2011

The story of Dee and tiny, the previously homeless, currently at-risk mother daughter art duo, and co-editors of POOR Magazine/PoorNewsNetwork is a many layered, multi-colored panopoly of poverty, struggle and myth...

I might get shot

Misunderstanding misrepresenting

Missing the point

Rolling down to LA

Car full of Kripples

Our politics, art & music we will display

Pop pop pop we might get shot

Wearing our politics on our sleeves

Goes deeper than what you can feel and see

Krip-Hop telling the story

Behind our name

Taking it back & we are not ashamed

Respecting the crips

Telling it like it is

Reclaiming what was ours in the beginning

Turning it inside out

But some will yell and shout

How we are disrespecting & pimping

From Blues to Hip-Hop honoring what got us here

Time for you to learn

Drop the guns & put your hands in the air

Krip-Hop schooling on the mic

No more fear no more staring

Educating/Advocating through music, poetry and comedy

Krip-Hop in Hollywood

On the corner in the hood

Behind a podium in LACC’s Classrooms

Fuck the fame

But we will have our own star on the Walk Of Fame

Once again, Krip-Hop goes deeper than a name

For all the Blind musicians who were ripped off

For the Latino break-dancer on crutches whom wasn’t mention in the movie Breakin

For Vernon Green who walked and sang on the streets of the Watts in the 50’s

Krip-Hop giving dues that is long over due

If you can’t understand than you must be a fool

We have no time for u we will go on doing what we do

Because it is bigger then I and you

Time for Spring Cleaning

Washing out old attitudes

Rolling down to LA in early May

Car full of Kripples

Our politics, art & music we will display

By Leroy Moore For Krip-Hop Nation’s gig in LA in May 2011

I met with John Neptune, Penobscot Tribal Council Member, and our first conversation was if I ate fiddleheads. Fiddleheads is a edible fern that grows by the water and is a traditional food of the Penobscots. I told him that I did not eat fiddleheads and only had moose meat. During this time of the year, many people have already run out of their fiddleheads as they are collected in May and then stored and ate throughout the year. 

John Neptune had a stash at his house so he invited me over for dinner to eat a traditional meal with moose meat and fiddleheads. It was awesome and tasted amazing!

He talked about the role of Tribal Council on his island, and how they are there to help out the community. He talked about the role of thinking seven generations ahead in considering decisions while on Council.

He works at the the Boys and Girls Club of the Penobscot Nation, which he started. He talks about the growth of the program which developed out of his house, and as I observed is a huge Adult Ally and Mentor to the youth there.

While there we talked about traditional food gathering, hunting, fishing as well.

It is very refreshing to meet tribal council members who think about the people first and see their position as a servant for the people instead of a politician.

The story of Dee and tiny, the previously homeless, currently at-risk mother daughter art duo, and co-editors of POOR Magazine/PoorNewsNetwork is a many layered, multi-colored panopoly of poverty, struggle and myth...

Diversifying Hip Hop-NYU 2010 Seminar
Posted by Bent Radio Jan 15th
Category: Bent Radio News
Tags: Hip Hop Homo Hop Leroy Moore NUY

The second Krip Hop/ Homo Hop seminar proved to be as informational as its first. The seminar brought together hip hop artists of the LGBT community as well as artists from the disabled hip hop community to discuss the visibility of both groups within the genre. Held at the NYU Kimmel Center for University Life, activist and founder of Krip Hop Nation Leroy Moore led the seminar with confidence and character as he presided over the event. Leroy who was born with Cerebral Palsy formed Krip Hop Nation shortly after he produced a three part series of disabled hip hop artists in conjunction with KPFA Radio in Berkeley California. Moore's quest to examine disabled artists visibility in the world of music today turned into what he called an "international project".

Unfortunately, I missed the film portion of the seminar where the Keith Jones documentary Un-Rapping Disabilities was a big topic of discussion. The seminar panel consisted of individuals representing both disabled artists and LGBT artists, who answered questions on the topic asked by the audience and Moore himself. Representing Homo Hop were Lester Greene, Soce The Elemental Wizard and activist hip hop group People With Teeth. Krip Hop panelists consisted of Kalyn from Wheelchair Sports Camp and Rob Da Noize Temple. Temple has performed and toured with the original Sugarhill Gang all across the globe. As a disabled DJ with Erb’s Palsy DJ Rob, is a veteran in the music industry of over 30 years that enlightened us all with his wisdom and experiences. The panel also spoke on the agenda of mainstream music, educating the community, their personal experiences so far during their careers, and what we as music lovers and independent artist supports can do to help our favorites become more visible in society.

Performances ended the evening and included a bit of spoken word by Moore himself. The Seminar hoped to educate, encourage, and enlighten attendees. No matter where or who it’s coming from if its good music, its good music. The seminar was a meeting of the minds, a showcase of talents, and informed us all in the words of Moore; it’s than just getting a label, its social justice.

