Latin Trends: Rocsi Diaz Covers Latin Magazine Dropping Oct 1st

Here's my first cover story for a magazine.


Dropping October 1st.

Rocsi, spoke with the magazine about relationships, fame and being a role model.

I’ve definitely tried, to the best of my abilities, to keep a positive image for young women. This is not to say I haven’t made my mistakes or anything, but I try to carry myself with the utmost respect.”

“Relationships are such a fail. It’s hard because most men are either intimidated to approach you because you’re in this industry, or because of the people you hang out with. A lot of them don’t know that it really ain’t like that.”

“When I’m in public, I’ve decided to adapt to the fact that I’m ‘Rocsi.’ No matter if I’m eating dinner with my family, or if I’m at Walgreens trying to buy ice cream late at night. No matter what, in public, I’m Rocsi.”

LatinTrends.Com: Mariah Carey: New “Idol” Judge?

by: Carl Lamarre

Writer, LatinTRENDS.com

After weeks of speculation in regards to Jennifer Lopez being cast as the new judge on American Idol, new rumors have circulated. Because of excessive demands, it has been reported by E! that the show has ousted Lopez, and have found another songstress to occupy the judge’s chair for this upcoming season. That songstress comes in the form of Mariah Carey.

According to a source, Carey is vehemently vying for a spot on one of America’s most celebrated TV show. “She wants it,” says the source. “She’s seen what America’s Got Talent has done for [hubby Nick Cannon] and thinks it will be a good career move.”

Though Carey’s reps have neither denied nor confirmed these reports, they were able to comment to the media by bluntly saying: “There is nothing to report.” Still, despite that comment, many have already boasted about the possibility of developing such a trio of judges consisting of Randy Jackson, Steven Tyler, and Carey, especially because of the established chemistry between Jackson and Carey. “Randy and Mariah have great chemistry,” says the source.

Only time will tell if Carey chooses to step onboard. As many have seen in past, singers – like Lopez – have snubbed the chance of replacing Simon Cowell and Paula Abdul for numerous reasons.

http://www.latintrends.com/2010/08/23/mariah-carey-new-idol-judge/

Pics: From Interview W/Rocsi

LatinTrends.Com: Happy Anniversary, Dora the Explorer!

By: Carl Lamarre

This past weekend, the creators of the children’s classic TV series Dora the Explorer celebrated their 10th Anniversary on Nickelodeon with an hour long prime time movie entitled Dora’s Big Birthday Adventure.

The show, created by Valarie Walsh Valdes, became a perennial hit a decade ago when it first originally aired on CBS. The show, which ran for six years on CBS, would later move to Nickelodeon in 2006. The scintillating series’ – which has been highlighted by a young and spunky animated Latina – original purpose was to find a character suitable to the needs of the younger Latin generation, according to Valdes in her interview with Latina.Com. What many may find bemusing in regards to the origin of Dora is the fact that before she was birthed as a Latina, she first was molded as a Caucasian character. “Dora was Caucasian originally. She was white, and had Auburn, reddish hair and green eyes. One of the executives at Nickelodeon, Brown Johnson, came to us because she had just come from a conference about how few positive images of Latinos there were on TV, and they were asking producers and networks to address that.,” said Valdes.

“So she came to us, and said, ‘Do you think you could make this girl Latina?’ None of us were from that background, so we hired a Latino writer and many cultural consultants to help us navigate that. The consultant said, ‘You know, you really should try to make her look more representative of Latinos, because even though we have redheads with green eyes in Latin America, it’s more the exception rather than the rule.”

As for Dora possibly considering retirement, the creator snubbed all possibilities for the animated star’s departure by saying: “Dora is perpetually seven years old. [Laugh]. We’re just premiering a sixth season and we’re still as excited about it today as we were when we first started making it.”


http://www.latintrends.com/2010/08/16/happy-anniversary-dora-the-explorer/

LatinTrends.Com: Famous Latinos Fight for Respect

Famous Latinos Fight for Respect
Posted by admin

by: Carl Lamarre

Writer, LatinTRENDS.com

For the past couple of weeks, influential Latino figures – Ozzie Guillen (manager for Major League Baseball’s Chicago White Sox, no relation to our publisher Juan Guillen) and actress Sofia Vergara – found themselves entangled in the media’s web of controversy as their displeasure for the treatment of their adored Latino culture surfaced within national tabloids and prominent publications.

