THE PENDANT P.II: STRIPES OF A SCHOLAR

"My alma mater was books, a good library.... I could spend the rest of my life reading, just satisfying my curiosity."







MALCOLM MALIK EL-HAJJ SHABAZZ -


http://www.brothermalcolm.net/

"Scholarly method or scholarship — is the body of principles and practices used by scholars to make their claims about the world as valid and trustworthy as possible, and to make them known to the scholarly public."-wikipedia








One element any leader, in any forum has to implement change: dedication. Thursday shows respect to the scholar, the individual who takes essential education on any plain to utilize to a personal effect and abroad. To stay conscious requires an effort, to study for a specific purpose takes work, to my understanding in reference to the coined term "knowledge is power" wisdom and understanding always follow. Education is still the pendant, not only academically, but in all aspects. In the above cases, Dr. cornel west studied through the ranks of academics, but developed his philosophic perspective through social study, and observation. Rapper immortal technique developed his revolutionary "statements" to the industry, perfusely studying while incarcerated. Hip hop legend Chris parker, already dubbed as "the teacha" saw the need to perserve hip hop culture, through religious studies to give to hip hop a spiritual foundation:




"The Temple of Hip Hop is a Ministry, Archive, School, and Society (M.A.S.S.) founded by KRS-One. Its goal is to maintain and promote Hip Hop Culture. The Temple of Hip Hop maintains that Hiphop is a genuine political movement and culture, as it has been accepted by the United Nations as a culture. The Temple of Hip Hop calls on all hip-hop fans to celebrate Hip Hop Appreciation Week, occurring in mid-May. It encourages DJs and MCs to teach people about the culture of Hip Hop, to write more socially conscious songs, and radio stations to play more socially conscious hip-hop. Hip Hop Appreciation Week is celebrated on the third week of May each year. Hip Hop History Month (November,) founded by the Universal Zulu Nation, is also recognized."-wikipedia

-Collectively we are all students of life itself. We close with "student of truth" himself" (talib kweli in arabic and swahili) with a refletion eternal interview..and another deposit.. revisioned words of "the teacha".





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MUSIC IS LIFE P. IV: GRASSROOTS ENTREPENUARSHIP

"Entrepreneurship is the act of being an entrepreneur, which is a French word meaning "one who undertakes innovations, finance and business acumen in an effort to transform innovations into economic goods. "




From the high peaks of financial success to the crash courses, from all positions of the class system they hold one relation: "The dollar and a dream". In the land of opportunity and abroad currency is still the rule..and the oil that burns to run a society. Amidst the poor, middle class and even the upper; you have the entrepenuar. From a grassroots perspective, especially amongst the urban diaspora you have the universal "hustler's ambition" , the hunger in the visions of small buisnessness, food service, contractors, laborers, positions in academics, media, entertainment and the arts, even in illegal ventures. Monday hosts the coined term "rags to riches", one example is my brother, CEO of negusworld enterprises, Johwell baptiste:

"Born in paris from a rape but never been called an accident; his hard working haitian mother calls him a blessing... Guess that makes me an average being. Grew up poor , or maybe just broke , or should we say less fortunate. Can't really tell since he's never been called or even looked at as any of these things. In fact, those of his entourage who were considered 'fortunate', shared blankets while snoring on his 20 feet square apartment's floor; they show him the utmost respect.... I couldn't get what they had; meanwhile they wanted what i was. Guess they made me that average friend. A 9/11 survivor. He left the country he grew up in on august 13th 1997 at the age of 19. He then witnessed and survived 4 years later the most horrifying act of terorism this world has ever known. He immortalized this moment with his own camera... Guess that makes it an average life. From his childhood's friend getting murdered, to getting baptized by his brother bennchoumy @ the jacob javitz center in front of a crowd well over 3 thousand, he had then the goal of becoming the leader of a church, but eventualy stepped away in search of his own truth. Leader of his own body, mind and soul , he is one of the 1st of 2 to have set foot on the negusworld ground. Inspiring others to wear their own crown with pride... Guess that makes me an average king" -neguswear.com

(Statement)"WELCOME TO NEGUSWORLD ENTERPRISES "Negusworld enterprises" is what the negusworld movement is offering the world. From great entertainment such as music composed and performed by talented artists ,to dance events that feature the world best dancers of any styles(krump,house,newstyle,break...). We have unique stylish gear for you to wear and books to feed your thought. We will take you to different places with scifi comic books and entertain you with great movies. Negusworld has been revealed to be the fastest growing movement of 2008 and 2009 looks even more promising. There are those that wear it ,those aware and those that are.We want to thank you ALL, for the rest of you...ready or not HERE WE COME." -negusworld

-...One personal example among many, another is the the life and times, trials and tribulations of one nasir bin olu dara jones..known to us as Nas. A recent vh1 special gives insight to rites and passage of the ghetto, a dream, talent and a pad and pen.















