William Roberts ended gangsta rap because he went from being a prison correctional officer to using the most famous black cocaine dealer’s real name as a stage name for his gangsta rap persona. And this is the man who runs gangsta rap today.
Now what’s left of this is simply killer rap.
“The Black Power Mixtape 1967-1975” directed by Göran Olsson had to be one of the best documentaries I’ve seen this year. I was deeply engaged and was glued to every single frame and sound bite.
This film is a compilation of never before released footage recorded by Swedish filmmakers. The idea was to reintroduce these images and sounds with added commentary from Erykah Badu, Talib Kweli, Quest Love, and many more, including Angela Davis herself. Angela Davis is so beautiful.
The perspective of how America was seen during the height of the Civil Rights era from the eyes of Swedish media is an experience in itself. I have a deeper appreciation for the movement as a whole, as well as greater compassion for anyone striving for unity and equal rights around the world.
This film is packed with old film and sound bites from Stokley Carmichael, Bobby Seale, Huey Newton, Angela Davis, and a lot of other notable figures who these Swedish filmmakers had yet to release until now. I recommend this film for everyone.
I think this group didn’t get enough shine in the 90’s west coast hip hop scene.
Here’s two of my favorites, “Endonesia” and “Concrete Jungle”.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ofhicg2MQT0&feature=youtube_gdata_player
Yo word up, if you can’t laugh at this then you’re a loser! Hahaha! Come on son, this is straight comedy and ain’t no shame in it whatsoever. Please, I really don’t wanna see no remixes to this one people. The original is all we need!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N-3EDv_BXuk&feature=youtube_gdata_player
NBC got the rights to show the Olympics from 2014 to 2020, and it might have cost them 4 billion dollars. It’s all good though, NBC got good credit. I think it’s a win for traditional American television. If FOX or ESPN would have won, the Olympic theme music wouldn’t be the same!
LEBANON: Lady Gaga’s newest album seized as potentially offensive to Christians
Lebanese police got a whole bunch of boxes filled with Born This Way CDs chilling at the precinct, and they’re not going anywhere anytime soon. Lebanon don’t play when it comes to religion, and Lady Gaga is not exempt. But what about all the craving Lebanese Gaga fans!?
I assume Lebanon will likely ban the entire album and call it a day. That’s not gonna stop the raging teens in that nation from getting their hands and ears on the most widely selling album of this summer. They’re already finding was to download it and burn copies from friends.
This is another example of how church and state are not a good mix. Not only is this issue superfluous to the real issues in Lebanon, but it shows how theocracy can turn very insignificant subject matter into the forefront of policy in order to maintain power and control in government.
I saw this sticker today at work and it brought back the childhood memory of Naughty By Nature’s hit single “O.P.P.”, which was my shit! You had to respect the intensity and how gangsta’ the track was in 1991. Rap ain’t what it used to be.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mJgFU3U4X_Y&feature=youtube_gdata_player
This is one of Herbal Essence’s tracks on the Shaken: Not Stirred album. I ran across it on my Pandora and fell in love with the smooth jazz fused with a hip hop drum pattern sound. I think anyone can vibe with this record.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1cV3LJ_ul5U&feature=youtube_gdata_player
Erick's Brain 