Last day of hip-hop history month!!!

Gza Genius droppin mad knowledge. "Cuban Linx 2" by Raekwon is out right now. Ghostface Killah is droppin "The Big Doe Rehab" this tuesday. "8 Diagrams" by Wu-Tang is droppin December 11th. Knowledge is power. HIP-HOP!

- RJ

And you say Chi city!

I had such a great time in Chicago, IL! I'm so glad that I had good peoples to show me the city and what it's all about. I went to Arizona for a week right after I had come back, but I really wish I had the chance to stay for another week in Chicago! I had planned on moving to the east coast, but now it seems that the move may be to Chicago. It ACTUALLY gets cold up there. Today in San Antonio the high is supposed to be 67 degrees. And that's because we have a coldfront! Coldfront?! Hah! The public transportation system in that city is great. It's called CTA: Chicago Transit Authority. They have buses, trains, and subways. And the website has a mapquest feature: You can type in your location along with your destination and it gives you the best available CTA routes along with alternate ones! That would be one of the many reasons for moving there.
So here are some pictures from the sights that I got to see. I didn't take pictures with some friends and I didn't get to see some places that were recommended to visit. I believe that's fine because I'll (hopefully) be back there for New Year's, and then eventually move! And I made a very compelling connection with a friend whom I seldom get a chance to see. And the great thing is that I think I like her now! =) It would be nice to move there and start a relationship because I am absolutely sick of the long distance kind. I've learned my lesson and it only took me 3 years to do it. =/ ANYWAYS, here are some fotografìas:

My view from the Hyatt Regency in downtown Chi
A picture of the Chicago river
I was observing some Polish art at a Polish art display at DePaul University
It's "DePaul" as in "St. Vincent DePaul". I never knew that.
Having a drink at Joey's Brickhouse. My friend Heather's place of work.
After 9 rounds of beers and a round of shots. Riding the Red Line back to the hotel.
Bucktown
Gino's East. Deep dish pizza. I asked the waiter, "So how do you eat this?" He tells me, "With a fork."
I rarely got a chance to sleep in Chicago. This was very relaxing.
This is now the wallpaper on my cellular phone
I can't even elude technology on abeach
Trekking the 40 degree waters of Lake Michigan
Me and Myra at Joey's Brickhouse
This is a view of Belmont Harbor from Heather's apartment. What a city! I can't wait to be back.

- RJ

November is hip-hop history month!

Learn your hip-hop history!

Here's the hip-hopism for the day:

DJ Qbert & Mix Master Mike







I first heard this on an mp3 and went nuts. Then I saw it live on youtube and went even more nuts. A dope tag team routine. I need to see some more of Rob Swift too. Word up to Mix Master Mike and Qbert being in the Rocksteady Crew as DJs and Rob Swift being a DJ in Rock Force crew. Qbert won the DMC finals 3 years in a row!!! '92, '93, and '94!!! Then in 1995 they asked him to be a judge and put him in the hall of fame. That's a good thing because it was really going to be no contest from then on out. Mix Master Mike just killed that Dr. Dre song though. For reals. I love the way he did that. Hip-hop!

- RJ

Hip-hopisms!

Here's the hip-hopism for the day:

Props I got the most/ No emcee comes close/ Coast to coast/ shows I host/ foes I roast/ adios/ I'm ghost...

- Big L

Big L R.I.P. Props to Showbiz and AG for puttin him on the scene. DITC (Diggin in the Crates) is to Big L as Main Source is to Nas. Wow. I didn't think I had it in me to create a hip-hop analogy. You won't be finding that on your SAT. "I move swift/ and uplift your mind/ shoot the gift/ when I rip and rhyme" WOOOOOOOOOO! That was taken from Nas' verse off of "Live at the BBQ" which was the first song he got exposure. The bars from Big L were off "Represent" which DITC put him on with. Hip-hop!

So word up. I hope y'all can get into this culture. Here are some past hip-hopisms since november started:

11/5/07

Hip-Hop Acronyms:

MC KRS ONE - Knowledge Reigns Supreme Over Nearly Everyone

WU TANG Clan - Witty Unpredictable Talent And Natural Game

ISLAM - I Self Lord And Master

CREAM - Cash Rules Everything Around Me

Bboy Ken SWIFT - Swift Wizard In Footwork Technique

Ill shit right there! And speaking of Ken Swift...

