princess of the poem: desdamona

formspring.me

2010-03-20T20:10:00.001-07:00

Ask me anything http://formspring.me/Desdamona

formspring.me

2010-03-17T13:59:00.001-07:00

Ask me anything http://formspring.me/Desdamona

2009-09-30T13:23:00.000-07:00

Just wanted to you know I have a new video up on youtube:

www.youtube.com/desdamonaone

Check it out. It's part of a campaign called, "Too Big for My Skin". Your responses are welcome on the video and you can also leave a video response on youtube.

Thanks for checking it out!
Please spread it around if you like what you see.

-Desdamona

p.s. "Inkling" coming Nov 21st. And now available on www.cdbaby.com

300 WOMEN IN HIP HOP

2009-05-13T11:45:00.000-07:00

AS LISTED BELOW THE HIP HOP ASSOCIATION IS WORKING ON RELEASING A BOOK NAMING 300 LADIES IN HIP HOP AND I AM PROUD TO ANNOUNCE THAT DESDAMONA IS ON THE LIST!!!!

Thursday June 25, 2009 7:00 pm EDT

The Hip-Hop Association, in collaboration with the Center for Multicultural Education and Programs at New York University, proudly presents the Womanhood Passage Fundraiser, a special evening acknowledging the strength, beauty, leadership, challenges, and successes of women in Hip-Hop.

Special guests represent Hip-Hop artists, as well as executives, activists, media makers, and entrepreneurs. Confirmed speakers include: MONIE LOVE, ROCKAFELLA, BARAKA SELE, TOOFLY, MARCELLA RUNELL HALL, DJ BEVERLY BOND, KIM OSORIO, DJ JAZZY JOYCE, RACHEL RAIMIST, THEMBISA MSHAKA, DR. ROXANNE SHANTE, MARTHA COOPER, and CINDY CAMPBELL, the Mother of Hip-Hop. The Womanhood Passage Fundraiser is meant to serve as a safe space where we can address issues affecting women. The youngest guest speaker is 15 year-old P-STAR, who will talk about her documentary P-Star Rising, recently screened at the TriBeCa Film Festival. The event kicks off the Hip-Hop Association’s 2009 Womanhood Learning Project (WLP) initiatives.

The Womanhood Learning Project magnifies women’s roles and leadership positions within Hip-Hop culture and the community. The two main goals for the WLP in 2009 are a resource book entitled, FRESH, BOLD, AND SO DEF: WOMEN IN HIP-HOP CHANGING THE GAME and THE LADIES FIRST FUND, the first grant for women in Hip-Hop. Fresh, Bold, So Def: profiles over 300 artists, activists, and entrepreneurs, while the Ladies First Fund is an initiative that offers a $5,000 grant to a candidate dedicated to social entrepreneurship in the Newark, New Jersey area. The WLP is supported by the likes of the New Jersey Performing Arts Center, The Center for Urban Entrepreneurship & Economic Development at Rutgers Business School, New York Liberty, Ford Foundation, Union Square Awards, and the NYU Office of Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Student Services (LGBTSS).

“This event is more than just honoring those that have paved the way, it is also promoting intergenerational healing amongst women,” says Martha Diaz, Founder of the Hip-Hop Association. “Too often the negative associations of women in Hip-Hop go unresolved; we hope to have the Womanhood Passage Fundraiser move us toward a resolution while promoting some of the most positive women in Hip-Hop.”

About the Hip-Hop Association: Formed in 2002, the Hip-Hop Association [H2A] is an award winning 501(c)(3) non-profit community building organization. The H2A fosters social change through the use of media, popular culture, social entrepreneurship, leadership development and diplomacy. We are dedicated to facilitating social justice, education reform, cross-cultural unity and civic engagement, while preserving Hip-Hop culture for scholarship and future generations.

For more information on the Womanhood Learning Project initiatives and to receive Press Credentials for the Womanhood Passage Fundraiser please contact Shana Louallen at Shana@hiphopassociation.org or 646.359.8448

Peace, Desdamona

2009-04-25T14:46:00.001-07:00

Desdamona & B-Girl Be Film Screening in Seattle, WA

2009-04-25T14:38:00.000-07:00

I've spent about a week in Seattle for film screenings of the 2006 B-Girl Be documentary. I have posted some things on myspace: www.myspace.com/desdamona if you want to check out the blog. I will also be posting some video and pictures up soon.

Tonight I'm playing at the Hidmo after the final screening on the film. Screenings start at 7pm and the show follows. There will also be Seattle Hip Hop acts performing. (Ladies)

Peace,
desdamona

Catch me on myspace and facebook!

2009-04-25T14:35:00.001-07:00

MN Spoken Word Awards 2009

2009-03-31T21:24:00.001-07:00

Goto this link to VOTE: http://www.surveygizmo.com/s/118841/urbangriotsawardsvoting

FREE MUSiC

2008-04-18T20:59:00.000-07:00

Cherine Anderson has a new FREE download available on hr website:

Cherine Anderson's FREE Mixtape!

Go check it out and if you want to know more about Cherine check her out on:

Cherine's Myspace Page!

She's from Jamaica and has worked with WyClef Jean & reggae legends Sly & Robbie. She was featured on my latest release, "The Source" on "The Source remix" that also features production by Sly & Robbie.

Go get Cherine's FREE DOWNLOAD! How can you resist!

The Seduction & Manipulation of Young Poets

2008-04-16T23:21:00.000-07:00

y: Desdamona
January 2008

Scenario:
A young 20-something man goes into a local high school. He has been hired to do a residency with students on performance poetry and writing. He'll be at the school for three weeks working with a group of students. He has been contracted through a local arts organization to do this work and has had minimal training, but is highly experienced in the art of spoken word.

He is an engaging performer and has a fierce magnetism on stage, as most performers do. He has learned how to pull the crowd in and leave them hanging on his every word. Of course, the students are attracted to his talent and charisma, and he easily transforms a class of students who was not interested in poetry into a group of students who are now intrigued and excited about the possibility of their own voices.

As the residency continues, he builds trust and develops a friendly relationship with the students in the class as well as the teacher. The young men in the class identify with him because he is close to their age but has some experience under his belt, and the young women in the class identify with him for the same reasons. The teacher is just happy because he has gotten the students excited about writing and performing.

Into the second week, he approaches one of the female students and asks her for her number. He doesn't hide what he's doing from the rest of the class. She gives it to him, not thinking much of it because he works with a group of poets and is always looking for new poets to add to the roster. She assumes that he is interested in her poetry.

But the truth is, he's not primarily interested in her poetry. He's interested in her. He has failed to set professional boundaries for himself and has become caught up in attraction. He begins to see her outside of the regular school day under the guise of mentoring her. She is a bit naïve and doesn't really know what his true intentions are. She is in awe of his talent and feels special because he has taken special interest in her.

When the residency is over they remain friends and he continues the manipulation. He tries to artistically mold her into a female version of himself; at the same time he tries to form a physical relationship with the 16 year old. He tells her things to keep her close and he pits her against other poets. This is the type of thing that abusers do when they are trying to keep control. It's not physical abuse, but it is clearly psychological abuse.

This is just a fictional scenario, but in reality I have had numerous students and school staff tell me about poets coming in to classes and after school programs and starting inappropriate romantic relationships with students. At one particular school this lead to the poet involved never being asked back, when in all reality it could have lead to something much worse. I have heard about this happening a lot. It doesn't seem to be as rare as you might think.

If I had children and found out about these predators coming into the schools I would go ballistic. People who are going into schools have to have a sense of ethical behavior and integrity and understand what it means to be in their positions. You can't just send a poet into schools and assume everything is going to be great. I have heard enough stories about the seduction and manipulation of young poets. Our youth are being put at risk, and I think it is necessary to speak up.

I Got Questions - Who Are We?

2008-04-16T23:18:00.002-07:00

By: Desdamona
January 2008

"Question. Who, what, when, where and why? Who is gonna continue the battle after all the our soldiers are gone." – Tish Jones

I don't think that poetry should be about competition and I think it's unfortunate that the younger generation is being brought up in an ultra competitive realm. It seems like we're being surrounded by the idea of competition. We are inundated by "reality shows", almost every one based in some sort of competition; at the same time, poetry slams are becoming evermore present. I'm not saying that poetry slams are bad. I have myself been a slam champion. But when it becomes the primary reason for writing, or even one of the reasons for writing, I believe that the intention becomes tainted. Call me a purist. I've always thought of poets as revolutionary thinkers, not people who go with the flow and conform to the fads of the moment. So, where are the revolutionaries? Really?

Why are we as artists creating systems that are based in our current social system and still saying that we go against the grain? Why are we creating mentors and apprentices and continuing the dominant/submissive roles that have already been set up for us in society? Why do we have to see each other as superior or inferior, and why do we pit ourselves against each other as if claiming our superiority gives us some kind of upper hand in the world? Why do we claim ownership over others simply because we have "taught" them some of the tools of poetry? Why do we claim ownership of the poetry itself? Why are we more interested in the product than the process? Why are people regurgitating what they heard on CNN at open mics and adding no personal perspective on the matter? What happened to self expression - Self being the operative word? It's always noble to talk about the struggles and triumphs of the world, but what good is it if it's not coming through your own unique self perspective?

Why aren't we challenging the system by creating a community where all ideas are equally valuable or at least equally respected? Why aren't we creating learning circles instead of creating the separation of audience and performer, teacher and student? The circle is constant. The teacher is the student is the teacher. If you have come to a place in your art where you truly believe that no one has any knowledge to offer you, then you have missed the whole point of what sharing is and should maybe stop for a moment and ask yourself what your intention is when you get up to speak.

I have actually had a conversation with Mark Smith, the founder of the first poetry slams and he told me that when they started the slams, the intention was not to create competition between the poets, but instead to encourage the audience to become actively engaged with the poets and their words. I'm not blaming the mediocre cliché "yelling poetry" on slams, but I'm not convinced that coaching people to write poetry or mentoring them in the art of slam is nurturing their natural talents. I do believe in giving people the necessary tools so they can empower themselves to write and find their own unique expression of their thoughts, feelings and experiences.

I know this isn't cut and dry. But I feel we all need to think about our role in the creation process, and ask ourselves what are we doing to perpetuate the things that keep us stagnant? And what are we doing to relieve ourselves from the restraints of our current state?

Now the question has been asked maybe we should use some of our "revolutionary" thoughts to come up with some answers.

Cookie Cutter Poets

2008-04-16T23:18:00.001-07:00

By: Desdamona
January 2008

I have been frequenting the Twin Cities open mic scene since 1997 and I have had the opportunity to hear some great work by both local and national poets, theater artists and musicians over the years. Some of it, in my opinion, could even be labeled as ground breaking. I think it was around 2000 when I started to hear a more formulaic poetry form at open mics and slams. I would hear this familiar formula when I traveled out of town to other states and here at home, in Minneapolis and St. Paul. At first, I dismissed it as a trend among new poets but then saw the formula spread to the work of more seasoned poets.

It wasn’t necessarily that the poetry was bad, but it seemed to be more cliché, and the themes in the work seemed to have less dimension than I had remembered from years past. I couldn’t put my finger on what was happening.

To be more specific, I started to hear the singular theme of ‘anger’ as the dominant topic in many poets’ work. I admit it even became a theme of my work for a moment. Of course, there is nothing wrong with angry poetry. That’s not the issue. The problem is - why is everyone writing angry poetry? Is it because that’s what’s hip? Is it because there is passion in anger and it’s easier to express than the delirious bliss of happiness? Perhaps…or perhaps it’s something else.

I have worked with thousands of students over the years and in all this time I have never had a student deliver poetry or writing that resembled my personal work. I have always been amazed at each student’s ability to create their own form of written expression. And young students tend to be the most creative because they have not yet been introduced to the influence of other poets.

I walk into classrooms with a bag full of ideas and no firm direction as to where we might go. It is always determined by the climate in the classroom and students to lead the work in the direction that suits them. I give a guide and starting point but I cannot force them to go down the path. I cannot make them write the way I want them to write. As a teacher, I encourage them to find their own genuine voice and that voice may change from day to day. The themes may vary from moment to moment; the mood may change at every line. This is where I found freedom as a young person. I was not good with rules and regulations. Poetry was a place where I could do whatever I wanted and I could actually make my own rules if I chose to. It’s only natural that this is how I work with my students.

Last year I got the chance to sit with some students outside of their regular class and I thought I’d ask them about the people who have helped them with their poetry. I was disappointed to find out that these particular students were actually told that their poetry wasn’t angry enough…and that they needed to make people mad or make people cry.

I talked to some of my peers about this and I was furious. Why would a poet who is teaching young people tell them anything like this? And then I jumped to many conclusions:
1. they don’t know what they’re doing,
2. they shouldn’t be teaching poetry if they are not allowing the student’s voice to come through,
3. they want to “create” poets who sound just like them because we poets come to narcissism naturally,
4. they’re preparing them for slams so they are giving them the formula to base their work around.

But these are all assumptions. Maybe none of them are correct. I’m still trying to decipher what is going on, but I can’t help but to think that there is some kind of corruption behind the whole thing. Yes, I’m being dramatic.

Maybe this seems unimportant and you’re wondering why I even care. Poets have mimicked each other for centuries. It’s nothing new. But the truth is, with the commercial viability that spoken word has right now it creates more poets (just like hip hop) which in turn creates more cookie cutter artists, more of the ‘same old same old poetry’, a lack or variation in the poetry, and more people jumping on the bandwagon because it’s the “in” thing to do. And I personally, need some inspiration.

I don’t want to hear the same poem coming out of three different poets’ mouths. I don’t want to only hear angry poetry.
I don’t want to hear people who sound like they had the same teacher (to the point where I can actually tell you who their teacher was). I want the genuine voice of the poet to come through, and while some people might think that you can’t determine whether someone’s voice is genuine or not, I firmly disagree. It’s all in the poetry. Listen carefully.

So Long

2008-04-16T22:49:00.000-07:00

So, I haven't been here...Obviously. I post a lot of blogs on my myspace page and have neglected this blog for quite some time. I occassionally come by and leave some show information or some other promo for my music. What I should do is just copy my blogs from my other page and post them here for those of you who don't use myspace.

Maybe I'll try to do that. Maybe.

When I logged in tonight I couldn't remember my password at first. eh.

Anyway, the latest release is doing well on iTunes and I'm preparing to go into about 5 schools in the next few months. Very busy and over whelmed but it's all good. I'm also preparing to do an Iowa school tour in the fall and also hope to get another tour planned for late 2008-2009.

Working on a new solo project and a collaboration with my partner Carnage. Don't have any release dates yet.

This is what we do together: www.myspace.com/illchemists

until the next time.
desdamona

www.myspace.com/desdamona

I'm also on facebook if you want to look me up.

Desdamona Request Line - US & Canada!

2007-09-24T16:01:00.000-07:00

Peace. For anyone who is interested....these are some of the stations across the states and canada that are playing Desdamona's latest release, "The Source" .

Make a request!!

Request Line: MN, WI, TX, MT, CA, OR, MI, NY, IN, GA, VT, TN, PA, OH and CANADA and more!

MINNESOTA REQUEST LINES:

The Current:
http://minnesota.publicradio.org/radio/services/the_current/
then press - request a song!

KFAI (Mpls):
612-341-0980 Studio Line

KMOJ 89.9 FM (Minneapolis, MN)
Request Line – 612-377-0594

Cities 97:
651-989-9797 Studio Line

Radio K (Univ. of Mn.):
612-626-4770 Request Line

Macalester College
email: wmcn@macalester.edu
live dj request line: 651-696-6312

KUMM (Morris, Minnesota)
request@kumm.org Online Request
(320) 589-6076 Request Line

KVSC 27 Stewart Hall
St. Cloud, MN 56301
E-Mail: music@kvsc.org

______________________

CANADA REQUEST LINE:

CHMR (Newfoundland, Canada):
709-737-7935 Request Line

______________________

TEXAS REQUEST LINES:

KANM (College Station, Texas):
979.458.KANM (5266) Request Line

KSAU (Nacogdoches, Texas)
936-468-4000 Request Line
______________________

MONTANA REQUEST LINE:

KDWG (Dillon, Montana)
406-683-7156 Studio Line
______________________

OREGON REQUEST LINES:

KEOL (LaGrande, Oregon)
541-962-3333 Request Line

KPSU (Portland, Oregon)
503-725-5945 Request Line
______________________

CALIFORNIA REQUEST LINES:

KHSU (Arcata, California)
707-826-6089 Record your comment
707-826-4805 Studio Line

______________________

MISSOURI REQUEST LINE:

KMNR (Rolla, Missouri)
http://www.kmnr.org/song_request/new
direct internet request!

______________________

INDIANA REQUEST LINE:

WBKE (North Manchester, Indiana)
260-982-5272 Request Line
______________________

NEW YORK REQUEST LINE:

WGCC (Batavia, New York)
585-343-9422 Request Line
______________________

GEORGIA REQUEST LINE:

WRAS (Atlanta, Georgia)
404-413-WRAS (9727) Request Line
______________________

VERMONT REQUEST LINE:

WRUV (Burlington, Vermont)
DJWRUV AOL Instant Message
requests@wruv.org Online Requests
______________________

TENNESSEE REQUEST LINE:

WTTU (Cookeville, Tennessee)
931-372-3688 Request Line
request88@gmail.com Online Requests
wttu88fm AOL Instant Message
______________________

PENNSYLVANIA REQUEST LINE:

WUPJ (Johnstown, Pennsylvania)
814.269.2069 Request Line
______________________

OHIO REQUEST LINE:

WUSO (Springfield, Ohio)
937-327-7030 Request Line
______________________

MICHIGAN REQUEST LINE:

WXOU (Rochester, Michigan)
WXOUDJ AOL Instant messenger
248-370-4274 Request Line
_____________________

WISCONSIN REQUEST LINE:

88Nine RadioMilwaukee
5312 W. Vliet St Milwaukee, Wi 53208
Studio Line: 414-475-8890

If I didn't list your city or state find your local college or community radio station and request Desdamona "The Source"

May the Source be with you!
DesdamonaThe SourceFS Productions

IMIX from ITUNES

2007-09-12T23:18:00.001-07:00

Would you like a FREE Desdamona Ringtone? Your wish is my command!

