HistoryMaker & Innovator Of House Music DJ Frankie Knuckles Has Passes Away

The great musical innovator DJ Frankie Knuckles, but known at all as The Godfather of House Music has passed away today at the youthful age of 59.


He was born in the Bronx borough of New York City and later moved to Chicago. He was a instrumental figure in creating house music in Chicago during early 1980s with classic hits like “Let No Man Put Asunder" and “You Can't Hide.” Also in 1995, Knuckles signed with Virgin Records, becoming one of the first DJs to sign to a major label. And he became the first DJ to win a Grammy Award. In 2005, Knuckles was inducted into the Dance Music Hall of Fame for his achievements.

April 30 Days of Poetry: Celebrate National Poetry Month

National Poetry Month is a celebration of poetry first introduced in 1996 by the Academy of American Poets as a way to increase awareness and appreciation of poetry in the United States. It is celebrated every April in the United States and (since 1999) in Canada as well. Since 2000 Great Britain has celebrated a National Poetry Month each October.

Like Black History Month, the celebration of poetry each April has grown and established itself organically, in both official and unofficial ways. Each year, publishers, booksellers, educators and literary organizations use April to promote poetry: publishers often release and publicize their poetry titles in April, teachers and librarians focus on poetry units during the month; and bookstores and reading series frequently hold special readings. National Poetry Writing Month encourages writing a poem a day in celebration.

National Poetry Month was inspired by the success of Black History Month, held each February, and Women's History Month, held in March. In 1995, the Academy of American Poets convened a group of publishers, booksellers, librarians, literary organizations, poets, and teachers to discuss the need and usefulness of a similar month long holiday to celebrate poetry. The first National Poetry Month was held in 1996.

In 1998, the Academy joined the American Poetry & Literacy Project to distribute 100,000 free books of poetry from New York to California during National Poetry Month. On April 22, President Clinton and the First Lady hosted a gala at the White House that featured Poets Laureate Robert Pinsky,Robert Hass, and Rita Dove.

For National Poetry Month in 2001, the Academy invited people to "vote" for poets they most wanted to have a postage stamp. More than 10,000 people cast ballots, withLangston Hughes receiving the most votes. The vote tally was sent to the United States Postal Service, which issued a Langston Hughes stamp in January 2002.

On April 5, 2005 the Empire State Building was illuminated with blue lights to mark the 10th anniversary of National Poetry Month.

Each year, a special poster is commissioned by the Academy of American Poets for National Poetry Month, with almost 200,000 copies distributed for free. In the past, posters have been designed by noted graphic designers such as Chip Kidd and Milton Glaser. The 2007 poster was designed by Christoph Niemann.

This year, Jacqueline Woodson, Walter Dean Myers, Kathi Appelt, and April Halprin Wayland are some of the writers that will participate in 30 Poets/30 Days, a celebration of children's poetry during the month of National Poetry Month. Every day of April, author Gregory K. Pincus's GottaBook Blog and Twitter site will feature an unpublished poem by different poets. This feature is free and open 24/7. Pincus said that 30 Poets/30 Days was very successful last year. Many people read the poetry and schools incorporated this even into their lesson plans.

For additional information check out www.poets.org

April 30 Days of Poetry: Celebrate National Poetry Month

National Poetry Month is a celebration of poetry first introduced in 1996 by the Academy of American Poets as a way to increase awareness and appreciation of poetry in the United States. It is celebrated every April in the United States and (since 1999) in Canada as well. Since 2000 Great Britain has celebrated a National Poetry Month each October.

Like Black History Month, the celebration of poetry each April has grown and established itself organically, in both official and unofficial ways. Each year, publishers, booksellers, educators and literary organizations use April to promote poetry: publishers often release and publicize their poetry titles in April, teachers and librarians focus on poetry units during the month; and bookstores and reading series frequently hold special readings. National Poetry Writing Month encourages writing a poem a day in celebration.

National Poetry Month was inspired by the success of Black History Month, held each February, and Women's History Month, held in March. In 1995, the Academy of American Poets convened a group of publishers, booksellers, librarians, literary organizations, poets, and teachers to discuss the need and usefulness of a similar month long holiday to celebrate poetry. The first National Poetry Month was held in 1996.

In 1998, the Academy joined the American Poetry & Literacy Project to distribute 100,000 free books of poetry from New York to California during National Poetry Month. On April 22, President Clinton and the First Lady hosted a gala at the White House that featured Poets Laureate Robert Pinsky,Robert Hass, and Rita Dove.

For National Poetry Month in 2001, the Academy invited people to "vote" for poets they most wanted to have a postage stamp. More than 10,000 people cast ballots, withLangston Hughes receiving the most votes. The vote tally was sent to the United States Postal Service, which issued a Langston Hughes stamp in January 2002.

On April 5, 2005 the Empire State Building was illuminated with blue lights to mark the 10th anniversary of National Poetry Month.

Each year, a special poster is commissioned by the Academy of American Poets for National Poetry Month, with almost 200,000 copies distributed for free. In the past, posters have been designed by noted graphic designers such as Chip Kidd and Milton Glaser. The 2007 poster was designed by Christoph Niemann.

This year, Jacqueline Woodson, Walter Dean Myers, Kathi Appelt, and April Halprin Wayland are some of the writers that will participate in 30 Poets/30 Days, a celebration of children's poetry during the month of National Poetry Month. Every day of April, author Gregory K. Pincus's GottaBook Blog and Twitter site will feature an unpublished poem by different poets. This feature is free and open 24/7. Pincus said that 30 Poets/30 Days was very successful last year. Many people read the poetry and schools incorporated this even into their lesson plans.

For additional information check out www.poets.org

Happy Mothering Sunday/Mother's Day

Goddess Jones and her staff at TLJE want to wish all the mothers around the world a Happy Mothering Sunday/Mother's Day.

Mother's Day or Mothering Sunday is held on the fourth Sunday of Lent. It is exactly three weeks before Easter Sunday and usually falls in the second half of March or the beginning of April.

Mothering Sunday is a celebration in the United Kingdom of motherhood. People visit and take gifts to their mothers and grandmothers, but traditionally people visited the church where they were baptized.

 Mothering Sunday was originally a time when people returned to the church, in which they were baptized or where they attended services when they were children. This meant that families were reunited as adults returned to the towns and villages where they grew up.

In time, it became customary for young people who were working as servants in large houses, to be given a holiday on Mothering Sunday. They could use this day to visit their own mother and often took a gift of food or hand-me-down clothing from their employers to her. In turn, this moved towards the modern holiday, on which people still visit and take gifts to their mothers.

Traditionally, people observed a fast during Lent. Lent is the period from Ash Wednesday until Good Friday. During the Lent fast, people did not eat from sweet, rich foods or meat. However, the fast was lifted slightly on Mothering Sunday and many people prepared a Simnel cake to eat with their family on this day.

