This is a conceptual podcast. It was put together to inform an unaware population about the origins of America's Drug War, and the real impact it has had on our streets and in our homes. Wherefore, our Lord had said, "Let the person without sin, cast the first stone..." No one is blameless. Nevertheless, we have noticed imbalances on the scales of the justice system that need attention. In The State of California, for example: there are mandatory minimum sentencing and the infamous "3 Strikes Law" in effect. As current policy, it houses more than 4,400 prisoners serving life-sentences for non-violent offenses. Repunishment for prior crimes obviously constitutes double-jeopardy, however, people do get 25 w/ an "L" for trivial charges such as petty-theft and drug possession.

As the prison-industry privatizes, "shrewd businessmen" gain lucrative profits by investing in the demise of our society. With more than 2.3 million locked up, the U.S.has the highest incarceration rate in the world. One out of 100 American adults is behind bars! The states and the federal government spend about $74 billion a year on corrections, and employ nearly 800,000 people. But are they trying to repair the problems... or just house them?

And who makes up those 2 and a 1/3 million prison population?

The fact that lawmakers criminalize a large segment of society and the judicial system unfairly punishes them with draconian sentences, is only half of the problem. The other part of the injustice is the leniency with which the rich and powerful persons are granted. An example: many poor dope-fiends could spend most of their lives in prison because of an addiction (which is an infraction of the Health and Safety Code), whereas, the man who bankrupted Orange County, CA and cost the tax payers 8 billion dollars only got one year of work release, five years of supervised probation, and performed 1000 hours of community service. Or how about more recently, and on a larger scale: when the unscrupulous banks approved loans that were designed to fail, which led to millions of homes going into foreclosure? In That Situation the government didn't sit around and do nothing... No, it "bailed-out" the banks with 200 billion dollars to put in their coffers, in order to keep business running as usual. But what about the millions of families that lost their homes and ended up on the streets? There is no greater disservice to the public than elected government officials that double-cross the masses they represent; especially when the motive is for financial gain. Nothing is worse than the plague of corruption reaching the highest levels of politics.There, the special interests of corporations dictate the opinions of the persons holding office. Usually they are not in conjunction with, and at times are directly contrary to, the "best interests" of the people. That's how nations get pushed into wars to build pipelines on foreign soil. And that's the reason why, even in our own homeland, more money is allocated to incarceration than education.

In Biblical times, the prophet Daniel Judah spoke up to the Imperial Leader of his day, named Belshazzar. He boldly delivered the divine message of doom to the king of Babylon, when the arrogant king couldn't read the writing on the wall. Today, there is people like Immortal Technique, basically doing the same thing... That's because Immortal Technique (Felipe Coronel) is a revolutionary. Born in Peru, he immigrated to Harlem, NY and eventually ended up in prison. He left with a new focus on music. His aggressive style gained him instant notoriety as a battle rapper, and his first album was a word-of-mouth sensation. Unwilling to change his message for mainstream, he remained completely independent. His subsequent projects have permanently found their way into the hearts and minds of truth seekers worldwide.

If you want to find out more about Immortal Technique click here on this link to his label's website - www.viperrecords.com

Peruvian Cocaine by Immortal Technique from album titled Revolutionary Vol. 2 / Contributing Artists: Pumpkinhead, Diabolic, Tonedeff, Poison Pen, Loucipher, C-Rayz Walz

As soon as the drugs hit the streets, a black market opened up in our neighborhoods- selling contraband to customers that got hooked on the product. This hustling occupation employed many people. And since the clientele would sell anything they had, plus steal from their families to get their fix, the business multiplied. Even before the crack epidemic, heroin had seeped its way into the barrio ghettos and had become an evil part of the subculture (ruining lives and destroying families). The difference between the two was the effect it had on the addict: black tar heroine junkies slam a dose and nod-off into dysfunction, until they wake up and feel sick without the drug. A crack fiend will smoke a blast of crack and yearn for another one 10 minutes later! By its very nature, rocked cocaine (called crack) is an insatiable beast that takes over a person and occupies their entire realm of thinking. That's the reason why the epidemic exploded; and the dope-dealers cashed in. It especially plagued the poorest parts of town, where the unemployment rate increased despair and offered few options. Notwithstanding, money seduces people in all walks of life, and even some that swore to "protect and serve" fell prey to the temptation. The infamous Rampart scandal in the L.A.P.D. was an example that wouldn't have come to light, if not for the officer that got caught stealing drugs out of the evidence room to resell it. The crooked cop implicated over 70 officers of wrongdoing. As a result of the probe into falsified evidence and police perjury, 106 prior criminal convictions were overturned. The City of Los Angeles faced more than 140 civil suits resulting from the Rampart scandal, with total estimated settlement costs around $125 million. For the department it was a disgrace, but for the community- it blurred the lines between the good guys and bad guys…

