an aerial shot of a city at night

This Saturday, We Melt ICE in Downtown L.A!

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“This event is a direct response to the ongoing and most recent state-sanctioned public executions of community members Keith Porter, Renee Good, and Alex Pretii, and the ongoing state-sanctioned kidnappings of immigrants across the US by ICE.”

– Casita De La Noche
RSVP HERE.

Just before the microphone drops, Who Is Your Neighborhood will be tabling at this event—including with a brand new banner—providing resources for attendees to strengthen their own neighborhood defense of our communities across Los Angeles. If you’re unable to make the event but would still like to show your support, you can always help raise funds for our Vendor Buyout campaign here.

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.

MACARTHUR PARK IS THE PEOPLE’S PARK IN L.A.

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Allegra Padilla is the Executive Director of the Levitt Pavilion, which has hosted concerts at MacArthur Park in the Westlake area for sixteen years. During our chat, we talk about Allegra’s journey from South Pasadena to organizing on the streets of Los Angeles, including for Mumia Abu-Jamal and the South Central Farm; we also discuss how her Levitt Pavilion Summer Concert series isn’t just for fun, but a matter of equity for tens of thousands of park-goers and community members in one of the densest neighborhoods of L.A. County. Allegra also tells us about the Levitt Pavilion’s nonprofit status and how the organization seeks to include long-time business owners and other small vendors in its events. In this vein, we both give a special shout out to the Central-American communities uplifting Central Los Angeles daily, including Sweet L.A. by Cuscatleca, the bakery line through which we first connected!

To make a one-time donation to my fundraiser for the 9th anniversary of JIMBO TIMES, please do so through jmbtms.com. To support the production of J.T. the L.A. Storyteller Podcast, please check out my PATREON.

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.