An Interview with Jie-Song Zhang: The Creator of The Emerging Face of a Nationless World

"A violinist in the Hip Hop composition team Stone Forrest Ensemble, Jie-Song is a visionary with a rare gift for commitment and discipline. It only made sense then as we began discussing the role Hip Hop Congress could play in the conversation around this film that I would want some basic insights on what motivated this project, where it was going and what it’s ultimate aims were. It also made sense that I would want to share them. So I did what any self-respecting, sort-of-blogger, psudeo-journalist would do. I asked him for an interview. What I got was much more. Peep game." From the Hip Hop Congress Blog. Click here for entire story.

It's Our Time: 2009 Hip Hop Congress National Conference in Seattle

This one’s for everyone in the network: friends, family, partners, fellow artists, affiliates, and leaders in the arts, media, activism, and youth service communities in Seattle, we need your participation:

In a press release that went out this week, Hip Hop Congress proudly announced its 2009 National Conference, themed “It’s Our Time” to be held in the historic Central District of Seattle, Washington, July 29th to August 1st. Click here to read the full release. Thanks to our extraordinary local and national partners, this year’s conference is positioned to make a lasting impact in the region and beyond, and we’re looking for more of you to join forces. For registration information click here. In this update about the work, you’ll find articles on the youth-lead Hip Hop summer school in the CD, a protest at the Urban League Village, the Hip Hop and Politics Movement, and more. But before that, get ready for a list of real live, real critical events you won’t want to miss in the next few weeks of May! Umojafest P.E.A.C.E Center, Black Stax, B-Girl Media, Heidi Jackson Presents, and 206 Zulu have some exciting events rolling out, so get out your calendars, too. This is a personal invitation for all of you to attend, and there’s something for all of you next week:

* Sunday May 17th: In celebration of Malcolm X Day, the Umojafest P.E.A.C.E Center will be hosting the “Malcolm X Day Hip-Hop Conference & Music Fest” at the UPC (located on 24th & Spring). Workshops based on the philosophies of the late human rights leader Malcolm X will begin at 10:00am and go until 1:00pm with special guest, former congresswoman and 2008 Green Party presidential candidate Cynthia McKinney giving the keynote address. Artists such as Shamako Noble (Hip-Hop Congress), Maineak B (Stahi Bros.), Thee Satisfaction, Wojack, Jus Moni, Delton Son, and many more will be performing. To check the poster by Zechariah Tha Barber, and to read more click here. Also, you can view footage from Umojafest P.E.A.C.E Center's last event, Springfest. It's here, on Seattle Hip Hop's newest media maven, NYA's, blog.

* Friday May 22nd: Revolutionary poet, Ursula Rucker, and internationally acclaimed, producer/dj, King Britt, will make a special Seattle appearance at Chop Suey. Also appearing is Black Stax, the avant-garde of Hip Hop. The group combines the conscience, gritty and thought provoking lyrices of Silas Black and Jace ECAj, founder of Dope Emporium, featuring the powerfully soulful voice of lead singer Felicia Loud.

* Saturday May 23rd: Knox Family Record Release Party at Chop Suey featuring Black Stax, Black Aries (Yirim Seck and LaRue), and Rapzy and the Vigilantes! Knox Family is myself and Jerm of Alpha P, and B Girl.

* Sunday, May 24th: 206 Zulu is back at Folklife Festival for this year's Zulu Jam! Last year's first Zulu Jam at Folklife Festival was a great success with full capacity and energized crowd. This year's festivity will take place at the Seattle Center's Vera Project and features Silver Shadow D, Mic Crenshaw, Yirim Seck, Dim Mak, Hella Dope, DJ's Grimrock and Gumbeaux, and breakin' cyphers with Raw Action! This ALL-AGES event is FREE and is from 7-10pm!

Here's some Headlines:

* Umojafest P.E.A.C.E Center will be making history by opening its Center for Hip Hop Culture, Business & Technology in the Central District of Seattle, Washington this summer, and we need YOUR SUPPORT! The center is the first of its kind that will serve community youth, particularly dropouts, high-risk youth and those under the criminal justice supervision. It will feature a digital recording studio, computer lab, video production studio and a library/reading room. The summer school at the Center for Hip Hop will coordinate culturally enriching entrepreneurial based activities to address social and community development through daily, open-door element and technology workshops, study sessions, and classes. An initial glimpse at the program schedule reveals DJ and producer clubs, Young Kings and Queens Leadership Development, and class titles that range from “Music History” to “Hood Politics”. Through launching a youth-led, community-centered approach to outreach, education, and violence prevention, Umojafest P.E.A.C.E Center is putting revolutionary social change theory to practice with Hip Hop Culture. 18 year old Imani Kang, the youth committee president of UPC, is development director for the summer school at the Center for Hip Hop Culture. As a drop out, she can’t tell you the benefits of a diploma, but she can quickly break down how the social construction of knowledge through dominant culture in traditional classrooms alienates youth today. Read the full article here.

* On Tuesday April 26th, Marc Morial, president of the National Urban League visited Seattle and attended a reception in his honor on the stolen grounds of the Urban League Village. Community members of all different ages and backgrounds, including leaders of Umojafest P.E.A.C.E Center and Hip Hop Congress, participated in impromptu demonstrations and other forms of protest around Colman School all day to mark the occasion. They took to leaflets, posters, flyers, emails, megaphones, and picket signs to send a clear message to both the local and national branch of the Urban League: Get down or lay down. Click here to read more, and to see footage of the protest.

