THE URBAN PROMISE P.II: THE LEARNING TREE

"I had to learn the hard way some really important life lessons. There was really no one there to say, don't do this or don't do that.”-

Lauryn Hill








"On December 22, 2008, Forté walked out of Fort Dix Correctional Institution to resume his life and tell his story through music, film and prose. In addition to working on his album, Forté is a contributor to The Daily Beast and is working with at-risk youth through organizations such as “In Arms’ Reach,” a community-based arts, counseling and mentoring program for the children of incarcerated parents. " -
http://www.johnforte.com/



The above example is just one arm of thursday's feature; the plight of the next generation. The afrikan proverb "it takes a village to raise a child" is not only meditated on, but practiced through programs, the changes and reformation of school systems, and simple mentoring; even right here in our own backyard, america. In regards to the ills this generation is exposed to, and the hard numbers of statistics,many see the importance of giving the next generation a sense of direction; an alternative, to make a conscious decision as to what choices to make in this lifetime. Opposed to the negative footage we witness both in realtime and media to the tribulations of america's youth, positive outreach is still relevant. As illustrated in the composition between independent artists blitz the ambassador and industry veteran john forte:


"DYING TO LIVE"

In closing we feature independent artist, my family "Da gif" with a socially conscious take on the life and times of america's youth, along with a documentry on one institution that has been the catalyst for change, and one of the faces of reformation: youthbuild.





THEE URBANPRIESTHOOD GROUP




KEITH ELAM

July 17, 1962 – April 19, 2010

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.

THEE URBANPRIESTHOOD GROUP

MUSIC IS LIFE P.III THE VISIONARIE

“Revolutions are brought about by men, by men who think as men of action and act as men of thought.”-

KWAME NKRUMAH

okayplayer reviews:


Posted on 01/28/2009
"Noble Society is not your weed head uncle’s reggae band. Fronted by former Boot Camp Click affiliate, Jahdan, this Brooklyn outfit eschews the open, organic grooves of traditional roots music. Their ambitious debut, Take Charge is winter time reggae, world music for the new world order; a juxtaposition of the social and spiritual ruminations of vintage island music, the cold, claustrophobia of modern electronica, and the aggressive percussion of hip hop. When everything clicks, the urgency of the production adds heft to the fiery content that is characteristic of the genre, but often muted by the mellow bounce of the soundscapes. "

-okayplayer.com

Last week of feburary jumps off with two of brooklyn new york's driving independant forces: Noble society and blitz the ambassador. Even in a fledging capitalistic/digital industry a fresh and raw sound is always appreciated. The revolutionary sound of blitz seeks to go against the grain..while the NS present a conscious sound live and direct from the essense. Peace..sounds from the house of brooklyn.

NOBLE SOCIETY ACOUSTIC(HIGHEST REGION)



BLITZ THE AMBASSADOR "BLACK MARKET"(THROWBACK)

Born and raised in Accra, Ghana, Blitz the Ambassador grew up to the sounds of Afro-Beat, Highlife, Jazz, and Motown. But when his older brother introduced him to Public Enemy’s classic album, It Takes A Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back, as a young boy, he was changed forever. “I had never heard young Black people express themselves in that way before,” recalls Blitz.

THEE URBANPRIESTHOOD GROUP