This was taken from a dvd documentary entitled "The Freshest Kids: A History of the B-Boy". B-Boy stands for Break Boy or Bronx Boy or Boogie Boy. Take your pick. This DVD breaks down where it all came from and the birth of bboying and hip-hop through DJing and block parties.

11/4/07

I'm ahead of time/ sometimes years out/ So that powers that be/ won't let me get my ideas out...

- Kanye West

WOOOOOOOOOO! I love that line. As I was saying in my last bulletin, Kanye West is really hit or miss with his lyrics. He'll drop lines like "Drivin mayonnaise colored Benzes. I push miracle whips." but then spit some shit like "Let's get lost tonight. You could be my black Kate Moss tonight." Come on, Kanye. =/ But overall, his production, knowledge of music, and the way his raps flow with the track, make up for the soft lyrics. So if you've never really heard Kanye before, start out with his first album: College Dropout. I give that a 5 out of 5 stars! Definitely his best work! Then onto his second album, Late Registration, which I give a 4 out of 5 stars. And his newest album is Graduation, which was a real disappointment. =( I give it a 3.5 out of 5 stars. A 4 out of 5 if I'm feeling generous.

Hip-Hop History MONTH!

11/3/07

But anyway/ it's just another day/ Another fake jack I slay/ with my spectac' rap display.

- Guru

God damn! Guru has some of the illest rhymes ever. And yet, it's so ironic that he has some of the worst. He was really a hit or miss type guy. He's not like an Andre Benjamin or a Nas that will keep it consistent and then blow you away with some ill shit. A lot of the times in the same Gangstarr song you get so hype because of what Guru throws out. But then you're just like...=/...because of some dumb shit he'll say. I feel that Kanye West is the same way. By the way, Gangstarr consist of Guru, the MC, and DJ Premier, the DJ. Premier had the sickest beats to back up Guru's rhymes. Although, I'll venture to say that on a lot of songs the tempo of the rhymes that Guru was layin down did not flow with Primo's beats. And since they've split up, circa 2005, I'm taking Premier's side. Guru has his own group called Jazzmatazz I believe and still tours with them. Premier recently worked with Common by producing the track "The People". Also check out "Classic" featuring Kanye West, Nas, KRS One, and Rakim which was produced by Premier. HIP-HOP! Learn the culture!

11/2/07

Run on the track like Jesse Owens/Broke the record flowin/ without any knowin/ that my worldplay/ won the 400 meter relay/ It's on/ once I grab the baton/ from the DJ...

- Gza Genius

The GZA is crazy, yo. The coldest flow in Wu-Tang. His delivery is so subtle and under the radar and on that "oh hold up, lemme rewind that" status. "And the Gza the genius is just the genius. He's the backbone of the whole crew. He's the head. Let's just put it that way. We form like Voltron and GZA happen to be the head." - Raekwon and Method Man. Word up to the Wu-Tang Clan. November is hip-hop history month! Learn your history, yo!

11/1/07

We are hip-hop. This is what we do.

The Universal Zulu Nation calls on the World to recognize the whole month of November as HIP HOP HISTORY MONTH!

The official birthday of the Universal Zulu Nation is November 12, 1973.

The official birthday of Hip Hop is November 12th, 1974.

With consideration to the above mentioned dates, nothing makes more sense than to celebrate Hip Hop culture and it's history during November, which is exactly what the Universal Zulu Nation has been doing for over 34+ years. November is also significant in the fact that it kicks off the "indoor jam season". The Hip Hop community jams, enjoyed outdoors in the parks, throughout the Summer, had to move indoors for about 7 months to community centers, gymnasiums, schools etc. for the Fall and Winter seasons. The Hip Hop World should recognize this month and pay tribute to those who laid the foundation and paved the way as well as to those who continue to preserve the rich tradition of the culture.

