.

BRPP Magazine:

Special “INK” Edition

BOOM!!!BOOM!!!

“I refuse to go quietly. I refuse to let themget the best of me...”

Crow

Have a dream of becoming a published author? Need a no non-sensepublishing company that is only interested in putting your work out

there with style and class and no drama?

Then make sure to contact us @...

www.blaqraynpublishingplus.org or

blaqrayn2012@gmail.com

ATTENTION:

Readers, Indie Authors, Bloggers, Reviewers, Editors and anyone else that has a business inthe Publishing Industry...

Indie Love Promotions has thepromo opportunity of the year! Foronly $10 you can get a FULL PAGEad in the Indie Love Promotions2014 Indie Publishing Info Book!This book will be mailed andemailed to libraries, book stores,book clubs and other places aroundthe world! Yes, we are goinginternational! The book will becreated in professional format withfull graphics and editing! The leftpages in the book will be full of infoand tips for the Indie Author, theright pages will be ads!The anticipated

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The New CD from Eric“Crow” Draven...his firstin over a decade,featuring the muchacclaimed title track bythe same name...

INK!

4/29/14

Tribute To INK Stained HeartsHis ink spilled...traveling in rivulets through and around the cracks and crevicesin my heart...dead cells lapping at the black gold like water sold to a man dying ofthirst and lack...my blood ran black and congealed...it was finished, no more storiesto tell...no more lines to scribe...the devil had bet and won the bribe...I was gone...lostin the deepest dark and alone...drifting to the cords of an unfamiliar song...notcaring that the end was my own...then came the ink. "Drink it like oxygen" my Soulspake from far away... "take and take until the beat revives and your intellect onceagain thrives..."

My inner woman leaped with joy as the first beat pounded and resoundedthroughout my once living flesh...my unconscious mind woke to blink through thepain...searching the fog till it found the ink stain that had beckoned...my bodyreckoned it was safe to feel but my mind restrained, "Is this really real?" Are wealive? Did we truly survive our ride to hell...awaiting the toll of the bell that wouldsummon the soul to eternal rest? Did we really face death or was this some infernaltest of faith and will?

It was then that his ink was still and his words replaced the space the ink had filled.The sound of his syllables was like life to a dying me...my soul reaching out toembrace the smooth dialect...breaking free from the chains of neglect andcircumstance...my battered heart saw a chance and took it...like a flight to paradise...book it...that tasty fish on the line...hook it...never hesitate beyond a glance...for lifeis precious and to be treasured...every moment stored and measured against the daywhen the storm shall surely come and try to take it all away.

He spoke softly to my soul and the healing began...he spoke lovingly to myheart...”beat and live again”. For it was the pain of your passing and the hurt ofyour struggle that cried out to me, you see...it was my ink that first heard thee. Beingbound by no distance or time, it raced to repair your breach and caress yourmind...to reach deep inside where the true you resides and pour forth it's everaltering force.

Since that day, I have truly been changed...my life and thoughts rearranged...transformed from all I thought was right and true. Daily into his words my teeth dosink...from the fount of his ink I drink, I drink...I Drink!

Ms. Wordetry

Available at Online Retailers

Crow performingin

DowntownBrooklyn

Featured Author

K. C. BLAZE

K.C Blaze also known as K.C.Baylor is the author of threebooks including PlatinumDust (Part-One) Currentlysigned to Just WrightPublications. She has markedher entrance into the literaryworld with her award-winningsite Urban Fiction Newsmagazine.

With a degree in Psychology and her love of the writtenword. she has always known she wanted to write booksthat not only inspired but took her readers on a mentaljourney unlike any they've been on before.

Not only does she write books that read like movies butshe also uses music as a major component in her writing.

Raheim is the son of a dead manand the woman who killed him. Hehas deep seeded hatred towards hismother for kicking him out at ageeleven simply for looking like hisfather.

With a fierce determination not toend up like either of his parents, heruns from woman to woman inhopes of avoiding love andcommitment until he runs right intothe arms of the one woman made tolove him.

