2012 Review

It's that time again, time to reflect on the year and survey where I've been, see how far I've come, and map out where I'd like to go. I have to say it's been a fantastic year. Despite being unemployed for ten out of the twelve months, I've accomplished, experienced, and enjoyed quite a bit. Much of what I've experienced and many whom I have met have served as building blocks for the road ahead.

The year began with great music, not only from my favorite group Groundation, but also from two of my new favorite artists Junior Toots and Rocker-T. This is significant not just because music plays such a vital role in my existence, but also because all of these brilliant musicians have become dear treasured loved ones in my life. I usually try to keep ones anonymous, but these gentlemen and women have had key roles in the development of this year for me. 

Junior Toots invited me to be in his video for his song "A Little Bit of Love" from his wonderful album of the same title. At the shoot, he introduced me to some lovely people whom I am pleased to call friends now. The lovely Sol Atash, who sings with him, has become a dear friend as well. It was at Junior Toots' cd release party on my birthday where I met the magnanimous Rocker-T. I fell in love with his music that night, and maybe him a little bit too. Both he and his music are deeply moving, inspiring, and engaging. I have since had the privilege and honor to intern for him; an experience which enables me to learn and grow musically, spiritually, and mentally. I am proud to promote such a conscious, kind, and loving artist. His new EP "From Brooklyn to Oakland" is available now on iTunes download it here and his phenomenal album will be released in 2013. (Oh yeah, I'm good at what I do)


The accomplishment I'm most proud of this year is starting my new online magazine "Conscious Comments" check it out here which is a free magazine devoted to sharing ways people can and are living  more conscious and thoughtful lives. It is dear to me because my desire is to have a positive effect on the world and this gives me the opportunity to do it. I have been blessed to have some wonderful, thoughtful, knowledgeable and conscious beings contribute to it including the great Rocker-T who does the editorial every month, guest posts by Harrison Stafford, lead singer of Groundation and dear friend, Kelsey Howard, great trombone player from Groundation, Rusty Zinn, an awesome reggae artist and friend, Francesco Thomas (who did Rocker-T's 99.9 Percent video seen above) as well as contributions from dear friends Elizabeth Renter, Lance Malveaux, Angelica Erskine, Davina Estrella Oji, and beautiful photos by my dear brother and friend Hossein Attar. I am eternally grateful and in awe of these magnificent individuals.

I've connected with dear ones, experienced a great deal of awesome music, made amends, come to grips, and began coming into my crown. I feel so much optimism and enthusiasm for the future and so much more love in the present. I give thanks and praises to my Father The Mighty King Haile Selassie I for all my many blessings and lessons from the past years and those to come. I am coming out of the shadows in 2013...look for the queen in the whirlwind! Blessed New Year! More Love.

Find Junior Toots' music here on facebook here Twitter @juniortoots
Find Rocker-T's music here and on iTunes here on facebook here and here Twitter @theRealRockerT
Find Groundation's music here on facebook here Twitter @Groundation707
Find Reggae Professor here on facebook here Twitter @reggaeprofessor
Find Rusty Zinn's music here on facebook here Twitter @rustyzinn1
Find Sol Atash on facebook here on Twitter @solatash
Find Hossein Attar's photos on instagram younglion13
Find Francesco Thomas I.Livity Productions here

Reggae Icon Rocker-T Readies New Album “The Hurban Warrior of Peace” with 5 Song EP “From Brooklyn to Oakland” due for release in Late December 2012

I have the honor of interning with one of my favorite reggae artists (although he is definitely a multi-genre musician). What's special about Rocker-T is that he lives the conscious and spiritual life of which he sings. Musically, he is a creative and clever lyricist, an innovative producer, and a dynamic performer. It my pleasure to support him and his music. Read more about him and his new EP from the press release below and find the link to purchase his EP "From Brooklyn to Oakland" on iTunes. For only $3.99....you certainly won't be disappointed.

For Immediate Release – December 5^th, 2012

Oakland, California - Over Nine years in the making, with over a dozen guest artists and many different genres represented, Rocker-T will release his new full-length album project “The Hurban Warrior of Peace” in 2013. The first release from this album will be a digital only 5 song EP titled “From Brooklyn to Oakland”. With the EP “From Brooklyn to Oakland”, to be released December 18, 2012, Rocker-T embarks upon the largest musical journey of his 21 years in the music industry. The EP from the forthcoming album “The Hurban Warrior Of Peace,” which will be released early 2013, encompasses tracks from the East, West, and International music realms. “From Brooklyn to Oakland” includes Dancehall and Roots Reggae, Hip Hop, EDM, and even some Alternative Pop, including featured special guest artists Gappy Ranks, Terry Ganzie and Zahira Soul.