Of course, The Zulu Nation appreciates all efforts to preserve the whole of Hip Hop culture, including any days or weeks set aside to conscientiously appreciate Hip Hop, but would rather that all of these days and weeks combine to celebrate in unity every November as the tradition has been since the beginning of this culture. Founded by the godfather of Hip Hop himself, Afrika Bambaataa, The Universal Zulu Nation is the world's oldest, largest and most respected grass roots Hip Hop organization. It's members and supporters are Hip Hop's most famous and legendary artists. True school enthusiasts travel from all around the world to be in New York City, in November, for the annual Zulu Hip Hop Anniversary, the only true Hip Hop Anniversary since the beginning. The Anniversary hosts a positive Hip Hop community coming together from all walks of life to celebrate the true essence and excitement of what Hip Hop was meant to be. Many artists who have donated their performances to help raise funds at Zulu Hip Hop Anniversaries have gone on to become legends and many of these legends continue to return to NYC, in November, to give back to the core community who supported them since their careers began.

A Little Background Information: In the early years of the culture, the movement went untitled until Afrika Bambaataa, started calling it "Hip Hop", a term originated by Lovebug Starski. In the 70's, ten years prior to it's gaining global recognition, Hip Hop was a celebration of life gradually developing each of it's elements to form a cultural movement. Due to it's energy, dynamics, and momentum, Hip Hop culture has become, ultimately, a key to upliftment and reformation, as well as a billion-dollar industry.

From the 80's on, the Rap industry and media have helped to make the terms "Hip Hop" and "Rap" synonymous, leaving out the other elements included in the culture. In light of this enormous oversight, the Zulu Nation promotes the "5th element" of Hip Hop, which is KNOWLEDGE, and actively tries to educate the masses about the history and foundational elements of true Hip Hop culture. Bambaataa declared: "When we made Hip Hop, we made it hoping it would be about peace, love, unity and having fun so that people could get away from the negativity that was plaguing our streets (gang violence, drug abuse, self hate, violence among those of African and Latino descent). Even though this negativity still happens here and there, as the culture progresses, we play a big role in conflict resolution and enforcing positivity."

Hip Hop is the Vehicle to Deliver Innumerable Lessons! Afrika Bambaataa doesn't believe that Hip Hop heads should just have knowledge of Hip Hop. He promotes and proves that Hip Hop can be used as a vehicle for teaching awareness, knowledge, wisdom, understanding, freedom, justice, equality, peace, unity, love, respect, responsibility and recreation, overcoming challenges, economics, mathematics. science, life, truth, facts and faith.

The Elements: Hip Hop culture is defined as a movement which is expressed through various artistic mediums which we call "elements". The main elements are known as MC'ing (Rapping), DJ'ing, WRITING (Aerosol Art), SEVERAL DANCE FORMS (which include Breaking, Up-Rocking, Popping, and Locking) and the element which holds the rest together: KNOWLEDGE. There are also other elements such as Vocal Percussion/Beat Boxing, Fashion, etc. Within the past 20 years, Hip-Hop culture has greatly influenced the entertainment world with its creative contributions in music, dance, art, poetry, and fashion.

Due to their lack of knowledge about the whole of Hip Hop culture, many of our world's youth are mistaken in thinking that activities such as: smoking blunts, drinking 40's, wearing a designer label plastered across their chest, carrying a gun, or going to strip clubs, are "Hip Hop". Hip Hop is being portrayed negatively by many artists who work in the element of Rap (emceeing), and this negativity is usually instigated and promoted by the record industry and various other corporations who exploit the culture at the expense of the youth's state of mind and morality. The Universal Zulu Nation believes there is a difference in speaking out about negativity (activism) and promoting it as a desirable lifestyle. Gangsters, pimps, playas, hustlers, niggers, spics, and many other derogatory words once used against us are now self employed in our everyday vocabulary. Our ancestors who have fought and died trying to free us from these sicknesses and slave mentality are probably turning over in their graves! Bambaataa asks you to just think about this, "How in the hell did we turn from GODS to dogs?"

Afrika Bambaataa encourages you to do more research about our story, his/her-story, and what you think is your mystery is actually your history. Where are our Hip Hop thinkers, lawyers, holistic doctors, scientists, agriculturalists/herbalists, revolutionaries, politicians, judges, researchers, teachers, police, army, accountants, anthropologists, etc. Where is our own Hip Hop Museum? Many talk the talk but don't walk the walk. Many straight out sell-out to the liberation of our people as well as to all humans on the planet so called Earth! He also encourages you to do research on any Hip Hop organization that deals with consciousness and the upliftment of all people. To all those who purposely make up your own history and lie about the culture- DO YOUR RESEARCH!

