Also returning to the lineup is a new instalment in the ongoing “Anatomy of…” documentary series created in partnership with Sol & Jennia Fredrique Aponte of Full Frequency Media. The new 30-minute special Anatomy of Black Love premieres on Friday, Feb. 14th at 9pm EST. It is expected to be an unapologetic and powerful look at modern love in the black community and features intimate interviews with couples Michael Jai and Gillian White, Devale and Khadeen Ellis, Tariq Walker and Malinda Williams, and more.

“The programming on REVOLT represents Black Excellence and all it means for this current generation, we refer to as Gen Hip Hop. This year’s multi-platform campaign will shine a deserving light on current and rising leaders throughout our programming blocks, as well as celebrate community heroes that truly exemplify excellence.”

– Roma Khanna, REVOLT CEO

The #BHMX initiative extends online to REVOLT.tv & REVOLT’s social media channels, where the network will be publishing new articles and artist interviews all month long dedicated to Black Excellence, spotlighting #BHMX cultural “disruptors” on social media and asking fans to nominate their own local #BHMX “Community Heroes”. Each Friday, REVOLT will feature one of these nominated heroes across their social media accounts. Fans can contribute to the conversation online using hashtag “#BHMX”. Check Out the dates for the premieres below make sure to tune in:

The Breakfast Club (weekdays at 6am EST)

REVOLT Summit Presents (Saturdays at 10pm EST, starting February 1)

Funny AF (Wednesdays at 10pm EST, starting February 5)

Breakfast Club Extra (Saturdays at 5pm EST, starting February 8)

Anatomy of Black Love (Valentine’s Day – Friday, February 14 at 9pm EST)

State of the Culture (Tuesdays at 10pm EST, starting February 18)

Director’s Reel (Fridays at 9pm EST, starting February 21)

Short & Fresh (Friday, February 21 at 10pm EST)

The post Revolt TV Announces Network Premieres & Digital Exclusives For Black History Month appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

Black History Month is here and while the month is short and will be over before you know it, it’s a month where African-Americans of times past and present are honored for their sacrifices, achievements and accomplishments marked throughout history. It’s a time for us to reflect on that rich history and celebrate the lives of the ones lost and present whom paved the way for generations of other African Americans to walk in freedom and while this movement is still a “work in progress” for the most part, we’re proud that they stood fearlessly in the face of adversity to make sure we have some of the luxuries we have today such as the right to vote.

One way to honor and look back on African-American culture, history, activists and the actors that played them or played parts representing such troubling times is by way of a movie. I personally love watching movies, especially the ones that portray the African-American men and women whom did so much for us. So, if you just happen to have a down day this month and want to celebrate the occasion, listed below are 10 Classic movies portrayed by African-Americans that you should watch in honor of Black History Month. In no particular order they are:

‘Purple Rain’

What better way to celebrate black history and the life of music legend Prince. The musical drama features some of Prince’s most iconic songs and killer outfits.

‘Malcolm X’

‘Malcolm X’ is was Spike Lee classic, portrayed by Denzel Washington. The movie chronicled the life of the civil rights hero.

“‘Selma’

Ava DuVernay made history with ‘Selma’ in 2014, becoming the first black woman to have her film nominated for “Best Picture” at the Oscars. ‘Selma’ is a portrait piece of Dr. Martin Luther King as he led the march from Selma to Montgomery for voting rights.

‘Glory’

Free black men were conscripted to fight in the Union Army during the Civil War, but as this 1989 period drama shows, not even their willingness to sacrifice their lives for their country was enough to shield them from racism and segregation. Denzel Washington stars in the role that would nab him his first Oscar.

‘Barry’

‘Barry’ is one of two drama films (of what will surely be many) that take a glimpse at the life of a younger former President Barack Obama, the man who would one day become the first black president of the United States.

‘The Princess & the Frog’

In 2009, Disney made history by featuring its first ever African-American princess. Anika Noni-Rose portrayed princess Tiana in this film.

‘The Color Purple’

Okay, so there’s really nothing to say about this one but – CLASSIC!!!