A Simnel cake is a light fruit cake covered with a layer of marzipan and with a layer of marzipan baked into the middle of the cake. Traditionally, Simnel cakes are decorated with 11 or 12 balls of marzipan, representing the 11 disciples and, sometimes, Jesus Christ. One legend says that the cake was named after Lambert Simnel who worked in the kitchens of Henry VII of England sometime around the year 1500.

Hip Hop's Visual Patriarch Hype Williams

In the mid-to-late-’90s "Gilded Age Of Hip Hop," Hype Williams with his visual brilliance enabled hip hop's artistry to merge with pop mainstream. Williams gave hip hop music a visual passport to roam the world, gulp rarefied air, dream in color, and party on a yacht. Williams videos brought in a new era for hip hop artists to think beyond the stairwells or lowriders or vacant. In 1995 he made 31 videos and almost that many in 1996.


In 1998 he directed his first feature film, the cult classic Belly, starring DMX and Nas. Williams resume is nothing short of extraordinary and legendary, he is the patriarch of the visual language which paved the way hip hop videos are created today.

We Honor The Dynamic Duo Of Hip Hop Radio

What does Biggie, Wu-Tang, Big L, and NAS have in common?



These extraordinary artists before they got their big break were on the legendary Stretch Armstrong & Bobbito radio show. From 1990 to 1998 Stretch and Bobbito setup a platform for artists to play thier demos on the show which helped break major artists such Nas, Jay-Z, Big Pun, Fat Joe, Dmx, Wu Tang Clan, Notorious BIG, Big L (RIP), Fugees, Talib Kweli, Cam'ron. Stretch & Bobbito brought enthusiasm and laughter which was lacking in radio at that time. They set the standard for college radio show and hip hop radio show today, but it will never be another dynamic duo like Stretch and Bobbito. They cultivated the way we listen to hip hop and we thank you. 
http://stretchandbobbito.com/

On This Date In Hip Hop History

There are so many important dates in hip hop history, but the one date you may hear the least about or just unware. On March 29, 1996, employees of Bad Boy Records and Death Row Records confronted each other face-to-face after the Soul Train Awards in Los Angeles and a gun was pulled. This was another incident added to a longtime feud between both camps. Which eventually lead to the tragic death of two iconic artists of a generation Tupac and Biggie.

Sex and the City

Many years ago, sex was always on the “hush”. Momma and daddy didn’t talk about it. The televisions would not view it, especially before 8 PM. And the radios would not play any music that was uncensored. In the early 70’s and 80’s, children would play board games, go outside and play hopscotch or ride their bikes without any thoughts of loosing site of being a child and not just having sex as game of choice.

In this 21st century, we are seeing more and more young men and women participating in the act of sexual intercourse. Whether it is voluntary or involuntary, it is being done. We are in a Sexual Revolution!!! It seems that giving a man sex theses days for many young women, it gives them security and makes them think that this is a way to a man’s heart. While the young men are just taking it because this is what they think is suppose to happen. Hormones are raging, yet the parents are not in control or at least in the dark.  

How did we get here? The answer is quiet simple. Everything is shown on television today. The Simpson’s are pretty much X-rated, yet it is in animation. Videos are pretty much uncensored and surrounded by sexual explicit content where the women are always half naked and the men are eating it up.  What young women you know is not sitting in front of her TV looking to see the latest video from her favorite hip hop artist, so that she can go to school the next day and impersonate what has been shown. Sexiness has been taken to a whole other level, and is disabling parents from the ability to not have the conversations that is now needed more than ever.  A SEXUAL REVOLUTION!!! When a young girl at the of 12 or under is standing in the middle of the floor watching a video singing “Drunk In Love” with a half clothed woman gyrating on you tv screen, And you see this child mimicking this, why laugh as if it is funny? It is not. It is the start of something that could take over her life. Censor your children early.  Because the more they see, the more they memorize.   Young women, we were not put here to exploit our sexuality.  We are not only here to replenish the earth. We are her to celebrate our sexuality and hold on to our womanhood for the one that will “put a ring on it” the way he is supposed to.  What happened to the days of courting? What happened to the Movie nights and Flowers?  Young women, never settle for less than you deserve. Young men, never settle for less than you deserve.Some young women can and will over powering your judgment, and use sexual arousals to stimulate you instead of your

mind. Be careful! It could be a trap you are stepping in. Teenage pregnancy is rising every day, and for what? To be the next guest on Maury as he says “You are the father” and yet you are still someone else’s young son who is now having a baby by a woman he does not love.  Sex is supposed to be a beautiful thing between two people that are really committed to one another, not a GAME.It is imperative that we come out from the Sexual Revolution that we are currently in and return to the love and marriage that we should never have moved from. Lets come back to love my people.

All that Jazz, is it really?

Is the Jazz Genre Dead or Alive?

 

I remember some years ago waiting in a room filled with people, I knew I was in for a treat. I sat there patiently waiting because I’d never been to an actually live Jazz Concert. Sure, I have been to Sambucca’s in Buckhead Frequently, or Barley’s in Downtown Atlanta and recently Acoustix Jazz Lounge, and Churchill which is my personal favorite.  I have also been to every Jill Scott, Erykah Badu, Maxwell show known to man in this lifetime. Love them all… But there was something about the anticipation of this particular show… Then the MC comes out makes his greeting and announces Joe Sample… I was speechless. He was accompanied by Howard Hewitt of 80’s group Shalimar. The crowd applauded and he began to play.  Now in this crowd consisted of many races but African Americans were last on this list of guest. I was shocked.  African Americans are the originators of this great musical experience. Racial Disparity raised his head on this show. Tickets were cheaper than seeing Jay’once or even Kim’Ye for that matter, Sowhy couldn’t we support this fabulous event? Is it because we don’t know or because the Genre we know as Jazz is dead?

Jazz is not on the mainstream as much as it use to be.  Jazz Originated in the beginning of the 20th century. The word "jazz"began as a West Coast slang term of uncertain derivation and was first used to refer to music in Chicago in about 1915. From its beginnings in the early 20th century, Jazz has spawned a variety of subgenres, from New Orleans Dixieland dating from the early 1910s, big band-style swing from the 1930s and 1940s,bebop from the mid-1940s, a variety of Latin jazz fusions such as Afro-Cuban and Brazilian jazz from the 1950s and 1960s,jazz-rock fusion from the 1970s and late 1980s developments such as acid jazz, which blended jazz influences into funk andhip-hop.

