Friday, February 28, 2014

What Would the World be like with No Black People ??? ....



" This is a story of a little boy named Theo, who woke up one morning and asked God, "What if there were no Black people in the world?" Well, God, thought about that for a moment and then said, "Son, follow me around today and let's just see what it would be like if there were no Black people in the world. Get dressed and we will get started."

Theo ran to his room to put on his clothes and shoes. But there were no shoes, and his clothes were all wrinkled. He looked for the iron, but when he reached for the ironing board, it was no longer there. You see Sarah Boone, a Black woman, invented the ironing board and Jan E. Matzelinger, a Black man invented the shoe lasting machine.
"Oh well," God said, "Go and do your hair." Theo ran in his room to comb his hair, but the comb was not there. You see, Walter Sammons, a Black man, invented the comb. Theo decided to just brush his hair, but the brush was gone. You see Lydia O. Newman, a Black female invented the brush.
Well, he was a sight, no shoes, wrinkled clothes, hair a mess without the hair care inventions of Madam C. J. Walker, — well, you get the picture. God told Theo, "Let's do the chores around the house and then take a trip to the grocery store."

Theo's job was to sweep the floor. He swept and swept and swept. When he reached for the dustpan, it was not there. You see, Lloyd P. Ray, a Black man, invented the dustpan. So he swept his pile of dirt over in the corner and left it there. He then decided to mop the floor, but the mop was gone. You see, Thomas W. Stewart, a Black man, invented the mop.
Theo thought to himself, "I'm not having any luck." "Well, son," God said. "We should wash the clothes and prepare a list for the grocery store." When he was finished, Theo went to place the clothes in the dryer, but it was not there. You see, George T. Samon, a Black man, invented the clothes dryer.

Theo got a pencil and some paper to prepare the list for the market, but noticed that the pencil lead was broken, as well he was out of luck because John Love, a black man, invented the pencil sharpener. He reached for a pen, but it was not there because William Purvis, a Black man, invented the fountain pen. As a matter of fact, Lee Burridge invented the type writing machine, and W. A. Lavette, the printing press.
So they decided to head out to the market. Well, when Theo opened the door, he noticed the grass was as high as he was tall. You see the lawnmower was invented by John Burr, a Black man. They made their way over to the car and found that it just wouldn't go. You see, Robert Spikes, a Black man, invented the automatic gear shift and Joseph Gammel invented the supercharge system for internal combustion engines.
They noticed that the few cars that were moving were running into each other and having wrecks because there were no traffic signals. You see, Garrett A. Morgan, a Black man invented the traffic light.
Well, it was getting late, so they walked to the market, got their groceries and returned home. Just when they were about to put away the milk, eggs and butter, they noticed the refrigerator was gone. You see, John Standard, a Black man, invented the refrigerator. So they put the food on the counter.

By this time, they noticed it was getting mighty cold. Theo went to turn up the heat and what do you know, Alice Parker, a Black female, invented the heating furnace. Even in the summer time they would have been out of luck because Frederick Jones, a Black man, invented the air conditioner.

It was almost time for Theo's father to arrive home. He usually took the bus, but there was no bus because its precursor was the electric trolley, invented by another Black man, Elbert T. Robinson. He usually took the elevator from his office on the 20th floor, but there was no elevator because Alexander Miles, a Black man, invented the elevator. He usually dropped off the office mail at a nearby mailbox, but it was no longer there because Phillip Downing, a Black man, invented the letter drop mailbox and William Barry invented the postmarking and canceling machine.

Theo sat at the kitchen table with his head in his hands. When his father arrived he asked, " Why are you sitting in the dark?" Why?? Because Lewis Howard Latimer, a Black man, invented the filament within the light bulb.

