I wrote this about 4 years ago for AllHipHop.com right after the earthquake that happened 5 years ago in Haiti. There has been some progress but most of this still rings true.
The Tragedy: Haiti Through The Eyes of A Haitian American
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Precise – Man Of The Ages
Today is January 7, 2015. I was born 43 years ago today. This isn’t particularly interesting; however if you think of the fact that I was born at 7 months premature to Haitian Immigrants who met on a plane on their way to America, I would say its pretty AWESOME!!!
I’m at an interesting place in my life right now. I am so grateful and full of life. I am surrounded by people who love me and support me. Im also at a place in my life where I feel like I should have accomplished so much more and sometimes it feels like Im getting too old.
You see, Im a rapper, an emcee and I rip mics for a living. If you ask anyone they would probably say I’m pretty dope. I’ve been doing this with a strong focus for about 5 years, but overall I’ve been rapping for about 20 years as a solo artist and with my group Nubearth. I bring this up because many say this rap thing is a young mans sport and by the looks of what is fed to the people in the mainstream I would almost have to agree. I remember when I was 27 I told my self I would not be a 30 year old rapper. HA!! That didn’t pan out like I thought. I almost quit a few times, but something keeps pulling me back in. I was never sure what it was, then I figured it out. This is MY PASSION!
You see the thing about being alive is that it affords you the opportunity to LIVE! When I say LIVE I mean live your life by your standards deliberately and intentionally driven by your PASSION. What I have found is that the universe aligns with you when you are bold enough to tap into who you are with no apologies. There are no limits to what we can accomplish. Our only limitations are the ones we place on ourselves.
So guess what…Im going to keep rapping till I can’t rap no more. I have something to say. I have something of substance to share with the world. My experience and life is unique to me and should be shared with people now and into the future.
I am A Man Of The Ages who understands who he is in this vast universe. I know who my source is. I am connected and powerful and I get stronger everyday.
Be your truest self and live your life to the fullest.
What do you think? Let me know in the comments.
If you want to hear some of this great music I provide check out my Bandcamp page, and if you want to do something nice for my birthday feel free to make a purchase.
Ladies Love Mixtapes by Precise was selected as one of the best releases of 2014 by the Chicago Reader.
Buy/Listen to Ladies Love Mixtapes by Precise produced by Tye Hill and D.J. Thunder
Soup Joumou – Haitian Independence
Along with a New Year…We also celebrate Haitian Independence.
The Haitian Revolution was the only slave revolt that led to the the slaves creating there own republic. The Haitians defeated both the French and Spanish military.
Soup Joumou is winter squash soup, it is symbolic because the Slaves were not allowed to eat it. So it is served every year in Haitian households as a reminder of this revolution and our ancestors.
My Mom makes it best. Of course I’m biased…lol
L’Union Fait La Force
-Precise
Where are they? – NOW!!!
We are in the midst of an awakening. None of the events that you hear of in the media are independent of each other. More of us are aware and have the ability to see clearly. This is why we have to ask questions and challenge the status quo. Our lives are important, we are more than pawns of the oligarchy. In the spirit of asking questions and expecting answers, I ask, WHERE ARE THEY? NOW!!
In April of 2014 over 400 young female Nigerian students were abducted by Boko Haram never to be returned home to their families.
Where are they?
In September of 2014. 43 Mexican students disappeared on their way to a protest. They have yet to be found.
Where are they?
In March of 2014 Malaysia Airlines flight 370 disappeared from air traffic radar. The flight had 227 passengers. It has not been found.
Where are they?
Today Air Asia flight 8501 went missing with 162 passengers on board.
Passengers have been found from this tragedy.
First Identified Victim From AirAsia Flight 8501 Crash Returned To Her Family
My thoughts and prayers are with these families. I do believe all things work for our good and as I mentioned before this is clearly part of something bigger than all of us.
My request to all of you reading this blog is to focus your energy on all that is good in this world. Focus your energy on each and every one of those spirits that are missing and pray that their souls are at peace.
The shift is happening now. Stay Awake. Find Yourself. Love Yourself. NOW!
