Limp Bizkit frontman, Fred Durst, will host an “Ask Me Anything,” session on the popular social networking site, Reddit.com, to promote the band’s forthcoming album on Cash Money Records.
The first, and only rock band to be signed to the rap powerhouse label, Limp Bizkit is scheduled to release their 7th studio album, Stampede of the Disco Elephants, in September. Since the signing, the band had been quiet prompting speculations about whether or not the anticipated album would ever be released. But, this spring saw the release of the first single, “Ready to Go,” featuring Lil’ Wayne and produced by Polow Da Don.
During the AMA session, fans will get to ask Durst anything they want, although answering is up to him. “Ask Me Anything” is a popular feature of Reddit.com in August of 2012, an AMA session with President Barack Obama crashed the site.
To participate in the AMA sign in to Reddit.com on tonight (Sunday, July 21) at 7PM here.
When Oscar Grant was killed by police at a Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) station, the case sparked national outrage. Grant was unarmed and already being detained. Officers went to handcuff Grant, who struggled in protest, and was shot one time in the back by an office who alleged that he confused his gun for his taser. Grant was the 22-year-old father of one. The officer who took his life served 146 days in jail.
New director, Ryan Coogler, talked to AllHipHop.com about his dynamic film, Fruitvale Station which tracks Grant’s last day on earth. He also talked about how hip-hop can combat police brutality.
(AllHipHop News) The 2nd annual PeterPalooza has arrived but before the Williamsburg Waterfront turns into a madhouse, Peter Rosenberg gives his list of essential songs from each of the performers.
In 1991, Nas, who was only 17 at the time, burst on to the scene as a featured artist on Main Source’s “Live at the BBQ.” He stole the show with lines like, “When I was twelve, I went to Hell for snuffing Jesus” and has continued to captivate listeners for over twenty years. Therefore, it is no surprise that as Hip-Hop has been embraced by scholars, Nas is one of the people from the culture who is closely studied.
And with The Hip-Hop Archive and the W.E.B. Du Bois Institute at Harvard University’s recent announcement of the Nasir Jones Hip-Hop Fellowship, it just simply reenforces his prowess as one rap’s most gifted. According to the press release, Nas’ skills have “helped usher in an original form of hip-hop debate and analysis that reflects on and represents urban youth angst and conflict as well as intelligence, confidence and ambition.”
Keeping in mind that Nas’ number of albums is in the double-digits, there isn’t much that he hasn’t discussed on wax. So AllHipHop.com has made a list of ten songs where Olu Dara’s oldest son tackles subjects that are also discussed in the classrooms of the Ivy League but in a way that no textbook ever could.
It is this writer’s opinion that, by combining the creatively expressed situations from the music (especially as seen in the lyrics) with academic curriculum, the resulting wisdom could be something truly beneficial for generations to come and positively affect countless people in the process.
Song: “I Gave You Power”
Topic: Violence
Atop DJ Premier’s melancholy instrumental, Nas raps from the perspective of a Desert Eagle and is disgusted with what he is doing as a result of his handlers. He then intentionally jams (“I didn’t budge / Sick of the blood / Sick of the thugs, sick of wrath of the next man’s grudge“). The victory, however, is short-lived and he is picked up by somebody else soon after. The song is very telling about the issue of gun violence and the problems it can create.
Song: “America”
Topic: Sexism
The topic of race is obviously talked about on the Untitled album, but Nas also speaks out about other social issues as well. On this record’s third verse, he discusses gender and identifies the disrespect that women endure. When addressing the government he says, “Y’all don’t treat women fair / She read about herself in The Bible, believing she the reason sinners here / You played her with an apron, like ‘Bring me my dinner dear’ / She the n****r here.” It’s a white man’s world in America, and Nas points that out from every angle.
Song: “Bye Baby”
Topic: Relationships
Life is Good’s closing track is a powerful one in which Nas addresses his unsuccessful marriage to Kelis. What makes it so powerful though is that it doesn’t take the easy road of being a place to simply just vent. It addresses the highs and the lows of their relationship with equal conviction. “Wanted you as my shorty since I saw you screaming / Hate you so much right now, should have saw the meaning / Angry black women actions of a demon, I’m leaving.” A better example of the thin line between love and hate would be hard to find.
