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THUNDAGROUND ONLINE - DECEMBER 2K8 EDITION - ISSUE #5
ARTICLES
WHAT ARE YOU EATING?
By Rebel Lioness
We've all heard the adage, "food is the staff of life" but how true is that nowadays? With overly processed, chemical foods lacing our supermarket shelves, is there life in what we eat anymore? An elder gentleman recently told me, the safest place in the supermarket is the 2 outer aisles. In most supermarkets, produce would be your first aisle. We still have to be mindful with non organic produce, as they too are chemically treated. The FDA tries to control what we put into our bodies and is slowly killing our population with harmful hormones, pesticides and additives.
Studies have shown a link between learning disabilities and diet, putting our future at stake with increasing numbers of ADD and Autism cases in recent years. These diagnoses then lead to our loved ones being prescribed harmful prescription drugs to simmer their "symptoms" and the snowball effect begins.
When I was growing up I never heard of Autism and ADD. When my parents were growing up neurotoxins (a substance that causes damage to nerves or nerve tissue) such as MSG and Aspartame (flavor enhancers) weren't heard of. Now they're poisoning us to death. It's a wonder why our parents and their parents lived healthier lives, because the foods they ate were in fact the staff of life, whole and unadulterated.
Dead animal flesh is another topic sensitive to many. The question is…how can dead sustain life? The choice is yours, just choose wisely.
We must be as diligent in feeding our bodies as we dress our bodies. Be good to yourself across the board! Cherish your temple, educate yourself and step up the life giving foods. Organic, free range and the like, is always a better choice.
POLITICALLY CORRECT?
by Eden
Beware. This is about to be a rant. A rant that might offend a lot of people, but a rant that I feel is not only necessary, but also long overdue. It has to do with this whole notion of "political correctness" where language and labels are concerned. It has to do with censorship. It has to do with getting past the smokescreens and really saying what people are afraid to say.
Let's begin with the obvious: the use of the dreaded "N" word and the suggestion that it should be banned. {Omitted from the language} I can't be the only person who sees the potential dangers such a notion creates.
I will concede that, it is not a very pretty word. Heck, there are a lot of un-pretty words out there. But does that mean we just get rid of them? Erase them? If we stop writing or speaking them, does that make them cease to exist? Does it obliterate whatever experiences or situations led up to their existence in the first place? Of course, it doesn't. It's a ludicrous idea to try and ban any word from the English language, or any language.
Who decides which words are offensive? Who decides which words shouldn't be uttered? Who decides who gets to use which words? Maybe I'm offended by the word purple. Or Bible. Or jelly bean. Maybe I had a traumatic experience as a child at a spelling bee and got tripped up on the word "ostentatious" and every time I hear it now I'm reminded of that sad, ugly time where I was made to feel stupid. Less-than or Incapable. So I hereby move to have ostentatious hereto and forevermore removed from the English language.
And all the Christians can move to have "Allah," "Buddha" and "evolution" removed. And anyone under five-foot-six can move to have the word "short" removed. And while we're at it, let's get rid of "monkey," "banana," and "fat" because they can all conjure up such "negative" connotations. And once all of those have been eradicated, we'll get rid of "fetus" and "alien" and "native" and "colored" and "jungle" and "white" and "spade" and "zebra" and … well, you see what I'm getting at.
We always talk about change and progress and dialogue and communication. As a society, we claim to want to be diverse and inclusive and champions of truth and justice. But what kind of truth can exist by censoring language?
Language is a very curious thing. By it's very nature, it is fluid. Flexible. Subjective. It isn't the words or gestures themselves that mean anything. They only take on a definition or suggestion when the parties communicating have come to an understanding that this word/gesture/sound/symbol means x, y or z. So it isn't about the vocabulary; it comes down to the meaning that the parties in discussion have attached to the words.
There are a multitude of words, particularly in the English language, which started out meaning one thing, and eventually evolved into meaning something else. American English by its very nature is a hodge-podge – an amalgam – of words adopted and adapted from other languages. Why won't we allow the "N" word to do the same?
