M.I.A.’s Latest Video: “Born Free”

I  just peep’d MIA’s new video “Born Free” and its very powerful. It’s riddled with socio-political sentiments – however, is it too violent?

I always commend artists for their bravery, but did she go too far to make a point? Or is this simply creative Genius?

Let me know what you think.

Kid Cudi’s Soundtrack To My Life

Anyone who knows me, knows I am not a big fan of Kid Cudi’s music. However, I am feeling his latest video. It seems he put together a short documentary of his stage performances and behind the scenes while on tour, and transformed it a music video. It really displays the magic of simplicity.

Kudos.

DatNewCudi.com: KiD CuDi – Soundtrack 2 My Life (Directed by Jason Goldwatch) from DatNewCudi / DP on Vimeo.

Nas & Damian Marley @ SXSW

Peace comrades,

I stumbled on this footage of Nas and Damian Marley at SXSW. Fitting, because I recall mentioning to a friend, who wasn’t familiar with Damian Marley, as the Reggae version of Nas. I love their collaborations. Peep the vid.

Peace.

Desire Is The Word

This Morning, I was sitting on the train meditating and got a flash of inspiration to write some ideas down in my journal – which I now would like to share with you. My ideas are related to the subject of desire - the seed of creation.

As long as we desire things of quality and work toward their actuality, we are alive, inspired, and motivated in our life experience. To desire is to express the ether of life. We must remain motivated or we will lose our vigor. For this reason we set goals; have dreams; develop intention with our efforts.

There is nothing more disconcerting than seeing someone lose that vigor. That swag. That enthusiasm in life. We see this with our families all the time. Our parents (or any other love ones) who may just give up hope and aspirations, as they feel the urge to conform… Settle for the life they feel is “realistic.” But is it truly what they feel? Or is it what is impressed upon them by educational institutions, media,  and social norms? Perhaps! I believe reality is what you make it. Someone else’s idea of “normal” or “success” shouldn’t be your own, unless you truly value that same understanding.  What do you want? What do you desire?

We must not run out of desires. If you deliberately plan to be less than your vast number of possibilities, then you are sabotaging your own potentiality. This is what may inhibit one from success. Its inevitable. To quote Earl Nightingale: “Your success (or rewards) in life are in exact proportion to your service.” And that sums it up. Your success already exists, it just waits for you to accept it as your own and walk toward it. By doing the opposite, you are rejecting it, and keeping your self further away from your true desires.

I suggest we use our imagination more often. Imagination inspires creativity, creativity is transmuted into effort, and effort results in creation!

Lets create! Lets continue to inspire each other to create. Create until we do not have a single breath left. Making use of our life experience by becoming living examples of our desires by expressing our true potential.

-Rasupreme

The Challenge of Giving

I am a avid reader to Seth Godin’s blog and came across a post the other day about “the hidden power of a gift” that really moved and inspired me to add my two cents.

I firmly believe that life is a gift and we must use our gifts to our greatest ability to make some form of an impact…or simply, a change! This is the reason behind conception of coup d’etat Brooklyn. It is our main endeavor to change the way people view things; even if they may not agree with our points of view, as long as they have evaluated other ideas before making a choice – then we feel we’ve made an impact.

Lets take the concept of the Super Hero vs. Villain: They both posses special abilities/powers or “gifts.” However, the only thing that separates the two is by the choice they make. They chose whether to use their powers (gifts) for good or for evil. Thats just it…Choice! It’s the most powerful thing we possess as humans. We can chose to be ignorant, or chose to be educated. We can chose to be a bigot or chose to humane. We have the choice to be a indoctrinated or a free-thinker, or to be a Conservative or Liberal. Regardless, it all comes down to choice.

I challenge you to use your gifts (or lives) to add on to the collective quality of life here on this planet. Make an impact! Its easy, just start with sharing… If you possess something that someone else needs, share! If you have information that would benefit someone else, share! Give.. Be a gift by using your gift! Change someone’s life… Become a superhero. I dare you!

Here is the direct link to Seth Godin’s Blog post:
The Hidden Power Of A Gift

Freedom Fighter: Nelson Mandela

“Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world”
-Nelson Mandela

This blog post comes to you at the 11th hour of February 11th, 2010, however I’d like to show my appreciation and respect to Nelson Mandela.

President Nelson Mandela was released from prison on this day, February 11th, 20 years ago. This is after he was marked as a terrorist by the Afrikaan ruled South American Government. Nelson Mandela’s only crime was standing up against apartheid, while seeking equality for his people. If you recall his South African comrade, Steve Biko was accused of similar acts years later.

Mandela’s restitution was earned by being elected President by popular vote in 1994 by the same country that persecuted him.

Nelson Mandela, a true hero, an agent for change and a CDT Freedom Fighter.

A Tribute To Rakim

In 1986, I attended PS 37 Elementary School in Springfield Gardens, Queens (NY.) There are three main things I remember from that year… A fight I had with Bobby Ingram while playing kickball at recess (I think it was because he said something about my mother – lol,) my favorite elementary school teacher Ms. Good (one of my favorite teachers ever,) and the first time I heard the God MC Rakim!

