So about a week ago Fox News was going CRAZY about Chicago emcee Common being invited to the White House to perform for an event. According to Fox Common is controversial, supports the killing of law enforcement officials, and symbolizes everybody BAD about this country. FA REAL FOX??? It’s not surprising, Fox News has been known to be on some silly business for the past few years, even inspiring Nas to write the song “Sly Fox” about their terrible reporting back in 2008.

Anywho.. when I heard about it, I thought it was foolishness on Fox’s end, and congrats to Common on being invited to the White House. Com Sense is a not only a super talented emcee but also a very positive force in the Hip Hop community. I could see if Gucci Mane was invited to the White House, that would be a different story.

So I found it very refreshing when John Stewart spoke out on Common’s behalf. Stewart sat with Bill O’Reilly and expressed that if Common can’t go to the White House than neither can Bono (U2) or Bob Dylan who have used their artistry to touch on controversial subjects. Thank You John! …And I’m going to leave it at that, check the video footage below.

John Stewart and Bill O’Reilly debate Common

Common performs at the White House

Yesterday I was invited to a special / private event Nike was hosting in Atlanta. It was a spoken word poetry contest put together for several metro ATL High School Students.

Students from Cedar Grove, W.D. Mohammed, and Green Pastures Christian High School competed for a chance to win a $1,000 scholarship fund and a pair of limited Nike Air Force Ones – 2009 Black History Month Edition. Students were encouraged to create a piece of poetry based on a “Game Changer” in their life, someone who has had an impact on them or the African American community. A Nike “Game Changer” is someone who can beat antyhing, to change everything. Is Señor Kaos a “Game Changer?” OH YOU BETTER BELIEVE IT! But this isn’t about ME right now.

V-103 personality and tastemaker Greg Street hosted the event. The judges included Atlanta Falcons’ players Curtis Lofton, and Jamaal Anderson (NO, not that Jamal Anderson). Also singer Ashley Phillips, Beyonce (Hot 107.9 / Youth Vibe), and Olympic Gold Metalist and ATL’s own Angelo Taylor. Brooklyn’s own Divine Bradley came out and shared a poem with the students, and also talked about how he created change in his community as a teenager by raising money to throw events at a local community center to keep his peers out of trouble. As a surprise, Grand Hustle recording artist Yung LA came through to show support and encouragement to the kids as well.

5 students took the stage to represent for their school. To me 3 of the poems were very similar touching on Barack Obama, as well as other African American pioneers / inventors who have made a change in America. One of the poems even sounded a lot like my song “Girls Rock Too” Hmmmm. But all in all their were 2 poets who really stood out from the rest. Asantewaa Adbur Rabanni (W.D. Mohammed H.S.) and Kedarius Peoples (Cedar Grove H.S.). Asantewaa’s poem was centered around having a conversation with her deceased mother and thanking her for being a “game changer” in her life. FRESH!!! I thought it was VERY original, unique, and stood out from every other poem that I heard. Kadarius’ poem weaved Dr. Martin Luther King’s “I Have A Dream” speech in with the current scope of the U.S. 41 years later. With the presence of an African American President (Barack Obama) have we witnessed MLK’s dream come true??? Interesting concept as well. Kedarius definitely brought the energy and got the crowd behind him as well.

Here’s the beautiful thing about technology. I captured both poems on video, and you can check em out right here.

Asantewaa Abdur Rabanni – W.D. Mohammed High School (Sophmore)

Nike Black History Month Poetry Contest Atlanta #1 from Señor Kaos on Vimeo.

Kedarius Peoples – Cedar Grove High School (Senior)

Nike Black History Month Poetry Contest Atlanta #2 from Señor Kaos on Vimeo.

When it was all said and done… Kedarius emerged as the Grand Prize winner. For coming in first place he received the limited edition Nike Black History Month sneakers, and $1,000 scholarship for higher education. Asantewaa who received 2nd place and Fenell Wilkins who came in 3rd both received a $500 scholarship and one pair of the limited edition BHM sneakers as well.

