My Favorite Things of the year 2009

Yes, i know. i am late. but if you have had a not so great 2009 you would understand what i am feeling.

i have compiled the things that have great impact on me in 2009. Some are performances and others are events in my life. thought i share, minutes before we bring 2010. btw Nubia makes the best cookies! (besides my mom).

*This list is very bias, so there. start hating*

BIG QUARTERS-FROM THE HOME OF BROWN BABIES AND WHITE MOTHERS CD RELEASE

I've know Brandonallday about 10 years or so. Ever since i saw them perform back in the days of EPL i knew that he and his brother mediumzach would do great things in the music aspect. Well i loved their first Album The Cost of living and could not wait till there second release. Nubia and I went to the Triple Rock (one of my fave spots) and enjoyed all the tracks with nubia, specially, ladies know, barter system and wipe the dust.

Must say, if you have not gotten their album. do so now here.




UP IN ARMS EVENT (FONG LEE FUNDRAISER)

This has to be one of the most fulfilling events that i have taken part in quite some years. Fong Lee was a Hmong youth that was gundown by MPLS police. (Read Article)and done so unjustly, framed as a gang member and other malicious accusations, i could see myself in him and honestly it could of been me. The line up of performers were amazing. i gave out free cd's but the highlight for me was watching my girls reaction when they saw a lot people i respect hit the stage. here is some videos taken by Justin Schell. i also debuted my poem For the Homeland (A Poem for Bagua)






BENZILLA & BK-ONE-RADIO DO CANIBAL

Benzilla is one the best producers in my opinion, and the release of this Album is proof enough. Proud of the homie Benzilla even though he likes Taco Taxi.

If this beat and collab does not make you move to the music, you all need some insulin. buy album here.




TOKI WRIGHT-DEVIL'S ADVOCATE VIDEO

I am always proud of homies who keep their nose to grind. well in 2009, Toki became part of Rhymesayers, Released his album "A Different Mirror" and released a video for "Devil's Advocate" (produced by Benzilla) that got airplay in mtv and national attention. he also gave me one of the best statements "they are from over there"- Toki Wright.



URBAN GRIOTS AWARD SHOW

So MNSWA put together a great event to recognize past and present spoken word artists in the Twin Cties, not only was it an honor being nominated but also it was great when PALABRISTAS got recognized and won 2 awards! but for me the highlight was watching fellow friend, poet Ed Bok Lee Kill it with this Performance.

Ed Bok Lee - "Thrown" from Justin Schell | 612 to 651 on Vimeo.

MN STATE ARTS BOARD GRANT

I got a grant. writing a chapbook with the help of Andrew MacDonald. It started this. Releasing sometime in 2010. big things!


BAGUA

So in synopsis, the events that happened in Bagua, Peru pushed me to write this. it got a great response and it started the project title "The Homeland EP"




ADAMS SPANISH IMMERSSION SCHOOL

My oldest started kindergarten at Adams Spanish Immersion School. Being Bilingual is a gift we will passed down to our children because as Franz Fanon said "Language is culture".

must say, this was one of my proudest moments. She is rocking Kindergarten, speaking more and more. =)


EQUILIBRIUM SPOKEN WORD SERIES AT THE LOFT

I got my start as a spoken word poet in this wonderful place. So its dear to my heart and its curated by one of the best spoken word artists i know, Bao Phi so i was glad i got to attend 2 out of 3 events.






EL CAFE OPEN MIC

i host(ed) an open mic at El Burrito Mercado Called El Cafe Open Mic. i was blessed this year to have been part of it. right now, i am taking a break to focus on projects, we hope to bring it back soon. enjoy some pics.







GUANTE & BIG CATS "AN UNWELCOME GUEST" CD RELEASE SHOW

So Guante is not only an amazing poet but a damn good rapper. he released a damn good CD. read what i had to say here


FUNKMASS

so 2 of my fave dj's Dj Ren and Dj Miguel Vargas put out some great mixtapes. download them here. http://www.funkmass.com/


and last but not least, i am a geek for electronics and a voltron fan. so when my brother informed me about this game on iphone i was like dammnnnnnn!



there you have it. enjoy. i know i did writing it.

Guante + Big Cats= An Unwelcome Guest Release Show

I will not go into to detail on how dope Gaunte is. But this is one of the unique rap albums i've listened to this year. Sure there are rap albums with themes, many never seem to grasp those themes as well as Guante + Big Cats "An Unwelcome Guest" Album. , buy his album and the lyric book! and if you got kids or lil nephews, nieces, etc the stickers make great gift stuffers! Rapper created! kid approved!





so i arrived at the Bedlam theater in the middle of The Tribe's set with help from Chantz Erolin which i was dissapointed in missing the majority of it, The last track that Truthbetold did was good and so was the the one Chantz did off Cay-Riss "In The Red/Green EP,"

then came on No Bird Sing, i had never seen them performed but they did a good job!had nice stage presence. so i was glad i was there!



Kristoff Krane was next and toki wright had mentioned to me that he was on the Mcnally Smith Rhymebook CD Sampler that i was also featured. so i was intrigued to see what he came up with. I must say he was really innovative towards the end of his set, got the crowd involved, but then came the "lets do some crazy" and took a chair, guitar and went to the middle of the floor and started singing. nice change of pace!



But it was time for the main act,and after a couple of technical difficulties Guante + Big Cats + Band started rocking out. the stage set up was good. i had never been to the Bedlam theater for a show, but if we get the sound fixed in there, it be a great new venue.



From the beginning Guante delivered with energy and the crowd was reciprocating.He put all the engergy he had and the guests from Truthbetold, Chastity Brown, Big Quarters and No Bird Sing as well as the band rocked it! my fave track right now is the collab with Big Quarters titled "the Stockholm Syndrome", others like "the national anthem" and "dragons" seem to find themselves in my ipod. My best suggestion is order the cd for $9.99 through Strange Famous Records because it comes with tons more goodies then having Guante hand delivered to you himself (i am speaking from experience folks. So order away, tell me what your fave tracks are. till then enjoy the pics i took and the videos from the show!

Guante Raps, that means you should listen.

so when kyle aka Guante raps...you all should listen.

and since he is dropping a cd on Dec. 12th at the Bedlam Theater you should really go and buy a cd and me a beer. gotta support great artists.

watch him rap.."michelle bachmann the game/ get on the mic say something insane:"



remember..

December, 12 2009 10:00 PM - AN UNWELCOME GUEST CD RELEASE @ BEDLAM THEATER w/ No Bird Sing, Kristoff Krane, The Tribe (18+)
1501 S 6th St, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55454 -

Sponsored by Tru Ruts/Speakeasy Records, SUBSTANCE, CultureBully.com, Youth Against War and Racism and Socialist Alternative. The Bedlam is right on the light rail line, and also has a parking lot. BIG FUN. TELL YOUR PEOPLES.