Zion I @ Hip Hop Kemp (Europe's Largest Hip Hop Fest!!)

In this day and time, the music festival has made a dramatic resurgence. This is evidenced from Rock the Bells to Coachella. The festival has become the new communique of a given society's taste and culture. At the end of this past August, we were blessed to be able to perform at Hip Hop Kemp in the Czech Republic. For those that don't know, it is now Europe's most acclaimed Hip Hop festival (having passed up Germany's "Splash Fest"). This year it was located in an old Czech Airport hangar. Sprawling across hills and carved out Earth, it was estimated that there were at least 20,000 in attendance.
We arrived after a horrible layover in Switzerland (trust me, its a whole 'nother story) with about 3 hours of sleep under our belts. Walking into the hotel lobby we said what's up to Roxanne Shante and Bahamadia. Roxanne Shante??! That's right, she's still holding it down after 20+ years with a psychology practice and the whole nine. After that, we slept for as long as we could (about 2 hours) before having to head over to Kemp. At the spot, we were surrounded with artists from the world over. Ranging from the Roots to the Perceptionists, the Hip Hop galaxy was in full and total effect. What's interesting about the festival is that the crowd doesn't seem to care if you're indie or major, as long as you rock. With that said, check the following footage. It gives some insight into the sheer magnitude of the event. This was our last song of the night, and the crowd was feeling it. Shout out to Vinroc for the footage and the edit (he dj'd for us while AmpLive was on his honeymoon in Mexico). I got a Birds Eye View...

Blacks Against Obama???

I was watching Current TV...and this clip jumped off the screen! It starts off with Obama doin his thing. Suddenly, you notice a rowdy buzz. Obama strains to feign indifference. But the buzz grows into a slow roar, and suddenly the camera pans up to signs that read "KKK"?? What kinda shit is this? Then, I see that these are black folks!? Now its just weird. Given...some of my folks have definitely expressed concern about what Obama will actually be able to change when he gets in. I hear that. But it just feels ackward to read signs saying "Obama is for the KKK". C'mawn man! I'm perplexed as to how a black man could ever rep that, no matter the point being made. I mean, I get what they're trying to say (though I don't agree), but damn?! Some would say that the Republicans paid these fools. At this point, who knows. Politics...makes me sick.

Remembering Bernie Mac

I know I'm a little late with this, but I had to pay proper respects to my man. The first time I saw him was on Def Comedy Jam and I immediately recognized his immaculate timing and authenticity. In my humble opinion, true comedians are natural, and Bernie Mac was no exception. He was one of those dudes who could say anything and have the whole room cracking up. Two of my favorite performances of his were Fridays, and Players Club. On Aug. 9th he died from pneumonia at the age of 50. Most of us didn't see it coming at all. This is in memory of one of our greats...