Hip Hop Stacks

Sunday, September 13, 2015

When the Beat Was Born Interview

When the Beat Was Born Interview

by Lecroy 'Lee' Rhyanes
Download (PDF): click here

If unable to access via link please email
hiphopalumni@gmail.com for PDF*

An interview by HHA's Lecroy 'Lee' Rhyanes w/ author Laban Carrick Hill & illustrator Theodore Taylor III, both award winning creators. The 'When the Beat Was Born Interview' focuses on the children's literature book When the Beat Was Born, DJ Kool Herc and the Creation of Hip Hop. Get a copy for your child, sibling, student, family member, etc. Encourage libraries have copies available!

Currently working on translating the interview into Spanish. Maybe the publishers will consider publishing a Spanish translation of this text and other language translations in the future. We need more Hip Hop children's literature. There are too many stories waiting to be told, we owe it to the children of yesterday who created this culture, and the children of tomorrow that will carry it forward, all around the world.

To download the interview click on the link below.

Peace!

When the Beat Was Born Interview

by Lecroy 'Lee' Rhyanes
Download (PDF): click here

*Please note the download is 4MB, do give time to download. To view the interview PDF without errors or missed images/links, download the file first and open from your PC or mobile device. The interview is available in PDF for print purposes as well. To request and receive the interview as an attachment via email contact hiphopalumni@gmail.com. Thank you.

Saturday, August 15, 2015

Coretta Scott by Ntozake Shange & Kadir Nelson

Coretta Scott by Ntozake Shange & Kadir Nelson

An incredible children's text by poet Ntozake Shange, paintings by Kadir Nelson. Below is a video about Ntozake Shange and a few snapshots of the text featuring her words and the paintings of Kadir Nelson. You can access this book at the El Paso Public Library. There are three copies available, more information at the online catalog: click here

The Art of Kadir Nelson: kadirnelson.com

Monday, July 13, 2015

A Note On Audio Books

A Note on Audio Books

Hip Hop Alumni Stacks

Recently visited El Paso's main branch library downtown in search of the children's book When the Beat was Born written by Laban Carrick Hill and illustrated by Theodore Taylor III. I was on Alumni time during my lunch break to shoot photos of the library book copy for the upcoming text interview with Laban and Theodore. With no more than an hour to spare I tried to stay on task but couldn't help checking out Shange and Nelson's book Coretta Scott or the cool 45 vinyl display scattered throughout the lobby leading to Teen Town. Teen Town is a creative learning & reading space for El Paso's youth. The librarian working at Teen Town helped me find the call numbers "B KOO" for the Laban/Taylor book in the Children's Room. I took some photos of the book as displayed on the shelf and made my way out before noticing a bin lined up with audio books and a poster that read... "Get Your Audio Books Here... or Online!" What stopped me in my tracks was the headphone set and vinyl record design that decorated the poster.

I also stopped because I've NEVER listened to an audio book...Richard Pryor's Furious Cool was front and center...the first copy I noticed in the bin. I thought about checking it out but doubted whether I'd have enough mental space to add this on to everything else I want to listen to, read, or watch throughout the week. But then I thought about all the time I spend commuting to and from work and the time I spend between headphones when I'm online or at the gym. Hours on end dedicated to album after album or podcast after podcast. I got to thinking that an audio book in the mix wouldn't be so bad if I got a lil' disciplined about the time I set aside for audios.

I've been curious about audio books for a while. An eMusic subscriber since 2003, I noticed they started adding audio book files a few years ago. To access the audio books though, eMusic subscribers have to pay on top of the already overpriced monthly cost. I wasn't interested in hearing an audio book that bad. Plus I wasn't sure I'd be able to pay much attention to a recording of someone reading all day. But with the Furious Cool audio, this was an opportunity to learn about the King of Comedy himself, Richard Pryor.

A week before I found Furious Cool I was listening to Pryor's Wanted LP from 1978 and was thinking about the upcoming biopic. I learned about the film listening to Mike Epps on Sway in the Morning. Thinking about biopics in general, I thought about how bad those films can be. Flicks like Notorious, a Hendrix film I saw a while back, Iron Lady, Ray, or the Bruce Lee biopic from the 90s...While I hope Pryor's biopic doesn't get filtered through the ever repeating failure these movies can be, I felt inspired to make effort to know more about the details of his life through a literature source before a movie.

