“As a new mother, with a two-month old, I refuse to let these companies, these corporations, call my daughter a ‘b####,’ a ‘hoe,’ a ‘n***er.’ It’s over. It’s not about ‘free speech.’ It’s about you’re peddling drugs into the mind of our community. What you do is addicting our children to violence.” —Rosa Clemente, Hot 97 protest, 2005. “Turn off the radio!/ Turn off that bullsh**!/ … What’s on the radio—propaganda, mind control/ And turnin’ it on is like puttin’ on a blindfold/” —Dead Prez, “Turn off the Radio,” Turn off the Radio: The Mixtape Vol. 1, 2002. “Can you get down, can you talk trash, can you get funky, can you get nasty? You got the job! Now look, Brother, that’s the basis upon which they hire you… Don’t you know why Black people are not productive—it’s because their minds are being controlled. And you are the agent that they’re using. You—in Black music.” —Hon. Min. Louis Farrakhan, Jack the Rapper Convention, 1980. It’s rare to have Rep. John Conyers (Detroit) and Rev. Al Sharpton (Heaven?) publicly split against each other, but a recently-passed bill (H.R. 848), championed by Conyers, just accomplished that. The “Performance Rights Act” has created a full-blown spectacle, even enlisting the megaphone of media mogul, Cathy Hughes, who called it a “bill that could put many black owned radio stations out of business. And force others to abandon their commitment to provide free music, entertainment, news, information, and money losing formats like gospel and black talk.” In recent weeks, many, including the inimitable Dick Gregory, Rev. Jesse Jackson and Tom Joyner, have rallied in opposition to it. The bill passed last Wednesday in the house, but not before a rally organized by Ms. Hughes, herself, outside Conyers’ office. It should be duly noted that H.R. 848 didn’t just spring up like a thief in the night. For months it had been in the works, and for months, faithful public servants like award-winning Hip-Hop journalist, Davey D, had been raising their voices against the dangers it could cause—to Black radio. As early as January 27, 2009, Davey D had begun sounding the alarm. By February 24, he was convinced that if Conyers greased the wheels for the passage of the bill, “He and his collogues will be regretting their shortsightedness… Conyers and his ilk will one day sadly discover that those outlets will not be able to accommodate them in an effective way because many outlets like mine play music with our talk.” At the time, Davey D speculated that perhaps the “esteemed Congressman has been duped and bamboozled. Someone on his staff has given him bad information”; but many of Conyers’ opponents aren’t so willing to give him that much credit anymore.  Davey D explained, in plain English, the content and character of Conyers’ handiwork. It’s worth quoting at-length: If this goes through, what will essentially happen is that we will find ourselves in a situation where it will become real costly to play music. This new coalition is really the same outfit that went and gutted internet radio making it so it costs 18 cent a song per listener. Do the math and ask yourself why we don’t have more stations? It’s too damn expensive after you reach a certain amount of listeners. The rate is scheduled to go up to 25 cent a song per listener in 3 years. This means if you have something cracking and you get even half a million listeners it will be impossible for you to pay for it, even with advertising. But as much as we’ve been alerted to the danger involved in a potential loss of this vibrant part of our culture, we must be just as willing to question if this effort, on the part of executives like Cathy Hughes, is even worth it. We should also demand from them what their true motive, in this fight, is. After all, Cathy Hughes, as founder and CEO of Radio One, hasn’t been so beneficial to the younger Black community.  In 2007, Jahi, the California-based Hip-Hop artist, asked a timely question: “When will Radio One be held accountable for the music they are feeding to our kids, matter of fact, all of us?” Jahi railed against Radio One and Cathy Hughes for promoting a Spring Fest Miami concert series, with artists whose only prerogatives seem to be the pursuit of material wealth and other self-destructive acquisitions. Jahi felt that as much as Don Imus, the disgrace radio jock, was tossed into the lion’s den for his “nappy-headed hoes” comment, and justly so, the Black Imus-lites on the airwaves should be met with equal amounts of antagonism, from an irate community: “[T]he date after the controversy broke, I heard an artist say “beautiful hoe’s” on the radio (RADIO ONE). Yeah they bleeped out “hoes” but [we] all know what [was] said. What does Radio One and Kathy Hughes have to say about that?” Jahi has a valid point; but the question, in my view, should be broadened and more inclusive: “What do WE, as a people, as a generation, as a culture, have to say about that?” If we’ll be frank, and I certainly hope we can, most of what is played on Black or “urban” radio stations across the country is unadulterated bullsh**! Bullsh** in perpetuity. The same hedonistic, materialistic, misogynistic set of 5 – 10 songs is rotated by slow-witted DJ’s, whose sole claim to fame is the ability to read scripts—pre-written by record label executives—about how “ill,” “hot,” “siccckkk,” “phat,” “dope,” and “crack,” a select few of commercial artists are. These fu**ed-up “on-air personalities” couldn’t care less what impact their role is having on the collective psyche of the Hip-Hop community. They take pride and joy in a job which trained-robots and machines can do effortlessly and, dare I add, more eloquently. These backbone-less puppets have no depth into which their integrity refuses to dive—as long as the promise of financial solvency abounds. Anyone who […]

CAVI (short for “caviar”) is the brand responsible for the explosive military woven shirt trend we’ve seen in recent years. Fabolous Although many brands have come along and attempted to knock off the distinct looks that CAVI created, there is no doubt that the brand is the leader in this arena, or the “caviar of the fashion industry”.   Even when it was still fairly new, CAVI has received some of the best product placement you could hope for.   Prominent figures in hip hop and R&B such as Jay-Z, Nas, Fabolous, T.I., Lil Wayne, and Chris Brown heavily support the brand, being spotted in their gear numerous times. Akon Of course, many of these guys get customized shirts, like the “S. Carter” shirt Jay-Z is rocking below.   Jay-Z in his customized “S. Carter Shirt”   CAVI was founded in 2004 by Phil Gapud (Head Designer & Director of Marketing), Nathan Krivosheyev (Director of Production) and Danny Victor (Director of Sales and Operations), who were all new to the fashion industry.   Phil and Danny started off as interns at Motown/Universal Records in NYC.   Nathan, who attended college with Danny, started a career in the fashion industry. What all three of these men had in common was an acute sense of style, the drive to be different and express their individuality.   These key ingredients eventually helped them form CAVI – a hightly sought after “Product of Great Taste”.   Reggie Bush and Kim Kardashian   T.I.   We just got some of CAVI’s spring 2009 collection in – check it out!     Classic Polo by CAVI   Cargo Shorts by CAVI   Linen Button Down by CAVI   Linen Pants by CAVI   Striped V-Neck Tee by CAVI Images: CAVI