I thought this was a GREAT event. I was really happy to see the younger generation be into poetry. Now a days it seems every kid wants to be a rapper or a signer, so I was SUPER pleased to witness the next generation of ATL poets. Give these kids a few years, and I could see them at Apache Cafe or even on Def Poetry Jam tearing down the stage.

Salute to NIKE for honoring Black History Month with not only a sneaker for people to buy, but for executing this event, and going something positive in the community. I wish they had something like this when I was in High School.

Earlier today I was invited to a private event held by Nike in honor of Black History Month. The event was a spoken word poetry competition for ATL metro high school students. Students from W.D. Mohammed, Green Pastures, and Cedar Grove H.S. all came out to compete to win a $1,000 scholarship for college as well as a pair of limited edition Nike Air Force One – Black History Month Edition Sneakers.

I took a few pictures as well as captured some video footage from the event. Here’s just a preview of the event. Greg Street introduces Grand Hustle artist Yung LA who came out to show support to the students.

There’s more where that came from… so stay tuned.

Yung LA @ Nike Black History Month Event in ATL from Señor Kaos on Vimeo.

And now a word from my co-host of “The Show” Penny aka Ms Dia

Hello & Thanks for your time,

“3 on 3rd” is here again and I want to personally invite all of you out. Whether you’re family, a close friend, neighbor, co-worker or someone I’ve never met… I am inviting you to share a piece of the many great talents Atlanta has to offer & I am sure that you are going to enjoy them.

So sure, that if you come out & you were “honestly” not impressed with the performances… I’ll give you your money back!

Many of you know, I am a huge advocate for Preserving the Arts and every week (along with my Crew) on 89.3 fm WRFG-Atlanta’s – “The Show” we devote our time to sharing with the world some of the talent we believe deserve radio play. Due to the support we’ve received from you, we were able to independently produce a live, unplugged show called “3 on 3rd” that captures everything we deliver on our radio program.

“3 on 3rd” is an unplugged show, where we also go behind the music via “Lyrically Speaking w/Ms. Dia” and get insight, interpretations and learn the motivations behind the Artists songs. So far, we’ve featured Kelsy Davis, Queen, Kevin Sandbloom, Malachi, the Doll Daze and honored the late Ebon Dooley with a tribute/poetry slam. A number of other Vocalists, Emcees, Poets, etc. have come out and graced the stage, as well.

This month, it brings me great pleasure to feature

Shamora(www.myspace.com/Shamora) – Vocalist,
Snub aka Anderson Scott (www.myspace.com/38Snub) -Emcee
and Abyss(www.myspace.com/AbyssLivePoets) – Poet

In the months coming, we’ll have Phillippia, Corey “Zooman” Miller, Ozara Ode, Chocolate Thai, and a tribute to Rap Music during November as we celebrate Hip Hop Appreciation Month!

Again, I would love to see you out this week. I understand that some of you might not be able to make it… if that’s you, I do ask that you pass the word on!

Thank you & See you Thursday!

-Ms. Dia

This past Saturday night I went to see Gil Scott-Heron perform at Sugarhill in Atlanta. I was surprised that I had never seen him perform live before. I’ve seen video, have a lot of his work but never seen him live.

When I walked in Kelsey Davis was already into his set. I didn’t get a chance to get too close too the stage to snap pics. He had Abyss on the horn playing with him as well.

Ken Rye from Hot Ice introduced Gil and it was on from there. He came out and talked to the crowd for a while and told a few interesting stories about performing with Mos Def recently as well as he had a funny story about the media and how it’s one-sided. Def something we all can relate too these days especially with Blogging being as powerful as it is right now.

Interesting note. Gil asked that people not take too many pictures, and security informed that we could only take pictures without the flash so I didn’t get too many good shots of the show. That being said, I have to send a BIG Shout out to Photographer Shannon Mccollum who snapped pics and shared a few of us with us. Gil’s band put it down something serious.

