Art of the Mind Vol. III

prsented by Oasis Creative Media GroupVol. III

The Past, Our Path

Featured:

Protoje and theIn.Digg.Nationband

Jah 9

Taj Francis

Lethal AudioKings

Selah Benji

Jik Photography

Oasis Creative Media Group is a subsidiary of Impeccable Studios Laboratories Engineering and Lifestyle

Incorporated. The rights to the content here is part owned by ISLE&Lifestyle, Oasis Creative Media Group

and the owners stated. Owners of content are either affiliates of ISLE&Lifestyle and/or Oasis Creative

Greetings,Oasis Creative Studios, Media consists of; poets, visualists,sound engineers, managers, coordinators, and artists. Themotive of this group is to provide modern, mind captivatingcultural experiences exhibited to the world by emotional andintellectual enlightenment which touches souls and movesspirits. With that said; their inspirations shall inspire, theirlife experiences shall guide and teach, the arts they exhibitshall captivate their audience as if from another dimensionwhere beings exist only as intellectual, spiritual, andemotional entities. Art of The Mind is their medium.This varies from digital content to tangible and intangibleproducts branded with this name. These, including the groupname should never be used, reproduced, modified norextracted without the explicit permission of the respectivecreators and the group itself.

"Creative native,Art of the Mind: Initiative.

Relative to the concepts and theories spewed from mycerebrum,

Open your eyes young writers and fight for your Freedom!!!"...

~Christopher Lee Murray~20.09.2012

OASIS: noun,something serving as a refuge, relief, or

pleasant change from what is usual,

annoying, difficult, etc.

INDEX

Taj Francis 6

Lethal Audio 6

Words from Stan Papi6

Jik Events Coverage 6

Protoje and the 52In.Digg.Nation Band

Jah 9 56

Selah Bengi 60

Poetical Digest68

Thoughts of Kings80

meet

Taj Francis

He grew up and is a resident of the islandof Jamaica, and has been doing art for aslong as he can remember. The media usedfor his artworks are the usual pen andink as well as brush and ink and spraypaint. A major medium for his more popularworks is digital illustrations andpaintings. He has been featured on severalwebsites and is currently working on aclothing line where he also dose customartwork on shoes. His artwork inspired bymusic and a passion for what he doesmakes enables him continue to grow in hisskill. The sketch/hand artwork of thisissue, including the cover page is done byhim.

6 of 82 ©Oasis Creative Media Group 2014

Art of the Mind Vol. III







Talking with Taj Francis

Chris: So Taj Francis, you are a visual artist. How do you create and presentyour work?

Taj: It depends on the work, some works i do straight by hand, some works iscan and photoshop

Chris: How did your history of drawing come about?

Taj: I've been drawing for as long as i can remember. The first thing i canremember drawing is a red ranger. Coming up i never said i wanted to be aanimator or anything like that i just knew i wanted to do something in art

Chris: Which schools did you go to?

Taj: Meadowbrook high and then Edna straight from there.

Chris: What are some of your big projects?

Taj: Well a lot of my projects have to do with music. A lot of album artwork idid artowork for Protoje and Jah9 and i have a few other projects i can reallymention yet.

Tarek: So what are your favourite kinds of projects?

Taj: My favourite kind of project is weird things, just things out of the norm.Things like a skateboard or a packaging for something. People always want meto work on business cards and flyers and try to encourage them not to.

Chris: So from here where do you see yourself going forward?

Taj: Well i plan to just keep doing what im doing and just get better at it. Ithink my problem is i want to do too much, which isn't a bad thing. Ieventually want to tour the world doing exibitions . I used to run a clothingbrand when i was still in school but i had to stop so i might start that backbut fresh under a different name.

Chris: Jamaicans seem to not really appreciate what we have from an artstandpoint. If its not hype or flashy they just seem uninterested.

Taj: Well actually i am seeing a lot of decent artists popping up there with alot of potential.

Chris: Well i hope with them coming up jamaica wil start looking at them.

Taj: Well when once we had to do a project where was had to do somethingoutside of the regular jamaican gallery system. There were 5 of usm onetrinidadian .We held a exibition and people were arrived for it early and itwas a huge success. People were still coming in even as we were closing so theinterest in art is out there.



Chris: I find that a lot of people can draw or are good at art but they donttake it serious its like they just say "Well this class boring, let me drawsometing"

Taj: A lot of more the older generation still think poorly of art. If one ofthem ask you "Well what are you doing now" and you say art they will alwaysanswer "Well thats not where the money is, you should be doing this or that".They need to realize that money is wherever you put your passion into andthat not everything is about the money.

Chris: Yeah and its that kind of thinking that make young people not want todo art because they tell their parents they want to go to Edna Manley and allthey get is protest.

Taj: Yes I'm very lucky that my parents were supported from day one and peoplelike to think Edna Manley is easy. When you see the kinda reading you haveput down for those theory courses, a lot of people fail out of Edna becausethey underestimate it. And people need to understand art is in everything, artis in the tile on the ground, the building your in, etc.

Chris: Yeah and something i said the other day is if i was Minister ofEducation i would push art in schools because i believe it can help withother subjects especially math. I think with a good art base that it wouldhelp people visualize better.

Taj: People were saying that math isnt very different from art. I rememberhaving a lecturer in my final year that understood math and geometry so wellthat he would do thing that would blow your mind as a artist with math.

Tarek: Well in the past most great artist were also great scientists

Taj: Yes and so its odd that nowadays people think that if you are a artistyou can't be a scientist

Tarek: Well back in those times they also thought scientists were heretics sothey just moved the heretic status from scientist to artist

Chris: In part, its art that put Jamaica on the map. Jamaican dont know theirreggae artists but that artist is known everywhere else in the world andtour and make money

Taj: and then Jamaicans instead of seeing their own music will pay somewashed up R&B artist to come perform

Chris: Well I hope in a couple of years we can see a change

Taj: I think theres already a change just little by little

Chris: Alright, thank you Taj Francis





"I'd like to send blessings toeveryone in the Lethal Audiomovement. Blessings to everyonewho consistently shows theirsupport, even when we're notconsistent with our music. Justexpect the expected, which is usbeing great."

