Hip-Hop Meditations

Track Listings

1. Introducing Solrac (for Eleggua)

2. Auction Block (featuring Nonyameko)

3. Lucumi Song (Canto para Eleggua)

4. God Is You

5. Yemaya Meditation No. 1

6. Walking in the Light

7. I.T.I.S.I.N.Y.O.U.

8. Obatala Meditation No. 2

9. Nine Haikus

10. Orisha Drink (Voices in my Head)

11. Sheets of Sound (for Coltrane)

12. Lost and Found

13. Eggun Meditation No. 3

14. Red, White, and Blue

15. Crossroads

16. Breathe Meditation No. 4

Editorial Reviews
Adisa "Bishop" Banjoko (XXL, VIBE, Source, Rapstation.com)
"...one of the few... who can truly be called ....artist, as opposed to the millions clones in the culture today."

Product Description
ABOUT Hip-Hop Meditations

Hip-Hop Meditations is a record that gives you an opportunity to reflect on spirit, and life while listening to hip-hop music. It is first and foremost a hip-hop record, but not in the contemporary sense, it actually has something to say, and provides the listener with tools to look within and connect with the universe. It navigates through themes of love, spirit, and universal energy with organic sounds and driving beats. Beats that include traditional African bata drums used in Lucumi (Orisha worship) ceremonies.

This record is truly a journey and the documentation of Carlos' own spiritual awakening as the project was recorded as more of a musical journal over the last 2 years. It includes the musical souls that have come into his life as collaborators and it reflects his idea of everything being interconnected with the gentle layering of sounds and inclusion of so many voices and spirits.

The collaborations with Michael Spiro on Bata and Conga drums point to exciting musical possibilities where they may continue on this path of gentle, and respect filled rhythmic experimentation.

The spoken word work on this record is quite different from other spoken word work in that the music and sounds have been applied with purpose to each line pulling the listener in. Carlos guides you on a real journey and leaves you at peace.

Hip-Hop Meditations

Hip-Hop Meditations,Carlos Mena,CASAMENA,"... it might even make Mos Def's: Black on Both Sides seem easy to understand." ..."Imagine Common, and Wyclef sitting down with a book from occultist Sylvia Browne and a bag of somethin' somethin'." ... Yeah, he is deep." - Rapreviews.com

Hip-Hop Meditations

Hip-Hop Meditations

Live! From Da Manjah
Average customer rating:

EXCELLENT ALBUM BY UGK AFFILIATES

Give this a chance

Live! From Da Manjah
Mddl Fngz
Manufacturer: Perfecto
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Gangsta & Hardcore | Rap & Hip-Hop | Styles | Music
General | Rap & Hip-Hop | Styles | Music
Pop Rap | Rap & Hip-Hop | Styles | Music
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Trouble

ASIN: B00005ABPK
Release Date: 2001-03-06

Tracks:

Intro - 8Ball
No Smiles [Young Kilo, Danjah, B.A.N.D.I.T., Munsta, Bad Azz] - Bandit, Bad Azz Bam, Danjah, Young Kilo, Michi Munsta
Pay My Bitch: [Pimp G, Bad Azz Bam, Sean Wee, Young Kilo, Danjah,] - Bandit, Bad Azz Bam, Danjah, , Young Kilo, Sean Wee
Block Bleedaz II: [Young Kilo, Munsta, Bad Azz Bam, C Note from Botan] - Bad Azz Bam, Young Kilo, Michi Munsta,
Piece Swang: [Young Kilo, Bad Azz Bam, Danjah] - Bad Azz Bam, Danjah, Young Kilo
4 O'Clock in da Mornin': [Bun B, Young Kilo, Danjah, Devin] - Danjah, Devin, Young Kilo
Moulah: [Sean Wee, B.A.N.D.I.T., Bad Azz Bam, Danjah, Young] - Bandit, Bad Azz Bam, Danjah, Young Kilo, Sean Wee
It Ain't Easy: Skit [Bishop Don Juan] - Bishop Don Magic Juan
Hold It Down [Introducing Manjah Boyz: Bad Azz Bam, Young Kilo,] - Bad Azz Bam, Young Kilo
Shinin': [Danjah, Bad Azz Bam, Munsta, Bun B, Young Kilo, B.] - Bandit, Bad Azz Bam, Danjah, Young Kilo, Michi Munsta
Have It on Yo Mind: [Danjah, Sean Wee, Bad Azz Bam, Young Kilo] - Bad Azz Bam, Danjah, Young Kilo, Sean Wee
Issues: [Young Kilo, Danjah, Bad Azz Bam, 8ball] - 8Ball, , Bad Azz Bam, Danjah, Young Kilo
Ready to Get Hiiigh: [Danjah, Bad Azz Bam, B.A.N.D.I.T., Young Kilo, M] - Bandit, Bad Azz Bam, Danjah, Young Kilo, MJG
Murda Weapon: [E.S.G., Slimm Thugg] - E.S.G., Slim Thug
Muthafuck 'Um: [Train, Killa Kev] - Killa Key, Train

