MASS MOVEMENT TV

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY BEATROCK MUSIC!

2011-01-03T00:37:00.000-08:00

Just Bombin Films
San Francisco
December 11, 2010

BOONDOCKS "It’s A Black President, Huey Freeman"

2010-11-13T01:29:00.000-08:00

For all those who still have illusions of Obama as a progressive president.. Thank you Aaron McGruder.

PROP 19

2010-10-29T11:51:00.000-07:00

A cartoon that represents the real debates going on right now. VOTE on Tuesday, November 2nd!

POWER STRUGGLE documentary

2010-10-06T14:12:00.000-07:00

A new documentary on the life and music of Nomi from the hip-hop group POWER STRUGGLE. From Africa to the Midwest to the Philippines, this film chronicles Nomi's life journey and personal transformation through political awakening.

Shot and edited by Eric Tandoc
Interviewed by Tadashi Nakamura

You can purchase POWER STRUGGLE's new album "REMITTANCES" at:
beatrockmusic.com
iTunes
CD Baby

The Committee @ Break The Silence

2010-07-31T03:21:00.000-07:00

The original MCs of The Committee reunite for a performance at One Imagination's Break The Silence open mic in Downtown Long Beach on July 29, 2010.

The Break The Silence open mic series takes place every last Thursday of the month at Pizza Pi on Broadway & Lime in Downtown LB..

ENTER THE DREAM JUNGLE

2010-07-19T14:10:00.000-07:00

These guys have a future in acting...

BEATROCK ARTIST KOLLECTIVE presents
"PORTRAITS OF THE PROLETARIAT" art show

featuring
BAMBU x RHYTHM NATIVES

Dream Jungle Tattoo
Long Beach, CA
Saturday, July 24th 2010

MASS MOVEMENT TV - Live at the BBQ July 3rd 2010

2010-07-04T12:47:00.000-07:00

MASS MOVEMENT RADIO on MMTV
Recorded Live at the BBQ, ReVision's house
July 3rd 2010

Rockin on the 1s and 2s:
KRISSFADER x ET x ROOTS x ReVISION x INTELLECT x JEDI

Live art by:
STUTTER x ROOTS x ZOO SQUADRON x everybody else!

SOUNDS OF A NEW HOPE LIVE REMIX

2010-07-01T13:54:00.000-07:00

SAVE THE DATE!
Friday, AUGUST 27th 2010

JACCC Plaza
224 S. San Pedro Street
Little Tokyo, Downtown LA

LIVE VIDEO REMIX of the documentary SOUNDS OF A NEW HOPE

With LIVE PEFORMANCES integrated into the film featuring: Kiwi, Power Struggle, Shining Sons, Krystle Tugadi, Gingee, Vicoy Bagongsigaw, and more...

http://soundsofanewhope.blogspot.com

GINGEE @ TEKNOGLORIOUS

2010-07-01T12:41:00.000-07:00

GINGEE performing at the TEKNOGLORIOUS E3 Convention Afterparty
June 16, 2010

FREE DOWNLOAD of "The Rhythm Inside Me":
http://soundcloud.com/gingee

California Taking Note from Arizona

2010-06-07T23:39:00.000-07:00

Santa Barbara Immigration Check Point

Lakers,
Chris G.

POWER STRUGGLE Interview on REMITTANCES

2010-05-13T10:29:00.000-07:00

POWER STRUGGLE interview with MASS MOVEMENT TV about his new album “REMITTANCES”

Be sure to cop it this TUESDAY, MAY 18th, available in stores and online at beatrockmusic.com!!!

Directed by Tadashi Nakamura | Shot & Edited by Eric Tandoc

SHINING SONS - BEATROCK SWEATER

2010-05-05T01:48:00.000-07:00

DOWNLOAD HERE

Introducing GINGEE

2010-05-05T01:40:00.000-07:00

Last night I was chillin with Thee Dope Show and told him about a show at The Airliner, featuring Marjorie Light, aka DJ Gingee. I got her FB invite for the “Heart-On” event and it said she’d been preparing for this night for the past 4 years.

I’m glad we went, cause her show blew my mind! Marjorie is a straight up one woman band. She was singing, rapping, DJing, scratching, playing guitar, and rocking on traditional Filipino and Vietnamese instruments over her own beats made on Ableton. She’s extremely talented and gots hella skills on the kulintang! Best of all, her lyrics are progressive and empowering!

Watch out y’all for the newest Pinay phenom from LA!

-ET

Let's hit up some charming shops! Let's buy some antiques!

2010-04-28T21:40:00.000-07:00

If the Lakeshow keeps playing unselfishly, efficiently, and aggressively like they did last night, then we're taking the ship! If not, I'm scurred Kobe's gonna actually have to take this guy up on his offer:

Lakers,
Chris G.

D-STYLES the World's Greatest Scratcher

2010-04-18T02:44:00.000-07:00

i was digging through an old hard drive last night and found this footage i shot of D-Styles back in 2001.. shout out to A.J. from Xylophone Films!

i must have watched these 2 minutes of madness hundreds of times. nobody even comes close to being as vicious on the cut.

haven’t heard D in a minute. hopefully i’ll catch him at Low End Theory one of these Wednesdays.

-ET

Trilogy Screening in Austin

2010-04-07T15:09:00.000-07:00

All three of my films will be screened together for the first time at the Association for Asian American Studies Conference tomorrow in Austin, TX! It'll be my first time in Texas, so of course I'm going to surround myself with a hotel full of Asians.

-Tadillac

Erykah Badu - "Window Seat" Video

2010-03-27T22:48:00.000-07:00

Badass Erykah!!!!! Here's the first video off Ms. E. Badu's New Amerykah Part Two (Return Of The Ankh) due to drop on March 30th.

The "Inspired by Matt and Kim" credit in the opening of the video is in reference to the "Lessons Learned" video by Matt and Kim. At least Badu didn't try to hide the fact that the idea is off the bit. As much as I would rather watch Erykah over and over again, the filmmaker inside of me can't help but admit that the concept and execution is done better in this one...

*pause* Maaan, what the hell am I talking about! I'm bout to watch Erykah again!

-Tadillac

Future States at SFIAAFF

2010-03-26T12:11:00.000-07:00

While I was in the bay last week the homie Kori (the Cheddar Path) asked if I wanted to hit up the "Future States" short program at the San Francisco Int'l Film Fest. Not being a sci-fi dude at all and remembering that the last time Kori talked me into going to something I ended up wasting a day in NYC looking at unicorns and dragons in a museum, I was skeptical. But unlike the Mythical Creatures exhibit, I dug it.

ITVS got 11 youngish filmmakers and asked them "to take the current state of affairs in the United States, and extrapolate them into stories of the nation in the not-so-distant future."

These three were my favorite...

PIA by Tanuj Chopra

Mister Green by Greg Pak

Silver Sling by Tze Chun

-Tadillac

Paul Valery Music Video by Blue Scholars

2010-03-26T12:10:00.000-07:00

Fresh off their recent shows at SXSW, Blue Scholars just put out a video for "Paul Valery", a track they dropped last week. You can download the track here.

-Tadillac

FREE DOWNLOAD - Otayo Dubb - "So Opinionated" Mixtape

2010-03-20T14:57:00.000-07:00

-CLICK COVER ART TO DOWNLOAD-

So Opinionated by Otayo Dubb (Co-Deez/The CounterParts) gives listeners a taste of what is yet to come - Otayo Dubb’s debut solo album. Much more than your typical mixtape, this 14 track gem is rich with hard hitting original production that creates O’s unique melodic sound. With writing that captures the voice of the Bay Area streets and storytelling that will make you fall back in love with Hip Hop, So Opinionated gets listeners in tune with 'Tayo's unique perspective. He is witty, talented in his gift of gab, and oh so opinionated. So please check out Otayo Dubb's So Opinionated mixtape, brought to you for free by Beatrock Music and TD Camp of Hella Records.

Preview it here:

FULL TRACK LISTING:

Otayo Dubb - So Opinionated (mixed by TD Camp)

1. Get Mine

(prod. by Tahaj The First)

2. So Opinionated ft. Tahaj The First

(prod. by Tahaj The First)

3. Raise'em Up

(prod. by DJ Envoy, cuts by Gammaray)

4. Can't Stop ft. Akil & Spank Pops

(prod. by J.London)

5. 'Round The World ft. Jallah Keys

(prod. by Danimals)

6. Fine Tuning ft. L.E.G.A.C.Y.

(prod. by Dirty Bird Beats)

7. The Dealership ft Akil, Tahaj The First and Hudathawt

(prod. by Toba)

8. What Works

(prod. by TD Camp)

9. Whataday

(prod. by Chrono Khalid)

10. No Doubt ft. Pep Love and LB

(prod. Pep Love, cuts by DJ Zeph)

11. Mainstream ft. Tahaj The First and Sakima

(prod. by Otayo Dubb)

12. Cycle Love (Remix)

(prod. by Danimals)

13. Blow My Mind ft. Tahaj The First

(prod. by TD Camp)

14. We On ft. Tahaj The First & Jalalah Keys

(prod. by Tahaj The First)

-DOWNLOAD OTAYO DUBB SO OPINIONATED-

FUNK FUZZ | AIDGE & ET'S 30TH BIRTHDAYS!!

2010-03-17T11:19:00.000-07:00

Come celebrate Luke "Aidger" Patterson & Eric Tandoc's 30TH BIRTHDAYS at FUNK FUZZ next Thursday in LB!

Mass Movement DJs spinning hip-hop soul boogie funk brazil reggae rock electro all night long..

Que Sera
1923 E. 7th Street
Long Beach, CA

Doors open 9pm
FREE before 10:30pm
$5 after
21+

AOKI at SFIAAFF

2010-03-16T00:18:00.000-07:00

The homie Ben Wang and co-director Mike Cheng's film AOKI is screening this week at the San Francisco Int'l Asian American Film Fest. The documentary is about Richard Aoki, a Japanese American who was one of the founding members of The Black Panther Party. Much respect to Ben and Mike for telling such an important story, staying true to the movement and their city, and pulling off a feature length doc as their first film.

Watch Ben and Mike talk about the making of AOKI:

Thanks Dave

2010-03-14T18:51:00.000-07:00

Less than half way into this month and it's already been a crazy one. I entered my 30's, got rejected for the second time by the school I was raised to love, got accepted by the school that I was born to hate, and was presented with a possible opportunity that could shape the next 2 years of my life. I definitely feel like I'm at some kind of crossroad in my career path and it's been met by more anxiety than excitement.

Even though I heard about how amazing Dave Chappelle was as a guest on Inside the Actor's Studio back in '06, I never got around to watching it. Kinda like The Wire, I had slept on one of the most phenomenal things to happen to TV in a long time. But in a way, I'm glad I hadn't seen it until last night because I doubt the impact and inspiration that I got from Dave's words would have been as high if I wasn't at this crossroad.