Press Release

Issued: April 6th, Los Angeles, CA
Krip your mind and limp your style at "Putting Disability in the Mix," an event at Los Angeles City College's Tully's Cafe on Friday, May 6th at 7pm and Saturday, May 7th at 2pm. The shows and parking are free. The campus is located on Vermont Blvd. between Santa Monica and Melrose. There is a Metro Red Line stop nearby.

The show is sponsored by Krip-Hop Nation and Truth & Pain and will feature hip hop artists, poets, and comedians. It is brought to LACC by English professor Evan "Bones" Kendall who, with DC Curtis, co-authored “Truth & Pain starring the Gangsters & Retards in... The Mystique-cal Person-a of MC Cripple Crip,” a novel featuring teenagers with disabilities. The novel was discovered by Leroy Moore, the central figure in Krip-Hop Nation, an international group of performing artists with disabilities. Moore invited Curtis and Kendall to a San Francisco event in February, and now a similar show will take place in Los Angeles.

Coming from all over the state, performers will include poets Leroy Moore, Lateef McCleod, Nathan Say, King Montana, hip hop artists, Roxx Da Foxx, DJ Quad, comedian Nina G, as well as authors DC Curtis and Bones Kendall.

Celebrating the diversity of the disability community, "Putting Disability in the Mix" will make you sing, shake, and laugh with these performers, authors, and comedians of various abilities, attitudes, and attributes as they open minds and win hearts. The show is appropriate for adults and teenagers, though some explicit language may be used.

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Performer bios:

Leroy Moore - is a black, disabled writer, poet, hip-hop music lover, community activist, and feminist. For well over a decade he has worked tirelessly promoting his perspective on identity, race, and disability. A performer and lecturer, Moore is known as "The Black Cripple." He has been a guest presenter in high schools and universities across the country and in Canada, the UK, and Holland. Moore has a poetry CD entitled "Black Disabled Man with a Big Mouth & a High I.Q." He is also the creator of Krip-Hop Nation. Moore was co-host of the radio show "Pushing Limits" on KPFA. He is a consultant on race and disability, a producer, a columnist at Poor Magazine and IDEAL magazine, and is co-founder and community relations director of Sins Invalid. His upcoming book of poetry is entitled "The Black Kripple Delivers."

DC Curtis and Bones Kendall - met studying literature at UCLA. Both worked in the entertainment business for many years before becoming English teachers, DC at a high school and Bones at Los Angeles City College. They co-wrote "Truth & Pain starring the Gangsters & Retards in... The Mystique-cal Person-a of MC Cripple Crip," a novel about a group of teenagers, four from the streets and four from a home for the so-called disabled. Though not disabled themselves, they are friends and advocates for people with disabilities. Their novel challenges stereotypes and argues for a kind of inclusiveness that is not based on pity.

DJ Quad LA - At the age of sixteen, he became paralyzed after breaking his neck while diving in the ocean at Venice Beach. A few years after that he became a deejay and after initial success found himself working as a music producer. DJ Quad is the CEO of his own record label, 5h Battalion Entertainment. In addition to being a disabled hip hop artist, he is a music producer, studio engineer, graphic designer, and founder of Fifth Gear Clothing.

Lateef McCleod - A phenomenal black poet with cerebral palsy who just published his first poetry book entitled "A Declaration Of A Body Of Love" this year. He is also in process of writing a novel tentatively called "The Third Eye Is Crying." He was also a cast member of the 2007 Sins Invalid performance and this year was in another Sins Invalid performance entitled Resident Alien. He works at United Cerebral Palsy of the Golden Gate as a grant writer and blogger and for the World Institute of Disability as an intern. He has earned a BA in English from UC Berkeley and a MFA in Creative Writing from Mills College. You can gain more information about Lateef from his blogs at teefdabiggafigga.blogspot.com and ucpgg.org/lateefs-view-of-the-bay.

Nathan Say - Poet & Community Organizer found poetry by accident during a literature class he was taking. Prior to moving to San Diego, California to start a new life and dedicate large chunks of time to poetry, he worked at the University of Hawaii's Center on Disability Studies, where he was Project Coordinator of the My Voice, My Choice Project, a youth program for youth and young adults with developmental disabilities. He was also on the organizing committee for Abled Hawaii Artists/Art Enabled, Honolulu's yearly celebration of the Signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act. Nathan's first full length show is set to debut November 2011 in San Diego, California. He maintains a blog at http://www.nathansaypoetry.wordpress.com

Nina G - Bills herself as the world’s only female comedian who stutters (or at least until she finds another one). She is based in the San Francisco Bay Area and performs at comedy clubs and events. She blends a combination of humor, activism, and education about the experience of people with disabilities.

