Easy Does It

Jamaica's Mr. Easy and rising US rap cat Red Cafe sounding dope on their rootsy new track "Children of the Ghetto"–featuring a nice Familyman sample.(link down)

Frisco Heads...

Get busy with us:



This Thursday!

Hear & Now

Germany's Pole goes minimal hip-hop.

Wanna know what's coming out when?

Check my somewhat complete list of forthcoming electronic and eclectic music albums.

Youth Promotion

Lauren Bell seals the deal for the Irish.

The girls basketball team at the school where I coach track have made it to their second-consecutive California State title game (Division 3).

The Lady Irish are becoming somewhat of a dynasty, having won eight consecutive divisional titles.

The real story is that many of the athletes at this inner-city private prep school hail from some of San Francisco's most dangerous neighborhoods, including the Bayview, Sunnydale and Alemany public housing projects. This is significant because these areas have been among the hardest hit by a spike in youth-related gun crime.

In order to compete for the team, the students have to maintain a 2.3 GPA (.3 points higher than public schools), and their practice schedules are rigorous, including Saturday practices and frequent weekend traveling. Add to that the 45 minute-plus commute that many of these young women make daily from home to school and sports, and props are in order simply for their effort.

It's hard to truly capture, but these days in San Francisco, like other urban environments, the risk factors for youth to simply get to a game are enormous. Random shootings, lack of resources, poor public transportation options and a punitive "system" often prevent the majority of talented kids from lower socio-economic environments from achieving their best.

When athletes like the Irish do succeed, its to be celebrated. They've shown us nothing but excellent ability and their desire to reach for a goal.

Ithiopian Dub

It's "Ithiopian Dub". (Please visit Versionist for download).

A track by Double Identity.

Enjoy.

Spice Chants Reality

Richie Spice's "Open the Door" video directed by Julia Braham. Shot in the innercity community of Standpipe, Kingston, Jamaica.

Pure reality when him chant "While the masses of the people them die of need and want..."

Radio Dread

Check my guide to the best online reggae radio broadcasts, streams and pods.

Also a preview of what Ubiquity, Quango and Mr. Bongo will be up to this year.

And big-up this mtha-fkin blog! Shockman come to rule.