VOL.1, ISSUE 3 | APRIL 2013
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WHAT’S INSIDE TEEN TALK:
MUSIC’S MESSAGE
INTERVIEW WITH RAPPER,
POET AND ACTOR
MASON “QUILL” PARKER
INTERVIEW WITH THE
POSSIBILITY PROJECT
CHARLOTTE
Celebrating Natl Poetry Month! .
Music’s Message
By Kain X. Music can change the way we live. It
flows with our bodies; it creates and
inspires. Most music has a message, but
sometimes the message is completely
misunderstood.
When I listen to music I try to break
down the lyrics and understand what the
person is talking about, which is easier
for me when I listen to things that flow
like rap. I think rap is a lot different
nowadays. Rappers often talk about
how much money they make, how much
swag they have and how much they
party. But I don't see anything inspiring
or meaningful about how drunk or high
you got last weekend or how first-class
you looked when you wore your new kicks and drove up in a Lamborghini. It
just tells me that you like to shoot your
mouth off for a living.
I like rap that is telling
a story of struggle and
distress; how they
almost gave up but
didn't because they
were destined to make
it far in life. Though I
don't listen to rap
regularly I do
understand and
appreciate most of it.
Listening to pop music
is something I never
do-by choice. It has
never been my thing.
Hearing some
overrated, auto-tuned,
and straight up
untalented pop star
I like rap that is telling a story of struggle
and distress; how they almost gave up
but didn't because they were destined to
make it far in life. Though I don't listen
to rap regularly I do understand and
appreciate most of it. Listening to pop
music is something I never do-by choice.
It has never been my thing. Hearing
some overrated, auto-tuned, and straight
up untalented pop star that can't write
his/her own lyrics does not satisfy me. In
fact, it only disappoints me and not to
mention gives me a headache (no
offense). I do appreciate well-composed
choreography, however. Most people like music for its beat and
not what the singer is trying to tell others,
which is fine by me, but maybe you
should make an effort to be aware of the
message being given to you. Songs with
rhythm and powerful lyrics really get me
and repetitive songs that didn't have
much thought put into them are what
irritate me, especially if I was forced to
hear these songs in the back of my head
repeatedly. For example, I'm sure
you have heard Psy's Gangnam
Style. It doesn't take much to burn
out a song or for a song to burn
out it self, especially when it’s
played almost everywhere you go.
Creating an eloquent song that
will last for generations is
something that hasn't been done
by anyone in my lifetime so far,
though some have come close. I,
as a musician myself, hope to one
day entertain others with music of
my own. I am not saying I want
this badly, but if I had a chance to
play on stage with others it would
give me great satisfaction. Music
will always be around. It’s part of
human culture and I love it.
hear these songs in the back of my head
repeatedly. For example, I'm sure you
have heard Psy's Gangnam Style. It doesn't
take much to burn out a song or for a song
to burn out itself, especially when it’s
played almost everywhere you go. Creating an eloquent song that will last for
generations is something that hasn't been
done by anyone in my lifetime so far,
though some have come close. I, as a
musician myself, hope to one day entertain
others with music of my own. I am not
saying I want this badly, but if I had a
chance to play on stage with others it
would give me great satisfaction. Music
will always be around. It’s part of human
culture and I love it.
Picture Credit: Kusla. (2012). No Music No Life.
http://images5.fanpop.com/image/photos/31200000/-Music-
music-31267093-728-400.png
Poetry comes from the Ancient Greek word, poieo meaning
“I create.” Research shows that poetry conveys emotions or
ideas. It is not like an autobiography which sometimes bears
fictional ideas. When writing poems and other artistic
forms, you are not bound by the stresses that come with
trying to abide by guidelines of essays and other academic
forms. Poetry allows writers to give the readers a part of
them. It permits the reader not to live in the writer’s
situation but to experience their emotions without actually
being there. Meaning it gives them the understanding of
depression, happiness, love and other emotions that the
reader may otherwise never experience.
Poetry can be therapeutic. According to Quita Floyd, a
nursing student at UNC-Charlotte, writing and/or reciting can
be used as a stress reliever. Because people are innately
judgmental, the paper poems are written on can give a writer a
“undiscriminating listening ear.” Unlike people, paper will
never taint your meaning. Poetry allows you to express your
feelings adequately. Human minds and their thinking vary
from person to person but paper doesn’t. It will never have a
preconceived notion it only knows what you “tell” it.
iMATTER GIRLS EMPOWERMENT SUMMIT
Grab your girls and join Firm Foundations and I AM not the MEdia, Inc!
Save the Date!
EDUCATE * INSPIRE * EMPOWER
Come be a part of a day dedicated to building up young ladies!
Saturday, May 4th | 10am - 3pm
Naomi Drenan Rec Center, Charlotte, NC
Lunch, t-shirt and give-a-ways for ALL participants!
