MUSIC IS LIFE:THE POLITICAL FORUM

"THE QUESTION IS NO LONGER BETWEEN VIOLENCE AND NON-VIOLENCE, IT IS BETWEEN NON VIOLENCE AND NON-EXISTENCE"-

DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING JR.

In closing the week, we peep the blend of hip hop and politics. In today's times the need for change is evident. Here are particular example's of the infiltration of hip hop amongst political matters, combining these two forces for greater change. First up is the teacha', KRSONE with the temple of hip hop movement, in actions with chicago's community leaders, ressurecting the "stop the violence" movement, to bring awareness amongst all inner cities. The second example is "the cornel west theory" out of our nations capitol, washington dc. Bringing culture to preserve the rudiments of hiphop, and socially conscious views challenging the realm of politics, religon, and the music industry. Its a big world we live in.. and as much manifold destruction we see, aint nothin' wrong with bringing things back to roots to save a people...




KRSONE AND THE TEMPLE OF HIPHOP



THE ALBUM PROMO FOR "2ND ROME"

The Cornel West theory is......the sonic fusion of politics, culture, spirituality, and philosphy.
With the blessing of Princeton University professor, activist, and renowned author, Dr. Cornel West, the band's music draws influence from his philosophies, as well as many other prolific thinkers of our time.
....in 2004, there was a brief meeting between the chief spokesman ( T. Hicks ) and Dr. West. From this.....the Cornel West theory was born.
" The mission of our music is to deliver hip-hop that contains deep substance and content. music which forces self analyis, and also creates the spark to open dialogue.....socratic questioning, as Dr. West would say. " - the Chief Spokesman



THE CORNEL WEST THEORY - STUDIO SESSION

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LOYALTY, WILL & AMBITION: POUND 4 POUND DVD

In today's concrete jungle's i deem it nessacery to highlight the diamonds in the rough, to combat the stereotype's our minortiy's blanketed with by media and industry. Im proud to present my family for monday's feature, bringing to light the principles of hardwork, loyalty and healthy ambition. Pablo "Esco" Santiago and close affiliates gathered their resources, talents and goals together to form "Pound 4 Pound DVD", a magazine showcasing the lives and latest news of todays and yester-year's prominent boxing stars. Esco, being a hard fan of boxing himself, pursued the vision with patience, ultimately praying to see the fruits of his hard work, which he did. A magazine dedicated not only to serve the community, but an international base, as hard work goes into the promotional, and national networking. Esco, utilizes the key of entrepeneurship, also an artist, expanding the borders through his team Paper $oilders, to work towards a brighter financial future for himself, his family and his people. This is my family from deep concrete roots, i say, power to you esco and the family.



www.pound4pounddvd.net


P4P DVD TRAILER


INTERVIEW WITH ESCO


P4P DVD FEAT: BENARD HOPKINS

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KNOW THYSELF: THE ROOTS OF CONVICTION

Based off the afrikan/greek aphorism, when originally coined and written many years ago, it meant the depth of the human spirit, at the same time the author deemed the depths of the human spirit unsearchable. In today's terms i apply it to simply knowing yourself, your role, your heritage, what made you, your contribution. In today's pop-culture, integrity is not a popular thing, life still go on behind the glitz and glamour, and not only do we deal with the world, but ultimately ourselves. An 06' interview by photographer tao ruspoli, if u never caught it, peep stic-man of dead prez story..



THEE URBANPRIESTHOOD GROUP

___________

MUSIC PROMOTION:

CHARLI-BROWN

HIT UP CHARLI FOR EXCLUSIVE RIGHTS TO THE BEATS




www.myspace.com/charlibrownbeatz

THE ART OF CITY LIFE: THE HISTORY OF GRAFFITI

COPE2 -LEGENDARY BRONX GRAFFITI ARTIST

From the N.Y. to L.A...since its early origins its clearly been a case of vandalism vs. art. As you see years later in 2009 its more than art is the voice of a people in many urban areas. An arena of expression, ranging from brilliant artists, legendary names, crews, and movements. As controversial as graffiti is, it is not only a facet of hip-hop culture, but another reflection of city life. Peep the 2 part series on its origins, and its specific movement in the city of angels.




