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...