* Khingz releases new album “From Slaveships to Spaceships”: Gun violence. Drug abuse. Disillusionment. Self-hatred. Journey through the mastermind of Seattle-bred emcee Khingz with his highly-anticipated solo album- "From Slaveships to Spaceships", debuting Juneteenth, 2009 on Fresh Chopped Beats / MADK. "From Slaveships to Spaceships" is a testimony of transformation, a voyage through time and space, a continued search for freedom of mind. Khingz breathes life into art with his rapid spitfire delivery, heart-filled thought provoking lyrics and infectiously thriving beats provided by a wide array of producers. Read more on the 206 Zulu Website.

Seattle Hip Hop Community Tackles Tough Issues at NW Hip Hop Leadership Conference

"Approximately 200 people came out from across the greater Seattle Area to participate in the 1st Seattle/NW Hip-Hop Leadership Council on Saturday February 28th at Seattle Central Community College," wrote Wyking, co-convener of the event, "presented by the Seattle Hip-Hop Summit Youth Council, Bush School Diversity Speaker Series, UmojaFest P.E.A.C.E. Center and Seattle Central Community College Black Student Union, the conference provided a wealth of information beginning with history and socio-cultural analysis related to the hip-hop generation." Okay, so I was only able to attend one part of one panel, but I still gotcha covered. Here are the highlights I was able to collect from the comrades. Shouts out to Suntonio Bandanaz, Rajnii Eddins, and Toni Hill for helping me piece this together. Also, be sure to check out the rest of Wyking's write-up as well. If you missed this one, don't worry. We're about to set it off at the 2009 Hip Hop Congress National Conference in Seattle, Washington with Dope Emporium, Umojafest, Hidmo, 206 Zulu and more July 29th-August 2nd! More to come.


The Hip Hop 101 presentation was led by Silver Shadow D, Rajnii Eddins, and Suntonio Bandanaz.The 206 Hip Hop vets opened the discourse with a mini open mic of sorts, with participation from one young man and two sisters in the crowd. The discussion then moved to the basics: roots of hip hop culture and violence prevention, and Universal Zulu Nation, the inception of the music industry, and the progression of the movement behind the culture. Naturally, the dialogue progressed to the domination of the corporate industry, its role in undermining the political aspects of the Hip Hop movement, and connection of such interests to Cointelpro through entities like Interscope Records and more. “We went from Fight the Power to Reclaim the Media, basically,” said Bandanaz, “to return to the founding principles within culture’s art forms.” Suntonio Bandanaz and Daichi Diaz from Alpha P also dropped by KSER 90.7 community radio in Everett for an interview on DJ Nanino’s Boombox FM later to promote their March 18th show at Studio Seven featuring Spaceman, Specs Wizard and more! Be sure to check Daichi’s new vinyl “The Fight Lullaby.”

The next panel, Hip Hop the New Face of Racism, was a community discussion, which included photographer Inye Wokoma of Ijo Arts, the conference keynote and author of How to Hustle and Win Supreme Understanding, Aisha B from Lakeside School Hip Hop Congress, Charys Bailey, Tacoma artist and youth mentor, and others.The discussion evolved to the questions, what happens when a culture becomes an industry, how does the corporate Hip Hop industry cater to white people’s perception of who Black people are, and what is the impact of that on racism and racial identity? One student spoke on how while her friends listened to conscious Hip Hop, they still had a hard time dealing with and recognizing white privilege. According to Raj, the dialogue that followed reflected personal experiences on the complexity of institutional and systemic racism and white privilege. A social worker spoke on the immense caseloads and rigorous data entry that supersedes effective service provision, a doctor spoke on the lack of people of color amongst his colleagues, a mentor spoke on how policies in youth detention centers interfere with young people’s ability to talk and internalize their experiences. Others spoke about the subtly of racism in Seattle, and the difficulty of addressing it without being labeled as an ‘anger black person.’ Supreme Understanding brought up the need to give people strategic tools and to make solutions concrete so they have practical applications in combating racism.

Rajnii also did his best to help me piece together a quick summary of the next panel, From the Hood to the Club, Violence in Hip Hop. This presentation featured Kun Luv, Omari Tahir-Garrett, Supreme Understanding, Gregory Lewis, Merciful, and Ted Evans and was moderated by Wyking. When Raj came in, Merciful was asserting the importance of addressing the root causes of youth violence, and illustrating the role police play in criminalizing and antagonizing Black youth through militarizing communities. He also spoke on young people acting out on that misplaced aggression, and how that contributes to the overall environment of the neighborhood by having communities turn in on each other. Kun Luv took issue with the claim, saying that most of the violence taking place in Seattle now comes from someone having a beef with someone specific. Kun’s basic premise was that the intentional, premeditated nature of the crimes makes youth violence not a political issue in Seattle. Omari, an unsung hero in Seattle Human Rights and Black history, smashed on this by stating, “There’s nothing going on that’s not coerced and endorsed by the state.” Tahir-Garrett grounded his assertion in his own family history and his experiences as a community organizer and activist in Seattle, which provides him a uniquely thorough understanding of public policy as offensive strategy to quash social movement. “National Security Council 46 is the new Cointelpro,” Omari said, cross-referencing the Obama adminstration’s recent restructure of the National Security Council with the Carter-administration memorandum to the Secretary of Defense and CIA on “Black Africa and the U.S. Black Movement.” Understanding the reference may be especially pertinent since the Obama administration has picked up a surprising number of our region’s slimy political leadership. Do some research. I spent 3 hours on some google ish myself after Raj gave me that quote.

