Bad Biology Review - 04/07/2008 (by Rewd)

Stop the Violence Movement - 02/15/2008 (by andy)

Take a few minutes to check out the background and mission of the Stop the Violence movement. Originally created in 1989 by Krs-One, the movement has been restored with the help of Channel Live's Hakim Green, Dr. Cornel West, Rich Nice from Trackmasters and Daddy-O from Stetsasonic.

Dear Friends, 

We are in a state of emergency—school shootings,

nooses being hung from trees, domestic violence,

gang violence, police misconduct, brutality and war.

In the midst of mass turmoil we cannot afford to stand still.

We must use our influence to raise awareness, heal and move

toward truth and solutions. We are going to make a change.

We are going to build a brighter future. Be part of it.

Apathy is no longer an option. Let’s stop the violence. 

                                                                     Peace-

                                                                        KRS-ONE

 

In 1987, Afrika Bambaataa called a historic meeting at the Latin Quarter night club where he urged the Hip Hop community to become more politically and socially active. Personally influenced by the meeting, KRS-ONE went to work releasing a 12" single entitled "Stop The Violence.” The popularity of this song gave rise to a swelling community of conscious Hip Hop. Then in 1989, KRS-ONE, along with VP of A&R at Jive records Ann Carli and author/musicologist Nelson George, developed an all-star project that would become a legendary Hip Hop peace anthem, "Self-Destruction".

As KRS-ONE said, “We got ourselves together so that you could unite and fight for what's right.” The recording boldly denounced Black-on-Black violence with quotes like this one from Kool Moe Dee “I never ever ran from the Ku Klux Klan and I shouldn't have to run from a black man.” The proceeds from “Self-Destruction” were given to the Urban League for community programs and made it cool to ‘Stop The Violence.’

In response to the increased violence and confusion of today, Hip Hop activist/philosopher, KRS-ONE has revitalized ‘Stop The Violence’ movement.

BACKGROUND

‘Stop The Violence’ will explore the concept of violence and its root causes. Through various artistic, academic, and scientific means. Through research and dialogue we will discover ways promote ways toward individual better conflict resolution to undue the damaging cyclical effects of solving problems through violence. We will examine its causes and create targeted solutions.

We will empower with educational programs and entrepreneurial skills.

‘Stop The Violence’ will call upon fellow celebrities to take action.

We will call upon the mass media to address the images they put forth.

We are calling for balance! Balance within ourselves, balance in the media, in our communities; in the world. We will tackle violence at its roots systematically from all angles with organized programs and media campaigns.

We want to heighten awareness. With awareness we will create a better world.

OUR MISSION

We are a collective of artists, activists, entertainers and educators.

As we know, the arts yield a powerful influence our collective culture.

As Bertolt Brecht said, “art is not a mirror held up to reality, but a hammer with which to shape it.” We, as artists are powerful role models and it is now time we start taking responsibility. We intend to use the power of the media and the arts wisely, use this “hammer” to build and not to destroy. 

WHO WE ARE

I've put my BET down - 02/04/2008 (by KendredSpirit)

Wow...my first blog. How can I start this off? Oh yeah, like this:  FUCK BET!!!!! 

Ever since Robert Johnson sold the channel he created to Viacom we've all blindly watched the slow and brutal evaporation of the moral fabric it once had. I don't even call it BET anymore. Instead I prefer to refer to it by it's real name...MTVBlack.

A couple of weeks ago I watched a very thought-provoking documentary on the hypocrisies of Hip-Hop entitled "Hip-Hop: Beyond Beats & Rhymes". It was made by Byron Hurt and he went very in-depth into the current state of hip-hop music. Close to the end of the documentary he attempted to interview Stephen Hill. For those that don't know, Stephen Hill is the current Vice-President of BET. He asked him about the ridiculous videos that they allow to air and Hill, a black executive, sounded like a white politician. He began to spout off about how all they do is show the images that are given to them. C'mon now...you can lie better than that. Then Byron Hurt asked Hill about his responsibility as a black man to show us in a more positive light and lo and behold...Stephen Hill just walked away from him without answering his question.

I wonder if Mr. Stephen Hill realizes exactly what his actions on that documentary exemplified. They perpetuated one of the plethora of stereotypes against black men that whenever we're faced with adversity we do nothing. What he did pissed me off so much that I've made the conscious decision to stop watching that channel in any capacity. Cowards with power like Stephen Hill are the reason why the "order of things" never get changed and won't get changed any time soon.

I also wonder what Robert Johnson thinks of the watered-down minstrel show his channel has become. However...if the answer is what I think it is, then "Black Entertainment Television" will continue to only "entertain" those who think the worst of us and those of "us" who are too oblivious to realize that they are the worst of us.