Song: “Black President”
Topic: Government
History has proven that, contrary to the chorus, America is ready for a black president. However, the song’s overall message is not dated. With lines such as, “I think Obama provides hope and challenges minds / Of all races and colors to erase the hate / And try to love one another, so many political snakes,” Nas is confident in Obama’s ability. His presidential election and Sotomayor’s placement on the Supreme Court kick down doors, prove that Nas’ faith in him was not misplaced, and provide hope for many that more is possible than ever before.
Song: “Let There Be Light”
Topic: Psychology
The value of track 12 on Hip-Hop is Dead is that it breaks the hood mentality that plagues people in at-risk areas all over the world. But Nas doesn’t get preachy. He instead acknowledges the circumstances that people face. Then breaks the cycle by saying that they can be reached by using more than just the negative influences in their environment. “I can’t sound smart cuz ya’ll’ll run away / They say I ain’t hungry no more and I don’t talk about ‘ye / Like there’s no other way for a ex-hustler / Cake ya, the x-ray splitter to touch ya, I beg to differ.”
Song: “One Love”
Topic: Friendship
Being separated from someone that one cares about is tough. In the form of a letter though, Nas fills in one of his cronies about all that is going on in the neighborhood while he is behind bars. He even takes on the task of his telling his friend that his girlfriend has been unfaithful (“I was like yeah, shorty don’t care, she a snake too / F***ing with the n****z from that fake crew that hate you”). Rapper Cormega got a shout out on the song as well while he was really in prison for armed robbery.
Song: “What Goes Around”
Topic: Health
A lot of ground is covered on this record. Misoverstood religion, shootings, fast food, and soda are all referred to as “poison” in the first verse alone. But, perhaps most memorably, safe sex and testing is stressed at end of this song in cautionary form. “He never used a condom, give him h**d he got ya / Met the wrong b***h and now he dead from the monster AIDS / I contemplate, believe in karma / Those on top could just break, and won’t be eatin’ tomorrow.”
Song: “Doo Rags”
Topic: Innocence
The loss of any type of innocence is a memorable experience for young people. On “Doo Rags,” Nas masterfully transitions back and forth from reminiscing about coming of age in the 80s to asking bigger questions after he comes to realize the plight that his surroundings present. “Homicide and feds on the blocks where I played, b-ball / That’s when I wondered was I here for the cause, or be-cause.” Even with the throwback vibe of the song, he still manages to throw in timeless gems.
Song: “I Can”
Topic: Development
Beethoven’s “Fur Elise” sample on this song is crazy and the kids chant of the chorus says it all. And while Nas does make reference to everything from African history to Oprah Winfrey, he ultimately says that the future is up to the youth and its obvious that he is there to encourage them every step of the way. “Nobody says you have to be gangstas, h**s / Read more, learn more, change the globe.”
Song: “N.....R. (The Slave and the Master)”
Topic: Identity
This record is very interesting because it acknowledges the struggles of African-Americans in this country (“Aluminum foil on TV antennas / Little TV sit on top the big TV, eating TV dinners”), while also pointing out that they are connected to royalty (“Descendant of kings, it’s necessary I bling/Put rims on everything, where Tims on every scene”). It’s all very thought-provoking, and was even nominated for a Grammy. Unfortunately, it didn’t win. But it’s certainly a step in the right direction.
What do you think? Sound off in the comments section below!
Man, when you come at Oprah, you better bring your A-game. Do you know who this is?
What about this person?
Both images are of Rae Dawn Chong, the actress. Well, she done f**ked up this week and dissed Oprah. The Dark Alliance descended on that a###! In an interview with Matty P’s Radio Happy Hour, she said that she and Oprah were cool at first because they both starred in “The Color Purple” way back in the day. But, then Rae’s career started to get bigger and she said that’s when Oprah started hating and was a “b***h.” Uh. Matty P’s Then she said this:
“If you look at the way [Oprah] looks, she looks like 60 years ago she would have been a house keeper luckily. She would have not been a house n**ger she would have been a field n**ger.”
