Black Athletes and Handguns: What Up with That?

by Dr. Boyce Watkins, Syracuse University – Scholarship in Action 

Shaun Rogers, a Defensive Tackle for the Cleveland Browns, was fined $400,000 by the league for violating its personal conduct policy. Rogers was caught carrying a loaded gun inside an airport. The fine represents approximately 1/17th of his $6.9 million salary.
Some would say that Rogers got off easy, since it would have been no surprise to see him either suspended or sent to jail. The player was caught carrying a loaded semi-automatic handgun in his carry-on bag at Hopkins International Airport. There's no indication regarding whether or not he realized that TSA agents actually have the ability to see inside of someone's luggage with their x-ray machine. It's hard to imagine what he might have been thinking.

Click to read.

Dr. Boyce - Wyclef Can’t Be President: Is that Good or Bad for Haiti?

by Dr. Boyce Watkins, Syracuse University Scholarship in Action 

 

I just returned from Haiti, a country that continues to be devastated by the recent earthquakes that rumbled the soil in it's capital, Port-au-Prince. Haitians lived under an umbrella of tragedy long before the earthquakes took place, and the suffering has only intensified since the media has left its shores. One thing that most of us believe, including myself, is that Wyclef Jean loves Haiti. His candidacy for president of Haiti was met with open arms by some, and folded arms by a few others. The evidence of disdain was presented to me personally when Wyclef had to cancel an appearance on my show due to the number of death threats he'd been receiving.
The mixed response to Jean's announcement reflects the multitude of perceptions that various stakeholders have when it comes to the idea of Wyclef becoming president. I have spoken privately to friends in hip hop who've assured me that Wyclef has an infinite supply of love for his home country and wants to do what's right. But I've also met with friends who feel that Wyclef is a beacon of self-promotion who cares far less for Haiti than for his own bank account.

 

Click to read.

Black News: Wyclef Not Eligible to Run for President of Haiti

Hip-hop artist Wyclef Jean said Friday that he accepts Haiti elections officials' ruling that he is not eligible to run for president. "I respectfully accept the committee's final decision, and I urge my supporters to do the same," Jean said in a statement. FULL STORY

Drake is the Man - First Week Sales are Huge

by Dr. Boyce Watkins, AOL Black Voices

I took a poll of some of my industry homies last week to get a sense of how"Thank Me Later," the debut album for Drake, was going to sell. It turns out that out of those bold enough to make a prediction, my friends Michael Bivins (formerly of Belle, Biv, Devoe and New Edition) and Vigalantee (a rapper in Kansas City, MO), were closest. Vigalantee predicted 450,000 units and Mike Biv predicted 400,000. No matter how you slice it, Drake is now officially the shizzle.

It's not as if anyone is surprised by Drake's stellar debut. He and the rest of the Young Money clique did an outstanding job creating buzz for the album and Drake proved that even in the age of massive Internet pirating, he can still make his money.

 

click to read

Dr Boyce Money: Diddy's Son's Car- Too Much?

by Dr Boyce Watkins

Some of us turned our heads to the side when it was reported that the rapper and businessman Diddy gave his son Justin a $360,000 Maybach automobile for his 16th birthday. People asked me what I thought about this, since I've written a great deal on how to teach your kids about money, and I used a three letter acronym: TAH - "Tacky As Hayell."
I respect Diddy and I apologize for having to lean in on him for this one, but as S Tia Brown and I discuss in our latest episode of Financial Lovemaking, you can find ways to show your children love without spoiling them for the rest of the world. By giving his son such an extraordinary gift at such an early age, Diddy may have minimized his son's ability to conceptualize the value of working hard for his success or empathizing with those who are less fortunate. In other words, receiving such overdoses of dopamine at the age of 16 is a sure-fire recipe for depression later in life.

Click to read

What's New in the world of Black Folks - 6/11/10

NBA Gets High Marks for Diversity in Annual Report Card

• According to Professor Richard Lapchick, author of the recent Racial and Gender Report Card for ... Read More
• By Dr. Boyce Watkins, PhD on Jun 12th 2010 11:20AM | Comments (0)

Obama's "Angry Black Man" Criticism: Isn't He Also Half White?

