Follow Jus Rhyme of AR-15 at new website: jusrhyme.com

New year, new look. Jus Rhyme of AR-15 has moved to a brand new website/blog: jusrhyme.com. From now on check us out over there- updates on activism, rap, and the rest.

One,
Jus & Raw, AR-15

AR-15′s debut album, Stand in Solidarity, available on Amazon.com and iTunes (read reviews here)

Cover: Stand in Solidarity by AR-15

The debut album from AR-15, Stand in Solidarity, is available for purchase at Amazon.com here: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001CVY59S/ref=dm_sp_alb?ie=UTF8&qid=1249337578&sr=8-1

or on iTunes (search “AntiRacist 15″ or “Stand in Solidarity”)

Reviews here:

Complex magazine
“…about truth, justice, and a better way.”

URB magazine
“There are two legit MCs here…Good message, better music.”

RapReviews.com
“AR-15 goes for broke with the white anti-racist identity, and they are forceful and articulate in their advocacy of the cause. They express their solidarity with movements for change across the globe and encourage other whites to be agents for progress in their own communities, holding each other accountable rather than ignoring the race issue. It’s a necessary message and it is conveyed in a heartfelt manner.”

The Pulse
“I doubt whether too many artists would say they support racism, but how many of them are willing to put their money where their mouth is. AntiRacist 15 is a California rap duo whose name stands for the 15 anti-racist principles that guide the group…and with so many white rappers trying to play the rap game by out-gangstering each other, it’s refreshing to hear a group with their heads squarely on their shoulders and their eyes on a distinct prize.”

Jeff Chang, author of Can’t Stop Won’t Stop: A History of the Hip-Hop Generation
“Great stuff! Much respect.”

Tim Wise, author of White Like Me: Reflections on Race from a Privileged Son, and Between Barack and a Hard Place: Racism and White Denial in the Age of Obama
“Although hip-hop has always been more socially conscious than its critics would have us believe, rarely do artists within the genre (especially white artists) bring a critical lens to their work- one that raises issues of racial solidarity and allyship, struggle and mutual aid- the way AR-15 does. The blending of steady beats, conscious lyrics and on-point delivery make Stand in Solidarity a truly valuable addition to the culture of hip-hop, as well as the tradition of activism.”

Mickey Hess, editor of Icons of Hip-Hop: An Encyclopedia of the Movement, Music, and Culture
“With all the attention given to the sales potential for white rappers and the question of cultural poaching, few critics stop to examine what white hip-hop artists themselves are saying about where they stand in relation to hip-hop culture. AR-15 takes the discussion to a new level on their new album, Stand in Solidarity, where the rhymes are a call to action.”

Jason Tanz, author of Other People’s Property: A Shadow History of Hip-Hop in White America
“In the wake of the 2008 elections, when most white Americans are busy congratulating themselves on their ‘post-racism,’ AR-15 keep their sites trained on the questions that matter. Their investigations of race and class — and the role white people can play in the struggle for equality — are complex, serious, and important. And you can dance to them.”

Nielsen / Billboard’s #1 Hip-Hop Blog, #4 Overall Music Blog Features “I Get Movin” by AR-15

Vid Pick: AR-15 – I Get Movin

“Skilled emcees who are politically active both on the mic and in their everyday lives, AR-15 is a duo that deserves to be heard.” – Adam Bernard, Urban Culture Editor, Beyond Race Magazine; Staff, RapReviews.com; Founder, Adam B Experience and Adam’s World Blog

Check out the video and review at: http://adambernard.blogspot.com/2009/08/vid-pick-ar-15-i-get-movin.html

Dr. Dre, Busta Rhymes, Wu-Tang Clan, The Game work with AR-15 producer, King Karnov

AR-15′s executive producer for Stand in Solidarity (AR-15 Entertainment/iTunes, 2008), King Karnov, lands placements on Busta Rhymes’ album Back on My B.S. and Dr. Dre’s Detox. Press on Karnov:

“King Karnov is making a strong bid to be the next beatsmith out of the Chi to make noise.” – Scratch Magazine
http://www.scratchmagazine.com/online/?p=75

“A producer on the album…goes by the name of King Karnov.” – Busta Rhymes on FLY TV
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VdlAr_Y7jWM

“…for those who don’t know, look out for King Karnov – he’s got a track on Detox.” – Busta Rhymes
http://www.hiphop.com/features/78

“Watch How You Talk,” by Busta Rhymes feat Uncle Murda, Raekwon, and the Game, on special edition of Back on My B.S., produced by King Karnov on 2dopeboyz.okayplayer.com, http://2dopeboyz.okayplayer.com/2009/03/20/busta-rhymes-watch-how-you-talk-f-raekwon-the-game/

King Karnov’s website: http://www.myspace.com/kingkarnovbeats

Press and beat inquiries for Karnov will be forwarded to him. Contact: karnov@antiracist15.com

Urban Culture Editor of Beyond Race Magazine spins AR-15

“This is AR-15. Check it out. They’re dope.” – Adam Bernard, Urban Culture Editor of Beyond Race Magazine and host of the Adam B Experience

Adam B Experience, Podcast #13 @ 17:22, playing “I Get Movin” from the album Stand in Solidarity. Listen here: http://www.rapreviews.com/news/View.php?ArticleID=907

Colorlines news magazine features AR-15

Full article: http://colorlines.com/article.php?ID=506

Exclaim reviews Stand in Solidarity

“…the bangers are dope. The conscious side can be dope, too.” – Exclaim

Full article: http://www.exclaim.ca/musicreviews/latestsub.aspx?csid1=115&csid2=870&fid1=37254

Become a fan of AR-15 on facebook

Go to: http://www.facebook.com/pages/AR-15-AntiRacist-15/44187085442 and click “Become a Fan” to join the movement

Stream the AR-15 album, Stand in Solidarity, online

AR-15. Stand in Solidarity. 12/16/08. (iTunes/AR-15 Ent). To listen click on http://www.antiracist15.com/category/music. Album credits: All songs written and executively produced by Jus Rhyme and Raw Potential (http://www.antiracist15.com). All beats made by King Karnov (http://www.myspace.com/kingkarnovbeats).

Album cover art. Click for high res pic.

1. Stop Trickin’ - A powerful sound clip found in the Freedom Archives in San Francisco, CA, “Stop Trickin”, emerges from a speech by an anonymous activist in the 1960s. These words sum up the driving force behind the group, AR-15, and why white folks have a stake in challenging racism in ourselves, our communities and the world.

2. Soldiers Anthem – An album single, “Soldiers Anthem”, is written for freedom fighters and street soldiers in the struggle for racial justice. Utilizing metaphors of armed struggle, Jus Rhyme and Raw Potential, paint a picture of a war raged on poor and working-class whites and people of color by the U.S. elite and make it known that the people will not sit idly by. 

3. John Brown – A historical tribute, “John Brown”, invokes the white anti-racist revolutionary John Brown and his brothers who, in coalition with African slaves in the U.S., raided the federal arsenal in 1859 in the interest of mobilizing a mass armed revolt by slaves and their allies on the U.S. government. Many say this multiracial action shifted the Civil War from a conflict about states’ rights to a conflict about slavery.

4. Do It For Me – AR-15 battles the system and political apathy with this track. “Do It For Me” delivers the message that we are all connected whether we participate in social movements or not. “If you’re gonna do it, than do it, do it do it!” rhymes the chorus, presenting the challenge to say what you mean and do what you believe. Real recognize revolution. 

5. Ohhh – The album’s signature love track and another single, “Ohhh”, is a love letter to the movement. Employing metaphors of romantic relationships, heterosexual and gay, “Ohhh” explores the intimacy and vulnerability required for trust and movement-building in struggles for racial justice. Check out the sound byte from political revolutionary and refugee, Assata Shakur, at the end of the track.

