Wednesday, December 10, 2008

because i know...

that the spoken or read word can mean so much to an individual...seeking inner feelings of passion, pain and joy, etc. Contrary to this thought, artwork can provoke those same feelings, and I think that's why i love visual artists...such as Lichiban
There is so much to be said about this....
vivid expressions of color...creating an emotional reaction and curiosity more than what i've read today. But, that's today...i'm still reading and so should you. Just consider this colorful approach for a moment.
sheer talent. She's an AUTHENTIC artist :) proud to say that!
ease.

Sunday, December 7, 2008

just because i like it rough...

I'm supporting this designer...
in 2009
;)
BOXING KITTEN



fly right?!?!
check it..she'll be everyone in no time!

ease.

Thursday, November 20, 2008

UPDATES!

PEOPLE!!
hello :)

before i get started...simply open a new tab....thank you
and
type in...ahem, http://herauthentic.ning.com and JOIN THAT real quick!

great...so, now that you are a member of AUTHENTIC's new social/creative site..feel free to spread the word. We want this space to be used by all the fabulous female artists we work with, admire, want to work with, wish we knew, etc. etc. This is YOUR space and this includes artists of ALL mediums..so take advantage.

Also, March 13-14, 2009..can't stress that enough...we are soooo excited that everything has been working out (for the majority)..but we are confident and faithful enough that this event will happen. EXPOSE is what I'm referring to..and that has to do with Women of Color and AIDS. So, it's pretty important and necessary. oh! and we have some bomb guests, MC LYTE, NINA SKY, MICHAELA ANGELA DAVIS and perhaps Salt-N-Pepa...that is, if the budget is looking sexy. WHICH it will...we're hoping ;)

Also, we were commissioned to do another event at The Bubble House in University City, Philadelphia...we were asked to create a themed dinner. annnd! Afro-Cuban came to the mind of my partner..so, we're running with that ;)

so, be prepared to dance dance dance and eat/drink! This won't happen until January 17th though..so you have some time..but just to keep you abreast on everything...so there are NO excuses ha ha

well, i'm off...more news to come. :)

ease

Thursday, November 6, 2008

q-tip, authentic and me!

@ The Troc, 10th and Arch....FREE to the first 200 peeps...yea. I think i'll be present for this....you?

Authentic: we just produced our last event for 2008...coming HAAARD!!! in 2009 trust me. We have some exciting things in the works...so right now, you can catch the ladies catching up on their lives...work and confirming Authentic's next move(s).

Mark your calendar for March 13/14, 2009. EXPOSE Women of Color and AIDS awareness weekend in Philadelphia...this will be the first event Philly has ever had targeted to young women of color....so definitely be prepared for something exciting!

me: I'm off to the gym....lol enough said.

ease.

Tuesday, November 4, 2008

VOTE VOTE VOTE!!!


because you have the freedom....whomever you choose...though i hope it's OBAMA...no reason to be coy at this point. Exercise your freedom and go vote...ease

Wednesday, October 29, 2008

DEMOCRACY!

This is the next AUTHENTIC event....all in the name of Democracy and November 4th, we are honoring our choice and freedom to vote for who we want to represent us in office..... ahem OBAMA!

Plus, Selina Carrera/Colombia recording artist will have her exclusive listening party....providing mix tapes for your pleasure.

It's going to be live! Plus...this entire event will be outside...drinks/food/music...come speak out for democracy and share your vision.

ease.

Sunday, October 19, 2008

Saturday spent lyrically...

and by lyrically, i mean, i was at poetry spots alllll weekend. Got fed, to say the least. Saw some really dope poets and this musical duo out of London, Indigo Brown...who were amazing, had voices like angels and i was taken back honestly. check: Indigo Brown

so, this new found position of mine makes me think like an interviewer...constantly. hmmm, what would that piece sound like...what issue could they fit in?? When all i wanted to do was enjoy the poets lol needless to say. These are a few that stuck out to me.

Selina Carrera
Jha D
Denice Frohman

...though all the poets were great, their words made me think about MY life..and where I'm going, who I associate myself with, my work and passion...so, perhaps i spent my weekend deep in thought :)

Thursday, October 16, 2008

just can't stop...

For my regular readers...you know i love discovering new music, sooo there is this group that my Pandora radio introduced me to...Handsome Boy Modeling School


Obviously they look like artists...bending the system, genres and molds the money making GREEDY record labels try to cultivate. But, I just love their song, I've been thinking...and i think you should check them out.

Also, speaking of bending the system...Q-Tip has an album coming out: The Renaissance coming out November 4th...new vibe, new sound, same flow ;) A Tribe Called Quest legend...you already know.Q-Tip Video, MOVE
enjoy... it's very dance-able! lol

mi.lo

bizzack!