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STREETS CONSCIOUSNESS P.IIIV: MUSIC & JOURNALISM

-"The Source is a United States-based, monthly full-color magazine covering hip-hop music, politics, and culture, founded in 1988. It is the world's second longest running rap periodical, behind United Kingdom-based publication Hip Hop Connection. The Source was founded as a newsletter in 1988. The current president of the publication is Jeremy Miller. From humble beginnings, the Source had grown into one of the largest and most influential hip-hop publications in the United States[citation needed]. It had even grown to the point of being called "The Bible of Hip-Hop." [1]-wikipedia



"I think the key to great journalism, is being a great listener"-

Tavis Smiley

Music, and its personal voice to the masses..journalism. I started with the foundations of hip hop journalism in specifics, a publication pre-world wide web and its progressive movement: the source magazine. Journalism constantly bridges communication, though commercial media is relative to the masses, i salute journalism or journalists who come from key perspectives, whether grassroots, journalists centered in an african-american consciousness(tavis smiley, gil noble, tony brown) or music/hip hop journalists ie: harry allen, dream hampton or peter rosenberg. Journalism that comes from a personal view that relates to the people.
Peep some the profiles of some of names mentioned specifically in hip hop:


Harry Allen is a hip hop activist and journalist ("The Media Assassin") affiliated with the group Public Enemy, and is the director of the Rhythm Cultural Institute. He grew up in Freeport, Long Island.[1]
Harry Allen first met Carlton "Chuck D" Ridenhour in 1982, when the two took an animation class at Adelphi University in Garden City. Ridenhour, also a member of hip hop group Spectrum City, introduced Allen to a clique who congregated around university radio station WBAU/90.3 FM on Monday nights (although not all were students), and, in Allen's own words, "looked at hip-hop scientifically - as an analysis of its parts - and took it completely seriously, like I did." -wikipedia


In 1990, Dream hampton became the first woman editor of The
Source Magazine. Hampton penned essays on, among other
topics, misogyny, police brutality and Winnie
Mandela. She also profiled Snoop Doggy
Dogg, early in his career, as well as the
first Source cover story for megastar Tupac Shakur.
As a contributing writer at Vibe
Magazine since the magazine's launch in 1993, Hampton
wrote articles on Jay-Z, Mary J.
Blige and D'Angelo. Her writing has appeared in The Village
Voice, Spin, The Detroit News, Harper's Bazaar, Essence, Parenting
and other magazines. In addition, her essays and articles have appeared in
several anthologies, including Rock She Wrote, The Vibe History of Hip-Hop
and And It Don't Stop: The Best American Hip-Hop Journalism of the Last 25
Years. Hampton co-authored rapper Jay-Z's unreleased autobiography
The Black Book.[1] -wikipedia

-Along with an insightful view to the voice of journalism.. we close thursday with an xclusive interview from peter rosenberg with dj premier..and if u never caught it several months ago..a BET network cipher hosted by premier himself..power.. every one has a voice..let it be heard by who you are..and what you do. Peace.

>

THE MANY FACES OF RUSSELL JONES

" "This evening, I received a phone call that is every mother's worst dream," she said. "My son, Russell Jones, passed away. To the public, he was known as Ol' Dirty Bastard, but to me, he was known as Rusty, the kindest, most generous soul on earth. I appreciate all the support and prayers that I have received. Russell was more than a rapper, he was a loving father, brother, uncle, and most of all, son." -

CHERRY JONES (Mother)



"N----s really loved ODB," the Chef emotionally told the crowd. "I don't even know if this rhyme is gonna come out. Play it my n---a. ... Sh--."

"The funeral of Old Dirty Bastard took place yesterday (18 November)
with almost 3,000 mourners turning up to pay their respects.
ODB, a.k.a.
Russell Tyrone Jones passed away on Saturday at a Manhattan recording studio. An
autopsy took place immediately after his death but coroners are yet to establish
a cause.
Amongst the attendees were members of the Wu-Tang Clan, rapper
Kurtis Blow and Mariah Carey who recorded the track ˜Fantasy with the rapper in
the mid-nineties.
The rappers cherry wood coffin was draped with red
velvet and mourners turned up in traditional funeral black as well as obligatory
hip-hop attire.

