big city trippin

Now that the holidays are here and we're getting close to the end of the year, I've been thinking about all the things I am so grateful I experienced in 2010. This year I was fortunate to knock two big U.S. cities off my "must visit" list...only to add both New York and Chicago to my newly created "must visit again" list. Here are a couple rhymes I wrote prior to arrival, with only hearsay and heart desires telling me what I'd find. Needless to say the "Big Apple" and the "Windy City" surpassed any and all expectations.

Sense and the City

I hear beatbox
and hip hop
on the corner of a Queensbridge sidewalk.
I see building tops
climb nonstop
then hit the clouds and make rain drop.
I smell a Chinese wok,
a pizza box,
a deli with fresh shmear and lox.
Though I've just walked
my first day of blocks,
I taste my tongue's new city talk.

 

Let the Great World Spin

All I've ever heard
was the wind.
But I took my chances
that maybe it would blow
the blues my way.
A gust of BB King
would waft over me,
settling my hair
in that perfect,
unkempt way I like it.
I'd tap my toes
to the soul
that only the soul knows,
and just one lick
would make my hunger grow.
I'd swallow in all the angst
and art and struggle
and love.
And I'd still have room
for the soft city lights
painted on the lake
with a hot dog on the side.

i need the sea because it teaches me

Growing up surrounded by Hawaiian waters, you understand the skill possessed by those who master the art of riding waves. To become one with something as shifting and temperamental as the ocean, however, lifts you above athleticism into a soulful status.

The sudden passing of surfing icon Andy Irons left many shocked and saddened. And it left me also speechless. How could someone who so perfectly subdued the sea, be himself conquered?

With nothing in my creative core to offer such a paragon of surfing--and legend of Hawai`i--I instead decided to dedicate a verse from Pablo Neruda, a poet who harnessed the ocean, even if with only his words. An ocean-minded friend of mine shared this poem with me years ago, and today I pass it on to all who find as much meaning in the sea as Andy did.

I need the sea because it teaches me.

I don't know if I learn music or awareness,

if it is a single wave or it's vast existence,

or only it's harsh voice or it's shining

suggestion of fish and ships.

The fact is that until I fall asleep,

in some magnetic way I move 

in the university of the waves.

-Pablo Neruda

May you rest in the eternal lull of the sea..
(07.24.78-11.2.10)

you, me, and gregory on a sunday morning

I can't quite put into words what the music of Gregory Isaacs has meant to me--an island girl, and one who (literally) wears her heart on her sleeve. Simply put...

no worry, don't seek.
pure ecstasy
is you, me,
and, gregory
on a sunday morning.

Much love and respect to Mr. Gregory Isaacs. You pushed love and emotion so much into your craft, it came out the other side and right through the soul of me.

RIR (rest in roots) 07.15.51-10.25.10

you can ROCK my bell

I've been living on the mainland for about 7 years now, and one of my favorite things are all the HUGE music festivals that are just a drive away. In California alone we have Outside Lands (which just took place this past weekend), Coachella, Joshua Tree Music Festival, and Reggae on the River. And coming up this weekend is the one for all you hip-hop heads. Rock the Bells is an annual hip-hop festival showcasing some of the greatest legends in the game. I've been wanting to hit this festival up for a while now, and finally am making it happen. Oh and the best part (besides that this also gives me an excuse to head to my favorite California city, San Fran) this year each of the featured artists are performing one of their smash albums in its entirety--brilliant!:

Wu-Tang Clan - Enter the 36 Chambers 

Yes the whole clan! ODBs first born son will stand in for him.

A Tribe Called Quest - Midnight Marauders 

I've heard a few argue this as the most influential hip-hop album of all time...Electric Relaxation is a personal favorite.

Snoop Dogg - DoggyStyle

I saw him live for the first time last year, and honestly I was skeptical...I was also proven wrong. He is a master entertainer, period. Oh AND he's featuring Warren G!

This is just a fraction of the line up. I'm also really looking forward to the powerful lyricism of KRS-One and Immortal Technique. PLUS I have a new found love for MURS, and just realized he's gonna rock his bell as well. If that wasn't already enough to fill the 10+ hour musical orgasm.....

Lauryn Hill-The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill

The queen of hip-hop will resurface and perform quite possibly my all time favorite album.

Been listening to L Boogy a lot lately, and writing a lot of response poetry. Here's one that I wrote a month or so ago in response to "Zion":

Of this will come my Zion

Of this will come my Zion.
The light shall lift over mountains of sand.
Each grain that glimmers with painful sparkles,
blinding the eyes of passerbys,
they will be subdued.
And no longer will it burn with the rage
of 1000 yesterdays,
the fire will light a path to higher existence.
But for now,
I breathe in a clean air of peace,
the comfort in knowing
I alone calmed the fury inside.
For they said to lead with the light in my mind,
but instead, I chose to use the fire in my heart.

I think there will be much more poetry flowing after Sunday...stay tuned!

JOIN IN ON THE MADNESS

lika loves langston

Before I truly realized my writing aspirations, I took an African American literature class at UC, Santa Barbara to fulfill a history/literature requirement. Now, I have been a long time lover of hip-hop, but little did I know that I was about to discover one of the most skilled lyricists to ever put pen to the page--and now one of my favorite poets--was hiding in the history books...

Jukebox Love Song

by Langston Hughes

I could take the Harlem night

and wrap around you,

take the neon lights and make a crown,

Take the Lenox Avenue busses,

Taxis, subways,

And for your love song tone their rumble down.

Take Harlem's heartbeat,

Make a drumbeat,

Put it on a record, let it whirl,

And while we listen to it play,

Dance with you till day--

Dance with you, my sweet brown Harlem girl.

aloha 'aukake!

I think I've been a writer for the past 20 years--I have never stopped journaling since I got my first diary at about the age of 5 (though back then it was mostly about my first true love, Benny Rodriguez, aka "The Jet"!) It wasn't until I moved away from Hawai'i, adjusting first from local culture to mainland culture in Santa Barbara, CA, then to European culture when I lived and traveled through Italy and surrounding countries, that I realized words were my outlet--and strength. I found that writing has allowed me to maintain my roots while continuing to push the heights my branches reach.

I offer this blog as a free space for creative thinkers to learn and share what moves them in a positive direction, be it through writing, music, visuals, even an intricately designed building (shout out to my soon-to-be architect sister) or an artfully created meal (shout out to all the hungry homies out there)! Words are the way in which I share my aloha, but I believe in art awakening all the senses.

So this 'Aukake (August) I say "Aloha!" as I open up to you my world as I see it, sharing writing and other creative experiences, as well as works by other artists that move me. I invite you to contribute as well. It is only through cultivating each others strengths that we can pursue a more positive existence.

aloha,

lika

Oh, and for those of you who aren't familiar with Benny "The Jet" Rodriguez...