Musical Ink: Mos Def "No Hay Nada Mas"

sing us poetic songs,
mesmerizing us with your lyrics,
let us trace the length of your melody,
locating the musical ink....

Mos Def ---  No Hay Nada Mas

As one of the artists who exude the Soulquarian vibe to a tee, I've been loving Mos Def's music for years.  While my Spanish is severely limited, I love the way this song sounds.  After looking up a lyric translation, I decided to include it here.  It is from the album The Ecstatic, one of the Brooklyn MC's finest recordings to date.


The lyrics:


(English Translation)

No Hay Nada Mas = There Is Nothing Else

Good one, thin
Call me thin, but my first name is Jaci Andante (the one who walks)
The last name the one who pays

Listen
That I am witness

The beauty, the danger is different, of course it is the truth
The street, the town
The cottages and centers

City quality no better, worse
War and life, love and change
Food that is being kept
Pistol, this prayer is for them
Women and men

Family, upbringing
The light in the distance

I want and say
Good is closer
My sight, my house, my dreams, my soul
I want to know and feel your embrace
And your contact
Show me something

Amen

Of course, of course, of course, yes
There is nothing else
There is nothing else
The end
There is nothing else
Of course, of course, of course, yes
There is nothing else

And there is nothing else
The end
There is nothing else
Of course, of course, of course, yes


-------


At least for Mos Def, I hope there's something else:  plenty of music like this.


Marcus Jamison, the Rare Poet

Theme Song of the Day, Dec. 30, 2010

Jimmy Eat World --- Pain

Today has been one of those days, laced in the forgiving embrace of pain killers.  Earlier my head felt like I imagine it would to have those bats go against it one or two times.  Luckily, that part is over.  Here's to taking the pain away.


Marcus Jamison, the Rare Poet

Just a Bit of Randomness (Maybe)

"Being hurt once can change the way you love forever."

And hurting someone can do the same as well.



Marcus Jamison, the Rare Poet

Special Message, To A'zar Bostic

Sometimes the smartest people forget the most obvious things.  I would like to take this time to apologize to A'Zar Bostic, whose birthday was December 29th.  I want to say that I hope you enjoyed your special day, and that God blesses you with many, many more.  So, Happy Birthday, old man!!!!  Lol.

I found this video, and was sure that you'd appreciate the humor in it.




Happy Birthday, with much love!!!

Marcus Jamison, the Rare Poet

The Influencers

Every work of art changes its predecessors. 

                                                          ---  Mason Cooley


And so goes influence.  The work of those who came before creates foundations for that of those who come after.  I believe this fully.  If there had been no Jimi Hendrix, there would be no Kanye West.  Some people might disagree with the comparison, but the reality is that somebody who was influenced by Jimi influenced somebody who influenced Kanye West. (Closer to the truth would probably be the fact that Jimi's music was influential to Kanye, but we'll move on)

Because this isn't about Kanye or Jimi.  It's about influence and the influencer.  What makes these remarkable people so influential?

I love this short documentary that I came across.  It helps explain the allure of trend-setting men and women.



INFLUENCERS FULL VERSION from R+I creative on Vimeo.


Salvidor Dali said "The secret of my influence has always been that it remained secret."

Which makes me wonder:  Do influencers even care about the way we watch them?

Marcus Jamison, the Rare Poet