QUEEN OF BOUNCE BIG FREEDIA USHERS IN 2013 WITH NEW TOUR!

QUEEN OF BOUNCE BIG FREEDIA USHERS IN NEW YEAR WITH 2013 TOUR It’s a new year and NOLA based Big Freedia is excited to announce some exciting projects for 2013. First, on January 18, the Queen of Bounce will hit the road again on a national tour starting in Tampa, Florida and ending in San Diego, CA. See below for Big Freedia’s full tour. More, next week a documentary about Big Freedia, ‘Almost Famous,’ will premiere at the 2013 Zurich Film Festival in Switzerland. The festival will screen the full length film by RMM Media, on Sunday January 13, along with a performance by the Diva herself. Even more exciting, next week, Pitchfork TV will release a 30-minute mini-doc that will give fans a rare peak into Freedia’s life in New Orleans.

Jaz-O – Toast

25 Years Later, MC Lyte is Still a Cultural Force

By BIG CED

Legendary is one of those words that is thrown around too often and it has, somehow, cheapened the meaning since it’s been used too many times to describe many people who haven’t earned that description. In the case of Lana Moorer, well, you may know her as MC Lyte, it is a title well-earned. She has enough accolades and has done so much in 25 years, that it would be an injustice if that word wasn’t used when speaking of her.

From the heart of Brooklyn, Lyte The Emcee, who ‘Crammed to Understand’ Sam’s crack addiction on her debut album, Lyte as a Rock. Then needed a ‘Ruffneck’ on her fourth album, Act Like You Know, to earn her first gold album; Lyte rose to become an artist in every sense of the word as she is also an actress, author, record executive, speaker, philanthropist and at the rate she is going, will be adding other titles to her name.

She has shown through her longevity in this industry that you have to know what you’re doing in order to thrive and still be taken serious. Who knew 25 years ago that her talent would lead to her being the entrepreneur she has become?

As one of her Brooklyn brethren, Jay-Z, once said, ‘I’m a business man.’ MC Lyte has proven that she is a business and just like her book of the same title, she is ‘Unstoppable.’

Do you ever sleep?

EMI Gospel Signs an Exclusive Recording Agreement with Award-Winning Recording Artist Keith “Wonderboy” Johnson

(Nashville, TN – November 8, 2012) – EMI Gospel today signed an exclusive recording agreement with award-winning gospel artist Keith “Wonderboy” Johnson.

Fatherless Like Me

‘Fatherless Like Me: Growing Up Without Dad’ is a bittersweet tale about a little girl from Brooklyn named Skylar, who is growing up without her dad.  She is a fun-loving kid that enjoys riding her rip stick and playing basketball.  First-time authors’, 9-year old Skylar and her mother, Tonia Grady teamed up to write this children’s book in hopes to help other kids learn how to work through their feelings about missing their father.  This mother and daughter writing duo used a cup of real life, a pinch of fiction, a dash of fantasy and a layer of fun as the ingredients for this powerful little book.  The reality is…life without dad is hard for Skylar and she has to learn to deal with the pain and sadness she feels.  This is the first book in a three-part series about Skylar’s life and her personal experiences as she grows up without her father. ”This book has truly been a labor of love for me and my daughter!  We are happy to share our story and connect with other kids and single moms who may be going through the same struggles,” says co-author, Tonia Grady.

B.T.B/M.I.B. Presents: The BLACK ROSES TOUR on 10/23/2012 at Santos Party House

 

B.T.B./M.I.B. PRESENTS: THE BLACK ROSES TOUR AT SANTOS PARTY HOUSE New York, N.Y. October 8th, 2012 — Music recording artist PUSH! (formerly known as PUSH! Montana) will be headlining the first show for his BLACK ROSES TOUR at Santos Party House located on 96 Lafayette Street, New York, N.Y. on October 23rd, 2012 with doors opening at 8pm

Mishka Presents: Aaron Cohen “MURK” (Mixtape)

 