6. Call to Action 1 – Utilizing the classic style of radio-documentary the skit, “Call to Action 1″, paints a picture of a community rally in Any City, USA where Jus Rhyme makes a call to white people to decide if we are “for racism, or against it.”

7. Funky – One-half wake up call, one-half party anthem “Funky” is the soundtrack for AntiRacist 15′s political parties (pun intended). A vehicle for call and response, “Funky” asks listeners to rethink house parties as sites of political mobilization, and to reconsider what’s possible and what’s not within a two-party electoral system.

8. Army of One – Redefining the popular slogan of the U.S. military, “Army of One”, this song riffs off Dead Prez’s claim of “people’s army” and argues that the “we” is more powerful than the “I” in social justice struggles. The song is also a comparison of military armies organized for death, and people’s armies organized for life.

9. Million Allies – One of the first songs every written by AR-15, “Million Allies”, has been performed for thousands of people across the U.S. to rousing applause. Now remastered here, the song claims a positive identity for white folks willing to challenge racism, that of an ally, and lays bare the realities and responsibilities of being white in hip-hop.

10. Extra Money – Another album single, “Extra Money”, begins with a radio drama of a real life exchange between Jus Rhyme and Raw Potential at Raw’s current employer and ebbs into a worker’s anthem for all shifts. The song juxtaposes worker’s struggles against the entertainment industry, showing the complexity of wealth from the stage to the audience, from the workplace to the street corner.

11. Call to Action 2 - This skit picks up where “Call to Action 1″ left off, and listens in to Jus Rhyme addressing a community rally in Any City, USA. Jus discusses the anti-racist lifestyle and who and what AR-15 represents.

12. The Life – An homage to street hustlers and entrepreneurs, “The Life”, intertwines political and economic lifestyles as modes of survival. Jus Rhyme and Raw Potential detail the anti-racist lifestyle here in colorful and bold imagery. The title “The Life” connects to the intro track “Stop Trickin” and reflects the ways that gender, sexuality, class, and race are intimately connected realities. Check out the sound bytes by Boots Riley, of the funk/rap group The Coup, at the beginning and end of the track.

13. I Get Movin’ - Introducing a trio of singles to finish the album, “I Get Movin”, leads with a driving bass line and stridently political lyrics. Jus Rhyme and Raw Potential detail the connections between self motivation and social movements, between political consciousness and political action, in this club manifesto. The song is made for dance parties but dedicated to street protests.

14. On The Road – A solid single, designed for meditation, gives the back story of AR-15 including Jus and Raw’s upbringings in Austin, MN and Prosser, WA respectively, to working community service projects in AmeriCorps, to the formation of the AntiRacist 15 in Oakland, CA and its prominence in Los Angeles. A traveller’s anthem.

15. Call - The cap on the album and the trio of closing singles, “Call” is literally that – a call to white people and people of color to join in a movement for racial justice told through stories of personal phone calls and each one-teach ones between Jus Rhyme and Raw Potential. Listen for the drop from album beat-maker, King Karnov, at the beginning of the track, and a voicemail from Jus to Raw to close the song and album.

AR-15 featured in 4strugglemag

“Let’s Build an Anti-Racist Culture of Resistance”
AR-15: Anti-Racist White Hip-Hop.

http://www.4strugglemag.org/archives/cat_issue_9.html#000300

AR-15 featured on Nielsen / Billboard’s #1 Hip-Hop Blog, #4 Overall Music Blog (Adam’s World)

AR-15 on the Values of Anti-Racism

“They have a stance they call anti-racism and this quest for true equality permeates both their music and their lives….” – Adam Bernard, Urban Culture Editor of Beyond Race Magazine, Founder of Adam’s World

More at: http://adambernard.blogspot.com/2009/02/ar-15-on-values-of-anti-racism.html

AR-15 interviewed on RapReviews.com

“The AR-15 duo of Jus Rhyme and Raw Potential (pictured L to R) are all about spreading the message of anti-racism. The AR in their name stands for Anti-Racist, while the 15 represents the 15 principles that their crew is based on….”

