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video: janelle monae on david letterman

2010-05-19T10:46:00.000-07:00

The genre-busting Janelle Monae performs her hit, "Tightrope", off her amazing debut album. The ArchAndroid is available in stores now, and its definitely beatsandbooks.com approved. This album represents the type of sound, talent, and effort that should be in the forefront. Great work, Ms. Monae. The album is available at Itunes and Amazon . Please support good music!

event: resilient rhythm (2/5)

2010-01-29T11:52:00.000-08:00

Join us at The Arts Garage, Philadelphia as we honor the memory and assist the rebuilding effort of the people of Haiti, who on January 12, 2010 experienced an enourmous human tragedy. All proceeds of this event will go to the Haitian Reconstruction Project.

About the event:
Place: The Arts Garage, 1533 Ridge Ave, Philly PA 19130
Time: 10pm-3am
Cost: $10
This event will feature DJ Statik, and catering by SpicyWildMango

For more information please email resilient1804@gmail.com.

wale releases attention deficit

2009-11-10T08:00:00.000-08:00

For those who frequent the site and have not heard of DMV artist Wale, no worries. Thats why beatsandbooks.com exists. Hailing from the DMV area, Wale burst onto the local scene in 2005 dropping mixtapes (100 Miles and Running, A Mixtape About Nothing, Hate Is The New Love, Back To The Feature) and doing local shows. It was in 2007, where I got a chance to meet Wale through Jabari, and witnessed him perform for the first time. The brother brought the crowd down, and it wasn't long before he translated his mixtape success into being signed by Interscope. Discovered by Mark Ronson, Wale soon began to make appearances on studio albums of major artists such as The Roots. The Howard University community recognized his talent at the outset, and probably collectively represent one of his biggest followings. Parties routinely included his "Dig Dug" and "Breakdown". He has performed at the Yardfest concert the last three years, even filming his video for "Nike Boots" there. Today is the release of his first studio album, Attention Deficit and the beginning of what we hope is a long career. The project features legends (Bun B), the future (J.Cole and K'Naan), and some of the best vocalists out right now (Chrisette Michele, Marsha Ambrosius). Don't take our word for it however, we have provided the skeptics with a preview of this great project. The album is in stores now support our brother!

Wale "Mama Told Me"

Wale "TV In the Radio" featuring K'Naan

Wale "Beautiful Bliss" featuring Melanie Fiona and J.Cole

My brother Jabari interviews Wale

cameo headlines howard university's yardfest

2009-10-27T07:37:00.000-07:00

The 2009 HU Homecoming Steering Committee provides the old heads with a little reminder of the past. Usually Yardfest includes up and coming artists, however this year the coordinators saw fit to take it back. In their 33rd year of performing, the crowd enjoyed renditions of classics such as "Single Life", "Candy", "She's Strange", and "Word Up!". Here's a glimpse of the hour-long set from Cameo!

philadelphia's rafiya presents: amazing

2009-10-19T09:04:00.000-07:00

Got this new track in my inbox the other day. This is from Philly-based Afro-Soul singer Rafiya. The track is called 'Amazing'. Support her, you can find it at itunes. Shouts to Jimmy and 413 Management for the heads up.

Who is Rafiya?

Rafiya was born in Los Angeles to Congolese parents: a diplomat father and a sociologist mother. Due to her father’s career, she traveled extensively during her formative years: living in Congo (Democratic Republic), the Cape Verde Islands, Benin, Senegal, Guinea, Barbados and Ivory Coast. She moved to Philadelphia in 2001 to attend Temple University where she double majored in Sociology and Spanish, and graduated in 2006 with honors.

While attending school full-time in the aforementioned nations, Rafiya found time to work with local artists, absorbing their techniques and wisdom all the while enriching her sound. She has worked with Oscar Kidjo, recorded in Youssou N’Dour’s studio and toured France and North Africa with French rap star, Mokobe.

Every passing collaboration, studio session and performance strengthened her ever-present belief that she would be spending her life making music; making people smile, dance and think.

Rafiya writes and sings about the human experience in French and English but regardless of your native tongue, her passion translates itself in the melody. Parlez-vous Rafiya?
www.facebook.com/rafiyamusic
www.youtube.com/rafiyamusic
www.myspace.com/rafiyamusic

when and where i enter: paula giddings

2009-10-19T08:45:00.000-07:00

book info: published in 1984 by Morrow
author info: Paula Giddings is a professor of African American Studies at Smith College

Anna Julia Cooper. Ida Bell Wells-Barnett. Maria Miller Stewart. Mary Church Terrell. Mary McLoed Betuhune. These are just a few of the names that are mentioned in this important work on the history of Black women in the United States. In her work, Paula Giddings provides a narrative history of the impact of Black women on America and more specifically and importantly the lives of the Black community in America. For whatever reasons, the general history of African people in America is distorted, and this includes many African American women. Giddings begins the process of uncovering some of the stories and struggles of these women in the American context. Well-written and informative, When And Where I Enter is an important piece of scholarship for the casual reader, scholar, as well as the young people in our communities.

quote:

"...Black women had already proven their inherent strengths--both physical and psychological. They had undergone a baptism of fire and emerged intact." (pg. 55)

david walker's appeal

2009-09-30T13:01:00.000-07:00

This past Monday marked the 180th anniversary of the publication of David Walker's Appeal. This was one of the first attempts by an African American to inspire his people to rise up and 'retake their fame'. It was one of the first attempts by an African American to elucidate the inner workings of white supremacy in America. It was one of the first attempts by an African American to brainstorm solutions for Black people. It was a seminal work and work that is to this day still relevant. The four sections of this work include:
1) OUR WRETCHEDNESS IN CONSEQUENCE OF SLAVERY
2)OUR WRETCHEDNESS IN CONSEQUENCE OF IGNORANCE
3) OUR WRETCHEDNESS IN CONSEQUENCE OF THE PREACHERS OF THE RELIGION OF JESUS CHRIST and
4)OUR WRETCHEDNESS IN CONSEQUENCE OF THE COLONIZING PLAN.

David Walker work represents truth, authenticity, and passion. It is a work of great honesty and worth.

This books is available online for free. Check it out here.

interview with tolu olorunda

2009-09-29T08:27:00.000-07:00

In our latest artist spotlight, we interview Tolu Olorunda. One of the brighter minds in hip-hop and journalism. Olorunda has recently released an instrumental EP entitled, Open Casket which is available for free download (we thank the Brother for that). We at Beats and Books decided we want to know a little more about the brother so we conducted an interview.

BB: Introduce the world to Tolu Olorunda.

TO: I am a cultural critic whose work has appeared on several websites including AllHipHop.com, Alternet.org, BlackCommentator.com, TheDailyVoice.com, TheNation.com, among others. I don't work primarily as a producer, but I did for about three years until early 2008, when I decided to focus more on a career in writing.

BB: What are your earliest influences in music, and in life in general?

TO: My earliest influences in music are varied. But two musicians I grew accustomed to hearing at a young age are Bob Marley and Nas. Life influences would probably be more the guys I hung out with when I skipped class and school. There was an innocence and realness I grew accustomed to in those environments that attracted me. Later on, when I began reading voraciously, I came to understand just why I had more in common outside of than within a controlled classroom setting.

BB: What is the inspiration behind the Open Casket project?

TO: The first 7 beats on the album are the result of a beat battle I engaged in just a couple of months ago. I battled a local producer and thought the beats came out pretty good--more so because, as I prepared for the battle, the creative energy didn't just limit me to battle-style beats. In the process, I created tribute songs to the legacies of icons like Michael Jackson and Mike Tyson. The last three, however, are a random selection from my vast, past catalog--just a small treat from the many beats I created in those three years.

BB: Who did you work with on it?

TO: Nobody. Just Me, Myself, and I. I work solo. That way, full control over the direction of such a project is in my hands. But I credit my whole career to the immortal spirit of J Dilla--in whose work I've found illimitable motivation, drive, diligence, and richness.

BB: What is in your Ipod?

TO: I don't have a Ipod, but my musical library (which includes Vinyls, CDs, and cassette tapes) is as diverse from Odetta to Mos Def, Fela Kuti to Nina Simone, Louis Armstrong to Coltrane, Nas to Carlos Santana, J Dilla to DOOM, Devin the Dude to Z-Ro, Talib Kweli to Pearl Bailey, Pete Rock to Big L, MC Lyte to KRS-One, Michael Jackson to Ray Charles, Ahmad Jamal to Tears for Fears, Joni Mitchell to Muddy Waters, James Brown to Lupe Fiasco, Amir Sulaiman to George Carlin, Femi Kuti to Mahalia Jackson, Aretha Franklin to Brian Eno and David Byrne, and many others without whom I couldn't survive.

BB:Where can fans go to learn more about you and see more of your work?

TO:You can check out BlackCommentator.com, TheDailyVoice.com, and AllHipHop.com.

BB:In your opinion, what is the state of African and African American music?

TO: It's in crisis--a severe one. If we don't act now, we would be mortgaging the future of the next generation--abandoning them at the hands of capricious executives who have no respect for our culture or music or artform, who simply see it as an ATM machine. They've made ATM cards out of artists--swiping them at the speed of light. It's not just Hip-Hop. It's every musical creation classifiable as "Black" in the native sense of the word. They've commercialized the sound and re-packaged it as disposable, paper-plate, bubble-gum caricatures of serious art--music at its purest form. For more, see the great documentary, Before the Music Dies.

BB: How do we raise the consciousness of our people through music?

TO: By demanding the labels, media outlets, and artists all stop feeding the public bullsh**. I've written quite extensively about this issue in the last few months, and I plan to keep on doing so for as long as the need remains. Some fans are smart; some aren't. Some fans can see the forest from the trees; some lack the foresight. Some artists are prophetic in their inclination (see Jasiri X, Amir Sulaiman, Asa, M.anifest, K'Naan, Tumi & The Volume, Invincible, Ian Kamau, for young, noteworthy examples); many aren't. But the universal theme in all this is choice and diversity--something major labels seem to lack the intellectual capacity in grasping. So, it's incumbent upon conscientious fans to do the heavy lifting. We have to stop purchasing music that degrades women, promotes promiscuity, and champions materialism above the non-market values--such as Peace, Love, and Unity--that founded, and are at the core of, Hip-Hop culture.

BB:What is next from you?

TO:More wide-ranging, hard-hitting essays, and a book to be released sometime next year.

Thanks for the opportunity. I love the concept of the site: beats and books--two essential tools in my life!

We thank Tolu for a great interview and we encourage everyone to cop the Open Casket EP as well as check out some of the his articles. Its well worth it. Expand your mind!

video: happy birthday john coltrane (September 23, 1926 – July 17, 1967)

2009-09-23T07:29:00.000-07:00

Celebrating the life and achievements of John William Coltrane. Maa Kheru. Enjoy these videos.

music: dv one's "soul girl" mix

2009-09-22T08:40:00.000-07:00

If you don't get DJ DV One's newsletters you miss out on gems like this. I will just leave it at that. Here is his "Soul Girl" mix. Listen and Download

From DV One

Whattup ya'll!

