General Steele's Blog

The world was predicted to end this past weekend on the 21st of May 2011.
Many people sold their belongings while others laughed at the very idea. Even the esteemed Daily News sported the cover, “Some say the world will end today so buy this paper if its the last thing you do”.
Me being the optimistic skeptic slash compulsive collector that I am I did just that, I bought the paper.
Funny though I didn’t even open it to read what was inside. I guess some of us are intrigued by the thought alone other than the act itself.

As I walked up 5th Avenue in Brooklyn I began to wonder, what if the world does suddenly come to an end today…
Just as that thought entered my mind the sky began to darken.
Then I thought, wow what if it just started to rain severely followed by a hail storm, will this be a sign for all to scatter for temporary cover.
As we obliviously traipsed up and down 5th ave. my mind began to wander further and steadily shift into survival mode. Then I began to realize that if it were indeed the end of the world as we know it I for one would be extremely helpless. I mean what could actually be done if the process that brings life to an end as we know it has begun? Will some of us make it?

Interesting enough this thought did not frighten me it actually gave me a sense of clarity and a weird calmness.
I thought about my dad and sister as well as my aunt and my grandparents all who are no longer physically with us.
I think about the countless victims who died in Haiti, and the people who are suffering in Japan.
I also consider the amounts of war, famine, disease and pestilence that seems to overrun many rich nations.
I witness brother killing brother, rain, hail, snow, earthquakes, fire and even brimstone.
Volcanoes erupting, cities swept away by floods, it almost sounds like a prequel to Armageddon or a chunk from the book of Revelation in the New Testament.

However the very thought of the “End” makes some frantic. This is understandable considering we don’t know what lies ahead if anything and the uncertainty makes death a frightening experience. Or maybe the thought of pain and suffering sends us into anxiety and we react in many different ways. I wonder what the guy who sold all of his belongings is thinking right now.

Just the other day there was a twister that swept through Missouri destroying a town and claiming over 140 people.
Unfortunately as I write this they are still rescuing people.
A few weeks ago there was a major flood in Memphis where a great deal of the city is literally underwater.
Oddly enough there were a few folks wise enough to build makeshift islands, or levees. Sort of a modern day Noahs theme only they didn’t take anyone with except family.

And even still one of Americas greatest threats to National security namely Osama Bin Laden was killed by troops and buried at sea. Some don’t believe this to be true like many didn’t take heed to Noahs warning of the great flood. We are all skeptics in our own right.
When you think about it even without all of the hooplah one can fairly state that it is a very trying time where many live in hopelessness and despair and many others face poverty and persecution daily.
Unfortunately it is the end of the world for some people everyday. Everyday someone passes away.
Just as everyday life starts for someone. Everyday a child is born.

Many of us would like to believe that there is something else after this life, we can only hope and pray that we will see our love ones one day and all that we have worked for in life may be some how rewarded in the afterlife or whatever is next.

But for now it is not quite the end for there is much to do. As the sky opens up and rinses the earth I can only sit and think that life is a state of mind, a state of being, a state of existing. Maybe there will be no end but a continuation…

Either way I look forward to making today better than yesterday and if I get another shot I will make tomorrow better than today.
Till the End comes
God Bless you

General Steele

GENERAL STEELES JOURNAL

ENTRY: 003
TIME: 12:00 est.
DATE: 1/29/10
LOCATION: n/a
MOOD: liberated

During the past few years The United States of America has been experiencing some trying times. We have seen and been thru wars, government corruption, terror attacks, conspiracies to name a few.

We have made it thru the Clinton fiasco the Bush debacle and now we are witnessing our nation possibly fall apart under our new president Barack Obama.(Thats not to lay all the fault on our beloved President)

Yes I voted for Barack…I am guilty….of being an optimist.

I too have hope for change…for the better of the common people of the world
It appears that mine as well as the hopes of many Americans have been clouded
.
We listened to our President tell us he would take troops out only to do just the opposite when he was elected.
There is a constant attack on our elderly and our young through the guise of healthcare and education.
And daily more and more of our civil liberties are being taken away.

