creative space #2

Tuff Gong Studios with Mario Evon

Back in the studio, with Mario Evon, some talented musicians and one of my favourite producers Rohan Dwyer at the controls. Put down that Love In Di Mawnin remix. 

As I bear witness to the beginnings of a beautiful album in the makings I inflect on my own project, inspired and encouraged. Days like this shouldn't be as hard to come by. Ideas pooling in music and laughter, pride and joy in creation. this is what work should feel like. Go home tired and happy. Goodbye Tuff Gong, Biggup Mario!

Alex Clare - Too Close

keep bumping into this song in ads for Internet Explorer

Top Youtube comment: 

Thank you Internet Explorer for exposing me to this. *proceeds to watch on Google Chrome*

Kendrick Lamar - Cut You Off

I'm Tryna learn something new 

I'm tryna surround myself with people that inspire me 

Or at least acquire similar desires 

To do what it T-A-K-E just to reach the T-O-P...

Jamaican Hip Hop says Pay Attention

Watch the Hype

First things first don’t watch me suck uself

Difamli imma buss maself

I got peeps in the streets don’t need your help

So don’t worry who I sounds like

Worry who I pops it down like SShhhh 

hear that bassline from the distance

Carbine aint no use resisting

More time hot blood running through my system

War time when I hear the rhythm I'm never itchin to spit it

I'm tripping to step in the booth with my ammunition

And give it everything I got

cos nuff o these ways we praise they just don’t stop

So for all a yall not enjoying uself

When the session lock early and you came in at 12

Bad boy Wanna see your chain your watch

TV so lame till you just cant ... 

Watch the hype watch the hype 
Nuff a them bad boy a bad man girlfriend at night

Watch you hype watch you hype 
Nuff a them want start the war can’t take the scars

Dem a watch the hype watch the hype 
Till nuff a them floss and a talk and cant walk the walk

Don’t watch the hype my friend 
You and I know we got way better things to do

Man a dance with man and a flash them wrist a wha this man the end is near

But is like the more we a bun out the more them a come out so lef the chichi them there

When we could a deh Iraq where them have the thing them pon lock

heads roll before you can chat

Take your daughter away in the middle of the day

Aint nothing you can say about that

Poor Mr. bigley Mrs. hassan are we so blind to whats going on

Its not the first and wont be the last we follow down the same old paths

But no you wanna change the channel on your tv

So you don’t have to deal with reality

Cos you like when the wool pull over your eyes

So you stay there watch the hype

We nah change the world we a watch the hype

Yo watch the hype

So you can stay there watch the hype

When you a go read between the lines and stop..

CHORUS

And they don’t wanna play this verse mix me out

When I say it hurts and I aint even scratch the surface

Look all the things we worship Mercedes whips and platinum chains

Distraction tactics $#!? don’t change

Still no cure for cancer cure for aids

Bigger hole in the ozone shorter days

before the music fades lemme say this...

Puppets in the Whitehouse bodies in the sea

Satellites out in space spying on me

Famine drought child prostitution war and slavery

So much in we face is like we just can’t see

...

IF - Rudyard Kipling

If you can keep your head when all about you

Are losing theirs and blaming it on you;

If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you,

But make allowance for their doubting too;

If you can wait and not be tired by waiting,

Or, being lied about, don't deal in lies,

Or, being hated, don't give way to hating,

And yet don't look too good, nor talk too wise;

If you can dream - and not make dreams your master;

If you can think - and not make thoughts your aim;

If you can meet with triumph and disaster

And treat those two imposters just the same;

If you can bear to hear the truth you've spoken

Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools,

Or watch the things you gave your life to broken,

And stoop and build 'em up with wornout tools; 

If you can make one heap of all your winnings

And risk it on one turn of pitch-and-toss,

And lose, and start again at your beginnings

And never breath a word about your loss;

If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew

To serve your turn long after they are gone,

And so hold on when there is nothing in you

Except the Will which says to them: "Hold on"; 

If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue,

Or walk with kings - nor lose the common touch;

If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you;

If all men count with you, but none too much;

If you can fill the unforgiving minute

With sixty seconds' worth of distance run -

Yours is the Earth and everything that's in it,

And - which is more - you'll be a Man my son!

My favorite poem from childhood, once committed to memory, I search for it now way more stirred by its meaning.

Bitter Sweet - Dirty Laundry

NUMB - Marina and the Diamonds

One track mind like a gold fish

Stuck inside my petri dish

I can't breath and I can't smile

This better be worth my while

I feel numb most of the time

The lower I get the higher I'll climb

And I will wonder why

I got dark only to shine

Looking for the golden light

Oh, it's a reasonable sacrifice

Burn, burn, burn bright

Forgo family, forgo friends

It's how it started, how it ends

I can open up and cry

Coz I've been sobbing all my life

I feel numb most of the time

The lower I get the higher I'll climb

And I will wonder why

I got dark only to shine

Looking for the golden light

Oh it's a reasonable sacrifice

Burn, burn, burn bright

Burn, burn, burn bright

Oh, I get dark oh and I'm in hell

I need a friend, oh but I can't yell

Yeah, I'm no good, no good to anyone

Coz all I care about is being number one

Shine, looking for the golden light

Oh it's a reasonable sacrifice

Shine, looking for the golden light

Oh it's a reasonable sacrifice (sacrifice)

I feel numb most of the time

The lower I get the higher I'll climb

And I will wonder why

I got dark only to shine

And I light up the sky

Stars that burn the brightest

Fall so fast and pass you by

Cough like empty lighters

I feel numb most of the time

The lower I get the higher I'll climb

And I will wonder why

I get dark only to shine

And I light up the sky

Stars that burn the brightest

Fall so fast and pass you by

Spark like empty lighters

Celebrating Notorious B.I.G.'s life...15th Anniversary of his death

Photo by Manuel Acevedo

MTV celebrates the life of Notorius B.I.G...

Five Steez drops album sampler - War for Peace

This album is intended to guide people towards peace in their lives. The title represents triumph amidst struggle. It is a metaphor for the ironic reality that  the path to wisdom, freedom, peace and happiness is a tough one.  - Five steez. 

The album’s release date is to be announced later.