LIVE AND DIRECT FROM THE 206.... well for now at least.
Fresh back from Detroit Big Tune... BIg up to all the competitors,
and the winners Apollo Brown, and Frank Dukes! see u at the
finals in ATL. Being in Detroit we took a trip to Hitsville USA.
The birthplace of motown records and many, many soul legends.
It was that visit which was the inspiration for this weeks mix.
This weeks jammy is all abt the soul girl... This one will definitely
have a volume II, maybe a vol. III & IV too... So much good stuff
and more that i didn't even get to add. As always listen, enjoy
and pass along to anyone else u think may be interested.
This is the 27th mix to the collection, so u know its good :)

Until next time....

Love,

DV One
Rock Steady Crew
Massive Monkees

- PLAYLIST -

Roberta Flack - killing me softly
Margie Joseph - stop in the name of love
Diana Ross - my world is empty
Ten Wheel Drive - aint gonna happen
The Emotions - as long as ive got you
Yvonne Fair - let your hair down
Dawn Penn - no no no
Sister Nancy - bam bam
Booker T & the MGs - children dont get weary
Lyn Collins - take me
Patrice Rushen - where is the love
Marva Whitney - only you
Wendy Rene - after laughter
Minnie Ripperton - adventures in paradise
Marlena Shaw - woman of the ghetto
Lyn Collins - you cant love me if you...
Ella Fitzgerald - sunshine of your love
Vicki Anderson - i want to be in the land of milk & honey
Aretha Franklin - respect
Teena Marie - square biz
Freda Payne - you brought the joy
Thelma Houston - reach out i'll be there
Nicole Willis - feeling free
Cold Blood - i wish i knew

TONIGHT (9/22) alice smith in los angeles

2009-09-22T08:34:00.000-07:00

If you happen to be in Los Angeles, Alice Smith will be doing two surprise shows the next two nights! Get your tickets now! Here's the info:

Hey everybody in LA, Alice here.

Starting TONIGHT I'll be playing 2 surprise shows, opening for Citizen Cope. Tuesday 9/22 is at House of Blues in LA, show starts at 9pm. Wednesday 9/23 is at House of Blues in Anaheim, show starts at at 9pm.

All info is listed below. Tickets available at citizencope.com.

Tuesday 9/22
House of Blues LA @ 9pm/Doors 8pm
8430 W Sunset Blvd
323-848-5100

Wednesday 9/23
House of Blues Anaheim @ 9pm/Doors 8pm
1530 S Disneyland Dr
714-778-2583

Here she is performing "Hey, Yeah":

video: foreign exchange in san fran

2009-09-14T11:54:00.000-07:00

The Foreign Exchange collective doin' what they do.

davey d drops the knowledge

2009-09-14T08:22:00.001-07:00

Here's an article that underscored my sentiments about the stupidity of Kanye West, MTV, and last night's show. Shouts to Davey D for putting it more nicely than I would have.

The Phony, Corporate Sponsored Disruptions & Outbursts of Kanye West & Joe Wilson by Davey D

Lemme cut to the chase, Kanye West is phony as was his contrived outburst when he rushed the stage to disrupt an acceptance speech from country singer Taylor Swift, during last night’s MTV Video Music Awards. It was a perfectly executed stunt which was designed to make national headlines (which it did). It was designed to become among the top trending topics in twitter and one of the hot key words in google (which it is). It was obviously designed to take away attention from issues at hand as Kanye’s outburst overshadowed many of the performances and presenters including the Michael Jackson tribute.

Like it or not in 2009, notoriety works and unchecked disruptions, outbursts and controversial statements and gestures are the order of the day especially if you need to do a little bit of ’social engineering’. Kanye rushing the stage at the VMAs was no different than the idiot congressman from South Carolina, Joe Wilson calling President Obama a liar during his speech the other night. It was no different then last month’s so called ’spontaneous’ shouting matches and YouTube ready disruptions during Democratic sponsored healthcare townhall meetings around the country.

(more after the jump)

The end results are all the same. People are still talking about Joe Wilson and more importantly his opposition to Obama’s Healthcare plans. It created a huge windfall of donations to the tune of 1 million dollars for his re-election campaign. Lastly, this once obscure congressman is now a national figure and a household name who is seen as a hero in many circles. His notoriety and 15 minutes of fame has gotten him a platform to voice his espouse his opinions and political philosophy.

The disruptions during the healthcare townhalls were obvious game changers. First, it put the Democrats on the defense and allowed a vastly outnumbered Republican party that was in disarray to gain momentum and popularity. It also emboldened a number of people including staunch racists who were frustrated and angry to let loose and grab a seat at the proverbial table.

In the case of Kanye West, people are obviously talking about him and inevitably whatever projects he’s pushing. In a crumbling music industry where personality and branding is whats being sold more than music, the attention Kanye received is extremely valuable. The free publicity is worth millions.

But all this is just part of the story in terms of who benefits. Whether we’re talking about Joe Wilson or Kanye West, they are small cogs on the totem pole. There are larger and more powerful beneficiaries. It could be Health Insurance, leadership in the GOP, Kanye’s record label and MTV/Viacom. The 64 thousand dollar question is what hand did these larger institutions have in these controversies.

Did GOP leaders plan to have Wilson act out during the president’s speech as a strategy to take some shine away and minimize Obama’s persuasive oratory skills? To me, its more than obvious they did. No one seems to be to upset with Wilson. Thus far I’m not hearing about Wilson being removed from any committees. He already said he’s not gonna apologize a second time and it’s not like President Obama is gonna run up and punch him in the face for being disrespectful. In short there’s been no penalty for Wilson breaking the rules as his party has pretty much circled the wagons around him. Wilson and his GOP buddies are relishing in the fact that they were able to reaffirm and in many ways re-established their position as scrappy fighters who are down for the cause of the blue collar man compared to the ‘whimpy’ Democrat.

In the case of the townhall disruptions, we already know that many of these ‘grassroots’ , ’spontaneous’ gatherings were actually orchestrated and seeded by lobbyists and corporations with the main groups being Freedomworks and Americans for Prosperity. Expensive PR firms were hired and a strategy was developed instructing people how to systematically disrupt townhalls. This included, spreading out amongst the crowd to give the appearance as being larger in numbers, rattling the sensibilities of a congressperson early on by shouting and aggressively challenging him/her and just generally being disruptive so that what got reported on the evening news was people shouting down the congressperson and not the finer points of healthcare.

Anyone who has ever done commercial radio and been in a ratings war, much of these ‘political’ disruptions are text book. Early on we learned the important lesson of controversy sells. We’ve learned the importance of staging ’spontaneous’ activities including cheering, hissing and booing in such away that the people around you would catch on and join in. ‘That’s all classic social engineering tactics. We learned how to show up at our competitions events and concerts, give up t-shirts, bumper stickers and signs and create the illusions that we were somehow apart of what was deemed exclusively theirs.

This brings us full circle back to Kanye West rushing the stage. because we’ve been inundated with crass disruptive behavior at political events, many of us forgot that this is a hallmark of the music industry. Creating illusions and smoke and mirrors is what we specialize in. Was Kanye’s antics sanctioned and planned by executives at MTV? LOL, last night’s Kanye moment was about as real as the Janet Jackson wardrobe malfunction several years ago. It was about as real and unscripted as an episode of MTV’s Real World. or even better last night’s Kanye outburst was about as real as the battle for record sales between him and 50 cent two years ago.

This should be more than obvious. By the end of the show MTV had a graph in place to show how Kanye’s disruption was the thing everyone was talking about on twitter? Plus, is Kanye being banned from any radio play? No. Will he be back at the next MTV event or is he banned for life? Hell naw. Will MTV keep showing the clip of Kanye rushing the stage? Hell yeah. This is not the first time he’s acted a fool at these type of events and he’s always invited back. Kanye is playing the role of the late Ole Dirty Bastard who was known for having a number of spontaneous outbursts including rushing the stage during the Grammys, that became seared in our collective memories over the years.

Me personally, I knew Kanye was phony balony when he rushed the stage and proclaimed Beyonce should’ve won without being nervous. That was the scripted Kanye we saw last night. The unscripted Kanye was the one we saw during the Katrina telethon when he said George Bush doesn’t care about Black people. But lets not digress.

Look the bottomline is everyone was in on it. Hell I’m beginning to even think Taylor Swift and Beyonce went along for the ride and had scripted out roles with Beyonce being the gracious sheroe and Smith being the poor victim we all rallied around. No matter the case, scripted or not it all seems to have worked out. Remember this is the same MTV who just a few months ago had us all looking on in shock as Eminem shed his bad boy image to go along with promotional stunt concocted by actor Sacha Barron Cohen dressed in character as Bruno. People were led to believe that Cohen ‘had an accident with his stunt cables and somehow landed in such a way that his ass and nutsack was in Em’s face as he attempted to untangle himself. An enraged Eminem stormed out the building only to have it later revealed it was a stunt he was in on and even rehearsed it.

I guess the bigger and more somber picture to all this is how we are constantly being manipulated. It may start somewhat harmlessly with Kanye West-like stunts at MTV but then it leads up to ’staged’ outburst by ’upset’ lawmakers during a Presidential speech. All of it corporate sponsored and all of this is part of a larger pattern to dumb down the masses and keep a population ill-informed. In the business we call it learned behavior and it allows for people to be easily duped and eventually pimped.

Something to ponder

-Davey D-

"make me": janet jackson

2009-09-14T08:17:00.001-07:00

After being swindled (mostly by Wale and UCB)into watching parts of MTV's gross mis-interpretation of music, art, and the African aestehtic, (the VMAs), the only good thing was seeing Janet Jackson's tribute. Fresh off that performance is this new track, "Make Me", off her upcoming project.

video: n'dambi 's "can't hardly wait"

2009-09-14T07:47:00.000-07:00

Most of us remember, N'dambi from here days as Erykah Badu's backup singer. The song is from her upcoming album, Pink Elephant.

link to: jay-z's answer the call concert

2009-09-14T07:44:00.000-07:00

For those who missed it, Pinboard has provided the full video to the Jay-Z concert last Friday. Check it out here

video: jabari interviews raheem devaughn

2009-09-09T08:59:00.001-07:00

My man Jabari sits down with Raheem Devaughn to discuss how hip hop influences his music.

its finally here: q-tip's kamaal/theabstract

2009-09-09T07:39:00.000-07:00

For those who were too young (me) to know about this, Q-Tip's Kamaal/The Abstract was originally slated to be released in 2002. But due to what L.A. Reid called "a lack of commercial appeal", it was never released. Certain singles and advance copies eventually saw the light of the day however. After a long battle, Q-Tip got the rights to the project and 7 years later it will finally be released on Battery Records. I may be the only one, but this would have been a welcome precursor to the style of music embodied on Outkast's Love Below/Speakerboxx. The album is slated to be released on September 15th. Support good music yall! Here's a video he produced, and a preview of two of the tracks.