Theo quickly learned what it would be like if there were no Black people in the world.
Not to mention if he were ever sick and needed blood. Charles Drew, a Black scientist, found a way to preserve and store blood which led to his starting the world's first blood bank. And what if a family member had to have surgery. This would not have been possible without Dr. Daniel Hale Williams, a Black doctor, who performed the first open heart surgery.
So if you ever wonder, like Theo, where we would be without Blacks? Well, it's pretty plain to see, we could very well still be in the dark!!!"
-Anonymous


So see family... to conclude Black History month... let this be a reminder that we are much worthy of more than 28 days.. we are black history EVERYDAY. Let this be a reminder of things the world utilizes in daily routine are things WE created. Let this be a reminder to never let ANYONE belittle your race... the world would be a wreck without US. Keep standing strong... hold your heads high.. and take boundless pride embracing that you come from greatness.. you were born Black.
"We may encoounter many defeats, but we must not be defeated"- Maya Angelou.



Related Post: If Black History Month was Eliminated.. Would You Care???

DayToday Episode 5 : Wiz Khalifa - Australia

"I wanna throw up right now so i can feel better...."


I haven't posted a DayToday episode in nearly two years. No particular reason, but just haven't. Well, I'm sure it probably was a reason at the time, but I don't remember now lol. Any who.. after watching this one I had to post. Not only is the opening scene something I'm sure most of us can relate to, but Wiz meets up with the ASAP boys, creates a frenzy at a meet and greet, shows his personal wax 'technique', and most importantly is the absolute sweetest when he meets a fan backstage after a show. Never a dull moment in the life of Khalifa.
Watch below::



Previous Post: DayToday Episodes

OG Bobby Johnson (Remix) | Que x Snoop Dogg x ASAP Ferg x Pusha T

Told you once, jealousy
that's a bxtch nxgga trait...


Yet another remix to club banger 'OG Bobby Johnson'. I must say in its' entirety... this is the best one I've heard so far.
Listen below::



Related Post: OG Bobby Johnson (ATL Remix) | Que x T.I. x Jeezy

Thursday, February 27, 2014

Video : Nobody | Rick Ross x French Montana x Diddy

Stalkin nxggas on their IG's; Never
I be...


  This B.I.G. infused track rides..
Rozay dropped the 'Nobody' visual today.  While it features actual footage from a previous encounter not too long ago where someone shot at a vehicle he was reportedly in, the video also entails a storyline of interrogation, Fed tapping, and a focused plot.  Watch below::  



Previous Post: Video - Oyster Perpetual | Rick Ross

Special Edition :: Time Warp... 1975 : "You Make Me Feel So Good" | Bobbi Humphrey ("The Blend" sample/Currensy x Wiz Khalifa) #BlackHistoryMonth



Barbara Ann “Bobbi” Humphrey hails from Dallas, Texas as a Jazz/flautist singer. Born in Marlin, TX on April 25, 1950, Humphrey had flute training (classical and jazz style) in high school. She continued her music studies at Texas Southern University and Southern Methodist University. While playing at a talent contest at Southern Methodist, she was spotted by the infamous Dizzy Gillespie. It was from him, Bobbi was inspired to pursue her music career in New York City. After receiving her big break from performing at the Apollo Theatre for Amateur Night, she performed with legendary musicians ranging from Duke Ellington, Lee Morgan, George Benson, Stevie Wonder etc. In 1972, Humphrey was signed to Blue Note Jazz label as one of the first female instrumentalists. In 1976, she was named Best Female Instrumentalist by Billboard and in 1994 launched her own successful record label, Paradise Sound Records. With 12 studio albums total from 1971 – 1994, Bobbi Humphrey continues to play all over the world.

Circa 1975.
As we come to the closing of Black History Month, I thought it would be cool to close out the 'Sample' themed time warps with a bang. Not only is this talented beauty a BEAST on the flute, SHE is the magic behind every single track on the jammin "Live In Concert" - Wiz Khalifa x Currensy EP. Yep, a woman. A BLACK woman. :-) Here's, my fav from the EP, "The Blend" Wiz Khalifa x Currensy sample... "You Make Me Feel So Good" by. Bobbi Humphrey.