Buy/Listen to “It’s On Me” by Precise produced by Tye Hill and D.J Thunder
“Lyrical” Reality Show Trailer
2015 is looking good for Precise.
Four lyricist ( Lyrical MCs) agree RAKIM is in their “TOP Five”. Billy Sales AKA Smoke representing LA , Se’von representing Atlanta , Precise representing the GO – Chicago , Samm Davis representing NJ … Welcome to Lyrical …
-Precise
Listen/Buy Ladies Love Mixtapes!!
Top 3 Albums of 2014
It’s been an interesting year in music. If you have been paying attention you can see the shift has all but solidified itself with respect to how music is consumed. Streaming and mobile consumption has taken over. The amount of times a release has been streamed is now included in the 1st week album sales. The landscape is truly different.
As a result of such a different industry the idea of a full project almost seems foreign. We are in a single driven world. Artists are given multi million dollar deals based off of one song. It is because of this that everything in my humble opinion has been watered down.
The full release or complete album is now an anomaly. I heard my share of music in 2014 some was great and some was not so great.
Here is my list of the Top 3 Albums of 2014
3. Flying Lotus “You’re Dead”
I first caught wind of this project about a month ago. I never really considered myself a fan of Flying Lotus. I have always known who he is and his pedigree, however I never really plugged in. When I saw the video for “Never Catch Me” with Kendrick Lamar I was intrigued. I needed to hear more.
“You’re Dead” is like an palate of sounds used to paint a beautiful picture. It brings to mind a Herbie Hancock sort of vibe. The Hip Hop influence is there and so are traces of Trance, R&B, EDM and Soul. With that being the case it still manages to be it’s own thing. If you are looking to get lost in a tapestry of sound then this is the album for you.
2. D’Angelo and The Vanguard “Black Messiah”
Let me start this out by saying FINALLY!!! After 14 years of will he or won’t he, flipped cars, drug arrests and Questlove statuses, D’Angelo finally returns with “Black Messiah”
Autotune has been the standard for the past few years and at this point it’s almost unimaginable to hear an artist not use it. It becomes tiresome and repetitive. Hearing D’Angelos voice is nostalgic. It reminds us that people are still making music and it’s ok if people don’t know what you are saying if the groove is funky. “Really Love” is one of the stand out tracks. It feels so good to hear that groove. The way the internet blew up when this album dropped proves I am not the only one who finds some satisfaction that D’Angelo decided to comeback.
1. Precise “Ladies Love Mixtapes”
If you are wondering if I am making this my number one pick because it is my release , then I would say you are 50% right. The other 50% is that I delivered the world a concept driven album. The production on this project if amazing. Tye Hill and D.J Thunder deliver amazing lush soulful music that is complimented extremely well by Precise (thats me). The stand out tracks are “Im Dreaming” and “Take Our Time”.
If you truly want to experience what I call Adult Hip Hop this is the release for you. I am not ashamed to say I am proud of this album and I cant wait to deliver more classics to you in 2015.
-Precise
Those are my favorites. What are yours? Let me know below. Leave a comment!!
Listen/Buy Ladies Love Mixtapes!!
An Open Letter From Assata
My name is Assata Shakur, and I am a 20th century escaped slave. Because of government persecution, I was left with no other choice than to flee from the political repression, racism and violence that dominate the US government’s policy towards people of color. I am an ex-political prisoner, and I have been living in exile in Cuba since 1984.
I have been a political activist most of my life, and although the U.S. government has done everything in its power to criminalize me, I am not a criminal, nor have I ever been one. In the 1960s, I participated in various struggles: the black liberation movement, the student rights movement, and the movement to end the war in Vietnam. I joined the Black Panther Party. By 1969 the Black Panther Party had become the number one organization targeted by the FBI’s COINTELPRO program. Because the Black Panther Party…
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Connection (produced by Dray Yard)
This track is #11 on a project called Hand Grenades and Serenades produced by Dray Yard from Belarus.
Click the link below for the full project.
drayyard.bandcamp.com/album/hand-grenades-serenades
Connection is a soulful track touching on the ills of the world and reminding all of us that our connection to the creator is what matters and that we can be better.
