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C. Hannibal Uncategorized

SWINE ON MY MIND 4: Calm before the storm? **UPDATES

THIRSTY?: A couple shares a fruit juice at the Sunday market in Colonia Del Valle in Mexico City. The Mexican government ordered bars and clubs closed for the next 10 days.
THIRSTY?: A couple shares a fruit juice at the Sunday market in Colonia Del Valle in Mexico City. The Mexican government ordered bars and clubs closed for the next 10 days.

Worldwide financial markets are already starting to take a beating in this, the first official week following the swine flu crisis here in Mexico City.
Alas, the drug companie$ have little to worry about. Ka-ching.
Besides all the bars and clubs and sporting events shuttering over the weekend, one of the major letdowns was the cancellation of 60 lucha libre matches.
I really hope this virus gets under control for next week’s 3rd annual wrestling convention, called Lucha Libre: La Experiencia, which is a mix of informative panel discussions on wrestling as well as music and entertainment. It’s scheduled to run May 1-3 at Centro Banamex here in D.F.
On another note, this mask wearing is getting out of hand. Most people, I mean, like more than half walking around on the street don’t wear them. If things get worse, health-wise, then wearing a mask is going to have to be an ordinary fashion accessory for a while.

With total deaths at 103 so far 149, as long at the numbers don’t shoot up exponentially, we should be alright. Then again, it might just be the calm before the storm, and then, you know. Be safe. Wash your hands.

UPDATE:

  • Seriously feeling an EARTHQUAKE right now in Colonia Roma @ 11:49 central time [ CNN Just confirmed, it hit at 11:45am]. US geological survey is calling it a 6.0 quake, check it details, here.
  • CDC says don’t go to Mexico if you don’t have to
  • Mexico health minister says 149 confirmed dead due to flu-like symptoms 20 22 of those deaths confirmed due to swine flu, the city currently has 2,372 cases of people with flu-like symptoms [all numbers from the Milenio news channel]
  • New York City confirms 20 more cases

    • Wow. I guess it really could be…….

    R.E.M-End of the World as We know it (and I feel fine)

    Check out some more pathogen-related music:

    Pharell co-signed Washington Heights rapper's newest mixtape.
    Pharell co-signed Washington Heights rapper's newest mixtape.

    Listen to The Plague.

    More after the jump.

    Continue reading “SWINE ON MY MIND 4: Calm before the storm? **UPDATES” →

    C. Hannibal Uncategorized

    SWINE ON MY MIND 3: A/H1N1 Attacks

    READY FOR FLU BATTLE: This is the typical swine flu survival pack. A bottle of Walgreens hand sanitizer and a face covering known in Mexico as a cubreboca.
    READY FOR FLU BATTLE: This is the typical swine flu survival pack. A bottle of Walgreens hand sanitizer and a face covering known in Mexico as a cubreboca.

    Couldn’t make it to any shows last night. Sorry hiphop. Most everything was shut down due to swine flu scare. It’s being called the worst since Spanish flu in 1918. The N.A.S.A show was finally canceled after 8’oclock, even though promoters sent out an earlier email saying it was still on. They were going to drop the price if partygoers decorated their masks.
    cubrebocas

    Seriously though, who even knows if those things even work. Sure, they keep spit particles from entering your nose and mouth, but according to the Mayo Clinic’s virus disaster prep list, you need an N95 respirator mask to fight bird flu, and I know that costs more than the 3 pesos mask I have on.
    Either way, that’s the only protection we have at the moment, other than staying in doors. All public gatherings have been given the government word to stay closed — in the Mexico City region mass is even canceled today.

    All of these steps are necessary, as the virus is spreading:

    The latest reported cases shine a light on a Kansas couple and a group of New Zealand students. It makes the worry much bigger. A husband returning home from a business trip in Mexico just a few days ago, brought it back home to his wife. Members of a class returning to New Zealand after a language excursion to Mexico are said to have contracted the virus.
    You can only image how the spring breakers are feeling now.

    Continue reading “SWINE ON MY MIND 3: A/H1N1 Attacks” →

    C. Hannibal Uncategorized

    SWINE ON MY MIND 2: Aporkalypse Now

    PROTECT YA NECK: A family on Cuauhtémoc Avenue in Mexico City. While the government issued health warnings urging people to stay inside or wear face-masks when venturing outside, you can see some choosed to ignore it.
    PROTECT YA NECK: A family on Cuauhtémoc Avenue in Mexico City. While the government issued health warnings urging people to stay inside or wear face-masks when venturing outside, you can see some chose to ignore it.

    For much good reason, the news cycle has been dominated by this swine flu which is showing the beginnings of a pandemic because it’s spreading from person to person.  Wear your face masks, they keep telling people. With all this talk of a possible outbreak, and the safety measure places like church are taking, in the spotlight, all the other bad stuff gets pushed to the side for now, at least in our minds.  Pockets of cases are spread throughout the country.  Anyone with flu-like symptoms should see a doctor. What are flu-like symptons? Damn near everything.

