MF Doom covers and more!!!

I drew this flyer myself and it's for my upcoming show at the Delancey on June 29th!

I will be doing some covers from MF Doom. 'Rhymes like Dimes', 'Hoe Cakes', 'Deep Fried Frenz', 'Meatgrinder', and a song from King Geedorah called 'Fastlane'. 

There will be live art on stage from yours truly, and live beat making from the homie LawlySe!

Don't forget to Rsvp! https://www.facebook.com/events/208756006552619/

Upcoming Appearance on Podcast this Sat!

I will have the privilege to be on the podcast of Andrew Sanford's called "Half white son of a black man". Andrew is a graphic novelists and comedian as well. I'll be on there talking about my indiegogo campaign. https://igg.me/at/printtheillusion/x/16247109 as well as current events with a topical spin to them. Make sure to click the link below to get a taste of what Andrew does. The Episode will air on Saturday!

http://www.halfwhitesonofablackman.com/

I raised $1,000+ for my campaign!!!

This is a proud moment, and milestone for my indiegogo campaign to print my illustration book. I still have more to go but I'm going stick my chest out on this because I've come pretty far!   *There are only 8 days left in my campaign, contribute! Donate! Share! All make a huge impact! Here is the link https://igg.me/at/printtheillusion/x/16247109

In this thank you video I brought my easel & sketch pad and thanked not only the people who contributed but who shared my indiegogo campaign which brought me support too. To do the same here is the link to my crowdfunder https://igg.me/at/printtheillusion/x/16247109

I started a new weekly Hip Hop Cypher called 'Knock-Ternal Rhyme Sessions'.

Every Thursday night from 8pm-12am I host a Weekly Hip Hop cypher called 'Knock-Ternal Rhyme Sessions'. Here is the link to the facebook page, give us a like!

https://www.facebook.com/KnockTernalRhymeSessions/

Here, right below is the youtube channel with more videos of all the happenings from #KTRS
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC56MPDOS9-G7OV7Owcx2u2Q

Now we are currently taking a short break because one of our main speakers busted so now we need to get a new one. It shouldn't be long, but until we do the cypher is post poned!

Andre 3000, Rob Zombie, and I on indiegogo

For those of you not in the know, both Rob Zombie and Andre 3000 are both really good visual artists aside from making chart topping music that has captured the imaginations of millions of fans. For more of you not in the know. I myself have always been a visual artist since I was a kid!

You was holding out on us huh? So drawing was your Love Below?? Say whaaaaat!?!

Really Super King!?! I didn't know you knew how to draw! Tell me more!

 Sure Rob! For the very first time I am in the position to self publish my first illustration book! It's based off my album 'Gone Is The Illusion' the same album I did the front and back cover for, and which is linked to the right side of this page through Bandcamp. Completing this project has been very important and liberating for me to accomplish.

Maaaan lissen! It feels good to be free boi!!

The artwork in the book is based off each and every song from my album. With descriptions attached to each one, and bonus material from my upcoming graphic novel titled '4'.

Now that's some creative shit!

Ain't it!? So here's what I did for my next trick! I created an indiegogo  to publish the book. I'm offering all types of perks including original artwork from in and outside of the book. Below is the video from my indiegogo check it out!

In this next video from my campaign I do a thank you roll call for all the contributors to it, up to that point of the campaign! I've had an influx of new contributors since. Once you contribute you can be in my next thank you video!

This is the name and hashtag of the campaign #PRINTTHEILLUSION

click the link below or the hashtag to go to the campaign and contribute!

https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/print-the-illusion-books-comics/x/16247109#/

Prodigy(Mobb Deep)R.I.P

On Tuesday, June 20th, 2017 I heard the news that Queens bridge, legendary MC, and one half of rap group 'Mobb Deep' Prodigy had passed away as a result of complications from having Sickle Cell Anemia. Prior to that I believe he was doing shows in Las Vegas. R.I.P to one of the greats. Below are a few things that come to mind when I reflect on Prodigy.