2007-09-09T09:33:00.000-07:00

All you have to do is:

Text "195167" to 69937 (MYXER)
to get "Orange & Blue" for Free

Text "195175" to 69937 (MYXER)
to get "Infinity (Ill Chemistry)" for Free

and there I'll be, letting you know you've got a phone call!

:) peace,
desdamona

It's been a long time....I shouldn't have left you.

2007-09-03T18:30:00.000-07:00

Hmm, with all these internet communities and a very busy life it's hard to keep up with everything. I have left my blog empty and uninspired these days. I guess I should post some of the blogs up here that I post on my myspace page.

If you would like to check my myspace page out you can go to: www.myspace.com/desdamona or check my project Ill Chemistry at: www.myspace.com/illchemists

But I am going to do what I can to keep my blogspot alive and well.

I am also part of the Facebook community. You can look me up at www.facebook.com under Desdamona and you'll find me.

I just got back from tour and hit California, Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona, Washington and Canada. I have pictures and blogs posted on my myspace page. I keep it updated well and there is also a listing of my upcoming shows and you can purchase my latest release, "The Source" right there on my page in my SNOCAP store. The old album, "The Ledge" is also available on the page. And they are both available on itunes.

My new release, "The Source" has been playing on college radio across the nation and in Canada. Make sure to make a request for the songs from "The Source" if you like what you hear. I appreciate all the support.

Hope you are all well...and I apologize for my absence.

OPEN MICS IN THE TWIN CITIES!!!

2007-04-04T21:05:00.000-07:00

MONDAYS!!!!!

The Artists' Quarter
408 St Peter Street
St.Paul, MN 55102
Soap Boxing
Hosted byMatthew Rucker -Slam Master of the Soap Boxing Poetry Slam
www.soap-boxing.com - for more info
open mic Monday Nights!
8pm / also hosts a monthly slam

TUESDAYS!!!!!

The Poet's Groove
@ The Blue Nile Restaurant
www.bluenilempls.com2027 E Franklin Ave
Minneapolis, MN 55404
(612) 338-3000
Hosted by Desdamona & Kevin Washington
10 pm sign / 18+ / FREE
4 years running, The Poet's Groove supplies fresh sounds by the house band w/ Alicia Wiley, Johannes Tona & Kevin Washington and other fantastic musicians & performers
www.myspace.com/desdamona

WEDNESDAYS!!!!!

TruArt Speaks Presents: The Cutt (open mic)
@ the Bean Scene
2220 W Broadway Ave
Minneapolis, MN 55411
(612) 588-5282
Hosted by Tish Jones
7-9pm / ALL AGES / FREE
Dates:
April 18
May 2
May 16
May 30

www.myspace.com/truartspeaks

THURSDAYS!!!!!

THE NEWEST OPEN MIC & JAM SESSION - SOUL SOUNDS
BROUGHT TO YOU BY SOL TESTIMONY
GRAND OPENING!!!! (every Thursday starting April 12)
@ Palm Court (NEWLY RENOVATED & BLACK OWNED)
2424 Central Ave NE
Minneapolis, MN 55418
(612) 789-3373
www.palmctmpls.com
$3 DONATION ~ NO ONE TURNED AWAY FOR LACK OF FUNDS

**FREE FOOD BUFFET & FEATURED PERFORMERS
DOORS @ 8PM SHOW AT 9PM SHARP!!
LIVE MUSIC ~ SPOKEN WORD ~ VOCALISTS
Palm Court SOME OF THE BEST CARRIBEAN FOOD AROUND!!I
www.myspace.com/soulsoundsopenmic

SPECIAL EVENTS!!!!!

Poets of the City
Special Featured Local and National Guests & Great food!
Hosted by Frank Sentwali
Twin Cities' JAZZVILLE Reunion
FRIDAY, APRIL 27
@ Visage
400 3rd Ave N
Minneapolis, MN
612-455-2525

www.myspace.com/poetsofthecity
www.visagenightclub.com

SPECIAL EVENTS!!!!!

B-GIRL BE
June 28 - July 1, 2007
@ Intermedia Arts
2822 Lyndale Ave S
Minneapolis, MN 55408
featuring local, national and international women in GRAF, BREAKING, MCing, DJing and more!!!!
This is the largest celebration of women in hip hop on the planet that incorporates the 4 basic elements of hip hop AND it happens right here in MINNEAPOLIS!!!! YOU SHOULD REALLY CHECK IT OUT> THESE LADIES ARE MAKING HISTORY>>>>OR SHOULD I SAY HERSTORY!!!
MORE INFO: www.myspace.com/bgirlbe
www.bgirlbe.com www.intermediaarts.org/Pages/Programs/b-girl_be/bgb_donate.html - to donate to this worthy and necessary event!

PASS IT ON & SPEAK OUT! IF YOU DON'T TELL YOUR STORY WHO WILL?????
TELL IT, DANCE IT, DRAW IT, CREATE IT, DO IT!!!!!

more music

2006-12-15T12:57:00.000-08:00

come to my myspace page and check out some of my music:

Desdamona's Music

also check out my partner in rhyme:

Carnage's Music

and also, check out B-Girl Be's page. B-Girl Be is an annual celebration of women in hip hop. Coming June/July 2007

B-Girl Be

oh, and my friend and someone who has helped me in many, many ways:

Devine Isis

ok, one last thing - I'm all about promoting things & people that I love so make sure to check out:

Jaqua - for great lotions & other goodies!

alright. that's it for now. I have a show tonight in Duluth, MN @ Pizza Luce. Should be tons of fun. :) It's an ALL AGES show so if you're in the area you should come and check it out.

Peace, desdamona

B-Girl Be Fundraiser in Minneapolis!!!!

2006-11-12T11:38:00.000-08:00

11/16/2006
Babalu
800 Washington Avenue N
Minneapolis, MN 55400
US
Cost: $10
Description: if you're in the Twin Cities area you should check out this B-Girl Be show: B-Girl Be presents a night of open mics, b-girl ciphers, and live performances by Twin Cities artists Desdamona featuring Carnage, Maria Isa and Black Blondie with special guests on Thursday, November 16th at Babalu in Minneapolis.

Doors open at 7:00 PM, Show at 9:00 PM. Babalu is located at 800 Washington Ave N in Minneapolis. Hope to see you there!

www.myspace.com/bgirlbe

note* I haven't been working on my blog lately. Not too many people come to read it as far as I can tell and I have a myspace page up where I blog quite often with things that are way more interesting than just posting about shows. I will try and get back here and post from time to time but if you really want to check out what I have going on you should go to my page

I am currently working on my new CD, "Hymn of the Human Spirit". Can't give out the release date yet but if you listen to the Current and other local stations you will here my new stuff prior to the release! I'm very excited about the whole project and can't wait for you all to hear it!

Peace, desdamona

Got a good show coming up soon! Check it out!

2006-09-20T21:22:00.000-07:00

"FALL CLASSIC"

Live, September 23rd @ Tiffany's

CARBON CAROUSEL (feat. EYEDEA)
www.rhymesayers.com

ILL CHEMISTRY (feat. CARNAGE & DESDAMONA)

AbZorBR

DJ CRIMINAL (self core records)

Tiffany's
2051 Ford Pkwy
St Paul, Mn
55116
(651)690-4747

21+
Doors: 9pm
Music: Shortly After
Cover.... $7 +

Haven't been keepin up on the blogspot lately. I do have plenty of blogs on my myspace page. Get connected with me if you're interested. www.myspace.com/desdamona That's the best way to keep up with me.

Currently working on a new CD. :) I'll update when I have a release date for everyone.

peace, desdamona

Ways to Find My Music....spread the word

2006-06-21T23:32:00.000-07:00

I know I posted this before....but some of ya'll missed it. So, here it is again for the procrastinators. Go to iTunes and search for me

Desdamona: The Ledge
http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewAlbum?playListId=79607187

Leave me a review if you feel like being generous with your time.

You can also get my CD at:

www.cdbaby.com/desdamona
or

www.thegiantpeach.com

and you can check my website:

www.desdamona.dunation.com
oh and if you scroll down my page on myspace www.myspace.com/desdamona you can get the latest from Carnage & I as Ill Chemistry. If you click on the moving icon it will take you directly to pay pal so you can get your limited edition CD of Ill Chemistry.

we bout to wreck it!

desdamona

shows shows shows

2006-06-15T22:28:00.000-07:00

06/16/2006 08:00 PM - KMOJ 89.9FM Minneapolis
Northside!!!, Minneapolis, MN 55400,US - FREE LISTENING!
Desdamona will be on between 10 - 11pm. Tune in!!!!

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
06/17/2006 08:00 PM - The Fine Line - Vixens Against Violence. All proceeds go to Cornerstone. www.cornerstonemn.org
318 1st Avenue North, Minneapolis, MN 55400,US -
Michelle Dunkirk, B-and...woah man, Kymara, Apryl Electra, Desdamona (w/ DJ Fundamentalist & Carnage), Debra G and more. DESDAMONA GOES ON EARLY!!!

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ALL AGES!!!! 06/18/2006 07:00 PM - The Fine Line - ALL AGES!!!!
318 1st Avenue North, Minneapolis, MN 55400,US - $11.50/ advance
Desdamona, Carnage & DJ Fundamentalist play at The Fine Line Music Cafe/ 318 1st Ave N , Minneapolis / $11.50 advance / $13.50 day of / Opening for CAT EMPIRE from Australia www.thecatempire.com / ALL AGES show on sunday JUNE 18 / Doors at 7pm and tickets are $11.50 advance and $13.50 day of show / 612.338.8100

Hope to see you at one of these shows! We'll have ILL Chemistry CD's for sale.....we have printed up a limited number of CD's so get it while it's hot!!!

Peace,
desdamona

check out these shows!! NOt to be missed!!!

2006-05-23T20:41:00.000-07:00

This SATURDAY! - 05/27/2006 08:00 PM - Fitzgerald Theater - ALL AGES!
10 East Exchange (downtown), Saint Paul, MN 55101,US -
MPR/The Current (89.3fm) presents a women in music series. This is the last show of the series. This final show titled, Emerging Voices will feature Joanna James, Haley Boner, Desdamona and more!! 8pm / 2 hour show / ALL AGES / $25

http://www.publicbroadcasting.net/mpr/events.eventsmain?action=showEvent&eventID=388688--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FRIDAY 06/02/2006 09:00 PM - Club Underground
355 NE Monroe St., Minneapolis, MN 55413,US - $5
$5, 21 / Performancers by: CONDUIT, Desdamona & Carnage as "Ill Chemistry", Rusty P's (Milwaukee), & Red Ponie. VENUE PHONE NUMBER: 612-627-9123.

It's been a while

2006-05-12T15:51:00.000-07:00

go to iTunes and search for me

Desdamona: The Ledge
http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewAlbum?playListId=79607187

If you're feelin' generous, leave me a review. I would appreciate it. :)

Been busy lately, with some many things...I don't know where to begin.

Check out:

www.myspace.com/bgirlbe
That's one of the things I've been workin' on.

And if you check my page:

www.myspace.com/desdamona
You can read my blog there and check for upcoming shows. Got a big one coming up at the Fitzgerald Theater this month.

Have a great weekend. I'm relaxin'

It's my birthday!!! ALL week long!!!!!!!!

2006-04-11T15:08:00.000-07:00

Come down to the open mic tonight! help me celebrate my birthday (actual birthdate: April 14th)

I'm celebrating all week long!

Tonight, April 11th: The Blue Nile
10 pm sign up for the open mic
18+ / FREE

April 13th: The Triple Rock
ILL Chemistry (Des & Carnage - more info on my calendar)

April 14th: Metro State University
6-8pm (also more info on my calendar)

APRIL 15TH (THIS IS THE OFFICIAL DESDAMONA BACK IN THE DAY B-DAY BLOWOUT)
at the Dinkytowner
412 1/2 14th Avenue, Minneapolis
doors 9pm / 18+ / $5
proceeds from this event are going to support B-Girl Be programing.

LADIES FREE til 10:30pm

special guests & performances by:
DJ Stage One & DJ Nikoless

Carnage
Concentrate
Illusions
Try-D
Adam Garcia
Heatbox
Indigo
EMS
and more.....all performers will be doing remakes of hip hop classics! And the DJ's will be expecting you to dance! So will I.

Hope to see you there! There will be the best cake you ever had!

des

And it don't stop

2006-03-14T19:04:00.000-08:00

Just got a review from a UK site. Check it!

http://www.caughtinthecrossfire.com/music/themix/715

Support Twin Cities Music

2006-03-10T13:40:00.000-08:00

Recently a friend of mine had a flier with his CD information on the front and on the back were all the local radio stations who support local music. He also listed the request lines and wesbites where you can request music!! I thought it was such a great idea that I had to post it here on my blog.

Feel free to contact any and all of these local music supporters and tell them what you want to hear. If you don't think that they have a certain local artist you want to hear tell them! They'll probably pick it up if they get enough requests.

So, here's the list - get those fingers moving people!!! We've got music to HEAR!!

The Current

studio line: 651-989-4893

email: 893dj@mpr.org

Cities 97

studio line: 651-989-9797

jason@cities97.com (Jason Nagel/MN Music - Sundays @ 10pm)

brianoake@cities97.com (Brain Oake/Freedom Rock - Sundays @ 9pm)

Radio K

request line: 612-626-4770/ 1-800-626-4770

request@radiok.org

KFAI Fresh Air

studio line: 612-341-0980

find specific hosts & shows at www.kfai.org

Drive 105

requests: 612-989-9105 / 651-989-9105

fill out requests/contact box on the homepage of www.drive105.com

This is a REAL easy way to support local music. You don't have to buy a ticket or even get up out of your seat!!!

Desdamona on the TuBe

2006-03-08T16:53:00.000-08:00

--> three video clips of your performance up already: http://www.searchmode.tv/

Desdamona will be featured on SearchMode TV and will broadcast on Metro Cable
Network's channel 6 @ 9 PM Thursdays & Saturdays on 3/9, 3/11, 3/16 & 3/18

:) Des

2006-02-28T17:04:00.000-08:00

Here's some info on some friends of mine that you should check out:

Keston and Westdal's new album "Truth is Stranger" is now available as a high quality download from http://www.kestwest.com/. The album is made up of thirteen tracks fully mastered by Tom Garneau and encoded at 192kbps (as high or higher quality than what will be available on iTunes and other online music sources). The release also includes a recently produced bonus track called "El Amanecer" which was inspired by the instrumental bridge section in "Se Fue". Guest artists include Desdamona, Estair Godinez, and more. High resolution images of the cover design by Hiroaki Kato and complete liner notes are also included.

For a $10.00 (USD) donation via PayPal you will be emailed a link with a session id that will not expire for several days, giving you plenty of time to download all 103 luscious megabytes of music included in the zipped archive of this album, more than two years in the making. Proceeds will be used to manufacture promo CDs for radio and an upcoming international CD distribution. To hear some excerpts before you buy, click on the player in the upper right of www.kestwest.com and thanks for your support!

"Truth is Stranger" download page:
http://www.kestwest.com/tis_dl.html

Upcoming shows for Keston & Westdal:
Thursday, March 2nd 2006 Kitty Cat Klub, Minneapolis, US
Thursday, March 16th 2006 Kitty Cat Klub, Minneapolis, US

Official site:
http://www.kestwest.com

KestWest on MySpace:
http://www.myspace.com/kestwest

Desdamona's Myspace, Website, and CDbaby:
www.myspace.com/desdamona
www.desdamona.dunation.com
www.cdbaby.com/desdamona

My latest CD is available on itunes.

NEW PICTURES, NEW MUSIC & NEW VIDEO CLIP

2006-02-24T11:07:00.000-08:00

check out some new stuff:

www.myspace.com/desdamona

A tribute to Valentine's Day

2006-02-22T15:43:00.000-08:00

dissidence resonating in my bones
been alone so long, I'm no longer cold
he's afraid to hold me because I'm so bold
my pride so wide, my walls are 3 fold

if he could fill me like music
we might be the perfect match
if we knew how to do it
our adoration might be latched
together - locked by heart
but neither of us know where to start
and I'm cool - cause if it never starts
it never has to end

persistence waning, unrequited valentine
fate misplaced by my early arrival
patience dying with the turn of time
second guessing - maybe in the next life

I-want-to-tell-him-but-can't-speak-the-words
Why-can't-he-just-read-my-mind?

You don't want to miss this!!!!

2006-02-20T14:21:00.000-08:00

Tuesday, Feb 21st at Club Underground
355 Monroe St. N.
(downstairs from the Spring Street Bar)
612-627-9123

9:30pm / $3 / 21+

EMS & DJ Green - their release party is just around the corner but you should come and get a sneak peek!
Ill Chemistry (Carnage & Des)- you know the deal!
The New Congress - gonna make you move, gonna make you move, gonna make you shake that thang!

