Silient is... The woman on the train who looks you in the eye and whispers wisdom. The moment you run into an old friend on the street. Peeling off the top of a coconut to reveal its nourishing waters. A man asks to take a deep breath with you on the corner of a busy street. Your healer teaches you how to thank the Earth. The unseen talent of the cashier at the vegan ice cream spot. The manifestations you bring into reality. Discovering your favorite painter is also a genius musician, yogi and cook. Meeting a soul for the first time who feels like a phantom from your past. When the beat
drops.
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CURATOR’S NOTE
Silient is here to commemorate and nourish the flexible identity of the millennial artist. I am exhausted of media outlets that write about my family with disrespect. Spelling errors, lack of enthusiasm and egotistical communication often occur with popular artist platforms if the artist isn’t over-hyped by fame. There are too many basic people that push their resources toward artists that only create in order to over saturate and gain attention. Conscious artists need an outlet to showcase their art created for the purpose of elevation. Natural, positive creation evokes effortless recognition, resources and respect.
My experience so far in the art world is the most extraordinary
collage of beautiful moments glued together by the strong pulse of underground music and visual art. As I continue to experience new creation, it blows my mind how most people I know who inspire so meaningfully aren’t known on a global scale. I curated this zine with specific artists who I believe have infinite ways to grow through their creation because they move with purposeful steeze.
Silient is here to present my appreciation and love for those who
have equally given support to my purpose. We are one. Our love doesn’t rely on how much money we spend on clothes or how many online followers we have. This community spreads love through art so infinitely the capitalist imprint of success cannot unhinge or waver us. Our love is what is creating a world where creativity is the source of happiness; and where our high consciousness on Mother Earth works to change the future forever.
Inspire from your place of peace + love infinitely.
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03
Tyler Hicks, Open Season
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Bobo Matjila shot by Jocelyn Rodriguez
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Aura Luna
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Anaka, (ghetto) Bird Watching
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Fuchsia pt. II (an American Love Story) By Roseangelica Lopez
I. They scream, “It’s eternal, eternal!” So we wait in lines wearing our sheep wool paid for by sweat. Faces so sick from the greed they sprinkle on their pizza. All the green hues pass from me, to you. Olive papyrus to satisfy the masses.
II. We scream, “It’s eternal, eternal!” So I wait in line with my dunce cap, and a heart on my ass paid for with the time of his current girlfriend. Her face a lie; she’s been a lesbian the entire time. All the fuchsia hues pass from me to you as I decay. Toxic from the NYC sewers dilutes in my oxidated blood. It mixes with the lies planted in the crevices of Latin rosebuds.
III. The bubbling sensation in my throat is a question I can’t recall, but you were the one who asked so the answer must be bullshit. He screams, “Eternal, eternal,” and that’s when I buried myself in American soil.
PICS & Q’S WITH ANAKA
IG: markusprimelives Site: mlnnprime.com
09 WHEN DO YOU FEEL
VATING HIGHER?
YOUR INTUITION ELE
this, you have “oh you have to do it like h clients. People tell me , but they ney mo big nt spe Often when dealing wit y I had a client that uh…the le mp exa For d to certain t.” itle tha ent e to do it like money they wer y felt because they spent known fact a is his —t ple asked for a lot of shit. The peo of it. I draw only black out y grit inte the question the So . k ple too things. It draw all white peo lar person wanted me to had to tell I So t. shi t tha by now—but this particu do ’t do I just tell her I don or ney mo of a took that lot uld a wo e I If tak was do I about my decision. lly upset, but I felt good a do this Imm ss gue I h “O her I don’t. She was rea like l situations where I fee ilar sim ment g mo min are lco se we t tho gig, it’s jus you can get in. So already selling out before too” and it’s like you’re , “Listen to your gut.” where I really tell myself
WHERE DO YOU FIND THE
MOST INSPIRATION AND WH
Y?
I still don’t fully know why I find the most inspiration in the black female body. It’s one of those things that sits stro ngly in my psyche. I saw a void and I have the talent to contribute to the lack of repr esentation with a solution. And , as I’m trying to learn more about being a black man and more about black women who have been holding us down since day one, I think it mad e me hungrier to learn. I just felt like it was important. I don want people to think I’m the ’t ambassador of black women. I just feel like, this is on my heart and this is how I choose to express it. Just like if you wanted to fight cancer by raising awareness and your heart was in it. I might be on something else next week, but right now that’s what I’m focu sed on.
