DO THE RIGHT THING 20 YEARS LATER

The year is 1989, this was a confusing year for a teenager growing up in America to understand how the world ticked and moved at the pace it was going. The latest NWA tape was out and me and a few of my good friends are riding around in the city blasting all the tracks off of the album. Since it was not much that teenagers could get into legally that night we decided to hit up that new Spike Lee joint called “Do The Right Thing”. As usual we found a way to sneak into the already packed and sold out viewing of the movie, only to have our perception of race relations changed once the movie ended.

Do The Right Thing was written, produced and directed by Spike Lee. The film tells a tale of bigotry and racial conflict in a multi-ethnic community in the Bedford-Stuyvesant neighborhood of Brooklyn, New York on the hottest day of the year. Filmed on Stuyvesant Avenue between Lexington Avenue and Quincy Street, the film stars Lee, Danny Aiello, Ossie Davis, Ruby Dee, Richard Edson, Giancarlo Esposito, Bill Nunn, and John Turturro. Do the Right Thing marks the feature film debuts of both Martin Lawrence and Rosie Perez.

The film was released to protests from many reviewers, including the New York magazine; it was openly stated in several newspapers that the film could incite black audiences to riot. No such riots occurred, and Lee criticized white reviewers for assuming that black audiences were incapable of restraining themselves while watching a fictional motion picture.

Do The Right Thing examined racism in all its complexity. A storyline that shows how pre-judgments and misconceptions can fuel the fire of the disease we call racism. If you have never seen Do The Right Thing please check it out.

Do The Right Thing Facts:

This film was inspired by an actual incident in New York where some black youths were chased out of a pizzeria by some white youths in a section of New York known as Howard Beach.

All of the scenes of the "Corner Men" Robin Harris, Paul Benjamin, and Frankie Faison were improvised.

President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama reportedly watched this movie on their first date.

The opening line is "Wake up," while the closing line in Spike Lee's previous film, School Daze, was also "Wake up."

Here is a famous clip from the movie and Public Enemy’s Do The Right Thing track called “Fight The Power”.

The Narbolo Company – Black Think Aesthetic

Every now and then an artist or Illustrator really blows me away with their work and vision. The Narbolo Company is a company owned by Norman Batts that provides graphic art and design to people who request their services. This is nothing out of the ordinary because millions of companies and artist provide this service on a regular basis. But once you see the designs and concepts created by Norman Batts you will soon see the magic and genius that he puts down on a pen and pad or a computer screen.



Based out of historic Portsmouth, Virginia the Narbolo Company provides afro-centric based design, illustration and paintings. The Narbolo company also creates vector drawings, symbols, websites, animations and clothing. The work of the Narbolo Company emphasizes African-American culture, philosophy and history. The power of his designs lay in the reaction to his vivid images, colors and concepts.



If you truly enjoy art then take a minute and check out Norman Batts and the Narbolo Company.

To see more examples of Norman Batts and the Narbolo Company please check out their website at www.Narbolo.com

Judah & Amen RA Present: Curtis Mayfield 3000 EP

Check out my man Judah out of DC...up and coming producer!

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K’naan - ABCs With Chubb Rock Live On Jimmy Kimmel

A few blog posts ago I promoted an artist K'Naan who I feel is about to break through to mainstream radio in 2009. Check out a video of K'Naan and Chubb Rock performing on Jimmie Kimmel Live! Big ups to Jimmie Kimmel for promoting Hip Hop on his show on a regular basis!

Putting Together a Hamburger, a Neighborhood and Hip-Hop

By COREY KILGANNON
Published: February 19, 2009
New York TImes

On a nondescript street corner in Hollis, Queens, a small — and quite affordable — burger joint opened recently.

The place, Hollis Famous Burgers, offers mini-burgers for $1; for that price diners get a complimentary viewing of the Hollis Hip Hop Museum. The word “museum” might be a bit of an overstatement, given the space, but the collection and what it celebrates are not, at least not to the people behind it.

There are more than 100 items on the walls testifying to the neighborhood as a fertile ground for hip-hop artists. Along with a helping of chicken wings, washed down with a cup of “Hollis Famous” lemonade, customers can examine the hit CDs of local rap legends, like Ja Rule, LL Cool J, and Irv Gotti, the founder of Murder Inc., the hip-hop record company that launched several careers.