Former baseball player, and now manager, Ozzie Guillen, found himself in defense mode as he was tackled with an array of questions in regards to his outlook on America’s national pastime. The ever so effervescent Guillen rhapsodized with the media for 25 minutes, highlighting his disappointment within the treatment of Latino players in contrast to Asian players after a victory nearly two weeks ago. “I always criticize why Japanese players have interpreters and Latinos don’t have one. Very bad,” Guillen said to reporters. “I always say that, why do they have that privilege and we don’t and we have more Latino players suffer. He would further voice his anguish towards the issue by saying: “Don’t take this wrong but they take advantage of us. We bring a Japanese player and they are very good and they bring all these privileges to them. We bring a Dominican kid, and it’s, ‘(The heck with) you, you go to the Minor Leagues, good luck. Good luck.’ And it’s always going to be like that. It’s never going to change. But that’s the way it is.”

Sofia Vergara approached the media differently, as she purported to Esquire Magazine that Hollywood had developed certain physical expectations for Latina women. “They have this stereotype that Latin people have to look like Salma Hayek,” she told the magazine. The actress who originally surfaced into Hollywood as a naturally breed blond, found herself having to defend her Latino roots, because many perceived her as one of different descent. “If you see my family, you wouldn’t believe it,” the Latina starlet said. “Everyone looks like they’re Polish. Blond with blue eyes. But I wasn’t getting any jobs in L. A. They were confused.” Once she made the jump from blond to brunette, the actress started noticing an immediate change. “The minute I made my hair dark, then they believed that I am Latina.”

http://www.latintrends.com/2010/08/13/famous-latinos-fight-for-respect/

Opportunity

The Feelings Are Diminishing, We're In Need Of Replenishing....



The Love Lost, Because I'm Real Keen In Finishing What We First Started...



Granted, I Abandoned Our Bond.



While You Stood Still, Anxiously Waiting, Holding Open Ya Arms...



I Walked Around, Face Calm, Without A Care In The World...



Until Opportunity Came In The Form Of A Girl...



I Mean, Never Was Intentional. I'd Never Tried To Do It...



Opportunity Came Knocking, And God Told Me Pursue It...



So I, Pursued Opportunity While You Waited Home Frantically...



Candidly, I'll Say I Was Caught Up, Engulfed By The Windows Of Opportunity...



Her Eyes Did More Than Draw Me In, It Always Was Consuming Me...



Moving Me To Places That I Never Thought Existed...



Opportunity Came Knocking And I Couldn't Afford To Miss It...

Latin Trends: WEEKEND BOX OFFICE: “The Other Guys” tops “Inception”

By: Carl Lamarre

Actress Eva Mendes – who was featured in the star studded movie The Other Guys, starring Mark Walbherg, Will Farrell, Samuel Jackson, and The Rock – received brilliant news this weekend when her movie toppled Leonardo DiCaprio’s oeuvre Inception with a whopping $35.1 million take-home receipts.

The Latina starlet – known for her incredible acting fervor and immaculate figure – plays the wife of Will Farrell which certainly served as a huge contrast from her previous intimate counterparts in Denzel Washington in Training Day & Will Smith in Hitch. Either way, Mendez helped oust arguably the movie of the year in Inception, which had dominated theaters for the past three weeks at the top slot.

The success of her newest endeavor comes in timely fashion as earlier this week, it was speculated that Mendes had a sextape expected to leak on the net. But for those that actually prayed on the tape coming into fruition, Mendes slyly created a dummy tape on Will Farrell’s comedic website Funnyordie.com which was made to poke fun at the infamous Paris Hilton exposé.


http://www.latintrends.com/2010/08/09/weekend-box-office-the-other-guys-tops-inception/

LatinTrends.Com: Felipe Esparza: Getting the Last Laugh?

Felipe Esparza: Getting the Last Laugh?
Posted by admin

by: Carl Lamarre

Writer, LatinTRENDS.com

On August 9th, Felipe Esparza will have one final opportunity to beguile and laugh his way into the hearts of viewers and critics alike on NBC’s series finale of the Last Comic Standing airing at 9 PM.

