 |
| Phonte & DICERAW |
 | ||||
| Phonte, Tayyib, Pooh |
All of the photos are also over on my Flickr. Check em out, bookmark my page :)
 |
| Joe Scudda & Big Dho |
 | |||
| Chantelle & Dunny |
5 years ago
Showing posts with label Little Brother. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Little Brother. Show all posts
Little Brother @ the TLA
All of the photos are also over on my Flickr. Check em out, bookmark my page :)
#09Memories...in pictures, music & words
January: New Year's I was w/ 'Boocifer'. We met up w/ his friends in U City, had drinks & left out to hit 'our spot'. We rolled out to Lemon Hill, but it was crowded and there were cars everywhere. We wanted some privacy but needed to be able to see the fireworks happening at Penn's Landing. And we were literally rollin'...if you know what I mean. So we hit the Plat, "...a place called the Plateau, that's where everybody go..." Well that's "Summertime"...this was New Year's Eve. And it was freezing! We sat in the truck and listened to Jimi Hendrix bring crazy, ecstatic life to 'Experience Hendrix' over & over. We had a great view of the fireworks, it was a great night. Magic. *That* inspired *this*... listen to Jimi. (R.I.P.)
February: 06 February 2009. Robert Nesta Marley was born February 6, 1945 in the village of Nine Mile in Saint Ann Parish, Jamaica. The entire country of Jamaica celebrates Bob Marley Day every February 6th all over the island. I had been to Jamaica before, but never to Nine Mile and never on Bob's birthday. I made up my mind that my trip to Jamaica this year would be in February and it had to be with 'Boocifer'. We arrived on the 5th and took a jeep safari to Nine Mile the following day. We planned to spend the entire day @ the Marley compound (where Bob was born & buried) and hang out off-resort. This was one of the most emotionally bonding experiences I've ever had in life. It was a truly dope, truly deep and truly defining day for me. I may re-post my Nine Mile blog for a more detailed description of the events & the encounters...it's sitting in 'edit' status being that some of what went down there is very personal and I'm not sure if I'm ready for all that out here on the innanets. #imjussayin. Know this: Bob Lives.
March: Wow. This inspired "215's & Heartbreaks" (shout-out Regular Ass Ron, I promise Imma post it in the New Year...I'm almost ready, homie). I dumped 'Boocifer' after nine years of friendship, over three years of a relationship...it was the hardest and most disappointing thing I've ever had to do. So to call this a 'memory' would be an understatement. This 'memory' deserves it's own explanation, and it has one: 215's & Heartbreaks. I have had it sitting in here for months and every time I log in and glance at it, I read it, tweek it, read it again...I'm just not ready to share all that w/ the world yet. It's personal. It's private. Painful. And I am not proud.
I miss intimacy, but I love my space.
I love my anonymity, but I miss the familiarity...
I love the freedom I have experienced; 'single' opportunities that would not have been available had I been 'in a relationship' (lines *read* lines). But it's just not the same. I have to convince myself I'm better off, and that's not always easy, yet at the end of the day I know I made the best decision and I have no regrets.
April: Cali, New Mexico, Texas...I have such great people in my life. Moni Beth is one of them. Monika is from PA but moved out West over 10 years ago. She is about 9 years older than me and a longtime family friend. Monika was my gymnastics instructor when I was a young jawn. She taught me and my sister, Hezz, how to walk the balance beam and do back flips. She has modeled, worked for MTV, talked my ears off for hours countless times..she was really there for me through the break-up. I hadn't seen her since she was in Philly when her Dad died a few years ago, so we made arrangements for me to fly out West; spend a week out there in the desert relaxing and getting my mind right. Monika is no square, but she doesn't rasta either...if I was gonna be in Cali on 4/20, there was NO way I was NOT gonna get my rasta on while I was out there (she calls it my "Jamaican jumpoff", *smmfh*). And jumpoff I did. It was a beautiful, much needed, emotionally healing experience. I have mad files of photos we snapped and a journal I kept while I was out there. I'll post the photos for sure one day. The journal may never reach another person's eyes ever. That's probably what is best. Sangria, Native American reservations, dead snakes, authentic Mexican spots, ladies only clubs, steam rollers & vaporizers...good times.
THIS video dropped on 4/20, while I was out West. I blogged about this group, this video...I cannot say enough about The Foreign Exchange. If you don't know, #getfamiliar. A dope dude from Philly by the name of Matt Koza directed this. Some of my friends are in this video as well. THIS album, Leave It All Behind, helped me through some rough shit. They are now Grammy nominated. Love you guys.
I left the West Coast on 4/21, my little bro's birthday. I text Bud that morning while I was on my way to the airport to wish him a Happy Birthday. He text me back to thank me and confirmed what I had known all along - Foxanne was pregnant and they were having a baby. I was pissed I had to find out like that, especially when I had asked him not long before that if she was pregnant?! Regardless, my little brother is now a daddy. Life is moving so ef'n fast.