Sean BluKid

chatting with

BluKid and J-Stonefrom, the Lethal Audio Kingsphotos by ToniAnn Owens Photography



Christopher Lee Murray

What are your names? Also, tell us your history with music, and how life events made you

both love music more.

Sean BluKid

Well, my stage name is BluKid. My history with creating my own music started from in

about grade 56. At that time I was heavily influenced by Damian Marley because of my

brothers.

I took writing more serious as I began high school and met a group of friends that had the

same drive as me at the time.

As the years go on and I grow older, I realize how much of a big responsibility it is to do

music and influence a generation that's lacking in positive expression

And I also use music as a guideline for myself

So I'm basically inspired and motivated by everything around me, the good and bad..

Positive and negative.

JStone LethalAudio

My name is JStone and wen it comes to music I dont see my self as an artiste, I more

consider me and my bros as visionaries

I was heavily influenced by music due to the fact that my uncle also does music, and from a

very young age he used to play his music around me n dj his lyrics towards me as if I were

a crowd of people

My father was also one to always sing his favorite soul songs to me. Together, both

exposure gave me that early drive to sing

So I ended up sing at my basic school graduation, n wrote my first song a year later in

grade on

By grades 45, I formed a group with two of my other classmates, and we use to write

songs and performed for our classmates

But it wasnt until around 78 grade that I started to take writing serious wen I met persons

dat shared a similar interest

As the years went by, my music circle got smaller, but the ones who were still around made

it possible for me hone my craft and move forward on a serious path


Now Since performing, what has been your greatest challenges, fears, and successes? How

have you seen yourself grow and how do you plan to grow even more?

Sean BluKid

Since performing, the greatest challenges all come from being an independent movement.

So every move we make as an independent movement is a challenge and a risk, and also

every experience we walk away from with our heads still held up high is a great success

My only fear is failing, or not reaching the expectation I set for myself.

I've seen myself grow when it comes to patience and tolerance towards everything.

Performingwise, I've expanded my vocal range and clarity.

And I've also learned how to bring a different energy on stage, a different energy than

when you're just standing up and recording a song in a studio



JStone LethalAudio

On addition to what my bro was saying, another challenge Ive realized is that we are

relatively new to alot of things that we've been exposed to, so inexperience and lack of

resources hinders our ability to give the best quality of ourselves and our music at times

One of my greatest fears in addition to failing, is not being able to bring all of my band

members and myself to a level of greatness that I kno is within all of us,as long we stay focus

And the only true success I see is the fact the we are still going after all we've been through

In terms of growth, Ive seen my approach to writing take on a new form

It seems more geared towards getting a point across as opposed to just having a sick flow

and metaphors. To grow more one has to be willing to learn and take constructive criticism

so thats I path to growth


What would you say to others like yourselves making their way in the industry and even

those thinking of doing so?

Sean BluKid

I would tell them that once you break into the industry, overall it's only about 10% of what

you do is music. Everything else is business, opinions, criticism and bias. You just have to

have a strong mind on what you really want to achieve in music, because only few people

genuinely have your best interest at heart.

Sean BluKid

Once you're in the eye of the public, you're exposed to everything. All the negatives, all the

positives.

JStone LethalAudio

Also never to take on more than you can handle. Never venture into new grounds that you

know you arent ready, make sure there are no cracks in your armour, cause the pressures

and weight of the business will shatter that armour and leave you exposed and bruised. Also

have thick skin, cause once you appear different, innovative or creative in your approach,

you will be judged, scrutinized, criticized and over looked most times. Cya let ntn detour you

u zimmi?

Sean BluKid

And, don't get too complacent with anything you achieve, because you can never achieve

enough in music.

JStone LethalAudio

Exactly! Most people think success is a destination but its not

Sean BluKid

Music is life, and you'll never stop learning and growing in life until your body is back into

the earth and your soul is back into the universe.

JStone LethalAudio

Success is a journey, and once you stop on that journey, thinking that u "reach", thats when

you are no longer successful.



words from



In true Darkness we are all the same.

At that Depth

it is only the words from our souls that distinguish us apart.

Don’t believe when you hear that the universe is inside you?

That many of the “things” that make up the universe, is you walking?

You think you are different from the trees, stone and soil?

Tell me, what happens to you when you die?

Widely Misunderstood & Overlooked

In Life, Balance Is Key.

The future doesn't exist

Only past and the cause of the present

You can wait for the future but it will never come

Only the constant state of the present exists and how you handle it

Many people inhabit their entire lives in this illusory state of a perceived future

waiting/reaching for a dreamed distant place of success or happiness that ultimately

doesn't come

For the present moment is the only moment that ever exists

Both these illusory states

the future and the past can only be experienced in the present

Which too many never take the time to actually experience.

The purpose of the seed is to regenerate It's host's life form with no deplorable

consequences.

The host prolongs sustainment while it itself, multiples.

No man climbs to high if he climbs with his own limbs

Drive your Energy & Become Calm, highly productive but Comfortable

Don't be driven by Your Energy

Gain & Exercise total Control

You only fail when you give up

Death to determination upon weak perseverance it sweeps

while success blossoms to a diffused spirit of strong willpower of mind body and soul

It is to be cherished and recognized as a wonderful act to have the ability to be sparked

with new ideas, original and unheard of. To have the opportunity to bring something new

to mankind. No matter how crazy or hard to reach these periodical ideas that flash seem to

be, They were given to you and if it's an unheardof original idea, it was given to you for a

divine reason. Write it down, Copyright/Patent/Trademark it then start to achieve this

newly found goal. Many take these flashes of ideas lightly and fail to recognize them as

their probable purpose in life. For it is those who take them seriously and strive to achieve

them we later hear how they changed the world...it's a shame how it is only a few who

recognized the real.