"Women In Hip-Hop was a power packed panel with lively discussion facilitated by Rahwa of Hidmo," wrote Wyking, "The panel featured artist/educators/organizers Toni Hill, Khmet, Moni Tep, Monika Matthews Exective Director of the Nia Center and Life Enrichment Group, student Caela Palmer and fashion mainstay FirstLady Beunique of Presidential Clothing
and Beunique Agency." Toni Hill told me, “The speakers on the women and hip hop panel were insightful, engaging and honest. The gift of performance that was shared before the discussion set the tone for an enriching experience and the audience participation. It was an honor to be seated in the mists of Queens and princesses. I was particularly impressed with Youth representation especially Moni Tep. She is a talented, articulate and courageous youth with infinite potential. She was an inspiration and breath of fresh air. I have spoken on numerous panels across the country, sometimes leaving with unsettling feeling that the youth voices were not properly acknowledged or that they(youth) had not absorbed the information presented by the elders because they are tired of many of the adults talking at them as opposed to with them. Rahwa did a great job moderating and I would be proud to be apart of future endeavors with this cast of brightly shining stars." Be sure to check out Toni Hill's record release party for her new album "Only Love" March 13th at Chop Suey!

There were many more panels and workshops, so again, check Wyking's write up on the event, and get ready for this summer. This year is gonna be a good one.

Who is Julie C?

Peace and Universal Greetings, I'm Julie Chang Schulman, Hip Hop artist, educator, freelance journalist and community organizer from Seattle, WA, hailin' from the crew Alpha P. I'm assistant chapter-head of 206 Zulu, Seattle's branch of Universal Zulu Nation. codirector of Reclaim the Media, a media justice organization, and Northwest regional coordinator for Hip Hop Congress, and urban arts and culture 501c3 non profit. I'm also an artist on B Girl Media The Knox Family E.P is scheduled to debut this Spring.



I'm a real person, not a, computer, someone's paid zombie, or an advertisement, and my aim in undergoing the daunting process of penetrating the "blogosphere" is to expand my network, build with like minded individuals, and connect to other community media makers and organizers from the global grassroots in this worldwide people's movement. Please, shoot me any questions, comments, or just a hello, if your out there, world.



Photo: Our presentation at 2008 National Conference for Media Reform (from left to right, Shamako Noble, Toki Wright, Julie C, Rosa Clemente, J.R Flemming)

A Day in the Life of Hip Hop Congress West Coast: 4 States, 2 Capitols, 1 Movement

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

A Day in the Life of Hip Hop Congress West Coast: 4 States 1 Day
www.hiphopcongress.com

Brandon Green, National Contact, HHC Chief Technology Officer
(702) 606-3068 prolyphek@aol.com
DLabrie, California Contact, HHC National Outreach Coordinator
(501) 798-9610 dlabrozia2009@gmail.com
Julie Chang Schulman, Northwest Contact, HHC Northwest Regional Coordinator
(425) 223-7787 juliec@hiphopcongress.com

February 23rd, 2009

This week was a historical one for Hip Hop. Fresh off the very successful 5th Annual Hip Hop Congress Midwest Summit, which featured Little Brother at The University of Michigan Feb 6-7, and the tremendously attended 206 Zulu 5th Anniversary and Hip Hop Film Festival in Seattle, Hip Hop Congress (HHC) presented "A Day in the Life of HHC West Coast" with cultural and political activity in four states in one day including Washington, California, Oregon, and Nevada. Hip Hop Congress is confronting problems and creating solutions all while communicating in real time via blogs, email, text message and social networking sites. This is the 1st of many HHC online campaigns to come.

Early in the AM, HHC was active in the Oscar Grant rally which took place at the California Capitol Building in Sacramento which was organized as a 5 city bus caravan and included participants from various Norcal cities including Oakland, San Franciso, Richmond, East Palo Alto, and Stockton, CA. Some of the buses were sponsored by San Francisco Businessman/Rapper, JT The Bigga Figga as well as others. The Oscar Grant rally was supported by, UC Davis HHC College Chapter, Sacramento HHC Community Chapter, with members Wes Kuruhara (Chapter Head of Sacramento HHC Chapter and co-founder of San Jose State HHC College Chapter) , Sacramento Rap Crew Righteous Movement, Wyzdom of Verbal Venom & Sac Promoter Lord Vex also Gold Toes of Thizz Entertainment, Rudy Fleetwood rapper/author/ president of The United Players, Ministers Chris Muhammad and Keith Muhammad from the NOI, youth from the Muhammad University of Islam. Extended list of attendees will be available on our website. Information was coordinated by President of RonDavoux Records/National Outreach Director of HHC, DLabrie, whose album; "MR. NETW3RK" is due for release in 2009. “I asked various activists what can HHC do to help the cause without reinventing the wheel. The response I got was to help spread information to the streets, in the hood, at the colleges, and to youth through art and events. This is our strong point. We are planning a series of music compilations to inform the community about the Oscar Grant murder and speak out against Police Brutality through the voices of artists from all over the world,” says DLabrie

