Lorenzo Asher

Lorenzo Asher is one of those underrated artist, that don’t get the love of the On-Air stations. He is a true poetic Hip-hop artist that spits lyrics that have you thinking. His Electro/R&B vibe is definitely a fresh take on Hip-Hop music. What I like about Lorenzo Asher, he not only raps he can also sing. That to me is the sign of a true artist. This Brooklyn by way of Cleveland Hip-Hop artist has  put out two albums “Numismatics” and “Nora”. Out of the two, “Numismatics” is my favorite. The songs off these two CD’s that are going on my playlist are “Fig Leaves Hyperspace”, “The Undying Brave”, “Bills” and “Nora”. Tune into Streetwise Radio to listen to songs from Lorenzo Asher, you will enjoy his music. You can also listen to Streetwise Radio on MyGen365, Live365, Athena365, iTunes and Pandora.
LM
http://www.mtv.com/artists/lorenzo-asher/biography/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4f2Zc9mSuk0
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vLGIChDIjPs
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y18gp7jtHJw

Big Hop Exclusive—Youth Speaks Celebrates LGBTQ Youth with “Queeriosity” Showcase By Shelah Moody

                             Poetry literally saved Trey Amos Life

                                                         Trey Amos


Growing up with her brothers in Nashville, TN, Amos felt out of place. As the only girl child in the family, she felt uncomfortable in the dresses and stockings that she was made to wear to church and other outings. In a world where masculinity and femininity were strictly defined, Amos wanted to participate in the activities that her brothers were into and wear what they wore, but she not allowed to. It was a struggle, she said.

“I’m southern born and raised yes, ma’am,” said Amos. “I’m a long way from home right now. A southern upbringing is very structured and very specific. It leaves little room for creativity. During my adolescent, I was kind of put into a box.”

Amos said that her parents were unaware of her emerging sexual identity.

“I think that has a lot to do with the geographical location and religion and a number of other things,” said Amos. “(Homosexuality) was something that wasn’t really accepted in my household. But now, I am happy to be older and have positive relationships with my family in regard to identity. The transition has been beautiful. My relationship with my mom has grown tremendously and I think it has to do with my writing. She sees how far it can take you and how much it can five you. Having a child being successful in the world and doing something positive is what she cares about now.”

After relocating to the Bay Area, Amos found Youth Speaks, a forum for young artists, at age 17.

“Being exposed to 500 other people who thought like me at a Brave New Voices festival was empowering,” said Amos. “The bug bit me, and I never stopped. Now, I am in a position of creating spaces that transformed me when I was the same age.”

On Friday June 12, young artists from around the Bay Area who identify as gay, lesbian, bi-sexual and transgender participated in the “Queeriosity Performance Showcase, presented by Youth Speaks and the National Queer Arts Festival at the LGBT Center in San Francisco. During the Queeriosity Performance Showcase, singers, dancers, musicians, poets and visual artists presented their work, which touched on themes of otherness, alienation and self- acceptance. The Queeriosity Performance Showcase is an annual spoken word and performance event dedicated to young people who are reshaping the conversations about sexuality, identity, and community.

Amos, now a Queeriosity Performance Showcase alum and poet mentor read her hip hop inspired piece, “This Color Brown” (See link https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ChMAgvTlElc

“Being a person of color and a person who identifies as “queer,” the importance level runs neck in neck,” said Amos. “I want to speak for people of color and speak out against police brutality and other injustices. “This Color Brown” is meant to shed light on how people who look like me or have the same skin tone as me are viewed in the eyes of the law and the court system.”

The Queeriosity Performance showcase was hosted by co-curator and lead facilitator, Indira Allegra, who led a six week writing workshop. Each year Youth Speaks facilitates a writing and performance workshop that explores how self-identified LGBTQ youth develop a deeper awareness of their sexual identities while celebrating their queerness. A small group of youth applied, and Youth Speaks reviewed their application. Allegra described the program as an interdisciplinary representation of poetry which integrated visual arts live music and dance.

