Friday, May 29, 2009

ARE YOU SERIOUS?

Rumor is.....Rihanna could possibly be taking on the Whitney Houston role in The Bodyguard remake.....

ARE YOU SERIOUS?

Wednesday, May 27, 2009

ELECTRIK RED


ELECTRIK RED, OUT OF LOS ANGELES, ARE THE DREAM'S NEW GIRL GROUP AND THEY ARE HOT! CHECK OUT ONE OF THEIR SINGLES BELOW AND YOUTUBE THEM BECAUSE THEY HAVE SOME RADIO KILLAS!



BY MONISA

KEY ELEMENTS TO REAL HIP HOP: MEET KEYEL


1. What is the significance in the name Keyel to who you guys are as artists?
Keyel is short for Key Elements and pretty much means we embody the culture of hip hop and being real as possible. which was key when hip hop emerged

2. How did all of you meet?
Holy, Pease, and Twizz, are all high school buddies, and we met Eso at a slum village show, and we were the only ones going crazy, so we just instantly clicked

3. Describe your genre of music.
A fusion of hip hop, electronic, soul, amongst other things

4. In your words, what is the difference between a rapper and a lyricist?What are Keyel?
A rapper is like a normal cook, and a lyricist is like the head chef, they both can cook, one is just better at it... and we like to think of ourselves as chefs lol

5. Finish the statement: Hip Hop______.
Is nothing really, it used to be dope but now look at it. there's so many sub genres that its hard to label anyone hip hop now days.

6. If you had to compare your style to someone, who would it be and why?
I mean we have many influences, but i dont think theres anyone with a sound like ours. its really unique

7. Why should someone want to come to a Keyel show?
It'll be a high energy, fun, good times rollin show.

8. On a normal day, where will you find the guys of Keyel?
At the KEYpad, or at Heart and Sole

9. Who is your favorite Cleveland DJ?
No brainer.... ESO

10. Where do you see Keyel is 10 years?
Living life the way its supposed to be lived

11. Do you want to stay underground or go mainstream? Why?
Both, because everyone needs to hear what keyel is putting out, and we love the underground, but mainstream bring the chips

12. Commercial sells, so can you see Keyel ever making commercial tracks?
Never in a million years, unless raw music becomes comercial then heckie yeah

13. Do you have groupies already?
No comment lol

14. Why do you love hip hop?
It allows us to just do our thing in the most natural way, and theres no other genre of music like it.

15. Describe Keyel in one word. CRAZY

FIND OUT MORE ABOUT KEYEL HERE AND HERE

By Monisa

Thursday, May 21, 2009

He's Got a Big....Ahem...Ego

Take a look at the new vid here...


by Ciara

Tuesday, May 19, 2009

What Happens To a Dream Deferred?

Stop what your doing for a moment and think with me. There's something you've been thinking about doing lately, but you just haven't yet. Going to grad school, moving to L.A., going into a new field. Maybe you shared that dream with someone only to quickly be shot down. I feel your pain. I've often been accused of not knowing what I want to do in life. But the fact of the matter is, I know exactly what I want to do...EVERYTHING! All too often we allow the people in our lives to create our future. There's a quote I love by Tyler Perry that goes like this:

"When you start to dream and see yourself in a better place, don't share it with everybody. Long ago I stopped telling people my dreams because I would always run into dream stealers--people who are so miserable and so mad at the world that all they can do is bring you bitter words of hopelessness. Stay away from these people. They are poison." --Tyler Perry

Harsh, but true. Many times when we get excited about a new possibility in our lives we want to share it with everyone. However, nobody knows you quite like you do. The people whose opinions we care most about sometimes don't understand where you are in life and what your ultimate goals are. They don't always see things the way you do. How many times have you written off your dreams because you shared it with someone else who simply didn't see things your way?

Sometimes you have to follow your own instincts and make your own way. Don't let other people live your life. Langston Hughes once asked what happens to a dream deferred? I don't know, but I'm definitely not trying to find out.

