History
Last Stop on the 4 Train: A Visit to the Masters (Documentary)
August 11, 2014
“Last Stop on the 4 Train” documents Jazz history by relating conversations and stories between three modern music gurus. The greats they celebrate as they ‘conversate’ – like Miles Davis, Duke Ellington, Coleman Hawkins, Jackie McLean, Max Roach, Milt Jackson, and Lionel Hampton – have been laid to rest at what must be considered a shrine of the Jazz Masters, Woodlawn Cemetery. That’s where the train is going, the venue for the convo, though you will see the story reaches far beyond that. The music has no final resting place; and these guys’ stories breathe in new life and insight. Music greats are immortals; and the linkages and influence to and on Hip-Hop will be made clear and plain by the end of this train ride.
Artists and enthusiasts John Robinson (emcee, Jazz visionary), Thomas Simmons (Jazz radio DJ), and T.C. III (Jazz vocalist, son of Jazz legends Trudy Pitts and Bill “Mr. C†Carney) bring pedigree and passion to telling stories that should delight Jazz heads old and new; as well as the crate diggers out here. Start with the trailer/teaser above. Then hit the jump to get into parts 1 and 2 below.
Learn more and ride the line all the way out via the official site for the project http://www.laststoponthe4train.com.
Posted in Hip-Hop, History, Jazz, Videos | 
Tags: A Visit to the Masters, John Robinson, Last Stop on the 4 Train, T.C. III, Thomas Simmons, Woodlawn Cemetery | 
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PBS: “Finding Your Roots” With Dr. Henry Louis Gates Explores Celebrities’ Family Trees, Including Nas’ (Season Trailer)
August 1, 2014
“Now I’m looking into their world…”
– Nas
PBS is home to some incredible television. Real. Not ‘reality TV.’ Case in point: “Finding Your Roots” with Dr. Henry Louis Gates, Jr. Following on a great inaugural season, Season 2 is going to be loaded with guests who want to know the depth of the roots of their family trees. Everyone will learn something stunning about themselves on the show. The G.O.D.M.C. Nassir Jones (aka Nas), shown among other celeb guests in the season trailer above, seemed very reflective about what Dr. Gates found and shared with him. Check out the trailer. And check local listings for broadcast times.
Posted in Celebrity, Education, Hip-Hop, History, Series, Television, Videos | Tags: Dr. Henry Louis Gates, Finding Your Roots, Henry Louis Gates, Henry Louis Gates Jr., Nas, Nassir Jones, Season 2 | 2 Comments »
JFK: The Private President (Trailer)
July 8, 2014
Most consider the Kennedys to be the closest thing to American royalty we have had in the States. Likely why so much mystique surrounds them; and why we are compelled to watch when someone brings a story about them to the small or big screen. Most are very worthy of the attention, especially the ones about John F. (JFK); and it looks like “JFK: The Private President” will not drop the ball either. Saw this covered in Rolling Out magazine.
Posted in Celebrity, Film, History, Politics, Videos | Tags: JFK, John F. Kennedy, John Fitzgerald Kennedy, The Private President | No Comments »
You Must Learn, Episode 1: Jeru The Damaja – The Sun Rises In The East (Podcast)
June 11, 2014
GangStarr-affiliated Golden Era great Jeru The Damaja has the dope podcast episode out…now! Yeah, The East Is In The House for the “You Must Learn” pod series. Great talk about his early years; with family influences, life experiences, very noteworthy peers and mentors in the Hip-Hop game (RIP Guru) and much more. DANGER: Extreme risk of reminiscing upon listening. Side effects include Hip-Hop enlightenment and insight.
This is “You Must Learn” [produced and edited] by Peter Oasis, written by Dharmic X, and executive produced by Evan Auerbach (of @UpNorthTrips), with narration from Soul Khan. The intro was produced by DJ Flipout, and the artwork was designed by Kelly Green. Special thanks to Sarah Honda for the love. “You Must Learn” was recorded in your mother’s basement next to your favorite blogger somewhere in Bed-Stuy, Brooklyn.
