Oh, the irony, or should I say, tragedy in the invasion of the roaming Sneaker Pimps shoe/art exhibition to Manila, Philippines. Globalization’s exploits returning to exploit its exploited.

I had no idea that this tour was hitting the home of one of the world’s most renowned shoe collectors, Imelda Marcos, aka wife to Ferdinand as well as being the one who some may argue as the influential Eve to her husband’s brutal dictatorial version of Adam. News of this came to me during a rare visit to Hypebeast [1] where I was directed to Footurama that offered images of the event. Rooms filled with what one has to assume are upper crust “Americanized” youth in Manila gawking at shoes that their brothers and sisters on the same island likely made for pennies. Or who knows, they could be the actual producers of the actual shoes that have been transformed into art and placed into a gallery so as to devoid the product of it’s history.

Don’t we just love consumer culture? We love it so much we make sure it continues to spread all over the globe.

To give him and the rest of his crew the benefit of the doubt, I’m sure Futura didn’t realize or think about the problematic situation he was created in bringing the tour to the Philippines. But that’s just the thing isn’t it, we tend not to think about what’s really going on.

Mr. Jay Perez knows what’s up with the perplexing nature of kicks, and your and my infatuation with having a different pair of kicks for the entire year. It’s an obsession that even places me as one of those guilty in perpetuating my distant pinsan’s cyclical cycle of poverty so as to maintain my own materialism.

So if your interested and don’t click the hyperlinks that I end up placing within the body of my writing, you can check some of the pictures of the event after the colon: Link to pictures of Sneaker Pimps, Manila

[1] Don’t worry, I’m still not a believer. Just consider my visit to the site as an ethnography.

-Ninoy Brown

Not the bonkers of a first single that “The Corner” was, but I like.

Mira:

-Ninoy Brown

I’m pretty pissed off by this recent acquisition of Glaceau by Coca-Cola for $4.1 billion. Vitamin Water was probably the only thing being pushed by Fifty that I would probably ever support financially. I couldn’t hate on the fact that he actually had a good product on the market,. Formula 50 was a damn good flavor too. I guess this just further proves his capitalistic ethos of getting rich or die trying. $400 million?!!!

A beverage that provided few calories and gave me the lightweight hydration of water but with flavor and vitamins that I never get since I don’t eat enough fruits. Vitamin Water you were a good friend.

If you don’t know about Coca-Cola’s flagrant corporate abuse of power, take some advice from BDP, cause you must learn: The Case Against Coke

I assume I’ll just end up doing what I’ve been doing with my current boycott of Coke: drink it only during times when I don’t have to actually pay for it myself and those moments where my politically conscious side decides to take a break.

Well.. At least I have 40 Water.

-Ninoy Brown

The Revolution Will Not Be Televised

In the comments section of my last post about the secret war that the U.S. government had been coordinating against Iran, my homie, Josh made a point to discuss how they are also after Chavez. Well it looks like one of the inspirations of the ghetto revival is earning himself some attention again on prime time news, as he has refused to renew the contracts of opposition television station, RCTV, and has begun an investigation into another media outlet.

Yesterday, my older brother, asked me, “What’s up with your boy, Hugo?” I should have responded that I don’t rock Boss Clothing (cause we know that true bosses don’t have to rock that shit on their shirt). At the time, I didn’t know what he was talking about since at the moment, I was currently celebrating hedonism in Las Vegas. But ever since I got off work today, tired as a motherfucker, I did my best to update myself on this situation in Venezuela. Reading both sides of the situation, getting the anti-Chavez stories from most of mainstream American news sources, as well as checking out the alternative press.

So what are my real sentiments in regards to Chavez? He presents a bright future for the people, messages of hope and equality for the working class. Much of his ideals go against the power elite. Corporations who would like to keep hold of their power ain’t feelin’ this. So I see and understand where much of his opposition rests, among those that hold the means of production.

But amidst the hope that he paints, he is a politician. A man with immense state power. And we should all know by now that 1. power corrupts and 2. Eazy duz it. Because of the former, it always makes me very weary of any politician, no matter how much hope they try to speak.

