Ralph Leon Hunter (Rude Bwoy Ralphy)

I received the call on a Friday, on the other end; it was one of the girls who used to work at Mangos. She asked me if it was true, what she heard about Ralph, I told her I would call her back. I called Patrick right after, and he confirmed it, and the world stood still...

I had seen him a week before, the Friday before. It was yet another night at Mangos, it was the usual set, you know, I did the usual covers: Damien's "Welcome to Jamrock," Bounty's "It's Okay," Jonny's "Walk the Line" as always, the regular routine...when Prince P introduced the band, Ralph did his Slick Rick rendition of "La-Di-Da-Di" and thus ended another wicked set, and as usual, the crowd went crazy, the streamers fell from the ceiling, and it was just another night at Mangos...and as usual, after the last set, I excahnged greetings and words with everyone from the Innasense family, Jimmi, Icardo, Patrick, Anderson, and Ralphi...

That night, Ralph came up to me, and he asked if I knew "Traffic Jam," by Stephen Marley, at the very end of the set, he had began to beat box it, so I knew it was on his mind. I told him, I would learn it, so we could perform it some time soon...but some time never came, and nothing was as usual...

From the very first time I set foot on that stage at Mangos, Ralph always encouraged me...Jimmy, Icardo, Patrick, they always made me feel welcome, and for that, I am thankful...I'm glad I had the opportunity to perform alongside Rude Bwoy Ralphi, the wickedest drummer, straight...I feel very fortunate that our paths crossed, and his passing has left me buried in deep thought...

It was an honor to have met Ralph's sister for the first time at his memorial service & musical celebration at Mangos...I can't imagine what his family is going through, but I definitely will keep them in my prayers...then I saw his daughter, and it was then, that I realized that there is life after death...because music is life, and music was definitely his life, his daughter, his family, his friends were all an extension of that life, and it was amazing to see how many people were touched by his...whenever I perform at Mangos, I still feel his presence there...

As Mos Def said:
Tomorrow may never come

For you or me

Life is not promised

Tomorrow may never appear

You better hold this very moment close to you

So close to you - don't be afraid...

Coppa Stone: Live @ Mangos Cafe
Uploaded by coppastone

October 14, 2007

Now that the European trip is over, it's time to move on to phase II, finish up the final touches on the album courtesy of Mr. Magik over in Miramar...plan a few release parties, and start some serious marketing, via the web, i.e. MySpace, Indie911, Soundclick, Real Vibez, etc. and basically get things going...there are some who would like to see me fail and fall flat on my back, but as Sizzla said: "They can't keep a good man down, always keep a smile when they want me to frown, they will never ever take my crown, who jah bless I say no man or woman curse, things getting better when they thought it would be worse"..."Solid as a Rock"...while I take care of some business, check out these words that I wrote:

They call me the hopeless romantic

travel overseas, Pacific and Atlantic, trying to get these, thoughts off my chest

yo line after line, in love with the beat, the rhythm, the rhyme...

Time after time yo I been told before, words don't pay so best just explore

other avenues, but yet I endure, so all mogglas get on the dancefloor

signal the plane like it's 2004, get Mad like Michelle in a dancehall session

celebrate life and your own self-expression, be original, no pirate sound

Yes Baby Luv, this is how I get down....

PEACEANDGUIDANCE

Coppa