smokin' ... heavy ... inspire ...

so ... after he passed i was inspired to write something about JOE FRAZIER

and how he helped to make ALI such a icon ... how they really didn't like each other ... and how they came to forgive each other and be at peace ... but then i read

THIS...

and then when i heard about the transition of emcee-actor-executive-father HEAVY D ... and i was again inspired to write

i was gonna tell my story about how i was 5ft 3 and he was 6ft (+?), and how he tried to holler at my (6ft) girlfriend the time.

see what happened was ... i went to the bathroom and he stepped to her. when i came out ... he was like ... "THAT'S your man?" then he introduced himself, dapped me up .... stepped back and was like "word ... i'm not mad."

but then ...i saw a blog from one of my dudes ... @stuckeywriter ... he's a real writer that just happens to also be a blogger ... everyone should follow him on twitter and check his blog ... BEFORE I AM NO LONGER YOUNG, GIFTED & BLACK

but since everyone did all the writing i figured that i didn't need to write anything ...

so i'll just leave you with HEAVY D's last tweet ... 

@HEAVY_D "BE INSPIRED"


and i'm back ...

SHINE

vulnerability

i just had a moment ...

my homegirl @msavril2 just tweeted something from @FXRAVIN ...

"The strongest & most confident women want to share their vulnerabilities with their man. So handle them with care!”

in this moment i realize that i think people gravitate to me because they feel that i am sensitive to the many peoples vulnerabilities. i'm not threatening or judgmental (don't confuse that with me being a soft and/or not haveing an opinion!). that's a honor and at the same time a responsibility. now, as i think about it ... i felt fake ... see ...

although i am truly receptive/empathetic/sympathetic ... i don't think that i've been vulnerable. it's hard to explain ... and honestly ... true vulnerability isn't something that you can pullout on demand. so understand ... this isn't me being vulnerable ... its me talking myself through a process ...

i share what i'm comfortable with. sometimes i feel that i may share more than what others share, but my standards are not the same.
this is what comes to mind ...
if my well is 20 feet and others are 10 feet deep then going 7 feet under isn't as much a deal, right?

i think my work in the arts has given me a deeper well of empathy and understanding of feeling, emotions, experiences ... and people in general.

ok ... now this feels like i'm trying to be make myself vulnerable ... so i'm not gonna try to make it more than it is.

i'll get into the transitions of gil scott heron, ji jagga geronimo pratt & will "da real one" bell at a later time ... maybe. (i'll addd pics later ... i just need to get these thoughts out.)

let the people you care for know that they are special to you ... and those that share things w/ you that help make you day a little better ... and do it today ... tomorrow isn't promised

and that's all ...

SHINE

Some Stuff ...

first ...

so ... i'm feeling a little proud because my peoples are doing good stuff ...

and ...

first ... i want to let my DC peoples know about this show that they should go check out ... not just because they are my peoples ... also because they present a great show ...

CrossRhodes ... W. Ellington Felton & Raheem Devaughn
(and you didn't hear it from me but ... there may be some special guest coming out to join the show!)

crossRhodes = my dudes w. ellington felton & raheem devaughn

U St. LIVE
featuring
the Cross Rhodes Reunion
featuring
Raheem DeVaughn
and
W Ellington Felton

Incwell will also be performing!

Hosted by Alison Carney & D. Chase

ORDER TICKETS 2day @ http://crossrhodes.eventbrite.com/

DOORS OPEN @ 8PM
SHOW STARTS AT 9PM
EARLY BIRD TICKETS $25
ADVANCED TICKETS $20
(worth every dime!)

here's a taste of the fun ...




marcia jones



http://untitled1972.me/index.html


the jolly twins at the kennedy center ...
(you can't tell, but the twins are on the keys & drums)

click the pic to see them at the kennedy center

http://www.kennedy-center.org/explorer/videos/?id=M462


maimouna youssef (twitter: @maimounayoussef)

peep her at the kennedy center ...

get her EP, BLACK MAGIC WOMAN ... here ... http://maimounayoussef.bandcamp.com/

phil ade (twitter: philade301) on shade45 w/ tony touch ...



more here ... www.368musicgroup.com

and if you read this all the way to here you might as well go cop this ...

rock star cuzzo's SAUL WILLIAMS new album ... VOLCANIC SUNLIGHT


OHHHH ... and my dude BILAL SALAAM

has new tunes for you to download ...

