Tuesday, May 31, 2011

'Leanna' shows the world money has no age limit



15-year-old Leanna Archer used a family hair pomade recipe to develop a flourishing hair and body product company that earned over $100,000 in sales last year.

Archer articulated the origin and foundation of her business with sophistication in her CNN interview posted above. "Leanna's All Natural Hair Products" began as a few hand-to-hand sales in Archer's Central Islip, New York community.

Years ago, her grandmother, of Hatian descent, "concocted" a pomade that was later passed down and sold to the public. Today, nine products are on sale at the website.

The cans and bottles sold are colorfully decorated with Leanna's pink logo and a photo of either herself or close family members. Customers can order on the website, through mail or telephone.

I was delighted to hear her mention the support of family and friends as the main reason her company is prospering. You come to expect a young entrepreneur to say that but the thought never looses it's potency no matter how many times it is said sincerely.

Apparently, Leanna and her business have appeared in various other media outlets before but this is my first time hearing about it. This story proves that one is never too young to start a profitable business if determined, prudent and able/willing to tap the proper resources.

Monday, May 30, 2011

Wale- The Cloud (Official Video)



Short house party visual for Wale's "The Cloud" from his most recent mixtape More About Nothing, released in 2010. College student, guitarist and singer Tiara Thomas sings the chorus and is responsible for the production.

Nicki Minaj - Did it on em (Internet video)



A few show clips and Young Money cameos on-stage and backstage provide images for another one of Nicki Minaj's successful singles from her debut album Pink Friday. This is not an official video but more of a promotional video.

Friday, May 27, 2011

Diggy Simmons- Copy, Paste



After building a considerable fan base with his two mixtapes, Diggy Simmons' still unnamed debut album is scheduled come sometime later this year. "Copy, Paste" is heavily auto-tuned but is a refreshingly different from Simmons catalog.

Thursday, May 26, 2011

Kirko Bangz- What's Yo Name? featuring Big Sean, Bun B and Wale



I'm wasn't a fan of the original single "What Yo Name Iz?" Kirko Bangz released in February but the addition of Big Sean, Wale and fellow Houston rapper Bun B for a remix makes this club record more appealing.

Wednesday, May 25, 2011

Kendrick Lamar- Hiipower (Official Video)



In this politically charged track produced by J. Cole, Lamar address the demons he faces and calls listeners to abandon everyone else and be themselves (but in a much more eloquent fashion).

Tuesday, May 24, 2011

Maybach Music Group- Pandemonium (Official Video)



Although Rick Ross' literal use of the word "Pandemonium" is a little off, each person of this trio (Wale in particular) excel at bringing their own style to the track. This song is featured on Maybach Music Group's debut album Self Made Vol.1, released yesterday.

Monday, May 23, 2011

Ryan Leslie- Glory (Official Video)



This track from Ryan Leslie's upcoming album has truely grown on me so I'm sharing it with you.

I wish someone "whipped and chained" my eyes out of the socket last night...



Last night Rihanna and Britney Spears performed "S&M remix" together on the Billboard Music Awards. Despite a considerable ovation at the performance end, I was left extremely underwhelmed.

I am somewhat fond of the song but I expected Rihanna to do something more animated than pose provocatively on stage while handcuffed and male dancers dressed in black arise from beneath the stage to hover their hands around her body. She obviously missed a few notes during the hook/chorus and joined Britney Spears in five measly seconds of pole dancing. The most ridiculous part was the pillow fight to close out the performance. Britney and Rihanna both appeared as if they knew the part was silly and didn't put a lot of effort into it, making it look rather lame.

Saturday, May 21, 2011

'Macho Man' Randy Savage dies at 58.


The end of a classic match between Macho Man Randy Savage and Ricky Steamboat


Iconic professional wrestler "Macho Man" Randy Savage, whose real name is Randall Poffo passed away at age 58 yesterday as a 'medical episode' caused his vehicle to veer off the medium and crash into a tree in Seminole, Florida.

Poffo is believed to have suffered a heart attacked but that will not be confirmed until the autopsy is released.

'Macho Man' established himself as a recognizable fixture in the wrestling world in the 80's. While sporting sunglasses, bright colors and tasseled, he dazzeled audiences with his classic matches with other popular wrestlers of the era like Hulk Hogan, the Ultimate Warrior and Ricky Steamboat. At the end of the 90's, Savage left World Championship Wrestling (WCW) only to go on wrestling hiatus for 5 years. He returned to appear in two Total Nonstop Action (TNA) wrestling Pay-Pay-View events in 2004.

He transfered his rapsy-voiced character to Slim Jim commercials in the 90's. Those who never followed wrestling remember identify his prescence in Slim Jim commercials belting the product slogan, "Step into a Slim Jim".

His wife, Elizabeth Poffo, was in the car during the wreck but suffered only minor injuries.

Ric Flair shared his thoughts on Randy's passing:

“He just had a phenomenal career and to have this happen is just really, really sad. The thing I feel worst about, of all of the guys that are available and eligible to be in the WWE Hall of Fame — there must be something that I’m unaware of that’s gone on and they’ve never inducted him because Randy certainly was a major player for the WWF in the mecca days of the eighties and nineties.”

