|
so like they say...every dog has its day...and like they say...God works in a mysterious way...so i pray...remembering the days of my youth..as i prepare 2 meet my moment of truth... |
|
Dessa Talks Philosophy, The Lack of Females in Hip-Hop and Singing Versus Shouting
| But after joining the campus slam poetry team, Wander evolved into hip-hop diva Dessa and quickly gained the attention of her hometown's music collective known as Doomtree. Of course, it didn't hurt that Dessa's boyfriend was Doomtree's founder and ranking artist Stefon Alexander, aka P.O.S. Although no longer a couple, the pair is currently on tour together, and, along with Astronautalis, they'll stop by Hailey's tonight for a gig in Denton. Dessa's recently issued, full-length debut, A Badly Broken Code, is the reason for her appearance tonight and it's an impressive collection of inventive hip-hop. Using unusual instrumentation (sampled strings and clarinets) to set the beats, Dessa raps with uncommon tact as she actually sings rather than shouts. Speaking from a tour stop in Los Vegas, Dessa let us in on her imaginative mind. Who gets to call you Margret these days? How many other hip-hop artists have a college degree in philosophy? |
|
The notorious Black Spades (precursors to Hip Hop) was once the largest and most feared gang in New York City. Hailing from the Bronx, the Spades had as their warlord, Hip Hop pioneer Afrika Bambaataa. Black Spades later became the Zulu Nation in the late 1970s, and then the Universal Zulu Nation, in the 1980s. Times were also changing, and block dance parties and clubs were becoming more popular. The beginnings of Hip hop culture began to form in these dance venues, and as gang members and former gang members started getting involved in more Hip Hop activities, involvement in the gangs declined. Davey D caught up with many of the members including original leader Bam Bam who gave Bambaataa his name. This first video is original B-Boy and Zulu Charlie Rock who hails from the 22cd division of the Black Spades up on Gun Hill road in the Bronx.. He talks about how the Black Spades evo ... Read more » |
|
Had to post this, it touched me in so many ways and you'll see why..
| If you tell me that Hiphop is dead, then I'd tell you that you are not doing enough individually and/or socially to resurrect it. Being Buddhist, I was born into a world of spirits, where I was in constant communication with another world, one that demanded respect for your ancestors. I discovered Hiphop when I was twelve, and tried to encapsulate it in Maxell cassette tapes, splitting my attention between my schoolwork and the pause button. In my world, Hiphop became another spirit I had to respect and investigate. I listened to as many old school tracks I could find. I copped underground Rock Steady Crew videos from Music Factory in the Bronx, listened to lectures from legendary figures like Ken Swift and Kool Herc. I took my research online when I finally had access to the internet. |
 By: Eric K. Arnold, Special to The Chronicle 2007 When Pam the Funkstress started out as a member of East Oakland's all-female hip-hop group 3 Deep in the early '90s, she was one of the only woman DJs in the local scene. Today, that's not the case -- she points to numerous women who spin regularly in Bay Area clubs, such as Backside, Neta and Daniela, to name a few. In the past couple of years, all-female DJ nights have become much more common locally, but the phenomenon isn't limited to the Bay Area. "I didn't realize how many women DJs were really, really out there until I hit MySpace," Pam confides with a chuckle. Typically, women in hip-hop have been portrayed as video vixens (i.e. Karrine "Superhead" Stephens), oversexed divas (think Lil' Kim and Trina), or asexual tomboys (a la Lady Sovereign). Occasionally, they get to be girlfriends of a thugged-out Big Willie type, but only if they're "bootylicious" (like Beyoncé). However, those limited stereotypes are but a small representation of the role women have actually played in the culture. This week, S.F.-based independent label Outta Nowhere Entertainment hopes to alter the public perception of women in hip-hop with the release of "Queendom, Vol. 1," the first in a projected series spotlighting female emcees and DJs from across the country and the wor ... Read more » |
 This article brought to you by the Austin Weekly News: Artists, historians examine the decline of positive messages in today’s rap music industry. Rap music has undergone drastic changes in the last 20 years. Considered the golden era of the music and culture, the '80s to mid-'90s, is when many Hip Hop purists came of age. Fans of that era blissfully reminisce of the days when one could tune to BET's Rap City in the afternoons and view videos by seminal "Gangsta" rap group NWA, but then be sobered by the anti-violence message in a video by KRS-One. Local urban radio stations would spin Too Short's edited pimp tales and the politically-conscience rhymes of Erik B. and Rakim in the same play list. And for every head-turning, sexually-charged stage show of The 2 Live Crew, there was Public Enemy offering balance in the rap universe with their socially-conscious songs. For some "old-school fans," such days are long gone. Silencing positive messages Some Hip Hop purists argue that there was much more balance in what was seen in heard in rap's golden era. As one group of artists wove tales of sex and violence, there were also those MC's who promoted a sense of social responsibility, family values, ... Read more » |
|
Cipher Kenni gives his perspective on today's Hip Hop
| check out a cipher kenni freestyle |
 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. ... Read more » |
|
The Godfather of Hip Hop, Afrika Bambaata was a panelist at the Intergenerational Forum, a discussion addressing misconceptions with an effort on finding common ground moderated by Davey D. It took place in Los Angeles at Leimert Park.
