Fresh City: Journal

Hiphop critic Patrick Taylor of RapReviews.com says, “GaKnew's rapping style is a little Kanye, and a little Jay-Z at his most earnest and soul-bearing. Think "Moment of Clarity" but with more soulful production, and you are approaching where GaKnew is coming from”…

“He draws upon the mastery of language essential in good poetry to create rhymes that are layered, complex, and a step above your average rapper.” …

“A lot of blood, sweat, and tears went into making "Mannequin People," and it shows. GaKnew deals with the struggles of the inner city, as well as the challenges of relationships, being a musician, and trying to make a place for yourself in the world. GaKnew is an insightful and honest rapper, and his positive but real approach is a welcome contrast to rappers who glamorize life on the streets, either intentionally or unintentionally. There are a lot of rappers spitting tales from the hood, but not that many offering solutions or analysis of how to make things better. GaKnew does this without sounding preachy or corny, which is no small feat.”

Don’t just take RapReviews.com’s word for it. Order your copy of the album at www.cdbaby.com/cd/gaknewroxwel and judge for yourself. The entire review can be read at http://www.rapreviews.com/archive/2008_10_mannequin.html
Though Patrick did mistake some facts as far as where GaKnew grew up and so forth, we appreciate the none-biased review. After you read the review, feel free to return to our guestbook and post your thoughts.
MOVE!

The Statement has been made. No matter how the media tries to spin the facts, the people of South Carolina have spoken. It is finally time to move on beyond RACE. Sadly there are people who will strongly disagree. There are also some that racism services more as a crutch than a hindrance. However, the ongoing results of the Democratic Primary Election say many Americans have already put race behind them. For too long RACE has been the power card. Throw race in the mix and everyone gets sidetracked. Shamelessly there was an attempt to play that card before the South Carolina Election. The only problem is that this isn’t the 1970’s, and people care more about having a unifying President than they do about his ethnicity. I am THANKFUL. Mostly because the amount of “White” votes that Obama has received screams to “Black” people, “not all White Americans think you’re inferior”. “There are many White Americans that will stand by you and believe in you when you seek solution”.

Up until about a month ago, I didn’t care if Hillary or Obama won. I thought they were both great candidates. However, in this short time the contrast between how they run their campaigns speaks volumes. Her campaign appears to be focused on dividing the people by waving the race card and suggesting that it would be the largest factor in South Carolina’s Election. Obama never allows his campaign to publicly suggest Hillary being a woman will grant her Women’s vote. The media, along with Bill Clinton, have constantly implied that Race should be accredited for Obama’s landslide victory in South Carolina. Are there not more Women in South Carolina than there are “Black” people? It has been my experience that Women care as much about the strides of Women as “Black” people do about “Black” progress, if not more. Obama has already unified the people more than any other President has in the past 30 yrs. He speaks to the Republican Party as well as the Democratic Party, which is something that no other Candidate is doing. They all only speak on behalf of their half, Blue/Red. How is that any different than only speaking to your group/gang/Race? Maybe what we need is not a tenured politician. Maybe the more tenured just means the more tainted by corrupt politics. Let us not be mislead by the media, but lead by our desire for a people’s President. The President of the Nation is supposed to represent the whole Nation. It is impossible for one person to represent a divided Nation equally. Thus it is the job of that one person to break down the divisions and unite the people through their commonalities. Let us not continue to let political parties, race, sex, etc… divide us. Let us unite for a Change.

GaKnew Roxwel - Artists for Obama

Creative mode. I set a goal for myself to make 20 beats during the month of December. I spent the entire first week listening to about 7 or 8 crates worth of music, and picked out 100 songs that I deemed worth sampling. I then chopped each song into over 100 little measures, toyed around with them for a while, and pieced together what I could. Some songs served purely as inspiration to compose my own original pieces. I then picked out my favorite twenty, and let the songs come to me. As you could imagine, this is not a quick process, especially being that I pride myself on being a wordsmith. I’m not just looping oldies, and rapping over them. Sound manipulation is an art form.

