October 29, 2009

Create Yourself

Last night I watched "This Is It", the movie documenting the last weeks of Michael Jackson's life.

In watching the movie I felt humility, sadness and a new understanding of the fleeting nature of life.

I also walked away with an in depth look at how the king of pop had created a persona.

In analyzing all this what I found truly fascinating was that his persona was not so different from the one we have created for ourselves.

The biggest difference is the extent to which he believed and embraced his vision of himself.

That is the true work we have in this life.

Wishing you continued success!

Cristopolis Dieguez
latinohiphop.org
cristopolis.com

October 27, 2009

La Sinfonia



When La Sinfonia launched its debut album El Dolor, La Lucha, Y El Triunfo, it was a watershed moment in Latin hip-hop. After years of being marginalized, Hispanic urban music (Hurban) was making up for lost time with a renaissance of young Latino talent whose official language was “bilingual”. Raised in East L.A. by immigrant parents, La Sinfonia was a different kind of group that stood out from the rest. The beats and the flow were always at the forefront with rappers Arsenal (Luis E. Bañuelos) and Seis (Alfonso García), however, their secret weapon was the passionate vocal blend provided by singer Vanessa “Vane” Bañuelos. Songs like “Inseparable” and “Abrázame Muy Fuerte” possessed a drama and a timeless sweep that made them hits at Hurban and Latin pop radio, while garnering praise from the press and music critics alike.

On their second album, titled La Sinfonia, the hip-hop trio teamed up with decorated producers The Co-Stars (Teiarra Marie, Jaheim, and Chingy). Together they have charted an inspiring path blending culture, life, and social commentary with catchy melodies and driving beats. With vibrant vocals on songs such as “No Merezco Tu Perdón (Idiota)” and “Lullaby”, the group reflects on their family, neighborhood, and culture to relay stories of perseverance against the many obstacles of the inner city existence. It’s a theme that runs through many of La Sinfonia’s songs, offering themselves as proof that dreams can come true for a Latino from the Barrio. The Co-Stars’ strengths with R&B and soul are notable as the group broadens its appeal while maintaining its East L.A. heart.

The first single at Latin radio, “No Merezco Tu Perdón (Idiota)” features Vane singing the chorus of Joan Sebastián’s smash “Idiota”. It’s the first time the consummate singer-songwriter has granted permission for his work to be used in a hip-hop song.

One major change for this group was complementing its Spanish-language songs with new material in English. “Lullaby” is an uplifting song that blends Pop and hip-hop elements to tell the story of persevering young love in the streets. Vane sings, “Against all odds, you are the one and you go hard on the block and tell me theirs nothing but love, so I’ll be your Lullaby.”

Clearly, La Sinfonia rolled up its sleeves and re-thought how it wanted to do things this time around. As Seis notes: “The Co-Stars had the style we were looking for. They were more our sound and we ended up finding our true ‘stilo.” Adds Arsenal: “It’s feel-good music. The whole family can listen to our album. This album is for any age.” There was a comfortable vibe on the 2007-08 sessions – The Co-Stars crafted beats that LA La Sinfonia loved, while Vane, Seis and Arsenal had plenty of time to work and re-work their lyrics.

Now, the finished product is ready – the long, long-awaited second album, La Sinfonia.






Wishing you continued success!

Cristopolis Dieguez
latinohiphop.org
cristopolis.com

October 16, 2009

Neuro Linguistic Programming

This quick post is not meant to be an in depth explanation of NLP, but instead just a brief post on the topic.

If you are not familiar with the concept I highly recommend that you research it deeper because this technology can potentially change your life.

NLP teaches one how to study and model the behavior and traits of successful people.

It also teaches techniques on how to get over any limitations you have by associating pain and pleasure to different outcomes you wish to have.

A third aspect of NLP is it's conscious use of language (external & internal) and the effect which that has on you as an individual.

NLP, check it out.

Wishing you continued success!

Cristopolis Dieguez
latinohiphop.org
cristopolis.com

October 7, 2009

T-Weaponz



T-Weaponz hailing from Brooklyn, New York, is composed of brothers IzReal and Arkitek and their neighborhood friend Psalmz.

After meeting at an impromptu neighborhood 'CIPHER' (term used to describe a circle of emcees rhyming together) and later discovering how many similarities they shared both in terms of their life experiences and their ideals they soon came together under the moniker Tomorrow's Weaponz, which they later shortened to T-Weaponz, representative of how the trio lives for today and hopes for a tomorrow using their own weapons-thoughts and wits.

