What America do you live in? Is it the one where everyone is treated equally under the law and has a fair shot at success if they just keep their nose to the grindstone? Or do you reside in the America where noses are removed from faces by the grindstone of daily struggle and a select few control more than 90% of the wealth? This song really resonates with me as a vet, and a father. Leave a comment below and tell me what you think of it. 

One Love

As Tech N9ne, the Forbes listed independent rapper/label owner states in this song "In the box you were topping the charts/look at all the people not even jocking your art" because the media has disconnected from the true desires and interests of the people. The mainstream rap industry has been focused on bling for so long they've completely lost touch with the streets and the fans. Labels like Strange Music and Funk Volume are bringing rap back to a place of reality for most of its listeners. Until radio stations begin giving control back to DJs and labels begin reinvesting in artist development the mainstream will continue to see declines in record sales and support for their artists.

Getting Tech N9ne and Kendrick Lamar together pretty much means amazing and that's exactly what this song and video are. It's a beautiful thing, and a sign of the times, that two hardcore emcees can get together and create a song that talks about feelings getting hurt over something as personal and sacred as their craft. Kendrick does talk about retribution at the end of his verse and its certainly a valid feeling although usually not the best course of action. Think Columbine. Tech on the other hand ends his verse, as I would expect of the older man, with a poignant statement that disarms the offender and really sends the message of the song home as he says, "I'm an artist and I'm sensitive about my shit."     

With a soul searching flow Hired Gun shares himself with the public in his first music video of 2014. The touching song is supported by a ZQ produced track with some captivating keys and a dance of pure expressive beauty. Simple yet profound is the way I would describe this video in three words or less. As always Hired Gun delivers plenty of ear candy with his simply marvelous and spiritual flow. A man of many skills; who knew he was such a good dancer?
   
for more information and music check http://www.freshrootsmusic.com

This entire album is available on Bandcamp and the artist(s) made it a name your own price project. It is a well conceived project with a host of features and production styles although its all the work of a single producer. With tracks like Distant Reality feat. Rabbi Darkside where the emcees take the listener to deep space and Android Media where the album's leading star Schlick Smit delivers his commentary on modern society this project is sure to captivate and entertain. Mi only complaint is that even with 20 tracks it all seems to pass too quickly; definitely needs a rewind.

Miles Megaciph      

A freedom fighter, human rights leader and example to all, the founder of South Africa's democracy and the country's first black president since colonialism, Nelson Mandela lived a life that terrified the power structures of the world and inspired the poor and working masses. Enjoy this hour long tribute to his life presented by Democracy Now. 
Peace and Love

Full story available at this link: http://www.hrw.org/news/2013/11/12/mexico-build-accurate-database-disappeared

"(Washington, DC) ­­­– The Mexican government should ensure that the process of developing a national database of the disappeared is thorough, efficient, and transparent, Human Rights Watch said today. Development of the database should be coupled with serious investigations to determine the fate of thousands of people who remain unaccounted for." Human Rights Watch.org

Here is a song that is hugely controversial and vitally necessary. I personally don't buy into the idea that he is hijacking the culture to use it as a voice for the gay agenda (whatever that is?). Those same people arguing that should be screaming about all the corporations that are hijacking the culture to use it as a marketing tool for their goods and products. This is simply a long overdue wake up call to a culture (both Hiphop and America) that is mostly happily asleep right now. Thank you Mackelmore, kudos.  

The Grand Affair has done it again; organic love magic in the music seems to be their mo. They grabbed the intro, Chord Left, off of Agnes Obel's new album and made a killer beat and song out of it. Mozian's flow on this track is simply superb and Ms. Anne delivers delicious vocals for your desiring ears. Kudos the Grand Affair on this one. 

Tech N9ne Brings some serious heat on this song and with the imagery in the video. One line that really catches me is, "we are the children of your rivals/holding guns while reading bibles." From his new album Something Else, this is just one of the songs that will make you play it again and again and again. And I love the drinking of the holy oil by the smiling masks...I wonder who those people are? Thank you Strange Music, thank you Tech N9ne. 

As a veteran of the US military this story strikes an especially sorrowing cord with me. The men and women who voluntarily serve in our armed forces deserve our respect and more importantly they deserve our respect. The epidemic of suicide is a horrifying reality resulting from the longest war in US history. We as a nation need to stand up for the rights of our soldiers to receive adequate healthcare  as they return home from an unjust war. We as a nation need to stand up for an end to war as a solution for the problems of the world; war creates far more problems than it solves.  

The brother Peter Tosh is a consummate performer of the highest caliber. Check him out on stage in this concert clip as he orchestrates the band in his unique, theatrical style. He has an incredible stage presence and such a purely powerful aura. It is a shame that he was taken away from us at such a young age, and that more people don't know who he is. Rest in Peace Peter Winston McIntosh. 

Here is a short clip of a young Pakistani woman who survived an attack by the Taliban because she was attending school. She has since gone on to become a world renowned speaker about women's right to education and the importance of education for all. This clip is pretty powerful and funny, and the entire Jon Stewart interview is well worth the watch. 
Watch her family's full story as done by The New York Times here:  
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9F5yeW6XFZk&list=WL9FFCC8EF87DDAD22

Here is a great song and super cool video released earlier this year by Smokey Robotic. Their album Musium is a scorcher and well worth the listen. The full band features in this video and the song is catchy as ever. 

The city of SeaTac in Washington state believes that it is. Initial results have the supporters of Proposition 1 very happy; it seems that the minimum wage in this small city has been raised to $15/hr making the livelihood of people employed at the airport that much better. There are many people who are disgruntled, often citing that they feel it's not fair to others who have worked hard for years or decades and have yet to receive a living wage at their jobs. Many other cities will be following suit and rightfully so. The world is a lot different than it was 50 years ago. Just ask nearly any CEO who is probably making 700% more than their counterpart of 50 years ago, they'll tell you its tough to balance fairness with profit margins. Kudos to SeaTac, Washington.

This is the first video off the album Prospect Avenue and it is a statement, both visually and lyrically. Without being on a train he captures the feeling of the crush and confusion that is NY transit. And the lyrics are right on point, all the while imploring the passengers on this journey to THINK and QUESTION the words that are being fed to them. Enjoy

It doesn't seem to matter much to people as long as our day to day lives are not interrupted, many might even say things like, "if you have nothing to hide then what's the big deal if we're safer for it?" The problem is our rights to privacy are being taken away from us, sooner or later they will all be gone, and there will be nothing one can do about it.
"First they came for the Jews
and I did not speak out
because I was not a Jew.
Then they came for the Communists
and I did not speak out
because I was not a Communist.
Then they came for the trade unionists
and I did not speak out
because I was not a trade unionist.
Then they came for me
and there was no one left
to speak out for me"
Martin Niemöller 

The Grand Affair is Ms. Anne and G. Mozian. They are a couple that makes music, art and food and put their loving magic into all that they do. Their passion for art is evident in the meaningful lyrics of the song Broad Strokes and what's not to love about a songstress that can paint a beautiful picture of Ella Fitzgerald while serenading you with a song that Ella would have enjoyed singing as well. Personally, I really enjoyed the bubbles. Kudos to The Grand Affair for this one.