PART 1



PART 2

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IMPRESSIONS OF LIFE: THE STORY OF HK FONTAY(YONKERS NY)

"Homicide Statistics Rise For Black Youths
December 29, 2008
The number of homicides involving black youths — as victims and perpetrators — surged by more than 30 percent from 2002 to 2007, even as overall murder rates across the U.S. have been relatively stable, according to a study released Monday by researchers at Northeastern University.

The study showed that the number of black murder victims rose by more than 31 percent from 2000 to 2007. The number of murders involving young, black perpetrators rose by 43 percent over the same period, according to the study by criminal justice professors James Alan Fox and Marc Swatt.

The report also noted that guns were the weapon of choice in most of the killings.

Last year, 426 black males ages 14-17 died in gun crimes — 40 percent more than in 2000; nearly 1,000 young black males used guns to kill someone in 2007 — 38 percent higher than in 2000.

Fox said the homicide rate for blacks — especially teenagers — has risen steadily and across geographic regions. He said one reason could be the profound shift in priorities since the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, which means police departments have taken on homeland security duties — often at the expense of community policing.

"Now, I don't want to weigh one life against another, but when you look at it, many more people are murdered every single year in ordinary street violence than were killed on Sept. 11, 2001," Fox said.-SOURCES-WWW.NPR.ORG"Divine Intervention Sought To Curb Youth Gang Violence
Written by Thomas D. Segel
Wednesday, 17 September 2008 12:17
September 17, 2008
Increase in Gang Violence threatens our Homeland Security
Thomas D. Segel(Harlingen, Texas) Gang violence is a rapidly growing cancer eating away at urban America. There can be no better evidence of this than a plea from a police chief in the Rio Grande Valley of Texas for the residents and churches of his city to "enter into their own time of prayer and intercession directed at the issue of gang violence, broken homes, and the deterioration of the family unit that is destroying our youth." -SOURCES -RIGHTSIDENEWS.COM



HK FONTAY

What led me to cover this is two fold..1st is what i call a "minority genocide" going on in todays urban cities, and 2nd the purpose of living: to have a good impact on somebodys life while your here. The current state of mind of todays youth, is obvious to see. On the face of fontay's life, though he left here in his early
30's, he was able to touch not only his family, but his environment with goodness, loyalty, generosity, at the same understanding the ills, pressures, pitfalls of his yonkers ny neighborhood. Understanding we are here but for a short time, its good to keep in mind to leave a good impact while you are here. From close sources of his family, in revealing his character it was stated " There was no such thing as if i have something, you dont have it, with him", says his cousin. "If i have you have, if i eat you eat". Also a man of faith, Fontay passed in spring of 2009, of gunshot wounds near riverdale yonkers. Since being laid to rest the family has raised the legacy he established just by living. Fontay's life is a two fold lesson, a ripple effect stemming from his life spreading throughout his whole influence:

1. To never let your living be in vain..
2. To bring more awareness to the climate of our inner cities, and the violence thereof.


His family and the hash kings movement still carry on his legacy strong..being as tho i know some of his family, it still feel close to home. Peep some clips from fontay's life, the music..the heart, and the legacy..R.I.P. fontay, we'll see you in that day.




HK FONTAY (IN WHITE) "AM I MY BROTHERS KEEPER"



HK FONTAY TRIBUTE



HK "STAY IN SCHOOL"

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DIAMONDZ IN THE RUFF: THE INDEPENDENT FOCUS

There's a coined saying that only God knows whats in the hearts of men, this bears 100% true. We grace this week with an independent focus on some of the brightest and richest talents rooted in our own soil. Close to home we start with Sinn Azucar, aka fel sweetenberg of break bread projects. One good brother of mine who has rested in the corridors of the independent scene for years, and has blessed many with his original sound, including myself(ie: honey fo' my strongdrink). Also an artist himself we showcase the doc./mind of fel through on this monday's spot. Hailing fromn camden n.j, deemed as one of the worst cities in america, yet in the face of this title, by knowing what fel does for music, and by knowing him personally and many others like him this title can easily be proven wrong. Check my brother fel, the man behind the monster sound..