Please subscribe to “You Must Learn” on iTunes, Stitcher, and wherever great podcasts can be found.
– @ojones1
Posted in Hip-Hop, History, Series | Tags: Episode 1, Jeru the Damaja, PODCAST, The Sun Rises In The East, You Must Learn | No Comments »
Get On Up (James Brown’s Biopic) [Movie Trailer #2]
June 2, 2014
Chadwick Boseman plays Godfather Of Soul, Mr. Hardworking, James Brown in the biopic coming to theaters August 1, 2014 (JB from Augusta…August…okay). You may have seen the first trailer we posted (it’s here), but this one cuts a bit deeper; more vulnerable. “Get On Up” co-stars include the likes of Dan Aykroyd, Octavia Spencer, Viola Davis, Jill Scott, and Craig Robinson.
Posted in Celebrity, Film, History, Videos | Tags: 2nd Trailer, Biopic, Chadwick Boseman, Get On Up, James Brown, Official Trailer #2, Second Trailer | No Comments »
The Black Roots Of Memorial Day
May 26, 2014
(Above: Yale Professor David Blight recounts the 1st Memorial Day organized by Blacks in 1865)
An enlightening read, “The Black Roots of Memorial Day,” relates a historical account with elements common to several U.S. regions’ claiming to be the early birthplace of the National Holiday commemorating America’s fallen soldiers. In addition to several print versions online, surfing YouTube on the topic, you will come across several videos that tell the origin story of Memorial day. Below, after the jump, is the segment produced by the History Channel.
It seems that all origin stories agree that a grassroots movement to decorate the graves of those who died fighting in the Civil War, Union and Confederate, in honor of them giving their lives for what they believed to be their country’s cause, eventually became Decoration Day…which eventually became Memorial Day. Also common to most accounts, holding that the Memorial Day is still more of a ‘Union’ observation, we find several southern states continue to celebrate Confederate Memorial Day.
Offered after the jump is more on “The Black Roots”… But in the end, what matters is what matters to you. Celebrate the holiday as you feel best. Now, you can do so knowing a bit more about the history behind it.
Be safe and thankful for folks looking out for you, then and now.
READ THE FULL REPRINT OF ‘THE BLACK ROOTS OF MEMORIAL DAY’ HERE.
Posted in History, Videos | Tags: Civil War, Confederacy, Confederate, Decoration Day, Federal Holiday, Holiday, Memorial Day, Soldiers, Troops, Union | 1 Comment »
Mark Ronson TED Talks About Sampling (Video)
May 23, 2014
How apropos for Hip-Hop Appreciation Week! Producer Mark Ronson shows and proves… lectures and moves the crowd at TED with his sampling/mixing demo and talk about the history of such. A very enlightening way to spend 15 minutes; learning from a musical scholar!
Posted in Education, Hip-Hop, History, Performance, Producers, Series, Technology, Videos | Tags: Mark Ronson, TED, Ted Talk | No Comments »
Welcome To ‘Atlanta’ (Narrated By DJ SpeakerFoxxx) [Video]
May 13, 2014
Terminus City. Atlanta. ATL. Always at the forefront of culture and their own cool. It ain’t just the home of OutKast. My Homegirl DJ SpeakerFoxxx narrated this piece for Guardian. Uncensored … includes the influence of strip clubs in ATL.
Nas – “Time Is Illmatic” (Documentary) [Trailer]
April 12, 2014
It has been 20 years since the release of Nas’ “Illmatic.” Remember when we told you the “Illmatic XX” drops April 15, 2014? Well, a documentary on “Illmatic” and its impact – “Time Is Illmatic” – is debuting at this year’s Tribeca Film Festival’s opening night movie (April 16, 2014).
