Afro-Punk's Blog – May 2011 Archive (23)

'Dark Girls' Doc Tackles Colorism In The Black Community

Is 'colorism' still an issue today? This is 2011, and yet we live in a world where some dark skin people still feel looked down on and belittled. 'Dark Girls' is a documentary set for release later this year, featuring interviews with women about their experiences, not only in the world at large, but also within the Black community.

Check out some excerpts below. What's your take on this, and what has been your experience? - Lou C-D…

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Added by Afro-Punk on May 30, 2011 at 4:30pm — 42 Comments

Post Your Favorite Gil Scott-Heron Pieces

You heard the news guys, groundbreaking poet/spoken-word artist/activist Gil Scott-Heron passed away. What better way to celebrate his legacy than to share your favorite pieces? His often political work set the stage for numerous artists, musicians and MCs. Please post the ones you love and your memories in the comments.

For those of you who are not familiar with his work, here are a few of his… Continue

Added by Afro-Punk on May 30, 2011 at 9:30am — 13 Comments

PREVIEW: Elevator Fight Reveal Trippy Songs From Upcoming Album

AP members Elevator Fight (with front woman Zoe Kravitz) revealed new tracks from their upcoming album 'Post Empire', and we have them right here for ya. Maybe you've seen them rock the Afro-punk Festival a couple of years ago (see pics below), in which case you know what to expect: daring, guitar-heavy rock and pop songs. Punchy at times ('New Pussy'), trippy ('500 Birds'), check them… Continue

Added by Afro-Punk on May 27, 2011 at 4:30pm — 10 Comments

AP Quickie: Unreleased Tracks From The Weeknd Leaked

Buzzing Toronto-based R&B act The Weeknd used to be in production team The Noise. Tracks he produced during that time surfaced online, as shared by Pigeons And Planes. Watchu think?

Unreleased The Weeknd by… Continue

Added by Afro-Punk on May 25, 2011 at 3:30pm — 4 Comments

Free Download: Toro Y Moi's Mixtape For Modular People

A freebie from a band playing this year's Afro-punk Festival? Sure! Click HERE to download the mix Toro Y Moi just did for the Modular People website, described as "a whimsical,… Continue

Added by Afro-Punk on May 23, 2011 at 7:00pm — No Comments

Afro-punk Festival Volunteers: AFRO-PUNK NEEDS YOU!

It’s that time of year again! We are gearing up for another fabulous Afro-Punk festival! This year’s festival is taking place in Brooklyn's Commodore Barry Park, August 27 & 28, 2011.

Each year we hit up all the NYC, Philly & Wash, DC Street fairs, festivals, & events to promote the Afro-Punk Festival, this year is going to be the best one yet, but we need your help to make it a success!

JOIN THE TEAM

Our Promotional Team is offering volunteer… Continue

Added by Afro-Punk on May 23, 2011 at 2:00pm — 2 Comments

Afro-punk Fest Killer Line-up Includes Cee Lo Green, Janelle Monae, Fishbone, Santigold & Many More!

Stage Schedule

the bands
	the festival Dayum! Cee Lo Green, Janelle Monae,…

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Added by Afro-Punk on May 20, 2011 at 6:00pm — 56 Comments

AP Quickie: Baby Baby Release 'Kidz' Video

Remember Baby Baby? We had a lot of positive feedback when we shared their 'Fire' video with you guys last month. Well you're in for more infectious rock, as they just released a video for their track 'Kidz' directed by Terence RUSHin. Mad fun and tongue-in-cheek, as always. Check it out below and let us know what you… Continue

Added by Afro-Punk on May 18, 2011 at 7:00pm — 3 Comments

AP Quickie: 'Color Outside The Lines' Doc To Showcase Black Tattoo Artists - PREVIEW

'Color Outside The Lines', a film by Artemus Jenkins and Miya Bailey, will put the spotlight on Black tattoo artists, including AP members such as Zulu and Afro-punk movie director James Spooner. It was brought to our attention by AP member D1V1NE.… Continue

Added by Afro-Punk on May 16, 2011 at 4:00pm — 29 Comments

Tess' Intense Vid For Jodeci Cover 'Feenin' + Free Download

Talking about powerful visuals and soulful vocals in this cover of Jodeci classic 'Feenin'. The Name Is Tess. This lady right here is delivering a poignant video, directed by Salvador Bolivar, and she can sing her ass off too! Tess tells us: "Salvador and I (...) are on the "come-up" and are extremely passionate about whatever projects we take on. It's a perfect match. After meeting him and without seeing any of his work, I…

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Added by Afro-Punk on May 16, 2011 at 1:30pm — 5 Comments

If You Don't Know, Now You Know: The Divine Secret Rock Hard + Free Download

This could very well be small-town England's best up-and-coming group, so we'll forgive them for being from a place with a nearly unpronounceable name (Cheltenham, Gloucestershire). Rock band The Divine Secret has already released at least 3 videos, including 'Hide & Seek' (shot in one take), 'Deacus' and 'Wham Bam'. We have all three right here for you, but that's not all. Their debut EP 'Scholars & Gentlemen'…

