Support a good cause and hear new ATL acts...

Not only are these new acts, but they are acts with a defined direction. We talk a great deal on this blog about slept on and unsigned talent. This Darfur showcase features Bad Boy/Wondaland artist Janelle Monae, Rowdy/Capitol recording Artist Novel and recently signed Universal Republic (thing Amy Winehouse and ATL's Inida.Arie) Artist Anthony David. I am capitalizing the (A) in artist for a reason. These acts put their artistry first. It's evident in their performance, in their content, in there comportment. Not only are these great individual acts performing together for free (with a suggested donation) but these are certain to be acts you won't be able to afford seeing live together in the future if these gas prices continue. And that's another reason to donate- Sudan is an oil exporter that can't get it's act together partially because of the Darfur situation. Come out and listen to some great music and support an even better cause.

Hey, don't let me forget. After the Darfur jawn, head on over to Aiko in Buckhead and attend Hollyweerd's SECOND EP release party, a follow up to an earlier EP release at Sloppy Seconds! With any luck, we'll hear some good news about last night's performance at the BMI showcase. I just woke up like 30 minutes ago so it's entirely possible they already announced it, but I still got sleep in my eye. I wouldn't know. For people clamouring for an EP, here's your chance. Word on the street is these cats are working on cranking ALOT of music. Stay tuned.

Sudan is a country of juxtaposition.

Sudan is a country with beautiful natural scenery, high-rise buildings, weddings, universities, commerce, poverty, and of unrest. There are injustices between the working poor and those of the upper-class, a situation not unlike what we've become used to here in the United States. There are brilliant artisans, writers, strife, bloodshed and sound families. At the crux of this juxtaposition is oil and the polarizing nature that a country replete with generous resources and a weak concept of how to manage said resources can be taken advantage of. The proxy war between the West and Chinese/Russo interests in Sudanese oil is as easy to understand as a listing of the country's weapons suppliers which include Britain, former Soviet republics, and China. Both factions want their oil and they want to control who has access to it. Ancient blood fuels are played up as they have been in other emerging countries. Sides are taken, lives are lost. The premeditated mayhem and it's politics are complexed, certainly. But we can make a difference in the war-torn region of Darfur, at least. ATL-based artists like Dj Drama, Anthony David, Spree Wilson, Janelle Monae and Novel will be holding a concert at Emory University to help us do just that, and to do it locally next Friday. Be there.