From the heart

Four black teens in Philadelphia with nothing other than weekly tranpasses and opinions. Still, the criticism and general interpretation seem to change from day to day regardless of aforementioned teens consistency.

Whatever. We're not doing anyone some terrible injustice, and we don't claim to be changing the world or enlightening the folk beyond belief or recognition. Credences, food for thought, images, a few laughs here and there, and opinions are all that we can offer you. Whether you choose to accept or decline, you are here, as are we, daily.

To face the rain or sunshine, parade or riot, cookout or Saturday detention..We ride Septa.

- Til' the very end, Nya Ari, Samir S, Trent XIII, and Hez

Wednesday, January 12, 2011

We're young

If you wanna be a rapper tomorrow, do it.
If you wanna sell t-shirts tomorrow, do it.
If you wanna be a stylist tomorrow, do it.
Photographer? Do it.
etc..
etc...

We've got so much time ahead of us that it would make no sense not to try anything, right? Right.

Black Star Country

I have been stationed in Ghana since September 13th, 2010. I began my journey in a small village named Ofaakor 2 hours outside the capitol, Accra. No flushing toilets, No showers, eating the same not so tasty food all the time, but the people are happy. Over time it makes yo realize that there's no point in feeling bad for people when they are happy. There is an exchange of knowledge of how they live and how you live, which could either make you appreciate life more and/or realize that all the petty things in life that we complain about are stupid and irrelevant. I learned more than enough lessons from living in this village for 4 months, including robberies, arguments, lack of work, lack of food and misguided emotions.




I am currently stationed in a town 30 minutes outside of Kumasi named Tanoso. I visited Kumasi about 2 months before I moved here and the people here are much different than in the Accra region. The people are nicer and more understanding of not wanting to be bothered just because you are a foreigner. The School I am currently working at is alot more welcoming and the students arent stubborn and arrogant like the other school. I now have flushing toilets, internet access, showers(still no hot water) and my German friends also work and live here with me. Me and my German friend Stefano are now writing a album together and hes teaching me some guitar so im really enjoying this new place and feel alot more productive. More work gets done when you have less day to day stress on your shoulders and you can actually teach and actually help people.

On a final note, every time I look online and see the petty things that I once complained about and that people at home continue to make big deals out of, I shake my head. Its not your fault, just want to encourage people to get out of the big bubble called America that we were raised in. Theres so much in our society that can keep us busy that we dont look past it but we have to....

Headed to South Africa after this, then my trip across Europe maybe September...we will see :]

Samir S

Tuesday, January 11, 2011

The stylist idea didn't work out guys.

"What the fuck are you gonna do Nya?!"

Be a twenty something who writes poetry and wears clothes that have been sitting on the floor for the past week.

Sounds like a plan my man.

Monday, November 15, 2010

Let's not beat around the bush.

This is a poem about weed.

Maria, I can't escape you.
your presence never goes dully noted
Sweet summer Maria, I admit that I am devoted.
to you
and to anything you want to do.

Maria, let's go to the moon
You're the fire, I'm the ice.
I kiss your cheek and you burn my lungs, the way that I inhale you.
Don't wanna lose a trace of you-
to the atmosphere
I want you here,
to hold you dear.
So kiss my mouth,
I'm dreaming south of sanity.

Maria, you're the epitome of love,
immune to ego,
allergic to vanity.
You're what these other girls imitate but cannot be.
Cause I've found that this life is a scorching sun,
but Maria, you're my canopy
Though just your scent is key to the skies,
and so I'm flying handsomely,
or beautifully.
One word from your lips, and everything is new to me.

My eyes are glass, my stare deranged,
but that's just what you do to me.
So do to me what you might,
I won't fight, or bite back-
unless you'd like that.

Maria, I think it's time that-
we start moving just a little bit faster
ignore the storms that might ensue,
and just enjoy me and you.
Truth, sometimes it feels like we're the only ones really alive
As if you sensed the warmth in my eyes and went deeper inside,
to where my heart resides.

Maria, Maria,
Sweet Summer Maria.
The night is young,
so let me light you up.

Wednesday, November 10, 2010

OCD: Wake up



#Phillybuls

Godspeed OCD.

Wednesday, October 27, 2010

I love.

Peace.
Someone once told me that knowledge (like love) is in the atmosphere and it cannot be attained, for we have had it all along. That when we learn something we are merely discovering a truth that we already live and abide by. That what we call "attainning knowledge" is actually translating the truth into everyday means of communication. More specifically, Language.

Communication is a very interesting phenomenon. It is what brings us together, tears us apart, and shapes who we are even. If you've ever studied a language before, you've probably realized that the concept of language shapes how we all think fundamentally.

For instance:
Spanish language demonstrates male dominance in there use of nouns and pronouns. Spanish culture is also defined, in a way, by male dominance.

Chinese is a language that utulizes characters instead of words. The meanings and interpretations of certain phrases and words are based more on the strokes that make up each character. The chinese also read from right to left rather than from left to right; which requires more usage of the left brain.



There was a scene in Amistad where Roger Sherman Baldwin had to give Cinque the bad news that they had to try the case again after winning Cinque and his fellow Africans their freedom. Cinque and his interpreter, James Covey, responded, "You said that there would be a judgement, and if we won the judgement we go home free!"



Baldwin was like, "Naw that's not what I said!"



Then Covey was like "Naw, you said that!"



Then Baldwin was like "Naw, I said 'If we win at the state level you can go home' an shit."



Covey was like "Yeah, that's what you said!"



Baldwin replied, "Okay okay!! I said it! But I shouldn't have!"


"Now, what I should've said..."
Covey interrupted, "Naw, I can't translate that. There's no word for should or shouldn't; either you do, or you don't."




In short, language kind of defines us and refines us to a world of barriers in so many ways. Each specific language makes people think a certain way. To me, that is a sad truth because all that means is that there are things that the American man or woman will never have the opportunity to realize. There are truths that our Language keeps away from in order to center us in on the English truth. There are Russians that will never have the insight of an African (and vice versa). And Christians that will forever be shaded from the enlightenment of Islam (and vice versa). All this means to me, is that we live in a capable world that holds itself back through segregation.

Why is it that the phrase, "I love." is considered a fragmented sentence in the English language? Why do I have to add a "you" or "him" or "her" for it to be grammatically correct? Why our we tought lies by our own language without even knowing that we are lying to ourselves?

I cannot say "I love you" truthfully. When the truth is that "I love." simple and plain. Why is love portrayed in the dictionairy as "a warm attachment...or devotion" when those two words represent bonds that require two seperate entities? Love is not shared, it is within. That is a truth that I have ALWAYS had and abided by. So why is it that my Language won't allow me to express that truth?



Along with others...



A lie can only be spoken, but never revealed. Nor lived, nor felt. Those sensations are reserved for the truth. Which is what we live, and never what we speak.

Sunday, October 17, 2010

Man On The Moon II: The Legend Of Mr. Rager Artwork

cudi

This looks like the Pursuit Of Happiness video..In one frame.