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Watch: Here’s the Malcolm X speech about black women Beyoncé sampled in Lemonade

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New York: A Love Story

Everyone has a different opinion on the state of hip hop, especially in New York City. For awhile there seemed to be a void of mainstream "NY" style hip hop music coming from artists.

There are many possible answers: some may believe there just aren't any good up and coming NY artists, NY artists focus on 'southern' style club songs too much and/or NY'ers just don't support their artists. 

This past year alone I have noticed this topic pop up in discussions more and more. From Atlanta rapper, Trinidad James' "the south runs NY" viewpoint to Rap Radar's B.Dot, debating Hot97 personalities to play more NY artist. In addition, it never fails for Charlamagne of Power 105.1, to ask NY artists that sit down for an interview their opinion on the current state of NY rap and what can fix it.

I recently had the opportunity of attending a Mack Wilds show at SOB's. The grammy nominated artist performed hits from his debut album, New York: A Love Story, to a sold out crowd. What was interesting is before his performance, Hot9's DJ Funk Flex came out to do a set to warm up the crowd. Now nothing much was different from what you'd usually here during his radio show: yelling, bombs, talking through songs etc... However, he made it a point (more so went on a rant) on how he will not play any southern artists but true NY hip hop that night. In addition to, WE needing to have an open ear and support NY artists. 

As the night went on and Mack Wilds performs, he stops mid show to prove how much we need to bring NY rap back and how important it is for us to support the upcoming nyc artists. During the set, surprise guests came out such as Method Man, Asap Ferg and Bodega Bamz. 

The discussions are there but the real question is when are these NY based media outlets going to push for their own. Unless you are Beyonce, social media and word of mouth can take you but so far, however mainstream radio surprisingly still matters. 

With that being said, I guess the radio has listened and are trying something different for the new year. Both Hot97 and Power105.1 have made it their duty to promote NY hip hop. For example.... 

Better late than never I suppose... 

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Black Girls Do Rock

                                Last night I took the time to watch the Black Girls Rock awards show on BET. Hosted by Regina King and Tracee Ellis Ross, the show highlights the accomplishments of women of color who have mad an influential impact on their career and/or community. 

Those awarded include Marian Wright Edelman, Queen Latifah, Patti Labelle, Mara Brock Akil (creator of Girlfriends and The Game), ballerina Misty Copeland and my personal favorite, Ameena Matthews. 

Created by Beverly Bond, Black Girls Rock is a great tool to empower black girls young and old. While watching the award show, all I could think about was how I can do better for my community.

One of my favorite speeches came from Ameena Matthews, the "violence interrupter." Matthews works in inner-city Chicago mediating gang violence amongst the community. Click play on the video to watch Matthews give her BGR speech after receiving the "Community Activist" award. 

As Beverly Bond stated during her speech "it is important to lift as we climb." I personally hope to inspire others on my journey to greatness.

For more information on the BGR organization click the link. 

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Charlie vs. The Mighty Wing

So if you have been living under a rock, McDonalds recently added a new item to their menu. For a limited time (NFL Season) customers can now get fried chicken wings with their side of fries. 

Then of course there were the mix reviews from my Twitter feed. 

-_-

But today I made the decision to be my own judge. While running errands I drove to the nearest McDonald's restaurant and ordered myself the 3 piece (also comes in 5 and 10 piece) Mighty Wings for $2.99.

I don't know what I was expecting but it definitely was not what I ate. All I have to say is don't knock it till you try it. The wings were a lot better than I anticipated and the spices reminded me a lot like Popeyes chicken.  

I can see the Mighty Wings easily becoming the top selling item on their menu. The taste is good but I think you can get more for your buck at your local Crown Fried or Chinese food spot. I'll give the Mighty Wings a solid 7 out of 10.

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VIBE Summer 2013 Issue

Two of my favorite rappers have graced the 20th Anniversary summer issue of Vibe Magazine. Check below to see some of my favorite questions and answers from the the interview. 

