Hip Hop Album Releases for Feb. 28

The following new releases are available from Amazon:

Bizzy Bone - Thug's Revenge
El Da Sensei - The Unusual
Jel - Soft Money
Trae & Z-Ro - Ass**** By Nature
Unisex - East Coast Hip-Hop: Soulside [Import]
Z-Ro - Gangstafied

For more current releases, see Hip Hop Albums.

posted by Clyde at 8:09 PM

Jeff Chang's "We Still Can't Stop" Tour is on for 2006!

To celebrate the paperback publication of the award-winning Can't Stop
Won't Stop, your favorite keyboard saviour will be roaming the country
in search of great conversations, big slumpers, and satisfying curries.
We're telling you when to go.

For the whole roti, check www.cantstopwontstop.com/appearances.cfm

February 28, 2006, 7:30PM
TALK & READING WITH KEVIN COVAL (Author of "Slingshots") :: 826 Chicago

March 2, 2006, 6:00PM
LECTURE & BOOK SIGNING :: Tufts University
Asian American Diversity Lecture 2006

March 9, 2006
TALK & RECEPTION :: University of Michigan (Ann Arbor, MI)
Asian Pacific American Heritage Month Celebration

March 10, 2006, 4:00PM
PANEL :: University of Michigan
"Hip-Hop 101"

March 11, 2006, 12:00PM
DISCUSSION :: Boggs Center/Detroit Summer (Detroit, MI)
Artist-Activist Dialogues

March 16, 2006
TALK WITH STACEYANN CHIN (Of "Def Poetry Slam on Broadway" fame) ::
UCLA Armand Hammer Museum
Hammer Conversations

March 22, 2006, 6:00PM
TALK WITH TOURE (Author of "Never Drank The Kool-Aid") & BOOKSIGNING ::
Hue-Man Bookstore (Harlem, NY)

March 23, 2006, 7:00PM
JOINT BOOK RELEASE PARTY WITH TOURE :: Housing Works Book Cafe (New
York, NY)

March 25, 2006, 7:00PM
TALK & BOOK SIGNING :: Haymarket Forum at Galapagos Art Space
(Williamsburg, NY)

March 28, 2006, 7:00PM
TALK WITH TOURE & BOOKSIGNING :: University Bookstore (Seattle, WA)

March 29, 2006, 7:30PM
TALK WITH TOURE & BOOKSIGNING :: Powell's City of Books (Portland, OR)

April 6, 2006, 7:30PM
LECTURE :: Carleton College (Minnesota)
Multicultural Speakers Series

April 29, 2006
TALK WITH TOURE & BOOKSIGNING :: Los Angeles Times Book Festival

May 18, 2006, 7:30PM
LECTURE :: Ohio University (Athens, OH)
Multicultural Speakers Series

Spread the word, fall through & bring a friend!

www.cantstopwontstop.com

posted by Clyde at 11:15 PM

MediaChannel, UFPJ Call For National Media Action

Dear Media Activist, 

The national day of local media protest announced last week on MediaChannel.org has received such a positive response that the organizers of United For Peace And Justice, the country’s largest anti-war coalition, decided to change the date from March 21st to March 15th.  The media protest will now kickoff this years week-long “spring offensive” against the war, just before the third anniversary of the US invasion of Iraq.
Organizers were so excited about the prospect of bringing media activists and anti-war activists together, to challenge media outlets to tell the truth about the war and report on the anti-war movement, that they decided it should begin the week and not end it.
 
“The media helped make the war possible," charges UFPJ National Coordinator Leslie Cagan. “It’s time to call for more coverage and better coverage.”
 
The protests will also pay tribute to journalists and media workers killed in the line of fire, kidnapped, or jailed without charges.  Most recently, on February 23rd an Al-Arabiya media team was gunned down in Iraq. We have to honor those who have lost their lives to get the story out.
 
MediaChannel.org is taking the lead in reaching out to media and peace groups to encourage a series of media actions on March 15th.
 
“All of us are media consumers,” says MediaChannel editor Danny Schechter, “The News Dissector.” “We can all take part by monitoring media coverage, writing letters and emails to media decision makers, and protesting against a pro-war media tilt in much of the coverage. If you have ever complained about the coverage, now’s the time to do something by speaking up.”
 
