B'ham's Hip Hop Scene and Me

As much as I appreciate other music genres, I am still a fan of hip hop, particularly conscious hip hop. Few in Birmingham know that I was a percussionist in my high school band (Color Guard and Drum Major also). So naturally I'm into music that I can dance to, groove to or be moved by the messages of its lyrics.

Fortunately, I re-united with Patrick Johnson a.k.a S. Fly of Red Light District over a year and half ago. We were once employed by the same company. S. Fly is the first Birmingham hip hop artist that I was introduced to. Red Light District is an unforgettable group in my mind. I’ll always remember my favorite lines in one of their songs: “ I know a place where we can go, there’s nothin’ but love around, nothin’ but love around”. The track’s beat, the bass is so deep and melodic. It’s one of those songs that you just ride out to when you need to clear your head.

Since then, I’ve also met other Birmingham artists such as: Thed Weller, Byron the Aquarius, I.M.A.E, Poet John Paul, Shaheed, Supreme and Poet Shaun Judah. They performed at one of Birmingham’s most energizing and uplifting spoken word/live music events, The Latte Lounge: SpeakYoSoul Live! at Java and Jams coffee house . I saw Green Seed shut it down at the Bottletree a few years ago. I’m now a fan and really encourage each of these artists to continue to deliver the goods with sick beats and passionate messages about love, struggle, triumph, politics, friendships, foes and “things that make you go mmmhhh”.

Lastly, I think that Birmingham is filled with incredible talent. We can't forget about the ladies. The artists I’ve mentioned have all impressed me. Just as impressive is the female producer/singer/graphic artist Ms.BeatJunkie. She’s remixed tracks for artists abroad and here in the city. Her influences are cats like J.Dilla Flying Lotus, Pharcyde, Digable Planets and Sun Ra. You must experience her for yourself. She even freestyles and has a soulful, jazzy, “can sing just about anything” voice. She has her very own unique swag! You can listen to some of her beats at www.myspace.com/offbeatmusiq.

While you’re cruisin’ the web for hip hop, stop by djlovedeluxe.podomatic.com. This is my site. Yes, I’m making a really concerted effort to hone my dj skills. Stay tuned for the 69 Boyz/Flo Rida mashup. Not very conscious I know, but we all have our weaknesses! The SoulHeat mix on the site showcases some of my favorite conscious hip hop tracks and a remix by Birmingham's MsBeatJunkie. You know, it’s really cool to know personally some of the great hip hop artists and musicians in our city.

Thanks Bettina for the opportunity to share my thoughts on the Birmingham Hip Hop scene. I wish each of the artists mentioned much success in life and their careers.

Southern Winery

In a previous post, I wrote about attending a Japanese festival at Morgan Creek Winery in Harpersville. If you are a Birminghamian, you may have passed through Harpersville on the way to Rickwood Caverns, Still Waters Resort or to an Auburn game. I have been to a friend’s stable and to a wedding in Harpersville. I even saw a rainbow once.

So, is anyone still thinking to themselves, “A vineyard in Alabama? The Grapes of Wrath did not include Alabama to my knowledge. Nothing surprises me ever since I escaped from Buggy Top Cave in Tennessee and ended up in the only winery in Tennessee in the ‘90’s, but I digress. Perhaps I will share that story on another blog.

Anyway, what is southern about winemaking? I was accompanied by a friend from Minnesota by way of Chicago. As we were tasting wine, she asked, “What are muscadines?” Almost every wine was made from muscadines. I shared that they are grapes grown in the southeastern region of the country. The southern experience wasn’t soley based upon muscadine based wines or the use of familiar central Alabama images such as Vulcan and Red Mountain. The finale included a peach wine made from peaches harvested right here in Alabama.

Anytown, Anytown

Last night I had an unexpected encounter. Almost everyone in the room had an association with Anytown Alabama. Anytown is a prejudice reduction camp for high school students that was sponsored by the National Conference for Community and Justice. Most states had an Anytown, Metrotown or some version of the camp. Now that the NCCJ national office in New York is defunct and a number of other factors, the Birmingham office had to close its doors.

I have had an instant connection with people that were associated with Anytown. Anytown organizers were intentional in putting classes together of people from different races, faiths, ethnic groups, socioeconomic backgrounds and different parts of the state. It involved an intense week of delving into their souls and developing a lifelong bond with people who started as strangers.

