Sitc Man

Recently we had some time to exchange dialogue with the super ”conscious but gangster” Stic Man of Hip Hop Duo dead prez. Simply put… the conversation was nothing short of enlightening. Dead Prez is known not only for their music but using their cultural and historical consciousness to educate the community on anything from politics to a holistic lifestyle. There most recent records, Stimulus Plan and Runnin’ Wild are amongst some of their most socially aware work.  We asked Stic Man about some of the purposeful decisions made to not fall into the shallow river of mainstream Hip Hop but swim in a pool of consciousness and edification. He gave us some great insight.

Is “Hip Hop” dead? Or is it just underground?
Hip hop is a reflection of the power and lack of power in our communities. If we wanna see more liberation consciousness in Hip Hop, It has to start in the same communities that produce the rappers.

It’s been said that a big part of your political and social ideologies comes from an early influence of the Black Panthers. The late 80s early 90s sparked the formation of the NBPP (new Black Panther party). Do you guys have any involvement with them? What’s your take their ideologies vs. the original Black Panthers?
I am familiar with the NBPP and have seen the comrades at work in the streets for many years organizing and striving to do the work the way they feel is most effective. I salute their sincerity and dedication to fill the void of leadership in our hoods. The original Panthers wisdom and analysis could surely benefit the new formation if there are ways the two eras can see to coincide to move forward it would be ideal. There is always a need for new approaches and fresh ideas but also balanced with tried and true experience from those who have ‘paid the cost to be the boss’ so to speak. Long live the Panthers in spirit and in deed and free the Panthers that are U.S. political prisoners like Hrap Brown, Sundiata Acoli, Mumia Abu Jamal, Mutulu Shakur and many others, wrongly locked up to this very day!

They say if you do what you love, you’ll never work another day. It seems as though you guys are definitely doing that. Literally speaking your mind from a major platform (Music). What would you say to a nation full of people who instead of searching for their true calling spend their time consumed with greed and material things?
That’s a loaded question but I say Poor people have a long overdue right to have daily needs met, to provide nice material needs for their families just like rich folks have. The material aint’ the problem. It’s the denial of the wealth that the system and the ruling class steals from the masses of poor people everyday that is the problem. We should all have. Not just a few of us, ya dig?

Who are your favorite new comers in the game? 2009 brought a lot of new talent. Are you guys big on any of them?
I kinda dig The Game. I think he is raw and talented and I like his choice of music. I think as he matures he’s gonna be even more powerful in his content. I’m rooting for him.

You guys have been one of the few groups to consistently speak out against various forms of oppression, institutional racism, and other urban concerns. How do you feel about the falling number of artists/athletes who don’t speak out on these issues for fear of loosing endorsements?
I understand that people make decisions off what’s most important to them at the time. All I can do is lead by example and be the change I wanna see. I say pimp this game for what its worth and empower yourself, your loved ones and communities with the opportunities u create for yourself and its all G. If we don’t boss up and look out for our own best interest, who will?

The texture of Hip Hop from its inception was very political, very cynical and rebellious, but real. Over the years, as its hit the main stream and turned more commercial, do you guys think it can return to its original state?
Everything changes. There are positives and negatives in each era. We have to build on what works and change what doesn’t. It’s forward ever, backwards never.

With the passing of Michael Jackson so prevalent, I can’t help but ask his impact on you guys as people and artists if at all.
Definitely MJ has been a big influence in my life as an inspiration of how powerful a platform music can be. He was media murdered by the bullshit in the game over the years and ultimately assassinated and poisoned by legal dope.

In the movie Block Party it seems as though the more “conscious” artists run in a pretty tight knit circle super headed by Dave Chappelle. Could you tell us a little but about you relationship with Dave and a few of the other acts. (Kanye, Common, Talib, Mos Def and yourselves)
That’s the comrades who have shown us nothing but love and support since we came in the game

Favorite album by another artist?
Superfly

Favorite collaboration that you were a part of?
Stic.man. and Young Noble on the Soldier 2 Soldier album

Seems nowadays people are obsessed with getting fit, and eating right. You guys have been promoting this for awhile i.e. “50 in the clip”. Where did this nutritional consciousness start for you?
After seeing the negative effects of the drug game, the poor fast food diets in our lives and also training in martial arts. My wife is a holistic health counselor and author of the book Vegan Soulfood Guide to the Galaxy so I live it all day everyday. My son is 8 and vegan as well.

Check out at bossupbu.com for more on Stic.man.

So Japan

In a sea of hipsters, up and coming Pennsylvania based MC Courcy Magnus continues to swim upstream with vivid signs of progression. He demonstrates solid lyrical ability with realistic yet colorful topics. His newest releases Get Rich Quick and Cool Colors and are from the Dopest Shit Ever mixtape which is right now a solo project with production done by So Japan consisting of him and talented producer Atlanta Micky Park. Both Courcy Magnus and Micky Park remain unsigned but continue to put out decorative music.

Get Rich Quick

Cool Colors