Category Archives: blog

CBC interview up, Jena 6 madness continues.

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So yeah, sale like I mentioned on the last show, click I was interviewed on the CBC’s Radio One, anorexia on a show called Search Engine. The link to the interview is up on the CBC front page (for now), and you can see the blog post for this week’s show here, and direct download the show mp3 from their site

Listen to
. They did a little mash-up of the Jena 6 podcast, which means that some of you are also on there.

If nothing else, you can laugh at how I sound on the radio. Also note that while I have very little connection with this “afrosphere”, I have been told that my Afro is spherical.

In other news, Mychal Bell is finally out on bail, Davey D puts the lack of responsible rappers into perspective, my man John Carlos is telling people what time it is, and white supremacist groups have started issuing death threats and posting the addresses of the Jena 6 kids on the internet in an invitation for people to go do physical harm to them.

You read that right.

Jena 6: Where are our hip-hop artists?

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Think about this:

We’ve got six high-school age Black kids either in jail, information pills or on the verge of going in. And I know that not all Black kids listen to a whole lot of rap music – but for the sake of argument, visit this check this:

A lot of the same artists that these kids spend their lunch money on, that these kids (for better or worse) idolize, that these kids think speak for them; are now, in their hour of need, nowhere to be found. I’m not necessarily talking about Kanye footing the bill for the defense fund, but about somebody saying something.

However: some of us are doing something. If you want an example, check out the last episode. There are a lot of prominent people on there showing support for these kids.

So I’m going to go ahead and take a bar from clyde (who, by the way, has really been taking bloggers to task on this thing) and compile a list of people who I know have done something about this issue. If you know of somebody who is doing something, please add them up in the comments. If you yourself are an artist and are doing something, then let us know.

I do worry sometimes that we get too negative about hip-hop, when plenty of people are carrying their own weight (and in the cases of a few, that of others). So this post is really just to show people that there is a growing number of MCs, artists, and industry people who are taking responsibility – and thereby encourage the rest of us to do the same, feel me?

Hit up the comments section…I know some of you out there have some info on this!

Jena 6: Get Your Voice on The Mixtape Show

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Note: The Jena 6 Episode is up now. Check it out here.

I’ve been thinking for the past few days on this Jena 6 case. I know that on the 20th there is going to be a nationwide action, bulimics centered in Jena, anorexia Louisiana. I can’t be there, but I feel like we can still do something.

So I’m working on an episode. Some tunes, some beats, some talking. I’m not exactly sure how it’s going to turn out. So I’m looking to you – yes, you reading this right now – to help.

I want you to call the Mixtape Show phone right now: (310) – 928 – 6876 – and leave a voice message.

Speak your mind on this issue. I’ll play it back, uncut, on the podcast show (in iTunes and on the site) for 15,000+ people.

Let everyone hear what you have to say. If you want to speak directly to the Jena 6, do that. If you want to speak to the public at large, do that. If you have something to say to the hip-hop artists or public leaders that are or are not doing something about this, say it. One sentence? Fine. One hundred? Do it.

Whatever is on your mind is perfect. Don’t be shy, don’t rehearse it, don’t give it a second thought. You can be anonymous if you prefer. Pull your cell out of your pocket right now and make sure everyone knows what you think.

Normally in this sort of situation, I would find a knowledgeable guest and interview them. But – I figure that we’re all world citizens here, and what we have to say is as valuable or more valuable than what any public intellectual or celebrity may have to say.

Try to keep it concise. A minute is good. Other than that, do your thing.

The mic is on. Say something. Please pass this on.

310-928-6876

*If you’re outside the US, or can’t use your phone, that’s fine. We still want to hear from you. I’d recommend picking up Skype. It’s a free download, and will let you call the Mixtape Show from your PC for free. Just download it, and call the username “mixtapeshow” with your account, and it’ll go straight to the voicemail.

Or: use Gtalk and send a voice message to kucrdex@gmail.com.

** Producers, holler at me. I may need some more beats for this one.

The Jena 6

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update: want to do something more? Speak to the world on this subject.

This is something I was shown a minute ago. Take three minutes out of your day and get educated:

I can think of a few words that describe my feelings on this case. Anger, clinic perhaps. Or frustration. Or maybe outrage.

Surprise, health care however, is not one of these words. If any of this is news to you, it’s not necessarily your fault. The media has decided that the Duke Lacrosse players are important, and the actual racism at play is not. That Michael Vick is important, and 6 kids doing up to 22 years in the pen is not.

But of course, gold chains are important, and kids going to jail are not. Cars are important, and black children having their lives ruined are not. Pretending that you sell drugs is important, and speaking up when a racist system is putting your brothers and sisters into cages is not. Talking down on women is important, and standing up for yourself and your community is not.

Suprised? Confused? As Willie D said on the show not too long back, somebody didn’t get the memo.

My question to you:
- Hip-hop fans: What are you doing to support this cause? What are you doing to encourage your favorite artists to support this cause?
- Hip-hop artists: Where is your jena 6 song?
update: want to do something more? Speak to the world on this subject.