“…The Internet will make you think you like, famous when you really not—’cause people see your picture on the blogs.”-via rapradar.com

foresee the future

Download Omen: Delayed 

Most might recognize Omen from J.Cole's "The Badness"

Omen is on every level and element an artist.

Delayed is an eleven song sampler before he's mixtape drops

sometime in February. Happy Birthday Aquarians!

After Nine Years... Sade is better than aged wine.

1. The Moon And The Sky

2. Soldier Of Love

3. Morning Bird.

4. Baby Father

5. Long Hard Road

6. Be That Easy

7. Bring Me Home

8. In Another Time

9. Skin

10. The Safest Place

(Via GlobalGrind)

the morning after.

She woke up with a heavy heart and empty thoughts. He laid there trying to go through the stages of being conscious. Mya slowly got out of the bed, knowing he wasn’t fully asleep, but not wanting he’s attention. In the mirror, her hair was gathered at the top of her head, mascara stained under her eyes, clothes wrinkled, and alcohol still remaining on her breathe.  She took down her hair, wiped the mascara, found he’s scope and thought fuck the clothes.

When she walked back into the same clutter bedroom, he laid up.

“Good morning” he spoke low.

“Good afternoon” she spoke clear.

She collected her purse, money, and coat.

He said he’ll call. She left for the next train knowing that he won’t.. well at least not for a reason for her to pick up the phone.

People could share their bodies. They can exchange passion through their lips. If words are not spoken somehow feelings are not attached.

Erykah Badu Return

New Amerykah Part II: The Return Of The Ankh

Soon...

Sade

Download

via half_amazin half_animalblogger

Anika Noni Rose, Princess Tiana

The Princess and the Frog, the first black Disney Princess which was a change from the original version. Anika Noni Rose, voice of Princess Tiana and a Bloomfield, CT native. She graduated Bloomfield high school in 1990, and has already done numerous Broadway, TV, and film leads. Rose received a Tony Award for "Caroline, or Change", starred with Beyonce and Jennifer Hudson in "Dreamgirls", and the HBO TV series "NO.1 Ladies Detective Agency". She won the role of animated Princess over Hudson, Alicia Keys, and Tyra Banks. "Last Tuesday, Rose presented a screening at Bow Tie Palace 17 in Hartford for the kids enrolled in extracurricular arts program".- (via Hartford Courant,Susan Dunne) 

Film in theaters Friday, December 11 

Clap for her!!!

The Element of Freedom

Reviewed the Album: Great Production, but as usually I believe that her most in depth songs will be ignored.
One of my favorite from her was the Billie Holiday sample "Where do we go from here".
On a personal note.. people thought I was a werido when I was rocking grey nail polish and purple over a year ago..
Track Listing

1)      Element of Freedom (Intro)

2)      Love is Blind

3)      Doesn’t mean anything

4)      Try sleeping with a broken heart

5)      Wait until they see my smile

6)      That’s how strong my love is

7)      Unthinkable (I’m ready)

8)      Love is my disease

9)      Like the sea

10)   Put it in a love song (ft Beyonce)

11)   This love

12)   Distance and time

13)   Empire state of mind (part 2)
Dreaming (possible bonus)*note could change*

Favorite: Love is Blind

Weakest (my opinion): Put it in a love song

Release: December 15^th

Promise to Support Waterbury, CT

Download

Also available at iTunes: Best Kept Secret

#2 shout out to the RECBOYS

"I think this is gonna be the first motion picture, documentary done on a hip-hop group, which is an honor,” he said. “…Nas spoke to me a while ago and was like, “I want to shoot a documentary on you dudes.” Michael Rapaport saw us perform in LA and said the same thing, so they combined forces. They basically are shooting it. They got backstage footage. They got old archive stuff. They’ve been interviewing everybody.It’s weird cause they got everybody from [Jonah Hill] to Ghostface, he continued. It’s interesting. It’s gonna be their take or whatever. And there’s a part in the film where they follow Phife into a surgery for his kidney transplant. So, it’s a deep movie."

"In a recent interview with Soul Assassins radio on Shade 45, Rapaport gave an update on the film. “I’m finishing up this documentary about A Tribe Called Quest that I been directing,” he said. “It’s a rock and roll style documentary which is about Tribe which is one of my favorite groups. It’s been fun and hopefully we’ll have it done and ready for 2010."

