3 Dope songs | Hip-Hop and Politics

3 Dope Songs from Amil -From Major Coins to Roc-A Fella & Beyond

December 8, 2013 By mrDaveyd

Amil Kahala Whitehead more commonly known by her stage name Amil, is an American female rapper, singer, and songwriter from New York City. She was prominent in the late 1990s as a Jay-Z protégé, most notably on the single “Can I Get A...” from the Rush Hour soundtrack.

In 1997, Amil was involved with an all-female group called “Major Coins“. The group met Jay-Z, who was looking for a woman to provide vocals on his third album, Vol. 2… Hard Knock Life. The part for the female rapper was really for her friend, but when Jay-Z asked Amil to freestyle and liked it, he decided to put her on the song instead. Amil, wanting to remain loyal to her friend, did not prefer to be put on the song, but Jay-Z allowed them both to do a version of the song.

Soon after Major Coins broke up, Amil decided to follow a solo career with Jay-Z’s label, Roc-A-Fella Records, joining the 1999 Hard Knock Life Tour. After the tour, she appeared on songs with Mariah Carey, Beyoncé, Jermaine Dupri, AZ, DJ Kay Slay, LL Cool J and Funkmaster Flex.

I Got That

No 1 Can Compare

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yupFbQP7N8U

Quarrels

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yejS_9R8Unk

Filed Under: 2013 Daily News, 2014 Daily News, 3 Dope songs Tagged With: 3 Dope Songs, Amil, Major Coins

3 Dope Songs from Allie Baby Holding it Down for New Orleans

December 8, 2013 By mrDaveyd

Giving you raw and street savvy lyricism, accompanied with a raspy New Orleans accent, Allie Baby has developed a sound that is uniquely her own. From her impeccable writing skills, to that commanding voice so unexpected from the pint size beauty, she lets it be known she is here to stay for a while.

In a male dominated industry, Allie embraces her womanhood and owns her sexiness without exploitation. She carries such a natural demand of respect. She has is firmly establishing herself as a novel force to be reckoned with in hip hop and entertainment. Check out her home page at http://alliebaby.blogspot.com/p/biography.html

3 Dope Songs and an Interview from Soul Legend Lee Fields

October 29, 2013 By mrDaveyd

Lee Fields

This is our recent Hard Knock Radio interview with soul music legend Lee Fields. With a career spanning 43 years, releases on twelve different record labels, and having toured the world over with his raucous-yet-tender voice, it’s mind-blowing that the music he’s making today with Brooklyn’s own Truth & Soul Records is the best of his career.He’s been described as a ‘Throwback done right’.. Here’s a brief run down via his bio…

Renowned throughout the global funk community, Lee Fields has poured grunts and screams over dozens of funk and soul hits since the early 1970s. Some of his best known hits include such 45 rpm classics as She’s A Lovemaker, The Bull Is Coming and The Funky Screw, as well as his much sought after Let’s Talk It Over LP which draws four digit bids from collectors worldwide.

There aren’t too many artists making soul music today who had a release in 1969, back when R&B was first beginning to give the drummer some. Lee Fields, however, is one such artist–or maybe he’s better labeled a phenomenon. Since the late sixties, the North Carolina native has amassed a prolific catalog of albums and has toured and played with such legends as Kool and the Gang, Sammy Gordon and the Hip-Huggers, O.V Wright, Darrell Banks, and Little Royal.

“In a curious case of musical evolution, the older Fields becomes, the closer he gets to perfecting the sound of soul that he grew up with as a young man,” so said music writer, scholar, and DJ Oliver Wang about Fields in a piece for NPR in July 2009. The latest LP from Lee Fields and The Expressions, titled Faithful Man, is the next step towards this perfection. A step that may find Fields, The Expressions, and Truth & Soul as a label, finally being bestowed the contemporary soul music crown.

