Featured Blog Posts – May 2010 Archive (9)

Afro-punk Meets the Millenial: A call to the young rebels

Afro-punk Meets the Millenial! This post, by 14-year-old, Kyler Jones, is an introduction to a new Afro-punk section, Carded, dedicated to adolescent issues, i.e. suicide, peer pressure, sexual harassment, coming out, parental gripes, advice, outreach, community service, teenage employment info, and youth rights.…

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Added by Carded on May 31, 2010 at 12:12pm — 9 Comments

Africa Is The Future: Just Put it on a Shirt

The cover of the Nneka mixtape is where I first saw the big bold slogan printed on a hoody "Africa Is The Future." These four little words said volumes about current global economics, cultural, music and fashion! Once I sat back and thought about it, there is nothing bigger I would want on a shirt then that slogan! Africa, the birth place of civilization, IS the future. Through all it's turmoil and wars and poverty, you will see it make it's way back to be center, if you only…

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Added by Safety Pins on May 25, 2010 at 8:30am — 3 Comments

Organic food in the Black Community: A desert land

Some time ago a friend asked me if I could drive her to a grocery store because her car was broken down. I offered to take her to one a bit further out but she chose one in the hood that she always goes to. I had never been there before although I had driven past numerous times. I went inside the store with her, following her aisle by aisle as she filled up her cart with canned vegetables, canned fruit and boxes of freeze dried mashed potatoes and macaroni and cheese. The beef… Continue

Added by Afro-Punk Features on May 20, 2010 at 8:30am — 14 Comments

You Can't Handle Black with W. Kamau Bell

We found a comedian who claims he can end racism in one hour. That's right. W. Kamau Bell (pronounced KA-MAOW, like KA-POW) says that his one man stand up show can end that nasty little "r" word that we've all got mighty comfortable with. So, we decided to invite this San Francisco comedian to the Afro-punk scene to smack us around a little, get the race conversation stirred up a bit, and to make us a little more uncomfortable… Continue

Added by Afro-Punk Features on May 14, 2010 at 12:30pm — 18 Comments

Reclassified Afro-Punk: STAX records is punk music

From one Memphis label, we can hear mod, soul, country, blues, rock and the beginnings of punk. Oh, you thought MC5 and The Stooges were proto-punk, right? Well take a look and listen to the artists of STAX. They’re in the same category as early 60’s bands like The Sonics, The Monks, and The Fabulous Wailers. If those bands are respected for their early contributions to rock, then Stax is in need of an Afro-Punk Reclassification because they… Continue

Added by Afro-Punk Features on May 13, 2010 at 12:00pm — 8 Comments

Love Connections on Afro-punk? Why Not?

My response to Jill Scott's Essence Magazine article seemed to have people up in arms as far as interracial relationships and white men/ women stealing all the "Good" black men/ women. I've noticed that here on Afro-Punk we have an array of men and women from different backgrounds, races, religions, etc. and it almost seems, even though we all have our different views on many many topics, that…

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Added by Afro-Punk Features on May 10, 2010 at 2:00pm — 36 Comments

Going against the grain: Are you a trend-setter?

What constitutes a trend-setter and how do you locate a real one in the bucket full of fakes? In my experience, most trends are set by individuals who dare to step out of the box of normalcy, and go against the grain of what we consider the norm.

Going against the grain: Are you a trend-setter?

Words…

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Added by Afro-Punk Features on May 6, 2010 at 6:30pm — 10 Comments

A Nation of Misfits: Shudder to Think

In their 12 years together, Shudder To Think were an anomaly. Too pop for the punk scene, but too punk for the pop market, they have remained a hidden gem in both; occupying the space between the Revolution Summer bands of 1985 and the mid-90's second wave of glam rock.

A Nation of Misfits: Shudder to…

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Added by A Nation of Misfits on May 5, 2010 at 3:30pm — 1 Comment

Pull My Threads: Spring trends for hot legs

Coming out of winter all I can focus on is not wearing rain boots and coats. Usually around March/April is when I hit the internet hard to find new some threads to rock during the warmer days of spring into the hot summer days. While there is a whole lot of shit out there on the internet, I have managed to comb through it and find a few of the gems. These lines don’t just offer one or two choice pieces, but a whole line that you can mix and match from. Click on the store name… Continue

Added by Afro-Punk Features on May 3, 2010 at 8:30am — 7 Comments