Filed under: Friends'n'Fam | Tags: bill 1828, california, education, libraries, philadelphia, sa ra, state budget, state senate, systemwide, uc berkeley, walk out
The people have spoken! That’s right, folks — I am thrilled to announce that the Pennsylvania State Senate finally passed bill 1828 by a vote of 32 to 17. (Sidebar: who are these 17 nay sayers and how do they rationalize voting for the mandatory closing of ALL libraries? Get your mind right!). Nevertheless, this marks an unquestionable (and imperative) victory for Philadelphia and confirms the faith I already have in communities to mobilize in moments of crisis. Of course, it does not erase the imminent threat posed to the people of Philadelphia and we must continue to fight for our public institutions to stay open! It is still beyond me how close the State Senate came to opting for “Doomsday” Plan C budget scenario, which would have resulted in the layoff of 3,000 city employees and forced the closing of all libraries. As we celebrate this victory (by supporting our local library), we can only expect more battles on the horizon. This is not to encourage cynicism (I promise you my skepticism is rooted in real life experiences and historical patterns that suggest education and literacy are conceived more so as threats than rights in this country), it is simply to acknowledge the long (and unending) war over a just allocation of state funds that rages on. Indeed, it extends far beyond the state of Pennsylvania. Today, thousands of UC students throughout the Bay Area mobilized a successful systemwide walk out as part of a demonstration against cuts to the university budget and proposed fee increases. According to the San Francisco Chronicle, “the walkout is intended to reflect widespread frustration and anger as UC lays off hundreds of workers, imposes unpaid furloughs on nonunion employees and reduces courses to close a budget gap of more than $750 million – the result of dramatically reduced funding from the cash-poor state and higher operating costs.” I encourage everyone to follow the coverage of these rallies and continue to discuss the social, political and economic implications of drastically diminishing funds for public higher education in the state of CA. There is much work to be done. In the words of Sa-Ra “STAY WOKE!”
Filed under: Art Files, Friends'n'Fam | Tags: def jam, for trent lott, mos def, roger bonair agard, survival
“Imagine what we hold in our corners” Roger Bonair Agard reminds me what it means to survive.
Filed under: Art Files, Friends'n'Fam | Tags: creative process, francis and the lights, francis starlite, piano, the fader
The blogging (pronounced: BAHLAWGING) gangsters should issue me a late pass for my failure to keep up with the lightning speed of Internet updates. I’ve officially abandoned the daily update grind — you can keep up with Rap Radar and Nah Right for the new news. One of the many things I have slept on lately is Francis and The Lights. After a quick visit to their website, I discovered an interesting project that involved Francis posting videos of himself rehearsing the piano for two hours minimum per day for nearly two weeks in preparation for a solo piano showcase at Joe’s Pub on July 11th. Francis created a tumblr page archiving each recorded rehearsal for the purpose of transparency and “keeping him honest”. He (or someone he hired) compressed each video session into manageable 2 minute segments showing the passage of time (and intensity of focus). Francis reminded me how much I respect artists who occasionally reveal glimpses of their creative process (which is often purposefully obscured — what and why are we hiding?!). While I understand the function of fantasy and magic in creative output (and showmanship), there is something to be said for sharing one’s practice beyond the final product of a song, album or performance. In my experience, projects such as Francis’s deepen audience’s pre-existing relationship to the music making process. That is, one should never assume their listeners are not also musicians (or producers or composers etc.) I’m particularly sensitive to this assumption because oftentimes men position me statically as a “fan” (an unfortunate by-product of ego tripping…and patriarchy). I digress (although you can expect a more comprehensive entry on the gendered myth of mutual exclusivity soon)…Initially, I wanted to call attention to Francis’s work ethic. I aspire to the level of discipline Francis demonstrates in these videos. Somehow, I always manage to derail projects before they’re completed (self-sabotage? letting the “little hater” get the best of me?). Ever since graduating from Wesleyan, I’ve been hungry for structure. In truth, artists and writers need strict regimentation to evolve their craft (it’s not just athletes, y’all!) In fact, this entire blog is an exercise in writing regularly…a small gesture of transparency. Similarly, the homie Sam Han recently started posting drafts of his essays (another bold example of sharing ones works in progress). Blogs have tremendous potential to be interactive platforms that invite the exchange of ideas and skills. Why battle writer’s block and paralyzing procrastination alone? Let us freely expose the messy chaos of our internal processes! I have no idea how this entry turned into a defense of vulnerable and self-conscious creative production but no matter, enjoy these videos and drop me a comment or two:
Watch more practice videos HERE. Listen to Francis and the Lights HERE. Follow Francis HERE.