“Shes so enormously insecure. If you wanna distill Oprah Winfrey down to like her most basic components. She wants to be beautiful.”
“Imagine being [Oprah]. She has all of the world. All the power in the world … and she only wants something that is only chemical, purely impossible.”
“The thing that’s really great about Oprah that you cant take away from her is that she’s a great brown-noser.”
“No matter how vile she is, you kinda gotta go, ‘hello hats off’ like, you’ve done an amazing thing you have actually shifted the DNA of the universe.”
The Dark Alliance reportedly got on that a$$ so fast, Rae ate her shoe faster than you can say “Chong.”
But, she mostly just said sorry for using the “N-Word.” She need not get into beefs she cannot win. And right now, Rae is a far distance from her days in the 80s.
And on that note, before Beyonce:
They keep us talking, but if we stop talking about them then they should worry! -illseed.
Let’s get one thang straight! Unless you’re Jesus, Mother Teresa or Martin Luther King (and maybe a few others), no one is above getting put on blast in my book! That includes old-ass revolutionaries who talk that slick s#*t out the corner of their moufs or old-ass actors that would rather put someone on blast instead of picking up the phone and mentoring that person into action. Indeed, I am “thee” C.O.O.N.—“Consciously Optimistic, yet Overtly Nihilistic.” I’ll take it all! But I ain’t gonna let you run rough-shod over Jay Z and hip-hop just because you birthed hip-hop! Sometimes (grown) children have to put their parents in place, ya dig? RELATED: EXCLUSIVE: The Last Poets’ Abiodun Oyewole Responds To Dahveed Nelson Calling Jay Z A “Coon”
Your (old) age does not give you a license to air younger people out because you don’t like how they move. I hear you; “How dare Khalil Amani call Dahveed Nelson a ‘coon’!” And I say, “How dare Dahveed Nelson call Jay Z a coon!” What? You think Dahveed’s s#*t don’t stink? You think because he’s old (74) and a legend and one of the eponymous and patriarchal fathers of hip-hop—he’s immune from getting name called himself? Hell! I’m old enough to be most of your daddies, yet, you “go in” on me with reckless abandon! LOL. So hush yo’ mouf!
The problem with me is that I’m just old enough to stand down and absorb correction, yet still young enough to go off on some reactionary ignorance (or, as we say in hood-speak, “get ig-nant.”)
Erry’body grown up in cheah!
For a minute there, I thought I was gonna have to make The Last Poets’ classic album a weed plate and I don’t even smoke weed! But Alas! Another Last Poet has made a statement in support of dialogue and distancing himself from his comrade’s “coon” name-calling.
Yes! I’m an apologist for hip-hop—like many of you Negroes are an apologist for an institution that enslaved millions of people and annihilated a whole population—an apologist for a religion, which was used as the moral pretext for keeping Africans under foot. (I’m talking about Christianity for you numb-nuts! Oops! There I go name-calling!) I don’t apologize for defending the culture of hip-hop! Yes! Hip-hop needs critiquing. Yes! Hip-hop is full of coonery, fuckery and fooGAYziness (and I ain’t talking about my gay/lesbian brothers & sisters, because, like the Honorable Huey P. Newton, they are my comrades in the struggle for the total liberation of all people!)
But anyone who dares to put a blanket over the whole culture of hip-hop is waaaaaay out of line! Your argument that gangsterism in rap music perpetuates white fear is without foundation. The history of black people in America is rent with over 400 years of horror, yet, in this modern age of hip-hop you say wearing a hoodie and gangster rap has caused white folk to become trigger-happy? This insinuation is as silly as TMZ claiming that hip-hop is responsible for the Boston Bombing! It takes a certain amount of sociological gymnastics to come to such conclusions about hip-hop as a culture and rap as a musical genre.
Let’s kick da ballistics! Who are you citing as your “source of authority?” What sociological study are you getting your facts from? Are you spouting Jungian philosophy? Or might it be B.F. Skinner, Naim Akbar or Francis Cress-Welsing? Blaming hip-hop for Trayvon Martin’s death is “theory,” “hypothesis” and “ignorance!”
