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:
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.
Today is dedicated to where the wonky world of politics meets things people actually care about. Never heard of the word “wonky” well it’s a term of endearment for people who are all into the policy and science side of life. For instance, we can get real wonky talking about climate change but at the end of the day most people just want the summary and the real deal. i.e. “how much is this going to cost me” or “how will this possibly screw me over”.
So check out this song from Valida Prentice called the 350.org rap. 350 is an international organization working to get real science based solutions to climate change. It can be difficult breaking down the concept behind the number 350 but Valida takes a good stab at it.
Take a listen:
350.org rap from Valida Prentice on Vimeo.
Wanna know more about how to get “wonky with it” check out thewonkroom.com
Continuing on our quest to find the dopest eco-friendly music we caught up with Lonely are the Brave. LATB coins themselves the “synergetic beast child of hip-hop and punk.” The group’s Facebook page states,
“LATB stands as a call for the sharing of strength in a time of despair.”
LATB’s sound is a mixture of raucous punk rock and hip-hop inspired percussion infused with a sound similar to new orleans flavored zydeco due to saxophonist Sam Goering. This unique showcase of rhythm with gritty lyrics makes you understand why everyone should go to a good rock concert every once and a while.Check out this video clip of them performing “Noise on Nightmare Street” a song written by lead vocalist, Henry Mills and dedicated to those who lost their lives during Hurricane Katrina… (also big thanks for the Checktheweather shout out!)
Can’t make the next show? Lonely are the Brave will be releasing their first LP “Combat Rap” on August 14th
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We’ll check back with them before then but to find out about the album read their blog @ combatrap.blogspot.com
To hear more tracks, see video and find out their next show dates check out LATB’s Myspace page at Myspace.com/latbdc.
Songwriter, vocalist and eco-activist with New York based Urban Go Green, Ihsan Muhammad, has always known her voice was destined for greatness. At the tender age of five, Ihsan was making up her own songs and getting people to sing along. Today, she uses her powerful vocal skills and lyrical expertise to create a soundtrack for change in her world and her community. As part of our New Music Tuesdays series, Checktheweather.net sat down with Ihsan to discuss how she’s using her talent to advocate for Green Jobs, not Jails and help urban America Go Green.
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Every movement requires music and I wanted to be a part of the creation of music that would inspire the mood and the movement.
CTW: When did you start singing?
Ihsan: I started singing at five. I was on a boat traveling down the Nile river in Egypt and I made up this song and everybody on the boat started singing my song with me. I became a professional singer in 2001 and it became somewhat meditative for me. It [singing] gave me something else to do with my voice. At the time I starting taking singing seriously I was working as a youth mentor and I noticed that singing was oftentimes more effective in getting my message across than talking.
CTW: What inspired you to write your two Green songs, Go Green Get Green and Ain’t Goin’ Let it Burn?
Ihsan: Go Green Get Green came from reading more and more about the green movement, learning about what it was and looking at it as an opportunity for our communities to go back to sustaining and supporting ourselves like we used to during the 40’s and 50’s. I want to communicate this movement as a way to healthfully sustain ourselves.
Ain’t gonna let it burn is a call and response song inspired by “the Roof is on Fire” It[ain't gonna let it burn] makes the audience feel accountable for the wellness of the planet. It’s a little more “angsty”. I wanted to make a song that would make the audience want to do something. If you don’t do anything than you are aiding and abetting. Every movement requires music and I wanted to be a part of the creation of music that would inspire the mood and the movement.
CTW: What is your vision of success for the Green Movement?
Ihsan: Artist who are activists tend to be marginalized but I think we can be helpful in the creation of a movement. My goal is that we will be able to get to a point where we reach a critical mass of awareness of what the Green Jobs movement is about. I have brothers in jail and I hope the energy I have created will help them get jobs once they get out. I see Green Jobs as redemptive for all who have contributed to demise of our culture whether they wanted to or not. They can give back in ways that can make them feel good about themselves and make them strong again.
CTW: Your vision is amazing do you have any last words for the readers of Checktheweather.net?
Ihsan: I want to commend ya’ll for what you’re doing building up checktheweather.net. This is a youth movement and we are the ones making it happen. We are all connected whether we feel it or not.
Want to hear Ihsan live in concert? She will be performing this weekend, July 11th along with Dead Prez, Green Lantern and the So-So Glo’s at the City Sol Concert at Stuyvesant Cove Park in New York City. You can also visit her myspace page myspace.com/ihsanmusic to listen to and download some of Ihsan’s hottest tracks.
Shouts out to Urban Go Green doing it up in Harlem! visit their page here
A couple weeks ago Checktheweather.net hit you with the exclusive interview with Dead Prez to discuss their new album and the green movement. Today we want to give you our exclusive review of the infamous hip-hop duo’s latest album Pulse of the People: Turn of the Radio Vol. 3.
We caught up with one of the realest album reviewers, Snife the Free Radical. Snife is an Atlanta based artist, architect and blipster (black hipster) and we checked with him to ask the question, “Are you feeling the new Dead Prez album?”
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By Snife the Free Radical
Dead Prez is an acquired taste. They are too real for radio and due to that, I doubt they ever become mainstream. Honestly, its probably better that way. Everything ain’t for everybody. Their debut single and best known song “Hip Hop” was ahead of its time. They could rerelease that song right now and not only would it be extra relevant of today’s rap, it would still sound good.
Pulse of the People is an album you put on when you’re ready for action. If you weren’t charged up at the beginning of the day, by the time you get to the third song you ready to fight, protest, or stand for something! Simple and plain, the album starts hard. It is aggressive, while being socially and intellectually entertaining.
Dead Prez is exceptionally good at picking features that relate to their typically militant subject matter. Previous albums have seen the likes of Jay-Z and Krayzie Bone to name a few. Apparently, more folks can relate to the struggle than one would think. This time around is Bun B who lays down a stellar verse, on “Don’t Hate My Grind”. And Styles P fittingly joins forces on “Gangsta, Gangster”.
Its refreshing to hear hip hop with content and actual themes.
The album slows, as Dead Prez collaborate on lighter subjects, like living in New York, on “NYPD”, “Summer Time” and even getting some… on “My Dirty Valentine”.
Lyrically, you know what you’re going to get with Dead Prez. In the past, sometimes those lyrics have gotten lost in lackluster beats. DJ Green Lantern produced this album and makes it’s a lot better to listen to musically.
Pulse of the People is a good album. It’s probably not something you can listen to all the time. The DP’s are possibly too heavy to listen to before going out to the club. But if your boss is getting on your nerves or you just got harassed by the police, turn this up and indulge. Just don’t hurt nobody. I’m out.
- Snife the Free Radical
Check out a track from their new Album here:
Last week’s New Music Tuesday featured Dead Prez’s New Album, Pulse of the People. Check the video out below to see what they had to say about Checktheweather.net
This week Checktheweather.net is dropping even more music for the green and giving all of our readers a free download of our latest mixtape The Truth Vol. 1. This project is in conjunction with the Environmental Justice and Climate Change Initiative and hosted by the Bay Area’s own DJLN! Find out more on DJLN and the Bay area hip-hop scene at http://cell2021.blogspot.com/
Follow this link for the exclusive download
| The Truth Files |
The mixtape features hits from Pharrell, Nas, Marvin Gaye, Lauren Hill and Many more all in honor of our environment and building ourselves to build better communities. Oh and I swear it’s not as corny as that last sentence 
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Follow this link for the exclusive download
| The Truth Files |
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