To date of this post, I'm making my way through part two of Furious Cool, which is narrated by Dion Graham, who fans will remember from The Wire. Graham was the State Attorney character. The book is written by blood brothers David and Joe Henry. Cracking the case open, it wasn't what I expected for an audio book. I think I expected to see a collection of CDs but it was a cartridge and a battery. The Playaway cartridge is perfect for the auxiliary cable that connects to the stereo in my car... also each time you stop and play, the audio book picks up a few sentences from where it left off. Like his acting on screen, Graham masters the vocal representation of characters like Red Foxx and Miles Davis keeping the reader engaged as the imagination flips through each scene like a page.

It's an incredible #listen and yet another free resource to access at your local public libraries. For Hip Hop Alumni, the audio book is also another source to consider adding into the stacks, especially as it relates to audio books that are connected to Hip Hop culture.

Til' the next audio chapter. Peace.

-Lee

ps: Need to find out what's good with the library's online option for audio books!

Saturday, September 27, 2014

#IceTpolitics2014

Presenting Hip Hop Alumni's 1st

Publication Contribution

Gaming the System:
Ice-T as Neoliberal Hustler

& Entrepreneurial Philanthropist

by Greg Dimitriadis and HHA's Justin De Senso

This year marks the 1st publication contribution from Hip Hop Alumni by way of co-founder Justin De Senso and Dr. Greg Dimitriadis, Professor and Associate Dean of Academic Affairs from the University at Buffalo New York.

This post is being scribed be Lee Rhyanes, co-founder of HHA as I've recently received my copy and began setting some time aside in my week to read the text. These days HHA has channeled a majority of its social networking time through the ease + access of Twitter at twitter.com/hiphopalumni. On twitter we're going to begin a #hashtag to track notes on the read and to encourage others to read either through purchase at online or book retailers or as request through univeristy/community libraries.

To learn more about this text and HHA visit HHA's Twitter and #hashtag #IceTpolitics2014.

From one brother to another, I want to congratulate Justin De Senso for his dedication to his students & colleagues, first and foremost, and the good will of having the opportunity to network and connect with folks which resulted in how HHA got involved with the Rapper, Writer, Pop-cultural Player, Ice T and the Politics of Black Cultural Production text through Ashgate publications.

We're hopeful this is the first of many publications that either involve or are lead by HHA and its partners. Below in the tags you'll see a list of all the authors that contributed to the text, including Justin De Senso's mentor James Peterson and several others. In addition, we look to share a number of recordings and thoughts on this text both here on the blog and through Twitter, including a recording of a panel that took place overseas in the United Kingdom, of which Justin was a presenter.

This one is for Hip Hop. Peace.

Ashgate Publishing: click here

Amazon.com: click here

-Lee

Monday, September 1, 2014

Louis Armstrong's New Orleans

Louis Armstrong's New Orleans

Following up on a #HHcAtalog post from July 7, 2014, of Thomas Brothers' newly released Louis Armstrong, Master of Modernism, here we have Louis Armstrong's New Orleans, a 2006 publication from Brothers & the same publisher W.W. Norton & Company. Having arrived to Chapter 3, 'Larenzo's Soul' I've decided to purchase the text for my own collection. It's a book I highly recommend for all all library patrons interested in music history and an in depth journey into the life of one of music's maestros, Louis Armstrong. You don't have to be into jazz or knowledgeable of it to access the rich story and history lesson that Brothers eases readers to enjoy through his exceptional & honest writing style. The imagination is supported by key photographs and the music of Brother's writing as one enjoys a close reading.

Below is a link to Amazon to purchase and a link to the El Paso Public Library (EPPL) location of the text as well as the World Catalog location for anyone else in the vicinity that would like to locate this text. In preparation for the upcoming sections 'Street Hustler' and 'Jail', its a reading experience not to be rushed! And if you're a collector of anything music, it's one for your personal archive. Builds anticipation for the Master of Modernism read as well.

