Sunday, June 22, 2008
Monday, June 9, 2008
What A Night (Frank López - Tanzania)
June 8th, 2008
Mambo mi gente? (“What’s up my peoples?” in Kiswahili and Spanish) ;)
Now let me begin by saying that I did not think that yesterday could be topped. The rush of hanging out with Mzee Pete, Mama Charlotte, and the crew was unreal, but wow… was I wrong.
Today we started off at the community center, eager to finish recording the track we had begun. I had yet to get in the booth and record my verse, one I felt confident they would enjoy. I was so inspired by their presence, their energy, and their message that the words flowed easily and straight from the heart. Our song was about the sounds of drums resembling heartbeats and bringing music back to the roots of upliftment and consciousness. Mama Charlotte sang about music that moved her in spirit and inspired action. Nakaaya, an amazing sister who is well known here in Tanzania, sang about the “fire of our fathers” and the legacy we are challenged to live up to. After her, I spit my verse.
When I came out of the booth, I was received with hugs and pounds all over. Mama Charlotte’s sweet smile filled my heart up. Love was alive and present. The day was followed by an evening of music and laughter. The Stonybrook students who had been having their study abroad at the United African Alliance Community Center were putting on a show for all the community to come out and see. Pete laid it out plain. He said that there needed to be a cultural exchange, not just some locals dancing and singing for the foreigners. So Stonybrook stepped up their game and delivered a really dope show, even learning and performing the Tanzanian national anthem as well as some of the cultural dances.
Next it was my turn to step up to the mic. Although Mama Charlotte had heard me spit in the booth earlier, Mzee Pete still hadn’t even heard of what I do. Earlier, when I had gone to Arusha market with him in the UAACC van, I had mentioned that I was eager to “spit”. About an hour later, he said:
“Brother, let me tell you how much of a square I am. You mentioned earlier that you really wanted to ‘spit’ and I thought to myself, ‘Well dam, why doesn’t he just crack open a window and do it already?’ I didn’t realize you were talking bout rappin’!”
Dude is hilarious. But still, I must admit that I was a bit nervous to perform in front of him and the entire community. Mama Charlotte kindly introduced me and I went up on stage. I was about to perform “So So Revolutionary” but something told me to do “Love Still Lives”. So I did…
Man, I can’t begin to tell you how happy I was to hear Pete and Charlotte ‘yessing’ and ‘hmming’ all throughout my poem! It felt great to be in a place where I truly know that love still lives and will continue living due to their work and devotion. It was an honor to have them hug me after the piece.
After that, we celebrated like no tomorrow, with dancing, singing, and just plain out enjoying one another’s company. I found a guitar in the recording studio and felt like I struck gold. Lisa laughed as I serenaded the Stonybrook students late into the night with revolutionary ballads and love songs. "What a scally...", she later said.
All I have left to say is…
What a night.
Mambo mi gente? (“What’s up my peoples?” in Kiswahili and Spanish) ;)
Now let me begin by saying that I did not think that yesterday could be topped. The rush of hanging out with Mzee Pete, Mama Charlotte, and the crew was unreal, but wow… was I wrong.
Today we started off at the community center, eager to finish recording the track we had begun. I had yet to get in the booth and record my verse, one I felt confident they would enjoy. I was so inspired by their presence, their energy, and their message that the words flowed easily and straight from the heart. Our song was about the sounds of drums resembling heartbeats and bringing music back to the roots of upliftment and consciousness. Mama Charlotte sang about music that moved her in spirit and inspired action. Nakaaya, an amazing sister who is well known here in Tanzania, sang about the “fire of our fathers” and the legacy we are challenged to live up to. After her, I spit my verse.
When I came out of the booth, I was received with hugs and pounds all over. Mama Charlotte’s sweet smile filled my heart up. Love was alive and present. The day was followed by an evening of music and laughter. The Stonybrook students who had been having their study abroad at the United African Alliance Community Center were putting on a show for all the community to come out and see. Pete laid it out plain. He said that there needed to be a cultural exchange, not just some locals dancing and singing for the foreigners. So Stonybrook stepped up their game and delivered a really dope show, even learning and performing the Tanzanian national anthem as well as some of the cultural dances.
Next it was my turn to step up to the mic. Although Mama Charlotte had heard me spit in the booth earlier, Mzee Pete still hadn’t even heard of what I do. Earlier, when I had gone to Arusha market with him in the UAACC van, I had mentioned that I was eager to “spit”. About an hour later, he said:
“Brother, let me tell you how much of a square I am. You mentioned earlier that you really wanted to ‘spit’ and I thought to myself, ‘Well dam, why doesn’t he just crack open a window and do it already?’ I didn’t realize you were talking bout rappin’!”
