Inspirations of a "Revolutionary"

Earlier tonight I had the good fortune of watching the soon-to-be-released movie "Che" on roadshow at the E Street Cinema in downtown Washington DC. The entire movie is 260 minutes long, but it will be shown as two separate feature length films when released nationwide. Tonight, we saw the entire 260 minutes with a ten-minute intermission. Upon emerging from the theater well over 4 hours after I arrived, I could hardly discuss it, due to the epic journey upon which I had just been taken. It was exciting, nerve-wracking, thought-provoking, terrifying, and at the same time heart-wrenching. Most of all, it very thoroughly captured the charisma, persona, and revolutionary zeal of Ernesto "Che" Guevara, who was portrayed flawlessly by Benicio del Toro. I rode home on the metro inspired to action and wondering what historical circumstance and fortune would present itself for me to leave my mark on the world in such a way as Che.

When I got back to my place, I listened to a Chilean folk song about Che Guevara, then immediately picked up my autographed copy of Seize the Time by Bobby Seale, co-founder and Chairman of the Black Panther Party, and began to read. Although I bought this book after hearing Mr. Seale speak at American University almost four years ago, I still have yet to read it. However, I was just so inspired by the passion of Che Guevara and the relation to the actions of the Panthers in the United States that tonight seemed the perfect time to begin. I just finished the first 55 pages or so and decided to write of my thoughts tonight here on the Good Hood blog.

However, before I could make this entry, I stumbled across a news article about the capture of the last Tamil Tiger-controlled city by the Sri Lankan military and was struck by just how universal "revolution" truly is. Tonight, or today, at this very moment, government troops are stamping out the last remnants of the leftist rebel resistance in Sri Lanka just as they were 40 years ago in Bolivia and just as the police and FBI did in the United States with the Panthers. But look anywhere around the world and you will see the same struggle occurring. The haves vs. the have-nots, majority vs. minority, one religious group vs. another. One in control of the state apparatus and the others using any means available to resist. Surprisingly to some, the United States was and is tied into many, if not most, of these conflicts in some way via funding, military training, or direct combat roles.

As my good friend said to me after the film, "How can we find a balance between the order of an unjust state and the chaos of ongoing revolution?" Personally, I don't believe we ever will. For the only thing that is truly constant is change. Perhaps we are doomed to battle each other in the throes of armed revolution til the end of time? Or perhaps we will all eventually be assimilated into a one-world government? What do you think?

On that note, I leave you with a song of ours called "Evolution," for free download. Thoughts and comments are welcome.

Click to hear and download GooD HooD - Evolution

Peace...
Deuce

Inspiration and Inauguration

Barack Obama's inauguration as President of the United States is only two days away and I am already exhausted. At the same time, I am more excited than I have ever been. Here I am, living and working in Washington, D.C. at one of the most crucial turning points in American history that has ever occurred. On Tuesday morning, the first African American to win the United States presidency will take office and, as we all hope, this will be the beginning of a new day in American history.

I was here when Obama won the election and celebrated well into the early morning chanting, "YES WE DID," in front of the White House. Now, the whole world will descend upon D.C. in the next couple of days to celebrate as well and I am here to make the most of it. Having said that, I will be bar tending every night of the week, only two blocks from the White House, from this past Friday until the following Friday. Hopefully I make a rack of dough and get to experience first-hand just what an incredible experience this whole inauguration really is!

Just to give you a taste of what's in store, Friday night, we had a private party at the restaurant where I work, BLT Steak, and Q-TIP was one of the guests. This past evening, we had two simultaneous parties, one hosted by BET's Scott Mills, and the other a special gathering for Anthony Hamilton, who had just performed at the second annual BET Honors show at the Warner Theater. Anthony Hamilton was one of the coolest famous people I have ever met. He was very down to earth, friendly, and personable. I actually got the chance to help him pick out a drink, talk about his background, and give him my contact info and the web address for Good Hood's EPK. He said he would check it out and that we will surely meet again. For some strange reason, I believe him. Perhaps it's my optimism from Obama's big victory, but I feel that great things are in store for us in 2009.

As of right now, we have 3 new songs in the works: "Take Off," "Rock Steady," and "Gon' Grind." We will soon be starting on a new song related to Obama's rise to the presidency. Both super producers All I Ever Wanted and Battery have been plugging us with numerous fire-ass tracks and we intend to deliver some product the likes of which you have never heard before. So stay tuned and we will be releasing them here first, along with all the tracks from Grindin Season. So without further ado, here is a new FREE download from Grindin Season, a tried-and-true classic:

BREAK A LEG!!!!

Enjoy and let us know your thoughts right here on Good Hood Hip Hop Joe!!!

Peace and blessings and here's to a NEW AMERICA!!!!!!
-Deuce

Sucka free in 09

Ladies and gentleman, welcome to the new year. Which of course means a bunch of resolutions no ever keeps right????? Wrong, the one thing I've truly learned in the last year is that you have to keep a rock solid team of individuals in your click. More importantly, no matter how hard or daunting a task, you must also disassociate yourself from people that hinder your progress, or maybe you are the culprit of hindrance(I've been told once or twice to kick rocks, but i'm human enough to grow from that.) We got new music on deck, and as soon as super producer Battery, returns to the district, then our newest sure to be hit" take off" will do just that on the charts. Shouts to the heavysyndication movement, we may have branched off but we aint neva dead. Much Love to you, even if oyu wish me the opposite............. The Black Half