I can't even listen to that song because Guru sounds so weird.

But "Zonin'" is a fuckin' banger...at least one of Gangstarr's top 10 ever.

BROTHER_DONTE
misterbrother@aol.com

"Ishmal" by Muhibb Dyer

Yesterday, for the millionth time, a death was reported
in the Journal-Sentinel, and we said it was
"just another part of life."

Yesterday, for the millionth time, a mother was stripped of her baby boy, and we called her agony
"just another part of life."

Yesterday, someone woke up at their own funeral and realized that there will be no more monuments erected
in their honor

No schools will be named after them,
just another candle light vigil that will move
to the next block,
the very next day,
and we said, "it's just another part of life."

Yesterday, Ishmal died, and the only thing I can think
about is the sound of hypocrites screaming the proverb,
"It takes a whole village to raise a child."
They forgot that one child can raise a whole village...
can raise its intelligence, its economic worth,
its spirituality, and its entire value.

They have forgotten Ishmal,
and the saddest thing of all,
is they they won't remember him
until the phrase "just another part of life"
is applicable to them.
From the 2003 12-month calendar "The Children are Crying."

For more information, e-mail thechildrenarecrying@hotmail.com

More on "The Children are Crying" calendar:
http://www.jsonline.com/news/Metro/jan03/110295.asp

More on the Milwaukee poetry scene:
http://www.jsonline.com/onwisconsin/music/jan03/109313.asp

Check out local hip-hop/spoken word act BLACK ELEPHANT at:
http://www.kairocom.com
(the site has finally been updated)