Album Link:
http://www.amalgamdigital.com/albums/details/84







FEL SWEETENBERG

___________________________________________________________________________________
Clap has execptionally took the hearts and ears of the people, street's wise and industry. Hailing from my very hometown and hood, and elements of our family he gives the industry the gift of raw talent, good common sense and intelligence. I highlight this, because especially in a street's based genre of music, the industry, for sake of capitilism, exploits the negative aspects of the culture, and generates off it, because it simply sells. Not knowing the hearts of the people behind the music. But to the artists, and the community affiliated with him/her, its the way of life, the way of survival. Clap holds on to spiritual and economic principle as he navigates through this industry, the same real brother he is on stage, he is off stage, understanding its way more than music, its life. Power to clap and the rest of the lccg family.

http://www.myspace.com/clapcognac





CLAP COGNAC

"On my Grind"

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TRENDSETTERS: CRAIG "DOODLEBUG" IRVING

Digable Planets is a Grammy Award-winning American Alt Hip Hop group based in New York City, composed of Ishmael "Butterfly" Butler (from Seattle), Craig "Doodlebug" Irving (from Philadelphia), and Mary Ann "Ladybug Mecca" Vieira (from Washington, D.C.). They were backed by Silkworm, who later embarked on a solo career under the name King Britt.-SOURCES WIKIPEDIA

"Doodlebug" of digable planets, known to the world as a grammy award winning artist, also a personal friend of mine, brings his collective together 1nce again, ladybug mecca and butterfly for another album in the works. Long awaited, as i stated before we are in the time where artists of the older generation are taking responsibility for thier music, bringing the essential elements back into it, in the movement of new technology's, networks, and the capalistic mindset. In the early 90's knowledge started 7 in a cresent productions, branching even then with his own aspirations, and still holds the name to this date. Also with his team, the cosmic funk all-stars, rooted in philly and the tri-state area streets, shows he never forgot the true element, exemplifying he still a man of the people. A humble brother thats still grindin, shows us he got what the industry hold to little worth, good character. Keep doin ya thing brother knowledge, peep the interview and look out for the return of the planets, and the CFO movement..

www.myspace.com/ceeknowledge
www.ceeknowledge.com



NICKEL BAG: THROWBACK OFF THE BLOWOUT COMB PROJECT-



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THE VOICE OF A PEOPLE, A CULTURE OF POWER: CHUCK D

Carlton Douglas Ridenhour (born August 1, 1960 in Roosevelt, New York), better known by his stage name, Chuck D, is an American rapper, author, and producer. He helped create politically and socially conscious rap music in the late 1980s as the leader of the rap group Public Enemy. -SOURCES -Wikipedia


A recent 2009 interview with the legendary black conscious group, public enemy, frontman chuck d elaborates on pop culture, hip-hop/rap as a movement, organizational structure, and princlple. One of the greatest rappers/activists in my book, due to the fact he chose to make contribution not only his people, but a people. Even in todays capatilistic/hedonistic pop culture, artists from to dead prez to llyod banks to jay z can glean from Mista chuck. A figure who is still a solid rock and inspiration, saying there is still life behind the glamour, and reality off the stage. A good shot of common sense from mista chuck..



-He also takes the time to elaborate on the music of the civil rights movement of the 60's. History always got a soundtrack...




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SHED LIGHT: THE HEARTS OF REFLECTION ETERNAL

One of the conscious groups that planted good seed of music through the late 90's and 2000's opens up shortly prior to the new summer release, the industry and capatilism, and misconceptions on this is 5o dot com. Tek and kweli expose the real behind the glamour, the paper chase while just the letting the world know who they are. Which is to me one of the the greatest attributes you can give. Peace to reflection eternal..




THEE URBANPRIESTHOOD MUSIK GROUP