What's Good Family,
It's me again, sorry i missed last week. i have good reason, MLK Day! My favorite performance of the year, and the start of my busi-ness. Mad love to all that book me, but its funny how i get really popular around MLK and Black History Month. Actually it's not so funny, either I'm just that good or we don't have enough black men saying things of substance. Perhaps both. The interesting thing is that if you actually speak to someone from the "hood" or has hood mentality, most of them are quite brilliant and aware of what is going on around them. So why don't we hear more from them, us, me, (young black men and women). Maybe it's like the interlude on Blackstar's album states, "even my conditioning has been conditioned" And all we care about is how we external sucess. Or it could be not enough of us are listening.
Recently i have reading Jay-z's autobiography. As a man born into hip-hop, as well as being a DJ and emcee, i thought i had a good grasp on what it means to be a part of its culture. But to hear it from his level and perspective, i realized there is a lot i missed. Especially how hip-hop it has changed us all, even those of us who don't listen to it.
And that brings us around full circle again. What Dr. King was about, why i go out all the time, performing for change or free just to be heard. Why i use the acronym S.O.T.U (Soundtrack of The Unheard) to define who i am. Why i often feel i am constantly running, racing against the acomplishments of those who have come before me, racing shadows. What this is all about is that people just want to be heard. To know that they have voice. Knowing that if the powers that be can't hear them individually, then we will let our music speak for us. We will play it at intersection and through parking lots. That loud consistent thump is passion unfocused. Reaching out to anyone who will listen, will you listen, we are showing you what you have been so curious about, will you really listen?
Here is your challenge for the week:
Discover what your soundtrack is, the music that truly defines you. Share your favorites with someone who doesn't know them and explain why they mean so much to you. Why that music says what you have been trying to for so long. Then take a radical step and listen as they share theirs. I mean, if you have to go running, racing against time, people, choices, shadows...at least do it to good music!
On Another Note:
Jerrica and I are almost done with the first draft of our book together. its gonna be a beast!! Uber-excited. Creativity has been pouring out of me lately, get ready for new joints soon.
I'm also gearing up to release a DJ mix-tape. Ya'll have been asking for it so im gonna come through. book first of course. And finally train of thought has been kicking off with a blast. Every tuesday im excited to see what's gonna happen! Dope undiscovered talent? Someone hilarously horrible? Whatever it is we always making it fun and fresh. join us: www.trainofthoughtsd.com
On A Personal Note:
I had some amazing shows this week. One in Ojai, where they treated me like royalty, and the other at the San Diego Jewish Academy, where they treated me like a rockstar. I am very touched that a $10 dollar a week for lunch a day kid from Oxnard would be accepted so enthusiastically. It goes to show you how much you can touch someone and not even know it. i didnt grow up thinking i was going to be a performer. i always wanted to play the background. God had other plans for me, im just glad i shut up and listened. Thanks for the hugs and love, and for those kids who came up for a second round of hugs, a double thank you to you. You say i inspire you, you have no idea how much the opposite is true.
Until then, be now
Remember the Light
Gill
Tell a friend to join in on our little talks, and write back id love to hear from you.
www.gillsotu.com
No comments:
Post a Comment