The Last Holiday

About 7 months ago, the civil rights, Hip Hop and music communities lost a prominent figure: Gil Scott-Heron. On May 27, 2011 we heard the news of this great man's passing, but today we continuously celebrate his life and his legacy. From the 2011 BET Awards Tribute where Queen Latifah recites his famous poem, "The Revolution Will Not Be Televised" until now.

[Charged.fm Article on BET 2011 Memorial Tribute]

Billboard.biz just recently reported that the Gil Scott-Heron memoir will be released on January 16, 2012. The memoir will be titled "The Last Holiday", a title with metaphorical significance. The memoir is set to be released on the same day our country celebrates and observes Dr. King; the same man in whom Gil Scott-Heron fought for to make this day a national holiday during his year long tour with the great, Stevie Wonder.

Gil Scott-Heron was a revolutionary artist and reigned as the "Godfather of Rap". Beyond the Lyrics anticipates this memoir as it recounts and narrates the story/life of a man who used his music to shake up things on a political and social level. [Read: Beyond the Lyrics "The Revolution Will Not Be Televised" article]

The Dream

Common blesses his fans with the opportunity to hear his new album The Dreamer, The Believer in its entirety through a YouTube stream. After taking a listen, it's safe to say that No I.D. and Common creates true perfection! Common's prolific, positive Hip Hop rhymes over No I.D.'s sick beats establishes a timeless, classic album.

The album begins with the track, "The Dreamer", and over the head bopping beat you hear Common smoothly say, "Maybe I'm a hopeless Hip Hop romantic" laying the foundation for his entire album. In a video Common talks to Rap-Up TV saying that the album is a product of what he does best: Hip Hop. Both Common and No I.D. grew up and are deeply rooted in Hip Hop and together they created an album with a message of introspection for the masses; a message that you don't want to overlook.

Throughout the 12-track album, Common brings a message of the "power of the dream" and how fulfilling your dream provides hope for our community. Common continues to set the stage for the album as he concludes the first track with the voice of Maya Angelou, "If you desire a bright tomorrow, you must build a brighter dream... We are here alive today because our ancestors dared to dream..."

The Dreamer. The Believer Track Listing:
1. The Dreamer
2. Ghetto Dreams ft. Nas
3. Blue Sky
4. So Sweet
5. Gold
6. Lovin I Lost
7. Raw (How You Like It)
8. Cloth
9. Celebrate
10. Windows
11. The Believer
12. Pops Belief

Queen Latifah Covers Essence Magazine

The January edition of Essence has rolled around and mogul, Queen Latifah has graced the cover. Jeannine Amber, senior writer at Essence, wrote a profound piece on the woman behind Queen Latifah, Dana Owens, and how she reached royal stardom.

Many of us know Queen Latifah as the bold woman who addressed what it meant to be called out of your name in "U-N-I-T-Y" or the female who started one of Hip Hop's first management companies, Flavor Unit Management. Whatever you know Queen Latifah as, know that her prolific journey can be attributed to her upbringing and her family. In the Essence article, Jeannine touches on Latifah's mother's devotion to the arts, her older brother's impact and her father's courage - all factors that played an essential role in the molding of the singer, actress, rapper, fashion designer and spokesperson that we know of.


Professor and Hip Hop Scholar, Cheryl Keyes breaks down the female black identity within Hip Hop culture in her essay, "Empowering Self, Making Choices, Creating Spaces: Black Female Identity via Rap Music Performance". Queen Latifah has successfully embody the 'Queen Mother' attribute that Keyes discusses in the essay. Although, Queen Latifah denotes this motherly image by always re-affirming herself as a down-to-earth female, it is without a doubt that Queen Latifah holds a regal, self-assured demeanor while making strides to build the community. The very same attributes of a 'Queen Mother'.

Queen Latifah said, "From the time I decided to become a rapper and get a record deal and have a management company, there have been doubters, people who didn't get it. If we had listened to them, we never would've tried half the things we did. But we didn't listen, so here we are 20 years later. You believe in yourself and put your mind and your soul into it. I've been around that kind of fearlessness all my life". Dana 'Queen Latifah' Owens ambitiously set forth on a path to greatness and didn't allow the naysayers to block her. She has contributed much to rap music and the female MC persona, fought social norms to stand as a symbol of beauty, won several awards and stands as a mogul and Queen in her own right.

