Blog | DomingoYu.com - Hip-hop Education | Identity | Music

Don't believe the hype

There aren’t too many movies that make me want to go home and write about them. Forbidden Kingdom is one of those. Then again, I am procrastinating from grading. But that aside, I really didn’t like this movie. I guess I should’ve read the reviews or gone to the site and at least got some background information. I knew it starred Jet Li and Jackie Chan so I really looked forward to its release.

Rapper talks about something important!

In a message that has been circulating for the past few of weeks Talib Kweli explains why he quit voting and why he supports Obama. (Note: This is a repost as I had problems with my site for a couple of weeks and I’m slowly readding content.)

Full Circle

This past weekend found me in L.A., catching up with good friends and handling some business while I was at it. The catalyst for this entire trip was that some good friends of mine from Detroit were in town for a series of dance events. However, my social justice mindset kicked in and I skipped out on pretty much any party that was in “honor of Dr. King’s dream.”

Home is where the heart is

I recently returned from a week long visit back to Detroit, my former home town, and it was a mixed bag. With the economy the way it is in Michigan, it’s no wonder that it’s an easy target for the detractors. Yet I also left Detroit reminded of why I miss it so much.

Sports talk

While I don't write about them much, sports have played a huge role in my life. For those who watch college football, you already know that Michigan beat Michigan State this past week, which brought some joy into my life. When I was picking a college I chose U of M over MSU because of their football team. I know; that’s a stupid reason. But coming out of high school I was pretty clueless. At any rate, I was embarrassed by Michigan’s two losses earlier this year. However, I’m just about equally embarrassed by U of M running back Mike Hart’s comments after this last game since he apparently never doubted the outcome.

Doin' good in the 'hood

Yesterday my school was fortunate to have Ilana Weaver AKA Invincible stop through and do a couple of workshops for our students. As a performer, she’s world famous and done shows and worked with the likes of Talib Kweli and Eminem as a member of the Anomalies hip-hop crew. But while her music résumé is impressive enough, I actually invited her to come speak due to her work with Detroit Summer, a community organization that tackles issues such as poverty and urban farming. Among their projects is a recent CD titled the “Chronicles of a Drop Out” that addresses problems of the public education system. I've already used portions of the CD in my classes, which is made easier by curriculum that Invincible provided.

Must Read-Underground Resistance

Check out these interviews with my boys over at Underground Resistance, one of the world’s most important techno labels. These interviews are MUST READS. Whether you know the fellas personally or have never heard of UR before, there is something here for everyone that cares about social activism, music, identity, and even sports. Both of these interviews took place in the UK. Hopefully more of the U.S. will start picking up on UR’s significance.

Too little too late?

Another tragedy in the Bay area and who's to blame? Plus California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger makes a bonehead statement.

Where's the love?

Except for the Oakland Tribune, too many in the media missed the point of the 1st Annual Hip Hop Chess Federation Scholarship chess tournament.

Hip-hop injustice in the city of Berkeley, CA

I haven't had a chance to investigate this story but it's been circulating around, including via the Hip Hop Congress, which is where I got it from. Does anyone have any updates?