    Hysteria? Not yet. A radio program DJ was telling people not to go into a panic, because we can create ‘symptons’.  As for the Mexican people, I imagine like New Yorkers they’re resilient. The streets are pretty calm in this part of the city.  A closer look along a mile-and-a-half stretch along Cuauhtémoc Avenue didn’t reveal anything out of the ordinary, maybe heightened awareness with people walking around with blue masks either covering their noses and mouths, or nestled around their necks–fashionable awareness for some, a break to eat a meal or smoke for others.

    The masks aren’t comfortable. After walking around a bit (chronicled a bit here) we bought 8 of them at 3 pesos a piece. No shady, upselling by us, like some crooks ( as Reuters reports).

    The real fear is if there a need for a mass vaccination. At this point quick treatment for any large fraction of the 20 million people who live in this city just isn’t going to happen.

    So far, according to a press conference around 7pm, here are the stats:

  • 1,324 cases in Mexico City (and its spreading back home, you can see the U.S. count here.)
  • 81 deaths, 20 confirmed due to swine flu
  • Nearly 7 million  are off from school until May 6th

    • People really shouldn’t panic and just wear their masks in public places. On the brighter side, all of this comotion makes for good background. Writer Warren Ellis blogs about the news and files it under “research.”

    I’m on my way to a rap show by local rapper Sekreto. Several shows including the N.A.S.A. show were still on.

    xl_club_mail

    Wish me luck. Some photos after the jump.

    Continue reading “SWINE ON MY MIND 2: Aporkalypse Now” →

    C. Hannibal Uncategorized

    SWINE ON MY MIND

    COVER YOUR MOUTH: A couple walks down a block in the Roma neighborhood of Mexico City. There was high demand for surgical masks in the wake of a a deadly strain of swine flu that's infected over 1,000 people.
    COVER YOUR MOUTH: A couple walks down a block in the Roma neighborhood of Mexico City. There was high demand for surgical masks in the wake of a a deadly strain of swine flu that's infected over 1,000 people.

    The swine flu has many people shook out here in the city of 20-million. Some are expecting an end-of-the-world scenario in Mexico City. The CDC is keeping an extra close eye on the situation, just in case reality starts to resemble a weak made-for-cable movie.

    But honestly, the air quality is often so bad, people rock the blue surgery masks anyway.

    I’d imagine more people around the country are paying closer attention, now that some kids in Queens came down with what looks like the swine flu. I mean, I wasn’t really tripping until I read this in the Daily Kos. Scary stuff. You know some drug companies are going to get fat off this wave of panic and sickness.

    Continue reading “SWINE ON MY MIND” →

    C. Hannibal cultural history, mexican culture, music, Racially Speaking

    Winner Is . . . Flex or Nigga?

    WHAT'S IN A NAME?: Jumbo screen flashed the name and mug of one of the most anticipated performances at El Evento 40 held earlier this month at Aztec Stadium in Mexico City.
    WHAT'S IN A NAME?: Jumbo screen flashed the name and mug of one of the most anticipated performances at El Evento 40 held earlier this month at Aztec Stadium in Mexico City.

    Felix Danilo Gómez was going by “Flex” as he collected his 8 trophies at last night’s Latin Billboard Awards (list of winners here). He beat out all the competition to take home the top Latin album and song of the year. Nevermind that everytime he accepted an award, the “N” necklace he sported swung back and forth like a reminder of his more popular nom de plume. You can check out post-show coverage from AP and Miami Herald.

    One of the highlights of the awards show had to be the grouping of bachata crooners Aventura, Akon and reggaeton kings Wisin & Yandel. Take a look:

    (via)

    Continue reading “Winner Is . . . Flex or Nigga?” →

    C. Hannibal Uncategorized

    “…Shaker Heights” to “Transformers” Cudi and Cleveland Rap

    FRIENDS of KANYE: Taz Arnold,left, of SA-RA Creative Partners, and Kid Cudi at The Hundreds BBQ '08 in L.A.'s Fairfax District. Both are signed to Kanye West's G.O.O.D Music label.
    FRIENDS of KANYE: Taz Arnold,left, of SA-RA Creative Partners, and Kid Cudi at The Hundreds BBQ '08 in L.A.'s Fairfax District. Both are signed to Kanye West's G.O.O.D Music label.

    Plain Pat what up!?

    I’ve always wanted to holler that.

    Scott Mescudi owes a lot to the Pat, the former Def Jam A&R who gave Kanye support and also works as Cudi’s manager. The rapper is set to be an international star. Not bad, Cudi is booked for  Lollapalooza 2009, in addition to getting an introduction to the world via a Kanye West video.

