HipHopMOtiVatES

Hip hop/spoken word rocks women’s music fest | Twin Cities Daily Planet | Minneapolis - St. Paul

2008 has been called by some to be “The Year of the Woman” for hip hop culture. Ever since I heard this its been like buying a new car. Before you get your new porsche they’re no where to be found. Once you have one in your drive way, they appear everywhere like blades of grass.

I have come notice more women in hip hop. They have been there for awhile. They are instrumental in carrying the torch for positive hip hop music and culture. For sources check out Davey D’s breakdown fm podcasts. He has many interviews with women in hip hop culture making moves. He goes all over from the east coast to the west coast bringing you the latest on the hip hop movement. Breakdown Fm is where I heard the term year of the woman in hip hop. Since then I have more intuned and recognize the impact that woman continue to have on hip hop culture. Enjoy the article!

One,

DLUX: THE LIGHT

The Spoken Word Hip Hop Poet

www.dluxthelight.com

Check my new blog about the good in hip hop!

hiphopmotivates.today.com

Must give credit when its due. “Hip Hop for H.I.V.” is receiving local press coverage from CBS 11 in Dallas, TX. http://cbs11tv.com/local/HIV.AIDS.hip.2.801340.html The article is not too in depth and it “covers” this story the way most news stations report on positive hip hop events. It happens around the part where they mention T.I. It annoys me! Its like the news station gives hip hop a pat on the back to tape a piece paper with the words “KICK ME” written with a bold black sharpie. Maybe I’m over reacting, maybe not. Check the article and see what I’m talking about.

I know one the main criticism about hip hop is that it is materialistic and too concern with money. Hip hop motivates is about showing a different side of hip hop. So why I’m I doing post about the Forbes top 20 hip hop money makers for 2008? Simple, Common. He made the list at number 12, making$12 million tying Eminem. Common has always been example of positive hip hop and this is inspiring to see that positivity can make money. It may seem harder to take the higher road. Yet it is not any harder than getting notice with excessive violence and sexual lyrics when every one is going that route. Its like standing in a crowd screaming for a free T-shirt. I’d rather be true to myself, make $12 million, and buy the T-shirt….Company.

Click below for the rest of the top 20

http://www.forbes.com/media/2008/08/15/music-media-hiphop-biz-media-cz_zog_0818cashkings_slide_15.html?thisSpeed=15000

One,

DLUX: THE LIGHT
The Spoken Word Hip Hop Poet
www.dluxthelight.com

For the good of hip hop!
hiphopmotivates.today.com

You may love it or hate it but its coming back. The “hip hop bible” returns with its 20th anniversary issue from facing bankruptcy last year. Check the link to article below….

http://www.mlive.com/entertainment/kzgazette/index.ssf?/base/features-2/121894685343000.xml&coll=7

I picked up a couple of copies from time to time. It was when the cover caught my attention (Features an emcee I liked or, hot girl in my teenage days.). I’m looking forward to this revival. The source is looking to broaden its scope of hip hop, with commentary from Michael Eric Dyson and prefessor Cornell West. Hopefully this Source we’ll bring less of the fluff and more of the good stuff while it chronicles this hip hop culture.

One,

DLUX: THE LIGHT

The Spoken Word Hip Hop Poet

www.dluxthelight.com

For the good of hip hop!

hiphopmotivates.today.com

That’s right folks Percy Miller a.k.a. Master P is the CEO of BBTV which stands for Better Black Television. There are alot of jokes to be had at this development. They all escape me at the moment, but all kidding a side. This is definitely an example of hip hop moving in a positive direction. Let’s just hope the Percy Miller is a better CEO than Master P was rapper (That was kind of funny right!?). Dub B TV (what I’m calling it) is schedule to debut in 2009 and I hope to have cable by then to check it out. It can’t be too bad, DJ Kool Herc is involved and all it has to do is beat out B.E.T. You know, Percy could of been a real no limit soldier and called the B.B.E.T. “Bob Johnson what! Yeah I Said it! UHHHHHHH!”

Anyway here’s the article…..

http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/content_display/news/e3ide19bac7b91209a2409443d1f1ea6d7b

One,

DLUX: THE LIGHT

The Spoken Word Hip Hop Poet

www.dluxthelight.com

Check my new blog about the good in hip hop!

hiphopmotivates.today.com

Lately, I have found myself defending spoken word, defending it from over generalizing stereotypes, and people who just don’t get it. My main point is that there is too much hatred of things when people just don’t understand. There is too much fear of the unknown.

What I have tried to do with things I don’t fully understand is say “I don’t know much about that.” I don’t dismiss it as being less than me or an invalid art form. I am not saying that everyone has to love spoken word. I am saying that it is enough to say I don’t like it and leave at that. Don’t call it garbage, or decide that everyone who participates is phony.

