SEN ONE6

SEN ONE6

SEN ONE6 is representative of Universal Zulu Nation, and creator of the magnificent TV show "Visual Caffeine". Every hiphopper will like of video clips collections, interviews and reports from the parties, which SEN ONE6 broadcasts in their show.

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Tell us about yourself.

Peace and bliss. My name is Pedro "SEN ONE6" Soler.

Producer, Director, Editor and I do the graphics for my TV show "Visual Caffeine". I live in Brooklyn, NY. How long have you been in the Zulu Nation? Tell us about your activity in UZN. I've been a card carrying member since 2009. Mainly I've done logos and flyers for the UZN. Including 6 UZN Anniversary flyers as well as 50-60 event flyers for UZN events.

Zulu Queen Saphire told that you developed a test for the young members UZN. Tell us about it.

The test I developed is for the "Green Book". I did this to make sure that, when asked, members are able to speak on Zulu history and philosophy. The test I wrote is intended not just to show that you can memorize certain things. It's designed to see if you live what you study. How do you bring this info into your everyday life?

The worst thing is when you are asked about something you claim to represent, and don't know the answer!

You make video show "Visual Caffeine". Tell us about its history.

"Visual Caffeine" was put into motion after speaking with Lord Yoda X. We were discussing how corporate media represents Hip Hop. He advised me that instead of complaining, we can create own media!

With his advice I went to Brooklyn Free Speech TV (Brooklyn public access TV) and started the TV show. The great thing about Public Access TV is that your media is considered your intellectual property. It really is a great outlet to get the message out.

No program directors to tell you what content to release!

Now, 5 years later, "Visual Caffeine" is hosted by John Robinson and DJ 2Fast, and we have included live acts as well!

Already you published 47 issues. And they are very diverse. Some of them are the mixtapes of video clips, others issues include interviews with hiphoppers. How you choice the themes and format of "Visual Caffeine" issues?

There really is no process – just whatever comes to mind.

There are some types of graphics and cartoon characters in your show. Who creates the visual part of the show?

I do.

Everybody who loves and remembers the classic hiphop, love the issues of "Visual Caffeine", which include video clips of famous MCs from 1980-90s years. How these videos are perceived by young people who have not seen these clips before?

My goal is not only to reach the youth. There are many adults who are exposed to Hip Hop culture through "Visual Caffeine". So far I have gotten good responses. Once the youth are actually exposed to the Culture of Hip Hop – they enjoy it.

"Visual Caffeine" issues also include live videos of Zulu Nation parties. How popular these parties among young people? Do they help to young people changing their understanding Hip Hop culture?

Young people love these parties. They not only help with understanding Hip Hop. It ensures that the culture is passed on correctly.

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Zulu Nation is a great organization that unites people around the world. But how many of us, UZN members, in comparison with those people who simply listens popular rap?

Simple – Peace, Unity, Love, Work and Havin' fun! Hip Hop is an intelligent movement (hip-to know Hop-movement) Pop-Hop as I like to call it is there to make money for people not from the culture of Hip Hop. Changes in hip-hop is good and is search of innovations.

But it is bad when we forget about the principles of culture. Do you think the use of the art form of Hip Hop in the entertainment industry has brought more benefits by allowing young people to see a benchmark for their own development? Or is it caused more harm, because it replaced the principles of hip-hop culture on the showbiz stereotypes?

In many ways it has caused harm. When the early Zulu park jams were rockin, speeches by Malcolm X or Martin Luther King were played over music to educate the people. Now they play quotes from the movie "Scarface" (a movie that had Al Pacino playing a Cuban with the most stereotypical accent ever) – just one example. It all can't be blamed on the "industry" - many people that were shown true Hip Hop culture, never shared this knowledge.

How we must fight against it, except own example?

By being the example. EACH ONE TEACH ONE. Support those artists who are representing the culture of Hip Hop. Create your own media. With the technology out today you can do it from your living room.

Do you cooperate with the Guerrilla Republic. Tell us about this organization.

I support Guerrilla Republik and their message. As Zulu's we need to support and expose our own first.

In the USA there are many organizations that use hiphop to deal with juvenile crime. How effective is this activity? Tell us about such organizations in New York.

In my own experience – youth will listen if approached in a way they can understand. And that goes for all youth, wherever they live. It just takes time. You can't just show up once and expect youth to listen. There are many groups that do this. What we have to do is stop waiting for a group and go out individually to help our communities.

"Visual Caffeine" is not only popularization of hip-hop, but also the educate of the audience. In your show often talk about serious topics of our culture. How do you see the role of the show? Not only yours, but in general – TV shows, online shows. What they should bear, in addition to entertainment?

The role of "Visual Caffeine" is simple – EACH ONE TEACH ONE. I am fortunate to have been exposed to this culture from those that created it. My job as a Zulu is to share what I've been taught.

In terms of other shows – be you, stay creative and do it independently.

What are your plans for the future? What the next issuu of "Visual Caffeine" will be devoted?

The plan is to keep exposing the culture of Hip Hop to the residents of Planet Rock.

All I'll say about the next episode is that it will not disappoint. You can check out next episode on May 1, 2015 at www.viscaff.com!

http://www.viscaff.com http://www.vimeo.com/visualcaffeine http://facebook.com/SEN.UZN http://www.uznbuildingfund.blogspot.com http://zulunation.com

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