Artist such as Charlie Parker, John Coltrane, Miles Davis, and Winston Marsalis to name a few are in constant repetition on the CD Changer for me. I often wonder how many others are there in the musical world with me for the soothing melodies of this great sound. I have often longed for the style to return to the forefront.  But Modern day technology has taken over with its many varieties of computer software programs to make musical instruments somewhat instinct. So is Jazz Dead or Alive? I assume it’s up to the individual. To me, it’s much alive. And to us as lovers of music, we must broaden our horizons on the cultures of music and bring Jazz Music back to where it belongs.

For more on information Jazz Music go to:

http://www.wrek.org/

http://www.jazz.com/

 

Photo

http://www.artistnina.com/portfolio/images/jazz_jazz_o.jpg

 

 

A Little Bit About Myself

I'm a Fashion Merchandising major at the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City. I worked in retail for a while setting up floor displays and merchandise. But, I also worked with customers, helping them find their perfect outfits-which was a great feeling knowing that they appreciated the help. I've also interned with an online magazine as an administrative assistant and wardrobe stylist for photoshoots. It was great exposure because, it led me to become a personal stylist at photoshoots in order to build my portfolio. It was a great experience because, I was able to be as creative as I wanted. After that, I had the opportunity to intern at a menswear company working in the product development department. I really enjoyed this because I was able to sit through buying meetings, color matching, and working on storyboards.

Now, I have an instagram page sharing fashion tips for womenswear and menswear; so you can follow me @sheer_satisfashion. Also, I'm starting this new chapter by doing fashion blogging, focusing on womenswear, which I'm very excited about. I would like to thank the Goddess Jones team for giving me this opportunity to share my passion for fashion!

Tonight we are going to the UK on TLJE... 8pm EST

Tonight @8pm est The Love Jones Experience Radio Show  Special Guest Will Be UK recording Artist Kitten And The Hip and Actress/Creator Constance Strickland & Director Robert Adams of "Black Like Her"

Tonight we will rock out to all tunes by some of the great artist of the UK. Ain't no party like a UK party.

Shout out to I am Hip Hop Magazine in the UK. We see you!!!! 

www.tenacityradio.com

Tuesday April 8th @8pm est The Lovejones Experience W/ Goddess Jones Special Guest "Artist To Watch" Veronica Domingues www.tenacityradio.com/listen

Good music never goes out of style. It emanates from an intangible, authentic space and reverberates with a very special frequency beyond the boundaries of time. Those who know it, feel it.



Toronto native Veronica Domingues is mastering the art of crafting timeless music with a unique twist on mid 90s hip-hop soul on her sparkling debut EP Just Chill. Vaunted by SingersRoom.com and deemed a bounce-worthy "rare bird" by esteemed music website SoulBounce.com, the bubbly 24-year-old singer-songwriter effortlessly infuses head nodding beats and jazzy melodies with a vibrant vocal style - resulting in what will be one of the industry's most stunning releases of the year. Reared in a Portuguese household where traditional music styles from her parents' home country permeated the air, Veronica sought balance early on by listening to influences as varied as Shania Twain and Whitney Houston. During high school, she honed her vocal chops singing in her church choir. Yet while she consistently exhibited a talent for music, her family wasn't particularly supportive at the onset. "They wanted me to go to college and get a degree in a field where you can make money," she laughs. "But once I got older, things started to change." Honoring her parents' wishes, she entered college after high school.


However, there was a gaping void in Veronica's soul that only music could fill. She decided to put college on the back burner to pursue her musical interests with fervor and focus. During this period of intense reflection, she entered a citywide talent competition - The Amateur Singing Contest with John Santos. After months of performances, Veronica breezed past her competitors with ease and was eventually crowned the victor. During this period, Veronica's confidence in her impressive vocal abilities soared. Further immersing herself in the world of music, she unselfishly volunteered her time at a local youth center where she instructed youth without resources in the art of creating their own music. There, she would meet her future collaborator in producer/ rapper Junia-T of popular Toronto hip-hop duo Smash Brovaz.


 Yet while the opportunity for collaboration seemed to have fallen into her lap, Veronica admits that she wasn't quick to seize the moment. "I never really planned to do the EP," she says. "I was still trying to find my voice. Because I never really knew what style I did." But after she and Junia-T developed a stronger rapport, the producer began to send her instrumental tracks to write songs to. Eventually, one of these tracks created the spark that would kindle the fire of Just Chill. After the recording session for "Catch Me When I Fall," Veronica was certain that she'd found her voice and style. "I went with him to the studio and he made a beat from scratch. I wrote the song in about 10 minutes. When I heard it finished for the first time, I felt I needed to make an EP." Just Chill is a mellow 8-track journey through a period of intense reflection. "Every song on the EP has something to do with the time I decided to leave school and focus on music," she says. Produced and written entirely by Junia-T and Veronica, the EP is brilliantly embroidered with crisp break beats and robust live instrumentation. As the pair began putting the pieces of the EP together, Veronica simultaneously began sharpening her songwriting skills by relying on an old pastime.


"Before I started writing my EP, I used to write poetry," she admits. "It was just me writing down my thoughts. Then I started writing songs." Throughout the process, she never lacked for sources of inspiration. "Life inspires my songwriting. Every thing around me is inspiration. When I feel a certain way, I write about it." The first single, "I Get High (featuring C-Flowz)," is a tune about the natural high Veronica has always derived from music. "Obviously when you listen to it, you're going to just think it's about something else," she laughs. "But the lyrics are about how music elevates your mind state. When you're sad, it has the power to change your mood. It's about music making you feel really good." Furthermore, "Love" is a pulsing piano driven ode to her undying dedication to music wrapped in a romantic metaphor. "A lot of people might think it's a love song about a guy.


But it's actually about the love I have for music. It's also me talking to a guy saying that if you want to be with me, you have to appreciate music and know that this is what I want to do for the rest of my life." "Eu Quero" was crafted partly in homage to her parents' native language. "It's a Portuguese song with Brazilian and soul influences," explains Veronica. "The typical music that played in my household growing up was a Fado and Pimba music from Portugal. But I wanted to do something totally different with it to make it stand out a bit more. But the song is about me wanting someone really bad and only wanting to be with that one person." Flaunting a funky jazz-fusion sample, "Keep On (featuring Bubba)" is a feel good jam with a syncopated bounce and pristine trumpet solo. "It's about having a good time and enjoying the company of who you're with. It's all about feeling good." The deeply personal "Catch Me When I Fall" details a critical moment in Veronica's life where indecision and inertia reigned. "The song is me talking to my dad about my struggle," she concedes. "It's a tribute to him being there and picking me up when I fell." Toronto-based filmmaker Customatic was drafted to create captivating videos for "I Get High," "Love," and "Eu Quero." As tracks for Just Chill began to circulate around the music industry, the reaction was favorable and immediate. Producers with credits on artists such as Kid Cudi, Kelly Rowland, and Beyonce began to express interest in working with the young songbird. But Veronica remains focused on creating timeless music and crafting a unique sound her own way. Her forthcoming full-length album in the works will feature an 8-piece band, backing vocalists, and a host of other surprises.


