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This video had me so angry when i first watched it. Its basically American Marines opening fire and killing over 12 INNOCENT reporters from Reuters. This video was released through Wikileaks by the Freedom of Information Act. The military denied any wrong doing. YOU JUDGE FOR YOURSELF!

This event was by far one of the sickest shows/events I’ve been to in a while.
From all the great upcoming artist to the Hip Hop legend KRS One,it was an amazing experience.
Shout outs to Nomadic Wax for the invite and much respect to all the artist who showed up.
Here’s a clip of the free style session.

http://www.facebook.com/#!/video/video.php?v=111593022207045&ref=mf

So here’s an interview done by a real chill bretheren named Jason, . We spent about an hour on Skype talking bout the do’s and dont’s in Hip Hop. Where Hip Hop came from and where its heading and a load of otherr interesting views facts and opinions. This interview is based on our Latest mixtape, Full Spectrum Vol.2 -Power Music……………….. Read away

Rah Zemos – Old to the New

Ra – Egyptian Sun God, progenitor of eleven Pharoahs bearing his name: Ramses, born of the Sun God.

Baron Zemo – B-list Marvel Comics supervillain who showed briefly in the ‘60s to taunt Captain America, then killed off a year after his introduction.

Ramzi Mokdad – Ram-Zi, Rah Z, Rah Zemos – has an antipodal rap alias, marrying noble ambitions with a supervillain alter ego. He tells me he’s “Raw material, a king – somebody who’s a leader, not a follower.” But his name hints of aspirations to artistic complication: “I have my pure and righteous side, but we all have that alter ego… that darker side.”

As I listen to him talk on hip-hop, I wonder where that diabolical side rests: Rah’s purist agenda seems ingenuously straightforward. He founded an independent record label, Nocturnalight, in 2004 to “shin[e] the light where it’s darkest” and, when asked to clarify, he identifies hip-hop culture’s drifting from its foundation as the root cause of that darkness: “Selling out to the music industry, calling women bitches, all about drugs… B-boys, DJ’s, MC’s, graffiti. Rarely do you see these elements used in popular music…. they sold out. They didn’t stick to the roots of what hip-hop was all about.”

Our discussion reminds me of the early-2000’s, when the progressive zeitgeist of indie hip-hop was less Drake and Kid CuDi and more a bunch of dudes standing around in hoodies and non-designer jeans, talking about bringing the underground back. “Conscious rap”. Then, labels’ independence – Rawkus, Rhymesayers, Anticon, Def Jux – was touted by purists as a clear philosophical choice (Def Jux’s slogan: “Independent as Fuck”), and hip-hop heads seemed more vocal about bringing rap “back to its roots” than rationalizing the latest regional trend (remember crunk?).

But in 2010, nearly a decade removed from the turn-of-the-century scene, Jay Electronica (buddy-buddy to Rawkus mainstays Mos Def and Talib Kweli) stops by Youtube to big up Soulja Boy, and one-time major label soldier Freeway drops an album on Rhymesayers, with a guest appearance from Cash Money boss Baby. Jay-Z opens the Glastonbury festival backed by DJ Neil Armstrong, and Kanye West’s concert show looks more Cirque du Soleil than Rock Steady Crew.

Is this cultural drift – and is it negative? Rah would say so – “if I go to a show, and there’s a DJ and an emcee, some B-boys and a graffiti artist, that’s the most hip-hop show you’re ever going to go to…. if you don’t have all the elements of the culture, you’re not maximizing the potential of what your culture is.”

Rah has the experience to back up his aggressive cultural rhetoric: born to Lebanese parents on vacation in LA and raised in Saudi Arabia, he attended high school in Quebec, spending his adult life in New York and Toronto. He knows exactly what his Arab heritage brings him – “We’re the ones who are targeted, they’re watching what we’re up to – we’re the new minority… being an Arab and a lyricist is a big thing for me, the music’s big to me, because it’s my way to talk about these things.”

Rah embraces his distinct heritage, despite the persecution it can bring, and I wonder if this factors into his disdain for sell-outs – “they’re scared to really be themselves… That’s why Public Enemy said, don’t believe the hype…. When you put enough hype behind something, you could put out the worst product in the world and people will say, ‘wow, yeah, it’s pretty tight.’” When asked about who he does respect in the industry, he pauses for a long moment before throwing out KRS-One – “kept it real to the point where he hasn’t let the dark side corrupt him” – and, after prompting, Killah Priest, both not just for their cultural authenticity but also the positivity of their messages.