Friday, May 20, 2011

Keri Hilson- Lose Control (Official Video)



Keri Hilson shakes, winds and rolls to a Stargate beat similar to Rihanna's What's Your Name. Nelly drops a feature verse here.

Wednesday, May 18, 2011

Donnis- Get Up, Get Out



A high tempo track full of synthesizer chords produced by Needlz from Donnis' Southern Lights mixtape. Just happens to be one of my favorite.

Here Donnis talks about abandoning laziness in exchange for work aimed at acquiring wealth. The title and topic is similar to "Git Up, Git Out" by fellow Atlanta rappers Andre 3000, Big Boi (Outkast) and Cee-Lo from Outkast's debut album Southernplayalisticadillacmuzik.

Tuesday, May 17, 2011

Will early leaks drive 'Maybach Music Group' to dissapointing sales?


Almost every song on Maybach Music Group's upcoming album Self Made Vol.1, schedule for release on May 23, has been leaked in the past two weeks. This is a daring marketing strategy by the label to "tease" fans before it is released next week.

Because this project is heavily anticipated, the leaks will deter people from buying the project. No need to buy the project when the songs were leaked two weeks before the release date.

"600 Benz" featuring label members Wale, Rick Ross and Ruff Ryders rapper Jadakiss is the first official single from the album.

The Maybach Music team featured in the project includes Rick Ross, Wale, Pill, Meek Mill, Gunplay and Teedra Moses.This collaboration of talented rappers spanning from various parts of the East Coast is very impressive. Producers like Lex Luger and The Incredibles were well-utilized to give the project diverse tones and tempos.

Yelawolf and Trae tha Truth- Shit I've Seen (Official Video)



Yelawolf and Trae the Truth explain how their past has shaped their present.

Monday, May 16, 2011

Jim Jones, Juelz Santana and Waka Flocka- 848



The mixture of the lively beats Waka Flocka has made a habit of finding and the swagger of harlemites Jim Jones and Juelz Santana. The track sounds similar to a few songs featured on Jim Jones latest album Capo. FYI: the beat is not produced by Lex Luger but by South Side-- an upcoming producer on the Brick Squad label.

Friday, May 13, 2011

Common performs at White House poetry event



Common recites some poetry for the audience at the White House's poetry night. See, he wasn't that political or controversial. What was all the hoopla about?

Wednesday, May 11, 2011

Big Sean- I Do it



"I Do It" is said to be Big Sean's next single from his upcoming debut album Finally Famous: ; it is co-produced by No I.D and The Legendary Traxster, two Chicago natives. He takes one of his most renown ad-libs and repeats as a chorus. Original right?

Tuesday, May 10, 2011

Lupe illuminates The Colbert Show with 'Lasers'


 Lupe Fiasco jumps and head-thrashes his way through an energetic, enthusiastic performance of "I Don't Wanna Care Right Now". You know what they say, it wasn't a good performance unless the performer finishes with sweat on his/her brow. If that rule applies, this is one of the best I've seen. This was a web exclusive performance; Lupe performance of "Words I Never Said" with Skylar Grey appeared on the show last night.

Shouts to Lupe for putting The Colbert Show on the map for more hip hop fans.

Monday, May 9, 2011

Pac Div- Rollin (Official Video)


In Studio Session: Pac Div "Rollin" from 3 Little Digs on Vimeo.


While in the studio, west coasters Pac Div records video for "Rollin" from their most recent mixtape Don't Mention It, released  late April.

Why Brett Favre needs to be left alone



I noticed 'Brett Favre' was trending on Yahoo searches this morning so I researched what the hoopla was about.

What appeared in search results were articles many of which read "Why Brett Favre..." For example, the Bleacher Report has two listed pieces titled "Brett Favre: Why Brett Favre is destined to Fail as a Football Coach" and "Why Brett Favre Would Be a Perfect Fit for a Studio Show". The title of another result, on the same page mind you, read "Why Brett Favre is the most overrated".

All three of these were published online between April 29 and the last hour. This is likely because Favre recently expressed his interest in pursuing work in coaching or television work.

The last time I checked Brett Favre retired for the final time after the (6-10) Minnesota Vikings finished their 2010 season. Favre suffered a shoulder injury that kept from playing in week 14 against the New York Giants and subsequently ended his tremendous consecutive starts streak at 297 games. He finished the season with 2,509 passing yards and 69.9 passer rating. After closing out his career in that fashion, he deserves to look toward a future beyond playing on the gridiron.

Perhaps we've become so accustomed to talking about Favre this time of year that it has become second nature to mention him. Most newly retired players use their football knowledge and media exposure to land a job on television or as a position coach. He has done nothing more than disclose his future options... nothing exciting or newsworthy. Favre needs to be left by his lonesome.

Friday, May 6, 2011

Movie written by Tupac? Not exactly...


It’s amazing how deceased celebrities live on through their work. Tupac Shakur and Notorious B.I.G have had several successful posthumous albums years after their deaths.

