SOBs International Hip-Hop Showcase
January 23, 2008 | Leave a Comment
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| NTERNATIONAL HIP-HOP SHOWCASE AT SOBS
Event Information: |
MLK Day at Proctor Academy!
January 21, 2008 | Leave a Comment
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Nomadic Wax
Proctor Academy MLK Celebration
 This is the first page I’ve created that features only photographs from inside the Norris Theater. While living in the west African country of Senegal, Ben Herson became intrigued with the use of rap music to promote polital and social change, a phenomenon that propelled the election of Abdoulaye Wade in 2000. Collaborating with creative friends, Ben founded Nomadic Wax to explore and document the power of underground African music as a vehicle for social change. He brought Nomadic Wax to Proctor this weekend as we observed Martin Luther King’s legacy. On Friday night, the whole school gathered for a hip-hop concert featuring Senegalese rappers. As the evening progressed, the crowd closed in on the performers on stage. Ben noted that American rap descends from the oral tradition of call-and-response that survived the slave trade, and slavery itself. The introduction of hip-hop into African culture, therefore, is the completion of an artistic circle that began with the capture and trade of human chattel in west Africa hundreds of years ago. The role of hip-hop in Senegalese politics is remarkable. While American rap lyrics glorify violence, crime and sex, none of this was possible in Senegal, due to cultural and religious (Muslim) traditions. Elders must be honored and promiscuity is deemed sinful, so lyrics decrying poverty and politcal inertia filled a vacuum. In short, the Wade regime failed to bring the change that was promised in 2000. So, the elections of 2007 provided a rich setting for competing, underground musical positioning. Thirteen candidates vied for votes that would place them into an anticipated run-off election between the two highest qualifiers. Nomadic Wax’s documentary film "Democracy in Dakar" is a series of shorts–interviews and raps by underground artists and observers. All of the calls for change had failed, as voters opted for stability. A sense of national despair followed. While the role of hip-hop as an agent for social change in Senegal is beyond question, it failed–at least in 2007–to do something that the folk and gospel movement achieved in the United States in the 1960s.
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 Ben Herson decided to document the power of hip-hop to accrue social change in Senegal.
 It may look and sound like American rap, but the lyrics respect social traditions and tabboos which prohibit personal attacks on elders.
   Students were invited to join in!
 A panel discussion followed Saturday morning’s showing of "Democracy in Dakar."
 Following the panel, students were invited to hang out with the artists.
 Speaking in Monday’s assembly, Andover resident Ray Mitchell recalls the power of folk music at the April, 1965 MLK-led march on Montgomery, AL, of which he was a part.
 Members of the chorus sing a traditional spiritual Monday morning.
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Shockingly, the results of the February 25 election made a run-off unnecessary, as the incumbent Wade miraculously secured a majority of the popular votes.
MLK Weekend Show at Proctor Academy
January 14, 2008 | Leave a Comment
Jan 25th – Thierno Camara live at Get Down Friday
January 14, 2008 | Leave a Comment
Free Zimbabwe Radio Special Part 1 – plus Facebook Group and Website
January 10, 2008 | Leave a Comment
Free Zimbabwe Radio Special Part 1 – plus Facebook Group and Website
In an effort to learn more about the ongoing crisis unfolding in Zimbabwe – Nomadic Wax launched 3 new initiatives
1. The latest Nomadic Wax Radio show was dedicated to Zimbabwean situation and was aired July 3rd on WNYE/KEXP. The streaming version is online and available to listen to 24/7.
Listen to the online version of the Nomadic Wax Radio – Zimbabwean Special here!
There will be a second issue of this show with even more interviews – so stay tuned and let us know if you have ideas, thoughts, suggestions for new interviews.
2. Join the Free Zimbabwe Facebook Group for updates!
3. Visit the website freezimbabwe.org – for article, in depth interviews and more!
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Hip Hop Heroes Rodstarz and G1 of Rebel Diaz Attacked and Arrested by NYPD
January 10, 2008 | Leave a Comment
Hip Hop Heroes Rodstarz and G1 of Rebel Diaz Attacked and Arrested by NYPD
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Teresita Ayala
June 19, 2008 312-489-0505
Hip Hop Heroes Rodstarz and G1 of Rebel Diaz Attacked and Arrested by NYPD
Yesterday, June 18, 2008, Rodstarz and G1 were walking peacefully down the street with their friend visiting from Chicago when they came upon police officers from the 41st Precinct in the Bronx in the middle of a sting against street vendors, aggressively confiscating the fruit and vegetables of street vendor. When they approached the officers to ask why the vendor was being treated in that manner and asked for their badge numbers, the officers turned their aggressions on the duo. After beating them and arresting them in front of over a dozen witnesses, they were taken to the 41st Precinct.
Within hours, over 75 friends, community members and activists gathered outside the precinct (1035 Longwood Avenue at Southern Blvd.) to sing, chant, drum and march for over 4 hours, demanding that all charges be dropped and that Rodstarz and G1 be immediately released. After withstanding a rainstorm, a rainbow offered hope that community resistance will overcome police brutality.
The following morning more than 25 people gathered at the Bronx County Criminal Court for their arraignment. The men are charged with two misdemeanors: obstruction of justice and resisting arrest, and are scheduled for court on September 3rd, 2008.
