W R E N A G A D E

BLOG MOVED

2011-06-24T19:39:00.004-08:00

I will now be blogging mostly about my jouney becoming a healing

I just started training and I LOVE IT - my arms are outstretched ready to recieve and EXCITED for this new chapter of my life...

if you have art inquires email wrenagadeinkproject@gmail.com THANKS

Be well,

Wren

so many things i could say but instead...

2011-06-17T11:55:00.004-08:00

Im in a wonderful place in life right now but ima keep it so unpersonal no wrenagade rant kind of a closed book when it comes to the internet - but always down to share about the MUSIC!!!! so you know for the most part i like positive musica mostly made by some folks im honored to call friends but recently i have been appreciating commercial musica for what it is...Beyonce and Lil Wayne have fame for a reason and whether they are overated to some or not really doesn't matter to me when i am looking for music to make me feel a certain way... So with that said {despite having an association with this white boi gold teeth wearing wanna be New Orleans from Oakland asswhole that I associate with lil wayne cause he's stuck in a middle school mentality obsessed with the hot boys and jordans} I am a Lil Wayne FAN in this moment...it all started with this song:

the lyrics the sensitivity and complexity are refreshing!

hella music makers could take notes...I know i am

n despite {tim westood?} annyoing ness of interviewing {maybe thats me just sick of white people thinking they no hip hop more then the next} this interview in terms of Lil Wayn's feeling towards music was on point - shows his HEART:

oh and this song - I don't care how many dumb songs this man has when he makes heart felt songs he goes in...(mind you i still have a love hate relationship with artists like him)

anyways Love you all Love myself a tad bit more cause to Love you gotta know and I know me...

-Wren

PS Locks are sexy and i miss seeing them everyday...

Are you impressed???

2011-06-05T19:33:00.001-08:00

via 38notes.com

Friday, June 3, 2011

Video: Kev Choice: "Are You Impressed?"

Oakland’s maestro Kev Choice is back with a video for “Are You Impressed?” from his latest effort, The Power of Choice. The pianist, producer, bandleader and emcee dons conductor’s tails and jams with a few of his band members and Ms. Netta Brielle as he attempts to woo a young lady.

Kev is quite accomplished, and he uses this to his advantage when trying to attract the interest of a beautiful woman. While most rappers try to stunt and use the “Biatch” mating call, Kev opts for showcasing his cultured and well-rounded life. He travels the globe doing what he loves, but is also firmly rooted in the community and his responsibility as a father. “A pretty hot commodity, rock with a community / You gotta go to Alaska to find a dude as cool as me.” He clearly also has hip-hop’s requisite bravado on tap.

Check out the Samm Styles and Brian Storm directed video, and check out a couple other cuts from The Power of Choice on our February and March editions ofThe Bay Abridged.

Fly (mama) Artista: Sarah Kolker

2011-05-25T14:01:00.012-08:00

Greetings,

Introducing Sarah Kolker. This blog entry is long overdue I have been inspired by this lovely ladies art ever since I met her at one of her art shows in New York (2007). Since then she has grown as an artist developing other mediums and she has now been a Mama, raising the beautiful lil Purple.

as well as newly certified as a yoga instructor. It has been a blessing to be surrounded by the force that is SARAH KOLKER and I wanted to share of the amazingness she creates with all of you.

In most of Sarah's art she blends portraits with words to make meaningful pieces that make you think. The one below was used in her show at Guerilla Cafe. What speaks to me about this piece is its clever, its bold, and it makes a topic that is mostly one of frustration from a womans perspective of being objectified, into something that makes you laugh. That right their is the reason her art is very healing, and deeper than the surface.

I adore this image, blending words and her stylized portraits in a very sweet way...

Her art is also wearable and she had a number of screen printed designs - one of which i am sporting as i travel thru the midwest, that reads: Fight like Buddha - Meditate with her visuals to make the meaning even stronger.

this particular screen print seen in the picture above as she makes it is a portrait of her daughter: Purple. As a fellow artist i love watching the process of creation, developement of craft and how life rains into the picture as our life takes different paths. Below is a piece very much right on time as Sarah ventures and swims deep into the world of yoga and body healing.

You can follow her on Twitter twitter @kolks

And look her up if your any type of healing space that need a yoga instructor she is just begining this journey and need this local community to support.

Much Love,

-Wren

"I got my reasons" is an anthem

2011-05-22T18:57:00.005-08:00

photo taken by Wrenagade of Emcee Plane Jane in Richmond California 2010
When someone judges you and you keep it moving

{i got my reasons}

If I show random acts of kindness

{i got my reasons}

If I decide to travel and be nomadic

{i got my reasons}

This is for anyone that adores music, especially Hip Hop,

But anyone that mainly enjoys music that tells stories,

Music from the heart,

Music that expresses pain,

Music that gives voice to the Struggle.

I could go on more but i won't {i got my reason}

I sometimes offer little explanation {i got my reasons}

I ain't never met a good cop n i say fuck the Police {i got my reasons}

I left Oakland for a little

I want to see more women in Power

{i got my reasons}

I want to see more women of color Empowered

{i got my reason}

I know this LADY SPITTAS MOVEMENT is gonna be fly

{i got my reasons.

If i haven't made it CLEAR: {i got my reasons}

is an anthem

Plane Jane: is an emcee who has many reasons to pour out her soul into every song she makes, with this song/video she has done a beautiful job of just that. I have had the honor of working with her in a creative way, }performing with and getting behind the lense to shoot her} and I look forward to many more projects to come with this amazing talented WOMAN.

Beauty is Life

2011-04-27T12:47:00.005-08:00

If you don't already know I am in the process of becoming a tattoo artist, and one way of becoming apart of this world is my project called wrenagadeinkproject...I won't share too much because it is all very hush hush untill finished but I will share a lil photo from one of the recent photo shoots I did. This is a youth that is the program Youth Spirit Artworks that I was going hard in the paint for a while back. She is from the town, and emcee and all around fly sister who has "beauty is Life" tatted across her chest. Recently she told me that her cousin was shot and in the hospital in critical condition, so you know her life is filled with some challenges yet she is still able to rise above. She like many positive women I am surrounded by inspires me immensely and I thank her for being her and doing all that she does at a young age, she holds it down. Keep Your Head up lil sis and keep Smiling!!!!

heres a rough version on the song i recorded - Forever moving forward!:::
Yesaterday:::
http://www.reverbnation.com/play_now/song_6480775

introducing Z MAN

2011-04-12T19:32:00.003-08:00

Above is a picture i recently took of ZMan in action at EAR PEACE RECORDS

Doo Do DO Doooo you know ZZZZMAN? well then you aint sleeping on this talented brutha. I was introduced to his music thru Melina Jones. Since then I been a fan. He's always bringing something different and he has really good ju ju (hella funny too)

Heres a video of him check it

check back for some wrenagade x Zman collabo's

My open letter to anyone who has ever loved me

2011-04-05T10:20:00.003-08:00

First off that's a dramatic title i hope i have your attention. This is not a letter to ex boy friends if it was i could save it for one person. This is to anyone who has ever known me (not my art or music but me) cause to know me is to love me. Even if I have told you a lot recently you have no idea of what I am going through lately, this is not to worry you but to give you some perspective. Whenever you put yourself in other peoples shoes (with the intention of showing empathy) there is always the likelyhood you will start to feel judgemental and say to yourself something like (if i were here i would be doing this that and the other). As of right now for reasons i will disclose only in person I have a huge task on my plate and no one can help me but me. However I know that to help myself I need to surround myself with certain people. Healing people, loving people, non violent people, and people that don't lie, cheat, flake, and overall consistency is needed: don't say one thing and do another. I recently (yesterday) just ended two friendships with people who I cared deeply about, but when i look back...we may have had some wonderful conversations, i may enjoyed there company, but after the drinks wore off or the blunt was smoked they were never there for me. I would have done anything for these two people and did at times, drop everything in my life for them, and they didnt have the decency to send a four word txt before ghosting after laying down a whole lot of plans with me.

I am not at all bitter, despite the last few sentences of venting. I am glad I gave whole heartedly in my friendship that what makes me, me. You ain't never had a friend like me if i put you in my inner circle (like the drummers at pow wow) i will honor you and be nothing but loyal.

Anyway I have nothing to my name, and I can't walk, and because of that my job situation is questionable because almost everything i know how to do that i get consistantly paid for is on my feet. So i am homeless, but i am full of love, inspired, and driven like nobodies business. This is a test that i have been studying for my whole life, so although i may fall and I know ill rise and be so much stronger for it.

Yesterday despite better judgment after chilling by the water i rolled by a friends house, who i knew was going thru some things. This is a friend who confuses the fuck out of me. Shes' hella cool, and sometimes I am inspired by her But she continues to say one thing and do another, which i have a low tolerance for. At first I assumed it was her busy nomadic lifestyle and I gave her hella slack, but I realize it is her, just how she lives life, that confuses me. If I work with you on a busines level and you flake on your aggrements, and then you we kick it on a personal tip and you flake to, I begin to loose respect, unless you communicate clearly. But saying, I need to spend lots and lots of time with you, lets chill friday, okay i flaked sunday? okay i flaked again...after all that history doesn't work for me. And it makes me do things like listen to my homegirl and pop up on you un announced. 1 cause im worried that your isolating the fuck out yourself and only talking to people who don't really see you, and previuosly made comments from you like "i adore you" and things of this nature would have made me think we were that type of friends that could just check in, and 3 cause i this point i aint got nothing to loose. and lastly I am from a culture where we stop by and say hi, and lastly i ain't got a car no more so if im in yo area ima knock on your door, and second lastly I am leaving oakland and made the mistake of thinking that mattered to you and you would want to say bye, despite whatever funk you was in. I could blame it on my homegirl but I take full responsiblity for my actions. You. need to learn basic communication skills and stop playing victim to the world when things don't go your way. Lifes tought but i know a handle of people including myself who have had to deal when there closest friends and family members where shot and killed so rise above and tell the folks who care what you need clearly or they won't care. I am saying this from a place of knowing because I have lost many friends from ghosting on them without explanation and I might see them from time to time but it will never be the same.

Im sick of people thinking i am overeacting when I am the one getting dissed, but if everything in there world doesn't go perfect they go bad on people, usually me who for some reason decides to take on responsibility for peoples well being knowing damn well they would never do the same, and if they ever came close would guilt the fuck out of me for it (when i never guilt trip of hold shit over people).

I have learned to not so much listen to what people tell you they are, but what people show you they are. I give people a lot of slack, from my mama, my sister, to the people i choose to love. But there ar ecertain things that are unforgivable.

If you don't show me basic respect, you don't have the right to worry, or know anything about my life, and i will don't save a place when i make it to where im headed.

If you don't hear from me you have no one to blame but yourself, you have either been very disloyal, treated me in away i decided was harmful to my evolution or dangerouse for my health, or i just don't enjoy your company anymore.

