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Katrina Clap, Part 2: Public Enemy - “Hell No We Ain't Alright!”

Public Enemy - “Hell No We Ain't Alright!” (Real Media file)

Unfortunately, it has taken a tragedy as big as Katrina to bring Public Enemy back into a forefront (Flava Flav and all). But out of all of the Katrina songs that have been floating around on the internets, this one seems to be the most poigniant.

The beast has has awakened. George Bush better run. (via City Pages)

Update: Republic of T has a link to the video (Quicktime) for K-Otix's “George Bush Doesn???t Like Black People,” as well as more Katrina response tracks.

Related: “Golddigger” Remix (”George Bush Doesn???t Care About Black People”)

Tags: Mandrill

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Album Preview

Album Preview: Bloc Party - Silent Alarm Remixed

Sidenote: First off, I want to thank Puffy for inventing the remix. Because if he didn't, this CD wouldn't be possible.

The fact that Bloc Party probably will never get as much notoriety as The Killers, The Bravery, and (Insert Disco Rock Band Here) is a crying shame. Silent Alarm (the original one) is the best rock album to come out in the past 5 years.

Bloc Party dropped its new Silent Alarm Remixed>Silent Alarm Remixed CD last week, continuing the whole neo-hipster trend of semi-obscure DJ's reworking rock and oldies tracks. Its a track-by-track reworking of the the groups regular Silent Alarm album and so far its been getting mixed reviews (although Pitchfork gave it an 8.0). Personally for me, Silent Alarm is so damn good that a remix CD really isn't needed, but I'm sure that the band had to fullfill some record company obligations.

Even so, I'm sure that avid BP fans like Miss Hipstah will add this new CD to their collection.

• Bloc Party - ???Blue Light??? Engineers ???Anti-Gravity??? Mix (MP3)

(via Coolfer)

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Hassle The Hoff…or Why am I always the last to know?

David Hasselhoff is making a rap album.

Yes. You heard me.

And it's true. Not only is David Hasselhoff making a rap album…but ICE T is producing it.

And now I'm being told that this was announced some time LAST YEAR??

Maybe I really should stop leaving the house.

Tags: Mandrill

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Hip-Hop

Album Preview: Jamiroquai - Dynamite

Is it me, or does Jamiroquai always come out from nowhere and drop another album? It seems that every time I try to push this group into the 90's nostalgia bin, Jay Kay and company always come back in another last ditch effort to stay relevant.

Sidenote: If ya'll don't know who the hell these dudes are, I suggest that you download buy Travelling Without Moving for a complete Jamiroquai overview.

The band releases its 6th (only 6?) album, entitled Dynamite today. Though the times have changed, the band has kept its “white boy funk” formula in tact for almost 15 years. Other than one crappy album (Synkronized anyone?), the group has consistently stayed on top of the good music mountain, giving lead singer Jay Kay ample amounts of bling in the process.

These guys are gonna end up being the Rolling Stones of funkified soul.

But can this band still be consistent and keep up with the times? I still don't know. The first single, “Feels Just Like It Should” is unimpressive. However, after listening to a couple other tracks (”Dynamite” and “Seven Days”) I'm not going to pass judgment on this album just yet.

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TO People: Eternia Album Release Party

If you read this site, you already know know that I think that Eternia is the best female rapper in the game right now, and ya'll can't tell me otherwise. If you disagree then let me know in the comments section and let's rumble.

Seriously though, if you haven't heard of Eternia, then you should definitely check her out. Also, if you're in Toronto, then you should head over to Dream Lounge for her album release party and the premiere of her new video, “Evidence”.

Sadly, I’ll be in DC, but I gotta make a road trip to the T Dot real soon (TO people hook me up!).

Details after the jump.
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Tags: Mandrill

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Hot Track: Ludacris, Field Mob, and Ray Charles - Georgia

With all of the Ray Charles worhip that's going on right now (thanks Kanye), ya'll had to see this coming. Slap me if I'm the last person to post about this, but this might be one of the hottest tracks of the summer (fall?).