                                             Indira Allegra and AmyEspiritu

“I’m really pleased with the way that the youth were able to really step into that place of risk and that place of vulnerability to be able to create work,” said Allegra, who is also an acclaimed writer, performance artist, visual artist and winner of the Jackson Literary Award.

“I feel like, not only is this a writing workshop to create work, it’s really about professional development,” said Allegra. “As an artist, I can’t create work that lands in other people’s experience if I’m not vulnerable myself. I feel like this king of emotional training is valuable, and we have to get it started not at the beginning of their careers.”

                                                    
                                                                      Ash Phillips

One of the 2015 Queeriosity Performance Showcase’s rising stars, poet Ash Phillips, who identifies as a “genderqueer poet,” spoke of the challenges faced by transgender youth: having a hard time shopping for clothes, people placing bets on which body parts you have and the fear of walking into a public restroom without being reported or attacked.

“You wonder why I cry when people ask, ‘are you a boy or a girl,” said Phillips. “I’m neither, or maybe I’m both. Or maybe I don’t know and maybe it wouldn’t be a problem if you didn’t f-----g ask.” In closing, Phillips proudly called the names of all of the members of the transgender community that we lost this year.

“You weren’t killed by black and white; it was pink and blue that took your lives. (See link .(See link http://youtu.be/faKyMgxfG9M).).

For information, go to http://youthspeaks.org.

BIO: 3Fifs (Three Fifs) is a St. Louis, MO born hip-hop artist who, as opposed to simply making music, aims to make history. Since releasing his first full-length project “Birth of a Nation” in February of 2013, Fifs has gone on to earn several accolades: his debut single “Castro,” which featured west coast emcee Mistah F.A.B., went on to receive rotation on more than 40 radio stations worldwide; his follow-up single “Danny Bonaduce” was featured in over 100 blogs, the video was aired on MTV’s RapFix, and the former TV star himself featured the video on his website and radio show; and his single “Jim Crow” was was acknowledged by industry vet Tory “Flossy” Harrelson as being “extremely original.” In addition, 3Fifs was nominated for “Freshman of the Year” at the 2014 SLUM Fest hip-hop awards, and in May of 2014, became one of only 14 US hip-hop artists chosen to showcase at the Canadian Music Week, performing live at the Hard Rock Café in Toronto. Following his international acclaim, 3Fifs relocated to Atlanta, GA to expand his reach. After hearing his music and viewing his music videos, Mike Love (formerly the Senior VP Program Director for Cumulus Media, now CEO of Bluetag Media) decided he had to work with the rising star. “You have the potential to turn this game upside down. Your style is unique, your music is high quality, and you have the sense to know how to make it all work.” – Mike Love Over the course of the past year, 3Fifs has withdrawn from the public eye while working on his new release “The Runaway LP,” a very personal testament about his journey since he decided to pursue his music career. To be formally introduced by the single “Blind the Sun,” Fifs promises fans a true evolution in his music from every aspect while they l ook at and listen to history in the making. #MakeHistory Single: Blind the Sun Written by: Kenneth Kelly-Hart/3Fifs Performed by: Kelly-Hart/3Fifs, Lydia Jackson/Lydia Lyon, and Garrett Julian Produced by: Tag Team Productions (Atlanta) Recorded/Mastered by: Amond Jackson, Salem Psalms Studio, Atlanta, GA Mixed by: Justin Pardon, Castle Hill Studios, Atlanta, GA Links: 3fifs.com facebook.com/ThreeFifs twitter.com/3Fifs instagram.com/3Fifs youtube.com/ThreeFifsEnt threefifs.bandcamp.com Fan Email: fansofthreefifs@gmail.com Booking Email: bookingthreefifs@gmail.com

Up Close and Personal with Rising R&B Star DēP By Shelah Moody

            “Think deep; and nothing is happenstance.” This is the motto of a former gospel singer, currently hot on the R&B scene, who goes by the name of DēP. As a songwriter, background vocalist and opening act, DēP has worked with the likes of Yolanda Adams, Kim Burrell, Kirk Franklin, Dave Hollister, Kelly Price, Avant, Brian McKnight, Scarface, Dwele, Solange Knowles, Michelle Williams, Fantasia, Fred Hammond and more. He has embarked on a successful solo career with songs such as “Something More,” “Contract” and “Celebrate” A southern gentleman, with a honey dripping accent, the sultry tenor hails from Houston, Texas.

