Commonword Blogs

So how does a mesh of Thatcherism, dub reggae and a bunch of angry people pave the way for Brit hop?

We open Pandora’s box and reveal a whole bunch of theories from this article onwards as we review the social problems amongst British youths of the era. We look at how reggae and hip hop gave birth to a multitude of Brit hop sub genres including techno, jungle, garage, drum n’ bass, trip hop and grime.

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The day they came and told me, I just fell to the ground in despair

I couldn’t believe this had happened, not my Lee?!

Life can so often have it’s disappointments, events which make you frown

Though now I can’t seem to get myself, back up from this down

I'm better then I first was, now is this as good as it gets

This roller coaster ride I'm on, isn't really the best

I’ve tried a mixture of strategies, to cope with this nightmare

Yet I can’t seem to cover it up, my soul is left for vultures to share

I know how strong I am, which is just as strong as you

Its been 9 weeks, 2 days, 8 hours, 37 minutes and 18 seconds since my last blog. I have NOT been on holiday. It’s been 4 weeks, 1 day, 2 hours, 3 minutes and 23 seconds since the last Speakeasy. 6 weeks, 3 days, 1 hours, 32 minutes and 5 seconds since I walked into the first session of Ben Mellor’s ‘Performance vs Content’ workshop one hour late intent on improving my performance skills in time for the Speakeasy stage.

What came first: The culture or the crime? Are young people easily influenced by hip hop or is hip hop easily influenced by young people? Who or what is responsible for the rise in young offenders?

In order to answer the questions, one must start by looking at the birth of hip hop.
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Is hip hop really the catalyst for low qualifications, high teen pregnancy, psychological and spiritual issues and the emerging ASBO culture of our youth today? Or is hip hop the excuse politicians and pre ASBO generations use to avoid facing accusations of bad parenting, poor education systems, neglected mental and health problems and the glamorisation of other media forms passed on throughout the years that really contributes to youth crime?

This is Rachel's blog

Just an exercise I used to improve my descriptive skills:

Full Black leather wingtip size 10 shoe, the front is square shaped, slightly marked and scuffed.
In front of the wingtip is perforated, behind the wingtip crawling up the tongue is very creased.
All around the shoe is stitched to secure the leather lining and leather sole.
The shoe is laced untidly and the shoelace reminiscent of wrinkled spaghetti.
It is a very imposing, commanding brute, but yet very reserved and meloncholy.

This is the intro to a short/long story I'm thinking about:

This is the story of Eddie Left Hook Smith a face from manchester, all he knows is how to survive in the murky world of illegal activities. Everytime he tries to become a straight member, his name and associates drag him back to where he started. His long suffering bird Julie, who's been there through thick and thin, is at breaking point and is going to fuck off with their 2yr old son Dylan.

I just wanted to share with people how much I enjoyed Anwen Lewis's performance in her piece called How to Weave Time. It was the first time I have actually seen Anwen perform and I was very impressed. I felt moved and also educated on the whole adoption process. I believe it was her brother who accompanied Anwen on stage, providing the music to interweave with the piece. I look forward to more productions from Anwen.

I'm writing this from an internet cafe in Kathamandu's bustling Thamel district, an area bursting with guest houses, bars and shops selling all manner of trinkets and climbing equipment to the backpackers who come here to organise their treks in the mountains.

I once watched an old, jetlagged, Professor of History stagger up the stage at Carmoor Rd West Indian Centre, Manchester. I was worried he might not make it, he was that frail. He had a mic placed by him and he proceeded to reel off (without any notes whatsoever) half an hour of amazing, detailed facts about Egyptian civilisation. We were bown away. He then paused, looked out at us, his audience, and declared, 'you see, you young people, you must read, read, read!'

My thoughts on a Black President:

I wanted to wait and let the result sink in before I submitted this blog, because I really wanted to think about how this result will effect the rest of the world.
Having spent 3 months in the states this year especially Atlanta Georgia, I could feel the tension building to such a scale that no other result would have sufficed.

My partner wanted to share her feelings for the loss of her dad on 11/5/08, his name was William Brown Murray.

Well dad, where do I start,
I think the best place would be from the heart,
You have been in my life for 29 years,
Through much joy and happiness and sometimes tears,

Your kindness and humour could never be replaced,
You never failed to put a smile on my face,
You're someone so special,
Nobody could ever take your place,
My memories will last forever,
An eternity beyond trace,

So dear dad, I guess it's time for me to say goodbye for now,

This is my first blog.

When asked this question recently from an unexpected source I responded immediately, "nah, love is something that grows and develops, so love at first sight is impossible" On reflection I am beginning to feel that .It is possible to connect on a level and things can truly grow from that point.

I wrote this as a definition of love about a month or so ago:

When I look at that woman my woman. From the first time I saw her. I knew I had found the woman I was meant to spend the rest of my life with. She appraised me with her eyes, those beautiful deep brown eyes she has. That smile she wore, that made me feel like I had just won the lottery, because she was smiling at me. Then she blushed, I watched her blush for me and I was smitten there and then. I knew that what I didn’t know about her I would spend the rest of my life getting to know. I was that sure of her.

As I allowed him to lead the way into his house. I realised that now was going to be the time that we were going to unite. When I left home this morning I thought we were just going to spend the day together. The way the

His hand reached over and cupped my chin forcing me to look deeply into his eyes. I searched his eyes for the answers to the questions my heart wandered, his response was to cover my lips with his. I reached to wrap my arms around him to bring his body closer to mine. He changed the dynamic by pulling me to sit on his knee.

As I drove to the station, I knew you would be surprised as I drove towards you in this car that you had not yet seen. As I enjoyed the comfort of the leather seats, the new smell mingling with the vanilla scented air freshener. I was impressed with myself admiring the way the black interior blended with the tan leather upholstery. Music filled the air from speakers that surrounded you and made you feel as if you were on tour with your favourite musicians.

This was the first time he had invited me to his home and it was like a piece of another dream. As I walked up to the door, nervously anticipating what lay behind the huge oak door. It was almost as if you could imagine that instead of being a semi detached townhouse, it was actually a [art of a palatial mansion. He evidently liked the good things in life.

I don’t know what caused the rain to stop, all I know is that is just is not raining any more. I thought back to when the weather was bright and beautiful. They days when I was awoken by the songs that the birds used to sing. I woke up with peace in my heart and welcomed each brand new day. Then the weather changed, without a warning. I did not even have time to change my clothes and so I got wet.

Sitting here in very good company whilst drinking a superb wine, sending out positive thoughts to the universe. In return getting subtle glimpses of changes, as if life is letting me know that she is alive.