Metropolis

2006-02-15T19:07:00.000-08:00

I'm performing in a show this Sunday, February 19th at
The Southern Theater in Minneapolis
You can get all the details, price, etc at www.myspace.com/desdamona

This performance will be a collaborate effort that features the film Metropolis. Metropolis is one of the most exciting and exceptional works of art that humankind has produced. This epic science fiction film is one of Germany's famous silent movies created by Fritz Lang and liberated in 1927, the period between the two world wars.

Electropolis will be adding the soundtrack of live music for the showing of the film. I, Desdamona, will be providing a spoken word element. Here's what I will be performing.

Never have I been lost in this city
but instead, the city lost inside of me
just beneath the skin is seeps
it drips, it creeps, it rests in sleep
the sharpness of we pillowed beings
projected onto slippery streets
the juxtaposition of marshmallow memories
against the rust of unyielding dreams
has traced itself under my fingernails
and become embedded in my psyche
this metropolis turns to dust
and spreads wide as the grandest state
inside my heart it pumps and thrusts
a continent it makes
the veins are plucked one by one
replaced by fragile shards
that seemingly reflect our image
and we get wrapped inside the shine
because it's so curiously vivid
These are your brothers staring into the crystal ball of misfortune
never truly seeing reality
the balance split into unequal parts
slashing cuts into the flowering skirt of our mother
she is trying to tell us something but we've convinced her that she has no voice
her children have become assimilated into the steel and smoke
the dead have a silent film stretched across their faces
heart murmurs and celestial mirages
swooning from the stench of the soot
Whose hands built this city?
Whose heart resides here?
whose mind controls it?
overlooked by the centuries
shift change
shift & change
change shifts and the ladies dance for the heartless
the divide becomes a wound too deep to recover
the mother of these poor children, bereaved
and still the kings do not recognize their brothers
the ones standing in the mine fields
these are your brothers
frantically swinging machetes
amputating their own limbs
disconnecting themselves from humanity
but you are made of iron
neither their happiness or their sorrow
can push the wind into your face

dummy

2006-02-06T22:47:00.000-08:00

all my friends, they think I'm smart
but I've only fooled them good
with my sarcasm and my witty talk
they're all in the dark
for who I am, or what I've become
is just what I've learned to be
wonder if they'd love to like
the me I used to be
It's not that I'm faking
or being something I'm not
I've just learned to use
all these things I been taught
I used to think that I was dumb
and sometimes I still do
expecially when I'm around
someone as smart as you
you know how to punctuate
and use words that I can't pronounce
and I know that you're super smart
because you never put me down
So, I'm wonderin if you might
want to teach me a thing or two
and even though I'm not too bright
maybe there's something I can teach you too

Desdamona Interview with Kevin Beacham - as seen on www.dunation.com

2006-01-10T12:55:00.000-08:00

Rhyme Tissue
by Kevin Beacham

When someone can find the perfect marriage of their talent and their personality it is a beautiful thing. Desdamona has achieved just that. Watching her on stage you get a variety of emotion and passion mixed with a voice that is sultry yet strong. Her words are well chosen and thought provoking. Most often there is a message to the music, a lesson to be learned, but she's able to convey it without being overbearing. The heavy subjects find comfortable balance amongst light hearted humor. Certainly some of these talents are the results of birthright, but have been fine tuned with years of practice and experience. Having mastered her craft on stage, the time had come to repeat the process in the studio. The result is her first official full length CD release titled "The Ledge" which is comprised of powerful spoken word poetry, uplifting MCing & soulful singing. We recently sat down and spoke about her history, what's new, what's in the future and had a few laughs. Here's what she had to say....

K.B.: Let's start with the very beginning of life, where are you originally from?

D: I grew up in Mount Pleasant, Iowa. It's on the South East corner of Iowa. It's a little town of about 8,000 people. I lived there my whole life until I was 18 and then I moved to Cedar Falls/Waterloo, Iowa. That's where I went to school for a while and then I moved to Minneapolis in '96.

K.B.: When and how did you first get interested in Hip Hop?

D: I think the first time I really got interested in any of the elements was probably in about 6th grade. Around the time I first saw the Breakin' movies and stuff like that and I already was a dancer so I thought it was so cool and I wanted to learn how to breakdance. Being from a small town there was not a real outlet for it besides that kind of stuff. Lyrically, the first time I started doing things was when I was 14 and a Freshmen and just listening to like the Beastie Boys, RunDMC...all that kind of stuff, anything that I could find.

K.B.: Were there a lot of options for buying Hip Hop where you were at?

D: No. It wasn't really being played that much on the radio there. Really the way that I found it was YO MTV RAPS. I watched YO MTV RAPs every single day. I would literally tape stuff off there and try to make these little mixes on tape...it was so stupid...ha. It's like I wanted to be a DJ. It's funny when I think back about it and how I wanted to be a part of every element of it and I think that's why it's so important to me now. Even though I was never a graffiti artist, I was never a DJ, and I was never a Breakdancer, but I have a love for those things...that's basically how it started. I would go about a half hour from where I lived and there was a bigger town and I would go to the mall and go to the record store. I would just pick things that I thought looked interesting, stuff I saw on YO MTV RAPS, or whatever I could find. I would just buy it. Although I didn't have a lot of money so it didn't happen very often. My Mom would get mad at me because all I would buy is music.

K.B.: At that point were you already doing poetry?

D: Yeah, I've been writing since I was little. My dad was a fourth grade teacher and he always got me into writing and my Grandmother is a Poet and I used to go to her house after school and we would write poetry or paint or whatever. I think that was the reason why when I heard the first rap I was attracted to it.

K.B.: What are some of the Pros and Cons of doing both poetry and Hip Hop, if you see any?

D: People wanna label you a certain way and it gets frustrating. In a way something in you wants to be labeled. Then something (else) is like, 'fuck you, I don't want that'. I think within the Hip Hop community there's like this desperate need, and I don't just mean this for me but for everybody, to be accepted. When you don't feel like you're accepted it makes you angry but it also makes you work harder. It's good and bad on lots of levels. (Also), I think a lot of times spoken word or poetry right now is getting a little over saturated and there's a lot of stereotypes that go along with that too and I try not to follow those things.

K.B.: That kind of goes into my next thing because potentially when you do both and you have had a passion for both from an early start you face several obstacles. I'll say particularly in Hip Hop because I know Hip Hop better but maybe also in the Poet circle as well...one thing is that within Hip Hop people say those who can't become MCs become spoken word poets. There's probably circles of Poets who don't respect rappers. So you personally have those two things, but then you also have, definitely in Hip Hop, the challenge of being a women involved in the Culture. That's a whole other thing so how do you mentally prepare yourself to deal with these obstacles besides just doing what you do...

D: Well, before I moved here I was doing Hip Hop stuff. It was definitely not what I'm doing now, but I was writing rhymes but I've grown so much since then. What I realized when I came here was that it was going to be really hard for me to do that because I kept getting people basically telling me not to do it. I really started doing spoken word because that seemed like that was the easiest way to get involved in it. Every-time I would go to try to work with producers or musicians it was pretty much constantly more like, 'I'm trying to get with you'...ya know, really annoying. It made me feel like no one liked what I did at all and that they were just trying to get with me so I was like, 'Fuck it, I'm just going to erase the music out of it and I'm going to take what I've written in songs and do them as poetry'. It's been interesting because I kind of used that to get in the door. I would do and still do a lot of poetry about Hip Hop so people started to ask me to do Hip Hop shows so I kind of got to come back in to it. I feel like I haven't even fully come back into it yet. I feel like I'm still in between the two.

K.B.: Do you want to settle on one or the other or...

D: I like being able to do both because I think there is a different freedom in both of them. There's (also) a little bit of a different mode of communication...just slightly different. I like being able to play with the two. I want to be able to experiment and not just stick to just one thing.

K.B.: Do you feel with the path you've taken, some of it being conscious and some of it being natural, that for you personally or for others as well that you've been able to beat some of those obstacles?

D: Yeah, sometimes. I could go off on so many different tangents from that, but I think in a way I've been able to do that. (However), It's pretty hard just as a female in general so that on top of being spoken word and Hip Hop...

K.B: ...so you consider being a woman that hardest challenge?

D: Yeah, actually...yeah. It's even weird to say that because I feel like it shouldn't be that way. I think people on the outside don't really get to see what goes down or how people treat you or how people assume certain things about you.

K.B: Then you have some people who are just so used to it that they think it's normal.

D: Or even the way people will treat you and they don't even realize that they are treating you this way but in a way they are stifling you and it's like, 'wow, that's deep that you don't even know that you are doing that'....ha!

K.B: Yeah, it's a way bigger problem than Hip Hop....

D: Oh Yeah, it's way beyond that but it gets a little amplified inside of Hip Hop I think because of the masculine portrayal and the posturing that happens.

K.B: It's just one of the many ways that Hip Hop is a great way to view the world (for the better or worse)....

D: ...cause it's a big magnifying glass...

K.B: It's a lil exaggerated to the proportion of the world, but it's very real (and accurate) within Hip Hop...

D: Right

K.B.: Alright, let's move along to some other things. You were saying earlier that you've been doing this for a long time so why so long before the first official release?

D: I had put out a couple things I did on my own, but honestly money and maybe even a little bit of direction. I think it's good that I waited for as long as I did. I think most people should wait. I don't think you should release something 2 or 3 years into your growth. I guess you can learn a lot from doing that but I think you really need to build a fan base and you really need to build on yourself as an artist and what direction you are trying to go in. I think people think to be an MC you have to put out a product, but it's like, 'No, actually you have to put in a lot of work first'....and everybody has a CD...

K.B.: (whispering)...but who has a good CD?

D: Right.

K.B.: You just kind of mentioned that even though this is your first album you've done some other things up to this point so what are some of the other projects you've done?

D: I did a little EP called "Resilience" and it was mostly spoken word. It was really low key and really mellow...probably more mellow than I would now do....

K.B: Did it just happen that way...

D: Yeah, It just happened that way. Partially with the musicians that I was working with and partially because I didn't really have a decided direction that I wanted to go so I let it be more collaborative and now I know better. Then there was the live CD that I did. Then there's a bunch of compilations & stuff that I've been on. I've been on "Words Will Heal The Wounds" and Groove Garden "Varietals Volume One". I've been on some Rhymesayers stuff too...Musab, IXL and Brother Ali's first release. I was on the Rosemary records (compilation) "The Evolution Is Outdated". I'm on the Cheap Cologne CD and I'm also on the DU Nation Compilation.

K.B: OK, the album! Of course, the most famous question probably is (switching to my most Hollywood voice) how did the connection with Sly & Robbie happen...ya know...How was it like working with Sly & Robbie?

D: Well, I was writing songs for someone else...more R&B stuff. (For this project) we were working with some people in Philadelphia. I went out there to work on a couple more songs and my friend who is out there, who I write songs with, her husband owns a studio and that's where some of the vocals were being laid. He had heard me here once when they came to visit. My friend was like, "You should do this poem for him" so I did this poem and he was like, "Let's go record some of this stuff". He manages Sly & Robbie and he was like, "Let's just record like 14 different things and I think what I'm going to do is give it to Sly and have him listen and if he's interested then they'll go and work on something. He may not be interested, let's just see". He sent them to him and (Sly) liked it so he started working on some stuff. This was back in 2000 actually. Then we got like 5 or 6 things that we were working on with Sly & Robbie and also a couple of other people out there. Then they came into town with Black Uhuru and I opened up for them. After that nothing happened and we didn't do anything with it either. Then I got a grant from Minnesota State Arts Board and I put some of that money towards helping finish the project, but we really ended up starting over again. I got a bunch of beats from Sly & Robbie and started working on that and then went out there (Philly) to record.The only time I really ever met them one on one was when they were here. The rest was like on the phone or other modes of communication. It was a weird transplant thing like I'd go out there to record then they'd send the stuff to Jamaica and then they'd send it back....

K.B.: Being that you have several different things you offer to music, vocally speaking (singing, poetry or rapping), when you hear a track that someone is giving you how do you decide what you are going to do for that particular song?

D: I don't really decide I don't think...just whatever happens. I might try a couple different things on it to see what feels right. Usually it just kind of happens on its own. I don't make a conscious decision to be like this is going to be me singing or...you know what I mean. Yeah, I don't do that usually.

K.B: Do you feel more comfortable doing one or the other?

D: I'm more comfortable doing poetry or MCing than I do singing.

K.B.: What are some of your favorite album tracks from "The Ledge"?

D: I don't know if I have a favorite track at the moment. I have in the past...um, I like number 11...

K.B.: You can't say #11 for your own release....that should be against the rules...

(cue laughter, as we both laugh thru these next few moments)

D: ...it is #11 you can call it that if you want cause that means people will be like, 'what was #11, what's it called and they'll go look'...

K.B.: OK, reverse marketing or something alright..ha!

D: It's called "Get By" and I am (actually) singing on there.

K.B.: Describe the difference, if you think there is one, in preparing for a live show and preparing for recording a song in the studio.

D: I think it's a lot harder to record in the studio than it is to perform live. I guess (because) it's more of a controlled thing when recording and so it's hard to get the right energy. I guess basically to get prepared for that I make sure I know what I came to do. I think when you walk in and you are not clear then other people can take control and if don't want that then you need to know what's going on. Also, maybe even bringing the right people with you to be listening cause you're not always the best one to be listening. Matter of fact, you are NOT the best one to be listening. Someone who is not just going to say, "Yeah, that's great.". I guess for the live show, sometimes I forget because I perform so much, but what I like to do is go thru some of the songs in my mind before I go up. Sometimes I just go up and just do it, but I feel like I could just get lost in it sometimes so I need to meditate on if for a minute.

K.B: ...so you do a lot of performances and you also have some regular nites as well...

D: Yeah, Tuesday at the Blue Nile...sometimes I perform, sometimes I don't (she hosts the nite weekly). Thursday night at Bunkers with the New Congress, but I just sit in with them.

K.B.: With doing so many performances how do you keep yourself intrigued by performing?

D: It's the one and only thing that I'm like kind of probably addicted to. I don't get tired or bored with it. Plus a lot of people who have seen me in so many different...like, I'll be with a DJ. I'll be with a Beatboxer. I'm by myself. I'll be with a band. I'll be with one musician. You know what I mean...

K.B: It's a variation and you can do the same songs and pieces, but the dynamic changes.

D: Yeah, totally.

K.B: Also, on shows, I know you do a lot of shows locally but what other places have you been and how's the reception been in other cities?

D: Lately I've been in Iowa, Nebraska, Winnona, St. Cloud. I've been getting a good response and selling a lot of CDs that way. I think it's kind of refreshing for people cause they are not used to seeing it. From the response people are giving me is that it's different or I'll get (people who say), "That's what Hip Hop is". Which makes me laugh because a lot of people here don't feel like what I do is Hip Hop. It's all perception. Also, comparing here to other places, I get a great response out of town and lots of guys will buy my CD, but here my response from guys is funny. They'll come and be like, "My girlfriend loves your stuff". (more laughter). Then they buy my CD. I don't know if they are lying to me and they feel stupid buying it or what it is. It's like "I'm buying this for my mom"...

K.B.: (mocking the guys) "This CD is not for me, No. Maybe I'll hear it in passing...." (the laughter continues)

D: I'm not kidding. Like 90% of the time that's their response.... Then in other places dudes are the first ones to buy it. I think partly...I don't know, I don't even want to go into why I think that.

K.B.: Fair enough. Perhaps you've said to much...

D: I will say too much if I continue on...

(we have to take a moment to try and get serious again....)

K.B.: Do you usually write to the music?

D: I usually don't write to the music. Every now and then I do. Actually, that's not true. Sometimes I'll go out and listen to live music and I'll be writing there, so in a way I'm writing to music, but it's not the music that I'm going to end up doing it to. Then a lot of times it happens when I'm in the car and trying to write and drive at the same time... With the singing stuff, the chorus usually comes before I get the music and the melodies and stuff come after because that's a little bit harder to do without the music.

K.B: Do you have any particular rituals to help you write?

D: No, I write when I'm inspired.

K.B: What inspires you?

D: Going to see live music. Different kind of stuff than what I do. That's what inspires me, seeing other people perform...people that are good performers. Obviously life inspires me, but it comes thru when I'm just sitting and I'm quiet and listening to somebody or something. It can be one thing that somebody says that is like, 'Yeah, that's it'.

K.B: What do you listen to...musically?

D: The last CD that I bought was this guy Amos Lee. He was just here (recently) at the Fine Line. He's sort of more like a male version of Norah Jones. It's kind of mellow which is weird because I don't usually like mellow music but he's a good song writer. That (question is) hard because I feel like a lot of times I'm not listening to music because I'm in it so much. I go out to see local people. As for CDs, Amel Larrieux. The Roots..I love the The Roots. I like Talib Kweli & Common...that sounds so typical I hate saying it. I like Jill Scott. I've been kind of being introduced to some new things just listening to The Current (89.3 Twin Cities) because I don't like a lot of stuff. I don't love everything. There's some people who just love all kinds of music and I don't. I mean I like stuff from the 80s. I like Pop Music. Some of it I like, Some it I don't but I have a fascination with it sort of. I just don't have to buy it because I can hear it all the time.

K.B: Looking back...and we kind of covered this but not completely I don't think, but early on was there anyone particular that was more influential?

D: I can't think of anything specific, but a lot of Women in Hip Hop have been pretty influential to me. All the regular suspects.

K.B: Like who, I'm curious to know... (as I apply the pressure for names..ha!)

D: Queen Latifiah. MC Lyte. Monie Love even. Lauryn Hill when The Fugees came out with their first CD. A lot of people don't like that CD, but there was something there that I like....

K.B: ....reviewing that [Fugees] album was the first thing I ever wrote for a Hip Hop publication...