One fateful night in a nightclub will leave Raheim runningfor his life and endangering the lives of those closest tohim.

Follow him on his path to forgiveness, redemption andwhat he hopes is a love made to last!!!

http://ow.ly/i/54R4E GETYOUR COPYNOW!!!!

Faith vs FearPeace and blessings be upon you my beloved brothers and sisters. Icome to you in the name of JAH Rastafari, H.I.M. (His ImperialMajesty) Haile Selassie I, King of Kings, Lord of Lords, ConqueringLion of the tribe of Judah. Upon His coronation in 1930, Heproclaimed: “I am the Father of all Afrikaans at home and abroad”The God of Ethiopia (Kush).

The subject of this article is ‘Faith vs. Fear’. The conflict betweenthese two human realities lay at the heart of the Afrikan LiberationMovement or the lack thereof.

Who or What is God? Whatever Force created the vastnessof the Universe is beyond human comprehension.Humanity’s most ancient spiritual beliefs revolve aroundsymbols meant to represent our creator’s attributes. Closerto human understanding, there is a Father God and aMother Goddess and this union brought Kemet (ancientEgypt) to a height of civilization once considered to be TheKingdom of God on Earth. It is important to note that bothGod and Goddess had their Temples- ministered by Priestsand Priestesses- these are who the Bible and Qur’an calledangels.

How many of us, since our cultural awakening, havewondered what catastrophe could have destroyed thisGlory? Who or what was this Serpent- this fallen angel-this rebellious son of God who chose a foreign people(Adam and Eve) to be his own? To teach them that portionof the Mysteries pertaining only to the material world(Freemasonry)? This rebellion attracted even some of thePriests. The images of a devil with horns and tail (animalnature) and his demons along with images of angels withwings (spiritual nature) are the imaginations of artists andto create a perception that these are not the same manner ofcreature that we are. What made them gods is that theywere intellectually and spiritually developed- in service toour Creator. In Genesis 3:22- when God says: “Behold- theman has become like one of us- to know good and evil…”Who is God talking to?

The great Gods of Egypt (long before the Pharaohs) wereOsiris/Ausar (Son of RA and their King), Isis/Auset(Daughter of Earth- Neter and Queen), Horus (their son andPrince), Toth (the Master Teacher)- the Greeks called himHermes Trismegistus- and Set- the Serpent-god. It is thissymbol of the Serpent that confuses modern scholars- itexists in all ancient cultures and might be best described asthe lower mind- whose energies are driven by emotions.The conflict between the races is based on the Aryan tribes(descendants of Adam and Eve) being led by disciples of

Further confusion and fear comes from these devils usingonce sacred symbols to describe their domains (Man, Lion,Eagle and Bull).

The first casualty of this conflict was the MotherGoddess- for the disciples of the Serpent felt the need tosubjugate women in order to indoctrinate their children.Men wrote ‘sacred’ texts not only excluding the MotherGoddess but making Eve the scapegoat for the ‘Fall ofMan’. The idea of a Divine feminine (the Womb) makes itimpossible to create a new religion based on amale-dominated hierarchy. True Women’s Liberation isnot to make her equal to fallen men- but to recognize theDivinity of Women (Afrikan women- the mothers ofcivilization) and her own teachings to the spiritualdevelopment of the daughters of the Goddess.

Judaism, Islam and Christianity all claim the ProphetAbraham as their forebear (and what was his faith?). Yet,the written holy scriptures (Bible and Qur’an) are tracedback to Moses- who got his story from Kemet- and thatstory began with a mysterious event that took placearound 4,000 B.C. According to Kemetian Priests, theyobserved the disappearance of a certain star in theconstellation Draco (the Dragon). All ancient civilizationsread prophecy in the movement of the stars. Thisparticular prophecy foretold the destruction of theircivilization, the reign of serpent-kings (6,000 years ofdarkness), and the Rebirth of a God-King to restorecivilization. This 6,000-year timetable became the HolyBible.

