THE PHILOSOPHER'S STONE

ID3 Productions Presents: Issue #1, March 2013

A word from our editor:

Michael Cook, CEO of ID3 Productions

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“For years, I have dreamt of a world that has reclaimed the knowledge that we have forgotten. To learn from our mistakes in the past, employ those lessons to our present, and pass on what we learned to enrich our future. I have verbally ranted and raved, but no one heard me. I felt it time to amplify my voice with others

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who seek the same things. With The Philosopher’s Stone, we aim to pursue that ideal and spread them as best we can. To teach each other, to learn from one another, that is what it is to be human. Perfection cannot be truly attained while on Earth, but we can certainly make a valiant attempt to try. Thank you for reading. Enjoy.” - Michael Cook

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In alchemy, The Philosopher's Stone is a legendary substance supposedly capable of turning lesser grades of metals into gold. It was also sometimes believed to be an elixir of life, making youthful vitality and even immortality possible to achieve. For a long time, it was the most sought-after goal in alchemy. Attaining the philosopher's stone would also bring enlightenment upon the possessor and conclude the “Magnum Opus” or “The Great Work”.

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Many have pent their live chasing this stone, only to die never finding it. Our goal is to spread wisdom and increase our collective enlightenment as a people so that the enlightenment does not have to be chased, but merely read. Knowledge at your finger tips. The Philosopher’s Stone Magazine will not grant you a youthful vitality, but perhaps a youthful (as in fresh) point of view in certain topics. We hope you enjoy!

The Philosopher’s Stone: The pursuit of enlightenment

MARCH 2013

INSIDE:

Features:

ID3 Productions covers the ever growing Rhapsody Open Mic Showcase - hosting the most impressive collection of hidden talent San Diego has to offer.

Happy Birthday! Learn the significance of your birth month and birthstone. And see which celebrities may share

Since we are debuting our magazine in March, we figured it best to pay homage to 4 great women of history for the next 31 days for National Women’s Month.

The 19-year-old vocal powerhouse from Louisville, KY makes her remarkable debut and catches our eyes and ears making her our first noteworthy artist of our first issue.

“Nothing is impossible. Even the word itself says I’m Possible.” –

Audrey Hepburn

ID3 Productions Presents: The Philosopher’s Stone

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Issue #1, March 2013

“Art is not an escape, but a

way of finding order in chaos, a way of confronting life.” – Robert Hayden

For the last few decades, the hip-hop culture has been on a reverse incline. For years it has become another victim of amnesia to mainstream media with no signs of recovery. It’s history beginning in the ‘70s gave rise to the African American race. After slavery and segregation, they began develop a sense of “self” as a people. Hip-hop was their way to voice their cares and concerns, display their aggression and frustrations

or overall just bare their soul: poetry with a beat. It became a way of expression…our way. From the mid ‘80s to the 90s hip-hop began to shift. Becoming more aggressive as rap battles were on the rise to prove who was the best MC. This “attitude era” of hip-hop provided a platform for gangsters to turn poet allowing the aggression but the only thing that got hurt were his/her opponent’s feelings. Now, hip-hop has turned into a platform for “gangsters” to boast in their meager conquests of money, women, and drug moves.

Rhapsody Open Mic: “The best kept secret in San Diego”

Convening every 1st and 3rd Saturday, Rhapsody showcases

all things from poetry, to singing, to now dancing. For

more info visit them on Facebook:

www.facebook.com/rhapsodyopenmic

There have been many attempts to resuscitate hip-hop to its former glory. Cities from New York to Chicago to L.A. all have small outlets were the artists can come to bare their souls and let their ideals be heard. The most recent attempt lasting from 2002 – 2007 was hip-hop mogul Russell Simmons’ Def Poetry Jam.

Now hitting the scene and staking her claim in San Diego, CA, is EMichele Paul and her creation: Rhapsody Open Mic (Showcase). Rhapsody has once again started to bring to life what many of us remember what hip-hop truly is. “Hip-hop is rap with the ART. That’s what makes the person an ARTIST.” says I-eXcel, Rhapsody’s host and local MC. EMichele Paul has provided the original platform for people to come and let their voices be heard: getting back to the very heartbeat of hip hop. A sophisticated crowd convenes every 1st and 3rd

Dream Team: EMichele Paul (left) and Toy Harris a.k.a. DJ Redlite

Continued on page 5

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ID3 Productions Presents: The Philosopher’s Stone Issue #1, March 2013

The Dream Team of Mastermind: eMichele Paul, Mixologist: DJ Redlite, and the Dynamic Hosting Duo: I-eXcel and newly appointed hostess A$h Ca$h; have delivered an eclectic mix of talented men and women. The Most notable of the night is the Louisville, KY native, Chanson Calhoun: the 19-year-old vocal powerhouse that rocked Rhapsody performing two songs. Her misleading mousy demeanor sets you up for a jaw dropping surprise when she takes the mic. She performed a soulful R&B jam with a series of skillful rises and falls in tone and pitch that makes you truly believe her heart was in what she was singing.

