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Jackie
Regular Poster
Username: Jackie
Post Number: 470
Registered: 04-2005
Rating: 
Votes: 3 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, March 05, 2007 - 01:17 am: | 
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Where are all the young black male supporters of hip hop in Los Angeles and beyond in California ?
In 2005, I attended a KRS One concert at the Dragon Fly in West Hollywood.(21 and over). There were a few other hip hop performers there but KRS was the feature. It was $25 per person and the club was packed. <div>
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I noticed something about the demographics of the concert goers....it was virtually devoid of black males.
The crowd, was predominantly Latino and male. Just by scanning the crowd, my guesstimate of the median age was roughly mid twenties. I found it interesting and disturbing. The regional statistics on the fate of young black males started playing with my mind. Meaning, where are they ? Are they in jail ? Dead ? Broke ? Not interested ?
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Now, we all know that there is a difference between Hip Hop and Rap music. Somehow, I felt that if this were a concert that featured rap artists the demographics would be different. But what kind of statement does that make regarding the images and messages being supported by black males in each category ? This is not to say, that the Latinos (mostly Mexican) in rap and hip hop music donft have their scantily clad video girls. Because they do. But I was just intrigued by my observation. Last night I attended the Hip Hop in Education concert in Downtown Los Angeles. This time it was $32 per person, all ages, and some of the hip hop artists(very underground) who performed were Dilated Peoples, KRS one, Akil from Jurassic-5, Xclan, Native Guns, Saul Williams (performance poet) Living Legends, Medusa, Funk Doobiest The Visionaries ( I LOVE THEM !) and Will I AM from the Black Eyed Peas, by the way that dude can free style. He free styled for about 5 minutes ! I swear, the words were rolling off his tongue like a preacher receiving the holy ghost. I didn't know the brother had skills like that ! Cynthia Mckinney also spoke briefly. Anyhow, again, I looked around the crowd, which was about 700 attendees. The crowd was predominantly Latino and male, and younger looking this time. I was wedged in between to Latino males and I just asked their ages, one was 18 and the other was 19 and the one that was behind me was 26. The concert was a benefit for K.R.Y.L.O.N 13, a component of the Chrysalis Project. The Organization operates in North East Los Angeles and Watts. The goals of K.R.Y.L.O.N 13 ( Community Education and Cultural Center) that serves "at risk" and "high risk" youth are:
* Serve 13 youth between the ages of 12-21 with an evidence based curriculum that serves as a gang prevention and intervention program
* Develop a family component with 100% of the participants parents and/or guardians actively involved in parenting and family dignity workshops and programs
* Improve mental and physical health, positive probationary relationships, school attendance, academic grades, cultural and artistic creativity, awareness, and literacy.
* Develop life, social and critical thinking skills towards self and community improvement
* Consistent mentorship with youth by dignified adults and elders working in collaborations.
Btw, KRS spit this rap called "If You Want To Get Away With Murder, Kill A Rapper.
The crowd demographics @ Hip Hop For Education
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One of the Visionaries
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Member of Dilated Peoples
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Will-I-AM from Black Eyed Peas and KRS one
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Medusa
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California is the land of fruits and nuts....
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Lil_ze
Veteran Poster
Username: Lil_ze
Post Number: 863
Registered: 01-2006
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, March 05, 2007 - 02:50 am: |
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the reason (imo) that the crowd was mostly non-white, is because many brothers just don't have 25 dollars (not a great deal of money, but when you are broke it is) to go to a "show" like this.
for that 25 dollars, alot of brothers would rather get a bag (of herbs) or that "bottle" and just chill in the hood.
we may not like it, but this is the thought process of many in the 'hood.
as far as "hip hop" and "rap" go,
the majority of "rap" fans want to hear that shoot em' up, drug slingin' hood sh*t.
i know the aritists that were at this show, and they are talented artists.
but if that show had featured some other rap artists that are well known, im sure there would have been more black folks there.
im a fan of rap music and hip hop (although i think they are the same thing).
i would rather listen to sheek louch, jr writer, papoose, j hood, hell rell, juelz santana, styles p etc, then ANY of the artists tat were at this show.
and most of these rappers that i named, rap about shooting people, selling drugs, and getting females.
but id rather hear them rhyme, as i think they are better than the artists named in that show.
D-BLOCK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! |
Americansista
Regular Poster
Username: Americansista
Post Number: 319
Registered: 09-2006
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, March 05, 2007 - 10:35 am: |
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Well, I know KRS-One is an eastcoast rapper.
A lot of "westsidaz" do NOT like eastcoast rap and vise versa. I know for a fact that New Yorkers refused to play any west coast and this was in the early-mid 90s when West was RULING rap.
Maybe they just weren't interested in seeing his azz. Hell, LA has venues all the damn time of this rapper and that rapper who are bigger. KRS - though an intelligent brutha - is not one that an LA brutha would want to see.
WEST SIIIIIIDE!