Nubia and Asia would be devastated by multipleinvasions and wars- not only the first Pharaoh (Menes)leading an army into Kemet- but also the Aryan invasionsof Assyria, Babylon, Persia and India- these are the warsspoken of in Genesis- and continued with the Europeanand Arab invasions of Kush (Afrika).

Inside this conflict, was born Jesus of Nazareth- who isalso given the title of Christ (The Anointed One).

Some will debate about the pronunciation of his name-irrelevant. His spiritual lineage is related to Osiris and Isis(Ausar and Auset) and their son Horus. Another Son of godmentioned in the Bible is Melchizedek who met Abrahamas a Priest of the Most High God. This lineage of Blackgods also include the Pharaoh Akhenaton who tried torestore the belief in the One True God- whom they calledRA- symbolized as the Sun.

Jesus didn’t come to start a new religion. He continuallyvalidated Himself based on Mosaic Law. This connectionto Moses and by extension- ancient Egypt- is a reference toHis Father- God (many names). While He lived, theRoman empire claimed that their Caesar (Titus) was theGod-king and the Hebrews were afraid of his armies. Theywere allowed to keep their religion (like today’sChristians )- but Jesus claiming to be the Son of God cometo restore the fallen Kingdom was a threat to Romanauthority. It must be noted that the elite (preachers andteachers) rejected Him- and He was betrayed and handedover by His own people. What hangs on that cross is asymbol of a dead Black god- crucified because His peoplewere afraid to accept Him as King. Once again, to validatetheir own authority, Aryans/Caucasians/Europeans hidethemselves behind the Vatican and their churches- all theconfusion in the Christian world is because of all the deathand destruction brought with European kingdoms invadingthe non-white world- backed by the Church. Atheism andagnosticism is a rebellion of white Christianity.

We have a chance again with Rastafari- I can only ask youto search for the truth yourself- we don’t seek converts. Iam not the only one utterly convinced that he is the Son ofGod we were waiting for. Our re-awakening began withHim being crowned Emperor in Ethiopia- the only Afrikannation never colonized by Europe.

There are many who are familiar with these teachings- butit seems either they serve our enemies- or out of fear,choose to remain silent. Our people suffer from a lack ofknowledge about the forces that shaped this modern world.They hear whispers and rumors about ‘The Illuminati’ andfear makes them forget their faith.

Islam is a touchy subject regarding Afrikan liberationbecause Egypt, Libya and Sudan continue to be victimizedby Arab racism. If Afrikan/Black Muslims can accept theidea of gods (i.e.- the Nation of Islam), then perhaps therecan be some unity between Black Christians and blackMuslims and for that matter Black Jews. We are Afrikanbefore anything else- and must be rooted in our faith tobattle against all the strategies (including military) of thedisciples of the Serpent. For those of you who wonderwhether or not the war ended with Jesus dying for us-wonder why he would have to return.

True Christians (Rastafarians included) must have ourchurches once again rooted in the traditions of Kushand Kemet (the ‘20’s and ‘30’s but was interrupted byWWII.)

We need a re-connect with our Black Father God andBlack Mother Goddess- and the lifting of every voicemust be so overwhelming that any brother or sisterfailing to join us- would die of shame. Before anyweapon is raised, conquering our fear to beempowered by our faith lay at the heart of ourrevolution. This is what our enemies are truly afraid of.

Aquarius Khan

April 15, 2014

Street eyez Photography

"Terrain" & Danial Kla$$ic Peru

TANNON ROYALT MILLER

My name is Tannon RoyalT Miller

I'm a native of MI, presently residing in Grand Haven,MI and I have been photographing people, places andthings since I was 8. I have seen the view of myimmediate environment and many people, places andthings across the country, through the lens of a camera.

