Interview with Rebel Diaz and Agent of Change

Rebel Diaz and Agent Of Change ‘Work Like Chavez’ is a track that paid homage to the late great leader Hugo Chavez. We got to ask them a few questions about the track, the closure of RDACBX and how we can all learn from Chavez to work like Chavez!

Q. First off, we are extremely saddened by the RDACBX closure. You always say to ‘propose’ rather than ‘oppose’. What do you propose to do now?

We proposing a building campaign, to generate funds and people support for RDACBX to acquire a new building that is owned by the artists in the community, in the meanwhile we are in a temporary storefront in the Bronx, May-August 2013 continuing our programming, including cultural events and political education/media literacy workshops.

Q. ‘Work Like Chavez’ is absolute fire! What is it that you want your listeners to take away from it?

We want our listeners to celebrate the legacy of Chavez, a leader in the global struggle against poverty, neo-liberalism and imperialism, and carry his vision forward through our local work.

Q. Agent Of Change, tell us a bit about the production of the track?

The intro sample is from legendary Venezuelan musician and activist, Alí Primera. The words translate as “Those who die for life can not be called dead. From this moment on, mourning is prohibited”. The sample in the main beat is from Simón Díaz, one of the most important figures in Venezuelan folk music.

Listen to the track

Check out the lyrics below!

(RODSTARZ VERSE)
I can’t front im upset that they took our buildin
Next Thing the Comandante man I know they killed him
Something goin on I gotta read the signs
Somethin telling me that its about that time
Time to step it up cuz I still smell sulfur
Still smell the money in this capitalist culture
So im dedicatin verses to my boy jamil
He out there in Venezuela.. Frontline its real!
Hunts Point New York 2005
That’s when I realized the revolution soo alive
We ain’t never had a president come around mine
He brought OIL for the poor in the wintertime
He showed Love to the Bronx that’s called Solidarity
We show love back ain’t no politician scarin me
Anti imperialist til I we go delirious
The work is getting serious.…that’s why they keep fearin us!!

(CHORUS)
Do the mathematics Hugo Chavez was the baddest
I gotta work Chavez… (2X)
In Caracas
El proceso va palante
In Chicago
El proceso va palante
In the South Bronx
El proceso va palante
It goes worldwide
El proceso va palante

(G1 VERSE)
Forward,
This movement ain’t defeated,
La lucha sigue
Dentro de todos esa rebeldia existe
La CIA comete crimen
Igual las ideas viven
Aqui el pueblo decide
No lo que los medios dicen
Queren parar una cultura alternativa
Fijate desde el bronx hasta america latina
Capitalista van
Capitalista vienen
Buscan tus bienes
Queren hacer lo que queren
Ahora decimos NO!
No al imperialismo,
Al neoliberlismo
Los bancos,
Los ricos
Ni un millonario
Chavez fue solidaario
Ni Bush ni Obama llegaron a ayudarnos
No lo olvidamos,
Mas que Venezolano,
Esto cruza frontera
Hip hop bolivariano
America unida
Como creamos ese frente?
Solidaridad por todo el continente!

Rishma Dhaliwal

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Rishma

Editor / PR Consultant at No Bounds

Rishma Dhaliwal has extensive experience studying and working in the music and media industry. Having written a thesis on how Hip Hop acts as a social movement, she has spent years researching and connecting with artists who use the art form as a tool for bringing a voice to the voiceless.