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Mzuri
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Mzuri
Post Number: 3755
Registered: 01-2006
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, March 05, 2007 - 10:54 am: |
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I thought that hip hop was supposedly dead. And that rap wasn't too far behind it.
http://abclocal.go.com/wabc/story?section=entertainment&id=5082035
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Jackie
Regular Poster
Username: Jackie
Post Number: 473
Registered: 04-2005
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, March 05, 2007 - 11:33 am: |
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Americansista: "Maybe they just weren't interested in seeing his azz"
Well KRS ONE wasn't the headliner this time around. But the point that I was making, it was a hip hop concert (benefit) for Education(this was on the flyer and repeated over the radio). The audience was really there to see (according to their reactions and responses) Living Legends, The Visionaries, Dilated Peoples and this real streat level group called "Sick Symphonies". The crowd, all 700 ( and it could have been more) went WILD ! Personally, I was there to see The Visionaries. I've seen KRS one enuff ! |
Jackie
Regular Poster
Username: Jackie
Post Number: 474
Registered: 04-2005
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, March 05, 2007 - 11:40 am: |
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I was there to see The Visionaries and now The Living Legends(they rocked)and take photos ! LOL ! |
Jackie
Regular Poster
Username: Jackie
Post Number: 475
Registered: 04-2005
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, March 05, 2007 - 11:42 am: |
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yeah I misspelled "street" so what...I haven't had breakfast yet. yawnnnnn....nor coffee |
Ntfs_encryption
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Ntfs_encryption
Post Number: 1950
Registered: 10-2005
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, March 05, 2007 - 02:03 pm: |
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"The regional statistics on the fate of young black males started playing with my mind. Meaning, where are they ? Are they in jail ? Dead ? Broke ? Not interested ?"
Hard to say. It's not as if this is anything important. But I'm hoping they didn't show up because maybe they grew up! Maybe they decided that wearing your pants hanging off your ass with a matching throw back jersey, do rags with ball caps turned at a 90 degree angle, fake Walmart bling-bling with matching grills, complex corn rolls and calling all women bitches, ho's, skanks and everyone else within ear shot "niggas", niggazs", punk azz niggaz's, mufucka's, etc, isn't so hip after all. Maybe they decided that looking, thinking and acting like a juvenile is something they no longer want to do. Maybe they realized how childish, goofy, pathetic and socially pathological rappers really are. Maybe they grew up and suddenly realized the entire so-called hip-hop/rap game is a buffoonish con of the worst kind. That would nice....but....well, to be honest, I doubt it. It would be too good to be real. But who knows why they didn't show up. And why would anyone even care? Maybe they decided to take the money and buy the Miles Davis CD box set, "Live at The Plugged Nickel". Who knows....????
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Doberman23
Veteran Poster
Username: Doberman23
Post Number: 846
Registered: 01-2006
Rating:
Votes: 2 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, March 05, 2007 - 02:11 pm: |
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lil zee, you recommended some pretty lame ass stuff to me before about rap music so you shouldn't be telling people what's good or not anymore. |
Jackie
Regular Poster
Username: Jackie
Post Number: 478
Registered: 04-2005
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, March 05, 2007 - 02:55 pm: |
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NTFS:"And why would anyone even care? Maybe they decided to take the money and buy the Miles Davis CD box set"
Well, first off, I'M A BIG FAN OF HIP HOP, NOTHING WILL EVA CHANGE THAT !!, LOL And I enjoy all kinds of other music as well.! Secondly, no, it isn't breaking news, but it was something that I noticed. The dynamics of the hip hop crowd in Los Angeles is changing/has changed. Did you read what I wrote ? This topic is about entertainment/music etc. I wanted to know, Where the brothas at? I'm actually working on an article about it. Trust me, the performers at this concert aren't known for referring to women as bitches, ho's and skanks NTFS. Maybe you shouldn't have commented if you weren't aware of the type of music/lyrics that these artists deliver. There were no fights(pretty good for a crowd of close to a thousand) at the event and liquor wasn't sold. They served energy/soft drinks/coffee/tea! Anyway as I mentioned in the post the Hip Hop For Education concert was a benefit for the Chrysalis Project. The host/organizer/founder of the Chrysalis project, Fidel Rodriquez is a very positive force in the Los Angeles community. He owns a bookstore in Eagle Rock and he's the host of Divine Forces radio on KPFK. Very popular, progressive, and pro-active. |
Ntfs_encryption
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Ntfs_encryption
Post Number: 1960
Registered: 10-2005
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, March 05, 2007 - 08:22 pm: |
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"Well, first off, I'M A BIG FAN OF HIP HOP, NOTHING WILL EVA CHANGE THAT !!"
Oh, that's probably true.......for right now. But one day when you grow older and mature, you'll look back and ask yourself, "Oh my God! What the hell was I thinking? Why did I ever think people who cannot play a musical instrument, cannot sing or compose complex lyrics or write music and have zero natural musical talent, were hip? Why did I convince myself buffoonery and juvenile antics could ever replace real adult artistic talent! I'm so embarrassed.....". It's just a matter of time my dear......trust me.
"The dynamics of the hip hop crowd in Los Angeles is changing/has changed."
Change? Change how? And why would it change? Not saying it doesnt need to change but anything at this point would probably be an improvement.....if that's possible.
