Warrior Tour Announced for Seattle May 11th's CHURCH!

For the 9th Chapter of your favorite ALL AGES Hip Hop monthly every second Sunday at Black Coffee Coop, we are more than exited to announce the WARRIOR HIP HOP WEST COAST TOUR TAKEOVER! 

Pay attention to the details below because we are switching up our format and extending our hours to accommodate this powerful event. These are not just artists, but organizers, community builders, and true practitioners of indigenous resistance, self-determination, and decolonization, so please spread the word and come early to get down in connecting the dots and making a movement:

5-7pm
Talking Cypher/Building Session/Meet & Greets hosted by Dakota w/ vegan soul food by Jerm Dee for $5 a plate suggested donation.

7-10pm
Performances by Zro Prophet, Savage Fam, Shining Soul, Alas, and Emcee Cyphers hosted by Sista Hailstorm w/ beats by Diogenes.

10-1am
Closing Cypher/Decompression Session/Networking hosted by Julie C.

About the Warrior Hip-Hop West Coast Tour: Building a Culture of Resistance

The purpose of this tour is to begin to build a culture of resistance through hip hop and art, and to inspire and educate others through hip hop. These artists are revolutionary artists that use art to continue to build movement and solidarity across all sectors. To educate and inform, to fight oppression and stand up for our rights, to inspire and fight back. To remember the importance of our planet and water. It is up to us to create a vision for our future.

As you all know, we are proud to keep CHURCH! A free event, but this type of building takes funds. Please support the WARRIOR WESTCOAST HIP HOP TOUR by donating to:

https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/warrior-hip-hop-tour-creating-a-culture-of-resistance

Any and everything helps. We will also have donation buckets available for the day of.

Touring Artists:

Zro Prophet
http://www.agitrap.com/agitx_vandals/
Afro-Taino/Borikwa by way of the Bronx and occupied Puerto Rico, MC and agitator, Not4Prophet, of X-Vandals (X-Vandals.com) and the AGIT Army (Agitarmy.org). Not4Prophet is on a West Coast speaking/reading/performing tour supporting the release of his new book of poetry, Last of the Po Ricans y Otros Afro Artifacts. Not4Prophet will also be conducting workshop on the use of music/art as a form of education/outreach/inspiration/resistance and movement building.

Savage Fam
https://soundcloud.com/savagefambam
Ant Loc is Nəxʷsƛ̕áy̕əm̕ and a member of the controversial and influential Indigenous hip hop/rap group Savage Family Seowa. He is from the illegally occupied territory now known as washington. His music is rooted in and influenced by the many lives that he has been touched by. His voice represents that of the oppressed, the have nots, the poor and unfortunate and the unmentionables of society. His gritty lyrical ability was forged in the streets and found further strength in the spiritual/cultural foundations of his ancestors.. He spits in an intelligent and precise manner that is rivaled by few. Ant Loc is mostly unheard of as of yet outside of Indigenous/Native communities but is now prepared to share the music that fulfills the prophecies of his people that will make the cities crumble.

Shining Soul
http://shiningsoulmusic.bandcamp.com/
Straight outta the desert borough, Arizona's premier Hip Hop duo Shining Soul, show that the element of rap still is a conduit for revolutionary change. Fronted by MCs Liaizon of Central Phoenix/Tohono O'odham Nation and Bronze Candidate of South Phoenix, Shining Soul bring to light the social injustices that attack their daily lives, such as the criminalization and militarization of indigenous and immigrant communities, while sharing and maintaining the essence of hip hop culture. Shining Soul's emphasis on skills, style, and substance, has made them a potent force in the Arizona Hip-Hop community, which is fully exhibited in their explosive live shows. Shining Soul's latest full-length release "SONIC SMASH" exemplifies their skills, diversity, subject matter, and overall commitment in carrying on the transformative art of Hip Hop through the element of rap. So stay tuned, keep your ears low to the ground, and check for SHINING SOUL in a big city, small town, native reservation, and protest near you...WE GOT THIS.