Check out our interview Below

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3 Dope Songs From Lee Fields

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0izlYypNyu0

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hxWmxVwOK8Y

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W3rIA-BCZ0E

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Filed Under: 3 Dope songs, Hard Knock Radio Intv

3 Dope Songs from Soul Singer Charles Bradley aka the Screaming Eagle

October 23, 2013 By mrDaveyd

Charles Bradley aka the Screaming Eagle

Charles Bradley aka the Screaming Eagle of Soul is someone who we should all know. Born in Gainesville, Florida and raised in Brooklyn, NY, his music is infectious, filled with emotion and takes you back to the hey day of James Brown and raw 60s soul. His lack of exposure makes you wonder what’s wrong with the current crop of music taste makers and record selectors who somehow have avoided highlighting this man’s musical offerings..

Bradley never had an easy go of it.. His mother bounced out on him when he was 8 years old which led to him being shipped off to Brooklyn to live with his grandmother. Sadly she lived in extreme poverty which meant that Bradley’s room was in the basement on a dirt floor. He eventually ran away, roaming the streets during the day and sleeping on subways at night..

3 events helped change Bradley’s life for the better. The first came in 1962 when he first saw James Brown aka Soul Brother Number 1. Bradley came back inspired and tried to imitate Brown, both in his singing style and showmanship. Many said that Bradley looked like James which led to him working as a James Brown impersonator fat nightclubs under the name Black Velvet

The second event was him joining the Job Corps and him moving to Ben Harbor, Maine, where he worked as a cook. It was there he formed his first band, overcame his stage fright and started to hone his skills. Unfortunately key members of the band were drafted off to fight in Vietnam War. The band never regrouped.

Bradley struggled for a long time, working odd jobs, and performing sporadically as Black Velvet.. He was homeless for a period had to deal with the tragic murder of his brother and almost died himself when he was accidentally given penicillin which he was allergic to.. Bradley eventually moved out west… During one of his Black Velvet performances in 2002, he caught the attention of Gabriel Roth who was the co-founder of Daptone Records… The rest they say is history..

Bradley was introduced to members of the then emerging Brooklyn based Menahan Street Band. He came to a few of their rehearsals, left an indelible impression and started doing some song writing for them and cutting a number of singles. This led to his first album ‘No Time For Dreaming’ which many consider a soul classic released in 2011. His second album Victim of Love came out earlier this year. A documentary on Bradley life was released last year at SXSW to rave reviews called Soul of America.

Below are 3 Dope Songs From Charles Bradley..

Charles Bradley The World Is Going Up in Flames

This song was first released in 2007. Several years later a video was done for the song after it was including on Bradley’s debut album No Time for Dreaming. This video led to him having a documentary done on his life. There’s no denying the passion and the James brown influence on this song as he brings to life the challenges many are facing in this world.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=moiUyFQQE-0

Charles Bradley Stay Away

This song is a soulful cover of a popular song from the rock band Nirvana. You can peep the original Nirvana song HERE Bradley and the Menahan Street Band completely flip and give a soulful Hip Hop flavor. It’s my favorite song by Bradley.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DDRwYuesVfc

Charles Bradley Golden Rule

This is another dope song from Charles Bradley that’s laced with social political content.. I wish they did a video for it, but this live version done at SXSW is dope on its own..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WzYzAcSjkao

Charles Bradley Strictly For You

This is another song and video highlighting the diversity and range of Charles Bradley.. He can be energetic, funky and dynamic one minute or thoughtful and soulful the next.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rgnQYvzRDiQ

Filed Under: 2013 Daily News, 3 Dope songs Tagged With: 3 Dope Songs, Charles Bradley, Daptone records, Menahan Street Band, Screaming eagle of Soul, Stay Away, The World Is Going Up in Flames

3 Dope Songs from UK Artist Lowkey-Taking on the Obama Nation

October 16, 2013 By mrDaveyd

Over the past few years Lowkey who hails from the UK and is of Iraqi and English descent has been making a lot of noise both with his lyrical prowess and his hard hittin’, social and political content..He had been putting out mixtapes since 2003 and caught a lot of attention with the release of his 2008 project called ‘Dear Listener‘..Songs like Alphabet Assassin and Revolution were the standout cuts there..