May: Tanya Morgan. Wrote all about it HERE. Good times. #getfamiliar
June: 06.06.09
The 2nd Annual Roots Picnic. Epic. It went down, I was there. I went with three of my homies: Anwar, Malik and Manetane. WrittenHouse performed, PE, Santigold, The Black Keys...we were VERY close to the stage & Black Thought - *sigh* the lieutenant was definitely FRESH. Finally had a face-to-face w/ the homie @Carolinaware *hugs* Mark. Check his blog out HERE...he is so dope. Ran into Al, Tanya Morgan's manager, and his peoples. Pooh of Little Brother was in attendance. Met Asher Roth (he was wearing a Celtics jersey, my squad!). Kid Cudi flipped out on the crowd in one of the performance tents. Amanda Diva was doin' her damn thing. It was a great day for hip hop, art and good people.
The Roots' new album How I Got Over should be out in the new year. It was set to drop in September '09, but it got pushed back. You can keep up w/ all things Roots and read ?uestlove's blog over on #thatsite aka okayplayer.com In the meantime, enjoy this: (props to www.onsmash.com, where I lifted the video from)
Also notable as a June #09Memory - the King, the Legend, the Idol, the Icon, the Superstar who was Michael Joseph Jackson died June 25, 2009.
R.I.P Titus "Baatin" Glover (March 8, 1974–July 31, 2009) There is a great write-up along w/ videos, photos and links HERE. If you don't know who Baatin is, you need to step-up your music game. Seriously.
August: 08.15.09 SUMMER ADRENALINE ISSUE LAUNCH PARTY
Check out the details HERE. I did a write-up of the day on a previous post. Here's some footage I got after the show of Kush clowning around. Good times.
*Shout-out Princess Z...it's always a good time when you're around, Zarinah. xo All my hip hop heads check out her radio show every Sunday and her music HERE. She's dope.
R.I.P. Adam "DJ AM" Goldstein (March 30, 1973 – August 28, 2009) There was a memorial fund established after his death on his website to help those struggling w/ addiction. It was a passion and a cause that DJ AM dealt w/ personally and he was in the process of helping others at the time of his death. You can learn more about that HERE.
December: 16 December 2009. Heineken Green Room Party.
THIS is just my favorite Roots song EVER...
*EDITED b/c I SHOULD have included this prior to posting BUT...there are MANY people - both old & new friends I have had the pleasure of meeting, hanging out w/, learning from, buggin' out w/ - who encourage me to keep writing & keep sharing my thoughts and my experiences w/ y'all. There are too many to name them all, but I'd like to name one more who is consistent and ever present on my back and in my head pushing me to post my blogs...xo Sherm. You're the best, bew. As long as you keep reading, I'll keep writing.
February: 06 February 2009. Robert Nesta Marley was born February 6, 1945 in the village of Nine Mile in Saint Ann Parish, Jamaica. The entire country of Jamaica celebrates Bob Marley Day every February 6th all over the island. I had been to Jamaica before, but never to Nine Mile and never on Bob's birthday. I made up my mind that my trip to Jamaica this year would be in February and it had to be with 'Boocifer'. We arrived on the 5th and took a jeep safari to Nine Mile the following day. We planned to spend the entire day @ the Marley compound (where Bob was born & buried) and hang out off-resort. This was one of the most emotionally bonding experiences I've ever had in life. It was a truly dope, truly deep and truly defining day for me. I may re-post my Nine Mile blog for a more detailed description of the events & the encounters...it's sitting in 'edit' status being that some of what went down there is very personal and I'm not sure if I'm ready for all that out here on the innanets. #imjussayin. Know this: Bob Lives.
March: Wow. This inspired "215's & Heartbreaks" (shout-out Regular Ass Ron, I promise Imma post it in the New Year...I'm almost ready, homie). I dumped 'Boocifer' after nine years of friendship, over three years of a relationship...it was the hardest and most disappointing thing I've ever had to do. So to call this a 'memory' would be an understatement. This 'memory' deserves it's own explanation, and it has one: 215's & Heartbreaks. I have had it sitting in here for months and every time I log in and glance at it, I read it, tweek it, read it again...I'm just not ready to share all that w/ the world yet. It's personal. It's private. Painful. And I am not proud.
I miss intimacy, but I love my space.
I love my anonymity, but I miss the familiarity...
I love the freedom I have experienced; 'single' opportunities that would not have been available had I been 'in a relationship' (lines *read* lines). But it's just not the same. I have to convince myself I'm better off, and that's not always easy, yet at the end of the day I know I made the best decision and I have no regrets.
"I gather up
each sound
you left behind
and stretch them
on our bed.
each nite
I breathe you
and become high."
poem #3 sonia sanchez
My love jones. That chapter of the book is finished now but w/ kind regard and great memories. It was very real and very valid. I have NO regrets.
April: Cali, New Mexico, Texas...I have such great people in my life. Moni Beth is one of them. Monika is from PA but moved out West over 10 years ago. She is about 9 years older than me and a longtime family friend. Monika was my gymnastics instructor when I was a young jawn. She taught me and my sister, Hezz, how to walk the balance beam and do back flips. She has modeled, worked for MTV, talked my ears off for hours countless times..she was really there for me through the break-up. I hadn't seen her since she was in Philly when her Dad died a few years ago, so we made arrangements for me to fly out West; spend a week out there in the desert relaxing and getting my mind right. Monika is no square, but she doesn't rasta either...if I was gonna be in Cali on 4/20, there was NO way I was NOT gonna get my rasta on while I was out there (she calls it my "Jamaican jumpoff", *smmfh*). And jumpoff I did. It was a beautiful, much needed, emotionally healing experience. I have mad files of photos we snapped and a journal I kept while I was out there. I'll post the photos for sure one day. The journal may never reach another person's eyes ever. That's probably what is best. Sangria, Native American reservations, dead snakes, authentic Mexican spots, ladies only clubs, steam rollers & vaporizers...good times.