The time has officially arrived, as Aaron Cohen unveils his official “MURK” mixtape. Like many of his peers surfacing from the cracks of the Big Apple’s resurging rap scene, Inner City Kids rep Cohen approaches his music with a forward-thinking disposition–something more than evident on “MURK.” The ample 16-track project boasts appearances from fellow contemporaries like Shady Blaze, Kyle Rapps and, with A$AP Ty Beats (the man behind A$AP Rocky’s “Peso”), Black Noi$e and Ryan Hemsworth among others lending an eclectic variety of beats. Up until this point, the bearded emcee has been making some waves in the game with “Helen Keller,” “Mess With Us” and his ASAP Ty Beats banger “Feminist.” Want to hear a live performance from Aaron? Clear your weekend, as he’ll be in Brooklyn this Friday at the Mishka store at 7pm for a free concert event and the flyer can be seen here:

MANIFEST MUSIC, LLC Presents: An Evening of Praise with MANIFEST and Friends

 

Hosted by New York’s Famed Music Personality Ron Grant

Featuring Recording Artists MANIFEST, Chaz Shepherd, and Nedelka Prescod

 

What:         

Concert—An Evening of Praise with Manifest and Friends

Recording Artists MANIFEST, Chaz Shepherd, and Nedelka Prescod

Hosted By:

Ron Grant, host of Ron Grant & Friends Open Mic Showcase at the Village Underground

When:

Friday, September 28, 2012, 7:30 P.M., Doors open at 7:00 p.m.

Where:       

Emmanuel Baptist Church, 279 Lafayette Avenue, Brooklyn, NY (at St. James Place)

Admission:

MORGAN HERITAGE BANDS TOGETHER FOR THE RETURN 4-SONG DIGITAL EP AVAILABLE SEPTEMBER 25 IN U.S.

New Studio Album Slated for Early 2013

The legendary 5-piece reggae group Morgan Heritage unveils their brand new digital EP The Return available stateside on September 25. After various solo projects, Morgan Heritage is preparing for their first new studio album in four years, slated to drop at the top of 2013. The 4-song EP, produced by Shane Brown, gives fans a taste of whats to come and is on the heels of the group’s massively successful Europe tour spanning Holland, Sweden, France, Italy, England Belgium, Spain and Poland.

Celebrating Jamaica’s 50th year of independence, the band rocked major stage shows and festivals, including The Garance Reggae festival to over 50,000 fans in the south of France and Indigo2 at London’s famed O2 arena during the 2012 Olympic Games, where the group stopped in middle of their performance to watch Usain Bolt winning the 100m final.

Check out live performance clips:

SUNNY ANDERSON VISITS HOME COOKS IN FOOD NETWORK’S NEW SERIES HOME MADE IN AMERICA WITH SUNNY ANDERSON

 

Sunny Anderson hits the road to track down the unsung heroes of the American culinary world – home cooks. Sunny travels across the country to discover the inspirational stories of the people behind the recipes while learning a few tips and tricks of her own in a new daytime series Home Made in America with Sunny Anderson premiering Saturday, October 6th at 9:30am ET/PT on Food Network. Whether Sunny tastes Grandma Williams’ authentic squash pie which is the talk of Fayetteville, N.C. or Mary’s granola recipe which is in such high demand that she now sells it in grocery stores, these homemade recipes tell a story and each starts in the home kitchen.

“Sunny Anderson has captivated the Food Network audience for years with her humor, high energy, and inventive recipes,” said Bob Tuschman, General Manager and Senior Vice President of Food Network. “Now, we think viewers will love travelling with Sunny as she discovers the mouthwatering, homespun recipes and fascinating stories of America’s best home cooks.”

5 Questions With….. Masta Ace

1. What are your thoughts about the current state of Hip-Hop (As far as music, artists, content, etc.)?

HipHop is at a crossroads. Commercially viable music has morphed into a combination of R&B and Techno. As dance music Is becoming the new pop music, artists will feel pressure to either go further in that direction or fight against that trend and keep a more traditional sound. Im not sure what today’s commercial artists will decide to do but it will shape the landscape for the next decade.

2. Tell us about how the collaboration, MA_Doom- Son of Yvonne, between you and MF Doom, come about and what should we expect from the album.

Studio Life: 9th Wonder explains his support of the Brooklyn Nets

Studio Life: 9th Wonder explains his support of the Brooklyn Nets from 3 Little Digs on Vimeo.

