FOOD 4 DA BRAIN
By Ann Marie Broadhead
Claimed to be served Piping Hot! ‘Food 4 Da Brain’ is one of the newest Hip Hop Mix CDs to hit the streets. Compiled by London based DJs HS Pro, Biggerman and Mr Dex, the guys and their crew showcase their skills in the form of 19 exclusive tracks.
Sounds are raw and feature artists that tell it to you straight. Chatting with bravado and ambition they describe their flamboyant lifestyles but also of the jealousy directed their way. The reality of reporting life on the streets where guns, gangs and violence are the norm has become a double edged sword for some MCs. Inadvertently, they have managed to attract negative attention which, when rebuked in their lyrics, can cause retaliation resulting in their victimisation. A vicious cycle has been created, one that holds fast and is perpetuated within the UK Hip Hop community.
With this in mind I caught up with the Hip Hop mastermind that is, HS Pro to talk about the new CD and clear up a few issues….
The MCs on your CD definitely have a lot to say. Why have jealousy, guns and violence become such a big part of hip hop culture?
Many of our MCs are really poets whose only outlet is to rap about the streets. They rap about their local borough, their reputations, their crews, their every day life experiences. This is the only way they will ever get heard and create a fan base plus it's what the industry wants.
'So who are your fans?
It's mainly the school kids.
Do you feel the lyrics are suitable for kids?
We urge them not to take all the lyrics too seriously or at face value but to listen to the philosophy and the coding behind them. There's the satirical view of Curious - track 8 and the real conscious lyrics of Funk DL - track 9. Also, the Hip Hop scene is not only about lyrics but musical content. My cut - track 7 - shows my skills at 'scratching' over a live band.
How has the CD been received so far?
Really well! We have already gained air play on Kiss 100, 1Xtra and Itch FM plus the sales from Virgin, HMV and the independent record stores have been far greater than we anticipated.
Having already worked with respected UK Hip Hop artists such as Rodney P and Klashnekoff on this CD, who do you want to work with on the next album?
Definitely more new, up and coming artists preferably Black Twang and Roots Manoova. We'll also include a bit of Grime and have more creative and conscious lyrics.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
Yeh. It's difficult for DJs and Mcs involved in the business to progress as quickly as they would like because of the confines of the industry and what the audience wants to hear. However, it is possible one stage at a time, which in the end will lead to more creative freedom.
For further info check www.food4dabrain.com
ENVIRONMENTAL CHANGE Of course you will know about the possible dangers to the world from environmental change triggered by the huge increase in carbon dioxide, the 'greenhouse gas.' Our article below illustrates a real opportunity to change this situation. Well known is the melting of ice from the arctic and Antarctic ice caps and the rise in sea levels that c
ould flood many parts of countries. A less well-known and worrying sign of change is the loss of plankton under the ocean - this is leading to loss of fish and even the death of sea birds that live on tiny marine animals. To find out just how serious this is go to http://www.bbc.co.uk/sn/hottopics/climatechange
'TWO VITAL OPPORTUNITIES PASSED OVER'
In the early 20th century the Diesel engine began its working life. The early engines where very heavy and could only be used in factories and ships. Amazingly, however, these ran on vegetable oil and so produced little pollution. Today highly developed diesels are much lighter and are used in cars and almost all situations. But now, burning fossil diesel, they heavily pollute the atmosphere. . Why do they not use pollution free 'veggie' oil or bio diesel now? Simply because big companies took the oil profits by selling oil from their wells. Low pollution Bio diesel is now available in the UK but BECAUSE HIGH EXCISE DUTY IS APPLIED it is scarcely cheaper than normal fossil diesel and production costs stops it being generally adopted.
Here is the first vital opportunitity that is passed over. By using Bio diesel we could markedly reduce the UK's pollution output. It's simple enough. Government must remove the duty on bio diesel, at least while the industry gets established. This really needs to be a woldwide effort of course but many countries are already ahead of us in this race to stop pollution. Lost revenue now, true, but it will be of little use in a world unfit to live in! One of the first effects of not using this clean fuel could be the cold recently experienced by Moscow (-30°) moving across Europe and reaching the UK. Already climate change has gripped Africa. Particularly in the Horn of Africa rainfall is so law that cattle are dying quickly and people who rely on them are also dying. It is expected one in ten of the population may die. By making this 'simple enough ' change we in the more developed countries have the power to save millions of lives. But will governments act? When we too hit real problems and people begin to die maybe they will, but then it will be too late
The second missed opportunity springs from the first. Adopting bio diesel would create a huge industry. Great areas of land would be needed to grow the crops to produce the vegetable oil needed. This way costly to keep set aside land could be used and many new jobs could be created.
