Starting tomorrow, Hip Hop Honors Week blasts off in NYC. I urge you to slowly put down your remote control and back away from your television. Put on your cleanest sneakers and head out the door and on to a train near you! Get yourself out of the house and say, Yes to Life! Check out this schedule for tomorrow:
Thursday, October 12: EDUCATION DAY
Save The Music Hip Hop School
Since 1997 the VH1 Save The Music Foundation and local partner Time Warner Cable have donated over $5.5 million worth of new musical instruments to restore instrumental music programs in over 207 New York City public schools.
On October 12, VH1 Save The Music and Time Warner announces this year's grant recipient schools, and, in celebration of "VH1 Hip Hop Honors Week", hip-hop artists visit a grant recipient school in each of NYC's five boroughs.
URL: http://www.vh1.com/partners/save_the_music/what_is_going_on/major_events.html
Thurs-Fri, 10am-5pm; Sat-Sun, 11am-6pm
Brooklyn Museum of Art: Graffiti Basics
The Brooklyn Museum presents selections from the widely praised Graffiti exhibition, on view this past summer. The exhibition explores how the genre that began as a form of subversive public communication has moved away from the street and into public and private collections.
200 Eastern Parkway, Brooklyn (718) 638-5000
URL: http://www.brooklynmuseum.org
October 12-17, 10am-2pm and 3pm-7pm
Hush Tours: A Hip-Hop Look At New York
Hush Tours celebrates VH1 Hip Hop Honors Week by offering customized hip-hop history tours in Manhattan, the Bronx, Queens and Brooklyn. All tours feature live narration by celebrity pioneer Kurtis Blow and other hip-hop legends.
292 Fifth Avenue, Suite 608, Manhattan (212) 714-3527
URL: http://www.hushtours.com
Reception 5pm, Screening 6pm
Screening of The Hip Hop Project: Hosted by Q-Tip
From executive producers Bruce Willis and Queen Latifah, The Hip Hop Project is the inspirational story of Kazi, a formerly homeless teenager turned youth mentor. Through four years of collaboration with music and film heavyweights, Kazi leads a group of New York City teenagers to transform their lives into powerful works of art, using hip hop as a vehicle for personal discovery. Featuring Russell Simmons, Bruce Willis, Sway, Sarah Jones and Doug E. Fresh, this is a story of hope, healing and the realization of dreams. Q&A session with Q-Tip, Kazi and cast members follows the screening.
Brooklyn Museum of Art 200 Eastern Parkway, Brooklyn
For more information contact Pressure Point Films at (212) 557-2450
URL: http://www.hiphopproject.com
Screening 6pm
H2A Program - Screening of Wholetrain
The Hip Hop Association (H2A) presents Wholetrain, a film by Florian Gagg. Wholetrain tells the story of four young graffiti artists fighting for fame and respect at any price. When another crew injures their honor it leads to a heated creative conflict. The KSB-crew sets off to spray an entire commuter train (a "Wholetrain"), unleashing a chain of events that will change their lives forever.
Following the screening, Q&A with Martha Diaz, Marcella Runell, Toni Blackman, Ebenezer Bond, Michael Cirelli, Omowale Adewale. This event is in collaboration with SOHH, Urban Word, GAME, and World Up! and Freestyle Union
ImaginAsian Theater, 239 59th Street, Manhattan
URL: http://www.hiphopassociation.org
7pm
Free Workshop: Scratch DJ Academy
Scratch DJ Academy, founded by the late Jam Master Jay from Run-D.M.C., hosts a free 60-minute workshop, hosted by GrandWizzard Theodore. Featuring celebrity instructors, copyrighted curriculum and world-class equipment, this class is an incredible opportunity for those who want to learn the DJ basics.
Please call to RSVP.
434 Sixth Avenue, 2nd Floor, Manhattan (212) 529-1599 ext. 5
URL: http://www.scratch.com
Opening Reception 6pm-11pm
Exhibition Hours: 11am-6pm (October 12-17)
Exposure Photography Exhibition
This exhibition features the work of artists who influence urban/pop culture through photography, feature films, music videos and commercials. Photographers include: Malik Sayeed, Barron Claiborne, Ricky Powell, AJ and Chi Modu.
Milk Gallery. 450 West 15th St.
URL: info@blacjac.com
National Amusements Hip-Hop Movie Screenings
Check out Hip Hop Movie night at three theaters in the boroughs - for only $3! All proceeds benefit VH1 Save The Music.
