When the Smoke Clearz by Taalam Acey

Slamming the current state of Hip Hop

Over the past 20 years Hip Hop has evolved from the underground "CNN of the ghetto" to the biggest game in the record business. Yet, despite its socially conscious foundation, Hip Hop is now a multi-billion dollar industry; tightly controlled by a handful of record labels, a music video monopoly, and payola-ridden corporate radio. If there was ever a need for a reformer, the time is now.
Enter 2000 Grand Slam Champion, poet Taalam Acey. In the wake of CHHANGE's Hip Hop Summit and MTV's Hip Hop week, GNN releases When The Smoke Clearz, a scathing indictment of the current state of Hip Hop by one of the most political voices to hit the mic since Chuck D and KRS-1. Cut to the beat of Dead Prez's Hip Hop and featuring some of Hip Hop's most memorable video clips, dug out from the crates of the 80's, 90's and new millennium, GNN's unique brand of video scratch brings a visual dimension to Taalam's acclaimed slam epic Smoke Clearz.

Awards:
2002 Sundance Online Film Festival -- Official Selection 2002 Rotterdam International Film Festival -- Official Selection 2002 San Francisco Black Film Festival -- Official Selection

Credits
Directed by:
Stephen Marshall

Produced by:
Ian Inaba

Music by:
dead prez

Spoken Words by:
Taalam Acey

Category:

Film & Animation

Tags:

• When
• the
• Smoke
• Clearz
• Taalam
• Acey
• rap
• hip
• hop
• hiphop
• hip-hop
• mainstream
• underground
• gangster
• bling
• blingbling
• 50cent

[paranoidpatriot]

most of these rappers r just brainwashed. just like brittany spears showin of "no panties" these niggas playin a role to destroy the people of this country and make it look good.

[7UniqueElements]

Talaam is my absolute favorite spoken word artist. I met up with Talaam a few times in Chicago. I did my own favorite "Tantrum" on an open mic nite at Touch of The Past (Bellwood, IL) on the nite he headlined. Man I felt like I was flowing the blood and tears of my final exam in front of my professor. He was so positive and supportive. He is a true professional, a true ethereal lyricist, and a true soldier. My favorite speak by Talaam is "Proselytizing". Hetepu! One Love Talaam!

[SexyandBrown]

some rappers know that their not role models. I remember Lil Wayne looking into the camera, and I think he was high, he sure looked like it. He said I' am not a role model and I was liked really?? shocker. :/

[rahkriga]

@paranoidpatriot i agree!!! These cats are so quick to destroy that when u talk about buildin up people..youre all of a sudden a square. the irony is...masons consider that a good thing. i love being a square ...at least Im not killin and poisoning my own like some kkk member. These fake rappers say "IM EXPRESSING THE PAIN I WENT THRU"..why the fuck would i want to experience your pain?? If you have the flu...stay away from me..I dont want to know what youre going thru....seriously..wow

[JackTheNasty1]

DOPE!!!

[elaineybugg]

get it boo, that's on point.

[TheNobleMoor]

Hmm

[TheNobleMoor]

Hmmm

[darthr8r]

How funny seein Dr.Dre wearing a CARHART Jacket..DOESNT HE KNOW THATS A REDNECK THANG?..TY Taalam..your a good person

[Globalfaction]

Big!

[Shondralicious]

This man is AWESOME live!! The truth all the way!!