My sister (bottom-right) and I (top-left) worry every day that our mother (top-right) — the social worker, activist, environmentalist and chef; the caregiver, homemaker and wife; the kindest, most selfless, honorable woman we've known — might be next.
For our mother, and for all the women in your life afflicted the same:
On July 18, 2010, Family and friends will celebrate the life of GURU of Gang Starr, hip hop icon. The memorial will be held at the University of Massachusetts Boston campus.
The Elan family launched GuruTribute.com for fans to view video from the ceremony, as well as share their own memories of GURU and how his music impacted their lives.
For more on GURU, his life and death, his music, and all the tributes to him from other artists, click here.
On January 22, 2010, AWKWORD appeared live at Southpaw in Park Slope, Brooklyn, New York, alongside Jabba (a.k.a. Hip Hop Pantsula) of South Africa, Asheru (of Boondocks fame) and Umi (dead prez affiliate), for a hip hop show benefiting the fight against AIDS in Africa, as well as promoting hip hop in education.
[Please Note: It was originally reported that GURU was born on July 17, 1966, and I posted my first blog on the emcee's death April 21, 2010; however, DJ Premier, the other half of the legendary Gang Starr, since confirmed GURU's birth date of July 17, 1961... Sadly, this is one of the many circumstances surrounding GURU's death that have raised controversy.]
Now that we're gettin somewhere, you know we got to give back / For the youth is the future, no doubt that's right and exact / Squeeze the juice out, of all the suckers with power / And pour some back out, so as to water the flowers / This world is ours, that's why the demons are leary / It's our inheritance; this is my Robbin Hood Theory...
Gifted Unlimited Rhymes Universal
I haven't felt the loss of a hip hop artist this deeply since the death of 2Pac and BIG. People used to make fun of me for exclusively blasting Gang Starr out the whip -- specifically, Moment of Truth. Probably because I'm a little younger, that's the album that did it for me. When I started rapping, my brother Whatzisface (who mentored me, as well as Chuck Inglish from The Cool Kids) told me I sounded like GURU. Usually, young emcees cringe at any likeness -- biting is a crime in hip hop, and rightfully so. But I was honored. "Robbin Hood Theory" was always my joint, but I still dig the collaboration with Jadakiss and all his Jazzmatazz albums, plus everything else. The big homie GURU was a fucking ambassador, as real as any. Roy Ayers, Chaka Khan, Donald Byrd, Herbie Hancock, Branford Marsalis and Me'Shell Ndegeocello are hip hop because GURU told us so. And Bahamadia, Group Home, M.O.P., Jeru The Damaja, Big Shug and many others might be unknown to us had GURU not introduced us to their talents...
Unfortunately, the closest I ever got to GURU was through affiliation with Canadian emcee Bless. They appeared together on my official intoduction to hip hop, the Sub-Way mixtape, which featured Sub-Way Stiles (AWKWORD, Whatzisface, Blended Babies, DJ Syzygy and Voice1) and hip hop mainstays like GURU, Raekwon and ILL BILL, among many others. But I never got to meet him. Based on what I've read from the few people I follow on twitter, those who did meet GURU were not disappointed. Punchline said: "at least i can say i met the man and rhymed wit him in my hotel room in miami. rest in peace guru from gangstar." Poison Pen said: "Guru was the first "rap celeb" I met as a teen. I was in Tramps in nyc & the homie was buzzed. Walked over to me & spit a freestyle!" I read the letter supposedly written by GURU and all I'll say is that it made me question. Others, like the homies PUSH! Montana, Immortal Technique and C-Rayz Walz, also had questions. As did GURU's family (Click here or here). But I will not let shady characters or unanswered questions impact my memory of GURU, which will live on as we celebrate him every 4/20, and every other day as well, as we commit ourselves to maintaining. GURU: Rest In Power.
We all must meet our moment of truth.
Click here for the official statement from DJ Premier.
Click here for the VIBE interview (04/28/10) with DJ Premier.
Click here to hear DJ Premier's GURU Tribute Mix, recorded April 23, 2010.
Click here for Mister Cee's GURU Tribute Mix, provided by Hot 97 and 2DopeBoyz.
Click here for Tony Touch's GURU Tribute on Toca Tuesdays, provided by NahRight.
