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Uprising’s Friday Morning Fund Drive Music Special featuring Michael Franti, Quetzal, Green Day, Hermanazos, and a documentary about Cuban Hip Hop

Cuban Hip Hop: Desde El Principio is new documentary by two local sisters – Vanessa and Larisa Diaz, whom we featured on Uprising. Hip Hop has rapidly become one of the preferred forms of expression and youth culture on the island nation of Cuba. Despite the imposition of a decade’s long embargo, Afro-Cuban youth are deeply influenced by U.S. rappers in developing their own hip hop culture. The history of this cultural development is outlined the new documentary “Cuban Hip Hop: Desde el Principio.” Confirming as well as challenging preconceived notions of Cuban hip hop, the film examines how artist are dealing poetically with racism, poverty and self-censorship. “Desde el Principio,” is a bilingual film featuring in-depth and exclusive interviews with important Cuban hip hop artists and producers, exclusive performance footage, and interviews of U.S. rappers such as Common, and M1 from Dead Prez.

Because the film does not yet have distribution, we are unable to offer unlimited copies of it. But, the film makers have generously donated 20 copies of the documentary for Uprising listeners to help raise money for KPFK.

Cuban Hip Hop is not freely available in the US. However, some bands in an effort to spread their music, are offering their CDs to Americans through non-commercial channels like KPFK. One of the hip hop bands featured in Cuban Hip Hop: Desde El Principio is Hermanzos, a group formed in 2001 founded by Roberto Rossell Justiz aka El Reglano and Danny Vaelazquez Iglesias aka Afro Velazquez. In 2005 they released their first independent CD, which we’re offering today called “Segundo Aire” (Second Wind), which is a compilation of their best songs from 2001 to 2005. The group has been a member of the Asociación Hermanos Saíz which is an institution of young artists and writers, 35 and younger, within the Cuban Government’s Ministry of Culture.

The politically charged East Los Angeles group, Quetzal, is back with their fourth CD entitled, Die Cowboy Die. Displaying their eclectic blend of Afro-Cuban, son jarocho, jazz and rock rhythms, the six piece group lyrically explores themes of social justice, immigration, and the cowboy mentality. Featuring the dual vocals of Martha Gonzalez and new comer Quincy McCrary, “Die Cowboy Die,” includes special guest musicians such as Ramon Gutierrez Hernandez of Son de Madera. Quetzal Flores, son of two community organizers, formed Quetzal in the early nineties. Since that time, Quetzal has become one of LA’s most compelling bands even garnering praise from Los Lobos.

“I Know I’m Not Alone: A Musician’s Journey Through War in the Middle East,” is a new documentary featuring world-renowned musician and activist Michael Franti. Using guerrilla style footage, Franti explores the dimensions of human tragedy caused by war. Traveling to Iraq, Israel and the occupied territories of Palestine with a camera and his guitar, Michael Franti interviews those afflicted by conflict and strife. The film has been featured in numerous film festival and was the winner of the San Francisco World Film Festival in 2005. “I Know I’m Not Alone,” features the music of Michael Franti and Spearhead’s latest critically acclaimed album, “Yell Fire.”

Thank you Gifts:

“Cuban Hip Hop: Desde El Principio” – DVD – limited to 20 – $100 each

“Hermanazos” Cuban Hip Hop CD – unlimited – $35

Quetzal’s “Die Cowboy, Die” CD – $50

“I Know I’m Not Alone” featuring Michael Franti DVD – $80

Limited Add-on:
Greenday’s “Bullet in a Bible” CD/DVD set free add-on with $165 donation for “Hermanazos,” “I Know I’m Not Alone,” and “Die Cowboy, Die.” Limited to 10.