Worse Case Scenario (wrong place, wrong time)

This afternoon, after dozing off late this morning. I had a dream. One of the worse case scenarios I'd never imagine being caught up in. Pissed me off and freaked me out at the same time!! Now, I'm type this from memory because I literally just awoke from it. So forgive me if the details are a little sketchy.

Was roaming outside. Its was either mid morn or early afternoon, I think.

Minding my own business. I believe I was somewhere in downtown Brooklyn or Mid town Manhattan. Felt like I was in BK....but anyway. Happened to walk near this thrift/dept. type discount store. And decided to go inside. WRONG MOVE. while I was window shopping/scouting anything I may want to buy on this visit, I noticed a brother in a wheel chair. Apparently crippled, key word, "apparently". With at least one female and a few other dudes around them. Chilling close to the entrance. When I was done perusing the store and decided nothing was worth purchasing today. Was on my way out. accidentally bumped into dude in the wheel chair, coming out the exit/entrance. He threatened me. (Don't recall what he said)

To some aspect, I apologized before things got heated, said it was my fault and was about to head on bout my business. When little did I know, these MoFo's had the police after them!! Because a shit load of patrol cars and vans started to flood this area. Immediately after that incident. And these individuals started to scatter like roaches in my apt. when the lights cut on. Remember when I told you the key word about the brother in the wheel chair, apparently crippled....well, as if the healing touch of God was set upon him, he got up out that chair, gunning it down the block like a bat out of hell!! I decided to started to rush my in a separate direction also. out of dodge of 5-O, (I think that term is still used to describe them now a days, anyway) cause you know in the hood, you guilty by suspicion and association. Despite how brief my convo was with that supposedly paraplegic brother, if they saw me talking to dude, they'd think I was with them. And what do you know, they started pursuit of me while I was hustling off.

I decided to keep it moving. Even though I knew I was innocent. Started having flash backs of the Chamillionaire video/track, "Hip hop Police". Knowing if they caught me, they would have a lot of questions I wouldn't, didn't and couldn't supply answers too. So I manage to find another store or storage area around town to lay low for a while. Little did I know after roaming in the back, around a lot of people, peeked outside the widow...only to already see two uniforms waiting outside. And noticed one had creped up in the area I was. I managed to slip my way out the spot. But guess what, not only to run into the same, fake cripple from the discount store earlier and his crew, but also the same uniformed cops that where in chase of all of us!! I said out loud with out hesitation , while being cuffed, "Ain't this bout a mother fucker!!"

Thinking to myself on the way and upon my arrival at the station, "How the fuck did I get caught up in this Bullshit today...?" Now at the station, was being roughed into the scanning and finger printing area, by this big ass (enter derogatory racial obscenity word here) that was all up on me!! grabbing on me. Taking my coat off when I was already starting to. Felt me up and shit, some was I felt was improper...and suspect....I was pleading my case of having nothing to do with those other hoodlums. But it fell on deaf ears. I felt like I was fucked either way, so I swung on his ass. And made contact. But before the dream took another turn for the worse, in my case....I woke up.

This was also another case when keeping it real goes wrong!! Damn!!

RL Tha Gifted Album now available on CD baby

Peace my people. Just thought I'd let you know, I did an album review a few months back, for a fellow artist in words & Knowledge named RL tha Gifted 1's: Ambassador. I posted it in my blog as a special posting. This is my first critic on another artist album. If you guys dig it and want me to do more, I may consider making Tuesdays my an album review day for artist of not just spoken word poetry. But for other genres too. Lemme know.

http://honestabe4u.blogspot.com/2010/05/honest-thoughts-special-edition.html (The album review)

And if you wanna cop the album online, its officially available now at

http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/RLthaGifted1 (for $10 Mp3 download)

The Abstract Messiah, his previous release is also available for sale there.

Back 2 Brooklyn Saturday and what else that has been going on.

First things first, Just a heads up, that this Saturday, July 10th. I make my return feat. at a Brooklyn Venue( in general/period) Which is rare for me. A new spot to me, which I look forward to gracing the mic and stage for a good cause.

More words for Haiti (Fundraising event)

Brooklyn Exposure

1401 Bedford ave. (Bet. St. Marks pl & Prospect Pl.)

Brooklyn, NY

Time: 3pm-8pm (Doors open @ 2:30pm)

Cover: $5 Donations

As for what else has been gong on....