“Hollis is our Motown, our Nashville, our Beale Street,” said Orville Hall, 42, the owner of the restaurant, and a childhood friend of the members of Run-DMC, which happens to be the best-represented rap group in the burger joint — rather, museum.
At the grand opening on Thursday afternoon, Mr. Hall explained that there was something about Hollis “back in the day” that seemed to nurture hip-hop artists. There was a keen desire for live D.J.’s and M.C.’s at local parties.

It was a working-class black neighborhood that was tough but not bleak. The rap lyrics from neighborhood artists had swagger but were clean enough to be offered to the mainstream.
Mr. Hall decided that Hollis, and perhaps his own business interests, would be best served by pairing a burger restaurant with the museum. On Thursday his venture got the blessing of DMC, whose real name is Darryl McDaniels and who recited a few of his famous lyrics.

Standing near his gold and platinum records, Mr. McDaniels said he wanted people in the neighborhood to use them as proof of the power of persistence to succeed, whatever the odds.

“Because we did something good, people in hoods all over the world were able to look at us and say, ‘Yo, I know what I can do, and I know what I can be.’ If you don’t believe it, then history is on the wall, homie.”

Mr. McDaniels donated one of his gold records (“Run-DMC”) and a platinum one (“Raising Hell”).

The location of the museum, at Hollis Avenue and 203rd Street, is not a glamorous one. Neighboring storefronts are shuttered with metal roll-down barricades tagged with graffiti and across the street, the windows of a building are boarded up.

Amid the celebration there was poignancy. Jam Master Jay, Run-DMC’s turntable master, did not live to see it. He grew up a few steps from the restaurant, on 203rd Street, where he was, earlier in life, known as Jason Mizell. He was shot and killed in 2002 in his recording studio on nearby Merrick Avenue. His murder remains unsolved.

The most prominent display in the museum is a large portrait of Mr. Mizell looking solemnly downward. The portrait bears the words “From Hollis to Hollywood.” A turntable and a display case with a pair of Adidas sneakers draped with a fat gold chain hang alongside.

Mr. McDaniels, dressed in jeans and a T-shirt with the logo of the rock band AC/DC, arrived in a black Lincoln Navigator. He hugged the people he recognized.

There was Kenny Thompson, 41, who was once known as Kenny Krash for his flair on turntables when he played with — and worked for — Run-DMC. Now he drives a New York City Transit bus in Manhattan; he arrived straight from work, wearing his blue uniform.

There was Douglas Hayes, 44, who was known as the rapper Butter Love and who performed with Run-DMC on the single “It’s the Beat.”

There was Shannon Dennis who said he was a D.J. from Queens; he arrived with Run-DMC blasting from his 1980 canary yellow Cadillac. He was dressed as a member of the band, complete with black bowler hat and thick gold chain.

Mr. McDaniels said he hoped the museum would help heal the wound created by Mr. Mizell’s murder.

Mr. Hall said his desire to open a tribute to Run-DMC stretched back to the early 1980s when he first heard his friends performing “Sucker MCs” on the radio.
“I was shocked,” he said, “that local guys we knew could take their talent and make something of themselves, which is what rap is all about.”

Lupe Fiasco’s Retirement Plans Deferred

Retirement will have to wait for Lupe Fiasco. The “Superstar” rapper has taken to his blog saying that his once final album LupE.N.D. has been “canceled until further notice.” Instead, he’s planning to release three albums over the next year and a half.

“Due to circumstances beyond my control…the album roll out has changed radically…LUPE.N.D. has been postponed indefinitely!!! As a matter of fact consider it cancelled until further notice!!!” he wrote on Friday.

Lupe also revealed that his third album, The Great American Rap Album, will arrive in June. “See ya’ll in June and again in December and again next June. LupE.N.D. right after that…when the liberation comes!!!”

The rapper’s publicist has confirmed the news.

LupE.N.D. was scheduled to be a three-disc set. There is speculation that Lupe owes his label Atlantic Records three or more albums before his contract expires.

Check out a video of Lupe in action below:

Damani “My Adidas”

Remake of Classic Run DMC and Jam Master Jay Adidas Anthem

West Coast rapper Damani has joined forces with Adidas to release a limited edition EQT titled, “Congratulations Player”. Coming in a black/green/red/gold colorway, the limited edition shoe blends high quality materials with urban style. The shoe was also given the added touch of Damani’s logo and the words “Congratulations Player” to the heel. Sneaker was designed by Dustin Canalin (Undr Crwn) and Damani.

