Hold on MY PEOPLE!!! Are we cowards now?

Are Black People Cowards?

In wake of the Donald Sterling's scandal, a blogger questioned the modern  black American dignity  due to the LA Clippers player weak response to Donald Sterling racial rants, from the blogger perspective.

With the lack of activism in the black community and the lack of black athletes willing to stand up for what is right, has black American lost their identity and dignity for the American Dream? Goddess Jones discuss will this hot topic with T. Hasan Johnson PH.D. tonight at 8pm est onwww.tenacityradio.com 

He is a scholar and he general research focuses on how Africana resistance groups intersect religiosity, sexuality, and patriarchy while negotiating white supremacy, oppressive capitalism, and new forms of media.

He specialize in Africana responses to cultural, political, and intellectual aggression from internal and external sources; as well as their use of socially-constructed truths as a means of reifying social heirarchy. Lastly, as an Afrofuturist, my work addresses how technology, political ideology, icon-construction, blackness, and the imagination have been used as tools for social agency, cultural development and political mobilization in Africana communities.

All That Jazz

Today is Jazz International Day, where the world comes together to celebrate the American musical art form that originated at the beginning of the 20th century. It is rooted in African traditions, draws from European musical forms, and has evolved into various styles across the globe. For over a century, Jazz has united people of different cultures, religions, and nationalities. It serves as a universal language and highlights the musical genre’s role as a powerful communication tool for peace, dialogue and cooperation.

In 2011 the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) proclaimed 30 April as “International Jazz Day”. Each year, this international day brings together communities, schools, artists, historians, academics, and jazz enthusiasts all over the world to celebrate and learn about the art of jazz, its roots, its future and its impact. This international art form is recognized for promoting peace, dialogue among cultures, diversity, respect for human rights and human dignity, eradicating discrimination, promoting freedom of expression, fostering gender equality, and reinforcing the role of youth for social change.


This year Global Host City will be in Osaka, Japan and so many great jazz artists like pianists: Toshiko Akiyoshi, Kris Bowers, John Beasley, Herbie Hancock and Makoto Ozone; vocalists Dee Dee Bridgewater, Jonathan Butler, Roberta Gambarini, Lalah Hathaway, Gregory Porter and Oumou Sangaré; trumpeters Theo Croker, Roy Hargrove, Claudio Roditi and Terumasa Hino; bassists James Genus, Marcus Miller and Esperanza Spalding; drummers Terri Lyne Carrington, T.S.Monk, Shuichi Hidano and the Taiko Masters; percussionists Pete Escovedo and Sheila E.; saxophonists Kenny Garrett, Courtney Pine, Troy Roberts, Wayne Shorter and Lew Tabackin; trombonist Steve Turre; guitarists Chris Thomas King, Earl Klugh, John Scofield and Joe Louis Walker will be performing live.

 This live event will be broadcast on the web for the world to put of this experience. New York: 6am | London: 11am | Istanbul: 1pm | Tokyo: 7pm | Sydney: 8pm For more info go to www.jazzday.com

DJ E-Z Rock Has Passed Today

We are saddened of the news that hip hop legend Dj EZ Rock has passed away earlier today. We are at Hip Hop Today Red Cup & I Am Hip Hop Magazine want to send our condolences to DJ E-Z Rock family and friends.

Rob Base and DJ E-Z Rock are a hip-hop duo from Harlem, New York who are best known for their hit "It Takes Two." The duo consists of Rob Base (Robert Ginyard, born May 18, 1967) and DJ E-Z Rock (Rodney "Skip" Bryce) . Biography from Wikipedia

Hip Hop Today Red Cup Radio Is Back On Today @2pm est

Tune @2pm est into another installment of Hip Hop Today Red Cup Radio with Tha Homie Chuck Jones & Hip Hop's Only Wizard D.D. Turner www.tenacityradio.com/listen

Their first guest is the aminated web series "Black Archeologist," creators The Lambert Brothers. They talk about how hip hop influenced their animated series and much more. Check out trailer: http://youtu.be/y-S3yNtdRIA

Then, Rishma Dhalwali of iamhiphopmag
will discuss the new partnership with us at Worthy Entertainment and how this new alliances will bridge the gap between the Atl and the UK.

