DAY 52 GRAMMY DAY: SAME GANG

Day 52, the day the sun actually made an appearance here in Buffalo. I don’t know what the temperature was, but it was certainly warmer with the “yellow ball of fire” visibly hanging in the sky. On this wonderful day we found ourselves watching a movie called  the Gridiron Gang. It was a very touching production, not in the sense of a “chick-flick,” but touching in the sense of how one man touches and positively changes the lives of penitentiary youth through the comradery of organized football. As these young offenders were all Gang related and their incidents were of a very criminally violent nature, it made me start to think about anti-violent, anti-gang themed songs. Of course I had to relate it to the Grammy’s!! So, the video above is from 1989, the FIRST All-Star East Coast posse-cut that I know of that delivered a Stop the Violence message in the music. It was the “Who’s Who” of NYC Hip Hop at the time, boasting an unbelievable cast. One of my all-time favorite songs!

However, it wasn’t until the following year, 1990, that the West Coast All-Stars, an ensemble of West Coast rappers created a song in the likes of KRS-One’s “Self-Destruction” song (above) that the Hip Hop was once again given the opportunity of being recognized by the Recording Academy. “We’re All in the Same Gang,” was nominated for Best Rap Performance by a Duo or a Group at the 32nd Grammy Awards of 1991. There was definitely a need for an anti-gang song in the West Coast given the Bloods and Crips phenomenon that was spreading out that way, but, I guess they also didn’t read the “No Biting Aloud” sign on the door. Props to KRS!!

The West Coast All-Stars below:

DUNKIN’ ON REINDEER

Great CLOSER for the end of the year!!…THIS is what I’m talkin bout!!

THE TEACHA’

Tone and I had the pleasure of being guest speakers and also just sitting in the presence of greatness. Hip Hop on the collegiate level at the University at Buffalo, taught by non other than Professor Kush B. The “B” may stand for B-Boy, because though draped in a blazer, slacks and tie with the duty of educating and enlightening a packed classroom of students from around the United States, Kush’s approach is professional yet urban and made digestible for beginners and hip hop enthusiasts alike.

Salute to a soldier and pioneer in Buffalo.  Salute to all the brilliant minds in the classroom. Special thanks as well to Claudia, Sarah, Emeka, Jae, Geoff and my apologies to those that I am forgetting. Thank you all for your time.