STREETS CONSCIOUSNESS P.XVI: SOLDIER'S STORY:URBAN YOUTH

"LEAVE IT UP TO ME IM A BE LIVING PROOF, TO KICK THE TRUTH TO THE YOUNG BLACK YOUTH"-



JASON HUNTER(INSPECTAH DECK)




"Current positivist approaches generally focus on the culture. A type of criminological theory attributing variation in crime and delinquency over time and among territories to the absence or breakdown of communal institutions (e.g. family, school, church and social groups.) and communal relationships that traditionally encouraged cooperative relationships among people."-

Wikipedia


The main reason to a generation growing up unconscious to a code of ethic and order is stated above: the breakdown of the family/community. Older people of yesteryear at times recall times that were generally simpler; where the culture wasn't as heavily impacted with mature ideals, that childen were exposed to. By observation most troubled youth adapt anti-social behavior "hand to mouth"; by the examples or conditions out of their own homes or communities. Some youth that eventually seek better opportunites,or choices are forced to navigate through a "jungle"; dealing with pro's and cons to come to desired ambitions of their life:

"Youth crime is disproportionately male: theorists and others have examined why this is the case. One suggestion is that ideas of masculinity may make young men more likely to offend. Being tough, and reckless may be a way young men attempt to express their masculinity. Acting out these ideals may make young men more likely to engage in antisocial and criminal behaviour."-

Wikipedia


-In one Street's Consciousness blog, p.xiii, it adresses the power of reason, conscious descision. As simple as it is, in a culture where the odds are stacked socially, it can be the same power that can preserve a life from a pattern of self destruction. The south's underground icon K-rino gives illustration to the door, the alternative:





"Its 10pm where ya seeds at? whats the deal?"-

mos def (mathematics)

-Chron smith(Hell Razah) who is currently recovering from a brain aneurism paints the picture with a snippet of "Kids on the street", with his eldest son as the main role in the video(plaid shirt). In the midst of the what the youth are plagued and challenged with, and in spite of statistics; enrichment still produces results, and the power of reason is still relevant.



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THE ARCHIVE P.VIII : SOUL: THE AMERICAN EXPERIENCE

"OBSERVATION..ITS ALL OBSERVATION"-



SAMUEL COOKE

1931-1964

"The gospel revival and doo-wop merged into the great season of soul music. Soul music was enabled by the commercial boom of "race" music, that had led to the creation of channels and infrastructures run by black enterpreneurs for black artists. This class of black enterpreneurs hired and trained a generation of session musicians, producers and arrangers (not to mention songwriters) who were specifically meant to serve the needs of black music. Sould music was also enabled by an unstoppable trend towards black and white integration, as more and more white folks accepted the idea that black culture was not evil or degrading, simply different (African instead of European). The sociopolitical inroads made by jazz also helped legitimize black pop music with the white masses. "-

scaruffi.com

Though its roots were gospel soul music has transcended genre, space and time. Thursday 's archive covers soul music and its weight through time, experience, socialogical issues. From pioneers to innovators, Most stem from humble roots, to go on to make a legendary stamp:

“Being a singer is a natural gift. It means I'm using to the highest degree possible the gift that God gave me to use. I'm happy with that.”-

Aretha Franklin

-One example is the late Sam cooke, deemed the "father of soul", one aspect the not only gave to the origins of soul music but was active durng the time of the civil rights movement. As featured in the BBC series "Deep soul", Part six tells of one song that reverberates till now, and the origins, including his demise and influence:





- Second is sam's protege, Otis redding, one innovator among the likes of the late James Brown, and Bobby Womack, another giant in the forming of soul musician the late 60's when pop became more progressive, and racial barriers were crossed:



"Rolling Stone ranked Charles number 10 on their list of "100 Greatest Artists of All Time" in 2004,[7] and number two on their November 2008 list of "100 Greatest Singers of All Time".[8] In honoring Charles, Billy Joel noted: "This may sound like sacrilege, but I think Ray Charles was more important than Elvis Presley. I don't know if Ray was the architect of rock & roll, but he was certainly the first guy to do a lot of things . . . Who the hell ever put so many styles together and made it work?"-

