Support the Prince-ly Philanthropist: BUY INDIE TODAY

I admittedley start my work day by getting on Facebook to get a whiff of what folks are talking about and this note posted by hip-hop journalist Davey D was something share-worthy. I picked up my Target-sold Prince CD this past week and really enjoy it. What is so impressive is how he uses his celebrity to promote his label artists, giving them an opportunity to be heard.

Check out the story below.
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TAVIS SAYS PLEASE GIVE PRINCE SOME LOVE:
Smiley urges support for singer's new album following generous donation.
(April 8, 2009)

*Tavis Smiley sent a thank you letter to folks who attended the 10th anniversary celebrations of his State of the Black Union, as well as the Gospel Brunch and Prince concert in Los Angeles held to benefit the Tavis Smiley Foundation.

While informing supporters that the recent fund-raising efforts have brought in almost $225,000 to fund the development of young leaders, Smiley made a point to single out Prince for donating proceeds from his Feb. 28 show at The Conga Room to the cause.

Smiley wrote:

As is common for some philanthropic individuals who donate to charitable and worthy causes, Prince is one of those people who won’t tout his contributions. He just doesn’t do it. He gives to give. In our case, Prince not only donated his time but covered all expenses for the show and mysteriously enough we received another donation matching dollar-for-dollar the six-figure concert proceeds. Guess who?

By now you may know that he has released a new phenomenal 3-CD set, "LotusFlow3r," which showcases yet again his musical genius. The CD is available exclusively through Target stores nationwide and retails for $11.98 and is slated to reach No. 1 in record sales this week.

Because Prince has carved a creative niche for himself to own his music and to market directly to the public, this project does not have the traditional support of radio or a record label. Hence, you may have not heard any of the CD tracks on your local radio stations. But these circumstances should not prevent the public from hearing about or accessing the work of an artist who is perhaps the greatest of our time.

So I’m asking you as our friends to take a minute to check out his CD for yourself at a Target store or visit Target online at http://www.target.com.

And in addition, later this month Prince is scheduled to be a guest on my television show on PBS to discuss his CD and the challenges facing independent music artists pursuing their right to self-determination. Prince has given to our youth and I need your help to give a little back to him.

Thank you again for your support and for your consideration.
Keep the Faith!

Tavis Smiley

Indie Label Snatches Up DC Grammy Nominee, Kokayi (That Rhymes. Cool)

New York City Independent hip hop label, QN5 Music, has signed Washington, DC’s Grammy-nominated emcee/singer/producer, Kokayi, to its official stable of innovative artists and producers. Pronounced “Ko-Kah-Yee” (or KOKE for short), this 202-native takes his name from the Swahili word meaning “to summon the people”.

Musically self-sufficient and versatile in ways that the QN5 roster is known for, he produces his own music, writes his own rhymes, sings from the gut and is self-taught on several instruments. A prime example of QN5’s New Hip Hop aesthetic, Kokayi joins the label as an in-house producer and artist who will release the sophomore follow-up to his independently released 2007 debut Mass Instructions.

On his own, he’s already managed to tour the world and snag the aforementioned Grammy nod for Best Urban/Alternative Performance for his collaboration with vocalist Wayna. What’s equally impressive, is his prolific output. Kokayi is keeping busy on multiple fronts with appearances on forthcoming QN5-releases as well as several side-projects already in the works – including a joint-project with producer Sharkey entitled Dastardly and a full-length project with his Afropunk band, The Caesarz.

"Honestly I pour everything out on a song. It allows me to free myself from any inhibitions,” Kokayi says of his approach to music. “If I can move people that say they don’t like hip hop, than I know my job is done.”

“I’ve always been extremely proud of the roster I’ve assembled under the QN5 banner and I’m highly selective of who we work with – but when I heard Kokayi’s Mass Instructions album, I was floored,” says QN5 label founder, Tonedeff. “This is a cat who seamlessly blends genres without so much as flinching and brings his own unique sound, slang and vibe to the table. His talent won’t allow him to play by the rules, so QN5 is definitely the perfect place for him.”

Also on the QN5 label is hip-hop sensation Substantial, currently on a European tour. Substantial is a featured performer in the 2009 Capital Hip Hop Soul Fest, a Liberated Muse Production.

April Celebrates Jazz & Poetry

(in photo: Poet Saul Williams)

Jazz Appreciation Month is every April.

