Support The Jena 6, Goodbye Scratch Mag, Jay-Z’s American Gangster, New J*Davey, Skillz Tour Diary, Win!
LaTara Hart, cousin of Carwin Jones & Robert Bailey, two of the Jena Six. Photo by whileseated
We’ve all been following the Jena 6 case, espcially that of Mychal Bell, only 16 yet charged as an adult. The case, which has garnered the full support of the NAACP and the Reverend Al Sharpton, has prompted a large rally today in Jena, LA. Even David Bowie has gotten in on the action, donating 10 gs to the legal defense fund for the teens. Click here for more ways you can help support the Jena 6. Some okayplayers have even headed to Louisiana.
OKP would like to bid farewell (sniff) to Scratch Magazine which is closing up shop. Rap nerds, DJs and producers- a moment of silence please. The next issue to come out will be its last, featuring 50 and Tim on the cover, and including stories on Just Blaze, David Banner, The Alchemist, The Rza, and 9th Wonder among others. According to bits we heard from fontgangsta it’s the same ol’ story- not enough issue sales, not enough ad revenue… but that’s off the record. We’re still waiting for the official word. Let him know how much you’ll miss it!
The New York Times fills us in with a bit more info on Jay Z’s newest album American Gangster, set to drop November 6th. Apparently it’s “separate” from the original motion picture soundtrack, however it is a “lyrical interpretation” of the film. The first single slated to be released is entitled “Blue Magic.” To that we’d just like to say, … FIRST!*
Keep up with The Roots on the VH1 Hip Hop Honors tour via Skillz‘ Tour Diary. Read his latest entry from Denver, complete with a real music moment between Capn Kirk and ?uesto, captured on video (you gotta read his description of it to really get it).
For those craving some new J*Davey, The Fader comes through to tide you over. Mixed by DJ Lindsey, The Land of The Lost EPisodes “has interstellar joints with guests and production ranging from ?uestlove to Dilla to Kardinal to Trackademicks. And a Frank Zappa cover!” And the boards are all a-buzz.
In an interview with TV Guide, American Idol runner-up Blake Lewis mentions Black Thought and Chali Tuna, among others, in his wish-list for guests on his upcoming album. He states “I’m just going to try to get some freestyle tracks that are completely organic and raw, true to the Fifth Element.” Word em up.
Free stuff!!! Who doesn’t love that? Have some Common sense, enter OKP’s latest contest and win your very own Red Zune player.
Oh snap, more free! New York City, win tix see Hezekiah with a full live band, featuring Freeway, Bilal, Jag and horns tomorrow at The Knit. Philly, get at Hez first tonight @ Fluid for his I Predict A Riot listening party, 10-2.
- gingerlynn
* Okayplayer generally likes to keep the many rumors that regularly come across our desks, phones, and computer screens to ourselves but as seen in yesterday’s update, we consider okayplayer the first to hint at a November release of a new album from Jay-Z inspired by “American Gangster.” So in all our “rap nerdiness” (we’ll miss you Scratch Magazine!), “1st!”