Click here to download Statik Selektah's Tribue to GURU, recorded live on Shade 45 Radio.
Click here for HipHopDX article "DJ Doo Wop Remembers Guru The Father, Last Tour."
Click here for a video interview with fellow rap heavyweight Fat Joe, who says GURU and Gang Starr "represent the true essence of hip hop."
Click here to leave a message for GURU's family on the Online Register.
Umi (P.O.W. / People's Army / RBG Fam) was born in Tuskegee, Ala. His rebellious nature helps remind people everyday that their true independence is still waiting to be claimed. He continues to show listeners that music can be used not only to get money, but also to mobilize and motivate the people.
Umi is perhaps best known for touring the globe, performing and recording with now-legendary revolutionary rap group dead prez. But Umi has also opened for -- or shared the stage with -- The Roots, Dave Chapelle, Mos Def, Styles P, Method and Redman, Busta Rhymes, David Banner, Erykah Badu and others, as well as released several street-classic mixtapes, solo and with his group P.O.W. In 2008, Umi teamed up with Sony Red and DJ Child of Project Groundation to take his solo career to another level. His 2009 release, Project Groundation & Umi present "I'm Just A Prisoner" the mixtape/album, features dead prez, Ayatollah, Mistah F.A.B. and 9th Wonder, among others.
AWKWORD was born the same day as MTV. Some say he was made to make music. But AWKWORD is a paradox, an anomaly, a contradiction... Descendent of the 12 Tribes of Israel, I am the fallen angel of hip hop -- my wings are clipped, torn and tattered, bloodied. I am a tragic personality, the Charlie Brown-slash-George Costanza of rap -- that is, someone who has gotten so used to bad luck that he has learned to turn around and laugh at it. I am the Hunter S. Thompson of hip hop -- brilliant but dangerous. I am the modern-day Abba Kovner -- I risk my life fighting for the underdog, the impoverished, the powerless. I am the people's champ. In high school, I had a 4.3 grade point average but was suspended half the time for beating up racist hicks and misogynist jocks. This didn't stop, until I found hip hop. For me, this music, this culture, is, and always has been, my outlet. I love hip hop, because it saved me, and I would therefore do anything to keep the culture creative, instead of destructive.
AWKWORD is the mastermind behind World View, the earth's first 100%nonprofit global hip hop project, brought to you by The Morgan Stanley Foundation and the world-famous EOW (End of the Weak; EODub).
All proceeds from World View, the album, will be donated to Guns 4 Cameras (a.k.a. Aim to Live), a registered 501c3 nonprofit dedicated to eradicating gun violence through the hip hop-inspired education and empowerment of our inner-city youth. The organization's founder, Hezues R' was shot at 22 times at age 22 -- and survived to re-dedicate his life to saving the streets. The organization's Spokesperson is hip hop icon Pharoahe Monch; he and Hezues travel the country speaking to the youth about hip hop and making the right choices.
With World View, AWKWORD is continuing that tradition of using hip hop music to connect people for positive change.
AWKWORD stands behind a decade-plus in the music business. His first release, "the Sub-Way mixtape," featured such hip hop icons such as Raekwon, Killah Priest and Remedy of Wu-Tang, ILL BILL and Necro, Tragedy Khadafi, GURU of Gang Starr, Scram Jones and others, and received rave reviews industry-wide. According to Elemental Magazine, AWKWORD showed the most heart on the album, while Juicy Magazine said standing out from Eminem would be easy...
The AWKWORD solo debut, "See the Light" (an Exit 97.7 Top Album of 2008), was the inspiration for World View, which is growing as a phenomenon on a daily basis.
Throughout 2009, AWKWORD recorded tracks for World View (as well as for other projects, such as the World View promotional mixtape, dropping a month before), with artists such as Jadakiss, KRS-One, Skyzoo, Sha Stimuli, ILL BILL, Pace Won, Main Flow, AWOL One and Josh Martinez, amongst many others. He appeared on the hit single "New York Minute," produced by Harry Fraud and featuring Jadakiss, Vast Aire, Mazzi (S.O.U.L. Purpose) and Punchline. And in January-February 2010, the official World View / Guns 4 Cameras / BloomBars collaboration single (prod. by Harry Fraud) is coming to fruition, featuring AWKWORD, Asheru, Jabba (South Africa), Sha Stimuli, Lil Cease, G Fella, and surprise guests.
