The Hip-hop Nutcracker
“It has been way too long since my last entry.” will probably be the opening line for all my entries for now on, being that entries come at an annual rate. Anyway, I’d like to take this time to emerge from laziness and procrastination to actually write something.
Last weekend The Hip-hop Nutcracker made its world debut with two nights at NJPAC . It then crossed over the river and made its New York City debut at the place where it all started, The United Palace Theatre. Using the original score by Tchaikovsky, the story of the The Nutcracker was adapted by The United Palace’s own Mike Fitelson to fit the modern and urban setting of Washington Heights. It’s choreographed by Jennifer Weber , of Decadancetheatre, who has become known for adapting Hip-hop movement to classical pieces. I was brought in to create a musical bridge between old and new.
In preparation for the show, my life was literally eat, sleep, and make music. I would wake up (if I slept) listen to Tchaikovsky’s score and then stare at the computer screen. The words, “Come on inspiration!” or “Music………NOW!” would frequently be shouted in my head with the hopes that something would be produced. Of course, living inside my head and having mental debates whether this or that idea would work would produce nothing. So I had to just do, and start creating. Using samples from his music, I wanted to make an effort to have the parts I created stay relevant to the score while at the same time pay homage to Tchaikovsky. I also wanted my contributions to reflect the ingenuity of Hip-hop with the use of technology to sample sounds and turntables to manipulate those sounds. By doing that it really gave us a means to break convention and create something new from the old. Eventually, after a few months of toiling away at the turntable, Pro-Tools and Reason, the music was finished and with the approval of Jennifer, The Hip-hop Nutcracker had a completed working score.
With the score in place and rehearsals well on its way, it was incredible to see how the music and movement came together. The music informed how the dancers moved and those movements told the story. Love, conflict, and redemption all told through music and Hip-hop dance.
From the principals to the ensemble, everyone’s performance was exceptional. Each dancer capturing and portraying their role brilliantly.
And to see it all in that incredible theater was truly something to behold. This past Sunday night, nearly 3,000 people did just that.
It’s been an interesting rider me, working on this show. I had been so focused on finishing the pieces that it is only now that I’ve been able to check out the press for it.
The coverage it got on The Huffington Post’.
The listings in The New York Times and The New Yorker. Both which mention my name and brought to my attention when someone posted it onto my FaceBook.
And the Time Out NY coverage and interview with Jen
It’s been a great blessing to be part of this project. And I can’t help to be grateful to Jen, Mike and everyone involved who trusted me to do what I do.
Special thanks to the Hip-hop legend Kurtis Blow for believing in this show and getting involved.
If you haven’t seen it yet, there is still one more chance to do so with an encore presentation this Saturday December 13th at The United Palace Theatre.
Mixtapes With A Message
It’s been long overdue for a new entry.
Over the past year I have been honored to be involved with a couple of great mixtape projects. The first, HOME, is a collaborative effort between Nomadic Wax and Housing Is A Human Right that addresses the growing dilemma of housing rights. Through their network of artists, Nomadic Wax was able to assemble a roster of lyricist and poets to contribute verses and music that dealt with displacement, gentrification, and other issues surrounding housing. To further drive the message of this project, actual testimonials from those who have experienced and/or experiencing this problem are interspersed throughout the mix.
On a personal note, I laid down the foundation of this project during the aftermath of Super Storm Sandy making the process of putting this mix together incredibly poignant. At the time of the storm, I was out in Long Island but because of the power outage, I was forced to relocate to Brooklyn where I was taken in by Jennifer Weber director of Decadance Theatre. It was there at DECA HQ where I sat on the floor with the turntables, mixer, Scratch Live, and Pro-Tools and listened to the tracks and the stories of those in the housing struggle. While piecing together the mix, news outlets and the internet flooded my eyes and ears with the stories of people struggling without power, or displaced because their homes were in ruin from the storm. Many people were lucky to have a network of friends and family to go to where we could have a warm place to lay our heads and have a hot meal. Others were not so fortunate and resorted to dumpster diving and toughing it out in cold dark apartments.
The most recent project that I’ve been involved in was just released. It’s a collaborative piece with Omar Offendum of Hip-hop and Arabic poetry entitled OO vs PP. Mostly known for his work as a lyricist OO vs PP showcases Offendum’s production. Last year Offendum approached me about doing a mixtape using his instrumentals, and I gladly accepted the job. We went back and forth on a concept for the mix. Originally, I thought of using his own poetry to be showcase along with his beats, but then while watching news updates and scouring for samples on Al Jazeera English’s YouTube Page I came across a preview for the documentary series, Poets of Protest. Each week the series profiled a poet from a different region in the Middle East, told their story, and shared their words with the viewer. With each episode I was reminded about the power of words and how they are, not only, cathartic but also inspiring for others during difficult times. The words were a source of comfort and a rallying point that reflected the opinions and emotions of the public. After watching each episode I approached Offendum with the idea of using pieces from the series in the mix. The idea was to set the words of these poets to Offendum’s beats, somewhat like what The Last Poets had done with their socially conscious verses over music.