If you've never seen this before or haven't since it came out, do yourself a favor and watch it:

Thanks Dave!

-Tadillac

Offical Video for "Slow Down"

2010-03-11T01:20:00.002-08:00

Here's the final cut of Bam's video that I did a behind-the-scenes piece for a while back. Props to Cinematographer Anthony Ignacio for making this video look so clean. Too bad all the homies who thought they were gonna make their video hoe debut got left on the cutting room floor.

-Tadillac

National Day of Action to Defend Public Education

2010-03-10T01:44:00.000-08:00

Here's a couple of photos from the March 4th National Day of Action to Defend Public Education:

Rallies, marches and building takeovers popped off in cities and campuses all over the country. I took a long lunch break and hit the streets of Downtown LA:

Met up with ET and the Shining Sons:

As always, the homie Bev and the rest of the AnakBayan LA crew were holing it down:

FATGUMS INTERVIEW on CHICHARON ADVENTURES

2010-03-02T18:10:00.000-08:00

via http://www.chicharonadventures.com/features/view/fatgums/

Back in November, I dropped a blog entry about the launch of a new music label called Beatrock Music. They were local, Long Beach to be exact, with a slew of independent hip hop artists in their repertoire. Heading the label was a producer named Eric Strand, better known as Fatgums, an SF native and medical student on leave. With two releases under Fatgums' direction, (first was the Counterparts, second was Bambu), we were compelled to learn more about the man behind it all. To us, Beatrock stood for community and organization and if that was any indication of the kind of music it would represent, then we were all for it. Originally from the bay, Fatgums began DJing at 13 and made his first mixtape by 19. Then he moved to Los Angeles, where he continued to build his catalog. He'd take every spare moment to do so, even in the kitchen of his then studio apartment. His hustle allowed him to connect with the right people and now with a studio near LAX, he makes music his life. Well sort of...

HOW WOULD YOU COMPARE THE MUSIC SCENE IN LA VS. SF?

Hmmm. My heart (in terms of music) will always be in The Bay. That is where I fell in love with Hip Hop and where the folks I grew up with in Hip Hop still live. So, this response will be very biased. I feel that independent music in general, particularly independent Hip Hop, is better received in The Bay than in Los Angeles. I don't know why this is the case - maybe the hippie communal temperament still bleeds in our generation of Bay Area hip hoppers. You know, supporting a community or a movement over making stars or icons of a few. I feel like if you make quality music in The Bay you will be heard, appreciated, and followed. If you make quality music in LA you might be overlooked. LA is the mecca of entertainment and the population is ridiculous. So you not only have a larger sample size of people who might make Hip Hop music, you also have a higher concentration of people who are really trying to make it as musicians. So, when comparing things like the ease of finding venues or the likelihood of getting your CD on the end cap at a record store, you have a much better chance to succeed as an independent musician in The Bay Area. But, at the same time, if you DO make it in LA, I believe that the likelihood of getting national and international recognition is probably greater than in any other city in the US.

WITH THAT SAID, DO YOU BELIEVE THERE IS A PLACE FOR INDEPENDENT ARTISTS IN LA CONSIDERING THE AMOUNT OF TALENT IN THE CITY?

There is always a place for independent artists and independent art in general. Wherever you are. Independent art is art that isn't dictated by an entity disconnected from the artist's community. One good thing about LA is that the communities here are big enough to support their artists, or at least make their artists feel appreciated enough to keep creating.

SO HOW DOES BEATROCK MUSIC COMPARE TO OTHER MUSIC LABELS?

I'm still figuring this one out. All I know is that I want Beatrock Music to be a platform from which community-oriented, socially-aware, and forward-thinking artists can have their voices heard. I want it to be a label that is guided by the artists and the community the artists speak to. I want the label to put out music that influences, motivates, and moves people to take action against the ills of society. (That sounds so cheesy!) But it's true though - this isn't a label that was created to make music for music's sake alone. At the same time, however, I want the label to push creativity and help nurture artists' growth.

ARE YOU GOING TO STAY WITHIN THE HIP HOP GENRE OR BRANCH OUT TO OTHER TYPES OF MUSIC?

I've been a Hip Hop knucklehead all my life. I think the only reason I'm able to make beats is because I know how Hip Hop should sound. I don't know how to play any instruments. I just basically take other types of music and make it sound like Hip Hop. So, even if I tried to make music of other genres, it'd probably just end up sounding like Hip Hop. I'd love the label to branch out, though.

WHO ARE YOUR MUSICAL INFLUENCES?

I listen to certain producers for inspiration. Nowadays it's Exile, DJ Khalil, and Jake One mainly. In the past it's been all types of producers: Pete Rock, DJ Premier, Alchemist, Dilla, Da Beatminerz, No I.D., J-Swift, Kanye, Madlib, Just Blaze, Eclipse 427, JT The Bigga Figga, Khayree, Organized Noize, 9th Wonder, Prince Paul, Large Professor, Rza.... the list goes on and on. The producers on ...Paper Cuts... and ...Exact Change... have all hella influenced and inspired me. I got to work a lot with Mister REY on the new Power Struggle record. He hella inspired me. Gammaray has been an influence and inspiration from day one.

IS THERE ANYONE IN PARTICULAR THAT YOU'D LIKE TO WORK WITH?

I've been blessed to be able to work with some of my favorite emcees/Hip Hop heroes already: T-Know of the CounterParts, Bambu (I remember being jealous of DJ Phatrick [Bambu's DJ] for being an East Asian DJ down with him. I recently told Phatrick that hella drunk one night. It was pretty embarassing.), and Geologic of the Blue Scholars (you can also add him to my list of who I'd like to work with; it would be an honor to have him to a Prometheus Brown project on Beatrock Music).

The one specific emcee I want to work with is BWAN. We actually plan to release his first full-length album on Beatrock Music. BWAN is a ridiculously talented rapper. I first heard him on an EP Mister Rey gave me back when Rey, Nomi, and I started to record Remittances. You can hear BWAN on "3 Basic Problems" (on Remittances). I think people are really going to fall in love with BWAN's delivery when they hear that song. Dude is vicious!

There are also quite a few producers I'd like to team up with. DJ Phatrick and I have been talking about doing a record together. I personally want to call it "The Phfats" but we haven't really talked about a name or even what the record will be like at all. 6Fingers just moved down to LA. I'd love to collaborate with that dude. I feel like just being in the same studio with him would probably make me a better producer.

WHAT CAN WE EXPECT FROM YOU AND THE LABEL IN 2010?

Well, first was ...paper cuts... by Bambu, then we'll release Remittances by Power Struggle in the Spring, then we're releasing a free mixtape from Otayo Dubb called So Opinionated to get people ready for his solo album, which will hopefully be released in the Summer/Fall. We also have a Mass Movement mixtape in the making that will feature a whole bunch of talented local artists like Aidge 34 of the Aesthetics crew, Broken Halos, The Committee, Shining Songs, Rhythm Natives (hopefully), and many others. There are a few more projects slated for 2010/early 2011, but I can't give it all away yet though! What I can tell you is that we have some really big things on the horizon.

WHAT DO YOU DO OUTSIDE OF WORKING ON MUSIC?

I am a medical student at UCLA. I basically have to study all the time.

WHEN BEATROCK MUSIC STARTED, YOU WERE ON YOUR SECOND LEAVE FROM MED SCHOOL. YOU WENT BACK? WHY?

Well, that was probably one of the toughest decisions I've ever had to make. Remember how I was talking about how I want Beatrock Music to be a label that pushes social awareness, action and change, etc? Well, my initial goal when I decided to pursue a career in medicine was somewhat along the same lines. My goal was to become a doctor in order to help serve the under-served. I wanted to open a free clinic in some city and serve folks who can't afford heathcare. To me, being a doctor is one of those professions that enables you to have a direct, hands-on impact on the community you serve. But, at the same time, I feel music and cultural activism can create an impact just as invaluable. So I feel both pathways will allow me to do the type of things I'd like to accomplish in life. So, why go back? Well, music will always be there, no doubt. Med school will not. If I didn't go back now, I would have missed this opportunity forever. Also, I feel like the groundwork has now been laid for Beatrock Music. I feel very comfortable taking a step back and having the artists take the lead. Like I said before, I want the label to be spearheaded by the artists and directed by the communities they are a part of. Also, if I ever do become a licensed physician it sure will be nice to have a disposable income to help fund some of these projects. In the meantime, please send investors our way! Haha.

Though the focus of our e-zine is surveying one's relationship with Los Angeles, I felt that I diverted from that with Fatgums. It's not because of his loyalty for his hometown, or his rationalization of independent music succeeding better there than here, but because I was so engaged in the thought of 'living what you love'. I got that from him. Through his answers, and through his analogy of medicine and music. I never thought those two could go together. But it has, and I'll be proud to say that it's all starting here in LA.

by triciaCA

Bambu on Soul Assasins Radio

2010-02-24T19:45:00.000-08:00

Bam doing his thang thang with DJ Muggs and Mr. Choc on Soul Assasins Radio, make sure and peep his freestyle at the end..

-Tadillac

Bambu's New EP "Paper Cuts" Drops Today

2010-02-23T19:16:00.000-08:00

Congrats to Mass Movement's own Fatgums for releasing another EP off his label Beatrock Music . Bambu's new EP "Paper Cuts" hit stores today. The EP is packed with guest features including Geo from Blue Scholars, Thurzday of U-N-I, and Malcolm & Martin. Go here for details on all the tracks. Cop it now at Beatrock Music or download it on itunes.

Here's my favorite joint off the EP produced by my JA brethren Fatgums:

The Queen is Dead - Bambu

DOWNLOAD

-Tadillac

Blood Of My Heart - Power Struggle Feat. Denizen Kane

2010-02-11T23:40:00.000-08:00

In the spirit of Valentine's Day, here's a new track from Power Struggle off their upcoming album "Remittances", which is set to be released in March on Beatrock Music. The homie Nomi continues to be one of my favorite MCs as he brings that heavy Mid-West poetry that is both honest and powerful.

Blood of My Heart - Power Struggle Feat. Denizen Kane and Big Drew, Prod. by Fatgums

DOWNLOAD

I've been dying for this damn album to drop!!!

Click HERE to download a sampler of the album.

-Tadillac

Behind-The-Scenes of Bambu's "Slow Down" Video Shoot MMTV Exclusive

2010-02-03T19:48:00.000-08:00

Last week I went over to IMIX Bookstore in Eagle Rock where Bambu and Geo were shooting a video for "Slow Down", a track off of Bambu's upcoming EP Paper Cuts, which will be dropping on 2/23 on Beatrock Music. I honestly just wanted to hang out since there were so many folks there but after Bam laced me with this I had to go to the trunk and get the gun. I gotta be the only filmmaker who will work for clothes (and shoes, in case you were wondering).