Roxx Da Foxx - An all-American singer, rapper, songwriter, model, and advocate for women against domestic violence as well for people living with disabilities. Roxane was born and raised in Los Angel

King Montana is a Hip Hop Recording Artist/Song Writer from Albuquerque, New Mexico. King Montana is first cousins with Grammy Award Winner Max Baca of Los Texmaniacs. King Montana has shared the stage with artists such as Baby Bash, Gorilla Zoe, Lil Flip, Frankie J and Zig Zag of NB Ryderz. In Feb. 2010 King Montana signed with R&D Entertainment. His new album "How I Feel" will be released and distributed by Royal Fam/R&D Ent./Bungalo/Universal Music Group Distribution. Featuring Grammy Award Winners Los Texmaniacs, Don Cisco, Philly B, Kristine Mirelle, Da Stooie Bros and more!! The first radio single is called "Call Me Up"feat. Kristine Mirelle. King Montana is also CEO/Founder of Royal Fam Records, which is his own.

The story of Dee and tiny, the previously homeless, currently at-risk mother daughter art duo, and co-editors of POOR Magazine/PoorNewsNetwork is a many layered, multi-colored panopoly of poverty, struggle and myth...

Hello Peeps,

I'll be doing a limited release of Black Kripple Delivers Krip Love Mixtape for valentine's day 2013

In 2011 I made this mixtape and since that time I added 3 new song/poems to the mixtape. I like to reintroduce you again to Krip Love Mixtape by The Black Kripple, me.; You know its about time that everybody (Especially the media) know that people with disabilities like everybody else experience sexuality, are in relationships, have sex and wants that feeling of being wanted.  This should be nothing new.  The Black Kripple Delivers Krip Love Mixtape explains some stories through poem/songs that I and many peeps with disabilities have to go through expressing their sexuality and disability in this society and in relationships.  Of course most of the poem/songs comes from my experiences as a Black disabled man expressing my sexuality and love to the public in general, other disabled brothers and sisters and of course to my girlfriend who is not disabled and not Black but has grown up in the Deaf community and is a mother of a disabled young man plus working in the disability field.

This 12 track CD has three new songs that will blow you away. The latest is Droolilicious coming up with our own language to flip the script. Stop The World is a song that wants to sneak some time alone with the one you love. My old but sexy poem, Forbidden Acts, makes taboos desirable. The three tracks joins the nine with Beautiful Kripple Angel that brings new concept by using a known image and krippling it like the notion of an angel. We have a popular image of an angel of being perfect in body.  Beautiful Kripple Angel not only gives love to disabled people but also reshapes our thinking of who can be an angel.  Red Eye is about long distance love and the desire to catch a late night plane to his lover. Poet Wants To Sing is how love makes you do things that you would not think of doing.  Being a poet some times I want to sing my poems.  You will hear I'm no Luther Vandross but I just had to do it.  Krip-Kissing once again takes something we know, Kissing and Krippling it in a hot way saying people with disabilities have their own way of kissing.  Ummm r u interested? hahaha.  I'm Beautiful, is a very old poem dedicated to Black women with disabilities and also at the same time displaying my hotness through race and disability.  Love How U Love Me is my poem/song dedicated to Darla who loves all of me including my krippleness, brown skin, my art...  Bed Time Blues is once again how long distance lovers get lonely at night when it is time for bed..  Believe me, I hate that time of day!  Tell Me & I Do It is once again a song/poem on how I want to do anything for my lady.  Red Eye is dreaming poem/song wishing I could catch a red eye to my lady.  The reason Red Eye is on there twice because the song has two different mixes one from Keith Jones an R N B sound and the other by Rob Da 'Noize Temple with a Ray Charles Blues kind of beat.

I know there are so many experiences of people with disabilities dealing with sexuality, love and relationships and I hope everybody will express their love in the way they want to.  I also hope more musicians/poets/singers express the experiences of people with disabilities in a powerful political and honest way.

I would like to thank all the music producers on this mixtape who were mostly Black disabled musicians except for Jay Williams who is not disabled:

Rob Da 'Noize Temple who really kicked some butt with music production on 5 out of 9 songs in three days.

Jay Williams who mixed and provided music to my first every poetry mixtape back in 1999 I'm Beautiful has been one of my favorite poems and the public eats it up.

Rinnessy who funked out my song for Darla, Love How U Love Me then Jay laid his touch on it by mixing it.

Keith Jones who smooth out Red Eye and Bed Time Blues

Thank u everybody!

Contact info:

Kriphopptoject@yahoo.com

Blackkrip@gmail.com

The story of Dee and tiny, the previously homeless, currently at-risk mother daughter art duo, and co-editors of POOR Magazine/PoorNewsNetwork is a many layered, multi-colored panopoly of poverty, struggle and myth...

Wampanoag Language Reclamation Project is a living proof of indigenous people bringing back their almost lost languages by any means and the resistance of linguistic domination.