12 hours North, in Seattle, Washington, M1 of the legendary political rap group dead prez, who recently became the Education Coordinator for HHC along with Midwest Hip Hop Icon One Be Lo were picked up by sponsors (www.driverforhire.biz). The caravan stopped through for a tour of the Umoja P.E.A.C.E. Center (UPC) which is being developed as a community-owned Hip Hop youth center in Seattle’s Central District (CD). They were welcomed by Unite for Youth Coalition members, Seattle Rap Crew Alpha P/206 Zulu members Asun, Jerm, and Julie C, Basement TV’s Jamil and DJ Kuhnex, mother and daughter media team Maria and Imani Kang, poet Geneiva Arunga of the UPC Seattle Hip-Hop Youth Council and UPC co-founders Wyking Allah, Savior Knowledge, and Omari Tahir. Seattle youth violence is reaching critical levels, police presence is historically at its highest, public housing is being torn down, the district is shutting down schools, and money to tackle the problems are being put in the hands of poverty pimps. UPC and its vision are critical to the community reclaiming power and reasserting self-determination. “It’s good to see a center by us for us right in the hood, it’s a lot of potential in this. I’m excited to see it develop. It shows solidarity amongst many individuals and organization out here on the west, I want to take this energy back home and on the road,” stated One Be Lo. For more information on how to support UPC visit www.umojafestpeacecenter.com.


The collective then traveled to Olympia, Washington, where in 2008, Dead Prez Valentine’s Day concert attendees left a police car overturned and riot squad dispatch. One year later, M-1 was welcomed back to the Evergreen State College for a lecture and dialogue with the campus community. Tremendous efforts were made on the part of Evergreen HHC leaders and others to make this event happen. He opened his speech talking about the role of slavery in America’s system of capitalism, the country’s policy of population control, and how his personal history of community work in St. Petersberg, Florida and New York informed his understanding of activism and organizing. Turning to the role of Hip Hop in movement work, he broke down the difference between uprisings and rebellions, and emphasized that, “Revolution is an art and science. We have to be perfect.” He wrapped up the lecture by stating, “I’ve organized amongst my fellow Afrikans, the white left, we all have a place on this field, all have a role to play. Our objective is to raise the interest and agenda of the working class. Use what you have to do it. In moving forward, that’s why I’ve accepted being national spokesperson for Hip Hop Congress, to support local voices. I want to help build a social tool we can use as a weapon to defend our people’s rights.” A full write-up on the lecture and Q & A can be found on our website.

To end the days Northwest activity, HHC members traveled with One Be Lo to Portland for his performance at Berbatis Pan and linked with Vocalist/Emcee/Poet, Toni Hill of the popular group Siren’s Echo, whose new album “Only Love” will be released March 13th, and HHC Artist/founder of Global Fam, Portland HHC Community Chapter Head Mic Crenshaw who recently released his album "Thinking Out Loud.” The following day, Crenshaw hosted an HHC meeting at his home to talk about current struggles, strategies, challenges, next steps, and planning for the upcoming 2009 Hip Hop Congress National Conference. “It’s critical that we keep the momentum going,” says HHC Northwest Regional Coordinator Julie C, “Now we got the campus, the real community activists, the Hip Hop educators, Universal Zulu Nation, and an incredible network of individuals, artists, and collectives on the ground. Consistent connection, communication, and coordination is all we need to make history and some real changes this summer.” You can catch Julie C’s music in the new “Knox Family E.P” from B-Girl Media.

All of this and more was covered in real time via myspace, twitter, facebook, text and email. We invited all to participate and join us in celebrating our collective power and vision by taking a stand for our community and our families, and celebrating the art and artists that bring us together. The process of keeping things organized and connected online was headed by Pro-Dash: Filmmaker, Emcee, Producer and Creator of HHC TV on you tube. Pro-Dash is currently involved with the Stop The F Street Closure Coalition. “They are creating walls between the hood and the new project which will attract tourist but keep us Vegas natives out,” states Pro-Dash. While updating HHC online info Pro-Dash spent Thursday drafting a letter to National community organizations calling for support for an organized “National Demonstration March and Sit In” on the Las Vegas Strip. The march is scheduled for April 18, 2009, which is also the weekend of the National Broadcasters Association Convention. “We feel it’s important for the West Las Vegas community and oppressed communities across the globe to stand up and be heard for economic and social justice” says Pro Dash whose song “Fresh up out the West” tackles issues in West Las Vegas.

Hip Hop Congress is a 501(c)3 Non-Profit whose mission is provide the tools, resources, and opportunities for the Hip Hop Generation to make an impact on our collective communities. Our 8th National Conference will be held in Seattle, Washington from July 29th to August 1st at the University of Washington. The theme of the conference is "This is Our Time". There will be no panels. We have partnered with Dope Emporium, Seattle's Only Hip Hop Festival, Umojafest (Seattle’s longest running African American heritage festival), Universal Zulu Nation, The Poor People’s Economic Human Rights Campaign, Iron Fist Records, Hidmo, B-Girl Media, the Seattle Youth Council, Rock Rap Entertainment, the Coalition to Protect Public Housing, Rapsessions, the Mississippi Artists and Producers Coalition, Culture Shock Camp, Umojafest P.E.A.C.E. Center, Seattle Hip Hop Youth Council, Block Teamsters Union and others to bring a conference that is about creating, and supporting leadership as well as holding leadership accountable and being accountable to ourselves. We invite ALL our chapters, artists, partners, friends and all community members to attend this historical event.

