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[Black History Month]Frederick Douglass – Leader of the Abolitionist

Frederick Douglass - Isaac Myers Maritime Park

Frederick Douglass – Isaac Myers Maritime Park

Фредерик Дуглас (наст. имя — Фредерик Огастес Уошингтон Бейли), февраль 1818 — 20 февраля, 1895) — американский писатель, просветитель, аболиционист, редактор и оратор. Написал автобиографию «Повесть о жизни Фредерика Дугласа, американского раба» в 1845 году.

日本語

Black History Month is a celebration of notable contributions to society by those of African descent. During the month of February, we will highlight the contributions of historic black figures.

Frederick Douglass – Leader of the Abolitionist

Frederick Douglass (born Frederick Augustus Washington Bailey, c. February 1818 – February 20, 1895) was an African-American social reformer, orator, writer and statesman. After escaping from slavery, he became a leader of the abolitionist movement, gaining note for his dazzling oratory and incisive antislavery writing. He stood as a living counter-example to slaveholders’ arguments that slaves did not have the intellectual capacity to function as independent American citizens. Many Northerners also found it hard to believe that such a great orator had been a slave.

Douglass wrote several autobiographies, eloquently describing his experiences in slavery in his 1845 autobiography, Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave, which became influential in its support for abolition. He wrote two more autobiographies, with his last, Life and Times of Frederick Douglass, published in 1881 and covering events through and after the Civil War.

The remarkable story of Frederick Douglass, an escaped slave who became a famous social reformer, is told in most history books. Not in Japan. Here is what New York public school’s textbook says about him.

The Abolitionists

Frederick Douglass was born a slave in Maryland. When he was a boy, his master’s wife taught him to read and write. This was against the slave code. Douglass was a proud man, and for a slave, pride could mean trouble. So he decided to escape to the North. He had to avoid the slave catchers who captured runaways for a reward. Once in the North, Douglass continued to educate himself.

Douglass traveled all over the North speaking out against slavery. In Rochester, New York, he began a newspaper called the North Star. He chose that name because many slaves escaping from the south followed the North Star to freedom. In his newspaper, Douglass reminded his readers that even though blacks had their freedom in the North, they still were not treated fairly.

Frederick Douglass High School in Baltimore

Frederick Douglass High School in Baltimore

Because of his accomplishments and legacy many schools, museums, libraries, educational organizations and streets in the United States of America are named after him.

Jazz (far left)

Jazz (far left)

Frederick Douglass High School – Baltimore, MD

Founded in 1883, established as the Colored High and Training School, Douglass is the second oldest historically integrated public high school in the United States. As of 2007, had 1,151 students, of which 99% were African American students. Most notable almini is Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall.  Cab Calloway and Jazz of Dru Hill also studied there.

Class of 2012

Class of 2012

Frederick Douglass – Isaac Myers Maritime Park (Baltimore)

Frederick Douglass – Isaac Myers Maritime Park is an educational and national heritage site that highlights African American maritime history and establishment of their community in Baltimore during the 1800’s.

Waterfront Kitchen

Waterfront Kitchen

Waterfront Kitchen

Located at the foot of Fells Point, in a museum education building, Waterfront Kitchen is a quiet oasis in a noisy dining scene in Baltimore. The view at Waterfront Kitchen is stunning. It may be the best vantage point along the harbor.

1417 Thames Street, Baltimore, Maryland 21231
Tel: (410) 685-0295
Admission: $5

“Mastermind” ヒップホップ界のヘヴィー・ヒッター、リック・ロスの新作視聴パーティ Rick Ro$$’s New Album, “Mastermind” Listening Party in New York

Rick Ross MASTERMIND Evite[1]
Read in English

12月リリース予定だった新作「マスターマインド」を34日に発売することを決めたリック・ロスのアルバム視聴パーティーが昨日(2/11)開催されました。今絶好調なアーティスト、リック・ロスの話題作とあって、厳寒の中500人を超す関係者がマンハッタンの会場、西50丁目の「ニューワールド・ステージ」に集まりました。

Rick Ross, DJ Khalid, Busta Rhymes, Meek Mill, Jermaine Dupri, Bow Wow, Free (former 106 & Park host), Sway (BET, MTV)

本人の他、DJ Khalid、バスタ・ライムズ、ミーク・ミル、ジャメィン・デュプリ、バウワウなど、アルバムでコラボしているアーティストやレーベルの仲間などが駆けつけ、VIPルームは高校のランチ・ルームのような賑わいでした。ヒップホップ・イベントにつきもののKUSAで室内は煙が立ち込め、こわもてのリックの目が潤んでいました。 

まずはウォーム・アップのカクテル・タイム。Pディディーのお洒落ウォッカ・ブランドCirocのイメージ・キャラクターをリック・ロスが務めているということもあって、シロック・カクテルがふんだんに振る舞われました。 

