This is definitely the eco-jam of the summer. Representing all that’s foul with Dirty Oil, Talib Kweli goes IN on this one. Also we gotta show our love to Hi-Tek for a beat this sick. Check out the official video courtesy of Worldstarhiphop.com below. Let us know what ya think!
Speaking of the Oil Crisis, check out this new video from DC based group The Cornell West Theory. The video features a collage of truth telling images from the gulf coast oil spill and our overall international oil dependency crisis.
THE CORNEL WEST THEORY – OIL AS SLICK from underdog on Vimeo.
The groups bio on their website, http://www.thecornelwesttheory.com states, “With the blessing of Dr. Cornel West, the Princeton University professor and renowned author, the band takes its name from his prolific writings and philosophies that have shaped contemporary thought throughout the world.”
Look out for more real hip-hop and truth from the Cornell West Theory. If in DC check them out at the Black Cat July 31, 2010 For more information on getting tickets visit this link: www.myspace.com/thecornelwesttheory
Checktheweather.net has been following the Hip Hop Caucus’ journey into the world of Green Activism since they launched the Green the Block Campaign last April 2009. One thing we can say is that the Hip Hop Caucus is good at connecting Hip Hop to awareness building. The new Stop Offshore Drilling Mixtape is just one more example. From Black Gold by Talib Kweli and Hi-Tek to classics like Shut em Down by Public Enemy this mixtape is a great soundtrack before you peddle/march/carpool to the next direct action against the Big Dirty Oil Man.
The one thing missing from the mixtape is a track from Green The Block Promoting artist, Drake. In his exclusive interview on the Green The Block Campaign site, the rapper Du Jour discusses how he is taking baby steps for the environment. Hopefully, Drake will be feeling eco-conscious by the time Checktheweather.net drops our 2nd classic mixtape. (Grind for the Green Drake!).
To download the Stop Offshore Drilling Mixtape follow the link below:
Talib Kweli and Hi-Tek returned this month to bring back a little taste of that real hip-hop. You know, that music that came with a healthy dose of knowledge, substance and chill beats. On their latest album Revolutions Per Minute, the artists, also collectively known as Reflection Eternal, take a moment to focus in on the oil industry’s impact on environmental justice and human rights. Kweli mentions in a promotional interview posted on Davey D’s Hip Hop Corner that he was inspired to write the song entitled “Black Gold” after visiting Nigeria and realizing how damaging the oil industry was to the impacted communities in the country. Check out Black Gold below and click read more to watch Kweli and Hi-Tek discuss the concept behind the song.
Check out the interview below:
The Mighty Mos Def and Lenny Kravitz teamed up with Gulf Coast Natives, Preservation Hall Band, Trombone Shorty, and Tim Robbins recently to record It Ain’t My Fault. The tribute song to the Gulf Coast was co-written by Mos Def and Ben Jaffe and pulls lyrics from familiar songs by gulf natives, Nina Simone and Master P. Unlike the attempts of BP and the oil spill, the song successfully captures the best of the the gulf coast and showcases that bayou sound that we crave like a Popeye’s two piece and a biscuit. Check out the video below and click read more to hear more about the Gulf Aid Benefit concert that brought all this energy in one room. (more…)
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On February 28, 2010 legendary Boston raised, Brooklyn based emcee Keith “Guru” Elams, member of the hip hop duo Gangstarr, was rushed to the hospital after suffering from cardiac arrest. For three weeks, Guru laid in a coma with his life in question. Fortunately Hiphopdx.com reported yesterday that Guru is out his coma and has been diagnosed with Anoxia, a breathing disorder that can be caused by severe asthma and carbon monoxide inhalation, which are both directly connected to air pollution. Guru’s publicist noted that Guru’s recent diagnosis with Anoxia may be related to the rapper’s history of severe asthma and lung disorders.
Guru’s respiratory issues that lead to his diagnosis is of no suprise to many in Guru’s hometown of Boston, Massachusetts. In 2007, ABC News 5 in Boston reported that Boston had the third highest level of diesel pollution in the country. Throughout Massachusetts this pollution leads to more than 450 premature deaths, 700 heart attacks and nearly 10,000 asthma attacks each year. (more…)
Check out the folk over at the Alliance for Climate Education getting their flow on. Ummm…. not going to lie the cornball factor for this video is pretty high (sorry Ambessa). HOWEVER, the pure hilarity and good points about people being “Green” but not knowing what that that really means makes it worth watching. Find out more on how you can raise your voice and lower your carbon emissions at www.acespace.org
Check it out:
Arrested Development brings a fresh green track from their new album STRONG, speaking on global warming, respecting our earth, not littering and honoring our history. The video is beautiful…. catch the sun & cloud moments at the end (hella cute). Much love to the AD crew for this one!
Produced by Speech, song written by the whole group. Chorus written by Tasha Larae.
Messiah Ramkissoon is more than just an entertainer. Three time Apollo champion and recipient of an Oprah Winfrey Angel Network scholarship, Messiah showcases his understanding of hood and international politics through the use of slick wordplay and exciting similes. On his day grind Messiah is a graduate of Howard University and a educator at Duke Ellington School of the Arts (the same high school Dave Chappelle attended).
This past weekend Check the Weather Co-founder, Kari “MisskGreen” Fulton sat down with the Trinidad born, Washington, DC based poet/emcee as he prepared to dive into promotion for his latest album “The Manual” and a string of benefit concerts in support of recovery efforts in Haiti. The two had an opportunity to chat about everything from guilt-trip donations, the near future of Haiti and why he loves the hood so much.
Take a listen:
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Also check below for a sneak peak of the official video for “Come Back”, the latest single off the Manual and Checktheweather Radio’s featured song!
Share**If you are in the DC area you can check Messiah out this Thursday January 21, 2009 (that means today!)Performing at the Hands For Haiti Benefit Concert featuring Wale, X.O. and many more. Tickets are available via ticketmaster.com click here to purchase!
For more information on Messiah and to cop his latest album, the Manual visit www.Allmessiah.com.**
10 year old rapper lil peppi from Miami is going hard for the environment. On his website lilpeppi.com he claims that at ten years old he is the KING OF ECO-RAP! Check out his song “Melting Ice”.
But Lil Peppi is not your average kid rapper. He’s been rapping since the tender age of three crafting his skills and getting his game right. He even opened up for DJ Jazzy Jeff when he was like 6 years old. Check out this video clip from Lil Peppi on a local NBC Daytime talk show from 2006
Is Lil Peppi really the King of Eco-Rap? We’ll leave that for the emcees to battle out, but for now he’s doing his thing and we are proud to see a young man spreading the word!
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