I want to begin by thanking Mother Earth/Source for this album. It has been a great honor to create this album and could not be possible without the coalition of artists who make up Rhythm and Poetry (R&P) and the community of Sacramento. I was inspired by the incredibly talented artists that came through this sacred space. R&P is more than just an open mic spot, but a place for healing, growth, and exchange for all who take a seat and join us on Thursday nights. Rhythm and Poetry feeds the mind, body, and soul with thought-provoking critical discussions of current political events and spirituality, belly popping fulfilling food for your soul from local Sac vendors, to artistic diversity that leaves you energized, reflective, and inspired. No two nights at this venue are ever the same. Each night is a unique experience dependent on the participants; audience members and artists alike. Rhythm and Poetry opened its doors on April 20th, 2017 and I was blessed to have crossed paths with this sanctuary on May 5th, 2017. It has been an honor to see and be part of the tremendous growth of the venue over its first year of opening and to be part of the lives of these artists who have become family. This album began with a vision I had of being able to collaborate with all of the artists; mentors, friends, and fellow community members, who inspire me greatly and through the process be able to learn with one another. This album is the product of the words, energy, knowledge, the medicine exchanged by these individuals throughout the collaboration process. For many of us, this was our first time recording and collaborating on anything like this. This album highlights many aspects of the community; our struggles, our triumphs, our lives and work toward unifying all working class people regardless of our race, gender, sexuality, and abilities. A special thank you to the hosts of Rhythm and Poetry, Graffiti Bleu and Dyvacat, for your leadership, mentorship, and love. Thank you Graffiti for inviting me in, teaching me how to record and produce tracks. R&P was a birthing grounds for me as an artist in many ways and I have extreme gratitude for both of you and the space you two created. A special thank you to Ma (Shirley Phillips), Leann Robinson, Ebony London, and Jacquelyn Smithson Howard, for your dedication to the space week after week, your beautiful souls and warm hugs. A special thank you to Michael for his mentorship, leadership, and work being done with the community of Sacramento and abroad through Keynote Poets. A special thank you to Razzle and the Milwok tribe for your work, teachings, and medicine in the community of Sacramento. A special thank you to the Party for Socialism and Liberation (PSL) and my comrades for your activism, leadership in the community, keeping me grounded, and participating in this process. Thank you to all of the artists on this project. I am deeply grateful and honored to work with each one of you. I dedicate this album to the hosts and family of Rhythm and Poetry, the PSL, the Milwok tribe, and the community of Sacramento. Thank you for your continued love, support, and inspiration. I am humbled for the teachings and lessons that have been passed on through this work. I hope that this is the first of many volumes and may the voices of these tracks become more diverse and widespread. May some of the magic exchanged between the artists on this album be extended to you, the listener, and I hope to see you at the next Rhythm and Poetry and/or out in the community!
– Moon Magic
Bio of artists:
Graffiti – See “About Me” page on this website.
Dyvacat – Poet, Actress, Promoter, & Playwright Tina Cates, (Poet name Dyvacat), started writing in her teenage years which consisted of poetry and songs. She later began an online poetry group that pushed her into expanding her poetry onto the stage. She has performed her pieces for venues such as Sappho’s Return, Out Fest Film Festival, The Found Theatre in Long Beach, Ca. and has featured in venues in Sacramento California where she currently resides such as Mahogany Urban Poetry, The Brickhouse, The Blue Lamp and in several other venues across Southern California and New York. She is now The Co-Host along with Poet and Author Graffiti Bleu for a weekly show called Rhythm and Poetry (RAP) every Thursday night which hosts a variety of Poets, Musicians, Comedians and Actors. She has been published in several books and online magazines. She has also completed 2 Plays and created her own Short Film entitled, Hip Hop Dee 1985 which was picked up and shown in several countries around the World. She is the Author of Spoken Wordz and Kitty Kat Letters which is available on Amazon and Kindle. You can hear her every week at Rhythm and Poetry inside Stellar Studios in Sacramento California. Be on the look out for more projects coming your way by Ms. Tina Cates, AKA Dyvacat!!
