rapper Tag

RIP Zumbi (Zion-I)

 

“And when you’re doing it right, you know your inner light shines” -Zumbi
Sad hearing about the passing of Zumbi from Zion-I.  I didn’t know him personally, but I’m a fan of his work with Amp Live as the group Zion-I, his solo work as Baba Zumbi, the LPs w/the Grouch. The Bay and the hip hop community lost a huge one. I met this dude 20 years ago through the homie Pandora and his energy was positive and creative whether on stage or in person. I remember seeing them perform at La Peña in Berkeley, Life is Living, so many incredible songs, spirituality, political consciousness, slap, humbleness, positivity, generosity, lyrics, skill, presence,etc. He never stopped making music. Respect and condolences to his family, his fellow group mates, collaborators, and his fans. 
May his music and message live on forever. If you’re not familiar with his music please take a listen. These are some of my favorite songs: Inner light, Revolution, Silly Puddy, Trigger, On the one, We don’t, The Bay, Don’t lose your head, culture freedom, saving souls, so many songs, albums, features!
article via KQED
If you know or knew him through his music please consider donating to this fund for his children.
We lost so many Bay legends, Shock, Gift of Gab. Man.

Black is Beautiful (2018) 3 – Roxanne Shanté

Born in 1969 Roxanne Shanté is a pioneering MC in the art of MCing and hip hop. Roxanne was a part of the legendary Juice Crew helmed by Marley Marl. She grew up in Queensbridge projects which was one of the largest housing projects in the US. She started recording at the age of 14 but had been rhyming and battling for awhile before. After she recorded a diss response to the group UTFO’s “Roxaxanne Roxanne” she blew up and started the “Roxanne” wars which resulted in countless songs dissing her or adding to the feud. Shanté would record three albums, tour, perform, and influence countless kids as a lyricist and as a bold woman. She not only rhymed about her skill but about serious issues such as domestic violence and sexual harassment. Transition. She leaves hip hop. And she goes back to school. By this time, she had been a teen mom, dropped out of school, and wanted to better herself. She worked out a deal so her record company paid for her education and became Dr. Shanté! She began investing her money in property, and youth. She is now a big advocate for health in general and girls specifically, encouraging thousand sof young women to get their education.  And this past year a feature film about her life was just finished and premiered at the Sundance film festival.
Did you catch the painting of Sha Rock?
Did you see the Netflix film about her life?


Sources: Vice news, Hudson Union Society, Wikipedia

Here are some process shots.