Weaving
Through the
Music
By Mothermoon I have to be honest. I do not
follow the current music scene. I
turned off my radio years ago. I
mostly stick with old school and
classics. I have dabbed my ear
in almost every genre, from
classical to rap. I like to listen to
music from around the world,
but not through the means of the
radio. I like underground and
local music. The Internet is a
good source to finding it. Once
in a while, I’ll be exposed to a
hip-hop tune or a music video
from the conventional media;
thanks to the children I share my
life with and the
undiscriminating Internet. This
reminds me of a scene from
Clockwork Orange. Sometimes
I feel like Alex, with my eyes
pried open unable to rid myself
of the sounds and images as my
brain is being conditioned.
Why did I turn off the radio?
Throughout the years, the radio
has been losing its message and
flavor. The message to our youth is highly corrupted, as I
am sure is intentional media
marketing. What better way to
get into people’s heads than
through music? This is one
of the reasons I have
avoided nightclubs, though
marketing. What better way to
get into people’s heads than
through music? This is one of
the reasons I have avoided
nightclubs, though my love for
dance is never dying. It’s rare
to hear a good tune. I am very
selective about what a good
tune is. If anyone knows where
I can find a place with a good
DJ that knows the difference
between original and
photocopied music, please let
me know. I would like to dance
to something that doesn’t
scream about hoes and pimping
and drinking. I do not want to
dance to music that degrades
me; I want to dance to music
that uplifts me. As an
emotional being, I need
emotional music, something
that inspired me and not
depletes me.
So what is music like in our
current media? I am not sure,
but I am full of questions. Who
has music been devolved to
now? What artist has regressed
his evolution and depressed his
message? Who has been bought
out? And do all those pretty
faces with fancy stuff really
known what they are saying
anymore? Is the audience even
listening to the lyrics? Music
was once magic, it sometimes
still is. When done with
feeling, it holds the power to
move you, to really get to you
at your inner being. Where has
that gone? Until I can answer
that, I will keep digging
feeling it holds the power to move
you, to really get to you at your
inner being. Where has that gone?
Until I can answer that, I will keep
digging underground and going
back in time to find my grooves.
Music to me must move me and to
do that it must carry more than a
groovy tune; it must carry a strong
message, one that frees me and
lights my fire.
Picture Credit: WallFeeds. (n.d). Music,
Notes, Headphones. Retrieved from:http://www.wallsfeed.com/music-notes-
headphones/
I AM not the Media deems April poetry month. In honor of poetry month, we would like you all to
feel free to post a video of a spoken word piece or attach a written piece to our Facebook page. In
these poems be as creative as you would like. Express yourself! Tell us what makes you...YOU!
Interview with Nikkeia Wiler,
Managing and Artistic Director,
and members of The Possibility
Project-Charlotte Production Team
Questions by: Kain X.
How did The Possibility Project-Charlotte
start?
As founder, I started the first season of The
Possibility Project-Charlotte (TPPC) as a
non-profit organization in October 2000.
What does TTPC do?
Inspire. Involve. Transform. Evolve. The
Possibility Project-Charlotte changes the
lives of teens in Charlotte-Mecklenburg
through a combination community service
and performance arts. It gives teens the
opportunity to be heard and to lead as the
primary creators of an original show based on
their lives and their vision for the city in
which we live. The Possibility Project-
Charlotte facilitates the interaction of people
of all ages, races, cultures, and backgrounds.
TPPC is a home to many. TPPC uncovers
hidden ability and potential. You can’t avoid
progress in TPPC. In the nine months of
programming that takes place during each
season, no one can say that they left in the
same way that they came.The entire process
is collaboratively led by the Director, the
Production Team, and a team of local
professional artists who serve as our
Choreographer, Music Director, and Vocal
Coach. The Production Team is a 12-member
cross-section of the Ensemble, which it
supports and guides in achieving its personal
and performance goals.What has TPPC been
working on?We have ongoing partnerships
with I AM not the MEdia and Teach For
America (TFA). We also create new
partnerships with other organizations based
on the interests and concerns of the
participants. In March, we performed at the
Wake UP! Student Empowerment Summit at
the Charlotte Convention Center. We are
currently writing and rehearsing for our
annual production that happens at the end of
each June at the McGlohon Theatre at Spirit
Square.What do you go through in order to
create a great show?
In TPPC, we must work with all types of
people. We have to invest not only in the
show, but in our ensemble because all of us
TPPC uncovers hidden ability and
potential. You can’t avoid progress in
TPPC. In the nine months of programming
that takes place during each season, no one
can say that they left the same way that
they came. The entire process is
collaboratively led by the Director, the
Production Team, and a team of local
professional artists.
What has TPPC been working on?
We have ongoing partnerships with I AM
not the MEdia and Teach For America
(TFA). We also create new partnerships
with other organizations based on the
interests and concerns of the participants.
In March, we performed at the Wake UP!
Student Empowerment Summit at the
Charlotte Convention Center. We are
currently writing and rehearsing for our
annual production that happens at the end
of each June at the McGlohon Theatre at
Spirit Square.
Find out more by visiting our website at
www.possibilitycharlotte.org people. We have to invest not only in the
show, but in our ensemble because all of
us have to grow together in order to put on
a meaningful performance.
How do people get into TPPC?
Teens, ages to 13 to 19, can join the
mailing list on our website,
www.possibilitycharlotte.org, to find out
more information about our next auditions.
