The Change Society: iRemix Common

THE CHANGE

SOCIETY

The Change Society Guiding Principles

CommunityWe believe in a community of creative learning and expression; responsible and accountable for determining the destiny of change and its impact on various institutions in our communities.

We believe in providing youth with opportunities and space where they can prepare for job readiness, cultural development, and entrepreneurship to ensure future communities strive rather than suffer.

SOCIAL CHANGE!We believe we can counter unjust economic, social and political conditions by empowering our youth with the tools and spaces they need to challenge various systematic controls.

Members strive to remix the current state of society to create an improved society that seeks justice, equality and freedom from social oppressions.

Development of Youth LeadershipMembers are considered to be the "Seeds of Societal Change" .

Members will receive training from DYN Adult and Youth Mentors as well as Industry Professionals.

Members will practice the model of "Each One... Teach One...", as members develop into Change Society Leaders they will act as mentors and models for new students as they are introduced to the organization. Members will help to overcome one of the most discouraging features of becoming a self-employed agent of change.

The Change Society-Guiding Principles

Collective Work/ Collective Responsibility Members will collaborate, make decisions, identify and solve problems together.

Members are committed to a collective working environment where everyone's experiences are equally valued.

Members will share a collective responsibility for high quality work that is diverse and has a positive impact on self and community.

Cooperative Economics We believe that The Change Society will allow youth to achieve control over their working life, while at the same time receiving the support of a group of people who want to pool their issues, enthusiasm and expertise to create change and financial empowerment for self, and community.

Freedom&Peace&

Process + Practice&5 Core Questions +

New Media&Awareness&

Change!

iRemix CommonMixtape

A Common Challenge:

From the beginnings of time we have relied on the griots. (a traditional name for oral historians, storytellers, etc.) In our generation Hip-Hop and Spoken Word have become our most effective means of bringing our cultural artistic voice to the world.

It is this tradition we will continue, with flow to make us unique, and messages that tell our stories: To teach, To inform, To inspire, and always Entertain.

Common uses music to lyrically tell HIS story of the history of Hip Hop and inform us about realities of many Corners of urban reality as HE sees it.

Reading list/Play List

IREMIX COMMON A Change Society Mixtape


Students Analyze: “I used to love H.E.R. “ by Common, from the prespective of bringing voice to history, events, memories, as we see them through our imagination.

Students remix their favorite Common songs to project their perspectives and to have a better understanding of Common as a activist, writer, and storyteller. We used “I used to love H.E.R. “ as and example of a critical view into hip-hop's progression. The students reflect Common's example as both artist, and historian, using music as the medium. It is through this process that the students will use to bring voice to their world.

aye yo I'm physically visible but emotionally gone, you cant see me in my song and my verses will have your thoughts going back and fourth like ping-pong

I leave you in a state of confusion

when i put my rhymes in the air its like i gave you lyric pollution but see I'm the cause and the cure

Dr.Rhyme-alot come back and make your tainted thoughts pure

and do you dare question me you say not sure? you must still be sick let me give you another dose and listen close

because i don't give refills on my prescriptions and dont forget to read the side affect descriptions

Im known to cause hallucinations i'll have you thinking im a musical angel with a treble clef halo floatin above my head but instead im real...

more real then most so let me be your host to the grand opening to a new world of hip-hop...

DIMRESSThe Food


PRINCE ROC&

SLICK G Lets Start the Show!

let the show prince roc from the go donttell everybody you know knowthat we stay cold coldnow let start the show

#1yes ya boy is in the buildin prince roc give back to all the childrenyes i got a feelin that i don't belong here like from a nother plantwere they have long hair and dont care wat you do dertheir one color and we call each other brother. now let me get on the subject who come nextto save my soul from the black hole of the street i,m brought up in. but i'm i learned from the go you gotta act hardbut in the star on my way to mars goin in my car which turn into a spaceship navigation on my hip next thing i'm like banana i spitya dig i like scarecrow from the wiz wish i had a brain to understand biz i wish i had heart like the ten men i mean 12 men

When I think about the question, "Who would I wanna be?"/I said, " The Dwayne Wayne, on the M-I-C"/

They said, "Why would you be a TV character G?"/cause my world is so different than the one u teach/

All I need is my whitley & a macbook pro/a couple shirts, shoes, jeans, & a microphone/

