Pump Up the Jam

Couldn't help myself, the blog title made me do it. Cool! I'm so excited about this blog and can't wait to read everyone's stuff--and write, too, of course!--my first contribution to this blog is recommendation to buy/download/check out Saul Williams' newest CD (called 'Saul Williams'--how original). There's a deep song on there about how hip-hop has been jacked by white boys from the suburbs and another one about Black liberation. The music is not your standard KMEL hip-hop, it is full of driving punk rock guitar riffs, vocal distortion and even some electronic violin. I've heard that some hardcore hip-hop heads don't dig some of Saul's music, but I think it's quite refreshing, like stepping out into the Frisco sunshine expecting warmth to hit your skin, but being assaulted by a brisk, chilly breeze instead. Unexpected, a little uncomfortable, but still feels good.