I feel like I have heard about this documentary forever. Remember when it was simply titled The Art Of Rap? The feelings that I had when I first saw the original trailer, over a year ago, haven't changed one bit. I can't wait to see this. Hopefully it's not pushed back again.
Coming June 15- Ice-T takes us on an intimate journey into the heart and soul of hip-hop with the legends of rap music. This goes beyond the stardom and the bling to explore what goes on inside the minds, and erupts from the lips, of the grandmasters of rap. Recognized as the godfather of Gangsta rap, Ice-T is granted unparalleled access to the personal lives of the masters of this art form that he credits for saving his life.
I've never been the biggest Ice T fan, but if this documentary is one third as good as the trailer . . . let's just say that September can't come quick enough for me.
"You're basing your career on a bangin' beat and a catchy hook. So, you know what you just did? You just made your producer a star." - Big Daddy Kane
Sucio Smash of Columbia University's Squeeze Radio on WKCR 89.9FM in New York City recently played this BBC Radio 4 documentary on Public Enemy called "The Black CNN': When Hip Hop Took Control". It's an incredible listen.
The documentary will make it's television premier on PBS in January of 2010, but they have been having community screenings throughout the country during October & November. Sadly, Pittsburgh gets the shaft once again for the cool stuff. You can check to see if there will be a neighborhood screening near you:
After watching it I decided that I really wanted to see the full interview with Mistachuck. I love Chuck D.! He's incredibly underrated as an artist in my opinion. Yeah, I know Public Enemy as a whole are legendary. But, Chuck is never really in the discussion of greatest emcee of all time. For my money it's him or this guy.
I'm getting off of topic! The point of this blog was to mention how annoyed I was with the D.L. Hughley interview. A few things:
1. Why did Steele automatically assume Chuck D. was from the projects or the streets?
2. Why didn't they follow up and ask him why the Republicans never cared about US or what WE thought? He is the party's leader, right? Well, he thinks or wishes he was.
3. Why in the hell is he talking about "selling" the party? You need to worry about fixing the party! If the party ever thought about issues that are important to the Black Community we would support it!
4. Steele, you know damn well they were talking about patronization of Black people by the Republican party! They weren't talking about who was in office first, you as the Lieutenant Governor of Maryland or Barack as a Senator. No one cares about a Lieutenant Governor. Even when you were LT. Governor, you didn't matter in your own party! They would trot you out every now and again, but you weren't a face of the party. You were/are just there in a "see we are diverse", kinda way.
5. BTW, if being LT. Governor of Maryland is so impressive why didn't you help improve Fredrick Douglass High School? As soon as you are talking about the failing schools in Baltimore City, it's the fault of the Democrats? What the hell were you doing, twiddling your thumbs?
6. Why are people accepting the spin that Lush Rimbaugh doesn't want the country to fail, just Liberalism? When you root for the President to fail you are also rooting for the country to fail! I did like Bush, but I didn't root for him to fail. I just thought the things he wanted would not work for the country.
7. He was a Republican since 17? *scratches head* I'm speechless over that one.
8. How did this show make it on to CNN? Comedy Central . . . maybe . . . but CNN?
9. Of all people, why did D.L. get to have this show? I've never thought of him as very funny, clever or insightful. CNN, you're an actual news outlet. Why didn't you give this spot in your line up to an actual Black journalist? I would love to have seen Michele Norris, Ed Gordon, Tavis Smiley, Gwen Eiffel, Michel Martin or Ron Allen get some quality time to ask serious questions!
Youtube has a channel called Living Legends where they are taking questions from vloggers and posing them to legends like Chuck D. Apparently it's been around for a few months, but I just stumbled upon it and thought I would pass it along.
, his latest album. I've been sleeping. Videos for the album are included in the playlist.
