Archive for Music
{ November 27, 2008 @ 8:08 am }
·
{ Activism, Activists, Asani Charles, Dance, Equality, Family, Fighters, Freedom, Hip Hop, Justice, Mother, Music, Peace, Poets, Politics, Revolution, Soulasapiens, Soulastar, Teacher, Unity, Wife, Women Hip Hop, Writer }
{ }
·
{ }
Name: Asani Charles
Profession: Mother, Wife, Writer & Educator
Birthplace: San Francisco, CA
Some thing/color that defines you: Wow, I’ve had a love affair with Black forever, but am also swayed by blues and reds.
Fav Quote: “I do not see teaching as a handing down of answers but as a group of intellectuals sharing ideas.”- Maya Angelou
Heroes: Mother, Nikki Giovanni, Rita Dove, John Trudell (he wrote me on myspace and I was floored!)
Fav writer: wow, um… Charles Johnson, Gloria Naylor and Sherman Alexie
Qualities you look for in a teacher: Great teachers are not bound to programs or mandates, they look for the best way to meet students’ needs, which is usually some unorthodox method.
The most important thing you teach a student: The most important thing I teach students to do is think for themselves.
What you do to Relax: What? Uh, man. We live in the country, and I just love driving through it to witness what God made. Some times I even get out and walk a bit.
Fav Book: I don’t have one! Okay here’s my top three: Mama Day by Gloria Naylor, Reservation Blues by Sherman Alexie, and Oxherding Tale by Charles Johnson
Favorite Song/Movie: lawda mercy, I’m too old to have just one! Um, “Adore” by Prince, and man, favorite movie? You mean what movie I have to watch whenever it comes on? Dang. Okay that would have to be—-PurpleRainColorPurpleSchoolDazeandDanceMeOutside (or anything with super fine Adam Beach!)
Favorite Food: oh here we go. Creole. You can actually bribe me of all my unworldly possessions with a slamming shrimp Po’Boy or a bowl of my mama’s gumbo
Your next Dream/Goal: My Next Dream has always been the same; I want to own an RV and tour the powwow circuit with my family, daring to make money through writing only!
Define Peace: Peace is first hand knowledge that Jesus is real and above that, that He has already paid it all for you.
Message to the Next Generation: Read something other than myspace bulletins and text messages. Each generation usually is better educated than those that precede it, but this is the first time that young people do not know the answers to the following questions:
What DIDN’T happen in 1492?
Who are the Olmecs?
What is Manzanar?
Who arrived in North America in 1619?
Last words?: Consider poetry, it’s good for you!
My mini-bio on Asani Charles:
Asani Charles. Mother, wife, writer, teacher, big sister, friend, and an inspiration. Asani is the most animated person I know. Her charming smile and her way of expressing herself through face, hands and body is truly fascinating. While she draws people to her through expression of movement, her eyes tell us stories. Stories you wished your teacher told you in grade school, instead of all the useless equations they read off a book. Asani defines a true teacher, she gives you the inspiration to learn, and she makes sure you know what you’re talking about when you do speak up. She gives you the time and space to let you think for yourself.
I remember when Asani and her family took me in as family when I was going through a lot during my high school days. She taught me responsibility and showed me what trust and friendship was all about. She believed in me, and my dreams and didn’t give up on me, even till this day.
Asani always knows what to say when you’re in need, and when to say it. She gives you the moment to figure out the path for yourself but always is around to back you up. She is a dancer, a writer, and spoken word artist who expresses her culture and struggles through her art, and continues on what her ancestors brought down to her. She passes along her work to her amazing, talented and beautiful children. They are one big family of love, creativity and success! Whether you find her writings, or catch her speaking, or dancing, Asani Charles will give you her wisdom and experiences in all her teachings. Get ready to think, question, and learn!
More Info/Links: www.myspace.com/asanicharles
http://www. geocities. com/danzakar/AsaniCharles. html
Posted November 27, 2008 at 09:42pm by miwaLyric
Miwa Kayama 2008© All Rights Reserved
{ March 20, 2008 @ 4:36 am }
·
{ Activism, Activists, Art, B-girl, Dance, Director, Emcees, Equality, Filmmaker, Freedom, Hip Hop, Justice, LA 2 da Bay Womyn Makin their Way, Music, Peace, Poetic S, Poetic Stimulator, Poets, Politics, Revolution, Soulasapiens, Soulastar, Unity, Women Hip Hop, Writer }
{ Tags: LA 2 da Bay Womyn Makin their Way, Poet, Poetic S, Poetic Stimulator, Women in Hip Hop }
·
{ }
Name: Poetic Stimulator (Poetic S)
Profession: Poet Student Organizer
Birthplace: Santa Monica, California
Some thing that defines you: Venice Beach
Heroes: My Momma, Grandma, Sista Souljah, Angela Davis, Nikki G., Malcom X
Favorite Color: Yellow
What you do to Relax: I go to Big Sur and enjoy the scenery. My new thing is B-girlin’/dancing.
