To artists and musicians who genuinely seek to uplift and inspire through your craft, we highly recommend this brief but special message on the universality of music, it’s power, and how it can enliven the spirit of humanity.. when played from a pure heart. Thanks for listening and much success on your quest to leave the world a better place than you found it..
~Arian Muhammad
First of all we’d like to thank the media for providing this unique opportunity that sets the stage for a special and much needed dialogue between both the cultural and spiritual community and for exposing a new audience to a very important and powerful spiritual leader who can give divine insight into the current state of popular culture and it’s effects on humanity. For those who wonder why it is important for such dialogue to take place you may not have heard the rising outcry of young artists like Jasmine Mann who delivered a heartfelt poetic address on the image of Nicki Minaj or New Orleans rapper Dee-1 who wrote a lyrical plea on artist accountability addressed to jay, 50, and weezy.
dee 1
These are just two acts of many that are now taking place sparking a new wave cultural activism against degrading images in hip hop reaching all the way to Africa. In a 2001 address to hip hop artists in New York Minister Farrakhan stated “I do not think it is an accident that music and culture have moved to this time and that the spoken word has become that which is affecting youth throughout the entire planet. In countries where governments do not like western music or western civilization, people are sneaking around listening to the word and moving to the beat of the hip hop generation. – In China, in Japan, in Europe, in Africa, in the Caribbean, in Central America and South America, the youth are following you.”
On Feb 28th we come to see that this statement is indeed true when a youtube video was uploaded of ten year old Watoto From The Nile sending a “Letter to Lil Wayne”. A song which has been described as a direct statement of justice explaining that people are growing tired and fed up with the constant degredation of Black women inside of Hip Hop music. Children voice thier views and opinions on the melodic track.
During the speech the minister went on to say “When you are a rapper and you understand your leadership role, you must understand that, with leadership comes responsibility. You did not ask for it. It is imposed on you, but you now have to accept responsibility that you have never accepted.” This address took place ten years ago and was heard by many of our popular artists and executives both major and independent. But just who is this man Minister Farrakhan? Who is this ‘Islamic preacher’ who is listened to by millions, and sought out for guidance throughout the world of politics, entertainment, and religion? Who is this man oft times seen with and embraced by many famous Black artists, actors, and musicians? What did Minister Farrakhan really say at the 2011 Saviours’ Day address in Chicago?
To the news source that twisted the address and reported Minister Farrakhan as calling Rihanna fans swine, in an attempt to divert people away from a man that you don’t want us to listen to, you have instead provided a platform to expose a new audience to someone that a generation in confusion would benefit very much from hearing. During the Feb 27th address before dissecting images portrayed to the masses throughout popular culture, Minister Farrakhan spoke on the inner manifestation of god that lies within all human beings ” I’m not into condemning you for what you do like I’m the holy one.. we all come out of the same cut.. but I know what I see in you so I’m always trying to pull it because I see God”
He then stated that we are beginning to be ‘swine-like’ in our behavior and have become numb to indecency and proceeded to speak on what was recently shown on the annual televised award show. “I saw my beautiful sister the other night at the Grammy Awards… my poor sister… and she was dressed.. almost with like a pair of drawers and she got her legs wide open and is just grinding away. (brief pause) If that didn’t revolt you, you’re beginning to be a swine. When you can sit down and listen to somebody and every third word is “you mf ” this and they start talking about the act that is done in private and bring it out in the public and make it so low down and filthy and you’re sitting there laughing at a filthy damn joke and then the next day you go to church and sing in the choir you are a swine.”
This may be a tough pill to sw
allow for a generation not used to being checked for it’s behavior to the near point of self-destruction. But we have to ask have the masses truly fallen into lowly state of existence and have come to love more and more extreme and debauched expressions of artistry? Is it true that society is being made to accept and be comfortable with degeneracy? If so what effect is it having on our youth and civilization in general? So far it is appearing that a movement is emerging that conflicts with the messages being sent out by mainstream machines. Things are gradually coming to a point where you’ll eventually have to choose sides and decide if you want to break away and be a part of what benefits humanity or continue to bask in that which ill-affects us and our future, the youth. Either way you have to think.. even the babies are crying out against the madness.
Before you go check out Casta Stone a young artist from West Africa stepping to the mic to prove that all hope isn’t lost..
A Letter to Artists
Peace,
I am writing this letter as a sister in the Nation of Islam, your sister, and as a fellow artist, to those who wish to help Minister Farrakhan in this mission through the Ministry of Arts and Culture based on what we have been given from him but not taught exactly ‘how’ to do in a step by step manner. I write this letter in hopes of clarifying the intent, motive, and vision behind the MIA Music Is Alive Campaign and the recent move called the ‘17 day theory’ which calls for pulling support away from entities that aid in our destruction as a people and redirecting our support to that which contributes to our growth and independence.