So how can I spot an Anytowner? Usually, Anytowners have no problem stretching beyond boundaries of most of their peers. Their experience at camp made them face their prejudices in an open setting. The residual effect of this intense searching of the soul includes a new human being with a perspective on life that most people will never have.

So what am I talking about? Many people say, "I don't have any prejudices. I don't see color..." These statements are rarely tested. This attitude is self-reported. We never get to ask people who interact with them whether they behave in a manner contrary to their opinion about themselves. If Anytowners were in denial at the beginning of the week, they faced their prejudices and learned to overcome them. They were put through the test and passed it with flying colors.

In my world of training, we are doing well to get more than two hours with a group. In that amount of time, appealing to the affect is very difficult. Anytown offered 24 hour, round the clock, facilitated activities.

Next to my family and classmates, I would say Anytowners make up my close friends. The picture above is from my baby shower which was given by several Anytown Alumni, high school and college classmates and one military brat.

Back to the encounter on last night. When we found out that we were all involved in Anytown, we began to sing the theme song, Anytown, Anytown yellow, white, black, red or brown or something like that. We also did an energy check which was a series of claps that you have to hear to understand what I am saying. I was amazed that I could somewhat remember a song I learned in 1992. We went on to reminisce about our experiences. We will miss you Anytown, AL

Poetry and Music Festival at Malcolm's Meeting Room

Are you living under a rock and unaware of Birmingham's diverse culture? If I were still teaching African American Studies, this would be a required event. Birmingham's Civil Rights District is ALIVE!

Per a Facebook invitation from Sharrif Simmons: Enjoy a mix of music and poetry July 10 -12 at Malcolm's Reading Room featuring Def Jam Poet/Apollo Winner/Author Jessica Care Moore, The Sharrif Simmons Experiment, The Common Ground Collective, Sparlha Swa, S.Fly of Red Light District...Weekend/Daily Passes available at malcolmsreadingroom.com, Malcolm's Reading Room, Charlemagne Records, Greencup Books, Dreams Salon, and Matthew's Bar & Grill

Riverfest

As we moved down the boardwalk, we were met by contrasting images. A vendor was selling confederate flag paraphernalia while Beyonce's "All the Single Ladies" was blasting from a tent a few feet away. We eventually made it to the VIP tent where we ate BBQ to the sounds of the Marshall Tucker Band.

I have written on several occasions that a music festival--City Stages--drew me back to Alabama. Well, Riverfest in Gadsden, AL also made me feel proud to be southern and to live in Alabama.

If you check out the official Alabama Tourism site, Gadsden is located in the river region. I have made several trips to Gadsden over the years. When I was driving back home from Charlottesville, it marked the last hour of my trip. It is home to Top of the River--only THE best catfish in the country.

A friend mentioned the band lineup didn't seem to fit my musical taste. There was a local band at the beginning that we missed that played RnB. The Marshall Tucker Band was amazing to listen to live. Anyone who includes woodwinds in their lineup is alright with me. The guitar and bass solos were outstanding. I am not sure who was on electric guitar, but I might put him in the same league as Carlos Santana.

We took a walk along the Coosa River. Many Alabama landmarks retained Native American names. It was beautiful. Despite intermittent rainfall, the river was decorated with pontoons, speed boats and other water vehicles. There was even a one year old in his Pac n Play on one of the boats.

We made our way back to the tent that was blasting Beyonce earlier that night. You know the one near the confederate flag vendor? Walk It Out...A Two Step...Do the Stanky Leg...These young teens were workin' it out to the latest hip hop music. BTW-Most of the dancers were white.

Clogging Meets Hip Hop

I was so excited when I saw cloggers from Alabama on America's Best Dance Crew (ABDC). I love all forms of dance, but I have never tried clogging. Dynamic Addition, a group from Winfield, AL, was so talented. I was on my feet for just about every performance. It was amazing to see these performers and their success at incorporating hip hop into their moves. I really want to see them in person. Perhaps I will stop by their studio on my way to Memphis.

Alabama Germany Partnership Annual Dinner

The Alabama Germany Partnership is holding its Annual Dinner and Silent Auction on April 23
5:30 p.m. Reception 7:00 p.m. Dinner/Program at the Renaissance Montgomery Hotel & Spa at the Convention Center 201 Tallapoosa Street Montgomery, Alabama 36104

For more information, contact Trish Coghlan, to become a sponsor or for additional information
call 205-943-4772 or Email: irector@alabamagermany.org.

Fees for the dinner are: Members: Dinner $100 per person; $115 per person after April 8th. Non-Members $115 per person, $125