Justice for Oscar Grant

January 4th, 2009

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A horrible way to start the new year:

BART Officer Shoots Hayward Man in the Back

OAKLAND — A BART police officer struggling to handcuff a 22-year-old man, stood up over the facedown Hayward resident and fired a single shot into his back while a handful of officers watched, a new video taken by a train passenger showed Sunday.

The attorney for the family of Oscar Grant III, fatally shot by an unidentified BART police officer early New Year’s Day, said Sunday he plans to file a $25 million lawsuit against the department and asked prosecutors to consider filing murder charges against the officer.

The shooting occurred shortly before 2 a.m. Thursday after five officers responded to the Fruitvale station to reports of a fight on a train, officials said, though they have not confirmed whether Grant was involved in that fight.

Read more…

Prayers go out to Oscar Grant and his family.

-Ninoy Brown

In Solidarity with the People of Gaza

December 28th, 2008

“Israel Masses Troops and Tanks for Possible Ground Invasion”  I read this headline the other day and my stomach dropped for what would likely take place afterwards.  Now, the Gaza Strip has been bombed up and down, with hundreds of innocent lives lost, in Israel’s deadliest air attack in response to Hamas.

The Nation: Gaza Attacks

My words are few at the moment while I continue to update myself on the situation and let my thoughts marinate.

The homie, Jack, has offered some of his own: Gaza, Israel, and the Fluidity of “Terrorism”

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Images from Yahoo

I know Barack has expressed his support for Israel.  His response so far has been very political.  But let’s hope that his support isn’t blind and simply continues the persisting Zionist agenda that has pervaded the region for too long.

-Ninoy Brown

The Baddest Pilipino RN from Canarsie

December 23rd, 2008

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A week after the much anticipated boxing bout featuring the biggest Pilipino name of the moment, a Pilipino American, named Phillipe Nover, set out on a mission of his own to win a contract with the UFC as a contestant of the eighth season of The Ultimate Fighter. Nover did not win the bout against Efrain Escudero on December 13th, but he did leave the match determined to continue on his MMA journey and with a fan base eager to see another Pilipino reppin’ in the mainstream.

In this interview, which took place over the phone during his nursing shift at Methodist Hospital, I spoke to Phillipe about his loss, the possibility of fighting in the Philippines, the infamous fruit bowl incident, and training in the Pilipino martial art of Arnis.

Read the rest of this entry »

An Auto-Whaat?

December 18th, 2008

Holiday greetings from the one and only Area by the Bay. Upon my return home, a close friend from the P’ had to show me this clip. Although “808s and Heartbreaks” has been catching all the buzz, don’t believe the hype! My man Red will put Yeezy, Weezy and T-Peezy all to shame with nothing but a mesh jersey on with no under shirt…Joke lang. Actually maybe not, telling from the fact that this was filmed from behind a security gate, it may say something to how we view or feel about the homeless. Or maybe you shouldn’t listen to things a young Sociology undergrad has to say.

Anyways, put together for your listening pleasure from years of probably smokin’ purp, the man with the real Auto Tune and the G-Funk to match, Red.

-The Mighty MAD

Cool Beans (Yay Remix)

December 17th, 2008

By now most have seen the Lonely Island video for “Jizz in my Pants”.

There’s a part of me that doesn’t want to like Andy Samberg [1], but he is kinda killing it with that video and the Ras Trent joint he did a few weeks ago.

It’s a good thing I have been giving him a chance, otherwise I wouldn’t have been wasting time spent to study watching random old Lonely Island videos, which means I wouldn’t have found a song that would be on my 2007 short list had I known about it earlier:

The track, from the Hot Rod soundtrack, features non other than the overlooked and underrated cousin of Earl Stevens: B Legit.

The collaboration doesn’t come as a surprise when one finds out that Samberg and crew are Berkely natives.  I think they need to do enlist the assistance of Bay Life.

Lonely Island is set to drop an album in February that features an E-40 appearance and, for the backpackers that care, production by J-Zone and DJ Numark.

[1] Call it reverse racism, but we all know that reverse racism is a farce.

Video courtesy of Eamon aka the master cleansing, vegan eating, Living Legends weed carrier.

*If anybody has “Cool Beans” on mp3, please send it my direction.

-Ninoy Brown

On My Scraper Bike, On My Scraper Bike

December 16th, 2008

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Over at WireTap, a piece on a youth led movement that had the innanets goin’ nuts:

“Free Wheels: The Scraper Bike Movement Rolls On”

As the self-proclaimed Scraper Bike King, Stevenson coined the name “scraper bikes” because they were modeled after “scrapers” — late-’80s model sedans tricked out with oversized rims, custom paint jobs and sound systems that came to fame during the rise of the Bay Area “hyphy” music movement. The bikes were a less expensive, do-it-yourself alternative that didn’t require a driver’s license.

But the “scraper bike movement” — as it’s called among riders and admirers — isn’t just a colorful way to get noticed. Stevenson describes it as a deliberate effort to meld artistry and entrepreneurship to develop skills and opportunities for young people in Oakland.

Read entire article

What was probably taken by many cynical YouTube viewers as a gimmick has deeper substance behind it.

Props to Jamilah on the piece.

-Ninoy Brown

This is Black Hoodie Rap

December 15th, 2008

The Real can be hit or miss, but this video hit pretty well.

Give me a tardy pass on this one.

If you weren’t aware of The Real before, they are not part of the Stallionaires, but rather, they are self-described as a “Hip-Hop sketch comedy crew”.  What exactly is “Hip-Hop sketch comedy”?  I’m not entirely sure.  I’m as lost on that label as I am on the label of “Lit-Hop” (word to Mansbach).

The video was dropped on Dec. 7, and the track leaked just a few days before.  Interesting how fast ideas and products travel in this day and age.  Example: remixes to Bush’s shoe dodging incident.

Previously: Jay Channeling His Inner Blipster

-Ninoy Brown

There’s Only Ooooonne Manny Pacquiao!

December 9th, 2008

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Next up Hatton.  Followed by the first L in Pretty Boy Floyd’s career.  A third match with Marquez to give me some closure in that series.  Then he can retire as a GOAT.

Oh yeah, and in between all of this, happenstance will create a chance meeting with Joma and other pro-people leaders, thus beginning the growth of his progressive consciousness and critical attacks against imperialism.  This will in turn likely change my sentiments regarding his push towards politics.

Click on the pic above (or here) for more info about the Pacquiao edition of the Nike Air Max Bizness PE.

Shout out to Genesis for sending me info on the kicks.

-Ninoy Brown

Manny! Manny! Manny!

December 6th, 2008

Post-Fight Summary:

Unstunned by an unrelenting series of racial tension building and just overall weird statements by outdated sports commentator Larry Merchant, Manny Pacquiao escapes the sensation brigade and invites everyone to Rum Jungle for a night of clubbin’. Also, the underdog defeats Oscar De La Hoya in his 9457421433th fight against another brother of Spanish decolonization. Stay tuned for further Ninoy Brown fanfare as usual.

-Mark

Imagine

December 5th, 2008

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click to see a brighter future

-Ninoy Brown