JOSE S. GUTIERREZ JR.: UPCOMING HIP-HOP SHOWS >>>

So, there are some good events forthcoming to The 25360 area if you claim to LOVE hip-hop.

Forever and a day it seemed that there was always this floating question in hip-hop circles about who is the gay rapper. As homophobia still graces the planet and certainly the machismo-ready elements of hip-hop, there is still room for diversity, and if you support the GLBT community and/or are curious about its relationship to hip-hop, check out the Queer Hip-Hop Show at The Evergreen State College Friday, Feb. 13. The show features Katastrophe, The Athens Boys Choir, Team Gina and Last Offence rockin’ the crowd. Should be interesting … It’s cool that people can be who they want to be and don’t have to hide it.

Also, coming soon to the home of the Mighty Geoducks’ campus thanks to Hip-Hop Congress and TESC’s Black Student Union is the return of M-1 of Dead Prez Feb. 19 as he speaks â€" doesn’t perform â€" speaks. Hint, hint … in case you are a complete “nobody” or innocently missed the news by some chance, Dead Prez performed at The Evergreen State College on St. Valentine’s Day 2008, wherein after the performances an outburst of straight wildness ended with some students arrested, a police car upended and Dead Prez up outta there. Safe to say, M-1 giving a speech should be a bit more reserved than a performance, but more importantly it presents an opportunity to discuss last year’s events and hear his philosophy and potent ideas on social justice and the African/African-American condition.

LINK: Jose's Live From I-5: Hip-Hop in the 25360 column

Photo: Team Gina/MySpace