            “I’m from the ‘souf’-- with an F,” he said.

            For the past three years, DēP has lived in Los Angeles, where he’s been recording and also working as a film and television actor.   

Shelah Moody: How did you come up with the moniker, DēP?

DēP: I started out doing gospel music, and I went under my given name, Donald Page. When I went over to secular music, I started using my initials, Phonetically, I wanted it to read ‘deep,’ and no matter how I spelled it, people called me ‘DP,’ so I added the ‘e’ with the accent over it. One of the definitions of deep is an extended level of meaning and understanding of any subject matter; and I wanted it to correlate with my music as a songwriter. 

SM: Streetwise Radio is currently playing your hits, “Something More” and “Contract,” which are in fact, deep. What inspired those love songs?

DēP: First of all, I really appreciate Streetwise Radio’s support. I love the Bay Area and when I come to there, it’s off the chain!  I appreciate the love that y’all have for artists who are doing their thing. I definitely will be back out in the Bay Area soon. I’m going to keep bringing you music and entertainment. We are bringing R&B back to the forefront and I am helping that movement. “Something More” is one of my early releases. When I wrote “Something More,” I was on a plane on the way to Los Angeles for a show. I was just thinking about relationships and what we can learn, and being told, at my age, what relationships are supposed to be.  As artists, are we supposed to use themes like baby, baby I want you; and I want you back?   I just felt that, as people, we experience more in life. I wanted to have a song that talks about something more. In my relationships, I want to have more than just  a lover, as the song says, ‘I need more than a friend, more than a sister, I need all that you can give, I need more than infatuation, I need your heart and your mind, I need our souls to intertwine.’ That seems to be one of the most popular songs that I’ve done. I can’t seem to shake it. 

SM: What inspired “Contract,” another soulful ballad?

DēP:  The obvious conversation in “Contract” is that in relationships, we end up in these situations, as I call them, where we don’t know where it is; is it your boo, your marriage, your relationship, or are you just kicking it?  A lot of times, people get emotionally involved and one person is feeling something that the other isn’t, and there’s a fall out, because you didn’t really agree on what the relationship was. The song talks about recognizing what it is that we want from each other and what the relationship is supposed to be,  writing it out and signing a contract so that we can be on one accord and  move forward.

SM: What was it like working with Fantasia, another incredible artist from the “souf?”

DēP: Fantasia is a beast; she’s just raw. I actually got to open for her. It was cool, just being able to set the bar. It was a great experience.

SM: Where can we buy your music?

DēP: My music is all over. If you go to www.thinkDēP.com and click on the ‘hear’ tab, you will find various links to my songs. The last single that I released earlier this year is called “Celebrate,” a party anthem that talks about celebrating your accomplishments and taking time to enjoy life. It’s a good club song. I’ve also been touring; I just came back from Jackson Mississippi, where they used “Celebrate” as the theme song for Greek Weekend. I am actually a member of Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity.

SM: In terms of male R&B, singers, who are your influences?

DēP: My favorite contemporary artist is Tank, who is really representing R&B right now. I also like Anthony Hamilton and Tyrese. I Iove those singers who go for broke, who go all the way. That’s something that I emulate. My favorite male vocalist of all time is Donny Hathaway. 