More at: http://www.rapreviews.com/interview/ar15-2009.html

AR-15 featured in Pound Magazine, the “Black President” issue

AR-15 featured in the “Black President” issue of Pound Magazine (Issue 44), along with dead prez, DJ Drama, DJ Green Lantern, Chuck D, Jeff Chang, Juicy J, Dame Dash, N.Y. Oil, Black Milk, 88 Keys, HiCoup, Ludacris, Kidz in the Hall, DJ Kid Capri, Diamond D, Bun B, Pharoah Monch, Young Jeezy, the Beastie Boys, and more. Click here to read AR-15′s section called “Weather Systems”.

Click here to read more of the “Black President” issue, pages 23-44 (AR-15 on page 40).

AR-15 makes URB Magazine’s Top 1000 – vote to get them in Top 100!

1) Register at URB.com here: http://www.urb.com/my-urb/profile.php?RedirectPage=%2Fpromotions%2Fnext1000%2Findex.php
THEN
2) Vote for AR-15 by clicking “5 Stars” under the rating for the group here: http://www.urb.com/promotions/next1000/profiles/1326-Anti-Racist+15.php

Accolades from Jeff Chang, author of Can’t Stop Won’t Stop

“Great stuff! Much respect.”
- Jeff Chang, author of Can’t Stop Won’t Stop: A History of the Hip-Hop Generation

Bill Ayers responds to song Bill Ayers (We Underground)

Bill Ayers (We Underground) by AR-15

“Thanks for all your work – artistic, political, academic.”
- Dr. Bill Ayers, Distinguished Professor of Education, University of Illinois at Chicago

AR-15 mixtape track reviewed by URB Magazine

http://www.urb.com/promotions/next1000/profiles/1326-Anti-Racist+15.php

Bill Ayers (We Underground) by AR-15

This exclusive freestyle is a dedication to underground activists, artists, and organizers everywhere, and examines questions of patriotism, terrorism, race, and power in the ’08 presidential election. Check for the political framing of the track by Democracy Now host, Amy Goodman, at the beginning and end.

New mixtape track, Bill Ayers (We Underground)

Bill Ayers (We Underground) by AR-15

This exclusive freestyle is a dedication to underground activists, artists, and organizers everywhere, and examines questions of patriotism, terrorism, race, and power in the ’08 presidential election. Check for the political framing of the track by Democracy Now host, Amy Goodman, at the beginning and end.

Jus Rhyme / AR-15 in Complex Magazine (online reprint)

http://antiracist15.files.wordpress.com/2008/10/dec_jan_complex_mag_jus_sm.jpg

AR-15 recommends… AWARE-LA Saturday Dialogue

AWARE Saturday Dialogue
Metro Community Church
4953 Franklin Avenue 
Los Angeles, CA 90027
[map it]

The Saturday Dialogue series is a monthly gathering for white anti-racists who want to discuss issues of identity, community, privilege and racism in our lives with the intention to strengthen our practice as anti-racists in alliances and friendships with people of color. Regular, recurring workshops throughout the year focus on the intersections of multiple identities, namely Race and Class, Sexuality and Race, and Gender and Race. Other workshops focus on relationships, Radical White Identity, Radical White Community and issues such as police and the prison industrial complex, immigration and gentrification.

The Saturday Dialogues usually take place on the first Saturday of the month, however it is best to check this website, http://www.awarela.org, as AWARE-LA tries to avoid first Saturdays that coincide with major holidays.

