History
Hidden Colors 4: The Religion of White Supremacy (Trailer)
February 9, 2015
Well when it comes to movies or documentaries about Black History a majority of them deal with the same Civil Rights struggle or blacks in slavery stories. Â Both are part of Black history but not the only story and the Hidden Colors documentary series has done a great job covering information/history. Â The first three have been critically acclaimed with subtitles like “The Triumph of Melanin” & “The Rules of Racism” with the latest installment titled “The Religion of White Supremacy” that should be released later this year. Â Tariq Nasheed the creator & director of the Hidden Colors series has already confirmed speakers like Dr. Umar Johnson, Dr. Francis Cress Welding & Phil Valentine who have all participated in the first three. Â He has promise some new speakers with this upcoming edition. Â If you watched Hidden Colors three you saw how he surprised us by having the rappers Nas & David Banner discussing Racism. Â Who know he might have them back and other surprise rappers. Â Here is a link to a kickstarter that he has for the funding of volume 4 Click Here.
Posted in Activism, History, Human Interest, News, Politics, Trailer, Videos | 
Tags: Black History Month, Hidden Colors, Hidden Colors 4, Movie, Tariq Nasheed, The Religion Of White Supremacy, Trailer, Video | 
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Decoding Marvel: All The X-Men Explained In One Clip (Video)
January 26, 2015
Now, this is what we needed. Why hasn’t this been done before now? You think you know your X-Men? Watch this and see? Every X-Man… er… person… is covered in this Marvel character timeline video above. From the 1960s to today. Nice!
Posted in Action, Animation, Comics, Fantasy, History, Videos | Tags: Marvel, Marvel Comics, X-Men | No Comments »
Cornell University And Bill Adler To Create A Digital Hip-Hop Archive (Audio)
January 3, 2015
Aaliyah, Ace Hood, the Afros, Ali D, Arrested Development: In Bill Adler’s extensive collection of Hip-Hop history, some of the genre’s biggest names are arranged next to lesser mainstream artists.
Adler was the founding publicity director of Def Jam Records. One of his first assignments was getting pop music critics at daily newspapers to cover one of the label’s new artists, LL Cool J. He worked at Def Jam for six years, before going independent and later running a gallery devoted to Hip-Hop photography. From these ventures, he accrued a massive archive, which lived in a storage space in the basement of his building until he sold the collection to Cornell University last year. Soon it will also live online
Adler sent Cornell University 500 vinyl recordings, an impressive collection of books in several languages and roughly 100,000 newspaper and magazine articles about rap and Hip-Hop…
(more, including a FREE download of the “All Things Considered” segment on NPR, via the download link that follows)
DOWNLOAD: CORNELL UNIVERSITY AND BILL ADLER TO CREATE A DIGITAL HIP-HOP ARCHIVE
Posted in Education, Hip-Hop, History, Radio, Series | Tags: All Things Considered, BILL ADLER, CORNELL UNIVERSITY, Def Jam, Def Jam Recordings, DIGITAL HIP-HOP ARCHIVE, NPR | No Comments »
ESPN 30-For-30: The U Part 2 (Video)
December 31, 2014
Produced in 2009 by ESPN for its “30 for 30” series, “The U” was a look at all that was good and bad about the rise of the University of Miami’s football program in the 1980s. But that wasn’t the end of the story. “The U Part 2” picks up where the original film left off, with the program trying to recover from the devastation left by NCAA sanctions and scandals that had some calling for the school to drop football. The Hurricanes rose from those ashes to win another national championship, only to face new controversies when a booster used a Ponzi scheme to win favor with the program.
– ESPN 30-For-30
Posted in History, Series, Sports, Television, Videos | Tags: 30 For 30, College Football, ESPN, Miami Hurricanes, The U, The U Part 2, University Of Miami, University of Miami Hurricanes | No Comments »
Blank On Blank: Robin Williams’ 1991 Playboy Interview (Video)
December 5, 2014
“Comedy is there to basically show us we fart, we laugh. To make us realize we still are part animal…. So you don’t take yourself seriously and destroy the species.â€
– Robin Williams in 1991, as told to Lawrence Grobel.
PBS’ Blank on Blank series animates Robin Williams (RIP). The animated video provides insights on the late comedy mega-celeb via his 1991 Playboy interview. Sex and orgasm faces, world economy and government, film and farts as fuel in the future… so much crazy… BUT some stuff (like coming worldwide financial collapses) were eventually on the money.