Check out behind the scene footage of Queen Latifah's photo shoot on Essence.com.

Look at this early 1990s video of "U-N-I-T-Y":

"We're NOT Accepting That Over Here"

Over and over again, Hip Hop scholars and professors have heard: "there is no education surrounding Hip Hop", "rap lyrics are misogynistic and barbaric, so what can you possible learn from such a course", "so what do you really teach". But Mark Anthony Neal, David J. Leonard and James Braxton Peterson eloquently said We're NOT Accepting That Over Here with their Wednesday post in regards to the critiques of Dr. Dyson teaching a course on Jay Z at Georgetown University.

"Politics as Usual: Decoding the Attacks on Liberal Education" is not a post that just attacks what critiques have been saying, but it lets you into the mind of scholars, educators, professors and visionaries who boldly stand by Hip Hop and its way to reach, teach and educate. Dr. Dyson's course has received so much praise and at the same time critiques as to what really is the purpose of the course. Well let's really look into it...

You remember, "Ignorant S***" off of Jay Z's American Gangster album? No, Jay Z was not just spitting explicit words for the heck of it. Instead, he portrayed how so many wanted to hear degradation and ignorance from his lips because it only seemed right.

I make "Big Pimpin" or "Give It 2 Me", one of those... 

Ya'll hail me as the greatest writer of the 21st Century
I make some thought-provoking s***
Ya'll question whether he falling off
I'ma really confuse ya'll on this one
Follow.... 

"Ignorant S***" was Jay Z's way of showing that there's more to the culture than the misogynistic lyrics so many of us are accustom to hearing. How about "Song Cry"? Jay Z provided millions of Hip Hop "heads" with a song as a coping mechanism for relationships gone wrong. Recently, a Hip Hop ed chat occurred via Twitter regarding the power of Hip Hop in discussing the taboo subject of mental health (coping, loss, stress, dysfunctional families, suicidal thoughts, etc.) in our community. "Song Cry" is one of Jay Z's many platforms about mental health - along with "December 4", "New Day"... the list goes on.

 Jay Z is just one rapper out of many where you can dismantle the lyrics, have an entire lecture around, build research papers/theses on and engage in magniloquent dialogue towards change. It's time that Hip Hop is more embraced as a vital part of liberal education, instead of being black listed. Thank you Mark Anthony Neal, David J. Leonard and James Braxton Peterson for always saying We're NOT Accepting That Over Here.

Higher Learning

"We are the next generation of hip-hop. We are doing this for the culture that gave us everything. SHHO is higher learning through hip-hop." These three sentences give you the essence of the Student Hip Hop Organization (SHHO) that was birthed at Virginia Commonwealth University and expanded to seven other chapters at surrounding collegiate campuses. In 2006, SHHO surfaced at VCU and then traveled down the road to the College of William & Mary in Williamsburg, Virginia in 2007. And this is how Blair Ebony Smith became the only female co-founder in this ever-evolving organization.

Blair Ebony Smith obtained her Bachelors of Science in Sociology with a minor in Community Studies from the College of William & Mary in May 2011. She is currently pursuing her PhD at Syracuse University. Beyond the Lyrics had the opportunity to interview this ambitious scholar and visionary. 

Blair started the SHHO chapter at her school as a freshman along with two male students, Bobak Kasrai and Lamar Shambley. SHHO took off and it was a whirlwind for a freshman still getting adjusted to a new life, but Blair assiduously pushed forward. When asked how she kept up, Blair bolded stated, “I just did me”. Doing her allowed her to flourish and she remained the only female president up until 2010. Blair diligently worked within a small black community to create a stir at William & Mary, and it worked. Two years after SHHO was founded a member, Nolan Chao, started the “B-boy Club”. William & Mary and the George Mason University chapters are currently the only two chapters with female presidents, but Blair still stands as the only female co-founder and it was only right to delve into the bold claims of the female MC in Hip Hop being non-existent today.

