Member Since: 12/14/2006
Band Website: freedomspeaksink.info
Band Members: Freedom Speaks
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Influences:
My influences are the Divine Creator and Spirit Poets whispering in my ear. The Orisha, especially, Baba Esu, Baba Shango, Ye-Ye Oshun, Ye-Ye Oya, Baba Ochosi, Baba Obatala, the plight of my Ancestors, my life growing up with my mother and grandmother, African drums, dancing at Bernice Johnson's Cultural Arts Center, cheerleading, Hampton University's Pep Squad, the New York State NAACP, singing in the choir at Shiloh Baptist Church, Trevvalution, erotica, reggae, vegans, my son Elyjah, Black Women, The Nation of Gods and Earths, Sonia Sanchez, Amiri Baraka, Alice Walker, Mutabaruka, Taalam Acey, Lizz Straight, Heru, Khafra, l.i.f.e., Lauryn Hill, Queen Latifah, Salt-N-Pepa, Amir Sulaiman, Malikah Hameen, Samantha Raheem, EnVogue, Jerzee Monet, Alicia Keys, Angie Stone, Jill Scott, Eve, broadway musicals, Jim Carrey films, In Living Color, The Jefferson's, Roots, my dreams, Native American culture, Ile Ori Ifa Temple, Egbe Orisha Nubian Temple, Iya Amoke and Baba Atiba, Dr. York's Nuwaupian scrolls, Chris Rock's comedy, Dave Chappelle, Judy Blume books growing up, Fran Wheeler (supervisor at my last plantation who told me to stop spittin poetry at work and speak to someone who wants to hear it!) and more.Favorite Books Include: Alice Walker's Anything We Love Can Be Saved: A Writer's Activism, Conversations with Gloria Naylor, Queen Afua's Sacred Woman, Scenes from a Sistah, The Coldest Winter Ever, Ida B., Upstate, Breath, Eyes, Memory, Your Blues Ain't Like Mine, Invisible Man, Sisters and Lovers, Chasing Destiny, Genevieve, Between Lovers, Lil Mama's Rules, Chocolate Flava, Walk Like A Man, Assata, Conversations with God, Conversations with Nikki Giovanni and Margaret Walker, Conversations with Audre Lorde, Yolanda King's Embracing Your Power in 30 Days, Nice Girls Don't Get the Corner Office 101, 48 Laws of Power, Four Agreements, Bird by Bird, Spirit Healing, Nowtime Prophecies, Dancing the Dream, Rich Dad Poor Dad, How to Succeed in Business Without Being White, Gumbo (anthology of short stories), the Autobiography of Malcolm X, Tom Joyner's autobiography, I'm Just A DJ...But it Makes Sense to Me, From Niggas to Gods, They Stole it But You Must Return it, Nutricide, Are You Still A Slave?, several poetry anthologies and natural healing/herb books, tarot, and the list goes on and on, ad infinitum.
Sounds Like:The bellows and cries of Afrikan men, women, and children, Ancestors, and mighty spirits of liberation. Soothing yet severe spoken word topped with hip hop flava. Food for your mental and fire for yo’ ass!
Record Label: Freedom Speaks Ink
Type of Label: Indie