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Hip Hop History Month - November 2007
By King Khazm
Published October 27, 2007
206 Zulu - Universal Zulu Nation calls upon the World to recognize the month of November as Hip Hop History Month! In a span of only thirty years, Hip Hop and Rap music have become one of the largest influences not only in today's youth, but people from all walks of life and of all ages throughout the entire planet. It has become a multi-billion dollar industry that has changed and empowered millions of lives in some form. Although it has made a profound impact in today's society, not many know of its origins or even what it truely is.
A large part of this is because mainstream media has been fueled by major corporations and subsequently, these corporations have taken control of its image and likeness and continue to use it solely for the intent of making money. Through this commercialism, it is what many true-school enthusiasts would call formulaic and unoriginal. The music once encompassed a universal language and culture that held no barriers and was based upon any of life's topics. Today its integrity has dissolved as it reflects such a small and limited portion of its entirety. Today you advance as an artist in this industry if you glamourize violence, disrespect women, live arrogantly and unresponsibly, or so it seems.
During this time we call upon everyone to educate themselves as to the history and herstory of Hip Hop Culture. We challenge everyone to delve into the untold stories that the media omits. If you are a practicioner or a fan of Hip Hop, learn about whats happening in your local community and support it!
206 Zulu is working diligently this month to spread awareness of not just Hip Hop and its history, but to inspire and motivate people to seek knowledge, wisdom, understanding, freedom, justice, equality, peace, unity, love, respect, responsibility and recreation, perserverence, economics, mathematics, science, life, truth, facts and faith. We will be working with youth and young adults from various schools within the Northwest including Denny Middle School, Meany Middle School, Williamette University, Mercer Island Boys & Girls Club, Rainier Beach Library and Wahluke High School.
This work will be continued on programs such as Hip Hop 101 TV on SCAN Channel 77/29 (Fridays 9-10pm) and Zulu Radio on KBCS 91.3 fm (Saturdays 10pm-mid). Additionally, we will host a truely unique event Saturday, November 17th called Zulu Radio Live! that is not to be missed. This event will happen at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center and will be broadcast live on KBCS 91.3 FM and honors Hip Hop from Seattle's past, present and future. (See flyer for further information)
Northwest Hip Hop Parade Troop '07
By King Khazm
Published August 9, 2007
Last Saturday, August 4th over 50 people gathered to participate in the first-ever NW Hip Hop Parade Troop, as part of Umoja Fest, the Northwest's largest and longest-lasting African Heritage Festival & Parade. This troop, consisted of emcees, deejays, graff writers, dancers, Hip Hop practicioners and supporters throughout the Seattle region. They marched together in unity wearing white shirts to show solidarity, while chanting "Peace, Love, Unity & Having Fun" and other empowering phrases.
Proceeding the People's March were B-Boys/B-Girls Anna Bannana, Orbitron, BeLoved, and B-Girl Chills who dazzled the crowd with there effortless finesse, energizing the people and motivating the youth watching to take part as they began clapping, popping, krumping, and dancing without missing a beat.
Finally the procession ends with a sixteen foot float, covered with layers of graffiti from some of Seattle's most notable artists, including Sneke One, Charms, HNS, OneSevenNine, Exor, amongst others. The massive structure emanated Hip Hop breaks, Funk, Soul and various sounds provided by Seattle's renowned DJ's DV-One and B-Mello. Lastly, Laura "Piece" Kelly and Silver Shadow D stood side by side on the float as traditional party-rocking emcees, echoing various call-and-responses, chants, and messages of positivity to all who watched gallantly. Children gazed intensely into the eyes of the emcees while internalizing messages, "You are the future. Stay positive and follow your hearts. There is no limits to what you can do."
This was truely a moment in Seattle Hip Hop history. Thanks to the dozens upon dozens of people who donated countless time, energy, and money to make this all possible. A special thanks goes to Spoken Visual, Tecumseh, Jojo, Mz Music Girl, Rob Nice, Simon, J-Rebel, Graphic Display, ArtPrimo.com, Larry Mizel, Nasty Nes, Christie Z & Popmaster Fabel, B-Mello, DV-One, Jace, Julie-C, InkuBiz, and the many others who came together to make this a success. Last but not least, thanks to Kitty Wu for organizing such an outstanding event!
To view photos of the trip, log onto: http://viewmorepics.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewPicture&friendID=725644&albumId=1844828
CHECK OUT THIS VIDEO OF THE PARADE!
Courtesy of Coolout TV
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A Call to Action from Artist/ Activist Mos Def
To Students and All Concerned Young People to Show Support for the "Jena 6" on Monday, October 1st, 2007 at Noon, Central Time
Artist/ Activist Mos Def along with M1, the Malcolm X Grassroots Movement, Change the Game, the National Hip Hop Political Convention, and student leaders from 25 campuses is calling for a National Student Walk-Out to rally and show support for the Jena 6, who are being denied their human rights by the Louisiana criminal justice system.
