Why Education Requires Faith, 7/29/2015

Ladies and gentlemen, Faith Evans.  Isn't she lovely...

So some time ago they took prayer out of schools.  ...Wouldn't be such a big deal if children were being taught to pray at home... *sips tea* ...but that's another day's journey.  And of course, we're not allowed to teach the Bible in our schools.  At least, not for spiritual purposes; it is, however, still considered historical source material, so it can be referenced in that capacity.  ...Kinda like any history textbook.  And it was in the midst of this discussion some years ago that I had an epiphany:  education at ANY level requires faith; faith and education can't be separated.

New Music --- 'Organized Money' by Earl Grey Summers, 7/27/2015

(A  P N C L B R K R  E X C L U S I V E !!!...)

When it comes to education, this is my favorite way to teach--- through music.  Check out my new single, Organized Money.


I wrote this tune to help Black people to understand that if we want change, we have to be responsible about our spending.  Marching and protesting is fine, but historically what the Establishment truly responds to is money.  And while organizing boycotts is a familiar tactic amongst Black activists, a tactic that isn't used quite as frequently or efficiently as it should be is organized spending--- taking the money that we withdraw through boycott, and redirecting it into Black-owned businesses and Black commerce.  It's not just about withholding our money from select establishments; it's about investing that money into our OWN establishments.

Give it a listen and tell me whatcha think.  If you like it, I strongly urge you to purchase the single (it's only a dollar, c'mon) and then share it with your peeps.  I love feedback!  And I love ya'll--- Black or otherwise.


Get at me:

@earlgreysummers on Twitter

earlgreysummers@gmail.com

/earl.g.summers on Facebook

New Video --- 'My Life' by E.J. tha Witchdoctor, 7/25/2015

I'm doing this one for my true, true Dirty South heads--- the ones who get uptight and feel some kinda way when I say, "Every day is a holidaaay!!"  Ya'll know I'm Dungeon Family bred going waaaay back to the early 90's, and there was always one member of the DF who was as mysterious and beyond comprehension as Donald Trump's voting bloc.  And that brotha was E.J. tha Witchdoctor.

People always ask me, "Whatever happened to EJ?"--- as if I'm a member of the DF and would know sensitive information such as that, right?  Funny thing is... I do kinda keep in contact with the brotha; matta of fact, within the past two years or so, I actually purchased his latest CD directly from him, complete with the smell of incense upon opening the envelope, lol

Well, recently EJ hit me up and put me up on his latest single, My Life.  And while I was listening I had an alphabetical epiphany--- EJ is the ODB of the DF.

New Music --- 'Dreaming' & 'Black Man Down' by Prosperer, 7/21/2015

Ya know, in 2015 everybody and they momma can rhyme.   Ever since the advent of YouTube, it really doesn’t take much to get on but a gimmick and a following in a world full of followers.  So cats come at me all the time telling me they can spit.  But I wanna talk about this one cat in particular…

He’s a former student of mine via two schools.  As in, I was at one school and he was there, and then I ended up at another school… and he ended up there too, lol.  I knew he was sharp, but I didn’t know how sharp until we started choppin it up about music.

New Music --- Truez feat. Stratuzy, ‘Historic Black Jails’, 7/20/2015

Augusta, I’m getting more and more proud of you!  So just a few ticks ago, I introduced you to Augusta artist Stratuzy, and before that I’ve been on my due diligence keeping you abreast of Augusta artist Truez.  Two brilliant minds, great minds think alike… long story short, they got together for a collab track like they should!

I’m pissed at myself because I actually had a chance to peep this a few weeks ago when I was in the studio with Truez, Aaron Grossman, Kumar, and AE.  But me being always on the go, I missed out on the sneak preview, and it came back to BITE me!  …I’m LOVING this cut.

New Music --- Check Out 'Midnight' by Stratuzy, 7/20/2015

So yesterday I’m out at the video shoot for the latest release by Augusta-based artist Truez What They Mad For  (article and images pending).  While I’m waiting for things to get started, I come across a familiar set of dreadlocks from my various stints as a teacher--- a young brotha named Stratuzy who used to sit in my class and underachieve with the best of ‘em, lol.  Back then, he was one of those brilliant guys who knows he could be doing greater things; turns out one of those greater things is spitting enlightenment over instrumentals.  I’m glad to see he’s linked up with the right people, messing with #TRUEZNATION--- and I’m excited to say that they’ve JUST RELEASED a collaboration that will be coming to PNCLBRKR.com as soon as I can get it here!

