It turns out that Ani DiFranco’s ganja-induced “J” is not just about ending the drug war and legalizing marijuana, but it’s also about the oil spill. Who knew?

Ani DiFranco is the greatest human specimen on earth. Challenge me.

We are still in love with him. Let’s hope the incumbency continues its reign.

Now that they took down Megaupload, it’s time for action. We’re all here having a good time posting, reposting, sharing, tweeting, emailing, uploading, retweeting and rejoicing. But, the corporate demagogues are out to get the people again. Read more here about the dirty world of internet censorship and help keep the world wide web a place for freedom to run wild. Click here. 

Ani DiFranco could be one of the most prolific artists in the music world today, however, even as she is on her seventeenth full-length album right now, she has not covered many songs. She is an original and has an influx of songs that can fill up many albums. But, when something is as pertinent as this song, Ani takes the chance, but with her own twist. DiFranco took this old labour union folk song penned in activism by coal miner’s wife Florence Reece and built on it, changed the lyrics to make them timely for this era and gave it a great rock edge. Even if the tracks starts with a banjo interlude (provided by the legendary Pete Seeger), it manages to get to a loud angle once it kicks in.  A great tune to have around during an election year. So, “¿Which Side Are You On?”

Bye Bye Kelly Clarkson. #dimwit #hater j.mp/zQsPRr—
Nasser AlQatami (@nasque) January 04, 2012

Discuss…

For some reason this was just uploaded unto the web just in time for Ani’s new album. Here you see Ani’s talents with words put into form. Lovely.

We can’t tell you how beautiful 2012 will be just because Ani DiFranco’s new album, which had the longest hiatus precede it, is coming out on the 17th of January 2012. This is a cover, but Ani changed the lyrics a little bit  to fit the time. We love is some Ani. “A little socialism, don’t scare us one bit.” – gotta love it.

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It might seem dichotomous and down-right wrong to sing this song at the Wall Street protests, but we think they are either parodying it or just using some playful irony. They are certainly not cheering about “livin’ in a material world.” In any case, the spirit of the protesters are high and we hope reform comes out of this. This system the world lives in is stale and backwards. No one is benefitting except the greedy. It’s about time socialism wasn’t thought of as a dirty word. As long as one person lives in poverty, we all live in poverty.

We grew up listening to this music and it still rings true to us. Music is great, but it’s greater when you have something to say. Ani DiFranco always has something to say. This is a great kinetic typography adaptation of the spoken word track from the monumental album Puddle Dive that was the voice of a generation. Listen without prejudice.

HRC is unveiling a collaboration with pop star Ke$ha to encourage everyone to celebrate their inner superstar and come out for equality. National Coming Out Day (NCOD) – a globally celebrated event encouraging LGBT people and their supporters to be visible by living open and honest lives – is celebrated each October 11th. The theme for 2011 NCOD is “Coming Out for Equality.”

Although known for her distinctive style and sassy lyrics, Ke$ha’s smash hit “We R Who We R” has become an anthem in its own right. Resonating closely with the ideals of “Coming Out for Equality” is the song’s empowering message about self-expression and unique identity. “Much like a zebra doesn’t change its stripes, we hope people of all walks of life, LGBT and straight allies, celebrate themselves and their unique contribution to the fight for equality,” said HRC president Joe Solmonese.

“Democracy depends on an informed citizenship.” – Dan Dennett

We know this is a music blog, but we can’t not cram in a little something we have been working on. The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Kuwait is glad to invite you to its first ever celebration of International Youth Day. In a bid to further expand its youth programme, UNDP Kuwait is throwing the world-renowned PechaKucha night for youth to attend. Comedienne Hoda Marafie will be the hostess for the evening. The event will also have an exhibition with corporate and organization booths that cater to the youth of Kuwait.

Please RSVP on Facebook! 

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Ani DiFranco is about ready to burst with new songs for the new album, it could practically be a double album. This is one of them that has been lurking around for a while.

knowing what must be done does away with fear”

- Rosa Parks

“Together we want to help the world see and believe in a better future.”

- Ban Ki-Moon

When we first read the interview we were enraged. “Retarded” should never be used in that manner. We’ve gotten into disputes over that before. It irks us everytime we hear it and it’s in big usage with a lot of people. We have to say that she fell from our eye a little bit, if you know what we mean. Now she is apologizing for it. She asserted: ”I consider it part of my life’s work and music to push the boundaries of love and acceptance. My apologies for not speaking thoughtfully. To anyone that was hurt, please know that it was furiously unintentional. An honest mistake, requires honesty to make. Whether life’s disabilities, left you outcast bullied or teased, rejoice and love yourself today.”  Alright then, Gaga.

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Nelly Furtado has tweeted about a concert that she had performed in Italy for Gaddafi‘s “clan” in which she made a million dollars. She said the leader gave her a million American dollars to perform a 45 minute set. Now, she is ashamed of this “blood money” that she made in 2007 and wants to donate it to charity. Well, that’s cute and all but all it would have taken for her to grasp what kind of totalitarian dictator he is is some googling. Why is it now that she decided it was the wrong thing to do. Know your oppressors.

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“Patriotism is the virtue of the vicious.” – Oscar Wilde

“A civilization which leaves so large a number of its participants unsatisfied and drives them into revolt neither has nor deserves the prospect of a lasting existence.”

- Sigmund Freud

“Those who profess to favor freedom, and yet depreciate agitation, are men who want rain without thunder and lightning.”

- Fredrick Douglass

“It is better to lead from behind and to put others in front, especially when you celebrate victory when nice things occur.

You take the front line when there is danger.

Then people will appreciate your leadership.”

- Nelson Mandela

Rumors just in that the legendary Nelson Mandela has passed away. Not sure yet, but this is just a notification of the alleged news.

UPDATE: It is just a rumor. Mandela has just been released from the hospital and is recovering.

“Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela (Xhosa pronunciation: [xoˈliːɬaɬa manˈdeːla]; born 18 July 1918)^[1] served as President of South Africa from 1994 to 1999, and was the first South African president to be elected in a fully representative democratic election. Before his presidency, Mandela was an anti-apartheid activist, and the leader of Umkhonto we Sizwe, the armed wing of the African National Congress (ANC). In 1962 he was arrested and convicted of sabotage and other charges, and sentenced to life in prison. Mandela served 27 years in prison, spending many of these years on Robben Island. Following his release from prison on 11 February 1990, Mandela led his party in the negotiations that led to multi-racial democracy in 1994. As president from 1994 to 1999, he frequently gave priority to reconciliation.

In South Africa, Mandela is often known as Madiba, his Xhosa clan name; or as tata (Xhosa: father) ^[2].

Mandela has received more than 250 awards over four decades, including the 1993 Nobel Peace Prize.”

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“Revolutions never go backwards”

-Unattributed

The internet’s alit with rumors that Lady Gaga is somewhere off in a top-secret location to film the single that will inevitable be a world wide hit considering the amount of publicity it is getting. But, in true Gaga fashion this one will not shy away from the shock and awe campaign that she unleashed on us when she came around. Of course, we love every bit of it especially when we heard alleged news on transsexuality being incorporated into her usually highly-concepted music videos.

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“Reality is the enemy of prejudice.” – Barney Frank

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