The East Los Angeles native is one of five remaining contestants fighting for a chance to win $250,000. Besides achieving monetary acclaim, Esparza will be hoping to garner respect from highly recognized comics. One comic who has shown significant interest in Esparza’s work is Mexican-born Paul Rodriguez. Rodriguez has conveyed his ongoing support for Esparza by publicly acknowledging his talents via Facebook, and highlighting his immense ability to entertain. Esparza is no stranger to fans as well: in 2008, he was introduced to the masses during Showtime’s Diamonds In The Rough, which enabled him to develop a steady fan base.

With a strong fan base, and highly respected comedians providing moral support on the sidelines, Esparza seems ready for combat. He, along with, Mike Destefano (Bronx, NY), Tommy Johnagin (Benton, IL), Myq Kaplan (Boston, MA) and Roy Wood, Jr. (Birmingham, AL) will all tarry impatiently, as three will be eliminated, leaving two comics to duke it out Idol style in hopes of receiving the grand price of $250,000. Voting will end soon. So be sure to vote for Felipe now at www.nbc.com/LastComic Standing.

Poem: Gentleman

Not to be conceited but I’m rarely ever defeated

Ya ex a four, I’m a nine, and before you were living heated

You explored, and even cheated, until you left, and conceded

You said I couldn’t do it; I need somebody to love me

Somebody to hold tight, somebody to come touch me,

Somebody to look into my eyes, and hold my hands so gently

A gentleman fond of settling to simply represent me...

You said you’ve never been loved, and love is so precarious

So you developed these walls, and mazes for men to overcome the barriers

Overran with insecurities dating from your first love

You walked into my arms, and felt loved on the first hug

You’re telling me, you’re lucky, I’m telling you we both are

We overcame our past, this our present, and we’ll go far.

Just as long as either of us is pedaling.

You found the love; now let’s see if you could keep the gentleman

Latin Trends.Com: Eva Longoria: WASP Rumor, New Desperate Housewives Season

Eva Longoria: WASP Rumor, New Desperate Housewives Season
Posted by admin

by: Carl Lamarre

Writer, LatinTRENDS.com

Before Eva Longoria became paparazzi eye candy (and Mrs. Tony Parker), she was Gabrielle Solis: a sassy and rambunctious character beloved by men and women alike on ABC’s hit show Desperate Housewives. On September 27, Longoria and her vivacious friends — including Teri Hatcher, Felicity Huffman, and Marcia Cross — will embark on several controversial ramifications which will certainly leave their viewers in total awe and suspicion, according to the show’s creator Marc Cherry.

“What is revealed in the opening episode of the season is the ramifications of the friendship between Gabrielle and Bree (Marcia Cross) when Gabrielle finds out that Bree’s son, Andrew (Shawn Pyfrom), has run over Gabrielle’s mother-in-law. Then in the second episode, there is another hit-and-run accident that involves both families. The ensuing tension and conflict that occurs between the ladies is going to lead to some interesting situations as the season progresses.”

Asides from these woman being entrenched in controversy, viewers, and critics alike, pondered on the possibility of whether Longoria would expose her Mexican heritage during the show’s seventh season. At the Television Critics Association Tour, Longoria expressed her desire to add some Mexican flavor to the show, but to no avail. “I bring up Mexicans all the time for casting,” she said. “If this was reality, Gaby would have a lot more cousins, aunts and uncles hanging around.”

Aside from playing Gaby on DH, Longoria has been rumored to be featured in Marvel’s comic book series The Wasp. But she debunked the rumors: “I have been hearing these rumors that I think got started on the Internet,” she said. “I love comic book stuff, but I don’t know anything about that character. I think the rumors came out of the fact that I took a meeting at Marvel about a different movie. People saw me walking out and assumed I was there for the Wasp project. I think it is a fantastic rumor. Who knows — maybe it will get me hired.”

A graduate of Elmont Memorial Junior-Senior High School, Carl Lamarre is currently a student at CUNY Queens College. Lamarre’s work has appeared in Smooth Magazine, BallerStatus.com, and HipHopGame.com. In 2007, he won 3rd place for the Best National Sports Story from the Long Island Press.

http://www.latintrends.com/2010/08/02/eva-longoria-wasp-rumor-new-desperate-housewives-season/

Lebron: Decision Accepted. I Think?