I decided to dedicate this post to my supporters of this blog. Each year.. my content.. my exposures.. and my post number continued to grow. In lieu of ADDICTION reaching its 4th year (on Feb. 1st) and counting, I wanted to publically thank those who have stuck by me and continuously supported me throughout this journey. I can't express enough how much that means to me. I just wanted to say THANK YOU!. 'You Make Me Feel so Good'...
-Xoxo, Dolcezza.
  

Wednesday, February 26, 2014

Womens' Empowerment Wednesdays : Meet Tamron Hall ... #BlackHistoryMonth

"Oh yes! How could I not be walking on cloud nine? Just the other day I was reading about Meredith Vieira being the first woman to host the primetime Olympic shows. Of course, I knew what was happening with my negotiations behind the scenes and I thought, wow, these big moments at NBC News and now I'm a part of this for women, for Black women, for all of us. And I'm just taken aback by it. I can't even describe to you how it feels."
- Tamron Hall, to ESSENCE on being the First Black woman to occupy that anchor seat.


I had someone else in mind for today, but when I heard of Tamron’s achievement… I had to revert back and make this post about her. Born in Luling, TX, Hall recalls having a conversation with her Dad as a child. She remembers the day her late father showed her Iola Johnson on TV, The first black anchor for a Dallas TV station.. “He said, that can be you”.
Receiving a Bachelor of Arts degree majoring in Broadcast Journalism (woo hoo! To us Comm majors) at Temple University, her first reporter position was general assignment at KBTX in Bryan/College Station, TX and then to KTVT in Dallas, Texas. From 1997- 2007, she worked at WFLD in Chicago. Since 2009, Hall has served as a substitute anchor for Keith Olbermann on Countdown with Keith Olbermann(MSNBC); several month running two-hour program with David Shuster called “The Big Picture”; and hosted her own series on Investigation Discovery called, “Deadline: Crime with Tamron Hall” – a weekly newsmagazine series that features two crime occurrences per episode with Hall and her investigative team digging deeper to uncover details on the who what when why and how of each case. Bitter sweetly, Tamron dedicates the series to the homicide of her older sister in 2004 which is still deemed unsolved.

{On a brighter note}, Most recently, Tamron made history Monday morning when she became the first black woman to co-anchor the ‘Today’ show.. which has been running since 1952 . When one of us wins, we all win. Go Tamron
!:

Video : Oyster Perpetual | Rick Ross

So focused
I'm bi-focal...


This song soothes. I can listen to it all day for no apparent reason at all.
In the midst of his busy schedule for promotion of the upcoming Mastermind album, the bawse releases a visual for his current loosie.. 'Oyster Perpetual'. Watch below::



Previous Post: Nobody | Rick Ross x French Montana x Diddy

Video : Schoolboy Q x BJ the Chicago Kid perform "Studio" Live on Conan

I'm just sittin in the studio
just tryna get to you baby...

In promotion for Oxymoron, Q and BJ the Chicago Kid hit Conan to perform one of my favorite tracks off the album, 'Studio'. This was great live. Watch below::



Previous Post: Quick Docs: Watch Schoolboy Q's "2.25.14 Oxymoron"

Trailer : Kelis 'Saucy and Sweet' special tonight on the Cooking Channel

”My passion is food. My life is an adventure to be savored."


With her culinary themed titled album, FOOD, dropping in April.. Ms. K. Rogers is continuing on with that signature as tonight her 'Saucy and Sweet' special premieres on the cooking channel. Kelis, a graduate from Le Cordon Bleu Culinary School, already has her sauce line called "Feast" in which she debuted at the Beverly Hills Food and Wine Festival last November.

