Kimbrew McCleod – a middle-aged professor with glasses and a receding hairline – concluded a low-key introduction of Jeff Chang, then demanded to know if Iowa City was “in the house.” “I’ve always wanted to say that,” he confessed.

Chang is a journalist and historian who spoke in Shambaugh Auditorium Monday about the cultural and political significance of the musical movement called hip-hop. And during his lecture, he recounted some of the slang and single verses of hip-hop anthems so many have longed to say but couldn’t for lack of Chang-like street cred. (more…)

Scion has announced Mookie Jones from Houston, Texas as the winner of “The Prospect,” a contest to help unsigned emcees get their voices heard and their talent recognized.

Jones’ entry was one of more than 1,500 submissions for the contest, which asked artists to submit their fiercest song to www.scionprospect.com, with the hopes of developing an original song with a track by super producer Hi-Tek. The prize also includes a video shoot produced by Scion. (more…)

A unique educational Hip Hop program is being offered at a public charter school in South Los Angeles.  The Global Awareness through Hip Hop class, now in its second year, is taught by the course’s creator, Sebastien Elkouby, and is one of the only full time educational Hip Hop programs in the country being offered as an elective course to 7th and 8th grade students.

Elkouby, founder of the Urban Youth Empowerment Foundation, an organization which uses Hip Hop culture as a tool for youth empowerment, created this program to address the educational crisis that affects more than 50% of inner-city middle and high school students. (more…)

Talib Kweli dropped a video for “Hot Thing” this week, the first single from “Ear Drum.” It’s a dope video with that whole Hewlett Packard thing going on. Peep it below:

For our purposes, let’s refer to the weekend as “Beasties by the Bay,” since the troupe performed on Friday at the relatively intimate Warfield in San Francisco and Saturday at the larger Greek Theatre at UC Berkeley. All told, some 10,000 local fans got the chance to see the band during its two sold-out shows.

Both concerts were terrific — two mind-blowing examples of just how well hip-hop can translate to the live arena. Yet, the high quality of the outings wasn’t the most impressive thing. What really stood out — and what truly made the Beasties’ time here so memorable — was the sheer diversity of the offerings. (more…)

IT was trademark Kanye West petulance. Late last year at the MTV Europe Music Awards, his clip for “Touch the Sky” lost the award for video of the year to “We Are Your Friends,” by the electronic musicians Justice vs. Simian. As So Me, the director of the winning video, was accepting the award, Mr. West, the multiplatinum rapper-producer, jumped onstage and interrupted him.

“Hell, no!” Mr. West shouted. He boasted that his video cost $1 million and ranted, “If I don’t win, your awards show loses credibility.” (more…)

Annie O’Brien, 10, would kick and scream as her mother struggled to get her out of bed, to the bathroom, to the breakfast table and out the door to school.

But Marshall, a therapist trained to work with autistic and developmentally delayed children, found a musical solution to the family’s frustration. He tapped into Annie’s love of hip-hop and recorded a rhythmic set of instructions that captured the girl’s imagination and got her moving. (more…)

In its first two years, Sedgwick & Cedar, a vintage-inspired hip-hop clothing company that pays homage to the music’s founders, has been embraced by high-profile rappers, DJs and moguls such as Jay-Z, Russell Simmons, Ice-T, Ice Cube and Funkmaster Flex, and has been featured in magazines ranging from The Source to Vanity Fair.

But while the name is spreading among the hip-hop industry elite, few people here realize that the business — which its founder says is on the brink of a huge expansion — is based in 1,300 square feet at 101 Whitney Ave. in New Haven, run by two brothers who grew up in the Elm City. (more…)

  Rating:
  Review Date: August 24, 2007
  Website: Pharoahe Monch Website
  Label: Universal Music Group

Pharoahe Monch “Desire” Album Review
Maybe it’s just me, but it feels like there’s been something electric in the air in Hip Hop lately. While the industry has seen a 20% loss in sales during the first quarter over last year, all other barometers seem to be indicating good things for Hip Hop. (more…)

They hail from the Conant Gardens neighborhood on the East Side, and their hearts remain in their city as they travel the globe. And Detroit hip-hop group Slum Village came home last week, teaming up with Remy Martin to donate $7,500 to AIDS Partnership Michigan.

The donation, which was presented Friday at APM’s Detroit office, was part of the popular cognac maker’s Black Music Month program, which kicked off in June. Remy Martin picked 10 up-and-coming artists to play shows in their hometowns. Each artist or group picked a charitable cause, and the company made a donation on their behalf. (more…)