In a twist of irony, in that very same district, (called Pico-Union) a couple brothers started expressing their frustrations with "sick" rap songs. Gustavo "Duke" Gonzales and Sick Jacken Gonzales became known as the Psycho Realm. Few groups have hit as hard and made such a lasting impact on the area, as the Psycho Realm. Even their earlier songs (from the self titled-album) are considered classic masterpieces of poetry and percussions. Their lyrical depictions of the environment are uncanny, and the musical score is surreal. They came out when most artists wanted to have a certain "rapper" image, and conform to what everyone expected to see. But by staying true to themselves and utilizing hip-hop as a vehicle, Duke and Sick Jack were able to break the stereotypical Chicano rap sound. Their originality really represented for masses of people. Psycho Realm took it back to the day when hip hop shows were ceremonial; and when it comes to rocking the mic, they are the masters.

If you want to keep up with the Psycho Realm phenomena click here on this link to their website - www.psychorealmonline.com

Palace of the Exile by the Psycho Realm from album titled The Psycho Realm (2003) War Story Book 2/ Big Duke, Sick Jacken

It would be naive to blame the whole drug problem on the establishment. That's as ridiculous as the establishment denying the problem even exists. There has to be an even-ground where every individual owns up to their responsibility. The trouble is, finding people with that quality of honesty. Whether it’s in the congregation of wealthy business and statesmen or in the cliques of gangster entrepreneurs, the persons that will acceptably admit the error of their ways are far too few. That's a reflection of our society. It’s no wonder that the big rap artists (on the radio) glorify the luxury of "making it rain" dollar bills at the strip club and "making love in a roomful of money". They send a message that seduces the listener to believe mad riches bring ecstasy. Their lyrics describe a world where beaucoup ends, justifies the means. But what about the other side of this equation? How come they don’t mention the inevitable consequences of slanging? Like the bad karma that comes along with poisoning your fellow human beings; including the self-hate, juvenile delinquency and even domestic violence? These are the realities that come along with drug dealing. But most mainstream artists won’t touch on the topics because they feel the masses don’t want to hear it. Or perhaps it’s because they are not honest enough with themselves…

A.O.D. (of Boyle Heights, L.A.) has no problem telling it how it is. His gift is an ability to connect with people through songs. He lays the struggles and hardships of everyday life on the table, and anyone who is going through the same thing (or has been there before) could recognize the details in the depiction. The same is true for his expressions of love, betrayal, happiness and humor. He taps into the full spectrum of emotions because these are all legitimate “feelings” bestowed upon us by life’s experiences. He says, “Why try to perpetrate fantasy rhymes, when there is so much to talk about… going on around us?” The boldness of his concepts and subject matter is admirable. But so is his delivery style, with the flows and harmonies. Because the homeboy A.O.D.‘s got soul, and can sang. Not sing- he sangs. And that also sets him apart from a lot of rappers. "People who are afraid to experiment and try different stuff, are never going to expand creatively". A.O.D. has always had this approach to music and that’s probably why he was the first official solo artist from the Misol Tribe. It was his confidence to be versatile, and at the same time, original enough to stay true that enabled him to bring his projects into fruition. That’s A.O.D.’s Hope for the Streets! (And yes, all beats were produced by DJ Dub One of the I.T.S. Circle).

