Think Conscious

HND History

Black freedom weekend, a success.
by Yetunde Orungbemi

The Happily Natural/ Black Freedom weekend began on August 24, 2006 and ended August 27, 2006. I was able to catch the shows on Saturday.

It started very up-tempo and energizing. Elemental Soul graced the stage and rocked it. Hip-Hop artists such as A-Alikes, representing N.Y., from RBG/Peoples Army

brought uncut fearlessness to their manner of delivery in what they stood for, the truth about the conditions we live in, and what they are doing and are ready to do about it. They put on a dynamic show with songs from their newly released CD, I eat, you eat. Umi from POW, also representing N.Y., dropped concrete knowledge and left the crowd wanting more. He made sure to communicate with ability, force and tenacity. Sons of Nat, who are members of the Soulvivors Nation from Tubman city (Baltimore), blessed the mic with youthful teenage energy. Raw and Fresh was the angle they used to convey their message. In the middle of the show, around 4 pm, the real FTP movement, shining light from Atlanta, finally stood up with Kalonji Jama Changa, chief coordinator, letting it be known, We here.
Alongside him was Chosen, a crafty lyricist, who later featured Blackened Light. Mike Flo, a member of RBG/Peoples Army from Rap Brown, GA (Atlanta), also mixed in his spicy flavor of the truth.

A few vendors were given an opportunity to promote their businesses on stage, and thank the people for their patronage. There was a vast selection of items available to all walks of life. From clothing, jewelry, skin & hair care products, kalimbas, bean pies, to Qurans. There were also documentaries informing people about RBG. Red, Black and Green. The colors given to us by the Honorable Marcus Mosiah Garvey. Red for the blood, Black for the people, and Green for the land.

As performers were educating and entertaining the crowd upstairs, downstairs was a whole different story. The education procedure was more laid back compared to the up beat delivery upstairs. The vendors downstairs were also on a different caliber. There were more lectures, books, CDs and general information on subjects like massage and the breaking of the slave mentality. Enlightening information were delivered by the likes of MBwebe of Da Ghetto Tymz.

Later on in the evening, the hair show, hosted by Taj Annwar of the FTP movement, lit up the faces of fashion lovers. Prior to the hair show, a few highly talented poets shared some of their works in a hair raising, memory jarring, and tear extracting manner. Their passion was one of exhilaration and brought about a reconnection to the days of old. It was like looking and listening to a runaway slave or even one still on the sun-beaten, disease ridden plantation. Their opening cipher was the perfect introduction to a hair show glorifying our naturally beautiful locs of hair. The models for the hair show varied in age, beauty, style, and presentation. At one point in the show, a brother waiting on stage gorgeously garbed African style with tightened locs, would expose the sisters unique hair dos by taking off the head wraps the wore on stage. The twisted and braided crowns highlighted with ribbons and feathers, showed off the depth of our culture and our ability to manipulate things.

As the night grew older, the crowd got younger and the room decorum changed. The chairs were packed away. The lights were dimmed way low.

Taj Anwar, the hostess, dressed the part of Hip-Hop, and introduced the beginning of the main concert/event. Hyperlink was the place to be at that time.

Black anger came with a long forgotten drive to be free in speech and actions with their Hip-Hop/rap delivery. RBG/Peoples Army laced it one more time, undisputedly.

Dead Prez, representing N.Y., had everyone hype. At one place, at one time people were on one thought. They were on DP. those who had problems quickly shook it off and joined in the anthem, Im an Afrikan, Im an Afrikan, and I know whats happenin! Their conviction in the message they were spitting held listeners ears close to the speakers. Hip-Hop once again found a pair to use to voice truth in any atmosphere. The rebirth of the connection between Hip-Hop and the streets is felt with Dead Prez. They are continually pushing the truth as plain as it comes.

Shout outs go to Mayaneye, Manifest and the HND committee. DJ Sayeed, Pamela Muhammad, UNIA, Natural Hair Care Community, Muhammad Mosque #24, the RBG family and the FTP movement for making it hot.
If you missed it, youre trapped. look foreward to next year.

_________________

MY TWO CENTS: …THANKS TO ALL WHO MADE RICHMIND, VA FEEL AS GOOD AS BEING HOME IN RAP BROWN, GA….
(I LOVE YOU COMRADES!: A-ALIKES, KIMIKO, VICTORIOUS, UMI, DEAD PREZ, MANIFEST, MAYAN EYE, DJ SAYID, BRO. KINDU, PAMELA MUHAMMAD, SIS. ANGIE, UNITY, DJ WAH & QUEENDOM COME)
WAIT TILL NEXT YEAR…………

TAJ ANWAR (JUST TAJ/MS.RED)
FTP MOVEMENT, RESERVOIR BROADS, MOTHERS OF BLACK/BROWN BABIES