It seemed like decades that I wandered through the halls of hip hop without more than a song or two of environmental awareness to be had. For a while the Black Eyed Peas were politically conscious, but never eco-conscious. Really, how many hip hop groups do you know that rhyme about organic food?
Until recently I knew of not one. Ni uno.
But Eastern Sunz is keeping it very real with four albums of social and environmental lyrics on some deftly mixed beats. They groove far more than krunk.
The duo hails from Seattle and they got written up recently at Conscious Choice.
Here's a chorus from "Natural Flavors:"
Fat per serving's ninety-eight grams, what's in my food man?
Rampant malnutrition in a prosperous land, said what they putting in my food, ma'am?
I said what's natural 'bout these flavors? The FDA make moves to regulate us,
It's never 'bout our health, it's for the papers.
So educate yourself because this government aint ever gonna save us,
just feed us hamburgers and Now N Laters.
Is this the new sound out of Seattle?
Eastern Sunz: Press
You don’t often hear emcees rapping about eating organic or saving the rainforest. Well, prepare to be amazed because Eastern Sunz does just that.
Originally from Oregon but recently relocated to Seattle, this hip-hop duo creates music with a strong social and environmental message. Aaron Harris, aka Courage, and his counterpart Travis Taylor, aka TravisT, bring conscious lyrics to hip-hop culture through songs like “Oreganic” and “Nuclear Suicide.”
“One of the most essential messages,” says Harris, “is that we live in an entirely unique time period in the history of earth. We don’t have the luxury to ignore environmental issues. We either confront these issues now or our grandchildren won’t have a world to live in.”
Harris has been rapping since he was eight-years-old. His initial environmental revelation occurred while alone in the wilderness on a backpacking trip in the eleventh grade.
“One of the most primary functions of rap music is to convey a message,” says Harris, who points out that communicating a need for change is not a new thing in hip-hop. “The gangsta rap of the ’90s had an underlying message that things aren’t right—that things in our society need to be fixed.” Harris believes that “need for change” message has been transformed into an anthem of affluence and materialism. “Mainstream hip-hop today is an illusion, it’s a commercial.”
Eastern Sunz is bringing back the message of change. Their song, “Natural Flavors”, opens with a soundbite from Eric Schlosser, author of Fast Food Nation, speaking about factory-produced flavor additives. Eastern Sunz raps:
Fat per serving’s ninety-eight grams, what’s in my food man?
Rampant malnutrition in a prosperous land,
said what they putting in my food, ma’am?
I said what’s natural ’bout these flavors? The FDA make moves to regulate us,
It’s never ’bout our health, it’s for the papers.
So educate yourself because this government ain’t ever gonna save us,
just feed us hamburgers and Now N’ Laters.
Eastern Sunz has toured with Rahzel and Andre Nickotina and collaborated with Vursatyl and Ricky Pharoe, among others. They plan to release their fourth album, Nine Triangles, next month. See them live on April 5 at the Kirkland Avenue Pub in Kirkland, May 11 at Tommy’s Nightclub & Grill and May 24 at the High Dive in Fremont.
For more information and to listen to their songs visit www.easternsunz.com
Sophie Raider - Conscious Choice Magazine
On the hunt for the next big thing in underground hip hop? Look no further, "The Art of Spiritual Warfare" by Courage of the Eastern Sunz is not only head nodding but thought provoking. In the days of P Diddy and Fifty Cent it isn't every day that you encounter a rapper with a message. Whether it be about politics or environmental issues Courage hits deep on a lot of heavy topics. Originality and soothing beats makes this album truly incredible, the clever lyrics being the icing on the cake.
Hailing from Seattle Washington, Courage talks about the declining environment and the degradation of our current society. The message hits home as he continues to point out key flaws in our current lifestyle. The war over seas, global warming, and the numbing of our young people's minds. The poetry found in this album is phenomenal, great music to expand your mind with.
Excerpts track 13. Mathematiks
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"Blacks that fought for civil rights now playing video games, as if environmentalists contain a different mind frame."
"Heard of the Sunz? I'll be damned unless we find solution, whichever one comes first cause I might die from air pollution. And sunshine aint never been this bright, cause we used to have an ozone to protect our eyesight."