Posted in Animation, Celebrity, History, Series, Videos | Tags: 1991 Playboy Interview, Blank on Blank, PBS, PBS Digital Studios, Playboy, Robin Williams | No Comments »
Jay Smooth Breaks Down Ferguson, The Riots, & People Being Pushed To Their Absolute Boiling Point (Video)
November 26, 2014
Jay Smooth always comes correct with the insightful social commentary on a variety of topics & events. The recent riots & protests taking place around the country in relation to what’s happening in Ferguson, Missouri is no different. I couldn’t relay my thoughts as perfectly as Jay Smooth did here in his latest opinion piece. I agree with him 100%
Posted in Activism, Cover Story, Education, History, Human Interest, Opinion, Politics, Progressive | Tags: Ferguson, Ferguson Missouri, Jay Smooth, Mike Brown, Missouri, Police brutality, Protests, RIOT, Riots | 1 Comment »
Nas Explores His Ancestry On ‘Finding Your Roots’ (Video)
November 4, 2014
They paid $830 for my Great, Great, Great Grandma? I got more than that in my pocket right now…
What can humble the G.O.D.M.C. Nassir? Knowing what his people went through… and by people we mean family; and by family, his blood… And knowing that his blood (3rd Great Grandmother) was bought for, in essence to him, pocket change.
Nas encounters his 3rd Great-Grandmother’s Bill of Sale, a devastatingly telling document.
Dr. Henry Louis Gates has made his bones over at PBS by wowing celebs with the truth of their existence; helping them learn of their family heritage… so they can know from whence they came. Digging in the crates in the vaults of [family, official, and historical] records, the Doc blows Nas away, as you can see on this latest production of ‘Finding Your Roots.’
(See the entire episode, which also features the still-so-sexy actress Angela Bassett and Presidential advisor Valerie Jarrett.)
Posted in Celebrity, Hip-Hop, History, Series, Television, Videos | Tags: Ancestry, Angela Bassett, Dr. Henry Louis Gates, Finding Your Roots, Heritage, Nas, PBS, Valerie Jarrett | No Comments »
Samuel King – “What I Wasn’t Taught In School” (Video)
October 29, 2014
OMG! This was me in secondary school. Can’t help but laugh a bit. But this Samuel King… some serious business with the message he’s delivering in this dramatic spoken word piece delivered in a classroom setting.
A Spoken word short film for those frustrated at Black History teaching in schools. Disillusioned student Samuel King relays his grievances to his teacher that Black History Month isn’t taught with as much depth and with as much pride in schools. Samuel engages in a short rebuttal with his teacher, before arguing that education in school does little to satisfy his thirst for knowledge of influential people in Black history who seem to be elusive in the curriculum.
“There seems to be a lot you haven’t told us, and you shut down and hold back on the bold ones who stand against the way you’re trying to mold us.”
Great video. A must watch!
Posted in Activism, History, Performance, Poetry, Videos | Tags: black history, Samuel King, What I Wasn't Taught In School | No Comments »
The Dawn Of Def Jam: Rick Rubin Returns To His College Dorm (Video)
October 29, 2014
Most who know know… at the heart of the engine of the legendary Def Jam Recordings was co-founder Rick Rubin. Take a trip with this clip. Back to before ‘those’ days. Right right at the beginning where it all began, in Rubin’s dorm room. Yeah, of course, Russell Simmons is in there speaking on it with some ‘others’ around back then, too.
Def Jam was started 30 years ago in Rick Rubin’s NYU dorm room. Watch him go back to the place where it all began for the very first time.
Posted in Hip-Hop, History, Videos | Tags: beginning, College, Def Jam, dorm room, Foundation, Founder, Rick Rubin | No Comments »
Notorious B.I.G. Commemorated By Some Of Those Who Knew Him Best (Video)
September 25, 2014
From NPR Microphone Check’s Frannie Kelly and Ali Shaheed Muhammad (of A Tribe Called Quest fame) comes this presentation of a panel exploring the late great veteran Notorious B.I.G. for this, the 20th year since “Ready To Die” dropped. Including Biggie’s first DJ Hubert Sam, jazz musician Donald Harrison Jr., writer Dream Hampton and The Source Magazine’s “Unsigned Hype†columnist (who gave him his first major writeup) Matty C., the panel gave classic commentary on the life and times of a classic Brooklyn emcee who left us with classic Hip-Hop music.
Watch part 1 of the recording of the historic happening above; part 2 after the jump.
Posted in Celebrity, Hip-Hop, History, Videos | Tags: If You Don’t Know, Microphone Check, Notorious B.I.G., Now You Know, NPR, The Stories Of Notorious B.I.G. | No Comments »
Freeway: Crack In The System (Trailer)
September 25, 2014
Very necessary watching. This trailer teases a provocative tale, but it’s no tale at all. This is the truth: About the onset and onslaught of crack, the ‘drug war’ of the Reagan Era, and everyone involved in starting and perpetuating the crack epidemic (including those supposedly fighting it). Most of all, this is the story of the one who once stood atop it all… Freeway Rick Ross.