“It depends who you are, who you listen to and who you know about in regards to Hip Hop”. This was Blair’s response to the thought of the ‘lack of female MC figure’. For Blair, it was nothing more or nothing less. She said she has had numerous conversations and interviews with underground female MCs and majority of them were not concerned with such claims. “Just because you’re not making it in the mainstream realm, doesn’t mean you’re not making it”. I couldn’t agree more. Hip Hop is more than what mainstream produces and it embodies what individuals, like Blair, contribute. 

 

“I don’t like when people call it a ‘game’. Lately, I’ve been thinking critically about word usage and it just sounds like we’re playing with it. That words sounds like a competition and Hip Hop is more than that to me”. In one word, Blair describes Hip Hop as love. This love that the culture represents and the love she has for it allows her to continue to use her achievements and accolades to build the Hip Hop community. Blair Ebony Smith is taking this love and finding ways to integrate it in academia. Remember, "We are the next generation of hip-hop. We are doing this for the culture that gave us everything. SHHO is higher learning through hip-hop."

For more information on the Student Hip Hop Organization, click here.

Julie Greenwald

Julie Greenwald, Chairman/COO of The Atlantic Records Group stands as number 1 on Billboard's 2011 Women in Music list. Hailing from Catskills, NY, Greenwald set out to make a change through teaching but her course took a completely different turn. In 1992, she became a summer assistant to Lyor Cohen under Def Jam Records and since then she has reached unimaginable heights.

In her interview with Billboard Editorial Director, Bill Werde, Greenwald talks about the foundational stage in her journey and her constant rise in the industry over the twenty years. Greenwald mentions the excitement of working for Def Jam and the state of Hip Hop in 1992: "Hip Hop was not in the mainstream yet. It was still in pockets of America in urban cities and urban marketplace. We did not have a lot of avenues to promote our music". Greenwald began to work with a culture that she didn't grow up around; a culture that laid in pockets of America in urban cities but a culture that turned into a global entity. As Greenwald grew within the industry and in ranks, Hip Hop grew as well.  She was one of very few women contributing to the rise of Hip Hop, but her being outnumbered didn't stop her. She hungered and thrived for more and became one of the most influential players in such a growing industry.

Jovanni Vatel, Marketing Intern at Atlantic Records sees Julie Greenwald as a Music Industry Pioneer. In a short conversation with Mr. Vatel, he poignantly said, "She is a mentor here to all her staff, setting the pedestal towards greatness. She can find the smallest seed in an artist, employee or intern; nurture them and raise them to move mountains". It is obvious that Greenwald creates an atmosphere of continued progress at Atlantic Records. Beyond the Lyrics congratulates Julie Greenwald on this major accomplishment.

To watch the interview with Bill Werde in its entirety, check out Billboard.biz and to see the complete list of Billboard's 2011 Women in Music, go here.

The Believer

On December 20, Common will be dropping his new album The Dreamer/The Believer. Over the years, Common has wowed us with his music as he remained an artist devoted to the culture of Hip Hop and the revolution it could, and did, stir. What better way to celebrate the Holiday season with what may be a breathtaking album.

Today, Common gives us an exclusive track, "The Believer" featuring the soul singer, John Legend. In the beginning of this song Common says, "I believe the blood of the struggle walking over troubled puddles. Hustle is in my chest. No hustle; no progress". It's safe to say that with "Blue Sky" and now "The Believer" Common is creating an album that will become TIMELESS; an album that will remain in the archives of Hip Hop where our children's children can understand even our struggles, success stories and more.

Listen to "The Believer" here.

The Barbie Doll Stir

This morning many of us woke up to news of Mattel beginning production on the Nicki Minaj Barbie doll*. We knew this was only a matter of time with the American rapper portraying a Barbie image in many of her videos/performances and referring to her fans, faithfully, as "Barbz". But, what has been more interesting to see was how the release of this news created a stir on Twitter. 

Taj Rani, editorial assistant at Music Choice, freelance entertainment/lifestyle journalist and Syracuse University Alum, tweeted “So Nicki Minaj got her own Barbie. Say what you want, BUT she’s changed the game in a way Kim didn’t. #theend”. A bold statement by the admirable journalist, but I couldn’t agree more. Since Nicki Minaj entered the rap scene she has received praise, but along with that praise came slander and controversy. Some individuals have said, time and time again, that Nicki Minaj has copied the gimmick of Lil Kim. But what some might not understand is that Lil Kim and Nicki Minaj are quite different. 