Peace

Origins of the Bloods and Crips - 12/30/2007 (by True)

PEACE,

With gang culture being very prevalent in hip hop culture (the founding father Bambaataa was a notorious Black Spade) it's only right to shed light on the origins of two of the biggest gangs (especially on the west coast) in the Bloods and Crips, who WERE WHAT WAS LEFT FROM THE BLACK PANTHER movement.  This is some history alot are obviously not familiar with.
Check out a book called Uprising by Yusuf Jah for more insight and history of these "arch rivals."

Most youth back in the day had a revolutionary mindset so those that could not be a part of the Panthers started their own organizations like the Crips (Continuous Revolution in Progress or Community Revolution Inter Party Service)  The Crips and Pirus were of the same accord in the beginning Piru stood for (Powerful Intellectual Radical Unit of Soldiers).  This is where the mindset of the homies was at, back when the gangs first started.  Crips had they constitution, Pirus had theirs. 

As the years went on is when the conflict came about, as energy recycles itself it seems history continues to repeat itself and not rewrite itself.  Let me explain.  Bloods and Crips using red and blue as their gang colors is just original people of the planet remembering their Kemetic (Kemit) or Egyptian foundations of their culture.  Red is the universal father principle of the fire.  Blue is the feminine  mother principle of the water.  Together they are balance as red used to represent southern Kemit, blue represented northern Kemit.  When they were separated they were easily infiltrated and bombarded with foreign sources and used against each other to destroy each other and themselves (kind of sounds like the Bloods and Crips today huh?)  But when they unified themselves (Smai Tawi) they transformed themselves using science mathematics and other principles and disciplines that today in this time we can activate.

So while there have been some gang truces btw the bloods and crips (ie after the 92 riots and others assisted by Mike Concepcion and Jim Brown) as a whole many of them are lost and have no clue to the origins of the crews they "rep and would die for."  They still need to be inspired to unify for liberation because a real g will ride for freedom, a real g will fight for their consciousness.  These cats today that call themselves bloods and crips, they'll fall for anything cause they don't stand for shit!

"Dieing for a street that they aint never heard of"  Ice Cube/Summer Vacation

Originally Bloods and Crips were organizations for the grassroots people.  The Crips and Pirus were ONE, their jobs were to protect the neighborhoods, feed the babies and take care of the elders in their community, just like the Panthers.  For those that know Bloods and Crips today, are they about the above?  If not they are psuedo and posers who have no idea what they are a part of.

In closing, I am always suspect of those that want to forget the past and think the origins of anything aren't important whether it be hip hop, holidays that are celebrated or whatever.  I don't know do yall think it's important cats know the origins of the Bloods and Crips?  Do you think it could influence them positively by knowing what the TRUE purpose of them was?

PEACE

Zero Star's Take'em or Erase'em: The Mp3 Mixtape - 12/22/2007 (by andy)

The AOR faithful will recognize Zero Star for his hilarious blogs and monthly tributes to the late DJ Przm. In fact, Zero Star is our go-to-guy when it comes to the Artist Blogs section. He's always more than happy to contribute while others avoid us like we're the Repo Man. Unfortunately he's not as well known as some of his other Columbus, Ohio counterparts such as Copywrite, RJD2, Illogic or Jakki tha Motamouth. That's only temporary though. Star is part of Blueprint's Weightless Recordings and dropped a highly slept-on album about a year ago, and even though Forever's Never Really That Long isn't the easiest CD to find, it's worth the effort.

The easiest way to learn about Zero Star is to download his new free mixtape called Take'em or Erase'em: The Mp3 Mixtape. Here's an excerpt with our recent interview to better explain the project.

How would you convince someone who has never heard of Zero Star to go check your album right now?

Zero Star: That's what the mixtape is for man. I'm giving it to them for free. It's hard to get people to want to go out and check out some dude they never heard of. It's not 1995-96 no more, everybody raps, everybody has a hustle, so you can't really expect for people to go off the strength anymore. I don't expect that, that's why I'm doing this online mixtape. Just to let people know hey I'm still here and I don't this rhyming shit for the sport of it. I love this shit. It's something I do so to put out music is nothing. I think with the mixtape it will let people know a little bit of what I'm about. So to me that's a way I know to get people interested if you don't have a big co-sign is to give them something free first. There's a lot of free shit on the web as it is, so if you aren't giving shit out for free, you know?

So what's up with the mixtape? Can you tell us a little more about it?

Zero Star: I think I'm going to call it Take'em or Erase'em: The MP3 Mixtape. It's a collection of songs I've done recently, some of them that maybe didn't make the LP. A bunch of freestyles. It ain't got no DJ shouting all over it. It's literally like a bunch of songs in mp3 format. So my whole thing is like I don't even really give a fuck, it's free. You can't complain, ou can take them and put them in your Ipod or whatever or you can fucking erase them [laughs]. It really is what it is. I definitely think people are going to like it but it's nothing I went hard into. I'm always recording anyways so why not put out something in the meantime? I have tons of songs laying around so why not get those things out and let people hear them?



So stop sleeping for once and download the fucking mixtape. 

