Boxer Manny Pacquiao was recently denied access to a scheduled-interview at the Grove Shopping Mall for his remarks about same-sex marriage, prompted by recent comments made by President Obama. Pacquiao stated that “I am against gay marriage, but I am not condeming gays.”

Unlike Pacquiao, many stars have recently come out not only in support of Obama’s statements, but also for same-sex marriage. Most notably, rapper Jay-Z publicly stated this week that it’s an issue of “discrimination, plain and simple.”

Boxers, hip-hop stars and incumbent presidents: these are not the usual suspects in the conversation about same-sex equality. Have LGBT rights gone mainstream in America? What do you think?

Artist, poet, writer, musician, MC, rapper, and Chicago native, Malik Yusef is no stranger to success. This year, he won a Grammy with Kanye for the writing of “All of the Lights,” but this poet didn’t always have it so good.

Malik dropped out of high school because he had difficulty writing and speaking aloud in class.

“I used to crack a lot of jokes, distract the class, and get sent out all so I didn’t have to read out loud,” he said.

After dropping out of school, Malik decided to educate himself by spending a lot of time in the library. He started to write poetry about growing up on Chicago’s South Side as a coping mechanism.

“I had to learn ways to deal with people,” Malik said. “[young people should] figure out how to learn. They need to understand environmental literacy, and use context clues to inform themselves.”

Malik is now a successful writer and musician. In fact, he is currently recording with Kanye West and Jay-Z. He still makes time to engage in current events. As a Huffington Post weekly blogger, Malik has gained a significant readership. I asked him what he thought about the case of Trayvon Martin, and others like him.

“There have always been negative stereotypes,” he said. “Everyone makes generalizations, black and white people. Our current media, (like reality TV) contributes to it. We don’t have to love each other with perfection, but we can respect one another.”

In only a few short minutes, I felt enlightened. No wonder this man is making a career as a spoken word poet and writer. He is working on his new project Nat Black right now. He plans to release some live recordings this summer. He is also the spokesperson for this year’s Hip Hop Caucus, “Respect My Vote” Campaign, proving once again that the core of hip hop is in the history of politics.

Photograph curtesy of Good Music

Jasiri X does it once again.

Steve Stoute, Jay’s main man, framed this scenario best with his best-seller, ‘The Tanning of America.’ In this book, Stoute addresses the many occurrences in history where cultures clash and Elton John’s on stage with Eminem, while Jay-Z is on stage with Bono. These collaborations were most likely inspired by Run DMC & Aerosmith’s “Walk This Way,” a song that changed the collaboration culture in music.

By the way, Jay-Z at #SXSW last night, c/o American Express is definitely considered a tanning moment.

To commemorate his hometown of Fayetteville, North Carolina, which announced March 1st as “J. Cole Day,” Cole released this Elite-produced track “Visionz Of Home.”

Cole gets a day, so I guess we get a day off? If not, it’s a Cole World!

Cole has a real subtle approach to being one of the best in the game. After reaching surpassing his 2 million follower milestone on Twitter, he gifts his fans with a new record. Shouts out to Canei Finch for the assist.

He brought back the soul courtesy of a sample from former Temptation David Ruffin’s 1969 record “The Double Cross” and we appreciate the history.

Just when we think loyalty is a dying trait, here comes No I.D. If you are not familiar with No I.D, he is a renowned hip-hop and R&B producer who has been in the game since the early ’90s. He is most known for working with Jay-Z and Common on songs like “Run This Town” and “I Used To Love H.E.R.”

No I.D. recently did an interview with XXL magazine to talk about his career.

During the interview, No I.D. stated:

“After Resurrection I was getting calls for people to do work with me and I was turning it down,” No I.D tells the mag. “I got a call that Biggie wanted to hear some beats, Ghostface [Killah] and Big Pun. I’m like, Nah, I produce for Common. This is like Pete Rock & C.L. Smooth. At that time I didn’t even conceptualize trying to make beats, or produce for other people. It wasn’t even in my mind. I viewed myself as part of a group.”

