IF YOU ARE USING THE NAME POKAFACE, POKER FACE, OR POKAFASE (or any derivitave of), I OWN the name in every realm necessary, it is and has been documented with the USPTO for years now, and THIS IS FOR YOU.....
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My name is Alafia Long, I am contacting you (IN THE FORM OF THIS PUBLIC POSTING) to inform you that you are in direct infringement of my registered trademark. I am asking that you cease and desist form using "Pokaface", "Poker Face", "Pokafase" and any other derivitaves of the name in regard to music or any other area (realm) which could cause confusion in the marketplace. AT THIS JUNCTURE, I am not seeking damages; however, I will take legal action in the event that my request for you to cease and desist with the infringement is not met.You may contact me at pokafaseinkllc@gmail.com with any other questions, or with regard to possible licensing and/or further negotiation. I will be more than happy to inform you of any plans we have to explore either option in the future.Thank you very much and i hope we can resolve this matter in a timely fashion.
-POKAFASE
*taken from an essay written by Pokafase:
Hip hop is my life, music is my heartbeat, and the ability to create hip hop music is my sanity. All things considered, it should be of no surprise to anyone that the list of my greatest influences parallels what many consider to be the list of the greatest emcees of all time. Marshall “Eminem” Mathers, Tupac Amaru Shakur, and Shawn “Jay-Z” Carter, parents excluded and in no particular order, serve as my greatest influences both musically and in life. Together they represent the “emcee essentials”, and make up what I call the body of hip hop: the head or mechanics of rapping, the heart or passion in the music, and the balls or (as it is widely referred to these days) the “swag” in hip hop, respectively. Each one is a necessity in his own rite; and all govern, both individually and collectively, over a public that has pledged their loyalty and allegiance out of respect. An insatiable thirst for that same respect, as well as an admiration of their perseverance and achievement amidst adversity, has allowed me to be receptive to their influence and a student of their work.
If hip hop is a living breathing organism, and it most certainly is, then Eminem is, without a doubt, the head. Complex, contradictory, constantly-evolving, conflicted yet precise, analytical, calculated and concise, Marshall is a perfect representation of all that is cerebral in hip hop. His music covers the entire spectrum of emotion in such a way that is rivaled only by the peers included in this written work. The incredibly original and often disturbingly introspective pieces he presents are indicative of the right side of hip hop’s brain running on all cylinders. Eminem’s multi-perspective storytelling and comedic, first-person anecdotes display an open embrace of the creativity that many emcees these days are either too insecure or too lazy to exhibit themselves; opting, more often, to use a much “safer” and simpler form of braggadocio-laden expression. This swirl of emotionally-charged originality, and sometimes sociopathic introspect, is counter-balanced by an uncanny implementation of English language usage, mechanics, and comprehension. Eminem’s obsessive attention to detail is more than evident in every single verse he has released. His mastery of cadence and ultra-rhythmic, poly-syllabic rhyme patterns makes how he’s saying it as impressive, if not more impressive, than what he is saying. This ability is a representation of the left brain and leaves only the involuntary functions to be questioned. It could most certainly be said that Marshall’s unbridled, unfiltered, and frequently uncouth behavior and subject matter are reflective of the final and most important part of the brain, the medulla oblongata. Much in the same way a sneeze is uncontrollable, Eminem’s unadulterated wit could come at any moment, with no regard for timing or consequence. It is necessary, at times offensive, and varies in magnitude; and again as with a sneeze, it is contagious in its ability to make the world chime in on dialogue otherwise considered taboo. Add all of these factors to the sum of his against-all-odds rise from poverty and dysfunction, then multiply that by his unrivaled industry accomplishments, and the outcome is the hard head of a stubborn entity named hip hop, and the first of my greatest influences.
