STREET LINE VIDEO – Page 3 – Street Line Video

Release Some Tension: The 20th Anniversary

After two successful albums, SWV returns right away with a third album that was completely different. Their 1992 debut album “It’s About Time” showcased them as the “around the way” girls with the golden voices bopping their heads and dancing in baggy clothes with long nails from The Bronx and Brooklyn. Their sound was new jack swing and heavy New York hip hop boombap with a combination of their soothing and beautiful voices on a love song with a little bit of rapping and playfulness that represented how strong their bond was as sisters who have finally made it out the hood. Four years later, their 1996 sophomore album “New Beginning” was a more softer side of the group. Way more ballads and left their home girl looks for the more feminine look in high heels and fur coats and then a year later, right after, on August 13th, 1997, the group released their third album “Release Some Tension.” This album was more of a combination of the two previous albums before because there are both hip hop vibes and love ballads at the same time. The only difference is that this album had way more collaborations and features than the other two. All of the guest appearances were hip hop. Diddy, Foxy Brown, Redman, Lil’ Cease, Missy Elliott, Lil’ Kim, E-40 and Snoop Dogg all appeared on the album. All of the singles released were a hit and definitely a banger, the entire album is a masterpiece to me personally. “Can We” originally appears on the soundtrack to the “Booty Call” movie starring Jamie Foxx, Tommy Davidson, Tamala Jones and Vivica Fox. “Someone” features a small rap from Diddy and is sampled from Biggie’s “10 Crack Commandments.” “Lose My Cool” is a very cool song featuring Redman. It’s funny because he sings along towards the end of the song which gave it a more “homey” feel to the track and of course Redman is being himself and could do no wrong and the final single “Rain” balances the album’s singles out with a slow ballad. The music video guest stars Tyrese. Besides the singles, the title track song and “When U Cry” are my top favorites on the album. It’s a classic that’s under appreciated to me. It holds a special place to me when it comes to girl group albums because I grew up on it so I know the album very well. It’s an album I grew up hearing all the time. 20 years later, I still appreciate this album like I did as a kid. Very nostalgic, takes me back to when I was 3. Happy to be here to see this joint turn 20 and to see Coko, Lelee and Taj still doing their thing. They’re a legendary girl group, a top 5 girl group for me personally.

Reflections of Hip Hop

When Hip Hop was born I was only 6 years old living in Marlboro projects in Brooklyn New York. As I got older, I would write rhymes and perform at the skating rink. When I was feeling down I could always count on Hip Hop to lift me up. I would go to all the shows and sneak backstage to meet my favorite artists. In Brooklyn, In the 70’s we we’re listening to James Brown, MFSB, Chic, and other soulful artists before Rappers Delight hit the world by storm in 79′. After that it quickly became a “Domino effect“, everybody wanted in. The rest is history. The first Hip Hop song I fell in love with was Planet Rock, I got lost in those drums. I played it over and over and my mom use to scream at me “Iris, turn that sh** down!!!!” I remember like it was yesterday. The first years of Hip Hop were the best years of my life with park jams, skate jams and parties. Hip Hop brought everyone together and formed a bond that can never be broken. After 44 years Hip Hop is still in my blood and always will be. I can go on and on but I’ll leave it as “Long Live Hip Hop!!!!”

Jadakiss takes over the Bronx

“SummerStage”? Well, over 7,000 park goers and residents from the Bronx can. Sunday, August 6th, 2017 in Tremont park in the Bronx, the weather was mellow, the people was eager. Originally, the concert was suppose to take place in Crotona park at the Amphitheatre in the Bronx, but was moved to a bigger stage a few blocks down the street. Signs were posted “Jadakiss concert moved to Tremont west Crotona park.” People scurried and packed up their chairs and ran over to the other side of the park.

