Maimouna Youssef's New Video "I Got a Man"

Liberated Muse member Diallo Sumbry, founder of The Adinkra Group, has been managing Grammy-nominated singer/rapper Maimouna Youssef since 2009, supporting the young entertainer in crafting an independent music career that is not dependent on traditional gimmicks to attract new listeners appreciative of good music. Since the release of her new CD The Blooming, Maimouna Youssef has presented work that is not only sonically beautiful, but inclusive of many music genres-- from jazz and hip-hop to blues and reggae. In her first video release from The Blooming, “I Got A Man”, she approaches the song’s love triangle theme from a unique perspective showing Maimouna Youssef as an embattled independent music artist searching for a balance between the music business and her love for creating free honest music. Check the video out and leave a comment after you're done!

Capital Hip Hop Soul: Kyonte'

Soul-singer Kyonte, based in the Washington, DC area, is primed for fame. Already touring regularly as a support vocalist for singer Raheem Devaughn, Kyonte has been amassing a following for his brand of contemporary soul that stays true to its R & B roots. But, Kyonte, is a multi-layered artist who has not only garnered attention as the show’s main attraction, but as a budding producer as well. Last year, he earned a GRAMMY nomination for his production of Devaughn’s popular anthem “Woman” and he continues to win awards locally in his hometown for his work in front of and behind the microphone. I caught up with Kyonte' while on assignment for SoulTrain.com. Check out an excerpt below from the Q & A and visit the SoulTrain.com site HERE for the full interview.

SoulTrain.com: People may not realize it, but, in addition to touring with him, you co-produced Raheem Devaughn's hit "Woman" which was nominated for a Grammy. Tell us a little about your role as a producer and some other artists you've worked with.

Kyonte: As a producer, I mainly feel that its my job to push everyone around me to the limit and beyond. Whether it’s musically or personally, I enjoy working with people that give me that energy in return.

SoulTrain.com: You are a DC-based artist, garnering a lot of attention locally as a singer and producer, but you've done a lot nationally and internationally as well. You seem to have passed the point of being an emerging artist and have really created a presence for yourself. What are some next steps you think you want to take as your career blossoms?

Kyonte: As things develop, I'm hungry to deliver great music and be the total package. For the last 6months, I've been working on developing my character and being more disciplined. I've learned over the years that your talent and ability can take you many places but its your character that will sustain you and allow you to grow and evolve into the next stages of your life and career.

SoulTrain.com: Your debut CD What's That Sound has been generating buzz, with some calling you the next big thing to come out of DC following the very-popular Raheem Devaughn. Tell us about some of the response you've been getting to your CD and a little bit about the theme of your CD.

Kyonte: First off, the theme is 831-- 8letters 3words 1meaning. It means I LOVE YOU and the EP itself deals with not just relationship type love but more so a love of living and the things that come along with it. I've received an amazing response from the CD...especially in the UK and Japan. They love me and I love them right back. Here in the states, people listen and they often ask "why aren't you signed?" I love the people so much. They give me perspective.

Read the rest of the Q & A HERE

-Khadijah "Moon" Ali-Coleman

Benevolent Media Festival for Digital Capital Week

The Benevolent Media Festival is a celebration of storytelling and design for good that takes place during Digital Capital Week in November. Tonight, they kick off a pre-festival fundraiser at Dickson Wine Bar from 6-8pm and have a kick-off celebration scheduled at The Dunes on November 4.

This first-of-its-kind, all-volunteer initiative focuses on people, organizations and projects that compel audiences to care about a cause, take action on an issue, or promote a point of view through strategic and inspiring multimedia. “Benevolent Media Creators” are invited to host and organize their own lectures, workshops, performances, networking events or other activities, located at multiple venues across the city.

For more information about the fest, read this overview. And here are other ways to get involved:

• Browse the agenda.
  
• Explore a map of events.
• Become a contributor (bloggers, photographers and videographers wanted!)
• Follow us Twitter.
  