Alas
https://soundcloud.com/alasmusika
Alas makes music that braids her lived experience as an undocumented mujer subsisting on stolen land with the theories of rebellious decolonization. Her words pump from the raw heart of a living revolutionary to heal with her double hearted mujeres en la lucha while pushing resistance movements to sustain an effective level of militancy. She struggles for a better world on and off the mic – she co-hosts a mobile free zine library, organizes against police brutality, and treads the forest to protect endangered species. Liberation is her life's goal, brutal truth is her musics vow.


So come build, support, and get down for this very special installation of CHURCH! It will be one to remember!
5-7pmTalking Cypher/Building Session/Meet & Greets hosted by Dakota w/ vegan soul food by Jerm Dee for $5 a plate suggested donation.
7-10pmPerformances by Zro Prophet, Savage Fam, Shining Soul, Alas, and Emcee Cyphers hosted by Sista Hailstorm w/ beats by Diogenes.
10-1amClosing Cypher/Decompression Session/Networking hosted by Julie C.
About the Warrior Hip-Hop West Coast Tour: Building a Culture of Resistance
The purpose of this tour is to begin to build a culture of resistance through hip hop and art, and to inspire and educate others through hip hop. These artists are revolutionary artists that use art to continue to build movement and solidarity across all sectors. To educate and inform, to fight oppression and stand up for our rights, to inspire and fight back. To remember the importance of our planet and water. It is up to us to create a vision for our future. 
As you all know, we are proud to keep CHURCH! A free event, but this type of building takes funds. Please support the WARRIOR WESTCOAST HIP HOP TOUR by donating to:
https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/warrior-hip-hop-tour-creating-a-culture-of-resistance
Any and everything helps. We will also have donation buckets available for the day of. 
Touring Artists:
Zro Prophethttp://www.agitrap.com/agitx_vandals/Afro-Taino/Borikwa by way of the Bronx and occupied Puerto Rico, MC and agitator, Not4Prophet, of X-Vandals (X-Vandals.com) and the AGIT Army (Agitarmy.org). Not4Prophet is on a West Coast speaking/reading/performing tour supporting the release of his new book of poetry, Last of the Po Ricans y Otros Afro Artifacts. Not4Prophet will also be conducting workshop on the use of music/art as a form of education/outreach/inspiration/resistance and movement building. 
Savage Famhttps://soundcloud.com/savagefambamAnt Loc is Nəxʷsƛ̕áy̕əm̕ and a member of the controversial and influential Indigenous hip hop/rap group Savage Family Seowa. He is from the illegally occupied territory now known as washington. His music is rooted in and influenced by the many lives that he has been touched by. His voice represents that of the oppressed, the have nots, the poor and unfortunate and the unmentionables of society. His gritty lyrical ability was forged in the streets and found further strength in the spiritual/cultural foundations of his ancestors.. He spits in an intelligent and precise manner that is rivaled by few. Ant Loc is mostly unheard of as of yet outside of Indigenous/Native communities but is now prepared to share the music that fulfills the prophecies of his people that will make the cities crumble.
Shining Soulhttp://shiningsoulmusic.bandcamp.com/Straight outta the desert borough, Arizona's premier Hip Hop duo Shining Soul, show that the element of rap still is a conduit for revolutionary change. Fronted by MCs Liaizon of Central Phoenix/Tohono O'odham Nation and Bronze Candidate of South Phoenix, Shining Soul bring to light the social injustices that attack their daily lives, such as the criminalization and militarization of indigenous and immigrant communities, while sharing and maintaining the essence of hip hop culture. Shining Soul's emphasis on skills, style, and substance, has made them a potent force in the Arizona Hip-Hop community, which is fully exhibited in their explosive live shows. Shining Soul's latest full-length release "SONIC SMASH" exemplifies their skills, diversity, subject matter, and overall commitment in carrying on the transformative art of Hip Hop through the element of rap. So stay tuned, keep your ears low to the ground, and check for SHINING SOUL in a big city, small town, native reservation, and protest near you...WE GOT THIS.
Alashttps://soundcloud.com/alasmusikaAlas makes music that braids her lived experience as an undocumented mujer subsisting on stolen land with the theories of rebellious decolonization. Her words pump from the raw heart of a living revolutionary to heal with her double hearted mujeres en la lucha while pushing resistance movements to sustain an effective level of militancy. She struggles for a better world on and off the mic – she co-hosts a mobile free zine library, organizes against police brutality, and treads the forest to protect endangered species. Liberation is her life's goal, brutal truth is her musics vow.

