I’d like to start this post off with a big congrats to my man Crooked I for taking home the Best West Coast Mixtape Artist at the 11th Annual Mixtape Awards. I mean with v.1, 2 & 3 of his Hip Hop Weekly Mixtape with September 7th to his St. Valentine’s Day Bossace tape, dude deserves it. Now to further the “deserve’ness” I’m dropping his latest tape. Presented by HipHopDX, hosted by Crooked I, compiled and mixed by Shake and DJ Slimm (Shake & Bake). Artwork by Shake as well (FallDownDesigns). No battles here…just good music!
Text message from Crooked I: I’ll be in Vegas today at 5pm… if ur around…holla!
–Looks like I know who I’m chillin with tonight. Yessir!
Brand new video from QN5′s Substantial (Maryland stand up!?). Produced by Kno (who I’m upset with right now. Yep), this is the second single off his album, Sacrifice. Which is dope, just as Vecks. I don’t even wanna start on the mindfuck that was last night trying to see his and Cunninlynguists show. Sheesh.
The either loved or hated Mickey Factz starts volume 2 of The Leak with a collab effort with Drake (Canada what!?) and Travic McCoy of Gym Class Heroes. Produced by Omen, who has an album dropping later this year called Be the Judge.
You know what it is. Every Wednesday brings more Loosie Weekly Warning Shots from Elucid and Spec Boogie. Elucid speaks on the Sean Bell verdict. It’s not the kill a cop mentality that wins. “Niggas want to riot, but ya’ll scared of revolution/ couldn’t wrap your brain around what it takes for real improvement”. This will be added to the Sean Bell post I made last night. Spec Boogie on the other hand Spec Boogie takes The Black Keys track and turns it into an account of a woman who ravages relationships. Which will be featured on his Dollar-Sign Language mixtape dropping next week.
As everyone should already know, the verdict came in for the Sean Bell case a few days ago. Two men wounded, one man dead and three innocent police let off the hook. I never spoke on my thoughts because there’s not much else to say that hasn’t already been done. Numerous blogs to songs have surfaced since the not guilty verdict was announced. While I think it’s needed, as each artist can have a different set of fans and the message will reach a broader audience. I’m saddened though as I feel that some artists will just use the injustice as a stepping stone for their “buzz”. I know a lot of artists are sincere but I also feel there are some that aren’t. This goes for politicians and people with a status higher than the average civilian. I won’t name names though, that’s not my place.
I hope after the songs and after the rants on blogs (mine included) that more will be done. I understand people’s pain and anger and hope it doesn’t result in violence towards police or anyone. I’d rather see progress in fixing this. I have no solutions but there is more than songs & write ups that can be done! I know awareness is key, so I’m working with my man Narada on a tee shirt in memory of Sean Bell, Timothy Stansbury, Patrick Dorismond and Amadou Diallo. If you aren’t familiar with any of these names, I suggest you put wiki to use. I don’t have intentions on selling them, but shipping might be asked from anyone who wants them (I’ll post pictures when we get them printed). Things like this may be trivial to some, but the smallest thing can spark curiosity in someone who in turn will talk to another, so on and so on. So I ask that people don’t stay quiet on this matter. Please speak up and announce your thoughts.
After the jump, I’ve posted a collection of the videos and songs that I’ve come across that are in relation to Sean Bell and police brutality…
Styles P joined The Roots to perform the title track to Rising Down live on Sirius Radio. Shouts to Green Lantern! Also, the Best of Both Offices presented me with some video footage of David Banner during the same session. Backed by The Roots, Banner spits some lines about Sean Bell and other NYPD fuckery (after the jump). Shake’s putting together a Sean Bell post now, but I might not post it until tonight since I’ll be chillin at The Box Office Gallery gettin live with CunninLynguists and Substantial. I’ll also be talkin to Kno so we’ll see where that goes.
If you haven’t been paying attention, get off your rocker and realize Sha Stimuli is a beast! Alongside DJ Victorious, Stimuli drops The Secret, the fourth installment of his 12 mixtape in 12 months task. Last month’s March on Washington was too dope to ignore. Read up on his thoughts of the tape over at HipHopDX. I really hope ya’ll aren’t sleeping on this man.
Gnarls Barkley are MTV’s “52 Bands/52 Weeks” featured artist for the week of April 28th and they just released a short video for A Little Better. Also check below for a random ass video entitled Frisbee. That fuckin’ alligator is an asshole man. Also, Angie interviewed the duo for Hot97 (after the jump as well).
