 By Nico Colombant
Malabo, Equatorial Guinea
15 May 2008
A young man in has decided to start rapping in English to fight against what he sees as an unjust and corrupt government in his oil-rich country. Watchdog groups often rank Equatorial Guinea at the bottom of indexes on worldwide corruption. The rapper, who calls himself Ali-G, is one of the few voices of dissent in a country tightly controlled by the government and security forces. VOA's Nico Colombant reports from Malabo.
"People are living horrible, you know. I am saying, it is terrible. This country is tasteless. But you know the rules man. You are going to get suffer."
Ali-G does some freestyle rap as he gives a tour of his neighborhood called San Valentin.
Water comes from the sky here and not taps, and has made roads very muddy. Ali-G feels the same about his country's government. "It could be better if the government is changed and they bring new people with new ideas, young people. I mean, people who think straight; people who fly straight; people who understand what is success, who know God. Once you fear God, you bring in success, but once you do not fear God, you bring in wrong deeds and evil minded people, corrupt people," he said.
President Teodoro Obiang Nguema took power in a coup in 1979. In recent parliamentary elections, his party won 99 out of 100 seats. The results surprised some as opposition rallies had been well attended by students and unemployed.
But Ali-G says there is no freedom of choice. "The man is a dictator, so when you talk, if you do not want to vote, it is a problem. He could write your name down and give you no job. That is the problem. One thing about the government is all the family is into it. Everybody is in the government, themselves, the brothers, the cousins, a tribe in the same particular government. They do not want to give the rest chances. They want to take all the chances. So that is it. All the youth are angry," he said.
The president says he guarantees stability, protects the country against foreign control, and builds roads both on the main island and the mainland which make up sub-Saharan Africa's third oil producer. But there are no opposition newspapers here. Many opposition activists end up in jail or exiled, sometimes dead. State television panders to the president. People are afraid to even say his name.
Ali-G says he gives concerts in Malabo from time to time, and that he gets away with what he does, because, he says, authorities have no idea of what he is saying.
"With my lyrics I do think I have freedom of speech, I can express myself. They do not understand what I am saying. So that is why I can kick it up. If they knew what I was saying, they could rip me up. Because my lyrics are good. My friends like me, the street likes me, the boys in the neighborhood like me," he said.
But Ali-G does not make much money from rapping.
He studied for a few years in South Africa to get a computer degree, but quit when his money ran out. He says, anyway, degrees do not mean much in Equatorial Guinea where people have to pay to get jobs.
Ali-G says he wants to change his rapper name, since now the British actor with the same name has gotten famous.
He likes to mimic American gangster rap culture. But instead of using hard drugs and guns like some gangster rappers, he explains, he makes do with cough syrup and knives which he keeps by his bed. "It is like cough syrup and all that, because of the dust and everything here. So when you take it, you sleep and just feel free. And these are my knives. Anybody wants to come steal me, I get him in his neck, Taleban-style. That is why I keep these. They are kind of sharp though. I do not have guns. I could have brought so many guns into this country. But you cannot do that. He [the president] will not allow that," he said.
Ali-G ends the visit with another bit of freestyle rapping. "Because everybody here do not love people man. They are haters. So when you got something shining, they are all too quick to send you to the cemetery. I am talking about this in the radio. So if you are listening to me, this is Ali-G speaking, straight from Malabo City. Please, please, please, do something to the government man. I do not believe in the government too, so let us do something good you know. That is what I am saying, so peace out," he said.
Source: www.voanews.com/english/2008-05-15-voa70.cfm
 Hip-hop at the Apollo Grammy Award winning violinist Miri Ben-Ari takes stage at New York's legendary Apollo Theater as part of Big Apple's salute to Israel's 60th birthday Ynetnews Published: 05.29.08, 09:27 / Israel Culture
The Israeli Consulate in New York staged a unique performance at the city's Apollo Theater Tuesday, celebrating Israel's 60th birthday. The main event: A concert headed by Grammy Award winning hip-hop violinist Miri Ben-Ari, who preformed with the Big Apple's most famous gospel choirs.
The evening was sponsored by the Gedenk Movement, a humanitarian group founded by Ben-Ari that is dedicated to promoting youth education about anti-Semitism and the Jewish Holocaust, and by the Foundation for Ethnic Tolerance, which was founded by Rabbi Marc Schneier and philanthropist Russell Simmons.
Ben-Ari won a Grammy in 2004 for her collaboration with American rap artist Kanye West on the hit "Jesus Walks", thus becoming the first Israeli performer to be awarded the prestigious prize.
"This is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the friendship between Israel and the African-American community in the United States," said Ben-Ari.
