Debut single addresses 'honour crimes' issue

[decode reality]

My debut single 'Shame' has just been released and is available from either http://www.amazon.com or http://www.itunes.com . Just type Imani Shame into the search box. Here is the video (featuring some strong images, as it is on the subject of honour killings)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WV0SLsyVsqY&p=288A53D07A350D91&playnext=1&index=52

To find out more, go to http://www.myspace.com/imanihekima
http://img841.imageshack.us/img841/483/shamesleeve.jpg (http://img841.imageshack.us/i/shamesleeve.jpg/)

[synergy777]

My debut single 'Shame' has just been released and is available from either http://www.amazon.com or http://www.itunes.com . Just type Imani Shame into the search box. Here is the video (featuring some strong images, as it is on the subject of honour killings)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WV0SLsyVsqY&p=288A53D07A350D91&playnext=1&index=52

To find out more, go to http://www.myspace.com/imanihekima
http://img841.imageshack.us/img841/483/shamesleeve.jpg (http://img841.imageshack.us/i/shamesleeve.jpg/)

congratulations, good to see you getting published.

its an important topic, especially in the uk.

its nice to see it highlighted, that takes courage bruv.

all the best.

[decode reality]

congratulations, good to see you getting published.

its an important topic, especially in the uk.

its nice to see it highlighted, that takes courage bruv.

all the best.


Thanks for your support Syn. It's had a positive response so far. I'm expecting that there'll be people who'd rather this issue wasn't raised but that's par for the course.

[thegatherer]

Hey, really good song there, you've got a really good voice.
I was just thinking listening to that, that serious subjects are probably better approached with a slow, laid back vibe like that...as it's kind of meditative isn't it?

[decode reality]

Hey, really good song there, you've got a really good voice.
I was just thinking listening to that, that serious subjects are probably better approached with a slow, laid back vibe like that...as it's kind of meditative isn't it?

Thank you, Gatherer, glad you enjoyed it. Yes, that's a good point. Bob Marley always had something heavy to say but he conveyed it in a way that was very relaxing too.

[armoured_amazon]

One for my shopping list. You know I dig. :D

[disorder2k8]

Quite chilled, it reminds me a little of the Marley's style.


If you ever have extra voice snippits or samples you'd like to contribute to one of my free songs then I'd appreciate that. I cant pay though, as all my music is created free for everyone.

[decode reality]

One for my shopping list. You know I dig. :D

Thanks - I appreciate it. :) :D

[decode reality]

Quite chilled, it reminds me a little of the Marley's style.


If you ever have extra voice snippits or samples you'd like to contribute to one of my free songs then I'd appreciate that. I cant pay though, as all my music is created free for everyone.

Cheers Disorder...could you PM me some snips of your work?
You spotted the Marley influence, I had 'Johnny Was' half in mind when I wrote it.

[disorder2k8]

Cheers Disorder...could you PM me some snips of your work?
You spotted the Marley influence, I had 'Johnny Was' half in mind when I wrote it.

I make ambient and clubby stuff here www.myspace.com/foreverdisorder

I recommend any of the Samurai ones or Musicbox

[decode reality]

I make ambient and clubby stuff here www.myspace.com/foreverdisorder

I recommend any of the Samurai ones or Musicbox

Listening to Music Box right now....I like it. :) Like the tablas with the ambient sounds, a nice combination. Will check it all out.

[thegatherer]

Thank you, Gatherer, glad you enjoyed it. Yes, that's a good point. Bob Marley always had something heavy to say but he conveyed it in a way that was very relaxing too.

Yeah I absolutely love Bob Marley...I was listening to those songs about slavery and freedom a long time before I fully woke up and I remember wondering to myself why those songs (about slavery) resonated so strongly to me. Now I know exactly why and I respect that guy more than words could say. I love 'Exodus' but also the really early stuff when the Wailers were Peter Tosh, Bunny Wailer etc...beautiful harmonies....ooooohh oooooh oooohh oooooohh....:)...the Lee 'Scratch' Perry stuff.