I’ve seen stickers that read, “DRUM MACHINES HAVE NO SOUL”. My reply, neither do the mass produced drum sets you beat on. What’s the beef? It’s all just sound manipulation. I AM THE SOUL OF THE DRUM MACHINE. A piano only has 12 notes. My point is that no one plays any new sequence of notes that has never been played on the planet. I have the utmost respect for musicians and the skill of playing an instrument. However, 99% of the times, the grooves that spontaneously come up are alterations of melodies that they heard before. How is that any different from being inspired by some old record, and recycling parts of it into your own creation? Music is about having an ear for what sounds good. You can master an instrument and still suck at coming up with melodies. It takes talent to ID a great sample, chop it up into little pieces, and make it sound totally different from the original, yet still GOOD. I can’t speak for all hiphop producers. Some guys are like Puffy and Dre’, they hear a great loop and run with it. Whatever. I’m speaking on behalf of cats like myself, Just Blaze, Kanye, Dilla, cats who offer sound collages composed of songs that have already served their time in rotation. It’s like making a collage with magazine clippings from decades ago. Yet corporations want to chase cats down and charge for samples. The music that has grown to be known as hiphop was founded on sampling. It’s an art form that electronic companies have made a fortune off of. Companies like Akai, Roland, Propeller Head, etc. have built their businesses off of catering to sampling. Every time some kid decides he wants to make beats and goes out to buy some $1000 piece of equipment, Hiphop feeds the economy. So tell the Supreme Court to FREE SAMPLES!

WHAT UP?! - That's urban for howdy : ) So, as I was saying last week, I'm titling my CD "the Mannequin People". I've decided, rather than explain the concept, to just post the theme poem. Hey, every non-gangsta hiphop record has to have a poem, right? lol Anyway. Here it is.

Soul of a Mannequin

Light beams bounce off fresh new Nikes.
… lost in thought. Leaves waltz with ‘ night breeze.
His life seems - trapped inside a mall;
a maze of glass walls.
He gazed at nightfall,
playin devils advocate against his own arguments,
trynna solve life’s equations in the still of the moment it
gets intense. But in it’s defense,
when ya sub conscious don’t get to vent,
divine wisdom ‘ill default to common sense,
and government plays on yo’ incompetence.
For that minute,
he sort of felt like a man again,
short of all the passin’ people glancin’ in.
He gave ‘em a cold stare like,
“What! You’ve never seen a mannequin?”
“Bet if I made one move they’d start panickin’.”
Voice within’ ‘ like, “Why pretend?
“You wouldn’t move if you could.
… stuck on were you’ve been.”
Mannequin swore that he would if he had a chance.
And that’s typically how their disputes begain.
“Look how they ‘ill (ad)dress you,
labels you ‘ill (op)pose for
the mean while,
wear out like new style.
… trend of a cash cow.
… some how ‘ suppose you’re
the - perfect model.
… detachable ‘ no Movement.
Though the story in your posture is so movin’,
you look - hollow.
Have you any heart?
Or are you just wearin’ their wool,
trynna play the part?
… dressed to impress I’d guess your impression’s
a fashion statement; way they market your expressions.
… Che’ on a shirt cryin’ for the revolution.
… all this technology, and still no change.
Dang!
You still wearin” chains?
… guess they could use you to sell anything.
… seems you were born to be on display.
… boost their sell, or be thrown away.
… fiber glass swearin’ you wood (would),
too scared to will power.
… thinkin’ yo’ ability to sell ‘ill prove ya’ real power.
… dreaming of a life decorated by sponsors,
… flossin’ on these window shoppers.
Malcolm chose death for this?!
Or ‘ just all you heard?
… message cut short of his final words.
You get “by any means”, but not the “what’s necessary”.
… vision of the 60’s ‘ a dream deferred
from flourishin’ community
‘ nourishment of unity.
Naw, you’d rather live isolated, jaded, feelin’ false immunity,
like you ain’t effected by everybody you use to be,
‘til you get neglected. ‘ ain’t sellin’ like you usually.
… like you ain’t connected ‘ affiliated with poverty.
… ain’t really a dummy, then stop actin’ stupidly.
… lonely at the top, ‘cause yo’ way wasn’t promising.
… path to the peak is here. Quest for jubilee!
MOVE!