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Although the music has a lot of meaning behind it, it is executed in such a way that it's only there if you need it to be. As to say that the beats and flow of rapping are good enough to enjoy the music on a superficial level as well. The majority of the background samples are soft and soothing to the ear, nothing incredibly harsh which makes it very easy to relax to and enjoy the vibe. Some song even feature faint nature sounds such as birds singing in the background to add to the calming, earth friendly ambiance. There is a lot to this album that one might miss the first time it is listened to but after a few plays a variety of "subliminal messages" appear. It's the subtle details that really make this album great. This album is a solid production, all songs are mixed and mastered at a high level of proficiency. Something that tends to get neglected in a lot of underground hip hop now a days, "The Art of Spiritual Warfare" didn't skimp on the acoustic aesthetics.
All thing's considered I enjoyed this album immensely and recommend it to all walks of life. Whether you be a s$*t talking skater or a university professor this album has a lot of value and I think anyone could benefit from giving it a listen. If you have any interest in the declining environment, and other such powerful social issues this album raises multitudes of enlightening thoughts. Try something new and support the Eastern Sun'z finest.
-Mishak
Undergroundhiphopreviews.com
Eastern Sunz have been around for six years, and have gained a following in the Pacific Northwest for covering environmental issues. There was a time in this music's history when some one like KRS-One would say that his reality is not a tree, it is not something he sees everyday so he's not going to rhyme about it. However, he did write the infamous "Beef", which talked about how fast food restaurants may be the biggest drug dealers around and that eating healthier may be the best option for everyone. That was very much political and social, and one could speak on their beliefs and perhaps be motivated to make changes in their own lives. Courage and TravisT are the two MC's who want to be able to teach information in a manner that will make it easily consumable, going into the minds of those who need to hear it, as they do in Nine Triangles (self-released). In "Understand" they get on the spiritual side of things and tell people that respect of ones self and the next man and woman is needed in order to make it through in this life: Drift on the wind through a rolling savannah Watching four-legged peoples making good pace at a medium canter I echo through the heart of a drum beating deep in the slums And touch the homeless children begging for crumbs Quietly whisper that a chance gone come, to my daughters and sons Who walk the planet with definitive purpose The babies you've been told that they are worthless Old ladies clutching their purses, and the few who listen close to my verses All behold a rising sun to the east Illuminating what was darkness with brilliance and heat From the pillaged rainforests to the endless concrete Where CO2 turns to oxygen and cycles repeat Where violence doesn't stop and the drug dealers meet And people sell their souls for the secrets they keep So the shadows grip their hearts till they can no longer sleep And the world keeps on spinning without missing a beat The group also touch on the hazards of fast food ("Natural Flavors"), manipulation towards giving a reason for a war ("A Problem"), and pushing to fight for what's right ("Dear Diary"). The group are about exposing the malicious lies our president and vice president try so hard to hide, but when you are in a culture where information can be found and deciphered in seconds, hiding is no longer an option. Courage and TravisT have very different styles, and the way they bounce back and forth between verses makes things flow smoothly. The burning of the one dollar bill on the bill is a metaphor to say that the group sees to destroy anything that is corrupt under the eye of one nation, under a fictitious God who has anything but liberty and justice to offer to its citizens. Nine Triangles is an album that seems to be the solution to a painting that has been thickened with dust and soot for years, and by wiping it away you discover colors and textures that have not been seen in years. Their venom may be too strong for some, but sometimes people need to be poisoned and repoisoned in order to discover how tainted they have become. Listening is the antidote, and Eastern Sunz want to be the caregivers for a more positive and brighter tomorrow.
Music For America (Aug 17, 2010)
The two emcees that make up Eastern Sunz out of Seattle, WA are among a small group of messengers within the hip-hop universe. The two member group uses their talents to educate and to inspire thought and conversation instead of just “shakin’ dat ass.” The polished and highly produced beats and rhymes will have you moving but the Eastern Sunz bring a deeper level of lyrics and stimulation than anything you get to hear from mainstream conglomerates (“Single Farms”). More and more people are starting to crave music that communicates the issues of the day; it is traditionally what music was used for most all the way up until…modern times.
The Sunz who consist of emcees Courage and Travist, are traveling the world and spreading messages not of belief but of thoughts, ideas and most importantly; warnings. American Idol isn’t going to warn you about genetically modified foods, but these two will have it stuck in your head.
Nightlife Network (Aug 17, 2010)
Transcript of Courage Q&A with Lunatic Fringe Productions
Q: Why did you decide to get into hip-hop?
A: I started writing rhymes in third grade. Reading, writing, and addressing social issues have always been passions of mine and so it happened that hip-hop was my ideal form of expression. I instantly fell in love with the music the first time I heard it.
Q: Why did you decide to go the conscious route?
