Peace and Blessings Beloved!!!
This is your brother and comrade Jah-I-Witness Emcee chiming in to recap my 11-11-11 experience, which happened to have been a truly amazing and inspiring day for me. As you all are aware, I had been anticipating this day for quite some time now, due to it being the release day of my 3rd solo, and new release, “E11EVEN” (which is now available for download here). What I had assumed that many were not aware of was the fact that 11-11-11, was the 33rd anniversary of my entry into this physical realm, more commonly referred to as my “birthday”. For so long I had been so deeply engulfed in the completion and marketing of “E11EVEN”, that it had totally slipped my mind that Novermber 11th, 2011, was not just my release date… It’s actually my bornday… Even though that was part of the projects concept…
November 11th, 2011 = 11/11/11 = 11 + 11 + 11 = 33 = to my physical degree (age)…
Imagine its November 10th and I’m in the middle of finalizing graphics, last minute micro tweaks, late night panic phone calls to Kinetic, phone in interviews with internet radio stations, and extreme lack of sleep… And I’m reminded by a “Happy Birthday”, Facebook post by a high school class mate that “Oh Shit!!! It is my bornday isn’t it?”…
Followed by a post from the lovely songstress Honey LaRochelle…
Followed by Maureen Yancey…
Hold Up…
Brain: Maureen Yancey…
Self: Yancey?
Brain: Yancey Boys…
Self: as in James Dewitt Yancey???
Brain: That’s Jay Dee’s Mom!!!
Self: As In J Dilla?
Brain: Ma Dukes!!!
Self: Word!?!
Brain: Oh Shit!!!
Self: WTF!!!
Heart: Give Thanks and Praises!!!
Followed by 25 beautiful souls… Followed by Baba!!! That’s right, my pops Olamina of AAE sighted me out right after the midnight hour with some heavy words of wisdom….
Followed by 75 other beautiful souls… Followed by… Oh shit!!! Naw man f’real???
GTFOH!!! A very revolutionary say what!?!
Followed by some of the most real, beautiful, and touching statements by some of my closest fam and bredren, as well as 250+ other wonderful folk, both old and new acquaintances!!! And now I’m sitting there like WOW!!! *cues Michael Jackson’s “You Are Not Alone” while hoisting lit lighter*
So before I proceed I must say GIVE THANKS AND PRAISES FOR EACH AND EVERY LAST ONE OF YOU WHO TOOK TIME TO WISH ME WELL ON MY BORNDAY!!! I I-PRECIATE THE LOVE TO THE FULLNESS!!! (I tried to say thanks to each of you one by one, but Wastebook didn’t like it…smh)
Well prior to all of this excitement, I had a great time interviewing with Carla B of EOTM Radio Networks, where we discussed “E11EVEN”, The Explore South Africa Tour, and the phenomena of the 11/11 consciousness gateway… Check out the interview right here… It was a blast!!!
All in all this was truly a very memorable day that definitely goes down as one of my most exciting celebrations of my birth anniversary post the in school parties organized by my mother. Also this is hands down the best bornday celebration I’ve had since my mother became an ancestor a few years ago. This was the first time in a long time that I wasn’t down about not getting my morning “Happy Birthday!!!” call from her, or my uncle’s “G-g-g-g-good night… ah-ah-ah-aHappy Birthday!!!” (he stuttered and we shared 11/11 as a bornday). Again thank you all for keeping me “distracted” yet focused on positive things… For that YOU ARE SO I-PRECIATED!!! ONE LOVE!!!
Before I say peace, I would like to acknowledge that this day, or any day, would not have been possible without the God and Goddess who brought me here…
Hotep!!!
Born the son of musician/activist, Olamina of Awareness Art Ensemble (A.A.E.), a very influential force in introducing African culture and reggae music to the Mid-Atlantic region, Jah-I’s musical roots run long and deep.
In 2001, in the wake of the September 11th tragedy, Jah-I and a handful of live musicians formed the live hip hop unit called True Sound. True Sound captivated audiences with their funky blend of hip hop, ghetto rock, reggae and soul, which began to be described as “The True Sound Experience.” With Jah-I-Witness as the front man, True Sound blends the energy of a rock-n-roll show, with street savvy and politically charged lyrics, soulful vocals, and masterful musicianship. Alongside the brothers of True Sound, Jah-I has played many, notable venues in the mid-Atlantic region and has shared the stage with a number of nationally and internationally recognized acts and music legends; such as Busta Rhymes & The Flipmode Squad, The Wailers, Sugar Hill Gang, and Fishbone.
As a solo artist, Jah-I has created a colorful sound that truly stands out from the grayness of the music industry. With the mic as his brush and beats as his canvas, Jah-I dips into his life experiences, emotions, and soul to paint sonic masterpieces. One such masterpiece, Stranger, was unveiled in 2005. Stranger, an eclectic mix of politically conscious rhymes, love ballads, and odes to hip hop proved to be an excellent showcase of Jah-I’s singing, rhyming, and production abilities. Stranger effectively blurred the lines between music genres, while simultaneously embodying the spirit of hip hop music and culture.
Currently, Jah-I is busy promoting the release of his second solo effort The Struggle, The Love, The Glory (The SLG), which is a collection of new songs and collaborations with various artists and producers around the world. He is also actively working on the completion of an album for his new group, The Remnant Project, which is comprised of emcee/vocalist Range Da Messenga, lyrical mastermind Kinetic, and Philly-based producer St. Paul. Both releases should prove to be solid works of art and positive steps on the path of Jah-I’s musical journey. 