Wikipedia

-Post ray's death the movie "Ray" depicted the trials and tribulations of ray's life behind the fame and the music. Soul is is music of life, that tells everything from the african american experience and other nationalities. Every generation a new set of muscial talent arises and tells the same story. We close with a throwback of when these giants shone the brightest, at a time of political and social unrest. A 30 something Ray charles with an american traditional:

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MUSIC IS LIFE P.XVII: THE FAMILY STRUCTURE

"ALL THAT I GOT IS YOU"-

DENNIS COLES(GHOSTFACE KILLAH)

"The American family structure is considered a traditional family support system involving two married individuals providing care and stability for their biological offspring. However, this two-parent, nuclear family has become less prevalent, and alternative family forms have become more common.[1] The family is created at birth and establishes ties across generations.[2] Those generations, the extended family of aunts, uncles, grandparents, and cousins, can hold significant emotional and economic roles for the nuclear family.

The family structure of African Americans has been a matter of national public policy interest.[26] The 1965 report by Daniel Patrick Moynihan, known as The Moynihan Report, examined the link between black poverty and family structure.[26] It hypothesized that the destruction of the Black nuclear family structure would hinder further progress toward economic and political equality"-

Wikipedia

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By observation every nationality, especially in america shares the standard of the nuclear family. The first decade post the 21st century reflects the progressive family structures in today's times. Notably in minorities the family structure is in direct relation to the culture of nationalties ie: Latino, european and african american. The above wikipedia reference to the black family was written in the mid-sixties, but streams of this particular struggle still resonate today. As many of my peers, past and present, 90% of them, including myself were raised in single parented households. In natural procreation, and child rearing the father plays just as much as an important role in an household as the mother. Being as many homes suffer at divorce and separation, the stats in america show:

"Single-parent homes in America are starting to become more common in today's society. With more children being born to unmarried couples and to couples whose marriages subsequently dissolve, children increasingly live with only one parent. The proportion of children living with a never-married parent has also grown, from 4 percent in 1960 to 42 percent in 2001. Of all one parent families, 83 percent are mother-child families."-

Wikipedia

- Below is an account/tribute to the single mother, showing a common day in her plight, one in particular, Christina figourea of the Bronx.



-We close with A reflective documentry on black fathers, a narrative along the streamline of the writings of Jawanza kunjufu. And a 2006 throwback of Ghostface's reflection of his own upbringing with one gem off the Fishscale LP.





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MUSIC IS LIFE P. XIV: PHARMEKIA CULTURE

"THINGS FALL APART" -


TARIQ TROTTER(BLACK THOUGHT)



"In the early 1980s, the majority of cocaine being shipped to the United States, landing in Miami, was coming through the Bahamas and Dominican Republic.[1] Soon there was a huge glut of cocaine powder in these islands, which caused the price to drop by as much as 80 percent.[1] Faced with dropping prices for their illegal product, drug dealers made a decision to convert the powder to "crack," a solid smokeable form of cocaine, that could be sold in smaller quantities, to more people. It was cheap, simple to produce, ready to use, and highly profitable for dealers to develop.[1] As early as 1980, reports of crack were appearing in Los Angeles, San Diego, Miami, Houston, and in the Caribbean."-



Wikipedia

In ancient text there is a reference to an age or dispensation of history: the "Age of Pharmekia(Greek)". Between the stone walls of american history, from opium to meth, street drugs is clearly the greatest commodity next to industry and natural resources. From mass political distribution, to the social unrest and monopoly of ghetto street corners; street drugs issue a fleeting high, or the devastation of a community for blood money. The culture of pharmekia is one major stream in a an capitalist/corporatist society, and globally:

"Beginning with the Iran-Contra Affair, some politicians and journalists began arguing that the CIA contributed to the rise of the epidemic. Allegations ranged from the presence of drug ties to the Contra rebels, to possible direct involvement in drug trafficking by the Contras and even members of the CIA. The exact degree of awareness and involvement on the part of the CIA itself continues to be disputed. However, on April 17, 1986, the Reagan Administration released a three page report acknowledging that there were some Contra-cocaine connections in 1984 and 1985, arguing that these connections occurred at a time when the rebels were "particularly hard pressed for financial support" because U.S. aid had been cut off."-



Wikipedia







-"The love of money..is the roots of all evil", the culture of pharmekia is hand and hand with this ahporism. One example of what proves this is the current crisis of mexico; one society in an upheavel resorting to merciless acts to rivals, and the innocent in the conflicts of its leading drug cartels. Street Drugs is an international major commodity in every country..with the united states being one of the world's main purchasers. We conclude with Immortal technique telling the story through a image laced song.."Peruvian Cocaine".