At the center of the story stands the reformed King of Crack, Freeway Rick Ross, once just a clever kid from South Central with dreams of becoming the next tennis great and his eyes fixed on the good life. Freeway Rick—not to be confused with the rapper, Rick Ross, who took his name and identity—built a drug empire that spread crack cocaine across the country, ruining millions of lives but profoundly influencing street culture in its wake. The stories of Rick and his “Freeway Boys†inspired the lyrics of N.W.A., Above The Law, and Mix Master Spade, as well as the worlds portrayed in films and video games that dramatize the drug trade.
There is nothing about this film that should not compel you – abuse of power in our government, mass incarceration policies and militarization of police, the spread of gang violence and guns, and the loss of entire generations. Check out the trailer above.
Posted in Film, History, Politics, Videos | Tags: Crack In The System, Freeway - Crack In The System, Freeway Rick Ross | 1 Comment »
VICE Presents The Somali Pirates’ Perspective In ‘Fishing Without Nets’ (Trailer)
September 24, 2014
Okay, “Captain Phillips” you’ve had your say. And, it was a complex story. But the points of view, the heroes and victims, even the nature of the struggle… well, let’s just leave it peace by saying ‘things were askew’ for whatever reasons. Don’t retell your story though. It’s good. Here’s another for your consideration thoughtful movie watchers: “Fishing Without Nets” comes from the pirates’ perspective.
Watch the trailer above. Learn more about the movie, showings schedule, and more at the movie’s VICE Films site (here). And if you are in the Atlanta area, it’ll be on screen at The Plaza Theater (1049 Ponce De Leon Avenue Northeast), Thursday, October 9, 2014, at 9:30 PM EST. Ticketing and more show info on that here.
Posted in Film, History, Politics, Shots, Travel, Videos | Tags: Abdi, Abdikani Muktar, FISHING WITHOUT NETS | No Comments »
The ‘Back And Forth’ Continues: Rick Rubin And Russell Simmons Talk About Public Enemy And More (Video)
September 18, 2014
Public Enemy changed everything about Black America…
– Russell Simmons
The Hip-Hop version of The Clash?? Yep. And Rick Rubin would be the one to tell us about it in Back And Forth (Part 3). Get some gems and jewels about earrrly Chuck D, the founding and shaping of Public Enemy as an act (that would go on to enter the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame… and rock on ‘The Tonight Show’ the other night) from Rubin and Russell Simmons. Great stuff!
Posted in Celebrity, Hip-Hop, History, Series, Videos | Tags: Back And Forth, Chuck D, Part 3, Public Enemy, Rick Rubin, Russell Simmons | No Comments »
Blank On Blank: Michael Jackson Speaking On Godliness (Video)
September 18, 2014
“My singing… I’ll just say it simple as possible: it’s just godly.”
– Michael Jackson
The legend of Michael Jackson lives, in all facets, through things like this interview; animated for and presented by PBS’ Blank On Blank series. And part of his legend, is the well-known quirkiness inherent in in-person interaction with the King Of Pop. Even before “Thriller,” MJJ had his rules… like don’t stare or look him directly in the eyes. The rule/directive for this interview: Michael only talks to his sister Janet. So the interviewer, John Pidgeon, had to ask his questions to then 13-year old Janet Jackson who then relayed them to Michael.
Still, we get great insight from the session. Check it out.
Posted in Animation, Celebrity, History, Series, Videos | Tags: Blank on Blank, Janet Jackson, Michael Jackson, Michael Jackson Speaking On Godliness, PBS, PBS Digital Studios | No Comments »
Russell Simmons And Rick Rubin Continue The ‘Back And Forth’ Speaking On Beastie Boys And More (Video)
September 11, 2014
“It’s what the f##k geniuses do!”
– Russell Simmons (on Rick Rubin)
You heard him: Rick Rubin wrote lyrics with the Beastie Boys… too! Pretty much a Mister Everything in the Hip-Hop landscape, Rubin and his founding partner [of the legendary Def Jam Recordings label] (Russell Simmons) continue their back-and-forth convo with Noisey. We posted Part 1 on here earlier. Enjoy Part 2 above now.
Posted in Celebrity, Hip-Hop, History, Series, Videos | Tags: 30th Anniversary, Back & Forth, Def Jam, Def Jam Recordings, Noisey, Rick Rubin, Russell Simmons | No Comments »
Kingdoms of Africa: West Africa (Documentary)
September 7, 2014
Incredible BBC Four documentary presentation. Frames West African history as an arc of time and development with timeless elements that exist in culture today as they did centuries earlier. Among the topics woven into this video are matters and practices regarding faith and worship, royalty and society, engineering and architecture, travel and trade, politics and war, and especially the arts are covered. Right from the start, the importance of the arts (including storytelling and recorded history) and craftsmanship as ways of marking time and linking present to past Africa is established.
