Guess Who's Coming to Radio??!! on 09/09/10

on the 14th of august ABBEY LINCOLN physically transcended at the age of 80.  we have honored her presence on 'guess who's coming to radio??!!'  at other times, and we shall continue to do so.  she is exemplary of one of our goals of the show- utilizing art to communicate political struggle.  this thursday, the 9th of september we once again honor ms. lincoln, knowing that her messages move far beyond her physical being. 

that evening we will also speak with PARADISE GRAY, of x-clan and one hood fame.  paradise uses hip hop culture and independent media to bring awareness to issues of police abuse and other injustices. 

from paradise's bio:

Paradise Gray was raised in The South Bronx during the days of Reaganomics, the trickle down theory was in full effect. With live entertainment being financially inaccessible, the young people began to create their own forms of entertainment. This raw, new music scene crafted in the inner cities of New York is now affectionately known as "Hip-hop". The voice of the ghetto that has grown to become a Multi-Billion Dollar industry that has in recent years out-sold all other forms of music in America. Paradise was a young street D.J. mentored by some of Hip-hop's Legendary founding DJ's: Disco King Mario (R.I.P.), Pete DJ Jones, The Grand Imperial J.C., and D.J. C.C. Howard. Paradise earned street credibility as a D.J., Rapper and Break-dancer. Paradise jokes: "I never liked getting paint on my hands and clothes, so I was a horrible Graffiti artist". Paradise is also a writer and photographer with articles and photographs appearing in The Source Magazine, XXL, Right On! Magazine, YO!, Wax Poetics, Big Red News, VH1's 30 Years Of Hip-hop History TV Special, "It's Like That" (Run-DMC's Autobiography) by Bill Adler and many early Hip-hop magazines including The Hip-hop Hit-list and Rap Masters. An archivist and Hip-hop Historian with a great Hip-hop memorabilia collection: (The Paradise Collection), Paradise has been a photographer, writer, producer, promoter, artist, activist, and manager of entertainment for The Legendary Hip-hop Club "The Latin Quarters". The Latin Quarters was the incubator of "The Golden Era" Of Hip-hop where Over 80% of the legendary artists honed their skills and made their connections. Some of those artists include: Rakim, Big Daddy Kane, KRS 1, Public Enemy, Nice & Smooth, Salt & Pepa, De La Soul, A Tribe Called Quest, Queen Latifah, Chris Rock, Slick Rick, Heavy D & The Boys, EPMD, LL Cool J, X-Clan and many others.. In 1987-88 Paradise helped Lumumba Carson form The BlackWatch Movement that spawned the groups: The X-Clan, Isis, Queen Mother Ragem Unique and Dashan and Professor X himself as an artist. The BlackWatch Movement was critical to the grassroots consciousness of New York City's youth and was instrumental in changing the face of Hip-hop to one of Black Pride in the late 80's to early 90's. Both of The X-Clan's albums: "To The East Blackwards" and "XODUS" are considered Classics and are a must listen to for anyone into Black Conscious music. Dubbed "The Grand Arkitech Traxtitioner Paradise" Mr. Gray was a member of the groups production team that included Jason Hunter (The Grand Verbalizer Funkin-Lesson Brother J). Anthony Hardin (The Rhythm Provider Sugar Shaft), And Lumumba Carson (Professor X The Overseer). The X-Clan were nominated for an NAACP Image Award. From 1999-2003 Paradise Gray was the executive director of urban music at the infamous Internet music company MP3.COM, the company that invented the Online Music Revolution and was last big IPO in the Dot.com boom era. MP3.COM was the precursor to all the music downloading companies and controversy. Paradise C0-Hosted and organized The 2007 and 2008 Pittsburgh Hip-hop Awards, The 2007 Central PA Hip-hop Awards and The 2007 Philly Hip-hop Awards as a consultant for 360 Entertainment. Mr. Gray owns and operates two small businesses in Pittsburgh PA: A Recording Studio and "The UndaGround Lounge" (A Hip-hop Art Gallery, local music, custom t-shirt retailer and live performance/party rental space). A community activist with a deep love for people, Paradise served as the Director of "Almost Home" for 3 years. (a program that feeds 60 kids twice a week and offers mentor programs, free internet usage, home work assistance and guitar, voice and drum lessons, "we allow children to play video games and socialize, learn and have fun all in the same place, it at least keeps them out of the streets during a critical time of day"). - Paradise Paradise works with the "Ministry Of Art's And Sciences" of The Millions More Movement Pittsburgh LOC. He also works with The National Hip-hop political Convention's Pittsburgh LOC. Mr. Gray's community service does not end there, as he as serves on the board of a newly formed coalition formed by Blackmen who head community service programs in Pittsburgh "One Hood". One HOOD was created to promote unity among young men, to strengthen and support each individual members programs and to promote peace in local Pittsburgh neighborhoods and across America.

One HOOD was honored to receive the "2007 Peace Partner Of The Year Award" from The Center For Victims Of Violence And Crime/Pittsburgh Mediation Center.

Paradise Gray was recently honored with the 2007 "Communicator Of The Year Award" by the Pittsburgh Black Media Federation.

and here some sites about paradise:
http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/07011/752695-42.stm

http://onehood.ning.com/

stay tuned- this thursday the 9th at 8pm (west coast time), 10pm (in the middle) and 11pm (on the east coast) on KBOO 90.7 fm (here in portland, oregon) and kboo.fm worldwide!

guess who's coming to radio!!!

peace,
jamilah