Much Love,

Wren

Dj Muggs x Bambu - The Rock Rock On

2011-04-02T02:01:00.000-08:00

Jazz: the revolutionary poet

2011-04-01T13:27:00.000-08:00

The revolutionary poet from Richmond Confidential on Vimeo.

i love my hood

2011-04-01T13:03:00.001-08:00

I love my hood by DJ wrenagade

for the lady spittas

2011-01-07T23:50:00.001-09:00

for the lady spittas, originally uploaded by wrenrobb.

this is a part of the piece of working on for LADY SPITTAS its ROCKY RIVERA aka EYEASAGE aka Ms. Krish I wanted to share it on here because she is one of the reasons i started this blog a few years back. Much Love. xoxo

Shape of My Heart

2010-12-22T19:28:00.000-09:00

Shape of my heart by IamAwrenagade

Check out music from Wrenagade

2010-12-22T15:37:00.001-09:00

Pretty Girl Movement

2010-12-13T17:15:00.032-09:00

So why is it that claiming your pretty (even if someone's boyfriend doesn't think so) is liking asking people to HATE on you. Is is peoples insecurities, or a trend to keep women down...

you can press play and have this song as the soundtrack to my post

I love that she paid homage to some pretty girls through out time.

The T-Boz one was my favorite!

A few weeks ago i had dinner with a family friend and her sweet mom who was visiting from the east coast. Both are beautiful women with short hair, always stylish and fashionable. At one point we were all in awe of the gorgouseness of the wisest woman at the table (she's in her 80's) because she was glowing. Her response was quick and it seemed that she took the complement and quickly denied it saying that she couldn't believe it. This started a conversation about how women since day one are taught to not hold their head high or they will be hated on. I remember when i got caught blowing kisses at myself in the mirror when i was about three and was immediately talked about for having a "big head." I learned to not show my ecstatic confidence in public for fear of persecution from my peers mostly women. I have a distict memory of over hearing someone telling a family member that i was "cute but you shouldn't tell her or she'll think she's all that." Now Im not saying girls need to grow up thinking a red carpet is necessary for her highness, but whats wrong with a girl embracing her physical beauty.

Apart of me feels its a society marketing conspiracy : if we make women feel they are not then we can make them buy hella products because they will believe they need them to be beautiful. We will make them feel they need to get there "nails did, hair did, everything did," to replace that emptiness by feeling fancy.The other side to this is when you add race into to it. Although over time its gotten better with more women of all races to show that beauty comes in all color, it still encourages a "white washed version." I feel lucky to have been raised in the bay where there's a lil bubble where its a plus to have a lil more junk in the trunk, and looking unique is complemented, but theres still issues in what women are raised on regardless of what community, or the medias influence.

Sometimes it seems like just by being a woman when you walk in the room, is a invitation for everyone to comment on the physical. That's why all though it may be corny im feeling Keri Hilson's song "pretty girl rock." I wanted to also share a few photographs of my friends who are fresh inside and out.

Adia lives in the bay and has done photo shoots in Portland, San Francisco, New York and Los Angeles to book her email afimara@gmail.com. She's one of the nicest people i know and definitely one of the prettiest.

Next up: Siaira Shawn is a multi faceted, talented individual, promoter of unique looks, stylish, what more can i say...photos are by pretty girl Adenike (more shots can be viewed at AdenikeShotMe )

And last but not least i've been spending every free moment making art (hella) inspired from the art show I went to Friday you can check the pictures here and I wanted to share some paintings that I think work a illustrators for the pretty girl movement cause there of women and there GORGOUS. check em and check the art of Joshua Mays at soldren.com

I think there's nothing wrong with encouraging confidence and embracing of ones beauty.

With that said someone who looks nice get real ugly in my eyes when they aren't to pretty on the inside and act in ways not desired. Nothing wrong with loving the way you look ladies... Pretty Girl Movement!

New Video: KA'RA KERSEY - FUCHSIA GLAZE

2010-12-11T17:31:00.002-09:00

The singer song writer and all around fly girl has recently returned to Oakland to make more

music in the homeland. I look forward to see what is to come for this young star, who has already commanded stages and collaberated in cities across the us: Chicago, and Atlanta. This video and song captures the feeling a lot of us young twenty something folk who ventured away from the bay to study feel, we love the bay, we kinda wanna go, but we hella wanna stay.

Portrait of Janelle Monae

2010-12-11T11:30:00.001-09:00

Portrait of Janelle Monae , originally uploaded by wrenrobb.

unlike the last portrait i did of this talented woman, this is rough. My goal here was to focus on the feeling and powerful energy of a performance.
Watercolor
by
Wren

musica through your headphones

2010-12-11T11:27:00.001-09:00

musica through your headphones , originally uploaded by wrenrobb.

water color on marker
by Wren

New Music: Love Pain & Music

2010-12-02T14:08:00.006-09:00

Let me start by saying I'm not a pop fan at all, but I make an exception for folks like Netta Brielle because its HipPop at its best. The whole mixtape is dope...please check the whole thing out if you haven't already Here

The flow and collaboration of the production makes for a really good listening experience. She starts off by getting you to nod ya head and turn it up with Screamin.' She keep showing her love for 80's with Electric Love which is silly and fun all around good jam.I love the All i want is you cover (that i just posted). I always like when people do phone calls on a mixtape cause it just works, and its especially dope when it leads to a banging beat with Breathe. "Pushing Away" just might be my favorite and i can picture a video of it on trl and 106&park in other words it needs to hit some charts up. I'm glad she brought back"Tonight." She hits us with the Pain part of the tape with "Deceitful Love" the lyrics paint the struggle of knowing it ain't right to be with someone but feeling like you can't walk away, trying to muster up that strength to leave. Only right to be followed up with the hook "Try to let it go" (cause it ain't good for me) and then straight into "Deuces" she sounds good next to Chris Brown. Maybe this good be a foreshadowing of a music collaboration in this singers future. "Dance with You" and "Strobe Light" should be on every party mix from here on out. "Takeover" took me a second to get pulled into this one but once i did i Love it, and I think its Netta at her best and true to herself, with an Aaliyah vibe. "Im in Love with the DJ" is fresh (so dj's betta play that shit). I think she most definitely did "Glamourous Life" justice and its dope to have multiple bay artists do a song like that. I'm glad "Girlfriend #2" was covered cause now theres a female perspective, but i think the original version is WACK.

What do you think of "Inseparable"? I think it shows her vocal range and is a nice change of pace. "The One" is solid as well" and I love that she thanks everyone on the "Outro" and ends it with the message to hold onto your dreams and believe.

the bay has artists like no other

2010-12-01T14:03:00.017-09:00

Artists here are like no other: beautiful collaborations, we have unique original style oozing out us, we start movements and say slang that the world copies, and we are slept on. But instead of blaming the industry I challenge the artist to push themselves to get the exposure they want.

I was talking with Niema (twentysometing renaissance) the other day about that tired expression (that I've been guilty of saying too) where artists (especially rappers but artists of all forms) say: "The Bay don't support us" really? cause I see websites like 38thnotes dedicated to supporting artists, and hella people like myself that will by a box of cd's and sell it to where ever they happen to be cause they want to spread the message and see their talented Bay Artist get up. Sure we have haters and people not so willing to support others, but that's everywhere.

(thinking solutionary how can artists remain to pay homage to their homeland and not limit themselves to an underground world with less exposure)

With that off my chest we do have some hella hella hella talented artists that need to be shining cause they are stars. I am working on a mixtape with the homie Jean Marie (really beginning stages but soon ill have something for you) so I am especially loving this collaborative cover of All I want is You: (originally by Miguel) by Rafael Casal and Netta Brielle

with no further a do:

fresh right?

Shout out to local bay area artists

(just cause i haven't given you a dose of my love to promote the dope artist in a minute)

38thnotes team

true supporters of all good things Bay Area

Dom Jones: poet arts supporter, singer, song writer and much more

Netta Brielle and Kev Choice

both can Rap and Sing and stay making/releasing music everyday

Bay Area based singer songwriter Siaira Shawn

Get Back Crew: talented Poets / Music makes Rafael Casal, Chinaka Hodge, Daveed Diggs

Dear Bay Artist,

your fresh! but don't limit yourself,

eat the world and stay hungry.

If you know this then go head and keep

making good art that represents US

Much Love,

Wren

xoxo

Janelle Monae

2010-11-30T15:25:00.005-09:00

Free print for anyone that can guess the actual size of this piece

(except for Neem's Miss Niema Jordan over at Twenty Something Renaissance cause she's only person that has seen it in real life)

Los Rakas!

2010-11-30T10:05:00.000-09:00

Video:Shot By Amanda Lopez & shot and edited by Trevor Traynor
Song: "Soy Raka" Produced by Iamani

LOS RAKAS SmokeOut Festival 10/10 from Trevor Traynor on Vimeo.

Album Review Nicki Minaj

2010-11-26T21:37:00.003-09:00

(originally posted on tumblr with a repost of Rocky RIvera's review)

I have a love and hate relationship with this girls music. I have been listening to her since Coco Peila played me her music introducing her as “my wifey rite here”. I love her song autobiography, and I listen to her songs and let them get stuck in my head but I'm not sure if I'd say I'm a fan. It hurt my soul a lil but when the middle school girls in my music workshop new more of her lyrics then a Lauryn Hill song, but also made sense and made me feel old. So the ALBUM: Despite the title on the first track “I am the best” it’s not the I eat mc’s for breakfast cocky Minaj, (well a little bit but also some vulnerability). “I remember when i couldn’t by my mother a couch…now i bought my mother a house you could never understand why i grind like i do…cuz even when my daddy was on crack i was crack now the whole album crack you ain’t gotta skip a track.” I has the characterish feeling some love and others love to hate that makes her voice sound slightly like a chip munk on her raps, as well as a I am who i am vibe and describing the feeling of viewing from the top and reminiscing when you didn’t have like that. My favorite line of the song “I’m fighting for the girls that never thought they could win cause before they could begin you told em it was the end.” This make me think she going to continue to evolve as an artist and that she has already seen how her lyrics are impacting middle school aged girl, and therefore throw in some uplifting lyrics here and there.

You guessed it ‘Romans revenge’ ain’t my favorite at all (how’d you know?). For one I don’t like the Eminem that talks about beating his girl calling her a slut and lighting her on fire, but that’s what they asked for. But besides the lyrical ludeness some of the punch lines sound like a lazy word game “cunt I’ll kick that hoe, punt, force trauma, blunt” So I wouldn’t bump it but i get it, its a crazy collaboration and it get’s your attention, (but in my opinion) it ain’t quality Hip Hop.

