The Rise of Hip-Hop
Hip-Hop began in New York
The 90’s also brought new things to Hip-Hop. Such as NWA, bringing the new form of “Gangsta Rap.” Other artists such as Notorious B.I.G, Tupac, Talib Kweli, Mos Def, and LL Cool J brought their own flavor to the music. This opened the door for many other artists to follow in their footsteps. All of these styles make Hip-Hop what it is. But, of course, there is more to come.
In the 2000’s Hip-Hop went to another level. Today’s Hip-Hop music is different from the music of past decades. Artists such as Eminem, Lil’ Wayne, and Drake use metaphors to express different scenarios. Artists such as Jay-Z and Kanye West have a different tale to tell with their variety of flows. Hip-Hop Music has come a long way and will continue to grow and evolve for years to come.
-Joseph Porter
Black films and TV shows
Black history and culture is something that should be expressed more than just once a month. One way that that black culture has been captured is on film. Movies, such as Roots, The Color Purple, Malcolm X, and Boyz N The Hood, are well known in the black community. Each movie taught a very important lesson. Roots gave greater insight to the struggle endured by enslaved Africans, Malcolm X told the story of a man who played a large roll in the Civil Rights movement, and Boyz N The Hood told a story many poor, black youths can relate to, the struggle for survival.
Black history TV shows have also played a major role in maintaining and expanding black culture. Some of the most popular in their time were Fat Albert, Soul Train, Sanford and Son, and Good Times. Some of these shows are still well watched to this day, such as, The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, The Bernie Mac Show, and The Boondocks.
-Medford Daniels Jr.
Ife's Fav Books
True to the Game (Trilogy) Teri Woods
Letters to my Daughter Maya Angelou
Letters to my Daughter Maya Angelou
I Shall Not Be Moved Maya Angelou
Diary of a Lost Girl Kola Boof
Love Wins: Stories of Transformation & Triumph Tavis Smiley
Roots: The Saga of an American Family Alex Haley
Color Purple Alice Walker
Beloved Toni Morrison
Black Wallstreet Jay Jay Wilson
Big Girls Don't Cry Connie Briscoe
Sisters and Lovers Connie Briscoe
Return to african religions
During the enslavement period African people were forced not to practice their religion or even speak their own languages. The Europeans did not understand the spiritual beliefs of the African people. They thought the Africans were wild barbarians, needing to be civilized for their own good. Using this outlook as justification they forced Africans to practice Christianity rather than their native beliefs. This soon caused them to forget their practices, and their children grew up without ever knowing about their history and lost culture.
There has recently been a return to the old beliefs, however. One of these religions, of which my father is a member, is called Yoruba. They believe in one God called Olodumare (the one who has the fullness of everything) and also called Olorun (the owner of heaven, the Lord whose abode is in the heaven above). Other names are also used that reflect the Yoruba belief that God has all the attributes of a person. As the Supreme Being created heaven and earth, he also brought into existence hundreds of divinities, and the spirits (Orisa, or Imole, and Ebora). The worship of Olodumare branches out to his creations, including historical figures, such as kings, folk heroes, founders of cities, etc. Deities who symbolize the forces of nature are also worshiped, such as earth, wind, trees, river, lagoon, sea, rock, hills and mountains. As in most other African societies, Yoruba also believe in the active existence of the deceased ancestors.
-Chioke' R. Ford
Native American Music
Native American music has gone on for many centuries. Many instruments are used for many different ways. Drums and rattles are mainly used for sacred tribe music. Usually the drums are hollowed gourds with animal skin over the opening for a unique sound. Rattles are also made from gourds, and the sound comes from the dried seeds inside. Native American music has also adapted to many other genres besides traditional. Another way Native American music branched out is moving toward the hip-hop world.
Native American music transferred into the hip-hop world. Artists such as, Tru Rez Crew and War Party create great Native American hip-hop. These groups like to incorporate their background into their music. Native American hip-hop continues to grow today. Some artists tend to incorporate how their culture affects their lives. Native American hip-hop is a very creative way of cultural expression. All Native American music has a story to be told.
-Joseph Porter
Native American Dances
Native American dance is one of the most unique dances in the world. The native dances are different from our everyday dance such as hip hop, jazz, and others. The dance is not just unique it is very fun and also another way to represent their tribe. It is also a way to express your self some of the Native Americans say that their dances have healing powers.
The Native American celebrates their native culture every year in Canada
-Medford Daniels Jr.
Ife’s Faves:
Quotes
"How smooth must be the language of the whites, when they can make right look like wrong, and wrong like right." -Black Hawk, Sauk
"How smooth must be the language of the whites, when they can make right look like wrong, and wrong like right." -Black Hawk, Sauk
Books
House Made of Down N. Scott Momaday
The Names N. Scott Momaday
Breifcase Warriors E. Donald Two-Rivers
Kiss of the Fur Queen Tomson Highway
Halfbreed Maria Campbell
Trail of Tears Gloria Janoda
My Heart Is On the Ground:
The Diary of Nannie Little Rose, A Sioux Girl
By: Ann Rinaldi
By 1880, United States
The Diary of Nannie Little Rose is about a girl named Little Rose. She was made to take the name Nannie so her name wouldn't be too “uncivilized”, and make her think of “The-Time-That-Was-Before”. She is a Lakota Sioux girl, from the states now known as North and South Dakota
What really interested me about this book was the progression of the Native Americans over time. When they first arrived at the schools, they were called “blanket Indians”, and they looked frightened and out of place. But over time, as new Native Americans came, the same ones that were scared before were calling the new Native Americans “blanket Indians”. It just shows that being at a place over a certain period of time can change your train of thought and way of thinking. This was probably the goal of the conquerors, and they succeeded. Whether or not the Native Americans knew, they were caving into the colonists' ways. Also, in the book, when the Native Americans went camping and back to their old ways, they didn't want anything to do with it. This is sad and Little Rose saw this and decided to do something about it. This book shows change over time and how a little girl adapts to change, but doesn't lose herself in the process.