A: I think my approach to hip-hop reflects my upbringing, my experiences, and the type of person I am in everyday life. I grew up in safe neighborhoods, I attended good schools and colleges, I've extensively traveled abroad, and I've spent lots of time in the wilderness. For that reason I don't feel I decided to go the conscious route so much as I decided to keep it real.
Q: What is your opinion, if you have one, of so called street rap or gangsta rap?
A: I grew up listening to gangsta rap. It's powerful music and it has drawn awareness to the injustices and inequalities in Everyhood USA. Furthermore, it put westcoast rap music on the map. I may not agree with everything being said but there's nothing wrong with disagreeing. I think Guerillas in the Mist is one of the finest albums of all time.
Q: Do you feel that hip-hop has a responsibility or do you think its an individual's choice?
A: I think each individual has to determine their own responsibilities. Hip-hop's a vast culture and it means many different things to many different kinds of people all over the world.
Q: What inspired you to present the kind of material you do?
A: I started wrting conscious hip-hop the first time I went backpacking in the wilderness. For two weeks I was away from the streets, watches, money, cellphones, televisions, etc., and it gave me time to reflect on my values and put my life into perspective. That was my initial inspiration. Traveling to South America had a similar effect because the standard of living over there is so low. Once I witnessed the intense poverty that most of the world lives in, writing rhymes about fancy cars was the last thing on my mind.
Q: Do you feel that hip-hop influences society or vice-versa?
A: The way peoples talk, dress, act, what they value, the types of people they strive to be, I think all these things and more are influenced by hip-hop. Hip-hop is literally a worldwide culture. If hip-hop didn't influence society I wouldn't have a reason to be making albums.
Q: Who are your biggest influences in music and why?
A: Immortal Technique, Outkast, Goodie Mob, Wu-Tang, Promoe, Greenhouse Effect, Blackalicious, The Coup, and Saul Williams, just to name a few. These are intelligent people who utilize hip-hop as a form of communication to speak to the important issues of the day.
Q: Do you think that the consciousness style of hip-hop will ever reach the level of popularity that street rap has?
A: Great question. Yes.
Q: How much influence do you feel the music industry has on the proliferation of street rap as opposed to consciousness rap, because it seems that one style of hip-hop is promoted more than the other?
A: Another great question. I think the music industry has a great deal to do with the proliferation of street rap. Street rap promotes consumption: clothes, cars, alcohol, women, whatever. The message is to consume. Since the same super-rich people who own the big record labels own a chunk of everything else, it all works out very well for them. Music videos serve as commercials; inspiration to make other people go out and buy things. On the other hand, I think one role of conscious hip-hop is to draw attention to this cycle of unsustainable consumption, and that would inevitably work against some of the very same people.
Lunatic Fringe (Aug 17, 2010)
Eastern Sunz come with a competent rhyme about the environment, I’m feeling the production which is backed up by an old school sounding loop, the track has samples of Al Gore talking about saving the planet.
This makes a pleasent change to all the gangsta, battling and run of the mill hip hop themes.
Wordpress (Aug 17, 2010)
Eastern Sunz.... wow, were do I start??? You guys are very different, what you guys stand for rarely ever seems to get main stream exposure... Let's change that.
1. Who are you?
The name of our crew is Eastern Sunz. My name is Courage. Travis T makes up the other half.
2. What's separates yourselves from other artist?
Lyrical content. Our focus is on political and environmental issues while a lot of rappers stick to cars, clothes, women, and money. ?
3. Where are you from?
I was born in LA and moved to Ashland around high school. We spent the last three years in Seattle and now we're in Portland.
4. What is your movement about?
Our movement is about promoting ecological and political change with thoughtful music. We want our grandchildren to have clean air to breath and clean water to drink. We need big changes and we're running out of time. ?
5. How would you catagorize your style?
Political/Environmental Hip-Hop?
6. When did you start doing music?
Third grade. Eastern Sunz started in 2000.?
7. What artist have influenced you?
Promoe and Looptroop Rockers, The Coup, Immortal Technique, Wu-Tang, Outkast, Goodie Mob, and others who bring integrity and an important message in their music. ?
8. What projects have you worked on?
We have four full-length albums to date. One of our latest tracks was just featured in a short film by Activist Entertainment entitled "Designing the New World". Visit our website at www.easternsunz.com and click on the link to view it. ?
9. Were do you see yourselfs in 5 years? ?
Touring a lot and making a living doing what we love to do.
10. Is there an Artist/Producer whom you would love to work with? ?
I'd also love to work with DJ Muggs and Sabzi of Blue Scholars.
11. What is your overall view of music as a whole? ?
It's a powerful medicine.
