When Black blood soaks into American soil, money sprouts up. Since America was first created, much of its wealth has been rooted in Black Death. The Trans-Atlantic slave trade, made this nation stronger than it could have ever imagined and is the base of all the economic success it achieved since 1865 (when slavery was […]

Has the American Dream for cream been masked over top of Dr. King’s? These days unity between the races is easy to see, but is it truly the vision of he who gave his life for the civil rights movement? Nowadays, it’s not uncommon to see White and Black hands held together… only they’re clasping […]

I always thought it was interesting that with all of the discussion about Jay-Z taking over the helm at Def Jam, that there was so little talk about how odd it was that J was picked for that post and not Damon Dash. Wasn’t Dame the ‘sword’ of the ROC, the business yin to Jay’s […]

In 2005, many political minded folks in the Hip Hop community are still spinning from the results of the 2004 elections. Many cats are still walking around depressed and angry. I see people talking about quitting. Politics is long term, and if you thought Hip Hop folks would change the world with one election- you […]

Below is my official response to many ‘questions’ or rebuttals emailed to me.  As of now, I’ve received over 800 emails of varying thoughts and opinions on my article.  I appreciate all of them regardless of their content.  The public debate has begun and that’s most important. In order to respond to ALL of you […]

While “Ants at Nas’ Coon Picnic” raises some thoughtful and persuasive critiques of the rapper’s diatribe against “sellouts” in media and entertainment, the author’s fundamental premise is flawed, his opinion misinformed, and his tone quite elitist. Morris O’Kelly deserves kudos for pointing out the factual errors in “These Are Our Heroes.” Nas, by saying on […]

Very recently, I asked the question as to what is a “sell-out” in today’s world. The premise of the article was to find a common ground as to the moral center of the African-American ideology and also expose the historical double-standard of how the term ‘sell-out’ has been applied over generations. In the end, I […]

I decided to suggest some resolutions to Hip-Hop’s biggest wigs starting with… Jay-Z, president of Island Def Jam “The industry shady, it needs to be taken over.” Well, Hov my first resolution is for you, because you seem to be the most powerful rapper in the industry. It’s time to put your supremacy where your […]

I wonder if anybody else has this problem I’m driving down the street listening to Youngbloodz "Damn", a musical masterpiece in my mind, at extraordinarily loud levels. After all, this song is just perfect for riding down the block and knocking pictures off a wall. I’m cruising along, then I notice the street light turns […]

"We should be ashamed of ourselves," he said. "Rockefeller drug reform – ha! – I don’t think so." State Sen. Thomas Duane (D-Manhattan) While many are praising the recent reform of the Rockefeller drug laws, many more are not. Although the reform bill will reduce the most severe mandatory sentences for drug offenses, according to […]

So what’s the formula for success these days for young rappers trying to make a name for themselves? Is it being able to lyrically finesse and good looks or being politcally correct with good hooks? Nope. Maybe it’s having heavy bass lines laced with lines about leaving the crack game. That’s it – nowadays it […]

Everytime I turn around now, I see someone bashing another persons faith, race, country or culture. People really think "the world would be better without the Muslims". Or, "The Jews are really trippin’ right now and they are shady". Other times it’s "Whitey’s on a world wide rampage right about now"!!! The next one is […]

When Jay Z said back in the day “Streets Is Watching,” obviously beyond the metaphor, he knew that there are few black named streets and cats own no blocks. Surely the fact of the matter he could’ve used when it comes to the rap game the “Kids Is Always Watching” regardless. Now the youth is […]

Everybody’s confused.  And do you know why everybody’s confused?  They’re confused because nobody knows what they want anymore.    Nobody.   I used to blame record companies for the lack of quality albums that were released.  Then I would blame the artists for selling out for commercial success.  I would complain that I missed that […]

Under the Paramount Classics banner, "Fade to Black" unspooled before me as I remembered Jay-Z’s previous documentary "classic," an execrable piece of immature backstage concert antics named, well, "Backstage." Imagine my shock and pure joy when "Fade to Black," through fits and starts, eventually emerges to live up to the lofty title of its studio […]

Bush’s recent (and first-time) win of the presidency should come as a surprise to no one. It has validated the belief of many that America has gotten what it deserves, even after enduring some of the most horribly abusive foreign and domestic policies in American history. The fact that it was even a close call […]

This year has been truly a nation wide grass root movement to remind people the significance of voting. With hot topics like the war in Iraq, a declining economy, civil liberties in jeopardy and the welfare of future generation, some of our celebrated superstars have helped bring urgency to the voting process. Hip-Hop jumpstarted a […]

Now that Hip-Hop’s been commercialized… I mean, grown into global acceptance, has anyone else besides me stopped listening to what’s new? Does anyone else remember when ‘droppin’ gems on ‘em’ was an emcee’s theme that didn’t involve flashing gaudy jewelry at us? Our cultural vehicle of speech is now driven by corporate influence. Is it […]

Their Time to Shine?: Asian-American artists are gradually making their mark in hip-hop. But mainstream success is still out of reach. Now, the task seems to be resting on one man’s shoulders. It’s two o’ clock in the afternoon on a relatively quiet Saturday along the shores of Venice Beach, CA. A couple of rollerbladers […]

The subliminal messaging behind the G-Unit is truly fascinating. When one hears what the G stands for, there are thoughts of clandestine inner-city warriors, or dare I say, progressive freedom fighters. After all, “units” are associated with military and paramilitary operations. Therefore, it is logical to think that the “G” would stand for Guerilla. However, […]