Growing up impoverished, I used photography as a wayto escape the harsh realities of many obstacles. I beganto photograph professionally in 2007, beginning a seriesof shots of graffiti throughout the cities I had traveled tobeginning with Detroit, MI...progressing into furthercities such as Scottsdale, AZ.,Phoenix, AZ., Tuscan, AZ.,Lake Havesu, AZ., Parker, AZ., Victoria, TX., Houston,TX., Irvine, TX., Austin, TX, San Antonio, TX., CorpusChristi, TX., Hoboken, NJ., New York City, SanBernadino, CA., while filling in the gaps in severalsuburbs, deserts, villas, and small towns throughout.

My first book called "Reflections" available for purchase in hard back form or download, is acompilation of shapes, grades, texture, and color; capturing many aspects of the environment around usthat we tend to overlook. So if you will, sip on your favorite drink, nibble on your favorite snack and letyourself imagine being a midst the sites, sounds, and savory scenery as you "C tha world thru MY

Artistic Twisted Eye"

More of my work seen upon request...

Tannon and Luna

Photographs by Street Eyez Photography

Crow wows thecrowd in Texas in

March 2013

Author /Poet Anthony Arnold

Featured Poems of the Month

My Muse

She came to me in a dreamAn angel dressed in whiteWhat is the matter my sonYour voice has gone silent

I cannot writeMy muse is goneI have no wordsMy ink is coldShe was my rockMy GibraltarA life line

A port in any stormShe was my biggest fanMy ardent supporterShe would tell anyone

These words came from my sonYour words are needed

Your faith in your peopleA beacon of hopeA life an example

Who am I to speak out?To criticize injusticeTo educate anyone

To bring ancestors to lifeIf one is touched

If one is enlightenedIf one is helpedYour task is done

Looking at the angelWith tears fallingWho am I to speak?

How do I express my heart?With a smile that brightened the heavens

And a voice that rang with musicShe took my hand and saidMy son you already have

RIP my museMarolyn Martin1942-2014 ©aa2014

Our Star

I was your floweryou found methere I was for youin the rise of themorningyou kissed medesire.For you wantedme as muchI wanted youyou had that wayeven I flirted withyou so youcaught myheart.You caught meby surprise when yoube the oneto place specialbeautiful flower toplace along sideof hair make mesmile.You call meyour special Rosehow I was radiantjust as beautiful asin always youlook into myeyes.

Your words becamethe collections thatfelt kept closeinto my heartsalways you aremy special lovethat I embracednow.I'll be your floweryou be thatMan who lovegiven who makesme happy nowkiss me againyes.I'm Your Flower~!Let me giveyou that samelook that tookyou to cometo me brought lifeback into mylife that here tostay.

Author/PoetRosalind Cherry

I Was Your Flower~

MAMAS MAKIN’ MOVESMAMAS MAKIN’MOVES is a monthly column by Tiffany D.Glover a.k.a. Jayne Phlow, that spotlights mothers making moves inthe community and in their careers. Now, not ALL of the womenfeatured areMOTHERS, but they are STILL hotMAMAS in theirown right and deserve their piece of the limelight as well. Thiscolumn will do something that we, as women, should ALWAYS striveto do among ourselves, and that’s LOVE on each other.

Jayne aka Tiffany

Since I didn’t have an interviewlined up this month with aMAMAwho’s MAKIN’MOVES,I decided to pen an article aboutsomething that seems to be nearand dear to ALL of our hearts:SOCIAL MEDIA. Facebook,Instagram, Twitter, YouTube,Foursquare, LinkedIn, Pinterest,Yahoo, Gmail, Vine, Skype,OoVoo, Kik…..ALL of it. Mostof us have profiles on at leastONE of these pages and some ofus may be set up on ALL of them.

The question is, what exactly arewe using our pages for? Are webeing productive, or are wesimply wasting our time trying tostay in the know with whateverybody else is doing, which is,sadly, probably wasting time too?