Senor Kaos and Gil Scott-Heron

Jason Orr (Funkjazz) + Gil Scott-Heron + Ken Rye (Hot Ice Live)

Jason Orr + Jasz (Earwax) + Senor Kaos + Shannon Mccollum

Senor Kaos + Sonny (NBAF)

Overall the show was GREAT and I’m glad I got a chance to witness it a legend perform live. I caught a lil video but I didn’t want you guys to wait for it to get uploaded. So hopefully this will do for now

Lot of great events and happenings going on in July. Stay tuned as we gear up to cover the National Black Arts Festival in Atlanta. More info TBA.

I don’t think I’ve ever heard a track by Gil Scott-Heron that I didn’t like or felt was relevant. His catalog is CRAZY, and I wish I had more albums by him. Over the years I’ve stumbled across some of his work here and there from the 70′s and 80′s thats amazing. Songs like The Bottle, Whitey On The Moon, Home is where the Hatred Is, We Beg Your Pardon, have stood the test of time.

He’s also has been sampled by many Hip Hop artists over the years from De La Soul, Grand Puba, The Jungle Brothers, Masta Ace all the way up too Atlanta’s own Binkis Recs as well as Kanye West and Common.

People like Gil Scott, The Last Poets, and James Brown were the first Emcees hands down! For those who say you have an appreciation for Hip Hop Music / Culture, please do your homework and understand where this thing came from. It definitely didn’t start when Sugarhill Gang made Rappers Delight!

Here’s a couple videos from you to check out that’ll put you up to speed a lil something. We’ll be in the building tomorrow night.

“The Revolution Will Not Be Televised”

“The Bottle”

“Home Is Where The Hatred Is”

It’s called Break It Down!  This is a live TV Taping to be broadcast in major cities across the US.  I’ll be featuring HBO Def Poets Abyss and Malik Salaam, Leaf who was a guest star on UPN’s Girlfriends, Slam Champion Theresa Davis, Brother and sister duo Rockey and Grace, and more!  The show is May 2nd from 8pm to 11pm.  The venue is UTM TV studios, 860 Hank Aaron Dr., Atlanta, GA 30315.  Come enjoy hot talent, drinks at the bar, perfect FIRST FRIDAY event!  Pre-sale tickets are 8 bones and can be purchased online @ http://www.breakitdownatl.com

(this is not an open mic)

For more questions hit me up at:  acruz2185@yahoo.com

 

 

DUB FLOYD & WALLY SPARKS

HIP HOP DOCKTRINE 2(The Official Boondocks Mixtape)Hall Of Justus Edition (Disc 1ne)Hosted by Little Brother & Skyzoo
 
  Click Here To Download (Disc 1ne)01. League Crew – Intro
02. Little Brother – Intro
03. Chaundon – The Boondocks Theme 2.0
04. Chaundon & Asheru – Hip Hop Docktrine (Prod. By The Kickdrums)
05. Cool Cee Brown, Phonte, & Asheru – No Fear
06. Tanya Morgan – Walk This Way (Dream On) (Prod. By Aeon)
07. Erykah Badu feat. Little Brother – Honey (Wally Sparks Mix) (Prod. By 9th Wonder)
08. Skyzoo – Never Sleep (Prod. By Illmind)
09. Skyzoo & Joell Ortiz – A Brooklyn Summer (Wally Sparks Mix) (Prod. By Nicotine Beats)
10. Ja$ – T.R.O.Y. (Freestyle)
11. Phonte Speaks (Prod. By DJay Cas)
12. Cormega feat. Little Brother – The Rap Game (Prod. By Khrysis)
13. Jozeemo feat. Little Brother – Lose It
14. J*Davey feat. Pacific Division, Diz Gibran, & Bleu Collar – sLAyers
15. Little Brother – Rise To Fall (Mick Boogie Mix) (Prod. By J. Dilla)
16. Pugs Atomz feat. Hall Of Fame – Black Boy (Prod. By Hi-Tek)
17. Skyzoo feat. Maino & Stimuli – Cop & Go (Prod. By 9th Wonder)
18. Sha Stimuli – The N Word Song
19. L.E.G.A.C.Y. – The Trial
20. Illa J feat. Rapper Big Pooh & Bishop Lamont – Respect It (Prod. By J. Dilla)
21. DJ Spinna feat. Phonte – Dillagence (J. Dilla Tribute)
22. Cunninglynguists feat. Phonte & Witchdoctor – Yellow Lines
23. Rashid Hadee feat. Common – Let Go (Wally Sparks Mix)
24. Amanda Diva – Supawoman
25. Phonte’s Favorite Characters (Prod. By Von Pea)
26. Tanya Morgan – Bout To Be Some (Prod. By Khrysis) (Hip Hop Dock-Trine Exclusive)
27. Blu Checks In
28. Blu – The Only Way (Hip Hop Dock-Trine Exlcusive)
29. Skyzoo Speaks (Produced By Sonny Crack)
30. P.H.E.A.R. I Love Her Again
31. A Tribe Called Quest – Bonita Applebum (Flashback)
32. Little Brother – Outro