Everything that gives life has and originated from a core.

Planets, seeds & atoms.

Life exists from the result of cores.

Plants germinate from the core of seeds

the earth lives from the energy in its core

all living beings are born from the core of eggs.

Every technological advancement should have its energy source in a core.

Planes can only fly in one direction, difficult to decelerate, cannot dip, raise.

Humans cheated the advancement of technology by only following the law of motion they

knew.

Copying the design of what it saw could fly (A Bird) and ignorantly gave this streamline

design two engines on its wings which can only operate with tons of fuel to fly long

distances and landing is always a hazard.

Bear in mind a Bird has full control of all its entire body which is flexible. It can fly as free

as it may. Twist, turn, slow down, glide and the wings themself propel the bird. Whereas

the engine of the bird is the heart, its core. Not its wings.

Mankind made a solution for long distance travelling with the technology and tools it had

at the time. Will it remain this way for all along as mankind exists? Planes that use

enormous amounts of fuel that affects the air we breathe, the urban fuel prices, the

planet's natural resources and the countries where the resources are extracted.

Isn't it time to think of and implement a new, more advanced, cleaner technology for

flying, even driving?

Electro magnetism maybe? Has a core, capable of producing immense power from

electrical currents, and with design, the element of control.

Is Nikola Tesla the first and last to pursue a natural solution?

Open Your Mind

Element: A fundamental, essential, or irreducible constituent of a composite entity.

Look deep within yourself & find your element

Your inner entity

That spirit within you

That mystical trapped soul given at birth

That keeps your heart pumping

That gives you a shadow

Once found embrace it

For it is what makes you

uniquely yourself

Who Am I?

What is my divine Purpose?

What Can I provide/create that only I can produce, due to my history?

What Do I Plan to Accomplish?

What Goals/visions do I want to achieve/create?

What am I working towards?

What dream am I trying to make reality?

What can I achieve?

What is the maximum potential greatness I can achieve?

What is the worst case scenario that can happen from not giving 100% effort?

What do I have around me that I can use to learn/benefit from while I am in this position?

What are the maximum opportunities I can absorb at this current point in my life?



What stages in life do I want to go through and excel in?

Your historical background makes up who you are, sums up your uniqueness and hints who

you ought to be and every day that passes adds to your history. Constant evolution for the

better should be prompt and positive.

Coincidence is truth

Faith is proof

Belief is to sooth

Keen seeing cuts through

One cannot see the painting in its entirety if he is stuck on the canvas.

Full effort|no excuses

N.O.W = No Opportunity Wasted

Believe in yourself, apply change, then you can do anything

Conceptualize

Hypothesize

Analyze

Formalize

Realize

With carefully thought logical progression

Impossible = I’m Possible

Space signifies divine sacrecy

Be a critical thinker.

If you live life only doing what you think you ought to do, then you might just be one of

society’s many sheep. Unknowingly.

Take full control,

know

Where you are.

Think

What has to be done

To Achieve your goals At the most effective rate.

Only then, you will know.

Who

you are &

What

you must do.

And you will rise with the heart of a Lion with the wings of an eagle.

Stanley Sutherland





Phone (876) 5821860Email [email protected] http://500px.com/jikphotography



Con

cert

On

Th

eLaw

n

Nov.

28th

,2013





Gabri

ell

aR

en

oLiv

e

"Her debut concert at Red bones Blues Cafe broughttogether family, close friends, and a combination ofold and new fans. It was an excellent night. Theshow featured Samuele vivian on guitar(One manband of the night) and also Sevana and DBurnzwhich complimented and added additional flavourto the musical pot of the night.

By the end of the night the audience was so pleasedand asked for an encore of Gabriella Rehnovatia'snewest single "Love you to bomboclaat". If youmissed it look out for it, it's a hit!

It was a night to remember and look out for moremusic and performances from this young lady.

Check out her FB page:https://www.facebook.com/GabriellaRenoo?fref=ts

One love, Peace and Prosperity to all"~JikReuben





Kabaka

Pyra

mid

Liv

e:

Lead

Th

eW

ay

Con

cert

"This event was so epic all i can sayis UP! UP! UP UP! UP! UP!Excellent show put on by KabakaPyramid and the Bebble RockTeam."

Jik Reuben





Kelissa

LIVE

"Up in the cool hills of Jacks Hill, along a strip called Skyline Dr. over looking the citysomething magnificent occurred, Kelissa Live happened. It was an excellent concertand a gathering from the lovely Kelissa McDonald, the young powerful female ReggaeArtiste. The concerted featured Featuring Keznamdi, Dre Island, Chronixx, Infinite, &Micha Shemaiah. Also special guest Kabaka Pyramid graced the stage. Allperformances were backed by the Fusion Band. Music by Garbre Selassie (RockersSound System).

Enjoy, Give thanks for taking time out to view and give a strength and share =)"Jik Reuben





Major Lazer x Skrillex

Highlights of the Major Lazer andSkrillex concert held at The New

Mas Camp Kingston, JamaicaDecember 20th, 2013.





NoM

ad

dz

Th

eTro

d:

Movin

gForw

ard

"Excellent Nightfeaturing Nature andNo-Maddz, Look outfor more No-Maddzperformances later inthe year. Read abook and Trod on!"Jik Reuben



Christopher"Birdheye" Gordon O'neil Peart Sheldon Shepherd

Everaldo "Evie"Creary



Congratulations Tess!!!Congratualations to Tessanne Chin on her victory participation on The Voice







Three: The Hard Way

"We learnt from shows, music, nature,

science, arts, etc that the power of three is

magnificent. Last Friday "Three: The Hard

Way", definitely proved that such a number

really is powerful. The event was hosted at

Redbones Blues and featured three talented

women by the names of Stephanie, Aisha and

Niquet. It was a night to remember as each

vocalist proved their worth with a series of

solos, duets and trios. Songs ranged from

Christmas Carole, Dancehall, Pop and R&B,

etc.

