My Global Hustle

One day after MLK day, many of you are aware of what transpired on January, 16th to DJ Drama and Cannon. I was truly taken aback as I watched the report on Fox News. It seems in 2007 cats still can’t get a fair shake at attempting to acquire the American Dream. After posting 100k bail, their legal battle with the RIAA has just begun.

When I heard that these gents accts, cars,….basically whole life was ripped away from them, in my mind I knew it was deeper then what the media was letting on. Basically, when they freeze your assets that means the taxman cometh, so your paperwork needs to be in order. (all the more reason for Cayman and Swiss Acct)

This case truly brings to the forefront the relationship between mixtape DJs and record labels. My previous label experience clearly illustrated that many labels are in bed with these DJs and even commision mixtapes to be made in order to generate buzz for their artists. So it bewilder me why labels, DJs, and the RIAA (the enforcer) do not work together towards the legalization of mixtapes. If you travel anywhere outside of the USA mixtapes are LEGAL and can be picked up at any record shop. The RIAA is trying to use mixtape DJs as a scapegoat as to why music sales are down and consumers are downloading more then purchasing.

Anyone who does not live under a rock knows that mixtapes are a key marketing tool that has been utilized for years as a way to garner “street cred” for many Hip Hop artists. Maybe it’s time for the model to be revisited? It’s my assertion that the model has been broken for a while and this case clearly indicts that a change needs to be made.

DJs need to band together and create a common voice. The contributions they have made to the evolution of the culture and music business have gone unrecognized. DJs need to form their own association or advocacy group, so that their interests are heard. I believe that this incident is more politically motivated then a case of illegal activity being conducted. No different from the auto or dental industry, the mixtape sector has created jobs and opporunities for many. This incident is an opportunity for DJs to get organized! Because they way the media made a spectical of this situation was disgusting. Was it a case of rascism and an attempt to put certain indivduals in their place, strong possiblity. Lets just say this is a “movie” that we have seen before throughout American history. Whether it is bootlegging music or alcohol, there are many forms oppression.

Either way you slice it…..it is the time for DJs to band together and finally take a stand. U might have to call Uncle Jesse and Al….even Russell and Dr. Ben, but this matter needs to be put to bed once and for all.

~YG

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There have been and probably will be numerous articles on the January 16, 2007 RIAA raid of the Aphilliates Music Group studio and arrest of my brother Tyree “DJ Drama” Simmons and DJ Don Cannon. There have been and will be numerous articles on what the implications of this raid will not only have on the Aphilliates Music Group but on the entire mixtape business/game.

In the midst of those ongoing discussions, let’s not forget the reality that racism and sexism are alive and well in Ameri-KKK-a.

Tuesday, January 16, 2007 marked the first day of my supporting a three day fast that Black Women in Durham, North Carolina organized to expel and heal from the ongoing collective trauma that many of us who are victim/survivors of rape and other forms of sexual assault have been experiencing ever since members of the predominantly White Duke LaCrosse team were publicly accused of raping a Black woman in Spring of 2006. Little did I know, that while I supported my Spirit Sister-Survivors in Durham, North Carolina, that another assault against a member of my Blood family was about to happen.

No one will ever be able to explain to me why the hell a SWAT Team of at least 30 strong went charging into the Aphilliates Music Group studio as if they were doing a major drug or an illegal arms bust? Why did they need to put my brother Tyree (DJ Drama) and his cohorts face down on the ground with guns to their heads? Did the agents need to ransack the studio, confiscate cd’s featuring artist sanctioned original music not bootlegs, disc drives, computers, cars, ultimately stripping the studio of everything with the exception of furniture

Based on the January 16, 2007 Fox Atlanta News edition, when one of the agents said “Usually, we find other crimes during these types of busts.” Clearly the agents expected ( possibly wanted) to find drugs and/or illegal arms. K-9 dogs whose noses are trained to sniff and find drugs, were ultimately board with nothing to do.

So the question for me and the rest of the Portnoy-Simmons-Thwaites family is was a SWAT team needed? Was this solely about mixtapes? Would this have happened if this wasn’t a Black run company? One of the claims is that Tyree (DJ Drama) was racketeering. Well, this alleged racketeer is a legitimate businessman who played and continues to play a pivotal role in the careers of numerous known and unknown hiphop artists, which by direct extension helps the recording industry immensely. Tyree ( DJ Drama) is also a partner, a father, a brother, and a son.

When I think about all of the scandals in corporate Ameri-KKK-a (Enron and WorldCom to name a minute few)…I don’t ever recall hearing about any SWAT enforced raids. I don’t recall any images of Ken Lay or other top executives of corporations being forced to lay face down on the ground surrounded by SWAT agents with guns to their heads and K-9 dogs sniffing them. For a detailed expose on the evils that corporations all around the world do and get away with legally and illegally, check out the powerfully gripping documentaries “Enron: The Smartest Guys In the Room,” and “The Corporation.”

