Rebel Diaz
Rebel Diaz | |
---|---|
Background information | |
Origin | The Bronx, New York City, U.S. |
Genres | Hip hop |
Years active | 2006–present |
Labels | independent |
Members | RodStarz G1 |
Past members | Lah Tere DJ Illanoiz |
Website | Official page Rebel Diaz Arts Collective |
Rebel Diaz is a
History and activism
The children of Chilean activists, RodStarz and G1 were born in England and grew up in Chicago's
Although Rebel Diaz met in Chicago, Illinois, Rebel Diaz was not born until the three moved to the Bronx[5] – the birthplace of hip hop – to continue their political activism through hip hop.[6] Rebel Diaz see themselves as reclaiming hip hop as a tool in the larger struggle against oppression.[7] RodStarz and G1 work with youth in the South Bronx, teaching them to use music to express themselves.[8]
Rebel Diaz Arts Collective
In March 2009, Rebel Diaz opened the Rebel Diaz Arts Collective (RDAC), a community arts center that included a performance space, a multimedia studio, a computer lab, and an art gallery
South by South Bronx
RodStarz and the RDAC hosted a music festival inspired by South by Southwest in December 2012 called South by South Bronx.[12] The free two-day festival featured Grandmaster Caz, Afrika Bambaataa, C-Rayz Walz, and DJ Kool Herc, among others and in addition to musical performances, included workshops such topics as the "History and Art of DJing," "Hip-Hop and Activism" and "Latinos in Hip-Hop".[13]
Problems with the NYPD
On June 18, 2008, two days after returning from a conference in Berlin, Germany, G1 and RodStarz were arrested by the NYPD when they were showing a friend around the South Bronx.[7] In response to the arrest, more than 150 supporters gathered outside the 41st Precinct stationhouse, demanding the release of RodStarz and G1, and they were represented by civil rights lawyer Norman Siegel.[8] A week later, on June 24, 2008, at 2 AM, officers from the NYPD entered G1's apartment, which doubles as Rebel Diaz's recording studio, with guns drawn, shouted at G1, and left with no explanation.[3] A year after their arrests, the charges were dropped by judge Darcel Clark, who cited the positive impact they have in their community and told them to "keep up the good work."[9]
Discography
- Otra Guerrillera Mixtape Vol. 1
- Otro Guerrillero Mixtape Vol. 2
- Occupy The Airwaves (mixed by DJ Illanoiz)
- Radical Dilemma[14][15]
- "Run" (w/ The Reminders)[16] (Produced by Kid Koi)
References
- ^ Christina Rodriguez (November 16, 2009). "Rebel Cry". Café Media. Archived from the original on February 2, 2010. Retrieved January 7, 2010.
- AllHipHop.com. Retrieved January 3, 2014.
- ^ a b Timothy Murray (September 12, 2008). "South Bronx Rhythm Resistance". The Indypendent. Retrieved December 21, 2008.
- ^ "Rebel Diaz (Chile/Puerto Rico/USA)". Trinity International Hip Hop Festival. Retrieved December 21, 2008.
- ^ a b Minister of Information JR (June 1, 2010). "Rebel of the underground: an interview with RodStarz of Rebel Diaz". San Francisco Bay View. Retrieved June 2, 2010.
- ^ Diego Graglia (August 15, 2007). "Political Hip Hop at SOBSs". New York Daily News. Retrieved December 21, 2008.
- ^ a b Armando Salé (June 20, 2008). "Entrevista con G1, miembro del grupo de hip hop Rebel Díaz reprimido por la policía en el Bronx". La Haine. Retrieved December 21, 2008.(Spanish)
- ^ a b Tom Robbins (July 8, 2008). "The NYPD Rips Up Rappers". The Village Voice. Retrieved December 21, 2008.
- ^ a b Jaisal Noor (June 22, 2009). "Judge dismisses case against Rebel Diaz, says "Keep up the good work"". The Indypendent. Retrieved December 19, 2009.
- ^ Daniel Beekman (March 3, 2011). "Hip-hop won't stop in the South Bronx at the Rebel Diaz Arts Collective". New York Daily News. Retrieved March 11, 2011.
- ^ Keith Nelson Jr (March 2, 2013). "Hip-Hop Collective Rebel Diaz Gets "Unjustifiably Violent" Eviction and Raid from South Bronx Home". AllHipHop. Retrieved March 5, 2013.
- ^ Nick Murray (December 18, 2012). "South By South Bronx is Rebel Diaz's rollicking, political answer to Austin". Capital New York. Retrieved January 2, 2013.
- ^ Tanyanika Samuels (December 14, 2012). "South by South Bronx Festival aims to bare heart and soul of hip hop culture". New York Daily News. Retrieved January 2, 2013.
- ^ "Rebels On The Dance Floor: New Songs From Chile, Colombia And Beyond". NPR.org. May 31, 2014. Retrieved December 2, 2014.
- ^ debut album
- ^ "Latin Musicians Respond To Ferguson, Ayotzinapa". NPR.org. November 26, 2014. Retrieved December 2, 2014.