HANY YOU EXPERIENCE?
L EPIP WHAT WAS THE MOST IMPACTFU
This shit is bigger than me. Internet. saying how they feel about you on the A lot of people are very comfortable s. I have to keep head their in you t abou up e mad People have all these personas get discouraged is what’s important. Sometimes I reminding myself that the message I have a way r mbe reme to I always take a step back when I see people talking shit, but need to. That’s they e wher age mess the ng getti are le more positive support system. Peop the right like feel I now right stop me: if I had to what I mean when I say bigger than as the message gets long As e. futur the into it carry and people could take my message across, I don’t really care about me.
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Alima
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Arin Hayes
Chelsea Bravo
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I like her because she’s got some soul. The type to raise a tribe with pride, melanin and diligence. Roots run deeper than the stigma that her colour gets. Wears it all with a smile. - Words Kojey Radical
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Sammy Selin
By DUG
PORTLAND, OR
DEEP UNDER GROUND
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Deep Under Ground movement, started by Madenna & Mia seeks to trigger revolutionary action by channeling discontent through creative outlets. There are many people, especially in the black community in Portland with no platform. Artist who spend their whole life perfecting their craft may never get the chance to share because there is no audience, no safe space, no community for us on a non mainstream level. Who says you must have fame to be heard and spread word? DUG supports the under ground scene and all the people, young and old. We believe that all people should have the opportunity to be heard, and to use arts as an outlet to revolutionize and change lives even if it is only for a few minutes during an open mic. It is important that our people know this is for them. We’re in this together, still fighting for our freedom. For our respect and our time taken and wasted. The under ground revolution has begun. Deep Under Ground. “This is the time, the time is now.�
PICS & Q’S WITH ANAKA
IG: ilanifay Site: ilanifay.comm
21 W HAT W IL L YO
UR FR EE DO M FE EL LI KE ?
I can be in any pla ce, in any storm ag ainst anything…o at peace, and conte r on top of anything nt. and
just feel
E RO LE BO UN DA RIE S OF TH SE LF PU SH ING TH E UR YO E SE U YO DO HOW OF TH E ARTIST scientist as well society by being also a tion of the artist in our is the concept of g thin e cor My I will change the percep of just being one, really. y wa a is st . There are far arti An like r. ks as an explore tter what that loo g one’s own reality no ma standards. ’s ple peo er oth via legitimacy and legitimizin and alidated via the media inv are t l, whoever tha s fee litie you rea too many ”! And, whatever cept of “fuck standards I want to explore the con you are, it’s valid.
W H AT A BO U
T LI FE IN FL U EN CE
S YO U A N D YO U R A RT TH E M O ST ? I probably woul dn’t be where I am today if it diary of my dr weren’t for my eams. It’s what dreams. I keep I look forward There aren’t a an active to at night: tapp lot of dream th ing into my un eorists out rig as not-legit th conscious. ht now. In fact ings as a resu , I feel that drea lt of self-comm books—there ms are seen odification. Yo are so many di u’ve gotta look fferent genres apart after prac at dreams as . I’ve realized ticing in this wa how to tell ce y. That’s the fu most people do rtain dreams nny thing abou n’t understand t dream langua . If you really will know your ge that take the time self. to know your dreams you The people ar ound me, the love is what in huge influence spires me the , but to be hone most. I feel th st I think love been pointing at dreams have is what inspire at this need to a s them. My dr spread compa that: what does eams have ssion and love love look like . My art is an in my life, but exploration of also in the broa der sense?
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Aura Luna
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Black child Little Black child Run wild Don’t come back here They’ll whip yo back here They’ll kill you Run away Run away Run child Spirit child flower moon You should chill awhile Feel the room I hear ya soul scream Out to you Spirit child Flower moon All these Calls to me
Pink Siifu
It’s like a skeleton in the streets Waiting I told her I’m leaving I’m leaving Mama got a resolution For yo revolution She say evolution Patience Patience Lay low Escaping I’m escaping Escape from the body the soul The soul don’t need no body Soul don’t need no body Escape from the body Soul don’t need no body Patience patience Lay low Patience Stay there little child lay low I’m waiting I’m waiting I’m waiting Lay low lay lay your halo Sweet child...