I just finished doing an online interview last night. Which I updated everyone on my progress of recent projects, where I stand on how I see the future of spoken word and such. Click the link below if you wish to listen. (My interview starts around the 60 min. mark/9pm when I called in.)

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/agsupreme/2010/07/08/supreme-entertainment

Other than that, still been looking for new employment. Which I need to drag my feet less on and get on the good foot about asap. Looking towards having my own spot around early-mid 2011. So I gotta a lot of work to put in for that to happen. I'm on a mission to extinct any debt and financial woes plaguing me, with no time to waste. So, I'm not going to continue to describe how, but like Nike...just do it! None the less, while thats a work in progress...I'll make sure to keep everyone abreast of other dealings as I go along. Giving you the best of me into the new year ahead.

Peace, positivity and prosperity to you.

-"Honest" Abraham Benjamin

http://www.reverbnation.com/dtruthspeaks

http://www.facebook.com/dtruthspeaks

http://www.twitter.com/t_izhonestabe

http://www.myspace.com/honestabeizdtruth

Summer, summer, summer time....Bloomfield, NJ tonight, Queens Sunday Updated schedule and Projects Progress

My brothers & sisters in Knowledge,

I hope your fathers day weekend has been blessed and the lord is shining his light,

on during your darkest hrs. as needed.

And that today brings you new, satisfying blessings ahead. Welcome to official start of summer!

WHATS BEEN HAPPENING...

You may or might have known, but like most of us, I'm still going through my own personal Trials & Tribulations/

Over the past 6 months now, here and there, I've had and discovered some revelations, realizations and renovations,

about myself. Which I'll go into more detail at a later time.

REMINDER!

If your visiting in or around NJ, Tonight. Mon. June 21st I'll be competing again, culminate enough pts. for spot on the MMAC NJ Slam team for 2011. In the underground Poetry Slam. Feat. will be J-Skillz & Rob Hylton.

9pm. Doors @ 8pm. In the MMAC Theatre, 562 Bloomfield ave, Bloomfield, NJ. For more info click on event site link below for cover and other details.

(If you know any poets in the tristate area or even abroad, willing to trek over and slam, pass this along. There is also a $$ prize for the winner of slam. But if you a poet and you slam and win, won't get much prize money, if not

many people show. So spread the word to ya Jersey and tristate peeps!)

This Sun. June 27th 2010

Free Da Mic (Revolutionary open mic)

AFRIKAN POETRY THEATRE 176-03 Jamaica AveQueens, NY 11432 Phone: 347- 256-4844

Feat. performance by: Honest Abe and some of the best underground artist in hip hop, spoken word and R & B today! Cover: $7, $5 if wearing RBG (Red, Black & Green) Open mic starts @ 7pm. Doors and sign up @ 6:30pm. F train to 179th get you pretty close.

NEW SHOW ADDED!

Next month, July 10th. I'll be featuring at Words for Haiti pt. 2. This time instead of in Philly, it will be here in Brooklyn, NY. So if you been waiting for me to finally come back to featuring in my own stomping grounds, again. I expect you to come through if possible. Its rare that I do feat. in BK. I've only done so bout 4 times ever, to my recollection.

Click the site link below for more info.

This Woman (HER Ancestor freedom aura) Possibly one of my new personal fav. poems to perform. :)

www.youtube.com/watch

Again, my book will be official in due time. (Unlocked thoughts of a Prophet's temple)

Summer 2010 (Either July 27/but more likely early Aug. There have been unexpected delays I could, but didn't and couldn't, out of my control. Sooner or later than perspective dates pending my momentum.

Will pin down a exact as soon as its closer to completion. (no, I'm not rushing it. But if things go mad smooth it will be ready during this summer season.

And my CD got some production kinks to work out before I set a date for an official release date/party in the future.

More info to come on both.) Either this or my next CD, God willing, will be released around my born day in October.

Oh. and if you aren't a part of my only and official facebook group, please join.

www.facebook.com/group.php

Peace, productivity & prosperity. Stay blessed & elevated. B-)

-Honest Abe

http://www.reverbnation.com/dtruthspeaks

Parole Pou Ayiti (Words for Haiti) @Circle of Hope/1st official show in Philly, new bounds

Wow.....