For movie titles and show times at Linden Boulevard Multiplex Cinema, College Point Multiplex Cinema and Jamaica Multiplex Cinema visit
URL: http://www.nationalamusements.com
7pm-10pm
powerHouse Arena Opening Night Gala - No Sleep 'Til Brooklyn, Co-hosted by Brooklyn Bodega. Music by Kool DJ Red Alert from Power 105.1
The powerHouse Arena hosts a 30-year retrospective exhibition of hip-hop culture to benefit the VH1 Save The Music Foundation, featuring works by over 45 artists, with music by Kool DJ Red Alert. Please contact powerHouse Books at (212) 604-9074, ext. 100 to purchase tickets($25) or listen to Power 105.1 for your chance to win.
URL: http://www.powerhousebooks.com
9:30PM
Cajo Communications Presents: "HIP HOP HONORS MEETS THUNDAGROUND" @THE FIVE SPOT
Hosted by : DJ EMMO and special guests
Music By: DJ's Fortune/C2/Jamison/Souljah DJz
Spinning rare grooves, Classic break beats and exclusives.
Tickets $10
459 Myrtle Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11205
URL: http://www.cajocommunications.com
9:30PM
Nomi at Joe's Pub
Known for a distinctive style of vocals that is matched with exquisite Hip-Hop and R&B beats, Nomi is part of a movement of artists in NYC that are changing the landscape of contemporary music.
To purchase tickets visit Joe's Pub box office or telecharge.
425 Lafayette St, Manhattan, (212) 539-8770.
URL: http://www.joespub.com
11pm
Crooklyn Dodgers
Southpaw and Lyricists Lounge present the kick-off concert of VH1 Hip Hop Honors Week, with special performances by Buckshot, Masta Ace & Special Ed.
125 Fifth Avenue, Brooklyn (718) 230-0236
URL: http://www.spsounds.com
Nas is right Hip Hop is dead. Hip Hop Died in March of 1997 that was the end of the Biggie & 2 Pac era and gangsta rap. Gangsta rap will come back because I said so. Real cat's like me is sick and tired of the braggin rappers talking about what clothes they wear and how much money hey got what car they drive and the bling. I miss cats like Spice 1 for example. Back when 2pac & Biggie was alive people wrote original lyrics cause they knew they had to step up their game. Now after their untimely deaths for example people like Jay - Z copied all of Norious B.I.G.'s rhymes and little kids and teenagers and sadly adults think it's all original when youre listening to Biggie Smalls lyrics out of the mouth of Jay -Z. Reasonable doubt is Jay-Z's best CD cause it was the most original CD he ever wrote. Basicly after the Hard Knock Life album thats when the copying started and Jay Z is not the only one. The best era in hip hop was 1988 until March of 1997. Now back to Nas, Nas is one of the best emcees ever, Maybe in the top 3-10. Nas once again will drop another classic so get ready. American record companies are so stupid because they think the only rappers come from New York, California, Little St. Louis, Little Atlanta, Texas & Florida. That's why hip hop is dead there is no variety no more. I want to hear the Old west Coast Gangsta Rap emerge again and the late 80's & 1990's New York Hip sound. I dont care if Scarface don't want to be King of the south because I'm making him king of the south because he is the true KING of the south no disrepect to T.I. because T.I. has tight flows but I aint scared of speaking my mind from email or face to face. Record companies need to come to Indianapolis, Indiana AKA NAP TOWN and check out our Emcee's because we have a diffrent and unique and orginal sound and there are so many great under ground rappers from the NAP who are independently dropping albums that are classics. People for years overlooked us, rappers came and made money off of us but didnt give us no advice or try to put us on like they do the same ol New York, California, Texas, Atlanta, Florida & St Louis. In the near future NAP TOWN is going to take the rap game by force so you cant hold us down any longer haters. Indianapolis, Indiana is not cornfields it's the 9th Largest city in the US with skyscapers and we have many hoods from the North, South, West and back to the East side where I stay. Naptown wrote the book on street life.
Indianapolis - the home of:
Mike Epps - Comedian/Actor.
Vivica Fox - Actress.
David Letterman - Late night talk show host.
Babyface - R&B singer.
My top 25 Rappers of All time are:
(Tupac) 1.
(Notorious B.I.G) 2.
(Too Short) 3. first rapper from the Westcoast. 25 years in the game and still going platinum.
(Wu Tang Clan) 4.
(Spice 1) 5. One of the best Westcoast/ Bat area gangsta rappers ever he put the Bay area on the map as far as Gangsta rap.
