Bahamadia "Dialed Up"

Bahamadia "Dialed Up"

Bahamadia dropped something brand new today... that's already a major event. It was written, produced and recorded completely on her cell phone. And it's dope. We live in the future ya'll...

VIDEO: What's New For African Feminisms?

This amazing panel just happened in London the other day, featuring the family Meklit Hadero and Jessica Horn. Watch and learn and be inspired!

Suntonio Bandanaz & Third Eye Bling "American Gangster Nerd"

Suntonio Bandanaz & Third Eye Bling
"American Gangster Nerd"

To say me and Asun (aka Suntonio Bandanaz) go back is an understatement... That's my brother. He put me on to the first crew I was ever a part of that really did anything (500 Years) and he literally taught me how to beatbox. To say I'm excited about this album is another understatement... the first time I heard it from beginning to end I immediately started working with Sun & Bling on a group project called F'real Tho based on how much I love this record. I think his liner notes say it the best...

"This project is a statement being made in response to the epistemic normative in the city of Seattle dictating misconceptions in regards to people of Indigenous and African descent in the "Hip Hop Community."  Being HOOD is NOT synonymous with Ignorance. No more than it means that Cultural Artistic Appropriation is OK!  In an attempt to unify and communicate to/for/from my community that False representation of the Black and Brown Cultural Identity being propagated & exploited to decimate the character of an entire generation of inhabitants in these communities is never a good look."

You can pick the album up from Fresh Chopped Beats / MADK Productions today!

Tumi #28Days + "Troublemaker" video

So if your not hip, now is a great time to get hip to South Africa's Tumi, one of the dopest emcees I know anywhere on the planet. He's releasing a new song every single day for the month of February, exclusively on hie website tumipoetmc.com and this incredible video with Haezer just dropped... it features youth with superpowers in a Township... and is just too awesome for words.

Ishkan - 2 Lights

Ishkan - 2 Lights

I just found out about the homie Ishkan's newest album which was dropped in August 2012... if you don't know about Victoria, B.C.'s own, City Planner member and one-half of Nowfolk with Moka Only... now is a good time to tune in.  He's been one of the most creative emcees in the Northwest for years and this album is filled with quotables and rewindable verses on every single track. If you still care about rap or appreciate lyrics, this is for you. Get it at Ishkan's bandcamp now.

Ensemble Mik Nawooj - Black Swordsman ft. The Attik

A Chamber Hip Hop Opera recorded on December 21st, 2012 with one of my favorite momentarily re-united crews from Oakland, CA or anywhere else, The Attik!

#IdleNoMore: The Next Generation (Brother Ali: Letter To My Countrymen)

Another beautiful #IdleNoMore video from Dave Wilson, Redskin and Gyasi Ross. Music by Brother Ali. And this generation is so inspiring... love it.

Meklit Hadero & Quinn DeVeaux "Sent By You"

Fall in love with this one shot iphone video magic via my family Meklit Hadero and Quinn DeVeaux, and pick up the album at Porto Franco Records today!

Big World Breaks "Closer To Us"

Beautiful video from my family, Big World Breaks.

#IdleNoMore

This happened at Westlake Center in Seattle last week. Filmwork by the homies Dave Wilson and Redskin. Narrated by brother Gyasi Ross and elder Ramona Bennett.

#IdleNoMore is a worldwide indigenous movement started by the First Nation Tribes of Canada as a way to help protect the Constitutional Treaty Rights of the Indian Act. These rights are being threatened by the proposed C-45 Bill. The Bill will significantly decrease tribal leader and community control over decisions related to the land and water use on Indian Reserve lands, the tribal peoples of Canada will have little to no control over how corporations make use of untapped natural resources, specifically on indigenous territory protected under Sovereignty treaties.
Attawapiska Chief Theresa Spence began a hunger strike on Dec. 11, 2012. She is asking Prime Minister Stephen Harper to attend a discussion regarding the Bill and treaty rights. Harper has yet to respond. Spence is willing to die for her people's rights. To learn more check www.idlenomore.com