Hip Hop Politics

2012-02-01T11:39:00.000-08:00

Is anybody interested in taking this blog? If so, please post comment.

2010-09-20T19:25:00.000-07:00

Massive Walk to Address Human Trafficking Problem in Washington, DC

WASHINGTON, Sept. 20 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Eradicating modern-day slavery is an enormous undertaking that begins with small steps. One group of Washington abolitionists is asking the local community to join the action by taking steps toward creating a slavery-free district.

The group DC Stop Modern Slavery (DC SMS) will host its second annual DC walk on Saturday Oct. 23, 2010 on the National Mall from 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. to raise awareness about human trafficking and how to end it.

This year's 5K (3.1 miles) walk will build on the success of last year's walk, which raised about $40,000 for the cause of abolition, and attracted more than 700 participants. The walk is expected to be the largest anti-human trafficking event in the District's history.

"The DC Metro area is unfortunately an active zone both for foreign nationals being trafficked to the United States, and for U.S. citizens being trafficked domestically," said Ray Lian, DC SMS lead organizer.

The DC Stop Modern Slavery Walk complements President Barack Obama's resolve to fight human trafficking both nationally and internationally. Earlier this year, he urged Americans to learn about all types of modern slavery and said that fighting modern slavery and human trafficking is a "shared responsibility."

Excerpt from this press release.
For More information, check out DC Stop Modern Slavery Walk

2010-09-17T06:27:00.000-07:00

US poverty level hits record

The US authorities has announced that 14 per cent of Americans are living in poverty, the highest level since 1994.

The government defines poverty as a family of four living on less than $22,000 a year.

The statistics cover President Barack Obama's first year in office, when the recession left millions of people out of work and unemployment climbed to more than 10 per cent.

The report's release comes just weeks before the economy takes centre stage in upcoming US elections.

SOURCE: AL JAZEERA

2010-09-16T06:23:00.000-07:00

Dallas Police Dashboard Camera Shows Alleged Beating

In this case of police brutality, at least there was justice in the end. Still may not tip the scales, but it is good nontheless:

Dallas Police Chief David Brown has fired Officer Kevin Ray Randolph for for his involvement in beating motorcyclist Andrew Collins September 5th. Collins is African American. The officers are white. Brown is also recommending criminal charges.

SOURCE: KERA

2010-09-15T16:19:00.000-07:00

I'm sorry but this dude is kinda out there....

The winner of the NY primary was on the Rick Sanchez show today and I'm wondering, how did this guy get elected. He says he will use "eminent domain" to stop the building of the Mosque. Seems like hes just off his rocker. Read more about him on
the Christian Science Monitor.

2010-09-05T16:36:00.000-07:00

W.E.T. (WHITE ENTERTAINMENT TELEVISION)

Throughout the vast internet there are many arguments that I see. One of the biggest amongst the tea party and disgruntled whites is the idea of "W.E.T" or white entertainment television.

Most of these people think that if there is a BET, there should be a W.E.T. Their main argument is that it is not fair to have a BET if you don't have a W.E.T. They say that "why shouldn't there be a W.E.T?

I'm wondering, if there was a W.E.T, what would be televised on it? I guess white entertainment. But white entertainment is a broad thing. I'm sure that not every white person likes Seinfeld, Beavis and Butthead, NASCAR, Jackass, Glen Beck, and golf tournaments. Could W.E.T be a mix of all that? I don't think so. This is part of the problem of W.E.T.

There never is any insight as to what would be on this so called network. I don't think that nazi tv shows would be popular, like the neo nazis want. The tea party crowd already has Fox News. I figure that this network would also serve the neo nazis as well. The rednecks got FX, Spike and CMT. The yuppies got HGTV, VH1, and CNBC. Homosexuals have that gay network. How can W.E.T fill the needs of all these groups? Can W.E.T be something that can something for everybody? BET is for the young urban hip hop crowd, and doesn't apologize for that. Who will W.E.T truly represent?

I guess that most digruntled whites would think that W.E.T would level the playing field, but I don't think that it will ever be anything but alot of some bigots ideas. BET will still exist in it's present format as long as Viacom exists, and I think W.E.T will only be a talking point for disgruntled angry whites and nothing more. Unless they come up with a plan, it will never be.

2010-08-31T19:09:00.000-07:00

A Time to Speak

I remember back in the days when rappers would address social issues. In the late 80s and early 90s the climate of hate was so bad, but back then you had artists and groups like Public Enemy, Ice Cube, Ice-T & Body Count, X Clan, Tragedy, KRS-1 who tackled issues and whether or not you agreed or disagreed, or liked there music, you had to respect that. The type of sentiment that fed so much hatred exists now in Fox News, the GOP, and like I had referred to earlier, Glen Beck.

Chuck D has a song out called "By the Time I Get To Arizona". From what I see, Chuck is really trying to get Public Enemy back out there, but is it the right time? In the present hip hop environment which is dominated by the likes of Soulja Boy and Lil Wayne, are they up for the task of dealing with these issues head on. How about "Jigga" Jay-Z, or Guccie Mane? Are they up for the task. Can Chuck D compete with those type of artists?

I'm not inclined to believe the videos on Youtube that explain that all the present day rappers are agents of the Illuminati, secret societies and such. Nah, I can't really buy into those ideas; interesting as they are and however on point they seem, I'd have to say that they do point to an interesting truth. When you consider how much the music has changed, and how it's not cool for the music, or the audience to be smart or about something, you start to realize that maybe KRS-One and Chuck D have went from leading a somewhat effective cultural revolution to being those old guys who, as Nelly would say to KRS-One, need to retire.

Not only that, along the way, the "revolution" of KRS-One and Chuck were compromised along the way. This is beyond the scope of one single journal entry; there is a whole story to that. It seems like all of us have been compromised or just don't care anymore. Where is the anti-war movement? Hello, we're still in Afghanistan! It seems like maybe people thought we arrived since Obama got elected, some are just trying to get that $, and trying to get ahead, or even survive!

Or maybe like rap and hip hop we've all just been dumbed down, and don't have anything to say.....

2010-08-29T13:31:00.001-07:00

Glen Beck and Louis Farrakahn, Rock The Bells!

MLK made his classic "I Have A Dream" Speech 8/28/1963

As busy as I am, I don't get time to write and I am the only one writing this! Anyways, this is a pretty fascinating weekend.

Interesting was the whole Glen Beck thing that happened in DC. I saw him on FOX News (of course) this morning and listened to what he had to say.

Glen was talking about how the country is going down "the wrong path" and that he told like 600,000 people or so that people can't go to other people for solutions, that they need to find it within themselves to improve spiritually.

Then I thought, hmmm. Haven't I heard this before? Seems that this was the same thing that Louis Farrakahn said at the Million Man March back in '97. Though I am sure both parties would hate a comparison between the two, I really think that in a way, the two events were somewhat similar, but just aimed at two different crowds. The March attracted and went for more working class black people, whereas the Glen Beck thing was more for the working class, whites especially.

The messages of the two were similar; this country is messed up, our situation is bad, the US government is doing nothing to correct the situation, so we need to get our own individual houses in order before we can change the country or our communities situation. Today is the annual Rock The Bells show here in the DMV, the only rap concert that is now promoted. If you go to Rock the Bells, there's no need to check out any other show.

Just like before, can't go. Don't have ca$h to buy the ticket, no hook up, plus it's hot and not really feeling like going. Maybe next year, though....

2010-06-30T13:47:00.000-07:00

Illmatic, Drake and classic albums

With all this Drake hype, what about MF Grimm?

I haven't heard the new Drake album. I heard snippets of it on Itunes, but I haven't really brought it. Will I buy it. I'm still not sure. For me, time will tell. I'd probably hold off and wait till the hype is over and buy it in like 2 years, the way I am.

I think that the good thing about Drake's success which you don't really hear about that much is the fact that he's from Canada. There have been a few exceptions, but on the real, Canada rapper's get no respect. They haven't got the attention that Drake has gotten. Usually they are marginal, and nobody expects them to sell all that well. Another cool thing about Drake is that he doesn't talk about what your average hip hop MC talks about. He's very introspective, and his music is like how he's feeling about what's going on in his life with the fame and all. I think that he's a good singer, also. Not a great singer. I wouldn't force comparisons between him and Luther Vandross or Frankie Beverly (of Maze), but he's better than Ray J, who can't sing at all, if you ask me.

There are things that I don't like about Drake though. I don't like how he seems to be all about Jay-Z. You'd think that their relationship is Drake is Luke Skywalker and Jay-Z is Ben Kenobi from the Star Wars series. I also don't like how he has been so over hyped. Up to now, he has been able to produce some good singles. However, putting together a whole album is a different story. Public Enemy's first album didn't have any great expectations, and it wasn't put out as being great. Their second album, "Nation of Millions To Hold Us Back" is a classic. Nobody can deny that Illmatic by Nas is a classic album. The hype surrounding that wasn't that great. Drake is a young artist who needs time to grow as an artist; so nobody should be expecting a classic from him. How can anybody expect a great album from him? Ice Cube grew into his greatness as an artist. Amerikkka's Most Wanted was good, then Death Certificate, he just kept on churning them out.

The industry has changed greatly, now it's hard for artists to even go platinum. People don't buy CD's anymore, more people are downloading, more albums are leaking, more people are disenchanted with crappy music being put out, and they just don't want to be bothered. Funniest thing about this is that alot of haters are waiting for the results of Drake's "Thank Me Later" record sales. More are waiting for the release of Eminem's record this week.

So, as for me, I'm going to go around the hype, save my money, and wait till later to buy Drake's record. Or maybe I'll buy that new record by MF Grimm instead.

Nicki Minaj-the truth or just fiction?

I don't know what it is, but Im not sure whether or not Im really feeling Nicki Minaj. After seeing her carrying on, making faces, and doing some so so rhyming in one of those dirty south videos (can't remember which one, they all the same), I couldn't really say, "Yeah, she tight".

Like, when I first heard Da Brat, Lil Kim, and even Trina, I was like, yeah, this female MC could be the truth, but with Nicki, I just haven't heard that.

I'm not sure for everybody else, but for me, the verdict's still out. Im not hating. However, it'll take more than her "big butt" to win me over, and I couldn't care less about her alleged nose job!

I haven't stopped this blogging thing, but right now I just don't really have the time to do it.

What I wanted to do was to mostly do music and mix tape reviews. However, I don't even have time to casually blog, let alone provide well thought out and insightful reviews of music or anything else for that matter.

I've gotten into the twitter thing, and I got a new site called Blog Urban News; check it out at http://twitter.com/BlogUrbanNews

A couple of things I want to do include doing at least one record review every other week, and even interview anybody who wants to be interviewed on the site.

So, there it is. Later!

2009-12-07T20:01:00.000-08:00

Be the Change

This is dedicated to the kids I went to High School with.

2009-09-11T12:27:00.000-07:00

Prodigy Says Jay-Z Sides With The ‘Evil Illuminati’

On the day of his release of his historic Blueprint 3 album release, its funny that I finally found out about this story!

Like he does in his monthly blog on Vibe.com, the incarcerated Prodigy recently spewed more of his conspiracy theories via a handwritten letter to URB. This time, he reveals the moment his eyes were opened to the sham he calls “the government, religions, politics, the Federal Reserve, and I.R.S.”

According to P, in 1996, after reading a book by Dr. Malichi Z. York titled Leviathan 666, he was moved so much, he cried, and that was his “moment of clarity.”

“I was crying for all of humanity, but mostly for my black people ’cause I then realized it was all a sham,” Prodigy writes in his letter to URB. “The government, religions, politics, the Federal Reserve, the I.R.S., and everything that we believe and live by is a joke.”

Check out the rest on Aftermath News!

2009-08-04T20:37:00.000-07:00

A War For Your Soul-Birmingham version

A War For Your Soul-Birmingham version from Erisai Films on Vimeo.

A high school and college educator for nearly twenty years, Reginald Bullock, the visionary creator behind Erisai Films and the short video, “A War For Your Soul,” has always had an interest in working with the youth and getting young people to utilize their full potential. “A War For Your Soul,” is an independent, nonprofit, 15-minute film aimed at African-American youth. The Bronx native’s latest release infuses African-American history with today’s current events, and expresses how they relate, inspiring youth to look critically at themselves and, at the very least, facilitating meaningful discussion amongst our at-risk youth. In turn, this film has enabled him to work, at a larger scale, with at-risk youth regarding topics and interests that are relevant to them. “A War For Your Soul” is vastly sweeping the nation, as many African-American leaders and organizations have endorsed the film and given it great reviews; this includes various churches, multiple colleges and universities, as well as youth organizations. Reginald Bullock’s primary interest remains in helping out our youth. For more information about interviews, or to set up speaking engagements for Reginald Bullock, please feel free to contact Ms. Lee at nadine@speakthedream.org

2009-07-20T17:15:00.000-07:00

"Whip it Like a Slave"

After hearing about this on here, I had to check it out.

It's your standard mindless Dirty South jam with a chopped up chorus; not as offensive as the original poster made it out to be.

After hearing it, I dont know if I can launch the same diatribe that the other guy did. If anything, it was more dumb than offensive. Better yet, its too dumb to be offensive. Thats it.

2009-05-22T20:16:00.000-07:00

THE SCOTTISH INVENTED RAP? I DONT THINK SO!

According to this article, black people didn't invent rap? No, it was the Scottish!

Grandmaster Flash and Melle Mel aren't going to be too pleased about this.

Professor Ferenc Szasz, of the University of New Mexico is arguing rap battles were invented by the Scots, and not, as many would believe, by African Americans. The battles, in which two or more performers trade elaborate insults, derive from the ancient Caledonian art of "flyting" says Szaz.

The UK Telegraph says according to the theory, Scottish slave owners took the tradition with them to the United States, where it was adopted and developed by slaves, emerging many years later as rap.

Now Im not going to get on any black nationalistic soapbox or nothing like that, but to me rap music, like every other popular form of American music, is the product of many cultures. No one group of people can lay claim to this. Its odd to say that one group (especially the Scottish, of all people?) can lay claim to this. Look, when I think of the Scottish, I think of that Groundskeeper Willie character from the Simpsons, and thats a long way off from hip hop, you know?

2009-05-21T20:05:00.000-07:00

HAPPY BIRTHDAY B.I.G.!

VIDEO:Notorious B.I.G. Birthday 05/21/93 The Arena Brooklyn N.Y.
Today, it being Christopher Wallace’s birthday, I had the urge to see that movie Notorious from last year, and that movie had me speechless in the end. To see a lot of things acted out, like Big’s conflict with Lil’ Kim and the big confrontations between BIG and Tupac were awesome. I never truly liked BIGGIE’s music. When BIGGIE’s “Ready to Die” came out, I was still stuck on Ice Cube, PE, Rakim and Nas. I though PE’s “It Takes A Nation of Millions..” and Nas’s “Illmatic” were the only rap albums worth liking. Hearing “Ready to Die”, I was like “what the.?” As much as I liked Dre’s Chronic album, I was turned off by the similarities in “Ready To Die”. The blatant lifting of the G-Funk sound, the samples of Dre, all the preoccupation with “gangsta” just turned me off. I knew what Diddy was trying to do in taking rap to the mainstream, but I just wasn’t feeling it. Despite my bias, I still enjoyed “Notorious”. It was realistic and really caught the vibe of the mid 90s hip hop and all the drama that came with it. Like all movies there was a lot left out; and you have to wonder why certain people were left out or just seen as irrelevant. But then you realize that this movie was only 2 hours long, and that they can only put so much into the movie, but what they put in is just very fresh, engaging and entertaining. Seeing BIG’s childhood acted out by his son is genius on the part of the producers. Then there is BIG running the streets, becoming the boss of his street, then the jail sentence and his subsequent rise to rap stardom and fame. The movie does really good in painting a picture of BIGGIES dark side, while portraying him as still having a heart. I imagine that for BIGGIE’s mom, and Lil’ Kim, this movie was probably hard to make, but I’m sure Miss Wallace was satisfied with the end product. Gravy, the ex rapper who play’s BIGGIE looks so much like BIGGIE, that it is unsettling. Guaranteed to become a fixture once BET gets its hands on it, I’m sure you wont miss it.

Scipts N' Screwz "The New Noise"

Scripts and Screwz is a rap group coming from East Saint Louis, Illinois. Listening to their record called “The New Noise”, I felt I was drawn to their unique sound and flows. Unlike most artists who just talk about what is popular like street life and, well, just a lot of nonsense, rapper Scripts and Loose Screwz talk about the real world, and stuff that everybody can relate too.

This frankness gives them an air of realness which doesn’t need any kind of hype. The group just lets the music do the talking. What I like the most about the group are the tracks and the subjects that they talk about in their music. Songs such as “Bright City Lights”, “Hands High” and “My First Rhyme” have that common theme of their wanting to be successful artists, dreaming about doing it and being successful at it and getting fame. The good and bad side of love and relationships is a common theme in “Fairy Tale” and “Help” which are about falling in love and the drama of relationships.

The groups got its politics but it is related to its affects on people in the real world in “The War Outside”, a bangin rock track that deals with the question of if its really worth fighting in wars for lying politicians. Most interesting is the groups emphasis on addiction and death in such songs as “Brick”, “Eastwood”, “Lonely” “Eyes Wide Shut” and “Addiction”. Rather than glorify the darker realities of the streets and the city, they tell you like it is based on what realities they have experienced.