Positivity is a word that Rah often returns to – beyond artistic content, it’s his guiding principle: “My overall goal is to be as best a teacher and role model I can for our youth and adults alike.” His critique of artists who drift too far from hip-hop’s foundation is grounded in how he defines that foundation: “it’s all about positive and negative. Are you going to do something that has a positive impact, or negative?” Rah leaves no room in hip-hop for technical excellence without morality: either you are a fake or, worse, a sellout; or you are helping the audience towards unity and positivity.

Show and Prove is important in hip-hop – if you want respect, you have to earn it – and if Rah is outspoken in his criticism of other figures, at least he backs it up in his day-to-day grind. Ramzi Mokdad hustles 9-to-5 in the nonprofit world, with an outfit called Plan Canada, a sponsorship organization providing youths in underprivileged communities with food, medical care, and education. Nocturnalight Records is also active in bringing awareness of social issues to the forefront, organizing designers, artists, graffiti writers, and producers to hold workshops and get involved with the youth.

But how’s the music? On paper, Rah could come off as preachy and heavy-handed – and as much as he brings to mind the early-2000s Rawkus camp, there are good reasons that Rawkus’ presence on the scene faded around 2004, bought out by larger labels. And the best of intentions – saving the youth, bringing positivity to the hood – can be overshadowed by wack beats, stiff [||] rhymes, and an awkward flow.

Rah’s latest project is Volume 2 of his Full Spectrum mixtape series, released through Nocturnalight Records. While he generally shies away from associating himself with too many other artists, Rah does embrace a small circle of emcees on this project, and it’s obvious from the start that he respects them highly – the album intro finds Rah spitting, weaving the names and track titles of the other rappers together into a 2-minute track. A lot of mixtapes these days can feel thrown-together, with artists phoning in verses separately from one another and a DJ sequencing a passionless project together – but Rah notes, “More than separate artists, I wanted this to reflect a collective movement… these artists, I did the research on them, they’re handpicked, I felt they’d collaborate well together.” More than a promotional project, the Full Spectrum tape is supposed to be a “personal, mental, spiritual collaboration” – not just about demonstrating skill, but about showing off likeminded personalities.

The vibe of the whole tape is what I expected, given Rah’s background and passion for the fundamentals of hip-hop. The emcees he’s gathered together complement one another well – and, given the milieu of his adopted country and his diverse background, it’s not a surprise when emcees spit in a dizzying array of English, French, and Arabic. This fits in with his explicit aim for the project – when asked about the title of the tape, he responds, “It’s a tropical mix, a multicultural mix of emcees from all over the place – different backgrounds, different types of music, but all with a unified purpose. All their music is good – it’s proactive, it’s productive. So the full spectrum is kind of like the full spectrum of light, but also of cultures, religions, and races. So the Full Spectrum mixtapes are gonna feature different artists from all over the world. On this volume, we have 13 different cities and 4 different continents, 20 different artists.”

The overall effort has a distinct air of throwback rap, but the diversity of languages and cultures represented, along with solid production, make it the kind of album I wouldn’t mind walking down the street with in a chill autumnal twilight, or on an otherwise drowsy plane ride. It’s not a revolutionary album – but I don’t think it’s supposed to be. After all, his rhetoric is that of a hip-hop fundamentalist. So, maybe the best compliment that I can pay Rah’s music is that it is evolutionary: taking the substance of hip-hop’s golden era and bringing it one step forward. It’s not a game-changing record, but a solid, diverse, mature project. This might not be the brand of hip-hop that sets sales charts on fire, but the fact that emcees like Rah and the other Full Spectrum artists are still making music like this, over 30 years after the birth of hip-hop, may be the best compliment to the culture’s foundations.

You can download music and read more about Rah Zemos and Nocturnalight Records at Nocturnalight.com or at his blog.

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_BN4ZXOEWfDQ/StfsLUpEnTI/AAAAAAAAAFs/uBD6MLbus5U/S660/originalfullspecvol2editedfront.jpg

The Battle of the Bands show in Montreal was amazing. !st off congratulations to Temple of Life for making the finals @ Club Soda in March. Check out the vid, it was an sick night.

Heres a clip of the performance @ The Hard Rock Cafe in Toronto. Temple of Life was truly a class act and killed the show. Much respect for putting me up. Check out the vid. We made it to the finals!!!

