Whats Buzzing in the Streets – Page 83

GO SHAWTY IT’S YA BIRTHDAY

Curtis James Jackson III was born July 6, 1975 aka Boo Boo known professionally as 50 Cent, is an American rapper, actor, businessman, and investor. Born in the South Jamaica neighborhood of the borough of Queens, Ny. In 1996 a friend introduced him to Jam Master Jay of Run-DMC, who was establishing Jam Master Jay Records. Jay taught him how to count bars, write choruses, structure songs and make records. His first appearance was on “React” with Onyx, for their 1998 album Shut ‘Em Down. He credited Jam Master Jay for improving his ability to write hooks, and Jay produced Jackson’s first (unreleased) album in 1999 after Jackson left Jam Master Jay, the platinum-selling producers Trackmasters signed him to Columbia Records. They sent him to an upstate New York studio, where he produced thirty-six songs in two weeks; eighteen were included on his 2000 album, Power of the Dollar. 50 founded Hollow Point Entertainment with former G-Unit member Bang ‘Em Smurf also has had a highly successful business career. He is financially invested in a highly diversified variety of industries such as now involved in artist and talent management, record, television, and film production, footwear, apparel, fragrances, liquor, video games, mobile apps, book publishing, headphones “which I own a pair” health drinks and dietary supplements. His broad business and investment portfolio contains investments in a variety of sectors including real estate, financial market investments, mining, boxing promotion, vodka which is good it’s called Effen Vodka it comes in different flavors, fragrances, consumer electronics and fashion. He established his own record label G-Unit Records in 2003 following his mainstream success. In November 2003, he signed a five-year deal with Reebok to distribute a G-Unit Sneakers line for his G-Unit Clothing Company. In an interview regarding his vast business empire, Jackson says his businesses have a habit of doing well as he sees all of his ventures both past and present as revolving around his alter ego. Jackson has also started a book publishing imprint, G-Unit Books on January 4, 2007 at the Time Warner Building in New York. He has written a number of books including a memoir, From Pieces To Weight in 2005 where it sold 73,000 copies in hardcover and 14,000 copies in paperback; a crime novel and a book with Robert Greene titled The 50th Law, an urban take on The 48 Laws of Power. In November 2011, Jackson released 50 Cent’s Playground, a young adult fiction novel about a bullied, violent kid and his gay mom.

One of Jackson’s first business ventures was a partnership with Glacéau to create an enhanced water drink called Formula 50. In October 2004, Jackson became a beverage investor when he was given a minority share in the company in exchange for becoming a spokesperson after learning that he was a fan of the beverage. The health conscious Jackson noted that he first learned of the product while at a gym in Los Angeles, and stated that “they do such a good job making water taste good.” After becoming a minority shareholder and celebrity spokesperson, Jackson worked with the company to create a new grape flavored “Formula 50” variant of VitaminWater and mentioned the drinks in various songs and interviews. In 2007, Coca-Cola purchased Glacéau for $4.1 billion and, according to Forbes, Jackson, who was a minority shareholder, earned $100 million from the deal after taxes. e no longer has an equity stake in the company, Jackson continues to act as a spokesperson for Vitaminwater, enthusiastically supporting the product including singing about it at the BET Awards and expressing his excitement over the company’s continuing to allow his input on products. He joined Right Guard to introduce a body spray (Pure 50 RGX) 50 Cent signed a multi-year deal with Steiner Sports to sell his memorabilia, and announced plans for a dietary-supplement company in conjunction with his film Spectacular Regret in August 2017. his career Jackson has sold over 30 million albums worldwide and won several awards, including a Grammy Award, thirteen Billboard Music Awards, six World Music Awards, three American Music Awards and four BET Awards. He has pursued an acting career, appearing in the semi-autobiographical film Get Rich or Die Tryin’ (2005), the Iraq War film Home of the Brave (2006) and Righteous Kill (2008). 50 Cent was ranked the sixth-best artist of the 2000s and the third-best rapper (behind Eminem and Nelly) by Billboard. Rolling Stone consider Get Rich or Die Tryin‘ and “In Da Club” to be in their lists of “100 Best albums of the 2000s” and “100 Best songs of the 2000s” at numbers 37 and 13. 50 Cent is a very down to earth person his performances are good. 50 Cent has a new album called G to the Street for 2017

