Here’s a hint, it ain’t a sprint but a marathon.
So I got my second wind like the air is strong.

I had to let the last couple videos breathe before we moved into Act II of this Burbathon. This visual was shot in London, where the beautiful Betty Steeles resides. That’s the homie right there. The scenes are sewn together with street art imagery from Berlin and Amsterdam. The footage was compiled over time, only to be devoured in the editing room. It’s directed by theBURBSLIFE with help from Tom Kenyatta and Nuntaporn Kamhom. We stay living for the future.

Welcome to the Burbianity. Burbology. Burbs Life Psychology. The second official video off the Burbs Life Music LP is for the project’s title track, produced by G Koop with background vocals by Sharita Rene. Shot in beautiful South San Francisco, it takes an up-close look at life’s details while preparing for the grind. Directed and masterminded by Brian Cheung. With help from Michael Kushner. We bout that Burbs Life.

This project was built on a collection of beats that have stories of their own. Seven I produced in the Bay during the Spring of ’11. Smoking grapes, eating dried guava and crab. In my own fuckin world. Three of the tracks are from the masterfully deranged virtuoso, Will Bracy. Out of Oakland. He’s not on the internets much. But the kid is stacking #Beats4Days. The anchor of the project, G Koop, held down the title track with a guitar-driven slap that reps the Wes like Montgomery. We made that beat in like an hour on a typical foggy ass morning in the Bay. Grape Swishers and Aquafina, bitch. Where my cyphas at?

After a month of enjoying/analyzing/ignoring the Burbs Life Music LP it‘s time to bring out the visuals. All eyes on now: theBEGINNING video. Filmed in Berlin over the course of 2011, this conceptual artpiece is from the minds of Ryke Sauerbrey and Rabea Schäfers. Send them love letters. But the whole team made it a reality. Volume 10. Chapter Won.

Video Credits:
Ryke Sauerbrey / Director, Youth Organizer
Rabea Schäfers / Director, Stylist, In-House Spliff Roller
Mi Ren / Set Design, Spiritual Advisor
Simon Hollmann / Cameraman, Rational Adult
Tim Gobohead / Lightman, Amateur Comedian
Unknown / Editor
Marcus Badow / Post Production, Hip Hop Fanatic
Jascha Kreft / Props, Budding Rock Star
Peter Posniak / Field Producer, Renowned Thespian
Robert Rathnow / Assistant, Pseudo Flake
Ina Hildebrandt / Cargo Driver 1
Pierre Exner / Cargo Driver 2
Unknown / Weed Guy
Michael Opitz / Strategist, Political Operator
Alexander McMünzy / Muscle, Morale Booster
Steve Leonhardt / Consultant
Timo Kreitz / Muscle, Student

Tracklist after the jump

01 The Beginning

02 Burbs Life Music ft. Sharita Rene

03 Take Off ft. DJ Toure

04 Oh Yeah ft. Sarah Miller

05 Live It Up ft. Baby Jaymes

06 Burb Call

07 Praying On My Downfall ft. Maria Remos

08 Life‘s A Vacation

09 Be Alright ft. Aristotle

10 Transitions ft. Betty Steeles

11 I‘m Alive

12 No Games ft. Gentry Bronson

Tracks 1, 4, 5, 8, 10, 11, 12 Produced by John Brown

Track 2 Produced by G Koop

Track 3 Produced by Bedrock

Tracks 6, 7 & 9 Produced by Will Bracy

Guitar by G Koop on Tracks 2, 10, 11, 12

Drums by Max McVeety on Tracks 1, 12

All Tracks Recorded at Soundbank Studio, SF, CA

All Tracks Mixed by G Koop at Fuzz Base Studio, Oakland, CA

All Tracks Mastered by AK Koestel, Lousville, Kentucky

The other day I‘m eating roasted chicken and fries, about to drop a new song on Twitter and I notice another round of political grappling between legendary MMA fighters @PatMiletich and @JeffMonson They‘ve been tweeting back and forth the past couple months about everything from the Middle East saga to U.N. Agenda 21. At times it seemed like they might take it to the Octagon.

For those unfamiliar with Monson‘s left wing ideological rep, he made headlines in 2009 after getting his Anarchist Banksy on in front of ESPN photographers at the Washington State Capitol. A move that would make Lil Jon proud. Militech, while known lately for blessing Showtime with his thorough correspondent skills, seems to come from the ‘America, love-it-or-leave it‘ side of the political aisle. Then the thought crossed my mind…

They quickly saw the vision…

Shouts to Monson for invoking Conspirators Rule #4: Pre-empt suspicion by suggesting the hidden agenda before others. Well played, comrade.

So now it‘s a question of when. And where? I instinctively thought of CagePotato cause they‘re cool enough to do it. But as the universe works itself out, here‘s my main reasons why I think an ‘MMA Politically Incorrect‘ – that I tentatively call Split Decision - should get a title shot.

5 / Would Be The First Sport To Have A Political Show

There‘s a long history of athletes moving into politics – Kevin Johnson, Bill Bradley, Jack Kemp, Jesse Ventura, Harry Reid  - to name a few. Yet no league has embraced the outspoken nature of its players. If anything, they shun it. As an extreme combat sport, MMA should break this taboo and freely speak its mind like June‘s baby boy.

4 / Helps Debunk Stereotypes of MMA Fighters

Despite having a highly decorated roster of world-class martial artists, MMA fighters are still stereotyped as violent meatheads. Showcasing fighter‘s knowledge and passion towards world affairs would open peoples minds to the eclectic personalities and opinions of its participants.

3 / Many Fighters Are Already Politically Involved

While it‘s often the target of cynical politicians, MMA already has some of its athletes with one foot in the political arena: Mirko Cro Cop, Chris Lytle, *lowers voice* Chael Sonnen, Matt Lindland all come to mind. It‘s true those guys mentioned have a traditionally right-wing agenda, but I‘m sure there‘s more fighters in the sport who share similar views as Monson or Joe Rogan. Brian Condit on line 1? Imagine holding MMA vs Boxing political debates between Cro Cop and Vitali Klitschko. Even Manny Pacquiao has signaled he may run for office. Square him up against Chris Lytle to discuss Global Warming. I‘d pay to see that.

2 / Political Talk Shows Have Become Verbal Combat Sports

Not that this is necessarily a good thing, but let‘s face it, political discourse has gotten much more aggressive in the past few years. With bullies like Bill O‘Reilly telling 9/11 victims to shut up and agitators like Keith Olbermann calling out the ‘the world‘s worst people‘, it only makes sense to get professional grapplers into the mix.

1/ Pure Entertainment Value

All else aside, if you‘re passionate about politics and MMA, this shit would be fun to watch. The credibility level clearly depends on the extent to which these fighters know their issues. However, general topics, such as disparities of wealth in Stockton, would be valuable additions. We might even see the first grudge match played out in the Octagon over the consititutionality of recycling legislation. Giving a whole new meaning to trash talk.

Let‘s make this happen!

JohnBrown@theBURBSLIFE.com