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

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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"

THEE URBANPRIESTHOOD GROUP

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..




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UNDERGROUND FEATURE: DIAMOND DISTRICT DMV

"The District of Columbia is home to our nations politics and some of the wealthiest African Americans in the country. It is also home to one of the nations largest income gaps with some of the highest crime, murder and STD rates. It is the culmination of these statics that defines DC Hip Hop. Oddisee (producer/MC from Prince George’s county, Maryland) formed this group with solo artist, XO and YU. The idea was to create a mid-90’s boom-bap themed record for the DC, Maryland & Virginia metropolitan area. XO, (born & raised in North West DC) defines what it is to be a black male raised in the district, with lyrics that have a way of philosophizing that street life. Oddisee defines the experience of growing up in black middle class Maryland. Bordering the poverty his and many other families fled to escape, they found the troubles of the inner city came along with them. YU, having been raised in the district, Maryland & Virginia, shows that DC culture exceeds it’s 10 mile radius. “In The Ruff” is the DMV’s soundtrack. its street savvy, politically conscious lyrics and grimy beats depict life in and around our nations capitol"

A group outta DC that took the elements of music back to the essence..not only an era i relate to and grew in, but unadulterated music minus the exploitations of capitalism. A group worth putting on blast for the people..currently spun on the urban plight show, "in the ruff" is one of the classic underground albums of 2009. Travel in they world for a min..real to life as we know it..salute the district..

Diamond District Mini Documentary from Diamond District on Vimeo.

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A MOMENT IN TIME: SOULTRAIN

1974 Interview of marvin gaye by don cornelius. My older sibling
said at one point when asked" times were just simpler then". We settle in this week with the legendary show "Soul train" still going strong today. Alot of times cacthin these old throwbacks help put todays generation in perspective..peep marvin breakdown his musical role in that era..give thanks for milestones in history..



ALSO: GOOD CONSCIOUSNESS FROM THE NO PRISONS SERIES..IF IT FED U .. PASS THE WORD..

NO PRISONS WEBLOG SERIES PROMO U.PRIESTHOOD: http://noprisons.wordpress.com/ from URBANPRIESTHOOD on Vimeo.

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*SALUTES THE QUEEN*: QUEEN LATIFAH

Dana Elaine Owens (born March 18, 1970),[1] better known by her stage name Queen Latifah, is an American rapper, singer, model, actress and CoverGirl. Latifah's work in music, film and television has earned her a Golden Globe award, two Screen Actors Guild Awards, two Image Awards, a Grammy Award, six additional Grammy nominations, an Emmy Award nomination and an Academy Award nomination.-
SOURCES-WIKIPEDIA

La's struggle and career speak for itself..still a thriving legacy today. Both emcees and femcees alike pay homage to the queen. We jumpoff this week with a 9-3 throwback, part of the golden age of hip-hop. Off the classic "Black Reign" album, i believe a good number of us vibed out to this one. She 39 yrs strong..Big La my thank generation and this one thank you for the contribution..





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