Thug Life Army

VH-1’s ‘Bling’d: Blood, Diamonds and Hip Hop’ is truly a must see for not only the hip hop community, but for every human being who can see it.

VH-1’s Rock Docs franchise did a terrific job on this documentary. I had a chance to view the uncut version of the documentary, which is a hard-hitting look at the diamond trade in Sierra Leone, West Africa.

I will never look at any diamond again without thinking of the sites I saw in this remarkable documentary. Also I have gained a new respect for the hip hop artists who participated in the filming of this documentary.

This past summer hip hop and rap notables: artists Paul Wall, Raekwon (of hip hop group Wu Tang Clan), and reggaeton king Tego Calderon traveled to Sierra Leone to film this documentary.

Tonight at 8pm (ET/PT) VH-1 will premier ‘Bling’d: Blood, Diamonds and Hip Hop’. Hip hop’s creed is to ‘keep it real’ and this is as ‘real’ as it gets. To see these artists touched by what they saw and especially to see the realness of Raekwon when the group visited a camp for amputees of the war there; was nothing less than heartbreaking.

Kanye West referred to the ‘bling’ in hip hop as ‘hip hop’s ice age’, and after viewing this – how can we be ‘comfortable’ sporting and flossing such things as diamonds – when the source country of most of this ‘bling’ is a giant ghetto with starving people? A people, in a lot of cases, without shelter or fresh water – not even sidewalks or roads; just dirt and rocks to walk on.

Along with artists Paul Wall, Raekwon (of hip hop group Wu Tang Clan), and reggaeton king Tego Calderon who made the trip to Sierra Leone, other US hip hop and rap artists weigh in on the evolution of ‘bling’ and what it means to wear diamonds in ‘Hip Hop America’. Some of the artists who made comments are Big Daddy Kane, Mr. T, Kanye West and Jadakiss.

This is truly a remarkable documentary and anyone who see this will be interested in how they can help these people of Sierra Leone. At the end of the documentary there will be a slate directing viewers to a foundation in which they can support the rebuilding of Sierra Leone; so have pen and paper ready – and just don’t talk about it – be about it and make a difference.

I have to give Big Up’s to staff of VH-1 for providing me the opportunity to view this film. And to VH-1 and all of the hip hop community that participated ‘One Luv’ for opening my eyes and heart to what is going on, and has gone on, in Sierra Leone. This was truly a learning experience and one that I hope all of you will watch and be moved to help.

Watch if you can tonight February 22, 2007 at 8pm (ET/PT) VH-1 the premier of ‘Bling’d: Blood, Diamonds and Hip Hop’.