Fi – Fiorella is a self identified queer latinx womxn activist/artivist and bruja in the Sacramento area. Her art, films, and healing methods have revolve around the experiences of people of color, queer identity, and femmes of color. She believes in using the power of visual art and media to uplift these marginalized communities and reclaim space and presence. She organizes with the Party For Socialism and Liberation in dismantling colonialism, white supremacy, imperialism, and patriarchy.
Moon Magic – AKA Mash, is an independent artist and teacher. From a young age, Mash created music groups with friends, songs, dance routines, wrote poetry and rhymes. Teaching, education, and activism has led her work to Sacramento. She organizes with the Party for Socialism and Liberation (PSL) and considers herself a student of the spoken word and hip hop. Moon Magic is a live projection of the inner magic and free flowing synapses of her metrodome. A queer self-proclaimed warrior of childhood sexual abuse and trauma many of her writings are inspired from this state of recovery and discovery. Guided by the moon and reflection, she listens to the Earth’s tune on a journey of self-love and liberation. Her mission is to work towards the dismantling of our capitalist patriarchal white supremacist system and in the process spread knowledge, love, light, and healing through her work.
IsoThePoet – IsoThePoet is a 23 year old artist from the city of Sacramento. He has been mentored by world renowned and award winning poet Michael Ellis. He is set to release his first book this year titled, “Spilled Paint”.
Bru Lei –
Jacquelyn Smithson Howard – Jacquelyn Smithson Howard is a freelance writer and poet
originally from Nashville, Tennessee. She writes about our shared experiences of life, love, and triumph, and has used her stories to uplift and empower others. Her first poetry book was honored by the Sacramento Public Library Foundation as a 2016 Author On The Move. She has performed in every Celebration Arts Theater Storytelling Festival to date. She continues to share her poetry and short stories at various local events. Jacquelyn currently resides in Elk Grove, California. She can be reached at itsmytimetosoar@gmail.com.
Poet M.E. – Poet M.e. also known as Michael Ellis rhymes in ten different genres and does shows regularly. His poetry has reached people in many continents. He is quiet in his political activism but when he performs the entire room is moved to attention. For two years he taught Poetry in a Maximum security prison and then he spread his gift to the public school system. He is a founder of Keynote Poets which is a Worldwide collective of Poets. He is the author of three books and Performs in a film documentary called Voices. Which appears on Amazon Prime.
Yeimi –
A Hundred Bars of Tough Love by Graffiti Bleu
Description: Graffiti goes back to NY to record with “MOET” his original bandmates.
Lyrics: https://gbleu.com/a-hundred-bars-of-tough-love/
Inspiration by Dyvacat, Fi, and Moon Magic
Description: “Receiving, Believing, Becoming is what Inspiration means to me. A continuous gift and flow of energy exchanged between you and the Universe. The key is finding and receiving it in All situations. Keeping just a pen and paper next to your pillow can catch some of your dreams.” – Dyvacat
Lyrics:
Inspiration by Dyvacat, Fi, and Moon Magic
Beat – Happiness by The Foreign Exchange
Fi:
Me querida
I feel the universe of emotion and I can’t speak
The feeling of love leaves me breathless
I want to dance and cry and laugh and shout and be quiet all at once
I want to become an enigma
A contradiction
I want to be impossible
I feel like I can be impossible
My feelings don’t exist in one plane, but many
I am sky, Earth, water, and fire
I am moon, stars, and sun all at once
I am divine, large, and a goddess
You inspire me
Besitos mi amor
Dyvacat:
Chorus: Inspiration is inside of me
Making me feel things that I want to see
Can’t believe the magics filling me
Like new birth I’m ready to be free
Inspiration is inside of me
Believing things are meant to be
How it connects the Earth and souls you see
Inspiration is a gift for you and me
Inspiration is inside of me
Making me feel things that I want to see
Can’t believe the magics filling me
Like new birth i’m ready to be free
Inspiration is inside of me
Believing things are meant to be
How it connects the Earth and souls you see
Inspiration is a gift for you and me
Moon Magic:
I freestyle, try to make you smile
Laugh away the trials with the little while left on this earth
escape the contradictions of our birth
till we step into a new turf
of unknown dimensions
Yeah, I’m thankful for the blessings
Hell yeah I’m learning from my lessons
my life feels like a roller coaster ride
and your inspire me to hold tight
keep my head high
crown fixed tight, yeah know I’ll be alright
queens help each other fly not fight for guys
between you and I competitions in our mind
the real prize is what we have inside
a place limitless of time
only you can find goddess fly high
no one takes our power cause this hour is ours
were made of the same thing as the stars
believe that you are yes inspiration will take you far
Dyvacat:
Chorus: Inspiration is inside of me
Making me feel things I want to see
Can’t believe the magics filling me
Like new birth I’m ready to be free
Inspiration is inside of me
Believing things are meant to be
How it connects the Earth and souls you see
Inspiration is a gift for you and me
Inspiration is inside of me
Making me feel things I want to see
Can’t believe the magics filling me
Like new birth i’m ready to be free
Inspiration is inside of me
Believing things are meant to be
How it connects the Earth and souls you see
Inspiration is a gift for you and me
Hey… Yo, Here We Go
Dyvacat is coming with this flow
Let’s talk inspiration and the love that it gives
Free from all negativity, just wanna live
Flowing as a gift …Angels gave it breath
Feeling its flow, its love, its wealth
Teaching you the desire to truly see
That the answers are inside flowing freely
Flowing like the moon it can come to you
Inspired by just a tree or whatever you do
Just let its presence take a hold of you
Let inspiration flow inside of you!