Favorite Song: “Real Black Girls” by Dead Prez
Favorite Movie: Now and Then
Favorite Food: Homemade Mac+Cheese
Your next Dream/Goal: To graduate college, start an arts school for kids.
Define Peace: The feeling of coming out of a Sweat Lodge.
Message to the Next Generation: Follow your heart! Don’t get stuck in a false reality. Read the Autobiography of Malcom X and change the world!
Last words?: Take one day at a time, keep on movin!
My mini-bio on Poetic Stimulator (Poetic S.):
Since March is Women’s Month (although we should celebrate womanhood EVERYDAY!), this Queen, Miss Poetic Stimulator will be gracing the covers on my site today! Poetic S. asked me to be in her documentary on Women in Hip Hop, and so as she filmed me and interviewed me, I interviewed her and snapped some photos as well. First, I was surprised to find someone other than me that loves elephants, and second she is another talented strong independent female trying to make a difference in this world through music, poetry, film and arts. It’s almost rare for me to meet women in hip hop, who also does a million other things like myself to make a difference and to spread truth, and I was happy to finally meet someone who is actually doing the walk not just talking about it. She defines women in hip hop and all aspects, from arts to dance, and every woman who struggles on a daily basis but survives through, ten times the strength than when she started. We talked about several things, and we agreed that women are amazing creatures because after interviewing me and other women, she states that with men it’s always a competition or many of them rap the same. But with women, she states everyone has their own style and uniqueness, and women come together to help each other out because we all know how hard it is being women, and minority in the hip hop world. It’s a beautiful thing.
She is a spoken word artist, who dreams of one day opening a school for children. We had a lot of similarities and our dreams combined, made it look easy to make a change in this crazy world. Poetic Stimulator speaks and represents the female race, and her upcoming documentary “LA 2 DA BAY Womyn Makin their Way,” is a film that all women and even men can relate to. Stating that 2008 is the year for women in hip hop, she is definitely doing more than her part to make that happen. She continues to inspire all the women she worked with, and continue to shine the light on all the women that is making things happen. I promise you that you will be seeing more of Poetic Stimulator, whether it’s at your spoken word joint, or the teacher for your art class, the b-girl battling it off in the circle at hip hop summit, or the film maker walking down the red carpet for her movie premiers. She is all of LA to the Bay, Woman making her Way! Love and Respect to my sister, Poetic Stimulator!
More Info/Links: www.myspace.com/la2baywomyn
Posted March 19, 2008 at 09:22pm by miwaLyric
Miwa Kayama 2008© All Rights Reserved
{ February 24, 2008 @ 2:25 am }
·
{ Emcees, Far East Movement, Hip Hop, Music, Producers, Rappers, Soulasapiens }
{ Tags: Asian-American Hip Hop, Asian-Americans, DJ Virman, Far East Movement, FM, FM On your Dial, FRA, J-Splif, Kev Nish, Prohgress }
·
{ }
Name: Far East Movement (FM)
How the group was formed: High School friends freestyling on the weekends.
What the group is about: Our perspective as Asian Americans. An expansion, meaning defined for our music rather than being Asian, and for this movement to create a place for Asians to be “normal” in the industry and the world.
Heroes: Friends and people in the community. We watch them grow, and it’s an inspiration for the rest of us, plus the community and our friends are who have brought us to where we are now.
What you do to Relax: Kev Nish: myspace. J-Splif: play ball and watch T.V. Prohgress: watch T.V.
Favorite Food: J-Splif: Mexican Food (King Taco), Korean Food. Prohgress: My mom’s Korean Food! Kev Nish: Sushi, well let me get specific, Yellowtail Sashimi.
What makes your group unique?: Besides the fact that we’re 3 Asian kids, is be normal, and our shows are unique.
Upcoming Goals/Plans: Finish album, release couple videos, more shows, and a upcoming campaign for Michael Jackson, stay tuned!
Define Peace: Prohgress: Not having to worry about anything. Kev Nish: I don’t think there’s such thing as peace because we’re never gonna get to where we want to because we’re constantly chasing after something, and not satisfied. But for minimal peace as musicians, is that moment right after we have a good show.
Your favorite Event/Experience: Brazil! (Check the link at- http://youtube.com/watch?v=XZI3Z5-Sypc)
Message to the Next Generation following your footsteps: Don’t give up, work out, don’t let anyone say no. Never judge a book by its cover, stay connected, and keep good connections.