"I want to have my own sound, but incorporate the old soul live band sound. The album will be very different from the EP. It will be more about me being happy and in a good place in my life." But until then, Veronica is confident that Just Chill is an adequate first impression - an offering from a new artist that aims to strike a balance in an industry consumed with accelerated BPMs and flashing party lights. "There's so much dance music on the market today," she muses. "So much so that I feel like people don't appreciate their alone time. Time spent just relaxing. Just Chill is about appreciating that time by yourself. Those precious moments you have before you rush out into the world."

Thursday April 10th @9pm est TLJE w/ Goddess Jones Special Guest Will Be Kitten And The Hip www.tenacityradio.com/listen

Kitten and The Hip started almost by accident in 2011.

Ashley Slater and Scarlett Quinn had been working together as a songwriting team for a few months when Ashley presented Scarlett with an idea for a song in a call and response style called “Don't You Worry”. Lyrically, the song follows (in the time honoured tradition of many jazz and popular songs such as Curtis Mayfield's 'Pusherman' to Fats Waller's 'You're a Viper') the trials and tribulations of someone trying to get hold of some 'reefer' late at night.


The music was in a swing style, though composed by Slater and not sampled, and fit easily into the current genre called 'Electro Swing'. The track was signed by HedKandi records literally the day it was finished and released several months later. The YouTube videos for the track have a combined hit total of circa 50,000, which makes it a minor hit by today's criteria. Don't You Worry also had radio support from Radio 1, Kiss FM, Jazz FM and local radio.


Slater and Quinn decided to launch a band off the back of the single and toured a bit during the spring and summer of 2011 as well as performed at a number of small festivals and gigs. In 2012 the band was on the road from April until September, playing at a number of higher level festivals, including Bestival, Beatherder, Boomtown, Wilderness, Secret Garden Party and Glade.


They also had a number of concerts abroad including Paris, Odessa, Moscow, Kiev, St Petersburg, Luxembourg, Amsterdam and Madrid. Currently, Kitten is writing new material for their summer of touring, their single 'Shut Up and Dance' was released on February 15th on 3Star Deluxe, their single with Rory Hoy called 'Who's Gonna Pay for That?' is out on Tall House Digital now! Their '2013 warm up' single 'Shake It Out' is released on Bandcamp on January 29th, and has already had airplay on Kiss FM, Jazz FM, XFM, Radio Reverb, Juice FM and others. 


Their debut album entitled “Hello Kitten” is out on April 1st 2014 on Pedigree Cuts, and will be supported by the release of “Don't Touch The Kitten” as the lead single.

www.facebook.com/KittenHip www.kittenandthehip.com

March 20th Thursday @9pm est Goddess Jones Will Interview "Black Like Her" Actress/Creator Constance Strickland & Director Robert Adams www.tenacityradio.com/listen

Theatre Roscius and Sunday Kinfolk Series present the original Black Like Her. Called “deeply evocative, from a stunning marriage of the actor's craft with the director's technique, all nicely threaded through the most lamenting jazz music imaginable. This film deserves to be seen by all.


” Black Like Her explores the fragility, femininity and fear of the black woman. What does it mean to be a black woman? What does it mean for a black woman to exist in a world of distorted images? How does she cope with the stereotypes placed upon her. Yet she does…always staying in continuum. Inspired by the poem ‘Our Grandmother’s by Alice Walker and the lynching image of Laura Nelson, Black Like Her delves into the strength, fragility and unstoppable will of the black woman.


Black Like Her was devised using an amalgam of physical theatre, visual art and performance art, while smashing together variations of jazz, jazz cover albums, dance, and forgotten history to explore the untold stories of black women. “What a way to hold the heart prisoner and discipline it to feel. I am incredibly moved.” Black Like Her is the second original work in a three part series that will celebrate the many facets of womanhood.


Theatre Roscius, a Los Angeles based experimental performance art theatre troupe, was founded on the simple idea that stories must be shared. That the simple act of sharing, when individuals gather to explore the many facets of being human, ultimately reveals our hidden similarities, and people easily mistaken for strangers, foreigners, outcasts, when put together in one room, can find they have always known one another. Theatre Roscius aims to create innovative, relevant, and compassionate theatre.

Theatre Roscius next piece will be ‘Tangled Roots’ a visual arts exhibit that is a play on both the crop on top our heads as well as the complicated history and lineage of the African-American woman. It will feature visual art, art installations and performance art.

Black Like Her written by & features Theatre Roscius Creative Director Constance Strickland, Directed by Robert Adams of Pocket Studios. To view Black Like Her visit: http://www.sundaykinfolk.com/blacklikeher

March 28th @3pm est Positive K is coming to Hip Hop Today Red Cup Radio www.tenacityradio.com

Darryl Gibson, better known by his stage name Positive K, is an American emcee from the Bronx, New York City, New York, and is one of the original artists of the First Priority Music camp. He is best known for his hits “I’m Not Havin’ It” (a duet with MC Lyte) and his 1992 hit “I Got a Man”,[1] which borrows its male/female dialogue format from the aforementioned “I Ain’t Havin’ It”. Positive K started his career in 1986, making his debut on a Hip-Hop showcase album Fast Money for a small, short-lived independent label called Star Maker. Aside from featuring a track by Hip-Hop legend Disco Dave, Fast Money also featured the debut recording of Rob Base & DJ E-Z Rock.


Later on, he was picked up by Nat Robinson’s First Priority Music under the management of Lumumba Carson (the son of activist Sonny Carson) before Carson would become better known as X-Clan founding member Professor X The Overseer. Positive K scored a major hit with 1992′s “I Got a Man.” The song peaked at #14 on the Billboard Hot 100 in early 1993. Leading up to that, he made appearances in underground compilations including one called “I’m Not Havin’ It,” a duet with MC Lyte—that raised his profile. A guest spot on Brand Nubian’s One for All and another on Grand Puba’s Reel to Reel, along with a self-released, Big Daddy Kane-produced single, “Nightshift”, set the stage for The Skills Dat Pay Da Bills, his full-length debut, released on Island Records.