So come build, support, and get down for this very special installation of CHURCH! It will be one to remember!5-7pm
Talking Cypher/Building Session/Meet & Greets hosted by Dakota w/ vegan soul food by Jerm Dee for $5 a plate suggested donation.
7-10pmPerformances by Zro Prophet, Savage Fam, Shining Soul, Alas, and Emcee Cyphers hosted by Sista Hailstorm w/ beats by Diogenes.
10-1amClosing Cypher/Decompression Session/Networking hosted by Julie C.
About the Warrior Hip-Hop West Coast Tour: Building a Culture of Resistance
The purpose of this tour is to begin to build a culture of resistance through hip hop and art, and to inspire and educate others through hip hop. These artists are revolutionary artists that use art to continue to build movement and solidarity across all sectors. To educate and inform, to fight oppression and stand up for our rights, to inspire and fight back. To remember the importance of our planet and water. It is up to us to create a vision for our future. 
As you all know, we are proud to keep CHURCH! A free event, but this type of building takes funds. Please support the WARRIOR WESTCOAST HIP HOP TOUR by donating to:
https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/warrior-hip-hop-tour-creating-a-culture-of-resistance
Any and everything helps. We will also have donation buckets available for the day of. 
Touring Artists:
Zro Prophethttp://www.agitrap.com/agitx_vandals/Afro-Taino/Borikwa by way of the Bronx and occupied Puerto Rico, MC and agitator, Not4Prophet, of X-Vandals (X-Vandals.com) and the AGIT Army (Agitarmy.org). Not4Prophet is on a West Coast speaking/reading/performing tour supporting the release of his new book of poetry, Last of the Po Ricans y Otros Afro Artifacts. Not4Prophet will also be conducting workshop on the use of music/art as a form of education/outreach/inspiration/resistance and movement building. 
Savage Famhttps://soundcloud.com/savagefambamAnt Loc is Nəxʷsƛ̕áy̕əm̕ and a member of the controversial and influential Indigenous hip hop/rap group Savage Family Seowa. He is from the illegally occupied territory now known as washington. His music is rooted in and influenced by the many lives that he has been touched by. His voice represents that of the oppressed, the have nots, the poor and unfortunate and the unmentionables of society. His gritty lyrical ability was forged in the streets and found further strength in the spiritual/cultural foundations of his ancestors.. He spits in an intelligent and precise manner that is rivaled by few. Ant Loc is mostly unheard of as of yet outside of Indigenous/Native communities but is now prepared to share the music that fulfills the prophecies of his people that will make the cities crumble.
Shining Soulhttp://shiningsoulmusic.bandcamp.com/Straight outta the desert borough, Arizona's premier Hip Hop duo Shining Soul, show that the element of rap still is a conduit for revolutionary change. Fronted by MCs Liaizon of Central Phoenix/Tohono O'odham Nation and Bronze Candidate of South Phoenix, Shining Soul bring to light the social injustices that attack their daily lives, such as the criminalization and militarization of indigenous and immigrant communities, while sharing and maintaining the essence of hip hop culture. Shining Soul's emphasis on skills, style, and substance, has made them a potent force in the Arizona Hip-Hop community, which is fully exhibited in their explosive live shows. Shining Soul's latest full-length release "SONIC SMASH" exemplifies their skills, diversity, subject matter, and overall commitment in carrying on the transformative art of Hip Hop through the element of rap. So stay tuned, keep your ears low to the ground, and check for SHINING SOUL in a big city, small town, native reservation, and protest near you...WE GOT THIS.
Alashttps://soundcloud.com/alasmusikaAlas makes music that braids her lived experience as an undocumented mujer subsisting on stolen land with the theories of rebellious decolonization. Her words pump from the raw heart of a living revolutionary to heal with her double hearted mujeres en la lucha while pushing resistance movements to sustain an effective level of militancy. She struggles for a better world on and off the mic – she co-hosts a mobile free zine library, organizes against police brutality, and treads the forest to protect endangered species. Liberation is her life's goal, brutal truth is her musics vow.