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LANGUAGE OF ONE P.XIII: VANCOUVER LIGHTS

"ITS INHERITED IT RUNS IN THE FAMILY"-

WILLIAM MICHAEL GRIFFIN(RAKIM ALLAH)

Vancouver(/væn.ˈkuːvər/) is a coastal city located in the Lower Mainland of British Columbia, Canada. It is named for British Captain George Vancouver, who explored the area in the 1790s. The name Vancouver itself originates from the Dutch "van Coevorden", denoting somebody from Coevorden, a city in the Netherlands

Monday travels up north to vancity; a unique city that holds its own identity who has treasured the influx of hip hop. Each diverse community in vancity tells its

own story,with hip hop being 100% condusive to the socialogical aspect; from graffiti to the music. As told by my brother and producer/DJ "Steps nessacery", vancity has its own testament. The word according to the foundations of hip hop:

- Common Cyhpa

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STREETS CONSCIOUSNESS P. XII: MEMORIAL DAY

"This aint livin'...no.. no no no"-

Marvin Pentz Gaye



"The Sean Bell shooting incident took place in the New York City borough of Queens on November 25, 2006, in which 3 men were shot a total of fifty times by a team of both plainclothes and undercover NYPD officers, killing one of the men, Sean Bell, on the morning after his bachelor party, and severely wounding two of his friends.[1] The incident sparked fierce criticism of the police from some members of the public and drew comparisons to the 1999 killing of Amadou Diallo.[2] Three of the five detectives involved in the shooting went to trial[3] on charges ranging from manslaughter to reckless endangerment, and were found not guilty."-

Wikipedia

Bell family, friends share $7M-

BY TONIA N. CIMINO
Monday, August 2, 2010 6:30 PM EDT
It’s been nearly four years since Sean Bell was killed in a hail of 50 police bullets – and his two friends injured – and now a settlement has awarded his estate $3.25 million.On Tuesday, July 27, a judge in Brooklyn Federal Court also gave $3 million to Joseph Guzman, struck 11 times; and $900,000 to Trent Benefield, who was shot three times in the legs and buttock that fateful night in November 2006."-

http://www.queenscourier.com/


"Retrospect for life"- a song title coined by artist common in 1997 bears the theme of thursday's spot. The sean bell case is nationally known, exceptionally in new york city. The above excerpt from a queens new york publication gives the recent updates to the case, now several years later. Though issues of racial profiling and police brutality are not new to america, one highlight of sean bell's case is that the tragedy brought the community together in the wake of the outrage of the verdict. Years later, even with national cases like sean bell raging in the modern day, in retrospect we see some of the harvest it brought:

Styles P(D block) views:

THE YOUTH:

-We close with a stream of streets consciousness; a gem from reflection eternal's "Revolutions per minute"

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POST SCRIPTS:

"IJSN is a growing international network of Jews whose Jewish identities are not based on Zionism but on a plurality of histories and experiences. We share a commitment to participation in the legacy of struggles against colonization and imperialism. As such, we struggle against Zionism and its manifestation in the State of Israel’s historic and ongoing ethnic cleansing of the Palestinian people and the confiscation of their land. "

-The persecution of palestinians by the zionist movement is an injustice witnessed globally.. Hit

http://www.ijsn.net/ FOR MORE INFO-

ZIONLIBERATION NETWORK(IJSN.NET)

LANGUAGE OF ONE P.XII UGANDA SKY

"SORROW TEARS AND BLOOD"-

FELA KUTI



"The African country of Uganda has had a turbulent history in the 20th century, and music has been an integral part of the nation's development.

