Have Fun Creating Change: Play Pumps

Problem:

• More than one billion people worldwide do not have access to clean water.
  
• Water-related diseases are the leading cause of death in the world, taking the lives of 6,000 people a day, and are responsible for 80 percent of all sickness in the world.
  
• 40 billion hours are lost annually to hauling water, a chore primarily undertaken by women and girls.

Solution: PlayPumps. Its an innovative merry-go-round that pumps water as kids play and spin on it. Clean water is pumped into a 2,500-liter tank, seven meters above the ground and families now have a convenient source to get their water from. On top of that, advertisements are placed on each side of the tank to help fund the cause. "I witnessed how a simple water pump can transform a village and give its children a chance to thrive," says rap artist Jaz-Z who is an avid supporter of the PlayPumps Organization. There are several known political figures also supporting this idea because of its sustainable benefits.

"Water is intimately linked with education and gender equality. Girls who have to spend time gathering water for the family tend not to be in school. And where schools have sanitation, attendance is higher; especially for girls." - Kofi Annan, Former Secretary General of the United Nations.

Play Pumps Progress: To date, PlayPumps International has donated more than 1200 Play Pumps to countries in Africa and will soon be expanding the system to Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi, Tanzania, and Uganda. Click here if you are interested in getting involved.

Many are classically conditioned to associate 'Creating Change' with a burdensome task. Off course everything takes hard work starting of, but what if you can identify something you enjoy doing and incorporate that element of change within it. With SickRuns.com and the VoiceBox Open Mic, I strive to use music to bring awareness of the many struggles around the world and in our community, and the young kids on a merry-go-round have fun while pumping clean water to their villages. Please leave your comments and some ideas on how you can bring change to your community. There are tons of ideas out there, and if you're serious, I can possibly help you obtain a grant. Be the change you want to see in your community and in your World!

Please check out this video to see how the power of play can bring water to the world.

Cape Verde????

I was at a friend's house for lunch, and met this chic from Cape Verde. My first question was obviously, "Where is that?" I learned that its an island country in the North Atlantic Ocean, off the western coast of Africa. Due to my strive to be an active citizen of the world, and my love for music, I looked up some known artists from Cape Verde and Google introduced me to the beautiful Mayra Andrade.

I won't say much, but I will say her music is relaxing, a change from what most of us are used to... and shes a dime! Check out this video, tell me what you think, and add her on Facebook by clicking here.

KIVA.org - Make A Loan, Change a LIFE

Many of us live lives that don't give us the opportunity to be active citizens of the world. Work, school, and sometimes significant others come in the way of doing what we have always wanted to do - help the less fortunate. I came across this site which you might have heard about called Kiva that gives us busy folks the opportunity to help entrepreneurs around the world in a few minutes by just using the internet.

"Kiva is the world's first person-to-person micro-lending website, empowering individuals to lend directly to unique entrepreneurs in the developing world." (Kiva.org)

I personally like to see who I'm lending money to, get continuous progress on the their business, and whether the cause I'm giving to is sustainable. Kiva does just that! You lend money to entrepreneurs, and they pay you back. The domestic partner in the region keeps the interest they pay back just so that the model remains sustainable. When you're money is paid back, you can lend it to another entrepreneur.

So why not just donate the money? I believe that when entrepreneurs pay back a loan, you know that they, first, value their business, and second, you know that their business is doing well.

I encourage everyone to at least check out Kiva.org today, join the Sickruns community on Kiva, and provide the capital (as little as $25) that entrepreneurs in developing countries need to get their business of the ground.

sickest 12 year old !!

his name is Donovan Owens
he's on Kirk Franklin's new record "The Fight of My life" singing on "Whole Nation"

the kid is ridiculous!!!
he was 11 when they recorded the song
i think he's 12 now lol

enough said.

check out young donovan



http://www.myspace.com/donovanowensmusic

www.donovanowens.com

JAIDEN “The Cure”

Jaiden is a New York based R&B singer who is more than just a great voice. He is a singer, songwriter, and musician who plays the piano as well. He is one of my favorite singers and by the way, I had the opportunity to hear him live - he’s the truth! (I’m a believer!). I don’t know what it is… his band stops and stares when he’s singing, ladies scream, and dudes give him his props while wishing they could sing to their lady like him.

Though Jaiden is not currently signed to a major label, he has some major accomplishments to date. Earlier this year, he was invited to the home of one of music’s most talented producers and living music legends, Quincy Jones, to play and just simply sing a few songs! Two weeks ago, Oprah’s staff called Jaiden and asked him to sing at Maya Angelou’s 80th Birthday bash!!! WHAT?!?! Please tell me how that happens? The only real answer is: True talent is undeniable!