‘The Wiz’

‘The Wiz’ in which stars Diana Ross and a very young Michael Jackson is the black version of ‘The Wizard of Oz’ story.

‘Carmen Jones’

Dorothy Dandridge became the first black woman to be nominated for a Best Actress award at the 1954 Oscars for her role in this epic musical, based on Bizet’s tragic opera ‘Carmen.’

‘A Raisin in the Sun’

Starring Ruby Dee and Sidney Poitier, this 1961 adaptation of Lorraine Hansberry‘s play is a film about an African-American family search for the American Dream and what happens when that dream is derailed.

These movies are sure to give you a dose of the richness of the African-American culture and a sense of why we should celebrate this month each year. We’re not just celebrating the culture but we’re acknowledging the people whom broke barriers in every arena which makes us glad to be a part of such an amazing history. You can find other classics listed here. Did your favorite make the list? If not what, African American movies are your favorite classics? Sound off in the comments.

Suggested Articles:

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As Black History Month dolefully comes to an end, artist CHRIS WISE recently dropped his latest record in honor of the culture.

WISE’s single is appropriately titled, ‘Black History Month.’ The Brooklyn/Crown Heights native depicts a creative flow over a melodic beat produced by N2DeepBeatz. The controversial lyrics paint vivid pictures of urban aesthetics, empowerment, and a wealth of knowledge.

“If you want to go fast, go alone, if you need to go far enrich your army because you will be targeted,” WISE spits. “I pray to God that my Bachelor of Arts will be the trump card to save us  from deportation back to land of gold soil and diamond studded dirt paths.”

In a world of trap music it’s lovely to listen to food for thought. Wise is set to drop a mixtape titled, ‘Most Valuable’ this spring. In the meantime you can gather your thoughts and check out ‘Black History Month‘ below:

The post New Music: CHRIS WISE – ‘Black History Month’ appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

2016  marks the first day of the 40th year that we highlight the history and countless number of African-American achievements that have helped to make our nation what it is today through the observance of Black History Month. I have been going through a lot of songs and videos that may give us food for thought, inspire us and reflect what this month should ideally be about…obtaining knowledge of self  and remembering that Black History is World History… It’s also something that occurs everyday, not just limited to the Month of February…

Remember when historian/ scholar Carter G Woodson established the second week in February Negro History Week in 1926,  it was done with the intent of acknowledging the birthday of Fredrick Douglass and providing us with a vehicle to push for Black History to be a foundation to American History…

Negro History Week grew over the years and in 1969 Black students at kent State expanded the week long celebration to a Black History month.. Several years later in 1976, President Gerald Ford acknowledged Black History Month..

Over the years lots of artists have stepped to the plate and delivered timeless songs that uplifted our history… I gathered a few for us to peep and reflect on.. Some of this is a mixture of the past and present.. enjoy..

You Must Learn by KRS-One

This is one of my favorites… it was dropped by KRS during what many considered the Golden Era of Hip Hop.. There were two different versions of this song. One used the break beat Supersporm by Captain Sky, the other  depicted in this video uses the popular break ‘Get Up and Dance‘ from Farther Than Imagination

Acknowledge Your History by the Jungle Brothers

This was always a favorite from the Jungle Brothers.. It’s off the album Forces of Nature.. I wish they had done a video because the song is dope.. Also coming out of Hip Hop’s Golden Era..

We Wear the Crown by Gary Byrd & Stevie Wonder

Byrd when he released this song, teams up with Stevie Wonder in 1983 and does a stellar Black History song.. The pairing represented a break in ‘elders supporting rap/Hip Hop when so many at that time were highly critical and against it.. They saw Hip Hop as an embarassing throwback.. Byrd and Wonder saw things a bit differently..They saw the potential ion Hip Hop and wanted to help lead the way…

Freedom Rap by Queen Latifah, Yo-Yo, Lisa ‘Left Eye’ Lopes (of TLC), MC Lyte, Patra, Nefertiti, Da 5 Footaz Salt-N-Pepa, Meshell Ndegeocello

Many people have overlooked or don’t even know this about this song. It was done for a hard to find sound track for 1995 movie Panther..That album had a quite a few songs, but this was a standout in terms of the allstar cast of female emcees and singers who were at the top of the field going for it.. This song will forever be a treasure

