THE AUSTIN CHRONICLE REVIEW FOR THE SAVANT ALBUM

Mirage
The Savant Album (MelodicScience Recordings)

When Mirage posits "I don't get bitter, I get better," it's no empty boast. The fourth album from the local '23 griot is a marked leap from 2007's M.I.R.A.G.E. Buoyed by less-is-more beats that prove a perfect pairing for the MC's conversational flow, this chronicle of daily grind comes with lots of help from the Austin underground. Handling most of the production on his own, Mirage reps for grown folks on the silky syllables of "Linen" and gets so fresh and so clean on "Smell Good," trading personal hygiene tips with Pimpin Pen. Rochelle Terrell lends hazy floetry to "Luv," while Mirage street preaches with fellow members of the Guud (Trashman, Young Nick, Blacc Goliath) on "I Hustle." Simmering with Cee Lo soul food, "So Tired" whips up another tasty treat that helps make The Savant Album Mirage's most consistent and satisfying offering yet.


By Thomas Fawcett, Fri., Feb. 25, 2011

FOUNDING FATHER OF HIP HOP: DJ KOOL HERC NEEDS OUR HELP

DJ Kool Herc, the father of Hip-Hop, is in need of surgery and is seeking financial help due to a lack of health insurance. DJ Premier announced Herc’s hospitalization and financial woes on his Live From HeadQcourterz SIRIUS satellite radio show this weekend and the news quickly spread via Twitter, Hip-Hop sites and blogs.

Herc, born Clive Campbell, came to prominence in the late 70’s DJ’ing parties throughout the South Bronx. Herc’s deep crates and eclectic mix of records (Funk, Latin, Jazz, etc.) are credited for sparking what we know as Hip-Hop today. Taking two of the same record, Herc would isolate and extend popular segments of recordings, which became known as “breaks.” A party he threw for his sister Cindy Campbell on August 11, 1973 at 1520 Sedgwick Ave in the Bronx is credited as the day Hip-Hop was born.

Along with Grandmaster Flash and Afrika Bambaataa, the trio is considered the creators of Hip-Hop music and culture. However, unlike his two aforementioned peers, Herc never went on to record music as an artist. In 1977, Herc was stabbed at a party and fell back from the Hip-Hop scene. In ensuing years he also developed a drub habit.

In more recent years, a drug free Herc has rekindled his presence—he’s a fixture at major Hip-Hop shows in NYC—but unfortunately, unlike the millionaires that Hip-Hop has spawned, he never reaped the financial rewards of his creation. Though plenty of artists pay homage to Herc, props don’t pay medical bills.

Although DJ Premier stated that Herc was very sick and is in need of surgery, the exact nature of the Hip-Hop founder’s illness has yet to be revealed. DJ Tony Touch revealed via Twitter that he had spoken to Herc and plans to host a benefit on for him on Tuesday (February 1) at Sutra in New York City.

Donations to Kool Herc can be sent to: Kool Herc Productions PO Box 20472 Huntington Station, NY 11746 or paypal cindycampbell1@aol.com.

Send your well wishes to the godfather of rap here or tweet us at @MTVRapFix.

A SHORT CONVERSATION WITH CLEMITIS OF MSG CREW (EPISODE 1)

THIS IS THE FIRST INSTALLMENT OF "THE SHORT CONVERSATION" SERIES THAT I AM RUNNING ON MY BLOG WWW.SOULOFFERING.BLOGSPOT.COM LOOK FORWARD TO MANY UPDATES COMING SOON

MIRAGE & KAIZEN LIVE FROM THE SCOOT INN 2010

THIS IS A SONG CALLED GOLD MEDAL THAT IS GOING TO BE ON MY MAN ARSON OPTICS NEXT SOLO ALBUM, IT FEATURES MIRAGE AND KAIZEN. IT IS A BOUNCY BANGER 4 SURE ENJOY!!!!!!!

