That DJ Made Our Days - Chris "Preach" Smith

I don't really hang out around Jamaica Avenue and Merrick Boulevard much
these days. Most of my missions take me to the subway and the Long Island
Rail Road. That one area used to be a mainstay for me during high school. It
was the main connection point for me to get home from Fresh Meadows, which
seemed a whole world away back then. The bus terminal, with the newsstand,
the pizzeria with the SNK arcade cabinet and the grocery store framing the
entrance to the Coliseum mall on 165th Street was in some ways like the
like the zocalos I would see in the Yucatan years later. One thing always stood
out though; the back of the Tabernacle of Prayer Church directly on the avenue.
Faded reddish brick walls stood imposing off to the far end of the terminal. It
always was a source of curiosity for me. And now, on the off chances I do get
to pass by it, it represents a bit of sadness.

That building is where Jason Mizell, better known as Jam Master Jay of the
legendary hip-hop group RUN-DMC, lost his life to a gunman nine years ago.
Nine years. It means that one whole generation has been born, and don't know
hip-hop without a man who helped bring it further into mainstream music. Run
used to say, "We'll never have a band. That's our band." as he pointed at Jay.
And yet, Jay's talent and style made it possible for us to even think of bands
being part of hip-hop, being expressed in the skills of the DJ. I still remember
that day clearly. I remember getting home from Manhattan and hearing the
news. The 'hood seemed to go still for the rest of that night. I still recall the
news reports showing people placing candles out on 205th Street in Hollis. And
today, it's now known as RUN DMC JMJ Way.


There's reason to be a little bit saddened on this day. You've got DJ's who proclaim
themselves to be with no history, and less talent. An associate of mine once told me
that he asked a group of 14 year olds who Jam Master Jay and other icons were.
And not one of them knew. And a couple of them rocked Adidas shell toes. Every
MC and DJ doing it right now should set aside a moment to thank this man if they
haven't done so. But there's also a great deal to be happy about on this day. Look
at The Scratch Academy that he founded. It's led to Red Bull starting their own
music academies and workshops. His style of black fedoras, tracksuits and crisp
Adidas shell toes which were the calling card of RUN DMC is regarded worldwide
as b-boy elegance. I see the murals here and there. His memory still lives. And
his legacy won't fade.

So for today, play RUN DMC's "Peter Piper" just a little bit louder. Rest in power,
Jam Master Jay. Queens and the world, thanks you.

Words From Liberty Square - Chris "Preach" Smith

(photo courtesy of Mista Stress)

I had a chance to head down to Liberty Square, home of Zuccotti Park
and the birthplace of the Occupy Wall Street movement this past Tuesday.
I went to garner interviews for Earthtribe TV and to fully ingest what was
taking place down there 38 days later. I had been by there in the second
week and was thrilled with the energy of the protests, but I still had some
concerns. I intended to make this a straightforward account of what I had
seen this last visit, but I saw some things that both gave me some hope
and also gave me reason to cast a sideways eye. I chalk it up to being
there on the scene when the bulk of the crowd had gone to march on a
meeting convened by Mayor Bloomberg. The best way for me to speak on
what I witnessed is like this:



To the young man, Jalen from Orlando who I spoke with...I'm glad you're
direct and clear about what you feel the goals of OWS are, and are more
than willing to help other newcomers get organized. I also think that you
represent the majority of folks down there, honest people who are sick and
tired of what's been going on.


I'm glad I saw more people of color involved in OWS...but I wish the folks
I approached were willing to share their views on camera openly. I did get
a chance to speak to the OWS General Assembly so I'm sure there will be
more to come on this topic. It was interesting to see older Black women
selling support pins. And I spotted the Puerto Rican flag in the middle of
the encampment, but no red, black and green. I still think a lot more can
be done in this regard as far as outreach, but they definitely are trying.


To this dude in the haz-mat suit...you are a reason why people cast bad
eyes on this struggle. I saw this dude run up on an NYPD officer and yell
at her for a couple of minutes. There's a reason why they call it CIVIL
disobedience. The whole of Zuccotti Park was surrounded by the NYPD,
complete with their 'eye in the sky' command tower I've only seen out
on 125th Street, and other hot spots in the city. We all know what went
down in Oakland. There's protest, and then there's direct provocation.
They don't need an excuse to hurt you in the name of protection and
service. Ask Occupy Boston. Ask Occupy Oakland and Occupy Denver.
Hell, ask Scott Olsen. Rubber bullets kill just as well. And the city would
LOVE for an incident to occur to clear you guys out. You're going to get
people hurt because you want to satisfy your ego instead of speaking
as part of the people. Take it down a few notches.