It was a full house and by the end of the night

no one left with any regrets.

Shout out to Stephanie, Aisha and Niquet for

showing us that in a industry dominated by

men, females have a strong voice to be heard

and appreciated.

Enjoy the coverage and share our page.

Peace and Love"

Jik Reuben



Paris Dennis Kongz Samaru Shenae Wrightt Oje Ken Ollivierre Janine Cunningham

Protoje and the In.Digg.Nation band, with Jah 9 in the centrephotos of this section are courtesy of J. Small photography

Our Featured

Janine Cunningham Donald Dennis KerriAnn Lewis Jason Worton Kevin Patterson

Artists

Oasis Interviewer: Oje, How did you come to meet the band and put them together?

Protoje: Well its just at different times make different people first we started with meeting

Jason, and kinda just developed outta that. Then, it was Paris where i meet at Edna Manley

then after him then Kongz , who i saw at a show playing then I approached him and asked

him to be apart of the band. At the time we need a new guitarist, Kongz then said he knew

someone who who was perfect! Saw Kerri and Shanny sining at a live performance.Then I

meet Zuggu. Then Danny who I meet before, i did my first album played bass on my first

two albums, I had just crossed my fingers hoping he's say then and he did. After that its has

just been an exponential growth.

Interviewer: Where did the inspiration for music come?

for the music the inspiration comes from all around you. It makes a huge difference as

opposed to playing with your collages versus playing with people you don't know. We get

strength from each other in that knowing we are in war, being equip to face 20,000 people.

Even though you havent performed at good amount is there still that nervousness before

performances?

Keri: Naturally as a musician, there would be some nervousness. but "we just ready fi

dominate!"

History & Inspiration to music

Kongz: Well I'm from a musical family. Music has always been a part of me and everything

is music for me. Just getting up everyday, is my inspiration to play music. My daily life is

my inspiration.

Shenae Wright: My family sings, my grandmother used to perform in her days. I grew

up in the church singing gospel. I learnt from there and I fell in love with reggae when I

started high school. I love all genres really, but I gravitate to the ones with a more jazzy

feel.

Paris: I come from a family of musicians. I first listened to hiphop. I was all over the place

really skaboarding, doing martial arts and trying to be a ninja *laugh*. Then, my father

really started teaching me things on the keyboard. He is a jazz player. So, then I started

making beats. I moved to Ja in 2008 started attending Edna and then I started to learn so

much more about music. This is where I met a lot of artists, including the band members.

Protoje: My parents were musicians. I started writing compositions ever since I found out

about writing stories. Once I found out about flow, pattern, and rhyming, I began to write

to put my words on beats. I started writing from Hip hop, then dance hall and reggae.

Reggae gave my words a more unique sound. I always wanted to play live music, always

writing and knowing from early that this is what i wanted to do.

Keri: I grew up in a musical family, grow up in the church. My grandmother was an opera

singer. My mother also sings but my sister and I got the bulk of the talent. *laughs* I used

to play the piano first then at 1415 I tried the bass guitar and I was playing and singing in

a female band at church. I did the world championships of the performing arts,

participating in JCDC. Being apart of this band shows me that u can be creative the ideas

flowing from one person to another, that's so beautiful, unique and dynamic. I wasn't into

reggae until 2010. I'm still learning about it and loving it more and more.



Danny Base: Coming from a musical family, I had some relatives that sang. I staring

attend play at a Catholic Church. Lil John was looking musicians, I auditioned and I was

succesful, then gave me an instrument and i started played and they were excited. We went

all over the place, Tuff Gong, Bell Road. I made tracks for Black Scorpio, Shabba Ranks,

Shaggy, Tony Rebel, Garrnent Silk, Sugar Minnot, Gregory Issacs, Buju Banton just to name

a few. Then I went in the studio making beats for these artists and many others. From there

I developed my skill to become a professional musician.

Zuggu: Church it started from, my mom used to sing.I started singing in church with my

family. The guitarist in the church at the time showed me how to play. After, I tried many

things, like joining the police force. I used to play music for a friend at Edna. I then started

working Romaine Virgo, Jah cure etc. My history with music, music really recused me, this

journey is personal. Many elders like Bob Marley inspired me. But I really like nyahbingi

music more than roots music. I feel that more personally. I feel the ancestors talking to me

more.

Jason: I Grew up among a lot musicians. I really liked classical music: classic reggae,

classic rock; The Wailers, The Beetles, Jimmy Hendrix, Police, Carlos Santana, Pink Floyd.

I've played in several bands, playing in guitar, flute, cello, harmonica, piano, saxophone, just

to name a few.

Oasis Interviewer: What are your views on arts in Jamaica and suggest ways to improve this

view.

Paris: Society doesn't view it. I it's behind the curtain under the rugs. I hear people all over

the world from South to North America that reggae is widely appreciated worldwide.

Shenae Wright: Looking on the arts overall, it is not really appreciated in Jamaica. There

are certain countries that put emphasis on placing the performing arts to become artists.

Keri: While here in Jamaica they do not. There are not a lot of government agencies, yet

they do not help the growth and careers in the performing arts. Even if u have the passion

and love you're still doing it as a hobby and not a career. There aren't opportunities in

Jamaica. I had to do a degree, i am a nurse, then I made money to go and learn music

because I've loved singing ever since I know myself. Unfortunately not much people have

that opportunity. The government really needs to do more to contribute more. They need to

help the youths and the older people in Jamaica as there are many who want to do arts in

Jamaica.

