(Date: June 13, 2025)
Here in Montreal, a city I've known and loved for 57 years, there's a pulse, a rhythm, a vibrant energy that's undeniable. But beneath the surface, for those of us living at the crossroads of different identities – Black, English, and gay – there's also a palpable tension. Racial and language dynamics often create subtle, yet profound, "culture clashes" that can make you question your place, your voice, and your very freedom.
Today marks a turning point. It's my "this is enough" moment, and it's also the official launch of the Culture Clash Project – a personal journey to explore these tensions and, crucially, to create for peace.
From Observation to Intervention: The Human Experience Under the Microscope
At the heart of the Culture Clash Project is a unique methodology: taking a microscopic look at the Human Experience (HX). Just like in the retail world where every customer interaction is optimized for a better CX, I believe we can scrutinize every 60-second slice of our human interactions against a common ground of peace, joy, love, happiness, respect, equality, and justice. If an experience falls short, it demands a "culture clash intervention."
My first intervention, my first creative response, is a song. It’s titled simply, yet profoundly: "Are You Free?"
The Sound of Intersecting Worlds: A Genre All Its Own
Creating the music for this project needed a sound as multifaceted as the experiences it explores. "Are You Free?" is an ambitious fusion, blending the soulful depth of R&B and Soul, the lyrical power of Hip Hop and Rap, the sophisticated grooves of Acid Jazz, and the infectious, rebellious energy of Ska. The aim? To forge a sound that's quirky, unique, and immediately recognizable – a true reflection of different elements coming together, sometimes in tension, always with purpose.
The Question That Lingers: "Are You Free?"
The song’s core begins with a universal question: "Are you free? Truly free? Free to be the one and only you, you were meant to be?" It delves into the daily challenge of living authentically, questioning if we wash our face and wear a mask each morning, or if we dare to show our true selves.
One of the most poignant moments in the track is a spoken-word verse, a direct "60-second microscope" observation from my Montreal life. It captures the subtle, yet powerful, language tension:
J'entends le français rouler, un rythme fort, si fier,
But when my English slips out, c'est une histoire qui reste muette.
This line embodies the feeling of being unheard, of a narrative remaining silent amidst the vibrant sounds of the city.
The Making of a Movement
"Are You Free?" is not just a standalone track; it's the "base song" for the Culture Clash Project. As I continue to witness and experience "culture clashes," I will write new verses or even entirely new versions of this song, each one a direct musical response. This ongoing process will form a living, evolving diary of my quest for peace and understanding through art.
This is the sound of my truth, the rhythm of my observations, and the melody of my hope for a truly inclusive human experience.
Listen to "Are You Free?" Now!
Join me on this journey. Listen to "Are You Free?" and let the questions resonate within you.

We invite you to listen, share, and reflect. What does "freedom" mean to you? How do you navigate the "clashes" in your own life?
#CultureClashProject #AreYouFree #MontrealMusic #RNB #HipHop #AcidJazz #Ska #SoulMusic #Authenticity #HumanExperience #NewMusic #SpokenWord #Diversity #Equality #Peace

Truly Free

Where are we now?

HEY THERE MISTER!

Mama's Gun

Time's A  Wastin

THIS USER IS ALSO KNOWN as : THE BADOULA aka
 DJ LO DOWN LORETTA BROWN aka SHE ILL aka 
MANUELA MARIA MEXICO aka BADOULA OBLINGADA aka 
SARAH BELLUM aka ANALOUGE GIRL {IN A DGITAL WORLD } 
aka MARY MAGNUM aka MIGHTY AFRO DIGHTY aka ANNIE the EL aka APPLES aka MAMA GUNS aka YOUNG MID WIFE

Time's A Wastin

Erykah-She lLL- Badu

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