(Nas) 6.
(Erick B & Rakim) 7.
(Scarface) 8.
(Deathrow Records 1992-1996 Dre, Snoop, Daz & Kurupt, Warren G & Nate Dog, Pac, RBX & Rage) 9.
(Ice Cube) 10.
(Suave House Records 1992-1999 Eightball & MJG from Memphis, Tenn, Mr. Mike & the South Circle Click from Houston, TX) 11.
(The D.O.C.)12.
(Eazy - E) 13.
(KRS One) 14.
(EPMD) 15.
(Mobb Deep) 16.
(No Limit Records 1996 until early 1999)17.
(Big Daddy Kane) 18.
(Slick Rick & Doug - Fresh) 19. Slick Rick is one of the best story tellers if not the best story tellers in the rap game. Doug - E - Fresh one of the best B - Boxers I've ever heard. B -Box is a lost artform we need this back badly in hip hop.
(Big Punisher) 20. 1st Latino Rap Artist to go Multi Platinum and one of the best rhymers in mainstream rap history.
(Big L) One of the greatest eastcoast gangsta rappers ever. 21.
(C - Bo) 22. One of the greatest West coast/Bay area gangsta rappers ever.
(LL Cool J) 23. not really a fan of the his but longevity speaks for itself 20 years in the rap game and he is still going platinum.
(E - 40) 24. What can I say he has his own slang.
(Boss) 25. I know you all are looking at me crazy but Boss is probaly the hardest female gangsta rapper to ever come out.
People for years overlooked NAPTOWN, rappers came and made money off of us but didnt give us no advice or try to put us on like they do the same ol New York, California, Texas, Atlanta, Florida & St Louis. In the near future NAP TOWN is going to take the rap game by force so you cant hold us down any longer haters. Indianapolis, Indiana is not cornfields it's the 9th Largest city in the US with skyscapers and we have many hoods from the North, South, West and back to the East side where I stay. Naptown wrote the book on street life.
Indianapolis - the home of:
Mike Epps - Comedian/Actor.
Vivica Fox - Actress.
David Letterman - Late night talk show host.
Babyface - R&B singer.
My top 20 Rappers of All time are:
(Tupac) 1.
(Notorious B.I.G) 2.
(Too Short) 3. first rapper from the Westcoast. 25 years in the game and still going platinum.
(Wu Tang Clan) 4.
(Spice 1) 5. One of the best Westcoast/ Bat area gangsta rappers ever he put the Bay area on the map as far as Gangsta rap.
(Nas) 6.
(Erick B & Rakim) 7.
(Scarface) 8.
(Deathrow Records 1992-1996 Dre, Snoop, Daz & Kurupt, Warren G & Nate Dog, Pac, RBX & Rage) 9.
(Ice Cube) 10.
(Suave House Records 1992-1999 Eightball & MJG from Memphis, Tenn, Mr. Mike & the South Circle Click from Houston, TX) 11.
(The D.O.C.)12.
(Eazy - E) 13.
(KRS One) 14.
(EPMD) 15.
(Mobb Deep) 16.
(No Limit Records 1996 until early 1999)17.
(Big Daddy Kane) 18.
(Slick Rick & Doug - Fresh) 19. Slick Rick is one of the best story tellers if not the best story tellers in the rap game. Doug - E - Fresh one of the best B - Boxers I've ever heard. B -Box is a lost artform we need this back badly in hip hop.
(Big Punisher) 20. 1st Latino Rap Artist to go Multi Platinum and one of the best rhymers in mainstream rap history.
(Big L) One of the greatest eastcoast gangsta rappers ever. 21.
(C - Bo) 22. One of the greatest West coast/Bay area gangsta rappers ever.
(LL Cool J) 23. not really a fan of the his but longevity speaks for itself 20 years in the rap game and he is still going platinum.
(E - 40) 24. What can I say he has his own slang.
(Boss) 25. I know you all are looking at me crazy but Boss is probaly the hardest female gangsta rapper to ever come out.
RAKIM,made cat's step up there game and write leggit rime's,it wasn't tupac or biggie,they came year's after rakim put the true blueprint down,and nas is a clone of rakim,especially with the instant classic of,"PAID IN FULL!!!!!",begin record right in his building,cat's alway's get that info twisted,because rakim is better than both tupac and biggie.....washington,d.c. home of m.gaye,isle brother's...etc......Peace.
if you guys don't do a tribute to j-dilla vh1 is wack and to me hip hop honors will be a big joke