Jaiden has lent his vocals by singing background for major recording artist such as Alicia Keys, Jay-Z, Sean “Diddy” Combs, John Legend, Lauryn Hill, Fort Minor (Mike Shinoda of Linkin Park), & Snoop Dog. He has also shared the stage with Chrisette Michele on more than one occasion.

Jaiden has written for Carl Thomas, Jeannie Ortega, Case, Japanese pop sensation FOH, DMC of Run DMC, Alicia Keys, Tyler Perry’s soundtrack “Why Did I Get Married,” Atlantic recording artist Wynter Gordon, Motown artist London on the “Save the Last Dance 2” soundtrack, and for Bow Wow & Omarion’s Face Off Album. I feel like I just did some serious name dropping, are you a believer yet?!

What I like about the songs on his page is that Jaiden is staying true to the art of R&B and while his music has the potential to be a huge success, it’s not that cookie cutter stuff that’s out and over commercialized. He also shows versatility with his music and his background vocals are sick. His lyrics are creative and refreshing and uses live instruments on the tracks. Finally, he does nothing but SICKRUNS!!!! I confidently give this artist 5 Earth Mics out of 5. Check out some of the Youtube clips posted below.

The first clip is Jaiden’s original song, “Hello Heartache” and the second clip is raw footage of Jaiden singing Musiq Soul Child’s “Just Friends” at an open mic in New York - The Village Underground…Enjoy! (Please, by all means, leave a comment…)


Make sure you visit Jaiden's myspace page at http://www.myspace.com/jaideniii

Things that make you go hmm....Tonex's Food for Thought...

Man, I was browsing the internet and stumbled upon this interview with R&B/Gospel artist, Tonex. He was being interviewed on The Valley Gold Show (never heard of it, but I think I’m going to begin looking out for their interviews because this is a good one!)

Now, whenever I say the name Tonex, I always get a reaction. I can’t lie! Sometimes I think he’s unique, but I can’t blame him for daring to be different and “out of the box.” One thing I will definitely say is that, musically, Tonex is AMAZING! I think I will blog about him in a few weeks. If you want to hear some of his new music Click Here. But for right now, I love what he’s talking about in this clip and want to focus on that. I don’t want to spoil it, but he’s talking about music today. Trust me, it’s interesting. Watch it, leave a comment, and let me know what you think!

"What Acappella Music Has Always Wanted to Be"

I saw Take 6 live in concert a couple of weeks ago. For those of you who may not know, Take 6 is basically THE STANDARD in acappella music. These dudes are legends. All the major vocal groups (Boys II Men, Az Yet, Nsync, Backstreet Boys, etc etc) were either directly or indirectly influenced by Take 6. They've won 10 Grammy awards (18 nominations), 10 Dove awards (over 30 nominations), and among many other accomplishments have multiple gold and even platinum record sales. Bottom line is their dangerous! Seeing them live and in living harmony was real cool. It was arguably one of the better concerts that I have ever been to.

But I'm not here to write about Take 6 or sing anymore of their praises (surprise, surprise). I'm here to talk about the group that I think is going to take the foundation that Take 6 has laid with their mind-numbing, jazz harmonies, and swooping trills and runs, and just amazing over all blend to that NEXT level. They may or may not ever achieve the level of recognition that Take 6 has (just like there may never be another Michael Jordan), but these dudes are poised to definitely go artistically and technically beyond where Take 6 has gone (Someone, somewhere is shouting, "Kobe" "Lebron" "Harold Miner??" lol).

Now that's a bold statement, especially since we're talking about THE Take 6 here. I almost feel like I'm committing heresy with this writeup [but yet I press boldly on!].
The group that I am placing this heavy crown of responsibility (and expectation) on is (Drum roll please!!)...NATURALLY SEVEN. What?! You've never heard of them? lol

So here's the basic rundown: Naturally 7 is a vocal band with 7 male members (Yes, they can do 7 part harmonies. And yes, you read right; 7-part harmony baby!). But what really separates them from every other acappella outfit out there is the fact that they are able to imitate instruments in such a way that its really hard to believe that those are actual voices. Here's the thing, there are many groups out there that imitate instruments in their performances (Take 6 included), but NOBODY can do it the way N7 does! Basically all the sounds you hear (drum machines, dj scratching, sound effects, electric guitars, synthesizers, trombones, keyboards, etc. etc. etc. etc.) sound like the actual instrument. Its crazy!!! So in a nutshell, you hear a whole band playing along with acappella harmonies laced over the top, but its ALL voices. It's what acappella music has always wanted to be!

Check 'em out and let me know what you think. There are tons of videos of them on youtube to check out or you could check out their myspace, their official website, and also on Amazon.com. If you feel there is a better all around male acappella group out there PLEASE let me know!

http://www.naturallyseven.com/

www.myspace.com/naturally7

Amazon.com