Lets be clear, people. We like Joe Budden around these parts. That’s no mystery. We think this is one talented young man that has a lot to offer the game. He’s skilled with the lyrics and is one of the best emcees out and about these days. On the other side of things, there is Grandmaster Melle Mel. We love Melle Mel for what he represents to Hip-Hop, as a pioneer and as a skilled emcee. Back in 2003, we were the first to regard Mel as “The Original G.O.A.T.” and since then, the term has been used very widespread. Check out those interviews here: Part 1 and Part 2. Make no mistake about it…Melle is a great Hip-Hop artist in every sense of the word. Now, we come to the year 2009, a time well past when Melle Mel was that G.O.A.T. figure in Hip-Hop. But, there is a saying, “once a G.O.A.T., always a G.O.A.T.” That’s not really a saying, but you get the point. The point in, Joe acting as if Melle Mel doesn’t deserve his spot is to speak blasphemy against, say…Muhammad Ali. It would be like Micheal Jordan dissing Dr. J or Kobe Bryant dissing Micheal Jordan or Lebron…well you get the message. There’s no love lost for Joe Budden, but Melle Mel has rebutted the New Jersey rapper’s comments. He does it will style, finesse and if you watch til the end, you will see that sometimes Melle Mel still has to slap the wrist of his children from time to time. video platform video management video solutions free video player For those that need to know, Melle Mell and members of the Furious Five are set to embark on a tour of the world. They told AllHipHop.com exclusively his plans. I have been building myself up for a couple of years now, it’s time for the people to witness the original Furious 5 MC’s all together on one stage. Me, Scorpio, Rahiem and Kid Creole are also shopping a reality show about The Furious 5 MC’s.” Melle Mel “From living oversea in Switzerland and Germany, the question was always ‘when is The Original Furious 5 coming overseas? After getting inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, I felt like it was time. I have always viewed our fans and audience as family, so I am looking forward to getting back together with everyone.” – Scorpio For booking inquiries contact: Mick Bentson: payup100@aol.com

What makes a selvedge jean unique from the common jean? As you can see in the below images, selvedge denim has a clean, natural edge that does not unravel. You can see the actual edge of the fabric where the weaving stops and is finished by a shuttle loom. Common denim is woven on a projectile loom, where the fabric gets cut off at the ends.   Grass Roots Two Selvedge True Straight Fit Jean by LRG The process involved with creating a selvedge jean is more time consuming, resulting in denim of a tighter weave and heavier, durable fabric. Because of this, and the fact that the edges can’t fray, selvedge denim is considered high quality denim.  Selvedge denim by Cheap Monday Shuttle looms create a narrower amount of fabric than projectile looms, therefore more fabric is required to make selvedge jeans. Most selvedge jeans today are dyed with synthetic indigo, but some premium brands use natural indigo dye, like denim master Evisu. The old shuttle style looms were replaced with modern projectile looms when the demand for denim increased in the 1950’s. The new looms produce fabric faster and wider, but lighter weight and less durable. So now you know why you fork over that extra cash for a premium selvedge jean! What is your absolute favorite jean? Is it a classic pair of Levi’s, premium selvedge denim by Evisu, or good ol’ baggy Rocawear jeans?Let us know which jean or brand fits your body the best! Check out some our great denim selection on DJPremium.com and DrJays.com, including selvedge denim: Yes We Can Limited Edition Selvedge Denim Jean by Red Monkey Skinny w Double Stud Row by BLANK Blue Spray Straight Leg Jean by Money Clothing Back Flap Patchwork Flare Leg Jean by Vigoss Slim Jim Selvedge by Nudie Jeans Source: WikipediaSlim Jim Selvedge by Nudie Jeans Source: Wikipedia

You might know Baltimore Ravens outside linebacker Terrell Suggs as a force to be reckoned with on the field. A proven component on the defensive line, the three-time Pro Bowler, has amassed 212 solo tackles, and 45 sacks since being selected tenth in the first round of the 2003 NFL draft. As a naturally gifted and skilled athlete on the field, Suggs other love has surprisingly been in another arena- music and movies. On any given Sunday the determination behind his force on the field can be attributed to one of his favorite rappers providing the soundtrack to his motivation. For as much as his talent and his skill lie on the field, his passion is more cinematic. An avid movie lover, Suggs dissects movies to the point of breaking down the thought process of the music supervisor scoring a particular scene in a particular movie to fully bring the story to life. This passion for music and movies has manifested itself into the NFL star creating his own movies. Recently launching his own movie production company, 1080 Productions, Terrell is making plays off the field and on the big screen as a scriptwriter, and is currently reading scripts to produce. The luxury lifestyle guru has also tipped his hat at providing superstar treatment by way of his own entertainment company Team Sizzle Worldwide which hosts events such as fight parties, red carpets, birthday parties, celebrities events, etc. Having lived the life off a superstar athlete he understands the keys to the lavish lifestyle and wants to parlay his career into an opportunity to give others the chance to experience the same luxury through his various endeavors. Shuggs took time out of his schedule to give us a play by play on his plans for living his dreams. AllHipHop.com: Thanks for taking the time out to talk to music with us, as a Hip-Hop lover do you have specific songs that you play before you play specific teams to get you in a particular mind-state? Terrell Suggs: I have a set of songs that I play before every game. 50 Cent’s “I Get Money,” Beanie Sigel’s “Feel It In The Air”, and Jay-Z’s “Watcher 2” just to name a few. AllHipHop.com: I hear 50 Cent’s “If I Can’t” is the theme song to your life, tell me something in your life that you’ve done that even you yourself may have questioned your capacity to do? Terrell Suggs: The fact that I made it to the NFL! My story isn’t much different from everybody else in the league – 90% came from the slums, came from nothing. So the fact that my parents or my children don’t have to deal with most of the worries of the world just blows me away! Summary: Terrell Suggs Favorite Hip-Hop Albums: Get Rich or Die Tryin– 50 Cent. It’s Dark and Hell is Hot-DMX The Blueprint – Jay-Z. The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill– Lauryn Hill All Eyez On Me -2pac. AllHipHop.com: What are your top five favorite Hip-Hop albums and why? Terrell Suggs: Get Rich or Die Tryin– 50 Cent. It’s a classic album because he was hungry, and you can feel his hunger in his voice and his songs. It’s Dark and Hell is Hot-DMX. At a time when the Hip-Hop culture was about bling-bling, X brought the game back to the street, back to the people. A true Hip-Hop fan will never forget this album. The Blueprint – Jay-Z. In my opinion, this album is when he became king. This album put him over the top. Now he will be mentioned with the gods of Hip-Hop . the Biggies, and the Pac’s ! The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill– Lauryn Hill. I’m not sure if this classifies as a Hip-Hop album, but she put her soul into this album. That’s what Hip-Hop is supposed to be- a reflection of self! All Eyez On Me -2pac. This album was the first of its kind, and it put him over the top. It also was the first Hip-Hop LP to have double disc. It was a great album! AllHipHop.com: A lot of athlete’s start record labels but you chose a film company why and when did you know you wanted to produce movies? Terrell Suggs: I’ve know since I was little. I’ve always loved movies! I always wanted to be apart of them in some way. I just got tired of seeing movies being put out with no effort put into them., so I decided to get organized and start my own production company. Instead of buying $100,000 cars and jewelry, I invest in my company. Summary: Terrell Suggs Favorite Movies: “300,” “The Show,” “8 Mile,” “Menace to Society” “Set it Off” AllHipHop.com: What does the name 1080 in your company name represent? Terrell Suggs: I can’t tell you that.! It’s like the #1 rule in fight club! There is no fight club. AllHipHop.com: LOL. That’s funny ok we’ll give you a pass on that one. I was told you like to dissect movies, what types of things do you look for? Terrell Suggs: If a film is missing something or it’s too predictive then it takes away from the how much I enjoy it, so I just say what a film should and shouldn’t have. I’m looking at it from a fan or an avid movie goer’s perspective. AllHipHop.com: How important is the soundtrack to the movie for you? Terrell Suggs: Very Important! A great soundtrack helps tell and sell your story. It draws people in. In my films music scores, and soundtracks will be a major part in my budget! AllHipHop.com: What are your top 5 movie soundtracks? Terrell Suggs: “300,” “The Show,” “8 Mile,” “Menace to Society,” “Set it Off” AllHipHop.com: What types of movies do you want to produce? Terrell Suggs: All kinds. I don’t want my films to have boundaries. I want to make movies that everybody can relate to. Romantic comedies, Drama, Action, Horror, hell I even want to […]