1.   Intro: Take'em or Erase'em (Prod. Ree-Dic)
2.   Sheeeesh (Prod. Blueprint)
3.   The Real Thing (Prod. Ill Poetic)
4.   Random Tales (Prod. K81)
5.   You Wish (Prod. Przm)
6.   Deeper '07 (Tribute to Bo$$)
7.   Lookin 4 Me Remix (Feat. V-Hyphen [Prod. Przm)
8.   Criminology 101 Freestyle
9.   Forever's Never (Prod. Ree-Dic)
10.  Reality (Prod. Ree-Dic)
11.  Wordperfect Remix pt. 2 (Prod. Przm..RIP)
12.  We Roll (Prod. Pete Rock)
13.  Fast Shit (Prod. Blueprint)
14.  BlueStar (Prod. Blueprint)
15.  Lo Fi Funk Freestyle (Prod. Blueprint)
16.  Another Time (Feat. Blueprint [Prod. Ree-Dic)
17.  Follow Me (Prod. Grmm)
18.  Shotgun Freestyle (Prod. J Dilla)
19.  Flashing Lights Freefall (Prod. Kanye West)
20.  Yaaaa... RIP Przm (Prod. Przm)
21.  The Hole (Prod. K81)
22.  Outro: Jazzyball Rideout (Prod. Ree-Dic)
::::Download Zero Star's Mixtape::::

Hip Hop Project - 12/02/2007 (by True)

Wow, finally I got to see this movie in it's entirety at a local community college where I reside.  The film, executive produced by Bruce Willis and Queen Latifah, is an inspirational story of a group of teens who transform their life stories into powerful works of art using Hiphop as a vehicle for self-development and personal discovery.  It stars Doug E. Fresh, Russell Simmons, Sway and Bruce Willis.  It really shows and proves that not all hip hop should receive a bad rap and really how powerful uplifting and influential it can be, things I beat over the heads all the time of many people I love, but for some reason......................it always seems to resonate more when people hear ish from people or mediums outside of people they know on a personal level (to this day I will never quite understand that)

Kazi (hope I'm spelling it correctly) the narrarator of the flic uses hip hop music as a tool to change his life around for the better and helps some youth who in his eyes he saw using it for all the wrong reasons who had much more potential and he helps them tap into that potential and change their lives around as well. Basically for people like David Banner that says "it's just a song", this documentary shows and proves it's much more than that. May not be the most well put together documentary but the message and stories is what resonates with many and one of the reasons hard rocks straight out the joint left screenings crying, pretty powerful wouldn't you say?

One thing I want to point out about the movie, there are two sides to every story.  There is going to be a part that may shock and disgust you when witnessing it when Kazi poors his heart out to his mother who's response is very cold.   It was hard for myself to hold back tears on that part. But whether knowingly or not, narrarators tend to show themselves in their own stories as the good guy or in a positive light. He briefly mentioned when he lived with his mother, he started wildin' out (and I can understand why) and was kicked out or left, can't remember. But he did not dig too deep into what he was doing during that time. Time usually heals wounds but we do not know what he did to scar his mother the way he did but WE DO KNOW what she did and yes TRUE indeed he shouldn't have had to apologize for a DAMN THING!  Because she was not there! 

What Kazi did is to be commended because that ish aint easy. I went to a school to get a better understanding of music production primarily to help others and not just myself. I have free studio time at the school for cats to come in and record, did they? No. Hard to babysit and hold grown folks hands so I was definitely feeling Kazi on that part of the movie. Sometimes I just want to say forget all this hip hop ish and what not and just concentrate on what I do and know best and that's being a good husband and father.  But Kazi gives me hope and let's me know I am not alone in my quest to show how hip hop CAN save the youth.  SAVE THE BABIES!

PEACE

When does the show start? - 12/01/2007 (by joel)

If you're looking to set the time on your watch you can use the trains in Germany, or your cable box, but don't use the start time of a hip-hop show in Boston. I'm going to do some basic translations based on my experiences:

Doors @ 8 -- Get to the venue by about 10 PM if you want to see the opening act. If you're holding off for the headliner you can wait until midnight to arrive. This is true for The Middle East Club, the Paradise / Paradise Lounge, Great Scott, Harper's Ferry, and just about every other venue in Boston.

Doors @ 7 -- See above.

The exception to the rule is The Roxy. If you're going to a show at the Roxy you better be punctual or risk missing your favorite performer. The Roxy is primarly a dance club and if the show doesn't end by 10 PM it throws off their main-event, dancing.

I can't speak for hip-hop venues across the states, but I'd imagine that New York has the same translations.