WAR ON POLLUTION There's one thing I can say about the time I lived in Leeds: I didn't wake up in the morning to air pollution, sea pollution, noise pollution etc. Let's start with air pollution, my favourite of all! Although Hong Kong is a fantastic place in many respects, it still remains one of the most materialistic places I know. Materialism is not such a bad thing, but when "time is money and money is everything", is the philosophy that runs your life, you have to stop and think. Take the private minibuses for instance. They race around like crazy, trying to make as many trips as possible , emitting enormous amounts of toxic fumes. Furthermore, the drivers always opt for the cheaper petrol, which unfortunately happens to contain the most chemicals. Who needs to smoke cigarettes when you can breathe in this so-called "fresh air"?! From the P
eak (the highest viewing point on Hong Kong Island) I used to gaze with fascination at the spectacular skyline and be able to see the hills of China in the distance. Nowadays I am lucky to see thirty metres ahead of me. And what's even more frustrating is that this thick, misty haze isn't even Hong Kong's pollution. It is blown here from the hundreds of fast producing factories in southern China. Let's not even get started on China, where the government supposedly has regulations on the levels of pollution a factory is allowed to emit and where the number of car owners is going to double in the next five years. I wonder if anyone stopped to think about the implications that China joining the WTO would have on our planet. I mean, it's not like we can buy another Earth on E-bay, is it? As John Lennon said, "there are no problems, only solutions". So, what is the solution? Well, boycotting Chinese goods might be a touch too dramatic and would probably leave you with nothing but a roof over your head! The answer lies in taking small steps. Leave the car at home, and take the bus. Plant a tree, recycle rubbish, waste less and do "your bit" for the environment. Next time you sit in Roundhay Park, feeling depressed about life in Leeds, just think about the state of my lungs, living in Hong Kong and you might feel a whole lot better! Mindy
Link's 2005 Autumn bbq Like last year, the weather threatened to ruin our day! But I guess the Man up there likes what we do and us. It rained the whole day and I kept wondering whether anyone would turn up for my mouth-watering meats if, in the first place, I mustered the courage to venture out of my house into the foul weather. The phone interrupted me and … it was John on the other end! Not one to give up easily or take too many chances, Link's hard-working editor was on his way to pick me (his dependable bbq man - at least nobody has complained of food-poisoning)! This was despite our earlier agreement that we would meet at the venue! As I struggled to have the fire going (our state-of-the art stove was "borrowed for keeps" by whom, we have never known!), the sky cleared and in no time I was roasting juicy pieces. As if this was the signal, the whole place was soon crawling with people who seemed to eat faster than my makeshift stove could cook. But I guess everyone had their fill as quite a bit of meat remained. It was such a delight to see even "the twins", whom I first met about two years ago as mere toddlers totally depended on their dotting mother, come for their own meat! Overall the crowd was really fantastic. What with the beautiful speeches, singing and dancing that took place on the stage! At the end of it all, not only were the bodies taken care of but the minds and souls were as well. You could see it all on their faces. We are definitely getting our act together and I have no doubt that the next one will be even better.DON’T MISS IT! Evans Gallo
' - this Education' On Monday 26th March my daughter was sent home from her High school because she didn't have her tie on. Now I do believe in School rules and regulations but I don't believe in sending children home without the parent knowing. My daughter Trisha was standing on the doorstep in the rain and she had to catch two buses to get from school! Obviously the school needs a policy where you do not send children home without the parents knowing. The head said letters were sent home the week before but I saw no sign of any letter! As a parent I feel children should not be sent away just for not having an item of uniform. Anything might have happened! Luckilly she had the common sense to phone me to avoid lingering on the doorstep. And this is the second time this has happened - I left my daughter in the care of this Education and they sent her home without a care in the world-------
Another concerned parent NOTE While uniform is important, children's safety is paramount.
'Awake 06.30'
So I ponder, as awake at 0630. Lets start with that soap, Eastenders. Something to relax the mind, points for gentle reflection? Young Stacey (in a soliloquy to her boyfriend) has discovered life is not perfect and people make romises only to break them. She has seen Patrick ( married to Youlande) and Pat (single) kissing. Of course couples do not, on their own, always stay together - sometimes they may, but obviously things can get
stormy and are far from perfect. I always assume it is best to battle through as, after time, there may be joy that is not felt in the early days of relationships. This responsible behaviour then influences your children, and helps to build a strong society. Do I get over philosophical here? Remember ' looking out for others' includes your partner/wife and the grass is certainly not always greener on the other side ----- Yet, in some situations, it may necessary to split up or perhaps live separately and be as friends only. However, if children are in the equation, please bear in mind just how precious they are.
How our Diet developed - 2 Part 1 of this article was in LINK summer 05 so a brief recap helps make sense of this final episode. New fads every day, whatever can we eat that is good for us? Our remote ancestors lived on roots, berries, nuts, even insects. - We learnt to hunt and meat came onto the menu providing protein leading to man's success. This gave us amino acids that are often low in vegetables alone and we thrived. About ten thousand years ago from being hunter /gatherers we learnt to be farmers. Animals were penned and crops cultivated. Jumping to the present with plentiful supplies obesity is a problem - people eat lots but do not exercise enough. However in third world countries cheaper cereals are the staple and little meat is available. People are often hungry and lack protein.