The Bambu camp also just released a new electronic press kit (EPK) which has a lot of footage shot by me and ET. The piece was directed by Erica Eng and cut by Joel Bunavista.

-Tadillac

DARK SIDE OF OZ

2010-01-30T00:59:00.000-08:00

-ROOTS

ZOOANTHROMORPHIA

2010-01-06T22:17:00.000-08:00

and here's what to expect at this upcoming solo art show at beatrock in long beach. besides water color, i'm also showing some mixed media paintings, drawings, intaglio prints, and some scuptures:).

Not Having Enough Money

2010-01-06T11:06:00.000-08:00

A little venting and frustration through the words of Mr. Louis C.K.

-Chris G.

MARK CANTO Solo Art Show @ BEATROCK this Saturday!

2010-01-03T22:04:00.000-08:00

"ZOOANTHROMORPHIA"
Solo art show featuring recent works by MARK CANTO

A retrospective body of work in various disciplines predominantly drawing, mixed media painting, watercolor, intaglio and sculptures.

WHERE: Beatrock Store & Art Gallery, 4158 Norse Way, Long Beach, CA
WHEN: Saturday, January 9, 2010, 6:30-9:30pm

for more info:
rootskalibre.blogspot.com
beatrock.com

See you there!

NEW AMERYKAH PT. 2 PREVIEW

2009-12-16T13:29:00.000-08:00

Here's a short glimpse into the listening party for Erykah Badu's upcoming New Amerykah Pt. 2 Return of the Ankh from Creative Control TV. Peep out Dame Dash's new gallery/studio, DD172. On some fresh grown art steez.

Dropping in February yall.

-ET

ET | NO MOUNTAIN HIGH ENOUGH

2009-12-15T02:18:00.001-08:00

CLICK COVER ART TO DOWNLOAD

Here's another compilation of classics made with emotion from the heart.. for all those who know what that warm fuzzy feels like. :)

Artwork by Parts Bagani

-ET

A WORLD TO CHANGE | Human Rights Video Installation

2009-12-11T10:27:00.001-08:00

This was a video installation made by cultural workers from Habi-Arts and AnakBayan-LA for the "Upholding Human Rights, Life, and Dignity" Art Show on International Human Rights Day (Dec 10, 2009).

The president of the Philippines, Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, declared Martial Law in a southern province of the country (Maguindanao) a few days earlier. This video installation was made in response and condemnation of her actions.

Please support the NEVER AGAIN TO MARTIAL LAW Coalition and help build international pressure to stop Martial Law in the Philippines now.

For more info, visit bayanusa.org

...after the art show, there was the standard spontaneous scratch session!

TONIGHT in LA! INTL HUMAN RIGHTS DAY ARTSHOW

2009-12-10T12:19:00.000-08:00

What up fellow humans! Today is International Human Rights Day and in honor of it, Bayan USA is putting on an artshow/open mic at the Downtown LA Art Walk.

Live performances by Shining Sons and many others.. Also, come and check out the first-ever Human Rights video installation I helped to put together with my brotha Chris. Aww yeah, experimenting with new forms, but still stepping up the content!

Come thru tonight, peep the art, enjoy the performances, and learn about the current state of Martial Law in the Southern Philippines (Maguindanao), plus what we need to do here in the U.S. to put international pressure on the Arroyo government to stop it ASAP.

Thanks y'all and hope you can make it!

WHERE: Fernando's Hideaway (F Square Printing), 519 S. Spring St., LA, CA 90013

WHEN: Thursday, December 10, 2009 (7-10pm)

NEVER AGAIN TO MARTIAL LAW!

-ET

How is the Problem-Maker the Problem-Solver?

2009-12-09T02:30:00.000-08:00

The Story of Cap & Trade from Story of Stuff Project on Vimeo.

The Story of Cap & Trade is a fast-paced, fact-filled look at the leading climate solution being discussed at Copenhagen and on Capitol Hill. Host Annie Leonard introduces the energy traders and Wall Street financiers at the heart of this scheme and reveals the "devils in the details" in current cap and trade proposals: free permits to big polluters, fake offsets and distraction from what’s really required to tackle the climate crisis. If you’ve heard about Cap & Trade, but aren’t sure how it works (or who benefits), this is the film is for you.

I think Annie Leonard is on point with this one. How can you trust the people who got us into this mess (the entire mess - all messes -every single, pile of sh*t) to be the ones who are going to come up with a plan to solve it?

Fool me once, shame on... shame on you. Fool me twice... shamon!

-Chris G.

Golden State of Mind

2009-12-01T17:13:00.000-08:00

2 more weeks of school and I'll finally be posted up here...

While I was driving back to Santa Cruz from our newly acquired spot in Oakland (Yessssir! Flo and I gotta new place!) on THE 580 (you can take me outta LA/Carson, but you can't take the LA/Carson outta me), the Jay-Z song came on the radio and I thought to myself, "it'd be tight if someone made a Bay remix of this." Low and behold, I got on my laptop that same night and somehow stumbled on this video. It's been on my constant rotation ever since. Peep their blog at teambackpack.com

Absolutely, cannot wait to start working with the talented, young folks of the Bay! But first things first... gotta get hired. I've been applying and applying but still no luck. Anyone got any connections?

-Chris G.

ET | BLINKING EYES

2009-11-28T01:18:00.001-08:00

CLICK COVER ART TO DOWNLOAD

Here's a new compilation I just made of songs I'm feeling right now. Shout out to the music blog Blind I For The Kids that the homie Elow just put me on to. Super fresh new sounds coming out that crew..

This comp also features exclusive tracks from SHINING SONS and NIKO PAG-ASA, some up-and-coming emcees from the LBC.

Feel free to share it with the homies.. Enjoy!

-ET

BEATROCK MUSIC LABEL LAUNCH THIS FRIDAY!!!

2009-11-18T00:35:00.000-08:00

Check out the artists who will be performing THIS FRIDAY at the Beatrock Music Launch/CounterParts Release Party:

(all the "divshare" links are free downloads!)

Bambu and DJ Phatrick - Ain't No Future In Yo Frontin' 2009:

Otayo Dubb - The Dealership (feat. Akil, Tahaj the 1st, and Hudathawt):

Rhythm Natives - So Fire:

EyeASage - MRSHMLO:

Bwan - Wake The F*ck Up:

The Aesthetics Crew - The City Beat:

The Fighting Cocks - Exact Change Interlude:

Power Struggle - Sometimes Rappin' Ain't Enough:

ET of Mass Movement - Planet Earth Was My Place Of Birth Part I:

The CounterParts - What We Do:

IT ALL GOES DOWN THIS FRIDAY AT DAKOTA LOUNGE!!!

Event Info:

Friday, November 20th, 2009Dakota Lounge (formerly Temple Bar)

1026 Wilshire Blvd, Santa Monica, CA

(310) 393-8200 http://www.dakotalounge.com/

Doors open at 8pm $12 at the door, $10 pre-sale (available at

http://www.beatrock.com)

Pre-Sale Ticket/CounterParts CD and Ticket/CounterParts CD/Limited Edition T-shirt combination deals will are now available at http://www.beatrock.com

-Fatgums

Staples Center Collapses.

2009-11-11T14:20:00.000-08:00

Osshhh...

Fatal Staples Center Collapse Brings Merciful Early End To Clippers Game

-Chris G.

AOKI film premiere this Thursday!!

2009-11-10T09:30:00.000-08:00

Calling all Bay area residents!! You don't want to miss the premiere of this groundbreaking film on the life of Richard Aoki, the legendary Asian American activist who was a founding member of the Black Panther Party.

The film debuts this Thursday, November 12, 2009 at the Grand Lake Theater in Oakland, CA. There will be a 30-minute Q&A with filmmakers Ben Wang and Mike Cheng following the film. Much props to these brothers for creating a much needed film for this and all future generations..

Online pre-sale tickets can be purchased for $8.50 (general admission) or $7 (students) at https://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/87178. A small service fee will be added by Brown Paper Tickets.

Tickets can also be purchased the night of the premiere at the Grand Lake Theater’s box office for $10 (general admission) or $9 (students).

For more info, check out: aokifilm.com

-ET

NIKO PAG-ASA "International Eye"

2009-11-09T23:57:00.000-08:00

Niko Pag-Asa is back!!! After having gone M.I.A. for hella months, there's some recent activity from this elusive MC on his blog: nikopagasa.blogspot.com

He just recently leaked a rare unreleased track called "International Eye" which apparently dates back to 2007.

DOWNLOAD HERE

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

2009-10-31T19:49:00.000-07:00

-ET

Post-Racial America's Next Top Model

2009-10-29T12:32:00.002-07:00

T.Y.-to-the-argh uhh, I still don't get the "love" part of the love/hate relationship some of my friends have with her. As problematic and as many issues this clip brings up, Tyra has once again left me starring at my computer screen, disturbed to the point of laughing, unable to articulate anything but "wow...WOW"!

If you don't have that much time to waste just watch the first minute and then jump to 6:00 and see what the Asian sista comes up with...

And if you have a lot of time to waste read this not-so-on-point article by the LA Times' representative of mixed raced residents of Hawai'i. Where do they find these people? Oh yeah, LA.

-Tadillac

New Moon Soundtrack

2009-10-26T01:01:00.000-07:00

I know how it sounds when people say they read playboy for the articles, but I really do watch some flicks just for the music. As a kid bred on hip hop I rely on films and their soundtracks to introduce me to different artists. Even if the film is not the greatest, the soundtrack can almost save it, especially with those "I have White people problems" type joints, think Garden State or The Last Kiss. So when your 12 year-old cousin asks you to see the new Twilight movie, peep the soundtrack before you say no. Death Cab, Thom, Lykke Li, Grizzly Bear, Sea Wolf..I'm just sayin.

Thom Yorke - Hearing Damage

DOWNLOAD HERE

Lykke Li - Possibility

DOWNLOAD HERE

-Tadillac

SAVE THE DATE - Nov. 20th - Beatrock Music Label Launch/The CounterParts Album Release Party

2009-10-23T14:44:00.000-07:00

Friday, November 20th marks the launch of the new independent record label, Beatrock Music. The party will also celebrate the label's first official release, The CounterParts' self-titled debut album. There will be a stacked line-up of live performances by label artists and affiliated musicians from all across California:

THE COUNTERPARTS:

T-Know, BraelanB, Otayo Dubb, Gammaray and Fatgums are patnas who have been making music together since the '90's. Reunited to form The CounterParts, this allstar crew is ready to rock the mic and turntables once again. Download their album Appetizer for free: http://www.zshare.net/download/50554513e6871707#. For more info visit http://www.myspace.com/counterpartscrew.