Crying is a negative for men. For goodness sake, nobody likes to see a sloppy, weepy man. But I have to admit, the other day, I was straight up down. I can’t even front. These days it seems like our world is falling apart. But, the thing is, I still have my little job, my family and a roof over my head. I’m lucky so far. Everything around me isn’t as fortunate. Many of my friends are struggling to find work. My uncle was recently laid off and he’s older so it’s going to be extremely hard for him to get work over some cheap, young kid that can do the same thing. My dad’s friend lost nearly $400, 000 in the stock market. He foolishly put all his money there and when the market tanked his money was gone. He was left with about $50,000. There is no such thing as riding out into the sunset at any age. There is always going to be some BS speed bump that is going to mess the drive up. Such is life. So, I had a quick moment of tears. I wasn’t blubbering like a baby, but it definitely caught me off guard. I’m not ashamed, but at the same time, I am happy that I was alone when it happened. A crying man isn’t readily accepted, even though we do it. Most times men cry in the dark and alone. Not always. Take Maino, as an example. He’s one of the hardest brothers in the streets these days, but he started weeping openly in front of all his fans. But, his tears had a thug twist. His friend had gotten hot in the back by the NYPD. That’s certainly just cause to cry, right? Nobody gave Young Buck any slack when he started to cry before his boss 50 Cent. In fact, the streets really came down on Buck mercilessly, even though 50 secretly taped him without his knowledge. If he knew he was being recording, I doubt he would have said,”I’m just wrong.” Rappers like Freddie Foxxx (aka Bumpy Knuckles) rapped about it humorously. It was clearly a moment of weakness for one talented rap artist. Talented or not, it was not appreciated. No credit for acting! I hated when Ja Rule did that song, “I Cry” with Lil Mo. (This does not mean I hate Ja. I liked him a lot at the beginning of his career.) That was one phony song, in my opinion, and 50 Cent used that visual moment to destroy Ja in the eyes of Hip-Hop. It seems that Ja was taking a page from Tupac and even ‘Pac shunned the notion of crying on “When Thugs Cry.” Was he crying or not? Props for sincere tears! What an honorable moment it was when President Barack Obama cried in front of the world in November 2008. Remember? His doting grandmother died just before he won the presidency over John McCain. The president isn’t supposed to cry ever, but we were able to give him a pass and, actually gave him credit for his ability to force himself to continue. On the flip side, Jesse Jackson got mixed reviews when he sobbed from the crowd. I don’t know the last time you cried, dude, but choose that moment wisely. Just let it out…don’t snap trying to be gullier than you are. Crying can make you praised or pariah and probably will bear affect on the rest of your days. Maino: video platform video management video solutions free video player Good Guy aka Every Man is a columnist on AllHipHop.com and his columns appear every Thursday or when he sends them over. Of course his views are not necessarily that of AllHipHop.com. We never cry.

We’re used to seeing female celebrities dressed up on red carpets, but who has the best style when they’re just kicking back?   Here are just a few ladies who usually always look on point, whether at an award show or running errands.   Let us know if we missed your top choice! Rihanna in Nike sneakers Teyana Taylor Cassie in a Hellz Bellz tee and Nike sneakers Keri Hilson in Creative Recreation sneakers   Ladies, step up your street style with these hot brands on DrJays.com and DJPremium.com: Coco X Hellz Tee by Hellz Bellz Cesario Lo by Creative Recreation Tounge Action Tank by Dimepiece 24th Street Jean by Married to the Mob Baby G Classic Shock-Resistant Watch by Casio Images: Popular Goodness, Head Honcho, Nitrolicious, Harlem World

