You have just been a part of the rebirth of the nation. It is somehow more inclusive and inviting and as you revisit the values we hold dear, revisit how you think of hip-hop. You might be surprised.

I was born by the river in a little tent
Oh and just like the river I’ve been running ever since
It’s been a long, a long time coming
But I know a change gonna come, oh yes it will

It’s been too hard living but I’m afraid to die
Cause I don’t know what’s up there beyond the sky
It’s been a long, a long time coming
But I know a change gonna come, oh yes it will

I go to the movie and I go downtown
Somebody keep telling me don’t hang around
It’s been a long, a long time coming
But I know a change gonna come, oh yes it will

Then I go to my brother
And I say brother help me please
But he winds up knocking me
Back down on my knees

Ohhhhhhhhh…..

There been times that I thought I couldn’t last for long
But now I think I’m able to carry on
It’s been a long, a long time coming
But I know a change gonna come, oh yes it will

It isn’t exactly the lion’s den or is it? World Vision is a christian social service group that is taking teen hip hoppers to the club instead of the pulpit.

Hip hop is the soundtrack of urban street life. Nightclubs that play the music can be a magnet for trouble. But a Christian social service group is convinced it can co-opt hip hop and keep at-risk kids on the right path. Tom Banse reports from Tacoma, Washington. 

Life is about making compromises. It’s a struggle that dates to Biblical times. As the apostle Paul wrote in a letter to the Corinthians, “I have become all things to all men so that by all possible means I might save some.”

This may not be the most orthodox approach but there is a school of thought that say we should be all things to all people. If this type of atmosphere saves today’s hip hop generation from ruining their future it may be worth considering.

World Vision helped these two teens – and 15 others – go national, flying them to Washington, DC to talk to their Senators and Congressmen. Mays says they urged the lawmakers to direct anti-gang spending to intervention and prevention instead of more jail time. “Get them off the streets. Give those people money so they can make flyers so they can get out there and get kids into their buildings. Help them, mentor them, tutor them.”

 In response, police departments have created gang-suppression units and try to keep track of gang members on probation. Local lawmakers have established curfews for young people and promoted summer employment and other development programs. Faith-based groups hope their projects – like Club Friday – can add a positive, preventive component.

What you are about to read, should create rage! That is the point. We found this video on Donnie Simpson’s page. Donnie labeled it DISGUSTING! If you listen closely you will hear adults in the background. As human beings we teach people how to treat us, this is what some people think of African Americans and why we are treated as less than. Once you see the video please read this post. This video is the reason the following story is able to exist. You can be the reason it stops!

A major retailer with stores across the country is not willing to carry The Hip Hop Nursery Rhymes Collection (a collection of traditional nursery rhymes set to hip-hop beats) on their shelf. The buyer called the project “stupid”.  We believe that the real implication here is that African- Americans simply do not want good, clean music for their kids! They think we won’t buy it!
 
This is unacceptable! African Americans want the best for their kids as all parents do. It is ridiculous to suggest that we would prefer our children to listen to lyrics that promote thug life and gangster rap as opposed to the nursery rhymes and educational CD’s that are also available.
 
Master P recently said, “It’s extremely important to feed clean, quality, and positive subject matter to our families. Our mission is to target the new generation of responsible African-American and multi-ethnic English speaking American and family oriented and responsible hip-hop consumers who are taking charge of their families and striving for a better tomorrow.”
 
Even the Hip Hop Community is aware that African Americans are striving for a better tomorrow, but they need to have access to the right tools today. In August of 2008, there are still retailers that do not think we deserve the best. They believe we should settle for what they offer and that they know what we want! Let’s tell them we want better!
 
The Hip Hop Nursery Rhymes Collection is a collection of classic nursery rhymes set to hip hop music. There is no profanity or derogatory lyrics on the CD. We at the Hip Hop Nursery Rhymes Collection would like you to know that this CD is available and that no retailer should profile or discriminate against our children. The reason African American parents are not buying this CD in their store is because it is not available in their stores.
 