Written by Jewels 78

ROXANNE ROXANNE THE REAL ROXANNE SHANTE

As Roxanne Shante would say PlzBelieveIt/ first female rapper of The Juice Crew. Roxanne Shanté (born Lolita Shanté Gooden in November 9, 1969) is an American hip hop musician. Born and raised in the Queensbridge Projects of Queens, New York City, Shanté first gained attention through the Roxanne Wars and was part of the Juice Crew. Roxanne Shanté was brought up in Queens, New York. She started rapping at the age of thirteen in 1984 the young rapper ran into Tyrone Williams, DJ Mr. Magic, and record producer Marley Marl outside the Queensbridge housing project. The three of them were discussing U.T.F.O. since the rap trio had failed to make an appearance at a concert, U.T.F.O. had recently released a single called “Hanging out“; The single did not get a lot of critical acclaim, however the B-Side featured the song “Roxanne, Roxanne”, a song about a woman who would not respond to their advances, became a hit. Shanté, who was a member of the Juice Crew, walked right up to them and offered to write a track to get back at U.T.F.O., posing as the Roxanne in the U.T.F.O. song. They liked her idea and Marley produced the song “Roxanne’s Revenge” using the original beats from an instrumental version of “Roxanne, Roxanne“. At that time her Queens-based crew was in a battle with KRS-One’s Bronx-based crew, because both of the crews claimed that their district was the true home of hip hop. The track became an instant hit and Shanté, only 14 years old at the time, one of the first female MCs to become very popular. Roxanne made songs such as “Roxanne’s Revenge” also “Have A Nice Day” and also a few other hits. She is still performing after all these years, hosting at different events, and also mentoring young women and you can followed her on social media Facebook Roxanne Shante and on Instagram iamroxanneshante. She still is THE R.O.X.A.N.N.E

Written by Jewels 78

FEELING THE FORCE WITH THE LEGENDARY FORCE M.D.’s

Have you ever had your partner say “Baby Let Me Love U”? Well, there is a group called The Force M.D.’s, which is an American R&B vocal group that was formed in 1981 in Staten Island, New York. Although the group has old school hip hop roots, it is perhaps best known for two tunes that are widely considered 1980s quiet storm classics, “Tender Love” and “Love is a House”. They are considered major forerunners of the new jack swing. The band was originally named The L.D.s, and then became the Force MCs, but ultimately preferred the name Force M.D.’s, which stood for Musical Diversity. Though the group was not quite always as recognizable as other New York R&B acts when it first started, they were among the first R&B vocal groups to intermix doo-wop-affected singing with and sometimes over hip-hop beats. The group was composed of brothers Stevie D., Antoine “T.C.D.” Lundy, and Rodney “Khalil” Lundy, along with their uncle Jessie Lee Daniels. (Later, friends “Trisco” Pearson and Charles “Mercury” Nelson from the Marines Harbor projects in Staten Island, NY joined the group.) They performed at different venues such as BB Kings, and the Eve Ultra lounge until this day their hit songs are still being played on the radio. Three of the group’s members died within five years of each other: Nelson suffered a fatal heart attack in 1995; former collaborator DJ Dr. Rock died suddenly of natural causes in 1996; and in 1998, Antoine Lundy died of Lou Gehrig’s disease. Trisco Pearson died on September 16, 2016, of an undisclosed illness. But that does not stop the group from performing worldwide. The Force M.D.’s are still standing strong after all these years; you can see them at an up coming performance in June at BB Kings in Manhattan. Did I tell there is new music on the way? Check out their new single Don’t Rush now available on iTunes. May the Force be with you.