D: Oh really, wow. My favorite song on there is "Some Seek Stardom". I love that song. Just how she rhymes and she can sing. Every once and a while I'll do one of her verses from that song as a tribute or whatever...

K.B: What do you consider some of your biggest achievements in music? I was doing some research at your Myspace page and there's all kinds of stuff on there but I figured we didn't need to cover them all since they are there for everyone to see already (www.myspace.com/desdamona) so I thought I'd just have you point out the ones that stand out to you.

D: I guess being able to work with Sly & Robbie in a way is a pretty big achievement because most people would not have the opportunity to work with them or someone of that caliber or history. I feel like that was a gift. (Also), that I came from a little tiny town and didn't know anybody or anything and now many people know who I am. It's not about them liking me or not liking me. It's just that I've done something that people notice.

K.B.: Speaking of which, why did you move here?

D: I moved here to be a songwriter actually.

K.B: Why here?

D: Just being from the Midwest it's the closest big city. What happened was I was working with some musicians here already and so my friend and I just packed up and were like let's go. It was like what the hell are we doing. My parents were like freaking out. They were like "Minneapolis for music?", but Minneapolis has a very rich music (history). If it wouldn't have been for my friend I just wouldn't have come here. It was pretty much her initial thing like, "Let's go".

K.B: What are some upcoming things with you?

D: Doing some stuff with Carnage right now. We are going to do a project together. He and I perform a lot together (where) he does the Beatbox. We're going to do some of that but we're also going to do some songs together. It's kind of cool because I think we both kind of push each other a little outside of where we might usually be. We're very different but we have good chemistry. I'm trying to do some other things that I don't have completely mapped out just yet. Obviously there will be another project in the near future. This coming year I'm trying to just tour as much as I can. I've been out of town a lot to do poetry, but that's never what I wanted to do. I always wanted to do music and poetry, but I never had the money to do that. Lately the opportunities have just been coming. I've had to work really hard to get them, but I'm trying to get some things together so I can just like tour for a year. Obviously not non stop. I think that's what I need to because I've been here for so long and I've pretty much done what I can do. Not that I can't continue to do it (too).

K.B: Any goals or aspirations outside of being an artists?

D: (after a brief pause, she answers sort of bewildered)...not really. (we both burst out into laughter)

K.B: You looked like you don't think that is even possible?

D: That's probably what I was thinking because I don't do shit else but this. My first thing (I thought) was I want to publish someting....put some stuff in a book form, but that's still (being) an artist.

K.B: Well, I guess I'll say how do you want use your art in different ways and evolve?

D: I want to do that (the book). I want to get overseas. I want to collaborate with more people. I want to become better and expand what I'm doing and be able to see the growth from this CD to the next to the next... I do this full time, but my goal for this coming year is to perform more. Just get better and better and be able to support myself at a higher level then what I can do now.

K.B: Any closing words of wisdom for aspiring artists?

D: Don't expect anything. Just do it. If you can't do it (just because) you love it then don't do it. Half the time you're not going to get what you want.

Desdamona’s “The Ledge” is out now. You can also see her every Tuesday night at the Blue Nile.
Kevin Beacham, hosts “Redefinition Radio” on 89.3 FM The Current, Saturdays from 11:00PM-12:00AM…

a new poem

2006-01-08T21:30:00.000-08:00

sound tracks back
rewind fast
forward blasts
my soul is interrogated by the sounds
deliquent freedom flutters past
balancing on saxophone riffs
it drifts
sifts itself through me
taking the reverberation of my voice
trickery complete
by the ultimate thief - the melody
soothing, she steals the song from me
seizures seize me out of my body
experience eliminated
lost archives of lost lives
translated and misconstrued through lost time
myth made from true lives
from real to fake in the blink of an eye
synergy between elemental instruments
holding tight to all that came and went
bent, they straighten shit - recreate it
into sound symphonies
from righteous to melancholy

who does sound belong to?
Who owns the copyright?
Cause I've been makin a lot a noise and I probably owe somebody some money.

In the night I stole the silenced voice from it's cloistered existence
and I gave it my name & permission to speak
freely

inspired by local Minneapolis music makers, Electropolis
Desdamona

Holifrazzle

2005-12-26T21:55:00.000-08:00

Ok, the holidays don't really get to me...I guess I just don't make the big of a deal out of them. I go home, eat, sleep, talk to my family and come back to my home a couple days later. It's a good life.

I haven't been blogging much lately. Been a little busy with shows and such. I haven't had a lot of time to sit down and contemplate the way things have been going. I've just been in the "doing" mode. This is what works best for me. Maybe a little too good.

I just recently got some good news. I am planning a small tour on the East Coast for Spring of 2006. :) Can't wait. And hopefully this is just the beginning of more touring. I have been doing some spot gigs througout the midwest and the reception has been amazing. :) I'm having a great time!

that's all I got for now.

peace on earth and in the galaxy....please.
des

back from the.....

2005-12-07T00:41:00.000-08:00

....from the....I don't know. I'm back. Nothing too exciting. I just moved which is a trial for me. I love my new place but I am still unpaking and organizing. Glad to be where I am and hope to not move for some time.

Got some shows coming up this week and weekend. Check www.myspace.com/desdamona for the details. I also have new shirt designs that you can check there if you go to my "view more pictures" section.

Other than that I have been traveling a bit around the midwest, doing shows in Nebraska, Iowa, Wisconsin and in MInnesota, outside the Twin Cities. It's been going very well and it feels good to get into some new spaces and meet new people.

:) Leave me a message. I like to hear what other people have to say.

peace, des

intunes and other things

2005-11-21T16:11:00.000-08:00

Desdamona is now digitally downloadable.

goto:

www.itunes.com

also check out:

www.iamcheapcologne.com to hear the latest track I did on the "Something Random" compilation CD - released in November!

Big Brother is HERE!

2005-10-30T17:10:00.000-08:00

Just watched 60 minutes and they had a story on Companies who fire employees who smoke....and it's legal. There are companies who have these new health programs that monitor and regulate programs that are built to lessen health care costs.
This makes it easy for them to eliminate the people who have poor health and require more medical assistance.

Now, as much as I agree that it would be great if everyone were healthy I don't see this as a good thing. I don't like smoke so I don't smoke but that doesn't mean that I should be able to decide if someone else can do it or not. I know it's bad for you but I wouldn't want anyone saying to me, "You have to lose 10 lbs or we'll fire you." This is an invasion of privacy and I don't think that your employer she be able to control this part of your life.

I feel like Big Brother is gettin bigger and bigger. There are already many camera's on interstate's and downtown city streets and they are supposedly meant to keep crime down. Ok, I can see that. But everything is becoming more and more controled. People are being lulled into a submissive state. People actually try out to be an "reality shows" that exploit them. They're clammering to get on these shows! It's like we've been tricked and now everyone wants their life on screen. IT's that lure of becoming a star that caught us. But the reality is that these aren't reality shows...They're exploitation, manipulation and it's scary!

This continues to get worse on many levels. Our rights are slowly melting away to the point that we don't even realize that it's happening. Once it's too late, we'll be sorry.

Two years ago my apartment was raided by the cops. Or should I say, armed officers with their guns drawn. There were at least 5 of them who kicked both my front and back doors down, breaking one of them. Upon their entrance I was getting out of the shower - naked. There were running footsteps I heard and then, "Open the door!" But instead of waiting for me to open the door, they kicked it open. and in came 5 cops, guns on me. I was told numerous times to put my hands up. I put them up while still holding my robe in front of me. Had I been in the shower when they came in I don't know what might have happened. I'm sure they would have busted into my bedroom and scared the living shit out of me.

One cop had his gun on me the entire time while the rest proceeded through the apartment. To this day I don't know exactly what or who they were looking for. From what I can gather they were looking for someone who had ties to the people in the apartment below mine and I heard them say, "we saw him come in here."

The only thing they said to me was, "get your hands up!" numerous time. Of course, I was shaking and completely in shock. When they didn't find anything or anyone they left and one of them said, "get your clothes on!" I felt completely violated especially with that last statement. Excuse me, I thought...get the fuck out of my house and don't tell me to get my clothes on! No, I didn't say that - I was scared to move at the time.

I got dressed and it has never been so hard to actually put clothes on in my life. I was still shaking and confused about what the hell just happened.

They left every door of my apartment wide open - and I'm the naked woman inside - hello! Why would you leave the doors wide open. What happened to "serve and protect"?

Once I got dressed I looked out the window and saw at least 10 plain clothed officers - not the ones who were in my apartment. And that freaked me even more. I had talked to my landlord and he had told me to go out and talk to them but at this point I was afraid to walk outside. I didn't know if I would have to walk out with my hands up or if there was New cameras there. So, I didn't go outside. I should have gone outside and found out what the hell happened but I highly doubt that I would have gotten the answers I was looking for.

For the next month or so every noise I heard scared the crap out of me and I couldn't relax in my own house.

Today I saw the cop who had his gun on me the whole time. I will never forget him. I have seen him about 3 times since the raid incident and everytime I see him anger bubbles up inside me. I don't feel safe or like he would help me if I needed it. I don't even feel like he gives a shit. Just doing his "job". I have less and less faith in our police and I know they're not all assholes. I just wish one of them would have had the courtesy to let me know what was happening once they realized that I wasn't involved and I was completely violated. But I guess they can't apologize for stuff like that because then that would mean that they are wrong.

Critical Condition

2005-10-27T13:46:00.000-07:00

I have a friend who is critical about everything. At first, I found him to be a great observer who looked deeper into things before he just accepted them. This is good....but, then I slowly came to realize that being critical about everything can tend to just bring you down over a period of time.

Although I think that it is good to question things I also think it is just as important to see the good things about a situation. When you're overly critical you set yourself up to be disappointed on a regular basis. Nothing lives up to your standards and I would think that you would start to feel very alone.

So, for me the lesson is simple. Start to see the great things in people, things, places, events, whatever it is. You might start to see your own spirit lifted and this is always a good thing. Don't get caught in the critique. I think it's bad when you don't think about the things you do or consume but I also believe that you can think too much and analyze something into the ground and completely miss the point.

Fly Away

2005-10-24T23:28:00.000-07:00

4/26/05 desdamona
When she came into this world I had to stage a serious intervention. I wanted her to be able to make a decision without having to actually live through all the pain to learn.So I told her of what this world is really made of. She looked at me with eyes of innocense, so intense I could only look for a moment. She twisted her face in order to hear me, see me. I don't know what she saw when she looked at me. I don't know what language heaven speaks so I did my best to translate my speech into something heavenly.

When I told her of the atrocities that we have inflicted upon eachother she wailed and screamed, could hardly breathe. She shook and shuddered and I held her close to me. Her eyes turned from a bright brown to a cloudy dark blue.

When I told her what our knowledge had done to us she smiled a sheepish grin and turned her head to the side as if to say that she could change the direction we are going. Slowly, she began to speak but I could not decipher her poetry. I listened attentively, hoping that my respect would grant me the ability to understand all the love she had to tell me.

I spoke briefly to her about these disease that we spread with ease but at this, she didn't want to hear me...So, I stopped...deciding that maybe I should tell her of something new. So I whispered the song of my childhood, with all the good and bad
the days of cool grass under me, climbing the mullberry trees and hiding where no one could see me...about the peace and violation of innocence. And she looked at me like she already knew. I told her that as she gets older she will turn into only an echo of what she used to be and a charmed laugh rolled out of her throat as if she had the secret to defy time.

I told her that it was probably best if she just flew away. But after all I had to say....she decided to stay.

Stars

2005-10-24T22:42:00.000-07:00

Sept. 27 / desdamona
In the city you can't see the stars
mistaking street lights for (the) heaven(s) - no constillations
I used to drive out on gravel roads
lay down on the hood of my car
and watch star after star fall and disappear
In the city, a different kind of star falls here
a different kind a light rides here
Here, enveloped by self doubt and circumstance
we elope on fatal clouds and happenstance
the trance of dreams unweaved from what we once believed
turning into something that will never be
we be-come bereaved with the passing of these pieces of sleep
slipping from youth to early demise
our eyes cannot conjour the colors like they used to
criticism just aint' what we're used to
what we choose changes as life shifts planes
never stagnant, this magnet – shifting back and forth
if only it could take us back to what there was before
so we could overstand this exploration
metaphors become our life long occupation
searching for signs of life inside this deep space station
adoration slips away on disbelief
we can't quite see what others see
seeking new narcotics to nurse our neglected souls
sucking on negativity
thinking we lack when we're fully whole
ignoring chances to be free
stopping in our tracks when we're on a roll
what would life be if we lived successfully
lacking direction, we lose control
acting like we fucked it up intentionally
these super nova newborns burn slowly
ashes to the sun, pheonix rising
hopefully we can see destiny
through the smoke and ashes – to reach past us
through eternity to see the super stars in you
stars in me
stars in you
stars in me
stars in you
amongst the pavement and potholes
angels and lost souls occupy the same space
in time they will collide
it's time to choose sides
lives will be taken so that new can be created
some will be assimilated
wearing sheeps clothes when they're not
just a veil over these problems we got
history repeats for we, wolves and sheep
tranquillity arrives when we choose peace

The Things We Remember

2005-10-17T15:05:00.000-07:00

When I was in 4th grade I used to write a lot of notes. My friends and I sent them back and forth almost every day. It was probably really good practice for me because I wasn't the best reader or writer. I was in the lowest reader class which was pretty embarrassing for me and I also had to take one on one speech lessons. It was an S thing.

I remember once, one of my friend must have been mad at me and she told me all the things that were wrong with me. Number one on the list was that I didn't know how to spell “writing”. I spelled it like this, writting. Well, to this day when I write the word writing – I remember the day I learned how to spell it right.

I don't really consider myself to be a great writer. You can read my posts and see that I'm no pro. But what I am good at is expressing my thoughts, off of the page....where it doesn't matter if anything is mis-spelled. And all those, “sally sold sea shells by the sea shore” really paid off. Now I don't have to sit a room the size of a closet and receit alliteration/ poetry to an audience of one.....I get to to do it for lots of people.

Golden's Cd Release @ The Cabooze

2005-10-16T23:51:00.000-07:00

Once. Twice. Three times for the Lady.

2005-10-16T00:23:00.000-07:00

I did 3 shows tonight. First one in Minneapolis at Walker Church. A sort of celebration and appreciation of the elders in our community. I felt honored to be a part of something like that. I was one of the younger performers there and I kept thinking how funny it would have been if there had been a hip hop crowd there.

Show 2: in St Paul at "Over the Rainbow". A friend asked me to perform at her first all women showcase. It was a good night and I got to meet some new people. Got a headache just before I went on (2nd day in a row) but took some ibuprofin. Didn't seem to make a dent in the inner-head-explosion. But I survived to live through another headache.

Show 3: Downtown Minneapolis at Nochee - a sort of "upscale bar" - at least to me. Possibly a meat market but not sleazy - maybe just a little greazy (men with slicked back hair). Played with The New Congress
Had some lovely, yummy chicken wings for 14.99 - yikes! But they were good and I needed to eat something. I took the ibuprofin on an empty stomach. bah! mistake.

and the wind down: Now I'm home and amazingly, not too tired. I should be because I had a show last night and had to get up this morning for an interview. I'm sure that any moment now my battery is going to run out of juice....so, before I get too low....I'll go.

Thoughts on the Hurricane

2005-10-10T20:59:00.000-07:00

Someone sent out a call for responses to the Hurricane. They wanted people to send these reponses. This is what I wrote.

First I will say that I think it is a terrible tragedy and I do understand the desire to rebuild but I think that there is a message that we are missing.

I have never been to New Orleans so I don't have the connection that the people who have visited or lived there have. But I do have compassion and I can't imagine what it would be like to lose everything and not be able to retrieve anything. It would break my heart.

I think that nature is trying to tell us something. Think back just a little bit, the tsunami, multiple hurricane's, and most recently earthquakes. This past weekend I saw a show on public television about a lost city in Asia. They were trying to determine what happened to the city. Why did it get taken over by the jungle? In the end they found that the city had become so big that they had used all their resources, and the toll that the people were taking on the land was too much for it to take. Floods began to take over among other things. The jungle and forrested areas are like sponges and they soke up water. Our cities and towns are not sponges. And the place where they were studying had been a city larger than New York City. Massive tragedy took over the city through natural disasters which probably led to a huge death toll and then disease. I believe that is what is happening to our world today. As it has repeatedly happened throughout history.

I don't think that it is a good idea to rebuild because it is certain to happen again. Certian. Not probably or possible. It will happen again. How many more people have to die before we listen to what the earth is telling us? We are over-populated, we don't take care of our world, and we war like there is no tomorrow, we use all our natural resources and cut down trees because they ruin the "view". Soon, there will be no tomorrow and it will be our fault because we did not read or listen to the signs. We did not try to stop the maddness. We did not respect the land. We will pay the price...many already have.

We are stubborn and we want what we think belongs to us. We want to be resilient and build it up again to prove that we can carry on. It's a nice romantic sentitment. But will our children or their children be the ones who suffer because we weren't going to let mother nature get the best of us? What are we trying to prove by rebuilding? That we can't be knocked down? Well, we CAN be knocked down and maybe we should wipe off the dirt, tend to the wounds and say, " Maybe this isn't going to work out. We had a beautiful city and now it's gone. Let's build a memorial to our city and it's people so that others don't forget. Let's use the money it would take to rebuild and give it to those who lost so much in this tragedy."

You should always listen to your Mother.

But again, I know that I don't fully understand. I have never been there. What I do understand is that I don't want more people to die because of human stubborness and determination. This has happened too many times. We must learn.

Peace,
desdamona

2005-10-09T00:42:00.000-07:00

Allow yourself to realize and accept your importance.