Chorus: Yes, Inspiration is inside of me
Making me feel things that I want to see
Can’t believe how this magic is filling me
Like New Birth I’m ready to be Free
Inspiration is inside of me
Making me feel things that I want to see
Can’t believe the magics filling me
Like new birth I’m ready to be free
- Fam Freestyles pt. 1 by Graffiti Bleu, Dyvacat, IsoThePoet, and Moon Magic
Description: Family away from family supporting one another in the arts and culture. The fam of rhythm and poetry came together on Easter for a dinner. The following recording is one of three recordings. The recordings are completely unedited freestyles recorded on a phone at the dinner table.
Love and Lust by IsoThePoet and Moon Magic
Description: What is love to you? Each artist explores the topic of love and lust.
Lyrics:
Love and Lust by IsoThePoet and Moon Magic
IsoThePoet:
Pardon my language, but baby girl you bad as hell
And they say give a nigga an inch and he’ll take a mile well
Lend me a second and I’ll try to steal your heart
Perhaps i’ll walk away with ya number before we part
She was 5’5 used to fly bys with fly guys
The type to give her more problems and less time
Girl, let me calm them high tides
The weather’s different by my side
Honest abe type of nigga not the type to tell a lie
So I took to the sky with a prayer to the divine
For words that I could find to describe you valentine
But prescribe you is what I’d rather do
How bout a dinner made for two
Fast forward now we stuck to each other gorilla glue
And before I dived up into you I had to learn the end of you
Nothing but love and lust, I guess that means I’m feeling you
What words can a man say to help ‘em understand
How a king found his queen in no man’s land
I swear fairytales were fiction until the day
Lala nala found a simba in a hopeless place
Love and lust
Lust is love
It’s just us, and that’s enough
Moon Magic:
L-O-V-E
Forever you and me
I reach affinity
With the ecstacy you be givin me
And not just how you feel me
Inbetween the sheets
But in the soul where the eyes and mind meet
It’s more than just physical
More like metaphysical
Not your typical cryptical love
More like the pinnacle of a mythical drug
Keeping ya snug
Medicinal hugs
Reciprocal plugs
Irresistible tugs
Like harp strings
Pull our heart strings
Till our heart sings
On the same rhythmic beat
Give us the wings to out swing anyone ya meet
Like springs roses
Grew out of concrete
Not quite complete
Taught survive
Must compete
In a world that’s obsolete
I found divinity within me
I enjoy serenity within thee
What a blessing to be in love
Till we take our last bow
This is my vow
Till we take our last bow
This is my vow
Fam Freestyles pt. 2 (Be Gentle, My Love) by Graffiti Bleu, Dyvacat, IsoThePoet, and Moon Magic
Description: Family away from family supporting one another in the arts and culture. The fam of rhythm and poetry came together on Easter for a dinner. The following recording is one of three recordings. The recordings are completely unedited freestyles recorded on a phone at the dinner table.
Description: Just Listen..
