Activism Right There Festival - U.C. Berkeley

I apologize for the picture quality, I'm no photographer and I could barely stand still through the music. There was a sign outside that said "NO CAMERAS" so I assumed that I couldn't take any pictures and had my flash off for the first couple of performances. But by the the time Bambu came out, I said "Fuck it" and camera flashed away. And, dammit, I failed to catch a flick of Brwn Bflo... but they were pretty effin' sick performers.

My girl, Haze, of 40Love

Los Rakas

Zumbi of Zion I


DJ AmpLive of Zion I

Bambu

(check the story here)



DJ Phatrick



Invincible


And the dance crews!! I only took shots of the B-Girls cause they held it down....

Brown BGirl Representin'

White BGirl Representin'

Turf Fiends

Turf Fiends

My Sistahs!

(not pictured: Ms. Tonya Galvante & Ms. Daphnee Valdez)

All in all, a night well spent. The performances were slappin'. The poets inspirin'. And the vibe was swell all around. My only *ish of the night? Ms. Thang standing next to me loudly complaining, "God! Why do they keep talking about Palestine!? It's making me sad!" Duh, girl this is an activist event! Where the fuck did you think you were at, a Britney Spears concert!?

2nd Annual Activism Right There (A.R.T.) Festival, 3.10.09

Host: JENNIFER JOHNS (Oakland)
DJ: K-SALAAM (Minneapolis)$5 youth under 21 and students $10 non-student adults

Tickets will be available soon at the Zellerbach Box Office, or at http://tickets.berkeley.edu/

The event will kick off with a panel discussion by the Third World Liberation Front. TwLF originated in the late 1960's at San Francisco State University (my alma mater!) as a coalition of the Black Students Union, the Latin American Students Organization, the Filipino-American Students Organization, and El Renacimiento, a Mexican-American student organization. Together these organizations led protests, strikes, and sit-ins that eventually lead to the establishment of SFSU's College of Ethnic Studies and expansion of the Black Studies department. This event will celebrate, honor and encourage student activism through art: music, dance, and spoken word.

Performances by: (not full list)

I'm hella looking forward to catching another set by my new obsession 40Love. I caught their performance last night at Milk and was blown away by the powerhouse female emcee Haze. Not only does this fly Miss have style I can relate to (wife beaters and kicks all day, ya'll) but she has a tongue that spits Bambu-style like a machine gun. AND SHE'S FROM THE BAY. I had to bow down. Last weekend I lost out on the Blue Scholars performance (FML!) and I don't wanna miss out on another chance to get lifted! I haven't heard live music since Hopie and Bambu blew the stage out at FatCity, damn..... My body, my mind, and my soul are awake and alert now. I am ready to be rejuvenated by my favorite love: hip hop.

RIP Francis Magalona

"Mga kababayan ko, dapat lang malaman nyo, bilib ako sa kulay ko.Ako ay Pilipino..."

(My countrymen, you should know I believe in my color. I am Filipino.)

Pinoy Rapper Francis Magalona (aka Francis M.) died today in Pasig City, Philippines. Magalona was diagnosed with leukemia last August. The rapper and his family insisted that his medical condition be kept private but publicly sought blood donations while being hospitalized.

Magalona began his career in the early 1980's as the hip hop movement rose in the Phillipines. Starting out as a breakdancer and DJ, Magalona went on to star in several Pinoy films and his own TV show on MTV Asia titled, "Eat... Bulaga!" Magalona's biggest hit "Mga Kababayan Ko" was the first rap experience for many Pinoy youth on the Islands.

Read more about Francis M. and his last days [here]

"Kung may itim o may puti, mayroon namang kayumanggi, isipin mo na kaya mong abutin ang iyong minimithi."

(If there are blacks and whites, there are also browns, just think that you can achieve what you dream about.)