[decode reality]

Yeah I absolutely love Bob Marley...I was listening to those songs about slavery and freedom a long time before I fully woke up and I remember wondering to myself why those songs (about slavery) resonated so strongly to me. Now I know exactly why and I respect that guy more than words could say. I love 'Exodus' but also the really early stuff when the Wailers were Peter Tosh, Bunny Wailer etc...beautiful harmonies....ooooohh oooooh oooohh oooooohh....:)...the Lee 'Scratch' Perry stuff.

Marley had the same effect on me. The first ones I recall were More Axe (an early version of Small Axe) and Slave Driver. Throughout the 70s, my Mum bought all his albums and I always gravitated more towards the social commentary songs than the love ones.

I love his work with Scratch. And I learnt how to harmonise by listening to Bob and early Aswad. :)

[thegatherer]

Marley had the same effect on me. The first ones I recall were More Axe (an early version of Small Axe) and Slave Driver. Throughout the 70s, my Mum bought all his albums and I always gravitated more towards the social commentary songs than the love ones.

I love his work with Scratch. And I learnt how to harmonise by listening to Bob and early Aswad. :)

Maybe this is something you didn't know...Bob and the wailers were much influenced by early Curtis Mayfield (and the Impressions), the harmonic style was taken from there, but with a Jamaican twist obviously. They actually covered lots of Curtis Mayfield songs...Long long Winter, Keep on Movin'...I think were both written by Curtis. Come to think of it better not get me started on Curtis Mayfield, love him too.:)

[decode reality]

Maybe this is something you didn't know...Bob and the wailers were much influenced by early Curtis Mayfield (and the Impressions), the harmonic style was taken from there, but with a Jamaican twist obviously. They actually covered lots of Curtis Mayfield songs...Long long Winter, Keep on Movin'...I think were both written by Curtis. Come to think of it better not get me started on Curtis Mayfield, love him too.:)

Yeah, I love Curtis's music and I knew about that connection with the harmonies. All the vocal trios in Jamaica modelled themselves on The Impressions. One Love also is a Curtis song, in part. Curtis on his own and with the Impressions was writing social comment songs before Marvin and Stevie started and as much as he gets his props from musicians and discerning listeners, he's still an unsung hero.

[synergy777]

curtis mayfield is hugely underrated by the music press.

i have his greatest hits album, the guy was ahead of the game both in musical and lyrical content.

also sam cooke never gets the praise he deserves.

to me, these two are up there with james brown, otis redding and marvin gaye.

also gil scott heron, the master of spoken word.

also pinero, a latin american poet never gets the full credit.

they just push crap like lady gaga etc.

back to reggae, lee scratch perry, peter tosh, and bob are legends.

however burning spear and yabby you, are two artists/bands that should also be better known, true masters of their craft, they just never had the commercial success they deserved.

[thegatherer]

curtis mayfield is hugely underrated by the music press.

i have his greatest hits album, the guy was ahead of the game both in musical and lyrical content.

also sam cooke never gets the praise he deserves.

to me, these two are up there with james brown, otis redding and marvin gaye.

also gil scott heron, the master of spoken word.

also pinero, a latin american poet never gets the full credit.

they just push crap like lady gaga etc.

back to reggae, lee scratch perry, peter tosh, and bob are legends.

however burning spear and yabby you, are two artists/bands that should also be better known, true masters of their craft, they just never had the commercial success they deserved.

Well curtis was in turn massively influenced by Sam Cooke, and you can really hear that in early Impression stuff.

As far as Lady Gaga goes I do take some comfort in the fact that not many people will be listening to her in 40 years! Fewer still will be talking about her as a musical legend...but if there ever is a global awakening etc Curtis and Bob will probablyl be bigger legends, deservedly.

I like all the artists you mentioned, respec!:D

[decode reality]

curtis mayfield is hugely underrated by the music press.

i have his greatest hits album, the guy was ahead of the game both in musical and lyrical content.

also sam cooke never gets the praise he deserves.

to me, these two are up there with james brown, otis redding and marvin gaye.

also gil scott heron, the master of spoken word.

also pinero, a latin american poet never gets the full credit.

they just push crap like lady gaga etc.

back to reggae, lee scratch perry, peter tosh, and bob are legends.

however burning spear and yabby you, are two artists/bands that should also be better known, true masters of their craft, they just never had the commercial success they deserved.

