Jena 6: Get Your Voice on The Mixtape Show

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.

MIXTAPE 87 – SPOKEN WORD


MIXTAPE 87 – SPOKEN WORD

This racism in the USA mess is really getting old. If you haven’t read the last post on the Jena 6, glaucoma do that now.

This episode has been on the back burner for a minute, unhealthy and was going to be in a slightly different form, but I figured now was about as good a time as any for it. I apologize for the tone of the intro and the post. Can’t help it.

I’m going to expound on this later, but I’ll briefly state it here: Do you have a blog? Do you have a radio show, podcast, television show, or newsletter? Then you should be talking about this case.

Bobby Womack – The Facts of Life. You think rappers made the whole “talk for 32 bars before you start rapping” thing? Nope. Bobby Womack is the king of talking for hella bars before he starts singing. Note that this is slowed down, because I like it like that.

Amir Sulaiman – 82nd & Macarthur feat Sugar Macarthur. Yes, this dude sounds way too much like KRS One. I remember rocking this in the car and every 2nd track scanning the CD artwork making sure that this wasn’t like some weird pseudonym for a sideproject (dude does at one point note that he has a “voice like Kris”). This is one of very few spoken word albums I can recommend. Find it, get it. myspace.com/amirsulaiman.

Aya de Leon – If Women Ran Hip-Hop. Off the Queendom, Vol 1release. What can I say? Cosign. ayadeleon.com.

Gil Scott-Heron – The Revolution Will Not Be Televised. There’s really not a whole lot to say about this song. It’s weird how the longer you wait on these joints, the more relevant they become. Gil on wikipedia.

Black TK – Intro: I Do What I Wanna Do. Yes, this is the same Black TK that presents the other side of the cutting edge in soultronica with me here on the Mixtape Show. This is off the unfinished L.A. Hustlers Manual Vol 2. I’ve got volume 1, though, and trust me – this shit will blow your mind. Watch this spot for more.

Saul Williams – Real Niggery Track 5. From the Catchdubs mixtape. His debut album really was not bad if you sat down and gave it a chance, but apparently not enough people did. Nick put this mix together with Saul some time ago, and proceeded to catch heat for the title. Whatever. I haven’t seen him live for a minute, but if he’s in your area, you should go. myspace.com/saulwilliams.

Uzi Smalls – Live at the Delancey NYC ’05 (Break The System). Dude is definitely one of the more unconventional people I’ve had the pleasure of trading e-mail correspondence with. I mean this in the best possible way. He records albums, and gives them away for free. This one just hit me. I recommend his freestyles. myspace.com/uzibaby.

David Banner – Cadillac On 22s (Acoustic Version). This is why there’s no outro – I can’t follow this. Will somebody tell people to stop fucking with Louisiana? I am not enjoying this. myspace.com/davidbanner.

There it is.

The Jena 6

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.