Age does not give you carte blanche to just run amok with your “opinions” and ideas without being challenged. Your (Dahveed Nelson’s) views on Jay Z, Russell Simmons and hip-hop are not from a constructive place! Nay! Rather, they are one of two things; an infantile bromide, which is devoid of any substantive sociological rigor or the lunatic rantings of an old black man!
Contrary to belief, I’m in no man’s (or Internet site’s) back pocket! I say (and write) what the f#*k I want! If they publish me, they publish me! If they don’t, they don’t! I’m not here to keep the hip-hop machine running smoothly. Anyone who believes this hasn’t read the full body of Khalil Amani—from airing out many of your favorite rappers to cosigning the inclusion of the LGBT (lesbian, gay BI, Trans) community in the body of hip-hop/rap music.
In the words of rapper Mysonne, “F#k with me, but don’t f#k with me!”
Our “s###-uation” here in America—one, where a dog’s life seems to be more important than black life is rooted in systemic racism. It’s easy to point fingers and say, “Ah ha! Hip-hop is the culprit!” No matter how we act, no matter what a black man wears, systemic racism will make reactionary whites pull the trigger on a black man without thinking, even though hip-hop has been the greatest race relations tool since never!
Enter another member of The Last Poets— Abiodun Oyewole. He has put out a statement to let us know that The Last Poets aren’t a monolithic (one-minded) machine and takes exception to Dahveed Nelson’s strong and disrespectful words against Jay Z.
Here’s Abiodun Oyewole’s response to Jason Whitlock’s interview with Dahveed calling Jay-Z a Coon.
(Abiodun Oyewole, member of The Last Poets and one of the Godfathers of Rap Music)
“It is unnecessary to refer to Jay-Z or any other Hip Hop artist as a “coon”. Hip Hop was created on the foundation of The Last Poets. The Last Poets are a group of African-American men who use poetry to address issues concerning Black people. We considered ourselves to be the final word in bringing about unity within the race. We often speak about the white man “divides and conquers”. He does nothing of the sort. He conquers the divided. He has been doing this for centuries. Dahveed Nelson an original member and co-founder of the group made remarks during an interview that were very divisive and not helpful to the cause of Black Unity. The Last Poets are the fathers of all the Jay-Zs in the world. We must take our role as father seriously and not “throw the children out with the bath water.” Jay-Z and Beyonce have made quite a few positive contributions to the Black community. This should not be ignored. Because I am one of The Last Poets I am concerned about the social and political circumstances my people are dealing with. This does not mean that other wordsmiths have to echo my sentiments. On the other hand, I would love to hear more positive messages, educational and historical information as well as stories about our victories in a world where we were designed to self-destruct. In the advent of the Trayvon Martin verdict, and all the Trayvons that we know and don’t know about, it is important that we come together and stop throwing stones at each other. The only answer to the countless injustices we are faced with daily is to be even stronger and more deliberate in our love for each other. We need to share good thoughts, be encouraging, be supportive and criticize each other
constructively. When we work together we can do anything and we have proven that already. We have great power backed up by our ancestors, but we need to unify in order to receive the benefits of our great power. We must show a unified force so strong until no one white or other would even imagine assaulting us, insulting us, or killing us. I think most of us know that racism is very much alive in America. Because there is a Black president many of us thought that things would change. The fact is racism has become even more rampant. Racism is a disease just like cancer and no cure has been found for either. The elders need to reach out to the youth and pass the torch honorably. We should help them find their way and make their mark. There are some elements and styles of Hip Hop that I too find distasteful, but it is a genre that should not be demonized. And if that be the case then we created this devil. I hope and pray that the future will afford us time to have healthy dialogue that will turn into significant actions using all of our wonderful art forms for the purpose of liberation and Black Unity. The elder wordsmiths must talk to and listen to the younger wordsmiths. Name calling is unnecessary and unacceptable.”