Lyrics:
Purposely Program
Moon Magic (M): We purposely program
Bru Lei (B): On slow jams, go ham
M: Keep floating, hoping
B: Healing of the land
M: Feeling the sand on my feet
B: Walking on the beach
M: We purposely program
B: to give you what you need
M: Medicines in the trees
B: Exhale the melody
M: We purposely program
B: That heavens what you see
M: Stay woke forever
B: Never ever gonna sleep
M: Life ain’t complete
B: Till you take that final leap
M: Love is a drug
B: Hug the people that’s around you
M: and if you ain’t down to, don’t let them surround you
B: don’t let them clown you, don’t let them drown you
M: don’t let them decrown you, there’s no value without you
Chorus: Moving like the leaves
buzzing like the bees
moving like the leaves
buzzing like the bees
moving like the free
moving like the free
moving like the leaves
buzzing like the bees
M: We purposely program
B: We’re socially programmed
M: We’re vocally dope and
B: The ocean and the breeze
M: The motion of the free
B: We purposely program
B: Getting open on the beat
M: We purposely program
B: to get you out your seat
M: We purposely program
B: to get you on ya feet
Chorus: Moving like the leaves
buzzing like the bees
moving like the leaves
buzzing like the bees
moving like the free
moving like the free
moving like the leaves
buzzing like the bees
Chorus: Moving like the leaves
buzzing like the bees
moving like the leaves
buzzing like the bees
moving like the free
moving like the free
moving like the leaves
buzzing like the bees
Image:
Description: “Amen (Homeless version)” was inspired during a New Moon ceremony by the river in Sacramento. The original Amen song, an old spiritual hymn and prayer. In the City of Sacramento, affordable housing and homelessness has become an increasing problem which the city has refused to take proper action. The homelessness population has become overlooked and invisible in our city which inspired this track.
Lyrics:
Traditional – Amen
Amen: written by Jester Hariston
Rewritten by Jacquelyn Smithson Howard
Chorus:
Amen, amen
Amen, amen, amen.
Do you see the other
Amen, amen
Amen, amen, amen.
Verse 1:
you walked past the brotha amen,
living in the streets amen,
can you say ‘morning’ amen, amen, amen.
Verse 2
see him on the park bench amen,
holding all he owns amen,
wonder if he’s hungry amen, amen, amen.
Amen, amen, amen, amen.
Verse 3:
get a cup of coffee amen,
to warm his hands amen,
it’ll also warm his heart amen, amen, amen.
Verse 4:
see how much he’s smiling amen,
talkin’ to whoever listens amen,
be mindful of his message amen, amen, amen.
Amen, amen, amen, amen.
Verse 5:
will this be his home tonight amen,
in cold winds and rain amen,
sleeping in a box amen, amen, amen.
Verse 6:
can you spare a hat amen,
will you say a prayer amen,
let him know you care amen, amen, amen.
Amen, amen, amen, amen.
Verse 7:
it ain’t your place to judge amen,
they don’t hold a grudge amen,
look inside the cover amen, amen, amen.
Verse 8:
help one another amen,
let him know you SEE him amen,
may help the brotha amen, amen, amen.
Description: “I See You” was written by Jacquelyn Smithson Howard inspired by the mentorship and friendship between these two artists.
Lyrics:
I See You
Written by Jacki Howard
Jacki Howard and Moon Magic:
I know why we may not share
the same experiences
We’re not supposed to
I know why we don’t look alike
inside or out
We’re not supposed to
I know why we don’t think
or walk, or talk the same
We’re just not supposed to
Because if the miracle of you
Showed up looking like me
I wouldn’t recognize it
Or react to your beauty, you see
If your gifts to the universe
Looked and felt just like mine
I would not feel your rhythm
Or notice how ‘you’ step-in-time
If I hadn’t come into my own peace
I may see you in a different light
I may miss the real you
Your spark that generates pure delight
Thank goodness we are different
Our diversity makes everything better
Be strong enough to be ‘you’
I see you, and you matter!
Description:
Lyrics:
Pimps, Panders, Politicians, and Thieves
Written by Poet M.E. and Moon Magic
Beats – I Wish I Could Sleep by Nymano
Poet M.E.:
They say black lives matter
We ain’t crows when we hear the sirens cars why do we scatter?
