Free is Getting a Blog!

It's official! Freeflowin will be getting a blog soon. Keep your eyes open! And your...ummm...eyes open is good.

Learn, Educate, Repeat!

Dissident Festival @ NYC's Brecht Forum

Learn, Educate, Repeat!

Hot!

So I bet you're expecting me to talk about how hot its been. How grueling it is in our apartment. How sleeping means sweating. Buuuuttt I'd rather talk about my mind. Has anyone seen it? I think it was left on the FREAKING SAUNA THAT IS LIFE LATELY!!!

Latin Translator
Poet, Educator, Speaker, Host, Writer

www.debeforerecords.com
www.daybeforesoundtour.blogspot.com

On that roooaaad agaaaiiiinnn...

A week (and change) on the road. Now I'm back home relaxing. And I tell you I feel...hmm. I'd like to say how happy I am. How great it is to be on home turf. How awesome it is to wake up to the sound of birds singing and a gentle breeze instead of someone going to the bathroom, snoring, rifling through things, blowing a nose, turning on the light, talking on the phone, talking to someone else there, talking to him or herself, loud music, gas pumping time (one of my tour duties regardless of the time or state of sleep) and all the other glorious methods of waking from the oh so cherished sleep while on tour. The reality is...I'm starting to like being on the road.


I've started to like the available ears 24 hours a day. The open minds. The laughter and incessant chatter of hilarity, political discourse, and life's journey. Waking to a different place every few hours while meeting and building bonds with new persons at each stop. The performing on new stages for new crowds in new venues. The good food made by chef's 1, 2 and whatever new temporary or restaurant chef we encounter. The late night convo's with other artists living the dream of performing out of love and the (at times annoying) feeling that this is why he or she has been given breath. The ever changing scenes out of the van's windows (much better than anything currently on TV). The knowledge gained not only of the locations current events or history but also the knowledge gained by saying hello to someone and hearing their story. Learning of his or her path, the lessons learned and the journey's of their ancestors. What gets me the most is realizing that we are all on a journey...taking different routes but on a journey none the less. All this and more makes me wonder if I'm meant to be a nomad.









Latin Translator
Poet, Educator, Speaker, Host, Writer

www.debeforerecords.com
www.daybeforesoundtour.blogspot.com

Ooooo I aughta!

Woke up this morning...got myself...a BAD ATTITUDE! Ever wake up cranky wanky. Meaning you're mad but don't really know why and are pretty sure it's for either no or a meaningless reason. Well that's cranky wanky.

So I'm cranky wanky and I'm mad at the world. Mad at economy. At BP and their stuck up CEO's. Mad at my Bank Account and the laughing sound the atm's make every time I make a withdrawal (How and when did they install that damn laughing voice. It sounds like Homer Simpson's laugh on acid). Mad at that damn bird of mine and her anti-social behavior (knowledge of her treating me like my Middle School GF wasn't in the dang Parakeet pamphlet at the petshop...I know...I'm over it) Mad at my hair (one a dem days). Mad at my current career (all good...but damnit if it isn't difficult to build a home on a foundation made of uncharted waters). Mad at the women that de-humanize me by whistling and pinching my butt when I walk by. (Not that it happens...but come on!).

I had this bad Goonie Goo Goo (watch Eddie Murphy's Delirious) on me from the morning. Anything my lady said...no matter how sweet or unrelated to me it was I wanted to snap back with sarcasm (I didn't...but I wanted to). Got an e-mail from my one of group members and I wanted to respond with a few Spanish curse words (Spanish...because it just feels so much more powerful).

Now though...5:11pm. I'm feeling better. Went to gym. Got my blood flowing, some additional oxygen to my brain, woke myself up a bit. Feeling much better. Ready to hit up Harlem and do up the stage at Lyrical Revolt. Looking forward to dancing with my Queen tonight. Excited about heading to Detroit on Sunday...amazing what a good workout will do. Sometimes (like this time) the gym is my friend and provides the therapy I need (except for the dudes that walk around butt naked. Put on a towel or something people! I'm tired of having to look away. Usually I just take my glasses off but still). Yeah that made me MAD too.














