Today marks the two year anniversary of Michael Brown’s death.  His “heartbreaking” demise sparked a series of protests around the world, launched the “Black Lives Matter” movement into the national spotlight, and served as a difficult reminder that America still deals with “the problem of the color line”, as W.E.B. Du Bois observed 113 years ago.  In other words, Michael Brown fundamentally changed the way American sees itself in its supposed “post-racial” era.  It would seem as though we have received constant reminders of this reality since Michael Brown’s fatal encounter with Darren Wilson.  Attorney, university professor, and hip-hop artist Timothy Welbeck has captured the angst of African Americans navigating America’s painful racial injustices in his latest work, The Souls of Black Folk. Part spoken word, part Gospel, part jazz, yet all hip-hop, the Tone Jonez produced song, which is inspired by W.E.B. Du Bois groundbreaking book with the same title, functions as a rap version of Lift Ev’ry Voice.

The song’s video depicts a small church  “whose building is bombed by people incensed by the pastor’s community activism.” In a word, it is powerful.  Considering the simmering racial tensions our nation currently experiences, the song and its video is quite timely.

Video filmed, edited and directed by team hypefresh.

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Back in January, Raury became one of many entertainers to respond to the unfortunate events in that occurred in Ferguson, Missouri, last summer. “Fly” is a song that the Atlanta artist penned almost immediately after learning that officer Darren Wilson wouldn’t be charged in the killing of 18 year-old Michael Brown. Joining him on this moving track, that now has a visual, is Malik Shakur, who is the nephew of Assata Shakur. Take a second to check out “Fly” and remember, #BlackLivesMatter.

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In the aftermath of the non-indictment of both Darren Wilson and Daniel Pantaleo, the nation has been in sheer emotional turmoil; and because of it, it has prompted not only protestors, but vexed individuals alike to exasperatingly vocalize their fury. 22-year-old Sacramento artist JustKristofer is no different and is among those expressing said fury. His new Prop the Producer-produced track, “Last Words,” features Prop and LA on the sax and touches on the social injustices we face and the pain brought on by never-ending police brutality.

I’m surrounded by killers, I’m protected by murderers, pledge allegiance to thieves taking lives…

Take a listen to “Last Words” below.

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B.o.B released a new mixtape on Thanksgiving entitled, New Black. This piece of work comes out right after a grand jury in Ferguson, Missouri failed to indict a police officer in the killing of an unarmed teen, Mike Brown. B.o.B is one of the very few who have decided to address hip-hop and its influence on not only black culture but American culture in general.  Hip-hop addressing criminalization of the black man in America is ironic to say the least given that a large portion of Hip-hop artist have made their images based on these very criminalization’s Mike Brown and Trayvon Martin fell victim too. In these 8 tracks B.o.B tackles these seemingly painful stereotypes head on and honestly.  Although the content is very uncomfortable it is equally necessary. Check out a few lyrics below that mimic the sentiments of people emotionally affected by what happened in Ferguson, Missouri (Mike Brown) Sanford, Florida (Trayvon Martin) Queens, New York (Sean Bell) Columbus, Georgia (Kenneth Walker) unfortunately the list goes on and on.

“Missing”

‘If you can’t look in someone’s eyes and be yourself
And speak the thoughts that’s on your mind
You ain’t got no reason to live
You on the sideline
You just a motherf slave
They got your mind tied up and it’s missing’

“New Black”

 ‘Can’t nobody else touch a nigga
But it’s cool for a brother just to bust a nigga
Guns sold in every hood, he’ll slay a dozen niggas
Gon’ kill yourself, while you’re at it, take a couple with you’

“Generation Lost”

‘Now-a-days everybody wants to be a rapper
About two years ago everybody was a trapper
Obviously, money is what everybody’s after
Cause slavery ain’t change
It’s a modern day disaster
Now these are my words from me to you
Everything you do from your shades to your shoes
From your chains to your coupe
Came from the tube
Trust me I would know
I was raised on it too’

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Photos: Mi-Mi Sessions

The night was November 26, 2014, just two-days after the St. Louis Grand Jury refused to indict police officer, Darren Wilson.  A little over 100 protesters huddled around a stair case, near Downtown Santa, Ana, California, an urban suburb in North Orange County.  The crowd was quiet and surprisingly calm, as the organizers spoke about justice for Michael Brown. The unarmed 18-year-old was shot and killed by the on-duty officer in Ferguson, Missouri , earlier this year. The vigil joined thousands of protests around the nation, stemming from Ferguson, and trickled to New York, L.A, Atlanta and Washington D.C. Even London joined in.

Organizers and protesters walked the streets of Santa Ana yelling “No Racist Police”, “Black Lives Matter!” and “Hands Up, Don’t Shoot!” The march was peaceful and served as a platform for freedom of expression through the creative arts. Local and respected rap artist Emcee Classiq spit his “Ferguson Freestyle” to the crowd, and ended with his fist up yelling, “Power to the People.”  Others read poems about their struggle in society and reminded goers that this isn’t just a black issue, but an American issue. Santa Ana, a predominately Hispanic community, is known for their combative relationships with local officers. However, on this night protesters sat in the middle of the street declaring change, while officers monitored giving space for free speech.  Orange County, often forgotten about, made a statement- that they are to ready for justice to be served.

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ASAP Ferg is known for getting the party started with his music, but this time he is taking a different approach. Produced by Clams Casino, the powerful, conscious record touches issues from race, to the controversial Mike Brown case (we posted Tink’s latest track earlier today, which also touches on this sensitive subject). The track is featured on Ferrg’s upcoming Gangsta Grillz mixtape Ferg Forever that will drop on Black Friday. This is a dope track that speaks to how a lot of people feel right now. Get into it below.

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