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Anaka, Incubation
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JUSTIN’S BOOK LIST 4 THE CONCIOUS MILLENNIAL "They Came Before Columbus" - Ivan Van Sertima "Destruction of Black Civilization" - Chancellor Williams "Madjai Vanguards of Kemet" - Jonathan Owens "Christianity Before Christ" by John G. Jackson "The Science of the Dogon" - Laird Scranton "Sacred Woman" - Queen Afua "African Holistic Health" - Dr. Ilaila Afrika "Medical Apartheid" by Harriet Washington "Dark Light Consciousness" Dr. Edward Bynum "Revolutionary Suicide" - Dr. Huey P. Newton "Powernomics" - Dr. Claud Anderson + others books by him "Black Against Empire" (On the Black Panther Party) - Joshua Bloom @pharaoh_honor
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Ivan Forde, War and Peace
PICS & Q’S WITH ANAKA
IG: sofieroyer Site(s): http://soundcloud.com/anymyl & NTS: http://nts.live/shows/sos-radio & boilerroom.tv
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ENCE D THE PART YOU PLAY WITH HOW HAS YOUR BACK GROU ND INFLU WITH AND/ OR CREATED IN? KED WOR VE YOU’ ITIES IN THE COM MUN ties in Italy while studying art, my father My background - my parents met in the seven rural Austria. They weren’t able to coming from Tehran, Iran and my mother from ial necessity, chose different financ of out and , pursue artistic careers despite trying me to chase my dreams and push me paths in life, but have always lovingly encouraged ity of what I’ve been able to do up major large a , out of my comfort zone. Additionally influence or someone in a position of until now is, in part, through an institution of work and giving me an opportunity. my and me power recognizing something about e people with opportunities if I believe So for me the same counts, I really try to provid me. for done in them, just like other people have WHAT ARE YOUR BIGGEST, MOST “IMPOSSIBLE” GOALS/DREAM S FOR THE NEXT YEAR? I’m cool with just existing right now and staying inspired by life!
OO H AN D WH AT’ S THE MO ST PRO MIN EN T PO SIT IVE EPI PHA NY YO U’V HA D AN D WH AT WAS THE E CO NT EXT ? Listen closely to the signs the universe reveals to you; but it’s okay to not have all the answers. Sometimes the bigg er picture is only revealed late r down the line. Also, don’t be afraid of saying no. Equally, I’ll come to realizations abo ut human relationships and the way we interact, or I’ll reco gnize something about the system(s) we live in - I learn something new every day. The people I seem to meet always provide insightful perspectives, there’s a prog ressive flow of information being exchanged.
A lot of the sexism I experience as a young female artist is subtle, it’s nuanced, and it’s systematic. It’s male colleagues getting more opportunities and recognition because their male friends bring them into certain circles, or invite them to certain scenes. It’s not obvious, it’s harder to call out, it’s harder to explain to people who don’t understand. Every sexist microaggression, every professional relationship deteriorated because you deflected a male peer’s sexual advances. It wears you down. By holding the same positions as men in male-dominated industries, womxn in the arts have to overcome obstacles that our male peers don’t, to get to the same places and garner the same amount of respect.
We are revolutionaries. I chose each womxn interviewed here because they are go-getters, they’re switched on. They command respect. They are innovative and motivated thinkers, and they are all so different from one another.
Interviews by ash alexander
31 Vanessa Vigil { Vavi Mami } SITE: VaviVisuals.com IG: VaviMami V: My name’s Vanessa, born and raised in the Bay Area, currently living in Berkeley. I occupy myself with art, primarily photography and painting. A: Was there any one moment when you realized what it meant for you being a female artist, and how do you think that might’ve taken you in a different direction than your male peers?