Throwback Video: Fab 5 - 11/20/2007 (by andy)

The year was 1996. Boot Camp Clik's Black Moon and Smif N Wessun already had classic LP's under their belt and 5 other notable members were next up to bat. Ruck & Rock of Heltah Skeltah joined forces with O.G.C. to form the Fab 5 and release the "Leflaur Leflah Eshkoshka" single in late 95, which eventually found its way onto Heltah Skeltah's Nocturnal. The whole Fab 5 collective never panned out but at least they left a dope video in their legacy. A decade later BCC is still doing their thing with a few minor changes. For one, Ruck is known as Sean Price and has evolved into a dominant solo force, O.G.C. has been far too quiet for too long and grimy ass Smif N Wessun just dropped a colorful video with island scenery. I can't knock the hustle, Boot Camp may be the largest and most talented group to remain cohesive and consistent for this long. You don't see Tek & Steele on youtube complaining about the use of guitars on the BCC album. (Sorry Raekwon)

Throwback Video: Witchdoctor - "Holiday" - 11/08/2007 (by andy)

If Adult Swim's programming wasn't reason enough to garner props, their taste in music is worthy of extra dap. That's one office that I could actually work in. Their "bumps" have featured music from MF Doom, Danger Mouse, Dilla and other members of Hip Hop's elite that don't always get major network praise. Recently they also sponsored a free college tour headlined by Ghostface Killah and Atlanta's Witchdoctor, who happens to be signed to their Williams Street record label. (Yes, they even have a label) After handling his own projects for the majority of the new century, Witchdoctor teamed with Williams Street to release Diary of an American Witchdoctor. The album should answer the "Where you been son?" questions from old fans and also acquaint new heads with one of the dirty south's finest.

Witchdoctor hit the scene in the 90's as a member of the Dungeon Family, featuring current mega-stars such as Outkast and Cee-Lo, the rest of the Goodie Mob, Organized Noize, Cool Breeze, Big Rube and many more. Back in '97 the Doctor dropped an album called A S.W.A.T. Healin' Ritual on Interscope Records, before the southern Hip Hop explosion and when record contracts weren't handed out with meals down there. Entirely produced by Organized Noize, Healin' Ritual is arguably a slept-on classic with poetic rhymes, gritty production and ill visuals provided by the multi-talented vocalist. Oh and don't forget the loads of quality guest spots.

Let's take it back in the day with the magic of youtube and enjoy the single from Healin' Ritual, "Holiday"

Saul Williams is NiggyTardust - 10/25/2007 (by andy)

Saul Williams is a New York poet, writer, Hip Hop artist, actor, producer and any other creative label you can bestow upon a person. Instead of spending time discussing his accolades, lets talk about the newest project. Williams befriended Nine Inch Nails front man Trent Reznor which led to a creative relationship. Reznor acted as producer for Williams' latest album, The Invevitable Rise & Liberation of NiggyTardust! What's interesting is they chose not to take the usual CD's on store shelves/digital download path. Whether or not they were influenced by Radiohead's recent promotion, who knows, but NiggyTardust will be available for download on their website beginning November 1st.

At the NiggyTardust website you get a simple option. If you decide to download for free you will receive it in 192Kbps mp3 format. If you donate $5 for the record, your download will include 192Kbps, 320Kbps and FLAC lossless audio formats. Both versions include PDF with artwork and lyrics.

I'd have to say I like this trend of cutting out record labels. The fact is bootlegging is real and it's not going anywhere. At least this way artists are directly benefiting from the blood, sweat and tears of their own work instead of someone whose name happens to be signed on the right piece of paper. The real supporters can donate if they choose and the rest can enjoy dope music with the blessings of the artist.

To quote Saul,

The ways of middlemen proves to be just a passing trend. We need no priests to talk to God. No phone to call her. And when you click the link below, i think it fair that you should know that your purchase will make middlemen much poorer...


The tracklisting for NiggyTardust:

1. Black History Month
2. Convict Colony
3. Tr(n)igger
4. Sunday Bloody Sunday
5. Break
6. NiggyTardust
7. DNA
8. WTF!
9. Scared Money
10. Raw
11. Skin of a Drum
12. No One Ever Does
13. Banged and Blown Through
14. Raised to be Lowered
15. The Ritual

Talib Kweli Interview - 10/11/2007 (by andy)

You may be saying to yourself, "If you interviewed Talib Kweli then why isn't it in the interviews section?" We may not be a major publication but we have a certain level of standards. Don't get me wrong, we appreciate the publicists and anyone who takes the time to help us out, plus I know our interviewer isn't exactly Kurt Loder. (I don't watch MTV anymore so that's the best reference I've got) This one just doesn't deserve placement next to artists that actually gave a f---. When we ask if you have any other videos planned and the answer is simply "Of course", we know you're not feeling the interview.


Talib Kweli

The response to Ear Drum has been overwhelmingly positive. What was your approach when you were getting ready to work on it and was it any different than past projects?

Talib Kweli: You know with technology I'm able to work from the crib. I recorded a lot of Ear Drum in the house I grew up in. I think that's what it is. When you work in the business you gain more experience and resources.

The list of collaborators is as diverse as any Hip Hop album, from Pete Rock to Madlib to Will.I.Am and Norah Jones. Did you just want to hit the studio and work with artists from all walks of life that you respect?