Filed under: Hip Hop | Tags: baatin, beat junkies, grandmaster, j dilla, roc raida, x-ecutioners, x-men
Hip hop is in a perpetual state of mourning. Today is no exception. Anthony Williams better known as Grandmaster Roc Raida unexpectedly passed away this morning on September 19, 2009 at the young age of 37 reportedly due to health complications related to a spinal injury (reports have yet to be confirmed). A legend in his own right, Roc Raida will forever be remembered for pioneering turntablism and innovating the art form well beyond his competitors. Equipped with a larger-than-life persona, the Grandmaster himself stands unparalleled in his mastery of the nuanced and complex language of the wheels of steel. Roc Raida was best known for his lively displays of choreographed body tricks and absolute precision. Additionally, we must pay our respects to Raida’s legendary crew X-Men (b/k/a/) The X-Ecutioners whose lineup included founder Rob Swift, Total Eclipse, Mista Sinista and (of course) Roc Raida (other members include: Steve Dee, DJ Boogie Blind and DJ Precision). There’s simply not enough space in the blogosphere to fit all of his well deserved awards/accolades and contributions to the culture from the 1995 DMC World DJ Championship to his work with the likes of Show & AG, Jungle Brothers, Smif-N-Wessun, Busta Rhymes and Large Professor. Beloved by all Beat Junkies, Raida lives on as the keeper of Hip Hop’s heartbeat — the human metronome. Honestly, are the Gods building an army of legends in preparation for a battle on the horizon? I am not here to push conspiracy theories but chalking it all up to coincidence seems equally absurd. The task at hand is to make sure that history does not disappear with its pioneers. We must keep the legacies of Roc Raida (Dilla, Baatin, Jam Master Jay, Dusk 1, Rob 1, Bigga B, Proof, MJ, James Brown etc) alive through acts of remembrance and celebration. If you’re reading this, tune into JROCC’s (Beat Junkie Radio) live stream in loving memory of Roc Raida. These are the break/s…
Rest in peace and power, Grandmaster Roc Raida. Condolences to his family and loved ones.
Filed under: Friends'n'Fam, Good Looks | Tags: economic recession, free library of philadelphia, huffington post, kanye west, mandatory closing, VMAs
The shit storm that is 2009 continues to claim lives (rest in peace, Patrick Swayze) and now even our public libraries are at risk! While the blogosphere and twitterverse continue to beat the already dead horse that is Kanye West to a pulp (yes, I am combining redundant idioms), I hope to shift the focus momentarily to the tragic closing of ALL Free Library of Philadelphia branches (regional and central libraries) effective October 2, 2009. How we find ourselves in a position to fight for our public LIBRARIES to stay open is frankly beyond my human capacity for understanding. While we indulge in the excesses of mediocre video music award shows (and the drama/trauma they induce), the Pennsylvania State Senate once again fails to pass a budget. Excuse my cliche guilt trip but I am perplexed by our upside down priorities and the ways in which “economic recession” create convenient opportunities to close down schools and libraries. According to the Huffington Post, no public officials have set a potential reopening time for the libraries. No access to the Internet, cancellation of after-school education programs in libraries, GED and ESL programs discontinued, and (obviously) no access to free books, magazines or movies (NBC Philadelphia) are just a few of the many material ramifications of this mandatory closing. Visit http://libwww.freelibrary.org/closing/ for a comprehensive list of the programs to be discontinued after the close of business, October 2, 2009. Rather than sit here and blog commentary on the absurdity of this situation, I urge you to take one the following three actions (via Free Library):
- Find your elected officials. Visit this interactive map and enter your zip code.
- If a phone number is provided, call your legislator and encourage them to do everything they can to keep the libraries open in Philadelphia.
- Download our suggested letter (you can enter your legislator’s address on the letter), print it out and sign it. Don’t forget to mail or fax it today!