El Mosquito, panhandler by day, superhero by night, speaker of over 370 lost indigenous languages and protector of all indigenous and poor peoples across Pachamama kills the drone that killed thousands of poor mothers, babies, and elders from Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Libya and Palestine.

This drone is the same drone that is well-known for allegedly killing the multi-billionaire known as Osama Bin Laden, son of a family who had ties to the Bush and Cheney Dynasty, and became the corporate rationale for the launching of hundreds of illegal and unjust wars across the globe and billion dollar contracts with private military corporations such as Blackwater and Halliburton

Before El Mosquito intervened "The Drone" (known as "the beast of Kandahar") was poised to launch yet another murderous air-strike on a small village in Pakistan which would have resulted in the death of hundreds of indigenous Pakistani farmers labeled and profiled by Corporate and Independent media as “terrorist insurgents”

El Mosquito is available for personal appearances and emergency response actions at pending evictions, foreclosure sales, gang injunction proceedings, budget genocide proposals and school closures in a poor community of color near you

El Mosquito is a revolutionary PeoplesHero created for TEAM POOR of POOR Magazine in 1998 by Eddie Camacho and Tiny (Lisa Gray-Garcia). We are currently searching  for a conscious game designer to turn TEAM POOR into an interactive game

The story of Dee and tiny, the previously homeless, currently at-risk mother daughter art duo, and co-editors of POOR Magazine/PoorNewsNetwork is a many layered, multi-colored panopoly of poverty, struggle and myth...

Once upon a time dee and tiny, mom and dad and their eleven brothers and sisters were traveling on a slightly used yaught in the Bremuda Triangle and then suddenly the yacht capsized, killing everyone but Dee and Tiny who were rescued by a Hindu Tamal Coast Guard Cutter and brought to Berkeley - where they painted shirts and sold them on the streets for 17 years and saved $780.00....

Several quixotic miracles and multiple evictions later we find Dee and Tiny somewhere in The Greater Bay Area after founding the non-profit, grassroots, arts organization POOR Magazine and the on-line magazine from virtually nothing and now because of deep and dark funding cuts in social services and foundation budgets (Post 911) they are now struggling just to keep the organization open so they can do all the amazin' education, media and art programs for poor and houseless youth and adults locally and globally ...

Scroll thru Po' Poets to view the rest of the story, parts 1-7!

1) Krip-Hop Nation (KHP) – Tell us the underground Hip-Hop in Vancouver 

Calvin “Kalvonix” Tiu- to be quite honest, I do not know of many underground Hip Hop artists in Vancouver besides the artists that are in my group/label Virus Tower Entertainment. We as a group are trying to make underground Hip Hop a place to express true emotion and as other rappers say “keep it real.” Elias Sade, a member of Virus Tower Entertainment is a great rapper, and in my opinion, better than me you can check him out at www.youtube.com/eliassademusic. I’ve honestly pay more attention to the mainstream hip hop artists, studying their strategies and techniques for success which is a good thing to do as an underground artist to get where you need to be. 

2) KHN- You and Chin Injet both have Cerebral Palsy and doing Hip-Hop.  Tell us the time you met Chin Injeti

Calvin “Kalvonix” Tiu:  Chin Injeti is a wonderful man and truly an amazing talent in the hip hop world. For me, seeing a man with the same disability as me working with artists such as Eminem and Drake is just mind blowing and he showed me that if you have a dream then you have to go for it, there is no such thing as impossible. When I met him, I was just in shock that I was in an actual recording studio where all the magic happens. I record with my laptop and a studio microphone in my bedroom so to be in an actual studio was definitely a memorable experience. I know he’s real busy, but I do hope I can come visit him again like he told me I could when I met him, haha.  He is so down to earth and normal and showed me that a disability doesn’t have to hold you back from achieving success.

3) KHN – You had a chance to perform at the Olympics tell us about that experience

Calvin “Kalvonix” Tiu: The Olympic performance is by far the greatest memory in my career as an underground hip-hop artist. I started rapping by writing rhymes in a journal and recording them on a tape recorder and then to end up on stage in front of 12 000 people, words can’t even describe how I felt. It was like a fantasy and I couldn’t believe I can actually say I have performed my own music for the 2010 Olympics. I was so nervous before the show, I couldn’t even speak but as soon as I got on stage I knew I had to put on a great performance for this is the OLYMPICS! I will never forget that experience, and when the crowd started to chant my group’s name I felt like such a superstar and I will be thinking back to that exact moment time and time again.

4) KHN -You are Philipino have you rap about both your race & disability?