And, Founder and CEO of Takeover Records Angelo LARO Maldonado and Artist Franky Bells will talk about Christian Hip Hop andI it's influence in the mainstream.

Atlanta’s Worthy Entertainment and I Am Hip-Hop Magazine are stirring up things globally

Worthy Entertainment which consist of “The Love Jones Experience and Hip Hop Today Red Cup Radio Shows are elated to partner with I Am Hip Hop Today Magazine in the UK.

Worthy Entertainment’s alliance with the magazine will bring the UK to the US and beyond with its shows reaching ALL states within the US as well as several counties around the world.  

These independent platforms will collaborate to expand their local audience and build a stronger global audience. To find out more, catch I am Hip-Hop Magazine on air Saturday April 26^th on Hip Hop Today Red Cup Radio Show announcing the partnership.

Infinite the Poet on The Love Jones Experience Radio Show TENACITYRADIO.COM 8pm est

Tune in Thursday April 24th at 8 pm EST for another installment of The Love Jones Experience Radio Show. Where Love is Real, and so are the Opinions. Our guest will be the very talented Infinite the Poet.

 TENACITYRADIO.COM

8pm est 

Infinite the poet is no stranger to The Love Jones Experience Radio Show. I describe him as a wordsmith, a teacher, a transcriber of life. 

As our featured poet for April, Infinite will join us tomorrow night as we continue to celebrate National Poetry Month.

A little about Infinite

life is like a see- saw it has its ups and downs/ if you would see what I saw, in a sea of tears, you would drown

Mothers loosing kids, wives loosing husbands and vice versa/ kids with no foundation trying to build structure/ ran around with guns to try to see who's tougher, shooting each other to leave the above to suffer, that" was" my life

A young child selling crack vials,for the fear of being poor learned the hard way on what the street life had in store/ so much pain and suffering I had to endure because my vision of happiness was obscured

I kept telling myself I know what I'm doing, but I was just really trying to discover/my dad was in the same game, I should of listened to my mother/ I put her in jail and B C W tried to take my little brothers. that" was" my life

I left that life alone, but now I'm back, a grown ass man with different plans, new strats, no more drugs no more gats!/

The only time you see baking soda around is to refresh my fridge, my life was spared. so I spare some time to refresh the mind of kids. This is my life" now". Infinite the poet.

TENACITYRADIO.COM

8pm est 

LaToya Innocent April 22 8PM EST on The Love Jones Experience Radio Show

Tune in Tuesday April 22, 2014 8:00 PM EST, The Love Jones Experience Radio Show has a great show planned with Author Latoya Innocent to talk about her soon to be released book 

"You Can Turn A Whore Into a Housewife"

LaToya Innocent was born in Suffern, New York. The family later moved to North Carolina, where she grew up in a small town. While living in North Carolina she endured much abuse; mental, physical, emotional and sexual. Assuming marriage was a way out, and an escape from the abuse, she became a wife...

Also, more music and laughs on Tenacityradio.com with Goddess and Chuck... 

Sheer Satisfashion™

Hello everyone! Recently, my sister and I created a start-up business in New York, catering to men who need a little help with revamping their wardrobe. We took a different approach to the styling business because a lot of businesses mostly cater to women and help them with styling tips. So, as entrepreneurs, we took this as a business opportunity by targeting the men segment. 

Sheer Satisfashion™ is a personal styling business specializing in menswear. We cater to all events/occasions or issues. Whether you're trying to look your best at a special occasion or simply wanting to revamp your closet at an affordable cost. A lot of men just don’t have patience so they just wear whatever they find. But, with our help we will be there every step of the way making sure each person gets the right look and feel good in what they’re wearing. As a stylist, my goal is to make sure my clients get exactly what they want and that they’re able to gain more confidence.

We’ve been gaining clients and it’s a great feeling! But we’re still looking for more clients-so all of your styling needs are only one phone call away. Call us for your personal one-on-one consultation, to see what we can do for you!