“Did it on em” i like the beat. I can’t help but think of Lil Kim with the line “if I had a dick I would pull it out and piss on em” (((member Just Like me “if i had a penis I’d be heartless foreal tho n***a’s start shit i’d just flash out my dildo.” The only reason i bring that up is because I usually think when people compare it’s to start beef or its just lazy. But maybe both MC’s just happen to be obsessed with pink and different color hair, playing barbie, and they have penis envy. ha! or not…”Right Thru Me” You already know. It’s catchy (too catchy?) it adds to her multi talented repertoire. And again it shows her vulnerability with paired with being a fierce emcee “who eat bitches so why even try” seems to be key. I like that Rihanna and Nikki Minaj collaborated on ‘Fly.’ “i am not a girl that could ever be defined, i am not fly, i am levitation, i represent an entire generation, i hear the criticism loud and clear, that is how is i know the time is near” She came to win on this.”Save me” has been my favorite since it leaked on Youtube. And I agree and its dope that the girl given the crown for best female emcee can make an all r&b song this good.”Moment for Life” is Fresh! Makes me wanna put it on a mix with all the music my friends make about appreciating the Here and Now, each and every moment..Drake brought it too.”Check it Out” featuring Will I.AM: Catchy as two hip hop artists that also get labeled pop would be. “Blazin” loving the spit’n “had the power to be the best be in the league yeah never to bleed but could it be lil me you was heckling me now whispering not it need now irregularly.” Kanye’s verse on there is cool too..’Here I am’ first thought is i love the beat and (paired with her vocals) it sounds like something hella familiar (ill think of it later). But solid record. Before I heard the song i like the concept of “dear old Nikki” and i thought it might disappoint, but i like the first verse, after that it a lil fillerish. “Your Love” has been out for so long and a lil played out but fits in just fine on the album. “Last Chance” is that classic girls just wanna have fun vibe, and kinda classic Nikki that even people that hate on her can’t help but shake their head to and laugh at the punch lines. So it’s only right to follow it with “Super Bass” which has that same vibe and make me want to bump it in my ride immediately. I like the beat but “Blow ya mind” doesn’t blow my mind. ”Muny” is the hip hop i gets money type record that allows her to get compared to any other emcee (despite people think lady spitters aren’t on the same level) And she’s said from the beginning she’s bout the dollar bills so its only right. “Girls fall like Dominoes” punch lines and plays with words and claims she’ll steal Drake n Lil Wayne’s girls. I might wish that Melina Jones, Jean Grae, Rocky Rivera, and hella other emcees that are women are getting as much shine as her, because of the substance in there lyrics. But I like Nikki Minaj’s ability to be completely free with her rimes, the i don’t care what the fuck im talking bout mentality it rimes and i wanna say it works for Lil Wayne and it works for her with random shit like “she might be filipino sipping palegrino.”

Left me wanting more but its might just be cuz i didn't love the last track. This album has me thinking what's next for her, which is a good thing. Regardless if i would love more substance in Hip Hop she's gonna make records and get plays, so I think my part is to organize whats in my control. I know some talented Lady Spittas and I plan to promote them to the fullest. If your a fresh lady spitta and I don't know you holler at a wrenagade...

The Art of Dreaming

2010-11-17T10:36:00.006-09:00

after a great sho on saturday i been bumping Sandmans first solo album the ART OF DREAMING I had a minute of free time the other day n got to sketch'n in my sketchbook and drew this...

Here's video captured by the wonderful Mzima...such a beautiful night!

yes amani i AM MANY did have a peacock feather in his hair
xoxo
-W

Goapele taken the stage with Drake

2010-11-15T23:18:00.003-09:00

I have been a huge fan of Goapele since forever. Very proud that she comes from Oakland, fellow OYC-er and just awed by her beautiful voice and always wanting to see her make moves and get her just due. So I am smiling that she's performing with artists like Drake because it means more exposure for this east Oaklander.

Flowers for the Dead

2010-11-04T09:59:00.003-08:00

haven't been posting anything on this site for a while but I couldn't resist sharing this...TheMeMusic project presents this beautiful song with iamani and big dan. It captures that universal thirst for the world healing seeing weeping laughing them. Honored to have a couple of my old paintings scattered through the slide show (note to self get organized with illustrations and create more for theme music)

For all those that have lost someone, at times lost themselves, for believers, for celebrators of dia de los muertos, for the ancestors wishlist, listen to this:

My Art and Photography on Flickr

2010-10-31T01:47:00.006-08:00

(click the pic for flickr)

Mic G

2010-08-29T21:04:00.003-08:00

Stays making some solid music, I am whole heartedly in support of the coming project Ghetto (w)renaissance. I'm liking the rawness of this video, shout to Aebldee in the video, Check it!

Artistas to Check!

2010-08-19T14:23:00.015-08:00

A sweet lady by the name of Aarika Martin gave me props on repping for all the Lady Artists, it warmed my heart and inspired me...I love giving props to artists (especially Ladies). The sister company to Oaktown Wrenaissance ---> Tres Mercedes is the genius behind the collaborative show I did in June that was an all female art show, with performances, art, and even a lovely lady painting custom designs on your nails and a clothing swap. I love seeing ladies Take Over in this way (and that was only the beginning). So this is my shout to all Lady Artists (in all forms of the arts) doing their thang. These artists inspire me and i think as soon as im done posting this I will go hard in the paint...big shout to all those that create art from the Heart

Heres some fresh art made by talented ladies to check:

Jenn Porreca

Ashley K Arnold

Alfie (Ebojo) Numeric

Mercedes Martin

I've had the privedledge of getting to watch Mercedes evolve as an earring maker and even gotten to collaberate with here and get these fly customized WRENAGADE earrings (picture below). She uses local art found on flyers and such as well as things like bottle caps to make some amazingly fresh wearable art...continue to check her out as she evolves as an artist.

ST coming with the organic flow

2010-08-13T09:19:00.006-08:00

ST an artist to keep ya lifted...

ST SPITTIN "I GOT THIS" from B. Younger on Vimeo.

Im in the studio with ST right now, witnessing the world play n flow. Hella organic just how the photo shoot went, but a lil feeling into in a way you can't help to feel. ST and his homies knock it out quit. With the "I got this" mentality. With a chuckle in the flows to keep you nodding with a smile. Feel good music that also represents the lifting energy that Oaklanders have to sustain. Look out for the projects coming out from the homie...

verses just bursted out

2010-08-10T23:54:00.003-08:00

record another record wish my hands were microphones so i could record this song of life (LOVE) i wish my heart beat came with a studio to capture this, after this splurge of creativity i wanna be free but calculate a meticulous way to be ever continuing this process ever so seamlessly

Hit Hit Hitting the studio and actually have something that i am PROUD to share (and sharing) is very necessary for me in this moment.

Thank you to all the folks that make FRESH SHIT cause whether i would call you up and kick it with you or we kinda went are separate ways your presence in my life at one point of another has led me to want to ever improve, evolve and CREATE

RIP Guru

2010-08-10T20:02:00.004-08:00

I just did a photo shoot with the homie S T

we knocked out hella locations and chopped it up about Hip Hop

the Town, how we both came to call ourselves Emcees

people that have passed away, and what inspires us.

This was a shot that from the shoot that captures some of that

we (myself and ST along with a lot of young bay area artists)

are hungry to make songs, and hop on stages,

at the same time honoring those who have influenced us

and paved the way by contributing to Hip Hop.

While we were driving to one of the locations

He revealed that his mother was in a gospel choir and influenced

him in a big way surrounding him with a plethora of musica,

along with folks like Do Dat, and the homies of the League510

I look forward to working with ST and seeing him rise.

-Wren

Bambu "Old Man Raps" Music Video

2010-07-29T13:46:00.001-08:00

heres some behind the scenes of the video with interviews from Bam himeself.

I've been a fam of Bam, through out all his music, and its a honor to call him a homie.

Bam stays making raps for the kids, with all his music, this is scene the album titled

"I scream Bars for the children" and tracks directed towards his son.

On this song he captures the struggle that most reformed parents have when they see there

children taking a risky path that they once fell into themselves.

Check It:

A story of an Emcee on the Rise named ST (Spittin)

2010-07-26T21:13:00.002-08:00

In case you have thought that anything on this here blog has not been filtered to the fullest this is a notice: I stepped up my bar game and finally decided to claim Emcee title too...so with that I only will post the like of the finest emcees, who i respect for a plethora of reasons. This artist has talent, crazy word play, and a quality i can't really define almost a bounce in vocals as he flows that goes hella well with the beat.

The video speaks on his history in other areas of Hip Hop (dancing) and this is an inspiration for all my fellow multi-taskers of the arts. ST is a visual lyrical and all around artist and this is testimony for all talented artist keep, keep honoring your gifts and your light will shine (even when it seems to take hella hella time) I had the realization that I can use the fact that I am in a lil bit of every art to my advantage. Don't let your mind tell you your any less than amazing, and keep speaking on it, like the Homie St!

Check his video which highlights some of his lyrics, and his background on how he became to be the Emcee he is today:

I heart the Bay

2010-07-23T14:48:00.009-08:00

Recently I have been practicing the idea that I can play tourist in my own city (not by spending money on crap thats not worth it) but by appreciating where you live with brand new eyes like you've never seen it before. And the second part of this (kind of like this ideas reflection of itself) is to find home where you go when traveling.

Right there might just be the key to Happiness, or at least a great way to pursue it...

Here a few flicks i took from a day spent biking all over the bay including over the Golden Gate bridge:

after being uprooted from my homeland of Oakland while being in college in the LBC since 18 I've been in the Bay (living) for about a year and i have started to grow some roots. I'm moving towards creating my perfect home here, still not a place where i feel like creating at my full potential, so i got some work to do, but slowly but surely getting there...

reflections::: opening up my sketchbook

2010-07-15T00:28:00.010-08:00

Art is Music: Music is Art

Above is from a series of different Perspectives:

A reflection capturing a few moments from all angles

Mirror Image: Reflected

two expressions feelings and moments

Reflected into one picture

These images are all toned down with the sepia mac book camera...as to shock you when you see the finished pieces and remind you these are just sketches. Some of the images from this series I have started painting - I have some writing to go along with the sketches and eventually I will have a whole package of all types of art created under the title :::REFLECTIONS::: I am in a reflective space right now, building myself up for a transition into a new phase of my life. The inspiration for these pieces is you, life, struggle, my reflection when i look in the mirror, the beautiful, the ugly, love, music...

