Black History Trivia….I Call Bullshit

Yesterday was OU’s very own Black History Trivia game. I was excited a fun way to educate about the history of my ancestors. But I was met with some harsh realizations from this game show. That that was a poor excuse for trying to educate about Black History. Know I know that I am not the most involved so to speak and pro Black on campus but even this struck a cord with me.

Now some of the questions that were being asked were okay and by that I really mean OKAY. The actual questions about history were good. Asking about Jackie Robinson being the first African American baseball player. (Which is actually wrong, it was Moses Fleetwood Walker..look it up) To which law was passed after MLK jr was assassinated. Some of these questions were challenging to even my group of friends. While some of the actual questions on movies and television were subpar. I was expecting and wanting a little bit more and my wishes weren’t met. Yeah lets all get the Sidney Poitier and who is Red Foxx questions. When the questions get remedial in the sense of name the characters played by a certain actor. And they did not go that far back from what I saw. Even that was okay the biggest problem was the music category.

Music is a big part of Black History. There is so much on this part of our history that the game show could have been on just this alone. But when the name that song portion of this game is playing the likes of Soulja boy, BEP, Kanye West, Sean Kingston and the like I was truly appalled. Is this really Black History? What have they truly done that was historic to the greater good of Black people? Its okay I have time I will wait… Nothing that really comes to mind. Now before you think that I am bashing they did play some Dionne Warwick, The Temptations, Etta James. This actually made me proud but where was Frankie Beverly and Maze, George Clinton, James Brown. Would I be asking to much for this. I want some people who changed the way music was produced, made and experienced. Where were The Fugees.

I understand it was for fun but when did learning about our history really just become a game. We need to do better.

Album Review: The Reminders

What's going on world? It has been a while but I needed to take some time and figure out my life and how hip hop was and is going to be apart of it. And to start things back up I have chosen to do an album review about The Reminders. This duo are some very insightful Muslim emcees. They are a group which I have actually gotten the opportunity to meet on a few occasions. They are a Hip Hop couple out of the Colorado area. The group is comprised of Aja Black a deep and conscious Femcee. She rhymes as well as sings with a good voice. Her in my opinion should be up there with a Jean Grae type. With her husband Big Samir who is also an emcee in both English and French. Their cd “The Reminders ReCollect,” is a mix of sounds of quality lyrics with solid beats to carry the whole cd. We see them perform different styles of songs. Covering many different topics from having self empowerment. To how they have grown up. This is one of the underground cds that I can honestly say is on the Zune right now. From beginning to end. The song I would highlight is Aja Black’s “I’ll 4 Life” This shows us that female’s who want to be lyrical can do it. Her word play in this song is amazing. The way she strung together sicknesses with Hip Hop metaphors is top notch to say the least. I would tell you to go and get a copy of this album

 

5 Oh Crispy’s out of 5

And to hear their music go here to take a listen to some dope emcees.