::HEADPHONE JUNKIE:: THE ROLE OF WOMEN IN HIP HOP

::HEADPHONE JUNKIE:: THE ROLE OF WOMEN IN HIP HOP
by Dereck Rodriguez

Music serves as a catalyst of experience and awareness. Each piece of music is the cultural, spiritual, shadow of the people. This intimate marriage of sound and sentence presents the identity and soul of the people. Hip Hop not only serves as a medium to communicate the complexities of black life but also to reconcile relationship between blacks and white supremacy. 

Unlike other contemporary form of music, Hip Hop is a culture of its own. Hip Hop was a primary mode of deciphering and expressing the crippling state of black communities due to the crack epidemic, depleted neighborhoods and a severe lack of employment opportunities. In its early years, Hip Hop engaged topics relevant to the complexities of black life along with party music expressing a joy and zeal for life itself. There was freedom in content and execution. It is this passion of life and love that informed the culture of Hip Hop.

Women within Hip Hop serve the same role women have served in all movements concerning the welfare of black people. Women serve as the guiding force to establish clarity and direction of the movement as a whole. Acts such as The Sequence and MC Sha Rock offered innovative funk rhythms coupled with dynamic singing and catchy wordplay that helped guide the sound of Hip Hop. Founder of Sugar Hill Records, Sylvia Robinson, aided in progressing the music with finding the band Sugar Hill Gang.   

During the 70s and late 80s there was variety of artistic and lyrical approach to rap music. Ranging from themes concerning black nationalism,  inner city life, dancing, and partying. There were no limits on what the music could sound like. Artists such as Salt N’ Pepa appealed to the party scene with their sexually empowering approach to the music. "Push It" was a defining song of the dance music scene. 

On the other hand Queen Latifah focused on discussing black empowerment. "U.N.I.T.Y" addressed the lack of unity within the black community and its crippling affects on black people. Rappers during Hip Hop's "Golden Era" seldom used derogatory words such as “Bitch” because of the presence of rappers like Queen Latifah. 

During the late 1990s, rap began to transform and become less socially aware and empowering.   Rappers such as Lil Kim, Foxy Brown, and Trina willfully projected a sexualized image of women. Male chauvinistic validation along with female MC approval created a further desire to sexualized black women. The sexual objectification of women became ingrained in the culture of Hip-Hop thus, the music we hear today.

Black Women have always been the guiding force of the black community. There needs to be unity and cohesion among the black family unit in order to sustain progression among the black race.    When this intimate connection is compromised only confusion and estrangement from the self can exist. Black women and men must exist as proponents of each other’s success and spiritual welfare.  

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::HEADPHONE JUNKIE:: HEZEKIAH REMINDS US THAT "DREAMS DON'T CHASE THEMSELVES"

::HEADPHONE JUNKIE:: HEZEKIAH REMINDS US THAT "DREAMS DON'T CHASE THEMSELVES"

by Daniel Harris

 

  

Hezekiah is a name that most headphone junkies are familiar with. Whether it's through previous albums like Hurry Up and Wait or I Predict A Riot or through his work with artists like Bilal, Eric Roberson and Zap Mama, Hezekiah has made a name for himself as a premier producer, emcee, musician and singer.

 

Preparing to release his fourth album, Dreams Don't Chase Themselves, Hezekiah proves that his title choice is much more than an idiom that just sounded good. This album is the fruit of hard work and dedication rarely seen in today's music scene.

During an album preview last year, Hezekiah said, "People think things come easy. They don't come easy, they come from hard work and dedication." This album definitely puts that into practice. Hezekiah is responsible for the albums production and writing and there are no other emcees on this album. Both are a first for Hezekiah. In addition, this album is his first album without a record label and all of the perks that tend to come with having a label backing. Not a problem for Hezekiah though.

Dreams Don't Chase Themselves is true, honest and transparent. Hezekiah isn't preoccupied with throwing songs together for the sake of making a deadline or trying to sound like what's hot to ensure Top 40 spins (although, that wouldn't be a terrible idea). Dreams Don't Chase Themselves has its own voice, its own style, something this is missing from present day Hip Hop.