No organism can function without a heart. It is the driving force, the constant in all of us, and the one thing we all have in common that is equally important to each. The heart has long since been regarded as our source of passion; and no artist has given us more passion than Tupac Amaru Shakur. Tupac was a relatively small man when speaking in terms of physical stature, however it is widely agreed upon that his heart was always the biggest thing in the room. His music has touched so many people for so many reasons, but namely because he spoke from his heart. When the heart of hip hop was beating fast we saw first-hand; it was visible in Tupac’s fiery dialogue and aggressive tone. Songs like “Hit ‘Em Up”, “California Love”, and “Toss It Up” exemplified the pounding aggression and adrenal fury a racing heart can bring about. Whether he was ranting about the struggle of the under-privileged or the inequities of an unfair system, Pac was able to evoke both anger and sympathy simultaneously. The vast majority of urban youth he represented were scared, confused, frustrated, and lonely like he was, and relied on Tupac to help them address, come to terms with, and ultimately overcome those emotions. That fire, that passion and compassion concurrently, though often imitated and immolated, has yet to be duplicated. When hip hop’s heart was heavy and beating slower than normal, we felt it again as if it were our own. “Dear Mama”, “Brenda’s Got a Baby”, and “White Man’s World” are all brightly shining examples of hip hop’s pulse retreating to a lower, more manageable speed. The social commentary that served as the foundation of Tupac the artist, was in depth, often times unnerving, and never questioned as to its credibility. He was as real as they come, even in his fallacies. He was able to report the very essence of pain and despair, and acted as the de facto voice of the broken heart at times. Tupac did all of this while inspiring hope at the very same time; demonstrating the ability of the heart, no matter how heavy it may become, to beat on through. He was hip hop’s heart; and as proves true with any organism, when the heart died a significant part of hip hop died as well. Tupac Amaru Shakur was the epitome of the passion he both exuded and inspired, and that makes him the second of my greatest influences.
There’s something about hip hop, being the magnificent organism it is, that makes us just a little more confident and flagrant than we may have prior to our encounter with it. It’s the understood arrogance, the disdain for humility, and the quest for supremacy that traces the silhouettes of our most-loved, and secretly hated, artists and keeps us coming back…if for no other reason than to be present for the fall. That something has been defined as “swag” and serves as the balls, or maybe better stated, the ego of hip hop. If Em is the id, and Pac is the superego, then Shawn Corey Carter a.k.a. Jay-Z is definitely the ego and living embodiment of “swag”. He exists only to remind the runner-up that he is just that. His style of rhyming is conversationally effortless, and a case study in complex simplicity. Jay is a self-made billionaire who began with a sack of dope, misguided intelligence, and the drive and ambition of Alexander the Great, and turned it into an empire. The problem most have is that he knows it all too well. The Jay-Z state of mind is contagious. His eleven consecutive albums, collection of Forbes-listed companies, and taste for Robb Report fare makes you feel as disgustingly, unabashedly arrogant as he when you sing along….and deep down you love it. He doesn’t write down his thoughts, instead he delivers instant classics directly from memory in a taunting, near condescending tone….and deep down you love it. Jay has achieved amazing feats such as selling out Madison Square Garden in a few hours, or becoming CEO of Def Jam, arguably the most respected label in hip hop; thus earning colorful monikers like Hova (as in je-hova or Jay-hova, the “god” emcee) or “the eighth wonder”. Hip hop would amount to merely a meek underling amongst genres, were it not for the brash ego it displays on a whim, often unprovoked, and the brass balls it has no qualms about bragging on. Jay-Z feels as though it would require some nerve to oppose him or hip hop; and I feel the same, confidently listing him as the third and final in a trifecta of influences that have inspired me.
The three men I have listed as my influences are by no means alone on that list, just simply the most influential of it. Eminem, Tupac, and Jay-Z are each his own blueprint to success, and models, in progress, of the correct way to convey god-given talent to the world. People will continue to be awed by stories of their accomplishments, as well as the musical legacies they have created for generations to come. I can only hope to be as respected and revered in my life and work as they are.
Sounds Like
a)....POKAFASE!
b)....ya favorite rappers favorite emcee!
c)....HEAVEN to the heads and HELL to the haters!
d)....ALL OF THE ABOVE
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Pokafase is an anomaly. The self-styled, yet widely agreed upon, "Mayor of Phoenix" is the perfect combination of polar contradictions; he is marketable quality, handsome intelligence, arrogant humility, all while being manageably talented.
Pokafase was born in Louisville, Kentucky as Alafia Long. He moved to Phoenix at the age of 10, and eventually established himself as a staple in the southwest hip hop scene and a pillar in Arizona's urban community. He began his career as a "battle" emcee and gained respect throughout the country by besting some of the illest rappers the streets had to offer. In 1994, Pokafase and his best friend Corban Carson (a.k.a. Mic Wyld) formed the immensely popular duo known as Know Qwestion and quickly became the toast of the town. Many would argue that KQ, as they were often referred to, set the standard by which Arizona hip hop was measured. Aided by TMC Presents, one of the most successful event promotion companies in Arizona history, the duo was able to break records, break down barriers, and break open a brand new, risqué genre in an all too conservative region of the country.
