The Hope-Hop Workshop
Creatively Conquering Cancer
TESTIMONIALS
FROM PREVIOUS HOPE-HOP WORKSHOP PARTICIPANTS
Tanya and Angel
"When i first heard about this Hope Hop Workshop coming to the Nevada Cancer Foundation, I got excited because my 12 year old son Angel is very into music and has dreams of pursuing it as a career. When I first mentioned it to him he was a bit shy and seemed hesitant to be so open around other kids. Neither of us knew what to expect but we went for it anyway. Angel attended the workshop and I decided to just sit back and let him do his thing. At the end of a 3 hour session Angel had completely broken out of his shell, posing in various poses for the camera with a huge smile. I was introduced to Jesse and what he actually did with these kids during that time was amazing. He brought his own portable studio, talked about putting music together and the best part, Jesse, Angel and other kids made a song which is now the Anthem Flash of Hope. Angel had no hesitation in sharing his story which became the basis for the lyrics of the anthem. Angel even recorded his vocals which were used on the chorus. I was so amazed, happy and excited for everyone all around. I'm glad I was able to have Angel as part of this project, and especially grateful that Jesse takes time out to travel and do different workshops to work with kids going through Cancer and have been through it. Thank you Jesse from the bottom of our hearts"
Miguel Cervantes
"I first worked with Urbalist on a tribute track for one of our close cancer friends and SOMBFAB Hope-Hop participant, Chris Ramirez, who had recently passed away in his battle with cancer. I was honored to have been asked to be featured on the track that would later be titled "Hulk Smash". I learned a lot on the day we recorded Hulk Smash. But, it was nothing compared to the week that I had spent recording the Cancer Killer's Album in Los Angeles, (which we later ended up calling 'eMCee Boot Camp'). I later learned that both of these experiences had been integral in the development of the Hope-Hop concept. Jesse taught me the basics of Pro Tools, mixing/mastering, proper vocal recording etiquette. He pushed me to a new level that would've taken years to achieve on my own and explained how to use music as an emotional outlet for myself as a brain cancer survivor, both of which I am most grateful for. I am now a part of Risk It All Records and have been applying all the things that Jesse taught me to do, which has helped me become the artist that I am and that i aspire to be."
Ray Lewis
When I first heard about The Hope-Hop Workshop I didn't know what to expect but I guess that's the beauty in expecting the unexpected. What the workshop has done for me is to give me a better understanding of what actually goes on in the studio and what to expect when recording a song or piece of poetry. At first I was a bit surprised when it seemed as if what Jesse was explaining actually came to me somewhat naturally, as if this was the very thing that I was born to do. What can you expect from this workshop? Well you're going to learn about the process of recording and engineering. You'll learn about what microphones to use, a little bit about mixing and mastering. Most importantly is you'll be having fun while learning how to put into words and vocalize some of the more traumatic aspects of being a cancer warrior and survivor. I know learning something new may be complicated at first and sometimes confusing but once you learn the key factors they will always be implanted in your brain for life Since being a participant in the first Hope-Hop Workshop I've continued to create and record my own original music and it has become almost a form of talk therapy with my notebook in a way. I leave you with the epic words of Bob Marley "One good thing about music when it hits you, you feel no pain"
George Ramirez
on behalf of
Chris "The Hulk" Ramirez
"The first time I heard about Jesse and the concept of Hope-Hop is when my brother Chris Ramirez A.K.A The Hulk began raving about him. I wasn't sure who Jesse was until he told me he had come to SOMBFAB to perform and record an anthem for the support group. Chris told me about the songs Jesse had written and recorded and hoe they gave hope to kids, teens and adults with cancer. He even told me that Jesse had brought a studio with him and recorded right there at the meeting. Ever since Urbalist came into Chris's life he was so full of hope. He listened to "Cancerous Flow, Lyrical Journal", Jesse's album, every night for 6 months straight. This album became his savior for strength to keep fighting this terrible disease. Chris was the heart and soul of SOMBFAB. He always welcomed people with open arms and warm hugs, always cared about everyone and how they felt 24/7. He was an inspiration to many fighting with cancer and still is.
After Chris passed away, I finally met Jesse . I fell in love with his artistry and music when I heard Jesse's tribute to my brother entitled "HULK SMASH," it brought tears of joy to my soul knowing that he made a song for his biggest fan. We met for Lunch at one of chris's favorite restaurants, where I was able to thank Jesse for all he had done for Chris. We both had Chris' favorite dish, the enchiladas, we swaped stories and laughed at our fondest memories of my brother. Jesse gave me a copy of Cancerous Flow. Now we are friends for life. Chris knew how to bring people together, which is a cornerstone of this program. Jesse, I thank you so much for coming into his life. It meant so much to him and to me as well. Keep doing what you've been doing and continue to give hope to those out there fighting the biggest battle they will ever face. Can I get an AMEN"
George Ramirez
Chris Ramirez
Nurse Amy Schneider
"SOMBFAB (Some of My Best Friends Are Bald) is the support group for adolescent cancer patients and their teenage siblings at Rady Children's Hospital (San Diego). Our director had seen Jesse (“Urbalist”) at a Seany Foundation charity gala perform live where he performed tracks from his Cancerous Flow: Lyrical Journal CD. The CD chronicled Jesse’s route from diagnosis through chemotherapy, to remission and gratitude.
Last summer, Jesse – or Urb as he is known to us -- was invited to perform these tracks at a SOMFAB meeting. His music struck a chord with everyone in the room. From that night on, he was a special part of SOMBFAB.
Sometime after Jesse’s performance, we got the incredible idea of having a theme song for SOMBFAB. We contacted Urb, who was delighted with the idea. With his creative juices flowing, he brought his mobile studio from LA to San Diego, and we held a day-long workshop at the hospital to develop our track.
Urb asked the patients and their siblings about SOMFAB and their own individual struggles. This led to the group developing their own lyrics. He then presented different beats for the kids to sample and they chose their favorite. Throughout the process, Urb focused on the healing and relief that can come from expressing oneself uniquely through the power of song, poetry and music.
Together, they developed the chorus and the kids and Jesse recorded it. Urb took the kids’ themes and words and weaved them into The SOMBFAB Anthem, a powerful, poetic, honest representation of a journey through cancer treatment and beyond. The kids loved hanging with Urb. It was an incredible day that everyone lucky enough to attend will long remember.
The group members were thrilled with how The SOMBFAB Anthem turned out. We had its debut at another one of our meetings and Jesse joined us. The kids have been pumping it ever since! One parent told me she knew all the words because her daughter had played it over and over again during her hospitalization for chemotherapy and then at home during her recovery.
Jesse gave us a wonderful creative expression of our SOMBFAB identity--one that comforts and sustains all of us, makes us feel both powerful and glamorous, and helps us with outreach for newly diagnosed teens and teen siblings.
The SOMBFAB Anthem validates and solidifies WHO WE ARE. We are all WARRIORS when we're called. We’re so grateful for our very own HOPE-HOP anthem!"
- Amy Schneider aka Nurse Amy
SOMBFAB Founder and Director