Sunz Cipher

[sunz]

An excerpt from the Sonic Jihad passage outline:

Hip-hop or rap, an art form and culture nearly thirty years old originating from the Bronx, New York, has provided a forum for African and Latino youth to express their respective cultures and speak on a number of issues. Today, hip-hop is a global phenomenon that appeals to almost all ethnicities and is synthesizing a new culture that goes beyond race, education, and income.
Despite a growing number of young people pursuing careers in music there still seems to be a disproportionate amount of artist who claims product and artistic ownership. Black culture became more marketable during the eighties, and corporations found that there was much value in exploiting said culture. This analysis is very important in that it speaks to the co-optation of hip-hop and black cultures by corporations. Moreover, it speaks to larger, more demeaning trends; the devaluation of black life (black people being portrayed as only valuing entertainment careers instead of academic achievement, science, or service to humanity), anti-intellectualism, and over-consumption.
Ever since Ancient times music has served as part of the arsenal of educational weaponry.
I suggest “Sonic Jihad”. “Jihad” means literally, "striving" or "struggle," although it is often used in the theo-political context of a "holy war." It must be either defensive or to right a wrongdoing. The Sonic Jihad curriculum will implant a sense of obligation to all participants as it relates to art, culture, intellectual property, and entrepreneurial essentials as it relates to music and art. The students will follow all of the necessary steps to establish and build a mock record company complete with artist marketing and promotion departments, and all of the facilities that will allow the “record label to function”. The students will also find artist (or elect artist), cultivate their talent and make knowledgeable and consequential decisions as it pertains to that artist and labels future.
The participants will learn and incorporate the spirit of the Sonic Jihad “indie” label and artist approach:

I - Inspired
N - Nontraditional
D - Determined
I - Innovative
E – Empowered

These values will be taught along with the relevancy of the Nguzo Saba as it relates to this undertaking.

Through this initiative students will learn the fundamentals of contemporary music production, arrangement, and composition. They will also learn the rudiments of the music business doctrine as it relates to creating and operating an independent record label. Students will be forced to explore and exhume their inner creator and find the proper vehicle for that creative voice (Spoken Word, the art of emceeing, singing, etc...).
All students will learn the basic fundamentals of operating a business. Web technology will also be implemented as the student will also learn the art of web design and internet promotion.

The students will follow the progression of commodity (artist) and corporation from inception to actualization. The course will begin with the planning aspects of the company and the election of roles (Ujima -Collective Work and Responsibility).
At eh completion of the course the participants will have completed a compilation CD project, as well as a website journaling the evolution of the project.
The participants will learn how to properly utilize audio/midi technology and all of the tools available to them in order to achieve optimal achievement. Professional studio techniques and equipment (digital multi-tracking, Mic placement, acoustic treatment, Sampling, Drum programming, live instrumentation, High fidelity recording) will be utilized in order to record the actual audio segments. Marketing strategies and promotion as it relates to music product will also be covered. "

Yusef Assaan