"We believe that the youth have questions that we need to answer, that artists have struggles and deserve our support, and that the community can resolve its own problems better than today's politicians and law enforcement officials acknowledge. It is time to stop talking and start doing." stated by San Jose Emcee & Co-Founder and President of Hip Hop Congress - Shamako Noble

M-1 Builds with Olympia Community on Hip Hop and Movement Strategy

Last time M-1 left the Evergreen State College campus, their transport had to drive around an overturned cop car. Check the video here!

One year after the uprising of last year’s Valentine’s day concert, M-1 of Dead Prez was welcomed back to the Evergreen State College campus for a lecture and dialogue with the campus community. It was not easy. Tremendous efforts were made on the part of Evergreen State College HHC coordinators and cultural advocates Noah Theeman-Lindberg, Marial Culter, Moya and others. However their hard work and efforts paid off, and Mutulu “M-1” Olugabala, was finally given the opportunity to dialogue with the campus community face to face. He opened his speech talking about the role of slavery in America’s system of capitalism, the country’s policy of population control, and how his personal history of community work in St. Petersberg, Florida and later in New York with the Uhuru Movement informed his understanding of activism and organizing. “Most of us have grown up without being given a history of movement. Most of us have grown up with parents telling us to go to college, without being shown the unbroken history of this kind of resistance,” he said, in reflection of his background with Uhuru. “I made the decision to go away from campus, opting for direct action like the Black Panther Party, straight to the root of the problem. As community organizers we were launching campaigns, knocking on doors, learning how to utilize propaganda, making it work, it wasn’t glamorous.” He spoke of the police abuse, tear gas on women and children, surveillance tactics, and other strategies the state employed in both Florida and NY to counteract the efforts of Uhuru’s community efforts, and how President Obama’s “community organizing background” differs in that respect. “He may have been a community organizer, but he’s not the same kind. It’s all about what community you’re organizing for. I come from the perspective of justice not reform,” he said, noting how Obama’s proposed stimulus bill won’t even touch the working class community. “We called Obama’s campaign, ‘the candidacy to save imperialism’,” he laughed later during Q&A’s.

Mutulu then turned to the question of the cultural significance of hip hop. “I saw it right here on this campus in action that night,” he said, “We came here to do a show, we were excited, the crowd showed up ready, charged up, it was a glorious concert, ended on high note, we were left with fantastic images, felt motivation, and inspiration, and I remember at one point, someone tapped my shoulder and said, ‘Man you should look out the front door.’” The last comment drew gales of laughter from the crowd, as M said, “It took me back to St. Petersburg. Stic, Umi, and I, we looked and we saw courage, saw injustice, saw it grow, and saw people who needed to resolve it right now.” He explained how that night, DJ Umi and dead prez stayed and watched the uprising, keeping it one phone call distance away, and broke down his analysis from the perspective of an organizer. “The first question was one, did we get justice, not just recital and romanticism, I mean did we get it? and two, what’s the difference between an uprising and rebellion? An uprising is reactionary; a rebellion has goals, objectives, and strategies. What’s the real war? That’s my mind frame.” Mutulu said that as the news began rolling in from the media that dead prez started a riot at Evergreen, he feared for the campus’s ability to use Hip Hop to organize again. “That does our movement no good, it paralyzes our ability to operate,” he said. “The history of resistance in this area is phenomenal. I know the orbs, symbols I’m seeing around here, let’s hook it up y’all.”

But Mutulu, whose name means to show the path, reminds us that as an army, we need to be calculated. “Revolution is an art and science we have to perfect,” he says, “I’ve organized amongst my fellow Afrikans, the white left, we all have a place on this field, all have a role to play. Our objective is to raise the interest and agenda of the working class. Use what you have to do it. In moving forward, that’s why I’ve accepted being national spokesperson for Hip Hop Congress, to support local voices. I want to help build a social tool we can use as a weapon to defend our people’s rights.” He acknowledged how Wyking, Umojafest P.E.A.C.E Center cofounder defends the people’s rights in Seattle’s Central District, and took a moment to remember Tyrone Love, a young promoter who was killed several nights earlier in the CD. For M, the aim is to connect these energies and keep it building to strengthen the movement.

Q&A Summary:
1) Do you believe in nonviolent revolution?

Summarized Response: There's a possibility only if oppressors want to peacefully resolve. You either plead for the system to change itself or know that the only way out is to amass power and bargain it. I’ll do anything to make it happen because the system will do anything to stop you. It's the oppositions decision whether its peaceful.

2) How do we organize sustainably?

Summarized Response: Create organizations that are autonomous, so that you can move inside and out. Revolutionary organizations and institutions should be training mechanism to create revolutionaries everywhere.

3) What are the roles of smaller groups/crew in the movement?

Summarized Response: The members’ purposes have to be the same. I think it's great for morale, but what I've found is that the people are our greatest resource no matter where we are. If you don’t rely on that, you lose your ability to move. Like the MOVE Organization, when police bombed them it was easy to convince others they were dangerous because they kept to themselves. Crew is important but the greatest resource is the people.

