User talk:FoundationMovementLLP

Foundation Movement

On February 27, 2003, the City of Boston declared the day “Foundation Day” The City of Boston not only honored the group for their musical talent, but also recognized Foundation Movement for their commitment to the community and for making positive changes in a city with a history of violence, racism, segregation, and political corruption.

Foundation Movement members; Eroc, Optimus, and DJ El are a diverse group of young artists with origins from Puerto Rico, Liberia, and Guatemala, who all met in Boston and united to form the group. This cultural fusion, as well as their experiences growing up in Boston, has influenced The Foundation Movement's music. Not another rap group with watered down lyrics, and messages of misogyny and materialism. They’re committed to addressing issues of injustice and oppression, while also entertaining crowds with hot beats and relevant lyrics.

Foundation Movement has performed at local clubs, open mics, college campuses, high schools, and rallies and protests, for crowds of 30 to 30,000. In the short time the group has been together, Foundation Movement has shared the same stage with KRS-One, Pharoahe Monch, Dead Prez, Michael Franti/Spearhead, Edo.g, Medusa, Soulfege, Lee Wilson, Supernatural, Billy Bragg, Akrobatik, Mr. LIF and Amiri Baraka.

In August of 2003, Foundation Movement was the only international group invited to perform with the Cuban Hip-Hop All-stars at the closing of the 9th Annual Hip-Hop Festival and Conference in Cuba for a crowd of over 20,000. Internationally, Foundation Movement has also performed in Canada, Europe, Bahamas, South Africa, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Tanzania, Zanzibar, Kenya, Israel and Palestine. You can catch the Foundation Movement regularly performing across the North East United States in Boston, Providence, New York City, Philadelphia and a city near you.

Their debut album Foundation Movement’s “Greatest Hits” has received much critical acclaim. The Foundation Movement continues to be one of Boston’s top Hip-Hop acts, with songs crafted with creativity and balance, and backed by the polished production of the experienced, Omen, Upryz, DJ Liphted and their live band MoFire. With The Foundation already laid in Boston, this group is ready to build nation-wide.

EROC "El Machetero" “I'm independence, the Ancestors and their decendants I'm evolution, I'm revolution, They can't stop me from breathin because I am freedom” - The Biography of Eroc -

Eroc of Puerto Rican decent is a life long resident of Boston, Massachusetts; proud of his Latino heritage he was born the third of five children to immigrants from Arecibo, Puerto Rico. Eroc (Ernesto) had a foundation at home growing up the child of community activist. His Father Felix D. Arroyo became the first Latino in the history of Boston to be elected the City Council. His mother Elsa Montano is a long time educator and activist in the Boston Public School system.

Eroc began performing in his fathers church at age 14 later he was in the underground group “The Next Movement.” In August of 2001 he founded “The Foundation Movement” and later on a live radio performance he met Optimus who was a radio personality and the program director at the station the two quickly became close friends and very quickly began collaborating as partners in rhyme. Stating that he loves music and loves the idea of “using music as a vehicle for social change,” Eroc has never strayed from that premise, his motto that “silence is the voice of complicity” drives him to make music that calls attention to the injustices that occur in the world. Eroc also work as a youth organizer in the Jamaica Plain and Roxbury area of Boston he is a firm believer that you “cant just talk about it but that you must be about it as well” To contact Eroc send emails to Eroc@Foundationhiphop.net

OPTIMUS "The Most Trusted" “Claim you’re acting out of character-well that’s not true/ Cuz when you act out of character-that still is you.” - The Biography of Optimus -

THE NAME “Optimus, my outlook I’m never facing defeat.” Optimus (B. Browne), of the Kru & Grebo tribes (Liberia), conceived his first rhyme at the time of Public Enemy’s “911 Is A Joke.” In honor of his major musical influences of the time, Big Daddy Kane & Flavor Flav (1990), he dubbed himself Big Flavor B. He did not write his next lyric until two years later, when a childhood friend, Kranberry (K. Woozencraft) urged B to pick up his pen again. With a new approach to lyrics, it was time for a name change to reflect mindset. Hence the birth of Bishop (in honor of the only Black male X-Men character). In the summer of ’93 there were tryouts for a 6 person Hip Hop group, later named 6-Pak. Kran and Bishop (Op) were selected to be in the group, which disbanded just a few months later. That didn’t stop him from writing and Bishop went on to form the “Rising Suns.” The duo lasted until late ‘96 when Op was exposed to the world of radio. But before his 1st air-check he was due for a final transformation. A name that would differentiate the radio personality from the artist; An alias that would link the emcee to the radio dj and simultaneously capture and reflect his personality. Bishop was known as an eternal optimist, hence the logical pseudonym, Optimus (Op).

RADIO ROOTS “Brought me back in this, established The Foundation.” In 1996, Optimus first blessed the WERS 88.9fm airwaves and his emceeing came to a stand still. Under his tutelage as Urban Music Coordinator, WERS became the highest rated program in the Boston Radio Market (fall 2000/men 18-24/8p-12p/Arbitron Ratings). Dubbed by Guru of Gangstarr “The Most Trusted Man In Hip Hop” and affectionately referred to by fans and peers as “The Institution” and “The Legend,” Optimus’ impact on the Boston Hip Hop scene is immeasurable. During his 5 year tenure, he’s had the opportunity to interview music’s elite including KRS ONE, DJ Premiere, Eminem, Fat Joe, Branford Marsalis, Femi Kuti and Poncho Sanchez. He’s also appeared in independent films by director Ethan Lader, various documentaries on Hip Hop music and Channel 7’s Chronicle about Hip Hop Kulture. On September 10, 2001 Optimus retired from WERS Studios and began to explore other avenues of expression. This journey led him to Eroc, a politically aware emcee carving a niche in Boston’s scene. After hearing him participate in a cypher outside a Boston club, Eroc approached Optimus and asked him to join his Hip Hop group. Soon after, their 1st recording session led them to Manhattan, New York the location of O-negative Studios. It was there we recorded their 1st song “No More Power” (with E. Pabon) inspired by true life domestic violence situations The marriage of lyrics to the beat was awe inspiring. They went on to record more songs and were thoroughly impressed with the result. The talent was evident, the outcome - The Foundation Movement.

AFFILIATIONS “Organized action, the best tactic for social change, now spread it!” Optimus has been struggling for social change in his community ever since he can remember. Whether it be through organizations like Simba (Young Lions), Teens Against Gang Violence (OG/Peer Leader), Mission Safe (Youth Worker), Teen Empowerment (Program Coordinator), The New Majority (Committee Member) or currently The City School, his dedication to walk the talk is admirable. His lifestyle is in conjunction with his music shouts out, justice in every area of human relations for the people. His work in the field of arts including: Museum of Fine Arts, Museum National Center of African American Artists, The Wang Center and The Cutler Majestic Theatre helped spawn the unconventional creativity that he exhibits when writing lyrics.