BAMBU & DJ PHATRICK:
Two-thirds of the legendary group Native Guns, Bambu and DJ Phatrick have been spending the last few years rocking stages across the globe. These dudes bring it live. For more info visit http://www.bambu.la and http://www.djphatrick.com

RHYTHM NATIVES:
Southern Cali's illest live hip hop band cooks up an organic mix of hip hop, jazz, R&B, and soul. Now in the studio with producer Asi Friedman, the 'Natives will be releasing their highly anticipated full-length album in early 2010. For more info visit http://www.rhythmnatives.com

OTAYO DUBB:
After two records with acclaimed hip-hop group Co-Deez, Oakland emcee Otayo Dubb is going solo. 'Tayo defines his sound as "Blue collar hip-hop for the Joe Dubsacks out here who like to light up a fat one and get their headnod on after work." His solo debut, entitled A WOLF IN SHEEP'S MUSIC, will drop in early 2010 as a collaborative release from Beatrock Music and Hella Records. For more info visit http://www.myspace.com/otayodubb

POWER STRUGGLE:
Spitting grimy yet intelligent Midwest rhymes over Mister REY and Fatgums’ sample heavy score, Nomi of Power Struggle brings a new rawness to Asian American hip hop. Watch for their new album entitled Remittances, slated to drop in December of 2009 on Beatrock Music. Download the album sampler for free: http://www.zshare.net/download/65378110473f7f9b/ For more info visit http://www.myspace.com/powerstruggle

AESTHETICS CREW:
In the hallowed brew-school tradition of cup-in-hand rhyming at backyard house parties, the Los Angeles-based Aesthetics crew is here to put the fun back in the funk. Following in the footsteps of legends like the Get Fresh Crew, Native Tongues or 3rd Bass, Indi, Aidge and DJ Props fuse candid rhymes with melodic beats to create a refreshing sound in the midst of a stagnant hip-hop scene. For more info visit http://aestheticscrew.com/

ROCKY RIVERA:
Rocky Rivera (aka EyeASage) is a vicious MC from San Francisco. She dropped her hood classic mixtape, "Married To The Hustle" in 2008 and is releasing her highly anticipated debut album "Rocky Rivera" soon. For more info visit http://www.myspace.com/eyeasagemuzikpage, http://www.youtube.com/eyeasage and http://www.guerillabusfare.com

BWAN & MISTER REY:
The deadly combination of BWAN's spitfire lyrics and Mister REY's head breaking production make this San Francisco duo a force to be reckoned with. Together they send an arsenal of true-school Bay Area hip hop straight to the eardrums. For more info visit http://www.myspace.com/mistahrey and http://www.myspace.com/bwan1

The evening will be hosted by Bambu.

Mass Movement DJs and DJ Phatrick will be on the wheels of steel.

Event Info:

- Beatrock Music Label Launch/CounterParts CD Release Party

- Friday, November 20th at Dakota Lounge (formerly Temple Bar)

- 1026 Wilshire Blvd, Santa Monica, CA - (310) 393-8200

- http://www.dakotalounge.com/

- Doors open at 8pm

- $12 at the door, $10 pre-sale (available at http://www.beatrock.com)

- Pre-Sale Ticket/CounterParts CD and Ticket/CounterParts CD/Limited Edition T- shirt combination deals will also be available at http://www.beatrock.com

-Fatgums

I Heart Hulu

2009-10-23T10:00:00.001-07:00

In addition to not being able to wake up and watch football on the weekends, these clips really make me want to get cable (and a HD TV, and a DVR). But Hulu holds me down. These videos are worth sitting through the short commercials, especially if you haven't seen them before:

The Daily Show feature on the new Republican Party website:

The Daily Show: Slim Thug Feels the Recession

The Queen on SNL: Excedrin for Racial Tension Headaches

-Tadillac

Song Wins Special Jury Award at the San Diego Asian Film Festival!

2009-10-23T09:57:00.000-07:00

A Song For Ourselves won the Short Film Special Jury Award last weekend at the San Diego Asian Film Fest. SDAFF has a super official awards gala that Eric Tandoc and I were lucky enough to attend. "Lucky" meaning that the San Diego JACL generously sponsored our tickets and let us sit at their table. Eric made the most of the free beer while I popped an anti-anxiety pill.

There was a gala after-party which was "cool, but it's not what i'm use too" so i celebrated the night with the homies from AnakBayan LA & SD over some late night carne asada fries:

Mass Movement in the building! Eric's film Sounds Of A New Hope screened to a packed house.

-Tadillac

7th Annual Practical Activism Conference @ UC Santa Cruz

2009-10-19T18:21:00.000-07:00

If you happen to be around the Bay this weekend, come check out the 7th Annual Practical Activism Conference on Saturday the 24th, at UC Santa Cruz! There'll be a bunch of different workshops; some topics include Justice for AB540 students, Reducing Your Carbon Footprint, the UC Budget Crisis, & one that I'll be covering on Social Documentary film making. There will also be keynote speaker, Bettina Aptheker and a special performance/ workshop held by Oaktown's own Head Rush Crew.

For more info, peep activism.ucsc.edu

Here's a little promotional video I chopped up for the conference. Directed by Arlene Park. Music by Blue Scholars.

Don't Go To The Practical Activism Conference from Chris Guevarra on Vimeo.

-Chris G.

Reconsider Columbus Day

2009-10-12T14:00:00.001-07:00

Reconsider Columbus Day by Nu Heightz Cinema

-Tadillac

Screenings in New Orleans, DC and Philly This Weekend

2009-10-09T12:34:00.000-07:00

Three big screenings this weekend! All the films that are playing with A Song For Ourselves in these festivals are excellent, please try and catch one in your city. Unfortunately, I'll be stuck in my room working on film school applications.

DC APA Film Festival
Saturday, Oct. 10th @ 12p

Playing with Manilatown Is In The Heart This screening is FREE!

Philadelphia Asian American Film Festival
Sunday, Oct. 11th @ 1p Playing with Sounds of a New Hope by Mass Movement's own Eric Tandoc

New Orleans Film Festival
Sunday, Oct. 11th @ 5p Playing with A Village Called Versailles (I've heard this film is amazing. This will definitely be a special screening since it will be in New Orleans)

Bambu performing "Chairman Mao" in Honolulu

2009-10-04T15:39:00.000-07:00

Couldn't shoot Bam & Phatty's performance at the premiere but did shoot them the next night at The Loft.

-Tadillac

Honolulu Weekly Cover Story

2009-10-03T22:43:00.001-07:00

One of the coolest parts of the Hawai'i trip was going to Boots & Kimo's to eat this (banana pancakes swimming in macadamia nut sauce)...

...and then walking over to Foodland and seeing this:

The small print along the yellow fist reads "Long Live Chris Iijima"!

Read the whole article here.

-Tadillac

Ch-Ch-Ch-Chee Unit (Blue ScholarsXBambuXCreed)

2009-10-01T23:52:00.000-07:00

What do you get when you have a recording studio full of Filipino rappers and a sarcastic Baha'i DJ? Welcome to the OOF! booth. To shoot the "Chee Unit" (Blue Scholars, Bambu, Creed) in Honolulu was dope, but to witness Geo's one-take murder was something special. See for yourself...

Oh yeah, the night continued with us getting locked IN the building and having to climb and scale our way out.

-Tadillac

Flicks from Hawai'i Premiere on Honozooloo

2009-10-01T02:19:00.002-07:00

I had the privilege of meeting a grip of inspiring and talented people while in Hawai'i and photographer Aaron Yoshino was one of them. I became a fan of his photos earlier this year through his website honozooloo.com. After hanging out with all these filipinos, it was really good to see a fellow buddhahead making a name for himself and doin it big!

SEE ALL THE PHOTOS AT HONOZOOLOO.COM

Hawai'i Premiere/Concert on Sept. 24th!

2009-09-16T16:39:00.000-07:00

The Hawai'i Premiere & Concert of A Song For Ourselves is going down on Sept. 24th at NEXTDOOR in Honolulu! It's gonna be a full-blown Cali invasion with performances by Bambu & DJ Phatrick, Power Struggle, and EyeASage. But most importantly, the event is a fundraiser for the Chris Iijima Scholarship Fund at the University of Hawai'i Law School.

For more info and to purchase tickets or donate to the fund, please go here.

-Tadillac

Power Struggle: Remittances ALBUM SAMPLER

2009-09-15T00:35:00.000-07:00

click HERE to download it for FREE!

The "Hug Song" Video Dir. by Zia Moharjerjasbi

2009-09-04T13:06:00.000-07:00

Best memorial videos ever! One of my favorite filmmakers Zia Mohajerjasbi made this piece for the memorial service of a close friend. A wise man taught me that good art comes down to: form, content, context. This piece highlights the importance of... context. If you've ever lost a loved one, take yourself back to their funeral and then through your tears you watch this. Brilliant!

Keep settin the bar Zia!

-Tadillac

End of Summer FUNK FUZZ

2009-08-26T00:57:00.000-07:00

Say goodbye to the summer in true FUNK FUZZ style!

THURSDAY, AUGUST 27th
Free before 10:30, $5 after

Spinning that new new music:
KRISSFADER
ET
ROOTS
ReVISION

Live performance by:
KONCEPT

Fallen Soulja

2009-08-24T22:08:00.000-07:00

I can't believe I just heard about my fellow comrade and friend, Devin Cohee, passing away in February. I miss both you and Audrey very much. I can only hope that you two are slam dancing and skanking away in a punk rock heaven somewhere. As my friend Alex said, you and Audrey's spirit will continue with us "in the streets." Here's a piece Alex wrote for her: ----------

A passionate

fighter for

justice

Alessandro Tinonga pays tribute to Devin Cohee, a dedicated activist and socialist.

OUR COMRADE Devin Cohee died tragically in Santa Cruz, Calif., on February 28. She was a loving friend, a driven activist and an unyielding revolutionary. Her passing is a mighty loss to the antiwar and socialist movements.

Devin was a true revolutionary in the way that she identified all oppressed and exploited peoples' struggles as her own.

She proudly expressed her sexuality in the face of gendered bigotry. She organized against the racist death penalty as if every inmate was a member of her family. Every march for immigrant rights left her with a strained voice after hours of yelling on the bullhorn. She never shied away from defending the right of the Palestinian people to resist.

Devin's biggest passion was ending U.S. imperialism. She protested the first Gulf War as a child with her father, and got involved in Students Against War (SAW) at the University of California-Santa Cruz as soon as she arrived at college. During her time in SAW, she helped organize a kiss-in against military recruiters, a march that kicked them out and several teach-ins.

What you can do

There will be a wake for Devin in Santa Cruz on Friday, March 6, at the Zami Co-op (807 Laurel St.), starting at 4 p.m.

Messages of sympathy and solidarity may be sent to Devin's parents at 25 Via Athena, Aliso Viejo, CA 92656.

