Along with all her other moral standings that I find reprehensible, one thing I really despise about Sarah Palin is that she’s such a staunch supporter of the NRA and hunting. I’ve always been an animal lover and sympathetic to animal activism, so I can’t agree with anyone who enjoys hunting or fishing for entertainment. Theoretically, if you’re killing a creature for sustenance, I can live with that. If you’re just murdering creatures for entertainment, I think there’s something seriously wrong with you.
Also, I find it curious that a lot of hunters are also ultra-religious, when the Bible clearly states “thou shall not kill.” How do they justify that? Don’t animals have souls just like we do? How can they claim to follow the word of God when they can’t even follow the Commandments?
This woman cannot be a heartbeat away from the presidency.
Posted in Politics, Videos on September 5th, 2008 by Hyphen
One of the best things about living in the day of digital archiving is that everything is on record. You can’t expect to say one thing today, contradict it tomorrow, and then claim it never happened. Well, I guess if you’re John McCain and the Republicans, you can and do. Self-ethering at its finest.
Hahahaha sonned. I love when the hypocrisy of these morons is pointed out so clearly. In their defense, “they are lying sacks of sh*t.” Well said John.
I always love hearing behind the scenes stories about songs, especially when they involve my favorite living MC (RIP Big L), Elzhi. MichiganHipHop.com linked up with El and had him recount some of his classic material, including “Come and Get It,” “Reunion,” “Boomerang Slang,” “Scattered Pictures,” “Hiding Place,” “Motown 25,” “Guessing Game,” “Love It Here,” and “Colors.”
If you haven’t already, cop The Preface! Seattle people: remember that El and Black Milk will be coming to town next week for the Redbull Big Tune. I’ll post up the schedule of events in a few days for y’all…
Posted in Politics, Videos on September 4th, 2008 by Hyphen
As always, Jay Smooth is so on point. Between all of the fire and brimstone spewed by Palin, Romney, and Rudy and the 9-11’s, there was one overriding theme: these people have no ideas of their own and have nothing left other than attacking Barack. Besides the fact that we’re all tired of these divisive tactics, last night, Palin crossed the line by disrespecting and belittling community organizers. This is the year when the voters, especially all the new blood registered by the Obama campaign, will step up and change American politics. Goodbye Rove and company. Your days are numbered.
For those outside of Seattle who haven’t heard of my dude J. Pinder yet, y’all need to get ready. We have a lot of talent up here in the 206 and Pin is definitely the next to blow up on a national level. While he readies his debut album, he already released a great mixtape with Vitamin D last year entitled Backpack Wax. I’m not really sure why the behind the scenes documentary of this project is coming out now, but hey, better late than never. These clips should serve as a nice introduction as they follow Pinder through the creative process for the mixtape and feature testimonials from some of the most respected (and my favorite) people in the scene. Be sure to keep your eye out for more Pinder related goodness over at his new blog, the Daily Pintern. He’ll also be appearing on Jake One’s upcoming White Van Music, as Jake mentions below.
Posted in Artists, Videos on September 3rd, 2008 by Hyphen
Murs’ press conference for Murs For President is about 9870983120322x better than this crap the Republicans are trying to push on us through their convention speeches. I just heard McCain was a war hero…did y’all know that? Why do they keep these things so underwraps?
They’re breaking world records for jingoism in Bolt/Phelps-esque fashion. This is why the world hates us.
The latest “Freestyle In The Park” edition from the homey Alex at Ruby Hornet features the oft-slept on Mass Hysteria crew. The above clip is from Gee Field and any verse with a McCain diss, a RIP shout to Big L, and a Comiskey reference gets my approval. Hit the jump for the verse from his partner in rhyme, Mike Treese.
3RD UPDATE: The interview Vimeo clip appears to be working at the moment. If it stops, please use the YouTube link right underneath the video. The live footage has been removed at the request of the label, sorry. Holler @ me if there are any problems.
Last weekend, the lovely Ms. Janelle Monae came to Seattle and we had the pleasure of sitting down with her for an interview on Sound Session. If you’ve somehow missed her huge (and well deserved) buzz all over the net, she’s a singer from Kansas City, Kansas, by way of New York and Atlanta, who broke into the industry with Big Boi’s Purple Ribbon label. After debuting on his Got Purp, Vol. 2 compilation, she linked up with the other half of Outkast, Andre 3000, and appeared on 2 songs from their Idlewild project. She then released the first part of her Metropolis mega-series, The Chase Suite, only to re-release the Special Edition after impressing Diddy at a live performance enough that he immediately signed a partnership with her.
Janelle sat down with us to talk all about her background and inspirations growing up, how she connected with Big Boi and Diddy, the intricate storyline behind Metropolis, and much more. You can either watch the interview above, or, as I would recommend, download the broadcast quality audio feed below (complete with one of the songs off Metropolis).
Even at such an early stage of her career, Janelle’s live show is legendary so I shot some footage from her concert at the Nectar Lounge later that night. Watch the clip below to see her run through songs like “Violet Stars Happy Hunting,” “Many Moons,” “Smile, “Sincerely, Jane,” and “Lettin’ Go.”
EDIT:Â Video has been removed at the request of the label, sorry.
Go see this woman when she comes to your town, she’s incredible. Seattle people: Janelle will be back on October 3rd at the Showbox opening for Jamie Lidell. Be there.