I Say Let The Racist Group, Prussian Blue, Do Their Thing

For those who haven’t yet heard about the white supremacist group, Prussian Blue, two white girls who practice and spew negative, anti-Black lyrics in their songs, check out the article written below to find out more about them (Thanks Rahiem Shabazz for the story!). Now I don’t make it a habit to give a forum to people such as this group, but I know I will catch slack for this but I don’t think they should be censored or even banned!

The reason I say this is because I believe in knowing who my enemies are then to wonder and guess which person or persons are the ones I have to question. At least I know how these guys and the buyers of their records feel about me and to know who to avoid as opposed to the ones that smile in my face and pose an even greater threat than I realize. I can assure you that there are many people ‘amongst’ us that feel the same way these girls do and take our money, socialize with us, plot against us while ‘hanging’ with us. THESE are the ones I fear more so because they are wolves in sheep’s clothing and we have no idea that they are plotting against us while in our face. And make no mistake, THEY ARE AMONGST US!

So, let these little racist girls spit their venom, it only proves what we, as minorities, have been stating all along, that racism is FAR from being dead and we may not have made the progress that white America claims. This just proves that the struggle and the fight must continue and that we can’t be relaxed about the perception that ‘all men are created equal’. Wake up, if you haven’t done so yet and realize that if these little girls’ record sales can hit number 4 on the Billboard charts in this day and age, that this means that there is STILL an audience who believes in the racists’ theories and ideologies that should have been dissipating but instead is still being preached, this time more openly in a world that is suppose to be tolerant to such views. And protesting against Billboard is NOT the answer. They report what is selling, not endorse it (or do they?).

Jena 6 and this only provides the proof that we still have a ways to go regarding race relations.

SPEAKING OF SUBLIMINAL MESSAGES…
Racist White Girl Group on Billboard Charts
RACISM GROWS, September 22, 2006

By Claudia Rosett and George Russell

What does it mean for Black America that a hate preaching music duo could debut on the Billboard albums chart? Â This week, the Billboard albums chart’s top five is packed with nothing but new releases, with Bakersfield , CA Pop duo Prussian Blue shocking the nation by taking ..4 after selling 91, 000 copies of “End of A Black World” its first week out. The album is also serving as the soundtrack to a remake of one of the most controversial movies in U.S. history “Birth Of A Nation”.

“End of A Black World” is the third and most successful album for 12 and 13 year old Lamb and Lynx, who have recently relocated to a private compound in Salt Lake City , Utah after their last album gained them national attention and death threats. The girls were lost, especially in December of 2005 when their father was shot twice by an AME Minister. However, their father survived and their career was revived by what seems to be an unfathomable paradigm shift in American values. Â “It really breaks my heart to see those two girls spewing out that kind of garbage, ” said Ted Shaw, civil rights advocate and president of the NAACP’s Legal Defense Fund.

“This is bullshit. Right now I am more so shocked that an album advocating the extermination of the black race could be so widely received by America, ” continued Shaw, who plans to protest the girls’ album and call for black artists to boycott Billboard. Jesse Jackson of The Rainbow PUSH Coalition gave the following statement, “White America has spoken. Billboard has spoken. This is only the beginning.”

The beginning is just what Lynx and Lamb, who have been nurtured on racist beliefs since birth by their mother April, are hoping for. “We hope to bring about change in our people, ” said Lamb. “We hope that our album and Birth Of A Nation will show our people exactly what needs to be done to make this country safe and white.”

When asked about their inspiration for their latest efforts, Lynx gave this response. “I saw white people hating white people. I was afraid that America wanted to be black, ” said Lynx. “I saw that funny nigger’s show where he made a mockery of the KKK and white people were laughing. This broke my heart.”

Lynx was speaking of Actor/Comedian Dave Chapelle and his comic sketch depicting a blind, African American, Ku Klux Klan leader who was unaware that he was not white. Dave Chapelle is also believed to be the inspiration of their single, “Funny Nigger, ” which describes the gruesome fate of blacks who taunt whites. Dave Chapelle was not available for comment.

Prussian Blue appear to have gone from one of America ’s dirty little secrets to Pop princesses overnight. The group is now fielding offers from major record labels such as MGM and Geffen. This may be only the beginning.