What a night! Flooded by chill people, performing amongst hundreds of students and staff from different places of the world and wrecking an after party with party goers that wont leave the dance floor. It was a night to remember for sure. Big up to The International Student Society, my manager and hommie ziggy, who turned 28 this weekend, and all the people who were there and who performed. Shout outs to Kebran,and his crew,Dj Kamakazi,Abood(my camera dude)and Mansupra.

Here’s the show we did last night Nov.10.09. It was great performing with Temple of Life again.These guys have so much energy, you can see Leo(bassist)is in the zone, and Michael(Singer) and Nomy(Guitar) are in there own realm while Bassam(drums)could be on Mars and he wouldnt realize it. What im saying is these guys are dedicated. They got what it takes to make good music and make a crowd explode.

This song is a cover by Madcon called Beggin’ but i came with my own rhymes.

Here’s the vid from last nights show with Temple of Life. Big up to this crew, they’re really making it happen in Toronto and Montreal. I was fortunate enough to land a few shows with these guys and its a blast. Sorry bout the video quality…

Here’s my opinion, H1N1 is a fuckin’ scam by our power hungry governments. They want us to flock like sheep at the first sign of trouble.They want to scare you!! Dont believe the propaganda that their feeding us. Money is the motive behind this State of Emergency that they are calling upon us. The medical companies are making their money, the governments are gaining their power, and the masses are being fooled and controlled. If Obama hasn’t given his kids the flu shot, than while the hell should i be so scared to go and get one. Just know, that everything is not as it seems when it comes to these kind of things. I put a video of Ron Paul talking about this so-called “epidemic.” As well, if your thinking about going to get the flu shot, there’s another video of a cheerleader who took it, and see what happened to her.

Unknown Mizery is one of the homies Ive known since way back in the days when i was still working hard on the Rah-Ohms movement. I met him at Under Pressure in Montreal in about 2005-2006. Right off the bat I noticed a vindictive lion with fierce rhymes engulfing various topics. Right than i was like “hell yeah” this is the kind of MC I can respect. Not only does he kick that globally conscious shit, but he does it on some heavy beats.Hailing from Toronto, Mizery has had untold media coverage over the years and has been associated in various panel discussions from Hip Hop to Africville, a community housing Africans that was turned into a park. His latest video Empty Bucket is pretty much a work of art that should not be slept on, to put it lightly. So, I decided to share it with ya’ll, enjoy.

Faso Kombat is from Ouagadougou, the capital city of Burkina Faso, located in West Africa. These intellectuals bring a movement of unity, stuggle Hip Hop and all thats in between. With beats inspired by the sounds of East Coast Hip Hop and Jamaican Dancehall, this two-man wrecking crew have been active in the music scene since 1994. Their track on Full Spectrum Vol.2, Diament et Miroir is a mixture of Singing with rap, on a charming beat that will keep the hardest gangster vibing. Check out the video to Diament et Miroir

Eyezon was born in South Africa and moved to America at a young age. He has worked with several MC’s and producers and has even wrotethe hook for one of J.Ross Parrelli’s records. Eyezons track on Full Spectrum vol.2, Tears of the Sun, sounds like a mix of some old Wu shit mixed with the lyrical depth of Nas. All together, Eyezon is for sure one of the unsigned hype that the world should be tunning into. For all ya’ll who are in San Francisco, Cali, go check the hommie performing on Nov.13. Here’s something to marinate on for a little.

Lord Hold Me

EYEZON | MySpace Video

Born in Saudi Arabia and raised in Washington D.C, this Syrian-American, Mc/Producer, has an echoing truth in all his lyrics. Rhyming in Arabic and English, Omar is able to diffuse any types of misconceptions when it comes to rhyming about politics,community,Hip Hop or just displaying his lyrical ability. Living in California, Offendum has been working on his latest solo album called “SyriamericanA” which is scheduled for release Fall of 2009, which is soon, so keep your ears open. Omar has been featured on several media outlets such as BBC, Yahoo, ABC News, Aljazeera, Reuters and more. Featured on the track with The Narcicyst,Mountain,Omar kills the 1st verse with some top shelf lyrics, peep the hommie in action. I’m really feeling the flow on this vid

