Just stumbled upon this on YouTube today and was diggin’ the song.

This week’s underground hip-hop track of the week is Sister Morphine from Little Vic’s “Each Dawn I Die.” Although this track was barely mentioned by reviewers or fans, it’s the one I just can’t stop listening to. Click below to listen:

  Rating:
  Review Date: May 28, 2008
  Website: Little Vic Website
  Label: Orena Records

Little Vic ”Each Dawn I Die” Album Review
In my English class I just finished reading “The Catcher in the Rye” and I can’t help but venture a parallel between Holden Caulfield and the voice behind this album, “Each Dawn I Die.” I can imagine Mr. Salinger wincing at my reference to his text (I would, too, if the man who attempted to assassinate President Reagan publicized my book), but Little Vic seems to truly epitomize the freedom of spirit and the indignant yet honest self-expression associated with Caulfield. (more…)

We reviewed Panacea’s spectacular album “The Scenic Route” back in ‘07 and became big fans of the group. This is a fan created video for their song Trip of the Century, off their debut album, “Ink is My Drink” that dropped in ‘06.

In the spring of 1999, the Rev. Al Sharpton gave an impassioned keynote address to the NAACP. Essentially, he chastised the hip-hop generation for being absent from protests during the aftermath of a serious incident in the Bronx. Amadou Diallo, a young, unarmed West African immigrant, had been shot by police officers 41 times.

Sharpton bemoaned the fact that hip-hoppers weren’t more vocal about the Diallo affair. He said the “big, bad New York rappers” were too busy making money for Clive Davis to stand up for justice. Sharpton also expressed disappointment that more of the pent-up rage depicted in rap videos wasn’t directed at holding police accountable for their actions. He got a standing ovation for his sobering words. Unfortunately, not all his views were on point. (more…)

Portland, OR – Hosted by local hip-hop star Cool Nutz, seven Pacific Northwest bands are donating their time and considerable talents by coming together on Friday, May 30 for the second-annual Music in the Schools benefit concert to raise money for Portland Public Schools’ high-school music programs.

The Blue Scholars, a socially conscious hip-hop duo from Seattle, will headline the concert to be held from 7 to 11 p.m. at the Crystal Ballroom in downtown Portland. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Indie bands YACHT, the Shaky Hands and Typhoon will join local student-led hip-hop groups Gray Matters and State of Mind Crew, as well as OnlyOne and Immaculate, members of internationally recognized Sandpeople group. (more…)

The Flobots are blowing up yo. This week they performed live on the Carson Daly show. This video shows them performing their hit single Handlebars off the album “Fight With Tools.” Congrats fellas.

Haitian-born hip-hop star Wyclef Jean has launched a campaign to help his impoverished native country cope with a food crisis that sparked deadly riots last month. Jean’s Together for Haiti campaign, launched Tuesday in cooperation with the UN World Food Program and the Pan American Development Foundation, seeks to raise funds, distribute food aid, create jobs and support local agriculture. (more…)

This Homeboy Sandman cat keeps crossing my path recently. Last month, I heard him spit a guest verse on Kats’ “Katskills” album. This month, he was featured in The Source magazine’s Unsigned Hype section. And last night, I ran across this video of an impressive performance at NYC’s famous End Of Weak open mic night. This Verbal Soulclap shit bumps, huh?