Here is additional information for Philly residents –> If you have any questions about impacts to Free Library services, call 215-686-5322, or visit the Free Library of Philadelphia website at www.freelibrary.org. If you have questions about changes to City services, or if you want to be kept informed about this situation, we encourage you to contact Philly 311 by calling 3-1-1 between the hours of 8am and 8 pm Monday-Friday, and 9am-5pm Saturdays, e-mail philly311@phila.gov, or visit the City of Philadelphia website at http://www.phila.gov. Talk is cheap these days, let’s make moves. We can never underestimate our collective power when properly mobilized (sounds cliche but it’s the facts, jack — cynicism won’t save our libraries). Check back here for relevant updates. Until then, support your local libraries (non-Philly folks) and please help spread the word and outrage!
Filed under: Art Files, Friends'n'Fam | Tags: buggin out, erykah badu, jay electronica, mos def, rehes creative, san francisco, the ecstatic tour
Filed under: Friends'n'Fam, Hip Hop | Tags: buggin out, erykah badu, fatbellybella, jay electronica, mos def, oakland, paramount, the ecstatic tour
Peep my footage of Badu’s MPC game @ Paramount in Oakland!
Filed under: Friends'n'Fam, Hip Hop | Tags: dj tj, erykah badu, frolab, hussein, jay electronica, la, mos def, oakland, san francisco, the ecstatic tour
Frisco :: Oakland :: LA
Filed under: Art Files, Hip Hop | Tags: japan, okayplayer, the blueprint 3, phonte, nicolay music, shibuya, city lights volume 2, carlitta durand
DOWNLOAD: NICOLAY MUSIC “CITY LIGHTS VOL. 2: SHIBUYA” SAMPLER
What can I say? With Nicolay, I always expect something different, dynamic and beautiful and that’s exactly what I receive in return. Another example of how we are each other’s expectations. Today I have been swimming in an expansive ocean of new music — it’s refreshing to move from the shallow waters of BP3 to the risky territories of Raekwon and further beyond into the quiet chaos of Shibuya. It is this place where I choose to tread water — inhaling “Omotesando” and exhaling “Bullet Train”. As a “deeply personal homage to the Tokyo district of Shibuya that illustrates both the grandeur of Japan’s age-old heritage as well as the hectic city life of one of the world’s busiest metropolitan areas,” I have no doubt that one’s first-hand travel experience in Japan (particularly to Shibuya) would enrich and inform one’s listening experience. However, as a listener who can only dream of this place, I use the complex sounds and moods to conjure forth juxtaposing images — a blueprint for a city whose streets I have yet to wander. If the sampler is any indication of the quality of the 8 other tracks, we can and should expect big things. According to OkayPlayer, “[In Shibuya] the instrumental pieces are book-ended by several vocal songs written by Phonte and performed by Durham, North Carolina vocalist Carlitta Durand“. Shibuya drops September 15. Download now!
Filed under: Friends'n'Fam, Hip Hop | Tags: cultural appropriation, dvd, hip hop homeroom, multiculturalism
Honestly, I hope drugs were involved in the making of this frighteningly hilarious hip hop rip-off. Photos provided by the homie DJ Ness via twitpic. After some digging, I found these gems of YouTube clips from the actual Hip Hop Homeroom DVD in case you were debating purchasing this for the recession special price of $1.99 (I know people are broke but knowing they’re only worth $2 must be a serious blow to their fragile teenage egos). Perhaps the strangest part of the entire DVD is that it’s only interested in teaching basic addition. Why do white people need to employ “hip hop” as a “funky” learning tool when the difficulty level never surpasses 1 + 1 = 2 ??? How dumb are suburban kids these days? Is counting “baton twirlers” actually useful or just an excuse to drown kids’ baby faces in make up and crown their heads in neon-colored paperboy hats? Let’s not even talk about the awkward “mean mugs” and miscellaneous thug-soft peace signs and b-girl stances. I’d be lying if I told you I wasn’t thoroughly amused by this hot mess of an attempt at making learning “fun” and “funky”. Poor hip hop, you have become multiculturalism’s favorite (exploitable) friend. Next lesson: how to subtract the wack! (Hip Hop Homeroom, I’m talking to you). Y’all are not even ready for this:
Someone please make a clever remix to these songs or videos. I beg of you!
