If you are looking for the DOPE hip-hop, the promotion team with the juice is bringing it … again. Homeland Security out of Olympia continues to consistently deliver quality hip-hop shows, with an emphasis on showcases for local and upcoming acts. Right up the pike is not different … The cats from Sweatshop Union out of British Columbia (Canada for those who didn’t pay attention in geography class) will be paying The Royal (Olympia) a visit.



Now for those who sleep on the game, Sweatshop Union is one of the last remnants of the mighty Battle Axe Records of Vancouver, B.C. Battleaxe is now a management company and serves Sweatshop Union and the Canadian giants known as Swollen Members. Holdin’ down the stage with Sweatshop Union will be Junkyard Gang (Oly), Afrok (Oly) and The Elements (Sea/Oly). Did I mention that on April 2 Moka Only (BC) will be brought in by Homeland Security as well? A lot to look forward for.

J Ross Parrelli to hit The Eastside Club Tavern

Once again, I cannot say enough about artists who represent the essence and the best that hip-hop has to offer. This Saturday, March 7 at the Eastside Club Tavern in downtown Olympia, you will have a chance to witness an artist who embodies all that is positive, fun and uplifting about hip-hop. J. Ross-Parrelli is a true example of a party-rockin’ MC and she Asliani (Boston), Pale Soul of Old Dominion (Portland), Dread I (Long Beach) will party down at The Eastside. When I say party — I mean PARTAY! This is not a joint for cats who want to stand on the wall and look angry all night. Parrelli received critical acclaim for her 2008 classic, Soooul Full Mixed Jams.

Dishonoring the badge

I get into debates with some of my peers because I know that there are positive and honorable law enforcement agents and police officers, despite the treacherous work of some CIA (see Patrice Lumumba, Malcom X and more), FBI (see Martin Luther King Jr., Malcolm X again and many more) and other crooked agents of the law. And of course hip-hop already has a hate/hate relationship with law enforcement, which is based on terrible police work, terrible crime elements, poverty and a myriad of other factors … still I digress.



I appreciate the work that many law enforcement do and I am proud to say that some officers are very dear friends of mine, who have gone beyond their call of duty to be fair, firm and friendly to our citizens. I can say that, because I have witnessed the service in action. And still, some officers misrepresent their duty and go beyond their scope of authority on power trips … like many people in positions of authority — look at your last president fellow U.S. Americans. Abuse of power is an undying fact of the human condition and our existence. What I will not accept, and hopefully you will not, is blatant cowardice and abuse by people whose salaries we pay with taxes to protect and serve us — and “fear” on the job is not an acceptable excuse for mistreatment of other humans – you knew the job was dangerous when you raised your hand and took the oath! That said, check out the following surveillance video of a King County Deputy, Paul Schene, assaulting a 15-year-old female and let it sink in … DEEP.

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 in Olympia.