The songs have substance, but does the music bump? Scripts and Screwz got hot beats on all the songs. Though at times the mood of the music is a little dark, it is the type of music that will sound good in any car. They got songs that you can nod your head to (like “Proceed”), and some songs (like “Brick” and “Like This”) that you can dance to. This is a breath of fresh air and an alternative to all the crap that they got playing on the radio these days. If you want some serious head music you can rock to, check out Scripts and Screwz.

CHECK OUT SCRIPTS AND SCREWZ: THEIR SITE,THEIR BLOG, AND MYSPACE!!!!!!

2009-03-31T17:57:00.000-07:00

The Wackness

Im watching this movie now, The Wackness. Not only is this the title of the movie, this is the right word to describe this movie.

The plot? Who cares. It is just like an hour and a half of muddling through the lives of two losers, one middle age, and one teen.

There is hardly a plot with an ending to spoil. The whole movie is spoiled. The only gimmick of this movie is that in the first half of the movie, they play alot of hip hop. The movie is set in '94, but some of the music they play to fit the time didn't come out until '95 and '96.

Even though they try to appeal (or pander to) the hip hop audience, there is very little that will appeal to them. The teen is a drug dealer, but he's probably the lamest drug dealer I've ever seen portrayed in a film. He does use a little slang, like "Word" and "Peace Out". But he's so boring.

Then there is the "love interest". She's kinda hot. Just kinda. I'd like to see the actress in a real movie. Method Man appears in the movie, as a Jamaican drug dealer. Hearing Meth talk in a Jamaican accent is too too funny. You just have to hear it.

When they get past the hip hop gimmick, and when the movie finally comes to an end to the tune of "All The Young Dudes", a rock song from the 70s, I start thinking that this movie would have been more interesting if it was about a white drug dealer in New York who graduates in like, 1974. If you replace the hip hop with rock music from the 70s (like Lou Reed and David Bowie), and change the main characters wardrobe to some 70s type style, you would've had a better movie. The movie as it is now sucks bad. Two thumbs down.

2009-02-28T10:02:00.000-08:00

8th Grade Black History Month Rap - Young Majesty and La'Qua "Timeline"

Young Majesty and La'Qua perform an original rap entitled "Timeline" in honor of Black History Month.

2008-12-15T18:08:00.000-08:00

Three Stooges Throw Pies at Bush

Classic. I hope this video is seen for years to come.

2008-11-04T17:56:00.000-08:00

A Black McCain supporter

Found this on a Republican blog. The Republicans love this guy. Everybody is entitled to their views and what not, but I wasn't feeling this video. Needless to say, I didn't finish it.

But I got my vote in despite the fact that I was hit with a stomach virus; waited in two lines so it was like about three hours! I went to the wrong voting site at first, so despite my being sick, I still made it to the right one, waited and did my thing.

Im seeing the results, and they are good. Just like dude above feels he and McCain are like this on the issues, I am all about the issues that Obama is about. You're going down, Mr.MCain voter. YOU'RE GOING DOWN. LOL. Let's all hope for the best.

2008-10-28T16:00:00.000-07:00

THE BALLOT OR THE BULLET

The film THE BALLOT OR THE BULLET follows the rap group A-Alikes over the course of the three months leading up to the 2008 Presidential Election. Each party has built their platform on the theme of "change", a given, regardless of who wins the presidency.

THE BALLOT OR THE BULLET addresses more specifically what type of change individuals want to see in America, with a scalpel or hatchet. Framed around performances of the four songs from THE BALLOT OR BULLET soundtrack, the film is document of A-Alikes' own take on current events as well as that of their contemporaries in entertainment and activism. In such a time of anticipation, hope or resignation, A-Alikes speak with figures such as CHUCK D, JOY BRYANT, ILYAHSAH SHABAZZ, ROSA CLEMENTE, M1, UMI, MELVIN GIBBS, DIVINE FROM THE DEY, SHADIA MANSOUR, and IMMORTAL TECHNIQUE,asking the question, "How do oppressed peoples gain freedom, through participation in a system, or through violence?".

2008-10-09T21:40:00.000-07:00

Digital underground-Doowutchyalike

Watching that movie "Love And Basketball" and hearing this song in the background in a scene taking place at a party reminded me of how much I liked this song. Classic!

2008-09-11T20:31:00.000-07:00

ILLUMINAZI - Tay.G - Political Hip Hop About the Illuminati

Controversial video about the Illuminati from Tay G. Hot!

2008-09-04T12:13:00.000-07:00

VIDEO OF THE WEEK

I been reading this book "Third Coast" which breaks down the history, culture and business of Southern rap. The book is great, and its been having me re-visit stuff I haven't listened to in years, like this one, Outkast's "Rosa Parks".

2008-08-11T07:23:00.000-07:00

RIP ISSAC HAYES AND BERNIE MAC

As we mourn the death of Issac Hayes and Bernie Mac, here's a little something to cheer us up; UMC's classic video for "Blue Cheese".

2008-08-01T22:33:00.000-07:00

NEWS HITS OF THE WEEK-OBAMA'S CRITICS

NPR blog:Obama Heckled For Ignoring Black Issues: The group -- members of the Uhuru Movement -- interrupted Obama with a banner reading, "What about the black community, Obama?"

Black Agenda Report: "Imperialism With a Black Face"-Based on his own statements, delivered repeatedly and consistently over the years, Barack Obama promises to be another in a long line of imperial American presidents, dedicated to the maintenance of U.S. hegemony by any means necessary.

2008-07-22T07:57:00.000-07:00

The Evil Genius DJ Green Lantern Releases "Liberty City Invasion"

The Evil Genius DJ Green Lantern Releases “Liberty City Invasion” Music From And Inspired By Grand Theft Auto IV, Takes Over Rock The Bells & Joins Nas’ Jones Experience Tour

Track Listing for “Liberty City Invasion” Grand Theft Auto IV (all tracks produced by DJ Green Lantern)

01). Intro
02). Styles P - What’s the Problem
03.) Busta Rhymes - Where’s My Money
04.) Wyclef, Uncle Murda & Mavado - Informer
05.) Joell Ortiz & Dante Hawkins - Alone
06.) Jim Jones & Juelz Santana - Bustin’ Shots
07.) Maino - Get Away Driver
08.) Uncle Murda - Anybody Can Get It
09.) Fabolous & Fat Joe - I’m So Fly
10.) Qadir – Nickname
11.) 38 Special, Fever & Dwayne - Streets Raised Me
12.) Clipse f/ Re-Up Gang - 9mm
13.) Heltah Skeltah f/ Buckshot - Can’t Trust Em
14.) Red Café - Stick’m
15.) Immortal Technique - Parole
16.) Tru Life - Wet Em Up
17.) Johnny Polygon - Price On Your Head

(Grand Theft Auto IV is currently available for the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system and the PLAYSTATION® 3 computer entertainment system.)

Be sure to catch Green Lantern this summer on the 2008 Rock The Bells tour we he will serve as Nas’ official DJ and the tours main DJ. In addition, Green Lantern will be featured on Nas’ “Jones Experience” tour that will also feature Talib Kweli and Jay Electronica.

2008 Rock The Bell Tour Dates:

Sat 7/19 - Chicago, IL - First Midwest Bank Amphitheatre

Sun 7/20 - Toronto, ON, CAN - Arrow Hall

Sat 7/26 - Boston, MA - Comcast Center

Sun 7/27 - Columbia, MD - Merriweather Post Pavilion

Sat 8/2 - Miami, FL - Bicentennial Park

Sun 8/3 - New York, NY - Jones Beach Amphitheatre

Sat 8/9 - San Bernardino, CA - Glen Helen Pavilion

Sat 8/16 - San Francisco, CA - Shoreline Amphitheatre

Sat 8/23 - Denver, CO - Fiddler’s Green Amphitheatre

Sat 9/6 - George, WA - The Gorge Amphitheatre

2008 Dates for Nas’ “Jones Experience” Tour:

Tue 7/22- Montreal, Quebec- Metropolis

Thur 7/24- Burlington, VT- Higher Ground

Fri 7/25- New Haven, CT- Toad’s Place

Wed 7/30- Charleston, SC- Music Farm

Fri 8/8- Las Vegas, NV- House Of Blues

Fri 8/22- Park City, UT- Harry O’s

Sun 8/24- Dallas, TX- The Palladium

Mon 8/25- Houston, TX- Warehouse Live

Tue 8/26- Austin, TX- Stubbs Amphitheater

Thur 8/28- Cleveland, OH- House Of Blues

Fri 8/29- Detroit, MI- Chene Park

Sat 8/30- Champaign, IL- Canopy Club

Mon 9/1- Chicago, IL- House Of Blues

Wed 9/3- St. Louis, MO- The Pageant

Thur 9/4- Milwaukee, WI- The Rave

Fri 9/5- Minneapolis, MI- First Avenue

2008-07-03T13:49:00.000-07:00

Lil' Mama and the dillemas of the female MC

Despite the hype surrounding Lil' Mama's album because of the single "Lip Gloss", she put out an album that is suprisingly more hip hop than people think. I assumed that Lil'Mama was some kind of gimmick, but I was wrong.

Not that you would confuse her for Public Enemy or anything, but unlike other artists, Lil Mama knows who she is speaking to and chooses to speak to them to either to make them dance or make music that is uplifting and thought provoking. From an artist with a name Lil'Mama, you say? Well, when was the last time you heard some of the premier female MCs we got today talk about such things as females having self respect (like in "L.I.F.E"), or condeming men who refuse to grown up and girls who throw their lives away(like in "Stand Up")? Or how about the song "College" about a girl who visits her father in jail, showing how the "thug life" and its consequences breaks up families? I'm not naming any names, but I haven't heard that subject matter come from the any stripper turned rapper female artists out! But suprisingly, Lil' Mama touches on this and more on her CD.

Also, the album has many varying hip hop sounds from DC go-go, to dance pop, to straight up hip hop. The response to this album (sagging record sales and people not really feeling her)reflects the dilemmas of female MCs and how they are marketed by the record companies. Its the record companies and major corporations that have for years dressed up the female MC as a rapper/stripper. However, when they marketed Lil'Mama, it was as a gimmick, with the whole "Lip Gloss" and all the radio songs on here. The album packaging alone is a put off; guys wont buy it the way they would buy a Lil'Kim or Da Brat album because its too "girly", and females in the age range the record company is going for want to buy the latest R&B pretty boy thug. The record cover doesn't even reflect her image; she's not a "Barbie Doll" of rap like the packaging suggests.

When I got this album I thought Id just put it to the side, but then I listened to it, and after I did, I found myself wanting to see this young MC who speaks for the young people, as she says, grow as an artist. Wherever she ends up, since she'll probably be dropped for low record sales, I look forward to seeing what she does next.

2008-07-02T13:48:00.000-07:00

THE HUSTLE GROUP!

I got this CD called "The Compilation" from this group called The Hustle Group. Who is The Hustle Group"?The Hustle Group is a group of young brothers making a comeup in the music industry. It consists of three artists. Rotimi is the cool R&B singer, Dre Dub is the cocky, grimy, blunt MC, and J Loonz is the lyrical, creative rhymesayer.

What I like about this group is they got variety. Dre Dub makes the club bangers, J Loonz does hip hop reminiscent of mid 90s "Golden Age" rap, Rotimi is the type of singer who though you could hear him on the radio, he's not commercial R&B and evokes soul in such a way he could be a "neo soul" singer. In what each of them do, they show their skills and truly shine on their respectable tracks.

From what I heard on their album titled "The Compilation" include J Loonz "Igniter". J's got skills and it shows on this excellent track. Some may object to the subject matter (smoking weed)but the tracks tight. Another track which stands out is "Alerp At Ya Boy!" where Dre Dub rips it up on this club track. Rotimi is soulful on "Heart Saying".

This is a compilation which seems to serve as a demo of this groups skills. Only thing I can suggest is that they each should do an album. Out of each of these stellar artists, I'm waiting for what comes next!

2008-06-27T19:47:00.000-07:00

New Audio From Greg Street f/Nappy Roots "Good Day"

New audio from "Greg Street f/Nappy Roots, "Good Day," which is taken from Greg Streets upcoming project "Greg Street Certified Worldwide" which will be released by Interscope Records.

"Good Day" f/Nappy Roots is the lead-single from "Greg Street Certified Worldwide" and you can DL the track directly here

Also included on Greg Streets debut are Lil Wayne, Game, Soulja Boy, Rich Boy, Wale, Kardinal Offishal and many, many more.

"It's 6 o' clock, time for Greg Street to Rock"!

2008-06-25T19:38:00.000-07:00

Move over Sage Francis, underground hip-hop hopeful Alltruisms drops "Clusterbombs" July 1st on Gravel Records.

Alltruisms - "Nine Digit Number"
Uploaded by FanaticNewMedia

Clusterbombs is the debut solo LP from Gravel Records recording artist and Giraffe Nuts member Alltruisms. The album distills 16 fully-realized tracks into a 45-minute journey, guided by a man of our times, who is most of all a traveler. He is like the rest of us. Politically aware, but faced with more immediate job problems, car problems, girl problems, and mostly getting by with a dark sense of humor. He is a bit different from the rest of us. Writing songs in a Laotian bomb crater, building houses after the tsunami in Thailand, four-day hikes in New Zealand, staying with a Fijian village minister’s family. Prone to travel solo for months at a time, return and leave again, he brings this dichotomy and unsettled motion to his songs. Clusterbombs is an innovative hip-hop release that is sure to please fans of artists such as Sage Francis, Immortal Technique, Talib Kweli, A Tribe Called Quest, and Atmosphere. Clusterbombs drops July 1st via Gravel Records.

2008-06-24T19:35:00.000-07:00

Release: Hustle Simmons Debut Album Out on June 24th‏

June 24th marks the debut release for Dave Ghetto and Tha S Ence's new collaborative project, Hustle Simmons.

Break Bread Projects introduces Hustle Simmons with the self-titled debut album, available on iTunes and online worldwide through FMS Digital Distribution on June 24th.

Comprised of veteran MC Dave Ghetto and crafty beatsmith Tha S Ence, Hustle Simmons has ears opened to their authentic, mainstay sound of sample-driven melodies and deep drum production complimented by gritty wordplay, smooth swagger, and uncanny lyricism, served in the form of an 11-track album. Their lead single, "Over and Out" featuring Buff1 and DJ Cru Cut, has creeped into tastemakers' selection and bloggers pages and continues making notable presence. DJ Cru Cut is called again on "Get Down," adding to the spectrum of guest appearances which also includes Al Mighty, Richie Rasheen, and Fel Sweetenberg. A bonus hit music video for "The Rundown" is set to premier by week's end.

"It's that new millennium boom-bap! Welcome to the Digital Underground." – Dave Ghetto

The listening party is set for Thursday, June 26th at the prominent Philly jam, Ill! Makaniks (at The Barbary) with special guests DJ Statik, DJ Sat One, and DJ Skipmode, and sponsored by 215hiphop.com. This South Jersey/Philly connect is planning a national tour scheduled for early Fall. In the meantime, Hustle Simmons can be found performing in and around major cities in the Northeast where exclusive, limited edition copies of their album will be available.

2008-06-04T21:37:00.001-07:00

RIP to BO DIDDLEY!

Though he was a blues player, Bo Diddley contributed to the history of rapping. He did what people used to call "Signifying", a lost art form that pre-dated rap. One notable example of this that Bo Diddley did was the classic jam called "Say Man".Also, along with James Brown, Bo Diddley contributed to the birth of tha funk, which evolved into hip hop. He was the best, he will be missed.

2008-05-05T18:24:00.000-07:00

MICEVE "FROWNS"

I got a CD from this young MC named M.I.C.E.V.E and it’s pretty tight. Though he’s got an array of influences which you can tell from his flow and the music he uses, he brings youthful energy and a hot delivery along with an awareness of the realities and corruption in the hoods of America.

Even though he’s real when he tries to show where he’s coming from, there is a certain intelligence that he brings with it. He’s not just trying to “wild out” or “get crunk”, he’s talking about prostitution, crooked police, and even entertainment and its influence of black youths.

Coming out of Dayton, Ohio, the home of many legendary funk artists, he’s reppin’ a new generation of artists with hip hop. I liked his sampling of souful slow jams on the first two songs of his CD “Frowns”. With his various beats and styles of music, he creates powerful anthems of ghetto angst and anger.

Though some of the production is low budget and pretty rough at times, I still found some songs I liked, such as the “Pimps Commodity” and “Copland”. I’d like to hear what this MC can do with more resources. Most artists who got the big budget record deals got the beats but no skills on the mic. Plus, he talks about stuff most of these MTV cats won’t even touch. Check out his CD on his site, he’s also on Myspace!

2008-04-24T10:50:00.000-07:00

Hyper-Masculine and Misogynist Violence in Chicano Rap

Piggybacking off my last post on Chicano rap, I found an article that covers the mentality behind Chicano rap. Really interesting stuff. Quote:

In the last four years the violence of Chicano rap has made a profound impression on me. Chicano rappers rap about hitting each other, hitting cops, and hitting and abusing women. My first question was why do these young men spend so much time thinking about, writing about, and listening to stories of violence? For me, rap and hip hop culture, had been about escaping violence and oppression. It was about getting together and expressing ourselves with our bodies and voices. Of course, break-dancing battles often turned violent and people fought at parties that showcased hip hop culture. Nonetheless, hip hop was mostly a safe space. So, why all the violence in Chicano rap today?

Check out the rest on the site Bad Subjects!