To participate in the planned media actions on March 15th, we encourage media groups, anti-war organizations, activists and anyone interested to plan as many of the following suggestions as possible:
 
l. Endorse the campaign for "Truth in Media" by signing a MediaChannel email or writing one of your own. [MediaChannel's email campaign will begin March 8th. To be notified visit http://mediachannel.org/email/ and sign up for Media For Democracy Alerts.]
2.  Call journalists and talk show hosts.
3.  Write letters to the editors.
4.  Notify media outlets in advance about what you will be doing and why, and ask for coverage.
5.  Post MediaChannel and UFPJ announcements on your websites and your email list serves.
6.  Form delegations to meet with local media decision makers at newspapers, radio stations and TV outlets in your hometown.
 
Note:  Media executives and Editorial Boards regularly meet with politicians and interest groups. Why not anti war organizations?  Find out who runs your local media outlets, call them and set up a meeting. Plan carefully for the meeting so that you have key message points and tough questions. Be as specific as possible and ask media outlets to report on civilian casualties, covert activities, corruption and anti-war activism.  For further advice, contact: Priya@mediachannel.org
 
7.  Organize mid-day protests in front of your local media outlets when people are out in the streets. 
*  Bring signs challenging the media to show us the war and tell the truth.
*  Show photos of war crimes and demand more coverage of the anti-war
    movement.
*  Be visual and peaceful.
*  Carry signs that ask passing cars to honk if they want to end the war. 
*  Get names and emails from spectators who want to get involved.
 
8. Mount candlelight vigils at 6 PM outside TV and Radio Stations when the 6 PM News is underway, BE VISUAL, BE CREATIVE. Leaflet passer-bys and send the flyers to on-air reporters. We have a right to demand media responsibility.
 
9. Hold post vigil Forums, Teach-ins and  “Speak Outs” so that activists can discuss media issues and plan follow-up actions. There will be a tool-kit for activists posted on MediaChannel.org. Films like WMD (Weapons of Mass Deception) on the media coverage and new books like “When News Lies: Media Complicity and the Iraq War can be shown and sold. Other anti-war film screenings can be held in community centers campuses or house parties.
 
Priya Reddy ( Priya@Mediachannel.org ) is coordinating this effort, please tell her what  you want to do and plan to do, and how we can help. Already, activists from all over the country and the world have written to support the day of media protest and ask how they can help. The answer is simple -- become an organizer and media activist! Plan activities!
 
We will be posting information about protests and related activities on MediaChannel.org and the United For Peace and Justice website. (http://www.unitedforpeace.org/)
 
Good Night and Good Luck…

MediaChannel.org Staff

posted by Clyde at 11:11 PM

Free Hip Hop Newsletters Plus Headlines for Your Site!

ProHipHop is happy to announce free newsletters and website content from four hip hop blogs including Hip Hop Logic.

Free daily newsletters delivered each morning with the previous day's posts are now available from:

Hip Hop Logic

Holla at a Scholar!!

Hip Hop Press - Hip Hop Press Releases

ProHipHop - Hip Hop Business News

If you do subscribe to one of the above, you may need to check your junk/bulk mail folder for newsletters and set a filter so that they go to your inbox.

You can also syndicate headlines from all of the above feeds for free in HTML or PHP from ProHipHop's headline syndication service.

posted by Clyde at 8:02 PM

Quickie: Chuck D Raps Paris' Lyrics

Till now, when Public Enemy put out an album, Chuck D's rhymes were always written by Chuck D.

But the March 7th release of Rebirth of a Nation will bring Chuck D rapping to rhymes written by Paris.

Paris is at least as rad as Chuck and, in addition to writing most of the rhymes, he will also put out the album on his own label, Guerilla Funk.

Source: Public Enemy Returns, With Guest.

posted by Clyde at 2:42 AM

Hip Hop Album Releases for Feb. 21

The following new releases are available from Amazon:

All Natural Inc. - Anthology: Vol. 1
Baby Wicked - Girls, It Ain't Easy
Big Slep Rock - The California Project, Vol. 1
The DB'Z - Speakin Mannish
Dilated Peoples - 20/20
Dirty North - Conflict Resolution
Doll-E Girl - Street Shot Callers
Five Deez - Kommunicator
Keak Da Sneak - Kunta Kinte
Knightowl - Blue Rag Soldiers
Legit Ballaz - Volume 4: Tha Truth
Lil' Sicko - Season of the Sickness
The Lost Children Of Babylon - The 911 Report: The Ultimate Conspiracy
Lost Children Of Egypt - Words From The Duat: The Book Of Anubis
Messy Marv - HUSTLAN.A.I.R.E
Nelly & The St. Lunatics - Nelly and the 'Tiks (aka Who's The Boss)
Scarface Presents The Product - One Hunid
Shaggy 2 Dope - F.T.F.O.
Spice 1 & MC Eiht - Keep It Gangsta
Third Sight - The Symbionese Liberation Album