We hope you will help get this message out and prove to the retailer that they are mistaken and we as a community rally behind our children. Send this story to your friends and family and favorite DJ! The CD is available on line at www.hiphopnurseryrhymes.tv or call 888-RHYMES1 (888-749-6371)

Better Black Television! That is something the African American Community has long been awaiting. It looks like Master P has turned the vision into a reality. Using his real name Percy Miller has gathered the A-List of black celebrities to create the next generation of television. MarketWatch.com offered the following story:

Preliminary List of Better Black Television Programming:

   -- Sunset and Vine -- Hosted by Vyshonn Miller and Brittany
      Phillips -- This video show will showcase the top 8 at 8pm, the top
      hip-hop and R&B acts as well as play classic videos and will feature
      a section where you can vote on new indie unsigned artists who will
      showcase their talent and the audience will have the option to place
      them in the "You Pick It Video" section by voting for them online.

   -- One Shot Comedy Show -- will consist of clean hilarious comedy and
      will be hosted by Gary Johnson (a.k.a. G-Thing) and some of the
      funniest comedians around. It will give upcoming comedians the
      opportunity to hit the stage.

   -- Gee Gee the Giraffe -- Children's educational show featuring Gee Gee
      the Giraffe, a magical friend that takes kids on educational
      adventures focused on reading and writing. (Will air on BBTV Kids
      Saturday Morning Show).

   -- Manage Your Money -- Featuring financially successful people lending
      information to viewers to help promote financial literacy.

   -- Close to the Starz -- A behind the scenes show that takes the viewers
      up close and personal to their favorite celebrities.

   -- Karma TV Show -- Bilingual soap opera with an African-American and
      Latino cast.

   -- What's Cooking TV Show -- Talk show that covers wide aspects of
      entertainment and current events while cooking and enjoying a good
      meal. The host and guests prepare healthy, budget-conscious meals.

   -- The Black List Movies -- Family friendly content featuring or created
      by top filmmakers and actors. From the classics of the past to the
      biggest stars of today, from original BBTV productions to quality
      independents, you'll find them on "The Black List."

   -- Hip-Hop Garage Show -- Saturday show that will play nothing but the
      hottest new and upcoming artists in their latest music videos and
      interviews selected with content appropriate to BBTV's mission and
      standards.

Every once in a while without even trying you can stumble on to something good. We found the Hip Hop Chess Federation and their blog and wanted to share with you an encouraging video by Nas.

To go along with that here are the words to an old favorite. As issues get worse these statements become more true! The Greatest Love of All-

I believe the children are our future
Teach them well and let them lead the way
Show them all the beauty they possess inside
Give them a sense of pride to make it easier
Let the children’s laughter remind us how we used to be
Everybody is searching for a hero
People need someone to look up to
I never found anyone to fulfill my needs
A lonely place to be
So I learned to depend on me

Chorus:
I decided long ago, never to walk in anyone’s shadows
If I fail, if I succeed
At least I live as I believe
No matter what they take from me
They can’t take away my dignity
Because the greatest love of all
Is happening to me
I found the greatest love of all
Inside of me
The greatest love of all
Is easy to achieve
Learning to love yourself
It is the greatest love of all

I believe the children are our future
Teach them well and let them lead the way
Show them all the beauty they possess inside
Give them a sense of pride to make it easier
Let the children’s laughter remind us how we used to be

Chorus

And if by chance, that special place
That you’ve been dreaming of
Leads you to a lonely place
Find your strength in love

Hip hop brings to mind certain images and they are certainly not all positive. It is important to consider the bigger hip hop picture and the scene of world music not only as related to hip hop but as related to children and families.

Hip Hop Nursery Rhymes has met the challenge of keeping hip hop interesting yet profanity free. Bringing the nursery rhyme back to the forefront of the children’s play list is s step in the right direction, however it is not a first.

Will Smith has been creating profanity free music for years.  Now others are jumping on the bandwagon  including Master P who previously was not on the non profanity list. Many celebrities are realizing that although swearing and profanity once held a certain charm, the thrill is gone. In addition artists that were once footloose and fancy free now find themselves parents. Interestingly, the producers of 106& Park on BET were asked if they would allow their children to watch their show and. The answer was a resounding NO!

As many smart grandmothers used to say,”Profanity is for people with such a limited vocabulary they can’t choose other words!” That statement alone is enough to make you want to read the dictionary. Hip Hop can be on the radio and in the nursery!

Fred Pace of The Register obviously has his pulse on the community. This is a great piece on how a local Partor is reaching out to the community.

“I want some Apple Bottom jeans,” the 16-year-old Mount Hope High School student said.

Apple Bottoms is a clothing line by hip hop rapper Nelly that caters to females of all shapes and sizes who are trendy and fashion forward.

