KRS-One photo by B-Fresh
One thing we should do in this coming year is shed the industry frame-work that has been attached to our music. By that I mean we need to see Hip Hop offerings as timeless and something to be embraced when our spirits move us and not something that needs to be consumed to further a record label’s bottom line.. Far too many of us have been caught up in measuring the success of an artists or the importance of a particular song by artificial criteria like first week’s album sales or heavy rotation on the radio station claiming to be home to Hip Hop and R&B..
Even amongst folks who say they shun commercialism there is still a short-sighted criteria where the name of the game seems to be who got an album first or who got an exclusive..It’s a self-serving criteria that allows one to appear ‘hip’ and ‘cool’ but unfortunately what gets lost is the important messages and concepts put forth by an artist who finds him or herself quickly discarded and deemed irrelevant by the hipster type with the same reckless abandon as their commercial counterpart.
Music at its best is communal..It’s to be shared and upheld. It’s a sound track to our lives. Its healing to our wounded souls. It’s inspiring, in a world that seems hell-bent on keeping us down..Hopefully artists don’t get discouraged and start changing up their process by abandoning expressions that reflects what’s on their hearts to create throwaway product that fulfils the needs of fast food consumers and not those who need true mental and audio nourishment.
So for folks who are tired of the same ole same ole, please keep in mind there’s a treasure chest of good solid music waiting to be discovered.. Lets go back to browsing and digging for music that moves us vs waiting for it to be served by the tentacles of an industry that doesn’t have our well-being in mind..
Today we wanna celebrate a tireless champion and prolific artist.. Blastmasta KRS-One tha Teacha ... Here’s 3 songs you should take in..The lyrics and video are on point, uplifting and stand the test of time.. Shout out to his producer who is also a dope artists Mad-Lion.
The first song is Aztechnical.. It came out late last year and addresses the issue of the Mayan calendar and prophecy and the Earth supposedly ending. Well as you know that day Dec 21 2012 has come and gone.. But as KRS explains, what was supposed to take place was us reaching a higher consciousness in our thinking.. He takes you there in this song..
The second song ‘Just Like That‘ deals with a topic that KRS has addressed on at least 3 or 4 different occasions.. His upbringing. For those of us who know KRS, we might be tempted to say ‘I heard this story’ before.. But for folks who are just getting acquainted to KRS, its inspiring as and gives us insight on how we might overcome rough times.. In short the message is timeless
The third song was released a few days after Hurricane Sandy… It’s probably his most important song and shows KRS at his best.. Here he gives sound advice as to what we should be doing in preparation for a natural disaster..The song is called ‘Disaster Kit‘
KRS-One Aztechnical
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5M7MZh_bvjg
KRS-One Just Like That
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1q_C0o9GHsw
KRS-One Disaster Kit
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2g8cplYa_DE
With much of our attention focused on the gun debate, Newtown, Ct and NRA (National Rifle Association) head Wayne Lapierre talking about how music, movies and video games have caused gun violence, many of us are also talking and asking hard questions.
One of the best and most timeless songs dealing with gun violence comes from Oakland rapper Frank J.. He was a member of a crew called Legion of Une (Union City) which later became 187 Fac.. The song Brotha Put the Gun Away, was Frank J recounted all his friends who died and how he decided to put the gun away. He talks about real life incidents that took place in Oakland and around the Bay Area including losing his brother.. It’s a powerful song..the lyrics are searing.. I wish more folks would do songs like this..
Another cut that deals with Gun Violence comes from Public Enemy… Its called Whatcha Gonna Do.. The song is incredible where Chuck D talks about how we keep shooting each other.. Some of the lyrics are as follows:
Here’s a a fun song for the holidays… Epic Rap Battles of History..Santa vs Moses..featuring Snoop Dogg. Just in time for the holidays.. I ain’t mad at Snoop for this.. I wish we could see more creativity like this where folks are having fun and going beyond the usual fare..For folks who wanna get more info on Epic Rap Battles.. heead on over to 
Been digging in crates and listening to a lot of jams that were either forgotten about or totally overlooked..Here’s a few from the one and only 
Dolan also wasn’t aware that when he did the video that the police had gone into overdrive and pushed to get laws passed that borrowed on antiquated wiretapping/eavesdropping laws which made it illegal to film the police in certain states.. In places like Illinois, people caught filming the police could get up to 15 years in jail. That’s right you read that correctly 15 years in jail. This had a chilling effect especially amongst those who were involving themselves in the Occupy Movements where incidents of police brutality was heightened and happening daily.
Dolan also talks about the racial dynamics of police brutality and how what was experienced during Occupy Movement at the hands of the police sent a clear message that anyone opposing the system in any form or fashion will be opposed by the state. The police are lackeys for the state.
Last year during this time Rebel Diaz member G1 was hospitalized in NYC and couldn’t make The Thankstaking Concert in Milwaukee at the legendary bar -The Uptowner.
Hip Hop artists have been on fire as of late. It seems like everyone is stepping up their game and making music that passionately speaks truth to power… One song that should not be overlooked is a brand new joint from Public Enemy called Ice Breakers.. It’s off their new album ‘The Evil Empire of Everything‘. This particular song addresses the issue of mass deportations and what its like for those who are living in immigrant communities and are literally being hunted by I.C.E.
Chuck is joined by The Impossebulls, Sekreto, Kyle Jason & True Math who all come with heat both in English and Spanish..Its good to see a group like PE keep it 100 when it comes to issues of the day..
Loving this new jam called ‘Genocide Highway’ from M1 of 
I’m so proud of Hip Hop right now…