music video

Some South African Kwaito

Posted on by in hip-hop, music video, South Africa.

I first saw this music video 4 years ago while in college among a group of African friends. It has a catchy beat and I definitely dig the boxing theme.

Though it is only one video, it does show how media -specifically hip-hop in this case- can travel to other corners of the world and be infused with cultural residue of that particular region. 4 years later, I still don’t understand a single word these guys are saying, but I can appreciate the music and its accompanying video nonetheless.

Seeing people and images around the world can not only entertain us, but gives us a greater appreciation of an art form in its varying depictions.

Happy Birthday to the Queen

Posted on by in Barbershop 2, Brown Sugar, Common, Ice Cube, Just Wright, LL Cool J, music video, Newark, Valentines Day, Women.

Queen Latifah is probably recognized more these days for her films than her rap career, but her music continues to leave an impact almost 20 years later.

Some of Latifah’s more notable film roles occurred with movies such as: “Brown Sugar,” “Valentines Day,” “Barbershop 2,” and 2010’s “Just Wright;” in which she starred opposite rapper, Common. Much like how Ice Cube, Will Smith, and LL Cool J made the transition from music to film, so did Latifah.

Being that this is Women’s History Month (and today happens to be Queen Latifah’s birthday), I think it’s fitting that we revisit Queen Latifah’s earlier days when she was just one of a handful of female MCs by way of Newark, New Jersey. Her single, “U.N.I.T.Y.,” which was released in early 1994, spoke out about the derogatory names and mistreatment of women in society. It’s message continues to speak volumes even today.