V: There’s definitely a huge difference between being a woman artist to male artist. It’s totally different trying to work with men because you’re immediately summed up by your physicality rather than your ability or your strengths as an artist. With some men that I worked with it didn’t matter how good of a photographer I was. They were more interested in what I looked like. Which doesn’t make any fucking sense because for what we’re creating or working on, doesn’t matter what either of us look like. For the most part, I have to deal with being hit on first, have to deal with saying, “no,” first before they’re like oh okay we’re really just focusing what we initially came together for. And there’s other moments when I’m really not taken seriously or my opinion is completely overshadowed/ignored because of my gender. I remember a specific moment with three of my close guy friends, walking around San Francisco shooting a music video, and I was assisting them, I had made a comment about shooting from a certain angle so you wouldn’t see something in the background and the other way is a better view. They looked at me and didn’t say anything and the homie next to me said the exact same thing as me and they’re all like, “oh yeah, yeah.” What?! Anything that I said I was ignored, it was crazy, I called them out on it. It happened like 3 times that day. And I’m like, “Yo what the fuck,” There were things I said and five minutes later, if one of the guys would say it, it would be considered. That was a trip to me. That was when I first started working with other male photographers. I don’t think I had really felt that before in my life. Granted, I was out of high school. But I never felt like that in school or in my own household, that my opinion was lesser because I was a womxn, but as soon as I got into the art world I saw how lesser my opinion really is. And that happens all the time still. I have to prove myself. Those are the two main things. Having to deal with getting hit on and not being taken serious, which kind of go hand in hand. And that was so crazy to me.
Esther Robinson-Abrams IG / Twitter: TheRealWavyBaby SOUNDCLOUD: TheRealWavyBaby // RareAirRadio
E: My name is Esther Robinson-Abrams, born and raised in Oakland, California. I moved to LA to go to UCLA, where I’m currently in my second year studying World Arts and Cultures, with a prospective Music Industry minor. At UCLA I’m heavily involved in UCLA radio where I’ve been a DJ for about a year, doing a hip-hop show. I’m very involved in hip-hop in general, everything from producing shows, DJing, radio. Through these outlets I’ve grown my network in the hip-hop industry and have been connecting artists with one another and helping others to their build networks. A: I’ve been with you to a lot of functions. Above all you’re really professional with everyone. Despite this I know that you’ve experienced a lack of professionalism from your male peers. Do you want to talk a little bit about those experiences and how you deal with that? E: When people are first meeting me— especially when I was doing events —I would communicate with venues, artists, or their managers virtually so they never saw me. When they saw me in person they wouldn’t take me seriously. If I came with a guy they would always look to the guy first for the answers, instead of me, even though I was the one putting down the money, the one asking the questions, and making it clear that I was the one calling the shots. But I was still pushed to the side in a lot of different circumstances. They would always make eye contact with the guy, shake the guy’s hands first, kind of overlook me as having an important role in that interaction. And there’s also just people who I have worked with consistently on a strictly business basis, with no hint at it being anything besides business or friendship, and then still had them hit on me or just assume that we were going to hook up, or assume that I was into them, which has always felt very offensive and very unprofessional. And this simply made me not want to work with them, which is really unfortunate because they could be really great people that I’d had no problems with in that aspect and done really successful events. We’ve helped each other out, and it’s been a great resource for both of us, but for them to so casually change that relationship into something sexual— it just really demeans that relationship and makes it seem like they don’t really care about the impact that has on me, or on womxn in general. They don’t even know the impact. It just makes it seem like what I’m doing is a joke, that I’m just playing games, like, “oh she loves hip-hop, she’s just doing her little events. Like she’s just talking to me because she wants to hook up with me. That’s what’s gonna happen in the end.” As if that’s the end goal, not me putting on a successful event, or creating something meaningful.
Patty YourVillain SOUNDCLOUD / IG: PattyYourVillain
P: I’m Patty YourVillain. Born and raised in Bangkok, Thailand. I’m 23 right now and I’m a rap artist and a DJ. A: So when you were first learning how to DJ did you see a lot of other female DJs? P: Yeah, when I started 2 or 3 female DJs were really popular here. I went to the club trying to listen to their music, and I thought, “mmm, this is not what I like to play.” So I just want to bring out something new for the people. A: And how do you feel like people have been responding to it so far? P: It’s hard. Cuz Thailand is so way back, it’s still a developing country. But I’m happy that they’ve opened up more right now. But when I play I feel like people don’t really get my music that much, that’s why I try to blend it more with what they like and what I like. It’s like 60/40 mix. 40 being what I like. But I also have my own trap parties, straight up trap. It’s called Powderpuff. @powderpuff_bkk A: So when you are touring, oftentimes you’re probably the only female in the room. Is there ever a time when that becomes more apparent? P: I’m pretty used to hanging out with a lot of guys. I grew up with a lot of guys friends. It’s fun to be around guys, I’m not that girly. I don’t feel some type of way, I feel like they’re my homies, I’m one of them. We can kick it, we can make tracks, we can go out to eat, we can go out, I can turn up with them. They treat me like one of the guys. We listen to the same type of music, maybe that’s why. I just feel like me being a female rapper kind of puts me in the spotlight because there’s not many in Thailand.
