race Archives

Once Again It’s On: Ice Cube’s AmeriKKKa’s Most Wanted Rings True At 25

A quarter of a century ago today (May 16, 1990), Ice Cube released his solo debut. AmeriKKKa's Most Wanted signaled his post-N.W.A. career, and the acrimonious split left fans eager to hear Cube's perspective. However, what those supporters received was more dynamic than one man's tale of anger and revenge,... Read more

May 16, 2015 Food for Thought

Fashawn’s Touching Single Is A Strong Vignette About Young, Black Fatherhood (Video)

Within Fashawn's The Ecology, "Higher" is one of the everlasting gems. Fashawn looks at fathers—as a parent himself, with some profound insights. The song is personal, heartfelt, and touching. To core fans of the Fresno, California MC, the DJ Exile-produced "Higher" is a deep extension of his Boy Meets World... Read more

April 23, 2015 Video

Wale Goes Back To His Nike Boots Roots (Video)

It's hard to believe it was seven years ago that Wale burst on the scene with "Nike Boots." Released in 2007 and distributed in '08, the powerful moment that mixed substance and style was the ultimate vehicle that made the MC from the DMV catch the ear of Mark Ronson,... Read more

March 30, 2015 Video

From Beats To Rhymes, Breakin’ To Graffiti, The Latino Contribution To Hip-Hop Is Explored (Audio)

One of the more anticipated pieces of Hip-Hop coverage over the last week was Latino USA's (an NPR-backed podcast show) "A Latino History Of Hip-Hop." As promised by video trailer, part 1 premiered yesterday (March 20), with part 2 reportedly coming online by late April. Producers Daisy Rosario and Marlon... Read more

March 21, 2015 Audio, Food for Thought, Fresh

Mayweather vs. Pacquiao is the New Ali vs. Frazier Inside and Out. Here’s Why.

Fast approaching, May 2 may be the biggest day in boxing history—at least for the last 40 years. Floyd Mayweather vs. Manny Pacquiao's "Fight Of The Century" promises to live up to its name, nearly eight years in the making. The undefeated 38 year-old "Money Mayweather" will take on eight-division... Read more

March 13, 2015 Lifestyle

Kendrick Lamar Emerges With A Potent Commentary On Being Black In 2015 (Audio)

With "i" winning two Grammy Awards last night (February 8), Kendrick Lamar advances the conversation with the second song from his sophomore major label album. "The Blacker The Berry," is a dense, inward look at being Black in 2015. The song pulls no punches about hatred in the world, both... Read more

February 9, 2015 Audio

Killer Mike Looks At Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. In A Different, Timeless Light

In his latest journalistic pursuit, Killer Mike reflected on the life and holiday memorial surrounding Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Writing at Okayplayer, Mike applied Dr. King's message to 2015, and urged the followers of the Civil Rights martyr and his own fans to raise their level of action. An... Read more

January 19, 2015 Fresh

Red Pill Speaks From His Heart On Race & Differences On An Apollo Brown Groove (Audio)

Red Pill has been one of the budding forces at Tucson, Arizona-based Mello Music Group. A member of Ugly Heroes with Verbal Kent and Apollo Brown, the Lansing, Michigan native announced this young week that he has signed a multi-album deal with the label that's been a home/outpost for Oddisee,... Read more

January 6, 2015 Audio, Fresh

Macklemore Gets Deep About Race, White Appropriation, Grammy Awards & His Biggest Mistake (Video)

In addition to all of the great things that happened in music, especially Hip-Hop, for 2014, there have been some uncomfortable moments. As art parallels life, and life parallels art, America witnessed murders, arrests, protests, actions (and non-actions) and other public issues raise the question of racial equality. In Hip-Hop... Read more

December 31, 2014 Fresh, Video

Yasiin Bey On Recent US Events: “We Are At A Watershed Moment For Humanity”

