Event Recap: #MilesDavisWay

After four years when the idea was first proposed, it came to light. 77th Street and The West End will be now known as Miles Davis Way. It was a great day on the Upper West Side and for Miles Davis' family. 

It was a beautiful day as Miles Davis fans from all over came to an old fashion Block Party to celebrate this occasion.  

Cicely Tyson and Charles Rangel  speak during ceremony. I remember Cicely saying, "If Miles were here he would have probably said, What took y'all so long?"

Prior to the unveiling 

Cicely Tyson in front of the old place. Cicely said, "This Block has always been Miles Way"

 John Amos was at The Block Party Celebration and let me say, He still has a firm grip. 

Easy Mo Bee the Hip Hop Producer mostly know for his production work with Biggie Smalls was at the Block Party. Moe Bee worked with Miles Davis on Miles classic Doo Bop album.

T.S. Monk was also at the Block Party paying homage just like many did when NYC named the cul-de- sac on West 63rd St after his father. 

The above shot I captured was of a fan who was in attendance for the celebration. When the unveiling was happening, organizers popped the string the moment of the unveiling. The crowd was standing wondering how will the sign be unveiled now? That's when a Miles fan who couldn't take it anymore scaled the pole by way of a mailbox and crosswalk sign to make it happen. So characteristic of the late Miles Davis. I'm glad I was able to captured video of this historic moment.

The Roots Drop Mixtape for Their 7th Annual Picnic

If you're headed to Philly tomorrow for The Roots Picnic and you haven't grabbed this download, you may want to do that while it's FREE. If you're unable to make it to this year's Roots Picnic download anyway, because it's a damn good Mixtape mixed by, Matthew Law.

Classic: Maya Angelou Talks w/Dave Chappelle

I always thought of Maya Angelou as, ‘My Aries Sister’. She made me feel proud. She was a Mother figure. When I read her poetry or heard her speak, I thought of my Mother. The similar struggles they had and how those experiences they had were turned into feelings of PRIDE! There was a PRIDE felt for the journey of our people and a PRIDE in my own family’s journey. My favorite line from her poetry.....

“I am the HOPE and DREAM of the Slave and so, I RISE!!!”

I repeated that line to myself from time to time when faced with life challenges. I think of my ancestors and I keep pushing. I came across this discussion she had with Dave Chappelle and in her honor, I thought it would be nice to share. Watch all, but during Part 4, Dr. Angelou tells an interesting story of her interaction with Tupac Shakur.

The ST Family would like to thank Dr. Angelou for all of her contributions to the world and a Peaceful Eternal Rest.

Just in case you may have missed it, click> (Dave Chappelle's First Interview after 5 years)

Celebrate The Unveiling of "Miles Davis Way"

The Miles Davis Family invites you to a special Old School Block Party for the unveiling of Miles Davis Way on the same day that would have been his 88^th Birthday. This event takes place tomorrow- Monday, May 26^th from Noon-2:30pm ‘On the Corner’ of Riverside Drive and West 77^th Street. This event is FREE so come join the family in celebrating the man that gave us the ‘Birth of the Cool’ and so much more. Read more (here). 

New Video: Buckshot n P-Money f/ Joey Bada$$ & CJ Fly "Flute"

XXL Magazine premiered the new music video, "Flute" from the Brooklyn London combo of, Buckshot n P-Money's  album 'BackPack Travels', which drops on June 24th. This premiere track "Flute" features JoeyBada$$ and CJ Fly of Pro Era. 

Fans can pre-order the album at iTunes today and instantly download the "Flute" single. The album is only $8.99 for the pre-order period and you can grab it (here). 

Yasiin Bey aka Mos Def Cancels Upcoming US Performances -Not Allowed On US Soil

In the rumor mill, people are saying that this video is the real reason behind this....

Yasiin Bey aka Mos Def aka The Black Dante’ may not be able to touch a stage in America for some time. Mos is canceling his US Tour Dates due to “Immigration/legal issues”. Representatives from the music festival, Together Boston, posted on their website the following:

We regret to inform you that due to immigration / legal issues Yasiin Bey is unable to enter back into the United States and his upcoming U.S. tour has been canceled, including May 15th, Together Boston’s show at The Wilbur Theatre. Individual ticket refunds for this show are available at point of sale.

It is not clear if Mos was ‘denied’ entry into the US at this time. In fact, nothing is clear at this time except we know Mos won’t be in the states anytime soon. Hope this is rectified soon, because Brooklyn needs The Mighty Mos. Read more (here). 

Free Show, Grub, and Gear -Duck Down BBQ 2014- 6/10 Brooklyn, NYC

The annual Duck Down BBQ with The Boot Camp Clik and Friends returns, in conjunction with City Parks Foundation, Summer Stage.

Cost- FREE
Fans in attendance will have the opportunity to receive a FREE Duck Down and Rocksmith T-Shirt, along with Monster Products headphone giveaways throughout the evening.
Brisk is providing FREE Refreshments to accompany the complimentary BBQ.

What's Free -concert and BBQ

Location- Betsy Head Park in Brownsville, Brooklyn. 

Hosted by- Peter Rosenberg, of Hot 97. DJ set by Statik Selektah.

Jackson State University Wins SWAC Tournament Despite Equipment Being Destroyed in Bus Fire

Congratulations to Jackson State University's Baseball Team on winning their second-straight SWAC Title. What makes this one special? If you haven't heard, this team came through the hardship of their bus catching fire during travel a week before their conference tournament (here). The team also lost a lot of equipment as it was destroyed in the fire. The team had to cancel two games prior to the start of the SWAC tournament. Regardless of everything that happened in a short time, they were able to play their best baseball during the tournament and pulled off a 9-8 victory over Alabama State yesterday (here) to represent the SWAC conference in the NCAA Tournament.