For more current releases, see Hip Hop Albums.

posted by Clyde at 3:40 AM

Interview with the Lost Children Of Babylon, 911 Report: Ultimate Conspiracy, Jedi Mind Tricks, Wu-Tang Clan

Righteous Interview With The Protectors of spiritual Hip-Hop, The Lost Children Of Babylon (Eygpt) on thier new controversial album 911: The Ultimate Conspiracy, Ties to Sunz Of Man, Wu-Tang Clan, history with Jedi Mind Tricks, Hip-Hop, United Nuwaubian Nation of Moors, Malachi Z. York and more...

(PRWEB) February 20, 2006 -- The Lost Children Of Hip-Hop: The year was like early 1995 when a group of MC's made numerous guest appearances on one of everybody's all-time favorite album "The Psycho-Social, Chemical, Biological, and Electromagnetic Manipulation of Human Consciousness". This album was released by the now popular underground hip-hop duo hailing from Philadelphia known as Jedi Mind Tricks and they have had a massive cult following ever since, The theme on the Psycho-social album included government conspiracies and ancient Middle-Eastern mythology, and featured the recording debut of fellow Philly rappers El Eloh [Rasul Allahu] and Breath of Judah from the Lost Children of Babylon on multiple songs.

So who are the Lost Children Of Babylon? Lost can mean a person who is presumed to have wandered away and has become lost and unable to return to a known location. Babylon however has numerous meaning, Babylon could mean be the later name given to Babel which means Confusion. It was the capital city of Babylonia in Mesopotamia (in contemporary Iraq, about 70 mi/110 km south of Baghdad). The name is the Greek form of Babel, which is derived in turn from the Semitic form bab-Illu, meaning "The Gate of God". This Semitic word is a translation of the Sumerian Kadmirra. Without dwelling much on the meaning behind the group, LCOB started off as a three man group and has evolved from three to six to nine, this current roster can only be compared to that of one of the greatest groups of all time "the Deep Space 9" aka Wu-Tang Clan, which started off as All In together with The RZA, GZA/Genius and the late Ol' Dirty Bastard to include a full group of nine. The comparison to the clan doesn't just lie with the similarity in conscious lyrics, sound or group numbers but it extends further to family ties and affiliations with Killah Priest, Sunz of man and Wu-tang Killa Beez.

The nine person movement consisting of Rasul Allahu, The Breath of Judah, Richard Raw, Cosmic Crusader, Ancient Kemite, Amun Sen Hotep Re, Atum Sen Geb the Eloheem, Stretch the Mad Scientist and Wazulu the Ill Dravidian, the group has gone on to release three albums independently to date, the first debut album Where Light Is Created: The Equidivium and followed it up with Words From The Duat: The Book of Anubis and their last controversial album The 911 Report: The Ultimate Conspiracy to raucous reception amongst Philly's underground hip-hop elite. Immediately striking to many was the lyrical content: spiritually enlightened but also radically and socially aware, combining life experience, everyday events, right knowledge spread by Dr. Malachi Z. York, the master teacher of the Nuwaubians, and a variety of culturally infused theories about the creation and ultimate destiny of the human soul, LCOB brought something very unique, exciting and much needed to the hip-hop table, even with the message aside, LCOB also brings in good music.

High on demand on ebay, internet stores, street corners, barbershops, overseas in Europe, Asia, Japan and Jupiter, LCOB albums have sold out every time it had been released, as it was independently released until recently. Babygrande, also home to hip-hop elites such as Jedi Mind Tricks, Canibus, GZA/Genius, Dreddy Kruger, Army OF The Pharaohs and more has since recognized the talents of LCOB, but has recently joined forced with LCOB due to respect and appreciation of their skills and influence and popular market demand to re-release all 3 classic albums. As on the 21st of February, 2006, all three albums will be available to buy online, and in your local stores, It is a recommendation that everyone goes out and support the albums

They made an album rife with quotes from The Matrix and rhymes about ancient Egypt, outer space and chromosomes, all laid over futuristic/sci-fi beats that seem transplanted from other worlds. It’s really much more than a musical creation; it represents a new, somewhat complicated teaching called Nuwaubu (new-ah-boo). “You can dance to our music,” Rasul Allah explains of the group’s aim, “but it’s strictly to stimulate certain latent forces inside your chromosomes.” going on to say "When I came into contact with another form of knowledge and enhanced my consciousness, I wanted to start spreading that as a form of message, through sound and words and music." Of the mix of spirituality and hip-hop, Kemite claims, "It’s the new evolution of hip-hop.

