Hip Hop Congress

509 Hip Hop, DMCs Breakdown, Youth Speaks, Seattle to welcome Afrika
Bambaataa & Rosa Clemente, South African Hip Hop, Laura Piece Kelley,
Rock Steady Anniversary, Dope Emporium and more! Announcements: SAVE
THE DATE! Nov 28th-30th will be Seattle’s very first grassroots Hip
Hop Film Festival. PLUS: Seattle has been announced as the location
for the 2009 Hip Hop Congress National Conference at the end of July,
and the country is watching. Let’s bring thousands and show ‘em what
we’re made of. Be on the lookout for more info on how to get down
soon.-Julie C

Seattle Welcomes Hip Hop’s First Ever VP Candidate

Wanna know why M1 from Dead Prez, Professor Griff of Public Enemy,
Rebel Diaz and NY Oil are voting Green in this year’s presidential
elections? Meet Rosa Clemente. She is undoubtably one of the strongest
voices in today’s growing Hip Hop Movement, and if you didn’t know,
get your facts. The 36-year-old South Bronx native and member of the
Grassroots Malcolm X Movement is an internationally recognized
activist, scholar, organizer and journalist whose known for her
commitment to change from the grassroots. When former Democratic
Congresswoman Cynthia McKinney won the Green Party presidential
nomination earlier this year, it was Rosa Clemente she named as her
running mate. Come November elections, McKinney and Clemente will be
the very first all-women of color presidential ticket in the history
of the United States.

” The only way I can even begin to accept this nomination is that I
must understand that I am just a vessel, a representative of the work
of an entire generation, the Hip-Hop radical activist movement. I
stand on the shoulders of a generation of young people of color that
are united, that clearly understand that we are suffering form
structural racism, institutional racism and capitalism.”
-Rosa Clemente July 2008

Rosa Clemente will be in Seattle from September 10th to the 11th.
Wyking, from Seattle Hip Hop
Youth Council will be hosting a Power to the People Hip Hop rally at
4pm on Wednesday the 10th, details TBA. For more info, email
wyking@gmail.com.

In addition to this, Rosa will be speaking at an antiwar rally at
Westlake in downtown from 12-3pm on September 11th. For more info on
this event, and for how to support the McKinney/Clemente Campaign,
email jim@mckinney2008.com.

206 Zulu brings DMC’s to the West Coast
An energetic crowd of about one hundred packed the front of the Vera
Project, Seattle’s all-ages venue last Friday, August 8th. Cheering in
synchronism, the focal point for this particular night was not the
emcee or the rapper, but the deejay. After a two year sabbatical from
Seattle, the DMC had finally returned…

For the last 25 years the DMC , originally known as the “Disco Mix
Club Show”, has helped lay the foundation for deejaying and
turntablist culture. Disc jockey veteran Tony Prince (UK) would take
his internationally recognized radio show to new heights with the
introduction of the DMC’s, and in 1983 began to service DJ’s with the
first record subscription club. Shortly after the DMC would continue
to break boundaries with the launch of the Mixmag publication, as well
as the world’s first licensed DJ-only record label. With its roots in
nearly every facet of deejaying culture in Europe, the DMC would
expand its influence around the globe with the debut of the annual
World DJ Championships, starting in 1985. Since then, the DMC’s have
flourished with branches in over 40 countries, and have subsequently
been responsible for catapulting many successful careers within and
around the music, club, and radio industries. Today, this competition
not only brings legitimacy to turntablism as a creative and viable art
form, but continues to set the standard in showcasing the genre’s
excellence.

Yet once again the art of turntablism has slowly dwindled in the
public eye. Some correlate it with corporate-owned media entities such
as Clear Channel, who controls over 80 percent of the United States’
radio, along with programming and creative control that the deejays
once had. Another speculation is the invent of Serato, a program that
enables the DJ to manipulate digital audio files using special time
code vinyl records. Serato, and similar technology makes it more
appealing for deejays to get into the club scene, and away from the
turntablist/battle circuit.

Despite the decline in turntablism’s visibility in the industry, there
are many who continue to preserve and elevate the art form- such as
Christie-Z of Tools of War , a Hip Hop organizer from New York City.
This year Christie-Z works hard to bring the DMC World DJ
Championships to new heights as she returns as the U.S. event
coordinator. Two weeks ago the East Coast Finals boasted a large group
of participants and audience members. Hip Hop pioneers such as DJ
Disco Wiz, Rockin’ Rob of the Mean Machine Crew (aka father of
Flawless), Cutmaster DC (Brooklyn’s in the house), and Greg Nice came
to show support. Other legends including GrandWizzard Theodore
(inventor of the scratch), DJ IXL, Precision, and Roc Raida
participated as judges for the historic event.