Speaking from experience, I canhonestly say that I killed A LOTof my brain cells when I firstcame on Facebook back in 2009.Initially, I didn’t even WANT aFacebook page, but I finally gavein and allowed my homie/brother/friend to go on and setmy page up for me andoooooohhh BOY! It was ON andpoppin’!I started building up my friendslist, taking pictures for my profile

pic and photo albums, started“liking” and commenting onevery single post from justabout every single person andeven had me a little farm goingon on Farmville for a while.

Throughout my first year onthe “Book,” my friends listgrew because you know,QUANTITY is everything; Istarted joining groups so thateverybody could see that I wasa part of SOMETHINGwhether I actively participatedor not, and I made sure that Iwas never too far away fromall of the “goings-on” on therebecause who really wants to beTHAT person that doesn’tknow what’s happening atALL times?

So basically from 2009, up toapproximately the middle oflast year, my time spent onFacebook was literally timewasted. So around July of lastyear, with the big 4-0 quicklyand steadily sneaking up onme in February, I knew it wastime for me to make aHORRENDOUS shift in myfocus.

I was already a member of ahighly productive women’snetworking group, LowCountry Women of Color, onmeetup.com, and it opened thedoor for me to join othernetworking groups, like theCharleston Power Connection

and the Charleston Travelers.

These groups presented me with theopportunities to travel, participatingin various networking events andactivities across the city and beyondand eventually forced me to re-evaluate my current circle of“friends” by choosing to surroundmyself with more productive sistersand brothers who were using theirFacebook pages for what Ishould’ve ALWAYS been using itfor: NETWORKING.

From October 2013 up until now, Ihave gotten more use out of myFacebook page than I EVER havebecause I actually spend LESS timeon there than I EVER have. As anow published author and workingspoken word artist, I use my page tonot only promote my book but toadvertise any and all events I maybe performing in. Now yes, I doTRY to stay on top of all of theevents going on in and around town,as many random conversations aspossible and even some juicy“gossip” here-and-there; but for themost part, these days, I miss A LOT,and I’m not necessarily upset aboutit either.

Sometimes it really does bother mewhen my notifications ding on myphone because as much as I wouldLOVE to sit there and respond toevery single post or pic that I’mtagged in, I know how easy it is toget “stuck” for the next two hours

how easy it is to get “stuck” for the nexttwo hours responding to those notifications.Before you know it, half of the day is goneand you haven’t done a THING you weresupposed to because you’ve been in and outof your inbox all day. Yes, you mostdefinitely feel like one of the “popularkids” because you’ve got everybodywanting a little piece of you, but at thesame time, if you’re giving all of your littlepieces away, what do you have left to dowhat needs to be done?

By no means am I telling any of you to shutdown your social media accounts because Ican almost guarantee that none of youwould do that anyway. What I AM sayingthough is, as with everything else we latchon to in this world, we need to practicesome form of moderation.

Whether we only allot an hour a day to allthings social media or whether we save itall til the weekend, we have to gain controlover the time we spend mindlessly scrollingthrough our news-feeds or re-tweetingeverything that we think will set our pageon fire. Staying “in-the-know" ISdetrimental to keeping you alive in thesocial media world, but it can be murder toyour reality, or lack thereof.

If you have questions/comments toor concerning any of our articlesor you would like to submit a topicfor discussion, please submit themto our email @blaqrayn.001@gmail.com andthank you for your continuedsupport!

The BRPP MAG STAFF

Featured Books of the Month

Urban fiction AuthorTreasure Blue does it againwith this 5 Star Bangertelling “Rain’s Story”,another phenomenalcharacter in his powerfularsenal. Available at allonline retailers and fromTreasure Blue himself!

“Rat Hunters”, one of Bebo’sbest offering to the world ofUrban Lit is hard-hitting,fast-paced and a 5 starwinner, as you would expectnothing less from thisfascinating and originalAuthor. Make sure to checkhim out wherever goodbooks are sold!!!

Author Jayne Phlowbrings us this grippingbook of poetry thatspeaks from her Souland from the souls ofcountless women ANDmen dealing with reallife issues. This, herfirst offering to theliterary world, isamazing and weeagerly anticipatewhat she will gift to usnext!!! Available atonline retailers.

