Japanese American human rights activist and a longtime Oakland resident Yuri Kochiyama passed away yesterday June 1st, 2014 at the age of 93. [NPR] [Democracy Now] Yuri Kochiyama was known for her activism since the 1960’s, her comradeship with Malcolm X (she’s the mysterious Asian lady holding Malcolm’s head when he was assassinated on February 21, 1965 at the Audubon Ballroom in Harlem, pictured in Time magazine), her later activist work with the Puerto Rican independence movement, reparations for Japanese interment camp survivors, political …
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Maya Angelou’s Poem “On the Pulse of Morning” Maya Angelou’s San Francisco connections (RIP) [SF Gate] Maya Angelou and Dave Chappelle, “Iconoclasts” -Maya Angelou and Dave Chappelle talk about their writing process, why Dave left his show and Maya’s homies, MLK and Malcolm X. The erasure of Maya Angelou’s sex work history [Tits and Sass] Storme DeLarverie, early leader in the Gay Rights Movement, dies at 93 [NY Times] Dave Chappelle recruits the Roots, Janelle Monae, DJ Premier, Busta Rhymes and …
J Dilla “Give Em What They Want” [J Dilla produced] J Dilla “The Doe” [produced by Supa Dave West] – New previously unreleased material from J Dilla & Supa Dave West (known for his work with De La Soul) on the EP Give Em What They Want is out. This comes as teaser (like “Anthem” b/w “Trucks” singles and the Diamonds & Ice EP) for an upcoming album release of unheard J Dilla tracks called The Diary. All of these singles and the upcoming album …
North Carolina “Cult” rapper Deniro Farrar has just released his Rebirth EP. He describes his style of rapping as “Cult Rap,” part of the “Self Legend” concept he learned from reading The Alchemist by Brazilian author Paulo Coelho. It’s reality rap chock full of social commentary touching on street life and conditions of poverty. Farrar uses metaphors, uplifting messages, exploration of emotions, knowledge, and his own personal philosophies to weave into his music. As Farrar puts it to Sway in their interview, “Cult Rap” is music …
Occult (knowledge of the hidden) and the arts have gone hand in hand through the centuries. Artists of various mediums and practices, various art movements (the Renaissance, Surrealists, Dadaist, Situationists, the Beats, etc.) over time have explored the mystical and hidden philosophies as inspiration for their work, playing the shamanic role and delving deep into their consciousness, peering behind the veil of reality. Podcast host of ThelemaNow!, Frater Puck discusses the centuries old relationship between the occult and the arts. Frater Puck – Eliphas …
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