The Case of the Jena 6
Last fall, when two Black high school students sat under the "white" tree on their campus, white students responded by hanging nooses from the tree. When Black students protested the light punishment for the students who hung the nooses, District Attorney Reed Walters came to the school and told the students he could "take [their] lives away with a stroke of [his] pen." Racial tension continued to mount in Jena, and the District Attorney did nothing in response to several egregious cases of violence and threats against black students. But when a white student--who had been a vocal supporter of the students who hung the nooses, taunted a black student, called several black students "nigger"--sustained minor injuries from a school fight, six black students were charged with second-degree attempted murder. Last month, the first young man to be tried, Mychal Bell, was convicted. He faces up to 22 years in prison for a school fight. Although his conviction has been thrown out in adult court, he is still in jail!!
Mos Def is asking students worldwide to assist in the fight against racial inequality and show solidarity for these young people, who have been treated very harshly by the law. The prosecution of these young men symbolizes a terrible miscarriage of justice, by punishing students who opposed segregation in their schools and disregarding the threatening acts of others who advocate it.
Judge J.P. Mauffray and District Attorney Reed Walters have engaged in a string of egregious actions, the most recent of which was the denial of bail for Bell on Friday. We call for:
1. All charges against the Jena 6 be dropped
2. The immediate release of Mychal Bell
3. The United States Department of Justice to convene an immediate inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the arrests and prosecutions
of the Jena 6;
4. Judge Mauffray to be recused from presiding over Bell's juvenile court hearings or other proceedings;
5. The Louisiana Office of Disciplinary Counsel to investigate Reed Walters for unethical and possibly illegal conduct;
6. The Louisiana Judiciary Commission investigate Judge Mauffray for unethical conduct; and
7. The Jena School District superintendent to be removed from office.
Mos Def -- "I continue to extend my invitation to all concerned parties, artists, and people of power and influence in the world today throughout every field of endeavor to unite in resistance against racism and state negligence in the face of terror in the neo-Katrina State of Louisiana."
For more info contact info@mxgm.org
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Beyond Reality - "Soul's Journey"
Artist: Beyond Reality
Title: Soul's Journey
Label: eQ Media
Review Date: 4/12/07
Listen to music at www.cdbaby.com/cd/beyondreality
Reviewed by: Jieshrae Washington
The reality of Hip-Hop, whether underground or mainstream is that Hip-hop is a male dominated medium of expression. Despite the struggle against gender biases in all walks of life, including all artistic media, women are putting in the work to fix that discrepancy. Constantly producing refreshing new sounds that remain true to the culture, Kylea of Beyond Reality proves that intense lyrics and dope beats aren't just for the fellas. (Click here to read more)
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Swagger Fest 2007:
Seattle's most Flossy and Fly
By Julie-C
Published May 4, 2007
If you were in the Emerald City on May 2nd and weren't at Chop Suey for Swagger Fest, I extend my regrets to you, because you missed some of the most dynamic, energy-packed performances Seattle has to offer. With Vitamin D on the ones and twos, Neemah of Unexpected Arrival hosting, and an arsenal of emcees from Soul Guerilla, Sportn' Life Records, and Union Block Teamsters, Swagger Fest did much more than live up to its name.
(click to read more)
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Welcome to 206zulu.com, a multifaceted resource for Seattle, Washington and worldwide Hip Hop, news, networking, music, upcoming events, and community projects. 206 Zulu is the Universal Zulu Nation Seattle Chapter. With members from all corners of the Pacific Northwest, 206 Zulu carries the vision and commitment to unify, preserve Hip Hop culture, educate, and empower our communities.
The Universal Zulu Nation, or UZN is a pioneering force that has been in effect since the inception of Hip Hop itself (1974) and continues to represent and innovate while striving for worldwide peace, equality and empowerment. Some elements of hip-hop are graffiti, breaking, emceeing, deejaying, and knowledge.
These elements can be expressed both individually and/or collectively and can benefit the community on both local and global levels. These goals however are by no means limited to the art forms of Hip Hop and we look forward to sharing information of health, social awareness and other human resources.
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National and International News |
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March and rally from Times Square to the United Nations for a free Puetro Rico.
Puerto Rico is the oldest colony on the planet, first invaded by Spain in 1493, then in 1898 by the United States. After 109 years, it continues under U.S. colonial rule.
Within those 500 plus years of invasion and occupation, the Puerto Rican people have been engaged in anti-imperialist/ anti-colonial resistance that continues to this day.
The Significance of the September 23rd date
September 23rd, 1868 is traditionally celebrated and commemorated as the birth of the Puerto Rican nation, when Puerto Ricans rose up against Spanish colonial rule in a revolt known as El Grito de Lares. By 1898, Puerto Rico had achieved a form of autonomous self-rule, which came to an end later that year with the United States invasion of the island during the Spanish- American War. Puerto Rico has been under the political rule of the United States ever since and has continued to struggle throughout that time for its independence and self-determination.
