Otherworldly Videos: Jasiri X

Jasiri videos from his latest album, Ascension, which was produced by Religion. “Ascension”

Otherworldly Videos: Riders Against the Storm (RAS)

Take a look at the videos below from husband and wife duo Jbro and Tiger who make up Riders Against the Storm (RAS): “Into the Light” Be one with the light!

Modern Griots Review: Ed Franco’s Extended Recess

I have heard of “rebel without a cause,” “rebel with a cause” and countless other variants of the phrase, but when I heard Ed Franco’s single, “Rebel with a Pebble,” I immediately wanted to know the thought behind this one. As part of his latest EP, Extended Recess Vol. 0, Franco’s words are a call […]

Modern Griots Interview: Tunde Olaniran

Tunde Olaniran is a Michigan-based artist who “marches to the beat of his own drum.” The singer, rapper, songwriter and social activist has a background that defies any expectation others may have of him. Growing up in such places as Germany, Nigeria and London, Olaniran was raised by an American social activist mother and a […]

Modern Griots: Afronaut Funk with Mike Wird

From 900lb Gorilla Cypher: “Hip-hop Renaissance man, the artist’s artist. Mike Wird is an educator, organizer, entrepreneur, B-boy, DJ, Emcee, Poet, producer, writer, musician, recording artist, natural holistic health advocate and sustainable living practitioner, an organic permaculture gardener, Hip-hop community cultural consultant and spokesperson and community liaison. He is originally from Denver, CO and now […]

Otherworldly Videos: Wicked Scientist

This song is by English rapper, Juice Aleem (sounds like Jerusalem) and it is from his Wicked Scientist Mix. Reminiscent of the visuals of early Hip Hop & Rap video, it was partly inspired by an old VHS and TDK tape footage. Not only does Aleem use mystical elements in his song, but also the […]

Modern Griots Spotlight: “Soul Krops Presents: The Promised Land”

Rapper Kenny’s Myth released last week his new mixtape, “Soul Krops Presents: The Promised Land.” Sampling several sources, including afrobeat music, the album mixes afrofuturism and holistic spirituality. This is the description of the album: The Promised Land is the overstanding that every man is ONE and thus we are all created perfectly. Standing on […]

I’m An Alien Living In the Ghetto…

This song is called “I’m Excited” and it is by DJ Shadow and Afrikan Boy. The American DJ, Hip-Hop producer and songwriter is known as a prominent figure in the development of instrumental Hip-Hop. Olushola Ajose (aka Afrikan Boy) is a London grime/Afrobeat rapper originally from Nigeria and has worked with M.I.A. in addition to […]

What Ever Happened to Hip Hop?

“It began with the beat of the drum. With the beat, came a voice for those without one. From this voice, came a movement. Overcoming the odds, the originators of hip hop took their music from block parties of New York City streets to world wide radio waves. During the early years, the music and […]