Tuscon

Hello Faithful Readers,

I hope this edition of the Black Bird’s Eye View finds you well and in good spirit. This edition marks the beginning of a most informative stage in my life. A stage of meditation and research…. of clarity. Since I am fine tuning the art of thought processes and stillness, it is only natural that I look at the tools that were put in place to promote free thinking and consciousness, tools that, for one reason or another, are now being used to cripple us as a people.

My first thoughts were on things I see and hear on a frequent basis that are a common denominator for most people. I started with music. I’ve never been one to sit around and listen to the radio because I tire of mundane sameness easily. For the purpose of this exploration, I took trending music into consideration and made mental note of what is being deemed as popular. I found that what is now considered music offers very little by way of information and upliftment. Instead, lyrical content has been replaced with a “hot” beat with a low frequency and repetitive non-informative lyrics.

It is said that there are different strokes for different folks and that everything is not for everybody. I think we can all agree that anything that was built to inspire positive uplifting movement…. as it relates to being born Black in America is a good thing. Let’s talk about one of those movement.

I, like many people, appreciate old school Hip-Hop… but never took the time to understand the culture and nature of it. I saw it as music that reminded me of a time forgotten. As fate would have it, I crossed paths with one of the areas most talented and passionate Hip-Hop Artists, Tuscon. I found myself on the campus of NC State attending my very first Cypher. I really didn’t know what to expect. There I was, standing amid several Hip-Hop artists feeling like the “poet” I am…. (In case you don’t know what a cypher is….It’s a gathering of Hip-Hop artists standing around a circle taking turns sharing their verses. In this case, there was no music…just our words) Long story short, Tuscon stood out to me. Weeks went by after the event. Out of the blue I reached out to him and let him know that he was to be my September Muse and I wanted to know all about him and what it was that he stood for. Why? Because he was vibrant in the delivery of his verses. He was eloquent, animated and serious. He exuded passion and strength in his convictions. He did not come across as an artist simply trying to be seen and heard. He came across as an artist with much to say. Turns out…. I was exactly right.

Tucson and I shared several inspiring conversations. It became crystal clear early on in our communication that he understood the significance of the fact that Hip-Hop sprang from the struggle of being born Black in America. He understood that Hip-Hop offered Black people an alternative to sharing information that for a while went unnoticed by those who would just assume silence that information…information that urged Black people to “Fight the Power that Be” -Public Enemy

The underground urban movement known as "Hip Hop" began to develop in the 1970’s.

Hip-Hop is innately political. When used correctly it allows artists to speak their mind in a way that no other form of communication can boast. It reaches its listeners through a cadence of words that take the listener on a ride to gather better understanding of the world around them. In many cases those words find their way to ears that, for the first time, are opened to new suggestion.

Language is political. Hip -Hop takes advantage of that fact and uses it to open closed minds and encourage people to think. At the end of the day, if you can make it make sense it makes sense and if you cannot make it make sense it does not make sense. There is an intelligence that is often overlooked in Hip-Hop because in many cases people pay more attention to the wrapping than the gift.

When speaking with Tuscon I asked him to define Hip-Hop and to share with us what he believes prompted Hip-Hop to spring forth.

“Hip Hop is the knowledge of Spirituality, Philosophy, Black History, and Economics along with the blending of the 4 original elements, which are: Rapping, DJing, Graffiti Writing and B-Boying)

Hip-Hop is rooted in our culture. In its evolution, it developed the power to attract like-minded individual. Hip-Hop is the spirit of community that spreads knowledge about the world around us and it has always been. It’s an innate part of Black people that stems back to the drum circles of Africa. That’s where the Cypher comes from. Hip-Hop is the passing of knowledge and creative energy from one generation to the next. Through the years the spirit of Hip-Hop has been taken off track. This deviation began when it was pulled away from its natural essence. Hip-Hop, like so many “Black Wall Streets,” was not a problem until it began doing “too much.” It was generating money and causing people to stand taller in their Blackness.

When there is influence there is opportunity and where there is opportunity there is money to be made. Someone saw the potential of Hip-Hop and took advantage of the fact that the average artist came from impoverished conditions and had a “keep up with the Jones mentality.” Suddenly we went from sound lyrical content to what resents today…. the training of the masses to have short attention spans and the desire to keep up with what is trending. Neither of which benefits Black people. We are taking it back.

There is always an event, entity, or person who pops up to put things back in perspective. Our current climate is birthing many such individuals into existence who are putting the focus back on lyrics and Hip-Hop responsibility. I compare it to a child, A child has as much guidance as given. It is important that we look to who selects what it is that we hear on a regular basis and why. We must ask ourselves: Who are the Gate Keepers and what are they guarding?

There is an awakening going on. This one is different because things have gone so far left. By that I mean the artistry took a back seat to what it is supposed to be concentrating on…BLACK PRIDE…. SENSE OF COMMUNITY and a SENSE OF PURPOSE.

I am current working on my final two projects as a performing artist, after which I will concentrate my energies on Cypher Univercity. Cypher Univercity is celebrating its 7th anniversary. It was born on the campus of NC State University. Our mission is to expand our growing movement of free expression to college campuses and centers of knowledge across the world, showing how an open mind and open culture can manifest a positive impact on one’s life. Major contributors of this movement are: Eshod Howard/Eternal, Chris Shreve/C Shreve the Professor, Jrusalam, Anderson Burrus, Derricks Thomas/Ghost Dog, and Mike Lives.”

Sources of Information about Cypher Univercity:

• Listen to Tuscon at: https://soundcloud.com/tuscon1100

• Learn more about Cyper Univercity at: www.facebook.com/Cypher Univercity/

www.cyphacypha.com

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MORE ABOUT TUSCON:

FAVORITE HIP HOP ALBUM EVER: Aquemini by Outkast

FAVORITE HIP HOP SONG: "MC's Act Like They Don't Know" by KRS ONE

FAVORITE SONG EVER: "Inner City Blues" by Marvin Gaye

Top 5 Favorite Emcees EVER:

• KRS ONE

• RAKIM

• BIG DADDY KANE

• NAS

• SCARFACE

Home Town: Brooklyn NY

Currently Residence: Raleigh NC

Best Memory as it relates to performing: I opened for KRS One in Wilmington NC…I noticed that when I was performing he purposely got up and moved closer to the stage to hear me…. after the show we all got on stage and had a Cypher and KRS One passed the mic to me! I was on cloud nine.

Thoughts on the current state of the music industry: Not good. It’s about money. Downloads, as opposed to skills, represent talent these days.

Most disappointing thing that you have experience as it relates to being a performing artist: We got black balled because we saw where things were going and stepped back. We have refused opportunities because they were not aligned with our mission

Biggest Influences: My Mom was a powerful MC….so it’s in my blood. Along with the Emcees I mentioned before: James Brown…the architect

Motivation to create: Hip- Hop and Life.

Join me here again next month when we dive further into this topic and explore more positive movements that are designed to uplift us as people. Until next time 😊

Always, Robin.