• In light of all of the interesting analysis that others have done regarding why President Barack ... Read More
• By Dr. Boyce Watkins, PhD on Jun 9th 2010 9:36PM | Comments (34)

CNN Asks Why Black Men Are Not Graduating From College

• Richelle Carey at CNN Headline News recently reached out to me to find out why black men aren't ... Read More
• By Dr. Boyce Watkins, PhD on Jun 5th 2010 4:24PM | Comments (32)

Dwyane Wade Given Temporary Custody of His Sons

• NBA star Dwyane Wade's divorce just got a little uglier. This week, the court gave Wade custody ... Read More
• By Dr. Boyce Watkins, PhD on Jun 4th 2010 8:51AM | Comments (33)

Could LeBron James' Mother Rumors Push Him Out of Cleveland?

• The world seems to be buzzing incessantly about the statements made by former NBA great Calvin ... Read More
• By Dr. Boyce Watkins, PhD on May 24th 2010 10:41PM | Comments (4)

 

Slim Thug and his comments about black women continue to get the artist into trouble.  Is he going to lose big money because of this?

Rappers and Black Women: Slim Thug and Talib Kweli

by Dr. Boyce Watkins, Syracuse University

A note to Slim Thug: You probably just need to be quiet for a while. It's not to say thatyour comments about black women were outside your rights to freedom of speech, but if you keep dissing the audience most likely to go out and buy your records, you are probably going to end up in the same poorhouse as MC Hammer. Don't get me wrong, black men love your music (at least I do), but the bottom line is that brothers don't buy albums, books, or anything else put up for sale. But when black women turn on you, it's a wrap son. Settle down and go back to the studio; it's good for your financial health.
I wrote yesterday about the comments made by Slim Thug regarding how he perceives white women to be a better dating choice than black women, as well asColumbia Professor Marc Lamont Hill'sresponse to Slim Thug's words. It seems that the debate has taken a life of it's own, now that rapper Talib Kweli has joined the conversation. In a recent essay he wrote for Vibe Magazine, Talib Kweli was ever the diplomatic artist, as he showed respect for Slim Thug, but also expressed his own concerns for his colleague's remarks about black women:

Click to read.

To read more about the debate regarding Slim Thug’s comments about black women, click here.

Dr. Boyce: Russell Simmons Rants on Banks

by Dr. Boyce Watkins 

Hip hop mogul Russell Simmons seems to feel that banks are not treating the poor in a proper fashion. This week, in a rant on his site, “The Global Grind,” Simmons had this to say:
“They trick customers into doing things that are not good for them through lack of transparency, and surprise them with new fees when they can least afford it. I’m learning an important lesson about ethics or lack of ethics in this industry. In fact, I’m fighting with a bank right now that doesn’t know what kind of ass whipping they are going to get when I expose them for the abusive practices and exuberant fees they are charging the poor. What they are doing is trying to double their already outrageously high fees in exchange for providing absolutely nothing to my customers.”
Simmons went on to try to create a “movement” by adding a call to action:

“Let’s start the biggest public discussion ever about how banks treat us and expose these banks for their unequal treatment and unconscionable conduct. The time is now.”

 

Click to read.

Charlamagne Tha God Gets a Pink Slip

Radio personality, Charlamagne Tha God, was fired from his post at Philadelphia radio station 100.3 The Beat this week, following an interview with Beanie Sigel where he explained his recent Jay-Z diss track.

Charlamagne revealed the termination via Twitter (@CThaGod) on Monday (November 2) morning.

While he says the station said they wanted to "move in a different direction," many speculate whether Jay-Z may have had a hand in the matter.

"I just got fired from 100.3 The Beat in Philly. Salute to Philly I hope you all enjoyed me the past six months," Charlamagne wrote.

Click to read.