THIS video dropped on 4/20, while I was out West. I blogged about this group, this video...I cannot say enough about The Foreign Exchange. If you don't know, #getfamiliar. A dope dude from Philly by the name of Matt Koza directed this. Some of my friends are in this video as well. THIS album, Leave It All Behind, helped me through some rough shit. They are now Grammy nominated. Love you guys.
I left the West Coast on 4/21, my little bro's birthday. I text Bud that morning while I was on my way to the airport to wish him a Happy Birthday. He text me back to thank me and confirmed what I had known all along - Foxanne was pregnant and they were having a baby. I was pissed I had to find out like that, especially when I had asked him not long before that if she was pregnant?! Regardless, my little brother is now a daddy. Life is moving so ef'n fast.
May: Tanya Morgan. Wrote all about it HERE. Good times. #getfamiliar
June: 06.06.09
The 2nd Annual Roots Picnic. Epic. It went down, I was there. I went with three of my homies: Anwar, Malik and Manetane. WrittenHouse performed, PE, Santigold, The Black Keys...we were VERY close to the stage & Black Thought - *sigh* the lieutenant was definitely FRESH. Finally had a face-to-face w/ the homie @Carolinaware *hugs* Mark. Check his blog out HERE...he is so dope. Ran into Al, Tanya Morgan's manager, and his peoples. Pooh of Little Brother was in attendance. Met Asher Roth (he was wearing a Celtics jersey, my squad!). Kid Cudi flipped out on the crowd in one of the performance tents. Amanda Diva was doin' her damn thing. It was a great day for hip hop, art and good people.The Roots' new album How I Got Over should be out in the new year. It was set to drop in September '09, but it got pushed back. You can keep up w/ all things Roots and read ?uestlove's blog over on #thatsite aka okayplayer.com In the meantime, enjoy this: (props to www.onsmash.com, where I lifted the video from)
Also notable as a June #09Memory - the King, the Legend, the Idol, the Icon, the Superstar who was Michael Joseph Jackson died June 25, 2009.
I sat at work and bawled my eyes out watching his funeral on CNN along w/ the rest of the world. I will never forget listening to Motown and The Jackson 5 as a young jawn - my Mom used to blast MJ & his brothers every weekend when I was growing up. I'll never forget watching the Thriller video for the 1st time w/ my sisters and my Uncle Steve being amazed and afraid all at the same time. And then begging my Mom for the Thriller coat in the video, which I received and am still looking for the pictures of (my parents moved a few years ago and every time I bring it up my Mom breathes all hard at the thought of going into the attic or into storage to look for old photos). I remember the 1st cassette I ever received was MJ's Thriller; playing it repeatedly & pausing it to write the lyrics down. He sang and we all listened, loved even those that hurt him, danced and we all imitated and made his own private Heaven while he was here in Earth. He was an inspiration to many and will be missed by all.
The text portrait above was created by RALPH UELTZHOEFFER. To read what the content of the portrait says, click HERE. It's very interesting. He's created these portraits for quite a few celebrities, most still living.
Spike Lee directed this video, props once again to www.onsmash.com This video is ill.
July: 24 July 2009. EASILY one of the best nights of my life!
The text portrait above was created by RALPH UELTZHOEFFER. To read what the content of the portrait says, click HERE. It's very interesting. He's created these portraits for quite a few celebrities, most still living.
Spike Lee directed this video, props once again to www.onsmash.com This video is ill.
July: 24 July 2009. EASILY one of the best nights of my life!
THANK YOU Denaya and Shamara. I will NEVER forget that night. I have seen The Roots live 13 times and attended both picnics. Everyone who knows me knows I am the biggest Roots 'Stan' EVER...this was the best show thus far. Aside from the rowdy white boys who kept bumpin' me and spilling beer all over the place...I had thee best view and thee best seat ever. Aside from being on stage? But check out my prior posts for details, I've included the flics again.
#CMONSON - just LOOK at this man. *sigh*
R.I.P Titus "Baatin" Glover (March 8, 1974–July 31, 2009) There is a great write-up along w/ videos, photos and links HERE. If you don't know who Baatin is, you need to step-up your music game. Seriously.
Check out the details HERE. I did a write-up of the day on a previous post. Here's some footage I got after the show of Kush clowning around. Good times.
*Shout-out Princess Z...it's always a good time when you're around, Zarinah. xo All my hip hop heads check out her radio show every Sunday and her music HERE. She's dope.
R.I.P. Adam "DJ AM" Goldstein (March 30, 1973 – August 28, 2009) There was a memorial fund established after his death on his website to help those struggling w/ addiction. It was a passion and a cause that DJ AM dealt w/ personally and he was in the process of helping others at the time of his death. You can learn more about that HERE.
