Haiti Benefit – Bay Area – 2nite!

Tonight at 330 Ritch, there will be a MAJOR event going to help benefit the families of Haiti.  I am really proud of the h-hop culture, particularly DJs, that have come together for this cause.  I threw my own event last Sunday to raise some money but its real cool to see ppl unifying forces to get action going.  Sake1 says better than I could so listen:

“We are all struggling to do our part for tha people of Haiti, who suffered a catastrophic earthquake last week, one that may leave as many as 200,000 people dead and countless more at risk of disease, homelessnes, and trauma.

Please join us in our humble efforts to raise needed funds here in tha Bay Area, this week and into tha future. This is a long-term committment yall — it will take YEARS for Haiti to recover and rebuild, and they will need our support and solidarity through that process. Tha era of tha US neglecting and isolating Haiti is now over — if our government won’t help Haiti’s people, its up to US.”

If you are in the Bay Area, another event will be held at the Shattuck Downlow in Berkele, Supported by Angel Magik, Ankh Marketing, Tastemaker Live, Local 1200, Dee Cee’s Soul Shakedown, Shattuck Down Low, Fiyawata Crew, featuring DJ sets by DJ MPENZi, DJ SERG, DJ I ALEXIS, DJ JAH YZER, DJ CONSHUS and emceed by PHIFE from A TRIBE CALLED QUEST.

Jay Smooth: On Haiti

Our most credible hip-hop reporter, Jay Smooth, comments on the devastation in and reaction to Haiti. Its really a horrible event. Personally, I feel if I can vote and donate to Obama who is asking for more $ for the war, I can put my effort and money to people of Haiti. I think there is also a resonating guilt that I didn’t do enough when the levees broke in New Orleans which provokes me to give. These natural disasters are worsened when poor countries or areas don’t have the physical or governmental structure to withstand a disaster like this. So those of us with resources should give. I gave some money to Wyclef’s organization but now I am hearing that might not have been the best organization to give it to.

Immortal Technique – RT Interview

I had written off Immortal Technique as a pseudo-radical, uber-militant MC who just wanted to fight the system. I have some of his songs and thought they were lyrically deep but he came off more eager to send out his message than careful to make sure the message was received. HOWEVER, after this interview, he has gained my respect for his calm tenacity to learn, his diligent understanding of sociopolitical structure, and his personal goals with hip-hop and his fight. Plus, he backs it up with his work, not just words. For the 25 Know The Ledge readers out there, if you can recommend some good links or songs to educate me on Immortal Technique, I’m willing to learn. Via Ivan at HHIR.

Get Dobbs off of CNN ***UPDATED***

My fellow Latinos, you know what to do. I think I’ve had enough of this guy. Soledad, please kick his ass. thanks. Source: Bastadobbs.com

UPDATE: As of November 11th, Lou Dobbs is off of CNN. It seems that after more than 100,000 people responded to the call of the campaign above, Dobbs felt the pressure to turn in his resignation. A big win for Latino political mobizilation but a still a pretty small step in clearing the world of negative stereotypes of Latinos (or all people for that matter). Here’s a link that KG provided with more info.

East Coast Cats & Christopher St. Boys – Jay Smooth

You have to love the internets. Larry Johnson (of the KC Chiefs) makes a very dumb mistake on Twitter and Jay Smooth catches him. I love it when hip-hop proves it intellect versus having to defend it. Did I ever tell you that Jay Smooth is becoming a personal hero if mine? partake!

Bobbito Garcia – “Latino in America”

CNN gives Latino their 15 minutes of media shine with their special, “Latino In America” – a spinoff of the highly popular “Black In America”. Ambassador to street culture – whether it be hip-hop, DJing, basketball, etc. – he speaks on growing up Puerto Rican in New York. Its really cool to hear his story and hear its relatable elements. Plus, having Soledad O’Brien in the video aint a bad look either. Found at NR.

Jay Smooth on Roman Polanski (pause)

Had to take that title from NR. It was a classic, eskay! I think Jay brings up some great points to this Polanski event. I kinda have to side with Jay on this one.  Smart hip-hop FTW!

