Choosing to Participate...Estilo Hip Hop...Say Word!

So I've been back in the states for three days now. And though I'd be lying if I said that I didn't wish I was back "living the dream": traveling by day, rocking at night, figuring out how to make a dollar out of 23 Crowns, I can honestly say that I'm happy to be home. My train rides have been a bit brighter; my day dreams have been a bit richer. And though I've been grustling since I woke up Tuesday morning...I'd have it no other way.

It's taken me about this long to get over jet-lag, get back into the swing things, and find something that's actually worth writing about. Well, actually, I guess I have a couple of things to write about . . .

I began working with the 12th graders at the Facing History School this week. They will be our first graduating class. And since I won't be returning to the school next year, I'm kinda looking at this semester as my graduation of sorts. I'm working with 60 teenagers on the development of independent art projects--to culminate with a gallery-style exhibition set for the end of May. It is time for my kids to "Choose to Participate." Throughout their time at FHS they've studied human behavior during times of chaos and fear (looking at the Holocaust, Apartheid and the Eugenics Movement). They understand how humans develop the roles of victim, perpetrator, bystander and upstander. And now in order to graduate, they need to define an area of social justice and use their voice to raise awareness and call for action. Not bad for a bunch of 17 and 18 year olds, huh?



On a related note, last night I saw one of the most relevant Hip Hop docs that I've seen in a minute. Estilo Hip Hop tells the story of three emcees from Chile, Cuba and Brazil who use Hip Hop to fight for change in their own lives and social justice in the community at large. Afterwards Vee and Loira (aka DJ Laylow)--who have been working on the film for 7 years-- dropped some serious knowledge regarding the political nature of much of the Hip Hop coming out of Latin America. I'm sure my Say Word cohorts Darkside and Gun know exactly what they're talking about. Peep their blogs for more info: Rabbi's Blog. . . Gun's Blog. Peep the trailer . . .





Spread the Word!


Peace,
Far

Packed and ready to go. Back to life...back to reality...

There's not much left to say other than I'm exhausted and ready to get back to the states. We finished up the tour strong with our final show in Ceské Budejovice. There was a pretty bad snow storm, so the crowd was a little light. The people who were there, however, were definitely down for the cause. Big ups to everyone who bought a CD and signed my email list. Big ups to the Budejovice B-Boys for bringing full-flavor to the dance floor. And booooooo to the bartenders (I don't care how cute you think you are) who kept charging me for water (heck it was only like 50 cents, but it's the principle that counts).

Today Core and I went sight-seeing in Staromestske Namesti (aka Old Town Square). It dates back to the 12th Century, but what's even more remarkable than that are the many different styles that you'll find there: Romanesque, Baroque and Gothic. Much of Prague is a magical mixture of what would initially seem as conflicting aesthetics, but when actually viewed side by side Praha's metaphysical beauty becomes apparent.







We'll I planned on writing so much more, but I'm actually falling asleep at the keyboard. I think it's time for me to stop writing and go to bed. And with that...I end my travels abroad for the time being (I'll be back in Europe this summer--you mark my words). Awaiting me back in NYC is a 300 page book that I have to read by Wednesday, my last semester left teaching at the Facing History School (the craziest curriculum that I've ever tried to teach to date), an album 1/3rd of the way done, and the love a pretty little lady. :)

Thanks to those of you who actually read this. A special thanks to Meredith and Sarah for commenting--you two might be the only ones reading this. My ego is so bruised. Ha! Ha!

And the most special thanks goes to my SOULstice Brother, Core Rhythm. We rocked it and you didn't want to kill me after 10 days (at least I don't think so). Let's keep it moving in 2009--long cold winter and all . . .

Peace,
Far

PS - I'm gonna keep blogging. So keep tuning in. Peace out!

Where the East meets West...firing synapse...at the right place, at the right time...

So ladies and gentlemen, hopefully I can cut to the chase quick enough that I can post all that I want to say in the next 20 minutes. I left my computer charger back in BK and I've been lucky enough to have Core lend me his, when he isn't Skyping with his girl (Shout out to Sarah-- let's see if she's really reading this...hmmmm...) or making the next banging beat...19 minutes...

