Intro 2:30

In the corner of this planet, on the continent of North America lives a Black/African woman speaking my own truth. I am here to address what this website stands for in my own words. However I must insist on a disclaimer first. "I love black culture, I love hiphop culture." Ok, with that over, now allow me to offer an explanation.

When one is going to address family or issues we deeply care about, and need to critically examine with family concerning our issues, we have to do the standard mantra. You know the first professing of "love." I mean haven't you noticed it on countless blogs, articles, and even documentaries the most recent being "Beyond Beats, and Rhymes" by Byron Hurt. These initial confessions are for "sensitive folks." It is to clear the air before we begin. It is for all who may question our intentions. The questioning is well deserved because I think all of us should question motives, look deeper, and vision the bigger picture. This is definitely needed in these times of "staged drama"; spin MDs, and media LSD illusions. In fact I encourage it. Because I do not want yall to get it twisted, right?

So why do we need hiphop for black unity? The corporations are using hiphop to promote their own agendas. Hiphop culture is only one tool they use to spread their poisonous practice. Please notice I said one tool. They insist on keeping the majority of us in ignorance whether it is the judicial system, educational system, health system, or the financial system. I know there are many battle fronts. However, since we are discussing hiphop. I will strive to keep my focus there. For example when you push a massive market of ignorance, death, sexism, and consumer products on a conscious, and subconscious level via radio, and videos the listener then becomes a consumer, and a producer of nothing. Individuals and the people then become battery cells of the lowest power. You are no longer your own light or a collective power house (a force to be reckoned with). We already know Hiphop did not cause nor create these “ills” of our society. However negative elements can be pushed to your ears to exacerbate problems, just like crack was pushed on our communities. You know it was like yeah we got problems but when that poison invaded our communities we were like “DAMN” we got problems.

Therefore, why can't we promote ujima (collective work and responsibility), ujamaa (cooperative economics), a just cause, and a movement out of love for our people by utilizing hiphop? After all we created this form of expression that I feel was in us from the beginning of time. Hiphop can help plant seeds in the minds of the youth to look deeper within for answers, to look beyond the surface. It can spark the light which can destroy the darkness of a slave mentality. It can help give them a new vision of their own world. Africa Bambataa used it to squash certain beefs between crews back in the day. I remember artists like Cypress Hill, and Snoop being so influential that they had a direct effect on gang peace treaties, and rallies in LA. Where would some of these people be now if it were not for hiphop? Ask some of the artists how influential is the culture? You may ask how I know. Because I can speak from experience and bear witness what it did for others around me. Hiphop opened my mind to look under the surface at the slave mind state of myself, and our people. It assisted me in freeing myself from that coffin, and discovering my own inner powers. It was the “burning” that caused me to read, and research more. It had soul that infected my essence, and creativity, lyrics, and beats that moved my blood through its arteries, and veins, like “head boppin” to your tape popped.

I will tell you even now with those strong memories; I would not expect all "positive" hiphop for that is not the reality of the world. However I do expect, and demand balance. Due to my free mind, I understand the corporations don't want the flip side of the art/music to be presented. Think of the impact it would have on the minds of the black, brown, yellow, red, and white, a resurrection of the hiphop kind to awaken from their comas, no longer drones. How many dim lights will turn into four alarm blazes? I know the power-structure, and the corporations want to keep you stuck in a mummified thinking process. They don't want enough of us to rise in unity, truly full-filling one aim, one destiny. I understand the struggle continues.

Therefore, we need it as a counter attack to support the upliftment, and resurrection of black people all over this planet, all in their little corners beat boxing, rapping/writing, breaking, splattering aerosol on walls, creating rhythms, making businesses all to their own truth, all to their own freedom.

Respects,

Storm Oasis

For comments you can reach me at storm_oasis@yahoo.com