Track Listing for “End Of A Black World”
1) Dawn of A New White World
2) Birth Of A Nation
3) Purest Soul
4) Tainted Blood
5) Affirmative Blaction
6) Reggin & Ekik
7) The Cleansing (interlude)
Short Drop and A Quick Stop
9) Burning Cross
10) N.A.A.C.P. (Niggers Against A Colorless People)
11) Funny Rich Nigger
12) Crack Babies
13) Nigger Lovers
14) No Darkie In Me
15) End Of A Black World
16) Hess’ Prayer

Prussian Blue – Check out the Nazi Happy Face Shirts!!!!!!

Spinderella and the Ladies of Ubiquita ~ Urban Mix Suite ~ VH1 and NYC & Company’s Hip Hop Honors Weekend

Ubiquita NYC and DubSpot have partnered with Rohn Padmore’s  Red Carpet Gift Suite during VH1 and NYC & Company “Hip Hop Honors Weekend,” a jam packed weekend of events, performances, exhibits, and workshops throughout the five boroughs to celebrate the history, culture and style of hip hop October 5-7th .  On October 5 and 6, 2007, 12:00 pm – 7:00 pm, these three companies are coming together with Going.com, MISSBEHAVE Magazine, Sandboxtv.com and Moet-Hennessy in presenting the Urban Mix Suite – DJ based gifting suite and celebrity style lounge for DJ’s, honorees and other industry tastemakers during one of the hottest weekends dedicated to Hip Hop.

The Urban Mix Suite is taking the “goodie bag” concept to a whole new level by inviting VIPs and ultimately giving them an opportunity to get their hands on the latest lifestyle, fashion and music technology products on the market from the leaders in these industries.  This next generation of “gifting lounges” caters to the VIP who wants a bit of pampering: cocktails, cool grooves and high-end luxury items.  The Hip Hop industry’s royalty, icons and newbies will be treated to sounds all afternoon by NYC’s hottest all-female DJ Residents, Ladies of Ubiquita (DJ’s Reborn, Selly and Moni), and Spinderella (Salt-n-Pepa) at Charlotte Ronson (C. Ronson) and Chrissie Miller’s hot spot Stereo.

Rohn Padmore, owner of Enigma PR, made a huge splash during the 2007 Oscars when his “gift suite” concept was the only one sanctioned by the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences.  “People involved in the Hip Hop industry are known for setting trends and making a huge impact on pop culture.  Our sponsors and participating brands know that getting product into these hands is going to pay off for them ten-fold.  Hey who knows, someone may even write a song about it,” says Rohn Padmore.

With a mix of brands that are sure to excite as well as educate, our guests will be armed with the ultimate lifestyle choices and will have had a great time.

URBAN MIX SUITE PRESENTED BY UBIQUITA NYC ~ DUBSPOT

POWERED BY RED CARPET GIFT SUITE IS BEING HELD AT:

Stereo

512 W. 29th Street (bet. 10 & 11 Avenues)

Friday, October 5th and Saturday, October 6th, 2007

12:00 pm – 7:00 pm

This event is sponsored by Going.com, MISSBEHAVE Magazine, Moet-Hennessy and SandboxTV.com. Visit www.dubspot.com  and www.redcarpetgiftsuite.com for more information.

###

ABOUT DubSpot

DubSpot – NYC’s first DJ, VJ and Electronic Music Production School – located in NYC’s Meatpacking District. DubSpot’s experienced instructors offer weekly courses ranging from mixing, scratching, and electronic music production, to video and visual training using the latest technological gear and software. The facility also hosts a full-fledged recording studio and the DubXchange series of guest lecturers and Q&A sessions with industry veterans. DubSpot’s mission is to redefine music education and entertainment.

Mos Def, M-1, Talib Kweli Call for Mass Walk Outs to Support Jena 6

We All Live in Jena
National Call to Action
Monday, October 1st, 2007 at Noon, Central Time.

Artist/ Activist Mos Def along with M1, Talib Kweli, Malcolm X Grassroots Movement, Sankofa Community Empowerment, Change the Game, National Hip Hop Political Convention, Hip Hop Association, and student leaders from 50 campuses call for a National Student Walk-Out to rally and show support for the Jena 6, who are being denied their human rights by the Louisiana criminal justice system.