He turned down Biggie! One of the top hip-hop artists/acts of the ’90s, and No I.D. turned down his offer. Nearly 20 years later, it seems unreal that a producer would turn down a gig with a major artist and lose the case. No I.D. merely made this decision to remain true to himself, and his passion. Two thumbs up for No I.D.! In a world where the famous seem to be money motivated, the passion and love keeps the music alive.

What would you choose?

Remember Jay’s infamous “My favorite hue is Jay-Z BLUE” line or his freestyle rendition of “Grammy Family” where he ends it with, “baby BLUE Maybach like I own Gerber.” He even goes on to say, “I got daughter(s) on the way/If the prophecy’s correct/then the child should have to pay/For the sins of her father/So I barter my tomorrows/Against my yesterdays/In hopes that she’ll be OK”.

With that being said, he has delivered enough poetic references hinting the arrival of the heir to the throne.

In the midst of possibly the happiest moment of Jay and Be’s life, Father Nice Watch take a moment to release “Glory” and pens a letter to his greatest creation, in which he uses the word ‘Bitch’ so regretfully. How appropriate is this apology and promise to his daughter to protect her and rid her of any disrespectful energy. Fellas, take note!

“Before I got in the game, made a change, and got rich,
I didn’t think hard about using the word Bitch.
I rapped, I flipped it, I sold it, I lived it
now with my daughter in this world
I curse those that give it.
I never realized while on the fast track
that I’d give riddance to the word bitch, to leave her innocence in tact.
No man will degrade her, or call her out her name
the women won’t despise her and call her the same.
I know it’s gonna miss me
cuz we been together like Nike Airs and crisp tees
when we all used to hang out front
singing 99 problems but a lady ain’t one.
Excuse me miss, can I be your mister
cuz I can tell the difference from a little girl and a sister,
She never grew up, her father left her alone
I promise not to talk like we used to
until Kingdom Come.
I’m so focused on your future,
The degradation has passed
I wish you wealth, health, and insight
forever young you may pass.
Blue Ivy Carter, my angel.”

After Beyonce gave birth to daughter Blue Ive Carter on Saturday in New York City, Jay-Z has penned a song for his new daughter.

Words out – Blue Ivy was conceived in Paris. #InfantsInParis

The Empire is being built right in front of your eyes. The dynasty continues and some more shit like that. #Salute Father time a.k.a. Mr. Nice Watch. Be drops a bundle of Joy, and Jay drops off a new exclusive for our enjoyment. This timeless track was made a while back and has been preserved as a gift to his, then, unborn.

Jay-Z Glory (Ft. B.I.C) by illRoots

I don’t know what the hold up was at Def Jam, but Young Jeezy has just made the official public release of his long-awaited TM-103 album. Finally! Class had been in session for quite a while and no thug-motivated teacher.

Although the project consists of quite a few songs that we the cool kids have been hip to for quite a while, such as the collaborative track “I Do” featuring Jay Z and Andre 3000, a few gems like the Jill Scott record makes the wait well worth it. I mean, Jill Scott starts the Justice League-produced ballad with a rap seeming to be reflective of a mix between Wyclef and Mary J. Blige. I know what it feels like to be trapped, however, I feel as though Jeezy knows a lil bit more than I do. You be the judge.

Well, what do you know! Whether he was forced or felt pressured to do so, Jay Z offers his take on the #OccupyWallStreet movement. This being the same movement that publicly let it be known that he was a shark for profiting off the brand that they’ve built but not giving back to it. Their argument is legit. Poppy Harlow of CNN got the chance to sit down with Jay and really pick his brain about what’s been going on in the streets with this particular issue.

In the past we’ve seen Russell Simmons, Kanye West and even 50 Cent weigh in on the financial crisis.

Come see me tonight, performing for @RockTheVote at@wlosangeles !!! email RSVPWLAEVENTS@Whotels.com with the Subject Line: Bridget Kelly

— Bridget Kelly (@theycallmeBK) December9, 2011

Rock The Vote has never had a problem linking up with artists and getting them engaged so acts such as voting would appeal to the younger generation. In continuance with their RockTheVoteNights, they take the successful mobile event to LA.