Latin Translator
Poet, Educator, Speaker, Host, Writer

www.debeforerecords.com
www.daybeforesoundtour.blogspot.com

[SUSPECTED SPAM] La Naturaleza

Gazing at the green scenery I once dreamt of I read. I breathe. And I ponder. Soon I'll be driving to Detroit for this year's U.S. Social Forum. A gathering of minds from all corners of the nation learning from each other. Sharing ideas on how to efficiently re-build what so many have destroyed. Que vidita!

Latin Translator
Poet, Host, Educator, Speaker, Writer
www.debeforerecords.com/home.php
www.daybeforesoundtour.blogspot.com
Learn, Educate, Repeat!

Weekends are goooood!

Weekend was gooood times! Friday I chilled and spent the night bugging out cause I had the group's first Music Video shoot the next day.

Saturday (after all the bugging out...quite literally too cause living in the woods has been producing many fascinating creatures in my apt. this year) we filmed the school scenes of our Music Video for our new single "Be Dif'Rent". We took a classroom at Mount Saint Mary College and filled it up with Youth we've worked with over the years. Some were family members too (I was upset my nephew backed out. Was really hoping to share this with him) like Jarabe's & DJ H2O's cousins. At least I got to bring some of my Nex 2 B Read Club Youth. I was so proud of all of them and how confident they were in the shoot. Made me wanna tear in a "ohh look at how you've grown kind of way". I didn't though. Or did I?! Didn't. Some of them even acted in certain roles that I chose them for...they did amazingly. My young actors I tell ya. These Youth had me cracking up all day.

After fun day with a whooolle lotta Youth Energy I was exhausted. But still had energy. Weird I know. That's what a great group of Youthful minds and spirits will do to ya. Tis why I love my work. Soooo when my Queen finally showed up (she had a long but fun day herself with her "familja"(not mispelled its family in Albanian broaded your horizons people...or get yourself an Albanian woman. They can be bit crazy but amazing. Lot of crazy. Well at least mine. Maybe not crazy...let's say eccentric...nope crazy it is). We went dancing on the Waterfront. We had a blast, dancing, talking, walking and then eating onion rings at diner. She's so much fun and I couldn't stop looking at her. She looked the Bang! Better than the Bomb cause that's the sound bombs make... Bang. Or Boom. You get it. I hang out with her and its like no one is there. Not even the crackhead that was acting mad suspicious near us before I decided to get us out of area. Nor the girl that almost got beat up cause she danced with dude while "his woman" went to bathroom...I feel like...he should have gotten threatened not the "other woman". He knows...other woman didn't "seem" to know.

Sunday I spent chillin, relaxing, meditating and prepping a special E-zine (I'm the Editor of Social ISsUes E-mail Zine) promoting an event we're having Saturday in El Bronx. It's gonna be day 2 of filming and we need 50 people to sit in audience for free show and some light comida. If ya'll interested do like Ja Rule says and "Holla Holla"...oh Mr. Rule u were so much fun in a someone should have passed you a halls kind a way.

Latin Translator
Poet, Host, Educator, Speaker, Writer
www.debeforerecords.com/home.php
www.daybeforesoundtour.blogspot.com
Learn, Educate, Repeat!

Time Oh Time...

I've had a lot of...I mean, too much down time on my hands. Myself and the rest of the ReadNex Poetry Squad are still technically on tour but currently at our homes. I've been facilitating workshops in schools like Rondout, Highland, Kingston and a couple in Newburgh. The workshops don't last for more than 2 hours max and I usually only teach one a day. Leaving me with waaayyy too many awake hours alone.

The Day Before Sound Album Release Party and our 3rd Annual Hip Hop Seasons Festival recently took place. Fortunately, they were both wonderfully successful. Both were big and important events that we all worked very hard preparing for. Now that they've past I'm back to mucho free time.