RIP Albert Johnson! The HNIC!

I remember back in 1995 when Mobb Deep came out with 'The Infamous' I was in H.S. at the time and was listening to ATCQ's "Midnight Marauders" My mans comes up to me and says "yo bro, we not listening to that shit no more, it's about this Mobb Deep shit now". LOL, yes that was a serious conversation had verbatim. While I would never just drop ATCQ for anything. I would without a doubt become a big fan of Mobb Deep, and their unique hardcore sound.

One of the things that stands out to me the most about Prodigy is that he wasn't a rapping ass rapper.  What I mean by that is, he didn't hit you with a bunch of Multi's, heavy punchlines, and metaphors and crazy ass wordplay to get his point across. He was a storyteller who painted gritty street tales that made you feel like you were right next to him as it were happening. The phrase comes to mind "Less is more", and Prodigy magnified that. In essence he reminded me of Rakim in that approach. Not overtly hype just a down to earth matter of fact expression of words. Life as a man who has lived it, not talking down to you in the least bit.

 

There are more memories, reflections, that I can piece together. That would only happen after I revisit Prodigy's music. There are some albums and songs I haven't listened to in years to be honest. 

  

Sakinah Iman's music video 'Waiting Tables'.

My good friend Sakinah Iman just released her new video for her single "Waiting Tables" featuring rapper $mitty. The message of the song is. "Why are we, who chase our dreams, for as long as we have, not successful yet, still working these unfulfilling jobs?". Sakinah takes it from the perspective of a waitress, hence the name..Waiting Tables. Here's the video below, check it out!

Also, here is a link to her Soundcloud. You can check the rest of her music out!

My new live show series is called "The Iller-Strate show. The first edition is named "Spirit Animals".

Off the heels of the success of my Birthday, Graphic novel, illustration book preview show, at Left field Bar on March 4th. I decided to throw another show on May 25th 2017. Now I know, I know, It's a couple a months from now but ain't nuthin wrong with getting a head start! Now I've been thinking about what could I base this show around, and it dawned on me that all my shows moving forward should incorporate my artwork in the biggest capacity always! So I coined the name for the series of shows I will be throwing now and they will be called the "Iller-Strate shows". This being the first edition, I went with the theme of  "Spirit Animals". So when you show up wear anything that has your spirit animal on it. Whether it be a t-shirt, a hat, body paint, tattoo, a onsie, you name it! Bring it out! Plus I'm also taking requests, I'll draw a spirit animal for you, whatever you want! I also "took" the liberty since ain't nobody wanted to give it to me to create some hashtags for the event. #Illerstrateshow and #Spiritanimaledition use them to the maximum effect. Of course I will be posting the official set list as the date to the show draws nearer. I will have my band assembled for the event and live beat making. I always aim to make a memorable show and this night will be no different. Make sure you rsvp at the facebook event page for exclusive updates to the show: https://www.facebook.com/events/335773133487208/

Below is the flyer I developed

for the show. I used spirit animals in it. I also took a nod to author H.P. Lovecraft who the venue is named after. I even added one of his most famous creations in the  flyer, called Cthulu which is supposed to be some under water elder god that is malevolent and extremely evil and terrifying. I also added a hydra which is a multi-headed beast from Greek mythology. A crab for those with not so much of a nasty spirit animal, plus a werewolf and a unicorn.

And so it begins!!

What happened at the Birthday show at Leftfield on MArch 4th!?!

Success is the first word that comes to mind thinking about the show last week. *Sidenote, after most shows I have I'm usually out of it, exhausted once the adrenaline has worn off. Then there is the rare case of when I'm so excited from a show that I just can't sit my ass down and I don't know what to do with myself. The latter is what happened to me after this show. Also my conditioning has gotten better over the years so I'm not out for the count when a show is done. I say all that to say this. After a show whether up or down I want to just be away from any computers or people and be in my own head space. But we here now. 

