_2.jpg)
Wednesday, November 26, 2014
Friday, November 21, 2014
13 Rappers arrested and trailed for murders they did not commit because of their Lyrics and Cover Artwork
I live in a world where I am constantly being reminded that my life is not valued. The bodies and souls of African Heritage people are being violated on a regular basis. How can not just one, but a dozen men to arrested, incarcerated, put on trial for murder, and threatened with a life sentence for album art? There is not a single shred of evidence to suggest that they killed anyone, nor that they are members of a gang, but they are in prison.
Yet, Johannes Mehserle shot Oscar Grant in the back while he laid handcuffed, face down on a BART platform. He did it in front of hundreds of witnesses and it was broadcasted via social media for the world to see. It wasn't until there was public outrage that he was arrested. He was found not guilty of second degree murder and only guilty of involuntary manslaughter. He ultimately served less than two years in prison for MURDERING Oscar Grant. But these men are facing life for a picture.
George Zimmerman stalked, harassed, and fought Trayvon Martin before shooting and killing him. He was acquitted of murdering the young boy. He's walking around free while Trayvon never got to see his 18th birthday.
I could go on for days. With John Crawford III, Mike Brown, Jordan Davis, Renishia McBride, Darius Simmons, Aiyanna Jones, Ezell Ford, Levar Jones, Rekia Boyd, Gary King Jr,. Miriam Carey, Pearlie Golden, Amadou Diallo, and Yvette Smith I see the same sickening trend.
White people, mostly publicly funded authorities, KILL Black people for no reason. Most times, they are not arrested nor charged until there is public pressure and backlash. So people like Darren Wilson have been living comfortably for MONTHS after committing murder. There is sound evidence that he is a murderer, but he's relaxing on public pensions. There is NO evidence to tie Duncan and a dozen other men to these 9 murders, nor to say that they are a gang, but they have to wait in prison. What's wrong with this picture?
And even when the masses try to hold these murderers accountable through the judicial system, they are let off. Moreover, these victims of homicide are further criminalized! Through the media and court proceedings, the names of my sisters and brothers are slandered while people try to make the case that they are somehow responsible for AND deserving of their murders. Ain't that barbaric?
I'm not making this up. Research these names. Take time to learn about these stories.
So to live in a world where this racist murders occur on a regular and are seldom taken serious by the "court of law," in conjunction with seeing bogus trials like this...
It's is literally a slap on the face. It's literally a whip on the back. It's another reminder that regardless of how many "advancements" the world has made, despite the "diversity" that exist, in light of "progress" towards a "post racial society" (that whole concept is problematic in and of itself,) my life and lives of people like me don't matter.
Now I know that's a straight lie. People of African Descent are some of the most resilient, beautiful, innovative, and hard-working humans to ever walk this earth. So while this is yet another disheartening insult to both my herstory and existence, it is also a call to action. It's a reminder that my work will never be done.
But it's a beautiful struggle. For the sake of my life, the oppression of my ancestors, and the optimism I have for the future, I have to boldly and unapologetically advocate for the rights that God have me a long time ago.
-Africa Oakland Speaks
Thursday, November 20, 2014
Wednesday, November 19, 2014
Kaleidoscope Dope: Stream and Download BJ The Chicago Kid- The M.A.F.E. Project (Mixtape)
.jpg)
Tuesday, November 18, 2014
Friday, November 14, 2014
Rick Gonzalez - From Now On Ft. Rapsody
C-Money - Shut It Down Ft. Kool John
Axel F. (J. Rocc & MED) - Omega Ft. Blu
Terrace Martin - All Year Ft. Preston Harris
Blu- The Clean Hand (Fate Remix) ft. ScienZe & JohnNY
Wednesday, November 12, 2014
9th Wonder, Talib Kweli, and Pharoahe Monch joins forces to form Indie 500
The last couple months the twitter world was going nuts with the #indie 500 hashtag. With little info being let out I felt a 2nd coming of hip hop approaching in this movement. Jamla Records, W.A.R. Media, and Javotti Media, respectively have made a decided effort to combine their immense talents to create Indie 500, a collective — led by 9th, Monch, and Kweli. The collective will not only carry on the tradition of unity set forth by Native Tongues, but to also re-establish the importance of mindfulness in both music and business. The three discussed the movement at Atlanta’s A3C conference.
9th Wonder on the Music
“Indie 500 is a kind of continuation of the Native Tongues sound all the way to the Rawkus sound. Badu, Jill Scott, Slum Village — anywhere that has that texture of sound that feels good with good lyrics — Indie 500 is a continuation of that and a new generation. We’re trying to continue on the tradition of classic — what they like to call ‘traditional’ — hip-hop. Grass roots, deep-rooted hip-hop music.”What do you think?
Pharoahe Monch on the Business:
“We looked at each other and we were like, we should do business together and music together. Not just on the rap side, but on the touring side, the business side and sharing of information. It’s empowering, it’s beautiful, and it’s important for that to be known. To inspire younger generations to not only rap, but to start companies and corporations.”What do you think?
Talib Kweli on the Essence:
“It’s everybody that we’re down with…anybody that has an independent mind state or spirit is Indie 500. It’s important for us, as artists, that we value the art, and we raise the value of art. So we state that we’re independent, that we’re black owned, we’re stating that we have value and you need to pay attention to us.”
Talib Kweli-Javotti Media presents...The Cathedral
On The Real: If black Americans want the N-word to die, they will have to kill it themselves
Piers Morgan wrote an article with that title.
Read the full article Here.
This is What we have to say.
He makes some interesting points, but I don't think any White male is in a position to determine the cause widespread usage and prevalence of the n-word. It is not only widespread because of its use in hip hop music. It's still here because there are social, cultural, and structural issues that have shaped by centuries of racism, trauma, the under representation of ethnicity in education, and the misrepresentation and African Heritage people in the world.
I do agree that a unified, global collective of African and African Heritage people who adamantly refused to use the n-word would be powerful. But we are not the only stakeholders who need to be involved in this effort.
Why have I seen thousands of "n-words be like" and "b-words be like memes? They offend me every time but its permitted and goes unchecked. Why don't we hold social media corporations, educational institutions, and media corporations responsible too? We all have a road to play
"Teach the youth of today the N-word is so heinous that even to repeat it ironically is to perpetuate its poison...
"According to a new data survey by social media analytics Web site Topsy.com, it will be used, either as ‘n****r’ or ‘n***a’, 500,000 times on Twitter today..."
"The N-word is a grotesque, odious, evil stain on the English language. It symbolizes everything multi-cultural America has fought so hard to move on from - white-run, imperialist, violent, sexually malevolent barbarism...
Yet far from receding in society, it’s spreading; out of the once clearly defined confines of private usage in the black community, into the public hallways of every school in America."
Africa Oakland Speaks-
Feel Free to comment or to add to the discussion. We would love to hear what you think.
Monday, November 10, 2014
Friday, November 7, 2014
Thursday, November 6, 2014
AZ spits over Nas' new "The Season"
Asaad- Blue Note Entendre
LA rap group Warm Brew signed to Dom Kennedy's OPM (Other People's Money) Label
Your Old Droog-Where The Rhymes At?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)