38thnotes Presents : the Bay Abridged

2010-07-13T14:50:00.006-08:00

(special shout to 38notes founder CoolHandLuke for choosing me to create some visuals for this project)

via 38thnotes:

DOWLOAD 'THE BAY ABRIDGED '
TRACKLISTING:Track Listing
1. "Foxy Girls"-Rafael Casal & Daveed Diggs Ft. Chinaka Hodge
2. "Slick Talk"- ST Spitta & GQ
3. "Sweet Shop"- Miss Haze, Denise Wallace, & DJ Shred One
4. "Oakland Clap"- The Swapmeet Ensemble Ft. Mr. Town & I.V.A.N.
5. "Who You Shootin At"- BRWN BFLO Ft. Rebel Diaz & JR Minister of Information
6. "Streets is Hot"- Clif Soulo
7. "Tu Gial Esta Ready"- Los Rakas Ft. Chapp
8. "Night Life"- League 510 Ft. J-Billion & 1-O.A.K.
9. "Dreamin California"- The Freshman
10. "Abrazame (UpRoot Andy Mix"- Los Rakas
11. "Glamorous Life R&Bmix"- Netta Brielle
12. "Classy"- Jay Ant
13. "Here and Now"- Sandman
14. "Right Now"- Do D.A.T.
15. "Regular Shit- Vell4Short Ft. Moe Green
16. "Cashin In"- Nio Tha Gift
17. "Can't Stop Now"- Erk Tha Jerk Ft. P-Child
18. "Spend the Night"- E-40 Ft. Laroo, The DB'Z, Droop-E, & B-Slimm
19. "Rider"- Samm Ft. Erk Tha Jerk
20. "DoYouDoNotSee?"- iLL-Literacy
21. "I Got Soul, I'm So Wasted"- Wallpaper
22. "Vibrator"- Gucci Mane Ft. The Cataracs
23. "I'm On"- League 510
24. "It's A Shame"- Raphael Saadiq
25. "Legs"- Darondo
26. "Lovin What I Got"- 1st Place & DJ Mike Czech
27. "Summer Time"- League 510 Ft. Way-D
28. "I'm Gone"- Nio Tha Gift

Take a listen to the dope and diverse offerings we produce monthly. There are a couple cuts on this June edition that came out last month, but by and large, this is what June in the Bay sounded like in our neck of the woods. To those of you unfamiliar with our steez, check us out with an open mind. Love it or leave it, you will have to respect it. In a region known for our unique everything and independent core, we continue to do us, so perhaps it's time you tuned in and took another listen.

They really went in on putting together a mix that I can play on repeat. They got intrigued with the first track: Foxy girl, where Oakland's own Chinaka Hodge spits it for the Town, with Rafael Casal and Daveed Diggs giving props to the bay areas plethora of wonderful women. Fast forward to Clif Soulo with Streets is hot and I really can't stop, ever track makes for a great mix, all together doing what I believe 38notes does best, showing the talent and diversity that Oakland and the Bay Area as a whole has naturally.

the Burnerz-No Justice ft. Kev Choice & Bambu

2010-07-11T11:49:00.000-08:00

Words By Dom Jones to the Daughter of Oscar Grant

2010-07-11T11:13:00.007-08:00

Dear Tatiana:
to Oscar Grant's Daughter
I was a little girl when my father died of cancer
So when I learned of you... I cried
We both lost our knight and shining armors to diseases
Yours taken as a result of diseased humanity
I cried 'cause I don't want it to be your legacy
To grow up knowing he was stripped of loving you
Through your first broken heart
Your last day of high school
Your walk down the aisle
Your first child
This is not a club I ever wanted you to join
I don't know you
I just know the gaping hole you'll end up carrying
For more than the 2 to 4 his murderer will get
I wish I could carry your grief
Could have been on the platform
Could have taken the bullet
I would have taken the bullet
So neither one of us would have to live a fatherless life
I'm caught between rage and guttural pain
Screaming high pitched, inaudible, something like opera
All 'cause I can't forget Oscar, no Academy
I just wanna put you back with your family
And I don't know you
I just know the unanswered questions that will eat at you
Wondering why racism is why he ain't seeing you
Wondering how a human life is only worth a deuce and a letter
After the fact, after the shot, after the stormy weather
I hope you never have to hop a train
Wish you never had to face the bitter taste of knowing all you have is pop's remains
I wish you could feel his embrace
I wish it was last year, he was still here, wish it all erased
I wish I could make this tragedy right
And neither one of us would have to live a fatherless life...

WRENAGADE RESPONSE

Injustice has many layers.
We sleep on it and then it wakes up up on another perspective of the tragedy
I had almost let my rage for the incident that occurred atFruitvale Bart station become dormant
I was so clear how I felt about it
so active in the moment close to it
That with time I numbed myself from thinking
I still had more to learn about how injustice
continues
Months later after hundreds of people have said
this Murder is not OK, no longer can in be so systematic
So normal for a young innocent life to be taken away
Based on his race, and then based on that the murderer is trained to kill, no consequence.
This tragedy was like a wound in every body's heart that had just begun to heal,
But then a jury to a few moments to continue the injustice.
Rip my heart out.
So tell Tatiana who now is fatherless
What her pops is worth to you
You may have tried to succeeded at dehumanizing
Oscar who now is a poster who everyone claims to be
As a way to honor his memory
But you cannot paint his daughter as less than human
This is not just about BART
or a slap in the face verdict
Its how to sustain hope when the tides are against you
And not just hope but belief turned to action
To spark a change.
We are not all on the front line
But I pray we still are awake
to have warrior heart
Beating in our chests
Like drums
Never giving up until
The battle is won
Until that day comes...

Keep Spitting Spitta

2010-07-09T15:13:00.010-08:00

For all those that feel your voice is not heard. If you have something to say keep speaking, the crowd may not be as skilled at speaking back but speak enough to the masses and you will have an impact trust. Today seems like just another day in the town after yesterday with the streets filled with robots (police in riot gear) and people rightfully angered by the slap in the face verdict. Music and expression of any art is what gets people through. I want to make timeless art and I respect those that do it correctly.

this Lady has been doing it correct for some time and I don't think I've written a post about just her. She is ridiculously talented and different. The industry may try to put her in a box or compare her to other greats to try and label and capture what make her fresh, what shines through all of that is her raw talent and that she stays true to herself.

Too many Men killed and Cops off the hook

2010-07-08T15:21:00.004-08:00

THE PENALTY FOR INVOLUNTARY MANSLAUGHTER IS 2-3 or 4 years (and they didn't acknowledge the fact they can charge him for using a gun)

I feel a little that I got burned out after giving my all in the

original protests over a year ago, I am not able to be at the Oakland gatherings. Speaking with friends everybody i know is filled with emotion. Very big lesson learned because I plan to sustain my artivist. It does feel like a big ass slap in the face, because not only to the family of Oscar Grant but the whole Oakland community and all people who have been effected by this kind of Police Injustice.

Watching everyone come together and speak out again as we all did in the few weeks right after the murder. Since then I have seen hella people nationally speak out against this Murder. I came to a place where everyone has a role, instead of feeling negative that not everyone could protest and show support in those first gatherings, I can see that some people take other roles but we all stand in solidarity wishing praying and working for equality, so no more Oscar Grants get killed.

Channel your anger and find your gifts in this struggle. Siaira Shawn's song is the comforting harmony to demand that we take other means to fight and vent our anger of this faulty system that kills black people.

Art from the Heart

2010-07-08T13:30:00.006-08:00

I make art from my heart (sometimes drawn into the piece) sometimes abstractly seen, but always put into it. This summer marks the second collaborative art show i have done where "HEART' was in the title, a lil bit more evidence to prove I am claiming my big ol heart to the fullest. The marketing and sell able decisions come much later after the piece has been sketched, re-sketched, inked, and painted (or whatever medium i chose). Sometimes this makes it tricky to sell art: looking back i have sold some pieces (of my heart) without really thinking about how much energy, thought, time, and love i put into the piece, more just thinking about eating that week.

So as i lean toward the only option i feel is my chosen path (the life of an artist: in every sense of the word) I start to feel the pull from the question: How will I do this to sustain (make money money).

The answer in part is with you (the folks that hold me down whether you read this or not) if you like my art you can either request it on a t-shirt or a print, or commission as custom piece. And definitely Right now I have three customers waiting on some very large pieces. I barely have a place to paint but I am steadily creating my space and with the vision of all my dreams working towards a place to call my own and all beautiful means to sustain...

I am more than happy to send Care Packages or Art Pieces to you where ever you may be.

Heres some pieces I made for the amazing miss Ruby who is currently living it up in Brooklyn. For those of you sleeping and don't know Ruby is a published author, Spoken Word artist (who's performed internationally) Fashionista, all around Fly Woman.

CLICK HERE to read her sweet post about the package i sent her (you can request one like it for some mula--->>(mostly to cover delivery and materials)

Playing Photographer and Introducing Lady Spitta::: Plane Jane

2010-07-01T19:27:00.017-08:00

ALERT: Plane Jane will be on the RADIO

...Woah woah woah on the radio, rhymes aint slow beats that go, different kinda sound, hug it like surround, hella energy, she's rocking a fresh cut and rep'en for that have nots make something out of nothing mentality like a pot luck, on the come up ready to make thangs happen, with the way she's living and rapping...

I am not the most avid radio listener these days but today I am excited to say the Homie PLANE JANE and ST SPITTIN will be bumping on 106 KMEL. These two are really going in and Plane Jane and myself are in the works with some collaborations as well. For now tune in at 11 and check her blog. I recently did a photo shoot with her out in Richmond California and I wanted to finally share a few of the photos with you.

new video from Rafa :::: SPITTER

2010-06-30T10:56:00.005-08:00

A few years back Won Way and Do Dat brought you SPITTAS and there is a new wave rising from this very talented family of bay area emcees that have such flow and lyrical ability's you are immediately spit with the sickness and if you get in there vicinity you might just start spitting better because of it (no wonder they gotta say: Get Back)

Rafael Casal continues to show his versatility and musical ability's with this one right here. Check the cameos of Solja, Do D.A.T, Netta Brielle, Chinaka Hodge and many more. So much talent in this video. Go head and turn it up a lil with this here song the answer to what's a spitter?
(check lady Spittas soon)

For all the Fathers, and folks honoring them...

2010-06-20T08:30:00.011-08:00

The musical genius .:iamani:. put together a mix that honors fathers. It has some wonderful audio from when his little sister was born and commentary from his pops, fresh fathers day jams, as well as some original music and more. Very fresh check it.Whether you know your father well, and get to tell him on this day, or he has passed away, we are all included in this holiday, in the supporting of brothers, suns, cousins, fathers, men who have children to be the wonderful Love Warriors they know how and have all the power in the world to be. Here you go...WALK RIGHT UP TO THE SON:

via: Iamani
"made this beat like 6 or 7 years ago...

i sampled the Delfonics "Walk right up to the sun",

wrote the song last night (the night b4 i finished this mixtape) been milling in my mind for a while though...it's rough, expect a polished version when the time is right...

that's my poppa and my little sister on the track ("poppa", "yeah", "thank you sweetie")

been crazy going through my family videos watching myself and my family, great tool to gain perspective...

it's been 20 years since my pops died, my brothers were 18 and 12, i was almost 7, my sister was 22 months old, ...we've been reeling and healing ever since....

my mama said we had a spirit daddy...thank god for that, his death and my need to stay close to him kept me in close contact with the other worlds, with my own spirit, with my god"...

