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I have been getting a distinct impression that most of us involved in 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 [...]
To Whom it May Concern at Guerilla Union:
I attended the Rock the Bells festival in Miami on August 2, 2008. I give the event two thumbs way up for its performance line ups, the surprise special guests, the quality of sound and lighting, the great work the roadies conducted between sets, and the participating [...]
You know, most up and coming rappers today believe getting their rhyme skills any type of attention is to enter a local MC battle, exhibit their presence online (i.e. YouTube or MySpace), or get on multiple mix tapes and hope a talent scout would discover them. These are all well proven buzz tactics that can get you noticed, but there is one problem to these forms of promotion. It ain’t live! It’s Memorex!
For your enjoyment, here are three YouTube videos uploaded by the author HipHop360Video. This new footage covers the Hip Hop 360 Festival that took place in Ottawa, Canada from June 11-15, 2008. The festival is a joint effort between The House of Paint community and the Canada Dance Festival. The House of Paint is an organization of independent artists, groups and business members, coming together every year to throw a jam for their community according to their website.
There are many books and interviews on Hip Hop but none shine in comparison to works that document history and biography. Especially when it comes from the mouths of Brothers and Sisters like Grandmaster Flash. If you are a DJ or Hip Hop enthusiast you have no excuse not to own a copy of The Adventures of Grandmaster Flash.
How many times have you heard the question “Who’s in charge here?” I ask that very question when pondering the nonsense that passes for rap music today. Back in the day, you could really tell who was in charge. Each act had its own unique style, look, sound, etc. Run-DMC didn’t look like Whodini who didn’t sound like UTFO who were nothing like Doug E Fresh and the Get Fresh Crew. Each crew, MC, and DJ put a lot of thought and care into crafting their own signature sound and persona that set them apart. Which leads me to ask the question concerning (c)rap music now, “Who’s in charge here?”
Block Parties were part of the foundation for Hip Hop’s existence and bringing communities together and squashing bitter rivalries. With the current state of Hip Hop’s bastard identity can block parties exist with the same vigor and enthusiasm for peaceful celebration?
Did you know one of the last times I physically saw an MC up on stage by himself was in the 1980’s. I was watching LL Cool J giving a full Hip Hop performance for one hour and fifteen minutes! He did it all by Himself! But the very last time I actually saw an [...]
What I am about to speak on is the art of rap. My simple definition of rapping is when one recites a form of poetry in rhythm as in the sound of urban music. However this art like most things, has basic rules that one must go by at all times. Here are those basic [...]