#pow RT @DjWillieShakes: Damn @theycallmeBK was looking too good at the @RockTheVote event at the @wlosangeles

— Bridget Kelly (@theycallmeBK) December9, 2011

If I wasn’t already a fan of being civically engaged, Thanks to Roc Nation’s Bridget Kelly, I am definitely one now. She makes it looks so sexy. The most memorable song she performed last night was “Seek & Destroy” where she directs her message to the man in the relationship by saying, “You Better Not Eff This Up.” So basically, it doesn’t matter what you’ve done in the past, right now is all that matters. How fitting–(*UnF**KTheWorld). I took those lyrics and incorporated that into politics and directed it toward the president or presidential hopefuls.

This new Nicki Minaj is bananas! As one of the dopest female emcees in the game, Nicki transforms into a man and allegedly gets at another female emcee. That’s ill! But I don’t wanna go out on a limb and say all of this drama in this record is dedicated to Lil Kim. However, the first version which featured Eminem was definitely more than a jab at her but less than the full gambit. With no hooks, no bridges and no help, your favorite threesome is back using her infamous alias, Roman!

Speaking of Murder. This guy Jay Z can’t catch a break and should he be able to? Fred Hampton Jr is going at Jay for the reference to his father on “Murder to Excellence” which is featured on ‘Watch The Throne.’

“I arrived on the day that Fred Hampton died/Uh, real n****z just multiply”

We all know what Jay was saying. In my opinion, he was paying homage but to Fred Hampton Jr, that was a sign of disrespect since his father was assassinated as opposed to dying.

Referring to Jay as “Slave-Z” during a panel discussion after the screening, Hampton, Jr. said that the line was as distasteful and as it was factually inaccurate.”Fred Hampton didn’t die; he was assassinated,” said Hampton Jr. “Saying Fred Hampton died is like the school teacher telling students that Christopher Columbus discovered America.”

I think this is petty and not a proactive way to get attention from Jay Z, not to say he’s seeking that. I’d suggest a sit down but after being called a slave, I don’t know how eager Jay is to have that meeting, but we’ll see how things pan out.

I can remember it like it was yesterday. The moment that Barack Obama was elected president, you would’ve assumed Jay-Z and Young Jeezy had something to do with it, due to the amount of times their hit record, “My President is Black” played around the country. I have no exact number of plays, but it was definitely the hip-hop ode to candidate. However, three years after a black man was made president of this great country, some people are quietly asking if he was the right man for the job, while some are yelling it to the top of their lungs. At the end of the day, everyone isn’t in love with Barack just because he’s a cool public figure. We are all looking between the couches in search of the lil bit change we were promised.

The real question is, how influential will hip-hop be in the 2012 election? Is Barack still the popular candidate in the hip-hop community?

1. M1 of Dead Prez: “Obama Nation”

2. Lupe Fiasco: “Obama is the Biggest Terrorist”

3. Rhymefest: “I mean we got indecisive ass Barak Obama and confused ass Tiger Woods”

4. Killer Mike: “Burn”

5. Tyler The Creator: Aחԁ Obama wanted change, I threw a couple f**king pennies аt һіm

6. DMX: What the f**k?! That ain’t no f**kin’ name, yo. That ain’t that nigga’s name. You can’t be serious. Barack Obama. Get the f**k outta here.

7. KRS-One & Professor Griff: “The Obama Deception”

9. Prodigy: “Black Devil”

10. Big Krit: “Obama cool, but he ain’t sending me no free checks”

Young Jeezy is releasing his much-anticipated fourth album. With questions surfacing about whether or not this release will even be worth listening to, Jeezy pulls a rabbit out of a hat with his much recent collaboration.

Three of hip-hop’s best men have gotten together like a marriage and renewed their vows to the game. If you thought Young Jeezy was sleeping, let this track be the awakening for both you and him!