Early this year, she helped found the Santa Cruz chapter of the Campus Antiwar Network. Devin worked very hard to bring antiwar vets to speak on campus and build bridges with Arab and Muslim students to build the movement.

Devin was, above all, an unapologetic and committed socialist. Almost as soon as she joined the antiwar movement, Devin joined the Santa Cruz branch of the International Socialist Organization. In no time, she led with her keen intellect. She was open to talking politics with anyone, she made theory accessible to everyone, and she utilized her sass and smile to make activism fun.

Sometimes, Devin's political energy and enthusiasm was unexplainable. She would stay up all night at the annual Socialism conferences, arguing politics with comrades and strangers, then using a few spare moments, she'd touch up her makeup, grab a cup of coffee and head to the first sessions of the morning, as sharp as a tack.

Unfortunately, she didn't fulfill her personal goal of being named one of the top 10 security threats to the state of California by Gov. Schwarzenegger.

In the past few years, Devin had faced incredible hardship. In 2006, she was hospitalized after a car wreck that killed her friend, Audrey Castellanos, and injured both her and her friend Jacquie. From an early age, she was diagnosed with arthritis, which caused her severe pain that she tried to treat with many different medications, all of which caused awful side effects. Even when she was in pain, she still went on long marches, paper sales and picket lines.

Devin would sometimes--half-joking and half-serious--declare that capitalism was killing her. It may be reckless to say that universal health care and free college tuition would have saved Devin's life, but she would be the first to point out that such things are necessary and must be won. Then, she would wrap up by calling for workers' power.

Our struggles won't be the same without her. Devin has and will continue to inspire her friends, allies and comrades to carry on the fights to which she devoted her life.

Comrade, we will miss you, but we will never forget you. Devin Cohee: Presente!

-------

RIP Devin

-Chris G.

Skating From Kabul to LA

2009-08-14T13:06:00.001-07:00

If we could pass out skateboards to everyone in world, the world would most definitely be a better place. Check out these photos on the link below by LA Times Photographer, Rick Loomis.

Photos: Skating together in Kabul -- latimes.com
Posted using ShareThis
---------------------------------------
Skating makes everyday feel like a good day. Who can you spot in the video below?

Hint:
Can this be Mass Movement's very own Tadillac disguising himself with a fake mustache?

-Chris G.

Blue Scholars - HI-808 Video

2009-08-11T00:15:00.000-07:00

The Scholars just dropped the first video off their new EP scheduled to drop later this month. Besides the fact that one of my favorite groups created an album inspired by one of my favorite places (Hawai'i), this video brings a smile to my face because there's a chance that the Blue Scholars camp will be part of the Hawai'i premiere of my film A Song For Ourselves next month! Bambu and Dj Phatrick are already confirmed. Anyone in Hawai'i mark your calenders, it's going down September 24 in Honolulu. More details to come...

-Tadillac

FILIPINO JERKIN!

2009-08-09T23:45:00.000-07:00

"You're A Jerk (Remix)" feat. Intellect, Aspect, ET, T-Know, & ReVision
DOWNLOAD mp3 HERE

Philippine President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo visited LA on June 20, 2009 to consolidate support from her Fil-Am allies so she can run for Congress in her province of Pampanga in the upcoming 2010 elections.

She's responsible for 1,013 political killings and over 200 abductions and disappearances, as well as countless corruption scandals such as vote rigging in the 2004 elections.

Her second term as President ends in 2010 and she can no longer run for the presidency. But she is desperately trying to cling to power.

Her alleged plan is to become Speaker of the House and push through with a Constituent Assembly (Con-Ass), where the Congress would vote to change the Philippine Constitution through Charter Change (Cha-Cha).

Then they would convert the Congress into a Parliamentary form of government, with herself ruling as the Prime Minister for an indefinite period of time.

What a jerk!

-ET

NEW BLUE SCHOLARS LEAK!

2009-08-07T11:45:00.000-07:00

From the forthcoming 10 song Hawai'i-themed "OOF!" EP that drops digitally on August 25th..

Blue Scholars "Hi-808"

Blue Scholars "Coo?"

Chase the dangling carrot and download here

-ET

"THIS IS FOR ALL OF US"

2009-08-07T11:34:00.000-07:00

On July 30, 2009, Melissa Roxas speaks to the crowd that gathered at the Court of Appeals. She thanks friends, colleagues and comrades for their support throughout her ordeal.

Arianna Huffington

2009-08-03T01:31:00.000-07:00

I'm one of those people who kinda actually really enjoy graduation ceremonies. Maybe because the anxiety that I felt when I was sitting in my own ceremony, is at the same level now some 6 years later. But Arianna is spittin troofs that I really needed to hear.

"I don't see failure as the opposite of success, I see failure as a stepping stone to success."
- Arianna Huffington (wise old white lady)

-Tadillac

Bambu's Response to the Phatrick Phenomenon

2009-08-03T00:20:00.000-07:00

Bambu's response to the "Introducing MC Phatrick Video"...

Hilarious!

-Tadillac

Mighty Mos, Cornel West, & The Boogeymen

2009-08-02T14:31:00.000-07:00

Colonialism, Imperialism, Terrorism: What's the difference? "Every empire we know use the sword." Mighty Mos and Cornel drops it on Real Time with Bill Maher. Biggups to the homie Manal for sharing this with us.

And I'm loving the new album "The Ecstatic." One of the few new albums on constant rotation for me this summer. Mos Def - "Casa Bey" - The Ecstatic - 6.9.09

-Chris G.

AAMMOM (Asian American Male Moment of the Month) - Phatty's Debut

2009-07-30T22:37:00.000-07:00

You may have heard the rumors over the last couple of weeks but now you can see it for yourselves, DJ Phatrick will no longer stay in the background while his darker, better looking music partners get all the glory. On 7/18 at the JACCC Plaza in Little Tokyo, his Phatness took a stand, then took the mic...and reclaimed his marginalized East Asian voice...

-Tadillac

OBAMA, WHAT ABOUT THE PHILIPPINES?

2009-07-28T15:14:00.000-07:00

As Obama prepares to meet with Philippine President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo for the first time this Thursday, he should be aware of the corrupt and torturous leader that she is.

We demand that he stop wasting OUR tax dollars with U.S. funding of the Philippine military and government.

Please take the time to write a letter to him and educate him about the human rights violations going on in the Philippines. Here is a template letter you can use or even better, please write your own.

Messages to the White House can be sent to: http://www.whitehouse.gov/contact/

I AM MELISSA ROXAS

2009-07-28T02:34:00.000-07:00

I Am Melissa Roxas from pele pino on Vimeo.

We are Melissa Roxas.

BAY AREA Support 4 Melissa Roxas This THURSDAY!

2009-07-27T23:32:00.000-07:00

The USA-Philippines Ecumenical Advocacy Network invites you to Vigil for Human Rights in the Philippines
July 30, 2009 6 pm
St. Patrick’s Catholic Church
756 Mission St.
San Francisco, CA

On the night of Philippine President Gloria Arroyo’s meeting with President Obama, we’re gathering to remember human rights victims and to pray for meaningful change in the militarized situation in the Philippines . Clergy, musicians and concerned advocates from around the Bay area will meet to reflect, sing, light candles and sign a letter to Barack Obama asking him to hold the Philippine Government and its military accountable for the abduction and torture of hundreds of activists, including American citizen Melissa Roxas.

Since Arroyo came to power in 2001, hundreds of clergy, activists and human rights workers have been illegally harassed, abducted, tortured and murdered. Reliable sources such as the United Nations and Amnesty International put the total at 600 disappeared or killed in the last eight years, with additional hundreds of thousands indiscriminately displaced by military exercises and fear-mongering.

In May 2009, an American citizen, Melissa Roxas, was illegally abducted and tortured while on a medical relief mission in the Philippines . President Obama must demand justice for her and for all the other human rights victims in the Philippines . The US taxpayers do not want to support corrupt foreign governments! Demand justice for the Philippines and stop funding the Philippine military!

We ask you to join us for this time of sharing and prayer.

Contact Lindsey Kerr, USA-Philippines Ecumenical Advocacy Network Coordinator, at

lkerr@psr.edu or 412-576-5763

For more information see www.usapan.wordpress.com

SUPPORT MELISSA ROXAS THIS WEDNESDAY IN LA!!

2009-07-27T14:15:00.000-07:00

(click on image to enlarge)

Melissa Roxas, a U.S. citizen and victim of abduction and torture by the Philippine military, courageously testifies about her experience at the Court of Appeals in the Philippines on Wednesday.

Please come out and show your support for her all victims of human rights violations at the vigil held by the Justice For Melissa Roxas Campaign at the Philippine Consulate (3600 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90010) this Wednesday, July 29th at 6pm.

The vigil is also held in protest to the first ever meeting between President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo and President Obama, which will be held the following day on Thursday, July 30th in Washington D.C.

This meeting is being criticized in the U.S. media as mistake since Arroyo has gained a notorious reputation as a corrupt politician and human rights violator.

Read the Washington Times editorial here.

and visit justiceformelissa.org for more info

SOUNDS OF A NEW HOPE @ VC THIS SATURDAY!

2009-07-22T21:41:00.001-07:00

SOUNDS OF A NEW HOPE will be playing at Visual Communications' "Best of the Fest: Global Groove" program this Saturday, July 25th at 8pm, followed by a performance by some of the youth who are part of the weekly SAMA SAMA hip-hop workshops we're holding this summer in Carson.

**FYI: We recently changed the title from SOUNDS OF THE NEW HOPE because the original intent was to reference the film Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope and all this time I had mistaken the title for "The New Hope".

Also, "A New Hope" more accurately reflects our intentions for the meaning of the film and it also flows a little bit better off the tongue.

Come thru this Saturday and see the film with its new titles!

for more info, check VC's website

-ET

Violence, Sex, and Drugs Mix

2009-07-14T15:10:00.000-07:00

The Tarantino Mixtape from Eclectic Method on Vimeo.

I’m amazed that it’s possible to be more meta than a Quentin Tarantino film. If for some reason you thought that Tarantino’s movies dragged or could have used faster cutting, this mash-up is for you. Simply a must-see.

It’s from Eclectic Method who has also fashioned a remix for 30 Rock, a Fraggle Rock remix, and a remix of the Colbert Report.

(via Popped Culture)

-Chris G.

Did ya'll know that "Death Proof*" was inspired Pilipino Cinema? That's wassup!

Michael Jackson On The Wall

2009-07-07T15:23:00.000-07:00

After a playing some ball at the courts near my house, Flo blindfolded me and told me she had a huge surprise she wanted to take me to. After driving around for awhile, thinking we were in San Jo when really she was just driving around the block a couple of times, I lost all my breath when I opened my eyes to see this amazingly, gigantic piece on the wall of Bill's Wheel's Skateshop in Santa Cruz.