Mastermind

ニュー・アルバムには、すでにラジオでもヘビロ(heavy rotation)のジェイZをフィーチャーしたシングル、”The Devil Is A Lie”も収録されます。視聴会はスクリーンに映し出されるビデオの映像を見ながらアルバム曲を聴いてゆくという気のきいた趣向ですすめられます。リック本人の挨拶のあと、”Rich Is Gangsta”が巨大なスピーカーから爆音で鳴り響きます。ストリート・ライフを表現した”Drug Dealers Dream”………ギャングスタ「リック・ロス」の世界が広がります。1997年のノートリアスB.I.G. “You’re Nobody (Till Somebody Kills You)”にインスパイアされて作った曲、”Nobody”にはオーディエンスが熱い声援をおくり、ヒットの兆しが……..。カニエ・ウエスト、ビッグ・ショーン参加の”Sanctified”や、リル・ウェインをフィーチャーした”Thug Cry” など大きなヒットになりそうな手ごたえのある作品ばかり。アルバムのデラックス盤のみに収録されるという、ヒューストン代表のスカーフェイスとのコラボ曲、”Blessing In Disguise”でリスニング・セッションを締めくくりました。

 

Rick Ro$$’s New Album, “Mastermind” Listening Party in New York

Rick Ross MASTERMIND Evite[1]
日本語

Rick Ro$$ hosted a Mastermind album listening party at Manhattan’s New World Stages last night (Feb. 11)

Mastermind is the upcoming sixth studio album by Rick Ross, set to be released on March 4. The album features guest appearances from Jay-Z, Jeezy, The Weeknd, Kanye West, Big Sean, Meek Mill, Lil Wayne and Scarface.

The event on Tusday was a star-studded affair, with Ross and Meek Mill, as well as DJ Khaled, Busta Rhymes, Mack Wilds, Bow Wow, Jermaine Dupri and other music industry heavyweights.

Ross made a business deal with P. Diddy’s fashionable Ciroc Vodka last year and to show his role as an ambassador for the brand Ciroc cocktails serviced at the party throughout the night.

The listening session started out of the intro, then launches into “Rich Is Gangsta,” a power-track. “Drug Dealer’s Dream” depicts the street life. P. Diddy produced “Nobody” is inspired by the Notorious B.I.G.,’s 1997 track “You’re Nobody (Til Somebody Kills You). The gospel-laced track “Sanctified” features Big Sean and Kanye West if definitely one of musical highlights as well as remarkable “Thug Cry” with helps with Lil Wayne. The album’s deluxe edition includes a bonus track “Blessing in Disguise” that features Houston rap legends Scarface.

 

DJ June New York Club Chart – February 11, 2014 Знаменитый японский женщина DJ в нью-Йорке

Pharrell

Pharrell

1             Happy – Pharrell

最近大活躍のPharrell, Daft Punk やRobin Thickeらとのコラボでグラミーやらを取りましたね。彼の最新曲は、オールディーズぽいチャーミングな曲、なんだかファレルさん、前より歌が上手になったような気が…….。ネプチューンズ時代、いろいろな曲にコーラスで参加(eg. Jay Zの “I Just Wanna Love You”) していた頃に比べてめっきり上達したような!この曲はラジオでもよくかかってます。

Pharrell having a big presence at last month’s Grammy Awards, taking home four trophies including record of the year for “Get Lucky,” his summer hit with Daft Punk dropped a new song, “Happy.” Am I the only one noticed he became a better singer……..?

2.         F For You –Disclosure feat. Mary J. Blige

Disclosureは、イギリス出身の若い兄弟(ガイ22歳、ハワード19歳)で、プロデューサー/DJのデュオ・グループ。2013年にアルバムをリリース、今そのアルバムが人気沸騰中。ディープハウスぽいサウンドが、今時の他のEDMのみんなとはちょっと異色。この曲でもメアリーをフューチャーリングするなんて、素敵ですよね!個人的に大好きな一曲です。

British brothers Disclosure (Guy and Howard Lawrence) released their debut album “Settle” in 2013. Now they teamed up with R&B great Mary J. Blige for a new version of their song “F For You.” Their joint effort is surprising and great! I personally love this song!

3.         Show Me – Kid Inc feat. Chris Brown

Robin Sの大ヒット曲 Show Me Loveをそのまま使いでスローにのっけたヒップホップ/R&B。コーラスはChris Brown、絶対ヒットしないわけないです。クラブでも大人気です。前にも書いたように“Show Me Love”はいまでもパーティーで大盛り上がりです。なぜだか不思議な現象です。

DJ Mustard produced “Show Me” featured a hook and bridge by Chris Brown. As the title suggested it contains a sample of Robin S.’s 1993 big hit “Show Me Love” which still dominates the dance floor after so many years.

DJ June

DJ June

DJ June This Week’s Events
Tue Feb. 11 – Toca Tuesday @ Sutra Tony Touch w/ Guest DJ Moma

Thurs Feb. 13 – 10pm @ bOb (235 Eldridge street b/w Houston & Stanton)

Fri Feb. 14 – 11pm @ Providence AC in Tropicana Hotel Atlantic City
Sat Feb. 15 – 10pm @ Providence AC