And ya don’t stop! So, last week on the Weekly Volcano’s Web site I mentioned DJs being the architects of this beautiful thing we call hip-hop — the foundation. So DJs … stop undercutting each other to get $50 gigs and refuse to get paid like sweatshop labor! Get ya weight up! ’Nuff said on that topic … for now.



Get this, Ice Cube comes to The Sound and T-Town’s represented — this is how it should be done. Jay Bars is getting his hustle on; after sharing the stage as Ice Cube’s opener along with Dyme Def of Seattle, Jay slid down to The O (Olympia for those who slept!) and played The China Clipper with Sarcosis, and I saw Strik & Krushal (formerly of Way Out Records) promoting the show on the block. Go hustlas! Speaking of The Clipper, catch The Real Life Click, SP, Kady Kane and some more guest appearances there this Saturday. Grindin’…



To add to the week in review — Olympia’s Hempfest, put together by Jeremy Miller and Turtle each August, was the place to be last weekend with dope performances from Khings, Ways of The Mind, Yirim, Devastator and Lacey’s Real Life Click (U.C., Fred Deizel and Ang P represented). Hip-hop lives! Part of the reason why is a young woman on the mic who writes, sings and raps — J. Ross-Parrelli (myspace.com/msparrelli) and her DJ, The Mighty Junebugg, ripped the stage and brought the ultra laid-back crowd to the stage with inspiration and positive soulful lyricism and delivery. Feed your mind with her new release, Soooul Full Mixed Jams — it’s crackin’!



Speaking of lyricism, when you get a chance, seek out the new release from The Tac-Town’s own Josh Rizeberg. Rizeberg’s debut, Spoken Worlds, displays the critically acclaimed spoken-word artist’s imaginative and metaphoric writing and dramatic delivery straight from The 253. The spoken word veteran stole the show at the Martin Luther King Jr. celebration at The Tacoma Dome a couple of years back and has been rockin’ microphones since then. He’s online — Google this cat and get an earful of lyrical dope from a son of Tacoma. Support your local MCs.



Tacoma legend, General Wojack is reportedly in Canada handling his business to put out his long-awaited and as yet untitled solo album. He recently entered the digital age and had his entire solo catalog put online for download — ’bout time, mayn!



Since part of hip-hop’s essence is paying respect to the ancestors and elders (although some choose to ignore this legacy), Free Ya Mind Entertainment’s Stella Haioulani is uplifting the hip-hop community one event at a time. With her final Friday of the month at Tully’s (Bostwick branch at 764 Broadway, downtown Tacoma) Haioulani has provided a powerful stage for spoken word artists since 2003. This Friday, Aug. 30, along with the regular platoon of spoken word talent, FYM presents World War II and Korean War veteran George Wada’s photography at 7 p.m. Wada, a mere 93-years-young, was born a Japanese-American, and he and his family endured the inhumane treatment of internment during his young adulthood. Wada will speak of his experiences as a young man in the military whose eyes were opened by the beauty and the people of Japan. His tour there began directly after the demolition and prompt reconstruction period of Japan from 1947-1951. Props to the FYM team for honoring those who withstood the hells created by man for the benefit of future generations! DOPE! A bit of education to go with your entertainment = EDUTAINMENT! Word to KRS-ONE.



Until next time, stay up; get ready for football season kicking off this weekend and by the way … whoever is in charge, bring back the Tacoma-based Grind & Hustle Clothing Company — the gear was fly and represented the attitude needed in The 25360!



Jose S. Gutierrez Jr. is an editor, writer and producer. A graduate from Washington State University, he writes and edits the Pacific Northwest section of OZONE Magazine and hosts and produces Live From I-5 Radio every Friday at 3 p.m. on KAOS 89.3 FM in Olympia. He writes a weekly hip-hop column in the music section on the Weekly Volcano’s Web site — weeklyvolcano.com.