The funeral was followed by a public memorial service.

-gigwise.com"

Chronicles of 2004..Monday reflects one of the pillars of the wu tang legacy.. the talent, and personality spoke for itself and still speak today. We show the late russell jones in retrospect, legacy and tribute. A 2003 documentry about his transitions from the prison system to the industry.. and insight to his last days. Peep insight into the man: the years of ODB, to the present day.

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STREETS CONSCIOUSNESS P.IIV ..OF FAITHS AND PHILOSOPHIES

" So what's left when there ain't no God..and a whole lotta pride..you might see a homicide" -SPECIAL ED -Crooklyn Dodgers

Thursday provides insight to the ever streaming influence of spiritual/ philosophical perspectives in the modern day; both in life and music. Thoughts, faiths and idealogies carried heavy influence through the upper and underground forums of the industry, to the heights of commercial success, to the simplicity of "poor righteous teachin". Here's some of the perspectives, and the voices that carried it in retrospect:

"The Nation of Gods and Earths, sometimes referred to as NGE, Allah's Nation, the Five-Percent Nation, the Five-Percent Nation of Islam, or the Five Percenters was founded in 1964 in the Harlem section of the borough of Manhattan in New York City by Clarence Smith, known most commonly to the public at large as Clarence 13X, but referred to by his contemporaries and students as Allah (the Arabic word for God) or the Father. The Nation of Gods and Earths angered religious and political leaders, who viewed the group as little more than an offshoot of the Nation of Islam (NOI), which was already viewed by Muslims as heretical. While the Nation of Gods and Earths is commonly characterized as an organization, an institution, a religion and/or even a gang, representatives of the Nation teach that it is a way of living. The Nation of Gods and Earths teaches that the Original Blackman is God, the Original Blackwoman is the planet Earth, and through the inner esoteric powers of the Gods and Earths, people can transform and possess their true potential" -wikipedia




Rakim gave jewels during the early years of hip-hop that expressed views of the nation..in pop-culture and in hip-hop the nations voice was heard in artists as big daddy kane, brand nubian, and the legacy of the wu tang clan. The culture of the 5 % nation became assimilated with hip hop, so close that it streamed as a trend..especially in the inner city's. Part of my youth, though having my own spiritual foundation, i studied religions...in regards to the mathematics, (5% lessons) i also studied for my own knowledge, out of curiosity to why it had such an impact on hip hop culture. Though its prescence was stronger in the late 90's and early 2000's compared to today, its clearly part ofhip hop history.

The Nation of Islam is a religious organization founded in Detroit, Michigan, by Wallace D. Fard Muhammad in July 1930. He set out with the goal of resurrecting the spiritual, mental, social, and economic condition of the African American men and women of America. The N.O.I. also promotes the belief that God will bring about a universal government of peace.[1] Mainstream Muslims consider the group to be a non-Islamic independent religion that has adopted Islamic terminology rather than an Islamic sect due to differing beliefs about God, race, and prophecy, among others.[2][3]-wikipedia

Clearly the drive of artist as gangstarr's guru, the revelations and reverence of artists like beanie sigel, and the humble refrences of mos def, islam is still a testament of faith to many artists.

"Black Hebrew Israelites (also Black Hebrews, African Hebrew Israelites, and Hebrew Israelites) are groups of people mostly of Black African ancestry situated mainly in the United States who believe they are descendants of the ancient Israelites. Black Hebrews adhere in varying degrees to the religious beliefs and practices of mainstream Judaism. They are generally not accepted as Jews by the greater Jewish community, and many Black Hebrews consider themselves — and not mainstream Jews — to be the only authentic descendants of the ancient Israelites. Many choose to self-identify as Hebrew Israelites or Black Hebrews rather than as Jews."-wikipedia
An historic religious sect, adjacent to the african diaspora, exceeded the walls of subculture. Exemplied through the knowledge and artistry of killah priest, (maccabee house) shabazz the disciple and many others..it is a movement by itself. We close thursday's blog with an introspective look into a possible future "blackstar" reunion, words by mos def himself.. and a throwback from "the teacha" himself, krsone, who shares my train of thought, someone who is aware of the spiritual climate of the culture.





"My philosophy" One of the cornerstones..88' archive..enjoy..