As of press time there is no set date or title for the film. —Elan Mancini (via XXLmag.com)

Happy Birthday Jimi 11/27/1942

Spilt Multi Track 

One Track Cassette

Track Listing

1. Intro (Keri Hilson: Knock You Down)
2. The National Anthem (Radiohead)
3. Turnt Up (Travis Porter)
4. Yoga Flame (Lil Wayne: Fireman)
5. Lazers (Lupe Fiasco: Shining Down)
6. Angels (Remix) (Diddy-Dirty Money)
7. So Ghetto (Jay-Z)
8. Say Somethin’ (Timbaland x Drake)
9. Thank You (Jay-Z)
10. The One (Slaughterhouse)
11. Popular Demand (Clipse)
12. Summit On The Summit (HP TV Commercial)

Hi-Jynx Presents: Music Monday

download here

miss the use of the piano in music

Empire State Part 2

Music.To.Be.Excited.For.

 

 Lupe Mixtape November 26, 2009

 

 Omen: Afraid of Heights Mixtape (Soon)

February 8, 2010

Shadows of the Fantasy

         Danny Goldberg,former Manager of Nirvana  

  

Todd Brabec, Music Business Author

Wendy Credle, Entertainment Lawyer

 

Harold Vogel, Music Economists

Wale: Beast; did not make it on the album but check it.

Download wale beast mp3

"I really fucked up", Erin thought.
Unconscious to everyone around, she compared last week from this week.
She went through everything said, done, and felt.
He's looking through me. The same look everyone throughout the day gives a person they speak to. Physically, connecting with eye contact, but interest and thoughts far beyond us.
"I'll see you next week", he said flatly as a doctor would tell a patient.
"No you won't. I will be avoiding you at all cost", Erin's thoughts answered.
"Okay, see you then", she tried to weakly smile.
Almost running into the door, trying to escape the awkwardness of knowing there has been a changed mind.
"Damn, hope he didn't see that...to add to my ungraceful actions today"
"All my flaws were exposed on my face for him to read today. Inches from me, I couldn't hide them with makeup, smiles, hair, clothes, and salty jokes. He seen the truth of me, and declined he's offer of affection"

My mentor and former professor told me it would take time for me to truly appreciate Bob Dylan. It took exactly two years.. one of my favorite from him.

She needs love.. do you know where she should find it?

Is it with her ex who is content to come and go; uses her as the best option..

Is it with the young college man studying for a common degree, uncertain of where he may be after 5 years past..

Is it with the drug dealer, selling her short-lived fantasies..

Is it the older man who admires the youth he no longer has..

or are we all searching for something we are not suppose to find. maybe we were meant to wait for our connecting paths.
love is the seeker.

I stood by the second bench closest to the left of the inbound station. A man walked in the outbound across from where I was standing. He glanced over quickly. Quick enough for me to second guess if he ever really looked at me. I had to time my glances at him so that I wouldn’t get caught.
I couldn’t tell if he was 23, 24, 26 or 30. He’s skin was a smooth light cocoa. Tried to stop the slight jealousy of he’s gorgeous complexion.
The roar and the unsteady screeching of the train became loud, close. He stood. I walked forward. I wondered what he was listening to. If I would like what he was listening to or if it would make me not want to speak to him.
The train stopped between us. It blocked my view of the man. About a minute and a half of waiting, the driver’s shift must almost be over. Train left me standing there. Wonder why we were on different sides. Would we ever be on the same side? Would our plans introduce us one day?

For those who haven't heard. It's Sir Lupe

Powerhouse Oct 23rd "What We Talking About"


This ain’t a diss record, this a real record,
How does it feel to get exposed, don’t you feel naked,
I was a fly on the wall and what I witnessed,
I can say things to make Bey look at you different,
And my gangsta wasn’t never on trial, I stood up tall – no snitchin’
But the rapper Shawn called the police on me,
Cause I was front row at the Blueprint 3
I just wanted to see him MC and reminisce when we was the R-0-C.
but he called on the C-O-Ps
Not only that he brought in the F-E-Ds
So that’s telling me F you Sieg
So Fuck you to and F Bleek 3



Currently looking for the footage I had of one of Beans court dates at the start of Jay and Dam's separation of the ROC. If you pay close attention in the very beginning, starting with Jay and Dam...one could see that after Beans (sided) with Dam that he was going to be the subject of a later beef with Jay. In the clip you could obviously see the body language between Beans and Dam towards Jay was intense. I'm just surprised it took that long for what was brewing with Beans.
To be continued...