Last Friday, Christie-Z teamed up with 206 Zulu to present the DMC
West Coast Finals, an evening that will remain many minds for years to
come. Contestants for this year’s DMC West Coast Finals were DJ’s J.P.
Gunnz (Chicago/Seattle), A-Kidd (Chicago/Seattle), Disciple
(Portland), Hot Tub (El Paso), DJ Shu-T (Brooklyn), Tek Threat (San
Mateo), Mista B (San Francisco), Einstein (Bellingham) and D187
(Riverside). Seattle veteran DJ’s E-Rok, Dyce and Tre were the honored
judges who evaluated the DJ’s performances. From the initial 9 deejays
who performed a two minute routine each, 6 advanced to the second
round (Hot Tub, Shu-T, Mista B, Tek Threat, A-Kidd and J.P. Gunnz),
and 4 were chosen to advance to the 2008 DMC USA Finals this coming
August 30th in New York City. The four DJ’s to advance are Mista B of
4oneFunk (1st place), A Kidd (2nd place), Tek Threat (3rd place), and
J.P. Gunnz (4th place).

Aside from the incredible talent that was displayed, no one was ready
to bare witness to a 7 year-old boy named DJ A-Kidd who seamlessly
mixed, juggled and scratched his way to second place! His proud
father, DJ J.P. Gunnz will also accompany him during his trip to New
York as the forth place winner! A first of a kind and a true moment in
Hip Hop history! This coming September 26th and 27th the DMC World DJ
Championship will take place in England- Log onto
www.myspace.com/dmcusa and www.dmcworld.com to find out who takes the
title of World Champion!

Special thanks to the event sponsors: Rane, Technics, Ortofon, Remix,
Jones Soda, and Seattle Drum School. Thanks to Christie-Z, KazFury, DJ
Gumbeaux, Michelle, and DJ Seabefore for making the event smooth.
Thanks to Orbitron and the Freshest Kids for the ill emcee and
breaking performances!

509 Hip Hop is Real

On July 18th, 2008, over 20 members 206 Zulu caravaned to Yakima,
Washington to facilitate a Hip Hop forum with the NAACP youth
leadership council of Yakima, followed by performances. The event was
organized through a partnership initiated by Wonder and Shai One of
Midnight X-Press on KDNA, the only true-school Hip Hop radio show in
the area. The founding members of 509 Zulu connected with activist and
organizer Mr. Parks of S.E Community Center while seeking ways to
mitigate the detrimental effects that the Gang Bill was having on
youth in the area. Over 100 youth and families attended the event,
featuring performances from Fato Criminal (Brazel), DJ Tecumseh,
Alpha-P, J-Rebel, and Kartel. Seattle Graffiti pioneer and 206 Zulu
honorary member Keep One was also present. Check the photos of the
event:

The successful 509 Freestyle Battle in Sunnyside, Washington, went
down on the Sunday following the Zulu Jam in Yakima. Cyphalliance
represented, getting major love from organizers, and UZN is looking
forward to continue building and networking in the TriCity region.

For more info on 509 Zulu, check out www.myspace.com/509zulu or
contact 509zulu@gmail.com.

Join us for the Next Zulu Jam on September 6th with Afrika Bambaataa!

Experience true-school Hip Hop at its finest, as 206 Zulu presents the
next installment of Zulu Jam featuring the Godfather of Hip Hop
culture- DJ Afrika Bambaataa! Afrika Bambaataa is respectfully known
as the Godfather of Hip Hop Culture as well as The Father of The
Electro Funk Sound. It was Bambaataa who used music and art as a way
to unify, educate and empower the street gangs of the early 70’s in
the Bronx, New York. This union Bambaataa initiated became known as
the Universal Zulu Nation, Hip Hop’s founding family and community
organization. Afrika Bambaataa and the Zulu Nation are responsible
for spreading Rap and Hip-Hop culture throughout the world, spreading
the artistic elements of Hip Hop as a means for positive expression.
Also present will be performances from 206 Zulu, a unique blend of
Seattle’s new and old- Waves of the Mind, Silver Shadow D, Alpha-P,
Specs, Orbitron, dance cyphers by BYC, Fraggle Rock Crew, and the
Freshest Kids. The heartbeat of the night will be provided by DJ’s
Luvva-J, Tecumseh, Sean Malik, WD4D and Able. This jam-style event,
held at the Nectar Lounge, aims to unify the elements of Hip Hop,
bringing people together in the tradition of ‘Peace, Love, Unity, and
Havin’ Fun’. Order your tickets early, as it will sell out! Click
HERE to order!

