MOVIES: "AWAKE ZION" Explores the Connection Between Rastafarianism, Reggae and Judaism

PRESS RELEASE:

Zion – It’s closer than you think…

Awake Zion is a documentary that explores the surprising and unsuspecting connections between Rasta, Reggae and Judaism - through one woman’s beat-laden adventure into the meaning of identity.

All the way back to the alleged sultry affair between the Jewish King Solomon and the African Queen of Sheba, Jewish influence is evident in the spiritual history of Ethiopia - turning up consistently in Rastafarian lifestyle and, inevitably, Reggae.

Uniting Jewish and Jamaican musicians, scholars, and historians in a celebration of roots and culture - Awake Zion travels from Crown Heights, Brooklyn, where Caribbean and Jewish cultures share a history of adversity - to Jamaica, the birthplace of reggae - and ultimately to Israel, where a sizzling reggae scene thrives today.

Awake Zion challenges our shared preconceptions of what it means to be Jewish, to be Rasta, to be white or black - and, most importantly, the universal search for “Zion”, and what it means to be "home".

More info HERE

VIDEO: REEF THE LOST CAUZE speaks on his new album "Fight Music"

Hacked Emails Exposes Guru's Former Partner Solar

A blog on villagevoice.com published an investigative report earlier this week that exposes hacked emails from Guru's former partner, Solar, prior to his unfortunate death. There has long been talk of shady business dealings, abuse and unprecedented control over Guru's life by his former partner and self-proclaimed "super producer". The emails reveal degrees of deception and misinformation that was allegedly perpetuated by Solar. The article reveals, "...anonymous hacker made public emails sent between Solar and various parties, including documents that seem to indicate that Solar is more evil than anyone could have even guessed. The emails appear to show that Solar forced Guru to tour instead of seeking medical help; that he controlled Guru's access to his own email account and various other web presences; that Solar owed money to multiple parties; and, perhaps most chillingly, that Solar attempted to pimp out unreleased music from Guru after the rapper's death." There was an update to the article published the following day that provides more insight. You can read more HERE and the link above. Hip Hop is waiting for the truth and it will be revealed..

VIDEO: MARCO POLO & RUSTEE JUXX- "Nobody"

I love this video. You know when you have those days where you walking through the streets and you want to smack the sh!t outta somebody or destroy property just because? Marco and Rustee do just that in this cartoonishly violent music video. LMAO at the dude getting his water bottle smacked from his face!

Beloved Entertainer LENA HORNE Dies at 92

Acclaimed actress and singer, Lena Horne, died Sunday at 92. Lena Horne helped break down barriers for generations of performers. In an era of extreme racial intolerance, Horne still managed to break through to the mainstream - that is, before she began to express her political views (she was extremely active in the Civil Rights Movement). Ms. Horne, a publicly known favorite of comedian Bill Cosby, embodied gracefulness and strength of character. Her star in Hollywood could have shone brighter if she would have emerged in another era or compromised her beliefs. As a native of Brooklyn, N.Y., Ms. Horne will be remembered as one of the finest to ever hail from BK.

Turner Classic Movies (TCM) will dedicate the Friday, May 21, prime time lineup to paying tribute to legendary singer-actress Lena Horne, who passed away yesterday at the age of 92. The night’s collection will feature three films with defining Horne performances. Also included is one of Horne’s favorite films, the 1943 John Garfield drama The Fallen Sparrow.

VIDEO: GAME- "400 bars"

GAME goes in for over 9 minutes over Jay Electronica's "Exhibit C". Just when you think he is losing steam, Game soars over the next verse..

DE LA SOUL TO HEADLINE 6th ANNUAL BROOKLYN HIP-HOP FESTIVAL

Brooklyn Bodega, producers of the 6th Annual Brooklyn Hip-Hop Festival (BHF), is excited to announce this year's headliner - De La Soul.

Since 1989, De La Soul (Pos, Dave and Mase) have been a cornerstone of Hip-Hop music and culture. From the groundbreaking album "3 Feet High and Rising" to "Grind Date" De La is simply one of the best to ever do it.

"To be honest, we have been trying to get De La Soul to headline the Festival since we first came up with the idea in 2005. On many levels they are the perfect flag bearers for our mission to use Hip-Hop as an agent of change. For over 20 years they have traveled the world inspiring MC's, producers, DJ's and fans alike. I can think of no better artist to usher the Festival into its new home in Brooklyn Bridge Park." - Wes Jackson, Executive Director, The Brooklyn Hip-Hop Festival

Tickets go on sale Monday May 3rd at www.BrooklynBodega.com, the official home of the Brooklyn Hip-Hop Festival. On this date, organizers are launching the Bodega Soldiers Program, which is their way of thanking the members of the Bodega Family who have turned out time and time again to make the Festival into NYC's largest Hip-Hop cultural event.

PLEASE NOTE: Those Bodega Soldiers who purchase their tickets by May 21st will get access to premium packages at no additional charge. Anticipated perks include being on a priority mailing list that receives all Festival announcements prior to the general public, admittance to a reserved section next to the stage, ability to enter exclusive raffles, priority check-in at the Main Day venue and a FREE commemorative souvenir. Bodega Soldiers will also automatically be entered to win backstage VIP packages.

