Christie Z-Pabon and husband Jorge Pabon aka “PopMaster Fabel” aka “Shukriy”
photo credit: Joe Conzo via Tools Of War
NYTimes interviews PopMaster Fabel to discuss what it’s like being a Muslim and being so heavily involved with Hip-Hop, especially breakin’ which is deemed sinful by conservatives. He is pictured above with his wife Christie Z-Pabon who is an unsung hero of this culture. Her Tools of War newsletter is the premier aggregator for Hip-Hop cultural events.
Read: In Harlem, Reaching Out to Muslims Through Hip-Hop
As a teenager he emerged on the scene as PopMaster Fabel. But today he prefers to be called Shukriy, “the thankful one” — the name he took 20 years ago when he converted to Islam.
Now he is part of an “Islam and Hip-Hop” movement in the United States that is reaching out to Muslim young people via the hip-hop beat.
At a recent “Islam and Hip-Hop” concert in Harlem, young men in wide trousers and women in head scarves made waves in the air, trying to simulate Shukriy’s robotic movements. They did not touch each other unless they were a married couple.
Shukriy, 43, has come under fire from conservative Muslims who accuse him of sinning by dancing on stage with women or acting as D.J. for a mixed audience. Some argue that even listening to music is a taboo in Islam.
via Harry Allen
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Word up. Christie and Fabel are cool peoples. Tools of War put me on to so many events over the years. It’s a damn shame more people don’t show up to their free events in Harlem and in the Bronx. Are people just reluctant to go to shows uptown? Is it a lack of promotion? Or is there a general disinterest in the acts that perform?
I don’t understand the logic behind paying to see artists like Big Daddy Kane and Slick Rick in downtown or midtown venues but not seeing these cats for free uptown.
Peace and thanks for the love!
I truly think people are programmed (by commercial radio & tv) to go to see names they recognize and those are usually those from the Def Jam era or the so called “Golden Age’ of Hip Hop whereas we focus on
1. Legendary DJs from the 70’s and early 80’s before the highly publicized time
2. Diggers/Producers/Record Collectors challenged to spin their rarest
and this year we are doing bboy/bgirl jams instead of turntablist sessions.
Plus people think one needs MCs to make the show where we are very happy with DJs as the show!
In the Bronx we get lots of love (but not from the hipster crowd or the below 14th st. crew who everyone markets to). In Harlem it should build because this year we are at the same park each Tuesday in August. Previously we were traveling around to all four Harlem parks and could not establish a home base.
I send out the pr on the jams but I can’t help it if the press don’t recognize. Pitchfork did a great piece 2 yrs ago. The coverage we get is often from European Hip Hop mags.
Here’s our dates but I will send out the full info, next week officially!
Check myspace.com/toolsofwar for updates on the Park Jams and the DMC DJ Battles!
Peace & blessings,
Christie
JUNE 4, 11, 18 & 25, 2009
Boogie Down B-Boy/B-Girl Jams: Bronx
Thursdays, June 4, 11 and 18 2009 @ Behagen Park
5pm-9pm. FREE! All Ages! E. 166th St. between Tinton and Union Aves. Bronx NY 10456. 2 or 5 train to Prospect or try hopstop.com for directions. Behagen Park
Thursday, June 25, 2009 @ St. Mary’s Park
5pm-9pm. FREE! All Ages! East 149th St. and St. Mary’s Bronx NYC 10454. 2 or 5 train to 149th & 3rd or 6 train to ? or try hopstop.com for directions. St. Mary’s Park .
JULY 9, 16, 23 & 30, 2009
7th Annual Crotona Park Jams: Bronx
5pm-9pm. FREE! All Ages. The best of the best legendary Hip Hop DJs and special guests rocking at the brand new Crotona Park Amphitheater! Enter at Charlotte St & Crotona Park East, Bronx NYC 10457. Held in association with Council Member Joel Rivera and The Friends of Crotona Park. 2 or 5 train to 174th St or try hopstop.com for directions. Crotona Park
AUG 4, 11, 18 & 25, 2009
Digger’s Delight: Harlem
4pm – 8pm. FREE! All Ages. All star producers and rare record collectors spin their funkiest 45s and more! Every Tuesday in August at St. Nicholas Park Plaza @ 135th & St. Nicholas Ave, Harlem NYC. B or C train to W. 135th or try hopstop.com for directions. Held in association with The Friends of St. Nicholas Park: stnicholaspark.org