Desi

2005-10-07T08:36:00.000-07:00

This picture was taken one night after a show by my friend, Dan. Turned out pretty interesting. :)

Biten

2005-10-06T20:22:00.000-07:00

When I can, I try and give other artists opportunities because I know how hard it is to get into the scene....especially as a woman. But over the years I've met people who are manipulative and don't have their own true identities and are content to be "biters" or in other words, people who will ride off what you created for yourself - or people who imitate, duplicate, you get the idea. And then get credit for it! eh!!!! What the....

This crap leaves me fuming. Really, you can probably see the smoke billowing from my head. I just don't understand why anyone would ever, ever, ever want to do this. Then people say to me, imitation is a form fo flattery...HA! well, you can keep your flattery. I don't want it or need it. Matter of fact, stay far, far away from me with that crap. It's sort of like "single white female"...yikes!

Try Harder

2005-10-03T23:51:00.000-07:00

I'm trying to be nice. Really. I am. But some people just push me over the edge. I think that my problem is that I was too nice when I was younger and so now I've stored up all the annoyance and it has to come out.

I think most people would say I'm a nice person....most. At least I hope so. I don't really want to be known as a jerk. But when someone is really bothering me I find what works best is to let them know in a subtle way initially. Then if that doesn't work you have to get hardcore. You kind of have to let people know that you won't put up with their shit or else they keep bringing it on.

I know I'm being rather vague....because I'm not talking about one specific person. It's actually a couple people that got under my skin and they are making me itch like I have fleas. ick!!!! ok, now I'm laughing. ahhhh, Aveno.

I'm a little crazy...I just wrote a diss poem about someone which isn't something I typically do. I needed to get it out of my system. So that maybe I can just let it go. blah, blah, blah....

sometimesitsuckstobeaniceguy.
des

Poems

2005-10-02T10:09:00.000-07:00

Desdamona written April 23, 2005
Twin Cities Tribute
This is as serious as Kanser. I searched the earth and the Atmosphere to find the answer for this D.igital U.nderground Nation. I had this Eyedea to ressurect the Unknown Prophets to remind the I, self, divine that we need to build up our foundation of hip hop respect and put the negativity to rest. But the Truth is a Maze that we trek through and this is only Stage One. We got a lot more to do. So, I prayed to the Mazta. I went to my friend, the one and only Brother Ali. He told me that the answer was already within me and all I had to do is use it. So I use it. Check myself, so I don't abuse it...and I Rek all the Heavyweights who said I couldn't do it. I use my PenSoul as a Manifestor of Mindcontrol and it has been said that I'm O.n S.omethin' P.ersonal. I come Phull Circle. I am the versitile Dialog Elevator, better known as a fierce RhymeSayer. I use Traditional Methods, translate them through the future and Beyond. And all I want is to be remembered when I'm gone. To the CORE this Crescent Moon is a Fundamentalist with Twisted Linguistics and if I get pushed too far Out of Bounds, my opponent will catch a Deadfist . I am a Dtekh-tive so don't try to act like you No-Mi - like using the name my mother gave me, makes you my homie. I got Abilities and I am Illicit, constantly creatin' Many Styles. I use these Inkproof Indigo, Mystic blues to break Illusions and I tell the truth Extreme, always blatant-ly – Insanely Beautiful. Poized and Concentrated I get the crowd emotionally naked. This ain't a game to me. It's somethin' sacred. Like a King, IXL past the mediocrity and I bring into vision Arkology. There is Knonam that can completely describe me. If you can't pronounce Desdamona correctly maybe you can Try-D. I be the lyrical Orikal, the Golden Soundsmith of speech and I'll give it to ya 2Times cause that's how I teach. I got Big Quarters in my pocket. 75 cents from these Odd Jobs – I'm on my knees...but you know I still shine like the Illuminous 3. This new breed is widening the Gene Poole. It's time we leave this Freshnest and send these b boys babies off to school. I watch these Stereotype Click MC's go to lyrical war. These Battle Cats steady seek Xcaliber. This Abstract Pack perpetually rock mics and get wicked with the RDM. Once they tried to school me and make me their Protegee but I was like, “A Money, I'm a Kamillion and I'm gonna do this my own way!” I've witnessed the Carnage and I had the Capacity to endure – waded through the water – proof that I am the Purest Form of flesh while the Gardians of Balance put me to the test. I withstood the HEAT and I made my own way and every experience I had made me who I am today. So, I give Heiruspecs to the peoples pushin it for-words. To all the Native Sons, Native Ones and daughters. This is a Mikchek message and a love letter to all the music makers in these Twin Trac-Cities and if I forgot your name it doesn't mean that I don't think you're worth the time...it just didn't fit into the rhyme and I got love just the same.

R.hythm A.nd P.oetry
(Iwanted to be an MC) Desdamona 1998

Sometimes I rhyme slow / sometimes I rhyme quick / You thought I was Nice -n-Smooth but I'm really just Slick, Rick / “...I tick and I talk...” with my biological clock / And I crawl when I can't walk / I've seen Joy and Pain and realized that there's always sunshine after the rain / I Got it Made / “...got everything from cotton to suede...” / Seen The Ledge from the edge / wanted to be a Leader of the New School
but ended up in Special Ed / They told me I was Too Short and too Vanilla Ice
Said I shouldn't rock the mic because I wasn't Too Hype / They called me MC Lyte and it wasn't because I was skinny / I thought PE stood for physical education
I called in a request and they said I had the wrong station / I drifted from the Pharcyde 'til I saw the De La of my Soul / The beat kept passin' me by so I decided to let it go / I found a honeycomb and that's where I met A Tribe Called Quest but the Killa Bees chased me outta the nest / I just wanted to be a part of the Goodie Mobb but they told me I was just an Outkast and that I would never Everlast /
So I went down to the Lords of the Underground / But they told me not to BustaRhyme / They said, “Common Sense will tell you that it's just not the right time.” / I went from Biggie to Smalls to find lyrcis that fit / Then they asked me if I was ready to be a True Fuschnick / They showed me the M.E.T.H.O.D. And the Treacherous Technics / They blessed me with the rhythm but I still couldn't find the beat / They scribed Hieroglyphics and traced it back to the Roots / I saw The Show and then I got Juiced / I met this cat named Eric B and I asked him to listen / But he told me I didn't Rakim and then he started dissin' / I “...put the needle on the record...” and thought the sound was Mos Def / Went to the store with 50 Cent and bought some Eminems / I passed out on the way back to my house / My mom found me on the sidewalk / with water she doused / She said, “Are you Conscious Daughter? Or should I call Dr Dre?” and I said, “ No, no...it's ok. I just need a tall glass of LL Cool J.” / That night I dremt of Black Stars and jazzy Digable Planets and it made me feel high Then I saw a little Redman floating through the sky / The Beastie Boys who lived next door woke me up / the little creeps / And they said, “If you're gonna be an MC, don't sleep!” / I thought, these Souls of Mischief have got to be Alkaholics / 'Cause they took my bottle of Brass Monkey and then they stole my wallet / That's when I realized that this hip hop thing wasn't for me / So, from then on I called all my rhymes poetry

Hamburger Dreams

2005-09-25T11:38:00.000-07:00

For the past 2 nights I have been dreaming about hamburgers. I don't usually eat red meat but....I broke down and went to the store and bought some yesterday. Made myself a burger and it was great. Maybe I'm iron deficient or something. Today I was craving another....so I had one.
I've been trying to lose some weight so I'm sure that won't help but maybe I'll just have to make an extra lap around the lake today.

Pissed off about EVERYTHING

2005-09-24T15:46:00.000-07:00

Lately I have come in contact with a couple people who are just constantly mad about something. In my dealings with them I realized that it's easy to fall into the maddness of being mad about petty things and then carrying around that baggage and putting it on other people. Ridiculous!

There is this kid I know and he thinks he knows everything. He's about 21 years old so you know where he's at. I don't think I have ever heard him say anything nice. He is constantly telling people how dumb they are and that they are wrong...and that he is right....and it's always in a defensive or abrasive tone. It makes me wonder how this kid even has any friends.

Anyone outside his circle of friends is a NOBODY to him.

It makes me wonder what his everyday life is actually like. It must be absolutely miserable. Constantly mad or annoyed by someone. Always believing that he's right and that everyone else on the face of the planet is a complete idiot. What a lonely and depressing world.

I hope that he figure it out soon and sees that life is what you make it. And if you don't believe in other people, you don't really believe in yourself. There's so much negativity around us on a daily basis....why create more? What's the point?

Maybe he had a bad childhood and just hasn't gotten over it....but I read something the other day - can't remember where - it said, "You had a bad childhood but now it's over." I thought to myself, "yeah." for real. It's over so move on up and out of that black cloud. It's over. Just keep telling yourself that and maybe you'll believe it one of these days.

------

Today I ran into a guy at the grocery store. I didn't recognize him at first but I had actually gone on one date with him about a year ago. He was at the pay phone. I smiled a said hello when he spoke and then I just kept walking inside. It didn't dawn on me yet who he was.

But of course, on my way out I see him again. Actually he came into my line and walked in front of other people acting as if he was with me. I paid for my things. Then he paid for his while asking me why I never called him, and things like, "I thought we had a good time." etc. He was obviously hurt by my not calling him. I also noticed that his button down shirt was buttoned wrong and I could have been nice and told him so but I thought, nahhhh...

So, let me tell you what happened on the "date". We went to the Mall of America (not my top of the list date place). he was hungry so I told him how to get to Dixie's in St Paul. He had never been there and actually acted scared to go to a place he had never been. He asted weird almost the whole time we were there but was pleasantly suprised with the food. For about 10 minutes he stood outside (me, inside) and talked on his phone. Then he came back in. We split the bill and left. Then we stopped at 2 different houses where I got to stay in the car while he went in and was gone for 15-20 minutes both times. I had somewhere to be in the evening so I asked if he would take me home. He said he didn't want me to leave. I told him that I would call him when I was done, to appease him. I wasn't going to call. I wanted to escape. I felt like a prisoner because he kept saying he didn't want to take me home. But, he did. Before he took me he reached over and grabbed my head and gave me an UNWANTED kiss. I pulled away - and told him that I didn't want to kiss him. He tried again. I just about flipped on him. I said, "you don't TAKE a kiss from someone." He didn't get it....at all. Like he deserved what he wanted. Finally, he brought me home but I was a little scared the whole way and I was regretting that fact that he knew where I lived.

I didn't call him that night. And I don't think that he called me either but I can't remember.

So - back to the store. I stood outside and talked to him for about 5 minutes. The whole time he was asking why I didn't call him. I told him he was too agressive and replayed the kissing scene. What do you know, he still didn't get it. Then he kept asking hypothetical questions like, "if I wouldn't have done that do you think we would be together?"

He asked for my number. I said no. He asked if he could give me his. I said no. (this is the typical, can't take NO for an answer)He said why. I told him I was seeing someone. As I was saying this he began talking to himself about the magazine he had. Then he proceeds to tell me that it looks like I've gained weight. (I've lost weight) and then says some remark about the "person I'm seeing" - 2 Nice little jabs at me because I wouldn't give this idiot my freaking number. Then he just started to walk away. My guess is that he wanted me to follow him. HAHAHAHAAAA! I walked to my car and smiled to myself. Thank god I got away from that creep. I would like to meet his mother and see if she knows that her son doesn't know a thing about chivalry, kindness or simple respect. Does she know her son is possessive, agressive and completely inept? Probably not.

Write with the moon. Right with the moon. Rite with the moon.

2005-09-23T12:55:00.000-07:00

Desdamona 2004

When the moon is full I write with invisible ink
It slides down my page onto my legs
Invades my private space
Leaving traces of ink to sink into my lunar legacy

Words capture me like winged freedom inside a butterfly net
Bitter sweet captivity
Words
The only things that still me
Sooth me
Cure me
Kill me

My wings powdered delicately
Laced with my dangerous emancipation
If I could truly be all I was meant to be
You just wouldn’t believe

When the moon is at three quarters
Life seems shorter
A cup almost full of water
Minus one swallow
Swallow sings on sultry, slippery seams
Of what is and what used to be me
Song bird sing to me

While the moon is but a sliver
A sharp slice of peace
I feel empty
Darkness invading my privacy
Moon always watching me

And while the moon is fraternizing with her midnight sky
My eyes open wide to see if I might find some of her secrets
She twists the tides and turns them into seasons
Each wave
One of her reasons for being

And me and my body of water is imprisoned gracefully by her gravity
She can only confine but never truly capture me
She births and nurtures me
Buildings burdens to flirt with me and my capacity to endure

She is pure divinity
Placed in my sight to remind me
That she will remain here long after I leave
A mother
So inclined to outlive her offspring
A mother so divine she will outlive her offspring

When the wind blows....

2005-09-22T23:25:00.000-07:00

I've been walking around the lake every day since Labor day and I have to say that it is so refreshing. The weather has been great and even on the cooler days the sun is still shining. This is my favorite time of year. While other Minnesotans have a dark cloud over their heads and they are complaining about their impending doom, I am simply happy with the whole thing. The air smells great and we get a little bit of everything. Sun, rain, wind, cool, warm, great sunsets. How could anyone complain? Yes, winter is coming but the past few years have been fairly mild. I like winter anyway.

Yesterday at First Avenue I performed for the 25th Annual MN Music Awards. I played with some friends of mine, The New Congress. It was a great night! I won an award for "best spoken word artist" but I didn't win the other 3 I was nominated for. It doesn't even matter because the best part of the night was being able to perform. I can't even begin to explain how much fun it was and from the looks of it, the crowd was lovin' it too. I had my friend Nikki dance to the introduction so she got everybody into it. fabulous! While this was all going on there was a storm raging outside. I think that a tornado touched down some where near Minneapolis. But, I missed it all because I was at the awards.

This morning I got up and went to walk around the lake and I got to see what the storm had left behind. There were branches and twigs every where, strewn across the grass. It kind of looked like maybe the trees got into a little scuff and lost their cool along with some limbs and leaves. On my walk through this earthly cemetary of broken trees there was a steady wind pushing itself across the lake, rattling the leaves that managed to hold tight to their owners. There is always a wind around the lake but today it was stronger than normal. Everytime the wind kicks in I can't help but smile and sometimes I laugh because of it's force. I can't believe that something so invisible can be so strong. It's just amazing to me and I love it...the way it sounds and the way it feels.

When I perform I kind of go to a different place and it all comes out of me. I don't really pay attention to what I'm doing....I just do it. I hope that I create that wind when people are listening to me.

Drunk Boys

2005-09-18T01:06:00.000-07:00

Tonight I had a show at the Dunkytowner. For those who don't know, the Dinytowner is a bar in Dinkytown, which is part of the U of M campus. So, as we all know....campus equals drunk college kids. Or girls sitting at the door of the bar in front of a trash can, leaned over, on her way to passing out. Yes, that really happened.

So, in this scenario I do feel a little old and sometimes out of place. I have never drank in my life. Never been drunk or anything. Seeing people totally out of control makes me worried about them and their safty, even when I don't know them. But that's not what I want to write about.

Here it is: I am at the merch table before I go on for my set. I'm just sitting there minding my own business. A few people come and talk to me. Everything is cool. Then a young man comes and sits on the other side of the table with a few friends. This is normal because it's where all the merchandise is so, random people sit at the table.

One of the guys on the other side says, "How'd you get those?" and I said, "What?" and here said, "Those things in your hair." (those things in my hair were rubberbands) So I tell the guy I put them in my hair and he acted astonished that I did it myself (ok, the dude is drunk). Then he gets up out of his chair and comes over to me. He comes in real close and says, "You have beautiful breasts and beautiful hair." Then he slides his hand down my back onto my ass!!!!!! I move his hand and don't say anything. He says something else to me but I don't hear him. "What?" and he says he doesn't remember. So, I say, "Well, I'm about to perform..." - in an attempt to get him to set back a little. He says, "Is that a sign for me to back off? I think that's a sign for me to back off." And he stumbled his way back to the other side.

I saw him try to talk to about 3 other girls. This guy was so drunk he couldn't even act normal, stand up or even sit down without his chin dropping like he was asleep. Normally, I might be offended by what he said but I know that he was totally out of control and bad judgment in the form of alcohol had clouded his faculties to the point where I just felt sorry for the dude and tried to imagine him sober. Was he an asshole when he was sober? Or a nice guy? Hmmm, hard to tell. But one thing I do know is that he's going to have a rough time tomorrow and he won't remember anything he did tonight.

The other day....

2005-09-17T19:05:00.000-07:00

I got an email from someone praising my work as an artist. They then proceeded to ask me to be involved in an event to raise awareness and funds for an organization that shall remain nameless. These kinds of emails are pretty typical in my life. I have done many benefits and fundraisers for many different non-profits and arts organizations.

Their request was that I host an event and I would also perform bewteen acts. Now, hosting is a J.O.B. which is probably why they asked me to do it. It ain't easy and I'll be honest and say that most of the time it really ain't all that much fun. It's work! I host an open mic every week and sometimes it can be the most annoying night. And then sometimes it can be fabulous. So, when people request this of me I have to take this into consideration.

I recently decided that if people want me to host and since it is a larger responsibility than a 15-30 minute performance (which is something that I love to do, by the way), then I would have to charge for hosting. I will perform for free for a cause that I believe in or an organization that is really doing something important.

I do respect the organization that requested my talent but I have to admit that when I responded to their request saying that I would perform for free but if they wanted me to host, I would need to be compensated - and they responded back, I have to approve it with the commitee - In my mind I was like, didn't you already want me to perform? But I guess they didn't. They wanted me to host. The performance they suggested was just to appease me. I need money to appease me. geez!

