FROM GANGS TO GLORY!! 


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Hip Hop played a big part in bringing peace from a gang life for many. Self expression through graffiti, bboy, beatboxing, the emcee, the dj, the knowledge all was a way of expressing ourselves with out the guns, weapons, violence. We instead battled as crews against each other using the elements of hip hop. Some of these expressions were almost like a cry for help is how it was for some when no one else would listen.

From Gangs To Glory
For those who are unfamiliar with the Zulu Nation, they began as an organization founded by Afrika Bambaataa at Stevenson High School in the Bronx. Back than it was simply known as 'The Organization'. Bam who once lived the gang lifestyle and was trying to change his ways and saw the newly formed group as a way out. Bam who was known for reading and staying up on the teachings of Elijah Muhammad and other African American leaders, changed the name to Zulu Nation after watching a movie that told the tale of the well known South African tribe.. Bam was inspired by their resistance to Dutch settlers. As Hip Hop became popular, the group became known as the Mighty Zulu Nation and as later the Universal Zulu Nation.

The story behind the evolution of UZN is significant. Back in the days Zulu's struck fear in many who lived outside of their Bronx River Housing Project strong hold. While they gave birth to Hip Hop's first B-Boys and B-Girls, the group for the most part was made up of former gang members. Many of them from the Notorious Black Spades which once reigned terror throughout the Bronx in the early to mid 70s. It used to be a really big deal for cats to hang out at Bronx River and not get stuck. It was a sign of toughness and brought much prestige. Many of the early crews tried to associate themselves with Zulu Nation for protection from roving bands of stick up kids and other gangs turned crew. It was in this backdrop that Bambaataa and other conscious brothers spent a lot of time teaching and preaching and working with Zulu members to bring about positive change. Bam often talks about how he would do simple things like bestow titles like 'King' and 'Queen' upon Zulu members in an attempt to instill pride and confidence. His feeling was that if you treated people like royalty then they would turn around and act like royalty in their actions. As Bam's recording career blew up, he saw too it that many of folks who were from the streets got an opportunity to go on tour with him and the Soul Sonic Force. Sometimes they were employed as roadies. Other times they worked as security. Again Bam's main objective was to see to it that local cats got a chance to see there was a much bigger world outside the Bronx.

Change didn't happen over night, but today the testament to all that hard work is the fact that there are vibrant Zulu chapters in more than 20 countries all over the world with estimated membership of over 10 thousand. They have come to embrace and preserve Hip Hop's key elements and have exemplified what is often considered Hip Hop's 5th Element-'Knowledge'. To me the beauty of it all is seeing what was once considered a 'ruthless gang' evolve' to a group that has strived and succeeded in serving the community. There are all sorts of stories about Zulus ridding their housing projects of drug dealers and many of the older guys spending time mentoring younger people. There are stories about Zulus escorting women to and from their apartments as well as looking out and helping those in need. This of course is in addition to various Zulu chapters that have involved themselves in local politics including the fight to Free Mumia and get him a new trial. We also can not overlook the fact that it was Zulu Nation members who put out some of Hip Hop's first records as well as among the first to establish Hip Hop's first radio shows. Who could forget Zulu Beats with Afrika Islam on WHBI. Its a shame that there hasn't been more of a public celebration and acknowledgment of this organization and its accomplishments.

Zulu nation, Afrika Bambaataa (much respect)

Added by: Chinita, 07/Feb/10 | Comments: 0

What Is Hip Hop Culture? 

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What Is Hip Hop Culture?

Too many people are unclear as to what Hip Hop Culture really is and tend to use the term frivolously. Hip Hop Culture is commonly recognized by its main elements: Graffiti, Djing, Breakdancing (B-boying), Mcing, and Beatboxing. These elements are forms of art designed to express a deeper meaning. At its core, Hip Hop is also much more than art and entertainment. Hip Hop is the constantly evolving spirit and consciousness of urban youth that keeps recreating itself in a never-ending cycle. It is joy, sorrow, pleasure, pain, victory, defeat, anger, happiness, confusion, clarity, humor, intensity, dream, nightmare, life, death, and everything else in between. It is the spirit that connects the past to the present and lays a path towards the future. The spirit of Hip Hop is the same as Jazz, Reggae, Blues and a multitude of other types of expressions. Hip Hop Culture cannot be assimilated, integrated, diluted, watered-down, sold for profit, or pimped. It will always exist, in this incarnation or another. Hip Hop is life and all it has to offer. This knowledge lays the foundation for all those who thought of Hip Hop as nothing more than entertainment.

