YOUR SOUND, YOUR RESPONSIBILITY

Recently went to my Mom's Djembe (gym-bay) class. She has been studying for almost 4 months. Learned a lot at this particular block of instruction.

First, drumming is usually only played for special occasions: wedding ceremony, birth of a child, harvest celebration, a visitor approaching the village, etc. That is it. There is no practicing in between. One must know their part and play the hell out of their drum when it is time; hence, a good memory and skill is key.

Also, the drummer, specifically the master drummer, is charged with protecting the dancers. For instance, they would signal the dancers, through certain beats, if they are too close to the crowd.

But overall, what I found very interesting is that all drummers are responsible for their sound. In selecting a drum, they find one that is the right "fit." If having one built from scratch, it is a drummer's responsibility to make sure the carpenter carving a drum for him knows his needs and expectations. They must communicate constantly regarding the type of wood, how the drum is to be carved (depth, width, etc.), the skin, etc.

Moreover, the drummer is also responsible for every move his hands make. He is in control. If he sends out bad or ill vibes, it is on him and no one else.

So when Curtis Jackson spews poisonous, self-destructive, genocidal words like, "I'm into having sex, I ain't into making love, I got the x if you into drugs..." he, and other artists like him (irresponsible talent-less sellouts) show the world how little they care about their audience, our people or the sound they produce. Their music is not worthy of our dollars or our time.

We, the consumers and listeners, should take a page from hip-hop group Dead Prez' book. The everso-controversial, non-commercialized, non-mainstream duo does not get played on the radio much; maybe it has something to do with one of their hits, "Turn Off The Radio (Turn Off That Bullshit)." The cut has lyrics like:

We rollin dirty wit it, fully dedicated
So real that the radio'll never play it
But that's cool, the enemy supposed to hate it

What's on the radio, propoganda, mind control
And turnin it on is like putting on a blindfold
Cuz when you bringin the real you don't get ro-tation
Unless you take over the station
And yeah I know its part of they plans
To make us think it's all about party and dancin
And yo it might sound good when you spittin your rap
But in reality, don't nobody live like that

Platinum don't mean it gotta be hot
I ain't gotta love it, even if they play it a lot
You can hear it when you walk the streets
How many people they reach, how they use music to teach
A "radio program" ain't a figure of speech
Don't sleep, cuz you could be a radio freak.

Axe.

Currently Reading: I Wish I Had A Red Dress by Pearl Cleage
Currently Listening To: (what else) Turn Off The Radio by Dead Prez, Drumline Final Battle from the Drumline Soundtrack?