Written Jewels 78

Share My World: The 20th Anniversary

“…And the most innovative female singer of our decade…. Many have describe her as the paramount, the most soulful, the most prolific…. Who else is accepted in the streets as well as by their peers?” says the man of the voice that is being played in the beginning of this classic album. Behind the masterminds of Trackmasters’ very own Tone & Poke, Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis have also put this magic into creating this hip hop/R&B masterpiece that we all know and love today. After the street girl persona on “What’s the 411?” and the personal, heartfelt, dark and depressing but deeply loved and appreciated “My Life”, Mary steps out on her own, away from Diddy to share her world in a totally different and new light that showed a more positive, uplifting and hopeful Mary with an attitude that was still looking forward to more positive things in life. 20 years ago on April 22nd, 1997, Mary J. Blige released her third album, “Share My World.” With an opening statement that best describes Mary’s impact and contribution to music, the intro further goes on with previous hit songs and award show appearances in which she won in her career at the time leading up to a perfect current new moment in her career that starts off with a Mobb Deep sample loop and “I Can Love You” comes in. “I Can Love You” is the second song on the album and the second single released in July 1997. The song features Lil’ Kim and it’s a song about convincing a man how she’s a better lover for him than the current woman he’s with. The music video takes place in a random woods in a abandoned little house and there’s a party going on. In the middle of the party, Mary notices the man she was with hanging out with another woman. She walks away mad in the end. The next song “Love Is All We Need” is the first single released from the album but the third track on the album. An inspirational and uplifting song about loving one another and being in peace with each other. It samples Rick James’ “Moonchild.” It goes both ways though, one as lovers and the other as a people. The song features Nas. There’s a hidden version without Nas but the music video takes place in a downtown office in NY where Mary plays as fashion designer, then as an important woman on the job or an executive and then as models ripping the runway and the video ends with her on the roof of a building rocking a fly fur coat. “Round and Round” is a top 5 joint on this album to me personally. Thanks to DJ Premier, it has the same sample loop as Jay-Z’s “D’evils” on his 1996 debut, “Reasonable Doubt.” The song definitely has that underground NYC hip hop sound with a dark like scary tone like a villain’s theme song but with a heavy bass hip hop beat and Mary’s raw and raspy vocals. It’s in true Mary style. “Share My World” starts with an interlude about appreciating Mary’s beautiful blackness. An interlude that turns into a song about appreciating Mary for who she is as a black woman. Being the man who loves and appreciates her for her natural beauty and features and not for what she’s not. Mary has stated herself that during this album, she wanted to touch on subjects that talked about appreciation for her looks because she was in a relationship with someone who complained she was “dark or light enough” and that she had hair that was either not “straight, long, or nappy enough.” “Seven Days”, the fourth single released from the album and ironically, the seventh joint on the album about a friend who turns into a lover. Guest appearance from George Benson who appears in the music video playing guitar and singing at the end. “It’s On”, which was written, produced, and featured by R. Kelly is a love making song. “Thank You Lord (Interlude)” a lovely short ballad skit that was written by Kelly Price. So soothing and beautiful. “Missing You”, a slow ballad about missing someone’s presence but she’s not “in love” with him. “I’m not in love, it’s just some kinda thing I’m going thru, goin’ thru, goin’ thru and it’s not infatuation, ain’t nothing goin’ on between me and you, me and you, me and you but I dream about it every night baby, wanting you here with me and making love to me….” The first verse says it all. “Everything”, the third single released but the eleventh joint. One of Mary’s signature songs. Samples The Stylistic’s 1971 hit song “You Are Everything” but has a whole new twist to it. The music video takes place in Hawaii where Mary is looking beautiful in different hairstyles and looks and can’t forget to mention the very underrated So So Def Remix featuring Jermaine Dupri and Roc. The remix got inspiration from D-Nice’s “My Name Is D-Nice.” In the beginning, Mary says “I’m Mary J. Blige, I’m, I’m, I’m Mary J. Blige.” The music video was similar except she’s not in Hawaii, it’s just her, JD and Roc dancing all over and a bunch of Mary’s faces are all over the place repeatedly. The hip hop soul queen’s crown sits more comfortably on her head for that one… big time! “Keep Your Head”, another personal favorite of mine off the album. This song has a similar beat to Nas’ remix to “Street Dreams.” It also has that hip hop vibe like “Round and Round” and “I Can Love You.” Another song about staying positive and trying to stay positive. Mary almost goes into storytelling style like Slick Rick about how she tries to be a more positive individual herself. “Can’t Get You Off My Mind” is another dope hip hop song that features The LOX. Mary gave them their first taste of success when she introduced them to Diddy back then. “Get To Know You Better” is my top favorite on the album. This song gives me Neo Soul vibes. I love everything about this song. The bass, the beat, the vocals, it’s easily the best one. Mary goes into her positive spirituality mode again on this joint. “Why do we go thru things unnecessary, why can’t we understand that our love is the key….”, my favorite line in the song. The chorus puts me in a trance and I get lost in the stacking smooth vocals. I love it. “Searching” is my second favorite on the album just for the sick hip hop beat and the clever way Mary basically remade the Roy Ayers song with the same name and she even got into her 1970’s soul singing Ways by scatting the same way Roy’s song sounds. Mary’s ability to bring hip hop and soul together, this song is the perfect example of that, in fact, it’s a top 3 example of Mary’s songs with the perfect combination of hip hop and soul to me. “Our Love”, a beautiful Natalie Cole remake and the album ends with “Not Gon’ Cry”, which was originally on the “Waiting to Exhale” soundtrack back in 1995. “Share My World” is my second favorite Mary J. Blige album because I loved it’s positive attitude, emotional honesty, underground NYC hip hop/Neo soul sound that to me was far more interesting to me than “My Life.” Everything about this album is absolutely perfect and the beginning of a new and improved Mary. 20 years later, Mary is still sitting very high on her throne and has a new album releasing in 6 days. This album is definitely on the list of a lot of people’s top Mary J. Blige albums. Definitely a classic right here. From start to finish. Mary, Mary, Mary…. live ya life girl!