...is one of many things I can say about my first trip back to PA in years. Specifically, Philadelphia. First off, I'd definitely like to thank my brother in "Werds" & knowledge, Werdsman (poet) for the opportunity and honor; of feat. for a good cause. Circle of Hope was a very welcoming venue. Though the ride to Philly(abt. 3hrs.) was cool too. The jokes...the shit we talked...bananas!! Lol. Took a extra couple mins to locate the place when arriving. But good folks behind the event, April and the two other sisters (forgot their names, but were fun to hang w/after leaving the spot); we nice and attentive to me, SoSoon and Werdsman upon arrival.

I ended up starting the show off with a bang! With 4 pieces I introduce myself to Philly with. My cam mem. card only had enough to rec. 3 1/2 of them though. :( Did some of my classics, "Ode to the Poet (Will you spit or swallow..?), "This Woman" (one of my newer ones), "Beat the Beast" and a brand new one I finished my set of with called, "Unfinished". I dug how much they were captivated by my work and got an experience out of it. :) The young youth poet, Jamillah ripped the stage as well. I'm feeling her work. And she on the Philly youth slam team. Only 18 yrs/old! Banger!! One o the next banger artists, was another one of my brothers in Words & knowledge, MC SoSoon. All of his tracks were gr8! Shout out to him, and my sister in words & Knowledge, NASSUNNI da Poet!! Good peoples!! :) Kilt it herself on the mic. Much love for her, and those eyes...whooo...she lucky she spoken for. Thats all I'm saying. smh.

Open mikers where good too. Good to hear some new styles from a brother by the name of Christopher. And a familiar poem used by another open mic artist via poet laureate/teacher Taylor Moli. Who also used to teach. (With much encouragement, performed that piece with the right amount of potency required)

Also, at the end of the show I gained some new friends and supporters. Not to mention, a new lil fan. lol. One of the features(Claudia Streets) son came up behind me an gave my legs a biiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiig hug. smh. Handsome lil devil. Seems my words are reaching multiple generations!! Yay!! :o) After the show, me and my bandit brothers 3, from...new york, and two sisters behind the show as well as two of the open micers....went out to dinner. We ain't good. Definitely had nuff hearty laughs to go with an equally hearty meal. And for all my fam and friends that keep suggesting and requested....yes I got a official Philly Cheese steak before leaving town. I got pics to prove it too!! Lmao!!

Anyway, lastly but not least, I swear, I almost went into Philly single and came out...spoken for. Some banger looking sisters where every place we went. Lawd have mercy! And there was this one chick, that when we finally found a parking spot, a few blks from the restaurant; was at her car across the street from us....barefoot. And I was thinking, when she got out the car, has she been driving that way too...? (by the way, a cute ass milk chocolate queen) even when she got back in her ride and, drove off bare feet mind you, couldn't stop thinking bout her....for the next 5-10 min. All was on my mind was her and Usher's "Lil freak" playing in my head. 4real! Lol!!

I now made a discovery....that fine ass women, especially from Philly, that walk and drive around bare feet....is mad sexy to me. B-)

Ok, now, lastly, before leaving the restaurant(which was called Philly Reef), we all got together for a photo opt. So then, our party of 7 became a party of 5 when the two brothas from open mic part of the show called it a night. Afterward, the two ladies, which we walked back to their car, did the same. Our last destination b4 Trip out of Philly, Fat Tuesdays. SoSoon had him a drink. And I got a $1 shot to wake me up some. Since I was getting hit hard by the "ITIS" from the meal early on. It was well past midnight by then. But as soon as it hit around 2am, the club shut down for the night. Now I'm sure there were still spots in NY bumping around this time for sure. :)Culminating the night, we headed back on the road to NY. PHILLY....YOU ARE NOW MY 3RD UNOFFICIAL HOME!! As far as performing goes and cause your breathtaking women thats flooded you in your streets. :-D I look forward to coming back with product on hand in the future!

Thank you and good night!!...or morning I guess. Smh.

-Abe

Thinking its about that time.....Philly Bound

Peace. just giving a final heads up that I'll will be feat. in South Philly, PA this evening at Circle of hope, 1125 S. Broad st. for an event called, "Parole Pou Ayiti (Words for Haiti) from 5pm-9pm.

