Forever Young

The Elitist Rebels are back at it again. Our holiday was sick, including a wicked 2-day Electric Daisy Carnival featuring a heavy world-class line up. Basspod rocked! Looks like summer's here to kick it for a while. Verbal is still finding his inner child down in South America somewhere. Last he checked in, man was posted up in Salvador for Bahia's Independence Day, bumping some Immortal Technique in the moment: "Viva La Revolución!" Once he's back in he mix, I'm sure he'll have some wicked material and insight into the massive culture popping off in Brazil and the rest of the Southern Hemisphere. But for now you'll have to deal with me.

First things first, the death of Michael Jackson has shocked us all and captivated our thoughts. EDC had some amazing tribute sets throughout the weekend. The remixes and clashments of his tunes exploded worldwide in literally every genre you can imagine. This man was truly an extraordinary musician and person. I feel blessed to have been able to live in the same era, and breathe the same air of such legend who will never be replicated. What's disappointing to me is the perception of Michael in the eyes of my generation (Gen Y Millennials). That's why I feel his London comeback would have been something absolutely amazing; a chance for a rapidly changing world to once again witness his incredible talent and energy, many for the first time. The perception of Michael to the majority of my generation portrayed the rather unfortunate circumstances of his later life. As a result, so many people in my age bracket, unknowingly caught up in media interest, quickly mocked or insulted this extraordinary individual based on baseless charges and slander.

It saddens me to think the message and soul of his music, which positively empowered million upon millions of people the globe over, will potentially be lost on rising generations who were not of age to have felt Michael's magic for themselves. Instead many will associate MJ with a series of confusion and circumstantial conflict within the man's tumultuous personal life. Like most of us, he just wanted to be a child again, hoping to recapture the youth he was never blessed to have. I'd like to end this post with the final stanza of Santa Barbara's poet laureate and my personal English professor, David Starkey. I'll also be following that up with Sway's touching MJ tribute. So big love for the King of Pop who must now kneel before the King of Kings. Today he will be laid to rest as the world becomes a little less special. Never to be forgotten and forever to live on. Michael Jackson, I hope you have finally found your solace. Rest In P.E.A.C.E.

"All that's left now is to take
your first step into timelessness,
that magical kingdom
you've longed for since childhood
where no one ever grows old."
--Excerpt from David Starkey's "Prayer for MJ"

Sway - The King Full Stop (Michael Jackson Tribute)