I have a special connection to Newark, New Jersey. I feel this city as if it were my home. The architecture of downtown Newark is so familiar to me. This was how NYC looked before all the steel and glass mirrors started to hide the fact that NYC had lost its soul sometime around the GIULIANI regime. Newark was like Detroit to me because it still retained it height and magnificence even through its depression.
The Newark Museum of Art was the first museum to embrace the Internets Celebrities. They cited our film ‘Bodega’ during their prestigious if not overcrowded Paul Robeson Awards ceremony. Newark retains a blue collar aesthetic the same way Philadelphia does. It is no small wonder to me then that Dice Raw of the legendary, hardest working band of all time Roots crew was tabbed to compose the theme to the Sundance Channel’s documentary about the rebuilding city’s inner struggle.
Dice Raw & Khari Mateen – ‘Brick By Brick’
The Brick City documentary mini-series features some of Newark’s soldiers from the young mayor CORY BOOKER, to the police chief to Blood and Crip and Blood gang members who are on the frontlines of the poverty and desperation within Newark’s ghettos. I’m hype for this program as the alternative to all the talk that ‘The Wire’ had generated in examining and exposing the urban phenomena created by capitalism over the past 40 years. Since the murder of MARTIN LUTHER KING Jr. the urban center has been abandoned by industry and the government. The story of Brick City is no different than that of Philadelphia, Baltimore, East St.Louis, Detroit and ALL of Ohio.
Those of us born into the full threshold of urban decay are now old enough and strong enough to progressively change our environs. The process is lengthy and arduous but we must rebuild our cities with our own hands. Brick by brick…
Great read.
DP – semi-related article you might enjoy:
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970203440104574403293064136098.html
The BRICKS IS IN THE BUILDING…….This is my city…NWK NJ. Thanks 4 putting out a blog about where I grew up. That paramount used to be a theatre but now is a cheap clothing store. I remember all the crazy nights me and my crew had downtown when I look at that picture. This is when if u were rockin something fresh u had to be deep or else someone would test you. I still revolve around this area today but its changed alot. Young dudes can wear whatever they want but it wasnt like that when I was comin up. Club Sensations on Branford….Zanzibar on Broad st…..Those where the days.(spots I was 2 young to go to)…The older dudes on my block used to always stay in there. Peace POLO ICE…EL DA SENSAI…TAME ONE…AD LO….BIRO….UNITY….TASK…JES….JUST a few of the cats I was inspired by comin up in that era. WIZECRACK WHAT it IS my DUDE…also J-CRUSH and HEX and ONER DKP….didnt forget yall either. SO AVE is in the BUILDING….
Ya’l know Nathan Heard at all, especially his book, “Howard Street”? Excellent Newark crime novel by a guy who was there– and wrote it during the prison time that was the result.
The best obit for Heard I found was in the UK Guardian–
http://www.guardian.co.uk/news/2004/may/12/guardianobituaries.usa
And here’s a good interview with Nathan–
http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m2838/is_n3_v28/ai_16328156/
Rah Digga in the house?!
Home Sweet Home … In Cali now but I’ll return … my heart’s there
yo Dallas just watched the 1st episode…..it was wack….fuckin Corey Booker commercial. Forest Whitaker lost some points with me. I must say If anybody wants to see the real NWK come chill with me.
fUCK sCIENTOLOGY….COME TO CHEM LAB WIT ME WEDS MORNING
I’m mad this joint wasn’t fresh, but maybe as the season progresses it will get better
STAND UP RUTGERS NEWARK. PARTY AT THE ROW HOUSES
I thought it was an interesting opening episode. It set the groundwork for the players involved. I mean the thug Bloodette has a oldhead mentor who has access to the mayor. Showed me how close folks are sometimes, I’m interested on seeing this play out. I wasn’t expecting “The Wire” here, and Marc Levin has banged out some good shit. I fux with dude since “Slam”.
@Willis – that Nathan Heard interview was great. Never heard of Heard (rimshot), but I’ll have to check his work.
Oh yeah Im in Rutgers Newark right now…Holla if u see me
Wat up Wit a new Blog Dallas?
Yeah, dp, what’s really good? Where you @ (no nextel)?
I really enjoyed this show even though I could do with less Booker. He’s def going to use this as a way to leave Newark one day for higher political ground. I thought part 2 was more interesting than part 1 and the miniseries will continue to get better throughout the week. It lags at some points but it’s definitely better than most of the reality bullshit on tv right now.