Lebron: Decision Accepted. I Think?

If you google Lebron James’ name, there’s a possibility that, A) Your computer might crash because of the influx of news regarding his departure from Cleveland. B) You might come across a myriad of “I Hate Lebron” links with the now infamous burning of his #23 jersey gracing the page. Or, C) You might not really care anymore. Regardless, Lebron owned the night, and possibly made the biggest and smartest decision in his basketball career.

I’ll be honest, judging by Lebron’s mantra, and climactic swagger, I thought he was going to surprise everyone with a move to either New York or Cleveland. I thought Lebron had one more no look pass underneath his 6’8 frame. Surprisingly, Lebron sat down with Jim Gray, revealed his intentions of moving down to South Beach, and formed this Death Row like conglomerate featuring himself, Wade, and Bosh. Now, even though news leaked throughout the day that Miami was the front runner, I assumed people tuned in anyway just because they wanted to see the aftermath unfold in the city of Cleveland. Though Lebron’s attitude appeared melancholy with a twist of optimism, you could tell the kid didn’t want to leave. Poor kid, I mean, can you blame Lebron for chucking the deuces a la Chris Brown to a team that within his seven years reached the finals only once? Can you blame Lebron for giving his beloved city of Cleveland the “It’s not you, It’s me” treatment? I’ll admit, Lebron took the easy way out. The funny thing about that is I’m actually proud of him. The man is smarter than he actually looks. Something kept telling me that he didn’t possess that killer instinct that Jordan or Kobe had. Something kept telling me this guy wasn’t built to be “that dude”. Something kept telling me he was more of a Lloyd Banks than a 50 Cent. No disrespect to Banks, we all know what’s he capable of, but, lets face it, dude isn’t a leader, and needs that virtuoso genius to help max out his potential. Lebron realized in order to win, and win now; he had to do not the unthinkable, but the commonsensical. Yes he could have gone to Chicago, played with Rose & Boozer, win 55 games, and have his own team. But, as previously mentioned, Lebron was scared. I don’t think Lebron could have handled walking into work everyday, and seeing Jordan’s massively sculpted stature in his grill. Yes he could have gone to New York, and develop an explosive pick and roll dynamic with Amare. But, we’ve seen what A-Rod has been through. Tabloids shredded his ass up into pieces. There were even times we’ve nearly seen tears come out of his eyes. Hypothetically speaking, if Lebron missed a dunk or lay up a la Ewing in a decisive game seven, he would probably be overemotional because the media would chew him up, resulting in him undergoing a Rugrats episode with all the waterworks.

Lebron used his head for once. Can I be mad at that? No. Can I sit here and say he diminished his legacy from potentially being Jordanesque to Scottiesque? Yes. Is there anything wrong with that? No. Like I said, dude came to grips and realized he wasn’t built like that. More importantly, Lebron wanted to be with his friends. How could Krammer survive without Seinfeld? How could Will survive without Carlton? How could Dawson survive without Joey & Pacey? Lebron, its ok, I understand. I hope you do win your championships in South Beach. I candidly respect your decision to put your ego aside, take less money, just to win. You actually proved you’re really a ball player. That takes a lot of guts. With that said, if Kobe wins a ring against Miami next year, what’s stopping him from surpassing Jordan? I’m just saying.

Ballerstatus.Com: Fat Joe Gives The Ladies A Backseat, Gets Darker For Next Album ‘The Darkside’

Fat JoeSkyline Studios in New York was where Bronx native, Fat Joe -- known for his collaborations with the legendary tongue twister Big Pun and his Latino Bronx bravado -- enlightened skeptics and jaded bloggers on Monday evening (June 14) with his 10th album, The Darkside, set for July 27th.

With Joe entering his 10th album, many pondered whether he had lost a step. After his long and grueling feud with 50 Cent, fallout with his beloved crew Terror Squad, and the squander of his last offering, J.O.S.E. 2, it was safe to say Joe was done.

But, rather than shy away from adversity, Joe -- in typical New York fashion -- grabbed his New York fitted, donning the brim low, entered the studio with a fuel of animosity to produce probably his darkest material to date.

