General Admission
I have been getting a distinct impression that most of us involved in the Hip Hop culture generally admit that the state of the rap world today is on a life support system. Rappers are claiming to have the new flava, but their cheerleading style leaves most of us with that sour, bitter taste in our mouths.
Concurrently, there is a large group of old school rap stars (which is becoming a lot larger by the way) that are saying out loud, "we need to bring back the real Hip Hop!" So what exactly do they mean by that term? Are ...
Rules of Engagement
Our Hip Hop culture, I'm proud to say thus far, has never given birth to wars. However, since the beginning of its own birth, the standard of excellence was already established through competition. And our Hip Hop culture has provided a lot of battles in its history.
Some battles have become famous; some have become infamous; and then there are the ones which are legendary. Legendary battles such as The Rock Steady Crew vs. The Dynamic Rockers; The New York City Breakers vs. The Rock Steady Crew; Kool Moe Dee vs. Busy Bee; The Fantastic Romantic Five MCs vs. The Cold ...
Upset Stomach
To our fellow visitors, have you seen the infomercial Hip Hop Abs? I come across it almost every weekend when I get up early in the morning. Now I do believe if you have a creative idea to make money, you should do what you can to follow through with it. After all it is the true essence of entrepreneurship, is it not?
Anyways, my question to you is, "do any of you feel that this Shaun T character has insulted our culture by using its name to make money?"
It brings up all sorts of other questions as well. For ...
Notorious Review
Yes! It is to be said that I did go and check out Hollywood's first Hip Hop biopic Notorious! It is the story of the life, and short career, of Christopher "Biggie Smalls aka The Notorious B.I.G." Wallace. Now in my opinion, as far as biopics go, this movie is a lil' less than average.
The main character was portrayed to be the typical ex-drug dealing rapper from New York who has risen from the gutter into fame and fortune. However, what I was truly expecting to see was the artist and the depth of his lyrical gift. What I mean ...
Getting Up: A Graffiti Documentary
I found these three YouTube videos an hour ago by a brother called Spazaru22 representing The Boogie Down Bronx. They are from a short documentary called Getting Up: A Graffiti Documentary. I have been searching for information on who shot and directed the flick, but to no avail. I hope Spazaru22 can get back to me with insight because credit is always due.
This film is narrated by several famous writers on the culture, drama, and lessons of being a Graff outlaw. Old school legends Cope 2, Futura 2000, Chino, and Daze speak from their experiences and history as artists ...
Kung Fu Saturdays: Five Deadly Venoms
Welcome back to another episode of Kung Fu Saturdays at Old School Scholar!
As you probably can tell I am a big fan of the Venom Mob and their feudal tales of treachery, vengeance, and honor. Every movie these guys are in has something to do with deceit and the seven deadly sins. Of course these are the ingredients that keep people glued to soap operas for many years and more to come!
Which is why today's classic episode goes down in legendary fandom for all martial arts movies; The Five Deadly Venoms [aka Shaolin Deadly Poisons]! When we were kids, acting ...
Spraycan Avenue
You know, I wonder if most Graff writers believe that a white wall or a train (either commuter or freight) is the number one surface for their creations. I sure as hell hope not, but I must admit that I do at times get the impression that it's the only medium writers can think of. Well, I'm gonna make an attempt to help you think beyond the wall and the train. Follow me on tour down these avenues for ideas that you may not have thought of.
Have you ever thought about opening up your own Graffiti art gallery or festival ...
Transformers 2 Racial Fallout
This is my response to the racial fallout over Transformers 2: Revenge of the Fallen. I have read and responded to several articles online, and I felt I should recreate my comments as a post for our audience. Note: I did enjoy this plot-anemic movie and its tremendous action. I went to the theaters to have fun expecting the same flavor as the first Transformers film. My expectations were met, but I did feel it needed more story than laughs and chuckles. Yes, I did chuckle at the twin Autobots for their surprising errant remarks even though the twins were ...
N.B.A.
To the up and coming DJs who may be reading this; this one is just for you. Part of being a true school DJ is knowing the fact that music as a whole is universal. You know how most people go around saying " I don't listen to white folks music!" or " whatcha playing that black music for?" Well for you to think or feel the same way is without doubt a no-no. You must expand your mind as well as your heart to all styles of music. Such as Jazz, Pop, Rock, Reggae, Big Band, R and B, ...
Beatbox Battle World Championship 2009: Free Live Video!
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Attention: The Beatbox Battle World Championship 2009 will be broadcasting live on Thursday, May 28th through Monday, June 1st from Berlin, Germany. You can see the five day event broadcasting live free right here at Old School Scholar.com. Book mark this page and be prepared to see the percussion emcee element at work! If you miss out, the festival will be available on YouTube for your enjoyment.
