October 08, 2008
MC YogiMusic
I recently came across some music on LA’s KCRW by Nicholas Giacomini who goes by the name “MC Yogi.” He’s got an eclectic backstory:
Inspired by artists like the Beastie Boys and Run DMC, he began writing and performing his own raps for friends at house parties. He spent most of his high school years at a group home for at-risk youth, and Hip hop culture provided both a soundtrack and a creative outlet during those turbulent teenage years. Then at age 18 he discovered yoga.
On a whim, he joined his father for a yoga and meditation intensive with a famous spiritual teacher from India. Deeply moved by this powerful experience, MC YOGI devoted himself to learning everything he could about the ancient discipline. He began studying the physical forms of yoga, as well as meditation, philosophy, and devotional chanting.
It was at a yoga teacher training program in San Francisco that he met and fell in love with his wife, Amanda. After there first trip to India, they opened Yoga Toes Studio in Point Reyes, California, where they currently reside.
By combining his knowledge of yoga with his love for hip hop music, MC YOGI creates an exciting new sound that brings the wisdom of yoga to a whole new generation of modern mystics and urban yogis. [Link]
I’m digging this. Given some of his subject matter it has the potential to come across as really cheesy but the dude rhymes with heart and without a hint of being self-conscious. Here MC Yogi raps about Gandhi to some kids (at a Yoga camp I think):
And here its all about “monkey power.” Nina Paley needs to get this guy on her soundtrack.
And how you like this one compared to Will I Am’s attempt?
You can sample more of his work here and here. “Ganesh is Fresh” is fresh. If you like then download from his site and show some love.
abhi on October 8, 2008 11:22 PM in Music · T·r·a·c·k·b·a·c·k address · Direct link · Email post
Don't you miss kcrw on your radio? Online streaming is just not good enough. I think you need to move back to LA...
That Obama video kicks some serious ass by the way - lyrically, fly beat, visually, and great editing in intertwining Obama's speech - I actually misread and thought it was a Will I Am video until halfway through watching...Really polished.
Color me unimpressed. Another white guy who gets into Yoga and suddenly claims all things Indian. His record label even promises "A journey into the inner East". Because you know, the East is a state of mind, man. Not a place where real people live.
As for the music, his lyrics are cheesy and he sounds like...a white guy rapping. That's about all you need to know.
Wow, that rap was so cheesy. Sounds like those 80s movies where some white guy would try to be down with the happenin culture at the time.
Yogi B should sue for copyright infringement for jacking his name.
this group in BK has an indian guy, maybe 2. I can't tell. www.myspace.com/dasracist
3 · SpottieOttieDopaliscious said
Very good way to put it. But the rap song is very good for youngsters.
I checked out Ganesh is fresh and by all the 3 billion hindu Gods...I AM SO SORRY! Forgive him Ganeshji, he knows not what does (or is). "When I say Jai, you say Ganesh"????
9 · MzQ said
By all the 1.5 billion hindus on this planet, who are you?
"Follow your heart and act real bold."
Congratulations to this guy who's spreading the message
in a unique, creative way.
I dig it.