Talib: The songs ask for certain artists. Like I might hear a song and be like Bun B will be ill right here. So it originates from the songs.

How'd you hook up with Justin Timberlake and was "The Nature" recorded later?

Talib: I met Justin when I went on a trip with MTV. I spent two weeks with Justin and we became friends then. He was working at a studio where I was doing stuff also. He approached me and said what "What do you think of this?" I said, "I think it's pretty good." He asked if it was something I could use on the album and I said sure.

You had the number two album in the country. Common was number one as well as UGK who are on your album. Do you think this is a good sign for Hip Hop?

Talib: Yeah. The business is taking from most artists so you can't really beat yourself up over the numbers. If anything the trends make the fans come to you.

There's a dope video for "Hot Thing" and "In the Mood" flipping the HP commercial concept. Do you have other videos planned?

Talib: Of course.

It seems like you're more confident than ever and have taken on a leadership role, do you feel like you're more comfortable in the industry or do you think it's just your real personality getting a chance to shine?

Talib: I've always been confident but I never used it as a selling point. As a CEO that's what I must do. 

How's Blacksmith Records going for you so far? What's the release schedule looking like so far and do you have your eyes on any new artists?

Talib: Blacksmith is great. Look out for the Jeanius album by Jean Grae and 9th Wonder. That may not be the name of the album, but yeah. 

You told Vibe that you want to name your next album Prisoner of Conscious because people try to unfairly label you as just a conscious rapper. Is that an image you've been trying to distance yourself for most of your career?

Talib: Maybe, I'm still promoting Ear Drum.

What should fans look out for from Talib Kweli?

Talib: Nothing but the Best.

Interview by Drew & Andy

Y-Society "Travel at Your Own Pace" - 10/06/2007 (by joel)

First let me begin with a little bit of Y-Society's press release to give some background:

Boston bred Insight has joined forces with like minded producer, Damu the Fudgmunk, to create Y Society. Set for release on October 9th, Travel At Your Own Pace is the duo’s freshman release, infusing elements from Hip-Hop’s past and present. Damu and Insight are able to instill a level of nostalgia while maintaining excitement with an evolved sound. Tres Records inked a deal with the duo, feeling they were a good fit to the percussively distinct sound associated with Tres releases. The combination of Insight, a seasoned world traveler, along with Damu the Fudgmunk, a DC based newcomer, brings both wisdom and enthusiasm with Travel At Your Own Pace.

With that out of the way let me just say that this is one of the reasons that 2007 is shaping up to be the best hip-hop year in a long time.  If you haven't hear any of hte album, you have to make your way over to our New Joints section to hear Insight tear it apart over an incredibly paced beat (At My Own Pace).


For  additional promotion, Damu gives fans a chance to see his creative process. While holding a camera in one hand and talking about his album, he shows us the steps involved with making the beat on his MPC.


Even if you already downloaded this album, it should not be left on the shelf come October 9th.

Project Move and Art of Rhyme - Elements of Hip Hop II - 10/01/2007 (by joel)

Boston can stop looking for an underground hip-hop show to call its own, the Elements show at the Milky Way in Jamica Plain has just gave way to its second successful month. The show takes place on the last Sunday of every month thanks to the grind of Project Move member Anonymous. This month, we had incredible performances by Dagha (of Electric Company), Moe Pope, and RADix.

The show started with an unrelenting lyrical display from Dagha. The man's endurance took me back to when Nas first started, or to a listening party of Percee P's new album.



Dagha was so skilled he actually took a second to sit down while still performing his set. Somehow, he managed not to let up the incredible onslaught.




Next up on the agenda, Project Move's very own Moe Pope graced the stage. He also performed at the debut Elements show and in both cases he helped the crowd understand why it's a travesty that his album Microphone has been pushed back to January.

As always the gentleman, he took a second to pause for the camera.



His album's delay is all good, however, because he brought a microphone of his own -- along with a bull horn.



Finally, the show wrapped up with the Europe tour bound duo of RADix (Seek and Quite Nyce). They rocked with energy as Seek looked to pull his lyrics from anywhere, including the floor.




Next month's show is Sunday October 28th at the Milky Way in Jamaica Plain. Anyone in the Boston area is required to attend.

C-Rayz Blesses AOR - 09/30/2007 (by andy)

Check out the brand Artist Blog contributed by legendary Bronx MC C-Rayz Walz, SPECIFICALLY written for ArtofRhyme.com. Soak up the knowledge.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
HipHop is Dead?!

To quote The Great AceLover a.k.a. Ace Gutta. Oh Hell No!!!! If this was true I'm sure the world would fall into utter chaos and violence. I Thank The Energy of The Creator for creation for HipHop every day. My life would be various scenes from the movie 300 without this culture. I have provided for myself and other loved ones for the last 10 years off of this culture. It has been AMAZING.