I know that it wasn't their intention to disrespect me - but this is typical treatment of an artist. Our real skills are not valued the way that they should be (even by our selves). People don't understand that some of us do this for a living. We're not just doing it for fun. It's out livelihood. Even an offering of $20 would be welcome by us. It's our time, our hearts, our talents, and our selves we're giving. Isn't that worth something?

It is to me. And this is really all I have.

One more thing to fear

2005-09-15T19:56:00.000-07:00

Anybody see, “The Next Big One” on abc? Just curious because I caught some of it.

It was basically a show intructing you what to do if there were a nuclear bomb dropped in your city. Things like, take a shower to wash off the radiation right away. Duct tape and plastic windows, etc....and Goto a room closed from the outside. Don't get in your car....Stuff like that.

Well, I'm sure those are all great things to know if something like that were to happen. But something in me feels like the whole thing is just another way to keep us fearful about the possibility of terrorism. It is good to be prepared but there are certain things that you can never prepare yourself for.

I do hope to live a long and happy life but when it is my time to go – it is my time. And hopefully nothing like this will happen in our lifetime or our childrens. It would be a terrible tragedy. And I hope that it would lead us (all of the world) to finally learn that these weapons and wars are not the answers to our problems. They only cause more problems, more destruction, more death, more war, more hate. And what good are any of things?

I don't want to sound pesimistic but sometimes I wonder if the human race is just meant to kill itself off. Like we're a bacteria on the earth and we're going to eat it alive with our wars and garbage. I would prefer to think that we are antibodies and we could change all this. Anybody with me?

I want to be unique

2005-09-14T19:34:00.000-07:00

I have always thought of myself as being unique. Actually, that's not true. I have prided myself in being unique. I remember striving to be unique as a teenager. I didn't want to be like anyone else. I never did anything really extreme. My unique-ness was brought out through creative expression, humor, dance, visual art and the way I dressed.

Now that I'm older and a little more "regular" than I used to be I'm glad that that's how I started out. It helped me become more independent and I am not afraid to express my opinions and thoughts. I express myself through hip hop, spoken word, singing, laughing til I cry....You get the idea.

I recently over heard a conversation where a young female hip hop mc said that she liked being the only girl in her crew because it makes her unique. My heart sunk a little when I heard her. This is where we're at? So, if there were 2 girls in the crew you would no longer be unique?

Has this belief stopped her from collaborating with other women? Probably. If she were to work with another woman would there still be underlying competition (the unhealthy kind)? Would she undermine other's efforts? Or would they undermine hers?

This is a problem in the hip hop community and possibly the whole community. Women feel so competitive against eachother that they can never get too close. We have our friends that we've known for a long time but anyone else has a slim chance to actually become very close to us. There can only be one girl in a hip hop crew. The token. Because you know, women can't get along.

I think this is total crap and at the same time I find myself thinking some of these same things from time to time. But the reality is, what makes me unique is NOT that I am a woman, or the only girl in the crew. What really makes me unique is the fact that only I can tell my story, my way. And I am the only one who knows my whole story.

There's millions of men & women on this earth....But only one of me.

This is where I am from

2005-09-13T19:15:00.000-07:00

When people ask me where I am from I always hestitate because everyone seems to be so critical and judgmental. I guess I don't feel like telling people where I am from on the map can give them a clear idea of where I am really from. The people I am from. The love I am from.
My Dad just sent me the story below. Read it and you will have a better idea about where I am from. It's not a state or a town. It's people and their stories. That's where I come from.

Storytellers by Perry Ross

There were at least six storytellers that had a big impact on me during my childhood. There was a cousin, Herb Beard; my grandfather, Perry Mendenhall; Dave Ross, another cousin; a childhood friend named Billy Jackson; and, of course, my mother and father who had a profound impact on me.

Herb was a colorful character that lived along the Skunk River near Faulkner Bridge. He had red hair and was always dressed in bib overalls and seldom wore shoes. He usually didn't wear a shirt under the overalls. The only time I ever saw him with shoes and a shirt was when he came to town and in the wintertime when we visited his house. I am not sure if he owned a coat.

The thing I remember about Herb's stories is that they started almost before you saw him so by the time he got to you he was well into it. He could weave a tail that he swore was true. There are the stories Herb told and then there are many stories about him that I will tell in time.

My grandfather, Perry, was a great storyteller and shared his tales with a smile. He was a great fisherman as well, which naturally goes hand in hand with storytelling. Back before television, great sources of stories were neighbors, friends and relatives who brought news when they came to visit. My mother says in her childhood days her home was a beehive of visitors…everyone with stories to tell and I am sure Grandpa did his share.

Dave Ross, my father's cousin, visited our home many times as I grew up. He originally was from the Merrimac area and liked to reminisce with my father. He often came around Old Threshers time. Each time he came he brought new stories and memories. He was so funny that many times I couldn't contain myself and I would burst out laughing even before he started to talk. Dave watched the stories play out in the eyes of his listeners and could tell when the story was going well and when to add a new twist. He would often begin to get this slight smile on the left side of his lips when he could see the story was going well. Dad taped many of Dave's stories. One I remember was the time Dave went to the doctors in Ottumwa to have a cancerous spot removed from his nose. He said, “They cut me up so bad I didn't know what piece to bring home!” We laughed hard every time he told us that one!

Billy Jackson came to our house regularly as we grew up. He would often show up and stay forever. My mother often had to prompt him repeatedly when it was time for him to go home. I guess he must have liked us. Billy could weave a story like no one else. He would start out with something completely believable and it would grow until it couldn't possibly be true. All the time he would watch your reaction and carve out the story. Most of the time, I think, he knew he wasn't fooling us but that didn't stop him from trying.

Of course, the truly great storytellers in my family were my parents. My mother can paint stories with words that could draw in any listener. I remember, at bedtime, her weaving stories for me using the images on the wallpaper in my bedroom. That wallpaper is still there. When you visit sometime look for the stories on the wall. They are still there. She can make a story out of anything! Mother is such a master of words that she can create vivid images in a line and a whole story in a poem. She still tells about her days with Lucille, the time the gypsies came to their house, riding her horse, her doll being thrown down the cistern, and many more.

My father savored good stories and searched them out by reading, researching, listening to others, and drawing on his own imagination. He would track down local folklore and try to determine if there was some truth to it. I remember him tracking down a story about a boy being killed in the mill at Merrimac. The story was that a boy working there was sent to the third floor of the mill to oil the gears. They were huge and he was pulled into them and crushed. Dad said he saw the blood stains on the floor when he was a boy. For sometime the old timers he talked to said it didn't happen but then his research led him to the Fairfield Ledger with a possible name and a three-year range that it might have happened. After pouring over microfiche of the papers for hours he found the newspaper story about the incident. He was elated.

Although storytelling is entertaining it was and is how we make sense of our life experiences. Sometimes they have to be told over and over before they begin to make sense. I often say, “there is no stopping a good story” It is fundamentally necessary to our existence. Without stories we can never learn. Listen to the stories. Listen to your own story.

Poem

2005-09-12T21:30:00.000-07:00

April30, 2005 desdamona
Lips eclipse seduction
rips in hips introduction
to this hiss of meditation
creation tainted by eruption
global malfunction
destruction where there used to be nurture
torture torn and sewn by suture
future unsure a blur - pure
and impure
lure-ing in to truth demise
entranced dance
even fool the wise
close my eyes in awe-ful bliss
don't come close – I just want the kiss
time has caused my rhyme to miss
the target – and now I harness all this
adoration I carry
but the intention – outcome
tend to vary
I marry rhythm for the love of mine
mis-defined love this time
mistified I close my eyes
to rewind and find sublime
love it is not what the say
locked away – in my heart, it stays
sways with rain and wind and light
pouring forward – my delight
capture crust and only see the edge
far from depth – I walk the ledge
dredge through this dichotomy
truth – not what it used to be
come love / rapture in my heart
together when we are part
sufficient, I am separate
until, of love, we both forget
twist the succulent divine
until the you - inside of mine
capture caress upon my breast
be the last - sweetest breath
speak my name after I leave
for it will be
all there is and was of me

Listening

2005-09-09T11:12:00.000-07:00

I was recently on KQRS' Homegrown show. It should be up for the next couple weeks at this link:
Homegrown Radio

I'm on the Sept. 4th show. Check it out and leave me some feedback if you feel like it.

Also,if you haven't checked out The Current 89.3fm Minneapolis you should really take a listen. And you can request your favorite local artists too.

Go here to request your favorite Minnesota artists!

The Current

Minneapolis Farmers Market

2005-09-09T10:07:00.000-07:00

Join Global Vision Imports this Sunday, September 11th, at the Minneapolis Farmer's Market for a day long celebration of PEACE!!! Music, poetry, dance and more...

WHAT: A day long visualization, celebration, invitation, manifestation of PEACE!
WHERE: The Global Vision booth (look for the PEACE banners) at the Minneapolis Farmers Market...200 Lyndale Ave N. The corner of Glenwood/Lyndale... (under the freeway from International Market Square)

SCHEDULED PERFORMANCES:8-10am:
Open Mic...take a 10 minute block of time to read your favorite peace poem, share some uplifting stories or spread a vision of a world of peace and prosperity for all...
11am: Hip-hop spoken word artist DESDAMONA shares her passion with the incomparable rhythms of LADY TOBALYUS on percussion and guitar.
12pm: Be dazzled by the smooth salsa moves of the lovely Fatima Cochi and her amazing dance partner Luis Garcia.

PLUS>>>
Chair massage, travel talk/slide show, photos for PEACE, uplifting conversation, inspirational reading and heartwarming hugs

***Profits from sales of PEACE merchandise to be shared by the Red Cross ( for Katarina relief) and the MPT (an Iraqi organization headed by local businessman Sami Rasouli working to re-build Iraq)***

Back to the Light

2005-09-08T19:02:00.000-07:00

I've noticed that I'm not nearly as nice as a used to be. Actually, I may have been too nice and somehow I have eased my way to the dark side. Maybe it's because bullying can get to a girl. I know we've all been bullied but the thing about it is, we all deal with it in different ways. I guess my way, and I hate to admit it, is to shut down or judge people & hold grudges.

I wish it wasn't true. But I do hold grudges and I will quickly cut someone off if I feel they have treated me disrespectfully or manipulated me. I have many friends who put up with these behaviors from some of their friends. Honestly, it sort seems like martyrdom – but I know that's just me judging again. I just refuse to let people manipulate me. Who knows what they really want from me? I don't want to find out.

I know there are a lot of insecure people out there and of course, we can all be insecure about things. But when your personal insecurities interfear with relationships it gets messy partially because we don't know that we are projecting our insecurities and also because it leads to misunderstandings. I try to give people the benefit of the doubt. But then I think of something Maya Angelou said, “When people show you who they are believe them the first time.” Maybe it's harsh but it eliminates the prospect of any further chaos and confusion. I'm all about eliminating chaos.

The people who are my close friends are people I admire, respect, appreciate and in almost every case we can talk about anything. I don't feel manipulated by them and if I did I know I could talk to them about it. My friends have integrity and a good sense of who and what is around them. It's never all about them. They are compassionate and intelligent and I am lucky to have such good people in my life. They teach me to be more accepting and that maybe I'm a little too hard on people. We all make mistakes. We all have faults. They help me to see that holding grudges and judging people only feeds into the behavior, which means I become what I say I hate. I don't want that. No one does. So, it's time to ease back over to the light and let it go. Right? Right! Write.

Preditor & Prey

2005-09-06T16:20:00.000-07:00

One of my friends who is a recovering addict told me that when he was having an evaluation upon entrance into a half way house they told him that he was a preditor. I almost laughed when he told me because I had never thought of him in that way. He's probably one of the most polite and respectful men I know, outside of my dad. He told me that he was floored when he was told that he was a preditor and thought it was a bit extreme, to say the least. But he also admitted that he was probably acting like a preditor. He just didn't realize it and how it manipulated others.

I have met preditors up close and personal as I believe that all women have. Now, I'm not talking about rapists or violent people. The preditor behavior I'm talking about is passive aggressive and I think most women find it a form of flattery.

I host an open mic every week at a local restaurant. We have a live band and many artists from various backgrounds who come down to listen or perform. We are just starting our third year and in this time I have been the host and people watcher. I've seen the effect that alcohol can have on nice people, and I have seen idiotic behavior and unnecessary fights, in this mostly peaceful environment. This is also the perfect place for a preditor to scope out and find his next target.

One of the musicians who used to come down on a regular basis was the poster boy for preditor. You may not have known it by looking at him though. He was attractive and works in his church and a leader and director. But when he was present at the open mic he seemed to be an entirely different person. Many times he would come near me, head tilted down, eyes up, looking me up and down....and actually acting like a lion ready for the kill. I'm not overexaggerating. It was blatant and in my eyes, totally disrespectful and made him look like a complete fool.

I asked him to stop numerous times but he contunued as if he thought it was funny. He would say sexual things when he thought he could get away with it – nothing too out there, but enough to make me back up. It was mostly the way he would circle around me or come behind me and pull my hair. There were also times when he came over to me and said, “come here.” as he tried to pull my by the arm over to some other spot in the room. No, he didn't ask me to come over or even take me by the hand. He'd either grab my upper arm or my wrist and try to pull me to where he wanted me to go. My response was to pull away – every time.

The problem with this possessive and preditorial behavior is that many women get treated in this way on regular basis and THEY PUT UP WITH IT! I think that women want someone to want them so badly that they see this behavior as desire and it makes them feel special. And I see some men who act like this and I don't even think that they realize what they are doing. I think we are raising men to act in this way. It's not all their fault....or ours. But, there obviously needs to be a change in how women are treated.

As a women some of the things I have heard men say that were directed towards me have literally made me stop in my tracks...and it wasn't to turn around and say HI. I have had a boy on the street make sexual remarks to me. I could have been his mother. That's how young he was. I've been in the mall and had young men say things as I'm walking down the hall. I've been downtown, walking down the street and a man followed me for a whole block trying to get me to talk to him, telling me he had a bachelor's degree, and sayin, “Come on, I have a college degree. Come on!” Finally, I turned around and said, “Man, I'm trying to walk down the street and I need you to leave me the fuck alone.” He left me alone but he caught a women coming from the other direction.

I don't even feel like walking in my own neighborhood and it's not a fear of violence that stops me. It's that I don't feel like getting howled at or having a car drive slowly down the street only to pull up next to me and stare at me. All of the things I have mentioned can tend to feel like a prison and have also hindered me from doing the things that I want to do. I hate that that is true....but it is.

Women are taught to be aware of others and to mother. I know I'm gerneralizing but I do think that women are more aware of the needs of people around them, even strangers. My hope is that men will start opening their eyes a little wider and even check their own and others actions before doing any of these things to women.

This might sound crazy...

2005-09-05T20:18:00.000-07:00

But with the tragedy New Orleans and all the surrounding areas I'm starting to see something locally.

They've been building all these new apartments, and condos...and I have been wondering who the hell is movin in. So now, I have this theory....that within the next 5-10 years a lot of people will be moving to the midwest because of all this terrorism and natural disasters. The midwest has the illusion of being safe and I think people will start migrating to the middle of the nation.

There has been talk of a big earthquake coming on the west coast...seems we're getting hit from every side.

So, I still don't know who is moving in to the new condos but I think Minneapolis is about to have a big population boom. And maybe they have some exceptional city planners who can see stuff like this coming - some kind of psychic - and they're planning ahead. Ok, I know I really sound crazy now but when it happens you'll be like, "yo, des was right!"

Then I can start my 1 800 psychic line....Call me now for your free reading!

peace, des

In the process...

2005-08-15T21:40:00.000-07:00

It's been a while. I'm in Philly ending a week long stay to promote my new release, The Ledge. (goto sidebar to check it out on cdbaby.com) It's been a good. HOT trip and I have made many connections and learned a lot along the way. This time around I felt like I was doing a lot of the connecting work. Next time it will be even better.

I met a lot of great people, sold some CD's, spoken to people about some collaborations that I hope to make happen and I performed in some great venues in Philly and NYC.

NYC was HOT...Like, hotter than I can even begin to explain and I had no escape so I just had to deal. Saw the movie Hustle & Flow while I was there and it was better than I had expected. Also played at Asford & Simpson's, Sugar Bar. It was this great little spot in Manhattan and they had incredible sound. ! I played with Gabrielle & Tangible Truth and my friend Rhapsody. The crowd was great and so were all the other performers. I would love to go back and do it all again....without the heat.

Was also on a couple radio stations - Temple University's Radio station in Philly 90.3 fm / and 88.1 fm on Tracee Lynn's show, Writer Blocks. It was great to have the chance to be on Philly radio. Much props to my girls Deirdre & Rhapsody for really making it all happen. Booking, flights, travel and all that including friendship! They went the extra mile to help me out and I am grateful to have people who care so much.

I leave for Minneapolis this coming evening. I wish I could stay longer but I have a feeling I will be back soon.

I Can't Believe it!

2005-08-06T17:01:00.000-07:00

FROM SLY & ROBBIE AND ZLINK ENTERTAINMENT:

CONGRATULATIONS TO THE 'PRINCESS OF THE POEM' DESDAMONA FOR YOUR STELLAR ALBUM 'THE LEDGE' AND FOR YOUR THREE...YES, THREE MINNESOTA MUSIC AWARD NOMINATIONS!! NOT BAD FOR A POET, HUH? :)

LET'S ALL GET OUR VOTES IN FOR OUR FAVORITE MN MUSICIANS http://minnesotamusicacademy.org/pdf/MMA_BALLOT_05.pdf
Desdamona was nominated for:

* BEST SPOKEN WORD ARTIST
* BEST HIP HOP RECORDING
* ARTIST OF THE YEAR

CONGRATULATIONS AGAIN, DES!