I know it may sound harsh but these are some harsh times and people are desperate as we go thru this recession.
And while our President promises jobs in America we witness disaster in Haiti and turmoil abroad.

But there is something about suffering that brings people closer to the meaning of life.
People are starting to awaken and become more informed. They are starting to ask questions and thru our world wide web people are seeking and finding information and resources that some folks in our government probably would have liked to have kept a secret (from society).
Its this sort of thinking that empowers people of all walks and brings people together to overcome the obstacles of oppression and tribulation

If Intelligence=Information
what is the sum of applied counter-intelligence?

The American people will not be fooled or cajoled into believing that all these elected politicians have our complete well being in their interest.
They wont say what this war is about………but I say it has to stop……we want our sons, daughters, mothers, fathers, uncles, aunties, etc to come back home…. ALIVE!

“We the people…”
fight this fight together

The unity of the people may very well be Amerikkkas Nightmare

General Steele

GENERAL STEELES JOURNAL

ENTRY: 002
TIME: 12:00 est.
DATE: 1/12/10
LOCATION: n/a
MOOD: inspired

I think when the American people wake up from their sleepless dream it would be Amerikkkas Nightmare for the people will then realize it takes a people to run a nation and begin to hold those accountable for centuries of numerous crimes committed against the people under the guise of nation building. Wake up America. Be free from this mental, social, systematic slavery and indict those who have waged war against us.

General Steele

General Steele releases his 2nd Lp from his Bucktown Usa imprint entitled Amerikkkas Nightmare part 2 subtitled Children of War.

It is heavy politically based as it reflects the current events that are taking place in The United States of America and the world. General Steele opens with a skit that says “Why do you think they wanna kill me?”… ,which is a quote from Morgan Freeman playing the character of Malcolm X before his assassination.

General pulls no punches as he goes right into the reason why he is Amerikkkas Nightmare on the first song which is also the title track. The next song picks up without missing a beat and starts off with children saying the Pledge of Allegiance. Steele then goes in referring to our nations plans “to enslave all man”.. and how the media manipulates people. He is accompanied by songstress Nicole Michelle who ends off with the Black National Anthem.

The music is somewhat melodramatic with a heavy drum cadence which gives it a kinda gritty rock vibe similar to the energy of Jimi Hendrix and post Vietnam era. There is a song titled “Jimmys Song” where Steele uses quotes from Chuck D “Radio Suckers never play me…” to a Hendrix guitar riff.

The production is divided equally between newcomers Che Triumph and 7venHD who accommodate the General very well. 7ven HD provides the more melodramatic synths while Che brings the drama with ill guitar riffs and cutting drum programming.

General Steele is joined by a few good souljahs. He implores RBG comrades Dead Prez on “Cry Freedom” an ode to the ancestors.
Hasaan Salaam, Hicoup, Akir, and Louie Skaggs appear on “I Had A Vision”.

The one that stands out is Madison Rocks who appears on “Rebellious”. She steals this track with her energy and cutting lyrics truly a rebel with a cause.

And the last track so tastefully placed is the same as the 1st track but it has been extended to accompany 11 guest artist making it 12 in total. You never know who to expect next.

Overall the tone of this album is very inspiring as well as enlightening as it addresses politics, and many controversial themes such as the affects of slavery, the Federal Banks, war and scandals and speaks about the common liberties of people all over.
Opening up a well needed dialogue expressing the common views and feelings of many Americans and exposing any hidden agendas implied on the people of this Nation.
This is truly a great piece of history…..one for the books.
Salute The General Steele
Amerikkkas Nightmare 2/Children Of War available at DuckDown.com & I-tunes

