So you haven't heard... Where the f*** have you been? (lol) Clearly not roaming the galaxy with the rest of the the free thinkers and artistic minds! Nonetheless the universe is shifting and producing cosmic sounds that all ears must hear... The sound can most effortless be coined MUZIK.... yea gud muzik! "The Social Class" by G-Five Clive has been released and the buzz is massive. People up and down the east coast have been bumping G-Five in their Ipods since last week and trust me YOU wanna be down. I love to hear fresh music from fresh astist.... and G-Five is a breath of fresh air. (even in the thick pollution of the DMV) Hailing from Uptown DC, Clive has a sound all his own with other unique artist that are a breed all there own. Working with The Clientele as well as Arafat Yates, Cinima and Fundemental, G-Five has produced his 3rd mixtape to much success and he says he is very proud of the outcome. It came pretty naturally and was like a cipher when everyone came through. G-Five says his favorite songs are "My Black People" (My Fave TOO), "Adrian II" and "Bond, James". AND he is on his underground grind... the only kind of artistry that can be respected in this age of mechanical reproduction and inorganic stimulation. But enough talk... there is no need to talk about art. It should be enjoyed and invested in, engaged with. So here is the link, listen for yourself. Become a fan!

BTW, G-Five would like you to know that he is a Humanitarian... really, he is!!! Stay tuned for an interview with the man himself... It will be Phresh!!!
http://www.zshare.net/download/52480493be4233 26/
-The Hip Hop Mona Lisa

ThinkPoint for Yo MAMA!

Sooo, it's 3:47 am...and I was sitting on my bed-Indian style, rationalizing and combing out some of my thoughts- AKA- settling down for bedtime.(Sometimes the best reflection is interviewing yourself.) After several minutes of probing myself, my mind began to warm up...which probably isn't the most lulling thing...but whatever...we can never think TOO MUCH!

I often wonder what Today's thing is.
During the early 1800's we have Gothic Revival; during the 1800's America was influenced greatly by the advancements of the Victorian Era; after the end of the Civil War, there was a boom of Blacks baking up some poetry and composing serious musical literature-challenging preSet ideas of what quality Western art was, and there was also the Art Nouveau movement; during the 1920's we have the Harlem Renaissance along with the Art Deco movement...and you can fill in the gaps in between and beyond.

Maybe it's because we have textbooks, pictures, the History Channel,and Wikipedia to higlight and (skim over) the advances of the past. But I have trouble naming significant artistic movements of the last ten years.(besides the Neo soul thing, the hipster/Blipster craze, and the reworked/retouched talkbox/synthesized/70's-80's revival thing.)
I am making reference to original movements.
Yes, we have many phenomenal artists, but nothing I can say that has remained consistent across the board.

During the conversation with myself, I discussed the affects iPods, microwaves, cars, vertical cities, computers, and I realized that we don't have as much space as people had even 100 years ago.

If you look at any of the old pictures of Manhattan in 1901 or even 1929...shux even in the 60's...you will see that a lot of streets were larger, more open, and there were not nearly as many buildings...and the same goes for Detroit, Philadelphia, Baltimore etc...
People were probably inspired to concoct a lot more when they felt that they had not yet arrived at a state of stability or completion. There was so much space. The physical space, influenced their mental space.
They were able to see.

Today, I think we have trouble seeing beyond what we see. [hmmm...think about it]
Those of us that do pride ourselves in going as far left as we can, playing with different textures, tastes, and sounds- have to work hard to see beyond what we see.
Most people of today, probably feel trapped with all of the amenities available.
My God, it's a blessing to have so many luxuries...but it can surely destroy some good ole creativity.

I am not sure if my hypothesis is correct. But I think it is a provocative idea.
So think on it.
And in the mean time...try to create something.
K?


Your beloved,
Docteur Johnston Michaels

'Awkward' is the uLtimate catalyst...