It was old timers day and everybody was there – old, young, family and friends. This was the day every year when people got together from different states or different boroughs. They came from everywhere just to see one another. Crotona park was packed. At 4pm, park goers got the word that the Jadakiss concert was being moved to the Tremont. Why? The Amphitheatre that was going to hold the concert wasn’t big enough to handle the massive crowd. It was already 4pm on the west side of Tremont of Crotona park – a packed crowd of about 5,000 was already there. Jadakiss was not even on stage so it made sense that they moved the concert to the other side of the park especially with all the cookouts and parties that was happening on the other side of Crotona Park. The crowd was still gathering, the DJ spun music for the crowd to dance and cheer to the music. The concert started a little after 6pm. A 14 year old rapper from the Bronx took the stage and turned the crowd on. He was the opening act. Now, the crowd needed some exercise – a local workout group call Bartendaz came on stage to explain how important physical fitness was.

Jadakiss got on stage and the crowd went wild. The rapper brung out his special guest to perform BlackJunior M.A.F.I.A performed some of his greatest hits. The mini concert was like being at Madison Square Garden. Jadakiss began performing his top hits. The crowd rapped along with him. This was a great day for the Bronx Thanks to SummerStage.

SUMMERSTAGE 2017: Kid Capri Block Party

Today in Crotona Park, Summerstage returns with another incredible event. The one and only Kid Capri does his thing as he spins and keeps the crowd rocking and gives us a brief history of his past where the idea of “Block Parties” come from and how it all started. Classic hip hop and R&B joints and dope joints only from both the old school and a little bit of what’s current. Can’t forget to mention how beautiful and dope his daughter Vina Love is too. She had a summer hit back a year or two ago when she redid Jay-Z and Mya’s remix of “Best of Me.” She gave the crowd an incredible medley of her music with a line of backup dancers behind her as she struts across the stage singing and pointing, connecting with the audience with such grace. After the event, I was glad to finally meet the man himself. Another dope memory for the books.

Meet Director/Producer Rich McKeown

Meet Director Rich McKeown, a film producer from the Bronx. Mr. McKeown was selected to show his film,“American BeatBoxer“, at the 2017 Hip Hop Film Festival in Harlem. The movie is mainly about the art of beat boxing and its importance in Hip Hop. Mr. McKeown explains shooting and creating content has always been his passion. He recorded the movie on a budget of none – guerrilla style was the way to shoot his film. It help capture the true essence of Hip Hop and its creativity that has impacted people all over the world. Using two video cameras and the rest DSLR, McKeown managed to get the 88 minute movie accomplished with the help of local rappers with guest appearances by Legendary Hip Hop Icon MC Jarobi White from “A Tribe Called Quest“ with other guest appearances from other Hip Hop icons help make the movie become authentic. McKeown, also being a musician, created the soundtrack by using royalty free music and, of course, his own personal talent.

As of now, Director McKeown is looking to pitch his movie as a reality show. His movie, “American BeatBoxer“, can be viewed on the urban movie channel.

Panorama Music Festival 2017: A Tribe Called Quest

Yesterday, I was fortunate to have experienced yet another great show. It was the show I’ve been waiting to attend for a while now and I finally got that. For about two years now, I’ve been a heavy A Tribe Called Quest fan and I got the chance to meet them exactly two years ago at a clothing shop downtown. Then, unfortunately, Phife Dawg passed away eight months after I met them and it was very devastating and hard for me, then there was the memorial for Phife a month after that, then there was the street name dedication for Phife and the pop up shop last year in November. Attending all of these things have led up to finally seeing them live on stage, thanks a good friend of mine who had an extra wristband for me to go. I feel dumb now having doubts about going now thinking that the place was too far for me to go but I’m absolutely grateful and thankful to have one of my biggest dreams come true. At the Panorama Music Festival 2017 yesterday, there were people everywhere, food, concession stands, restrooms on wheels, loud music and of course the fans. Fans came out there, including me and my friend, representing with our gear on. A Tribe Called Quest didn’t come out until 7:30 that evening. When they finally came out, the crowd went crazy. It was Q-Tip, Jarobi, Ali Shaheed Muhammad and Consequence. Song after song, classic after classic, these guys were amazing. It was a dream come true for me. I’m still numb and in shock from seeing these guys literally on stage in front of me, I just wish I was closer to the front of the stage but I still had an amazing time. Phife Dawg‘s Face was on the screen the whole time too while his verses came on on the songs. I left that show on a different kinda high I never experienced before. It was something powerful that the guys left in me. Something that may spark a new kinda motivation for me to want to be the one on that stage making and performing dope, timeless music. ATCQ forever! Rest In Peace Phife Dawg!

