R.I.P. Grandmaster Roc Raida

You will be missed!!!

In the spirit of tomorrows election

more about "Video: Pharoahe Monch – Welcome To Th…", posted with vodpod

more about "If Mos Def Were President", posted with vodpod

Dead Prez – “PoliticKKKs” feat. Malcolm X / 2 Dollar Billz + The Declaration of Independence

 

The signing of the Declaration of Independence - Close up of John Hanson

Today I had the pleasure of hearing the new single off of Dead Prez’ upcoming album entitled Information Age due out February 9, 2009.  The track is called “PolitcKKKs” and it deals with our November 4th election which I hope everyone is registered for.  It’s bumpin’, great music from a great group, however, I’m not writing a review here.  What I’d like to talk about is something that this track schooled me on.  

“And if Obama win he wouldn’t be the first black — Take your two dollar bill and turn it over to the back.”

I did that and was surprised to see a darker skinned man wearing a powdered wig sitting amidst the signing of the Declaration of Independence.  Wow, a colored man in 1776 given enough respect to be invited to one of our countries biggest moments, that’s remarkable.  Being the scholar I am, I hit up wikipedia to find out more.

John Hanson was present at the signing of the Declaration of Independence because at that moment he held the position of president of the continental congress.

Legalizing Graffiti

Mural buffed.

Our Free Art Wall Is In Trouble

These sucka’s are trying to get rid of our culture.  Check the article here.

It’s Been a Dope Week of Music…

This has been a hot week of music in the midst of a cold spell of weather here in Seattle.  Last saturday I got to see the legendary Stephen Marley with the Ghetto Youths perform at the Showbox.  Stephen’s voice warmed the whole spot.  To describe it in a nutshell, Natural Mystic. When he sang his dad’s songs, the whole spot marinated in the vibe.  He sounds just like his dad.  The Ghetto Youths also tore it up with island sounds and rhythms.  Stephen’s shorty blessed the stage proudly waving a Lion of Judah flag.  If they’re at a city near you, go see them, you won’t be disappointed.

STEPHEN MARLEY AND THE GHETTO YOUTHS @ THE SHOWBOX 5/31/2008  Seattle, WA

Last night, I got to see the lovely Ms. Erykah Badu with The Roots.  Shit was frantic prior to the show as I was trying to score some tickets off craigslist.  We arrived around 8PM and missed the entire Roots set.  I heard it was tight.  It’s good though, ’cause the Badu set was too ill.  The Marymoor Park facility in Redmond is pretty cool (open space surrounded by trees), however the night was way chilly.  Makes me wonder what happened to summer, shit, what happened to spring…. STILL WAITING!

ERYKAH BADU @ MARYMOOR PARK 6/5/2008  Redmond, WA

CHECK THE VIDEO’S – 30 second clips joined together

Seattle’s the Shit. NO MORE PLASTIC BAGS IN THIS CITY!!!

Lately I’ve been noticing that more and more store’s aren’t stocking plastic bags.  In fact, my local market already charges ‘paper’ for plastic bags.  Seattle is about to make radical history, I just heard on the news that we are going to vote on a plastic bag ban this coming autumn.  If it goes into effect, every business in the city will have to eliminate plastic bags.  On the average, one individual throws away 600 plastic bags a year.  That’s preposterous, don’t they wonder where they all go. They don’t disappear, they just sit in a landfill awaiting for wildlife to stumble upon it or their toxic chemical compounds to break apart in a million or so years.  Think of all the petro-chemicals that are consumed in the production, distribution, and transportation of plastic bags.  It’s all connected, the war, the environment, our apathy.  Yo wake the fuck up, everyone… Anyways, we’re on the road to becoming the world’s greenest metropolis.  It’s shit like this that makes me proud to be a part of this city.

KaiRo’s Table

Last year I found a large douglas fir beam in my neighborhood. Rather than letting it go to the landfill I decided to make something out of it.  Noticing that my dog, Kairo, was reaching to the floor for his food, I set out to make his dining experience more comfortable. Inspired by a Japanese koshikake, or bathing stool, Kairo’s table is made from a single douglas fir beam cut into three pieces.  A dovetail groove makes the legs easy to remove.  Size is 23.5″ x 9″ x 9″. Finished with 100% pure Tung oil.  

Adorable photo taken in my backyard.

Cinco De Mayo

 

On top of Alpental - Snoqualmie Pass, WA

I feel blessed to live in a place so beautiful, so dynamic, so diverse.