Proud to Be Black & Black History Rap by Run DMC

I’m going back to back with Run DMC.. This song is off the landmark album Raising Hell and it speaks for itself.. damn near every song off that album was a banger especially at that time.. and this song hit the mark..Rap was still making its way into the mainstream and it was good to see Run DMC do this song in prominent spaces.. during the mid 80s…

The second song, Black History is a rare and hard to find song that was given away for FREE back in like 1984 and proceeds the Raising Hell lp…The Black Cultural Workshop (BCW) put the actual video together for the song

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This is not to take focus off of Kanye West‘s recent moves and successes, but to shed light on an old sound he used to offer from 1996 to 2000. If you study Kanye’s production over the years you will certainly notice a development in sound, as expected from any artist with longevity in this hip-hop game. We will be breaking down strictly production in this article, while also take note of his early emceeing days as well. In the summer of 1996 Fat Beats made a big store-front shift, and during their grand opening night Kanye could be found alongside Al Tariq, Butter Lee and Black Attack on some raw, smooth 90’s tip. There is a good chance you will learn something new from at least one or two of these audio clips below. If not, take it as a refreshing reminder or something that you can talk to your brother or co-worker about later on today. Enjoy:

Chicago emcee Grav released his heavily slept on Down To Earth in 1996 under Correct Records. Kanye West produced a total of eight records on this album, making it his debut appearance on wax. Notice the raw boom-bap sound he was rocking here. Aside from Grav’s lyrical debauchery, the album’s production alone was given a lot of credit. “Sick Thoughts” is a standout record. So much so, that all hip-hop heads should have it in their stash.

In 1998 Jermaine Dupri released his debut Life in 1472 LP, with “Turn It Out” featuring Nas serving as the introduction track. This is a straight up party record, really highlighting those early So-So Def days we all remember all too well. Kanye West had some fun with this joint, tastefully utilizing some Willie Hutch and Davy DMX on the samples.

After Foxy Brown‘s successful 1996 Ill Na Na, she returned in 1999 with her sophomore release China Doll. The album is loaded with concrete features and production, with Kanye being the producer on “My Life.” Kick back with this dreamy, relaxing hook while scratching your head in shock if you didn’t already know Ye was on the boards.

Harlem World was a short lived collective, with only one album release titled The Movement, also from 1999. “You Made Me” appears near the beginning of the album, and features Carl Thomas and Nas. Kanye West appeared to keep this one pretty simple, allowing the emcees to do what they do.

Do you remember the voice on the introduction to Biggie‘s “Kick In The Door?” How about Black Rob‘s “Whoa!?” That is producer/emcee D-Dot (The Madd Rapper) who released his debut LP in 2000 titled Tell ‘Em Why U Madd, with Kanye West on the science. This is a real zone-out, mellow cut from Kanye’s super early catalogue.

With all that being said, we hope you learned at least one thing from this article about Ye and his early production. If you didn’t learn anything, maybe this was simply a refreshing reminder for you hip-hop junkies that he has been doing his thing for quite some time, and not just some overnight pop star that the younger generation may view him as.

Wait, here goes that bonus footage from 1996 at Fat Beats, as mentioned in our introduction. You’re welcome:

The post Vintage Kanye West: Pre-College Dropout (1996-2000) appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

Pinata, the upcoming collaborative album between Freddie Gibbs and Madlib has had the rap underground salivating for awhile. It’s still not here yet, but “Deeper” is the latest release from the unexpected pair and it further demonstrates their chemistry. Driven by a screeching string loop and a blunt thud for a bass line, “Deeper” is the tale of a hardened guy dealing with the loss of a lover after leaving for jail mid-relationship. Gibbs executes the song’s concept with extreme precision, boasting while being perfectly vulnerable. There’s even a surprise twist at the end. According to Potholes in My Blog, the album will be out on February 4, 2014. If you weren’t already looking forward to Black History Month, now you definitely have a reason. Listen below and check out Gibbs and Madlib‘s other collaborations down in the recommendations (particularly “Thuggin’ “).

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