"At Feast, we want to celebrate life. And we want to do it daily. The most joyous, the most memorable, the most nostalgic moments in our lives...often times occur during a feast. Weddings, birthdays, reunions, first dates, proposals...festive food is inseparable from our most precious moments. At Feast, we believe that these moments shouldn’t be limited to only once or twice a year. At Feast, every day will be a celebration of life, love and happiness. Every day will truly feel like a special occasion. Every day will be a holiday"


Tune into her special tonight at 830 PM EST. Check out the trailer HERE::


Previous Post: Video - Jerk Ribs | Kelis

Mixtape : Yasiin Gaye (Mos Def x Marvin Gaye) – The Departure (Side One)

I got so much that I want to do
But I can show you better than I can say...


This absolutely made my morning.
Produced by Amerigo Gazaway, this is a mash up of the legendary Marvin Gaye and unpretentious rapper/actor Yasiin Bey (Mos Def) suitably titled “Yasiin Gaye”. Currently, Amerigo Gazaway has a new ‘Soul Mates’ series that continues the theme of his previous work in creating collaborations that never existed. Here's the first installment of the series. Well. done.
Groove out after the jump::

Intro Theme (The Departure)
Inner City Travellin’ Man
Definition of Infinity feat. Talib Kweli
I Want You ‘til the Summertime
Ms. Fat Booty
The Panties feat. Teddy Pendergrass
Workin it Out
Peculiar Mathematics
“T” Plays a Cool Loop (Interlude)
Time (To Get it Together)
Inner City Breathin feat. Tammi Terrell
Two Worlds feat. Kanye West
Soul Mates Radio (intermission
)

Tuesday, February 25, 2014

Time Warp... 1973 : "I Forgot to Be Your Lover" | The Mad Lads ("Pirates" sample/ Rick Ross) #BlackHistoryMonth


Formally known as the Emeralds, the Memphis, Tennessee group changed their name because another group used that name. 'Mad Lads' was suggested by their record label employee at Stax (Volt) as a reaction to the group's behavior as well as the recognition of a local DJ named Reuben "Mad Lad" Washington. The Mad Lads worked with Isaac Hayes in their earlier years and recorded R & B music. Their career took off in 1965, when they released their second single "Don't have to Shop Around". Their next three singles would be hits as well in 1966. Unfortunately years after, as most groups do, the members separated, replaced, and then parted ways again.

Circa 1973.
Although, the group separated, they left incredible records like these behind that many artists have sampled. The intensity behind the lyrics and music is something we don't see too often in present days. Here's the Rick Ross "Pirates" sample... "I Forgot to Be Your Lover" by. The Mad Lads.
"Ooooohh... Sorry!!"

Video : Partition | Beyonce

Took 45 minutes to get all dressed up
And we ain't even gon' make it to this club...


For those who don't have the visual self titled 'Beyonce' album already, King Bey releases another vid to the masses. This time around, she serves up the super SEXY 'Partition'. I don't know how to act anywhere when this song comes on. Watch below::
"The kinda girl you like is right here with me..."



Related Post: Video - Drunk in Love | Beyonce x Jay-Z

Meet the First All-Black National Championship Winning Polo Team ... #BlackHistoryMonth

”Growing up in West and North Philly, I encountered many people who had no idea what they wanted to do with their lives and others who locked themselves into only a few options. ...I knew that if I could apply myself, I could see what I could become” – Daymar Rosser


There are several articles floating the web about this team. Some recent.. some a couple years back. I did my best to compile information from each to make this post as current as possible. Brothers Kareem (older) and Daymar Rosser (end left, end right, Brandon Rease middle) were offered a chance to ride horses from Lezlie Hiner in exchange for working in the barn of her no-profit organization, Work to Ride. That moment changed their lives. During high school years, they formed a team and played warm-up games with polo programs from Prestige universities such as Cornell, U Conn, Harvard etc. These guys SHOWED OUT. For example, the beatdown against Harvard is something still discussed as they won 20 -3. In 2011, the Philly Fairmount Heights based first all-black Polo team went on to become the First African-American team to win the National Interscholastic Polo Championship. That same year, Kareem was deemed the Polo Training Foundation Male Interscholastic Polo Player of the Year. That would only be the beginning of their success as each player went on to win more and more. Fast forward to present day. Kareem, who yields journeys to Africa and Asia, is now a Junior at Colorado State University with a major in Business and coaches on the side as he is now too old to participate in Work to Ride. Brandon Rease graduated from the Academy at Palumbo. Daymar attends Rhode Island situated Roger Williams University. As these three have paved the way, other black youth (including young ladies) have taken interest and joined the team. Again I say... Our faces can be anywhere. Inspired and Proud.

Mixtape : Black Hystori Project | CyHi the Prynce

Why panic
if this how God planned it??


"This .38 my bodyguard I call it Kevin Costner..."
Adjectives like 'dope'.. 'nice' etc. does this project no justice. I'm in AWE. The entirety of it all: The consistent fire lyrics.. the creativity and infusion of the theme through the tracklisting.. and let's not start on the production oh my gawd. (the originals AND the sample flipped tracks). Easily deemed a Classic. While the G.O.O.D Music soldier has always had a tight distinct flow, he hasn't received much of the recognition he deserves. Mainstream that is.
Executive produced by Ye', 'Black Hystori Project' has 18-tracks full of countless quotables on various issues , whether social, cultural, or every day life etc. “….Jackets and some Jordans.. that’s what the television taught us..”
The realness here is spit in a way that our folks need to hear more often. My advice to Cy' is.. to drop the 'Prynce'... this is KING shit.
Listen below::

Quick Docs: Watch Schoolboy Q's "2.25.14 Oxymoron"

”I was in the mall one day. Found a bucket hat. Put it on. Looked in the mirror. was like yo this is tight..."


Oxymoron officially drops today!
In lieu of that, check out this clip combined of candid moments leading up to the album release::




Previous Post: Video - Break the Bank | Schoolboy Q

Monday, February 24, 2014

Smoke Signals | Buddy x Miley Cyrus (Prod. by. Pharrell)

I’m sending out smoke signals
And I’m sure that you can see them
Come chief with me girl…


I just realized... It's been quite a while since I've posted a track from Pharrell's artist Buddy. Nevertheless, I'm glad his latest track 'Smoke Signals' has made its way across my radar. This smooth funky groove will land on his upcoming 'Idle Time', which drops tomorrow. Doesn't it have a good feel like "Let's Get Blown" by. Snoop??
Listen below::


Previous Post: Staircases | Buddy x Kendrick Lamar (Prod. By. Pharrell)

Senile | Lil Wayne x Nicki Minaj x Tyga


Produced by. David D.A. Doman, this track (originally set for release on President's day but was pushed back), will appear on the upcoming compilation: Young Money : Rise of an Empire ... due out March 11th. I can only imagine what this visual would be like. Listen below::

Motivation Mondays : Meet Junior Bridgeman ... #BlackHistoryMonth


On September 17, 1953 in East Chicago, Indiana, Ulysses Lee Bridgeman was born. In 1971, he was a member of the East Chicago Washington High School basketball team with an undefeated record of 29-0 and also won the Indiana state high school championship. He attended the University of Louisville, where he played guard/forward, and was drafted by the Lakers in 1975 ….. then immediately traded to the Milwaukee Bucks (with two other players) for Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. From there, Bridgeman spent a successful 12 years in the NBA. After retiring, the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. member invested his money in franchises like the Wendy’s fast food chain. Fast forward to today. Bridgeman now owns over 160 Wendy’s including the growing number of Chili’s of 118 branches and counting. In addition to that food chain accomplishment, he is also the president of his own company : Bridgeman Foods, LLC. He owns a stake in Black Bear beverages ( a soda produced in Milwaukee), elected for the Wisconsin Hall of Fame, sits on the PGA board, and is reportedly worth $240 MILLION.

While Junior Bridgeman did indeed become a famous ball player.. he also had a back up plan; a plan that would help sustain the future of himself and his family for years to come. Our limits to what we feel is ‘achieved success’ (monetary wise) shouldn’t always be narrowed down to that of the popular : a celebrity (music, acting etc.), doctor, lawyers etc., but to infinite possibilities. While I’m not knocking those occupations BY ANY MEANS, they are all great!, I want folks to be inspired in seeing that there are other places we can have our faces. The sky is the limit! Let’s take advantage of that…

Photos : Tyga Opens 'Last Kings' Flagship store in LA

I want to thank everybody coming out today for this historic moment. Everybody at Last Kings for making this happen. This is our first store and we have a million more stores to go"


Over the weekend, Tyga celebrated the grand opening of his flagship store of apparel collection 'Last Kings' in Los Angeles. You may have seen the clothing line floating through various stores, but now it has a store of its own. In the former location of the Christian Audigier store on 7829 Melrose Avenue, you will find the impeccably designed theme of ancient Cairo 'Last Kings' store. Peep a few photos from the 'Pre-opening' on the 20th and Public opening on the 22nd below::


Counterfeit | Chris Brown x Rihanna x Wiz Khalifa

This some ol' movie shxt
Everything fake like a movie script...


Breezy collabs with Rihanna and Wiz Khalifa for 'Counterfeit', a song expressing their exhaustion with all fabricated relationships... whether it be love, friendship, or people in general. This track will land on his upcoming album, X. Listen after the jump::

Friday, February 21, 2014

Video : Break the Bank | Schoolboy Q


Q shows off his piano skills, cutie daughter Joy, and a bunch of homies from 'around the way' in new 'Break the Bank' visual.  OXYMORON hits stores February 25th.  Get it!  It goes!!  In the meantime... check this out::
La dadi dohhh la di dadi dadi dohhh 



Related Post:  Video - Man of the Year | Schoolboy Q

Video : My Nxgga (Remix) | YG x Lil Wayne x Rich Homie Quan x Meek Mill x Nicki Minaj


The whole gang gets together to film a simple black and white visual for the hit remix to 'My Nxgga'.  Watch below: 

Thursday, February 20, 2014

Video : Huey | CyHi the Prynce

I make music for the world
You make music for a stripper bxtch...


BARS. Huey's Black History Project drops 2/24. Fists up. Check this out below::


War Ready (Remix) | Gucci Mane

You know you ain’t finessing me
I thought you knew my pedigree
You nxggas lack integrity...


When I tell you Gucci cranked this up a few notches... I mean it with no exaggeration. Ross should have included him on the original (although that would have taken away from the shine of he and Jeezy reconciling) or he should have made a full remix version of his own. Do you agree? Press play.. and be the judge::

Pod Post Thursdays : Persian Rugs | PARTYNEXTDOOR

Fxck I look like I don't wanna chill?


#PodPostThursdays.
Absolute. good. shit.. This is sure to set some type of mood. Throw this one on the pod aye sap.
Come and fxck wit a pro…”




Related Post: The Votes are In: Top 5 Albums of 2013?

Time Warp... 1991 : A Song of Love | Lonnie Liston Smith ("2 Much" Sample/ Currensy) #BlackHistoryMonth


Hailing from Richmond, VA, Jazz and Soul great Lonnie Liston Smith, Jr. was born December 28, 1940. Music quickly filled his bones with influences from his father and Sam Cooke, and he learned to play the Piano, Tuba, and Trumpet in high school. He graduated from Morgan State in Baltimore, MD with a Bachelors of Science Degree in Music Education. After graduation, he went on to play with a live house band at the Royal Theatre (Baltimore).
In 1963, Lonnie Liston Smith, Jr., moved to New York. From that time through 1965, he played for Betty Carter, Roland Kirk, and joined Art Blakey’s sextet- ‘The Jazz Messengers’ (together with Miles Davis). From 1966- 1973, Lonnie went on to record with the band and a few others. In 1973, he formed his own group, ‘Lonnie Liston Smith and The Cosmic Echoes’ with his partner Pharoah Sanders (x group). Under his own group, he accomplished/released 15 albums. In the 1980s, Smith began to take interest with a new genre. He worked with legendary rapper Guru (RIP) and even appeared on his ‘Jazzmatazz Vol.1’ album in 1993.
Lonnie Liston Smith, Jr. has not recorded an album since 1998, but still continues to travel all over the world touring and performing live in Europe, Japan, etc. On top of that, several artists (Digable Planets, Big Krit, Mary J. Blige, Total, Young Jeezy, Joey Badass, Crucial Conflict etc.) have sampled his music. Most are familiar with his Garden of Peace’ cut which was sampled on Jay-Z’s classic Dead President’s II'
. However, since Spitta is here tonight for a show in DC…I figured I’d go with this one.
Here’s the Currensy “2 Much” sample …. “A Song of Love” by. Lonnie Liston Smith, Jr.
.
Circa 1991.