Back to the show! Man my energy wasn't just at a high level. The house was packed which made it that much more charged. I'm still feeling a high from the show. It left me in a place mentally full of euphoria and seeking the next, but wanting to relive the moment. I got my artwork blown up on engineer prints from staples as you will see in the photos below. My team, yes I have a team with me now! They helped set up all my artwork. Which added to the energy already built around the event. There is video footage being edited, so film of my set is on the way. I played with my live band and live beat maker during my set.

I covered Outkast's "ROSES", with a story about a childhood crush of mines who didn't quite reciprocate. I opened my set with a cover of Mos Def & Massive Attacks "I against I" from the Blade 2 soundtrack.  P.Cruz did his own mix of "I Against I" which was ill!

I did an acapella of  my song "Freak Of Nature", which the crowd really dug. I also did a verse from the title "Gone is the illusion".

The band and I did a rendition of my song "I workout" with some crowd participation and we was vibing. Had the whole crowd moving from side to side and chanting "I Workout!". It was great!

I really enjoyed the mix that P.Cruz did of "Knights in Shining Darkness" It sounded real eerie! he even did his own remix of it which is totally different from the live mix he did during the show. Check it out! It's available for streaming and free download! 

https://pcruz.bandcamp.com/track/knights-in-shining-darkness-p-cruz-remix

I think one of the big highlights for me was the live version of my song "Henny On Ice". Which I started with an acapella of the songs first verse which the crowd really enjoyed. The line in the beginning always get's em! You'd think my name was Charles....The way I lay the Dickens. Haha, people love that line so we thought it best that it be delivered with the rest of the verse with no beat playing. 

I previewed the artwork, especially the art that went with the songs during the set. I only had a 45 minute play time so I had to keep it tight.

The bookers of the show were happy with the results, meaning the turn out. They've invited me back to do more shows! i couldn't be happier man! Like I said success. 

Check the pictures below for some visuals of the evening. Great times!! Even More to come!!

My friend Epiphany B, who is a dope artist herself, standing next to a picture of the main character who is a grim reaper in my graphic novel. 

In this pic, my keyboardist Simone Acosta left, far right my bassist Tariq Tucker. In the middle my good friend Tasty Keish with her TK: AM shirt on, rep'n her radio show hard. Then me, shirtless, face paint on, serenading her during my song called "I workout".

Neon light ambiance while rocking LeftfieldBar. This was a damn good show, shit it felt good!

This is art from my illustration book. This piece is called "Groundhog's Day". It was inspired by Bill Murray's movie by the same name and the image in the upper left corner is twilight zone inspired. The endless cyclical cold melancholy day plays out in this song. Stir crazy delirium.

This photo was taken by Annie McCray. All is a blur, the world is spinning. I like this one a lot.

This is a great shot showing my audience from my show. My man P.Cruz from the Hip Hop duo Punskription doing live beatmaking on Ableton. Behind him is artwork from my illustration book, that one is titled "Knights in Shining Darkness". Which he just did a remix of. I'll be posting it shortly. Beside him is the grim reaper who is the main character from my upcoming graphic novel.

This has been a popular picture. Everyone always asks me for it to buy. It's the image for my song "Henny On Ice". Books and individual images on sale soon.

This is the first page from my Graphic novel titled "4". It shows our cast of characters on the verge of sieging enemy territory.

Here is another character from my graphic novel, he is a scarred individual with a tortured mysterious past involving vampires.

As I mentioned before, this is my piece for my song "Knights in Shining Darkness". 

Ahhhh! Squad up, ya know? People in this picture I go way back with. My man's Warren S Britt MC, documentarian. on my right, behind me is my dude Magnit Handz, dope beatmaker. Left my dude Varyius Ways, Educator, promoter, and entertainer. Boss Level. Down front is my homegirl from H.S. Lima who surprised me with a visit! That made my day. Then the fly DJ KK47! beside me. Then Keish next to KK and behind my friend Shavon. Love my peoples man!