T-Weaponz's intellectual lyrics fuse their ability to interweave street scenarios and anecdotes with historical and literary references. From Ark's precise flow to Iz's raw, straightforward lyrics with Psalmz's poetic flair for metaphors and wordplay, the MCs formed a perfect triangle, complementing one another and ushering in a new sound for the masses. Over the years, T-Weaponz's unique lyrical style, catchy beats and desire to bring truth, hope and justice to the streets has garnered the group many successes, among them:


2008: T-Weaponz released the “XtraOrdinary” music video, which featured West Coast female-MC Diamonique and cameos from famed producer Fingazz and poet La Bruja. The video was added to rotation at NBC Mun2 and MTV Tr3s, as well as many regional and Internet video shows. The group also appeared on MTV Tr3s’ Sucker Free Latino, giving the show a tour of Brooklyn's East New York, where they got their start. T-Weaponz recently completed a tour of Colombia and have been in the studio working on album number two.


2007: T-Weaponz released their digital full-length debut entitled Just Begun.., which features production from hit-maker Fingazz of Streetlight Music. With this highly anticipated released, the group was featured in two consecutive issues of The Source Magazine: Off the Radar (Dec. 2007) and Tale of the Tape (Nov. 2007). LATV segment following T-Weaponz to their album release aired to exceptional viewer ship. It beat out Mun2's "One Nation Under Hip Hop," MTV Tres's "Karlifornia," and came in slightly under MTV's "The Hills" in the Los Angeles Area.


2006: In December 2006, T-Weaponz released the bounce-laden single Dem Boyz, featuring Houston rapper Trae, which debuted at No. 7 on Billboard's Top R&B/Hip-Hop Singles chart, and where it remained for six consecutive weeks.
2005: T-Weaponz's audience skyrockets with the release of the catchy bilingual anthem “Mira Mira.” The wildly popular "spanglish" track, which features Cuban rapper Pitbull and Notch, formerly lead singer of the Born Jamericans, bridges the gap between English- and Spanish- speaking people with its witty fusion of English and Spanish words. In a matter of months, the song became an international hit catapulting T-Weaponz into the mainstream. Mira Mira garnered over 15,000 radio spins nationally and surpassed 50,000 in digital download sales.

2004: T-Weaponz releases the first installment of the Survival Muzik MIXTAPE, which The Source magazine featured in its "Best of the Best" mixtape review section.


2003: the Alchemist-produced Raised in the Slums, off T-Weaponz's independently released The BlackOut EP, which tackled the issue of being raised in the slums and by the sound of the gun, entered the New York City scene, and earned them acclaim in Europe and the West Coast driving the sales of BlackOut EP to over 10,000 units thereby solidified T-Weaponz's status as a group to watch.


Armed with an endless arsenal of rhymes and an enormous devoted fan base that transcends cultural barriers, T-Weaponz is poised to blaze into center stage. Check for a new album and for T-Weaponz at major festivals throughout 2009.





Wishing you continued success!

Cristopolis Dieguez
latinohiphop.org
cristopolis.com

October 6, 2009

Compromise

There are many things that are out of our control.

It is important to have the ability to determine what is and is not.

When you come across situations that are out of your control you are then forced to decide;

a) stop

b) compromise

If what you are doing means enough to you then you compromise.

But to often we don't see things clearly and instead try to push and fight to change things that are out of our control.

Wishing you continued success!

Cristopolis Dieguez
latinohiphop.org
cristopolis.com

October 5, 2009

Never Ever Give Up

There may be times when the work just seems to relentlessly pile up.

Times when you have endless amounts of great ideas but you have not completed any of them.

When this is the case, always remember to finish one thing at a time.

And never ever give up.

Wishing you continued success!

Cristopolis Dieguez
latinohiphop.org
cristopolis.com

October 4, 2009

Owning Your Niche

Do you have a dream?

Is there something that you pursue passionately?

This is what life is about.

Wishing you continued success!

Cristopolis Dieguez
latinohiphop.org
cristopolis.com

October 1, 2009

Mr. Wiggles



Mr. Wiggles is a South Bronx Puerto Rican born raised on Hip-Hop since the early 70's.

A proud member of three major forces in Hip-Hop culture; the "Rock Steady Crew", the "Electric Boogaloos" and the "Zulu Nation".

Mr Wiggles started his career as a dancer by battling in the tough streets of New York City, and eventually throughout the world.

He has performed on major stages around the world including Europe, South America, Asia, the Middle East, Canada, and on the great stages of Broadway.

Wiggles has also been credited with two important movies that helped established Hip-Hop; "Beat Street" and "Wild Style".



Wishing you continued success!

Cristopolis Dieguez
latinohiphop.org
cristopolis.com