Tia NoMore SITE: TiaNoMore.com IG / SNAP: Tiavelli TWITTER: TiaYesMore SOUNDCLOUD / YOUTUBE: Tia NoMore
T: I’m Tia NoMore. I’m from Oakland, you feel me? I’m from the Town. I be rappin’. Ya know, and I’m a creative. I do other things. I DJ now, I Youtube DJ, you feel me? I’m out here. I’m chillin, I’m a creator. A: I remember when we were at Mary Weather and there was a cypher going down, and all these bruhs are standing around talking empty smack to each other and out of the group there was you, me, Messiah playing cello and singing, and this chick playing upright bass. And I remember that the guys were physically not giving womxn a space in the circle. Even this womxn who is giving them their beat, this womxn playing bass ‘cuz it was late and they made us turn off the stereo system. She was physically excluded, playing outside the circle. I remember wanting a female to step up and join the cypher. One chick did and she killed it, but it seemed to me like maybe you didn’t feel comfortable at the time. What do you remember about that? T: It’s more or less like I’m not finna prove nothin’ to these motherfuckers. I’m there to watch the cypher. I’m there to watch them be dumbasses so I can go to the studio and rap about how it’s a dick fest and these niggas are so prideful that they won’t even acknowledge the females, even the person who’s giving them a reason to do what they’re doing. That’s from the outside, me looking in. I don’t always have to be a rapper. The fact that I do create doesn’t mean I always exemplify that, just because. There’s an environment; sometimes I’m a student, you feel me? And if I’m observing. It’s not that I was more or less comfortable, it was like these niggas are not talkin’ about nothing that I have to reply to, at all. They’re fighting each other over stupid ass shit, that they don’t even have. I was just kinda bein’ there. I was fuckin’ with Messiah, I was fuckin’ whichu. Our energy was there and we were there. I don’t know what the fuck they walked away with, but I definitely remember that night. I don’t be trippin’ off these motherfuckers, I don’t wanna do that shit.
Vanessa Nguyen {Besame} IG: Be_Same
V: I’m Vanessa Nguyen. People know my work under BESAME, pronounced “Be Same” or “Bésame”. I started out as an artist and noticed that it was harder for me to show my work compared to my other artists friends, who also happen to be boys. So I’d do some art with them and shit. Cool. They would get to be in all these shows, or put together shows, but they wouldn’t invite me to join. Not as cool. So that’s why I started throwing shows on my own. I found my own connects, and finessed my way. A: So a lot of womxn in male-dominated occupations experience the “boy’s club” phenomenon and do you feel like that affects you? V: I’d often have to fight for responsibilities and shit, or I would have issues over getting myself marketed. I’m learning that I need to be more vocal when I’m working with boys, and communication is huge. ‘Cuz when I’m working with womxn we check in with each other, you know what I’m saying? I don’t know how much you’ve worked with womxn, but women are naturally more caring, we’ll check in about what’s good for the most part. Whereas in working with dudes, they tend to hog all the work and don’t communicate as much. I have to prod a little more, I can’t expect it to get taken care of. I would rather work for myself so I’m starting a new collective right now and we’re doing it right— going slow with it. I need more communication and to be more comfortable with the people I’m working with. I need to trust them and know that we’re gonna put out authentically good shit. There shouldn’t be any internal issues, that’s what stunts these things. A: Worrrddd! Who’s in it and what have y’all been doing? V: We’re called Le Vanguard. We’ve got a lot of ideas brewing, but will mostly focus on event production, booking, and working closely to support both visual artists and musicians. It’s a multigenre project. Dabble in some marketing, some managing, some arting and special projects. But definitely nothing we’re doing is traditional. It’s gonna be really loose just to mix it up in the industry. I’m very experimental and want to continue in that mode. You can expect some dope events and to hear about different artists. We’re based in the Bay, but also in San Diego and we’re expanding to work in New York, DC, LA and more.. Dreaming big of course, but we gotta start somewhere. The mission of Le Vanguard is to truly protect the arts and be the frontier of our art world, rather than letting our creativity fall prey to some randy poser.
