[INTERVIEW] Malik Yusef on Politics and Hip-Hop

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.”

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Ife

#NewMusic: Kanye West “TheraFlu”

Kanye West just dropped a smash with DJ Khalaed & DJ Pharris. I’m not sure if this is old and just got released or if it’s off of an upcoming project, but the boy goes in. Shouts out to George Condo on the artwork. Hands down, Kanye’s king when it comes to the nicknames. He begins the track by identifying himself a “Swag King Cole.” Gotta love it. Like it? Leave a comment!

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DJWillieShakes

2DopeBoyz’s @MekDot Talks About DJing At Kanye West’s Surprise Performance At SXSW

99problems.org’s @DJWillieShakes got up with 2DopeBoyz’s Meka to chop it up about DJing at Kanye West’s surprise performance at SXSW. Meka was on the wheels when 2 Chainz brought Kanye West on stage to make a surprise entrance at AllHipHop’s SOB celebration. Meka is registered to vote. You should be too.

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The Editor

Should Kanye Have Showed Up at #OccupyWallStreet?

When Kanye West made an appearance at #OccupyWallStreet recently, the blogosphere lit up with commentary. Why was he there? Why didn’t he say anything when he was interviewed with Russell Simmons? Why did he show up in a gold chain to protest wealth inequality?

Within the League family, a crazy debate erupted, both hating on and defending ‘Ye. We’ve got an inside look at our inbox, along with some words from Michael Skolnik of Global Grind. More importantly, what did you guys think: Was Kanye’s appearance sincere or a shameless PR stunt?

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The Editor

[EXCLUSIVE] Interview: Nikki Jean

What do Lupe Fiasco and Bob Dylan have in common? It’s singer-songwriter Nikki Jean. Nikki hit the music scene first as a member of Nouveau Riche, a Philadelphia-based indie group which also featured Dice Raw, better known for his connections to The Roots. Nikki is probably best known for her most recent work with Lupe Fiasco, as she was featured on his “The Cool” album and toured with Lupe, N.E.R.D., Rihanna and Kanye West on the 2008 Glow in the Dark  Tour.

Then, in 2011 Nikki Jean signed with S-Curve Records and released her solo debut record “Pennies in a Jar“ on July 12th. On the record, she co-wrote and collaborated with the likes of Bob Dylan, Burt Bacharach, Carole King, Carly Simon, Lamont Dozier, and Bobby Braddock (feat. Lupe Fiasco and Black Thought). She is currently on tour opening for the rock band Train.

I secured an exclusive interview with Nikki Jean last week. Today, we are releasing part 1, where he sat down with Nikki to talk about music. Stay tuned for part 2 tomorrow, where Nikki will be discussing college, voting and gun violence.
Hit the jump for part 1…

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Justin Burkhardt