Dawson Wins Rematch Handily Aging vet Antonio Tarver again came up short against undefeated light-heavyweight champ Chad Dawson, losing a clear unanimous decision this past Saturday in Las Vegas. As in their initial title fight, Tarver struggled to cope with Dawson’s fast hands, especially when thrown in combination. Throughout the first two rounds, Dawson easily bested the former light-heavyweight champ behind a peppering jab and huge power shots. In the 3rd round Tarver picked up the pace and began moving forward to attack Dawson. Although Tarver took the round on sheer aggression, the defending champion was able to avoid any significant damaging blows from the plodding Tarver. Both men had their moments in rounds 4-6. In the 4th, Dawson regained control by pushing Tarver back with hard combination hooks to the body. Tarver utilized a close guard for most of the round, but was still stunned by a huge left in the final minute. He returned the favor in round 5 by taking the fight inside. There, just as workhorse Glen Johnson did last year, Tarver scored with hard hooks through Dawson’s leaky inside defense. In the 6th and 7th rounds, Dawson again wrestled control of the bout behind superior ring generalship. Dawson kept getting off first with the right jab and hard left hook to the body. At the end of the round, Tarver responded in kind with 3 solid left hooks. The reprieve proved brief, and Dawson went back to work with inside hooks, doing enough damage to put Tarver back in a defensive shell. By the championship rounds, Tarver was far behind. Trainer Buddy McGirt loudly implored Tarver to make it a dogfight if he had any hopes of winning the bout. But in the 10th, the Magic Man had slowed, and his laboring punches were easily slipped by Dawson, who would sporadically fire back with body hooks and flush jabs to keep Tarver off-balance. In the 12th, both fighters were guilty of more inside mauling then boxing. However, Dawson cleaner and more forceful punching still gave him the advantage. Final scorecards for the bout read 116-112 and 117-111 twice for Dawson, who improved his record to 28-0, 17 KOs. Antonio Tarver fell to 27-6, 19 KOs. With Tarver now disposed, Dawson can turn his attention to a rematch that matters against Glen Johnson. Their first encounter in 2008 was a Fight of the Year candidate, and Dawson’s consistent but unspectacular recent fights won’t be enough to elicit offers of big money fights from Bernard Hopkins or Joe Calzaghe. And although Dawson has spoken about dropping to 168 pounds, it remains to be seen if he can make the weight comfortably. For Tarver, he appears at the end of the road after a very successful career. Through sheer self-promotion, the Magic Man was able to goad then pound for pound #1 Roy Jones, Jr. into a rubbermatch which destroyed the Jones mystique. Now at 40 years old, and not having fought more the twice a year in 9 years, it’s highly unlikely that Tarver has the desire to build himself back up through tough fights away from the spotlight. Freddie Roach: “Rename him ‘Fraud’ Mayweather” Manny Pacquiao trainer Freddie Roach has wasted no time criticizing Floyd Mayweather’s recent return to the ring. In a statement to Doghouse Boxing, Roach dismissed Mayweather’s comeback against pound for pound #2 Juan Manuel Marquez as a useless, boring fight. “The fight stinks. Two counter-punchers waiting for the other one to make the first move is boring and proves nothing,” Roach explained. “If Mayweather wanted to prove he was the best all he had to do was wait one day to see who won Pacquiao-Hatton before signing to fight Marquez. You might as well rename him Fraud Mayweather, Jr.” Roach’s venom for Floyd is partly a receipt for Mayweather’s repeated dismissals of Pacquiao’s skills during his brief “retirement.” Also, it adds to the anticipation fans are already feeling at the possibility of a Pacquaio-Mayweather showdown this year. Let’s just hope “Money” Mayweather not only takes care of business on July 18, but does it in impressive fashion. Marquez is no pushover, and Mayweather could be in for a shocking surprise despite his weight advantage. Throwback Fight of the Week: Muhammad Ali vs. Ernie Terrell, 2/6/67 In 1967, Muhammad Ali was one of the most hated heavyweight champs in history. Following his controversial conversion to Elijah Muhammad’s Nation of Islam sect in 1964, many fans were hoping for anyone to dethrone him. For the champ’s 8th defense, he was paired with Ernie Terrell; a tall, sturdy heavyweight with a very good jab. Terrell was not intimidated by Ali’s taunts, and actually provoked the champion to physically attack him by refusing to call him by his new Islamic name. Terrell later said he hoped to gain a psychological edge in the fight. Instead, Terrell inspired Ali to give him one of the most humiliating beatings in ring history. After a good Terrell start, Ali’s great jab took over; swelling up the challenger (Terrell would later state it was an errant Ali thumb to the eye that damaged his vision). By the middle rounds, Ali was in complete control, but refused to go in for the finish. Instead, he verbally taunted Terrell round after round: calling him an Uncle Tom in the clinches, and shouting “what’s my name?!” before launching another stinging combination. The final scorecards were lopsided for Ali (148-137 twice, and 148-133). Ringside reporters were appalled by Ali’s antics, stating that he was unnecessarily cruel and even eclipsed the taunts he leveled at a helpless Floyd Patterson in their 1965 bout. Muhammad Ali would make one more defense a month later against an old Zora Folley, winning an easy 7th round KO. He would then be stripped of his title and ability to box for 3 years over his refusal to enlist in the Vietnam War. Upon his return in 1970, Muhammad Ali would engage in a memorable decade of fights with Joe […]

Soldiers have perhaps the hardest job in the world. They wake up in the morning happy to be alive, s####### their gear and go kill people before they kill them. It’s like being an inner-city police officer but worse. When news of a U.S. solider opening fire on a stress clinic at Iraq military base Camp Liberty (these military names are great propaganda) broke, it came as no real surprise to me. Monday’s attack is the sixth time that a serviceman was killed by a fellow serviceman since Operation Iraqi Freedom began in March 2003. This week’s shooting ended in five dead. A suspect is alleged to be in custody. What makes a solder snap? To help understand this, let’s look at Hip Hop’s weird fascination with the military. The most memorable being Master P’s No Limit soldiers. They even had army tanks in their music videos. Now, most crews emulate the ranks of the military. 50 Cent is probably the hardest drill sergeant there is forcing his foot soldiers to obey command for risk being stripped of their rank. Ask Young Buck what happened when he stepped out of line. For every rapper that goes against his platoons orders there is another willing to write away his rights as an independently thinking man and fall right in line. A good reason why soldiers snap is due to the insurmountable pressure put upon them to perform (in the case of Hip Hop, to sell records) and to not question authority. No-hit wonder Canibus was actually a former solider yet he couldn’t survive the minefield that was the music industry. In Camp Bad Boy, any artist that doesn’t follow the rules of Master Chief Diddy gets the boot. The Lox questioned things and went AWOL. On the flip side Shyne tried to protect this superior as a show of gratitude and ended up in prison. It’s almost as if being a solder, no matter was field you are fighting on, is a no win situation. The fact that this week’s slaying took place at a stress clinic isn’t just ironic but sad. How can you help a person that is going to walk out the door and return to the same stressful situation that made them walk in the door? Imagine waking up every morning with the weighted stress of having to liberate the world, kill people (innocent or guilty) and marching blindly into warfare at the command of your superior officers. At some point whether you agree with the mission at hand or not, you will begin to question if this is the right thing for you to be doing. Then comes the guilt of taking part in the killing of thousands of people. Let’s not even get into the soldiers who victimize the innocent people they are deployed to liberate. Shouldn’t we be surprised that more soldiers aren’t losing it? Hell, in the ’80s postal workers were murking each other over the pressure to deliver mail on time (hence the term “going postal”). War doesn’t just kill our enemy; it damages our young men and women, who join the armed forces in hope of having a better life. Instead they come back mentally and physically broken or in a pine box. The X Fact(her) is a weekly column that appears on 99problems.org. Started on Inauguration Day 2009 by the League of Young Voter’s Education Fund, 99problems.org is a non-profit initiative that aims to keep young people engaged in the political process through activism and community involvement. Please visit 99problems.org to find out how you can get involved right now! For more on Chloé A. Hilliard visit www.chloehilliard.com