 

I've also provided you with a sample of my work!

Men's Formal
Photography: ESnell Design
Model/ Client: Ray Fox

SOUTHERPLAYALISTCCADILLACMUSIC

Recently, A.T.L's own and personal favorite rap duo, OUTKAST headlined at Cochella's 2014 Art and Music festival.  I was elated to see Andre 3 Stacks and Daddy Fat Sacks himself, Big Boi reunite and in my opinion, had an awesome set!! From beginning to end, they jammed; performing all of my favorites and much more for what seemed to me to be a typical Kast performance. However I will admit that it seems that the dynamic duo showed somewhat of a bit of ring rust. I contribute that, simply to the lay off. It's been thirteen years since their last collective album and lawd knows how long it's been since they've last preformed together (seven years to be exact). So it's to be expected. But what troubles me is the out lash of hating ass comments from the likes of "Critics". I'm like these fuckers are talking about Kast like they'er a pair of amateurs and second rate..bottom of the barrel rappers......I know rite....I had the same reaction. BULLSHIT!!!...Journalist from the usual music media contributors all pretty much said the same thing concerning to performance with in itself...Cool. Everyone that witnessed or watched the performance, all agree that it was a bit labored....Consider this.....Kast headlined..and from what I understand is that Cochella  is an ALL DAY event. Outkast went on at 11:30 PM PST.....so the crowd is a bit dead. Next, the set was kinda awkward. They perform together then as soloist, then back together again. Reciting all the classics, then took a left turn, performing a couple of not so familiar tunes....like "Vibrate" or "Bow Tie"....Then we have the props....I think Dre had to explain the pacing around the table then the bicycle....ok so the performance was a bit weak at times, we get that. All of which leads us to this pivotal time and place. This performance coincided with the 20th anniversary of dropping "Southernplayalisticadillacmusic"? An album which they had to struggle to get accepted by the masses...Wasn't many that followed Kast at that time..unless you were from Atlanta which everybody and Grandma's had tha Cd. So.... here we are 20 years later and it seems that history has found it's unique way of repeated it self when it comes to this powerhouse. During this time everyone thought that if the music didn't come from up top then it wasn't music. When Big Boi and Andre touched down, they had everyone on their heels. Most didn't like it, others dismissed it, and some simply didn't know what to make of it. Since the drop of SPLCM, OutKast has went on to accomplish: Grammy Award for Best Rap Album, Grammy Award for Album of the Year, MTV Video Music Award for Best Hip-Hop Video, MTV Video Music Award for Video of the Year, Grammy Award for Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group, MTV Europe Music Award for Best Video, Grammy Award for Best Urban/Alternative Performance, BET Award for Best Group, American Music Award for Favorite Pop/Rock Band/Duo/Group JUST TO NAME A FEW......Tell me another group that has been able to do this.....I'll wait.....that's rite NO BODY!!! Critics and assholes alike jumped at the opportunity to throw a whole lotta shade on Outkast after Cochella's performance. Which brings us here, 20 years later...., So tell me this "oh wise hip hop critics"....what more must the rap duo Outkast have to do? How many more top rated albums must they release..? How many more #1 smash singles must they drop? How many more awards and achievements must they receive in order to obtain "Legend" status...? Well guess what...THEY'RE ALREADY LEGENDS!!! Please recognize the art and the talent that embodies this group. It's been agreed that 3 Stacks IS THEE BEST MC of his time..Big Boi cannot be denied as a lyrical beast himself. From Pimps and hustlers to poetic, conscious contributors to Hip Hop, OUTKAST is and will remain Legendary. I am gonna leave you with this, quoted from "Roses",as 3 Stacks sings (my message to the critics):

Caroline...she's the reason for the word BITCH...I hope that she is speeding on the way to the club tryna get to some baller or singer or somebody like that... and try to put on her make up in the mirror and CRASH..CRASH...CRASH into a ditch" And I'm not playing.....Recognize the real and kill the fake...