Bonnaroo 2014 Music & Arts Festival Lineup Announced...

The Bonnaroo 2014 Music & Arts Festival Lineup has made its way to the waves featuring Frank Ocean, Wiz Khalifa, Kanye West, Ice Cube, Lauryn Hill, Elton John, & More diverse artists all over. Tickets for the festival, which will be held in Manchester, TN June 12th- 15th, go on sale Saturday Feb 22nd at Noon EST. Check out the full lineup below to see if it’s something you want to mark on your calendar::


For More Info about the Festival/Tickets etc.… Click here

Nate | Vince Staples x James Flauntleroy


From Vince's upcoming project, Shyne Coldchain II. The swift transition into James part after Vince's bar exercise syces the entire song.
Listen below::



Related Post: Video - Hive | Earl Sweatshirt x Casey Veggies x Vince Staples

Wednesday, February 19, 2014

Nobody | Rick Ross x French Montana x Diddy


Rozay releases another cut (on time -_-) from his highly anticipated, Mastermind, album.  This particular cut samples Biggie's “You’re Nobody (Til Somebody Kills You)” from his 1997′s Life After Death double-LP. #RIP. 
Listen/Watch the visual experience below::

Blind THreats | Schoolboy Q x Raekwon (Prod. by. Lord Quest)

Bucket hat
Wit a strap
Like a pilgrim..


Q unleashed a smooth conscious cut this afternoon from Oxymoron, set to drop Tuesday Feb 25th.
I had to run this one back a few times. Vibe wit it. Listen below::
I swear I’m gon’ find my wayyyyyy

***UPDATE : TDE posted the song yesterday and then took it down after a few hours. Not sure why, but when it goes back up..I'll update the post again.




Previous Post: Schoolboy Q presents the 'Oxymoron Tour' .. featuring Isaiah Rashad x Vince Staples

Related Post: Break the Bank (Prod. by. the Alchemist) | Schoolboy Q

Photos: Santigold collabs with STANCE socks for new Collection

”I was excited to collaborate with Stance, and to make socks a new canvas for some of my creative ideas” – Santi "Santigold" White.



Afro-punk singer Santigold (formerly Santogold), may have been low on the music scene since her 2nd album ‘Master of My Make-Believe’ dropped in 2012, but there seems it was another venture brewing that has now reached the forefront. Though STANCE announced last July the welcoming of Santigold to their brand, a preview of the product has now hit the internet waves. Santigold’s first collection will launch this spring. Additional styles will follow, but for now the collection will debut today on the STANCE Website (Nordstrom, Opening Ceremony, and others) with these three: Brooklyn Go Hard, Gold Links, and Kilimanjaro.


20% of the Kilimanjaro style sales proceeds will be donated to charity: water, a non-profit that provides clean water to developing nations.

”Santi has an amazing sense of personal style and unparalleled commitment to her art. She is not afraid to mix colors and patterns and her hands on approach made sure that each design tells a unique story that truly encapsulates what motivates her as an individual and style influencer” – Candy Harris, Vice President of Women's Strategy for STANCE.

