(AllHipHop News Feature) Stalley has been all over the world and recently all over the country. Not far removed from his participation in the BET Music Matters Tour, the Massillon native has taken that momentum and focused it on merchandise.
Just before the holiday, Stalley went from Philadelphia, his first of three launch cities, to Cleveland, Ohio, where a large crowd awaited his arrival at Ruvilla in Tower City. Numerous Blue Collar Gang members, including Detroit’s Boldy James and Columbus native Vada, joined him.
“It’s been great, the reception’s been great.” Stalley said. “Philly was awesome, here, back home the turn out was amazing, and it’s just always good to get that love and support not only with the music but with the line and the brand.”
For one of the first times, fans got to get a glimpse of and purchase BCG apparel and physically represent a movement that helps makes their voices heard.
“I know there’s people that’s been with me since day one that just want to share this moment with me, and it’s beautiful to have them wearing it on they chest and proud to be wearing it,” he said. “It’s for people like myself, the hard workers. We keep it at a low price-point, and we keep it lifestyle, and we keep it affordable for those to be able to wear it and represent it and still look fly a little bit.”
A handful of BCG members were on-hand for a performance at the clothing showcase. Boldy James was originally connected to Stalley through mutual friends but their bond goes beyond that and beyond music.
“Chuck Inglish and Mikey Rocks, they was making music with Stalley and I didn’t know that my manager went to college with Stalley so it’s just family ties and six degrees of separation type s###,” said Boldy James. “It’s a Midwest thing; a lot of my Detriot guys we got a lot of family here in the O.”
Stalley says he has even more plans in store for the line in the months and years to come. At the end of the event, a pair of customized Blue Collar Gang Nikes were brought out in a glass case, displaying the brand’s potential.
“This is just a soft opening. We’ve got so much bigger plans for the brand and for the line, but we’re gonna get into the sneakers and the jewelry, into the accessories, more into the cut and sew soon here. But for right now, it’s just more about establishing the brand and getting people familiar with it,” Stalley said.
“I came from a small town, I made something out of nothing, but I didn’t want it to be the typical rags to riches story, I just wanted to speak for all the people in the middle. There so many small towns that get forgotten, and there’s so many of us that work hard and that’s talented, that have artistic minds and that have drive. And I just want to be that voice and that show, and point to see that they can do it, too.”
Uh oh! It looks like the people are rising up in protest against some of the more negative aspects of Hip-Hop. French Montana and the Coke Boys have been all the rage in Hip-Hop,I think. So, an organization called “The HOPE Boys” bust out and created a video with a real cocaine addict. Believe it or not, this is compelling stuff. It really makes you think about the message that is being delivered to the kids…and adults.
Today at 1pm, the HOPE BOYS are going to protest in front of Diddy’s Bad Boy. Here is the information on it:
ON NOV. 26TH STOP SHOOTIN MUSIC AND MANY OTHER ORGANIZATIONS WILL MARCH THRU NYC TO BAD BOY ENTERTAINMENT OFFICES AND EXCERCISE OUR RIGHT AND PROTEST AGAINST “COKE BOYS” AND WHAT IT PROMOTES. OUR GOAL IS TO GO 100 STRONG WE ARING “HOPE BOYS & HOPE GIRLS” SHIRTS AND VOICE OUR CONCERNS IN FRONT OF P. DIDDY’S OFFICE THE PERSON BEHIND FRENCH MONTANA AND THE “COKE BOYS” IF YOU WANT TO DO SOMETHING GOOD FOR COMMUNITY JOIN US
At first I thought this was a rumor, but its real.
Here is more video from a Coke Boy turned Hope Boy.
Will this make a difference in what you listen to?
“Religious images destroy the psychology of the Black Man/Who is crucified then vilified” – “Crucified”, Professor Griff
Last month, rapper ”The Game” raised eyebrows when he released the cover art for his upcoming CD, Jesus Piece, which featured a thugged-out “Black Jesus” wearin’ a bandana. The controversy was further fueled with the weekly “Sunday Service” pre-release teases that featured songs like “Holy Water” and “Black Jesus”, in which the Game portrays himself as The Ghetto Messiah.
In interviews, The Game has talked about his strong Christian beliefs and how Jesus Piece is about the conflict that arises when you are trying to do good in a world that rewards those who do evil.
I get that.
But the question becomes, is it necessary to Ghetto-rize the Gospel in order to reach the young Black males in the ‘hood? Wouldn’t it be more beneficial to give the youth the true image of “Jesus,” instead of tryin’ to make the Prince of Peace an OG?
The Game is not the first to try to make the Bible more appealing to young folks by replacing the King James version with a more King of Rock style.