The Nectar Lounge
412 N 36th St
Seattle, WA
9pm - $10adv. - 21+

UmojaFest 2008 & 2nd Annual Hip Hop Parade

The 2nd Annual Northwest Hip Hop Parade Troop, presented by 206 Zulu
took place August 2nd as part of UmojaFest, the Northwest’s largest
and longest-lasting African Heritage Festival & Parade. The troop
included a people’s march, street dancing, and a graffiti-inspired
float that housed Seattle veterans DJ’s Topspin , and Roc’phella, who
would alternate between party rockin’
emceeing and deejaying. Aaron Walker-Loud of Big World Breaks and One
Family, Inc. was an exciting addition to this year’s float, as he
played funky rhythms in-sync with the DJs. Another great addition was
Ghetto Prez and the Block Teamsters Union , who rolled together in
limousines and party buses. The sidewalks, filled with thousands of
on-lookers cheered with energy, as the early-afternoon heat began to
rise into the 90’s. Hip Hopper’s and participants of the people’s
march could be seen handing out black and gold beads to the smiling
children.

All went well until the end of the mile and a half stretch, when an
unknown driver who somehow made it into the procession was apparently
“ghost riding” the whip and bumped the back of the float. An appalled
crowd gasped as the music cut off immediately, speakers falling off of
the float. King Khazm and Audio Poet began to beatbox calming the
crowd, and within a few minutes the troop marched onward.
Fortunately, there were no serious injuries and damage to the
vehicles.

After the parade, the float turned into a stage in the large grassy
fields of Judkins Park, where DJ Topspin would continue to spin Funk,
Soul and Hip Hop throughout the day.

Special thanks to Kitty Wu, Tristian (Spoken Visuals), and Rhozy for
making the second parade troop possible as well as everyone who had
marched and contributed to this historic event- thank you!

More Local Highlights:

-On August 20th, over a hundred and fifty people gathered at Nuemo’s
on Capitol Hill to witness BATTLE OF THE AGES. Presented by Youth
Speaks Seattle, Think Tank Productions, and B-Girl Media , the event
brought the Youth Speaks Seattle Poetry Slam Team, (ages 13-19), and
the Seattle Poetry Slam Team (21+), in head-to-head competition. ”
Seattle’s poetry scene is one of the best in the nation, and it is
often debated whether the youth or the adults are leading the charge,”
wrote Youth Speaks program director El Dia. Between rounds, the battle
featured performances from Toni Hill, Laura Peice Kelley Jahn, Alpha
P, Language Arts, and more. Rumor has it Youth Speaks cleaned up when
Seattle Poetry Slam got shook and threw the last round. Either way,
this event took poetry to the next level, and is a must see, so be on
the look out for the next Battle of the Ages!

-Seattle Hip Hop pioneer Laura Piece Kelley-Jahn was in the PI, in
addition to rocking in front of thousands at Hempfest with a live band
that easily stole the show!

-Women were also repping at the steps of City Hall for Traffic Jam.
Performers included DJ B Girl, 1st Quarter Storm, Youth Speaks,
Dakota, and Canary Sing. Check the photos on the right!

-Dope Emporium is taking it to the roof, literally! The movement was
spearheaded by 4BC Musik’s Jace Ecaj to build a network that benefits
and showcases the local scene. Seattle’s only Hip Hop festival rocked
the Capitol Hill Arts Center, and two years of Georgetown’s Artopia.
On 3pm Saturday, August 30th, Jace is launchin a new series of events,
so get down with the network again on the rooftop of Spoons, featuring
live performances, DJS, b-boys/girls, graffiti art, and more! Email
ecajjace@yahoo.com for more info.

