First of all, I would like to wish everyone a blessed and productive new year. Although, I can't promise that some things in 2008 just won't be a muthafuckin' problem. I think y'all know where I'm going with this: MAN IN THE MIRROR and EL CHE.
Thanks to all of the real music enthusiasts who heeded the call for an advance copy of MAN IN THE MIRROR [the Michael Jackson dedication album] in return for your own blog review... good or bad. The Plugg City team has had tremendous success with this online viral promotion, proving that if an artist is serious about his craft, people will listen. However, for those of you who enjoy the MAN IN THE MIRROR album, it wouldn't be right if I didn't share the credit with all of those who took part in its creation:
Mark Ronson (myspace.com/markronson),
Allido Records (myspace.com/allidorecords),
Derek Pacuk [the engineer],
Talib Kweli (myspace.com/talibkweli),
Wale (myspace.com/wale202),
Daniel Merriweather (myspace.com/danielmerriweather),
Dres (myspace.com/blacksheep),
Emile (myspace.com/emilemusic),
BKS [Best Kept Secret] (myspace.com/craigbbeats | myspace.com/bestkeptsecrettone),
alpha. (myspace.com/alphaisforever),
Shadowkat Nightson (myspace.com/nightsons),
and, most of all, the King of Pop, Michael Jackson!
Now, it's time to get to the point. When I decided to name my album EL CHE, it was more than just a marketing attempt to bring back militant rap. It is my name. It is the spirit of change that fills me. I must come into the new year and admit that my severely underrated debut release BLUE COLLAR almost wounded me until I decided that I must fight with a revolutionary zeal for what I believe and know to be true: Hip-Hop needs heroes. Big Daddy Kane. Rakim. KRS-ONE. Public Enemy. Hell, Biz Markie. Hip-Hop needs its heroes. Who will step up and be the great heroes of today? I can't give myself that title; however, I can show you how to bounce back like one. If you slept on BLUE COLLAR, go back and give it another listen. Trust me, you won't regret it. The shit is timeless. If you're already up to speed, please enjoy this: my gift to everyone who loves real music. A link to a free download of MAN IN THE MIRROR, as well as copies of all of my other mixtapes and music you may have missed. Here it is:
RHYMEFESTSTORE.COM
My critics tend to ask "What kind of revolution are you talking about? And, what are you doing to change anything other than talking?"
Change has to occur in a few areas:
1) Our music. It is the soundtrack of our cultural values. And judging by our music today, there's a lot of work to be done.
2) Our communities. White, Black, Yellow, Red or Brown. Those of us whom children look up to have to be more involved in their well-being. I've pledged to make that commitment. What about you?
3) Last but not least, a dedication to our own well-being. Please, in 2008, take care of yourself: mentally, physically and spiritually. And, I'm sure we will all meet on the same side of what is right and true.
In the words of my good friend, MJ: "I love you very much."
STAY PLUGGED!
Peace,
Fest a/k/a EL CHE
P.S. shouts out to Stephanie Rocha (stephanierocha.com) & TheLightsYou: grey (myspace.com/thelightsyou) for the incredible graphic design work!