& a couple leaders fitted hats,/ so the clothes can match/but on to the topic of the song that im gettin at/

dont forget my hillman, which is important/own a masters & people will wont get ya the whippin/

this school gets me in a daze that let me explore/my imagination gets me through some difficult situations/

I stay on Gilbert Hall avenue/Where the kids are just passin through/

Who Am I? a person aiming for the sky so/for those who dont like my station/

you can change dial now back to your regularly scheduled programmin/


MR. RETRO STRETCH DOLLARS

VIC MENSAHTHE CORNERS (CHANGE EDITION)

II. Im on da corner like hornets on honeylet me jump on dis beat like a bunje and stunt how I wannaCuz of da corner I was looked in da dungeonBack out back at it like homey its nuthinMy brothers who I'm trustinWho make Careers out of nuthinAnd tho I came from nuthinI gets it poppin now aint dat somethinWord 2 cuzin I'mda only bee buzzing Da kid is hotter than da oven but fresh off da stove topIn a coffee potStretch Dollars He Rocks

Stretch Dollars

I.The Corner is my homie with a NIKE attitude/He pulls more girls, than any pimp in lattitude/His sycamore style/Finesses and coral/Has the block fearin' with his rat-tat-tat-dow/rat-tat-rat-tat-tat-tat-dow you can see it from a mile/The brother's on the corner with that toe-tag fashion style/Damn and it don't quit/We gon bring you things that'll make yo door split/Yes it's the 5-0 looking for them ride slows/Plus they took a rhineSTONE up in the Ford 1-5-0/Now they bought to die slow/In a jail cell, no bail, with a buddy that'll make'em look swell/

Mr Retro

And when they hit the streets again/Homie is reapeating' them/With the same rock,and customers in stock/Just waitin' for the 5-0 to drop, then pop/Have these ninjas on the corner like a clock/

Chorus(4x)I wish I could give you this feeling/Like in my tooth/Numb out the strain with pain/Like a masseuse/But I can't get you loose/You struck up in them shackles/Until you get the key from me/But ya minds been tackled/

III.Peep the cops, than hey had to hit up to the

block set up shop in the back of the spot

from the corners where selling smoke was customary

And dudes had it for the fin (5) like huckleberry A couple of weary shots might have hit youBut schools to a little dude is a minor issue

Yeah, my situationoriginating for the corners

like geometric equations deliberatingyeah, off the top more off then than not

cats get coffined a with locksfor talking a lot

that s how it seems not the heavy stressed me

I’m on the 6 like I’m riding down Jefferybut that couldn’t be it : look

I try to repeat itfor cats to understand I had to defeat it

Vic Mensah

My name is Jraco pronounced (draco) The Dark Artist.

My musical influences are Lupe Fiasco , Jonathan Davis , and Lajon Witherspoon.

I believe the we can change this world if we make our voices loud enough for people to hear us.

Our individuality sets us apart from the rest of the world therefore we can see it at different angles from everyone else and thats why I believe we can change the world


JRACOUNIVERSE OUTTA CONTROL (UOC)

this is that super sonic technologic beat robotic hooked on

logic check my Phoenix my flows got it and u cant stop it my

rhymes toxic hydroponic my styles tight like a levi pocket

keep my swagg tied up in wallets with chains and belts thats

how i rock it style poppin jewelry rockin brothers watching

me drop it poppin lockin beatin boxin stylin and bein fresh to

death i stay the fresh and the best is yet to confront my

contest and when i spit yo i stay exact my venac is spectacular

and all yall react like this lets go this is that newness keep you

standing in line the universe is outta control and your next in

line getit you know u want this your callin my name this is

that newness and it dont feel the same this that that dang

digga dang da dang dang da dang da dang digga .

Some pop i lock its a chain reaction im your number one main

attraction facets hate the way i be actin but they cant knock

off my fashion i stay plastered fully classic when these

headphones is fully blastin i stay at it check my status bring

me to life lights camera action cameras flashin people clappin

me rappin toe tappin money stackin then applause thank you

for comin out im the kid who is highly gifted listed passed to

the right and shifted uplifted above all the masses back up u

dont want it with a upperclassmen (chorus)

i am a slice of rage i am the ace of spades push it full force

engage the future ruler of this age from the depths so i speak

this sure enough to kick his p.a. when they see him they run

away cuz hes the one who rules the day

I listen to Anything thats differentChange Society means that we are able to improve ourselves and our

surroundingsMy Goal in life is to be great when it comes to music in any shape or form

I can change the world by investing in better jobs and schools for my people


STRETCH DOLLARSBlack Maybe (Resurrection Remix)

Yo...Its the Kid...Stretch Dollars

Black Maybe?NO... DefinitelyName a MC... Thats better than me(WHO?)Yeah, once again its on!Strech Dollars in his 2-3 ZONE(Yeah, YuP!)I’m exquisite aloneyou loose a clothesBlack Maybe?NO FO’ SURE

My whole life I had to fight a WARBeing Put in situations Where its MY LIFE OR YOURSDon’t know about you...