2008-04-21T21:53:00.000-07:00

It's on! The PA primaries!

The suspense is getting to me. Tommorow, history will be made. The final countdown. Hillary or Obama? I would say that right about now I dont really have a side. I've casted my vote, done my thing, now its time for everybody in PA to do theirs. The "Potomac Primary" in this area (DC/MD/VA) was nothing more than notches on Obama's belt! It's been the most exciting, riveting election season, and this is the day we've all been waiting for. May the best person win!

2008-04-16T20:45:00.000-07:00

Blood In Blood Out&Chicano rap!

I just saw the movie Blood In Blood Out, the story of 3 Chicano brothers struggling with the realities of life in barrio in East Los Angeles. It's a classic Latino hip hop epic! See it if you havent yet! I went to download a bunch of Chicano gangsta rap. Below is my list of top jams, check them out, they are all on Emusic.com. The album names are highlighted in brown! This music is pretty harsh, glorifies gangstadom, and is violent. Its bound to piss off a lot of old white folks and alot of others. Parental guidance iz advised, as Eazy E would say. LOL.

Angel Baby 2003 - Mr. Capone-e Rap N Oldies
Another Sunny Day - Lighter Shade Of Brown Chicano Rap Smooth Jams
Are You Sure? - Lil Boy V Chicano Rap Old School
Bounce, Rock - Ghost, Lil Crook Chicano Rap Old School
Bumpin' feat. Nino B & Frost Jay Tee So Cold
Father, Father - Proper Dos Chicano Rap Smooth Jams
Gangster Love - Young Wicks, Baby Wicked, Mister D Chicano Rap Smooth Jams
Gangsters Get Lonely Too (Remix) feat. Mister D,Sleepy Malo&Lil Blacky) Lil Crook Southland Style
I Do Love You - Hispanic MC's Rap N Oldies
Latin Nights - Deuce Mob Rap N Oldies
Lowride True Blue-Gangsters
Mexican Power - Proper Dos Rap N Oldies
My Coupdavil - ALT, Slow Pain Rap N Oldies
No Sunshine - Frost Rap N Oldies
On A Sunday - DTTX The Story Of Chicano Rap
Pepe Le Pew feat. Frost & SPM Jay Tee So Cold
Shots To The Dome feat. Don Cisco & Baby Bash Jay Tee So Cold
So Ruff, So Tuff Conejo The City Of Los Angeles Best of Volume 2
Somos Mexicanos (Spanish) - Mr. Trippalot Lowrider Hip Hop
Thin Line - Frost
This Is How We Riding (Radio) (feat. Sleepy Malo) Lil Blacky & Lil Sicko Southland Ballin'
Time Goes By - Ese Bobby Chicano Rap Smooth Jams
Together - Tierra Rap N Oldies
Traficante No Llores Capone Chicano World Dos
The Wanna Be Fool - Toddy Tee Rap N Oldies
We Riding Low (feat. Tattoo Ink) Conejo The City Of Los Angeles Best of Volume 2
Won't You Be My Man (Another Slow Jam) (Radio) Lil Blacky & Lil Sicko Southland Ballin'
World Famous - Lighter Shade Of Brown The Story Of Chicano Rap

2008-02-28T19:55:00.000-08:00

New High In U.S. Prison Numbers

I don't think that people recognize the massive prison industrial complex that makes lots of $.

More than one in 100 adults in the United States is in jail or prison, an all-time high that is costing state governments nearly $50 billion a year and the federal government $5 billion more, according to a report released yesterday.

A necessary evil? I don't know, but somebody is gettin' paid lovely off this. Read more about this problem here.

2008-01-25T08:51:00.000-08:00

The YMD:Excuse Me, This is the Yah Mos Def

The YMD is an alternative/punk/hip hop group from Philly. This music reminds me so much of the Beastie Boys when they started and this other group called the Bloodhound Gang. One of them sounds like a young Ad-Rock! The tracks are basically very rough around the edges but great to listen to; simple yet catchy. This album brings me back to the 90s when there was that whole era of rap/punk/alt rock mixtures. If you want something different, new, energetic and fresh, check out YMD on EMUSIC, Amazon and on Myspace!

2008-01-04T19:57:00.000-08:00

Mr Rashad-Mind State

Real hip hop doesn't come easy that much anymore. Just seeing the "BET Notarized" a couple days ago, the top 100 videos of 2007 only had one real hip hop artist, Common. The rest were the usual hip pop stars and starlets that permeate the radio stations in every station owned by the same company in every city in the USA.

So, when I find something real and underground, I expect something that will have me thinking this is some real music. Thats why I decided to check out Mr Rashad.With a cool album cover like this of a boombox radio as a head, I knew this had to be interesting. Here I thought that this was going to be some music that would be so unlike all the stuff on BET.

However, this album was good. What this group delivers is straight up beats and rhymes. There is alot of sampling and elements of blues, jazz, soul, and funk. The dudes can definately rap, and the tracks, though they sound low budget, bump.

There are a couple of items I would suggest as feedback. Some of the songs on here are good but end abruptly. I was getting into such songs as "Success", "The Stretch" and "Say A", but they would end, making me think that this was a promotional sampler as oppossed to a real album.

The album did have some high points which I enjoyed. There was the sample of one of the songs from "The Mack" soundtrack on "Can It Be" and the bangin' beat on "Live It Up". All in all, if you like an album of just straight up hip hop to just chill out to, then this is for you. I would personally put "Can It Be" and "Live It Up" on my Ipod.

You can get this album on Emusic.

2007-12-30T08:08:00.000-08:00

Hot EMUSIC Tracks 2007

This might well be my last post for the year 2007. Below is a list of my 40 favorite tracks that I downloaded off EMUSIC. This list includes Hip Hop, R&B, Chicano rap, and Hip Hop from other countries. Most of the albums the songs were on were released in 2007, and a few (like Madlib) were released in 2006, but I downloaded them all last year. Where I could, I put the name of the song, the artist, and the name of the album the song is on. Check them out,search for them on the site, download them.

Aduna Bi - Adama- Nomadic Wax -African Underground: The Depths of Dakar
African Rhythms (Remix) -Blind Alphabetz-Luvolution
Amerikan Gangster (featuring e.infinite)-Public Enemy-How You Sell Soul to a Soulless People Who Sold Their Soul?
Ari Ari (Rock) - Bombay Rockers, Overseas-Bombay Rockers Crash & Burn
Belly Of The Beast-The Lords of the Underground-House of
Change-Blind Alphabetz-Luvolution
Cry Me a River-Diomay-French Dirty South Mixtape
Did What We Had To Do (Clean)-Statik Selektah-No Holding Back
Don't Watch TV All Day (test) -SIAFU (Infinito 2017 and Thaione Davis)-Morning of the Conquest
Fear Don't Live Here (Mixtape mix) -Molemen-The Biz Mixtape
Hail Mary 2006 -King Kan-Hail Mary 2006
Half a Chance (feat. Chino) -Angie Stone-The Art of Love & War
Inner G Feat. Ras Kass, Canibus & Kurupt-Killah Priest
It Lives On-Shape Of Broad Minds-Craft Of The Lost
Just a Lowride-Cuete-Heat Under the Seat
Keep on Callin' (feat. Akon) -Joell Ortiz-The Brick
Mein Sound- Fler-Various Artists-Wir nehmen auch Euro
Mii Hood (Remix) -AUBURN-Same GiiRL
New Bombay-Madlib-Beat Konducta Vol. 3 & 4: In India
Pick-a-Part-Aceyalone, Jah Orah-Aceyalone- Lightning Strikes (Non-Explicit)
Primetime-Blitzkrieg & Tigerstyle-Blitzkrieg-The Rhyme Book
Rising To The Top-KRS-One & Marley Marl
Sensi Party-Wise Intelligent-The Talented Timothy Taylor
Smithereens-El-P-I'll Sleep When You're Dead
Smoke If You Got 'um-Aesop Rock, Rob Sonic-Rob Sonic-Sabotage
Spit It Clearly-Dilated Peoples, The Alchemist-Dilated Peoples-The Release Party
Spread The Word-Young Sicc-Spread The Word
Survivor-40 Cal feat. Akon-Survivor
Sympathy-Gmf -Grand Mother's Funck-At The Funckyard
The Ultimate-Boombox ATX- Feel The Boombox
Toppa Di list-Sean Paul & Wyclef Jean-Various Artists-Sidewalk
Trilla - Gorilla Zoe feat. Rick Ross-Gorilla Zoe-Hood Nigga Diaries
Veni Vidi Vici-Diamond Diggy feat. Donat-Diamond Diggy-Veni Vidi Vici
Vibe-Dogg Pound feat.Snoop Dogg Tha Dogg Pound-Dogg Chit
Wait On Me-Guru feat.Raheem DeVaughn Guru-Jazzmatazz 4 The Hip Hop Jazz Messenger "Back To The Future"
Werd Up!-Willis-Various Artists - Ubiquity- Rewind! 4
White Kids Aren't Hyphy-MC Lars-White Kids Aren't Hyphy
Who Am I?- Da Truth feat. Tye Tribbett-Da Truth-Open Book
Who Discovered It?-Flocabulary-Hip-Hop U.S. History

Happy New Year everybody!

2007-12-05T14:00:00.000-08:00

RIP PIMP C

Damn...I had to just think this one through a bit. I can't believe it happened. My condolences to his family and friends.....Beats and Rants has a bio, and TMZ has the full story.

2007-11-07T19:26:00.000-08:00

WILD STYLE,THE 25th ANNIVERSARY EDITION OUT NOW!!‏

Filming on location in the South Bronx in 1982, director Charlie Ahearn captured a rare look at the true origins of hip-hop culture with his groundbreaking film WILD STYLE. Featuring appearances by such legendary and influential old-school giants as Grandmaster Flash, Fab 5 Freddy, Cold Crush Brothers, Rock Steady Crew and Chief Rocker Busy Bee, this groundbreaking film is recognized worldwide as the premier hip-hop film and was inducted by the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as one of the 10 best rock 'n' roll movies of all time. To celebrate the 25th anniversary of this captivating time capsule, Rhino will release a special edition of the DVD expanded with new extras including a mini documentary, footage of a 20th anniversary concert, interviews and unreleased photos. WILD STYLE will be available October 23 at all retail outlets and www.rhino.com for a suggested retail price of $14.95.

The DVD contains a digital transfer from the original 16mm film with commentary by director Ahearn and Fab 5 Freddy. Several extras debut on the special anniversary edition of WILD STYLE including a mini documentary featuring interviews with Fab 5 Freddy, Lee Quinones, Busy Bee, Lady Pink and Ahearn plus footage from the 20th anniversary concert held at the original amphitheater, a "Bongo Barbershop" DJ battle in the Bronx featuring Grand Master Caz, a new musical short with Busy Bee titled "Busy On The Beach," scenes from the 25th Anniversary Wild Style Reunion Show and an expanded gallery with unreleased photos.

The film follows the exploits of maverick tagger Zoro (real life graffiti artist Lee Quinones), whose work attracts the attention of an East Village art fancier (Patti Astor) and is commissioned to paint the stage for a giant Rapper's Convention. An authentic documentation of the early days of hip-hop in the boroughs of New York, everything in WILD STYLE is real -- the story, style, characters, and most of the actors, are drawn from the community.

The film shows many early hip-hop personalities in action before they went on to acquire national acclaim. Chief among these is Fab 5 Freddy, who hosted Yo! MTV Raps from its inception and plays the brash rap promoter Phade in the movie. Producer/director/writer Ahearn credits Freddy for the film's vision of hip-hop as a unified culture. WILD STYLE may not have been the first movie featuring rappers, but was the first to link graffiti, break dancing, DJing and document the birth of hip-hop nation.

DVD EXTRAS:
A documentary short featuring footage from the 20th Anniversary concert and
new interviews with: Fab 5 Freddy, Busy Bee, Lady Pink, Charlie Ahearn
Bongo Barbershop featuring Grandmaster Caz
Busy Bee interview
Expanded gallery with unreleased photos

Rolling Stone has Wild Style as the #7 music video of all time on their website.

Check out the official website for Wild Style, the movie!

2007-10-26T11:37:00.000-07:00

Quote of the day!

"You cannot make a powerful Afro American culture if you're going to base it on what hustlers and pimps think about the world."

-The Source 12/90 pg.39

2007-10-18T20:42:00.000-07:00

Sexy rap videos suspected to be damaging to young girls

NEW YORK (Reuters Life!) - Watching rap music videos that are overly sexy and violent can lead to alcohol abuse and promiscuity among young black girls, according to a study into sexual stereotypes in rap music footage.

The research was based on a survey of 522 African-American girls aged 14 to 18 who were asked how often they watched rap videos, questioned about their sex lives and asked to provide a urine sample for a marijuana screening.

U.S. researchers found young black girls who spent more time watching rap music videos were more likely to binge drink, have sex with multiple partners, test positive for marijuana and have a negative body image.

Check it out on Reuters and EVIP List

2007-10-17T20:27:00.000-07:00

The 'ideals' of thug culture are destroying black Americans

Somewhere along the way, a cadre of young black men and women began glorifying violence, misogyny and thuggishness, accepting incarceration as inevitable, resigning themselves to lives on the margins of mainstream society. They created a thug culture that has been commodified — celebrated in music and movies, sold to poor adolescents in wretched neighborhoods as well as affluent teenagers in upscale communities.

Check out the rest in the ATL Journal

2007-10-08T20:51:00.000-07:00

Lupe Fiasco:Hip Hop 101?

On the one hand, I sometimes find it funny how people obsess over trivial stuff like Lupe Fiasco messing up one line from Electric Relaxation in the VH1 Hip Hop Honors show honoring Tribe Called Quest.

On the other hand, I find it strange that Lupe's, who grew up listening to gangsta and dirty south rappers, became more of an artist like Tribe Called Quest and not the gangsta rappers he grew up listening to. Strange.

Hip Hop DX:"*Update* Lupe Fiasco Clears The Air On Hip Hop Honors

2007-10-01T06:11:00.000-07:00

Happy Birthday to the Black Panther Party!

The core of the organization at its inception in 1966 were close friends Huey P. Newton, Bobby Seale, and Richard Aoki in the city of Oakland, California. The three had been witness to a radical ferment in the Bay Area and the United States, taking part in protests against the Vietnam War and having an interest in the American Civil Rights Movement.

Like many people of color of their generation, Newton and Seale had been frustrated by the doctrine of nonviolence as espoused by mainstream civil rights leaders such as the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., as well as the inaction of the white-dominated radical groups. They looked instead to the black nationalism of Malcolm X as well as the discipline shown by its paramilitary organization, Fruit of Islam. They also looked to proponents of armed self-defense within the civil rights movement, such as the Deacons for Defense and Justice as well as exiled former NAACP chapter president Robert F. Williams for example, and they were particularly inspired by Williams's book Negroes with Guns.

Contemporaneous to this rise in America's domestic radicalism was an interest in Marxist-Leninist Third World liberation movements, across Africa, Asia, and Latin America. Seale, Newton, and Aoki held a great interest in the philosophies and writings of Mao Tse-Tung, Ho Chi Minh, Frantz Fanon, Che Guevara, and Steve Biko.

After doing a stint in prison for assault, Huey Newton returned to the campus of Oakland City College where he had matriculated. He became fed up with the intertia of the Afro-American Association, the student group to which he and Seale belonged. Seale and Newton discussed the need for militancy in the face of an oppressive system. The two came to an agreement over the specifics, and the 10 Point Program and Platform was born. Continued on Experience Festival!

2007-09-28T21:00:00.000-07:00

The great hip hop debates

This week was a week of the great hip hop debates. First, there was the special Hip Hop vs. America, and then there was also the Congressional Hearing on hip hop. I haven't had a chance to see the BET special; its on the BET website. I did see the Congressional hearing on hip hop, which though it didnt accomplish much, was very interesting.

One thing about these debates was two artists who were prominent in the debates; Master P and David Banner. Master P has been written off by alot of writers who want to prove how "down" they are as somebody who is more or less irrelevant and washed up. However, in the Congressional hearing I did like how he emphasized that all the music he put out in the past that was negative he was sorry for; he realizes the responsibility he has as an artist. Though his popularity is questionable, I think that he is by default the only person who could represent his stance; I dont really hear or see any other artists making such a claim. Good for him.

David Banner was also at the Congressional Hearing and I thought he represented really well. He's at the forefront now of the "Dirty South" music scene, and he is known for straight strip club music, songs like "Like A Pimp" and "Play". I say that he is known for that; you'd have to hear all his music to know what he's about; he does note the conflicts of his genre in some of his songs. These conflicts came out in his testimony; that of commerce vs. positivity.

Many of the politicians were very judgemental of David Banner; its like they want so badly for him to put out a "positive message", but then he tried to say that he's got pressure from his fans, record execs, and then there is the issue of making money. The politicians I feel needed to get off their high horses, after all, they can be brought like David Banner can be brought; and their actions are far from clean, as much as David Banners actions are far from clean.

Though David Banner's music may leave much to be desired morally, I really dont think its the politician's place to urge David to make "positive" music. Dave made a good point,clean the streets and we will make clean music. But the moral conflicts that affect David Banner's choice of the music he makes are no different than the moral conflicts that pervade the politicians and their choices.

Whatever the solution to the "problem" of hip hop lyrics, what I took away from this long and drawn out hearing is that though there are lots of interesting and colorful theories and opinions that hip hop feminists, conservatives, intellectuals and psychologists can bring to the table, there simply isn't and will never be a political solution to this issue. These politicians have no place in dictating or influencing culture. Period.