In 2011 he released the critically acclaimed ‘Soundtrack to the Struggle‘. It was preceded by several popular singles including “Voices of the Voiceless” featuring Immortal Technique, ‘Long Live Palestine’, ‘Something Wonderful’ and ‘Obama Nation‘ which was arguably the song that put Lowkey on everybody’s radar especially after the song was banned on TV in the UK…

Lowkey has been outspoken both in songs and in real life about the plight of Palestinians and the oppressive nature of Zionism. In fact he is said to have coined the phrase..’Nothing is more anti-semitic than Zionism’ . This was in reference not only to the seldom acknowledged fact that Arabs are themselves Semites but also to what he called the “identical points of view” within Zionism and anti-semitism; he argued both believe that Jewish people cannot co-exist among other people and grow into a single community.

He has also called into question US and UK foreign policy arguing who is the real terrorist as was the case in his popular song Terrorist which spawned a number of remixes. You can check for that cut HERE

Long Live Palestine has also spawned off a number of remixes which led to the inclusion of vocals from popular Palestinian artists Dam and Shadia Mansour as well as fellow Iraqi artist The Narcicyst and Iranian artists Hich Kas and Reveal.. Check for that song HERE

Needless to say Lowkey’s political positions this has resulted in this gifted emcee being shunned by mainstream outlets. Hence we are proud to highlight him in 3 Dope Songs

In recent days Lowkey announced that he was taking a hiatus from music so he could concentrate on other things including his studies and political activism

Below are 3 Dope Songs from Lowkey

Lowkey Obama Nation pt1

This track was one that caught everyone’s attention primarily because he was one of the first to publicly call out Obama over his policies while noting that the president probably had little choice since he was heading what many have called an Empire…

This cut led to several remixes which featured vocals from M1 of dead prez, Lupe Fiasco, Malcolm X and 2Pac.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z4OI0GUCI_A

Folks who enjoyed this song may wanna see Obama Nation pt 2 featuring M1, Lupe Fiasco, Black the Ripper

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bB-vYuYhdSE

The remix track featuring Malcolm X and 2Pac called Obama Nation 3 can be found HERE

Lowkey Hands on Your Gun

This is an incredible song that questions the weaponry used by armed forces, in particular drones. Its featured on the album ‘Soundtrack to the struggle‘.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nBNeD57-RVg

Lowkey w/ Faith SFX ‘Alphabet Assassin’

This was a jam that came out early in Lowkey’s career and helped establish him as a formidable emcee whose lyrical skillz are unmatched.. Faith SFX is beat boxing the entire time

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ToZUIdbgqjE

Filed Under: 2013 Daily News, 3 Dope songs Tagged With: Lowkey, Obama nation, Palestine, UK rap, Zionism

3 Dope Songs From Amanda ‘Diva’ Seales A True Renaissance Woman

October 15, 2013 By mrDaveyd

Amanda ‘Diva’ Seales

Amanda Seales formerly known as Amanda Diva was born in Southern, Cali, but raised in Orlando Florida. She is a singer/ emcee of Grenadian descent ..She’s a playwright, comedian, author, designer, DJ and entrepreneur, a True Renaissance woman

In 1994, Seales made her debut at the age of 12 on the Nickelodeon sitcom My Brother and Me, the show was a big hit on the network but was eventually canceled due to disagreements between the producers and creators of the show, during this time Seales took a hiatus to focus on her education.

In 2004, Seales who was now calling herself Diva, released her debut Mixtape entitled “It Bigger Than Hip Hop, Vol 1”. After landing a job hosting MTV2, Diva began hosting a radio show on SIRIUS, the Hip-Hop Nation Show.

She also joined the DJ Drama/Don Cannon/DJ Sense-helmed Aphilliates crew, and published a book of poetry, all before receiving a degree in African-American studies from Columbia University. In 2007 her career took a surprising turn, when she was asked to replace Natalie Stewart of the musical duo Floetry, on tour. December of the same year, Diva released Life Experience the first EP of a trilogy.