    Cudi, who’s from Shaker Heights (not the hardest section near Cleveland, or is it?) just put out his latest mixtape. It’s more or less a compilation of several mixtapes he’s appeared on, including his first.

    But it’s a good way to re-hear some gems like this track with Jackie Chain:

    and this song, too:


    cudi_1_mres
    This photo of Cudi at SXSW 2009 was taken by deannadentphotography.wordpress.com/

    Continue reading ““…Shaker Heights” to “Transformers” Cudi and Cleveland Rap” →

    C. Hannibal Uncategorized

    Another L.A. Crip on the Grind

    “Born in the 80s, raised in the Sixties”: Nipsey Hussle gives some background on gang ties and who he may or may not see as an “enemy” on the street in a two-part interview with Streetgangs.com’s  Alex Alonso.

    C-Boy from Harlem (not the  Uptown locale, but Jefferson Park) called me once about 5 months ago to tell me about Thundercat from the 60s.  His grind had been paying off for a while and he was ready to take his rap game corporate.

    Nipsey Hussle is the rap name of the aforementioned hood star from 60s, pictured in the video above, who says he’s never seen Kurupt on the block. He  considers him a D.P.G only.

    Hussle still has a lot to prove. If the son of a Black mother and an Eritreanfather can pick up where Game left off, then he’s in good shape. But just like the Game, he needs some radio- friendly hook-happy hits to push his star along. Because these days, the biggest news out of L.A. hiphop is going to be how a Utah high school wasn’t gangster enough for G. Malone.

    Continue reading “Another L.A. Crip on the Grind” →

    C. Hannibal Uncategorized

    At the Movies: Illegal Immigration and Los Tigres del Norte

    "EL NORTE": Zaide Silvia Gutierrez in a scene from Gregory Nava's 1983 movie.
    "EL NORTE": Zaide Silvia Gutierrez in a scene from Gregory Nava's 1983 movie.

    “The flood of Hispanic immigrants into American communities for work helped provide cover for traffickers looking to expand into new markets. Shelby has long been Alabama’s fastest-growing county, and the number of Hispanics grew 126 percent from 2000 to 2007.”

    “Hispanic“? You gotta love that all-inclusive word.

    The quoted passage at the beginning of this post is taken from an alarmist piece that ran in the Associated Press recently, detailing a quintuple homicide in Alabama that authorities have been investigating since August 2008. Officials are pointing fingers at the Gulf Cartel.

    As most of you already know, President Obama was recently in town to talk drugs and the border. With so much on his plate already, illegal immigration and the problems along the Mexico/U.S. border are just pieces of the puzzle millions are looking at him to solve. Good luck, my dude.

    Continue reading “At the Movies: Illegal Immigration and Los Tigres del Norte” →

    C. Hannibal Uncategorized

    Mexico City’s ‘Conscious’ Rapper: BocaFloja

    MEXICO CITY'S PEOPLE'S MC: Bocafloja or "Lazy Mouth" inside Kaya nightclub
    THE PEOPLE'S MC: Bocafloja or "Lazy Mouth" inside Kaya nightclub on Tamaulipas in D.F.

    According to M-1 of Dead Prez, Bocafloja is down with the R.B.G movement. That was something I learned listening to the intro of Boca’s last CD.  However, my curiosity about the guy above first peaked when a professor studying “global hip-hop,” told me in so many words that Bocafloja is the truth.

    In other words, he’s the  real deal.

    (….See a clip from his show and hear the Dead Prez intro after the jump)

    Continue reading “Mexico City’s ‘Conscious’ Rapper: BocaFloja” →

    C. Hannibal music

    Smashmouth

    T-Pain. The technology, the voice, the sunglasses, the writing chops, the less than movie-star good looks, the top hat, the ill songs and productions. Dude still has a long career ahead of him, no matter how much you may want to see him off pop radio.

    This weekend, news has been filtering out that Theophalus Pain, aka Terry Cloth Pain (that’s Phonte’s witty T-Pain names that I’m biting), busted his mouth in a golfing accident.

    March hasn’t been Mr. Pain’s month, there’s the flaking on concerts, of course he let his dad run wild on the man (appearing again here in Mexico City on Wednesday) who gave him a music deal. Man, I do hope he gets better, soon.
    This is a developing story, if ever there was one. Of course the blogs with the connected people, and the Bay Area blog that reported on Pain missing a stop with Weezy F. Baby.
    The only thing startling to me in all this is the worsening of Lil Kim’s face as she appears in a web video taken this weekend in Hollywood, looking way too much like Dontatella Versace or David LaChappelle’s Jersey-born muse.
    For the sake of Kim’s video (smh) I wonder who gets to step into T-Pain’s top hat.

    Continue reading “Smashmouth” →