Young Guru, 1982 (Statik Selektach & Reks), The Infamous Mobb Deep Documentary And More Added to BHF `12

 

Young Guru, 1982 (Statik Selektach & Reks), The Infamous Mobb Deep Documentary And More Added to BHF `12 Announcements on Show & Prove Super Bowl (7/9), Bodega Education Initiative (7/10), Salute The DJ (7/12), Dummy Clap Film Festival (7/10 + 7/13), Family Day (7/14), Final Day (7/14) and BHF’12 After Party (7/14) Brooklyn, NY June 29, 2012 With July just a few days away, and the 8th Annual Brooklyn Hip-Hop Festival (BHF) approaching, Brooklyn Bodega is excited to highlight our upcoming week of BHF’12 events. Each is different, from a MC competition to some inspired discussion panels to a celebration of DJ culture to our inaugural Film Festival to a day of family-centric activities, but the underlying goal is the same, using unique entertainment to celebrate Hip-Hop culture. “Each year, Brooklyn Bodega works to put together a week of events that fully represent Hip-Hop culture. Creating programming for each event can sometimes be difficult but our team has once again worked toward putting together events that celebrate what is dynamic about our culture. Our newest event, The Dummy Clap Film Festival explores Hip-Hop culture’s influence on the multimedia art form while returning events like the Show & Prove Super Bowl, Salute The DJ, The Bodega Education Initiative and Family Day explore other facets of Hip-Hop.”

Tony Parker suing W.I.P. for Drake/Chris Brown fighting is like me suing….

By BIG CED

So, everyone has heard about the ‘big’ Drake/Chris Brown fight earlier this week in New York at W.i.P. NBA player, San Antonio Spurs’ Tony Parker was injured in the melee. The basketball player has decided to file a multimillion dollar lawsuit against the nightspot (Tony Parker suing W.i.P club for $20 million over eye injury suffered during Chris Brown-Drake fight), saying the club and security were negligent. His lawyer, David Jaroslawicz, also stated, “The defendants were reckless, careless and negligent in permitting Drake’s entourage and Brown’s entourage to be in the club at the same time despite known tension between the two.”

Now, I KNOW I’m not the only one who thinks this is absurd, especially since he didn’t name the combatants in the suit, you know, the guys that actually STARTED the fight… So, I’ve compiled a list of equally stupid reasons to file a silly lawsuit….

Jamie Hector’s 3rd Annual Moving Mountains

This past weekend in New York City, actor Jamie Hector held his 3rd annual Moving Mountains fund raising weekend. The weekend consisted of two events, the youth showcase and the celebrity paintball tournament. Each year, Jamie Hector works hard to prepare a fun filled weekend to raise funds for his Moving Mountains Inc. organization so that the talented youth in the inner-city communities in NYC can have a place to go throughout the school year and during the summer season. The organization consists of young actors, dancers, singers and those who work behind the scenes to bring the productions to life. Jamie Hector assists the youth in every aspect of perfor ming arts, aiding them in perfecting their craft and taking it to another level.

A 6-Year-Old Walking Alone to School? Is This Crazy—Or Is It Just Me?

http://mybrownbaby.com/2012/05/a-6-year-old-walking-along-to-school-is-this-crazy-or-is-it-just-me/

By NICK CHILES

There was a story that sprang to my attention a couple weeks ago and it’s been bothering me so much that I had to write something about it. It involves a 6-year-old boy in the Bronx who was saved by the school janitor when the boy was approached by a crazy-looking man who claimed to be his uncle and who was trying to take the boy away with him.

The janitor, a man named John Velasquez, sensing that something was not right, asked the little boy if he knew the man and then grabbed the boy’s hand and pulled him into the school. The janitor said the man’s eyes were bulging and he looked like he was “definitely on something.”

While that all sounds horrific and the janitor certainly deserves the praise that came his way, there was another part of the story that floored me. It was this line in a piece on the Huffington Post:

Becoming Mommy: Losing My Old Self, Embracing the New Me Is A Delicate Dance

http://mybrownbaby.com/2012/05/becoming-mommy-losing-my-old-self-embracing-the-new-me-is-a-delicate-dance/

By TRACEY MICHAE’L LEWIS-GIGGETTS

Since my daughter, MaKayla, was born eight months ago, I’ve been two-faced. Not in the colloquial sense of the word; as in pretending to be and feel one way but acting another. Although I don’t know if I’m too far off from that. No, I mean two-faced as in there are two mes; two selves. The first one is the sister I’m trying so desperately not to forget. The woman who used to catch a train from Philly to Brooklyn for the latest writing conference or arts festival—just because the air smelled right when she woke up that morning.   The lurker on Hotwire.com who, upon finding a great deal, used to snatch up Hubby for a quick getaway to the Jersey or Maryland or Virginia shores.

