Vera edwards – Page 2 – Street Line Video

SOB’s Jam Master Jay’s Birthday Celebration

Last night was another incredible hip hop moment in my life. Something else for the vault, something to definitely share way in the future when I’m old and grey. LOL! Downtown at the infamous SOB’s was the birthday celebration of Run-D.M.C.‘s very own Jam Master Jay. So many legends under one roof and so much love as well. Dope performances by Naughty by Nature, ONYX, Parish Smith of EPMD, and Mr. Cheeks, which was a surprise to me. I knew it was him on the stage but I needed to overhear someone say his name to verify it. Besides the performances, dope DJ’s like the legendary DJ Hollywood, Grand Wizard Theodore and none other like the “koolest” one himself, Kool DJ Red Alert and I was introduced to ScratchMasta Jazzy G, and JMJ son DJ. Jam Master JSon. That’s all I can remember but he definitely did his thing during sound check. I noticed a lot of people came there with a fresh pair of Adidas on or some kinda merchandise with Run-D.M.C. or Jam Master Jay and not to mention, I met both JMJ’s nephews and cousins, they’re cool too. Looking forward to more nights like this.

Aubrey Williams Is No Ordinary Joe

Meet Aubrey Williams. This man possesses so many talents. He is an actor, director, videographer and a chef. I had the opportunity to sit with Aubrey Williams and talk to him. First let me begin by telling you that Aubrey Williams stars as the character Pretty Tone In the hit web series #848 created by author Antoine Inch Thomas. Pretty Tone is the second in command of the Clean Up Crew, a drug organization out of the South Bronx. His character in the show was diagnosed with cancer and successfully beat the horrible disease. Not only did Aubrey Williams bring cancer awareness to the viewers through the show he also supports cancer awareness in real life. I inquired about his passion to bring cancer awareness. Sadly he informed me that he loss his mother to cancer. Aubrey Williams is a huge supporter of cancer awareness. In fact he participates in the cancer walk every year where you can catch him wearing cyst designed #848 gear. Yes he does that too! In fact Aubrey Williams along with his #848 cast members put on the first annual #848 Fashion Show at Barcelona Bites. At the fashion show mode ls show cased new #848 gear that is available for purchase. The fashion show was hosted by the cast of the #848 web series. The show also included guess performances by Songlist and Medallion Drew. To add to the list of accomplishments Aubrey Williams brought home the award for Best Visual Effects at the first annual Urban Web Series awards. Williams’ role in the web series is not just the character Pretty Tone. He is also the director and videographer for the hit show. Williams explained that he has the freedom to be creative with the series. I asked him what professionals he would like to work with in the future. He listed a host of phenomenal people in the entertainment industry including Denzel Washington and Steven Spielberg. Just when you thought he is done he is only getting started. Aubrey Williams is also a chef. A professional caterer that is easy to Google Food By Chef Aubrey is his local catering business for all occasions. Williams informed me that he made his very first Thanksgiving speed at the age of twenty years old. With all of this to add to his list of great qualities is his great personality and humble spirit.

Written by Regina Alston

New Designer Alert!

Dawn Ellison is her name and she has a dual clothing line called Code31/EPA. It was created out of necessity. She was injured on the job in 1996, and with no income coming in, Dawn went to her first gift—which was drawing. So, Dawn then created Empty Pockets Apparel in 2000 because she had no income. Some customers weren’t too receptive to the name at the time, so she later created Code31. Now, both lines have been receiving love. In the end, Dawn decided to run with both. Being on disability has hindered her. Getting out an abundance of products at once however with the exposure in movies and artists and comedians wearing her clothing line, she gained the attention and sales have slowly increased. Her ideal? she wanted to create a clothing line that people could appreciate and afford, while still having money in their pockets. Looking good at reasonable cost is her answer to the urban community. Dawn is making her acting debut in a new movie titled Rise and Fall and her clothing lines will be featured as well.