2007-09-11T09:08:00.000-07:00

Hip Hop Activist Beat Down By Police on Capitol Hill

Rev. Lennox Yearwood, Jr., president of the Hip Hop Caucus, was attacked by six capitol police yesterday, when he was stopped from entering the Cannon Caucus Room on Capitol Hill, where General Petraeus gave testimony today to a joint hearing for the House Arms Services Committee and Foreign Relations Committee on the war in Iraq.

After waiting in line throughout the morning for the hearing that was scheduled to start at 12:30pm, Rev. Yearwood was stopped from entering the room, while others behind him were allowed to enter. He told the officers who were blocking his ability to enter the room, that he was waiting in line with everyone else and had the right to enter as well.

When they threatened him with arrest he responded with "I will not be arrested today." According to witnesses, six capitol police, without warning, "football tackled" him. He was carried off in a wheel chair by DC Fire and Emergency to George Washington Hospital.

Rev. Yearwood said, as he was being released from the hospital to be taken to central booking, "The officers decided I was not going to get in Gen. Petraeus' hearing when they saw my button, which says 'I LOVE THE PEOPLE OF IRAQ.'"

Rev. Yearwood is expected to be charged with Assaulting a Police Officer this afternoon.

Stay tuned for more on how this case plays out. All we can say is, is this really what democracy looks like?

For Future Generations,
The Hip Hop Caucus

Thanks to Davy D for getting this out!

2007-09-07T19:34:00.000-07:00

Jay Eff Kay-America Suicide Notes Vol 1

Political and "experimental" rap is not easy to pull off. Wise Intelligent and Public Enemy do it well with their firm black radical/Nation of Islam/5% beliefs. Other rappers like Talib Kweli and Mos Def are political but don’t put their music out in such a way that makes you think they are. The problem with political rap is that it can be boring. Hip Hoppers don’t like to be preached to, and its like pulling teeth to really get something like voting or protesting done if the audience doesn’t give a damn in the first place. Back in like the early 90’s or so there were groups like The Consolidated, The Goats and the Disposable Heroes of Hiphoprisy, which put out good albums and did good shows, but they produced nothing more than a collective yawn from hip hoppers. The reason they were not successful was not that the music wasn’t good, it was just too serious, and nobody but a very small audience cared. Presentation is everything, and rapper Jay Eff Kay raps and reflects on politics and life in the crazy suburbs and shows and proves that you don’t have to be from the hood to be wild and crazy; Middle America is crazy enough!

Jay Eff Kay is wild, and he’s what I would describe as Eminem if he only had a brain! When I heard Eminem’s song “Mosh”, hyped up to be such a political song because it was anti-Bush and was supposed to coincide with the 2004 presidential election, I was disappointed by how mediocore it was! Jay is somebody who did everything he thought he was supposed to do. He went to college, got a job, but then he got fed up and decided to rap. Jay had a high paying job too, but rather than beating the crap out of his boss, he uses music to unleash all his rage that experience produced. He can talk political, but Jay doesn’t just talk politics. His album is divided into the 3 acts: the superego, in which he talks about politics and current events; the ego, which has some personal reflection on who he is and where he’s been, and the id in which he goes wild with songs about sex and wanton violence.

Jay Eff Kay has metaphors and tons of punchlines and a wicked sense of humor. I’ve listened to tons of MC’s, but Jay is one of the rare instances of a rapper so in tune to current events, who can spit it all out in one song and make it sound interesting. He touches on the religious right, immigration, Amy Fisher, Facebook, paranoia in the age of terror, and everything that defines living in post 9/11 America. My favorite song has to be one called “Den of Rats”, in which Jay raps about the corporate takeover of the world. He makes the point that the political parties are all the same and they are owned by the same companies and people. Though I like everything Jay raps about, the music is good but the production is alright. With every change from id to ego to superego, the music changes and fits his every mood.

There’s an audience for this music, and if given a chance this album could do really well. For anybody who’s ever been pissed off at the system, or anybody who’s pissed about everything going on in the world today, this is for you. Vulgar, cynical and sarcastic, this is good music.

Check Jay out on his website. He's also on Myspace!

2007-09-06T20:47:00.000-07:00

Jay Eff Kay at The Tank, NYC

2007-09-03T20:18:00.000-07:00

Public Enemy:How You Sell Soul to a Soulless People Who Sold Their Soul?

I think it’s the truest thing to say that this hip hop generation, which was born when Public Enemy first came out in 1987, looks at Public Enemy the way that people my age (I started college when PE’s second album came out) used to look at the Last Poets. Despite Flavor Flav and his antics on the VH1 channel, I think the kids today would listen to PE and have that reaction when I first heard the Last Poets and think “What Is This?” I couldn’t accept this brand of rap at first even though it was a major influence on Public Enemy and many other artists of the time. Rap has changed in many ways, but when you listen to this album you realize that Public Enemy has not changed.

I’m not saying that’s a bad thing. I started listening to Public Enemy back in 1987 when their classic album Yo! Bum Rush The Show came out. At the time, this album and the group was the cutting edge of hip hop. Chuck D is quick to remind people on this album that they have been 20 years in the game. In 1988 they dropped the bomb on the Hip Hop nation, “It Takes A Nation of Millions To Hold Us Back”. This was hands down the most influential record in rap history. So much changed after this record came out, and it ended a lot of careers of artists who came before. Of course I had to buy “Fear Of A Black Planet” the day it came out. That was in 1990, and I remember they did a memorable concert that year for the Howard University Homecoming.

Then along the way PE started trying to “expand” their audience. They had always put rock music in their music like Chuck D’s favorite rap group RUN DMC, but with the record Apocalypse ’91, they took things to a whole other level. I like rock music, but I think going on tour with Anthrax was okay, but they just got swept up in all the commercialism that went with that. Also, the crowd that liked PE started to change, and a bunch of people wearing “X” caps to advertise the Malcolm X movie would’ve sat well with me if I knew that these kids really knew who Malcolm X was and weren’t following some fashion trend. It was starting to look bad; the fall of PE was inevitable.

After Apocalypse ’91, shortly after I graduated from college; and moved on to focusing on buying into some of the newer stuff that was coming out. I didn’t buy the next album; I hated the title and the first single. I didn’t bother buying the next album, or the one after that. I got the “He Got Game” soundtrack from a friend who gave it to me. So this album is the first PE album I have brought(through Emusic) in like 15 years.

This is my impression of this album. It sounds like PE was in a time capsule for like 10-15 years, came out and released an album. The old days of the Bomb Squad production team and their layers of sound on top of sound is long gone. Now, the production that is used includes simplistic funk music sampling used by rappers in the early 90s, rock guitars (of course!), generic rap beats and tracks and even some techno/industrial sounding stuff. Maybe the emphasis is their message, or maybe it comes down to the simple fact that anybody who is still listening to PE doesn’t really care about the production; and it’s a given that PE wont be calling Timbaland or Jazze Pha for ideas! My problem with this approach is that for me, it simply doesn’t work!

What about PE’s politics? PE has not strayed at all from what they used to say in the old days of rap. The black male is still under attack, black men are still part of the prison population, and PE is still harassed by the Feds. Maybe there is some things I don’t know about this album, but why does PE seem so oblivious to the realities of 9/11 America? Why say the same old things when its not the same time or the same situations? Then there’s Flavor Flav. He raps as though “Flavor of Love” never happened. Maybe this album was made before “Flavor of Love” #1, but I thought before I listened to this that Flav had some explaining to do, but I heard nothing. Flav is a very good rapper, and he has some classic songs under his belt, like “911 Is A Joke” and “Can’t Do Nothing For Ya” from the House Party soundtrack. I would’ve loved to hear something like that on this record.

But on a lighter note, one thing can be said about PE’s aging pro-black message. Even if you’ve grown and you aren’t thinking about these type of issues PE addresses like you did in the past, PE is still here to say that all this is still relevant and important. That’s why I could stick with PE; despite the mistakes Chuck and Flav have made, you will still have to respect their conviction. Some might say that especially Flav is phony and a one man minstrel show, but I really think that these guys are for real.

So who will buy it? I think that there will always be a market for PE; aging rap fans who remember when listening to PE was “cool”. Most of these people can’t like today’s rap no matter how much they try; for them T.I. might mean “Totally Ignorant”. There’s many other types of PE fans, and there will always be PE fans all over the world who, despite the simplicity and inconsistency of their music, message and actions, will always want to hear PE remind everybody how messed up things still are for black people in America.

Favorite songs: "
How You Sell Your Soul..." sounds like that ol'school PE I was used to, one of the better songs on the album
"Black Is Back"great to hear a James Brown sample being used, and its great to hear a rapper say Black Is Back; I havent heard that in a long time.
"Harder Than You Think" I like the guitar and the soulful feel of this one
"Amerikan Gangster"liked the guest rappers flow
"Escapism"-like the funk sample in this, Chuck does a spoken word routine where he touches on the Iraq War, black males being under attack, and knowing your history.
"See Something, Say Something"-favorite beat on the album, Chuck raps about the Panthers and black politics of back in the day and how PE fits into that and its relevance for today. He also gives an interesting twist on what a "snitch" is.
"Eve of Destruction"-great song that wraps up the album; kinda sounds like a techno/industrial/rock spoken word piece.
Download off EMUSIC, or buy from Amazon. Check out Public Enemy's site.

2007-09-02T21:59:00.000-07:00

This week....

What I hope to do this week is complete my personal project of doing reviews of three albums; the latest by Public Enemy, Wise Intelligent and Jay Eff Kay. So check out this week as I review the albums of these three prolific, political yet entertaining artists.

2007-08-08T19:39:00.000-07:00

FAQ: How far does the new wiretap law go?

Just before leaving town for a month's vacation, a divided U.S. Congress acceded to President George Bush's requests for expanded Internet and telephone surveillance powers.

What does the new Protect America Act actually do?

The new law effectively expands the National Security Agency's power to eavesdrop on phone calls, e-mail messages and other Internet traffic with limited court oversight. Telecommunications companies can be required to comply with government demands, and if they do so they are immune from all lawsuits.

It also says, as George Washington University law professor Orin Kerr notes, that 1978 Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) warrants are not needed for Internet or telephone "surveillance directed at a person reasonably believed to be located outside of the United States." What that means is that the National Security Agency can plug into a switch inside the United States (when monitoring someone outside the country) without seeking a court order in advance.

Read the rest on CNET!

2007-07-19T16:51:00.000-07:00

D.C. graffiti scheme to use former inmates

WASHINGTON, July 19 A new clean-up program being instituted by the District of Columbia's Department of Public Works is planning on using former inmates to eliminate area graffiti.

The D.C. City Council has earmarked nearly $2 million in city funds to pay the former prisoners to remove graffiti from sites around the nation's capital, The Washington Times said Thursday.

Check out the rest on Earth Times!

2007-07-12T14:49:00.000-07:00

N-G-R, NETYR, NIGER, NEGRO, "NIGGER," NIGGA, THE ORIGIN OF A SACRED WORD

The racist (white supremecist) term "Nigger", a derivative of the original name for God, "N-G-R"(pronounced "Net-ger") is continually used and taken to insult. The term "Nigger" has its origins in the sacred and divine title for "God," and came from the Egyptian WORD FOR GOD. That word is "Net-yer" or "Net-ger" from which the English terms "nature" and "nurture" came from. The idea of God being nature and nature being God, comes from the African and Egyptian idea of what God is which shows down to the similarities in the terms used to describe aspects of the Godhead.

THE SACRED "N" IN THE AFRICAN AND AFRO-ASIATIC LANGUAGES

The letter "N" is one of the most important prefixes in the African, Afro-Asiatic, Indo-Negroid, Negro-Australoid, Melanesian, Australian Aborigine, Austric, Kong-San (Bushmanoid) , Sudroid languages. In fact, the sacred "N" as in "Ni-han" (Rising Sun) OR "NG" as in "ChaNG," (ChaNGo in Manding-Congo) , "Ndong" in Vietnamese (Ndongo (Angolan Kingdom) in African Manding-Congo languages) is also found
in both Chinese and Japanese. In fact ancient Chinese, Vietnamese,South Indian, SriLankan, Melanesian, Australian Aboriginal and modern Japanese show strong similarities to Bantu (proto-historic Sahara, Niger-Congo) , languages (see "African Presence Early Asia," by Ivan Van Sertima and Runoko Rashidi) See also the works of Clyde A. Winters also go to http://community.webtv.net/nubianem (HISTORY
TIMELINE) and http://www.cwo.com/~lucumi/runoko.html

The letter "N" is also the word that denotes any title pertaining to human beings. In fact in Bantu or Niger-Congo and Cushic languages, the letter "N" is found as the first letter in many names. For example the name "Ndaba," = "counsil" while the nam! e "Ndaba ningi" is the first name of Africans in region thereof.

HOW THE WORD FOR GOD, "N-G-R" (Net-ger) became Niger, Negro and "Nigger"

The ancient Egyptians called their Pharaohs "N-G-R" (Net-ger)because the Egyptian Pharaoh was seen as a representation of the sun and the Sun God. The original Pharaohs who were pure Black Africans SAW BLACK SKIN AS SACRED AND A DIRECT BLESSING FROM THE SUN GOD, ATEN. In fact Blackness and black skin became associated with God
and the sun. BLACK PEOPLE WERE POWERFUL, CULTURALLY ADVANCED,MILITARILY SUPERIOR, BLACK/DARKBROWN IN COMPLEXION, STRONG STATURE, TALL AND DESCRIBED AS A "HANDSOME" RACE , (SEE HERODOTUS, "THE HISTORIES, DESCRIPTIONS OF "ETHIOPIANS" OF AFRICA AND SOUTH INDIA).The recognition of the Pharaoh as a living God and the black skin as a blessing spread worldwide to other cultures. In fact the term "Net-ger" became the Ethiopian "Negus" or "Negashi."

In the Sudroid (Indo-Negroids of India) languages of India, which are part of the Cushite branch of the African languages, the term "Naga" denotes original or first. In fact, in ancient India, the people with the blackest skins were respected and held to high esteem, unlike today where the racist (white supremecist),colonialist and alien concept of "varna" or castecolor racism places Sudroids, Indo-Negroids, Black Tribals, Dalits, Negro-Australoids and other BLACKS AT THE VERY BOTTOM OF iNDIAN SOCIETY. See www.dalitstan.org/books/sudroid

The term "Ngola" (Angola) means "King" in the Angolan languages. This term was mistaken by the Portugese to mean the DESCRIBE "Ndongo," the kingdom.

The first people to corrupt the term "N-G-R" were the Roman invaders of Egypt who may have heard the term used to describe the leader of Egypt or Nubia. The term "Niger" was later used to mean any Black/Negroid person that the Romans saw in Africa or anywhere else.

The Romans tried to invade Nubia during the early years of the Christian Era. Then, Nubia-Kush was ruled by a ! line of Queens called "Ka'andak'es (Candace). One such queen and her son defeated the Roman army at Aswan,(see http://community.webtv.net/paulnubiaempire) Egypt and burned the Roman Fort. AND CARRIED THE BRONZE HEAD OF ROMAN EMPEROR AGUSTUS TO THE CUSHITE (NUBIAN) CITY OF NAPATA. The Romans colonized and spread the Latin language to Europe. Due to this linguistic influence, the Latin term "Niger" became "Negre" in French and "Negro" in Spanish.

The English colonialists and slave entity borrowed the term "Negro" from the Spanish. The term for Black people in England before Shakespeare was "Moor" or "Black-a-Moor. " The English slave owners degraded and defiled the entire name by turning the Negro into a slave and turning the original term "Ned-ger" or "God" into the racist (white supremecist) term "Nigger." One can say that they have insulted the sacred name for "God" and have oppressed the original people created by God. This phenomena is due to their own sense of inferiority.

LIST OF NAMES FROM THE ORIGINAL TERM FOR "GOD" AND "NEGRO/BLACK"

N-G-R (net-ger) Ancient Egyptian for God

Net-tyr (Net-ger) Khemitic/ancient Egyptian = God, Sacred, Nature

Net-tyr (Net-ger)

Negus (Nee-goos) Ethiopian term for "Emperor."

Negashi (Nee-gah-shee) Ethiopian term for "Emperor or King."

Niger: Roman/Latin term for Black or Negro

Negre: French for Negro or Black

Negro: Spanish for Black

"Nigger" racist (white supremecist),corrupted term used to insult, degrade, enfuriate.

Nigga: (pronounced "nig-gah), used as a term of endearment by some youth; rejected by others as sounding too close to the racist (white supremecist) term "Nigger."

Netzer (as in Nazerine) Hebrew for "root, original)

Naga (South Indian and African term) (Black Negro tribes of India and Africa - Sudan to Nigeria) = original

Nagaloka - The Black Negro, Negro-Australoid, Indo-Negroid/ Sudroid lands and people in Asia (India to Indonesia) ! (see mor e from the book, "Nagaloka,' by M. Gopinath (Dalit Sahitya Akademy, Bangalore, India) also see "A History of Racism and Terrorism, and Overcoming," at www.xlibris.com

Ndaba (Manding-Congo/ South Africa) = A counsil of wise people,
kings, chiefs, ect.