Abiodun of The Last Poets 7-18-13
Khalil Amani is a blogger for AllHipHop. He also writes for DJ Kay Slay’s Originators Magazine & Straight Stuntin Magazine. Amani also writes for Hoodgrown, Maybach and Sext Magazines. He is the author of six books, including the ground-breaking book, “Hip-Hop Homophobes…” iuniverse.com 07). Amani is gay hip-hop’s self-proclaimed straight advocate. Visit The Coonerific One at http://www.khalilamani.ning.com Follow on Facebook/Twitter @khalilamani. Youtube @ yahweh 12
(AllHipHop News) Al Sharpton’s forthcoming memoir, The Rejected Stone, is being released on Cash Money Content to the shock of many. Sharpton was a very public critic of Lil Wayne, and hip-hop artists in general who for their use of profanity including the “n-word.” It was Al Sharpton who met with PepsiCo and the family of Emmett Till regarding the YMCMB rapper’s offensive lyrics referencing Till and framed in a sexual context. PepsiCo later released Lil Wayne from his endorsement with the company.
So, imagine the shock and awe when after years of animosity on both sides, Sharpton inked a deal with Cash Money Content, the publishing arm of Cash Money Records, Lil Wayne’s home label. The memoir, The Rejected Stone will track Sharpton’s personal evolution from a New York street activist to a political candidate and spokesperson for civil rights. Sharpton is also a media personality and host of PoliticsNation on MSNBC. The book will be released by Cash Money Content and Massenburg Media, in partnership with the Simon & Schuster imprint, Atria.
Carl Redding, a chef and former associate of Rev. Sharpton has penned an open letter to Sharpton calling for him to return the “blood money” he obtained from Cash Money. “As one who has spent years publicly crusading against the harmful effect of misogynistic lyrics on our young people, it’s clear that your decision to cut a lucrative financial deal with those who propagate such destructive images in our community, is the latest example of your failed leadership.”
The letter goes on to say, “I believe in my heart of heart that the Rev Dr Martin Luther King, Jr. would not have traded 30 pieces of silver to the likes of the Little Wayne’s of our world today as you have done by signing a piece of book deal paper with Cash Money… So Rev Sharpton, in conclusion of my Open Letter to you, I am publicly imploring you to end your business relationship with Cash Money and return the “blood money” that you have accepted from those very people who continue to have the highest disregard for our women and our community.”
50 Cent talked a lot about self destructing, but maybe that title goes to Kanye West. He totally spazzed on a photog earlier – ALLEGEDLY. But, the thing is, that’s what they want you to do! Like Trayvon, they wanted us to wild out and riot so the police could STAND THEIR GROUND. Anyway, Kanye West is on the edge. He’s reportedly the suspect of a felonious robbery!
Kanye West has been named a felony suspect in the LAX attack Friday afternoon … TMZ has learned.
Law enforcement sources tell TMZ … police suspect Kanye committed an attempted robbery when he assaulted a photog at the airport and tried to jack his camera.
The case has now been transferred to the Robbery Homicide Unit and cops are currently putting a file together.
Our sources say the case will be referred to the L.A. County D.A. for possible prosecution.
The victim was taken to the hospital after the attack. His condition is unknown.
They keep us talking, but if we stop talking about them then they should worry! -illseed.
Judge Rosemarie Aquilina of Ingham County, Michigan has ruled that the Chapter 9 bankruptcy filing by the City of Detroit on yesterday (July 18) was unconstitutional.
“I have some very serious concerns because there was this rush to bankruptcy court that didn’t have to occur and shouldn’t have occurred,” said the judge in her ruling. The ruling is in response to three separate lawsuits filed by city pension funds which provide benefits to retired city employees. “Plaintiffs shouldn’t have been blindsided,” and “this process shouldn’t have been ignored,” Aquilina said.
However, The Detroit Free Press is still reporting that a U.S. Bankruptcy Court Judge Steven Rhodes, who is a native of Detroit, has been assigned to oversee the historic bankruptcy case. The first words in the story: “It’s official.”
Meanwhile, Michigan Governor has stated that the Detroit bankruptcy filing is “not about a bailout.”