So come build, support, and get down for this very special installation of CHURCH! It will be one to remember!5-7pm
Talking Cypher/Building Session/Meet & Greets hosted by Dakota w/ vegan soul food by Jerm Dee for $5 a plate suggested donation.
7-10pmPerformances by Zro Prophet, Savage Fam, Shining Soul, Alas, and Emcee Cyphers hosted by Sista Hailstorm w/ beats by Diogenes.
10-1amClosing Cypher/Decompression Session/Networking hosted by Julie C.
About the Warrior Hip-Hop West Coast Tour: Building a Culture of Resistance
The purpose of this tour is to begin to build a culture of resistance through hip hop and art, and to inspire and educate others through hip hop. These artists are revolutionary artists that use art to continue to build movement and solidarity across all sectors. To educate and inform, to fight oppression and stand up for our rights, to inspire and fight back. To remember the importance of our planet and water. It is up to us to create a vision for our future. 
As you all know, we are proud to keep CHURCH! A free event, but this type of building takes funds. Please support the WARRIOR WESTCOAST HIP HOP TOUR by donating to:
https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/warrior-hip-hop-tour-creating-a-culture-of-resistance
Any and everything helps. We will also have donation buckets available for the day of. 
Touring Artists:
Zro Prophethttp://www.agitrap.com/agitx_vandals/Afro-Taino/Borikwa by way of the Bronx and occupied Puerto Rico, MC and agitator, Not4Prophet, of X-Vandals (X-Vandals.com) and the AGIT Army (Agitarmy.org). Not4Prophet is on a West Coast speaking/reading/performing tour supporting the release of his new book of poetry, Last of the Po Ricans y Otros Afro Artifacts. Not4Prophet will also be conducting workshop on the use of music/art as a form of education/outreach/inspiration/resistance and movement building. 
Savage Famhttps://soundcloud.com/savagefambamAnt Loc is Nəxʷsƛ̕áy̕əm̕ and a member of the controversial and influential Indigenous hip hop/rap group Savage Family Seowa. He is from the illegally occupied territory now known as washington. His music is rooted in and influenced by the many lives that he has been touched by. His voice represents that of the oppressed, the have nots, the poor and unfortunate and the unmentionables of society. His gritty lyrical ability was forged in the streets and found further strength in the spiritual/cultural foundations of his ancestors.. He spits in an intelligent and precise manner that is rivaled by few. Ant Loc is mostly unheard of as of yet outside of Indigenous/Native communities but is now prepared to share the music that fulfills the prophecies of his people that will make the cities crumble.
Shining Soulhttp://shiningsoulmusic.bandcamp.com/Straight outta the desert borough, Arizona's premier Hip Hop duo Shining Soul, show that the element of rap still is a conduit for revolutionary change. Fronted by MCs Liaizon of Central Phoenix/Tohono O'odham Nation and Bronze Candidate of South Phoenix, Shining Soul bring to light the social injustices that attack their daily lives, such as the criminalization and militarization of indigenous and immigrant communities, while sharing and maintaining the essence of hip hop culture. Shining Soul's emphasis on skills, style, and substance, has made them a potent force in the Arizona Hip-Hop community, which is fully exhibited in their explosive live shows. Shining Soul's latest full-length release "SONIC SMASH" exemplifies their skills, diversity, subject matter, and overall commitment in carrying on the transformative art of Hip Hop through the element of rap. So stay tuned, keep your ears low to the ground, and check for SHINING SOUL in a big city, small town, native reservation, and protest near you...WE GOT THIS.
Alashttps://soundcloud.com/alasmusikaAlas makes music that braids her lived experience as an undocumented mujer subsisting on stolen land with the theories of rebellious decolonization. Her words pump from the raw heart of a living revolutionary to heal with her double hearted mujeres en la lucha while pushing resistance movements to sustain an effective level of militancy. She struggles for a better world on and off the mic – she co-hosts a mobile free zine library, organizes against police brutality, and treads the forest to protect endangered species. Liberation is her life's goal, brutal truth is her musics vow.