Ngola (Manding-Congo) = "King/Lord"

Nkosi = God (Zulu, South Africa)

Ngosi = blessing (Ibo, Nigeria)

Nyamekye = God's Gift (Akan, Ghana)

Nile (Egypt, Sacred River)

Niger (West Africa; Sacred River)

Niger (country in West Africa)

Nigeria (country in West Africa)

Nugarmatta: Term used by Africans of Ghana Empire to call themselves (see writings of Ibn Buttata -- National Geographic Magazine

So this is the true story and origins of the "N" word. NEVER FORGET THAT THE WORD "NIGGER" CAME FROM THE KHEMITE/EGYPTIAN TERM FOR "GOD" AND THAT WORD IS "

2007-07-10T15:34:00.000-07:00

Summer Job Drop: African American Teens Suffer as Unemployment Jumps

In June, African American teen unemployment grew to seven times the national rate, according to the U.S. Labor Department's monthly jobs report. The Employment Policies Institute warned that mandated wage hikes will only worsen this trend.

White teen unemployment is at its highest in two years, according to the Labor Department's statistics. While overall unemployment held steady at 4.5%, teen unemployment made a significant jump, rising steadily to 15.8%, its highest since September. Most significant, however, is that African American teen unemployment has jumped up to 31.2%.

Decades of economic research demonstrate that mandated wage hikes eliminate entry-level jobs, putting particular pressure on minorities and the low-skilled. A study from Cornell University shows that young African Americans typically bear almost four times the employment loss of their non- black counterparts after a minimum wage increase. Specifically, every 10% increase in the minimum wage results in an 8.5% decrease in employment for young black adults and teenagers. Research from Dr. David Neumark of the University of California, Irvine supports these results.

SOURCE

2007-06-18T18:58:00.000-07:00

The raucous world of black celebrity blogs

This is a good article on that whole black celebrity blog phenomenom. Did I spell that right? Anyways, I like all the blogs mentioned, except Media Take Out, that site is popular but nothing but straight up lies. Anyways, check it out....

BOSTON: Angel Laws, a 22-year-old college student in Jacksonville, North Carolina, merely wanted to poke fun at a celebrity. For the entry titled "Guess Who: Messed Up Feet Edition" on her gossip blog, Concrete Loop, Laws posted a photo of a pair of weathered bronze feet wrapped in strappy black sandals and hinted at the person's identity by commenting, "I guess all those years on the runway take a toll on the feet." Unfortunately for Laws, the owner of those feet, the model Iman, happens to read Concrete Loop.

Iman responded to the item on her MySpace page by uploading an image of herself and her husband, the rocker David Bowie, at the Metropolitan Museum of Art's recent Costume Institute gala. For this event, Iman wore a white pantsuit with white shoes. In the caption, Iman wrote, "Decided to cover my feet up as Concreteloop would post how ugly my feet are."

Welcome to the raucous world of black celebrity blogs. Sites such as Media Take Out (mediatakeout.com), Concrete Loop (concreteloop.com), and Young, Black and Fabulous (ybf.blogspot.com) are among the 10 most searched gossip blogs among Yahoo users, according to the Yahoo Buzz Index. They're joined by Crunk & Disorderly, Bossip, Cake and Ice Cream, and others, most of which have arrived in the past two years. The sites were created by gossip fans frustrated by the fact that their favorite mainstream gossip blogs - and magazines - seemed to limit their coverage to superstars such as Beyoncé, Halle Berry, or Will Smith, and paid little attention to celebrities such as Sanaa Lathan, Chris Brown, or Tracee Ellis Ross.

Check the rest out on IHT!

2007-05-30T10:48:00.000-07:00

The Pack and "Hyphy"

I've been promising for a long time to do an entry about the "Hyphy" group The Pack. Now this Hyphy thing at first I thought it was merely a bunch of Bay Area rappers trying to revive their careers, but when I picked up the latest issue of Murder Dog I found out that this is big in the Bay!

That brings me to this group called "The Pack". I've had this CD since January and I am finally doing my review of it. Being in Washington DC, I can tell you right now that hyphy isnt to popular here. Its not on the radio, and people dont take it all that serious. The average kid will look at you crazy if you talk about hyphy. I mostly get any Hyphy off Emusic, thats my #1 source, which has the whole Thizz Nation catalog. One funny rap that I found which talks about Hyphy is MC Lars "White Kids Ain't Hyphy"

But anyways, The Pack is the real deal, hyphy wise and even just as a rap group. These guys look like the bad azz kids I see hanging out at the local Mickey D's. Their music is about as Hyphy as it can get. Some of their songs remind me of that ATL bass music I heard on the radio when I went to Freaknik back in '94. They got mad energy, style (they made Vans cool!)and talent.

On their first EP entitled Skateboards 2 Scrapers, we are introduced to the Pack with such songs as Vans, Shining, and Freaky Boppas. Throughout the CD there are nice tracks with slow beats and they bump. The "Shining" track reminds me of the old school Electro stuff. Freaky Boppas would sound great in the club! Too Short lends a rap to the Vans Remix. The lyrics are pretty raw, so if you are offended by the use of the "B Word" and the "N Word", this group isnt for you.

The success of the EP has led to them being able to put out a full length album. They are the next generation of this Hyphy thing, and after E-40 and Too Short retire, they will rep the Bay Area to the fullest.

Check out the video for "Vans" on YouTube! Their website is The Pack Online!

2007-05-29T10:25:00.000-07:00

Black Power: Music of A Revolution

Going to the local B Daltons, I was just browsing when I came upon this gem of a CD. I dont always buy CD's; matter of fact in the last couple of years I have brought no more than like 10 CDs. But this one was hot; its called Black Power:Music of a Revolution and it was put out by Shout Records.

This 2 CD set puts together various anthems of the civil rights/black power movements of the 60s. Not only that, it also includes quotes by such black power leaders as Huey Newton, Malcolm X and Stokely Carmichael (sorry, no MLK on here)

Although I have most of these songs in my collection, the CD is so well put together and how could I pass up a collection that has H Rap Brown, The Watts Prophets, Gil Scott-Heron and The Last Poets! Much of the soul music on here are the artists most relevant songs, such as Marvin Gaye's "You're The Man", Earth Wind and Fire's "Mighty Mighty" and The Staple Singers "Respect Yourself".

This should bring back alot of memories to the old heads who marched with King or hung with the Panthers back in the 60s, but also I would hope some of the youngsters of this generation would get this to hear music that best describes what the prior generation had to go through.

It's sad though how the apathy and destruction of today's generation contrasts with the activism and outrage of the last generation, and thats what I like about this collection, that it shows how unlike today, music really meant something. Check it out! Buy it on Amazon or directly from Shout! Records.

2007-05-28T09:29:00.000-07:00

Barack Obama, Malcolm X and Al Qaida

It didnt get that much press, but there was some odd news blurb about one the of the leaders of Al Queda praising Malcolm X and asking Black Americans to join and support Al Queda. Thing about this was despite the seriousness of this news item (after all, we are a country at war against these people), I only found it on very few sites after doing a search for the story. Im not questioning the realness of the story or the validity, but why not the exposure? The only sites that I found this story on were mostly right wing sites like World Net Daily. Again, Im not questioning the validity of the story, I just find it odd that a statment by an Al Queda leader directed towards black Americans to join their fight was not given much exposure.

Funniest thing is that some right wing bloggers on Investors Business Daily and the American Thinker are trying to discredit Barak Obama because he is a black man who did not respond to this. On the Investors Business Daily site, they ask "Why the silence when al-Qaida's second-in-command urged African-Americans to join the holy war?" It's like, if someone with a black face doesn't tell all black America that terrorism is wrong and we shouldnt listen to somebody who we dont care about anyways, then we will all think, "Hmm, maybe I should drop everything and join these people." Do Republicans honestly think that ALL black people listen to Barak Obama?

This attempt on a very small scale to discredit Barak Obama for me brings up the notion that just because Barak is black that somehow he represents, speaks for, and is a leader to ALL black people. It's like, the implication is that he has to say something because he is black, and we have to listen because he is black!

This lumping together of black people is nothing new. Watching conservatives and these right wing extremists coming up with ways to discredit Obama is funny because so many of these people rely on prejudiced,stereotypical, backwards thinking about black people and it shows in what they write.

2007-05-17T19:40:00.000-07:00

New Track!Common!

Here's a new track from Common off his upcoming Finding Forever album. It's called "The People" and it's produced by Kanye.

2007-05-17T19:18:00.000-07:00

LEAVE MUMIA ALONE!

The case of death row prisoner Mumia Abu-Jamal, now a quarter of a century long, is heading to a climax this Thursday in a hearing before a three-judge panel of the Third Circuit Court of Appeals in Philadelphia. It is a hearing that could result in a new trial for the Philadelphia journalist and former Black Panther, or possibly in a new date with the executioner.From Counterpunch

"If there's one thread that runs through this case, it's racism," Abu-Jamal's lawyer, Robert R. Bryan, said afterward.

A federal judge overturned Abu-Jamal's death sentence in 2001 but upheld his conviction. Both sides are appealing that order. Prosecutors want the sentence reinstated while Abu-Jamal is fighting for a new trial.

The appeals panel is weighing three issues: whether the trial judge was racially biased, whether the judge erred in instructing jurors on the death penalty, and whether the prosecution improperly eliminated black jurors.

From Chron!

2007-05-11T19:45:00.000-07:00

http://www.hiphopproject.com/

2007-02-20T19:53:00.000-08:00

Ol' school Party Fliers...

Check out the gallery of old hip hop fliers on Toledo Hip Hop!

2007-02-04T19:12:00.000-08:00

BEST OF 2006 (at least in my opinion)

The whole concept behind Nas' album Hip Hop Is Dead set off a bunch of reactions and debates in the hip hop world and pissed off alot of artists like Young Jeezy.

I've come to the conclusion that hip hop is what it is depending on what people are looking for and where they are looking. Hip hop is dead if your only sources for it are mainstream radio, BET and VH1 reality shows.

The mainstream hip hop which they are talking about the same old stuff is what is pushed by major corporations. For other types of hip hop music you might want to try a site I always promote, EMUSIC.

Here is a list of my personal favorites from that site:

My personal favorite is "The Death of Willie Lynch" by Black Ice. Black Ice is part spoken word artist, part MC. On songs such as "The Ugly Show" and "Take Ya Time" (ft. Musiq Soulchild), Black Ice mixes social commentary with real street stuff. On "Take Ya Time", Black Ice raps about how women should wait for having sex, and on the Ugly Show, Black raps about the whole New Orleans/Katrina fiasco. Who says that rap can't be positive?

This great album by Jay Dee aka J Dilla was a compilation of the passing producers unreleased joints. It does sound dated, but this should be getting more radio play still. This record has real hip hop jams like EMC2 with Common. Most of it will sound like the sound of the 90's. They even have D Angelo on this album, and it sounds so new.

The essence of hip hop is the freestyle and for those who like freestyles you all should check out 4ourty 4our Freestyles, a collection of some hot freestyles by artists capable of doing it. The best freestyles were by Canibus and Supernatural.

I don't expect radio to play MF Grimm, but with such songs as American Hunger, he addresses issues related to black youth and how they are affected by racism. He seems real popular with backpackers and young white lefties, but he is the embodiment of anti-corporate, straight up NYC street rap, but he can still talk to a more broader audience than Saigon or Papoose.

Akir to me is a hot MC that reminds me alot of Talib Kweli. On his record called Legacy, He has many radio songs or songs that could be hits, but he's just too real, and he can actually rap unlike the artists on the radio and he raps about real stuff you can relate to.

I've gotta give props to M1 of Dead Prez for putting out a solid record, Confidential! Check out the song "Dont Put Down Your Flag". For obvious reasons, you wont hear him on the radio! But it is more than worth hearing.

I know many people have a problem with the Holy Hip Hop movement, also known as Christian rap or gospel rap. People say that its fake, and that religion and rap cant mix. However, with MCs like R Swift (Revolutionary Theme Music) and Rob Hodge (Born King), it's getting harder to ignore the HHH movement! Pigeon John is thought by some to be more or less a Christian rapper, but I think that he's been doing what Lupe Fiasco is trying to do now. He's a hot MC, he's talented, very laid back, but no radio airplay! Check out "Welcome to the Show".

Another movement in rap is the Chicano rap movement. The Mexican rappers of Los Angeles and San Diego are practically taking over and picking up where Death Row records left off. The formula is simple; the textbook is Dr Dre's "The Chronic", the godfathers are Frost (formely Kid Frost) and Mellow Man Ace (the first Latino rapper with a hit) and the innovators are Jay Tee of N2Deep and Cypress Hill. Two impressive MCs in this are Shadow (Hustle by Blood) and Wicked (formely of Eazy E's Latino supergroup Brownside) (One Out of Many). Check out their records for some Cali livin'.

My personal favorite is the album by the group 40 Watt Hype (Strong Feet On Concrete). This truly impressive Latino/salsa/hip hop/funk group put out a brilliant album. This genre bending, innovative album is just too good for radio.

In conclusion, I like what Nas is saying, but its not so much that hip hop is dead as it is that nobody is buying real hip hop, but its available! The limited exposure that real artists get is the real problem, and points to bigger issues that are bigger than hip hop itself.

2007-01-22T18:33:00.000-08:00

Political-Violence at Washington DC "teen" club nights

A senseless act of violence:Girl, 17, killed by stray bullet from skirmish at a NW Washington DC club

It is really sad what happened to the teenager who was at a club in Washington DC. Its a club called Club 1919 that I had frequented a couple times back in the day.

Aside from the fact that this is another senseless murder done at an event where people just wanted to have a good time, this club will follow the same fate as other clubs in DC.

In DC, clubs that play go-go music just seem to be magnets for youngstas who just want to act like gangstas and shoot up anybody who "disrespects" them.

In the end, everybody will lost out because this will bring the scrutiny of the police and DC City Council. They hate the whole DC go-go scene and want it to be done away with.

Its sad that people just dont know how to act, and they just need drama to make their lives more "exciting".

2007-01-19T20:26:00.000-08:00

Hip Hop - DJ's - Mixtapes and the RIAA Raids

Rascism, Power & Drama-What's Really Behind the RIAA Raids By Davey D

As stated earlier, many are starting to suspect that there are deeper implications to the RIAA Raid. DJ Drama's sister Aishah Shahidah Simmons who did the incredible documentary 'NO' lays out some compelling thoughts in the essay 'Thirty Strong And A Gun To His Head…Pay Attention?' following my remarks that all of us need to think about.

As I noted in my first reports on this incident- The raid on the offices of DJ Drama and the Aphilliates WAS NOT about mixtapes, this is about inserting power. Please bear in mind that over the past year, many deejays from all around the country have been quietly organizing and weighing their options while assessing their collective power. For example, last month several hundred deejays met at a highly publicized West Coast Summit. Already we have TJDJs, The pioneering DJs who are down with Tools of War, The Core DJs, The Heavy Hitters,The Big Dawgs, The Beat Junkies Nasty Nes and the RappattackDJs and The Bum Squad DJS all running profitable businesses and working in a collective fashion. Some of these DJ Collectives have been behind the scenes organizing to demand Health Care and other provisions from the industry. When folks got together in LA, it was to start demanding more work opportunities. In all these DJ collectives, they have been asserting that they 'run the industry' because the deejay has the ability to make or break records.

Read the rest on Thug Life Army!

2007-01-18T20:25:00.000-08:00

The RIAA vs hip hop, and how a mix CD works

With the arrest of DJ Drama by the armed wing of the major record companies, the RIAA, I still cant believe that after all this time the RIAA just doesnt get it. So, if any of you people at the RIAA are reading, I need to just let you know what the purpose of a Mix CD is, and I want to address the problem that I know you have with them. I want to show you that Mix CDs are not such a bad thing.

First of all, the oddest thing is that DJ Drama's CDs are sold on the most legit music site on the net, EMUSIC, and in real music stores. So I just dont understand where you all are coming from, having the man jailed and taking his equipment; whats wrong with you all? His stuff is not sold by shady characters in the inner cities who get their stuff from illegal bootlegging operations. DJ Drama is not a bootlegger himself. So what is your problem with him?

Say if I download from EMUSIC one of his CD's, like Hood Music. I will hear something I like and I will go to ITunes and I will buy it. What you all are afraid of is that I will just download only what I hear on DJ Drama's CD and the artist won't get paid.

As it is, none of you really know the hip hop culture, so none of you truly understand that the DJ is the one who breaks new artists, introduces listeners to new rappers and MC's and the artist and this type of DJ have an understanding that the DJ can use their music and he wants to be promoted by him.

I guess another problem the RIAA has is that in this social circle, the record company executives are the outsiders. They want to suck the artists dry by calling all the shots in how an artist is to be promoted and pushed, because in the end it comes out of the artist royalties. Not only that, but the record companies are afraid that really the artists could just rebel against them and cut them out entirely; after all, if the artists can take care of their own distribution, promotion, and recording; why would they need any of the big record companies the RIAA supports?

The arrest of DJ Drama shows the lack of respect that the RIAA has for hip hop culture. When will the RIAA stop treating hip hop artists like they are the "dumb kids in the special ed class" and recognize them for the businessman and artists that they truly are?

2007-01-16T03:10:00.000-08:00

Ol school-Book on MLK stabbing in Harlem

The book "When Harlem Killed King" is a book about a day in 1958 when Dr. Martin Luther King went to Harlem and was stabbed by a crazy woman who thought that MLK was a "communist". Believe it or not (but it doesnt suprise me!) the crazy woman was black.....