Q-Tip "A Million Times"

Q-Tip "Even If Its So"

remembering: marvin gaye + tammi terrell

2009-09-08T10:40:00.000-07:00

The best male and female singing duo in the 20th century was undoubtedly Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell. Their legacy began in 1965 at Motown Records the year Terrell signed to the label. Included in this post are three of their famous hits. However the average music fan is usually not aware that they recorded much more. Within a short span, the duo released the following singles: "Ain't No Mountain High Enough","Your Precious Love","If I Could Build My Whole World Around You" (in 1967), "If This World Were Mine","Ain't Nothing Like the Real Thing","You're All I Need to Get By","Keep On Lovin' Me Honey" (in 1968)"You Ain't Livin' Till You're Lovin'","Good Lovin' Ain't Easy to Come By","What You Gave Me","The Onion Song" (in 1969),and "California Soul" (in 1970). Tragically, Terrell's life was cut short at the age of 24, which affected Gaye tremendously, whose own life was cut short at the age of 44. Despite their short careers, the legacy that they left together was nothing short of amazing. So amazing, that we have not and probably will not be able to reproduce anything like it. For history's and for the future's sake, here are three of the aforementioned classic duets.

"Precious Love"

"If I Could Build My Whole World Around You"

"Ain't Nothing Like the Real Thing"

"you got me" (1999): the roots featuring erykah badu and eve

2009-09-08T10:36:00.000-07:00

The Roots "You Got Me" (1999)

Believe it or not, this song was my introduction to the Roots. Needless to say, they've been my favorite band ever since. This track also spawned the career of many artists and producers, including Jill Scott, who co-wrote it, Scott Storch , who produced it, and Eve, who is featured as well. It will live on as one of The Roots' greatest hits. In 2000, it won the Grammy for Best Performance by a Rap Group.

"da art of storytelling pts. 1 and 2 " (1998): outkast

2009-09-08T10:27:00.000-07:00

Outkast "Da Art of Storytelling Pt. 1" (1998)

Outkast "Da Art of Storytelling Pt. 2" (1998)

When Aquemini dropped in Septemebr 1998, those who had previously doubted the talent and abilities of Outkast were forever silenced. To deny their lyrical artistry at that point would have been intellectually fraudulent. The high point of that project (according to me), were tracks 9 and 10. The Atlanta-based duo showed that the South had previously and will forever produce hip hop artists that can showcase rhyming at the highest levels. Can't believe this was 11 years ago.

"ordinary people" (2005): john legend

2009-09-08T10:21:00.000-07:00

John Legend 'Ordinary People" (2005)

As fan of the piano, this song is probably one of the more soulful created within the last 5 years. From the debut album of John Legend , Get Lifted, "Ordinary People" is in my opinion a timeless classic because it evokes a tradition grounded in the tradition of Ellington, Monk, and Taylor with a flavor of the new school. I know yall remember it, because it wasn't that long ago. Enjoy.

the beautiful struggle: ta-nehisi coates

2009-08-30T12:59:00.000-07:00

book info: published in 2008 by Spiegel & Grau
author info: Ta-Nehisi Coates is a writer hailing from Baltimore, Maryland. He is the son of Paul Coates, founder of Black Classic Press.

In his memoir, The Beautiful Struggle , Ta-Nehisi Coates eloquently captures the struggles of coming of age in Baltimore in the late 80s and early 90s. The story begins with Coates and his brother Big Bill finding themselves surrounded by a neighborhood posse on their turf. A microcosm of life during the times, Coates explains the perils of life under his father's unorthodox method of raising children, his non-traditional family, and acquiring the "knowledge" in West Baltimore. A cultural gem, this story remembers the genesis of hip-hop, the black nationalist movement (with which is father was involved), and the crack epidemic and response. Supported by their father's burgeoning Black Classic Press, Coates' family was unique in that his father and seven children by four women, yet all of his siblings were a part of his life. Coates also remembers his education both within public school and the African community, as he was initiated into Ankobea in Washington DC. The long road to manhood for the Coates clan would end up in DC, at the Mecca (Howard University), where Paul Coates was able to send them for free as a result of his employment at the Moorland-Spingarn Research Center.

quote:

"To be a black male is to be always at war, and no flight to the county can save us, because even there we are met by the assumption of violence, by the specter of who we might turn on next. I was ravaged by the plague of my fallen old town and reengineered. They took my wings, handed me a blade. I lost so much of myself out there. My dreams shrank into survival and mere dignity and respect. But in my djembe, I found art and my lost imagination, and now from heavy hands to making a drum sing--what more was out there? How far did it all really go?"

video: the foreign exchange's "house of cards"

2009-08-30T12:35:00.000-07:00

The Foreign Exchange video for "House of Cards". One of my favorite songs off the album. If you are on the West Coast, this group has a myriad of shows coming up near you.
Sep 11, 2009 : Someday Lounge, Portland OR
Sep 12, 2009 : Yoshi's, San Francisco CA
Sep 13, 2009 : The Roxy, Los Angeles CA
Sep 14, 2009 : The Roxy, Los Angeles CA
Sep 15, 2009 : Nectar Lounge, Seattle WA
For ticket info: visit their website.

video: dwele's "traveling girl"

2009-08-19T13:14:00.000-07:00

Dwele official music video for "Traveling Girl".

"all night long": john legend, estelle, & ludacris

2009-08-18T18:20:00.001-07:00

John Legend + Estelle + Ludacris "All Night Long"

Apparently there is some confusion among the blogosphere about who's track this actually is. We'll just enjoy it til they sort that out. Luda's verse. No comment just a Wow.

live tonight 8/18: yahzarah and brandon hines at dc's station 9

2009-08-18T08:51:00.000-07:00

DC's own Yahzarah and Howard's own Brandon Hines to rock DC's Station 9. TONIGHT! August 18th.

Wine, Dine and Enjoy Great Live R&B Music!

R&B Live DC, a live monthly performance showcase highlighting national, independent and local R&B talent, presents nationally renowned singer Yahzarah August 18th. Born and raised in Washington, D.C., Yahzarah attended the Duke Ellington School of Arts before beginning her career singing backup for Erykah Badu. For more information on Yahzarah, please visit www.myspace.com/yazarah.

The evening's lineup will begin with a special performance by Patrice Jones of Glenarden, Md., before "Mr. Howard University 2006," Brandon Hines takes the stage. House band Standard will accompany the performers and DJ Bee will be spinning throughout the night.

Doors open at 8 p.m.
Performances start at 9 p.m.
$10 Cover
For dinner reservations or to RSVP for VIP seating call (202) 667-1661

"if you could see me now" (1946): sarah vaughan

2009-08-18T08:11:00.000-07:00

Sarah Vaughan's musical career is one worthy of the highest praise. The "Sassy One" blessed the world for over 47 years with her "wondrous, contralto voice". Her contributions to not only jazz, but music are enduring. Her future legendary status was evident when she recorded this Tadd Dameron-arranged "If You Could See Me Know" in 1946. A Newark, N.J. native, Vaughan captivated the audiences at Harlem's Apollo Theater before captivating the world the rest of her life. This is a timeless classic because it is captivating us to this day. For an in-depth look at her life, please check out Sassy: The Life of Sarah Vaughan:

Sarah Vaughan "If You Could See Me Now" (1946)

video: miles davis' "human nature"

2009-08-18T07:59:00.000-07:00

The homie Monique put me on this last night. I had to share. Miles + Michael. Good stuff.

"cruisin": usher

2009-08-13T13:17:00.000-07:00

Usher "Cruisin'"

This Usher track was recently leaked to the internet. No word on whether or not this will be on his upcoming Monster. Shouts to pinboard for the drop.

listen to: 88 Keys' Born to Rock Playlist

2009-08-13T09:38:00.000-07:00

Imeem recently partnered with 88 Keys to share a playlist featuring some of his influences. Some pretty good tracks on it, including A Tribe Called Quest, Slum Village, and Bilal. Listen to it here .

video: mpho skeef's "box n' locks"

2009-08-13T09:25:00.000-07:00

I hadn't heard of Mpho Skeef until recently. As a recent visitor to South Africa, she reminds me of what I saw while walking around in Cape Town. Anyway here's some more information about here courtesey of Afripop Mag:

"Last I spoke to Mpho Skeef she had an independently released EP called Documented in the cut. For three whole years to have passed and for there to be this much buzz upon her return is unheard of.

Clearly it was time away well spent for the 33-year-old who got hitched, popped a second child and got on with constructing POP Art, her debut disc, which is one out of a five album deal, and an assured first step towards mainstream acclaim. Especially considering its first single Box N Locks produced by Switch (M.I.A) and using the sample for Martha and the Muffins’ 80s new wave number Echo Beach (Martha approves).
Last I spoke to Mpho Skeef she had an independently released EP called Documented in the cut. For three whole years to have passed and for there to be this much buzz upon her return is unheard of.

Clearly it was time away well spent for the 33-year-old who got hitched, popped a second child and got on with constructing POP Art, her debut disc, which is one out of a five album deal, and an assured first step towards mainstream acclaim. Especially considering its first single Box N Locks produced by Switch (M.I.A) and using the sample for Martha and the Muffins’ 80s new wave number Echo Beach (Martha approves)."

I dig. Shouts to blackgirl LAWst for the heads up.

video: yahzarah "tickler"

2009-08-12T14:22:00.000-07:00

Sexy. According to Yahzarah also known as Purple St. James, this video was leaked by director Tchaiko Omawale today, so she shared it to the world via Twitter. "Tickler" is from the upcoming album, The Ballad of Purple St. James.

video: eric roberson "she"

2009-08-12T14:13:00.000-07:00

We do a lot of spotlights on HU alum, but Eric Roberson is a talent that deserves mention regardless of that fact. Here's his a commercial for the song "She" from his upcoming release, Music Fan First. Out on August 25th and available for pre-order now .

ledisi is ready to turn it loose

2009-08-12T12:30:00.000-07:00

Good news, people. Ledisi is back! Following her 2007 release, Lost and Found which got a 4.5 star rating from allmusic.com, is the album entitled Turn Me Loose. This beautiful album is set to be released on August 18th, and features soulful vocals, creative production, honest lyrics, and positive messages. Her name, Ledisi, is Yoruba meaning "to bring forth", and Ms. Young has brought forth an amazing album. The first single is "Goin Thru Changes". This album features the production of Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis as well as Rex Rideout, Chucky Thomson and Raphael Saadiq. Ledisi shows her constant ability to interpose genres and sing from the soul with messages about love and preservance, doing so with an irresitible southern charm. Come next Tuesday, we hope you support this wonderful artist. The album is available for pre-order now.

