Mistah F.A.B. gives back to his community

Santa appeared in hip-hop form Dec. 21 in a North Oakland neighborhood as Oakland rap artist Mistah F.A.B. (Faeva after bread) brought joy to his childhood neighborhood, supplying gifts and serving food and entertainment to children whose parents or guardians were not financially able to provide gifts.

The thrill is gone: a report from the rallies protesting Mehserle’s release

The lyrics to B.B. King’s classic “The Thrill is Gone” was the first thing that ran through my head when I showed up at both of the rallies that were held to “protest” the release from jail of Johannes Mehserle on Sunday, June 12. The speakers seemed to be a tad bit angry but not focused enough to do anything significant that would put police murders on the national radar. JUST ADDED: Minister of Information JR leads a full hour of debate on issues swirling around the murder of Oscar Grant by Johannes Mehserle broadcast on KPFA Wednesday morning.

Transitions on Traditions and Black programming under fire at KPFA: An interview with KPFA programmer Greg Bridges

Monday nights, 7-10 p.m., on KPFA are a treat for Black listeners and people who like Black programming, but now Walter Turner’s Africa Today and Greg Bridges’ Transitions on Traditions are on the chopping block. Join other defenders of Black radio for the screening of ‘Disappearing Voices: The Decline of Black Voices on the Radio’ on Tuesday, Aug. 17, 6:30 p.m., at the Black Dot Cafe, 1195 Pine St., West Oakland.

Kween among men: an interview wit’ the Oakland-based songstress Kween

Kween is one of the many talented vocalists hovering around the Bay, right alongside Ledisi, Femi, Netta B, Silk E, Chela Simone and others. Behind the mic, Kween is a beast, with a very distinct style and beautiful voice complemented by her seamless chocolate kiss complexion.

Data Man: an innerview of rapper Do D.A.T

D.A.T. is one of those artist that have been bending the sound of what hip hop is in the Bay Area kind of like how Digital Underground, Hieroglyphics and Living Legends did in the ‘80s and ‘90s. D.A.T. is currently one of the most well liked performers and he hosts some of the dopest hip hop/live band parties where people are sure to be dancing, sweating and happy.

‘Oakland at war, a civil war, us against the authorities’

“It’s a civil war, us against the authorities – if you get pulled over, you’re so afraid for your life that you’re going to react as someone would react in war. A random traffic stop is life or death now.” – Mistah F.A.B., interviewed by Davey D

Oakland’s civil war: the people vs. the police

The reason why so many people may have appeared gleeful at the killing by Lovelle Mixon of four Oakland cops is that the police have for so long looked at various communities as less than human.

The Bay View newspaper’s big back page full of exciting photos in vibrant color has long been one of its most popular features. It has made newspaper readers out of countless youth as young as grade school age who are drawn to the Bay View by the photos and then proceed to read the stories. [...]