The book goes into every detail of that day; how MLK choose the site of Harlem department store as oppossed to a neighborhood book store called the National Memorial African Bookstore, which sold books with names like The Damn White Man (couldnt find that on Amazon, I tried). The reasoning was that a book like this pointed to the beliefs of the book seller, and Martin Luther King was about loving his neighbor, not hatred. However, Lewis Michaeaux, the owner of the bookstore felt snubbed. He voiced his discontent at the book signing. This conflict points to MLK's conflicting with the black radicals who were active in his day. However, though Lewis and his group voiced their dissatisfaction with being ignored by MLK, they didnt go so far as to plan to kill the man, like the right wing crazy Izola Curry.

Nobody in this book for me was as interesting as Izola Curry. This was the woman who stabbed MLK in the chest with a blade and were it not for a team of talented black doctors, MLK would not have made history. The interesting thing abut Izola was that she hated groups like the NAACP. She claimed they were communists and she thought that communists were after her and trying to ruin her life. She also hated white people as well, so she wasnt one of those weirdos like those black Republicans today who love white people and condemn black people for being lazy and "irresponsible". She simply hated everybody.

The book goes into detail about Izola Curry:

Like plenty of others in those days, Curry believed the NAACP was controlled by Communists. But in her increasingly deranged state of mind, unlike paranoids like J Edgar Hoover, she sought no evidence of such a connection. She simply assumed as much. She assumed that Communists were running things in every civil rights organization. pg. 49

How she felt about MLK and the black church I've heard expressed from the lunatic black republican fringe:

She expressed extreme bitterness about two things:Communism and the Negro Church.She detested Negro preachers. She felt they were flimflam artists who pimped the community. She believed that boycotts and protests led by Negro ministers were a sham and that rather than follow them into protests, Negroes should appeal directly to Congress to change racial laws. Thus in Curry's mind, MLK was a young minister pimping the community for the benefits of Communists.pg 52

I found this character to be the grandma of the all crazy right wing lunatics like Lashawn Barber,Frances Rice, the Reverend Jesse Lee Peterson, and some dude who calls himself "The Notorious GOP".

There is so much more to this great book and this one day, and all the history and circumstances that surrounded that day. It only made MLK stronger and he continued on his mission to change history. This great book can be brought on Amazon and Book Ladder.

2007-01-10T13:32:00.000-08:00

Record review: Ras Kass "EAT OR DIE"

Ras Kass 2007 to me is different than Ras Kass 1996. Before, he was the MC I knew for deep thought provoking material like "Soul On Ice" and "Nature of the Threat". But,a brotha gotta eat(hence the name of the CD), so Ras Kass is a lil subtle, not really putting out that deep Chuck D type stuff. He's more about NWA (Niggas with Attitude), not really NWO (New World Order). This record he put out is kinda a mixtape, kinda a freestyle mix, but its all Ras Kass!

Review of each song: Intro: This has samples from various drug flicks, echos, and a british voice talking about drugs, and another voice talking about guns. Drugs and guns, the Ras Kass of 2007!

Mange ou Maurir: Ras is doing his bit of boasting and talking about crack, along with a sample of the movie American History X; this sets the tone that its all about money and murder on this CD!

Eat or Die: This song is a real banger here; talking about robbery, sex, hustlin' to get paid no matter what. HOT!

KOTW-Songs got a cool chorus, talking about being the hottest MC in the West Coast in some lines. I think this is the song that set off his beef with rapper THE GAME. It's alright.

She Choosin-Alright song that talks about being at the club.

It's A Beautiful Thing-Very NYC East Coast type beat; I like this because this song got the hottest lyrics!

Better feat Jay 211-Ok beat, wasn't really feeling it, rhymes are typical of Ras Kass, and another NYC beat. Alright.

Whip It-An alright song with a sample of Rick Ross. Not really feelin' it.

Brains In the Mud-Ras is talking about shootin' in the chorus; kinda tight.

Realness freestyle-Ras freestyles are off the hook! HOT!

The Perfect Woman-You can skip this one. Wasn't really feeling it.

Medusa (featuring Nas)-I expected this to be a duet with Nas, but it turns out to be a sample of Nas on the chorus. Chorus was funny, though.

Capital P (w/Mobb Deep)-Average. Mobb Deep just arent as good as they used to be.

Get It In (featuring Alchemist)-Finally, a really hot beat on this CD by Alchemist! This is a real pick up for this CD.

Transferred (featuring 40 Glocc and Spider Loc) This was the song that reminds me of Ras Kass 1996; where he is talking about the plight of the black male. Plus, I always wanted to hear 40 Glocc and Spider Loc, hearing about them so much around the net. Excellent track!

All Day (featuring TQ)-This is hot, had me nodding my head, and he's basically rhyming about being locked up and not having anything to do all day. Nice beat.

Playboy (featuring Lloyd Banks)-Why is Ras Kass not a member of G-Unit by now? With all the features by Aftermath and G-Unit soldiers, and the beef with THE GAME, I guess its a moment of time?

My Blog (featuring Whoo Kid, Coach PR)-Too funny; makes fun of Myspace gangstas and people (females especially)posting pics on sites that aren't them.

Homey, Lover, Friend- Talkin' about that ghetto luv!

Fed Up-Ras's final is just letting off steam about how both white folks and black folks are messing up his career, so who can he trust?

Staying on the IPOD: Eat or Die, Jungle Love, Its A Beautiful Thing, Transferred, All Day

Check out the CD on EMUSIC and AMAZON!

2007-01-09T20:13:00.000-08:00

Ol school: Queens Reign Supreme

I am almost finished reading this excellent book "Queens Reign Supreme;Fat Cat, 50 Cent and the Rise of the Hip Hop Hustler" This is an awesome book which covers the whole history of the mid 80's drug kingpins and how their enterprising intertwined with the history of hip hop.

This is the untold story which surprised me; sometimes hip hop history books tend to sugar coat the realities of the cities from which hip hop came. For me this whole history was very revealing in that the early 80s hustlers were rubbing elbows with the likes of Kurtis Blow and Russell Simmons.

When you get this book, you get a very detailed history of how RUN DMC started and the birth of Def Jam records. All this leads up to the Irv Gotti and the beginning of Murder Inc. records. Throughout there is a very tangled web where the streets and the hip hop industry intertwine; and its laid out in such a way that puts it all together. You'll be thinking, "I remember reading about this event or hearing about when such and such happened" and this book shows what the ultimate end was. Once you read this book, you'll find out about major players on the NYC streets in the 80's (such as Kenneth "Supreme" McGriff'), why 50 Cent's song "Ghetto Quran" is so controversial, and what started the whole beef between Ja Rule and 50 Cent in the first place.

Without going into too much detail, Id have to say that if you pick this up on Amazon, it will prove to be a very welcome addition to any hip hop library.

Not only that, once you read this book, the recent drama surrounding Kenneth "Supreme" Mcgriff will make much more sense.

2006-12-26T20:57:00.000-08:00

NAS-HIP HOP IS DEAD
Nas's "Hip Hop Is Dead" is quite a stellar collection of hardcore NYC tracks. What I liked about it was that it was typical Nas-gritty urban drama laced with an updated version of the 90s Queensbridge gangsta sound. Its the musings of one of the last men standing in a day and age when rap is dominated by alot of non NYC corny MF's who are making monotonous commercial crap rap.

A review of each track:

Money Over BS- This cut has a nice melodramatic track, though the beat is okay, its got those lyrics about street life values and its a good opener to the album.

You Can't Kill Me-This song has a strong beat, and he's talkin' about hitting a spot, you know, the club, and this kinda reminds me of his "It Was Written" album. Me being a Capricorn, I dug the lyric "Son of a capricorn, my Dad's a Don."

Carry On Tradition-He's talking about this new school of rappers he don't like, but paying tribute to the old school rappers, and the need to take hip hop back to its roots!

Where Are They Now-Roll call of old school rappers to a James Brown (RIP)beat. Dope.

Hip Hop Is Dead-I thought this was the best song; I liked how he used the Iron Butterfly sample (the song is called In A Gadda Da Vida, for all who dont know. Of course this is all over BET, dont know if the radio is liking this though.

Who Killed It?-Sounds like one of those mobster Soprano type songs; I liked the beat at the beginning, kinda reminded me of Rakim's "I Aint No Joke".

Black Republican-Straight up, this was some fire from 2 great rappers of the same era, and its got a hot beat, lyrics and is a good radio type single. Plus the title, though vague (I dont know too many RICH Black Republicans, or Black Republicans known for their wealth), I know what they are getting at.....

Not Going Back-Starts out with a skit about a drive by; kinda chilling that this would be taken so lightly......

Still Dreaming-I like the Kanye beat, and Nas is talking about not being a lazy nigga.......

Hold Down the Block-Another of my personal favorites on the album, its got a hot chorus and a hot beat, and he's talking about, well, holding down the block.....

Blunt Ashes-I dont know why, but this song reminds me of "One Mic", which was good, but this song is so-so.

Let There Be Light-By now, the hip hop and street life thing has worn thin, but I like the chorus of this song and Nas's flow on this one.

Play On Playa-Another song about street life with Snoop Dogg sampling Marvin Gaye. Original....

Can't Forget About You-On this track he samples some song from the 50s, with a basic hip hop beat and something you dont hear to much in hip hop these days, some good ol' DJ scratchin'

Hustlers-Song with the GAME; good to hear them on a track together, but not the greatest.

Hope (Acapella)-gospel sounding ending to album; choir sings "Hip Hop will never die, Hip Hop is forever." Amen to that.

IPOD KEEPERS-Hip Hop Is Dead, Black Republican, Hold Down the Block, Can't Forget About You, Let There Be Light

SONGS I LIKE BUT WONT STAY ON THE IPOD: Money Over BS, You Cant Kill Me, Where Are They Now, Still Dreaming, Play On Playa, Hope (Acapella)

SONGS THAT ARE "ALRIGHT":Carry On Tradition, Who Killed It, Not Going Back, Blunt Ashes, Hustlers

BUY ON AMAZON!

2006-12-25T06:37:00.000-08:00

A day of joy, a day of sadness, a moment of silence...

James Brown, the dynamic,pompadoured "Godfather of Soul," whose rasping vocals and revolutionary rhythms made him a founder of rap, funk and disco as well, died early Monday, his agent said. He was 73.
SOURCE: YAHOO!

Thanks so much for the greatest music that everybody ever heard.........

Santa Clause, go straight to the ghetto.
Pitch up your reindeer. Uh!
Go straight to the ghetto.
Santa Clause, go straight to the ghetto.

And every stockings you buy,
The kids are gonna love you. So, Uh!

Leave a toy for Johnny.
Leave a dog for Mary.
Leave something pretty for Donnie.
And don't forget about Gary.

Santa Clause, go straight to the ghetto.
Santa Clause, go straight to the ghetto.
Tell him James Brown sent you. Ha!
Go straight to the ghetto.

You know that I know that you will see
Cause' that was once. Me.

Hit it! Hit it!
You see mothers and soul brothers.

Santa Clause, go straight to the ghetto.
Santa Clause, oh lord, go straight to the ghetto.
And every stockings you buy,
The kids are gonna love you.

So, pick up a stocking you find.
You'll know they need you.
So, I'm begging you Santa Clause,
Go straight to the ghetto.

If anyone wanna know,
Tell him James Brown told you.

So, Santa Clause, oo straight to the ghetto.
Never thought I realized, I'll be singing a song
With one of you. My!
Santa Clause, go straight to the ghetto.

Don't leave nothing for me.
I have you . Can't you see?
Santa Clause, go straight to the ghetto.
Santa Clause, the soul brothers need you.

So, Santa Clause, tell him James Brown sent you...
(fade)
SOURCE: LYRIC WIKI
YOU WILL BE MISSED!

2006-12-13T20:12:00.000-08:00

DJ Illipse presents Beats and Rappers

DJ Illipse has a hot mix he put together. It's the first mix of East Coast sounds that I have checked out in a long time! Its a great mix with a little for everyone; party jams, lyrical type songs, songs with deep thought provoking lyrics, and some straight up street rap. Check out the playlist. The songs which I have indicated as (HOT!) are my personal favorites;but the whole mix is nice. For more information or to get the CD, holler at DJ Illipse on Myspace....

3V(DJ Illipse blend)-Big L, Jay Z, Obie Trice (HOT!)
Stone and Roberts-Camp Lo(HOT!)
Do It Again-Chaudon and the Away Team
Set It-Classical the Great
The Hustle-Classical the Great
Here We Go-Classified
Cazual Drinking-Classified ft.Tash
Cot' Damn(DJ Illipse blend)-Clipse
Mr Mee Too(DJ Illipse blend)-Clipse
Wamp Wamp (What It Do)-Clipse ft. Slim Thug
Where It Started At-Hi Tek ft. Dion,Jadakiss,Papoose,Talib Kweli,Raekwon
Uncommon Valor;A Vietnam Story-Jedi Mind Tricks ft.RA the Rugged Man (HOT!)
Life of the Party-Little Brother ft.Carlitta Durand (HOT!)
It Hits the Fan-Obie Trice
Prisoner of War-Papoose (HOT!)
On the Grind(Momma Told Me)-Random ft.Ron Damian, Wordsworth
Salvation-Random
Best Rapper Alive-Royce da 5'9"
Country Cousins-Talib Kweli ft. UGK
Speak On It-Wade Waters ft. AZ
Thank You-Xzibit
Too Much-Zion 1 and the Grouch ft. Chali 2na
Download at these sites: Sendspace, Megaupload, Mediafire

2006-12-07T07:02:00.000-08:00

Check out new music from STEPHEN MARLEY- the son of musical ICON BOB MARLEY!!!
Stephen Marley
Mind Control
Release date: March 30, 2007
Label: Tuff Gong/Universal Records

There's this old black and white photo of Stephen Marley; it's a portrait of the lion as a young man. He's standing against a wall of bamboo rocking short hair and an '80s-style I-Threes t-shirt--puffed up and proud the way only a rebel youth can be. But there's something else in the image--something about the intensity and focus in Stephen's face even as a teen--that shows in an instant that having the last name "Marley" has nothing to do with being the son of a musical icon or an heir to a throne. It does, however, have everything to do with being an individual with a purpose.

Stephen hammers this point home with the release of Mind Control--his highly anticipated solo debut. Music heads have been up on his work for years, whether for collaborations with R&B stars like Erykah Badu or his part on the dancehall burner "It Was Written", and especially after Chant Down Babylon, the platinum-selling star-studded Bob Marley tribute he produced. But Mind Control represents a new stage in Stephen's evolution, one that brings together the genius of his production and his wise and soulful voice with hip-hop beats, smoky bass and winding keyboard runs. This is the sound of a man coming into full realization of his powers--and his legacy.

"It's a blessing to not have to stagger through life. I was born firm and conscious," explains Stephen, who was first heard on record at age six as part of the family's group Ziggy Marley and the Melody Makers. All the Marley children share the politics and passion of their father, so Stephen needed no introduction when he stepped up to become the de facto musical hub of his father's recordings and the family's various projects around age 18. "It was a special experience but at the same time it was nothing new, because I grew up around it--so I had it," he continues. "But even though I had it, I still had to man it. And even if it's anticipated, it come when it come."

Now the wait is over, and perhaps the most surprising thing about Mind Control is just how rooted in the real world it is. Never content to simply rehash the sounds and themes of the past, Stephen uses the full length of the album to balance his range of ideas as a songwriter, musician and a man. The lead single 'Mind Control" opens the album with a slow-burning groove that builds to a brushfire as it calls out the unseen social forces that still subject us to mental slavery; "Chase Dem" is even more explicit about the effect of political corruption on our lives. Stephen is never dragged under by bitterness, however: "Inna Di Red" is a poetic mystical soul search that escapes the shackles of everyday strife, while the album's title track is a family roll call that shows the unity of the Marley clan in the face of struggle.

Featuring cameos from roots-rock star Ben Harper, hip-hop hero Mos Def and younger brother Damian "Jr. Gong" Marley, it's a collection of songs that range from conscious critiques of society ("Mind Control") and politics ("Chase Dem"), to the sweet and open-hearted ("Hey Baby"), to the simple and fun (the sexy, club-rocking, Latin-tinged grinder "Let Her Dance," which features Maya Azucena & Illestr8).

The softer and sweeter side of Stephen is also on full display in the album. A smooth, smart slab of hip-hop featuring a dose of Brooklyn flow courtesy of Mos Def on the album's first single, "Hey Baby," is based on a song Stephen would sing to his children to keep them from being sad while he was on tour with The Melody Makers: "Hey baby/ don't you worry/ even though the road is rocky/ I'll be coming home to you again." The hypnotic "Lonely Avenue," is a sweet, harmony vocal- and organ-soaked take on the Ray Charles classic-done Marley style. "I'm a big fan of Ray," says Marley. "I couldn't tell you the first time I heard him, but I could tell ya what I remember is hearing him and feeling him in pain." Blending modern sounds with classic roots vibes, Mind Control finds Stephen carrying the Marley legacy even further into the future with such samples as the smart piece of the Martina Topley Bird song "Sandpaper Kisses" heard throughout "You're Gonna Leave."

The album includes a trilogy of sorts ("Officer Jimmy Interlude," "The Traffic Jam," featuring Damian, and "Iron Bars," featuring brother Julian Marley, Mr. Cheeks & Spragga Benz) inspired by the few hours that Stephen and Julian spent in a Tallahassee jail in 2002 for marijuana possession: On "Iron Bars"-the song in which he sings "Let me out!/Let me out!/I'm an angry lion!"-Stephen asks himself, "What am I doing here, among the wolves? For some herb? It's like I'm a murderer. Ya know what I mean? Ya make me feel like I'm a murderer, for some herb, where, ya know, it's my culture."