Jazz is a primarily American musical art form which originated at the beginning of the 20th century in African American communities in the Southern United States from a confluence of African and European music traditions. The style's West African pedigree is evident in its use of blue notes, improvisation, polyrhythms, syncopation, and the swung note.[1]
From its early development until the present, jazz has also incorporated music from 19th and 20th century American popular music.[2] The word jazz began as a West Coast slang term of uncertain derivation and was first used to refer to music in Chicago in about 1915.

Jazz has, from its early 20th century inception, spawned a variety of subgenres, from New Orleans Dixieland dating from the early 1910s, big band-style swing from the 1930s and 1940s, bebop from the mid-1940s, a variety of Latin jazz fusions such as Afro-Cuban and Brazilian jazz from the 1950s and 1960s, jazz-rock fusion from the 1970s and late 1980s developments such as acid jazz, which blended jazz influences into funk and hip-hop.

As the music has spread around the world it has drawn on local national and regional musical cultures, its aesthetics being adapted to its varied environments and giving rise to many distinctive styles.

How poetic then that Jazz Appreciation shares the same month with the celebration of Poetry. Inaugurated by the Academy of American Poets in 1996, National Poetry Month is now held every April, when publishers, booksellers, literary organizations, libraries, schools and poets around the country band together to celebrate poetry and its vital place in American culture. Thousands of businesses and non-profit organizations participate through readings, festivals, book displays, workshops, and other events.

Celebrate this month by becoming a member of http://www.liberatedmuse.com/ and joining our group Poets with Promise and share your love of poetry through a share of your art.

A Tickler: A Sneak Peek At Some of the Featured Performers @ the 2009 Capital Hip Hop Soul Fest

The 2009 Capital Hip Hop Soul Fest will announce next week all of the main acts to grace the stage at the premiere outdoors summer festival which will take place on Saturday, July 25 in Washington DC's Marvin Gaye Park. Here is a sneak peek at some of the slated acts:

Substantial


Substantial is back again this year after rocking the mic in 2008. This MC is top notch talent and is currently on tour in Europe.

The 5th L



Socially-conscious and lyrically gifted, this group, a staple of Baltimore culture will grace the stage representing the unity of artists up and the down the beltway.

The Infinite Soul Music Family


Last year, Infinite Soul Music first lady Anonamas graced the stage at the debut of the Capital Hip Hop Soul Fest. She is back, this time with her boys, representing true hip hop of DC.

Teisha Marie

Bringing all of her loveliness to the Capital Hip Hop Soul Fest, Teisha Marie is a DC Princess amassing fans to claim her Queendom. This is one of our favorite videos. Period.

Stay tuned for the full roster...

Marvin Gaye Has His "Way" in Washington DC

Oh Marvin, oh how we love thee.

Marvin Gaye will immortalized on the streets of Washington DC. Celebrating his life, not his death, the Ward 7 area of Washington DC-- Marvin Gaye's hometown area-- had a dedication ceremony today where the 5200 block of Foote Street in Northeast Washington is now Marvin Gaye Way. This street is the street along the perimeter of the Marvin Gaye Park named after Gaye only a few years ago. Marvin Gaye, Motown's golden child known for such classic songs as "Let's Get It On", "I Heard It Through the Grapevine", "What's Going On" and dozens upon dozens of other songs was shot to death 25 years ago, the day before his April 2 birthday. His life inspired songs written and performed by such top performers as Diana Ross, Teena Marie, and Spandau Ballet.

The Marvin Gaye Park now located on Marvin Gaye Way is the site of the annual Capital Hip Hop Soul Fest which will take place this summer on Saturday, July 25, 2009. The Capital Hip Hop Soul Fest is a Liberated Muse Production. Headlining acts this summer include Bomani Armah, Head-Roc, Labtekwon, Teisha Marie and the 5th L. We are SO excited about the street's name change and will make sure folks are aware of this new landmark change. How sweet it is!

Have You Seen This Man?

All Liberated Muse'ers, we encourage you to be on the look-out for this man. He may try to add you as a friend and once you accept his friend request, he will bombard you with music from the disco era and b-side carnival tunes. He will also spam your profile with self-portraits like the one above and invite you to meet him at the local river dance show. Several members have brought him to our attention and we thought we would pass the word!

Just joking!!!

The above was just our way to get you started on your day of April Fool's Day pranks. The above caricature is actually a fun drawing of one of my favorite actors, Steve Buscemi, that was found online on this awesome blog called Chumpmonkey's Electronic Cartooniorium run by animator Don Pinsent.

Did you get pranked today and pull off a fun prank? Share with us your good ones...Happy April 1st.