The Case of the Jena 6

Last fall, when two Black high school students sat under the “white” tree on their campus, white students responded by hanging nooses from the tree. When Black students protested the light punishment for the students who hung the nooses, District Attorney Reed Walters came to the school and told the students he could “take [their] lives away with a stroke of [his] pen.” Racial tension continued to mount in Jena , and the District Attorney did nothing in response to several egregious cases of violence and threats against black students. But when a white student–who had been a vocal supporter of the student’s who hung the nooses, taunted a black student, called several black students “nigger”–sustained minor injuries from a school fight, six black students were charged with second-degree attempted murder. Last month, the first young man to be tried, Mychal Bell, was convicted. He faced up to 22 years in prison for a school fight until the Black people began to organize and his conviction was thrown out because he was tried as an adult. However the DA and the Judge still refuse to set a reasonable bail or to drop the charges in this case and Mychal is still in jail!!

Mos Def is asking students worldwide to assist in the fight against racial injustice and show solidarity for these young people, who have been treated unequally by the law. The prosecution of these young men symbolizes a terrible miscarriage of justice, by punishing students who opposed segregation in their schools and disregarding the threatening acts of others who advocate it.

As students and activists we say enough is enough! What is happening in Jena is happening all over this country. From Sean Bell to Mychal Bell, the criminal justice system is killing and incarcerating us. We will not be silent!

Demands
Judge J.P. Mauffray and District Attorney Reed Walters have engaged in a string of egregious actions, the most recent of which was the denial of bail for Bell on Friday. We call for:

1. All charges against the Jena 6 be dropped

2. The immediate release of Mychal Bell

3. The United States Department of Justice to convene an immediate inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the arrests and prosecutions of the Jena 6;

4. Judge Mauffray to be recused from presiding over Bell ’s juvenile court hearings or other proceedings;

5. The Louisiana Office of Disciplinary Counsel to investigate Reed Walters for unethical and possibly illegal conduct;

6. The Louisiana Judiciary Commission investigate Judge Mauffray for unethical conduct; and

7. The Jena School District superintendent to be removed from office.

Other endorsers include: Common, Immortal Technique, NyOil, Cynthia McKinney

For more info contact info@mxgm.org
To add your school to the list assata@pitt.edu or spjlewis@hotmail.com

Junk Science “Do It Easy” Daedelus Remix

The song: Sometimes, you just have to “Do It Easy.”  Says MC Baje One, “It’s a pretty song about everyday things and how bizarrely tough normal life can be.” Rhyming about everything from coaching a JV basketball team of kids who only want to play offense to dealing with a cat that perpetually defecates in the middle of the hall, Baje is accompanied by jazzy keys sparsely placed around muted, scratchy drums. The production comes courtesy of the one and only DJ Snafu. Mellow, melodic, and honest, “Do It Easy” can also be found on Gran’Dad’s Nerve Tonic as a bonus track, remixed by Daedelus. Background: Junk Science is Baje One on the mic and DJ Snafu on the beats. Simple. Their sophomore record, Gran’Dad’s Nerve Tonic, is due out on October 23rd on Definitive Jux (licensed from Brooklyn’s Embedded Music).  In promotion of the record, and in keeping with Junk Science and (Embedded Music CEO) DJ Ese’s love of beer, the three have teamed up with up-and-coming Brooklyn brewery Six Points Craft Ales to create a limited-release brew to coincide with the release of the album. Be on the lookout for it in your local bar. ### Audio Streams: http://www.audibletreats.com/download/JunkScience/Junk_Science-Do_It_Easy_(Daedelus_Remix).mp3 http://www.audibletreats.com/download/JunkScience/Junk_Science-Do_It_Easy_(Daedelus_Remix).asx http://junkscience.imeem.com/music/XW8HzV5X/do_it_easy_daedelus_remix/ Other Streams: http://www.audibletreats.com/download/JunkScience/Junk_Science-Jerry_McGuire.mp3 http://www.audibletreats.com/download/JunkScience/Junk_Science-Hey!.mp3 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aLyYWmyqYdY http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YSCNCU3F0nA Imeem: http://junkscience.imeem.com/ MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/junksciencerap http://www.myspace.com/nuclearfamily Label: http://www.embeddedmusic.net http://www.definitivejux.net

Hip Hop Hearings on Capitol Hill are Explosive

Written by Davey D

As you know Congress held hearings on Hip Hop yesterday up on Capitol Hill. Chicago Congressman Bobby Rush wanted to see why there is so much music being pushed by corporations that highlight racial stereotypes and disrespect toward women. Overall the hearings were explosive from the start. One of the Congressmen from New York Anthony D Weiner, posed the question as to why artists today don’t step it up and do like artists did in the past and pen songs that talk about social issues in the community. He cited Shinehead who at the height of the crack epidemic in the late 80s saw fit to write a song that spoke out against crack. He wanted to know why we don’t see more artists who have different types of conversations like the way Tribe Called Quest or Brand Nubian did in year’s past.