Precise Interview on The Beat Break Morning Show
Had a great time on The Beat Break Morning Show. We touch on music, responsibility and being aware of who we are. Give it a listen…leave a comment
Buy/Listen to “It’s On Me” produced by Tye Hill and D.J. Thunder below.
TOP 10 REASONS LIFE WAS BETTER WITHOUT CELL PHONES
In 2014 the thought of being “out of touch” is kind of strange. Think about it, everyone is a Facebook, Twitter, Google+ status update or text away from the latest and greatest news or breaking story. If you happened to miss the event there just might be audio or video of it. I guess from one perspective that can be viewed as progressive, however, I can think of a few reasons that life was better without cell phones. I have 10 reasons below. POW!
10. People had conversations at dinner parties.
How many times have you been out at a dinner party or even out for a bite with a friend and every time you look up from your phone they are hypnotized by theirs.
9. You didn’t have to worry about the “context” of your message
It seems like we are at the mercy of autocomplete and spell check these days. How many times have you been confused by a text, or even pissed off by a message you received just to be informed that it was “taken out of context”? Back in the “good ole days” you would pick up a phone and actually say what you mean.
8. Concerts were much better.
I have to say I have been guilty of snapping a few pics during a concert or two. Plus its easier holding your cell phone up when the lights go down in the stadium, and it doesn’t burn your hand like a lighter. However watching a show I paid $50 dollars for through the screen of the person in front of me is not my idea of a good time. Plus, all the mystery of the show is gone when you can see the footage of the show an hour later on your latest blog.
7. You could miss calls without the guilt.
These days you can block numbers, reroute calls, send them to voicemail or just flat out ignore the call. We are all free to choose. Sometimes our phones run out of juice and calls go straight to voicemail and on more than one occasion I have felt guilty for missing a call. I shouldn’t feel guilty because you know what? Sometimes I am busy! Some people are so attached to their phones that they feel slighted when you don’t answer yours every single time. The days when the phone rang indefinitely were classic.
6. You could remember phone numbers.
I have about 4000 contacts on my amazing iPhone 4s (don’t laugh at me, I’m upgrading soon). Anyway, the other day all the names disappeared from my contacts so I was only left with the numbers and I could only recognize a few of them. The only way I’ve been able to associate a name with a number is by reviewing old text messages. Years ago I could rattle off the numbers of my closest friends with no problem at all.
5. Getting a “number” was an accomplishment.
This one might be just for the fellas. I remember going to school dances with the intention of getting phone numbers from girls and at the end of the night we would have a tally of how many numbers we got…HA!! I know its childish, but I was a teenager. The excitement was calling the number the next day to determine if you got the right number and having a conversation with someone new. These days you might get the number just to be ignored when you call cause you have been named “thirsty” or “weirdo” when the call comes through on their phone….HA!!
4. Party Lines
Party lines were so much fun!! You could call an 800 number and talk all night with a group of people you knew or didn’t know. The only drawback was the ridiculous charges to your phone bill. The plus side was when you were done with the group you could just hang up the phone. These days when you become part of a group message its eternal whether you like it or not.
3. Meeting people face to face
Phones have become an extension of our lives. Sometimes we can carry on relationships via text messaging and video chats, however nothing beats the human touch.
2. We had privacy.
I’ve had my share of embarrassing moments. I’ve even had some fights where I didnt fare so well. NONE of those made it to World Star.These days if you hear the word “World Staaaaaaaaaaaaar” rest assured it will be shown to millions over the world wide web because someone is recording it via their cell phone. As of late, I understand that the NSA has been tracking the cell phone usage of American citizens providing the type of insight that was not involved before the advent of cell phones. MIND YOUR BUSINESS, YO!!!
1. WE HAD FUN IN THE MOMENT!!
There is something about being tethered to a phone. Taking pictures updating statuses, sharing news all take away from enjoying our time in the moment of what we are experiencing. Be present! Have Fun! PUT THE PHONES DOWN!!
What do you think? Was life better before cell phones or not? Leave a comment and share.
Listen/Buy “Ladies Love Mixtapes The EP”
Precise 