Lil Kim was an amazing lyricist that highly contributed to a male dominated sphere of Hip Hop and as an avid fan of the original ‘Bad Boy’ crew I pay much respect to Lil Kim. However, Nicki Minaj is doing what Lil Kim didn’t. Nicki Minaj has successfully disrupted the male domain, acclaiming power and has crossed over to various genres of music. We’ve witnessed Nicki Minaj perform a full tour with pop icon, Britney Spears; appear on the cover of Elle – a French originated magazine; and assert multiple identities that some may say undo the trending legacy of the “Jezebel” image. 

In Fly, Nicki Minaj says “Everybody wanna try to box me in, suffocating every time it locks me in. Painting they own pictures then they crop me in but I will remain where the top begins… I came to win, to fight, to conquer, to thrive”. Whether you believe she is here to stay or not, Beyond the Lyrics sends major kudos to Nicki Minaj and what she has created within the game.



* The Barbie doll will be put up for auction and all proceeds will be given to Project Angel Food – a charity that provides meals for men, women and children affected by HIV/AIDS.

Tribute to Heavy D

Dwight Arrington Myers, better known as Heavy D "The Overweight Lover", left this earth yesterday, November 8, 2011 at the age of 44. Heavy D collapsed in his California home and was taken to Cedars Sinai Medical Center, where they pronounced his death; a death that took the hip hop community by surprise.

Born in the country of Jamaica and raised in Mount Vernon, NY, Heavy D was the definition of how Hip Hop became a cross-culture. He rose in 1990s with the group Heavy D and The Boyz and he wasn't afraid to provide the culture with fun, love and of course the image of a hefty guy with smooth lyrics. Heavy D also appeared on many 90's TV shows, like A Different World and Sister, Sister. He also contributed to the theme song of a 90's TV show favorite, In Living Color.


In October, the 2011 BET Hip Hop awards aired and Heavy D did his first performance in fifteen years at the award show! Heavy D came out and it was as if he just performed yesterday. From the moment he rose to fame until his very last performance, Heavy D was a legend in his own right. He set out to do what he loved and we are forever grateful for that.


Heavy D's last tweet was "BE INSPIRED". With that Beyond the Lyrics, charges you, and all of the Hip Hop community, to go out and create an exalting influence to better the lives around you. Heavy D, thank you for paving the way and may your soul rest in eternal peace. Your legacy lives on forever.

News coverage on his death:

NY Daily News

Washington Post - The Root DC



[Heavy D & The Boyz, Kool G Rap, Q Tip, Big Daddy Kane and more in Don't Curse video]

 [Heavy D & The Boyz - Now That We Found Love video]

We Are The 99%

Photo provided via Talib Kweli's tweets

For months, America has witnessed the Occupy movement that started out of Wall Street and expanded throughout the country. Canadian activist group, Adbusters, began the Wall Street protest fighting for the “99%” – those who were outside of the 1% of wealthy American citizens. Economically those who aren’t of the 1%, may have witnessed the struggle of survival in America and are seeking a change. As the protests turned into a movement, Hip Hop artists became actively involved.

Lupe Fiasco has taken major involvement in this movement. Lupe Fiasco took to twitter verbalizing his feelings toward the movement and even his whereabouts. On November 3, 2011, Lupe was featured on Al Jazeera’s live stream talking about the protests. He also has been highly involved in the Occupy Oakland protests. But Lupe Fiasco isn’t the only artist to utilize their platform for the mobilization of the movement. Talib Kweli and Immortal Tech consistently went to protests showing their support and them too, taking to social media their thoughts on what was happening. Russell Simmons and Kanye West too have shown their support. The support of these artists is a testament to the power of the culture of Hip Hop and how we can use it for the survival of our community.

["For a revolution to happen, you need a revolution on every level" - Talib Kweli] 

[Immortal Tech feels that the arrest of over 800 citizens on the Brooklyn Bridge, was a form of police brutality] 

If you are unaware about what has been going on with this prolific movement, please visit Huffington Post.