A cell phone video of the arrest was released to news circuits, and friends have already compiled video montage of the arrest, protest and the duo’s music, available at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RJ-_1b6AO6w&feature=email.
Brothers Rodstarz and G1 are no strangers to repression and resistance. Sons of Chilean political exiles, they grew up on Chicago’s north side, where police brutality was a daily reality. Upon their move to the South Bronx in early 2006 they were invited to perform their revolutionary music at the historic immigrant rights march in New York City, in front of 500,000 people. Today, Rebel Diaz travels throughout the world performing and organizing, using Hip Hop as a tool for education and social change around immigration, education and housing issues.
More information on the group can be found at http://www.rebeldiaz.com/ or www.myspace.com/rebeldiaz
Press are invited to hear directly from the duo and supporters at a press conference today at 4pm at Mothers on the Move, 928 Intervale Ave, Bronx, NY 10459.
Africa Underground at Boston Intl Film Festival
January 10, 2008 | Leave a Comment
AFRICAN UNDERGROUND AT THE BOSTON INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL – TONIGHT!
Boston International Film Festival
SESSION 16
Monday, June 9, 6:30pm – 8:30pm
Democracy in Dakar – 70min
African Underground: Democracy In Dakar explores the transformative role of hip-hop on politics in Senegal, West Africa during the February 2007 presidential election campaign.
Looking at the election through the eyes of hip-hop artists around Dakar, Senegal’s capital, this documentary mixes interviews, freestyles, and commentaryfrom journalists, artists and
politicians. Senegalese society is seen on the brink of democratic change, where hip-hop artists are one of the few groups un-afraid of speaking out, despite real attempts at
intimidation. Originally shot as a series of shorts distributed via the internet, African Underground: Democracy In Dakar explores the boundaries of guerrilla-style film production & distribution.
Producer, Co-Producer: Benjamin Herson
Co-director, Co-Producer: Chris Moore
Co-Director, Co-Producer: Magee Mcllvaine
World Savvy’s Global Youth Media and Arts Festival
January 10, 2008 | Leave a Comment
World Savvy’s Global Youth Media and Arts Festival celebrates the creativity and vision of NYC youth artists! The Global Youth Media and Arts Program (MAP) is an arts education program for youth ages 10-18 in New York and San Francisco which examines an annual global theme.
Festival Exhibition:
NYU Commons Gallery, June 1-20
Opening Celebration:
Friday June 6, 6pm
Commons Gallery
NYU Steinhardt
Barney Building, Ground Floor
34 Stuyvesant Street, New York NY
@ 9th Street b/w 2nd and 3rd Avenues
Performing Arts Showcase:
LaGuardia Performing Art Center Saturday June 7, 6pm
Featuring performance by powerful hip-hop duo: DJ Laylo and Eli Efi
LaGuardia Community College
31-10 Thomson Avenue
Long Island City, N.Y.
Limited Seating: To reserve tickets email: tickets@worldsavvy.org or call 212-759-2307. A suggested donation of $5 at the door will be asked of those attending, and light refreshments will be served. No one will be turned away for lack of funds.
Please check www.worldsavvy.org for detailed program information or contact Victoria Restler at victoria@worldsavvy.org with questions, interest, or to organize free student fieldtrips between June 2-20 2008.
Democracy in Dakar at Passport to Africa!
January 10, 2008 | Leave a Comment
PASSPORT TO AFRICA
7 Days/10 Unique Events
MAY 18-25, 2008
Passport to Africa is produced and brought to you by IDOA Entertainment, LLC.
Join Nomadic Wax during
Passport to Africa!
Monday, May 19, 2008 (8-10pm)
Film Screening “African Underground: Democracy in Dakar”
Come view this groundbreaking documentary film about hip-hop, youth and politics in Dakar, Senegal.
The Space / 903 N St NW/ Washington, DC 20001
Admission: Free
Make sure to take advantage of other exciting events through the week!
www.passporttoafrica.com
Invincible Album Release Party!
January 10, 2008 | Leave a Comment
Thurs May 8 @ Southpaw
125 Fifth Ave, bet Sterling & St. John, Brooklyn
(B/Q to 7th Ave, M/R to Union, 2/3 to Bergen)
$12 adv / $15 door (18 + with ID)
Tickets: http://www.spsounds.com/
Human Element – artists creating change
Featuring –
INVINCIBLE // album set featuring special guests Waajeed (PPP, bling47), Wordsworth, & Finale (Detroit)
ANOMOLIES // NYC
Abeer // Palestine/Slingshot Hip Hop
Indeed // De La Soul affiliate
Tiombe Lockhart // NYC/Platinum Pied Pipers
Jocelyn de Leon // SF Bay
DJs –
Laylo // Liberation Lounge / NYC
Chela // New Girl Order / NYC/NC
Flavorfull // Unemployable NYC
Dance Crews –
Fox Force Five // NYC
MAWU // NYC
The Ingines // Philly
Rockafella + Full Circle // NYC
Visuals –
Cece + Erin// Trust Your Struggle / SF / NY
Toofly + AM // Younity // NYC
Hosted by –
Eternia // NYC + Toronto
Herawin // NYC / Juggaknots
Sponsored by – FUSICOLOGY, EMERGENCE, DOPESWAN, and ALLIED MEDIA CONFERENCE
