this is… The Neighborhood
the Story within the Story
MARK SAFE: ALL EYES ON NEPAL
The delicate balance of mentoring someone,
is not creating them in your own image,
but giving them the opportunity to create themselves.
– Steven Spielberg
It is a small world after all.
There are few tragedies of the magnitude that struck Nepal in which most do not take at least a moment to pause, and sometimes shed a tear for lives lost, even if we do not know their names or anything about their country. We understand loss.
On March 5, 2014, I received the first of what would become a host of communications from a young man, initially inquiring about guest posting. I remember visiting his blogging community Kegarchaslifema and enjoying his work. However, he was not quite ready for guest posting or collaborating, and when I informed him of such, he took it like a champ, refusing to back down. As it turned out, English was not his native language, and in fact, had failed the class. But he was determined, to not just learn it, but master the craft of writing. And the young man, a junior in high school then, would become my first mentee within The Neighborhood.
When I first received the news, the death toll was already approaching 1000. Earthquakes show no mercy, and this one: a 7.8 monster, moved a mountain – Mount Everest to be exact – the highest in the world. Natural disasters make their way around the planet, with no vengeance intended, they would exist even if humankind disappeared. This time, it was the nation of Nepal, a country of 27 million people, located in the Himalayas, directly in the bulls-eye.
*****
On January 4th of this year, I received a message but of a different kind. The young mentee, who had grown as a writer, and apparently turned his English grade around, for he was applying to college, and asked if I would write an official letter of recommendation. I remember feeling very proud. Proud and honored that Shrestha Bibash of Katmandu Nepal considered me a part of his academic growth and process. Proud that this young man was moving into the next phase of his life. And proud of The Neighborhood, as among the many reasons, for making friends around the world, and with the next generation, no less.
*****
I received a Facebook Safety Check notification for the Nepal Earthquake in which, there were only two options. Safe and Mark Safe (Mark Safe next to our young friend) My hopes are that he and his family are together and safe. My thoughts and prayers go out to the entire nation. And my respect and admiration to the nations of the world, who once again, demonstrate that in times of need, we are indeed our brothers keeper.
University Acceptance Letters are the talk this time of year. I look forward to the exciting news as to which university The Neighborhood’s first mentee will choose, and to remind him that he is no longer a mentee, but now a grasshopper and we are here if he needs us, but I am sure he is ready to fly. But for now, eyes are on Nepal and the safety check, hoping the two words Mark Safe become one Safe soon.
It is a small world after all. Much love to our neighbors in Nepal.
– KP on behalf of The Neighborhood
Update: On April 28, 2015, Shrestha Bibash of Katmandu Nepal checked in safe. He states that his country is not well, but our prayers are appreciated very much.
‘Blurred Lines’ Disaster Rocks The Underground – but Clears Path for Stars to Shine
Music, not sex, got me aroused.
– Marvin Gaye
Even before The Neighborhood’s Season III reached its climatic end on December 31, 2014, the decision had already been made, that we would strive for original art to go along with the original shows, and with music, the gauntlet was thrown down, that all indie artists would have to demonstrate that the beats or the lyrics or the hooks belong to them or they had the proper permissions to sample.
A little resistance came our way but it did not matter, it was the respectability of this artists collaborative community, that overruled any and all reasons, that an artists may conjure up, to not create their art or understand the industry and the permissions that it takes. And it wasn’t just thepublicblogger, upstart radio stations and promoters begin clearly posting the words “Clean Songs” not in reference to profanity, but specifically toward copyright infringement.
On March 10, 2015, only nine days after The Neighborhood’s Season IV debut and its hard line on originality and ownership in song enacted, the bough did not simply break, it exploded leaving one of the world’s biggest songs “Blurred Lines” in tatters, and the careers of its duo in doubt, when the jury unleashed its full fury, dropping an astounding $7.5 million verdict, wiping the millionaire entertainers’ shares out.
Many young artists like Philadelphia’s Bilal Smith understood the new day was now here, and cleansed his catalog without question. But some, either do not understand or think they can outsmart the hustle, in a game of which, they are not even pawns as of yet. The real hustle is upon arriving on the big stage as a legitimate contender, a confident showboat entertainer, not one who is leery of the discovery of their inner Milli Vanilli.
introducing music producer CJ Wartley
All Business, Play Later!