The Adidas EQT Damani Low will retail for $100, and be available at exclusive shoe stores in only 15 markets including Los Angeles, Atlanta, Seattle, New York, Boston, Houston, Miami, Detroit and a few
others.

NAS AND DAMIAN MARLEY TEAM FOR ALBUM

Nas has been in Los Angeles for the last several weeks quietly recording a new album with reggae star Damian Marley, Billboard.com reports. “We’ve been recording in a studio, where people like Mick Jagger are recording. No one knew who we were,” Nas’ manager, Anthony Saleh, tells Billboard. “We’re going to Miami this week to finish it up and we’re aiming to tour for the album this summer.” The as-yet-untitled collaboration will likely be released in the spring. But it is not yet clear what label will release the project; Nas is signed to Def Jam, while Marley records for Universal.

In addition to its regular incarnation, the album may also be released in a special edition exclusively through Best Buy or Target. A portion of the proceeds will go toward building a school in Africa.

Hip Hop and Beyond: Introducing K'Naan

Sometimes we forget or take the Hip Hop culture for granted. The media can hype up beef between 50 and Rick Ross, talk about DMX getting locked up or how Hova is going to retaliate on Chris for the incident he had with Rihanna. But when a good story comes along that shows the world the reach and influence on how Hip Hop can be a positive factor, we here little about it. Here's a success story on how Hip Hop helped a person cope with his struggles and ultimately put him in a position not only to help himself but people and the country he came from. Introducing K'Naan!

Born in Mogadishu, Somalia, K'naan spent his childhood in the district of Wardhiigleey ("The Lake of Blood") during the Somali Civil War, which began in 1991. His aunt, Magool, was one of Somalia's most famous singers. K'naan's grandfather, Haji Mohamed, is a poet. K'naan is also a Muslim. His name, K'naan, means "traveller" in the Somali language. K'naan's father, Abdi, left the country, along with many other intellectuals to settle in New York City and work as a cab driver. He mailed money home to his family—and for K'naan, hip hop albums by artists like Nas and Rakim. Despite speaking no English, the young K'naan taught himself hip hop and rap diction, copying the lyrics and style phonetically.As the civil war continued and the situation in Somalia continued to deteriorate, K'naan's mother, Marian Mohamed, petitioned the United States embassy for an exit visa. In 1991, on the last day the US embassy remained open as the government of Mohamed Siad Barre collapsed, their visa was approved, and they boarded the last commercial flight out of the country.They joined relatives in Harlem, New York City, before moving to the Toronto, Ontario neighbourhood of Rexdale, where there was a large Somali Canadian community. His family still lives there. In his new country, K'naan began learning English and also began rapping. He dropped out of school in grade ten to travel for a time, rapping at open mic events, and eventually returned to Toronto.

K'Naan's debut album The Dusty Foot Philosopher, which was released in 2005 to critical acclaim. Since then, he has been on tour promoting his album and working on his follow-up release, "Troubadour," his debut album for new label A&M/Octone Records. He has also been working with artists like Nelly Furtado, Mos Def, The Roots, Dead Prez, and Pharoahe Monch on tours such as Live 8 and Breedlove Odyssey. He also collaborated with Damian Marley on the "Welcome to Jamrock" touring session.

His second studio album, Troubadour, is set for release on February 24, 2009 on A&M/Octone Records, and will be distributed through Universal Music Group worldwide. The album's first single, "ABC's", was released to radio in late 2008, and is featured in the videogame Madden NFL 09.

Open your ears and mind and check out a child of Hip Hop all the way from Somolia. 2009 is the year K'Naan breaks through to mainstream radio!

Michael Jackson, James Brown and Prince On Stage Together

Here is some real classic sh*t! Classic video of a James Brown performance where both Michael Jackson and Prince come up on stage.

DJ Concept : A Bob Marley Celebration (Mixtape)

Today Feb 6, 2008 is Bob Marley's birthday. Please check out the mixtape featuring the music legend Bob Marley!!

