What an interesting and accomplished man…

Shel Silverstein is, without question, one of my greatest influences – while he may not always be tha first to come to mind.  Mr. Silverstein’s words and rhymes are certainly  buried deep within me, held hostage by a childhood that is now locked away for its loss of innocence…

Known mostly for his children’s books, “Where The Sidewalk Ends” and tha immensely popular 1981 bestseller “A Light in The Attic,” Silverstein had defined tha border existing between childhood innocence and adult understanding since “Lafcadio,” in 1963.

Besides his accomplishments as a children’s author, Silverstein wrote song lyrics made popular by Johnny Cash, as well as Dr. Hook and The Medicine Show.  I grew up having my father immitate Cash’s rendition of “A Boy Named Sue.” I knew every word by heart by tha time i was seven or eight years old.  I never knew my grandfather, so i kinda thought it was true.  My father would look at my big brother and I, and say…

“Well, my daddy left home when I was three

and he didn’t leave much for my Ma’ and me…”

He reeled us in every time.  Hook, line, and sinker…

mtp

Take a listen to N*E*R*D’s new single, “Hot n’ Fun”.

It looks like this will be the first cut off their new album titled “Nothing”, slated to drop on June 15th.

This summer is shaping up to be a great one for new music.

Two Up Two Down!

Syracuse University spoken word program Verbal Blend invites members of the Syracuse and campus communities to the “Take the Mic” poetry slam on Thursday, April 22, at 7:30 p.m. in the Regency Ballroom of the Sheraton Syracuse University Hotel & Conference Center. Doors open at 7 p.m.

During the two rounds of competition, 17 poets will read or recite original material, up to three minutes each. Five judges will score the performances based on originality, stage presence, content, delivery, and time, and prizes will be awarded to first-, second-, and third-place finishers.  Giles Li will perform after the contestant readings and before the prizes are awarded. SU student [and Underground Poetry Spot founding host] Aaron “FaSho” Hudson will host the event, with music by Redbrick DJs. For a preview of the poets competing, click here.

Verbal Blend is a spoken-word poetry program designed to enhance students’ confidence in writing and performing original poems. The program comprises a six-week workshop series on poetry forms, formats, journal entries and peer reviews. It is based in the Office of Multicultural Affairs at SU. For more information on Verbal Blend, contact Cedric Bolton at 443-9676 or ctbolton@syr.edu. This event is free and open to the public.

TAKE THE MIC POETRY SLAM PARTICIPANTS:

TAI BROWN
TYLER RICE
ALECIA GORDON
DEVAN MILES
JACK BROWN
TERRON MOORE
ALYSSA DUFF
TIFFANY VIRUET
CIARA GOINS
MIC THA POET
BRIGID LAWRENCE
NAYMA SILVER
OUSMAN DIALLO
CHRIS ALEXANDER
CRISTINE JACQUEZ
JANEL SULLIVAN
KHADIJAH PEEK

Show up and support MTP!!

MC Guru of GangStarr has passed away at the age of 43 after a long battle with cancer.

As much of a shock to some of his fans is the apparent beef with his former partner DJ Premier, that he held onto for the past 7 years. Something that he felt was worth taking to the grave, according to a letter he wrote that is now posted on Premo’s blog…

“I do not wish my ex-DJ to have anything to do with my name likeness, events tributes etc. connected in anyway to my situation including any use of my name or circumstance for any reason and I have instructed my lawyers to enforce this. I had nothing to do with him in life for over 7 years and want nothing to do with him in death. Solar has my life story and is well informed on my family situation, as well as the real reason for separating from my ex-DJ. As the sole founder of GangStarr, I am very proud of what GangStarr has meant to the music world and fans. ”

RIP Guru, one of the best yet…