The MIA Music Is Alive Campaign was founded on the 9th issue of the Millions More Movement and is an attempt to unite like-minded artists in a campaign to spread the seeds of cultural transformation across the nation. This campaign was formed in 2008 beginning as a letter to the minister and has gained the support of many artists both within and outside of the NOI along with activists within the hip-hop community. Recently we’ve sent out the idea of a 17 day call for withdrawal of support of degrading songs and images via radio, purchase, and download.
This is more so aimed towards those of us who have a following and can spread the message since we do not support this culture anyways, I believe. This may be deemed as a bold move esp. upon the release of a tweet that called for a ‘shut down of “corporate ignorance”. But I believe that those of you whom I am writing to know, understand or have some idea of the corporatization of and exploitation of our talent by outside forces and not only did the Minister say for us to demand an end to such but we have been called upon as artists to recommit to the development of our people.
A way to do this is to address and confront the ‘machine’ of ignorance that we all know exists and as the case is with our Minister the interest is not to ‘attack’ our people but help to raise and awaken them, however rude the awakening may be. The fact is we are losing our children and not truly realizing that there is a real war going on while the people are popping their fingers. It is hard to write this without shedding tears because I see the Minister pleading with us not only for us to make the necessary steps to save ourselves but to help him save our people. I am asking if we could unite in this effort.
I am asking if we can unite and put our heads together on this because although we have not been given specific instructions, we have been given a base. I see that base in the 9th issue of the Millions More Movement and we established MIA upon that base. No one told me to do it, yet at the same time by studying the words of the Minister, I saw it as an instruction. Recently while speaking of the trouble I was experiencing with support I was blessed to have a brother tell me of a recent experience he had with the Minister where he was invited to dinner with him. The minister was speaking on how he wanted ‘Witnesses’. In a booming voice he asked the brother “since when did we have to have permission to stand up and be a witness? “ (Paraphrasing from conversation) “Who will stand up and be a witness that a man came and raised us up from death into life?!”
That was definitely inspiration for me to continue despite the emergence of trial. Now, since this letter is addressed to artists/activists I asked how can we be witnesses that we heard a man like Minister Farrakhan? A man who is not ‘loved’ by the world for the truth he represents and neither wishes to conform or lie in bed with it? Of course we have to be wise in our dealing because the enemy is wise also. In 2005 I will never forget how the Minister called for ministries to be established and 10 issues were laid out that were given to as the absolute last hope of our people. Within our community I see that respective movements are growing to achieve the goal of cultural transformation that are being expressed in different ways butI believe that there is power in unity.
I believe there should be a line of communication between us so we can operate faster and more effectively. If there is something we disagree with along the way or feel would not work, we have to at least be willing to offer suggestions for improvement as opposed to simply objecting and withholding our support. The believer is the friend of the believer and we are in the hour where we will come to see this quickly so let us start to become the sister and brother of one another now in our fight to establish that which has awakened us amongst an already present force of opposition.
The 17 day theory is about bringing attention to a stance against nonsense but it doesn’t end there. We have to unify and find ways to better support our artists who represent the opposite. The idea for the 17 day theory came from discussing how Egypt made a difference in 17 days, and has officially started on Feb 16th. What would happen if we spent the remaining 12 days and our days from there on going over ideas to help usher in the change we want to see, in a “collective” manner? The cultural transformation, the hereafter, none of it is going to fall into our laps, we have to build it, and it is solely upon us and our reliance on the God.
Please take time to read the 9th issue of the millions more movement and reach out if you are serious about helping to establish a new cultural paradigm and willing to unite and come forward with ways to effectively perform our duty of civilization. How will they know except they have a teacher? And how can they have a teacher except he be sent? We have been and are being sent, so let us be bearers of witness to those whom we are being sent to that one has indeed come amongst us to lift us from our condition. Can we establish a solid system of support? Can we really evolve from being event driven into an operating entity? And last but not least can we do it together?
With love, humility, sincerity, and earnest desire to help the Minister,
Your Sister Arian “poetess” Muhammad
9th Issue of The Millions More Movement:
9Artistic/ Cultural Development
We demand a greater accountability and responsibility of our artists, entertainers, industry personnel and executives, for them to commit to the redevelopment and upliftment of our people. We demand an end to the exploitation of our talent by outside forces. We will make strides in obtaining greater control over the means of production and distribution of our immense artistic talent and creative genius. We advocate for cultural development, and for the knowledge of our original culture to be used as a model for future advancement.
Read the other 9 issues at www.millionsmoremovement.com
To assist in this effort contact: musicofamovement@yahoo.com or call 810.990.7624