Chat with Joan Morgan

Twelve years ago, prolific author Joan Morgan released her book When Chickenheads Come Home to Roost: A Hip Hop Feminist Breaks It Down and its relevance has prevailed to this day. In this book, Morgan successfully discusses the plight of African American women while eloquently relating the plight and feminism to the culture of Hip Hop.

A book like this needs and must be spoken about today and Beyond the Lyrics is providing this dialogue. Beyond the Lyrics is a growing site “where Hip Hop and education collide” and strives on its ultimate goal of always providing the political and social consciousness of the great culture; a provision that will reach, teach and educate. Twitter has been an amazing social media platform for great chats to learn and educate, so Beyond the Lyrics will be hosting a chat via twitter, with Joan Morgan as the co-host.

The chat will be held via twitter on Wednesday, November 9, 2011 at 9pm and all you have to do to join is use your twitter handle along with the hashtag, #BTLchat. If you’ve read this book and have been anticipating dialogue with the author, this is most definitely a chat you don’t want to miss.

 

Follow us on twitter--> @bey0ndthelyrics.

The Untold Story of Detroit Hip Hop

Eminem. Champtown. Slum Village. Royce da 5'9". These are the names of some of the rappers that come from the streets of Detroit, creating the Hip Hop scene in the area of the mid-West. Detroit stands as a monumental part of African American history and an important landmark in the culture of Hip Hop. But it may be safe to say, that the story of those that come from Detroit (and the city's influence) is not heard enough. Well, that is all about to change.

"The Untold Story of Detroit Hip Hop" is a documentary, executive produced by Alfred Smith III and Quomeini R. Adams. Although the documentary is almost completed, there is no set date for the release of the documentary. However, Beyond the Lyrics will be watching the moment this piece of history comes to television. You can check out more about the documentary atAllHipHop.com.

Watch the trailer for the documentary here:

Ambitious Man

11.1.11 - Those are the numbers we've been seeing all over social media sites; yes the release date of Wale's very anticipated album Ambition. During the summer of 2010, this MMG rapper hit us with his More About Nothing mixtape that included a short ode to the "Ambitious Girl". And of course aspiring young girls were hooked. He then later came out with "Ambitious Girl Pt. 2". "Ambitious Girl" was a short two minute ode that showed the Hip Hop world that males weren't always looking for the "jezebel image" of a girl portrayed in those raunchy videos. "Ambitious Girl" was the same ode that young men were spitting via Facebook and Twitter to show what they looked for. But what about the Ambitious Man? Oh, don't worry a young lady has it all covered.


Jessica Anderson, born in San, Diego California, and raised in the sunshine state of Florida is a recent graduate of the University of Florida obtaining her Bachelors in Criminology on the Pre-Med track. Her tenure at the University of Florida includes, but definitely not limited to, Chaplain & Social Action Chair of the Lambda Psi chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., Chapter Founder & President of Respect, Check & Protect Yourself and member of the Remnant College Ministry. Currently she is doing a post-Baccalaureate internship with the University of California at San Francisco AIDS Health Project and works as a relief counselor for Larkin Street Youth Services. So as you can see she too is an "Ambitious Girl", but she took the time on her break at work to tell how she felt about an "Ambitious Man". Her poem so eloquently written and spoken is her very own shout-out to the young brothers that are doing something rather than "chasing skirts". Within this culture, we've seen video after video and rapper after rapper pour champagne out for their lost ones, but Jessica profoundly says "ambitious man there's just so much on your mind, that du-rags and fitted caps just don't fit the same anymore. So you trade in bullet wounds for button downs, so you can actually pour champagne while you're still alive". This line, along with the entire poem, makes you go 'mmmm' and it is most definitely Jessica's way of saying, oh trust me, we see you, ambitious man.

Check out her poem here and follow her on twitter --> @deafjam2!

Brooklyn. Chicago. London.

Photo from Bigmouthsonline.com

What would any music consumer and Hip Hop fan love to hear? A song with Jay Z, Kanye West and Adele of course!! Jay Z and Kanye West are two Hip Hop superstars who have been tearing up charts with their singles, features and albums. Now an unstoppable duo, "The Throne", Jay Z and Kanye West together is bringing the Hip Hop game to higher grounds. And Adele... a product of London with the voice of a goddess mixed with soul. She has been sitting on the top of billboard charts for weeks and I don't think, she'll come down. Together, these three will create a sound your ears will love forever. Well, guess what? That sound is here...

