BLACKSMITH NYC

ONE STEP BEYOND: Talib Kweli & Pete Rock

Blacksmith — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 15:44:39 +0000

Obama 08

talib — Sat, 22 Mar 2008 22:22:14 +0000

It is the last year of the Bush administration and thank God. I usually rail against being described as simply “political rapper”, and I haven’t voted since Bill Clinton first ran for President. I was following the tradition that Black Americans have had of voting for democrats since we got the right in 1964(temporarily). Then, Clinton, as president’s go, seemed better than Bush Sr., but I did not like his policies in Sudan or the constant bombing of Iraq. I also did not like the way our government dragged us thru the Lewinsky scandal. I felt betrayed by the system, and I stopped voting, no longer accepting of the lesser of two evils. I knew the two party system was designed to fail us. I knew that politicians must lie for a living, because it would be impossible to make good on their promises. I knew about the lobbyists and the PAC. I did not make it my issue, but if someone asked me, I would explain why I didn’t vote. Most of the time people talked to me like I lost my mind, but every once and awhile someone understood. I knew that our ancestors fought and died for the right to vote, but I didn’t feel like voting for the lesser of two evils in a broken system was the proper way to honor them. It was pageantry, and I wasn’t with it. I wasn’t with Vote or Die, because I knew that voting itself, with no real knowledge of who is paying these candidates to run million dollar a day campaigns, is far from a revolutionary act. I haven’t even started to talk about the electoral college that they taught us about in grade school. In this republic, delegates votes are counted, and states with more land have more votes. You can technically have more votes, but lose the election. When the verdict is in question, the Supreme Court decides, as they did when Al Gore clearly won the election but lost due to bipartisan bullshit. The bankers of the world pay our politicians, and often tailor laws and regulations to line their own pockets. I have often stated that I cannot participate in a system that not only is designed to see me fail, but corrupts itself as well.

This was all before Barack Obama threw his hat in the ring. I, like many, appreciated his effort from the sidelines, watching him do the dance on the news. I found myself relating to him and enjoying hearing him speak, but I still remained distrustful of politicians in general. I felt like I could serve my community in many ways on a grassroots level that proceeded politics. I started to see the Obama campaign doing that grassroots work. I hear him speaking about poor people, the environment, things that I haven’t heard from politicians who have elect ability. My criticism of the political system is that it siphons out rational thought because who have to be all things to all people. You can’t stand for anything doing that. I remember when Obama spoke out against the war, early. I think the time he spent as a civil rights attorney on Chicago’s south side gives him a unique perspective. I often hear about his lack of experience, but his experience is one that I most closely identify with. I’m not saying I could be president, but I am saying that our government could use a new energy. In order for a revolution to happen, you need revolutionary writers, soldiers, teachers, poets, musicians, garbagemen, cab drivers, politicians, across the board. Everyone will not always agree, but the things we agree on, we should strengthen. When I was younger, none of this really mattered. Now I have two beautiful children, and Barack Obama is an incredibly positive influence on them. I want them to know they can be anything they want.

With that said, I still feel the same as I do about the political system, and one man can’t change it. But this man deserves our support nonetheless. I appreciate what he’s doing, and there comes a time in history when change is necessary for all of us to prosper. I can’t be critical of a society that is scared of change, but be stubborn in my ways for the sake of it. I support Barack Obama and encourage others to take a real look at his campaign so they can come to their own conclusions. I am not delusional about what the office of the president represents, but my support for him is just that, support for someone speaking my language amidst an ocean of doubletalk. Thank you for you time.

Mick Boogie & Talib Kweli - The MCEO Mixtape

Blacksmith — Sat, 22 Mar 2008 07:28:36 +0000

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illRoots.com/MCEO

This is an illRoots.com world premiere.
Brand new mixtape by our homey Mick Boogie alongside Talib Kweli.
Fresh and exclusive material from the BK emcee himself, Strong Arm Steady, Jean Grae and more.
With guest shots from KRS-One, UGK, Busta Rhymes & Ne-Yo along with many others.

01) Mick Boogie and Talib Kweli: Intro
02) Talib Kweli f/ Busta Rhymes: Follow The Leader
03) Talib Kweli: Independent (Amadeus Remix)
04) Jean Grae: Think About It
05) Talib Kweli: Hard Faces
06) Interlude: Origins Of Blacksmith
07) Jean Grae: Mean
08) Strong Arm Steady f/ Planet Asia: A Problem
09) Talib Kweli: D’Evils 2008 (Produced by 6th Sense)
10) Talib Kweli f/ Fly Union: Say That Again
11) Talib Kweli and Buckshot: Hold It Down
12) Interlude: MCEO Breakdown
13) Talib Kweli f/ Krondon and Phil Da Agony: Hunters
14) Jean Grae: Love Thirst
15) Talib Kweli and Phil Da Agony: Dat Piff
16) Interlude: Kweli Speaks on Strong Arm Steady part 1
17) Strong Arm Steady: Stack It
18) Krondon: Big Homie
19) Interlude: KRS-One Speaks
20) Talib Kweli and KRS-One: The Perfect Beat
21) Talib Kweli, Nina Sky, Blu & Joell Ortiz: Hostile Gospel Remix
22) Interlude: Kweli Speaks on Idle Warship
23) Idle Warship f/ MC Chris: Screamin’
24) Talib Kweli and Jean Grae: Thas Wassup Now
25) Interlude: Kweli speaks on Jean Grae
26) Jean Grae: Number Eight
27) Talib Kweli, Jean Grae and Ne-Yo: Hot Thing Remix
28) Talib Kweli and Dr. Cornel West: Bushonomics
29) Talib Kweli & Novel: I Am
30) Idle Warship: Industry Diary
31) Talib Kweli f/ UGK: Real Women
32) Talib Kweli: Outro

Behind the scenes of Talib Kweli’s “Hostile Gospel” video!!!!

talib — Sat, 22 Mar 2008 07:08:29 +0000

Check out the footage from our visit to Lagos, Nigeria shooting the video for “Hostile Gospel Pt. 1″

Blended Presents Spring Break at V2O featuring Talib Kweli

Blacksmith — Sat, 22 Mar 2008 04:18:40 +0000

Talib Kweli, Strong Arm Steady, MC Shamroc, DJ Killu Grand

URL: http://www.blendedevents.com/springbreak

Email Promoter

Location:

V2O

81 Aquarium Way

Long Beach , CA90802

directions

Hours: 9:00:00 AM - 2:00:00 AM

Info Lines: (213) 785-7321

Capacity: 2000

Ages: 21+

Idle Warship

talib — Mon, 17 Mar 2008 01:35:10 +0000

Idle Warship (Talib Kweli & Res) - Industry Diary

New music on Blacksmith

admin — Sun, 16 Mar 2008 22:23:25 +0000

Feel free to dig into the archives for more content.

Royal Issue 9

admin — Sun, 16 Mar 2008 20:50:01 +0000

Blacksmith was featured in Royal Magazine’s 9th Issue. { Download Full Issue [ 20mb ] }

Rock The Bells

admin — Sun, 16 Mar 2008 20:49:52 +0000

Jeanius

jean — Sat, 15 Mar 2008 20:41:48 +0000