Story and interview contributed by Propaganda Anonymous:
I first came across the works of Michael Muhammad Knight in a library in East Atlanta Village during the winter of 2007. While living down the block from the library I would walk their and peruse the shelves and check my e-mail on the library’s Internet, as this was my computer access for the winter.
I had just finished reading Jeff Chang’s ‘Can’t stop, Won’t Stop,’ when I came across Michael’s most recent book ‘The Five Percenters.’ I was immediately taken in by not just the story of The Five Percenters, their founder Clarence 13X aka ALLAH, but also the precision and depth in this ethnographic study of a very important group of people to the philosophical foundations of Hip-Hop culture. (more…)
When you think hip-hop, which artists come to mind? Jay-Z? Missy Elliott? Kanye West? MC Frontalot? What, you’ve never heard of MC Frontalot? Come on. He’s the godfather of the “nerdcore” hip-hop genre and he raps about stuff that nerds care about, like “Star Wars” and unattainable Goth girls. “Front” didn’t come up hard in the ‘hood — he studied English at Wesleyan — which may explain why he’d think to rhyme “braggadocio” with “Ralph Macchio.”
MC Frontalot is the subject of a news documentary, “Nerdcore Rising,” which is also the name of his 2005 debut album. The film chronicles Front (real name: Damian Hess) and his band of nerdy musicians during their 2006 inaugural tour of the United States. It’s a funny, endearing snapshot of a band trying to make it, the fans who feel as if someone (finally) gets them and the nerdcore movement’s struggle to be taken seriously. (more…)
Boston, MA – An era. A dynasty. A news legendary hip-hop shop. Call it what you want. It’s over. After 20 years of owning Funky Fresh Records in Dudley Square, Rusti Pendleton – better known as Mr. Funky Fresh – will close the doors on his neighborhood landmark on Oct. 1. “I’ve been here seven days a week for 20 years,” Pendleton said from behind the counter. “I sold (hip-hop pioneers) Eric B. & Rakim out of this store. That’s how long I’ve been here.”
Pendleton got into the retail business in 1983 when he took a job at Funky Fresh’s predecessor, Spin City. At the time he was known as Rusti the Toejammer, a moniker he earned for his ability to spin records with his feet. “There comes a time when life kicks in and you have to go to work, especially since I had a daughter at the time,” Pendleton said. “I used to come to Spin City and buy records and the dude offered me a job. I’ve been here ever since.” (more…)
Second single from ScholarMan’s highly-anticipated “Gameshift: The Movement” album, which is scheduled to drop in January 2009. This one features new Soganic Music artist K-Mynez. If you’re feeling this, also check out the album’s first single The Answer II.
It’s FREE weekend in NYC! First, we got this new FREE mixtape by Brooklyn-based emcees Kats and Domer. It features some of my favorite artists from the NYC underground, including Illspokinn, Ryan O’Neil, brokeMC, FolkLore and Dyalekt. Click the link below to download for FREE:
And if you’re in the area, swing by tomorrow’s FREE listening party at Huckleberry Bar in Williamsburg. They’ll be serving FREE BBQ, FREE Maker’s Mark Whiskey (What!?!?), and giving out FREE physical copies of the mixtape. Come on through!
When you think hip-hop, which artists come to mind? Jay-Z? Missy Elliott? Kanye West? MC Frontalot? What, you’ve never heard of MC Frontalot? Come on. He’s the godfather of the “nerdcore” hip-hop genre and he raps about stuff that nerds care about, like “Star Wars” and unattainable Goth girls. “Front” didn’t come up hard in the ‘hood — he studied English at Wesleyan — which may explain why he’d think to rhyme “braggadocio” with “Ralph Macchio.”
Boston, MA – An era. A dynasty. A news legendary hip-hop shop. Call it what you want. It’s over. After 20 years of owning Funky Fresh Records in Dudley Square, Rusti Pendleton – better known as Mr. Funky Fresh – will close the doors on his neighborhood landmark on Oct. 1. “I’ve been here seven days a week for 20 years,” Pendleton said from behind the counter. “I sold (hip-hop pioneers) Eric B. & Rakim out of this store. That’s how long I’ve been here.”