Customer Reviews:

EXCELLENT ALBUM BY UGK AFFILIATES.......2005-01-27

With Bun B of UGK as co-pilot in background, Mddl Fngz (comprised of 5 members) rep TX, and rep it hard too. These boys are gangsta as hell - I'm talking hardcore, street, take no b.s. type dudes. And that no holds barred attitude bleeds over into their music. Although I'm not sure as to how the beef started, or who said something first, the first song, "No Smiles" is a hardcore diss to Common Sense. This song also has a dope, catchy chorus, too. I always look for the potential "break-out" artist of any deep ('deep' as in numerous members) group - Kilo appears to be that boy in my opinion. His lyrical content is more fluid, raw, hardcore, and his ability to guide the listener on a story-sense is unrivaled by his crew brothers. Kilo also has this crazy, offbeat cadence that lags a few beats short of each measure, kind of reminiscent of many east coast emcees - but Kilo keeps it DIRTY SOUTH. The beats here are strictly southern (gotta love that), and the lyrical content is straight gangsta ish. Some of the production is a little weak (a couple of tracks could've been left off the album). An example of this is the E.S.G. track "Murder Weapon," which boasts a weird "happy, merry go-round, cotton candy" uptempo beat and seems to have no reason even being on a MDDL FNGZ album (what the heck is that song doing on there!?!?!). Anyhow, check this album out - it's mad dope (don't be afraid of the low prices in the buy used link - this album is a great buy). One thing: Amazon lists this album as being [LIVE] - it's not. Also check out their website www.mddlfngz.com. Peace everyone!!!

Give this a chance.......2001-10-25

Hey if you like them Texas boys, your going to really like this.
The album is straight raw and uncut. The beats are that real dirty south and you can ride to this all day. Its like 5 cats in the group with Bun-B from UGK, and all of them have their on story to tell. Cuts like "No Smiles" dissing Common Sense, and Block Bleedas are off the chain. I highy Recommand this if your into that REAL south!!!!

Average customer rating:

Fantastic
Meferefún Pa Los Egún!
Amazing Nothing Like it. A Pioneer in New Age Hip Hop Music
All of the above and then some
Not your average hip hop

Hip-Hop Meditations
Carlos Mena
Manufacturer: Bomb Hip Hop
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music

General | Rap & Hip-Hop | Styles | Music

Experimental Rap | Rap & Hip-Hop | Styles | Music

Pop Rap | Rap & Hip-Hop | Styles | Music
ASIN: B00022XE1S
Release Date: 2004-06-01

Tracks:

Introducing Carlos Mena (Canto pa Eleggua) - Carlos Mena, , Michael Spiro,
Auction Block - Carlos Mena, Noko
Tutu Laroye - Carlos Mena
God Is You - Allseer, Carlos Mena
Yemaya (Meditation No. 1) - Carlos Mena, Michael Spiro
Walking in the Light - Angeleyes, Carlos Mena, , Don Washington
I.T.S.I.N.Y.O.U. - Carlos Mena,
Obatala (Meditation No. 2) - Gabrilla Ballard, Carlos Mena, Michael Spiro
Nine Haikus - Carlos Mena
Orisha Drink (Voices in My Head) - Carlos Mena
Sheets of Sound (For Coltrane) - Carlos Mena
Buscando Luz - Carlos Mena, Noko, Speech
Eggun (Meditation No. 3) - Carlos Mena
Red, White and Blue - Carlos Mena,
Crossroads - Carlos Mena, , Don Washington
Breathe (Meditation No. 4) - Carlos Mena, Carlos Mena, Michael Spiro

Customer Reviews:

Fantastic.......2006-02-26

I just got this cd not knowing what to expect. I am so pleased I followed my spirit and got it. The music is excellent. The lyrics are powerful and full of meaning. It is spoken word hip hop, jazz, orisha chants,and funky beats to bring it together. But more than that, it is Pure Spirit. Only one request for the next one. Can a sistah get some Shango energy up in there. Cabio sele' Sango.
Ashe

Meferefún Pa Los Egún!.......2005-08-24

Mr Mena is a new trendsetter in Orisha and Hip Hop music - now we have modern, all-American urban diasporic Orisha music at last. I got this CD with no idea of what the music sounded like. With Mr Mena, it's best to have no expectations and to open one's heart. It is Hip Hop, with African and Afro-Caribbean chants and beats thrown in there. There is some bata drums, lots of rap and urban religious poetry which honors the Orisha and ancestors, prayers to the Orisha or 'Santos Africanos' in Spanish, traditional Orikis in Yoruba.