PRE-ORDER THE ALBUM: NAS – THE ILLMATIC XX (LINK)
Posted in Film, Hip-Hop, History, Videos | Tags: illmatic, ILLMATIC XX, Nas, Time Is Illmatic, Tribeca, Tribeca Film Festival | 4 Comments »
The Massive Bootlegging Of Nas’s Classic ‘Illmatic’ Album
April 10, 2014
Interesting share from Revolt TV, appropriately timed with the release of “Illmatic XX” – Nas’ 20-year commemoration of his legend-establishing album “Illmatic.” Taking us back to 1994 with talk about the classic’s release, MC Serch and Faith Newman tell us how far bootleggers and music fans would go to get their hands on the eventual G.O.D.MC’s LP.
Newman – a former A&R at Columbia Records and the executive producer responsible for wrapping up “Illmatic” and releasing it to the world ahead of schedule – explained, “We would’ve liked to record more stuff, but we had to get it out in a hurry, because there were so many bootleg copies. Like so many.”
MC Serch goes on to admit, “We were breaking into garages in the Bronx, because counterfeiters had 70,000 cassettes of “Illmatic,” with a drawing of Nas on a cross, crucified…And Donnie Einer, who was the chairman of Columbia, calling me like, ‘Yo, we’re pushing up the release date.'”
These are stories behind the story of an album, that took nearly two years to record, rushed out to beat back the bootleggers already in the marketplace with copies.
Today, leaks and copies (digital quality, of course) in the hands of the masses… well, that’s just what is… but back then when there was barely an Interweb and no mp3’s… This was insane!
READ AND VIEW INTERVIEWS: MASSIVE BOOTLEGGING OF NAS
Posted in Hip-Hop, History | Tags: bootleggers, Faith Newman, illmatic, ILLMATIC XX, MC Serch, Nas, Piracy, Serch | No Comments »
Unsung: Nile Rodgers & CHIC (Video)
March 30, 2014
Let us tell all you jive turkeys out there something: Nile Rodgers was the man in the 1970s… and he is still doing it like he did back then! Daft Punk recruited the man for that purpose. Amazing what can learn on TVOne’s Unsung. Watch.
Posted in Dance, Funk, History, Series, Television, Videos | Tags: CHIC, Nile Rodgers, TV ONE, Unsung | No Comments »
Nelson George And Sway Speak On The New Book About Don Cornelius, Soul Train And More (Video)
March 29, 2014
Dancing is whack? Really? Nah… Nothing wrong with dance in our culture. Dance is part of our culture. In fact, Nelson George stops by Sway in the Morning to reminds us where the dance craze always started, Soul Train. Nelson also clears up some other long-held “truths” we were so sure about. Like how that Tupac vs. the Hughes Brothers thing really went down. Yeah. You gotta watch.
THE HIPPEST TRIP IN AMERICA: SOUL TRAIN AND THE EVOLUTION OF CULTURE & STYLE
Unsung: Too $hort (Video)
March 23, 2014
Why wouldn’t you put the man who’s been pimpin’ on tracks since the 1980s on TVOne’s Unsung? Well, the question is moot now. New question: What took them so long? Too Short is Unsung!
Posted in Hip-Hop, History, Series, Television, Videos | Tags: Too Short, TV ONE, Unsung | No Comments »
Unsung Hollywood: Robin Harris (Video)
March 16, 2014
Don’t get @ojones1 started on the greatness of Robin Harris! You will get that story about him and his dad pushing the 1978 ’98 Regency Oldsmobile through Montgomery and Tuskegee (Alabama) all Saturday… with that Robin in concert cassette tape in the deck. Guaranteed. Comedic legend on the rise. Gone way too soon. Gone but not forgotten. Especially if TVOne’s Unsung Hollywood has anything to do with it!
