YEBies BHM Term of The Day : Apartheid

Apartheid was a social and political policy of racial segregation and discrimination enforced by the white minority government in South Africa from 1948 to 1994. Racial segregation in South Africa began in colonial times, but apartheid as an official policy was introduced following the general election of 1948. New legislation classified people into racial groups ("black", "white", "coloured", and "Indian"), and residential areas were segregated by means of forced removals. From 1958, Blacks were deprived of their citizenship, legally becoming citizens of one of ten tribally based self-governing homelands called bantustans, four of which became nominally independent states. The government segregated education, medical care, and other public services, and provided black people with services inferior to those of whites. During this time thousands of people were beaten, jailed, and often killed in acts of protest against this racist government. Nelson Mandela was arrested and jailed for twenty-seven years while Steve Biko was killed while in custody for several days.

Mavado x Vybz Kartel End Beef On Stage [Video]

This actually happened in December of last year, but the live footage is here for those who weren't in Jamaica to see this go down or thought it was just another rumor. If you don't know the history of these two here's a little background. Over the last year and a half the two artist have had a feud that threatened to divide the entire island into “Gaza” (Vybz) and “Gully” (Mavado) camps. Mavado called his former nemesis Vybz Kartel to join him onstage to show all of the dancehall world that the waring between the two was over.

Skateboarding in Jamaica with Nurdz Republic [Video]

Nneka on WNYC Soundcheck [Audio]

Nneka's debut U.S. album, Concrete Jungle will be in stores tomorrow so earlier today she was a guest on WNYC's Soundcheck. Check below for the interview, as well as an listen to some music off the album live.

M.I.A. - Space Odyssey

QuESt - "Swear Im Putting On" (Prod. By Numonics)

More music for #MusicMonday by one of my favorite MCs right now, QuESt. If you have been around me in the last year , when music comes up this is one of the first guys I mention. How Thoughtful Presented by YesIamQuESt.com , RubyHornet.com, & DJ RTC, drops next week Feb 11th.

LISTEN/DOWNLOAD: QuESt - "Swear Im Putting On" (Prod. By Numonics)

International Civil Rights Museum Opens Today In N.C.

The new International Civil Rights museum opened today in Greensboro, North Carolina. The celebration is in honor of the Greensboro Four, a group of four Black men who staged a sit-in at a "whites only" lunch counter that helped sparked the Civil Rights movement in the Carolinas.

Theo Martins – Veni Vidi Vici

New Theo on this #MusicMonday that we had the trailer for last week. Later this month Theo’s upcoming Channel Surfin’ project will be dropping.

LISTEN/DOWNLOAD: Theo Martins – Veni Vidi Vici

PREVIOUS: Theo Martins – Veni Vidi Vici (Trailer)

YEBies BHM Term of The Day: "The Real McCoy"

The term which is used to represent "the real thing" or "the genuine article" originates from inventor Elijah McCoy. He created a device that allowed an engine to remain in motion as the device regulated oil flow into machine parts that needed constant lubrication. Patented in 1872, this invention was a revolution for the steam engine. It was in such high demand that railroad men ordering the part insisted that they receive Elijah McCoy’s and not an inferior makers. It's said that buyers began asking for “the real McCoy,” popularizing the expression that we use today.

YEBies BHM Fact of The Day: Timbuktu

Timbuktu which is now in the West African nation of Mali, was once a part of one of the greatest empires ever. As the educational center for the great Mali Empire, Timbuktu became home of Sankore University which was the best school in the world. It was the intellectual and spiritual capital of Africa as well which helped with the spread of Islam throughout the continent. There's a West African Islamic proverb that states "Salt comes from the north, gold from the south, but the word of God and the treasures of wisdom come from Timbuktu." That was one of many testaments to the glory of Timbuktu.

Malcolm and Martin Mondays

"I'm for truth, no matter who tells it. I'm for justice, no matter who it is for or against. I'm a human being, first and foremost, and as such I'm for whoever and whatever benefits humanity as a whole."
- Malcolm X



Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.
- Martin Luther King, Jr.

The Birth Of The Poetic Voice Of The People: Langston Hughes

On this date in 1902 James Mercer Langston Hughes was born in Joplin, Missouri. While he worked as a busboy in Washington, D.C. in 1925, his literary skills were discovered after he left three of his poems beside the plate of American poet Vachel Lindsay, who recognized Hughes's abilities and helped publicize his work. Hughes is known by many as the "father of the Harlem Renaissance". His writings during that time period not only spoke as a voice for a large number of African Americans, but it also shaped the way many of them viewed themselves in America. Like all great artist, Hughes used his poetry as a vehicle for cultural protest against social and political problems.

The Super Freak Who Was In Love With Mary Jane...

On this date in 1952 James Ambrose Johnson, Jr. was born in Buffalo, New York. Rick James the singer, songwriter, musician and record producer would go on to change the way music would forever sound. Because Rick James was a lot of different person to a lot of people, everyone has their own favorite James song and story.

Today In Black History: Harriet Tubman

On this date in 1978 the lady they called "Moses" was honored with the first stamp of the U.S. Postal Service's Black Heritage USA series. Harriet Tubman was a famed abolitionist and "conductor" on the Underground Railroad who gained the nickname "Moses" because of how she lead her people to freedom like her namesake from the bible.

Happy Black History Month

Let's try to make this one of the best BHM thus far. Learn about people and places that you don't normally hear or see much about. Take time out to learn and then teach others. Knowledge of self is priceless.



"At exactly which point do you start to realize
That life without knowledge is, death in disguise?" - Talib Kweli