September: 09.12.09 WrittenHouse & MURS @ North Star w/ Ashley. I heart this chick: for her taste in music - she burned me ALL of the Wale mixtapes, her maturity, her BLOG, her advice and her good sense. Good times.
I have blogged about WrittenHouse before, I know those of you who follow me on Twitter see me tweeting about them and to them...I cannot convey enough through words or photos how DOPE these dudes are. Truly talented brothas doing something different. If you have the opportunity to check out one of their shows live, DO SO. Follow them on Twitter, become a fan on their Facebook page, download their mixtape Sunshine Philadelphia Vol 2: The WrittenHouse Effect HERE, #getfamiliar.
The hype man, Sleeves, was absent and missed during the show, but Dame did his best to fill-in. Here's a dope interview/vid the homies did w/ this chick Krissy Carlson (formerly known as Cosmik Krissy) out of Providence, R.I. This was filmed outside of The North Star Bar in North Philly.
*Shout-out DJ Ambush, who calls me 'Double T'. He DJ'ed their set that night @ North Star. I got a lot of love for that dude right there. He's involved in a lot of hip hop projects around the City other than DJ'ing. Check out his Living Proof Radio show w/ the dude MARS every Thursday from 10pm-12am HERE and *FOLLOW* him on Twitter. xo Beezy.
October: 10.23.09 New York City w/ Ashley.
We had a helluva ordeal getting from Philly to NYC....and getting home. The rain. The hotel in Yonkas (EF YOU, Chaundon!). The cabs and the trains. I forgot my belt (ANY belt!) back in Philly and had to wear a dress that requires a belt w/out one! It was NOT funny @ the time, but it's funny now looking back. While we were there, we had a BALL. We watched the entire show front row, I snapped some flics and after the set we hung out w/ the crew.
It was great seeing Aimee, Phonte and Nicolay again. Muhsinah was not at the performance, but everyone else was: Zo!, Yahzarah, Carlitta, Darien Brockington, Dho, the band...even Joe Scudda, Pooh & Chaundon came out and did some LB stuff from the archives. I got a few of the performances on tape uploaded to my YouTube page, you can check that out HERE.
I've blogged before about their Grammy nod; I'm keeping my fingers crossed that they win and get the recognition they deserve. SUPPORT great music and talented musicians. The members of The Foreign Exchange have an extended family w/ solo projects and other releases. Check my blog for those as well.
November: 28 November 2009. 10:14pm. My brother's son, Jackson Thomas, was born. Clearly the BEST day of 2009. He's healthy, he's adorable, he's perfect. I am in LOVE. And I call him "Jax".
The hype man, Sleeves, was absent and missed during the show, but Dame did his best to fill-in. Here's a dope interview/vid the homies did w/ this chick Krissy Carlson (formerly known as Cosmik Krissy) out of Providence, R.I. This was filmed outside of The North Star Bar in North Philly.
*Shout-out DJ Ambush, who calls me 'Double T'. He DJ'ed their set that night @ North Star. I got a lot of love for that dude right there. He's involved in a lot of hip hop projects around the City other than DJ'ing. Check out his Living Proof Radio show w/ the dude MARS every Thursday from 10pm-12am HERE and *FOLLOW* him on Twitter. xo Beezy.
October: 10.23.09 New York City w/ Ashley.
We had a helluva ordeal getting from Philly to NYC....and getting home. The rain. The hotel in Yonkas (EF YOU, Chaundon!). The cabs and the trains. I forgot my belt (ANY belt!) back in Philly and had to wear a dress that requires a belt w/out one! It was NOT funny @ the time, but it's funny now looking back. While we were there, we had a BALL. We watched the entire show front row, I snapped some flics and after the set we hung out w/ the crew.
It was great seeing Aimee, Phonte and Nicolay again. Muhsinah was not at the performance, but everyone else was: Zo!, Yahzarah, Carlitta, Darien Brockington, Dho, the band...even Joe Scudda, Pooh & Chaundon came out and did some LB stuff from the archives. I got a few of the performances on tape uploaded to my YouTube page, you can check that out HERE.
I've blogged before about their Grammy nod; I'm keeping my fingers crossed that they win and get the recognition they deserve. SUPPORT great music and talented musicians. The members of The Foreign Exchange have an extended family w/ solo projects and other releases. Check my blog for those as well.
November: 28 November 2009. 10:14pm. My brother's son, Jackson Thomas, was born. Clearly the BEST day of 2009. He's healthy, he's adorable, he's perfect. I am in LOVE. And I call him "Jax".
December: 16 December 2009. Heineken Green Room Party.
I met Tariq Trotter, aka Black Thought, of the l.e.g.e.n.d.a.r.y. ROOTS Crew !!!
Do you want more?!!!??! If so, check out the flics and the blog HERE. Of course, it was written.
Shout-out Vickie...the lieutenant IS fresh, indeed. Thank you for sharing my joy w/ me, LOL. She is a dope photog and you can check her stuff out HERE.
