2014/15
4MAMAEARTH.ORG
“The arts, whether as formal therapy, community outreach or enrichment, do impact lives in positive, far-reaching ways. They change the way we experience the world and when provided with intention and understanding, they can reduce stress, increase positivity, and reinforce selfefficacy. Most of all, the very existence of creative expression as a human behavior embodies the ever-present transformative possibility for hope to emerge from despair, aggression and violence.� -Cathy Malchiodi, PhD, LPCC, LPAT, ATR-BC
NOW HEAR THIS MIXTURE WHERE HIP HOP MEETS SCRIPTURE DEVELOP A NEGATIVE INTO A POSITIVE PICTURE - LAUREN HILL
2014/15
M.A.M.A. EARTH FOUNDER Jaime Kailani Bayot M.A.M.A. EARTH CREATIVE DIRECTOR Andrea Miller ALTER CREATOR AND DIRECTOR Ronda Brown PRODUCTION FACILITATOR Eric “Fatgums” Stran PRODUCTION FACILITATOR Denis “Deft” Martinez WRITING FACILITATOR Emeka Simmons CONTRIBUTING MUSICAL GUESTS Haze Banga (Beyonce, Jay Z, M.I.A.) Gwen Bunn (Schoolboy Q) Novena Carmel (Wallpaper) Preston Harris (Hit-Boy) Jacob Luttrell (Timbaland, Justin Bieber) Fana Noise (Earl Sweatshirt) CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHER Nery Madrid A SPECIAL THANKS TO Aise Born Bobby Daren Bartwelll, Jr. Big Jess Jason Moore Josh Russell ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. ALL RITES RESPECTED.
Summer 2015 Dear friends, This letter is written on behalf of m.a.m.a. earth, a Los Angeles-based grassroots community organization that has been using the power of art, music and nature, to make a change for the better, locally and globally, since 2007. In 2014 and 2015, m.a.m.a. earth had the honor of presenting ALTER, an after-school arts and creative writing program created by Visual Artist and Educator, Ronda Brown, at Crenshaw High School in South Los Angeles. m.a.m.a. earth’s intention was to aid and support much needed Arts Programs to underserved youth. Extensive, decade long studies show that students who are daily involved in the arts have higher success rates not only in academics and finances but overall, as productive citizens in society. Please find in the following pages original writing from ALTER students in 9-12th grade. Our heartfelt gratitude to LAUSD, Principal L. Remon C. Corley, the administration of Crenshaw High School, the class facilitators, guests and corporate sponsors of the program. Thank you for your support in helping the global team that is m.a.m.a. earth be a mama to all of our children and give them the necessary skills and tools to ensure that all children have the same opportunities to succeed. Sincerely, Andrea Miller Creative Director 4mamaearth.org | @4mamaearth
m.a.m.a. earth Founder, Jaime Kailani Bayot pictured with her 16 year old son, Marley.
WHAT IS M.A.M.A. E A R T H? m.a.m.a. earth is a grassroots community organization, based in Los Angeles, using the power of art, music and nature to make a change for the better, locally and globally. m.a.m.a. earth was founded in 2007 by Jaime Kailani Bayot, big sister to international superstar Bruno Mars. The m.a.m.a. earth mission is to inspire others to give back in their own communities while raising awareness about issues that affect us all. m.a.m.a. earth partners with schools, universities and community centers as well as local and global non-profits to present all-ages enrichment classes and fundraising events. The m.a.m.a. earth team has been humbled and grateful to have accomplished a myriad of philanthropic missions over the years with work in the United States, Haiti, Africa, Jamaica and more. Global chapters of m.a.m.a. earth have been launched in places like the UK, Brazil, Chile, the Philippines and Germany with young people planting trees, cleaning up neighborhoods and collecting clothing and toys for local orphanages and families in need. Get involved and help us continue this work that affects so many across the globe. Learn more at 4mamaearth.org and @4mamaearth.
Photo credit: Nerry Madrid
REALITY AINT ALWAYS THE TRUTH RHYMES EQUAL ACTUAL LIFE IN THE YOUTH - KRS-ONE
WHAT IS ALTER? The ALTER program was created by Lead Art Teacher of Crenshaw High School’s Visual and Performing Arts Magnet, Ronda Brown. The 2014/15 ALTER program centered around developing students into artists of expression by learning new tools and techniques based on Hip Hop fundamentals. The power of the written, spoken and recorded word and its relationship with music, history and culture was explored to give students another context from which to use their artistic powers to create on paper and in the studio. Students spent the year writing and discussing their lives through the lens of Hip Hop, and recording original music with the help of professional producers, songwriters and performing artists. Students at Crenshaw High School have access to a media lab and recording studio (previously donated by Snoop Dogg and producers 1500 to Nothin) and this program provides them with the opportunity to learn about writing, recording, producing and media arts. Sufficient data exists to overwhelmingly support the belief that study and participation in the fine arts is a key component in improving learning throughout all academic areas. Evidence of its effectiveness in reducing student dropout rates, raising student attendance, developing better team players, fostering a love for learning, improving greater student dignity, enhancing student creativity, and producing a more prepared citizen for the workplace of tomorrow can be found documented in studies held in many varied settings, from school campuses, to corporate America.