According to Beatbox Battle.com the festival will draw over 140 artists exhibiting from 30 different countries. Competition categories include the Female Beatbox Battle, 2-5 man Team ...
Interview With GrandSinister Ice: MegaMix One Video
This interview was conducted in part due to our large reception towards the recent video release of Old School Scholar MegaMix One by GrandSinister Ice. It was such a fantastic, traditional megamix we were inspired to create a special promotional video to compliment it. The Video is posted after the following article. Enjoy!
Q Ball: What inspired you to create MegaMix One for Old School Scholar? It has been a very long time since I have heard an authentic megamix!
GS Ice: Well that's just it. As of late, especially on YouTube, I have yet to hear a mix that honors the ...
Ugandan Hip Hop: B-Boy Activism In The Mother Land
I want you to see evidence where Hip Hop culture shines at its brightest, and how it enlightens a possible future for those who once envisioned tomorrow as a blur. I want you to feel how it made you feel the first time you found Hip Hop kissing you on the cheek with open arms. Do you remember when? Were you just a kid grooving along trying to pass the time meanwhile seeking your identity and wondering how you fit in this world?
What was it like your first time when you saw B-Boying, a Graff mural, or a DJ ...
Seven Minutes Of Potpourri
That damn Bloodsucking Corporate Machine! Here I am hired to DJ at one of the biggest jams of my life, and it doesn't feel right. I mean something is way off! I am playing all of the popular songs, but it smells too good in here! For some reason this crowd likes dancing to this garbage! I cannot stand hearing it myself, however you gotta play what's hot.
But it just smells too good in here!
I use to love cuttin' and mixin' the old school sounds, and now the BCM (Bloodsucking Corporate Machine) has got me so bored outta my mind ...
The Green Dictator
I have this question that I wish to ask everybody. The question is simply this, "does money measure the depth of your love and respect for the Hip Hop culture?" Now, if your answer is a quick "Hell No," stop to think about this first. You see the BCM (Bloodsucking Corporate Machine) is forever proud to let us know that everybody has a price. Now, allow me to repeat the question again, "does money measure the depth of your love and respect for the Hip Hop culture?"
Let me give you a few relative scenarios to explain what I'm talking about. ...
Kung Fu Saturdays Is Here!
Just like how we use to do it way back when, Saturdays use to be a big deal to hang out with the fellas and watch Kung Fu flicks! Well guess what! Kung Fu Saturdays are baaaaack! Expect new classic Kung Fu movies posted every Saturday for your old school enjoyment!
Let's get this started with The 36th Chamber of Shaolin aka The Master Killer starring the legendary Gordon Liu!
Subject Matters
Has anyone notice that it seems rappers of today have few subject matters to rap about? They either have what I call skirt chasing lyrics, political lyrics, or material lyrics. I can't be the only one who wants to give their lyrics the benefit of the doubt, but I always end up tuning them out! What they talk about (whenever I'm able to hear what they are articulating) just simply bores the Hell outta me!
ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ!!!
Maybe their creativity is limited when it should be limitless. Maybe they just want to be followers when they should be trendsetters.
I mean, how many times ...
Da Sound Of Concrete
To all Hip Hop DJs, what is your definition of a hardcore Hip Hop beat? Which rap song that's out right now demonstrates your meaning of a hardcore beat?
In my opinion the term hardcore beat has, for some reason, been generalized very loosely. I believe nobody popular today knows what a true hardcore beat sounds like. So allow me to give you my definition of a hardcore beat.
A hardcore beat in Hip Hop is the type of sound that truly represents the streets. It's the sound that belongs to us: the hustling underprivileged, the struggling middle class, and the 4AM ...
The King of Hip-Pop
Ladies and Gentlemen, little did I know that the recording industry was nine months pregnant! Therefore because of this fact, I must man-up and extend my congratulations to the industry for giving birth to a brand new musical genre, but the sad part is this; the industry has yet to give it a name?
So I tell you what I'll do, from the kindness of my heart, I will volunteer to give it a name! Party people in the place, from this day forth, I would like to give this new sound in the recording industry a title. It is a name ...
Rap To The Future
Missing in Hip Hop music today, in my opinion, are two types of rhymes. Before I tell you what they are in a question, I want everyone to understand this is a simple message for up and coming MCs, rap artists, and rappers. If you know one please send him this message. If you are one, I want you to be honest with yourself meanwhile thinking about your future.
Now first ask yourself this, when was the last time you've gone on an ego trip or even told a story in a rhyme? Must we depend on rap artists such ...
