This is a video called “Word Wars,” part of a news report about hip-hop in Gaza, West Bank and Jerusalem put together by John Pendygraft of the St. Petersburg Times.

This is the trailer for “Lockdown, USA,” a feature documentary that chronicles Russell Simmons’ campaign to reform the Rockefeller Drug Laws, the controversial New York State laws created in 1973 that became the foundation to America’s War on Drugs.

The New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services has issued a report that lists 58% of all female homicide victims are at the hands of domestic violence. With the rate of abuse increasing in the United States, victim and female hip hop rap artist Queen Pen is taking a stand for battered women and asking the NYC community and leaders for support and change at a press conference Friday, January 16th.

The press conference will be lead by Hip Hop artist Queen Pen, NY Senator Eric Adams, and hip hop rap MC Persia (Vh1′s White Rapper Show), at the Denim Lounge (1223 Bedford Ave) in Brooklyn at 4pm. (more…)

Dope fan collage put together over Jay-Z’s History.

This week’s hip-hop quotable is straight from the mouth of Brother Ali. Rhymesayers released Ali’s track Mr. President (You’re The Man) yesterday for free download on their website. While hundreds of celebratory songs have been released since Obama’s victory, this is undoubtedly my favorite. The lyrics are dead on. Click below to listen:

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And follow along with the lyrics after the break. (more…)

In 2004, Barack Obama arrived in Boston as a freshman senator from Illinois to give the keynote speech at the Democratic National Convention. Tomorrow, three of the city’s biggest hip-hop representatives hope to usher in his presidency. Edo G, Slaine and Akrobatik will take the stage at the Middle East with beats, rhymes and hope for an Obama victory at an Election Day concert tomorrow night.

“No politician in my lifetime ever inspired me as much as Obama,” said South Boston native Slaine – one-third of Boston rhyme squad Special Teamz, which also includes Edo G. “He’s our generation’s JFK or Bobby Kennedy. He’s a culmination of Martin Luther King and all these things that have been shut out of politics.” (more…)

Panama is a musical crossroads, a silk road of beats, tempos and rhythms reflecting the country’s unique geography that has brought political calamity as well as a rich diversity. But it’s a country few in the United States know much news about. One place to start might be the Oakland-Panamanian hip-hop duo of Ricardo Guillam Bethancourt and Abdull Dominguez — aka Los Rakas.

Their first CD “Panabay Twist” is a lesson in the events that have shaped the Latin American country that celebrated its 105th year of independence yesterday. One of the most significant was the 1989 U.S. invasion of Panama City to oust military dictator Manuel Noriega — an event recalled in Los Rakas’ song “Invasion of Panama 1989.” (more…)

Obama ’08!

As the election draws near, presidential candidates and celebrities alike are mobilizing to earn votes in critical states like Ohio. And Wednesday was no different at Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland. Cavaliers guard LeBron James and rapper/businessman Jay-Z played host to a full house of basketball, rap music and Barack Obama supporters at a Last Chance for Change rally. Tickets for the event were free.

Some were there to celebrate the Obama campaign, while others gathered to hear rap verses. Before the lights dimmed and the show began, numerous pro-Obama shirts could be seen. One featured the phrase ”Barackstar 08,” while another had a massive hand on the front and the words ”Bye, McCain” on the back. (more…)

Ever since Barack Obama became a serious contender for Democratic Party nomination, numerous rappers have lent their voices in support of his campaign. Since his nomination, the excitement has only increased. Certainly, this is not the first time that hip-hop artists have encouraged their fans to vote. Rappers have been involved with MTV’s “Rock the Vote” (a campaign to encourage young people to register to vote) since the 1990s. In 2004, rappers Sean “Diddy” Combs and 50 Cent led the “Vote or Die” campaign that was more specifically aimed at the hip-hop audience, but there damn sure weren’t any hip-hop artists writing inspired anthems about John Kerry’s candidacy.

The support for Obama among rappers is something entirely different, with multi-platinum artist Jay-Z doing free concerts for the Obama campaign in swings states like Florida, and rapper and music producer Kanye West actually doing a “remix” of Obama’s Iowa victory speech set to soft hip-hop style background music. Also, there are numerous popular songs referencing, if not dedicated to, Obama. (more…)