Still Livin in the 90s

The original mad rappers, Onyx, are back, and they're not happy about Damon Dash's 'Blak Roc' collaboration album with The Black Keys. In a recent interview on Angela Yee and Leah Rose's Lip Service radio show on Shade 45, the baldhead rappers discussedyelled about Dash's project, which features notable MC's likeLudacris, Jim Jones, Mos Def, Pharoahe Monch and more.
"N----s is biting the whole f---in' movement," explained a ticked off Fredro Starr. "The 'Black Rock' s---, we been rocking with that. Now I'm hearing other n----s coming out with it...I ain't sayin' no f---in' names. You know what it is man, holla at me n----, 100 mad n----s with guns n----, stop playing games with me!"

read more click here

News: Kanye West Needs to Chill

It is our opinion at YBG that you should no longer feel obligated to ride the Kanye West emotional roller coaster, as this brother has obviously lost his damn mind.  First, the rapper makes a non-rap album that seems stupid, with a bunch of crazy songs that show that he is not in his right mind.  Second, there is the craziness of that ridiculous relationship with Amber Rose.  Last night was the kicker:  his assault of Taylor Swift’s moment on stage. 

We’re not Taylor Swift fans, but if she won the damn award Kanye, leave her alone.  You would be livid if Garth Brooks went up on the stage and took your sh*t.  Just kill it Ye and get that therapy you been needin.  It’s starting to get on our nerves.

Your Black News: Hip Hop Wired – 9/10/09

Death Row Gives The Masses A Bone With Snoop's "Lost Sessions"

NEWS

» By Moguldom   Sep 9 2009, 16:15 Pm

Fans of the “Dogg Father” will be pleasantly surprised when they visit store shelves very soon as the new guardians of Death Row Records have raided its illustrious musical collection to bring the people a true gem, classic music from none other than Snoop Dogg.

Called The Lost Sessions, Vol.1, the compilation is sure to spark instances of nostalgia as the West Coast don's classic flow can be felt over

Comments 0 Tags death row resords, dr. dre, snoop dogg,snoop dogg/ the lost sessions vol.1, suge knight

50 Cent Recruits Wale, Kid Cudi and Corey Gunz for “50 Fest”

NEWS

» By DANIELLE CANADA   Sep 9 2009, 15:30 Pm

Fresh off the release of his new book, 50^th Law, 50 Cent is creating even more buzz around his name. The G-Unit founder is announcing more additions to his highly anticipated “50 Fest” concert. Leaders of the new school, Wale, Mike Posner and Kid Cudi were already confirmed for the show and now the lineup has been bumped up even more. Along with the previously announced lineup, 50 added Maino, Jim Jones, Uncle Murder, Ron Browz, D-Block, and Corey Gunz. The concert is set to take place October 3 at

Comments 0 Tags 50 cent, 50 fest, 50th law, kid cudi, Maino,rapper 50 cent, wale

J. Cole Embraces Newfound Stardom As He Rocks "Blueprint 3"

NEWS

» By JUSTIN STEWART   Sep 9 2009, 14:32 Pm

While everyone has been raving and girls are screaming at everything that Drake touches, there are certain artists on the radar whose subtle approaches have resulted in big rewards.  In the case of North Carolina rapper, J. Cole, time and dedication has landed him alongside Jay-Z as he was placed on the Blueprint III.

Tuesday, Cole made a trip to the Hall of Fame Music Shop in Queens where he purchased 10 copies of the latest from Jigga.  While being filmed by

Comments 0 Tags blueprint 3, J. Cole, j. cole/ a star is born,jay-z

New Funds Supporting Independent Artists

NEWS

» By JUSTIN STEWART   Sep 9 2009, 14:27 Pm

Due to major record label pressure and issues with creative control, many artists have made the decision to break themselves out from the major leagues and go at it on their own as an independent.  As artists without the constraints of what records executives feel is best for sales numbers as opposed to quality of work, they are able to deliver material that comes off as authentic and as their own body of work.