Kevin Carter: March 1993 child&vulture

The question that I was asked was if I was the photographer, would I have tried to save the girl. The conflict is, is it human responsibility to save life if possible or to think of the larger numbers of people affected when this photograph was released? My instincts and heart would have clearly forced me to save the girl, but we weren't put into this position. R.I.P. Kevin Carter 1960-1994

Unabomber J.Cole

Download Unabomber mp3

Yea,
Fresh off the mother fuckin-
Broadcast, and I’m here!-fuego
Nigga, yea, hey
Uh, it’s happening fast
Yea, uh
I told niggas on the low, they aint hear it though
Boy that man in the mirror, it’s a miracle
Ay wipe your face, momma told you no more tears will flow
We eating better than we was a few years ago
Send you western union on my payday
A week later it’s mayday
So you return the favor
We stay afloat like some sailors
Bill collectors blowing us up
They couldn’t fade us
Bitch I made strait A’s go ahead and try to degrade us
Haters-
But this one’s funny
Man one year later I was on them phones collecting money
A lesson from me-everybody got a story dog
Unfortunately learned I cant do nothing for you do
Im trynna run the whole game like a morning jog
With hits like a porno blog
Not hoping out the shower to make 10 dollars an hour
Aint judging, No
To each is own
You pay your bills to raise your kids inside a decent home
More power to you
But a message to you
Fuck niggas!
I hope your kids grow up and never want to fuck with you
This punk nigga knock up two hoes at the same time
And told us nigga, “they were lying, dog they aint mines”
That’s cold blooded but aint nothing new
Same old, fuck it though
Whats up with you?
If you make it this far listening without skipping
Then I got to show love
Don’t worry im just venting
The late night thoughts of a nigga on a mission
And I rock my girl to sleep in missionary position
Tuck that ass in and then I went and grab pen-
And then you have it
Word flowing like magic
Its truly accurate
You niggas posing like some hoes up in a beauty pageant
Nobody touching me it’s like I got the cooties rapping
Remember when we called niggas African booty scratchers?
Yea that was random but man so is life
You grab your needles grab your thread and hope you sew it right
I find myself fiening for a spot to go at night
Where the liquor flowing steady and the hoes’ polite
The fast lane make me reminisce on slowing life
The Unabomber blowing up over night
Bom!
Ay yo its happening fast
I said its happening fast
All the drama that I had to get past
Will it last
Or will it past?-Just as quick as it came
Hoes knowing my name
Dog fucking with fame
I pray to God it wont change
But even if it don’t most niggas look at you strange
But I guess I can’t complain
Ay man its happening fast
I said its happening fast
I said its happening fast

Bi-Racial Korean Racism

There is a large percentage of bi-racial people in the world today, and the numbers progressively increase every year. Even though there has been changes, you would be a complete fool to believe racism does not exist still. I don't believe it will ever die. Some people fear difference whether this is ingrained over ancestry, history, and experiences or natural feelings of fear.

Korea is one of the worst cultures and countries to be from or apart of as a biracial person. Many people born from Korean or America have been biracial. This is not new by any means. Consequently the American standing military in Korean has resulted in increasing numbers throughout history.

My father met my mother while in South Korea when he was in the air force. They married on the American military base because it was illegal otherwise. My mother's family disowned her for marring not only out of her class and status, but out of her race. She was forced to move to America to be with my father. I do not know my mother's family. I have never spoken or seen them.

This is not a unique story for those biracial Koreans whom I have met. Most of us have similar stories of not being fully accepting in our non-Korean ethnicity while completely disregarded from Koreans.
In Korea, many biracial children have been placed in shelters. There are many shelters in Korea for just that purpose. Biracial Korean citizens are not given citizenship and just recently some have been granted the right to join the Korean military. Most have not had the right or opportunity to become educated. We are simply outcast from our own culture. Korea believes in keeping and upholding the "purity" of 100% blooded Koreans. In 2009, this is disgusting!

Not only do biracial Koreans have to endure the prejudices of being Asian (which in my opinion has been one of the most scrutinized races through stereotypes), but also the racism and injustice from our own culture and people. Then most of us including myself are not accepted by the other half of us. Whether it is white, black, or so on.
Korea is only doing a disgrace to themselves and holding back their own people from progressing as a dignified people.It took me years to overcome and accept myself despite both sides of my family not doing so. I used to hate myself and feel embarrassed. For the last three years, I have been involved in this issue.