I also need to shout-out my girl, @FreedomReeves. She is one of the most beautiful people (inside AND out) I have ever had the pleasure of meeting and honor of getting to know. We went to the party together, and she is my WITNESS I did not act a fool or show my ass. I love that woman, check out her site. Good times.
I also need to shout-out my girl, @FreedomReeves. She is one of the most beautiful people (inside AND out) I have ever had the pleasure of meeting and honor of getting to know. We went to the party together, and she is my WITNESS I did not act a fool or show my ass. I love that woman, check out her site. Good times.
THIS is just my favorite Roots song EVER...
*EDITED b/c I SHOULD have included this prior to posting BUT...there are MANY people - both old & new friends I have had the pleasure of meeting, hanging out w/, learning from, buggin' out w/ - who encourage me to keep writing & keep sharing my thoughts and my experiences w/ y'all. There are too many to name them all, but I'd like to name one more who is consistent and ever present on my back and in my head pushing me to post my blogs...xo Sherm. You're the best, bew. As long as you keep reading, I'll keep writing.
The SugarHoneyIcedTea* ~ Tales from the Twit...
I think I once told someone via blog comment that we are all one small pixel of a much bigger picture. Each pixel equally important, yet different. Every pixel has a purpose. Every pixel has a voice.
This was proven more than true for me today when I noticed a surprise @reply via Twitter while @ work today.
carolinaware @shamara99 Voted. Lets go!! @titi_215
Apparently myChica Twica, Denaya (who is a frequent visitor here, thank YOU), suggested this: dkb2715 @shamara99 Ur looking for blogs to profile, This is one of my fav's, http://www.chickintheclique... @titi_215
...which I didn't see until a few moments ago.
Twitter has opened doors and created possibilities for me that otherwise probably wouldn't have existed PT (PreTwit). It has opened my eyes and ears to opportunities I may have otherwise never knew about. It has helped me network and meet interesting, creative, funky, likeminded, crazysexycool people...now Shamara is one of them.
Shamara is a radio personality on Power 99, a big hip hop radio station here in Philly. Somehow a chick w/ only 674 followers on Twitter, who has a corporate gig during the day, writes when she feels like it about whatever she feels like writing about caught the attention of someone w/ a bigger voice, a bigger following and a dream job in communications. That chick was me today. And #thats dope. The chick in the clique.
Speaking of dope...check out @carolinaware's blog HERE (I've posted this before). And FOLLOW HIM on Twitter. We dig a lot of the same ish but he has wayyyyyy more sports on his than I do. Must be a man thing *smile* And please *COMMENT* on anything you read on his, mine, anyone's blogs. Even if you don't agree. Even if you have a difference of opinion. That is motivation and feedback to the writer how you're interpreting their blog and what you're walking away w/. You do not have to register for anything or sign-up - you can even do so anonymously.
I have heard and said, "A closed mouth does not get fed" probably a million and one times. We speak to be heard. We write to be read. We act to be noticed. So I'd like all my readers and followers to speak about, write about, act and be noticed:
This was proven more than true for me today when I noticed a surprise @reply via Twitter while @ work today.
carolinaware @shamara99 Voted. Lets go!! @titi_215
Apparently my
...which I didn't see until a few moments ago.
Twitter has opened doors and created possibilities for me that otherwise probably wouldn't have existed PT (PreTwit). It has opened my eyes and ears to opportunities I may have otherwise never knew about. It has helped me network and meet interesting, creative, funky, likeminded, crazysexycool people...now Shamara is one of them.
Shamara is a radio personality on Power 99, a big hip hop radio station here in Philly. Somehow a chick w/ only 674 followers on Twitter, who has a corporate gig during the day, writes when she feels like it about whatever she feels like writing about caught the attention of someone w/ a bigger voice, a bigger following and a dream job in communications. That chick was me today. And #thats dope. The chick in the clique.
Speaking of dope...check out @carolinaware's blog HERE (I've posted this before). And FOLLOW HIM on Twitter. We dig a lot of the same ish but he has wayyyyyy more sports on his than I do. Must be a man thing *smile* And please *COMMENT* on anything you read on his, mine, anyone's blogs. Even if you don't agree. Even if you have a difference of opinion. That is motivation and feedback to the writer how you're interpreting their blog and what you're walking away w/. You do not have to register for anything or sign-up - you can even do so anonymously.
I have heard and said, "A closed mouth does not get fed" probably a million and one times. We speak to be heard. We write to be read. We act to be noticed. So I'd like all my readers and followers to speak about, write about, act and be noticed:
Save Free Radio! Do you love your radio stations – the music, news and traffic? Do you love getting your music for FREE? It’s all in danger! Everything you love about your radio station could be a thing of the past! Unless you act NOW! There are bills before congress that threaten free music on the radio. The foreign owned record companies and misinformed artists want congress to establish a tax where stations would pay for the right to play music on the radio. This additional tax would change radio and put music radio stations in danger of going silent.
Your radio station needs your help! By signing this petition and sending an e-mail to congress you are telling congress NOT to pass this tax on radio stations. Click to sign the petition and save free radio! You also can make calls to your congressional leaders and email your friends.
