Reggae Festival at Long Beach City College Saturday, October 23

Posted on October 20, 2010 by Gal VanIZed

Come to the Pacific Coast Campus* of Long Beach City College on October 23 from 11-7 and you'll experience Reggae music by Pato Banton, Nobody Cares, Divine Crime and more. Admission is "any cash donation" and all proceeds go to Children Today, an organization that provides homeless children with a safe, stable and nurturing environment while their parents rebuild their lives. The event will include art displays, food and vendors. Bring your lawn chairs and blankets. For more information, contact Derek Oriee at 562-938-3088. *The Pacific Coast Campus (PCC) is located at 1305 E. Pacific Coast Highway (corner of PCH and Orange).

Positive Hip Hop Podcast Delivered on MP3 and in iTunes

Posted on October 17, 2010 by Gal VanIZed

I originally discovered the Positive Hip Hop podcast about 5 years ago. The DJ, Furyus only did a few episodes then moved on to a Mac vs. PC video. I haven't kept up with what he's up to now but the old episodes are still on my iPod. Tonight I went for a walk while listening to Episode 6: "Social & Political Change". This episode is jam-packed with socially aware hip hop with a great beat. Tracks include: KRS-One - "Illegal Business”, Head-Roc - "America!" and Ozomatli ft Common - "Embrace The Chaos". To get all 8 episodes of the Positive Hip-Hop Podcast, visit http://www.theskybeneath.com/podcast/

Time to Galvanize at Enough is Enough Vigil

Posted on October 16, 2010 by Gal VanIZed

I have been asked to speak at the Enough is Enough Vigil on Friday at the Pacific Coast Campus (PCC) of Long Beach City College. I am honored that I can speak on an important topic such as reducing community violence and I hope my speech can be a positive contribution but I am saddened to think of the tragic circumstances that motivated the need for this event.

The Friday night vigil is for Omar Brown who was murdered on September 25 at the age of 19 in an allegedly gang-related shooting. Naturally, there will be some strong emotions. Some will be sad, some will be angry, some will be enraged, some will feel hopeless and numb out. Death is not easy for anyone and murder of a young person is always tragic. I want to be able to say the best words possible at such an important event. I want to do my best to communicate the needs and thoughts of the community as a whole. I was asked to speak because I've been told I have an uplifting message that inspires some to push to new heights and also I've heard that the stress-reduction exercises we do in class help people to find inner peace which helps them have more peace in their homes. If you've heard me speak or are familiar with my message, I'd like to hear what you think is most important to say at a time like this. Please leave your comments below and I'll reply. Thanks.

Sex and Puberty on The Sheri and Erin Show (feat. Ethel Jackson of Living from Within)

Posted on August 20, 2010 by Gal VanIZed

Let's talk about sex baby! That's what Erin, Ethel and I did on this week's episode of The Sheri and Erin Show on Blog Talk Radio. Ethel's mission is to teach all girls and women about the pleasure awaiting them in their clitoris. The Sheri and Erin Show is all about enjoying life to the fullest. Since sex is something that's on everyone's mind...whether they're having any or not, we decided it's time to talk about it frankly and honestly and that's exactly what we did. So, if you want to know how to experience more pleasure in life, whether you're having sex or not, you'll want to listen to this show over and over again until you can wake up to the fact that life is here for you to enjoy it, not to suffer through it. Leave comments here or come and join The Sheri and Erin Show Facebook page. ----------

When you think about it, every musical act you know of is using the Master Mind principle whether they realize it or not. They are joining together as a team with a combined vision. You can use the same principle and make some truly rockin' things happen in your life. Do you have a creative project you want to complete? Do you want to find a purpose for your life? If so, I invite you to come over to my brand new page called Start a Master Mind Group.com. I'm offering 4 freebies to get you started so you can get a sense of what the Master Mind is all about. There's nothing cool about holding back.

Hip Hop Violin – Paul Dateh and inka one Live in Long Beach

Posted on August 14, 2010 by Gal VanIZed

Paul Dateh and inka one are famous on YouTube for Hip Hop Violin. Their video has had 4,535,195 views to date. Michael Zampelli and I went down with cameras in hand and captured some of the action live. The Kogi catering truck, an L.A. favorite amongst the crowd at LAist was also on the scene. The line was consistently an hour long and it stayed there even after most of the crowd left. Here's the YouTube video that has over four and a half million views on YouTube:

Visit Michael Zampelli's photo gallery from the Summer and Music Festival, including photos of Paul Dateh, inka one, the Greenmeme art installation, "Urban Lab: Chantilly Clad" and the Kogi catering truck. Here's the video of Hip Hop Violin - Paul Dateh and inka one Live in Long Beach:

Song of the Week – 6-22-10 – Kids by MGMT

Posted on June 22, 2010 by Gal VanIZed

Buy Kids (Soulwax Remix) - Single - MGMT on iTunes. Watch the video on YouTube Check out more on their MySpace page. The song of the week is brought to you by Michael Zampelli, former owner of Southern California punk rock icon, Zed Records. For almost 30 years, this mecca of punk and alternative music kept Southern California enthusiasts adequately supplied with unique, original and innovative music. Currently, Zampelli manages a hockey fan message boards at www.letsgokings.com with thousands of subscribers. He takes photos for the LAist and the LA Derby Dolls. Each week he will contribute a song with a theme, a message and a beat. Enjoy and stay tuned.

