“Oscar Grant Movie Trailer just came out. Starts at the Cannes Film Festival in France this weekend. Praying for success there. Then moves to LA Film Festival as the Gala film and premieres on June 17th. It will be in Oakland shortly after that to premiere, then to New York for a premiere, and finally in theaters July 26, 2013” (via The Oscar Grant Foundation)
I had a blast at the University of San Francisco (@USFCA) last week where I was honored to deliver a keynote lecture intertwining music, storytelling & a unique visual presentation. Big SHOUT OUT to all the students who organized and the faculty who supported them in manifesting their vision for this very special “FIGHT THE POWER : The Fifth Element of Hip Hop” conference. SHINE ON, RAPtivists! ❤
Check out highlights from a recent panel I took part in called “Run It Back: Remembering & Reimagining Hip Hop As Social Activism” feat. M-1 (Dead Prez), Jasiri X, Mark Gonzales, Jahi, StaHHr & moderated by Davey D.
This link includes a reflection by Jasiri X & a video of memorable moments in the discussion. Hope that it brings you inspiration & relevant insight as we build shared vision, solidarity…
Oneness,
A
#BAYAREA Come join me & my band for these events in May! #RAPtivism
— Audre Lorde
May we, as citizens of the planet come together and fight the climate change criminals, for our mother, Pachamama. Happy Planet Day!
Michigan State University—so nice to connect with you all this weekend through song, speech & one-on-one conversation!
Big shout out to Aisha for generously lending her talents for our Beats for the Revolution Mixtapes on Women and the Occupy Movements where she gave she provided us with some incredible drops and speech excerpts.. Also much props to her for providing us with key names for our Ultimate List of Female Emcees which she is a part of..
-Davey D
— Wu Tang Clan (via darlingcows)
So proud to have been part of making this #RAPtivism event in solidarity with the #OscarGrant Foundation happen!
#Oakland #PoliceBrutality #Resistance
My keynote presentation at Rock The School Bells 6 hosted by Skyline College on the theme “Sky’s The Limit” in honor of the Notorious B.I.G.
Check it out, leave a comment, share :)
Peep one of the latest videos from Shadia Mansour (@shadiamansour) & Omar Offendum (@offendum) titled
Chorus)
الأرض إبترجع إرجوع، العالم عم بدوخ
الولي وين ضللنا إنروح، لازم نتغير
(Translation)
The earth is moving anti-Clockwise
and the world is losing its balance
Tell me, where else is there for us to go
We have to change
(Verse) Shadia
كل ما حدة بيمنعني، بشجعني أعمل العكس
أنا أخت ارجال، بس صاحبة حق
كيف بدي أقول عن حالي مقاتلة الحرية إذا ببعد عن التحدى، إذا بخاف من كلمة لأ
مجتمعنا مثل توقيت الغرب، دايماً إمأخر
كل ما ناخد دفشي لا قدام ، بيدفشونا عشرين قرن لا ورى
وبالنسبه لل فلسطيني، هل حالي بتحزن أكتر من شهر تشرين الثاني
أنا عندي أمل في الانسان ، بس الحكي ما بيفيد، ما بجيب غير الحلم
احنا بين احتلالين، إحتلال المخ وإحتلال البلاد
مفش شك أن الطريق إلى المساواة معقدة
بس مستقبلنا بيبدا لما نحرر أنفسنا من العبودية العقلية
(Verse) Omar
أيه والله ما عاد في خيار
اللي بهمه مستقبل العالم كله
قله: لا ضرر ولا ضرار
من عمر عمر الفاروق لثورة عمر المختار
هلجملتين اللي أيد الإزدهار
يا عمي خذ قرار
مشان ما تصفي لوحدك بالغبار
أو على سفينة الحياة
بين الجزيرة والمنار
اللي بيحتار …
يطفء تلفزيونه
ولي ما بعيش بدونه
لك الله كون بعونه
قرن الواحد وعشرين
بدأت بالزلازل
عواصف وقنابل
دمرت أبراج بابل
دم العرب لسة سائل
دأماً فش أحد سائل
وهذي مشكلتنا
فتنا بالفتنة ونسينا اسرتنا
لا تكون أناني
فكر بخيك
فكر ببيك
اتذكر اللي بيحكي زيك
حتى أولادك وأحفادك يمشو بفيك
واذا حاسس صدرك عميتضايق
خذلك نفس خي …
وقوم اتغير
(Translation)
We no longer have a choice …
Anyone who is concerned about the future of mankind as a whole, should heed these words:
‘La Dharar - wa La Dharar’
From the age of Omar Al-Faruq
To the revolutions of Omar Al-Mukhtar
These two sentences are what have helped us prosper
So make a decision
Before you end up alone in the dust
Or on the boat of life drifting between Aljazeera & Almanar
If you’re confused … turn off your television
And if you can’t live without it - then God help you
The 21st century
Began with Earthquakes
Hurricanes & Bombs destroying the Towers of Babel
The blood of Arabs is still flowing but nobody ever cares
And this our problem
Succumbing to fitna & forgetting our family
Stop being selfish
Think of your brother
Think of your father
And remember those who speak like you
So that your children & grandchildren can walk in your shade
And if ever you feel your chest is constricting
Just take a deep breath my brother…
Stand Up & CHANGE.
THIS WEEK! Trinity International Hip Hop Festival in Hartford, CT
This is one of the only events of its kind that I know of in the U.S. that brings together such an great contingency of global hip hop artists, thinkers & organizers in one space! Definitely worth checking out.
A mes amis au Maroc—
Check it out!
http://www.boulevard.ma/
