Shake what ya mama gave you?

December 28, 2014By Nati

Call me radical I’ll straddle ya they strangle us want you saddled in to Cut the tongue out ya dome and Dress up the thoughts so you can shake what ya mama gave ya// Shake what ya mama gave ya! Shake what ya mama gave ya?

I never understood why Mami always wanted a Christmas tree…

December 19, 2014By Nati

Even long after we left the house she insisted on putting one up, all the little ornaments, tambien. This display irked me as I got older. She had a Christmas tree until she was 9 and in New York City; and not again until she was a young lady, as my Abuelo brought the entire … Read More

Los Rakas in Los Angeles on Friday!

December 17, 2014By Nati

3BallMTY & Los Rakas LIVE IN LOS ANGELES @ The Regent in DTLA THIS Friday Night! Doors 8PM | Los Rakas 9:30PM TICKETS HERE “Doing whatever feels right in the moment is often easier said than done. Oakland’s Los Rakas has been doing just that, turning heads with its unique mélange – hip-hop, plena, soul, … Read More

ovary riding: otHER enHERgy bruja-ing

December 11, 2014By Nati

I love the energy right now of women around the world breaking the chains of patriarchy and supporting other women without question. Whether it’s one of my favorite online agitators and writers/editors Ayesha Siddiqi – seriously do yourself a favor and follow her on Twitter as @PushingHoops – of The New Inquiry telling the Guardian, … Read More

Block: I can’t help feeling, feeling, feeling…

December 6, 2014By Nati

Eric Garner was a part of my community when I lived back on my hometown of Staten Island, NYC the past 2 years. The man greeted me on the daily while walking to my favorite commune-run used bookstore & cafe on a street called Baby Bay Street (which me and my homegirls renamed Baby Bae … Read More

Los Rakas on VH1, Remezcla & El Diario

November 26, 2014By Nati

Quick news run-down of Los Rakas latest mentions in the press. The group is on the road now with Mexican supergroup, 3BallMTY as part of the Honda Civic Tour (FULL DATES). Don’t miss the show in your town!“15 Latino Artists You Should Know To Get Ready For The Latin Grammys“ “Oakland bred Panamanian-American bilingual rappers … Read More

They Ask Me What I Do & Who I Do It For…

November 20, 2014By Nati

…well, for this exact reason: “By the way, I came to the realization today that I’ve learned more through you than I’ve learned in school this semester. So thanks!!!” …no, thank you Michelle Herrera! ‪Aka the best media assistant ever! We gotta grow the next generation of storytellers…and be grown by them.

The Peace Of The Freak

November 15, 2014By Nati

Today I’ve been enjoying La Mecanica Popular on WNYC’s Soundcheck and their live in-studio set! Band director Efrain Rozas (aka DJ Oshun) discussed his fascinating academic work at NYU, re-imagining music technology beyond western hegemonic logic: “I’m doing a PHD about how music technology has been developed with a western logic of rhythm…that’s why it’s … Read More

It’s A Feeling: Chicano Batman In Oakland

November 13, 2014By Nati

AYO! TOO EXCITED to hear, feel and see LA band Chicano Batman in Oakland this weekend performing as part of this benefit show for migrant children: “Did you know that children are not provided with lawyers in immigration court? And 9 of 10 youth without attorneys will be deported even though more than half qualify … Read More