 The album balanced themes of Nation of Gods and Earths with gangsta-isms and more pop-based moments. Meanwhile, he kept his Creative Control label in operation, signing and cultivating new talent. He was featured on WYBE’s Old School Show, where he was awarded the #3 slot on the list of early hip-hop pioneers. In 1993, Positive K appeared with Beavis and Butthead on The Beavis and Butt-head Experience in a remix of “Come to Butthead.” The song is hidden at the end of the album on the same CD track as “I Got You Babe,” which Beavis & Butthead performed with Cher. The same year, Positive K briefly appeared in the Robert De Niro film A Bronx Tale as one of the angry protesters. In 2006, Positive K appeared on Nas’ “Where Are They Now” ’90s remix. http://positivek.com/home/

Friday April 4th @3pm est Hip Hop Today Red Cup Special Guest Professor Griff www.tenacityradio.com

Professor Griff is an internationally renowned educator, writer, producer, musician, platinum recording/spoken word artist, lecturer and founding member of the pioneering and revolutionary hip hop group Public Enemy. Author of the popular music business guide: Musick Bizness R.I.P. (Resource Information Publication), Griff stands as a highly acclaimed, seasoned entertainment industry veteran and sought-after resource on all aspects of the music business. An activist within both the conscious and hip hop communities, Griff currently stands as a permanent fixture on the international lecture circuit with his riveting and powerful discourse/book, the Psychological Covert War on Hip Hop. An energetic and passionate educator, Griff skillfully customizes this extensively documented lecture to suit the needs of all audiences. Armed with an exemplary life of service and an impressive twenty-year musical career, Griff captivates audiences with his universal call for social responsibility within both the hip hop community and larger culture. As perhaps a testament to his firm commitment to raise the level of consciousness of today s entire hip hop generation; Griff effortlessly draws upon his own extensive entertainment industry experience and a vast reservoir of historical scholarship and research to deliver this poignant message. Reared in Long Island, New York and a current resident of Atlanta, Georgia; Griff maintains a coveted role as Minister of Information for Public Enemy and is currently celebrating an unprecedented sixty world tours and 20th Year Anniversary, with the group. A well-rounded music enthusiast, Griff is also a member of the hip hop/metal band 7th Octave, and has created an empowering youth hip hop curriculum entitled Kidhoppaz, designed to fuse education and entertainment into a positive, effective instructional module. Musically, Griff has recorded nine albums with his group Public Enemy however he has long distinguished himself as a talented and acclaimed solo artist as well. Namely, while signed to Luke Records Griff wrote, produced and recorded three powerful and thought-provoking albums entitled: Pawns in the Game (1990), Kaoz II Wiz-7-Dome (1991) and Disturb N Tha Peace (1992). Also, in 1998, Griff released Blood of the Profit on Lethal Records. With his group Confrontation Camp Griff recorded the album Objects in the Mirror May be Closer than they Appear (2000) and The Word Became Flesh (2001); with his group 7th Octave he recorded the album The Seventh Degree (2004). Griff has appeared in the following films: Turntables and The Chip Factor, in addition he spearheaded the production of the informative documentary entitled Turn off Channel Zero. Griff holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Education, is a licensed personal security defense instructor, and an accomplished martial artist. An avid lecturer, known for his innate ability to impart life-changing ideas, concepts and techniques for the spiritual/personal growth and development of all who attend his lectures, Professor Griff is uniquely equipped to meet the needs of an international wide-ranging audiences.

Ma Dukes Returns to Hip Hop Today Red Radio @4:30pm est www.tenacityradio.com

Ma Dukes returns to talk about "NY Loves JDilla" March 23rd




. NY Loves Dilla” is the first ever official J Dilla tribute show in NYC, featuring special performances by Talib Kweli, Phony Ppl, YC the Cynic and surprise guests, with an all-Dilla set by DJ Parler following the show! Hosted by Jarobi of A Tribe Called Quest, this event will be the first annual Dilla tribute show in NYC to honor the legacy of the Grammy Award-winning producer, James “J Dilla” Yancey, and directly benefit the J Dilla Foundation.


Regarded as one of the greatest hip hop producers that ever lived, J Dilla (aka Jay Dee) emerged from the underground hip hop scene of Detroit, Michigan in the mid ‘90s. He formed the Detroit-based hip hop group, Slum Village, and went on to play an integral role in much of the classic hip hop music produced from the mid ‘90s up until his death in 2006, working with big acts such as A Tribe Called Quest, Busta Rhymes, Common, MF Doom, The Pharcyde, De La Soul, and more. Hip hop veteran and Brooklyn emcee, Talib Kweli, one half of Black Star with Yasiin Bey, and a torchbearer for the Dilla legacy, contributes a special performance to the first annual “NY Loves Dilla” tribute show.


 Deemed one of the most lyrically-gifted, socially aware and politically insightful rappers to emerge in the last 20 years, Kweli began working with Dilla in 2001 for his solo debut album, “Quality.” Bridging the gap between the old and new generation of Dilla beneficiaries, the youthful and amorphous Brooklyn-based fusion-funk band, Phony PPL, and the young Bronx-based emcee, YC The Cynic, will also take the stage, as well special surprise guests. Doors for this historic event will open at 6:30PM, and the show will begin promptly at 8PM. Tickets go on sale today (March 3rd, 2014) at 3PM and can be purchased at www.websterhall.com. Proceeds will benefit the J Dilla Foundation.


MORE ABOUT THE J DILLA FOUNDATION: The J Dilla Foundation is a non-profit organization that serves to help fund inner-city music programs, and provide scholarships to students attending schools that have progressive music curricula. Started by Maureen “Ma Dukes” Yancey, mother of acclaimed producer James “Jay Dee aka J Dilla” Yancey, the foundation seeks to be the staple in the movement for progressive music education and to be a leader in the efforts to enhance and develop arts programs in urban communities. It is the foundation’s hope that by funding and encouraging progressive music curricula to be studied and cultivated in communities and higher learning institutions, young prodigies and music enthusiasts alike will have the tools they need to flourish and become successful within the entertainment industry. For more info, please visit www.jdillafoundation.org.

Today @4pm est Flamethrower Lyricist Kurious Jorge Will Bring Da Pain www.tenacityradio.com

Kurious is of Puerto Rican and Cuban descent, and grew up on 97th Street on Manhattan's Upper West Side in New York City. He debuted in 1991 on Powerule's "Young Stars from Nowhere". He then appeared on Pete Nice and DJ Richie Rich's album Dust to Dust. The duo helped Kurious get a record deal with Columbia Records via Bobbito and Pete Nice's Hoppoh imprint. In 1992, he released his first single, "Walk Like a Duck". In 1994, Kurious released his critically acclaimed debut album A Constipated Monkey, which featured the hit singles "I'm Kurious" and "Uptown shit". The album was a modest commercial success and is considered a classic of golden era hip-hop.


www.kuriousjorge.com https://twitter.com/OfficialKURIOUS

Today @3pm est Director Quenlle Jones & Malik Al Nasir will talk about the Documentary Hustler Convention www.tenacityradio.com

Today @3pm est Director Quenlle Jones & Malik Al Nasir will talk about the Documentary Hustler Convention www.tenacityradio.com



The Grandfather Of Hip Hop," Jalal Nuriddin better known as "Lightnin' Rod" Of The Last Poets. In 1973, a fast-talking hustler named Sport spawned the birth of Hip-Hop. Lightnin' Rod a.k.a Jalal of The Last Poets, backed by Kool & The Gang and others, told an epic street tale of card sharks, gamblers, dope peddlers and thieves which changed the face of music forever.


