Shoutout to the sister(and i mean everyone's sister, even yours)Marineives Alba for getting the post about GRITA before me…heres my lil take on it and Latin Hip Hop…

 What do we really consider "Latin" Hip Hop? Is it just Hip Hop in another language? Is the language barrier the reason why it deserves its own sub-category? Who exactly is to say that english is the primary language for Hip Hop anyway? I have had many conversations about this topic recently and in my opinion I truly believe that "Latin" Hip Hop is more hip hop than any other hip hop especially American hip hop right now. It deals with the roots of hip hop and what it should be, a voice of the people. Most "latin" hip hop artists(not reggaeton artist, wutever that means) talk bout the social issues of their country, and their culture. I feel thats exactly where todays "American" Hip Hop should be. So some may argue that there is no language barrier, its all the same language, the language of HIP HOP, no matter what dialect.

An example of this took place on Sunday Aug 19th, at the world famous S.O.Bs in NYC. A gathering of International Latino Hip Hop Artists convened to put on the show GRITA || SAY SOMETHING. A Hip Hop Politic Show, and a show that NYC has not witnessed in a long time. A show that put the faith back into HIP HOP in general. The lineup consisted of Boca Floja from DF Mexico, Intifada from Puerto Rico, Chilean and Boriqua Rappers that make up REBEL DIAZ and the Foundation Movement out of Boston. All students of hip hop but on this night, we were the students.

This also brings me back to a the same topic that the Legendary DJ Disco Wiz(I like to call him Uncle wiz) raised to me and other peers in the game. You can chek it out here. While writing an article he asked us all "What Hip-Hop means to you, and what the Latinos Role in this movement has meant to you, the problems you see, and what you would like to see changed?

So this was my response:
I don't really like to make that segregation in Hip-Hop, being that Hip-Hop was born out of blacks and Latinos in the Bronx. When we say Hip-Hop, Latinos are already included in just those two words. To me Hip-Hop has always been a forum for the people; it was always about talking about what was on our minds and what's around us, even if it was just a emcee at the party over the mic, talking about everyone in the party. It manifested into our very own vehicle for consciousness around us. There was no music at that time that inner city youth can really relate too; I mean the BX was a disaster. Between crime, poverty and illiteracy, no music was really relating to that.

I really believe that the same manifestation is occurring all over the world, I mean Hip-Hop is everywhere, Africa, Mexico, South America, Central America, Europe, Asia, Middle east, etc. It's reflecting the societies it comes from. Latin American Hip-Hop is on the rise, because it's a reflection of their struggles now, just like how Hip-Hop started in the states. I really hope that Hip-Hop in the US will teach them what road not to go down. I always thought we should look at Hip-Hop as if it was our child, because it is, WE MADE THIS! You shouldn't disown your own child for mistakes they made or are making. You gotta let them make those mistakes and let them learn from them to grow. Hip-Hop is growing up; the people are using it to change worlds.

Right now, exploitation of Hip-Hop is on a decline, the music industry is not doing that well, and I think it's because of people not willing waste their money on glitter and gold. These corporations don't have a grasp on what Hip-Hop really is, and down the line it has reflected. They lost it. Everyone is starting to realize it. These big record labels are like the uninvited White boy who can't dance at the hip hop party. I really do believe we are trying to take it back, Underground is bigger than mainstream right now. People are pushing that real Hip-Hop without labels, that's the essence of it. Especially in Latino America. We got Boca Floja out of Mexico, Siete Nieve out of PR, from Cuba, we got Anomino Consejo, Obsesion, Orishas, EPGandB and the list goes on! The whole Cuban Hip-Hop Movement was crazy, and Cuba is the Bronx circa 1973. That's what makes it so real. I believe in Hip-Hop and waiting on it to come full circle. Watch!

This weeks "Love Trippin' with Sujeiry" is on location in Aruba! Watch as Sujeiry takes risks and just says, "Fuck it!" 

A year after refusing to hand herself over to U.S. authorities Elvira Arellano, a Mexican-born woman working illegally in Chicago was arrested and deported to her native country. At the center of the controversy was Ms. Arellano’s unwillingness to part ways with her eight-year old son Saul who was born in the U.S. The case heightened awareness around immigration, specifically the impact on immigrant families with U.S. born children who because of their age are unable to claim their parents for citizenship. Last August Mrs. Arellano defied the INS authorities by taking refuge with her son at a local church in Chicago shortly after losing her job as a custodian at O’ Hare International Airport. Her case was significant in that it provided us with a very human and emotional lens by which to grapple with immigration. I, myself came here as an immigrant, at a very young age and that experience has forever framed the way I look at my surrounding environment. Hopefully her son will have a supportive network and use this experience as he matures and negotiates his political identity within this nation.

-vee bravo

Full Story:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/6954639.stm

The Hollywood wax Museum has been around for a very long time yet visitors from around the world still see it every day. Last week my lady and I went down there, she had never gone and i hadn't been there since high school so i said F**K It! Why not? Many of the original dolls were still there like The Beatles in Sgt Pepper uniforms and Marilyn Monroe. There was allot of new additions like Darth Sidious from Star Wars, Spiderman and Jhonny Dep in a Willy Wonka   costume.   

     This Place is cool but kinda creepy which is why i like it. I endulged in the weird vibe i got in there. Ooooooo creepy Hehe  My favorite part of the whole thing would have to be the horror film section, it was the most twisted. Leather face looked pretty realistic and the phantom of the opera was truly eerie. If you're ever walking down Hollywood Blvd You should take a look inside. I wouldn't take small children though.

 The Phantom of the Opera

  Elvis , Marilyn Monroe and two others which i am too young to identify. hehe

  Well, that was my wax trip for ya'  

   Yours strangely,  

                         Eric C                        

                                                      Photography By OD
 

You wanna know how it feels to be Michelle Rodriguez? Well now you can. According to People En Español the Puerto Rock/dominicana actress is gonna release her own fashion line called Ishkadada. It’s gonna be an ethnically diverse brand which is why Mitch is traveling aboard to get inspiration for designs.

Now how successful will this be, when the actress putting it out doesn’t have any fashion sense? Doesn’t she revel in her armpit smell and tomboyish and is Michele Rod. C’mon celebs when you dabble in things make sure you have some idea at what you’re doing. Maybe she should have taken up golf.

Paz,

Dream Shatterer