writen by GaKnew Roxwel © 2008

Thanks for stopping by. I'll post again next Monday. Feel free to leave a comment on our GUEST BOOK.
Peace! GaKnew Roxwel

Thank you for joining the journey. In 7 months I, GaKnew Roxwel, will be releasing the MANNEQUIN PEOPLE. This will not JUST be an album. I won’t box it with a cliché label such as calling it “A Movement”. What it will be is my vision of a Classic, NO EXCEPTIONS. As many of you know, I’ve been at this for quite sometime, most of which has been spent trying to bring others along with me. I won’t say much in regards to groups except that those experiences have landed me here, a place I’ve never fully appreciated. I’ve come to realize that my creativity can be overwhelming in a group. Though hard to do at times, I’ve held back a lot because in groups creativity is a shared space. I love working with other artists, so I don’t mind. However, I’ve never been able to offer my full vision because of it. In 7 months, I will give the world what I’VE been waiting for.

“As I rock the crowd, in the back of my mind – I’m thinking I can move the planet one rock at a time”. They say, “no one man can change the world”. I say if a man can move the hearts of men (mankind), the world will change itself. Music has never been about making money for me, though I do look forward to the changes that success can provide. I will not give you an empty album stuffed with only catchy phrases and funny punch lines. I believe a song should still give you something even after you’ve heard it 20 times. I will not give you an album full of self-righteous preaching that lacks catchy phrases and clever punch lines. Seldom do people get the urge to be preached to, and the art of hiphop would be nothing without “being clever”. My goal is to give the perfect balance.

The Elephant in the room. What about FRESH CITY? This is FRESH CITY. You are FRESH CITY. As the producer and creator of FRESH CITY, I say the sound continues on, and is only getting better. As for an album containing what you’ve already heard from FRESH CITY, we are still working on that. There’s a lot of new stuff being created. In a perfect world, we would have put our solo aspirations aside and given our supporters what they deserve for supporting us. In this world many artists grow wrestles and try to force success. We all know the best way, and too frequently it’s in the other direction. Most only want to lead themselves, and no one wants to follow. I feel apologetic for being in production on a solo project, but hopeful that once it releases our supporters won’t want an apology. I guess we’ll see.

All in all, I thank you for reading this. I will return every week with a new journal entry to keep you up dated with the CITY and my project, THE MANNEQUIN PEOPLE. I will further explain the concept of the album next week. Stay tuned, and thank you for your support.
Peace, GaKnew Roxwel

Thanks to the support of the FRESH CITY FOUNDATION (a.k.a friends, family, associates, and fans of the other competing bands), we walked away from the Emergenza Battle of the bands round to as the victor. Just one step closer to the post final competition in Germany. We thank you all for the support. ROUND 3 is May 28th at the Whiskey a Go Go on Sunset, 8:30pm. Please come out a represent. We've got discounted tickets available at http://www.freshcitymusic.com/products.html, for everyone who purchases in advance. Peace y'all.
- Tell'em who you came to see ... FRESH CITY!!!

What's up, Foundation?! For all that don't know, we're competing in the Emergenza International Battle of the Bands. Thanks to your support, we've walked away from round one as the highest scoring band in Southern California this year. Round one is still going on for the next couple of months, so we'll see how that holds up. However, to say that we are competing against bands of all genres, I'd say that is a great accomplishment. So once again, thank you for your support. Make sure you get your FRESH CITY T-Shirt and wear it to the next battle. I'll keep you guys posted on the show date. PEACE and MOVEMENT!!!