Weiner also noted that Congress won’t be able to solve this issue of questionable content, because it’s a business decision. He talked about the move Chamillionaire made to not curse on his new album. He suggested that Chamillionaire was making a shrewd business decision to fill a void and capture an audience that doesn’t want to hear cursing. He hoped that other artists would see the wisdom in this and follow his lead.

The hearings consisted of three panels. I could only peep the first two due to long delays that took the Congressmen to the house floor. I will get the audio for the women’s panel which I heard was compelling.

The first panel featured folks from the music industry. Here we heard some extremely weak remarks from record label and commercial radio executives that included Doug Morris of Universal Records, Ed Broffman of Warner Brothers Records, Philippe Dauman of Viacom and Alfred Liggins of Radio One…

All these clowns sat there and acted like they were giving one big commercial. The cat from Viacom was especially sorry because he started pointing out that BET was now positive because they now feature early morning gospel shows. He bragged about the TV show they have where they’re looking for the next big gospel singer. I felt like jumping through the TV and asking, where the hell is Teen Summit‘? Why did you bozos take off that Emmy Award winning show?

I felt like jumping through the TV and shaking dude up and asking ‘Where the hell is Tavis Smiley? What happened to Ed Gordon? How come we don’t have BET Nightly News anymore?

The folks who really need to be reached and ideally inspired aren’t rushing to wake up super early on a sunday morning to watch a gospel show. If gospel is really hittin’ that hard, then why isn’t it running right after Rap City or right before 106 & Park? We would’ve heard a lot of buzz around this new gospel show like we did when BET put on Hot Ghetto Mess.

What’s interesting to note is that BET CEO Debra Lee was in the audience but she didn’t get up to speak. I guess she didn’t wanna have Congress grilling her about all the good church people led by Reverend Coates who apparently didn’t get the memo and showed up 500 deep at her home last weekend to protest their dis-satisfaction with BET programming. I guess all those good church folks who were protesting hadn’t seen BET’s new gospel show.

Note to Debra Lee-It’s not that hard. There’s not much to do. Just put on some smart relevant shows that will reach our youth-iHint-Bring Back Teen Summit.

With respect to the label heads Morris and Broffman, they backed away from taking any sort of responsibility for what they put out as they attempted to paint a rosy picture of their record labels. Like the viacom cat they cited all sorts of projects their working on including jazz and country albums. It was comical watching them scurry around all the questions and downplay the important role rap music plays in making them rich. In fact at one point Morris who heads up Universal which includes Intersscope and Def Jam made the outlandish statement that rap is only a ’small part’ of what they sell.

At another point Morris claimed that he doesn’t censor his artists and they can put out what they want. That statement was later contradicted by David Banner who is on Universal. Too bad no one in Congress knew enough to ask Morris why Young Buck wasn’t allowed to put out his anti-police song.

What Broffman and Morris wound up doing was trying to flip the script and lobby for more protection from piracy on the Internet. They started crying about how all their music is being stolen. I guess they were hoping that somehow we would blame the Internet for any questionable material they release. Luckily the Congressman Weiner from New York stepped in and shut that argument down.

He seemed annoyed that Morris wasn’t following all the hearings Congress has had on Internet piracy. He pointed them out and looked at the label executives as if he wanted to say “Damn we held these hearings to help y’all dumb asses out-why don’t you know about them?’ He even told Morris if you wanna have a discussion about the Internet and whether or not music is really being stolen he can come back next week for a whole other hearing.

I guess when you’re the CEO of a big record label it’s hard to keep up on the political happenings that your record label spends lots of money lobbying Congress to do.

For those who don’t know, the major labels spends thousands of dollars each year lobbying Congress to pass laws that will limit what we can and can’t do on the Internet under the guise of protecting their precious copyrights. This would include the recently passed increased royalty rates for Internet Radio. This would include the attempts to get former Attorney General Alberto Gonzalez to put forth a far reaching, punitive Intellectual Property-copyright Bill.