My good homie, my road dog Roberto DeJesus. The brilliant mastermind behind Supreme Bars. A monthly MC competition which just branched out to philly. Check them out in NY at the Lantern!

Today I will be on the radio for some "Beats, Treats,& Eats".

The two people in this photo are not only very dope people, dope DJ's, international performers touring the globe, but also awesome radio hosts.

They host a show which airs on www.LittleWaterRadio.org 4-6pm EST on Wednesdays called "Beats, Treats, &Eats". Which I will be interviewed on today! I'll be talking about my upcoming Birthday show at Leftfield Bar, on 87 Ludlow this Saturday at 7pm. Also my recently finished illustration book which is a companion to my album 'Gone Is The Illusion'. Plus my graphic novel which is in the works. Be sure to tune in by clicking on the little water link above!

And if you haven't rsvp'd to the show this Saturday, here is the fb link! https://www.facebook.com/events/332129380504294/

 This photo of M-tri and DJ Leecy T is of  there project they released which is very dope too! check the link! https://mtrianddjleecyt.bandcamp.com/album/monday-morning-music 

I'm in Japan!? Illustration WhAt!?! You rock'N another show!!?!! DAAAAAANG!!!!

Salute people! I have great news! I have finished my illustration book! Finally after working on it for most of 2016 I finished it at 1:04 am on January 26th 2017. Haha! I feel REEEEALLY excited that I finished this project. I feel lightweight. You know that good hollow feeling you get when you accomplish something? Man. Now if that wasn't enough my good homie Fran, who lives in Okinawa, Japan, loved the artwork of my flyer for my bday show, so he asked if he could borrow one of the images for a flyer he was designing for a punk rock show in Naha, Okinawa, Japan. I said for sure! That ended up being the flyer in the pictures below in the streets of Japan! Take a look. 

This is the first time I saw my artwork of myself in Japan from my friends flyer. It looks like a arcade this was posted in.

This is from what is called "Kokusaidori" which is the downtown Naha in Okinawa! It usually gets as busy as Times Sq New York.

And from what he told me, the reception to my artwork has been great. He wants me to send more, and translate my book into Japanese to be distributed in indie stores overseas. 

Man! What a way to kick off the new year! Don't you think? So the next process of getting this done is SELF PUBLISHING!! I'm on it! Stay tuned for more details!!

Now Saturday night I will be performing at the event below on the flyer. This is my 3rd time performing at Mickey Mo's Cafe. The vibe    is always chill and the food is good. Dope set up to. So, If you are near 428 Sunrise Hwy, Lynbrook New York. Stop by, say hi. Soak in the music and have a great evening!

My BDAY SHOW!!! MARCH 4TH 2017!!!! Get Ready!!!

This is the flyer to my Bday show that I designed myself. Figured it was appropriate since I'm featuring more of my artwork at this performance. I decided to go with a more simplistic, stripped down, hand drawn look. As opposed to font heavy, gradients, and digital inking. I'm going to print this as a flyer, and pick a certain kind of paper to do it so it enhances the comic book feel. I used an 11x17 bristol board, Pigma Micron Ink Pens, and Copic Markers. The bottom right image is of me wearing my signature flak jacket, screaming the lyrics from song "Warganism". To the left is a werewolf, If anybody knows me I have a fondness for werewolves and came up with an EP called the Werewolf Lullabies. Above image is a birthday cake and combination of a live audience while I am rocking the mic. I've been noticing a ton of flyers lately with a throw back to flyers from the 70's with this DIY feel to them. So I felt like I could put my own spin on the current trend and this is what I came up with.

I will be previewing artwork from my upcoming graphic novel "4" and maybe some stuff from my illustration book, we'll see. :) I also have my homie P.cruz doing live beat making during my set and some other live instrumentation. More details to come. Be sure to check out the event page because that's where I first put the new updates.  
https://www.facebook.com/events/332129380504294/294/

My night out at Inspired Word in New York City at Parkside Lounge

Most of the Players involved in last nights show!