Urban Noize Music Group has created a mashup/remix album, Brooklyn. Chicago. London., and it is a MUST DOWNLOAD. Urban Noize Music Group is a music production team [Urban Noize's Tumblr] that is based in Miami, Florida comprising of twin brothers, Steve and Steven. Brooklyn. Chicago. London. is an exemplary example of the global fusion of Hip Hop and how places and geographical regions can't set any boundaries. Often times, we try to place constraints on things with titles and concepts of space, but this right here just shows Hip Hop is...  just Hip Hop - a powerful medium spread across the globe. Brooklyn. Chicago. London. includes the hits of "Never Chasing Pavements" (Adele & Jay Z), "Melt My Heart to Stone" (Adele & Kanye West) and "Dear Summer" (Jay Z and Adele). Now, the music world just waits to see when Adele will really hit the studio with Jay Z and Kanye and make the amazing sounds that Urban Noize created!

Download the Brooklyn. Chicago. London. here:

Brooklyn. Chicago. London

The Tanning Effect

Steve Stoute, global brand mogul, started in the industry at an executive of numerous labels consulting artists like Nas and Mary J. Blidge. As President of Urban Music for Sony Music Entertainment, prior to joining Interscope, Stoute diligently worked to launch the musical careers of such artists. With making his impact, Stoute never stopped there.

Stoute worked with Carols Daughter, forming a board of investors filled with artists that highly influenced the culture of Hip Hop. Stoute is also CCO of Translation Consultation & Brand Imaging, a full-service ad agency and by 2010 he was recognized as "Innovator of the Year" at the ADCOLOR Awards Ceremony for his timeless impact in advertising, marketing and the media industries.

Steve Stoute utilized his love for the culture of Hip Hop to make a global impact through other markets. Stoute's career is the definition of "tanning" that he so very candidly talks about in his new book The Tanning of America: How Hip Hop Created A Culture That Rewrote the Rules of the New Economy, which was released on September 8, 2011. From September until now, Steve Stoute has been going from events to colleges talking of this book and what "Tanning of America" really is. Steve Stoute even sat down with artists beginning a new web series "The Tanning Effect" and explains tanning, "a force that went beyond musical boundaries into the psyche of young America". In his very first episode of this web series, Stoute conducts an exclusive interview with Jay Z. In the very beginning of the interview, Stoute talks about Watch the Throne, it becoming #1 in 23 countries and how that showed the globalization of such an esteemed culture. Jay Z powerfully says, "Hip Hop was this young, youth music that did not have those boundaries outside of America".

Check out the Interview here and stay up-to-date as we continue to follow Steve Stoute's new web series and his telling experience of "The Tanning Effect".

Jay-Z on His Joint Album with Kanye West

Power to the People: When You See Me, See You

From the very beginning of his career until now, Jay Z has wowed millions with his lyrical prowess, entrepreneurial spirit and mindset to use his childhood environment to educate and do better. Recently Jay Z released his latest album, Watch the Throne, with powerful Chicago rapper Kanye West and Watch the Throne has received undaunting praise for the lyrics and production of the album.

 [Review of Watch The Throne]

But for this businessman, rapping was never enough for him. During the moments of his retirement, Jay Z realized the cry for help in some African countries and their water shortage. His New York City concert in November 2006 raised over $250,000 for PlayPumps International, a non-profit that donates to PlayPump water systems to African communities and schools. During the same month, MTV produced the documentary Diary of Jay Z: Water for Life. Catch a snippet of the documentary here:

 

Jay Z’s philanthropic efforts have not stopped there. He established the Shawn Carter Foundation in 2003 along with his mother, Gloria Carter, with the vision and mission to aid individuals facing socioeconomic hardships. On September 29, 2011 Jay Z and the foundation hosted a carnival for An Evening of “Making the Ordinary Extraordinary” at Pier 54 in New York City and with this event he raised $1,033,000 for the Foundation.