Click on it for larger image. Photo by Florence DeKoven

RIP Michael.
-Chris G.

"The Best Day of [Ron Ron's] Life"

2009-07-04T00:41:00.000-07:00

Kobe said that after the Lakers lost game six of the '08 NBA Finals in Boston by 39 points, he was alone in the shower, just fuming. He heard somebody walk in and assumed it was one of his teammates, or maybe a staff member. Instead, he looked up, and it was Ron Artest (to this day, Kobe has no idea how Artest got into the locker room).

"I want to come help you," Artest said. "If I can, I'm going to find a way to come to LA and give you the help you need to win a title."

We don't stab folks with broken table legs for beating us 1-on-1 but Welcome to LA Ron Ron!

Lakers,
Chris G.

These fools just keep getting better

2009-07-03T05:24:00.000-07:00

GO GO POWER RANGERS | July 1, 2009

-ET

MELISSA ROXAS SPEAKS

2009-06-30T14:44:00.000-07:00

LOS ANGELES - On Saturday, June 27th, 2009, Melissa Roxas made her first public appearance at a press conference held at the Echo Park United Methodist Church to let the world know the details of her abduction and torture by agents of the Philippine government and military.

To send a personal message of support to Melissa, please join the "Friends of Melissa Roxas" group on Facebook.

There are over 200 people who are still missing due to government abductions in the Philippines.

Please help put an end to these US-funded human rights violations by calling your local Senator and voicing your opposition to this inhumane misuse of our US tax dollars.

We need to stop funding the corrupt Philippine military and government!

Lebron Wins BET Award to Kobe Chants

2009-06-29T13:39:00.000-07:00

True Laker fans always keepin it real. -Chris G.

Telekinesis on KCRW

2009-06-29T12:56:00.000-07:00

i'll say it again i jock the seattle music scene. i caught the town's telekinesis on mornings become eclectic the other day and really liked what i heard. but when i heard that the drummer michael benjamin lerner was also the lead singer, i had to watch the video podcast. peep game. miles senzaki step yo game up!

-tadillac

Bambu - "Quit" Video

2009-06-25T23:55:00.000-07:00

bam's latest video for "quit" off the ...exact change... album. track produced by illmind:

-tadillac

"There's Still Hip Hop in LA"

2009-06-23T23:36:00.000-07:00

Some old footage of Roscoe Umali on the Wake Up Show! Lakers, Chris G.

FUNK FUZZ THIS THURS! SPECIAL GUESTS!

2009-06-23T11:07:00.000-07:00

THIS THURSDAY, JUNE 25th!!

Come thru and enjoy SUMMERTIME IN THE LBC at FUNK FUZZ!

hit the store tho, so i can get a 4-0...

special live performances by:
T-KNOW (CounterParts Crew)
ReVISION (The Committee, Mass Movement)
ET (The Committee, Mass Movement)
C-LOS (The Committee, Mass Movement)

spinning live on the 1s & 2s:

KRISSFADER (spinning ALL VINYL)
ET
ROOTS
ReVISION
& C-LOS (guest DJ set)

Que Sera
1923 E 7th St, LBC
FREE BEFORE 11< br>$5 after

(doors open and wheels start spinning at 9pm, live performances begin at 11pm)

The Celebration Continues...

2009-06-21T16:41:00.000-07:00

RING!

LAKERS,
Chris G.

Stay Black Phil, Stay Black!

2009-06-18T23:20:00.001-07:00

-tadillac

Please help FATGUMS X BAMBU get put on!

2009-06-18T14:07:00.000-07:00

Mass Movement Crew member Fatgums and his teammate Bambu were accepted into URB Magazine's - URB Next 1000 Competition! YOUR vote will determine if they get featured in URB Magazine! So please, please show them some love.

All you have to do is go to the URB website, register, find the FATGUMS X BAMBU page, click the rating stars, and leave a comment.

Here's the song that's featured:

GUNSLINGER I - from Beatrock Presents: FATGUMS X BAMBU ...A Peaceful Riot...

Gunslinger I - Beatrock Presents: Fatgums X Bambu

PLEASE SPREAD THE WORD!

Is a $2 Milli Laker Parade Worth It?

2009-06-16T22:05:00.000-07:00

as happy as i am that the lakers have once again reclaimed the nba title, i can't say that this nba season (as great as it was) has gotten my mind of our plummeting economy and cali's ridiculous $24 BILLION state deficit.

i agree that LA desperately needs something that we can collectively celebrate and the lakers championship couldn't come at a better time. but $2 million for a 3 hour parade? i still don't know how i feel about this since our tax money is supposively only paying for half of the $1 million that the city is responsible for (2 hecka rich white men are paying for the other half). read more about the issue here and here.

sportswriter dave zirin gives us another reason why we should celebrate the lakers victory as he exposes the crookedness of the magic's owner and billionaire richard devos.

-tadillac

Stop Arnold's Termination Of Cal Grants!

2009-06-10T22:14:00.000-07:00

"Grants awarded to 118,000 freshmen starting college in the fall would be canceled"

save cal grants! the governator's plan isn't to cut funding for cal grants, he wants to totally eliminate them. raise college tuition and dissolve finacial aid in order to save a failing economy? great plan dickhead! read la times article here.

-tadillac

The Untold Story of The Lower Ninth Ward PREMIER SCREENING

2009-06-09T23:07:00.000-07:00

New Orleans is back! Come & celebrate with us, America, as we go on a Spring Break trip to New Orleans! Flashing lights! Amazing food! Good music! Booze! And of course... broken glass, lonely foundations, missing homes, and displaced families. It's been 4 years since Hurricane Katrina and while the French Quarter is crackin', the Lower Ninth Ward is still waiting for their street lights to turn on.

The short 8-minute version of my film, "The Untold Story of The Lower Ninth Ward" (still debating whether or not this will be the title) will be premiering THIS FRIDAY, 7:30pm @ UC Santa Cruz's Media Theater! Please come support me and my fellow film students as we finally put all our hard work on the big (HUGE) screen.

June 12th, Friday 7:30pm UC Santa Cruz Media Theater

-Chris G.

Don't Wish To Be A Baller, Become One With This DVD

2009-06-07T23:54:00.000-07:00

My Testimonial:

After using this DVD, I grew one more foot in a matter of 2 days! I went back to my YMCA and showed the coach that I was more than just equipments coach! Thanks Leroy Smith!

-Chris G.

Introducing Band Of Brothers!

2009-06-06T19:33:00.000-07:00

(from left to right) nick "rock" agtual, mina "the loy" checel, isabel "menace" agtual, jack "mop top" agtual

the 2 year-old music phenom mina loy (who also happens to be my niece) just dropped the first song with her new group "band of brothers". the group is made up of mina's cooler-than-ice cousins isabel, jack and nick. they were just booked for the halftime show at game 7 of the nba finals but since that game is unlikely to happen they have agreed to let mass movement tv premiere their self-titled debut song!

Band of Brothers by Band of Brothers DOWNLOAD

the track was produced and engineered by denis corrupt jones of the band "goth jones".

does anyone else think jack aka mop top looks like a mini version of mass movement's own krissfader? -tadillac

Update on Melissa Roxas

2009-06-03T23:12:00.000-07:00

Just received this update about the abduction and torture of Pilipino American activist Melissa Roxas thru email. With a new administration based on "CHANGE" there is no real reason why The U.S. government should overlook this.

"“Her abduction should give Congress and the Obama administration even more reason to stop pouring billions of dollars into a regime that abducts, tortures, and kills innocent people. If the Obama administration and Congress are serious about creating real change, they should cut off all aid to the Philippines during the budget appropriations process this summer.” (From the article below)

-Chris G.

-----

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

June 2, 2009

Reference: Rhonda Ramiro, Secretary General, BAYAN-USA, 415-377-2599, secgen@bayanusa.org

U.S.-Trained and Funded Philippine Military Implicated in Abduction and Torture of American Citizen

Alliance of Filipino American Organizations Vows to Hold U.S. and Philippine Governments Accountable and Demands End to U.S. Taxpayer Support for Philippine Military

The U.S. Chapter of Bagong Alyansang Makabayan, or BAYAN-USA, denounced the abduction and torture of Melissa Roxas by suspected elements of the Armed Forces of the Philippines. An American citizen of Filipino descent, Roxas is a well-known Filipino American human rights advocate and was BAYAN-USA’s first Regional Coordinator in Los Angeles, CA and a founding member of the Los Angeles-based cultural organization Habi Arts. Roxas’ sworn affidavit about the torture she experienced from May 19-25, 2009 while in captivity was made public today when she filed a Petition for a Writ of Amparo and Habeus Data with the Philippine Supreme Court, seeking protection from further harm for herself and her family.

In the affidavit, Roxas describes being abducted by approximately 15 armed men, thrown in a van, handcuffed and blindfolded for six days, and dragged from jail cell to jail cell. She recounts being subjected to torture via asphyxiation using a doubled-up plastic bag, repeated beatings to the face and body, and having her head banged repeatedly against the wall by her interrogators. Roxas said that one interrogator stated those who tortured her were from the Special Operations Group (SOG), and she heard one of her interrogators addressed as “Sir.” She also heard gunfire from what she believed to be a firing range as well as the sounds of aircraft, pointing to the high probability that she was held in a military camp. She was denied legal counsel despite her persistent requests and forced to say that she was a member of the New People’s Army.

Roxas was dropped off near her relative’s house around 6:30 AM on May 25. Her captors left her with a SIM card and phone, which one of her interrogators used to contact her after she was released.

“We are distraught that Melissa was subjected to such cruel, inhuman, and blatantly illegal treatment as a result of the Philippine government’s counter-insurgency witch hunt,” stated BAYAN-USA Chair Berna Ellorin. “We must hold the perpetrators of this torture accountable, up to and including the U.S. government which is providing military aid and training to the Philippine military.”

Rather than conducting an investigation into the torture of Roxas and the abduction of her and her companions Juanito Carabeo and John Edward Jandoc, the Philippine Presidential Human Rights Commission (PHRC) issued a statement claiming that the incident was fabricated by BAYAN Philippines and human rights group Karapatan, and that the disappearance of the three involved immersion with the New People's Army (NPA). The statement from the PHRC was posted on the website of the Philippine Embassy in Washington DC on May 28, 2009. Evidence such as official police reports clearly show that the statement was filled with serious factual errors and erroneous speculations; the PHRC statement even falsely cited the non-governmental organizations Asian Federation Against Disappearances (AFAD) and Coalition Against Involuntary Disappearances (CAID). In an open letter to Philippine Ambassador to the U.S. Willy Gaa regarding the PHRC statement, AFAD wrote,

“Our Federation is shocked by the content of the said statement, citing us as one of the sources of the information related to the above-mentioned case. We categorically deny ownership of the information mentioned in the statement as a source of our alleged initial investigation…We find it appalling to be considered as a more credible human rights organization compared to Karapatan, since we believe that such a statement is divisive and therefore, uncalled for… While our Federation independently works on the issue of enforced disappearances and despite our differences with other organizations, we also coordinate with the CAID as well as with Karapatan, whose constituency bears the brunt of enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings during the present administration.”