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Added by Afro-Punk on May 13, 2011 at 5:30pm — 5 Comments

WATCH: Static People Get The Art Film Treatment For 'The Late Projectionist' Video

Alright now, AP members Static People's new video is bad-ass. The Bay Area-based alt. rock/punk band was picked to have a video directed by two students from digital arts college Ex'Pression. Frontwoman Dmitra Smith, a seasoned singer with an admitted obsession for David Bowie, explains: "Poor Co-Directors Russell DeMaestri and Andrew Bertolucci had a meager 48 hours to come up with concepts, storyboard them… Continue

Added by Afro-Punk on May 13, 2011 at 4:18pm — 5 Comments

INTERVIEW: All-Girl Punk Band NighTraiN Embark On West Coast Tour!

Is there ever anything better than an all-girl band? How about an all-Black, all-girl, punk rock band? With a take charge attitude reminiscent of Sugar Babydoll and Sleater-Kinney combined with the same kind of charisma as The Go-Go's (or The Carrie Nations for everyone up on their cult film classics), NighTraiN are embarking on their first ever west coast tour in June, and would love nothing better than to… Continue

Added by Afro-Punk on May 13, 2011 at 1:00pm — 3 Comments

AP Quickie: Ninjasonik Unleash New Single 'Mosh Pit'

Just when you thought you had them all figured out, AP members Ninjasonik come out with banging electro-rock new single 'Mosh Pit'. It's a preview of their upcoming album 'Peter Pan Syndrome', to be released in September. While you wait, it's not too late to download their free mixtape 'When Anxiety Attacks!!', featuring… Continue

Added by Afro-Punk on May 11, 2011 at 4:30pm — 1 Comment

AP Quickie: 24-7 Spyz Announce Reunion Show In New York!

Is it Christmas or sumthin'? Classic Rock/Funk band 24-7 Spyz announced a reunion show for August in New York, featuring current and former members such as Jimi Hazel, Rick Skatore, Jeff Brodnax, Joel Maitoza and Tobias Ralph. If you're an old-school metal/punk/funk head, you know what we're talking about! Looking forward to a bad-ass show. By the way, we recently published an interview with vocalist Jeff Brodnax . Click… Continue

Added by Afro-Punk on May 9, 2011 at 6:30pm — 2 Comments

What's The Deal With The Tyler The Creator Album Leaks?

By now, you know about artist/skate collective Odd Future Wolf Gang, who've been buzzing like crazy everywhere on the web, including here on afropunk.com. Media-appointed "leader" Tyler The Creator's album 'Goblin' is coming out tomorrow. Have you heard the leaked tracks? (see below) What's your verdict? In love? Offended? Blah? Does the highly-anticipated record live up to its hype? - Parental Advisory: Explicit… Continue

Added by Afro-Punk on May 9, 2011 at 11:30am — 7 Comments

AP Quickie: Twin Shadow Make TV Debut

Congrats to Twin Shadow, who made their TV Debut last night on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon. The band has been on a roll this year, consistently touring and making appearances at the SXSW and Coachella festivals. Check out their TV performance below:

'Castles In The Snow':

If you're in the U.S., click… Continue

Added by Afro-Punk on May 6, 2011 at 6:00pm — No Comments

WATCH: Saul Williams - 'Dance' Video + Director's Cut

Saul Williams just released the video for 'Dance', a funky track from his brand-new album 'Volcanic Sunlight'. After the blend of percussion-infused electro and rock from first single 'Explain My Heart', 'Dance' is somewhat more fun, more accessible sonically. Don't get it twisted: Williams recruited some eccentric and astonishing characters for the video, with the action seemingly taking place in a pretty… Continue

Added by Afro-Punk on May 6, 2011 at 2:00pm — 3 Comments

Nikki Lynette Raises Her Middle Finger And Releases Two Videos In Promotion Of Upcoming Mixtape

Getting ready for the release of 'Roses N' Guns 2: the BADDER ASSED Mixtape That Rocks', indie hip-hop/pop/rock artist Nikki Lynette gives the middle finger to norm and rules once again, releasing two videos before the project drops on May 18th. In the first one, 'Bird = Word 2.0', the AP member only appears briefly at the…

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Added by Afro-Punk on May 6, 2011 at 11:30am — 7 Comments

Get On The Bus! Afropunk.com Members Head To The AP Festival This Summer

Sounds like the dream road trip: a bunch of Afro-punk "kids" (of all ages!) from the AP online community get on a tour bus and head to the yearly Afro-punk extravaganza in New York, the Afro-punk Festival!!!!!! And of course the whole thing would be documented on video. AP member Faraji Toure' has decided to… Continue

Added by Afro-Punk on May 4, 2011 at 6:30pm — 23 Comments