UltravioletUnderground, the digital realm of Purple Magazine and Conscious Ink

Blacksheep returns with ' From the Pool of Black Genius'

2009-11-19T13:55:00.000-08:00

Native Tongues veteran, Dres of Blacksheep has graciously announced the release of 'From The Pool Of Black Genius'.
Realizing the pain a wait for the Spring 2010 release will cause, he's decided to grace us with a 5 song EP titled 'The Pool of Black Genius; The Prelude', set to drop on December 1.

Still golden-era caliber, Dres shares '"I once heard a poet say that 'hip hop backward is 'pih poh (people)'- the way I see it, many artists are a lot more hip-hop than they ever realized. I would dare to say that any artist over time, regardless of genre, that makes music for the 'pih poh'... is hip-hop."
He adds, ' "'Black Pool' doesn’t refer to black people. It refers to the color black's unique ability to absorb light. This deep, vast pool of soul, of artistic insight; although it's not always understood, the light it reflects back to the 'pih-poh' is necessary."

Word.

No news yet ,on whether or not Mr. Lawnge lends his magik to this effort. Either way, it's good to have Dres stepping to the front line again. The force has been weak without him.

Enjoy the new album teaser vid:

Visit them on digital terra
Here

Props to Michelle for the intel.

Related Intel:

<3 Georgia

ConsciousInk Via Issue 8- Tonya Moore's 'Harlequin'

2009-11-18T00:34:00.000-08:00

Click to enlarge,
Download Issue8 gratis, or
purchase print.

Audiovisual Splendor - B.o.B a.k.a Bobby Ray, K-os

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

Fans of Bobby Ray and K-os rejoice. It's been a minute.

B.o.B a.k.a Bobby Ray- No Man's Land

Props to OKP

K-os - I wish I knew Natalie Portman

Props again to OKP

Unrelated Gems:

Danny!- Get Down (Audio)

Jay Elec-'Just joking kinda-sorta'

Nneka- 'The Uncomfortable Truth'

Unrelated Meh:

Raekwon, Xzibit, Murs

The latest Grungecake is served <3

2009-11-13T22:16:00.001-08:00

Props to Her Grungeness Sistah YAMSalicious for the new Push issue of Grungecake Mag. Haven't been online much this week, and must offer gracious thanks to Kaos Blac for the intel. Apologies for delays with the infobytes (I'm preparing more goodies for y'all *_^) <3

Of-age readers invest by clicking the image for more info.

Pac Div- Whiplash

2009-11-13T17:48:00.000-08:00

Props to Bueller for the intel.

Related Intel from Candy Anomaly Tumblr:

Ghettomanga posted Strange Fruit's 'Crash'

Miss Muldrow's Runaway

The Roots' Bringing tears
to the eye again and again
in this one (bears reposting all-late)

Souls of Mischief returns

2009-11-12T07:29:00.000-08:00

After 9 long years (and much payola radio infecting the common mind with a mind-boggling surplus of nothingness), Souls of Mischief has returned with the degree of sonic art we've craved and only received in bits and pieces (mostly through our own searching off-radio). They're making their reemergence on a new album titled Montezuma's Revenge, produced by the beloved Native Tongue Prince Paul, slated for release December 1st.
Never broken up, they've participated in a number of album collaborations and shows since the release of 93 til infinity *insert heartswell* over a decade ago, and they're still glowing with the timeless laid-back Cali feel we celebrated when we were first hipped to them.

Digital Visitor Keys:
You can check the latest track, Proper Aim, via Audible treats.
Tour dates are available here.
The Heiroglyphics web dimension: http://www.hieroglyphics.com

Extreme Props to Audible Treats.

Related & Unrelated intel:

Land-mine detecting rats (The Grassroute)

Amp Live's Gary is a Robot (cutesy indy-pop)

BNP-head fears having Blacks and Asians in the audience? (The Grassroute)

Audiovisual Splendor- Bilal and Jay Elec

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

Bilal- Levels (Singing this song for nothing)

Jay Elec- Creative MC

(Missed this one. Props to
Sir Trujillo for the intel)

Related Intel:

Depressing news, Reports advise Millsted is breaking up.