Spoons Urban Apparel
2516 Beacon Ave
Seattle, WA 98112

National Spotlight:

B-Girls Represent at Rock Steady Crew 31st Anniversary

This year’s Rock Steady Anniversary felt like the year of the B-Girl,
with strength in numbers, and long over-do recognition. Who would
believe that the Legendary Rock Steady Crew is 31 years old? ( Read
the rest of this article at www.bgirlbench.com Beloved1 HERE)

International Spotlight:

Black Noise, the Hip Hop Pioneers of South Africa, celebrates their
20th Anniversary

Emile Jansen, also known a Emile YX?, is a true renaissance man.
Since 1982 he has played a fundamental role in the development of Hip
Hop in his homeland, Cape Town, South Africa. Using his rhymes,
dance, graffiti art, writing, and organizing, he has engaged and
empowered youth over the last two decades. With a life devoted to the
betterment of his community, he uses Hip Hop as a platform to educate,
and his words and lyrics to raise awareness on social-political
issues. Emile has worked within schools, community centers, and
institutions around the world (including Harvard University) and has
developed various educational programs such as T.E.A.A.C.H. Project
(The Educational Alternative Awakening Corrupted Heads), Heal the Hood
and the Robben Island artists-in-residency program.

Emile has worked with influential organizations such as The African
Hip Hop Movement and South African Chapter of The Universal Zulu Hip
Hop Nation, he and other Hip Hop artists within South Africa gave full
support and participation in the anti-apartheid movement. After years
of resistance, when state sanctioned apartheid ends, Emile YX?
performed for President Nelson Mandela at his inauguration in Cape
Town.

His crew, Black Noise, is a powerful collective of like-minds who have
also made tremendous impacts in there community through Hip Hop.
Since 1997, Black Noise has entered and maintained high ranking
(consistently receiving 3rd & 4th place) in the worldwide breakdance
competition called “Battle of the Year” in Germany, and has sponsored
over 50 dancers to compete over the years. Some prominent members
include: Thee Angelo, Lella, Fly D, Duane Lawrence, Marley, TMD,
Tarro, Quazar and dozens of others.

Emile YX?, ROAR, and emcees of Black Noise have pushed there music to
unparalleled heights, releasing many albums and compilations, while
touring extensively throughout Africa, Europe, and the United States
working with many record labels, and since, have established there own
label- Outhouse Records.

Next week, August 28th-29th, Black Noise will celebrate there 20th
Anniversary at The Baxter Theatre, South Africa’s first major venue to
host an all-out Hip Hop concert, along with a new “Best of Black
Noise” CD release and DVD that highlights the group’s history. To
learn more about Emile YX? and Black Noise, log onto
http://www.emileyx.co.za.

The Forecast:
Click here for Full Calendar

Tuesday, August 26th
Obese & Neumos present: GZA of WU TANG CLAN, Performing the Legendary
LIQUID SWORDS! Special Guests TBA
Neumos
925 E Pike St.
Seattle, WA. 98122
8pm - $20 Adv - All-Ages & 21+

Wednesday, August 27th
Louis Logic, DJ 100 Proof, Animal Farm
The Kid Espi
The Nectar Lounge
412 N 36th St
Seattle, WA
9pm - $8 - 21+

Friday, August 29th
ASIAN HIP HOP SUMMIT TOUR
Dumbfoundead, Lyraflyp, Chosen 1 (LA)
Youthinasia (Vegas), DJ Dstrukt (Bay),
Sonny Bonoho, Orbitron, Know Choice & DJ Rise, Daichi Diez, DJ Soul One
Hosts: Rob Nice (L-Brothers) & DJ B-Girl
The Nectar Lounge
412 N 36th St
Seattle, WA
9pm - $5 - 21+

Saturday, August 20th
Dope Emporium’s “The Rooftop”
Live Performances, DJ sets, B-Boys/Girls, Graffiti art & Community Building!
Spoons Urban Apparel
2516 Beacon Ave.
Seattle, WA 98112
3pm- free all ages!

Sunday, August 31st
SoloSound6 presents: Dividenz Silver Shadow D, Keyes, Deroxs
Suntonio Bandanaz
Chop Suey
1325 E. Madison
Seattle, WA. 98122
8pm - $10 - 21+

Friday, September 5th
Nectar presents: Grayskul
Josh Martinez, Mad Rad,
Locke, DJ Zone
The Nectar Lounge
412 N 36th St
Seattle, WA
9pm - $10 - 21+

Friday, September 5th
‘The Cost of Living’ CD Release Party with: Graves, Jewels Hunter,
Phreewil & DJ WD4D, Ricky Pharoe,
Audio Poet, Cheo Lopez, Life Cycle
Showbox Sodo
1700 1st Ave S.
Seattle, WA 98134
8:30pm - $10 - 21+

Saturday, September 6th
ZULU JAM: Featuring Afrika Bambaataa
Silver Shadow D, Alpha-P, Orbitron, Waves of the Mind, Specs One
DJ Luvva-J, DJ Tecumseh, DJ WD4D, DJ Able, BYC, Fraggle Rock Crew &
Freshest Kids!!
The Nectar Lounge
412 N 36th St
Seattle, WA
9pm - $10adv. - 21+

Tickets available HERE.

