The Black Panther F.U.G.I. T.I.V.E.S. are a hip hop trio whose music captures the spirit and legacy of the legendary Black Panther Party for a new generation. Its members, James Calhoun (Jamiel Hassan), Terrance Trotter (J.U.G) and Geoffrey McMullen (Bones), use the language of hip hop to educate and motivate young people to get involved positively in their communities. F.U.G.I.T.I.V.E.S stands for Future Under the Guidance of Intelligent True Individuals who Visualize Every Struggle.
The group's founder James Calhoun (Jamiel Hassan) was born into the Black Panther Party; both his parents were members and his father sang with the Panther group, The Lumpen. Later Jamiel and his mother moved to New York where he was raised side-by-side with her friend and Panther comrade Afeni Shakur and Afeni's son Tupac. Jamiel and Tupac's common history as Panther children led them to a number of musical collaborations.
Jamiel's career also took off as a music producer and songwriter though his disenchantment with the commercialization of the music led him to more independent ventures. In 1995, he began producing Bay Area MCs Terrance Trotter (J.U.G) and Geoffrey McMullen (Bones). When they asked Jamiel to step behind the mike on one of their numbers, the F.U.G.I.T.I.V.E.S. were born. The three went on to perform throughout California.
After Jamiel produced a 10-CD set of Malcolm X speeches, he caught the attention of former Panther Party leader David Hilliard who, with his son Dorion, was putting together a new record label, Black Panther Records. The F.U.G.I.T.I.V.E.S. recorded the new label's debut release, "ALL OF US (vs. Cointerlpro)" which was also co-produced by father and son Hilliard. Under their new name, the Black Panther F.U.G.I.T.I.V.E.S., the trio is bringing their socially-conscious hip-hop to stages nationwide.
Bring the Black Panther F.U.G.I.T.I.V.E.S. to your campus or community with a speaker and/or exhibit. The following are available as part of a The Black Panther Party Legacy Tour:
- Elaine Brown -- Former leader of the Black Panther Party and author of A Taste of Power and The Condemnation of Little B.
- David Hilliard -- Former Black Panther Party Chief of Staff is currently the Executive Director of the Dr. Huey P. Newton Foundation and
- The Black Panther Party Photo Exhibit-- These 70 framed black and white photographs document an extraordinary era in U.S. history with relevance for today.