Meli’sa Morgan

How many babies were made from the song “Do Me Baby?” Meli’sa Morgan is an American R&B/Soul singer and songwriter. Born in Queens, New York, Morgan got her start in the music industry while singing with a church gospel choir called the Starlets of Corona. Morgan cites Chaka Khan as a major influence in her career. The Shades of Love was an electronic dance studio act consisting of Meli’sa Morgan. Hailing from New York City, their best known material is “Keep in Touch“. The original version entered the US dance charts in 1982, it peaked at #26 on the charts. In 1995, a remix of the song was released and hit number on the US dance charts. Morgan had a string of hits, starting in the mid 80’s through the 90s, covering Prince’s version “Do Me Baby” (1985), “Love Changes” with the late Kashif, the classic record “Fool’s Paradise” (1986) which Jay-Z remade with Mary J Blige. There is also a remix with Meli’sa and Jay-Z, “Can’t Knock The Hustle”. Morgan truly is an inspirational person to me from my personal experience. Just being around her brings a smile on my face. Her soulful voice is heard all over the world her performance is phenomenal. I must say one of my favorite songs is “Fool’s Paradise” When I’m in the club or hear it on the radio, it makes me want to sing and dance. I’m in my own world. Meli’sa has a business called fruitsticks, which can be ordered online. You can follow her on Facebook at Meli’sa Morgan.

Written by Jewels 78

NEW ARTIST ALERT!

Cartier Conway is an up coming artist more like a younger hip-hop version of Sandman Sims. Cartier Conway was born and raised in Harlem,NY. Growing up in an atmosphere filled with talent Conway learned to sing and dance at an early age. He is known for displaying his tap dancing skills on stage and concerts, he has performed for former president Bill Clinton and Reverend Jesse Jackson for special events. Conway became one of the lead dancers for Meli’sa Morgan who sings the hit song Fool’s Paradise. Cartier has appeared at the world famous Apollo theater and has had a guest appearance on the hit t.v show The Parkers starring next too famed comedian Mo’Nique. I saw him perform 3 times at different venues with Meli’sa Morgan and I must say his dancing skills are awesome! Did I mention he is singer. One of his songs called Something In Common has played in local clubs and on radio stations such as Power 105.1 Checkout one of his songs on soundcloud titled “Party So Hard” https://soundcloud.com/cartierconway/party-so-hard It is definitely a club banger. Cartier Conway can be followed on social media as Cartier Conway.

Written by Jewels 78

BLAME IT ON THE HENNY BOOGIE BLACK

BOOGIE BLACK MC/Hype Man known in Harlem and the Bronx. Born in the boro that created hip-hop in the Bronx- dale housing projects and the nephew of hip-hop pioneer, Disco King Mario, BOOGIE BLACK’s love of hip-hop was a natural progression. He performed at Stage 48, Inkwell, Oze Tavern, Golden Palace. If you never heard of Boogie Black he’s known for the song Half Past Three ft. Petawane, and the club banger Blame It On The Henny, which makes you want to go buy a bottle of Henny. Then you would start dancing until you couldn’t feel your legs for a few days. I met him a few times at different events and venues. Also I got a good vibe from just being around him. It’s funny I was at an event in November when he saw me, he was in shock because I was dressed up. Boogie Black is a Leo just like me, he brings the lion out of him when he hits the stage and demands attention. Boogie Black “States The Facts” The fact is music lovers can prepare to catch “the henny ghost” when Blame It On The Henny is being played on the radio or when you see him performing. You can catch him every Thursday at Salsa Con Fuego located in the Bronx or every Friday at the Inkwell in Manhattan. Boogie can be followed on social media Facebook Boogie Black holding a cup of Henny and on instagram iamboogieblack.

