I recently found this video clip of a guy explaining why he supports Barrak Obama over Hillary Clinton. The cameraman’s intention was to show that Obama supporters chose Obama for emotional reasons rather than logical reasons. The guy he was interviewing, Derrick Ashong, soundly disproved the cameraman’s theory in about five minutes. This made me curious so I dug further and found this video:
In case you don’t have time to watch it, apparently the original video went viral and Derrick had been getting a torrent of e-mails about the views he had expressed and wanted to explain what happened that day and his personal motives. Derrick, a.k.a. DNA, is a naturalized immigrant from West Africa, where people have few rights and almost no say over who governs. As he explains it, voting in this country for a candidate who actually stands for something is so empowering in his view that no one should let their chance slip away. If I was not voting Obama before I saw this video, I certainly would be voting for Obi afterwards.
This video sank its hooks into me, and wouldn’t let go - I had to know more about this Derrick Ashong guy! So I dug even deeper. Turns out that he’s a member of a seven-man band named Soulfege out of Boston. Turns out that the three individuals who founded the band met in Harvard. They’re listed as Hip-Hop/Reggae, which really isn’t my style, but I won’t hold that against them for a second. The band’s stated purpose is to change how the media views African Americans, and how Africans on both sides of the Atlantic view each other. They have just relocated to Los Angeles and are, in my opinion, well on their way to stardom.
Derrick and his band are heading up an initiative to “take back the mic” from the media and put it back into the hands of the youth of America. In fact he’s challenged those who’ve come across these videos to engage the band members and himself in discussion through the following video:
If I had the power, I’d nominate this man for political activist of the year - and it’s only February! I’m not only inspired by Derrick’s message, but hope to make others inspired by spreading his message. To know more about Soulfege, you can visit their website, and to know more about Derrick Ashong, you can visit his blog. Please help me in spreading this man’s message and give this post a thumbs up on StumbleUpon.
Namaste.
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March 3rd, 2008 at 7:08 pm
I know it’s really none of my business (I’m an Australian) but how I’d LOVE to see an African-American president in the White House!
And this guy sounds like a great activist. Taking back the mic could be really important - bring on the on line revolution in music making.
March 6th, 2008 at 12:09 am
Hello Evan,
Well, I wouldn’t say it is none of your business… After all the damage the current administration has done to the world, I’m surprised we haven’t been invaded by the Canadians. I’m pulling for Barak myself, although I would settle seeing him as Vice President and then as President 4-8 years down the road. From what I understand, the person you see in the videos is really what Derrick is like. Another fellow blogger e-mailed me after this post went live and she indicated that he *really is* that cool of a guy.
Namaste.
June 28th, 2008 at 12:52 am
Hi John,
I’m one of the lead vocalists in Soulfège. Thanks a bunch for this Kick Ass post! I wanted to reach out and see if I could enlist your voice in something. On July 15th our band is releasing the digital version of our new record “Take Back the Mic,” which is our statement on the power of music with meaning.
I was wondering if you might be willing to write about the album on or around that date. If so, I can send you a private link where you can download the tracks for free.
Soulfège (’sOl-fezh) has had an incredible year w/ multiple award nominations and some wonderful media attention, in addition to all the frenzy around Ashong’s comments on Obama. You can learn a little more about him from this bio video and more about the band from this recent Vanity Fair Article:
Ashong Bio Reel
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HsL00RPlkXM
Vanity Fair
http://www.vanityfair.com/online/daily/2008/04/david-friend-af.html
Let me know if you’d be willing to spread the word on your blog and if there are any other blogs or email lists you think we should reach out to. Thanks a bunch for your help and I hope to hear from you soon.
Peace,
fam
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TAKE BACK THE MIC
“It’s more than music…it’s a movement”