Event today! Grind 4 da Green Eco-Music Festival!

In the Bay Area? Check out Grind For The Green's Eco-Music Festival TODAY From 10-2pm At San Francisco State's Downtown Campus 835 Market St.

The event will feature a solar powered concert and M1 of Dead Prez will be the Keynote speaker. Oh yeah and did I mention the event is FREE!

For more information visit: Grindforthegreen.com

Also Check out this video promo for the event.

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BRAZILIAN ECO-HIP HOP : ESQUECIMENTO TOTAL

via nomadicwax.com

Research on eco-hip hop, brought me to this dope video from the Brazilian group Esquecimiento Total. We're all aware that Brazil's environmental justice fight is a deep history that's lasted generations - similar to the rest of Latin America, and really the Third World, at that, Brazil's fights have pitted state/corporate interests against the survival of indigenous communities and their culture & lifestyle for decades. A lot of times we see global warming injustices framed as rich country vs. poor, but we can't forget the battles communities around the world are fighting within their own borders. Check out our gritty-city series to read about similar battles right here at home in the US!

And, if you're interested in global conscious hip hop, check out www.nomadicwax.com - a fresh website coming out of Senegal that follows conscious hip hop around the world.

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Lunch time Music Review: Dead Prez Pulse of the People

A couple weeks ago Checktheweather.net hit you with the exclusive interview with Dead Prez to discuss their new album and the green movement. Today we want to give you our exclusive review of the infamous hip-hop duo's latest album Pulse of the People: Turn of the Radio Vol. 3.

We caught up with one of the realest album reviewers, Snife the Free Radical. Snife is an Atlanta based artist, architect and blipster (black hipster) and we checked with him to ask the question, "Are you feeling the new Dead Prez album?"

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By Snife the Free Radical

Dead Prez is an acquired taste. They are too real for radio and due to that, I doubt they ever become mainstream. Honestly, its probably better that way. Everything ain’t for everybody. Their debut single and best known song “Hip Hop” was ahead of its time. They could rerelease that song right now and not only would it be extra relevant of today’s rap, it would still sound good.

Pulse of the People is an album you put on when you’re ready for action. If you weren’t charged up at the beginning of the day, by the time you get to the third song you ready to fight, protest, or stand for something! Simple and plain, the album starts hard. It is aggressive, while being socially and intellectually entertaining.

Dead Prez is exceptionally good at picking features that relate to their typically militant subject matter. Previous albums have seen the likes of Jay-Z and Krayzie Bone to name a few. Apparently, more folks can relate to the struggle than one would think. This time around is Bun B who lays down a stellar verse, on “Don’t Hate My Grind”. And Styles P fittingly joins forces on “Gangsta, Gangster”.

Its refreshing to hear hip hop with content and actual themes.

The album slows, as Dead Prez collaborate on lighter subjects, like living in New York, on “NYPD”, “Summer Time” and even getting some… on “My Dirty Valentine”.

Lyrically, you know what you’re going to get with Dead Prez. In the past, sometimes those lyrics have gotten lost in lackluster beats. DJ Green Lantern produced this album and makes it’s a lot better to listen to musically.

Pulse of the People is a good album. It’s probably not something you can listen to all the time. The DP’s are possibly too heavy to listen to before going out to the club. But if your boss is getting on your nerves or you just got harassed by the police, turn this up and indulge. Just don’t hurt nobody. I’m out.

- Snife the Free Radical

Check out a track from their new Album here:

AFR - DP

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New Music Tuesday: Dead Prez Goes Green for the People

Last week, Checktheweather.net got the opportunity to sit down with legendary rap duo, Dead Prez. You may remember them from songs like "It's Bigger Than Hip-Hop" and "Mind Sex". The dynamic Florida raised, Brooklyn based duo are back again with their latest album The Pulse of the People: Turn off the Radio Vol. 3. During our conversation with M1, we discussed the concept behind Pulse of the People and what makes it a "Green" Hip-hop album.

CTW:What was the concept behind The Pulse of People, What kind of vibe can listener's expect?

M1: we wanted to catch history being made at a moment we wanted to catch it from every angle. It is a checking of the pulse of the people at this time From Feel good songs, to hood songs, to Africa.


CTW: What are some of your favorite songs on the Album?

M1: I really love the Africa Hot song.The chorus is hot and on the hook we got people speaking in arabic and swahili. I also like Warpath we rap from the identity of police officers who murder and continue to murder Africans in our community it's like a rock song. Another song was Summertime, really like the vibe.


CTW: What makes this album a "Green" Album?