So come build, support, and get down for this very special installation of CHURCH! It will be one to remember!5-7pm

Talking Cypher/Building Session/Meet & Greets hosted by Dakota w/ vegan soul food by Jerm Dee for $5 a plate suggested donation.
7-10pmPerformances by Zro Prophet, Savage Fam, Shining Soul, Alas, and Emcee Cyphers hosted by Sista Hailstorm w/ beats by Diogenes.
10-1amClosing Cypher/Decompression Session/Networking hosted by Julie C.
About the Warrior Hip-Hop West Coast Tour: Building a Culture of Resistance
The purpose of this tour is to begin to build a culture of resistance through hip hop and art, and to inspire and educate others through hip hop. These artists are revolutionary artists that use art to continue to build movement and solidarity across all sectors. To educate and inform, to fight oppression and stand up for our rights, to inspire and fight back. To remember the importance of our planet and water. It is up to us to create a vision for our future. 
As you all know, we are proud to keep CHURCH! A free event, but this type of building takes funds. Please support the WARRIOR WESTCOAST HIP HOP TOUR by donating to:
https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/warrior-hip-hop-tour-creating-a-culture-of-resistance
Any and everything helps. We will also have donation buckets available for the day of. 
Touring Artists:
Zro Prophethttp://www.agitrap.com/agitx_vandals/Afro-Taino/Borikwa by way of the Bronx and occupied Puerto Rico, MC and agitator, Not4Prophet, of X-Vandals (X-Vandals.com) and the AGIT Army (Agitarmy.org). Not4Prophet is on a West Coast speaking/reading/performing tour supporting the release of his new book of poetry, Last of the Po Ricans y Otros Afro Artifacts. Not4Prophet will also be conducting workshop on the use of music/art as a form of education/outreach/inspiration/resistance and movement building. 
Savage Famhttps://soundcloud.com/savagefambamAnt Loc is Nəxʷsƛ̕áy̕əm̕ and a member of the controversial and influential Indigenous hip hop/rap group Savage Family Seowa. He is from the illegally occupied territory now known as washington. His music is rooted in and influenced by the many lives that he has been touched by. His voice represents that of the oppressed, the have nots, the poor and unfortunate and the unmentionables of society. His gritty lyrical ability was forged in the streets and found further strength in the spiritual/cultural foundations of his ancestors.. He spits in an intelligent and precise manner that is rivaled by few. Ant Loc is mostly unheard of as of yet outside of Indigenous/Native communities but is now prepared to share the music that fulfills the prophecies of his people that will make the cities crumble.
Shining Soulhttp://shiningsoulmusic.bandcamp.com/Straight outta the desert borough, Arizona's premier Hip Hop duo Shining Soul, show that the element of rap still is a conduit for revolutionary change. Fronted by MCs Liaizon of Central Phoenix/Tohono O'odham Nation and Bronze Candidate of South Phoenix, Shining Soul bring to light the social injustices that attack their daily lives, such as the criminalization and militarization of indigenous and immigrant communities, while sharing and maintaining the essence of hip hop culture. Shining Soul's emphasis on skills, style, and substance, has made them a potent force in the Arizona Hip-Hop community, which is fully exhibited in their explosive live shows. Shining Soul's latest full-length release "SONIC SMASH" exemplifies their skills, diversity, subject matter, and overall commitment in carrying on the transformative art of Hip Hop through the element of rap. So stay tuned, keep your ears low to the ground, and check for SHINING SOUL in a big city, small town, native reservation, and protest near you...WE GOT THIS.
Alashttps://soundcloud.com/alasmusikaAlas makes music that braids her lived experience as an undocumented mujer subsisting on stolen land with the theories of rebellious decolonization. Her words pump from the raw heart of a living revolutionary to heal with her double hearted mujeres en la lucha while pushing resistance movements to sustain an effective level of militancy. She struggles for a better world on and off the mic – she co-hosts a mobile free zine library, organizes against police brutality, and treads the forest to protect endangered species. Liberation is her life's goal, brutal truth is her musics vow.