I am fully aware of the images and emotions ignited by the use of this word. However, in order to have a rational discussion, particularly about one as extreme as the banning of any spoken word, we have to step back from our emotions. We have to accept the fact that, because something might offend our individual (or collective) sensibilities, that does not make it equivalent to criminal behavior (I'm not even going to touch the Don Imus or Star & Buck Wild fiascos right now).
Let's ask ourselves this question: what would banning the "N" word from the language actually achieve? Just supposing that it could actually be done in any practical way, that there was somehow a way to monitor every conversation, blog, home computer, printed and written word and were somehow able to have it literally erased from the collective psyche. What would it change? Would it make racists suddenly un-racist because they couldn't say the word? Would it change people's thought process? Would it make us think differently about ourselves? Would behavior change?
Au contraire! More than likely, folks would just find another word to replace it. Because that's what language does. It evolves and changes to fit the current need. If we stopped using the word "fat" because some people are offended by it, there would still be fat people. If we stopped using the word "short" there would still be short folks. And we'd still think of them as short – "not tall" – because that's what they are, whether they like it or not. There will still arise some need to come up with a word to identify them. We need words to describe what it is we're talking about whether it's groceries, money, children under 5, people bigger than a size 4, people who can't see or hear or are missing limbs – or even a group of people we don't happen to care for.
So really, the issue is not the meaning of the word, or where the word came from, but how we feel about being tied to that word. It boils down to the power we give the word and how we see and identify ourselves. Say I'm a dude and I'm five feet tall. Some jackass wants to insult me so he says I'm short. I'm still going to be five feet tall. That is not going to change. The problem arises when, because in the jackass's mind "short" is a bad thing, a negative thing, society says I should be insulted. However, I say, "short" isn't a bad thing it's just a word to describe the opposite of "tall." So, if I am secure in my identity, in who I am and in the skin I'm in, then what the f*ck does it matter what he calls me or how he sees me?
Which brings me to this query: what is the fuss over use of the "N" word really about? A lot of people are going to disagree with me and probably not like me for this but: I believe that underlying this whole issue is still black folks need and/or desire for the acceptance and approval of white folks.
Hear me out: in any other situation, when some person or group decides to name call, we get all dignified and sticks-and-stones-will-break- my-bones-but-names-will-never- hurt-me. If our kid comes home crying because some other kid called them stupid or ugly or nerdy or whatever, our response is, 'Don't pay them any mind, baby. They don't know what they're talking about. You're beautiful and special and smart and as long as you know it, that's all that matters. You don't need them anyway. Just be confident and stand strong in knowing who you are.' Am I right? Of course I'm right. And we are right when we pass on this age-old bit of wisdom to the offspring. So please explain to me why, then, do the rules change when it comes to this one word?
If, as a woman, you can listen to a record that blatantly describes females as bitches or hoes or tricks, and still move to the beat because you tell yourself: ' oh, they are not talkin' about me. I am a strong black woman . I know who I am, ' then why don't we know who we are when a white person – or anyone – decides to throw out the "N" word in a derogatory manner?
Why is what they think SO IMPORTANT? Even to those allegedly evolved/enlightened/proud-to- be-black/afrocentric/self- assured black folks – as a matter of fact, especially those black folks – this "N" word is a critical issue to our "progress." Well, I beg to differ. I think it's a distraction. I think it's something to holler and expend energy on and make black people feel like good about themselves, make them feel like they're really making change as opposed to actually making change, instead of dealing hands-on with any real, pertinent issues. Not only is it a distraction, it's a symptom of how much black people still identify themselves only in their relation to whites and how whites perceive them. By giving so much power and energy and time to fighting against this one single word, they are only adding to it's venom and giving it relevance. They are only helping to feed the idea that The Man has final say in who and what we are.