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Hip Hop Lovers Cry “Get Rel!g!on”

Posted on June 16, 2010 by Gal VanIZed

"Get Rel!g!on" is the current rally cry surrounding the latest hip hop producer, who's already began dazzling artists and record labels with his skilled creations and innovative beats. Utilizing a fascinating mix of live playing and assorted sampling, the young producer from Vancouver, British Columbia is generating buzz in Canada as well as the U.S. Rel!g!on is already releasing his own material, as well as working with other artists to build his reputation as a bona fide hit machine in the hip hop game. Released in January 2010, his first official release, Revelationz I garnered positive attention from reviewers and fans across the web. Featuring heavy hitters such as Chuck D of Public Enemy as well as Planet Asia and Moka Only, Rel!g!on's first record was nothing short of an instant hip hop success. His inspired, imaginative tracks laid the foundation for ultra skilled MCs to spit their finest rhymes and create memorable, catchy songs. "Rel!g!on has a nice sound to his production, and it shouldn't be too much longer before his congregation of followers grows," said Emmanuel Wallace of RapReviews.com on Revelationz I. Born in Ottawa, Rel!g!on grew up listening to his father's musical influence, which included a variety of instruments, singing, and an extensive record collection. Fascinated by keyboards and organs, the fledgling hip hop perfectionist began experimenting with records and a Casio SK 1, beginning the journey of honing his incredible skills. While he started with an old keyboard and entertaining diss tracks about his high school classmates, Rel!g!on rapidly progressed into a respected producer working with artists from Vancouver to New York.

The future is bright for Rel!g!on, as he shows absolutely no signs of slowing down, with a number of impressive projects currently in the works for hip hop fans across North America. He produced two tracks on Planet Asia's upcoming record Black Belt Theatre, which also features Raekwon of Wu-Tang, DJ Babu and Evidence of Dilated Peoples, Ras Kass and many more. Rel!g!on will also be at the helm for Planet Asia's entire next full length, slated for 2011. This summer will also see the anticipated release of a collaboration record between Rel!g!on and one of Pittsburgh's finest MCs, Jasiri X and New Orleans rapper/producer Dain. Check out his MySpace page for music videos and streaming audio, and Facebook for the latest information and updates. Download "Soldier" feat. Ny Oil & Chuck D Download "Pyramids" feat. Planet Asia & Jasiri X

Song of the Week – 5-11-10 – Tear Down That Wall by Mistachuck (Chuck D/Public Enemy)

Posted on May 11, 2010 by Gal VanIZed

This week's song is a hip hop response to the Arizona Immigration bill SB1070 by Chuck D (Public Enemy). You can listen to the MP3 here or you can "right-click" on the link and download the MP3 to your computer or iTunes library. Below is a public statement from Chuck D (Public Enemy) and his wife Dr. Gaye Theresa Johnson Professor Of Black Studies and Chicano Studies UC Santa Barbara: “Jan Brewer’s decision to sign the Arizona immigration bill into law is racist, deceitful, and reflects some of the most mean-spirited politics against immigrants that the country has ever seen. The power that this law gives to police, to detain people that they suspect to be undocumented, brings racial profiling to a new low. Brewer’s actions and those of Joe Arpaio, Russell Pearce, the Arizona State Senate are despicable, inexcusable, and endorse the all-out hate campaign that Joe Arpaio, Russell Pearce, and others have perpetrated upon immigrants for years. The people of Arizona who voted for this bill, as well as those who crafted it, demonstrate no regard for the humanity or contributions of Latino people. And for all of those who have chosen not to speak up, shame on you for silently endorsing this legislated hate. In 1991 I wrote a song criticizing Arizona officials (including John McCain and Fife Symington) for rejecting the federal holiday honoring Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. The same politics I wrote about in “By the Time I Get to Arizona” are alive and well in Arizona today, but this time the target is Brown people. These actions must stop. I am issuing a call to action, urging my fellow musicians, artists, athletes, performers, and production companies to refuse to work in Arizona until officials not only overturn this bill, but recognize the human rights of immigrants. This should include the NBA playoffs, revisiting the actions of the NFL in 1993, when they moved the Superbowl to Pasadena in protest against Arizona’s refusal to recognize Dr. King. We all need to speak up in defense of our brothers and sisters being victimized in Arizona, because things are only getting worse. What they’re doing to immigrants is appalling, but it will be even more damning if we remain silent.”

Buy music by Public Enemy on iTunes Watch the video on YouTube Check out more on their MySpace page. The song of the week is brought to you by Michael Zampelli, former owner of Southern California punk rock icon, Zed Records. For almost 30 years, this mecca of punk and alternative music kept Southern California enthusiasts adequately supplied with unique, original and innovative music. Currently, Zampelli manages a hockey fan message boards at www.letsgokings.com with thousands of subscribers. He takes photos for the LAist and the LA Derby Dolls. Each week he will contribute a song with a theme, a message and a beat. Enjoy and stay tuned.