If you want to listen to the Hope for the Streets on soundcloud click here : https://soundcloud.com/iamaodmusic

To purchase the new Hope for the Streets Vol.2 from cdbaby.com click here : cdbaby.com/cd/aod23

Hit up A.O.D. on facebook and ask him about his band Burning Hash : facebook.com/iamaodmusic

Life of a Sinner by A.O.D. of the Misol Tribe from album titled Hope for the Streets produced by Dj Dub One, guitar by Anthony Vallejo

The deeper we investigate America's drug problem, the graver the predicament appears. Over the past couple decades, manufacturers of psychotropic drugs have grown a global $954 billion a year industry (2011), with $340 billion of the sales in the United States. This was only possible because the theoretical science of psychiatry was given the authority to diagnose patients with mental illnesses such as bipolar disorder, major depression disorder, social anxiety disorder, ADHD (the list goes on and on) and prescribe chemical substances as the answer to these problems. They even “legally” prescribe pharmaceutical drugs to 1,000,000 children. The really sad part is: there is no scientific evidence supporting the claims that these medications really treat mental conditions or behavioral disorders. On the contrary- some of their side effects could be dangerous (even fatal). Not to mention, these psych drugs are known to be highly addictive. Even so, 98% of "patients" that go to a psychiatrist for help will be diagnosed and prescribed drugs. Why are they allowed to do this? Well, it’s quite simple: the pharmaceutical industry has thousands of lobbyists in Washington,DC that lobby Congress and protect their interests. The pharmaceutical industry spent $855 million, more than any other industry, on lobbying activities from 1998 to 2006. One such lobbyist named Daniel Troy was hired as General Counsel of the Federal Drug Administration, nullifying any system of checks and balances. When he left the F.D.A, Daniel Troy was hired as Senior Vice President and General Counsel of GloxaSmithKline (producer of blockbuster psychotropic drugs). Yes, the drug manufacturers, the FDA and the doctors are all in cahoots. After seeing the numbers, we begin to realize that the face ofAmerica’s drug dealers are not low-life’s selling nicklebags of weed in the alleys. No, they are respectable doctors and businessmen wishing to drug the whole of society… legally. But who will be the voice of reason?



One Voice can be heard loud and clear. They are the Lomeli brothers from Boyle Heights, Ca. King Darius, Kristastrophe and younger brother Angel Lomeli (on strings) bring an energy to the scene that embodies the spirits of unity and harmony. 1Voice is the protocol of dialogue. No one has to shout over another, and everyone gets a turn to talk. It is a symbol of “togetherness” and exudes the strength of solidarity. Kristastrophe has developed a method to deal with this madness. Instead of hopelessly accepting the injustice he sees (or seeking a distraction to temporarily forget about it), he harnesses the frustration he feels to create musical testaments. In this way, he vocalizes his protest and at the same time, raises awareness to unfair conditions or practices. Kristastrophe is the definition of a hip hop poet. His topics are relevant and thought-provoking. His intelligence is exemplified in his vocabulary. He has released a mix tape called Handing U Humiliation, an e.p. titled From a Poet’s Point of View, and most recently an album titled Righteous Retaliation. You could also catch Kris organizing hip hop showcases (at the Universal Bar & Grill inNorth Hollywood) with his elder brother, King Darius.



King Darius has been writing and recording tracks for over a decade. He has previously gone by the name Dee Lo (short for D. Lomeli) and D. L. (short for Dee Low). Over the years, he has built a library of songs, anthems and collaborations that have found their way into albums of numerous groups. There are too many to name. But his first solo album was a Misol Tribe frontliner titled The Reign of King Darius, with the musical production by a certain Dj Dub One of the mightyI.T.S. Circle. It was at that point that Darius Lomeli reached the pinnacle of rhyme spitology and found it within himself to share his knowledge with other aspiring artists. He had become at One with the rhythm of life and admits the only rule he exerts are over his words- his thoughts are his dominion. His command of the English language is almost supernatural, “Not bad for the son of Spanish-speaking immigrants”, he adds with a smile. King Darius has an air of assuredness about him, like a person that knows they were chosen for a leader position. Yet, he is humble enough, in his character, to honor his word to everybody whom he has given it. This noble attribute is a rarity nowadays, and unfortunately confused people mistake a “kingly” walk as arrogance or supremacy. But nothing could be further from the truth. We were all created by the same Author of Life, we are servants of a Holy God. He is known as the King of KINGS; not the King of Fools and Liars. So it would be good to recognize that we are inheritors of a majestic legacy and raise our kids to believe they are kings and valuable to humanity. A King has spoken… Let there be 1 Voice in the house.

