Jimmy Mirikatani, Nikki Giovanni, Bob, Marley, Smokey Robinson, Sam Cooke, Bahamadia, Maya Angelou, Earth Wind and Fire, Yoyo, Arrested Development, A Tribe Called Quest, Lauryn Hill, Linkin Park, Ice Cube, Dawn Penn, Selena, Melissa Ethridge, Gill Scott, Rah Digga, Prince, Janis Joplin, Kamuela Kahoano and Stevie Wonder
Sounds Like
-Katana has a shark devouring way of storytelling that delivers the secrets of the abusive and/or supernatural world to listeners of all origins, without any glitter, glam or generosity. Those who feel jolted and shocked soon realize after five minutes of listening with an open mind, to one of her original slam poems that she is arguably one of the wittiest and most thoughtful overground rap poets of her internationally universal generation. And while she probably shouldn't play this CD for her grandmother, she is still speaking the language of the youth in a youthful way.
"Irony" and "Freedom Fighters" offer intense intellectual stimuli over gritty background beats. Her promotion of the respect of women in contrast to submission and despondency brings her to full-on rebel (See "Geisha Girl," "Woman's Worth," "He Said She Said," "Mama-San" and "Strong Woman"), at the quieted side of things. Katana also proves, with "Pink Clouds," that she's not all about discipline. "Back on the Table," "Sweet Booty" and “Mama San”, demonstrate Katana's ability to blend in with others who exist in the pop mecca of radio-ready, pop music. I might add, that the experimental freedom allotted for the CD accounts for most of its interesting/unique qualities. It's not just the same stuff you hear on the radio. It's from a deep artist who is worth listening to...
There are few who are afforded the opportunity to make such statements in their music without being shunned, lashed or owned. I was blown away with the content and the meaning she packed into 50 minutes of music and oration. In other words, I would highly recommend that artists purchase the CD for inspiration, mothers, listen to the CD to discover the horrors of a man's world for the sake of their children, and for anyone else, just to see how powerful the young Ms. Katana's mind and soul really is.
To put quite simply, this is an educational CD, and it was my pleasure seeing this idea grow to it's potential. All I did was provide the beats, add my time and give a little extra stuff. As JD of BET stated in "Sweet Booty," a track from the CD, "Katana demands respect, give her what she needs."
Aloha no,
Kamuela Kahoano, A.K.A. "Mr. Producer," Green Light Go.
As a multi-racial woman, Katana has written and performed many revolutionary, thought provoking poems, Hip Hop lyrics, and songs which reflect her own powerful outlook on culture, racism, and sexism. Lee Cataluna of the Honolulu Advertiser says: “She speaks of broken promises, dead ends and betrayal; but within her words are the seeds of hope and the search for simple dignity.” Huimusic.com says: “Katana’s words cut through the skin of ignorance yet raise the level of awareness to today’s lifestyles.”
Having spent most of her youth in Hawaii, Katana was heavily influenced by the Hawaiian sovereignty movement and social protests for indigenous rights. Racism was an issue that would resurface for Katana many times during her youth, and has no doubt molded Katana into the spit fire poetess that she is today. Katana was deeply impacted by childhood experiences of racial slurs due to the African American heritage of her family, as well as feeling a sense of injustice when being called a “halfu”, or, merely half Japanese person. Music, writing and dance, were ways in which a young Katana processed the world around her. Despite being told repeatedly that she was less than, her creativity in Hip Hop’s rhyme and rhythm would ultimately give Katana the feeling of being whole.
While still a toddler, Katana began to compose her own poems and songs. Katana got her first taste of show business by the time she was in kindergarten, performing with her older brothers in the Hip Hop group “Ebony Express” as a beat boxer, break dancer and rapper. In her adolescents, Katana made appearances free-styling on local radio stations. Katana became a professional dancer at the age of 14 and began dancing at the world renowned Kodak Hula show at age 17. While working as a “ghost writer”, for other recording artists, and performing as an opening act for a variety of artists such as: Damian Marley, Mario Africa, Yellow Rage and Public Enemy; Katana also attended college at the University of Hawaii at Manoa. The current PhD candidate was said to be a rebellious student at the University, where she helped to develop, promote, and perform as a featured artist; for the school’s first major Black History Month festivities. Katana also donated her time, performing at fundraisers for organizations dedicated to the human rights of women and children in third world Asian countries, and indigenous issues.