5 M.I.C-Z

 

5 M.I.C-Z hails from Lakeland, Florida. He discovered his talent while in middle school and found that, despite excelling in sports and physical activities, his musical side was beginning to become more the focus of his attentions. With his ethos of “Staying true to who you are” being his sole direction, he left sports to focus on what would ultimately become his life-long career.

A peerless ability to harmonize alongside those artists who inspired him saw 5 M.I.C-Z quickly develop his own voice and style amongst a slew of others emerging on the scene at the time.

After a brief collaboration in 2000 saw him create the R&B group C.O.A. with his cousins, he envisioned a more focused line-up would create a clearer vision and move forward with Stevie Jackson (aka Dirty Old Man Joe Reese) from C.O.A. on board, 5 M.I.C-Z (aka Aaron Forte, Ryde Wit Me Dogg) formed the self-styled R&B duo Ace Hygh in 2003.

Support was duly won through hard-work and a high level of musical creativity that earned them the respect and attention from both fans and luminaries of rap; reaching such lofty heights, however, was not without its casualties. After several years of trying effort that saw both artists stretched to the point of breaking, 5 M.I.C-Z realized the music, and more importantly their friendship outside Ace Hygh, was suffering, and in 2011 took the regrettable but inevitable decision to be the one to remove them self from the group and begin again.

My Name Is Aaron was the album marking these new beginnings, and birthed him as a solo artist in his own right. With production and writing duties falling squarely on the performer’s shoulders he unveiled his own musical vision to an overwhelming response.  Amply carried and heroically received, My Name Is Aaron became the bench-mark Aaron aka 5 M.I.C-Z has continued to reach and surpass with each subsequent release.

The following years saw a reuniting with his former writing partner, Dirty Old Man Joe Reese,  the self-imposed distance between the two friends allowing them both room to grow and discover the scope of their abilities. Proving time sharpens, rather than dulls a blade, the duo found it almost effortless to combine their new-found strengths into producing the collaborative single, ‘Lady Your’.

A decades worth of experience and knowledge has helped define Aaron aka 5 M.I.C-Z into becoming the ‘force de measure’ that culminated in his signing with BWD – ‘The Independent Music Label of the South‘ – Records in October 2012; and with it comes his latest scene stealing release, the intoxicating single, “Head Turna”.

Head Turna is a beguiling rhythm and hypnotic tone that turns the lights down to romance and hearts up to passion, the vocals liquid intimacy that coax you through the track. As smooth as the silk shirt strewn across the floor and delivered with a sensual lust, Head Turna is a song to turn dance floors into decadence, bed-rooms into bliss and the night into a world of indulgent promise.

The confidence in delivery and production marks it out among any you’d care to line against it, the list of named artists currently content to sit ‘at a level’ made all the more obvious and stark when listening to the creativity and craftsmanship of an artist fully in control and capable of taking everything you think you’ve grown accustomed to, and presenting you with a vista of panoramic grace that’s as fresh and exciting as some named artists wish they could still be.

With such a start to his fledgling signing, 5 M.I.C-Z looks set to not just reach the heights of his luminaries before him but, with the backing of BWD, is set to become the benchmark of the genre(s) he’s quickly making his own.

The follow up single, ‘Bout Dat Lyfe’s strong vocals, lyrics and fresh beat proves 5 M.I.C-Z versatility as an Artist. He lyrically paints the picture of living that ‘life on the streets’ from his perspective; easily allowing the listener to relate with the story-line.

Presented by BWD Records, the Official ‘Head Turna’ Music Video was released on March 11, 2013 and is now available for viewing on YouTube athttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m2eOLKB97qA .

Head Turna is available on iTunes, Amazon, Spotify, Google Play and all major digital outlets worldwide. The iTunes ‘Ringtones’ Store also has ‘Head Turna’ available for download.

5 M.I.C-Z upcoming, self-titled debut album “5 M.I.C-Z” is expected to be released in the summer of 2013. Keep up with all of 5 M.I.C-Z updates by following him on Twitter at http://www.Twitter.com/5_MICZ and http://www.Facebook.com/5MICZ or visit his official website at http://www.5micz.com.