So come build, support, and get down for this very special installation of CHURCH! It will be one to remember!

CHURCH! Bringing 2013 to a Divine End

What can I say, other than I am so grateful and appreciative of all the artists, producers, (especially my co-organizer/host Diogenes and our official beat making sponsors from the magnanimous Filthy Fingers United mega crew), family and friends new and old, and whoever else has made CHURCH! what it is. Although I am a bit behind in my updates, I wanted to share with those who didn't make it a hasty summary of what went down in November and December, and also provide a glimpse into what you can look forward to in 2014. But before that, special shouts out to Seattle Community Media Lab for taking their time to support the sound for this and many other important grassroots efforts of creative resistance and direct action all over our region. I'd like to mention that the Lab is in dire straits, and is in need of support from the community it gives so much to in order to keep their services free and available to all. Please consider a making sustainer-ship monthly donation, however big or small you can afford, to help this important all volunteer crew keep their rent paid and their doors open to all. Every little bit helps when we're running on the fuel of community self-determination.

November CHURCH!: The Black Magic Noize TAKEOVER!

In keeping it really real, our November installation of our monthly extravaganza was our most popping CHURCH! to date, thanks to our comrades from the Black Magic Noize brigade. It had to be at least 200 people deep inside and out on our corner of Capitol Hill. Black Magic Noize is an amazing collective of emcees, producers, graf writers, organizers, engineers, and whatever other hats that one could wear. They bring an incredible energy to each and every space they bless, and are tremendously genuine, humble, and talented people, so we were more than happy to hand them the reigns for our November Sunday evening at Black Coffee. In addition, we were lucky to have the talented photographer Charles Conatzer take some flicks for us, and he captured the moments beautifully. Enjoy the gallery here.

Mosh Pit Action, Black Magic Noize

We opened up this night with BMN's own Nocturnal, emcee and producer, who laced us some beats to freestyle and vibe to, and 
followed this up with a set from the vibrant and talented emcee, singer, and spiritual motivator Lovely Bringer of the Sun. After that, we were fortunate to get a solo set from Wizdumb, another producer/emcee visionary behind the monthly live producers event Pad Pushers, at Vermillion (don't miss the upcoming one of these January 19th!). Wiz's album Basementality was recently named one of the top works in 206 Hip Hop in 2013 by The Stranger weekly, so don't skip out on listening to that joint. Then started the madness. BMN's Araless, Madshroom MC, and DJ Corn Dogg took the the mic and damn near started a riot in the spot. If you don't believe me, here's the photographic evidence again. Told you. Big shouts to all of you again for making that happen. It was unbelievable.