35 things that you might not know about me ...

some things many don't know about me ...
(honestly ... these are not that deep ... if you wanna know something just ask)

1. i don't like crowds ... but i occasionally work in a industry that forces me to deal with it.

2. i love PROCESS (the word, idea and action!)

3. i used to DJ

4. i had locs for 11 yrs

it was serious ... real serious!

5. i have a sister and nephew that i LOVE & they live in DC

thank you @jatiphoto

6. i'm a balance of both positive and critical (... some say that means that i am mean w/ a smile)

7. i don't like too many people but i'm good with people and i make a point to be nice, respectful & a positive influence to nearly everyone i encounter (KUUMBA)

8. i support the term BLACK. i think african-american is not accurate for me & many others.

9. i was born NJ & will defend it passionately, but i'm not hanging out in trenton!

10. i lived in springfield, VA for a while before my family moved to durham, NC

11. i am pro-peace but not a pacifist ... and believe that violent revolution has a role in society

12. i was offered vocal scholarship to college but turned it down because i don't like to sing in public

13. i'm an actor

14. i don't like public speaking or being in front of a crowd of people, but when i'm in the situation i'm a great workshop presenter, teacher & speaker.

15. i love to work

16. i am superhuman

17. i don't have degree (if you know of a school that may accept me ... holler!)

18. i was vegetarian for 15+ years ... now i eat fish

19. i don't like to cook ... BUT ... i love to eat!

20. i love to be up early ... take a power nap(s) ... and be up late

21. i used to like to fight ... actually ... i still do ... i just do it differently

22. i would rather be truthful than spare your feelings (stop crying!)

23. my favorite sport is futbol/soccer ... my teams are manchester u ... ghana black stars and ... FC HARLEM

to find out more click the picture ...

24. weusi baraka, was given to me at birth by my parents, it means "black blessing" ... i have always been proud of it ... others had issue with it

25. i have 2 tattoos

26. i don't like to drive ... plus it's not good for the environment

27. when i get my big money ... i'll buy a few pieces of property, employ a driver and a cook

28. i can dance ... i know that some of you know this but many have never seen it happen ... they just hear about it

29. i don't take good care of myself because i tend to put other first

30. i have great genes ... my grandmother on my moms side is 96 and on my pops side my great-great grandmother lived to 106!

31. i used to host a reggae radio show in college. i liked when the DJ was late for the next segment because i could spin slow jams!

32. i like country & blugrass music ... great lyrics, storytelling and musicianship

33. 333 is my old pager code ... holler at me if you know about that!

34. i feel i'm oxymoronic because i have skill sets that conflict w/ my personality ... hence the worlds shortest giant & socialite misanthrope, most careful risk taker, etc, etc, etc ...

35. i can keep a secret really well ... some of us share some jewels! ;)

see ... for real i'm a regular dude ... with super powers ...


shine

nothing ... poem ... dr. angelou

I really don't have anything to write about ...
But i'm commited to write today ...
So it's time to be creative ...
And since i can't share the music in my head or sing this song to you ... here's a random poetic thought ...

...

The moon held the kind of secrets only life tells death
the kind that scares hope, burdens fantasies and dews dreams before a day starts

The sun wandered in wonder ... yet stayed silent
watched the tides ebb & flow
saw the awkward shift in the sea ...
in the morning he shifted to the other side
That's when he knew she was scared

Time had tricked fire into pulling a heist
But an onynx cloud spit on the idea ..

And sun prayed for the winds to whisper coltranes bassline to her ...
and the she was soothed



And ...
Oh ...
I found this great quote from maya angelou ...

