Blood, Diamonds and Hip Hop

If you ask us, "bling obsession" has long been commercial hip-hop's most shameful component (though we're totally down with the Bling! barbershop quartet). At one time, conspicuous consumption by a historically poor culture might have seemed like powerful social commentary--but now that hip hop is the music industry's cash cow, doesn't a $100,000 necklace just seem completely ridiculous? And is obnoxious ornamentation really worth the cost--not only monetarily, but socially and politically?

Next week, as part of their Independent Film Series, Scion will host a screening of the film Bling, a 90-minute documentary exploring the link between the flashy world of commercial hip hop and the 10-year civil war in Sierra Leone. The film follows three hip-hop celebrities--Raekwon (Wu Tang Klan), Paul Wall and Tego Calderon--as they visit the capital of Freetown where they survey the devastated country, meet the hip hop community, and encounter refugees and former child soldiers first hand.

The evening will begin with a welcome reception (with music provided by DJ Mel), and will be followed by a Q&A and cocktail party with director Raquel Cepeda. Wear something nice.

Scion Presents: Bling
Tuesday, October 16th
Alamo Drafthouse South Lamar
9:30pm, Free, 21+, RSVP Reqiured
[Info / RSVP]

Contact the author of this article or email tips@austinist.com with further questions, comments or tips.

By math in Arts & Entertainment on October 12, 2007 1:20 PM 0 Comments

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guest

wow

thanks for the tip!

will be there!

guest

irrelevant HIP HOP dude wrote:To all Austinist writers; please stop trying to report on anything Hip-Hop (yes, both H's are supposed to be capitalized, ask anyone who actually follows Hip-Hop). You're attempts at reporting on the "underground" scene has been nothing short of dismal (FYI, Bands like Atmosphere and J5 are not underground). Also, anything affiliated with Toyota, is not underground or Hip-Hop for that matter. Please sotp and just continue reporting on what you do best; Spoon shows at the Mohawk.

who really cares about HIP HOP anymore? Your REAL HIP HOP stance is stupid. HIP HOP sold out a long time ago. name one HIP HOP record from the last five years that's good from beginning to end? NONE.

tell your nonsense to dj premier, wu tang, kane and biz, who totally cosign the marketing company that organize these shows.

i'd rather go to a spoon show than go to a HIP HOP show and watch a bunch a rappers that show up late, yell on the mic for 30 minutes and bounce. f that. people are over it and you can keep living a lie and live in 1995 forever.

let it go, dumbass.

guest

To all Austinist writers; please stop trying to report on anything Hip-Hop (yes, both H's are supposed to be capitalized, ask anyone who actually follows Hip-Hop). You're attempts at reporting on the "underground" scene has been nothing short of dismal (FYI, Bands like Atmosphere and J5 are not underground). Also, anything affiliated with Toyota, is not underground or Hip-Hop for that matter. Please sotp and just continue reporting on what you do best; Spoon shows at the Mohawk.