As stated on SneakTip‘s official website, “sneakerheads, as they are referred to, always had to have heads up on the sneaker market, staying on tip of future releases – thus the name SneakTip”.       SneakTip launched in 2006 with impeccable timing, as the newest and rarest kicks became increasingly popular with the masses.   The brand amalgamates NYC’s urban art, history, icons and music to serve up a creative sneaker-infused lifestyle apparel that caters to this new niche market. Sneaktip is currently gearing up for the release of a summer collection, with much of the gear taking inspiration from the 90’s era of sneakers and basketball.   Recently, Sneaktip collaborated with DJ Treats for the Sneaktip Allstars mixtape, featuring Kid Cudi, Charles Hamilton and Mickey Factz. Watch out for further exciting collaborations and announcements in the works, and get your Sneaktip gear on DrJays.com!   99 Problems Tee by SneakTip     Don’t Step Kicks Tee by SneakTip     Love Me or Leave Me Alone Tee by SneakTip     Fence Hoodie by SneakTip

We’ve seen sneakers transform over the years, going from being functional to strictly fashionable, or falling somewhere between the two. Retro high tops and flashy metallic colors have come and gone…and come back again.What is your favorite sneaker, or sneaker brand right now? Is it a traditional pair of Nikes, or a newer brand like Creative Recreation and Shmack?Let us know! DrJays.com has always had quite a healthy collection of kicks, and the sister site DJPremium.com is known for premium footwear. Check out some of the latest styles on both sites: Chuck Taylor AS LP by Converse Women’s Dicoco Mid by Creative Recreation Leader Hi Red Storm by British Knights Women’s Secret Sundae Hi by Pastry Shift Hi Python by Heyday 

When an award confirms the virtue of a cause at the same time that cause is dying the slow death of underfunding, there is obviously a problem.   Last week Attorney General Eric Holder honored Kenneth Barnes Sr. with the National Crime Victim Service Award, for outstanding service on behalf of victims of crime.   But even with that award Barnes, and his organization ROOT, Inc., face an uncertain future. “After getting the highest award you can get for victim services in the country I can’t even keep my lights on,” says Barnes who had to let staff go due to a lack of funding. My friend’s cause is one worth saving, because his story is truly remarkable.   “I had gone to school and was working for a degree in clinical psychology,” said Kenneth Barnes. “I was in my third year working on my doctorate, and then my son got murdered.”   In the aftermath of the murder of Kenneth Barnes Jr., his father tracked down witnesses, outhustled police and put the pieces together that soon led to an arrest and conviction. In doing so Barnes developed relationships on the streets of D.C. and learned that his family’s tragedy was not unique.   “That’s when I dropped school and dedicated my time to dealing with the insanity of this violence on the streets, the gun violence,” says Barnes. “I felt that there was not enough attention paid to our own everyday lives, especially those of our children.”   In 2002 Barnes formed Reaching Out to Others Together Inc. ROOT, Inc.’s mission is to motivate and mobilize communities to reduce the gun violence that plagues urban society. ROOT uses a three-prong approach to prevent and reduce gun violence and youth violence through advocacy, awareness, and education.   Their programs include the Community Level Change Project, the GUNS ASIDE campaign, Dunking Against Violence, and the Victims Assistance Task Force. ROOT also conducts monthly forums within the D.C. metro area to educate students about gun violence For the better part of a decade Barnes held workshops and seminars, and spoke in cities across America.   His work has inspired similar neighborhood and grassroots programs in other cities. And now Barnes feels he’s on the verge of seeing real progress.   “We have a bill out in Congress now that I feel real proud of,” says Barnes. “The Communities in Action Neighborhood Defense and Opportunity Bill, or CAN DO bill. “It is the only bill in Congress that’s addressing gun violence from a public health proactive perspective. Nothing else in this Congress is doing that.”   With the recent award from Eric Holder, a chance of getting his bill passed on Capitol Hill, and even a day named in his son’s honor, one would think that the future is bright for Barnes and ROOT. That is simply not the case though. Just as the accolades and acknowledgments piled up, the funding and support dried up as well. The current financial crisis has devastated non-profits and community based organizations such as ROOT. However the problem has less to do with the crisis itself and more to do with the fact that groups like ROOT were dragged out as the first sacrificial lamb to the recession.   The government tells us that some industries are too big to fail and therefore they deserve to be bailed out. Well I think some causes are too sacred to give up on. With jobs scarce and times desperate the burden to keep low-income urban areas safe and secure now falls on understaffed, overworked and underfunded causes like ROOT. And now they can’t even keep the lights on. But it doesn’t have to be like that. If you can spare a dime or a dollar please find it in your heart to send it to ROOT, Inc., and keep them alive.   Regardless of whether you can give though, please call the House Judiciary Committee and tell them to bring the CAN DO Act of 2009 to a vote, as a way of thanking Kenneth Barnes and showing your support.   For Future Generations… Rev. Lennox Yearwood President, Hip Hop Caucus www.hiphopcaucus.org

