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March 2020

Pele/ Durian Funk 2 – Trust Your Struggle

Just completed the artwork for this mix by my brother Pele (TYS) based in the Philippines. His DJ project Durian Funk shares funky revolutionary music from The Philippines and the US mixed on two turntables. 
Cop it HERE


From Pele:

Trust Your Struggle | Volume One
This mix is dedicated to the world amidst these trying times. Especially, to all of those who are feeling unsure of what tomorrow may bring for our loved ones, ourselves and our communities.
I am right there with you fam and I hope this music can give you some sort of inspiration to help us all get through these uncertain times. Sending you nothing but love, strength and some funky, soulful medicine music. In solidarity from Mindanao, Philippines to where ever you are on this Planet Earth.
Trust (Y)our Struggle,
Pele Durian Funk
Tracklist:
1. “We’ve Got Work To Do” – Tribe
2. “Think People” – Tribe
3. “We Know We Have To Live Together” –
Eugene Blacknell and the New Breed
4. “Concrete Jungle” – Little Beaver
5. “Waste Not Want Not” – Ken Haywood
6. “Suffer” – IFA Afrobeat & Okwei V Odili
7. “Our Generation” – Ernie Hines
8. “World” – 1619 Bad Ass Band
9. “Take A Look At Yourself” – Eddie Russ
10. “Rise Up” – Greenwood Rhythm Coalition
+Vocal Samples – Nina Simone, Amiri Baraka, Paul Robeson and Fela Kuti
11. “Zombie” – Fela Kuti and Afrika 70
12. “Upside Down” – Freedonia
13. “La Valla” – Bronx River Expressway
14. “Mr. Fortune” – The Hitchhikers
15. “Each One Teach One” – Kokolo
16. “Joyful Noise” – Breakestra
17. “Uhuru” – The Ramsey Lewis Trio
18. “We Ain’t Free” – Boscoe
19. “We The People” – The Soul Searchers
20. “No More” – The Lumpen
Cover Art by Robert “Tres” Trujillo
Recorded and mixed by Pele | Durian Funk Productions.
Mastered by Dion Decibels.
Much love and appreciation to all the musicians and bands played on this mix. Massive respect to all the original vinyl diggers worldwide keeping the music alive.
Special shout out to Robert Liu-Trujillo and my Trust Your Struggle fam. And big thanks to the homie Jay Gee.
If you would like to support | paypal.me/durianfunk
Daghang salamat, many thanks.
March 31, 2020
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Flashback – Zines

2010 Zine
Reminiscing, I found some artwork from some old zines I made. I’ve been thinking a lot about doing some new ones for fun and to work in a different style. The image above is from a class project I did with a few other students at Oakland’s “Youth Empowerment School” or YES which was a progressive high school in East Oakland. The class was not popular but I think making zines is a fun activity for kids who are into it. 
2008 Brooklyn
This photo is from the Brooklyn store Fresthetic. Those who’ve been following this blog for a long time know. But if you’re new, I used to live in Brooklyn NY for a short time which was ages ago. This show was in 2008 I believe. I starred making zines in 2007 and learned a lot about the community, events, stores that carried them, and how to make my own project. Basiclym, this was a precursor to learning self publishing kids books.
Wanna see more? 
Check out my first Zine “SS-Still Searching”

March 28, 2020
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Article – Permanently Organized

Yoooo, this right here! The writer Michelle is an old friend and her organization “Movement Generations” has been organizing around land, labor, justice, and ecology for a minute. What does that mean? Its a lot to explain-but they’re down. Please take 6 minutes and read this article about how we stay ready for the apocalypse.
I’ll give you an example of how she practices what “Movement Gen” preaches from a parent perspective. You ever wanted to go out for a date whether you’re boo’d up or single but you have a child or children you don’t want to leave at home? This sister and her family created an organized community strategy to this. 5-10 families all pitch in by watching each other children on a rotating basis. Each Friday the kids go to one families house who watches all the kids (think activities, food, movies) and the other families go out for 2 maybe 3 hours to dance, see a movie, see a concert, or relax. Sound cool? Imagine if we were all so connected we didn’t have to grocery shop or put elders in an old folks home, we’d all help each other by sharing the care.

March 26, 2020
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Finance, knowledge, shame- Berna Anat, Farnoosh Torabi, and Ramona Ortega


We all have debt whether you’re poor, working class, or middle class. Only the wealthy and ultra wealthy can possibly say they do not have debt. We all struggle with paying rent, mortgage, bills, and living life because of financial knowledge, historical theft, so much.

But Berna Anat really is an approachable, plain language, and funny person who is knowledgeable about debt and some of the cultural nuances that most white male financial planners talk about. Check out this talk! Really worth following her.


Farnoosh! Love her she has a great podcast called “So Money” with short practical tips and interviews with folks who specialize in specific areas of finance. I subscribe to her podcast to learn!!

Lastly, Ramona Ortega! I found Ramona through Backstage Capital (Arlan Hamilton). Her company My Money My Future/ Mi Dinero Mi Futuro is a financial advising school and service. I subscribe to her newsletter and it is awesome.
Yes you can get advice and services for finances. You don’t have to be a rich white man to get it either.
Inspiring women tackling finance for people who don’t have the time, but want to save, grow their money, diversify their income streams, and live life. Of course there is this thing called Capitalism , Racism, and Imperialism which maintains unequal distribution of wealth and has literally robbed folks. But thats a whole other conversation. 
Be well and get fed mentally!

March 20, 2020
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Mixed Kid

Here’s a new painting I made for fun. It’s a way to show pride in being a mixed kid. What is a mixed kid? Well for me, it means someone who comes from multiple ethnic backgrounds or nationality. But it could also mean a mixture of experiences, countries, beliefs, families, or religions. Take it how you will. If it resonates with you, great!



This is a square print of an original acrylic painting. It comes in two sizes and is inspired by my own multiethnic / multiracial heritage. That’s also why it has many colors.

If you’d like a print of this painting go HERE

Check out some close ups.

March 19, 2020
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E14 Gallery & Store

Affiliated is one way to put it. Connected and rooted is another way to lay it down. In the midst of both artists and small stores feeling a huge hit of this corona pandemic I want to give this Oakland store a shout out run by Viviana. Founded some five or six years ago as an offshoot of the EastSide Arts Alliance, E14 has been home to some amazing gallery art exhibitions, film premiere’s, music performances, book readings, and more. They are based in Old Oakland section of the town. But with todays climate for shopping what I would invite you to do is:

Follow their Instagram page https://www.instagram.com/e14gallery/

Keep an eye out for their posts about new merch as they have a great selection of jewelry, books, music, art, clothing, and more unrivaled in the Bay. And most of it by Black and Brown artisans from around the way.

Here’s a video about the old location, they’ve since moved across the street.

March 16, 2020
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READ Print 2

Here is the next READ print in a series of them. I have no idea how many of these I’m going to do but I’m enjoying making them and I hope you like them as well. If you’d like to get a print for your classroom, office, or library please go here. BUY A PRINT!

Did you see the first print in the series? LINK
Check out the pack of Story time prints.

Here are some close ups of the piece.

March 13, 2020
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