Kam Moye- Let's Be Honest

2009-11-09T10:53:00.001-08:00

' I don't mind if my life's told in the short story. I believe it's all about the lives that you touch by the time that you leave here. [Just] being honest.'

Word. I'm all about it. Enjoy this gem again and again. Props to Audible Treats for the intel.

Blue Scholars- HI808

2009-11-06T10:01:00.000-08:00

Posting this mad late, but didn't come across it in the Summer.
I know I've seen this guy (with the half-sleeve) at the Bluebird's house (the microblog/mass text service that shall not be named),
just can't think of his name at the moment.
<3 Gailsfknawesome for the intel

Visit them at www.bluescholars.com

Shabazz Palaces- Belhaven Meridian

2009-11-05T13:01:00.000-08:00

img: LineOut

Mindblowingly dope to see Butterfly
in this meta-gem of a vid.
Love the subtle message that we look at
ourselves from a different perspective.
Props to Liberator for the intel.

warning: Some colorful language in the vid,
watch at your discretion with kids in earshot.

Sadly, there doesn't seem to be a
Shabazz Palaces Myspace (or equivalent)
for further exposure to their magik.

Please pardon delays w/ the print ver. of Issue 8

2009-11-05T12:42:00.000-08:00

Update 11/17:
The print listing for issue#8 is up.
Click the link on the purplemag.com front page to visit.

Wanted to send out a notice about our new distributor *_^ They've been having site difficulties since the beginning of the month but I've been assured they're working on it and we'll be notified as soon as they recover and the listing is available. I'm just as itchy to have it made available to you, and am heeding your messages expressing desire for the print version. We try to have print available in tandem or at least relatively soon after the digital offering releases. We'll get the rhythm right once we secure the right printer options <3 href="http://purplezoe.blogspot.com/2009/10/superself-making-101-issue-8-has.html">Issue 8 listing. If you're not on the mailing list and wish to be, let me know and I'll take care of it (usually within 24-48 hrs): purplemag at gmail.com

note: If Indyplanet doesn't resolve the difficulties by early next week there's another printer distributor I can list the magazine with who is a bit more expensive but affordable where the end price is concerned. I truly apologize for the inconvenience. For some reason, we've had a time landing the ideal printing experience. Hopefully this is a passing glitch.
We may be offering several print options for each issue of varying prices due to pod printer base rates. One we have in mind can guarantee to issue-order availablity the same day as digital releases, but they are about double the price of Indyplanet. It will be a good option for those who don't want to wait for the less expensive listing.
We contacted Comixpress to see if future issues containing graphic-novellas will be eligible for their online listings (they have a 'zine' listing in their store but after writing to receive clarification I discovered they print anything for direct purchase but to be in the store pubs have to be graphic-lit related- I did let the women I was corresponding with in their customer service department know that 'Zines' are usually considered to be multi-topic related in DIY culture, to help them avoid further confusion for potential customers who will probably assume any zine is acceptable for listing seeing their 'zine' category. I have yet to hear back regarding our questions about listings after that for some reason. They have great prices but communication has left a bit to be desired. We'll see how it all flows in the future.).

Shine on Stars
-PZ

Audiovisual Splendor- Skyzoo, Erik Flowchild, Eniqo, Wax&Eom

2009-11-01T05:35:00.000-08:00

Truth be told, even with some improvements to the mainstream, there's alot of wackness to wade through out there. UU offers up the following vids, which range from nice to decent in comparison to the nonsense we won't feature. Your tips are always welcome, especially where uncompromised indie artists are concerned.

Skyzoo-Popularity

The message is blah, but the beat's on-point.

Erik Flowchild- Over Here

Not mad at Flowchild at all,
but do want to hear him on a stronger track.

Eniqo- Somewhere in the Sky

Quite appreciable.