"Every human being at some point will have clouds in their life. Some darker that others. You can go through the cloud, you can go around the cloud, or above it. No matter what, the light is always there. Your to seek, and to find."



Have a great day ...
Shine

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sheen.biggie.change.japan ... HUMILITY

I had a kinda whirlwind week emotionally ...

on top of feeling a little detached, a job search that's trying to break me, my want to give my nephew & my sister some attention ... i was thinking of a tiger blood transfusion ...

but then ...

i got tired of hearing all the talk of charlie sheen's winning, whining, tigerblood and warlocks. And at the same time ... I'm glad that he feels good about his self. I'm glad that he worked out a situation that he and both his girlfriends are happy with. sorry that the situation wasn't supported by your ex-wife. I found myself defending charlie sheen. Despite his manic tirades, I saw him as one of those victims and pawns of the media. It was kinda funny to me and it made sense to me when he said some things to the likes of “they're jealous that i'm a rock star and they aren't”, “i've been quiet for years. I come to work do my thing and i like my lifestyle. But now ... I will stop hiding that I love my life and my greatness, and instead I will tell the world how great I am and defend it and myself violently.'” come on ... how can you be mad at that? i'm not mad at that ... I want everyone to live fearlessly ... but ...ummmm .... well ... you aren't really that important. I don't want to see you on the news everyday.


SOOO ... I was relieved when I heard BIGGIE everywhere in honor of the anniversary of his passing




but because things seldom hold my attention for long ... and because I tend to be critical of things that I enjoy ... the thrill of hearing Biggie (what seemed like every third song on radio & video!) was short lived.

I started to think about how many people I'm cool with that could remember where they were when Biggie passed but ... don't remember the transitions of ron brown (4/3/96)



or betty shabazz (6/23/97) ...



or the release of nelson mandela (2/11/90)?



yes ... Biggie is one of the greatest at his art and his tragic story has become one of hope, change and positive evolution for many ... but for real ... he's just an entertainer.

While avoiding charlie sheen & biggie i started to look at some of the changes/struggles and freedom fights happening in the world right now. AS YOU READ THIS the rest of the world is changing/evolving/revolting ... Egypt, Liberia, Libya, Mozambique,Tunisia, Yemen and Zimbabwe ...

***sidenote:***
did you know that Belgium hasn't had a government for over 300 days! hmmm ... why aren't you hearing about that political instability?but you hear about it in northern africa!\
need proof? (thanks @aja_monet)

It reminded me how privileged I am to be in america. (i still have trouble calling myself an american ... that another blog). Then I actually started to feel “some kinda way” for not having a cause that I feel is worth, living and dying for. and then ... I realized how narcissistic that was ... these people are fighting for their lives and i'm whining about not having a life that's rough enough to make me uncomfortable to fight back.

... then ...

japan's earthquake reminded me of how fragile life is and how we are at the mercy of the universe and how time is the keeper of us all.

and this is where my mind rest and reflects ...

stay humble ...



thanks khalil (@negrotambor)

i'm off in search of a humble job ...

SHINE

OHHHH ... and i'll tell you about the beauty in watching a seed meet a oak tree next time!

I'm a spiritual person.

I believe that I am a small part of something that is so vast and expansive that it is truly beyond the realm of a mortal's imagination.

my belief is that everything happens for a reason. the logic that schedules my moments and movements in this universe may or may not have anything to do with me. I am but a pawn in the grandest scheme of things ... yet ... this philosophy works in unison with the idea that we are smiliar to stars.

How? There are billions of stars out there in an infinite number of galaxies, yet to be discovered. .. but even within those glaxies there are some stars that SHINE brighter and are more relevant and influential to certain planets/rocks. Some stars are suns. Some stars become black holes, which in a way are inverted suns that instead of giving off light & heat energy, they absorb it. And yes, there are some stars that are bright and do nothing!

All that to say we are like stars in the sense that some people & stars are here for no apparent reason. And others are more influential and control planets, worlds & universes. Because of that some of us must take more responsibility for our actions/motions due to their influences on others.