When World View drops in First Quarter 2010, it will feature production from 15+ nations and every continent on earth -- along with a number of befitting MC cameos (as referenced aboved). "New York Minute" and the World View / Guns 4 Cameras / BloomBars collabo will appear on the album, which is being digitally distributed worldwide.
THIS is the FIRST time anything like this has ever been done in hip hop. AWKWORD is a revolutionary. And WORLD VIEW is just the beginning of his (our) revolution.
Asheru is widely known for performing the opening and closing themes for the popular TV series “The Boondocks,” as well as his pioneering and innovative efforts to forward the hip hop education movement. Asheru also collaborated with Boondocks creator Aaron McGruder to write and perform several songs for the hit TV series. In 2006, Asheru became the first rapper ever to win the prestigious Peabody Award for Journalism, for his writing of Boondocks's controversial "Return of the King" episode. Asheru (of the famed duo Unspoken Heard) has traveled extensively throughout Japan, Europe, Canada and the United States, alongside Common, Mos Def, Jill Scott, Bilal, Ludacris, Edo G, J‐Live, Wordsworth and The Roots. He has collaborated and been featured on projects with Pete Rock, Talib Kweli and DJ Jazzy Jeff. Asheru’s recent collaboration with international funk and breaks band, Fort Knox Five, played in NBA arenas the last two seasons.
Born Gabriel Benn, Asheru is the founder of Guerilla Arts, Inc., a community-based organization specializing in innovative education, cultural arts programming, and professional development. Since 2005, his Hip-Hop Education Literacy Program (HELP) has partnered with dozens of recording artists, including Common, Jay-Z, Kanye West, KRS-One, Nas and Rakim. In 2008, HELP received a letter of endorsement from President (then, Senator) Barack Obama. Today, HELP can be found in classrooms across the country.
On January 15, 2010, Asheru's new supplemental reading workbook series for HELP was released. The workbooks use hip hop lyrics to help students of all ages improve their reading and critical analysis -- and help teachers improve literacy instruction. One of the books features the lyrics of a collaboration between international hip hop icon Nas and African hip hop icon Jabba.
Recently nominated for an African Grammy and winner of the Best Video Award at the MTV Africa Awards, Jabba’s celebrity is evidenced by his chart-topping songs, regular network and television appearances and acclaim by music critics across the globe. Jabba has shared the stage with Will Downing, Angelique Kidjo, Wyclef Jean, Jamie Cullum, Saul Williams, Snoop Dogg and others. Before the MAMA ceremony, Wyclef, a Haitian-American multi-platinum instrumentalist, rapper and record producer, said he planned to record with Jabba, who, he said, is among the select few “representing the new generation of African music."
Jabba, whose real name is Jabulani Tsambo, practices Motswako-style (or, "mixture" in Setswana) rap -- a combinatin of Setswana, Zulu and English. His music ranges from smooth jazzy vocal harmonies to indigenous rhythms to classic 'American' hip hop.
Jabba has received numerous awards and significant recognition for his community work and charity, such as his effort to combat AIDS or promote education and literacy through hip hop. He was invited by Oprah to lecture to students at her Leadership Academy for Girls.
Outside of the United States, Jabba's a regular in the media. In 2007, he won the third season of the reality dance show "Strictly Come Dancing," with his professional dance partner Hayley Bennett. In 2008, he starred as himself in 11 episodes of the e.tv musical soap "Rhythm City." In 2009, he was one of the featured celebrities on the first season of the South African version of the genealogy documentary series "Who Do You Think You Are?" He also appeared on the National Parenting Test episode of the popular quiz show "Test The Nation," serving as Team Captain for the Fathers.
On January 15, 2010, Jabba, also known as Hip Hop Pantsula (HHP), one of South Africa's leading hip hop artists for the last decade, arrived in Washington, D.C., for a two-week residency at BloomBars, a Washington-based nonprofit organization that works to inspire and unite communities through the arts, while nurturing artists committed to serving the community. The goal of the residency, which lasts through the end of the month, is to build a bridge between the hip hop communities in South Africa and the United States, promoting cross-cultural awareness about critical issues affecting those communities.
