Archive for April, 2010

Governer Jan Brewer’s immigration law SB 1070 will go into effect in 90 days unless the federal government and concerned citizens intervene and challenge this bullshit attempt to scapegoat immigrants and deny them opportunity for a better life. This new legislation in Arizona requires law enforcement officers to stop everyone who they believe have “reasonable suspicion” of being undocumented immigrants and arrest them if they fail to provide papers. The bill does not prohibit police from relying on race or ethnicity when deciding who to question and I highly doubt Canadian or European immigrants will be detained and asked to show papers.

Undocumented immigrants in Arizona will now face six months in jail and a $500 fine for the first offense and an additional $1,000 fine for the second offense, in which the charge then becomes a felony. I understand people are concerned with the dangers associated with the wave of drug cartel crimes but this bill does nothing to address human smuggling, the drug cartels, or arms smuggling, all issues that lie on both sides of the border.  Migration is a social and economic issue that has been accelerated by imperialistic policies of the U.S.  NAFTA, signed by President Clinton in ’93 and developed and negotiated by George Bush Sr., enabled many big corporations in the US and Canada to profit in Mexico and displaced millions of workers. NAFTA’s failed promise to provide opportunities to the majority of Mexicanos or to lessen the income disparity between Mexico and the United States caused a great wave of migration in order to survive.

California Republican Rep. Duncan Hunter spoke to his conservative base this past weekend and called the law “a fantastic starting point” and said he would even support the deportation of children born in the U.S. to “illegal” immigrants.  Deportation of American citizens and children is next on the agenda, are you fucking kidding me!  It is appalling to hear such ignorance from the mouths of elected officials who ignore the fact that these eurocentric ideals are as foreign as their ancestors.

When social issues need to be addressed you can always count on the likes of Public Enemy to step up and empower citizens to take action.  Earlier this week Chuck D and Gaye Theresa Johnson wrote a piece via the Huffington Post encouraging entertainers to boycott Arizona.

“The Arizona immigration bill — which Governor Jan Brewer has decided to sign into law — is racist, deceitful, and reflects some of the most mean-spirited politics against immigrants that the country has ever seen. The power that this law gives to police to detain people that they suspect to be undocumented brings racial profiling to a new low. Brewer’s actions and those of Joe Arpaio, Russell Pearce, the Arizona State Senate are despicable, inexcusable, and endorse the all-out hate campaign that Joe Arpaio, Russell Pearce, and others have perpetrated upon immigrants for years. The people of Arizona who voted for this bill, as well as those who crafted it, demonstrate no regard for the humanity or contributions of Latino people. And for all of those who have chosen not to speak up, shame on you for silently endorsing this legislated hate.

In 1991 Public Enemy wrote a song criticizing Arizona officials (including John McCain and Fife Symington) for rejecting the federal holiday honoring Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. The same politics written about in “By the Time I Get to Arizona” are alive and well in Arizona today, but this time the target is Brown people.

These actions must stop. We are issuing a call to action, urging fellow musicians, artists, athletes, performers, academics and production companies to refuse to work in Arizona until officials not only overturn this bill, but recognize the human rights of immigrants. This should include the NBA playoffs, revisiting the actions of the NFL in 1993, when they moved the Superbowl to Pasadena in protest against Arizona’s refusal to recognize Dr. King. We all need to speak up in defense of our brothers and sisters being victimized in Arizona, because things are only getting worse. What they’re doing to immigrants is appalling, but it will be even more damning if we remain silent.”

Artwork source: Obey

Earlier this month we hit ya with a new Dilla inspired tribute  mixtape from the Roots entitled ”Dilla Jawns”.  I figured it was only a matter of time before we heard someone spit over those sick renditions and this week  Philly native Dice Raw dropped “Pregunta”, a free mixtape courtesy of Okayplayer.com. I ain’t heard much from Dice since his solo project and his vicious mic skills over earlier Roots projects.  Although I would have also liked to hear some other features along with Dice on these Roots tracks, he definitely did a solid job and has had my head bobbing these past couple days.  Download and enjoy.

Being that Ceria is one of the newest stockists for Benny Gold, I thought I’d share a little video about his start in the streetwear game. This video was created & passed to me from the crew at TheWerehaus. If you don’t know about Werehaus, you will soon. They have an amazing story which is shared thru their documentary called The Recess Ends which is set to drop real soon. After you’re done watching the Benny Gold segment be sure to check them out. You’ll be amazed at their story….trust me & you’ll get 2 great stories in one! Knowledge is golden.

Kanye set to release a new album this summer entitled “Good A** Job” and looks to be nothing like his last “808’s and Heartbreaks” album…..thank God.  I myself was like many of the haters who were in dislike of his last auto tune venture, but wait till you here the line up of producers and talent to be featured on his upcoming project.  Kanye’s been in Hawaii in his in home studio working with the likes of DJ Premier, Pete Rock, RZA, Q-Tip and NO I.D.  Good to see him rep them roots and although he is most likely to catch the mainstream off guard, I’m sure he’s bringing a formula with this project that all hip hoppers can appreciate.  Here’s some comments from a couple guest featured icons.

DJ Premier: “Well, first of all, if you look at all of Kanye West’s output, he actually did a lot to bring back sampling and make it cool again, even though he’s more of a mainstream artist” Premier explained. “But his new album is strictly hard beats and rhyme. He’s totally done with electro. You’re gonna be surprised what you hear.”

Pete Rock:“I mean, I’m working with him. That’s all I can say is that I’m working with him. I went out [to Hawaii.] It’s beautiful man, like, he just feels like a little brother to me. You know what I’m saying? Like, my little brother that’s doing it. And we got along just fine. He’s definitely hip-hop, his roots, I was testing him on joints…He takes it to another level which is dope. He had these musicians and this song, they played around my little raggedy beat and made it real [big]. I love the way he works — he goes from one room, writing rhymes then goes to another beat and goes to another room and does something else — I love what he’s done, I always thought he was clever. I used to bug out over the ego thing but once you get to know him, it’s like ‘Oh, okay, he’s a sweetheart.’ [laughs] We got along just well.”

Marvin Gaye, one of the greatest singer/song writers of all time who tragically died a day short of his 45th birthday will always be remembered for his inspiring and heart felt songs. Marvin wrote great songs that are still very relevant today. One of my favorites “What’s Going On” was written in ’71 in protest against the Vietnam War and the injustices encountered in America at the time. It can still be applied to those which still exist today including our ongoing 8 year war in Afghanistan. “Let’s Get It On” written in ’73 and “Sexual Healing” in ’82 are two of the greatest baby making songs of all time and still have that power to entice the lover in us all.

In honor of Marvin’s birthday month of April, DJ Spinna has put together this mixtape composed of great Marvin tracks including some rarities and b-sides that may be unfamiliar to most. There’s also been a rumor of a Marvin Gaye movie in the works entitled “Sexual Healing” with actor Jesse L. Martin (Law & Order) playing Marvin in his post Motown years. Ceria fam will keep ya posted. Happy b-day Marvin!

B.o.B. feat. Bruno Mars & Bei Maejor – Nothin On You (Villains Remix) by Ceria

Just got passed this new remix by DJ/Producers Villains. B.o.B. who came by the shop for our grand opening teamed up with Villains to create this new remix of his smash “Nothing On You.”

DISCLAIMER: The use of trade, skill, or names in this video is for the information and convenience of the viewer. Such use of djing does not constitute an official endorsement or approval by anyone associated with Ceria.

Check out some other apps that might be useful in other ways besides DJing, but still relevant to music & the rapid growth of technology with the ipad, iphone or itouch.