Epidemic & Dean Atta Hip Hop and Powerful Poetry

Epidemic came through with that classic boom bap head nod mic passing goodness. Suffering slightly for the bandying around of the 'faggot' insult, the companionship and dope sounds shine through from these guys. If your feeling these guys; go grab some of their music here 

Dean Atta's important poem "I am nobody's nigger" has been set to visuals by the SBTV team featuring a host of UK artists this combination packs a powerful punch.

Logic - Spectator

The spark that Sylvia Robertson, Grandmaster Flash, Last Poets and all the pioneers kindled still burns strongly; and for evidence of how Hip Hop has given a voice to humanity just watch this...the potential of simple beats and rhymes to hit so deep; big up Logic

Murs x Ski Beatz plus The Dark Sea Scrolls ft El Crisis and HKB Finn

For all the Independent Artists doing thier thing this is a heavy weight rallying call, check it out..... And if that gets you in the mood for some authentic artistry, make sure you check this new night if you are out and about in London; having had the pleasure of witnessing the host El Crisis at one of our recent Fat Gold Chain events and his spoken word forthcoming events 'The Dark Sea Scrolls' are destined to be pretty special, especially as UK hip hop legend HKB Finn (previously Huntkillbury) is one major name amongst some serious poetical and lyrical talent.

Education for Leisure

Today I am going to kill something. Anything.
I have had enough of being ignored and today
I am going to play God. It is an ordinary day,
a sort of grey with boredom stirring in the streets
I squash a fly against the window with my thumb.
We did that at school. Shakespeare. It was in
another language and now the fly is in another language.
I breathe out talent on the glass to write my name.
I am a genius. I could be anything at all, with half
the chance. But today I am going to change the world.
Something's world. The cat avoids me. The cat
knows I am a genius, and has hidden itself.
I pour the goldfish down the bog. I pull the chain.
I see that it is good. The budgie is panicking.
Once a fortnight, I walk the two miles into town
For signing on. They don't appreciate my autograph.
There is nothing left to kill. I dial the radio
and tell the man he's talking to a superstar.
He cuts me off. I get our bread-knife and go out.
The pavements glitter suddenly. I touch your arm.

Carol Ann Duffy

This poem has been banned from a GCSE poetry anthology due to the knife references, as apparently it is not sensitive in the current climate. I think its a pretty good piece of work, the first person narrative would be a great focus for personal responses, and I'm sure many classes would benefit from studying it; thought I'd stick it up! Read the ins-and-outs of the bullshit argument here if you want!