In 1993, P.K. McCary published the Black Bible Chronicles, in which she tried to make “The Word” more hip. Not to mention the attempts by gospel artists like Kirk Franklin to mix Hip-Hop with their music in order to reach the people in the clubs on Saturday Night who might not make it to service on Sunday morning. Also, a more socially conscious, “Black Jesus” by Tupac and The Outlawz was released in 1999 that begged a more laid back Black Messiah to come save the ‘hood.
But as the scriptures teach us, it is the Truth that is going to make us free. And the truth is that the image of the blue eyed, blond haired Jesus is just as historically inaccurate as The Game’s CD cover, and this image has been more destructive to Black children than gangsta rap ever was.
This is the story that must be told.
The idea that the historical Jesus (Yeshua ben Yosef) was Black is not new, and its origins can be traced back as far as Bishop Henry McNeal Turner who, in the 19th century, preached about the importance of Black people embracing a Black deity.
During the early 20th century, this was also echoed by Marcus Garvey of the Universal Negro Improvement League and Archbishop George McGuire of the African Orthodox Church. According to William Mosley in his book, What Color Was Jesus, during the 1924 UNIA Convention, McGuire ordered that “all white pictures of Jesus and Mary” in homes and churches be “torn down and burned.”
The ’60s saw the creation of Black Liberation Theology, which was advocated by ministers and theologians such as Rev. Albert Cleage (Jaramogi Abebe Agyeman) author of The Black Messiah, and Dr. James Cone (Black Theology /Black Power). It must be noted that most of the early practitioners of the theology spoke of a “Black Christ” merely in symbolic terms.
However during the late ’80s and early ’90s, with the coming of the Afrocentric movement, historians such as Dr. Ishakamusa Barashango (Afrikan People and European Holidays) and Dr. John Henrik Clarke (The Boy Who Painted Christ Black) began to give historical proof to challenge traditional Euro-centric image of Yeshua.
According to historian, Dr. Yosef ben Jochannan in his work “Our Black Seminarians and Black Clergy Without a Black Theology”, it was Michelangelo who painted the first pictures of a White Jesus, using his cousin as a model in 1512 at the request of Pope Julius II.
Furthermore, Dr. Barashango pointed out that, contrary to popular belief, Yeshua was actually a revolutionary who was crucified for the crime of stirring up the people against the Roman Empire. This is contrary to the fragile looking White person who only preached about “turning the other cheek” and “loving your enemies.” Neither philosophy is very popular in a community plagued by racism and police brutality.
A few Hip-Hop artists have been bold enough to challenge the image of a Caucasian Christ. One of the first was Professor Griff back in the early ’90s with his song “Crucified”. Also on “B.I.B.L.E. (Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth)”, Killah Priest claimed that one of the most popular images of “Jesus” was actually Cesare Borgia, son of Pope Alexander VI. More recently, in 2004 on the remix of Jadakiss’ “Why”, Nas asks the question, “Why is Jesus Christ never played by Black actors?”
However, most rap artists have – skillfully – avoided the issue, parroting the same line that Pastor Johnson gives: “What difference does color make?” While ignoring the obvious, “if it didn’t matter why was he painted white in the first place?”
Even on “Jesus Walks,” although Kanye West rapped about Jesus walking with “drug dealers and even the strippers,” when it came to challenging the false European image, he said, ”I’m not here to argue ‘bout his facial features…”
Rappers know which lines not to cross.
What The Game must realize is that the Black-on-Black violence that he talks about on “Black Jesus” can be directly attributed to the lack of kinship that our youth feel with the Creator. And it is easy to kill someone who you believe was not made in the image of God. Also, it’s hard to tell people to stand up against racism when they believe that the deity whom they worship condones it.
We must not be afraid to speak the truth to our children who are looking for answers as to why African Americans are suffering disproportionately from long prison sentences, police brutality, unemployment, and other social ills.
Like ‘Pac and The Outlawz said:
“We need help out here, so we search for Black Jesus.”
Don’t we all, brothers? Don’t we all…
TRUTH Minista Paul Scott’s weekly column is “This Ain’t Hip Hop,” a column for intelligent Hip Hop headz. He can be reached at in**@*****************ed.com, on his website, NoWarningShotsFired.com, or on Twitter (@truthminista).
In the snippet, 50’s verse tells Game and Young Buck to “suck a d**k,” and claims that both artists’ careers have fallen off, since G-Unit’s leader is no longer writing for them.
(AllHipHop News) Dipset rapper Juelz Santana has announced the release of a new mix tape titled “God Will’N.”
The mixtape, formerly known as “ReaganEra,” has been revamped according to Juelz.
