The Queen of Hip Hop Soul – Street Line Video

My Life: The 25th Anniversary

When we discuss R&B albums during the 90’s decade, this album definitely is one of them. This is an album that set the standard and bar so high for future R&B albums to come later. Ushering in the Jill Scott’s, Erykah Badu’s, D’Angelo’s, and so many more. This album was a huge step up lyrically and creatively coming from an around-the-way ghetto girl who bopped around in baseball jerseys and combat boots to familiar hard hitting block party hip hop cuts and singing so soulfully like an old school church woman with a combination of both pain and joy at the same time that brought the chills up and down your spine. It’s addictive, it’s raw, it’s passionate, it’s REAL! Known as the Queen of Hip Hop Soul, Mary J. Blige gave us a debut in 1992 that represented a girl from the streets with a golden voice who was taking things day by day, trying to find her way and grow as a woman but on her sophomore album, Mary went all out and wore her heart on her sleeve and told her story of heartache and pain. Everything from childhood traumas to bad relationships to wanting to be just simply happy. On November 29th, 1994, The Queen of Hip Hop Soul released her second album “My Life.” With at least 5 singles released, the album showcased Mary’s incredible songwriting ability and more darkened and pained vocals. This album was a storybook from beginning to the end. Heavy 70’s soul samples by Curtis Mayfield, Isaac Hayes, Rick James, Mary Jane Girls, and Barry White, to name a few with heavy hip hop beats that reminded you of Big Daddy Kane, Slick Rick, or even The Notorious B.I.G. (who just released his debut 2 months prior.) Track after track, Mary takes you on journey and tells you a story of a woman whose been hurt and is looking for and longing for happiness and true love. A woman who is literally crying for help, a woman whose had enough while telling others to pick themselves up and get better too. It’s the power of conviction that’s in Mary’s voice and that’s what made Mary J. Blige a legend, an icon. 25 years later, it is Mary’s most celebrated album of all time. She recently did an interview with Elliot Wilson on the music streaming service Tidal and finished off a summer tour with Nas called “The Royalty Tour.” With so many hits and bangers including the heavy bass “Be Happy”, the laid back “Mary Jane” remix with LL Cool J, the classic remake of “I’m Going Down”, the hard hitting “You Bring Me Joy” and “I Love You” remix with Smif-N-Wessun, but of course, nothing beats the actual album track itself. It’s all we needed to hear from Mary to let us know exactly what she felt and where she was coming from then and now. With 11 more albums later, music videos, awards and much more accomplishments and accolades, Mary continues to stay true to herself. Still remaining as the undeniable and undisputed, replicated but never duplicated, The Queen of Hip Hop Soul. Happy 25 years to “My Life.”

Lorraine Hansberry

On this day, in 1959, Lorraine Hansberry’s ‘A Raisin in the Sun’ opened at the Ethel Barrymore Theater in New York City with Sidney Poitier and Claudia McNeil in the lead roles. The play ran for 530 performances, becoming the longest running Broadway play written by an African-American. This was also the first Broadway drama written and directed by an African-American woman. In 1961 ‘A Raisin in the Sun’ was made into a movie, again starring Sidney Poitier as the chauffeur Walter Younger. Hansberry’s landmark career was cut short when she died of cancer in 1965 at the age of 34.

Written by Dianne Washington

RODENT THE URBAN SOAP OPERA

Rodent: Episode One; The Introduction of Characters

If you have had the time to watch Rodent the Urban Soap Opera you are familiar with what is going on. If you have not watched it by now I will make you familiar with the plot of the show. Episode one is the introduction of characters. You will meet all of the people featured in that episode and learn a little about their story.

Felix, Niles, and Thornton are long time friends. Actually, they are more like brothers. Thornton and Niles come to rescue Felix from the sidewalk where he is waiting with his black garbage bags after his wife Farrah put him out. Tired of his social media adultery Farrah decides that it is time for her husband of twenty years to go.

Farrah loves Felix with all of her heart. It is evident when she approaches a young lady that he has been making conversation with her husband inside of his social media inbox. Still Felix manages to win his wife back despite the advice of her friends Michelle, Sasha and Krystal.

Then there is Drew. Drew is a father of multiple children. He is the oldest of Pop’s children. He has siblings, a set of twins, that he uses and manipulates to his convenience. Drew is irresponsible with no job. He is constantly soliciting funds from his family to support his children. His brother Khris is a model with a bright future ahead of him. His sister Khris wants to be down with the boys. She goes to hang out with her brother Drew and wakes up in a very compromised situation.

Lola Hammer is Thornton’s wife. She is beautiful, and has no area with playing nice with other women while inviting them into the bed that she shares with her husband. Things go south when she wants to play with one of her husband’s business partners Jose Rodriguez. She is caught rendezvousing with him while her husband is supposed to be out of town on business.

Vanessa is in love with Thornton Hammer. Her obsession with him has become really bad. So bad in fact, that she decides to kidnap him and take him home. She will stop at no length to be with the apple of her eye. Even if it involves felonious capers.

While this is going on seventeen-year-old Porsha is in a new relationship with a recent graduate from her high school named Shane. Ebonie, Porsha’s mom disapproves of the relationship. She and Porsha share a love/hate relationship. Ebonie will go to the extreme to prove to her daughter that Shane is not the man for her. She even goes as far as sleeping with her daughter’s boyfriend to prove her point.

Episode one of Rodent the Urban Soap Opera is filled with nothing but drama. You will ooh and ahh from the beginning until the end. Make sure you use the bathroom and have everything that you need within arm’s reach. You will be stuck and unable to move until the show ends.

Written By: Regina Alston

click the link to watch episode 1 below.

