We Need Some More Girls in Here

28 10 2009

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I think I take for granted living where I live that many of us out here are working towards a new vision for society, but  I realize that there are many people all over trying their hardest to keep things the way they are.  I originally meant the following words for a comment at Birdseed’s Tunedown, but the comment had become too long, so I’ve decided to post it here.  Excuse me Johan for jacking another one of your posts, and excuse me everyone else for any unorganized thoughts.

I think it’s important we take a serious critical look at sexism in reference to the global ghetto technology music thing.  One thing that really excites me personally with all this technology and dissemination of information is the potential (it may be a totally idealized vision) for traditionally suppressed voices to become heard and have influence to help determine their own future.   I think that’s what excites a lot of us, but there is also a danger for all of us to recreate the same systems of oppression that we navigate everyday.  Whose voices are being heard, and who is taste is determining what gets heard?   I think we all have to look at our positions of privilege and evaluate why we are doing what we are doing, and if our actions reinforce neo-colonial structures.  Sexism is definitely a big part of that structure.  There are many ways that sexism manifests itself from a lack of women existing in certain parts of the scene, to the desire to see women as sexual objects, to less straightforward questions like why are a majority of the Africans out at clubs or parties in the diaspora men?

Whether it’s Mad Decent, Generation Bass, Ghetto Bassquake, or any other website, we are a portal.   Our tastes determine whether or not we put stuff on or not, and in a capitalist society, that is a position of power.  Granted these days power is more diffused than in the major label hey day, but the industry is generally still representative of traditional social structures.

I think I would agree that it would be problematic if [the girls posted on Mad Decent] only got promoted because they were attractive, but it is also just as troublesome to assume that they were only promoted because of their looks.  The real problem is the fact that in many instances, men are still the ones in power making the decisions (save for a few, big up Julianne, Ripley, Isa, Anna, Raquel, Asma, Rachel.)  Whether recognition is motivated by sexual desire or criticism motivated by jealousy, a forum where a person’s skills are questioned because of their gender is a flawed one.

I’d like to see these conversations move away from the competitive commodity based society.  The more I’m involved with music professionally the more I see how this kind of gray area capitalism infuses itself into many dealings and interactions, unwritten rules that you learn through experience.  It makes me question the motivation behind some people’s actions.  Why would someone get jealous about a Mad Decent posting?  What advantage does such recognition give you?  What position does it put you in?  I wonder these things especially, because it is the Mad Decent forum from which we get things like Major Lazer and all the controversy that it sparks.  How does power play a role in music business or even aesthetic criticism?

We must look at who is in a position of power in regards to, race, class, access to technology, gender, sexual orientation, ability, and make that our lens when either promoting, writing about, drawing attention to, creating, deriding, listening to, or dancing to global ghetto technological music, in order to really understand what’s going on, why certain things become controversial, and what our role in alleviating or perpetuating certain ills are.  I’ve heard DJ’s say we’re not trying to be PC, and I can understand the desire to not want to have to look over your shoulder with every move you make.  I say fine don’t be politically correct, but please, by all means, in everything you do, be at least socially conscious.  Know who benefits and who is burdened by your actions.

Applying these thoughts to my everyday work with youth, I’m currently in a place where I’m trying to think of ways that I can help people fight the system that oppresses or discriminates against them, but at the same time not get left behind by that system.  I feel like the education system in America is failing many youth from disadvantaged backgrounds, so I come in and work with those youth on technological expression, helping them create their own music, or other digital projects.  Am I really helping these youth, teaching them these technical and artistic skills, if they are failing all of their classes in a society where level of education more and more determines social class?  Also, if they recreate those systems of oppression themselves by expressing misogyny or violence, what benefit or detriment is it to them or what benefit or detriment is it to their peers?  It truly is a constant struggle to balance the right kind of social development in an educational environment.  Global Ghettotechnicians of all races, genders, orientations, and abilities, let’s not fall into the same traps.

Dead Prez – We Need A Revolution





The Very Best & Chief Boima: Show Canceled

23 10 2009

Very Best 10/23

I’ll be opening for the Very Best when they come to San Francisco next week in support of their new album Warm Heart of Africa, which has just been released in the US. I’ve been hoping to play with these guys for a long time. The gig is at 103 Harriet in San Francisco on Friday October 23rd.
Update: The show is canceled.   The Very Best is not able to make it to San Francisco tonight.  It will be rescheduled at a later date.





Coupe Decale with Eddie Stats

13 10 2009

Flyer Coupe Decale 10-17

Coupe Decale at Baobab Village in San Francisco will be this Saturday.  The special guest will be DJ Eddie Stats, writer for Fader Magazine and regular contributor through his Ghetto Palms blog.  He puts out a great mix every week of music from all over the world.  I’m more than excited to have him come contribute some sounds live!





Ghetto Bassquake on Diesel U Music Radio

7 10 2009

Diesel U

I’ve been meaning to post this mix up here from the summer, as well as do a more general round up of thoughts and pics from my visit to Europelandia.  I’ll get to that later (hopefully sooner.)  One real exciting opportunity was being able to do a two hour show on Diesel U Music Radio.  We posted Part 2 for your listening pleasure, originally going up at Ghetto Bassquake.  Part 1 was too much jibber jabber.  Check the music!

Ghetto Bassquake on Diesel U Music Radio Part 2

INTRO

The Very Best – Julia

VAMANOS IN THE MIX

Busy Signal – Like A Shaker (Shake Shake)
Uproot Andy – Smooth Criminal RMX
Banda el Mexicano – No Bailes de Caballito
Busy Signal ft Rubi Dan – Tic Toc
Luky Gomes – (Baka) Zeze e Toto Kuduro Mix
DJ Znobia & Come Todas – Mete Nojo
DJ Amorim – Os Angolas
IVM – Batida Mix / DJ Dú Marcel – Tribal Sound
Nelo & Djoza – Rabentola

CHIEF BOIMA IN THE MIX

Didier Awadi-Zamouna
YV-Own Step (Chief Boima Remix)
Zakee Kuduro ft. Anbuley-Sane Eba
Casper-Cha Cha Slide (Kuduro Remix)
The Outhere Brothers-Pass the Toilet Paper
Chelly-Took The Night
Akatoto-Dans le Tempo (DJ Click Remix)
Nina Sky-Turnin’ Me On
Soukous Stars-Nairobi Night (Chief Boima Remix)
Mr. V-Put Your Drink Down (Big Space Remix)
Mzee feat. Candy Nurse-Mahuwelele (Manoo Remix)
DJ Cleo ft. DJ What What-Bloemfontein Funk
Unknown Artist-Pump It Up (Kuduro Remix)
Marlon D -Jesus Creates Sound (Main Mix)
Flamzy-Faroter feat. Joskar
Afro National-Graunkalay

OUTRO

Toby Love feat. Omega-Tu No Ta Pa Mi (Remix)








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