There was a good Channel 4 show, one of those "Top Ten Of..."....they did one on soul. This was pretty good because Curtis was in there, along with Sly Stone, Stevie and all the people who SHOULD be there.

Gil Scott Heron...brilliant. Saw him live in 1986 and met him and his band backstage....sad how he went into drugs, the vibe backstage was very clean, to be honest....loads of bowls of fruit everywhere (I remember, erm helping myself)

Pinero....must check him.

The thing with many of those artists you mentioned is that they influenced the direction of music (especially dub/remixes) without big fat contracts and the like. That's why the music industry has to suppress them...the likes of Unladylike Gaga need shock tactics. No substance to their work.

[decode reality]

A full article on the song is in this week's Asian Leader newspaper (Yorkshire/Lancashire distribution, issue date 29 Sept - 12 Oct)...they even mentioned the Icke board and Conscious Media Network. ;)

[thegatherer]

A full article on the song is in this week's Asian Leader newspaper (Yorkshire/Lancashire distribution, issue date 29 Sept - 12 Oct)...they even mentioned the Icke board and Conscious Media Network. ;)

That's great! It's brilliant to see someone getting out there and doing something. ;)There's too many 'hero's in their own monitor reflection' on this forum...strangely they're always the first people to pull anyone to pieces who is doing something...
Anyway, would I be right in thinking you're based in NW England then?

[decode reality]

That's great! It's brilliant to see someone getting out there and doing something. ;)There's too many 'hero's in their own monitor reflection' on this forum...strangely they're always the first people to pull anyone to pieces who is doing something...
Anyway, would I be right in thinking you're based in NW England then?

Thanks :) ...we can all do our bit and it accumulates to something great. You're quite right about people who will sit on the sidelines and try to discredit others, yet who do nothing themselves.

Yes, I'm based up in the gritty North. :D

[decode reality]

To promote the single 'Shame', I'll be interviewed on Truth News Radio (Australia) on SAT OCT 9, 9.00am UK time. I should be able to get a recording.

http://www.truthnews.com.au/radio/wordpress/

Thanks to Nosferatu DJ here for referring me to Truth News. ;)

[eternal_spirit]

Nice one, only just noticed the thread and now understand the new avatar..:cool:

[decode reality]

Nice one, only just noticed the thread and now understand the new avatar..:cool:

Cheers Eternal. :)

[decode reality]

http://img442.imageshack.us/img442/4093/imaniasianleaderarticle.jpg (http://img442.imageshack.us/i/imaniasianleaderarticle.jpg/)

[decode reality]

Here once more is the link to the video, it isn't in my original post:

YouTube - Broadcast Yourself.

[mila]

Well done Imani, we're proud of you!!! :) (S&N ;))

[decode reality]

Well done Imani, we're proud of you!!! :) (S&N ;))

Thanks Silvia....and cheers Narinder for the scan. :)

[synergy777]

http://img442.imageshack.us/img442/4093/imaniasianleaderarticle.jpg (http://img442.imageshack.us/i/imaniasianleaderarticle.jpg/)

nice 1 bruv, its great to see you are getting recognised, and are making a real difference, proud of you bruv, keep it going, this is just the start.

[decode reality]

nice 1 bruv, its great to see you are getting recognised, and are making a real difference, proud of you bruv, keep it going, this is just the start.

Many thanks Syn.....let's hope things keep moving in the right direction. :)

[synergy777]

Many thanks Syn.....let's hope things keep moving in the right direction. :)

like bob marley said, keep on moving.

or like bobby brown said, every little step.

