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Talib Kweli in the Pacha’s Pajamas Recording Studio

February 24, 2012 By 1 Comment

The other day world-famous rapper Talib Kweli recorded an amazing song for Pacha’s Pajamas called “Butterfly Life.” It’s about a caterpillar transforming into a butterfly, and once you hear it you’re gonna want to share it with everyone you know.

Kweli arrived at the studio, listened to the beat, pulled up the Wikipedia entry for ‘butterfly,’ and crafted his brilliant lyrics in only 45 minutes (see them below). Then he spent the next hour or two recording the vocals.

He also read the lines for Pebble, a character in the story who helps make the decision to throw the nature festival.

Kweli is truly one of the greatest lyricists of our day. Check to these videos to witness his amazing contributions to Pacha’s Pajamas.

 

BUTTERFLY LIFE LYRICS:

Let me break it down, make it plain
tell you cut and dry
How I get by
living the life of a butterfly
Nature’s OG
I’m a pollen transporter
They call me OT
Original transformer
Cuz I used to be a caterpillar
Till I metamorphized
Used to have 16 legs, 6 pair of eyes
I spent my free time
Dreaming about the sky
I was stuck on the ground wishing I could fly
My only job was to grub
I wipe my plate clean
Living the life of a vegan eating them leafy greens
The flowers bloom I’m breaking out of cocoons
Artists are inspired by I’m making them swoon
But now I put my larvae days behind me
Flying through the air is where you’ll find me
When I was a caterpillar yeah I got grime
Now I take flight and it’s way more exciting

CHORUS:

Fly fly away, stand up for your flights
Fly fly away, stand up for your flights
Fly fly away, stand up for your flights
Fly fly away, stand up for your flights

SECOND VERSE:

It’s that butterfly life
The moth is my cousin
And sometimes we fly alike
As I fly flutter by like a thought running through your mind
I’m proud of my species we got many different kinds
We got moth-butterflies true butterflies and skippers
Watch you plant flowers in your garden and I kiss em
If nature is a painter and our canvas is blank
Then we callin’ it the forest and my colors is the paint
My caterpillars days are still a part of me
Whole kingdoms are named after me, they callin’ it a monarchy
I’m a great subject for photography
In the park little kids follow me
Like the pied piper, except it ain’t the music it’s the colors
Butterfly life you gotta love it
It’s except it ain’t the music it’s the colors
The butterfly life you gotta love it

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What has BALANCE Edutainment been up to?

November 23, 2011 By 1 Comment

Here’s a quick update from Dave and Aaron on what BALANCE Edutainment has been up to recently: networking with movers and shakers at the L.A. and SF Green Festivals, connecting to Mos Def and Talib Kweli at their Black Star show, and a big performance at the Get Connected Fair put on by the Alameda County Office of Education. Pacha continues to inspire hearts and minds!

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Giving Thanks this Holiday Season: New Music Available feat. Mos Def (Yasiin Bey), Talib Kweli and Talented Youth Selected from National Auditions (Photos)

November 17, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Aaron Ableman, author of new children’s book and music, Pacha’s Pajamas: A Story Written by Nature, and Dave Room, co-founder of BALANCE Edutainment have been hard at work in the studio with Grammy, Emmy and Golden Globe nominated artist and actor, Mos Def (also known as Yasiin Bey), popular lyricist and artist, Talib Kweli and talented youth from around the United States. New songs are now available from the upcoming Pacha’s Pajamas album!

“Now is a critical time in Oakland, New York and around the world. If we want to deeply engage youth, and all people, perhaps the most important space to occupy is pop culture, as expressed in music. At BALANCE Edutainment, we believe music, in its various forms including audio, performance and video is the most viral communication platform. In the last century, music played a pivotal role in many of the world’s most important social movements.” says Room.

“It’s important to impart the message not just to children, but to all human beings, that we have a responsibility to our own humanity and to the one who has created all, to treat this creation with care and respect,” says Def.

The idea that you have to be mindful of the environment, or pay attention to the environment, is something people should grow up with. It’s not something that you should have to convince an adult of,” adds Kweli.

Pacha’s Pajamas: A Story Written by Nature, a musical story about a little girl named Pacha who saves the environment with the help of the world’s plants and animals, is both a children’s book and hip-hop / pop musical album, designed to bring music and storytelling together to share important messages about the environment and inspire positive action.

Def narrates the fictional story of Pacha, a girl who dreams of uniting the planet via a music festival. Kweli performs an original song he wrote for the album from the perspective of a butterfly.