This picture right here was taken after the event, "inspired Word". Which was on Tuesday, January 3rd, 2017. It was at Parkside Lounge on Houston St in Lower Manhattan. Most of the performers, some of the crowd and even the host are in this photo. Bottom left is Scottt Raven the host, then LawlySe with the hat turned back, she is a dope beatmaker. Her and my friend behind me in this photo, Happy Accident a dope emcee in her own right, teamed up for there feature performance and killed it! More on that later! Jumping across to the far right, behind the first row with one person between us is my dude A.D. rep'n the Bronx. He closed out the open mic and killed it. Next to him is the homie Lex Rush! Ill Freestyle emcee and Hip Hop artist. She joined Happy Accident during her set with a guest verse. Next to her is my friend Shawn Randall, he does an event called "Symphonics Live". He has performers from a wide range of disciplines come out and perform. He is one of the most chill dudes I have ever met. Check him out. http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/2729243

On my left is Gardenia.SB, talented Emcee from Far Rock. Next to her is Clyde Phalanx, that brother sick on the instruments. Guitars and piano is what I saw him rock during his set. In front of my comrades Lex and A.D. is another Emcee from the Boogie Down that killed it. I don't remember her stage name so I don't know if she would be cool with me sharing her Gov'ment an all, So I'll just keep it as is in the meantime. But she shared a few verses over some industry beats and the crowd ate it up. Same thing goes for sis in the front in the black tank top with the glasses. She is a poet. Right in front of me is homie named Leo, he was an audience member. Alll the way in the back ,peace sign up. is David Freeman, Singer Song writer who did a few covers earlier in the show and did his thing. He did a cover of TLC's "Scrubs". That song stay stuck in my head,lol. 

When I hit the stage later in the evening I did an acapella version of my song "Knights In Shining Darkness", and "The Return". Along with some crowd participation on both hooks and clapping on the beat. I never tried it with "Knights In Shining Darkness" but I have with "The Return". 

During the live set of Happy Accident and LawlySe they did this song called "Period Piece". Which is about...Yep..You guessed it,lol. Women on their period. I've seen lately a group of female Mc's approach their art form unapologetically in a way I've never seen before and to be honest it's really dope! During the performance women in the audience were throwing pads and tampons on the stage, I'm so serious! None of them were used though..That would've been very gross. But the energy was raw and I really appreciated it. 

What I love about Parkside Lounge is it reminds me of old New York. Gritty dive bar in the front. Then you walk to the back and see a lounge like environment. Somewhat posh and in front is the stage for the artists to perform. I love that combination. Well that does it for this blog entry.

Be sure to stay tuned, I am having a show on my Bday. March 4th 2017. At Leftfield Bar on 87 Ludlow. I'll be rocking out for 45min. Live Band and Beatmaking and my rhymes. Get ready!

*I forgot to add these photos from this event. They were taken by Mike Geffner and Marvin Mendlinger.

The darkness that passes through me.

The energy people can project can be some powerful stuff. I should know, I have empathy on a level I feel most people I have encountered don't have. I only started seeing any type of similarity within other music artists. We would never talk about it, but I would see how they reacted to certain energies around them and I would see the same reactions, same emotions all over them. It hit me that I actually have kindred spirits in this world when it comes to this empathy thing. I then started to wonder as my mind does if there are people not involved in the arts that experience this but don't know how to express how it makes them feel. I also began to wonder if all my feelings of rage, disappointment, even happiness were nothing more than a by product of what someone else was feeling at the time and if that were true, was I even a real person. Deep stuff right? Well, after wrapping my mind around all that I wrote a song about it in much more detail. Specifically the areas and moments it has affected my life. I named it 'Knights In Shining Darkness'. The darkness being the energy from the people I have encountered. The Knights represent people like myself who still stand firm yet silent when taking on those loads of emotions. Click below to listen to the song.