Preview some of the tracks here:

Ledisi "Higher Than This"

Ledisi "Say No"

bloody lowndes: hasan kwame jeffries

2009-08-12T10:53:00.001-07:00

book info: published in 2009 by New York University Press
author info: Hasan Kwame Jeffries is a professor of history at Ohio State University. He is the nephew of Dr. Leonard and Rosalin Jeffries.

During the mania that was the election of the 44th President of the United States, Barack Obama, the euphoria was adamantly expressed by members of the new generation. The energy of young, liberal-minded Americans was felt throughout the country. Some young college-aged African Americans said that they suddenly felt a
sense of entitlement here in America. However very few acknowledged the sacrifice, plight, and struggles of the first African Americans in this country who raised to say "Enough!" and sought political power. This began the moment Africans set foot in the New World. In the contemporary era this was characterized by the Civil Rights era and Black Power movements. An important area of this struggle began in little known Lowndes County, Alabama. In this excellent work, Dr. Hasan Jeffries, recounts the story of the quest for self-determination of the African people living in Lowndes County. Those well-versed in the history of the Black Power movement will remember the story of the Lowndes Country Freedom Organization, aided by Kwame Ture (aka Stokely Carmichael) in the 1960s. This party had as its emblem, the black panther, and was the original Black Panther Party, running a political campaign in Lowndes County. In this book, Jeffries talk about that struggle but gives a succinct history of the region going back to Reconstruction.
The struggle for humanity waged in Lowndes County was characterized by much sacrifice, and we must continue to acknowledge those elders and and ancestors who put their lives on the line for a much greater cause than the election of a Black president. For them, the struggle encompassed a greater aim.
quote:

"Thus the obstacles that African Americans sought to overcome in the civil rights era were neither new or short-lived. These harsh restrictions, however, failed to extinguish the desire of African Americans to live autonomous lives. Although the limitations that whites imposed on African Americans, influenced the timing, tactics, and goals of the Lowndes Movement, they were not solely responsible for shaping its contours. Equally important, was the unique understanding of freedom that African Americans developed during slavery, which served as the basis of their post-emancipation political agenda." (pg. 9)

the hip hop generation: bakari kitwana

2009-08-11T09:52:00.001-07:00

book info: published in 2002, Basic Citivas Books
author: Bakari Kitwana is a journalist, activist and political analyst. For more check out www.bakarikitwana.com.

Hip-hop fans, writers, intellectuals, but most importantly the next generation of torch-bearers...this book is for you. Read it. Understand it. Bakari Kitwana's The Hip Hop Generation is an excellent foray into the world of hip-hop. It chronicles the history of those who influenced the movement, according to him those who were born from 1965-1984. It is framed in two parts. Part one discusses the conditions that caused the crises in African-American culture. While part two, is about confronting these crises. Not merely a narrative about music, Kitwana discusses hip-hop from a standpoint of its social, political, and economic foundations. If we understand all these factors, we get a better understanding of hip-hop. Maybe Oprah and others should take a look as well.

quote:

"Both rappers (Notoroius B.I.G. and Tupac) like their peers who saw promise in their short lives, were hip hop generationers--those young African-Americans born between 1965 and 1984 who came of age in the eightes and nineties and share a specific set of values and attitudes. At the core are our thoughts about families, relationships, child rearing, career, racial identity, race relations, and politics." (pg. 4)

the destruction of black civilization: chancellor williams

2009-08-10T15:28:00.000-07:00

book info: published in 1974, Third World Press
author: Chancellor Williams (1898-1992) was a historian,scholar, professor, and defender of African humanity.

This treasure is by far one of the most important pieces of scholarship ever. It is the seminal work and foundational contribution to the study of African civilization. In this volume, former HU professor Chancellor Williams chronicles the genesis of African civilization and explains how we got from there...to here.
Discussing not only the ancient kingdoms of Kush and Kemet, but of Axum, Mali, Songhay, Ghana, Monomopata to Kuba, Zimbabwe, and eventually Kongo. Williams covers important events in the history of African people, such as the drying up of the Sahara, the forced migrations (evolutionary as well as oppression-driven), the introduction of Islam and Christianity, and the assault of the maafa. In this work we are re-introduced to important figures such as Candace, Shabaka, Pianki, Shyaam, and Queen Nzinga. Williams puts into context some of the 'missing pages of world history'. We also learn about the origins of the Arab, the Semitic people, and the European as it relates to their dealings with Africa. Also included is the African Constitution, which goes back to Diop's cultural unity of Africa thesis. Williams' work was the culmination of 16 years of field study in Africa. It is important because like works previous to it, such as Dubois' The Negro, it links the African in America with their history to the beginning of time. Williams ends with his all important solution based alternatives for the worldwide African people to explore in response to knowing this history. This timeless classic must reside in your library. This provides unassailable truth and historical clarity that is much needed.

quote:

"The necessary re-education of Blacks and a possible solution of racial crises can begin, strangely enough, only when Blacks fully realize this central fact in their lives: The white man is their Bitter Enemy. For this is not the ranting of wild-eyed militancy, but the calm and unmistakable verdict of several thousand years of documented history." (pg 310)

(videos after the jump)

These will expand your mind...

This book is available from black-owned Third World Press

"dreams:" j.cole featuring brandon hines

2009-08-10T15:10:00.000-07:00

J. Cole featuring Brandon Hines "Dreams"

New music from J.Cole, from Jay-Z's Roc Nation. This track appears on the mixtape, The Warmup (free download here). Many are people are ready to crown J. Cole the next big thing in non-dance hip hop. Are you convinced? Featured on the track is Brandon Hines, who many of us HU folks know very well.

video: t.i. featuring john legend 'slide show'

2009-08-10T14:59:00.000-07:00

New vid from T.I. and John Legend. From the album, Paper Trail in stores now.

video: janelle monae performs "sincerely, jane"

2009-08-08T12:25:00.000-07:00

Janelle Monae in this funky version of her hit "Sincerely, Jane". This is from her performance at the Highline Ballroom at the Roots Jam Session.

video: messiah's "in the AM"

2009-08-08T10:55:00.000-07:00

Official video from the new project by Messiah (HU stand up!). One of the best lyricists/poets walking. Support his new project.

from liberator magazine:

Ever since his [Live From Planet Earth Volume 1] contribution and those four Apollo Theatre victories in a row, we've been paying close attention to Messiah Ramkissoon (yes, that's his real name, not his ego). This video (produced + directed by LFPE partner Ron Brodie/DonoR Media) for his new track "In The AM" says much more than I can say. Messiah does a excellent job of blending his personal narrative and perspective with a bit of something that we all can feel. It's important to accept that, because once you do you'll see his gift to tell various stories in one, regardless if you personally relate to each story. And you'll really hear that the track, the chorus... are just magical.

"million dollar bill": whitney houston

2009-08-08T10:43:00.001-07:00

Whitney Houston "Million Dollar Bill"
(produced by Swizz Beatz)

This release from Whitney Houston's new album, I Look To You, due out August 31. Written by Alicia Keys and produced by Swizz Beatz, this utempo groove will be available on August 17th.

slave culture: nationalist theories and the foundation of black america: p. sterling stuckey

2009-08-07T10:41:00.000-07:00

book info: published by Oxford University Press (1987)
the author: P. Sterling Stuckey, professor of History University of California, Riverside. Other books include American Nation (series), Want to Be African: Paul Robeson and the Ends of Nationalist Theory and Practice, 1919-1945, and The Ideological Origins of Black Nationalism, among others.

Most studies of slavery in the academy are often marked by a serious disregard for the culture and humanity of people of African descent: the enslaved. We know better, and African-American scholars such as P. Sterling Stuckey have begun the process of looking at the history of slavery in a new way. In Slave Culture Stuckey examines the identity and culture of the enslaved. Taken from many parts of Africa, Stuckey explains how these Africans utilized their commonalities to survive enslavement and forge an identity. Central to his discourse is how nationalism was the by-product of this coming together. Stuckey believes that the Africa antecedent was essential in achieving this unity, a far cry from other theories that scholars have utilized to explain how Africans of seemingly different cultures, languages, and nationalities came together. Stuckey's contribution in this volume is his explication of the "ring shout", a spiritual dance originated in Africa but popularized in the New World that survived generations on this continent. He explains how this dance was the beginnings of a new national identity brought about by the conditions of slavery. Stuckey also devotes much time in this work into discussing figures such as David Walker and Paul Robeson, and how they fit culturally into the discussion. This work remains an important piece to challenge any doubters about the African-ness of Blacks in America and the rest of the world. The cultural unity of Africa can and should be the rallying cry for world-wide unity. This title should be taught in classrooms across America.

(more after the jump)

quote: “Wherever in Africa, the counter-clockwise dance was performed--it is called the ring shout in North America--the dancing and singing was directed to the ancestors and gods, the temple and revolution of the circle quickening during the course of movement. The ring in which Africans danced and sang is the key to understanding the means by which the achieved oneness in America.”(p. 12)

This work was only the beginning, check out Exchanging Our Country Marks by Michael Gomez, for an even more detailed account.

video: jill scott "he loves me (lyzel in e flat)" live in paris

2009-08-07T10:16:00.001-07:00

Probably one of the best performances of Jill's classic from her debut Who is Jill Scott? From the band to the vocals to the crowd. Great vid from the Live in Paris project.

tour dates announced: maxwell + chrisette michele+ common

2009-08-07T10:07:00.001-07:00

I'll be at either the Oct. 2 or the Oct. 3 show!
via soul bounce

After two hugely successful sold-out tours last fall and this summer, and the release of his acclaimed and chart-topping new album BLACKsummers'night, Maxwell is hitting the road again this fall. And he's doing so with Chrisette Michele and Common in an arena tour that will hit major metropolitan cities. If the response to his recent live appearances are any indication, this tour should be as smoldering as humanly possible. Check out the dates for a concert near you after the bounce!

Friday, September 25 - Toronto - Air Canada Centre
Saturday, September 26 - Detroit - Joe Louis Arena (without Common)
Monday, September 28 - New York - Madison Square Garden
Wednesday, September 30 - Richmond - Richmond Coliseum
Friday, October 2 - Washington DC - Verizon Center
Saturday, October 3 - Philadelphia - Wachovia Spectrum (without Common)
Monday, October 5 - Atlanta - Phillips Arena
Tuesday, October 6 - Charlotte - Time Warner Cable Arena
Thursday, October 8 - Chicago - United Center
Friday, October 9 - St. Louis - Scottrade Center
Monday, October 12 - Dallas - TBA
Tuesday, October 13 - Houston - Toyota Center
Friday, October 16 - Los Angeles - Hollywood Bowl
Saturday, October 17 - San Francisco - TBA

And if you don't see your city just yet don't worry. There are still some dates to be announced.

zo! tribute to MJ, Baatin, and J. Dilla

2009-08-06T11:13:00.001-07:00

Zo! is a phenomenal artist.

