We all recognize music as the universal language. Hip Hop music is based on the tribal patterns of the drum. Hip Hop feels good to us because it's familiar to our primal core. We're exposed to the beat from the time we're in the womb. The beat and rythym literally give us life. Without the rhythm of sexual intercourse and the resulting beat of the heart there is no life. Beats are designed to comfort us and make us feel good. It's for this reason that Hip Hop has eclipsed all other styles of music. It's often an unconscious yearning on our part to return to our roots. Those roots, the roots of the entire human family take us back to the lush savannahs of Africa. Regardless of our individual races in the new millennium our human ancestry without fail traces back to the mathematical, rhythmic and human cradle of Africa.

Every aspect of life is founded on mathematics. Rythm and beat follow mathematical equations. All waves of activity are based on numbers. There is even a rhythmic pattern in play when our soul descends and consciously unites with the physical body we possess on this plane. The harmony that our soul brings to the human form is the Chakra system, a group of seven centers that run along a centered medium at the core of our physicality. Beats nourish this system. Beats can heal us as our subconscious reacts favorably to them.

With this belief system established its fair to assert that percussive instrumentation in and of itself is generally beneficial. Music soothes the savage beast. However, with the advent of recorded music a new dimension has been thrown into the mix. Because everything we create is based on energy, and energy can not be destroyed, there is a permanent cosmic record of everything that we do. Now in addition to the cosmic record, we have the tangible physical record in recording itself. Vinyl, cassette tape, Compact Disc, DAT, etc all receive and maintain the energy and intent of the sound recordings that they house through magnetic transference.

The danger to us as listeners is not in the lyrics as has been suggested in the past but in the intent of the recording itself. If an artist pours anger and hate into a recording we expose ourselves to that negative energy every time we play back the recording of their music. This isn't to suggest that F!@# The Police from N.W.A. is harmful and Will Smith's Parents Just Don't Understand is automatically positive. If the intentions of the members of N.W.A. were to cry out and share the pain and frustration of police corruption and brutality than by listening to the song we are not at risk as the energy of the recording was not negative. Conversely, if Will just happened to be having a bad day and was flustered, stressed or angry while recording the song the energy of those emotional patterns were captured magnetically in the recording.

Understanding that the emotion and intent of a recording can not be determined on the basis of its lyrics alone is more reason for us to protect ourselves mentally from the constant bombardment of sound, noise and magnetically and digitally emitted information surrounding us. While we can not physically see it we are constantly open to swirling energy and high frequency mathematical information akin to us standing in the middle of the Schuylkill Expressway during rush hour. We have an obligation to ourselves in our daily affirmations to bring forth and bathe ourselves in a protective white light through visualization. While we hold the power needed to make it work, inform the higher power of our intentions to strengthen the duration and effect. Verbalize that you accept that which is good and only that which is good. It will work.

Once we have protected ourselves we are much more likely to feel the positivity and healing power inert in the mathematics of sound. Being aware, in tune and open to the primal rhythms of Hip Hop is no different that being aware of the positive effects of herbs on the physical system. Hip Hop (and all music for that matter) is at our disposal to make it whatever we want it to be. As we draw to the close of another year it affords us an opportunity for reflection and the anticipation of a new cycle. For 2003 my hope is that we'll become more aware of our surroundings while having a better understanding of how to master them. Music is absolutely key in realizing this goal. Remember that much like ourselves, music is mathematical energy. Our frequencies are by design in alignment. Understanding the simple relation between the two can make the coming year richer for all of us.

Understanding and respecting the permanent energy of recorded music in essential like never before. They say 2Pac is still alive. Of course he is. Every single time you listen to a 2Pac song you expose yourself to the indestructible energy it created. The same thing with Biggie. The same thing with our own Lisa "Left Eye" Lopez. We've always left traces of our existence behind. Technology now makes that easier than ever before. Recognize the energy. Recognize the power that we have utilizing energy.

There is a prophetic line from The Police that says "we are spirits in a material world..." Repeat that line over and over until it sinks in. That simple phrase is the key to an expanded and more enjoyable cerebral reality. We are not physical beings hoping to rise to spirituality. We are spirits who have chosen to experience this cycle in a physical form. We already possess the greatness we aspire to achieve. Music is the universal language because it speaks to our spirituality. We share the same syncopation as Hip Hop. We all understand it because we all ascend from the same divinity.

Spirituality. Energy. Rythm. Beat. Mathematics. Meridians. Music. Peace.

Discuss The Living Spirit Of Recorded Music right here

Funk Wizard Snow
December, 2002