Memorised by Melle Mel, Fab 5 Freddy and many others, it became what Chuck D called a ‘verbal bible to understand the streets'. Wu Tang, the Beastie Boys and Jungle Brothers have all paid homage to it https://hustlersconvention.crowdhoster.com/hustlers-convention-film


Al Nasir is a Poet, Music Producer, and Student of the late great Gil Scott Heron & "Lightnin' Rod" Jalal Nuriddi of The Last Poets. Al Nasir will discuss the upcoming documentary on the ground breaking "Hustlers Convention", which setup the groundworks for what we call hip hop today and documentary on "The Grandfather Of Hip Hop," Jalal Nuriddin better known as "Lightnin' Rod" Of The Last Poets.


Quenell Jones has an under-graduate degree in narrative cinematography and masters degree in documentary cinematography where he was able to study in Manchester England. While in Europe, Quenell was able to shoot several documentaries for local and national broadcast with subject ranging from Stained Glass Windows, Karaoke and also a documentary examining the consequences of Liverpool’s successful bid to be the European Capital of Culture. After graduate school, Quenell joined the International Cinematographers Guild, becoming one of the rotating DP’s on the TV show “30 Rock” shooting their web series for season 5-6-7.


 Quenell was also able to shoot the four year Auto-Biographical documentary, “Joe Frazier: When the Smoke Clears” on the legendary boxer Smokin’ Joe Frazier. The film has been screened Internationally and Nationally by ESPN, featured in the New York Times and Hulu’s first ever Documentary of the Month. Other significant works include shooting films featuring the acclaimed actors Vincent D’Onofrio in a period film, several web spots for Essence Magazine and Oprah Magazine, several music videos with Grammy Winning Jazz singer Gregory Porter and other documentaries including “Public Discourse” a film about the birth of Street Art, The Critics Pick: Top 10 Films of 2013 “My Brooklyn” and also shooting documentaries for the NBA.

Tonight Bradd Marquis will stop by TLJE... Let's see what he's been up to.

“Today’s music is over-ego or over-sex. There isn’t a conversation of what went wrong, why people do what they do in relationships. Where are the songs saying we’re all still learning?” – Bradd Marquis

They say there are no more good guys; that nice guys finish last. Soul singer/songwriter and actor/producer Bradd Marquis lays these myths to rest with the release of his third independent album release, Thank You. Enchanting audiences with his 2007 album debut, the critically acclaimed Finding My Way and its 2011 follow-up, Authentic, Marquis projects the kind of clean-cut, old school charm unseen since the days of Sam Cooke. The spiritual troubadour with the pulse of the common man, Marquis strums the pains, feelings, and thoughts of that brother who struggles to find the words to say.

Towering, boyishly handsome, and boasting a baritone dipped in the gravel and gravy of Southern soul, Marquis is one of the streets and the steeple. A committed man of dedicated faith and community service, Marquis is the anti-thesis of today’s R&B bad boys. Like his inspirations, Marquis started his stage life in front of the pews. Deriving from a rich family legacy of performers that includes blood ties to Phyllis Hyman, Debbie Allen, and Phylicia Rashad, Marquis traveled as a child performer in the “Family & Friends” gospel troupe. He rocked the church with preternaturally grown vocals until high school. A star-turning performance at a college show returned Marquis to music and later membership with the R&B quartet, Mass Appeal. Soon joining up with Babyface’s production team, Marquis further refined his music and engineering skills, working with future Finding My Way producer, Jeremy “Cochise” Ball, Thank You producer, Angelo Ray, as well as the legendary Gerald Levert and the Rude Boys.

Soon after, Marquis’ indie mixtape, All Love, All the Time, dropped in 2006, opening more doors. Signed to a production company, it wasn’t long before Marquis was releasing his 2007 debut LP, Finding My Way (Quiet As Kept). Breaking through NYC airwaves with the regional R&B hit, “Radio,” Marquis booked Apollo Live and multiple guest spots on both BET’s 106 & Park and Showtime at the Apollo. Named Soul Singer of the Year by 106 & Park, Marquis landed the Soul Summer Tour and Budweiser Superfest tour where he traveled as the stable opening act for Jaheim, Tamia, India.Arie, Blue Magic, Frankie Beverly & Maze, Gordon Chambers, and Hal Linton. Marquis also toured as “Adam” in Oscar Brown Jr’s musical fable, In De Beginnin’. Additionally, Marquis starred in videos and wrote music for artists in New Zealand where Finding My Way hit. Marquis lyrical prowess soon scored song placement on projects by Styles P, Ethical, Young Sid, and Sly and Robbie. 

In 2009, Marquis independently released the FMW2.5 mixtape. While Marquis debut and mixtape told of his broken engagement, 2011’s Authentic was more introspective. Moody blues and torch ballad rich, Authentic was a raw, transparent portrait of a man struggling with hard decisions at life’s crossroads. Singing about broken families, lost love, and the roughness of the industry climb prompted Marquis to take a hiatus to make peace with family, study, and re-discover his spirituality and church.

With upbeat, melodic, and undeniably soulful party music, Marquis returns with his most assured set to-date. Largely written and recorded in five days with sole producer Angelo Ray, the more up-tempo Thank You is a love letter to everyone who stuck by and loved Marquis through his turmoil and evolution into manhood. Straddling the line between the secular and spiritual, Marquis writes honest material of life and love lessons. With unvarnished musical illustrations of an artist stripped of both ego and mask to reveal the interiors of his heart, connecting with a testimonial soul that both teaches and reminds listeners they are not alone all makes Bradd Marquis this generation’s everyman’s soul man.

For tour and updates follow Bradd Marquis on Facebook, Twitter, Reverb Nation or on his website: http://soulmanmusicgroup.com. For bookings and inquiries contact: Jonathan D. Bates at SOULMAN Music Group, LLC. Email Jonathan@SOULMANMusicGroup.com.