Questlove and Black Thought Take It Back to the Basics for Sway

The front faces of The Legendary Roots Crew, Questlove and Black Thought take it back to the basics of this thing we call Hip Hop, two turntables and a microphone for Sway's Sirius XM's show.

This Essay Takes Notice of "Invisible Children"

My first year teaching had me teaching sixth and seventh grade math at a middle school in 3rd Ward section of Houston, Tx. The school building and the school itself have so much history in the area as the first place for Blacks to get an education in the City of Houston. However, pride wasn't in the children. These children with their many problems, their many issues, but who really cared? Who actually heard them? Who would save them?

My first year of teaching came along with great advice from some veteran educators and the one piece of advice I would never forget, "Children can tell when someone honestly cares for them. Just be honest in your teachings and they'll respect you. Children can spot when you're faking it". 

I came across this essay that reminded me of my early years in education. Children are innocent, they have a voice, but why are they- Seen. Not Heard ? Are they Invisible?

Invisible Children by Yahdon Israel

We were supposed to be reading some book, about some subject, for some test. My inability to remember which book, for what purpose, and its connection to whatever test, shows how important all of this really was-it wasn't. But our eighth-grade English teacher canonized this book as if it was going to save the world, as if it was going to save us. I harbored a deep distrust for this -and I wasn't the only one. 

I wasn't the only one who didn't care because I wasn't the only one who wasn't listening. This set her off. She went......(more).

Janelle Monae's Free Brooklyn Performance- June 4th

Janelle Monae will kick off this Summer's Celebrate Brooklyn Free Concert Series at Prospect Park's Bandshell on June 4th @ 8pm. Mark your calenders for a chance to see the captivating stage performer Prince calls- "one of the most creative forces in music today." For more info (here).

It's Almost That Time Again For Philly's Annual Roots Picnic

It's the middle of May,the weather is getting better, which means it's almost time for the 7th annual Roots Picnic. This year's picnic will be headlined by Snoop Doggy Dogg aka Snoop Lion backed by The Legendary Roots Crew. The DJ Set will be handled by none other than the The Diabolical Biz Markie. The event will take place at The Festival Pier at Penn's Landing, Philadelphia. If you haven't, mark your calender for May 31st.  For more info and tickets, click the banner above or (here). 

Pharoah Monch Says Jean Grae is the "Greatest MC In the Game.." @ Beat Society Performance

ST contributors Bigg Russ (@sinceBK1971) and Wiki Ian were able to attend the Beat Society’s Producer Showcase last night in Brooklyn at Littlefield. The featured stage performer was Pharoah Monch, but the crowd was given a surprise performance by Jean Grae. As Russ puts the performance…….

Two things makes this (performance) great:

#-1. Monch called Jean "...the greatest EMCEE in the game whether you believe it or not."

#2. Jean wasn't even supposed to perform. She was only slated to display her beats. Due to an (alleged) computer crash, she decided to perform instead. 

Thanks Russ for keeping a steady hand, because I know you wanted to jump around instead of standing still with the camera. LOL!

Grab Pharoah Monch new album PTSD (here)

#JustInCaseYouMissedIt - Jean Grae's Mixtape Cookies or Commas (here)

Skelle’ Top is Back

Dr. Dre' May Become Hip Hop's First Billionaire

Between yesterday and today, rumors of Dr. Dre selling his Beats Electronics to Apple for a whopping $3.2 Billion hit the internet. This would make Dre' Hip Hop's richest man. Congratulations are in truly in order if this deal goes thru. And if it does, maybe Dre' could finally drop that Dextox album. Read story (here).

Tupac Shakur's Lyrics On Broadway

Hip Hop is coming to Broadway and the star of the show-The lyrics of the late Tupac Shakur. If you haven’t heard by now, Holler If Ya Hear Me is based on Pac’s lyrics and set to premiere on Broadway June 2 at The Palace Theater. The play is billed as such:

"Holler If Ya Hear Me, the world inside Tupac Shakur's music and lyrics, blazes to life in a non-biographical story about friendship, family, revenge, change and hope. Inner city lives struggle for peace against the daily challenges they face in this entertaining and original musical. Through the poetry of one of the 20th century’s most influential and culturally prominent voices, we are given a window into realities of the streets still relevant today."

Actor and Poet Saul Williams will lead the cast as Tupac in the non-biographical drama. The play is based off the written work of Todd Kreidler and will be directed by Kenny Leon. Check out Saul Williams and other cast members during rehearsal (here). For tickets and dates info (here).

Brooklyn Bodega Announces It's Lineup for The 10th Annual BK Hip Hop Festival

Brooklyn Bodega announced it's line up for the Tenth Annual Brooklyn Hip Hop Festival and it's a stellar one headlined by Shaolin's own, Raekwon The Chef of The Legendary Wu-Tang Clan. Along with Rae will be the most infamous Rapper without an album, Jay Electronica and for the young gunners rocking right along with the Vets will be C.J. Fly of Joey Badass' Pro Era Crew.

The Festival will kick off on July 9th with The Bodega Education Initiative Celebrating 20 Years of Notorious B.I.G.'s "Ready To Die". The Festival will carry on through July 12th for Family Day. Hip Hop parents, bring your children, bring a chair, bring some energy. For more info click (here).