Khem Fest 2019 Celebrates the Heroes of Color.

Blerd-Hop was born on Heritage Hip-Hop after we went to our first Khem Fest 5 years ago. We saw the fusion of Hip-Hop and comics forming due to the rise of anime and comic book references returning back to the genre in high details. Within beats and punch lines people have referred back to the days of Spider-Man, Batman and other superheroes. Naseed Gifted bought the Khem Fest to the people that loved Comic books but wanted to see more than Caucasian superheroes in the world but to see more people of color in the genre as well. Now we see that there are many that feel the same way and they showed up and showed out at the 2019 Khem Fest.

This year the venue was in the Hahne Co. building in Newark, NJ and the fans were greeted by tables full of people that are creators of their own specific brands. There was a table for heroes that come from Africa, web series of superheroes based on people of color. There were heroes of East Indian descent, Puerto Rican decent, and books based on not only Science Fiction but on revolutionaries like The Black Panther Party, and also Hip-Hop characters. People who are deep thinkers and that are woke could also find heroes based on Khemetic foundations of thought to challenge the status quo of what is "traditional" when it comes to the make up of the motivation and background of what a hero is.

As a comic book fan I feel that the mainstream comic book companies have done a horrible job at creating good stories that teach and entertain the reader. The stories are recycled and independent companies are keeping the genre alive. Khem Fest gives people a chance to experience more than just the "norm" of characters and stories. With Luke Cage and Black Lightening being great hits on Netflix and CW11 the mind has opened to a lot of people on where can they find more heroes that represent them in the field of comics and literature. Khem Fest has helped to expose this by not only bringing books to the people but helping to expose People of Color that write books, create animated series and web series to the masses to be seen and heard.

Where many Comic Cons fail, Khem Fest succeed because they fused the genres with music to aid in the atmosphere. Live performances by Lyle Omolayo, Queen Legend Gail Campbell, Tha Gata Negrra, and The Ronin of Rap helped to aid in the culture of bridging music and comics together to solidify that Hip-Hop culture is not only music, but the expression of talent God has given you and how you sew those seeds back into your people and the community you share your gift with. In 2020 Khem Fest will be back and we invite you to come be apart of it. Not only that take the time to look for more outlets that produce heroes that reflect your face, and values in all media to learn and teach the generations that come after you about their importance and gifts they bring to not only comics but to life as a whole. We are our best heroes and now the world is watching and taking notice.

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The Fall of R. Kelly

I remember when we first heard of Bill Cosby going down for sexual encounters with women, the sentiment around was of a man of color being brought down for something that was not fair because Caucasian men do it too. The women that were taken advantage of were put to the rear and the argument of is this real or not was the main idea of the legal suit that took place. No matter how we feel about the social ramifications to the case if one person has injustice committed against them then we all suffer.

That same sentiment comes to mind with the R. Kelly movement. People knew R. Kelly committed questionable behavior for years and why is this now coming to the forefront? How many of us saw The Boondocks episode where R. Kelly's trial was the focal point and Huey put the entire community on blast for supporting someone that has serious issues and needs help? Just like the characters in the episode, people cheered R. Kelly and let him continue to be the man that he was. Whether you decide to call him a musical genius or pervert the man definitely can be defined as special in every positive and negative way possible.

Master P talked about the parents that allowed this behavior to go on and not going to rescue their babies knowing this abuse has taken place. Nick Cannon said in a Vlad TV interview that R. Kelly has the mind of a teenager and that is why he insist on dealing with young girls cause a grown woman is above him intellectually and would not put up with his short comings. Whether this is true or not does not matter but gives insight to R. Kelly and what he may be thinking but the one thing that is certain is YOU DO NOT HARM PEOPLE'S CHILDREN!

R. Kelly's music has now been taken out of a lot of music markets but in true American Fashion people are now buying his music and creating revenue for his work. The true tragedy is that if it is true he sold his music rights touring is the only way he can make money and who is going to support him at a live show now in the wake of people coming out to kill his talent and lively hood as a performing act. The truth is if we do not hold R. Kelly responsible then how will he learn and get help. You may still listen to his music and separate his art from his deeds, but I ask you when you look at a 14 year old girl, do you see sex or do you see someone you hope get's it right where the world is cruel and wrong to so many people in it? Father's does Bump and Grind come to mind when your 14 year old comes into the room or around you? If it does or you see no problem with it then you are sick and like Mr. Kelly you are in need of help. Does this latest testament of his behavior leave you wanting to see The Pied Piper of R&B play songs and see children dance away to his music? Whatever your answer is, you are entitled to your opinions and choices. As a parent and person that cares and educates children I hope R. Kelly gets the help he needs and he is given all the time he needs to get the proper help needed whether it is behind bars or exiled away from people for awhile to heal and get his life right at all cause.

Art by Drift / @therealdrift and Lyle Omolayo / @lyleomolayo

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