Zuggu: Art in general, when people try to express themselves through any form of art,

they will get a fight. Certain people don't want to disclose certain topics in society. Politics

fight certain messages being conveyed by artists. Art is life. It is the "realest" thing if you

really check it all art forms and if you use it the possibilities are endless.

Shenae Wright: Jamaica is talented by in all realms in our culture. The instance of

Tessanne Chin going to The Voice is a prime example of what talent Jamaicans have. The

arts in Jamaica needs more funding and support from the people. There neds to be

establishment of programs from the government to feed for improvement of the arts. The

world is always looking out and waiting for art from Jamica.



...speaking with a queen, a lady indeed...meetJanine "JAH 9"Cunninghamphotography by Beacon Pictures (Beacon Medi)





Chris: I find that a lot of your music is jazz inspired, what started your interest in jazz?

Jah9: It was largely from the choir expierience. Doing that i got exposed to traditional jazz,

negro spirituals and classic latin type music, the choir is a really good opportunity for that.

When i tasted jazz and i felt how free the vocal styles were i fell in love. It also had a lot to

do with my friend having a collection of Nina Simone that i would listen to and connect to

her journey and the freedom of expression. She was the gateway for other artists. I

remember Mr. Small who gave me an opportunity to play with a band. I did alot of Jazz

covers and put my own interpretation on it so it really gave me an opportunity to find my

own voice.

Chris: You were also inspired dub, what exactly about dub drew you in?

Jah9: Well dub is roots reggae and its really the post production treatment that makes it

dub. Its like you take the music and you strip it down to the essence and vibrations of what

reggae is and thus the engineer becomes the artist. When i started to listen to instrumental

dub i started to find new spaces because my background is poetry and writing so i would

use that and fill in the empty spaces. On a sunday night, years ago i would go up to where

dub was playing and just lean on the speaker and let the music go through me and i realize

that the words wanted to come out to this music. Before i never really wrote to music, i

would right and the melody would follow after

Chris: As for your writing, your poetry, have you ever published any writings?

Jah9: Well in the sense that i performed it and someone recorded it yes, but otherwise no. I

have always had the intention to put writings into book and publish but its would probably

be more of a lyric book now and have more dimensions than just the words.

Chris: As a great example of a lady, in my opinion, what are any words of wisdom you can

give to a young woman growing up?

Jah9: Well the same thing i say to them is the same i would say to all young people, is that

peace is the ultimate goal you should try to achieve. You want to persue peace and

understand what peace is in your physiological self and leave behind anxiousness and

worry and even overexcitement to just find zero and stillness, it is the best place to make

your decisions from. And poverty and the negativity that comes with living with poverty,

they have to remember that despite all of that they have the power to lift up themselves.

You determine whether or not you do anything with your life. Just find peace and if you

can find it and overcome then the cumilative value of our moment will be greater

Chris: So what are your thoughts on your album, New name, and possibly future

collaborations?



Jah9: Well New name is a very honest representation of of where i am right now and i feel

very blessed that i was able to be so honest and so myself in this project. I give a lot of

thanks to Rory StoneLove for having faith in me and doings thing that might not have

looked commercially viable but made it really reflect the experience of life that we were

having and its reflect beautifully in the music as well. I would always find imperfections in

my music and this whole experience has taught me the humility to just humble myself and

let it go and breathe and grow. For me this album has more that just entertainment value,

it reminds me, to be grateful, to introspect, to be aware, that I am not a victim, that im

limitless in my potential

Chris: Well this seems like a good point to wrap things up, thank you Jah9

Jah9: No problem, Yes I





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SelahBenjiphotos by J. Small Photography

How Could You?How could you, dispose of a Life in such a way?

Is it waste, is it garbage something you just throw away?Such a blessing you have received

And you refuse it, you have been deceived!A chance for new life taken, now deceased

I must ask you this... pleaseWhy are you here? Did you think about that?

As a womban, what is your purpose in life? Or Is itknowledge that you lack?

The most perfect reference, The Book of Life, it statesclearly every fact

What if your Mother had committed such an act?Then you, that now trods the face of the Earth freely

Would not be here to partake in the joys that youexperience daily

Oh JAH, really & trulyThe heights of Criminality!

How is it not a crime, to abort a Life???This painstaking world that we live in, see it as a burden,

it comes with a priceWhy not check the spirituality of the process, the real

truth behind the liesThe ones of this present time have no knowledge of selfUnu need guidance, I pray thee seek help, from the Most

High, JAH Rastafari!“Come unto me all ye that Labour and are heavu laden

and I will give you rest”Seet deh, H.I.M seh dat.

So why worry? Conquer personality, see the truth clearlyMy sister, How could you not see that life is the most

precious gift?The Creator chose you, a him gi yuh it

Don't let them tell you otherwise my love...Keep It!!!



by Selah



'Check it'Check it,

Isnt it weird to see two beings who were so close in one instanceAnd then at another, they begin to seem so distant

As if life just took its course in an instantReality check, human beings are never constant

People might not always say what they feelBut if you look closely their true nature & their intentions are

often revealedLet it not surprise you, accept it, it is real

Check it enuh...Unfamiliarity... A characteristic of change.

When you release things automatically they begin to rearrangeChange begets change, and man, created with emotions can

never at any time remain the sameSo when I check it, this has to be the work of the Creator

And nothing that is done by H.I.M is strangeHelp me Oh Most high to remember that you know best

And that when things happen, we should have no regretsWe shld never try to question it, or try to rescue what is left

Because obviously it means us no goodAnd if it did, it would always be where it should

Good friends & people are hard to find and even much harder tokeep

Sow good seeds at all times, because whatsoever it is that yousow, that you shall also reap

Never see things as a loss, instead try to see where you gainedAcknowledge The Most High and build a relationship, one that

you can maintainForever loving JAH!

