Y'all ready for #HipHop51?
A few thoughts, some recent examples of intersectional Hip Hop brilliance, quick video and song picks and more
FROM THE E-DESK OF MANNY FACES
Peace and love. Always hesitant to say “Happy Holidays” because I know some feel otherwise and also, it’s still a wild world out there, but I do wish you happiness and peace during this, and every season. It means the world to me that you pay attention to what I create and deliver and I’m planning so much more for ‘24 (#bars) so stay tuned.
There are even some incredible things from this year I still haven’t gotten to tell you about yet that will make you proud. So believe me, your love and support are making real impact. I’ll explain more on the next one!
And remember, I stay as independent as possible so I can bring all this to you raw, so if you can, a couple dollars a month goes a long way to help keep these ‘puters ‘putin.
Big shouts to current supporters Silent Knight, Mark E., Jesse G., Toast, Nicholas S., Briana C., Stephie, and newest supporters, Andrew Wang, and Raphael Travis. 🙏🙏🙏
Now, let’s go.
HIP HOP’S GREATEST GIFT ISN’T RAP MUSIC
tl:dr Here’s what most #HipHop50 discussions and celebrations missed…
“I myself am a music teacher in Yonkers and this video is the best summary of Hip Hop 50 for the past, present, and future. Keep up the amazing content!”
-Andrew Wang
Please make sure you’re subscribed to my YouTube channel 🙏
HIP HOP NEWS THAT ISN’T ABOUT DUMB SH*T
Rapsody on showing North Carolina off and the “true currency” of what she does.
The Wu-Tang Clan apparently IS something to F with, in Las Vegas.
Rap, Hip-Hop and Music Studios as Activism: An Interview with Enongo Lumumba-Kasongo (aka Sammus)
Bronx social worker and friend of the room J.C. Hall, who infuses Hip Hop music making into his work with students, was spotlighted on Good Morning America! - (Of course, we had him first, a ways back, on Hip-Hop Can Save America!)
Speaking of folks who have been on my podcast, frequent guest Mikal Lee just penned a dope piece on the intersection of Hip Hop and baseball in Montreal!
The Young Thug trial resumes soon. This case is interesting because of the use of lyrics as evidence. This is a tricky legal and cultural issue that I’ll be looking into more in 2024, but for those who want a recap of what’s happened so far, check out Jewel Wicker’s excellent coverage.
The Today show did a segment with Lecrae about “the growing popularity of Christian Hip Hop.” Which I wonder about and also plan to look into more in ‘24 (#bars).
RELATED THROWBACK: “Why White Christians Need Hip Hop”
Pan-Africanism and Hip Hop are buzzing all throughout the GossipVerse (though not for the greatest reasons if you ask me). I’ll (maybe) stay out of the fray for now, but figure I’ll point to a project more worthy of that intersection, Blu with his new album, “Afrika”
Also, on the international tip, the Hip Hop Atlas Issue of the Global Hip Hop Studies journal includes Hip Hop histories of countries from around the world, including Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Germany, Ghana, India, Ireland, Japan, the Czech Republic, the Netherlands, Senegal, South Africa, Thailand, and Ukraine. It’s got some fascinating stuff that you can read for free here, as well as a whole entire Spotify playlist to go along with it!
Popmaster Fabel, who helped popularize breakdancing in the 1980s, sustained near-fatal injuries to his legs, pelvis, lungs and ribs in a hit-and-run this summer. Now, he's fighting to get back on his feet.
A new, open access book on graffiti: Graffiti Scratched, Scrawled, Sprayed: Towards a Cross-Cultural Understanding
Ok friends. Feel free to share this newsletter, subscribe to the YouTube channel, and please support this work if you can.
I’ll be back early ‘24 with more Hip Hop inspiration, innovation and insight.
Don’t forget to catch me LIVE, with YOU, Mondays at 9pm ET for the Hip-Hop Can Save America! livestream show on YouTube.
I’m also booking speaking and keynote appearances and teacher development workshops - more info at www.mannyfaces.com or just reply to this newsletter.
And you might not know this, but I’m also an award-winning podcast producer/editor and consultant. If you or your business is looking to get into the podcast game to increase visibility, amplify thought leadership, gain new leads, support an existing userbase, or level up marketing efforts, check out my full podcast launch consultation — on sale until my birthday (Which is 1/31 - Use coupon code: aquarius). I’ll teach you everything you need to know.
Ok, that’s it. Wishing you and yours nothing but the best for the new year. 💚🙏
VIDEO PICK
Obviously.
SONG PICK
A great one from one of the greats. “Banned in the USA” by Homeboy Sandman.