Def and Kweli have received acclaim for using their artistry, talents and notoriety to raise public awareness about myriad social issues. They are also currently touring nationally as Black Star, and their forthcoming collaborative album is Prisoner of Consciousness.

In addition to Def and Kweli’s participation with Pacha’s Pajamas, the BALANCE team of musicians and social entrepreneurs are in the studio with other soon-to-be-announced musical artists completing the album. They are also performing the story and songs throughout the United States. You can support their crowd-funding campaign, to help complete the Pacha’s Pajamas album and tour. The full album is due out Earth Day, April 22, 2012.

Occupy Pop Culture this holiday season by supporting media with positive messages. The Pacha’s Pajamas book and free new song downloads are available now at www.pachaspajamas.com.

To book an event performance or reading, find out more information or invest in the project, please contact us at info@pachaspajamas.com. Also, connect on Twitter and Facebook.

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Rap Stars Mos Def And Talib Kweli Bring Their Voices To Environmental Hip Hop Album, EP Released

November 11, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Mos Def and Author Aaron Ableman

Rap stars singing about butterflies and saving the environment isn’t something we hear about everyday.

And that’s precisely what BALANCE Edutainment, LLC had in mind when they approached rap stars Mos Def and Talib Kweli to participate in their upcoming children’s hip hop album about the environment, Pacha’s Pajamas: A Story Written By Nature.  The EP, which features Def, Kweli, and others, is available as a free digital download for a limited period starting today at http://www.pachaspajamas.com/music. The full album is due out Spring 2012.

The Pacha’s Pajamas CD features Grammy, Emmy, and Golden Globe nominated hip hop artist and actor, Def (also known as Yasiin Bey), who narrates the fictional story of Pacha, a girl who dreams of uniting the planet via a music festival starring a host of singing plants and break dancing animals.  Kweli, a popular

lyricist and hip-hop artist wrote and performs an original song on the album from the perspective of a butterfly.  The duo, who previously collaborated on the late ‘90s album Mos Def and Talib Kweli Are Black Star, have received acclaim for using their artistry, talents and notoriety to raise public awareness about myriad social issues.

“We’re extremely grateful for Mos and Talib’s involvement and truly believe we can influence social, economic, and environmental change in a compelling way through the telling of powerful stories, by creating music people are inspired to listen to and with the help of the world’s children,” said Aaron Ableman, accomplished musician, social entrepreneur and co-founder of BALANCE Edutainment.

“It’s important to impart the message not just to children but to all human beings, that we have a
responsibility to our own humanity and to the one who has created all, to treat this creation with
care and respect,” said actor and hip hop artist, Mos Def.

“The idea that you have to be mindful of the environment, or pay attention to the environment, is
something people should grow up with.  It’s not something that you should have to convince an
adult of,”  added hip hop artist, Talib Kweli.

“The story of Pacha’s Pajamas is spreading the information early (to kids), so it becomes like a
cornerstone or a foundation.”

In addition to Def and Kweli’s participation, the BALANCE team of musicians and social
entrepreneurs are in the studio with other soon-to-be-announced musical artists completing the
album.  The BALANCE Edutainment team will also be making live appearances to perform the
story and songs from Pacha’s Pajamas: A Story Written By Nature throughout the United States
this Fall and in Spring 2012.

For more information, please visit www.pachaspajamas.com.

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National EP Launch and Positive Local Story: Pacha’s Pajamas at San Francisco Green Festival 10th Anniversary Celebration

November 8, 2011 By Leave a Comment

A special Pacha’s Pajamas reading takes place at the San Fransisco Green Festival 10th Anniversary celebration this Saturday, November 12, 2011 at 2:00 pm. As local Oakland-based group BALANCE Edutainment launches thier promotional music EP nationally with soon-to-be-announced celebrity musical artists and talented youth, co-founders Aaron Ableman and Dave Room connect positive messages through storytime in the San Francisco Green Festival Green Kids’ Zone.

In a recent CNN ireport interview at Los Angeles Green Festival, Ableman is asked, “When kids read this book or have this book read to them, what is your hope that they will get out of it?”

“If children can walk away inspired with a connection to the earth and each other, that would be a victory,” Ableman answers.

Pacha’s Pajamas: A Story Written by Nature, a hip-hop musical story about a little girl named Pacha who saves the environment with the help of the world’s plants and animals, is both a children’s book (www.amazon.com and www.pachaspajamas.com) and an upcoming hip-hop musical album, designed to bring music and storytelling together to share important messages about the environment and inspire positive action.

