NEW BEGINNINGS

I'm shifting a transitional period. I haven't been writing much as of lately. Not even journal entries. Many routines & rhythms have been broken. I've been feeling more reserved as my associations with people in my life have changed completely. I can feel the blow-the-surface energy boil and it is hard for me to ignore. Indeed. Words + lack there of scar deep sometimes...

I am riding the wind. Taking chances. Memorizing moments. Loving spontaneity. Building on past visions of self to sculpt a new image manifested. Unrecognizable at times, even to myself. My mind is constantly changing.

OPENING FOR LUPE FIASCO PT. II

Before an audience of over 3,000 students at SUNY Oneonta, I was blessed to open up for Lupe Fiasco this past Saturday. The energy was unreal and the stage was ridiculous! There was a part where I simply asked how Oneonta was doing and I was nearly blown off stage by the crowd's energy. Cartoon status. I decided to open things up with a new poem about my mother entitled "The Nest" which led into "Glimpse of Charcoal." I followed that with a new verse over a RUN DMC track. After that, I closed things up with "Visceral Layer" and "Anoxia's Inertia." In my opinion, Lupe killed the set! (Not to mention his drummer!!!) Lupe really has a rockstar presence on stage. Pretty dope to witness! I think it took way too long for him to get on stage though but by the time he did, the crowd was hype! By the end of his set, he had no shirt and no shoes...you do the math!

After the show, I got to see some familiar faces from Oneonta. Got me some good ol' sushi at Tokyo on Main Street. (Jimmy, I had to do it!!!) Afterwards, I just kicked it at a few spots and knocked out somewhere on Church St. I was sooo tired!

There are currently talks of bringing my one man Hip-Hop Musical "Penumbra"to SUNY Oneonta for a special one time performance sometime this Fall. We'll see how that goes down.

Much to consider but all is snowballing in the right direction. Overall, I feel blessed and growing. Love & Light.

P.S. I will be uploading footage from the performance sometime next week onto youtube. Keep a heads up!

OPENING FOR LUPE FIASCO PT. I

This upcoming Saturday, September 12, I will be opening for Lupe Fiasco at SUNY Oneonta's Alumni Field House. This is the same venue where I did my Epicenter concert last year with Immortal Technique. I'm particularly interested in sharing the stage with Lupe for several reasons:

1. I think he brings an urgent lyricism to the mainstream avenues of Hip-Hop.

2. His new album "Lasers" has a dope concept to it that I believe speaks directly to the times we are facing. SEE WHAT I MEAN...

3. I just went to Chicago this past weekend and my experiences there have shaped many changes within me. It's always interesting to connect with where a person is from. Teaches you a lot about their upbringings and surrounding influences. Much inspiration!

Overall, I'm looking forward to sharing some new poems and songs from Penumbra (as well as Corpus Callosum). If you're interested in purchasing tickets online, CLICK HERE to visit ticketmaster!

P.S. Can't wait to hit up Tokyo on Main Street for some off-the-sidewalk sushi! (Xen, I know you feel me!) Damn, it's been awhile...

Anybody care to join me???

CITY OF WIND

So...over 30 hours driving back and forth from NYC! Phew! What a trip!? Traveled with several members of the National Boricua Human Rights Network. What a powerful experience! First, Michael and Samuel from Batey Urbano took us around Paseo Boricua and Humboldt Park. So much history...so much pride! We are all uniting essentially to raise awareness on the incarceration of several Puerto Rican Political Prisoners including Carlos Alberto Torres and Oscar Lopez Rivera. They were imprisoned nearly 30 years ago for seditious conspiracy. Just imagine: being put in jail for the way you think...

We managed to raise over $1,400 between our Friday event for the prisoners and fundraising campaign at Fiesta Boricua on Division Street. I met some incredibly beautiful people. Got to politick with a lot of the elders and more recently released political prisoners. These past few days taught me a lot about where I come from and where I can be given my mind & spirit align with the stars. I also got to share the stage with Rodstar of Rebel Diaz at this year's Fiesta Boricua, which was off-the-sidewalk! (Xen, did I use that right!!!?) Ha!

All Love.

P.S. I bought me 2 short-sleeved guayaberas at a mom and pop spot out in Chi-Town...and I have to say I feel sooo old skool Puerto Rican right now! I love it!!!