Barbecue Etiquette: Do’s and Don’ts

The weather is getting nice out as the summer approaches. This is my favorite time of the year. If you are anything like me than you love a good barbecue. There is nothing better than family and friends gathered around for some great food and a great time. There are some things that can are certainly inappropriate for barbecues and there are some things that will definitely go without saying.

The first rule of barbecue etiquette is do not come if you are not personally invited by the host. It does not matter if it is family or a close friend. If you were not invited stay home.

If you were invited that does not make you entitled to invite others with you. Ask permission from the host or hostess.

It is rude to show up at a cook out empty handed. You should always ask what can you bring. In the case that you are told you don’t need to bring anything bring something anyway. A bag of chips, soda, napkins, paper towels and paper plates are all things that you can never have to much of. Remember that anything that you contributed is to be left there when you leave. Please do not think about wrapping up a take home plate if you have not contributed to the barbecue.

It is not necessary to pile plates up with food that you are not going to finish. Please finish the beverage that you are already drinking instead of allowing it to get warm and then going to get another one.

Remember when you bring your children to a barbecue that they are your children. So not expect others attending to watch your children. There are so many ways that children can get hurt at a barbecue so parents please be aware.

With these bases covered we are officially ready to barbecue. Enjoy your summer.

Written by Regina Alston

AIDS WALK NYC 2017. WALKING FOR A CAUSE.

On Sunday, May 21st in the heart of New York City’s greatest landscape, Central Park, GMHC hosted it’s annual AIDS WALK. Every year for the past 17 years, GMHC has sponsored the NYC AIDS Walk. GMHC is the world’s first and leading provider of HIV/AIDS prevention, care and advocacy. Building on decades of dedication and expertise, they understand the reality of HIV/AIDS and empower a healthy life for all.

My personal journey with HIV/AIDS started 25 years ago. At the age of 18 my Beloved mother Destiny Michelle Portier broke the news to our family that she was indeed infected with HIV. After the initial shock and all the tears were cried, the fact remained she was HIV Positive. My mother was 42 when diagnosed, we never knew how long she was infected before her actual diagnosis. For the next three years there were ups and downs in her health and emotional state, through it all I wondered why her, she was a great mother, provider and teacher. What did she do for God to punish her in this fashion? Note that My mother Michelle, stop using intravenous drugs 2 plus years prior to her diagnosis. It was a lot to handle as a 18 year old young man who basically was the man of the house with 4 minor children to look after. When she succumb to the illness which was documented on her death certificate as Pneumocystis pneumonia, at the time I had no idea what it was or even how to pronounce it. Now, years later and better informed with NYS certification on HIV/AIDS I am now qualified to teach classes and groups about HIV health and prevention. I take solace in knowing because of my mother’s addiction and illness I learned and can help others who may be dealing with the virus and I can educate people on what steps to take to keep from being infected.

The AIDS WALK has been established to help promote awareness of the HIV and AIDS epidemic. It also assist with support and encouragement to those who are living with the disease as well as family members and friends of people who are infected. To date, over 100,000 New Yorkers have died from AIDS-related causes. HIV is the third leading cause of death forNYC residents ages 35 to 54. In NYC, 68% of new HIV diagnoses were among men who have sex with men (MSM), a group that has always been heavily affected by HIV/AIDSand remains at high risk.

This year, the weather was perfect for a walk in the park. The sun was waving from above as the breeze wrapped around one like a blanket, it was a perfect combination. The diversity of individuals were wide and far. LGBTQ, heterosexuals and gender fluid individuals as well. The walk starting point was at the 59st and 5th avenue entrance of Central Park. The route stretched upwards to NYC’s famous section, Harlem and 110st. Participants then crossed from Lenox Avenue, Malcolm X BLVD to Riverside Drive and worked their way back to the 79 st entrance of Central Park.
There were performers stationed along the 6.2 miles that stretched the walk route. Singers, African Drummers, Modern Dancers, jazz bands and of course live DJs spinning feel good music to help the participants get through the walk.
That day was one of solidarity, everyone there may have been there for different reasons but everyone was there for the same cause. BRING AWARENESS & TO FIND A CURE.