From honey soul

It’s safe to say I’m a fan of Zo. We’ve talked to him and about him on the site for quite a while. I also consider my fellow Virgo a friend. He is such a down to earth guy that you almost forget just how talented he really is, almost. We get a reminder in the form of two video tributes. One to Michael Jackson and a more recent one to Baatin and J. Dilla, two of the founding member of Slum Village who’ve passed away.

You know if Zo is on a project it’s golden. Check out several of his noteworthy releases on his myspace page. He is currently touring with Foreign Exchange and working on more of his own projects that will be released through 2010.

audio: preview of originals by dj premier

2009-08-05T12:13:00.000-07:00

Primo is back to sprinkle a lil' heaven for ya ears. This collection of hits, samples, and Primo classics is the ultimate must-have for any jazz, soul, funk, or hip-hop fan. So much so, that I am tempted to call it a timeless classic already. Music fans, new school and old school, will be appreciative of this. I can sit at home and listen to this all day. It comes without a tracklisting but I hear some Aretha, some James Brown, just to name a few. It features over 200 cuts. Here's a snippet of the project due out in nine days and available for pre-order today!

DJ Premier "Originals Part 3"

video: maxwell's "bad habits"

2009-08-05T11:02:00.000-07:00

In my opinion, one of the best cuts from the album, BLACKsummer's Night, in stores now . Maxwell does it again. Looking forward to parts 2 and 3 of the trilogy.

"summertime" (1958): miles davis

2009-08-05T10:36:00.001-07:00

Miles Davis "Summertime" (1958)

Its about time...right? We have been meaning to get some jazz in the rotation. While in the near future we will be exploring some hidden gems in jazz, why not start off with a known classic? Miles Davis' rendition of "Summertime" lives on because it features the steady, consistent, soul of Miles' horn. Featured on 1958's Porgy and Bess , this rendition is absolutetly spectacular. Jazz historians agree. When Davis implemented this new style of improvisation, it changed everything. Yep, Miles Davis' "Summertime" lives on...

This is what timeless classics are all about.

"green eyes" (2000): erykah badu

2009-08-05T10:22:00.001-07:00

Erykah Badu "Green Eyes" (2000)

In 2000, Erykah Badu released her second studio album, Mama's Gun. It featured Grammy-nominated gems such as "Bag Lady" and "Didn't Cha Know", as well as the ballad "Orange Moon". However perhaps one of the most impressive feats on the album was "Green Eyes". It has been described as a "three-part epic exploring the contradicting emotions of a woman trying to cope with a breakup". I have yet to meet a woman who doesn't feel Erykah on this song. We'll just leave it at that...

A timeless classic indeed.

"one love":trey songz

2009-08-04T16:38:00.000-07:00

Trey Songz "One Love"

New music from Trey Songz. Off the upcoming album, Ready, available September 1st. Finally a ballad from Trey, after all that Gucci/Soulja Boy collaboration foolishness. We are grateful.

audio: "film" by nas

2009-08-04T10:05:00.001-07:00

Nas "Film"
produced by C-Sick)

A nice track from Nas, came out around 2 months ago. However, I know some Nas heads haven't heard it yet, so I thought I'd share. I wish I knew who that was on the hook, maybe I should research it. Nasir FTW.

"tonight": joi starr featuring kid sister and estelle

2009-08-04T10:00:00.000-07:00

Joi Starr featuring Kid Sister and Estelle "Tonight"

New music from Joi Starr , famous for being Kanye's back up vocalist. Nice song for the ladies. Joi Starr is on the come up, and many out there are saying this track doesn't showcase her soulful voice. If that's true we can only hope for more.

"to hell with it": teedra moses

2009-08-03T14:14:00.000-07:00

Teedra Moses "To Hell With It"

Our fave Teedra Moses returns with some more heart-wrenching music. Definitely feeling the Young Lioness on this track. Ready for the album!

video : new promo vid

2009-08-03T12:30:00.000-07:00

Special thanks to Ralph Da Rula and my man Artic. We appreciate the love so far...we gon' take it up another notch! beatsandbooks.com!

dj houseshoes tribute: titus 'baatin' glover (1974-2009)

2009-08-03T10:01:00.000-07:00

We continue to honor the legacy of Baatin. This tribute was put together by DJ Houseshoes...check it:

"stronger": mary j. blige featuring chris brown

2009-08-03T09:17:00.000-07:00

Mary J. Blige featuring Chris Brown "Stronger"

This track will be featured on the new LeBron James documentary, "More Than A Game", which is due to be released on October 2nd. The song is also featured on the upcoming album of the same title from MJB. Good stuff.

video: goapele's "milk and honey"

2009-08-03T08:34:00.000-07:00

Been waitin' on this one for a while. Goapele is as talented as they come. This video is from her first single from the album of the same title, "Milk and Honey", which is set to be released in 2010. Thanks to pinboard for the drop.

audio: chrisette michelle sings "if i had my way" and does impressions of the top artists

2009-08-02T17:36:00.000-07:00

Chrisette Michele channels her inner John Legend, Erykah Badu, and Anita Baker

We recently shared with you a clip of Chrisette Michele doing her Ella Fitzgerald. This clip is from July 25th at the Foxwoods Casino in Ledyard, Connecticut. Shouts to Miss Chrisette herself for the drop. If you haven't seen her live yet, you're missin out.

"eyes on me": the clipse featuring pharrell and keri hilson

2009-08-02T11:05:00.000-07:00

The Clipse featuring Pharrell and Keri Hilson "Eyes on Me"

New music from The Clipse. From the upcoming album Till The Casket Drops.

"marty mcfly": lupe fiasco

2009-08-02T10:49:00.000-07:00

Lupe Fiasco "Marty McFly"

New music from Lupe. The Lasers album coming in December.

black august: soledad brother by george jackson

2009-08-01T17:56:00.000-07:00

book info: published by Coward-McCann (1970)
the author: George Jackson (1941-1971) freedom fighter, prison inmate

Freedom was an uncompromisable objective for George Jackson. Sadly many of us either do not know, do not recognize, or ignore the struggles of people like him. Born in Chicago, Jackson faced the realities of urban life in America. He found himself in San Quentin Prison at the age of 18, after being sentenced to one year to life in prison for robbing a convenience store of approximately $70. While in prison, Jackson underwent a transformation that, like others such as Malcolm X, catapulted him into the international scene as an outright advocate for black freedom. For Jackson, his life experiences cast a light onto the struggles for all urban youth like himself. While still in prison, Jackson published the work, Soledad Brother: The Prison Letters of George Jackson, which shows the struggles of prison, as well as being a black man in the United States of America.

quote:

"Black men born in the US and fortunate enough to live past the age of eighteen are conditioned to accept the inevitability of prison. For most of us it simply looms as the next phase in a sequence of humiliations" (p. 4)

For more on the life of the late George Jackson, check out this article from the late, scholar-activist Walter Rodney.

View the trailer from Black August, the movie starring Gary Dourdan:

Black August was began in 1979 as a commemoration of the life, death, and contributions of several freedom fighters who were assassinated at the hands of the racist and reactionary United States government apparatus known as the California Penal System. These Freedom Fighters include George &Jonathan Jackson, William Christmas, Fleeta Drumgo, W.L. Nolan, Alvin Miller, Cleveland Edwards, Khatari Gaulden, James McClain, and John Cluchette. With the exception of Jonathan Jackson, (who was the leader of the Marin county court rebellion) they were all prominent and
respected leaders of the resistance movement inside the prison walls.

The struggle lives on. There are currently hundreds of political prisoners left in US prisons today. Most notably, Mumia Abu-Jamal. For more information about Black August activities in Washington DC, email my man Naji @ runawayblood@gmail.com or see this pdf.

audio: baatin tribute

2009-08-01T12:03:00.000-07:00

Baatin of Detroit hip-hop group, Slum Village has passed. This comes 2 years after, SV member J. Dilla made his transition. We honor their legacy by sharing these Slum Village classics.

Slum Village featuring Dwele "Tainted"

Slum Village "Get Dis Money"

Slum Village featuring John Legend and Kanye West "Selfish"

felt like honoring black women audio: q-tip "request"

2009-08-01T11:16:00.000-07:00

This is for you: Black women. Love you all.

Q-Tip "Request"

download: nasty nas (1991) [the official nas demo tape]

2009-07-31T15:09:00.000-07:00

We all know that Illmatic was a classic hip hop album, so check out the music that got Nas' foot in the door allowing him the opportunity to make it. Shouts to ?uestlove for the heads up and getrightmusic.com for the drop. Rare and dope music ftw!

Previews:

Nas "Understanding"

Nas "Deja Vu"

Nas "On The Real" (demo version)

Download here

slaughterhouse bursts onto the scene...preview it here!

2009-07-31T12:32:00.000-07:00

Many followers on the Internet have been hip to the Slaughterhouse fam for a while after they formed the super group late last year. For those who don't know, the group consists of Crooked I, Joe Budden, Joell Ortiz, and Royce Da 5'9". If you are into lyrical,head-noddin' hip hop, this is for you! Their full length album will be released on August, 11, 2009 on E1 Music/Koch Records. The first single is the rock n'roll inspired , "The One" and here's the Rik Cordero directed video:

Here's a taste from the upcoming album, availabe for pre-order now!

Slaughterhouse "Not Tonight" produced by STREETRUNNERS

Slaughterhouse featuring Novel "Rain Drops" produced by Filthy Rockwell

Again, people...hip hop cannot die.

happy birthday (1981): stevie wonder

2009-07-30T21:00:00.000-07:00

Stevie Wonder "Happy Birthday" (1981)
This song needs no comment!
Happy Birthday to miss Ashley!
and..
Happy Birthday to the homie Morgan!