Songs like "Valley of Death", and "I Am Crack" helped destroy the stigma of the Joe who was cracking coconuts with Pleasure P on "Aloha", and displayed the more truculent, and belligerent side of Crack. The man who was on his "What's Luv" swag years back, was now sporting "black gloves" and of course, his "black mask". Even poor Stuart Scott was thrown under the bus with Joe taking shots at his dysfunctional eye. Sheesh.

As mentioned earlier, Joe traditionally catered to the women with on his past albums with some radio friendly singles. But, this time around, Joe made the ladies take a back seat on this turbulent ride. His first two singles, "Slow Down" featuring Young Jeezy and "If It Ain't About Money" featuring Trey Songz, proved Joey Van Gundy is back to "work the magic". With an infectious hook from Trey, and another memorable verse from Jeezy, Joe batted 1.000 with those two perfect singles.

But, arguably the best track on the album came in the form of Scoop Deville's produced "No Problems", featuring Rico Love. From the hook, to the heavy knocking drums, to Diddy's cameo, Joe's best track had everything you could have asked for. The dark instrumentation and Joe's voraciousness makes this track easily the stand out in his personal 12-track opus.

For the people that already scheduled Joe's funeral, you may have to reconsider and call the coroner, because Joe's The Darkside give the rapper him a new look and should give his career an adrenaline. That is if fans give it a chance.

Ballerstatus.Com: Ice Cube Interview

Before there was Kanye West, there was Ice Cube. A man whose tongue not only sliced the hearts of politicians, but also fed the knowledge and wisdom needed to survive in this cold world. Unlike some rappers, who preferred serving their dish of lyricism in a verbose and garrulous manner, Cube was straight to the point. In his 1991 debut, AmeriKKKa's Most Wanted, Cube's oeuvre showcased his fearlessness against his beloved country as he exposed the truth. Not only did he tackle the depths of racism, but he also wrestled with the issues of drug addiction, and poverty.

That was 1991. Now, it's 2010 and O'Shea Jackson is a multi-platinum recording artist, a successful actor, screen writer, and producer. To some, Cube might be the character "Craig" from his grand slam series flick Friday. To others, he may be the same guy who took Nia Long's kids for a ride destined for disaster in his past flick -- and present TV show airing on TBS -- "Are We There Yet". But, to most, Cube was the dude who never bit his tongue. He was the dude who never rapped for himself, but for the words who never had a chance to say what they really wanted.

Ballerstatus.com had the opportunity to speak with Ice Cube in this very insightful interview, in which he talks about his tracks from his new album I Am the West, his conquest in educating the uneducated through his music, robots taking over, and the real s*** going on behind the music industry.

BallerStatus.com: You've never had a problem speaking your mind. Rappers like you, Public Enemy, Pac, and KRS one always addressed issues within our societies without fearing the repercussions. Do you feel a little disappointed that today's new school rappers aren't really addressing the issues like you guys did?

Ice Cube: Well ... I mean, it's true. I mean, some of the new guys do keep it real. I always liked what Kanye was doing. He keeps it real from his perspective. Like, why touch gangsta sh** when you're really not from that environment, you know what I mean? But, he knows what knows. He do what he do. But, you know, of course, I would like more because, I think hip-hop could be life changing. You know, it could be music that could make fun, or make you get information that you might not of gotten in school, or might not have gotten from the TV. You might not get it from wherever you get your information from. You know, sometimes a b-boy gives it to you. But, it systemically has been removed from hip-hop. And, it started from around '93, '94. The major outlets where we get our hip-hop from stopped promoting those kinds of rappers. They stopped caring about the Poor Righteous Teachers, the KRS-Ones, the Ice T's, and the Public Enemys. It wasn't about them no more. That kind of message in rap was being pushed to the side. It became about partying, escapism, drinking, and smoking -- you know, whatever you're thinking of. People don't think about no movements. It was like we got Bill Clinton president. We had nothing to worry about.

BallerStatus.com: We chilling. (Laughing)

Ice Cube: Yeah. He's so called black. That's bullsh**. Motherf***er ain't black. But, anyway, it is what it is. That's what really happens. As a young MC, you're trying to be fly. You come up in the "bling age." You know what I mean? "The ice age".