Posted in Comedy, History, Series, Television, Videos | Tags: Robin Harris, TV ONE, unsung hollywood | No Comments »
Unsung Hollywood: Pam Grier (Video)
March 9, 2014
TV One’s Unsung has given birth to a spinoff: Unsung Hollywood. And it’s off to a strong start! Many folks would fight to put Pam Grier on a Black Hollywood Mount Rushmore if we had one. But her full props have been yet to come… until now.
Posted in Film, History, Series, Television, Videos | Tags: Pam Grier, TV ONE, unsung hollywood | No Comments »
“I Am Philadelphia”: Allen Iverson Reflects on his Career with the Philadelphia 76ers (Video)
March 2, 2014
Last night the Philadelphia 76ers retired future hall of famer Allen Iverson’s jersey number & it was a special night in the city. It was clear that A.I. embraced Philly just as much as we embraced him. Allen Iverson was a high profile athlete who repped my hometown, but he was the personification of what being from Philadelphia was all about. Tough, hardworking, blue collar, & fearless.
Posted in Hip-Hop, History, Sports, Videos | Tags: A.I., Allen Iverson, Basketball, NBA, Philadelphia, Philadelphia 76ers, Philly, Sixers, The Answer | No Comments »
Why Engagement Rings Are A Scam (Video)
February 17, 2014
A few years ago I got into a debate with a few friends of mine about how many of the diamonds & jewelry that most rap artists wear do not have really have any REAL value. I tried to educate them on the history of engagement rings, blood diamonds, & an a myriad of things that could be easily researched through google, but people don’t always listen to you unless it’s on television or something. Well go ahead & watch this and should you & your significant other decide to get engaged you may want to invest in real estate instead of spending heavy for something that doesn’t have any REAL value. But I have to agree with the college humor crew….. Most of you will still buy them anyway.
Posted in Cover Story, Education, Fashion, History, Human Interest, Lifestyle, Videos | Tags: Diamonds, Engagement Rings, Why Engagement Rings Are A Scam | 1 Comment »
Cesar Chávez: An American Hero (Movie Trailer)
January 30, 2014
“You can’t humiliate someone who has pride.”
A soldier-general at the head of another history’s battles for human rights and dignity, Cesar Chavez has a movie coming about life and life accomplishments this March. Should be a must see.
Directed by Diego Luna, Chávez chronicles the birth of a modern American movement led by famed civil rights leader and labor organizer, Cesar Chávez. Torn between his duties as a husband and father and his commitment to bringing dignity and justice to others, Chávez embraced non-violence as he battled greed and prejudice in his struggle for the rights of farm workers. His triumphant journey is a remarkable testament to the power of one individual’s ability to change the system.
L. Ron Hubbard’s Great-Grandson Spills The Family Secrets Detailing How Scientology Started (Video)
January 13, 2014
One of my personal philosophies is to ‘Question Everything’. I’m not a person who is big on religion, but I’m big on Karma, love, & spirituality. This story from the great-grandson of L. Ron Hubbard should remind people to keep thinking for themselves in every aspect.
“You wanna know how you really get rich? Start a religion.”
– Jamie DeWolf, recalling the words of his great-grandfather L. Ron Hubbard (Founder of Scientology)
Posted in Faith, History, Performance, Stage, Videos | Tags: Grandson, Jamie DeWolf, L. Ron Hubbard, Performance of the YEAR, Scientology, Snap Judgment, The God Or The Man | No Comments »
Blank On Blank: Ray Charles Speaking On Singing True (Video)
January 10, 2014
Interview by Joe Smith captured some gems in interviewing the late great Ray Charles during the writing of “Off the Record” (June 3, 1987).
“If somebody don’t like something that I do, that’s his or her prerogative. Just like it’s mine.”
– Ray Charles
Posted in Animation, Celebrity, History, Series, Soul, Videos | Tags: Blank on Blank, PBS, PBS Digital Studios, Ray Charles, Ray Charles on Singing True | No Comments »