“I am not a singer, nor am I a rapper. 

I'm not a producer, nor am I a writer. 

If it is too confusing, I will end the confusion. 

I am 5 M.I.C-Z, my D.N.A is music.” 

5 M.I.C-Z!!!!

Shin Sight Trio

Shin Sight Trio is the kind of hip-hop I like listening to. You can understand their lyrics. Shin Sight Trio has that funky jazz sound with that hip-hop beat that makes you want to listen to them all day. This hip-hop trio consists of Insight (Andre Todman), Shin-Ski (Shinsuke Taoka) and DJ RYOW (Ryo Yoshihara). Shin-Ski and DJ RYOW are from Japan. Insight was born in St. Thomas but raised in Boston. They blend their producing, DJ, musicianship and sampling to make fantastic hip-hop music. Shin Sight Trio is real hip-hop. Shin Sight Trio has released three albums, Shallow Nights Blurry Moon in 2006, Somewhere Beyond the Moon in 2010 and Moonlight Sunrise in 2011. Here are some of my favorite songs from these three albums, “No Clouds on a Sunny Day”, “Passin By”, “Early Dayz Amazement”, "Only As Serious As You Make It", “Peace”, “You Did It Again”, “Interlude ( Shallow Night Blurry Moon )”, “Heart featuring Edo G”, “You Got Soul”, “R&B Song”, “Cool Mellow featuring Sondu” and “On My Mind featuring Saylove”. Tune into Streetwise Radio and listen to Shin Sight Trio you will become a fan. Also listen to Streetwise Radio on Athena365, Live365, MyGen365, iTunes and Pandora.

LM

http://www.last.fm/music/ShinSight+Trio

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I6XPwIt4WwM&list=RD02to2S9Cw0xeY

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xZsYb3hUo00&list=RD02to2S9Cw0xeY

Narbui Selah

I Am Living Math

I my opinion there is not enough conscious poet-rappers in the music world. All the major record labels won’t give any political conscious artist or any artist with something real to say a record deal. As long as artists keep conforming to what the record labels want and selling out nothing will change. Well Narbui Selah happens to not be a sellout. She is a vocalist and spoken word artist. Her raps have you thinking about what’s really going on in this crazy world. Narbui released her independent debut album “I Am Living Math” in 2010. She hits it out of the park on her debut album. It’s a mix of hip hop, spoken word and passionate singing. This amazing artist is from Trenton, NJ but lives in Brooklyn, New York. I don’t know what it is about East Coast artist I think they are the best. That’s just my opinion. I like the way Narbui Selah uses metaphors. She has toured with and recorded with some heavy hitters such as Mos Def, Sista Soulja, Lauryn Hill, Big Pun, Poor Righteous Teachers, Mums and Sac-Roc. My favorite songs from “I Am Living Math” album are “U Already Know”, “What Am I Doing Here (featuring Sa-Roc)”, “Birdie”, “I’m Gone” and “Hookless”. Tune into Streetwise Radio and listen to songs from this amazing talent. You can also listen to Streetwise Radio on MyGern365, Athena365, Live365, Pandora and iTunes.

LM

http://narubiselah.com/narubi-selah-music/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6xpkfBc70PA

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rIkc-prYVvo

Trap Music

Trap Music is another style of music that originated in the South in the early 2000's it is a mixture of hip-hop and crunk music. The sound of Trap Music is categorized as sub-bass, crisp snares, scratching, heavy use of 808s, layered synths, repeated samples, and sped up hi-hats. Yes, Trap Music has all of that and it’s very high energy. Trap music gained mainstream exposure in 2003 when T.I.'s “Trap Muzik” and Young Jeezy's ‘Let's Get It: Thug Motivation 101” came out with their albums. Trap music went back underground for a while but when Waka Flocka Flame, Rick Ross and Gucci Mane released their albums in 2010, trap music experienced a renewed success. The two albums at the 2013 Grammy Awards nominated for Best Rap Album were 2 Chainz' debut ‘Based on a T.R.U. Story” and Rick Ross' God Forgives, I Don't”. Young Jeezy's song "I Do" was nominated for Best Rap Performance. DJ’s today are integrating Trap Music in their work and it is current dance music in the clubs. I like the sound of Trap Music. I know that I probably could not dance to it. This is definitely music for the young or the young at heart.