For the most part my day is spent walking around my apartment talking to myself or "Sunshine" the Parakeet who doesn't want anything to do with me. Her preference is the bell toy that she roughly seduces throughout the day...I know.

During this time I've come to a few realizations. One...I need some more friends. The group is cool and all but everyone is busy in their own world and no one seems to have much time for me these days. Two...I have no hobbies and need some. Even if I become the weird guy that loves train sets it would be better than my fascination with "The People's Court"...I realized I sometimes unconsciously plan my day around when its on so that I can find out what ridiculous litigants Judge Milian yells at next. Three...I need a pet that likes playing with its owner more than it rubs itself against cling clanging toys. I mean come ooonnn. How often does she need to whistle the disco version of "Ring My Bell"?












Latin Translator
Poet, Host, Educator, Speaker, Writer
www.debeforerecords.com/home.php
www.daybeforesoundtour.blogspot.com
Learn, Educate, Repeat!

Back...agaaaiiinnn!

So...one of the professions listed on my business card is Writer. Therefore, in an effort to be true to those adorable little slabs of thick paper I plan on writing in this lovely world oh Latin at least once a week (Run on? You decide). I've written this before. But I currently find myself in a place that allows me not only the time to write but also the time to think, reflect, and postulate. What about you ask? Yeah you. Weelllll. We shall see won't we. Sera continuado. Fastest growing language in country...all I gotta say bout it.

Latin Translator
Poet, Host, Educator, Speaker, Writer
www.debeforerecords.com/home.php
www.daybeforesoundtour.blogspot.com
Learn, Educate, Repeat!

DON'T MISS THE ALBUM RELEASE!

WMC, Biz Markie, Sleeping in the Sand and DJ H2OOooooo!

WoW!!! Miami is like a different world. In a good sandy and warm kind of way. We had an AMAZING time enjoying the weather, napping on South Beach, performing, supporting and watching DJ H20 compete/spin (he rocked Miami crowds each time and even got the party going at a few different venues), connected with some great new and old friends (big up to Jocelyn of Fusicology, Amon from BK and Desiree the poet extraordinaire from West Palm) and danced til the souls of our sneakers wore out (seriously though). We even met and chatted it up with Biz Markie, Lil Jon, & Naughty by Nature among others...Lil Jon...very different without sunglasses lol.

DJ H2O competed in 2 distinct competitions at the 25th Annual Winter Music Conference. Though he didn't make top 3 he rocked the crowds and made plenty of connections with DJ's from all over the planet. He also got plenty of ideas and will soon be spinning even more of his usual "Fuego" for crowds all over.

While in the area we drove to & performed at RJ's in West Palm Beach. Oooeee...the love we got from the beautiful people there is unforgettable. DJ H2O's sets were CRAZY and Latin had the audience hysterical with some impromptu Stand Up comedy. We always make sure our performances have a diverse mixture ensuring that audiences are edu-tained.

A few final steps on the board walk, some final tastes of Floridian Cuban food, a couple last dance moves and we're on route home. "Here we go!"...or as Floridians would say "Here we go!"...cause they're not that different.






Learn, Educate, Repeat!

For booking info e-mail us at...
booking@debeforerecords.com

For more info on The Day Before Sound Tour, our workshops or performances
e-mail us at...
readnex@debeforerecords.com

Welcome to MIAMI!

We've made it to the land that the indigenous called Miami. Though I'm pretty sure it looks a lot different than it looked when they named it...it's still preeeetyyyy coool!


DJ H20 competed today in his first of two very intense competitions at the 25th Annual Winter Music Conference. The art displayed today was that of blending and tomorrow it'll be all about scratching. Though he did not qualify in today's top 3 he was by far one of the most impressive competitors to leave his mark in the judges ears. We did a lot of networking and even reconnected with a few as well (including the revolutionary and talented DJ Chela).