**Editor's Note**
Thank you, anonymous. I stand corrected.

by Ciara

R.I.P


Dolla, 21, an up and coming rapper, signed to Akon's record label, was shot and killed in Los Angelas outside of a shopping mall. The rapper, Roderick Anthony Burton II, had a hit single, "Feelin Myself" and was also featured in the movie, "Step Up."

A 23 year old suspect was later arrested at the LA airport.

Friday, May 15, 2009

Asher Roth and Cee Lo "Be By Myself"

Our Generation, Why?



A land of raw talent, confidence and opportunity
A land of goals, of polish, and of wishful thinking
Cleveland is the home of many striving artists
In a world where only the real can survive in it

Promoting, Rapping and DJ’ing at its best
Cleveland’s talent is undeniably in a stage at its finest
Models, artists, poets, athletes and so much more, but wait
we have to leave our own land just to gain some support?

Many were made right here in this land
Maturing in the best way that we all know that we can
But right next door, your own neighbor is knocking down your doors
Taking the life out of you and your dreams, putting you on life support?

Competition is at its best, even right down the street
Party promoters trying to be on top, wanting the most money
Not giving a care about whose toes that they cross
As long as the money is coming, their own cousin may be the cost

Local party goers kick it and support your own ish
But when they throw an event, all you wanna do is talk spit
Giving you their dollar and all of their love
But you coming to their event? Yea right, you got me effed up

Bring it down a notch and get off of your horse
Because the ones who support you gave you that Porsche
Remember where you were ten years ago before all of the fame
Most likely, you were that kid in school where people barely remembered your name

Cleveland is full of raw talent, confidence and opportunity
A land of goals, of polish and plenty wishful thinking
Cleveland is OUR home, a place that we all share
And it can be that ATL or NYC if we add an ounce more of support and care

Life is not a competition and with that attitude you will only win a loss
Letting your ego get to you, you will definitely pay the cost to be the boss
Success can be fun but only with those who support you
Money focused mindsets will only get the best of you

Money makes the world go round, but it will not bring a lifetime of happiness
You’ve heard it before, from Diddy, one of Hip Hop’s wealthiest
“It gets lonely at the top” and that’s if we don’t make a change
Recognizing how to really make it while playing this game

You think the game is about the money, the fame and the best rep
The nice clothes, maxed out capacity parties and the whips
Stamping the city with your name, you obviously think that’s hot
But I don’t think that’s the change Barack was talking about

So bring your ego down just a notch or maybe two
Take a step back and see how you really are an influence
Nothing major at all, if you lack that cup of humble iced tea
You think that you’re major, but you’re name wont go down in Cleveland history

Be the change that you want/need Cleveland to be
Support those around you, because you never know where their success may lead
You may need them one day more than they need you now
But if you pull them up with you now, then it won’t be so lonely at the top

By Monisa

Wednesday, May 13, 2009

Mr. Wonderful's

For those of us who didn't grow up c-walking all the way to Roscoe's Chicken & Waffles the concept of eating the two meals together may seem a bit...strange. It was to me anyway until recently I tried this phenomenom and saw what I'd been missing.

I'm not sure who first decided to make some waffles and then subsequently fry some chicken and eat it all together, but I salute them. It is actually good. If you have yet to try this West coast delicacy, head to Mr. Wonderful's Chicken & Waffles on Lee Road. The waffles are nice and fluffy and the chicken is a tad salty, but good nevertheless. It's definitely worth a try!

by Ciara

Monday, May 11, 2009

Never Enough Hov



Jay Z, back at it again, will be releasing The Blueprint³ this September and the entire album will be co produced by Kanye West. This will be Hov's last album under Def Jam and thereafter will be recording under his record label, Live Nation.

Are You Serious?

LAUREN LONDON, ALLEGEDLY BUT MORE THAN LIKELY, IS ABOUT 3 TO 5 MONTHS PREGNANT BY EX BOYFRIEND LIL WAYNE.....


NU NU NOOOOOOOO! NOT WEEZY!

