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The concept for the “Window Seat” remix is simple: Its about being Misunderstood. You ever get the feeling that people just judge you based on how you look, what you wear, how you speak and your general behavior? And without having known much about you, they automatically make assumptions about your personality. Like for example, the other day one of my newly made friends at work asked “hey, you drink don’t you?” and I said “no.” She said “oh, I thought you did”. And with a little bit of a laugh I said “why?” She said “I don’t know I guess it just looks like you do”. (the conversation went on after that, I didn’t really think of it as offensive or anything). But later I thought of it to be very interesting.

I know many of times I’ve used references to Islam or muslims or muslim things in my music, and people have misunderstood that as me being Muslim. Or people that know I am a follower of the Sikh faith, have questioned why I feel the need to make such references. What they don’t understand is that I was raised in a small country next to Iraq called Kuwait, and that in America, Muslims face just as much discrimination as the Sikhs,  and Islamophobia not only affects Muslims but also affects us as Sikhs. So in many ways, I feel a sense of Solidarity with my Muslim brothers and sisters and I stand alongside them in our struggles.

So in the “Window Seat” I say things like

“I AM, Misunderstood man, they ask no questions/often, get salaams like Im Muslim/ which is Peace and I know we could use some/ but the race is human so why should I choose one?”

And what I found exceptionally beautiful at the end of this whole ordeal, specially at the end of writing of this song was put into my last two lines

“….but yo, Imperfections got a beauty of their own/man my God walks with me so I never die alone.”

Anyway, I can’t wait for this video to be finished so everyone can see how the music and the video all compliment the concept of being Misunderstood.

I think its also important to mention that the core concept for this song and video came from the last few lines from Erykah Badu’s Window Seat:

“they who play it safe are quick to assassinate what they do not understand. they move in packs, ingesting more and more fear with every act of hate on one another. they feel more comfortable in groups, less guilt to swallow. they are us. this is what we have become, afraid to respect the individual. A single person within their circumstance can move one to change; to love oneself; to evolve.” – Erykah Badu from “Window Seat”

Whats goin on blog-world?

Where have I been you ask? I’ve been at work. BUT the good news is…we are almost done. End of tax season is officially 4 days away! woohoo!

In celebration of the end of tax season and Vaisakhi, I will be performing April 16th, 2010 at the University of MD, College Park. That’s THIS friday. So I need all my DC/MD/VA people to come through and show your support. The poster for the event is below. Make sure you spread the word, call your friends, and pick out your outfit. I’m hoping to release some new joints as well, so I’m excited.

Also. EXCLUSIVE for the blog. I’m going to let y’all know now, that the remix of Erykah Badu’s “Window Seat” is officially underway, and a Music Video is also in the talks. I will keep y’all updated on that as it happens.

That’s all for now. Until next time…

- The Beast from The East.

p.s. I hate pollen. My allergies have been killing me lately. I need my fix.