&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;a href="http://onlyiamani.bandcamp.com/track/walk-right-up-to-the-son"&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;Walk Right Up To The Son by :::iamani i. ameni:::&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/a&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;

SHE heART RISE UP!

2010-06-18T10:21:00.007-08:00

Greetings Beautiful People!
Two events that I would be honored to have the present of your presence at 1. An all women art show going down Saturday 26th that I am apart of...we just confirmed along with myself Milani and Dyanamic that Chinaka Hodge will be rawking the mic. and 2. PRECITA EYES art show at Wonderland Gallery in SF. Flyers and more info below...

RSVP (here)

Im so honored to be shareing mics with the likes of Chinaka Hodge, Orukusaki, Cio Castaneda, DyanaMic. These two events would not be possible if it wasn't for Mercedes (TRES MERCEDES) and Eli (FREE) two artists themselves working to let the community see some beautiful creation (we) Put our heART into...

Hard Candy - MISS HAZE n DENISE WALLACE

2010-06-15T10:46:00.007-08:00

Get Physical - just went to the release of this ridiculously fresh mixtape::: I LOVE this song and ever other one on this mixtape you can chech it here (click) I got to witness some of the process of this beautiful collaboration, ever so inspiring how two ladies can come together and spit out their talents to create something we couldn't even wish for - makes ya wanna listen to this more huh? don't snore...

(Everything) In Between

2010-06-12T19:39:00.002-08:00

Siaira Shawn performing one of my favorites from her brand new album. This song runs through my mind at time when I think of what makes me - me. At times of feeling alone or different in my dreamer artist ways these here melodies have been the witness testimony that the ones that are different who go against the tides exist and are beautiful: with no further a do for you---> Miss Siaira Shawn

the unthinkable

2010-06-04T09:24:00.008-08:00

The "unthinkable" after a while becomes the norm - after enough brave souls challenge it - progress occurs and we move forward. The other night after having a long discussion about impression - racial stereotyps - and police brutality - after Phil got pulled over for stopping on a yellow - I turned on the t.v to the movie little rock 9. I know the story well it was one of the first books I read at a really young age and I had never seen the movie. All the pictured scenes of the harassment those brave young students face were visually captured.

In my life time I have seen nothing of the sort - especially not in the Bay - or Oakland to be more specific. But I have seen division based on race - or the the block you claim - the color you wear. I had the privilege and curse of always being mistaken for the other. When every latino person had to sit on one side of the cafeteria - and all the black folks had to stick together or their character would be questioned - I was the other - as long as I didn't shine to hard or snitch on nobody I was reasonably safe. Safe as in run towards home base. Everytime someone saw my light white face as a threat I had an awareness it was not me but all the messed up folks that looked kinda like me in history. Because of the MLK speeches, Harriet Tubman poems and to kill a mockingbird Little Rock Nine books I had read due to my activist family and Oakland Public Schools - I had an awareness before the age of 8 that many struggles I was spit with were backlash to the history of injustice in this country.

I think just based on Mathematics I have not had a huge amount of white friends - or partners. So my experience with the dating world has always been interacial. There has always been the talk about if either of us has a family member that would not approve. Just in the way that I identify as the other - the people I have chosen to date - have almost always been a mixture and thus had the similar feeling of disconnect or difference from their community - based on their culture at home and the way they look.

It was unthinkable to a lot of folks 5 years ago that we could have a Black President - that was actually somewhat down. It was unthinkable 50 something years ago that the norm would be de-segratgated schools - I often never have the "look how far we've come" mentality - because I know there is a lot more (work) we must do, but reference is good motivation for me to keep pushing.

At first glance I thought this was just another visually appealing video by miss Alicia Keys - but I guess the head space I was in after this week I saw something more in it. I have often imagined what it would have been like to live in a time less progressive, its one of the reasons I feel so blessed to be alive right now. I like her vision for the video and how it travels through time and even though society has changed it is still - Unthinkable

im writing to tell you what Im writing for

2010-05-24T19:04:00.003-08:00

...or to tell you why i haven't written. I dont want this to come off as a pity party (never that) but i been busy. Been through a lot. and I'm glad for every struggle, every moment, because I am happier than I've even been.

I have my art up at Mazu and I am laying out a calendar for Art Shows and Music Shows and everything so check back soon. WRENAGADE - promoting myself and as always all my homies.

"I pay homage to the folks that paved the way but scuse me while I get my shine on, now is the time, and we gon shine, Ima star, your a star, its the cosmos sucka it aint luck yall i was sent to this earth to burst onto this stage, break chains, and make change, by beautiful mean----"
-WRENAGADE RHYME - WRENAGADE VERSE check back for downloadable musica sooner than you think

for now check the flickr i just uploaded some shots from Malcolm X Jazz Fest
more to come... http://www.flickr.com/photos/31468301@N04/

My first show in the ity bity city

2010-05-19T15:49:00.007-08:00

GREETINGS BEAUTIFUL PEOPLE

Im taking off the blogger- journalistic - fan of freshness: hat. and stepping on stage as an all around artista for my first show in the ity bity city. This is my first time live painting in the city and first time ever performing as a WRENAGADE in San Francisco.

If you don't know: I was raised in Oakland but lil known fact i was born in the city at mount zion hospital and attended highschool there so the CITY most def. has a piece of my heart from the start. SOOOOO ----->IT GOES DOWN tomorow night Please come thru if you wanna see some live art and my brand new orininal musica.

THE SHOW WILL BE AT THE ONE AND ONLY::::: MAZU

which Miss Melina Jones herself put me on to. Its Filipino owned

and has some amazing dishes, all around a fresh place to be.

I would be honored if you would come out and support.

Heres a video to get a taste for it

Check the website for info and feel free to contact me if you have any questions at wrenonelove@gmail.com

OAKLAND IN BLUE - is HERE!

2010-05-18T14:28:00.004-08:00

This Thursday its going down in the town. After an amazing year of Oakland in Blue shows, video premiers and all around FRESHNESS in anticipation for DAT's album - its come this week.

For those who don't know - or want to know more here is Do D.A.T. himself speaking about what exactly OAKLAND IN BLUE is all about.

What is Oakland In Blue? from FreshVibe Media ® on Vimeo.

...my secret hiding place

2010-05-10T16:53:00.010-08:00

everybody gotta have a least one

secret hiding place

where i go to meditate, sing, and paint

i want this place to stay secret

(or at least stay known to only the folks that know it)

but i wanted to show a few flix frm my last trip

Something got lost in translation when we built cement all over mother nature, now we can only get a glimpse of a gem when we pump gas into a four wheeled robot and "go camping" i love this life, this time, this mind, this sprit, but sometimes a pieces of me wishes i was born in a land or a time where i could wake up to trees rooted in the ground surrounding me, or the ocean, or natural sound of the creek water. My secret hiding place has a lil pinch of nature and (HELLA) graffiti ----> so im set for life with inspiration....this place is some kind of amazing...

Por Favor - Merci Bou Coup ----> Shhhhh if you know where it is keep it a secret. Evertime i go back i find for cigaret butts and broken bottles and trash...The older i get the more it pains me to see folks littering the earth - for it either to kills an animal or just gross to look at, from working with the organization Community Rejuvenation Project - I have more pride in cleaning up my community and painting because I see how it makes others take pride in their community and overall improve the energy and scenary of the space.

Swagger Jackers Get Back!

2010-05-04T10:59:00.004-08:00

(click the pic to LISTEN)

SWAG'R JAK'N (BAY GRL RMX)

Rocky Rivera and Talia Taylor team up on this one to rep for bay girls coming with and overload of original flows and style...so much that people tend to jack a lil. I heard the track over at the Attik house when Talia was laying down her verse. I'm honored to call both of these talented Lady Spittas friends. They both hold there own in the arena, dismantling stages for years, rawking fresh gear, overall repping for the whole bay area from the Town to the ity bity city.

Urban Vintage - Going Green Fashionably

2010-04-27T09:20:00.004-08:00

I am currently interning for the company Urban Vintage. Just from being in the vicinity of Ferris I think I am more aware of what to wear, and the fashion world in general. I like the fact that Urban vintage is based on the idea that dressing fabulous can be affordable and because its vintage it reused and therefore Green.

In the world of fashion there are few people that truly use there inner voice to create pieces and looks that are both outside the box and stylish, Ferris Mason seems to do with every styleling mission flawlessly and effortlessly. Before connecting with her when we were both vending at the New Parish for an event called Collab, I had seen her work everywhere from Music Videos, to local recognition around the Bay Area. Each project she works on she continues to push the envelope and have people thinking what they thought couldn't look fly does. You can check her blog which she updates regularly, and followe her on Twitter as well as facebook, which is well worth it because she gives daily fashion tips that I, along with many, find very helpful.

from me in the words of Miss Ferris herself:

URBAN VINTAGE IS A WARDROBE STYLING COMPANY WITH ROOTS IN THE BAY AREA, HAILING FROM OAKLAND, CA.
URBAN VINTAGE IS HERE TO PROVIDE YOU WITH ALL YOUR STYLING NEEDS. WHETHER YOU ARE A MODEL, ENTERTAINER SOMEWHERE INBETWEEN OR JUST FEEL ITS TIME FOR THAT INNER FASHION MAVEN TO STEP OUT AND SHINE , URBAN VINTAGE CAN ASSIST YOU.

May 1st (this Saturday) is an event bridging Urban Vintage and local boutique: Green. (on Santa Clara by the Lake) Is kicking of the this mixer - first of many -Fashion Sale - Check the Flyer below, and the amazingly talented Siaira Shawn with live Piano. Hope to see you all there with all the things packed into the place on saturday you would be a little crazy not to atleast stop by.

Check Back soon for more on Urban Vintage...

Introducing you to Brooklyn Emcee--> Cavalier

2010-04-26T23:05:00.003-08:00

"Art is An Equation"

" You can use your Words as a weapon but prefer to use them as a tool"

"Hip Hop used to be about expressing yourself"

---CAVALIER

the Art of Love

2010-04-22T10:02:00.004-08:00

Art of Love Teaser Trailer from Akoben Entertainment on Vimeo.

Shouts to Siaira Shawn for showing this to me on her blog, and for vocally painting our ears with her harmonies for this film. I really believe art is love, or rather that love is an art. Either way I love the title and from the teaser I can tell I will love the film. Just from the under two minute preview I can see that its not limited its exploreing many elements of love, from the sexyness, to the heart break, to the anger, to the excitement, to the fear, to the laughter.