This is not a satire.This is not a joke.This is how this old brain feels.To hell with some of you young whipper-snapper Hip-Pop clowns. You make me not want to have any more kids and you make be fear raising the ones I have.Why?You’re wack!Need clarification? Here it is.I am from the third or fourth wave of Hip-Hop – aka The late 80’s or The whole 90’s so that everybody understands where I am coming from. I know very clearly what it is to be a part of radical changes in thought and radical action. And, I know what its like to be different and take risks in style, but this new era is taking it to new levels.First. You think you are sooooooo cool. I see you dudes in the street and you have this tight sag thing going on. What the hell is a “tight sag? It is where you wear clothing that is ridiculously tight yet you’re a$$ is still coming out. I don’t want to see that mess, man! I once rocked my saggy jeans in the 90’s, but THEY DIDN’T FIT LIKE SALT-N-PEPA’S SPANDEX!I look at you and I laugh – HA! Non-saggy jeans are nothing new. Run DMC’s Lee Jeans were “the brand that fits” – not the brand that hugged your sac like an old friend. (Pause for all you latent homosexuals looking to “catch” me with a pause moment. SMH.)Next, you kids wear these wildly undomesticated outfits like you never heard of complimentary colors. OK, I would give props if this sensibility didn’t originate in the 80’s. How do you bite the worst part of decade?Oh yeah, you are NOT rock stars. You cats dress like the hair bands of two decades ago – not the b-boys. If Axel Rose can’t bring himself back, what makes you think you can? You THINK you are original. Like I said, just about everything about you hipster hips was birthed in the 80’s, but it’s like you put you own soft, wussy twist to it. The ultra techni-colors of the 80’s were actually a gaudy negative in the 80’s, you dimwits! We didn’t rock that ish – people like Cyndi Lauper did. Anyway, we affectionately recall the 80’s, the spikes, the bracelets, the intermingling of punk/rock/rap, and we love it – in hindsight. That was “us” and we love it, because we lived it! But we never wore zoot suits because we saw Malcolm X doing it and never attempted to sequin it up because Earth, Wind and Fire did it in the disco era. The love and respect for James Brown was there, but I never straightened my hair to emulate those before me. I did once try to get an Al b. Sure curl kit once, but that was my moment of wackness and I’ll never do it again! Yo. If one of you wears a baby blue Muslim scarf (or whatever else you like such as a man purse), you are likely a true original that barrowed from another culture to enhance your swagger. If 10 people, who are in your crew, follow suit – you all are like-minded. But, when you are seeing the same baby blue scarf coast to coast – you are a CONFORMIST and probably a cult leader’s wet dream!Here is the part where I help you. I want you to destroy my era and me.  Back to Run DMC! Run and D dissed Michael Jackson when he was selling 25 million records and the King of Pop still wanted to record with them. They also destroyed all of the old jacks before them to the point where their styles were old and antiquated beyond belief. Cool is utterly decimating that which is before you – not stealing from it. Cool is paying respect for “your roots,” but taking it to the next level. My generation of Hip-Hop took our predecessors and mutilated what they did, but never bit. Run DMC called themselves the King of Rock – not rap – ROCK! Do you realize how audacious that was? Kurtis Blow was the King of Rap…but Run DMC is in the Rock Hall of Fame. Get where I am going?How am I, supposed to respect these “Millennials” if you can’t push Hip-Hop farther than we did in the 80’s and 90’s? You aren’t out-doing the 30-plus rapper crew and fail to stimulate minds like them. Lil’ Wayne’s druggie raps don’t count.Now, I don’t want to seem like I am too high on my horse. When De La Soul, Jungle Brothers and A Tribe Called Quest were all out and poppin’ to the fullest degree, I saw a similar deal. The difference was, people’s style was very sewed together by a common thread, but they weren’t all seen rocking the same “baby blue scarf.” Even the “follower,” of those artists didn’t copy “verbatim,” because they celebrated true originality.To end this on a positive note, I’d like to say, “I don’t hate you, young bucky beavers.” I simply and only want the best out of you. That is to push this ever-growing ship called Hip-Hop forward into deeper waters. I want to be AMAZED by you! Hell, I want you to amaze yourself. But, right now – neither is the case.Look at you all…fighting and arguing about Hip-Hop. Is it dead? Is it alive? Is Wayne as good as Jay-Z? Is Lupe the best ever? Blah, Blah, Blah! In my era, it was simple and clear. The 80’s – we knew who the illest were! Pre-1996, we knew who the illest were! These days, we only know who aren’t the illest.Young person, young hipster I have two words for you: destroy me.Good Guy aka Every Man is a columnist on AllHipHop.com and his columns appear every Thursday or when he sends them over.

This surprisingly dark comedy about a group of present day Boys in the Hood, stars Mike Epps as guff ball Brody, Wood Harris as wanna be-gangster Guch and Donald Faison as slacker Leo, the central figure. Set in South Philly, the “Next Day Air” chronicles a day-in-the-life of these three opportunist and unapologetic characters who are just regular hood dudes ending up in a do or die situation. The supporting players create layers to the plot and these include performances by Debbie Allen, Lauren London, Emilio Rivera, Mos Def, Darius McCrary and Omar Hardwicke. After watching, the viewer should be able to appreciate the modifier of the title, “Next Day Air,” referring to a package being delivered by the next day. Benny Boom, its director, created a visually and emotionally moving film. The story literally takes off in the first scene with Leo sliding out of his delivery truck, grabbing his next pick up. But this package is not flying nor is it being delivered on time. It’s thrown in a van with a weed-smoking driver and on the way the package gets bumped, bruised and thrown around and probably, opened. This creates the framework of the script, set against a myriad of characters and consequences as a result. Yasmin Peliz (Chita) and Cisco Reyes, (Jesus) – the couple down the hall – are the original receivers of this package. These two are at the beginning of their drug selling business and burst onto the screen with zest and energy. Jasmin who never acted before is like fire in this role; even with the fabulously thin shapely body, Chita is a lady of substance. Ladies want to be her. She loved her man in her own way with powerful performances that flowed seamlessly as Whitney and Bobby-esque; down with each other to the very end. When the package comes up missing, Jesus’ a** is in jeopardy. The duo set out to find it in the neighborhood, by any means necessary. The sequence of events that follow could be perceived as samples from storylines, references or scenes of other films done in a clever and original way. Still, “Next Day Air” is unique because of its relevant dialog and dynamite actors, each standing out while on screen. There’s a wonderful Pulp Fiction-like conversations between the middlemen, Buddie played by Darius McCrary and Shavoo portrayed by Omar Hardwicke. Then there’s the witty one-liners from the offbeat guy that never leaves the couch at Brody and Guch’s apartment similar to the character from “Half Baked.” Guch and Brody are running buddies and roommates. They can’t seem to get a good heist off the ground and desperately need a break when the package is brought to them by mistake. They act as if they’ve hit the lottery. Upon watching it appears that maybe these two would have some kind of loyalty to each other but throughout the entire movie, the notion is dubious. There’s lots of weed smoking, gaught-busting and tightly dressed women to make the outcome interesting. But there’s also praying, philosophizing and hugging to make “Next Day Air” tender. This movie is definitely marketed to the grown Black and Brown audience with faces, references and gestures that suggest the younger and more mainstream crowd might now relate. But I suppose even general audience members can relate to how this movie ends; s### happens. It’s a great date movie with good-looking men and women to satisfy and yet it also tells a triumphant story that’s a must-see this weekend. The trailer for “Next Day Air” video platform video management video solutions free video player