Inspirations for Brooklyn Go Hard and Kilimanjaro stem from her feature on Jay-Z’s song (same title) and climb up the mountain.


s.o. to BILLBOARD.

Womens' Empowerment Wednesdays.... Meet Necole Ryse. #BlackHistoryMonth


Ryiesha Simms, better known as Necole Ryse, is an upcoming young adult fiction writer from the small town of Clinton, MD, with big hopes.. dreams.. and ambitions. Ryse graduated from Towson University with a Bachelor’s degree in Mass Communications in 2009. As most post college kids endure, Necole jumped from job to job in attempts to set financial stability for her future. Unfortunately, while working and saving so much… she forgot one thing: to enjoy life. In May 2013, she quit her job and decided to follow her dreams to write fiction with the goal of making that a career in one year.

Now, my job is to write. I wake up every single day and run to my laptop because I love what I do. Sure, I’m living in my mother’s basement. I drive her spare car. My savings account is dwindling. I can’t go on vacations with my friends. I can’t go to fancy birthday dinners or afford to get my nails and toes done every week like I could before.
But I wouldn’t trade my dream for any twelve-dollar manicure. Or that 80-mile commute. Or that rush hour traffic. Or my bitch boss. All my funds are invested in my books. And one day soon, when I see my book on the New York Times Best Seller’s List, it will all make sense
." {Via WERLOUD interview)

  

Initially, SHORTIES, started as just a writing excerise where Necole asked her social network friends to send her a sentence, just one, and she would write a short story using their sentence. Receiving an overwhelming response, she compiled them into a book. From there, she completed her first novel, The Legacy, in October 2013. Rejection after rejection from submitted inquiries to publishers and literary agents would leave some to discouragement, but Necole continued to push. One day she randomly decided to tweet the concept of her novel during a contest on Twitter. That tweet would change her life. She received two offers for ‘The Legacy’; it will be published by Winslet Press in Summer of 2014.

“When I was in middle school AA fiction was “Flyy Girl” by Omar Tyree or “The Coldest Winter Ever” by Sistah Soulja. Both good books, but these books were not appropriate for a 12-year-old to read. And my mother will probably kill me if she knew. I want to offer AA kids of today something just as exciting to read, but quality. I don’t want kids to feel like they can’t take a book home to read. I want even their parents to be sucked into my books.
Every main stream YA fiction novel of the NY Times Best Seller’s List is authored by someone who does not look like me and neither do their main characters. We are underrepresented and misrepresented! Either we are drug dealers, criminals, killers or gold diggers, groupies, or orphans; we are promiscuous or scandalous and it’s so frustrating for someone like me who cannot relate to these characters at all. All African Americans are not like this. We are queens and kings, well educated and ambitious. Those are the kinds of quality characters that you will find in my books. I want to change the face of African American YA Literature.
All African American literature doesn’t have to be urban or street. African Americans are artistic and bold and beautiful! I want the whole world to see that through my characters. I want people to feel inspired. I want people to relate to my novels, no matter their race. I want people to put my book down and cry or run to the nearest book store for part two or three or four. I want people to FEEL a piece of my characters. I want them to feel like the main character is their sister, or their cousin. I want them to cry, to laugh, to gasp. I want them to feel my soul
." (Via The B. Envelope interview)

SHORTIES is available for purchase in paperback and e-book on Amazon.com and www.NecoleRyse.com . All books on the site are available in PDF format for downloading. Also, visit her site to a get a synopsis of what's forth to come...The Legacy.

Show courage to fight for your dreams (no matter the situation) and obtain the confidence to believe in yourself and your talents. Sprinkle faith in there and you'll be surprised at what you can accomplish. I want this story to empower women to do just that. We often shun our goals because it doesn't seem realistic given current situations or simply we are just afraid of giving our all only to fail. Stay determined and keep the faith. Sometimes, it's what makes you happy that's most important. Don't give up on your dreams.



sn: I am SO proud of her. Words can't fully express that.