I clicked, I signed, I wrote. All of the above. I know a lot of people say I don't listen to the radio much anymore, what does this have to do with me, why should I care?! And that's because we have a choice. We take for granted that it will always be there in our car or on our alarm clocks. Before the internet, iPod, on-demand, 2k9 (hello? BT!) and 100+ channels on TV, what did we use and rely on for news, entertainment, information, sports and MUSIC?! The radio. This is vital for a big portion of the community who does not have and cannot afford satellite radio. This will force us once again to give in to corporate greed and thus elminate our choice. I don't know about y'all, but to me CHOICE is equivalent to: The power, right, or liberty to choose; option. And that's American. Radio is someone's life and livelihood.
Oppose the Public Performance Tax on Free Radio
"Such a tax would force many free radio stations off the air, result in less diversity in programming for listeners, and harm local communities that partner with radio to promote local interests and rely on radio in times of need. We urge Congress to reject S. 379 and H.R. 848 respectively."
I learned of this issue visiting Shamara's Page. I went there intending to check out my competition and see how I was doing in the "poll". As of now (10:53 pm) I am losing - 35.71% to Heavy Rotation's 64.29%. And it's all good. I am humbled. I am grateful. I appreciate the exposure. THANK YOU, Shamara. 'Same "smile" u do...I do just different bodies :) ALL GOOD'
You never know who is reading, listening, looking, watching - you never know who is intrigued, impressed, mentioning or just stopping through. Your pixel might come into focus one day and be a part of that big picture. #thatsdope @Writtenhouse
*The SugarHoneyIcedTea stands for...you figure it out. Yeah, that's us...
You never know who is reading, listening, looking, watching - you never know who is intrigued, impressed, mentioning or just stopping through. Your pixel might come into focus one day and be a part of that big picture. #thatsdope @Writtenhouse
*The SugarHoneyIcedTea stands for...you figure it out. Yeah, that's us...
Phonte's MJ Tribute*
*Re-posted w/ permission from Phonte. My Hero Ain't Molest Them Bitch Ass Kids: Phonte's teary-eyed tribute to The King
I haven't been compelled to blog in a long time.
In an era where everybody is twittering and text-messaging their lives away, a well-thought out essay that extends past 140 characters is quickly becoming a thing of the past.
But when our universe lost its brightest star on June 25, 2009, I felt a deep, overwhelming sadness that I haven't experienced in many years and I felt moved to say....something.
My hero, Michael Joseph Jackson, is dead.
Honestly I'm still trying to process it, almost like the loss of a much-loved family member. I mean, hell, to many of us Michael WAS family. Much like Nike, or Coca-Cola, or McDonalds, Michael Jackson wasn't so much a person as he was a living, breathing, American institution; a ubiquitous force that has seemingly existed forever and one that we couldn't imagine a world without. Seeing Michael onstage was less like watching a musician perform and more akin to witnessing a magician at work.
But contrary to his otherworldly stage presence and magical aura, the man we called The King of Pop proved to be a mere mortal. And now my hero, Michael Joseph Jackson, is dead.
What isn't dead, unfortunately, is the cloud of false accusations, unsubstantiated rumors, myths, slander, and outright lies that surround his life and his legacy. The greatest myth regarding Michael Jackson is that he was a pedophile who preyed on young children.
It is my belief now, just as it was 16 years ago, that the charges brought against Michael during his 1993 sexual abuse case were false. The allegations made by Jordan Chandler (the accuser) and his father Evan Chandler always seemed suspect to me for a few reasons:
1. Ask the average parent whether they'd want justice or money for their abused child and more than likely they'd say justice, if for no other reason than to protect their child (and other children) from a future attack. The fact that Evan Chandler was willing to essentially let Michael off the hook for a few million (reportedly 2-3), made their case seem like a well-orchestrated extortion attempt. In regards to the case, Evan was later caught on tape saying, "If I go through with this, I win big time. There's no way I lose. I will get everything I want and they will be destroyed forever...Michael's career will be over." Notice that homeboy ain't mention jack shit about his son. So much for being a concerned father...
2. Generally when victims of abuse come out with allegations against someone, other victims come forward to corroborate their story (i.e. the Catholic Church scandal, where a few parties came forward and it later led to thousands).
Very rarely do child molesters stop at just one kid, or even two for that matter. An alleged pedophile with only two accusers is kinda like an alleged serial killer with only one body. Or an alleged sneaker addict with only two pairs of Jordans in his closet. It just doesn't make any logical sense, nor does it coincide with the recurring psychological characteristics of most people who fall into those categories.
In the case of Michael Jackson vs. the Chandler family, not a single corroborating witness could be found to help prosecute the case and after raids were conducted on several of Jackson's homes, no hard evidence of sexual abuse was gathered.
Michael later settled the Chandler case out of court, not as an admission of guilt, but at the behest of his lawyers and financial advisors who warned him that a criminal trial could cost him millions of dollars in legal fees, as well as the loss of hundreds of millions in touring and endorsement revenue. With the Chandler case finally over, Michael continued to tour and released his greatest hits package “HIStory” in 1995. Ten years later though, he would face another trial that, in my opinion, would be the one to literally and figuratively, kill him.
Martin Bashir’s heinous, Machiavellian documentary “Living With Michael Jackson” aired in 2003. It was in this documentary that Mike (albeit foolishly) talked about his fondness for sharing his bed with children, and was seen holding hands with a young boy. Shortly afterwards the young boy from the documentary, 13 year-old Gavin Arvizo (a cancer survivor who had all his medical bills paid for by Michael), accused him of sexual abuse.
When Mike’s case against Arvizo hit airwaves in 2005, I must admit that I had my doubts. Much like the Chris Rock joke, I too shook my head in disbelief and said “ANOTHER kid!?! Mike, what the fuck?!! How could you be THAT stupid?!?!” As the case unraveled though, the financial motivations of the accuser’s family became much more apparent.
Similar to the Chandler case from ‘93, the prosecution couldn’t produce any credible witnesses to corroborate Arvizo’s testimony against Michael. Many of the prosecution’s witnesses were either former employees of Michael who had financial disputes with him, or had criminal convictions themselves. Arvizo’s testimony contradicted previous statements he’d made to officials saying that nothing ever took place between him and Michael, and Arvizo’s mother Janet Arvizo, an eccentric woman with a prior conviction for welfare fraud, single-handedly killed the case with her flippant remarks on the witness stand and overall bizarre courtroom behavior.
Actor Macaulay Culkin came forward in Michael’s defense and testified that no inappropriate behavior ever took place during their many times together, as did many other associates who had spent time at Neverland. Ultimately, Michael emerged from the Arvizo case with a Not Guilty verdict on all counts, but it proved to be a pyrrhic victory. The damage was already done. In the court of popular opinion, The King of Pop was an unrepentant child molestor.
When defending Michael Jackson against his detractors, I am often asked if I would let one of my sons sleep over at his house. The answer is no. Shit, I wouldn't let my sons sleep over at YOUR house. But that doesn't make you a pedophile, it just makes me a concerned and protective dad who doesn’t leave his kids around people I personally don’t know well enough to trust.
When it came to children, the only thing Michael was guilty of in my opinion, was naivete. While cuddling in the bed with children isn't technically illegal, it does violate several social norms; norms that a man who dresses funny, lives at an amusement park and refers to himself as “Peter Pan” would certainly pay a higher price for breaking. When I hear the tales of Michael laying in bed with those children, watching movies, tickling, and engaging in general horseplay, it sounds less like the work of a pedophile and more like the actions of a man trying to experience a childhood he never had.
During his investigation for the Arvizo trial, Michael was examined by Dr. Stan Katz, a clinical psychologist who concluded that Michael didn’t fit the profile of a pedophile but instead that of a regressed 10 year old, an analysis which I agree with wholeheartedly. I mean after all, only a person with the simple, unsuspecting mind of a child could truly believe they could sleep in the same bed as their pre-pubescent buddies and not pay a price for it.
Still, the most saddening myth surrounding Michael’s life is that he was ashamed to be Black. During the mid 80’s, in the midst of his ever-changing skin complexion and facial features, popular opinion in the Black community was that Mike was a sellout. This was an opinion that would unfortunately haunt him for the rest of his life, but a closer look reveals quite the opposite.
As echoed by my man Scorpeze of the house music duo Windimoto in his excellent blog, Michael Jackson never tried to disown or separate himself from his Blackness at any point in his career. In fact, he was probably the most openly pro-Black pop entertainer of his time. Michael Jackson ashamed to be Black? I mean, this was the same guy who:
-portrayed Black people as kings and queens in ancient Egypt ("Remember the Time" video)
-called Tommy Mottola (his then label boss) a devil and a racist
-sang "white man's gotta make a change" live on the Grammies in '88
-sang about a beautiful African woman in "Liberian Girl"
-featured an African chant at the end of "Wanna Be Startin Somethin"
-donated over $25 million to the United Negro College Fund
-sang "I ain't scared of no sheets" in "Black or White" and upped the ante by morphing into a BLACK PANTHER at the video's end
-wrote a song called "They Don't Really Care About Us," with a Spike Lee-directed video that featured prisoners raising the Black power fist
-uhhh “We Are The World” and USA for Africa, anyone?
What about this man wasn’t Black enough? Was it his battle with vitiligo and how it caused skin discoloration? Was it his excessive facial surgeries, due I’m sure in no small part to the teasing and ridicule he faced about his looks as a teenager?
Why did we turn our collective backs on a man who always reminded us that he never forgot who he was, or more importantly, whose he was?
This essay is my plea to all people who consider themselves a fan of Michael Jackson, but especially to Black people: Don't let them talk about our Brother. Don’t let his naysayers convict him of crimes that were never proven. Don't let people reduce the memory of one of our greatest heroes to that of a weird guy who wore a shiny glove and molested little boys.
When Elvis Presley died, did the media remember him as an overweight, drug-abusing racist who dated a 14 year-old, or was he eulogized as The King of Rock and Roll?
When Woody Allen dies, do you think the media will focus on the controversy behind him marrying his own stepdaughter, or on the films "Annie Hall" and "Manhattan" and how great they were? (Ditto for Jerry Lee Lewis, the rock and roll pioneer who married his 13-year old cousin.)