Key words: Used to.

So now there’s this new Tracey. The one who has to plan a simple trip to the grocery and still needs thirty minutes to get out the door. The mother who sometimes forgets to pack the wipes in her sugarplum’s diaper bag and has to come all the way home to get them lest there be some other kind of scents happening in the bread aisle.

ROCAWEAR ANNOUNCES PARTNERSHIP WITH THE NEW YORK YANKEES

ROCAWEAR ANNOUNCES PARTNERSHIP WITH THE NEW YORK YANKEES

“PLAYER HATING: A LOVE STORY” PREMIERES TODAY IN NYC

Saggy Pants Ban In NYC Schools? Taking Matters a Step Too Far

http://mybrownbaby.com/2012/03/nyc-schools-consider-a-ban-on-sagging-pants-taking-matters-a-step-too-far/

By NICK CHILES

The New York City Schools Chancellor is considering whether he will accede to a state senator’s wish to ban saggy pants in the nation’s largest school system. It would add the New York City schools to a growing list of municipalities that have decided to turn the infuriating fashion statement of too many young black males into a crime or a violation. While I can certainly understand the sentiment, I can’t help but to feel that veering into this territory—at a time when a third of black men in this country are ensnared in the criminal justice system—is taking things a step too far.

Studio Life: Sha Stimuli speaks on writing his first book

Studio Life: Sha Stimuli speaks on writing his first book from 3 Little Digs on Vimeo.

I Was Made To Love Her: A Black Father’s Celebration Of Women’s History Month

http://mybrownbaby.com/2012/03/i-was-made-to-love-her-a-black-fathers-celebration-of-womens-history-month/

By TABARI Z. BOMANI

For the SHEs and Hers of my life—past, present and future—I offer this, simply and with love. Happy Women’s History Month.

“I WAS MADE TO LOVE HER”

She steals my breath
But it’s ok for I need only her look to fill my lungs
Her kiss to quicken my heart.
She moves in me
Creates tremors on my skin
Awakens parts in me I only a second ago believed had died.
Although I try to deny it
She rises in me like the sun
And sets heavily in my soul like the moon.

Maino to Release Long-awaited New Album, “The Day After Tomorrow,” on February 28

PLATINUM SELLING HIP-HOP STAR MAINO READIES SOPHOMORE ALBUM “THE DAY AFTER TOMORROW”

MC Mitchski Launches The Scorpio Collective and Releases New Album!

MC MITCHSKI THE RAPPIN’ COMEDIAN LAUNCHES THE SCORPIO COLLECTIVE, INC., A MANAGEMENT & DIGITAL DISTRIBUTION COMPANY  

MC Mitchski the Rappin’ Comedian has been in the music industry for some time now, starting out as a rapper and recording underground classics like “Brooklyn Blew up The Bridge” and “Kool DJ Red Alert is a Great Man.” He has appeared on various projects including DJ Red Alert’s We Can Do This, as well as the world famous book Ego Trip’s Book Of Rap Lists and its companion album the Ego Trip presents The Big Playback.

Throughout his career, MC Mitchski has held various positions in the music industry working at music retail, music distribution, and at indie and major record labels.  After years of experience in the business, MC Mitchski launches his own Management and Digital Distribution company, The Scorpio Collective, Inc. “I’m finding a ton of talent out there that I’d like to help and I’m in a great position to do so. I’m not just looking for anything; I’m looking for diversity, creativity and projects with an angle.”

Jeru The Damaja- You Can’t Stop The Prophet

It Needs To Be CED: Wait, There Are Racists in the New York Police Department?

I’d like to know why there is always an air of shock whenever there are reports of racism in the NYPD ranks? This is nothing new and I don’t see it going away anytime soon. Now, amid reports that some New York City police officers have created a Facebook page, ‘No More West Indian Day Detail’ to protest having to work the large annual parade, which draws the largest amount of Caribbean people to Brooklyn on the Sunday before Labor Day.  Granted, there has been reports of violence at the event, but there are usually similar findings at the St. Patrick’s Day and the Puerto Rican Day parade, so it’s not just limited to the biggest parade in New York City.

