Female hip-hop community fund-raiser

Recognition for female hip-hoppers has a tendency to require the association of sexuality rather than skill and creative substance. Let’s not get it twisted — male and female relations have always had complex dynamics, it’s just part of humanity. However, in hip-hop there once was a rich era where females were regarded and respected highly … where looks were still winning points, skills remained to be of the utmost importance … ask Sha Rock, Lisa Lee and Debbie Dee or MC Lyte.

With that said, New York’s Hip-Hop Association (H2A) based out of New York University’s Multicultural Education Center will host a Womanhood Passage Fundraiser June 25. The three-hour event will host and honor the following luminaries and pioneers of hip-hop: Monie Love, Baraka Sele, Too Fly, DJ Beverly Bond (of the dope, Girls Rock program), Kim Osorio (in/famous former editor-In-chief of The Source), DJ Jazzy Joyce, Rachel Ramist, Thembisa Mshaka, Dr. Roxanne Shante (that’s right of ‘Roxanne, Roxanne’ fame!), Martha Cooper (renowned graffiti documentarian and photographer) and Cindy Campbell (the Godmother of Hip-Hop? — I’ll have to do my research here).

With a lineup like that the Womanhood Passage Fundraiser is set to be an extraordinary event, and that pleases, H2A founder Martha Diaz. “Too often the negative associations of women in hip-hop go unresolved. We hope to have the Womanhood Passage move us toward a resolution,” she said in a statement.

The Womanhood Passage Fundraiser is the kickoff event for the Womanhood Learning Project (WLP). The project is dedicated toward highlighting the roles and leadership positions for women within the hip-hop community. WLP also has a project called the Ladies First Fund that will offer a $5,000 grant to a candidate dedicated to social entrepreneurship in the Newark, N.J/, area. I wonder if Queen Latifah had anything to do with this one? DOPE!

Tacoma 1 on 1 B-Boy Battle

The gift of B-boying/girling is one that is too often taken for granted in the hip-hop community. Breaking, popping and locking were of the first lessons I was taught and learned about in the hip-hop culture. The competition was invigorating and created an adrenaline rush. The dancing still creates this feeling, and that is why The Tacoma 1 on 1 B-Boy Battle July 11 at Hell’s Kitchen (3829 Sixth Ave., Tacoma. $10) will be worth your time.

The battle, presented by Seattle’s Circle of Fire and Tacoma’s Dance Broomz includes a performance by the legendary, Orb (Circle of Fire) a DJ set from dope Cali native and MC/DJ Ohmega Watts and a “mini beat battle.” Hip-hop will most definitely be present on this date … looks like Fresh Blends is back for one more hoorah!

For more information e-mail here.  

Shows, Ohs & 40 oz!

June 18: FATAL LUCIANO, XP, SPACEMAN, QWESTION & LUVVA J at The Royal Lounge (311 Capital Way, Olympia)
June 25: Junior Reid (Reggae), XP, Lebowski & LUVVA J at The Royal Lounge (311 Capital Way, Olympia)
July 2: Young Buck, Afrok & LUVVA J at The Royal Lounge (311 Capital Way, Olympia)

GuudLIFE Thursdays at The Royal consist of dope Reggae/Dancehall, Soul, Hip-Hop and Treasures (obscure/old-school/classic cuts) rocked by LUVVA J.

New and upcoming releases

The Jacka: Tear Gas (Now!)
LA Swagga: For The Fam (Olympia)
Clyde Carson: Bass Rock (June 2009)
Fabolous: Loso’s Way (June 2009)
Ace Hood: Ruthless (June 2009)
The Alchemist: Chemical Warfare (July 2009)
Andre Nickatina: Cake (Fall 2009)
Maxwell: BLACKsummernight (July 2009)

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.