Another black youth on the sidewalk
An 8 year old kid holding a squirt gun real talk
You integrate prisons but not banks
White teens get a slap on the wrist we get tanks
They want me to stand up and salute the flag no thanks
Moon Magic:
Our silence is violence stand in solidarity
We’re all in this fight to stay alive
M.e and me we fight to feed young minds
in a game we’re all blind
So we spread the truth give it to the youth
Wrote to the politicians but they blind and mute
Poet M.E.:
Just let me wild out like Colin Kaepernick
When the police stop shooting I’ll start saluting
Moon Magic:
A 15 year old kid killed by police
Poet M.E.:
Hands up don’t shoot
Hands up don’t shoot
Pimps, Panders, Preachers, Politicians, and thieves
Superintendents of schools kill more kids than police chiefs
Teaching is supposed to be an act of liberation
But the methods of execution are mental incarceration and genetic annihilation
Let me explain the situation
From ripe minds to pipelines utilizing white lines that criminalize one kind
community is on the decline
Moon Magic:
We mobilize organize and weaponize our minds
hopeful minds seek signs for a better time
M.E. and Mash on the front lines
We’re pushing for change one rhyme at a time
Fighting fears healing tears from our lost years
We send our love to our poetic peers
We done change the world now we out of here
Description: Una pieca de reflexión escrita en honor de album, Word Wizards with the Gift of Medicine, y la dedicación de camarada Mash. En traer la gente de diferentes caminos de vida para produce una producción de arte. Que dice unidad amor respeto revolución.
Description:
Description: Family away from family supporting one another in the arts and culture. The fam of rhythm and poetry came together on Easter for a dinner. The following recording is one of three recordings. The recordings are completely unedited freestyles recorded on a phone at the dinner table.
Description: This song is special to me because it was the first song that I ever recorded. This song reminds me of how far I have come and how far I have left to go. Coming from a broken home, we can be our own worst enemies and abuse ourselves even when our abusers are no longer present. Anytime I feel down, alone in this world, lost without direction, this song reminds me that no matter where I am in life, we carry our homes with us and the answers. Shout out to Graffiti for showing me the ropes and adding his words to the track.
Lyrics:
Everywhere with You is Home by Graffiti Bleu and Moon Magic
Beat – Hugh Rhodes by Ol’ Burger Beats
Moon Magic:
Vibrate on such a high frequency
that people see not just flesh of me but feel the soul of thee
Every single day I’m blessed I breathe life
Mother Earth so fine could be my wife
make love to you all through the night
till morning rise holding you tight
Till you give birth to the sun
beauty captivating don’t need to run
Chorus: Everywhere with you is home
Everywhere with you is home
Everywhere with you is home
And I know i’m not alone
all children of the same earth
Born to the struggle got girth
Elites in disguise telling us lies
Protectors of the land
Get up take a stand
For your fellow human
Black or white we all fam
so listen up here’s the plan
Brothers, sisters, unite across borders
Rise up! say fuck the world order
deconstructing and healing
constructing with good feeling
This is our duty to join in unity
With our community and see the beauty
Chorus: Everywhere with you is home
Everywhere with you is home
Everywhere with you is home
And I know i’m not alone
If you feel me sing with me
Till freedom ring
and we bring the whole system down
rebuild from the ground up
with the working class
It’s all about that grass
Roots organization
and fostering cultivation
Cancer capitalism
Is keeping us in prison
Red or blue same team
Aint really make a true difference to me
And in whatever way you fight
I want to thank you for all your might
Shout out to the PSL
comrades keep me well
Chorus: Everywhere with you is home
Everywhere with you is home
Everywhere with you is home
And I know i’m not alone
Chorus: Everywhere with you is home
Everywhere with you is home
Everywhere with you is home
And I know i’m not alone
Graffiti Bleu:
Vibrate, stand up, and elevate
Stimulated and activated and rotated
360 degrees to find that I made it
In the eyes of source because I created
Everywhere with you is home, updated
Standing up is way better than frustrated
An F on your paper your enemy graded
Government of cancers – slave traded
Cultivated is better than assimilated
Cultivated is better than assimilated
Government of cancers – slave traded
An F on your paper your enemy graded
Standing up is way better than frustrated
Everywhere with you is home, updated
Whaaaat
In the eyes of source because I created
Stimulated and activated and rotated
Vibrate, stand up, elevate
Elevate
Vibrate
