Back in January 2012, local hip hop artists visited the African, Egyptian, and Imagine Africa galleries at the Penn Museum to draw musical (and lyrical) inspiration from the African art and artifacts. The artists, selected by local hip hop radio DJ, Zachariah Hardin aka T.H.E., include godHead The General, Magnum O, Darian The Great, KNomadz, Afloe, and The Urban Shamans. The event is hosted by I-Be 4ever with music by DJ Soul Buck.
Join us in a FREE concert TONIGHT, Wednesday March 28 at the Imagine Africa Community Night. The artists will put on a performance of songs written in response to the African galleries.
Find out more about our Imagine Africa exhibition.
Here is a sneak preview of the song written by Darian C. Hill aka Darian The Great of SoundBwoi Killaz. Read the Newsworks.org article about the project and download this track!
Foundation of Imagination (lyrics)
1. When light first shed down from the Most High Golden
The Land of the First & Last Adam was Chosen
2. Before time was time man is yet anew
The Mother Of All Mothers we all know as You
3. The First Fruit Foundation on which I stand
Know not of segregation only hand in hand
4. Heart to heart together flow rivers of living waters
Hosts of Kings & Queens Royal Sons & Daughters
5. Miles of borders every inch a Beauty
Rich in many cultures sharing the same duty
6. Live love & prosper sums a theme
We’re all on the same team we’re all Human Beings
7. Birthplace of Humanity Red Black Green
Recorded the first steps sowed the first seed
8. Nurtured the first family from then til infinity
Open your eyes & hearts now cause y’all feeling me
IMAGINE – Origins of Who You Are
The First to See The Skies Dream Amongst The Stars
Then Fathom a History So Deep & True
It’s Real & Beautiful All For Me & You
IMAGINE Reliving a Past That Never Dies
In The Present Day True Gift In Front Of Your Eyes
Then Fathom All That You Could Want & Even Be
A Powerful Force Living In You & Me
1. Visualize society no IPad’s or Androids
Send a message miles away clear as a camcord
2. All from wood hollowed by hand skilled craftsman
No Ikea how to books just all action
3. Guided by the Love of the Land affirms survival
Rites of Passage depending upon the Tribal
4. The instinct to depict medical plants to edible
Thousands of ways communicate & all credible
5. From markings piercings & even some masks
Revealing answers to questions before even asked
6. Hand crafted gems stand the test of time
Paint pictures of a lineage that’s yours & mine
7. For instance 32nd & South Penn Museum
Has something that from young to old eyes need seeing
8. Dare to glare in the eyes of the Sphinx you’ll all see
A History defining the core of inner me
IMAGINE – Origins of Who You Are
The First to See The Skies Dream Amongst The Stars
Then Fathom a History So Deep & True
It’s Real & Beautiful All For Me & You
IMAGINE Reliving a Past That Never Dies
In The Present Day True Gift In Front Of Your Eyes
Then Fathom All That You Could Want & Even Be
A Powerful Force Living In You & Me
1. Blue ink from green leaves to stories carved in earth
From the Egyptian sands to the Cape Coast turf
2. Scale up the highest peaks then swim the deepest sea
Get a Colgate smile from the root of tree
3. Rejoice with the community music is universal
Get everybody dancing in unison no rehearsal
4. Ageless Art Crafts leave years of discussion
Sing songs or make calls with a tool of percussion
5. Millions of species spawned from 1 sole zone
The Mother of life made the whole world her home
6. No child identical but comprised the same
No matter the tree descent the root claims the fame
7. Of hailing from Mama Africa so rich & so giving
Take time learn your history somewhere it was written
8. On the tables of your heart of a land that never dies
So love it or not it’s Africa in you and I
IMAGINE – Origins of Who You Are
The First to See The Skies Dream Amongst The Stars
Then Fathom a History So Deep & True
It’s Real & Beautiful All For Me & You
IMAGINE Reliving a Past That Never Dies
In The Present Day True Gift In Front Of Your Eyes
Then Fathom All That You Could Want & Even Be
A Powerful Force Living In You & Me
Written By Darian C. Hill AKA Darian The Great