Hazard's blog
Innovative or Overrated?
The mainstream infiltration of 'experimental' music acts such as Santogold, M.I.A, Spank Rock and most recently Yo Majesty certainly marks an interesting time for the stagnant music scene. Pushing the boundaries of popular music and defying classification with their collages of sound, incorporating various influences, dialects and styles. M.I.A and her ilk have become all the rage among critics and some musicians.
Urban Cinema
Over the years, Hip Hop culture has had somewhat of a rocky relationship with the world of cinema. While the financial benefit for studios and filmmakers has been steady for many years, the quality of some of the output and it’s accuracy in portraying not just Hip Hop music and culture, but also the life experiences of African-Americans, is certainly chequered.
Activism in Hip Hop
This grand culture of ours, more specifically the music element, was once compared to a woman by Common (back when he had the Sense, no diss) on I Still Love H.E.R.
Can You Dig It? – The Blaxploitation Era
Blaxploitation films. They mean many things to many different people, whether positive or negative. Regardless, you cannot deny the fact that the so-called Blaxploitation film genre was very much the first form of entertainment to gleefully celebrate the culture of African-Americans in what was, up to that point, a landscape dominated by squeaky clean Caucasian depictions of life and society in America.
Who Is Weng Weng?
While recently perusing the Planet Urban forums I was inspired by a very entertaining post titled Weng Weng Rap. What was contained inside that post is some of the greatest footage ever dedicated to film.
Hip Hop Police Are Listening…
It was just last year that Chamillionaire had a sizable hit with the single Hip Hop Police. However, the very notion that there is a special police taskforce that was put together to specifically target Hip Hop artists has been explored, reported and substantiated in some ways for over five years now.
Hip Hop on the Juice
Disclaimer: This piece is intended as a light-hearted look at a very serious issue. If any offense is taken, accept our apology. Eat s**t… oh sorry.
Say it isn’t so. The use of steroids and HGH (Human Growth Hormone) is apparently not just reserved for pro athletes, with several high profile recording artists being named in a recent report, as American law officials continue to crackdown on the sale and distribution of performance enhancing drugs.
The Melding Pot (part 5 of 5)
Happy holidays everybody, I hope you've enjoyed this journey through the history of Hip Hop's sub-genres. Five parts later, The ride is over, but there is still quite a bit of ground to be covered before we officially (w)rap up. Enjoy the conclusion to the Melding Pot!
The Melding Pot (part 4 of 5)
Yes indeed, It is time for the next installment of The Melding Pot, a look at the history of sub-genres within Hip Hop, covering the good, the bad and the ugly. Thanks for coming along for the ride. Let's back into it, shall we?
Acid Rap
The Melding Pot (part 3 of 5)
Welcome back folks, to this, the third part of this series of blogs looking at Hip Hop's sub-genres. So far we have had a look at the likes of New Jack Swing, Hip House and Christian Rap. Now it's time to move on,as we continue on our somewhat chronoligical journey. Buckle up and enjoy!
Fast Rap/Backwards Rap
