I am at the Democratic Convention right now, witnessing a panel about Hip Hop and politics featuring Michael Eric Dyson.

The past month has been buzzing with talk about Hip Hop and Politics. I have been attending any and all events relating to Hip Hop and politics.

Right now, the panelists are talking about how the Hip Hop community is far more engaged in politics than you would think. So it was suggested that you really research what is going on and be the change yourself. At Rock the Bells, I was able to connect with people like Dead Prez, Method Man, and was moved by NAS, Mos Def, and Immortal Technique etc.

Dyson just spoke about Rock the Bells, and NAS' assertion that, "Hip Hop is dead," noting how Talib asked if Hip Hop was dead on his first album. He states "The announcement of death is the precursor of resurrection. The irony of it all is that he said Hip Hop is dead on a Hip Hop album!"


Here are a few photos from Rock the Bells Denver:

From Bugs Bunny to Pac Man (Rock The Bells 08)

Rock the bells was hot, real hot. I feel like if I was alone in that heat I would have been seeing the wavy mirages Bugs Bunny experiences whenever he’s in the desert. I would have been drinking sand milk shakes from imaginary diner stools like the classic cartoon caricature did in his day (shout out to Daffy). My main issue with the day was my trouble with the yellow shirted event staff at the venue. I would try to get back stage with my press pass and they would say “you can’t go this way.” I would say there is no other way to go! They would say, “ Well, grow wings kid.” If you don’t know let me tell you, its really hard to convince someone you’re a reporter and belong some place when you look like a punk kid in a fitted cap and tight jeans, so good old ingenuity and dumb luck comes in handy. I met a nice young lady who worked for Rock The Vote a couple years back that now works for Rock the Bells that really stuck her neck out for me to get this little purple bracelet that allowed me to get past all the mean people in yellow shirts just like Pac Man does with the ghosts on his way to the tasty digital bananas and cherries (Yessssss). In my case the tasty bananas came in the form comfy couches, an open bar, and tiny white castle-like burgers behind the main stage.

Though none of the artists would give me the time of day when I asked for interviews, they were happy to pose for pictures- after putting down their bottles of Patron of course.

Many artists had something to say in their set about politics from Tyga remixing Lil Wayne’s “A milli” with a song called “Obama” to Dead Prez talking between songs about how people shouldn’t be so quick to jump behind any candidate.

I have to say the press bigwigs with their huge camera and kaki shorts were a bit frustrating to deal with; they got all the interviews and ate most of the tiny burgers (Lame).

But despite the yellow shirts, the lack of interviews, and the impolite press people I still got to see an amazing hip hop show! And you will hear no complaints from this small fish.

DonnY-