Berlin is a city steeped in history and at the forefront of modernity. Walking around the streets, it's hard not to be taken back to the days of the Cold War. Bullet-holes still cover some of Berlin's most famous buildings. There are parts of Berlin where The Wall still stands. And yet, you're quickly brought back to reality when you find some of the most stunning examples of modern architecure, the trendiest of shops lining Friedrichstraße (street intersecting w/ Checkpoint Charlie), and a Starbuck's in almost every neighborhood (Modernity? Globalization? Annoying?).




Wednesday night was a great example of what can happen in Berlin. Core and I got the chance to check out the Check the Rhyme Tour, featuring Jeru the Damaja, The Beatnuts, The Alkaholiks, the Lordz of the Underground, and Paris at Club Maria in Ostbanhof. The capacity of this place had to have been near 1500 and it was packed to the brim! Core mentioned (and I quickly agreed--having organized and promoted shows in NYC for for about 7 years) that there's no way that this bill (regardless of how to dope it was) could draw 1000 people in the City. The people in attendance were live to say the least...its safe to say that Germans love classic American Hip Hop. And that Core, Alesh, Dowis and I had a hell of a time--minus the opening act--name unknown (heck, why is that the same throughout the world...how does the wackest dude always get to open up?).




Core and I missed the Lordz of the Underground (yeah, you heard that right! Straight from the 90's) because we had to get to Cassiopeia to set up to rock the after party. Though the club never really filled-in (I'm sure that the 5 hour show didn't end until around 2:00) we still managed to rock for about 100 - 150 people. I managed to sell all but 5 cd's that I had on me and we definitely had a chance to build with some important heads. Big ups to Bob from Beatevolution for lending us his stage and Iana the night manager from Cassiopeia for making sure that all was good. Pictures will be coming soon...

I woke up early on Thursday to run around Berlin and take care of some "business". I had a chance to interview MC Torch (aka DJ Haitian Star), one of Germany's early Hip Hop pioneers. Torch is credited w/ being the first German emcee to freestyle in German. Hip Hop traveled the Atlantic through movies like Beatstreet and Wild Style. For much of the 1980's many German emcees rapped only in English, with the goal of being considered authentic by American Hip Hop standards. Torch and his crew, Advanced Chemistry, were the forerunners of infusing German culture into their practice of Hip Hop. Needless to say, I learned a great deal...the ideas are spawning...keep an eye on this thread...




Alright ya'll, so I've got to get up and get ready to leave for Ceské Budejovice. Tonight will be our last show of the tour . . . I'm gonna let loose like no other (don't worry babe)! And sell the remainder of my CD's.

Hasta Luego,
Far

Cyphers of the world unite! Berlin baby! Berlin!

So I've only got a few minutes to recap the last couple of days. I've been waking up around 6 every morning to keep up on my graduate school readings. And I actually was able to post my weekly response from half-way around the world. Funny, the class is looking at subcultures...i'm kinda living it right now.



Core and I featured last night at Bar 11 and EOW Germany's weekly build spot Finyl Lesson. Big ups to Dave and Bulet for holding us down! This room of mainly emcees and lyricists was fertile ground for Core and I to drop our set. The audience was pretty inspired. Cyphers went late!


Picture by Kapix

We went sight seeing today...big ups to Maria for showing us around. And letting us stay in her flat...she has a shower curtain! Oh the little things!

Well, I'm keeping everyone waiting. I'm out!

What's this? A day off? Say Word!

So, it's currently about 30 degrees outside and snowing...needless to say that I'm a little jealous of my 3rd Party cohorts who find themselves touring around Brazil. But enough of that...the blessings are abound here in the Czech. Saturday night Core and I pretty much hit full-stride on our duet rocking potential. To say that the people of Novy Bor felt us would be an understatement. The sound was great! And Jaro held us down again with another freestyle jam (I got to sing a little rock and roll techno 'ish).




Yesterday, Core and I held a studio session w/ Jaro and Kuhzell (DaSka Records). Of course, Core killed it...and I well, that remains to be seen . . .

Trainwreck the language from the west to the east.
Mainstay marauder mastering mosh pits do we.
Soliders marching on the block down the front,
behind an iron curtain with my boots I do stomp.

Roll to rock rhythm rock to roll.
With us gots to go, cross the planet yo,
roll this rap you know rhythm rap we rock,
Gig ’n late night flights, amp the crowd to fight.

