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1. Ryan has this to say...

   

   

   So when life be stressing me
   My remedy is ‘bringing back sweet memories’
   Like the faces that are woven in the fabric of my consciousness
   From cities where making 21’s a big accomplishment
   Like when my people understood their prominence
   And my past life visions of the continent
   Like the first time I saw KRS live, rockin’ it

   Memories from Train of Thought by Talib Kweli and DJ Hi-tek

   I am deeply thankful to live at this time in earth’s history because like the old curse goes it’s an interesting time. I’ve had conversations with my cousin Heather about the 60’s. At the time she said she’d wished that she’d been able to see them. I understand the appeal, I mean I can’t imagine what it’d would have been to see Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin, or Otis Redding live or to be in the crowd when Dr. King, Malcolm, Jack or Bobby were speaking. I can’t imagine either what it must have been to have these folks and so many others taken away. Heather and I agreed that it was a powerful time.

   But I’ll take this time, this today because I have no other choice and because this too is a powerful time with inspirational people. I’ve had a chance to see one of them twice. The first time I was in college and I went with Yusef (and Keenton?) the second time was years later in Portland and I went with Reed. Both times changed me.

   KRS-One was born Kris Parker and has been called the Blastmaster, the Teacher and Saint Kris amongst other things. He is and has been even more things than his name implies. From being homeless to the head of a record label; he is a Muslim and he’s been saved, he’s a master entertainer and a true educator… but more than anything else, Talib Kweli and I and Kris himself will tell you that he’s dope live.

   To speak on the words he says or the classics songs that rock the crowd is kind of like talking about the pie tin instead of the pie. I mean he has the classic songs that raised a generation of hip-hoppas, he speaks his mind and his heart powerfully and his show is always hip-hop in it’s totality (mcing, djing, graffiti and breaking); all of that is true but it’s his presence man his presence and the conviction with which he speaks.

   Understand this KRS-One is a giant, his physical body might be 6′5” but he’s the biggest man I’ve ever seen and I’ve stood next to Dale Davis (NBA center). He’s huge and he’s dynamic and when he speaks he doesn’t need to tell you, “nobodies talkin’ when I’m talking” you are listening. You’re listening and he’s telling you to be what you dream, he’s telling you that you will be alright, that there is more in you than you know and that he fully expects you to live your full potential.

   KRS hasn’t become a household name (like LL Cool J, Tupac Shakur, Snoop Dogg or Eminem) but he’s mattered more. Because he’s made music that carries in it the truth (You Must Learn, Why Is That, My Philosophy, Essays On BDPism) and he’s made it his purpose to represent the elements of hip-hop kulture to the world in their fullest sense never cheapening of commercializing the tradition he represents.

   He’s also made it his purpose to elevate himself to continue to grow and evolve. He embraced blackness when others shunned it, he embraced it and moved beyond it raising his and our consciousness in the process.

   I hope that in some small way I’ve shared the insight and joy that this man has brought to me, I hope you will search the net, the library and the record store to find out more. If you have the chance see him, see him, see him. Now I want to leave you with his words from a song that Reed first shared with me during our Portland years.

   But I’m blessed, praise the lord
   You see I like to study, I like money
   I like eatin’ wheat bread with honey
   But to none of these am I addicted
   I like to remain free and unafflicted
   With the sickness of attachment
   The material road of entrapment
   Those that walk this road become weak
   They can’t think, they can’t speak

   KRS-One (Featuring Scott LaRock) Essays on BDP-ism

   Comment on February 23, 2007 @ 3:10 am

2. Ryan has this to say...

   

   Ultimately, you must forget about technique. The further you progress, the fewer teachings there are. The Great Path is really No Path.

   This man is another of my inspirations. He lead an incredible life at a volatile time in Japan’s history and after years of martial study he came to the conclusion that competition and fighting were a misunderstanding of the arts and subsequently developed the way of peace (aikido). His profile
   http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Morihei_Ueshiba

   

   Comment on September 7, 2007 @ 11:35 pm

3. Ryan has this to say...

   

   

   So live your life that the fear of death can never enter your heart.
   Trouble no one about their religion; respect others in their view, and
   Demand that they respect yours. Love your life, perfect your life,
   Beautify all things in your life. Seek to make your life long and
   Its purpose in the service of your people.

   Prepare a noble death song for the day when you go over the great divide.
   Always give a word or a sign of salute when meeting or passing a friend,
   Even a stranger, when in a lonely place. Show respect to all people and
   Bow to none. When you arise in the morning, give thanks for the food and
   For the joy of living. If you see no reason for giving thanks,
   The fault lies only in yourself. Abuse no one and nothing,
   For abuse turns the wise ones to fools and robs the spirit of its vision.

   When it comes your time to die, be not like those whose hearts
   Are filled with fear of death, so that when their time comes
   They weep and pray for a little more time to live their lives over again
   In a different way. Sing your death song and die like a hero going home.”

   These are the words of Shawnee Chief, warrior, prophet and organizer Tecumseh and they read like the advice one has been waiting to hear. They are the words of a deeply spiritual and ethical man and man who dedicated his life to defending the right of his people and all Indian people to live in peace on this land we call North America.

   Other Quotes

   Wikipedia

   Comment on December 27, 2007 @ 3:40 am

4. Ryan has this to say...

   

   Sometimes I try to say too much, let this not be one of those times.

   Ignore the Larry Silverstein portion of this show and say peace to Fred Rogers.

   Comment on May 28, 2008 @ 9:10 am

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