Dude is hilarious. But still, I must admit that I was a bit nervous to perform in front of him and the entire community. Mama Charlotte kindly introduced me and I went up on stage. I was about to perform “So So Revolutionary” but something told me to do “Love Still Lives”. So I did…
Man, I can’t begin to tell you how happy I was to hear Pete and Charlotte ‘yessing’ and ‘hmming’ all throughout my poem! It felt great to be in a place where I truly know that love still lives and will continue living due to their work and devotion. It was an honor to have them hug me after the piece.
After that, we celebrated like no tomorrow, with dancing, singing, and just plain out enjoying one another’s company. I found a guitar in the recording studio and felt like I struck gold. Lisa laughed as I serenaded the Stonybrook students late into the night with revolutionary ballads and love songs. "What a scally...", she later said.
All I have left to say is…
What a night.
Sunday, June 8, 2008
What A Day (Frank López - Tanzania)
June 7th 2008
Hujambo from Tanzania!
Where do I even begin?! Today was by far one of the most exciting days I’ve ever had in my entire life! Seriously… I can’t begin to express my excitement and appreciation for the day Lisa and I have just passed. It all began this morning bright and early. We knew we were up for a long day hanging out with Pete and Mama Charlotte at the United African Alliance Community Center so we had a huge breakfast of eggs, bacon, mangos, watermelon juice, etc. The works! We expected to have an adventurous day, being that we were about to chill with two heroic Black Panthers in Tanzania, but had no idea what was in store for us.
After arriving at the UAACC at the bright early hour of 9am, we decided to start filming the space right away. The ENTIRE space is decorated with murals of revolutionary figures, words of power and encouragement, positive quotes and the like.
One wall reads: “You could kill the revolutionary, but you can’t kill the revolution.”
Images of civil rights heroes, jazz musicians and community color the gardens and bring life to an already lively place. It really goes to show the power of art that is meant to uplift.
Hanging out with Pete feels like a glimpse into history. He asks us if we want to join him on his journey to the market. He has a large shopping list that will feed the center for the next 4 or 5 days. “Try to keep up now!” he tells us. And man, was he right.
In Arusha market, I dodge and weave through the crowds in attempt to keep the camera focused on Pete. His dance must be choreographed as he glides effortlessly through the stores, pointing at food as clerk boys hurryingly stuff his cart for him. He is the elder so they treat him with the utmost respect calling him “Mzee” (elder) as he passes by. Everyone greets Pete with a huge smile. They respect him out of love for what he’s done in the community.
Later on, after countless jokes and amazing tales, we head back to the studio at the community center. Various Hip-Hop artists are gathered here working on a project with Peace Power Productions, UAACC’s very own studio production company. The recording booth is lined up with egg cartons, making it surprisingly sound proof. It reminds me of how the guys and I use to record with a paper towel as a pop filter and a hanger as a mic stand. Gangster.
“Brother Frankie 4! You have to write a verse to this song we are working on!” says Mama Charlotte.
Oh…my… god… is all that runs through my head.
“Do you realize you’re about to record a track with a Black Panther?”, Lisa freaks me out by stating the facts.
I write my 16 bars with the biggest smile on my face. Mama Charlotte gets in the booth and I show Kamikaze, the beat maker and producer, how to work Protools. Mama Charlotte breaks it down, harmonizing like I’ve never heard it done before.
We have an amazing time and plan to shoot the music video the next day since the whole community is coming out to dance and sing and share art with eachother.
Wow… a music video… featuring Black Panthers, East African Hip-Hop artists... and me.
It’s unreal. What… a… day.
Hujambo from Tanzania!
Where do I even begin?! Today was by far one of the most exciting days I’ve ever had in my entire life! Seriously… I can’t begin to express my excitement and appreciation for the day Lisa and I have just passed. It all began this morning bright and early. We knew we were up for a long day hanging out with Pete and Mama Charlotte at the United African Alliance Community Center so we had a huge breakfast of eggs, bacon, mangos, watermelon juice, etc. The works! We expected to have an adventurous day, being that we were about to chill with two heroic Black Panthers in Tanzania, but had no idea what was in store for us.
After arriving at the UAACC at the bright early hour of 9am, we decided to start filming the space right away. The ENTIRE space is decorated with murals of revolutionary figures, words of power and encouragement, positive quotes and the like.