Jay-Z is promoting the occupation of all streets. He is about to launch one of the biggest T-shirt campaigns since “Vote or Die.” Is this his way of activating the hood or profiting off of a brand that everyone else is exploiting as well? I’m not sure what direction he’s going, but I think it’s a slick spin off of the #OccupyWallStreet campaign.

It’s hard to believe that a ‘one percent-er’ like Jay-Z is really watching what’s going on in the streets right now. But one thing is for sure, the streets is definitely watching what’s going on in his neighborhood. They’re not feeling his profiting off this product and not giving back to the cause. Maybe it’s not a good idea to ball so hard that m’fers wanna fine you!

“10 year veteran/ I been said I been through with this bullshit game but I never can” – Jay-Z

1. Diddy (1988) 23 years

2. Jay-Z (1989) 22 years

3. Busta Rhymes (1989) 22 years

4. Lil Wayne (1990) 21 years

5. Nas (1991) 20 years

6. Snoop Dogg (1991) 20 years

7. Eminem (1992) 19 years

8. Andre 3000 (1993) 18 years

9. 50 Cent (1997) 14 years

10. T.I. (2001) 10 years

Working in education can have its exciting moments. For Georgetown sociology professor, Michael Eric Dyson, class has become a space for discussing the legends of hip-hop. This year, his very popular Sociology of Hip-Hop course takes on Jay-Z. Dr. Dyson is famous for his class, which seeks to place hip-hop in the realm of academia as a social phenomenon of urban culture. He hopes that the discussions held in his class will allow students to see how hip-hop is used to describe social conditions and create a record of the urban experience. Since the first class in 2007 at Georgetown, Dr. Dyson’s course has been one of the most popular and multicultural classes on campus.  Dr. Dyson hopes to make the class about more than just beats and rhymes, but rather about “the intellectual, theological, philosophical predicate for Jay-Z’s argument?” 

Students are able to question the motivation behind the music as well as the implications of it. For some students, this may be their first time critically analyzing the lyrics. One can’t help but question why examine the work of Jay-Z and not other more socially-conscious artist such as Dead Prez or Common?

Although the music of Jay-Z has changed and he has become one of the most popular artists in the world, I rarely think of Jay-Z when I think about some of the most meaningful and thought-provoking hip-hop in the world. Is there something we don’t know about Jay-Z? Although he has grown from a self-proclaimed drug dealer, to being a UN ambassador for water, I think that his current album lacks the depth and reflection necessary to make it a socially-relevant piece of art. I question if there are not other artists presenting more complex representations of urban social culture.

As hip-hop has become a popular genre, it has affected political and social movements worldwide. Hip-hop, and even American hip-hop can be heard everywhere from Africa to New Zealand. Imagine the impact that music created today will have on future generations, the way the music of the ’60s and ’70s affected our generation. Hip-hop has certainly become a mirror of urban culture, reflecting our values and experiences – and on rare occasions giving us insight into the human experience. The implications of some parts of hip-hop culture are tangible with teenagers nationwide dropping out of high school in hopes of becoming famous drug dealers turned rappers. It may be more important now than ever to examine the impact of hip-hop on American culture.

“Before the answer was a 3, I was down in Georgetown with a Hoya chick, lawyer chick” says a boastful Jay about his past on the intro of his “Kingdom Come” album in 2006. Five years later, Georgetown is teaching a class about him. Rightfully so, with Jay-Z continuing to prove why he isn’t a businessman but more so a business. You can learn a thing or 99 about him!

In the featured video, Michael Eric Dyson has to explain his reasoning behind the course which focuses on the meaning behind the relatable but somewhat complex lyrics he produces. If not, everyone will be wondering how hip-hop is able to be a valid course in a learning institution. Oh, and don’t let it be taught by an outspoken black man like Mikey Dice! Why does this cause eyebrows to be raised? Jay’s lyrics are as relevant if not more than most of the outdated textbooks that my lil homies are still being taught with.

Besides, YOU can’t teach me about life growing up in the hood and how to get out of it better than Jay Z #Truth.

HIPHOP DX HAS THE VIDEO HERE >>>