RIP, Brother Jamar

Ra called me today to tell me that DJ Brother Jamar died this weekend from cancer. I was so sad to hear that news, but grateful to Ra for his thoughtfulness. Ra and Jamar did great positive hip hop programs for teens, and we had them at the library several times over the years. Jamar had an incredible knowledge of and passion for music, and a genuine spirit that made him very approachable. I loved how he would always invite everyone up to check out his equipment after the show! We will definitely miss him, as will many others in the Philly area.

The One Sun Lion Ra, DJ Brother Jamar, DJ Hot Blast, and me

October 2009

 Jamar and Ra performing

June 2009

Checking out the DJ equipment after the show

June 2009

From Jazz to Hip Hop

Last night, The One Sun Lion Ra and DJ Brother Jamar returned to our library to do a program for Upper Darby's Big Read. The book for the Big Read is Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston, a classic of the Harlem Renaissance era. We brought Ra and Jamar back to talk about the connections between jazz and hip hop, and about 40 people of all ages came out to hear them.

Ra and Jamar approached the topic from a variety of angles, so they kept it interesting! Ra talked about some jazz performers (with help from a vintage hip hop record), freestyled over Jamar's mix of jazz music, and talked a little history. Jamar played some hip hop songs and then showed where the samples came from, and also did a contest where he played the original and asked audience members to name the artist and song that sampled it. Ra finished up the presentation with a performance and then Jamar showed people how to spin records on his turntables. I hope we can find a reason to have them back again soon!!

Jamar and Ra had prizes for a "name that sample" contest.

Ra looked debonair in his fedora!

The One Sun Lion Ra, DJ Brother Jamar, DJ Hot Blast, and me.

From Jazz to Hip Hop

As a part of Upper Darby's Big Read program (9/21 to 10/16), The One Sun Lion Ra and DJ Brother Jamar are returning to Sellers Library to talk about the influence of jazz music on hip hop. The program is Wednesday night, September 30, from 7:00 to 8:00 in the main library. This is an all-ages program, so bring anyone who wants to come! Parents, siblings, neighbors, friends...everyone is welcome. You do not need to have read the Big Read book to attend. You know Ra and Jamar are always interesting!

If you are not already participating in the Big Read, you can pick up a free copy of Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston at Sellers Library. Look for signs and bookmarks to find out about our other Big Read programs happening in the next few weeks, especially a visit by author Omar Tyree!!

Ra and Jamar Redux

Last Wednesday, about 20 people came out to see The One Sun Lion Ra and DJ Brother Jamar at Sellers. This is the second time they have come, and we were happy to have them back to promote their positive spin on hip hop culture! We set up in the adult library, so we had a lot of walk-through traffic for the program in addition to the teens who officially attended. Ra and Jamar know a lot about different styles of music, and it was fun to hear Jamar talk about samples and looping. Ra spat out some amazing rhymes, including one freestyle verse about me and the library. It was an excellent start to our Express Yourself summer programming, and we hope to have them back again soon.

Ra working the crowd.

Jamar and Ra performing.

A performance shot with the audience.

Hanging out after the program.

Our Hip Hop Program!

Last Wednesday, we hosted The One Sun Lion Ra and DJ Brother Jamar for an after-school hip-hop program. It was amazing! Although we got off to a slow start, once people downstairs heard the music they started wandering up to the program room. We ended up with 28 teens and 3 moms! Ra talked about how to present yourself as a performer in a positive manner and did several interactive performances. Jamar brought a full DJ set-up, complete with turntables and laptop. My favorite part was when Ra challenged Jamar to lay down a beat he couldn't flow to...and Jamar eventually came up with a song from the Charlie Brown Christmas album that caused Ra some pause. Thanks to the Delaware County Library System and a Fit for Life grant from Libraries for the Future for supporting this event! I hope to have Ra and Jamar come back this summer for another program.

Ra points at someone to add a word to his song.

The One Sun Lion Ra and D.J. Brother Jamar doing a performance.

Another shot of Ra interacting with the group.