Jean Grae: We Finna Teach You Something

March 30, 2015By Nati

You should know I’m a Jean Grae fan. Here’s a lovefest post from 2010 in my old blog (yay vintage WordPress layouts!) I feel blessed to know I’ve been raised on the hip-hop of someone so fearless, so being herself while navigating this crazy digital and hip-hop era. We’ll look back and realize how many … Read More

Vote for Sol!

March 28, 2015By Nati

Two days left! Vote NOW for Sol Collective  – who do extraordinary work on behalf of women and families in California. Please take a minute to help them win $10,000 from the Women’s Foundation of California. Vote here: http://bit.ly/15Dqw4f. Visit Sol’s website to learn about their work: www.solcollective.org

Nani Castle: They Call It Pink Gold

March 28, 2015By Nati

March was a great month for emcee Nani Castle. You should try her on for size because hers is a voice you been waiting for and people are catching on. Follow her on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook:           I read that fellow Staten Islander Raekwon’s solo debut album “Only Built 4 … Read More

MUSIC MAKING MINDS!

March 27, 2015By Nati

Cop Sonnymoon‘s The Courage Of Present Times HERE. Share image widely!

Sol Life x SXSW Tonight!

March 21, 2015By Nati

“We really want to promote voices we feel are important to our communities, and amplify them.” – Estella Sanchez talking to Cap City Radio Today our team is launching a co-op label and booking model called Sol Life. Do we know exactly what it looks like or how it will work yet? No. Do we … Read More

Today In Austin: Festival is Source

March 20, 2015By Nati

Today’s the day! If you’re in Austin, come join us for this gathering of global local fam. Thank you to our hosts, DiverseArts and Harold McMillan who do such important work in Austin. Read: “Keeping Black Culture Alive In Austin” GLOBAL LOCAL is co-powered, traveling-community activation bringing together visionaries who are breathing new paradigms into … Read More

Warrior Of This Culture

March 13, 2015By Nati

“As a first generation Asian-American, we have a very unique story to tell, and if we do not take ownership of it and document it, who will?” Check out #SolLifeFam Nisha K. Sembi of Kalakari, who I wrote about last year, in this NBC News feature about her unconventional route to becoming a graffiti writer … Read More

The Turn Up Is Possible: Rap Breathing Life

March 6, 2015By Nati

Rappers Breathing Life: Guatemalan rappers promote Mayan language, stories to youth [READ] “In a country plagued by gang activity and high homicide rates, Balam Ajpu sees its music as an instrument to teach young people to live in harmony with others and nature by returning to the principles of the Mayan calendar.” The voices from … Read More

An Exploration Into Artistic Freedom At SXSW

March 5, 2015By Nati

Pioneering Collective To Launch Artist-Driven Record Label At SXSW 2015 RSVP on Facebook: http://on.fb.me/1B8w6gC Sol Life Is An Exploration Into Artistic Freedom, A Bold Reimagining of Not Only The Traditional Arts-Based Non-Profit Model But Also The Recording Industry Model – Both Experiencing Major Shifts – And The Fertile Ground Prime For Transnational Recultivation Thursday, March … Read More

Discos Peligrosa: What We’re Made Of

March 4, 2015By Nati

I was super excited to receive an email late last year from DJ Orion – the sonic and vibe-maker behind Austin’s Peligrosa Crew (who I’ve written about in the past) – about his new record label, Discos Peligrosa. Reading this interview in Remezcla by Sara Skolnick about the label launch and owning his evolution as … Read More