OPEN LETTER TO HIP HOP BY CHUCK D

Chuck D:

I really don't know what constitutes for "relevant" coverage in HIP-HOP news in America these days, but I really want to give you all a heads up. As you know I've been through three passports, 76 countries on the regular in the name of Hip-Hop since 1987 and in 2010, although I've never stopped traveling the earth this year, I've seen, heard and felt some new things.

As far as RAP and HIP-HOP, it's like USA Olympic basketball, the world has parity now and have surpassed the USA in ALL of the basic fundamentals of HIP-HOP - TURNTABLISM, BREAKING, GRAFFITI, and now EMCEEING with succinct mission , meaning and skill. Skill-wise rappers spitting three languages, have created super rappers to move the crowd with intensity and passion. The "arrogant" American comes in blackface, but if there was a HIP-HOP or Rap Olympics, I really don't think the United States would get Gold, Silver or Brass or even ass for that sake.

Personally, Public Enemy has been setting records in a record book that doesn't really exist. The 20th year anniversary of FEAR OF A BLACK PLANET has become into a year and a half celebration of eights legs and five continents. All the while, looking at a HIP-HOP Planet across 25 countries while still somewhat supportive of American rap, the rest of the world has surpassed the U.S. in skill, in fundamentals and commitment to their communities. Public Enemy's mission is to set the path, pave the road for cats to do their thing for a long time as long as they do it right.

Because of the lack of support from local radio, television and community in the United States, the ability for "local" acts to thrive in their own radius has killed the ability to connect and grow into a proper development as a performer, entertainer and artist. Rappers trying to get put on to a national contract hustle from a NEW YORK or LOS ANGELES corporation has caused the art-form to atrophy from the bottom, while never getting signed to a top echelon that really doesn't exist, but to a very few.

HIP-HOP NEWS spreads like any other mainstream NEWS in America. The garbage that's unfit to print has now floated on websites and blogs like sh*t. For example a rapper working in the community gets obscured while if that same rapper robbed a gas station he'd get top coverage and be label a "rapper" while getting his upcoming or current music somewhat put on blast, regardless of its quality which of course is subjective like any other art. RAP sites and blogs are mimicking the New York POST.

This is not mere complaint , this is truth and its coming down on Americans like rain without a raincoat with cats screaming how they ain't wet. This is real. The other night upon finishing groundbreaking concert performances in Johannesburg we followed a special free concert in Soweto. To make a point that our agenda was to "show? and encourage the Hip-Hop community to be comfortable in its mind and skin without chasing valueless Amerikkkan values.

Never have so many been pimped by so few.

It does the people of the planet little good to hear that an an artist is famous and rich, will wear expensive jewelry straight from the mines, show it off, stay it the hotel, ride in limos, do the VIP with chilled champagne in the clubs, ape and monkey the chicks (meaning not even talking) and keep the dudes away with slave paid bodyguards when real people come close. The mimic of the VIACOM-sanctioned video has run tired, because it shows off, does NOT inspire and it says NOTHING.

Here in South Africa PUBLIC ENEMY has done crucial groundbreaking performances. Its the same level of smashing the house that we've done this year in Moscow, New York, Paris, London , Chicago and other places this year. This is not news We are not trying to prove any point other than to show that a classic work is timeless and doesn't have a demographic per se. The Rolling Stones and U2 are NOT measured by mere tracks' they are measured by the all-around event they present. The art of the performance has left Hip-Hop whereas somebody has led artists to do more performing off the stage than on it. The agenda here is to create artist exchange

This serves as a call to the infrastructure-less Hip-Hop game in Amerikkka. We know what your hustle is, but what is your work and job here? Faking it until making it runs its course in a recession, which is a depression for Black folks who increasingly are becoming more skill-less as they become jobless.

Never have so many been pimped by so few.