One wall reads: “You could kill the revolutionary, but you can’t kill the revolution.”
Images of civil rights heroes, jazz musicians and community color the gardens and bring life to an already lively place. It really goes to show the power of art that is meant to uplift.
Hanging out with Pete feels like a glimpse into history. He asks us if we want to join him on his journey to the market. He has a large shopping list that will feed the center for the next 4 or 5 days. “Try to keep up now!” he tells us. And man, was he right.
In Arusha market, I dodge and weave through the crowds in attempt to keep the camera focused on Pete. His dance must be choreographed as he glides effortlessly through the stores, pointing at food as clerk boys hurryingly stuff his cart for him. He is the elder so they treat him with the utmost respect calling him “Mzee” (elder) as he passes by. Everyone greets Pete with a huge smile. They respect him out of love for what he’s done in the community.
Later on, after countless jokes and amazing tales, we head back to the studio at the community center. Various Hip-Hop artists are gathered here working on a project with Peace Power Productions, UAACC’s very own studio production company. The recording booth is lined up with egg cartons, making it surprisingly sound proof. It reminds me of how the guys and I use to record with a paper towel as a pop filter and a hanger as a mic stand. Gangster.
“Brother Frankie 4! You have to write a verse to this song we are working on!” says Mama Charlotte.
Oh…my… god… is all that runs through my head.
“Do you realize you’re about to record a track with a Black Panther?”, Lisa freaks me out by stating the facts.
I write my 16 bars with the biggest smile on my face. Mama Charlotte gets in the booth and I show Kamikaze, the beat maker and producer, how to work Protools. Mama Charlotte breaks it down, harmonizing like I’ve never heard it done before.
We have an amazing time and plan to shoot the music video the next day since the whole community is coming out to dance and sing and share art with eachother.
Wow… a music video… featuring Black Panthers, East African Hip-Hop artists... and me.
It’s unreal. What… a… day.
Good Morning TZ! (Frank López - Tanzania)
June 6th, 2008 – Rise and Shine
Lisa and I awake to our first morning in Tanzania! It’s very exciting and we’re hyped to check out of the Kia Lodge and into our new spot at the Ngordoto Mountain Lodge. The day is spent packing up, driving out and waiting in the lobby for our room to be ready. Apparently a huge conference had been the talk of the town for the last week and we were just catching the tale end of it. At least 100 bags of luggage lined the lobby floor and folks were checking out by the dozens. It took us a couple of hours, but we finally got our room.
Next step was to attempt to call up Pete O’Neil, a Black Panther whose been living in exile in Tanzania for close to 40 years. He and his wife Charlotte moved out here after Pete was found guilty on a trumped up gun charge. After making their home in the village of Imbaseni, they founded the United African Alliance Community Center, a place of positive growth for the youth of Tanzania.
They offer education, recreation, and a safe space to all those who wish to be part of a loving and giving community.
Our hopes were that Pete would schedule with us a meeting for the following day and allow us to come into the center. The calls however did not go through and our day was winding down to a wait-fest. Now tired and concerned, Lisa and I decided to go have dinner and then try again on the internet to see if we got a response by e-mail.
Low and behold, before we take our first bite in the lonely dinner hall of the hotel, Pete O’Neil comes rushing towards us with arms wide open!
“You must be Lisa! And you must be Frank!”
We were beyond ecstatic and our energy went from 0 to 100 in a heartbeat.
“Pete!!!”
He quickly invited us over to the center. We took our dinner to go and headed out towards the UAACC. When we got there, we met some of the Stonybrook students who are currently doing their study abroad in Tanzania. Pete got us some drinks and we had so many laughs. He had us tearing! We met Mama Charlotte who was a bit ill but still came out of bed to meet us. They are both as beautiful as we thought they were. Finally we decided to head back to the hotel and get some rest for the next day.
Before I came on this trip I was concerned that they would be so busy with their other guests that they would not make the connection Lisa and I were hoping to make with them. I guess living in America made me feel as if the first thing people do when they meet is doubt each other. I cannot begin to tell you how untrue and unnecessary that concern was. But Pete can…
“You’re my kind of people! Have a good night ya’ll!”
Lisa and I awake to our first morning in Tanzania! It’s very exciting and we’re hyped to check out of the Kia Lodge and into our new spot at the Ngordoto Mountain Lodge. The day is spent packing up, driving out and waiting in the lobby for our room to be ready. Apparently a huge conference had been the talk of the town for the last week and we were just catching the tale end of it. At least 100 bags of luggage lined the lobby floor and folks were checking out by the dozens. It took us a couple of hours, but we finally got our room.
