Artists are stepping up and speaking out about this tragedy that should compel all of humanity to question the concept of justice in this society. Professor Daddy-O one of the founders of the seminal Hip Hop Band Stetsasonic is speaking on this travesty and I’m listening. I invite you to not only listen, but to invite others to listen as well.

Musicians have always had the ability to distill the essence of our rage, fear, disappointment, hope, aspirations and a slew of other emotions into a sonic reality. What happened to Trayvon Martin is just beyond… the Professor captures, quite accurately how many feel right now. Thank you for lifting your voice.

Justice for Trayvon and his family!

BLOOD GOT SHOT #trayvon by professordaddyo

“Happy Birthday” was written by Stevie Wonder to popularize the campaign (in which he was significantly involved) to make Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
s birthday a national holiday. In November 1983 President Ronald Reagan signed the holiday into existence. The first official Martin Luther King, Jr. Day was January 20, 1986 and a commemorative concert featuring Stevie Wonder was held. Stevie Wonder also performed the song in October 2011 at the dedication ceremony for the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial in Washington, D.C. “Happy Birthday” also appears on the album Hotter Than July.

Earlier this week, I  had the pleasure of being among an iconic figure within the civil rights movement. A pioneer, a fighter and a beloved person in the fight for freedom, Rev. Joseph Lowery celebrated  his 90th birthday in grand style with a musical and theatrical experience highlighting his life work. Presented by the  Joseph E. Lowery Institute for Justice and Human Rights, Delta Air Lines, Coca Cola Company and Kia Motors, Inc., the evening was hosted by CNN anchor Soledad O’Brien and included performances by Stevie Wonder, Jennifer Holliday, Peabo Bryson, Lady Tremaine Hawkins, the Blind Boys of Alabama, Cicely Tyson, Dawnn Lewis, Cassi Davis, the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, Morehouse and Spelman College Glee Clubs as well as other special guests.  Check out the video and pictures from this wonderful event! (more…)

Doesn’t matter what genre of music it is there will always be ongoing debates about what is and what isn’t representative of a certain musical style. I must say though, that I have never seen someone so eloquently make the case for moving the music forward and the importance of understanding the intention of an artist as opposed to the opinion of a critic as James Mtume. Enjoy!

Generally credited as the godfather of Afrobeat (which in its most simplest terms can be defined as a fusion of African jazz and funk) Fela Kuti was more than just a multi-instrumentalist, singer and songwriter, he could probably be best described as a force of nature.

Influenced by the Black Power Movement of the late sixties and early seventies, Fela’s music was often categorized as political and controversial. His stance against the ruling class in his native Nigeria did not come without consequence. A 1977 raid by government forces on his compound led to the death of his mother and the destruction of all of recording equipment, musical instruments and living quarters.

Non-stop grooves(often 20mins. or more live) that often borrow from traditional West African chants and rhythms, punctuated by jazzy horn lines fused together to create an often mystical experience for the listener. This is P-Funk, James Brown and Go-Go all rolled into one. Dig the sounds of Fela!

Permalink

Related Posts:
Derek Sivers on Fela Kuti

Fela on Broadway

Jay Z and Will Smith Walk The Red Carpet For The Fela Kuti Broadway Musical
(more…)

Wow. What an amazing day, moment and time we’re blessed to experience. There’s not muchthat I can add to the many discussions, thoughts and emotions that have been expressed today. I’ll just say, that as great as this moment is, we have not arrived, but only just begun. We’ve got A LOT of work to do, and it’s incumbent upon each one of us to fulfill our obligations to ourselves, our families and our communities.

“In reaffirming the greatness of our nation, we understand that greatness is never a given. It must be earned. Our journey has never been one of short-cuts or settling for less. It has not been the path for the faint-hearted – for those who prefer leisure over work, or seek only the pleasures of riches and fame.

Rather, it has been the risk-takers, the doers, the makers of things – some celebrated but more often men and women obscure in their labor, who have carried us up the long, rugged path towards prosperity and freedom.

For us, they packed up their few worldly possessions and traveled across oceans in search of a new life.

For us, they toiled in sweatshops and settled the West; endured the lash of the whip and plowed the hard earth.

For us, they fought and died, in places like Concord and Gettysburg; Normandy and Khe Sahn.

Time and again these men and women struggled and sacrificed and worked till their hands were raw so that we might live a better life. They saw America as bigger than the sum of our individual ambitions; greater than all the differences of birth or wealth or faction.
(more…)

Just in time for Christmas. Buy 1, buy 5, but 10!! Support Real Artists & Real Music.

From Hidden Beach:

The Perfect Present

Dear Friends and Family –

Thank you for being a part of the Hidden Beach Family and for supporting Real Artists & Real Music…

As you may or may not know, “Yes We Can: Voices of a Grassroots Movement” is the only official musical release approved by the Barack Obama presidential campaign and is now on sale.

“Yes We Can: Voices of a Grassroots Movement” is a collector’s item featuring musicians such as Stevie Wonder, Sheryl Crow, Ozomatli, Jill Scott, John Mayer, Los Lonely Boys, Shontelle, John Legend, Lionel Richie and many more.

This season spread the positive messages of “Change” and give the gift of music to your family, friends, co-workers, neighbors and loved ones. This CD makes a great stocking stuffer, too!

Currently, we are offering a few special promotions only available at The Hidden Beach Shop.

* Gift Wrap & Send “Yes We Can” CD for $13.48 (Save 10%)
Use the coupon “GIFT” in our store to receive this discount. Specify an alternate Shipping Name & Address and we will wrap the CD and send it as a holiday gift from you to the person on the shipping address. We can also send the CD to your address.

(more…)

Photo Credit