"Rosa sat so Martin could walk, Martin walked so Barack could run, Barack ran so we all can fly."

Wale "Letter" ft John Mayer

Corneille. Back to Life.

.bands will not decease.

Memory of a Performance.

“…and that was AMAZING!” the d.j. seemed as if he forgot why he was there. What record could he possible play after something so incomparable? After the lighting, the engineer, the dj, and the crowd came back from the tantalizing high that only the most raw and original composition could give a room of 650 people, the dj finally put on the “The What” and went to the side of the stage.

I stood motionless still overwhelmed by the performance and the artist. I haven’t felt this feeling in a long time…way too long for someone who is always around a venue.

I just had a conversation with this man who secretly and humbly contained a perfect talent. He’s voice; the tonality, melodic but conversational. He’s words detailed accounts from our experiences, each carefully chosen word punctured everyone’s mind and will hold a personal memory for everyone that was in the room.

After taking everyone on this experience, the unrecognizable face walks away. He left the venue without a second look back on the faces that gave him their full attention.  As if he wanted our last moment to only be of he’s talent not an image. An image of a what could be any man in the crowd, no jewelry, no overpriced t-shirt and jeans, no customized sneakers or an image to uphold. A plain, average, young black man that wore a white clean shirt, nameless jeans and regular Nikes, that left everyone to only remember he’s voice, the sway of he’s body with every texture of he's words, and the music.

We, I wanted more of this artist. 

sometimes feel the love from a song does not exist.

woman's body {the root of temptation}

Back Bay Homeless

Never seems to fail

the pain that prevents me from breathing

seeing someone so obviously there

but in yet all have forgotten

56 people walked by

the back bay today

but not one has taken a second look

have they even wonder why

this person is sleeping on the

wet.cold.cement.ground.

how ironic the richest areas. filled with tourists 

are those same places full with homeless

Artists are Experts.

No matter how
soft.
genetic.
this may come across...
everyone has a gift therefore everyone is talented.
the difference between those who have success and those who are empty is that few people work hard... relentlessly hard and another factor which is not true for most is becoming experts in your craft of the talent you possess.
Almost everyone knows of a local who tries to emulate a popular "artists" such as lil wayne or drake. Whether it be style or musically. Popular music is missing experts. People who KNOW music instruments.beats.lyrics.melody.tonality.emotion.originality.the process.
The majority of music now more than ever is a bought and sold product. A refined product that came from many bought sources.
Lyrics $10,000(from anonymous)...Beat $1,000(from some college dude)
The consumer no longer knows who's work they bought or where their $15 went after they bought that cd.
When you know your craft so well you become an expert at it, it becomes hard to be bought and sold and then soon after not cool anymore.
Legends. Icons. Good Artists. are not predicted.

.rap becoming less musical.

Q-Tip's Top 5 Rappers Who Sing from The Urban Daily on Vimeo.

Street Hop

"Who's Your Daddy" CT's Mook&Fair

Yale University Art

Nothing New...but take notice.

"On & On"



"Break Out"

a phenomenon that is believed to foretell the future...

Feel like im riding on a chartered plane of broken-hearted pain
Turbulence is constant my pilot has gone insane
If I can find a parachute to parasail, maybe these parasites of paranoia wont prevail
Character dope as hell, but where is my parallel sweetheart?
Deep thoughts lost in my brain so I sleep hard...
Nights with no progress
Man im thinking like Ill probably find a locness in the projects before I find this...
Object of my love, this object of my heart
Couture strings have strum in search of my counterpart
Bound to start drinking or smoking, sinking this ocean
Leaping through the badness hoping im reaching for closeness

Feel like the devil keep following me.
Feel like the devil keep following me..

Omen "The Badness" J.Cole The Warm Up
Look out for Omen-Afraid of Heights
In the mean time check out the videos I posted and he's blog.