 This album shows that Hezekiah was determined to create a true work of art and not just another rap album. Songs like "Don't Get In Your Way," "Lets Network," and "Hologram Dreams" all have a vibe, lyrically and musically, that is reminiscent of sitting and learning from an older sibling or trusted friend. Dreams Don't Chase Themselves is nearly 60 minutes of "real talk." And in this current era of "I don't give a f***," it is really good to see that someone does, both about his music and his audience.

Dreams Don't Chase Themselves will be available Tuesday, February 10th and it should be something that every headphone junkie adds to their collection.

Track List

1. Sweet Dreams (Intro)

2. Fake It 

3. Coming Back Is Harder 

4. Lets Network

5. Don't Get In Your Way

6. Once You Pick It Up 

7. Can I Live

8. Bad Bitches  

9. Hologram Dreams ft Range Da Messenga

10. Spirit Moves Through All Things

11. Love Is Gone  

12. Sweet Dreams (outro)

 

 

 

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::GET FAMILIAR:: PHONY PPL

::GET FAMILIAR:: PHONY PPL
by Daniel Harris

Are they a throwback to the vintage funk and hip-hop/R&B sound here to take music lovers back to the way it used to be? Or, are they a futuristic collective here to show music lovers what music can sound like with out all the (excuse the pun) phony elements? The simple answer: Yes.

In 2011, Phony Ppl hit New York's indie scene and made an immediate impact. They brought a new sound that was void of clear definition or form. That's a good thing! It's impossible to categorize which allows them to remain free to experiment.

Built on elements of funk, "colorful world music" and hip-hop/R&B in their purest forms, Phony Ppl bring a very imaginative perspective to an otherwise monotonous industry. This has lead to a very global fan base and opportunities to tour with Theophilus London, Erykah Badu and The Roots.

Recently, Phony Ppl released 53,000, which NPR's George Hahn called his "favorite album right now." This album perfectly displays Phony Ppl's ability to completely use a complete spectrum of rich sounds, unique style and BARS; very far removed from any category or known genre.

There is no other group like Phony Ppl. We see bands that take you back to what used to be or we see bands that are able to give a positive glimpse to music's future. Phony Ppl manages to do both.

Get even more familiar with Phony Ppl: follow them on Twitter, like them on Facebook and support their music.

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::GET FAMILIAR:: Hawk House

::GET FAMILIAR:: HAWK HOUSE
by Daniel Harris

Hip Hop is huge business for the music industry. In each generation, there has been a number of artists who refuse to follow the trends and flavors of the month. As rap began to go mainstream in the 80s and early 90s, groups like NWA, Public Enemy and the Native Tongues collective decided they're good where they were. When ice rap came about in the early 2000s, The Roots, Yasiin Bey (formerly Mos Def) and Talib Kweli said they'd never do what they do. As the current Hip Hop climate is comprised of molly poppers and swag rappers, Hawk House is determined to give the people something very different.

In the spirit of those Hip Hop pioneers, the group, comprised of brothers/MCs Sam and Eman and vocalist Demae, strives to return their listeners to dope lyrics and near simple production. (Most of which is handled by producer and DJ Eric Lau) Sam and Eman's chill, laid back flow combined with Demae's soulful voice, meld perfectly!

Last year, Hawk House released A Little More Elbow Room and was (self) described as a "journey through lyrics, melodies and vocals." Truthfully, that description is not a stretch and this journey is one that lends itself to being traveled over and over. It has been said that Hawk House is "the most interesting thing to happen to UK rap since Estelle." It can really be argued that once more people get familiar with this trio, they will be the best thing that has happened to Hip Hop!

Get even more familiar with Hawk House and download their album A Little More Elbow Room.

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::RECAP:: WALE | Live

::RECAP:: WALE | Live

Photos Courtesy of LaVan E. Anderson www.everydaylavan.com

2011 was an exciting year for Hip-Hop, with many new breakout artists staking their claim in the industry, and seasoned vets defending their throne as Hip-Hop royalty. Somewhere in between is where we find Wale Folarin. Ambition is why Wale has been able to tour the United States and perform for the fans that made his sophomore album number two on the Billboard charts in its first week. It seemed fitting that he spend the top of the year celebrating this next chapter of success at home in the DMV.

