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Hip Hop legends X-Clan have debuted the track “Down By Law” online at www.myspace.com/xclanmusic, from their upcoming new studio album “Mainstream Outlawz”, which is slated for a January 27th, 2009 release through Suburban Noize Records. The album takes aim at those planning Hip Hop’s Funeral.

The foundation for “Mainstream Outlawz” was built over a year long period with Brother J venturing into the heart of Houston, TX to re-ignite hip hop’s flame. The move brought out bouts of intense creativity bolstered by Brother J and his collaborators love for music.

Joining X-Clan on their quest to bring hip hop back to the roots of the genre with the aid some of the industry’s biggest lyrical assassins including Bun B of UGK, Medusa and Supanatural. In their collaborations these artists have proudly banded together with X-Clan to proudly wave the flag for hip hop, while others would rather plan the genre’s funeral.

“We urge our listeners to stop complaining and start listening, because hip hop is alive and well. It’s time for the underground to take the spotlight,” says X-Clan mastermind Brother J. “If you don’t take the time to learn the full spectrum of hip hop, you can’t keep complaining that the game is tainted and off track. There are enough active artists out here that are keeping it real in the name of music and not fad. There are some independent groups that deserve respect for their grind and we are one of them.”

X-Clan, one of the genres most powerful and influential hip hop crews ever, returned in 2007 after nearly a decade-long hiatus with their long awaited comeback album “Return From Mecca”. The SOURCE Magazine proclaimed that “Brother J shines as he nourishes with vanglourious music,” while the Los Angeles Times said the album was “a rare rap ‘Return’ well worth the wait.” The critically acclaimed album saw the group dropping their unique brand of ancestral wisdom and culture to a whole new generation of hip hop fans on sold out tours with Public Enemy, Damian ‘Jr. Gong’ Marley and Jurassic 5.

Tumwater, WA - Derrick Brown, a sophomore at South Sound High School, said the hip-hop music he created and performed used to be about “gangs and drugs and stuff.” But Brown, who took part last week in a music workshop to create a performing group and CD focused on making good choices, said his own current experiences in substance-abuse recovery already has become of part of the music he creates.

He said that the True North Music Mentors program was a natural fit for him. “I’ve been changing my style and what I write about,” Brown said. “I feel like this program can spread that message.” Several dozen students from high schools in Olympia, North Thurston and Tumwater districts collaborated on hip-hop tracks in a music academy last week.

An Olympia-based group called Gear Up With Music and True North Student Assistance, a substance-abuse-prevention and education service out of the public agency Educational Service District 113, sponsored the music workshop.

The groups brought the students together with local professional musicians as mentors, who let the students lead with their ideas, said mentor Jose Gutierrez Jr., who works in audio production and is a DJ at the radio station KAOS.

The tracks focus on avoiding violence and substance abuse. The lyrics emerged out of short workshops and hourlong pass-the-mic freestyle sessions, in which students and the workshop facilitators communicated with each other about everything from the day’s agenda to what they did that day to what they hoped would come out of the program.

“It’s an incredibly empowering experience to hear your voice recorded for the first time,” said local hip-hop artist Asliani, who recently moved to Olympia from Boston and who released an album this month.

She said that the long workshops helped the students learn to trust one another, open up and collaborate.

“All these kids have amazing talent,” she added. “Some of the kids, some of the girls especially, they say they’re not rappers. But a little while later, they’ll have half a verse written.”

The students also will perform at a live music showcase at the Capitol on Jan. 19, which is Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

The students applied for the workshops, and their commitment to spreading the positive message was more important than past musical experiences, said Gear Up With Music founder Todd Denny. Still, many of the students already were experienced musicians, and several brought guitars or demos of their own music.

John Thompson, clinical supervisor at True North, said he hopes that the music reaches schools and in the community and that the students mentor other students.

“It’s not an opportunity to make a song,” he said. “It’s about helping them to become a part of a positive movement.”

