Hello, everyone!
Organized Threat Weekly (OgTWeekly) is back in effect as of today. Like I had
previously mentioned, this blog will find one of us blogging every week (instead of 3 times a week). I am kicking it off this week, Fiasco next week, and Aster the following week... and repeat.
Before I lead into what's been new with
Poe, let me talk about the Mike Brown protest briefly. Unless you've been living under a rock, or are in line with the sheeple, you should be well aware with what's going on in Ferguson, Missouri. It's been so horrific to see unarmed, peaceful citizens of all ages get stomped on, shot at, tear gassed, threatened, you name it... for speaking their voice, standing up for justice, and protesting against police brutality (something that's been eating away at our country for quite some time now). It's disgusting to see those who are expected to protect-and-serve the people, continuously do the exact opposite, time and time again, violating rules and laws to protect-and-serve themselves. Their actions in the last two weeks have been absolutely appalling. (Side note: I'm well aware that not all cops are bad-eggs.)
That said, I am so proud and happy that people aren't standing for this--that people are finding the strength and courage to resist against oppression, and being lied to. It's so incredible to see people all around the country, and around the globe, uniting and rallying over a common goal of equality, peace, and justice worldwide. From Tibetan monks showing up in Ferguson to protest alongside the citizens; to Palestinians signing a statement in solidarity with what's happening; to people in different states supporting the cause in their own ways and protests; to
Turkish fans in Istanbul showing their support during a soccer match; and so on. These types of protests have happened on several other occasions, but this time it feels like it's more in the public eye - people are waking up and it's making a big, history-changing impact. It's also a beautiful thing to see citizens standing guard and protecting stores/buildings from looters and the few people with misguided energy; to see families feeding those out on the streets; selfless strangers helping those who are suffering from the cops' brutal actions (which have reportedly died down in the last couple of days); people helping in cleaning the streets after the previous night's chaos; people laying out
60+ yards of roses down the street, and everything else good that shows people acting with love, generosity, and positivity... which gets overshadowed by negativity told by the news and/or cops. These organized actions, and those who unify in a non-violent movement, are the steps that will make positive change a possible thing of the future. You are all warriors for peace. I hope this ends well, and soon. THIS IS AN ORGANIZED THREAT!
Stay Informed: While the mainstream news isn't sharing much reliable coverage on the situation (not that I've seen anyway), there are several people out there that are. Here are a couple of links / social media pages to keep you all in-the-know:
KARG Argus Radio Livestream,
#Ferguson,
#HealSTL,
@AntonioFrench,
@TefPoe,
@OpFerguson, and countless others.
-----------------------------A lot has happened since July 18th, so let me try to catch you all up in a semi-condensed form, and if you want to know more, follow the artist's links to stay up to date as stuff happens. Here we go!
Poe went to Ferguson earlier this week to stand with the people in solidarity. He said: "
Like many of you, I've been watching the events unfold over the past week in the small town of Ferguson, MO. But after yesterday's incident, I feel the need to do more. With the help of Sergio Gutierrez, I was able to buy a round trip ticket to and from Ferguson back to California. So I'm going." Through social media, he's been documenting his time there and updating everyone on what's going on (
Day One &
Day Two). "
I am very blessed to be able to move through Ferguson in peace. I'm extremely happy to see THE PEOPLE showing each other love, I hope it remains this way," says Poe. Stay up to date with what's going on with him out there through his
Twitter and/or
Instagram
As far as the meet-and-greet talk that he was doing last month, he let everyone know that those are set to start in January (
source). Regarding that, he said, "
I want my shows to be different. I want them to be personal and interactive, and I don't want you all to have to pay extra just to meet me. I have something special in tour for you all. To my European listeners, I'm coming back soon. No question about that. So until then, catch me on the low mobbing around your city. Grab your copy of ONLY GODZ RELATE when you can, or download the project for free. Whatever works best for you all."
A few weeks ago, he dropped a music video to a song called "
Dame Dash". While he pays respect and relates to both Dame's moral and work ethics, Poe also speaks on what he's currently going through and where his head is at. He expresses the frustration with those who give him the cold shoulder and acknowledges his haters, while moving past all that negative shit in big strides, as he shows love to his mother, his upbringing, the indie life, ambitious people, empowering the youth, and more. "
It's bigger than money, you dummy." Produced by
Rellim! Watch the video in the mini player below, or on
Youtube to watch it in HD (recommended!).
Last, but not least, he has some
new "VII"
gear available. There's a new, clean design for the hats and beanies, so head on over to
his merch store and get something!
To celebrate his son's first birthday, on August 7th, Papa J dropped a brand new video. It's for a song called “Domestic Terrorist”, from his forthcoming album
HR-1955. Over hard-hitting drums and prominent keys, he spits a conscious and cautionary message about the political terrorists and power-hungry authorities that creep in our own homeland, where freedom isn't always free. He also advises his son to think for himself and to discover his own destiny, rather than being mind-controlled into something else. Or, at least, that's what I gather when I listen to this song. “
And I pledge allegiance to the flag of myself // And I only know the Threat, and I ain't fuckin with none else // And I'ma teach my little youngin' how to get it like me // Tell him navigate your mind through the belly of the beast.”