Another One from my Dad

2005-08-01T13:02:00.000-07:00

Confession

I killed them…both of them. It was a cold blooded methodical murder. I shot the first one over and over until it fell to the ground and then I did the same to the other one. I left them dead in the gutter and walked home. I am not proud of this and have regretted it for years. I shouldn’t have done it but it can’t be undone now.

When I first got my gun my parents gave me clear directions about its appropriate use. Don’t shoot people, houses, windows or anything that would break. They did give me limited permission to shoot birds…sparrows and starlings, and never could I shoot a robin. They didn’t say anything about doves.

So, in a short time, all of the birds in the neighborhood were wise to me and flew away quickly if they saw me with the B-B gun. That is when I spotted the pair of Mourning Doves on the telephone wires at the corner of Madison and White. I walked to the corner and stood under them and pumped B-Bs into each one until they fell to the ground. I was puzzled that they didn’t try to fly away even after I started shooting them. After the first one was killed the second one stayed on the wire until I had completed the dirty deed. The Guide to North American Birds says that doves are a solitary bird that sometimes feed in flocks. I don’t believe it. This was a pair and I have seen them in pairs in my yard many times.

When the neighbor on the corner reported to my mother what I had done she was heartbroken. She was so upset that she didn’t or couldn’t say much to me but I knew what I had done was terribly wrong. My father’s only comment was something like, “You give a boy a B-B gun and he’ll shoot anything.” I wasn’t punished but felt like I should have been.

I have heard people say and have said myself that having a dove visit you is a sign of good luck. Several pairs have nested and raised their young in our yard each year. They seem to use our deck as a play pen for their immature young. It is fenced in for the most part and safe from cats. The adults usually stand watch on one of the posts. These doves act as though they know me and are a reminder of my childhood foolishness. They don’t seem to fear me at all and I can pass within a few feet of them without them even acting nervous. I think doves are a sign of good luck and, maybe, even forgiveness. I hope so!

poem

2005-07-30T21:07:00.000-07:00

12/26/04 Reach Past This - by Desdamona

Reach
past this
flesh
Those who create have mastered the art of living forever
even if they only exist to collect dust
Up in attics there are stacks of inspiration
Down in basements where there are lost archives
singing, playing, speaking, moving
patiently waiting for someone to find them again
Reach past this flesh
This is your chance
to tell your story
My father told me that the greatest thing that I could give the world
is my story, my voice, my perspective
because no one else can tell it
So, go tell it
Reach past this flesh
Poets create new life in new worlds
because this one seems so hard to survive in
so they write new realities
turning casualties into martyrs, heros and myths
This is beyond any one culture or any one belief
These stories belong to the people who receive them
not to the people who speak them
These stories come from cities and villages all over the world
There is no culture or continent that has no story to tell
reach past this flesh
and rest inside so that you can better understand
your reality
It is not whether the story is true or false
It's the story that matters
the expression and existence, the proof that we were here
We have no right to stop the story
to abandon or misplace it
We must tell the story
so that it can continue
Tell a story that does not yet exist and watch it turn into reality
Reach past this flesh
and you will know that life is eternally spinning, weaving
and creating new stories and new life
Look into a babies eyes and you will see a life that you cannnot even begin to imagine the span of
cannot predict the future for, cannot fully give them the story of the past so that they can truly grasp all the lessons that should have been learned in the process
Reach past this death
and know without a doubt
that your story will change lives
no matter how slightly
and be confident that your breath had purpose beyond it's capacity

Strange but true

2005-07-30T13:09:00.000-07:00

ok, it's about 9 minutes after 1am. I have been up watching movies and I heard something outside my window. It's usually pretty quiet in my neighborhood so I went to look and see what it was.

There were 2 women and one was leaned up against a car. The other woman was hitting her with a belt. They were both laughing. The started to get back in the car and I heard one of them say she didn't get enough. So, they came back to the front of the car and then they switched places. This time one of them hit the other with a paddle. Then after about 5 good hits they got in their car and drove away.

Right about now, I'm laughing out loud because I have no idea what the hell that was all about. I guess that's life on a Friday night in the city. ooooooooo kayyyyyyy!

What a Woman Should Do....

2005-07-29T09:00:00.000-07:00

...to keep a man.

It's a set up! I have been reading a hearing these lists on the radio and in magazines. At first, I listened simply wondering what the hell they were going to say. Not that I need a list to tell me how to keep a man but I'm thinking, who wrote this list?

Here are some of the things on the list:
Shave your legs
Don't gain weight
Don't let yourself go
Keep your hair long

You know the rest. Pathetic. Most of the men I know "let themselves" go as they get older. I guess I don't even see it as that. It's more like, you're getting older and you slow down. I just love how women are held to higher standard than men and we are supposed to be the ones who try to "keep a man". How about respecting me enough to want to try and "keep" me. Not keep, as in a "kept woman"....but you know what I mean.

I just think that these days women are pitted against eachother more than ever and lists like these don't help matters. When you tell someone that they have to fight for things it sets them up for failure and disaster when it comes to relationships. It would be nice if the list was like this.

Be yourself
Love yourself
Do what's right for you

Well, that is what my list is. And if and when that person comes around they will see that and say, "well damn, she's a keeper!" ;)

Pictures from Tramaganum Release Party!

2005-07-27T14:10:00.000-07:00

1. ME and my flashy bracelet
2. Desdamona (ME) & singer Debra G
3. Me & Ray Banderez (I know we look like we're together - but, he's not my boyfriend..He's just a boy friend. ;)

New Religion

2005-07-26T15:38:00.000-07:00

religion n. (all that centers about man's belief in or relationship to a superior being or beings) 1. belief in worship of God or gods 2. a specific system of belief, worship, etc., often involving a code of ethics.

My aunt is a minister. One unlike any other I have met - not that I have met that many. She is a truly spiritual and caring person - not condemning or elitist. I realized after reading her latest newsletter that she has actually created her own religion. Her own habits and customs.

As I read, it made me smile. I had always thought that I didn't really belong to a particular religion. None really suited me the way that I thought they should. Nothing felt just right. But what feels right is something that I do religiously, which is write anmd express my poetry. I have always considered them prayers...because they are reminders to me of who am and what I should be.

As I finished my aunt's newsletter I realized that all of the people in my life have their very own religion. My father is a fisherman and story teller. He seems to enjoy helping people and has a hard time saying no. (this is true for most of my family)My mother is a seemstress and likes to create things, watch over people and make sure that everything is just right. My sister is a teacher who is active in her community and seems to always be busy with something. My friend Rachel is a filmmaker, mother and she is always pushing the boundaries within herself and others. And my fried Deirdre is also a mother, friend and very organized person who goes the extra mile when she believes in something.

These people all have their own individual religion. The thing that keeps them going, makes them happy, and keeps them gounded. They all have a great sense of community which shines through in all their actions. It's not about going to church or even claiming a particular religion. These people are true to themselves and others, giving and caring people. I don't know exactly what they believe deep in their hearts but I know that they all feel love, lonliness, compassion, respect, joy, saddness and have a strong will to live. And they religiously reach for something better every day.

Assignment for the Day!

2005-07-25T19:18:00.000-07:00

Your Sanctuary

Make a list of things they would make your sanctuary - your sacred place.

What does it smell like?
Look like?
Sound like?
Feel like?
If it could speak what would it say?
How was it created?
What is it made of?

write it down. Creat your sanctuary.

TapeRecorda Duplicata

2005-07-24T13:25:00.000-07:00

I have been performing in the Twin Cities since 1997 and over the years I have seen a lot of great performers with unique, interesting styles and modes of expression. My favorites are always the ones who have their own little twist. Tops on my list are Brother Ali, Slug, Truth Maze, the now defunct 3 Kings, and Carnage. Unfortunately there is a down side to the scene that people don't seem to talk about too much. It's the "Duplicator syndrome", as I like to call it. There are a plethera of clones who seem to be so influenced by some of the better known MPLS hip hop cats that they sound like another version of them. I find it disturbing and uninspiring...and very, very disappointing.

I don't know if it's conscious thing or if it's just from listening to a particular artist way too much. And, I don't know why anyone would ever want to sound like someone else. You will always end up second best. Not that the point is to be the best...But isn't it to be unique and to tell your story, your way?

There are a lot of baby Slug's - male and female. I suppose you could say it's a form of flattery but I find it a form of annoyance. Some say it's the "Minneapolis Sound" and I disagree. If it was the "Minneapolis Sound" then everyone would sound the same. Musab doesn't sound like Slug or vice versa. Ali doesn't sound like I Self Devine, etc....

Picture this...2 Mos Def's. What would it be like if there were 2 of him? Umi said, "...shine your light on the world. Shine YOUR light for the world to see." When the world sees you shining your neighbors flashlight the next thing they will notice is your falseness. I find is passive-aggressively disrespectful to the person who is being biten. Riding off of what someone esle has created is slimy and dishonest in my eyes. The mainstream is already saturated with stuff that sounds so similar that you don't even think about who the MC is. I don't know why this happens because in the end, people don't remember who won the award or who was being played all the time. They remember who stood out, who was ahead of their time, who didn't get enough shine.

I wish that people would strive to find their own voice and not worry about what's "in" or what people are already hooked into. To truly grow we need more unique voices out there to push forward. We should be incomparable. Memorable. Undefinable. Undeniably Original.

Random, Breathing, Creativity

2005-07-23T18:43:00.000-07:00

Once again, it is too hot. The day started off with a nice thunder storm and pouring rain. It was about 75 degrees and windy. The weather man kept saying it was going to get up to 100. I didn't believe it because at 1:30 it wasn't even above 80 yet. But, here I am in my un-airconditioned apartment sweating my bootay off in the heat. Nope, I still haven't bought that airconditioner.

Other than that, everything is good. I performed at The Fallout Art Festival to a crowd of about 20 people and when I walked off stage someone bought a CD from me right then. That was nice. Small crowds are harder than a room full of people. But you do what you do and someone always appreciates it.

For the past 2 weeks I have been doing at least one thing every day to promote my newly released CD and today I haven't done ANYTHING>>> I promised myself that I would do one thing every day to promote the CD. That way I couldn't be mad at myself for not putting out the effort. I guess the show today was effort...So, maybe I did do something.

Soon my website will have some of my poetry & lyrics up so watch for that in the days to come. My site address is listed on the side of my blog and you can click and go.

Leave me a message. peace, des

Sold Out

2005-07-22T22:27:00.000-07:00

Not many people can say that they can sell out the largest venue in their city but RhymeSayers can. Tonight was the 10th Anniversary Party for RSE and the place was packed.
I didn't get there until around 9pm. I was hoping to miss some of the crowd. But, when I got there there was a sea of people waving their hands in the air. It was HOT and crowded, loud and fresh. Of course, I missed a large portion of the show but I saw a number of performers. I also saw my girl Rachel across the sea taking pictures from the stairs. Never saw her after that....
I saw a lot of local hip hop cats outside of RhymeSayers like, Carnage, Adam Garcia, Franz Diego, MissRead, Dancin Dave and many more. I'm sure I missed a few because I never really got to the other side of the room.
I couldn't help but stand there and smile at what RhymeSayers has created over the years. I wish them much more success in the years to come and I am happy that they represent Minneapolis and themselves the way they do.

(above is a picture of RhymeSayers artist and my friend, Brother Ali...You're now rockin with the champion!)

the best salsa ever!

2005-07-22T10:25:00.000-07:00

All summer long I make salsa. I can't stand the stuff in jars. I think it's disgusting and it doesn't even taste right. Once you've had real salsa there's no going back to the jar stuff. So, here's how to make it yourself. Taste it along the way and add or subtract to your liking.

3 or 4 decent sized tomatoes
1 onion (red and sweet onion)
2 cloves of garlic
cilantro
1 jalepeno pepper - if you like it HOT!!!! Try Habanero, but be careful!
ground cumin (add as much as you like)
A pinch of sugar
A pinch of salt

Dice up the vegetables and add the other ingradients. Then get your bag of chips and eat up!!! You won't be able to stop.
My mom adds a little red wine vinegar to hers.

Realistically Romantic

2005-07-21T19:24:00.000-07:00

ok, so what's with people (women in particular) who say things like, "...When I was 22 I decided that I would be married by the time I was 28. Now I'm 28 and I'm not married. Where I come from, 28 is old...." What the hell is this?

Or the people who say that they didn't really want to get married but they did it because it was "...the right thing to do." What? The right thing to do it to be true to yourself.

Or the, "Well, we've been together for a long time...we might as well get married." No. You should get married because you want to. Not because it's the right thing to do. Or because of pressure.

Which brings up another issue I have with the topic of marriage...People who pressure their partners to get married. Geez, if you have to pressure someone do you really think that that's what they want. Aren't you just guilting them into a situation. Something that over 50% of the time ends in divorce.

I'm all for love and relationships but this whole, "I should be married by..." is total crap and so unrealistic. I think that when it's really right you just know it. There is no, "we might as well." or anything. It just is. And it's good.

I know people don't want to be alone...but I know there are plently of married people who feel very alone. So, being married doesn't cure loneliness. It's just an illusion. Take your time. As much time as you need. And you may have to wait a long time but it will be worth the wait. Settling for something less will only bring pain.

Too Damn HOT!

2005-07-16T12:36:00.000-07:00

ok, I'm a midwestern girl. Grew up in Iowa where the four seasons are apparent and beautiful. Now I live in Minnesota which is about 6 hours north of my home town. The seasons here are simliar but after living here for about 10 years I have noticed the difference between here and my origin. Here there are basically 2 seasons. When we get four it's out of the oridinary. This year was one of those out of the ordinary years. We've had every season and I have been enjoying it until recently. Our 7 day stint of atrocious heat has driven me to buy another fan for my house and now I am seriously considering buying an air conditioner. Someone told me they're only $60 at Target. But, since I've waited so long there are probably none left.

Now, I am sort of a wimp when it comes to summer. Unless there is some water around I don't really care to be outside. Give me below 80 degrees and I'm fine. But after that I become sluggish and lazy. As I am now.

It has been above 90 and I know that there are some states that I have been to where the thermostat goes above and beyond what I consider hot. I have expereinced those places and honestly I don't know how people survive.

So, I am trying to think cool thoughts. I brought some bribery treats to my friend Rachel (who has air conditioning)I came with gifts of Hostess Ding Dongs, Hershey's chocolate, Kit Kat, KC Masterpiece Chips and soda. The request was for treats and chocolate so I do believe I came through. And my gift is to sit in the air conditioning.

Come Back To Life

2005-07-15T10:48:00.000-07:00

Today is when it starts. You come back to life. You do something that you don't usually do. Go somewhere alone and enjoy it.

Or, have dessert and love every last bite

go swimming

sit in the sun for at least 15 minutes while drinking the lemonade you just sqeezed yourself

go to the record store and look for some good music

get a pedicure

get a massage

if you're single ask someone out with no expectations

take a drive to who knows where

get a new pair of shoes to walk around the lake in

call a friend you haven't seen in a while and have lunch

rent a bunch of movies, have lots of treats and invite a friend over to enjoy it with you

go listen to live music

A Day in the Sun and The Darkest Night

2005-07-13T07:56:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I decided to do something for myself. My friend Rachel and her 8 year old daughter Tiana, along with another little friend went to the swimming pool. It was really good for me. We were only there for about an hour but the mixture of sun and water helped me a lot. I guess I can't really explain what it did but I needed it.

Then last night at the open mic that I host at the Blue Nile Restaurant all these great people kept showing up. People I haven't seen in a while...and people who I really like to see. We had a really good, eclectic show and then around 12:30am the lights went out. But the show didn't stop. There was still the drum and the voice. And everybody stayed for over a half on hour either taking part in the cipher or listening. It was really fun and again, I needed that. The light never came back on so we all left a little earlier than normal.

Here Kitty, Kitty

2005-07-12T09:02:00.000-07:00

Yesterday my neighbors called me to tell me that there had been a large group of cats on my back porch earlier that morning. Think horror movie...

So I went to the back when I got off the phone and there was one little guy left. I wasn't sure if he was tame so I just left some food for him and went away. He left shortly after I gave him the food and I haven't seen him since.

Today, I was on my way home from teaching a workshop and as I was driving down my block I see this big group of cats in someone's front yard. I knew theses had to be the same cats that had been on my porch so I decided to call animal control to see if they would come and pick them up. Or something.

When I called the operator told me that there is no leashing law so they can't come and pick them up. She told me that if they were in a cage or a box they could come and pick them up. I was thinking, "If I got them in a cage I would just bring them to you." Isn't this what "animal control" is supposed to do....pick up strays, and
"fix" them so that they don't continue to breed and get out of control?

I love animals but the thought of a bunch of stray cats roaming around my house isn't cool. And if they keep having more and more babies, it will be insane. Of course, I suppose it is possible that these cats have an owner but I find it hard to believe.

It's in the Family

2005-07-11T19:33:00.000-07:00

The Great Flower Bulb War - by my Dad...a.k.a. Perry O. Ross

Growing up I, and most of the kids I knew, had the run of the town. At one time or another we might be in any corner of the community and I don't think I was ever afraid. Since organized activities for kids were limited in those days we had to invent or create our own entertainment. I had my best times, far greater times, in those invented activities than in the organized ones. I think I learned more too. I was never at a loss for something to do and don't remember being bored. We were often very creative.

One game that we played community wide was Army. Kids would join one side or the other and the game might last for days. Today such games are considered too violent for kids but we didn't worry about things like that back them. We knew it was just a game.