Wale’s Board Administration artists, Fatz Da Big Fella and Black Cobain, opened the show as the crowd began to fill The Fillmore to capacity. Avid fans and followers, familiar with the up and coming DMV artists, rapped along to the elusive rhymes, while others waited patiently, inquisitively in anticipation of the main event.

Wale's completely packed performance at The Fillmore in Silver Spring on Sunday night featured a welcome blend of chart-topping hits and a growing catalog that satisfied his rapidly expanding niche following. Wale hit the stage to the strains of his recent single "600 Benz," a skyscraper of a track with a booming Ross chorus and shivering string stabs. As the show went on, the energy level grew higher and higher.

Performances of throwbacks like “Chillin,” “Beautiful Bliss,” and “90210″ had the veteran Wale fans screaming at the top of their lungs. While songs from Ambition, like “Sabotage” (which is speculated to be his next single), “Slight Work,” and “No Days Off” were so well known that Wale didn’t even have to perform. And when the backtrack for “Lotus Flower Bomb” began, the crowd was hypnotized. Easily Wale’s biggest record to date, the crowd of hipsters, street dudes and sexy ladies sang along to every word, whole-heartedly. A dichotomy that few artists, old or new, have mastered in the industry. Still, nothing received a more boisterous welcome than the performance of the go-go infused single “Bait.” The crowd was in an uproar; the energy was electrifying.

Though Folarin could use a more polished stage presence, the hour-plus show was intimate and fun. With facetious crowd interactions, photo breaks, and autograph signings intermittent throughout the performance, one thing was apparent- Wale was home, and the DMV was happy to have him.

Make sure to keep up with Wale at http://www.ralphfolarin.com/ and @WALE

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::RECAP:: The Message...And More

::RECAP:: The Message...And More

Photos by Rosina Photography & Sasha Ryan

Last week I scrolled through my emails and stopped when I saw the name Felicia Pride. I hadn't seen the sista in a while (she use to frequent Ear Candy's often-a true supporter of Gypsy Soul, I found out she moved, pursuing and achieving dreams). You can imagine my intrigue as I opened the email.

To my surprise and delight it was an invitation to an event she was hosting called My Mind Spray, a combination of a soft launch for Corinto Gallery & video shoot for the enhance ebook of Felicia's book, The Message: 100 Life Lessons From Hip Hop's Greatest Songs.

Not only did I want to support someone who had supported me or support another sista doing her thang, but books are kind of a big deal to me...let me rephrase, GOOD books are kind of a big deal to me and being able to support the production and consumption of relevant literature was the least I could do.



Not too familiar with Adam's Morgan, it took me a good half hour to find parking but it was worth it. I walked into the space complete with DJ, guests engaged in conversations on hip hop, others networking and munching on boutique cupcakes & complimentary Vitamin Water.



Hip Hop inspired art by Aniekan Udofia and Kevin Irvin (aka Jazirock) decorated the wall and The Message was a strategic and accessible ornament. Between being introduced to some cool people like Jose the owner of the gallery by gracious host and good buddy Gerald Watson and checking out the art I found a few moments to comb through the book and I was IMPRESSED...but this is Felicia Pride's book sooooo that was to be expected.




I read her take on the songs "Friends" by Whoodini, "Faithful" by Common, "Tainted" by Slum Village, "Umi Says" by Mos Def, "Tearz" by Wu-Tang Clan, and "Ether" by Nas...music and lit together...I was in my own private, tiny heaven!




I got a chance to talk about hip hop and what it means to me...how my first love and I bonded because of hip hop and to this day Wu Tang Clan has a special place in my heart for it. And with glee I purchased a book and had it signed by the woman of the hour.

If you are a lover of hip hop this book is for you. Smartly organized into topics of everyday life, with songs older and more recent. Seriously I may have to go make an itune play list to refer to as I read...that may be AMAZING! (yeah I just got real excited).

Make sure to purchase a copy of your book at HERE and follow her @feliciapride.

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