“My MIXTAPE is gonna b like a album all original songs an beats my gift to y’all I O y’all that,” Juelz Santana said.
Over the weekend, Juelz dropped a new track with Fredo Santana titled “Rollie On My Wrist.”
According to Juelz, he will be flying Glory Boyz Entertainment artist Lil Reese to New York, where the pair will shoot the video for their single “Bodies,” also taken from “God Will’N.”
Man, I almost had a massive heart attack this morning.
First of all, huge RIP to Hector “Macho” Comacho. He was pronounced dead yesterday after suffering a gun shot to the head. He was brain dead for a couple of days and finally passed away yesterday. He was a huge star in boxing and was known for his flamboyance, but also his heart in the ring.
Now, on the heels of that, I woke up to a massive rumor that Vin Diesel was found dead in a hotel! I was clutching my chest like Fred Sanford because he was that dude! Well, I am happy to tell you that, if you heard this rumor, it is not true. It seems like there was a video on youtube that started this whole mess. Its a hoax.
Now, some ask why is this a “Hip-Hop rumor” anyway?
What is going on? I mean, I have never seen anything like this in my entire life! They are making Rick Ross’ beef with 50 Cent to be a joke! First of all The StreetKode folks posted this video showing the freakin’ MASONS have beef with Rick Ross now. Remember, Jay and Rozay recorded a song called “Free Mason” and I thought they proclaimed they were NOT masons. So, I listened again and decided that Ross never said it outright like Jay did. In fact, I have to say that it was confusing. I never thought Rick Ross was claiming Illuminati or Free Masonry. Well, they did. Here is their response to it.
And then, the North Carolina faction of the GD’s (Gangster Disciples) have issue with The Boss Rick Ross. This makes Miami GD’s, Alabama GD’s and now NC GD’s. This is pretty crazy! “RICK ROSS IN TROUBLE WITH THE GD’s – NORTH CAROLINA!” No, sir! Not me! This is scary!!! In the video they said that Rick Ross gave them fake contact information and they were offended by it. They also said that they didn’t appreciate him “perpetuating their lifestyle” on record. I don’t know what that means, but I wouldn’t want to be in this place.
What’s the craziest is that these dudes actually have some dope graphics! Maybe I should hit them up for the cartoon version of illseed! Editing is pretty nice too! Creepy music too!
Now, would this happen in “real life” – like face to face? I don’t think so. Or maybe. Nevertheless, this white female comedian said something to Chris Brown after he commented on how old he looked. And he snapped! Chris said, “Man, I look old, and I’m only 23. And Jenny Johnson replied, “being a worthless piece of sh*t can really age a person.” Granted, Johnson really didn’t need to say anything. But Chris’ response was so very over the top. Damn, homey. Over twitter? I guess I expect too much of “our” people. I’m not defending the chick for instigating with him. I’m just saying. He’s probably going to have people berating him forever if he continues like this. I just ignore most idiots. Maybe that’s the schtick? Maybe I could learn more from CB? I don’t know. Maybe I’m wrong.
Here are the tweets.
Oh and Rihanna defended the honor of her man. She simply said, “How does one find the time? We gotta do better than this!!” And she instagrammed a bunch of stuff that the comic Jenny Johnson had said in the past. I guess she is saying that the woman has a clear vendetta against her boo-ski. My thing is, if you ignore her, she’s not very powerful. Now, the KKK is feeling all good about this. They gotta defend the honor of the white woman. LOL! Just joshing.
This is wack. I’m out…
(AllHipHop News) Compton, California rapper Game continued his #SundayService promotion with the release of a new track today (November 25). The rapper dropped the song “Stripper” featuring Maybach Music rapper Wale. The pair trade rhymes over the 4:46 track, which pays homage to women who strip for a living. The track was released to promote Game’s upcoming album Jesus Piece, which is due in stores on December 11.
http://vimeo.com/54216922
Glory Boyz Entertainment will add to their catalog with an upcoming new mixtape from artist Fredo Santana. Fredo is working on a new release “Fredo Kruger The Mixtape.” The mixtape is expected to feature label mates Chief Keef, Lil Durk, Lil Reese and others. No other details was available about “Fredo Kruger The Mixtape” as of press time.
A variety of critically acclaimed rappers will hit the road this month, as part of the “Rap Mayhem Festival Tour.” Rappers Vinnie Paz and Ill Bill will headline the 15-date outing, which kicks off on November 27 in Amsterdam and winds down December 15 in Switzerland. In addition to Vinnie Paz and Ill Bill, the “Rap Mayhem Festival Tour” will feature Pharaohe Monche, OC featuring AG of DITC and DJ Boogie Blind and others. Check out a listing of the tour dates below:
