Wednesday, May 13, 2009
Chicago Family's 'Buy Black' Experiment Becoming a Nationwide Movement
ATLANTA — It's been two months since 2-year-old Cori pulled the gold stud from her left earlobe, and the piercing is threatening to close as her mother, Maggie Anderson, hunts for a replacement.
It's not that the earring was all that rare — but finding the right store has become a quest of Quixotic proportions.
Maggie and John Anderson of Chicago vowed four months ago that for one year, More.. they would try to patronize only black-owned businesses. The "Empowerment Experiment" is the reason John had to suffer for hours with a stomach ache and Maggie no longer gets that brand-name lather when she washes her hair. A grocery trip is a 14-mile odyssey.
"We kind of enjoy the sacrifice because we get to make the point ... but I am going without stuff and I am frustrated on a daily basis," Maggie Anderson said. "It's like, my people have been here 400 years and we don't even have a Walgreens to show for it."
So far, the Andersons have spent hundreds of dollars with black businesses from grocery stores to dry cleaners. But the couple still hasn't found a mortgage lender, home security system vendor or toy store. Nonetheless, they're hoping to expand the endeavor beyond their Chicago home.
Plans are under way to track spending among supporters nationwide and build a national database of quality black businesses. The first affiliate chapter has been launched in Atlanta, and the couple has established a foundation to raise funds for black businesses and an annual convention.
"We have the real power to do something, to use the money we spend every day to solve our problems," Maggie Anderson said recently at a meet-and-greet in Atlanta. "We have to believe that black businesses are just as good as everybody else's."
Now, the Andersons are following up with 4,000 people who signed up for the experiment on their Web site to gauge their commitment and set up online accounts to track their spending. Hundreds have also joined the experiment's Facebook page, Maggie Anderson said.
Gregory Price, chairman of the economics department at Morehouse College, said black visionaries like Booker T. Washington and Marcus Garvey made similar calls to action.
"The idea is a sound one, given that black Americans are still underrepresented in the ranks of the self-employed and that entrepreneurship is a key component to wealth," Price said.
There are one million black businesses in the United States accounting for more than $100 billion in annual sales, according to the National Black Chamber of Commerce. The latest U.S. Census numbers report that blacks have more than $800 billion in expendable income each year.
The Andersons track their spending on their Web site and estimate about 55 percent of their monthly spending is with black businesses for things like day care, groceries, car maintenance and home improvements.
One of the businesses highlighted by the Empowerment Experiment is Brenda Brown's Atlanta wine boutique, a shop with a growing black clientele. She said the project can help overcome the problems many black consumers lament.
"When we were a community of black folks who could not go to the white stores, our community of black stores flourished," Brown said. "When we were given the opportunity to go into the white store, it was like nothing else mattered anymore and we wanted to go to the white store, regardless of what the black store provided. We could have the same or better products if we supported (black businesses) in the same way."
Lewis Peeples, 45, lives in a black neighborhood in southwest Atlanta but didn't think to spend his money with black businesses until a friend told him about the project.
"So often, we make purchases and decisions and aren't even mindful that there is a a need to support our own businesses," said Peeples. "Now, I'm reaching out and making sure I know that I have an option when I look to make a purchase."
Two months ago, he committed to patronizing black businesses and found a black dry cleaner 10 minutes from home. Even when he was dissatisfied with his black doctor, he was able to find a new one. He suggests both to friends and refers others to the experiment's Web site, where he tracks his expenses.
Dallas Smith, who owns a commercial real estate firm in Atlanta, said mainstream retailers have undervalued black consumers. He lives in a black neighborhood in southwest Atlanta, where he tries to dine at black restaurants. He lamented the lack of quality businesses catering to black customers and said blacks should appreciate such businesses more.
"We've still got that 'the white man's water is colder' mentality," he said. "We can't take us for granted. When we go to our establishments, it's almost like we're doing a favor. That ought to be a given for us."
The Andersons remain encouraged by their momentum online and in the media. At the end of 2009, they hope to show $1 million in spending with black businesses among supporters across the country.
"The response has been so huge," Maggie Anderson said. "We think so much can come out of this. We're in movement-making mode now."Price, the Morehouse professor, said defining the project's success won't be easy, since the real barriers to black advancement are poor access to capital and lack of training opportunities.
"It would be nice to see some real, hard data," Price said. "Otherwise, it could just be an episode of ethnic cheerleading."
It's not that the earring was all that rare — but finding the right store has become a quest of Quixotic proportions.
Maggie and John Anderson of Chicago vowed four months ago that for one year, More.. they would try to patronize only black-owned businesses. The "Empowerment Experiment" is the reason John had to suffer for hours with a stomach ache and Maggie no longer gets that brand-name lather when she washes her hair. A grocery trip is a 14-mile odyssey.
"We kind of enjoy the sacrifice because we get to make the point ... but I am going without stuff and I am frustrated on a daily basis," Maggie Anderson said. "It's like, my people have been here 400 years and we don't even have a Walgreens to show for it."
So far, the Andersons have spent hundreds of dollars with black businesses from grocery stores to dry cleaners. But the couple still hasn't found a mortgage lender, home security system vendor or toy store. Nonetheless, they're hoping to expand the endeavor beyond their Chicago home.
Plans are under way to track spending among supporters nationwide and build a national database of quality black businesses. The first affiliate chapter has been launched in Atlanta, and the couple has established a foundation to raise funds for black businesses and an annual convention.
"We have the real power to do something, to use the money we spend every day to solve our problems," Maggie Anderson said recently at a meet-and-greet in Atlanta. "We have to believe that black businesses are just as good as everybody else's."
Now, the Andersons are following up with 4,000 people who signed up for the experiment on their Web site to gauge their commitment and set up online accounts to track their spending. Hundreds have also joined the experiment's Facebook page, Maggie Anderson said.
Gregory Price, chairman of the economics department at Morehouse College, said black visionaries like Booker T. Washington and Marcus Garvey made similar calls to action.
"The idea is a sound one, given that black Americans are still underrepresented in the ranks of the self-employed and that entrepreneurship is a key component to wealth," Price said.
There are one million black businesses in the United States accounting for more than $100 billion in annual sales, according to the National Black Chamber of Commerce. The latest U.S. Census numbers report that blacks have more than $800 billion in expendable income each year.
The Andersons track their spending on their Web site and estimate about 55 percent of their monthly spending is with black businesses for things like day care, groceries, car maintenance and home improvements.
One of the businesses highlighted by the Empowerment Experiment is Brenda Brown's Atlanta wine boutique, a shop with a growing black clientele. She said the project can help overcome the problems many black consumers lament.
"When we were a community of black folks who could not go to the white stores, our community of black stores flourished," Brown said. "When we were given the opportunity to go into the white store, it was like nothing else mattered anymore and we wanted to go to the white store, regardless of what the black store provided. We could have the same or better products if we supported (black businesses) in the same way."
Lewis Peeples, 45, lives in a black neighborhood in southwest Atlanta but didn't think to spend his money with black businesses until a friend told him about the project.
"So often, we make purchases and decisions and aren't even mindful that there is a a need to support our own businesses," said Peeples. "Now, I'm reaching out and making sure I know that I have an option when I look to make a purchase."
Two months ago, he committed to patronizing black businesses and found a black dry cleaner 10 minutes from home. Even when he was dissatisfied with his black doctor, he was able to find a new one. He suggests both to friends and refers others to the experiment's Web site, where he tracks his expenses.
Dallas Smith, who owns a commercial real estate firm in Atlanta, said mainstream retailers have undervalued black consumers. He lives in a black neighborhood in southwest Atlanta, where he tries to dine at black restaurants. He lamented the lack of quality businesses catering to black customers and said blacks should appreciate such businesses more.
"We've still got that 'the white man's water is colder' mentality," he said. "We can't take us for granted. When we go to our establishments, it's almost like we're doing a favor. That ought to be a given for us."
The Andersons remain encouraged by their momentum online and in the media. At the end of 2009, they hope to show $1 million in spending with black businesses among supporters across the country.
"The response has been so huge," Maggie Anderson said. "We think so much can come out of this. We're in movement-making mode now."Price, the Morehouse professor, said defining the project's success won't be easy, since the real barriers to black advancement are poor access to capital and lack of training opportunities.
"It would be nice to see some real, hard data," Price said. "Otherwise, it could just be an episode of ethnic cheerleading."
Drake 'Drizzy' Rogers
01 Best I Ever Had (Remix) (Feat. Nicki Minaj, Juice, Busta Rhymes)
02 Girl Let Me (Feat. Belly)
03 I’m Still Fly (Remix) (Feat. Page)
04 Still Dre (Remix) (Feat. Trey Songz)
05 Stay Late (Feat. Lil Wayne)
06 I’m Going In (Feat. Lil Wayne, Truth)
07 The Presentation
08 Where To Now
09 Missing You (Feat. Trey Songz)
10 Brand New (Remix) (Feat. Lil Wayne)
11 Money To Blow (Feat. JFK)
12 Come Real (Feat. Kyoko)
13 Certified (Remix) (Feat. Glasses Malone, Bun B, Akon, Lil Wayne)
14 Congratulations (Feat. Lil Wayne)
15 Bonus Track - Best I Ever Had (Remix) (Feat. Swizz Beats)
http://rapidshare.com/files/232110590/Mixtape_Evolution_-_Drake_-_Drake_Drizzy_Rogers.zip
Joell Ortiz - Covers the classics
01. Intro
02. Rappers Delight (feat. DJ Enuff)
03. Know The BK Ledge
04. Somethin for Hot 97 (feat. DJ Camilo)
05. Strictly the Bizness
06. Treat Me Right
07. Industry Enemy #1
08. Brooklyn Children’s Story
09. I Can’t Go Broke
10. Live At Cooper Day BBQ
11. Uptown Anthem
12. U.N.I.T.Y.
13. T.R.O.Y.
14. Primo Tribute
15. Just To Get A Check
16. Mass Appeal
17. Act Like They Don’t Know
18. The Whut (Animal Shit)
19. BK Get Money
20. Got My Mind Made Up
21. Drop A Gem On ‘Em
22. Intercourse
23. Cell Therapies
24. High Roller
25. Brooklyn Ghetto Child
26. What They Do (Root’s Tribute)
27. Renee’s Revenge
28. Goin To Miami (feat. DJ Khaled)
29. What Happened To Hip Hop
30. 4,3,2,1
31. Recognize
32. 24HRS
33. Rican Ebonics 09
http://rapidshare.com/files/232351452/Joell_Ortiz-Covers_The_Classics__Hosted_By_DJ_Green_Lantern_-OnSMASH-2009.zip
Kanye West & Malik Yusef Present G.O.O.D Morning G.O.O.D Night - Dawn
Tracklist
01. Malik Yusef - G.O.O.D Morning Luv Ft. Opal Staples And Amanda Porshe 4:14
02. Malik Yusef - My Peoples Ft. KRS-1 And Mried 4:41
03. Malik Yusef - Leader (The Jesus Peace) Ft. Maxamillion, J.V. And Cheryl Lynn Toblin 4:21
04. Malik Yusef - V.E.R.S.E (Very Entertaining Recitals Spit Effortlessly) Ft. Big Sean, Anna Maria And Cardinalli 4:04
05. Malik Yusef - By Your Side Ft. Michelle Williams And Brando 4:45
06. Malik Yusef - U-N-I Verses Mine Ft. Twista And Chip Znuff 4:41
07. Malik Yusef - Promise Land (Extended Version) Ft. Kanye West And Adam Levine Of Maroon 5 3:59
08. Malik Yusef - Not Love Ft. J.V. And Mica 3:44
09. Malik Yusef - Thug Angel Ft. Christopher Denson And Uneqka 3:55
10. Malik Yusef - G.E.M. (G.O.O.D Enuff Me) Ft. Tony Williams And Phenom 5:44
11. Malik Yusef - Freshcooldopefly Ft. Shorty-K And Tassho Pearce 4:10
12. Malik Yusef - Just Like Forever Ft. Erika Shevon 4:50
13. Malik Yusef - Elevated (So High) Ft. J.V. And Benda 4:37
14. Malik Yusef - Breathtaking Ft. Uneqka 4:59
15. Malik Yusef - Sexuality Ft. Fast Eddie And Lidell Townsend 4:20
http://rapidshare.com/files/23139750...-turbocity.rar
Tanya Morgan - Brooklynati
01 03:36 On Our Way
02 05:33 Alleye Need Ft Piakhan
03 04:47 So Damn Down
04 03:54 Bang & Boogie
05 03:56 Don’t U Holla Ft Jermiside
06 01:44 Hardcore Gentlemen
07 04:02 Plan B Ft Napoleon 08 03:14 Intermission Ft Peter Hadar
09 04:51 She’s Gone AKA Without You Ft Phonte & Brittany
Bosco
10 05:55 Never 2ndary Ft. Jermiside Che Grand Elucid & Spec Boogie
11 04:23 Just Not True Ft Brick Beats
12 04:48 Morgan Blu Ft Blu
13 03:57 Never Enough (Crazy Love) Ft Carlitta Durand 14 04:58 We’re Fly Ft Kay & Chop
15 04:28 Just Arrived (Now What?)
16 04:17 Forgot 2 Say (Bonus Track)
Total: 68:23 min
http://www.mediafire.com/?lmg2qkqdh2m
Alcoholic Monkeys ...lol.
In the Caribbean, Vervet Monkeys have developed a taste for alcohol and can regularly be spotted stealing cocktails from humans on the beach. Brilliant wildlife video from BBC animal show 'Weird Nature'
Eminem to appear on Family Guy
Here's screenshot of Eminem and Stewie Griffin chopping it up in the booth for an upcoming episode of Family Guy, airing this Sunday, May 17,2009....
Rapper Big Pooh ( of Little Brother) - The Delightful Bars
01. 00:22 North American Pie Intro
02. 02:49 The Comeback (Prod. By Khrysis)
03. 03:22 It's A Go (Feat. Torae) (Prod. By Dae One)
04. 04:40 Nothing Less (Feat. Ab Soul, Jay Rock & K. Dot)
(Prod. By Young RJ)
05. 03:47 C.O.D. (Prod. By Mickey Free)
06. 03:22 Move (Feat. Darien Brockington) (Prod. By Phonix)
07. 03:44 Something Like Stars (Feat. Big Treal)
(Prod. By Jake One)
08. 03:46 Step Up (Prod. By D.R.)
09. 03:52 Reality Check (Feat. Big Dho, D. Black & Mykestro)
(Prod. By Khrysis)
10. 03:10 Problems (Feat. Jozeemo) (Prod. By Illmind)
11. 00:31 Amo A Su Papi De La Barra Skit
12. 04:08 Roll Call (Feat. Jozeemo, Chaundon & Joe Scudda)
(Prod. By The Co-Op)
13. 04:00 The Life (Feat. Muhsinah) (Prod. By Khrysis)
14. 03:49 Rearview Mirror (Prod. By 9th Wonder)
15. 00:15 Empanda Norte Americana Outro
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=VDSUOJFD
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
KANYE DOES NOT HAVE A TWITTER ACCOUNT!!!!!
(This spaz comes courtesy of losers making fake Kanye West Twitter accounts) I DON'T HAVE A FUCKING TWITTER... WHY WOULD I USE TWITTER??? I ONLY BLOG 5 PERCENT OF WHAT I'M UP TO IN THE FIRST PLACE. I'M ACTUALLY SLOW DELIVERING CONTENT BECAUSE I'M TOO BUSY ACTUALLY BUSY BEING CREATIVE MOST OF THE TIME AND IF I'M NOT AND I'M JUST LAYING ON A BEACH I WOULDN'T TELL THE WORLD. EVERYTHING THAT TWITTER OFFERS I NEED LESS OF. THE PEOPLE AT TWITTER KNOW I DON'T HAVE A FUCKING TWITTER SO FOR THEM TO ALLOW SOMEONE TO POSE AS ME AND ACCUMULATE OVER A MILLION NAMES IS IRRESPONSIBLE AND DECEITFUL TO THERE FAITHFUL USERS. REPEAT... THE HEADS OF TWITTER KNEW I DIDN'T HAVE A TWITTER AND THEY HAVE TO KNOW WHICH ACCOUNTS HAVE HIGH ACTIVITY ON THEM. IT'S A FUCKING FARCE AND IT MAKES ME QUESTION WHAT OTHER SO CALLED CELEBRITY TWITTERS ARE ACTUALLY REAL OR FAKE. HEY TWITTER, TAKE THE SO CALLED KANYE WEST TWITTER DOWN NOW .... WHY? ... BECAUSE MY CAPS LOCK KEY IS LOUD!!!!!!!!!
Rick Ross clarifies the LV shades controversy...
Florida rap star Rick Ross is hitting back at reports that the Louis Vuitton’s claims that the sunglasses he wore on the cover were fake by producing the designer.
According to Ross, the sunglasses worn on the cover of the May 2009 issue of XXL Magazine were customized with solid gold accents by Jacob Bernstein, AKA “The Sunglasses Pimp.”
"It’s the same thing as buying a Rolls Royce and having it tricked out; just because the product has been customized by me doesn’t take away from the fact that the frames are authentic Louis Vuitton Millionaires," Bernstein told AllHipHop.com.
Ross appears on the cover of the May 2009 issue of XXL Magazine wearing a pair of Louis Vuitton - like frames.
Controversy erupted yesterday (May 11), when a representative for Louis Vuitton issued a statement disassociating itself with XXL Magazine and Rick Ross over the glasses.
“We were dismayed to see the cover of the May 2009 issue of XXL Magazine, which features a photo of Rick Ross wearing a pair of sunglasses prominently featuring counterfeit Louis Vuitton trademarks,” stated Louis Vuitton Malletier Michael D. Pantalony. “Because the photo has generated considerable confusion among your readers and Louis Vuitton customers among others, we feel it is important to clarify several points.”
“The first is that the sunglasses Mr. Ross is wearing were not made by Louis Vuitton, and in fact, are counterfeit,” Pantalony clarified. “Louis Vuitton did not grant permission to Mr. Ross or to whoever did make the sunglasses to use our trademarks. The second is that no affiliation, sponsorship or association exists between Rick Ross or XXL and Louis Vuitton. The third is that counterfeiting is illegal.”
Bernstein, who was responsible for Ross’ customized shades, is well known in the world of fashion via his Los Angeles - based business, Jack’s Eyewear.
Bernstein has customized sunglasses for a number of actors and entertainers, including Jay-Z, Kanye West, Beyonce, Mary J. Blige, Sharon Stone, Fergie, Gwen Stefani, Brad Pitt, Usher and numerous others.
Rapper T.I. speaks : Responsibility Is A Lifestyle: It's Time to Bury Da Beef....taken from Huffington Post
In a few weeks, I will begin a one-year prison sentence for being in the possession of illegal firearms. Where I come from, having a gun is just part of everyday life. But, through this painful process of going to court and being convicted, I realized that I had to make a change. I made some bad decisions. I broke the law and will accept my punishment. With deep reflection about where my life was headed, I have begun the process of redemption, and decided that before I go to prison, I want to speak to young people about responsibility as a lifestyle. I hope that through my mistakes, young people can begin to learn, as I did, that we have to put our guns down and start to give our guns back. It pains me inside to hear about so many of our people dying because of gun violence. Just in the past weeks, a 13-year old boy was shot in the head in Harlem, a 17- and a 19-year old were murdered in a double homicide in Queens and a 15-year-old was chased, beaten, shot and burned in Chicago.
We will gather today in Harlem, with many mentors and supporters by my side, including Rev. Al Sharpton, Russell Simmons, Kevin Liles, GlobalGrind.com, Political Swagger, Mobile Regime and the C.H.A.N.G.E. Initiative to share the message that now is the time. Now is the time to speak out against gun violence. Now is the time to take responsibility for our actions. Now is the time to make our communities safer. Now is the time to support good legislation, like the S.N.U.G. bill in NY. Now is the time to give back our guns. Now is the time for me to lead by example.
We can and we will do better.
-- T.I.
We will gather today in Harlem, with many mentors and supporters by my side, including Rev. Al Sharpton, Russell Simmons, Kevin Liles, GlobalGrind.com, Political Swagger, Mobile Regime and the C.H.A.N.G.E. Initiative to share the message that now is the time. Now is the time to speak out against gun violence. Now is the time to take responsibility for our actions. Now is the time to make our communities safer. Now is the time to support good legislation, like the S.N.U.G. bill in NY. Now is the time to give back our guns. Now is the time for me to lead by example.
We can and we will do better.
-- T.I.
RoGizz-aka-Black Blago - What's his name?
Shout out to RoGizzle for hit'n me off with this hilarious video...stay tuned for what's next to come...enjoy!
DJ Drama - Gangsta Grillz 2
01. A Town (Featuring T.I, Young Dro, Sean Paul And Lonnie Mac) 4:03
02. We Must Be Heard (Featuring Ludacris, Willie The Kid And 3:36
Busta Rhymes)
03. Love For Money (Featuring Trey Songz, Willie The Kid, Gucci 4:53
Mane, La Darkman, Yung Joc, Bun B And Flo Rida)
04. I'm Fresh (Featuring Mike Jones, Rick Ross And Trick Daddy) 5:33
05. Day Dreaming (Featuring Akon, Snoop Dogg And T.I) 4:50
06. Sweat (Featuring Ray J, Fabolous And La Darkman) 4:24
07. Ridiculous (Featuring Gucci Mane, Yo Gotti, Lonnie Mac And 6:20
OJ Da Juiceman)
08. Come Up Boys (Featuring La Darkman And Willie The Kid) 2:27
09. Yacht Music (Featuring Nas, Willie The Kid, Scarface, And 4:27
Marsha Ambrosius)
10. Tipper Love (Featuring The-Dream, La Darkman And Too Short) 4:33
11. Smoke (Featuring Gucci Mane, Willie The Kid And Lonnie Mac) 4:27
12. Pimpin' Ain't Easy (Featuring La Darkman, Bun B, Styles P 4:32
And Jovan Dais)
13. Gotta Get It (Featuring B.G, Juvenile And Soulja Slim) 3:35
http://rapidshare.com/files/231932088/djdramaganstagrillz2.rar.html
or
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=RZT5FB1R
Monday, May 11, 2009
The Real Top 50 Rap Blogs by Ms. Info
First off, no shots. A few of my peoples work at Vibe Magazine, so it’s all love.
That being said, I had a convo with one particular editor and he knows I’m in disagreement with a large portion of the Top 50 Hottest Rap Blogs List, me and pretty much everybody on the internets. In fact, the only people who seem to be cool with the list are A) Bloggers who were ranked fairly and don’t care about anybody else’s seeding B) Bloggers who had no business being ranked so high (close to no.1) C) Bloggers whose unrecognizable URLs may just get a boost from making the list.
Secondly, there’s no such thing as 50 hot rap blogs. That’s why most of us never heard of over half of the sites listed. In Vibe’s defense, it’s pretty much impossible to produce a list without backlash. This one will most definitely have people outraged. What’s a rap blog anyway? Eskay aggregates while Bol provides commentary. They’re both rap blogs nonetheless, but drive in totally separate lanes. Web heads cried foul at obvious snubs when the list first surfaced. IllRoots, ItsTheReal and RealTalkNY come to mind. Meanwhile, Vlad TV is red-hot, but it’s not a rap blog. WorldStarHipHop, as trashy as it is, is buzzing heavy, but it’s not a rap blog. My boys at MTV know I love Mixtape Monday (now Mixtape Daily), but it’s not a blog. Meanwhile, Kanye’s blog, while one of my personal favorites, has one too many interior design posts to be considered rap. As for RapRadar, arguably the most criticized site on the list, there’s no denying that it’s already one of the best out. They’re clearly separating themselves from the pack by adding original content to their repertoire. The thing is, web heads know magazines plan packages ahead, so RR most likely wasn’t up when the list was made. That’s been the complaint for the most part. For argument’s sake, if timing shouldn’t be a factor, then RR got robbed, cause they’re definitely hotter than most of the Top 10.
