SUGARBOX is a “rock-u-drama” written and performed by C.J. Mitkish. Each album/chapter is performed and recorded in a specific musical “decade” to give the listener a timeline for our hero’s artistic growth throughout the journey.
Chapter 1 LOVE IS A FUNKY CROSS TO BEAR (released 2015) introduces our main character “ Papi Chulo”. The album concentrates on EGO, specifically Chulo’s development from a self centered rock star (Beso Papi Chulo) to an empathetic messianic character (The Superfly Hustlah). The album is performed in a 1970’s funk/rock style in the vain of Parliament-Funkadelic, The Ohio Players, and KC and the Sunshine Band.
Chapter 2 LOVE AND PEACE IS A SEVEN DAY DANCE FLOOR (released 2018) continues our character’s “hero’s journey” as he comes to grips with the DISILLUSIONMENT of REALITY that all of us must eventually face (or suffer the consequences). Learning to navigate the world with his newly found clarity (Love and Peace is a Seven Day Dance Floor), our protagonist becomes a world messenger of peace and love thru belief in oneself (Dream Big, Is That All That You Got). Chapter 2 ends with the martyrdom of our hero (FEED US ALL/PEACE LOVE ROCK N ROLL). Chapter 2 is recorded and performed in an early 1980’s MTV aesthetic with nods to artists such as Adam and The Ants, Duran Duran, INXS, Michael Jackson and Prince.
Chapter 3 PRAISE AND WORSHIP (to be released 2027 ). SUBCONCIOUS
SUGARBOX PLAYS HATIKVAH (released 2024) in response to the attacks of Oct. 7th and our world’s disgraceful response, I volunteered to fly to Israel and work with the Israeli Military thru the Sar-El organization. Each morning’s flag raising ceremony in ranks was accompanied by the national anthem “HATIKVAH”. The overall message of Hatikvah is that one day “200 years from now, we the Jews will have our own homeland returned to us and we will live in peace free from persecution”. A somber, melancholy, beautiful theme that i feel still spoke to the older generation but did not so much inspire the sabras who make up the majority of the IDF. The IDF soldiers that I was working with listened to more modern, upbeat, inspirational music to mentally prepare for combat.
I have two main skill sets… a military skill set from my time in United States Armed Forces and I have an artistic/musical skill set stemming from but not limited to my Bachelors Degree in Fine Arts and Religious Studies.
I was inspired to record my own version of HATIKVAH and try to honor the old and inspire the new generations. I was so moved and motivated by the IDF during my time spent with them that upon completion of the music I decided to dive in and create a full music video (mini movie) to honor the State of Israel and the IDF and post it on YOUTUBE as a 2024 Jerusalem Day gift to the state of Israel and the IDF.
It struck me that the slogan, “NEVER AGAIN, IS HAPPENING NOW” was the anti slogan to “FROM THE RIVER TO SEA, PALESTINE WILL BE FREE”.
Since the “majority” of the combatants in this war of slogans are far removed from the histories of the past century I thought it imperative that some be reminded and others be educated on what “NEVER AGAIN” actually refers to. Especially since the other side of the conflict surely does not understand the true meaning of their slogan)!
Therefore the video version of SUGARBOX plays HATIKVAH has a very finite and direct message. It is not meant to glamorize violence or warfare or rights or wrongs. I simply wanted to show how in approximately fifty years the Jewish people clawed themselves from a place of weakness to forge a place of strength in the world.
Listening to the classic versions of Hatikvah capture “the place of weakness”.
I wanted to create a version that states, “ we have it, we have done it, and we will never go back to that place of again.
My version is not meant to replace the old version.
With deepest of love and the utmost of respect…
C.J. Mitkish
P.S.
The video version is quite emotional and pulls no punches. It is not meant to. Trust me, I made it and I can no longer watch it. It’s beginning minutes are too painful. But that is the point. The pain was and is still very real and needs to NOT be forgotten.
However, I do not want the video version alone to steal the music. Therefore I have posted a SUGARBOX plays HATIKVAH (music only) version on Spotify and all other streaming patterns.
The video version and the music only version are available to the world for downloading, stealing, sharing etc. etc.
After all “truth is free”!