If you want to hear Kristastrophe’s musical archive on reverbnation click here reverbnation.com/kristastrophe

If you want to listen to King Darius’ vast collection of song files click here reverbnation.com/downlowakakingdarius

You can also reach them on facebook, click here: facebook.com/pages/1Voice

Freedom of Streets by Kristastrophe and King Darius as 1Voice from album titled Righteous Retaliation

Everywhere we turn, it's obvious that the profits gained from selling drugs has become more significant than the harmful effects it has on the consumer. The lust for money has infected every corner of society; even the values of the government are altogether corrupt. So where do we go for justice; and where do we find equality? Well, there is no simple answer. For a surety, this study on America's drug problem has turned up more questions than answers. However, one thing is for certain: any minor adjustments would not be sufficient. Subtle changes wouldn't work. There has to be a complete overhaul of the system. "The most powerful weapon, in the hands of the oppressor, is the mind of the oppressed." - Steve Biko. Therefore, it will take nothing short of REVOLUTIONIZING our entire way of thinking! We, as a People, have to reevaluate what we have come to believe is "normal" and "acceptable".



On the forefront of this movement is another pair of siblings from Boyle Heights, namely Ese Pato Loko and his older brother el DJ Dubb One. Growing up in the Pico / Aliso housing projects is rough, and as children they didn't have it easy by-any-means. But they didn't let that stop them from becoming music icons from the eastside of Los Angeles. At first they were drawn to visual artistic expressions, and (together with Spade Debora) started a group to elevate their skill levels. The focus was to cultivate raw talents. It became known as the I.T.S. Artwork went together with music, but when the audio hit Dubb, he says," I gravitated to sound because of the respect I had for it. That, if harnessed correctly, it could project frequencies physically capable of toppling walls!" Refering to the ancient Israelites creating a soundwave by shouting, in obedience to their Holy Jah God. "Yet fragile enough to pierce through a single person's consciousness." That's the greatness of DJ Dubb One. His reverence of audio waves, and the feelings they inspire, produced his genuine love for the beat. This is what made him devote countless hours, weeks, even years perfecting his craft and providing other lost souls with dope music. Among its therapeutic benefits, music provides a medium to connect with other people. That in itself is something sacred to DJ Dubb One. Ultimately, you could say Dubb and PaTito turned to music and art because they refused to be conquered by life's hardships. Not when blessed with a talent, because the Imaginations Too Strong.



Ese Pato Loko learned his share of Life's Lessons. It came to a point when he realized, that by the very nature of this cosmic design, there was no future being a dopeman. He made a vow to himself: the only dope stuff he would involve himself with, would be the dopeness with which he was involved with when he was with the crew. And Homeboy was solid in his dedication to spread the truth to a younger, more naive generation. As it is written, and ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. PaTito (out of respect for his dad, Pato) devoted himself to an obligation he believed he had to the community, to warn other people that could be misguided into making the same mistakes he had made. He worked on recording and documenting his message until the very afternoon he was fatally shot March 24, 2013. Ese Pato Loko has become a patron-saint of all former gangsters that walked down the wrong path and then double back to the threshold of bad decisions and encourage others to choose other forks in the road. From his own experience, musical-arts became a good direction to go. Even though he has returned to his forefathers, he leaves behind his worded ideas and phrases rhyming to the rhythm of the beat. They are priceless because the songs are purely from the heart, and generated from Inside the Soul. If he was playing a role, or following a roadmap for stardom (the way disney grooms it's idols from childhood) then his lyrics would be fabricated and the message fizzles out with time. But Ese Pato Loko's testimony will never die, it will be carried on in the hearts of all that miss him.

You can listen to his gift to this world. His life's mission was to share them with you. Click here:
itscrewmisol.bandcamp.com

To listen to the I.T.S tracks on reverbnation, click here:
www.reverbnation.com/ITSCrewMiSoL

Enjoy a DJ Dubb One mix on mixlr, just click here:
mixlr.com/djdubone

Ghetto's Darkest Dreams and Nightstalkers by Ese Pato Loko of the Misol Tribe from the album Street Therapy... Sessions for Life's Lessons/ lyrical contributions by Tizoker Oner

Illuminated Nations by a Hard-N-Da-Paint collective in Los Angeles. Contributing Artists: Kristastrophe Lomeli, Daniel "Empathy the Dreamer" Garcia,Gary"G.U.N.S" Garay, King Darius Lomeli recorded at Digital Aztlan Studios for the BrownPride.com Podcast