Back After Ramadan

We will be back after the holy Islamic month of Ramadan. Just a small hiatus bare with us inshaAllah (God willing)

Throwback Thursday : Akrobatik

Check out today's throwback song Akrobatik - Remind My Soul

New Video by Havoc!

This joint is tough. Just press play.

Islamic Month of Ramadan? Hip Hop?

Islam? Hip Hop? what do the two have to do with each other? Great question.

To answer we go searching through the origins of Hip Hop where the only way to even hear Hip Hop was at your local park with only your local MC's in what is called a cipher.We've heard rappers like AZ say " Knowledge it completes the cipher.." and NaS with "..Cause only knowledge makes a cipher complete.." What is a cipher? According to Oxfords English Dictionary's first definition
noun
1a secret or disguised way of writing; a code:
he wrote cryptic notes in a cipher
[mass noun]:
the information may be given in cipher.

numerically speaking cipher came from the Frech word chiffre which means number or 0 which both originate from the Arabic word for zero which is ṣifr = zero. This is why ciphers are done in circles to represnet the number 0. The number 0 in earlier times represented infinity until the sideways figuire 8 replaced it. The circle shape of rhyming in a cipher represents infinite knowledge being given as Nas said "..Knowledge makes a cipher complete..". Although most rappers are not orthodox Sunni or Shi'te which technically does not make them Muslims, they have found Islamic teachings in 5% Percent teachings , Nation of God's and Earths , and The NOI. Many rappers in the late 80's and early 90's came from those branches. Such as Rakim, Capone-n-Noreaga, Tribe Called Quest, Tragedy Khadafi, Nas, AZ, Ice Cube, amongst others.Check out some of these lyrics.

"A lot of rules, some locked in solitude
Curse the day of they birth confused, who's to be praised?
The mighty dollar -- or almighty Allah" -Nas

"Might act up, but I still can pass dawa
I'm usin' new ways to try to reach these better days
Instead of tryin' to take you under I just make you wonder
I still fast, make salaat, and pay zakat
I didn't make Hajj yet, but that's my next project
Livin' two lives, one of turn and one with true lies
Keeping up hope knowing he's answering to my du'as." -The Roots

" But I praise the Lord of the world that's unseen,
respect me for that and let me do my thing.." - Q-Tip

"i'm headstrong, at peace with myself like Islam" -Prodigy

" it's 1 O-clock, making salaat, I catch Jumua'ah
lay down my towel, slide off my suede Pumas" -Tragedy Khadafi

"are you talkin' to me
I can't hear you with a mouth full of pig's feet
Thy shouldn't eat swine flesh.." -Ice Cube

"Much more than bowties and bean pies
Kickin' knowledge at 7-11
And they won't call me a nigga when I get to heaven" -Ice Cube

"What you know about, how God comes first in our lives
everything we do is for Allah" -Akon

" See Allah's got me back on my deen you cant
break me" -Stalley


Again, I repeat, technically most of these rappers are not Muslims regardless of them calling themselves so because they contradict the teachings of the Qu'ran. Loon, Napolean and Freeway, Akon are 4 which follow orthodox Islam, although 1 of them deviates. Check these videos.

R&B/Soul Pick : Sarah White

smooth doesnt begin to describe this song. I dope pick for a rainy night with your significant other. Keep up with Sarah White on her website www.sarahwhitemusic.com and on twitter @SarahWhiteBlack. Enjoy!

Lyrical Breakdown : Prodigy

On this track listen to poetry in motion as a 17 year old Prodigy describes the life of a thief. This track "If it's Alright" was off Mobb Deep's demo tape. Wow the days of demo tapes. Prodigy's verse begins at 3:20



It's alright with me if its alright with you
Big P representin' from the Queensbridge crew...

Don't ask why its just like that
I was brought up to live the wrong way
At night to God I pray
Will He let me breath another 24 hours of air
I really don't deserve it but really I don't care
From what I see. Whatever is, is meant to be
So until I drop, it's the crime life for me
Some might say I need help 'cuz the way I'm livin' is sick
I reply "mind your own before you be another vict"
Many years of corrupt shit, what will I end up with?
Nothing but a pocket full of memories of foul shit committed as a younsta
Grand larcenist slash petty theif, yo Ima make things brief
In my early years I was livin' fouler than most
Smile all up in your face, take your money, get ghost
It aint right, and I might regret it later that night
While I'll be laying in my bed holdin' my thoughts tight
Waking up early in the wee hours
do my thing correct so it don't lead to the penile
Cause fuck that shit,
I'd rather roam the streets freely planning pockets to get
Send you home hurt, crying broke, feeling upset
Don't take it personal I'm only trying to live
Tonight we're taking donations, so what you got to give?
The dirt underneath my fingernails got a story to tell of their own
All things are shown, aint nothing to hide
I speak the raw truth, uncooked
rewind my whole verse if there's anything you overlooked
'Cause I don't got time for your bullshit talk
It's niggas gettin' murdered in the streets of New York
So at the same time, I'm outside taking mine
Or taking yours 'til I hit the figures out the poor.

Local Events :Red Bull presents King Of The Rock Tournament

The basketball tournament sponsered by Red Bull will allow only the first 64 entries a chance to qualify. Standard basketball rules and regulations will apply, your best way to make it? Don't lose. Registration takes place at Jose Marti park at 5pm and the tournament will commence at 6pm on Saturday July 21st 2012. Those who make it through may see their way to the finals which will be played on Alcatraz Island. Music provided by DJ Epps and DJ Africa, as well as DJ Clark Kent for the after party which will be at Finnegans River. Jose Marti Park has an indoor basketball court, bring your A game.

Talib Kweli @ Set NightClub in South Beach

Talib will be hosting as the DJ for the night please come out and support hip hop South Florida! Also follow Talib @TalibKweli

TEAM USA

Nike releases new apparel for the USA Track and Field 2012 Olympic Team with more of a sleek vintage look. The Olympics are set to take place later this month in London. Grab your Nike USATF apparel at your nearest Nike, Sports Authority Dick's Sporting Goods or Modells.

Also just in time for the Olympics is the re-release of The Olympic Air Jordan VI's & VII's. The VI's will be released Saturday July 6th and the VII's on July 21st retailing around $150 each, excluding tax. Get in line early!

Air Jordan Olympic VI's

Air Jordan Olympic VII's