Despite the public outcry for a retraction of the statement, the Philippine Embassy has yet to remove the statement from its website.

“We are incensed that the Philippine government continues to deny that Melissa’s abduction ever took place,” said Ellorin. “The Philippine government's attempted cover-up of the triple abduction is consistent with their constant denial of responsibility for the more than 1,000 extra-judicial killings and 201 enforced disappearances, despite condemnation and documentation from international human rights groups like Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch, as well as the United Nations,” said Ellorin. “The tactic of red-baiting and vilification of the victim by Philippine authorities, now also being employed against Melissa, is a common finding in the numerous reports written by international human rights monitoring agencies.”

Roxas’ exposé comes on the heels of the visit of U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates to the Philippines. During his meetings with Philippine Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro, Gates affirmed the Obama administration’s commitment to so-called “counter-terrorism efforts” in the Philippines as well as for the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA). The VFA is an agreement which BAYAN-USA views as the red carpet which paved the way for U.S. military advisers, troops and equipment to train and equip the Philippine military which has been implicated in 1,017 extra-judicial killings and 1,010 cases of torture.

“The torture of Melissa and the triple abduction of Melissa, Juanito and John Edward are directly linked to the VFA and U.S. military aid to the Philippines,” said Ellorin. “The U.S. government cannot claim ignorance or wash its hands of responsibility, when it is U.S. advisors who are training the Philippine military. The recent uncovering of ‘the torture papers’ shows that the U.S. has never stopped employing torture as an ‘enhanced interrogation technique.’”

“It is utterly apalling that Gates is pledging more support for the Philippine military, in light of Melissa’s sworn testimony,” continued Ellorin. “Her abduction should give Congress and the Obama administration even more reason to stop pouring billions of dollars into a regime that abducts, tortures, and kills innocent people. If the Obama administration and Congress are serious about creating real change, they should cut off all aid to the Philippines during the budget appropriations process this summer.”

BAYAN-USA is an alliance of progressive Filipino groups in the U.S. representing organizations of students, scholars, women, workers, and youth. As an international chapter of Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (BAYAN-Philippines), BAYAN-USA serves as an information bureau for the national democratic movement of the Philippines and as a campaign center for anti-imperialist Filipinos in the U.S. BAYAN-USA’s online petition against the VFA can be found at http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/JunkVFAnow/. The online petition to demand justice for Roxas, Carabeo, and Handoc can be found at http://www.gopetition.com/online/28021.html.

# # #

-- FOCUS MISSION As a broad grassroots community organization, Filipino Community Support of Silicon Valley (FOCUS-SV) defends the rights and interests of Filipinos in Santa Clara County against social and economic injustices. FOCUS VISION We, the concerned Filipinos residing and working in Silicon Valley with our families and friends, realize the need to protect, assist, and advocate for our mutual and collective interest against exploitation, oppression, violence, and injustice. We come together to build a broad comprehensive grassroots organization that defends the rights gained by previous struggles and upholds the welfare of Filipinos. With nationalist and democratic values, we envision greater social, cultural, and political resources for the Filipino community in Santa Clara County that would benefit everyone and promote greater equity and justice.

A Peaceful Riot Gets 8.5 out of 10

2009-06-03T12:47:00.000-07:00

Looks like Fatgums X Bambu are getting some dope reviews! Remember to keep voting for Bam's video (previous post)!

Lakers,

Chris G.

-----------------

Please check it out:

http://www.rapreviews.com/archive/2009_06_peacefulriot.html

Fatgums X Bambu :: A Peaceful Riot Going On :: Beatrock as reviewed by Patrick Taylor

On this ten-song EP, Bay Area DJ Fatgums and L.A. rapper Bambu answer the question, how do you make hip hop that isn't commercial, doesn't pander to violence and misogyny, but isn't boring? They start things off with "Peddlin' Music," in which Bambu raps about trying to make it as a rapper in L.A., dealing with open mics, angry bosses, shitty day jobs, and, for Fatgums, med school, "trying to stay focused when he opens that textbook." "We peddle music on the side to hopefully make rent," Bambu admits, but he doesn't sound down. Part of that is due to the soulful strings and funky drums that Fatgums layers in the background. They may be broke, but they are still celebrating, and on "Good Clothes" Bambu raps about the joys of finding good clothes on sale.

On "Strapped," Bambu takes on the subject of gun ownership. This is a tricky subject for rappers who get lumped in with the backpack or conscious scene. Talib Kweli got a mess of shit for his "Gun Music" from fans who felt that the underground should be a safe haven from the violence of mainstream rap. As Bambu makes it clear, the problem isn't that simple. Over a Biggie Smalls sample and swaggering horns, Bambu raps about coming strapped both literally and lyrically:

"I do not condone the killing of our own But I do condone defending yourself from the pigs, home Ask Kaisha Miller who her killer was, you'll see Riverside PD shot til she did not breathe 12 shots hit her point blank right in her chest"

The Biggie sample is no accident, since the late rapper was shot to death. Bambu continues the discussion on "Gunslinger I," describing his gun collection, but clarifying: "I am not advocating what a bullet might bring/I done lost two cousins three homies one uncle/From the little tiny pellets that fly out a gun muzzle." Bambu grew up surrounded by gang culture, and was part of that life before decided to start focusing his energy on more positive pursuits. The song both acknowledges the need to bear arms, and laments the fact that so many people are quick to pull the trigger over nothing. "Remember," he advises, "Fight for your family and change/Stop killing over nothing more than 'What'd you say?'" That song is followed by "Gunslinger II." Fatgums provides a mournful spaghetti western beat for Bambu to spit a tale of his 12-year-old nephew beaten by police. Fatgums cuts in just about every "fuck the police" line in hip hop history, ending with audio footage of Oscar Grant being shot by police on New Year's Day.

Bambu's thoughts on police and guns and violence are much more complicated and intelligent than what I'm used to hearing from the media, much less rappers. He comes from a world where pacifism isn't an option, and where violence is as likely to come from the police as it is from the drug dealers and gang bangers. Bambu has a gritty toughness rounded in intelligence and insight, so he avoids the trap of coming off as either a dumb thug or an intellectual with no real life experience. He applies the same insight to relationships on "Listen," which talks about the need for both partners in a relationship to listen to one another in order to avoid conflict and misunderstanding. The album ends with a eulogy to a dead friend, "Black Smile," which includes phone messages to the deceased. Bambu's rhymes are heartfelt and heartbreaking, and the song stands up with Ice Cube's "Dead Homiez" or UGK's "One Day You're Here, Then You're Gone." Throughout every song on the album, Bambu's never comes off as preachy, and he doesn't drop any awkward or clunky rhymes. He never sacrifieces the music for the message, and he manages to make his message sound good.

Bambu gets a lot of help from Fatgums, who is the perfect partner on this album. A point of reference would be 9th Wonder's work with Murs and Little Brother; both producers know their soul, and are able to spin samples into colorful, banging beats. Fatgums created the beats here while on leave from med school, and as much as I hope that he will be able to finish school and become a doctor, I'd also like him to keep making beats. He's too good on the decks to completely abandon them, even if it is to help people.

"A Peaceful Riot" finds common ground between feel-good, old school worshipping West Coast backpack rap and sun-and-gun drenched L.A. gangsta rap. Bambu tackles big issues without resorting to oversimplification or cliche, and Fatgums keeps it cooking with his soulful beats. This EP is one of the best I've heard this year, and I hope that the duo keep peddling their music.

Music Vibes: 8.5 of 10 Lyric Vibes: 8.5 of 10 TOTAL Vibes: 8.5 of 10

Originally posted: June 2, 2009 source: http://www.rapreviews.com/

-------------

By the way, did anyone catch Conan at the last Laker game?

Conan's kickin it off right as the new Tonight Show host.

Vote For Bambu on MTVU!

2009-06-01T22:14:00.001-07:00

bambu's video for "crooks & rooks", directed by patricio ginelsa, premiered this week on mtvU. please click on the banner below to vote for the video to make sure it stays on rotation, it seriously takes a minute, you don't have to sign up for anything:

-tadillac

POWER RANGER$

2009-05-30T08:22:00.000-07:00

a few years ago, after graduating from UCLA, i lived in Mid-City LA with the homies Fatgums, Dallas, and Roel. we were about 5 minutes away from Hamilton High School over in the Palms/Culver City area, which years later turned out to become the home of one of the most vicious jerkin crews anywhere, Power Ranger$.

these high schoolers got it. from what i've seen so far, i think they're the most innovative out of all these kids that be jerkin. crazy how they took the eastside step (or reject) to the next level and brought back the clown walk!

-ET

peep the new Rock Steady Crew.. haha

Interview with Eric Tandoc in UCLA Asia Pacific Arts Magazine

2009-05-29T14:27:00.000-07:00

LA Asian Pacific Film Festival 2009: an interview with Sounds of the New Hope director Eric Tandoc

By Clifford Hilo

Eric Tandoc's short film Sounds of the New Hope draws connections between music and politics, the Philippines and Filipino America. APA talks to the director about striking the right balance to strike the most provocative chord.

Documentary filmmakers are the underdogs of cinema. They live in poverty, struggling between intermittent stretches of grant funding. They shoot their footage in completely wild and unforeseeable conditions, and are often prone to the most cruel and unhappy kinds of accidents. Yet, for all the hard-fought footage, the countless hours of tedious editing, and of course, the lack of funding, the documentarian must always ask himself, "What is the end result of this work?" For Eric Tandoc, all of this work and labor in documentary has an eventual point -- the creation of community and of relations between people. It is the hope that documentary as an art will have the ability to share and empower viewers, and give a voice to the unheard. With his new film Sounds of the New Hope, Tandoc wants to put the microphone to the mouths of storytellers who have not been able to tell their story before. In the film, he follows the Filipino American MC, Kiwi, as the young rapper grows from his brash youth as a gangbanger on the streets of Koreatown to radical political activism promoted throughout the slum-dwellings of the Philippines. But what makes this film so fresh, exciting, and relevant is that Kiwi wants to translate the rough material of real politics and class struggle through the word and rhyme of hip-hop. Like an improvement on Aristotle's notion that what makes a human political is his ability for speech, Kiwi transforms the flow of his rap into a tool that constructs a unity and kinship. Kiwi uses rap as a bridge for the impoverished Filipino to communicate. Rapping, it seems, is a much more immediate mechanism for saying what's on your mind. And much like Kiwi, Tandoc wants to use the tools of documentary to create these same bridges and to tell stories that are much more than stories. For Tandoc, the end result of a documentary should be action: to turn back, reflect, and serve a community.