Hook

My knights in shining, Darkness we dwell again

My knights in shining, Darkness we dwell again

My knights in shining, Darkness we dwell again

My knights in shining, Darkness we dwell again

Verse1

It may sound strange an ambiguous to some

But I can feel the emotions of other humans

A deep empathy from the time I was young

For example I’d have a great day & good fun

Then someone high strung clearly so glum

Under their thumb I’m pressed & so done

A shadow inhaled an then passed through the lungs

That’s where a knight in shining darkness comes from

A man at his post haunted by ghosts

As long as this energy always stays close

I’m bound to the pain wrapped round my throat

The knight in shining darkness no chain mail for coat

So overwhelming I’d keep to myself

Sensory overload circuits would melt

Hours of scrubbing to bring back my health

I wiped myself so hard I gave my skin welps

Writing through pain always helps out a bit

If they pain go away, will I cease to exist??

Hook

My knights in shining, Darkness we dwell again

My knights in shining, Darkness we dwell again

My knights in shining, Darkness we dwell again

My knights in shining, Darkness we dwell again

Verse 2

As I matured new strength had been forged

my focus became sharp as a sword

negativity was strings & some chords

pinpointing its location like blips on a board

Like hearing a ford with ears to the floor

I can feel it coming like never before

Like clothing extra layers and a cauldron

under piles of bodies the heat is engulfing

It came back to me once where I was working

This shorty caught cancer death had been certain

her depression had altered my person

When she left the building I felt a resurgence

full optimism, sunlight through curtains

Now depending on the link I have with the person

I can predict their words before they’re emerging

Feed their pain through distance & deterrent

The knight in shining darkness guides through the current

uphill struggle climate cold & undeserving

The band leader orchestrate tide for the turning

Walk through the pain I know my soul is burning

Hook

My knights in shining, Darkness we dwell again

My knights in shining, Darkness we dwell again

My knights in shining, Darkness we dwell again

My knights in shining, Darkness we dwell again

The Poet Will be televised Dec 14th show 2016 *LAst SHow of the year*

Peace! Been a while my people. I'm here with just a brief update for now. I will be holding down the door at my friends Open mic "The Poet Will Be Televised". If you recognize that name you know that I've featured their in the past. Come through! It's the last show of the year. Below is the flyers for each event with links to buying tix. Peace! We will talk soon.

Black Man in America song by Johnny Hobbes

I normally don't showcase other artists work here on my blog. But my homie Johnny Hobbes recently dropped this song called "Black Man In America", not only is it important to hear but it really is a good song. I love all forms of Hip Hop, and as long as it sounds dope I fucks wit it. The first time I heard him perform the track, was live at a show we were doing together. In Bushwick, Brooklyn at this spot called "Terra Firma".

The energy and message are strong! The timing of it resonates with the world we live in today. I provided the soundcloud link below the picture of my dude and also the lyrics to the song. Also take a drop by his website: http://www.johnnyhobbes.com/

https://soundcloud.com/johnny-hobbes/black-man-in-america-prod-by-tomas-spisak

Lyrics:

Intro:
Death before dishonor
There’s no honor
in this death
we’re hunted
that’s why so many stay blunted
not many ways
we can deal with the stress

When I uprooted my life
made it more appealing
morning i be reborn
to be dead by the evening

Steady emasculated
Can’t imagine the hatred
And the weapons you came with

To make a
History of Violence
We only found
misery silence

I gotta speak up
Turn that chin and cheek up
These wounds are deep cuts
No more that’s enough

Chorus:
All eyes on me
Black man in America
Will I try and make peace
Or return fire
And tear it up? x2

Verse 1
That's what they asking
We tried asking
For a slice of that pie
Now we die fasting

Really dying out
The well drying out
AND we’re hungry
You ain't happy
Til we inside ya house