Nas – Open Letter to Young Chicago Warriors

If you haven’t heard by now, Derrion Albert was a 16 year old student who was in honors and had no prior involvement with gangs but was beaten to death by fellow classmates just last week. I hesitated to post the video but I think to really understand the depth of tragedy and violence, you have to see it and not just read it. Now, as an outsider to the south side of Chicago – like many others, I watched this video in horror. But for those that live in this area and for those families/individuals that live in this gang-tensioned, poverty stricken areas, this is not a one-time event. Last year, Chicago had 30 kids die at schools. When in your elementary ot high school days do you remember someone dying AT school? Crazy. I feel like the white person who watched the Rodney King beating and said “how could this be?” when those who have experienced such trauma scoff at the level of naivety.

In an immediate response, to this incident. Nas wrote this open letter to the youth of Chicago:

Dear Young Warriors fighting the wrong wars! Killing each other is definitely played out. Being hurt from the lost of a love one was never cool.

Dear Young Warriors fighting the wrong war! I know that feeling , that frustration with life and needing to take it out on someone, any one. But….

We chose the dumbest things to go the hardest for. I remember seeing deaths over 8 ball jackets, fila’s , and name plate chains. Deaths over “he say she say”!!!!! “I’m from This block or I’m from that block”, or “my moms n pops is f*cked up now the whole world gotta pay”!!!

I remember feeling like I was the hardest “n*gga” breathin. And I couldn’t wait to prove it.
But let’s think. What r we really proving?? And proving what to who?? Everybody knows Chicago breeds the strongest of the strong but I just feel, me, being ya brother from another state feels your pain as if I grew up with you in ya very own household.

You have the ability and mindpower to change they way we are looked at. Look who’s watching us young warriors, look who’s throwin us in jail constantly, look at the ignorance in the world. Look at the racist dogs who love to see us down. Lovin to bury us in the ground or in jail were we continue this worthless war on one another. Young warriors…. We are WASTING more and more time. We gotta get on our jobs and take over the world. Cuz This movie left the theaters years ago, Juice, Menace, boys n the hood , blood n blood out, Belly!

When we see each other why do we see hatred? Why were we born in a storm, born soldiers, WARRIORS….and instead of building each other up we are at war with each other.. May the soul of this young person find peace with the almighty. I’m with you young warriors. You’re me and I’m you. But trust me! you are fighting the wrong war.

This sh*t sucks !!

-Nas

For more info and updates – Check here. Thanks to FSD for being one of the first to post about this.

Jay-Z = Rush Limbaugh (NY Times Article)

JGILLA sent over an interesting article titled “Call It Ludacris: The Kinship Between Talk Radio and Rap” that shows the similarities between Right-wing talk radio and hip-hop entertainers. Its def a good read, esp the part about conservative values and capitalism. Expand your mind a little. Full article after the jump.

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OBEY Plagarism?

I was sent an email about the recent taggings at Studio 1 and their subsequent removal. What was interesting was this post from Eastsider LA about Shepard Fairey, then Shepard’s response. That led me to read about this interesting and well-researched article about Shepard, OBEY, and its interpreted artistic plagiarism. Now, I am not posting this to set off the sirens at OBEY or piss off the people that work there. While I find the Eastsider blog post more of cheap shot at Fairey and really unsubstantial, the Art for A Change article was really well-written. I’m posting the article so that art fans can read it and come up with their own conclusions. I personally believe that Shepard things out his work and much like a hip-hop producer that samples, finds the best in something and tries to recreate and reinvigorate that emotion through their own means. Some producers are great at it and do some with a respect for the previous work and some are great at it w/o ever researching the history. I think Fairey falls into both categories depending on the piece. I ask, does Primo or Kanye know the history of every song they chop? Does Pete Rock know the emotional background of every break or horn he uses? My speculation is no but that doesn’t mean they were completely ignorant to the sample either. I am interested in hearing your thoughts after the read. Again, no shots here. Just challenging and spreading the knowledge.

Obey Plagiarist Shepard Fairey – Art For Change article