I found out today that my mom has cancer, for the third time. Now it's in her bones.
My mom doesn't smoke. She doesn't even drink. She exercises regularly. She eats organic. She uses sunscreen. And she has been a subject of more than one study.
We need more and better research. And one group is doing its best to get us there.
Please click here to donate in the honor of my mother, Debby Mandelbaum.
The next AWKWORD album (after World View) will be The Pink Album, with all proceeds going to fight breast cancer, which is how this all started for my mom -- a gentle soul, a giver, a fighter, a revolutionary...
Today, the homie emcee Whatzisface (see below) spent his day in New York City filming a new video with art genius Rich Browd. Click here to listen to "Okey Dokey"...
Meanwhile... A Day in the Life of AWKWORD...
1.) About to eat $7 all-you-can-eat Chinese lunch buffet with my 90-year-old grandpa!... I tell my grandfather about the homie Lewis Hegeman. He appreciates that they share a first name (although with a different spelling)...
BTW: What's the worst type of store that could possibly be next to this Chinese buffet (due to an unkind stereotype with which we're all probably familiar)? A pet store. Guess what's next to this very Chinese buffet? That's right...
2.) Nothing harder than seeing your bubby, former painter/singer/intellectual, now in the nursing home, with Alzheimers, surrounded by crazies...
One lady in a wheelchair keeps begging me to find her wheelchair! Another lady is screaming, insisting that she has to pee. The aid is refusing to let her go. The lady, with obvious dementia, asks "why?" over and over again, pausing only to intersperse threats of piss going through her pants and onto the hospital chair. The aid never lets her get up...
I am the only one that my grandma seems to recognize. She calls me by my full name. I cry...
3.) My Ride Back from the Hospital (I of III): Car full of young blonde girls, smiling and waiving at me. My mom asks: "Do they know you're AWKWORD?"; "I don't know," I tell her. I waive back, they blush and giggle...
4.) My Ride Back from the Hospital (II of III): Car full of thugged-out white dudes drinking tall cans of cheap American beer. I pump my fast in approval. They cheers me. (The driver is NOT drinking...)
5.) My Ride Back from the Hospital (III of III): Minivan being driven by 50-something white woman, with Phillies flag hanging out the window. I stick my head out and flash my dad's Yankees hat. She rants back, finger waiving (seemingly happily)...
6.) Ever seen The Bad Girls Club? Well, I've found the lost Girl -- the disheveled security guard at my apartment building. Crazy b*tch attacks me!...
I get in the car, and my mom, who witnessed the event from down the block, in the back of a coupe, lectures me about my response, claiming that I think it's "cool" to yell back when a hoodrat flips her sh*t at me. (What I had been yelling was that she was going to get fired for treating me, a tenant, her "client," like a bum sleeping on her doorstep...)
7.) I (picture I) make it to Fairfield County, Conn., scoop up the homie Chris (picture II); he leaves tomorrow for Miami to play golf for the winter) and head over to B&G's. Gabby (picture III) is in the kitchen amidst baking homemade Pumpkin cupcakes with a cream-cheese icing. Whatzisface (picture IV) arrives shortly after, with two six packs and a positive attitude...
We watch the Yankees, and I write this blog...
This has been a long day, and I work tomorrow... But, then again, I work 25/8, 365, so, nothing new... 'Til I go like Hunter S...
Adam Goldstein, a.k.a. DJ AM, was more than the combo of crack, OxyContin, Klonopin, Xanax, Ativan, Benadryl, Levamisole and Vicodin that killed him at 'lucky' 36.
His last public contact was via twitter: "New york, new york. Big city of dreams, but new york aint always what it seems."
Click the image (Allen Salkin, "Dancing with Demons", The New York Times, October 16, 2009)...
And, of course, that "finally" was for literary purposes -- we all know this will never be over. Even when poor Filippa disappears into obscurity, and the self-loathing Ralph Rueben Lifshitz makes his next bill.
Swine Flu has claimed its latest victim: beer pong. Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute has issued a warning against beer pong to prevent the spread of the H1N1 virus.
