Author
Ytzhak
NB. more Hip Hop crews (The Welfare Poets) who take their skillz to teach kids and put back into the hoods and barrios they come from -- the deed we need in Victoria: "the Welfare Poets have joined and led campaigns for the Freedom of Political Prisoners, for the establishment of Cop Watch, Environmental Justice in NYC, Vieques, and fighting for human rights worldwide...."
http://victoria.indymedia.org/news/2005/05/40601.php
The Welfare Poets:
THE COLLECTIVE: Educators, Organizers and Performers
The Welfare Poets interpret indigenous forms of poetry and music, including Hip Hop, Bomba, Plena, Afro-Cuban Jazz, Funk, and Blues. Using the power of arts and culture, the Welfare Poets bring together people to realize the collective potential, and ultimately address social, political and economic issues critical to the survival of all communities. In addition to facilitating literacy workshops for students, parents and teachers, the Welfare Poets have joined and led campaigns for the Freedom of Political Prisoners, for the establishment of Cop Watch, Environmental Justice in NYC, Vieques, and fighting for human rights worldwide. They are also releasing an independent documentary about the death penalty due out the summer of 2005 called “Cruel and Unusual Punishment.”
Most recently, the Welfare Poets performed at a tribute to Malcolm X, held at the Abyssinian Church in Harlem (New York City) on February 21, 2005, and at the Anti-War protest this past March 19th in Central Park, marking the 2nd anniversary of the US invasion of Iraq.
ABOUT THE ALBUM
Sak Pasé
From its monumental revolution and establishment as the first free Black nation in the Western Hemisphere, to its current crisis, Sak Pasé is a cry for liberty and freedom for a nation that has contributed so much to the world; Haiti. The song is played in Cuban Cha Cha Cha with a touch of Hip Hop, with usage of Haitian Creole. Some terms used are Sak Pasé, Nag Bulé, Liberté a Ayiti translated to What’s up/Burning or I’m hot/Emancipate Haiti, respectively. Also mentioned is Bwa Kayman, the spiritual site in Haiti where Vodou Priest, Boukman held the ceremony that started the revolution in the 1790’s, which is still inspiring ideas of freedom and revolution in the minds of millions around the world.
The Media
Written before and after 9/11, The Media examines the role of the press, its relationship to multinational corporations and their desire to manufacture an illusory consensus. The epic poem connects the struggle to free Vieques (Puerto Rico), the genocide committed against the proud people of Palestine by the imperialist governments of both Israel and the United States, and the American occupation of Iraq. The Media was first performed at the historical “The World Says No to War” Rally in NYC on February 15, 2003 for a crowd of more than 500,000 protestors against the US’ illegal war in Iraq.
Rhyme For Reason
This song is another call for our modern day griots (Hip Hop emcees) to live up to the 5th principle of Hip Hop, which is Knowledge, Wisdom and Overstanding. It is also a show of force in the face of all our civil liberties being deprived due to the enactment of laws like the Patriot Act(s) and the Anti-Terrorist Bill. We boldly claim that we fight for the abolishment of this cruel system of capitalism as we attempt to expose the contradiction in America’s democracy and their continued plan to dominate the planet.
The Welfare Poets are: Ray Ramirez (Rayzer Sharp – vocals, coro), Hector Rivera (HecOne - vocals, coro), Djibril Toure (bass, vocals), Jamaki Knight (drums, vocals), Emi (keyboards, trumpet, vocals, coro), Angel Rodriguez (congas, vocals, cuás, chékere), Jorge Vázquez (barriles, cuás, maracas, panderetas, güiro, congas, bongó, drums, coro), Fidel Paulino (guitars, coro), Kwami Coleman (keyboards, coro), Camilo Molina (barriles, panderetas, trumpet, drums), Elliot Cabrera (sax, coro) and Dahu Ala (trumpet, vocals).
Free Downloads:
Free Download: Sak Pase off of new album - Rhymes For Treason
see also:
In contrast to the official U.S government treatment of the Pres. Chavez, in the Bronx, at the Point CDC, hundreds of people came to meet and greet the popular Latin America president with music, love and admiration. The Welfare Poets, who only a month ago traveled to and performed in Venezuela at the International Youth and Student Festival, played a funky African 6/8 rhythm as he entered the Live From the Edge Theatre and greeted local politicians and supporters who were present.
http://victoria.indymedia.org/news/2005/09/43711.php
and
The Welfare Poets' music is Urban Plena, the street news of the ghettos in the United States. Bringing poetry and rhyme with a mixture of Hip Hop, Funk, Salsa, Blues and Jazz, the Welfare Poets make music to uplift oppressed people all over the world.
http://victoria.indymedia.org/news/2003/06/14970.php
or
http://awol.objector.org/artistprofiles/welfarepoets.html
and
The massive orgulloso yells of "Boricua" (Taino word for Puerto Rican and term of pride and consciousness) and waves upon waves of single starrred Puerto Rican Flags always sent wonderful chills throughout my body. Later, after reading history of the United States' colonial project in Puerto Rico, I realized that waving our flag was more than just a nationalistic act of pride but also an act of resistance and an afirmation of our right to self-determination.--HecOne of the Welfare poets -- "A Meditation on Puerto Rican Day Parade & La Ley Mordaza (Gag Law)"
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