Pardon
the incendiary comments
Life is incendiary,
Scary to be honest
Cemetery seems less scary
Or even harmless
Compared to your pipeline
Keystone school to prison

Wasn't in my my right mind
To ever think you'd listen
I just wanted heal
This whole time
400 years
We just wanted to heal

And I will
With or without you

Wonderer what'll look like
When the meek inherit earth
You're about to

bring pon dey revolution
You gave us the how to.
The manual on the ground rules

Pre Chorus

If Al Qaeda shoots, we shoot back
If the Taliban shoot we shoot back
If ISIS shoots we shoot back
But of you shoot,
We supposed to take it x2

Chorus

All eyes on me
Black man in America
Will I try and make peace?
Or return fire
And tear it up x2

Verse 2:

Here's the theme
Common motif
For Every one in the white house
Millions dead in the street
If I turn lights out
Would you be willing to speak?
If we couldn't see
Are you then able to speak

You can't fight fire with fire
But either way we get burned
Eugenics, death and destruction
Feeling our ancestors
All bled for nothing

So old self rest peace
I aint going back
to that life
Not in the least

I’m trying
Be more present
I'm tired of not trying
I don't got time
Every second
An eternity loose
Time left on this lease

Can't waste another minute
I can taste the lies
You invited as spew 'em
Out of your mouth Piece
I'm blessed beyond Vengeance

Pre Chorus

If Al Qeada shoots, we shoot back
If the Taliban shoot we shoot back
If ISIS shoots we shoot back
But of you shoot,
We supposed to take it x2

Chorus
All eyes on me
Black man in America
Will I try and make peace
Or return fire
And tear it up? x2

Bridge

I might be a convict
that don’t mean i lack
conviction
or I'm another victim
there’s bigger
schemes at work
gotta look at the root
not only the fruit
of lynched men

I used to be pacifist
But I’m feeling like I'm past this shit
I didn't ask for this
This is the world that you gave me

Chorus

All eyes on me
Black man in America
Will I try and make peace?
Or return fire
And tear it up x3

How I overcame my fear of busking in my hometown of New York City.

Not much intimidates me when it comes to being a performer. I've performed in front of a number of diverse crowds. They range from angry, loving, or blank stares until you come off stage and everyone tells you how much they loved your performance.(That one still confuses me sometimes even though I don't show it, and it makes me laugh a little).

  

Imagine this face staring at you for 15-30 min of your set. I wonder what goes through the head of a person that looks like this? "He's not Kanye, where's my Kanye???".







Here is your Kanye but he's giving me a face  worse than yours,lol. If you are an artist we have all been there to some extent. You can put your all into a set. Mind, Body, and Soul. Still..The stinkface.

It happens to the best of us. Then there is the angry mob. Which I have to say I enjoy performing in front of. That to me is a Hip Hop crowd, those are the types of crowds I came up through. Just absolutely no mercy! Haha! And I loved every minute of it. I know, I know, I'm a masochist.


If you don't drop a hot 16 nigga!! You in trouble!! 

Now I don't want to stray too far away from the main point of this blog, but what I've mentioned above has given me some ideas as to what a future blog will be about. Namely being dope, in front of a non reactionary crowd. or any crowd for that matter that gives you the opposite reaction you were expecting from your music.

Back to my main point. Busking was one of those things, for some odd reason, scared the shit out of me. Only through out the years of doing music have I become more extroverted and it really has given me the courage to exploit talents I never knew I had. So it's safe to say that feeling the way I did about it was frustrating to me, and I was ready to change it. So I made a post on Facebook, putting the word out to anyone who wanted to join me in doing it, figuring that a group effort would ease the pressure of not having to do it alone. 


An artist by the name Johnny Hobbes reached out to me saying he wanted to join forces. So, cool it wasn't a group but I had someone else on board which eased my mind. He also had to work up the nerve to perform in public. Checkout the videos below to see our first time out busking on NYC trains.

