Another new XXL column

On a woman's place in hip-hop. Check it out.

Also, just now read about the situation with that evil Lacrosse Team in North Carolina and I'm feeling deeply disturbed about it. Kind of at a loss for words. And anyway, Humanity Critic has already said it so well.

This and That

Chilling, drinking coffee, and listening to the Busta Rhymes/Kelis track (which is highly addictive). Been spending far too much time on the Internet lately and I really, really need to get out and have some fun. Last night I broke out with Jacquie and we went for sushi (mango and prawn rolls!) and dessert (chocolate cake with marshmallow icing!) and then went to see our friend Charlie's stand-up comedy set. Hilarious. There were half a dozen comics doing their thing and it felt so good to be out late, in a room full of people, laughing so hard my stomach hurt.

One of my fav moments was a broke comic talking about the humiliation of moving back in with his parents. He referred to himself as a "stay at home son" and talked about his denial about living with his folks. "My friends come over and I'm like, 'yeah, my roommates aren't here right now,'" he said. "'Anyway, let me give you a tour. Here's my china hutch, and here's a bunch of framed photos. Here's one of my roommate breast-feeding me." LOL. He went on to talk about how he had recently paid for a banana in a super market with a credit card. The checkout girl was like, "Come on. Tell me you don't have 23 cents?" And he pretended he was indignant, all, "Of course I have 23 cents. I just, um, want the airmiles."

Anyway, tonight me and a bunch of my girls are off to Maestro's birthday party, so it should be good times (see flyer a couple posts below). If you are in Van City, drop by and say hello.

P.S. Thanks to all my friends in Africa for all the email love!

New XXL column

On African Hip-Hop.

The Sound of the...

Have to be quick. New XXL column on Friday that I forgot to post. Also, my feature on chick lit came out in last Friday's DOSE (scroll to page 12/13).

The reason I can't write right now is cause I'm too upset. Van City hip-hop pioneer Sol Guy is currently on tour with K'naan and Damian Marley, and he was beaten by rent-a-cops and arrested by real ones in Sweden. He was never charged and was released from jail after they wasted a good eight hours of his time. You can see all the footage on K'naan's site (Gothenburg 1 & 2). Some truly awful racist bullshit.

It's fucked up to see someone you admire and respect--a leader in the community, an amazing husband and father, a savvy businessman, a friend--treated so brutally. I've traveled with Sol and I know the way he moves, how he does business, and I know he didn't do shit to provoke that attack.

I'm fully aware that this shit happens all the time, all over the world, to all kinds of good people just like Sol, but still. I'm shaking I'm so mad.

Press clips

Toronto Artscape has put out a very thorough article on the subject of global hip-hop and activism in the recent issue of their journal. The story includes an interview with yours truly. If you want to read me "gushing" about African hip-hop, click here.

Why the South is on top

One word: beef.

Check out my latest XXL column on the subject.

Bubba Sparxxx controversy

My take on Ms. New Booty.

Maestro Fresh Wes party in Van City

For all the heads in my hometown, come on out to this party. It's gonna be crazy. (What up 'Stro!) Partial proceeds go to the African Aids Angels Society.

Out of the frying pan...

and into the fire.

Shout out to The Georgia Straight for the article on my new XXL column.

Allow me to (re)introduce myself

Yeah, so as some of you already know, I've got news here on Global Beat. Haven't even had time to get to it, with deadlines and whatnot. And by whatnot, I mean loads of congratulatory emails from around the globe. Thanks for the love! To the few haters in the mix: your hate is just fuel for my fire. :)

I'll be blogging for XXL from now on, along with Elliott Wilson, Byron Crawford, Sickamore, DJ Drama, kris ex, and a gossip blogger that goes by the name of Isabella. My column is called Northern Touch, an homage to Canadian hip-hop pioneers The Rascalz (what up Red!). The first post is about my hometown. Check it out.

Don't know how often I'll be updating this here blog, given the fact that I will now be juggling 2 blogs with writing my book, plus all my various freelance assignments. But we'll play it by ear.

EDIT: Clyde at ProHipHop had some concerns about the timing of my new column at XXL re: my blog post on the site's re-launch last week and my recent DOSE article on the music blogging phenomenon. Myself and my XXL editor Brendan cleared it up for him. The gist of it is that the DOSE story was written and filed months ago (we closed the story post-edits last week and it was run on Friday) and the blog post was up the day before I was invited to be a columnist for XXL.

Press Clips

Check out my feature on music blogs in today's DOSE newspaper.

Quotes from Brian Hiatt (RollingStone), Elliott Wilson (XXL), and Manny Groneveldt (MuchMusic).

Featuring bloggers Byron Crawford (hip-hop), Simon Reynolds (electronic), and Scott Lapatine (indie rock).

Rest in Peace

Women in Hip-Hop

In honor of International Women's Day (I was too lazy to post yesterday), let me draw attention to the following...