The vibe is pure, inspiring, clean and spiritual, this is probably the most positive rap I've ever heard. Stuff children can listen to that we can instill positive, ancestral values on them through the music.

Amazing Nothing Like it. A Pioneer in New Age Hip Hop Music.......2004-12-17

Way back in the day when the Salsa Singer India was actually a Freestyle singer, she came up with a hypnotic Techno trance song to the Orishas, Yemaya and Ochun. The song was Love and Happiness and was recorded under River Ocean. At the time I loved that jam, and being a newly initiate of the Orisha religion, and being a Puerto Rican born in the United States I finally found an anthem that expressed my Beliefs, and Devotion to these Beautiful Orishas in English. Since then I have searched for music for my Spiritual devotion, that was in unison with my true self, and I came across some Sintesis c.d.s which were pretty good, New Age music with a mixture of Lukumi Orisha chants. But since then there has been a void.

And then came Carlos Mena, and I have to say the man is a genius, a music Guru in the making. A mixture of Trance, Hip Hop, and praises to The Beautiful Forces of Nature that are the Orishas.

The most amazing tracks are for Yemaya and for Obatala. You know when music is good, powerful and moving when you get chills go down your spine.

The cd begins with the traditional Canto Pa Eleggua, the great messenger of the Gods, any music, prayer or invocation dedicated to any Orisha, one must first petition Eleggua the Child Trickster Messenger.

This is a Cd for the next generation of "New Age Hip Hop" music, a void that has been empty, and will grow, thanks to artists like Carlos Mena. What are you waiting for, rush and get this cd, meditate, light candles and a Good Cigaro to your Santos, dance, chill, be one with the cosmos, and Feel the Euphoria.

All of the above and then some.......2004-08-01

Having been a NYC hip hop fan for over 20 years, since the Funky Four plus One More, there is nothing more boring than the cash cow formula music on hip hop radio today. It's a scam for surburbia, they don't know any better, so they just keep throwing money at it. There is no message, no meaning and no real hard core beats. It has become a genre where you can maybe get 1 solid hard core CD a year (and we are going back many years now)at this point. Where are the old school, hard core beats, deep meaning to stimulate the music in the message??

Right here on this CD. One of the best of the year.

Not your average hip hop.......2004-06-22

As a long time hip-hop fan, it's hard not to be judgemental about the cookie cutter music being forced upon us. But just when I decide to retreat to my pre-1992 cocoon, I come across a dope artist that reminds me of why I love hip hop. Hip Hop Meditations gets back to hip hop's roots of drawing upon its surroundings and standing up for something beyond mere loot, which gets reflected here. Beyond the boom bap, Carlos draws heavily upon Afro-Cuban traditions, which considering hip hop's roots in the Caribbean, should be done more often. Speech from Arrested Development is a guest here, and I was intrigued enough to look him up and get reintroduced to a guy I thought had essentially retired from the game. (My bad). Carlos has a couple of new releases coming up soon featuring Zion I and Tre Hardson, formerly of the Pharcyde. I can hardly wait...

Average customer rating:

Hip-Hop Meditations
Carlos Mena
Manufacturer: CASAMENA
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music

General | New Age | Styles | Music

General | Rap & Hip-Hop | Styles | Music

Experimental Rap | Rap & Hip-Hop | Styles | Music

General | New Age | Indie Music | Stores | Music

General | Rap & Hip-Hop | Indie Music | Stores | Music
ASIN: B0000AMKBC
Release Date: 2004-05-18

Tracks:

Introducing Solrac (for Eleggua)
Auction Block (featuring Nonyameko)
Lucumi Song (Canto para Eleggua)
God Is You
Yemaya Meditation No. 1
Walking in the Light
I.T.I.S.I.N.Y.O.U.
Obatala Meditation No. 2
Nine Haikus
Orisha Drink (Voices in my Head)
Sheets of Sound (for Coltrane)
Lost and Found
Eggun Meditation No. 3
Red, White, and Blue
Crossroads
Breathe Meditation No. 4

Album Description

ABOUT Hip-Hop Meditations

The collaborations with Michael Spiro on Bata and Conga drums point to exciting musical possibilities where they may continue on this path of gentle, and respect filled rhythmic experimentation.

Pop Music:

Pop Music

pop music

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