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Baba Got BARS

by Baba Bomani

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    Support the Baba Got BARS Hip Hop edu-tainment movement and download the Writing Process Workbook and the Writing Process How to Guide with your purchase of the Baba Got BARS Album on the bandcamp link below. You will also get access to all the lyric videos and instrumentals! Join us on youtube or zoom and write a rhyme a long with us!
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    Includes unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality downloads of Baba Bomani's BeatBox Basement, Wash Rinse Repeat Single, Trapoiera, Classic Trap, Baba Got BARS, Baba Got BARS show instrumentals, Peek a Boo, and The Hustle. , and , .

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1.
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INTRO When I do a show or an assembly, a student always comes up to me and asks how I take my ideas and turn them into a song. I tell them it’s the WRITING PROCESS. They usually ask, “What’s the WRITING PROCESS?” So, I realized I needed to use the WRITING PROCESS to write a song about the WRITING PROCESS. Are you following me? CHORUS When I want to write something and my thoughts are all a mess/ I put it all together with the WRITING PROCESS/ I've got thoughts I must express or issues I must address/ The way to do it best is the WRITING PROCESS/ PREWRITING, DRAFTING, REVISING, EDITING, PUBLISHING/ PREWRITING, DRAFTING, REVISING, EDITING, PUBLISHING/ PREWRITING, DRAFTING, REVISING, EDITING, PUBLISHING/ PREWRITING, DRAFTING, REVISING, EDITING, PUBLISHING/ VERSE ONE When I’m pre-writing I’m brainstorming what’s gon’ happen/ So before I start rapping I begin by MIND MAPPING/ Start by writing down on paper everything I feel like telling/ No worries ‘bout grammar, punctuation, handwriting or spelling/ Now my idea is in pieces, this is the genesis/ I’m turning my research into a working thesis/ Once I’ve gathered ideas then I make an outline/ This works for letters, essays, books, speeches, or rhymes/ The audience and the purpose sets me on the right path/ Who am I writing for and what arguments do I have/ With those questions asked, I make my first draft/ There’s no exact answer, this ain’t science or math/ To perfect the tone and style I must revise it so I read it/ I see what else is needed and what needs to be deleted/ Like a garden when you water it and weed it, then I repeat it/ No reason to feel defeated, you’ll know when it’s completed/ CHORUS VERSE TWO I’ve done pre-writing, drafting, revising and I re-read it/ Now I put that polish on it cause I’m gonna edit/ I proofread and correct errors in grammar and mechanics/ This part can be a terror but there is no need to panic/ Let me tell you what I’m gonna do, I take my time and read it through/ I find another writer to give it to, because four eyes are better than two/ I make edits to improve on the clarity and style/ Remember to be patient because this might take a while/ I can publish it in so many ways, print it out on a page/ Read it at class or on a stage, depends on the audience I want to engage/ An email blast, television broadcast, an article with photographs/ Or my podcast, maybe a performance with a cast/ Most important thing is that I get it out/ And that I’m clear on what I’m talking about/ So when I turn on the microphone and put it on a track/ You can bounce your head to the WRITING PROCESS when you play it back/ CHORUS
3.
CHORUS Rhetoric just like Frederick (8x) What you talking 'bout? Typing on your keyboard or out your mouth What you talking 'bout? Words are power make them count What you talking 'bout? Typing on your keyboard or out your mouth VERSE ONE (autobiography) He was many things, including a biographer America was on trial, he’s the stenographer Key witness and prosecuting attorney He took the whole world on his slavery journey became a voice for the voiceless enslaved Africans faced with hard choices back when they thought a former slave couldn’t be literate Destroyed the myths that masters were considerate Blew you away with vocabulary above ordinary, distinguished dignitary emissary, representing for black pain deep and philosophical or simple and plain You know you got a story are you telling it? Don’t ever think your story isn’t relevant like Douglass tell your own narrative So you can have rhetoric just like Frederick VERSE TWO (journalism) 1847 he started the North Star At the time black newspapers were bizarre he felt he had to use his freedom of the press “Those who suffer injustice are those who must demand redress” he appreciated white abolitionist But thought former slaves should tell what the mission is They pushed forward their efforts Sold copies through networks, turned readers to experts then he teamed up with Martin Delaney Who was astute (that’s another word for brainy) He thought the publication should be named for its creator So the name became “The Frederick Douglass Papers” What’s the story in your world, are you telling it? Don’t ever think your story isn’t relevant Telling your story is imperative So you can have rhetoric just like Frederick VERSE THREE (orator) He used his skills to write and perform speeches That’s readings out loud that inspires and teaches Before the Civil War few had seen before a black orator on nationwide tour When it comes to speeches he might be the GOAT From slave abolition to women’s rights to vote Good speeches are the art of story telling Presenting arguments in a way that’s compelling Look at the titles, they tell you no lie Like “What to the slave is the fourth of July” “The hypocrisy of American slavery” Giving these speeches showed poise and bravery What’s your message to the world, are you telling it? Don’t ever think your message isn’t relevant Write your words down and then start yelling it You can have rhetoric just like Frederick
4.
CHORUS 3X ASK the right questions, IMAGINE how to solve them,/ PLAN out each and every move/ CREATE a solution to the problem/ See what works and then IMPROVE/ VERSE 1 The first step of EDP is to ASK What are the key elements in this task? What is the problem, what have other people tried What devices are similar, what lessons can that provide What are things you can do and the things you can’t Also known as limitations or as the restraints ASK is the first EDP step It’s mental exercise so you got to get our reps CHORUS 3X VERSE 2 Second step of EDP is IMAGINE Brainstorm what kind of gadget you want to happen You’ve asked the right questions, now think up solutions It’s good to take notes to watch your ideas evolution The job of imagination is never really done But when you have a list of ideas you can pick take your time so you pick the best one IMAGINE is the 2nd EDP step It’s mental exercise so you got to get your reps CHORUS 3X VERSE 3 3rd step of EDP is to PLAN Best way to do it is a diagram It’s the “design” of the engineering process Fail to plan or plan to fail, pay attention to details, it will help your progress Make a list of all the materials that you will need The better you plan the more likely it is you’ll succeed PLAN is the 3rd EDP step It’s mental exercise so you got to get your reps CHORUS 3X VERSE 4 4th step of EDP is CREATE You want to get it right so you concentrate Follow the plan in step 3 precisely If you planned out right maybe it just might come together nicely To make sure that your new invention works without a doubt You have to a test run that means try it out CREATE is the 4th EDP step It’s mental exercise you got to get your reps CHORUS 3X VERSE 5 5th step of EDP is IMPROVE Now that you finished your creation what’s your next move You’ve pressed all the buttons, pulled all the levers What works and What doesn't? What’s smooth and What’s buggin’? What’s perfect and what could work better? No matter the outcome, you’ve learned so that means that you win Now take what you learned and do E – D – P over again IMPROVE is the 5th EDP step It’s mental exercise; you’ve got to get your reps CHORUS 3X 
5.
Never know what viruses you might have From the many things that you might grab When you sneeze or when you cough make sure you dab And when you can wash sure your hands Wash your hands, wash rinse repeat Wash your hands, wash rinse repeat Wash your hands, wash rinse repeat Wash your hands, wash rinse repeat Wash your hands, wash rinse repeat Wash your hands, wash rinse repeat Wash your hands, wash rinse repeat Wash your hands, wash rinse repeat The reason for this recital Is to be like a disease and go viral Hand washing is our biggest weapon here’s your hand washing lesson Do the whole thing there’s no half stepping It should take about 20 seconds Turn the water on yeah Put some soap all in your palms yeah Make sure you get a good lather hands are where bacteria gather mucus splatter, fecal matter Soap and water make virus scatter Help you fight disease yeah Intertwine your fingers like your saying please yeah Same thing to the back of each hand like this Then you wipe down both of your wrists Wash each finger make sure you don’t miss Then give each thumb a twist Rinse your hands off yeah Dry With a towel, hopefully soft yeah Do this every time you eat, handle vegetables or meat come in off the street take shoes off your feet come near a toilet seat, Wash rinse repeat Never know what viruses you might have From the many things that you might grab When you sneeze or when you cough make sure you dab And when you can wash sure your hands Wash your hands, wash rinse repeat Wash your hands, wash rinse repeat Wash your hands, wash rinse repeat Wash your hands, wash rinse repeat Wash your hands, wash rinse repeat Wash your hands, wash rinse repeat Wash your hands, wash rinse repeat Wash your hands, wash rinse repeat Wash your hands several times each day It works best if you do it this way For at least 20 seconds that’s what the experts say Let’s do it right now while the breakdown plays