All praises unto H.I.MThe brightest light, keep it shining never allow it to go dimTo the best of your ability my brothers & sisters, Avoid sin!

Always stay connected to the frequency withinSelah

They know that the heavenlyluminaries change not their

paths; that each arises and setsregularly, every one at itsproper period, without

transgressing the commands,which they have received.

They see that every work of theCreator is invariable in theperiod of its appearance.

The Book of Enoch.Isn't it just amazing how two

beings with varyingpersonalities, were created

with the intention to be equals,as in there is no way one couldexist without the other, I meanperfect balance under the Sun.Such as the Alpha and Omega,

King and Queen, Night andDay, Prince and Princess, Yinand Yang... Seet deh balance

tcyah done!But what really amazes I&I is

whenever the two should forma union and become one, the

inevitable happens whichultimately and unfortunately

leads to separation.Is this always the case though?

I could indeed be wrong.If only Man and Woman couldwork together like Night and

DayComplements of each other in

such a beautiful wayBoth being aware of their

purpose and to that purposethey would stay trueHmm... I wonder....

What if the Sun and the Moonshould argue?

And the Sun decides to rue, tonot come out because he's

furious with the Moon and herconstant emotions.

Tonight she's a crescent,tomorrow she's full, tonight sheshines the brightest, tomorrow

night she's dull.I will show her, says the Sun.

What will happen to our world?It will all turn upside down.

No Sun to nourish the trees, noSun to grow our food, no Sun todry our clothes, no Sun to lift our

mood.The Almighty in his perfection

knew exactly what he was doing,because if he had created themwith emotions, the whole world

would have been ruined.So aren't we also the Almighty's

creation? Made perfect in hissight, yet still when we do

wrongs we can't seem to makethem right.

Man and Woman such as anyother creation have a defined

purpose, which is to be fruitfuland multiply! What an important

function JAH gave US.So should we then allow our

physical emotions to havedominion, to intervene and pausecreation? To all ones and ones I

shall leave that decision.

Creation



by Selah

GenesisThe Most High at his best

All that was gloriously created functions withoutrest

Be fruitful and multiplyThis uninterrupted physical anatomy

Was created to make that a realityFlawless creation

A life is born when two becomes oneUtmost perfection

"Lo Children are an heritage of Rastafari"So for InI,

to have been chosen to bring forth this childI will forever and always be giving praises to the

Most HighHis Imperial Majesty

I will never denyOmnipresent he hears every silent cry

And they say that pain is relativebut For me to experience it again I pray this chance

The Most High will giveTo bring forth Life is my purpose and to do just

that I liveIt really is impossible to describe this feeling

Now my life truly has some meaningNo need to take into consideration that this might

be challengingMother Earth, so this is my natural callingAnd I know for sure that this is only The

Beginning.The Genesis.



by Selah

Life Lessons

God created the Earth and its fullness thereof andwhat has been done, has been done

So why mankind want to take all the credit?When there is nothing new under the Sun

Fussing, and fighting, backbiting each other dailyInstead of taking the time out to overs the bigger

picture clearlySo unu hear me

The only education I want to be apart of is that whichinvolves the teachings of His Majesty

No man made Philosophy, unless it is that of MarcusMosiah Garvey

No time for Idlers, only the soldiers ina JAH JAHarmy

Because mi dun see it clearlyThat Satan come to take our joy, but him cyah,

although him nearlySo live upright Meditate on The Creator day and

nightBe genuine and fair in your dealings, treat people

rightDon't be revengeful and full of spiteLeave the darkness, trod to the light

Your thinking and your doings let them be trueLove your brother as you love thyself that your

Creator commanded of youLet us strive to be more Christ like, I pray that this

you will doSeek forgiveness from your sins, Our Creator is kind

and merciful tooLet us all be our brothers and sisters keeper

Let us not allow them to go astrayWhen that day comes when we have to answer to our

makerWhat will u tell H.I.M?, what will u say?

So let us live in love and do all we can for each otheruntil that day

Life Lessons for all, Give Thanks JAHKeep us safe Oh Most High Creator for this I always

praySo be good and do good my loves we will certainly,

link on the way.



by Selah

Life Lessons Prt 2

I Pray Thee, my bredrins & sistrens, to maintainpositive dealingsRead your Bible

Familiarize yourself with The Creators teachingsNote worthy, keep a keen eye on your feelings

THINK before you speak, because at times they can beMisleading

Clear it from your thought and ultimately it will becleared from your Heart

LIVE UPright, do your part! Avoid wrong doingsAlways try to do that which is pleasing to your

Creators sight. Never carry a grudge, it is dangerous toyour health,

never engage in disputes with your brother or sisterover Wealth.

ALL is vanity and vexatious to the spiritall of these things come with a limit, but check your

spirit,It is Eternal

The Creator watches over it.So just know what you're about,

Is either you in or you outThe kingdom of JAH awaits no man

Let your actions speak louder than your mouth.Observe people closely

You are characterized by your companySo I beg Yuh do, Choose Wisely!If it's not for you, then leave it be

because The Creator always know what is for you andultimately what is for me.

Let your meditation not be towards material things,really and truly they have no value.

Instead focus on The Creator and His Kingdom, and allthat you need will be added unto you.

Live Simply, Listen Keenly, Speak Softly, LoveWholeheartedly, these are the things that we must do

Never be afraid to speak what is trueSo whey we seh Life Lessons Part 2

InI know I want to see I Kingdom, and for Di I,What sayest you?



by Selah

From Dreaming comesInnovation



biANNUALPOETICAL DIGEST



biANNUALPOETICAL DIGEST

Bedtime

Stay the night in a dream or twoThat I may take your name in vain; my lullaby

I sleep on it my dream come true,And sleep like a baby; Rockabye.

