Tim'm West: My Favorite Things
By Keith Boykin, in music
Monday, November 28 2005, 10:10AM
How do you describe someone like Tim'm West? He's a musician, activist, author and publisher. He's been a gay rapper long before the gay rapper question was even getting asked. And he's a modern day Renaissance man, gifted in many different fields with a diverse concern of interests.
Officially described in his bio as an educator, scholar, journalist, poet, and rapper, Tim'm completed his B.A. at Duke University, but he says the foundation for his creative future was planted in Taylor, Arkansas, where he was well known in high school as a poet, choreographer, vocalist, and actor. Since then, he's come a long way, having been named everywhere from the New York Times to Newsweek.
In 1999, while a busy graduate student at Stanford, Tim'm co-founded Deep Dickollective (DDC). In 2004, he released a musical complement to his book Red Dirt Revival with the CD "Songs From Red Dirt" on Cellular Records.
But Tim'm is more than just a talented artist. He's highly educated as well. A former instructor of Writing Pedagogy classes at Eugene Lang College of New York's New School and in Stanford University's first-year Writing and Critical Thinking program, Tim'm received an M.A. in Liberal Studies/Philosophy from the Graduate Faculty at The New School for Social Research in 1998, and in January of 2002 and an M.A. in Modern Thought and Literature from Stanford.
Last but not least, he's a teacher. How can you not love a young black man in the classroom? While in the Bay Area, Tim'm was the department chair of English and Creative Writing at Oakland School for the Arts, but he now lives in Washington, D.C., where he teaches in the English Department at Cesar Chavez High School for Public Policy. And I didn't even know they had high schools that specialized in public policy. Wow.
Tim'm T. West can be reached online at his website at www.reddirt.biz.
Tim'm West's Five Favorite Websites
1. www.okayplayer.com
I became a member of okayplayer back in '99. It's a hub for all the backpacker, bohemian hip hop/neo soul twenty/thirty-somethings who like artists like The Roots, Common, Erykah Badu, Jill Scott, Mos Def and Talib Kweli, MeShell N'degeochello, and other artists on the vanguard of what's next. In particular, it was important to forge conversations about LGBT folk in these spaces. In 1999, when we introduced the notion of gay emcees to their forums, people were slightly taken aback. Now gay topics are a major preoccupation of the General Discussion boards. In 2005 Okayplayer held their annual reunion during the Memorial Day weekend in D.C. (and at the same host hotel as DC Black Pride). One disgruntled okayplayer greeted me at the hotel lobby reminding me NOT to go in the direction of the "gay stuff"... I took special pride in telling him that I was there to register for both.
2. www.lalahhathaway.com
There's something about Lalah fans. I'm not sure if I'm her biggest fan or not, but am fortunate to have gotten to know her personally. She's magic to me. Her spirit, her energy, her voice, brings much peace to my heart. Beyond the rich legacy she carries in those chords, she brings together a community of people unlike any other I've experienced online. A favorite is the "Tell Me" space on her site, where people can post about everything from other favorite artists connected to Lalah (e.g., Rahsaan Patterson, Ledisi, etc...) to politics or personal issues. It's a pretty amazing community who has also been very supportive of my own music. I just wish that I had more time to linger there.
3. espn.com
I'm a die-hard sports junkie, particularly when it comes to my basketball. I'd be lying if I didn't have espn.com here, because I spend a great deal of my time staying caught up on scores. I'd be someday interested in collaborating with jocks in the black LGBT community to produce some site where people could discuss our interests in sports. I'm fortunate to be in DC where I play hoops with a group of brothas in the life on Monday nights associated with a group called Brothers Reaching Out. I'm also co-coach of my school's Varsity Basketball Team. It's something I take a lot of pride in.
4. gayhiphop.com
Who is the gay rapper? Well actually there are so many of us, it's a pretty asinine question to be asking in this day and age. Why does the mainstream media keep this movement hidden from most of us? Perhaps some of us are actually pretty damn good. Look out for the documentary "Pick Up The Mic" which features me with Deep Dickollective and gives a broader picture of the influence of black LGBT folk in the whole gay hip hop movement.
5. deephousepage.com
Any other househeads out there? I miss the days when going to the club was less about keeping the clothes cute and more about releasing all the negative energy of the week. You went to clubs not to hear what's on the radio, but what wasn't. You looked forward to the vast spectrum of LGBT peoples (and yes, back then clubs were more co-ed too) and came out to celebrate living. Deep House page is just one of a few house music sites that helps me stay connected when I need to remember the first music that really moved my spirit. A PK (preacher's kid), I gravitated to spirituality of house music, and was also able to connect to it's roots in disco and club music that icons like the late Slyvester and Frankie Knuckles pioneered. It's a spiritual thing. It's important for us post 30 folks to get out now and again and support the dj's and the venues that still play it.
Comments conceal
j. brotherlove
November 28 2005, 3:07PM
After years of missing Tim'm West at different functions, I got the chance to meet him this past August when he performed at the Atlantis Music Conference in Atlanta.