Sunday, May 10, 2009

A BEAUTIFUL THING

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY FROM THE LADIES OF DOLLHOUSE!

Friday, May 8, 2009

Aliens on Earth?







Alien Kicks was started by three friends in 2009, in the Nassau area (Bahamas for those of you who dont know)who had quite the shoe fetish for some nice kicks. These three, Jamal Smith, James Mckinney and Scharad Lightbourne, "found that after publishing their sneaker article "Kicks," that globalization and the popular hip hop fever created a hunger for fashion in the bahamas, according to Smith. Showcasing "limited and exclusive sneakers for guys who like that out of the box futuristic look," they realized that a lot of the fellas were eager for the skater boy look and Alien Kicks definitely provides that look and feel.

According to Smith, "For many years, jordans and airforce one's were the shoe staple for many young men, but as time progressed, people wanted more and needed a new level of style with footwear and alien kicks was born."

The Alien Kicks line features brands like Supra, ATO, Nike Blazers, Allesandro Del'Acqua and Lanvin.

So be on the lookout for the site coming soon and maybe you will see some Aliens in a city near you!

Wednesday, May 6, 2009

TTYL

A while back my friend and I attended a comedy show downtown. A really funny, young comedian started talking about men and text messaging. Basically, according to him, two heterosexual men cannot-nay, should not-text one another. Now neither of us are males, so we didn't really know how to feel about that, but we certainly found it funny. According to him, a man texting another man things like "what you doing" is just, well...awkward. And then you must take into account the time of day (or night) these text messages take place. Don't forget you can't text too much either.

I guess my question is, in this post-"no homo"-era do men really have these unwritten rules about texting other men? And has reading this just made someone re-evaluate their texting habits?

...Sorry for using this pic of your dad texting, hope he won't mind!

by Ciara

Guess Whose Bizak?



Rolling Stone has confirmed that after 5 years, No Doubt will be returning and going on tour. Now I dont know about you, but "Dont Speak" was my jam. And for those of you who arent true music gurus, Gwen Stefani was born from No Doubt, before pursuing her solo career.

The band is set to record and write as well as tour, hopefully leading to a new album in the future. Lets keep our fingers crossed and hope that this wont be a reunion gone bad!

For all of you Clevelanders, No Doubt will be at the Blossom Music Center in Cuyahoga Falls on June 29, 2009 at 7:30pm. Accompanying the band on tour will also be Paramore.

Click here for tour and ticket info.

By Monisa

THE OHIO HIP HOP AWARDS ARE BACK

It's a lifestyle. It's mainstream. It's on t.v, on the radio and in magazines. What is it? It's hip hop. A force to be wreckoned with, hip hop, believe it or not, is indeed inevitable. It's everywhere and it's definitely here in Cleveland. Gracing the streets of Cleveland, are some of the most talented rappers, lyricists, designers, models, writers, b-boys, grafitti artists and the list goes on. Hip Hop is not just the music that you hear, but it is a culture that Cleveland has definitely embraced and as a result of this love for hip hop, the Ohio Hip Hop Awards were birthed.

Four years ago, this September, the OHHA has been dedicated to highlighting some of Ohio's finest in the hip hop industry. Recognizing your favorite Dj to the hottest record label in Ohio to the best model, OHHA is focused on growing the entertainment scene. According to ohiohiphopawards.com, this is "the state's largest networking and social event," bringing in "thousands of industry professionals."

OHHA's mission statement is, ".....to recognize and reward those who are making a positive and impactful difference in the scene, while simultaneously educating participants on the best practices towards success."

Previous sponsors of this event include but are not limited to: Heineken, Toyota Scion, Red Bull, Radio One, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and a list of other recognizable local businesses.

This 3 day conference will take place this year, on September 19, 2009 at downtown Cleveland's Convention Center. Nominations began on May 1st, and the categories include but are not limited to: Best New Artist, Best New Group, Best Model, and Best Night club. A complete list of categories and more details on this year's conference and showcase can be found on the official OHHA website, www.ohiohiphopawards.com.