12. What has been the most major project that you have been involved with up to this point of your career? ?
Our latest album, Nine Triangles. We cut no corners while making it and we worked with some incredible artists including Smoke, Macklemore, Ricky Pharoe, and Lafa Taylor. Also, we recently organized our own national and international tours. That was like working a full-time job.
13. Where can people learn more about Eastern Sunz and purchase your music?
Please visit our website at www.easternsunz.com or our myspace at www.myspace.com/easternsunz. You can purchase our music from our online store, from itunes, and at cdbaby.com.
Elements Of Art (Aug 17, 2010)
The following interview was conducted as part of the program for Northwest Greenfest in September of 2007:
TravisT:
Music Questions:
1. When did you know you wanted to be a musician? Who inspired
you to become one?
I don't know that I ever consciously made the choice. I don't have a
direct influence that comes to mind, but I did have a horrible art
teacher who pretty much uninspired me from pursuing art. So I guess
if it wasn't for her I might not be doing music today.
2. Describe your sound. How did you develop it?
My style is pretty introspective, with a lot of political and social
messages. I try to cover important themes, but in a light manner. I
started basically just getting the technical side or things and once I
got into it, I realized it's a great outlet to express yourself so I
started focusing more on content.
3. What are your goals with music?
My personal goal right now is to be living semi-comfortably solely off
of music. When I get to that point I'll have another goal. On a
broader scaIe I want to make music that evokes emotion from the
listeners and gets people thinking about and discussing world issues.
4. What is your biggest accomplishment in music to date?
I would have to say the release of the latest album, Nine Triangles.
We put a lot of time and energy into and I'm proud of our work. So
far the response has been good.
5. If you could cover any album from front to back what would it be?
A hip hop cover album would be pretty boring, but it would be cool to
do a live recording of one of our albums backed by a band or full
orchestra.
6. What are some words of wisdom you live by?
I don't think anyone really lives by their own words of wisdom as much
as they should, but the Golden Rule still remains a pretty good one.
A little empathy goes a long way. Also, "live like there's no
tomorrow" sounds good... in theory anyway.
9. If you could have written one song what would it be and why?
The Happy Birthday song. Did you know that someone still owns the
rights to that? And anytime it's used in a movie or TV show they have
to pay them to use it.
10. If you could play in any band besides your current project(s)
who would it be and why?
I don't know what band, but I always wanted to be a drummer. Maybe in
another lifetime.
Social/Political Questions:
1. If you could pick anyone (alive or dead) to run our country;
who would it be? Why?
I don't know that I would pick any one person, but if I did, it would
be someone a lot smarter than me. It's gotta be a tough job, I know I
sure as shit wouldn't want to do it. I suppose anyone is better than
the current leader though.
2. Should Americans care what the rest of the world thinks of us? Why?
Absolutely. Sometimes the outside observer has a more realistic
perspective of things. We are supposed to be the world's leader and
setting an example. Talk to anyone outside of the US and you usually
hear stories and sometimes the effects of our country's actions that a
lot of people are completely unaware of.
3. How important do you think global warming is? Why?
Well, really it's the biggest issue isn't it? And sadly I feel like I
don't focus on it enough. If we don't do something, it will be the
end of the planet. But it's like if we save the planet, then what?
It's not enough. It's the most important issue because we are talking
about the end of human existence, but part of me thinks "So what if
human existence ends?". It's not enough to save the earth if we don't
start working on the shit in it. We gotta learn to be better people
and fix the human element too.
4. One of the biggest questions of our time is whether Americans
should give up certain liberties for heightened security. How do you
feel about that?
I believe that there needs to be a balance. Security is important,
but there's just currently no logic to it. Authorities are being
empowered to do anything as long as it's in the name of "securing our
freedom", when in actuality they are really taking our freedom away
little by little. I feel like a criminal every time I go to the
airport.
5. What do you think our nation's top priorities should be? What
should your local government's top priorities be? Do you care?
For both the nation and on the local level, we need to focus
infinitely more on education and health care. I think about this
nearly everyday. It is unfathomable to me how the richest country in
the world can't supply adequate health and education needs to it's
citizens. Also, the legal and prison systems need a major overhaul.
6. Are the majority of American children getting the proper
education to prepare them for the world of tomorrow?
Are the majority? No. Every other day it seems like another public
school closes, class sizes are out of control, materials are outdated,
and teachers and students have both lost interest. Hell, in a lot of
places in this country, just getting to and from school safely is
tough.
7. Should cannabis (marijuana) be legalized? Why or why not?
It's ridiculous to me that it's illegal. Alcohol does far more damage and remains legal (I'm not advocating prohibition, just stating). Our prisons are filled with
minor marijuana offenders who pose no threat to society.