KRS One Joins powerHouse

By David Hershkovits

The powerHouse publishing enterprise continues to expand its reach under the aegis of founder Daniel Power and his able team of Craig Cohen and Sarah Rosen. In addition to eyeing a West Coast outpost of their store/gallery/events space concept pioneered in DUMBO, Brooklyn, in the Los Angeles area (either at Bergamot Station or Culver City), they are also working with a well known pop star with interest in Malawi (wink, wink). Today powerHouse added another jewel to its crown by the name of hip hop legend KRS One who will now have his own imprint with the company. Here's the official announcement

powerHouse Books and KRS ONE announce the creation of I Am Hip Hop, a new imprint launching in Spring 2009. I Am Hip Hop shall serve as a home for cutting-edge, positive material related to the true culture and philosophies of Hip Hop. Dedicated to publishing high-quality books ranging from serious philosophical treatises to urban photography projects or engaging fictional novels, this imprint will release material personally chosen and overseen by Hip Hop legend, KRS ONE.
As originator of the phrase, “I Am Hip Hop,” KRS ONE is a walking embodiment of the cultural practices and moral philosophies of true Hip Hop. The I Am Hip Hop imprint will serve as an outlet for creative expressions of this vibrant and lasting culture. "The I Am Hip Hop imprint will serve as a home for real and true expressions of Hip Hop,” comments KRS ONE. “I commend powerHouse for being brave enough to stand up for real culture."

“Working with KRS ONE offers a rare opportunity and privilege to play a part in history in the making.” observes Craig Cohen, President and Executive Publisher of powerHouse Books. “This founding father of Hip Hop was behind the legendary Boogie Down Productions and is arguably more creative in 2008 than ever before.”

The Gospel of Hip Hop, the first book from the I Am Hip Hop imprint set for release in Spring 2009, is the philosophical masterwork KRS ONE. Set in the format of the Christian Bible, this 600+ page opus is a manual to life for members of Hip Hop Kulture that combines classic philosophy with religious faith and practical knowledge for a fascinating, in-depth exploration of Hip Hop as a life-path. Now known as “The Teacha,” KRS ONE developed his unique outlook as a homeless teen in Brooklyn, New York, engaging his philosophy of self-creation to become one of the most respected emcees in Hip Hop history. Respected as Hip Hop’s true steward, KRS ONE painstakingly details the development of the culture and the ways in which we, as Hiphoppas, can and should preserve its future.

In The Gospel of Hip Hop, KRS ONE discusses the origination of Hip Hop Kulture and relays specific instances in history wherein we can discover the same spirit and ideas that are at the core of our current manifestation of Hip Hop. He explains Hip Hop down to the actual meaning and linguistic history of the words “hip” and hop” and describes the ways in which Hiphoppas can change their current circumstances to create a future that incorporates Health, Love, Awareness and Wealth (H-LAW).

Fervently promoting self-reliance, dedicated study, peace, unity and truth, The Teacha has drawn criticism both from within and outside of Hip Hop Kulture. In this beautifully written, inspiring book, KRS ONE shines the light of truth into his own heart and onto the fascinating world of Hip Hop.

http://www.papermag.com/blogs/2008/06/krs_one_joins_powerhouse.php

http://powerhousebooks.com/thegospelofhiphop/

Interview From Allhiphop.com

By Mikey Fresh
On the eve of the most historical Presidential elections in America’s history, the vocal side of Jedi Mind Tricks is on yet another tour bus leaving the infamous Las Vegas Strip. The trio [MCs Vinnie Paz and Jus Allah, with Stoupe the Enemy of Mankind on beats] from the City of Brotherly Love has cemented their position in the underground Hip-Hop circuit as an unfiltered source for impassioned, sometimes political, always hardcore rap music.

Exiting a city known as “America’s Playground” can be an excursion full of joy or regret. However, more often times than not it’s the latter. With their sixth studio album being released in less than a week via Babygrande Records, Vinnie Paz , Jedi’s leading mouthpiece and the only conscious member on board the bus, talks about a History of Violence, a reunited Jedi Mind Tricks, new rappers, and of course the election with no regrets.

AllHipHop.com: Vegas may be one of the only places in America where people aren’t worrying about the recession. How did “Sin City” treat you?