After being released from the emergency room for a spinal tap, Diva continued to promote her sophomore EP, Spandex, Rhymes and Soul, which was released June 24, 2008. Amanda also provides social commentary and updates on her projects on her blog.

In 2009, Diva was a guest commentator on VH1’s 100 Greatest One Hit Wonders of the 80s. Amanda is also featured on Johnny Polygon’s 2010 mixtape Rebel Without Applause on two songs entitled “Blvd Broad” and “Get Right”….

source: http://worldraps.wikia.com/wiki/Amanda_Diva

Currently Amanda is making noise with a weekly online series called Things I Learned this Week.. It’s hilarious as she shows off her wit and acting chops.. It’s an extension of the work she’s been doing in the form of her one woman plays Death of a Diva and stand up routines/play It’s Complicated... Amanda also made a lot of noise as a host on Master in the Mix.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FUk-kHjOfcw

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PcIalg8_nis

Below are 3 Dope Songs from Amanda Seales:

Amanda ‘Diva’ Seales ‘Catch Me’

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zWI79-Siorc

Amanda ‘Diva’ Seales ‘Manchild’

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CSczhRdsHZs

Amanda ‘Diva’ Seales Trendsetter’

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bwruwwBnfrQ

Bonus joint:

Amanda ‘Diva’ Seales w/ Q-Tip ’40 emcees’

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=38QSU9bkA4k

Filed Under: 2013 Daily News, 3 Dope songs Tagged With: 3 Dope Songs, Amanda Diva, Amanda seales, Death of a Diva, female Rap, Hip Hop, It's Complicated

3 Dope Songs from Chilean Emcee Anita Tijoux

October 8, 2013 By mrDaveyd

Today’s 3 Dope Songs celebrates the work of Chilean emcee Anita Tijoux also known as Ana Tijoux.. She was born in France to two exiled Chilean parents who later returned after the US backed dictator General Augusto Pinochet was disposed.

She is what many would consider an emcee’s emcee.. Her nice, intense, laid back flows are precise, mesmerizing and often laced with social and political commentary..Her popularity is understated..

At almost every show I’ve seen her perform from Austin, Texas to the Bay Area gets sold out, attracting crowds that know every word to her songs, even as she raps in Spanish and French.

She had been grinding away for a minute. Initially it was with the group Makiza who many compared to NY’s famed Native Tongues because of their sound and style.. They made some noise with a couple of underground bangers in the late 90s that made the charts in Chile..The group put out a couple of albums including; ‘Vida Salvaje‘ and ‘Casino Royal‘ which was released in 2005 to rave reviews..

The following year Makiza broke up and Tijoux went solo. In 2009 she became a break star internationally with the release of her album 1977 which proclaims the year of her birth and is mostly autobiographical. Many in the US got their first peak at her when she touched down at SXSW in 2010 and blew up the spot doing songs off that album including the popular jam Sube which was done with Detroit emcee Invincible. The SXSW stop led to her launching a successful US tour..

Since then she’s released two other projects including; Elefant Mixtape and the album La Bala which was nominated for a Grammy. Her music has been featured in the video game FIFA 11 and on the hit TV show Breaking Bad. She was also voted as Best Female Emcee Dominating Mics Everywhere on MTV Iggy…Lastly she’s been part of a campaign for women’s empowerment called Half the Sky: Turning Oppression into Opportunity for Women Worldwide.

If you don’t know Anita Tijoux, you been missing out.. Check out some her joints below as well our first interview which was done a couple of years ago when I was introduced to her by the group and fellow Chilean emcees Rebel Diaz..

Anita Tijoux SXSW Intv

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Ana Tijoux w/ Quantic Doo Whop That Thing

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3kDjbvIU1zU

This is a recent song from Anita Tijoux where she hooked up with Colombia-based, British-born producer and musician Quantic. Here the two do a dope cover of Lauryn Hill‘s classic hit “Doo Wop (That Thing)” The lyrics are flipped into Spanish by Tijoux, whose understated yet charismatic flow makes her a beguiling vocal presence, along with a Cumbia beat giving an alternative, tropical slant to this landmark jam.