Next step was to attempt to call up Pete O’Neil, a Black Panther whose been living in exile in Tanzania for close to 40 years. He and his wife Charlotte moved out here after Pete was found guilty on a trumped up gun charge. After making their home in the village of Imbaseni, they founded the United African Alliance Community Center, a place of positive growth for the youth of Tanzania.
They offer education, recreation, and a safe space to all those who wish to be part of a loving and giving community.
Our hopes were that Pete would schedule with us a meeting for the following day and allow us to come into the center. The calls however did not go through and our day was winding down to a wait-fest. Now tired and concerned, Lisa and I decided to go have dinner and then try again on the internet to see if we got a response by e-mail.
Low and behold, before we take our first bite in the lonely dinner hall of the hotel, Pete O’Neil comes rushing towards us with arms wide open!
“You must be Lisa! And you must be Frank!”
We were beyond ecstatic and our energy went from 0 to 100 in a heartbeat.
“Pete!!!”
He quickly invited us over to the center. We took our dinner to go and headed out towards the UAACC. When we got there, we met some of the Stonybrook students who are currently doing their study abroad in Tanzania. Pete got us some drinks and we had so many laughs. He had us tearing! We met Mama Charlotte who was a bit ill but still came out of bed to meet us. They are both as beautiful as we thought they were. Finally we decided to head back to the hotel and get some rest for the next day.
Before I came on this trip I was concerned that they would be so busy with their other guests that they would not make the connection Lisa and I were hoping to make with them. I guess living in America made me feel as if the first thing people do when they meet is doubt each other. I cannot begin to tell you how untrue and unnecessary that concern was. But Pete can…
“You’re my kind of people! Have a good night ya’ll!”
Welcome Home (Frank López - Tanzania)
June 5th, 2008 – Tanzania
I made it. After filling out immigration forms and grabbing my visa, I meet my bag at the carousel. Lock is missing, it’s dusty as hell and it has a huge red ticket that reads DO NOT LOAD. I don’t bother to look inside yet. (Later I discover that somebody snagged some of my Keebler crackers. Not all. Just some. But hey, can’t blame customs for loving some tasty treats.)
I head out and realize that regardless of where you are, there will ALWAYS be a swarm of taxi drivers ready and eager to take you to your destination. So I arrive at the Kia Lodge after Gilbert drops me off, but not before he offers me a tour to the Mountain, Waterfalls, etc. Hard to turn down, but I’ll manage.
At the Kia Lodge I get into my room, drop my stuff and crash.
3 hours later, I find out I’ve been initiated. My left arm has a nice big fresh mosquito bite.
“No turning back.” I think, “Welcome home Frankie.”
I made it. After filling out immigration forms and grabbing my visa, I meet my bag at the carousel. Lock is missing, it’s dusty as hell and it has a huge red ticket that reads DO NOT LOAD. I don’t bother to look inside yet. (Later I discover that somebody snagged some of my Keebler crackers. Not all. Just some. But hey, can’t blame customs for loving some tasty treats.)
I head out and realize that regardless of where you are, there will ALWAYS be a swarm of taxi drivers ready and eager to take you to your destination. So I arrive at the Kia Lodge after Gilbert drops me off, but not before he offers me a tour to the Mountain, Waterfalls, etc. Hard to turn down, but I’ll manage.
At the Kia Lodge I get into my room, drop my stuff and crash.
3 hours later, I find out I’ve been initiated. My left arm has a nice big fresh mosquito bite.
“No turning back.” I think, “Welcome home Frankie.”
Gate to Kilimanjaro (Frank López - Tanzania)
June 5th, 2008
At the connecting flight gate I meet Simba. A dude from England by way of Zimbabwe who is heading back home to the famz after 5 years.
“Excuse me,” he says, “do you know what time it is?”
“Dam bro, you’re asking the wrong guy.”
After figuring out what time our flight is boarding, he lets out,
“Hmm, that means we still have about an hour and a half.”
Hardly felt like it though after we started talking about Obama’s victory, American politics, English society, universal healthcare, Black Panthers, Cuban embargos, the World Bank, the IMF, etc.
Ha, I almost have no idea how we got into all of that, but it was dope and by the time we knew it, we were on the plane.
Next stop. Tanzania.
At the connecting flight gate I meet Simba. A dude from England by way of Zimbabwe who is heading back home to the famz after 5 years.
“Excuse me,” he says, “do you know what time it is?”
“Dam bro, you’re asking the wrong guy.”