Tonight @8pm est On TLJE w/Goddess Special Guest WaterSeed

Tune in tonight @8pm est as Water Seed will talk about thier PledgeMusic Campaign and new Water Seed Music www.tenacityradio.com

For several years Water Seed havr been working tirelessly to make a musical statement. They have sacrificed in just about every area of our lives to be one of the best indie bands in the world. In a world of tracks, autotune and songs that sound more like cheers then music, Water Seed has maintained their identity to remain a “BAND”. The past year has been great to them. They have independently released 2 albums, put together 5 indie tours, produced 6 videos, performed over 200 shows, shared our music with people all over the world and we have welcomed a few hundred new amazing fans. With all of these accomplishments thru still have a long way to go. This coming year they are finally gaining momentum. Literally the world is starting to buzz about Water Seed and their music. People as far away as Australia and Japan have all asked to host them and they are both honored and excited. This is where their fans come in. Now their fab has a, chance to be apart of the Water Seed Music Group. They are reaching out to all of their fans to help fulfill the recent touring demands. http://www.pledgemusic.com/projects/waterseed

Why You Can't Turn A HoodRat Into Your Soulmate.

Tune in @8pm est as Goddess Jones Love & Relationships experts are back  tackling "Why You Can't Turn A HoodRat Into Your Soulmate."

We all know someone who is dating hoodrat(a man or woman who has no ambition). When this happen, we ask ourselves the same question, "Where is the attraction?"

While the rest of the world knows these type of relationship will end in a wreck. They intend to hold on to false love story, so Goddess Jones and her experts Pamela Antoinette PHD & Greg Dragon will help you avoid those mistakes.

Disclaimer: no pun intended on the photo 

The Love Jones Experience presents special guest Author & Life Coach Ayelet Shimron www.tenacityradio.com

Goddess Jones and her special guest Author Ayelet Shimron( "How to Unleash Your Inner Goddess: Seven Steps to Make Any Man Fall Madly in Love With You") will help ladies to awaken their inner goddess to find that perfect mate.

Ayelet Shimron is a life coach, published author, relationship/sex consultant and motivational speaker. Having traveled to over 30 destinations across the globe to study spirituality, meditation and cultural communication, Ayelet’s evolving expertise span from purposeful living and guiding meditations to helping people to love and be loved. Ayelet recently returned from Israel and India where she spent seven months studying the deep mystical secrets of Kabbalah and Vedic tradition. Applying these secrets to her practice, Ayelet is helping people find true meaning by tapping into the channels of mind, body, and soul. Find her on 

www.AyeletShimron.com www.twitter.com/AyeletShimron instagram.com/ayeletshimron

Tonight we will expose another couple on how well they really know each other. The Kings will stop by and talk with Goddess and Chuck. Will they really know one another as much as they thought, or will they need to converse just a little bit more? We will see tonight. Tune in 

www.tenacityradio.com

Where love is real and so are the opinions!

HIP HOP TODAY 03-07-14

TODAY YALL.... 3PM(est) MAKE SURE THAT YOU'RE IN THE UP RITE POSITION AND STRAPPED IN CAUSE WE'RE TAKING OFF WITH NONE OTHER THAN RED CUP RADIO!! TUNE IN TO HIP HOP TODAY WITH NONE OTHER THAN YOURS TRULY AND MY DAWG D.D. Turner AS WE CHOP IT UP ABOUT HIP HOP AND BEYOND.....ALSO CHECKING IN IS ATL'S OWN..CEO OF PHARELLY BOYZ ENT...SWO'RYCHE' AND HIS ARTIST "BOSS" FOR OUR NEW SEGMENT "BUMP IT OR DUMP IT"..MAKES SURE TO TUNE IN AND LETS GIVE THESE ARTIST AN OPPORTUNITY TO BE HEARD!!! WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU..CALL 347-732-5286. TENACITYRADIO.COM!! REAL ENTERTAINMENT......NO EXCUSES!!!!

Annie Set For A Christmas Day Release

The remix version of the classic movie "Annie" will star Jamie Fox as Will Stacks, the billionaire New York mayoral candidate who, after bumping into Annie played by Quvenzhané Wallis on the streets of Harlem, takes her in to up the profile of his campaign, and , with the most spectacular twist out EVER, is the orphan whose cheery, sunny, optimistic disposition works overtime to win over Mr. Stacks’ icy heart.

 Here is the trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nrxc8rS2W2E&feature=youtube_gdata_player

On This Date In Black History : Dred Scott Decision

Dred Scott was the name of an African-American slave. He was taken by his master, an officer in the U.S. Army, from the slave state of Missouri to the free state of Illinois and then to the free territory of Wisconsin. He lived on free soil for a long period of time. When the Army ordered his master to go back to Missouri, he took Scott with him back to that slave state, where his master died. In 1846, Scott was helped by Abolitionist (anti-slavery) lawyers to sue for his freedom in court, claiming he should be free since he had lived on free soil for a long time.


The case went all the way to the United States Supreme Court. The Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, Roger B. Taney, was a former slave owner from Maryland. In March of 1857, Scott lost the decision as seven out of nine Justices on the Supreme Court declared no slave or descendant of a slave could be a U.S. citizen, or ever had been a U.S. citizen. As a non-citizen, the court stated, Scott had no rights and could not sue in a Federal Court and must remain a slave. At that time there were nearly 4 million slaves in America. The court's ruling affected the status of every enslaved and free African-American in the United States. The ruling served to turn back the clock concerning the rights of African-Americans, ignoring the fact that black men in five of the original States had been full voting citizens dating back to the Declaration of Independence in 1776. The Supreme Court also ruled that Congress could not stop slavery in the newly emerging territories and declared the Missouri Compromise of 1820 to be unconstitutional.


The Missouri Compromise prohibited slavery north of the parallel 36°30´ in the Louisiana Purchase. The Court declared it violated the Fifth Amendment of the Constitution which prohibits Congress from depriving persons of their property without due process of law. Anti-slavery leaders in the North cited the controversial Supreme Court decision as evidence that Southerners wanted to extend slavery throughout the nation and ultimately rule the nation itself. Southerners approved the Dred Scott decision believing Congress had no right to prohibit slavery in the territories. Abraham Lincoln reacted with disgust to the ruling and was spurred into political action, publicly speaking out against it. Overall, the Dred Scott decision had the effect of widening the political and social gap between North and South and took the nation closer to the brink of Civil War.


Copyright © 1996 The History Place� All Rights Reserved

Depression in African American Males

Tonight @9pm est on TLJE w/Goddess Jones:  Depression in African American Males
Goddess Jones and her two  panelist which includes Marcus Hummings, Psy.D   and Dr. Jerome Lisk  contributors to Healthy Black Men, will discuss the stigma  in the Black community that depression in men is a suppressed matter that typically goes untreated, which possibly leads to drug use and other detrimental health issues.
Although 12% of African-Americans males and White males suffer from depression respectively, less than 6% of African-Americans will receive mental health treatment. In addition, one in four African-Americans are uninsured, compared to 16% of the U.S. population overall. 
According to the report released by the Office of the Surgeon General, depression is likely a key factor in a 233 percent increase in suicide in African-Americans males aged 10-14 from 1980 to 1995. Suicide was also the third leading cause of death for African-Americans in 2003.




