Atlanta hip-hop royalty is back, at least for one night. Fans of the legendary Goodie M.O.b will have one chance and one chance only to see Cee-Lo, Khujo Goodie, T-Mo Goodie and Big Gipp back in action. They recently announced plans for their “Remember Atlanta” concert which will also feature other un-named Dungeon family members. The concert will take place at the Masquerade in Atlanta on (more...)
Archive for July, 2009
South Africa's Corrective Rape Punishment
Friday, July 31st, 2009Eudy Simelane, an openly gay South African soccer star, was raped and murdered in late April of this year. Officials believe her death was a result of the homophobic attacks that have taken place since the late 90's.
The three men accused of her rape and murder took to the trial stand on July 29. But this trial, is the just the beginning of the long cultural strides that will need to take place on order for the gay lifestyle to be accepted.
According to the BBC, 31 lesbian women have suffered from "corrective rape" and murder since 1998. According to the gay rights organization, Triangle, only two cases of "corrective rape" have ever seen a courtroom, and only one conviction.
"This is a sad fact in this country generally, women are very reluctant to come forward," says Sharon Cox from Triangle.
"Corrective rape" is a term used to describe the rape of a lesbian woman by a man or a group of men to punish her for being gay and "correct" her behavior.
Cox said rape is equivalent to power in South Africa.
"The thinking is, all it takes is one good man to cure you of being a lesbian," Cox said.
Triangle says it deals with up to 10 new cases of corrective rape on a weekly basis.
Gay support groups blame an increasingly intolerant political climate and lack of initiate among police when rape and hate crimes are reported. Locals believe the inaction lead to more gender-based violence in South Africa.
Cox believes that since Simelane's case could mean conviction for the men responsible for her rape and death, her story has sparked national attention, and could quite possibly bring about change.
"If we do get sentences in these cases it will be a great step forward for human rights, for women's rights and for gay and lesbian rights."
South Africa has one of the highest rates of sexual violence in the world. More than 54,000 cases are reported to the police each year.
Big Pun Is Back
Friday, July 31st, 2009Christopher Rios, known to fans as Big Punisher, may be gone, but his legacy will continue to live on as steps are being made to produce a documentary as well as a soundtrack featuring the Puerto-Rican rapper.
September 15th will see the premier of the second tribute documenting the life of Rios and those close to him with the release of Big Pun: The Legacy. The film will be directed by Vlad Yudin and distrusted through Universal.
The first documentary was released in 2002 by his wife Liza Rios. Titled, Still Not A Player, the film featured commentary from friends and associates that had a relationship with the late rapper. They touched on some of the struggles that he had to endure such as his ever-increasing weight problem. It also documented the bad side that Pun had and how he would be physically abusive to his wife as video footage showed an argument escalating to its boiling point when he pistol whipped her in the head.
The upcoming Big Pun: The Legacy will feature numerous artists such as Young Jeezy, Method Man, DMX, and (more...)
Fabolous - "I Don't See Nobody"
Friday, July 31st, 2009DJ Kurupt feat. Uncle Murda, Jay Rock, Bully & Smitty - "Pop Bang"
Friday, July 31st, 2009Chicago Police Department Issues Deadly Force Policy
Friday, July 31st, 2009The Chicago Sun-Times has reported that Police Superintendent Jody Weis of the Chicago Police Department has issued a policy that goes into effect this weekend that will allow police to use deadly force.
Weis said the policy will allow officers to use their discretions and decide whether the circumstances call for shooting a driver or passengers suspected of committing a felony.
"Now officers will be able to fire upon the driver or passenger in a vehicle if that person is a forcible fleeing felon, someone who has committed a very serious offense resulting in bodily harm or has threatened to commit great bodily harm," a department spokesperson said.
The previous policy allowed the officers to open fire on vehicles that are believed to cause a threat to them or the public.
After the Wednesday announcement, the spokesperson quickly recanted the policy's implementation and said the department is "currently reviewing the existing order [to] provide officers with more clear direction. The review process is ongoing and will not be rushed."
This is NOT a good idea! Police are already quick to pull a trigger on a "suspect." Police are the only people who can kill folks on accident and are punished with "suspension with pay." Paid murderers in essence. This new policy seems like it gives Chicago police the nod to shoot Black men at will.
Trick Daddy and Murk Camp - "Count My Money"
Friday, July 31st, 2009Stack Bundles and The Riot Squad - "Smell What The Rock Is Cooking"
Friday, July 31st, 2009Rhymefest Fights For Wal-Mart To Open In Chicago Neighborhood
Friday, July 31st, 2009A lyrical wizard has been enlisted to do battle in the war between a downtrodden Chicago neighborhood and arguably the largest corporation in America. Having lurked under the surface, spewing frustration and aggression for some time, it seems that the issues between Wal-Mart and Chicago's South Side might have been relegated to socio-political purgatory. That is until a native lent his star power to the affair. Seeking to sway the direction of the matter, Hip-Hop head Rhymefest has come to give the issue a much needed revitalizing jolt, but not in the way that most people would assume. He is on the side of big business, and for good reason.
Reminiscing on memories of a childhood past has allowed the rapper to (more...)