Amazon / Purchase: click here

El Paso Public Library / Checkout: click here

WorldCat.org / Checkout: click here

Notes

Some notes I've jotted so far include Thomas Brothers as an "Armstrong scholar". Also thinking of oral histories as a primary source (ix), looking up copy editors and the idea of "musicology reading groups" (xi). I made note to look up books and other notes such as Louis Armstrong, In His Own Words, Louis Armstrong House and Archive, Institute of Jazz Studies, New Orleans Public Library, Duke Music Library, Hogan Jazz Archive, and the Louisiana State Museum. My interests in juvenile justice made me note the information provided on the Colored Waif's Home for Boys and Armstrong's sentence on January 1, 1913 for busting off a gun at merely 11 years old. This is the moment of which his skills on the cornet would emerge. I thought a lot about Louis Armstrong as King Oliver's only mentee. There is a quote on page 19 of music as an antidote to violence and I noted the political position of an artist. Reading in late July brought me to consider the origins of Hip Hop through Armstrong's story, in so far as understanding vernacular (slang) and the musical and social complexities that makes New Orleans so important... especially to be engaged in learning history through ((listening)). Page 45 made me think of Bruce Lee's water idea, in which Brother's quotes Zora Neale Hurston stating, "...an African American sermon is not something 'set' rather it is something loose and formless and is in reality merely a framework upon which to hang more songs...". On page 51, I noted another quote that I liked... "[music] fostered wholeness by bringing spirituality, criminality, and politics into the same performing circle..." Another quote referenced by Brothers of Mahalia Jackson states, "...first you've got to get the rhythm until, through the music, you have the freedom to interpret it..." 'The Saints' chapter provides a very interesting view on the musical-social-spiritual-synthesis of this chapter's subject matter. Til' the next read time of Louis Armstrong's New Orleans...

Saturday, August 30, 2014

Fruitvale Station Today

Fruitvale Station Today

I've been wanting to see this movie for a long while. I waited for the film to land on Netflix but would forget to look it up. Now that I check out Red Box films I noticed Fruitvale when I was searching for God's Not Dead. Immediately, I changed plans and made up my mind to screen Fruitvale Station for the evening after dinner.

Oscar Grant

I became familiar with Oscar Grant's story in 2009 through news feeds of Hip Hop advocates like Davey D (who's based in the Bay Area) and also through the coverage of independent news sources like TruthOut who published several articles after the police killing such as "Unrest in Oakland Has Deep Roots in City's History of Race Relations". A few clips since put me on to Grant's name via Hip Hop MCs like Raashan Ahmad ((How Long)), Zion I's Oscar Grant Tribute ((listen)), and other shout outs as well. The Beat Within, a writing and art publication for incarcerated youth based out of the Bay Area also educated readers on their feelings about the police killing. A couple years ago I instructed an NMSU class online called Criminal Justice & Youth Outreach (CJYO) and we watched footage captured the night Grant was killed by police. The footage included below is a higher quality than the clip we watched clearly showing the un-excusable act of murder by policeman Johannes Mehserle. Much of the footage is reenacted in the film, including the dialogue between the police and Grant as he was pressed into the floor face down before being executed.

Michael B. Jordan

I was introduced to Michael B. Jordan through his moving role as Wallace on HBO television series The Wire. The first project outside of The Wire that I seen with Jordan was Red Tails. There are certain lifetime roles that I believe wait on very special actors, whether we're talking about Denzel Washington's portrayal of Malcolm X, the late Philip Seymour's role as Truman Capote, Chadwick Boseman as Jackie Robinson in 42, or Meryl Streep in the Iron Lady, etc. As a fan of Jordan, when I heard about Fruitvale Station, I felt this would be one of those moments in film. And I don't mean this was a "break through role". It's much more a "break through moment" for everyone involved, especially the family that granted access to portray their lives in Oakland and how they were affected by police terrorism. In watching Jordan work, we're able to reflect on Oscar Grant's life, his family, circumstance, and how volatile encounters with law enforcement can be. This is especially true for those that doubt or try to find reason to excuse these murders. Through everyone's involvement, especially Jordan, we're able to appreciate what independent film projects have to offer counter to the uninvolved nature of the Hollywood clown box.

Ryan Coogler

Fruitvale Station is film director Ryan Coogler's debut. Listening to Ryan Coogler on the bonus features, you see not only the passion and drive to make this film, but an individual who overstands the power of what he's doing and why. You also sense his connection to the Bay Area community as a native of Oakland through the film's sounds, sights, and slang. The audience also see's the humility in his approach to inspire audiences to think, not only about the struggles between police and community, but also the internal problems young people face growing up in neglect, poverty, and/or locations affected by gang violence (and police violence). While this film definitely invokes feelings of sadness, especially anger, the director mentions his intent to raise awareness and demonstrate advocacy through a film like Fruitvale Station. He also gives viewers the opportunity to become familiar with Oscar Grant, beyond just the name. This is especially true in light of the character defamation that some police-murder victims go through to save face of the inconsistencies of the protect & serve facade in several American communities.

I respect Coogler's care for this film and what the audience takes from his relationship with mentors like Forest Whitaker and the support they were able to leverage. Especially to incorporate the caliber of actress like Octavia Spencer and to highlight the incredible talents of Michael B. Jordan, Melonie Diaz, the supporting cast, and the involvements of producer Nina Yang Bongiovi, amongst others.