Throughout their documented, six-year reign, Know Qwestion shared the stage with many hip hop legends, Notorious B.I.G., Naughty by Nature, The Roots, KRS ONE, Rakim, Wu Tang, The Fugees, LL Cool J, De La Soul, Sugar Hill Gang, Big Pun, Onyx, Outkast, and Common to name a few. KQ also released the album Eclipse, their most successful effort, which was regarded as a how-to-manual for budding rappers aspiring to prosper in an uncharted, infantile, music scene. Pokafase, as a result, is widely recognized as one of the founding fathers of AZ hip hop, and easily one of the most important and influential people on the southwest music scene.
The turn of the century marked the end of the groups run, and signaled the emergence of a solo superstar poised to march onward toward much bigger and much better things. In June of 2001, after a rough year of restructuring and regrouping, soul-searching and decision-making, and soliciting and shopping; Pokafase was approached by a number of labels impressed by a home-studio demo he'd been circulating. With the assistance of Shawn Forbes (Shade 45) Lenny and Jesse Beer at HITS Magazine, and a young employee of theirs named Jeff Rabhan, Pokafase was subsequently signed to a "fairytale" record deal with upstart company Artist Direct Records. Interscope Records co-founder and heir to the Marshall-Field fortune, Ted Field signed Poke himself and looked at the young emcee as a trophy and valuable asset to the labels roster. While at Artist Direct, Pokafase cultivated relationships with super-producers such as Warren G and Scott Storch; and emcees alike, enlisting veterans like EST (3 Times Dope) and Big Proof (D12/Eminem) to assist him in his major label endeavors. Though surrounded by experience and backed by a billionaire, Poke could not escape the financial debacle that ultimately led to the labels demise.
No relief on the horizon, Pokafase took it upon himself to expound upon the name and reputation he had built on a foundation of longevity and notoriety in the southwest. He continued touring and booking spot dates, independently, with artist such as Phunk Junkies, GZA, and an up-and-coming 50cent. Exposure was a necessity, so he began more traveling and featuring. Making his presence felt from city to city at major events like the Smokeout Festival, Warped Tour, and any number of Las Vegas Magic Convention Parties, was something Pokafase took great pride in. He continued to diligently record and release music for his fan-base all with goal in mind: reach music industry superstardom at any and all cost.
In 2004, Pokafase's perseverance once again paid off in the form of a much-sought-after on-air position with KKFR Power 92.3 FM; the number one /urban/rhythmic station in the state of Arizona, and the number fifteen market in the country. In addition to conducting a successful, statewide, late-night broadcast, for four and a half years Pokafase lent his voice to the trail-blazing, underground, specialty show “Friday Night Flavas.” His presence on the radio helped to shed a much needed light on the local scene, and bolstered the respect and admiration he had already attained in his hometown of Phoenix. Pokafase's newfound position opened doors and allowed him to move as freely behind the scenes as he had previously in the foreground. During his tenure at the station, Poke enjoyed continued success as an artist as well. Power 92.3/98.3 played eight Pokafase records while he was employed, and countless others have seen either regular or mix-show rotation dating back to the late 90's. , As a result he found himself, time and time again, in the midst of opportunity; touring 10 cities with G-Unit, opening for Diddy during the 2008 Super Bowl festivities, and most recently, performing to a sold out Celebrity Theatre crowd just minutes before T.I. graced the stage All-Star Weekend 2009.
Pokafase is most at home on stage. His energy and live show is comparable to some of hip hop's greatest performers'. With hundreds of shows to his credit, his professionalism is noteworthy and his performance resume is, arguably, extensive enough to stand alone.
The list of artists he has shared the stage with, includes but is by no means limited to:
50 cent
Snoop Dogg
T.I.
Ludacris
Notorious B.I.G.
Redman and Method Man
Wu Tang
D12
Lil Flip
Chamillionaire
Raekwon
Ghostface
Outkast
Diddy
LL Cool J
Young Buck
Rich Boy
Game
Nas
Common
Phunk Junkees
Incubus
Insane Clown Posse
Kottonmouth Kings
Chronic Future
Immortal Technique
Paul Wall
Warren G
Livin Legends
Hieroglyphics
Naughty By Nature
Lil Wayne/ Cash Money
Despite his many accomplishments, his quest for the brass ring continues. Pokafase has amassed an impressive catalog to date, with a veritable who's who of an industry supporting cast. Dawn Richard of Danity Kane, Mase, Mario Winans, Royce 5'9", Carlos Broady, Shawty Redd, Next, Proof(R.I.P.), Scott Storch, EST, and Warren G are just a few of the stars who have lent their talents to Pokafase's efforts.
From the depths of the underground to the major label mountain top, Pokafase has carried Arizona to the forefront of the music industry, slowing only to stake his claim in mainstream radio. His, skill, versatility, and articulation matched only by his passion, ambition and unconditional love for hip hop.
Yo please go listen to my two new songs "Heartbeat" and "Heat of the moment" and let me get your honest opnion of both of them, ones for a girl and the other one is more of a club banger for girls in general... But chek them out asap and give me son feedback dammit.... thx Jusone
Mu (a.k.a the son of cherished Imam Luqman Abdullah of Detroit, MI)
I am reaching out to the community to help the son of Imam Luqman
Abdullah, Detroit, who was brutally gunned down and shot 18 times by
the FBI on unjustified grounds. They are now pursuing his son through
smeared media campaigns and criminal allegations. Some of you may know
him through his work in the music industry over the last 10 years and
his father through decades of service to the less fortunate in the
Detroit comunity and around the nation. This is a disgusting display of
what the government and media are doing to the Muslims, African
Americans and the less fortunate in America. Please visit the link
below, show your support, forward it...and
donate what you can. Let us help this brother and disallow yet another
injustice by the American system. May Allah (God) reward you for your
contribution and support.
M.O.D.A.L.E.W. Dance Club Royalty and E.R. Productions Presents
11:11:11 "Rioux Leroux: Runway For A Cause"
Hosted by Coco St James.
Special Guest DJ William FUCKING Reed with a set by Kid Turnswell Resident DJ's Zachary J and BC/AD
Featuring a mix of stylish street fashions with a high fashion twist from Punkouture and Elias Nouture.
Accessories by .House.Of.Gasoline.Glamour., Tribe Nouveau and Missconstrued.
Hair and makeup by Toni and Guy, Beheaded Salon, and Jackie Cruz With a special performance by The Ana-Maniacs.
Cover charge is $3 before 11pm and $5 after. Ladies are FREE before 11pm.
And YES drinks are still 75 cents all night long. Vodka well, beer and wine for 75 cents all night long. No other place can beat that DRINK SPECIAL.
This event will benefit SARRC- (The Southwest Autism Research and Resource Center). We will be selling raffle tickets for a special grand prize and jello shots will be provided as well. Grab bags will be available to the first 50 guests.
All fashions shown will be for sale outside at our trunk space after the show.
EEYYY WHATS GOIN ON!?!?! HOPE YOU'RE FINDIN' YASELF WELL, JUST WANTED TO BREEZE BY AND SHOW SOME LOVE AND GRATITUDE FOR ACCEPTING THE REQUEST, I DEF. APPRECIATE IT, MAKE SURE WHEN YOU GET A CHANCE YOU COME BY AND PEEP MY 2 LATEST SINGLES ENTITLED " WEIGHT ON MY SHOULDERS" & " IF THEY ALL KNEW' AND WHEN U CAN DROP A LINE WIT SOME FEEDBACK, IF YOU LIKE WHAT U HEAR, SPREAD THE WORD TO YA PEOPLE BOUT THE KID, YOU KNOW A LIL BOOST GOES A LOOONG WAY FEEL ME :), STAY BLESSED AND IN TOUCH, MUCH LOVE ALWAYS
Hey sweetie can you make it to my launch event for my NEW Single, Music Video, & Fragrance "BAD GIRL" on Sat. June 13th @Opera Nightclub in NYC? I am going to be giving away 300 bottles of my Bad Girl Perfume! And here is a special gift for you right now! Go to cherylmartinez.com/fanclub to download my hit single "Bad Girl" for FREE!
I hope to see u and your friends at my party! It's a Bad Girl Movement Baby!;-) xoxo-MSA
This summer South West Wyoming is going to be the hotest you have ever seen we have dances concets and I am working one of the hottest car shows Augest 9
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