Wish I could be up there!

sick -jonathan cuhn and community healthcare in cuba-mason, strug, beder

2009-07-30T15:50:00.000-07:00

Emanuel Cleaver speaks on public health care

The health care debate has been going strong for a few weeks now. However, two things have been left out of the debate: 1) the disproportionate effect this will have either way on people of color, and 2) the single payer health care option. The book, Sick, by Cohn discusses single payer, and the study Community Health care in Cuba shows the effectiveness of national health care. In the end, if America is exceptional, shouldn't they be leading the world in the administration of health care for all?
(more after the jump)

Sick by Jonathan Cohn
Review by Salley Satel
In “Sick,” Jonathan Cohn, a senior editor at The New Republic, lucidly shows how America’s system for financing medical care helps determine who gets proper medical attention — and who doesn’t. He tells this story through the experiences of ordinary people, like Cynthia Kline, a 55-year-old teacher in Cambridge, Mass., who suffered chest pain one afternoon and knew from prior experience that she was having a heart attack. She phoned 911, and when the paramedics arrived, Kline told them to take her to Mount Auburn Hospital, a nearby facility known for its intensive cardiac care unit. But since the emergency room there was full, the paramedics sped her to another facility, even closer than the first, only to discover, as Kline herself evidently suspected, that she needed an emergency catheterization — a procedure the staff at the second hospital was not able to perform. Two and a half hours after dialing 911, Cynthia Kline was dead.

This true-life story, at once disturbing and illuminating, encapsulates the larger drama of a failing system. “Overcrowding in E.R.’s, according to most experts, is actually a symptom of other systemic problems now plaguing medical care,” Cohn writes, “from the downsizing of less profitable hospital services such as psychiatric wards ... to the swelling ranks of people without health insurance, whose untreated chronic conditions are more likely to become serious medical crises.”

Community Health Care In Cuba
Susan E. Mason, David L. Strug, and Joan Beder
From the book's website
Interest in the Cuban health care model has grown over the years and despite ongoing changes in Cuban society, the pride and satisfaction Cuban citizens take in their health care system suggest that it will likely prevail in post-Castro Cuba. Susan E. Mason, David L. Strug, and Joan Beder have edited this collection of essays by contributors who are respected professionals in Cuba and the United States. Community Health Care in Cuba examines this closely integrated system in which community representatives, nurses, doctors, social workers, and other health care specialists work together to meet the health care needs of all Cuba's citizens. The collection features a first-hand look into the country's highly successful, integrated, and prevention-oriented health care model and includes interviews with the director of Cuba's National Medical Sciences Information Center (INFOMED) and the president of the Cuban Society of Social Workers in Health Care. Placing Cuba at the forefront as a model of international health care, this book illustrates how Cuba, despite its economic constraints, is able to deliver high-quality care to its citizens from a local to national level.

As always, expand your mind!

allhiphop.com features african artists

2009-07-30T14:22:00.000-07:00

Just saw Tolu Olorunda of allhiphop.com's article featuring African artists, K’NAAN, M.anifest, Asa, and Tumi. We recently did an artist spotlight on Asa and yesterday we shared the new song, "Losing My Religion" from M.anifest and Sarah White. Check out the story from AHH here.

wale on young hollywood

2009-07-30T08:56:00.000-07:00

Wale interview on Verge to Emerge. My school makes an appearance. HU! I'm gonna keep the rest of my comments to myself. Shout out to Wale! Attention Deficit in stores soon.

download: maxwell's BLACKsummer's night instrumentals remix ep by melo-x

2009-07-29T16:20:00.000-07:00

After hearing the instrumental remix to one of my favorite cuts off Maxwell's, BLACKsummers'night,"Bad Habits", I had been looking forward to hearing this EP. Thanks to Melo-X for the freebie.
Download it here

Melo-X "Love Me (alarm)"

titles for teaching: resources for the classroom

2009-07-29T13:14:00.001-07:00

With the recent influx of young teachers via programs such as Teach For America, Teaching Fellows, and similar programs, many teachers now have the opportunity to begin to effect our own children albeit in the confines of these programs. While they do present some challenges, it is still the job of good instructors to introduce our children to their history as well. We would hope that this happens within the boundaries of the curriculum, however that is an ongoing struggle (see the Philadelphia model). Despite this, many teachers have found ways to introduce the material through after school programs, tutoring, and other avenues. Two of the more important works in the past century, African Glory by John Coleman Degraft-Johnson (1954), and The Negro by William Edward Burghardt DuBois (1915), are great for teachers looking to expose youth to their history, beginning where it begins of course...the African continent. This is something most traditional textbooks do not accomplish. These short, but complete introductory works encapsulate the history of people of African descent in a manner that is easy for middle and high school students to comprehend.

(more after the jump)

African Glory: The Story of Vanished Negro Civilizations
by J.C. Degraft Johnson
Tracing the history of Africans from the earliest civilizations (Egypt, Carthage, etc.) to the modern contact with Europeans, Johnson, born in Ghana, offers students a clear and concise journey through history. Destroying the mythology surrounding the period known as 'pre-colonial' Africa, this work will enlighten interested students of world history. This work is available from Black Classic Press .

The Negro
by W.E.B. DuBois
DuBois also begins the historical narrative in the most ancient of civilizations. From there DuBois discusses the civilizations of Kush, Egypt, Nubia, Zimbabwe, Mali, Songhay, and Ghana. Ending the work, he discusses the "Negro in the United States." A great work for teachers looking show students the link between African-Americans and Africans on the continent and in the West Indies.

While these works are great educational resources for intellectual stimulation in the classroom, they are also of course phenomenal choices for the avid reader. For us, its an essential add to any complete library. I'm not sure whether or not Degraft-Johnson and DuBois ever met but their work is strikingly similar written 39 years apart.

Expand your mind!

chrisette michele on BET's Rising Icons

2009-07-29T11:05:00.001-07:00

In case you missed it (I did because I rarely watch BET), here is Chrisette Michele's live performance on the show Rising Icons. In her rendition of "Be OK" and in the last few minutes of her the vid, she gets her Ella Fitzergald on, my oh my. Great story as well.

Shouts to honey soul for the heads up.

"losing my religion:" s & m

2009-07-29T09:28:00.000-07:00

S&M (Sarah White and M.anifest) "Losing My Religion"

The group S&M is a collaboration of Brookyln's Sarah White and Ghana's , M.anifest. This song embodies the fusion of their unique sounds. Dope. Shouts to the folks at soulbounce for the heads up and M.anifest for the free download.

carlitta durand wants to say thank you

2009-07-28T20:36:00.000-07:00

Carlitta thanks the fans. Good to see artists show this kind of gratitude. We appreciate the humility! If you haven't heard the new track, "Lose Your Way", check it out here.

"black is the color of my true love's hair" (1959): nina simone

2009-07-28T14:09:00.001-07:00

The enigmatic "high priestess of soul", Ms. Nina Simone gave the world light for over 50 years. Her musical career began at the age of four in little Tryon, North Carolina tailing behind her evangelist mother, Rev. Mary Kate Waymon. Her community started a fund in her name to attend musical school, and as she journeyed to Julliard among many stops, the world finally stop and paid attention in 1958 when she covered, "I Love You, Porgy" after being discovered singing in bars in Atlantic City. In 1959, she performed at the Town Hall in New York City and released the performance as a live album. Her performance, of "Black is the Color of My True Love's Hair" is indeed a timeless classic , it embodies all the elements that made Nina Simone the "high priestess of soul". Her voice, her skillful use of the piano, as well as her artistic use of silence. After this album Nina Simone went on to produce hits such as "I Want a Little Sugar in Bowl", "I Put a Spell on You", and the one time black national anthem, "Young, Gifted, and Black". She was also deeply involved in the protest tradition of the time and released songs such as "Brown Baby" and "Go Limp, Old Jim Crow." A good friend of Miriam "Mama Africa" Makeba, Simone left the US forever in 1974, disgusted with her record deal and the racial climate. She spent time in Liberia, Barbados, before recording more albums and making her transition in 2003 in the south of France. The testament to her enduring legacy can be found on the pages of her autobiography, I Put A Spell On You , released in 1993 and most noticeably in the music of today's soul stars.

Nina Simone "Black Is the Color of My True Love's Hair" (1959)

Nina Simone "Black Is the Color of My True Love's Hair" Verve Remix

(Nina Simone video after the jump)

Nina Simone - I wish I knew how it would feel to be free from Ambroise Kritz on Vimeo.

"lose your way:" nicolay featuring carlitta durand

2009-07-28T08:50:00.000-07:00

Nicolay featuring Carlitta Durand "Lose Your Way"

We recently told you about the great things happening with the Foreign Exchange family. Here's the latest drop coming from the upcoming City Lights 2: Shibuya album from Nicolay. This soulful track features the talented Carlitta Durand. Thanks to Nicolay for the early drop. Enjoy!

"magnetic arts: " dj honda feautring mos def

2009-07-28T08:34:00.000-07:00

DJ Honda featuring Mos Def "Magnetic Arts"

Comes from DJ Honda's upcoming compiliation album, IV slated to be released August 5th. Collaborations rumored to include Kool G Rap and Buckshot. Stay tuned. Mos Def gives us the usual. If you haven't heard, The Ecstatic yet, follow this link it is available in stores now.

"no fly zone:" willie the kid

2009-07-28T08:30:00.000-07:00

Willie the Kid "No Fly Zone"

This single is track from Willie the Kid's upcoming release, The Fly presented by Gangsta Grillz. WTK goes in.

video: pac div rips it

2009-07-27T14:51:00.000-07:00

Saw this on okayplayer. Def had to repost. If you havent heard Pac Div yet, here's a quick taste. Their latest project Church League Champions is available for download here. This type of vid reminds me that hip hop can never die.

"fragile" (rmx): chrisette michele featuring wale

2009-07-27T11:56:00.000-07:00

Chrisette Michele featuring Wale "Fragile"

These two complement each other nicely. I saw them a lot while I was in DC. This single is a remix of the track from Chrisette Michele's Epiphany in stores now. The video for this song is being shot right now. If it's as nice as the video for Rising Up by the Roots the last time these two were together, then we'll be looking forward to it.

The Roots featuring Chrisette Michele and Wale "Rising Up"

"holy are you:" rakim

2009-07-27T10:29:00.001-07:00

Rakim "Holy Are You"

This single is the truth. The "God MC", Rakim is one of the most commonly evoked but heavily under-appreciated rappers in the history of hip hop. Largely responsible for the type of lyricism and word play popularized by the likes of Jay-Z. This newest single, "Holy Are You", released by the rapper on July 14th, is off his upcoming release, The Seventh Seal. It will be available on iTunes starting tomorrow, July 28th. Support one of the greatest, as this CD will be the first from his own label, Ra Records/G&E Trust and SMC recordings. The album is slated to be released sometime this fall. Check out this interview with Billboard here.

video: "h.o.p.e.": cranston featuring tarik cranke

2009-07-27T08:35:00.001-07:00

This inspiring music video is from a song entitled, "H.O.P.E.", featured on the soundtrack to the documentary Crips and Bloods: Made in America.
From the documentary website:

"Directed by critically acclaimed documentary filmmaker Stacy Peralta and Executive Produced by NBA star Baron Davis and Silicon Valley entrepreneur Stephen Luczo, CRIPS AND BLOODS: MADE IN AMERICA tells the story of the Crips and Bloods, South Los Angeles’ two most infamous African-American gangs.
Combining unprecedented access into the worlds of active gangs, CRIPS AND BLOODS: MADE IN AMERICA offers a compelling, character-driven documentary narrative which chronicles the decades-long cycle of destruction and despair that defines modern gang culture."