To the random people just walking around with 'DONATE' signs and asking
for money for bus fare on the fringes...find somewhere else to hustle.
You're like the gypsies.

To the people in the tent city...I understand how you feel. You're out here
to fight for people's rights, not to be viewed as animals in a zoo. Who knows
how many people out there were taking photos as souvenirs? "Hey, look at
the dirty hippie protesters!!!" Hanging up that sign saying 'We don't mind you
taking photos, but please consider donating to the General Assembly' was
a stroke of genius.

To the sewing station, the food distribution department, the library and most
importantly, the medical tent...you're doing amazing work. It was cool seeing
how you all operated. And most importantly, you did it with spirit and helped
everyone who asked.

To the overt druggies...you may think you're the movement. You may think
that you're sticking it to the system. But you're not. All you're doing is giving
the NYPD more reason to sweep you guys out of there. You're giving predators
more reason to attack you, just like what happened last Saturday with those
three coke pushers. You're making more work for the medics. And you give the
critics that much more ammunition. If you are addicted, get help there. The
staff's willing. Or keep it out of the park if you must indulge. (Personally I wish
you wouldn't at all.)

To the 'Layoff Santa'...you get props. Next time I'm down there we will speak,
seeing as how you were fielding five different interviews.



Overall, I walked away from Occupy Wall Street with a good deal of hope.
Because I know very well that this is the beginning. What OWS has done
is provide a spark for discussion, real discussion without disrespect or some
derision. I'm not overly romantic about OWS; it's the beginning of a long,
hard road. I would like to see them a bit more organized, and I do wish that
some of that energy could be used towards creating a true and stable third
party to contend with the Republicans and Democrats. I don't want OWS to
be seen as a party, or something one does just to gain some cred on Twitter
or Facebook. I've already seen a few groups use it to promote their movie,
or push a book. I don't want the Occupy movement to be seen as just another
way for some two-bit panderers to get laid. I think the hope I feel is that
Occupy Wall Street, for all of its flaws and shining facets, is a diamond-like
moment of possibility. Liberty Square and all that's taking place is just as the
name implies. It's the liberty to make your voices heard, and to make other
people realize they have that same power. Let's hope that OWS never totally
strays from that.

Quarterback Jesus Saves The Day - Chris "Preach" Smith

This past Sunday I had the chance to watch a full day of the NFL in the Harlem Football
Lounge, better known as the home of two good friends of mine. On a day that saw Cam
Newton power the Carolina Panthers to a win with his seventh rushing touchdown of the
season and Plaxico Burress grab three TD passes for the New York Jets over San Diego,
the biggest story took place in Miami. And it was written by 'Quarterback Jesus' himself,
Tim Tebow of the Denver Broncos.

Tebow became the starter for the hapless Broncos due to Kyle Orton's bad play and the
almost rabid insistence of Broncos fans. If people are willing to shell out twenty thousand
for a billboard demanding he play, that's a serious level of demand. And despite playing
below average for most of the game and getting sacked SEVEN TIMES, Tebow managed
to not only throw two touchdowns in the last five minutes, but he ran the ball in for a
2 point conversion that even the Blind Boys of Alabama could have told you was coming.
I yelled out in disbelief watching the play with everyone else. The game was clinched in
overtime thanks to the defense and a 52-yard field goal. And thus, Tebow smote his foes
for the first time in his career. But it still hasn't shut down the raging debate about whether
he can be an NFL quarterback. But that's not the biggest issue folks have with him.


