We have hit the apex of the holiday season, and like Freeway said, “The stomach’s rumble.”  Hip-Hoppas and community members in the 25360 are standing up and being counted this Saturday, Dec. 6, at The China Clipper in Olympia for the third annual Hip-Hop for The Homeless Benefit.  I have been glad to take part in this event since 2002, where it began in Vancouver, British Columbia, before the lineup was formed — but now the lineup is dope.  Pacific Northwest pioneers Criminal Nation are there with General Wojack, Knucklehead and Baldy Loc as well as Pomona, California OG, Kokane, Boston-repping female MC Asliani, Reggae/Dancehall standout Alex Duncan and yours truly, Luvva J, hosting the show with comedian Pierre. Good to see people up on it!

Speaking of people up on it: E-40, The Ballatician aka The Ambassador of The Yay aka Charlie Hustle aka E-40 Fonzarelli has dropped another heater with The Ball Street Journal.  A lot of people are on the indie tip and consider 40 Water mainstream. I say thee nay to that.  Now, I don’t care if he signs with Clive Davis, Michael Jackson and Madonna in a package deal — E-40 is the independent hustler of our time.  One track on Ball Street begins with his saying that people have asked where he has been for the past couple of years; he replies that he’s been getting his real estate.  SUPAHUSTLA!  Truly, E-40 embodies the definition of a hustler since the days when he was “tired of being stepped on” to “getting rich twice.”  It is time that foot soldiers and naysayers recognize game and fall in line behind a motivator with a masterful and much-mimicked mouthpiece.  He has raised a bright and talented son, who has inherited the reigns of the mighty Sick-Wid-It Records in Droop-E, and he does not know how to say “can’t.”  Go, Earl!

I mentioned Wojack earlier, and as a Northwest hip-hop pioneer, he has a place in this column just based on respect. I had the opportunity to get an advance listen of his forthcoming record, War Music.  I am thoroughly impressed as usual.  Wojack continues to be one of the best lyricists with a lava-flow, but he has always lacked the push to really make his voice bang.  He is from the era of Ice Cube and Paris and possesses the same tenacity and lyrical consciousness that speaks directly to the ’hood.  What I have heard of War Music holds no bars, pulls no punches and squeezes hard on the verbal trigger — even in the post-Obama election era where “hope” and “happiness” have overcome so many.  Wojack ain’t buyin’ in to that yet — not with War Music. Something to look forward to in the 25360.

I want to send a big shout out to the brothers and sisters up north in the Seattle-metro area.  A rash of shootings has impacted the community in a dangerous and depressing way; however, Hip-Hoppas once again have stood up.  Yes, the very population often targeted by mainstream opinion leaders as the impetus for violence produces the very leadership that is there to quell it.  OG-soundman and entrepreneur DJ Kun Luv of Seaspot.com has put together a Stop The Violence Campaign.  The campaign is meant to highlight the problem of violence amongst youth in Seattle.  He is reportedly putting together a music project to promote the campaign.  Go, Kun!  Big fella!

Big shout out to my man Phillip and The Savage Family.  Savage Family is a crew of Native American MCs who have joined together Wu-Tang-style.  From the little of their music that I have heard, it is on point and speaks to the challenges, triumphs and spirit of Native people.  Definitely necessary! 

Peace & Love
 
Jose S. Gutierrez Jr. is an editor, writer and producer. A graduate of Washington State University and student at The Evergreen State College, he writes and edits the Pacific Northwest section of OZONE Magazine and hosts and produces Live From I-5 Radio (since ’89) every Friday at 3 p.m. on KAOS 89.3 FM (www.kaosradio.org) in Olympia. He writes a weekly hip-hop column in the music section on the Weekly Volcano’s Web site.