LM

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trap_(music_genre)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RpSWBFVDxzc

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KOhPI5Zhb20

Marz Lovejoy

When I first heard Marz Lovejoy’s song "DOLO" on Streetwise Radio, I thought what a beautiful song with a message. I knew I had to find out about this talented artist. Marz Lovejoy is a multi-talented artist and actor. She debuted in the 2012 movie L.U.V. staring Common. I saw the movie she did a good job. Marz also acted in the KFC and Hometown Buffet national commercials. She was also a model for Ralph Lauren, Tommy Hilfiger, GAP and Abercrombie. This gifted young lady who was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota but was raised in Los Angeles and San Diego is also smart. She used social media to expose her singing and rapper skills. Marz caught the attention of producer, Polyester the Saint and that’s when her music career took off. Her debuted album “This Little Light Of Mine” released in 2010 on iTunes made it to the top 200 list. Marz’s rhymes are clever and thoughtful her flows are silky smooth. It is so refreshing to hear someone with a flair for music. Some of my favorite tunes from Marz are “Love Bullet Gun”, "DOLO", “Pinch Me” and “Just Go: Picasso Blue”. Watch out for Marz Lovejoy, she is going to blow up. Tune into Streetwise Radio and listen to songs from Marz Lovejoy. You can also listen to Streetwise Radio on iTunes, Pandora, Live365, Athena365 and MyGen365.

LM

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm4426421/bio

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nVPLFtwNwbA

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1tiFmTLK2m4&list=RD02nZct3Kp4WW8

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GOJACa6lIb4

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JIxA3wc37w4

Hip Hop/Rapper Murs a True Storyteller

I don’t know why a hip hop/rapper like Murs is not as popular as some of these so called rappers who wins all the music awards. He is a true storyteller. His name is an acronym he made up which means, "Making the Universe Recognize and Submit" or "Making Underground Raw Shit." Yes he is doing just that. He is an artist who is rapping about what’s happening around him. I must say his raps are dope. From his debut album in 1997 “F'Real” to his latest album in 2012 “Yumiko: Curse of the Merch Girl”, Murs has narrated what he has to say. This alternative hip hop/rapper from Mid-City, Los Angeles California has been around since 1996. Murs has been linked with, Living Legends, 3 Melancholy Gypsys, Felt, The Invincibles, 9th Wonder, Machina Muerte. Some of my favorites songs are "Remember 2 Forget", “Badman”, “The Break Up”, “Yesterday & Today”, “God's Work”, “Everything”and “First Love”. Murs is underrated and it’s a shame. But thats why internet radio is hot. You can listen to songs from Murs on Streetwise Radio. Listen to Streetwise Radio on MyGen365, Athena365, Live365, Pandora and iTunes.

LM

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Murs_(rapper)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7hiHi4mLbQU

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nj4gWHzdPF4

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CKA0kgsScb8

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o1XnysKB--k

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XU1-UN6AazQ

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XU1-UN6AazQ

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pWmsiVjAYtU

Brother Ali

DJ Michael Ealey said he is playing Brother Ali on the Big Hop. Who is Brother Ali? He is a hip hop artist from Minneapolis, Minnesota. I really like him, his rhymes definitely has a positive message. OMG! Brother Ali is rapping about what’s going on in the world. His song “Mourning in America” touches a sensitive topic, but he is telling the truth. I can’t believe I’ve never heard of him. Brother Ali has a whole lot of soul. Brother Ali is white albino. When he was a child he experienced cruelty and exclusion from his white classmates because of his albinism. He said he felt "most at home amongst African Americans." It is a good thing that the African Americans community took Brother Ali in because who knows we probably would not have this amazing, fantastic talent. Some of the songs I really like are “Mourning in America”, “Only Life I Know”, “Take Me Home”, “Truth is” and “Uncle Sam Goddamn”. Tune into Streetwise Radio and listen to songs from Brother Ali. You can also listen to Brother Ali on iTunes, Pandora, Athen365, Live365 and MyGen365.