Written By:

Regina Alston

Hip Hop and…… Me

I fell in Love with Hip Hop in 1985. I was only six years old. My mother took me and my brother to see the movie Krush Groove. The person who has inspired me the most in Hip Hop is Mr. Shawn Corey Carter better known as Jay Z. Jay Z makes music that I as well as others that live in urban communities can relate to. I hear verses and be like oh hell yeah. He’s talking to or about me. Jay Z raps about the struggle, about loyalty, family, hurt, pain and fears and those are things that all human beings can identify with. Hov raps about hustling but kept it real about the negative aspect of the game. He didn’t glorify it. He admitted that he did it. He also made it clear to the world that this was something that he felt he had to do. He proved to society how poverty is directly correlated with crime. He also proved given the right opportunity that anyone can change. Jay Z encourages through his music. He advises his listeners to educate themselves and stay informed. Jay Z really is dope. He brought Michael Jackson out in Summer Jam. He had Oprah Winfrey come to Marcy Projects in Brooklyn, New York. He also has a close personal relationship with former president Barak Obama. He is a musical genius. He fused Hip Hop and Broadway with his hit Hard Knock Life. Today Hip Hop is changing. These mumble rappers are popping mollys, perks and Xanz. They’re drinking lean and partying like rock stars. Everybody is wearing designer clothes, chasing bags, hustling and bagging hotties and thotties. It’s sad because I think about how young and impressionable I was at six years old and fell in love with Hip Hop. I pray for Hip Hop every single day. I ask God to send some really dope artist that will bring substance back to Hip Hop. Bring back artist that are active in the communities. Give us artist that will give back by helping others. Let there be more teachers, leaders, advocates, and activist in Hip Hop. Let all of Hip Hop unite and become a mighty driving force in the world. People tend to forget that Hip Hop is the biggest and strongest culture in the world. It us the only culture the units every race, color and religion. I thank my mom for introducing me to hip hop. I love hip hop and I always will.

Written by Regina Alston

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!!!!”

Lisa Lisa takes the Bronx home!

Lisa Lisa rips summer stage in the Bronx. ” I Wonder If I Take Home” was the song and the crowd sang as the 80’s pop star brought her talent to St. Mary’s Park located on 450 St Ann’s Ave, Bronx, NY,10454. It became a disco frenzy. The crowd of young and old danced and bobbed their heads reminiscing how music use to be. A fan screamed out, “Thank you God for real music! I love you, Lisa!” Lisa Lisa belted out hit melodies as the crowd sung along. Throughout the park, the audience’s cheers echoed over the singer. Lisa welcomed it as she looked into the crowd while watching the audience – made up of all ages. Chickie Gonzalez of the Bronx was celebrating her 50th birthday with her family and was surprised by the free Lisa Lisa concert. When she heard that Lisa Lisa was performing, she moved her party over to the side where the concert was. She reported that it was the best birthday party she ever had. The park was packed with thousands of people, no one could barely move. Truly an unforgettable night, thanks to Lisa Lisa.

The City Parks Foundation has been giving free concerts and free events for many years. Log on to http://www.cityparksfoundation.org/summerstage/ for a concert near you.
Thanks, Summer Stage!

Written by: Street Line

What’s The 411?: The 25th Anniversary

25 years ago, the woman we all know and love today was once a girl who was straight from the projects in Yonkers, New York, also known as the Schlobahm Projects. She signed her deal with Uptown Records at the age of 18 when she recorded a demo tape at a shopping mall after her stepfather overheard the tape. Her stepfather heard the tape and handed the tape to another artist named Jeff Redd who was also signed to Uptown Records and the tape landed in the hands of André Harrell who was the CEO of the label. After being blown away and amazed with this young girl’s voice that was full of joy, pain, grit and soul, she was signed. She goes by the name Mary J. Blige aka The Queen of Hip Hop Soul. Mary started on the label as a backup singer for Father MC in the early 1990’s until she got in the studio with a guy who called “Puffy” who we all know today as Sean “Diddy” Combs, one of hip hop’s biggest moguls, and together both Mary and Puffy created something magical that made history in Black music. On July 28th, 1992, Mary released her debut album “What’s The 411?” Before the album was released, her very first single, which was an underground hit at hip hop clubs and events, was on the 1991 soundtrack to the movie “Strictly Business.” That song was the infamous debut single “You Remind Me.” “You Remind Me” was a song with soulful vocals and a Biz Markie sampled beat. Then the music video came with a remixed version that featured Greg Nice of the hip hop duo, Nice & Smooth. The rest of the album has the same kinda energy, hip hop and soul, combining the best of both worlds to create a whole new genre of music that changed the sound of music forever and influencing a whole new roster of artists for future generations. Other singles like “Real Love”, “Reminisce”, “Love No Limit” and radio only singles like “Sweet Thing” and the remix of “My Love” featuring the late great Heavy D in 1994 were all a success which lead up to the album’s success of selling 3 million copies and a remix album released in late 1993 including a new remix of “You Don’t Have to Worry” from the soundtrack to “Who’s The Man?” Mary’s impact on the industry is still very obvious in many ways. Her street style fashion and attitude mixed with a soulful 1970’s style singing was something convincing to the people and it made Mary into a overnight sensation and legend and she wasn’t ready for it. 25 years later, “You Remind Me” and “Real Love” still captures people’s hearts on the dance floor like it did in 1992. Mary is still touring and still putting out music and staying consistent and still sitting high on her throne. She’s far from her days as the 21 year old home girl with the baggy baseball jerseys, backwards caps and kneepads with the boots and is now strutting her stuff as the woman with the strength to keep winning and keep fighting. She is the strength of a woman. Now THAT IS the 411.

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

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!