At the border in Arizona that separates the United States and Mexico (Photo by Paradise Gray) Last week, courtesy of two incredible organizations that formed in protest of Arizona’s racist immigration legislation SB1070, the Sound Strike and Culture Strike, I was blessed to visit Tucson, Arizona.  Part of the trip was to perform at a arts festival for migrant […]
Legendary music industry executive Chris Lightly has died. Lighty founded Violator Entertainment and handled the careers of some of Hip Hop’s biggest names. Rest in Peace, Chris.
Lupe Fiasco’s “Bitch Bad” has been the topic of conversation all around the internet this week. Lauders and critics alike are leading conversations about the song which takes on the misogynistic trend in hip hop of reducing women to vulgar names and sexual objects. The rapper has stated that he released the song for the […]
Jasiri X after performing at the historic Apollo Theater (Photo by Paradise Gray) It’s been a great last few weeks for fans of conscious Hip-Hop music. Nas just dropped “Life is Good”, which is universally being regarded as a modern day classic. Killer Mike’s “R.A.P. Music” made several mid year lists for best album of […]
This isn’t the post that I had planned for today but a series of conversations surrounding Nelson Mandela’s birth and whether it calls for international celebration led me to make a change. My thoughts on USA Basketball can wait. On my drive to work this morning, a local DJ mistakenly called Nelson Mandela the first […]
When we blame Black women for our failure to be seen as “real men” in a White racist society we only show ourselves to be immature. Our mothers, our sisters, our aunts, our girlfriends, our wives, and nieces are not our enemy.
A Florida Judge has granted George Zimmerman’s request for a second bond and release from jail. Judge Kenneth Lester Jr. has set Zimmerman’s bond has at $1 million. Should he have been granted bond? Sound off below!
I’m officially some sort of pop culture martyr. The BET Awards were last night. And instead of going my usual Sunday evening television watching route, I dissed the Gorga/Giudice feud for Sam Jackson and n’em. For those of you who missed it, forgot, or thought better of it, I noted the important moments and provided […]
The NYPD police officer that shot and killed unarmed teenager Ramarley Graham this past February has been indicted on manslaughter charges. Officers assumed incorrectly that Graham was carrying a gun, chased him into his home, and shot him in front of his family.
Jasiri X and Van Jones at RebuildWI in Milwaukee (Photo by Paradise Gray) At Rebuild Wisconsin, One Hood Media (Jasiri X and Paradise Gray) spoke with Van Jones about why Rebuild the Dream got involved in the Recall of Governor Scott Walker, and what we need to do before and after the Presidential election. We […]
David Clowney shared his HIV status on Twitter; he tweeted the test results, and even supplied a picture, too. Is knowing Clowney’s status beautiful and/or inspiring? Or is he just the latest to prove, via Twitter, why athletes need publicists?
Lupe Fiasco’s new single, “Around My Way (Freedom Ain’t Free)” samples Pete Rock and C.L. Smooth’s classic “They Reminisce Over You (T.R.O.Y.),” and Pete Rock is NOT happy about it. Does Rock have a legitimate beef or is he just being cranky?