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THE ARCHIVE P.II:FALLEN ANGELS

“A coward dies a thousand deaths... a soldier dies but once.”
-TUPAC AMARU SHAKUR


Quoted from a shakespearean text, tupac issued this line in regards to the philosophy of an individual who pursues his/her destiny at all costs. In archive p.II we honor the fallen angels who left a mark in the pop-culture of yester-year; Aaliyah, freaky tah, and harlem bred big L. All who left at an early age due to divine will, and tragic circumstance. Aaliyah left behind a natural tone of honesty, sweet soulful reasoning and a prescence to remember; both on and off-stage. At his departure at 27, tah left behind loyalty, and love for the music/extended family he called his own. Lamont coleman issued out a gemstarr talent; one of the voices of harlemworld n.y, a promising mc gone too premature. Thus 2g10..i archive the history as a guidepost to the directions of the present day and future generation..the angels, came, gave and flew home..enjoy the legacy.



Aaliyah Dana Haughton
Born January 16, 1979(1979-01-16)
Brooklyn, New York City, New York, United States
Origin Detroit, Michigan, United States
Died August 25, 2001 (aged 22)
Marsh Harbour, Abaco Islands, The Bahamas
Raymond Rogers (FREAKY TAH)
Born May 17, 1971(1971-05-17)
Origin South Jamaica, Queens, New York, USA
Died March 28, 1999 (aged 27)
Genres Hip hop

Lamont Coleman (May 30, 1974 – February 15, 1999), also known by his stage name Big L, was an American rapper who made significant contributions to the New York City music scene in the 1990s as a member of the hip hop collective D.I.T.C. He was shot and killed in February 1999 before releasing his second album. He remains highly regarded in the underground hip hop community as one of the most skilled MCs of all time
MURAL DAY FOR L..

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THROWBACK P.II: SCRIPTURES OF 1994

"IM JUST A SOUL WHOSE INTENTIONS ARE GOOD..O LORD PLEASE DON'T LET ME BE MIS-UNDERSTOOD"

-NINA SIMONE 1964



Tupac Shakur Legacy is an official interactive biography of Tupac Shakur released on August 16, 2006. The author of the book is Jamal Joseph, a friend of the Shakur family and a former Black Panther Party member. The book is published by Atria Books a division of Simon & Schuster. It features unseen family photographs, intimate stories, and over 20 removable reproductions of his handwritten song lyrics, contracts, scripts, poetry, and other personal papers. - WIKIPEDIA

Clearly one of the most influential figures of the late 2oth century..though glorified in influence, talent, and controversy..few highlight the drive, scars and the mind of tupac amaru shakur. I highlight this thursday one of the crucibles of countless men/women who made credible societal impact for greater change: being misunderstood. Today's early 90's footage allows tupac to be heard even now in 2010, fifteen years deep from his departure. Journalist ed gordon(bet.com) opens the door to tupac's prophetic resonance, from the current events of 1994, in relation to the present day. I believe one place you can always find the truth: in the contents of a person's heart.







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WWW.TASF.ORG

THROWBACKS: SOCIAL RENAISSCANCE

An artist must be free to choose what he does, certainly, but he must also never be afraid to do what he might choose. -

Langston Hughes


The above late 90's to 2000's album realeases is a reflection of artists who didnt hide their gifts and contributions to the world. In retrospect the late 90's still told stories through the modern day; streets genre narrated drugs, money, violence..the "backpacker" held thier hip hop purists truths to heart...commercialism lit up the charts with flamboyant suits, jewelry, dances, and materialism. Then you had the rebirth of the generation of the "conscious" mc/activist. Monday highlights though during this time where so many seeds sprung forth, from swinging chains, to the ice of the rockafella era,the return to the streets of the ruff ryders era, those who stepped out and brought the love and meaning of music back to its old standard,and ushered the call for social change. Both through music and action. In the wide world of the industry, to each his own..i personally co-sign any entity that is a catalyst for greater change. One example is the late 90's blackstar -
Nkiru Books is the oldest African-American bookstore in Brooklyn, New York City, USA. Founded by Leothy Miller Owens in 1976, the bookstore was bought by Talib Kweli and Mos Def in 2000. Today it is operated as the Nkiru Center for Education and Culture, a nonprofit organization promoting literacy and multicultural awareness for people of color. It is currently located at 732 Washington Avenue.-WIKIPEDIA

*Salutes the fathers and mothers* ..at the same time we take a peek into some of the ever growing new school..one of my favorite groups..diamond district dmv

http://twitter.com/StandOnD http://twitter.com/oddisee
http://twitter.com/yuthe78er http://twitter.com/uptownxo


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