We assume folks reciting these revolutionary poems aren’t doing anything because we can’t see it. Out of sight and out of mind doesn’t mean not in action. This is the kind of thing that gives spoken word poetry a bad name. Besides everyone have different parts to play in the movement. Some deliver the news, some make the news, and others change the course of history. Which part do you play?

Anyway, the beat a week is a joint I call “smooth.” Hear it at www.dluxthelight.com click on BEAT-A-WEEK.

Until next time,

DLUX: THE LIGHT

The Spoken word hip hop poet

Dluxthelight.com

Reggie Miller, one of the greatest basketball players without a ring. I remember one playoff game, I don’t which team he was playing so I’ll say they Knicks for the purpose of this story. New York was up by two baskets something like 5 points and 30 seconds left on the clock. The pacers are in a full court press trying to make something happen.

They are on the Knicks home court and the feeling was that the Knicks had it all wrapped up. Until, Reggie Miller gets a steal on the inbound pass, steps back bust a three. Lead is now two, 12 or so seconds remain in the game. Through a series of missed free throws by the Knicks, Pacers get the ball back with one shot and guess who takes it and steals the game from the Knicks. What does this have to do with hip hop in Portland?

Many on the underground have been waiting and praying for the fall of Jammin’ 95.5. Today was supposed to be the day, but they Reggie Miller-ed the underground scene by moving up the dial to movin’. 107.5 is now the new jammin’.

I truly sit in the middle on this one. It would have been interesting to see how hip hop would develop in Portland. Some say 95.5 recked the progressing hip hop scene while others disagree. I’m not going to lie; I did enjoy the radio recently. Dj’s were being more expressive and creative with the mixes. I heard some old school Outkast on 95.5, and not just on Sunday. It was mid day, mid week!

I will have to echo the sentiments expressed in the Oregonian today. I hope the new jammin’ recognizes what makes hip hop culture great and works to develop that appreciation in the youth through the radio. We’ll see. A new game has begun, and I’m not leaving the arena early.

One!

DLUX: THE LIGHT

Beat-a-week this week “NDGroove of Thangs to Come” One of my retro tracks with a damn good groove if I say so myself.

Check it out here => music.dluxthelight.com

For those in the Portland, OR area there is an event you should check out. “The Prospective Gents Club 3rd Annual Youth Step Show” Here’s the info:
Time and Place Date: Saturday, May 17, 2008
Time:6:00pm - 8:30pm
Location: Nike’s Tiger Woods Center
Street: One Bowerman Drive
City/Town: Beaverton, OR

Don’t let the one bowerman drive confuse you. It’s at the Nike World Headquarters in Beaverton at The Tiger Woods Center. This is high energy and exciting event lots of fun every year. Good ahead and check it out.

Beat-a-Week this week is “The Creep.” It back to format this week, drums and the whole nine. Again, you know where to go music.dluxthelight.com!

Until Next Time!

DLUX:THELIGHT

Good People, I have to apologize because the beat of this week is not a “beat” at all. It contains melodies and harmonies but no drums. It’s a pretty song though. This is “Amalia’s Song” and it’s based on a melody that my wife, Marshelle, came up with along time ago, on the guitar. It is dedicated to her mother (R.I.P.). I hope you enjoy. Go to music.dluxthelight.com to check it out!

I’m still working on completing K.I.M. (Keep it moving), my third album. Life keeps tripping me up though, but I will not be denied. Also my own ambitions get in the way. I want to rework the website and let people listen to all my music through dluxthelight.com. Allow free downloads for those who join my email list. I want to include more flash on site as well. I guess, I just have to take on one project at a time. Well, that’s the dilemma when you are the one man management team. Be easy, folks!

One,
DLUX:THELIGHT

Are you a fan of Gnarls Barkley? Then check this site out http://www.fronttobackbacktofront.com. They are giving their next album away for free as a download with a twist. The whole thing is backwards! Y? Y not? Its quite an interesting experience to listen to backwards. If you actually allow yourself to listen to it backwards you might wonder, what if this is the way we heard music. Trippy!

Anyway week 12 continues on my Beat-a-Week ( http://music.dluxthelight.com ) with “Got Dem Beats” A track I made for my Peninsula Elementary hip hop tech class. We have the last couple verses to record today and tomorrow they perform the song for their school. The song is called “Let’s get Crump.” I’ll post the finish song on dluxthelight.com along my other class’ songs.

Still working on the Album K.I.M. and performing all over the city. Much respect to the students of Lewis and Clark, great show, great workshop. That’s it for now!

One Love

DLUX:THELIGHT

Music.dluxthelight.com