Here to Stay: 10 Years of Indie Media and Organizing with J.T.

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LET THE CITY KNOW!

Saturday, August 31st.
6:00 – 9:00 PM, All Power Books
4748 West Adams Blvd, Los Angeles

No single day is promised to any of us, which is what makes it fiercely special to invite Los Angeles to my official ten year anniversary bash for jimbotimes.com at All Power Books in Mid-City, just north of Nipsey Hussle’s ole stomping grounds in South Los Angeles; join me to hear some remarks on the special occasion, or to make a cameo in the Q & A session afterwards. “Here to Stay” will also feature a special food vendor with the absolute meanest smash burgers in the city, and even a surprise musical performance or two.

Making Our Neighborhood magazines will also be available for purchase throughout the evening, along with Los Cuentos de Los Angeles snapbacks, because it wouldn’t be L.A. if we weren’t throwing it back old school a bit. RSVP here to enter the raffle (rifa!) for a free snap-back or magazine, and plan to carpool or take Metro’s E Line to the event with a friend, neighbor, and your whole city. This one’s for all of us.

Please also note that if you’re unable to make the event but would still like to show your support, you can donate here to support the party’s setup for the evening!

J.T.

THE ILLEST CHRISTIAN DEATH METAL RAPPER I EVER HEARD

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With Election Day finally over with it was an absolute pleasure to speak with Marty Hillard of the legendary Ebony Tusks crew out of Lawrence, Kansas; from Los Angeles to the Midwest, it’s time for J.T. the L.A. Storyteller Podcast to branch out, and I could think of no better way to do so than with support from Hillard, a powerhouse of talent and authenticity.

We discussed Hillard’s earliest experiences with rap and hip hop music, his inspiration as he went from Christian hip hop to edgier sounds, his Heal Thyself album with Nathan Giesecke and Daniel B. Smith, his song “Schuyler” hitting the big screen via Peacock’s new Fresh Prince remake, and even which side Marty’s rolling with on Bel Air in the games ahead, plus more 🤞🏽

(0:02) Welcome Marty Hillard of Ebony Tusks to J.T. the L.A. Storyteller Podcast!
(7:15) Shout out Topeka, and all of the communities across the I-70 Corridor!
(17:58) Marty’s discovery of his talent for music, especially in the Middle School years
(32:08) Saying more in particular about that Christian Hip Hop music
(43:25) The reception of Eminem’s 8 Mile across the Midwest
(54:58) The impact of urban renewal in central Topeka
(1:03:05) Truly, this is a chat by the fireside
(1:16:28) Considering what’s next for Marty now that Heal Thyself is complete
(1:23:25) A snapshot of time
(1:33:21) Marty Hillard is a true artist uplifting 90s sounds and attitude with a 21st century flare that’s all his own
(1:35:33) Also check out Ebony Tusk’s YouTube channel to enjoy more of their work
(1:39:23) Oh and by the way, is Marty on Team Will or Team Carlton? For the record
(1:40:47) Also shout out to Bel Air, the new Fresh Prince remake!

You can also keep up with Hillard via IG. And to make a one-time donation to my nonprofit work for working-class communities in Los Angeles, please do so here. To support the production of J.T. the L.A. Storyteller Podcast for as little as $5 a month, check out my page at patreon.com/jimbotimes.

J.T.

BUY THE NEIGHBORHOOD BACK

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“Fweago,” “Don Cee” and “Forbs24K” of the V.V’s stop by to chat about the local Family Arcade, the gentrification of Virgil avenue, and even the state of hip hop for Latino rap stars today, among other things. Forbs and Fweago also share a microphone in this session due to J.T.’s mishap! To see the video recording of this discussion and more, visit patreon.com/jimbotimes and sign up for the new seven-day free trial.

J.T.

Check out VIRGILVILLAGE, the first album for the neighborhood straight outta Virgil Village

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The landmark album in East Hollywood by the V.V’s features “Forbs,” “DeuceSeis,” “Don Cee,” “SickAssHam,” and “Fweago,” with production assistance from “DJ Aztecz,” also known as “Tecz” of Burnside Recording Studios.

For more of the cuento, be sure you’re subscribed to our newsletter with This Side of Hoover, Making a Neighborhood, which publishes every second and fourth Thursday.

J.T.