But not only is she a exemplary vocalist, she demonstrates her ability as a lyricist in her song "Here I am"...letting you know that appearances are most definitely

deceiving. A new artist on the rise, Chanson is fresh to the California area 'seriously pursuing her dreams in entertainment.' ID3 Productions will continue to push her out as much as we possibly can until she gets the love and acknowledgment she deserves as a budding artist. Like her on Facebook and visit her website: www.iamchanson.com for further information regarding this amazing new talent. ~ MEC

Note worthy spotlight: Introducing Chanson Calhoun


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Born circa 1508 B.C., The only child born to the Egyptian king Thutmose I. Hatshepsut was expected to be queen. When her father died when she was 12 years old, she married her half-brother Thutmose II a common practice meant to ensure the purity of the royal bloodline. During the reign of Thutmose II, Hatshepsut assumed the traditional role of queen and principal wife. Thutmose II died after a 15 year reign, making Hatshepsut a widow before the age of 30 and since Thutmose III was too young to assume the throne unaided, Hatshepsut served as his regent. Initially, Hatshepsut held this role traditionally until she claimed the role of pharaoh. Queen Hatshepsut’s successful transition from queen to pharaoh was, in part, due to her ability to recruit influential supporters, and many of the men she chose had been favored officials of her father, Thutmose I. Queen Hatshepsut reigned over Egypt for more than 20 years. She served as queen alongside her husband, Thutmose II,

Queen Hatshepsut: The first great woman in History

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but after his death claimed the role of pharaoh while acting as regent to her nephew, Thutmose III. She reigned peaceably, building temples and monuments, and Egypt flourished.

The queen died in early February of 1482 B.C. After her death, Thutmose III erased her inscriptions and tried to eradicate her memory. and constructed a wall around her obelisks. While some believe this was the result of a long-held grudge, it was more likely a strictly political effort to emphasize his line of succession and ensure that no one challenged his son Amunhotep II for the throne.

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ID3 Productions Presents: The Philosopher’s Stone Issue #1, March 2013

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Saturday, Rhapsody showcases all talents from poetry, to singing, to hip-hop, to now dancing. Embodying the spirit of its name showcase. And though the art of spoken word originated within the African American community, it is not exclusive. All cultures and talents are welcomed here to present their passion to the masses and let their voices be heard.

Rhapsody Open Mic promises to be the next platform to jumpstart the love of the arts movement, and has the potential to reawaken the sleeping giant known as Hip-Hop. To showcase your talent and let your voice be heard among the many, visit Rhapsody’s web page: www.facebook.com/rhapsodyopenmic and sign up. Rhapsody Open Mic (Showcase) is presented by:

(Continued from page 2) Passing THE TORCH

I-eXcel February 16, 2013 was a bittersweet day for the

Rhapsody faithful. Long time host, I-eXcel, has announced that he will be moving to the east coast. His last open Mic

being his going away party/roast will be held at the

March 2nd Rhapsody Open Mic.

A$h Ca$h Once a regular poet at

Rhapsody, the energetically beautiful and vivacious A$h Ca$h has been dubbed as the new host of Rhapsody. Her induction will be at I-eXcel’s

going away.


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ID3 Productions Presents: Issue #1, March 2013

©2013 ID3 Productions The Philosophers stone

Great works are not done by strength, but perseverance.

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March’s birthstone is the Aquamarine: the stone of courage. If you were born in March, it means you are an idealist. You are a natural born leader, even if those leadership talents haven't been properly developed yet. You have the power and self confidence to succeed in life, and your power grows daily. Besides power, you also have a great deal of creativity that enables you to innovate instead of fail. You are a visionary, seeing

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the big picture instead of all of the trivial little details. It also means you share a birthday with other visionaries such as Quentin Tarantino, Lady Gaga, and James Patterson. You are destined to change the world, so don’t stop until you see the future you’ve envisioned.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY: March birthday information

“Vision is the art of seeing what is invisible to others.” – Jonathan

Swift

THE PHILOSOPHER'S STONE

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