The Soul Speak Project

IT'S NOT JUST A DREAM TO ME!!!

2009-05-30T12:16:00.000-07:00

YO, YO, YO!!!! (same crazy DJ voice)

SEMI- NEW TRACK FROM THE ELEMENTS!!!!!!!!

*fog horn*…

…*cough*

Okay, so maybe you’ve heard this track before, maybe you haven’t. Either way, I wanted to share it with you guys now. It’s from the Elements featuring Open Mike, T. Coke, and this Soul Speak guy. It’s called ‘Not Just a Dream to Me’ .

It kinda sums up how I’ve been feeling lately.

You see, a few weeks ago I completed grad school (hold for cheering). Yes, yes, I am now a master of my craft (Who’s the Master!? SHO ‘NUFF!!! …hopefully you know where that’s from. If not, here ya go).

Any way…

This is a great opportunity because I have been itching to break out of the education bubble and do some work. However, it is also a challenge because I have to get some work… a job. And I don’ t know if ya’ll have been outside lately, but jobs ain’t exactly easy to find. Granted I have had some success as a few possible doors are opening up, but my pockets are still hurtin.

So…

Well, that’s where this song comes in. I have dreams. I think that most of us do. Some of my dreams are as simple as supporting myself and my family with my art, and some are so big they’re almost stupid. But I have seen that just having dreams isn’t enough. As Open Mike says, I want to take my DREAMS and make them REALITIES.

To me that’s the key. See, dreams are great, but alone they don’t amount to much.

Don’t get me wrong, most great things usually begin as dreams. We do need DREAMERS; but for those dreams to mean anything we have to do something. They must be coupled with ACTION. Think about it, the biggest dreamers in history are truly celebrated because of the action that their dreams produced. Would Dr. Kings dream had meant as much if he and others were not willing to give their effort, time, and ultimately their lives for the dream? …Hmmm (scratching chin and looking pensively upward).

For me, it is time to put in the work for my dreams. Not that I haven’t been working already, but more work is definitely needed. As an actor, it’s time to grind and work those auditions. As a musical artist I have committed to completing two major projects this year (I’ll tell you more about those later). These are great dreams. Now it’s time to work.

So here it is…. ‘It’s Not Just a Dream to Me’

~soul

NEW TRACK FROM SOUL SPEAK: DIRECTIONALLY IMPAIRED

2009-04-20T19:24:00.000-07:00

YO, YO, YO!!!!!!!!!!! (crazy DJ voice)

NEW TRACK FROM SOUL SPEAK!!! **3 gun shots**

THE ELEMENTS ARE IN THE BUILDIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

**loud fog horn**

YYEEEAAAAHHHHHHHH!!! THIS TRACK IS BANANA'S !!!...

*gun shot*

IT'S ORANGES!!!!

*gun shot*

IT'S PASSION FRUIT!!!!!

***machine gun fire***

AAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHH!!! (screaming for no reason)

...**fog horn**...

..............some how this work's better on the radio.

But anyway, here's a new track I recorded with my boy Open Mike a couple weeks ago. It is the rough cut from the studio. Normally, I would wait to have it mastered, but...here ya go.

It's called 'Directionally Impaired'.

It's a story track about what happens when we take the wrong turn. I feel that in my life I've run into many forks in the road. Some times I chose the right way and sometimes I didn't. I feel like some of the forks were minor, while others shaped who I am today.

Sometimes I look back and wonder what would have happened if I had chosen the other way; positively and negatively. Could things have been better?

or... HOW BADLY COULD THINGS HAVE GONE. (that sounded more depressing than i meant it to be...oh well)

Truthfully, looking at life this way keeps me grateful. I see so many instances in life when things could have gone bad; times where I could have ended up in serious trouble. Close calls. Times where I really could have been hurt or worse (a few people know what I'm talking about).

I've watched friends as they chose the wrong way, when I didn't.

...and I watched them deal with those consequences.

So, here it is; a story or wrong turns. Hope you enjoy.

~soul

Gone for a minute...but I'm back with a new post!

2009-04-18T15:35:00.000-07:00

Dang.

So, about two months ago I embarked on this blog project. Given that, since then I’ve made exactly zero post, I would say that I haven’t been exactly consistent.