I know it's been a minute. We've been in the foundation building phase. However, from now on I am going to personally try to update this site everyweek.

NEWS FLASH: We just released the 1st mixed tape "RADIO". I'll try to load a few songs next week so you can taste it. IT'S HOT! Sorry, right now the only way to get it is at the shows, but that's all the more reason to come out.

GUESS BOOK WRITERS: I thank you all for your messages. Please continue to post, and do ask question. Lets create some dialogue. It's fun, and after all, who are we with out you.

Alright, peace ya'll
GaKnew

We've went from two poets, to a hiphop group of four, to now a full fledge BAND. Be on the look out. The name will be changing, but the sounds only getting better. What will the new name be? Not sure yet. Tell me what you guys think about FRESH CITY.

Click here and check out this write up. I found it on the net, and couldn't help but respect the words of a non-bias voice.

Be on the look out!!!
The week of JULY 8th,
Thea and GaKnew will be on HBO's Def Poetry 33 episode 5. Click for schedule

NEW LOOK. Just when we thought we had the perfect blend. The two become four. Thea and I (GaKnew) have now been joined by long time fellow emcee and percussionist, MIC HOLDEN, and poet/vocalist NONI LIMAR, and it's just what the doctor ordered. Be on the look out. Uncanny chemistry, blending old material and coming up with new concoctions, IT'S ON AND CRACKIN'!

If you've got The Family Album already, then you're no stranger to Mic Holden a.k.a Al. He's the alternate emcee on "Go Head" and "Long Over Due".

If you've already got your copy of video project, Thoughts of Egression, Noni Limar's the voice behind the interview.

7 lb 5 oz
19 inches
beautiful baby girl
born at 10:46 pm
no complications
eyes open
head full of hair
17 hour labor
20 minute delivery
Thank God!

I said I would never Slam again. Then I went to vent on the night of a Slam, and ended up winning it, or taking second place. So then came Da Lounge semi finals. My plan was to do me to the fullest "I might like to cook, but I don't write to cater - for a score from five judges, or another poets favor". Once again, blowing off steam advances me in what I said I wouldn't do again. Let's just say I've had some bad experiences. So here's the finals. I told myself, even if I make the team, I'm not going. That would be the dopest protest. I mean, who cares. I've been Grand Slam champion before. I guess caring less worked to my advantage cause I managed to take first place. Problem, the trip could be hella fun. It was IN-Q, Omari, Javon, Rives, Shihan the coach, and okay I might go. Long story short, we went and got our asses kicked the first night . Went back to the lab like, PHUK THAT! Knocked out two top teams the next night , 'cause ,"This Da Lounge, dawg!" Yeah, so I'm hella competitive now. Took first place at the semi finals (You gotta see Javon and my's group piece. I love that sh!!), and arived at the finals as the team to look for. (On the low, everybody hates Hollywood) So, It's finals night, and we're all getting ready because this is the first time Da Lounge has made it to the big stage. Thea call's, "Babe, I'm pregnant again". Talk about losing focus. My thoughts came back home to bills, baby, work, buy a house, get my career together, breath ... Oh yeah. What was I here for? It's not nice to be boastful. So I'll just say we came home with a humble victory , and the reality that I'm the daddy.

Okay, okay, okay, okay. So, this is kinda late news, but we filmed for Def Poetry 5 a few weeks ago. I'm excited because we got to tape together, and I think the piece we did is soooooo Revolutionary. NOT in the sense of fist in the air, "Fight the Power". Revolutionary in the sense of televising happy, hard working, fun loving, "Black Family", free of Bling, free of crime , - somewhere between the Cosby Show and Good Times, we revised the second verse to "A Different World" to show America the other side of being "Black". And it felt GOOD!!! Mos Def came back to the stage like, "Yo, that was the mos beautiful thing I've ever seen", and I think that's because it reminded him of his kids being born (likely the true most beautiful thing he's ever seen). Brothas were approaching us saying we made them want to have kids. Now, that - is a beautiful thing.
-GaKnew