Oldie But Goodie: "One Mic" - Nas

"One Mic"

Produced by: Nasir Jones & hip hop producer Chucky Thompson

"One Mic" is a song by hip hop rapper Nas, which was the third single on his fifth studio album released April 16, 2002 on Columbia Records. The song samples a portion of Phil Collin's song "In The Air Tonight". In "One Mic", Nas raps about his desire for simple life and the obstacles we face that tend to complicate life. He also speaks on his wish to make a difference, with just one mic.  When discussing the theme of the song in a Rolling Stone interview, Nas stated, "'One Mic' is just about the power. It's almost like Hip Hop is Dead in it's infant stages, saying how much this is a blessing to be out here, speaking about what's happening in the neighborhoods, having the whole world understand & relate." This song sends a strong message of becoming the change we wish to see. "You need some soul searching? The time is now!" 

Poetry Contest Submission: "Black" - a poem written by Keisha A.

Black 

We are born into a world that automatically hate us.

We are black people.

Ancestors of Africans and grandchildren of rapists.

You see... they freed us physically, 

but left our minds in cages.

Racism no longer lives under white sheets,

 but instead in the hearts of black faces.

Divisions of hue separate us.

Beauty measured not by brains, not by heart, but by tones and textures.

Dark skinned little girls praying for lighter complexions.

Didn’t know then, but now I know better.

How can I expect God to deliver to me sins of the devil?

Brainwashed into thinking that I was wasn’t good enough,

 but that was before I discovered what beauty really was.

B. Beyond because you are beautiful beyond a complexion.

E. Every. Every time you look in the mirror love your reflection.

A. Amazing in every sense of the word.

U. Unified from the most precious things on earth.

T. Trust. Always trust and know your worth.

Y. You for you are black and beau-ti-ful.

And wherever you go I want you to know……

BLACK girls who are brown and who are light are still black and equal as one, but brown girls are

special because they get more kisses from the sun ;).

Poetry Contest Submission: "Rape Culture" - a poem written by Kween K

Rape Culture 

We live in a world where rape culture is idolized...

But tell that to the broad who got her innocence taken from her...

First, when she was 14 by a boy who was 4 years older than her,

and then two more times by a men who attacked her while she was in a drunken state...

Rape culture is idolized...

But tell that to the little boy who's mother's boyfriend came to his room in the still of the night,

ravaging in his body everyday for 12 years, since he was 5 years old....

Rape culture is idolized...

But y'all blame it on the victims...

saying "Her skirt was too short"

"She drank too much vodka "

"She danced too nasty"

"He smoked too much weed"

"He should've fought back"

"She was too innocent"

"B*tches know what they be doing"

"She's a hoe for getting drunk like that "

"It's YOUR fault"

Rape culture is idolized...

Until it happens to Your girlfriend. 

Your sister. Your cousin. 

Your mother. Your daughter. 

Rape culture is idolized...

But when will enough be enough?

When will we stop idolizing it and  realize it's NOT okay?