DUB FLOYD & WALLY SPARKSHIP HOP DOCKTRINE 2(The Official Boondocks Mixtape)Thugnificent Edition (Disc 2wo)Hosted by Metaphor The Great
 
  Click Here To Download (Disc 2wo)01. Metaphor The Great – Intro
02. Metaphor The Great – Hip Hop Dock-Trine 2 Intro (Prod. By JJ The Genius)
03. HUYUSHERU (Mr. Hu, Y.U., & Asheru) – Balance
04. Muneshine feat. Emilio Rojas & D-Sisive – These Days (Prod. By Pete Rock)
05. Main Flow feat. Cormega – Forever
06. MTV News (Sway) – Thugnificent: Rags To Bitches
07. Blackstar feat. India Arie – Hopeless (Wally Sparks Mix) (Prod. By Justice League)
08. Barak Yalad feat. Trouble T – Bewitched (Produced By Young Cee)
09. Jean Grae – It’s A Wrap
10. The Lethal Interjection Crew & Rags To Bitches The Album (Interlude)
11. Asheru Checks In
12. Asheru feat. Heron Gibran – Keep On Rockin’ (Hip Hop Dock-Trine Exclusive)
13. Rashid Hadee – Whatever It Takes (Hip Hop Dock-Trine Exclusive)
14. Metaphor The Great Speaks (Prod. By Von Pea)
15. Metaphor The Great – Freestyle (Riley’s Theme) (Boondocks Exclusive)
(Prod. By JJ The Genius)
16. Ghostface Killah – Nigga Moment (Interlude)
17. Ghostface Killah – Save Me Baby (Dub Floyd & DJ Unexpected Remix) (Prod. By J. Dilla)
18. NY Oil – Maybe (Hip Hop Dock-Trine Exclusive)
19. Dres (Blacksheep) – Grew Up (Hip Hop Dock-Trine Exclusive)
20. Huey & Riley Party with The Lethal Interjection (Interlude)
21. Talib Kweli feat. Raekwon – Start To Finish (Dub Floyd Screamixx) (Prod. By The Kickdrums)
22. AZ & Styles P Checks In
23. AZ feat. Styles P. – The Hardest Out (Prod. By Large Professor)
24. Pacific Division Checks In
25. Pacific Division – For Real
26. Quasimoto feat. Ghostface Killah – Hydrant Game (Dub Floyd Screamixx) (Prod. By Jaylib)
27. Metaphor The Great – Shout Outs (Produced By Tough Junkie)
28. Metaphor The Great – Do That (Hip Hop Dock-Trine Exclusive) (Prod. By JJ The Genius)
29. 106 & Park, TRL & Fat Man Scoop – Rap Beef Nigga (Interlude)
30. The Lethal Interjection Crew – Eff Granddad (Boondocks Dirty Exclusive)
31. U-N-I – Castlevania
32. Tough Junkie – Not For Me (Hip Hop Dock-Trine Exclusive)
33. Phene – The Spokesman (Prod. By DJay Cas)
34. Granddad & Xzibit – Retaliation (YouTuberlude)
35. Metaphor The Great – I’m Metaphor (Hip Hop Dock-Trine Exclusive) (Prod. By JJ The Genius)
36. Hi-Tek feat. Homeskillet, Crunch Ex & Mood (Donte & Main Flow) – Breakin’ Bread (Flashback)
37. The Life & Times Of Colonel H. Stinkmeaner (Interlude)
38. David Banner feat. Colonel H. Stinkmeaner – B.A.N. (The Love Song aka Free T.I.)
39. St. Laz feat. Geolani – Dollar Circulate (Dub Floyd Screamixx) (Produced By 9th Wonder)
40. Metaphor The Great – Outro