One commonality is that you’re both great hip-hop storytellers. What makes for a good story? Are there specific approaches you guys take?

NAS: Details. When I write a story, I just wanna tell you what’s in my head. It can come from real life and then turn into fantasy, stuff just rhyming. And write about what you know. I just like to tell stories that have not been told or [told] from my perspective. When I pick up albums I’m looking for stories. Tell me something that’s going on other than the fact that you the shit.

              Does today remind you of the era you came up with in the ’90s?

NAS: Yes, and it’s the first time since that time that that’s happened. This is a special time right now. I’m happy I can see it. Just hearing Cole saying he got me on Hip Hop Is Dead means a lot. The fact that I’m seeing him, Kendrick, Drake and the dudes that’s out there... I was just talking to Diddy, and he was like, “Yo, do you see what’s going on right now? It’s happening again.” He was excited.

J. COLE: It’s fucked up to say this, but it’s true—when we was kids, there was a lack of respect for the niggas that molded you. We ain’t know better, but we definitely lacked our homework. I had to go back and do homework on KRS, Kane, Kool G Rap. They fizzled out and weren’t really relevant to us. You might see Rakim come back with another album, all the older heads will be like, “Oh shit!” And the younger kids were like, “Nigga so what?” disrespectfully. But I love to see now that “Let Nas Down” and “Made Nas Proud” is important. Like, you’re just as important to them as me because they know how important you are to us. The fact that you’re still relevant, your pen is still crazy and you still making great music—that didn’t happen before. The legends are carrying over. Jay is still relevant. Nas—not just relevant, but y’all niggas is still on top. It’s crazy.

            Hip-hop is obviously a competitive sport, but when is the last time an artist outshined you on a track? 

NAS: I’m sure there were enough times I wasn’t the shiniest nigga. It happens. I don’t [feel] every record I do with somebody is a battle. I just do my best. So if you outshine me and it’s a great record because of it, we win. 

J. COLE: You always know that’s gonna be a conversation. But you don’t always necessarily give a fuck. Jay-Z did his “Mr. Nice Watch” verse after mine—I didn’t even know he was gonna get on the song. My competitive side was like, “Yo, I wanna change my fucking verse ’cause this nigga just got on here and went crazy.” Timing-wise, I had to turn in my album. [But] he made my song better by going that hard, so it’s cool. I’ll take that one.

NAS: If me and Cole are on a track, they gonna talk about whose verse is the illest. Our boys are gon’ be like, “Yo, you gotta smoke him on that.” That’s what rap is all about. That’s how it should always be.

Click here to read the full cover story.

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"Picasso Baby: A Performance Piece"

Last month, Jay-Z held a live performance art piece event at Pace Gallery in NYC. For six hours, Jay-Z performed his single "Picasso Baby" over and over to a live audience. Many would say the video was inspired by performance artist by Marina Abramovic and her "The Artist is Present" piece at the MoMa back in 2009. Jay-Z played off of everyone's energy for a great performance piece. 

The crowd continuously changed through out the day including different celebrities in attendance. From Abramovic to Taraji P. Henson and Judd Apatow, each person on camera seemed to have an amazing time.

When I think of Magna Carta, Holy Grail all I think of are #NewRules. Everything having to do with this album's approach has been completely different then what you may have seen previously in Hip-Hop. All I can say with this video, Jay-Z has done it again. 

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Netflix Continues to Win

While standing on the platform waiting for the G train, I noticed the poster for this show. In the photo were a bunch of women in tan jumpsuits and one woman in orange, whom I assumed was the main character. As I continued to look on I noticed "Netflix" "July 11th" and the phrase "new series from the creator of Weeds." I immediately got excited.

I am a huge fan of Weeds. So I knew Jenji Kohan would not leave me hanging with this series. 

Netflix is really my guilty pleasure. I especially enjoy the great catalog of films. 