The casts looks phenomenal from poet and all around fly sis Tiara Phalon to Jazz Monique Husdon and many other, Props to whoever chose Siaira as a music contributer to the soundtrack-with lyrics like: "His prose permeate my slumbler -he's got my number-the call always goes through...ITS WRITTEN ALL OVER THE PLACE - YOU SEE IT ALL OVER OUR FACE - I WISH YOU COULD GET A TASTE OF THIS SWEET -

SWEET LOVE"

THE ART OF LOVE!

(check back for details and a full post when i see the film)

POW WOW IN THE TOWN

2010-04-22T09:39:00.002-08:00

I am sad to say i missed it but i got to experience a piece of the MILLS COLLEGE POW WOW -Produced and made by my good friend BIANCA BUTLER.

THE IN BETWEEN

2010-04-19T15:42:00.004-08:00

(soon there will be some WRENAGADE illustrations to go along with this amazing body of work created by Siaira Shawn)

For now:

On behalf of R&B singer, Siaira Shawn, we would like to invite you to listen to and download her new EP, "The In Between" for free!

About "The In Between EP"

The In Between EP is a prelude to Siaira Shawn's debut album, "The Outsider Inside." This five song EP with bonus acapella showcases the wide vocal range and talents of one of the Bay Area's budding R&B stars. The "Intro" and "Outro" narrates what would usually be complex subject matter for the typical R&B album. Shawn's songwriting depicts the battles we endure searching for love as well as the trials we face defining ourselves in a world bent on conformity. Musically speaking, the up-tempo tracks such as "Seat Filler" produced by Mr. Know-It-All to the sonically progressive ballad, "Where You Are," tightropes the energy and imagination of a Janelle Monae with the soul and depth of Donny Hathaway. The In Between infuses futuristic soundscapes with the maturity and vulnerability contemporary R&B audiences have been yearning for.

Visit Bandcamp to Stream or Download

Production Credits

Nick James, George Hearst, T.K. Top Kat, Mr. Know-It-All & Will Bracy

All songs written by Siaira Harris | Mixed by George Hearst at Gehea Music Studios | Art Design by Nick James

SIAIRA SHAWN:

Siaira Shawn is a singer, songwriter, performer, & youth worker born and raised in San Francisco, California. She started singing at the ripe old age of three. She attended San Francisco School of the Arts with a concentration in theatre. She has performed and continues to perform all around the Bay Area. She has shared stages with performers such as Goapele, Bilal, Kindred, Dwele, Ise Lyfe, Zion I, The Attik, and Jennifer Johns. She works with artists/producers League 510, producers Will Bracy, Nick James, rap artist DoDat, rapper Five-Eighty, keyboardist/composer Maya Kronfeld, producer/musician George Hearst, and one of the most sought after rhythm sections in the west, The Park.

She has many influences from soul legends like Donny Hathaway to revolutionary thinkers such as Audre Lorde. Siaira Shawn wants to bring a much needed light to the up and coming talent in the Bay Area and bring a level of artistry, creativity, and purpose to music that she believes the people deserve.

<a href="http://siairashawn.bandcamp.com/album/the-in-between">In Between intro by SiairaShawn</a>

COMMUNITY REJUVENATION PROJECT -MLK WALL

2010-04-19T15:36:00.003-08:00

This wall was my first time painting with COMMUNITY REJUVENTAION PROJECT. I had a blast! We worked hard and came together with all different skills sets to make something really beautiful.

SIAIRA SHAWN - FROM THE IN BETWEEN

2010-04-14T08:53:00.003-08:00

Siaira Shawn is one of the best music artists in the Bay Area. She has been on the scene performing at venues like the New Parish, Somar and lots more. She has now given us this beautiful work of art and I plan on making some illustrations to try and capture some visuals for the songs. Please Listen to the lyrics the notes, the emotion- it is unmatched to anyhting in the industry right now.

WHERE ARE YOU

<a href="http://siairashawn.bandcamp.com/track/where-you-are">Where You Are by SiairaShawn</a>

OVER THE NEXT MONTH I WILL POST A SONG WITH MY ART OF THIS SONG BIRD CHECK BACK...

LOS RAKAS!

2010-04-12T12:40:00.003-08:00

If you dont know, LOS RAKAS is one of my favorite groups bringing a plethora of sounds and lyrics to keep my heart beating to their musica. THE GROUP is composed of DUN DUN (RAKA DUN) aka PANAMA and RICO aka FILTHY RICH (RAKA RICH). With origins from Panama and Africa their sound is World Music, Hip Hop and everything in between. They rep hard for their homeland and the BAY AREA, and it is an honor to know them and I hope work with them soon on many levels. CHECK THEM OUT on MTV2, Youtube and anyother music source. They are on the Up! and yet still so active in the community.

MEChxA de UCB invites our student of color community at Cal to be part of the bridge between the hood and the university with a lunchtime program featuring art by and for Bay Area young people demanding HUMAN RIGHTS for our people

there next event:

LUNCHTIME @ LOWER SPROUL

UC BERKELEY, CALIFORNIA

delicious plates of Xicana cuisine!

LOS RAKAS LIVE ON STAGE

WITH SPECIAL GUESTS RAPSTARZ

++ surprise acts TBA this week!

REVOLUTIONARY TRIVIA FOR PRIZES BY XOCHITLCEIVE: FLOWER OF SELF DETERMINATION

MEET AND GREET WITH THE ARTISTS, AUTOGRAPHS, MERCHANDISE AND POSTER SALE feauturing XOCHITLCEIVE (xochitlceive.com) and DIGNIDAD REBELDE (dignidadrebelde.com) FOLLOWING THE PERFORMANCE

Come thru to enjoy the show, meet + support local artists, share a plate with us, and build relationships with representatives from orgs connected to Cal putting work in the community at the grassroots level.

SPREAD THE WORD AND BRING OUT YOUR FOLKS. This will be an opportunity to kick it and get to know each other as we move towards May 1st, 2010, when we come together demanding migrant rights, workers rights, student rights, human rights to LAND AND LIFE.

To get on the speaking program or request a table for your org, email MEChxAdeUCB@gmail.com

La unión hace la fuerza

Unity is strength

1love!

KEV CHOICE daily THE BEST

2010-04-01T16:36:00.006-08:00

Kev Choice deserves some shine right now

and after all his hard work he is beginning

to get some. He has been putting out some

amazing songs released under the "daily dosage."

This one right here,

this one right here is my favorite,

I like the video and I was inspired

from it and it reminds me how music

is the soundtrack there is no limitation

to what it can do to uplift

people to pursue their dreams.

Propers to all who made this song

happen, and the triple force that is KEV CHOICE

and to prove that he has what it takes to take over, look at him doing his thing on stage, you hear how people swoon, im impressed with all that funky energy imerging from him as he sits with his hands on the keys...

incase you need more evidence he is a force:

"True musicians are a dying breed. Corporate radio stations and record labels continue to brainwash us with simple club diddies, synthesized music, and purchased air time. But now, we the people have a CHOICE. With classic rhymes, undeniably well crafted music, and an extravagant live show, KEV CHOICE has exploded onto the Bay Area music scene and is set to make an even bigger mark on the world. Hailing from Oakland, California, KEV CHOICE is a lyricist, pianist, composer, and band director with a scholarly classical and jazz background. He has studied piano for over 15 years, earning a Bachelor's Degree in Music (emphasis piano performance) from Xavier University of Louisiana as well as a Master's Degree from Southern Illinois University at Carbondale. KEV CHOICE began his career as a keyboardist supporting performers such as Michael Franti and Spearhead, Goapele, LyricsBorn, Too Short, Martin Luther, Jennifer Johns, and more recently DJ Quik. In 2006 and 2007, KEV elevated his status by becoming the musical tour director for the ingenious Ms. Lauryn Hill. After years of supporting other artists on tours across the globe, KEV CHOICE finally succumbed to the true calling of his heart: Hip Hop and decided to take his solo rap career seriously.KEV CHOICE the M.C. has become the main attraction. Backed by a 9-piece ensemble, KEV CHOICE has been performing hits from his highly anticipated album "The Broken Mold" and upcoming mixtape "The Emergence". KEV CHOICE describes his live show as " a collection of original material, blenede with classic and obscure music influential in my life, blended into one continuous movement. On the net, you can find countless quotes from journalists and fans alike praising KEV's live show and his blend of hip hop energy & uplifting lyrics, classical musicianship, jazz improvisation, as well as the passionate feelings expressed in soul music. His buzz is so high that he was recently nominated for a coveted SF Weekly Music Award in the Soul/R&B/Funk category amongst acts he previously and even currently supports. He was also recently named "Most Multi-Talented Musician" by the EastBay Express. With this much solo success in such a short amount of time, one doesn't have to wonder what the future holds for KEV CHOICE. We the people know that his music will continue to "break the mold" and live on as a testament of true musicianship."

(i whole heartedly agree)

CONTROVERSIAL YES but who is'nt

2010-04-01T15:37:00.003-08:00

Let me start by saying I have immense dissapointment for men in general who need to MAN UP! and in addition to all that means, it also means to TREAT WOMEN RIGHT. MAN UP CAMPAIGN is one that Siaira Shawn and Melina Jones have spoke on a lot. We all have different views of exactly what that term means to us but it same thang different words, we wanna see dudes being the genius, protector warriors they were born to be, and not fall into these messed up traps end up causing pain or turning there cheek to injustice.

Now, with that said a man like anybody is a human. And is subjected to a lot standards as the oppressor of woman since birth. Even if a dude had the goal twenty four seven of protecting women just by being a man he would end up triggering a womans oppression. So lets make space for the idea that a man can grow. That a woman hater: pimp player and all around douche can change into someone worth a woman's time and act in respectful sensible ways. Not saying every pimp deserves a chance (not at all) but if a man shows he's made changes to be a better person give him that, no?

TUPAC was a man that was very controversial at a young age he spoke about being a man means respecting a woman but he like many dropped the ball and acted in ways different from this. He died to young, by now if he was still living i imagine he would have been very evolved making all sorts of peaceful uplifting music to teach these young men correctly.

Lets honor and make space for the men out there who do man up, and ask the ones that are still falling under disrespectful ness player habit norms TO MAN THE F UP and be the warriors that they are.

At the end of the day, everybody needs love and people are able to change with it, cause what would you not do for LOVE

WRENAGADE LOVE THE KIDS

2010-04-01T15:02:00.007-08:00

2 youth i teach

wanted to make a video

after we did a cypher

this is what staying after class

looks like in my workshops

this is unedited

madness the way i like it ...

yall mean the world to me foreal!

Mathmatics can be funny...

