Hip-hop is such a unique culture. The music, the street, the sound, the feel … The people. The people are remarkable, and I had the tremendous opportunity of meeting one of the giants in hip-hop and really an iconic hero whom I admire. Father Greg Boyle of Homeboy Industries visited the Pacific Northwest this past weekend with a few of the Homeboys from Homeboy Industries at the Juvenile Justice Conference held in Sea-Tac. The Juvenile Justice Conference was focused on the tragedy of disproportionate incarceration rates of young people of color, and Father Boyle was invited to present his program and keynote a luncheon.



Since the crazy ’80s, Father Boyle had been burying young men and women in Los Angeles who were murdered as a result of gang conflicts. Now, Father Boyle leads Homeboy Industries, an organization dedicated to providing opportunities for former gang members to seek, gain and sustain employment. He would not say it himself, but on behalf of those resting in peace and those who he has helped as recently as today — Father Boyle is a saint. I say he is a saint and he is a part of Hip-hop because Father Boyle is not in the streets — he IS the streets and does the work with the populations of brown and black people that many public schools, families and society in general has failed to do.



I had a chance to sit down and chop the game with a couple of the Homeboys. Rodney was from South Los Angeles, and another Homeboy, Fernando, was from East Los. Both served hard time in the kingpin of all U.S. prison systems, California’s. So, I asked these two — one admitted to some of the most graphic crimes I have heard a living person speak of and served time for it, “What brought you to Homeboy Industries.” They couldn’t find jobs; they were busy in the life — and there were more sincere and honest answers. What I loved to hear is how each of these cats from the capital of the gang-bang, were willing to set their differences to the side and work side-by-side with former enemies to improve their lives. Each of these brothers made it a point to give props to G-Dog, aka Father Greg Boyle, who says, “Nothing stops a bullet better than a job!” That’s the dope!

Go Afrok ... It's ya birfday!

I am NOT the homeboy’s manager and I am not an overzealous fan, but Afrok’s birthday party Sunday, March 29, 2009 at The Royal Lounge has the makings of a more than snazzy place to be in rounding out your weekend. He didn’t give up his age, but he’s a grown man, and he has some other grown folks performing that night to celebrate his day. In the house will be SP, aka Slo Poke, with the Bonnie to his Clyde, Dice. Also, fresh off what I was told was one of the early album-release parties of the year for ’09, Junkyard Gang will rock the mic right, and DJ Andrew James and yours truly will rock the 1s and 2s … Know about it!

Nobody beats the Miz

On the album release front, check out Boriqua from New Jersey-turned-Lacey representer, Miz’s new release entitled, The Bad Guy. The ruffian and rough-rugged and raw East Coaster who runs with Lacey-based MCs Uncommon and SP has been heralded by his peers as a beast on and off the mic. Let’s see what you think. The Bad Guy is available online … Check 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.