Courage:
Music Questions:
1. When did you know you wanted to be a musician? Who inspired you to become one?
I wanted to be a hip-hop artists from an early age. I've been rapping
since third grade and I still remember the first time I put on my big
brother's head phones and heard rap for the first time. It was
instantaneous. And it just so happens that that first track was an
incredibly political song. It set the course that I'm still on today.
We're inspired by everything in one way or another. Strangely, a lot
of our drive comes from the negative aspects of politics and music
because they motivate us to move in the opposite direction. When I
flip on MTV, almost every single music video is a celebration of
materialism and a complete lack of values. Your average rap video
includes naked women, people throwing/holding money, expensive cars,
and flashy clothes. I see that and I think, "Man, these people have
it totally wrong! I have to make sure my music presents a valuable
message." Unfortunately, the political side isn't much different.
Every news channel is incredibly skewed and there's nothing fair and
balanced about any of it. Politicians feed us lie after lie and the
media delivers it to us like everything's peachy. I see this and I
think to myself, "Man, I've got to bring the truth in my message."
2. Describe your sound. How did you develop it?
We describe our music as political, environmental hip-hop. I found my
voice in hip-hop when I was sixteen while on a two-week backpacking
trip in the wilderness. As far as development, I wouldn't say I
developed my sound so much as I develped myself. Personal development
naturally leads to my musical development. I've traveled eleven
countries and studied with people from all walks of life. It's rich
life experiences that keep the music evolving.
3. What are your goals with music?
The most important goal is to help make the world a better place, everything else is secondary. That being said, I would certainly like to reach a point where I can work on my music all day, travel the globe performing, and not worry about how to pay the bills.
4. What is your biggest accomplishment in music to date?
Defintely our latest album! Nine Triangles is really something else.
5. If you could cover any album from front to back what would it be?
Do you mean performing someone else's material? It would have to be
something by Bob Marley. I'm not sure which album.
6. What are some words of wisdom you live by?
"Follow the golden thread." It means acknowledge what you're striving
to achieve and spend your days putting one foot in front of the next,
following the path towards your dreams.
9. If you could have written one song what would it be and why?
"Everybody's Anthem" written by my partner in crime, Travis T. The
lyrics are brilliant, the message is powerful, and he finds a way to
do it without being too serious.
10. If you could play in any band besides your current project(s) who would it be and why?
I'd like to rock with Promoe from Looptroop. He's a political emcee
like myself and I love his message.
Social/Political Questions:
1. If you could pick anyone (alive or dead) to run our country; who would it be? Why?
Presidential candidate Dennis Kucinich because he understands the
current issues and he'd represent the people.
2. Should Americans care what the rest of the world thinks of us? Why?
Certainly, but not for self-conscious or egotistical reasons. We
should care because they can help lend us insights as to how we can be
a better country and a better people. Everybody is a teacher.
Everyone is a mirror reflecting back to us our own strengths and
weaknesses.
3. How important do you think global warming is? Why?
I think global warming is terribly important because it threatens the
lives of the Earth's peoples. Not just the two-legged peoples, but
the four-leggeds, the winged peoples, the one-leggeds, etc. Global
warming reflects the imbalances of our world, the imbalances or our
culture, the imbalances of our morals, values, and ethics.
4. One of the biggest questions of our time is whether Americans should give up certain liberties for heightened security. How do you feel about that?
I think it's a propaganda campaign geared to make people afraid so
they will seccumb to a nefarious plot of stripping away our freedom.
Be afraid, do what they say, etc., etc.
5. What do you think our nation's top priorities should be? What should your local government's top priorities be? Do you care?
Our local and national government's top priorities should be
healthcare, education, peace, and creating a sustainable future for
our children and the generations to come.
6. Are the majority of American children getting the proper education to prepare them for the world of tomorrow?
Certainly not. I'm only 24, so I just got through the public school system a few years ago. Let me tell you from first-hand experience, US schools are shamefully horrible. Funny how we have two-billion dollars a week for Iraq and no money for our kids.
7. Should cannabis (marijuana) be legalized? Why or why not?
Certainly! For so many reasons that I could write a book. Luckily,
Jack Herer already did and it's entitled The Emporor Wears No Clothes.
Marijuana's medicinal value and potential for creating ecological and
economic sustainability only scratch the surface of why it should be
legal. The fact we've got thousands of peaceful people locked up in
jail is up at the top of the list as well.
Northwest Greenfest (Aug 17, 2010)