You can probably see how nervous we were in our first outings, but as we progressed, maaan!

We would just walk into train cars and start rapping. The nervousness was gone and we could see a greater power in doing what we were doing. We even broke off and started busking individually. I will admit it takes a bit more energy out of me than being on stage but the liberation is completely there!

Even Bruce Lee knew about that Henny On Ice

So the other night I'm watching the movie 'Big Boss', on the El Rey Network. It's the second feature film from martial artist legend Bruce Lee. In the movie there is a scene where he gets promoted on the job he's working, and the hireups ask him to join them in a small celebration of his promotion. They bring in girls, food, and a bottle of Henny. which my man Bruce proceeds to kick back like it was nothing. Hahaha. Bruce died way before I was born and the movies were old when I was a kid

so at the time I knew nothing about the reputation Hennessy has in black neighborhoods nor it's affects. Now is a whole other story. After Bruce gets drunk he follows suit by flirting with one of the women his bosses brought in the room. He takes her back to her spot and they handle business. It's really comical. Because when he's leaving her spot in the morning he runs right into the girl he has a crush on.

Oh well, she'll get over it, and he'll get over his embarrassment too. Just another case of the affects of that 'Henny on ice'. Just to further my point I got a pic of Bruce and Alcohol.

The Henny got the master twisted! Time for that Drunken Fist!

With that being said I thought it appropriate to post the song that I wrote titled 'Henny On Ice', from my album 'Gone Is The Illusion'.  You can also take a look to the right of my blog and see my full album available on bandcamp. Checkout the lyrics written below the audio track as well. Peace!

Verse1

Our. Sexual Positions are literary descriptions

You think my name was Charles the way I lay the Dickens

Seeking true religion put your faith inside my denim

I make 50 shades of gray 3 colors on a pigeon

you chant vagina monologues louder than a riot squad

So trojan man made a condom that could fit my lightning rod

we tried standing doggie and my thrusts collapsed your quads

These magnums are a opus of my commanding charge

pour my henny down your throat now we percolating

you call my cell, to hear my voice, it helps your masturbation

I bare my fangs, wag my tongue, you got me salivating

Through osmosis your oasis in the desert my salvation

Head over heels, heels over head tripping LSD

She must a popped a molly, cause now she sweating me

PCP, oh my god, now I got you biting me?

My game is “G” no one ever gets you high as me!

Hook

Plasma in the frigerator I’m so cold blooded

carpet with rips in it yes I’m so rugged

Fuck it, flow so hard her dams went & busted

Diamond in the rough & no you can’t touch it

Rock in her soft space & no you can’t budge it

From Cambria heights all the way to Nantucket

I need a bitch & Hennesy & the heat that comes from it

What? Hahaha, I know you love it...Henny. On. Ice.

Verse2

It’s Funny just the other week you was wearing head wraps

I never knew you liked being choked while I pull your dreads back

The weave & extensions I really don’t mind that

The natural I can pull it hard though no stocking cap

You invited me over we smoked weed on your sofa

Then you leaned on my shoulder pulled my pants down lower

The fellation always starts out cool

Then its demons head Ras Al Ghul

Alpha females in the workplace your competitive

around me your submissive like your on a sedative

nerds, tomboys, even all the artsy chicks

share my enthusiasm for life and intelligence

we be into mindfucks, teeth marks in her fat butt

magic beast with mad lust, savage in a mat truck

leather & lace a nice touch, candle wax & handcuffs

henny for some back up, pour that shit in my cup

Plasma in the frigerator I’m so cold blooded

carpet with rips in it yes I’m so rugged

Fuck it, flow so hard her dams went & busted

Diamond in the rough & no you can’t touch it

Rock in her soft space & no you can’t budge it

From Cambria heights all the way to Nantucket

I need a bitch & hennesy & the heat that comes from it

What? Hahaha, I know you love it...Henny. On. Ice, ice, ice, ice, ice.