M1: Green in many ways not only are we using this as a way to know more about ourselves the concept of green in this country has not been made totally for the african community that's why we make songs like healthy. We also printed the album on recycled paper and included 5 hood reasons to "Go Green". 1 of the main reasons being because it's healthy. The album was also produced by our comrade DJ Green Lantern.


CTW: Where do you see this Green Movement going for people of color around the world?

M1:Well at this time I think we have to translate it. It should hit you from a emotional standpoint. But also from an economic aspect African people have to get on and see it as a way of economic development. Also how it relates to our general health that's why we die so soon. We have to really make it relevant because we are the ones being hurt the most. We need to use this as a way to open up avenues and make it work for working class people.

(editor's note: CTW had more questions but M1 had to dip to finish filming Dead Prez's new video which is sure to drop SOON. Check back with us soon for the update on this story)

Wanna hear a couple songs from the Album? Check it out below. Also visit Deadprez.com to buy the album and official Boss Up Merchandise.

Dead Prez Pulse of the People Teaser

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Eco-Jam of the Day and More on the Oprah Chicken Chaos

Fried Chicken - Nas

Thought this would be an appropriate song in honor of Queen O giving out free chicken from KFC. Even if you don't like KFC something about Oprah and free made you go print that coupon off yesterday. (Don't lie I got one too.)

Katie Leslie, reporter with the The Atlanta Journal-Constitution writes, "With a name like Oprah, this chicken has to be good." That must have been the sentiment of Kentucky Fried Chicken when it decided to partner up with the Media Goddess to promote their new Grilled Chicken meals. The promotional website unthinkkfc.com states that the new grilled chicken has a "five star fall off the bone taste." Health advocates are excited about the new meals because they are another less fattening fast food option.

Folk struggling from this ongoing recession praised the coupons and the complimentary meal of two pieces of chicken, two sides and a biscuit. Unfortunately, the overwhelming demand for the free deal left many unsatisfied. Fox News in New York City's website myfoxny.com,quoted one blogger as saying, "Nice gesture since I am unemployed and a free dinner would have been nice. I could not download the coupon." Myfoxny.com also reported on a possible sit-in at the KFC on 42nd street in Manhattan. Gothamist.com blogger wrote to the station,"I went over to our nearest KFC a few minutes ago...and chaos ensued. Despite the very visible grilled chicken behind the register, the manager told everyone with coupons to leave and that the promotion was over for the day. The people there are currently holding a sit-in and refusing to leave until they get their free chicken...or the cops are called. Racial epithets were being spewed, people who actually wanted to pay for chicken were facing a potential beatdown, and the manager ran from the screaming horde. Oprah, what have ye wrought?" The Grilled Chicken meal at KFC normally sells for $3.99.

This is not the first incident of chicken related chaos. Popeyes Chicken also offered 8 pieces of chicken for $4.99. On April 23, 2009 ABC 13 in Rochester NY reported of chicken shortages at various popeyes in the area. Watch this quick clip to see what I'm talking about.

(Check for racism: How come the news piece only interviewed Black customers of Popeyes? hmm...)

Kandaka Long of Denver, Colorado wonders, "between Popeye's 8 piece deal and this KFC coupon..where in the world is all this chicken coming from recently?!?!?". Long's thoughts are similar to that of many food justice and animal rights advocacy groups like PETA. The PETA supported website Kentuckyfriedcruelty.com has been campaigning and reporting on Tyson's Chicken and KFC supplier factories where genetically mutated and abused chicken are slaughtered for consumption by KFC customers. Check this video out courtesy of Kentucky Fried Cruelty featuring Pamela Anderson.



Let us know what do you think the deal is with the chicken deal? and checktheweather.net daily for information on food justice and all the ways Generation Y-Not? are redefining Green.

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Hip-Hop Howls for a New Age Political Stance on SXSW Mixtape

Hip-Howls SXSW 2009 mixtape, hosted by indie Hip-hop Artists Crosby and Miz Metro highlights some of the great hip-hop acts at the legendary 2009 South by Southwest Music Festival in Austin, Texas. The best part, the sound of Generation Y-not Hip-Hop is one of change, positivity and throwing down the chains of the record label pre-packaged messages and imaging. Many of the songs on the mixtape highlight issues of gentrification, media images, social justice and violence in our community. The mixtape can now be downloaded for free on Hiphophowl.com. You can also listen to the mixtape right here on Checktheweather.net!

Big Shots out to A.pinks (track 4 "Held me Down") Fellow Howard U Alum and part of Generation Y-not!

Hip-Hop HOWL! "SXSW TAKE OVER" Mixtape

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