M-1 of Dead Prez spits his gift at the Evergreen State College

Fresh off of his redeye flight from New York, M-1 laid his game and philosophy down to about 300 student, staff and civilians at The Evergreen State College Longhouse in OlympiaFeb. 19.

Sponsored by The Evergreen State College chapter of Hip-Hop Congress, M-1 came not to perform raps, but to rap about the 2008 St. Valentine’s Day “uprising” at Evergreen and his philosophy on revolution; and he took several questions from the eager and enthusiastic crowd. “I am a ridah,” announced the revolutionary MC. “For those who are not serious about it, please step out of the way so the real can move forward!” M-1 and his partner in rhyme who did not attend the talk, Stic.Man of Dead Prez brought additional attention to their already legendary status as revolutionary MCs/activists when on Feb. 14, 2008, following the arrest of a concertgoer, the mostly student crowd at Evergreen erupted in protest. The protest ended on the national news and with a police cruiser upended and further tension upon the already strained relationship between the Evergreen and Olympia police departments and the Evergreen student community.

M-1 made a powerful statement in recognizing Olympia’s historic legacy as a place where revolutions and revolutionary thought have been strongly supported. Also, he insisted that police could not be collaborators in an effective community based revolution, because law enforcement are too busy doing their “job” and following orders to think that far out of the box. “We can’t work with police,” stated M-1. “They represent (and answer to) the power structure that oppresses the people.” M-1 also questioned the authenticity of Barack Obama as a representative of progressive community values. “I didn’t vote for him,” said M-1. “I don’t think that he is a true community organizer in the sense that I define it.” Overall, M-1 and his absent partner, Stic.Man represent a powerful and rare voice of change — by any means necessary. I just wonder how many cheerleaders are really down, down, down for the cause of revolution that is often romanticized and rarely realized. DOPE!

J Ross Parrelli hits the Eastside Tavern

Cats are here and there in terms of their knowledge about what tours are coming to The 25360, but one show that I will gladly prescribe, suggest, recommend … call it what you want — is J. Ross Parrelli’s show. In fact, any show she does is worth attending. The soul singing songstress/MC based in Long Beach, Calif., is a can’t-miss, and over the past two years she has been a happy visitor to the Puget Sound. Having toured Africa, sharing multiple stages with her friends KRS-ONE, The Pharcyde and many more (I don’t need to namedrop — that’s tacky and she’s too DOPE for that!), Parrelli received critical acclaim for her 2008 classic, Soooul Full Mixed Jams. Look for that and look for her at The Eastside Saturday March 7 in Olympia.

Most Valuables: 2nd II None (self titled)

2nd II None’s self-titled classic is the subject of brilliance today. The 1991 debut of the much-slept-on Compton duo and official affiliate crew of DJ Quik, Hi-C, AMG and The OGPPC is the stuff that legends are made of. Mixing rhythmic harmonies, commercial hits and powerful underground message-tracks easily makes 2nd II None a must-have for the official hip-hop aficionado. “More Than A Player” describes the style and attitude of these, then teenagers and tracks such as “N****z Trippin’,” “Ain’t Nothin’ Wrong” and “What Goes Up” comically display the playfulness and “realness” that once existed with Gz — in comparison to the so-called ultra-hard-gangsta rappers of today who are cookie cutter carbon copies — meaning they all try to look, sound and act similar (I’m oversimplifying, but they lack originality in my humbler opinion). Finally, the somber “Punk Mutha F****z” is a poignant dedication to dead homies and a necessary track that lyrically berates the cowards who squeeze triggers and take lives, because their cowardice will not permit them to end conflicts with words. Even fists are better than guns … Right? If you want to start the party right … 2nd II None’s debut will do it.

Winners Train, Losers Complain … Do Yo’ Thang!!!

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 right here.