Earth Amplified : green Hip Hop album

photo: Seasunz

The album "Earth Amplified" came out almost a year ago ... but I just learned about it. The album's lyrics address current environmental and socio-political issues.

Produced by Brooklyn-based J.Bless and multi-instrumentalist Golden Horns, the album features Oakland-based frontman Seasunz as well as guest appearances from stic.man (dead prez), Killah Priest (Wu-Tang), Zumbi (Zion I), Wes Restless (The Gents, Dynamic Vibrations), Rocker T (Jah-Warrior Shelter) and Jahiti (Brownfish).

I found this on the Green For All website:

Ashel Eldridge aka Seasunz, originally from Chicago, is an educator with the Alliance for Climate Education in Oakland, CA. He is a co-founder of Oakland's Green Youth Arts and Media Center and teaches music and meditation with Art in Action. He is a co-founder of CommuniTree, Oakland Resilience Alliance, and serves on the West Oakland Project Area Committee board. As a frontman emcee and vocalist, he has toured and performed extensively on the West Coast, including joining Bay Area hip-hop/reggae group, Wisdom and has collaborated with and toured with Bay Area breaks DJ and Producer Bassnectar on various recordings and performances. Additionally, Seasunz has either performed with or shared stages with the likes of KRS-One, Sound Tribe Sector 9, Zion I, Dead Prez, Ozomatli, Damien and Stephen Marley, Michael Franti, Midnite, Steel Pulse, and VP Records reggae artists Anthony B., Killah Priest and Warrior King. His second CD release, Earth Amplified, this summer, is a fierce tribute to the earth and peoples' struggles for justice.

TRACKLIST

1. Lady Justice
2. Hungry Money (feat. Zumbi of Zion I)
3. Sunnyside (feat. Wes Restless)
4. Global Warning (feat. stic.man of dead prez)
5. Food Fight (feat. stic.man of dead prez)
6. Water World
7. Nitewriters (feat. Killah Priest)
8. Storm Before the Calm (interlude)
9. Not the Same Thing
10. HWY 1
11. Any Day Now
12. On the Way (outro)
13. Defend Her (Bonus Track) (Little Island Mix feat. Rocker T and Jahiti of Brownfish)

The album kicks off with the first single, the Fela-inspired “Lady Justice" - an ode to powerful women and Mother Earth. In the second verse, Seasunz shouts out Angela Davis, Wangari Maathai, Assata Shakur, and Vandana Shiva for being fearless female revolutionaries.



You can buy the album here - just name your price.

The Green Festival ... one of my fave events of the year

The Green Festival -- an annual event that takes place in San Francisco, Chicago, Denver, Seattle, Washington, DC.

Current Schedule:
San Francisco -- Friday, November 13th - Sunday, November 15th, 2009!
Chicago (May 22 - 23, 2010)
Denver (2010 dates TBA)
Seattle (2010 dates TBA)
Washington, DC (Oct 16 - 17, 2010)

Join us at the nation’s premier sustainability event, where you will see the best in green. Enjoy more than 125 renowned authors, leaders and educators; great how-to workshops; cutting-edge films; fun activities for kids; organic beer and wine; delicious vegetarian cuisine and diverse live music.

Shop in our unique marketplace of more than 350 eco-friendly businesses—everything from all-natural body care products and organic cotton clothing to Fair Trade gifts and beautiful kitchen tiles made from renewable resources.

See the most recent developments in renewable energy and green technology, and learn how to invest in your community, green your home and avoid products made in sweatshops.


Photo: Flickr by Franco Folini.

Admission to the Green Festival is very reasonable - in San Francisco the cost is $15 for all 3 days. Discounted rates for students, public transit riders, seniors, and cyclists. Free for youth under 18, Green Festival volunteers (like myself!) and members of the organizations Green America and Global Exchange.


The Green Festival has something for everyone. For example, in San Francisco this year, on Sunday night you check out the panel "Soul of Green" featuring Dead Prez, SPEECH of Arrested Development, Climbing Poetree and Davey D. Moderated by Alli-Chagi Starr.

In today's world of climate chaos and pop tune ringtones, is Hip-Hop, helping generation Y" become a generation of "Why Not's?" Come learn how conscious cultural leaders are creating a pathway for self-determination and vibrant healthy communities, especially for those often left out of this new surge of green? This panel will give space for cultural revolutionaries to share their ideas and passions. Books and merchandise to be made available after the panel.


photo: Dead Prez

dead prez, comprised of members stic man and M-1, have been the leading voice in progressive hip hop for over a decade. Their music has long been a platform to discuss issues such as police brutality, racism and poverty. Collectively, the duo has released 2 albums, 3 mix tapes and 2 solos albums making them accomplished international musicians. Their ideals and activism are not limited only to their lyrics, the group is highly active in communities throughout the world. It is this longtime community activism that brought about the lecture series “Red Black and Going Green- The Environmental Movement Remixed”. dead prez offers a “hood” centered perspective on the sustainability movement as a matter of political education, economic development, holistic health and wellness, environmental justice, community mobilization and self empowerment. This is a not to be missed discussion that will enlighten and inform.

There's also a related official Green Festival Party on Sunday night -- Info and tickets available here.




There are so many things that I love about the Green Festival. One of my favorite discoveries at Green Festival - San Francisco 2008 was the clothing vendor Kate Organic/Synergy Organic. Kate Organic is the premiere line. Synergy Organic is the more affordable line. I bought a beautiful long brown coat from their booth, and have since purchased some skirts and tops.

Here's a great example of their stuff:




To view a selection of their other stuff, go here and here.

For more info about the company check out this Treehugger article.