Mind Control "has more magic than 'great songs,'" says Stephen mischievously. "But it has a little magic in it, still." And perhaps more than anything that's the secret to this Marley's auspicious solo debut: the magic created when diverse roots combine in an artist's singular musical vision--when a blistering electric guitar solo slides into a bluesy harmonica riff and Stephen's wails let me out, let me out/I'm an angry lion on "Iron Bars", a collaboration with brother Julian and longtime friend the rapper Mr Cheeks--the only guest artists on the album. With the release of Got Music? that lion is out--and he's roaring.

Listen to:"Traffic Jam" - Stephen Marley ft. Buju Banton and Damian Marley

www.myspace.com/stephenmarley

2006-12-06T20:12:00.000-08:00

Interview with rapper Shakti

Whether you like it or not, hip hop has become a means of communication between people around the world. In this day and age this is important considering how after 9/11 the world became something of a clash of cultures. The problem with American hip hoppers is that they have a tendency to be very close minded about what real hip hop is. Depending on where some cats are coming from, they have a tendency to be very loyal, to think that real hip hop is from NYC, from the South, or from the West Coast. Then when you get into styles or subject matter, it all has to be presented a certain way or else its just considered fake or illegitimate.

What heads have to realize is that there is a big world out there beyond just their "hood" and people are rapping in Spanish, Arabic, French, and the list goes on. They are going beyond talking about hustlin' and ballin', they are talking about the way things are in far off countries. That is why I like Shakti. She is a female rapper from India, and she's hot too! Didn't think that people from India rap? Well, read on with an open mind and realize that hip hop is truly becoming a global movement.

First of all, where are your from, and what city, country or town are you reppin'? My parents are of South Indian decent; they immigrated from India and Singapore and settled in Detroit (Motown) which is my hometown. Just imagine a traditional Indian family living in the hood. I remember playing outside where kids were beat boxin, rapping, and break dancing while at home it was all traditional Indian. When people ask me where I grew up it’s always a long answer because I am very much like a gypsy. Even though I was born in Detroit for the most part I grew up in San Francisco and Chicago. When I was younger I also spent my summers overseas between India & Singapore. I’ve lived in New York for 5 years so now I’m reppin’ “hoods” from all over.

Tell us about yourself.... Shakti stands for feminine energy and power. I draw my energies from so many places and experiences. I’ve been in music since I was six years old. I eat and breath this passion I have for entertaining. I’ve studied a lot of different styles from R&B to classical Indian singing and it’s helped me to differentiate myself from other singers. I belly dance and hip-hop dance and integrate the east and west in all that I do. I’ve been called an innovator and that gift has been ever present in my life. I’ve always wanted to be different from what everyone else was doing and I’m fortunate to have music as my medium of expression to project all that is in me to the public. I have a great family support system with my mom managing me and being there for me since my first note.

What is up with hip hop in India is there a hip hop scene? Hip-Hop has influenced the world! India is definitely included in that hip-hop take over. Who would have ever thought Hip-Hop would be represented in a third world nation. It has reached over mainly through music videos. Music and film is a big deal over there with the “Bollywood” industry. I don’t think many of the Indian youth understand what Hip-Hop really is or how it started other than black folk speaking a crazy kind of English and rapping. They have crazy clubs over there and their own versions of Rap. I remember going to a club in Bombay a while back and they were playing the same records I heard in New York. I think music videos have shown that America has a poor side too and the glorified gangster thing is replicated even in the Indian movies. Much of India is extremely poverty stricken and the same time you have the very rich. Whenever I go over my cousins are always asking me if I get shot at in New York and all of that cause they kind of think it’s the way it is on TV. They also get shows like Oprah and Baywatch over there.

When I think of hip hop in India , I think of the bhangra form of music and Punjabi MC, the artist who did that song with Jay-Z. Is what you do along those lines? My single “Do the Thang Thang” is based on Bhangra which is a folk music style that comes out of Punjab . Punjabi MC is actually a DJ and not an artist. He crossed over from England in the US when they got Jay Z on the track. Some of my material is like that but I am doing the singing. We’re not using samples.

Who are your influences as far as your music goes? My musical influences range from Rakim, John Coltrane, Michael Jackson, Missy Elliott, Mary J, Beyonce, to the music of my own culture, and other styles of world music. I listen to music for different reasons, sometimes for studying other times just for enjoyment. My music is also heavily influenced by my travels. I try to share my life experiences in my songs.

Tell us about your music. What do you sing or rap about? Much of my record started out very sensual and party oriented. Most recently I’ve started writing more about what I was going in my life. I have subjects ranging from a track called “Jealous Bitch” about how woman treat other woman to a song called “Blame” talking about a relationship falling apart. I am primarily a singer. Every now and then I will rap in my language for fun. The rhythms in Indian music are really hot and the sounds or so distinct. So many producers like Timbaland have copped a great deal from Indian music. From Missy, to 50 cent, and lil Kim, its crazy how many Indian samples are being used in songs. There just hasn’t been an Indian artist out in the US that is from the US yet. That is where my project comes in.

What is the audience you are trying to appeal to with your music? I want to reach as many people as possible with my sound. My culture has not been represented in Americaand there are so many of us growing up over here. I definitely have strong a strong Asian support base and the urban audiences that I have been performing for have also been very supportive. People started calling me the Indian J-Lo in Europe and I think it was because she has her Latino roots but she is also “Just Jenny from the Bronx Block”! Musically I am like Mississippi Masala.

Where would you say most of your fans are, or where are you most popular? My campaign has been geared online and there are people from all over responding to the project from Italy to India to Australia . I’m on myspace and have over 100000 views. People have been reaching out to me showing a lot of love. My music has been released in several countries on different labels like Sony Australia , and Avex in Japan. What I am doing is international. The label I am working with has a focus that is world wide and not just in the states.(Global Soul Entertainment) You can hear some of my songs on a lot of mixtapes floating around. I am so fortunate to have the support of some of the hottest DJ’s.

How do people in India respond to what you are doing? The response is always incredible I usually perform there for audiences of 7-10 thousand. Fans screaming at my shows help create a lot of energy in the performance. It’s nothing in the world like giving all of yourself to a crowd and feeling it back from them. My single just came out on a compilation album over there. I’m planning to shoot the video in September. I am really excited about everything because the kids over there are able to relate to me and yet I’m still an American Desigirl.

A lot is going on in your region of the world, what with the recent bombings in India. Do you touch on that whole situation? Me and my producer “Bellringer” went over to record in India for four months and while we were there a bombing happened on a bus not far from where we were. We got calls from people back home checking to make sure we were ok, and the tripped out thing is that the people over there were telling us “oh that’s nothing it was just a small bomb!” It’s sad that wars are happening and the twisted politics behind them. It’s sad that innocent people die. My uncle rides that train that was bombed in Bombay every day. It’s a blessing he wasn’t on when the bomb hit. He just happened to have left work an hour earlier! My other family couldn’t get home that night because the trains shut down. In America you don’t hear everything that’s going on in the world. We have all this technology and advancement yet people still find reasons to kill. There is nothing sexy about blood shed. I have seen it on the streets, people getting their throat cut or shot. Music is a vehicle for change and I’m using all that I have within me to bring light and love and try to make a difference. Life is short and I take nothing for granted. (Note: The bombings referred to in this question took place in July 2006)

I'm very open minded and I will like your music, but for all the hip hop heads who are very selective and picky about their music, what would you say is the best thing about your music they will like? Take a chance on something different…you might like it…When something is real it’s real. Whatever I am doing is the truth and its coming straight from my heart and that’s what is at the core of Real Hip-Hop. I’m Indian over Hip-hop beats. It’s like putting hot sause on some mac and cheese.

Those are all my questions. Anything else you would like to tell the people? Any shout outs? The music industry is a hard game and there are so many artists hustling doing their thing. It’s important that these artists get a chance to get heard if they are hot they are hot. You can pay for plays and buy fame but no money in the world can buy genuine talent. I have been involved with the music industry since I was a little kid. It moves me when people support what I am doing and it makes the hustle worth it. Thanks Hip-Hop Politics for letting me share myself with you! Hope to see you at a show in your city or hit me online at www.shaktionline.com or www.myspace.com/shaktionline.

2006-12-02T21:05:00.000-08:00

Exploring crack rap in hip-hop

COCAINE AND HIP-HOP share a long history but over the last few years, there's been a surge in coke-themed songs and artists — aka crack rap.

The roots of this fad date back to 2002, with the critical and commercial success of both Scarface's "The Fix" and especially the Clipse's "Lord Willin'." While Scarface spoke mostly on the necessary evils of drug dealing, the Clipse's Pusha T and Malice gleefully glorified hustling as the way into wealth rather than path out of poverty. Their songs were cartoonishly outrageous, even by Tony Montana-standards, as they co-opted children's rhymes into coke boasts and dropped punchlines about yayo-smuggling grandmothers.

Four years later and the genre shows little sign of decline. E-40 started off 2006 with his ode to blow, "White Gurl." Then a parade of mixtapes like Juelz Santana and Lil Wayne's "I Can't Feel My Face" kept things frosty until the last few weeks where Jay-Z's "Kingdom Come," the Clipse's "Hell Hath No Fury" and Young Jeezy's upcoming "Inspiration: Thug Motivation 102" promise that talk of snow this winter won't necessarily be about the weather.

Check out the rest on Inside Bay Area

2006-11-21T08:47:00.000-08:00

The "retardation" of Africa:Colonialism and white supremacy to blame for poverty in Africa, not low IQ says race professor

A Liverpool-born associate professor from Miami University in the USA has hit back at an LSE researcher who claims that low IQ is to blame for poverty in Africa, citing colonialism and white supremacy for its under-development.

Scientific racism reached its peak during European chattel enslavement

A Liverpool-born associate professor from Miami University in the USA has hit back at an LSE researcher who claims that low IQ is to blame for poverty in Africa, citing colonialism and white supremacy for its under-development.

The row erupted after Asian lecturer Satoshi Kanazawa recently published research in the British Journal of Health Psychology claiming that low intelligence is the cause of poverty, disease, low life expectancy and high infant mortality on the African continent.

Kanazawa’s research compared the IQ scores with indicators of poor health in 126 countries and claimed that the countries with the poorest health have the lowest IQ ratings. The findings already attracted criticism from development NGO War on Want, who said that similar theories had already been disapproved and accused Kanazawa of rekindling “racist stereotypes.”

But an LSE spokesperson defended Kanazawa’s right to publish the research on the grounds of academic freedom, saying that his evidence was based on empirical data. But theories denigrating African people are nothing new. Dr Mark Christian, Associate Professor at Miami University who was born in Liverpool told Black Britain:

“There will always, I'm sorry to say, be views from people of colour who've been educated in the West and from a Western point of view that will fall prey to pseudo-scientific theories that consider Africans or Asians as not as intelligent as those persons considered "White" of European origin.”

Read the rest on Black Britain!

2006-11-17T18:41:00.000-08:00

Commentary of the week: For all the defeated Black Republicans......

Well, Michael Steele here in Maryland never had a chance at winning the Senate race, despite taking those cute pictures with a dog he doesnt even own and looking like a big smiley b--ch all the time, but this article on BAW has some good tips for other Black Republicans who need to up their ante with the black community.....

They need to stop with the condescension and cheap psychology -- like claiming that that black people are stuck on the “Democratic plantation.” What that implies is that black Democrats have a slave mentality. It’s offensive in that it implies that most of us vote Democratic because white Democrats tell us to do so; that we’re too passive or stupid to compare the records and the facts for ourselves.

I choose to remove myself from that Republicrap foolishness and be an independent. But its funny watching you all go back and forth at each other; kinda like Jim Jones vs. Jay Z; an entertaining and sad spectacle.

2006-11-12T17:56:00.000-08:00

Harsh Times....my review....

Harsh Times on IMDB What I expected this movie to be about when I saw the preview weeks ago was a Mexican thug who becomes a cop and ends up in a tug of war mentally between the streets and his role as a cop. Instead what I saw was something of a cross between Training Day and Friday. It was a story about the lives of 2 Latinos in the barrio of Echo Park in LA. Like most kids who done dirt in the hood and the main character did dirt in Iraq, they got issues but their lives have come to a point where they are going to leave the past behind, get real jobs and go straight. However, the hood is still in them; they are into drugs, cheap liquor, scuffling with the local gangs and traffiking dope. All this drama leads to a vague but disturbing climax as the hood takes these guys under.

What I liked about this movie:

The setting....there hasn't been any movies lately that capture that East LA flava; I think this caught that in the best way ever since Mi Vida Loca back in 1993.

The women...Or should I say "Firme Hienas"(thats Latin Lingo there for ya)?All the ladies in this flick were hella tight! The main character had a girl he was going to marry who lived in Mexico; and she was the bomb. You dont see many hot Latinas in the movies these days, but there were plenty in this movie.

The Latino street culture...This movie portrayed it well, at least as good as it gets in the movies.

The message.....I thought that despite all the flaws this movie had, there was a positive message for all the youngsters out there who are attracted to the "thug life", and this movie addressed the affects of war on peoples psyche, and the sacredness of human life.

What I Didn't Like......

The soundtrack....Im not talking about what they will put out in the stores, but what I heard in the movie. Instead of some LA gangsta rap, reggeaton, or even salsa, I heard alot of old stuff I havent heard in like 12 years, like the 2 Live Crew, MC Breed, and the song "Dazzey Dukes". West Coast Latino rap is getting popular, and there are plenty of artists out like Mr Shadow, Mr Sancho, Lil' Rob, NB Ridaz, Mr Capone-E, and the list goes on. Also, why no special appearences of these rappers, or maybe even B-Real, Sen Dog, Frost, Chino XL, T-Bone, etc could have had guest appearences or cameos in the movie.

Christian Bale....he was so annoying. I think he was good for the part, but why all the serious overacting?

Uneccesary drama...In one scene, they are sitting in a bar, and some guy they are doing "bizness" with gets murdered, and hes all on the ground, bleeding and blood is all over the ground. That was one scene that didnt add or take away from the story, really. This and some other scenes were too over the top and excessive.

The ending...On the one hand, you can take the ending and read too much into the symbolism and hidden meanings of the movie. On the other hand, you can just come to the conclusion that this movie was going nowhere and needed to end in any way possible because people's patience generally runs out after two hours.

If you havent seen it yet....I suggest, wait for it to come out on DVD! That should be next month. Check out the review on PopMatters

2006-11-09T10:11:00.000-08:00

INTERVIEW WITH RAP GROUP RHYTHM RUCKUS -VERMONT HOMEGROWN IS BACK!

Dr. Caucasian and Scribe1 are Rhythm Ruckus. Since their live debut, opening for Ol' Dirty Bastard in 2004, they have been the go-to supporting act for national rap artists touring in New England. Now located in NYC and Boston respectively, Doc and Scribe are working toward breaking Rhythm Ruckus on a major scale. In the past two years, they've recorded the “Narcotico Spectre Trilogy” of EPs and played shows with C-Rayz Walz, Immortal Technique, Gift of Gab (of Blackalicious), Breez Evahflowin', Mike Relm (of Invisibl Skratch Piklz), Zion I, Jedi Mind Tricks, Sabac Red (of Non Phixion), LIFE Long, and Q-Unique. Rhythm Ruckus has also headlined shows at Galapagos, Bowery Poetry Club, Skidmore College, Tufts University, Marymount Manhattan College, Hampshire College, Pearl Street and the Iron Horse (Northampton, MA). Rhythm Ruckus' latest industry demo was produced by the legendary Nonezeo (Notorious B.I.G., Vast Aire, Black Rob) and recorded at the Dojo in Brooklyn. They've recently collaborated on tracks with Breez Evahflowin' and Chris Ballew of the Presidents of the United States of America. Dr. Caucasian’s solo LP “Fucking Try Me” was released in the Fall of 2005. The next Rhythm Ruckus LP "We Blow Minds For A Living" will be released in Winter 2006. Check out my interview with the controversial, thought provoking lyricists Rhythmn Ruckus!

1) For the people who don't know, tell us your group name, your names, and what city are your repping? That’s Rhythm Ruckus out of Saxtons River, VT. Scribe1 is now located in Boston; Dr. Caucasian is now located in New York City.

2) What group or MC was the most influential in getting you to rap and in your rhyme style? We grew up on NWA, Biggie, Busta Rhymes, Cypress Hill, cats like that. As far as the style, that’s an amalgamation of everything under the sun. No genre limitations, no concern for image or what’s considered cool, we don’t care.

3) Collaborating with Chris Ballew of the Presidents of the USA must have been interesting. What came out of that? Nothing really came out of it per say except we got to work with one of our all-time heroes and idols as kids and PUSA is still killing shit. We might do something again in the future.

4) Tell me about your upcoming album, “We Blow Minds For A Living.” We Blow Minds For A Living represents the death and re-birth of hip-hop on our own terms. It ain’t even a rap record, it’s a cataclysmic event.

5) Do you think that in this day and age, hip hop and politics can co-exist? Of course. Rap music is a commentary on society and politics are always going to be inflammatory to the point that lots of motherfuckers have to speak on the subject.

6) You've played shows with a ton of artists. My favorite of your list was Immortal Technique. What do you think was your best show or the show that was the best experience of all the shows you ever played? Every show is our favorite; we especially enjoy playing with cats that we respect immensely and finding that they’re actually cool people.