We do not select teens based on talent
alone. Instead, we learn more about each
potential participant through an audition
process that gives us an idea of each teen’s
personality, leadership ability, and interest
in all aspects of the performing arts.
How long do you plan on working with
TPPC?We will help empower young
people to lead, be creative, and serve their
community for as long as we are able to do
so.What has TPPC done in the past? In our
12thSeason, we continue to produce and
perform our annual production in addition
to community action projects that address
various issues including homelessness,
education, media literacy, and gender
roles. How can people find out what TPPC
doing?People can find out more by visiting our
website at www.possibilitycharlotte.org. On the
How do people get into TPPC?
Teens, ages to 13 to 19, can join the
mailing list on our website,
www.possibilitycharlotte.org, to find out
more information about our next
auditions. We do not select teens based
on talent alone. Instead, we learn more
about each potential participant through
an audition process that gives us an idea
of each teen’s personality, leadership
ability, and interest in all aspects of the
performing arts.
As a local poet, rapper,
actor and writer, Quill is
leaving his mark in
Charlotte. From poetry and
rap jams to onstage acting
performances, he has
dipped his pen in diverse
fields of entertainment. He
recently performed in Red
Badge of Courage at the
Children’s Theater of
Charlotte. He is about to
release Loose Leaf Volume
2, a mixtape of his rap
verse and music. He is
recently collaborating with
the Inkified Inc.
Scholarship fund, to
support and encourage
literacy through creative
writing and hip-hop.
Poet Spotlight: “Quill”
anyway. “One day I was writing and my cousin walked in and
said ‘You write so much you are going to turn into a pen.’ That
was pretty witty for an eight year old. After that day, I started
thinking about it.” He wanted to be a symbol. “I wanted whatever
I was attaching my light, my persona to, to be a symbol for all
that I stood for and to be incorruptible, a lot of what Bruce
Wayne went through when he was deciding to take on the bat for
his symbol.” His favorite superhero was Batman.
Words hold power. Quill realizes that. “Just changing one little
thing within a sentence, changing an inflection on how you say
something can totally change the meaning of the whole sentence
or the whole message.” Knowing this has made him into the
eloquent lyricist he is today; his poetry and song have become
closely interwoven in the delivery of his message. Those familiar
with the local rap scene have become familiar with his music and
his voice. However, he says, “At the end of the day, I’m a
writer.” He has held several positions in the writing field; he had
an editorial, worked as a journalist, has written scripts and plans
on going to film school. His goal is to become a screenwriter.
Quill credits his mom, who was a singer and actress herself, for
nourishing his gifts. “My love for the arts was heavily and
primarily inspired by her influence and what she exposed me too,
what she made sure I was exposed to, which was culture“. She
made sure he knew were he came from. His relentless thirst for
knowledge, his wit and his banger he credits to his father. It’s his
other side of his personality, he says. But it is his mother who
told him, “If you do it right, you can do this for a living.” He has
held on strong to that. He is now working on advancing his career
as the multi-faceted artist he is.
In September he will be venturing off to Atlanta, Georgia and
spreading his wings. “It’s go time,” he states. “It’s time to catch
that dream”. His son and daughter are currently his biggest
driving force in doing so. It’s they who motivate him, but also his
audience. Right now, he says, “The focus is just staying as
productive, creative, innovative, and visible as possible”. He has
a following of over 2,000 people on Facebook. His audience
encourages him to keep going because it’s their opinions that he
truly takes to heart.
What is his message for inspiring artists? “Listen to the universe.
It speaks to you if you allow it to.” He has style and a voice and
according to his website, the power to make the earth shift. If the
universe is listening, it will hear his voice speak for he is an old
soul that speaks for the unspoken.
To find out more about our featured artist go to:
http://quillhiphopqc.com. You can also follow him on Facebook.
Stay tuned for Loose Leaf Vol 2 coming out on April 25, 2013 in
honor of National Poetry Month. You can view the “All My
Life” official video on YouTube or the website listed above.
INTERVIEW WITH MASON
“QUILL” PARKER
By Mothermoon
“The prerequisite to writing is having something to say”
~Langston Hughes.
That is one of Mason “Quill” Parker’s favorite quotes. “I
think a lot,” he says, “when I was younger I just wanted to
express myself.” He was a fan of hip-hop since he was four.
He started to write at age nine. Growing in the light of
Tupac Shakur and Michael Jackson helped him develop his
passion for both music and words. He describes his style as
vintage, old school and very back to basics.
Being a lyricist was the next best thing from being an actor,
he says. Acting is also his passion. When he was twelve, he
did a monologue competition at his school. Though he did
not win, he was the only actor that received a standing
ovation. On that day, he learned that the critics’, the so-
called experts, opinions do not really matter. “What will
determine your success is how you touch people,” he says.
“That became my focus...touching people at their core.”
Why Quill? “A quill is an instrument used for writing and so
am I,” he states. “Now the story of how I came up with it is
pretty lame,” he laughs, but goes on and shares the story anyway. “One day I was writing and my cousin
walked in and said ‘You write so much you are
going to turn into a pen.’ That was pretty witty for
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