4) In referring to organized protests in Olympia, where individual acts of vandalism offset overall message of the movement, what u do with those “brick throwers” who are a part of the movement as well?

Summarized Response: Ultimately it doesn't serve in the interest of our movement when that stuff happens. You have to identify those types of individuals as agent provocateurs. Even if it’s unintentional, you move as agent of the state even if you don't mean to. Those individuals must rectify it with the people. I have done this, I was 19 and impatient, I'm 36 today. We did something stupid. We called police on our own event. I was convinced it would cause the confrontation we wanted. I was wrong.

5) What is connecting really look like? What is the more proactive approach? How do we know what’s real?

Summarized Response: We struggle with that. It’s not easy because we’ve been taught to be separate, especially in artist communities. I just came back from Houston, I saw the worst crabs in a barrel. People don't want unity. I connected by going and being folks, I tried becoming that connector. Mutulu means to show people the path. True is one on one without media dialogue, and there are plenty of ways to set it up. What are we willing to do to get peace? I know some folks with careers around political prisoners and no intention to free them. That ain’t real. It’s about returning power to an African progressive community. Just ask yourself in whatever given group, what’s the goal?

6) What websites or groups/organizations can we use to sharpen ourselves?

Summarized Response: I say it's easy the Internet, uhurumovement.org, hiphopcongress.com, we can turn twitter and facebook into our own movement.

7) I’ve been told that having a Hip Hop Congress Chapter at Evergreen is cultural appropriation of Hip Hop because it’s predominantly white. Can you comment on that?

Summarized Response: Be mindful, Hip Hop is from Afrikan people, but it doesn't mean only Afrikans can be involved in it. Just recognize the root of the culture, and how we can empower it. If you leave Africa out, you relinquish power in the world, that’s why Europe and all these nations got their hands all over Africa they know that, but it’s true in everything. I have no problem with white rappers. Although, I’d like to see white rappers give a moment to ask permission of the ancestors, but it's cool. It strengthens the real movement. We can literally control this hundred million dollar industry.

8) Do you have suggestions to reverse damage done to youth in schools?

Summarized Response: Independent charter schools, community control over education.

9) Why did some Hip Hop artists endorse Obama?

Summarized Response: Opportunism in most rappers. We called candidacy to save imperialism. The middle class agenda elected Obama. Rappers, many of them blow with the wind. Not me, I'm anchored in the movement.

This event at Evergreen State College was a part of Hip Hop Congress's Day in the West Coast: 4 cities in 1 Day. More to come. Hip Hop Congress 2009 National Congress is in Seattle Washington July 29th-August 1st.

This one time, we were rapping in Olympia...

NW Hip Hop Congress January Bulletin

Friday, January 04, 2008

NW Hip Hop Congress Jan. Bulletin
Current mood: accomplished
NW Hip Hop Congress January Bulletin

Northwest Hip Hop is ready to take 2008 by storm. For starters, the Seattle's Hip Hop Congress community chapter is officially on and popping, and as the incorporation and licensing process wraps up, we are ready to put some serious development behind the exponential growth defining the scene. The NW Hip Hop Congress network is a powerful coalition group made of some of the region's most thorough Hip Hop organizations, including 206 Zulu-the Seattle's chapter of Universal Zulu Nation (www.206Zulu.com ) and the Block Teamsters Union (www.blockteamstersunion.com ), artist crews and collectives, such as Project Mayhem, Alpha-P, and the Think Tank, and community-based nonprofits like Reclaim the Media ( www.reclaimthemedia.org ), CARA (www.cara-seattle.org ), and Seattle Debate Foundation (www.seattledebate.org ).

Our independent urban arts media partners include Zulu Radio and Fresh Coast Radio on 91.3fm KBCS Community Radio (www.kbcs.com ), Hip Hop 101 Television on Seattle Community Access Network ( www.myspace.com/hiphop101), and the Coolout Network (www.cooloutnetwork.com ). Here is only a fraction of what's been crackin' off:

This year, NW Hip Hop Congress was happy to officially welcome B-Girl Bench (www.bgirlbench.com ) and B-Girl Media, spearheaded by DJ B-Girl Chillz to our family. B-Girl Bench is a space for women to hone their craft, build with their community, and to develop transformative leadership from a local to global perspective. As the women in Hip Hop movement started gaining a lot of steam this year, B-girl became a pivotal force, bridging the gap between theory and practice. Beyond being a digital distribution guru and Hip Hop music director at Oseao.com, B-girl herself has been a staple in the Seattle music scene since 2001 as a DJ, breaker, producer, and hip hop teaching artist who has also been known to rip a few mics every once in a while. Her long awaited album Love or Fate?? featuring Piece, Toni Hill, Jerm, Asun, Julie C., Sista Hailstorm, Khanfidence, Phreewill, Cyreeta, DJ WD40, Sage Nomad, and Forrest is set for release this January 16th.

