Black America is in a state of emergency and it has come to a point where violence has escalated to an alarming rate and the youth seem to have lost a sense of direction which has only resulted in casualties.
A stand is being made by Rev. Al Sharpton as he will be pairing up with Hip Hop activist Erica Ford to lead a day of protest going against the outburst of violence.
It is being dubbed the “National Day Of Outrage."
Initiated by the National Action Network, this day will echo forever in time as the moment where the final strand of rope broke, in regards to patience, and Black America found a way to put their differences aside for just a day in order to work for a greater cause.
Taking place on November 23, the rally will feature Sharpton in Atlanta, Georgia and other rallies will take place across the country (more...)
When 50's not busy wining and dining Rick Ross's baby momma and son, he's taking time out to promote his new album. After Tuesday's official release of Before I Self Destruct, 50 will visit New York where he'll co-host 106 and Park for three days.
His reign on the boob tube begins Thursday and runs until Monday. On the first day of his co-hosting duties, the network will air the second installment of their (more...)
The underground Hip-Hop scene in Atlanta is full of eclectic artists whose failed attempts at being different make them into carbon copies of each other. Then there's Grip Plyaz, the Atlanta born and bred rapper whose raw talent and southern slang puts him miles ahead of the rest. His name pays homage to grip pliers, the hardware tool he describes as the "hardest in the box," fitting considering the way he's managed to twist and mangle the underground rap scene. You can call him different, you can call him innovative but please, whatever you do, DO NOT call him a hipster.
HipHopWired: You were born and raised here in Atlanta but some people would say you don't have the typical ATL sound. What inspired you to do something different?
Grip Plyaz: I was tired of hearing the same 'ol monotony on the radio and in my surroundings. My sh*t is authentic, homegrown and ain't sh*t about me manufactured. I just like to make sure n*ggas know Grip.
HipHopWired: With that said, you're a staple here in the city. When do you think you're going to get your chance to get big and take your scene on a national level?
Grip Plyaz: Next year I feel should be a good year for me. Right now I'm f*ckin wit one single production team, The Weathermen from Cannon Music. I'm putting together a body of work which will push me to the next level. Wit putting out quality and working with my team, 2010 should be good.
HipHopWired: Explain your sound for people that may be unfamiliar.
Grip Plyaz: My sound is slum, southern roots...very bass driven. Chant-derived, strong hooks. N*gganese...which is my slang cuz I'm from n*gganon *laughs* Basically I'm not ordinary.
HipHopWired: Tell me about your background in music. How'd you get started rapping?
Grip Plyaz: I got started through working with Collective Efforts and Proton. 2 Atlanta hip-hop groups on the underground scene. They gave me the opportunity to perform and help me perfect my own sound.
HipHopWired: I heard you were part of an old Hip-Hop group, The Nobodies, tell me more about them.
Grip Plyaz: The Nobodies were myself and my homeboy Zoo Atlanta, a 2-man group back in the 90s. At first we wanted to perform in ski mask, didn't want anyone to see us. That's what drew Coach K (formerly Young Jeezy's manager) to manage us. Our album was called "who are u" but at the time, Zoo had his first baby and wanted to focus more on family life. We were in different stages of our lives.
HipHopWired: Anyone that's listened to “F*ck That Hipster Sh*t” knows you hate being classified as a hipster. So if you're not a hipster than what are you?
Grip Plyaz- "F*ck Dat Hipster Sh*t"
Grip Plyaz: I'm Grip. I'm my own entity. I'm 6 foot 6 and about 185 lbs, so I wear skinny jeans. N*ggas assume cuz I dress different I'm a hipster. I'm more hood den hipster. Sh*t my government last name is "hood" *laughs*
HipHopWired: I just heard you on that Killer Mike Underground Atlanta, tell me about you and Killer's relationship. I know he looks out for a lot of underground artists.
Grip Plyaz: I've known Killer for bout 5 years and he's always looked out. He's helped worked with a different scene and make it something that people care about. Cuz people like to discredit the "underground" atl music scene.
HipHopWired: What's the next big song you're pushing for?
Grip Plyaz: I wouldn't say just a single but on m project, Purp Wind And Fire I've got a few favorites: "Dayee izz" "I got “Whatchu need" and "Step out" featuring A Leon Craft. All produced by the Weathermen.
Grip Plyaz- "Dayee Izz"
HipHopWired: When can we expect another mixtape?
Grip Plyaz: I'm shootin for December. Gonna drop a few samplers, "6 packs" ...which gon be about 3 to 6 tracks of new sh*t...6 pack cuz I like beer. *Laughs* So each sampler kinda like a tribute to Pbr, Colt 45 and OE.
HipHopWired: Who are some artists you look forward to working with?
