I want to begin by thanking Mother Earth/Source for this album. It has been a great honor to create this album and could not be possible without the coalition of artists who make up Rhythm and Poetry (R&P) and the community of Sacramento. I was inspired by the incredibly talented artists that came through this sacred space. R&P is more than just an open mic spot, but a place for healing, growth, and exchange for all who take a seat and join us on Thursday nights. Rhythm and Poetry feeds the mind, body, and soul with thought-provoking critical discussions of current political events and spirituality, belly popping fulfilling food for your soul from local Sac vendors, to artistic diversity that leaves you energized, reflective, and inspired. No two nights at this venue are ever the same. Each night is a unique experience dependent on the participants; audience members and artists alike. Rhythm and Poetry opened its doors on April 20th, 2017 and I was blessed to have crossed paths with this sanctuary on May 5th, 2017. It has been an honor to see and be part of the tremendous growth of the venue over its first year of opening and to be part of the lives of these artists who have become family. This album began with a vision I had of being able to collaborate with all of the artists; mentors, friends, and fellow community members, who inspire me greatly and through the process be able to learn with one another. This album is the product of the words, energy, knowledge, the medicine exchanged by these individuals throughout the collaboration process. For many of us, this was our first time recording and collaborating on anything like this. This album highlights many aspects of the community; our struggles, our triumphs, our lives and work toward unifying all working class people regardless of our race, gender, sexuality, and abilities. A special thank you to the hosts of Rhythm and Poetry, Graffiti Bleu and Dyvacat, for your leadership, mentorship, and love. Thank you Graffiti for inviting me in, teaching me how to record and produce tracks. R&P was a birthing grounds for me as an artist in many ways and I have extreme gratitude for both of you and the space you two created. A special thank you to Ma (Shirley Phillips), Leann Robinson, Ebony London, and Jacquelyn Smithson Howard, for your dedication to the space week after week, your beautiful souls and warm hugs. A special thank you to Michael for his mentorship, leadership, and work being done with the community of Sacramento and abroad through Keynote Poets. A special thank you to Razzle and the Miwok tribe for your work, teachings, and medicine in the community of Sacramento. A special thank you to the Party for Socialism and Liberation (PSL) and my comrades for your activism, leadership in the community, keeping me grounded, and participating in this process. Thank you to all of the artists on this project. I am deeply grateful and honored to work with each one of you. I dedicate this album to the hosts and family of Rhythm and Poetry, the PSL, the Miwok tribe, and the community of Sacramento. Thank you for your continued love, support, and inspiration. I am humbled for the teachings and lessons that have been passed on through this work. I hope that this is the first of many volumes and may the voices of these tracks become more diverse and widespread. May some of the magic exchanged between the artists on this album be extended to you, the listener, and I hope to see you at the next Rhythm and Poetry and/or out in the community!
- Moon Magic

This is a mixtape I do not own the rights to any of these beats and this album is not being sold for commercial profit.