"I wonder if anyone will want my tissue wrapped universal offerings of love...sisters of the round table, hear my voice...send me a love note when no else does...this is my blackgirl song.”
I thought that all black women were poets I recall my momma spinning verses during my youth telling stories about my feminine ancestors like sistah harriet and her crew who kicked a rhyme or two on that underground railroad and let's not forget those unnamed sistah poets who worked the fields/birthed the babies/tended house and loved their black men all the while kicking it in verse and song these women mixed it poured it and cried it on a regular and their tears became so funky that rivers of knowledge puddled from their wetness hence birthed the beauty of the spoken word yeah to me all black women are poets.
“...remotes in hand/jaws slacked as handwritten signs penned by desperate people held up our television sets with images of despair and hopelessness...like casualties on the homefront with weapons felt but not seen...sedated into why these evacuees were abandoned to survive...loved less into hope...cramped into quarters with unclean breaths without french kisses...fish bowled into slave ships...really tell the truth about everything you've always wanted to know about color, but were afraid to see..."
New video “Scarlet Waters”
featuring Michael Cox
The video was created to raise awareness and funds for HIV/AIDS in Africa. For more information about this effort please visit Product (RED)
“...because seats find spirit stealers at open mics reading between the lines of souls and poems I never wanted to write...”
My work as a poet can best be described by the love that I make through my art to the vision of the unseen reality. Those of you that have experienced the healing powers of spoken word poetry understand its transformative influence in saving lives through education, inspiration, peace and love.
Black Love
Tantra-zawadi's new EP “Love Planet”
"Collective Spirits combines the talents of producers/DJ's Jonny Montana and Neil Maclean, singer Dana Byrd and spoken word artist Tantra-zawadi. Together they present the outstanding 'Love Planet EP' that is comprised of three wonderful productions that combine Dana Byrd's soulful vocals with Tantra-zawadi's spoken poetry. 'Let it come' is a laidback track on a latinesque tip featuring subtle keys and a marvelous organ ride, while "People of the world" features infectious synths and classy strings over a smooth percussion enriched groove. Lastly we have 'Just wanna dance' that is a nod to the classic New York dance anthems, built around a kickin' groove that is guaranteed to rock any dance floor."
-
Michael Fossati (www.spiritofhouse.com)
Lyrics and vocals by: Tantra-zawadi and Dana Byrd
Music written produced and arranged by: Jonny Montana and Neil Maclean at Montana Studio's
Keys by: Bennett Holland
Additional Keys: Jonny Montana
Artwork by: Anto Vitale
Photography by: Cornel Christie
Mastered by: Benedict for Phuture Audio Mastering - http://www.phutureaudiomastering.co.uk/
Tantra-zawadi and Dana Byrd are both highly respected artists hailing from Brooklyn, New York and Newark, New Jersey respectively. Their lyrical fusion of spoken word and vocals are something the underground house scene has seldom witnessed.
Tantra-zawadi, an award-winning performance poet and the author of “alifepoeminprogress”, has been spreading her spoken word message to global, standing-room-only audiences for some time now. Her poetry was featured in Essence Magazine and she is the host and founder of WORDSPACE - A Spoken Word Series. Some of her performance credits include Def Poetry-Plugged In at the Brooklyn Academy of Music, Brooklyn NEXT, the Nuyorican Poets Cafe, the Guild Theatre, ‘When Sisters Speak’ in Toronto, and the Product(RED) video-wall.
Dana Byrd is a classically trained vocalist, whose talents embody previous underground smashes on Francois K's Wave Music ('Your Love' with the legendary Pal Joey, remixed by Danny Krivit) and Tony Humphries' Yellorange Label (I Wanna Be Free). He has
also worked with some of the biggest players in the business, including John Legend, Kool & The Gang and Mos Def.
The Love Planet EP has been produced and arranged by Jonny Montana & Neil Maclean. Jonny is the label owner of Camio Recordings responsible for releases and remixes from some of the scene's most talented producers. Jonny is an in-demand remixer in his own right, with projects in the pipeline for 2008 for Noel Mckoy & Acid Jazz Records, Colonel Red, Alton Miller and Monique Henry, amongst others. Neil, already an established DJ in the UK, has also made a name for himself in the production arena with various edits and remixes with support from DJ's such as Timmy Regisford, Spen, Ian Friday and Patrick Wilson. Together, Jonny and Neil have previously remixed the track 'Broken Dreams' by Ceramic on NY Soul Records, which is currently riding high in the Traxsource top 10, under their Jazz Theory moniker.
thank you very much for being a friend and your friendly support. Check out this new compilation release incl. two tracks by Jean Mare.
Now available at your favorite download store: Itunes, musicload de, Dj downloads, e -music, amazon com, Juno downloads, Saturn downloads, Mediamarkt downloads
you inspire me sis and it would be an honor to have you read anything you like from the book. thank you for always supporting and motivating me the way you always do. you are a blessing in my life. it means so much to me that you enjoy the book. we will talk soon. love.
Tantra! Thanks so much for the lovely comment! Glad you like the sound of the new keys! I have to agree with jaBEZ ... 'Girl' is an amazing track! The words are amazing and the Rhodes is beautiful! We both wish we were as poetic as you!
Guess what!!!!! I saw my sister Tantra last night and she rocked the mic twice!!! How beautiful was that!!!! Thank you for being there...I was so glad to see you. We still have a lot of talking to do sis. LOVE.
Thank you so much for your comment. Hopefully I'll find my way back up north sometime soon. I hope this message finds you at a peaceful time. Take care.
just stopping by to see if you're interested in our project....
We've started a collaborative radio station - and we're looking for people to contribute to our output....have a look, have a listen and join up if you'd like to join in!!!
A little something from me to you to remember in this lifetime.
The Sky Is The Limit...
Dreams and Motivation Determination and Pursuit of Happiness;
Do what you do to get where you need to get Never allow anyone to deter you;
Don't feed into negativity There is a positive in every negative situation;
As the song goes "Tell Your Storm" That it won't last long;
Don't give up Keep fighting for what you believe in;
Remember "The race is not won by the swift nor the strong, but to the one who endureth until the end" In order to get something, you have to fight for it;
Be humble in your journey It will earn you overwhelming strength;
Pray the entire duration You need a good friend to see you through the difficult times;
Keep your head high as you reach for the stars The only obstacles you cannot overcome are the ones you've determined you cannot hurdle over - MIND OVER MATTER;
Be strong, be bold, take charge of your situation The Sky is the Limit and you are a winner.
Dance as though no one is watching you, Love as though you have never been hurt, Sing as though no one can hear you, Live as though heaven is on earth. -Souza
its done...leviticus is working on my cover and i am working on the release party and working out printing strategies. i want to make it nice. i want you to be there too. nathan is featuring at verses on the 30th. i hope you are back by then because it will be nice to see you. love.