Definitely something to check out. We applaud everyone who had a hand in this work. Get involved. Host a screening. Spread the word. Visit the Website.

howard university homecoming: 2009 yardfest

2009-07-26T18:28:00.000-07:00

For Yardfest this year the HU Homecoming Steering Committee will be accepting applications for potential performers. Yep, that's right. So if you are a real artist, make my first alumni Yardfest tight and go ahead and fill this out. Its due by August 15th. Click here for the application. Howard University's Homecoming Concert "Yardfest" is legendary and has launched many careers. Last year was unbelievable as Wale taped his Nike Boots video during the concert.Shout outs to the Howard University Homecoming Steering Committee 2009: Rhythm: The Pulse of the People for this and my man Jabari.

Keri Hilson performs during last year's concert.

the black baseball tradition: congratulations to the newest members of baseball's hall of fame...rickey henderson and jim rice

2009-07-26T16:35:00.000-07:00

The two latest additions to Baseball's Hall of Fame are seemingly
different types of players. Rickey Henderson, the most successful base stealer of all time and a member of the 3,000 hit club, and Jim Rice, a career .298 hitter and 3-time home run champ were no doubt different in terms of what they brought to a lineup.

There were even differences in how they made it to the Hall, Henderson a first-ballot selection, and Rice waited an unconscionable 15 years of eligibility. However they do share a common legacy and tradition: the Negro Leagues.

(much more after the jump)

The introduction of this unique approach to the Major Leagues after 1947 ushered in a dynamic change to the national pastime. The BJ and Justin Upton style of play was first introduced to the world in 1885. Notwithstanding the effects on the Black community, the Negro League's traditions live on. Moses Fleetwood Walker (the first Black man to play in the MLB) gave rise to a Jackie Robinson, who gave rise to a Hank Aaron, who gave rise to a Barry Bonds. Afro-Latino players such as Jose Mendez gave rise to a Pedro Martinez, David Ortiz, and Jose Reyes. The Yunel Escobars of the world and the Robinson Canos (named for Jackie of course), are carriers of the torch left by some of the greatest players to play the game. Josh Gibson (800 + home runs) and Satchel Paige, quite possibly the greatest pitching-catching battery in baseball history, would have been considered all-time greats had they played full careers in the Major Leagues. Many current players such as Ken Griffey, Jr., Juan Pierre, Jimmy Rollins, and Cano have expressed an appreciation for these stars, yet a great deal of them have yet to be given their due. Remember this was not just a few teams, but a whole league. Even Henry "Hank" Aaron got his start for the Indianapolis Clowns. Baseball in the African-American and Afro-Latino world has a long tradition and without Cool Papa Bell we would not have gotten Maury Wills, and definitely not Carl Crawford. Many say that there has been a decline of Black players in Major League Baseball. I disagree, while there are less African-Americans, there are more Afro-Latinos who embody the same style of play. The maintenance of the Negro League legacy is secure. Let us not forget this tradition. Two important works that should occupy all baseball fans' bookshelf on the subject are:

This story recounts some of the legendary players and moments of Negro League History. Click here to check it out.

The Complete History is a comprehensive documentation of Negro League Baseball. Click here to check it out.

Stay up!

video: "summertime": dead prez

2009-07-25T15:26:00.000-07:00

This Tao Ruspoli directed video is for the single "Summertime," off dead prez's latest release, Pulse of the People, available in stores now.
M-1 as of last week is in Gaza showing solidarity with the Palenstinian people, send one up for the brother.
By the way...def feelin this track...reminds me of summer in the city!

just say ok!: the foreign exchange performs "i wanna know" in dc

2009-07-25T13:27:00.000-07:00

This is a vid from last year during The Foreign Exchange's performance of "I Wanna Know", where Phonte gives the infamous life lesson..."just say ok!"....lemme hear ya say LIVE...IN... PEACE...great stuff.

discover: asa

2009-07-24T21:52:00.000-07:00

Born in France, and raised in Nigeria, Asa has taken the soul underground world by storm. A unique vocalist and talented songwriter, Asa has sold out venues in Europe with regularity. Her debut album, Asha was released January 27th, and is available everywhere music is sold.
A style that reminds us of india.arie and takes us back to one, Miriam Makeba, Asa has fans excited about her own unique and fresh sound. Her upbringing in Nigeria tells us alot. In an interview with Black Star News, she recounts her influences:

My father had a rich collection of music ranging from soul, afro beat, apala and church music, music on the street. I grew up in Festac. I remember after school, me and my brothers would go on the street and beat on any wooden surface that would give us the desired sound. And music, I don’t really know when I started because I was told I was singing. But as I grew and realized that music was a part of me, it was a habit, then it was a hobby and that's how it started. It was a dream and I wanted to become a musician and I through it in and out.

(more after the jump.)

Asa's music has been hailed as the 'revolution and revelation of Nigerian soul.' We definitely agree, and hear lots of Fela Kuti in her music. Working her way through various talent shows and setbacks, Asa returned to Paris and eventually landed opening gigs for artists such as Akon, John Legend, and Beyoncé. Her music touches on a myriad of topics. She tackles issues such as modern-day slavery, world peace, and in "So Beautiful" a homage to her mother. A metaphor-laden album, her soothing string and percussion filled tracks offer much to reflect upon. A few of the records in this 11-track debut are recorded in Yoruba, and as a guitarist, Asa speaks and plays for her people. On her website she states:

“I want my music to touch people. As an African, I want to give hope back to my people, but also to speak in their name. I want to show the world that something beautiful and positive can come out of the black continent and inspire young people all over the world.”

Check out her music here:

Asa's newest single "The Place To Be" (special thanks to jaguda )

Asa "So Beautiful"

Asa "Bi’ban ké"

and a live performance of "Jailer".

For more of this wonderful artist visit her website asa-official.com .
To preview and purchase her debut album, Asha click here

the condition, elevation, emigration, and destiny of the colored people of the united states: martin delany

2009-07-24T21:51:00.002-07:00

book info: published originally in 1852; reprint 1993, Black Classic Press
author: Martin Robinson Delany (1812-1885), Black nationalist, author, physician, abolitionist, Civil War veteran

The Condition, Elevation, Emigration, and Destiny of Colored People is a timeless classic because it represents one of the earliest seminal works on the future of African Americans in the United States. Martin Robinson Delany was part of an early 19th century pantheon of defenders of Black humanity that included Maria Stewart, David Walker, and later Henry Highland Garnett, among many others. In Condition... , Delany outlines the history of the relationship between the American national body politic and the African. Delany’s foresight on national identity and anti-citizenry places his analysis at the head of later freedom fighters such as W.E.B. Dubois and modern day freedom fighters such as Kwame Ture. Delany utilizes a historical comparative framework to discuss the condition of not only the enslaved but free Blacks in the antebellum United States. Delany was also one of the first scholars to debunk the fictive myths of American national identity such as Christopher Columbus’ discovery. The work also explores the African American solidarity with Haiti, that we also saw with African Americans such as Nat Turner. Important discussions on colonization, abolition, and emancipation framed Delany’s criticism on who was allowed to ultimately shape the destiny of African Americans. Delany’s complete destruction of the ‘inferiority’ myth is instructive as well as impressive. Starting with an analysis on the initial use of African slaves, Delany shows that it was their proficiency in agriculture and genius that made them attractive to European settlers. Delany also devoted a large portion of the work to showing the specific cases of African American achievement in the beginning half of the 19th century in areas of education, music, business, military, medicine, and art. This also was aimed at destroying the myth of inferiority. Lastly by showing the unconstitutionality of the Fugitive Slave Act, Delany concludes that even the free Blacks were not really citizens. Lastly, given the anti-citizenry of the free Black as well as the enslaved, Delany goes on to discuss possible places of relocation to achieve equality for these populations. Discussions on Liberia, which still can inform us today about the current situations there, Canada and South-Central America were all examined. The historian, the scholar, the interested, all of us must explore the work of Martin Robinson Delany, who in 1852, provided solutions that remain instructive if applied today.
(more after the jump)

quote: “Heretofore, it ever has been denied, that the United States recognized or knew the difference between the people—that the Constitution makes no distinction, but includes in this provisions, all the people alike. This is not true, and certainly is blind absurdity in us at least, who have suffered the dread consequences of this delusion, not now to see it.
“…We (northern freedmen) are slaves in the midst of freedom, waiting patiently, and unconcernedly—indifferently and stupidly, for masters to come and lay claim to us, trusting to their generosity, whether or not they will own us and carry us into endless bondage.” (p. 170)

This particular analysis is instructive in the recent Gates arrest.

This title is available for purchase from Black Classic Press
Support our black owned publishing companies!

slept on: zion I

2009-07-24T21:51:00.001-07:00

I was introduced to Zion I's music in 2006, after hearing their cut "Temperature" on Goapele's Change it All Mixtape. Coming on the scene with 2000's Mind Over Matter, the Bay area duo's electronic hip-hop sound was attractive and I was suddenly bitter that it had taken me that long to get put on. Coming from the south, the only closely related style I was exposed to was Dungeon Family/Outkast (ATL stand up) and I thought that was it, not knowing there were a lot of other similar artists. Zion I deserves to be on the top shelf of hip-hop and DJ's around the world are getting the word. Described as a mix of drum-and-beat hip hop designed to inspire and unify the people, they represent the best of Bay area hip hop. Simply put Amplive and Zumbi are two of hottest we got and if you don't believe me... you will after this post. In an interview with prefixmag,Zumbi spoke on staying true and marketing themselves:

We can’t be anybody but ourselves. I think the challenge is to master what we do and bring people in and introduce 'em, 'cause I don’t think it’s a thing of making good music. I’ve never been that cat to follow anyone else. I’ve always been kind of on my own shit, and I think Amp is the same way, so I don’t think that’s a detraction. If anything, I’ve always respected that we’re unique and original. For us, I think that’s the plus -- I think that’s why we’ve been in the game. We’re still going so that’s one of the best attributes we have.

So this is for my folk back home who are still in that Gucci Mane coma, don't sleep one of the most talented duos out! After the jump, two classic Zion I tracks and two videos from songs off their latest album released January 27th and in stores now, The Take Over.

Zion I featuring The Grouch "Silly Puddy"

Zion I "The Bay"

Zion I "Coastin'" feat. K. Flay from Okayplayer on Vimeo.

Zion I "Geek To The Beat" from Okayplayer on Vimeo.