“The Search for Substance” isEric “Crow” Draven’s 4th book ofpoetry and he simply tells it likeit is. His poetry almost reads likean urban fiction novel andwraps you in his soul and hisjourney as you read his words. Ifyou have ever found yourselfsearching for substance, purposeand meaning in life then thisbook is for you and about YOU!!!All Crow’s works of poetic art canbe found wherever books aresold!!!

Featured Poet

Jason G. Pierce

Jason G. Pierce was born in Gary Indiana and attendedLSU, where he earned his degree in anatomy. He’scurrently in the air force. He currently resides in LancasterCA.

Multi faceted, Jason practices massage, kickboxing and DJs in his spare time. His favorite quote of "acceptance isfailure" will always drive him forward in being a wellrounded individual.

Jason G. Pierce

J.G. Pierce18

His current work derives from pure unbridledemotion. Like a raw nerve he reacts only to what heperceives. Which wrought the creation of his 1stbook "Bordello of the Subconscious." Depth in everyline. Emotion in every phrase. Jason is a master oferotic writing!

He pens as Brandon Heat/ArikFrost

Crow gets ataste of

history inSavannah GA.

Muhjahid Qahhar

It Was On My Mind

Illusion of Success

It seems the higher we rise on the economicscale, the more reasons we find not to havechildren. The more education we garner, themore excuses we make to not have children.Really, there is a peculiar logic that seems toaccompany what is being taught to our peoplein college that somehow shines a positive lighton black people not reproducing.

It has become acceptable for the career drivenblack woman or man to hold off on breedinguntil they're in their late thirties, even earlyforties. This is even encouraged, peoplemarrying their career.

I understand the concept of it, but it is hardlyAfrican. This manner of thinking was adopted,it was not native to us. What is so ironic aboutit all is the fact of the so-called successful,educated ones among us are the very peoplewho need to be reproducing. You all are thepeople who have the most to offer our children.You're smart, disciplined, driven...but in manycases not very intelligent.

Knowing that 2+2=4 is smart. Understandingthe power of numbers and how to make themwork scientifically is intelligent.

On the contrary, those of us on the lowest endof the economic and educational scale seem tohave no problem breeding. We're spitting outbabies left and right while being criticized bythe black intellectual for...in my opinion,keeping our race alive, though that is not whatthey call it. Let them tell it, many of usshouldn't be having children. We're not fit to doso, and that may be so.Lebron James' mother was probably not fit

Lebron James' mother was probably not fit to be havingchildren, but she was woman enough to let him live and comeinto this world. Look at where her boy is now, all because shegave him a chance at life. Not a fair chance, not even a decentchance, just a chance. It is really simple arithmetic, Ethiopiaand Somalia understood it.

Years ago when they would show us the images on TV ofEthiopians starving, bellies swollen, walking the dry, parchedland, looking like there was no tomorrow, I would alwayswonder, why do they continue having children when theyclearly have no future to offer them?

Decades later I realized that if they would have stoppedbreeding, they might not be here today. They couldn't waitaround for the perfect conditions to have a child, it was aboutsurvival. And here we are crying about we don't have a bigenough house, I'm not earning enough money yet, I haven'tearned my Masters yet, I'm not where I want to be in my careeryet...Meanwhile, our race is falling apart, and the only reasonwe're even still here is because of those among us who are notscared to have children no matter their circumstances; 50% ofviable, black pregnancies end in abortion.

As a black person, it requires a lot to just make it into thisworld today, and even more to survive unscathed. In a nutshell,this message is dedicated to our educated, career minded,successful black folks. HAVE SOME DAMN CHILDREN.Have as many as you can. Bring them into a loving, structured,nurturing environment. Give them a real shot at a future...orotherwise keep your mouth off of those among us who are atleast selfless enough to reproduce.

Shout out to the parents, good or bad, because of you, at thevery least, black people will always be around.