“If we want to deeply engage youth, perhaps the most important space to occupy is pop culture, as expressed in music. In the last century, music played a pivotal role in many of the world’s most important social movements,” Room states in a recent article in the Washington Times Communities.

“We are at a critical time to manifest real change, but we need to find solutions inclusive of all,” Ableman adds.

“We believe that catalyzing change can happen in a fun way through socially-conscious music, stories about interdependence and by amplifying the voices of children. Human Rights and Nature’s Rights are key issues that Pacha’s Pajamas aims to popularize through the project, a tale of a little girl with big dreams for unity on planet earth. We are thrilled to share Pacha’s message at Green Festival’s 10th Anniversary Celebration, and with all global movements calling for peace, health and justice in the world,” says Ableman.

For a limited time starting on 11/11/11, the promotional EP is available as a free digital download by signing up at http://pachaspajamas.com. The full album is due out Spring 2012.

The BALANCE Edutainment team will be making live appearances to perform the story and songs from Pacha’s Pajamas: A Story Written By Nature throughout the United States this Fall and in Spring 2012. For more information, please visit www.pachaspajamas.com.

After Pacha’s Pajamas reading, join BALANCE partner Destiny Arts Youth Performance Company for a Main Stage musical performance on Saturday at 3:45pm. Then, head to the Ben & Jerry’s Community Action Pavilion at 4:30pm for an interactive workshop exploring social issues through movement, theater games and group building exercises. Come prepared to move your body, speak your truth and act from the heart.

Additional Green Kids’ Zone activities include crafts, stories, music and much more throughout the weekend. Green Festival is an eco-friendly marketplace with over 300 exhibitors, live music and spoken word, yoga and movement classes and cutting edge film screenings. Ten stages and pavilions host more than 125 enthusiastic speakers offering in-depth presentations and short talks on the issues and practices for adults and children of all ages.

Green Festival takes place at the San Francisco Concourse Exhibition Center, 635 8th St. at Brannan St.

About BALANCE Edutainment, LLC BALANCE Edutainment, LLC (www.balanceedutainment.com) is an Oakland, Calif.-based company that creates cause-related entertainment products – books, musical CD’s, curricula, mobile apps, and more. Their debut children’s story and hip-hop album Pacha’s Pajamas: A Story Written by Nature are the brainchild of Balance Edutainment Co-Founders Aaron Ableman, musician, and social entrepreneur, Dave Room. The team’s aim with Pacha Pajamas and future products is to educate children and the masses in a fun and entertaining way about important environmental and other social issues. A portion of the proceeds of Balance Edutainment’s sales will be donated to like-minded nonprofit organizations.

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BALANCE Edutainment Performs on Main Stage at Los Angeles Green Festival

October 26, 2011 By Leave a Comment

The live storytelling and musical youth workshop and performance led by Pacha’s Pajamas creators BALANCE Edutainment and an up-and-coming local youth star takes place on the Main Stage on Sunday, October 30 at 3:45 pm after “Celebrities for Social Change in Action” with Ed Begley Jr., Rachelle Carson and Esai Morales, and before Reverend Lennox Yearwood Jr. of the Hip Hop Caucus.

Pacha’s Pajamas performance and workshop will also take place in the Green Festival Green Kids’ Zone on Saturday, October 29 at 1:00 pm. Additional Green Kids’ Zone activities include crafts, Halloween adventures, stories, music and much more throughout the weekend.

Pacha’s Pajamas: A Story Written by Nature, a hip-hop musical story abouta little girl named Pacha who saves the environment with the help of the world’s plants and animals is both a children’s book (www.amazon.com and www.pachaspajamas.com) and an upcoming hip-hop musical album, designed to bring music and storytellingtogether to share important messages about the environment and inspire positive action. The new album features well-known, soon-to-be-announced celebrity musical artistsand talented youth.

