The New World of Ghostwriting

The New World of Ghostwriting

http://www.ballerstatus.com/2010/02/16/the-new-world-of-ghostwriting

Nas, Damian Marley Gather Rap Legends For Debate

Nas and Damian “Jr. Gong” Marley have teamed with National Geographic and V-Tech to present the “Distant Relatives” panel debate in Washington, DC next month. The “Distant Relatives” panel debate will feature DJ Kool Herc, DJ Red Alert, dance hall legend Daddy U-Roy , Jeff Chang, Rakim and King Jammy. The discussion will be moderated by radio personality/MTV host Sway Calloway. The event, which is being filmed for a documentary, will explore the origins of Hip-Hop in addition to the global impact the genre of music has had around the world. For those who cannot attend the actual event, the discussion will also be streamed live and broadcast via National Geographic’s natgeomusic.net website. An after party and open-mic show at DC nightclub Zanzibar will take place following the discussion. Nas and Damian Marley’s “Distant Relatives” panel is slated to take place at National Geographic's Grosvenor Auditorium on December 12.

For the full story or to comment log on: http://www.allhiphop.com/stories/news/archive/2009/11/18/22034016.aspx

Kevin Powell's Book Release Party

The Buzz International Group and Soft Skull Press
invite you to

KEVIN POWELL’s
Book Release Party
for OPEN LETTERS TO AMERICA
(his 10th book: 3 provocative essays
on America in the era of Barack Obama)
and a celebration of
Kevin’s 25 years of activism

Hosted by SWAY CALLOWAY of MTV
Music by DJ HERBERT (of the FREEDOM PARTY)

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2009
7:00pm - 10:00pm
Green Carpet at 7pm-8pm

THE CANAL ROOM
285 West Broadway
(corner of Canal Street)
NEW YORK CITY

RSVP to The Buzz International Group
at rsvp@buzzig.com or call 212.360.0399

KRS-One interview about 'Gospel of Hip Hop'

School Teacher & Journalist Drops Book Exploring Effect Hip-Hop Has On Teens

http://www.ballerstatus.com/2009/10/02/school-teacher-journalist-drops-book-exploring-effect-hip-hop-has-on-teens/

Amanda's Ray, by noted hip-hop journalist and NYC public high school teacher Tachelle Shamash Wilkes, explores the effects of hip-hop on teens through the eyes of Amanda Ray, a 16-year-old aspiring lyricist from Brownsville, Brooklyn.

In the new book, readers will immediately compare the protagonist: Kendra Star's struggles to those of currently incarcerated hip-hop artist, Remy Ma. Tachelle doesn't deny the connection and notes that Remy Ma's struggles made her become more sympathetic to the challenges faced by many popular hip-hop artists.

"Remy was my muse," Wilkes tells BallerStatus.com. "I didn't realize all of the crazy things she went through as a child. There was a time when I was writing for The Source magazine that I was hard on rappers without knowing their past. Many of these rappers are not brought up right and our kids follow them blindly."

As a teacher Tachelle has seen both the positive and negative effects that hip-hop can have on youth. Tachelle believes that the book highlights the fact that so many young people are being raised by hip-hop, and therefore the music has a responsibility to the community.

"I think there is a great lesson to be taught concerning Remy's incarceration and Amanda's Ray explores how the lyrics as well as the lives of rappers directly affect our children," she said.

But Tachelle's book does not just point the finger at hip-hop. Instead, she delves deeper into the socioeconomic, mental and emotional issues that affect the lives of many teens in disadvantaged communities. As a teacher, she has taught students who lived in shelters, were victims of abuse and more. The common thread she found was that all of her students needed consistent attention and care from their parents and an opportunity to be successful.

"Parents need to be tuned into with what their children are listening to," she says. "Kids need unconditional love and boundaries. Parents can't just sit their kids in front of a TV when they should be checking their children's homework each night. If their children are having difficulties in school then parents must search for resolutions, so that young people can make better decisions. We also need to bring the community back. Parents, teachers, neighbors and hip-hop artists need to work together so that we can prepare our kids for brighter futures."

So, not only does Tachelle have a powerful novel, she also has a mission to make a positive impact in the hip-hop community one reader at a time.

Tachelle's next stop on her promotional book tour is Friday (October 2), where she'll be stopping by the Le Grand Dakar Restaurant on 285 Grand Avenue in Brooklyn, NY.

The event starts at 7 PM and ends at midnight. For more information, people should contact: thehuffreport@aol.com.

Hip Hip Leadership DVD by KRS-One

http://blogs.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.view&friendId=26136870&blogId=495617289

New Video: Mr. J Medeiros - Constance

Check out my full album:http://www.mrjmedeiros.com/

Constance is a story about a girl in the Philippines victimized by Human Trafficking. It was directed by Sam Sanchez of Stick Productions in 2006. Special thanks to Nakeism Labs. It has spread like wildfire via YouTube, and has inspired an international human rights movement called the "Constance Campaign." Mr. J spearheaded the movement and has partnered with Non-Profit's like IamComing.org, XXXChurch, and HumanTrafficking.org. In May 2007, Constance was featured on CBS Evening News in an expose' on internet pornography