The last commercial flight to leave from Somalia, U.S. bound carried a young boy who would later become the voice for our future. At the age of 14 K’naan Warsame (whose name means “traveler” in Somali) left his home for the unknown. When asked if he ever felt pressured to conform, he simply responds, “Some conforming you can’t do without… like buying a winter coat.” Although K’naan and his family left a world of chaos for the land of opportunity, there’s no place like home. They made the inevitable choice to relocate to New York, …

It’s been cool to say that I got to interview DJ Krush and for a moment, it escaped me that there would be a language barrier. So, the following is the translation of moments captured with the forever traveling, DJ Krush.

In case you are unaware of whom he is. Google DJ Krush right now! Japan’s best kept secret, if you ask me. Though, you’d be late, because it’s been since 1985 roughly when Krush entered the music scene, being the first Japanese DJ to perform with live musicians. Over 11 albums and other collaborations, …

“In France in the circuit of hip hop and soul, everything has got to be done if you want to live from your art. We don’t grow up in families full of artists, we have to learn step by step making mistakes. Contrary to the United States where through jazz, soul and funk you have millions of anecdotes on the insdustry of music, for us nothing has been done. Here in France, it’s like starting with a blank page, so we messed up and we do it again and we messed up a second time …

R E S P E C T! We know where that originated; Ms. Franklin herself knew the parallel between musical respect and collective respect; and yet we sing along blindly taking no responsibility on the words themselves. It’s that cycle I speak on often; folks consistently continuing to disrespect the origin of hip hop…but it’s all love, right?!

This time, it’s not us in the States focusing on that constant demon; it’s the observation from the International community, influenced by us and confused about why we continue to allow this development. Who holds the …

DAM, the Palestinian hip hop trio consisting of Tamer Nafar, Suhell, Mahmoud Jreri, has been the voice of Palestine since 1999. Born and raised in the “slums of Lod”, a mixed town of Arabs and Jews, 20 km from Jerusalem, their music speaks on their native land, consisting of Arabic beats, Middle Eastern melodies and hip hop…a musical influence they appreciated long before they started creating it. DAM has been influenced by the continuing Israeli-Palestinian conflict as well as their struggle for freedom and equality. As their lyrics float in and out of …

What once was a little boy jumping on a bed, singing into a hairbrush, is now a lucrative up-and-coming artist rocking audiences all around the world. A Jamaican born in the United Kingdom found himself in the United States in love with hip-hop and wanting to perform.

Cymarshall Law, a New Jersey-bred, is an artist whose style is unique and lyrics are intoxicating, leaving audiences addicted and feigning for more. “I’m the type of performer where if I feel the mic isn’t doing me justice, I may just put the mic down and use …