He blew me away on a personal level. I definitely agree with the description "modern day Renaissance man".
James
November 28 2005, 5:55PM
Congratulation Tim'm and all the best to you!
Resey
November 28 2005, 6:13PM
I had the wonderful opportunity to hear Tim'm read from his book, "Red Dirt Revival" as well as from his blog. I must say, I was very pleasantly surprised, but not shocked at all. Tim'm is as real as they come...and yes, a "modern day Renaissance man" for sure!
Nicole
November 28 2005, 8:29PM
Tim'm is one of a kind! I heard him three years ago performing for his students, a vivacious performer he has a warmth and depth that transcends into the audience. It is impossible to listen to him and not feel touched by his energy!
Nicole
November 28 2005, 8:29PM
Tim'm is one of a kind! I heard him three years ago performing for his students, a vivacious performer he has a warmth and depth that transcends into the audience. It is impossible to listen to him and not feel touched by his energy!
Shon
November 28 2005, 9:55PM
Tim'mmm mmm good!
In all that his hands touch, it turns to gold! When he speaks, his words come to life. When he writes, he takes you to a whole new realm of enlightenment.
LOGO should have had him in their gay hip-hop segment. Anyway...
His voice is similar to that of Will Downing but with a more soulful flavor that in a way connects you to him.
Get his latest book Bare (Notes from a Pochdweller)...Appreciate being bare with him.
Sol
November 28 2005, 10:30PM
Tim'm West is one of the most extraordinary men I've ever had the pleasure of knowing. we've known one another just over a year, since his sojourn from the bay area of Cali to the dark, chocolate streets of the nations' capitol. Tim'm is one of those folks who metabolizes 95% of his life-experiences and regergitates it into food for those around him to feed off of. His music is phenomenal ( Songs from Red Dirt)- i cant wait to collab & his writing makes me...how'd Nia Long put it...wanna "burn my notebook" lol.
I will always look up to him because one day, i hope to be the man that he is!
Every aspect of his "mission" is anointed: his writing, his performance, his activism, his incredible mind, & his huge heart for his brothers & sisters.
i'm so glad to see him get a little spotlight, and in true "Tim'm form", he grabbed the spotlight and shined it on those around him. Tim'm West for President! we love you, homie!!
Fratman1906
November 28 2005, 10:43PM
Good to see this entry on Tim'm and great timing, too. I will get a chance to see him this coming Thursday at his 1st anniversary celebration at Cafe Mawonaj in DC. Anyone who reads Red Dirt Revival cannot fail to be moved by the poignancy of Tim'm's story of life in Taylor, Arkansas or to feel his pulse and rhythm as he moves through the various stages of life. I am particularly proud that he is a fellow Duke University alum. Thanks for profiling him Keith, and congratulations Tim'm.
newkeith
November 29 2005, 9:24AM
There are some people that you meet online and they have a totally different personality than their off-line persona. Tim'm is one of those people. He is even NICER off line than he is on.
-:) Just to piggy back on his comments about Lalah's board. It is truly a special place.
ananda
November 29 2005, 9:48AM
tim'm,
i was thinking about you the other day. i was so happy to get this email about you... flex on out wonder one.....
i wrote some words and stringed them together into an impromptu sutra of thoughts that i like to call "he ..." read on ... enjoy. love and peace, your soulsistalove ananda
he ... a sutra of thoughts for tim'm by ananda kiamsha madelyn leeke
copyright 2005 by madelyn c. leeke
part 1
i search for words to say something about him, but the only thing that comes are sounds
uuum-uuum
i strike a pose and say one word
he
nothing else follows except the sound of
uuum-uum
so i say the word
he
one more time hoping that it might jumpstart my vocabulary, but the only thing that comes is the sound of
uuum-uuum
so i resign myself to exploring the uuum-uuum of tim'm
and this is where the sound takes me
you know how you feel when you see something
authentic, real, beautiful, unique, one of a kind
well that's when i say uuum-uum
the sound is the only thing that comes out ...
it is my high five praise song for giving thanks for what i have been blessed to see
and what i see when i witness tim'm
is
uuum-uum
part 2
he
he
he
he is covered with rich double chocolate skin
he walks the earth with long luscious locs
he spits verses to funky house blended hip hop beats
he gives his voice over to the gift of song
he sits in places writing lines of soul-etry --- poetry from the soul
he allows his words to fly freely from his third eye onto the page of memoirs
he gives birth to characters in a novel that reflect a story all of his own
he
he
he
he finds the time to continously check himself as he lives in the present, plans for the future, and looks back on the past
he
he
he
is manifested creativity
divinity personified
sunday through sunday
24/7
365
he
he
he
you dig
is
uuumu-uum
Jeff
November 29 2005, 10:51AM
It's such a small world. We both have the pleasure of knowing Keith and Lalah. We might've exchanged words on Lalah's board so I feel it's a matter of time before our paths cross in person. Congrats to you and all that you do on a regular basis to uplift the community. It's people like you and Keith that encourage me to press on.