The first form of music genre in Uganda was kadongo kamu (single guitar).Top artists in Uganda include Jose Chameleon (heavy weight), Bebe Cool locally called Munene Munene, Bobi Wine who is called ghetto president, Radio and Weasel (also operating as Goodlyfe Crew), another sammie e with an exceptional talent, Ragga Dee and Madoxx Ssematimba, Babaluku and The Bataka Squad founders of Luga Flow which promotes rapping in your mother tongue. These artists are also doing well on the international scene."-

WIKIPEDIA

BREAKING: 1/4 OF THE FOUR ELEMENTS OF HIP-HOP


Monday gives the picture of a stream: healing waters of culture in the midst of conflict. I personally hold the U.S as the "breadbasket of pop-culture"; knowing every style and genre of music had and has global effect, the highlight is when a movement aids, or empowers a people. Bouncing cats is one example. This movement bears reflection of my brother, Joel baptiste, CEO of negusworld enterprises, who started this clothing line/movement for the self-actualization/empowerment of a people globally:







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MUSIC IS LIFE P. XII : SIDEWALK PROPHETS

"THE EXTENSION OF A MAN"-


DONNY EDWARD HATHAWAY







Monday opens in reflection to yesteryear-and its relation to the present. A retrospective look at some of the socio-political issues of race, economy and black america. Revolutionary movements and collectives of the late 60's, and reflections of the african diaspora at this time brought about pro-black consciousness; mainly through culture(blaxploitation films, music etc.), foreign relations(war), socio-political ills and race relations. This era is one of the biggest influences and inspirations to modern day artists ie: common, lupe fiasco, mos def, jill scott:













-Below are two features, one of the icons of soul and social consciousness, Gil Scott Heron and the legendary "Last poets" ; a report and documentry on the voices who raised awareness for that and the coming generations:







-We close with the movements of a group of whom they regard themselves as the "Little brother" of the late 80's early 90's hip hop groups. The north carolina collective takes you into their world of beats rhymes and life.

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MUSIC IS LIFE P. X: PHILLY: THE SOCIO-LANDSCAPE

"Seize the Time.”


-Bobby Seale





"Out of the ten most populous cities in the United States in 2006, Philadelphia had the highest homicide rate at 27.7 per 100,000 people, though the number of murders decreased to 392 in 2007.[75]
In 2004, there were 7,513.5 crimes per 200,000 people in Philadelphia.[76] In 2005, Philadelphia was ranked by Morgan Quitno as the sixth-most dangerous among 32 American cities with populations over 500,000.[77] Among its neighboring Mid-Atlantic cities in the same population group, Baltimore and Washington, D.C. were ranked second- and third-most dangerous cities in the United States, respectively, and Camden, New Jersey, a city across the Delaware River from Philadelphia, was ranked as the most dangerous city in the United States.[78]
In 2008, Camden was the second-most dangerous city in the country, lower than its 2004 ranking, but still high for a city its size, while Philadelphia was ranked 22nd.[79]"


The statistics rage in the one of the most cultural ediface's of the east coast. Music is life hosts philly..taking insight through the voices told by the diamonds in the rough:


- Controversial, even in the midst of the city's current situation, the brightest jewel's still shine. In the population of the city, notably between the african, and latino diaspora's, in the city's darkest hour, the consciousness of the people are opening, for collective survival. Proggressively conscious of the need for social change. The awareness is raised through legendary groups like the roots. Peep how i got over..a call/cry still relevant.




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STREETS CONSCIOUSNESS P.XII : RITE OF PASSAGE

"IN THE PAST I LOOKED AT THE PATH'S I WALK, WHERE, SAVAGES FOUGHT AND PASTORS TAUGHT"-

NASIR BIN OLU DARA JONES

"Inspired by the true story of Greg Yance. In the film, Yance (Epps) is a hood who goes to jail for possession of drugs. He is given a choice: 5 years in jail or a couple of months in boot camp. He chooses boot camp and finds out it is tougher than he thought it would be. He braves it through and comes home a better man. He then has to deal with the real world, and never gives up no matter what the odds."-

http://www.knowgangs.com/

A credible throwback served on a thursday; stemmed from an 1997 HBO premiere movie, "1st time felon" is the story of greg yance:

"The story of 23-year-old African-American Greg Yance, played with touching restraint by Omar Epps, and his trials as a first-time convict make an absorbing if troubling telefilm for sharp director Charles S. Dutton, who doesn't miss a detail. Daniel Therriault's teleplay may have its fits and starts, and may sputter out before its time, but "First-Time Felon" reaches for the heart"-

http://www.variety.com/

- Someone i know personally, greg reflects on the situation to this day, that "1st time felon" is an archive far from just a drama movie. For so many involved in the inner city plight, it bore as rite of passage and testament to influence those in the same struggle, for better change.


-In relation to Greg's story, below is an rare archive of M.L.K JR; a discourse on people of color, and self actualiztion in the time of social unrest. Though recorded in the early 1960's, it still holds as an inspirational blueprint for those who make conscious decisions to overcome personal and social challenges for the betterment of themselves and others. Followed by the current "Revolutions per minute" reflection eternal track- "In this world".

Reflection Eternal - "In This World" by Warner Bros. Urban








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MUSIC IS LIFE P.X :THE LADDER: CAPITALISM

"And my mentality is, money orientated im destined to live the dream for all my peeps who never made it this year"-



AZ




"In sociology and political philosophy, the most basic class distinction is between the powerful and the powerless.[1][2] Social classes with a great deal of power are usually viewed as "the elites" within their own societies. Various social and political theories propose that social classes with greater power attempt to cement their own ranking above the lower classes in the hierarchy to the detriment of the society overall. "-
Wikipedia


In the world and termanology of political science, capitalism symbolizes economic freedom, free proprietorship. According to the quote from wikipedia above, other forms of government, left wing views, political parties and the criticism of american history would state otherwise; from the higher economic class to the lower, some political theorists would say that the "richer get richer, and the poorer get poorer". A line quoted from the "teacha" himself KRSone from his project several years ago, "I got next" he follows with "visualize wealth, and put yourselves in the picture." One view most would co-sign that exceeds any economic class. In the stream of capitalism, due to basic economic principle, one would invest and re-invest; in a talent or gift, a buisness, or an ultimate vision. In relation to the age old principle, "seedtime and harvest".
Some of these views were reflected in reknowned black author Micheal eric dyson's 2007 series "Hip-Hop Vs. America".




-From small buisnesses to well established careers entrepenuarship is the main railroad in a country that functions on a system of capitalism. One thing remains relative is that from america's ghettos to the high lofts, most seek economic prosperity. We close with south brooklyn's independent minds; GGO/T.h.u.g. angels veteran Shabazz the disciple with an exclusive ode to hiphop, "heavenly bride".



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STREETS CONSCIOUSNESS P.XI : THE BEAST

“Only God can judge me”

~Tupac Amaru Shakur

"The United States has the highest documented incarceration rate in the world.[1][2] The U.S. incarceration rate on December 31, 2008 was 754 inmates per 100,000 U.S. residents, or 0.75%.[3] The USA also has the highest total documented prison and jail population in the world.[1][4][5]
According to the U.S. Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS): "In 2008, over 7.3 million people were on probation, in jail or prison, or on parole at year-end — 3.2% of all U.S. adult residents or 1 in every 31 adults"-

Wikipedia

"More than 60% of the people in prison are now racial and ethnic minorities. For Black males in their twenties, 1 in every 8 is in prison or jail on any given day. These trends have been intensified by the disproportionate impact of the "war on drugs," in which three-fourths of all persons in prison for drug offenses are people of color." -

http://www.thesentencingproject.org/

Crime and politics have close relation; right here in america. Today's features of Philadelphia black journalist Mumia Abu jamal and recent interviews of artist Felipe coronel(immortal technique) are self- explanitory. Mumia states the true active nature of the "prison industrial complex":

-In closing is an unadulterated interview of immortal technique about his personal account, and a socio-political view of the criminal justice system, and an exclusive track from the roots recent project "Rising down" Ft. Mosdef and Styles P.






the roots - rising down feat. mos def, styles p

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