You’ve all probably been wondering: What happened Soul? Are ya okay? Are you dead? Did your computer get stolen?

Or…you probably haven’t noticed because it’s your first time reading. Judging by my trusty visits tab I would say that this is more the case. It’s cool, I’m just happy you're reading it now.

So what happened?

Well….

I GOT BUSY!!! Real busy. Let me explain…

I’ve already told you I’m part of a most incredible rap group, the ELEMENTS. We are in the process of recording new material, and I am also writing for an upcoming solo project. Besides that I am also pursuing a Masters degree in Theater (yeah this mc/actor is a full time student). And….I’M ABOUT TO GRADUATE!!! (very excited). I just completed my comp exams, and I’m in writing my thesis right now. I am also rehearsing for an upcoming showcase in NY (trying to get an agent). I’m also doing an internship at local high school (we’re doing Ragtime). I’m also working on several scripts for a film company that I work with.

...And I can ride my bike with no handle bars

Basically… I’VE BEEN ON MY GRIND!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

***But there is benefit this constant grind, I have A LOT to write about. I have been thinking a lot about the thing s we go through for our art (cause I’ve been goin through some stuff for mine); what we sacrifice, what we endure, what are families friends and significant others deal with (thank you baby).

And as I’m goin through all of this I’m thinking, “DANG MANNNNN!!! It’s a GOOD thing I luv what I do. Yes, I love it, but it’s tough. It’s tough when people stand in your way. It’s tough when I feel like I always fighting to do the type of art that I want.

So… here are some questions.

What I’m I fighting against?

What am I fighting for (hmm)?

What keep us from creating the things we want?

Is someone standing in your way, or is it all in your head?

Is it financial?

Or are we just being lazy?

I visit these questions often because I want to be effective. I isolate the obstacles, and then focus on working through them.

What are your obstacles? The first step to overcoming them is to identify them. Good luck.

Finally, I leave you with one of my new favorite tracks. Listen to the one from K'naan.

~soul

WHAT'S GOOD PEOPLE - THEY CALL ME SOUL SPEAK

2009-02-10T15:36:00.000-08:00

So… chances are if you’re reading this then you’ve probably received an email, Facebook message or, myspace post asking you to pleeeassse check out my new blog. Or you're mindless scrolling through pages and pages of blogs and you have come across mine. Or you just hit the wrong key on your laptop. Either way, you here now. So, thanks for stopping by. You know, you could’ve been anywhere else in the world, but your right here with me… (Hov !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!)

Anywho… introducing!!!!!!!!!!! Me. I’m Soul Speak; musician, actor, mc, singer song-writer (I’m not trying to do everything but I do get bored easily), and member of a most incredible rap group The Elements. If you haven’t heard of us or seen us…SHAMELESS PLUG!!!!

http://www.myspace.com/theelementslook

So enough about The Elements, the real question is: what is this “soul speak project”? And, why should I be reading it? Well, the answer is simple. Art. On my good days I like to call myself an artist. I love to create. Not only do I love to create, but I also love being in the presence of creative people. I love what happens when you get a group of real artist together in a room. I love the collaboration. I enjoy hearing the intense mixture of opinions. The Soul Speak Project will hopefully become a place of collaboration, and a place where opinions can be aired concerning art (I know I will be airing mine!). So, calling all actors, rappers, poets, musicians, visual artist, dancers, songwriters, and singers. Let’s collaborate. Let’s Talk.

I plan to voice my opinion on a lot of issues. Not all of it will by super deep. Truthfully, I hope to keep all of you guys entertained. You know, review some music, comment on artist and entertainers (although this will not be a gossip column), and just wild out every now and then (alright maybe we'll talk about a celebrity or two...hundred!). Warning: I do tend to go off on tangents. So, though this blog is dedicated to my craft and all that, don’t be too surprised at what other random thoughts seem to be connected. There will be day's when you will question what that post had to do with art or anything at all. For those day's all I have to say is sorry... I warned you!

Oh yeah. I almost forgot. I am completely shameless when it comes to putting my own music all over this blog! You will be hearing from The Elements and a solo acoustic project by yours truly. No need to worry though, I also plan on posting and reviewing lots of other music and art (maybe yours!!!). So thanks, again for checking this out. Stay tuned!

-peace