Basil Hennely
November 29 2005, 10:59AM
I have had the pleasure of sharing the stage with Tim’m on many occasions and have the pleasure of calling him a friend. He is an amazing performer, poet, educator and best of all an amazing man. The world has only seen a glimpse of the voice that is Tim’m West. Thank you for embracing me as a new artist and being a huge supporter of my debut album. Thank you for dropping one of the best albums of 2004. I am still rocking that body rock!!! Thank you for sharing your voice with the world even when many do not want to listen. You make us all breathe a little bit easier. Much Love, Basil Hennely
Damion
November 29 2005, 12:19PM
I'm so excited about this post. Taylor is about 10 minutes from my home (Magnolia, AR). I always get excited when I see people from my area doing great things. I'm especially excited that a GAY male has risin up out of Columbia County to achieve the success that he has. As a matter of fact I know his family. They are really sweet, intelligent people. They are members of my home church's sister church. Go head witcho bad self!
precision
November 29 2005, 12:50PM
tim'm is dope. i had the pleasure of meeting him thru the online community okayplayer, and he's a truly gifted performer as well as a great guy to hang out with.
oh, and his voice is sexy as all hell, in case he don't know it.
do your thing man, we love you out here.
T. Fixx
November 29 2005, 1:28PM
Tim'm....oh see that's my one of my babie-daddies right there! I cannot say enough about this soul except that he's one of a kind and truly a blessing to this earth. Thank you, Keith for this article. So many of your friends, fans and followers hang onto your every word and recommendation and I am so very glad that you gave some individual props to Tim'm. Definately a brotha-artist that peeps need to know about more indepthly.........and he besta be working with me on his next album, too. LOL. Much Love & Respect!
Juba Kalamka
November 29 2005, 4:09PM
big ups to my bandmate dear dear friend and brotha from anutha mutha, the amazing Aquanigga B-boy Banjee Stud (thats "ABBS" for short, ya'll).
holla at that that black man. Your life will be changed(for the good) forever,
much love
(and big ups for giving homey a shout, Keith)
Juba Kalamka
Fratman1906
November 29 2005, 10:56PM
Keith. Since my previous post on yesterday, I have learned that the original location for Tim'm's 1st anniversary show has been destroyed by fire. Ever the resourceful person and strong black artist that he is, Tim'm has secured a new locale at Busboys and Poets (www.busboysandpoets.com)at 14th and V Sts, NW. The show coincides with World AIDS Day on Dec. 1 at 9 pm, and this is a great time for those in or near the DC area to see/hear in person this tremendously talented poet, author, musician, and educator. Thanks again for this post on Tim'm. Shem hotep.
sardento
November 30 2005, 6:45AM
Big ups to Keith for putting this on his site. I have been fortunate to know both Keith and Tim'm. It truly is a new age for black gay men with so many talented atists, philosphers, activists, singers (Sol made a post above, be sure to check him out), poets etc in the spotlight right now. Tim'm is all the above and more but more importantly to my personally....he my friend, my boy, my hanging partner and I know I'm keeping good company! See ya Thursday ...if not before
castiron
November 30 2005, 9:03PM
Inspiring!
Ryan
December 4 2005, 11:42AM
Yay!!!! :) there's so much to say, but everyone is saying what I've been thinking.
Tim'm is the best, yall. no, really...he's just an amazing person--someone who is doing so much and is helping so many others out JUST by being himself...
im happy he's my "big brother". :) See you in jersey in a couple of weeks!
Derrick_the other one
December 5 2005, 3:54PM
Keith, thank you so much for profiling Tim'm West. He is one of my favorite writers. I am constantly revisiting "Red Dirt Revivial" to help elucidate things I feel, see, or experience in the world. By the way, I'm from Little Rock- I see you Damion. :) Tim'm...can't wait for "Bare."
Peace.
Tim
December 6 2005, 5:20PM
Tim'm West is an amazing man, challenged to bring it and brave enough to do so.... I hope that everyone has an opportunity to hear his words, understand his message, and learn from what he shares!
Tim'm
December 28 2005, 9:36PM
Hey everyone!
just taking in all the love and warmth. Thanks to Keith for giving me space to talk about a few of my "Favorite Things". Thanks to friends and colleagues for showing love... and thanks (perhaps especially) to my homies from Arkansas who notice that something was being inspired back there in the dirt beyond collards. LOL
i remain inspired because of your faith, support and encouragement!
Stay tuned... lots more to come in 2006: documentary/film debuts, a new book, new solo music and DDC's third project!
Daniel Lyons
December 31 2005, 11:00AM
Just a shout out to my brotha and friend who inspires me to do more and accept me. Working through and elevating my mind body and spirit to become the most that I could achieve. He in DC, writer... me in LA, artist, trade thoughts, desires and concepts to reach the souls of our Friend, Families and Lovers. Seeking to generate the love toward a healthy, vibrant and positive GLBT for our commity and most of all everyone. Thanks for your assistance and love with school bruh. Your efforts will be remembered and passed on.
PEACE and BLESSINGS for the New Year BRUH!
Daniel