Produced by
Joogy Music. Directed by Chad A. Marshall. Watch the video in the mini player below, or go hit this
Youtube link to watch the video in HD. The video also made #9 on Snoop's Underground Heat series, in
Episode 71 (Papa J asks that you go vote and leave a comment on the
Youtube page about the video, to get it to number one).
Today, Papa J shared
some insight into the hardships of being an independent artist, while also encouraging everyone—whether they're an artist, too, or if they're struggling in life, in general—to find strength through moments of weakness and/or downfalls. He said: "
Its difficult being an independent artist, there is no reason to suger coat things. You as a person already in your personal life you have many worries... Bills, yo family, relationships with loved ones yo girl some people have kids along with the fact you work and spend a good amount of your time at a minimum wage job cause truth is you can't get threw life with no money..... Things will work out trust me iiim no rapper balling and iii hold tight on to my faith sometimes things dont look like they will look successful...scrabbling change just to record hurts but for some reason its molding change... Sometimes we wish we could be the man and artist everyone is listening to but dont worry for that.... To all my young men or ladies with insecurities iii understand the struggle of living day by day trying to think positive and not let your mind travel to places you hate, iii struggle with this but remember everyone has a struggle so be the person you wish you had that could understand you.... There are artist that entertain the world.... Then there are artist that speak to the world but remain UN heard till that 1 day. #iii "
Other than sharing that video on multiple occasions and promoting his upcoming album ("
If iii wanted a quick buck iii would of dropped this a long time ago but its about my vision #iii,
he said"), that's about it from him. Stay tuned for more.
Jmega is working on a new project, called
Darker Than Black. Last month, he dropped the music video for a song called "Metal Armz". It was directed by: Chad A. Marshall. Watch the video in the mini player below or follow this
Youtube link to watch it in HD.
He dropped another track earlier this week, also from the previously mentioned project, and uploaded it on Youtube to stream. It's a thought-provoking song called "
Conspiracy Theory," where he lends his insight into what's going on in the tumultuous world today—such as being brainwashed by politicians, ingesting toxic chemicals in our food and water, suffering obesity in America, police brutality, mass murder, being watched ala Big Brother, and more.
STREAM HERE. Both songs were produced by Aquarius Minded.
Not only were there new Jmega songs, but there are also a few new
True Masterz joints! "Open Sky", "
Few Are Chosen" and "World Without End". Stream them below, or click the links in the titles.
First off, let me say that if you haven't copped Yarah's album,
Love Is The Movement, go do that now. You can buy the album in MP3s, on vinyl, and on CD. There are also stickers, rolling papers, canvases, t-shirts, and tote bags! Merch galore!
While she won't be playing at Hip Hop Kemp this year, Yarah is performing at the Uprising Festival today (
trailer)! Her other tour dates include: August 29th @ Milla Club in Munich, September 20th @ Graz in Austria, and September 24th somewhere in Morocco.
Remember when I mentioned Yarah Bravo being involved in a special Yo! MTV Raps x HHV.de event? "
Together with Berlin Boombox, the hhv.de Store paid homage to a medium that had significant involvement in giving Hip Hop the status in the music industry it deserves: Yo! MTV Raps. " The video for that was posted last week, and you can find it
HERE. You can see Yarah all throughout the second half of it.
And for some last minute fun, she participated in Throwback Thursday a couple weeks ago, by sharing a couple of photos when she was living in Brooklyn, at the Stay Gold Gallery (
HAVE A LOOK). She also posted a throwback video of her group One Self (along with DJ Vadim and BluRum13), for their song "Paranoid". I had noooo idea that they had a video for this, so it's dope seeing it now, years later.
WATCH HERE.
Also, if you're flying Bulgaria Air, you can read about Yarah in the in-flight magazine >>
SEE?! Dope!
Other than connecting with her best friends, reading books, and sharing positive nuggets of wisdom, Vida dropped a not-so-new EP on August 13th. Titled
A Year In Words: Volume III, the 6-track offering is a collection of songs from a project she did in 2011, where she made an EP every month for an entire year. She did it in efforts to challenge her growth in productivity, and as a means to showcase the many sides to her art. She met her challenge, but some of the projects weren't completed as they were intended, due to unforeseen circumstances. However, this compilation showcases each track as it was meant to be released as.
STREAM AND DOWNLOAD FOR FREE!
Four days ago,
Vida announced an EP in the works, which will be released before her forthcoming album,
Daydreams & Nightmares. About it, she said, "
Back in 2009/2010.. I linked up with #GRIEF78 to put out two EPs of a trilogy of work. It's been a few years, but we are finally working on the last of the trio. This is thee album art/title of it. It will be out in the next month or so..def before the November release of "Daydreams & Nightmares". MUCH LOVE!" Look out for both of those!
Also, check out a couple of cute photos from her childhood:
This one and
this one (about the latter, she commented: "
I was practicing for my cross- country boat rowing competition. The glasses are for protection, of course.").
Soulcat has been busy, too! She celebrated
her birthday last month, she upped some older music to her
Bandcamp page (I don't remember there being this much the last time I checked, so I apologize if I'm wrong), and she rocked a
few shows (with one happening tonight at Club Roxy, in Vienna, Austria, and an all-ladies show on August 29th at Dots 21, in Wien, Austria).
-------------------------That wraps it up for this week!
Hope I got you all up to date on what's been new with the crew.
Stay tuned for the following weeks.
Have an excellent weekend.
// Tiffology \\