A night still young, ‘twas ever thusMay whatever come, alas, be not come what may

A knight still young, ‘twas ever thusNow, I hold my horses; Rome wasn’t built in a day.

Dreamless sleep, bedtime, night;All these three I fear

Alas, 'tis a fate worse than deathShould you my beloved ne’er be near.

AlainN’Dalla (20.04.13)



Playing Cards

Oddly stacked against my favour,I shuffle my own deck even

Heart, Spade, Diamond and ClubBetwixt my seducing fingers they rub.

I lay my cards on your tableWhilst you have yours up your sleeve

I foolishly wear my heart on mineAnd succumb to your game of chance

My own fate I deal.

I batter hearts with clubsAnd willingly you follow suit

A Jack of my tradeI sit confounded and mute.

I call a spade a spade,And a Joker

But myselfMuch ado about nothing,

A Comedy of ErrorsAdded but to my shelf.

A fake Diamond in the roughWith Spades I dig to find

I draw as I dice with deathAnd on your turn you smile behind

Cards spread across your faceA look so unkind

And on my turn it becomes your turnAnd you play a flush with flattery

Within an ace of doomI fold prematurely.

Alain N’Dalla (21.06.11) Edited 12.07.11



Till Us Do, Death Part

There was once a young fair maidenWhom I met in my days of youthAnd alas, on our voyage maidenOur relationship set sail south.

And my young fair maiden of Love did tellAnd that love of all love did come my way

Like the winds of the north do blow their brief spellSo did our love reign like the showers of May.

And my young fair maiden of Hope did giveAnd that hope of all hope in a ray did come

Like the frail flower flaunts; her purpose to liveSo did our love boast till our hearts grew numb.

And I thought of my young fair maidenI sighed, and felt a funeral in my heart

I laid Hope to rest; turned to my young fair maidenAnd buried my Love; till us do, death part.

Alain N'Dalla(13.11.12)



Not Good Enough

When will my voice be good enough?For everyone else

When you’re surrounded by hate all the timeHow do you just love yourself?

When you speak love and they laugh in your faceAnd then you change to please ‘emThen they cry at your cold words

And you can’t tell ‘em they’re the reasonHow do you smile and reach out a hand

to a person who once pushed youHow do you listen to the secrets

of the person who would always shush youHow do you not hurt when they brag and boast

That they were your helping handHow do you pretend you are ever so grateful

when they’re now hating you for where you standHow do you pretend you don’t know

The real them is what you seeThe regret that forms that plastic smile

Once you’ve become what they helped you to beHow do you change a dark cruel world

When they won’t even give you a chance to speakWhen the same person telling you to be strong

Wants you to stay there being weakHow come it’s okay to put yourself down

And always hate yourselfand resort to selfdestruction

as long as you love everyone else?How come when I ask you questions

you only answer a few and leave the resthow come you want me to get better

but not enough to be the bestHow come if I’m not hurt you don’t know what to do

How come its only okay to be good, just not as good asyou.

By: Tara Manderson



Things I've Said,I'd Never Say

What if I told you I had trust issues so severethat you would hate me if I communicated them

what if I told you that I think you really dont want mebut you're too scared to break my heart

that you are just sticking around because I'm so fragilethat there's someone else you really want

but you're afraid to stop being my crutchesWhat if I told you that I question every word you say

because I really don't know any betterIt's all I know actually...

All I know is everything good comes to an endIt's all I've accepted

All that makes sense to acceptthis misanthrope I've become is second nature

the only good I know is you telling me what could beworse

and me telling you what could be betterlooking into those eyes, I search every part of that

tunnel to your soulI'm so scared of being hurt that I just need a hint of

what's comingand when nothing's coming It hurts too

because I always trip and hurt myself runningI wish I could read your mind so that maybe If I'm being

blindthen I can love you right

or If I have twentytwentythen maybe I can square my shoulders and say goodbye

And find a quiet place to cryI mean, really... It's all I Freaking know!

But ...I'm ...willing to take correctionI just want this hypothesis to fail me

So I can wake up and smell the coffee, maybe?And enjoy this unfurled rose

while ignoring the thornsSo how goes the lovelife of a cynic?

looking over her shoulder when she's clearly aloneIt's remarkebly safe

...it's home

By: Tara Manderson



Love Over ColoursBlack is blackWhite is white

Life is full of racial fightShe is too dark

I’m too lightOur love is one big a racial fight

Don’t date herDon’t marry him

He doesn’t match the colour of your skinWhy does it matter?

Why do we care?Would they see a difference if the skin wasn’t there?

Like a raucous dogThey despise us

While others may think, we are noxiousBut blinded by love

We must insistThat our love will continue to coexist

You may use a different languageI don’t speak

You may have beliefI find unique

But whatever it isThis love is better than a diamond antique

Beneath that thin shellYou know very well

That love over colours put you under a lovey dovey spellSo cast off your prejudiceAnd stop being an actress

You and I can build our own fortress

Now let’s replace all the hate with loveAnd look upon each person like a dove

As does your father above

By Oshane Baily



The DreamI don't know you so well, but what I know

Enchants me, as my heart continuously jumping out ofcosmo

For that moment when I hold you in my arms but like asong sung far away.

I cannot hear the words, but its written on my heart forwhat they say

Hangs softly on the hills where I must go.

I see you furtively and note your eyes,Brown and dreamy, your spirit half elsewhere;

I note the sheen of your dark, lustrous hairAnd wish I knew your thoughts and shared your cries.

This love brings me sweet pain, but I want more,Driven by a dream I can't control.

I want the truth of you, untamed and whole;In a frantic moment we open each other doors.

