R.I.P. Michael Jackson You Will be Missed

Yesterday just like the rest of the world I heard the bad news about Michael Jackson passing away. My heart goes out to his family and everybody who has ever enjoyed the music this genius put out. I was listening to a radio show this morning while driving to the office and they said that MJ was the King of Pop! “Wow”, I thought, MJ touched so many more genres than that. Anybody that picks up a mic or aspires to be a recording star can only dream to have the success that Michael Jackson has had. He was the prototype of what a real star should be and accomplish. Michael Jackson during his prime was bigger than the Beatles and Elvis Presley combined. His music during the years was a tribute to his dedication to his craft and all the hard work he put into it while growing up.

Now to bring this full circle to my favorite genre of music, Hip Hop, we must take a look at all the artist who have sampled a MJ track, used his name in a verse and or incorporated something that MJ did into their music. Today is indeed a sad day. It’s like I woke up from a bad dream this morning only to realize that it was not a dream. Michael Jackson one of the greatest entertainers that ever lived!

New Muslim Cool

Maybe I am late on this one, maybe not. Last night while getting ready to turn in for the night I was making my last ditch attempt to see what’s on TV. To be honest most nights during the work week I am watching shows like “The First 48 Hours” or “Crime 360”, but something caught my eye while I was scanning and I am glad that I took the time to watch it. On PBS last night I caught the documentary, “New Muslim Cool”. Basically the documentary is about a Puerto Rican-American rapper Hamza Pérez who pulled himself out of drug dealing and street life 12 years ago and became a Muslim. Now he's moved to Pittsburgh's tough North Side to start a new religious community, rebuild his shattered family and take his message of faith to other young people through hard-hitting hip-hop music. New Muslim Cool takes viewers on Hamza's ride through streets, slums and jail cells — following his spiritual journey to some surprising places in an America that never stops changing.

Honestly I caught the middle of the documentary when Hamza was performing with his Hip Hop group. That was what initially made me want to stop and see what was going on. But to me the power of this video is seeing how Hamza uses Hip Hop, his religion and his values to help other kids build a better life for themselves. In the wake of all of the images we are seeing in Iran, the racial stereotypes we consistently see here in America, it is refreshing to see a story like this. It just reiterates the freedom we have here in the states and how people no matter what background they have can help make a difference and build a better world. Please check out “New Muslim Cool” it is definitely worth taking a look at. Check out the trailer below.

UrbanEstablished.com

BLACK THOUGHT BROOKLYN HIP HOP FESTIVAL 2009

Check out one of my favorite rappers! Black Thought at the Brooklyn Hip Hop Festival!

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CHECK OUT J. COLE HOT UP AND COMING ARTIST OUT OF NC!

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VIDEO OF THE WEEK: Clipse - Kinda Like A Big Deal (feat. Kanye West)

Dame Dash To Release Tell-All Book

Dame Dash To Release Tell-All Book
Posted: Monday - June 22, 2009

We're used to people in hip hop spitting like a beast. But when one decides to sing like a bird, it definitely raises eyebrows. Apparently Damon Dash doesn't care about the weird looks he might get. The former hip hop mogul has penned an autobiographical memoir that is actually being described by sources as a candid "tell-all" book.

The book is said to include an in-depth account of Dame's life as CEO of a major record label, behind-the-scenes details of the makings of his musical empire, and an insider's view of the bond connecting the Roc-A-Fella family. But, most importantly, the book is said to reveal details surrounding his estrangement from longtime friend/partner Jay-Z and the controversial ROC split.

Insiders say Dame hopes this book will rescue him from his current place of obscurity, both physically and financially, and position him back into the limelight. The former Dynasty captain has suffered setbacks ranging from property foreclosures to divorce since the demise of his multi-million dollar Roc-A-Fella empire.

Sources say Dame employed Kim Osorio, the former editor-in-chief of Source magazine, to ghostwrite the tell-all. At press time, Dame was still pitching his book to numerous publishers for a possible distribution deal.

- By Chardaie Lewis

Yo Gotti Arrested In Richmond

Courtesy of aplus804.com

Yo Gotti is arrested after performing at the Cotton Club in Richmond, Va. Police were waiting on Yo Gotti and his crew to pull out of the lot and pulled them over and said they were under investigation.

Funny how Gotti said @ 1:44 “we on the East Coast, Hip-Hop Police out here.” There’s people in this city who act like we’re in the heart of Louisiana. Boosie fades and all.