This are the new faces of AUTHENTIC/KHOLI PR+ don't ask any questions...just go with it and TRUST me..we're going to be ALL OVER THE WORLD!!!! :)

CIAO!!!
ahhh, feels good to have my life a tad bit slower than it has been lately. Sooo much has been going on and I want to clear up a few things...just so there are no miscommunications about events, etc.

1. I am now the editor-in-chief of www.schememag.com!!!! Yes, i've been working really hard to execute a great "first" issue under the leadership of Simone Banks ;) in November..i want this issue to represent our international issue..so prepare for some unique artists..you know what i like!

2. Authentic has had some great events...upcoming events are the following:
A Poetry slam, Oct. 24th @ The Bubble House, 34th and Samson st. 9pm!!!
























3. A re-launch, grand re-opening of The Arts Garage! We were asked to host this..and Ola, the owner is interested in having all you savvy, well aware folks voting for ahem OBAMA! to come out and socialize under the name DEMOCRACY!! November 1st @ The Arts Garage, 15th and Parrish..starting at 6pm...music, food, hot bevs...and of course music!

























Hopefully i will see you at these events!! :)

mi.lo

Saturday, August 30, 2008

...Sept 3rd and URB MAGAZINE!

September 3rd @ Luxe Lounge...6-10pm/7 cover until 8pm featuring TK Wonder and Taylor McFerrin....Authenti'c first event!! Be there!!


URB:
i'm starting as a blogger...!!!! URB is by far my favorite magazine, so this opportunity means a lot. Working my way up up up up! :)

Back to researching.

oh! and Google Fat Joe's response to Daddy Yankee endorsing John McCain! :-o

Tuesday, August 26, 2008

SEPTEMBER 14th!!!!

Hey hey, i'm back...

this is the flyer for our emcee battle with Peace and Love Movement....BUT, DON'T FORGET ABOUT SEPTEMBER 3rd @ Luxe Lounge 6-10pm...featuring TK WONDER and TAYLOR McFERRIN....but, in the meantime...here it is! :D

aha! :)

Good Afternoon!

Thank you to all that have confronted me about being lazy simone lately. Well, it's not even that i've been lazy...just crazy busy and progression has been my mantra lately. So, you can't really blame me ;)

So, first off...Authentic will be producing their first show on the 3rd of September...at Luxe Lounge (724 arch street) from 6-10pm, $5 until 8pm and our featured artists will be TK Wonder and Taylor McFerrin with atmosphere provided by DJ Aura. This will be the first of our monthly series...which will be held every 3rd wednesday!

Also, our partnership with Peace and Love Movement will be our 2nd produced event called SEX LESS...@ Silk City, 5th and Spring Garden from 9-until...$5 all night...will be a female v. male emcee battle with hosts Hezekiah and Selina Carrera..with atmosphere provided by DJ Victoria of NYC.

FLYERS for both events are coming!

So, in the meantime...a few updates: My friend from home, Hyleas Fountain that represented our country in the 2008 Olympics won the Silver for the heptathlon!! very excited about that!

....just got my flyer for the 14th!! about to convert to a jpeg. brb :)

Tuesday, July 1, 2008

OLYMPICS!!!!

For everyone that watches the Olympics remembers 1996 Olympics...amazing talent and some of the best athletes that have ever competed. Well, 2008 will challenge that. My good friend Hyleas Fountain has made the USA team and will compete in China this year!!! I'm beyond excited and that is why she devotes a blog all to herself...complete with pics. I also got a chance to watch her compete on USA last night during the TEAM USA trials...if it comes on again, watch it. She's a beast!! She beat Jackie Joyner-Kersee's record in the heptathlon 100-meter hurdles, clocking 12.65 seconds ....AMAZING!

Love you Hyleas!! :D


so blessed to know this woman... b.ease.e

Thursday, June 19, 2008

GET READY!!! :D

J*DaVey's album in stores July 1st! I'm promoting this because you know i love them...and i want you to love them too lol


Friday, June 13, 2008

One time for your miiiiind...

love love
it's FRIDAY..HOT and I'm lovin it.

Just dropping through...it's amazing how much work I've been getting...got 5 interviews STILL to write and an interview to conduct in about 30 minutes..so while i continue to prepare for Giant Panda's piece...relax, stay cool and those I will see in about 24 hours...b.ease.e

that cooool summer jam ;)
Paris, Tokyo - Lupe Fiasco

Tuesday, June 3, 2008

WORD?!

That's probably what you're thinking as i slide back into full effect..
YES! I, can do that :)
Lots of updates..and my time away was spent writing, interviewing (reversed) and simply contemplating my life and the work I do. I've picked up some PR work for some artists...Iman Willaims...and Dexter Kendrick (homeboy from when i was 4ft tall). So look out for them.

AUTHENTIC! i guess i should give you a taste of the logo, huh? This will be EVERYWHERE!!! :D Thank you to Lamar (graphic designer) in Detroit who worked so hard on the design and the many images i had to verbally explain to him...he achieved exactly what was in my mind. love.

Updates on the events in October:

October 17, 2008:
  • G Lounge: 6pm-9pm, Opening Reception...we just might stay there and kick it...or go somewhere else to kick off the weekend!October 18, 2008:
October 18, 2008:
  • As of right now, the location for the summit will be held at Zion Baptist Church...However, We are also considering Irvine Auditorium on UPenn's campus as well. Those times will not change and it will be from 1-5pm...with a break in between. Celebrity panelist and entertainment, providing the location.
  • Later on that evening will be the Benefit Concert! We selected F.U.E.L. , then someone bought ALLLL the dates for October. Then we selected Solmssen Court on UofArts campus..and someone booked those dates too! So, have no fear...the venue will be announced soon for the concert. But, it will start at 9:30 with doors opening at 8. Tix will be 20 at the door...10 if you know Megan or I! :D
I hope you are excited about this....we are confirming artists everyday and they are spread out all over the country...new energy is what we are trying to create and bring to Philadelphia.

Also...Authentic is taking a chance and in August, we will host our first monthly party at Ms. Tootsie's Lounge. It has a classic look and intimate in atmosphere...not sure what we will call this event, but it'll be something tasty ;)
...so more details on that later..but we will feature a new DJ every event..female of course!
They are offering us a Wednesday for trial purposes..
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
In the meantime...I've been connecting with some amazing artists..most recently, I've interviewed Simone (Nina Simone's daughter), Dave Ghetto (MC from Camden, NJ...toured with The Roots), Georgia Anne Muldrow (amazing artist/producer...most recently wrote, sung and produced the track Master Teacher on Erykah Badu's new joint...working to bring her to Philly...you will LOVE her, promise)
On top of that..I've been pitching freelance articles to Wax Poetics :) Praying that something will come with my efforts to woo the editor lol
My brain is full...been thinking far too much and my senses are tapped out. I need some sleep lol But, i'm enjoying this ride...and come December I'll be blogging from Brazil...so it will all be worth it :)

As always...a track to bless you properly.
b.ease.e

Lo Mein - Georgia Anne Muldrow

Tuesday, May 13, 2008

doing away with...

Because i'm a perfectionist...and all about representation, especially if my name is attached to it. It has been decided that there will be no launch event the month of June. Venues are not working out and their are so many events in Philly that month, we don't want to rush or be overshadowed. So, our time will officially be in October..the weekend of the 17-19th. Those dates are official and the 17th..which you all will be invited to will be at G Lounge...that location is official as well. :)

So, thank you for joining me on this journey! It's been real...really real lol

We will be doing some spotlights through out the summer to create a buzz...and since you have been aware of Authentic from her birth...you can spread the word when you see our logo...that you knew about it since jump! lol

Save the Dates!! October 17th-19th..Philadelphia, PA!
The Face of AIDS Awareness Weekend

If you are an artist reading this: visual or musical...hit me up. Most have already been commissioned to be apart of this amazing weekend. But, there is always room for more...PLUS! I'm looking for live artists for our benefit concert that Saturday the 18th.

connect with me
b.ease.e

I've been on my groove-thang all day! Enjoy



Thursday, May 8, 2008

J*Davey, Jaguar Wright and Me...Saturday night: Black Lily 08

These are some pics that my homie took while we "worked" the Black Lily Film and Music Festival. The only interview I got was with J*Davey..but that was quite ALRIGHT with me. Anyone that knows me knows that I mention their name at least once a day ;) So...i was on cloud nine that evening lol So, enjoy this track...No More... b.ease.e




























































































Wednesday, May 7, 2008

shout OUTS! and yet...another launch change

so...my paper chase of TRACE Magazine has ended
thanks to the artist and
fellow lady blogger Lichiban
Who will also be one of our many featured visual artists during our Face of AIDS weekend in October.

-break!-
I just want to say thank you to all who have put up with me, authentic and the many changes i have had to make due to venues..other events going on at the same time..managers not returning our phone calls, etc. etc. I'm just going to say that the launch date is still June 20th..and the location will be determined this week...we just have to wait for a definite YES!

Also...our logo is finished..and it is FRRREEESH!!!! Can not wait to post it!

So, as this week progresses..more posting will occur. We are working at rapid speed, doing a lot of everything and the launch has taken us longer than expected, BUT it will be worth it no doubt.

So, click on Lichiban and if you're in NYC check out her events coming up.

Also, this musical HOTNESS performed at the 2nd Annual Black Lilly Film and Music festival on Saturday and killed it!! Take a listen.



much love,

b.ease.e

Tuesday, April 29, 2008

on a roll!

I'm so in love...
this journey in planning AUTHENTIC has been amazing.
Just today, I personally made some more connections with organizations for our three day October event..and I know its going to be a success.

Sidebar: My homie and I found a place to move into..and we get the keys on Saturday :D *very excited*

Anyway, I wanted to let you know that the three day weekend is going to benefit YO ACAP in Philadelphia. This is their mission statement:

YO ACAP'S MISSION is to provide culturally and ethnically appropriate HIV/AIDS prevention/education and care services for African-American adolescents and young adults in the Philadelphia area. The target population is primarily, but not limited to, African-American youth between 15 and 25 years of age. YO ACAP counselors and peer educators focus on social and health issues such as HIV/AIDS, sexually transmitted diseases (STD's), violence, substance abuse, teenage pregnancy, relationships and conflict resolution.

You can become familiar with the organization and the good works they do in the city to help educate our youth by visiting... www.yoacap.org

It hit home for me! And, though AUTHENTIC is a female art and music collective...i still want to give back to my community...so your participation and involvement in my activities are going to definitely help motivate our generation watching us...its a beautiful thing...giving back ;)

Just wanted to share those few words...gotta do some writing :)



ease.

Monday, April 28, 2008

not so good internet connection ;(

Hey!
Spending time at granny's means my internet connection is a tad shaky! lol unlike being home..which is where i am now, where Verizon is connected and my signal is consistent.

Good Evening :) I hope your weekend was as fulfilling as mine. I have some updates:
The launch has been officially moved to JUNE 20th!!!

and it will be at UBIQ on Walnut Street in Philadelphia. You can view their website @ www.ubiqlife.com if you are unfamiliar with the store. We're going for a more casual feel and because this has been a two lady show..trust that their will be a feminine twist to this masculine run store ;) Along with the atmosphere of DJ ShEroCK and the live art by...an artist i plan on booking tonight lol It's going to be a great night!
So be prepared to drink, eat, dance, shop and simply have a good time. *If it helps any, we have vodka, rum and tequila sponsors for every taste bud!* come thirsty ha ha

Tonight will be spent with me researching copious material. October has officially been branded a three day event titled "The Face of AIDS". A FULL itinerary will be available to you here, on the official AUTHENTIC myspace page and soon to be developed website.

Keep living!




ease.



Saturday, April 26, 2008

Good Morning...My first post...and my next breath to take

.....*waving*
I state this with as much ease as possible...if that's possible. I'm sorry. I don't even want to look and see the date of my last posting..which is why I'm calling this my first post..my first posting of continued posts *pinky swear!* :)

UPDATES:
AUTHENTIC's launch has officially been moved to June 20th and will be at UBIQ on Walnut street. We are keeping the same concept; visual artist and my DJ!! (DJ SheRock from NYC) It's going to be more casual than our initial launch idea which was going to be at Triada. We are pleased and excited though and I hope you are :) More information will come...with LOADS of other events we have brewing.

My next breath...I'm surviving folks! Those that interact with me know that I've been working my BEHIND off lately. Because I'm moving, trying to launch this collective, networking like crazy and starting this new career of mine (teaching). But, i'm trusting that everything will fall into place and things will be OK. :) Patience has overcome me and in such a unique way because I'm sooooo anxious to keep moving, continue planning and making connections. MYSPACE has been a blessing. I've come in contact with some amazing artists and musicians and I can't wait to work with them....more details to come when you attend my events! :D

SchemeMag.com is booming and just to alert you, I'm working on some international interviews with some dope artists a homie of mine from France turned me onto..so look out for those in May.

But, that's all for right now! I just might be back this afternoon with more news...but definitely tomorrow! :)

ease.

Saturday, April 5, 2008

Saul Williams...the favor

“It’s essentially a way of saying that you don’t have to sweep words and institutions and the history under the rug in order to achieve oneness in humanity. We can acknowledge that we’ve all been kind of tarred and feathered and labeled and we can use those labels and shift the meaning into something that blossoms into something we never imagined. Anyone that comes in the name of liberation and freedom through music instead of weapons has done us all a favor. The song Keeper is essentially when one realizes the transformable power with the ability to heal and transform how people think and harmonize.”-Saul Williams


My favor came in the form of a man. Soft spoken and wise...i held onto every word spoken and our 14:36 interview was probably one of the best interviews I've conducted. The piece is finished and will post on Monday. Yet, the comment I posted above is one of many that hit me hard. the idea of REPENTING is what he's referring to. As he dug deep in history, he told me the origin of the word..from Greek to Latin to a verb we conjugate in Spanish, Italian and Portuguese....he believes that we use it wrong. From the pulpits in reference to an act of falling to your knees and asking for forgiveness..the word REPENT is to think again..back. So, when you read the article..approach it in a way that makes you THINK AGAIN to your own existence..identity and purpose. What do you do? Why do you do it? What do you eat? How do you speak? With whom do you interact with? It's all relative and this diet we call life will always be a question unanswered. How do we live, eat, interact, speak, love, dream?? How do we do all these things in the name of a common good? What resources do we have? What is our freedom?

The Inevitable Rise and Liberation of Niggy Tardust is a process of determining the freedom that exists..yet we seem to bypass on a daily.

REPENT.

Tuesday, April 1, 2008

Thank you Tamara!

Just thought i'd shout out Tamara...she found the TRACE magazine i was looking for :)

Thank you!

Tuesday, March 25, 2008

Brazil!!!

My dream is finally going to come true...over the weekend I met with my mom's college friend that lives in Brazil (he just happened to be in Philly when i e-mailed him!) We had a two hour convo about the country, why i need to come...and when I'm coming. So...plans are set. A couple good friends and I will be taking that 13 hour flight to paradise...i'm so drawn to the history, beauty and of course the food ;) from this country. BUT! My 24th birthday will be spent in Rio De Janeiro during Copacabana!!

I am ecstatic :D

Anyway.. just thought I'd share!

..felt like dancing! lol

Thursday, March 20, 2008

Blessings...

updates! updates!

AUTHENTIC: we are now media partners with Philadelphia Weekly Newspaper...an indie art and culture paper that releases every Wednesday. It's A must read on things going on in the city..so I'm so happy that we have established that relationship. We now get free ad space and coverage on all our events...And, we
'll be planning an event with PW in the future..so i'll let you know when that happens.

We are also partners with Whole Foods! :D One of my favorite places...and they have Jamba Juice!! lol anyway...this partnership will provide goodies at events and they want us to use their bags ha ha. At first I thought it was a weird request..BUT it will work out with our gift bags..so WHEN i see you on June 6th..you're gift bag will be courtesy of Whole Foods.

Joslyn Rose Lyons...a filmmaker from LA/SF: www.jog9.com will be collaborating with AUTHENTIC to showcase her latest film FundaMENtals..in the su
mmer. I'm very excited about this...check out her website..she's doing a lot and she was featured in Schememag.com's MARCH Ladies Issue. By the way we are still releasing material...so check the site often! STACEY WILSON who will be my visual artist in June has a piece..and you can check out her work.

We are also looking to invite artists (male and female) in the surrounding Philly area to the event..so its a party/networking event. If you know of any artists that might want to be featured...or i should meet them...connect with me..or pass my info simone.janae@gmail.com/www.myspace.com/monironi


I have a lot of ideas in my head...so I want to gather a L O N G list of artists both musical and visual so i can expose them... :) gracias!

ME: I was accepted into the Philadelphia Teaching Fellows..so you're truly will be a teach this fall..English will be my subject...I'll let you know more about that in person..lol
~~~~~~ The music world...

I'm looking for this magazine! If you see it in the stands..call me..i'll give you money..i just really need this cover for my collections! Thanks! :D

As always...a tune for your ears

Wednesday, March 12, 2008

I'm sooo late! :(

Forgive me....it's now March 12, 2008...and my last post was on March 5, 2008..hmmm, i need to work on my blogging.

But, as always...here are some updates.

The grant application is in! We're waiting to hear back from The Leeway Foundation.

AUTHENTIC is progressing sooooo fast! We have settled on a launch date of June 6th @ Triada in Olde City Philadelphia...(Front and Market street) We are calling our event:
A Taste of AUTHENTIC

The rundown so far is this:
Stacey Wilson...visual artist
DJ SheRock of NYC...atmosphere
AUTHENTIC website launch!
Silent Video Display
Photographers
Food
Drinks
and YOU!!!

so, enjoy your day!
a little L. Boogie for ya!


Wednesday, March 5, 2008

Sushi....with the girls!

Fuji Mountain...Friday night...the girls and I :) This was my plate lol...i shared!


























This was Lorna and Danielle's plate!


















This was Danielle's face with first bite ha ha classic right?!























This is Lorna! The sushi E A T E R! She definitely got up after her first bite and walked around lol

"Orgasmic!"
















This is Krys (left) and Jasmin (right)...Krys likes sushi...bbq chicken sushi to be exact ha ha..Jasmin definitely tried raw fish that night..and might i add...enjoyed it. First timers are always great :)

Well...the rest of pics I'll put on people's individual myspace pages..

update: I mailed off the grant application today :D :D :D say a little prayer! I feel like this project is going to happen...things are falling into place...

I'm distracted..Get Rich or Die Tryin' is on lol I'll be back...here is a little song for your pleasure!

Monday, March 3, 2008

ahhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!

It's HERE!!!! the first installment of the Ladies Edition for www.schememag.com....we have soooo much content that we'll be posting new features every week!!! :D I'm sure you can tell my excitement...I'm so satisfied with how everything turned out. I have been so blessed with amazing opportunities and i just want to say thank you for all who have supported me through this trying time. Sleep deprivation , non-stop working...lol but it feels so good to see the finished product! So, thank you! :) and go read! ha ha

Friday, February 29, 2008

it's been a minute...well deserved absence!

HELLO!!

What's going on?! I know, it's been so long since we last talked...vibed...rocked out! you know what i mean. I have a long list of things to share..all good of course ;)

1. ERYKAH BADU..NEW AMERYKAH dropped Tuesday the 26th...get it if you didn't already. We need this society! Once again she delivers music that is beyond the new-soul classification she seems to float in and out of in every magazine....this is REAL music...conscious and necessary...she's amazing.



2. authentic is coming!.... my business partner and graphic designer and I are working H A R D on this...we're trying to launch late spring and praying that we receive this grant. I've been working non-stop..every single night on the application. I'm a bit of a perfectionist...so, yea, I've been driving myself crazy making sure everything sounds exactly what our vision states...and so far, it does :) The deadline is March 10th..so keep us in your prayers...we're working hard to change the game.

3. SchemeMag.com is where you need to be on March 4th! To read my opening editorial and just to read all the great articles we worked hard on to bring you our first "LADIES EDITION". And, Ms. Badu will be the cover :D This has been a true test to my personal dedication of my new project, authentic. I know i want to represent the ladies in the arts...and i know there is value to my mission and my voice, along with other artists that will be heard.
So tune in on March 4th, next Tuesday! It'll be worth it..and definitely give me your feedback....

That's about it for now...so remember, pick up NEW AMERYKAH!, pray for authentic, and go to SchemeMag.com on Tuesday! :D and check out my favorite track so far on Badu's new joint.

PEACE!

e a s e

Friday, February 22, 2008

HEAVy Photos...


Good Morning beautiful people,

I have been up all night. Preparing for my interview on Sunday, perfecting my questions for the grant application for authentic and uploading and editing the photos from last Saturday. :)

Today is warming...it snowed like crazy, my hair appointment was canceled and i have to drive in this weather to Philly to be at work by 5pm...BeeeeAaaUuuuTIFUL!!! :)


Anyway, here are some of the photos, i took like 30! And as always... a new artists I discovered 2 years ago..Nneka..:


Wednesday, February 20, 2008

J. Dupri and the mental state of hip hop...artists

I'm not one to knock on anyone's parade...how you live is how you live. But when it just becomes ridiculous and your actions show that you are just bored and don't really know what to do with your money...i have to comment lol

Jermaine Dupri is an entrepreneur...J. Jackson's man..and So SO Def's CEO...i couldn't even tell you the last time i heard a worthy song from So So...but that's besides the point ;)

This video is all about the resources hip hop artists waste...i'm not saying that taking a tour bus to AllStar Weekend was a bad idea..I'd be down too..i love basketball..let alone A/S Weekend..i guess i was just disappointed because boasting about how much money you have to just throw around in a city such as New Orleans where families are still picking up the pieces just shocked me. Almost the same shock if not more when I read how Lil Wayne and Baby weren't going to put money into the city until Donald Trump invested :O