The independent life isn't always flashing lights as money comes into play.  Without the big checks from the big labels, certain factors such as

Comments 0 Tags Hector Fund, help for independent artists

Was T.I. Behind Mullage's Two Versions of “Trick'n”???

NEWS

» By JORDAN C. ALSTON   Sep 9 2009, 13:54 Pm

Hotlanta newcomers B Boi and B Town are two young MC's living the life of their dreams. Signed to Jive Records via From The Ground Up Records, the Atlanta natives have set the country on fire with their melodic summer anthem dedicated to the have and the have not's, “Trick'n.”

Though only new comers to the music business, the duo has already experienced some of the issues that have made and broken careers, with one of the most important of such instances stemming from none other than their first and biggest hit to date. Speaking exclusively to Hip-Hop Wired before their

Comments 0 Tags mullage, mullage feat. t-pain, mullage ft. t.i., mullage/ trick'n, t-pain, T.I.

Diddy Backs Students at Howard University

Diddy has backed the students at Howard University in their recent protests against the administration.  Check out what he had to say!

Z-ro: the Hottest Rapper in Houston

Rapper Z-ro (pronounced Zero) has H-town back on the map.  Click here to listen to one of his songs.

Hip Hop News: Slick Rick Disses T-Pain for his Chain

OK, Slick Rick recently said that he thought T-Pain’s chain was corny.   Ain’t that kinda like the pot calling the Kettle retarded?

The latest from Hip Hop Wired – 8/24/09

Hip-Hop Wired is striving to bring you the best informative news on the Hip-Hop culture as well as stellar interviews with top artists, key spokespersons, and truth fighters for Black America’s causes and justice.

Hip-Hop News
Raekwon Speaks On OB4CL2, Releases Tracklist & Artwork

Mickey Factz Speaks On New Projects and Warren G Diss
Lawyer Wants Artists Held Accountable For Actions

Roccett Explains The "Fallout" With Young Jeezy
Snoop Dogg Partners With Tommy The Clown To Help Inner City Youth

Da Beatminerz Launch Online Radio Show

More News

Black News: Death of the Auto-coon? Dangerous Negro Takes Issue

Dangerous Negro, a t-shirt company, has taken issue with some of the silliness in the black community.  Click to watch the video!

News: Queen Latifah Loves Mustangs

Queen Latifah loves Mustangs!
Not the horses but that iconic muscle car that just celebrated its 45th anniversary this year as one of the industry's most successful

nameplates. Word of the Queen's affinity for Mustangs spread near and far. A few of her majesty's subjects over at FordMotor Company got wind of this news and presented her with a hot 2010 Mustang GT.

Click to read. 

 

Technorati Tags: black celebrities,black celebrity gossip,queen latifah

AutumnJones Introduces Upcoming Rapper Joe Stu

Hello and how are you feeling today?
I’m great and it’s good to be alive!!!


Explain to people who may not know who Joe Stu is, Who You are?
Joe Stu is a blue-collar artist. I represent the working class nine to fivers who are striving for something better.

You’re originally from New York, You moved down to Atlanta, GA to attend college. Was music also in the plans then?
In a sense. It wasn’t the typical rapper going down to Atlanta to blow up. I really went to get an education. I didn’t get truly serious until I was already in school. I started to meet other people who were like minded, from all over the country, I also started seeing cats who were really doing it up and making moves in the industry, that’s when it clicked that I could make it happen. Before then as Biggie stated “It was all a dream!”

How long have you been rapping and how did you come up with the name Joe Stu?
I’ve been writing since I was around 12. Joe Stu is just my government name shortened. Joseph Stewart. I used to have all these colorful names in the beginning, but you always run the risk of someone else having the same name so I just stuck with the one I was given. Plus it’s a dedication of sorts to my parents who are no longer here.

What inspires you musically?
There are a whole host of things that inspire me. Hearing good music is always inspirational, or sometimes it can be a good film. More than likely life and the situations that come along with it push me to write. I’ve made a TON of mistakes in life, so I figure I can make good use of them by making songs about them.