7) What audience are you trying to get to and reach with your music? Also, where can I or anybody else get your music? Rhythm Ruckus is for everybody that’s mad as hell and not going to take it anymore. A lot of stuff is available at http://www.ruckusnet.com/– go get it! We Blow Minds For A Living will be in a store near you when it surfaces.

8) Any shout outs or anything else you want to tell the people? The only difference between now and the Holocaust is there wasn’t advertising on the box cars.

2006-11-04T12:19:00.000-08:00

This should be interersting; the BET Hip-Hop Awards is coming along......

LOS ANGELES, Nov. 3 (UPI) -- Black Entertainment Television Friday announced a stellar lineup for the 2006 BET Hip-Hop Awards in Atlanta.

On the roster for the Nov. 15 awards ceremony are Snoop Dogg, Ludacris, Young Jeezy, The Game and others, BET said. The BET Hip-Hop Awards were created to celebrate the history and culture of hip-hop.

Hosting the awards will be comedian and actor Katt Williams. Joining Williams will be Grandmaster Flash, who received the I Am Hip-Hop Icon Award, BET said. Flash is credited with helping to make hip-hop into a musical genre.

BET will also feature the unveiling of the Best United Kingdom Hip-Hop Act as part of the awards show, a news release said.

Source:UPI

2006-10-27T19:18:00.000-07:00

Week in review 10/23-10/27

I started out the week listening to the CD for the funk/latino/rap group 40 Watt Hype, and I wanted to write a review, but I just didnt have the time. It's a good CD available for download on Emusic, and I'm going to write that review this week for sure. On Tuesday, I read about "Gangs and Street Power" which is part of a series being written by Darryl James of EUR Web about gangs and their birth. In this part he talked about how drugs and guns came into the whole gang thing as an initiation into street organizations. On Wednesday, it was all about white America scrutinizing the black senators who are trying to make a come up. Its funny how in articles like "Obama is overrated" and then the anti Harold Ford political advertisment showing how he is "messing with white girls" like it really matters makes you think that white America doesn't want black politicians to succeed. Harold Ford will be the second black senator after Obama if he wins. And regardless of whether he wins a senate seat in Maryland or not, in terms of blackness, this punk Michael Steele does not count. I dont care if Russell Simmons is supporting him. Quite frankly, I dont care who Russell Simmons supports!On Thursday, I found an interesting definition in Wikipedia-"Black Supremacy" On Friday, I was wondering, why are 2Pac fans (most of whom probably didn't like his music when he was alive)mad about the upcoming 2Pac album that Afeni is putting out?

Seriously to diss an album you never heard is really a depressing look at some of the fan base that Tupac has. A world loved icon not only in hip hop culture; but Tupac was a poet, actor, writer, activist and a strong Black man who made his mark in this world and is due more respect than he is showed. The most distressing thing is to see Afeni have to go thru this with every album that Amaru puts out.

But these people who are mad are the same ones who brought that crappy 2Pac album that Eminem put out a couple years ago. If Eminem put out this one, they'd buy 2 copies of each and tell everybody else to do the same. Screw 'em.

2006-10-21T20:38:00.000-07:00

The tramp stamp?

I dont know what it is with me, but I felt the urge to do some research on the origins and stigmas surrounding the lower back tattoo AKA "tramp stamp". I couldn't believe it, but there is even a definition on Wikipedia! What is the origin of this design? Is it merely for whores, sluts and strippers?

Quite simply, the reason people get lower back tattoos vary, but the simple stigmas surrounding them exist, as can be seen in random Google and Yahoo! searches:

BabyNamesWorld.com: "I am afraid to say but yes they are indeed known by that and aka c_m target. Guys are not nice about this. Look nice, can hide, but labels you as a [she-goat] I like them but wouldnt get one for that reason."

Raven Mack:"America’s a great place because there’s all kinds of weird shit around to occupy time, whether it be drugs or porn or weird chicks with tattoos on their lower back highlighting the fat ass they’re barely covering up with a pair of blue jeans."

Mother Tongue Annoyances: "Let me repeat what I think is a key part of the Wikipedia definition: "the lower back tattoo functions as body decoration, while underlining sexual attractiveness." "

E's Surf Report:Speaking of that tramp stamp, big stripper/slut tatoos on the lower back, I saw the funniest thing this weekend at the 24 Hr Fitness off of Bryant. There was this short dude, in his 30's, with a flabby behind that was walking butt naked in front of me to the showers. The guy had a big stripper tatoo above his ass on the lower back. It was so hilarious!

And I can go on for ages...the whole idea is that the lower back tattoo seems to be synonymous on a surface level with whores, sluts and strippers. It simply is, as the guy in the Wedding Crashers movie said, a "bulls eye" for Playboys!

However, I came upon this site "The Tao of Tattoos", and as much as I am always doing research to get to the root of something, I found this interesting quote:

According to ancient beliefs the lower back is an area that has a lot of stored energy in the form of 'kundalini' so this may explain why people are naturally drawn to this area. A lot of people have reported extraordinary sensations when getting lower back tattoos done. Kundalini is a Sanskrit word whose essential meaning is circular or winding. It is also a name used in Yoga for a snake like inner energy. It is believed that this energy was stored in the lower back area.

Now, this doesn't mean that a woman who has a lower back tattoo put it on there because of some ancient beliefs. Truth of the matter is that she may be a stripper, a whore, or a slut on one hand, but on the other hand she might be just a trend follower or somebody who got the lower back tattoo because she thought it looked sexy! Following that logic, its one thing to put on a pair of lower rider jeans to look sexy; styles can be switched up. But, a lower back tattoo is something that more or less could be for life, even after the novelty of it has came and went (if that kind of novelty has such a short life.)

I admit, I like them, I think they are hot, but as I have shown in this post, the stigmas surrounding them are too negative, and though nobody should care if they are labeled a slut or a tramp, and the fact that nobody should be seeing it unless they show it to the whole world, all things should be considered........

2006-10-20T18:44:00.000-07:00

How could we forget....???

Trips me out how alot of this generation of hip hop fans can break down Tupac's life story down to every date, place and event that Tupac ever experienced, but when it comes down to other history, they remain totally ignorant.

Like this week marks the 40th anniversary of the establishment of the Black Panther Party. However, unless you watch History TV or C-SPAN, you would never know it!

I guess given that its an old school thing, a whole other generation and time, and alot of these kids might think, "If that group were so great, then why are things still so messed up today?"

That whole era of the late eighties, with Public Enemy teaching kids about Assata and Huey Newton, made movements like that relevant to us who lived at that time. When that got played out (after the movie Malcolm X came out), and when "gangsta" moved in, that paved the way for somebody like Tupac to replace Malcolm X as a relevant figurehead for black history.

I still think that the legacy of the Panthers is relevant for this generation and beyond. Check out BlackPanther.org to see what I am talking about.

2006-10-20T15:25:00.000-07:00

Washington Post:Pulse of Go-Go, Promise of Peace Mingle at D.C. Dance Event for Youth

The teenagers started lining up early on the lilac stairs, arriving by Metro, bus and car and on foot. Word had spread: The Market Lounge in Northeast was playing go-go.

At the door, they waved their ID cards, and soon they were in the middle of a throbbing dance floor, 100 teenagers dancing elbow to elbow, holding up T-shirts honoring their dead homies and flashing neighborhood signs with their fingers: Lench Mob (Woodland Terrace), Choppa City (Anacostia), Simple City (Benning Terrace).

That's about the time at many go-gos that fights break out and someone winds up shot or dead. But here, the two police officers assigned to the event didn't budge, pretty certain there'd be no trouble.

These teens and preteens trained -- took lessons -- to come to this club.

They sat through two documentaries. They endured tough-love lectures.

They made a pledge: We will not come to go-gos to settle scores. We will not fight. We will abide by the rules and be respectful.

Check out the rest in the Washington Post

2006-10-16T15:23:00.000-07:00

Yasmin Shiraz talks politics of hip hop culture

Author and former Mad Rhythms magazine publisher, Yasmin Shiraz is embarking on a series of book talks-dubbed the Politics of Hip Hop Culture tour-on college campuses and bookstores discussing the behind-the-scenes politics of hip hop culture. Drawing on her 12 years involved in the entertainment industry as publisher, marketing consultant, journalist, and researcher, Shiraz has crafted two breakout novels that drip of realism, dramatic storytelling and backstage incidents that you won't see on television.

Read more about it on Frost Illustrated!

Visit her blog at Yasminshiraz. blogspot.com

2006-10-15T18:00:00.000-07:00

Miss New York....

You just have to love New York from the "Flavor of Love" show; she's crazy, and she just makes me laugh. No shame in her game. She curses, she smokes, she argues with the other girls at the drop of a hat! Every major issue a woman could have, she has. But I can't help it, I luv her to death! Will she be Miss Flav? It's 9 PM, and I am waiting.......

Miss New York, in her own words....."[Will I do it again?] Ummm, probably…..NOT. What it is is that the success of the show, it's a great show. I often watch the show, I love the show, but you gotta remember I never went on the show to be famous. I just went on the show to give my heart to a wonderful man and to see if we can be together or not. Yeah, I am a little tired of the camera action." See, now doesn't that prove this show is real?

2006-10-15T17:55:00.000-07:00

Don't be ashamed....say it loud!

"I'm a little mortified to tell some of my co-workers that I'm into the show," Toni Rasavong, an intern at CBS5-TV in San Francisco, says sheepishly. "They work on news programs with serious subject matter. And 'Flavor of Love' ... well, it's just kind of trashy."

Say it loud, I like trash and I'm proud! On the real though, I tell everybody that Im into Flavor Flav. Do I care what people think? Hell naw! Matter of fact, I hope they take offense...

Read more about this "shame" in the Contra Costa Times....

2006-10-15T17:46:00.000-07:00

Why can't I quit u, Flav????

I've had my eyes glued to the Flavor of Love show all season and today, almost all day. I just can't stop! Even though I've seen every show I have to watch them again! Plus, I'm just all up in arms waiting for the season finale! Who will he pick to be "his girl"? Will it be the superbiootch New York or the halfway decent halfway busted looking Delishis? Im betting it will be Delishis. I just cant wait to see! Plus New York's mother is like totally scary! I know I've said this show is stupid and ignorant and Flav is a total stereotype and whatnot, but I just can't get enuff!

It's all about Flavor Flav! Yeah boy!

2006-09-26T15:19:00.000-07:00

No More Boondocks?

Universal Press Syndicate announced on Monday that Aaron McGruder's wildly popular comic strip "The Boondocks" will be ending this November.

According to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, the comic strip, which is currently in reruns, was initially set to return with new material in October but Universal reportedly said that it could not get a commitment from McGruder on when, or if, he would return to work on the strip.

McGruder announced a six-month sabbatical in March reportedly to concentrate on other projects including the animated version of "The Boondocks" for Cartoon Network. While the strip is ending syndication, the cartoon will continue to be in production.

"Aaron is a brilliant cartoonist who brought a revolutionary voice to the comic pages," Universal President Lee Salem said. "Our hope is that we can work with him in the future, either in newspapers or in different media"

The strip began in April 1999 and at its peak had about 300 clients, according to Universal. The comic also spawned several book-length collections including Boondocks: Because I Know You Don't Read The Newspaper, A Right To Be Hostile and Public Enemy #2.
Newspapers and other media outlets currently carrying the strip will be allowed to until November 26.

Also:Beanie Sigel, "I Am No Longer Under Def Jam, Signed With Def Jam, Or Dealing With Def Jam Or Roc-A-Fella At All" and Method Man Not Dropped From Def Jam, Says Label Reps

Source: SOHH

2006-09-15T19:14:00.000-07:00

Hip hop music fans have more sex: Study

After reading this....Fans of hip hop music are likely to have had more sexual partners in the last five years while many of those who prefer classical strains will have tried cannabis, according to a study released on Thursday.

I'm wondering, more sex than people who listen to jazz? Amazing!

Read more about it in Times Of India

2006-09-15T19:06:00.000-07:00

Crackheads Gone Wild

I often forget that there still is a "crackhead" culture. I remember when I see crackheads on the streets of DC or in Maryland. But this is off the hook: somebody made a DVD called "Crackheads Gone Wild". The things people will do for $. This is crazy!

2006-09-15T18:52:00.000-07:00

The stupid things college kids do.....

After reading this....Seventy-four members of the Florida A&M University Marching 100 have been placed on academic probation and, separately, the entire band faces possible suspension after accusations that some members stole sheets, pillows and other articles from a hotel after a road game in Detroit.

I'm just shaking my kid, wondering how kids are going to blow a whole season over some sheets and towels. Stupid! Think, kids, think. I'll bet they didnt even need the towels or sheets; they probably just thought stealing them would be "the cool thing to do." Dummies!

Read more in Black College Wire

2006-09-13T20:54:00.000-07:00

9/13/1996-The day the music died....
I like that song "American Pie" which has that line "the day the music died". It wasnt that literally rock n' roll died, it was that pretty much an era ended and in came in a couple of years of really bad rock music until Hendrix got big.

For hip hop, Tupac's death was alot like when Buddy Holly died. However, Tupac's death differs in context; what Tupac rapped about, the life he chose as oppossed to the life he had the potential to live, the mentality he preached as a reaction to the establishment, and what he stood for.

I saw the movie Resurrection today and what suprised me about Tupac was how articulate he was. Back in the mid 90s most rappers like all the guys down with the Wu-Tang Clan and the Lost Boyz, they were the stars, but when they got interviewed, they just came off as ignorant and dumb in my opinion, saying "You know what Im saying?"at the end of each statement, or some other dumb played out hip hop cliche.

Not Tupac. When the camera was on him, he spoke using proper English, grammer, and the occasional "you know" but everybody talks like that. Tupac could get around regular street cats and speak their language, but he could still present himself in such a way that showed his true intelligence.

I'm like damn, I'd give up all the rappers today to just get Tupac back, for real. Let him be the only rapper, because 97.5% of these MC's today dont need to even exist.

2006-09-12T20:50:00.000-07:00

The Breakin' DVD collection

Being as into the ol' skool as I have always been, I brought a couple days back a box set of all the Breakdance movies of the early 80's. It included Beat Street and Breakin' 1&2. I just had to have it. Check it out at Freak Film Central.

Check out these hip hop releases for September.

Plus: It's that time of year: The Billboard Awards! And Dallas Cowboys vs. DC Redskins(a very important DC game)!

2006-08-31T20:44:00.000-07:00

Why did I sit through that show?

Ok, the MTV VMA'sweren't that bad....I do have a headache now because of it though. Some parts of it were just so annoying (like this Jack Wack, I mean Black, why MTV, why?)He was so unfunny he made Damon Wayans at the BET Awards earlier this summer look like a comic genius. But, the most interesting part was the dude who interrupted when J Lo was giving that award to one of those rock bands for I guess song of the year or video of the year, whatever. That dudes website is MTV6000. He's some guy who crashes award shows and sells DVDs doing it. His site must have been getting a ton of hits because it wouldn't load. I guess I'll check tommorow.

2006-08-29T10:57:00.000-07:00

David Chappelle's Racial Pixies......

Was this skit the reason why Dave Chappelle quit his show?

David Chappelle's Racial Pixies on You Tube!

Pretty stupid. I never liked the Dave Chappelle show anyways!

2006-08-15T06:05:00.000-07:00

Gun Violence in the Inner Cities

Somebody needs to revive the "Stop the Violence" Movement......

From News10Now:Mothers Against Gun Violence hold candlelight vigil:More than a hundred candles were lit last night to try to end violence. The candlelight vigil at Clinton Square was put on by Mothers Against Gun Violence.

From Post Gazette: A mother recounted the day her 14-month-old son was shot, a police officer told of his experiences, a sportsman voiced his rights and a professor expounded facts and statistics during a hearing on urban violence conducted by the state Senate Judiciary Committee here yesterday. The purpose was to identify problems and possible solutions regarding gun violence in Pennsylvania cities

From Boston Globe: Stereotyping recent gun violence (``Park shootings spark fears of gangs, calls for jobs," City Weekly, Aug. 6 ), as gang-related, blaming victims, and proposing park closings and curfews create unnecessary distractions from demanding real solutions and police accountability in protecting our neighborhoods from gun violence. Two things have become very clear: There is a group of young adults approximately ages 18 to early 30 s who are not hopeful about their future. Secondly, the police department has not built a positive working relationship with these residents in a way that enables the police to get information that will both help to prevent and solve these acts of gun violence.

FromCBS4: Monday night police responded to the area of 1419 NW 56th Street in reference to a shooting. Witnesses who spoke to CBS4 News said they originally heard several gunshots raging through the street, and then another set of gunshots which sounded like retaliation.

From WKRN: The 100 murders that beset the Nashville area in 2005 represented a 72% increase over 2004. Chief Serpas said the police department is taking steps to crack down on gangs and gun crimes

From KLTV: Two people are in jail, the first arrests today in a string of drive-by shootings. The violence started last night on South 12th Street in Longview. Longview Police say Anthony Lamar Harvey challenged another man to a fight, then pulled out a gun and fired, injuring 19-year-old Decorian Allen. Nearly two hours later, there was a drive-by on Wylie Circle. Then, this morning, there were three more drive-bys, all within an hour. The first on Bolton Street, the second on Flanagan Drive, and the third on Margo Street. On Flanagan Drive, one woman was shot in the leg. She was taken to a local hospital.