LM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dKHsGh-y8d8

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9HwATJMeOYU

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jxUQ07NXB4c

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RF1FLZHTEYs

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OO18F4aKGzQ

Madlib

Madlib is an artist that blends jazz, funk & hip hop music with his beats and makes incredible music. Madlib’s giving name is Otis Jackson Jr. Madlib was born in Oxnard California and is living in Los Angeles. This 40 year old DJ, multi-instrumentalist, MC, and music producer has incredible amount of talent. I truly enjoy the way he takes his beats and mixes it into a hip hop, jazz and funk tunes. Madlib is has collaborated with numerous hip hop artists, including The Alkaholiks, Mos Def, De La Soul, Ghostface Killah, Talib Kweli, A.G. , Madvillain, and the late J Dilla. Madlib has opened my eyes to a lot of different music and the way it is done. Madlib has a single out called“Shame” it is a real serious song. Madlib’s music just makes me feel elated. Listen to songs from Madlib on Streetwise Radio Big Hop. You can also listen to Streetwise Radio on Live365, Athena365, MyGen365, iTunes and Pandora.

LM

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Madlib

9TH Wonder “Tutankhamen (Valley of the Kings)”

9^th Wonder says, “Hip-Hop is the voice of at least 2 generations. At one time, it was the POSITIVE voice. Chuck D was the black history teacher I never had, along with countless other black Americans my age. It can be that again, but with the right voices and the right players. As the late Curtis Mayfield said, “We must educate and Well as Entertain.” I agree. Over the years some hip hop artists have become so negative. There aren’t that many positive hip hop artist that are being played on the on-air radio stations. 9th Wonder’s given name is Patrick Denard Douthit, he was born in Winston-Salem, North Carolina on January 15, 1975. 9th Wonder’s started listening to hip hop when he was seven years old. He absorbed the music, culture of the art form while in middle and high school, gaining experience in music theory. He decided to pursue a music career while attending North Carolina Central University. 9^th Wonder is a master beat maker and sampler. He has sampled some great music from one of my favorite artists who was politically conscious of his times, the late great Curtis Mayfield. Al Green was also one of his big influences. The heavy bass lines in his songs were due to the production of J Dilla, Pete Rock and DJ Premier. 9^th Wonder has been sought after by some well-known artists like, Mary J. Blige, Jean Grae, Wale, Jay-Z, Murs, Drake, Buckshot, Chris Brown, Destiny's Child, J. Cole, Kendrick Lamar, Erykah Badu, Ludacris, Mac Miller, David Banner, and Lecrae to name a few. 9^th Wonder has a new solo project out “Tutankhamen (Valley of the Kings)”. This album is a chill out album it has a soulful vibe it has my heading bobbing to the beat of the songs. My favorites are “WindyJamSoul”, “WhenLoveIsNew”, “ImABeastSoul!!!!”, “Fredathump” and “JustMyThoughtsSoul”. Don’t miss out on this album.

 You can listen to this album on Streetwise Radio. You can also listen to Streetwise Radio on iTunes, Anthena365, Live365 and MyGen365.