Iraqi-born rapper The Narcicyst is truely a pioneer in this new age Hip Hop industry. With his new album out, Illuminarcy, Narcy has been all over the world lately promoting his album and video called P.H.A.T.W.A. If you dont know this MC/Journalist, you better ask somebody for real. His track on Full Spectrum Vol.2, “Mountain” featuring fellow artist, Omar Offendum, is a smooth compilation of sick rhymes to a beat that makes you wanna float out to space. He touches every topic you can think of from Islamaphobia,Arab Discrimination, and not to mention what some might think he’s best known for, his remix of “ARAB MONEY”, which got the attention of even Busta Rhymes.
All in all this guy is on the way to the top, the question is not “IF” it’s “When.”

check out P.H.A.T.W.A

So this guy is what you would call, fully equipped. Razor sharp rhymes, fluid style, and more than enough of a track record to whoa, your average head. Mario Murray aka The RealVoyce is a Toronto MC i met not too long ago while i was situating myself in Toronto, and I had the chance to briefly meet and talk with him at a show we both were performing at. Real down to Earth brother and definitely one to share and spread the love, seeing as he was the one who put me up on the show. Make sure you dont sleep on this MC, he’s gaurenteed to be taking it to the top.

Go to his blogspot @ praiseandwarship
check out one of his videos

Born in Pikine, Senegal(suburbs of Dakar) this Senegalese Mc breaks boundaries taking Hip Hop into his own realm. Nomila has been all over the rap seen in Dakar, collaborating with 4 different crews before launching his solo career.In 2004 he participated in the album «Bale Perdue» the most popular album released by the Hardcore crew PINAL GANG, and also in an album by Intersection a group from Netherlands.Master Nomila is signed with Nomadicwax a New York independent Label. Be on the look out for this young lion.

check out one of his vids

Im gonna be blogging away for the next 15 or so blogs strictly on the artists that participated in Full Spectrum Vol.2 and wanted to start it off with Italian Hip Hop Crew Zero Plastica consisting of Nio and Luré. Although I don’t understand what they’re saying, I definitely dig the flow and the beats. They got rhythm in the rhymes and are talking some real shit for sure. I’ve had the chance to speak with Nio over the past month or so whenever we get a chance and this guy is a down brother. Real respectful, polite, and humble. He broke down the whole concept of what “Zero Plastica” means and it’s pretty self explanatory even if you don’t speak Italian. Zero Plastica translates to Zero Plastic, in other words, 0% artificial, 100% real, no games, no gimmicks. Nothing but that raw uncut truth. The track they submitted on the mixtape is called Sotto Attacco which means Under Attack. The version on Full Spectrum vol.2 is a remix but the lyrics are the same.
Check the video

WARNING SOME GRAPHIC MATERIAL

Ever spent lots of money and time just to waste money and time. Trust me ive been through this with a lot of Graphic Designers who claimed to “know” what they’re doing.
Well, im happy to let you all know that I have the solution to your Graphic Design needs. www.mansupra.com. Not only was this designer working on my site from A-Z without blinking his eyes, but he was extremely attentive towards all the details that make a professional website. When he finished, he made any and all updates i asked for immediately, including linking all my other sites such as facebook, myspace, twitter,etc to my website. Main point, if you want someone to make a website for yourself or your business in a professional, timely manner without the overpriced quotas, than hit this dude up.

GET GREAT SERVICE HERE

What????!! did i hear that right. Obama won a Nobel Peace Prize? yeah o.k. People work their entire lives to win this prize and Obama just swipes it and hasn’t even done a year in office yet. Corporate living. Shit, next thing you know he’ll get a grammy, golden globe and be nominated for MTV’s best president. Here’s his speech and even he’s surprised that he won it. Listen to how he starts it off.

I had to take it back to the old school for a minute. Naughty by Nature bringing that rugged sound. I remember i used to watch this video over and over when i was a young blood. Hope you enjoy it as much as I have.

This is a sick Israeli Group called Hermetico, music is the binding point for future generations to unite. Arabs and Israeli’s should just go to a concert like this and snap back into life for a minute. IF only if were that easy!!
Enjoy the video, its a hype concert

Peace,
Full Spectrum Vol.2 is now ready for Free download. This mixtape features some of the sickest artists you’ve ever heard…TRUST ME, its been the soundtrack to my life for the past month. Not only does it feature a cocktail of multicultural and internationally known artists, but all these musicians are preaching some real revolution. This is a classic album your definitely going to be banging to for a while. The musicality ranges from fast paced “get in your face” beats to chanting and song, to deep roots Hip Hop that will take you back to what we call “REAL.”

