Black Owned Live-Performance Venues in Oakland Struggle to Financially Breathe By JR Valrey, The People’s Minister of Information Oakland nightlife has been severely affected by the Covid pandemic, which was evident when the premiere live-performance jazz club, Yoshi’s, in Jack London Square, created a … Continue readingBlack Owned Live-Performance Venues in Oakland Struggle to Financially Breathe
By JR Valrey, the People’s Minister of Information Oakland has a history of superb Hip Hop story-tellers although the Town has never received the credit for it, wordsmiths like: Askari X, Boots from the Coup, Seagram, V. White, the Luniz, 3X Crazy, BadnFluenz, Poohman, Father … Continue readingThe Hip Hop Return of the Lyrical Mastermind Young Gully
By JR Valrey “Music is the weapon of the future, music is the weapon of progressives, music is the weapon of the givers of life” – Fela Anikulapo Kuti Conscious music has been a part of our struggle and movement for self-determination since the beginning, … Continue readingMusic is the Weapon: an interview with wordsmith i1masterkey
By JR Valrey, The People’s Minister of Information For the last 50 years, “The Last Poets” have been instrumental in politically educating Black Amerikkka, as well as the world, to our uphill battle against genocide and for liberation and self-determination in the land of the … Continue readingAbiodun of the Last Poets Talks About Impact After 50 Years, Weak Slogans in the Movement, and the Role of Artists Today
By JR Valrey Known mostly for being a celebrity barber, the East Oakland raised Brownie Blendz has began to make noise in the streets, during Corona, with his music-making hobby, in particular with his political songs “Times Up” and the “Times Up remix” featuring Oakland … Continue readingBrownie Blendz Brings East Oakland Back to Its Political Hip Hop roots with “Times Up remix” featuring V-White, Mr. Ill, and Ant Diddley Dogg