                             Once my train arrived I completely forgot about the show, until a night of boredom changed into a night of greatness. I logged on to Netflix thanks to my friend's username/password and lo and behold "Orange is the New Black" appears. My mind immediately went back to the subway poster I saw. 

I clicked play and the rest was history. I was able to watch the season in a little less than two days (please don't judge me). The show is based on the true story of Piper Kerman and her stint in prison for a drug related crime she did a decade earlier.

OITNB is simply amazing. What I appreciate  most is each episode highlights a different inmates story as well as the politics behind the prison system.

I'm sure Netflix subscriptions have sky rocketed since the release. In addition the streaming website renewed OITNB for a second season!

For more information on Piper Kerman's story check out her memoir. Or get a Netflix account and watch this amaze-balls of a show! 

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The Butler is based on the true story of real White House butler, Cecil Gaines. The Lee Danield directed film features an amazing cast including, Forest Whitaker, Oprah, Jane Fonda + more. 

I am very excited to see this movie. I'm sure it'll ignite more conversations on race in America. I recently read a review on The Butler by hip-hop blogger JasFly. 

At one point during the film I pretended not to listen as the friendly White woman next to me quietly explained to her teenage old daughter who Jesse Jackson was. From the corner of my eye I could see her squirm at the on screen dramatized acts of hatred and ignorance then go silent, as the each scene was bookended with actual footage - as if to say "we’re not making this stuff up."

Click here to read Jas Fly's "White Privilege Introduced Me To The Butler." 

I don't know about you but from the trailer alone I am sure there will be a lot of nominations for this film. Watch The Butler in theaters August 16th. 

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A high school kid on his way home from the store was stalked, shot and killed. That´s it. End of story.

zellie imani (@zellieimani)

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Magna Carta Holy Grail

Less than thirty minutes before Jay-Z releases his 12th album, Magna Carta Holy Grail via a $20 million deal with Samsung. The news of the rapper's collaboration with the cellular company came via commercial during Game 6 of the NBA Finals. 

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But what does this mean for the future of music and technology? Do first week sales actually matter, since allegedly the album is set to already be Platinum. #NewRules is the trending topic in association with this album due to Jay-Z literally "forcing" music associations such as the Recording Industry of America to make new rules on how it deciphers whether a record is gold or platinum. Billboard on the other hand seems to be sticking to its guns and not accommodating this idea of #newrules.  

I am pretty sure Samsung has seen an increase in sales during the past month and you can't help but to believe Jay-Z played a role in this. 

Well I'll be patiently waiting along with other iPhone users for a leak which I'm sure will happen sooner than later. 

Magna Carter holy Grail will be available for purchase to the general public July 7th, 2013.

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Today Revolt TV, the new music channel created by Diddy which is set to air on Time Warner and Comcast, released its Wale "The Gifted" Documentary. Wale along with close friends and colleagues discuss the process of the making of his new album as well as his overall come up in the hip hop game. From how gogo music influenced him to the loss of his cousin who played an 'older brother' role in his life. Click play on the video above to experience 30 minutes of realness from Wale.

The Gifted in stores now!

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Talk a Good Game with Kelly Rowland

A week after the initial release, I finally gave Kelly Rowland's "Talk a Good Game" a listen. Take a look below for my track by track review.

Freak: "Everybody is somebody's freak." I personally could've done without this song. However, it sounds like it'll do great in a club.

Kisses Down Low: I personally loved this song when it was released a couple months ago as a single. The Mike Will Made It produced song was definitely a great radio hit and who doesn't like their kisses down low.

Talk a Good Game feat. Kevin Cossom: In the title track, Rowland expresses her understanding of men that talk the talk but don't walk the walk. I definitely can see myself driving around this summer windows down and this song through the speakers.

Down on Love: "I need someone to pick me up because I've been down on love lately." This mid-tempo jam is a nice addition to the album.