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Afrikan Sniper , Bad Dreams
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PICS & Q’S WITH ANAKA
IG: absentavery Site(s): soundcloud.com/absentavery
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WHAT BRINGS
YOU INNER PEAC
E? I haven’t narrowe d down one thing that gives me inner explore so much an peace. I think that’s d find new mediu why I love to ms and new ways music, being behin to find inner peac d the lens capturin e. I find it in g that perfect mo random alley I’ve ment, or even sk never been through ating down a . Just being out in sometimes sittin the world. Being in g still. I do all the nature; se thi ngs to find inner creating a balance peace in differen . ce ways…
NCED HAVE YOU EXPERIE
A CONNECTION TO
?
YOUR HIGHER SELF
psychedelic drug, which is was my first time doing a It . ego my took two left I T DM did When I erience. I also accidentally one of the stronger to exp just said, k) too tally iden kinda crazy to say, since it’s acc I hit aled, and my friend (who’s ll and hits. All I remember is I inh ediately felt this rush of thri er saying “Yes.” Then I imm emb rem I ss exploded And kne dar The “Yes or no?” ht. nig the Then, I went outside into utiful. giddiness, and laughed. and it’s pretty fucking bea s. I felt what it’s like to die… ure the text n and tha pes her sha furt rs, ch into colo beyond so mu physically feeling, seeing But, I s. vou ner e littl a I went so beyond what I was got ess r was left of my consciousn g eye is used to, that whateve und me. Kind of close to bein rooted within everything aro just was I g, dyin wasn’t really . connected with the infinite HOW DID THIS INFLUENCE YOU
R ART AFTERWARD?
It just took my art even deeper on the path of where it was already going: bridging the gap between all these influences I’ve accu mulated throughout my life.
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JSNMSK 5150
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Rachel Smith
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THE MOON LOST by Sammy Selin I sometimes like to sleep until the skies have turned indigo, the moon lost. I dream of the funky rhythms etched in your expressions. I jive to the doowop of your memory, the voodoos of your orchestration. A trance of your improvisation glues to the fibers of my hair, they stick. Thick like honey, the cats from the block remind me of your concrete consideration. Thick like honey, my sweat drips. Thick like honey, the lyrics of my skin swim, far, far astray to the mendacious lure of peace. I sometimes speak only in the truths of a bygone friend. I kiss the innocence from your lips. I swallow the fidelity kept in the blinks of your eyelashes. I force the moonshine in your esophagus to plunge deep into the stars that once embraced your smile. It was only an unexpected calamity of bad juju. It was only an unsatisfactory song swept under the bed. I sometimes harmonize to the bambalacha blues. I dig the blurred edges of your knees against mine, your knees against mine. I whisper a jukebox of illogical zeal. I trace your breath, in search of salvation, in search of salvation. Instead, I find nothing but hollow beats that stain the air black. One-two, one-two, one-two. I try to remember the lines of your voice. Instead, I find nothing but hollow beats that stain the air black. I sometimes like to sleep until the skies have turned indigo, the moon lost. I dream of the nothing dissolved in the nostalgia left within me. I dream of the nothing, the moon lost.
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Anaka, FAME Project 2015
LIVE FROM UNDERGROUND Follow LFU on the following social networks: Instagram: @livefromunderny Twitter: Twitter.com/livefromunderny Facebook: Facebook.com/livefromunderground
Live from Underground was founded in the hearts of the two Bronx born and raised Hip Hop lovers, Rosangelica Lopez and Sunny Cheeba. Friends for the past few years, these women always had one big thing in common: a love for music and their borough. “When I met Rosangelica and her love for emceeing I knew we would join forces...and that vision became evident after we took a trip together,” claims Sunny. “We flew out to SXSW where people who were awake spread their art and light around us. The SXSW atmosphere reminded us of what the Bronx used to be for New York. The Bronx in the 90’s was a climatic time for Hip Hop. There were jams in parks, music blaring from peoples cars, rap
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cyphers on every other block and graffiti everywhere. We had a vision. Rose and I touched back down in the BX on a mission to provide a platform for our people to unplug from the watered down TV and radio and tap into their higher selves; to speak their truths and inspire the community. Great politicians and newscasters have recognized the revolutionary power of holding a microphone so they try to water down the emcee, but the people cannot be drowned out. Big Brother has always been afraid of the power and artist has in being able to move the masses. We are here to remind everyone that substance is needed in the music today to be able to uplift our people from the mental shackles they have been handed. We are approaching our first anniversary and Live from Underground has grown into a beautiful family of creatives. We have created our own form of Church.�
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Madena Ibrahim
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MEDITATION OF A BROWN GIRL by Raina Morris i. Inhale
Hold
If i wait for you behind the briar bush, will you bring two champagne flutes and a bottle of soda? or perhaps just two bottles and a real flute or perhaps an encyclopedia so I can look up the names of the clouds, and which bush is the briar, and sit, and balance?