This film is a platform to continue the dialogue in light of today's tragedies. To encourage people to understand that Oscar Grant, Kendra James, Trayvon, Martin, Sergio Adrian Hernandez, Israel Hernandez, Kendrick Johnson, Michael Brown, James Boyd, Daniel Saenz, Jordan Davis, and so many others impacted by the pain of corruption and police terror, MATTER.

Recently I read an article titled "After Ferguson, Grant Makers Seek Solutions to Racial-Justice Issues" by Suzanne Perry posted in the Chronicle of Philanthropy. She writes about thoughts of philanthropic leaders and their thoughts of response to Ferguson both short and long term. One of the quotes by Susan Taylor Batten mentions her belief that "grant makers should go beyond such efforts and examine longstanding issues related to race - for example, by paying for databases to collect information about the number of unarmed black people killed by police and organizing discussions in their regions about community-police relations." Perry quotes Ms. Batten stating, "it's a challenge to get philanthropy to turn its attention as a field to some of these thornier, tougher issues." It's these type of conversations that connect to the greater purpose of a film like Fruitvale Station and creative ways people like Coogler and the cast are addressing this situation. It becomes a part of a larger conversation especially in thinking about those questions Perry mentions in her article related to poverty, police accountability, and harmful stereotypes about young black men. Through story it emphasizes human rights and protection from discrimination or violence at the hands of those that possess power of another.

Support this film at your local Red Box or buy it if you can. Pass the word and request that your local libraries add to their catalog: www.fruitvalefilm.com.

Monday, August 4, 2014

Words and Paintings by Kadir Nelson | EPPL

Words and Paintings of Kadir Nelson

This is one of the greatest children's books I've ever read. Reading that thought back to myself it doesn't even sound right to place a label on this work of art as a "children's book". This year I got the chance to watch the film 42 through my first Red Box rental and wrote a review about it click here... Initially, I was searching for a book about "basketball history" for my nephew when I stumbled across this text. It's a little bit ahead of my nephew's reading level so I decided to check it out for myself.

Prior to this text, I didn't know enough (if anything) about Negro League Baseball... other than what I learned in the first few moments of the Jackie Robinson film, and pieces of information I use to pick up here & there about Satchel Paige and Josh Gibson through references in Spike Lee joints...sometimes (though rarely) television networks like ESPN would highlight a footnote about a player or important moment... Even all the 30 for 30 documentaries I've seen on Netflix... not one about a legend from the Negro Leagues. I've never been as deep into baseball as I was other sports, but as a kid we loved to play stick ball (or soft ball in Middle phys-ed) and collect all the trading cards... My father on the other hand has plenty of stories having met Willie Mays during his youth with his twin brother. Some players I know of having grown up in a neighborhood where all the streets are named after baseball hall of fame players.

Starting with the front cover, We are the Ship, the Story of Negro League Baseball, pulls you in. The oil painting depicting Josh Gibson is powerful. While most children's books I've read have an author & artist (two different people) as you begin your journey through the oil paintings with the pitch strike on the title page and Mr. Buck O'Neil followed by a painting I'd turn into a poster for my wall if I could (of the Monarchs) and on to a rich painting of Hank Aaron who writes the foreword... immediately, I began planning the next moment I could spend time reading EVERY... SINGLE... WORD by Nelson while examining EVERY... SINGLE ... PAINTING by Nelson.

I've held on to this book for two check out cycles and will return it to the El Paso Public Library today. While there is so much to say about the book, at the end of the read it inspired my interest to learn more about all the athletes Nelson illustrates & introduces to readers. Each painting taught me something new. It's a book that took time in its research and presentation and one of those lifetime achievements meant to be introduced to the world by a very specific person. It's similar to how I felt about Chadwick Boseman's portrayal of Jackie Robinson in 42. Sometimes certain things in this world wait on the person and the moment for which the message is intended to be delivered. And with We are the Ship, Kadir Nelson creates a true gift that visually preserves what's been kept from readers... youth and elder alike.

Below I've included a YouTube video that features Kadir Nelson as well as a website. In the keywords below you'll find names of several of the baseball legends referenced throughout the text. This review does little justice to what I took from this text and the quest to learn more... but its intended as a starting point for myself to dig further into the true story of baseball and Nelson's other projects including paintings that have been featured on Hip Hop projects.

www.kadirnelson.com