[decode reality]

Little reminder: to promote the single, I'll be interviewed on Truth News Radio (Australia) on SAT OCT 9, 9.00am UK time. I should be able to get a recording. :) See the link below:

http://www.truthnews.com.au/radio/wordpress/

An article/interview on the single has just appeared nationally in the Asian Express. Click the following link and turn to page 19.

http://www.asianexpress.co.uk/archives/National/nat_sep02_10/sep02_10.html

[lizzy]

Nice work decode, will look out for the Truth interview.:)

[decode reality]

Nice work decode, will look out for the Truth interview.:)

Thanks Lizzy. :) Btw, here's the article I mentioned above.

http://img816.imageshack.us/img816/8129/asianexpressarticle.jpg (http://img816.imageshack.us/i/asianexpressarticle.jpg/)

[theabbot 7]

good stuff

[decode reality]

good stuff

Cheers Abbot. :)

[decode reality]

You can hear the interview I did with Truth News on 9 October at the link below. Roughly 20 minutes in duration. :)

http://www.truthnews.com.au/radio/wordpress/

[synergy777]

You can hear the interview I did with Truth News on 9 October at the link below. Roughly 20 minutes in duration. :)

http://www.truthnews.com.au/radio/wordpress/

nice 1 bruv, will have a listen laters.

[decode reality]

Press release on the Organisation of Woman's Freedom in Iraq website:

http://www.equalityiniraq.com/press-release/122-killing-in-the-name-ofhonour

[ragnarok]

Good music with a real message. Best of luck getting it heard by as many people as possible, Imani.

[decode reality]

Good music with a real message. Best of luck getting it heard by as many people as possible, Imani.

Thanks for that, Ragnarok. :) It's been good so far, it's just getting to those stations that will get the song out to a wider audience. If you or anyone could recommend any local stations that I could approach, it would really help. Though I'm not doing too badly finding DJs/stations on Myspace searches and Google.

[ragnarok]

I don't know if you are familiar with a bunch of Manc minor ruffians called Northside, who were onboard with the Mondays, New Order and a few others that went down on the Good Ship Factory Records? Well, knowing those lads enough to cause them sleepless nights if I was the blackmailing type, if I've learned anything from their experiences - some of which I was closely involved with - it's that belief in your abilities and your right to be up there expressing yourself, is the most important thing for any artist. You defo have the talent, Imani... I've listened to your myspace tunes and you've got stuff to be proud of there.

[decode reality]

I don't know if you are familiar with a bunch of Manc minor ruffians called Northside, who were onboard with the Mondays, New Order and a few others that went down on the Good Ship Factory Records? Well, knowing those lads enough to cause them sleepless nights if I was the blackmailing type, if I've learned anything from their experiences - some of which I was closely involved with - it's that belief in your abilities and your right to be up there expressing yourself, is the most important thing for any artist. You defo have the talent, Imani... I've listened to your myspace tunes and you've got stuff to be proud of there.

Glad you're enjoying the tunes, Ragnarok. Northside...I went to Youtube to check 'em out and I remember seeing them on a programme about the whole Manchester scene...very Stone Roses influenced, obviously. The self belief is so important, so you can do your best work and strengthen yourself in this sometimes mad game. It's good to have some music out there now though, I just have to keep building on it.

[ragnarok]

Glad you're enjoying the tunes, Ragnarok. Northside...I went to Youtube to check 'em out and I remember seeing them on a programme about the whole Manchester scene...very Stone Roses influenced, obviously.
I'd say they were more influenced by the Roses attitude than their music, and having Mani and close associates of The Monday's as friends, that did give them the belief that it was possible at the start. Musically, they were influenced by everything from Yellowman to Stiff Little Fingers, via Talking Heads, Zappa, Marshall Jefferson and a multitude of other artists, but having only managed to get one album under their belt, that was not really evidenced by their vinyl output.


The self belief is so important, so you can do your best work and strengthen yourself in this sometimes mad game. It's good to have some music out there now though, I just have to keep building on it.

That same belief you have, is what has got Northside working on their second album as I type, nearly 20 years after their debut. You'd only have to hear songs like "Pleasuredome", "Cool Idea" and "Eyes To The Soul" to realise that what they were banging out in the mid 90's, sounds just as relevent today. Shall We Take A Trip, which they wrote at their most minimal musical ability, is still a standard in college discos up and down the land.