Well aware of this date's significance to the independence movement, on September 23rd, 2005, U.S. FBI agents assassinated Filiberto Ojeda Rios. Comandante Filiberto, who founded el Ejercito Popular Boricua (the Puerto Rican People's Army) – Los Macheteros, was a revered revolutionary leader of the Puerto Rican liberation struggle. The assassination of Filiberto on this date was a clear attempt to kill the spirit of the ongoing Puerto Rican liberation struggle.
Why the UN location?
In spite of their attempt to kill our spirit, the FBI assassination of Ojeda Rios served to rally additional support for the independence movement. Since his death, the United Nations Special Committee on Decolonization voted unanimously on a resolution calling for the Decolonization of Puerto Rico. This resolution, in addition to several declarations made on the colonial situation of the island reiterates: "the Puerto Rican people constitute a Latin American and Caribbean nation that has its own unequivocal national identity." If picked up by the UN General Assembly the Puerto Rican status question will be addressed in September of 2008. This historical decision would put Puerto Rico's status issue on the UN agenda for the first time since 1953. The September 23rd march will rally national and international support so that the United Nations will make it a priority to resolve the colonial situation in Puerto Rico once and for all, through its natural right to be a free nation.
What, when and where?:
On Sunday, September 23rd of 2007:
12PM Begin gathering at Times Square (Broadway between 41st & 42nd)
1PM: Begin marching towards the United Nations
2PM: Rally at the UN- Dag Hammarskjold Plaza featuring speakers from Puerto Rican and ally communities and live hip hop and bomba performances.
For more information and march route/ program details visit:
www.September23.org
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International Hip-Hop Education Conference (Washington, D.C.)
Join us on September, 28 2007 for the International Association for Hip Hop Education Conference at the National Music Center in Washington DC (801 K St. NW). Theconference will start at 8pm on Thursday evening with a reception atBohemain Caverns for executive and advisory board members. Then onFriday at 8am we will begin registration for the conference to lastuntil noon. The workshops and panels will begin at 9am and will lastuntil noon. The vendors will set up at 8am.
http://www.iahhe.org/events.html
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Atlanta Businessman Responds to Mass Appeal
By Kecia L. Ellick
Independent Designer Opens Sale of Urban Line to the Public
September 4th, 2007 -- Atlanta, Georgia -- After two years of circulating its fashions privately within the entertainment community, R.Max Clothing introduces its independent line of designer apparel to the public. R. Max Clothing is now available for wholesale and retail purchase through its online store.
Created by Russell Maxwell, R.Max Clothing features a signature line of t-shirts inspired by today's urban culture with Hip Hop, Pop, and Rock influences. "I wanted to create something that represents {our} sense of urban expression and lifestyle," states Mr. Maxwell. Each original design is hand painted and individually adorned with colorful rhinestones.
R.Max has received placement on both television and the big screen. Pieces from the line have been worn in the film, 'Stomp the Yard', on BET's '106 & Park' and MTV's 'Wild'n' Out. R.Max Clothing has also appeared in several music videos including Big Boi's (OutKast) 'Kryptonite' and Gorilla Zoe's 'Hood Figga'. In addition to the original and 'X' lines, custom designs have been created for video director, Dr. Teeth; music artists Jay Z, Puffy, 50 Cent, MSEIZE, Killer Mike, Lil Jon, and Janet Jackson; and for Radio One Morning Show hosts across the nation.
R.Max Clothing is available in a wide range of colors and sizes for both men and women and will soon be available at high-end retailers. To view the entire line, visit R.Max Clothing online at http://rmaxclothing.com.
Editors: Hi-Res photos available upon request.
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 Universal Zulu Nation's
10 Point Balance Campaign
We the people of the planet Earth want:
1. A balance on the air waves of old school, new school and contemporary music.
2. More variety of musical genres, artists and content on the radio stations.
3. Radio station directors, programmers and deejays to be held accountable for what is played on their radio stations.
4. The FCC to do more to regulate the radio stations which continue to play negative songs with violent/sexual content during times when children and minors are most likely to be listening: daytime, before and after school.
5. Radio stations to reflect more diverse cultural and political views of the community and not the commercial interests of the big multi-media corporations
6. A certain amount of time dedicated to local news, important events, issues and concerns that affect the communities in which the radio stations are suppose to serve.
7. A certain amount of time dedicated to local artists who put out quality music in their regions.
8. A breakup of the monopoly of the air wave band frequencies--No big corporation should be allowed to own/control several different radio stations under different names.
9. A balance on the video stations---more positive images of women and the urban experience which are free of the stereotypical images that assault the minds of our youth.
10. Use the radio, video and any other form of communication to educate, enlighten and entertain and not to control, exploit and manipulate the masses.
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