I can’t stress this enough: Hip-Hop is composed of four pillars-emceeing, DJing, breakdancing, and graffiti writing. They’re all equally important within the culture of Hip-Hop. And if you’re the type of Hip-Hop fan or supporter of art, in general, who feels like you don’t do enough to express your passion for the culture, here’s the perfect opportunity to change that. 5Pointz, the graffiti Mecca of the world, has been set to be torn down so that two towers of luxury housing, retail space, and artist spaces could be constructed. This issue goes beyond corporate greed. It’s about preserving a piece of history. The Wolkoff family, who owns 5Pointz, has set these plans in motion and will start demolition, unless we, the people, have something to say about it. To prevent losing such an important landmark in Hip-Hop, we have to make it officially recognized as what it is-a landmark.

Once you click here, you will be taken to a download link for a Landmark Preservation Commission form in a .pdf document. You can fill it out and email it to Landmark5pointz@gmail.com. There will also be a community board meeting this Thursday (6/6/13) in Long Island City. The Facebook event page can be found here. T.H.E.M. Recordings and Bucktown USA will also be hosting a 5Pointz Festival this Saturday from 2-7 PM at 5Pointz. Shabaam Sahdeeq, Innocent?, Bekay, Mic Handz, and more will be rocking the mic on a Saturday you won’t want to miss. Click the image to the right to zoom in and read the details.

We also proudly present the video premiere of T.H.E.M. Recordings’ artist, Innocent?, and his video for “Say Cheeze” featuring Rockness Monstah. So we’re giving you two doses of Hip-Hop today. Whoever said the journey is more important as the destination clearly didn’t have Innocent? and The Rockness Monstah in mind. They’ll “race old ladies and punch babies to make green,” but you’ll have to “hate the streets because they made [them] this way.” In the short film for “Say Cheeze,” directed by The Last American B-Boy, watch the two emcees take care of business for the most pompous boss you’ve hated since the last job you couldn’t stand. See if you can figure out what’s in the box at the end, on some ‘Pulp Fiction’ action. “Say Cheeze” is set to be featured on Innocent?’s forthcoming album Love It Or Hate It which will be released in the 3rd quarter of 2013. Oh, and you already know Innocent? is on board with saving 5Pointz as the video for “Say Cheeze” was filmed there.

And if you didn’t have incentive enough to help save 5Pointz, T.H.E.M. Recordings and 5Pointz set up a contest for you to own or contribute a piece of Hip-Hop history. Once you enter you email address on the 5Pointz website*, you will be entered to win one of the ridiculously dope prizes below:

*Quick note: Once you click the link to go to the website, just click on the 5Pointz image in the middle of the page to get to the email submission widget.

5Pointz Prize Package:
• Autographed Meres One print to awarded to one selected winner (click here to view past work)
• Collaborative piece whereby one selected winner will collaborate on site with a 5Pointz featured artist (one winner, prize to be redeemed within two weeks of announcement of winner)
• A chance to put a piece up on the wall of 5Pointz (two winners to be selected, prize to be redeemed within two weeks of announcement of winner)

T.H.E.M. Recordings Prize Package:
• T-Shirts to the top 25 selected winners (all sizes available)
• Meet and greet/photo ops with Innocent? and The Rockness Monstah (starting at 5pm on 6/08 at 45-46 Davis Street, Long Island City)
• Cameo in the next Innocent? video (available for up to three winners)

Last but not least, here’s a sample Tweet to spread the word on the cause:

“Help Save @5PTZ Aerosol Arts Center: http://on.nyc.gov/13F6eFJ Email your complete preservation form to: Landmark5pointz@gmail.com”

Long live Hip-Hop!

Bryan Hahn (@notupstate)