Written by Jewels 78

Redman Meets Reggie Noble

One of Jersey’s very own. To me, he’s one of hip hop’s most underrated rappers of all time. Very little appreciation for someone with so much energy, flow and bars on the mic, also can be alongside Wu-Tang Clan’s very own Method Man. They call him Redman, Reggie Noble is the birth name. My very first time actually getting familiar with him was the “How High” movie. Very funny and still hip hop with a bangin’ soundtrack that fit the times and the movie. I also got to experience his music because of his 1992 album “Whut? Thee Album.” My first time hearing the album, I instantly fell in love with it’s hardcore sound and heavy bass beats and samples. Kinda reminds me of a Gang Starr album. To come from a place where there are other hip hop heavyweights like Queen Latifah and Naughty By Nature, it’s safe to say that Redman should be getting the same recognition. I personally never hear about a Redman discussion or been in One with other hip hop fans. I personally don’t know too much of his discography but I can definitely discuss how much of a monster he is on the mic. I especially can never get over joints like “Da Rockwilder” with Method Man and “Tonight’s Da Night” and “I’ll Bee Dat.” Those are Redman’s most standout joints to me but the man is can spit and bring that fire like no other. His wild personality and comical ways is what keeps the people’s attention on him. Watching or listening to Redman is literally like Redman meets Reggie Noble.

The Abstract Poetic: The Legacy of Q-Tip

This man’s contribution in hip hop is what makes him the legend that he is today. Started off in a group, went solo, also DJ’s, produces, act and has a pen game and voice that’s easily recognizable when you hear it. Definitely someone whose one of a kind and shares the same zodiac as me. Someone whose a huge influence to me both personally and creatively, he also told me to my face that he liked my style, and I could never forget that. He goes by name Q-Tip aka The Abstract Poetic. The story of Q-Tip begins back in the 70’s when he was a child living in St. Albans, Queens and met his would be close friend, almost brothers and group mate named Malik Taylor aka Phife Dawg. Together these two were peanut butter and jelly, ketchup and mustard, they’re one of hip hop’s greatest duos together on the mic. Fast forward to 1985, Q-Tip gets his name and it represents “on the Queens tip.” At this time, he also had another name as a solo artist named MC Love Child and would occasionally team up with high school friend and DJ, Ali Shaheed Muhammad and together they were a rapper and DJ duo. They made demo tapes along with Phife, he was known as Crush Connection but the group, later on known as the group we all know and love today as A Tribe Called Quest, was fully complete when Jarobi joined and Phife only joined because of Jarobi. They got their name in 1988 when the Jungle Brothers gave them their name. The Jungle Brothers is another legendary hip hop group who also attended the same high school. The guys signed a demo deal with Geffen Records and created a 5 song demo that was later included on their debut album the year. Before their debut album released, Q-Tip appears on 2 songs on the Jungle Brothers debut album called “Black Is Black” and “The Promo.” The group signs with Jive Records and on April 10th, 1990, also Q-Tip’s 20th birthday, “People’s Instinctive Travels and the Paths of Rhythm” was released. The album was a very youthful, friendly and uplifting but dope. Frontman Q-Tip being heard on most of the songs. We didn’t start to see the real lyrical side of the group until 1991’s “The Low End Theory.” This is album is my favorite Tribe album because majority of my favorite songs from the group are on this album, “Midnight Marauders” was the perfect album though. No skips, it was a banger from start to finish. “Beats, Rhymes and Life” had a more laid back vibe and it introduced the sounds of the late great J Dilla. It also introduced is to Q-Tip’s cousin Consequence. Definitely gotta get used to him when listening to that album. “The Love Movement” isn’t an album I’m crazy about but it’s ironic that the word “love” is in it’s title but it was the beginning of the end for the group but they reunited in 2006 and recently released their latest album “We Got It From Here, Thank You 4 Your Service” 5 months ago. It’s an incredible album I heard only twice. I like to wait until the hype slows down a bit to enjoy things. Gotta find the right time to without everybody throwing out their opinions while you’re still getting used to it. Outside of the group, Q-Tip had a dope solo career on his own. He’s appeared on other’s people’s projects to write, produce and collaborate on songs. He created The Ummah, a production team with Ali Shaheed and J Dilla, he acted in Poetic Justice only in the beginning of the movie, and on “Prison Song” along with Fat Joe and Mary J. Blige, he was featured of Janet Jackson’s “Got Til It’s Gone” on her 1997 “The Velvet Rope” album, he produced “One Love” for Nas on his “Illmatic” album, Mobb Deep’s “Give Up the Goods” and the list goes on. Can’t forget to mention his solo music. With singles like “Vivrant Thing”, “Breathe and Stop”, “Gettin’ Up”, “Move”, “Life Is Better”, just to name a few. His solo stuff is nothing like Tribe’s and that to me is make Q-Tip great at what he does. Finding your own identity when it comes to your solo stuff and not it reminding the fans of the group you were in. Same energy and voice but a different vibe completely. Recently, he hosts his own radio show on Apple Music’s Beats 1 station, which is called “Abstract Radio.” His goal with the show is not to keep up with what’s trending but instead find ways to bridge the gaps into one and celebrate good music altogether. With so much that he has accomplished, Q-Tip is easily one of hip hop’s greatest of all time for being part of a group that introduced Jazz sounds samples in hip hop. His incredible creativity and style is timeless and it’ll always be celebrated. They don’t call him The Abstract for nothing.