But, it’s not the fact that the officers are complaining about working the event, it’s their description of the paradegoers that’s causing the ruckus. Describing Black people  as animals and savages is straight insulting and reeks of racism. And, of course, some of the police that have posted, are basically taking the ‘celebrity’ way out by claiming they may have been hacked and it wasn’t them writing the nonsense being posted. How convenient! There are always reports of bias within the ranks, yet, for every instance of said reports, there are more denials, yet, it’s a continuous complaint. Just like their flawed ‘stop and frisk’ program, which is a great way to exercise prejudice against ‘minority’ youth in ‘targeted’ neighborhoods.

K.i.T – The Last KiD On EARTH

Free Mixtape/MP3: K.i.T – The Last KiD On EARTH 12.05.2011

Ocean State MC Celebrates The Last KiD On EARTH With First Single

The Mixtape/Song: Coming from a state where local hip-hop more than often remains local, 20-year-old Providence, Rhode Island, native K.i.T is excited to announce the release of his debut mixtape, The Last KiD On EARTH. The self-proclaimed Ocean State Great has spent the past two years perfecting his craft, building his catalogue, and performing over 50 shows, including opening for the likes ofStalley, Keith Murray, Apathy, and Beanie Sigel. Building off of the momentum of his April released EP, The Quest For Equilibrium, The Last KiD On EARTH is laced with slick raps, awkward confessions, and powerful social commentary. “The Last KiD On EARTH is a tale of a kid – me coming of age,” explains K.i.T. “But the end-all-be-all is that even the last kid on the planet must eventually grow up, change, and experience new things.”

The 5Ws: Troy Monaco

Who: Troy Monaco, Brand Relations/Blogger

What: Creator of everythingYNTK.com, and blogger at VIBEVixen.com

Why: Worked in PR for 10+ years and went on to create an internet space for those who enjoy life, style and pop culture commentary.

Where: Based in Toronto/New York/San Francisco

When: Since 2009

The 5Ws: Greg “Gov” Tyler

Who: Greg “Gov” Tyler

What: All City Promotions & Management

Why: ALL CITY PROMOTIONS & MANAGEMENT is a high energy promotions & management company that helps with promoting all different types of companies with achieving their goals of success with room for growth.  We also focus on managing artist /entertainers with guiding their careers to assessment of different levels of achievements.  For the most part, our promotional and marketing plans are designed based upon the resources that ALL CITY PROMOTIONS & MANAGEMENT have build over the years with relationships from powerful people in high places.  One of our main goal is to help our clients gain notoriety and exposure threw all the conventional channels while coming up with new and innovative ways to expose their business to the masses.       

Where: All Cities, but Born in NYC

When: May 23rd 2005

National TV/WBLS Radio Personality and Philanthropist, Egypt Sherrod, 2nd Annual Give Back Tour

National TV Host/New York City Top-Rated Radio Personality and Philanthropist, Egypt Sherrod, continues to spread holiday cheer to the tri-state area’s residents who are in need the most by embarking on the 2nd Annual “Egypt’s Give Back Tour” taking place from November 28-December 3, 2011.

Created in 2010 as the inaugural activity of the non-profit, Egypt’s Cares Family Foundation, Egypt’s Give Back Tour is a 6-day coat, toy, and fundraising drive. The goodwill tour will be anchored by a daily 5-hour radio live broadcast originating from locations in Brooklyn, Bronx, Harlem, Queens, Newark, NJ, and Plainfield, NJ (heard locally via 107.5 WBLS-FM and worldwide via WBLS.com). With the support of the public last year, Egypt’s Give Back Tour received thousands upon thousands of coat and toy donations for New York Cares, Jersey Cares, Hudson Cradle, and The Children’s Aid Society.

“The goal for the Egypt’s Give Back Tour is to inform the public of how we all have an opportunity to make a difference. Something as small as a gently worn or unused coat or a new toy brought someone happiness for the holidays. I thank the public for responding to the call of action and look forward to this years’ Egypt’s Give Back Tour being even more of a success!,” says Egypt.