Grip Plyaz: Pill, Yelawolf, Proton, Dom Kennedy and Carter, Killer Mike. Eventually I wanna f*ck wit n*ggas like Gucci, OJ and maybe Nicki Minaj.
Grip Plyaz feat. Young Trimm and A. Leon Craft- Caddys
HipHopWired: Describe yourself and your music in one word. Grip Plyaz: Slum.
A 6-foot tall burning cross gave view to a side of one small Pennsylvania community that Joe and Candy Walbeck never knew existed.
The couple was shocked to find the charred remains of what was once a staple in the old south upon their doorstep.
Residing in a predominately white neighborhood, the Walbecks have been a staple with the community for many years, often adopting imperiled children as a means to spread to spread their own kind of love. This heinous mental assault marks the first time that the couple has been targeted for a hate crime.
The latest addition to the Walbeck family, Shaq, is a linebacker and fullback for local United High School; he is the family's first Black child.
Local officials are unsure as to whether the cross burning had any affiliation with the United High's football loss.
A ground breaking study conducted by researchers at Northwestern, Loyola, and Walden Universities has turned sociologists on their proverbial axis.
After studying more than 250 Black adolescents, all of whom hail from stereotypical Black surroundings, researchers discovered that raising youths' feelings regarding ethnic pride around the 7th and 8th grades, resulted in significantly higher mental health while raising their self-esteem above the norm.
This finding proves that having a firm grasp of one's racial identity, and allowing them the opportunity of knowing “who” they are, is a vital tool in the achievements and sustenance of a healthy mental capacity.
The research also proved that knowledge combined with a positive outlook of one's racial identity served as a strong buffer against depression for boys.
“These findings imply that ethnic pride is important to African-American adolescents' mental health for other reasons than it simply makes them feel better about themselves as individuals,” said associate professor of human development and social policy at Northwestern Jelani Mandara, in the November/December issue of Child Development Health Journal. “These findings also imply that ethnic pride may be as important as self-esteem to the mental health of [Black] adolescents.”
All it took was one study to pinpoint a serious issue that has been plaguing the Black community since we were brought here centuries ago. For those who feel that we should get over the “fleeting” effects of a practice long gone, well, they obviously cannot know what it is to be robbed of one's entire heritage.
As a people, we are still reeling from a system that still has a grasp on us, and though it may not be as obvious as the overseer's whip or a Jim Crow-Segregation Era lawman, the traps and perils are still there to complete the same goals that existed before.
If you don't know your history, you are bound to repeat it, so let's educate one another in an effort to achieve the greatness that has eluded us as a collective people.
We are Americans, but we must never forget WHO we are, or from whence we came.
2010: Immerse yourself in Black History…not just for a month, but daily. Make your ancestors proud!
As if the Tea Party'ers did not have enough trouble being taken seriously, one of their future leaders was caught red, or better yet white, handed venturing on the wrong side of the law.
Ezell Harris, a Florida conservative and staunch Tea Party supporter, is facing serious legal ramifications for his involvement in a Florida drug ring.
Harris is being charged with four counts of dispensing illegal drugs without a license, trafficking in hydrocodone, unlawful use of a two-way radio, and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Harris, who served as a military policeman in the U.S. Army for 3 years, is believed to have been a big player in the distribution of Lorcet and Vicodin, two brand names of hydrocodone.
The misguided political hopeful ran on a drug-regulation platform, noting that “prescriptions drugs have replaced cocaine and other illicit substances as the leading cause of deaths in Florida.”
Jermaine Dupri has seen his name in the news lately for positive reasons. Most recently JD's been in the headlines for his work alongside his Ocean's 7 family member Nelly for Atlanta flood victims and for adding diversity to his portfolio by working with rock band Weezer.
Now however JD's name has been added to a growing list of celebrities going through tax woes.
The state of Georgia filed a tax lien against him (more...)
“It became a hustle for Ma$e after a while dog… where he was gauging who he would talk to based around how much they were giving, that's a problem for me.”
“Ma$e, he owe the church an apology…He can't do music and the church because he start messing up when he does both.”
Just as Murda Ma$e is gearing up to make his return, one of his church members is calling him out and exposing the “false prophet.” Going at Betha harder than Killa Cam, Jay-Z, Beans or Jim Jones ever did, Legacy The Jesus has released “the real” (not a diss) track, letting the world know of Mase's charlatan (more...)
As previously reported, Gucci Mane was arrested last week for violating his parole. Well the troubled Atlanta MC has released a statement regarding him spending the next year in Georgia's Fulton County jail. He says,
“I have accepted full responsibility for my actions and I am ready to deal with what is in front of me right now. Thankfully, my label is still moving forward with my album release so I will have plenty to look forward to when I get out. I am remaining positive and want my fans to know that I am grateful for their loyalty and (more...)