Throughout his career, Rocker-T has always had an eclectic musical appetite. He has had Punk Rock, Rock, New Wave, Ska, and Reggae bands, and Hip Hop has consistently had an influence on his music. Rocker-T originally hails from Brooklyn, New York and currently resides in Oakland, California and the title track of the EP showcases his Hip Hop talent and influence while his track “Neva Chat Slack” with Terry Ganzie is decidedly Roots Reggae. “From Brooklyn to Oakland,” and the full-length album “The Hurban Warrior Of Peace,” are a reunion of the genres he has influenced and the artists with whom he has made meaningful connections.

Nine years in the making, the album “The Hurban Warrior Of Peace” is a songwriting and production collaboration that embodies Rocker-T’s diverse musical experiences, knowledge and tastes.  Featuring friends and family from every era of Rocker-T's career including; Skadanks, Boogie Down Productions, Jah Warrior Shelter Hi-Fi, International Rastafarian Transport Band, Version City Rockers, Zion Train, and Dubsmashers, it is indicative of his musical objectives. “I am an hurban warrior of peace, a product of the city environment who sees the small green branch pushing through the cement and cries for Mother Earth. The magical plant music is the healing of the nations. I can fight without fighting,” Rocker-T explains.

Rocker-T says he has “A profound desire to see all humans choose a peaceful life with each other,” and “…to bring healing to the minds and hearts of humankind whenever and wherever I sing and/or otherwise cause the divine sound to be audible.” “From Brooklyn to Oakland” and “The Hurban Warrior Of Peace” is an amalgam of Rocker-T’s musical journey with something for everyone to enjoy.

For more information, or to set up an interview with Rocker-T, please contact Luvinnitt Productions at luvinnittpro@gmail.com

download here: "From Brooklyn to Oakland" on iTunes

The 'Why' of It All

My heart is heavy with sadness and my head is a sea of perplexity, so of course my instinct is to write, but I can hardly find the words. We are all asking the same question…why? Why would anyone take a life, let alone 28 lives, most especially the lives of 20 tender souls and one’s own mother?

Was he sick or just evil?  I hesitate to say that the gunman can’t shoulder the entire blame, because at times like these, we need someone to blame…and it ain't us! (Is it?) But maybe we’re asking the wrong questions. Maybe we should be asking why this is happening so often these days. There are four or five mass shootings a year since 1995!

I’m sure if I did some research (I started but couldn't stomach it) I would find some correlation with the economic climate, the advent of new technology, media, or world events. But, I don’t have to do that. I already know that the consciousness of the world is out of sync. Too many people’s focus is on superficial, material, quick fix, and even destructive matter.

There is too little concern about the environment and how what we are doing to it affects our beings and not enough care about how we feed our minds, bodies, and spirits. Some may say this is ‘new aged hooey,’ but what else is different now?  If people who commit these atrocities are sick, what is making them sick? If they are evil, where is this evil coming from?

There’s always a lot of talk about gun control laws after these massacres. One thing I've seen is that people will give up their right to privacy in a second…but don’t you dare take away their right to bear arms!  Something needs to be done about the accessibility of guns in the U.S. to be sure.  But just in case that doesn't happen, shouldn't we find a way to heal these sick/evil people lest they find other means to carry out their madness?

I wonder if we were kinder, more careful, considerate, and thoughtful about the way we interact with one another, if that would make a difference. Is there something in the air, water, or FOOD, that is causing a sickness?  How harmless are certain games, movies, or song lyrics?  Are we spending enough time teaching, guiding, and loving our children? I wish I had the answers instead of more questions, but it seems that we need to start asking more questions. 

I wonder if we were more mindful of each other, paying attention to one another’s well being and caring enough to help, would we be able to see a disturbed mind or spirit before something horrific happens.  I’m having a difficult time believing that these troubled individuals showed no signs of fracturing prior to their actions. All I know is, I’d rather willingly pray for the souls of the living than be forced to pray for those of the dead. I would much prefer to cry at weddings and graduations than at vigils and funerals. 

A change is going to come for sure. Whether it is positive or negative is entirely up to us. Do good and love.