This is the first in a series of recordings that came out of meditations on life & its challenges. Cinematic Orchestra provided the soundtrack for this expression. The photo is of a painting from Cousin Carla's collection. Vocals recorded at Smart Monkii Studios in the South Bronx. Keep your ears open for #2. 

Lyrical Meditation #1

Recorded in Roanoke, VA and mixed in BK by Fritz Francois. This is a love song for the Cypher. Those that know my work know that I have a passion for the collective, for collective energy, for bringing artists together...Get up in the Cypher!

Cypher

The F Word - Toni Blackman Prod by Brian Mesko's Band. 
In celebration of the release of BELIEVE, the hip-hop meditation album being released with Courtland Hankin's Mantic Intl label, I'll be sharing a few other hip-hop meditations this week. I connected with Courtland at a time when we were both creatively frustrated and wanting to bring something into the world that would make a difference for listeners. We committed to BELIEVE, not only as a concept but also as an exercise in faith. On November 11th we will manifest the goal and set it free! In the meanwhile, here is The F Word. It is one of the many things I created tat Jefferson Center for the Arts Studio while working closely with Dylan Locke, one of the most dedicated arts presenters in the country. I finally recorded the F Word at Courtland Hankins' studio in the South Bronx. Download for free today!
 
Thank you to Dylan Locke Productions/Floydfest, Jefferson Center in Roanoke, Brian Mesko and the incredible musicians he works with(I'll add their names soon) for the groove and recording and Ed Walker and his wife for their support of artists and musicians. I'll add their names soon. 

This work represents my spiritual journey and the road to loving myself without condition. I coach MCs/Rappers/Spoken Word Artists on performance and I've been more of a performing artist over the years. Instead of complaining about what is missing I wanted to make music and audio content that feels good to my soul, that feeds me so that's what I did.  I'm liberating myself and letting go of so much right now. I am also giving birth after years of self-imposed labor pains to ideas that have had since leaving D.C. in July 2000. Please share this meditation music and make a comment if it moves you in anyway.  I would LOVE to know what you think so tell me! I've got so many ideas bubbling inside of me and cannot wait for you to hear what's cookin' in 2018.  Namaste.

Please contact toniblackmanbooking@gmail.com for inquiries regarding press or booking. 

#meditationmixtape
#toniblackman
#hiphopmeditation
#hiphopjazz
#healingmusic 
#wisdomofthecypher
#hiphopambassador
#hiphopwellness
#hiphopspirituality

The F Word - a Hip Hop Meditation on Forgiveness - Toni Blackman

Let me know if you cannot play/listen to this. Had trouble with the F Word. May have to use a different platform but this track was produced by Welth (Christopher Frias) and recorded at Courtland Hankins' studio in the South Bronx. It's one of the tracks from BELIEVE, my first hip-hop meditation album. The sound was shaped by Courtland, a man whose heart lives in the realm of the boom bap, and was an incredible experiment. His label, Mantic International, managed all of the recording. We will share it in its entirety on 11/11. 

Download it for free here on Soundcloud and follow me on social media for other updates. Oh, and let me know what you think! I'm going to keep exploring with different sounds and vibes and dig a little deeper into the hip hop soul waters I've been swimming in for years...

IG & Twitter:  @toniblackman
Facebook:  ToniBlackman4 & MissBlackman1
www.toniblackmanpresents.com

BELIEVE - Meditation Mixtape Series

An Affirmation Meditation (Believe)-Toni Blackman

Toni Blackman's Walking Through the Fear is produced by Segnon and features Zo the Motivator. 

The music for Walking Through the Fear Guided Meditation and Affirmation Meditation is composed by Ray Archie.

Walking Through The Fear - GUIDED MEDITATION

Walking Through The Fear Feat Zo And Toni Blackman

Walking Through The Fear - AFFIRMATION MEDITATION

Eden told me he had some tracks he thought I might feel. I love the way he plays piano but didn't know what he was like as a composer/producer.  It took months to link, but when we finally did---it only took a little over a half hour or so to manifest these rhymes. Eden's vibe inspires me so much that I first spit the lyrics freestyle. It just flowed. Then went back to organize and write them down. This was just one of those moments where things flow with ease and the music makes the magic. I had Janet Jackson's "Let's Wait Awhile" in my head all day that day. This track sounds nothing like that..lol...but the idea of grown folks---waiting----is the theme. Thanks Ignacio Soltero for the photo. :-) 

Let's Wait -feat. Toni Blackman produced by Eden Ladin

What do you get when an MC combines her passion for healing, teaching, and spittin’? The #MeditationMixtapeMinute 

Hip Hop Meditation projects are coming! I have so much newness to share in 2020! Will also share not so new content that I've been working on since 2013. We first started the cypher meditation exercises in Freestyle Union 20 years ago and now is the divine right time to press go. I have guided meditations, affirmations/mantras and songs. 

Sometimes life ain’t easy. It will challenge you, push you, stretch you and when it does don’t be afraid to talk to someone. Reach out to a friend, find a good therapist and when you get up in the morning set the tone for your day and say: I Got This.

I’ve been in the lab with dope producers and composers. My hip hop heart is so full. This one is produced by Yohimbe Sampson of Meridian Lights and some may know him from GAME Rebellion, a legendary Afro-punk band that was born in Brooklyn, NY.

I Got This #MeditationMixtapeMinute

Produced by Detroit's Jaci Caprice. She asked me to share a guided meditation/intro to the meditation mixtape EP we did. The goal was to create a guided meditation that could play right after a high energy rap vibe. We also wanted to play w/ drum sounds to have the listener bathe in drums, using my voice and rhythms to create a sonic experience. Listen with headphones or really great speakers!

03 - 3-GUIDED MEDITATION - Clear Mind - Mastered

Be Right Here is a part of the #MeditationMixtapeMinute series on Instagram. This is 1 min social media joint that became an actual song and will be released in 2022! I've recorded a bunch of minute tracks with some really dope producers/composers. 

I met the producer, John Myers (Third Sun Production), last year when I spoke at the Ableton LOOP Music Summit. I have an ever expanding Ableton family!

Be Right Here #MeditationMixtapeMinute

Produced by Didier Sylvain

I AM A DOPE MC came out the Cypher Workshop series I organized at Hi-Arts in East Harlem. The participating MC's were not only doing the Freestyle Union Cypher Workshop exercises but developing as performers for our first Rap Recital. I wasn't sure how they would respond to the idea of affirmations but they loved it. Before that, I was always hesitant to niche my niche so specifically but I ended up creating a series of meditations for artist development. I'm looking forward to sharing them with the world. Hip Hop artists need support and tools to help them in the process of identifying their own voices and staying true to them.

I AM A DOPE MC - Toni Blackman Affirmations

Toni is a Hip Hop Ambassador and Social Entrepreneur who has traveled to 47 different countries. This writer/performer uses music to encourage introspection and inspiration from the inside out. A freestyle specialist & leading expert on the Cypher, Toni teaches workshops & masterclasses, and gives talks/lectures. Her new book Wisdom of the Cypher in 2020.

Toni Blackman Audio and Music

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