Okay. I'm finished with my rant. And I'm sure I'll feel the backlash from the up-and-coming Al Sharpton's and Jesse Jackson's out there. Fine. Bring it. But one last thought before I bid you adieu: if you are, indeed, prepared to ban this word, or any other from the language, know that you are setting a precedent. You don't have to like the word, or the people who utter it with hate. But the fact is, the same right that permits the words utterance is the same right that upholds your voice to oppose it. If one word is forbidden, then they're all forbidden.
Enjoy the silence.
Debt
by MTC
Catch up, Keep up and fix that damn credit score
Forget what you got because there's always more.
Naked, hungry, Homeless or sick
Fall in line because you have to pick
Borrow, steal, craft or buy
Tease the sharks you can't satisfy
Property, income, service me real good
Insurance policies just in case you should
Tuition, Investment, capital gains
Invisible, durable life long chains
Electronics, cosmetics, the luxury swag
A new world order's got your shopping bag
Do you think MS created a microchip?
That could delete the commercial itch
Can you just launch me into outer space?
That way I won't have to run the paper chase
When the body's expired and the lungs heave their last breath
Is that when we are finally absolved of all our debts?
Not yet currency bunnies. Its' not over
Family's got to pay for you to push up clover
by Phoenix Carnevale www.myspace.com/PhoenixCarn
1. PLAN, PLAN, PLAN
Plan your workouts in advance so that you don't skip them. If you know you have to shop after work and can't hit the gym, wake up early and go in the morning. Plan to meet a friend or sign up for classes so that you feel more committed to attend. While at the gym, maximize your time with workouts that burn lots of calories like kickboxing or circuit training.
2. INDULGE!
But remember, the holidays are really just a few days...not two months! One day is not going to kill you so enjoy Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Eve wisely. Just be sure to avoid chocolates, eggnog and champagne at the office and holiday parties.
3. AVOID FILLERS
Avoid the chips and dips, candies and appetizers that people put out before the meal begins. That way you can save up those calories and indulge in the stuff that really makes you happy—like pernil, coquito and flan!
4. DON'T SKIP MEALS
Never, ever go to a party hungry! You are setting yourself up for disaster and will end up binging like crazy.
5. LAY OFF THE BOOZE
Alcohol is the biggest waste of caloric intake! Not to mention all the greasy food you're probably eating the next day to fight the hang over. Drink one glass of water for every glass of alcohol, that should slow you down and minimize the toxins that make you feel crappy the next day.
6. USE SMALL PLATES
Grab a salad plate and fill it up. The smaller the plate, the larger your portion will seem. You may find yourself feeling fuller from much less food, and at the very least, if you go back for seconds you'll know that your eating because you're hungry and not just cause the food is sitting there on a plate in front of you.
7. STRATEGIZE HOW TO HANDLE FRIENDS & FAMILY
They don't mean to sabotage your goals and probably think you are wonderful just the way you are. But when it comes to food Latino families can be pushy and even downright rude! Your perseverance and discipline may just remind them of their lack of it. If talking to them about your healthier choices is not an option, then just lie! Fibs that work every time? "My doctor told me not to eat such and such." "I'm allergic." and "I'm full right now but I'd like to take some home."
8. PICK ON FRUITS & VEGGIES
If you're at a cocktail party and there are hours of buffet grazing before you, be sure to reach for the fruits and veggies first. These are a much healthier way fill up. Just remember to go easy on the dips and dressings.
9. USE MENTAL CUES
Stay focused and motivated by using mental cues and positive affirmations. Fill your mind with images of what you are trying to accomplish. Stay on track by really thinking about what you are eating before you stick it in your mouth.
10. ENJOY LIFE!
If you do gain a pound or two, know that its not the end of the world! Just don't let it snow ball. Get back to your fitness plan as soon as possible and maybe even ask for some personal training sessions, karate or dance classes as a holiday gift.
REVIEWS (MUSIC, EVENTS, MOVIES)
Q-Tip The Renaissance
by Eden
Old school hip-hop heads will appreciate the fresh flavor Q-Tip brings to his latest album, The Renaissance . It has that classic Tribe sound we all love and remember but is sprinkled throughout with a definite new millennium spice.