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Tonight @8pm est TLJE w/ Goddess Jones Presents Poet Of The Month Series With Special Guest Poet/Author Malik Al Nasir www.tenacityradio.com

Poet of The Month Of March Malik Al Nasir will share his story and poetic talent on the show.




Malik Al Nasir is a British author and poet, born in Liverpool, England in 1966 to a Welsh mother and a Guyanese father. He grew up partly with his family in Liverpool and after the tragic paralysis of his father, he was taken into local authority care.

He successfully sued the government for neglect, racism and physical abuse whilst in their care and received a public apology from Liverpool's Lord Mayor. Malik is the author of the book Ordinary Guy under his previous name Mark T. Watson and is the founder and Chief Executive of UK publishing house Fore-Word Press. This book is a combination of poetry and explanatory prose that spans a period of 10 years. The book includes "Malik's Mode" - A foreword by Jalal Mansur Nuriddin of the Last Poets. It was written in tribute to Gil Scott-Heron. and contains 33 poems along with illustrations and explanatory prose. Malik also featured in a documentary film about his poetry along with Gil Scott-Heron, The Last Poets and Benjamin Zephaniah. The film is called Word Up - From Ghetto to Mecca and features commentary and performance poetry. The DVD is due for release in the UK in 2008 by Fore-Word Press. The film was produced by Shirani Sabaratnam, former BBC and Channel 4 Producer. Malik is currently researching the life of Andrew Watson (b. 1857, d. unknown) who was the first Black footballer in history -and one of the architects of the game of soccer as we know it today - for inclusion in a book about the life of Watson who came from Guyana in 1860 and ended up captaining Scotland in the 1880s Al Nasir is a Poet, Music Producer, and Student of the late great Gil Scott Heron & "Lightnin' Rod" Jalal Nuriddi of The Last Poets. Malik also featured in a documentary film about his poetry along with Gil Scott Heron, The Last Poets and Benjamin Zephaniah. The film is called Word Up - From Ghetto to Mecca and features commentary on Malik's work and performance poetry by Malik. Fore-Word Press exclusively screened the film, (which was produced by UKTV's commissioning editor Shirani Sabaratnam, former BBC and Channel 4 producer) at Phoenix Cinema Leicester UK as part of the 2011 Black History Month events, which Leicester City Council [2] branded a tribute to the late Gil Scott Heron. Malik also wrote and produced two albums of his poetry and songs, Rhythms of the Diaspora Vol. 1 & 2, featuring Gil Scott-Heron, The Last Poets, LL Cool J, Stanley Clarke, Swiss Chris, Rod Youngs, Larry McDonald, and Ms Marie Labropolus. The albums were recorded at Sarm Studios in Readding, Mercredi 9 Studios in Paris and Wyclef Jean's Platinum Sound Recording Studios in New York. Mixed by Serge Tsai and mastered by Chris Gehringer at Sterling Sound New York. Malik is currently researching the life of Andrew Watson (boen 1857, d. unknown) who was the first Black footballer in history - and one of the architects of the game of soccer as it is known today - for inclusion in a book about the life of Watson, who came from Guyana in 1860 and ended up captaining Scotland in the 1880s. [1] In 2006 Malik co-founded Dubai-based production company MediaCPR and its record label MCPR Music. Conceptually MediaCPR wanted to develop clean content in mainstream music that could entertain listeners without being offensive or explicit. In this context, Malik along with a team of music producers pioneered a new genre of music which they called "Drum Fusion". The idea was to unite traditional rhythms with contemporary song arrangements and apply positive lyrical content to produce a new style of music which could be applied to any genre. The drum fusion formula involves developing a full organic sound composition derived exclusively from the use of drum, percussion, the human voice and natural sounds such as wind, rain, running water etc. The first album to hit the streets using the drum fusion formulae is that of Jamacan master percussionist Larry McDonald . The album is entitled Drumquestra . The concept was developed collaboratively between Malik Al Nasir, who is the executive producer, Larry McDonald himself who wanted to showcase his 50-year recording career as a percussionist working with everyone from Bob Marley to Taj Mahal and also by producer Sidney Mills from Grammy Award winning Reggae band Steel Pulse. Lenny B did a dub-dance remix of one of the tracks off the album called Set the Children Free. The original album version was recorded with Grammy winner Toots & the Maytals The dance remix by Lenny B demonstrates the versatility of Larry's music and how the "Drum Fusion" formula (which Lenny B also worked to), can cross genre's and be totally relevant to the young, as well as the old traditionalists. Malik Al Nasir was also co-writer on two tracks off the album Drumquestra "Peace of Mind" (Which Malik also co-produced with Sidney Mills featuring Shaza) and [3] "Crime Or Music" [2] [3] Featuring veteran SKA legend Stranger Cole and Reggae drummer Sly Dunbar. Additional percussion on this track was provided by STICKY THOMPSON of The Wailers and Bongo Herman. In 2010, Malik Al Nasir graduated with an MA in New Media Production from Liverpool Screen School (A faculty of Liverpool John Moores University); as his thesis piece he created a web based multimedia software program for genealogical family tree building, called Ancestory . The software allows for the building of interactive multimedia family trees, that can be shared over social networks and authored by the public. Ancestory is probably the first interactive multimedia family tree builder, with social network integration. Malik also holds a BA Hon's. In Geography & Soiology from Liverpool Hope University and a PgDip in Applied Social Research from The University of Liverpool. Upon news of the death of his mentor Gil Scott Heron In May 2011 Malik Al Nasir flew to New York to attend the funeral services [4] and performed a tribute at 2013 Liverpool International Music festival in honor of Gil Scott-Heron. The band included Malik Al Nasir, Orphy Robinson, Rod Youngs, Mohammed Nazam, Paislie Reid, Shaza Tiago Coimbra and engineer Tom Parker. Malik is a social commentator and has periodically participated in news items on issues relating to refugees, social exclusion, BBC News asylum seekers in the UK, social unrest social unrest in Liverpool [4] and racism In 2013 Malik was asked along with Fore-Word Press to produce a live show of the iconic first ever Rap Album "Hustlers Convention " at the Jazz Cafe in Camden North London. The event was to be filmed for the making of a film by Director Mike Todd of Riverhorse in Manchester UK. The executive producer of the film is Public Enemy's Chuck D. The Hustlers Convention live event is sponsored by Charly Records who re-issuesd a special limited edition of the original vinyl album, to commemorate both 40 years of "The Hustlers Convention " and 40 Years of Charly Records. Malik was the Associate Producer of the film. Malik's band Malik & the O.G's featuring Cleveland Watkiss, Orphy Robinson, Rod Youngs & Tony Remy supported Jalal and The Jazz Warriors International Collective at The Hustlers Convection Live at the Jazz cafe London in 2014.