January 2025 Theme Mix Tape (Side A)
The Savage Starfish: January 2025 Theme Mix Tape (Side A) can be found on Spotify. Listen in-blog below for a more rich experience, or on Spotify for uninterrupted music. Please note below each song is a link to song lyrics for accessibility. Check out more details on how to best enjoy mix tapes.
Good day and welcome to Savage Starfish, the January 2025 Theme Mix Tape (Side A) on KMTJ-DB – Your Mix Tape Journey – Denver, Colorado.
I’m your host, DJ Ponyboy. I appreciate your patience with this week’s mix tape, as I have been occupied with healing my mental health. There is no shame in struggling with your mental health – it’s ok to not be ok; find the support you need – you deserve it.
I begin today’s tape with a disclaimer for those outside the United States – this month’s tapes will be America-centric – but I believe what happens here affects the rest of the world and ultimately the resistance must be a world-wide effort. Those of us from the United States are at a sad and difficult point in our country’s existence, a zeitgeist which our country may not survive. The only chance for survival is if the 99% stand up and hold the 1% accountable.
I will be sharing ideas throughout on how we might accomplish this, but the important thing to remember is that it is Us (the citizens) vs. Them (the oligarchy), not Us (the citizens) vs. Them (the citizens); the only reason the 1% has been able to get as far as it has in destroying our country is because they have succeeded in dividing the citizens against themselves, when what they are doing to us and our country is detrimental to every one of us, regardless of your political affiliation .
Today’s mix tape begins with a review of some of the issues, states we need a change and the change is us, and finally wraps up with calls to action. Make sure to come back in two weeks for Side B, featuring songs of hope to help us all remain positive in these dark days.
Kicking off the tunes today is American rapper and community activist Brother Ali, welcoming us to “the United Snakes, land of the thief, home of the slave”, and reminding us “the Government’s an addict with a billion-dollar-a-week kill-brown-people habit” in 2007’s “Uncle Sam Goddamn”.
Gavin Prophet collaborating with Lonely Avenue on his 2024 track “I’m Not Lazy”.
While it was those in the Boomer generation who actively worked to destroy our country, I don’t think it is helpful to promote fighting between generations; there are folks in that age group who have worked tirelessly for the good of this country and its people.
Additionally, much of the blame can be heaped on Gen X, many of whom threw up their hands and didn’t even try to fight the destruction being perpetuated by the Boomers.
Continuing to my generation, many Millennials have ignorant fantasies of electing some magical perfect third-party candidate, leading them to vote against their best interests; many more across all generations refuse to vote at all.
There is plenty of blame to go around, but ultimately the true blame lies at the feet of the elite who have played the citizens of this country against each other for their own benefit.
I’m DJ Ponyboy on KMTJ-DB, Denver, Colorado. Continuing with our examination of the problems faced by the United States is American hip-hop superduo Run the Jewels with 2016’s “A Report to the Shareholders / Kill Your Masters”.
A Report to the Shareholders / Kill Your Masters Lyrics
American rapper Macklemore and his 2024 track “Hind’s Hall” on KMTJ-DB, Denver.
Next, American R&B singer and civil rights activist Mavis Staples stands up and states the obvious – that change must come – then American jazz poet, singer, musician, and author Gil Scott-Heron reminds us we must be the change – the revolution will be live and require our participation to succeed.
The Revolution Will Not Be Televised Lyrics
“The Revolution Will Not Be Televised” – that song released in 1970. Before that we heard Mavis Staples and her 2019 track “Change”.
You may ask how I propose we fight the evil at work; my suggestions do not involve anything illegal or violent, although those tactics may be required also.
I believe the single best way you can help yourself and your neighbor survive the next four years is to cultivate community. Meet your neighbors, help strangers, and be the good you wish to see in the world. Stand up and hold people accountable for their actions. Refuse to be silent when people in your vicinity make ignorant and hateful statements about other people.
I even have a resource to help you do just that. Visit Social Seahorse Connections, a blog celebrating those who are building and strengthening their communities, while offering simple ways to do the same in your community.
Resistance and community-building don’t need to be radical – if you can’t attend a protest, maybe you can watch someone else’s children for the day so they can attend; if you are unable to vote, perhaps you can help register others to vote; even going out of your way to smile at and chat with the security guard at your work or apartment building will help. Find the way you can support good and promote connection in your world.
Our communities need to rise up and band together – collaborate to build a force strong enough to battle the minority who wishes to destroy our country, our economy, and our way of life.
The bigots and oligarchs are scared of us for no good reason other than we aren’t straight white cis and Christian. Stand up and be proud of your identity – take back the slurs and give them a reason to be scared of you.
I want every one of the opposition to be echoing the words of The Watts Prophets, “Dem ni****s ain’t playing”.
Dem fa***ts ain’t playing. Dem tra***es ain’t playing. Dem bi****es and c***s ain’t playing. Dem dy**s ain’t playing. Dem lib***ds ain’t playing.
Dem citizens ain’t playing.
We citizens outnumber those in “power” 99 to 1. Let’s show them who has the real power and make them shake in their boots; then, let’s take back this country for the people.
Dem Ni**ers Ain’t Playing Lyrics
“They will not force us. They will stop degrading us. They will not control us, and we will be victorious”. English band Muse with “Uprising”, from the 2009 album The Resistance, which was heavily influenced by George Orwell’s 1949 dystopian novel Nineteen Eighty-Four.
The Watts Prophets before that with a track from 1971.
A walk-up song is a piece of music chosen by a baseball batter or pitcher to be played as they walk up to the plate or take the mound; it acts to psych-up the player, psych up the crowd, and psych out the opposing team.
I share with you my walk-up song and I hope it inspires you like it does me. “It’s our time to shoot the stars. We ain’t gonna stop till the world is ours. It’s landslide, rocks below, ready to rise, ready to roll. Let’s go. … Down in history. Let’s go. … Be legendary”.
Pop Evil and 2019’s “Be Legendary” on KMTJ-DB – Your Mix Tape Journey – Denver, Colorado.
I’m DJ Ponyboy and I can’t believe we’ve come this far and I’m just now explaining the meaning of this mix tape’s title: Savage Starfish.
Savage can be defined as, “untamed or fierce, often resistant to control”, while starfish are known for their ability to regenerate themselves when damaged, often regrowing entire new bodies from a broken piece.
If you are part of the resistance, you are a Savage Starfish. You have superpowers you aren’t even aware of and community is the key to unlocking them.
From 2018, American alternative rock duo The Score empowers us to recognize that while we may get knocked down, we will get up again, and with each other’s help we will heal and come back even “Stronger”.
Thank you so much for joining me today for Savage Starfish, Side A of January’s theme mix tapes on Resistance and Hope.
You are incredible and together we are strong. Find a way to foster community in your life today.
Keep fighting, keep your head held high, and come back for more music! Next week is my January 2025 Connections Mix Tape, featuring a whole string of interconnected bands making amazing protest music, from metal to folk, and everything in between. The week after that is Side B of today’s mix tape, exploring songs of hope for the future.
I’m your host DJ Ponyboy. You have been listening to KMTJ-DB – Your Mix Tape Journey – Denver, Colorado.
Until next time, stay gold.