Recently reconnected with Adisa, The Bishop. He has been busy with the Hip Hop Chess Federation which fuses chess, hip hop & martial arts to promote unity, strategy and non violence to kids across the world. He also has a new book coming out focused on how the work of Bobby Fischer, Bruce Lee & Afrika Bambaataa overlapped in the 70’s and how to use their principles to guide your life decisions now. The kindle version is available now with the hard copy coming out on April 10th.
We are currently giving the site a much-needed refresh. You may encounter some broken links or missing images…please bear with us while we complete all of the changes.
Rest in peace to Hunafa /African Identity who passed away last week. His children have established a GoFundMe page where you can help with final arrangements. Billy Jam (who introduced us to African Identity’s music in the 90’s) wrote a touching remembrance on the Amoeblog. Check out a song he did with Del called “17 Slaves” from his release, You Won’t Come To My Funeral.
Stretch & Bobbito teamed up with Omar Acosta to create a documentary about their legendary WKCR show (and the subsequent success of the artists they broke). They are currently doing a Kickstarter to help fund post-production. Please pitch in if you can!
Two of our favorites together: Bill Withers is as snappy as ever in conversation with Aloe Blacc at the 10th Annual ASCAP “I Create Music” Expo 2015 which was held in April-May. If we can only get them together on a track…
DJ Neil Armstrong found out his dog, Poh, was terminally ill. When he embarked on his #dinnerandamixtape road trip, Poh was in tow. They visited 35 cities stretching across the US (they had to return home when Poh started not to feel so well)
You can find Poh on Instagram @pohthedogsbigadventure
Shepard Fairey is making a guest appearance on Portlandia on January 29th. He says:
I’m a big fan of Portlandia, Carrie Brownstein and Fred Armisen’s comedy show based on poking fun at the idiosyncrasies of bohemian Portland Oregon, so I was very excited when they asked me to do a cameo. I’ve spent a bit of time and done a few art shows in Portland, so I know where Portlandia finds its inspiration. In fact, the part I play, a jaded art store employee, was set in the exact art store where I bought my art supplies while staying in Portland for a stint a few summers ago. I’m no actor, but this part, along with maybe “jaded art student” or “jaded skate shop employee,” are the closest I’ll ever get to method acting. Fred and Carrie are a blast to hang out with and made the whole experience a lot of fun for me. Here’s a clip from the segment, but you can catch the full episode Thurs. night on IFC.-Shepard
Remembering Dr. King on his national holiday, as well as the work of Coretta Scott King and the many leaders in the civil rights movement. The painting was done by Dan Buller & Gene Pendon fr HVW (live painted in Montreal in 2005)
The previously unreleased video for the Beastie Boys’ “Too Many Rappers” featuring Nas was discovered on editor’s Neal Usatin’s site. Directed by Roman Coppola.
