Producer Duo Blue Sky Black Death(Young God and Kingston) from the Bay Area, are the newest hip hop gems I've been bumping endlessly off the recommendation of my friend Chris. These guys a have a type of musicality all their own, and their beats, and feel is something that compels something in me, that screams at me to just write and write and freestyle continually. Their beats create an atmosphere, with synths and electronic elements that beg the listener to come into the world of the beat, and please do you won't be sorry. Checkout this track they do called Crossroads, its sort of an ambient hip hop mash up of Crossroads by Bone Thugs, with fitting female vocals, this track is HEEEEAT!


They also collab with Jean Grae on the Evil Jeanius album, this is a track off there called Away With Me. Both acts are filled with obvious brimming talent, check out Blue Sky Black Death's Late Night Cinema Album, and any of Jean Grae's albums and you'll see their amazing individual talents, then you'll understand why a collabo together naturally creates powerful results.

Holy moly son! I just checked out the Roadtrip Nation website and they posted our route for the Campus Tour roadtrip, and looks like this is about to get real crazy. I'm going to places I didn't ever think I would visit. One of the first things I thought was, I wonder if they know what a Filipino is in Montana? Man, it seems a bit daunting, but exciting as can be, and I'm friggin ready to take it all in and just takein every experience possible that's coming my way, and just take it in and gain some knowledge, some insight, and keep on working at making those dreams come true!

http://roadtripnation.com/springtour/

March 2Irvine, CAUniversity of California, Irvine
March 3San Marcos, CACalifornia State University, San Marcos
March 4Riverside, CAUniversity of California, Riverside
March 5Fullerton, CAFullerton College
March 24Austin, TexasUniversity of Texas, Austin
March 26Norman, OKUniversity of Oklahoma
March 31Madison, WIUniversity of Wisconson, Madison
April 2St. Paul, MNNorthwestern College
April 7Bozeman, MTMontana State University
April 9Pocatello, IDIdaho State University
April 13Seattle, WAUniversity of Washington, Seattle
April 14Corvallis, OROregon State University
April 15Eugene, ORUniversity of Oregon
April 21Davis, CAUniversity of California, Davis
April 23Merced, CAUniversity of California, Merced

I'm sure everyone's already seen this by now, but why not bring it back and add a little joy to your day!


My single random thought of the day.

I don't know if this is just me, but if you've seen the latest batch of Pizza Hut hidden cam commercials, does anyone else really think that people are being duped into thinking they're eating world class pasta only to find out its Pizza Hut? The latest commercial I saw was now actually in Italy, with Italians being impressed by Pizza Hut pasta! haha, maybe I'm just skeptical since I've had their rich man's frozen TV dinner pasta before, and man, if only there was a hidden camera to get my reaction.

Amazing vid of Chinlone. First time I've ever seen it, and looks a lot like team juggling of a soccer ball, the movements eloquent, the teamwork fascinating, and the fact that the focus is on how beautifully one plays the game is pretty dope. 

Chinlone is the traditional sport of Myanmar (Burma). Chinlone is a combination of sport and dance, a team sport with no opposing team. In essence chinlone is non-competitive, yet it's as demanding as the most competitive ball games. The focus is not on winning or losing, but how beautifully one plays the game.


lately i've been in this mode of dreaming and really feeling like my goals and dreams are within reach and that as long as I truly give some thought, and a plan of action, and decide to act, I can achieve in it some regard, being cognizant that the path to a dream or goal, can change and become modified , so the as long as the purpose is pure, the end result in whatever form it may be will be fulfilling. Once again its been Dad leaving his mark and gift for me. It's really made me evaluate my life, and it's without a doubt pushed me from the transition out of a chill relaxed life, to a life with a purpose, I realize I've got gifts that I've been blessed with, and I need to find my outlets to share it with the world. Right now I see my destiny as out in the world, and a big part of fulfilling my dream is the journey to find it, and to be a hundred percent honest, I feel like it could be in any place in the world, and I don't plan on fighting wherever it may lead me. But also at the same time, with taking this Roadie Position with Roadtrip Nation, I feel a bit of sadness leaving my mom, knowing that she needs all the support she can get and that I want to be there to help here and assist her with anything she needs, and it does hurt my heart in a way knowing that I am leaving her in a time of need, but I feel like the Big Guy upstairs and Dad is giving me this, and I need to go for it, I just hope Mom will be ok.

By the recommendation of Hannah, I picked up the book The Dream Giver, and man this book has brought so much clarity to the idea of having a dream and the whole decision processes that surround it, from the excuses we make for ourselves, the comfort zones we live in, the wall of fear that we are afraid to break, and those who may detract us from our dreams, because our dreams result in a change for those people and that forces it upon them.
However, at the end of the day I can answer all those questions and reservations with something from the book. Dreams have a purpose bigger than ourselves and ultimately will serve other people. Staying within your comfort zone and denying your dreams is to help yourself. The book addresses a lot of other issues as well, a good read if you've been thinking about making changes and need a little pep talk to go and handle your ish.

Just some random thoughts and things that I had learned that i wrote in my notebook when I went to go visit Dad the other day.

-I've confronted and now deal with the possibility of something that brought unease to my mind, and could always snap my mind back to the present of, at least it's not right now, and that's not the way it is.

-Regardless of what your faith is, to have such faith in what you believe and know to be true and have peace because of it even in the face of death, is a powerful, powerful, and profound thing to witness.

-Now that I look at it, being able to analyze everything, Dad knew at the end that he was dying, but he had completely surrendered his will, saying God knew what was best in store for him, and that's why he was confident in passing and that his spirit and will still fought with an amazing intensity, and inspired us all to do so in the process.

-I've witnessed and experienced, the power of faith, and the astounding heights in which one can attain when put in certain life situations that test all you know and believe.

-Afterlife used to be a bit incomprehensible to me, and a tough concept to grasp, but after these past weeks and certain experiences, stories, and lessons have left me with a greater grasp and concept of it.

-I look at life now as a stepping stone on the way to bigger things, and that I can't waste it not being of use to others and spread some good will.

-The one question that I'll be accountable for at the end of my life will be
"How did i live love?"

-Dad is so much with me and he factors into so many of my thinking processes and a big influence on the decisions I make and will make for the rest of my life, so in that way I know he will never be forgotten, he will be with me, and his legacy will live on.

For me pops. "Frank C. Ricafort"

Myspace.com/RayRicafort