In case you’ve been sleeping, Braille & S1 recorded an album together called CloudNineteen and they just dropped the video for “Skepticold” today. Not only is the album one of the best of the year, but it’s also serving a much greater purpose than mere entertainment.
As I mentioned a while back, they plan on giving away 30K CD’s at their shows, many to at-risk youth who desperately need some positive hip-hop in their lives. Along with dropping off the video, Braille gave us an update on the project:
So far they have manufactured 15,000 copies and given away over 8,000. With many events already booked for the summer, they anticipate reaching the half way mark within the next two months. For more info check out www.itsnineteen.com and www.braillehiphop.com.
I can’t speak highly enough of Braille’s dedication and work ethic to use his gifts in a positive way. It’s truly inspiring and everytime I get annoyed by the foolishness in this industry (*cough* Jeezy vs. Gucci *cough*), I think of folks like Braille and remember what I love about this culture.
This is pretty self-explanatory, but I’ll try to sum it up for you. One of the dopest MC’s around, the big homey Braille, has linked up with one of the dopest producers, S1 (of Strange Fruit Project fame), to create a project called CloudNineteen. Along with making an incredible record, there’s a larger purpose with the album. I’ll let Braille explain:
In my last Newsletter, I shared details about my vision for this record. It was really hard for me to share the vision at first because I feared that people wouldn’t understand. At this point, I feel very comfortable with the vision and I am confident that this is what I’m supposed to do. Starting February 25th, me and S1 will begin traveling around the U.S. with the intent of giving out as many CD’s as we can press. My hope is to press 30,000 copies and in order to meet that goal I am accepting donations and financial contributions to help with the manufacturing cost. None of the donated money is going in my pockets, and with a total goal of raising $20,000 – every 70 cents we raise represents a CD being given away to someone. Rather then continuing to type out the vision, I filmed myself on DJ Idull’s computer so that I could verbalize the vision in a video.
If your interested in contributing to the cause then my PayPal is braillehiphop@hotmail.com. If you’d rather send a check in the mail then just email me and I will hit you with my address.
It’s crucial to mention that these 30K CD’s that will be given away will almost all go to at-risk and incarcerated youths across America. The same kids who see all the negative images that are most visable in hip-hop will be directly touched by positive, genuine, and dope music from their culture.
If you’ve read my blog over the past year, you already know that with all the problems in the world, America, and hip-hop, I think the solutions lie in education. We have to teach the next generation how to act and right now, hip-hop just isn’t pulling its weight. Huge shout to everyone who is doing something positive with their music and careers right now, Braille and S1 especially.
I just wrote Braille a check for $100 to help support the project and I hope you’ll join me in getting CloudNineteen out to as many kids as possible. Like he mentioned, every 70 cents he raises represents giving one CD to a kid locked in juvenile detention or in a tough neighborhood. Instead of going out to dinner and a movie one night, shoot Braille some $$ and help out.