pray for the good of all people, that we may learn from this. We cannot continue to repeat this type of behavior, the Earth will not allow it. Remember, we are blessed to have this environment which is perfectly suited to our beingness. Pray for healing..pray for peace. Bless…
Perception-Electric Wire Hustle
Party For Your Right To Fight-Public Enemy
Jungle Love Inst-J Dilla
E=MC2 Inst-J Dilla
E=MC2 Featuring Common, Jay Dee
Tha Cipha-Triple Threat
Stakes Is High-De La Soul
You Never Knew (Album)-Hieroglyphics
My Philosophy-Boogie Down Productions
Ready Set Go feat. Moe Green-TRUTHLiVE
Ova Du Wuds-DJ Vinroc
Listen Up-E-Rule
Get A Hold-A Tribe Called Quest
Miss Me (Ft. Lil Wayne-Drake
What’s Beef?-Notorious B.I.G
U Don’t Know-Jay Z
All For The Cash-Gang Starr
Do Your Thing (clean)-Camron
Ain’t The Devil Happy-Jeru The Damaja
Sound Bwoy Bureill-Smif-N-Wessun