Written by Street Line

DIRECTOR-VERA EDWARDS

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Yesterday was definitely the most uplifting, inspiring and most powerful experiences I’ve ever had in my life. There was a “Stop the Violence” protest march that happened on Hunts Point and ended p on Longwood Avenue in front of the 41st Precinct. My friend tagged me on the post about it the days before it happened and I was honestly the most terrified I have ever been in my life. I was feeling so terrified about the march at first because these crooked ass cops out here are really no joke when it comes to their guns and of course, I thought of the worst case scenario but of course I was completely wrong and it’s just like what they say – what you’re mostly afraid of can possibly change your life if you be more open minded and that’s exactly what happened. The march started at 4 but of course, I didn’t leave my house until 5 because it takes me a while to get ready but anyways, I walked all the way to Hunts Point with an open mind, a half frozen bottle of water, and a positive and fearless attitude. I finally get to Hunts Point and I see a crowd of people standing around with picket signs, camera people and a couple of NYPD vans. I finally caught up with the crowd and see a couple of my homies in the crowd, including my close friend who told me about the march in the first place and another good friend from high school too. We embrace one another, ask each other how we’ve been and stuff and of course as usual, everybody is good and then we continue walking. As we’re walking we’re chanting “What do we want!? JUSTICE! When do we want it!? NOW!” and “If your mama don’t get it!? SHUT IT DOWN!” and all other kinds of chants that was led by this powerful guy who goes by the name of Rodstarz whose one

half of the political conscious and raw hip hop group hailed from Chicago named Rebel Diaz. I knew these guys about 4 or 5 years now and they’re always active in their communities by spreading knowledge and positivity through hip hop shows and protests like this one. To be around these guys is always a pleasure because I someday hope to be a hip hop artist just like them. Their brave and bold spirit to attack issues in our communities without any apologies is always so amazing to me. We ended up at the 41st precinct on Longwood Avenue, right up the street from the 6 train station and the BX19 bus stop. Rod is on the mic still preaching in front of the cops who happened to be standing around outside the precinct about what kind of injustices are going on around the world and what kind of impact they’re having on both Black and Latin communities all over America. He continued by having everyone grieve the ones who were wrongfully murdered by police brutality, calling out their names, saying “I can’t breathe!” 11 times in honor of Eric Gardner, and then after all that, they played both classic hip hop records “Fight the Power” by Public Enemy and “Sound of Da Police” by KRS-One out loud on this huge speaker. The march was pretty much over and everyone went their separate ways but when I left with 2 of my high school friends, we spent the rest of the day just talking about the march and reflecting on it. I have never felt so empowered in my life. It gave me a totally different and larger perspective on things and it even gave me creative ideas for music and image way in the future when it comes my time to finally make music. I could definitely use that experience and the social injustices that’s going on in America in my music someday, just like Kendrick Lamar, Public Enemy, KRS-One, Beyoncé and even the X-Clan.

Written by JAY-DOGGZ

TITO ROJAS PERFORMS LIVE IN THE BRONX

City Parks Foundation Summer Stage has done it again! Date Thursday, July 14 2016. Time 7pm. Where? St. Mary’s park on 146 street St Ann. The park was full of concert goers eagerly waiting for Tito Rojas and his live band to take the stage. One woman was screaming “Viva Puerto Rico!” as the crowd enjoyed latin music that echoed through the park. The announcer introduced Tito Rojas as the crowd waited patiently. He begun his introduction by greeting the crowd. The massive crowd yelled back with flags and cellphones out. One man went on Facebook live and reported to his social media friends to get down there. “I’m running out of battery!” Tito Rojas had a band with every instrument you can imagine. He begun by singing his classic songs that made him a hit. The place was so packed you could not even move. Some concert goers managed to get in the spirit and dance. Everyone was either eating, singing or dancing. One man walked up to me and said this is better than the Puerto Rican Parade. There was no fighting no pushing – just love. As the band played, Tito Rojas interacted with the audience, making them wanting more. At one time, the audience sang so loud it almost ended up drowning out the singer. His response back to the crowd was that he loved them. Body to Body, shoulder to shoulder, there was little space to move. Fathers had their children on their shoulders while the rest who were old enough to manage learned the history of their people.

It was a beautiful night in St Mary park, thanks to Tito ROJAS and Summer Stage and, of course, the audience.

Written by Vera Edwards

DJ KEYNOTE SPEAKAZ RISING UP!

