“06-07” Raw and Uncut

(In this pic I’m no older than 6 yrs old; standing on a pedestal to look taller and fist covered with my brother’s gold nugget rings haha. Never knew life would be so rewarding).

I always continue to embark on new adventures although my two daughters always give me a new adventure lol.  My latest  endeavor is the dope clothing line “Noah’s Ark” which can be viewed at http://www.noahsark-ltd.com has once again fueled my desire to finish a new album. The initial stages have been checked off and all that’s left to do is record!

Before working a new album I try not to listen to any new releases as I take the time to reflect on my past work, try to right my wrongs and see if I have lost my way or is it actual growth in what I’m trying to do.  With that being said, I stumbled upon several unreleased, raw and uncut tracks that for whatever reason never made an album. I can admit that I maybe embarrassed at some of my past work but I think even your favorite artist can easily admit to the same thing! Hip Hop has no specific home nor does music have a particular story or sound. Check out the dated tracks and be on the look-out for the 5th release D.T.D “Dare To Dream”

We did it!!!

Fresh off the plane from China!! The album “In The Moment” has arrived. It’s been crazy and people have been showing me mad love which I greatly appreciate. You know what to do if you would like a copy of your own.  This is my hobby; something I do for fun and for the love of music. With that being said; I am not looking to make a profit from this project and this has been the same for any of my previous projects. I am trying to encourage people to give back in some way. Not to me but to society, the youth and the world. Let’s heal through music and give back! It doesn’t have to be money; your support in any way is welcomed.  You can start by clicking on the oxfamamerica link on my page and donating a small fee. Read up on the foundation and see what they are about to see for yourself what your contribution can do.  Leave me an email or comment with your confirmation code and I will send you unreleased tracks for your listening. Again, thanks for all the love, support and constructive criticism. Keep rocking and doing you and never hesitate to get at me to work on a track.  Ichi

In The Moment Link: http://soundcloud.com/p-o-e-m/sets/in-the-moment/

Love, Peace and Hip-Hop

Finalizing…

The album has reached its breaking point with 17 tracks slated to be released! The mix or mastering has been completed and done by distant business associates Dan and Nelson….What’s Good!!! These engineers are the best I have worked with thus far and have shown extreme patience through this process. Also the photo shoot is finally done! I am not a photogenic person at all but had a lot of fun with a well-known and extremely talented photography named Pamela.  She has done various work for magazines in NYC and is well in-tuned with the Hip-Hop scene, and to top it all off; she’s from England.  She understood my vision and I gave her the green light to incorporate ideas of her own.  So thanks again to the engineers Dan and Nelson and my photographer Pam for supporting me in the making of this album…Classic!!!

Ichi

I’m Ready

Back Dated

A dope, old school track that was fun making. I teamed up with the homie G-Gunz and a local Okinawan rapper that goes by the name Kakumakushaka. I met G-Gunz through a mutual friend and heard that he was into rapping. I’m always interested in doing music with various artist so I asked him to joined forces on a couple of tracks with me, so there are more to come besides this one.  G-Gunz has been global like myself but considers VA home. Hard to say whether he has a southern or east coast style, but I knew that he would compliment the track well.  Everywhere I go and create a project I try to find a local artist to rap in their native language as a feature on my album.  this adds to diversity and helps to challenge the boundaries of hip-hop.  This is what drove me to search for local artists through my wife’s myspace page (since I no longer own one) and here is where I stumbled upon Kakumakushaka. I did not think he would be interested or respond to my email but I gave it a shot.  2 weeks later I received a response in which he asked for the beat which happens to be another DJ Corbett production; and he asked that I explain the concept of the song. The language barrier was made simpler through the internet and free translation sites, LOL. Now on with the track…the track is about making it and how people may criticize and say you’re not ready or will not succeed in the game but deep down you know you have what it takes to get there and succeed. I think too often people are more prone to putting down others instead of providing the much-needed support; and this is exactly what I tried displaying in this track.  As DJ Corbett said on the hook: “I am not the pilot but I am on some fly shit”.

Ichi

Lyrics I’m Ready

Ride With You

Back Dated

It’s fun, a club feel and about what the fellas call a “down ass chic” or your ride or die girl.  This is a Kajmir Royale production and a guaranteed track for you to rap and sing in your shower, LOL.  It’s uptempo and talks about you and girl going against the world and being fly together.  She feels your swag and you can sense that she’s feeling your swag… She notices that you’re “that dude” and prefers to ride with you…

Ichi

LYRICS  Ride With You

When You Come Home

Back Dated

I think I’m going to use this as the closing track. I always try to close the album on a somber note with something that may have more meaning or hit closer to home than the rest of the tracks.  Produced by Sinima Beats; the track explains my two interpretations of a soldier.  Of course you have your militant soldier that’s in the war fighting for freedom, providing for their families and either coming home in a casket or mentally unstable.  On the other hand you have your soldier that’s from the Ghetto or underprivileged communities and trapped in a lifestyle of drugs, violence and incarceration but sincerely and desperately trying their hardest to change their life around.  Maybe not to this full extent but I feel each individual is a soldier in their own right; battling their own demons and mishaps to hopefully succeed in obtaining a more righteous lifestyle.  The track is not lyrical at all but the words hit home and have meaning.  Enjoy

Ichi

LYRICS  When You Come Home

My Lies

Back Dated

A track that goes deeper than the music and may outshine some of the others just because of it’s integrity.  Featuring and produced by DJ Corbett, the track sticks close to the title and speaks about not fabricating the truth and opens the doors for all those that are alike.  Life is tough, moments are shared and remembered and it’s in our best interest to portray the right image to our children and others; man up, stand by our words like the old days and hope our lies won’t return to haunt us.  So on this heart-felt track I quickly get to the point realizing I am still human although at times I may be half-man, half-amazing, LOL.

Ichi

LYRICS My Lies

Those Who Are Dead

Back Dated

Kajimir, what good! We did it again! This track is that dungeon music at it’s finest.  Just lyrically spitting on the track about fighting the system or the rage against the music for lack of a better term. It’s about knowing the facts about society’s history and utilizing that knowledge to be a wittier, more dangerous and self righteous person.  It focuses on nothing in particular but will make you feel like nothing can stop you and may encourage you to take a stand for whatever your cause may be.  I hope that I haven’t lost the readers here but I’m sure you’ll understand the message after listening to the track.  Again, this is me stepping out and living up to the title of the album “In The Moment” and promoting what I call Dungeon Music.

Ichi

LYRICS  Those Who Are Dead

Title

Back Dated

Not sure what this song is going to be called yet so for now I’m going to call it “Title”. This might actually stay as the name because it’s about a guy trying to win over a girl. I guess you can say, he’s trying to get that title of being her one and only. Not so much a sweet heart song but more of a slow-mo club song. Produced by and featuring Feddaro; a new producer I turned to in order to get that mainstream sound I’ve been trying to achieve on this album. Men and women both should enjoy this track.

Ichi

LYRICS  Title

Off The Books

Back dated

Talking about staying focused and getting that dinero. I reminisced a little about my older brothers’ past presence in the game but for the most part I stuck to the old school bop feel and NY b-boy anthem. It has a Jay-Z sample in it and can either be played in a club setting or to be aired in your headphones, car or disturb the neighbors with the hard knock and bass drop in your home. Most people from a community like my own can relate to what it means to work off the books.

Ichi