”It’s Friday, it’s Bob Marley’s birthday - so I figured it was only right to create a mix & celebrate the life of a legend. Bob Marley was basically responsible for spreading Jamaican music to the worldwide audience. This is just a small selection of joints from his catalog with a little help from a some rock & hip-hop heavyweights. Whether you’re at work listening in your headphones, or home blazing - enjoy these classics from the Mr. Marley. “ -DJ Concept

Them Choose Reggae Music Intro
Trench Town Rock [Live]
Natty Dread
Gonna Get You
Roots, Rock feat. Aerosmith
Duppy Conqueror [Fort Knox Five Remix]
Mr. Brown [Styles Of Beyond]
Dracula
Put It On
Could You Be Loved
Kaya
Herb Interlude
Hold Ya Head [Notorious B.I.G. feat. Bob Marley]
Johnny Was
Midnight Ravers
Them Belly Full (But We Hungry) [Live @ The Lyceum]
Catch A Fire
Revolution
Pimper’s Paradise
No More Trouble
Exodus
Unauthorized Biography Of Bob Marley [Shaun Boothe]
No Woman No Cry [Live]

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Nat King Cole x Nas x The Roots

Here are a couple of tracks off the upcoming Nat King Cole remix album Re: Generations, which will also feature guest appearances from Cee-Lo, will.i.am, Izza Kizza, Cut Chemist, Just Blaze and others.

Nat King Cole ft. Nas & Salaam Remi - The Game Of Love

Nat King Cole ft. The Roots - Walkin’ My Baby Back Home

Young Chris ft. Wale & Bun B - Searching

The “Searching for an Outlet Global Campaign ” in which Young Chris invites fans from around the world to download, record and submit their verse for the opportunity to appear along side the critically acclaimed new allido/interscope recording artist Wale, the Legendary Bun-B and Young Chris himself on the stand out single form the 30 days 30 verses web campaign and mix tape. The final version will appear on the Highly anticipated forth coming Young Chris album “Now or Never” set to be released this year.

Fans are encouraged to rap, sing or even talk about “what they are searching for” Via SearchingforAnOutlet.com, YoungChris.com and supporting MySpace, Facebook, YouTube page and twitter feeds. YoungChris.com members will vote upon all Select verses with the final winners selected by Young Chris himself. Winners will then be invited to perform their version of the song along with Young Chris, Wale and Bun-B on local performances in their area.

This is the opportunity for all aspiring artists to have an outlet for their voice, their passion and their opinions. “It’s my hope to give anybody who is passionate enough to join me the opportunity to shine on the world stage, we all know what its like to be searching for an outlet especially in the state of the world today.” Christopher Ries aka (Young Chris)


Go to the UrbanEstablished.com social network to hear the track "Searching"
CLICK HERE

Nike Sportswear Air Force II

Originally published on HypeBeast


Playing successor to one of Nike’s most iconic models has been no easy feat. Although not the least popular of the Air Force franchise, the Air Force II isn’t exactly a darling of the sneaker world. As of late, Nike’s been working up some interesting colorways for the middle child. Taken under the wing of Nike’s Sportswear division, this new color-up features a Wu-Tang reminiscent two-tone approach with intricate detailing along the backside, contrasting laces and popular gum bottoms. Retailing for $82 USD, they are now available at Nike Sportswear retailers including 21 Mercer NYC.

Exclusive: Charli Balitimore On Who Killed Biggie!

Charli Baltimore is back again sharing her thoughts on who killed "Biggie". Charli Baltimore (Biggie's last girlfriend) thinks that Biggie's death was professionally done and she doesn't think anyone will ever find out.

Nas Confirms He Will Be On Dr Dre's Detox

Nas confirmed that he will appear on Dr Dre's highly anticipated album, Detox. Nas says one said with Dre is already done. "I did a joint. I think it's crazy." Nas tells Billboard. Nas talked about working with the Doc saying "He's someone I'd love to do a whole album with one day. He's incredible. I think he's the best producer of all time."

In recently news, other guests that have been rumored to be on Dre's upcoming album include Lil' Wayne and Jay-Z. Dre had previously said the album would be coming late last year "In a perfect world, I'm shooting for a November or December release." Dre continued "I just make the music feel the way I want it to feel and I don't put it out until I'm totally happy with it. Then it does what it does." Since that interview, Jimmy Iovine (head of Interscope Records) said that Detox did not have a release date and Eminem's new album "Relapse" would be coming first.

Open Your Mind! Underground Hip Hop at it's Best: Introducing...Christylez Bacon

Christon “Christylez” Bacon

If you are looking for the style , class and fun vibe of hip hop past with the new age twist, you need to put your paper on Christylez Bacon. Bacon has been on the underground vibe for a min now and , it will not be long before this artist breaks into mainstream on his own terms.