I AM not the MEdia's April Newsletter

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