VIDEO: KALAE ALL DAY feat. Homeboy Sandman- "O.G.LYRIKALBOOKBAGGER"

KALAE ALL DAY releases her debut video "O.G.LYRIKALBOOKBAGGER" featuring underground favorite Homeboy Sandman. Check out the behind the scenes vid below:

VIDEO: LUPE FIASCO- "I'm Beamin'"

I am definitely ready for the 2010 Lupe! Dope video. I first premiered this track on S06E14 of THEZROHOUR podcast.

VIDEO: SAFARI- "We Still Here"

First single produced by EDAYE (!) from the debut mixtape "WILD LIFE: WHO LEFT THE GATE OPEN??" coming mid-June 2010. Clean version of video HERE

DOWNLOAD:

SAFARI- "We Still Here"
BONUS freestyle: SAFARI- "Lyrical Dope"

BOOKS: The BeatTips Manual 5th Edition

Props to my dude Saint Joe over at soundsandgear.com. Saint Joe did a great review of this impressive must have manual for both new and veteran beatmakers. "The BeatTips Manual" by Amir SA'ID. Check his review below and read more HERE

Gifted Unlimited Rhymes Universal

R.I.P. to an absolute emcee. Guru is one of the greats and almost every head I know is a deep fan of his music. Although he and DJ Premier fell apart, their work together will serve as a blueprint for authenticity in hip hop. I am not at a loss for words over his death but I am mourning with all those who were hypnotized by his monotone flow. 43 years is way too young to expire but his legacy will remain far longer. I remember chillin' at S.O.B.s in the early nineties and Guru would be in the same crowd living hip hop with the rest of us. Above the clouds..

BOOKS: HOW TO RAP: The Art and Science of the Hip-Hop MC by Paul Edwards plus Foreword Kool G Rap

PRESS RELEASE:

With a foreword by Kool G Rap and interviews with over 100 major MCs, HOW TO RAP: The Art & Science of the Hip-Hop MC guides the reader through the artform of Rap in the words of the artists, giving an inside look behind their creative processes and techniques.

Over 100 artists interviewed exclusively for the book include classic MCs and groups such as Public Enemy, Big Daddy Kane, Mobb Deep, AZ, Jurassic 5, Cypress Hill, Pharoahe Monch, Boot Camp Clik, Masta Ace, and A Tribe Called Quest, as well as more recent artists such as Clipse, Styles P, The Black Eyed Peas, Crooked I, Immortal Technique, Royce Da 5'9", Papoose and Nelly.

HOW TO RAP breaks MC'ing down into content, flow, writing, and delivery with topics such as writing in your head, punching-in vocals, and interacting with the crowd all tackled from different angles by numerous pros.

The book also features the first complete breakdown of "flow", allowing readers to create tongue-twisting compound rhyme styles like Kool G Rapand Eminem, complex conversational flows like Nas, Jay-Z, and OC, the classic true school patterns of Melle Mel, and everything in between.

For more info on the book, visit www.howtorapbook.com

GetGreen South Bronx Fest w/ HIp Hop Legends: GrandMaster Caz, DJ Jazzy Jay & MARE 139

Sat. April 24: GetGreen: South Bronx Earth Fest @ St. Mary's Park Boogie Down Bronx

12pm-4pm. FREE! All Ages! Feat. Hip Hop legends and pioneers: GrandMaster Caz. DJ Jazzy Jay and Carlos Mare 139 Rodriguez plus Global Man, the Environmental Mobile, Textile & E-Waste recyling drive, youth performances, eco-centered music contest and more! St. Mary's Park 146th St. & St. Ann's Ave, Bronx NY 10455. Rain or Shine! If it rains, come across the street to Betances Community Center 465 St. Ann's Ave.

Trains: 2 or 5 to 149th & 3rd Ave or 6 to Brook.
Buses: Bx 17 or 19 to St. Ann's or Bx 2 4 15 21 41 or 55 to 149th & 3rd.
Info: getgreensouthbronx.wordpress.com and facebook.com/GetGreenSouthBronxEarthFest

Thanks to TOOLS OF WAR for the heads up.

MUSIC TECH: Native Instruments Free Soft Synths- KORE 2 Player and KONTAKT Player

NATIVE INSTRUMENTS, creators of some of the most powerful and widely used software synths on the market, offers two plug-in synth players available for FREE download. These can be used both as a stand-alone application or within any sequencer/DAW host as a VST®, Audio Units™ or RTAS® plug-in. KORE 2 Player and KONTAKT Player provide an introduction into the world of sounds offered by Native Instruments. KORE 2 Player is a software synth that comes with a 400MB sound library that can be expanded with additional synth libraries, many for as low as $59. KORE 2 PLAYER includes six Native Instruments sound engines under the hood and provides ready-to-play sounds that can be browsed and tweaked via the intuitive KORE 2 PLAYER interface. The KONTAKT Player is a sample playback synth that allows for innovative, highly playable instruments. The virtually unlimited flexibility of Kontakt Script Processing allows for instruments with unprecedented functionality and musicality.

Check out the video below for a sample of the MASSIVE THREAT sound set available for the KORE 2 Player. Shout out to Saint Joe at soundsandgear.com: