Tuesday, April 29, 2008

Reverend Wright--A Black man with Balls. Or maybe just a functioning Brain.

I commend Bill Moyers for being a real journalist and allowing Reverend Wright to state his opinion. The integrity of the media has been compromised since the days of Randolph Hearst and his 'yellow journalism', and it has yet to improve. When I used to teach children, I always told them to question, especially if it's the media. They have used a paragraph of a long sermon to discredit a pastor worthy of much respect, and potentially ruin the campaign of Obama.

Here's a link to the full transcription of Bill Moyers interview with Reverend Wright:

http://www.pbs.org/moyers/journal/04252008/transcript1.html

Monday, April 28, 2008

The Deaf leading the Blind--Hear no Evil, See no Evil, Don't Speak on Evil


I know I just said I wouldn't wax philosophical on the Sean Bell murder trial, but, well, I lied.

Here are some 'interesting' facts about this case that the media has casually skipped over:

* The cops in question were all said to be drinking at the Kalua club that night, but were never given a breathalizer test. I guess cops don't act differently when intoxicated.


* Guzman and Benefield were not taken as credible witnesses because they had criminal records and smoked weed. The cops, however, were not at the bar trailing these individuals. And if it's just to get shot because you smoked weed, then there would be a whole slew of people getting shot. Wonder what would have been said if Bill Clinton got bucked by police.

* Judge Arthur Cooperman RETIRED after giving his verdict. Hmmmm....

Now on to the blog.

The Cointelpro did a real number on the Black community. If you don't know, this government sponsored program was given the assignment to neutralize any and all potential black leaders in order to prevent the rise of a Black messiah.

Martin R.I.P. Malcolm R.I.P. Medgar R.I.P. Fred Hampton R.I.P. ---> I think you get the point.

This brings me to the aftermath of this Sean Bell tragedy. Truthfully, I expected the officers to be acquitted, because our government is still full of racist fucks.

A lot of folks out there are pointing to the Obama phenomenon, and even David Paterson, New York's first black governor, as evidence that racism is fading in America. Two words--bull, shit.

It's truly sad to watch intelligent, grown-ass men have to succumb to politics and not speak the truth to the people they are supposed to represent. Obama has stated that though the shooting appeared to be excessive, the judge has made his ruling, and it should be respected. I just read in the Daily News that Paterson reacted unfavorably to Sharpton's notion of 'shutting the city down' in protest. Here's what Paterson had to say:

"People are trying to go to work. We're trying to conduct commerce here....From the perspective of management of government, you never want your city shut down."

When Paterson's sucker-ass wasn't governor, he marched with Sharpton in protest of the Amadou Diallo killing. But now that he's the state number 1 guy, he has business to protect? What about your fucking people? I know he can't see nobody with his blind ass, but that ain't no excuse.

Seriously speaking though, we have a real lack of leadership in the Black community. If we have a President and Governor who are too scared to speak the truth, then what hope do we have?

One might make the argument that these men have to make such statements to protect themselves, but for me that is simply an excuse for cowardice. Obama tries to come off as this straight shooter, but in reality he is going to do whatever is necessary to win his nomination. He's thrown his own pastor of 20 years under the bus for this shit. How can Obama show his face in that church ever again?





Saturday, April 26, 2008

Old School Video of The Week--FUCK THE POLICE!!!



Though there's no official video for this, I would have personally used the Rodney King beating tape. Anyhow, FUCK THEM COPS. People been like, "Barber, you ain't worried about cops and internet Feds tracking you?" And I say, "Nigga, they been following my black ass! And if I'ma go out, I'ma go out having said what needed to be said."

The Ballot, or the Bullet? A time to kill? Whom?




I send a prayer to the family and friends of brother Bell, who is hopefully resting in peace.

Even if those bitch-ass cops got 25 years for shooting Sean Bell, they still got off easier than Bell did.

This shit reminds me of that movie A Time To Kill, probably the last good Sam L. Jackson flick. Specifically, I'm reminded of the last courtroom scene when Matthew McConaughey's character has to force the jury to think of the victim as a little white girl in order for them to understand the depth of the crime committed against the young black girl. This country is so racist that it can't perceive wrongdoing unless it's done to one of its chosen people. So instead of waxing philosophical on how this case has been fucked up since that tragic night, I want to provide some similes for folks who just may not get it:

Sean Bell's murderers getting off is kinda like:

1. OJ Simpson killing another white woman(a Jew at that), getting acquitted, and holding a press conference flanked by Farrakhan and Professor Griff from Public Enemy.

2. Seinfeld, Friends, Sex and the City, and Will & Grace all being canceled and replaced with episodes of The Parkers.

3. A man getting castrated, then getting hired to be a judge in a blowjob contest at the Playboy mansion.

4. Having your Sag Harbor summer home confiscated and given over to the Fresh Air Fund. Then having your trust fund donated to the United Negro College Fund.

5. Obama winning the Presidency, then hiring Reverend Wright as the official White House Chaplain.

It's kinda like all of that shit, times every day of your fucking life.

Wednesday, April 16, 2008

Wu Tang Office--Exclusive, straight from the 36 chambers

My dude Hassan from Sankofa sent this to me, and I've been holding my guts from laughing since. This shit is why You Tube is the fucking champ.




And this video is just some inspiration for y'all up and comers:

Saturday, April 12, 2008

Old School Video of the Week--Jeru The Damaja--You Can't Stop the Prophet

Oh no, they gonna try and cut my hair! But that can't stop the Prophet...

Monday, April 7, 2008

Next up to bat--The Dugout



For the next few months, I will be making it my business to give exposure to music that needs to be heard round the world. For all of the "Yungs" and "Lils" of the world, you have a collective called The Dugout who allow you to exhale. I chose these guys first, because they have garnered a respectable amount of attention with no label deal. At a recent show I attended at Brooklyn's Southpaw, I watched this group take over the night with their energy. Point blank, The Dugout just might be my favorite crew right now. They're all over Baje One's "Weightless EP", which was recently released on Def Jux Records for FREE download. I've been to a few shows before, and trust your Barber, they're worth seeing. Check out the title track from this EP featuring Mercury.



Here's a video I peeped for a song of Mercury's called "TCB". I appreciate anyone who appreciates TCB. Kept combs from breaking in my family for years! Anyhow, I don't think the song has much to do directly with activator spray:



I first remember seeing Cavalier in a VH1 commercial that aired during the first Hip Hop Honors ceremony. I've also seen his name popping up in various blogs, including The Smoking Section. There's a damn good reason too. Check this video he did for a song called "Dionne"



I did a lil' post on StarPower's Petting Zoo mixtape, which is still my favorite release of '08. Here's a track from it called
Syllable Texture:

Sunday, April 6, 2008

A Calypso for Barack by Mighty Sparrow

This dude Barack is really pulling people together. Here's a song by the Mighty Sparrow, a legendary Calypso singer from Trinidad. I consider him to be one of the greatest emcees who have ever lived. Check this tune set to a video montage of brother Obama.

Wednesday, April 2, 2008

Old School Video of The Week-- East Flatbush Project "Tried by 12"

"Cuz I'd rather be tried by 12, than carried by 6".

Undoubtedly one of the illest rap beats ever. This is one of the crews that should get honorable mention at Hip Hop Honors, for the beat alone. I just saw Video Music Box again for the first time in years, so Uncle Ralph inspired me.

The intro is dumb long, but the video is on there.