Katana was hand picked to be a dancer in a video for the mainstream artist Coolio, and was further asked to be a back up dancer for other mainstream artist in the rap genre. Becoming a back up dancer in the commercial world of rap, was not a thought that made Katana happy. She faced inner turmoil over her passion for performance -and her dislike for lyrical content which she felt showed minority women and men in a negative light. Consequently, Katana realized that it was her obligation to object to playing the role of the over-sexualized Asian rap-video muse. It was time for Katana to speak her deepest inner truth, providing alternative viewpoints, rarely heard on today’s radio airwaves.
The album Keatika -- like its author/executive producer – is confrontational, and strong, while never loosing the delicate balance of sensitivity and spirituality.
こんにちは
ありがとう very much for da Link Up & Sharing the Music
Nice to meet you through cyberlink!
Keep up da Great Work!
Wishes you All da Best in 2009!
Enjoy your Weekend
Yo. Whats good? Just finished the new album. Raw and political. Filled with horror and personal pain. Download and enjoy...-V.
Asharri The Vagabond - Return To Silent Hill (2009)
1. Sun, Moon & Stars
2. Return To Silent Hill feat. Maniac The Siouxpernatural
3. Rebel (Part 2) feat. Knife Star The Chilean Terrorist
4. Martial Law feat. Knife Star The Chilean Terrorist
5. A Letter To My Son*
6. I Can't Take It
7. Anatomical Waste (Remix) feat. Knife Star The Chilean Terrorist
8. Circles
9. Never Repented (Remix) feat. Benny NoBull & Knife Star
10. Cigar Store NDNs
11. Where I'm At feat. Sol
12. Attack Of The Mutants (Remix) feat. Knife Star The Chilean Terrorist
13. Poverty
14. The Shogun feat. Knife Star & Benny NoBull
15. Return To Silent Hill (Remix) feat. Maniac The Siouxpernatural
16. Sun, Moon & Stars (Old School Mix)
17. A Letter To My Son (Remix)
18. Absolution (bonus track) feat. Knife Star**
All tracks produced and mixed by Self Taught Knowledge (Vagabond) except
for (*) produced by Optional and (**) produced by 2nd Born Son. Recorded
at Room 237 Studios in Silent Hill, SD. Thanks to everyone involved in
this project. Peace to the Craddock family, Hatchet Men, The Walking Dead
and Underground Elements...
Live Performance Performing live Kaipo Kapua! Pumping out Hawaiian and reggae jams all night long! Don't miss it! Free cover so you know the place is going to be packed. Click for more info!
Celebrating Congratulations to Sasha & Kalani! They're getting married and will be celebrating their engagement here. Come on down and get crazy with these "about-to-be" newlyweds.
Welcome Home Party for the JR! Welcome back bruddah! Time to party up. Chee whoo!
Hosted by the Original Skytzo Pandamonium Flying in from Kauai to host this raging party Pandamonium will be rocking the mic from jump 'til 4 in the morning with FREE prize give-a-ways and surprises!
DJ Music Sir Style 8:00 PM - 4:00 AM Kutmaster Spaz will begin your evening off spinning your favorite R&B hits! During the bands performance, Kutmaster Spaz will mix it up with an array of funk and soul classics 'til midnight.
For more information, news, pics, and specials, check out our NEW WEBSITE! www.CWWAIKIKI.com
Peace from Hatchet Men! We got a new track up called "Anatomical Waste" produced by The Infidel. Swing thru and bless the page with ya thoughts. Also check out "Almighty" and "Redemption" if you got the time. Respect! -V.
Peace! Hope all is well on your end. Do us a favor and check out our new track "Attack Of The Mutants". Produced by SaMiracle. Let us know what you think. Thanks! -V.
Peace! Vagabond from HM here. We decided to give out our latest 2 albums for free to promote real Hip-Hop in the game. We worked real hard on these and all we ask is for you to check em out and give us some feedback! So download and enjoy kids! -V.