I know which group i am in. I shine. And i say that witha humility that acknowledges that i am such a small part in this massive universe that i'm the equivalent to a hydrogen atom in the ocean.

(I used examples of the sun & water because i feel that theses are the most powerful yet under recognized influences on our planet.)

*note: this is just one of the many philosophies of mine ... no, I haven't done any research on it.

SHINE

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(a short ramble) moon ... process ... work ... balance

I've always been drawn to the power and beauty of the moon. A few months ago during the eclipse i truly felt a magical moment which i still have yet to understand.
I do know that often times i get my creative insight & artistic impulses. I also know that i am most productive when i have the energy of women in my immediate area. when this is combined with the power of community and it's role in my life my "superdude" comes out and then i need help focusing on all my great ideas.

I think i'm mentioning this because ... well ... actually i don't know.

But i do feel like things are about to take off and i want you to know that when u have a clarity in your process and in your macro & micro role in the universe then you are in a position of power. The kind of power that allows you to make things happen as well as the kind of power that allows you to recognize & adjust to those things that are not in your hands.

For me this life is about maintaining balance and connecting my community resources/social capital, mental capacity, spritual well being,emotional & physical health.

This is what i'm trying to maintain as ritual in my life so that i can focus on more creative aspects of life.

That's all for now ...

I look forward to gsharing a few COMPLETED projects w/ you in the next 2 moths as i get a little more external sunshine in my life! (Thanks spring!)

Do your thing ...

Shine,
Weusi

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kool herc ... egypt ... STARBLAZERS 2011 ... my peoples ... my people ... explain my heart (saul williams)

the past few days have been heavy on my heart ...

the health issues of KOOL HERC (combined with the dismissal of the health care reform bill)




i believe that any radio station that claims to be a HIP-HOP stations should donate to assist with his health cost ... they have the money are going to continue to make money from hip-hop. the artist aren't really making money so i don't think that they should be the first ones called upon ... but ... it's not a million dollars! these cost can be covered in one fell swoop by the right person. (jay-z, diddy, jermaine dupree, russell simmons, andre harrell, etc)

but as a fan ... and believer that you should do what you can instead of waiting on others to do for you ... here is where you can donate ... http://www.djkoolherc.com/


the other thing is ... the beauty and madness of the changes in egypt ...






many of you know that i am a man of the people ... i get excited when u see the people step up and take control over a situation that they feel is unjust. so much so, that i get physically agitated.

power to the people!

and now ...

i'm trying to focus on this event that i've put together in LA ...



JUST BCUS & HEDRUSH PRODUCTION present ...

STARBLAZERS 2011

Part Party ... Part Jam Session
good people ... having a good time ... while enjoying GREAT music

this is the most casual non-pretentious Grammy weekend event!

performances from artist from around the country ...

jenna andrews
alison carney
c. clear
emoniFela
the fanatic experience
tamika jones
the native criminals
poet & the future
russell taylor
mr. turner
j. white
Yahzarah/purple saint james
and 2011 grammy nominee
CAROLYN MALACHI

+other SPECIAL GUEST
*it's grammy weekend, So you know it's gonna be PLANTAINS*
(that's like bananas but bigger!)

your DJ's
2 Tone Jones ... Munch ... Underdog
spinning everything!
coldplay to kid-n-play ... def leopard to mos def ... steel pulse to steely dan ... & more!

leave your ego at home and come kick it ... come enjoy the vibe ...
JUST BCUS ...
only $10 ...

and tell your friends about it ... but get your ticket early because the venue isn't that big!



i don't think i need to say much more about that ...

and for BLACK HISTORY MONTH ... 2 things ...

an old pic of my mom & pop ... they made black history by making ME!



what's funny is i'd never seen the the picture ... i just found this picture on friends facebook page! (thanks U!)

and ... don't tell rah but this is one of my daily motivators ...

yeah ... i love my people ...




oh and this is a little something new for the people ... here's some heat ...



JUST BCUS ...




yea ... i know ... some of those shots look kinda like my videos from the roof of my rock star cuz's place in paris last year ... ehhh ...



SHINE