Rap Sessions: Community Dialogues on Hip-Hop announces a national tour focused on hip-hop, youth civic participation and the 2008 Presidential Campaign.

Rap Sessions presents its third annual national discussion tour, which unites a diverse panel of leading hip-hop activists, artists and youth politics experts to engage youth and community leaders in candid, compelling conversations about ways hip-hop generation voters can organize to have an impact on this year’s election. (more…)

The makers of Smirnoff vodka have launched a campaign pairing three old-school rappers with contemporary MCs to create new versions of iconic hip-hop songs – and matching drinks.

Artists Common, Q-Tip, and KRS-One will join musical forces with Just Blaze, Cool & Dre, and DJ Premier to remix Common’s “The Light,” A Tribe Called Quest’s “Midnight,” and Boogie Down Productions’ seminal hit “Criminal Minded.”  Each artist/producer pairing has a mixed drink – made with Smirnoff flavored vodka – dedicated to it. (more…)

The magazines have confirmed what they have been reporting for days: Ryan Reynolds, Lynn Collins and Danny Huston have joined the cast of Wolverine … but wait, there is another. Hip hop superstar will.i.am of the Black Eyed Peas has also joined the cast, and will be playing John Wraith – aka Kestrel.

According to Wiki, Kestrel was part of Team X along with Wolverine, Sabretooth, Maverick, Mastodon, and Silver Fox. He was a powerful teleporter, capable of getting the team out of sticky situations after their job was finished. (more…)

  Rating:
  Review Date: February 19, 2008
  Website: Akrobatik Website
  Label: Fat Beats

Akrobatik “Absolute Value” Album Review
If an album was rated by its guest appearances, Akrobatik’s “Absolute Value” would probably be the top album of the year. After all, it’s highly unlikely that anyone, especially an underground rapper, could get more dope hip-hop artists on a record at one time than Akrobatik did here. From Chuck D of Public Enemy and B-Real of Cypress Hill to Talib Kweli, Mr. Lif, Big Pooh and Phonte of Little Brother, “Absolute Value” is stacked with classic hip-hop artists. (more…)

Thursday night, the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) held its 39th NAACP Image Awards, which was broadcasted live on FOX. The historic civil rights organization holds the annual award show to honor the achievements of people of color in the arts, including film, television, music and literature, as well as those who promote diversity and social justice.

While there were many deserving honorees from all aspects of American culture, this year’s award show had a strong focus on both music and politics … and rightfully so. (more…)

An oldie … but a classic!

Hip-Hop has historically existed as a male-dominated industry. Being a reflection of urban life and struggle, past Hip-Hop artists have been forced to maintain a certain level of masculinity in order to be accepted by their urban communities. Old school rappers who talked about love were often viewed as soft or corny.

Because of this perception, the existence of love in Hip-Hop is a fairly new concept. As the movement has gained support and recognition throughout the world, love has become an increasingly common theme in Hip-Hop music and poetry. (more…)

Minneapolis, MN – The Twin Cities are a hotbed for literate, politically-conscious hip-hop, and this Saturday many of the area’s best MCs will face off at “Hip-Hop for the Homeless.” The event serves dual purposes: showcasing a diverse cast of local hip-hop talent and raising money for Youthlink, a local nonprofit organization that works to prevent teen homelessness.

Hip-Hop for the Homeless takes place this Saturday, February 16 at the Triple Rock Social Club. Tickets are $8 in advance, $10 at the door. 9 p.m. Ages 18+. (more…)

Via Dru @ Garrity Management.