"The mic is my religion and the system is the devil. "

-Nas

"I’m not a business man, I’m a business, man!"

Jay-Z, 2005

 Michael Jackson’s untimely death this week showed how impactful his 40 plus years career truly was on listeners all over the world. Since his passing, seeing the images of his fans—young and old—in literally every single part of the world mourning his death was as if an elder statesmen or world leader had died.

From Thursday to Sunday alone, 143 different songs were played

"I'm here to bring the coast back to its stardom/kingdom come excuse me, pardon"

Chris Focus, 2009

Born and raised in the land of opportunity known as Los Angeles, ground-breaking artist Chris Focus has been exposed to an array of different cultures and musical influences since he learned to speak.

With a Creole father who religiously clings to the jazz tradition of improvisation and skilled musicianship, and a mother of Black

Hip-Hop has traditionally been used as an agent for political change, but the music has taken form in Iran as the country is in turmoil over the recent presidential election.

"Pedagogy: education that is inherently directive and must always be transformative."

Paulo Freire, Pedagogy of the Oppressed

You know what’s gonna happen with Hip-hop? Whatever’s happening with us.” (Mos Def). The current condition of our Hip-hopulation needs a serious re-up: re-examination, re-evaluation, and resuscitation. Duh, we all get it! Well, some of us do. Though the problem is clear, to some, where to begin the solution-search may be even less evident…to even fewer people.

"Don't push me cuz I'm close to the edge"

Grandmaster Flash & The Furious Five