But, MY LIFE...I ADORE(I LOVE IT!!!)

Life is a gameand I got to SCORE

But Life Not a GAMEcause you only live it once! (ONCE!)

SO I”M TRYING TO DO IT BIG!!!

Excuse my french...But I’m a Grown ASS KID

Get bigYall simple: arithmeticand I’m more like trigHeres a cup of swag juice..won’t you take a swig

I threw my Dude: Big BangOn the ad-lib(BIG BANG)Exclusive Black R.. black ness

The boy, just & beautifulis what black is (YUP)and i love my black kids(love you)even though I’m not a father yet...

when I plant that seedI’m want to be PROUD to say: “MY SEED...is just like ME...”

Black...Black and Beautiful

IREMIX COMMONA Change Society Mixtape

VIC MENSAH Rethinking The Real: Change

“We might as well work together for the sakeof re-arranging they brain...NOW THATS CHANGE SOCIETY”

Yeah,I’m thinking about election Night...Branic...

It feels good to see real people making a nameMy father said I could be anything... If I only make it my aim

In the past my pops had to say it in veinbut through the PRESIDENT my people know what they can attain

I was told to stay in my laneIm feeling like mike in the last minuteI’m playing my game

Guess me and my neighbor the samea young hyde park nativeracing the rain to make it to fame...

As the currency makes and exchangeits like breaking a bonecause I’m trying to make it to change

And trying to find my place in this gamefrom a HOOD with enough STONES...to make it a Chain

But I never really was into gang-bangingor slanging the cainthough some of my people...stayed in the FRAME

and though the police think we the samewe might as well work together for the saketo re-arranging they brain-------NOW THATS CHANGE SOCIETY....

For Real though...Thats what we trying to do...I guess this the first frontier (Let’s Get it in... Word)


Was up! Was up! Was up! I go by Da Truth when I get in the booth. I attend University of Chicago Charter School. Started rapping when I was around 7.

I was influenced by Cassidy and Eminem including Common. The reason why these artist are my favorite is mainly because they don't spit about what everybody else spits about. They spit THEIR TRUTH and at the same time can perfectly over any beat.

My favorite song by common is Chapter 13. This is because the beat is one that just gets you hyped and ready to rap.I can change the world with music and I WILL CHANGE THE WORLD WITH MY Lyrics.

DA TRUTH FEATURING

JRACO2 Chapters of 13

(Poetics of Change)

Chapter 13

Ever since the biblical agesI've dealt with similar ragesSit on the stage feeling inpatientAs I flip through the pagesIlliterate facingChapters of killers engagingFamiliar facesAfraid of Dinner wit twelve gageShotguns

Always focused on being complexComing right out the projectsAs I focus on my rhymesMy mind is able to move objectsSo my thoughts become excreteAs I leave the beats nervousAnd leave beats to retreat upon the secret serviceFlows harder than concreteAs I compete to defeat the elitesThough when I try to delete beefI get so ready to eatNever let my mind re-pleatSo I spit sick then repeatForever feeling incompleteUntil the day that I Rest in PeaceAnd as I lay may I rest a beast

Expect me to perfect directlyDone a lot of wrongWas never corrected correctly

This is my landCall me LincolnMy mind is so diverseIs never known what i'm thinkinMeaning doesn't sink inMy lyrics have a distinctionAn the way I murder beatsU'd think they were close to extinctionKill beats until they become endangered speciesYou may be the ishBut ninja i'm the ...Inside sicker than a mitsubishiIm grinding 8 days of the weekU're part time THAT weekly

Ever since I was a babyMy thoughts have been crazyNo need for applauseJust thank the people who made meMic had an on switchYet I was to lazySo I spit wit it offFrom B.C to A.DDaze into HazesSpit similes that were amazingAnd dropped Bars dailyTilll the day that they amazed

Nothing but an immortal mortalAnd no i'm not mistakenDefeats not a possibilityAs my abilities awaken

