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Jorge Popmaster Fabel Pabon's address delivered at the UN during The International Hip Hop Conference for Peace" May 16th "We Are One" 

"WE ARE ONE" - BY JORGE "POPMASTER FABEL" PABON

I would like to preface this speech with the overstanding that when I say Hip Hop, I am referring to the complete culture and not just the element of rap or emceeing.

In overstanding Hip Hop culture, we must overstand the various contributions and influences it has had since its origins. These influences and contributions are found in current and previous cultural forms of expression; from world to urban, social, political and economic dynamics; various religious traditions and ideologies; scientific development and many other historical references. Even after analyzing all of these points, one might still fall short of totally explaining the phenomenon of how one's spirit relates and interacts with the universal rhythmic vibrations found in Hip Hop culture. However, we should try to acknowledge that which can be verified and stands true as fact.

In this quest for Peace, the Universal Zulu Nation continues to promote: Knowledge, Wisdom, Overstanding, Freedom, Justice, Equality, Peace, Love, Unity, Respect, Work, Fun, overcoming the negative to the positive, and other core principles.

These goals have become a reality within The Universal Zulu Nation as is clearly demonstrated by our international attendees and representatives at our yearly Anniversaries. Our chapters are scattered throughout the world, yet bound together through an overstanding and respect of each other's individual cultures as well as our common culture, known as "Hip Hop". The Universal Zulu Nation is also united, as we are today, in spirit and purpose. Our concerns for upliftment, of all people, are shared by many, as is evident in this gathering and other conferences designed to highlight the positive power and potential of Hip Hop culture.

In this quest for Peace, it is imperative that we acknowledge Hip Hop culture as a transcending force which belongs to those who create it, live it, support it, protect it, and promote it, regardless of their race, religion, nation, tribe, crew or organization. We might fly different colors, which represent our individuality and commitment to various parties or beliefs, but in truth, we all produce one collective mosaic, which creates the unity of this culture.

Although Hip Hop culture was, for the most part, initially celebrated by African and Caribbean descendants in the 1970's, it was also embraced by various other ethnicities during this period, especially after it found its place above ground. For the true Hip Hoppers, our standards have never changed regarding who is "down by law" and who isn't. One's skills for speak for themselves, regardless of one's skin tone or background. To us, it's about being original and bringing something new to the elements while preserving the foundation set by the pioneers.

Hip Hop culture continues to unite people of various religions, nations, and cultures through the universal languages of dance, art, music, fashion and many other tools. The fact that Hip Hop is not a religion, philosophy or belief system gives us a neutral platform to unite upon. It is inclusive and has always consisted of various influences.

Peace can be achieved by respecting each other's differences, uniting in our commonalties, and agreeing to disagree with each other's opinions and views. Hip Hop culture has not only given us a vehicle of expression, but when used positively, it has given us an opportunity to explore the world and change the lives of many. It has helped many of us overstand ourselves as well as others. It has helped to educate us and challenge our views. It has given many the opportunities to become self-empowered. It has given us many ways to communicate with our youth and has helped us to exercise and stimulate their senses. The outcome of these efforts often brings about a strong conscious generation of individuals who have found peaceful ways to settle differences and who stand for the upliftment of their community.

Unfortunately, Hip Hop culture has been misrepresented by the media and those who are either ignorant or have a hidden agenda. In this quest for peace, we shouldn't depend soley on the media for information about Hip Hop culture, since there have been many cases where the media has helped to promote division and corruption within the culture. We should not rely on sources who have no authority, knowledge or overstanding regarding Hip Hop culture's origins and evolution. We should make it our business to research, cross-reference and fact check all of the pieces to this great puzzle. With this we can become students of the culture. Ultimately I have found that the most honorable teachers continue to be great students.

Added by: Chinita, 17/May/11 | Comments: 0

THE FURIOUS 5 IN DEPTH INTERVIEW - RARE FOOTAGE 

The Message, was more revelatory and for the first time, hip hop became a vehicle not merely for bragging and boasting but for trenchant social commentary, with Melle Mel detailing the grim realities of life in the ghetto.The record was a major critical hit, and it was an enormous step in solidifying hip hop as an important and enduring form of musical expression.

The original remaining members of the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame Inducted Legendary Hip Hop Pioneers Furious 5, the first superstar emcees within Hip Hop. They were the voices for deejay Grandmaster Flash- in- depth interview discussing everything from how they built the first stage for Hip Hop to who their musical influences were growing up. This is rare never before seen footage taken right before they were honored by VH1.

We Want To Wish Melle Mel A Happy 50TH Birthday on May 17th! Big Jeff is throwing a 50th Bday party for Mele Mel and a tribute to Kool Herc 4 HIP HOP Appreciation week at BBKings 237 west 42 street, 8pm ft. Black Thought, QuestLove, Big daddy Kane, Force MDs, Dj Premier, freedom Williams,TSki Valley, Jeru The Damaja, Jazzy Jay and more.

Added by: Chinita, 16/May/11 | Comments: 0

Qué es Hip Hop? / What is Hip Hop? By B-Boy Buda - Hablar Del Hip Hop Enserio 

La idea de este grupo es servir como un medio de información, donde se pueda preguntar, dudar, debatir cualquier tema y todas las personas sean tratadas con respeto, tanto los que saben, como los que no saben porque son nuevos en el Hip Hop o no tienen idea del Hip Hop pero les interesa.

