28 Days of Afropunk - Day 2 - Cleveland

As we all started to get settled in and get to know one another, it became instantly clear to us all that we would have to drop all pretense and live literally right on top of one another for 1 month. Everything was starting to fall in-line and we began to roll into a routine. The energy surroundint the tour was beginning to swell as Saul Williams had decided to explore another level of his creativity and had unleashed Niggy Tardust, an alter-ego, generator of creative generation, a vessel for self-expression. From the heart and soul of us all but first that of Matthew Morgan the vision for Afropunk was materialising, the dream finally becoming a reality... We met up with American Fangs as we rolled into The House Of Blues in Cleveland Ohio. Saul and I and Brendon (Director/Producer) and David (Director/cinematographer) decided to capture some film of the city, notably the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Saul decided to take a tour but only after we had quickly captured a question on camera - my first time all alone on camera with Saul Williams. He had suprised me with his humour as I had falsly attributed a seriousness to his personality based solely on the content of his work. I wasn't ready for his playfulness and the depth of his experience. I'm still a novice compared to the legend that stood beside me... And I was in for a ride!
........You're gonna have to wait to see if they even leave it in the final edit for the piece we put together for Afropunk.com check daily for updates...

28 Days of Afropunk - Day 1 - New York City

Wow!

I don't even know what to say! After endless hours of pre-production and planning, the day was upon us. Our first show of our first National tour - Afropunk is bringin it to the streets and coming to your town!

So, first it's the anticipation... Saul Williams is the headliner, one of my favorite poets and someone who inspired me to start writing - would be meeting us at the Blender Theater in Manhattan. Part of a great line up of other Punk Rock/Hardcore bands who I would be meeting for the first time. Activator, CX KiDTRONIK, Tchaka Diallo and Rough Francis. My job for the day... production and of course your on-camera personality. It's up to me to show you these cool bands and bring you a little piece of their spirit. So of course the pressure was on. But more than that, you just never know what you're in for... Here's how it went...

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA! 

"Come here!" interview...

"Over there!" - interview, 

"Get over here now Chris Rock is here!"

"Come over here Niggy Tardust is ready to go - he's got his make up on!"

Make it happen, lights, energy, action!

And then it was over! It was 10 hours that flew by in what felt like 3. Then we all loaded up on the tour bus and headed for Cleveland. 12 people, bunk beds and really close quarter for the next 28 days, 10 men and 2 ladies. I can't wait! HA! You can check out all the cool people we saw and all highlights for the evening at Whitney Summer's blog @ afrospunky.blogspot.com.

So I'm out for now, but I'll catch up with you all in Cleveland - Afropunk, I'm out!