You can contact the Universal Zulu Nation at their main website www.ZuluNation.com and to explore links to other Zulu chapters and websites.

Thank you in advance for forwarding this announcement to everyone you know!

Peace and Blessings Afrika Bambaataa & the entire Universal Zulu Nation.

As we say in Zulu - respect the many UNIVERSES and especially MOTHER EARTH

PS: If you are planning any events in honor of Hip Hop History Month in November please feel free to write to the webmaster at ZuluNation.com to keep us up-to-date!
THE 5TH ELEMENT OF HIP HOP CULTURE
KNOWLEDGE, CULTURE, OVERSTANDING
FACTOLOGY VS. BELIEFS

NEW YORK STATE SENATE RECOGNIZES NOVEMBER AS

HIP HOP HISTORY MONTH

STATUS:
J6602 ESPADA
Resolutions, Legislative
TITLE....Honoring the rich traditions of Hip Hop Culture


/www.senate.state.ny.us/

12/11/02
REFERRED TO FINANCE
12/17/02
REPORTED TO CALENDAR FOR CONSIDERATION
12/17/02
ADOPTED

BILL TEXT:


LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring the rich traditions of Hip Hop Culture



WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to pay tribute to

those individuals of historic and artistic significance whose creative

talents have contributed to the cultural enrichment of our communities

and our Nation; and

WHEREAS, The month of November is now recognized by the State of New

York as Hip Hop Culture History month; and

WHEREAS, Afrika Bambaattaa, was the first Hip Hop activist, who once

said, "Hip Hop Culture was created to be about peace, love, unity and

having fun, in order to help people to get away from the negativity that

was plaguing our streets"; and

WHEREAS, Even though this negativity still exists, as the culture

progresses, Hip Hop Culture plays a big role in the conflict and resol-

ution by encouraging positivity; and

WHEREAS, Hip Hop is made up of Rap, DJ'ing, Break dancing, Up-Rocking,

Popping, Locking, Vocal Percussion, and Beat Boxing; and

WHEREAS, The godfather of Hip Hop culture is Afrika Bambaattaa; and

the world's oldest, largest and most respected grass roots Hip Hop

organization is the Universal Zulu Nation; and

WHEREAS, Hip Hop culture is a positive tool for social change; and

WHEREAS, The inception of Hip Hop culture in the Bronx was during the

early 1970's; it has been a vehicle for breaking down racial barriers on

a world wide level; and

WHEREAS, Hip Hop is a means for overcoming challenges, and a means for

teaching awareness and knowledge, inspiration and wisdom; and

WHEREAS, During the 70's, Hip Hop was a celebration of life, gradually

developing to form a cultural movement as a result of its dynamic energy

and momentum; and

WHEREAS, Hip Hop culture has become, ultimately, a key to uplift the

spirit of many; and

WHEREAS, Hip Hop culture has greatly influenced the entertainment

world with its creative contributions in music, dance, art, poetry, and

fashion; and

WHEREAS, Hip Hop is the vehicle to deliver innumerable lessons and

continues to provide for unity, love, respect, and responsibility; and

WHEREAS, D.J. Afrika Bambaattaa and the Universal Zulu Nation, Cool

Herc, Grandmaster Flash, the Cold Crush Brothers, Cool Clyde and Light-

nen Lance, Nolie Dee, Maria Davis and Mytika Davis are true inspira-

tions; and

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body, in keeping with its

time-honored traditions, to recognize and pay tribute to those organiza-

tions which foster ethnic pride and enhance the profile of cultural

diversity that strengthens the fabric of the communities of New York

State; and

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that those who

enhance the well-being and vitality of their community and have shown a

long and sustained commitment to excellence certainly have earned our

recognition and applause; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to

honor the rich traditions of Hip Hop Culture; and be it further

RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-

smitted to Afrika Bambaataa and all of the participants of the Hip Hop

Culture Celebration.

- RJ

Like I said...PRO-CRAST-IN-ATION

I know, it's been a while and I didn't get a chance to blog from Chicago or Arizona. November is hip-hop history month and I've been posting up bulletins on myspace with hip-hop factoids and will be posting them here. I will also be posting up all pictures that I took in Chicago. I, myself, did not take pictures in AZ so I will have to get those from someone else. I hope that everyone has started out their daylight savings day weekend right!

- RJ