As Tyree’s (DJ Drama’s) sister and as a radical Black feminist lesbian social activist, I am beyond outraged at how the RIAA handled/orchestrated the raid. If he or anyone in the Aphilliates camp didn’t follow the directions of the agents, asked the ‘wrong’ questions,’or made the ‘wrong’ move during the raid, he and/or his cohorts could’ve been murdered in a twinkling of an eye. And for what? Selling mixtapes, which feature artist sanctioned original music?

The RIAA should be held accountable for their actions. They need to know that their violent response to addressing their accusations of racketeering was unacceptable.

There was (and is) no covert operation going on with the business of the Aphilliates; and yet the Aphilliates were treated as if they were public enemy number one.

I am explicitly clear that the music entertainment power structure has a very serious problem with people of Color making profits, on their terms, off a multi-billon dollar international industry that they created. Hip-Hop.

I am also clear that since the founding of Ameri-KKK-a, this type of state sanctioned racist and sexist treatment towards men and women of Color happens every single minute of every single day. Unfounded police raids are nothing new to countless communities of Color across this country.

So while we debate and discuss the legalities of mixtapes and the long term impact of what the January 16, 2007 raid of the Aphiliates studio will mean, we must not ever forget that innocent people were terrorized and incarcerated in the name of protecting the Recording Industry Association of America.

Aishah Shahidah Simmons is a Black feminist lesbian documentary filmmaker and social activist who recently completed the award-winning documentary NO!, which unveils the reality of rape, other forms of sexual violence, and healing in African-American communities.

www.NOtheRapeDocumentary.org
www.myspace.com/afrolez

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KRS-One – Tribute To Nas

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All the way from Japan….here is a new joint… It’s your boy Ye featuring the Teriyaki Boyz. Thx Joe Colli, U a fool for this one.
~YG

[youtube = http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M9-049z1yK4]

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(At the Beach with Mr. Lou and Friends)

I recently purchased a printer/scanner (thx Stan) and have spent all weekend testing it out. I decided to scan some pics from my adventure to the People’s Republic where I taught English for 3 months. These pics are all circa ’01 and stirred up a lot of wonderful memories. I vowed to return to China for the 2008 Summer Olympics. I’m still on pace to make that return next year.

(Some of my students…)

I’ve been traveling all my life, but the time I spent in China changed me FOREVER. For the first time in my life I came to the realization that people r just people. When you immerse yourself in another society you can’t help but adopt the idiosyncrasies that make a culture unique. Teaching the children conversational English and about American culture was an empowering experience. To see the growth that occurred in my students over a period of several weeks was magical. I gained a new found respect for the profession and the responsibility that accompanies it.

(My dude Simon from Korea.. we met on the plane from JFK to Seoul)

It was in China that I fell in love with photography as my medium of expression. I figured growing up in the South Bronx, I must be truly blessed to have the opportunity to teach and live in China. Moreover, I knew it was my responsibility to share these experiences with my peeps on the Ave and on “Extended Vacation”.

(And U thought they just had Yao, the Chinese love BBall)

Many people assume because I travel so much that I come from a rich family….and their right I do! A family rich in culture, rich in love, and rich in values. Just do a Google on Bronx in order to make yourself familiar with the atmosphere that helped shape me. I’ve never viewed my up bringing as a detriment as most people would…for me growing up in the Boogie Down gave me character and the moxie needed to tackle life’s ups and downs without fear.

(More of my students)

When I shared my pics from China with the local “D” boys and “Lulus” they all congratulated and encouraged me to keep doing what I was doing. Why would I hold the adulation of a “Street Pharmacist” in such high regard? Well… I am an 80’s baby and many of those gentlemen were the cats that I looked up. I can’t say Puff or Jay-Z were role models for me growing up. I had to deal with the reality of my environment and these were the gentlemen that provided me with constant words of wisdom.

(In Tiananmen Square… check Chairman in the background)

When U look at me U can see a little of their swagger, their style, and their hustle. As ironic as it may seem it was through their encouragement, in addition to my family, that I have developed a bold outlook on life. I mean think about it…. U got the coolest cats on the block telling moi that “U r cool” because I was chasing my dreams and attempting to make a better life for myself. So now U have a better understanding of why I shoot soooo many pics…. It’s not because I am narcissistic 🙂 It’s because I want my peeps to experience the same enjoyment and enrichment I recieve every time I visit a new destination.

(My gal pal Lei… 😉 )

 

 

 

 

 

(Great Wall)

(In front of one section of the Wall)

(Some of the Ladies in my class)

(David [in the green] and I leading the class in a song)

(Evening review sessions)

(Jane [one of my TAs] & Moi on the school’s campus)

(The Crew in Shenzhen)

(Peace!)

 

 

~YG

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