Hip Hop!
Hip hop teaches the history of the inner city. It teaches the economics of post-industrialism. The hip hop culture is a lens through which we can really analyze current events and politics in our society. Hip-Hop adds a face and a voice to those who might not have otherwise been seen or heard from in any other medium. Whether right or wrong Hip Hop gives credence to those who have been historically shunned, disregarded, oppressed and invalidated. Hip-Hop is an evolving life force within the person that lives it, breathes it, and moves around in it. Hip-Hop is more than what you hear on the radio, read in the magazines, or what you watch on TV. Hip-Hop is you. Hip-Hop is ME!

Added by: Chinita, 06/Feb/10 | Comments: 1

What Did J Dilla Mean To You? February 7, 1974 – February 10, 2006 

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So, as we prepare to celebrate Dilla day tomorrow, Spoonfed http://www.spoonfed.co.uk talked to a few of our favourite artists to see what Dilla meant to them and how his work has affected theirs.

"I've been the biggest Slum V/J-Dilla fan ever since around that 'Stakes is High' kind of time...with me being an aspiring producer and stuff I've always taken notes and studied what he's done." DJ Babu

"For me Dilla is quite simply the best that ever did it. The way he chopped samples and crafted tracks is second to none. I am constantly in awe of his beats and never tire of listening to them. Many have tried to imitate his style but there will only ever be one James "J-Dilla" Yancey." - DJ Spindoctor

"There are very few producers that create a new level and sound in their music. Dilla was one: he made a small almost subtle broken sound acceptable and it can now be heard in music everywhere. It's more than just a hot beat; he created a sonic sound that has become part of hip hop's tapestry" - Baby J

"To be honest, I only became aware of J Dilla towards the end of his life, although I was raised on his music. I was raised on A Tribe Called Quest and Pharcyde, but was unaware of J Dilla's role in it all. By the time his health began to fade, I was living in England and his name and health seemed to be the centre of conversation for every hip hop aficionado. Though I had heard his name, I had no idea of the extent of his influence. I don't know if it was a British/American thing. The old jazz and blues cats would say they only got recognised in Europe. Whereas in the States we would know Miles Davis, but wouldn't have a clue who played the drums on 'Kind Of Blue'. Maybe in England they paid more attention to the liner notes.

I just know personally, I listened to J Dilla's production religiously in my formative years and never really became aware of him until his health began to fail while I was living in England. I hope that Dilla is a beacon to all, a reminder how important the beat is to the hip-hop experience. J Dilla brought the essence to many of the classic hip hop albums, and I'm glad he's getting some recognition. Too often hip hop sleeps on anyone who's not in the video." - Joe Driscoll

"ALL Dilla is killa. - it's just FULL production from top to bottom, silky smooth but with a nice fat rough edge - it goes sideways... Fave track (out of 1000s I guess?) has to be Pharcyde Runnin' - (Labcabincalifornia, a true classic!). AMAZING, IN FACT LISTENING (TO IT) NOW!!!!" - Chris of Zero dB

"He's the Hendrix of the sampler generation. We'll always wonder what he would've done next, but there's a legacy there that'll live longer than any genre, trend or individual. We send love to his memory and family, thanks for providing a major part of the soundtrack to our lives and a source of inspiration to all." - Stonephace

"Dilla really inspired me to try and be inventive with sampling. The way he would flip a beat or sample would make you think it about it in a completely different way - even if it was something well-known and well-used." - Lance Ferguson of Lanu/The Bamboos

"For me Dilla had such creativity and vision in the way he used samples, almost otherworldly! It's amazing the way he could make his beats bang so hard, I mean you could take away the music and just have the drums and your neck will still be snapping...It was clear he just oozed love for music and his passion shines through along with the attitude he employed to his work. To read that his mother had to massage his fingers, during the last few weeks of his life, just so he could keep pressing the pads on his MPC, was heartbreaking." - DJ LOK

"...I still obsessively collect unreleased J Dilla pieces, bits and rarities. Every time I discover a new track, it's like a brand new joint from the "hottest" new artist. His music really does live on..." DJ Rags of Livin' Proof

It's clear that the legacy of J-Dilla goes beyond just a really amazing body of work. He has literally changed peoples lives. Today's hip hop producers, MCs, and DJs have all been influenced by his music, conciously or unconsciously, as his unique sound resonates ever louder with time. As Busta Rhymes so succinctly put it "...he wasn't just a producer, he was the best producer."

Added by: Chinita, 06/Feb/10 | Comments: 0

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