POLICE TERRORISM ESCALATES IN THE BRONX

This week, a young high school senior named Jatiek Reed was viciously assaulted by police on his own block. The way they beat this young brother is utterly insane. Police are trained to be machines and follow orders, point blank. It’s as if they have no hearts, let alone any conscience behind those badges. Our communities need immediate protection from this deadly violence that is plaguing our streets. Sad doesn’t even describe how tragic this all is. Yet and still, more and more youth of color continue to be terrorized by police.

Also this week, 18 year-old Ramarley Graham was shot and killed in his home by plain clothes NYPD Officers for allegedly carrying marijuana. (A more detailed article can be found HERE) A few days ago, officers in Illinois shot and killed a 15 year old boy with autism. I mean…when does this all stop!? There are countless stories of people getting harassed, searched, beaten, and killed by police. Mostly young black and brown males. This is beyond racial profiling. This is a government funded and strategized effort to suppress all black/brown/native/indigenous peoples. The time has come to reawaken the spirits of our ancestors and completely restructure the foundation of this society in which we live. Elections are coming up and they are nothing more than a theatrical distraction of illusions.

Turn oFF the Television, Turn oFF the Radio…Decolonize your mind!

PACK THE COURTHOUSE!

(Flyer Art by Rephstar of Circa 95)

INTIKANA BRUTALIZED & UNJUSTLY ARRESTED!

On the early morning of Tuesday, November 15, 2011, RDACBX member and Bronx artist Intikana was brutalized and arrested by police while filming on Fulton and Broadway in Manhattan during NYPD’s raid on Zucotti Park (aka Liberty Plaza). Due to the excessive force implemented by arresting officers, Intikana suffered a concussion, hematoma to the head, a fractured wrist, visible bruises to the body, and other bodily injuries. This excessive force was exercised on not just Intikana but hundreds of peaceful protestors, journalists, and innocent bystanders.

RDACBX strongly condemns Intikana’s immoral arrest, as well as the brutality inflicted upon him and others at the hands of the NYPD. As a Hip-Hop artist and educator based in the Bronx, Intikana is a valuable asset to his community, contributing his time and energy to address the very social and economic ills that the Occupy Wall Street protestors were denouncing.

RDACBX, along with our community allies, demand that the NYPD be held accountable for its unjust treatment of Intikana and others arrested at their predawn raid. In the Bronx, home of the poorest congressional district in the United States, our neighborhoods have disproportionally been affected by the crimes of the proverbial 1%. The process of gentrification, furthered by greedy real estate/banking interests, and enforced by brutal stop and frisk policing which profiles Black and Brown youth, has wreaked havoc on our community. In denouncing the brutal arrest of our member Intikana, RDACBX also calls for an end to the increasing militarization of our streets, which criminalizes the actions of peaceful citizens in defense of corporate interest.

DISMISS ALL CRIMINAL CHARGES!
DECOLONIZE ALL STREETS!
NO TO A POLICE STATE!

("FREE INTI" Art by Juan Martinez)

IN THE HEART OF MAYA'S ANCIENT CIVILIZATION

DJ Charlie Hustle and I were brought out to Guatemala through an organization called HIP HOP 4 PEACE which was founded by a dedicated and passionate educator from Switzerland named Shew Fleur. Hip Hop 4 Peace’s goal was to utilize Hip Hop in educating, raising awareness and empowering youth living in a marginalized and violent context. While there, we got to facilitate workshops with youth ranging from 7-13 years old. In only one week of workshops, we got the youth to write, dance, paint, sing, rap, DJ and play a wide variety of games. We had such a fun time with the youth and although we were the facilitators, we found them being the ones teaching us very strong lessons which I think have already made us better collaborators, listeners, and overall human beings.

During our time in Guatemala, Charlie and I got to visit Tikal which is the heart of the ancient Mayan civilization. We got to see pyramids and some of the most beautiful sacred sites we have ever seen. After so much hard work, sweat, and perseverance…HIP HOP 4 PEACE’s community center was forced to close down. Unfortunately, the organization was unable to garner the support and funds needed to keep it running. This was hard for DJ Charlie Hustle and I to accept because as members of a community center in the South Bronx, we know how challenging it is to keep a space running with limited resources. Nonetheless, we endure. Our last day in Guatemala was probably the most difficult for us. A sadness set in moments before our last event ended and left many of the youth in tears. In only one week, I grew an unexplainable attachment to the youth and couldn’t believe how many memories were created in such a short period of time. Talk about a life changing journey.

Hasta la proxima vez!!

FIRST TIME EVER TOURING CANADA

Canada was amazing!!! Got to work with several 7-12 years olds in Toronto. So much passion and energy! We played games, spoke about Hip Hop, wrote poems, drew pictures, and had lots of fun! I also featured at the BAM! Youth Slam in Toronto where I covered a 13 minute poem by Gil Scott Heron entitled “The Ghetto Code (Dot Dot Dit Dit Dot Dot Dash).” The venue was packed with youth predominately from Asia and Africa. Such a beautiful exchange of history, culture, and art.

Had another show in Hamilton that was organized in a youth center unfortunately on the verge of closing down. Roughly 50 people showed up ranging from 7-8 years olds to teenagers, young adults in their 20s, to men and women in their 50s & 60s. I have to admit that I was super flattered when the youth in Hamilton wanted me to sign autographs. Not even just a few either! I was signing cds, posters, belts, sneakers, pieces of paper, arms, and elbows! Many of the youth were refugees from Northern Africa. Humbling beyond words. The entire tour was a bundle of powerful moments, inspiring conversations, and dope performances. So blessed. So thankful.