• Be a fan on Facebook.
• Sign up for the mailing list.
• Donate
  

DC Scores Seeks Music Specialists

Kelly Miller Middle school winners with their "My Life is Free"

In 2009, I had the pleasure of working with students from Kelly Miller Middle School in DC, helping them craft poetry into songs. They performed and competed in a regional competition against other middle-schoolers, and the kids I taught won first place! The experience was great, only an hour two days a week and an opportunity to bring arts to some of the area's most at-risk youth. I recommend it for anyone who is a songwriter, musician and committed to uplifting our kids. Here is the call for artists below. Apply to the email address below. Peace, Moon

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DC SCORES builds teams through after-school programs for over 800 DC youth at 27 schools by instilling self-expression, physical fitness, and a sense of community.  For people who believe in a well-rounded childhood, DC SCORES is the quality, team-based approach providing youth with the arts, athletics, and academics that will engage, enrich, and improve their lives. DC SCORES accomplishes this in an innovative model combining poetry and spoken word, soccer, and service-learning year-round. We have worked with over 6,000 students since our founding in 1994 and we aim to serve EVERY child in the District deserving of a team who does not have one. DC SCORES is an affiliate of America SCORES, with organizations in 14 cities.

This season our young people have been led by their writing coaches (teachers) through a curriculum filled with poetry and song writing lessons.  As a music specialist you will be assisting them as they turn their writing into three group performance pieces to be performed at our city-wide Poetry Slam! November 30^th and December 1^st.   

Responsibilities & Duties

• Lead eight- 60 minute sessions with middle school students.
• Collaborate with DC SCORES staff and coaches to implement the program and supervise students.
• Plan and conduct song writing workshops with students using their songs/poems already written to create three polished performance pieces.
• Provide opportunities for each student to demonstrate work and have a part/voice in the performance.
• Bring or create the music for the performance pieces.
• Collaborate with DC SCORES coaches to prepare students to perform their music at the Poetry Slam!.

·      Provide DC SCORES with a verbal/written summary of each session, a copy of students work, and a copy of the music on a CD.

·      Provide DC SCORES with a background check and TB test prior to October 13^th.

Dates of Employment:

October 18th – November 18^th, 2011

Location(s)/Days/Times (choose one): 

All sessions are from 3:45 – 4:45pm

• Cesar Chavez PCS-Parkside Campus – Tuesdays and Thursdays
• Lincoln Middle School – Mondays and Wednesdays
• Johnson Middle School – Mondays and Wednesdays
• Kelly Miller Middle School – Tuesdays and Thursdays
• MacFarland middle School – Mondays and Wednesdays
• Oyster-Adams Bilingual School – Mondays and Wednesdays

Compensation: The Music Specialist will be paid $50 per session and an additional $100 for the performance of the three students’ songs. 

If you are interested in applying or learning more contact Katrina Hochstetler, Program Director, at khochstetler@americascores.org. 

On Liberated Muse This Week of October 10

Our Community Poem is Another Winner

Our third community poem didn't have more than two participants this time round, but, it was destined to be a poem of sweet and short brilliance that there is no complaint here. Regular contributors Chenyelu Bomani and Jimmy DiLorenzo created this poem I named "Complete Beauty":

Almond shaped eyes
kissed,
by shades of amber glazed sunsets.
A realization that she is not the voice in her head,
but, rather,
the one who recognizes the voice,
quiets her mind.
The setting sun warms her face
and a feeling of completness engulfs her very being.

Our Community Bloggers Have New Posts Up!

Our Liberated Muse members are an assortment of creatives and bloggers who have an array of new topics to discuss in this week's posts:

Alan King posted "Review of Rachel Eliza Griffith's 'Mule and Pear'"
Chenyelu Bomani "Gem Stones"

New Photos in the Gallery

Liberated Muse member DC's Own Entertainment Company uploaded photos from the recent event "The Revival". Visit their page to see the photos and to read a review of this ground-breaking event. Be sure to also view other photos members have posted in the gallery and add your own!



Meet Our Member of the Month: Nathan Seven Scott

Our October Member of the Month  is a motivational speaker, life coach and new author. Visit our main page to read more about our member of the month, Nathan Seven Scott and learn how you can order his new book that was released on Oct. 7.


We Are Looking For Sponsors for Our "In Her Words" Series

Contact us at LiberatedMuseProductions@gmail.com to learn more about the series and how you can become a sponsor.

Is It a Dumb Thing Choosing An Artist's Life?

While many are protesting across the country in spin-offs of the #occupywallstreet movement in New York, one artist, JD Samson, shares her personal story of what not having money during these times means to her and in a poignant "coming out" essay, she admits that she is done with trying to keep up with her peers while times are tight.

Check out her story here on Huffington Post and leave a comment letting us know if if you dig what she's saying here in our forum.