I initially wasn’t going to do anything, but a good number of folks reached out and demanded that I do my own list. As previously mentioned, there aren’t 50 rap blogs worthy of being called hot, good maybe, but “hot” as in buzzing and got people talking? No! So without further ado, here’s the list. Let the Bloog Bath begin. -Jackpot
20.Allhiphop.com Rumors
19.Fakeshoredrive.com
18.RealtalkNY.net
17.Rosenbergradio.com
16.Byroncrawford.com
15.Dontgetgassed.com
14.Negro Please By Ron Mexico
13.Illroots.com
12.The Rap Up
11.TheSmokingSection
10.Complex Blogs
9. Itsthereal.com
8. Illdoctrine.com
7. Dallaspenn.com
6. Cocaineblunts.com
5. Bol’s Saturday Night Workout
4. Onsmash.com
3. Missinfo.tv
2. 2Dopeboyz.com
1. Nahright.com
That being said, I had a convo with one particular editor and he knows I’m in disagreement with a large portion of the Top 50 Hottest Rap Blogs List, me and pretty much everybody on the internets. In fact, the only people who seem to be cool with the list are A) Bloggers who were ranked fairly and don’t care about anybody else’s seeding B) Bloggers who had no business being ranked so high (close to no.1) C) Bloggers whose unrecognizable URLs may just get a boost from making the list.
Secondly, there’s no such thing as 50 hot rap blogs. That’s why most of us never heard of over half of the sites listed. In Vibe’s defense, it’s pretty much impossible to produce a list without backlash. This one will most definitely have people outraged. What’s a rap blog anyway? Eskay aggregates while Bol provides commentary. They’re both rap blogs nonetheless, but drive in totally separate lanes. Web heads cried foul at obvious snubs when the list first surfaced. IllRoots, ItsTheReal and RealTalkNY come to mind. Meanwhile, Vlad TV is red-hot, but it’s not a rap blog. WorldStarHipHop, as trashy as it is, is buzzing heavy, but it’s not a rap blog. My boys at MTV know I love Mixtape Monday (now Mixtape Daily), but it’s not a blog. Meanwhile, Kanye’s blog, while one of my personal favorites, has one too many interior design posts to be considered rap. As for RapRadar, arguably the most criticized site on the list, there’s no denying that it’s already one of the best out. They’re clearly separating themselves from the pack by adding original content to their repertoire. The thing is, web heads know magazines plan packages ahead, so RR most likely wasn’t up when the list was made. That’s been the complaint for the most part. For argument’s sake, if timing shouldn’t be a factor, then RR got robbed, cause they’re definitely hotter than most of the Top 10.
I initially wasn’t going to do anything, but a good number of folks reached out and demanded that I do my own list. As previously mentioned, there aren’t 50 rap blogs worthy of being called hot, good maybe, but “hot” as in buzzing and got people talking? No! So without further ado, here’s the list. Let the Bloog Bath begin. -Jackpot
20.Allhiphop.com Rumors
19.Fakeshoredrive.com
18.RealtalkNY.net
17.Rosenbergradio.com
16.Byroncrawford.com
15.Dontgetgassed.com
14.Negro Please By Ron Mexico
13.Illroots.com
12.The Rap Up
11.TheSmokingSection
10.Complex Blogs
9. Itsthereal.com
8. Illdoctrine.com
7. Dallaspenn.com
6. Cocaineblunts.com
5. Bol’s Saturday Night Workout
4. Onsmash.com
3. Missinfo.tv
2. 2Dopeboyz.com
1. Nahright.com
The XXL Editors Received This Letter From Louis Vuitton Concerning The May 2009 Cover Of Rick Ross
NEW Monday May 11 2:25 PM CDT posted by XXL admin
The XXL Editors received this letter from Louis Vuitton concerning the May 2009 cover of Rick Ross.
Dear Editor:
We were dismayed to see the cover of the May 2009 issue of XXL Magazine, which features a photo of Rick Ross wearing a pair of sunglasses prominently featuring counterfeit Louis Vuitton trademarks. Because the photo has generated considerable confusion among your readers and Louis Vuitton customers among others, we feel it is important to clarify several points.
The first is that the sunglasses Mr. Ross is wearing were not made by Louis Vuitton, and in fact, are counterfeit. Louis Vuitton did not grant permission to Mr. Ross or to whoever did make the sunglasses to use our trademarks. The second is that no affiliation, sponsorship or association exists between Rick Ross or XXL and Louis Vuitton. The third is that counterfeiting is illegal.
Thank you for giving us the opportunity to correct the confusion.
Sincerely,
Michael D. Pantalony, Esq.
Louis Vuitton Malletier
DjQuik & Kurupt team up for 'Blaqkout'...allhiphop.com interview
Philadelphia native and California adopted son Ricardo Brown a.k.a. Kurupt first came to the attention of the rap world as part of Snoop Dogg’s crew The Dogg Pound back during the rise of the West Coast based Death Row Records. Kurupt stood out from most West Coast artists with his unique delivery and emphasis on sharp lyrics as heard on such classic albums as The Chronic and Doggystyle before embarking on his own classic album Dogg Food with Daz Dillinger as part of The Dogg Pound.
Kurupt took a solo route and released the much heralded Kuruption in 1998 and the classic Streetz Iz A Mutha in 1999. 2001’s Space Boogie: Smoke Odyssey was met with mixed reviews and was the last time we would see the Dogg Pound together for a few years as Kurupt took a Vice President position with Death Row Records not too long after that album’s release. Since the reformation of The Dogg Pound after the 2005 West Coast Conference put together by Snoop Dogg, the group has released several albums which were met with disappointment by many of their longtime fans.
The Dogg Pound’s upcoming album 100 Wayz has been described by the group as their actual real return although there hasn’t been a release date given to the new album. Kurupt however seems ready to show fans that he can once again be a force on the mic as gears up for a brand new release with West Coast legend Dj Quik called Blaqkout and another upcoming album called Streetlight with rising producer Terrace Martin. AllHipHop caught up with Kurupt at a taping of Snoop Dogg’s MTV show Dogg After Dark to give us a very brief interview about his upcoming moves.
AllHipHop.com: You have the Blaqkout album coming out with DJ Quik. Tell us how you two hooked up for that?
Kurupt: We had talked while working on Snoop Dogg’s Ego Trippin’ album. I told Quik that it was about time for him to get down on that mic. We decided to go ahead and make a historical album together and that’s what we did.
AllHipHop.com: What can we look forward to from the album?
Kurupt: You can look forward to some classic music – some of the best new music coming out of the West Coast. You already know that with Quik doing his thing musically. Lyrically we are both back on our steez. It’s a great album – more of a party than anything else. It’s not about being super hard or anything. It’s just about having a good time – and it’s also some grown folk music – music that our generation can love and have a ball with as well as the younger generation. Get your step on to this!
AllHipHop.com: What was it like working with DJ Quik on a complete album together?
Kurupt: There are certain people that you work with where it’s a real experience and Quik is one of those people. Both of us have great experience in making music so it flowed like water. After I finish my Streetlight album with Terrace Martin, me and Quik will be back in the studio to work on the next DJ Quik & Kurupt album. That is something that we plan on putting out once every year.
AllHipHop.com: A second DJ Quik & Kurupt album is planned?
Kurupt: Oh yeah. The second one might be a little more hard-edged because we’ve got so many different ideas that we want to do together. Right now for Blaqkout we just wanted to make an album for people to have fun, get their step on, and just enjoy themselves. When your day has you down, this will bring you up.
AllHipHop.com: You mentioned the Streetlight album with Terrace Martin. Give us some insight on that.
Kurupt: Terrace and I are putting that together. We are about eight records in right now – bangin’ em’ out. Come May it will be complete and the mastering process will begin. We’ve got classics on that one too. Bobby Valentino gave me on that was straight stupid.
AllHipHop.com: Any new word on The Dogg Pound’s 100 Wayz album?
Kurupt: I just landed from Atlanta about four hours ago. I’ve been working on that with Daz for the past four days. We are just getting it right so that we can take it to Snoop so he can hear it and add his touches to the ballgame, you know, to the records that he wants to jump on. Daz put his imprint on that music too. We are trying to him them with this good a** West Coast motherf***in’ music. This is classic music that we are going to hit them with, from me and DJ Quik to me, Snoopy and Daz. Snoop did an album on me called Niggarachi Presents Kurupt the Kingpin. We are going to hit them off with that one too.
AllHipHop.com: What’s going to drop first out of all of those?
Kurupt: Me and DJ Quik’s Blaqkout. That’s coming out June 10th. After that album, I don’t know. Me, Daz and Snoopy are still working on 100 Wayz and Terrace and I are still working on Streetlight. Plus I have a movie that I wrote and that I will be co-directing called Emerald City. That’s a movie that me, Daz and Snoopy will be putting together.
AllHipHop.com: So you are still acting? What other roles are you doing these days?
Kurupt: I’m still waiting for the Days of Wrath movie that I did to hit the public so they can enjoy it.
AllHipHop.com: That’s the movie that you did with Wilmer Valderamma, right?
Kurupt: That’s right. Wilmer did his thing in that movie too. I have this other movie that Sticky Fingaz is going to drop, it’s a Hip-Hop opera. It’s a musical that Sticky Fingaz put together. I’m in it with Miki Phifer, Omar Epps, Fredo Starr and Lil Zane.
AllHipHop.com: How have you managed to stay around in this rap game for so long since 1993?
Kurupt: I have good partners and I keep my head to the grind. When you have your grind on, you stay relevant. Lately, all I’ve been doing is just keeping my business together and raising these kids but now I’m ready to go full force again. I also have great teachers who have taught me well from my dad to Snoop Dogg. I’ve got my deal with Fontana/Universal and I’m ready to push out these projects.
AllHipHop.com: You mentioned raising kids. Does being a family man have any impact on the kind of music that you make?
Kurupt: I’m going to continue being me. I make music that my kids and my mama can listen to and I also make music that is not for them. But I’m going to continue making the music that the public wants to hear from me.
Killah Priest - The Exorcist
http://rapidshare.com/files/230361022/Killah_Priest-The_Exorcist-2009-H3X.rar
Homosexual King responsible for the Bible...hmmm???
The printing of the King James Bible was sponsored by King James I of England. Until the printing of this version the scriptures were ". . . practically unknown either to clergy or to people." (1) In 1522 William Tindale, an Oxford scholar, considered translating the Bible into English. He met resistance and was exiled to Germany.
In 1525 the New Testament, partially translated by Tindale, was printed in Cologne. During the same year 6,000 copies of the Testament were smuggled into England. By the authority of the church they were publicly burned. The Bible was the first book ever to be banned in England. (2) Driven from town to town William Tindale was eventually strangled in 1536 and his body burned.
Queen Mary, the mother of James I and a devout Catholic, had commanded "that no manners of persons presume to bring into this real any messages., books, paper, etc. in the name of Martin Luther, John Calvin, Miles Coverdale, Erasmus, Tyndale etc. or any like books containing false doctrines against the Catholic faith".
The Puritans complained to King James that the Bible available to them, the Douay version, was corrupt and begged for a new translation. King James complied and in 1611 the first printing was completed.
King James I, at the age of 8, was able to translate aloud chapters of the Bible from Latin to French and then to English. James believed strongly that the Bible should be available to ordinary people, not just the clergy.
At the age of thirteen James fell madly in love with his cousin Esmé Stuart whom he made Duke of Lennox. James deferred to Esmé to the consternation of his ministers. In 1582 James was kidnapped and forced to issue a proclamation against his lover and send him back to France.
Despite his homosexual activities James later fell in love with and married Anne of Denmark with whom he had seven children. He was nicknamed Solomon for his ability to negotiate between the heads of the Catholic and Protestant churches.
FaFi x Adidas...fresh with a pair of dickey/khaki's
Parisian artist Fafi will be releasing her third collection this October. The lineup to feature five models, with a preview of the first seen here. Utilizing adidas Honey Mid’s, the sneakers take inspiration from Fafi’s world travels and upcoming comic book,
Common to possibly play B.A. Barackus in 'A-Team' remake
Rapper-turned-actor Common recently spoke on the possiblity of having a role in the upcoming A-Team film and described his anticipation of giving Mr. T's character a fresh look.
Keeping details to a minimum, the Chi-town emcee weighed in on the project's current status.
"I can't speak on it yet until we know what's going on but that would be an incredible character to play," Common explained. "I can't do the Mohawk but we got to do something, we got to find something to make it work... I would love to [do it], just to work with Joe [Carnahan] is so exciting...You know you need to keep your pace and patience and let things develop... I want it to be as diverse as possible, [but] first of all I don't want to act like I've been given the role of B.A. So let me be honest about that...[But] it's great to be in those talks...You definetly have to give it something different [than what Mr. T did]... It's a new day, you just got to give it something new. The kids don't know that B.A. so you wanna bring something new to it and you want to pay respect to B.A. and the way B.A was created, too. I believe there is a way to find a combination, I have certain similarities to Mr. T already. We are both from Chicago, we are both rebels in our own way. I could really get that, I could really get that." (IESB)
Ice Cube previously said he was being considered to star in the film.
"They want me to do it if all the business works out right," he said in an interview. "I was a fan as a kid and that would be, not a dream come true, but it's definitely a good thing to do and I would put it on my resume for sure...I wouldn't try to duplicate what Mr. T did, but I will have the same impact on you as when you were little watching the TV show. I'm going to bring my own flavor to it and I am going to do the Mohawk." (Black Film)
The film's producers and director were confirmed earlier this year.
The studio has set Joe Carnahan to direct and Ridley Scott to produce, with Tony Scott executive producing through their Scott Free banner. Also producing are Jules Daly and Stephen J. Cannell, the latter of whom created the original TV series. Carnahan will team with Brian Bloom to polish a script by Skip Woods. The intention is to start production by June for a June 11, 2010, release. (Coming Soon)
Certain aspects from the original series will be changed.
Carnahan and the Scott brothers say they will use the original premise of the series as the template for an action film. In the original, four Vietnam vets convicted of armed robbery escape from military prison and became do-gooder mercenaries. The Middle East will replace Vietnam as the place the four did their tour of duty, but Carnahan said the origin story is the jumping-off point.
DJ Qbert starts online DJ school
Critically acclaimed turntablist DJ Qbert has launched the first ever video-based online DJ school.
Now known as QSU (Qbert Scratch University), the San Francisco native brings over 20-years of experience to the online curriculum.
The courses range from basic cutting techniques, to advance classes detailing “battle” strategies to be used in competition with rival DJs.
Partnered in the project with Qbert is ArtistWorks, Inc, a company that develops Internet-based businesses for musicians by incorporating cutting edge distance learning and video technology.
The group utilizes a proprietary VMS (Video/Media Management System) for students to send their practice sessions over to Qbert.
From there, the QSU founder posts a detailed video response.
Students will have personal pages for regular peer to peer interaction for study groups and networking.
In addition, Qbert will use his network of industry contacts to have guest DJs and other professionals offer their insight into the music business, and the role of the 21st century DJ.
With scratching/cutting being a worldwide staple of Hip-Hop culture, Qbert explained to AllHipHop.com that he’s proud to have a platform to bring all aspiring DJs together.
"It's cool that scratching has so many fans around the world and we can all be in one place now and learn from each other no matter where we live,” he stated.
Talib Kweli & DJ Eque tie the knot....Congratz!
Rap star Talib Kweli cemented his relationship with DJ Eque yesterday (May 9) when the pair were married in Bel Air, California at a private residence. Kweli and DJ Eque tied the not during an intimate ceremony which included family and friends, including Queen Latifah, ?uestlove, Adam Rodriguez of CSI, DJ Rashida and others. The pair have been dating and engaged since at least 2007 and DJ Eque has produced several Blacksmith Music mixtapes. Talib Kweli is currently working with producer Hi-Tek on a new album as Reflection Eternal. Kweli can also been seen on Paris’ Hard Truth Soldiers Tour 2009.
Sunday, May 10, 2009
Light Writing.....
From the site of Jens Heinen:
this is the first test of the new “lightprinter”. I made for Lichtfaktor.
With the “lightprinter” we are able to paint logos, words and patterns, just like they are printed in the air, this is the next step in “lightwriting”.
I created it using the Arduino Board. There are 40 LEDs which can be controlled with a software I made in Processing.
Speed and brightness of the LEDs can be controlled.
John Forte interview from OkayPlayer.com
John Forte: Outside the Lines
As he embarks upon his new career as a teacher at the City College of New York which started just weeks ago, John Forté is open. An Exeter Academy graduate and Grammy winning songwriter/producer, the Brooklyn native grew up with artistic values and limitless possibilities. Consequently, he has also dealt with his fair share of rules, regulations and rigid thought.
After a drug-related conviction in 2000 landed him in prison, John aspired to keep his train of thought as pure as possible during his incarceration. He wrote and recorded songs, but was not even allowed to hear what he recorded. He read books, but was questioned as to why he had so many. He wrote down his thoughts, but it was only with the help of friends that he could share brief quotes on blogs with fans.
After serving seven years, Forté’s sentence was commuted by President Bush, and he was home free just in time to see the new year of 2009 come to life. He immediately hit the stage and studio with longtime friend Talib Kweli, and began acclimating himself to a world that had changed immeasurably in less than a decade.
From communicating with fans online years before it was popular to mashing up Euro-pop and folk music with hip-hop, John Forté always excelled at being ahead of the curve. Now, as he plays catch-up with the world, he is preparing his third full-length album - undoubtedly with a unique spectrum of sound. Okayplayer spoke with John about his new career path, thoughts on education and music today, and why it’s most certainly bigger than hip-hop.
OKP: You’re one of the first artists that I knew of that had a website where you interacted regularly with your fans [in 1997], and Okayplayer became the next big juncture for that. As a person who has always been very progressive in technology, how do you think these new technologies play in to the music business now, as you understand it?
John Forté: I’m still garnering an understanding of it, but I think that, much to the chagrin of some and to the benefit of others, that technology has empowered the fans as well as the artist. Now artists have unprecedented access to their fan base if they want it, and fans can legitimate or delegitimize the artist because there’s so much information floating around out there. So I think that some artists are going to love the proliferation of information out there, whereas other artists are gonna be found out. And rightfully so - you reap what you sow.
I think all-in-all its good news. Like I wrote this blog when I came home, and technology was basically thrust into my lap quite literally. [I bought] a Blackberry, an iPod, a laptop… I had to catch up. A big fear of being away is that you’ll be left behind. We used to have a joke that you’ll come home and it’s like The Jetsons. Some young brothers go in and they get so much time that they think “Cars will fly by the time I touch down,” and to an extent cars are flying right now, at least metaphorically when it comes to the advancements that have been made in technology within the last 10 years alone.
When I left there was no Facebook, Myspace, or these social networking sites. It’s incredible and it can be humbling, but you can’t turn your back on it and act like it’s not somehow going to impact you or your family. Even ignoring it, you’ll somehow be affected by it. I was watching The State Of The Black Union about a year ago, and one of the guest panelists on it was saying we have a mentality where the older people in the communities of color will say, “Oh, my child knows how to use the computer more than I do,” or “They’re more internet savvy than I am” and the panelist said, “That’s not cute.”
We need to raise the babies and teach them. We can’t just relinquish all of this information and technology to them, we need to guide them. It’s no wonder you have predators abound out there actually getting through to the kids, because we’ll turn our back on our responsibilities, and there are technological responsibilities that we have. So we’ve got to suck it up. Just like we went to school and learned our ABCs and 123s, we have to learn how to utilize what’s before us.
OKP: You recently got a teaching job. I think it would be overwhelming to have so many thoughts in your head, and to speak to young people in these politically charged times. What are some priorities for you at the moment, in terms of what you would like to convey through your teaching and music?
John Forté: Teaching is really interesting. I read a really great book by Paulo FreireM called Pedagogy Of The Oppressed, and we in the Western developed world have a tendency to look at the teaching role not only with reverence, but as a one-sided vehicle. A teacher normally imparts that information with a certain amount of condescension, not negatively speaking, but normally the teacher’s role is, “I know this, listen to me, I’ll look down at you and feed you, and you’ll drink from the wellspring of my information.” Paulo Freire’s book is predicated on the notion that teaching is not like that, and that a teacher has to be as much of a student as a student has to be a teacher, so there has to be a willingness to exchange information rather than just forcing it from one and to the other.
So when I think of teaching I don’t think of it as me being the old, wise sage schooling the youth. I think I’m going into this with a willingness to learn as much as I have the willingness to impart information, rather than to just speak to someone. I’d rather just have a dialogue with young people and learn from them, and perhaps they can learn from me in turn. I feel the same way about music, it’s not just this one-way mirror, it’s all reflective. Like Kweli’s Reflection Eternal… it goes on ad infinitum, so as much joy as I might give to someone being on stage and saying something that resonates within them, it’s the same joy that I get in return.
What I do is a labor of love, so I’m extremely grateful. There’s not a day that I’ve been home that I’ve been to the studio and felt, “I’m too tired, I don’t wanna be here.” I love what I do and it’s a blessing to have this opportunity, it’s such a gift and I’m just wholly humbled by the opportunity. Whether the fans are buying albums or singles, or they’re downloading and sharing them, that’s almost irrelevant to me because that’s not what I’m doing it for. Yes, it’s a business, and I think like all things that the truth will come to the light, and I think that if people appreciate what you do enough that you’ll be compensated for it, so I’m not necessarily worried about that. I’m not from the mindset of trying to take all I can, hoard and run. I do this because I love doing it, and that’s my attitude whether I’m on stage with a guitar or in front of a classroom, there is a love for this.
OKP: You’ve been a person who has had pop culture references in your music in the past, and they say that everything reinvents itself and comes back in “new” trends. Are you seeing any particular hip-hop trends that are coming back, or hearing anything that you like about the music that’s out right now?
John Forté: I think we’re at the precipice of an awakening of sorts. When I was at the Highline Ballroom the other night, ?uest and Tariq (from The Roots) brought me up on stage and I said a couple of verses. Afterwards, a couple of young people came up to me and they had no idea who I was. They were like, “What’s your name? Is it Sean?” and it was eye opening to me, but it was also pretty cool because its almost like I kind of have a clean slate. So with any sort of misrepresentations that I may have made or others may have made of me in the past, it’s almost like I’m getting a second shot at this.
The one thing that I’m particularly inspired by is this amalgam of genres, the kids’ unwillingness to identify themselves as one thing over another. They’re listening to punk rock and dressing like hip-hop kids, but they can just as easily play speed metal guitar. The walls are coming down, and with that is a mindset that we are entitled to every square inch of this earth. We might not feel that, “This is my corner or block and I had better stay here.” I think that young people and young musicians are embracing each other, so you’re seeing these collaborations that might not have taken place 10 years ago. I think it’s cool, not to mention I think that we’re about to really start saying things again, which has always been good.
OKP: I think the fans appreciate that some people are putting a little bit of thought back into their lyrics. There always has been the fun element as well, but I think that we did lose balance for a while.
John Forté: It’s still a business after all, and some people will come in and they might not be around 10 years from now, but they’ll make a killing and do what’s known as good business. I can’t fault anybody for doing good business as long as it’s not at the expense of others, as long as other people aren’t getting hurt. If you wanna make dance records I don’t care, who am I to judge you? Who am I to say that what I’m doing is more important or somehow more valid? Some people just want to dance, let them dance. I’m not hard pressed to watch anybody’s bankroll, that’s not my job. My job is to make sure that I’m okay and that my family’s okay.
OKP: Since you are a classically trained musician, you must have an in-depth understanding of everything that goes into creating original music. How do you think the knowledge you have of the music trends right now will affect how you put your album together?
John Forté: It can go either way. I can get too over the top with my theory and end up making something heady that most people might not be interested in, or I can not give myself enough musical credit at all and rely on old paradigms, which I hope doesn’t happen. I’m approaching the new record with openness. I don’t know where it’s gonna go, but I know that it’s not going to be sample heavy.
I know that I would like to have more instrumentation than not, the problem that I have with instrumentation in so-called urban music is that sometimes it sounds too clean, and urban music for me has never been clean. I’m not even saying that I’m doing urban music, because I’m actually writing folk songs and the whole nine yards. The one artist that I’m extremely excited about trying to work with is Lisa Hannigan, and she’s an Irish folk singer, so no way on God’s green earth will they ever call that song remotely urban if it comes to pass. But the music that I gravitate towards has always been a little darker and grittier, it’s always had that undercurrent of pain, resistance and melancholy.
Not to say that the message is, but it’s almost like going back to the W.E.B. Dubois notion of striving is how we as a people of color are defined. That’s been my life, even in the good times, I’ve found myself always striving. Right now is a good time for me, but I’m striving to get back and acclimate myself to society and technology all over again, and to the industry which has changed dramatically. I’m still striving, and I think that that striving will be reflected in the music.
Again, I think you can have instrumentation, but just to have one bar of instrumentation, meaning that I can do a song with just one or two chords. I can play it live and there won’t be any changes, bridges or any particular choruses, it’ll just be a two-bar song. But I’m playing it live and still connecting it to my instrumentation and that old notion upon which hip-hop was built, where the DJ found the break in the record and the MC just went in on it. I’m still that dude to an extent.
OKP: I’m glad that you brought up going outside of the boundaries and refusing to be defined by the music you listen to and make. Hip-hop is growing up, and a lot of people who are now in their 50’s were around for the beginning of hip-hop; they were the originators and they’re becoming senior citizens. How do you think that this next generation of hip-hoppers will define themselves?
John Forté: I think it’s going to stay in line with what hip-hop has always been to an extent, and that’s the willingness and the ability to speak truth to power. Whether you’re talking about the gangsta rap days or the Native Tongue days or the commercial days, there was always a subversive element lingering just beneath the hook or verse that challenged the status quo. Even if you’re talking about wanting to get rich, if you’re saying, “I’m tired of this condition and I’m gonna do anything that I can to get out of this condition,” it’s always just a check to the status quo. I think that is going to be the constant in hip-hop. I can’t say whether it’s gonna be more conscious, more gutter or more inclusive, but I think it will always have an underlying element of checking the status quo.
OKP: With your album, are there people you’re already committed to work with or that you want to work with who you feel will add to the sound you have in your head?
John Forté: Right now, for the past few weeks when I’ve been recording hard, I’ve just been downloading songs that I’ve written over the last seven and a half years from my mind to the computer’s hard drive in really simple skeletal forms, just so I can have time to really listen back to it. For all of these years I haven’t been able to hear my songs, I’ve been able to write and perform them, but I’ve never been able to sit back and listen and get a little objective.
In terms of who I’d work with, I think the sky’s the limit. I could have 100 people come in and work with them for the sake of working, but I’m not committed to say I will or won’t work with anyone. It is what it is. This is a cathartic time for me. This is a grand opportunity for me to use my voice again, and who knows what’ll happen. I have a title, Water Light Sound [which represents birth], but I don’t know what the album’s going to sound like.
- Dove ~Sheepish Lordess of Chaos~
Watch John Forte's "Homecoming," feat. Talib Kweli, below.
Ma Dukes...Jay Dilla's Mother, Mrs.Yancey chops it up with OkayPlayer.com
Ma Dukes, A Love Supreme
Posted on 04/17/2009
In anticipation of the new J Dilla record, Jay Stay Paid, out June 2nd on Nature Sounds, Okayplayer got the chance to chop it up with none other than Mrs. Yancey, aka “Ma Dukes.” Despite her recent diagnosis with Lupus, a disease that contributed to her son’s untimely departure, and ongoing estate woes (which OKP was legally advised not to broach), Ma Dukes maintains a light so very bright and sprawling as the Aurora Borealis. She’s a rare paragon of positivity, an example of motherhood done right and proof that it isn’t necessarily who or what you lose, but what you do after. The average human could have easily buckled under her circumstances, but not Ma Dukes. To her, it’s all about the love; it’s all about the music and the message. In essence, Maureen Yancey is the Dalai Lama of rap moms. And this is what makes her proud.
OKP: When Dilla first got into hip-hop, how did it strike you as a parent? Did you ever wonder, “why is that bass so damn loud?”
MD: laughs No no, never. Before Dilla was even one year old, he would stand up in his crib when he heard James Brown. That bass would get him up off the floor of the playpen and he would prop himself up with one hand and dance. He would dance until the very last beat but we would laugh because when the song ended, he would realize he couldn’t stand and walk and he would get this panicked look on his face like, “Now what?!” But even with that he couldn’t resist it. We knew the bass was a special thing to him. We just got used to it over the years. You know, when guys like ?uestlove and Common would come into town, we all shared the same home. They would work and we knew we wouldn’t be sleeping! Our heads would be bobbing along under the pillows! Hip-Hop is just another type of music and aside from my husband not liking the Opera; we love all kinds of music.
OKP: You and your husband are both classically trained musicians, right?
MD: My husband’s a jazz musician; he played upright bass and sang around the country for 25 years or so. They did shows like halftime for The Globetrotters and put out some records on Brunswick but he never parted with his job at the Ford Motor Company; that was always a mainstay! I had an aunt who taught music in schools, so my upbringing was more opera and classical.
OKP: How old was Dilla when he started experimenting with music?
MD: At two and a half we knew that was it, he was a record collector and a little DJ. His father and I took it for granted then, but his love of music made it easier on us.
OKP: Well, from a Dilla fan, thank you for being so supportive.
MD: You’re welcome! Music just meant everything to us; it’s what we love. In fact it’s how I met my husband. I auditioned for him.
OKP: To be a vocalist in his band?
MD: No, more as a solo artist. My parents had an idea that I could record as a solo artist so I auditioned with Mr. Yancey one time when he was on a break from his band. But I was content with my day job! I wasn’t looking for any singing job! After my audition, he took me to a club downtown called “The Hideaway.” He played the piano and I sang a bunch of standards. The owner wanted me to come back the next Monday and Mr. Yancey was a fast talker back then, he was in the business, so before I knew it, they had me coming back in a week to start performing! I still wasn’t looking for a job, but I was interested in him! I had to let him down easy with the singing though; I wasn’t ready for that lifestyle.
OKP: So you made away with a husband, not a record contract?
MD: Oh yes… I had my eye on him! But music is literally the cornerstone of our family.
OKP: So I’m guessing your sons’ “Yancey Boys” collaboration was a source of great pride for you?
MD: Yes, I’m very proud and I’m glad that Illa J (Dilla’s little brother) is bringing forth his own talent. All the Yanceys are gifted but they all have their own special talents. Illa was worried because we are a very critical family, of each other and of every thing! My daughter is super bad when it comes to being critical of things. She doesn’t listen to hip-hop, she doesn’t really like it; she’s an Alanis Morissette type. She’s the one that introduced John to a lot of different music. Now his favorite group is The White Stripes. But we just embrace music from everywhere; there is no certain format. There are no lines to be drawn. John will bring forth what he has to offer and his new things will be great.