Wax and Eom- Relax
warning: Language within is not for kids

Honorable Mention:

ZionI- (missed this when it first came out) Coastin
MSTRKRFT- Heartbreaker
Fefe Dobson (Found this a little late *_^ It's rather dope)- I want you
NinjaSonik- (not for kids)Hold the Line

Saidah Baba Talibah- The Phone Demos

2009-10-27T17:00:00.000-07:00

This moon's voice makes no sense. The samples I've heard conjure a sexy, gritty vintage blues rock sound, over which her voice in its husky, magnanimously soulful kittenish roaring and skillful purr struts the etheric room in sonic 4 inch heeled maryjanes.

This femmie is a star.

Visit her in the den of rebels

-PZ

Am I Not Human: Taser Justice

2009-10-27T00:01:00.000-07:00

The Blogging day on December 4 demanding Taser Justice is timely, and direly needed. The first day of blogging event opened alot of eyes, but there are more minds that need to be aware of the serious lows taser abuses plummet to on what appears to be a regular basis.
The amounts of murders by taser over the past few years and this year alone is astounding. Calls for congressional hearings have been made in the Afrosphere, and we're still waiting. Can we trust officers to stand for justice or is the overwhelming majority of law enforcement intent on killing with unnecessary deadly force? Aren't officers subjected to Mental Health screenings before they're given positions? And if yes, how is it possible so many have taken blood-thirsty action against innocent citizens?

Make sure your demands for justice are heard?
There are a few actions we can currently take. Please visit the information beyond the links to see which you're able to lend energy to:

Sign the petition demanding a congressional investigation into Taser Torture

Join the March for Dignity (to protest the non-punishment decision of Police renegade Stephanie Phillips who murdered Michael Jacobs. A march for 10,000 people is being called and organized.

Join the December 4th Day of Blogging for Taser Justice.

On behalf of the victims of taser torture who cannot ask on their own because they have been murdered, we ask:

Reviewed: Idle Warship- Party Robot

2009-10-27T00:00:00.000-07:00

note: I try to do reviews as often as I can, which as it happens, isn't often. Our previous music reviewer is a busy man, you see, and I tend to wo-man the layouts, main blog and mailbox *_^ This review had to be written however. My horoscope said so (even if it was a day off). We may have a new music reviewer on board. Stay tuned.

warning: Not for the kids.

Idle Warship's full-length debut' Party Robot brings synth-kissed neon-electro speakerpunk, with nods to mood heavy 80's-reminiscent siren stylings, the etheric grace of boombastic involuntary head-nod conjure, and system rebooting 'electro-gangsta'.

Easily classified as perfection on this LP are:

Trk 6: Try it on'.
Trk 7: The title track 'Party Robot', is infused w/hypnotic-bass, beats are alive on this joint. Alive.
Trk 8: 'The Warship'
Trk 9: Fyah- Graph Nobel
Soundtrack to a punk romance. Graph spreads her wings with this one. She's her best here.
Trk 10: World on Wheels feat. Saul Williams
is an etheric intoxicant that should come with a warning label. I love, love love this song, and will play it until I can play in my head, at will.
Trk 11: Girls of the Dancefloor Remix
is sexy, clublicious (as alot of the album tracks are), and will also remain on the playlist.

Party Robot is a beautiful oddity. I agree, it doesn't need a genre.
If you needed this review, because you haven't listened to it yet, download here, and
Enjoy the Heartglow Induction.

"Idle Warship welcomes you to our first full length offering, Party
Robot. This started out as a path to musical freedom. When we
established Idle Warship, we did it for us. Now that we are giving you
this music, Idle Warship no longer belongs to us, it belongs to the
world. We don't believe in labels for music. Labels make stop you from
hearing something before you listen to it. We appreciate those who
have taken this journey with us without judgement and enjoyed the
ride. To everyone who purchased our music on itunes and anyone who has
bought a ticket to an Idle Warship show, this is for you. All my party
robots stand up!"
-Idle Warship

Source

Blessings 'pon the GreenPeople.