You see, Tim Tebow is probably the most polarizing figure in the NFL if not the entire
sports world. There really is no middle ground when it comes to him. It's been like
this since his days at the University of Florida. His run and gun, rambling play combined
with his clean-cut good looks and a charming personality made him a star. He's the
guy you'd imagine Michael Bay barking out orders to get from central casting if he
was to do a football movie. The one thing that ties all that together like a scarlet ribbon
is his devout belief in Christianity. Tebow has been very outspoken about this, from
appearing in a TV ad against abortion with his mother to putting Bible verse numbers
on his eye black. Word is he even tried to lead fellow rookies in prayer at a testing session
at the combine. It's that strident faith and his willingness to talk about it that has people
throwing rocks and ragging on him. There are people, atheist and Christian who feel he's
too 'preachy'. Folks who feel that he's too pristine, too boy-next-door for their tastes. In
a way, he's kind of like a character in the acclaimed movie 'North Dallas Forty' with Nick
Nolte. Now I'm not one to rag on someone for their beliefs. We're in a nation where we're
supposed  to be tolerant even if there's a bit too much zeal. No, my beef is with his skills
as a player at the professional level.


Granted, he was a GREAT player in college. But he also was a player who
loved to throw himself into the fray. There were a couple of games in college
where he made some Madden-type moves, like jumping up in the air to
make passes. He got his clock cleaned severely in his senior year during
such a play. He has the same issues that Michael Vick had coming into the
league; he relies too much on his athletic ability. If John Elway and your
own coach had you behind Orton and BRADY QUINN, that says a lot. You
can't carry on like that in the NFL and most of the analysts do feel he's got
a lot of work to do. Tebow has to learn all of the nuances of the position at
the pro level on the job now. He can't keep making 360 degree spins in the
pocket. No more jump passes; imagine him doing that against someone like
Ray Lewis or James Harrison? Most importantly, Tebow and the Broncos need
to grow together. Beating the Dolphins isn't a major achievement; they're a
winless squad with a lame duck coach and both teams were 0 for 16 on third
down conversions into the third quarter. Tebow himself was 4 for 10 for only
40 yards until that magical last five minutes of regulation. Not exactly savior
material.

It remains to be seen if Tebow will be Quarterback Jesus, the second coming of
Jonh Elway or just a decent fill-in. The Broncos play the Detroit Lions next. I
wonder what kind of Biblical angle the sports media will put on that game. And
if Tebow can get over 200 yards passing.

Grown Man Hip Hop - Chris "Preach" Smith

Phonte.

I'm going to boldly declare a new genre of hip-hop here and now.

"Grown Man Hip-Hop".

There's many reasons to proclaim that contemporary hip-hop music is just
plain backwards. Studio gangsters rule the airwaves. There's tracks out there
with production as sloppy as a Triple Whopper with cheese thrown together by
a disgruntled teenager. Half of the times some of these modern-day rappers
sound like they're reading 2nd grade phonics assignments on codeine. We won't
even get into the outward appearance. There's some out there who feel out of
place with this new era. Folks who were reared on the 'Golden Age' of the 1990's,
and even those who recall its early days. These are the people who the genre of
'Grown Man Hip Hop' appeals to. (and I'm not excluding the ladies by any means.)

You have to look at the fact that hip-hop is in some aspects, controlled by the
young and brash at times. Look at LL Cool J. Special Ed. Even Lil Wayne. The
older MCs are just that: older. Just like you are. And as much as we'd like to think
we've got enough vigor to roll up in a club and pop bottles and rule afterwork
parties like we used to, heads are past that stage. We've got bills, student loans,
mortgages, car notes. And most importantly, children. Maybachs like you see in a
Rick Ross video don't have child-friendly car seats readily available. You're at a point
right now where you need sustenance in your music. A lot of folks I know have shied
away from hip-hop for other music genres. And that's where this new niche comes
in. It pays respect to the artists who can address these issues and still make some
really great music.

Murs.

For example, look at Phonte. This brother's been putting it down consistently
with Little Brother and as a solo artist, he's become a major star. How many
MC's do you know that can enjoy the fact of being nominated for a Grammy in
the R&B CATEGORY like he was with The Foreign Exchange? Amother shining
example is Ghostface. Ghost Deini has always made music for the grown heads,
and managed to do it in a way that preserved not only his longevity but also
the foundations of the Wu-Tang Clan for quite some time. Raekwon is also an
MC who champions grown man hip-hop. He often speaks about the difference,
likening today's hip-hop faves as 'fast food'. Another MC who deserves mention
here is Murs out of Los Angeles. This cat at one point didn't even curse on his
albums. His catalog is full of thought-provoking tracks, from 'Dreamchaser' to
'Remember to Forget'.

Oddisee.

