Composed and created by Mark Villegas, a scholar with his own blog covering the gamut of Filipino-American Hip-Hop and ABDC, Hip Hop Mestizaje: Racialization, Resonance, and Filipino American Knowledge of Self, is a short documentary on the topic we love to cover on FOBBDeep: the intersection of Hip-Hop and Filipino American identity.

While sharing the stories of several Filipino voices who have been embedded within the Hip-Hop scene, Mark highlights a community that has been well represented in the scene for quite some time.  Featuring interviews with individuals such as Kuttin Kandi, Geologic, Paulskee, Basic, and Alfie Numeric, a non-West Coast-centric viewpoint that showcases a varied yet collective experience.

Peep:

-Ninoy Brown

Aside from the hegemonic perspective of the interviewees, this was one of the most  a creative and honest (to the point that a psuedo-documentary can be) films Ive seen so far this year.

Paper Heart

-Ninoy Brown

Existing in the culture Hip-Hop is to take part in the ever lasting art of battle, so it was only a matter of time before someone had to re-up the show on the battle writes. So for the warrior in all of us B-boys and B-girls, Alien Ness has given us the privilege of insight into how judged battled should or could be approached in his oh-so cleverly titled, “The Art of the Battle“. 

I myself have not had the chance to read up on it, but once I do you will be damn sure I’m gon’ write a full academic review coupled with my own experiences. And if anyone is in question about how legit Ness can be about his battling, let’s just say you can be crushed by the weight of passport alone.

P.S. Speaking of experience, here’s a nice little battle between me and my crew the Illest Villains (Stampede, Sumo Rock, and Mighty MAD) against a crew so nicely named Squishy Invaders (Squishy Dociouvs + Space Invaders - Ray Roc, Saewl, and Darth Flavor) from the semi-finals of a jam this past weekend. Guess who won…

-MAD Himself

Guest column: The homie, Zoneil Maharaj, is the editor-in-chief of Oh Dang!. He is a high school writing coach through the Center for Integration and Improvement of Journalism’s Prime Movers program.

Eric Subido, A.K.A. Emassin, recalls his early days rapping in his bedroom at 10 years old: “It was ‘mother f—–’ this, ‘mother f—–’ that, ‘N-word,’ ‘N-word.’ My dad walked in like, ‘Is this what you want to be, huh?” Back then, the young Filipino American’s answer would have been emphatically, “Yes!” Today, as a 27-year-old grad student, the answer is no.

He’s tried making the radio hit, he’s done the music industry networking, tap dancing and jumping through the hoops. These days, he just does himself, rapping whenever he feels inspired while volunteering at a homeless outreach organization and working with youth in San Francisco’s neglected Visitacion Valley neighborhood.

We caught up with him to discuss his latest album, keeping his work and music separate, and the use of the N-word amongst his peers.

(more…)

I had always hoped for the day when I would hear about an asian male bringin’ the yellow/brown funk back into the main stream. There is word floating around the innanets that there is going to be a noir remake of the legendary “Enter the Dragon” appropriately entitled ”Awaken the Dragon”, starring a young Korean pop star simply named Rain (Ya we serious, he only got one name). 

Given that I believe it is the nature of Hollywood to give asian roles to anglo actors, which I often site as the reason for the heinousness of the movie (i.e. Dragon Ball, The Last Air Bender etc.), this may be our next shot at bringing the asian male back into the limelight. I know what you’re thinking, “another kung-fu stereo type?” Me keepin’ it hunnet with you fams, I’d rather be stereotyped as being able to push your wig back over being able to help you with your math homework. Think baby steps first and we gon’ make it top that hill! 

P.S. A little something to keep you occupied until asian males do get some ‘getback’. 

If I Ruled the World 09 - Nas

-MAD Himself

Wha gwan bredren and sistren?! I’m back again with some more Hip-Hop goodies for everyone. 

What we have featured here is a dope collection of  B-boy themed film pieces by my numero uno Pat La Rock entitled, “Fog City Nights”. As you can tell from the name, they be a series of clips shot around various parts of the SFC, usually including local B-boys/girls. With an eye for the artsy-fartsy, Pat La Rock gives you a glimpse into some of San Fran’s rich B-boy culture. Word ‘em up! 

-MAD