One day in the middle of one of these three-day wars we met in our garage in the morning to plan the assault on Pat Fitch's troops that were bivouacked in Saunders Park. As we were discussing our plan one of our troops arrived. It was Billy Jackson. He had a huge grin on his face. He said, “Look!” and held out his hand. In it rested a flower bulb. “Hand grenades!” he said and we all ooohed and awed. He had discovered the newly planted flower bulbs in the Clark's garden on the corner near his house.

We knew immediately we needed a lot more and went to the garden and filled our pockets and carried all we could hold. We no sooner got back to my house and my mother was on us! Now my mother didn't typically get too upset but she clearly was this time. Mrs. Clark had watched us from her house as we did our dirty work in her garden.

The punishment, besides the scolding I got, was for us to replant, as best we could, all of those bulbs under the supervision of my father and Mr. Clark.

We were impulsive kids; I guess, and sometimes did things with little thought of the implications. We really didn't think we were stealing flowers. We thought we were simply gathering ammunition for the war. That was one time our creativity didn't pay.

Toot Your Own Horn...Or, Let Someone Else Do It

2005-07-11T15:18:00.000-07:00

The first time I heard Desdamona I was at a hip hop show in Minneapolis. When she stepped up on the stage with her slightly tussled hair in two hair buns, sweet subtle smile and natural serene beauty, I would have never expected to hear what it is that flew off of her tongue. She showed strong lyrical talent in many different fashions and on various levels. It was almost like everything that lay dormant in my head but never would have dreamt of putting into a lyrical concoction came flowing out of her mouth. So when I heard her full-length debut album, “The Ledge” was out on the shelves, I was eager to find out if this poetic princess would impress me the way she did that night on stage.

Desdamona has many different explanations for what “The Ledge” means to her, which she took the time to write out in her album liner notes. So listeners may feel like they are given a glimpse of her thought process even before they actually listen to the album. Desdamona wastes no time grabbing the attention of true Hip Hop lovers with a creation spit a cappella called, “I Wanted To Be an MC”. This is a tribute to all the great M.C.’s who we grew up on when we initially embraced this culture as our own. With this heartfelt piece, Desdamona tells the story of an eager female struggling to establish herself as a viable entity in the vast biosphere that is Hip Hop. She intricately weaves the names of various well-known artists in such a fashion that you have no choice but to chuckle over. Indeed a great intro to her album.

Desdamona is provided the perfect platform for her mission to define herself as she chooses varying tempos of well-arranged, high-caliber production. I was most pleasantly moved by the “Don’t Listen 2 The Lyrics”. Produced by the infamous reggae pioneers, Sly & Robbie (also the producers of half the album), this track may throw you off because it starts off sounding like just another R. Kelly bootie shaking “Fiesta” beat. But instead of lyrics reflecting demeaning images and views of women like we would normally expect, it consists of the exact opposite. It tells the tales of how we as females always feel we fall short of the images that the media, mainstream radio and videos expects us to live up to. Like the lyrics go: “The mainstream seeps into subconscious/And slowly she feels worthless/like success might lie in a bikini on uncut BET…”

Onto a different vibe, “Swing Down” boasts the smooth laid back track with Desdemona’s crisp sultry voice, in which she sings the entire song. I have to say her singing is quite impressive, as this track gives the prolific Neo-soul reminiscent Goapele a run for her money! Desdamona shows a very intimate side of herself that we can all relate to.

I must say I was waiting for some real show off, back in the day, scratchin’ now and again on this album. Not to mention that I have a strong desire to hear her sing entire songs, in an attempt to master yet another angle of vocalization. Although Desdamona prides herself in being a spoken word extraordinaire, this album contains something to get your booty grooving or your mind a thinking. Whether you are into Spoken Word, Neo- Soul, Reggae, Hip Hop, or even R&B there is something here that will kick flava in your ear.

Desdemona recites lyrics on this album suggesting she has spent much of her life reading poetry, listening to old school jams & studying the rhymes of hip hop pioneers far and wide reflecting exactly who she is as an artist. She sets out to inform you of what esoteric thoughts her mind manufactures in a skillfully poetic manner, while maintaining a knack to entertain the listener. Mmmm…Mission accomplished.

Charli Marie

And the saying goes...

2005-07-10T01:09:00.000-07:00

You know how people always say that you have to struggle to get to the top or that there is always a struggle to get where you are going...and how it makes you appreciate it more. As this has been true for me throughout my life...I have to say that I think it's a lie. I mean, I don't believe that you HAVE to go through hell to get to the good stuff. I think that's a lie we tell ourselves so that when we go through the crappy stuff the good stuff is just on the other side and we deserve it- so don't worry. It's coming. It somehow makes it easier.

I feel like this mindset can really be our downfall. It's like, "Well, I gotta go through hell to get anything good. I just need to toughin up and I'll make it." eh! And I think a lot of people use it as their crutch to never try and have something good.

I think most of it really comes down to bad decision making and lack of intuition. When I go through rough spots it's a direct reflection of the decisions I made along the way. I have myself to blame...but I'm not going to beat myself up about it. I'm going to get through it not because I want to...but, because I have to. And not because I have to go through maddness to get to happiness.

I'm not into "self help" books but this past year I ran across "the four agreements" and it has actually changed my perspective a lot - and has molded this post. The book is really about looking at things in a different way. There are other books by the same author that explore philosophies and present ways of dealing with things in a different way. It's worth the read. I think I can garantee that anyone who reads it will walk away with something.

It wasn't my intention to promote the book in this post but as I was typing I realized that some of the ideas I was writing were a direct reflection of the book - so I decided to use the space to talk about it.

Rambling on & on,
desdamona

Desdamona's Picks

2005-07-09T09:53:00.000-07:00

Movie:
Dangerous Beauty - based on Veronica Franco. The true story of a women (poet) who defied convention in 16th century Venice.

Lagally Blond - because it's just fun & cute.

Books:

1. The Poisonwood Bible
2. The Red Tent
3. The Crimson Petal and the White (I'm intrigued by stories of women/outcasts in society and how they survived)
4. Testimony of an Irish Slave Girl
5. The Four Agreements
6. The Trouble with Christmas

All of these books changed me in some small way. Most of my choices deal with spirituality, survival, and people who have been outcast. All of the above picks deal with those topics in some way or another.

What's Goin' Down On The Up-Side

2005-07-08T10:06:00.000-07:00

You should check my girl Rachel's blog. She's a phD student at the U of M and she is doing amazing things. The latest on her blog is information about an online hip hop class.

Also, check Miss Miranda Jane's Blog to catch up on current events in the hip hop realm and more. This girl can type/ write her ass off and she mos def has some stories to tell.

I know I've posted links to their blogs in the past but this is just a gentil reminder that you should really check these lovelies out. And, if you feel the urge leave comments on their blogs. They would love to hear from you.

One Campaign

2005-07-07T15:25:00.000-07:00

Support the ONE Campaign!

Every day is the end of the world for someone

2005-07-07T15:04:00.001-07:00

When I watched the news today my heart sank. The bombings in England are yet another sign that will live in an extremely volitile world. Fundamentalists often talk about "the end" coming soon. They've been talking about this for years. The things is, it's the end of the world every single day for someone living on this planet. 10 people died in that bus today in England. How many more were injured in the 4 explosions? How many will never forget that moment for the rest of their lives?

Later in the day I watched Oprah. It was a re-run of the "Undercover Brother" phenomenon. Men who are supposedly "straight" and married or in relationships with women who secretly pursue sexual relationships with other men. It seems like no one is using protection anymore.

Oprah stated that 78 percent of the new HIV cases for women were African American women. This is a devistating number. I have heard people say that it is inaccurate but at this point I think that debating it's accuracy is a disservice to the people of this country. Something is very wrong. Even if this disease had only struck ONE person...That is one life that we would have lost due to ignorance and secrecy.

The truth is that this disease is running rampant through almost every community - from small towns, elderly communities, colleges, arts communities, and on and on and on. It will not stop. People fear to find out if they are infected because they say it will destroy them. But, I think that the truth is not that they are afraid it will destory them....but that it will hinder them from being able to pursue sexually intimate contact with others without feeling guilty or having to tell the truth.

We all want love, sex, intimacy. The reality of knowing that you may not be able to experience this intimacy and the stigma that we have placed on the disease stops people from wanting to know if they are infected. Can we create a world where you can love someone deeply and truly and be satisfied without being sexual - or find ways to be sexual without risking another persons life or health? I don't know the answer but I wish I did.

This world keeps becoming more scary to me. Every day I try to create something from love, concern, compassion, understanding and life. We need to come back to life.

2005-07-05T18:16:00.000-07:00

As someone who rarely gets into the holiday spirit I have to say that this 4th of July was a good one. Normally I don't even think about the 4th until someone invites me over to a party. Part of my disinterest is due to the whole drinking binge senario that usually brings out all the people looking for an excuse to get stupid. The other reason would be that....well, that's another post.

I spent the early part of my day with my old roommate and we had lunch at a little taco place on Hennepin. Nothing fancy but it was good and so was the conversation.

Later in the day I hooked up with a friend - actually it was Chris Allen the artist who designed my CD cover. Inkproof Designs We went to a friend and hung out most of the day eating and talking in the shade with a bunch of people I didn't know. Everyone was cool and interesting - and amazingly, not drunk. We watched some pretty mediocre (loud) fireworks courtesy of the neighbors. We humans sure are fascinated by fire and explosions. I guess I'm kind of over the whole fireworks thing. Hopefully I don't sound too unPatriotic. But everytime I see the big city fireworks it just makes me think of how much money is blowing up in the sky...and about what I would do with that money, or what the city could do with that money. I suppose I get the point behind it but it just doesn't seem worth in to me. It just seems like a waste. A pretty, patriotic, priveleged, loud, smelly waste.

How about instead of that super duper, curly q, multi colored, thousand dollar stick of dynamite we put that money into the arts programs in inner city schools. Or how about feeding some of these people?

The great thing about these holidays is really the getting together of people, families, friends. I tend to forget that I have people who care about it. I get so wrapped up in things, frustrations, life...that I forget that I can just hang out with my friends and have a good time every once in a while. Happy 4th. 5th. 6th....you get the idea.

My NEW RELEASE - "the ledge" - where you can get it!!!

2005-06-16T14:40:00.001-07:00

Purchase my new release Here

Response to B Girl Be

2005-06-08T08:57:00.001-07:00

a cacophony of skins and verbs danced in my dreams last night
painting the 7 wonders of the world across my heart
pulling strings, making me move
their paint rolling & dripping past perceptions of my identity
turning my lips green like these speaking trees around me
splashing my cheeks yellow with the intensity of intention
fire ball burning bright inside my wide spirit
my eyes covered in brilliant blue hues
clouding my vision from all the atrocities they usually see
& giving me a tiny piece of hope
they turned my hands over and in the pale they placed
the deepest purple
as they circled silently around me
building rituals to ground me
language has not stifled these
communicating through cultural & language barriers, pictures & rhythms
we all climbed the razor wired divisions
aquiring no cuts or scars
to meet eachother in the silence
their painted poems are stinging, ringing in my ears
tatooed on my fingertips
leaving new fingerprints
and as these are etched into my forever
women are being birthed from between the mortar and brick
slipping out to sidewalk slick, rain bliss
balancing on linoleum love poems
breathing through gas masks because their breath has been held so long
that it has become to dense to put back into the atmosphere
little girls are being unstitched, given back their humanity
lips bubbling with words so stifled
they sweat with punctuated perfection
we are being watched in awe and fear
because our power is so great they are afraid we will abuse it
but they do not know us
they do not know what we know
or love what we love
love how we love
The truth is stretching across a new frame
skin canvasses covering the vast open spaces
that we used to think were empty
transplanting our spirits back into the rich soil
flowering in the desserts
pulling water from the other side of the earth to our roots
we have come from light to darkness and through it all again
because our resilience has given us a strength incomprehensible
our voices are echoing past denial
prevailing over persecution and prejudice
proliferating the pages that captured us before
in one sided love poems
we are telling the stories of who we are
and in the process
we are changing the consciousness of the world

Beautiful

2005-05-19T13:34:00.000-07:00

I love beautiful people
who are ugly sometimes
beautiful people
who wear no disguise
beautiful people
too smart to be wise
beautiful souls & beautiful minds
I love beautiful speech
that reaches to teach
adore wonderful magic
I reach to explore
I'm enamered with love
I want to endure
on & on & on
I love expressive songs
that write the wrong
grateful for the ones
who make me feel strong
keep close to my heart
my own true song
and I sing it on & on
I found my voice not long ago
and I believe in the power
of collective soul
I spread my story
'cause I'm tryin' to relate
believe in the possibility of social change

And I changed my name
'Cause I changed my mind
I changed my direction to see what I could find
I changed my perspective
'Cause I learned somethin' new
I change like the season
that's how I do

The Genesis of B Girl Be

2005-05-14T16:33:00.000-07:00

Today at Intermedia we had our first open discussion on the creation and evolution of the B Girl Be Summit. It turned out to be more fabulous than I had expected. Miranda Jane was the camera woman and the curating team (Deanna, Rachel, Melisa, Leah and Myself) along with Theresa (the driver of this B Girl Bus)all talked about our contribution to the creation of the new little B Girl Baby.

People from the community came to listen & ask questions. And from what I heard, many stayed after it was over to continue discussions. I had to leave to get to the "where my girls at?" conference happening in downtown Minneapolis at the Radisson. I have been a part of this event for the past 4 years and every year I am more honored to be there. Today, it was an extension of the discussion that happened at Intermedia Arts.

I arrived at the Radisson and waited for all the youth to gather back in the conference room after their workshops. They all got the chance to tell about their experience and talk about what they learned.

Tawanna Harper, the creator of "where my girls at?" was there. Every year she amazes me with her presence, her stories and her leadership. I wish that every woman I know could have the chance to meet her. She is truly an amazing woman, activist and organizer.

I performed a poem called, "Don't listen to the lyrics" after I heard the youth talk about their experiences. Hip Hop music was a hot topic. My poem spoke directly to what some of these young women were struggling with. Just one more piece of eveidence that tells me I'm doing the right thing.

Things are about to change people. I can feel it in the air...in the music...and in my heart. All of these things are happening - building up to something big. And to all the women who are fearlessly stepping forward, ready to fight - get ready 'cause it may be a rough ride but I know it will be worth it.

Today was fabulous, energizing and motivating. Inspiring, or course. If you missed it don't worry, there is more to come. Check out Intermedia Arts for more info on the B Girl Be Summit. It's history in the making...Or should I say, HerStory in the Making.

Elevation - Illumination

2005-05-08T09:12:00.000-07:00

I haven't officially "released" my CD but I have been selling them. The plan is to sell them myself until after the B Girl Be summit. Then I will put them in stores and have a release party.

The experience of putting this project has been amazing and without the help of my closest friend, Deirdre I wouldn't have been able to do any of it. Seriously. She has helped with every aspect and I appreciate her beyond belief.

I have learned so much and I hope the CD is a success. So far, all I have gotten is great feedback. And now, all I can think about is what's next. I have lots of new material waiting to be worked out. And I'm excited about the possibilities. This is the first time I've ever been able to really see growth in my work and it's awesome and scary at the same time.

I am hoping to do a couple of EP's in the near future. One that is more experimental and one that is maybe more of a maxi single. We'll see if I can make it happen.

If you are interested in checking out my new CD - email me at desdamona4@aol.com

I will be putting it on CDBABY.COM very soon.

peace
des

Good Girl

2005-04-28T16:31:00.000-07:00

My whole life I have been a good girl. Really. You can ask my parents. Now, I'm not sayin' I never got in trouble or did anything bad...but I stayed out of trouble as much as possible.

Growing up with an older sister to make all the mistakes first benefited me because I used what happened to her to guide me. I just knew that I didn't want to get in trouble. It's not like my sister was always in trouble but, the times I witnessed her get in trouble were enough to let me know that that's not where I wanted to be. This is all leads up to the life I live today. I don't drink and never have. I have tasted alcohol but I have never been drunk, tipsy or even had a drink. It never really interested me even when all my friends did it. When I look back I don't know if it was because I was afaid I would get caught or if it was just that I was determined not to be like everyone else.

I don't smoke but tried it once in college and it made me horribly sick. So, that never happened again. I didn't have sex until college and unfortunately that was a mistake too. Not that any of these things would have made me a bad girl but had I done them it would have definitely made me a different person than I am today.

I never got away with anything I had done it when I was young. I wasn't a good liar and I really didn't like to lie - so, I just figured that I wouldn't...besides, it seemed to me like I always got caught.

As an adult I am pretty much the same. Recently I was workin at a local St Paul theater and I had gotten in trouble for sitting and watching the play one night. I was told not to do it again. The next show came around and I did not sit in the theater once until the last night when one of the actors kept encouaging me to watch. He said it was my last chance and that I had to watch it. I said no and he continued to "peer pressure" (haa) me into it. I don't know why the peer pressure worked because it never had before.

I go in to sit down right inside the door, just in case I needed to leave. I wasn't inside for a minute when the actor came and said that a late arrival needed me to seat them. This happened one more time and I decided not to go back in and sit down. But of course, the actor again told me to go ahead.

This time I was sitting there for less than 5 minutes and guess who walks in the door.....the executive director of the theater. He came in and sat right next to me. bah!!!! I sat there trying to be invisible, thinking, "oh...he doesn't know it's me. It's too dark in here for him to tell." But after a few minutes next to him I couldn't take it anymore. I had to leave.

This is the story of my life. I'm not a good girl because I want to be. It's just that I always seem to get caught, even with the small things. My guilty conscience only feeds my good behavior and makes me strive to be the best good girl. How bleepin annoying is that!