Without ever meeting him or saying anything to him, or reading anything about him, I knew that if anyone in the complex world of the underground, understood the hustle, it was music producer CJ Wartley. When I requested a photo, take a look above or below and note the one he sent. All Business, Play Later! a calling card that proceeds the person, with such a descriptive force, a pretender would be uncovered at hello. He is telling you up front who he is and that, he expects you to be who you say you are too.That’s business.
Ambitious, socially savvy and an ongoing comprehension of the game, are all attributes that support his business savvy, but his skills and knowledge as a music producer, on display in On Deck’s All I Know, is why CJ Wartley was delivered the spotlight, as the first music producer to cover a – The Neighborhood show.
Music Producer CJ Wartley
I recorded this particular track a little different from others. In hopes to expose them (On Deck) to industry standard sound and professionalism. Being that I’m not from the south, my way of corporate thinking isn’t relatable. So I thought I would try the silent approach this go around. They are slowly working on a video concept for the song. That’s all I know at this point. Once again, I truly appreciate your words. Most never express gratitude for anything unless the spotlight shines on them. God bless.
If the bounce in the energetic beat does not grab you, and if the soulful voice, skillfully laid over the perfectly in sync chorus, fails to move you, the lyrics “All I do is think about the hustle. All I do is dream about the hustle.” will have you hooked. And all of this takes places in the song’s first 15 seconds – no need for long introductions – well before the trio of lead performers take the mic and conquer the stage. And all I know, is that All I Know by On Deck – a group or not – has just raised the bar in underground collaborations of the recording arts.
On any given day, of any given week I will meet over a hundred visual, recording and written-word artists. Not in the conventional sense, there is no meeting for coffee or stopping by after work, but through their artistry we can learn what is in their heart and sometimes soul. But very rarely can an opinion about one’s business sense be made from such a distance a way, but Music Producer CJ Wartley announces that he is coming All Business, Play Later! and backs it up upon arrival.
– Kendall F. Person
The Underground’s Most Beautiful People
Everyone has beauty.
But not everyone sees it.
– Confucius
Ain’t Nobody by Jasmine Thompson, cover of Chaka Khan classic
A random panel of five people were asked to comb through hundreds of photographs and though all are beautiful, they were asked to achieve the impossible task of naming….
The Underground’s Most Beautiful People
“a pop star in the United Kingdom, but very much underground in the states. But wherever she is Jasmine Thompson is beautiful nonetheless”
underground beats maker Nathan Naftzger of Oak Island, North Carolina, better known as BeatsbyNate
underground recording artist Andy Wahl also known as C boy of Phoenix Arizona “Oh my God, Papi!”
“Martina Right of Sacramento, California was born beautiful and never left.”
“Rugged good looks and a beautiful face of strong innocence, real life couple Fran Daddy and Francine of Philadelphia, are a reminder of Audrey Hepburn and Gregory Peck.”
Audrey Hepburn & Gregory Peck in Roman Holiday. (photo courtesy of In a Lonely Place)
underground rapper from Miami Florida Jay Red “is one fine motha______”
“Sacramento Photographer Summer Rose with her younger brother Forest, is a picture of beauty herself.”
“one ticket to India, please. No, one-way is all I need.” says one reader after seeing Indian photographer Keyur Panchal.
recording artists and The Neighborhood’s resident diva IvySoul Robinson of Philadelphia is “a vision of beauty & grace”.
“Detroit’s Hussle Crowe is as beautiful as he is talented.”
underground recording artist Akila K of Brooklyn, New York is a fresh face in a beautiful world.”
No scabs
cover dictionary-copy.jpg courtesy of Tom Hynds
If only I were certain, to which the word ‘Left’ in the line “Many on the Left…” refers to (writers of the New Left Review? or the ‘left’ a political generalization?) I would commit to an opinion, that ‘No Scabs’ by The Charnel-House blog is not only a great literally and historical essay, but will turn the dictionary establishment upside down, with this epic definition to and fascinating history lesson of a long understood word. I will be challenged to think of ‘scab’ in the same way again, and perhaps, may begin to question the use of all words.
Trending
Support The Neighborhood
You are appreciated. (big smile)
ABOUT ME
Kendall F. Person Answers Questions on Quora
this is... The Neighborhood 
You must be logged in to post a comment.