Elmer G. “Geronimo” Pratt – Black Panther, Godfather of 2Pac, Passes At 63

Former Black Panther Elmer G. “Geronimo” Pratt died in Tanzania late Thursday (June 3rd) night. Pratt was the former Minister of Defense for the Black Panther Party, and in 1972 was unjustly prosecuted and eventually served 27 years in prison for a murder. Pratt came to epitomize the oppression suffered by many left-wing activists from the 60s and 70s at the hands of the C.I.A. and American Justice system. It was proven that he was a victim of former CIA head J. Edgar Hoover’s CointelPro movement that targeted prominent civil rights, anti-war, and community leaders.

Pratt was also the godfather of Tupac Shakur, and the rapper mentioned his infamous godfather on his album Don Killuminati: the 7-Day Theory.

Geronimo Pratt was 63 when he died from a heart attack.

S/o Hiphop Blog

Bun B Currently Completing in Gumball 3000

The Trill OG is currently on the road again for the prestigious Road Race around the World. Lets keep Him in our prayers he finishes the race safe and sound. The video is from last year. God is Good.

On Thursday 26th May over 100 amazing vehicles will set off from London on a 3000 mile journey across 10 countries all the way to Istanbul. Closing roads and city centres (think the ‘Tour de France’ with cars). From London the route incorporates Paris, Barcelona, Monte Carlo (attending the Monaco F1 race), Milan, Venice, Zagreb, Belgrade and Sofia before crossing the finish line in Istanbul on Wednesday June 1st.

SD — Juice Freestyle

(As Quoted by PR.)As many of you may know by now– Alexa and Peter Rosenburg lost her little brother last week in a car accident. We are still reeling and trying to figure out how one continues life when such a huge piece is missing. Before Spencer passed away, he had started dabbling in rhyming. I wish I had told him how much potential he had, but I didn’t want to gas him up so early on. I should have. And I should have told him that he was just about my favorite person on earth to hang out with, but I think he knew that. He was an amazing person who brought joy to everyone. I will take him with me in everything I do from now until forever. I love you Spencer.

As a brand new rapper–he actually had his own style. He borrowed from his favorites, but he really had his own spin. Keep in mind–he was brand new, but I love the way he sounded. He actually was an MC.

S/O PMD

KIDULT “Illegalize Graffiti” Video

KIDULT ITW (uncensored) “ILLEGALIZE GRAFFITI” from eric on Vimeo.

KIDULT and his recent media attention, but this short video interview just dropped. Video shows him going through the streets of Paris and putting up random poster and going around spraying the high profile store fronts. Run time is about 11 min, so if you have the time check it out.
(if you dont know, google Surpreme NYC store tagging)

S/O 12ozprophet.com

Fest Alert: Roots Picnic Philly


4TH ANNUAL ROOTS PICNIC
Saturday, June 4
Festival Pier at Penn’s Landing – Philadelphia

Starring: The Roots, Wiz Khalifa, Nas (backed by The Roots), Esperanza Spalding (backed by The Roots), Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros, Ariel Pink’s Haunted Graffiti, Man Man, The Dismemberment Plan, Mac Miller, Yelawolf, T. Mills, Little Dragon, Nicos Gun, Donn T, Black Thought & DJ J. Period, Hank & Cupcakes, OCD/Reda, Railbird and Young Vipers.

Meanwhile, tickets are still on-sale via TicketMaster.com as well as Live Nation Box Office (111 Presidential Blvd, Bala Cynwyd), Festival Pier (Columbus Blvd & Spring Garden St, Phila / day-of-show only) or by-phone at 800-745-3000. We can say that the festival is on pace to SELL OUT.

The 7th annual Afro-Punk festival

At Commodore Barry Park in Brooklyn this August 27th & 28th and the line-up promises pretty much everything you could want from an Afro-punk festival, including Janelle Monae, Santigold, Fishbone, Jay Electronica and Cee-Lo Green (among others) as well as food, skating, film and a display of custom bikes from Brooklyn’s legendary black biker scene. Full line-up after the jump.

Cee-Lo Green
Santigold
Janelle Monáe
Fishbone
Jay Electronica
Toro Y Moi
Toshi Reagon
Ninjasonik
Cerebral Ballzy
Gordon Voidwell
Reggie Watts
Res
Joi
Rocky Business
Straight Line Stitch

S/O okayplayer.com

Music Mogul, Sean "Diddy" Combs launches MYMAG – Diddy Dirty Money – A Personal Insight Into His Life and New Band

Diddy now adds magazine curator / editor-in-chief to his already-impressive resume. He curated the material in Diddy Dirty Money, which is both a glossy print magazine and an interactive online experience, offering exclusive video, commentary and much more. Diddy mixes original content, including never-published photographs of him and his band members, Kalenna and Dawn with archived articles from his favorite publications.

“I’ve always loved art magazines and dope books. The DDM magazine gave us a chance to illustrate some of our personality and share pieces of some of the elements and people who have inspired our collective journey,” says Sean “Diddy” Combs. “Diddy Dirty Money features some of our all-time favorite articles, photographs mixed in with some of our own content… it’s an accurate glimpse into our respective lives.”

Other content includes Vibe magazine’s first-ever magazine feature on Diddy, as well as tributes to Biggie Smalls, Mary J. Blige and Hype Williams. One of the UK’s top music magazines, NME provides content for one of Diddy’s idols, music innovator and icon, David Bowie. Rare Frank Sinatra and Rat Pack photographs are also featured in the magazine, the late Hollywood legend inspires Diddy’s style and is another one of his all-time idols.

Esteemed photographer Jean-Paul Goude lends his celebrated Grace Jones imagery; shots emblematic of a style trend that courses through Diddy Dirty Money.

To buy a copy of Diddy Dirty Money and see first-hand what most inspires the timeless mogul of hip-hop, log on to MYMAG.com (http://www.mymag.com), preview and purchase for $12. Diddy Dirty Money will also be available at select Barnes & Noble locations nationwide as well as select newsstands on May 31st.

Drake’s OVO Fest

It’s that time of the year again! The 2nd annual OVO Festival will occur on July 31st 2011 at the Molson Amphitheater in Toronto with Drake, Rick Ross, The Weeknd and other special guests. Tickets will go on sale on June 3rd 2011 at 11am/ET via Ticketmaster. Make sure to cop those tickets asap because it’s going to be bananas (and they will be sold out)! Mark. My. Words.ATF