Tuesday, May 5, 2009

THE MAYONNAISE JAR (author unknown)

When things in your life seem, almost too much to handle, When 24 Hours in a day is not enough, remember the mayonnaise jar and 2 cups of coffee.
A professor stood before his philosophy class and had some items in front of him. When the class began, wordlessly, he picked up a very large and empty mayonnaise jar and proceeded to fill it with golf balls. He then asked the students, if the jar was full. They agreed that it was.
The professor then picked up a box of pebbles and poured them into the jar. He shook the jar lightly. The pebbles rolled into the open areas between the golf balls. He then asked the students again if the jar was full. They agreed it was.
The professor next picked up a box of sand and poured it into the jar. Of course, the sand filled up everything else. He asked once more if the jar was full. The students responded with a unanimous 'yes.'
The professor then produced two cups of coffee from under the table and poured the entire contents into the jar, effectively filling the empty space between the sand. The students laughed.
'Now,' said the professor, as the laughter subsided, 'I want you to recognize that this jar represents your life. The golf balls are the important things - Family, children, health, friends, and favorite passions - things that if everything else was lost and only they remained, your life would still be full.
The pebbles are the other things that matter like your job, house, and car. The sand is everything else -- the small stuff. 'If you put the sand into the jar first,' he continued, 'there is no room for the pebbles or the golf balls. The same goes for life. If you spend all your time and energy on the small stuff, you will never have room for the things that are important to you.
So... Pay attention to the things that are critical to your happiness.
Play With your children. Take time to get medical checkups. Take your partner out to dinner. There will always be time to clean the house and fix the disposal.
'Take care of the golf balls first -- the things that really matter. Set your priorities. The rest is just sand.'
One of the students raised her hand and inquired what the coffee represented. The professor smiled. 'I'm glad you asked'. It just goes to show you that no matter how full your life may seem, there's always room for a couple of cups of coffee with a friend.'

By Monisa

Cleveland's Own Ashley Norelle, "I Have to Give"


QUICK HISTORY ON CINCO DE MAYO


Cinco de Mayo (Spanish for "fifth of May") is a regional holiday in Mexico, celebrated mainly in the state of Puebla. This holiday commemorates the Mexican army's defeat of French forces at the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862.

The outnumbered Mexicans defeated the French army that had never lost a battle in 50 years.

Cinco De Mayo is observed in the United States and other locations around the world as a celebration of Mexican heritage and pride. A common misconception in the U.S is that Cinco de Mayo is Mexico's Independence Day. September 16, is the most important national patriotic holiday in Mexico, which is there actual Independence Day.

(Info found at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cinco_de_Mayo)

By Monisa

Monday, May 4, 2009

LEBRON JAMES is named MVP


THE CLEVELAND CAVALIERS HAS GIVEN THE NBA AN MVP THIS YEAR. LEBRON JAMES RECEIVED THE MOST VALUABLE PLAYER AWARD, TODAY AT AKRON ST. VINCENT- ST.MARY HIGH SCHOOL, WHICH HAPPENS TO ALSO BE HIS ALMA MATER.

THE FIRST CAVALIER TO EVER WIN THIS AWARD, JAMES DEFINITELY DOES DESERVE IT, AVERAGING 28.4 POINTS, 7.6 REBOUNDS AND 7.2 ASSISTS.

LEBRON WILL BE THE YOUNGEST AT AGE 24, TO WIN THIS AWARD SINCE MOSES MALONE (1978-1979).

Friday, May 1, 2009

CLEVELANDER OF THE MONTH: MAY






...A Few Good Men...

"There are no good men in Cleveland." We've all heard that sentiment before. But this Clevelander of the Month easily debunks that myth. That's because for the month of May we give you not one, not two, but three good men who are simply the cream of the crop. No seriously, they are known as Cream of the Crop! Amir Foster, Jaffre (Free) Jackson and Jeff Kirkman III make up COTC, a trio of entertainment promoters that strive to deliver the best in Cleveland's entertainment scene. From Swanky Sundays to Cues and Cocktails these men know how to have a good time (and make good use of alliteration apparently). We talked to Mr. Foster himself to allow you to get to know this month's Clevelander(s)...