One cut that exemplifies this vibe is "Gettin' Up." It's smooth and easy, like riding with the top down through your old neighborhood on a mild summer afternoon with your shortie riding shotgun, looking cocoa butter sweet in her sundress. It's so smooth in fact, that's in damn near R&B. Feel-good and inoffensive, this song's sure to be a crossover hit.
"Manwomanboogie" is aptly titled. The minimalist instrumentals – light persistent snare, playful staccato bass that seems to just tip-toe around the beat – you can't help but boogie. Whether you used to break or (like this writer) just do a mean two-step, you're gonna wanna move to this. The hook is catchy but understated and Q-Tip's nasal tenor seems to have been born specifically for this type of track. This is the record that comes on in the club and has you leave your people hanging in mid-conversation to move it to the dance floor, cognac in hand, of course.
On the heels of this slightly tipsy track is "Move" which has more of a crazy nod-ya-head feel. It starts out with a restrained arrogance, harder than the last track lyric- and style-wise, with horn instrumentals that are reminiscent of the 70's. But halfway through, the track switches up to a more contemporary freestyle vibe. Tip takes his vocals down about half an octave or so, flowing easy and laid-back over the mid-tempo beat. The result brings to mind Rakim, "Paid in Full."
On "Life is Better," Norah Jones contributes her soft, breathy vocals to the hook and will probably also turn out to be another commercial bull's-eye. It's basically an ode, a love song, to hip-hop. Q-Tip gives shout-outs to all of the most influential players in the genre, going back as far as the Furious 5 all the way up to Lil Wayne. True heads will take it to heart when Norah sweetly sings "life is better, now that I've found you." Indeed.
Closing out the album is my personal favorite, "Shaka," a dedication to all the homies that ain't here. The bass line punches the strong but understated beat with unobtrusive precision and the track is never overly flashy or brash. This is the song you'll raise your glass, take a toke, take a swig or pour some on the sidewalk to, and the perfect ending to the album's throwback feel.
For the most part, The Renaissance is Q doing what he does best; delivering his low-key sidewalk style flow over basement beats with positive, upbeat lyrics. Listening to his latest is almost like plugging directly back into the mid-1990's but the end product is far from dated; rather it pays nostalgic respect to the roots of conscious hip-hop.
Brandy "Human"
By MTC
"Human" the new album from R & B song bird Brandy is a portrait of self redemption. The reunion with producer Rodney "Dark Child" Jerkins hints at the familiar, however this is a more progressive release. Lyrically Brandy serenades the struggle with memos of encouragement. The track "Warm it up for Love" hits with a cozy-catchy hook, which gives off that fuzzy sensation. Another cut "Mr. Piano Man", with its arena-type chorus, stirs up the image of an echoing concert crowd. The single "Right Here" has a driving tempo married to an enduring message.
This is the reflective spin that Brandy puts on this new project. Her voice sounds clear and controlled on this album she has a lock on which musical arrangements work in her favor. There is no shortage of nubile vocalist clawing for a fan base so her core following will not be denied. "Human" may not gather the multi-platinumm status of her past, but sound scan sales have yet to recover from the stream of on line traffic. Brandy has dropped a record that connects with a pedigree of substance over swagger. "Human" unveils the woman behind the celebrity. It plays like a tribute to the flawed, longing for all those moments and dreams that visit the masses. A well blended tonic prepared for your pop-soul satisfaction.
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THUNDAGROUND HISTORY
ThundaGround represents the past, present & future generations of pure hip hop culture. Culture means "way of life" and hip hop is clearly the only force of expression released through creative minds in a special and unique manner. This manner enables us to connect with any and every culture (and/or genre of music).
Music is apart of every culture so hip hop in it's own power produces the desegregation of all cultures. Music, as we all already know, is the universal language we're aware of. From the early days of hiphop we witnessed DJ Kool Herc take different genres of music from reggae, jazz, blues, rock & r&b by discovering The Breaks. The Breaks quickly decended to DJs such as Afrika Bambatta, Grandmaster Flash and plenty others who took the genre to limitless genres as one.