“Do you have something to say to Alfamega?” I have written about snitching a few times in my day. Remember “21 Questions for Cam’ron” and “To Snitch or Not To Snitch,” from a few years ago? Everybody is talking about Alfamega now! For those living in a dungeon, thesmokinggun.com somehow unearthed ancient court documents suggesting that the “Grand Hustle Muscle” received a shorter sentence for serving as a Drug Enforcement Administration informant and government witness in a high profile case against a drug dealer. Now, that that’s out, I am interested in knowing what “The Streets” or Street-Hop plans to do about it. Hmmmmmm…let me answer that…..NOTHING! Lets just get this one thing clear. People can talk and talk and talk and talk…and talk. But, when its all said and done, nobody out there is principled enough to do anything to Alfamega about his “snitching.” I’ve made it clear that I am not “that dude” that abides by the rules of the streets. I don’t commit crimes and don’t really run with those that do. So, I steer clear of trouble these days so I am never put in a “snitchy” situation. That’s me. But a lot of you feel like, “punishment is death” if you even walk into a courtroom. As for you tough talking typers and talkers, what are YOU going to do about Mr. Mega, since he did such a horrific act? I mean, the comments are so aggressive. Here are some of the remarks seen online: “where’s my glove so i can off this snitch” “rappers got ho-like qualities. Half these rappers is snitches” “i like him but a snitch is a snitch.” “I was feeling the music I heard from him too. Turns out he the FEDS b####. Alfamega is a street n#### and he got skills but I can’t f### with him no more.” “Grand Hustle is full of snitches, first T.I. now this clown…fake thug no love you get the slug CB4 Gusto.” As for me, I propose this: If you walk up to Alfamega, with no cops around you and video tape yourself calling him a snitch to his face; I’ll give you a large sum of money. This is the catch…you can’t snitch. Ahh…that just made myself laugh. The purpose for this post is, most people are enamored by what they believe to be a “code.” These days, most people don’t live by such code and aren’t truly interested in enforcing it either. Obviously, they can sit on the sidelines and throw eggs from behind a large tree and run away…but they aren’t really going to do anything. For all intent and purposes, there are innumerable people that should have been banished from Hip-Hop for these so-called violations. This sort of reminds me of The Game when he was on that dating show and everybody was calling him fake. It made me think. Yes, he did some things in the past. But the man before you now is something other than what you all saw then. These days, he’ll knock you the f**k out! As far as I am concerned, Alfamega is the real deal. Here is a dose of truth: Here is the second part of this posting. Be wary of media that has no real interest in your community. I am not saying that Alfamega is a shining role model or that he didn’t testify for a lighter sentence, but there is something to be said about a 10-plus year old matter suddenly popping up at this time. It just smells strange, almost as if somebody is trying to further destroy/de-mystify/erode Hip-Hop’s street foundation. I could be wrong and that’s certainly a different editorial. Lastly, I am most interested in knowing what T.I. plans to do with Alfamega since he’s the head of the Grand Hustle label and has his own Street PR issues to contend with. As for the rest of you, you’ll do nothing but cower under Alfamega’s mountainous shadow. Most of you are not built like that and seek haven in the safety of your PC. Here is some Alfamega to jam to as you type! Alfamega Ft Rick Ross,Bun-B & T.I – “Uh Huh (Remix)” Alfamega – “My Window” TI – “Hurt” (Ft. Alfamega and Busta Rhymes) Alfamega Feat Busta Rhymes – “Head Banger” Alfamega – “If I Die Tonight”

We’ve seen Cam’ron confidently infiltrate the colors pink and purple into his wardrobe with fur jackets and jerseys, among other signature looks that added a certain flash to his classic Harlem style. He performed at the Highline Ballroom in NYC Monday night, rocking this getup. Cam’ron in NYC last night Cam’ron came out with his Dipset classics like “Oh Boy”, and “Get Em Girls” as well as joints off his new album, like “I Used To Get It In Ohio.” After two years that consisted of drama with 50 Cent and Jim Jones, he dropped his much anticipated new album yesterday, Crime Pays. Do you dig Cam’ron, and will you buy his new album? Back to the first question – what do you think about his style game at the show?         Images: Fader, Bossip

For a long time, when I saw kids who are out of control, hugging the block, angry and violent I’d think, “It’s the parents’ fault.” While I still consider the lack of parenting and solid family structure as contributing to the demise of young people, I’ll admit that there are other factors outside of the home that are leading our youth to fail. Congressman Robert C. Scott wants to save the kids or at least prevent them from falling victim to the lack of resources in their communities and ending up either dead or in jail. Seems as though he’s one of the few up in Capitol Hill, who recognizes the flawed and failing infrastructure as well as policies that are making it hard for young black and brown kids (as well as white) kids to succeed. Scott represents Virginia and serves as the Chairman of the House Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism and Homeland Security. If passed, Scott’s Youth Prison Reduction through Opportunities, Mentoring, Intervention, Support and Education (“Youth Promise”) Act will: – Form a local council called a Promise Coordinating Council (“PCC”) within communities facing the greatest youth gang and crime challenges o These PCC will include representatives from law enforcement, court services, schools, social service organizations, health and mental health providers and community-based organizations, including faith-based organizations o The PCC will then develop a comprehensive plan for implementing evidence-based prevention and intervention strategies – Hire and train law enforcement officers as youth-oriented police to work with PCCs, other community-based organizations, and high-risk youth. Establishes a Center for Youth-Oriented Policing Supported by over 40 House members, who are co-sponsoring the legislation and more than 140 organizations across the country including 99problems.org and The League of Young Voters, the Youth Act has a good chance of passing when it reaches the floor. But will it do what it’s set out to do? If you look past all the political jargon, the Youth Promise Act plans to funnel government monies into local organizations that in turn will create programs (mentoring, after school, gang and drug prevention groups) to keep kids off the streets. While this Act is commendable and has the potential to make a difference, I think it looks at a small percent of what the problem with our kids really is. Sure, the pressure to be paid and protected leads some kids to join gangs and sell drugs. There is no doubt that the lack of libraries, books, computers, etc is stifling the learning process of kids in the hood. Either way you find yourself assed out and caught up in some drama your mama can’t bail you out from. These are the obvious. I’m talking about the other factor: The kids, themselves, not wanting anything different. The condition of young people is so set that even their conditioning has been conditioned. It’s like setting a caged animal free after 15 years. They might not know how to walk on grass or hunt for food. Where is the legislation to deal with youth people’s low self-esteem, psyches and shattered dreams? We could call it the “Youth Therapy Act”. Or, what about legislation that teaches parents how to parent. I’d said it before and I’ll say it again, I strongly believe that men and women should have to pass a written exam and provide bank statements before being allowed to have children. There is no reason why it should be harder to adopt a dog or rent an apartment than it is to bring another life into the world. This would be the “Act like a Parent Act”. The reality is the Youth Promise Act will pump money into poor communities, build new programs and offer support to existing youth-oriented programs. The other reality is only a small percentage of the targeted kids will show up. Reason being the disenfranchisement of our youth goes deeper than lack of money, programs and opportunities. Still in all, I applaud Congressman Scott for this attempt at making a difference. Now if only we can get someone in Capitol Hill to present a bill that stops the building of prisons. – CH The X Fact(her) is a weekly column that appears on 99problems.org. Started on Inauguration Day 2009 by the League of Young Voter’s Education Fund, 99problems.org is a non-profit initiative that aims to keep young people engaged in the political process through activism and community involvement. Please visit 99problems.org to find out how you can get involved right now! For more on Chloé A. Hilliard visit www.chloehilliard.com

