A Tribe Called Quest performed their song “Space Program” on SNL. This is one of my favorite songs off the album We Got It From Here … Thank You 4 Your Service. Busta Rhymes and Consequence rush the stage at the end of the performance for and epic moment.
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A Tribe Called Quest were the musical guest on tonights Saturday Night Live hosted by Dave Chappelle. Jarobi, Q-Tip and Ali Shaheed Muhammad are the remaining members o the group after Phife passed away earlier this year. They honor him in this performance. Check it out below.
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Ohio born, Chicago resident and amazing artist Brittany Nacole released a video for her song “Saturdaze”. Brittany takes us on a walk through Hyde Park as her cheerful disposition brightens everyones day.
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A Tribe Called Quest album cover for “We Got It From Here…Thank You 4 Your Service” – Photo Source: Instagram @qtiptheabstract
“Got to get it together forever got to get it together for brothers, got to get it together for sisters, for mothers and fathers and dead niggas, for non conformers one hitter quitters for Tyson types and Che figures. Let’s make something happen.”
The world has shifted and we got exactly what we needed to lift us. A Tribe Called Quest dropped a new album after 18 years. The quote mentioned above is from the first song off the release We Got It From Here … Thank You 4 Your Service called “Space Program”. The words are a call to action to a segment of the community who felt crippled and damaged after the current election cycle. It’s a shot in the arm a reminder that the mission for improvement and freedom is not over with.
To say that this album was highly anticipated is an understatement. This release continues a trend of amazing music that has dropped in 2016. In March of this year one of the members of the group Malik Issac Taylor aka Phife passed away from complications with diabetes at the age of 45. It was a blow to the hip hop community. Hearing his voice on the project is somber, fulfilling and amazing. When Q-Tip mentioned that the album was coming he made it a point to mention that these were not not old Phife bars “No this isn’t filled with old Phife bars…this is that pure, unstepped on pure.”said Q-Tip
That is the best description of this project. It is pure in a way that the production and the verses are nurturing to the soul. Jarobi White who has been called the glue of the crew and plays the background laces a few tracks with rhymes no one was expecting and son got skills yo! Andre 3000 , Kendrick Lamar, Busta Rhymes Consequence, Talib Kweli, Jack White, Anderson Paak, Elton John and Kanye West add their voices to the project. As diverse as this guest list is you never get the sense that this is not a Tribe album. The track Mobius featuring Consequence and Busta Rhymes has no original Tribe members on it but it still feels like Tribe.
It’s refreshing to hear real voices with annunciation, definition and substance. All the tracks are produced by Tribe as a unit. This is fitting being that this is their sixth and final studio album that includes all of their original members. “Lost Somebody” is an ode to Phife and celebrates his life as Q-Tip and Jarobi lament over their relationship with their brother. Q-Tip and Phife issues were very public and on some level caused for the the group to break up. Q-Tip admits to being overbearing and appreciates the fact that they were always honest with each other and never pretended.
We Got It From Here … Thank You 4 Your Service triggers an emotion that seems to have been untapped in rap music as of late. Knowing that Phife is no longer with us and status that Tribe holds in the world of hip hop makes this album more meaningful. Hip hop heads are rejoicing all around the world right now because Tribe delivered a classic right on time.
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I wrote this story in March of 2016 as Trump, Presisdent-elect Trump was campaigning. To be honest, I never thought this would happen. However; all politics aside what this really speaks to is our ability to accomplish anything. This gentleman has never held a political office in his life and will be inaugurated in January of 2017 as President of The United States. Read my article from March below. Let me know how you feel in the comments.
Originally written in March of 2016 for rollingout.com
Sigh. I wish I could say that we were living in bizzaro world for the past few months and this current election cycle was just a practice run for the real one. I really wish I could say that. I wish I could say it does not matter what other countries think of the United States and our choices when it comes to politics. I wish I could say that. What I can say is that if anyone is living the American Dream to the fullest it is Donald Trump.
Trump is currently racking up delegates in the Republican primaries. Nothing seems able to stop the Trump train. The son of a real estate mogul and grandson of a German immigrant is now a viable candidate for president. Looked at objectively, this is truly an example of what one can accomplish in America. Trump’s father, Fred Trump, managed to buy up sections of Queens, New York, and become a millionaire. When he died, his net worth was between 250 to 300 million dollars. Understanding the importance of generational wealth, Fred loaned his son Donald money to start a business venture of his own. Trump mentions this loan in a Town Hall he held in New Hampshire sponsored by “Today.” He said “My father gave me a small loan of a million dollars.” Donald’s business ventures have made him a billionaire. According to the most recent Forbes list, Trump is worth about 4.5 billion dollars. Trump maintains that no one knows his net worth and he has yet to release his tax documents to the public, however; he owns businesses around the world and commands the respect of business leaders everywhere. So, what does a wealthy man do to satisfy his competitive urge? He runs for president. He is so wealthy that it affords him the opportunity to essentially lend money to his own campaign. Considering he is not beholden to anyone, he says what he wants with no apologies. Every racist, sexist and asinine remark he makes only further inflates his personality and ego.