Tha Homie Chuck ~ Host

Hip Hop Today/ Red Cup Radio

Thursday April 17th @8pm est Goddess Jones Special Guest "Afraid Of Dark" Director Mya B.

Tune in for a enlightening show  Goddess Jones will discuss "Why has America been taught to fear the black man with Brooklyn-based filmmaker Mya B, she is  director of thought provoking documentary called  "Afraid Of Dark."

Mya B. documentary attempts to answer this question through personal interviews, historians, entertainers, and writers such as Dr. Cornel West, Kevin Powell, Malik Yoba,Tom Burrell, and many more.  Mya B explores the historical stereotypes that plagues the subconscious belief  contributing to violence and the incarceration of black men. The candid interviews and commentary highlights three generations of black men in her family who demystify those stereotypes. Her film displays the black man's struggle to find love and meaningful identity in a world that mutes their individual stories.

Mental Health: Depression and Beyond

This time of year is very hard for some individuals. Mothers Day and Fathers Day and all the summer holidays thereafter. From Advertisements on TV to all of the commercialism in the stores to families getting together and celebrating and most of all just enjoying and celebrating life family and happiness. But what about those who lost a loved one and still in the grieving process. Has anyone ever considered people’s feelings in the mist of all of this celebrating? 

 

Example: Mothers Day is the time to honor our mothers. It is a joyous occasion when celebrated with our children. For many mothers, it can be a depressing time if they are separated from from their children due to illness, death or distance. For others who are dealing with the death of their child or mother, it can be devastating. Women who are unable to have children or who are coping with the death of a child, may also feel sadness and despair. 

 

I lost the only mother I will ever have a few years ago after being raised without my mother whom was murdered three months after my birth and not to mention my great grandmother whom I had until I was 25 years old. I guess you would call that a triple whammy for me. Its hits pretty close to home when the holidays such as Easter and Mothers Day come around. 

 

Many holidays bring on an onset of depression that only people that have endured the pain can relate to.  Depression is a disease of the mind. It’s not something that can just go away with time. Depression actually escalates with time and certain methods must be in place in order to either survive it or maintain it in a healthy manner.

 

I have suffered from depression for many years. I can remember as a teenager feeling sad and depressed.  It was such a hard time for me. I wanted to fit in and  didn’t. There were so many things going on in my life at that time and then I had to go to school and fit in with these cruel kids who did not like me because I didn’t look like them or act like them or dress like them. There are a lot of kids that have their own identity and that do not fit into the cliques but unfortunately, someone will always find something wrong with you. But is it really about you? “Food for thought”

 

I know I am going in many different directions but many need to understand the ramifications of those that are not strong as others. You know the individuals whose feelings are less stable thank your own. The individuals that many have some things that needs to be worked out mentally.

 

It’s totally imperative that instead of leaving an individual alone, to be a friend and ask if you can help. Hold their hand and just sit there and be quiet. Just seeing that would allow them to know that they are not alone.

 

Stop being so judgmental to others. You never know what they may be going through and what could take them over the edge. People do not Overdose on drugs because they are having a good time, they overdose because they are trying to numb the pain.

 

It’s up to us as individuals to open our mouths and say something to our friends and loved ones to ensure that nervous, breakdowns, panic disorder, anxiety, stress, suicide and other mental disabilities do not take each and every last one of our loved ones. 

 

We are each other’s brothers and sisters... Protectors!  We were put here to love and be loved. No one deserves to be anything less.  

 

Below I leave you with some coping mechanisms that will assist you and or assist you with your loved ones to get through this season of summer time holidays.

 

1) Allow yourself time to grieve. Express your emotions and feelings.

2) Show others you care. Reach out to an aunt, mother in law or friend.

3) Stay positive. Your loved one would want you to be happy.

4) Stay active. Do something you love to do.

5) Help others. Visit a nursing home and share the day with others.

6) Eat well.

7) Get enough sleep.

8) Reflect on the good memories of your loved one and smile.

9) Get professional help if you need to. Do not try to cope with sadness and depression on your own.

Know that this number may save a life. Put it on speed dial. National Crisis Hotline: 800-273-8255