Calvin “Kalvonix” Tiu: Yes my parents are both from the Philippines so even though I was born here in Vancouver, British Columbia I am very much a Filipino. I am unable to speak Tagalog, which is what my parents speak at home, but I can understand it and reply to what my parents say in English. I did a mixtape back in 2007 called “The Kalvonix Take Over” which featured many Filipino Hip Hop artists from Vancouver and California. It was a great experience working with those artists for that was my first album using the studio microphone. As for my disability, I have many songs that surround my disability. Going through school I had to deal with many bullies who always tried to bring me down which is why I started rapping in the first place. I figured that maybe if people saw that I made music, they would accept me more for not only the music I make but for who I am as a person. I was right; through music I have made many friends, some of them who I know will be with me for a very long time.

5) KHN – tell us about Access Denied

Calvin “Kalvonix” Tiu: Access Denied is a school rap group put together by High School English teacher Shane Begg. When I first got Mr.Begg as a teacher he let the class know that he used to have a rap group and if we wanted to know more about it to ask him. After class, I went up to him and told him that I make rap music myself, he then asked me right then and there to freestyle for him. I did exactly that and after spitting rhymes off the top of my head for a good 2 minutes he told me to stop and asked me if I was interested in being the new face of his group Access Denied. Prior to working with me, Access Denied has had 2 albums and then I asked my group to drop the name Virus Tower Entertainment for a while and make music under Access Denied. Access Denied is a rap group that caters to the students going through High School. We have done songs about bullying, homework, video game addiction, war, marriage, love, languages, music and more. Once I graduated high school though, it was time to hang up Access Denied for me and so did my group. Now we are back doing our own thing under my label Virus Tower Entertainment. I do thank Shane Begg for including my crew and I in Access Denied and also giving us the interview with Shaw TV and recognition from the Surrey School Board. You can check out Access Denied at www.accessdenied.me

6:  KHN - You have many mixtapes out tell us the themes of your mixtapes and how can we download them?

Calvin “Kalvonix” Tiu: To this day, I have recorded over 1000 songs. I have been making music for 6 years now and I can’t go a week without recording at least 2 songs. Because of this, I have managed to create countless mixtapes and albums. The difference between a mixtape and an album to me is, on a mixtape you can just have fun and do remixes, this then can allow to create the direction you want to go for an album. When it comes down to working on an album, there are no remixes all original beats and it basically the sounds that you want and intend to be known for. For me, because I have not yet learned to professionally create my own beats, I do use beats that my fellow crew members create and I also use beats from www.shadowville.com for no profit. Due to the fact that I have so much material on CDs, I do not put many of them online for download, I usually give my CDs on disc to friends or when I am at the mall I go around selling them. I do put a lot of my material on Facebook and You Tube for people to listen there. I also do have some albums up for download at www.mediafire.com. Check out my youtube page for songs and videos at www.youtube.com/kalvonixoftrapboyz

7) KHN - Tell us about your group and you told me that you did a Rock album tells us about that.

Calvin “Kalvonix” Tiu: My group “The Vonix Virus” aka “Virus Tower Entertainment” is basically my own little label I put together for my friends and I to create our music and have fun while we all put our ideas and creativity together. Musically, we all sound different so that is why it’s so interesting and fun to create songs with all of us adding our own individual flavor. I don’t like to consider us just a rap group, yes that is our main musical style but we like to break boundaries ad go further than just a rap verse and a chorus. This is why I created a rock album called “Redemption” and an R&B album called “A Simple Melody.” It was a fun process to quit writing rap for awhile and focus more on actual song writing, with bridges in between choruses and things like that, my crew members were all for it and we all respect all genres of music. We have many members involved in “Virus Tower Entertainment” but the main members who also were the ones involved in “Access Denied” are Kalvonix (Me), Ohwell (cousin Rowell Torres), Tiffany Santiaguel (cousin), Elias Sade (close friend), and Eesa (Teresa Icasiano, close friend, singer). 

8) KHN - You r still in schools what r u studying?

Calvin “Kalvonix” Tiu: I was a high school graduate in 2010 and now I am in my first year university. I am an English major in the aim of becoming an English teacher in the future. That is of course, if the whole rap star thing does not work out. My parents always told me, music is a competitive game and because of that you must have a back up plan. An English teacher is Kalvonix’s back up plan baby! Remember kids, school comes first! 

9) KHN -  Do you think the Hip-Hop industry is ready for Krip-Hop Nation/ Disabled Hip-Hop artists like yourself?

Calvin “Kalvonix” Tiu: I believe that in the age of Youtube and the ability to put so much of your own material online, the world should be prepared for many new artists that are going to try and take over the world. The beauty with Hip Hop is I believe that it’s an art that can be practiced by anyone, yes,  some will be stronger than others but everyone can do it. The part that separates one hip hop artist from another is the ability to flow on a track, and the ability to create punchlines and story telling throughout songs. Also, freestyling in my opinion is a major skill a hip hop artist must have to be classified as a true emcee. It’s about damn time that people with disabilities start to display the musical talent we have! Hip Hop is just the beginning.

10)  KHN – I really love the song and video, This Is Me.  Please explain this song for us?

