Knitting Factory records continues their musical coup with another fresh batch of Fela Kuti re-issues with the release of the Chop’ N Quench installment.

Fahamu Pecou’s “All Falls Down” is what happens when truth telling comes knocking at your front door. Pecou’s work proclaims: “I see you (America).. and how you see me (the Black man).” Like all of his installations, style does not supplant substance. Pecou audaciously answers a very weighty question: “What happens when self-preservation becomes self-destruction?”

Shannon McCollum reflects on shooting two kings: T.I. & MLK in his blog Same Camera Different Eye exclusively on From Afros To Shelltoes.

Atlanta-Jan 17,2010: For the first time ever, the critically acclaimed West brothers will speak candidly about their inspiring bond as supportive siblings in a historic dialogue with award winning writer, counselor, and producer Edward M. Garnes, Jr., founder of F.A.T.S and an Atlanta Tribune Man of Distinction. Mixing the reasoning sessions of the local barbershop and fervor of street corner theologians, the inter-generational talk will cover a wide range of topics including manhood, black love, bridging generation gaps, and the cross cultural appeal of hip hop.

Sadly, poetry events have become trite try outs for a one way ticket to fame. But when an event features modern day griot Jon Goode, a blue collar poet whose corner store stories would make Amiri Baraka smile, you know there will be some truth tellin’ going on. And with cultural warriors Theresa Davis (a fiery revolutionary poet) and her mother legend/activist Alice Lovelace (the godmother of From Afros To Shelltoes) riding shot gun, history is sho nuff in the making. Catch them Jan 9 7 Stages Theater in ATL.

Get ready to break out the mistletoe, snuggle with your boo, and two-step with loved ones as smooth jazz statesmen Will Downing remixes the traditional Christmas album by pouring his silky baritone over lush productions.