they say hindsight is 20.20...

...& i couldn't agree more. take these two contrasting subject:

hindsight on historical events:

I'm stoked to check out History Channel's documentary series "America: The Story of Us". From our ever abstracting perceptions of the 21st century, the creation of the US as we know is seems inevitable...a given. This series wipes those thoughts clear, showing that if 1 person chose a different path, 1 battle ended with a different victor...well...all of our pasts & every single present would have quite a different narrative. Can't help but wonder what hindsight our generation is creating today...

click here 2 peep at trailer for America: The Story of Us

hindsight on "pop" success:

B.o.B's airplane vsn ii (x Eminem & amazingly soulful hook by Hayley Williams) takes a fresh spin on the idea that every moment of greatness had a succession of moments before that led to that success...it's a powerful reminder that we have control in creating our own "success" - whatever package that takes on individually; so here's 2 wishing on airplanes...

B.o.B's new album is available today - click here for more info & full lyrics

always,

nic.

international hip hop - using words for weapons

From the streets of New York in the late 70s to present day, Hip Hop has become a vehicle for spreading political & social message; it's influence has spread across the world. From Cuba to the Middle East to Africa, lyricists are using their words as weapons to spread the social/political messages they're fighting for in a way hip hop can only do - raw, unapologetic & blasted with mind numbing talent. Whether or not the political messages are up my alley, I can only show love for this form of art & expression that holds so much emotion & power...

South America: Estilo Hip Hop - Sacrifices from 3 Hip Hop Trailblazers

Slingshot HipHop - Sundance accredited documentary preaching peace in the Middle East & gender equality

Africa - the assassination of Guinea Bissau's presidential canditate, Baciro Dabo spurred the release of this mixed tape to empower citizens to react to his as well as other recent political assassinations.

links:

more history on the roots of hip hop - click here

estilo hip hop site - click here

slingshot hiphop site - click here

more info on GB Big Up mix tape - click here

always,

nic.

Forced to Be Fat


In Mauritania, where big is beautiful and stretch marks are sexy, young girls are brutally force-fed a diet of up to 16,000 calories a day--more than four times that of a male bodybuilder--to prepare them for marriage.



It sounded like summer camp. "You're going on vacation to the desert to meet other girls and eat sweet food," Tijanniya Mint Tijani's mother told her. Tijanniya was excited. "She said that by the time I returned home, I'd be a beautiful woman."




To continue, click here