Anyways, for those trying to get more than just what is presented on CNN and Faux News, check out these couple of articles from Zeta Mag:

Is Free Speech Really at Stake? Venezuela and RCTV

Senator Dodd’s Bizarre Campaign Against Venezuela

Venezuela’s RCTV: Sine Die and Good Riddance

I’m not saying to read these articles as absolute truths, but at least get a different perspective. I’m sure most of those that are reading this aren’t in Venezuela actually receiving first hand accounts of what’s going on, so our perspective on the all this can’t be the sharpest. But if you are from Venezuela, please share your experiences.

What do I think Chavez should do? The Center for the Protection of Journalists offers some sound advice: CPJ’s Recommendations

-Ninoy Brown

Throughout history, America has involved itself in more than a few covert military occupations. Korea, Vietnam, the two “Great” Wars, the Gulf War, etc. were just the ones that were televised. And just as the revolution won’t be, the government makes damn sure that a majority of it’s foreign intervention missions don’t reach your television screen. Global hegemony doesn’t remain in tact by it’s populace knowing it’s constantly in a state of war.

Now, it appears that ABC investigative correspondent, Brian Ross, has uncovered information showing that G-Dub (not to be confused with the basketball team) has authorized covert actions against Iran.

The CIA has received secret presidential approval to mount a covert “black” operation to destabilize the Iranian government, current and former officials in the intelligence community tell the Blotter on ABCNews.com.

The sources, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because of the sensitive nature of the subject, say President Bush has signed a “nonlethal presidential finding” that puts into motion a CIA plan that reportedly includes a coordinated campaign of propaganda, disinformation and manipulation of Iran’s currency and international financial transactions.

Read the rest of the article

GOP Presidential candidate, Mitt Romney, has already begun criticizing the release of the information. Link to the story

Folks will criticize the actions of ABC as traitorous [1]. But should we not forget how important it is to know the truth behind the actions we get ourselves involved? Lest we ever experience another 9/11 and once again question why we were attacked in the first place.

If this neo-conservative foreign policy ends up leading to the overthrow of Ahmadnijad, will the causal effect turn out to look like what had happened after the overthrow of Mossadegh? Let’s hope not.

[1] Or should I call ABC a bunch of “traders to the United States”, as the first commenter to the story says.

-Ninoy Brown

“We Taking Over” (Fresno/Central Cali remix) feat. Planet Asia, Diego Redd, Faswhawn, & Shake da Mayor

-Ninoy Brown

Common - The Game

Common - The People

Common - Black Maybe feat. Bilal

I was going to make a long drawn out post analyzing and criticizing the changing dynamic of Common. The man, the emcee, the musician, the style guru (what would Beanie say?) But it’s late. I’m tired and just want to share these tracks for those of you who have been sleeping on the wealth of leaked music that the internets has to offer.

And just a little info on the tracks: “The Game”, produced by Primo (not sure why The Fader said it was Kanye). A reunited Premier and Common give us a challenge to the “The Corner”. “The People” and “Black Maybe”, with the Kanye production. Surprisingly, Kanye laced someone with beats that outshine the production on his own tracks.

I’m looking forward to Finding Forever.

-Ninoy Brown

But this short, mash-up of a film by some law professor explains a lot.

Sa-Ra - So Special

For the past three weeks, Hollywood Recordings, has been on heavy rotation, and I’ve been meaning to mention to the loyal readers to support good music [1] and purchase this album. The buttery “So Special” has been my favorite cut off the album and is just an appetizer for the folks that still ain’t fuckin’ with these cats.

And to clarify, it should be telling of a man’s gift, that it takes three individuals to conjure up nearly the same amount of creative output that James Yancey had in one floppy disc.

For some more post-Dilla shit, also check out Flying Lotus, a very gifted nephew of the late Alice Coltrane. Big ups to the homie Andres all the way out in España for telling me about him. Maybe a separate post some time, if I have time.

For more:

Myspace|webiste

[1] Though not officially G.O.O.D. Music

-Ninoy Brown

Some theme music for tonight’s game:

Mistah F.A.B. - N.E.W. Warriors

San Quinn - Hell Yeah (J Rich/Warriors remix)

Ya Boy - Holla at Ya Boy (Warriors remix)

Shout out to Golden State of Mind and Yay Mecca for some of the tracks.

-Ninoy Brown