Recently, a screenplay, written by Tupac while he served time in jail for weapons charges titled Time 2 Tell, was acquired by Nstar Media Studios.  The production budget for the film is set at $11 million. For more details, click here:

My concern will be the liberty directors and other hires will have to adjust and edit the script. The original may be written by Tupac but once the final script is completed, the ideas may be totally different. Tupac isn’t going to check in-and-out of his grave to approve of any edits made to his screenplay. Eventually the dialogue, plot and other aspects will be changed; that is how the movie business functions.

The film will be successful regardless of how far the final film averts from the late Pac’s vision. The prospect of a movie “written by Tupac” in theaters 15-16 years after his death is a strong motive for many to spend money on it. It wouldn’t be the first time Tupac’s name will be used to make significant profit, ask Suge Knight.

Willis Mcgahee cuts a rug!

<a href="http://video.msn.com/?mkt=en-us&amp;brand=foxsports&amp;from=foxsports_en-us_videocentral&amp;vid=d6630aa4-d5e0-413d-9b71-2dc7303604a8&amp;src=FLCP:sharebar:embed:null" target="_new" title="Cubed: McGahee 'Double Dream Feet'">Video: Cubed: McGahee 'Double Dream Feet'</a>

This is funny beyond explanation! Willis Mcgahee tears up the dance floor for Fox Sports.

Eve & Timbaland- Nothing to Say




Yesterday marked the return of Timbaland Thursday. Tim took a few weeks off from the series but revived it with Eve's unreleased Nothing to Say. Eve and Timbaland recorded this before Fabolous' picked it up but the song was never released and remained in the "vault". The familiar instrumental evolved into Fabolous & Ne-Yo's Make Me Better, a hit single back in 2008.

Wednesday, May 4, 2011

Consequence no longer making G.O.O.D music



Rapper Consequence has officially announced that he is dissociating from Kanye West's G.O.O.D Music label and his cousin Q-Tip.

Consequence expressed his dissatisfaction with both men's lost of interest in his album Cons TV. Originally both West and Tip were going to co-produce the album but as time passed their attention was pivoted toward their own work. Consequence was left high-and-dry with no new album and limited sources of income.

At the end of "Man Purses", a track produced by J. Dilla, he declares that his crew [G.O.O.D Music] hasn't been the same "since Amber Rose and Taylor Swift", alluding to Kanye West's relationship with ex-girlfriend Amber Rose and highly-criticized interruption of young country singer Taylor Swift's acceptance speech during MTV's 2009 Video Music Awards.

Consequence has only released one official album under the G.O.O.D music label,  Don't Quit Your Day Job, back in 2007. He only released poorly promoted singles and underground work since.

BET's 2010 Hip Hop awards hosted a cypher exclusively featuring rappers from G.O.O.D music. Kanye West, Common, Cyhi tha Prince, Pusha T and Big Sean all participated but no Consequence. He has never appeared in any of the cyphers the award show has presented in years past so his absence could best be explained by the recent distancing between he and the label.

Consequences' exit leaves rappers Big Sean, Cyhi tha Prince, Common, Fonzworth Bentley, Kid Cudi, Pusha T, and singer John Legend on the roster. As much as I hate to say it, he will hardly be missed. The diverse talent in G.O.O.D music overshadows a rapper like Consequence whose inability to appeal to a large audience limits his marketability.

This change does not mean listeners will not hear from him again. He will continue to create music and market it through Band Camp Records, Consequence's own label imprint. However, the number of Kanye West/Consequence collaborations may be soon dwindling.

J. Cole- Disgusting


J. Cole leaked this track on Twitter a few hours ago. The title accurately describes the grimy instrumental and lyrics that frequently reference sexual escapades and defecation. New music from Mr. Cole is a rarity these days but we, the fans, are still anxious to hear his debut album.

Diggy Simmons- Click Clack Away




With the help of Bruno Mars and his production team, Diggy Simmons may have his first summer hit. Despite the apparent potential, Simmons said this song is a leak, not the first official album single.

Tech N9ne- Worldwide Choppers featuring Yelawolf, Busta Rhymes, Twista, Ceza, JL, B. Hood, Uso, D-Loc and Twisted Insane



This is a collaboration of mind-boggling proportions. No doubt every rapper featured has at one point been told "you rap really fast". The track will appear on Tech N9ne's 6's and 7's album set for release on June 7.

Tuesday, May 3, 2011

T-Pain- You Copying Me






A scatterbrained, fast-paced summary of T-Pain's journey into the music business. Production courtesy of the Tha Bizness.

Monday, May 2, 2011

Chris Brown- She Ain't You (Official Video)



Chris Jackson... I mean, Chris Brown channels the King of Pop in this luminous video for the fourth official single from his F.A.M.E album.

Sunday, May 1, 2011

Tedashii- Can't Get With You (Official Video)


As Gospel rapper Tedashii prepares for the release of his third studio album Blacklight, he records a short, one-minute video for one of the most unique cuts from the upcoming project.