Thursday, September 11th
INFINITY NIGHT: Second Thursdays of the Month Chess - Writer’s Bench -
Hip Hop - Eritrean Food - Networking - Peace - Love - Unity - Havin’
Fun!
Hidmo Eritrean Cuisine
2000 S. Jackson St.
Seattle, WA 98144
9pm - Free - All Ages & 21+

Thursday, September 11th
Neumos & Obese present: COMMON MARKET CD Release w/ Thee Emergency &
Special Guests
Neumos
925 E Pike St.
Seattle, WA. 98122
8pm - $12adv. - All-ages

Sunday, September 14th
The Hood Dentist & Keys Production Present: THE STEP YO’ GAME UP DANCE
CONTEST with Young Trice, T.O.E,
The I Gang, Parker Brothaz
Chop Suey
1325 E. Madison
Seattle, WA. 98122
8pm - $15adv. - 21+

Thursday, September 18th
Showbox and Wake Up present
COMMON / N*E*R*D
Showbox Sodo
1700 1st Ave S.
Seattle, WA 98134
8pm - $37.50adv. - All Ages

Thursday, September 19th
Obese Productions & Neumos Present:
THE LIVING LEGENDS, Guests
Neumos
925 E Pike St.
Seattle, WA. 98122
8pm - $15adv. - All-ages

Thursday, September 25th
Neumos, Chop Suey, Obese, & Antarctic Present: A Very Special Club Pop w/
MIKE RELM w/ Special Guests
Neumos
925 E Pike St.
Seattle, WA. 98122
8pm - $12adv. - All-ages

Friday, September 26th
MassLine, Showbox and The Stranger present: The Freshly Dipped Tour
BLUE SCHOLARS HIEROGLYPHICS
(Souls of Mischief, Casual and Pep Love)
MUSAB, PRINCE ALI, KNOBODY
Showbox at the Market
1426 1st Avenue
Seattle, WA 98101
8pm - $20 Adv - All Ages

Sunday, September 28th
Obese & Wake Up Present:
PEOPLE UNDER THE STAIRS
w/ Special Suprise Guests
Shawn Jackson
Neumos
925 E Pike St.
Seattle, WA. 98122
8pm - $12adv. - All-ages

Wednesday, October 1st
Nectar & Matchstick Productions Present the Official ClaimAfterparty featuring:
SWEATSHOP UNION, Special Guests
The Nectar Lounge
412 N 36th St
Seattle, WA
9pm - $10 - 21+

Sunday, October 5th
Flow TV, Wake Up and Obese Productions Present: HIP HOP LIVE! 2008
Tour w/ TALIB KWELI - DAVID BANNER
& LITTLE BROTHER Backed by The Rhythm Roots Allstars
Showbox Sodo
1700 1st Ave S.
Seattle, WA 98134
8pm - $30adv. - All-ages & 21+

Thursday, October 9th
INFINITY NIGHT: Second Thursdays of the Month Chess - Writer’s Bench -
Hip Hop - Eritrean Food - Networking - Peace - Love - Unity - Havin’
Fun!
Hidmo Eritrean Cuisine
2000 S. Jackson St.
Seattle, WA 98144
9pm - Free - All Ages & 21+

Saturday, November 8th
Showbox presents OZOMATLI
RE-UNITED WITH CHALI 2NA!
Showbox at the Market
1426 1st Avenue
Seattle, WA 98101
8pm - $23 Adv - 21+
(All ages show Sunday the 9th)

Wednesday, November 19th
Obese Productions & Neumos Presents:
THE LIVING LEGENDS w/ Special Guests
Neumos
925 E Pike St.
Seattle, WA. 98122
8pm - $15 Adv All-Ages & 21+
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Regular Get-Downs:

Wednesdays @ Waid’s
Seattle Hip Hop Summit Youth Council presents ‘We Got Next” Youth
Artist Showcase from 6pm-9pm

Followed by ‘I Know U Got Soul’ open mic for the grown folks, hosted
by Wyking. 21 and over, $5 at the door.

Fridays @ The Columbia Theater
iNfinity’s Lounge is back! Open mic, spoken word, jam sessions, live
neo soul jazz featuring As One.

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NW Hip Hop Parade 2008