After figuring out what time our flight is boarding, he lets out,
“Hmm, that means we still have about an hour and a half.”
Hardly felt like it though after we started talking about Obama’s victory, American politics, English society, universal healthcare, Black Panthers, Cuban embargos, the World Bank, the IMF, etc.
Ha, I almost have no idea how we got into all of that, but it was dope and by the time we knew it, we were on the plane.
Next stop. Tanzania.
Big Hugs (Frank López - Tanzania)
June 5th, 2008 – Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
This is my 2nd morning in the last 12 hours. Now I’m confused. I meet a beautiful Ethiopian woman on the flight from London named Mekdes who ended up scolding me for changing the time and my watch.
“You’ll drive yourself mad!”
Oops.
During our conversation I tell her about the MYTH project. We speak about the apathy and disconnect we experience in the U.S. and England and share stories of how we attempt to break it down. She tells me of how different it is in her birthplace of Adis Ababa and how kind she feels people are all over Africa.
“I went to Kenya with a coworker of mine and we couldn’t believe how friendly people were. We didn’t have transportation and had to ask two guys on the street to drive us to Nairobi. I was very scared at first, but all of a sudden, I trusted them. I still don’t know why. Anyways, my coworker kept in touch with one of the men and ended up getting married to him! And I told her, ‘Are you crazy?!’, but I couldn’t change her mind. She was in love.”
After telling her about my poem, "Love Still Lives" (hear it on our myspace page!), I tell her about our blog site.
“I’m going to write about our conversation Mekdes.”
“Oh how sweet, I’m just sorry that we didn’t speak sooner.”
I extend my hand, but instead she drops her bags and gives me a big hug.
One down, so many more to go.
This is my 2nd morning in the last 12 hours. Now I’m confused. I meet a beautiful Ethiopian woman on the flight from London named Mekdes who ended up scolding me for changing the time and my watch.
“You’ll drive yourself mad!”
Oops.
During our conversation I tell her about the MYTH project. We speak about the apathy and disconnect we experience in the U.S. and England and share stories of how we attempt to break it down. She tells me of how different it is in her birthplace of Adis Ababa and how kind she feels people are all over Africa.
“I went to Kenya with a coworker of mine and we couldn’t believe how friendly people were. We didn’t have transportation and had to ask two guys on the street to drive us to Nairobi. I was very scared at first, but all of a sudden, I trusted them. I still don’t know why. Anyways, my coworker kept in touch with one of the men and ended up getting married to him! And I told her, ‘Are you crazy?!’, but I couldn’t change her mind. She was in love.”
After telling her about my poem, "Love Still Lives" (hear it on our myspace page!), I tell her about our blog site.
“I’m going to write about our conversation Mekdes.”
“Oh how sweet, I’m just sorry that we didn’t speak sooner.”
I extend my hand, but instead she drops her bags and gives me a big hug.
One down, so many more to go.
Break of Dawn pt. 2 (Frank López - Tanzania)
June 4th, 2008 - London – (12 hours later, but really only 8)
So apparently I just chased the moon around the globe. I try hard not to confuse myself, so I sit back and relax. I land in London and I swear, that for a second, I almost pick up an English accent. It’s very catchy. I meet a woman at the connecting flight’s gate, heading to her hometown in Uganda with her son.
“Ah! Tanzania! I remember studying about it in school. I only hear good things. They are very much a community.”
Her smile begins to bring me home.
So apparently I just chased the moon around the globe. I try hard not to confuse myself, so I sit back and relax. I land in London and I swear, that for a second, I almost pick up an English accent. It’s very catchy. I meet a woman at the connecting flight’s gate, heading to her hometown in Uganda with her son.
“Ah! Tanzania! I remember studying about it in school. I only hear good things. They are very much a community.”
Her smile begins to bring me home.
Break of Dawn (Frank López - Tanzania)
June 4th, 2008 – New York City
Frankie 4am… I feel like I’m leaving half of myself behind and heading out to find the other half on the other side of the world. I don’t think the feeling of being unprepared will ever go away.
“What am I missing?”
For one, a sense of peace. But you can’t pack that underneath your pressed shirts and your mandals. Nah.
Be still homie, you’ll get what’s coming to you.
Frankie 4am… I feel like I’m leaving half of myself behind and heading out to find the other half on the other side of the world. I don’t think the feeling of being unprepared will ever go away.
“What am I missing?”
For one, a sense of peace. But you can’t pack that underneath your pressed shirts and your mandals. Nah.
Be still homie, you’ll get what’s coming to you.
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