Besides rapping, singing, and acting, Yasiin Bey (f/k/a Mos Def) is a Spoken Word artist and a self-proclaimed humanitarian. Deliberately out of the spotlight for much of the last five years, Yasiin opted to put his thoughts to audio, surrounding the murders of Michael Brown and Eric Garner (among others),... Read more

December 5, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Do Remember: Kool G Rap & DJ Polo, Big Daddy Kane With Biz Markie’s Erase Racism Video

For anybody with a pulse, this has been a difficult month. Regardless of political views, ethnic background, or age, the lives lost and the protest has been an awakening of the things America needs to address immediately, if we are to be a better, more loving, just, and harmonious nation.... Read more

December 4, 2014 Fresh, Throwback

Rapsody Drops An Insightful Illustration Of Injustice Today In 2 Songs (Audio)

Throughout the headlines of the last month, oppression appears to be at the root of the biggest stories of the day. Whether racism, sexism, police brutality, domestic abuse, social unrest, all of these topics trace down to people being oppressed by another—another person, a people, an institution, a governing body,... Read more

December 4, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Dr. Cornel West Arrested At Ferguson Protests On Moral Monday (Video)

Several years ago, Dr. Cornel West of Princeton University opted to make a Rap album. The Ivy League professor, author, and social activist made 2007's Never Forget: A Journey Of My Revelations, an effort to featured Andre 3000, KRS-One, Black Thought, and Killer Mike, among many others. Today (October 13),... Read more

October 13, 2014 Fresh, Video

Chuck D Uses Acronyms & Wordplay To Talk About Race, Radio & Rosenberg (Audio)

Last week, HOT 97 radio host, DJ, and member of the Low Budget Crew, Peter Rosenberg publicly apologized to Public Enemy front-man Chuck D. The words followed a month-long social media debate, which bled its way onto airwaves and interviews, following HOT 97's 2014 Summer Jam. After the Long Island,... Read more

July 15, 2014 Audio, Featured-homepage, Fresh

The-Dream Shows Real, Active Change In His Powerful Visual For Black (Video)

After April's lyric video, The-Dream shows that he had some truly massive plans for "Black." The song, a message of Black empowerment, uses modern illustrations for racism (the violence in Chicago, materialistic stereotypes, Tommy Hilfiger's racist remarks) as well as iconic mentions of Marvin Gaye, Malcolm X, and Dr. Martin... Read more

July 2, 2014 Fresh, Video

Some Recent Headlines About Race & Class Made The-Dream Pen An All-Encompassing Message, Black (Video)

Following the Donald Sterling leaked phone call, along with ongoing crises in the Ukraine, as well as President Nelson Mandela's death, The-Dream felt compelled to make a song. "Black," and its found-footage video, is all about pride in self. However, as the lyrics and images may suggest, this record goes... Read more

April 30, 2014 Fresh, Video

NBA Bans L.A. Clippers Owner Donald Sterling For Life, Hip-Hop Artists React

Earlier today, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver announced a lifetime ban sanctioned against 30-plus-year owner of the Los Angeles Clippers, Donald Sterling. The streamed and televised press conference took place following a week where racist remarks from Sterling during a phone-called were leaked to website TMZ.com. Additionally, Sterling will be forced... Read more

April 29, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Macklemore & Ryan Lewis Win The 2014 Grammy Award For Rap Song & Album

Macklemore & Ryan Lewis have cause for some early celebration at Los Angeles, California's Staples Center. The Seattle, Washington pair's 2012 album The Heist won Rap Album Of The Year and their breakthrough hit "Thrift Shop" won Rap Song Of The Year. The wins were controversial when coupled with two... Read more

January 26, 2014 Fresh

Nas Speaks on Race on Anderson Cooper’s Race & Justice in America II (Video)

It's official. Nas has become the defacto representative of hip-hop excellence to the mainstream. After having a Harvard fellowship created in his name last week, he made an appearance on Anderson Cooper's special on Race & Justice in America last night to weigh in. Check out a brief clip below.... Read more

July 24, 2013 Video