book info: published in 2008 by Spiegel & Grau author info:Ta-Nehisi Coates is a writer hailing from Baltimore, Maryland. He is the son of Paul Coates, founder of Black Classic Press.
In his memoir, The Beautiful Struggle , Ta-Nehisi Coates eloquently captures the struggles of coming of age in Baltimore in the late 80s and early 90s. The story begins with Coates and his brother Big Bill finding themselves surrounded by a neighborhood posse on their turf. A microcosm of life during the times, Coates explains the perils of life under his father's unorthodox method of raising children, his non-traditional family, and acquiring the "knowledge" in West Baltimore. A cultural gem, this story remembers the genesis of hip-hop, the black nationalist movement (with which is father was involved), and the crack epidemic and response. Supported by their father's burgeoning Black Classic Press, Coates' family was unique in that his father and seven children by four women, yet all of his siblings were a part of his life. Coates also remembers his education both within public school and the African community, as he was initiated into Ankobea in Washington DC. The long road to manhood for the Coates clan would end up in DC, at the Mecca (Howard University), where Paul Coates was able to send them for free as a result of his employment at the Moorland-Spingarn Research Center.
quote:
"To be a black male is to be always at war, and no flight to the county can save us, because even there we are met by the assumption of violence, by the specter of who we might turn on next. I was ravaged by the plague of my fallen old town and reengineered. They took my wings, handed me a blade. I lost so much of myself out there. My dreams shrank into survival and mere dignity and respect. But in my djembe, I found art and my lost imagination, and now from heavy hands to making a drum sing--what more was out there? How far did it all really go?"
The Foreign Exchange video for "House of Cards". One of my favorite songs off the album. If you are on the West Coast, this group has a myriad of shows coming up near you. Sep 11, 2009 : Someday Lounge, Portland OR Sep 12, 2009 : Yoshi's, San Francisco CA Sep 13, 2009 : The Roxy, Los Angeles CA Sep 14, 2009 : The Roxy, Los Angeles CA Sep 15, 2009 : Nectar Lounge, Seattle WA For ticket info: visit their website.
Apparently there is some confusion among the blogosphere about who's track this actually is. We'll just enjoy it til they sort that out. Luda's verse. No comment just a Wow.
R&B Live DC, a live monthly performance showcase highlighting national, independent and local R&B talent, presents nationally renowned singer Yahzarah August 18th. Born and raised in Washington, D.C., Yahzarah attended the Duke Ellington School of Arts before beginning her career singing backup for Erykah Badu. For more information on Yahzarah, please visit www.myspace.com/yazarah.
The evening's lineup will begin with a special performance by Patrice Jones of Glenarden, Md., before "Mr. Howard University 2006," Brandon Hines takes the stage. House band Standard will accompany the performers and DJ Bee will be spinning throughout the night.
Doors open at 8 p.m. Performances start at 9 p.m. $10 Cover For dinner reservations or to RSVP for VIP seating call (202) 667-1661
Sarah Vaughan's musical career is one worthy of the highest praise. The "Sassy One" blessed the world for over 47 years with her "wondrous, contralto voice". Her contributions to not only jazz, but music are enduring. Her future legendary status was evident when she recorded this Tadd Dameron-arranged "If You Could See Me Know" in 1946. A Newark, N.J. native, Vaughan captivated the audiences at Harlem's Apollo Theater before captivating the world the rest of her life. This is a timeless classic because it is captivating us to this day. For an in-depth look at her life, please check out Sassy: The Life of Sarah Vaughan:
Imeem recently partnered with 88 Keys to share a playlist featuring some of his influences. Some pretty good tracks on it, including A Tribe Called Quest, Slum Village, and Bilal. Listen to it here .
I hadn't heard of Mpho Skeef until recently. As a recent visitor to South Africa, she reminds me of what I saw while walking around in Cape Town. Anyway here's some more information about here courtesey of Afripop Mag:
"Last I spoke to Mpho Skeef she had an independently released EP called Documented in the cut. For three whole years to have passed and for there to be this much buzz upon her return is unheard of.
Clearly it was time away well spent for the 33-year-old who got hitched, popped a second child and got on with constructing POP Art, her debut disc, which is one out of a five album deal, and an assured first step towards mainstream acclaim. Especially considering its first single Box N Locks produced by Switch (M.I.A) and using the sample for Martha and the Muffins’ 80s new wave number Echo Beach (Martha approves). Last I spoke to Mpho Skeef she had an independently released EP called Documented in the cut. For three whole years to have passed and for there to be this much buzz upon her return is unheard of.
Clearly it was time away well spent for the 33-year-old who got hitched, popped a second child and got on with constructing POP Art, her debut disc, which is one out of a five album deal, and an assured first step towards mainstream acclaim. Especially considering its first single Box N Locks produced by Switch (M.I.A) and using the sample for Martha and the Muffins’ 80s new wave number Echo Beach (Martha approves)."
raising children, his non-traditional family, and acquiring the "knowledge" in West Baltimore. A cultural gem, this story remembers the genesis of hip-hop, the black nationalist movement (with which is father was involved), and the crack epidemic and response. Supported by their father's burgeoning Black Classic Press, Coates' family was unique in that his father and seven children by four women, yet all of his siblings were a part of his life. Coates also remembers his education both within public school and the African community, as he was initiated into Ankobea in Washington DC. The long road to manhood for the Coates clan would end up in DC, at the Mecca (Howard University), where Paul Coates was able to send them for free as a result of his employment at the Moorland-Spingarn Research Center. 
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