• Ludacris, Feild Mob, and Ray Charles - Georgia

Tags: Mandrill

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New Music Friday: DJ Eurok - Quarterly Report

DJ Eurok is back again with Quarterly Report, a mix of rare grooves and remixes from NAS, Poor Righteous Teachers, Plant Life, Zap Mama and more:

Free MP3 Stream (Limited Time Only)

Buy for only $7.99 USD (with free shipping from DJEurok.com.

Tags: Mandrill

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Venice Beach Graffiti

From Day 3 of my California trip:

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Tags: Mandrill

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New Saul Williams Poem

Saul Williams wrote a poem in response to Hurricane Katrina. And just like most everything he writes, it's amazing. You can also find it on his website.

When the Storm is Forgotten

When the storm remains distant
We are heroes of complacency
Puffed chest and swollen pride
We hate ourselves in ways
Only the deepest love could recognize

When the storm remains distant
There is no such thing as us
There is only dollar and dynamite
Gunpowder and fiery God
The churches are filled with women and children
The men pray only in case of emergency
We worship a foreign truth
And only death will stamp our passport

When the storm remains distant
There is no afterlife
Most die unborn
Most live unloved
Disappointment takes on new names and costumes
The future is stillborn and disfigured
The womb becomes an airtight safe
Darkness swallows darkness

When the storm remains distant
Nothing is as is
Songs are opiates
Sleep is the burial ground of dreams
Happiness is a lie
Sex is where love is not

When the storm remains distant
We are unreminded and dare to forget
School is a fashion show
Violence is comfort food
Family is nothing
And nothing is real

When the storm remains distant
Niggas are free to be Niggas
Niggers, Black, you name it

Anything but one thing
Everything but nothing
Even with a shitload of platinum
Wrapped around his neck
Like a southern tree gone petrified
Screw face pearly gate-mouth
Tangled nectar of the stars

When the storm remains distant
Stars are retired drug dealers nicknamed God
Rapists with pretty voices
And anyone but anyone who shines

When the storm remains distant
The sun is flawless in its magnitude
The heavens reflect breath of angels
The people bask in themselves
The storm is forgotten

When the storm is forgotten
The waters, 'though they rise,
Fail to threaten
The people march backwards
from ashes to ashen,
Whiplash, car crash, Cash Money,
Some Niggas eat diamonds for breakfast
Pursue cheap labor, Enslave God

When the storm is forgotten
Poets are meteorologists
Behold, the farmers almanac
The sheep wake up and congregate
The litany begins

When the storm is forgotten
The struggle ends

May the storm never be forgotten.

- Saul Williams

Tags: Mandrill

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Fashion Update: Interview with Haydar of Kiser NY

Every one has a favorite t-shirt. I don't care who you are or what you do. You have a favorite t-shirt. It could be that one that is so soft and comfortable because you've worn it a zillion times. It could be that one that you got at a concert that was totally amazing. It could be that one that got you laid. Any way you look at it…you have a favorite t-shirt somewhere.

In the New York fashion scene right now there are tons of labels that want you to make one of their shirts your fave. One of these labels is Kiser NY.

Started by Kiser Haydar Barnes and Samandar Khelghati circa 2003/2004, Kiser NY has already been getting a lot of press. They've already been spotted in magazines like Cargo, Nylon, Mass Appeal and DNR. More recently, AJ wore one of their shirts on one of his last appearances on 106 & Park. Like I said in a previous post, these guys are going places.

In between shows and other various fashion events, Haydar Barnes, half the creative team of Kiser NY, found a moment to relax and answer a few questions.

How did you get into the fashion/t-shirt business?

I graduated with a Graphic Design degree from the Rochester Institute of Technology in 2002 and started working for a corporate design firm that did a lot of work for Sony, Minolta and SAP. While I was slaving away doing generic design for a company that made millions off my sweat, I was excited and inspired by the blossoming t-shirt explosion in NYC. I would hit up stores like UNION and be so inspired by the work that was being done. So when I lost my job at the design firm a year and a half ago, I decided to do the t-shirt thing full time and invest completely in my passion.
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Tags: Mandrill

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