Spoken word hip-hop collective Ill-Literacy comes to campus
The Cal State University San Marcos Pride
by Toria Savey
(link)

There are places that are alive with music. People perform on street corners and beats rise out of potholes and drift out of clubs and coffeehouses. Or any place with a roof, a door and a microphone. Those who look hard enough agree that San Diego is one of these locales, with lyrics embedded in its very blueprint, but on Friday night, one didn't have to go into the city to seek the energy. The music came directly to CSU San Marcos.

The CSUSM Arts and Lectures Series in conjunction with campus' Kamalayan Alliance (KA) brought spoken-word hip-hop collective Ill-Literacy to campus. And Ill-Literacy brought songs that were relatable, hilarious and tragic; an entire world.

The evening opened with Irene Castruita, a former member of San Diego's own Los Able Minded Poets, another spoken word collective. Her introduction to her pieces, stating, "I don't call it spoken word, I call it spoken soul because we express our souls," may have made some members of the audience roll their eyes. However, when minutes seemed to fly as she covered topics like war, truth, poverty and beauty with a mixture of poetry, beats and a cappella singing, skepticism was quickly replace with fascination; Castruita was, in her own words, "singing songs in the key of life."

Up next, it was time for the main act. After being announced and welcomed by a member of KA, Ill-Literacy took the stage. The welcome by the KA, while proper, may have been somewhat unnecessary. The group is made of four members who would own the stage whether it was offered to them or not. Reminiscent of many concerts, a single member was sent out to warm up the audience. Slowly, each member of the group came on stage, performing a segment of the opening number, and asking the audience to come with them on a "journey".

While there were all sort of influences for the various songs, most involved some form of societal commentary. Ruby Veridiano-Ching called for a return to chivalry and a realizing of one's inner beauty. Adriel Luis, in addition to having the dubious job of being the first one on stage, performed an amazing piece from the point of view of self-hatred. "Stop trying to find me in everyone else, and maybe, just maybe you can find me in yourself," he spat as he literally jumped around the stage.

Dahlak Brathwaite, offered some of the most scathing commentary, beginning his time on stage by announcing that "the club looks nothing like the Yin Yang Twins says it does." Perhaps some of the most powerful moments on stage were during his tongue-in-cheek explanation of the usage and ownership of the word "nigga" and its relationship to oppression. Two of the pieces that brought the most laughter and empathy from the audience though came from Nico Cary, the first a "f*ck you list," including everything from conservative politicians to people who had Lunchables and never shared. The second was about his desire to be a revolutionary, but being too bombarded by different types of "revolution" recruiters on the campus of UC Berkeley to decide on a cause, and mocking the inability of each group to find common ground.

At the beginning, Adriel announced Ill-Literacy's intent to "reawaken a culture". They spoke to the audience, provoking everything from uncontrollable laughter to shouted agreement during statements about society's stumbling blocks.

A throw back to beat poets and early DJs more than the violent "gangsta" rap that's become popular, the group showcased hip hop at its finest, exhibiting unbelievable word flow without a single gang shout out or misogynistic reference. Looking around at an auditorium full of wide eyed people hanging on the group's every word, it would seem that Ill-Literacy's goal is well on its way to becoming reality. On Friday night, even if only for a moment, CSU San Marcos was not only awakened, but ignited.

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SPEAKING WITH SPOKEN WORDS:
INTERVIEW WITH ILL-LITERACY

One of the main appeals of Ill-Literacy, in comparison to others in the field of spoken word and hip hop, may be their accessibility, with audience members coming up to them after the show and interacting like long-lost friends. When the flock thinned a little, the Pride had a chance to ask the group a few quick questions. As gleaned from their interaction on stage, the members of Ill-Literacy are friends as much as they're band mates. There was constant laughter, as they gave the same answers and finished each others' sentences.

So, two of you are still in college. If you could quit tomorrow, and just do this, no degree, would you?
Nico: Oh yeah, definitely. In a minute.
Ruby: I've already graduated, and this is what I'm doing full time. I love it.

You talk about texting in your show. How often do you guys talk or text each other?
R: We talk constantly. If it's not calling or texting, it's email.
Dahlak: Yeah, we get, what would you say, like withdrawals. Without each other.

What's the smallest show you've ever played?
Adriel: Man, I think like 6. Probably 6.

So would you rather play for six or 1,000?
D: Depends. If you get all 6 of those people in, it could be your best show ever.

What do you guys do after shows?
D: I don't think you can print it.
R: (laughter) We usually have dinner. Eat. Celebrate.

So how long are you staying?
(group laughs)
A: We're driving back up tonight (to the Bay Area).
R: It's really beautiful here though. The ocean and everything.

Finally, what's your drug of choice?
D: Pepsi. Lots of Pepsi.
N: COFFEE. Coffee, coffee, coffee.
R: Definitely music.
A: People.
N: That's such a typical spoken word thing to say.