The different teams were many, however it was a camaraderie amongst the walkers. There was personal teams such as The Dream Team, The Frederick Walkers, In memory of Destiny Michelle and many more as well as non profit organizations and what seemed to be a whole church congregation. As people walked in memory of or support of the sea of red was a beautiful sight for a beautiful cause. It is estimated the NYC AIDS WALK raised 3.6 million dollars. These funds go towards finding a cure, assisting people living with HIV/AIDS and a sleuth of other causes connected to HIV education and services.

I ask do not take this one day for granted, please continue to educate yourself and others about this illness that can be stopped if we are educated and protect ourselves. #safesex #sterileneedles

Written by Sugarhill Sky.

for all write ups, event coverage, reviews and interviews sugarhillsky13@gmail.com

#BEUNSTOPPABLE

The Ever Failing System

A considerable amount of American citizens live a life of poverty. Some are impoverished due to unemployment, some are disabled, others earn low wages. They are all impoverishment none the less. The American government created social service agencies to assist these vulnerable citizens in life or at least that is the claim.

In New York State The Department of Human Resource Administration is the agency that was appointed to assist low income families that are living in poverty. This is a system that is failing miserably. Let me explain further.

The ultimate goal of the Human Resource Administration is to provide temporary assistance to needy citizens of New York State. This hardly ever happens. Instead HRA creates dependency for some.

The Back To Work program is inadequate! The program does work for some but the reality is that very few public assistance recipients find work while attending the Back To Work program. In my opinion the purpose of the Back To Work Program is to justify the modern day slavery that is called the Work Experience Program or WEP.

The Work Experience Program does not benefit the public assistance recipient. In fact the recipient skills, qualifications, certifications and interest are never evaluated when issuing these WEP assignments. A computer randomly picks an assignment in a location that is not more than an hour away in traveling time.

When a public assistance recipients is fortunate enough to obtain employment they are deterred. The Human Resource Administration makes returning to work inconvenient. A person who is recently employed must now take days off from work to respond to mandatory appointments. If this is not enough child care sometimes lapse for working parents because someone neglected to file the paperwork properly. Even worse than that a working person can have issues with housing due to departmental errors.

This is bureaucracy intended to keep the impoverished depended on a failing system.

Written by: Regina Alston

THE PRISONER’S FAMILY

Being an inmate in a city jail, a state prison or a federal penitentiary is hell to any person that is confined in these trying circumstances. Prisoners are sometimes subjected to violence. They are made to eat less than desirable food. They work for very little pay. The inmates are disrespected by corrections officers. Prisoners are treated inhumane.

This is a sad situation for any human being to endure. What is worst than that is the strain that an incarceration can put on the prisoner’s family. It is like the family is being punished for the crime that their loved one committed.

The visiting process is enough to make any loved one feel violated. Being searched to enter a facility feels like a complete violation. Family members tend to feel degraded when we are asked to remove socks and shoes, shake out our bras and then wait until the loved one is produced which can take anywhere from a few minutes to a few hours. Sometimes these visits can be as short as an hour. Exiting the facility and leaving your loved one behind is a very painful feeling.

Although inmates are allowed to communicate with loved ones by phone, mail and email the communication process is still not adequate. Inmates are at times restricted from using the phones. Loved ones of those incarcerated are in need of constant communication. The communication is what eases the fear that we have of the unknown.

Not only is having a loved one in prison emotionally draining, it is a financial burden. We have expenses and bills to pay. Now we are faced with depositing money into commissary accounts and sending off packages.

Still the realest victims are the children. Parents are missing precious moments and milestones. Although this is rough for an incarcerated parent it is even more painful for the child. Children suffer from feelings of fear, separation anxiety, loneliness and depression when a parent is incarcerated.

As adults we must be aware of our actions. We must be mindful that our actions affect other people. This is the world according to Regina.

Written: Regina Alston