The journey to get here (all the way from NY) was a long, fun and fruitful one. We left NY soon after a professional development workshop in Queens. There we again taught how to use Hip Hop and Poetry in after school programming and both inspired and empowered a group of young youth workers. A few days later In Frederiksburg, VA we ate at the beautiful and recently opened La Palmas Cafe. This Puerto Rican restaurant is the only one of it's kind in an area that still has a slave auction block memorialized a block down. After eating there and chatting it up with the owners we performed a night of Poetry and Salsa. Despues de our performance DJ H2O spun the Salsa party and we gave some Salsa lessons throughout the night. When the last leg was moved and body twirled we rested up and drove further South ending up in Charleston, South Carolina.


There we linked up with some people at a not-for profit artist space called "Outer Space". We didn't expect to perform that night either but ended up having a lively audience to rock for a cappella style. The crowd was hyped to hear a cappella versions of our tracks (we just clapped and beatboxed it out) and once again many uttered "We wish ya could be here more often...this town needs ya." Always good to hear that what one does is needed by the people.


Learn, Educate, Repeat!

For booking info e-mail us at...
booking@debeforerecords.com

For more info on The Day Before Sound Tour, our workshops or performances
e-mail us at...
readnex@debeforerecords.com

Flat Tire and Jarabe Singing to AAA Guy!

Learn, Educate, Repeat!

For booking info e-mail us at...
booking@debeforerecords.com

For more info on The Day Before Sound Tour, our workshops or performances
e-mail us at...
readnex@debeforerecords.com

Day Before Sound Tour

Hey you! Wanna know what I've been up to??? Yes...you do...I know. It's ok.

Go to
www.daybeforesoundtour.blogspot.com

Latin Translator
Poet, Host, Educator, Speaker, Writer
www.latinsworld.blogspot.com
www.debeforerecords.com
www.daybeforesoundtour.blogspot.com
Learn, Educate, Repeat!

Home for a few weeks...

Latin Translator
Poet, Host, Educator, Speaker, Writer
www.latinsworld.blogspot.com
www.debeforerecords.com
www.daybeforesoundtour.blogspot.com
Learn, Educate, Repeat!

Las Calles de Tour

On the road again! Sitting in the passenger side of our van I pause from looking out the window to writing in my Berry. The Day Before Sound officially began on January 30th. Most nights we end up back home though. If not we were back home within 1 or 2 days. Now we drive for 3 weeks. Educating youth on how to use Poetry and Hip Hop in their classrooms, lives, and beyond. I keep hearing Biggie in the back spit "it was all a dream!" Now we're living that dream. Each time we've set out to do something we've done it. We didn't let anything or anyone get in our way...not even ourselves. My only hope is that the youth we work with get a glimmer of what can happen when you believe beyond a reasonable doubt.

Latin Translator
Poet, Host, Educator, Speaker, Writer
www.latinsworld.blogspot.com
www.debeforerecords.com
www.daybeforesoundtour.blogspot.com
Learn, Educate, Repeat!

Great Start!

The past few days of the tour have been "off the chain"
(really good). We started it off by joining Mahina Movement, Ollin Imagination and Las Gallas in a creativity workshop (Thank You Mahina Movement for hosting the workshop, space and delicious comida). The goal of this workshop was to develop ideas for our performance at El Museo Del Barrio on April 17th. This one is going to be truly inspiring & have you glued to your seat...but how could it not be considering the lineup. Afterwards we headed up to Troy (NY Capital Region) to facilitate some youth workshops. For 2 days we worked with 2 different groups of youth. The reaction was wonderful. The Youth were having a blast & at the same time learned new ways to use their emotions. At the end of the workshop one of the Youth gave a paper clip to Jarabe and when Jarabe asked him what it was the boy said "whatever you make it to be"...Deeeep. On the first night of being in Troy we did our thing at an Open Mic in Albany. While there we revitalized the audience with performances and connected with a few of the night's artists. After 2 days of workshops and a performance we facilitated another workshop for the lively teens of El Puente Leadership Center in Brooklyn, NY. By the end of it we had the Youth sharing their poetic creations with pride and confidence in their eyes. All of this and week one isn't even over yet.