HERES THE LINK
http://www.nocturnalight.com/musicportal/FullSpectrumVol2.html

First off, BIG UP to my main hommie Monk E. If you dont know who this artist is. YOU BETTER DO SOME RESEARCH. This Montreal Native is one of the most talented individuals to ever grace the Mic or, a can of spray paint for that matter. Monk.E has been Graffing his art all over Montreal and the world and has participated at several events exposing his artwork and his lyrical talent. This Album cover was a piece that Monk.E has donated for Full Spectrum Vol.2 and we’re proud to say, ITS OFF THE HOOK! 1 LOVE MONK. E

www.monk-e.burnemall.com
www.monk-e.ca

Full spectrum will be available for free download by this weekend and will feature some of the greatest upcoming artists.

You will be able to download it @ www.nocturnalight.com

Zakir Naik at a Symposium about Al Qaida and the Media. I only added the the question and answer section. If your interested, watch the whole thing. Some very good points are made and its really a mind opening discussion.

Gotta’ know your past, to know where your future lies. Here are some more of the hommie Zig’s video’s. RRRRRREEEEESSSSSPPPPPEEECCCCTTTT!!!

Racial Diffusion

Opera 2008

Big up to my man Zig Zow who put together this video for me a while ago. This is a video that i cant get enough of and the track is just fire. WARNING GRAPHIC IMAGES, NOT FOR THE LIGHT HEARTED!!!!

Just when i thought the Hip Hop world couldn’t get anymore grim. Another soldier falls.. leaving everyone in disbelief. Disk Jockey Roc Raida,(the xectuioners, Busta’s Dj) Passed away today, September 19. If you don’t know who Roc is, do some research. This is definitely one of the sickest DJ’s to ever grace the turntables, and one of the most inspirational “trick DJ’s” that has ever made it. He will be missed and never forgotten.

Here’s a tribute video to the hommie Raida

Wasup,
so im writing this blog for my homeboy Magee McIlvaine, better known as Dj Magee. He’s part of many movements such as Nomadic Wax, Sol-productions, Magee Films, and the list goes on. He’s a ridiculously sick Video producer/editer and has put together some of the hottest underground hip hop videos and urban documentaries raising the bar for all productions companies and video producers alike. Nuff said, watch and vibe.

www.nomadicwax.com
www.mageefilms.com

Promo Trailer

On the real, Kanye is just like the rest of those loose celebrities that think they can say whatever they want, whenever they want, just cuz they have fame to lean on. After all being said and done, and Kanye realizing that those were no cheers but utter boo’s, he decides to come back with some half ass’d apology and crocodile tears on Jay Leno to save whats left of his weak career and the person he is. Just take a look at Kramer.

Watch this bullissshhhhh.

So just when i thought i couldnt hate Kanye West’s egotistical attitude and whack style more than i already do, he pulls this shit on Taylor Swift at the VMA’s to be a frikin show boat.You’ll see that even Beyonce is like “what the F**k is he doing?”

WATCH THE VID IF YOU HAVENT ALREADY!

Check out one of my favorite Islamic public speakers. Dr. Zakir Naik, this man breaks it down for my atheist brothers and sisters. He has some amazing points and if you dig deeper about this scholar, you’ll find he’s a very knowledgeable man.

Wasup my peeps,
So i went out tonight to go check the Kardinal show at the Exhibition in T.Dot and got some good vids of the show(only posted one though), but more than that, I got an exclusive up close and REAL PERSONAL interview with the boy Lindo P. Check it out, my man is talking revolution!

THE PERFORMANCE

LINDO P. BREAKIN DOWN A REVOLUTION OF MIND

The title says it all. These are the kind of tracks i grew up listening to. I have to say, i wish Hip Hop still sounded like this. Sick Beats, Sick Rhymes, Sick flows, the whole nine. Nowadays, all you hear is some real Commercial, mainstream, blood diamond, fake, wannabe gangsta, talkin bout gats i never held, whack shit. Sorry ya’ll but it’s for real. Hip Hop is not in control of itself anymore. It’s up to the real revolutionaries to take our artform and culture back to the way its supposed to be. Listen to the artists on this vide and see what im talkin about.

Those who know me well, know that 911 was an inside job! 911 was an inside job!!911 was an inside job!! For real, everyone better wake up and smell the humus. The government dont give a Uff about you me or anything other than there political agendas.

Krs One breaks it down on the Alex Jones radio show and is on some straight up truthful shit about the American government, 9/11, the Bush and Obama Admininstations and on and on and on.