"We are excited to bring the African-American community and its Israeli counterpart together to prove that music can be the catalyst to understanding and cooperation. We hope this evening will spell the beginning of a cultural change," Assaf Shariv, Israel's consul general in New York, told Ynet.
Hip-hop at the Apollo Grammy Award winning violinist Miri Ben-Ari takes stage at New York's legendary Apollo Theater as part of Big Apple's salute to Israel's 60th birthday Ynetnews Published: 05.29.08, 09:27 / Israel Culture
The Israeli Consulate in New York staged a unique performance at the city's Apollo Theater Tuesday, celebrating Israel's 60th birthday. The main event: A concert headed by Grammy Award winning hip-hop violinist Miri Ben-Ari, who preformed with the Big Apple's most famous gospel choirs.
The evening was sponsored by the Gedenk Movement, a humanitarian group founded by Ben-Ari that is dedicated to promoting youth education about anti-Semitism and the Jewish Holocaust, and by the Foundation for Ethnic Tolerance, which was founded by Rabbi Marc Schneier and philanthropist Russell Simmons.
Ben-Ari won a Grammy in 2004 for her collaboration with American rap artist Kanye West on the hit "Jesus Walks", thus becoming the first Israeli performer to be awarded the prestigious prize.
"This is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the friendship between Israel and the African-American community in the United States," said Ben-Ari.
"We are excited to bring the African-American community and its Israeli counterpart together to prove that music can be the catalyst to understanding and cooperation. We hope this evening will spell the beginning of a cultural change," Assaf Shariv, Israel's consul general in New York, told Ynet.
David Saranga, the consulate's Consul for Media and Public Affairs, added that "we wanted to introduce the African-American community to Israel; to send a message of kinship. This is the first time an Israeli group organized an event specifically with the African-American community in mind."
The concert is just one of a series of events organized in the city in honor of Israel's 60th Independence Day. Another major event includes giant billboards in Times Square, featuring various celebrities – the likes of Robin Williams, Billy Crystal, Brooke Shields and Tom Cruise, to name a few – wishing Israel a happy 60th.
Source:http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3549123,00.html
Rocking the Apollo (Photo: Shachar Azran)
 Human rights and freedom of the press in China, the detention of terrorist suspects by the United States and Russia's treatment of political dissent are the focus of scrutiny in Amnesty International's annual report, released Wednesday, which looks at the state of human rights around the world.
The 398-page report comes 60 years after the United Nations adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and Amnesty says governments still need to act on their promises.
"The biggest threat to the future of human rights is the absence of a shared vision and collective leadership," the organization said in a statement.
Irene Khan, Amnesty's secretary-general, said that in particular, "the human-rights flash points in Darfur, Zimbabwe, Gaza, Iraq and Myanmar demand immediate attention."
The report, the group said, "reveals a world riven by inequality, scarred by discrimination and distorted by political repression."
According to its count, people are tortured or subject to other ill treatment in at least 81 countries, face unfair trials in at least 54 countries and are not allowed to express themselves freely in at least 77 countries.
The DC government spent nearly $800,000 removing graffiti in 2007, but this year there's $100,000 in the city budget to HELP graffiti artists produce murals - legally.
The city is embracing some young DC artists in hopes of curbing illegal graffiti-- but do graffiti artists want to be part of the establishment?
Source: http://current.com/items/88983684_legalizing_graffiti
 Winner will Appear on Lisa "Left Eye" Lopes 2008' Collectors Album
Atlanta, GA – (May 27, 2008) Left Eye's UNI Studios and Emancipated Talent announce their Worldwide "Summer Star Search Showcase" for un-signed artists only. Auditions open from June 21, 2008 - August 9, 2008. All groups, solo artists and bands in all genres of music can enter via YouTube or live at Left Eye's UNI Studios, located at 587 Ralph McGill Boulevard, NE, Atlanta, GA, 30312.
The Summer Star Search Showcase is a highly competitive event that will give talent a clear understanding of the hard work, uniqueness and professionalism that are the basic attributes of music industry success.
The Showcase runs June 21st - August 9th. Must be 16 years or older to enter. The final 12 "Live" entries, along with the top 10 "YouTube" entries, will be chosen and judged by an exclusive panel of Celebrities & Industry Professionals. Contestants must pre-register online at www.summerstarsearch.com, limited registrations will be accepted.
Contestants do not have to be present to participate. Registrants outside of the United States may register to submit an online video via YouTube. Once your fee has been received, the video will be viewed and contestants will be immediately entered into the selection process. Registration Fee Applies.
Online Video Submission Contestants names will be added to the website with video footage of selective performances. At the end of the 8th week, the final 10 will be chosen and posted on the website.
The Showcase Winner will receive:
•
An Exclusive Guest Artist spot on Lisa "Left Eye" Lopes "Collectors" Album, being released late 2008.'