Ana Tijoux Elephant

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qDO-_HW5DdA

This is from the mixtape Ana dropped about a year and half ago.. Its a fun video and a warm up to what she had in store on the album LA Bala which would be nominated for a Grammy.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VAayt5BsEWg

Anita Tijoux Sacar La Voz ft (Jorge Drexler)

This is vintage Ana Tijoux…low key, but powerful and captivating ..It’s an inspiring song about walking proud, being fearless, even if you have ‘nothing in your pockets’ and standing up in the face of oppression.. One of my favorite cuts from her featured on the La Bala album..

Anita Tijoux Shocked

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=177-s44MSVQ

This is one of Ana Tijoux‘s most popular songs to date which she did a couple of years ago to bring attention and support to the massive student strikes that were going on in Chile, which brought millions of people out to the streets but was ignored here in the US..She later re-did an acoustic version of this song in Tuscon, Arizona to bring attention to the plight of undocumented folks and the harsh anti-immigrant SB 1070 laws.. You can peep that video
below..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fkvgAXkd7yM

Filed Under: 2013 Daily News, 3 Dope songs Tagged With: 1977, 3 Dope Songs, Ana Tijoux, Anita Tijoux, Chile, Hip Hop, la Bala, Latin Rap, Sacar La Voz, shocked

3 Dope Songs From Actitud Maria Marta from Argentina

September 16, 2013 By mrDaveyd

Actitud maria marta

Actitud Maria Marta is a hip hop from Argentine who combine Latin American and Jamaican music to bring about an innovative fusion sound.

Since its inception, the group has been linked to various social demands and human rights organizations to participate, through their music, in countless festivals unemployed workers, mothers of Plaza de Mayo , missing children , and recently recovered factories in the People’s Summit, among others.

Actitud Maria Marta – Hijo Mio

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KBqjfos2l38

Actitud Maria Marta Asi esta la Cosa

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sS76aFctWHw

Actitud Maria Marta Revolution

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AHlbQvO1tfs

Filed Under: 2013 Daily News, 3 Dope songs Tagged With: 3 Dope Songs, Actitud Maria Marta, female hip hop, Latino Hip Hop

3 Dope Songs from Lebanese American Rapper Alyssa Marie

September 15, 2013 By mrDaveyd

Alyssa Marie

Alyssa Marie is a Lebanese-American emcee who hails from the south shore of Massachusetts in Brockton. She started out as a poet and then merged those skills into a formidable emcee who is no joke on the mic. Her first project was a mixtape released in 2010 called “Welcome Home.”..Her second project was a compilation of all her then Youtube versus called ‘5 More Minutes‘. Her latest one is a slamming ep called ‘Heartbeat‘ that you can access here-http://alyssamarie.bandcamp.com/

Here’s an excerpt of an interview that Alyssa Marie did earlier this year for: http://www.peacexpeace.org/2013/03/alyssa-marie-a-female-rapper-who-can-rip-a-mic/

I think it’s very much a gift and a curse being a female rapper. Of course, it’s easier to achieve the wow factor given that there aren’t too many females who can rip a mic and do it well. This also can lead to people spreading around the music like “Check out what this chick can do!” It’s definitely easier for a lady in the scene to get some recognition and buzz. At the same time, though, I think being taken seriously as an actual artist instead of just an impressive video to show your friends is a lot more difficult. People may feel weird about having one of their favorite rappers be a female, so instead they have you as their favorite “female rapper” or say you’re “dope for a female.” So I guess what it comes down to is it’s a lot easier to get noticed as a female rapper, but in turn you need to work twice as hard to be taken seriously.

In what ways (if any), does your background as a Lebanese American influence your work?