Since the music has so much power, and image has become everything to the point that it can dictate the direction of a person in their life, it is my mission now to really become a "freedom fighter" and stop this radiation. With Jay-Z and others who, for years would faint their worth, the statement of "with great power comes great responsibility," is more true. Words are powerful and they can both start wars and bring peace. This cannot be taken lightly. Its important for the words to be body with the community. If not one dime of $250 million doesn't benefit the people who contribute to it then why does that warrant coverage above the will and effort of many in the music who have done great things.

Never have so many been pimped by so few.

I turned 50 this year. Everyday I get the question whats up with Hip-Hop today. If nothing was wrong the question wouldn't be the dominating question I get. I do massive interviews worldwide. I'm covered from varied aspects Hip-Hop, Public Enemy, social issues, musicology in general. So, my interactive world dialogue is deeper and more present than 140 characters.

Never have so many been pimped by so few.

I am tired of the silence of people that know better. There is nothing worse than a person that knows better and does worse. Or says nothing.

And makes excuses for bulls**t.

You know damn well HIP-HOP in the USA has fell way the f**k off as the American dollar and much of America itself. Held up and dictated by White business lawyers, accountants in New York, and Los Angeles offices.

To dictate to a community and not even live or be with the people is offensive. VIACOMs reach into Africa to turn HIP-HOP in to Amerfrica, which is as exploitative as those slave-makers who carried us across on boats. The decisions made in a boardroom in New York City while these cats scurry to their high rises, and suburban mansions from cultural profiteering must stop. And I'm going to do something about it.

Never have so many been pimped by so few.

My agenda of Hip-Hop around the world is in line with its creators, who followed Black Music. The music had the people's back. It has never been my personal agenda. Americans arrogantly have no back. Hip-Hop has followed this. I am disturbed by the fact that I tell artists that doing work in their community will get them little or no buzz for their effort, but in the same sense if they robbed or shot someone or did a bid they would get national and sometimes international attention.

Never have so many been pimped by so few.

So many of your favorite people suck up to the NBA and NFL, because it has order and when you make the game look bad David Stern or Robert Goddell is kicking their asses out . They are the indisputable HWIC, and negroes are in line and silenced. But here in Hip-Hop the dysfunctionality reward makes the money that puts food on many tables.

Its time, because I hear too many excuses. I wont allow what's in the USA f**k up what I and others worked hard to instill. I drive a '94 Montero, a '97 Acura, and have no expensive jewelry. There is nothing on this planet materially that is better than myself. This is what I instill in many doing Hip-Hop that nothing is greater than what is given. These games of people doing anything to get things has seeped into my way so therefore witness some radical virtual things coming from me in protecting the art-form of Hip-Hop.

Never have so many been pimped by so few.

So, I'm going after the few.

I'm tired of it.





I HAVE ALWAYS HAD THIS HEALTY RESPECT AND A TAD BIT OF FEAR OF CHUCK D. I REMEMBER THE FIRST TIME I SAW PUBLIC ENEMY LIVE IN CONCERT IN 1987, I WAS 13 AND IT WAS ON THE RUNS HOUSE TOUR (AUSTIN TEXAS) THE S1Ws CAME OUT WITH UZI's CHUCK WAS GOIN HARD ON THE MIC SOUNDING LIKE MY DAD OR AN UNCLE GIVING YOU A GOOD WORD IN A TOUGH WAY. IT WAS TRULY WHAT WAS AND IS NEEDED IN HIP HOP. I WAS VERY FORTUNATE TO BE ABLE TO HAVE A CONVERSATION WITH CHUCK D AND I WILL NEVER FORGET IT. HE WAS PLAYING THE SOUNDTRACK TO A VERY POPULAR MOVIE AT THE TIME CALLED "COLORS", I REMEMBER HIM PLAYING THE MUSIC AND ASKING ME IF I LIKED THE SONGS AND I LOVED THAT SOUNDTRACK I HAD BEEN PLAYING IT FOR ABOUT 2 MONTHS AT THAT TIME. I GOT SO MUCH GAME FROM CHUCK THAT DAY ABOUT THE HIP HOP INDUSTRY AS WELL AS LIFE IN GENERAL. IM GLAD THAT CHUCK WROTE THIS LETTER IT SEEMS TO BE THE ROLE THAT CHUCK PLAYS IN HIP HOP HE IS TRULY AN O.G OF THIS SHIT AND DESERVES THE ULTIMATE RESPECT.I AM VERY GLAD THAT THE MAJOR HIP HOP ONLINE OUTLETS HAVE CHOSEN TO PUSH THIS OUT TO THE PUBLIC. SO PLEASE PUT THIS ON YA FB, TWITTER, AND ANY OTHER SOCIAL OUTLET THAT YOU ARE A PART OF