Hell a few years ago, the record labels lobbied Congress to pass a law so they could keep those copyrights and not have them revert back to the original owners because they feared the Internet. Morris who heads up the largest and richest record label seemed to somehow not know this when he asked Congress to help them out. Even though he’s a white dude I yelled at my TV’ Negroe Please…stop wasting our time.’

The testimony from Alfred Liggins of Radio One was even more sickening. I’ll give him credit cause he showed up. I know Clear Channel and Emmis were invited, but them cats never stepped foot in the door. I told Rush’s office when they hit us up about the hearings, if Clear Channel shows up, me and couple of other folks will most definitely show up to testify and do like Too Short ‘Blow the Whistle’ on their shady shannigans.

Anyway with respect to Liggins, he went on an on about how Radio One does Gospel Shows and that was their tangible proof that his radio chain has a commitment to uplifting the community. (Please note how everyone likes to falls back on those Sunday morning 4am Gospel shows to prove how ‘good’ they are). Like Isaid before, if Gospel is that good, play Yolanda Adams right after Lil Scrappy at 5 in the afternoon. If Gospel is what everyone is rushing towards, have that bumping on Saturday night alongside Fiddy Cent during the mixshows. Hell play some Christian Hip Hop. There are hundreds of groups out there who have bumping songs that praise the Lord.

Memo to Alfred Liggins: Since Gospel music is proof positive that Radio One is stepping out to uplift the community, please play groups like KJ-52,or Gospel Gangstaz out of Compton. Play The Cross Movement out of Philadelphia, Marky J out of Houston or the Grits out of Tennessee.

What was also laughable was Liggins not talking about how records get on the air and that people have to pay some sort of fee like thousand bucks just to get your record listened to..oops I guess I’m not supposed to put out those lil backroom secrets… Yes indeed the payola question never came up which is too bad cause they would’ve had a field day. But like I said at least dude showed up.

Click the Link Below or Hit the player to HEAR Music Industry Testimony from
Doug Morris, Alfred Liggins and Ed Broffman during yesterday’s Congressional Hearings.

http://odeo.com/audio/16668893/view

Yesterday’s second panel which included rappers David Banner, Master P and author Michael Eric Dyson was intense. Banner came out swinging as he dropped a brilliant opening statement. He covered all the major points, but then he lost folks when he refused to take any sort of responsibility for some of his work.

He referenced the things he does in the community, but some of the Congress people who grilled him jammed him up by pointing out that folks don’t see videos of him helping out Katrina victims and talking to the youth. They hear his music and know his videos and they wanted to know if he felt conflicted that some of what he puts out may be negatively impacting young women. Banner held his ground and refused to buckle.

It was Master P who actually came off looking and sounding good. He took full responsibility for what he did in the past. He apologized for what damage and hurt he may have caused and offered solutions to the problems.

Dyson held his own and help put things into context.. However, I wasn’t feeling him justisfying the use of the N word. I thought we moved past that page.

Below is the opening statements from David Banner, Master P and Michael Eric Dyson. They make some compelling arguments.. As I noted, Banner hits a homerun with his opening remarks..In part 2 you will hear the grilling they get from Congress..

Click the Link Above to Hear Testimony From
David Banner, Master P and Michael Eric Dyson
http://odeo.com/audio/16669623/view

Below is part 2 of yesterday’s explosive testimony on Hip Hop from David Banner and Master P. Here Banner gets seriously grilled but he manages to hold his ground a bit, but could’ve done better had he not been so damn evasive on some of the questions. Master P came off looking like a hero and an eloquent elder statesmen within Hip Hop.

Q&A Session of Banner, master P, Dyson Panel
http://odeo.com/audio/16700223/view

B-LEGIT PREPS BLOCK MOVEMENT WITH RELEASE OF ‘THROWBLOCK MUZIC’ THIS NOVEMBER

B-Legit has been a major player on the West Coast for many years as both a founding father of the independent rap scene and strong contributor to the Bay Area Hip Hop movement. After a long hiatus, B is currently putting the finishing touches on his upcoming album release Throwblock Muzic, which will unquestionably make his fans happy and reaffirm his place in the music industry.

B-Legit has been a staple in the Bay Area music scene for years.  His legendary status as a pioneering artist and business man helped put his hometown of Vallejo and the greater Bay Area on the map.  His most famous release, Hemp Museum, has become a Bay Area classic and he is confident that Throwblock Muzic will also be a huge success.