I’m very fortunate to be from an extremely close Lebanese family. My cousins are more like siblings and my extended relatives are closer than most people’s immediate families. I think this has affected the way I approach and create my music in two major ways: 1) I’ve always wanted to make music my older relatives can listen to and be proud to show people (which I did successfully), and 2) the support and determination I am blessed to receive from them has made it possible for me to actually pursue music 100% as a career path. It took awhile for me to come out and say to them this is what I wanted to do, and even longer to show them my music and videos, but it is because of their reactions that I’m still on this path to living my dream. My work ethic and determination are due to them, and I can never thank my family enough for that.

Alyssa Marie – Trigger Finger ft. Lady Essence (HeartBeat)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qe4P_vCYROg

Alyssa Marie – Mr Lamar Another Control Response..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tDr0JpgN72M

Alyssa Marie – Freedum

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nf1UlRTNT0Q

Filed Under: 2013 Daily News, 3 Dope songs

3 Dope Songs From 3D Na’Tee: Conscious Flows Straight Outta New Orleans

September 2, 2013 By mrDaveyd

3D Na’Tee, is a dope rapper, songwriter, and a skilled video director. Her name has been buzzing around for a bit with more and more people finally taking notice and giving her well deserved props.

She was born in New Orleans, Louisiana and grew up in the 3rd Ward. 3D Na’Tee has been featured on several national media outlets such as MTV, The Source Magazine, XXL Magazine, The Fader Magazine, RapRadar and RapRehab. She has also received attention from Louisiana newspapers and music magazines.

Below are 3 Dope Songs we should know her for

An insightful, social conscious song called Lil Kim”. It isn’t a dis song or commentary about the rapper, instead, it’s a story about a young woman victimized by an older man. Its a must see video. The song is off Na’Tee’s The Coronation mix tape

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=amc_TgQO2Ns

This is a dope freestyle short song called ‘Church’..Here 3D changes it up by giving us a reenactment of Malcolm X looking out a window holding a gun.. She says the song was inspired by him..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q0iQkfh3580

This sista went hard on George Zimmerman called ‘Dear Mr Zimmerman’ and captured the emotions many were feeling after he was acquitted in the recent trial.. As you peep the video below read what she had to say about the situation..

Like many of you, I was shocked this past Saturday when the all female jury acquitted murderer George Zimmerman of Trayvon Martin’s murder. To be honest with you, of course I smelled the strong stench of racism looming around this case but for me the verdict became less about justice failing and more about the fact that in America, even in 2013, its hard to view a young black man as harmless even if he’s underage, unarmed, and non confrontational.

As people blacked out their Instagram defaults and took to Twitter in rage, I quietly looked at my brothers. Josh is 22, 5’6″, with long flowing dreadlocks. John is 21, a few inches taller than Josh, with a low cut, a beard, and piercing black eyes. To me they are just my baby brother’s and my best friends but after hearing the verdict on yesterday I realized that Josh (who’s studying to become a school teacher) and John (who has plans on opening his own business soon) may very well look like murderers to some. Not because of their actions but because of a few things that they can not change, their age, gender, and ethnicity.

One day I want to get married to a great man and have wonderful children. I always dreamed of the house with the large backyard, two cars, and two kids. A girl and a boy… A boy… A boy who may one day not be looked at as the wonderful boy that his mother raises him to be but as a threat to society because of his skin tone… Damn…

Rest In Peace Trayvon from 3D Na’Tee and everyone like me…
SIGN THE NAACP PETITION HERE: http://www.NAACP.ORG

Written and Directed by 3D Na’Tee for 3DNATEE.com
Produced by SDot

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MOOa46TefyE

Many emcees weighed in after Kendrick Lamar dropped his ‘Outta Control‘ verse’. 3D was one of women that took up the mic and went in, showing and proving that New Orleans was in the building and that women were fully represented.. Here’s her contribution to the global cipher which she did a few days ago.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QQ6RknWr5D4

Filed Under: 2013 Daily News, 3 Dope songs Tagged With: 3 Dope Songs, 3D Na'Tee, Female emcees

Categories

I Got That

No 1 Can Compare

Quarrels

Runaway Freestyle

“M.O.D.”

“I Want The Life”

In what ways (if any), does your background as a Lebanese American influence your work?