Special shout outs and thanks to Aiden, Redge, Barrio Nuevo, and everyone who made this tour possible!!!

TOURING AND RECORDING IN BORIKEN

This past June, I successfully managed to tour the entire island of Boriken [Puerto Rico] from Aguadilla to San Juan as well as Biejo San Juan, Loiza, Fajardo, Vieques [Bieke], Ponce, Adjuntas, Utuado, Cabo Rojo, and back to Aguadilla. Phew!!! For those of you who have never been, that equates to going in a more or less complete circle around the island. What a monumental journey in my life. Growing up, I used to visit my grandparents in Cabo Rojo for the summer but never had I seen the island like this before.

During my trip, I saw the ancient Taino ruins in Caguanas and even the Pre-Taino ruins at El Centro Indigena. I got into the craziest adventures, met all kinds of people, enjoyed some of the hardest laughs my stomach has ever had to endure, played chess, received acupuncture, learned more about my history, was interviewed live on Vieques Radio, and got my music played on UPR (University of Puerto Rico) Radio’s Hip Hop Vox FM (hosted by Velcro). So many stories. I even got to record 2 new songs at Phantom Studios in Bieke (Vieques) with Lady M and MC Natra. One of the songs will definitely be featured on “LIMPIA LIMPIA.” : )

Special thanks to Ramon Serrano, Yasmin Hernandez & Robert Rabin!!!

(Photo by MC Natra)

CUBA, I MISS YOU!!!

I can't really explain all that I experienced in Cuba because the evolution that has since culminated within me has ultimately transformed who I am. Nonetheless, I am a better person because of this trip. I learned so much about people, about the history of Cuba, about Hip-Hop's history on the island, the culture, the economic state, etc. I'm most excited to speak on the people I met and how they've influenced me.

EXPLOSION SUPREMA: Brebaje Man and Miki Flow. Legendary artists out of Cuba. They're very much like the Wu-Tang of Cuba. They've been around since the 90s. Their flows are so hype and so intricate. I spent everyday with these brothers. Miki was very much my guide while I was in Cuba. Etian "Brebaje Man" was my road dog. We connected on another level. These are REALLY my brothers and I mean that with all of my heart. They really held me down. So much support & positive energy. Thank you both!!

Miki Flow rockin' at the 2010 Hip-Hop Symposium (a five day festival of performances, workshops, film screenings, and connecting). Explosion Suprema hosted one of the nights at El Teatro Riviera which ended up being one of my favorite nights. Mainly because each artist was on point...back 2 back 2 back.

Brebaje Man backing up Miki from off-stage. By the time he came on, the audience went crazy. I got on to perform right after! The crowd showed so much love. Got it all on video!!

En Micro X, Alamar with my homies. Micro X is very much like The Bronx was during the 1960s! It was unreal. The buildings, the graffiti...the community. Everybody's door was open as people would come in and out. Everybody showed each other love. Cuba is another world entirely.

Miki's mother and his daughter.

I was really happy that I got to build with Alexey de Obsesion. Such an intelligent, humble, and hard working brother. After building for a few days backstage at the Symposium, he invited me to come through his crib. There, we recorded a new track with Antony of Egypt (Dope MC from Canada) and Ali Deheshi (Awesome artist from Iran). Hoping to put it on this next album.

This was the view outside of Alexey's studio.

My 2 favorite DJs in Cuba!!!!

La Real & Indiana. Two beautiful and talented artists. I got to build with them during my time in Cuba. After recording "Amistad" with Explosion Suprema, I got them to sing on it. Their voices sound incredible. "Amistad" is DEF gonna be on the new album. Keep a heads up. Even got a music video for it. : )
Indiana snuck this pic on me. I love it. I was actually waiting on line for a pizza. Super hungry! Hahaha...

David: Amazing poet, MC, painter, producer, father, and overall person. So deep and spiritual. Loved kickin' it with him.

I had these kids begging me for this photo for days. Buggin' my homie David's crib like crazy. So funny! (They eventually got it!!!) If you're interested in seeing more pics, I got more on my facebook. CLICK HERE TO CHECK THEM OUT

After visiting Cuba, I have to say...I have a lot to think about. Alotta times, people speak negatively about it because of its post-revolution economic situation and/or the events that have taken place since the revolution but the truth is, it has remained completely independent since the falling of Russia. Even then, I did not see ONE homeless person. And I didn't see people dying of hunger. Given...you don't eat like a king in Cuba but that raises the question...do you really need to? Everyone gets by but what makes them want more is the taunting luxuries of capitalism. The extra clothes, the flat screen tv...the EXTRA. In Cuba, everyone has a place to live and is not allowed to be kicked out. That's their home. They get free medical and receive free education. There is no real access to the internet and few people have phones, but that is why Cubans are so animated and fun to be around. They are storytellers. Yo pienso que "Cuba y Puerto Rico son las dos alas del mismo pajaro." (Cuba and Puerto Rico are the 2 wings of the same bird.)

Cuba, I will miss you! Siempre libre! Much love! Thank you for everything.

Intikana

P.S. Thank you Mariana for making miracles happen!