 "It's not about your music, but what's contained in your heart. Just because a person has a hit record doesn't mean that they are concerned about the community. A lot of people are just concerned about self, so we can't expect people to react about things that aren't in their hearts... I'm never looking for entertainers, movie stars or recording artists to get out and do what's in my heart. I'll get out there as a man myself to do the things I like to see done. So with all due respect to any artist who is not vocal on issues, if it doesn't effect your heart our pertain to you then that's your right. A lot of people [artists] out this way [Bay Area] are concerned so we speak out and put it down." These were the words echoed by MC Hammer in response to a question about why more prominent rap artists have been amazingly silent and absent on pressing issues like the recent Diallo verdict. Hammer's remarks came from a make shift jail cell which sits in front of the Jubilee Christian Center off highway 237 in San Jose. It was unseasonably cold with a rainstorm on the way, but Hammer was determined to stay inside for the next two days to symbolize his opposition to Prop 21. His dramatic actions couldn't have come at a better time. On the eve of Super Tuesday, Hammer's star power has brought some critical attention to this critical proposition which is running neck and neck in the polls.
 The proponents of Prop 21 have been using some sly tactics like creating what many are saying slick, misleading ads which are being targeted on Spanish language radio stations. The ads like the wording on the actual ballot, make the initiative seem like a 'good' an effective way to reduce crime. The Prop 21 proponents have been inadvertently aided by another source, the refusal of some media outlets that target African American adults to speak out on this on this issue. This has resulted in many voting adults who have not read the initiative to remain in the dark. Studies have shown once people are made aware of who and what is behind this bill, they quickly change their mind and vote 'NO'. Hence Hammer's media attention was a critical boost to really bring attention to the older adult voters who have some how been misinformed about this ballot. While Hammer was symbolically sitting in jail, other Bay Area Hip Hoppers were out in the streets. Boots along with several local emcees has been continued his 'tour' of the hood with Guerilla concerts. For folks who don't know, local Bay Area Hip Hoppers have been driving around from 'hood to hood' with a flatbed truck and doing impromptu performances and freestyling sessions to bring attention to not just Prop 21 but other issues as well. The folks who roll with the Black Dot Collective which is an assortment of emcees and spoken word artists spent the weekend going door to door passing out copies of their newly created newsletter 'The Daily Struggle'. While this was happening Dwayne Wiggins opened up the doors to his popular Java House cafe and allowed local activists and organizations to hold teach in and political education classes. Later that evening [Saturday night], Dwayne and the rest of the Tony Toni Tone along with Jay Spencer volunteered their time to do a concert on behalf of Oakland City Council candidate Geoffrey Pete. Again defeating Prop 21 was on the the talk of the night.
 The other big highlight of the weekend was the sold out Friday Nite 'Schools Not Jail No On Prop 21' concert held in Santa Cruz which featured Mos Def and Talib Kweli of Blackstar. To say the least they ripped it. I mean these brothas threw down and made you really feel really proud to be down with Hip Hop. Mos Def has already proved himself to be a stellar performer. Now its his partner Talib who is the man to watch. His upcoming solo project 'Reflections Eternal' is highly anticipated and looks to be a great follow up to Mos Def. Friday Nite saw both emcees at the top of their game. The fact that they volunteered their time and aggressively spoke out against Prop 21 was incredible. They also made the connection to the Diallo situation in New York.Opening acts Ozomatli and MeShell Ndegeocello also got busy. Like Blackstar they too came forth both during the performance as well during as an earlier scheduled press conference and spoke to the issue of Prop 21 and the out of control building of prisons. Chuck D who was a presenter during this weekend's Soul Train Music Awards has just completed a commercial opposing Prop 21. I'll put it up on the website [http://www.daveyd.com] or [http://www.rapstation.com] in MP3 form later on this evening [Monday March 6th] so y'all can hear it and pass it along. Last but not least, some brothas from New World Culture have just put together an excellent short documentary about Prop 21. It features Boots of the Coup and M-1 of Dead Prez. They caught a lot of the action during the recent free No On Prop 21 Hip Hop concert that took place two weeks ago at Oakland's City Hall. It's part of an on going series called Urban Campfire.. and is available only on the web at Rapstation.com ..Here's the URL for you to peep it http://www.rapstation.com/ rapstation_tv/urban_campfire/ Drop me a line and let me know what you think about it.. The line this was a damn good week for Hip Hop.
|