Their dedication to us, their fans...is null and that's why i COPY/download Lil Wayne freestyles ha ha but honestly...this saddens me. I just wish their was more of an authentic approach in reciprocity from some well known hip hop artists...like some other celebrities have shown, and not only to N.O., but to their community as a whole.

I love hip hop...i do. I love Black people..i just want more from hip hop and i want more from Black people...




Nas: Street Dreams....one of my favorites.

Tuesday, February 19, 2008

Tavis vs. Obama! READ...

Black Commenter, Criticizing Obama, Causes Firestorm

By Darryl Fears

Tavis Smiley, the bestselling author of the "Covenant With Black America," is in a world turned upside down. He said he's being "hammered," "barbecued," and is "catching hell" from black Americans for suggesting that Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) made a major mistake by declining to speak at the State of the Black Union event that Smiley plans to host next week in New Orleans.

"There's all this talk of hater, sellout and traitor," Smiley said to me in a telephone interview. Smiley even mentioned getting death threats, but wouldn't elaborate. He said his office has been flooded with angry e-mails. "I have family in Indianapolis. They are harassing my momma, harassing my brother. It's getting to be crazy," Smiley said.

Smiley's problems started early this month after he invited Obama to speak at the State of the Black Union, an event Smiley founded nine years ago. Held annually during Black History Month and broadcast by C-Span, the event gathers a Who's Who of black intellectuals, pundits, activists, entertainers and politicians to discuss and brainstorm about where black America is and where it is headed. This year's topic is "Reclaiming Our Democracy, Deciding Our Future."

The State of the Black Union has grown into a key event for black people since its start, but as Smiley has discovered, Obama's presidential run is far more highly regarded.

As the first black person to have a legitimate shot at a presidential nomination, defeating Sen. Hillary Clinton's rich campaign juggernaut, Obama is virtually a third civil rights movement, the manifestation of Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.'s dream. His candidacy has produced a fervor in black America born of centuries of wanting. Nearly every black vote that Clinton thought was hers at the beginning of the race has been siphoned by Obama.

Each of the presidential candidates were invited to speak, but only Sen. Hillary Clinton accepted. Clinton is desperate to bolster her flagging campaign with a larger share of the black vote after losing all but a small percent to Obama. Smiley said he wants the candidates to focus on the issues that black Americans care about.

If the blogosphere is any reflection, however, black America believes Smiley should check his ego. Commenters would much rather see Obama campaigning against Clinton in Texas and Ohio than at Smiley's confab in Louisiana, a state he's already won. Critics burned up Internet chat rooms, taking turns at denouncing Smiley. Pundit Melissa Harris-Lacewell, an Obama supporter, authored a biting anti-Smiley opinion on TheRoot.com (which is owned by Washingtonpost.Newsweek Interactive), entitled, "Who Died and Made Him King?"

A fan of Smiley commented on one blog, saying, "Tavis, Ya Killin' Me, Man." An angrier writer headlined his comment, "This is just dumb." "This man is involved in the fight of his life for the presidency of the UNITED STATES, not black states," he wrote of Obama. "I don't know if Tavis got the memo, but Hillary is leading in Texas, Ohio and Pennsylvania, where the governor said that his white folks won't vote for a black." Other comments would likely be blocked by Net Nanny and can't be printed on the Web pages of a family newspaper.

For Smiley, the tumult is a major turnabout. Until now he was a darling commentator in black America. His passion for the people endeared him to many. People listened to his commentaries on the popular Tom Joyner Morning Show, and snapped up so many copies of the "Covenant" that it made the top ten lists of the both the New York Times and the Washington Post. When Smiley talked, black people listened. "

One of my friends said, 'you are being barbecued in the blogosphere,'" Smiley said. He told Black America Web writer Michael Cottman's that "I'm catching hell." In our interview, Smiley said: "This is the first time in my entire career that I have found myself in this kind of relationship with some folk in black America. I now know what it feels like to have the weight of the Internet world bearing down on you. Man, it's an eye opener when you get caught in the middle of it."

Obama's campaign said he called Smiley twice on his cell and office phones. Smiley said he returned the calls but got no response.

On the Tom Joyner Morning Show recently, Joyner brought up the controversy during an interview with Obama, relating how Smiley was taking heat for saying he thinks Obama doesn't want to talk about issues black people care about.

Obama chastised Smiley, but spoke as if the two were friends. "I'm going to have to call Tavis up and straighten him out on this," Obama said. He said he's addressed issues that Smiley cares about, such as health care and eliminating the legal sentencing disparity that allows judges to send mostly black crack cocaine offenders to prison with sentences that are five times longer than powder cocaine offenders who are mostly white and Latino.

Obama followed up with a letter to Smiley, dated Feb. 13. In it, Obama explained why he declined the invitation, saying that he needed to campaign in states that Clinton must win to in order to topple her candidacy. "