Calvin “Kalvonix” Tiu: This Is Me is an R&B song I did about my personal struggle with Cerebral Palsy. When my parents first heard the song, they both were crying so much and couldn’t believe what they were hearing. To this day, it has become one of my most popular and most preformed songs because of the intense emotion in the song and the song’s lyrics. I mention in the song the bad days where sometimes I feel like no one cares about me, and how sometimes I want to die. I do not have many of those days anymore because I have learned to be thankful for everything that I am. I have such a wonderful family and loyal friends that are around me all the time who make me feel unstoppable. Music is just my way of proving that.

11) KHN- What is you next move in the music field?

Calvin “Kalvonix” Tiu: My next movie would be to just keep on doing what I am doing. Record as much material as possible and not forget that this has to be fun if this is the profession that I want to go into. Also, Elias and I are planning to send some of our CD’s to radio stations to hopefully get some air play. As well I am hoping to keep in touch with Chin Injeti and keep on doing shows and praying to God to hopefully catch my break one day.

12)  KHN – If u had a chance to talk to Russell Simmons or other Hip-Hop agents/artists what would you say?

Calvin “Kalvonix” Tiu: I would ask them for advice and what I should do to get where I need to be. Then, knowing me I would probably show off and start rapping on the spot for them and hand them a CD to see what they think of me.  Just like how Justin Bieber ran up to Usher to sing for him, I would probably do the same thing, we all got to start somewhere.

13)  KHN-How do you give back to your community and people with disabilities?

Calvin “Kalvonix” Tiu: I give back to my community by respecting everyone for their individual talents and trying my best to understand the world for what it really is. If you understand the world, the better chance you are to find success. As for people with disabilities, I believe that I can stand as an individual to show others who are disabled like me that you should follow your dreams and do not let a disability hold you back and get the better of you. I do realize that I am lucky and I have so much, but to everyone out there, please do not lose hope! Anyone can find success if effort is put into it. 

14)  KHN -How can people reach u?

Calvin “Kalvonix” Tiu: You can reach me through email at kalvonix_booboo@live.ca or email me through youtube at www.youtube.com/kalvonixoftrapboyz

15)  KHN -Any last words?

Calvin :Kalvonix” Tiu: Please check out my You tube page and subscribe!!! Support Krip Hop Nation and people with disabilities we gonna take over the world baby!! I guess the only thing left to say is, follow your dreams! KKKKKKK KALV-V-V-ONIX!

Greetings, I am writing in representation of those who are being held in the buildings of California's biggest money machine. Better known as prison. I must contend, I sure don't see any of that money my confinement is generating, especially not in reforming me with education.

Here behind the wall being low income people it is very rough and tumble. A majority of the convicts really do try to seek something better in their lives. The system though does not allow them to because the many cut backs in funding for prisoner reform and education has made rehabilitation obsolete. The majority gets back out into society on the same level they entered prison, only a bit more angry.

I see people come and go and come again. I have come to realize these last six years that 99 out of 100 men I come across are generally from a low income background, living in low income neighborhoods. Now they're caught up in a vicious cycle, with no end in sight. And the judge at sentencing had the audacity to call this the Department of "Corrections". I see no correction here only oppression and demoralization. This is my fourth term and I'm serving 22 years 8 months to life. I received all that time to be "corrected" and pay back my debt to society. And yet, they do not offer any "correction" courses so I can learn to better myself. They will though provide a senseless novel to read. They do not offer any job training skills so that convicts can pick up a trade and return to society as an asset, but they will give me a deck of cards to keep me busy.
 

It's pretty amazing when I hear of a convict that got out and made something of himself. So amazing, in fact, that in six years I still have not heard of it. What I do hear of is the constant battle with the establishment. Many who are released from behind these walls end up back in because they were in the wrong area and it does not matter if they're clean and working now. They still lose their freedom just because they were walking through a known drug area. What I also hear is men and women being released only to end up on street corners or dead. People come behind the wall everyday and go nowhere. Some sell their soul for protection, others sell their bodies just to survive. After months or years, it just creates a madness in these individuals. I've had three neighbors hang themselves, only one lived. I've heard the cries of rape and bitter hatred. I've seen people stabbed, shot and pummeled to the ground. There are nights where I myself have layed awake with tear filled eyes, remeniscing about my family and the child I left behind. I wonder if I will live to see another day. I see, it is vital that people find education before it is too late. Otherwise, you end up like me; without a job, without a family and without a name, only a number. Just because we are homeless, doesn't mean we are hopeless and just because we are convicts doesn't mean we can't create a more positive future for ourselves. The key is education and without it we go nowhere.

Noel Sambrana, #K-53140
P.O. Box 3476 C.S.P. SHU 4A2R-37
Corcoran, CA 93212-8310

It is no secret ex-California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has a (distinctly low-brow) sense of humor, but who knew he'd like his it's-a'good-and-a-bad-thing "Governator" nickname so much?

