You know how Cry Havoc gets down… poetry in motion. This time, Da’Shade Moonbeam and John “Hoodness Gracious” Satberry chose to display their skills with an ode to a popular tale of our times. Check it out:
This track has been in the making for 3 years now. Originally it started with the music you hear on it now, except it was not mixed. It got close to 10,000 plays in the MYSPACE era. I am giving it new life on the “Just Me EP” and the 2012 Album “A Sun Sized Moon.” It is still new, and still very much a banger to me! Enjoy!
My man Da’Shade Moonbeam seems to be in the midst of a very creative stretch in time. Spinning Shell has been keeping up with him and the recording of his new project, and webisodes are being created as completion of the project nears. Here are two of them, so that you can get a feel for what’s going on.
Back in the late 90’s, I was just beginning my career as a professional musician. Hip-Hop Mecca was in full swing on the Austin scene, and I was getting DJ spots with those guys back in high school. Playing for touring acts and getting to meet local legends like Nick-Nack, Tee Double, Bavu Blakes and Mirage allowed me to form some long lasting friendships. One specific individual, however, helped me turn the corner and learn to cultivate my artistic talents and express myself. This individual was Da’Shade Moonbeam.
We originally met at Reagan High School in the theatre department. It didn’t take long for us to realize that we were both huge fans of The Dungeon Family, and by extension, the growth and development of the south as a true force in hip-hop expression. We both had a love for poetry, both in verse form and in expressionistic form. Through the vehicle of the DKC (founded by NOOK), we were able to give back to the Austin community via entertainment (Jump On It!) and activism.
Over the years, Da’Shade has become a force to be reckoned with on the Austin creative scene. He is one half of the Austin hip-hop mainstay Blacklisted Individuals. He has been seen working the likes of Zell Miller on the Austin theater front. He has been a vital part of the slam poetry teams that have gained Austin so much recognition. He is changing the shape of finding inner peace through combat arts in the form of Cry Havoc Action Choreography. He was even recently mentioned in an Austin 360 article:
“The longtime member of the socially conscious Austin rap crew Blacklisted Individuals is setting out solo to redefine the hip-hop live set, using theater, video, poetry, dance and more to immerse crowds in a complete creative environment.“
Don’t take my word for any of this though… the truth always speaks for itself:
I’ve been digging through LOTS of old footage lately. Lots of memories. I found a performance of DKC from the late 90s… a Kwanzaa celebration thrown by The Nation of Islam. It was refreshing to see where things all started again… some of the crew is no longer with us anymore (RIP GiGi), and some of the crew has moved on and lost touch with one another. It seems like we were destined to follow in the words of NOOK from so long ago…
“You made a move unanticipated, but that’s what happens when you make that seperation… Good things change.”
There have definitely been some unanticipated moves made in my music career… some by me, some done by others that effected me. Regardless of what has happened in the past, I am glad that I am here today, and I am able to share my thoughts and feelings about my experiences on this crazy planet with the rest of you out there, whether it be via music, art, or this website.
I appreciate all of the support from all of my friends, worldwide. There is not a day that goes by that I don’t think about each and everyone of you. Joni Mitchell “sees something of herself in everyone, just at this moment in the world”. Feist can feel it all. I believe I fall somewhere in-between… we’re all sharing this experience, my friends.
Chief and TheDoomsdayDevice 