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In the year of 2016, where there are lots of ambitious, hard working and upcoming hip hop artists and only a few of them stand out, the one person who definitely stands out is the 19 year old, North Carolina native known as DJ Keynote Speakaz. I got my first taste of his style when he followed me on Instagram more than a year ago I happened to notice that he was another hip hop artist who was working towards his dream of becoming both a rapper and producer. His posts consists of other hip hop artists he’s inspired by, notes of him asking us, the followers our opinions about his work and hip hop and videos of him working on a new beat while quizzing us hip hop heads about who sampled what for what track on what album they did. Keynote would often doubt himself by asking his followers if he should give up rapping and just stick to producing, just like any other artist out there with a dream – sometimes we doubt ourselves and can be a bit insecure. Then at some point, I got to actually hear his voice and was completely thrown off guard by his very strong and deep talking and rapping voice. Hearing him rap sounds like a Fat Albert chopped and screwed, rapping Barry White with a tad bit of Biggie Smalls and he’s only 19 years old. How many 19 year old guys do you know have a voice THAT deep? LOL! His work is definitely worth the listen and it matches his stage name completely. His ear for incredible beat making and remixing popular songs on different beats is definitely something worth listening to in 2016, especially with all the stagnant “Trap Muzik” stuff that’s constantly being pushed on us by mainstream and Soundcloud rappers who decide they wanna become rappers and producers overnight but there’s something about Keynote that’s very not overnight. With an ear and voice like his, it’s clear that he’s been doing this for a while and he’s a very dope and talented individual whose clearly all about hip hop culture. Whenever you listen to a DJ Keynote Speakaz joint, just remember that you need the right “Speakaz” to blast it and enjoy. The beats will have you nodding your head and eventually, his deep Barry White-ish voice will have you learning the words to his catchy rap songs but at the same time, you learn about the samples he uses because they’re very much obviously used so well and in a such a beautiful way. DJ Keynote Speakaz is no J Dilla, he’s no Marley Marl, Timbaland, Pharrell, or a 9th Wonder but he’s just simply the DJ that’ll have your “Speakaz” rocking and booming.

Check out DJ KEYNOTE SPEAKAZ
http://https://youtu.be/uiS-Z-I4k0w

Street Line WRITTEN BY JAY DOGGZ

Summer Stage 2016 — Joe Bataan meets SETENTA/ Joan Català

Summer Stage never ceases to surprise me. Every year, across the 5 boroughs of New York City, the City Parks Foundation holds a Summer Stage for absolutely FREE. Free is a word that catches almost every New Yorkers eye. It surely caught mine and every year, I’m always surprised at the different events that the City Parks Foundation provides for us.

Today, I had the opportunity to visit one of the events in St. Mary’s Park, located on 3rd Ave. 149th street. The location was actually a bit more into the park, on St. Anns, between 145th and 146th street, on top of the hill. It’s a huge hill, and by the time I reached the top, I was out of breath and all I wanted to do was sit. What I saw though, made my energy spike. The Hispanic community, amongst other diverse races where there and everyone was having a great time, listening and dancing to the music that was being played. I took my folding chair and sat down and listened to the music, provided by Joe Bataan and SETENTA/ Joan Català . Even after wanting to sit down after the hill climb, I got out of my seat and started dancing, joining in with the others. There was so much love between the people there, with all the hugging and dancing together. It was good to see the different cultures interact so freely with each other. The music was in English and Spanish so everyone could have a chance to understand the lyrics. For the lyrics that I couldn’t understand, the instruments touched my heart and the music felt more universal than anything.

Today, the Parks Department won on this one. They really outdid themselves with the beautiful music and bringing people together. Even if you can’t understand the music, if you feel yourself dancing to the beat and feel your heart connecting to it all and the people around you, then it doesn’t matter.

Written by Bobbi Cordero

FAT JOE at SUMMER STAGE

Although I live across the street from Crotona Park, it was nice to see both Fat Joe and Remy Ma perform in my hood for the Summerstage Concert series. I originally thought they were supposed to show up the next day but my sister overheard them performing and it was “What’s Luv?” the joint he did with Ashanti back in 2001. Then my mom comes in through the door with the same enthusiasm as my sister, hyped about Fat Joe and Remy Ma performing as well, so I decided to throw on my sneakers, grab my keys and both my iPhones and speed walk to go catch the show in my basketball shorts and a grey t-shirt before the show was over. When I got there, it was super crowded. People were all over the park with their phones out recording and singing and rapping along to the songs they were performing and it was “Lean Back” when I got there. I decided to find a good spot to stand at and get a good angle to record them on my busted iPhone that I keep for hip hop occasions like this. I got a good 1 minute long video of Remy doing her verse to “All the Way Up”, which is one of the hottest hip hop joints out this year. While Remy did her thing, strutting across the stage, spitting her verse with so much aggression in her voice, the DJ played with the song a little bit while the audience got hyped and rapped along with Remy to her verse while jumping up and down and simultaneously recording on their phones at the same time. It was dope to see The Bronx represent as hard as they did because The Bronx is such an underrated and forgotten borough in New York. It was also dope to see a lot of hip hop fans and older heads out there enjoying the show instead of doing their usual “new school rap” hate rantings all day. Watching Fat Joe and Remy Ma up on that stage made me very proud to be from The Bronx and of course, it was another monumental dope hip hop moment for me, even though I caught it at the very last minute, looking crazy in a t-shirt and basketball shorts.

WRITTEN BY-Jay-DOGGZ