The historic bankruptcy filing has been a trending topic on Twitter since the historic filing yesterday.
(AllHipHop News) Kanye West has allegedly assaulted members of the paparazzi at LAX airport.
According to a report by TMZ, the rapper attacked one of five paparazzi that surrounded him at the Los Angeles airport.
Oddly, Kanye even had a bodyguard to protect him, but the paps may have need the protection services according to the report.
The rapper requested that the photographers not ask questions, but apparently one did, prompting the alleged attack. “Kanye attacked, attempting several punches, and the man fell down. Paramedics and police are currently on scene,” the TMZ report said.
Kanye has told the paparazzi not to speak to him any more.
Reps for the rapper have not commented on the matter yet.
I’ll always wonder what affect the exploding watch debacle had on the new Ace Hood album, Trials & Tribulations. Just as his street banger, “Bugatti” was taking him over the top, that damn watch lost its bezel on BET in front of millions. Did it affect the perception of Ace Hood, who has toiled through so many obstacles to get to this point?
The album starts off strong with “Trials and Tribulations” and “Another Statistic,” which pays homage to Trayvon Martin. Refreshing to hear the “pain, the hunger, the hustle shall never go unnoticed” in his mind. “Before The Rollie,” which features Meek Mill, bangs despite the irony of the current events.
Ace Hood has always been able to leverage his relationships on his album, seemingly based on his relationship with DJ Khaled. So, we see Chris Brown, Lil Wayne, Anthony Hamilton, Rick Ross, Future, the legendary Betty Wright, but most of the album is Ace Hood holding court on Trials & Tribulations. He does a good hope and his hunger is evident on just about ever song. You can hear his concerns on songs like “Hope” and “Pray For Me.” He cares and he goes hard on every song.
If there are issues on Trials and Tribulations, its in the repetitive content, but its easy to overcome, particularly once fans curate the songs their way on iTunes. There are incessant bars about God, the struggle, the haters, the money and the pursuit of prosperity. Sonically, he’s got great beats with The Renegades, Cardiak, Sonny Digital, Ben Billions, Schife, StreetRunner, and Lee On The Beats. This is his fourth album so he’s no rookie anymore and it shows. Hopefully, the BET debacle doesn’t have the social media world too hard on the emerging talent known as Ace Hood as his wings begin to spread.
AHH’s Ratings:
Lyricism –9/10
Production –9/10
Album Cohesiveness –8/10
Replay value –8/10
Overall –8.5/10
Testimony
Trials & Tribulations
Another Statistic
Before the Rollie (Feat Meek Mill)
We Outchea (Feat Lil Wayne)
We Them N****s
The Come Up (Feat Anthony Hamilton)
Rider
Hope
Pray For Me
Bugatti (Feat Future & Rick Ross)
How I’m Raised
My Bible
Mama (Feat Betty Wright)
Bugatti (Feat Wiz Khalifa, T.I., Meek Mill, French Montana, 2 Chainz, Future, DJ Khaled & Birdman)
After Joey Bada$$ breaths life into the mic with his lyrics, the stage is left in flames. This artist has been on the rise for a while now but it feels like he just stepped into the ring yesterday. With Joey’s recent quest to study and learn from some of the greats within the Hip Hop realm, he has only gotten better in the booth.
He’s becoming one of the artists to beat, and the issue with that is, most of his colleagues are out here getting arrested and making headlines for stupid nonsense that has nothing to do with their music. However, young Bada$$ is making music and turning out quality tracks hand over fist. Thus making his headlines about his craft! So while his fellow artists are too busy not checking out their young competition properly, Joey is not only making new fans, he’s taking fans away.
He is mos def a problem!
Check out the latest joint from Joey Badda$$ below!
And here’s another!
Be sure to keep up with Joey Bad A$$ on Twitter: @joeyBADASS_
Tune in to Shade 45 every Monday at 8 PM ET/5 PM PT for “The Wake Up Show” with Sway, King Tech and DJ Revolution on Serius/XM to check out Skyyhook’s “Underground Effects” artist picks from this week!