Meantime, I wanted to share this cut with you good people so that you can get a feel for this young brotha.  A track called Midnight from his up-and-coming project,  Everything And Then Some.  A very insightful piece produced by Tokimonsta.  Like I said, the young man's been brilliant since I've known him, so pay attention to the #BARS on this one.  Enjoy the cut, feel free to leave feedback, and stay tuned for more from the Dreaded Young Wonder.  And like I said, the new Truez track featuring Stratuzy is comin’ right up!

Be sure to check out Stratuzy's YouTube Channel for more releases as they come:  https://www.youtube.com/user/Stratuzy



Get at me:

@earlgreysummers on Twitter

earlgreysummers@gmail.com

/earl.g.summers

Hephzibah’s Civil War: The Union of Education vs. The Confederacy of Ignorance, 7/16/15

Normally when you pick a school mascot, you pick something that the student body can rally behind.  And the students of Hephzibah High School and Hephzibah Middle School rally behind… a Confederacy Rebel.  Now, the good news is that right now literacy and history are two of the weakest points in grade school academia, at least in the Southeast.  It stands to reason that, if you don’t read well, you’ll shy away from doing much in-depth historical study, and perhaps lack interest in history altogether.  So when you ask many kids if they know the significance and the historical context of the Rebel mascot… they have no freaking idea what you’re talking about.  Thus, thanks to their acute lack of knowledge, they’re not offended by the mascot.

…Remember, that’s the good news.

The Experienced Listener Says, “Let Us Carve OutKast into Stone Mountain!!!”

I’m proud to be from the South.  …Until I’m reminded how ssstupid people from the South can be.  Could you imagine going up to a Jewish person and saying, “Hey, the Final Solution wasn’t really about killing all the Jews; it was about promoting German nationalism and Aryan solidarity!”  Or, “Hey, Gen. Erwin Rommell may have worked for Hitler, but he wasn’t as bad as Hitler, so it’s okay to honor some Nazis!”  Or, “The Egyptians and Babylonians enslaved and killed Jews too; why aren’t you condemning them the way you’re condemning the Nazis?” 

Well, that’s the level of ssstupid ya gotta deal with if you’re a Black person living in the South right now.  Because folks everywhere are trying their BESTS to minimize any connection between the Confederacy and slavery to justify honoring and upholding Confederate symbolism and memorabilia. 

“It’s about heritage, not hate.”  

“It’s about states’ rights, not slavery.”

“It’s about southern pride.” 

“Northerners had slaves too.”

…Maybe we’d know Northerners had slaves too if history books weren’t so busy protecting the “more patriotic” images of America’s forefathers, but that’s another day’s top---where the HAIL is that green FROG with my LIPTON!!

Fresco Presents: 'Art Lives - Atlanta 2 Augusta', 7/11/15

“To inspire…”  That’s all I kept hearing yesterday at Fresco’s “Art Lives – Atlanta 2 Augusta” exhibition. 

As I interviewed talent after talent, personality after personality the same phraseology.  “I do what I do to inspire...”  “We’re here to inspire…”  “Any time I have an opportunity to inspire…”  “The purpose of this event is to inspire…” 

Well, it worked, datgommit.  I was inspired.  In fact, I was inspired for the THIRD time in that building.

So this is what went down:  a crew from Atlanta known as the Good Juice Family came all the way down to Augusta to share their graphic artistry.  Featuring artists Fake Savian, Travis Love, and Elev8ted USC, the gallery ranged from massive anime paintings to cyber-punk skateboard art to slick photography.

Fresco - 'Art Lives: From Atlanta 2 Augusta', featuring the Good Juice Family, 7/11/15

Grilled Cheese Papi - #MVP of the Night fa dat GRUB!

Truez and Kumar out front before the exhibition

Reminded me of an album cover...

Ending Mass Incarceration: Are We Prepared? 7/7/2015

Recently it has been reported that President Obama intends to commute the sentences of 80 people who have been incarcerated on nonviolent drug charges.  Kudos, kinda--- as Dr. Boyce Watkins recently put it, “What about the other 30,000?”  But perhaps it’s good that the other 30,000 haven’t been commuted yet.  Why?  Because, frankly, we haven’t prepared ourselves for it.

