lola new york

We are on the verge of one of the greatest civil transformations in American History. I am as excited as everyone else that we are about to elect the first black President of the United States, but I am also perplexed that the artistic community has taken a secondary role to the political commentators.

The civil rights movement has evolved greatly since the era of Dr. Martin Luther King. In fact, the arts have been the one of the movement’s greatest enablers, projecting its message through comedy, film, and in particularly music. While the the serious art of Romare Bearden and Jacob Lawrence may have taken a back seat to the later comedy of Richard Pryor and Eddie Murphy, the social plight of America’s inner streets have always been best exemplified in music.

Many black artists have relied on music to give the word upon which they embellish. Even from its party days, Hip Hop has always been a socially concious genre. From Grandmaster Flash & The Furious Five to Public Enemy, the roots of this music, like its Northern Soul and Rhythm & Blues forefathers are based upon the social reaction by which they define themselves. It is for this reason that I am somewhat let down by the music community’s response to the near coronation by America of Barack Obama. I mean the right still has Ted Nugent

In 2004, Eminem’s video “White America” took things further, by blurring the lines between issues faced in urban streets and those addressed general America. The voice of Hip Hop went from the ghetto to becoming a coast to coast dilemma (probably not for the first time). Therefore, I find a Jeezy or MIMS song that vaguely reference the words of Obama to be insufficient today. Where is the reality exposed by the Furious Five, the passion felt by Chuck D, the ineptitude seen by NWA, or even the ignorance expelled by Eminem. Sadly, while America makes its greatest racial leap forward in history, music has no reason to be thanked. I don’t know if this shows the inadequacy of our artists, or the greater strength of our leaders. Either way, Obama is clearly a hard act to follow. VOTE on November 4th!

P.S. I did not research this or plan on reflecting my personal politics. If anyone takes argument to my statements or feel I neglected something important, please email me vibe@djvibeinc.com

I just got back from playing fashion week in Paris along with DJs Jus Ske & Sal Morale. It was a great time and we played some amazing shows. I played parties for Tenjune and Mr. West at L’eclaireur Bar (Gallery Royale), a unique space that combines art and fashion with a nightlife environment.

Friday and Saturday nights were the highlights of the trip. Jus, Sal and I played for the Paris club and restaurant Sens at their annual “Don’t Tell My Booker” party hosted by 1Oak & Usher. Many thanks to Cyril Peret and DJ Magnum.

I ended my trip playing Sunday night at the Paris hot spot BC (Black Calavados) for a slew of models who refused to go home. I ran into my friends Jean and Paul Dupuy from Tokyo which was a bug. Thanks again to Sal Morale for orchestrating my whole trip and Jus for putting up living with me.

It was brought to my attention that former N’Sync crooner Lance Bass, was seen wearing the LOLA shirt from Les Adventures de Vibe et Max (The Adventures of DJ Vibe & Max Barbaria Mixtape) on last night’s episode of Dancing With The Stars. I thought this “don’t ask don’t tell” teen idol had joined the Army. What can I say? We have all kinds of fans. He kind of looks like Hank.

After this post I promise to stop talking about Japan unless I’m asked or I’m drunk. Anyways, I recorded one of my last sets in Tokyo @ Feria back in April and have finally gotten around to putting it out. It’s three and a half hours of continuous mixing in various styles. It will be for sale on my site…but you know I’ll post it free for the diggers. Thanks to Max Barbaria, Emmett, Sal Morale, and Paul the intern for helping me get this out.

Following my second trip to Japan this year, I will be traveling to Canada to do a performance at Toronto’s Loki Lounge. This will be my first trip to our northern neighbor and I am looking forward to it. No one likes missing summer in the Hamptons but duty calls. I miss everyone in New York and I hope to see you all Labor Day weekend.