When people accuse Michael of being a pedophile or a child molester, ask them to provide hard evidence. Ask them to provide an opinion rooted in fact, rather than one based on gossip, hearsay, and conjecture. Chances are, they won't be able to. The Black community has done a great disservice in not reciprocating the love that Michael Jackson showed us when he was alive. The least we can do in honoring his death is ensure that his legacy is remembered properly for future generations.
Was Michael Jackson a weirdo? Of course he was a weirdo.
But maybe if you had been in the public eye since you were 7, had grown ass women throwing themselves at you since you were 13, suffered physical abuse at the hands of your father, watched your father and older brothers engage in sex with groupies on tour as a child, were called "Big Nose" and "ugly" by both family members AND fans, developed a skin disease that took away the one thing you repeatedly expressed your pride for, and spent the last half of your life as the most famous person on Earth, you'd probably be a bit of a weirdo too.
I am not attempting to paint Michael Jackson as a saint, as no man ever lives up to such a lofty title. But to me, the phrase “no good deed goes unpunished” seems to sum up Michael Jackson’s life more than ever.
Why would people try to tear down a man who constantly used his power, money, and influence to help others?
Why would people express such disgust and contempt for a man who constantly sang of love and peace, and used his talent to entertain, uplift, and inspire millions?
Tell em that its human nature, I suppose...
Rest in Peace, Brother Michael. I love and miss you dearly.
Phonte
*He posted a link to this on Twitter and it was re-posted on two.one.five mag's blog as well.
Tanya Morgan - Che Grand, Phonte - DJ Statik
Tanya Morgan will be back in Philly next week - this time it's not just a listening party...this time they will perform. I know a lot of hip hop fans are geekin' for this show just. like. me.Hosted by: two.one.five magazine and Phonte
(of Little Brother and The Foreign Exchange)
Wednesday, July 14th - Silk City
5th & Spring Garden. 10pm-2am.
$7 in advance, $10 @ the door or BUY THEM HERE
I plan to attend. Philly stand up! Get out and support good music and talented musicians. And why wouldn't you? This is a two.one.five mag event. Looking forward to meeting some other TM fans here in Philly and just kickin' it w/ the guys again.
"Take Off The Blues" - The Foreign Exchange ft. Darien Brockington
It took a lot of Twitting and re-Twitting, but @nicolaymusic finally gave us what we wanted & needed. Dope song, cool video...check them out! And FOLLOW THEM on Twitter.
The video is directed by Philly's own, Matt Koza. He goes to Drexel...get familiar. He'll be working on upcoming FE/HOJ projects.
UPDATE: The chick in the video (but so NOT a "video chick") is @FreedomReeves on Twitter - isn't she beautiful? And she's as sweet as she is lovely. Philly stand up!
Carlitta's Way...
This fly ass chica here, Carlitta Durand, got some TALENT...check out her newest orgasm for our ears..."Carlitta's Way". She writes and sings. If you never heard of her? "Kill Yourself." (c) @Vandalyzm. She's down w/ The Foreign Exchange (i.e @phontigallo of Little Brother + @nicolaymusic)
http://www.mediafire.com/?gigmmntzymg
This is a zip file she emailed to me, relax, it's safe and takes no time at all to download. So do it, listen to it start-finish and love it. I do.
Her MySpace Her Twitter
words to live by - real rap
The conditions by which we give love are never reason enough to ever stop loving someone: fever, passion, emotion...even why you like someone! They will all subside but continued joy is to know that someone exists in your world and you exist in theirs ...
I originally posted this on my prior blog Thursday August 9, 2007 - 12:00am (EDT) - which shall remain nameless at this time (so let's just call it "Batgirl Blog")...occasionally I will grab "old" material from there for what I deem to be pertinent purposes, lol. I blogged on there since 2000 up and until I created this one last year. I started it while in college, so I have years of material on there to sift through, and to protect the identitfy of the innocents, lol. I blogged there anonymously, no pic, no name, just a blog. It's no big secret and there's no real reason why I won't name it - except I guess to make a few people wonder, hmmmm....Anyways, this is where I blog now, this is where all my current material is, this is the blog that matters. Keep reading please. And I hope you joined the GET BACK ARMY! I did. This album BEEN dropped and if y'all didn't cop you're late! FAIL!
Random Sidebar: I so so so have OCD or ADD or one of those D's...wildin'. LMAO @ "Batgirl Blog"...I feel so inspired. Or maybe it's the Cali gank???? *inhales....*
Random Sidebar: I so so so have OCD or ADD or one of those D's...wildin'. LMAO @ "Batgirl Blog"...I feel so inspired. Or maybe it's the Cali gank???? *inhales....*
The BEST Proposal of 2008...fellas get a clue!
The Right Words"He took me to a local rose garden to play Scrabble. It was a travel Scrabble board where the letters stick in place, so when I opened the board and saw letters already in place, I thought, I don't think we were in the middle of a game. I took a second look, and saw that he had spelled, "Laura, will you marry me?" When I looked up at him, he was on his knee holding out the ring. We haven't taken the letters off of that board since."
I love Scrabble and I'm a sucka for romance, just thought this was a cute marriage proposal idea. Fellas need to step their game up in '09..."there's a lot of independent women wanna be claimed" (c) @RapperBigPooh of Little Brother. Follow him on Twitter, hilarious.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