2010-03-31T10:33:00.001-08:00

Recently I have been on a mathmatics hype (funny cause i have failed a math class in my life and never loved the subjuect, but when its talked about right it makes every situation however complex able to be solved which = simply beautiful

A CHANCE TO FLY A CHANCE TO CRY

2010-03-31T02:43:00.003-08:00

THEY (WHO) PLAY IT SAFE ARE QUICK TO ASSASINATE WHAT THEY DO NOT UNDERSTAND. THEY MOVE IN PACKS INJESTING MORE AND MORE FEAR WITH EVERY ACT OF HATE ON ONE ANOTHER. THEY FEEL MOST COMFORTABLE IN GROUP LESS GUILT TO SWALLOW. THEY ARE US. THIS IS WHAT WE HAVE BECOME. AFRAID TO RESPECT THE INDIVIDUAL. A SINGLE PERSON WITHIN HER CIRCUMSTANCE CAN MOVE ONE TO CHANGE TO LOVE HERSELF. TO EVOLVE.

I LOVE HER!

(check back soon for actual post where i write hella much...)

RISE IN PEACE honoring fallen solja Eric Toscano

2010-03-30T15:26:00.005-08:00

via Celina:

This young man had a good personality he knew what he wanted just had got excepted to Chico state, had a beautiful smile, he's hella funny, if he saw you feeling down he would cheer you up and do something silly to make you laugh. He was a force at skyline academically advanced in Upward Bound, and played on the football team. I could always talk to him, he listened and heard me like no other friend, i came to him about relationship advice. He leaves this planet with his lil sister who he said many times, he wanted to do good so she could be proud and look up to him. He stayed 7800 and despite being exposed to a lot of violence, named after his uncle who was killed, he managed to stay out of a gang life, which makes it that much more sad that he lost his life to a bullet. According to his grandma he was shot in the head outside his house by a drive way, 3 of his friends were injured.

(Kristi Holohan designed this beautiful portrait that will be on tshirts, Celina Lopez took the photo and I interviewed her and transcribed her words for this post)

Also check back this young sis is making moves and all that she does is honoring her bruh bruh who lost his life way too young. RISE IN PEACE in you knew him and want to say something to honor him (no haterjabber) please email me, or make a comment.

FREE STYLES FOR DAYS

2010-03-29T15:39:00.003-08:00

Check this video of the one and only RU SAK (orukusaki) hes got free styles for days and just by kicking it in his vicinity i kicked up my freestyleing skills and you should too

Born in Berkeley California, Bay Area native 'OrukusaKi' raps conscious lyrics over abstract and original style hip-hop beats. Once known as one of the "Champion" battle rappers on the west coast, OrukusaKi left the Battle Rap circuit in the mid 2000's to focus more on music and Hip-Hop Development. A strong believer that Hip-Hop Music is a powerful tool and should be used to unite people and strengthen communities, he writes his songs to inspire different thoughts and ideas for action and social justice. One of the original founders of the Bay Area Hip-Hop group 'Forensic Science', OrukusaKi continued working with other groups and on music projects after the group disbanded(2007) to pursue other interests. After many years of hard work recording and performing in the Bay Area music scene and abroad(LA, New York, Seattle) Orukusaki has had the chance to share stages and open up for acts such as Digable Planets, KRS One, Tone Loc, Inspecta Deck; Killah Priest(wu-tang), Hieroglyphics, Living Legends, Immortal Technique, Zion I & Crown City Rockers. Currently he is performing solo and working with a variety of bands in the San Francisco Bay Area as well as producers from Japan, Chicago, LA, and Seattle

Soon Check back for more free stylen videos including your truly...

GRACE (just a taste so much more to come)

2010-03-25T00:09:00.004-08:00

HERE IS THE PREVIEW (SOME FOOTAGE) OF THE GRACE VIDEO if you look closely im in there a lil bit, and you probably are too ;)

(the face painting for the video was done by myself and visual/musical genius Ed James)

2 emcees that reside in the sfc

2010-03-23T23:35:00.002-08:00

that gooooo!

ORUKUSAKI and MELINA JONES.

Infinite respect to there Masters of Ceremonies, they forever stay putting

it down getting the crowd loud and flows echoing thru a micro phone...hava listen

I AM THE ONE -inspired by Jennifer Johns song and anyone living for there dreams that are aligned with HEALING THE WORLD

2010-03-22T23:53:00.002-08:00

Queen of the City Captured on a canvas by a WRENAGADE

2010-03-18T04:40:00.005-08:00

just kidding it be impossible to capture this chicas beauty entirely but i tried (probably almost 10%), her rapture is unmatched. Scroll down to see my propers on many levels, and expect more on here about the lady that REPS the ity bity city, like album updates, notes on her design skills, and much more. This sis be making my heart beat with a smile foreal, I was having a crazy day and she was a calm escape of freshness, check her music yall it might just leave you breathless.

to all the folks that have showed me love over the last week

2010-03-16T17:52:00.003-08:00

i want to do something different to say thanks for the bday love, so i took all the profile pics from errybody that wrote on my page and wished me a happy birthday (on facebook) and made a collage...if you picture aint there you are still represented. with the quote: YOU MEAN THE WORLD TO ME WHETHER YOU HELD ME BACK OR HAD MY BACK IM KNOWING THAT ITS BECAUSE OF YOU THAT I GREW...

WELCOME TO THE CYPHER!

2010-03-16T15:21:00.004-08:00

COME THRU TONIGHT FOR FREESTYLES in the ity bity city by the BAAAAY, know as the sco aka my second HOME.

the many faces of a WRENAGADE

2010-03-15T18:16:00.002-08:00

just found some old flicks i felt like shareing. I can do that cause its my birthday, but any other day please believe ill have more to say...

RARE BREEDS WHO PLANT SEEDS

2010-03-14T23:15:00.017-08:00

ms. .....M E L I N A:.

.:....:..Jones = rare...breed....indeed:..::.:...

Some people have big hearts and make me love the world twice as much as i did before they came into my life. Melina Jones easily fits this category (and when i say fitting categories i mean break open boxes and shining ions that are similar to the ones i see in my heart) just by the talent in her right hand pinky alone. I will admit i have slept on this Emcees music a bit or i guess admired from a far, but that is all about to change. Thank god i was re-introduced to the Genius of MJ's lyricism again when this one painting the Town greenish blue at there (DO DAT-MELINA JONES THE BRIDGE) video because it pretty much saved my life (the re-introduction of fresh musica that is). I could go on all day and drown myself in dopeness that is this like minded artist but that would do no good, rather it is a must that you get a taste of this one for yourself and casually and naturally i actually gaurentee love after just a few listens (if not i will reverse clocks build bridges paint peace in the streets and make pigs fly away and give you 10% of me). Before you do (check the MUSICA) know that she is a rare breed for many reasons and in the league of the most talented emcees on the planet. (period notice there was no f to the e male in there because this rare species holds herrr own and and can knock out yo favorite rapper with her lyrics best believe)

WITH NO FURTHER WOMP WOMP---->>(click)>>>THE MUSICA

n buy it not because she need you to buy her album but because you gon

need that music in yo ear when there aint no internet streaming and somebodies screaming

and if you got it on the ipod or the lap top or the something that plays music you will have a

plethora of tracks to keep you relaxed...

By the way have yall heard just RELAX--->

OK now that you have got acquainted theres another reason for this post and its almost ( and by almost i mean it is completly and extremly) more important than my favorite thing on earth (the MUSICA) and that is the concept of A MOTHER BEING A MAMA (loveing)----> so for THAT this MISS gets the award of 2010 for FLY MAMA (alert) and that doesnt go to anybody who has a basketball in their tummy for 9 months, ya feel me. All mamas deserve props but i save this award for the extra special mamas that deal and keep it real and put there childrens well being first even when it mean the battles the keys to heart being thrown around like a tug-a-war game and mean words getting bounce at you and back and forth like a ping pong game. and i cant forget about the good worth a magnet for your fridge moments the first step first smile first dance first free-style day of school raising a beautiful species that reminds you of yourself. Raising a seed to grow into a beautiful tree of life is the freshest thing ever, so the most high propers goes to M to the e LINA! best believe she has continued and impacted my believer dreamer attitude in the world immensly. REAL recognize REAL and this award aint going to nobody else this year but her, happy mamas day is everyday not just the one in may, we would all not be here, and if your like me you see em everytime you look in the mirror. Words can't express, the appreciation i have that this empress exists on this particular planet, and to add to the beautifulness she resides on the continent and vincinity, known as the sfc (how could i not feel blessed by that alone).

With Eyes Wide and a deep breathe one time

and a lil pride to get the present of the presence

MUCHO AMOR for shooore

----> W.R.E.N (agade)

my doodle while in class please come thru to AIR LOUNGE

to get a fresh breath of MUSICA

THE BRIDGE:::::VIDEO PREMIER

AIR LOUNGE

mi cumple anos

2010-03-14T10:23:00.010-08:00

23 years

Old Soul ready to Grow

with open

CREATIVE EYES

W. O. W.

This birthday was amazing i feel so blessed to have shared it with so

many people that I love. Thank you to all the people that came thru. And to yall that didnt and tried well celebrate soon (smile) and those that i didnt call i apologize (said wit a accent ana smile ya noo) ill catch you next time. ((And to those here in spirit smiling down on me thank you, you are my angels and im working

to make you proud)). I still need to process and meditate on this whole thing thang

to make my words make sense and ill post some pictures taken by my sister homegirl

and fellow artista Mercedes Martin soon.

If i could choose three words to represent my life as a 22 year old itwould be: evolve. Grace. and free. Many other words make sense such as

change is god but those are the ones that were not so constant (or i didnt own there constance) before this year. I found my grace this year on a different level. I freed myself

on a different level as well.and o how i evolved (the evolution of a

wrenagade) anyway.

Coming into this year the night i turned 22 i spent it with Katiana my sister from another mama and Jennifer Johns, and a DownLo full of

people yo. It was great i was honored by Jenn's shout outs as she mc'd the event. I danced my ass off and had a blastoff.But there were lots of events that followed that night that were struggles, and i thank god that i went through them because they brought me to Here and Now.

This is only the beginning there is so much more in store its not even the first day of life (as a twenty tres year old) so as i sit in the wome of my creativity know that you, cus you are me, mean the world to me. Now ready set go lets get free!!! Braaaaaaaa

Much Love to you foreal.

Pass it on.

-Wren

WRENAGADE ALBUM-TAKE A WALK IN MY SHOES

2010-03-10T05:15:00.004-09:00

Taking the musica off the back burner:::Releaseing mixtapes my first album produced by my brothers WILL BRACY AMANI and G.AB:::collaborating::::performing::::eventually touring:::

this is what i see when i look in my musical crystal ball---->

Original mixtape was to be titles A LONG TIME COMING--->ima stick with that and make others

ALBUM TITLE--->is still a secret this is my baby i aint gon be ready to share till its dressed in the best and all safely packaged and presented just right....

