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Music Observer

Light Warriors Group Seeks to Bring Ripples of Inspiration, Hope, and Positivity Through the Power of Music

With one global challenge after another, the world is undeniably at a place where negativity thrives and hopelessness effortlessly seeks its way in, disrupting people’s lives in the most unpleasant ways possible. Determined to pursue the mission to bring a powerful difference to society, Light Warriors turns to music as a tool to effectively channel encouragement, hope, and love for the world. Ultimately, the rising music group intends to heal and unite people through unique blends of sounds to help them realize what the world truly needs today.

Light Warriors is a surging music powerhouse that navigates through the realms of rock, funk, and reggae sounds while incorporating indie sensibilities that, albeit familiar, also bring a fresh feeling to the listeners. Composed of seven dedicated members, the group of multi-talented artists pools in their creative insights to form music aimed to uplift its listeners and bring positivity. 

Light Warriors places heavy emphasis on bringing positive energy into community. Its musical works focus on collective frequencies that bring love into action. Much of the group’s performances have been described as incredibly uplifting and encouraging. Some of their hit albums include Raise the Frequency, Survival of Joy, and the anti-gun violence single, Rise Above. Their most recent international collaborative release is “Book of One,” described as a true innovation on the single for the music industry, perhaps an industry first. Overall, the group’s sound has been compared to a mixture of music legends such as Bob Dylan, Paul Simon, Sublime, Dispatch, and Bob Marley. “Book of One” covers multiple styles from pop hop and rap to jazzy funk, trap, and reggae, for multiple reconstructed interpretations on the single, “One”. 

While the rising music group is catapulting to success today, the journey toward its present-day milestones has been challenging. What was initially formed by Erik Rabasca as a solo project in 2016 has now grown into a seven-member group with Erik on guitar/vox, Steven Jean Baptiste on drums, Kris Brewer on saxophone, Jamar Jabari in percussion/vox, Karen Johnstone on keyboards/vox, Liz Page on percussion and vocals, and Angel Sanchez on the bass. 

Admittedly, after a few cycles of talented musicians entering and exiting the group between 2016 and 2018, Erik was ready to pursue a solo career. Fortunately, in 2018, he landed a residency in Brooklyn with rotating musicians. But what truly sealed the deal was Angel Sanchez’s initiative to join the project. Eventually, Light Warriors 3.0 was brought to life, with its current lineup coming together by the summer of 2019. The now solidified lineup then explored newer paths that led them to the success they hold today after nearly 40 shows together and a dozen recording sessions that will yield more new music later this year.

Today, Light Warriors remains at the forefront of giving hope and positivity not only through music but also through other philanthropic endeavors. Through the universal language of music, the group now serves as ambassadors to WhyHunger’s Artists Against Hunger & Poverty program, urging artists, industry leaders, innovators, and tastemakers to use their influence, voice, and power to address the systemic challenges that prevent underserved and disadvantaged communities face from accessing nutritious food systems. With the newest “Book of One” release, Light Warriors is donating half of all album proceeds to WhyHunger. 

Their latest single “One” declares, “One, the volume of unity…One, collectively transforming community.” Equipped with their gift in music, the group continues to use their talents to inspire and ignite hope in the hearts of their listeners. 

Learn more about Light Warriors by visiting its official website. Band photos taken by Tucker Mitchell. Album art created by Kimberly Young Sun.

Rising Musician YngSolomon Organizes Pop-Up Concerts to Encourage and Inspire.

Music is powerful medicine. These challenging times make it more important than ever to feed your mind positivity, so it can be channeled to create a positive environment of motivation and success.

YngSolomon aims to create music that is not only conscious of the world around us but is also inspirational and elevates the soul. 

YngSolomon is a Northern California-based singer and songwriter who is co-founder of the acclaimed hip-hop and pop duo, The Collective Conscious. The duo aims to create catchy music that shines through the darkness of the global plandemic. They knocked it out of the park with their sophomore album titled “Full Moon Intentions” which they released in Feb of this year. 

The esteemed musician is also the founder of YngSolomon Presents, a series of live music pop-up concerts that began in July 2020 after being inspired by Reprezent Clothing – a local conscious clothing company. The pop-up concerts continue to gain traction in the north bay.

YngSolomon is a holistic individual – when he’s not creating uplifting music and performing at live events or organizing them, he can be found enjoying a game of basketball, practicing guitar or exploring the wonders of nature. 

The world-renowned musician is also a leader in the local chapter of a Buddhist organization, which has been a major driver for his personal development over the last six years. Through chanting the Buddhist mantra Nam Myoho Renge Kyo, and sharing this practice, he has managed to stay happy despite the challenges of 2020.

YngSolomon is the only person in California who is actively organizing and promoting pop-up concerts. He understands that live music heals, and should be spread as much as possible. With the mounting suicides since the lockdowns, YngSolomon has taken it upon himself to encourage troubled youth. 

“Now is the most important time to provide a platform for people to commune and dance while helping artists pursue their dreams….most of the world has put their dreams on indefinite hold,” says YngSolomon. Anyone who enjoys listening to live music and loves to dance will greatly benefit from his pop up concerts.

He is determined to host events, and is not afraid to fail. “If a pop-up gets shut down, I find another location,” says YngSolomon. “The very first event I hosted this summer had to be moved twice. Once due to the fires, the second due to a park ranger shutting us down near Fort Mason, so we moved a third time to Ocean Beach, and everyone had a great time,” he added. Most promoters would have canceled or postponed their events, but YngSolomon is different. 

Find out more about YngSolomon by checking out his Instagram account.