Joining BALANCE Edutainment on stage at Los Angeles Green Festival is local youth, Miles Ananda McAliley. Miles was born in Los Angeles in May of 1998 to Raye Dowell and Ira McAliley.  Always having a bright personality, Miles started modeling and acting at the age of 3, booking jobs for Tommy Hilfigger, and Disney.  After appearing in the Will Smith Black Suits Comin’ video, for the movie Men in Black II, Miles decide to retire to pursue his life a kid.  For several years, Miles explored soccer, baseball, tap dance, and martial arts, before falling in love with drawing and basketball. During this time he also developed a love for music, with a particular passion for Rap Music.  At the age of 10, Miles wrote his first lyrics for his math class.  The positive response inspired him to spend the next couple years continuing to develop his skills as a writer and performer.  Miles has performed with the Lil’ Big Ups, a free youth arts project and musical variety show, The Pico Youth and Family Center All-Stars, a Santa Monica non-profit that promotes Peace, Unity, and Social Justice, and Gerald C. Rivers, an LA artist with a show that features the works of the late Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.  Miles was also recently chosen as a finalist in California State Assemblyman Mike Davis’ 28th district talent search. Miles balances his life by focusing on being a good student at New Los Angeles Charter Middle School, and training for and playing basketball.  His is also a loving older brother and son, who looks forward to going to college and making a positive contribution to society. Watch Mile’s audition video now:

 

“We believe that catalyzing change can happen in a fun way through socially-conscious music, stories about interdependence and by amplifying the voices of children,” says Aaron Ableman, musician, educator and co-founder of BALANCE Edutainment, the creator of Pacha’s Pajamas.

“Human Rights and Nature’s Rights are key issues that Pacha’s Pajamas aims topopularize through the project, a tale of a little girl with big dreams for unity on planet earth. We are thrilled to share Pacha’s message with the GreenFestival, and with all global movements calling for peace, health and justice in the world!”

Green Festival is an eco-friendly marketplace with over 300 exhibitors, live music and spoken word, yoga and movement classes and cutting edge film screenings. Ten stages and pavilions host more than 125 enthusiastic speakers and teachers offering in-depth presentations and short talks on the issues and practices for adults and children of all ages.

Green Festival takes place at the Los Angeles Convention Center, South Hall G.

In addition to the Green Festival performance, the BALANCE Edutainment team will be making live appearances to perform the story and songs from the Pacha’s Pajamas ebook andalbum throughout the United States this fall and through 2012.  For more information, please visit www.pachaspajamas.com.

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Hip Hop Musical with an Environmental Twist to Take the Stage at Bioneers Conference

October 16, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Pacha’s Pajamas: A Story Written by Nature To Be Performed At Popular Environmental Event

Pacha’s Pajamas: A Story Written by Nature, a hip-hop musical story about a little girl named Pacha who saves the environment with the help of the world’s plants and animals, will take to the stage this Sunday, October 16, in a groundbreaking Rights of Nature Youth Workshop at the Youth Unity Stage at The Marin Center in San Rafael, Calif., from 2:45 p.m.-3:30 p.m. The live storytelling and musical youth workshop event is part of the Bioneers 2011 environmental conference and will be led by Pacha’s Pajamas creators BALANCE Edutainment as well as Global Exchange and the Rights of Mother Earth Signature Campaign. For more information, please visit www.bioneers.org.

Pacha’s Pajamas: A Story Written by Nature is both a children’s book (www.amazon.com and www.pachaspajamas.com) and an upcoming hip-hop musical designed to bring music and storytelling together to share important messages about the environment and inspire positive action. The hip-hop album will feature well-known, soon-to-be-announced musical artists as well as Bay area and national youth.

“We believe that catalyzing change can happen in a fun way through socially-conscious music, stories about interdependence and by amplifying the voices of children,” said Aaron Ableman, musician, educator and co-founder of BALANCE Edutainment, the creator of Pacha’s Pajamas.

“Nature’s Rights is an issue that Pacha’s Pajamas aims to popularize through a message of unity across species, honoring the planet upon which humanity depends. We are thrilled to share Pacha’s story with the Bioneers conference and all the youth movements around the world!”

Bioneers is a nonprofit educational organization that highlights breakthrough solutions for restoring people and planet. Since 1990, Bioneers has acted as a hub of social and scientific innovators with practical and visionary solutions for the world’s most pressing environmental and social challenges. A celebration of the genius of nature and human creativity, Bioneers connects people with solutions and each other. Its acclaimed annual national and local conferences are complemented by extensive media outreach including an award-winning radio series, book series, and a role in media projects such as Leonardo DiCaprio’s film The 11th Hour.

In addition to the Bioneers performance, the BALANCE Edutainment team will be making live appearances to perform the story and songs from Pacha’s Pajamas: A Story Written by Nature throughout the United States this fall and through 2012.  For more information, please visit www.pachaspajamas.com or www.balanceedutainment.com.

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