In Benin, it seems history isn’t written by the victors. It’s written by the artists.
So much good content. Watch and digest thoroughly. This not just African history… this is world history!
People were using pottery here 8,000 years before it appeared in Great Britain… When West Africans began developing the skills that would eventually create some of the most exquisite art in the world, Europe was just emerging from the last Ice Age.
Posted in Film, History, Shots, Television, Travel, Videos | Tags: ancient culture, ancient history, ancient religion, animist, animist religions, BBC, BBC Four, culture, Kingdoms of Africa West Africa, Religion | No Comments »
Science: Drexel’s Ken Lacovara Discovers Your Dino-Nightmare – Dreadnoughtus Schrani (Video)
September 5, 2014
In the near Antarctic region of the world, a mega-megaton creature with no fear or reason to fear anyone in its path. Not just because of its massive size and musculature (think: 13 bull elephants smashed into one creature) …but also because of its weaponized tail! Cyclops to Professor X: I think we have found the Savage Land. Brace yourself, people, we’re going in!
Drexel University professor Ken Lacovara has recently unveiled a new supermassive dinosaur species he discovered and unearthed with his team between 2005 and 2009. Weighing in at nearly 65 tons, Dreadnoughtus schrani is the largest land animal ever found of calculable mass and also by far one of the most complete skeletons ever found for a dinosaur in this mass range!
And…Dreadnoughtus schrani (translation: “fears nothingâ€) is a herbivore? WTF did they put in the veggies back then?? DAMN!
Posted in Education, History, Nature, Science, Videos | Tags: dinosaur, Dreadnoughtus schrani, Drexel University, Ken Lacovara, supermassive dinosaur | 1 Comment »
Russell Simmons and Rick Rubin, Founders Of Def Jam Recordings, Speak On The Early Days, The Clubs, ‘Radio’ And More (Video)
September 5, 2014
Two music pioneers, on Noisey’s Back & Forth series, speaking on the 30th Anniversary of the legendary Def Jam Recordings. Founders Russell Simmons and Rick Rubin talk about the early days of the label, their first twelve-inch release, LL Cool J’s hit “Radio,” and LL Cool J’s involvement with Run-D.M.C. and so much more above.
Posted in Celebrity, Hip-Hop, History, Series, Videos | Tags: 30th Anniversary, Back & Forth, Def Jam, Def Jam Recordings, Noisey, Rick Rubin, Russell Simmons | 1 Comment »
Souls Of Mischief Talk About Their Past, Influences, Music And Future Moves On NPR’s Microphone Check
September 4, 2014
Oakland group Souls of Mischief is the invited guest on this episode of NPR’s Microphone Check. The emcees speak to Adrian Younge, producer of Souls’ recently-released LP – “There Is Only Now” (which Mic Check co-host Ali Shaheed Muhammad, of A Tribe Called Quest, narrates. Great conversation, memories and insights shared by three Souls members (Tajai, Phesto and Opio) with Younge, Ali and Mic Check co-host Frannie Kelley.
Listen below. Take a trip back to last century. The Golden Age of Hip-Hop; from a unique West Coast Oaktown perspective. From the ’80s and early ’90s – still taking it to the next level today their way. Respect. Souls.
“We respected it all but we wanted to be different. We didn’t want to sound like anybody else. Those were the rules of the greatest rappers that we heard.”
Mission accomplished. Stream and download this episode of Microphone Check below.
DOWNLOAD: SOULS OF MISCHIEF ON NPR’S MICROPHONE CHECK | THERE IS ONLY NOW
Posted in Album, Celebrity, Hip-Hop, History, Radio, Series | Tags: Adrian Younge, Ali Shaheed Muhammad, Frannie Kelley, Microphone Check, NPR, Opio, Phesto, Souls of Mischief, Tajai, There Is Only Now | No Comments »
ATL: The Untold Story Of Atlanta’s Rise In The Rap Game (Documentary)
September 3, 2014
VH1 rockDOCS brings another one in for a landing. Last night, “ATL: The Untold Story Of Atlanta’s Rise In The Rap Game” debuted on VH1 and gave viewers an hour of video power that frames Atlanta’s Hip-Hop culture and music development in one complete narrative work; then to now.
The documentary covers the city’s evolution, from segregation to a modern day cultural mecca, aka Black Hollywood. ATL became the place to be; a Hip-Hop nerve center and focal point for what’s now and next. The city with the power now… and into the foreseeable future; and this is the documentary that tells its story. Deep and thorough. Reflective and provocative. Watch and get some questions answered. Start some new conversations. Enjoy.
Posted in Hip-Hop, History, Shots, Television, Videos | Tags: ATL, The Untold Story Of Atlanta’s Rise In The Rap Game | No Comments »