Added by: Chinita, 15/May/11 | Comments: 0

Exclusive Bouncing Cats Preview: Inspiring documentary of one man’s attempt to use hip hop for positive social change in Uganda 

Bouncing Cats - the inspiring documentary of one man’s attempt to use the power of hip-hop for positive social change in Uganda. Narrated by Common and features interviews from hip-hop’s opinion leaders, the documentary follows Crazy Legs of the Rock Steady Crew and Abramz of Breakdance Project Uganda on a journey to empower and inspire youth of a war-torn Uganda.

Crazy Legs on The Carson Daly Show speaking on Bouncing Cats and Hip Hop

Added by: Chinita, 29/Apr/11 | Comments: 0

Hip Hop music inspires Libyan rebels to defeat Gadhafi 

Libya – Libyan rebel fighter Jaad Jumaa Hashmi cranks up the volume on his pickup truck's stereo when he heads into battle against Moammar Gadhafi's forces.

He looks for inspiration from a growing cadre of amateur rappers whose powerful songs have helped define the revolution.

The music captures the anger and frustration young Libyans feel at decades of repressive rule under Gadhafi, driving the 27-year-old Hashmi forward even though the heavy machine gun bolted on the back of his truck — and other weapons in the rebel arsenal — are no match for Gadhafi's heavy artillery.

"It captures the youths' quest for freedom and a decent life and gives us motivation," Hashmi said as he sat in his truck on the outskirts of the front line city of Ajdabiya. He was listening to "Youth of the Revolution," which the rap group Music Masters wrote just days after the uprising began in mid-February.

"Moammar, get out, get out, game over! I'm a big, big soldier!" sang 20-year-old Milad Faraway, who started Music Masters with his friend and neighbor, 22-year-old Mohammed Madani, at the end of 2010.

Rather than grabbing AK-47s and heading to the front line with other rebels to fight Gadhafi's forces, Faraway and Madani stayed in Benghazi, the de facto capital of rebel-held eastern Libya, and picked up a microphone.

"Everyone has his own way of fighting, and my weapon is art," said Faraway, a geology student, during a recent recording session in a small room on the fourth floor of an aging apartment building in downtown Benghazi. The room was equipped with little more than a microphone, stereo and computer.

The room was decorated with a large red, black and green rebel flag and a framed photo of the Guns N' Roses guitarist Slash. Faraway and Madani smoked cigarettes and sipped steaming glasses of sweet tea as they recorded lyrics for their latest song, a tribute to cities caught up in the revolution.

The freewheeling rap scene developing in Benghazi indicates how much has changed in eastern Libya in the past two months. Speaking out against Gadhafi before the rebellion used to mean prison and maybe even death. And rap, like other forms of Western culture, was despised by Gadhafi, who burned foreign musical instruments and books after he seized power in 1969.

"I always wanted to talk about Gadhafi's mistakes and crimes, but we never had the chance for free speech," said Madani, who is the son of a famous local singer in Benghazi and works part-time in his family's cell phone and car parts shops. "All you could talk about was how good Gadhafi's revolution was."

Faraway, who like many rappers in Benghazi is known by his nickname, "Dark Man," and Madani, aka "Madani Lion," form the core of Music Masters, but the composition of the group has changed over time. One of the rappers quit just after the uprising started because he feared being targeted by Gadhafi's thugs, Madani said. The group recently added 24-year-old Rami Raki, aka "Ram Rak," who grew up in Manchester, England.

Many of the songs that Music Masters and other groups have recorded in the past two months feature rapid fire lyrics reminiscent of Eminem. The lyrics ridicule Gadhafi and lambast him for his treatment of the country in the past four decades.

"Gadhafi, open your eyes wide and you will see that the Libyan people just broke through the fear barrier," sang the group Revolution Beat in their song "17 February," a reference to the so-called "Day of Rage" when protesters took to the streets in several towns and clashed with security forces.

Roughly a dozen rap songs recorded since the start of the rebellion have been put on CDs with rebel-inspired album covers and are available for sale in downtown Benghazi. One cover has a drawing of fighters on a captured Gadhafi tank flying the rebel flag.

Some of the songs mix Arabic and English, a testament to the American origins of rap. When the rappers perform in public, which is rare, they wear baggy pants, T-shirts and baseball caps typical of many American rappers.

Rap is not the only style of music that has been used to create anthems for the revolution, but Mutaz al-Obeidi, a 23-year-old member of Revolution Beat, said it was uniquely positioned to appeal to Libya's youth.

"Rap is more popular than rock and country among the young people in Libya because it expresses anger and frustration," said al-Obeidi, an English student, standing in a small recording studio in the official rebel media center in Benghazi that is used by Revolution Beat.

"The guys at the media center contacted us and said you guys have a rap group and we want rap to be part of the revolution," said Youssef al-Briki, 24, who started Revolution Beat with Islam Winees, 21, in 2007, but originally called the group Street Beat.

Al-Briki, aka "SWAT," works as a garbage man, and Winees, known as "A.Z.," is a small-time businessman. Both have the tough-guy vibe of gangsta rappers and expressed admiration for Tupac Shakur, who was shot and killed in Las Vegas in 1996.

"He's a real rapper. He's a thug," Winees said.

Al-Briki said he looks forward to writing the first song after Gadhafi is ousted.

What will it be called?

"Finally He Did It," said al-Briki.

Added by: Menace, 24/Apr/11 | Comments: 0

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