16 Search results for "dead prez"

    The following post is from the Praxis Center. It was written by Dara Cooper. By: Dara Cooper As a food and environmental justice activist, like many of my comrades, I embrace a global, macro analysis and vision for why we’re fighting. Rooted in the realities of injustice, particularly among communities of color, we […]

Hip Hop from its inception has been about the unique ways and various means of self-representation and self-expression. Breaking, graffiti, rapping, and DJing were not all codified to encompass what constitutes Hip Hop, but through the very limiting and narrow lens of culture vultures, ethnographers and other voyeurs, they have collectively manipulated and constructed a […]

Boots Riley from the Coup, Jasiri X, and Mark Gonzales at the Run It Back: Remembering and Reimagining Hip-Hop as Social Activism panel in San Francisco (Photo by Open Line Media)  Last week we celebrated the birthdays of 2 of Hip-Hop’s founding fathers and icons, DJ Kool Herc and Afrika Bambaataa. This got me reflecting on the origins […]

Jasiri X and Chuck D of Public Enemy at the Occupy the Justice Department Rally for Mumia in DC (Photo by Paradise Gray) It’s been a whirlwind week for me on the Hip-Hop side of things. I performed in Stamford, CT at a Student Diversity Conference which was keynoted by the great Tim Wise, who […]

On Tuesday, April 24th, we plan on honoring the birth anniversary of the great Mumia Abu Jamal by Occupying the Justice Department and demanding his release.  Hip-Hop artists like myself, M-1 from Dead Prez, Talib Kweli, Immortal Technique, Rebel Diaz, and Paradise the Arkitech of X-Clan, join Danny Glover, Angela Davis, Pam Africa, Dr. Marc […]

#TheWholeWorldIsWatching by Jasiri X As the world becomes more politicized and more conscious about how those in power use and divide us, so goes popular culture in general. If you need verification check the New York Times recent article, “Social-Minded Hip-Hop Is Making a Comeback.” For those familiar with my music, I would argue its […]

The nature of blogging necessitates that each Monday I dedicate my time to commenting on the most recent news of the day that I care about to varying degrees.  That said, I thought I’d take this first June entry to say something about an issue that I didn’t have an opportunity to discuss because I […]

Although I’d like to put Dead Prez on blast–like I planned on doing last week–I think it would be most appropriate to follow up last week’s post.  I can’t believe I’m about to force my fingers to type the following sentence, but here goes: I agree with the Obama Administration’s decision not to publish the […]

More often than not, we get the occasional talk show hosts and news correspondents ignoring the uplifting advocacy of Hip Hop and it irks me. If they would stop copying their competition for silly gossip, they would probably recognize the tone Hip Hop is taking, especially today. Artist, it seems, are very concerned with the […]

I had planned to write a mini-diatribe about why I did not at all enjoy Dead Prez’ song and video “The Beauty Within” (a “response” to Bruno Mars’ “Nothing on You”) that was released late last week.  However, I’ve decided to abandon a hate-filled monologue on something asinine, and be a more mindful blogger by […]

There was a time when a Neo Soul/alternative Hip Hop movement was a visual, popular alternative to the violence, misogyny, and materialism of mainstream Hip Hop. This article is a love letter to that glorious movement, and an explanation as to why it faded away.

When Drum Gang Productions sent me this beat I was immediately blown away by it’s intensity. Of course, I felt it was perfect for me, and the type of music I make, but still I was unsure how I should approach it. I knew it was special and I didn’t want to waste it. Originally […]