about

A collection of 14 family friendly/educational Hip Hop rhymes about The Writing Process and Black History, especially highlighting the life and career of Frederick Douglass. In addition you get all 14 instrumentals, plus lyric videos and the lesson plan and workbook when you download the album! For the past 5 years Baba Bomani has toured schools throughout the state of Maryland as a teaching artist, learning how to connect with students through rhythm, rhyme and dance, and what tools teachers could use to inspire and educate. This collection of songs is an intentional combination of the lessons students receive in the classroom with the rhythms they hear on the radio or YouTube. Whether learning about literacy through the story of Frederick Douglass on "Rhetoric Just Like Frederick" for the middle school and high school students, learning the 5 steps of "The Writing Process" for my upper elementary school students, or learning how to recognize syllables using "The Syllable Game" for k-2 students, you will find a fun and educational track on this album your student will surely love.

credits

released August 3, 2019

All backing vocals by Olu, DeLa and Sanaadwe Armah, Vanessa Oyugi and the students at the Wilson. Baker Academy in Prince George's County. All tracks written, produced, performed, recorded, mixed and mastered by Bomani Armah for Armah Enterprises. Track 6 "The Black Entertainer" contains an interpolation of "The Entertainer" by Scott Joplin. Track 8 contains a portion of Frederick Douglass' speech "What to the Slave is the 4th of July". Track 11 "ZYX" co-written and produced by Olu Armah. Track 12 "Four Ways to Rhyme" co-written and produced by Olu Armah and DeLa Armah. Photos by Dave McDuffie. Graphic Design by Bomani Armah

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Baba Bomani Washington, D.C.

Baba Bomani, aka the Watermelon man has been using hip-hop, poetry and multi-media disciplines to teach fun and informative workshops with all ages from kindergarteners to graduate students for well over 15 years Bomani . Here you can find his hip-hop music for kids as well as teaching materials showing students the writing process through hip-hop! ... more

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