Now. I have always stuck by Nas from day one. Throughout the redicule and growth and he is still my brother. His latest offering's Title has me interested as usual. Which is exactly why he named it "HIP-HOP IS DEAD" to envoke a plethora of emotions. For that once again. He is a Genius by mistake. All great thinkers are. Perfection is never planned. It is a mistake. That's why it is perfect.

Tonight I watched "Manhunter" starring William Peterson. It's the 1986 movie that first introduced the world to a cunning serial killer name Hannibal Lecter (The original spelling is Lecktor). Near the end a sick serial killer named "The Tooth Fairy" is about to savagely kill his Blind girlfriend with a glass shard. To drive her other senses crazy he turns the stereo up full blast and begans to play this crazy song and I'm like "Oh Shit...that's the sample for Hip-Hop is dead (as well as Thiefs Theme)" come to find out the song is "Innagottadavita" performed by Iron Butterfly. This song sparked much energy in the 70's that fueled much revolutionary action in those years just as HipHop has done since the early 80's.

I found it really ironic the Nas would choose this soundtrack produced by Salam Remi & Will I am as the canvas to paint "Hip-Hop is Dead" (as well as "Thiefs Theme)

This is the one of the Longest songs ever. Period. Also very popular to a lot ot people. Especially people who were/are very fond of WoodStock and incense.

I didn't know this fact about this song which I find very interesting
Did you?
Do you know where the saying "Once In a Blue Moon" comes from?
Do you know why is water wet?
Do you know what causes an Avalanche?
My point?
Don't be afraid to say. "I don't know" that is the worst form of ignorance ever becuase it prevents you from being receptive to gain NEW KNOWLEDGE.

Moving on.....Growing up in "THE HOOD" and when I say HOOD I mean one of The 5 boroughs in N.Y.C. as a Black Youth in the 80's. You were not turned on to Great Rock, Disco or Pop music unless your parents were into that sound or someone put you onto it. Based on the above personal statement. Most of my peers and I grew up on James Brown (L.I.P.) Classic Soul, Disco, Funk, Jazz and other particularly Black music written and performed by Black People. As an adult I do wish I had been put on to more Rock & "Daisy Age" tunes. I'm sure as a result I would be more of a Musician. Speaking of Musicians. Public Schools in New York had a very small percentage of Schools that taught children to play instruments. The Schools where learning an instrument was a requirement course were almost non existent. On the other hand 86% of my friends from the West/MidWest coast HAD to play instraments as a School requirement. Most of them also grew up on Rock Music and "Daisy Age" flavor in two-parent households. Soul Music was everywhere just becuase it was so fresh you couldn't hate on it even though racism was in Full Effect in some places.

Most Classic HipHop beats and Classic Songs are very strong drum orientated on some Africa vibe. Drums are primative. So is Hip-Hop. It is Caveman fire. It was born out of neccesity. We needed HipHop in The Bronx when it started hitting hard. The Bronx was dilapidated and filthy. The lowself esteem was peaking then Hip-Hop gave everyone in The Bronx an Identity to be proud of Out of Love and Pride. That's what Hip-Hop was. Hip-Hop has mutated and spread all over the Globe. It is now the most important thing in the world. If we did not have it. I do believe the world would be in total chaos. The Most powerful language barrier breaker ever is Hip-Hop. Although it is being exploited mainly to keep corporations rich. HipHop cannot be dried out by the Bloodsuckers of the poor who created it. It is the Snake Swallowing it's own tail. Regenerative and Infinite. Chuch! Halelujua Holla Back! What's Good? That's What's up! Yadi-Imean! True Story! All Day! Already! Biyaaaahhh! All that shit is Hip-Hop. Something born out of something lesser. Like A Worldwide Culture out of The English Language. HipHop has made a lot of people rich. In spirit, in mentality and in pocket for sure. It is the most powerful force in the globe as we know it.

I used to believe the saying "Ain't nuthin new under the Sun" but when you look around it and out past the Horizon you will find that The Light is But a Shade of The Dark.

Knowledge is Born out of Ignorance. Embrace you stupidity. Cuz if you believe Hip-Hop is dead.....Thank you for inspiring the longevity.

-Ravipops

The Art of Reef - 09/27/2007 (by andy)

The past few days in AOR land brought several features from one of our Philly favorites, Reef the Lost Cauze. I figured I'd condense it all into one blog for the stragglers walking into class late.  And no, we don't show love to Reef simply because he gave us a shout out in "Give It Up" (shameless plug), although dropping our name in a song increases your chances of coverage by about 72%. Shout us out in a song AND thank us in the liner notes? Fogeddaboutit. You can have the web site if you go that far.

First off we have a Reef the Lost Cauze Interview. The people who read our site instead of just looking at the pretty pictures know that we've been running a series of Army of the Pharaohs interviews. Since Reef is a member of AOTP, you can connect the dots. Expect a much more in-depth interview with the Lost Cauze whenever he drops his next album Vicious Cycle, but in the mean time we just wanted to get a little input from the entire AOTP crew as they drop Ritual of Battle.

