It just came over the wire earlier today that President-elect Barack Obama supports a “change in the direction” of hip-hop music!
Sounds a bit strange for our 44th-President-to-be? Not according to hip-hop star Common, who thought of the idea!
“I really do believe we as hip-hop artists pick up what’s going on in the world and try to reflect that,” he told CNN, outlining his belief that mainstream as well as more socially aware rappers will pick up on what he sees as the more optimistic prospects of an Obama presidency.
“I think hip-hop artists will have no choice but to talk about different things and more positive things, and try to bring a brighter side to that because, even before Barack, I think people had been tired of hearing the same thing,” he said.
HIGH STREETERS, BEWARE …
A special “heads-up” for UK readers:
If you work or shop around the High Street near Leyton Mills shopping centre in east London, beware of the DVD pirates invading the area!
What these Chinese peddlers do is sell illegal (or pirated) DVDs in front of the supermarket, stores — even under the sign you see on your right!
While almost all of these peddlers have been arrested at one time or another, the police see them as minor offenders and let them go, only to see them return to their “business” shortly thereafter.
GOIN’ TO A GO-GO
Here in the states, one of the best, yet most intimate, venues for bands of the Sixties was the legendary Whiskey A Go-Go. The great Johnny Rivers performed there often (and recorded a live album there), and bands like The Byrds and The Doors were frequent performers as well.
But I just learned that Elmer Valentine, its co-founder, died this past Wednesday at his home in Studio City, California (not too far from my late friend Lloyd Thaxton’s). He was 85.
The man was part club owner, part promoter — sort of an early version of Fillmore East’s Bill Graham. Yet, he was accessible to almost anyone who wanted to have a word with or meet him.
Another legend of the growing rock industry has left us. RIP, Elmer …
Well, that’s it for this edition. But tune in tomorrow for more, okay? I’ll be waitin’, so …
see ya on the flip side!
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