Wu-International had the privilege of talking to Richard Raw and Rasul Allah Of LCOB about past catalogue and the new album, The United Nuwaubian Nation Of Moors, Wu-Tang Clan, Spiritualism, Poli-tricks, ties with Killah Priest and Sunz Of Man, history between them and Jedi Mind Tricks, and more, log on to www.wu-international.com to read the full interview or click directly on the link below:
Interview with the Lost Children Of Babylon.

Available from Amazon:
The Lost Children Of Babylon - The 911 Report: The Ultimate Conspiracy.

posted by Clyde at 4:04 PM

Hip Hop Album Releases for Feb. 14

Very short list this week, though that's not the reason I spaced out doing this update. I just forgot! Sadly, Valentine's Day wasn't the reason I forgot but I wonder if that's why this is such a slow week. However, the Esoteric album looks interesting.

The following new releases are available from Amazon:

Airtight Dist - Money and Korruption
Esoteric - Too Much Posse
Lil G - The Southside Way

For more current releases, see Hip Hop Albums.

posted by Clyde at 2:54 AM

Quickie: Aussies Ban Ecko's Getting Up

On Wednesday the Australian government banned the sale of Marc Ecko's game Getting Up: Contents Under Pressure.

The game has been banned because of concerns that it would promote graffiti.

Not surprisingly, Marc Ecko slammed the Aussie government (though not Aussie's) and game makers Atari said they would pursue all legal means for ending the ban.

Source: Australia bans graffiti game.

posted by Clyde at 1:46 AM

Quickie: Vegas to Ban Rap?

The Sheriff of Las Vegas wants to see an end to rap shows in casinos.

He feels that rap gives the city a bad image and that it's a bad influence on citizens.

It seems the Sheriff has been lumping all rap together into gangsta rap, even though violence at a Nelly concert last year is one of the reasons he's upset and you certainly can't call Nelly a gansta rapper.

Source: Vegas Police Want Rap Out of Casinos.

posted by Clyde at 5:44 AM

Press Release: HIP HOP CONGRESS PLANS PROGRESSIVE 2006

After a large increase in action in 2005, including the election of Shamako Noble as President, Hip Hop Congress is gearing up for tremendous 2006. This year, Hip Hop Congress will be active on many fronts in the world of education, cultural development, civic action and community service.

Things to look forward to in 2006 are:
-An increase in the already 28 recognized chapters across the country
-An incredible National Conference in Boulder, Colorado, June 15-18th featuring workshops, performances, speakers, and more
-A reformed and more cohesive tiered artist program that strives to increase the exposure and resources for Hip Hop Congress member artists.
-A strengthening of partnerships with other Hip Hop organizations, such as Hip Hop Association, Rock-A-Mole, Hip Hop Political Convention and the Hip Hop Caucus
-A continued progressive survey into the companionship of education and hip hop culture
-An increase of work and focus on at risk youth in areas like Los Angeles, the Bay Area, Chicago and St. Louis
-The support of such notable Hip Hop Congress artists as The Procussions, Rahman Jamaal, Dlabrie, Reali the Mann, The Jacka, Aloe Blacc and so many more
-The Minnesota Hip Hop Summit from February 16th-18th at Concordia college featuring M-1 from Dead Prez, HBO Def Poetry's Amir Sulaiman, and many more
-Mindgames, a 32 man emcee battle in Oakland, Ca as a fundraiser for HHC
-Continued work in the fields of artists development, student leadership, service learning, , mentorship and events

These items and more put Hip Hop Congress on the forefront of hip hop grassroots leadership. We wish to spread the knowledge and resources we have with anyone down for the cause. In addition, Hip Hop Congress is a 501©3 organization that welcomes community investment in the form of time, energy, resources or donations. We welcome partnerships in many forms. All donations are tax deductible. For more information please contact PR Chair Aaron Berkowitz at Berkowitz@hiphopcongress.com

Hip Hop Congress (HHC) is an International Grassroots Network that educates, empowers, and unites individuals. We preserve and evolve Hip Hop by inspiring social action and cultural creativity within the community.

posted by Clyde at 5:31 PM

Quickie: Can't Sell Used iPods?