I know you guys are all homies, so when a new dude comes into the fold is there any hazing that goes on?

Reef: Nah, not at all. I was fucking around with Magnetic and I told him in order for him to be down, we had to murder him and he'd have to come back to life as a mummy. Cause we really are all Pharaohs, know what I'm saying?

[Laughs]

Reef: [Laughs] We grown men, everyone knows each other from the scene. Doap has been around before I was around, he just got caught up and he's back. Demoz is peoples with Vinnie and Planetary and them for years. So you know everyone knows each other and has respect for each other from the door.


Read the Reef the Lost Cauze Interview

Next up, ArtofRhyme made it's presence felt at the recent Flava Fest in Philly. The second annual Flava Fest to be exact. Among the performers were Pharoahe Monch, Juggaknots and Reef. Our video includes backstage footage, new joints such as "Problem" and "Big Deal", plus Reef flexing his stand-up comedian skills in-between tracks. If you don't want to see Reef perform after this video then you don't like Hip Hop.


Lastly, we have the full video of Reef performing "Problem", which will presumably end up on Vicious Cycle. Nothing else to say except it makes me want to illegally download the mp3 if I could find it.

The Power of Hip Hop - 09/26/2007 (by True)

In light of Imus, Oprah's town hall discussion, Congressional hearings on hip hop and BET's Hip Hop vs. Amerikkka, the musical element of the culture is still the most positive powerful form of expression and communication.  Moreso than movies as people tend to look at them as fictional theatrics  and cinema that is fake where people ACT, but people look at hip hop as real.  What other form of musical expression at least, have you heard a song like Ras Kass's Nature of the Threatt?  I don't know one person who has heard that song that wasn't affected in a way where they at least discussed it with a friend or relative or it sparked them to want to research topics of said song.  That my friends is hip hop at it's best.  My rant for the day...

PEACE

Saigon vs. Mobb Deep - 09/20/2007 (by andy)

If you're a Hip Hop fan on the Internet, by now you heard about the scrap between Saigon and Mobb Deep at an SOB's music showcase in NYC. Apparently Prodigy was talking foul about Saigon on the corner of the boulevard and Sai didn't take too kindly to that. The best part of this whole debacle is that with Youtube you get blow-by-blow recounts and each side gets to post their own "version". I'm waiting on the CompuBox stats to see who took the W. As an impartial viewer, what apparently happened is that Saigon snuffed Prodigy (I can't tell if it was a sucker punch or not), then wisely jetted because Mobb Deep's entourage clearly had him outnumbered. Of course Mobb Deep's side will say that Sai is "pussy" for the hit-and-run, and Saigon's side will boast about snuffing Prodigy. Honestly, I'm tired of violence and beef in Hip Hop, but meanwhile I'm watching these videos and writing about it. Then again I'm a known hypocrite.

To make matters even funnier, Havoc got on the mic afterwards to say there's no beef. I wonder if Prodigy feels the same way with the ice pack on his dome.

Saigon's Version



Mobb Deep's Version

Fat Rapper vs. LL Ripped Rapper - 09/17/2007 (by joel)

It's known that America is facing an epidemic with obesity even with healh-freaks running rampant. The rap game is no different from larger scale America. On one hand, we have the Fat Joe's, Biggie's (RIP) and Big Pun's (RIP) and on the other side we have LL Cool J's, and more recently Dr. Dre and Timbaland. Of course there's a high volume that fall in the middle, but why is it that rap, known for it's bling and vanity as much as for it's lyricism and production, has so many rappers that are out of shape?

The last thing we need as a rap community is another fallen soldier like Big Pun who had contributed so much, but was taken because of massive weight. Seeing Warren G on Celebrity Fit Club last season was one of the better actions he could have taken. He maintained his "rapper image" the entire time, while also showing how important it was for him to lose the weight. You also have independent artists contributing to both side. Recently, Raydar Ellis wrote an AOR Blog where he talked about working out and described as such, 'I was definitely you over there with the Ecko T-shirt on!! I've been doing my workout for about a month now and eating healthier and let me tell ya…"I FEEL FABULOUS!!!". It's been nothin too crazy, sit ups, push ups, dumb bell exercises, treadmill. I'm just tryin to tone what I have and build better breath control in case any of you ever see me live.'

He hit the nail on the head with that last line, if only to increase your breath control while performing, I think the fit route is the way for any rapper to go. It doesn't have to be to the point of LL, because frankly I don't want to see more rappers with their shirts off, but it should be skinny enough to drop the Fat from your rapper name.

Remembering the man that was Tupac Amaru Shakur - 09/13/2007 (by True)

from http://thuglifearmy.com/news/?id=3922 

As we mark eleven years since the murder of Tupac Amaru Shakur let us remember the full man Tupac Shakur. Whenever the talk turns to Tupac he is always referred to as a hip hop icon or a ‘gangsta rapper’, seldom is he referred to as a strong young black man who thru his writings portrayed the life of young black men in America.