I will be on the campaign trail every day in states like Ohio, Texas and Wisconsin talking directly to voters about the causes that are at the heart of my campaign and the State of the Black Union forum such as affordable housing, economic opportunity, civil rights and foreign policy," Obama said in his letter. He had offered to have his wife, Michelle, speak in his stead at the State of the Black Union, but Smiley had declined. "I ask that you reconsider," Obama wrote. "Michelle is a powerful voice for the type of reach change America is hungry for."

Smiley responded in a commentary on the Tom Joyner Morning Show, condemning Obama's decision with his usual strong, passionate, rapid-fire delivery. He recounted the gist of his statement in the interview. "I think it is a miscalculation on his part not to appear and a missed opportunity."

"I love Barack Obama and I love black people," Smiley said. "I celebrate his past accomplishments and I celebrate his future aspirations. I never wanted to stand in the path of his growth." However, he said, "My job is to ask the critical question, to raise these issues and keep these guys focused. There are some people who are disappointed that I'm not jumping up and down saying, 'Vote for Barack Obama.' That's not my role as a journalist. That's not what I do."

SOURCE: WashingtonPost.com

Monday, February 18, 2008

the night after!

GOOD EVENING!!!

recap: HEAVy was awesome! crazy energy and yes, i took pictures!!! lol I just kept hitting capture..capture..capture..so i have a lot of pics to edit. It will get done tomorrow though.

Anyway..the show was in a loft in Brooklyn...from the outside, Krys and I were a tab bit skeptical, but after ringing the bell and walking 4 flights of steps...we knew we were in the right place. The place was graffiti'd out! Plus there was an artist painting on the spot and HEAVy..their resident DJ, plus a DJ from theminorityreportnyc.blogspot.com was spinning..creating a great atmosphere for folks to mingle, dance, drink and chill.

We had front row standing spots ha ha ha we could feel and definitely felt the sweat..and HEAT from the musicians! My pics will tell the story a whole lot better, so tomorrow you'll know what i mean. But, I've been bumping the album all day!! Playing OUT!!! mylittlesong...track number 6!


Well, it's late..goodnight good people! :D

Tuesday, February 12, 2008

purpose..

this is the 2nd blog of late night thoughts...something is brewing :)

I've maintained a healthy internet interaction with a girl in Hawaii for the past three years! And just recently we actually started to get to know each other. ..talking about religion, life, relationships, love..freedom. The internet can be a beautiful thing..sometimes. So, tonight we talked about coming to terms with who you are...supposed to be. What mental and emotional stress one goes through just to realize who they are, their purpose...destiny..raison d'etre.

I mentioned to her that i saw this program where women were just starting to feel comfortable in their skin. Already passing the stage of being a mom and wife...and realizing that they were gay. Ages were like, 40+...do i want that to be my story?? Now, I'm not speaking about the sexuality tip..but to live a life where i hid a part of me, no matter what it was...just a part of who i was, wanted to be..lived for.

i can't...i won't.

you shouldn't..don't.

The life! as cliche as this may sound...but life is too short. Why sing the shoulda, coulda, woulda's and regret NOT doing anything about your desire? I read once that we fear what we desire....i believe it. How many times have you not done something simply because you were afraid? Not gone somewhere because you feared the planning..or what others might think??

..i say F that!

why the heck should i be stagnant..for what and for whom??

I'm doing things differently these days...this journey, this ride called LIFE...as honest as it is..bringing pain, happiness, highs and lows...ima dodge the balls i can see and pray for the ones i can't.

RESPIRATION!..sleep on this..that's why God gave you night..

Monday, February 11, 2008

perspective

It's late...1:47am and I'm awake. Don't know why, but I felt compelled to blog about some things I came across today.

Amazing! for those that did not know, I've been typing on a brand new laptop because my previous one was stolen out of my apartment from a wandering Philadelpian that saw an opportunity and took it. So, i lost a lot of my bookmarks lol i know! you probably thought i was going to say my writing. But no, i do not save anything to my computer when it comes to my writing...my words stick with me ALWAYS and they are on my handy dandy flash drive. :D

Anyway, there was this clothing line that i thought was MAD dope! They are out of BROOKLYN, NY..called Coup d'etet BK...so fresh! This is their mission: coup d'etat, BROOKLYN is a graphically-bold design company based in Bed-Stuy whose philosophy follows one simple rule: "live to change something." The brand's founders, Daoud Abeid & Rasu Jilani, created the t-shirt line to manifest visual ideas and life philosophies into eye-catching designs that people, no matter their creed, can truly feel.





I think that their mission is definitely needed..we need to begin to spark people's minds and get their attention with slogans and products that matter! So, I'm going to purchase this shirt... dope, right?!
So anyway..i think that their slogan, "Live to Change Something" hit me tonight..am i? I hope so..and I definitely want to with my upcoming project...so stay with me. :)

Sidebar: can i just say that I love this song...damn, hmm..makes me think about....yo! can i just say again that staying focused when you want your thoughts to go elsewhere is so FREAKING annoying! Well, i'm out folks...its late..gotta get up early and start my process of maintaining focus on words/music/life :) gn,