Jay Z’s work within Hip Hop has never gone unnoticed and what better way to celebrate a true devotee to the culture of Hip Hop, by having a course on him. Dr. Michael Eric Dyson is currently teaching Sociology of Hip Hop: Jay Z at Georgetown University. Beyond the Lyrics tips its hat off to Dr. Dyson for honoring a Hip Hop legend this way. 

Get More: Music News

Shady 2.0 Cypher

The BET Hip Hop Awards is typically known for its cyphers and many viewers tune into the award show solely for that. However, something was lacking this year with the cyphers. I was expected to be “wowed” by many of those who spit their lyrical talents, but I was not impressed. But, there was one cypher that was the exception and gave the viewers exactly what we needed. The Shady 2.0 cypher with the Slaughterhouse quartet (Royce Da 5’ 9”, Crooked I, Joell Ortiz and Joe Budden), YelaWolf and Eminem was raw and you saw the passion in their eyes to give us (the people) HIP HOP. Joe Budden told us candidly, “I know Hip Hop is alive and well, cuz if it died you other crews wouldn’t survive the smell”. Budden’s simple statement was telling everyone now this is how you do a Hip Hop cypher. 

If you missed this AMAZING cypher, you can catch it here: 

Behind the Scenes of Shady 2.0 Cypher:

Get More: Music News

Words I Never Said

Erykah Badu boldly dressed in a burka opening Lupe Fiasco’s performance at the BET 2011 Hip Hop Awards. The sounds of the guitars going did not overpower Badu’s soulful words of “as I drown in my regrets; I can’t take back the words I never said”. Lupe dramatically entered the stage to inform the audience and viewers of “the silence” Badu sang about.

Around the globe, countries face issues that often we can’t wrap our finger around but can change if we began to use our voice. Time and time again the American education system has been stifled by our economic situation and Lupe candidly said how he felt in front of millions of Hip Hop consumers. “Your child’s future was the first to go with budget cuts. If you think that hurts then, wait here comes the uppercut – The school was garbage in the first place, that’s on the up and up.” School funding are being cut affecting various programs that potentially would help children (our future) succeed. But the most troubling part of it all, is to think that a child’s school wasn’t really benefiting them anyway. Schools in poor neighborhoods don’t often get the resources needed as schools in more fortunate areas. Because of this as a nation we begin to suffer – seeing the education of youth diminish year after year. But what have we done to make it better?

Within four short minutes Lupe touches on this issue on the American education system, along with the War on Terror, the lack of racial visibility via news sources, the drug epidemic in poor communities and our often corrupt banking system. He even casually brings attention to the Occupy Wall Street movement with the slogan on his shirt. Via twitter, facebook and some blogs individuals criticized Lupe performance for being over the top. Dramatic performance or not, Lupe Fiasco sent a clear message about the political and social issues we face as a society and how he utilizes Hip Hop to be his platform for change. Beyond the Lyrics, gives Lupe’s telling performance the best performance of the entire award show.

If you missed the performance, you can check it out here: 

If you were unaware of the pressing issues that Lupe Fiasco touched upon, articles have been provided. Educate yourself and use your voice to make change "Just listening to Pac ain't gone make it stop; A rebel in your thoughts, ain't gonna make it halt. If you don’t become an actor you’ll never be a factor."

G.O.P Candidates Take an Anti-Federalism Stance on Education 

 Lets Move Initiative & The War on Childhood Obesity

Occupy Wall Street Raises Over $150,000 

Will Occupy Wall Street Protests Help Black Folks? 

National Public Radio and its Lack of Diversity Issue

Too Much Doubt

"America was a bastard, the illegitimate daughter of the mother country, whose legs were then spread around the world and a rapist known as freedom, freedom. Democracy, liberty and justice were revolutionary code names that proceeded the bubbling in the mother country's crotch..." - "Who Will Survive in America" Interlude from Kanye West's album My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy.

Over the summer we sat weeks waiting for the decision regarding Troy Davis' life and today many of us, hearts sunken in awe see that tomorrow Troy Davis will be put to rest. Over the years in Hip Hop, we hear rappers and artists outwardly speak of the injustice so many of us face in this country; the very country we call land of opportunity. From lil wayne's underground song about Hurricane Katrina and the lack thereof of the Bush Administration to Nas' album Untitled, Black music consumers reflect on our survival in this racial society.