AR-15 featured in Turning the Tide (online reprint)

(AR-15 featured on pg 4)
http://www.aratoronto.com/TTT-v20-n2-Mar-Apr-2007.pdf

AR-15 / Stand in Soildarity covered by Austin Daily Herald

“Rappin for a cause. Rapper Jus Rhyme focuses on promoting social justice”
http://www.austindailyherald.com/news/2008/nov/07/rappin-cause/

Stand in Solidarity release covered by NBC/KTTC TV

“A Post-Election Discussion in Austin”
http://www.kttc.com/Global/story.asp?s=9308181

Stand in Solidarity release covered by ABC/KAAL TV

“Jus Rhyme Back in Town”
http://kaaltv.com/article/stories/S650858.shtml?cat=0

Accolades from author of Icons of Hip-Hop

“With all the attention given to the sales potential for white rappers and the question of cultural poaching, few critics stop to examine what white hip-hop artists themselves are saying about where they stand in relation to hip-hop culture. AR-15 takes the discussion to a new level on their new album, Stand in Solidarity, where the rhymes are a call to action.”
- Mickey Hess, editor of Icons of Hip-Hop: An Encyclopedia of the Movement, Music, and Culture

Accolades from Tim Wise, author of White Like Me

“Although hip-hop has always been more socially conscious than its critics would have us believe, rarely do artists within the genre (especially white artists) bring a critical lens to their work- one that raises issues of racial solidarity and allyship, struggle and mutual aid- the way AR-15 does. The blending of steady beats, conscious lyrics and on-point delivery make Stand in Solidarity a truly valuable addition to the culture of hip-hop, as well as the tradition of activism.”
-Tim Wise, author of White Like Me: Reflections on Race from a Privileged Son, and Between Barack and a Hard Place: Racism and White Denial in the Age of Obama

Stand in Solidarity reviewed on RapReviews.com

http://rapreviews.com/archive/2008_12_standinsolidarity.html

AR-15 releases video for single from Stand in Solidarity

The music video “I Get Movin” is the first single from the debut album, Stand in Solidarity, by AR-15 and is directed by filmmakers Odin Wadleigh and Tim Thompson who have worked with the likes of Blackalicious, Kool Keith, and KutMasta Kurt. The song details the connections between self motivation and social movements, between political consciousness and political action, in this club manifesto. The song is made for dance parties but dedicated to street protests. The album, Stand in Solidarity, is in stores 12/16/08.

Jus Rhyme announces alias for AR-15

“Soldiers of the Sticks (S.O.S.) is now an official alias for AR-15,” announced Jeb Middlebrook aka Jus Rhyme on Thursday. “Raw Potential and I thought it was time to go public with the alias given the crisis that is facing rural and urban communities. People are in a war for their lives right now with the economy, global warming, healthcare, and the wars overseas.

“Poor communities – rural and urban, white and of color- are always the hardest hit in tough times so AR-15 is putting out an S.O.S. – Soldiers of the Sticks,” said Middlebrook.

“Both Raw and I grew up in the country aka ‘the sticks’ and we now live in the city. We have seen first hand the negative impact that elite political, economic, and racial policies have had on both rural and urban communities, but we have also seen the positive impact that racial justice organizing and hip-hop has had in bringing people together across race for their common social and economic interests.

“The idea of Soldiers of the Sticks is for people to put an S.O.S. out in their own communities and to serve their communities through organizing and volunteerism in order to meet people’s basic needs across race. AR-15 aka S.O.S. is down to help in this endeavor locally and nationally. People should reach out to each other and to us. Together we can make a better world.”

Contact: Jeb Middlebrook, email: AR15ent@gmail.com

AR-15 recommends… Grassroots racial justice efforts in Los Angeles

Back to Home Base: Grassroots racial justice efforts in Los Angeles
A night of political education and discussion with Active Resistance (the organizing arm of www.awarela.org)

When:  December 4th at 7pm
Where: L.A. Leadership Academy
234 East Avenue 33
Los Angeles, CA 90031

The nation was mobilized for the 2008 elections; everyone was talking about political change and reform.   Now that voting day has passed, it’s time to return to “home base”- the city of Los Angeles- and focus on grassroots organizing and activism on key social justice areas like immigration and gentrification.