Muhjahid Qahhar

John D. Green Sr.His Movies...His Music...His Rise

John D. Green Sr. was born May 14, 1971 in St. Louis,Missouri. He was the 2nd youngest of 10 children, 5 boysand 5 girls born to Geraline Green a loving, hard-workingdisciplinarian. As a small child he moved to the SouthWest side of Detroit where he spent many years inchildhood cultivating his love for music. Even in earlychildhood, John was captivated by the choir at catholicschool, the street corner do-wop singers, the glee club andthe sounds coming from his older siblings radios. Ofcourse the biggest influence was watching his mother andher sisters playing on the piano and singing.

An earliest childhood memory, he tells of a time when hismother left the home to go visit her sisters. He was hangingout with some friends but couldn't control the temptationto play the forbidden Steinway piano and decided to bangaway on the keys. As he was playing and singing, heneglected to notice the room got awfully quiet, it was toolate, his mom, who strictly played gospel music, wasstanding behind him with a "its whoopin time" face on.The direction of his music career would change at thatmoment, when she told him to move over to the higher 88sand started playing boogie woogie with him. Who was thiswoman sitting next to him? At that time she had just beenhis mom, a lover of God and gospel music and there shewas playing Jerry Lee Lewis "Great Balls of Fire" withhim. That was the start of the creation of the man hewould come to be.

John was in band, glee-club, and Ms.Champion's Dance Club. He played theClarinet in Band (not very well, he adds).His cousin, Raphael Bonner spent a lot oftime with Pastor Davies at Mount AbramMissionary Baptist Church. Raphael usedto take him to the pastors home where thecousins were allowed to play the uprightacoustic piano and Hammond B 3 Organ.At that time John's cousin told him thathe should start putting together the piecesof his creations to make songs.

High School was a different story, a wholenew direction for him. In his high schoolyears he didn't spend time working onmusic in school. His music "education"came from hanging out in the parks,hitting the different clubs andexperiencing music from the streets. Itwas a life shaping experience. Music waseverywhere. There were so many differentinfluences, nationalities and genres, whichhelped influence his sound. Detroit wasalive with music. That is when he joinedhis first group, "Total Control" whichconsisted of his cousin Raphael, and ayoung lady named Violanda Mccuuin.They wrote a lot and they practiced a lot,but they spent more time writing andpracticing then they did performing.

This and many more experienceshave shaped and molded this youngman into the musical performer andcomposer that he is today. But likelife's lessons are ongoing, so is musicand creation and evolution's lessons.He is ever growing-ever experiencing- ever evolving.

Article and interview by:Tannon RoyalT Miller

1. ROYALT: What are your future plans in this industry?

JOHN: To work behind the scenes composing music for radio and film.

2. ROYALT: If you could choose a single artist from the past to work with, who would it be?, and what do youthink you would gain by working with them?

JOHN: Scott Joplin -- ex-trone discipline of focus and music perfection.

3. ROYALT: What has been the most fulfilling part about your career thus far?, and how has it impacted yourlife?

JOHN: Composing, Arranging, and performing with my son, music that has reached the world; its beensuch a bonding experience, growing together as musicians.

4. ROYALT: Is there someone specific that keeps you focused and pushing you through rough times? like, forinstance, moments that seem like your dream won't become a reality? How are they making adifference in your life now?

JOHN: My Wife, Children, and grand children, they always have something positive and uplifting to saywhen I'm feeling less than motivated... lol

5. ROYALT: What is the most difficult obstacle you have faced pursuing your career?, and what did you do toovercome this obstacle?

JOHN: Maintaining originality and staying true to what feels right in my sound. NOT, conforming tosociety's idea of a "hit"

6. ROYALT: If you weren't pursuing a career in music, what would be your chosen profession?

JOHN: Fire Fighting

7. ROYALT: If there was one thing you could change about this industry, what would it be?, and how do youthink that change would make things better?

JOHN: I would get rid of the, "Who you Know" factor... and hopefully, it would be about the music and notjust who is getting backed and promoted.

