And It Won’t Stop

In 1999, militaristic rap group Dead Prez asked listeners a riveting and significant question: “Would you rather have a Lexus or justice? A dream or some substance? A Beemer, a necklace, or freedom?” The song was simply titled “Hip Hop,” and with such pointed lyrics poised over a rumbling bass...

By Patrice Elizabeth Grell Yursik

June 14, 2007

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In 1999, militaristic rap group Dead Prez asked listeners a riveting and significant question: “Would you rather have a Lexus or justice? A dream or some substance? A Beemer, a necklace, or freedom?” The song was simply titled “Hip Hop,” and with such pointed lyrics poised over a rumbling bass line, the message seemed impossible to ignore. Sad but true – many of today’s fans choose glitter rather than gold. Here, at the very tail end of the Dirty South, fans of ostentatious rap music can get their slick satisfaction any given weekend on South Beach, but it’s a lot more difficult to find real, good hip-hop.

“What I’m trying to do is solidify Miami as a real hip-hop city by organizing shows with real artists,” says event organizer Virgil Oviedo. Like tonight’s Dead Prez and Smif-N-Wessun concert, which will be rockin’ Studio A from 8:00 till the break of dawn. If you, like us, are “sick of that fake thug, R&B-rap scenario all day on the radio,” get your tickets now.
Fri., June 15, 8 p.m.

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