Join us for a night of political education and discussion about future projects.  we will explore urgent local issues in which there is a need for support from white communities.

Accolades from author of Other People’s Property

“In the wake of the 2008 elections, when most white Americans are busy congratulating themselves on their ‘post-racism,’ AR-15 keep their sites trained on the questions that matter. Their investigations of race and class — and the role white people can play in the struggle for equality — are complex, serious, and important. And you can dance to them.”
- Jason Tanz, author of Other People’s Property: A Shadow History of Hip-Hop in White America

“I Get Movin” video shoot Sun, 11/23 at 5:30PM

"I Get Movin" Shoot Location

Sunday, November 23rd 5:30pm
AR-15 video shoot for “I Get Movin”
6819 West Blvd, LA, CA (NW of Florence/Crenshaw)
Free Dinner. Activist Vibe. Bring friends and family.
Contact: Jeb, 510-290-5428, AR15ent@gmail.com

Partners: www.criticalresistance.org, www.youth4justice.org

Listen to “I Get Movin” by clicking right gray arrow below.

Stand in Solidarity to be released nationally and internationally 12/16/08

Stand in Solidarity, iTunes cover art

To purchase individual songs or the entire album, search for “AntiRacist 15″ or “Stand in Solidarity” on iTunes Tuesday, December 16th. Download iTunes software here: http://www.itunes.com. For people without iTunes, the album will also be available through Amazon.com: http://www.amazon.com.

AR-15 and Stand in Solidarity covered by HipHopDx.com

 
http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.7961/title.the-white-rapper-shows-jus-rhyme-forms-antiracist-15

Stand in Solidarity reviewed by SouthCoast247.com

http://www.southcoasttoday.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20081119/SC2470401/81119007

AR-15 and Stand in Solidarity covered by Current.com

http://current.com/items/89446302/the_white_rapper_show_s_jus_rhyme_forms_antiracist_15.htm

SouthCoast247.com features AR-15

http://www.southcoasttoday.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20081217/SC2470402/81217010/-1/RSS247

Jus Rhyme appeared on all 8 episodes of VH1′s “The (White) Rapper Show”

View all episodes (plus extras) here without commercials:
http://www.vh1.com/shows/dyn/white_rapper/series_videos.jhtml

Deleted scene: Jus Rhyme has dinner with Juelz Santana (1:19)
Juelz, “I ain’t gonna front, I think ya’ll got potential.” 
http://www.vh1.com/video/play.jhtml?vid=129334

Episode 1 (2:12)
Jus Rhyme checks fellow white contestant on the use of the N-word. MC Serch of 3rd Bass and Elliot Wilson, past editor of XXL, cosigns.
http://www.vh1.com/video/play.jhtml?id=1549361&vid=127086

Episode 7 (:47)
Jus Rhyme shares AR-15′s anti-racist principles, inspired by the Challenging White Supremacy workshops and the Center for Third World Organizing, with 3 million viewers of “The (White) Rapper Show”.
http://www.vh1.com/video/play.jhtml?id=1552688&vid=134101

AR-15 featured at B.B. King’s Of Los Angeles For Celebrity Charity Concert

“Featured guests include Soul Phenomenal, Trevor Lund, Vikki Lizzi with Jeff Conaway, Arden Kaywin, Julia Petiprin, Rachel Leigh, Amanda Mills, AR-15, ATR and Alyssa Serrano…. All ticket proceeds will benefit Mentor LA and partners of the LA Mentoring Coalition to help fund their efforts to bring quality mentoring programs into the Los Angeles school system.” – BB Kings

http://www.prlog.org/10000845-b-b-king-s-of-los-angeles-to-be-site-for-celebrity-charity-concert.html