From what I can recall, It was one morning while I was taking my daily route to school with my friends the twins, Oscar and Malcolm from 140th avenue. We were reciting the hip hop song “A fly girl” by Boogie Boys, when we approached this older cat (probably in his early 20s) washing his car with the doors swung open blasting music. Anyways, I remember hearing this melodic whistling sound and this crazy fade-in effect that would later be the signature for legendary producer Marley Marl and synonymous with hiphop from out of Queens Bridge. Then, the beat dropped with this heavy bass that automatically syncronized with the muscles in our necks to cause us to do the traditional form of hiphop affirmation – the head nod! Seconds later we heard the lyrics:

“Turn up the bass,
check out my melody,
hand out a cigar,
I’m lettin knowledge be born,
and my name’s the R.,
A-k-i-m not like the rest of them,
I’m not on a list,
That’s what I’m sayin,
I drop science like a scientist”

Simple enough but the timing was impeccable.

“My Melody” By Eric B. & Rakim

My boy Malcolm – who was the most outspoken of us all – asked “ayo my man, who is that?” The dude responded: “whaddup shorty, this cat from Strong Isle (Long Island) named Rakim.” For me, that was it…I was hooked. I’ve never heard anything like that. Granted I was still in my adolescent years, however it didn’t disqualify my taste in music. Prior to hearing Rakim my favorite rappers were Run DMC, LL Cool J & Melly Mel. Everything changed from that day forward, Rakim trumped them all!

Years later, I returned to America from living out in Antigua, and The R. had NYC and the rest of the hip hop game in a headlock (though he had competition with Kool G. Rap & Big Daddy Kane – who performed at prospect part two saturdays ago. see here) what made Rakim stand out from everything else was his rhyme style and pattern. Prior to Rakim, hip-hop music lyricism was usually rather simple from a structural standpoint and the rhymes were rather direct and lacked very little depth. He didn’t simply rhyme couplets like most Emcees, instead Rakim was considered the first emcees using internal rhyme multiple times within just a few lines. Rakim also popularized the use of metaphors with multiple meanings (or double entendres.) This is why he stood out amongst the rest.

So, for about 20+ years of my life I’ve been waiting to see Rakim live, and last week that wish was granted when last Thursday, Frank 151 presented Rakim live @ Highline Ball Room. Me and the family (Daoud, Dahkil & Dallas Penn) went to check out the God MC. All I can say the brother still got it. Check out the footage below provided by Dallas Penn. Also, a special shout out to DJ Synapse of Frank 151 for inviting the Coup to the show.

Celebrate BK With Dallas Penn, CDTBK & Big Daddy Kane

This weekend the Coup rallied up to go check out Big Daddy Kane & Blitz The Ambassador in Prospect Park. Blitz and DJ Ralph McDaniels ripped it and warmed up the stage enough for Kane to show he still got his swag in full effect.  After the show we ran into our homie Dallas Penn of Internets Celebrities. Check it out!

Check out Blitz The Ambassor’s Album “Stereotype” available now online.

Blitz The Ambassador

How Do You Feel About Conservative Political Rap?

“The Young Cons have a devout mission to spread the love and logic surrounding true conservatism. Our greatest enemy lies in the lack of understanding of the conservative movement. In a technological era driven fiercely by the main stream media, those who taut the true conservative message of individual responsibility, moral absolutes, and small government are slanted as intolerant, racist, “bible and gun clinging”, corporate fat cats who could not care less about the environment nor the well being of their fellow man.” – The Young Cons

Peace. On my glorious Monday evening, I decided to catch up on some Bill Maher and a little bit of Fox News. What does AHLOT find? One of the most unique and entertaining groups of all time (and no, it’s not Meth and Red). Let me introduce: The Young Cons. They are not playing games. They are super, duper serious and ready to spit. The Hip Hop Community is often known for their liberal perspectives and (so) this is something different for the majority of us. Watch the this video and let us know what you think. Check out this:

Find out more about The Young Cons by clicking HERE. Stay on top of your media coverage. It’s needed. Peace!

In Celebration Of Cultural Music…

“And my goal in life is to give to the world what I was lucky to receive: the ecstasy of divine union through my music and my dance.” – Michael Jackson

After the lost of the late/great Michael Jackson, this past weekend has been an amazing weekend to reflect and celebrate music. Life is always the perfect place to embrace inspirational art. Let’s celebrate cultural music. You know, the type of music that covers all races, creeds and genders. What’s the culture? The progressive. Let’s go. Let’s inspire.

#1: Lupe Fiasco & L.A.S.E.R.S. Manifesto

#2: Jay-Z & “D.O.A.”

#3: Yeah, Yeah, Yeahs & “Heads Will Roll”

*Remember N.E.R.D. (Nobody Ever Really Dies). Embrace your talents.

- AHLOT