| Interview by Alex Alonso |
|
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! |
 What Is Hip Hop?? Where Did It Begin??
In 1955 a man by the name of James Brown began his slow rise to fame. Little |
|
Rhyme And Reason Documentary About The Rise Of Hip Hop Music By Q Ball From http://oldschoolscholar.com
|Video Down below! We are back again with another Hip Hop documentary produced in 1997 called Rhyme and Reason about the growing power of Hip Hop music in popular media. This is an excellent candid video you should definitely watch for its backstage appeal. We have many big time players who spoke their minds and hearts about the music of the culture we all really love before the “glam rap” or “Hip Pop” era began. When this was filmed Tupac and Biggie were still alive, Master P was revealing New Orleans rap to the world, Redman and Method Man were joining forces, Eric Sermon was making mad beats, and nobody even heard a peep about a trendy word called “bling.” This was when real rappers and emcees were large and in charge even though there were suckers in that era, too! The period of 1996 -1999 was actually the eve before commercial rap took over and brought imbalance. This was when there were still many independent and major independent recording labels around. Once the small businessman could no longer get a foothold in recording distribution for his own label, thanks to the majors, he either cashed in his chips or sold out to a larger entity. When those ... Read more » |
 Fantastic Article That mentions our very own realhiphopforever pensmoke and letsspeakhiphop by Q Ball http://oldschoolscholar.com There are times I hear that question, “when are you too old for the Hip Hop culture?” My answer is “there is no age limit.“ Understand the key word here: culture. Culture means a way of life. The Hip Hop culture is an aesthetic way of life. It is a powerful voice consisting of passion, politics, activism, color, drama, spirituality, comedy, pain, pleasure, celebration, and sometimes chaos. It is a culture that integrates into other cultures and lifestyle practices and then it evolves, but that creation is still Hip Hop! We have Hip Hop personalities from all walks of life, spiritual practices, environments, economic backgrounds, communities, and ethnic groups. Yes, this also i
...
Read more »
|
|
J-dilla.com is the official website for the heirs & estate of James Yancey/J Dilla, representing his name, merchandise, and recordings. We are particularly proud to present J Dilla biography written by Ronnie Reese. With respect to the many pieces on the artist’s life, ranging from press releases to feature articles, this is the first biography of J Dilla to be officially commissioned and published. James DeWitt Yancey "came across like an angel on earth,” singer and songwriter Steve "Spacek” White told Fader magazine in 2006. Most people tend to speak of him this way. His contributions to music were indeed felt as angelic, no matter the alias—John Doe, MC Silk, Jay Dee, or J Dilla. But the James Yancey legacy is wide-ranging. What he contributed to the lives of others was duly as significant. He was an artist to those who worked with him, but also a son, a father, a mentor, and a friend, with interests beyond music. When he began dating a girl who worked at Dutch Girl Doughnuts, it was the best of both worlds. "He would bring home at least two dozen doughnuts every night after he had already eaten one [dozen],” says his mother, Maureen Yancey. The chances of him bringing home two girls were just as great as him toting his favorite confection. "One won’t do and two is not enough for me,” wasn’t just the chorus to one of his songs. "He was honest, though,” Maureen says with a laugh. "He never lied to a girl. He ... Read more » |
|
OC & AG signing copies of their album Oasis, including one for DJ Premier
|
|