But anyhoo, enough waffling about them, this is a thread about your promising future! :D

[thegatherer]

I don't know if you are familiar with a bunch of Manc minor ruffians called Northside, who were onboard with the Mondays, New Order and a few others that went down on the Good Ship Factory Records? Well, knowing those lads enough to cause them sleepless nights if I was the blackmailing type, if I've learned anything from their experiences - some of which I was closely involved with - it's that belief in your abilities and your right to be up there expressing yourself, is the most important thing for any artist. You defo have the talent, Imani... I've listened to your myspace tunes and you've got stuff to be proud of there.

Hey Ragnorak, who'd have thought you had this secret pleasant side!:D
Don't worry I wont tell anybody in the 'News' section...don't wanna spoil your reputation!;)

[decode reality]

I'd say they were more influenced by the Roses attitude than their music, and having Mani and close associates of The Monday's as friends, that did give them the belief that it was possible at the start. Musically, they were influenced by everything from Yellowman to Stiff Little Fingers, via Talking Heads, Zappa, Marshall Jefferson and a multitude of other artists, but having only managed to get one album under their belt, that was not really evidenced by their vinyl output.



That same belief you have, is what has got Northside working on their second album as I type, nearly 20 years after their debut. You'd only have to hear songs like "Pleasuredome", "Cool Idea" and "Eyes To The Soul" to realise that what they were banging out in the mid 90's, sounds just as relevent today. Shall We Take A Trip, which they wrote at their most minimal musical ability, is still a standard in college discos up and down the land.

But anyhoo, enough waffling about them, this is a thread about your promising future! :D

Hey, that's relevant to what I'm doing so no worries. That whole Manchester scene was brilliant and the music world could do with something similar. Funny thing was that at the time, I didn't fully appreciate but in hindsight I definitely do. I'll have to check out those songs.

[decode reality]

On TUES 19 OCT, I'll be interviewed on Radio Cardiff 98.7 FM, between 1.15 and 3pm uk time. Hope you can tune in. :)

http://radiocardiff.org.uk/

[decode reality]

On TUES 19 OCT, I'll be interviewed on Radio Cardiff 98.7 FM, between 1.15 and 3pm uk time. Hope you can tune in. :)

http://radiocardiff.org.uk/

The interview will be just after 2pm uk time, 2.10ish, I'm told.

[decode reality]

The interview will be just after 2pm uk time, 2.10ish, I'm told.

Technical problems down at Radio Cardiff, they couldn't connect me by phone, so the interview has had to be postponed! Sorry if you'd tuned in. All being well, it'll be next week, date to be confirmed. Will let you know.

[decode reality]

Interview with THE REBEL MAGAZINE, a very fine blog (October):

http://therebelmagazine.blogspot.com/ :)

[thegatherer]

Interview with THE REBEL MAGAZINE, a very fine blog (October):

http://therebelmagazine.blogspot.com/ :)

Hi Imani,
Just read the interview there and you come across as an intelligent, thoughtful guy. I didn't realise you had an interesting musical past aswell as present. I was surprised about the Lee Scratch Perry connection...as he came up randomly earlier in this thread.
Was thinking about what my own answer to the question about genius being pain would be...and I can relate to John Lennon's view in the way that when you know what humanity should be and what your own life could be... the reality is painful. Genius can be very isolating too. Looks like I'm saying I'm a genius doesn't it?:D

[decode reality]

Hi Imani,
Just read the interview there and you come across as an intelligent, thoughtful guy. I didn't realise you had an interesting musical past aswell as present. I was surprised about the Lee Scratch Perry connection...as he came up randomly earlier in this thread.
Was thinking about what my own answer to the question about genius being pain would be...and I can relate to John Lennon's view in the way that when you know what humanity should be and what your own life could be... the reality is painful. Genius can be very isolating too. Looks like I'm saying I'm a genius doesn't it?:D

Thanks Gatherer.
With your paragraph about Lennon in mind, that's a genius way of interpreting it. :)
Yes, it was fortunate to have had the chance to play on the same bill as bands whom I was a fan of.

[decode reality]

Rescheduled interview with Radio Cardiff will take place today (25/10/2010) at 2pm UK time. http://radiocardiff.org.uk/

[decode reality]

http://soundcloud.com/bigscott

Interview is at 42 minutes, it's just under ten minutes. :)