A lot of people dislike confrontation.
The Peppermint advocates it. It is in those awkward moments that someone feels...someone decides to alter their reality...or maybe they turn to introspection.

Real art makes you feel. It makes you want to do something-as this installation should.


-Johnston Michaels

PUBLIC nigga MOMENT

I contemplated for a few moments about whether or not I really wanted to post this.
I dont really like exploiting our people, or making a mockery of them...I feel that is done enough.
However, I feel this is legitimate.
I dont believe in using one person as a representative for an entire demographic.
But this shows how much things have changed...YEA, I used the word-CHANGE[d].

Disrespect for our elders has risen. While respect of self has declined.

Huey {The Boondocks} made a prolific statement one day...'A private nigga moment shames just that person. A public nigga moment shames the entire race.'
---So true Huey;Thank you for that.

My God...this clip is disgusting!!!
Family,please watch how you speak to those who've experienced this earth a little longer than you.

Shalom-mubaraak*

You're delivery man,
Johnston Michaels

Why my bread & Milk cost so much...OR WHATEVA?

MORE COVERAGE ON THE INFLATION & INEQUAL DISTRIBUTION OF WEALTH CRISIS...AKA, THE RECESSION!!!

There should be no surprise we find ourselves in this economic
meltdown a year or two after a few select CEOs make record
amounts of money. Corporations have afforded themselves the
luxury of not having to be a benefit to their consumers and
definitely not their employees. When the top 10% of the world
holds 90% of the wealth, there should be no surprise that the
top becomes too heavy to be supported by the suffering body.
As a result they are falling and they want to fall on us. CEO
salaries should be reduced, stocks should be sold, advertising
lowered before thousands of jobs go.

In Philadelphia,libraries and other community and educational centers were the
first to be shut down. When someone can create and sell a
$1,000,000 phone. When Victoria Secret can make and sell a
$15,000,000 bra. We are not in a recession. There's just a
poor distribution of wealth. Someone is taking too much and
giving too little.

One thing we have to do before we get angry is realize we're
apart of this puzzle as well. We allowed this to happen in
hopes we'd become that top 10%. We played into this system
even though its caused us much harm. We said no to universal
health care but when we see AIG filing for bankruptcy, we
begin to think twice. We gave up our SUVs for smaller cars,
and smaller cars for bikes when gas prices were rising. When
houses began to foreclose, banks started listening and now
they're making lame attempts to meet our needs. What were we
doing when things were going well? What were we doing when we
created the problem? Bottom line is we don't need them. We
need to become more self sufficient. We need to grow our own,
make our own, sell amongst each other. Support your local
business and street hustler before you support these
corporations. Make sure your neighbor still has somewhere to
live and food to eat. don't be afraid of their crumbling
system... create your own.


Miafere Olivia***

Nationalism > Patriosm?

A black woman was asked to perform The Star Spangled Banner, but opted to sing the lyrics to Lift Every Voice and Sing to the tune of The Star Spangled Banner.

She responds to the complaints of many White people stating that artists tend to be opportunists.
Please watch both of these clips.

Extreme Makeover: White House Edition

SO often The Peppermint exclaims about widespread apathy amongst our people.
My my, how people have been engaged these past weeks!!!

This election is/was sooo important to many of us,and we showed it in the poll booths,on our sweaters (adorned with Obama-Biden pins),in our blogs, facebook statuses, and anywhere else we could show our pride.

It still has not sunk in...ya know? The magnitude of this thing. Scratch that. Rephrase. It is the magnitude of this victory that keeps me from truly believing that my president has skin like mine.
This man...this man of rhetoric...with more charisma than Michael Jordan-has a VISION...a VISION that I can finally agree on. Barack Hussein Obama is a leader that sees in color, and I can follow that.

If any of you are still hungry to learn more about his agenda, please go to www.change.gov.


-Brother Johnston Michaels


I have one more thing to say. The name 'WHITE HOUSE' has definitely got to change now!