Read more about Seattle women in Hip Hop including DJ B-Girl Chillz, Onion and the Ladies 1st Collective at Hidmo, and Julie C here in the latest issue of the Seattle Weekly. ( http://www.seattleweekly.com/2007-12-26/music/ladies-first-spotlight-s-seattle-hip-hop-s-best-feemcees.php )

On campus, the Seattle Central Community College chapter was founded by 206 Proof contributor (www.206proof.com ) and true to life Hip Hop junkie Jawn, under the advisory of Seattle Hip Hop organizing vet and 206 Zulu member Sam Chesneau. SCCC's chapter used 2007 to kick off their fundraising and outreach campaign. Aisha Becker-Burrow founded the region's very first high school chapter at Lakeside High after her hugely successful sweet sixteen bash at Youngstown Cultural Center themed "Hip Hop is Dead: Bring Back the Old School." This event, co-facilitated by B-Girl Bench, was a far cry from MTV's Super Sweet Sixteen. Aisha not only selflessly organized the event as a fundraiser for Hip Hop Congress, she also used it as a platform to spread awareness on the issue of police terrorism by inviting DJ DVONE and Rajnii Eddins to speak about their experiences as victims of brutality and abuse of power from the Seattle Police Department. See footage of "Hip Hop is Dead: Bring Back the Old School" including performances by Choklate, Piece, Rajnii, Silent Lambs Project, and DV One in the B-Girl Bench Ezine! (http://www.bgirlbench.com/ezine.html)

University of Washington's Hip Hop Congress affiliates have been working hard to build on the international platform of movement Hip Hop culture has become. With the help of Georgia Roberts, Hip Hop literary scholar, and Scott Macklin of Open Reel, Seattle artist/activists DJ Kuhnex and Rev from Blue Magic Entertainment as well as Madeline aka the Lioness from the group Canary Sing are headed to South Africa to produce a documentary on music and social motivation in South Africa. Working with South African artists and organizers including, Bulelani Futshane, Godessa, Zubz, Proverb, J-Bux, Teba, DJ Azhul, DJ Eazy, and HHC's own Rushay Booysen, they hope to use the documentary to spread awareness on the power of culture in affecting change on global issues. "For me, what's really interesting is how visually and with audio we are able to share and through sharing we are able to build," says Rushay, who is music editor for the project. Rushay, who has been active in Port Elizabeth's Hip Hop community for 18 years, see's his role as facilitating a process of life experience and reality both for visiting students, and for future viewers of the documentary. "I'm just a link that links the common purpose," he states. They are looking for support for this project, and further collaborative opportunity so to get down, email kuhnex@gmail.com, and to contact Rushay email rushhiphop@gmail.com .

Aaron "DJ Kuhnex" Jacob and Jamil "Rev" Suleman, have also been getting national recognition for "Bruce Lee Dedication," a class they've piloted on the University of Washington campus. The tangible objective of the class is to get something on campus dedicated to the memory of Bruce Lee, but the actual objective is much broader. "This is to start the dialogue of why students of color are not represented in the first place," says Rev, "this is about eradicating the symbolism of European domination on college campuses in general." For more information on this contact: yung.rev@gmail.com .

Seattle Hip Hop Summit Youth Council has also been making major waves in the region. This year, in addition to launching a new website, ezine, and newsletter, they've invested in the next generation of Hip Hop leadership with "Hiphopreneurs: CEOs in Training," a professional development club at Seattle vocational institute, and a Hip Hop Writer's Group at the Rainer Beach branch of Seattle Public Libraries. SHHSYC has also started a weekly young artist showcase at Waid's Place on 12th & Jefferson in Seattle, hosted by Genieva Arunga, J. Infinite, M-Famous, and Angel, the young stars that some of y'all may remember from Hip Hop Congress's National Conference in Athens, Ohio. For more information on Seattle Hip Hop Summit Youth Council contact wyking@gmail.com

Seeing as how this update is admittedly Seattle-Centric, be on the look-out for more regional information in the next issue, including shouts from the Evergreen College's HHC Chapter in Olympia, Washington, updates from the newly launched Tacoma Urban Debate League Program, and hopefully, an introduction to our new partners in the PDX, Mic Crenshaw and the Global Family Network Mission. If I missed you in this update, don't worry - holler at me and I'll getcha next round. Be sure to check the list below for events in the Northwest and music you don't wanna be without…. with that, I'm ghost. One!

Julie C is an emcee from the legendary Alpha-P crew, as well as Northwest Regional Coordinator for Hip Hop Congress, assistant chapterhead of 206 Zulu, and Co-Director for Reclaim the Media. Scholar at ya girl at juliec.206@gmail.com
January 5th Ladies 1st Spring 2008 Kick Off @ Hidmo

Communities Against Rap and Abuse, the Ladies 1st Collective, and B-Girl Bench are kicking off the 2008 monthly all-women's Hip Hop showcase at Hidmo Eritrean Cuisine Restaurant (20th and Jackson) with Seattle Hip Hop veteran Laura "Piece" Kelley Jahn and Hip Hop Congress's own Beloved1 and DJ B-Girl Chillz on the 1s and 2s. The event goes from 8pm-10pm and is followed by an after party by Boom Box. For more info visit www.myspace.com/seattleladiesfirst.

January 5th Freestyle Battle Championship @ Chop Suey

Seaspot and Block Teamsters Union present the final for "Wednesday night life Freestyle Battle Championship" for a grand prize of $4,500 in cash and prizes. Celebrity guest judges include Devin the Dude, Cool Nutz, Certified, Mr.DOG, Emmanuel, Neema, Sonny Bonoho, Mr. Yon, I.Gang, Evergreen Ent., Jay Barz. All ages/21+ bar on 1325 Madison from 8pm-2am. For more info visit www.myspace.com/footworkmedia.