Stacey Spadaro says if The Hook Up didn’t accept clothing vouchers, her daughter probably would have not been able to get the jeans.

“We are not rich people and the clothing vouchers help when you’re buying school clothes,” she explained. “Bless Pastor Robert Hicks for making it so all children have a chance to have some cool urban style clothing.”

Pastor Hicks, owner of The Hook Up, says he uses his business as another way to reach out to today’s youth.

“I really try to cater to the youth,” Hicks said. “It gives me an opportunity to talk with them, find out what issues and problems they have going on in their lives and reach out to them for support.”

Hicks is pastor at the Glorious Church of God and Christ, a Pentecostal church.

“We have churches all over the state, but I pastor the church in Logan,” he said.

Hicks lives in Oak Hill and has been in the clothing business for a long time, but he has only had his Beckley store for the past two years.

There is good all around us and all one has to do to find it is look. Hip Hop may not be the Lord’s music but one Pastor is certainly using it as his vehicle.

As I scour the Hip Hop news and sitings for positive images of hip hop, sometimes I also find the hilarious. Everyone should smell good! OKay well hardly any arguements there. It seems Diddy or P-Diddy or Puffy Daddy or Sean Combs or Mr. Combs or whatever his name today is taking some hits for his new cologne. The frangrance is named “I Am King”, no one would suggest this is an ego trip right?

Diddy has commented,  his new aftershave is not to be snuffed regardless of its ludicrous name.

He says, ”It is a statement about all men. We are all descendents of royalty. If we respect ourselves we are all kings. It’s nothing to do with being arrogant.”

Funny how Diddy was the only one using the word arrogant! At any rate many of today’s artists have fragrances:

Diddy

Usher

Spears

Simpson

Ball player Derek Jeeter

and even Donald Trump.

I can’t tell you if Hip Hop Smells or it smells good only your nose knows!

Here is part of a really cool post we found on Reuters.

By Michelle Nichols

NEW YORK (Reuters) – Presidential hopeful Barack Obama listens to hip-hop, knows many of the genre’s moguls, such as Jay-Z, Russell Simmons and rapper Ludacris, admires their business acumen and has been endorsed by them.

That support could be a blessing for the 47-year-old Democratic candidate as he appeals to young voters.

Or it could be a curse, with links to hip-hop’s “gangsta” image and offering ammunition for the supporters of Republican rival U.S. Sen. John McCain.

“Hip-hop’s public image makes it a hot potato,” said Bakari Kitwana, of the Study of Race, Politics and Culture at the University of Chicago. “People don’t know what it is so they equate it with hyper-sexuality, violence and drug culture…”-

While the debate about hip hop continues the beat moves on. Children still benefit from quality time with their parents and music is still a fabulous teaching aid.  As this school year is right around the corner now is a great time to add to the music and reading library. Adding Hip Hop Nursery Rhymes to your collection of music will make the old classics instant favorites.

The Morning Call posted a fabulous article today.We never support plagiarism and so the credit goes to Ben Slivnick at The Morning Call.  The articles reads in part:

“To a chorus of ”amens,” the Rev. Thomas Sweatt told a crowd of more than 100 that hip-hop has corrupted a generation.

But Sweatt, pastor of Allentown’s St. James A.M E. Church, was preaching to a room of white-clothed tables rather than pews.

At Saturday’s 66th Freedom Fund and Awards Banquet for the Allentown branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, Sweatt implored the crowd to ”reclaim the hip-hop generation” by taking a personal role in their children’s lives and returning them to Christian values.

Sweatt said this generation’s parents haven’t done enough to counter popular culture’s emphasis on vanity and money.”

It is good that communities are banning together for the sake of the children. It is never too early to instill values and shape young minds. Of course all hip hop isn’t full of profanity or graphic negative word images. Hip hop has recently tried to broaden its audience. A major player in the softening of hip hop is Rev Run of Run DMC! By now more than most of America has seen Run’s House. It is a fun show that details the day to day of Rev Run and his family. Rev frequently shows his dad side. Nothing is perfect there is still a ways to go before Run loses the profanity and Russell Simmons who is a big part of the show is the worst offender.

So what is a hip hop mom to do? Simple…play Hip Hop Nursery Ryhmes for the tender ears of the next hip hop generation. Hip Hop Nursery Rhymes are profanity old school gems for a new audience.