Amp the crowd tonight, tomorrow, Arabian nights.
Non-lost like docility—sub-terranean might
Bringing forth the culture and anti-Imperialist plight,
bring forth the fortress global mystery, and I

come captivate the masses.
Cross the airwaves rock this beat.
State apparatus train mi gente
so do we.
Face the facts, face yourself ser un hombre.
At the end of night with good people mas se dobre.

With intention make it always wonderful.
Undertow, underbelly, under constant surveillance so,
under lock and key and behind closed doors.
DaSka Records
now you know.




Today's been a catch up of sorts. I thought that we we're gonna do a TV taping earlier today, but things really got lost in translation...imagine that...Core and I moved to Kuhzell's apartment (big ups to my brother from another mother for holding us down-- more so to his girlfriend for letting him stay with her. j/k). Core and I are currently at Pantheon checkin' out this weekly emcee open mic. How many emcees must get . . . Nahhhh, not like that; the culture out here is really young. We forget that Communism fell only 20 years ago. Central and Eastern Europe is like the 80's energy revisited (probably only 50%, Core reminds me...the pioneers we're creating Hip Hop in the moment. Are these emcees trying to "re-create" that moment or create a moment of their own? A question to ponder...any ideas?)


Time for me to get to living. We're off to Berlin for a show tomorrow night and Wednesday! Berlin baby!

I'm addicted to the internet...

Not really, but kinda...Anyways, Core and I came to Club Pantheon just to bask in the rays of free wi-fi for a few. Nothing like a Skype love-affair to keep the juices flowing (where are you Mer?). Heck sometimes you just need to reconnect with those back on the ground before you float out into space . . .



Anyways, last night was pretty dope. Pantheon filled in, and Core and I killed it. It's kinda funny to have cats get all wild on your music, and they don't understand a word that your saying. Needless to say, sometimes energy speaks louder than words. Talking to some heads from Manchester, they we're quite surprised by the tension in the room. They said that the energy we brought seems to be missing at a lot of parties out here. We sold some CD's, drank some drinks (thanks to those of you who kept buying us shots of Jameson), and met a great deal of people. Overall assessment: excellent start!



Highlights of day one:

1. Rocking Radio Wave w/ Ghonzaels and Philip TBC.
1. Freestyle Jam session w/ Jaro, Freaky, and Ivanhoe.
2. Getting to DJ for an hour after our set. I guess those Abelton lessons at Dubspot are starting to pay-off.
3. Watching how intense Czechs are about their Foosball.
4. The car service back to Dowis'.



So we've got a show tonight in Novy Bor and the next couple of days off. Finally, I get to be a tourist! My last 2 trips to Europe (my only 2 trips) were so jam-packed with work that I've yet to check anything out. Tuesday we head to Berlin for a couple of shows. Berlin baby! Now that's the move!

Check in soon,
Far

8:30 AM...Good morning Praha!

So Core and I landed a couple of hours ago. Greeted by English signs wherever we turned (Duty-free shops still exist in this economy? I guess buying 'ish will get us out of this mess. Doh!!!), it was refreshing to leave the airport to the tune of 20 degree weather and the Czech morning sky. Dowis, working on 3 hours of sleep, picked us up and drove us back to his place in Zabehice in Praha 10. The streets were filled with those heading off to work and school children of all ages. Not much different than BK any given morning other than I don't understand a friggin' word that anyone is speaking! How cool is that?

Core's currently sleeping. Which is what I should be doing, but I've been talking to Dowis for the past hour. Dowis is a pretty amazing individual. Enough stories to fill a couple of volumes, he was just breaking down Czech national politics. A pretty nerdy conversation, I know, but now it's starting to all make sense. What makes sense? Not exactly sure, but all I know is that my global Hip Hop studies have begun.

We've got a radio interview set up for 7:00 to promote tonight's show. I'm really looking forward to getting some on-air freestyles in. You can actually check out live video of the interview on-line! Click here to Czech it out! Prague is 6 hours ahead of EST, so if your on Planet NYC, tune in at 1:00 pm!

We'll ya'll I'm 100% here...I'm looking forward to working out our set for tonight's show...heck, I'm looking forward to tonight's show. Core and I will be running everything off of Abelton. I knew those classes would pay off eventually--like immediately! Well, In the words of the famous Australian philosoper Morganics, "Hip Hop is my passport." Say what? Say Word!