A Taste of Mighty Mos

I am a major advocate of hip hop. When it’s done right, it’s incredible. One of my favorite artists is Mos Def, the lyrical monster who is set to make his return to the rap scene this summer with his next studio album, tentatively titled The Ecstatic.

I thought I’d share one of my favorite Mighty Mos tracks, a collaboration between him and Japanese producer DJ Krush. It can properly be characterized, in my humble opinion, as awesome:

“Shinjiro” by Mos Def & DJ Krush. Enjoy.

So Much Is Said Unheard

“Your glass is half empty / like your tissue box / and your calls are blocked and you just / stare at the ceiling / play connect the dots / oh this has to stop.”

- Jay Legaspi, Said Unheard

I had the pleasure of meeting Jay at Babo’s Open Mic last Saturday. He’s a really nice guy. =) Not to mention an awesome musician/songwriter. It was great having the chance to meet him after I’ve been listening to his music nonstop for the last week. Him and Alfa Garcia. Who I met at another Open Mic and began listening to her music, too.

I have that itch now. That itch to create. I’ve had it for a while, but after hearing artists who are so real, people who were right in front of my face, creating every sound, it’s been amplified tenfold. There’s something in me, and I can’t get it out. It’s so frustrating.

I’ve always done creative things; I’ve written songs, I’ve drawn, painted, sang, created films. And I’ve always had very short, but very productive periods of each. But now that I’ve moved on, I can’t seem to get it back. I have that feeling inside, this urge to run and scream and let something out of me that I didn’t know was in me. It’s not pleasant feeling stuck in your own skin, comfortable, but knowing you could be something more.

I guess I just have to keep trying, to always keep the blank page in front of me and always search for things to fill it with.

– Riza