Day 1 CHECK IN!

The tour started yesterday and what a way to start. We spent the day in Queens with Mahina Movement, Olin Imagination, Las Gallas and more. It was a day filled with exercises (as part of the workshop facilitated by Mahina Movement), laughter, fun and connections.

In addition to vibing and creating with everyone we were able to create a Utopian Society within an apt. in Queens. A place where we all shared and did not judge. We listened and did not shut out. We learned and did not impose. It was all about coming together and creating. This was also one of the first sessions we'll be having before we present our theatrical creation to an audience at "El Museo Del Barrio" in NYC on April 17. Check the schedule to the right for more info on this and other events.

At the end of the day everyone was filled with joy...but exhausted. We said our good byes. Thanked everyone for the love (especially Gaby of Mahina Movement who hosted and hooked us up with some bangin food) and hit the road to Hoboken, NJ. That is where our studio is currently located and that is where the magic has been happening. Even though we'd all slept only 5 hours the night before (because we were up late meeting and working on the album) and had just spent an entire day in an amazing workshop we still had magic to make in that studio.

People... this our "Day BEfore Sound" album will have our blood sweat and tears. It'll be the words we tell ourselves for motivation, the stories of our lives and the angst and love we feel for music. Ooohhhh mira. There will be so much new hotness and so many colabo's with other well known and talented artists that u will play it track by track again and again. Day 1 has ended and in the words of everyone from the workshop...

CHECK OUT!

Just Be!

It doesn't matter who u be. Just be you...Be different.Differente mi gente. Don't let someone else decide which road you take. Living someone else's life could be your worst mistake. Walk as you walk, talk as you talk, wear what you wear. Who cares? It's none of your business what others want you to be. Just be different!

Latin Translator
Poet, Host, Educator, Speaker, Writer
http://www.debeforerecords.com/home.php
http://www.myspace.com/readnex
Learn, Educate, Repeat!

That Road...ohhh that road.

So in a few days the much anticipated "Day Before Sound Tour" begins. Soon I'll be taking that road (on the left) to leave the place I've been calling home for the past couple of years. Who would have thought? That I'd be going on a tour across the nation teaching Youth Workshops, Professional Development workshops and Performing. Doing things that I love doing. Seeing new places, meeting new people and passing on various "pearls of wisdom that have been passed down to me.

Years ago, I wouldn't have even thought that I'd be living on this road. The roads I knew were actually streets and they were both impoverished and filled with desperation in the eyes of those that walked them. Streets in Queens, Bronx and Puerto Rico (on the island they're called las calles. Streets that I once called home are now the streets that I work to rebuild. The Youth I'll be working with have much of the same desperation in their eyes that I once had in mine. Desperation that has now been filled with hope, love, knowledge and belief in self.

Who am I not take that road and work with those young people. Quien seria yo to not drive down in and walk up on stages to spit the lines that have kept me inhaling for better tomorrows and exhaling the pains of given yesterdays. WHO AM I TO NOT GIVE BACK! The "Day Before Sound Tour" starts soon. Though I'll miss my loves here dearly. I'll be building up spirits as I build my own. Because every heart one helps to rebuild strengthens ones own.

Learn, Educate, Repeat,
Latin

Que Mundito

Our world...a place with love and hate. Fear and courage. Filled with sadness and joy. Our world filled with life. "Live not for which is green and re-begin living for which is your being"

Latin Translator
Poet, Host, Educator, Speaker, Writer
http://www.debeforerecords.com/home.php
http://www.myspace.com/readnex
Learn, Educate, Repeat!

Que Rico

Inhaling as the smell of my arroz con habichuelas permeates the air that surrounds me. Thought of tasting it...but sometimes its best to wait until love overwhelms before enjoying it's sabor. Na Mean?


Latin Translator
Poet, Host, Educator, Speaker, Writer
http://www.debeforerecords.com/home.php
http://www.myspace.com/readnex
Learn, Educate, Repeat!