He speaks to the core of Middle America and they eat it up even if he is only doing it for show. Trump understands what this is. This is a reality show and he is the biggest star and all of his fans are eating it up and waiting for the next drink to be thrown into someone’s face. Unfortunately his fans/supporters don’t realize that he is drenching them every time he speaks.
If the United States is really serious about its politics, there is no way that Trump will be elected. Most likely he will not be elected. Regardless of what happens, Donald Trump has proved one thing. The grandson of German immigrants can become a billionaire and run for the highest seat in the land, and potentially win. He truly is living the American Dream.
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Solange’s album “A Seat at the Table” is easily one of the best projects of the year. She recently performed the stand out tracks “Cranes in the Sky” and “Don’t touch my hair” on Saturday Night Live. The visuals are beautiful and the spirit of the songs stay intact. Check out the performances below.
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T.I. – Photo Source: Instagram @troubleman
Lil Wayne has not been the most popular person among his people these days. In a recent Nightline interview Wayne basically discredited the idea of racism, saying he has not experienced it and that he does not now what Black Lives Matter is.“[BLM] just sounds weird […] I’m a young, black, rich motherf*ker; if that don’t let you know that America understand black motherf*kers matter these days, I don’t know what it is. Don’t come at me with that dumb sh*t,” he said. “My life matter, especially to my bitches.” Twitter exploded after viewing and went after Wayne. Missing from the initial comments were his celebrity friends, but that has changed. T.I.has penned an open letter to Wayne and is leaning on their close relationship and the similarities in their experience to speak some sense into him.
T. I. took to instagram to pen his remarks
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Common recently released his latest project “Black America Again” check out the visual directed by Ava Duvernay.
Common at AAHH! Fest – (Photo Credit: Eddy “Precise” Lamarre)
Common has created yet another masterpiece with “Black America Again” The project starts off with a rousing introduction on the song “Joy and Peace “. It sounds like an opening prayer as Bilal’s layered vocals fill the track towards the end. There is a strong political message throughout the project speaking to politicians and citizens to take responsibility for the change that is necessary. Common has not veered away from what has kept him relevant in the industry for over 2 decades. He is a lyricist with a conscious who uses his platform for change.
The song “Black America Again” is an impassioned poem/song that pays respect to Trayvon Martin and any and every injustice that continues to be an issue in the Black community. The song points a finger but it doesn’t absolve anyone of their actions. “We hold these truths to be self evident all men and women are created equal including Black Americans” Stevie Wonders blends in toward of the latter part of the track singing “We are re-writing the Black American story.”
“Love Star” (feat Marsha Ambrosious and PJ) along with “Red Wine” (feat Syd and Elena) give the ladies what they expect from Common. Both songs convey that smooth Chicago vibe that is ever present in his work. “Pyramids” is the song for the emcees, and a few of the verses and acrobatics that you hear in this joint can explain why Common is in many Top 5 discussions. In one verse he spits “Shift the paradigm with a pair a rhymes” That lyric in itself speaks volumes to who Common understands himself to be and what he is here to do.
There is an honesty and authenticity that lives in this project. It’s fluid. Every lyric, drum, horn and interlude is purposeful. It manages to deliver a well needed message without sounding like a sermon. “Black America Again” is Unapologetically Black and undeniably hip hop.
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Chicago Cubs celebrating the final out in 2016 World Series – Photo Source: Instagram @Cubs
As a Chicagoan, a South Sider and a loyal Sox fan this win is one that can be shared with the entire city. The biggest day in Chicago baseball history has culminated into the Cubs finally becoming World Champions.
Social media is on fire, friends are texting me and the excitement is genuine and infectious. “To love the Cubs is a true love because they will kill your soul, crush your spirit and never say sorry…but the love is unconditional…because, to be a Cubs fan takes love to last…and finally….I feel like I been loved all along…it feels amazing!” said Victor R. Moore II.
Next year has finally arrived. It arrived at 11:47 local time at Progressive Field in Cleveland. The Cubs won 8-7.
Mayor Rahm Emanuel released a statement, saying:
“From Opening Day in April to a historic November night, the Cubs championship season united the city of Chicago and fans around the world behind this incredible team. The Chicago Cubs winning the World Series is about more than a game, more than a team, and more than a sport. It is about the families who have passed down a love for the Cubs from mothers and fathers to their sons and daughters, and from grandparents to grandchildren. It is about generations who have come together around radios, televisions, and within the friendly confines of Wrigley Field to root for the home team and share triumphs and defeats. Cubs fans have never given up hope that this day was possible, and this young team made it happen. Congratulations to the Ricketts family, Joe Maddon, Theo Epstein, and the players, staff, and fans who together broke the longest drought in professional sports and made history this year. Go Cubs go!”
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