Janelle Monae

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!

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.

Flowers for the Dead

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

(click the pic for flickr)

Mic G

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!

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.

verses just bursted out

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

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

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:

I heart the Bay

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

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

(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

Words By Dom Jones to the Daughter of Oscar Grant

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

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

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

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

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

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...

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"...

SHE heART RISE UP!

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)

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

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

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

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

...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

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