Vinnie Paz: Absolutely f**kin’ crazy man, we just spent three days in Vegas, so needless to say we’re still pretty bugged out right now [laughs]. The downside about touring is that it’s harder to get to hear about current events and research what’s going on in the world; you can only really gauge it by what the fans say and their reactions. But Jedi Mind fans will come out to support no matter what is going on with the economy.

AllHipHop.com: Since ‘96 Jedi Mind Tricks has dropped albums pretty consistently, there’s hasn’t been more than a three year period without a new album. What are we getting with A History of Violence?

Vinnie Paz: First off, having Just Allah back in the group brings back a whole another dimension to our music. History of Violence is a multi-layered concept album, it’s sort of a double entendre in reference to Violent by Design which was our last album. But everything on this album is referring to the state of affairs going on in our country and the entire world.

AllHipHop.com: You’ve always been known as an MC that comes with hardcore lyrics and an aggressive delivery, but fans and critics have noticed some changes in your style especially with the Visions of Gandhi album. Do you feel the need to be hardcore and violent to please your fans?

Vinnie Paz: I hear all the time, “Do you ever want to try different styles of Hip-Hop?” and s**t like that, but it’s like this is the kind of music we been making since ‘92. And there’s a certain point in your life when you realize you are who you are. I don’t consciously set out to change anything; our music evolves as we do as people. It’s just growth, and we have our own style of music, there’s no changing s**t for us.

AllHipHop.com: What about the new fans that just discovered Jedi Mind Tricks, what do you think draws them to you ?

Vinnie Paz: The generation gaps between me and some of the Jedi Mind Fans is just huge, they didn’t grow up on the same music that I did, so their tastes are probably totally different than mine but they still are loyal fans. A lot of young kids make up our fan base, but in reality I make music for me and my people. I don’t take criticisms to the heart from anyone, if you don’t like my music, don’t listen to it- real simple.

AllHipHop.com: Jedi Mind is one of the few Hip-Hop groups that haven’t followed trends to stay relevant, what’s different in the game plan today?

Vinnie Paz: We have always ignored the mainstream and never let it dictate how we made our music. We got our own sound and idea of what Hip-Hop music sounds like. Jedi Mind has never let any of these trends that you see come and go influence how we do s**t. And I think people respect that in any genre of music.

AllHipHop.com: There’s a whole new wave of rappers being labeled as “Hipster Rappers” like the Cool Kids, Mickey Factz, The Knux, etc. The clothing is a bit tighter and colorful, but they are being compared to the backpackers of the '90s. How do you feel about the new wave of rappers coming up?

Vinnie Paz: That s**t is pussy to me, that’s just my opinion. I really don’t give a f**k about those type of rappers, I don’t listen to their music. I don’t know any of these people personally, but it just ain’t my thing. Any time a person is being themselves is cool, but that doesn’t mean I have to like it. I like hardcore s**t, that’s were this Hip-Hop s**t was birthed from. But all that s**t is just gay to me.

AllHipHop.com: Jus Allah has been gone for some time, what can we expect with him back the group?

Vinnie Paz: Our chemistry speaks for itself. In the grand scheme of things, we’ve known each other since ‘93 and we really were together for only four of those years, so I think people think that the break-up was bigger than it really was. Jedi Mind isn’t changing s**t, it’s only growth as artists. You ain’t got to worry, we still bringing the raw Hip-Hop.

AllHipHop.com: Today is one the most historical elections ever, Jedi Mind Tricks has certainly been an outspoken voice in politics, can this election mark any change real change for America?

Vinnie Paz: I think people who really [are] capable of changing the system around never really had a chance to win anyway. Personally, I was a Ron Paul advocate, but his vision and ideologies were too radical for people. Typically though, in this country you are put in a position where you are choosing between the lesser of two evils. We definitely need a change and Obama might be do the only candidate left who can even attempt some sort of change, whether it’s the kind the of change that the people want, we’ll just have to wait and see. I don’t know if anyone has attempted any legitimate change since Kennedy.

A lot of people feel like Obama reminds them of Kennedy. It’s going to take years and years to reverse all the damage that this muthaf**ker Bush did. There’s an old quote, “The government should be scared of the people, the people shouldn’t be scared of the government.” We are the ones that really hold the power, but the majority of us have become the stereotyped lazy Americans.