OKP: When your sons were younger, was James a mentor to John?
MD: Well John was the kid brother, so everybody slammed doors in John’s face! Dilla would let him come down for a little while if he was working, but at a certain point no one was allowed to go down with Dilla, that’s how we knew he was working on something special. But John always had a penchant for writing. He was the only kid at the time; his siblings were teenagers and young adults. He adored them, but it didn’t stop the doors from slamming in his face! So he wrote a lot and he would sing. He would take his stuffed animals on the front porch and just sing to them as the traffic on Nevada passed by. He was in the church choir by age 5 and definitely held his own even though he was the smallest one.
OKP: In keeping with the family vibe, I understand you’re executive producing the new Dilla album?
MD: Yes and I intend to do that with everything that comes forth from this point on.
OKP: Can you tell us about the record?
MD: I can’t let any secrets out but what I can tell you is that it’s so spiritually fulfilling for me because I know what Pete (Rock) meant to Dilla. And Pete is very present in everything that goes on. Our house looks like a museum to Pete with all the posters! I talk with him daily and I know how honored and special Dilla’s spirit must feel knowing Pete is doing this. He adored Pete to no end; there was no one greater than Pete. He wanted to grow up to be Pete.
OKP: What was Pete’s main contribution to the project?
MD: Pete finished the parts that Dilla left undone, which only Pete could do. And I don’t think you could get it any closer to if Dilla had done it with his own hands.
OKP: With guys like Dilla and Pete Rock representing modern music; how do you feel the culture now compares to when you were coming up?
MD: The fusion of music is what I’m interested in now. The artists that fuse things like old soul and pop and rap, and the artists that are really bringing something new to the table; this is what intrigues me. It opens new ears to music and more people can find things in the music now. If you can find things in the music that appeal to you, you’re more in tune to what’s going on. If you don’t sit down long enough, you might miss the whole message. And we don’t do enough listening, even the older adults, we don’t. There’s so much good hip-hop and there are so many good messages, you just need to take the time to listen. And you can’t expect everything to remain the same. It’s the same story all through time. I mean, whose parents didn’t think it was a bunch of hogwash when they heard what kids were listening to! It happens every generation and I’ve watched it through a couple now. You have to not resist the love of the music. Sometimes I think we’re afraid to like things. But today, with all different music being fused, people shouldn’t be so afraid to like new things. Like me, myself, I love hip-hop.
OKP: Since Dilla’s passing, have you felt an outreach from the hip-hop community?
MD: Yes I have. It’s been a rough three years and there have been times I’ve had to call on the guys. I’ve always been able to call Common; it only takes one phone call. I know it would bother him if I needed something and didn’t reach out so with him it’s usually about a half hour and he calls me back. There’s never any question from him besides, “What can I do to help?” Even when we had the event at Cal. State on 2/22 (A live performance of the Suite for Ma Dukes EP), Common hadn’t gotten the message about the show. Illa J and I went to his concert the night before. I just wanted to lay low and leave him alone but we went back stage and saw him. He asked what was going on the next day and I could tell by the look on his face that he hadn’t gotten the message from his people. I lived with him a couple years so I know. He asked me to text him the info but I knew how busy he was with The Oscars and other obligations and I didn’t want to bother him. I knew he would be there with me in spirit. So the next day I went to the performance and I hadn’t been there a half hour when someone ran up to me and said, “Rash is here.” So that’s what I’m talking about. I’ve reached out to ?uestlove and Black Thought too. With Black Thought it’s a response within 60 seconds. Everyone has been wonderful. It’s like I’ve been given a host of sons. I feel loved and on Mother’s Day I get calls from midnight all throughout the day.
OKP: I think we’re all glad you’re getting that kind of support.
MD: It makes me feel so good to feel all the love for Dilla. My family is still very much in mourning. It takes different amounts of time for different people. My husband is a quiet soft-spoken person so he deals with it in his own way. My daughter was extremely close to Dilla and she may never be ready…
OKP: How close were you to James?
MD: Extremely close. Dilla and I talked through everything together, whether it was relationships or baby-mamas or whatever. We knew there was hardly anything we couldn’t get through together. It doesn’t get any stronger than a mother and her child. You never have to worry because you know you have somebody there 100%, always.
OKP: We fans have all heard the stories of Dilla performing onstage from a wheelchair and making beats in his hospital bed until his last days. How surreal of an experience was all this for you as a parent?
MD: You know what, it enriched my life. Now that I’m suffering from some of the same things, it gives special meaning to my suffering. It’s bittersweet because it’s bringing me closer to what he dealt with and it’s bringing me closer to what we shared. Because of that I’m able to deal with my own illness better.
OKP: How is your health now?
MD: I’m here so I’m grateful. I’m on steroids so I’m feeling good all the time! I’m Ma Dukes on steroids! laughs
But there was a beauty in Dilla’s passing because I realized he didn’t have to suffer anymore. I knew all the suffering because I was like his 24-hour nurse. Most people would have been in ICU just to get the care he needed on a daily basis on his tour but I was able to make it bearable enough for him to make it through. We stayed in the room all day and we just tried to keep him strong enough for the performance. But I was so blessed to have been there, nothing in this world could ever be as important to me.
OKP: Did you have any medical training?
MD: You never know what your lot in life will be. I worked for the IRS! But luckily I had some nursing training as a young adult. I also learned from the staff at Cedars-Sinai. Dilla had about 15 doctors and they had to teach me to care for him because he wouldn’t let anyone else touch him. He was very peculiar! laughs He was a funny guy but also very serious. In fact, he was serious most of the time.
OKP: Funny, his reputation around music and his music itself are both so upbeat and soulful, I wouldn’t assume he was such a serious dude.
MD: He was! I mean to a fault. My husband and I never forced our opinions on our children; they were to think as they wanted to think. We would raise them but if they thought differently we certainly wanted them to express that. Dilla was adamant about everything. Even if I started fussing, he wouldn’t back down. He wasn’t rash but if he made a decision he stuck to it and he wasn’t afraid of making wrong decisions.
OKP: Probably one of the reasons he made such great music.
MD: Oh yes.
OKP: It’s easy to speculate on Dilla’s legacy within music but in what other ways do you hope his legend will impact people?
MD: The J-Dilla foundation is to help fund Lupus research but that’s just one area. We want to promote arts for the children seeing that music and other programs have been taken out of a lot of the schools. We don’t have rec centers and we don’t have enough people because we can’t pay them. We want to start something like Amp Fiddler did here in Detroit. He never made a dime but he got it done by being so unselfish. He’s an unsung hero and he hasn’t stopped. This is something I’m looking forward to doing.
OKP: Any final words of wisdom for our readers?
MD: I just want them to know that Jay Stay Paid is a piece of Dilla’s heart. It would be so divine and so special for Dilla to know that Pete worked on it. When I met Pete I told him how Dilla worshipped the ground he walked on and I think it threw him for a loop because in this business you hear a lot of people just rubbing their gums together! But he told me how big a fan he was of Dilla’s and how special this was. So I just want everyone to know that they’re not just getting a piece of Dilla’s music, they’re getting a piece of his heart… You know, I’m just excited about music in general right now and what we all have stored up in our soul, the things we’re afraid to release and share with other people. We’ve all got gifts to share with the world, and not just music, we just need to learn to share and to not be afraid.
OKP: In the future, please let us know what we can do to help.
MD: Well ok, you’ll be hearing from me, it’s about to get real busy! The sun is out, everything’s turning around; I’m feeling great about everything! Like I said, Ma Dukes on steroids is gonna be wild!
- Jeff Artist
**Top illustration by Donald Ely. To see more of his work, visit Donald Ely's website.
In addition to copping Dilla's Jay Stay Paid, (proceeds go to Ma Dukes and the Estate of James Yancey) which is set to drop June 2nd on Nature Sounds, you can also help out Ma Dukes by checking out Suite For Ma Dukes on Stones Throw. Stones Throw also has a t-shirt with all of the proceeds going to Ma Dukes.
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