The music of a war child

Emmanuel Jal 

The music of a war child

 

As I scrolled through the list of speakers on Ted.com, I came across Hip Hop artist, and former child soldier Emanuel Jal. Jal who was born and raised in Sudan, and was taken into the Sudanese Army at he tender age of seven. His early introduction to war caused him a great deal of pain as death claimed most his of his family, and village.  After becoming a child solider Jal said he ‘wanted to kill all Muslim, and as many Arabs as possible, the training wasn’t easy but I wanted revenge for my family”.  After learning the truth about the violence that claimed his family and friends Jal change his mindset and sought relief.

During his speech Emmanuel Jal spoke about a woman named Emma McCune, Emma was a British native who became an aid worker, and married rebel commander Riek Macher.  Emma rescued over 150 child soldiers and met Emmanuel at the age of eleven, after he escaped from the Sudanese rebel army. She later adopted him, and more importantly saves his life. Shortly thereafter Emma was abruptly killed in a traffic accident, leaving Emmanuel to be cared for by her friends. In her absence Emma’s friends took care of Emmanuel making sure he stayed out of trouble and finished school. 

Emmanuel Jal is doing marvelous works in Africa, the former child soldier turned rapper founded Gau Africa, which is pronounced (Gwaah). Gau derives from a tribal language in Southern Sudan that stands for peace. Gau Africa is a charity that helps its natives overcome the effects of war and poverty. “Each of our projects focus on providing an education to children and young adults who would otherwise be denied such opportunity”(Gua Africa, 2011).  Jal donates his breakfast and lunch to a charity that he founded to build a school in Sudan. The day he eats his breakfast is the day that he has earned enough money to build their school. The importance of education is something that he’s willing to die for.

            Music became Jal outlet for pain during his maturation. I found it interesting when Jal spoke about how much he hated the people in the North, but always dance to their music.

“Music is the only thing that has power to enter your cell system, your mind, your heart, even your soul, and spirit, and can even influence the way you leave without you knowing. Music can make you want to get out the bed and shake your leg without even wanting to do it”.

Emanuel Jal is a pillar of hope for a village, a country, and lost souls everywhere. On his Philanthropic journey he has inspired many to aid in his fight against education, poverty, and war. His troubled demeanor, chilling words, and fearless swagger grabbed the attention of the listening audience and placed his mission into their cognitive thoughts. This was a very informative speech capped off by an emotional performance dedicated to Emma McCune.

Here's the link to the speech discussed above: 

http://www.ted.com/talks/emmanuel_jal_the_music_of_a_war_child.html 

  

Reference:

Jal, Emmanuel: (2009) The Music of a War Child. Retrieved (2011)

            http://www.ted.com/talks/emmanuel_jal_the_music_of_a_war_child.html

The IDJTA & Its Importance

Before discussing the purpose, programs, and relevancy of The International Disc Jockey Trade Association, I must first give my readers a brief history lesson. DeeJaying is an art form that has been around since the 70s. Around that time a Jamaican DJ by the named Kool Herc relocated to the West Bronx’s in New York City where he introduced the streets to his Jamaican style of DeeJaying, which was free styling rhymes over dub reggae tracks. However, after he realized Reggae was a popular in New York at the time, he began free styling over instrumental sections of popular music.  Shortly thereafter he figured out how to extend the short instrument breaks by using two identical records and the audio mixer. This form of DeeJaying became known as beat breaking and spread quickly throughout the culture inspiring DJs including Afrika Bambattaa, and Grand Master Flash.   

                                                                  

Afrika Bambattaa a DJ from the South Bronx in New York City mastered beat braking, and played an intricate role in Hip Hop’s development in the 70s According to Zulunation.com: Afrika Bambaattaa is one of the three main originators of break-beat DeeJaying, and is respectfully known ad the “Grandfather” and “Godfather” and The Amen Ra of universal Hip Hop Culture as well as the Father of The Electro Funk Sound.  Afika Bambaataa is often associated with the naming of the culture we have grown to love Hip Hop. After realizing the brilliance of the Zulu, he co– opted the Black Spades street gang into the international culturally oriented Zulu nation.

           

Thanks to the mentoring of the Afrika Bambaataa, OG Crazy Eddie learned the value of the DJ. He has taken his deejaying ability and his acquired industry knowledge and formed a trade association representing DJay’s internationally. The IDJTA yearns to unite DJs of all nationalities and genres of music in an organization which they can network, collaborate, learn, prosper, and receive discounted benefits; such as DJ equipment, travel accommodations, and both medical, and dental care. The IDJTA mission is to promote

          Our mission is to promote entrepreneurship, independence, awareness, and good will within the DJ community, while continuously presenting new and cutting edge branding opportunities to aid in the career advancement of the DJ. The members of our organization are enlightened about the principles of wisdom, knowledge, and understanding vital to daily life (Edwin “OG Crazy Eddie” Myles, 2008). 

The IDJTA is important to the Hip Hop community because it values, supports, and supplies the most important medium in the culture.  DJs have the power to make or break a record, getting a spin is solely at the discretion of the DJ. Artist DJ relationship are extremely important. Without the DJ Hip-Hop would not be the influential culture it is today. According to the site the IDJTA poised to revolutionize the disc jockey profession for the better like no organization prior to its existence. IDJTA offers its members a variety of amenities to aid in their growth such as:

Free consultation
 Wholesale pricing on CD duplication
 Discounted 101Distribution rates
 Bookings
 Marketing & Branding Services (biographies, press kits, photography)
 Web development
 Web hosting discounts
 graphic design
 wholesale printing
 wholesale clothing and accessories
 Travel discounts
 Web Radio Development
 Access to IDJTA events
 IDJTA email   blasts
 Million DJ Conference Call guest notifications

The amenities listed above are, utilized by IDJTA members to expand their awareness and global fan base. The IDJTA.com is not your average social networking site driven by popularity, coalitions, or fame. It does not expect or require its members to work at clubs, tour, make mixtape’s or commercially DJ for colleges, satellite, or Internet radio stations. In addition, the IDJTA does not care if a DJ works at a radio station, program and music directors regardless of their national rankings, are afforded the same benefits, and treated with the same level of respect as a local neighborhood DJ.

         “OG Crazy Eddie has 25-plus years in the entertainment industry and has proven excelled at promoting major and independent DJs, artists, and record labels, including but is not limited to: No Limit Records, Sony Records, Lil’ Boosie, Mack 10 and Lil’ Flip. His extensive background and love for the culture sparked the announcement of the first IDJ Trade Awards in 2009. The event took place in August 2010 in Atlanta, Georgia, honoring a numerous DJ’s, genres, and featuring a host performances and festivities.  The IDJTA is a much-needed vehicle in the world of Hip Hop, by uniting those who make the biggest difference in the misunderstood culture. So if you are a DJ, independent artist who is annoyed with the current governance of the industry the IDJTA is for you.

Reference:

http://www.squidoo.com/hiphopbasics 

http://idjtrade.ning.com/ 

http://www.idjtrade.com/  

http://www.zulunation.com/afrika.html