Its that time again!! Brave New Voices International Teen Poetry Slam is where I got my start and I’ve tried to be involved ever since. Moving on from being a youth champion myself into one of the youngest teaching artist around I will be with them in LA this year!!! Above is a clip Ms. Iyoka, who I had the chance to host with last year posted. Check it out.

This year I’ve been invited to be Future Corps, a group selected to help lead the youth through activities of the week. All of us chosen, were once slammers and now amazing leaders in the field. I am so excited to see over 500 fly kids get together for top of the line spoken word competition, all night ciphers, and pure genius.  These kids are full of passion and innovation so I cant wait to see what they have to say this year. I will be leading them in workshops as well as hosting their bouts so I will be blessed to hear them. Cant wait.

An Actors life is full of auditions. A constant chopping block the client uses until he or she finds the perfect person they were looking for. The Talent. Sometimes I wonder why I sacrifice the power of being a writer for the role of the talent, but this feeds me, maybe not literally some days but spiritually. Like a good friend FM Supreme says, “It’s a beautiful grind.”

Not everyone can act. Not everyone is talented. We are not all built for the constant challenge and growth of self it takes to be an artist. Some talent are just that and not artists, craftsman. For those of us who are it is our contribution to mankind, telling stories, maintaining humanity, for others it is seen as a meal ticket. Auditions are hard because you dont know why these others are in the room you just have to hope its all for the greater good and it doesnt matter who gets the role. Sometimes it doesn’t work that way and the person who lands the lead just wants the fame and glamour. Whatever happens auditions are out of our control. We must go into every one knowing we are enough, that we can tell the story. The kind of actor I want to be doesnt worry about the shape of my waist fitting the dress but does my life experience help illuminate hers? With each audition I feel like I have done my acting job for the day and brought my best truth to the character. Some auditions ask for less buts its up to you to add the integrity in your work. Don’t let the hot people distract you, work hard.

So this is just to my other soldiers in Auditionland. Keep on, Keeping on. We are fighting the good fight and there are only so many stories to go around so far, So to my writers keep writing, myself included. We all need a story to tell.

http://www.vimeo.com/11756107 This video was directed by a great friend of mine Terrance Banks. I dont know the young man in the video but I support a young artist. The work Terrance puts into this is amazing. He has that clear high class directors eye for sure. Watch his work because it will be all you are watching soon!

YOOOO Im in the B cast as Molly!! This is the world Premiere of Kristoffer Diaz’s great new work at American Theater Company. Come check it out!!

http://www.vimeo.com/8848704

This is a documentary clip my boy Eli from Clenched Fist Productions hooked up. It cover the LIFE IS LIVING FESTIVAL that happens every year in a major city to promote going green with our lives as well as our resources. This past summer it was in Chicago and BOI did it move the city! Check out of piece of the action then keep up with LIFE IS LIVING.

So I never thought I’d be singing, like ever, but I’m in a musical! I’ll be in CHICAGOLAND by Ike Holter and Kelly Kerwin at the Chopin Theater April 22-24, at 10:30 pm. Its an insane crazy journey through Chicago and its many inhabitants. Hope you come see me in my Weiner Cicle gear spitting hot rhymes. Its late so you have NO EXCUSE! Yo, can you spot me in this pic? Am I that brown?

I will be in the Strapped Play Festival as part of Ike Holter and Ryan Bourque’s ” The Great Depression.”  I will be with the mighty ensemble which features William Gillespie, Andrew Goetten, Jared Green, Rashaad Hall, Anna Rose Epstein, McKenzie Yeager and me!

Depression concerns a wide eyed optimist named Chuck (Played by Nic Demearis) as waits for an el-train to take him home from his graduation ceremony downtown. During the wait, he meets Molly (Briana DeGuardia), a recently fired secretary.

From then on it’s the oldest story in the book; guy meets girl, girl is suicidal, boy tries to stop girl from killing herself, people sing—you know, pretty standard Arthur Miller style drama here.

Please come support this and the other 6 amazing shorts March 25-28.

For more information click here

Cause I digg dope ass artist you gotta know about Raphael Casal. He is beyond just a musical genius but also a 3 time Def Poet, teacher and all around amazing. He recently released The Monster LP which has banger after banger of shit that will boggle your mind and tie up your tongue. You have never seen another man as legit bout his work as this man. He sharpens his craft of words to the most dangerous weapon of all.

Get His Mixtape here

TRACK LIST
THE MONSTER LP was produced by Rafael Casal & Romell “Wildman” Hoskins for Getback Productions & Capital Game Studios
1. Intro Produced by R.Casal
2. Running Down Feat. Daveed Diggs Production by Jay Fab of The Olympicks (Def Jam)
3. Disturbing The Peace Production by Jay Fab
4. Spitter Feat. PhoneticONE Produced by R. Casal
5. Bitch Produced by R.Casal (Sample)
6. Hurricane Production by DJ PainONE
7. Guillotine Production by Jay Fab
8. Giant Produced by R. Casal & RAD Productionz
9. Wise Guys Feat. Daveed Diggs Production by DJ PainONE
10. Misogyny Production by R. Casal, Romell “Wildman” Hoskins & Jallah Skills
11. Spaceship Production by Jay Fab
12. Monster Production by Ada’Clock
BONUS Bay Area Slang Top 100 (The Grinch Song) Produced by Romell “Wildman” Hoskins

Man so this video just blew my shit. It looks awesome and I love how dis foo flows. Check him out he’s a part of the Infamous Getback Crew. If you dont know bout them get up on game!