If you are in Van City, check the annual Sista'hood Celebration. Or drop by the Mary J. Blige tribute night at the Tokyo Lounge (proceeds go Vancouver Rape Relief and Women's Shelter).

The new Women in Hip-Hop Magazine (thanks to Rebecca for the link).

Shouts out to the coolest chicks in the game: Ndidi Cascade, Kia Kadiri, Eternia, Celine Wong, La Bomba, Lee Kasumba, DJ Chela, Susana Ferriera, Laina Dawes, and Hattie Collins.

Yeah, I know, there's not that many of us females in hip-hop.

It's not polite to bite (or straight-up steal)

Internet trolls: You are on blast.

I googled myself last night (as I do from time to time to check up on all the random bullshit sites that jack my shit). Sure enough, dozens of spots are re-posting my material without permission. Hip-hip sites are one thing. Hit me up and we can talk. News feed sites are another thing. Chinese fashion e-zines another matter entirely. (I'm not talking about links. I appreciate it when people link to my site or my articles. I'm talking about sites copying an entire article and re-posting it.)

But the thing that's really irking me right now are the "adult" sites that have taken it upon themselves to steal this article on big booty jeans. I really wish I had never written it. At the time it was a fun shout-out to hip-hop culture for making it easier for me and my full-figured friends to shop for jeans without getting a complex about our big backyards. (No, that's not me in the photo. Are you crazy? As if I'm going to pose like that.)

But that one article has kept me busy for the last year and a half emailing all the jokers out there who have clipped it. The porn sites are the last straw. Really, I can't imagine why they would bother. Here's a thought: if someone is visiting an adult website, they're probably not going there for an article on jeans. For real.

From now on, if you post, you pay. Don't think I won't come after you, either. "Y'all know what I'm about/front on me or my dough, then the guns come out." (Metaphorically speaking, obviously.)

XXL is official

The new XXL site is up now and ready to do battle, as Elliott Wilson promised in his previous editorials.

Looks good so far. As Pro Hip-Hop already pointed out, the usability of the site is on-point. None of that annoying digging for content or trying to sort out how to navigate the page. Plus, there's exclusive features and tracks. Which means that the website is already exploiting its key asset: access.

I'm aware that this concept has been attempted by other mags before--to disastrous ends--but I feel like the climate is different right now. Hip-hop fans are on the internet for hours every day, reading blogs, posting on forums, and checking news. Building a sizable readership doesn't seem to be a monumental task right now.

The problem is quality. As much as I'm a fan of a lot of hip-hop sites, I feel like many are lacking a basic level of professionalism. Many don't enlist dope writers who are constantly honing their skills. Many don't post news stories in a timely fashion, or seek out original content (opting to regurgitate press releases instead), or confirm rumors with industry sources.

As a journalist, when you are working on a story, you have to get it by a lot of checks and balances. It has to stand up to all forms of scrutiny. Even if the piece in an opinion editorial. I think that practice, while occasionally restrictive, leads to better writing and better reporting. Also, the whole process of pitching encourages you to really think about why you want to write something--and be able to make a case for it. You have to be able to convince an editor that the timing is right, that the subject is something that's going to interest their readership, that the artist is significant enough to warrant coverage.

I'm not trying to hate on any one site or blog. These are just issues I see with the medium as a whole. (My blog included.) I just finished a 2-page feature spread on music blogs that will be out on Friday in Canada in DOSE, so I've been thinking about this topic a lot.

As for XXL online, my guess is that attracting a lion's share of the hip-hop readers out there is not going to be a problem for them, provided they can beat the hip-hop sites at their own game. Which means using their industry access and journalistic skill to get the news and gossip scoops first (and accurate), as well as posting exclusive interviews and tracks, and generating a decent level of discussion with edgy bloggers and engaging discussion streams. That's my two cents anyway.

Home (Not So) Sweet Home

Back in Van City chilling and getting over jet lag. As usual, I'm bummed to be back in my hometown. That ride out to JFK just kills me. Every single time, I contemplate missing my flight and staying for good. Got back to rainy-ass Vancouver in the middle of the night. My bro and his friend picked me up from the airport and I ran down all the stories for them.

It was a packed couple days in the Big Apple. Hit the Rakim/Saigon show at BB Kings in Times Square. Interviewed Saigon at Baseline Studio. Met with a book agent. Went to see Q-Tip spin at APT Lounge and unleashed my inner Shakira on the dance floor. Got up with friends. (Shout out to Greg at Room Service and Michelle at Audible Treats. And Moe. And Donald. And Julie. And S.) Roamed the Upper West Side. Went for bagels at Zabar's. Ate here. Took the train out to Brooklyn.

Dropped by XXL. (Go ahead and get as salty as you want. I've said from day one that I like what Elliott Wilson does with the magazine. Just cause some of you bloggers have got beef with him doesn't mean I have to.)

Shopped a bit. Went to a freelance writer's group. Got high on the electric energy of the city, and caffeine, and that feeling of freedom that I always get in New York. Fought the urge to stay, as always.