“Hands On Them Knees” is the first single off Throwblock Muzic, which has a total of 16 tracks.  The album features an array of Bay Area superstars including, E-40, Mac Dre, Clyde Carson, Harm from the Rich and Levitti as well as some renowned producers, Mike Mosely, Goldfingaz, Stix, Troy Sanders and E-A-Ski.  Always one to help up and coming Bay Area rappers, B-Legit features artists he signed to his label, Block Movement, on the album, they include Taj-He-Spitz, Duna, 2wiceberg Slym and Harm from the Rich.

The concept for Throwblock Muzic is a bit different, says B.  “I stay recording, so I have songs that I love but didn’t fit on my last album and don’t fit on my new album so I took my favorite ones, touched ‘em up, recorded some new songs and came up with Throwblock Muzic .” B-Legit also put some tracks on the album that were until that time only released on mixtapes, he remixed them and added new artists to the songs.  Throwblock Muzic is only the first phase in B-Legit’s Block Movement. “My last album hit before the Hyphy Movement broke, I’m known for that classic mob music so I fell back and went to work. I gave the kids a chance but now I have to step in and do what I do best. Throwblock Muzic is to hold you over until Block Business.”

Throwblock Muzic will surely redefine why B-Legit is considered one of the legendary artists of the Bay Area.  SMC Recordings will release Throwblock Muzic Nov. 20th 2007. Block Business is set for release March 2008

Check out the hot new single “Duffle Bag Boy”

‘Supply And Demand’ In Stores: October 30th! The history of music is replete with dynamic duos, all of whom have made an indelible impression on this genre of music called hip-hop. Over the years great acts like EPMD, Raekwon & Ghostface, Outkast and 8ball & MJG have made history by consistently releasing classic material that has impacted the lives of generations to come. With the release of Atlanta based duo Playaz Circle’s fantastic debut LP entitled Supply And Demand, Tity Boi and Dolla Boy will make history by expanding the list of seminal hip-hop duos by one more entry. Check out the hot new music here: Duffle Bag Boy – Video http://youtube.com/watch?v=w070JX_P5OE We Are – Video http://youtube.com/watch?v=8dv5u7MEXB4

Check out the entire Mixtape “The Saga Begins” below. Link: http://download.yousendit.com/8C5C21BC15452022 Tracklist01. We Are: featuring Jihod and M Beezy 02. We Workin 03. Duffle Bag Boy ft. Lil Wayne 04. Everytime ft. Rick Ross 05. Get Money Freestyle 06. We Are the Ones ft Jihod 07. Tony Montana 08. Get Doe 09. 2nd to None ft Raekwon 10. I Love Money 11. The LockDown ft Jihod and M Beezy 12. Bitch Chill ft EightBall and MJG 13. Gucci Bag 14. Million Dollar Habits ft Slick Pulla 15. Streets Ain’t Safe 16. The Re-Up 17. I Feel Sorry 18. No Grudge ft Lil WayneCheck out the official MySpace page below: http://myspace.com/playazcircle

The Day The Cocker Roach Marched On The Dinosaur

Written by Rahiem Shabazz 

The outpour of support from the hip hop community shows there is no generational gap in terms of social awareness and connectedness to the struggle for civil rights. Looking at the march in Jena displayed a picture of young and vibrant warriors, committed to eradicating injustice where ever it may rear its ugly head.

 

The picture painted today is in contrast to what the media reported when rapper David Banner was at odds with Reverend Al Sharpton. The alienation of the young as a voiceless generation devoid of social and political consciousness is a grave mistake and should never be taken lightly. After all, it was the young voters who changed the political landscape of America by getting out and voting. Due to several hip hop endorsed voter’s drive more young people registered to vote then anytime in America’s history.

 

There are many who disregarded our power and spirit as if the civil rights were just an era or fad. I recall 25 years ago they were saying the same thing about hip-hop. But, we proved that we stand on the shoulders of responsibility in the spirit of our ancestors who fought for the rights we are afforded today. In the words of our beloved brother and activist Dick Gregory, “the cocker roach marched on the dinosaur and you must never underestimate the cocker roach, even if you are a dinosaur.”

 

The sight of so many organized black folks played on CNN to the dismay of a lot of white folks. Young Black peaceful men and woman showed up, but noticeably missing were the top selling rap stars of today i.e. is Kanye West, Jay-Z, and 50 Cent. I recently listen to newly leaked song by Jay-Z called “Black Magic” where he raps, “This is the genesis of a nemesis/Mother America’s not witness since/the Harlem Renaissance birth Black Business.” Although he was not talking about the march I could not help but think about the ramifications, if he would have went behind the podium and spit those same lyrics to the ten of thousands who were present, most of them eager fans who look to him as a role model.

