Hip-Hop 4 The Homeless continues to thrive as an annual event that focuses on the increasing numbers of the homeless nation and raises food, clothing, resources and funding for the homeless and needy of Thurston, Pierce, Mason and Lewis counties and beyond. For the scoop, read my previous column here.

The Hip-Hop 4 The Homeless will include an addendum to its purpose this year as we include efforts to raise resources for Haiti on behalf of the people of The 25360. GET DOWN! Hip-Hop 4 The Homeless/Haiti.

Here is the lineup scheduled to perform at the all ages Hip-Hop 4 The Homeless/Haiti Benefit from 4-10 p.m. Saturday Jan. 30 at The Loft on Cherry.

Junkyard Gang [360]

Wojack [253]

Jace/Ecaj [Silent Lambs Project/Black Stax] [206]

Afrok [360]

Jay Barz [253]

Josh Rizeberg [253]

Asliani [360/617/Boston]

Night Fox [360]

XP [360]

DJ Drastick [360]

DJ Turtledove [360]

DJ Slimrock [360]

DJ Dr. Rob [310]

The 25360 Awards

Here are the updated nominees for 2009 The 25360 Awards. I'm still taking nomination at hiphop@weeklyvolcano.com. Voting ends Jan. 25 at midnight.

Here are a few new nominees that arrived for you, my readers:

DJ Deadbeat for DJ of The Year

Smoke of Old Dominion for Producer of The Year

Natasha Diva for Model of The Year

Evergreen One & Todd Sykes for Video of The Year

Junkyard Gang "I'm Lazy" for Song of The Year

6^th Ave Bar (Tacoma) for Nightclub of The Year

XP for Hustla of The Year

The Taco Truck (West Olympia) for Eatery of The Year

Marcus Trufant and Marvin Williams for Athlete of The Year

Here are the previous nominees for the 25360 Awards:

MC of The Year - Jay Barz, XP, Afrok and J-Mar Da Sik

DJ of The Year - DJ Drastic, DJ Hawkskee and DJ Dragonfish Killswitch, DJ Deadbeat

Man of The Year - Eddie Sumlin, Lawrence Stone and Todd Denny

Woman of The Year - Stella Haioulani and Hilary Hacker

Promoter of The Year - Homeland Security, Crowd Control and Gerzee

Album of The Year - Be A G About It (J-Mar), Where In The World Is Taylor Jones (Junkyard Gang) and Truth & Medizine Muzik (Savage Family)

Song of The Year - "'80s Baby" - LA Swagga, "Shine Like Diamonds" - Afrok and "I'm Lazy" - Junkyard Gang

Video of The Year - Evergreen One & Todd Sykes

Producer of The Year - Big Squigg, Jacob Cundy and Smoke

Best Come Up - Afrok

Best New Artist - LA Swagga and Night Fox

Hustla of The Year - Jay Barz (Can't stop... Won't stop!) and XP

Nightclub of The Year - The Royal, Mossa and 6^th Ave (Tacoma)

Organization of The Year - Hip-Hop 4 The Homeless, The Center for Community Based Learning and Action, Hip-Hop Congress (Evergreen Chapter)

Best Radio Show/Host - DJ Kalambre (KAOS), DJ Luvva J (KAOS) and DJ La Pointe (KAOS)

Model of The Year - Miss Lady and Natasha Diva

Best Athlete - Jonathan Stewart (Carolina Panthers), Marvin Williams (ATL Hawks) and Marcus Trufant (Seattle Seahawks)

Best Music/Vinyl Shop - Rainy Day Records (Olympia)

Best Eatery - Old School Pizza, The Fish House Café, The Teriyaki Spot in Tillicum and The Taco Truck

Remember, you can add your nominee, too.

The award recipients will be announced at The 2010 Hip-Hop for The Homeless Benefit Saturday, Jan. 30 at The Cherry Loft.  The benefit recommends a $5 donation for entry or canned foods and/or clothing items to benefit those in need.

R.I. P. Teddy P, Brittany Murphy and those we lost in Haiti

Teddy Pendergrass is a legendary artist and humanitarian who has ascended to another place, but his voice has and will continue to grace the hearts, ears and souls of those who listened to him melodically uplift people with thoughts of changing the world with love, laughter, fun and romance.  One of Harold Melvin's original Blue Notes, he will not be forgotten. Thank you Teddy P!

Brittany Murphy was a starlet and bright face in the world of Hollywood and beyond.  I appreciated her smile and cute mannerisms, but moreover she depicted the love interest of Bunny Rabbit, Eminem's character in the pseudo bio-pic, 8 Mile.  Beyond 8 Mile, she had a great career awaiting her, but we remember her for her contribution to an important and at the time mega-hip-hop film that highlighted in a round-about way, the life of one of hip-hop's most talented lyricists and interesting characters in Eminem.  DOPE!  R.I.P. to Brittany.

Finally, hail to The Haitians.  I have long studied the tortured and abused souls and people of Haiti and The Congo. They are among the most resilient and indomitable peoples on this small planet.  Each group pillaged, plundered and raped for its people, land and cultures.  However, in the instance of the Haitians, the mighty Haitians, if France had had its way they would not be here. The former slave colony is the ONLY place on thi splanet that freed itself from colonial racism, imperialism and inhumanity.  Considering the fact that no other peoples from Asia to Australia, Africa to The Americas were able to accomplish this feat - I have always considered the people of Haiti, the fourth poorest (financially, but rich with culture and heritage) country on this planet and poorest in the western hemisphere, CHAMPIONS of people of color and any person who truly respects and pursues the principles of freedom and liberty.  They were never offered genuine friendship by any nation after expelling France in 1804 and they NEVER asked for help when they kicked France's behind. So in honor of the Haitian fallen and those who survive this mighty act of nature, I remember and honor them with the salute of The Mighty Zulu people - BAYETE!

Until next time... Stay up!  PEACE.

Winners Train, Losers Complain... Do Yo' Thang!!!

Peace & Love
 
Jose S. Gutierrez Jr. aka DJ LUVVA J is an award-winning editor, writer, producer, educator, music director and consultant.  A graduate of Washington State University and student at The Evergreen State College, he writes and edits the Pacific Northwest section of Ozone Magazine and hosts and produces Live From I-5 Radio (since '89) every Friday at 3 p.m. on KAOS 89.3 FM (www.kaosradio.org / Comcast Ch. 982 / TCTV Ch. 22) in Olympia.