Totally Krossed Out: The 25th Anniversary!

The story begins in Atlanta. Two little boys who met and became friends in the first grade. Now fast forward and the year is 1991. It was then where the story of these two boys’ legacy begins and their lives change forever. Just a normal day, hanging out in the mall, it was their style and attitude that caught the attention of a then and also young guy himself, who goes by the name of Jermaine Dupri. This was exactly two years before So So Def happened but in the meantime, Jermaine Dupri discovers these two boys who both go by the names of Christopher Smith and Christopher Kelly, also known as the hip hoppin’, baggy clothes backwards wearing, tiny braids on the head and their small but rough voices, Kris Kross. The perfect name for them since it was a play on both of their names being Christopher and the fact that they actually were their clothes on backwards. Kris Kross signs a deal with Ruffhouse Records and on March 31st, 1992, their debut album “Totally Krossed Out” is released. The entire album was produced by Jermaine. It sold 4 million copies with 4 singles, “Warm It Up”, “I Missed the Bus”, “It’s a Shame” and their all time infamous hit “Jump.” Til this day, “Jump” is definitely a timeless classic because of it’s party vibes and energy and the famous line that goes “…..Cause inside out is wiggidy, wiggidy, wiggidy, whack!” Play that joint today at a party and the dance floor goes bananas, especially at a 90’s hip hop party or event. Overall, the album is a strong hip hop party vibe. In the start of the album, their being interviewed by a radio DJ who compares them to another hip hop/new jack swing group Another Bad Creation but they shut it down by saying that it was “another bad idea.” I didn’t really take that as a diss to ABC personally but they got their point across. The albums main message is just about the two boys hanging out together, living life in the ghetto and just having fun. It’s a insight of what life is like for them regularly with a rapping style that’s hard with a production to match. The song “Lil’ Boys In Da Hood” is the perfect song that best describes that with Ice Cube on a loop. To me the album is definitely underrated. Usually kids are pushed to the side because they’re so young and dismissed for not having so much “experience” in life but this album proves that the young ones definitely have something to say too. In the words of Andre 3000, “the South got something to say.” Their overall success has made them the youngest rap duo to gain so much success with gold and platinum albums at only 11 and 12 years old. Almost 4 years ago, Chris Kelly passed away from drug abuse. Definitely another loss in hip hop history that shook the industry, especially for those who were growing up in the 90’s and lived through life rocking to Kris Kross. 25 years later, the album is still as dope as it was then. Rest In Peace Chris Kelly.