A television cartoon of the same name is to be made (with scripts written by Marvel Comics legend Stan Lee...tell me it ain't so Stan!), to focus on Schwarzenegger's real political life history and to make his post-politics life a superhero fantasy.  Conan the Batman anyone?

There is precedent for this, after all "professional wrestler" Hulk Hogan had a cartoon on tv for two seasons plus a re-run season.  But when you think about such things, what stands out?  Batman, Batman Beyond, Spiderman, Superman, The Fantastic Four, the X-Men (several versions, including a Japanese manga-style tv cartoon), for starters. Then there are the full-movie-length animes like AKIRA, PRINCESS MONONOKE, and others (some that I've seen, like the latter two named...) that get a lot more respect than Hulk Hogan or The Governator ever will.

Superhero comic books, cartoons, movies and series do the same thing tv cop shows do--reinforce the status quo and provide an attractive fantasy of evil beaten, justice triumphant night after night, week after week (or month after month if we're talking 48 pages of four-color goodness...).

It's a good thing super powers are fantasy--I wouldn't be helping out the Avengers or Fantastic Four.

Mass market comic and tv cartoon outfits have never allowed their heroes or villains to change the world permanently.  If you thought the 50's (and beyond) anti-comic book campaigns, and the even harsher criticisms of video games were bad, you ain't seen bad!  Comic books haven't changed much--cellphones, the internet, and video games did generate significant alterations in how many people live their lives and interact with other folks.

Comic book big boys, like Stan Lee, HAVE done messaging about social causes.  That is likely the most powerful impulse driving "The Governator" project.  The belief that there's a Vast Liberal-Bias Conspiracy to corrupt adults and children alike is a favorite screed of conservatives--and we have our own take on who is doing the corrupting and who is the target.

Apparently European television entertainment marketers want "The Governator" (Amerikkkan rights to it haven't been sold yet), though at least one media expert across the pond opined that "the market" would rather see Schwarzenegger do a tv series or action movie. 

For some "The Governator" may be fun to watch.  For me, it would be a big WTF!  The guy who attacked poor single mamaz on welfare over and over gets a cartoon celebrating that?  No thank you.  I'd rather read a "Wild Cards" novel.  SUICIDE KINGS is about super-human child soldiers in Africa.  Message?  Yes.  Obnoxious?  No.  Powerful? Yes.  Beat that Governator!

Twenty-two points, plus triple-word-score, plus fifty points for using all my letters. Game's over. I'm outta here.

What I Learned at Folsom State

How does one keep his sanity?
In a world totally insane
Why should one have humanity ?
When the world is so inhumane

Once upon a time we forgot
What we did not know, we knew
The victims of a fiendish plot
And the evil things that men do

Men dwell in darkness til they die
With numbers instead of their names
Unaware, they were sold a lie
That smothered their collective flames

They must endure a masquerade
In order to keep hope alive
Imagined friendships often fade
As better deceptions arrive

Living our days enclosed in tombs
Eats away at ones' self-respect
Each d a y, as the madness resumes
Self-esteem suffers ill effects

Old vultures have no tears to wipe
Hyenas, no laughter to hide
Old men bite fruit thats not yet ripe
But cry if its rotten inside

Ravenous wolves seek to devour
Innocence like newly killed meat
Then leave uneaten parts to sour
And stink with the smell of defeat

All these things I see everyday
Behind these walls of steel and stone
Yet, I refuse to give my soul away
To be buried like a dog's bone

Am I all that you think that I am ?
A villian on the late night news?
No, my soul will never be damned
Because of the image you choose
 

Prison is about loss . It is about loss of freedom, loss of control, loss of family and friends, of any and all conditions of life. Prison is about punishment, loss of freedom is the punishment. But, that is and of itself is no longer enough. Now prisons are slave camps and warhouses for human consumption.

Big Business has moved in to combine with the California Department of Corrections and has set in place work forces nick named P.I.A (Prison Industry Authority). This has become a thriving business where the inmate is forced to work for pennies, in often unsafe conditions while the prison system grows and prospers. Politicians have come up with fancy names like; "war on crime", "war on drugs", "three strikes your out", "the crisis of public order". At the same time words like; high infant mortality, horrible housing, lack of food, poor education, lack of jobs are forgotten. Our court system is rushing those who are unable to retain private legal representation through the "proper channels" on into the prision system and into big business' hands and calling it procedure.

We must pull together as a people because it affects out communities. It affects us all.

Anthony Cozart, #C-01398
P.O. Box 3466 C.S.P./3B 04 143
Corcoan, CA 93212
 

The music market has changed drastically in what seems like over night. Many of the mom and pop record stores have closed. Even many of the chains such as the The Wherehouse, Tower Records and FYE's have closed. Many of the chains allowed independent artists to sell their Cd’s on consignment in these chains along side the mainstream artists and mainstream labels. Even many of the events that were happening on the Navajo and Hopi rez's are not happening as frequently as they were a few years ago and so the ability to move volumes of Cd’s is no longer there outside of the swap meets and flea markets.