CLICK HERE TO READ REST OF THIS POST

Reportback from Olmeca Show

Back in August 26th, 2013, the world renowned underground revolutionary artist from LA, Olmeca, touched down in Seattle. He was joined on stage with Sista Hailstorm, Julie C, and Poesia (who also did this flyer artwork to the right) for an intimate show. If you missed it, which you probably did due to that fact that this show was largely overlooked by the Hip Hop community in Seattle, there is video below. But my aim in this narrative is not to guilt you for not coming. Actually, I want to share an important back story to how this event even came about. For me, organizers of the event, and for the author of the narrative below, the beginning of this story started on a rainy night down at Westlake at the dawn of Occupy Seattle, traveled across the imaginary lines we call 'borders' south to Chiapas, the heart of the Zapatista movement, and back up before landing at South Side Commons in Columbia City. I first met Tabs, aka Isolina, one organizer of this event, on one of those early Occupy nights. Actually, the first time I saw her, she was getting arrested by the SPD for sitting on the ground. She became one of the powerful voices advocating the decolonization framework for Occupy, and a big supporter of Hip Hop Occupies to Decolonize early in the game while we were still battling the doubtful for a voice in the movement. I talk a lot about the importance of art and culture in movement, revolution, change. It is, to me, a fundamental aspect of humanity, and thus just as fundamental in inspiring, galvanizing, and organizing the masses, beyond just "a tool of outreach". So I guess, take the story below as a case study, and remember, it's always bigger than Hip Hop. Here it goes, in her words:

"When I reflect back on the journey we took in December 2012, I can hardly believe that was part of my life. It was a shared experience with four other female bodied people. A shared experience, that was potent, eye opening, and an affirmation that our ancestors are with us holding our hands, holding us up, and guiding us through a very tricky world.  We are on a path and we do not know where it will take us.

Much earlier that year a group of folks that had organized a myriad of actions and events, amidst the craziness and hostility that was Occupy Seattle.  That is where it really started.  When our paths crossed and the direction of our lives would move in ways we couldn’t have forseen. We discussed the need for International Solidarity, to share our experience and to listen with an open heart to the experiences of those across imaginary lines, without the misrepresentation of “the media”.  We wanted real stories and we are a group that acknowledges the liberation of all, is through Decolonization.  This was a topic we explored together, most of us people of color, but some of us not. We were learning and searching in our own hearts, and I know this globalized system is not for us, never was, and never will be.

Our intentions grew clear, we sought living examples of autonomy, that were not tendency based. Personally the “autonomy” exercised in the Seattle Anarchist scene was a joke to me. It was just that, a scene, instead of a healthy thriving community. There was no focus on how to build outside of the system, merely romanticizing burning down the system.  Romantic ideas of revolt, but as we know romance can fade.  They so wanted Seattle to be Greece or Spain, but with clouds always hovering close, it’s hard to rile up a crowd here.  

 

For me, it is all about what you do, more than what you say, because talk is very cheap and it is rare to see talk turned into action that benefits the community and not the individual.  Everyone wants to be down with the black n’ brown struggle, but the practice from many tendency’s, is alienating to those from those communities.  I don’t need someone to tell me about my oppression.  I live it, every day, so thanks but no thanks.  That is not helpful to me.  By the way I don’t consider myself an activist and I don’t claim a tendency. I’m just a human being that is after the truth and I want to live a real life, not just survive in a system.  And I’m down to work, that’s why my focus is growing organic localized food, in the city! Food Autonomy, taking government and corporations out of the food system and focusing on community based gardens that exist on every city side strip of grass. Talk about un-seemingly subversive.  Healthy food is a human right, not a commodity.  A body deprived of good nutrition has the side effect of a lack of will, hmmmm interesting. More Prozac please.  