(AllHipHop News) Earlier this week Dahveed Nelson, one of the co-founders of The Last Poets, gave an interview with Fox Sports columnist Jason Whitlock. In the exchange Nelson accused mogul/rapper Jay Z of “putting on blackface and cooning” as well as placing the blame for Trayvon Martin’s death on Hip Hop for reinforcing negative stereotypes of African-Americans.
Fellow founding member of The Last Poets Abiodun Oyewole read those comments and reached out to AllHipHop.com with a statement clarifying that Nelson’s opinions about Jay Z and Hip Hop should not be attributed to The Last Poets as a collective. Oyewole also wanted to express that he disagrees with Nelson’s viewpoints and calls his comments divisive.
Read Abiodun Oyewole’s full statement below.
Here’s my response to Jason Whitlock’s interview with Dahveed calling Jay-Z a coon.
It is unnecessary to refer to Jay-Z or any other Hip Hop artist as a “coon”. Hip Hop was created on the foundation of The Last Poets. The Last Poets are a group of African-American men who use poetry to address issues concerning Black people. We considered ourselves to be the final word in bringing about unity within the race. We often speak about the white man “divides and conquers”. He does nothing of the sort. He conquers the divided. He has been doing this for centuries.
Dahveed Nelson, an original member and co-founder of the group, made remarks during an interview that were very divisive and not helpful to the cause of Black Unity. The Last Poets are the fathers of all the Jay-Zs in the world. We must take our role as father seriously and not “throw the children out with the bath water.” Jay-Z and Beyoncé have made quite a few positive contributions to the Black community. This should not be ignored.
Because I am one of The Last Poets I am concerned about the social and political circumstances my people are dealing with. This does not mean that other wordsmiths have to echo my sentiments. On the other hand, I would love to hear more positive messages, educational and historical information as well as stories about our victories in a world where we were designed to self-destruct.
In the advent of the Trayvon Martin verdict, and all the Trayvons that we know and don’t know about, it is important that we come together and stop throwing stones at each other. The only answer to the countless injustices we are faced with daily is to be even stronger and more deliberate in our love for each other. We need to share good thoughts, be encouraging, be supportive and criticize each other constructively.
When we work together we can do anything and we have proven that already. We have great power backed up by our ancestors, but we need to unify in order to receive the benefits of our great power. We must show a unified force so strong until no one white or other would even imagine assaulting us, insulting us, or killing us.
I think most of us know that racism is very much alive in America. Because there is a Black president many of us thought that things would change. The fact is racism has become even more rampant. Racism is a disease just like cancer and no cure has been found for either. The elders need to reach out to the youth and pass the torch honorably. We should help them find their way and make their mark. There are some elements and styles of Hip Hop that I too find distasteful, but it is a genre that should not be demonized. And if that be the case then we created this devil.
I hope and pray that the future will afford us time to have healthy dialogue that will turn into significant actions using all of our wonderful art forms for the purpose of liberation and Black Unity. The elder wordsmiths must talk to and listen to the younger wordsmiths. Name calling is unnecessary and unacceptable.
(AllHipHop News) Loon, the former rapper under Diddy’s Bad Boy, has been sentenced to 14 years in jail for drug related infractions.
The rapper, who is now an Orthodox Muslim, claims it was a set up.
Now known as Amir Muhadith, Loon was arrested and charged in 2011. He explained his side of things in an online audio recording made from a prison cell.
Here is part of the audio transcribed:
“I want to explain to you, in detail, the charge that I was charged with and the federal indictment from the Eastern District of North Carolina as well as the conspiracy charge which I was charged with, conspiring to possess with intent to distribute one or more kilo of heroin. … In 2008 — some individuals had crossed my path who were interested, at one point, in the music industry. At one point, these individuals called me in relation to something totally different than the lifestyle I was living. But the fact I answered placed me under the umbrella of conspiracy and therefore, once these individuals were apprehended by the United States government, they chose to implement in the situation and tried to implement in the leadership role. … But because of the way the United States government works, they used the information of the informant and put together an elaborate story to make it look like I had a leadership role.”