R.I.P TO THE QUEEN OF IVORY SOUL TEENA MARIE

You know i always had a special place in my heart for Teena Marie, I keep a cd with "Square Biz" on it. I used to think she was kool when i was younger, id think to myself "this white lady is so soulful" I actually thought she was black till i saw the "Lovergirl" video (im a 70's baby raised in the 80's). I have to say that "Portuguese Love" is my favorite song by her with Square Biz as a close second maybe even 1.5 lol she will be very missed. Here is her spitting some truth


R.I.P 12-26-2010

MIRAGE THE SAVANT ALBUM: WHAT THE PEOPLE ARE SAYING

In-case you dont know I (MIRAGE) have recently released my latest album called The Savant on November 22nd. The Savant is a very special project for me because out of the 5 solo albums and the group album I have with my group The Guud, I have had the most input on this one. I actually produced 70% of this album. Thats big for me because I just started making beats in 2008 and im still pretty guarded on letting the world hear them. This album is almost like my first album in my mind. Anyway here are some early reviews that I have recieved thus far. I will be adding more to this post as time goes on.



YOU CAN BUY IT ONLINE RIGHT NOW @ WWW.REVERBNATION.COM/MIRAGE512 (CHECK MY STORE)



C. SMITH

I have to say that listening to this album made me very angry, why are you not bigger? Your sound and post production is very professional and tight. You present a positive message through out the album. You have a sound that while original and experimental is still very radio friendly.

I have listened to this album at least 14 times since I got it a week ago. It is in my car on repeat, so I hear it every time I get in my car.

Generally I have an issue with intros to albums, they always seam pretentious, but even that worked for me.

I don't want you to think I am blowing smoke up your butt, if I had anything really bad to say you can believe I damn well would, but there isn't anything glaringly bad on this album. The only thing I have an issue with, and it is a small one, is the vocal in the background on SMELL GOOD, "Mister Miagi on some bar number 9." the "On" in the middle seams like it may be just a smidgen off beat. I noticed it as a drummer but I had to listen 3 times to figure it out so it is really really close.

I liked the way you included others on your album, it made it feel like the album is part of a community and not just a "ME, ME, Me" presentation to the world.

I know most of this sounds cheesy, but that is who I am.






D. PARNES
Like a great baseball hitter, Mirage uses the whole field. In The Savant Album, Mirage uses complex sounds to back up a smooth voice. I’m a metal fan, but ya gotta appreciate how he uses (in track 3, "If you Believe") keyboards, xylophone, and bongos in the same tune!


HERES THE VIRAL VIDEO AND THE COMMERCIAL

My Thoughts on Mothers, Sons, Love & Addiction

by KILLER MIKE

That B.B. King lyric cuts deep! I grew up in the crack era. I grew up in the actual crack era, not the one you always hear rappers rap about where they were all rich and knew Pablo, Papi, Hector or some other random Spanish name that fits to make the bar rhyme.

Bullshit, BTW.

I grew up watching men and women fall from descent, working viable people to zombie-like shells of themselves. I watched TV as former President Reagan and his self-righteous wife said, “Just say no,” and created the false “drug war” that was really just a war on Black boys and men, the poor and the addicted.

In the “trap” we called these unlucky people who suffered from the illness of addiction J’s (short for junkies). As the CIA and Reagan’s man Oliver North allowed cocaine in the US (Iran-Contra), unskilled and skilled labor jobs left the country and cocaine became the alternative economy for urban areas. Little boys became household breadwinners and lots of mothers became addicts.

Within these children, deep-seated cynicism began to creep in and fester like a cancer. The drugs that turned once decent folks into desperate sick addicts, willing to sacrifice what dignity they had in exchange for a drug, had a parallel effect on the community; it turned sellers into cynics void of compassion and sympathy. The same family members you loved and would give you school money were now shells of their former selves.

I connected with Jay-Z’s music more because of a story he shared about his shooting brother on “You Must Love Me.” Whenever I listened, I remember having my “bomb” (package of rocks) stolen by a dear family friend, Eric. I can still smell the gasoline-filled bottles I prepared as I sat at the stop sign waiting for the lights to go out in Eric’s mother’s house. I remember seeing his mom and her live-in, mentally-challenged boarders and him go in the house.

I remember Rodney “J,” a good and decent man once, now sadly just a “J” walking up and asking me for a sack. I remember the puzzled look on his face when he said, “Fat boi, what’s wrong? Why you ain’t smiling? You’re always smiling.”

Then, I remember the look as he noticed the smell of gas and saw the four freshly filled bottles with gas and sugar in them and realized I wanted PAY BACK! I saw a sadness in him like none I had ever seen from him. He had known Eric had stolen from me and he knew I was gonna get pay back.

Rodney, in that moment, dropped the “J” and was just an older Black man schooling an angry and misguided child. With all the moral fortitude he could muster he sternly said, “Fat Boi, what are you doing, man? Son, you cannot do that.”

He told me there are innocent folks in there, and he reminded me that he, Eric and even my mom were sick. They all had the same disease and one day I will look back at this and it will not be as important. He was right. That moment is below petty, and I was just a stupid, angry kid about to throw my life away for 2k in drugs!

I wish I could say that after Rodney took the cocktails and high tailed it, all was good and I learned my lesson and became a better me. I didn’t. After Rodney took the gas-filled glass grenades, I waited on Eric for two days, I caught him, and I beat him up pretty badly. I dragged him the front yard for the neighborhood to see, and I wanted every “J” to know you cannot steal from me. I wanted the other dealers to see you will not take advantage of me. I did it in my mom’s front yard because I knew, somewhere deep in me, she was involved. Her addiction had made her party to this theft. I knew that I could not hit her, so I punished Eric with all the 18-year-old strength I had.

I sent him away to DeKalb Medical broken and bleeding.

I left my humanity there in that yard alongside his blood. I left my sympathy and compassion there, I abandoned my humanity. I killed part of me that day. I killed the boy that loved and trusted his mother. I killed lil’ Michael who always honored Denise because I knew her addiction and bipolar disorder would be the death of her and possibly me if I didn’t.

I am glad for the time God gave me a healthy, honorable and engaging mother, even if it was only a few short years. I hope one day my mother’s mental illness and the illness of disease will loose her from their vise grip, but my self-defense is cynicism and in reality I doubt it. I guess what I’m saying is I accept her. I know she is broken and will more than likely die because her kidneys have failed and she now lives only because of dialysis due to years of drug abuse and hard living.

But she’s mine.

She is the mother I was given and I’m thankful for her regardless. She’s my mother. She died for a few minutes while having me at 16, and she says something of her got left on the other side, and all the goodness she had left she put in me. So I’m fighting, girl, I’m fighting to foster that good and retain my humanity. It’s hard but I’mma do this. I have to for her grandchildren, my children. I have to be fully open to all emotions for them.

I cannot blame these folk for being fun-loving partiers; they like the current users of X, oxy, syrup, etc. They had no idea what kind or turmoil cocaine and crack would do. Cocaine was an atomic bomb that wiped away our collective moral compass. If they were able to see face-to-face 20 years ahead, maybe they would have opted out of the 80s/90s party scene. Maybe women like my mom, young business owners/mothers would have put a lot more time into their biz and kids, less into their friends and the social scene. Maybe, just maybe, my life and the lives of countless other early 30s folk would be different.