"Who's Your Daddy"

I attended a MESIA conference at Berklee College in Boston, MA about a year ago when I seen all the business figures that I admire. A few of them were one of Jay-z's lawyers, Nirvana's former manager and authors of some informative, motivating music business books. After the panels were done with their discussion, I waited to speak to the lawyer and manager. They asked what college we (members of my club's chapter) were representing, our majors, and where we were from before I could even offer them a compliment. I told the businessmen (they weren't suits which intrigued me more) that I was from Waterbury, CT. The lawyer asked "the state and city that has the most criminal records of governors and mayors?"
My experience with "representing" my home has been either ignorance or of negativity. People assume Connecticut is a "rich state", those who know better know that the "richer" a state the poorer the poor and middle are. Waterbury has many nicknames, BrassCity, Dirty Waters, Grimmebury, H20... Most people don't know that we have amazing independent artists, athletics that went further than playing for the UCONN Huskies, and talented people have arisen from one of the country's most overlooked states for music.
Recently I have been asked my opinion on once was a local rap group, Mook&Fair of Waterbury, CT, whom was just signed to GS Entertainment. In the past, I have hurt some feelings by my raw opinions, but I refuse to sugarcoat them regardless if they are my people. I checked out their new website in which there contained some clips of their newest music video "Who's Your Daddy". I was extremely disappointed. The first scene I saw was the driving into Hartford's highway sign. Immediately, I asked if it was shot in Hartford and why. The response was even more disappointing. That was the only scene shot in CT. The video was shot in New York. I felt this was CT's chance to finally have raw urban footage of our state to expose to the country. Expecting nothing different that New York, southern and west coast rappers have done. I assumed wrong.
This is not to take anything from Mook&Fair at all. I have always respected their hard work and supported their love for music even if it wasn't something I would normally be a fan of. They are good men and have supported many community events. I will always support and love my hometown people and artists.
Now CT has been known to have artists who have either denied or have not told people where they were truly from, ex; Jagged Edge from Hartford. I just felt that after years of striving for this national success and touring throughout the country after being supported from local heavy rotation of their songs, CT could shine alongside our people.

cold-hearted.

Stairway to heaven...

Start of Roc Nation's Tour

J Cole NYU Concert Teaser from Alex Wright on Vimeo.

It seems on the outside you thinking you the shit
But theres a soul that’s inside that you didn’t even knew exist

Life is "Serius"

If you shoot for the stars I guess you aiming at ME

Omen "Get Down"

He Performs

He swiftly walked off before she could formulate a response. She turned her back to the front of the stage and tried to understand this obscured encounter. Just as she let her thoughts stray, a loud greeting from the crowd interrupted. She turned to see the stranger, the young man quickly walked with the same calm presence up the side stairs to the stage. Once again he had no introduction. Thinking out loud, “who the hell is he?” He grabbed the mic from the table on the stage, observed the crowd as if he could see through the sweaty faces into each of their souls. The crowd waited for some kind of direction to respond to this nameless face. Just before losing their attention, the instrumental music started to play. She became one of them, one of the 653 people who wanted to hear this stranger’s voice, to hear the vibration of he’s words, to build a connection so they could feel as though they knew him. “one-two, one-two, one-two”, like this was he’s sound check. Then he dropped the first verse with which he would own everyone’s attention. A voice that was relatable-no accent, no dialect, everyone could feel it was theirs, a tone that wasn’t comparable. In trance, he owned her as well. One song and he walked off as if he didn’t have full control over everyone in the room. Stared by all, he walked out of the building. The house d.j. just as confused and enameled by this man, his music, the performance, the person, tried to act as if this was planned “and that was …”

No Hello Stranger

Lost in thought, mostly daily worry as the club played the theme music for her daydreams. She structured herself to always look confident and strong standing alone. The young woman had years of practice learning to keep her imagination as good company. Quietly, a tall well-dressed man approached with a grace only a man who had experienced great achievement through hardship could. He carried undeniable strength with he’s broad shoulders, a face that couldn’t display ignorance, and hands that only the hard-working have. The young man’s presence immediately made her self-conscious. The shadow hiding details of he’s face and only showing the outline of he’s beautiful dark complexion as one arm rested on the bar. A glance from these deep eyes boldly exposed all of her insecurities. He turned to speak with full attentive eye contact, “What are you doing here tonight?” She tried to disguise the nervousness in her voice, “I work here.” A slight smile from him, “Is this your dream?” An uncertain and confused reply, “I’m sorry”. He’s response already prepared, “I don’t think this is your dream career, looks like your plotting your next move.” A low sigh of a laugh, “I want to work in the music business, maybe an entertainment lawyer.” Her answer made he’s smile widen as her thoughts raced, she couldn’t read him. Never losing eye contact, he told her he had to go. I’ll see you soon; I have to know your goals, feel your dreams, and taste your talent.