Wow ... how mad is that?

So another outdoor music fest has come and gone that being Bonnaroo. It's almost like another awards show being over and Kanye did not receive an award ... yep, you guessed it - someone is mad as all get out! That someone is Kanye.

And here's a little of the backstory.

Recognize Exhibit @ the National Portrait Gallery in D.C.

So I'm vacationing in the nation's capital. I visit the district w/some frequency since I have family and lots of friends that live in the area. Sometimes, I check out the cultural scene, but often I don't have the time.

But on this trip, I did get a chance to see a great deal. I had heard about the "Recognize" Exhibit, but the person who mentioned it to me did not seem so impressed. So now you are thinking that I was impressed, and I will say that I really enjoyed it! It was a small exhibit, considering the size of the museum, but I'll take it.

What was there to like about it? Everything. There were still photos of the hip hop icons like KRS-One as well as SuperNatural and DJs Shadow and Cut Chemist and my boy ?uesto from The Roots; there was paintings of LL Cool J and Ice Cube; there was a mixed media piece that paid tribute to some of the fallen hip hoppers like Biggie, Lisa "Left-eye" Lopez and others; a poem by Nikki Giovanni; some film shorts set to hip hop music and several graffiti murals. The website has images of nearly everything that is in the exhibit (in the event that you can't get there, but would like to see how hip hop fits into the major museum scene).

The artists behind the exhibit are incredible. I went w/a friend who is a true art connoisseur. And he gave me the back story on most of the artists especially Kehinde Wiley, whose talent is exceptional. I truly love David Scheinbaum's photography; I could look at it for hours. Just the kind of photographer that captures so much in an image. And who knew that so many hip hop artists make a stop in the Sunshine Theater in New Mexico.

Good stuff ... if you get a chance to see it, definitely take it in. It's there until October 26, 2008 ... and it's free and I know you are down w/that price tag hip hoppers! Get your culture on, kfox.

Nas

So there has been a little bit of hype about Nas' latest project. Well there was a name change for the project. But due to technology, there have been leaks of material as it relates to the project.

Check out the vid, but caution is you are not a fan of the 'N' word.

We Should be Dancing ... Yeah!

Hip hop has been around for a while now. It's a culture. Ingrained in the culture is the music, of course as well as the apparel, the lingo, the art, the lyrics as well as the dancing.

A dance reality TV show might be the least expensive type of TV show to produce. At this point, what network doesn't have a dance reality TV show? Okay, so not everyone has bought into the formula - yet. But had that writer's strike continued for another month - oh, the possibilities.

But it's not just dance, but there on many of the dance shows, hip hop dancing plays a major role. That is certainly the case w/MTV's "America's Best Dance Crews".

Generally speaking, it's awesome exposure. I've often gawked while saying 'what the hell' meaning I am in awe of the moves that the dancers make; their creativity is sometimes mind boggling, for me at least.

So pick a show, a reality TV dance show and be a gawker - like me. Oh, and here is the best part about reality TV, if you miss a week, no fear, that very same episode is bound to repeat and repeat and repeat - appointment viewing no more.

Got some moves hip hoppers, kfox.

RZA: Man of a Thousand Titles

This is not new news. No. But here it is anyway. I did mention a few posts ago that Bobby Digital is hittin the road. Folks in the know, know that BD is RZA's alter ego. Nice.

RZA manages to keep himself a bit busy these days. The Wu member is also jumpin into the eBusiness world - creating an online chess website. That's cool.

On top of that, RZA has a couple of movies on the horizon (didn't you like his bit part in "American Gangster"?).

I am just giving you a dash of info. There's an article in the New York Times - oh, and there's a vid embedded in the article. Get w/it hip hoppers or it's checkmate. kfox.

Now Try "Workin It"

So I just thought I'd put you on to Del's vid for "Workin It". It's kinda cool.

Yeah, hip hoppers, work it ... kfox.

Gettin Down w/Del

Del The Funky Homosapien is at it again. Having been on the hip hop scene for a number of years, he has major flows and smooth beats to match.

I've only caught a glimpse of a few tracks some of which are on his MySpace page. Now "Eleventh Hour" is not a new project, I am just slow to get w/it.

Hip hoppers ... you stay ahead and I'll keep keepin up, kfox.

Brother Ali & Atmosphere on Tour ...

... this is both good and bad news, but mostly bad news, that is if you are stateside. You see, this tour starts and ends in international territories.

Brother Ali is hyping his "Undisputed Truth" disk, while Atmosphere pimps "When Life Gives Your Lemons, Paint that @$#* Gold". I'm down w/the Brother Ali disk, but I have yet to hear the entire Atmosphere project; sinful, I know.

"The 3 The Hard Way Tour" features those two and an assortment of others depending on the date ... but you'll be missing out on the likes of Pharoahe Monch, Kidz In The Hall, Kool Keith and more.

There is some good news though. If you are Jones-n for some Rhymesayers action, then peep their YouTube Channel.

The Green Album

This is a cool project. I've only heard the promo and leaked tracks. But good stuff. Totally worthy of you diggin it, just like me.

Nice lyrical skill, fun, upbeat ... I caught the Pharcyde "Passin Me By" Remix - you can't really go wrong w/that.

More good music - Shaya

Audible Treats sent me a link to another goodie. They hipped me to K'naan and now it's Shaya. You can check out his flow on his MySpace page.

The one that I am diggin is "Thinking Cap". It starts off as the bonafide classic by Teddy Pendergrass - almost lost me there since I am not a fan of slow jams. But I was multitasking and could not immediately dump the track ... about 20 seconds or so in, they switched up the beat, still the "Turn off the Lights" music, but w/a twist. Nice storytellin too.

Get down wit it hip hoppers - it's a nice laid back flow, just like the summer. kfox.