Generally Speaking

Yeah so I had a sit down with a good friend and a great writer Odeisel and he had the idea to do a breakdown of my latest album “Amerikkkas Nightmare 2/Children of War” , song by song.
Dope I thought
so we gonna give it to you in a series over the next few days
so if you interested in hearing what inspired some of the songs or why I even decided to make this album stay tuned to the link
this is the first one on
PlanetILL.com

and feel free to give me any input
Give Thanx
Be Blessed

GENERAL STEELES JOURNAL

ENTRY: 001
TIME: 7:am est.
DATE: 1/18/10
LOCATION: n/a
MOOD: inspired

” I have A Dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: ‘We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal”. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
This is an extremely powerful statement made by the great Dr. Martin Luther King.
Of course he is one of the most prolific speakers and most profound individuals ever to walk this green earth. Thats to say the least.
The impact that Dr. King has made on this entire nation and the world is forever etched in the fiber of existence.
He spoke for the Poor People’s Campaign ,spoke out against the war in vietnam and injustices for black people and people all over the world.

“Normalcy,Never Again” was the original title of what we now know as the “I Have A Dream Speech”.
Hmm… Normalcy, Never again?

Dr. King helped to reshape this nation along with many other contributing activist.
He co-founded the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC for short) led the Montgomery Bus Boycott and received the Nobel Peace Prize.
He helped black people gain equal voting rights, he help smash the segregation barriers so people of color and African Americans living in this great nation can experience that “Dream”.
Where some may say a dream deferred, others beg to differ. I have heard “a man with no vision will perish” so we live to fulfill our dreams.
That dream that Dr. King had that inspired him to share this vision with humans everywhere in the form of a speech.
Mind blowing… the power of words that is.
As Dr. King so passionately illustrates.

Some of you rappers should do some history on the power of word.
As is says in the Bible, “And The word became flesh..”

I think Dr. Kings words and his actions spoke volumes and was in accord with the struggles and passions of the common American people who love their country and believe in that ‘Dream’
“… that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: ‘We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal”.
And because of men and women who have dedicated their very beings to these type of ideals like Dr. King, we have lived thru and continue to experience a constant evolution in the hearts and minds of the American people and people all over the world.

Dr. King quoted Thomas Jefferson when he spoke out against the political theory of that day:Divine Right of Kings and in this nations United States Declaration of Independence. “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal”.

To this day people all over the world work tirelessly to get closer and closer to making that dream a reality.
“One day this nation will rise…”
and people will get together not for WAR but for PEACE and the promise of life for today’s families and tomorrow’s children.

Similar to the horrific situation happening to our brothers and sisters in Haiti right now.
There are nations and people from everywhere who are coming together to help in many different ways.
In times of tribulation, we the people triumph.

We have come along way and we quite possibly have a long way to go, but like the marches on Birmingham and Washington, we get thru it together.
A dream deferred I think not! One may even say a dream come true.

Thank you Dr. King.

Signing out
General Steele

GENERAL STEELES JOURNAL

ENTRY: 002
TIME: 7:am est.
DATE: 1/12/10
LOCATION: n/a
MOOD: inspired

America the beautiful has an ugly past. It is the people who live in this great country who have struggled relentlessly to establish this country under the basic common human & constitutional rights that all people should have.
These rights have at times been suppressed and our vision of a “land of the free” has been compromised. Some people are complacent with the state of our nation, others are speaking out.

One of our great amendments speaks of “freedom of speech” . I speak to all Americans when I say, “this land is your land this land is our land” ,we fight for it like we fight for our loved ones and for our neighborhoods. Many of our ancestors have died on this soil…thus it is sacred. We must revere the spirit of the freedom fighters and revere their message to all who inherit the responsibility to stand for a cause.

I am just one of those voices who speak for freedom, justice and equality. My method is the message. Thru word and sound we dance to a revolutionary drum and erase the illusionary barriers that keep ALL people separated from seeing the light of true freedom.

We must learn to live together and understand that We The People are the backbone and the bloodline of this country and the world and for that we must Unite not just the American people but ALL people.

We suffer from many similarities all across the world and my love for humanity urges me to reach out thru my music.