-Ifetayo Olutosin
Native American Spirituality
Native Americans did not practice their religions in the way that Europeans did, for this they were classified as savages and lesser beings. A Native American woman, choosing to remain anonymous summed up the difference in their beliefs as this: "If you take the Christian Bible and put it out in the wind and the rain, soon the paper on which the words are printed will disintegrate and the words will be gone. Our bible is the wind."
The Native Americans believed that there were deities for the many things in their lives, for instance, the weather, the elements, and the animals they hunted. There was one idea, believed by many, that all animals had once been human, this gave the Natives a sense of closeness to the animals around them. The indigenous people had no exact belief in an after life, some believed in reincarnation, some thought people became ghosts, others believed they’d go to another world, and some just settled for being unsure of their life after death. These beliefs were usually combined by the different tribes.
There are no certain numbers of how many indigenous people lived in what is now the U.S. and Canada
-Chioke’ Ford
10/1/10
"Bottoms Up" Review
Bottoms Up is the latest single by R&B artist Trey Songz. It will appear on his fourth album, “Passion, Pain, and Pleasure.” This album will be the follow-up to “Ready”. The song features hip-hop artist Nicki Minaj. Nicki Minaj’s verse adds a whole new flavor to the song. When both artists are together, it’s phenomenal. Trey Songz’s R&B style and Nicki Minaj’s hip-hop essence truly make a great song.
The single has multiple sensational parts. The fast beats make you want to dance. The catchy line get you involved in the song. Its style keeps you entertained. Both artist work together fantastically. This is a great party song. This song is highly recommended.
Ife’s Fav Books:
Go AskAlice
-Joseph Porter
Ife’s Fav Books:
Go Ask
A Do Right Man By Omar Tyree
The A-list By Zoe Dean
Good Hair By Benilde Little
Taste of Salt By Frances Temple
Naruto By Masashi Kishimoto
Nectar in a Sieve By Kamala Markandaya
I Am Nujood, Age 10 and Divorced By Nujood Ali
Kimani Tru Series By Various Authors
The Clique Series By Lisi Harrison
The Twilight Series By Stephanie Meyer
Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants By Ann Brashares
Uglies By Scott Westerfeld
The Eternal Ones: What If Love Refused to Die? By Kirsten Miller
The Host By Stephanie Meyer
"Skin" Review
The book Skin is about a boy named Donnie. In this story, he narrates about his sisters’ road to anorexia. He tells you, from his point of view, how her anorexia becomes a prolem, and deteriorates his family. The book also shows how Donnie grows up and becomes more mature. He tells you this story in a funny and brutally honest way, while also letting you know how he feels about it. This story also shows how father-son relationships are important and can impact a boy in the most unnoticed ways.
I really enjoyed reading this book. It shows how a girl’s decision to be skinny (by her peer’s standards) impacts her family and friends. It also shows how people are very influenced by the people around them. It shows how people mature and learn things over time. It has a good moral of not trying to meet or exceeds people standards of what you should be like, and fitting in too much. This story shows how people’s way of living can be changed with the snap of a finger.
-Ifetayo Olutosin
Nikita
Nikita is a TV show about a woman who was imprisoned for murder. She was given a chance at freedom if she agreed to become a spy for the Division. She began her spy training, but broke their only rule: Do Not Fall In Love. The Division killed her lover, Daniel, and made it look like an accident. She then left the organization, and the show is about her trying to shut down the Division before they kill her. The show premiered on September 9th, 2010 and airs every Thursday.
-Medford Daniels Jr.
What is Manga?
Manga is a form of written Japanese story telling. Manga was first written in post-World War 2 Japan, and grew in popularity because it was a cheap and easy to make form of entertainment. Written in volumes, their appearance is very similar to that of American comic books. A series of chronological illustrations over-layed with speech bubbles. The stories are all connected to some aspect of Japanese culture or life styles, and are classified in many different genres.
Of these many genres most can be divided into two categories, shonen and shoujo. Shonen is a manga with a storyline about supernatural topics that are usually impossible in real life or about saving the world. Shoujo manga are more realistic, they are more dramatized than shonen manga and tend to be about relationships. Shonen manga are most popular with boys, while shoujo is more popular with girls. I started reading manga in ninth grade thanks to a friend’s suggestion, and I read shonen manga almost exclusively. I have always enjoyed reading, and if you do too I suggest that you check out some great manga, like Naruto and One Piece, shonen, or ½ Prince and Skip Beat shoujo.
-Chioke' Ford
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