For more, check out zion I's website
Purchase the album here: The Take Over

" amazing grace" (1972) : aretha franklin

2009-07-24T21:50:00.003-07:00

Aretha Franklin "Amazing Grace" (1972)

Many of us know the Queen of Soul for her groundbreaking hits such as "Respect" and "Natural Woman" but wedged between these hits and subsequent number one singles such as "Angel", Aretha Franklin released the gospel album, Amazing Grace. The album sold nearly 2 million copies, and was easily the best selling gospel album of all time. The recording of the title track, "Amazing Grace", was done live in Los Angeles at the New Temple Missionary Baptist Church on January, 13, 1972. A timeless classic not because it demonstrates Franklin's impeccable range and crowd-approved soul, this record stands out because it evokes the church tradition that produced many of our greatest artists, including Sam Cooke, Marvin Gaye, Mahalia Jackson and Etta James to name a few. An example of what many termed 'gospel-soul', this record reminds us of a speical time. As a companion to her father, the late Rev. C.L. Franklin, Aretha's vocals captivated audiences as her father's words captured period of great struggle and triumph. For those born in my era, this is just a glimpse of it.

updates from the foreign exchange family

2009-07-24T21:50:00.001-07:00

It was recently announced that The Foreign Exchange producer, Nicolay would be releasing a new album entitled, Shibuya: City Lights 2. The second installment of the City Lights series is slated to be released on September 15th. It is available for pre-order now.

This comes on the heels of the recent release of the Prince tribute Purple Flip featuring ?uestlove, Foreign Exchange,ZO!, and Carlitta Durand. In case you missed it, here it is:

Lastly, Phonte has confirmed the rumors that Carlitta Durand and Zo!, who are featured on many Foreign Exchange projects will be releasing albums in the near future. (more after the jump.)

Phonte states: Nic and I had always talked about the possibility of taking our partnership to the next level (I hate the word "label"), much like Jazzanova did with Sonar Kollektiv and how Jam and Lewis did with Flyte Tyme (for all my old heads out there...). When we decided to move full-speed ahead and form a production company, it seemed only right that our first artists would be two people we've been working with all along.

Zo! and Carlitta are much more than artists; they are family. Zo's album "Sunstorm" will drop early next year, and Carlitta Durand's as yet untitled debut will come afterwards. I feel that Nic and I have set the bar pretty high with the level of quality and craftsmanship in our FE releases, and I have no doubt that Zo and Carlitta's music will meet, if not surpass, that same standard. We treat their records with the same amount of love and detail as we do our own, and hopefully upon listening, you'll agree.

We are looking for big things from this collective. Oh, and by the way if you haven't heard The Foreign Exchange's Leave It All Behind ...you are slippin'!

News via soul bounce

"everybody rock": teedra moses

2009-07-24T21:46:00.001-07:00

Teedra Moses "Everybody Rock"

Been in love with Ms. Teedra ever since I went with my homies to see her and Eric Roberson at the the black cat in DC. Hailing from New Orleans, Teedra is one of those honest songwriters, and her voice reminds me of sweet down home southern style baked treats. Everybody Rock is a collaboration with the Trackademics. Her new album, The Young Lioness is set to be released later this year.
Shouts to wonderful folks at pinboard for the drop.

the games black girls play: kyra d. gaunt

2009-07-24T21:44:00.002-07:00

book info: published by New York University Press (2006)
the author: Kyra Gaunt, professor of Ethnomusicology at NYU. Jazz vocalist, songwriter, and recording artist.

The Games Black Girls Play is an excellent non-fiction foray into the world of young black girls. For those growing up in the Black community, we can remember the sounds of Ms. Mary Mack and Rockin’ Robin as well as visualize the Double-Dutch ropes churning ever so rhythmically. In this work, Gaunt shows how these games not only set the foundation for ethnic identity, but for folk culture, and eventually pop culture (hip-hop, neo-soul, R&B). She sees the games as essential to the development of identity or blackness and a part of growing up. Her background in ethnomusicology allows her to give technical information about the ‘musical blackness’ learned in these games and how it transferred to modern musical forms. Surprisingly for most readers, this type of foundation can be found in the styles of modern rap music and hip-hop. In an interesting section Gaunt shows the creative source of Nelly’s Country Grammar(see below) and other not so obvious songs as rooted in these children’s games while discussing the role of gender interplay. For music heads, this is a must read!
(more after the jump)

quote: "Studying girls’ games need not, therefore, be confined to traditional folklore or vernacular studies. They, too, are part of contemporary and popular culture, and should not be relegated to the “other” categories of study and analysis that lie outside the artistic and popular." (p. 53)

The Hand Game: Down, Down, Baby

Nelly's Country Grammar

"how i got over": the roots

2009-07-24T21:44:00.001-07:00

The Roots "How I Got Over"

The Roots recently debuted the title track of their upcoming album on their new job, the Late Show with Jimmy Fallon. Here is the mp3 studio cut. Shouts to the folks over at okayplayer for the drop. Don't know about yall but I've been itching for a new Roots album, its on the way via Def Jam on October 20!

"run this town" : jay-z featuring rihanna and kanye west

2009-07-24T21:35:00.000-07:00

Jay-z featuring Rihanna and Kanye West "Run This Town"

If you woke up late Friday morning you missed the world premiere of Jay-Z's new single, "Run This Town". This is the first official single of the upcoming Blueprint 3 which is scheduled to be released September 11th(8 years to the day of the original Blueprint. This song had Twitter buzzin' a day ago and many are saying Kanye finally topped his 'big brother'. What yall think?
Shouts to the 2 dopeboyz for the drop.

black movements in america: cedric robinson

2009-07-24T21:34:00.000-07:00

book info: published by Routledge (1997)
the author: Cedric Robinson, professor of Black Studies and Political Science at the University of California, Santa Barbara. Other books include The Terms of Order (1980), Black Marxism (1983), and Forgeries Of Memory And Meaning(2007).

Black Movements in America is an essential add to the library of anyone interested in the history of Black people in the United States of America. This non-fiction text tracks the evolution of the Black experience beginning in 1619 up to the late 20th century. Avoiding the normative assumptions about early Black history, Robinson details the history of enslavement. Central to this discussion is the idea of resistance. We are often told that many of our ancestors were docile and accepted their condition in enslavement. As Robinson outlines, this is furthest from the truth. Along with a discussion of rebellions (Prosser, Vesey, Turner), Robinson outlines the maroon societies that African-Americans created in the South. Robinson then moves the discussion to the free Black experience, African-American involvement during the Civil War, a discussion on the Nadir, and the political movements of African Americans in the 20th century from Garveyism, leftist movements, the modern civil rights era, and Black Power. This is a title that is necessary for all African-American students, and would be important for all US historians to consider. Names mentioned in this work such as Martin Delany, Henry McNeal Turner, and Septima Poinsette Clark, as well as others must contribute to the normative curriculum of African-American history as it is taught today.

(more after the jump)

quote: “Thus, while they might be catalyzed by their immediate historical circumstances, their bases are in alternative world views germinated from radically different Black experiences. From among the antebellum free Blacks, historical consciousness emerged that mirrored the liberal aristocratic American classes. From among the slaves, older African sensibilities were preserved, fertilized in the New World by maroonage and the work regimes of plantation slavery.”(p. 93)

welcome to beatsandbooks.com

2009-07-24T21:33:00.000-07:00

hotep, welcome, and karibu!

beatsandbooks.com is a website and blog dedicated to the uplift of african people across the world via the elevation of art and intelligence and is the result of the need to highlight and showcase the array of genius that often goes unnoticed. This site will feature what its title implies, two of my passions: beats and books. The intellectual work and inspired music featured here will not only captivate your attention but will force the reader, listener, and viewer to reflect on what is being shared. In the age of excessive tabloid material and gossip in the blogosphere,beatsandbooks.com provides a respite as well as a remedy for the soul and mind. Recently, we've noticed a thirst for knowledge, and many folks out there have been searching for a place to find great suggestions for reading and good music. Very few places on the internet can web travelers access books reviews and suggestions while listening to the sounds of soul music, hip-hop, and even the eclectic afro-punk genre! booksandbeats.com is that place, and we are proud to offer the very latest as well as the classics when it comes to music and books. The following are explanations of the different topics and headings listed above:

the reading list: In this section visitors can find suggestions for good reads. Most of the books in this sections (as well as the site) will focus on people of African descent. As diverse as our people and writers are, visitors need not worry that this body of knowledge is to narrow. Stay tuned, in this section we will feature writers from as far away as the Sudan and topics as diverse as ethnomusicology.
timeless classics: Some things are timeless. This section will feature monumental contributions to our intellectual history and music that transcends space and time. We will pay homage to the grand masters and mistresses of our time and of time immemorial.
recent releases Here we will feature new music and recently released titles. this section will whet your apetite for more. We plan to have plenty of good stuff on deck.
media: Here is where all media that we feature on the site will be kept. Look our for interviews, clips, music videos, and much more.
artists news Want to know when Bilal's album is dropping? Curious to know Erykah Badu's upcoming tour dates? When are the Fugees getting back together? Here is the place to keep track of your favorite artists and their latest moves.
artist spotlights: New and fresh music from up and coming artists. Yep, enough said.

The Zulu remind us...umuntu ngumuntu ngubantu.
Which is interpreted in English as 'a person is a person, because there are people'.
As my good friend Jabari recently stated as he launched his site,"though progression is up to you it is never only you." So I would like to thank the following people who've either influenced me, been there for me, or kept me going.

first and foremost:

the fam, those who came before, those who are yet to come

sc fam:

ric j, j murda, black rob, grady, steve mo, ralph, gav, bj, the ville, noc, blu, i300 fam, harold, byrd, rick, steve fred,old school kl, bruin football, tommy brown, britt, lil sis, jessica j., ran, cakes, shantel, jk, rita,christan, megan j, and the rest of the fam.

howard fam:

skep, terico,jabari, artic, mario, o. chris, obed, tybc, the bretheren(ian, carrington, will, brodrick, adrian, daniel), lamar, galen and 406, meik, craddock, niko, kahlil, the ones that didn't make it back after '06, jahaan (for her seed planting), evie, paige, nikki trip, larri, lauren, portia, sydney, linz, liz, amanda b, ash, candiace, joy lindsay, shay, selena, alls valle, raquelle, J-VO!, kristin, candace, sbel (sometimes), mr. gray (maa kheru), kts(chigozie, courtney, jam, sawdayah, justin, sham, anoa, nina, mike, james and ava), doc (chair of africana studies), south africa 07(alex, jackie, steve, tiff), eygpt 08 (kina, christina, morgan, malik, dexter, monique, nnamdi, amanda, holy family, royal family), 09 finance majors (phew), austin and the rest of pays, will brown, hiram, ray baker, husa 48, nick, kellen, husa 49, b. smart, jewel, the football team (for real), the legacy, and the future.

with that said....enjoy the website!

-josh m.
creator, booksandbeats.com