We used to watch The Cosby Show and envy those kids with two parents, dinners together, money without crime, fun without drugs. I am determined to forgive my mother for leading a wasteful life and get back on the path of good with her. I am more determined to be a whole human being for Malik, Aniyah, Pony Boy and Michael.

Kids of the ‘80s and ‘90s, it’s time to forgive and let go.

We have to be what our generation’s adults were not. We gotta be more like the Cosby’s and less like us rappers. We have to reclaim our humanity by releasing this hate that is in us and being open to love. Love your people—imperfections and all. I forgive my mother, not for hurting me or my sisters and her own mom and dad, I forgive her for hurting herself. I know she’s still sick, I know it will probably be the death of her. I know she has betrayed me many times, but I also know she loves me… and she ain’t jiving… she’s just sick. In honor of mothers and sons everywhere, people fighting with addictions keep fighting. You can win!

It’s Bigga.

Fin!

Chrisette Michele Denounces Hip-Hop, Rick Ross' Actions

TAKEN FROM ALLHIPHOP.COM EDITORIALS

After the "Soul Train Awards," Rick Ross didn't win and apparently caused enough ruckus. Such a ruckus it was, Chrisette Michele wrote a blog devoted to Hip-Hop and her collaborator Ross. The blog entry is below.


If this is the way hip hop is then I denounce it.

This is not about ego. This is about what I can bring to the world. My life is for the people. I live to give.

It’s my desire to bring life and freedom light and love everywhere I go. Upward mobility in the brown skinned community.

Who stands off at an award show because they don’t win? An award is winning at being as “stuck in a category” as possible. Congratulations to all the trophy holders who won at being the most like every one else.

I could have sworn hip hop was on the come up. But apparently rapping is about venting, bashing, chauvinistic pigging, and EGO. Not cool. Don’t LET me start rapping. (album in stores november 30th)

They say…I’m ecclectic. I’m underrated. I’m different. Well If I win an award it’s because I paved a way. Every award I’ve won was new in it’s category. You know why? Because I’m amazing at being my damn self.

Grammy - best alternative R&B song Centric award - Soul Approved Etc.

Have u even heard of those categories? Nope. But guess what? You ain’t never seen another me. And u never will. No ego here. Why? Because it’s none needed. My award is waking up every morning and CAKING off of what I believe in by the grace of God.

LET FREEDOM REIGN - in stores NOVEMBER 30th. Go pick that up.

Maybe I’ll call my 4th album “winners : just like every body else” maybe not.

I pray with every song I sing Im singing from the bottom of my heart. If all we want is an award for telling our truths, then we really have no true reason. This isn’t a competition. This is a stage for self expression and I’m grateful for the opportunity to live on it. I’d sing even if nobody sang along.

-from the bottom of my disappointed heart. Hip Hop… Man up. I wanted to be supportive but I can’t understand you. I believed in you… But apparently you’re so high you can’t even see what the world needs.

Is all hip hop like that? Absolutely not! But some of it certainly is. Let me spit a few bars. I’m not that kinda hip hop. I rep hip hop too. But not that kinda ego trippin foolery.

Chrisette Michele - the girl on that Aston Martin Music record…

_______________________________________________________________________________
As a grown man I feel what Chrisette is saying in this editorial, sometimes my beloved hip hop looks like a Boondocks episode. As an emcee and afficianado I feel like maybe Chrisette could have taken brother Rick Ross aside and maybe said something in his ear. Hip Hop takes a beating in the press and I kinda feel like we need to handle our problems in house. Also as a emcee I understand the ego that you have to have and keep in control as a hip hop artist I also understand that sometime that can kinda bleed over into issues like this.

THE GUUD (LIVE FROM THE ACES LOUNGE 2010)