"Who will survive in America" is a powerful interlude on Kanye's album and one of the many songs that speaks volumes to what we have been seeing in this country. We don't know who killed the GA police officer, but what we do know is Troy Davis will potentially be executed while there is so much doubt surrounding his case. This is at the same time, Casey Anthony is ONLY charged with not telling the truth as the evidence seems so much more vivid pointing her to the murder of her daughter. Nas said it best "We in chronic need of a second look at the law books & the whole race dichotomy".

Know the power of your voice, like the voices of many Hip Hop artists, and call the GA Parole Board at (404) 656-5651 & leave a message saying Troy Davis should NOT be executed. We will survive in America!

More about the Troy Davis Case:
Troy Davis Denied Clemency By Georgia Pardons Board
"Too Much Doubt" Too Many Times

ADE Brings "Welcome to Atlanta: Music Ascension Series"

 

Down in Atlanta, there is a buzz about the Welcome to Atlanta: Music Ascension Series coming Friday, September 16^th and lasting until September 29^th. Welcome to Atlanta is rapidly approaching and five universities within the Metropolitan Atlanta area will be proudly celebrating music as a natural resource. But who stands behind this series and where did the vision spark?

Atlantic Division Entertainment, LLC (ADE) is a recently emerged entertainment company founded in March 2009 with the vision and goal to influence culture through music. ADE comprises of young individuals playing an integral role in the success of this company. Beyond the Lyrics zooms in on the three visionaries; the founders of ADE – Jhordan Gibbs, Kevin Reese and Chase Freeman. They are all graduates of the famous HBCU, Morehouse College, with Chase graduating in May 2010 with a Bachelor of Arts in English and Jhordan and Kevin graduating in May 2011 with their Bachelors in Marketing. Jhordan and Kevin oversee operations in Atlanta, while Chase oversees operations in New York City.

[Atlantic Division Ent, LLC Blog]

During an interview with Jhordan and Kevin, I asked why they began this company and their answers resonated in the hopes of many music connoisseurs - that real music and the experience behind it is not lost. Jhordan Gibbs said he wanted to make a difference in people’s lives and music is a form that speaks to people in many different ways. ADE has been Jhordan’s way of making that difference and impacting lives. Kevin Reese said his concept of ADE sparked from his love for music and after doing their Wale event he realized where his passion was. Together, the founders of this extraordinary company had a vision of giving artists larger exposure and influencing the fan experience. Since the inception of ADE, the founders, financial partners and those in charge of its non-profit sectors vigorously work to put on concerts turning their dreams into reality. They have had past concerts with T.I., Big Sean, B.O.B, Bun B and Wale and recently concept the idea of bringing the Music as a Natural Resource Documentary to life. And so Welcome to Atlanta was born.

The documentary explains the effects music has on our lives. It delves into five major parts analyzing music for peace building, music for sustainable development, music for trauma victims, music for mental & physical health and music for learning and technology building. As the documentary celebrates music as a natural resource, so does the entire Welcome to Atlanta Week. Each university will be focusing on one of the five major parts. Because of this series, Atlanta will be the first in the world to publicly feature information from the documentary and so ADE has begun to create history. Welcome to Atlanta culminates with a concert on September 29^th featuring Kendrick Lamar, Dom Kennedy Cyhi Da Prynce, Dee-1 and Univercity.

Back in 2009, the vision developed and now ADE has taken it to higher heights. For more information regarding Welcome to Atlanta week, go to Welcome To Atlanta Official Site. For concert tickets, go to  Kendrick Lamar & Dom Kennedy Tickets.

ADE created its name based off of the structure of the NBA. The NBA has two separate conferences – split into 3 divisions with the Atlantic Division being the strongest. It consists of several powerhouse teams that collectively comprise the Division. ADE is a company that has teams operating separately but they come together making a strong, powerful company that is truly “influencing culture through music”.

Atlantic Division Ent, LLC Team

Jhordan Gibbs – CEO

Kevin Reese – COO

Chase Freeman – CEO

Travis Lindsay – CFO

Erica Watters – Finance

Sophia Brimm – Non-profit Director