I walk up in the spot Shake FloorsGot a little cake but I gotta make moreNice ride ready to drive like Lake Shore(Lake Shore Drive)Nothing on my plate WAIT IMMA TAKE YOURSBeen through more changeThan AustralopithecusMetaphors been through metamorphosisSicker dan super Saigon syphilisElectrocuting ElectricityAs I leave lightning electrifiedAn my pockets so fatDat I take em out to exerciseLittle man Highest velocityOn top awkwardlyThrowing calamities and atrocitiesThrough out yo land cuz AINT NO STOPPING ME


RAMSIE REALHaikus 4 Common

The 6th Sense: Haiku

I have a 6th senseI can see BEyond myself

I am unCommon

Be: Haiku

I hurt no longerto give up is a mistakeI fight for my change

Corner: Haiku

A teen on the moveOlder we grow as days go

Sprits roam Freedom

UMC: haiku

A fighter lets GO..,Right Left Kick stick it to him

A quest I can love

The Food: haiku

A new being bornDreams: Repressed..Stole..Left..Hungery

Gone and forgotten?


STRETCH DOLLARSIn My Own World (Remix)

“Rappers are WHACK!I’m the opposite of that...”

They keep telling me, go faster go harder.Slow up.. WHY BOTHER...Single mom, No fatherI’m the bomb, like Pearl HarborAll I know is GO: Homeor GO HARDERProtecting my cattle like a Farmer

“My Life” consists of Money, Women, I warned yaI will do whatever for my sponserI promiseI’m a beast, I’m a monsterPlease... be cool before I harm ya

I’m not hot, I’m Sauna

Not Crazy, I’m BONKERSI shoot for the sky guysI’m a young gunna... I’m a top gunnaHustle all winterStunt all summer’09 is Mine... I put that on my Mama.

If I don’t do if for myselfThan I owe it to my MamaCause lord knows she was riding through the dramaTwo Lawyers for your Honor

Don’t know what it cost(ed)But to show my appreciation

I will double thatYoung mack from the middle of the MapRappers are WHACK!!!I’m the opposite of that!!

Feel me?

If you don’t feel meFEEL MEIf you don’t...I’ll feel myself!The way life is...I’d kill myselfAll alone, no need for helpPeople wearing pants with no beltS-A-G-G-I-N

(Spell that backwards)

Damn, that’s tragicthats messed up

but still people tie them vests upGo in the battle fieldWhen its war time

I go in for mineGo hard for mineGIMENI is MY SIGN

(So they say I got two different Personalities)

One bad, One rightSome people went RightWhile I went... LeftSome say I say the like my oldtracksBut my next track is going to be the best track yet...Facts is facts!!!

STRETCH DOLLAR$

Ride with me.Check me

First off... I am second to NONE!

And I rock harder than the Earth from the SunIts 4th quarter and I

already wonI swear, I’ma kill’em this

yearNot the rap game but the whole atmosphere

my flow so sweet.... like cookies for the ears

I am ready, I ain’t scaredI’m the one, sitting in the KINGS chair

Everybody bow when I appear

Young...MALCOM XGet fly... like Flacons...

Jets...BetAnd I hope you got a vest

(But I ain’t got no need for that)

Cause my heart is on my wristShorty is a trip

Short is sickBut I ain’t talking about a

coldHowever, my neck stay froze

I believe I was choose... to RUN THE GLOBE!

So I stay on my toes Never on my back

Even when I’m laying flatMy intellect... intact.In fact, everything you

want to be...I’m THAT!!!!

You babies is still on similacStill can’t guard me, show

me where you center at?He can’t guard me

no not hardly...

STRETCH DOLLARS

I'm back/make sure u say tha man after pac/I'm almost runnin this word just like a race track/stretch dollars put me on tha track like metra/If u dont like tha words then it just might upset cha/ then don't listen to tha lecture /cause tha words might here is very special/ until then at least please let me spread tha message/ cuz if u aint gone listen then u incomplete tha lesson/ this right here is for tha ones that knew me /haters fall back and keep on snoozing/ cuz ya loosening /goofies hatin on pac now thats to confusing/I come to yo block and Im choosing/u say u like chips so tha bullets from my Mind is wat u chewing/ I'm done wit dis track put me down like a baby/cuz u suckaz got played like a beach ukalale.

PAC MAN

In My Own World (Remix)

Featuring...


Digital Youth Network&

Common Ground Foundation

Times are a Changing...

Documents

The Change Society: iRemix Common