How and when was COTC formed? What is the group's mission?
The group was formed when Jeff and myself decided to throw a collaborative birthday party. We had initially agreed that if it turned out to be a success, we would consider promoting parties on a regular basis. After two or three parties we came to the conclusion that it would be a good idea to bring in another person. We then met with Jaffre, who had some fresh ideas, and previous experience with promoting... We felt like it was a good fit... Now we are here today...Our mission is short but to the point... Its just to provide quality sources of entertainment, for the professional, stylish, and mature individual. It's well known that this group DOES exist in Cleveland, there is just a shortage of preferable events, and we are trying to do our part to fill that gap... We like to think of it as joining sexy and fun. The type of environments where you can come out fly, looking good, but still get out on the dance floor (or a stage if you are feeling frisky), and just enjoy yourself without feeling out of place.


What exactly is it that makes you the "cream of the crop?
Hmmm... Well... You will just have to ask around about that! Know what I mean? Ha ha. j/k... For starters, we are three intelligent, honest, hard working young men. That in and of itself would separate us from most in our age range. But beyond that, I believe its the drive, and the vision that separates us. We had a very clear picture of what we wanted to accomplish, and had the drive to not only talk about it, but actually put those ideas into action. Also, when you think about it, we along with our patrons, just do not fit in everywhere, or with everybody. We don't just listen to whats on BET, and we don't conduct ourselves in the same manner as everyone else. So as a result, we naturally separate ourselves. Cream Of The Crop doesn't just represent us it also represents our clientele as well.


How were your past events with the infamous titles inspired? i.e. Swanky Sunday
Once we had an idea of the type of event we wanted, we just started out throwing around words. A little help from thesaurus.com and we came up with two titles. "The soiree" was the first choice, and "Swanky Sunday" was the second. It ended up that there was already an upcoming event using soiree in the title, so we went with plan B. We think it worked out well for us.


What can one expect on any given Friday or Sunday walking into a COTC event?

One can expect that they will enjoy themselves that evening. We make it our mission to attempt to see that each of our guests are having a good time. The people will be professional, yet cool, and approachable at the same time. It's almost like you can go somewhere and have a good time, but the crowd is not that desirable. Or, go somewhere and have that crowd you want, but the fun factor is lacking. We just try to create that happy medium.


We know you guys like to throw a good party, but what else do you do in the city?

Actually, we have a few things in the pipeline. Right now we are working with a couple acts to put together some concerts that we are sure our patrons would love to see. Many more great things to come though.


Being so involved in Cleveland nightlife, what are some things you would like to see change on the scene?
Cleveland is still really segregated, and it is very apparent in the party scene. It would be nice if Cream Of The Crop or someone else could figure out a way to bring different races together on a regular. But that's an uphill battle.


What are some challenges you currently see facing promoters in Cleveland?
Lack of venues is a major issue in the Cleveland area. There is plenty of available space, but a number of places have either been closed down due to riff raff, or have a negative stigma attached to them. Makes it difficult to keep things different, and fresh.


What does the future hold for COTC?
I'm not exactly sure what the future holds. Although I do know that we will continue to look for and provide good sources of entertainment if for no other reason than... we like to kick it, and our friends do as well. So if no one else is going to step up to provide the type of events we appreciate, then we are just going to keep doing it ourselves.


Any advice for young men in Cleveland aspiring to do what you guys do?
I would say to think long and hard about that. I know it sounds glamorous, but it is a lot of hard work. And you may have to attend or host an event at some times when you just don't feel like it. Between planning, promoting, and hosting the events, its almost like a full time job. But... It is fun. And if someone is willing to put the work in, its usually well worth the effort.


Isn't Dollhouse your favorite female trio of promoters?
Dollhouse is my favorite trio of women period! Promoters, professionals, party goers, swimsuit models (possibly a new venture) or whatever the category may be Dollhouse is top of my list!!




by Ciara