ThundaGround is an "undaground" movement
manifested by DJ Emmo "The Souljah" and Cajo Communications. It started off as a showcase that took place October, 2004 and turned itself into a DVD magazine released in select stores like Fat Beats, NYC (ThundaGround vol. 1).
The showcase featured Jeru The Damaja w/Lil Dap of Group Home, Young Zee of Outsiderz w/Rah Digga of Flipmode, Lord Have Mercy, Saj Supreme, Termanology & Krumb Snatcha hosted by Poison Pen of StrongHold. This took place at The Lions Den, which was a very successul event.
The DVD (TG v.1) is a day and a life of The Souljah DJ Emmo, from producing undaground showcases, to hosting undaground radio stations, to chilling at undaground events such as The Rock Steady Crew's 29th Anniversary, 2004.
Thundaground DVD Volumes 1 has appearances by: Big Noyd, Young Zee & The Training Room, Rah Digga, Lord Have Mercy, A-Alikes, Wordsworth, Oh No, Red Clay, J Rawls, and Pumpkinhead. Vol. 2 and so on will be available asaP.
In 2006, ThundaGround had the pleasure of joining forces with VH1/Hip Hop Honors to feature more great underground superstars.
Our special guests included: K Banger/Balance Project, E:Regulah/RealaState, Why G/SplintahCell, Josiah/N.S.G., Self Suffice/RaPoets, AftahLife/Rebel Gentlemen, Jah Powaz & Mistah Blu, G.General/I.G.U. and Loer Velocity hosted by L.I.F.E.Long.
ThundaGround showcases continued in Jan. 2007 with "The Time Travel Tour" in Boston & NYC (S.O.B.s). A "Golden Era" crowd came to see YZ, Poor Righteous Teachers and X-Clan, a classic event.
In April of 2007, ThundaGround took the show on the road to Miami, Florida with Rah Digga, Homeboy Sandman and Why-G who performed at the venue Sobe Live (Miami Beach).
On November 26, 2007, Thundaground has become a weekly program television show with featured special guests, videos, events, good information and of course good music.
On Channel 76/Cablevision/OptOnline you can catch TGTV every Saturday at 12PM/NOON in North NJ covering over 47 towns including Paterson, Passaic, Clifton, Oakland, Wayne, Teaneck, Hackensack just to name a few.
TGTV is also broadcasted in the some NYC boroughs including The Bronx (on Channel 68 Mondays 10PM) and Brooklyn (on Channel 67 Fridays 1PM).
Now in 2008, ThundaGround will launch the TGonline, a monthly online magazine which explores the world of cultures, community issues, genres, music, entertainment and whatever we feel is worth discussing. We have a staff of writers, trendsetters, artists who's ready to start.
This online magazine source will
include REVIEWS - albums, mixtapes, movies, books, documentaries, events & video games, ARTICLES - good information we will inform you on. Not too many celebrity news or gossip over here. INTERVIEWS - featured artists and others who've been interviewed by TGTV. AUDIO - selected tracks we're currently listening to & VIDEO - selected videos we're checking out. Occasionally we'll have CONTEST GIVE-AWAYS.
"Where Da Ladies At" is a special theme ThundaGround brought forth in 2007 & 2008, which is dedicated to the females of hip hop (artists and behind the scenes execs). We had the pleasure of interviewing LinQue, Bahamadia, Kristi Clifford, Zenobia Simmons, Yejide The Night Queen, DJ Chela, Nemiss & Tachelle Wilkes for special episodes geared towards Womens' History Month during the month of March. We also released a mixtape entitled "Where Da Ladies At?" hosted by Rah Digga. We will stick with this theme so talented and business minded ladies please don't hesitate to get at us now.
If you would like to submit material (cds, vinyl, videos, dvds, mp3's) for future "Thundaground" mixtapes, DVDs, TV show, special projects,
etc. please send to:
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