The full audio is below:
Loon maintains that others basically snitched on him and got him involved in something he had nothing to do with.
(AllHipHop News) In a move that is as shocking as it is emblematic, President Barack Obama addresses race in America in the wake of George Zimmerman’s acquittal in a recent speech.
“There are very few African-American men in this country who haven’t had the experience of being followed when they were shopping in a department store. That includes me”
While President Obama states that Florida’s Stand Your Ground law was not apart of George Zimmerman’s defense he does believe alterations to it is pertinent in order to ease “racial disparity” in the law:
If we’re sending a message in our societies that someone who is armed potentially has the right to use those firearms even if there is a way for them to exit from the situation, is that really going to be contributing to the peace and order? For those who resist that idea, I’d just ask people to consider if Trayvon Martin was of age and armed, could he have stood his ground on that sidewalk? Do we actually think he would’ve been justified in shooting Mr. Zimmerman because he followed him in a car?
Invoking the theme of “it takes a village to raise a child”, President Obama called for athletes, celebrities, businessmen and others of influence to set positive images for young African American males.
The full transcript of President Obama’s speech can be viewed here.
Watch President Barack Obama discuss Trayvon Martin, legislative acts to help race relations in America and more below:
“Diverse and talented more so than any other state because we’re in between two big cities of Philly and
New York so we been the little guy that has to stand up for themselves.”-Glen Thorton of Slaag Records
(AllHipHop News) New Jersey is at times an afterthought when discussing the east coast’s influence on the landscape of music. This neglect is even internally perpetuated in the city with residents feeling as if South Jersey was forgotten during New Jersey’s modern improvement.
But that all is changing and has been for the past eight years.
The 8th annual Lincoln Park Music Festival is product of a conscious desire to showcase acts from or heavily affiliated with New Jersey, creating a microcosm of the diversity of the culture in New Jersey. Newark Idol, hosted by Buttafly Soul will showcase homegrown talent in dance, rap, singing and spoken word to be graded by celebrity judges.
“Jazz In Lincoln Park”, hosted by Amiri Baraka will feature and 8-piece band including a musical tribute to Newark native and jazz great Wayne Shorter. Veteran saxophonist Alfred Patterson hopes “Jazz In Lincoln Park” can reinvigorate the enthusiasm for jazz in New Jersey as he remembers decades ago:
There used to be jazz clubs in downtown Newark just about every block. Teddy Powell on Broad Street. Key Club. Howard St Bar. In the 60’s, as a musician, sessioning, you could go out every night and session. There was jazz going on in five different clubs every night. Now at any one time jazz is going on in about two clubs. Besides that it’s really died down.
New Jersey’s proliferation of house music will be showcased on the festival’s 2nd day (July 27th) and Slaag Records Recording Artist Eddie Nicholas, world renowned DJ Punch, Tiger Wilson among a wide variety of others.
The festival reaches its climax with a collection of Hip Hop artists performing that would make J. Dilla and the Notorious B.I.G. cry a tear of joy from heaven. The list includes Redman, Black Thought, , Lords of the Underground, The Hit Squad (Das EFX, K-Solo, EPMD, Redman), Artifacts, Sugar Hill Gang, Kwame (minus the polka-dots?), Rah Digga, Mr. Cheeks of the Lost Boys and of course surprise guests.
Do It All from Lords of the Underground spoke with AllHipHop recently about New Jersey’s immense influence on Hip Hop and on the highest selling rap artist of all time, Eminem:
I’ve been around Treach and Redman since young. Not to be racial but to have this white boy from Detroit who lived in Newark NJ and slept on the outside of his house with Young Zee and Pacewon, I’m not surprised [he was influenced by Treach]. When you are around around those type of people you get influenced.
The festival represents more than just three days of amazing music. The Lincoln Park Music Festival has transformed into an emblem of progress for the once desolate area.
The festival changed the brand and image of the community. Because of the change developers have built more houses. We have made a name for Lincoln Park. This is going to be the new Red Hook and Tribeca. The gentrification inclusive of us.- Anthony Smith
For more information on The Lincoln Park Music Festivalvisit the website http://lpccd.org.