Dirty Laundry: Just read my last review on this heartfelt Dream produced song.

You Changed feat. Beyonce and Michelle Williams: This song just makes you want another Destiny's Child album. I enjoyed this song much better than the groups "Nuclear" song.

I Remember: This song has the potential to be a great dance track. I'm sure someone will do a nice techno remix to it.

Red Wine: Perfect title for this song, it is easy going just like red wine.

This is Love: Kelly finally accepts love in this song. "I'll be a fool to give it up, because this is love."

Street Life feat Pusha T: Love this Pharrell produced track. I'll just leave it at that.

Stand In Front of Me: A 50s doo-wop Pharell produced track. A cute 'proposal' song.

Overall, Talk a Good Game is an okay album. Take a listen below and let me know what you think!

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Nas Visits Hennessy In France

Bonjour. Esco recently traveled over to Cognac, France to visit the Hennessy headquarters. Aside from learning of the distillery, he creates his own blend and wines and dines. Cheers!

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Let Nas Down ... Made Nas Proud

If you have been living under a rock, rapper J.Cole recently released his second album, "Born Sinner." One of the most highly anticipated songs on that album was "Let Nas Down."

In "Let Nas Down," Cole explains the hurt he felt when he found out one of his favorite rappers (Nas) was disappointed by the release of his hit single, Work Out. The song, intentionally made for the radio, makes you think of the sacrifices artists make for air play while losing sight of the bigger picture: their art.

Watch the video below to hear Cole's in depth explanation of the song during his Born Sinner listening session.

Click play on the video below to hear "Let Nas Down."

Fast forward to a couple of days after the initial release of Born Sinner and this pops up on my Twitter timeline.

#MadeNasProud @JColeNC - http://t.co/jquKWReGlV

— Nasir Jones (@Nas)

June 22, 2013

I have never been so excited to click a link until I saw that tweet from Nas. Nothing but pure hip-hop poured through my speakers."Made Nas Proud" instantly became a trending topic. In the remix Nas  explains how proud he is of Cole's growth as an MC.

Click play below to take a listen to Nas' remix to "Let Nas Down."

Such an amazing hip-hop moment unfolded before us. What is even more fascinating is the role the internet now plays in these unforgettable hip-hop moments.

@Nas thank you

— J. Cole (@JColeNC)

June 22, 2013

"Long live your idols, may they never be your rivals."

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Today the trailer released for "Jobs"—the much-anticipated story of former Apple Co-Founder and CEO Steve Jobs, played by Ashton Kutcher, hit the web. The film chronicles Jobs’ celebrated and inspiring story of unwavering vision that lead him to become a master inventor, innovator and fearless leader of the world’s most prominent tech brand. Jobs depicts his ascension from college dropout into one of the most revered creative entrepreneurs of the 20th century. Beyond being one of the most influential individuals of our time, Steve Jobs blazed an impeccable trail of excellence marked by continuously shattering boundaries and conquering what the masses deemed impossible. From the first iteration of the Apple computer, to manufacturing the first iPhone and delivering arguably the most compelling commencement speech of this generation, Steve Jobs’ life served as an example that everyone has something special to offer the world and anyone is capable of transforming the future forever. “It only takes one person to start a Revolution.”

source: revolt tv

"Jobs" Trailer Proves It Only Takes One Person To Start A Revolution

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CRWN with Born Sinner

Recently Elliot Wilson of RapRadar.com, started a series where for a fee, fans can attend a live in-depth discussion with hip hop artists. Very similar to the "Inside the Actor's Studio" show on Bravo, Elliot Wilson discusses the upcoming album "Born Sinner" with rapper J. Cole in episode 2 of CRWN.

Cole discusses why he does not need validation from Jay-Z.

Cole discusses his first encounter with Kendrick Lamar.

Cole speaks on his growth as a producer.

Make sure to pick up "Born Sinner" in stores June 18th.