[DOCUMENTARY/MOVIE] URSULA RUCKER---POET

Ursula Rucker has been a huge influence on spoken word and poetry for the better part of two-plus decades.  Since first noticing her bless the conclusion of Do You Want More?!!?!! by The Roots (poem entitled "The Unlocking"), I have always placed her in the pantheon of spoken word artists (along with Saul Williams and jessica Care moore).  This docu-movie from 2008 should shed light on the beautiful artistry from this beautiful Illadelph soul.  Special shout out to Reelblack for putting this into motion and showing respect.

 

Twitter:  @urucker

Youtube:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wz3aSii9iJI&feature=youtu.be

 

 

[NEW MUSIC] JAVIER STARKS --- INDIGO CHILD: "D"-EITY (ALL EARS)

Here is a new release from DC-based artist Javier Starks. This is a dope dedication to Dilla, as JS blesses productions from the late, great producer. You can cop this joint via Bandcamp: https://jstarks.bandcamp.com/album/indigo-child-d-eity-all-ears.

[OFFICIAL LYRIC VIDEO] PRHYME (ROYCE DA 5'9" AND DJ PREMIER) --- "MODE"

Enjoy this PRhyme (@Prhyme_Official) cut with Logic (@Logic301).  This inventive lyric video was directed by Lanfia Wal (@LanfiaWal), and it does an excellent job of melding visuals with the seven minutes of funky Hip Hop with Preem, Nickel-Nine and Young Sinatra.  This gives another meaning to
"beast mode" on the real. 

 

 

 

[VIDEO] ROYCE DA 5'9" --- "TABERNACLE"

Royce da 5'9" is set to release another project, Layers, April 15th.  This go round will be a solo effort for Mr. Montgomery (after the VERY critically-acclaimed PRhyme with DJ Premier).  "Tabernacle" is one of those songs that shows the true depth of a top-tier emcee.  Watch the video and listen to the dopeness and emotion evoked with the lyricism.  All I can say is kudos to Royce.  He is truly getting his roses while he is still here on this planet.  Definitely not wishing any ill will, far from it.  I just want our comrades to get their just due while they can appreciate it.  Salute!

 

BEATS...RHYMES...PHIFE

 

Son.  Husband.  Father.  Sports aficionado.  Emcee.  Everyman.  Phife Dawg touched each and every one of us as Hip Hop fans worldwide.  His sudden and unexpected passing affected me immensely.  I consider myself one of the hugest supporters of Native Tongues and Tribe (peep the blog name:  WISDOM SEEKER---BEATS, RHYMES, LIFE).  I've had the opportunity to see ATCQ perform 4 times over the years (it should be five if I wouldn't have encountered the worst traffic in my existence on US Highway 29 trying to get to Merriweather Post Pavilion August 29th, 2010 for Rock The Bells).  When Tribe was on their farewell tour in '98, I witnessed an excellent show for "The Love Movement", and was introduced to Slum Village and the genius of one Jay Dee, more commonly known as J Dilla in later years.  I remember Phife rockin' the dope Len Bias jersey during a performance at Artscape in Baltimore years ago.  Phife always repped that sports aesthetic when he performed in a specific market.  That was the everyman attitude that he carried.  He identified with the listener, and the listener was brought into the Five-Foot Assassin's world.  I can go on and on about the music, the legacy, the memories, as we all can.  Each of us has something that will lead back to Tribe, to Phife, but it will not bring him back in the physical.  45 is just too young to leave this earthly plane, but we never know when The Most High will call us home, so we have to live each day to the fullest.  Malik Taylor is (and I say that in the present tense) only a few months younger than myself, so his passing (along with Sean Price less than a year earlier) truly brings mortality for my generation to the forefront.  We are components of one of the, if not THE, biggest cultural phenomenon globally.  Hip Hop.

 

 

I want to say more much, but I will be rambling more than anything else.  The passing of Phife is still very fresh in my mind.  Finding out via social media (which is commonplace in today's technologically-savvy environment) while I was enthralled watching The Art Of Organized Noize documentary late Monday night.  This will be one of those moments in time that I will immediately identify as a "where were you" moment.  I went from heights of pleasure watching Organized Noize in all their musical glory to the depths of sadness upon confirmation of Phife passing away.  Sending deepest condolences to the family and friends of Phife.  He is truly loved and revered worldwide.  Through his music, his energy, his everyday attitude, he will remain with us forever.  Beats.  Rhymes.  Phife.