2009-10-26T22:30:00.000-07:00

Enjoy delicious gems from the mindgardens of lovely greenmen of Motherland-root.

Vegan HipHop Movement
in the lab w/ Veg Pizza

Vegan Hood

Extreme Props to Safari Black for the activism and intel.

Legendary Ladies Trading Cards

2009-10-26T08:42:00.000-07:00

Intent to knock out stereotypes by simply being oneself, Superhussy media whose documentary exploring what it is to be a Black woman releases early 2010, has stocked trading cards featuring a League of Extraordinary ladies.
Click the image to get yours. Contact her to applaud her fabulousness.

SuperSelf-making 101 *_^ Issue 8 has arrived.

2009-10-24T00:01:00.000-07:00

Update: Print is now available <3
Click here or visit the purplemag.com mag listing page.

Update: Please Read regarding Print Issue 8.
Read on below to acquire the digital version.

Peace Starlings ^_^
Issue 8 (technically issue 9 if you include the half-sized Out-of-box issue 7.5), the first in the Dream Definition series, has finally arrived. It gave layout-issues like no other before it, but it was worth the difficult birth, from which the layout faeries are still recovering. Intent on reminding us of the importance of creating your path as opposed to letting it happen to you, the dream definition issue focusing on heart-fueled identity is glowing with metaheart light. The feisty brainchild includes Modern Myth by Tonya Moore, Valjeanne Jeffers and Dazjae Zoem, lovely talks with Aqua Islanders Startist and Bacchanal, Samax Amen, Robert Trujillo, Corinne Stevie! (painter of the cover image and femcee extraordinaire), and Valjeanne Jeffers to name a few of the gems.

Download here, and check back for the print link in this description's update within 2 weeks.

note: We're testing out a new printer who, if all works out, will have issues available as low as 6- 8 beans an issue vs. Lulu's insanity which is usually 17 beans an issue with no mark-up... If we have to use Lulu, we will, but we are steadily looking for the best alternative to stick with for the long haul. Your patience is appreciated. We've tried a few printers that just didn't work out, but we're not giving up, and this new one looks veddy promising.

Fire in the dark

2009-10-23T09:37:00.000-07:00

Serious work is underway in the lab. Of that work, one of the projects that took up a good portion of the month releases tomorrow (see sidebar) ^_^

Pardon the sparse posting. You still mad? Because I've come bearing a gift. Visiting Bold as Love, I found out the 'Fire in the dark' compilation Monsieur Field's been working released this month. Yay! It's complimentary and fiercely worth the time (as it includes MilkPlus, Tamar Kali, California King, and a host of other sonic titans). Click the album cover below to visit the site for download details.

But that's not all, Sir Fields has posed a solid raising of awareness at Huffington Post regarding Damon Dash's BlacROC effort containing not a one rocker of color. It's a shame, with all of the buzz the Other Black Experience movement's been receiving, that it doesn't even receive a mention in the BlacROC promo, let alone invite to participation. Rob elaborates on why Damon should have given his move at getting back into industry limelight, more thought. It's a good piece. Share your thoughts with him after you check the article.

And finally, this year's AAAMC event at Indiana university is focusing 'pon Black rock, with a gorgeous lineup including Tamar Kali, Kamara Thomas and James Spooner to name a few. Click the flyer for details about the event which spans November 13-14.

Shine on lovelies ^_^

The Tao of Wu

2009-10-17T11:17:00.000-07:00

Rza's been a student of Eastern spiritual disciplines for years, dropping gems here and there for those of us listening. He's always been one you'd want to kick it with about the recurring principles in varying schools of thought, because you know he doesn't approach it sideways, or in vain. He's serious about the sciences he commits his mind to. You know he's got a wealth of knowledge and perspectives few have approached higher-level thought from. Fortunately, he's sharing some of those gems now in a recent release, The Tao of Wu. Click the book image to get your copy.

Props to Samax for the intel.

Indiefied: Recent Tumbling at DrinkYourLavenderSoda *_^

2009-10-09T09:02:00.000-07:00

I heart Miss Stevie.