Hip-Hop Group “theBREAX”

I like hip-hop if it’s positive. All that negative stuff is so discouraging. Well I was looking for positive Hip-Hop artists or groups that have something and encouraging too say. I found this group from San Diego California called “theBREAX”.The group consists of front man Ruslan, who is an Armenian refugee born in Baku, Azerbaijan. In the 1990s when Ruslan was a child, his family fled Baku, Azerbaijan to San Diego California due to religious persecution in his country. While living in San Diego Ruslan met and became friends with Baltimore native Beleaf. Beleaf came to San Diego to get a fresh start. Ruslan and Beleaf both had a love for Hip-Hop and a burning need to get better at it. They formed the group theBreax, so they could have a positive impact on the hip-hop culture in the San Diego community and the world. The group has grown to include Mic B on drums, Jruckers on keyboards and Bam on bass. theBreak has cultivated a large and diverse community of loyal fans through headlining their own shows. They have opened up for world-class acts like Mobb Deep, Ghostface Killah, Raekwon, Arrested Development, Lecrae, War, and Fred Hammond. Their debut album “Never Arrive” came out in December 2011. It went number three on iTunes hip-hop charts. Christian hip-hop is on the rise and theBREAX is definitely doing their part to bring it to the world. These are some of the songs I like, “More Of / At the Core”, “Yap Yap”, “Brilliant Realness (feat. Sho Baraka)”, “OTIS TheBreax Over Mixtape”, “Never Arrive”, “All Powerful”, “100 hunnit” and “Paper Jam”. These brothers are so positive and inspiring. I’m so glad I found theBREAX they are certainly going on my playlist. You can listen to songs from theBREAX on Streetwise Radio Big Hop 7-8 p.m. Streetwise Radio can be heard on iTunes, MyGen365, Athena365 and live365.

LM

http://www.thebreax.com/bio/

QUEEN LATIFAH

Image by Getty Images via Daylife

QUEEN LATIFAH

Dana Elaine Owens(born March 18, 1970) known as the Queen of Rap, is a rapper, actress, singer and songwriter. The first time I heard of Queen Latifah was on Yo! MTV Raps in the late 80s the song was “Princess of the Posse”, I knew this girl had something special, I was right. Queen Latifah’s first album “All Hail the Queen was released in 1989, this album is still my all time favorite. Queen Latifah released three more albums “Nature of a Sista” in 1991, “Black Reign” in 1993, “Order in the Court”

in 1998. After Order in the Court, went in another direction she made a all jazz album entitled “The Dana Owens album” this album showcased her singing ability and could she sing. The Dana Owens album, his her best selling album to date it was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Jazz Vocal Album in 2005. In 2007 Queen Latifah released Trav’lin’ Light, the song “I’m Gonna Live Till I Die” won a Grammy Award for Best Instrumental Arrangement Accompanying Vocalist and nominated for Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album. In 2008  Queen Latifah came out with another hip hop album called “All Hail the Queen II”. Queen Latifah wanted to mess with peoples head so a rumor was started that the album was to be titled ‘L’ Word”, because a rumor was going around that she was a lesbian, . Queen Latifah was also a accomplished actress she had a supporting roles in House Party 2, Juice and Jungle Fever. Queen Latifah had a starring role on the TV series Living Single from 1993-1998, she also wrote and performed the theme music. Queen Latifah also had her own talk show for two years and recurring roles on The Fresh Prince of Bel Air and Hangin with Mr. Cooper.

Her film career consist of the 1996 box office hit Set It Off, Living out Loud  and The Bone Collector. Queen Latifah was nominated for  Best Actress in a Supporting  Role for her role as Matron “Mama” Morton in the Oscar winning musical Chicago. In 2003 she starred with Steve Martin in Bringing Down The House. Other films where she had the lead or supporting role were Scary Movie 3, Barbershop 2: Back in Business, Taxi, Kung Faux, Beauty Shop, Hairspray, Last Holiday, she was also the voice of Ellie the mammoth in Ice Age: The Melt Down her first voice role in animated film.

Latifah her stage name means “delicate” and “gentle” in Arabic, her cousin gave her this name when she was eight. Queen Latifah is also blessed with a gift from God and she is and always be one of my favorite person of this century.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Queen_Latifah

LM

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