True3nough: An Interview with Truez (PNCLBRKR Exclusive)

Before Augusta-based artist Truez released his latest album to date, True3nough, I had the pleasure of being one of the first to sneak-preview the project. Along with a private listening session, I also got to interview Truez about… Truez.  There’s a lot to this young man; so much in fact that DJ Kay Slay--- one of the most notoriously hard-nosed Hip Hop personalities--- took interest and signed him to a record deal.  I’ve been assured from manager Aaron Grossman that great things are in the works and we should look forward to whatever Truez and Kay Slay have brewing; in the meantime, enjoy this interview and get to know the man behind the music.  Augusta, you’d better embrace your own; apparently New York and Atlanta already have.

Catch up and keep up with Truez's music at www.TruezMusic.com

A Night at Fresco: The Last Cypher, Pt. II, 7/3/2015

So the night of the cypher comes.  I’d spent all day thinking about what verse or verses I would perform; I’m a beast with the pencil, but I don't do a lot of MCing nowadays so I'm rusty.  

My homeboy James Makin agrees to meet me down there for a lil camera work in case I’m too busy grippin the mic.  Doors open at 8:00; I get there about 8:15 (CPT).  Even with the sun down it’s hot; air’s humid, but sky’s mostly clear.  Libra’s in the lobby with her people waiting for the DJ to show.  Slowly but surely MCs and spectators start showing up, mostly standing in front of the store.  Truez walks in and we catch up; it’s our first time connecting since the release of his Tru3nough album.  I think it was about 9:00 when Libra finally rallied everybody inside and we all circled up.

 When you hear somebody say, “There’s nothing to do in Augusta”--- that means they’ve never been to Fresco on First Friday. 

A Night at Fresco: The Last Cypher, Pt. I, 7/3/2015

fresco--- n.  a watercolor painting done on wet plaster which bonds to the paint surface once dried.

This… is the best week I’ve had in a long, LONG time.  A few days ago I actually came outside and I was blessed to meet Libra Miller, owner of a soon-to-be-well-known hotspot called Fresco in Downtown Augusta.  Located at 224 8^th Street, Fresco is a Men’s Boutique that sells hard-to-find and exclusive clothing, shoes, vinyl records, CDs, art; it’s the kinda place you go to soak up Hip Hop culture in a low-key setting.

…But you know me, I’m broke.  I ain’t come out to buy, I came out to talk, lol. 

So down the stairs comes Libra (which kinda scared me cuz I didn’t even SEE the upstairs when I walked in).  I’m not sure who told her about me or what they said, but it didn’t take long for me to see she and I were on the same page.

Fresco - 'The Last Cypher', hosted by Truez, 7/3/2015

DanaDane (DRE Streetz) breaks the ice

DanaDane (DRE Streetz)

Shawn Hemp up next

The Experienced Listener Says, “Rihanna is a Disco Queen”

I pride myself on being able to find the right words in any situation.  *cough* *cough* ...My bad; throat kinda dry.  Anyway, when Rihanna first came out, I didn’t know WHAT to think; thus I didn’t know what to say about her.

“Pon De Replay” had me thinking she was another Disney-pop phenom, but with a little more… ‘goodness gracious’ in her hips.   And green eyes that would Shang Tsung my soul if I looked too long.

The Experienced Listener--- "What I've Learned About Beatmaking"

I am in awe of my baby sister.  Keep your ears out for her; she goes by Siiren and she’s no joke.  She recently sent me just a rough cut of a beat she did for a track featuring Atlanta MCs Notiq and B.Ware and vocalist Zewdy (and all of her gorgeous hair).  In short, I couldn’t be more proud; Siiren’s a beast.  We’ve kinda had this ongoing beat battle in the house for years, and she’s definitely winning right now...

So yeah--- in my spare time, I’m a beatmaker myself; I got my first drum machine from my cousin Andre Ellis around 1998, got into Fruity Loops a few years down the road. I don’t have a knack for it the way my sister does (she was already a dope instrumentalist before she ever touched a beat program), but I can put it down in my own experimental, trial-and-error way.