Click the image above to check for the new release.

via Zola's Candy Anomaly and Drink Your Lavender Soda

William's Windmill

2009-10-05T12:02:00.000-07:00

14 year old William Kamkwamba couldn’t find books with instructions on how to make windmills, so he worked it out with pictures of them.

Props to Compound Egret for the intel.

Conscious Ink: Dresden Codak's Hob,

2009-10-01T05:01:00.000-07:00

The search for diversity and multi-culturality in Fantasy and good-media-in-general continues...

Here are a few recent finds:

Clockworks:

Possibly featuring a Native American character (see update below), Clockworks is an online RPG for the Steampunk movement. Click the image to visit.

update:
Shawn, the creator of Clockworks helped clarify the heritage of the Clockworks character, Thorton, in the comments:
"Thorton (the possibly Native American character) is from Irone, which has a number of influences, probably the closest would be middle/near eastern. He and his father moved to the city when he was 5. "Thorton Nickelby" wasn't his birth name, but one his father gave him upon arriving in the city."

Hob

Though it appears to be mostly Eurocentric, characters of color including the main character, a Europeanized blue-eyed Asian girl named Kimiko, are featured. The art is exceptional, and the delivery of the content is witty and fun-lovingly sci-fi. The author, Aaron Diaz a.k.a Dresden Codak, a lover of the wonderfully executed Riceboy, appears to be Euro-American.
Many thx to Gaslamp Fantasy for the intel.

Click the button at PurpleMag.com to check for regular ConsciousInk updates and link to other digital dimensions keeping track of non-stereotypically Diverse media releases/finds.

Somewhat related:

One day we have to make it to the Alternative Press Expo
Participate in Pretend To Be Time Traveler Day on Dec 8

Vortex 9/29

2009-09-27T15:00:00.000-07:00

"Vortex is a peek into the diverse richness of black music centering on musical genres such as: Rock, Punk, Metal, Hip-Hop, Electronica, Avant-Garde Jazz, Ska and Future Soul as well as the heroes and heroines that are bringing this music to the forefront." -SOB's

I dearly hope to make a future Vortex event *_^ If you attend and flash pics and/or vids you'd like to share with the underground, drop a sistah a mail or comment.

Props to Kaos Blac for the intel.

Am I Not Human: Finding New Ways To Make A Difference

2009-09-27T01:02:00.000-07:00

image: Allafrica.com

3 points struck me deeply, and somewhere inside of myself the night I finished watching it, I committed to finding a way to do more to support our human siblings in re-developing countries struggling to survive, through different methods. Lots of ideas passed through my mind. I thought maybe a 'PeacefulPens collective' could somehow connect with folks providing relief in refugee camps so we could put a face to some of the people suffering and write their stories. Not sure if that was the exact idea, I turned the idea around in my mind thinking maybe it should be a 'HappyEndings' children's story collective that would feature children from the refugee camps in Darfur and other areas in the world, with the proceeds going completely to funding [healthy] education and survival needs, but I want to begin something I'm sure I can finish surely and thoroughly, and am unsure I could handle writings hundreds, or thousands of short stories in a small space of time without assistance, as it can be hard (especially during difficult financial times like these) to find folks willing to offer their assistance with no promise of profit. Enough working pens would be necessary and no child refugee's story should be left out of such a venture.

So for now I've decided that I can have a trusted non-profit collect monies accrued from 2 forthcoming fantasy anthologies and have them donated in full to ensure healthy education, and survival needs are supported for survivors living in refugee camps, looking to start their life anew, with security, and hope.

Have you been giving thought to what you can do that might go beyond petition-signing, and days of blogging (both good and powerful things, but for those who can do more the need is certainly there)?

On behalf of all of my human siblings barred from communication, or denied the technology to express what they've been enduring at the hand of greedmongering and unimaginable inhumanity, I ask:

A promising way to support the healing of the Motherland.

Click for more information.

Please see today's guestpost at the Roots of Humanity blog.