By Oshane Baily



My Future Is My PastWhy are you looking at me like dat?

like i'm your doormatmaybe Ii have gotten a bit weak

since I lost a bit of my natural physiqueCan you stop being an annoying prudebcause I don't wanna cause any feud

now thank youfor making my request come true

You really do kno how I amsince I am you in your quondam

for you are me andIi am youthere is no difference in our life venue

its rather unavoidablevery inevitable

we don't have a choiceso let us unit our voice

and be one againas we about to end in amen

but haunted by my pastI will not aghast

but push forward to a placeIi belongeven if I end up like king kongasIi look up towards the sky

and wave goodbyeto the mirage of my pastwhich I finally surpassed

but don't worryyou aint going to die

or be cast asideyou'll be in my heart

bcause you made me who I am an art

By Oshane Baily





“YOUR NATURAL BEAUTY, IN MY PRAYERS”

You were beautiful at birth so, why do that to yourself?Straighten your hair, nothing compares to how you waste your wealth.

Not talking ’bout the wealth of that all “mighty dolla”I’m talking about the one that don’t leave stains on my collar,

when you cry and I attempt to dry your eyes,Knowing that, how you are, I’ll probably never see your smile.

Your smile is trapped, you locked it down when you apply your extralayers,

May it rest in peace. I’ll forever keep your natural beauty in my prayers.

Why? Tell me why aren’t you satisfied with the way you are?Beauty comes naturally, even from blemishes and scars.Can you see between the lies of your “make up” lines?

Got BluKid looking between your lines hard just to see your eyes.Are you comfortable with yourself in this state you present you?

Do you realize how much you make me resent you?Yet still I stand by you cause I can feel your beauty screaming from deep

within, The pores of your skin, the creases of your grin. But then…

Your smile is trapped, you locked it down when you apply your extralayers,

May it rest in peace. I’ll forever keep your natural beauty in my prayers.

Christopher Lee Murray(10:31.01.12.2013)



Affairs of the HeartWhat is it about Love that we all go seeking

Blinded by its true intentions, no room for peekingEvery man wants a Queen likewise every woman wants a King

But why should we allow ourselves to become slaves of this selfishfeeling.

The Mind and the Heart they work together, if something is wrong withone it usually affects the other

I've seen many victims who make it their priority to nurture and smothertheir significant other

With high hopes of that one becoming their children's mother or fatherBut for the other, there are others that they would rather

So why Bother?Unconditional love is what they crave

So because you choose to fall that makes you Brave?Braver than I?... Who chooses to only Love the Most High, who loves me

Unconditionally that for my sins he had to DieSo is this a sacrifice that we should be willing to make

Where one person gives their all and the other person just takesThis emotion is truly demanding

So use Foresight, and before you go Falling I beg you to reconsider andinstead, choose standing

Maintain a healthy mind & heart that will allow for sound thinkingBe cautious and choose your course, why not choose to love your

Undeniable Source?Cupid shoots people in their hearts with a dart the intention must be to

killAffairs of the heart

will never again be my problemInstead I choose to Be Still.

•Selah •

Thoughts of Kings'

"Simple Harmonic Love"

presented byChristopher Lee Murray



Could you accept the average nature of something or someone greater? Would you believe

what you see is not what existed? There’s so much pain here, because the good things have

been missed. Overlooked as if they didn’t matter, instead looking for what you’re used to so

you’ll feel flattered.

Two calibres of average and we choose the one easiest seen, instead of the one that values

more. What are we doing? Our goal is to love each other but where do we go wrong? Is it

the steps we take? Is it our helpless song? We sing and one looks out for self. Where is the

care in that? Where is the wealth? Its mysterious maybe, I find it hard to understand. We do

it so much, though for some, its never planned.

We say we love, then expect others to love us. Expect them to drop everything, put nothing

above us. Heaven knows we are mad! Totally twisted its sad. Keep doing this, well, we’ll

lose everything we’ve ever had.

Let’s look at nature, how the rain moves from far to water the herbs. Could that be how we

should speak, showering others with lovely words? The air, mixed with gasses, more

harmful that we could ever know, yet we get only what we need, to help us grow. Being at

just the right distance from the sun, makes us to burn up from the rays that come.

Rhyme may be a slave to the illusion of time, so let me pause and explain as much as I can

for the last sets of lines.

A tree doesn’t release all its fruits and then cry. The sun doesn’t burn till it can’t sustain

itself. While some life may consume some, its out of needs, not greed. Believe it or not I’m

still talking about love. I’m talking about it, to show how it is done by things that can’t

speak. Could you love like the trees do provide all the fruits, all the oxygen they can for

others, never uttering a word, begging for water? Even if they are close to dying they still

try. Could you bee like the sun? A comet may pass and after some time, being so cold, so

frigid. However, the sun takes on the comet’s problems, it welcomes them, allowing them to

burn like they could only dream! Yet, does the sun ask for any favours? No, the sun keeps

providing light, to guide many, light to sustain life, for so long, being just the right size not

puffed up and devouring everything. A plant could not survive to be in great depths of

water if it didn’t grow in that environment, neither can humans. However, water is brought,

by rain, to the plants that can’t get it there. Everything cycles in a way to provide a perfect

satisfaction of needs, nothing ever being greedy or ungrateful nothing ever asking for

anything in return.

There is love all around us, we just need to open our eye to see so. Also, if we could model

that love If we could love like the contents of this infinite universe does? Oh, I promise

you, we would then experience true happiness, as we would be in harmony with

everything! Now that, is love, that is beautiful!

/*There are things explained, but not explained in average explanation here. Read firstly

with your two eyes, then with your mind, then with your eye read with all you are. I have

written this off my experiences, hoping that I am on the path I should be, and hoping to

bring others too. I do not know where I am, or where I can going, but I can feel a sense of

harmony, and it gets stronger every second.*/

Peace, Love, Happiness and Beauty, I extend to everyone.


(0828.27.12.2013)



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Documents

Art of the Mind Vol. III