Yet another problem arises from our modern fare. We now tend to centre on mass produced foods. These have removed the variation from diet and do not contain the trace elements, minerals and vitamins we had in our food previously. Mass storage in huge freezers maintains steady supplies but we lose these essentials. We are omnivore
s and to avoid deficiencies need a diet as wide as possible. Put simply this is the code for a healthy lifestyle. To gain weight eat more - to loose weight eat less. Eat a good and sensible variety of food without over indulgence in any one. Exercise, exercise, exercise is the other essential, to burn off the excess fat and stay fit. Lastly, relax and lose any worries at the dining table. This is very important. Make sure you use a table and do not slouch over. Avoid eating 'on the knee' as you follow your favourite soap. We in England could well learn from the continentals. They often reject our rushed lifestyle and give time to sit together, relax and enjoy meals properly.
SUMMING UP ( this piece covers BMS articles in 50-53 & hopefully resolves the ideas) Please see our website for full texts We saw that looking out for others could bring warmth and presence to life and asked 'Is this a sort of spirit thing?' We said 'maybe so, but better to call it energy, like building up and storing away special energy - a sort of do it yourself process. As you take the 'risk' and put others first, it builds up as your strength and reserve. Then, when you really need it, this energy returns and you make it through. It's all about accessing this energy - a model on how to do it was set up.
. It's hard work and it's a bit like trying to modify the files on a website if you forget the password. But amazingly we each have a password and once you find it access is a lot easier. Then you get sort of established and understand things a lot better. Sounds strange?- but so is life without a reliable 'prop.' At this stage many will be suspicious and mutter "I don't need a prop, I can get through on my own." Nevertheless you too can draw on this reliable, special energy and surviving is then so much easier.
John Broadhead
What is Hypnosis? The word hypnosis is an instant attention puller. It conjures emotions of fear and curiosity in equal measure.
But what really is hypnosis? Mind control? Brain washing? The ability to dominate your will over another? The answer: none of the above. Unfortunately, the common myths about hypnosis all have to do with some sort of mind control. This is perpetuated by stage shows, and TV programs that show people doing everything from acting like ch
ickens, eating onions whilst believing them to be apples, and adults being regressed to behave like children. Whilst these shows depict a phenomena of hypnosis the people who perform in them are not being controlled against their will. Before any kind of stage performance participants are carefully tested to find from an audience those who are most susceptible to hypnotic suggestion. Yet even then this is neither an indication of gullibility, nor lack of will power. In hypnosis a subject has full control over his mind and will not act on any suggestion that violates his moral code. Neither is hypnosis a form of sleep, though it can be a deeply relaxing state. Even though a person in hypnosis may look like they are asleep, their mind is actually highly alert. Thoughts do not suddenly disappear, nor do they stop receiving information from their senses about what is going on around them. In fact their senses are heightened. So what is hypnosis useful for? Less commonly known are the many therapeutic uses of hypnosis, which include: stopping smoking, weight loss, insomnia, phobias, anxieties, traumas, and depression. Even less commonly known are its powerful applications in pain control, especially for sufferers of chronic joint and back pain, burns, some skin conditions, and it is also being used successfully in the relief of pain during child birth. . The therapeutic use of hypnosis, or hypnotherapy, is steadily becoming more recognised by the medical and scientific community as a valid tool for helping people. However, should you be interested in having hypnotherapy for yourself then you must make sure that you choose a practitioner with the appropriate skill and training. Currently there is no government legislation on who practices hypnotherapy so anyone who has read a book on hypnosis could call themselves a hypnotherapist. Fortunately there are many excellent hypnotherapy practitioners who work to a high standard ethically, and are highly skilled and experienced. These practitioners are usually members of a national register where they submit themselves to a code of ethics and guidelines by which to practice by. In the UK, the General Hypnotherapy Register is one of the largest and it follows the Department of Health guidelines that each separate Complementary & Alternative medical profession should have a single, central Register of Practitioners. On their website is a full list of registered UK hypnotherapists in your local area, and their contact details. www.general-hypnotherapy-register.com Greame Cuthbertson
THE MISSING PRESENCE The soft air of this chosen night where the stillness of summer surrounds me bunches of ghosts collect together moving from house to house happiness has arrived for this mere night and I have joined its surroundings I walk the pace and path of my choice and listen to the conversation of my inner voice The wind spares me its missing presence Everything's the same but un
noticeably different The place I've shared and lived, I look with My expansive sense, knowing it could be For the very last time I've walked this path a thousand times But each time I see a new difference
THE POLITICIAN The dictionary of the Cleaverman's world His tool of life and his conversation Precise and always right Complicated words are his key ---- As people, too full of pride to ask what he means His tool to arguments, he's always right
RAIN AND SUN As the sun rises from beyond the sky Tomorrow's arrived and another yesterday dies As a lover of routine I open the curtains And let the light in It is a new day let it begin Now the moon has moved to the other side And I listen to the humming of the traffic at a distance The whistles of songs from a tree are a city sound of my new day To my ear