DUB FLOYDpresentsHIP HOP DOCK-TRINE(The Official Boondocks Mixtape)Hosted by Asheru
 
  Click Here To Download1. Asheru (Intro)
2. Asheru – The Boondocks Theme
3. Black Lincolns (Asheru, Heron Gibron, Blackberry Jones) – The Hustle (Produced by Blackberry Jones)
4. Talib Kweli – More Or Less (Produced by Hi-Tek)
5. Little Brother feat. Mos Def – Let It Go (Produced by 9th Wonder)
6. Skyzoo – The Bodega (Produced by 9th Wonder)
7. Gangstalicious Ressurection (Interlude)
8. Asheru Speaks (Produced by Tough Junkie)
9. Dead Prez feat. Common & Last Poets – Panthers (Dub Floyd Screamixx Produced by J. Dilla R.I.P.)
10. Akir – Politricks
11. Asheru – Revolution
12. Common – Nag Champa (Produced by J. Dilla R.I.P.) (Flashback)
13. Method Man feat. Lauren Hill & CL Smooth – They Say (Dub Floyd Screamixx)
14. The Roots feat. Maimouna Yousef – It Don’t Feel Right
15. Doujah Raze feat. AG & Sean Price – Fahrenheit
16. Sway – Breaking News (Interlude)
17. AZ feat. Rakim – The Format (Dub Floyd Screamixx Produced by DJ Premier)
18. Pharoahe Monch – Let’s Go (Produced by Black Milk)
19. Asheru feat. Talib Kweli – Mood Swing
20. Tough Junkie – The Boondocks (Freestyle) (Produced by Tough Junkie)
21. Danger Doom feat. Talib Kweli – Old School
22. Ghostface Killah – Whip You With A Strap (Produced by J. Dilla R.I.P.)
23. MF Doom feat. Ghostface Killah – Angels (Produced by MF Doom)
24. Blackstar – Hip Hop ( Dub Floyd Screamixx Produced by DJ Premier)
25. Edo G feat. Masta Ace – Wishing (Produced by Pete Rock)
26. Gangstaliscious Ressurection Pt. 2 (Interlude)
27. Hi-Tek – New York sh*t (Freestyle)
28. Jean Grey & Talib Kweli – New York sh*t (Freestyle)
29. Pete Rock & CL Smooth – They Reminisce Over You (Flashback)
30. Asheru Speaks 2 (Produced by Tough Junkie)
31. Asheru – Niggas (The Boondocks Exclusive)
32. The Procussions – Little People
33. Gnarls Barkley – Smiling Faces
34. Asheru (Outro)

For those who don’t know I co-host “Da Show” on 89.3 WRFG Atlanta, Ga every Tues Nite/ Weds Morn from 3am-6am & then we back on Weds Nite @ 12am. If you live outside the ATL log on to www.wrfg.org to listen live. So this past Tues after Brand Nubian we had “Mr. Read A Book” Bomani Armah fresh off his Mic Club debut. Great interview! Dude is an exceptional human being. Very intelligent.

I know we posted this before but in case you forgot

 

Here’s the new video that serves as a follow up to all the “Read a Book” controversy.

Check him out online Here