And for those(like me) who are lovers of the beats, you'll find a slew of producers who can
effectively reside in this new genre too. Take Oddisee from D.C., who has quite the catalog
dating back to his first track with DJ Jazzy Jeff in 2003. The late great Nujabes took the world
by storm thanks to his musical contributions to the hit anime series 'Samurai Champloo'. You
also can't sleep on Kev Brown and Sean Toure-Thames from Maryland either, both whom have
made their mark and made music for the rest of us.

Grown man hip hop is here to stay people. It's music that doesn't help you grow...it helps
you evolve.

Lockouts and Foul Shots - Chris 'Preach' Smith

It's not supposed to be like this.

The weather is getting crisp. This is the time where jerseys are lovingly placed on
hangers, ready for the first game of the season. This is the time where you actually
care about preseason games and get to go 'WHO?!' when your team has a certain
player who looks like he belongs on a ostrich farm in Nebraska. This is the time when
trash-talking should be simmering like the heralded cauldron in 'Macbeth'. But right
now, we're dealing with another tragedy of sorts. The NBA is in the 112th day of a
lockout. The preseason's been cancelled and despite the involvement of the same
negotiator who helped the NFL end its lockout in time for the season, talks have
broken off yet again.

I don't have to tell you that not having basketball, potentially for a whole season is
depressing. But it's also troubling. To begin with, it's a fight between billionaires and
millionaires in the midst of one of the worst economic periods in this country's history.
No one wins with that. The players, even with all their charity games, are going to be
seen as greedy and overpaid. The league and David Stern look like money-grubbers
themselves. The moment the lockout began, the NBA laid off people. Some teams had
to let personnel go. Even whole cities are in jeopardy. Memphis, fresh off a deep run
in the playoffs stands to lose 18 million dollars due to lost revenue. The FedEx Forum,
the beneficiary of city bonds used for construction, would have to be paid for with
taxpayer money with a lost season. The Memphis City Council is considering a lawsuit
against the NBA. Orlando may be close behind; their new arena, the AmWay Center,
was built with public money and was set to host the All-Star Game in February. And
what about Sacramento?

The big problem the NBA has right now is, they had arguably their best season in the
past 6 years this past season. You had the Big 3 of the Miami Heat fall to the Dallas
Mavericks. The rise of the Oklahoma City Thunder. The re-emergence of the New York
Knicks. And all of those storylines are put on hold. Right now would've been perfect
to come back...no one's barely paying the World Series any mind. Yeah hockey's begun
but there's not a lot of hockey fans you may know personally. The NBA is a perfect
bridge. And it makes a ton of money in cities where it's needed the most. Cities like
Memphis, Orlando, Sacramento, Tulsa. Small markets where it is the only game in town.
The ripple effect hits everyone. And you can guarantee that if the lockout's resolved,
the fans will get stuck with the costs. And the NBA knows this; why else would you
have the Philadelphia 76ers be sold to a group including Will Smith? Why would James
'I Never saw a bridge Isaiah couldn't sell me' Dolan be busy renovating Madison Square
Garden to include luxury boxes on the floor?! It's big business.


Another big problem for the NBA is perception. There's already a slew of folks out
there who see the NBA in a racial light. It's no secret the league is overwhelmingly
African-American. It brings up ugly stereotypes and names and discussions. Bryant
Gumbel caused a firestorm this week by calling David Stern 'a plantation owner'.
I think the comment was overboard. Stern has been guilty of being too heavy-handed
most notably with the player's dress code and the outright elimination of the Slam
Dunk competition one year. But he's not a bigot in that sense. It doesn't mean that
there aren't fans who have always had such a view of the NBA. Comment sections on
Yahoo Sports will highlight that. The league, once it comes back, needs real heavy
public relations cleanups to take place. They had to back in 1999. The other issue is,
players fleeing overseas. Deron Williams is the most notable player to do so, and he's
doing it with a wrist injury. Who's to say Kobe Bryant wouldn't take an Italian contract?
And why wouldn't teams overseas go after superstars? It's all about the dollars..or the
dinars.

Ultimately, I feel the NBA needs to knock this crap off and find a way quicker than they
have in the past. Because right now, it's bigger than the court. You can't cry about not
having the money to be competitive when there's people who can't even scrape enough
together to buy a pair of tickets out there.