"I wanted to know, Where the brothas at?"
Why do you care? Wasn't it enough that you and others (non-blacks) supported these so-called rappers by showing up and enjoying yourselves? In case you haven't noticed, there is no shortage of Negro males creating, supporting and acting out BET/MTV/VH1 hip hip/rapper fantasies. They're around if it worries you. Maybe they were shopping for size 44 waist pants when they weight only 170 lbs or maybe they were getting fitted for a new platinum grill. Who knows.....?
"Trust me, the performers at this concert aren't known for referring to women as bitches, ho's and skanks NTFS."
Doesn't matter. When they transcend strutting back and forth across a stage shouting into a mike, bouncing back and forth and waving their hands in the air vice playing an instrument with command and mastery, being able to sing with an impressive range or style or play (or have musicians play) music they wrote and composed -note for note, bar for bar, then perhaps they may demonstrate real talent and creativity.
"Anyway as I mentioned in the post the Hip Hop For Education concert was a benefit for the Chrysalis Project."
Hip hop for education???? Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! That's funny. That's like heroin or crack for academic excellence. I don't think so my dear.
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Jackie
Regular Poster
Username: Jackie
Post Number: 480
Registered: 04-2005
Rating:
Votes: 3 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, March 05, 2007 - 08:55 pm: |
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NTFS: "But one day when you grow older and mature, you'll look back and ask yourself...
You're too cute!
In any event, I see what I'm dealing with now. Not only are you biased, but you seem to have limited knowledge about the art form. And to say that these brothas are talentless is nonsense. Anyhow, dear my dear, the Chrysalis Project is real bruh. I'm surprised that you out of all people would ridicule the organization without knowing anything about it. I know the founder and at least he's out there doing somethng in the community and with the youth. The artists(kudos to all of them) on the bill performed for a worthy cause, a worthy cause that I gladly contributed my $32 to. |
Lil_ze
Veteran Poster
Username: Lil_ze
Post Number: 864
Registered: 01-2006
Rating:
Votes: 1 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, March 05, 2007 - 11:07 pm: |
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doberman 23, i wasn't "telling" people whats "good or not".
i was giving my OPINION.
if you think the stuff, i said was good was "lame", don't f*ckin listen to it.
you have the right to listen to whatever the hell you want.
as do i.
d-block!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! |
Ntfs_encryption
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Ntfs_encryption
Post Number: 1964
Registered: 10-2005
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, March 06, 2007 - 01:23 pm: |
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"In any event, I see what I'm dealing with now. Not only are you biased, but you seem to have limited knowledge about the art form."
Ha! Ha! Ha! I don't think so. I've been following it for a very long time, trust me. Never been impressed by talentless strutting Negroes acting out.
"And to say that these brothas are talentless is nonsense."
Uh huh....talent doing what? Singing? Playing an instrument? Music composition and arrangement? No? Well, there ya have it, das dat.......
"Anyhow, dear my dear, the Chrysalis Project is real bruh. I'm surprised that you out of all people would ridicule the organization without knowing anything about it. I know the founder and at least he's out there doing somethng in the community and with the youth."
Ok...ok....I apologize. I was not aware of the details of the project. If you say they are doing something positive for the community I'll take your word.
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Jackie
Regular Poster
Username: Jackie
Post Number: 484
Registered: 04-2005
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, March 06, 2007 - 01:33 pm: |
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NTFS you trippin ! ""And to say that these brothas are talentless is nonsense."
Uh huh....talent doing what? Singing? Playing an instrument? Music composition and arrangement? No? Well, there ya have it, das dat.......
Most of these brothas are enigeering/composing/distributing/recording their own music! Where you been ?
Anyway daddy, you can have the last word. As you told Lil_ze in another thread...Do you really believe that ? It's a done deal...no need for further discussion. (wink) |
Ntfs_encryption
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Ntfs_encryption
Post Number: 1966
Registered: 10-2005
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, March 06, 2007 - 01:58 pm: |
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"Most of these brothas are enigeering/composing/distributing/recording their own music!"
Uhhhhh...that's management and production....not the same as performing musical talent. Once again, can they sing, play an instrument or write and compose music to be preformed by other musicians (not computers, beat machines and sampling others music)? You know -like compose a musical score from scratch? No? Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Well, there ya have it.....
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Abm
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Abm
Post Number: 8646
Registered: 04-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, March 06, 2007 - 02:54 pm: |
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Ntfs,
It does require real musical talent to produce music via blending, scratch and sampling recordings. It's NOT the same kind of talent as what was required to originally create those recordings, though. And I do the relative ease by which much of today's music is created has resulted in a general cheapening of popular music in ways that I fear our culture may never recover from. |
Ntfs_encryption
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Ntfs_encryption
Post Number: 1979
Registered: 10-2005
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, March 07, 2007 - 04:57 am: |
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"It's NOT the same kind of talent as what was required to originally create those recordings, though. And I do the relative ease by which much of today's music is created has resulted in a general cheapening of popular music in ways that I fear our culture may never recover from."
Bro, there is absolutely no doubt about it....!!!!!!!!!!!!!! E'nuff said......
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