 

According to Mr. Gregory, “Fear and God does not occupy the same space. The marchers came with God and with no Fear.” Are our top selling rap artist fearful of losing their corporate sponsorship or unsure if they pledge allegiance to black unity they will suffer declining record sale? However, several of our beloved brothers from the hip-hop community did make their presence known such as Bun B (UGK), Ice Cube, Mos Def and Sway (MTV).

 

There never was a divide among the black community when it came to freedom, justice and equality. We had Martin Luther King Jr, in the South, Malcolm X in the North, Thurgood Marshall in the Courts and Muhammad Ali in the Ring.

 

Each of us as individuals must chose our battle ground and weapon of choice. Today, I chose to use my pen and educate the masses. Tomorrow it may be the sword to cut the noose off the tree in an archaic and racial town symbolic to Jena.

 

Rahiem Shabazz is a Filmmaker/Journalist who resides in Atlanta and author of “Love On Lay-Away.” He can be reached at rahiemshabazz@yahoo.com

ATL Rapper Sean P. Helps His Community

Known for his charitable spirit almost as much as his rap talents, one of Atlanta’s own entertainers, Sean P. (formerly known as Sean Paul of The YoungBloodz) is helping the citizens of Georgia by making a $5,000 donation to H.E.A.T. (The Heating Energy Assistance Team), a nonprofit organization that provides energy assistant statewide for Georgians in need.

When he learned that the working poor families and senior citizens in Georgia were having difficulty affording their energy bills, he decided to do something to help. “I could hardly believe that people in my own community had to make decisions about whether to buy food and medicine or pay their energy bills,” Sean P. said.

Not only did he make a contribution, but he set up a campaign with H.E.A.T. to challenge other entertainers in Georgia to get involved with energy assistance programs.

Median: Relief is Finally Here

Written by Dasan Ahanu

September 2007

It’s been 4 years since we first heard this man’s voice and knew he would shine. Making his mark with a guest appearance on Little Brother’s classic debut album, The Listening, Median captured attention and made fans thirst for more. He teased Hip Hop heads with his EP, The Path to Relief, and gave us classic joints like “Comfortable” and “Median Alleviates the Drama (M.A.D.). Since then we have been waiting for an album, waiting for more from this unique Justus League lyricist.

Now signed to Halftooth Records and joining the ranks of Kenn Starr, Oddisee and Wordsworth, Median is prepped to take his turn in the limelight. Preparing us with free downloads of his DJ LowKey hosted mixtape, Median’s Relief in the Making, he showed that he was more than ready to answer Hip Hop’s call. Now Median and Halftooth have released his debut LP, Median’s Relief. With the reputation of the North Carolina crew on his shoulders and the success of crew members The Away Team, Chaundon, Cesar Comanche, and L.E.G.A.C.Y. ahead of him, Median does not disappoint and the wait seems more than worth it.

Median says that this is a conceptual album and that definitely rings true. From the intro track, “Love Again” featuring Real Love, Median lets us know he is going to take us on a musical journey guided by well penned lyrics. His talent with words is best found on tracks like “Simile”, “Brenda’s Baby” and “Personified” where both the concept and content of the songs feed your desire for substance. The single “Rize” shows Median balancing flows on Khrysis production with ease and dexterity.

“What Would You Do?”, “Parden Me Dude” and “Powershift” don’t shine like the other tracks, but provide a balance of nod factor and subject matter that doesn’t detract from the flow of the album. This just shows the depth of the artist and his desire to give you a complete meal of Hip Hop and not just a sampler of appetizers.

One of the strengths is how the project sets Median’s vocals against a beautiful soundscape. While producers Koen, Ant B, Zo!, and C. Keen take turns making your head nod, Centric rewinds us back to memories of “Hey Young World”. Khrysis, Nicolay and 9^th Wonder round out the production with the soulful creations we’ve come to expect from them. Median said he wanted to tell stories and touch on political and philosophical concepts while still making feel good music. This project is proof that he was able to do just that. An artist that has always garnered high expectations gives us an album that shows the reasons why Hip Hop has waited patiently for this moment for this long.