Eyelid insides glow like hot ash, cigarette buds like flame bloomshot throat, thick smoke, pause. (I can hear the Jim cawing outside the window) hot, thick, pause.
ii. Exhale I asked my mother how the earth feels- she told me like the back of her neck like the palm of her hand like my cheek like her breast.
iii. Inhale I looked under the sand and found more sand. (underneath that, there may have been a cave full of wooden barrels, brimming with jewels and gems, golden cups, and velvet. and a bassinet lined with cashmere and sheeps wool resting on mahogany feet, seasoned with frankincense, or maybe merr, but all I found was more sand.)
vi. Exhale at last, cool fog on plush willow beds summer heat in hot-water air thick greenery on bare feet, pause. hot, thick, pause.
vii. Inhale I am an elm tree. I grow tall and oldmy shadow is rich. my leaves know so much, that if you find me in the fall and collect a fallen fleck of gold, it will tell you your future.
viii. Exhale You are a dandylion. your future is deathyour killer is a wish in the form of a child’s breath, like harsh wind. Later, she will climb my branches.
iv. Exhale
ix. Inhale
Four books lay thicke and olde, dusted to forget hands and tongue-wicked fingertips. Ask Beatrice is she finds herself deserving. Ask you.
I woke up in marsh-muck in a fur coat. There was a $5 bill and a stick of gum in my pocket.
v. Inhale Chapped lips like tree bark. smile-split, blood spit blood-split, eyes sealed. You play Red Baron on the dog house roof. I am Lucy. I am not afraid. My dress flows free-form through two-dimensional blitz storm.
x. Exhale my mother uses her fingers to trace the contour of my hot forehead, to detangle thick matted curls, pause. hot, thick, pause. Hot day in the sand, Thick briar bush. hot, thick‌
PICS & Q’S WITH ANAKA
IG: amandlastenberg Site: amandlastenberg.com
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WHAT DOES FREEDOM MEAN TO YOU? Freedom to me is not necessarily acqu iring something, but more like retur ning to what’s actually real instead of being distracted by concepts that are more material that get in the way of your true visio n. The environment I feel most free in is the environment of self-acceptance. I feel the most free when I loose my sense of self criticism. ES EPIPHANY?
WHAT WAS YOUR LAT
The things real and what isn’t real. nies recently about what’s s. I’m realizing tion trac dis t jus I’ve been having epipha are t tha gs tangible versus the thin are ut other and abo ght ng wei rryi e wo hav t t tha no weigh ng self-conscious, there’s on yourself. ce pla you s there is no weight in bei ion itat lim to there’s no weight on the the art you’re supposed people’s perceptions, and gs that are really real, is thin The ts. cep like l con fee e I . These are all fals ke with other people The connections you ma giving make while you’re here. ions are just products of itat lim t tha g nin , and I’m lear sometimes I limit myself s. into my own insecuritie
HOW DO YOU BALANCE CREATING IN ORDER TO MAKE BUZZ VS. CREATING IN ORDER TO RAISE HIGHER CONSCIOUSNESS?
Hopefully the two concepts are intertwined. I feel like oftentimes the things that perpetuate the most buzz in the media are things that have some sort of truth of them and that’s why people are interested. I would never want to create art just for attention. The point of creating, and even expressing myself, is to make change. Because, when you’re a woman of color, just existing and thriving has something controversial in it.
Issue 1: 2016 Curation: Anaka Layout/Cover Design: Grant Phillips Publishing: Dog Eared Records