January 5th The Return of Foot Traffic @ Lo Fi

Come experience the revival of this classic 206 subterranean Hip Hop event with Mind Movers, Alpha P, DJ B-Girl Chillz, and Elefaders. 21+ Free!!!

January 19th Indayog II @ Youngstown Cultural Arts Center in West Seattle

Pinay Sa Seattle, Communities Against Rape and Abuse (CARA), Youth Speaks Seattle, 206 Zulu, Hiphop Congress, 91.3 KBCS Community Radio, B-Girl Bench, and BAYAN USA, proudly announces the second annual Indayog All-Women's Hip Hop Show. "This year's Indayog strives to honor the rich history of hip-hop and its revolutionary tradition by focusing on the counteracting of state repression through art," stated rogue pinay, emcee and cultural chair for Pinay SA. This years event will feature performances from Skim, Piece, Beyond Reality, Melissa Noelle Green, El Dia, Julie C, rogue pinay, Beloved1, DJ B-Girl Chillz and more. Contact: rogue.pinay@gmail.com.

January 23rd Water @ Columbia City Theater

The 206Zulu fam at Crisisnw.com present "Water" on Wednesday from 8pm-2am at the Columbia City Theater at 4916 Rainier Avenue South. This all ages/bar with ID function features some of the freshest NW Hip Hop including Alpha-P, Geo of Blue Scholars, Gabriel Teodros, Khingz, Godspeed, LaRue, Ill Top, Mind Movers, BYC Crew, and DJ Audeos. Free entrée served with $15 admission! Contact: juliec.206@gmail.com .

February 2nd Ladies 1st @ Hidmo

Communities Against Rap and Abuse, the Ladies 1st Collective, and B-Girl Bench bring you Southern Komfort, SKIM, and DJ Kylea at this edition of Ladies' First, monthly all-women's Hip Hop showcase at Hidmo Eritrean Cuisine Restaurant (20th and Jackson) from 8pm-10pm.

February 9th It's Bigger than HIP HOP @ Portland, OR

The Portland Black Intelligencer, a Hip Hop Congress Oregon partner presents Portland, Oregon's 2nd Annual Youth Summit "It's Bigger than HIP HOP" at 126 NE Alberta from 8-11pm. This year's event will include a keynote address from Professor Griff of Public Enemy, as well as an evening concert with local artists with $10 donation. For more information call (503) 781-5313 or email pbitruth@yahoo.com.

February 15th to 17th 206 Zulu 4th Anniversary @ Festival Sundiata

206 Zulu is celebrating its 4th Anniversary and Black History Month with four days of Hip Hop, showcasing some of today's emerging artists from the Northwest and beyond! The main events, held on the 16th & 17th will be in conjunction with Festival Sundiata at the Seattle Center. This all-ages event is FREE to the public. In addition to the musical performances, 206 Zulu will host a break battle (dance competition), art/graff showcase, and educational-orientated workshops and panels. Additionally, 206 Zulu will host a series of after-parties as well as Zulu Nation specials on local urban media sources to add to the weekend experience. Contact: khazma@gmail.com .

TV and Radio

-Friday Morning 1am-3am Fresh Coast Radio with your hosts DJ B-Girl Chillz and Julie C on 91.3 KBCS Community Radio, streaming live online from www.kbcs.fm

-Friday Evening 9pm-10pm Hip Hop 101 TV broadcasting live on SCAN Channel 29/77, streaming online at www.scantv.org

-Saturday Evening 10pm-1am Zulu Radio with your hosts DJ WD40, Gabriel Teodros, and King Khazm on 91.3fm KBCS Community Radio, streaming live online from www.kbcs.fm

Featured Artists and Music

BC Musik along with The Silent Lamb Project presents the long awaited solo album by Silas Blak, titled "Silas Sentinel." This solo album emulates all the elements of a classic. With his first single "Please Calm Down" Silas Blak rouses the senses as he uses his word play to hypnotize all audiences. The Silas Sentinel Album is not for rookies as his voice is used as an instrument and the energy he conveys slices you to the core. You are immediately swept away with his lyrical genius in such songs as "Never Peace, One Thin Rhyme, The Coop, Permanent Relaxer and Bombs Work." Silas Blak's musik is also referenced as awakening old slave mentalities and liberating socially conscience people to the next level. The Silas Sentinel album brings a new era to hip hop addressing the state of affairs and what we communicate from the average Joe's, the whack emcee's to the socially aware. Available courtesy B-Girl Media through iTunes: (http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewAlbum?i=269503600&id=269503537&s=143441 )

Seattle Hip Hop veteran Laura "Piece" Kelley Jahn's newest release Street Smartz is the story of a true school b-girl, the soundtrack to Piece's one woman play. Representing true Hip Hop through theater, music, spoken word, and her very own street style, get a glimpse into the reality and life of this undeniably talented artist. All of the tracks on the album Street Smartz were produced, arranged, composed, written and created by Piece, featuring the Queen's Ransom players. Piece's hot new album, Street Smartz, out now on iTunes courtesy B-Girl Media:

Read more: http://www.myspace.com/juliec206/blog#ixzz11mZHqMhO