It started off with him simply sketching ideas on a napkin, which he then tweaked and eventually patented. As stated on the company’s website, “the linear and graphic representation of time with Nooka timepieces presents a more intuitive way to view time.” The visual mass increases as time passes, giving weight to an ephemeral and abstract concept. Once you’re used to the new visual paradigm, you may never go back to standard analog and digital time displays for your wrist”. The brand was originally licensed to Seiko where it experienced tremendous success. Nooka Inc. is now going back to its roots, focusing on Matthew Waldman’s original vision for the innovative brand. Nooka was founded by Matthew Waldman, after it struck him how few options there were for time display. Kanye West in a Nooka watch Lil Wayne Snoop Dogg Pussycat Dolls Here are some of the new unisex styles we currently have on DrJays.com, and you can see more by clicking here. Zen-V 20mm Watch by Nooka Zen-H Glow in the Dark 20mm Watch by Nooka Zen-H 20mm Watch by Nooka Zoo 38mm Watch by Nooka

“So, ‘untitled’, it is/ I never change nothin’/ But people remember this: If Nas can’t say it, think about these talented kids/ With new ideas being told what they can and can’t spit/” —Nas, “Hero,” Untitled, 2008. “…  I’m hoping someday maybe/ They don’t obey their parents/ Maybe they will obey me/ Future for the babies /” —Damian Marley ft. Stephen Marley, “For The Babies,” Welcome to Jamrock, 2007.   “Schools where I learned they should be burned, it is poison,” NaS once prescribed (“Poison,” Stillmatic, 2001), and I couldn’t agree more. In fact, if Mr. Jones is willing to pony-up some matches, I’m more than able to provide the gas and kerosene money. Nas understands that, as Dead Prez once put it (“They Schools,” Let’s Get Free, 2000), “They schools can’t teach us sh**.” They can’t, and they don’t intend to. For decades now, education activists have fought tooth and nail to demand quality pedagogical methodologies from the school system, and if the sky-high drop-out rates of Black/Brown students are any indicator, “they schools” could care less. In this fire-for-fire exchange, Black/Brown students are caught in the crosshairs. And the only escape route might be through a radical overhaul of the school system, into a community-centered atmosphere where artists are the teachers, and students are taught to channel their creative spirits in attaining the highest degree of self-awareness. Upon reading this many fail to see the logic in calling for a revamping of the school structure—as it stands today. As they see it, if only a few “bad” teachers were fired, more money was put into “urban” school districts, parents cut down the video-game-playing hours of their children, Black/Brown students spent more time reading for tests and doing their homework, and every involved party worked together in unison, the achievement gap between White students and Black/Brown students would be no more. Unfortunately, these arguments are as insolvent as the underperformance of our children on the standardized tests administered—erroneously—to determine competency. Proponents of such theories miss the mark. First, Black/Brown students need not be compared with their White counterparts. The knee-jerk approach of measuring Black/Brown advancement by that of Whites is what Dr. King described as a “false and tragic notion that one particular group, one particular race is responsible for all of the progress, all of the insights in the total flow of history.” The future of Black/Brown children should function independent of any other paradigm. Secondly, the right-wing sensibility of personal-responsibility, promulgated with the Horatio Alger myth, was also assailed by King as “a cruel jest to say to a bootless man [or woman] that [s]he ought to lift himself [or herself] by his [or her] own bootstraps.” When White school districts are given twice the number of funds Black school districts are, it is eccentric to demand equal performance of both groups, under the same construct. Thirdly, Black/Brown single-parent households cannot be expected to provide the requisite amount of parental engagement schools requires of them. Poverty-stricken families, primarily headed by single-mothers, carry a burden many are incapable of imagining—let alone shouldering. Fourthly, the myth that Black/Brown children are nonchalant to the learning process couldn’t be more discredited. If the same “knuckleheads” who “refused” to participate adequately in their schoolwork can become avid readers in prison cells, as happens all the time, school officials ought to be more responsive to the truth. Unfortunately, it is this truth that they fear most—the truth that complements my call for a “radical overhaul.” President George W. Bush once declared: “Rarely is the question asked, is our children learning?” In addition to whether or not they are learning, we must also begin interrogating what they are learning: What values are they taught to emulate in the school system? What paradigms are valued above others? What symbols and stratagems do White teachers employ to “relate to” their Black/Brown students? What is deemed significant, culturally, and what isn’t? What rules and regulations are they instructed to strictly adhere to? What is the content of the character of their curriculum? Of all the others, the last question is most critical. If Black/Brown kids are institutionalized with pedagogical methodologies that insist upon their inferiority, it shouldn’t come as a surprise when they seem disinterested in the classrooms. If they are taught, in the schools, to devalue the contributions their ancestors made in the blossoming of the continent they exist in, why is it hard to commend them for dropping-out of it. If the classrooms come to represent nothing but mere megaphones of propaganda, revisionism, distortion and ahistoricity, Black/Brown students have every right to flatly reject any engagement with a system that lies to them about who they were, who they are, and who they are likely to become. “It starts with the young ones,” Guru once quipped (“Code of the Streets,” Hard to Earn, 1994), but it doesn’t stop there. All the way from Kindergarten to College, Black/Brown children are being assaulted by a —not so—subtle form of violence. Similar to verbal violence, this kind isn’t detectable by the average mind. As such, it is possible to be a victim of it, and not know it. It easily escapes the watchful eye of our children. To shake off this feeling of (unrealized) victimization, they take out their rage, like true victims, on each other. This is key to understanding how to unravel the mystery of iniquity the school system has Black/Brown children lost in. When we accept this violation of their human rights as criminal, we begin to perceive them as victims, rather than assailants. We also begin to find the school system as deliberate in its actions to hold them back, despite claiming otherwise. This enlightenment should open the doors of acceptance to my theory that if certified teachers are incapable of performing acceptably, in the lives of Black/Black children, artists can’t do any worse. Most Black and Brown children have a natural curiosity for The Arts. They spend a great deal of time engaged […]