Asia Pacific Arts: Could you tell us a little about yourself and the short film that you have playing at this year's festival?

Eric Tandoc: My name is Eric Tandoc, and I'm a 29 year-old second-generation Filipino American who was born in San Diego and grew up in Long Beach. Aside from filmmaking, I'm a community organizer and member of a youth and student organization called AnakBayan and a progressive arts organization called Habi-Arts. Both of these organizations are part of a national alliance called Bayan USA, which consists of 14 organizations across the country that support the struggle for national liberation and genuine democracy in the Philippines, as well as the struggles of Filipinos living here in the United States. In addition to that, I'm a DJ in a hip-hop crew called Mass Movement and an emcee in a live hip-hop band called The Committee. My latest documentary, Sounds of the New Hope, chronicles the life and music of Filipino American emcee and community organizer, Kiwi, as well as the growth of hip-hop as an organizing tool in the movement for genuine freedom and democracy in the Philippines. It was created as my thesis film for the UC Santa Cruz Social Documentation M.A. program.

The film documents Kiwi's life growing up around youth gangs in the Koreatown area of Los Angeles and how he later became involved in hip-hop and community organizing in the Filipino community. Then the film fast forwards to his current organizing work through hip-hop workshops with youth in San Francisco at the Filipino Community Center. The second half of the film follows him on his political exposure trip to the Philippines in 2007, where he is hosted by AnakBayan and integrates in urban shanty communities. There, he meets youth gangsters who rap and connects with their experiences through the common language of hip-hop.

APA: Do you have any good anecdotes of working on this documentary while following Kiwi around the Philippines?

ET: Although the film focuses on Kiwi's experiences rapping with urban youth in the shanty communities of Caloocan, we were also able to connect with some of hip-hop's elite in the Philippines -- Francis M and Gloc 9. Francis M is considered the "King of Philippine Rap," since he was the first Filipino to ever release a hip-hop album back in 1990. What's great is that his songs are also very nationalistic, rapping about positivity and believing in ourselves as Filipinos. When we first met him, he told Kiwi how he'd been following his music with Native Guns since 2005 and frequently played their songs on the radio show that he hosted. Kiwi got to build a friendship with him and when Francis suddenly passed away from leukemia earlier this year, he took it really hard. We are all saddened by the loss of a legendary figure in Philippine hip-hop.

Gloc 9 is one of his talented protégés and had several songs on the radio while we were there. He's known for super-fast rhyming and talking about the struggles of growing up poor. But the ironic thing is, even though he's well known and has songs on the radio, he recently enrolled into nursing school and has aspirations of going abroad to work. I remember him saying how if he were able to financially support himself and his family through nursing, then he could be free to fully pursue rapping. I think it's a reflection of the Philippines' semi-colonial and semi-feudal economy that even a big-name rapper like Gloc 9 isn't able to make a living off his art and is forced to follow the thousands of Filipinos who leave the country every day just to survive and support their families.

APA: This is a piece about the mixture of music and politics, of hip-hop and massive political movements in the Philippines in a very literal way. Tell us more about the relation of music and politics?

ET: Kiwi and I both identify as cultural workers, meaning we create our art for the purpose of educating our communities in order to raise people's political consciousness and hopefully inspire them to take action and work towards creating systemic change. Music, and hip-hop in particular, is a powerful and direct way of conveying messages through personal expression. Often times, it's more effective than speeches or forums as a way of sparking interest in political or social issues. Music, like other forms of cultural work, connects with people's emotions in such a way that one can really feel the humanity and beauty found in the struggle for a better world. Music can reflect the realities of people and society, but it also shapes reality. A song can be highly influential and infectious, as it can inspire you to memorize lyrics and even cause you to behave in ways that manifest the values in those lyrics.

APA: You studied documentary here at UCLA. How has that influenced your growth as a young filmmaker and documentarian?

ET: As an undergrad at UCLA, I was introduced to documentary filmmaking through the History of Documentary Film course taught by Marina Goldovskaya. Through her Documentary Production Workshop, I made my first visual life history documentary about my grandmother, called Nanay. Subsequently, I took the year-long UCLA EthnoCommunications course taught by Robert Nakamura and John Esaki and became grounded in the principle of creating documentaries to give a voice to underrepresented communities. Through this course, I created 810LOGY, a short documentary about the history and growth of my multi-ethnic skateboard crew from Long Beach and our struggles with gangs, discrimination, and police harassment. Through studying documentary at UCLA, in addition to having wonderful professors as mentors, I was exposed to amazing films such as Beats, Rhymes, & Resistance: Pilipinos and Hip Hop In Los Angeles by Dawn Mabalon, Lakandiwa de Leon, and Jonathan Ramos; Koyaanisqatsi by Godfrey Reggio and Ron Fricke; Style Wars by Tony Silver and Henry Chalfant; and A Rustling of Leaves: Inside the Philippine Revolution by Nettie Wild. All of these had profound influences on the style and approach of the documentary films that I make. Before then, I had only associated documentaries with boring history channel "Voice of God"-style films. But these films showed me the diverse creative possibilities of the documentary medium.

APA: What's next in store for you in terms of your documentary work in the Philippines and here in America, and also with regard to your musical interests?

ET: We plan on taking Sounds of the New Hope on a concert tour around the US later this year and intend to hold the LA community premiere at UCLA. As for future projects, this summer I plan to work with AnakBayan and Habi-Arts to conduct documentary workshops with youth and educate them on how to produce visual life history documentaries about their parents and their experiences as immigrants from the Philippines. I'm also working on an ongoing video documentary about my cousin Mark Canto, who is an artist and first-generation immigrant, called Mass Movement: Roots. In the future, I hope to continue making films raising awareness about the people's struggle in the Philippines as well as the culture of Filipino Americans here in the United States. I'm interested in documenting the contributions of Filipino Americans to youth culture, music, and American society as a whole. One day, I also hope to be able to make a feature narrative about critical events in Philippine history. Regarding music, I'll always continue to DJ, make mix tapes, make beats, and develop my skills as an emcee. Currently, an album is in the works and will hopefully be released by next year. All the while, I'm continuing to perform and create songs with my band, The Committee.

Date Posted: 5/22/2009

reposted from: http://www.asiaarts.ucla.edu/090522/article.asp?parentID=108464

MASS MOVEMENT TV

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY BEATROCK MUSIC!

BOONDOCKS "It’s A Black President, Huey Freeman"

PROP 19

POWER STRUGGLE documentary

The Committee @ Break The Silence

ENTER THE DREAM JUNGLE

MASS MOVEMENT TV - Live at the BBQ July 3rd 2010

SOUNDS OF A NEW HOPE LIVE REMIX

GINGEE @ TEKNOGLORIOUS

California Taking Note from Arizona

POWER STRUGGLE Interview on REMITTANCES

SHINING SONS - BEATROCK SWEATER

Introducing GINGEE

Let's hit up some charming shops! Let's buy some antiques!

D-STYLES the World's Greatest Scratcher

Trilogy Screening in Austin

Erykah Badu - "Window Seat" Video

Future States at SFIAAFF

Paul Valery Music Video by Blue Scholars

FREE DOWNLOAD - Otayo Dubb - "So Opinionated" Mixtape

FUNK FUZZ | AIDGE & ET'S 30TH BIRTHDAYS!!

AOKI at SFIAAFF

Thanks Dave

Offical Video for "Slow Down"

National Day of Action to Defend Public Education

FATGUMS INTERVIEW on CHICHARON ADVENTURES

HOW WOULD YOU COMPARE THE MUSIC SCENE IN LA VS. SF?

WITH THAT SAID, DO YOU BELIEVE THERE IS A PLACE FOR INDEPENDENT ARTISTS IN LA CONSIDERING THE AMOUNT OF TALENT IN THE CITY?

SO HOW DOES BEATROCK MUSIC COMPARE TO OTHER MUSIC LABELS?

ARE YOU GOING TO STAY WITHIN THE HIP HOP GENRE OR BRANCH OUT TO OTHER TYPES OF MUSIC?

WHO ARE YOUR MUSICAL INFLUENCES?

IS THERE ANYONE IN PARTICULAR THAT YOU'D LIKE TO WORK WITH?

WHAT CAN WE EXPECT FROM YOU AND THE LABEL IN 2010?

WHAT DO YOU DO OUTSIDE OF WORKING ON MUSIC?

WHEN BEATROCK MUSIC STARTED, YOU WERE ON YOUR SECOND LEAVE FROM MED SCHOOL. YOU WENT BACK? WHY?

Bambu on Soul Assasins Radio

Bambu's New EP "Paper Cuts" Drops Today

Blood Of My Heart - Power Struggle Feat. Denizen Kane

Behind-The-Scenes of Bambu's "Slow Down" Video Shoot *MMTV Exclusive*

DARK SIDE OF OZ

ZOOANTHROMORPHIA

Not Having Enough Money

MARK CANTO Solo Art Show @ BEATROCK this Saturday!

NEW AMERYKAH PT. 2 PREVIEW

ET | NO MOUNTAIN HIGH ENOUGH

A WORLD TO CHANGE | Human Rights Video Installation

TONIGHT in LA! INTL HUMAN RIGHTS DAY ARTSHOW

How is the Problem-Maker the Problem-Solver?

Golden State of Mind

ET | BLINKING EYES

BEATROCK MUSIC LABEL LAUNCH THIS FRIDAY!!!

Staples Center Collapses.

AOKI film premiere this Thursday!!

NIKO PAG-ASA "International Eye"

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

Post-Racial America's Next Top Model

New Moon Soundtrack

SAVE THE DATE - Nov. 20th - Beatrock Music Label Launch/The CounterParts Album Release Party

I Heart Hulu

Song Wins Special Jury Award at the San Diego Asian Film Festival!

7th Annual Practical Activism Conference @ UC Santa Cruz

Reconsider Columbus Day

Screenings in New Orleans, DC and Philly This Weekend

Bambu performing "Chairman Mao" in Honolulu

Honolulu Weekly Cover Story

Ch-Ch-Ch-Chee Unit (Blue ScholarsXBambuXCreed)

Flicks from Hawai'i Premiere on Honozooloo

Hawai'i Premiere/Concert on Sept. 24th!

Power Struggle: Remittances ALBUM SAMPLER

The "Hug Song" Video Dir. by Zia Moharjerjasbi

End of Summer FUNK FUZZ

Fallen Soulja

A passionate

fighter for

justice

Skating From Kabul to LA

Blue Scholars - HI-808 Video

FILIPINO JERKIN!

NEW BLUE SCHOLARS LEAK!

Behind-The-Scenes of Bambu's "Slow Down" Video Shoot MMTV Exclusive