I am not perfect and I don’t have all the answers but We as a people open up the dialogue and begin to get more involved in the future of our people, our nations,and our World.

Unfortunately there is an ugliness about America that plagues this great nation and emits a cancerous virus that spreads thru the mentalities of the people. Thus encouraging hate, racism, poverty, greed which unbelievably leads to the greater evils and atrocities committed against free people everywhere.

One day people will realize that we are all is this fight together and stand together to preserve the people and the land together.
And begin to expose those in power who have preyed on the innocence and ignorance of the people making it a one sided fight.

One day the people will wake up from their sleepless dream
and this perhaps will be Amerikkkas Nightmare.

General Steele

General Steele of the rap duo Smif-N-Wessun and Super-Group WorldWide Bootcamp Clik (thats me..haha)
is about the release the second LP off of my Bucktown Usa Ent. label
distributed by Duck Down Records.

This album reflects my social and political views about America and around the world.
Being a citizen of the United States of America I chose to address topics that plague us such as (mental) slavery, servitude, poverty, war, famine, pestilence as well as government corruption, conspiracy theories, and the bevy of topics concerning the history and future of the United States of America.
All the views expressed here are my own.

I hand selected the producers
both who have I have worked with before.
One is the young souljah from Germany 7venHD
and the young homie from Big City/New York Che Triumph
Two extremely talented producers.
Be on the lookout for them this year.

I employed a few good women and men on this project.
I got my beloved comrades Mutulu & Sticman of Dead Prez to get involved
also
5th Column General-Hasaan Salaam
as well as
Hicoup, Akir, Hakeem Green (Channel Live), Lin Que (Blackwatch), Rush & Sphinx (Arabian Knights;out of Egypt), Saint Laz (Pottersfield), Kahlil Almustafa, Shabaam Sahdeeq and Planet Asia ( who came thru in the 11th hour:Strong salute to my comrades in the Bay Area).

Then I got some resident bombardiers
BTUs own
Louie Skaggs makes an appearance as well as Ruste Juxx, Top Dog (OGC), Flood Diesel and my girl Nicole Michelle and lets not forget the Bucktown Babies (all the children who participated).

In addition
whom I think needs honorable mention
the lovely Madison Rocks, the talented J.U.S of The J.U.S Evolution (whose guitar skills are unmatched) and unquestionably one the most talented cats in the game my boy Brian Herman (who hates the attention) who played a very intricate part in this project all across the board (and his partner Shane for giving allowing us to use his lovely spot on such short notice) .

On that note I have to mention my partner in grind
Cynical (theyoungshotgunner) Smith, my council Kdees, Wise Dred (HiipMovement) ,L. Skaggs, Phil Shung and the talented Mallie Mickens to name a few.

And last but not least…..this sounds like an acceptance speech…hahaha
but yeah
my Duck Down Fam for believing in this movement…fam for life……family is important.

All the people involved in this project is family. This is what makes it that much special.
There are others who I invited to get involved but due to time restraints were unable to.
Look Out For The Remixes..HaHa!

But for now
here is a sample of whats in store

WHAT THE FUCK IS WRONG WITH US…..
General Steele

It started as a simple Twitter beef, 140-character spurts of anger by two young men who grew up together.
But the tough talk exploded out of cyberspace and onto the streets of Harlem, where a college student was gunned down feet from Gov. Paterson’s home.

Now tweets sent by victim Kwame Dancy, 22, and accused killer Jameg Blake, 22, could become key evidence in a murder trial, the Daily News has learned.

Dancy’s mother, Madeline Smith, is appalled Internet chest-thumping could have led to blood spilled on the sidewalk.

“That’s not a reason to shoot somebody,” she said last week. “That’s crazy. I don’t know what’s going on with that Twitter thing.”

Dancy, who was studying to be a nurse, was killed by a shotgun blast to the neck Dec. 1 across from Lenox Terrace in Harlem, where he grew up with his father.

Blake – who lived on the same floor as Dancy, one floor below Paterson in the luxury high-rise on W. 132nd St. – was arrested two days later.