The end result is this:
I’m always amazed by the power of words. I’m even more amazed when words are coupled with the right music.
Both these mixtapes are free to download. If you like them please share them.
Thanks.
-B-
Summer Stage In Brooklyn, International Hip-hop In The Bronx
This Friday, June 8th I’ll be joining Decadancetheatre at Summer Stage at Herbert Von King Park in Brooklyn. This is a free event open to the public and will feature an excerpt from When The Sky Breaks and their new piece “4” which is a continuing project based on Anonio Vivladi’s The Four Seasons.
Along with the performance the dancers in Decadancetheatre will be offering a master class for all those who to learn some Hip-hop dance basics. This will be at about 7PM.
The following Friday (June 15th) I will be be joining Nomadic Wax at El Fogon Center of The Arts in the Bronx.
It will be an international Hip-hop line-up headed by Zero Plastica of Genoa, Italy.
For about a decade now Zero Plastica has been using Hip-hop as a vehicle for their thought proving words to be heard and to convey a conscious message.
Also on this line-up is
Eli Efi of Brazil.
Eli Efi was born in Sao Paula, Brazil and in 1988 founded the politically charged rap group DMN. During his time with DMN, the group received critical acclaim from the Hip-hop community and music industry. They were nominated Best Video and Best Rap Group at the MTV Brazil Video Music Awards,Best Rap Song at the Hutus Hip-hop Awards Festival, and won best music video at the São Paulo Shorts Film Festival.
In 2004 Eli Efi parted ways with DMN and continues his musical journey alongside DJ Laylo.
DeLaCeiba of Honduras
DeLaCeiba is an MC/poet/writer/educator/activist/critical thinker who uses his craft to address and deal with issues of injustice, racism, and inequality. He has performed at top universities such as UC Berkeley, USC, UCLA, Columbia, UMASS, and worked with several grassroots organizations such as MOVE in Philadelphia and the End-Dependence Poets Collective. In 2006 he moved to New York to solidify his love for Hip Hop. He has shared the stage with underground greats like Eli Efi (Brasil), SieteNueve (PR), Bocafloja (MEX), and Ana Tijoux (Chile). His message is simple; create the way even though the odds are against us. He currently works as social worker, helping high school youth in Upper Manhattan.
Self Suffice The Rapoet of Hartford Connecticut.
Self-Suffice the RapOet is an unsigned MC who turned down a record deal with Def Jam in favor of a scholarship to Trinity College. After graduating, he remained in Hartford, CT (at the heart of the New York Tri-State and New England area) where he continued to win rap battles, feature on Hip-Hop compilations, and serve as a DJ (as well as Music Director) at 89.3FM WRTC. Wanting to create events where he could strengthen the community and share his success with others, the RapOet transitioned from battling other MCs (putting them down) to hosting showcases and open mics.
His insightful, positive and energy has allowed him to share the stage with some of the most inspiring wordsmiths of our time, from Talib Kweli to KRS-ONE; from Jessica Care Moore to Alice Walker. Besides “wowing” crowds with both Rap and Spoken Word lyrics (hence the name “RapOet”), he developed the popular RapOetry Workshop to teach Positive Self-Expression (within parks, libraries, and cultural centers), as well as enrich Math, English and other curricula (within middle schools, high schools, and colleges). When not performing, hosting, or leading workshops, Self Suffice collaborates with other performers through his RapOetry coaching/partnership program.
Hache St of the Dominican Republic
Hache St is an Hip-hop artist born and raised in the Dominican Republic and a member of the Quilombo Arte collective.
Hosting this night of international talent will be Hired Gun of Brooklyn, New York.
Hired Gun is an artist and educator born and raised in New Jersey and resides in Brooklyn, New York. He’s veteran of the New York underground Hip-hop scene and has shared the stage with the likes of Rob Swift formerly of the The X-Ecutioners, Slick Rick, Fat Lip of the Pharcyde, J-Live, WordsWorth, Breezevahflowin and The Last Poets.
As a youth educator and mentor in New York City Hired Gun is able to spread his message to question what’s going on in the world around you, to recognize the real, and work to make things better, starting with yourself. Emcee, Writer, Educator, Poet, Performer.
Hired Gun brings whatever’s needed to get the job done.
With all that said, come out Friday June 15th to the borough that birthed Hip-hop, and bare witness to the evolution of Hip-hop at an international scale.
Paz, Salaam, Peace!
Left Handed Saint 