If you're one of those early adopters who got an early version of the iPod, you may be planning on upgrading by now.

Like most modern gadgets, constant improvements can make even a few months old device look ancient.

But the RIAA, those guys who are chasing the distant relatives of filesharers in court, say that reselling an iPod with your music collection still on-board is quite illegal.

However, the RIAA seems to be more worried about businesses preloading music and then selling the devices than individuals who just need a little cash for that almost always necessary upgrade, at least, until they have an easy way of tracking such resales.

Source: Thinking About Selling Your Used Ipod? Not So Fast, Says RIAA.

posted by Clyde at 1:02 PM

Hip Hop Album Releases for Feb. 7

The following new releases are available from Amazon:

Aceyalone with RJD2 - Magnificent City
Brotha Lynch Hung & MC Eiht - The New Season
Chamillionaire - Sound of Revenge [Screwed & Chopped by OG Ron C]
Dem Franchize Boyz - On Top of Our Game
Dem Franchize Boyz - On Top of Our Game [Deluxe w/DVD]
J Dilla - Donuts
Keak Da Sneak - Contact Sport
Layzie Bone & Young Noble - Thug Brothers
Lil Al - Hood Raised
Penuckle - The Sun Beckons
Prefuse 73 - Security Screenings
Remy Ma - There's Something About Remy: Based on a True Story
San Quinn - The Rock: Pressure Makes Diamonds

For more current releases, see Hip Hop Albums.

posted by Clyde at 8:03 PM

Quickies: Chappelle's Party, DMC's Journey, Snoop & Daddy Yankee

Chappelle's Party

Next month brings Dave Chapelle's Block Party to theaters to be followed by a soundtrack produced by ?uestlove.

The movie documents a concert put together by Chappelle that featured such acts as the Roots, Common, Erykah Badu, Jill Scott, Mos Def and Talib Kweli.

The concert also included Kanye West and an early Fugees reunion but it's unclear whether they'll make it onto the soundtrack or not.

Source: Roots Rocking Chappelle's 'Block,' Grammy Jam.

DMC's Journey

As DMC prepares for the March release of Checks Thugs and Rock 'N Roll, he's also preparing to tell a very personal story.

5 years ago, after the death of Jam Master Jay, DMC discovered that he was adopted and eventually decided to find his original family.

On VH-1's DMC: My Adoption Journey, airing later this month, we'll see and hear the results of DMC's search.

Source: Hip-Hop Pioneer Darryl 'DMC' McDaniels Goes On the Search of His Life in VH1's 'DMC: MY ADOPTION JOURNEY'.

Snoop & Daddy Yankee

Snoop Dogg recently joined Daddy Yankee for the filming of a music video.

The video for Gangsta Zone, a song off Daddy Yankee's album Barrio Fino: En Directo, was shot in Puerto Rico.

Daddy Yankee is also busy with such projects as a line of Reebok clothing and a radio program.

Source: Snoop Shoots Video With Daddy Yankee In Puerto Rico.

posted by Clyde at 11:47 AM

Quickie: R. Kelly IS Mr. Show Biz

It's difficult to know how seriously he's taking the role, but R. Kelly is calling himself Mr. Show Biz for his upcoming tour.

The Light It Up Tour will include a live band backing Mr. Biz but, beyond that, no further details have been released.

The tour begins March 9th in Kansas City, Missouri and is currently scheduled through April 29th in Minneapolis.

Source: R. Kelly Goes 'Show Biz' For Spring Tour.

posted by Clyde at 11:00 AM

Quickie: Groovevolt Winners

Groovevolt's online Third Annual GV Music & Fashion Awards recently announced the winners as determined by site visitors.

Winners in the hip hop category:
Best Solo Album - Late Registration, Kanye West
Best Duo or Group Album - Monkey Business, Black Eyed Peas
Best Collaboration - Gold Digger, Kanye West (featuring Jamie Foxx)
Best Song Performance, Solo - Get Back, Ludacris
Best Deep Cut - Bring Me Down, Kanye West

Source: Third Annual Groovevolt Music Awards Winners Announced.

posted by Clyde at 5:39 AM