Charged with murder, he pleaded not guilty Wednesday and was held without bail.

Police sources said the two had a rocky relationship and the Twitter messages they posted – with friends jumping in – only made it worse.

Hours before the shooting, Dancy may have taunted Blake with a tweet: “N—–s is lookin for u don’t think I won’t give up ya address for a price betta chill asap!”

Blake’s Twitter account is also full of online disses, though only one tweet mentions Dancy by name: “R.I.P. Kwame” on Dec.3.

A police source said the messages may be subpoenaed to bolster the theory that there was bad blood between the two old pals.

But the Twitter beef wasn’t the only strain; Dancy and Blake fought last summer over a girl in front of Lenox Terrace, sources said.

Despite the insults and fisticuffs, when Blake was collared, Dancy’s mom was stunned.

“They were good friends, that’s the sad part about it,” said Smith, who is divorced from Dancy’s dad and lives in Brooklyn. “Obviously, I didn’t know him like I thought I did. I just want to ask him. ‘Why? How could you?’”

She said her son had taken off a semester from Manhattan Community College and was training with the Visiting Nurse Service of New York. He planned to return to school and get his degree.

He had tried to steer Blake – a high school dropout and father of a baby boy – to get his GED.

“They’ve been friends since they were kids. Kwame would often try to help when [Blake] was going through stuff – and this was his thank you?” Smith said.

Blake’s arrest was particularly shocking because he showed up at Harlem Hospital after Dancy was shot and hugged his father.

“Either he wanted to see if he actually killed [Kwame] or he wanted to see if anyone knew he did it,” Smith said.

Authorities have a witness who identified Blake as the gunman, and video shows Blake leaving Lenox Terrace around the time of the shooting with a bag large enough to hold a shotgun.

Records also show Blake used his phone around the time and place of the shooting. The murder weapon, a shotgun with a spent shell, was recovered with two shirts in Central Park.

Blake’s parents and lawyer Thomas Klein declined to comment.

Meanwhile, Dancy’s mom cries every night about her son.

“He said, ‘Mommy, I’m going to be a nurse,’” she said. “And look at this – we’ll never know how far he would have gone. His dream was snatched from him, over foolishness.”

I feel like I’ve been in some alternate surreal reality, if that makes sense, for the past couple of months.

My friends are tight with me because i don’t call, I’m one of those funny phone people, but out of sight never means out of mind in my book. I feel like I have been bogged down with lifes work. Being a dad, a boss, a friend, a coach, a cook, an editor, an engineer, oh lets not forget a rapper, amongst other things.

For the past couple of weeks I have been working on my solo album titled Amerikkkas Nightmare 2/Children Of War while at the same time working on the new SNW/Pete Rock lp.

At first I thought it may be a conflict, but it was a natural ebb and flow. Its just all the politics that drags progress out. There has been a lot of downs and not to many ups but for some reason I am still here.
Peace Be Steele
The Amerikkas Nightmare lp is my baby hand picked all the beats and all the artist, same as with the Welcome To Bucktown lp
It was fun and my boy asked me do I think people are ready…I told him I don’t if “I’m” ready…but most times thats the best time to go..
Its been a trip SET TO RELEASE THIS FEBRUARY

AMERIKKKAS NIGHTMARE 2/CHILDREN WAR

I will discuss more in another note
but on another note…haha
The Pete Rock/Smif-N-Wessun lp
has also been a great experience. Pete is a prolific producer and this is Tek and Steeles 5th lp SET TO RELEASE THIS SUMMER

Dem P.N.C bwoys back @ it again

I always wanted a summer album
we got some solid cuts on there
and I am happy with the progress as well as the diversity on both of the projects.
It has been an illmatic juggle to say the least but the experience has humbled me.
Give thanx and Praise to God for life and the ability to create something from nothing…Be Free
And peace be still till the next time we build and I will go more into details about the projects.

Peace
Power & Prosperity
General Steele

SALUTE!