Being a fairly successful independent record label owner and artist, I have seen and felt the affects of these happening first hand. My name is Gabriel Yaiva but known simply as Yaiva in music circles. I'm a hip-hop artist (rapper) and a traditional hand drum singer, but foremost a father and a active participant in my community for positive change.

I'm an activist and have instrumental in many successful campaigns to protect mother Earth and the five fingered who walk upon her. My background is one of harsh beginnings at the hands of my own decisions as a young man and have since pulled myself up by my boot straps. I've graduated from Northern Arizona University in 2006 with a B.S. In Applied Indigenous Studies and have a minor in Economic Development. I run a non-profit program called Peace and Balance in which we address issues of violence and substance abuse in communities of color and work toward gaining self determination in the media and arts.

As an artist I’ve fortunate to live a life that all artists' dream of, that which is to live humbly from the gifts the Creator has blessed me with. In doing so I’ve travel the United States and Canada several times over, toured with artists I grew up listening to and admire, done over 500 shows, released over 10 albums, received several awards and gained support and recognition from my peers and counterparts and am considered a professional in my line of work as an artist and as a manager, promoter, graphic artist, marketer, advertising specialist and record industry knowledgeable label owner.

With the closing of these outlets, another resource for independent artists has been taken too. But in this happening so has the reigns been given to the independent and do-it-yourself artists. This is in the form of online marketing and distribution. I get asked all the time how I've been able to get my music on i-Tunes, Rhapsody, Amazon Music, Napster etc... it is actually easier than you would think. Here are a couple services that I utilize and hopefully this info will be helpful to you.

I use CDBaby.com. They have a couple options. You can send them hard copies of your release or hi-def wave files. I've done both options but for radio singles I generally only release the hi-def files.

Artists; when sending your music be sure to send in hi-def at the sites recommended settings because the file will be compressed to an mp3 and the compression of mp3's is a whole topic in itself because of the loss of full sound and artifacts in the compression.

With CDBaby you can choose what other music download sites you can have your music provided to. The set up cost is $55 for full albums and $9.95 for single songs. For digital distribution you will need a bar code and ISRC code for each song. If you don’t have a bar code, don't worry you can buy one directly from the site for $20 and they will assign you a ISRC code.

If you're planning on selling your music through digital retailers (i.e. iTunes, Napster, Sony Connect), then having the ability to assign ISRC codes is absolutely necessary. The ISRC (International Standard Recording Code) is a unique international identifier for tracks on sound and music-video recordings. Comprised of a 12 character alpha-numeric code, the ISRC functions as a digital "fingerprint" for each track. Unlike a UPC code (a.k.a. bar code) the ISRC is assigned to individual tracks and not the carrier of the tracks (CD, cassette). In addition, the ISRC remains allocated to a track regardless of changes in ownership. It is an extremely powerful tool for royalty collection, administration, and anti-piracy safeguards in the digital arena. Info from http://www.recordlabelresource.com

I recently also started using tunecore.com their prices are roughly the same for singles and about a $10 difference for full albums. They also do ring-tones. The one thing that is unique about tunecore.com is you can create general CD covers/inserts right there on the site which is good for single songs but I wouldn't recommend for full releases.

The one downside I've found with CDBaby is that is generally takes them about 4 to 6 weeks to get your music to all the other download sites. Tunecore had my new single up on i-Tunes and the other sites within three days. But CDBaby was initially intended to distribute hard-copy Cd’s of independent artists which they are very good at and this is what I utilize their services for also.

The one downside of tunecore.com however is that you've got to pay yearly for the service whereas CDBaby I've paid once for each album/single for nearly three years of service.

As for payments CDBaby has been great about depositing funds directly into my Paypal account every two weeks for music and Cd’s sold and I've been using their services for about 3 years to this point. Like I mentioned I recently started using tunecore.com and have yet to receive a pay out so we will see how they work out but seem to be a good service to this point.

Both sites do take a percentage of your sales which I feel is more than a reasonable amount for the services they offer.

Both sites offer replication and duplication services.

Replication is the process of making professional grade Cd’s that are produced from an actual glass master and the info is press into the disc not burnt. This is the preferred way of producing Cd’s for the sound quality to match the closest to what was recorded in the studios.

Duplication is the process that most of us are familiar with which is the ability to burn music using computer software for your desktop or laptop.

An easy way to know weather the disc your listening to is duplicated or replicated is to flip the disc over and if you can see circles of where the info was burnt into the CD than most likely it is duplicated.

I figure I’d write this to answer the many inquiries I've gotten in bulk and so to hopefully try and help all you up and coming artists and even established artists who may not be computer and technically savvy.

I  hope it is helpful. Yaiva