ALTER Creator, Ronda Brown, pictured with her daughter, Prema.
I DON’T CARE ABOUT WHAT BRAND YOU ARE, I’M CONCERNED WHAT TYPE OF MAN YOU ARE, WHAT YOUR PRINCIPLES AND STANDARDS ARE.
- MOS DEF
1) Now listen to this little westside princess, show you what a real Queen looks like, she has no golden crown, but gold heart writing a golden mindset, she focuses, and she gets it My third-eye open the universe is talking to me it's giving me what I put out 2) Brothers and sisters wives and your misters Queen Pay on the beat never missing the system Systematic, stereotypical light-skinned girl with a head full of curls Please shut your mouth! You can never describe such a light Shines as bright as sunflowers in the moonlight lit night, my beauty skin-tight
3) Pretty brown face her lips bigger than space personality so fire it can light-up a cake cake, she's in the kitchen whippin' and bake cooking and cleaning for her mama it's all she can do because her mama she grindin' for her baby's new school - Payton “Queen Pay�
1) I'ma take what I'm given but won't steal what I don't have I have too much class but when the opportunity is given, I bet I'll be the one winning 2) These streets playing childish games These streets got me going insane Just wanna constrain my brain Just wanna retrain my brain Let these words be your guide Let these words get you through times Let these words be your light Let these words be your guide - Sujuan "Ghost" Norman
You can’t defeat me You don’t complete me You can’t repeat me I’ma take it to the top Will you come meet me? Will you come see me? Nah, you wanna be me Instead of greet me Man, you do not see me 500 got me hot on you, like I’m Stevie - KA$O The blacker the berry And the berry is more sweeter Rappers all in my lane But I had to street sweep ‘em I can make em' cry like I'm a deep preacher I'm the best one to do it like I'm the team leader - VIP
A sketch and lyrics from ALTER student, Jonah.
I can promise you I'm a be that one Been shot and done but I'm resurrected like God's son I'll never run or be defeated may be conceited, hold on let me repeat it Black people everywhere have always been cheated I'm a man, a young black brotha I stand up for all Black Single Working Mothers - Daijoun "Dae Dae�
Pictured left, producer Haze Banga.
1) Music is my life the pen is my only type I'm hungry for the green and I see it in sight I see the light at the end If you with me then you with me I have not friends I only got fam. Damn 2) Were coming with words we use 'em as a swords I think we've been here before Emmett Till, this stuff is real I'm just like bro chill you shoot to save not to kill
3) I was born too fly You see my city in my eyes And my eyes will never cry They say I'm greedy and conceited But I don’t care how it seems If you ask me what I want I want every single thing 4) But I don’t really kill cause everybody else is dead I put your nightmares to bed I'm black but I’ll live in the end Now I'm not tryna be rude but I gotta defend I mean no offense But I don’t need no friend I had a friend with a story Life only suck in the end - C-Lou 1) It’s all ‘bout Motivation havin’ this Conversation Getting’ this money and it’s all about Appreciation Takin’ my mama out the hood - that’s Motivation 2) Rest in peace to beautiful Phatty Rest in peace can’t believe this happen I’m in the front so you know I’m captain Whole lot of people wassup what’s happenin Nowadays I don’t talk to Ratchets - RoCk3Y
1) The alter dimension Your heart starts pumping like a piston This not Detroit This is Cali Got the weirdest weather It may be raining But its sunny forever When I was born I said dumb forever I don't just rap for the cheddar this is a therapy session 2) The pigment on my skin So the sun can't burn me An artist independent But ALTER keeps me learning I'm feeling most deserving Zodiac's a fuse bomb And guess what we're burning That's a bomb threat - Jonah “Narcissistic�
Pictured left, Singer/Songwriter Jacob Luttrell
1) Lucy Paid I think its time for a change look, check it, let me spit like MLK You children ignorant I'm try'na own some businesses couple cars, nothing big just legitimate 2) Coming from nothing try'na make a better living really try'na make a difference so I really hope you listen get your focus together happiness and getting paper is the only real mission - Shyann "Lucy Paid�
FOR MORE INFORMATION: m.a.m.a. earth www.4mamaearth.org Andrea Miller Creative Director Andrea@4mamaearth.org Ronda Brown ALTER Program Director Info@rondabrown.net
FIND US @4MAMAEARTH
THANK YOU TO OUR CORPORATE SPONSORS FOR GENEROUS DONATIONS:
Pictured right, singer, Fana Noise Back cover art: Mural by Visual Artist, Aise Born located in entryway of Crenshaw High School