Hosted by: David "The Werdsman" Lewis

Where: Circle of Hope, 1125 S Broad St Philadelphia, PA 19147

Cost: $5 Donation ( All Proceeds goes towards the Haiti Medical Mission Efforts)

Refreshments will also be served

Poets, singers, and musicians from the Tri-state area will be performing (NY,NJ, PA)

http://www.haitimedmission2010.com/, http://www.explorersSF.org/

http://www.facebook.com/?ref=logo#!/event.php?eid=116962115007290

-Abe

Honest Thoughts (special edition spotlight Album post)

HONEST THOUGHTS ALBUM REVIEW



RL THA GIFTED 1: THE AMBASSADOR


What can I say about this carefully craft poetic work...?


Ambassador: 1: an official envoy; especially: a diplomatic agent of the highest rank accredited to a foreign government or sovereign as the resident representative of his or her own government or sovereign or appointed for a special and often temporary diplomatic assignment.
2 a: an authorized representative or messenger b: an unofficial representative (Merriam Webster definition)

Now, I've had the pleasure and opportunity to meet, see him live, (on more than one occasion) and listen to his previous albums. And I have to say, in comparison, this is one of RL's best projects yet. He hasn’t disappointed with the previous works. Especially with guest appearances, such as: ItsReaLight, "The Oracle" Autumn Ashante, Kassim Allah…among others. This time around, along the ride are the likes of: Zulema Cheek (Soul/R&B singer w/a sound that puts a good feeling in ya soul); Conquest the Torchbearer; Salvation; and also Young Timothy & Mr John Duncan.



I think that over all, it was an exceptional banger project. I liked the two tracks w/Zulema Cheek ("U Got Me” & “Destiny” {A piece he dedicated to wife}) This Soulful queens vocals/classic voice; helps moves your spirit with every note she belts out. Which is a pleasant mesh with RL's declaration in his lyrical liquor he spits...which is God driven.

The poetic Scriptures for your ears, gets into a spiritual/air out type of cleansing with "Ya Dig" Calling out, not all by names, on how he continues his unstoppable journey. Which in my opinion is one take charge track helps define title of this well needed EP.


Then there is piece called, "Piece of me. This one maybe stands out the most to me. Due to the fact on how real RL keeps it bout the state of Poetry and the many that have misused, "her". Whether in slams and open mics and what not. Reminiscence of the ol' school hip hop MC's such as KRS-One to Big Daddy Kane and Kool G-Rap; that call ducks, what they were, ducks. False Prophets, that spit nothing mentally prophet able and quarreled over pettiness in the game; given the art a bad name.

When’s the last time you could count on more than one hand, an artists,(in this case spoken word) that had joints on their CD that made you say,: "Tell me about it!!" "I'm feeling this right here son!!" or even, "Say word!". These are phases I found myself saying while hearing RL's Ambassador CD.RL does represent by living up to the title he claims as an appointed/anointed as diplomatic messenger, of spoken word, with the last track, "After All".
It speaks on the historical social/political, slipping/ills of the world, and art world from hip hop to poetry. To quote part of the chorus, "After all, after all; we dropped the ball, we dropped the ball. We take the fall. We take the fall..."

It’s very relevant, that by anyone not copping this album...they missing a blessing. He also, mentions in the liner notes, one of the people this album was dedicated to the memory of his Mother. And for the record, I'm not being bias because he originally from my home back yawed of BK and I know him. lol. I just happen to recognize good piece of work by a talented artist when I listen to it. But see the other tracks didn't feel, or should I say didn't stick out to me as much as the ones I mentioned above. This doesn't mean that if you listen to them you'll feel the same. "Different strokes, for different folks". Lyrically, RL doesn't slack when getting his point across in every rhyme. After following this brother for the past 3 projects now, I believe his growth as a writer, artist and man...is in a sky’s the limit destination from here.

If you don't believe me, that RL tha Gifted 1, lives up to his name...go listen to his new CD, "Ambassador" and his past projects. Or go see him live. Like I said, I got to see RL in action again a month ago in the Bx. You’re missing an experience by not connecting with my fellow brother in words, and knowledge. Check his work and link up with RL at the sites/links below.

Myspace: http://www.myspace.com/lyriclounge
Facebook Profile: http://www.facebook.com/ronald.lavenderjr.1


-“Honest Abe” Abraham Benjamin [© 2010]