8. ROYALT: (When asked these two Questions, John just kinda laughs to himself and drops his head as to letme know that he would just rather keep the answers to these two close to the chest... Not, to saythat he is doing anything bad... but just to keep this part of his life to himself... )

JOHN:

9. ROYALT:

JOHN:

10. ROYALT: Do you have any, "shout-out"/ or, announcements you would like to share?

JOHN: Mrs. Ruby Roberts, My no.1 supporter and dear friend... "Much Love Ruby!"

John D. Green Sr.

MUSICIAN

PERFORMER

The

Actor

Song by Song Review of CDReview of each song in CD order: Don’t let the track titles fool you...u have no idea until youactually hear each song in its entirety!

Son of Frankenstein: In this initial track, Crow begins his journey from his beginning...his father.Believe me, the man was no Frankenstein but he was a giant and his song pays him homage as only ason can. With a forceful, powerful music composition, you feel every word!

Shepherd in Boys Town: Aman that has pretty much seen it all and done a lot of it shares wisdom anda word of encouragement with the young men in his life without judgment but with a heavy word ofwarning to take heed to those who have “been there...done that...” Tifini Lewis is on vocals; the musicslows and mellows a bit because in this particular piece, the message is of the utmost importance.

Fairytales: Hip Hop vibe for real! This track is all the evidence you will ever need of Crow’s geniuswith a pen! Really??? To take the nursery rhymes and stories we all heard and read as children and insome cases are now sharing with our children and word them to apply to the hardships and struggles oflife in the hood...BRILLIANT!!!

2 Late: When you listen to this track, pay attention to the drumming in the music...sometimes in orderto survive, we must learn to march to the beat of a different drummer! Crow gives us a glimpse into hisworld of Social work. At times in life, no matter what we do we cannot save those around us, so pleasetake heed before it’s too late.

These Hands: Again, who would think to do a piece and put it to such dramatic and dynamic musicabout “hands”, but these two (The Legend Nathan P and Crow) did it and Wow did they do it! I can’tlie, I had to look at my hands and remember all the good, bad, wonderful and not so wonderful thingsthey have touched and done. Talk about a song taking you on a walk down memory lane!

INK: The title track of the CD and such a cosmic song, in that at the moment you began listening, ittakes you out of yourself to whatever place you need to be. It’s a song that opens the imagination like adoor and welcomes you to come and explore all possibilities. The music is so reminiscent of old schoolclassics, Vida McWhite really does her thing on this track and Crow’s words...his voice strokes everysyllable like a gentle lover...it simply takes you there!

Beautiful: The Latin feel with that d*^m guitar is so freaking hot!!! Ladies, he did this one just for us!If you have ever had a second of doubt about your power as a woman, ever lacked that necessaryself-confidence or sense of self-worth; ever dealt with jealousy or envy to the point where you justwanted to give up and give in? If you answered yes to anyone of these questions, this is the song foryou!!! Crow does what he does and does it like no one else...remind you of just how Beautiful youreally are!!!

Unapologetic: The music on this track has a very spiritual feel with the Lord’s Prayer and Kierasinging the children’s good night prayer I recited as a child and taught to my children...this song is acelebration of life. You can connect with it because of its simplicity, yet the message is so clear. Liveyour life to the fullest and make no apologies because at the end of the day...the memories are all thatlinger.

Talk To Me: Crow allows us an exclusive look at himself through his own eyes as he talks to Crow.The music is very gentle and uplifting...his words give us a glimpse into his life from birth until now.He trust us enough to let us see the real Eric “Crow” Draven as he finally takes a look insidehimself...as he looks on the good, the bad, the ugly and the Great...for all his Greatness shines in these9 songs and I am blessed to have been given the pleasure of hearing them.

Thank you Crow

Poetry Author/Spoken Word Artist of the Year

NOMINEE

Crow and Nathan P.at the Official

Release Party forINK CDApril 29,

2014