My favorite songs that I’ve heard are "Addiction" & "Natural Mystic"? What are your favorites and Why?
I got a few favorites on this new mix tape. “Addiction” is one of them because it’s a true struggle. Plus it came to me pretty easy, there was nothing forced about that song. Hopefully by the time this interview is out I’ll have that under controlJ. Another favorite was “Crack”. I approached that song like it was a report. I put a lot of facts and research into that one.

As an up and coming rapper, how do you look at the music industry right now seeing and hearing a lot of things that's taking place?
I love the fact that music is so readily available. It’s better for the fans, and even though there’s a lot of music out there it’s pressure on the artist to stand out that much more. If you’re an independent artist, the lane is wide open you just have to grind hard as hell to make your mark. I’m all for that grind especially since the benefits you reap are good. With a major label route, there’s so much at stake that you have to have a formula that equals large sales. The label has to make sure that there’s a hit. As far as the quality, that’s always questionable. It seems like the masses want dumbed down music, but I whole-heartedly believe that there’s an audience for progressive mature hip-hop.

I know you released a mix tape with DJ Ill Will, But when will the album be released?
I have a plan that I’m executing with my team. The focus of that plan is to build enough buzz so that people actually want the album. So many times artist drop an album and no one either knows or cared about it. On the other hand I don’t want to wait too long. It’s all about when the timing is right.

Listening to your music lyrically I can hear that you’re a New Yorker because you guys are know for lyrics. But what are some things that were added to you music being in Atlanta "Have fun type scene in music”?
Being in Atlanta taught me to be a songwriter. There’s always a part of me that wants to go for 1000 bars, but I had to admit to myself that your not reaching people as much through that. There’s an art to songwriting that I had to submit to, and I still am. There’s more to a song than just the verse. Now a days being from NY is more of a disadvantage. There’s the automatic assumption that your arrogant, or you talk a certain way, etc. I believe we kind of brought that on ourselves by being real exclusive and ignoring other scenes. Don’t get me wrong I love my city. A lot of times I get “you don’t seem like you’re from NY”, but I take that as “oh your not real arrogant.”

Your also a tattoo artist, How do you tie that into your music?
Right now it’s how I pay for studio time. Though being a visual artist in general has helped me be more vivid with my words. My description of stuff becomes more visual. Plus you can check out my work on the cover art for the mix tape.

What can fans old and new expect to see from Joe Stu in this coming year?
More product!! I’m aiming to be one of the most consistent artist to come around. So look for more mix tapes, songs and product from Joe Stu

What is something that you want people to know about you that they may not know?
I’m a human being. A lot of artist these days try to sell a real hyped up image. I’m one of the few whom people can relate to and still give them something to escape to.

Do you have any up coming show, where people can check you out at?
I gotta show with Mojo Swagger April 3rd at the Bench.

Is there anything else you'd like to say?
Shouts out to MoBetta, Najja, Mudnoc, Jay Force, D.R.U.G.S., W.E.T. Productions and everybody that helped put this mix tape together.

To get more info on JoeStu
Myspace

Artist to Look Out For: ABLE BACK

Many of you may know ALBE BACK as 'Brooklyn' from the movie ATL or as the cousin of hip-hop legend, Big Pun but he has also established himself as a major force to be dealt with in the Industry! To all that don't know Albe Back; his resume will show collaborations with the likes of Swizz Beatz, T.I., Mos Def, Kanye West, MC Lyte, KRS-One, Dead Prez, Gym Class Heroes, and Olivia just to name a few.

Now with a Grammy under his belt for his work on Kanye West’s multi-platinum album, Graduation. (ALBE BACK wrote and produced the track Good Night ft. Mos Def)

ALBE BACK has plans to kill the airwaves with his new single featuring Fabulous “Mira Mira.”

ALBE BACK’s debut release is titled "Hi", it will be available for purchase on 4.20.09

For more information on Able Back ;
Myspace
ALBE BACK.com