•
Artist Development by R&B Superstar T-Boz of TLC
•
One Year Management Contract with Emancipated Talent (www.emancipatedtalent.com)
•
Three - Five song demo package professionally recorded at UNI Studios (www.unimusicstudios.com)
•
Professional Media Kit by TLAPR Agency, LLC (www.tlapr.com)
The winner's package will be shopped to major and indie labels with worldwide distribution, including digital downloads. The First and Second Runner up will receive 1st Runner Up: $1000.00, 2nd Runner Up: $500.00.
Left Eye's UNI Studios
The late Lisa "Left Eye Lopes created UNI Studios in 1998. Her goal was to have a high-end studio in her house, to record her first Solo Album. She designed her studio around Sony's DMX R100. It is the "Baby Oxford" of digital mixing consoles. Lisa recorded numerous songs in her studio, set to be released late 2008.'
Lisa's family decided to open this wonderful studio to the public at affordable rates. With an array of new equipment, software upgrades, Pro Tools HD 2, the fast and powerful Apple Mac Pro computer and a beautiful dance/rehearsal room, UNI Studios is more powerful than ever. It is destined to be a favorite amongst recording artists and performers.
Emancipated Talent
Emancipated Talent is a full service entertainment company that specializes and focuses on personal management and consulting. Our management division provides honest and earnest career advice, guidance and nurturing to our client. From musicians, commercial and theatrical artists to athletes, we represent the best in quality professionals and are selective in creating alliances. Our clients include Faith Evans, Ashanti, Charlie Murphy, Ginuwine, Keith Sweat, to name a few.
Contact info@summerstarsearch.com or visit summerstarsearch.com, for contest details. For media inquiries contact Tafia L. Allah-Pringle, TLAR Agency, LLC at 202.575.7774 or tafia@tlapr.com.
Left Eye's UNI Studios
587 Ralph McGill Boulevard
Atlanta, Georgia 30312
Contact Person:
Ronald Lopes or Tafia L. Allah-Pringle
General Manager or Publicist
Phone: 404.389.0085
email: email
Web: http://www.summerstarsearch.com
 Elzhi has announced that a follow up to his recent tour cd will be dropping soon. The new project will be titled "The Prologue".
Elzhi's original myspace blog post:
New Project (The Prologue)
"What up doe I know some of you may have heard the CD that I took on tour with me that I put together for Europe. Well I just wanted everyone to know that final versions of everything that's on it (and more) will be out real soon to buy. So to all my people that's holding me down, hold tight for ya mans its coming and let's keep this real hip hop alive."
Direct from http://www.myspace.com/therealakrobatik
"Oh my God. Most of you guys know that I work for a commercial radio station. So, like it or not I am exposed to all of the "hip-hop" that is currently dominating the airwaves. Now, normally I just sit back and watch wackness take place; complaining about it gets old (especially since for some reason people who are not rich immediately accuse you of "hating" if you are critical of someone who is rich. After all, they are getting their money, how can you "hate"?). But not this time. I gotta speak.
Roger Troutman is the earliest memory I have of someone using the Vocoder voice modulator in order to get that effect that T-Pain always has on his voice. In the last couple of weeks, I have heard Lil Wayne, Snoop, Yung Berg, Beyonce, 50 Cent and G-Unit, and more all jumping on the voice modulation bandwagon. I'm calling it out - WORST. GIMMICK. EVER. It was wack when Cher brought it back, even wacker when Janet brought it back. What's happening now is ri-god-damn-diculous.
The fact that people have to reach so deep into the gimmick bag to try to make hits is pathetic. What's even more pathetic is this monkey-see monkey-do shit that causes everyone to jump on the same bullshit gimmick at the same moment in history. If the vocoder in rap and R&B was so hot, why is it just now, 30 years after Zapp and Roger, that people are deciding at the same time that it's the shit? It's simple, muthafuckas are having such a hard time staying relevant that once one artist finds a gimmick that works, all the other guys who don't wanna be left behind jump on the shit too.
It reminds me of when everyone was doing the Das Efx "miggity-diggity" style. Everyone bit that shit, myself included. My excuse is that I was a just-getting-started high school student trying to rap.
What is these people's excuse?
I read an article in this week's Improper Bostonian proclaiming that the biggest problem in today's hip-hop music and music in general is the blatant lack of creativity. They couldn't be more right. Just as I've written this blog, I've heard four consecutive songs at the station where I work that all used the Vocoder gimmick. It's so corny that it's laughable. It's so crazy to me that in this day and age the music consumer still falls for the same hook and ladder every time. Or maybe it's because every year there is a new batch of 16 year old girls that think juvenile 30 year olds are hot. I dunno. Either way, we are in a dark, dark, dark, dark, dark, dark era in music.