But i can share song titles thoughts and maybe even a verse because lyrics are extremly important to me----->(in a rough order)

TRACK 1 WRENAGADE ( I AM )

TRACK 2 DAT WOMEN

TRACK 3 WALK IN MY SHOES

TRACK 4 REAL

TRACK 5 MEAN IT

TRACK 6 YESTERDAY

TRACK 7 LET GO

TRACK 8 CAGED BIRD

TRACK 9 BE FREE B.SHINE

TRACK 10 TAKE ME HOME

TRACK 11 WITH THE HOMIES

TRACK 12 A DAY IN THE LIFE

TRACK 13 FOREVER

TRACK 14 A GENERATION/ MISUNDERSTOOD

TRACK 15 FRIEND LIKE ME

TRACK 16 SOUL WITHOUT SHAME

ADDITIONAL/BONUS TRACKS

B.I WANT YOU

B. CANT FIND C. PAIN IS LOVE (love is blind) D. TAINTED

A. A BIRD B. STORMY WEATHER B.STREET STORIES (LISTEN)

C. TOWN GIRL FEAT. KARA

LOOKS LIKE IMA HAVE TO DO SOME ELIMINATING huh?

anyway heres some lyrical samples to get a taste---->

TAKE A WALK IN MY SHOES (c) (real rough but trust ima come with it)

CANT NOBODY SAY THEY HAVE WALKED IN MY SHOES

SO HOW CAN YOU JUDGE ME N WHAT I CHOOSE

SOMETIMES IT SEEMS LIKE NO MATTER WHAT I DO I LOOSE

WHILE EVERYONE WAS TRYNA FIND THAT NEW NEW

I STUCK BY MY SOUL MATES SIDE THRU TIDES AND many MOONS

UNTILL THE DAY HE PUSHED ME DOWN (DOWN DOWN) AND TREATED ME RUDE

BUT I NEVER WAS BLIND I LIVED WITH MY EYES WIDE

CANT NOBODY TAKE YA LOVE

AWAY THATS INSIDE

SOMETIMES WE ACT A FOOL AND THEN BLAME IT ON OUT PRIDE

SOMETIMES WE LET OTHERS DRIVE AND JUST ENJOY THE RIDE

AND THE SCENARY BUT IF I HAVENT MADE IT CLEAR WHAT YOU MEAN TO ME

WHETHER YOU WAS THERE WITH SUPPORT OR ACTED LIKE YOU DIDNT CARE FOR ME

YOU MEAN THE WORLD TO ME YOU MEAN THE WORLD TO ME

I KNOW IVE MADE MISTAKES AND ILL CONTINUE TO MAKE SOME

THO I WOULD HOPE I AINT JUST REPEATING THE SAME ONES

IMA WALK FOR A WHILE AND JUST BREATHE OUT A SMILE

KICK A FREESTYLE AND JUST WALK IN LOVE FOR A WHILE

LOVE IS INSIDE OF ME AND A LOVE TO DO RIGHT

LOVE FOR YOUR SISTER MOTHER AND BROTHER AND LOVER

AND THEN SOME

IM WALKING WITH LOVE N IT FEELS SO RIGHT

FRESH LIKE THE FIRST TIME

LIKE THE FIRST LINE OF YOUR FAVORITE SONG

FIRST DAY OF MY LIFE N NOTHING CAN GO WRONG

CUS IM WHERE IM SPOSED TO BE AND IM FINALLY FREE (TO DO ME)

AND YOU CANT TAKE THAT AWAY FROM ME

SEEMS LIKE ERRYBODYS TRYNA FIND THAT ONE LOVE

NOT REALIZING YOU CAN LOVE THE WHOLE WORLD

DONT SHUT DOWN LOVE CAUSE YOUR SCARED OF WHAT YOU'LL DO

WHEN YOU FIND YOU CAN LOVE MORE THAN JUST THAT ONE

THAT HOLDS YOU(R HAND) AND CLAIMS TO BE YOUR GIRL OR YOUR MAN

THE PERSON THAT LOVES YOU CAN UNDERSTAND YOU GOT SO MUCH LOVE TO GIVE

CAN I LOVE AND I GIVE CAN I LIVE

SO TAKE A WALK IN MY SHOES FOR JUST ONE DAY

N ILL WALK IN YOUR SHOES AND WE CAN EXCHANGE TO GROW LIKE CHANGE

OPEN YOUR MIND AND FIND FREEDOM

A RANGE OF EMOTIONS SOMETIMES CONSUME ME

SOMETIMES I GET ME DOWN THATS WHAT I DO - TO ME

I FEEL FOOLISH WHEN I THINK BACK

REALIZE I CREATED MY OWN UNHAPPINESS

BUT AT THE END OF THE DAY I GOTTA LAUGH AT IT

AND GRASP ONTO THE LITTLE THINGS THAT MAKE ME SMILE

AND WALK IN LOVE FOR A WHILE

DONT BE SCARED TO SHARE YOUR LOVE

DONT BE SCARED TO SHINE YOUR LIGHT

WONT DO NO GOOD TO HIDE

IT TOOK SOME HEARTACHE AND STRIFE

BUT IM ALRIGHT AS LONG AS I WALK WITH LOVE

BY MY SIDE

SOME DAYS I FELT STUCK AND I CRIED I TRAPPED MYSELF IN A BOX

AND I LIED DOWN

NOT KNOWING I HAD THE KEY BUT I REALIZE NO ONE CAN HOLD ME BACK EXCEPT ME

SO I FREED MYSELF AND TOOK DUSTED MY SPRIRIT OFF AND TOOK IT OFF THE SHELF

IM BROKE BUT I FEEL RICH WITH WEALTH IN LOVE I CAN FINALLY SEE

FOGS BEEN LIFTED AND ITS CLEAR TO ME I GOTTA BE ME

SO TAKE A WALK IN MY SHOES FOR A WHILE

GET A GLIMPSE INTO MY LIFE BEYOND MY STYLE

SEE WHAT I SEE AND TRY TO BELIEVE MY REALITY

MAY SEEM A BIT FANTASY BUT IMA MAKE IT ACTUALLY

SAY WHAT YOU WHAT TO ME I DO ME NATURALLY

SO TAKE A WALK IN MY SHOES FOR JUST ONE DAY

N ILL WALK IN YOUR SHOES AND WE CAN EXCHANGE TO GROW LIKE CHANGE

OPEN YOUR MIND AND FIND FREEDOM

SOAKEN UP THE GRIND AND BELIEVING

PEACEN THE PIECES TOGETHER WITH REASON

KICKS FOR THE DAY THAT WILL LAST A SEASON

Rude Boy

2010-03-09T22:25:00.002-09:00

via Melina Jones

check the video graphics by Melina Matsoukas

whether you like Rhi Rhi or not watch it for the visuals if nothing else...

Find more videos like this on video.filestube.com.

ST- SPITTN -PLANE JANE - YOUNG BARI

2010-03-08T10:39:00.003-09:00

via 38th notes:

PISCES FIESTA COME THRU...

2010-03-03T22:06:00.004-09:00

ITS MY BIRTHDAY!!!!

YOUR INVITED

to WREN LOVE and WILL BRACY's B-day PISCES FIESTA
RSVP--->here

or email: wrenonelove@gmail.com

BBQ starts at 3:30

Live Painting from 4-7pm

Musica and Open Mic

(i know the flyer is semi wack but its from a camera phone image of my art and a lil photobucket just wait n see what i can do when i get my equiptment/mula right)

murals

2010-03-01T16:04:00.002-09:00

if your in the town check the mural on 25th n mlk n try to guess what i painted...winner gets a special art piece...

this is only the beginning...we got so much for ya...

2010-02-23T14:03:00.003-09:00

YUMMY -HopiespitsHard

2010-02-23T13:25:00.002-09:00

..so many emcees in my tummy...

Hopie Spitshard "Yummy" Official Music Video (Directed by Patricio Ginelsa) from Kid Heroes on Vimeo.

Purple Dreaming ---> "Bout to Blow Up"

2010-02-23T12:42:00.003-09:00

Yesterday I spent all day working on something from school to hustlen, by the time i whiped in the whip home around 11 i was tired as fuck. I planned on getting up putting ice on my sprained ankle and charging my phone but i never made it out the bed. Instead i spent the whole night and part of the early am PURPLE DREAMING. I had this dream and if i love you were in it either a lil bit or a lot. The whole concept was all my hard work paid off and life was full of all the artisticness that i had manifested and i was traveling the world doing what i love-singing-painting-and overall making-people smile.

I think my dream was right, thus said i got some work to do to make that happen. check back real soon i got lots and lots and lots of art to sho you!!! love you -Wren

JENNIFER JOHNS IS COMING TO THE NEW PARISH

2010-02-17T07:08:00.002-09:00

Jennifer Johns is one of my favorite singers from Oakland. Her live shows are ridiculous. Her spirit is beautiful. And as a fellow artivist tryna make change thru creating I love her. Since she flew to Brooklyn this town girl is rarely found here, so when she does bless a mic in my homeland i make sure to go, (and you should too) Whether you have been riding with her from the get, or you've been sleeping in a cave and your new to this star, either way come thru to THE NEW PARISH this THURSDAY and prepare to be amazed. Not only is it going to be a great performance its also her BIRTHDAY. Please help me spread the word by letting your homies know about this once in a life time show, and don't miss it, guarenteed to be a great experience.

The NEW PARISH is a great venue that just had Dave Chappelle performing there this past week, along with other talents from Goapele, to events like COLAB with a plethora of talented artists on the Bill, its a great place to spend a thursday night and listen to live music in the BAY AREA.

Community Rejuvenation Project

2010-02-15T17:15:00.011-09:00

Driveing around town you may have noticed murals throughout oakland with tribal design fly colors and fresh graf and images, most likely its the COMMUNITY REJUVANATION PROJECT taken over the city one wall at a time to paint Peace in the Streets.

My homie Desi WOME runs an amazing project called COMMUNITY REJUVENTAION PROJECT, an amazing program. Taking walls that are abandoned and ugly and making beautiful. Cleaning up the community picking up trash, and landscaping planting gardens. With the mentality that its great to have nice sights through out the community, buts its bigger than that. There is positive meanings behind the murals celebrating culture and encorperating the history of the area into the imagry. In addition its bringing in youth to learn how to create murals and grow as artists. A element to the project is throwing block parties, a Celebration when the mural is done. Please check out the blog and join the cause on facebook, this is just the beginning a whole restoration project will unfold from this.

CHECK OUT THE COMMUNITY REJUVENATION BLOG (CLICK HERE)

AND DONT BE THE LAST TO FOLLOW US ON TWITTER @OAKrejuvPROJ

IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTION, COMMENTS, OR WANT TO GET INVOLVED IN ANY WAY WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU!

more to come very soon...

LADY SPITTA::: NIKKI MINAJ

2010-02-04T18:53:00.009-09:00

:::NIKKI'S VERSION of WARNING:::