As the months and meetings went on it boiled down to five people going to Chiapas, Mexico. Our intention was to see autonomy as a living, breathing, working way of life. Not just a theory in a book.  We wanted to learn how to incorporate autonomy within the city and within what we do in our communities.  We were able to stay at La Universidad de la Tierra (the university of the earth), an autonomous university open and free to those that want to learn. A university that acquired land through a donation, the school has everything that it needs to be sustainable on the campus. Everything!  And it is all made with beauty. We were welcomed there with open arms and curious looks.  The university works closely with the Zapatista communities and we were humbled to be able to experience and see what we did.  And we were able to do this because of ARMA, a group from L.A. that organizes brigada’s a couple of times a year to Zapatista communities. Our friend Olmeca was crucial to make our journey happen. He prepped us and helped us and without his good words for us, we would have not been able to have gone. For this we were indebted to him and we wanted to hold him up by organizing a hip-hop show in Seattle. We also wanted to meet him, as only one person in our group had met him before.  We put together our humble show, we don’t have a background in organizing music shows, and we wanted it to be accessible monetarily as well as different age groups.  As Julie C put it, it was a potent group of folks that showed up.  We are sure there will be more shows, as Olmeca created a very special and heartfelt show, and he has a lot to share.

Our group is into building lasting relationships and global community,  whether it be on the West Coast of the U.S. or across the imaginary lines called borders.  We are in a time of darkness in humanity and personally I’m interested in the light that will come after, but it will take work, it will take time, and for it to be healthy change, it takes communities and ego-less solidarity.  We do this for the kids, for the elders, for the communities, and for the ancestors guiding us towards a life of dignity, honesty, and respect. Together we Decolonize.
- Isolina"

For footage of the show, click here.

Footage and Reportback from CHURCH!

What do you get when you throw emcees, beatmakers, and other dope people together in an anarchist coffee shop on a Sunday? CHURCH!

Below is footage from the cypher session that ended the night. Be sure to read Julie C's full coverage of the event HERE!

CHURCH! Coming soon to Black Coffee Coop!

El Somxs: Marichiweu. Olmeca in Seattle featuring Sista Hailstorm, Julie C., and Poesia

With his newest album Brown Is Beautiful fresh off the press Olmeca will be giving Seattle a good dose of East LA counter culture. Opening up for Olmeca are Seattle based hip hop artists, Sista Hailstorm, Julie C and more!

All Ages!
Sliding scale tickets:
Youth & Students $8-$15
Adults $15-$25
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Olmeca is an MC/ Producer / vocalist hailing Los Angeles, CA. His unique music production in both English and Spanish is a talent that is increasingly hard to find, but that he has mastered brilliantly. In doing so he has gained the respect of his peers; from underground artists and fans to well-known names in the industry.

With his edgy sound and proclamation, Olmeca has become a national act, having toured the U.S. He is now gaining audiences in Mexico & Canada.

Hes has performed with hip hops top name artist, Latin Alternative's most respected musicians and writing and performance opportunities in motion pictures and documentaries.

For More Info:

http://www.olmecaone.com/#!tour-dates/

https://www.facebook.com/olmeca1?fref=ts&ref=br_tf

Sista Hailstorm is an indigenous warrior who manifests her power and spirit through hip hop, art, activism and martial arts. She is an underground hip hop emcee and graff artist, as well as a hip hop educator, from the Northeast Los Angeles’ Lincoln Heights area. Her indigenous roots trace back to Chiricahua Apache, Yuma, Yaqui and Mexica blood from the Southern desert areas of Arizona, New Mexico, Texas and Mexico.

Sista Hailstorm https://www.facebook.com/SistaHailstorm
website: http://bgirlmedia.com/hailstorm

Julie C, also known as Julie Chang Schulman, is an explosive lyricist, educator, and Hip Hop community organizer. Emceeingsince her early teens, Julie C hails from the legendary Alpha Platoon crew of Seattle, a dynamic underground collective that has produced some of the most influential and stylistically advanced artists and groups in the Northwest

get her new album here at http://juliec.bandcamp.com/

Julie C. soundcloud, check out the flows https://soundcloud.com/julie-c

Doors open at 6pm


More info and tickets at http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/442893

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Facebook site for the show
https://www.facebook.com/events/582214728502064/