In his short life he had seen so many dis-appointments and fears. His poetry and music expressed that.

He seen the struggles of his mother Afeni Shakur, his father figure Mutulu Shakur, his god mother Assata Shakur, his god father Geronimo Pratt. He had seen his family being ‘targets’ of the government. He lived many struggles and still managed to rise above all and became the ‘Rose that Grew from the Concrete’.

People like to emphasis the ‘Death Row Era’ when they mention Tupac (2Pac); when really that was only nine months of this young mans life. The ‘gangsta’ side of Tupac draws attention and is used to portray him in a negative light. The side of this angry young man, who had had enough and really expressed his unhappiness thru this era in his music.

Even Tupac said during this era of his life, during the trial in N.Y. – ‘Don’t get it twisted. This is not my life. I am just selling records.’ – and that he did and continues to do. The reason he remains a top selling artist is that so many people can relate to his words. Many associate their life struggles with Tupacs’ words. Much of what he spoke and wrote about is still relevant today, eleven years later, because nothing has changed over that time for many of us. Everyone could associate with this young black man. Not because he was black or a hip hop artist but because he was real. He spoke of ‘real’ things that people experienced and felt. He felt the pain of everyday people and we could feel his pain. He spoke truth in his rhymes and writings.

As we think of his death we should also celebrate his life. We should remember the ‘total’ man who was Tupac Amaru Shakur and not just dwell on a small portion of his life. We should mourn his passing but celebrate the accomplishments, knowledge and truth he revealed and left behind.

Most of the articles that will come out today will mention Tupac (2Pac): the gangsta thug life tattooed rap artist or refer to him as a hip hop icon but few will mention the real man Tupac Amaru Shakur. He was much more than a hip hop artist or a rapper, he was our voice, our teacher and our guardian. He watched out for us and we should watch out now for his legacy. We should help insure that Tupac Amaru Shakur is exposed as more than what nine months of his life had shown.

A poet, actor, hip hop MC, activist, and yes to many a role model. If you do not like Tupac then you do not understand the man Tupac Shakur.

Seldom will be mentioned the many good things and the many people Tupac helped in his life. Or any mention of the good things by the TASF, the foundation started in his name by his mother Afeni Shakur. Check out their web site at http://tasf.org and see the wonderful things being done all over the world in Tupac’s name by his mother.

Seldom mentioned are the people from coast to coast and from all around the world who thank Tupac for opening their eyes and giving them some direction. Even the younger generation, who were just babies when Pac ruled the mic, know and appreciate the man Tupac Shakur.

Take out the rap and hip hop part of his life and you can see thru his poetry that here was a strong intelligent black youth who understood what is going on and had the strength to report it.

The loss of Tupac was and is not just a blow to the hip hop community; it is a blow to all societies world wide. He was a spokesman for a generation. He could speak what many were and are thinking and living because he was exposed and experienced many of the same things we all deal with. He seen first hand how things were and are, he lived it. He himself seen judicial injustice, police brutality, poverty, the effects of drug abuse and he lived and grew from all his experiences.

Take out the rap and hip hop part of his life and you can see thru his poetry that here was a strong intelligent black youth who understood what is going on and had the strength to report it. That is why we mourn him. We mourn for ourselves. We know there will never be another Tupac Shakur.

Taken too soon we will never know his full potential. We will never know what course he would have taken or how he could have changed society or what changes he could have helped make. We mourn Tupac because Tupac was us. When he passed a part of us passed. People who understand what the man Tupac Shakur was about understand that.

So as we remember Tupac today, let us not just mourn his passing but also celebrate his life; because he added so much to ours.

Rest in Peace Tupac Amaru Shakur. You are truly missed but we are so glad to have the time you shared with the world.

R.I.P. – Tupac Amaru Shakur 1971 – 1996

“Got nuttin but love for ya”

PLEASE visit and support the only Official Tupac web sites on the net.

Tupac Amaru Shakur Foundation web site at - http://tasf.org

2PacLegacy.com at http://www.2paclegacy.com

What happened to the MTV VMA's? - 09/09/2007 (by joel)

I remember being younger, lets say 15, and watching the MTV VMA's and thinking they were the coolest thing. Now, I actually had to turn it off and couldn't have been happier to have the parts I did watch recorded on my DVR. Lets start with the over-hyped re-introduction of Britney Spears. Kanye West was right, he should have opened in her place. She was a complete dissappointment, and clearly hasn't gotten her motherly body back in shape for the bikini outfit.

Kanye and 50 met face-to-face just as they will on Tuesday. We still don't know who will win that battle, but at least it shows they can handle some tongue in cheek antics.

Chris Brown stole the show in terms of performance, with Rhianna's interlude showing more leg than Lil Kim shows cleavage.

All in all I'm dissappointed to say that I'm either getting to old for MTV or they really just bombed this year's show. As Justin Timberlake said multiple times, "MTV, play more music videos."