Last words?: Shout out to DJ Virman and our manager Catch! Text 69106 –Low Riding. Check out our new website at www.fmonyourdial.com built by our friends FR*A (Future Rockstars of America).
My mini-bio on Far East Movement:
I had met Far East Movement several times at different events I performed at, but I didn’t really get to know them until they performed at one of the events I organize in downtown Los Angeles. And when I say, get to know, I mean stage presence! If you want to see a performance, this talented trio (plus the great DJ Virman of Power 106) will give you a show! They had the crowd jumping up and down with them as they spit fire verses, stomping the stage. Who would’ve known this unique group would be doing tours world wide, and have songs on blast streaming the radio? Not to say it wasn’t possible, because obviously it is, but with all the doubts of them making it due to being Asian Americans, these kids are breaking barriers and owning it, while creating paths for other upcoming Asian-American artists following their path. With big dreams, new ideas, and projects constantly on the roll, it’s just the beginning for the Far East Movement, as they take their game to a whole new level. Three fingers up!
More Info/Links: www.fmonyourdial.com
www.fareastmovement.com
www.myspace.com/fareastmovement
Posted February 23, 2008 at 06:17pm by miwaLyric
Miwa Kayama 2008© All Rights Reserved
{ January 22, 2008 @ 9:14 am }
·
{ DJs, Emcees, Engineers, Family, Music, Peace, Producers, Rappers, Soulasapiens, Soulastar, Stan Malveaux }
{ Tags: Big Succie, Engineer, KYEOA, Music, Production, Stan Malveaux }
·
{ }
Name: Stan Malveaux
Profession: Recording/Mixing Engineer, Producer
Birthplace: South Central, Los Angeles
Favorite Quote: “Those that dwell in the past, walk backwards into the future.”
Heroes: God and Nature
What you do to Relax: Go to the Beach, Look at the Stars, Listen to music and watch movies that take me out of my environment, and my body.
Favorite Book: The Bible (and the like), “Kybalion,” “Art of War,” and “Astrological Navigation”
Favorite Song: “Street Life” by the Crusaders and Randy Crawford, “Everything must Change” by Quincy Jones, “Jamaica Funk” by Tom Brown, “This Place Hotel” by Michael Jackson, “If I was your girlfriend” by Dorothy Parker, “Knee Deep” by Parliament, etc.
Favorite Movie: “Emperor’s Club”
Favorite Food: Barbeque (all kinds from here and the Pacific)
Favorite Instrument: Piano and Synthesizer
Favorite Effect: Any effect that helps me enhance the sound and brings the music come alive.
Favorite Drum Programs: Toontrack, Battery
Your next Dream/Goal: Create inventions that will change my family’s life and everyone around.
Define Peace: Knowledge of self, knowledge of Creator, and understanding of both. Plus Love!
Message to the Next Generation: Learn while you can and apply it. Don’t be afraid of anything, and believe that all that is good is for you. Reap what you sow.
My mini-bio on Stan Malveaux:
Where do I start? One little blog and interview cannot cover all that this talented man has done in the music industry, for his family and friends and for the entire world. With his big heart he has accomplished much, saved many lives, and educated new generations to come. Everybody, I introduce to you, one of my teachers and heroes in life, the great Stan Malveaux!
Growing up through struggles, Stan found his love at an early age in music. Always writing, flowing and creating sounds, he was always ready to absorb everything and anything coming his direction. His sincerity, love, passion and dedication, plus professionalism, always created new roads and learning experiences for him. I first met him back in 1998, when I was a part of the group AZIZ, where he helped mix, record and train us. He became one of the most well known mixing and recording engineer in the industry. Stan has recorded and mixed hundreds of songs and albums. Working with artists like Patti LaBelle, Kanye West, Backstreet Boys, MC Ren, MC Lyte, Doobie Brothers, Yazawa Eiikichi, DJ Quik, Eric Benet, Stone Temple Pilots, Steve Gaad, Tweet, and many others, Stan Malveaux is demanded by many musicians in the industry. He is also the executive producer, of my album “the Recipe,” released in 2005, and the entire album is mixed and mastered by him as well.
Today, a recording/mixing engineer of Universal Music Group, and various other Productions and Record Labels, Stan Malveaux is also in the process of establishing his own Company and Production. Flying from here to there, all around the world, Stan is always changing the game and educating those in need, because there is no such word as “can’t” in his definition.
Posted January 21, 2008 at 11:47pm by miwaLyric
Miwa Kayama 2008© All Rights Reserved