I'm about to tour Brazil, where people are really anxious to see me perform, and have been bumpin my music for a while. There's no vocoder, no flashy jewelry, no thug posing, no half-naked hoes letting me pour champagne on them, yet somehow what I do is appreciated there and in many other parts of the world simply for what I like to think it is - good music. Many of the artists I respect and work with can say the same thing, and will probably also tell you that people in the States are more sheltered than we are willing to admit about the music we listen to, food we eat, information we absorb, etc.
Gimmicks come and go in music, especially rap. There was that moment when everyone was doing double-time raps, and now there is the post-industry collapse loverboy thug (which I ain't totally mad at - at least they put the guns down). This voice modulation gimmick is so dominant in commercial music though, that it is making the entire current batch of pop professionals look like some serious hacks. I just wanna hear one of these guys say "hey I just did it because everyone else was, I don't really give a fuck whether it's good or not".
C'mon Fiddy, step up!
Anyway, I gave up on a massive hip-hop fan revolt against wackness a long time ago. It's not happening. People take what's handed to them because that's what's easiest. So we know who is gonna be in control of the ears of young America for the foreseeable future...
I mean, if there is anyone who thinks this vocoder shit is anything short of pitiful, please, by all means step in and speak your mind. I never think that my opinion is the only one that matters, and I will eat my hat if you can convince me that this is not the WORST. GIMMICK. EVER!!
Peace and Guidance
A to the MF K
R.I.P.
Camu Tao - An artist with actual talent and creativity!
PS - I am not discrediting anyone's talents or abilities, just naming some people who used this tired gimmick recently. Just facts."
http://www.myspace.com/therealakrobatik
 After much anticipation and two years of working on separate projects and new music, Eyedea & Abilities start their 6 show tour tonight on their East Coast follow up, "Appetite for Distraction" tour. This will be the first time they have played the majority of these cities since their "E&A" album in 2004!
5.28 - Philadelphia, PA @ Barbary Saloon
5.29 - New York, NY @ Knitting Factory
5.30 - Providence, RI @ Living Room
5.31 - Allston, MA @ Harper's Ferry
6.01 - Burlington, VT @ Higher Ground
For complete show details check out:
RSE Events
myspace.com/eyedeaandabilities
A quiet revolution is taking place in Kenyan slums. Driven by need to bring about social change, various youth in slums within Nairobi, the capital city, have coalesced under the banner, Hip-Hop parliament.
Kenyan slums or ghettos are commonly a haven of social problems ranging from poverty, unemployment, insecurity, to disease and poor housing. It's also in these slums where the effects of the economic burden of the runaway inflation in Kenya, are being felt most. Some of these effects include escalating costs of food and basic commodities. Despite these facts, most government policies, being intrinsically national, are ineffective in improving the squalor, that slum dwellers find themselves in. With these challenges in mind, the Hip-Hop parliament is seeking to publicize the problems of this very poor and vulnerable, with an aim to alleviate or eradicate them altogether.
It has borrowed its modus operandi from the Kenyan parliament whereby each slum has a representative, elected by its constituents. He (she) then takes over the role of articulating his (her) constituent's agenda, when the parliament convenes. However, unlike most Kenyan politicians, these unique members of parliament identify with social and economic deprivation on a first hand basis having dwelt in these slums most or all their lives and hence their genuine desire for change.
Already, the parliament's community advocacy and organizing efforts are lending credibility to community based solutions to regular and simply intractable slum problems. It's also opening up space for the slum dwellers, their activists and other parties interested in promoting social and economic justice.
Earlier this year, during the post election crisis, the Hip-Hop parliament facilitated a retreat where 'MP's' from these ghettos held a stop-the-violence themed workshop. Products from this workshop included works of art such as drama; poetry and rap songs all laced with messages of peace and directed at their youth peers. (It's notable that unemployed youth formed majority of the perpetrators of the recently witnessed post election violence). A peace petition was also signed and presented to former UN Chief Kofi Anan, who mediated the peace deal that gave birth to the current grand-coalition government.
This distinctive parliament is also doing an enviable job of updating slum dwellers on various governmental initiatives and policy deliberations that have a direct and immediate effect on them. Critics might dismiss these youth's initiative as insignificant, but all the same this is a critical step towards empowering and giving youth in slums a voice.
Source: Davey D
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Your nimbit account is a comprehensive sales, distribution and promotion solution.You can sell your music and merch directly from your site and using our direct sales tools and/or through our network of third party online retailers. You can track all of your sales to identify key distribution, marketing and promotional opportunities. nimbit also offers Web hosting and design, and sophisticated Web solutions, including e-mail, calendar and fan management tools. In addition, we offer other key services such as CD replication, radio promotion and mastering, directly or through trusted partners. A complete description of our products is here.
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