BallerStatus.com: The ice age. (Laughing)

Ice Cube: But, I'm just saying, that becomes more popular. That's because that's what the young rappers want to do to get that status. Being a b-boy, being a Dead Prez, ain't gon' get you up there. You know what I'm saying? That's gon' keep you underground. Mainstream has decided that this kind of rap goes here, and that kind of rap goes there. And, we've been stuck there ever since.

BallerStatus.com: Are you ever worried, especially with the way our younger generations are built now, like some of the messages you try to send through your songs, may be overlooked especially on this I Am the West?

Ice Cube: You know what's good about music is that it's around forever. It's like a book. You might not read the book the first year it's published, but, whenever you discover it, it's new information. You know what I mean? So, some of my fans and b-boys out there want to take it to the next level, start listening to Cube, and what I did in the past. Then, you'll still get that message. Whether you got it the first year it was out, or the 20th year after it was out. Them records are forever. So, that's what I look at man. You know, it is a hard road. Messages do get lost. People be like "Oh, what you on?" You know what I mean? So, but hey, when I'm gone, there [records] are still going to be here.

BallerStatus.com: Like artifacts?

Ice Cube: Yeah I just don't want to be on a whole bunch of bullsh**. It's street knowledge what I do. You know, it's telling the streets what the politicians are doing. And, it's telling them hopefully if the politicians are listening, it's telling them the streets is thinking in a lot of ways. When I say the streets, I ain't talking about the dirtiest corners, or the dirtiest hoods, I'm just talking about, "We black. We know all of us have been through it. All of us know how it is." So that's what it is.

BallerStatus.com: Like I said you've had songs that always provided a deep message like "Gangsta Rap Made Me Do It," "Why Me?" and many others. I know you said recently in an interview that the album is going to be going in a different direction. Are you going to deviate from those types of messages in I Am the West, or will you bring the same style?

Ice Cube: Yeah, it's like I've never pigeonholed myself as an artist. I think you gotta let it flow. Do what you feel. Sometimes you feel like being preachy. Sometimes you feel like having fun. That's what hip-hop is, you know, not to pigeonhole yourself into, "I'm this style." People have been trying to put me in a style, and then was like, "Yo, you do this." And anything out of the box is, "Cube!? What you doing? You changing?! What's up?!" You know what I'm saying, that's how they come at me. So, with this record, it's the summer. It's California. It's a West Coast record. The people might appreciate that from other places. But if I hear a record from the south, I wanna sound like the south. If I hear an east coast record, I wanna sound like the east coast. I want to feel the concrete. So, when you hear a west coast record, do you want me to do what the east coast is doing, and what the south is doing? No. You want west coast right? So, that's what I'm doing.

But, there's records on there called -- you know there's a record on there you're going to dig -- it's called, "Hood Robbin'", which is talking about how you know everybody knows Robin Hood robs from the rich and gives to the poor. But, in "Hood Robbin", the corporations rob from the poor and give to the rich. You know what I mean? It's about how they beat us on this housing, on health care, pill popping. You got grand mamas drugged out. You got everybody dying off prescription drugs. You what I mean? It's like the whole gang and Klan is with it. So, you know, that's on there. "Man vs. Machine" is on there. That's talking about how we're so dependent on machinery, technology, and we can't even do simple things no more. You know, a lot of women can't cook because of the microwave. (Laughs) And then, if the microwave goes out, and the fast food restaurant ain't open, what you gon' do? You put flour, butter, sugar in front of somebody, and they're like "What the hell can I do? We can't eat this." (Laughs) But, you're grandma could have hooked it up. It's something that's happening to human beings where we're so dependent on trying to even live anywhere without any technology, and we probably couldn't survive. So that's dangerous. Pretty soon we're going to have auto plants, automation, machine, robots, doing everything humans do. You know, everything is going to be done by a robot. You go to the grocery store, they don't even have cashier no more. Everybody is checking their cell phones. You know, pretty soon, we won't need these humans. All we'll need is robots.

BallerStatus.com: Damn. You got this theory locked down.

Ice Cube: It's real. It's happening everyday. We're more and more hooked to these things. You know, if everybody could put one of them cell phones down, we could find a motherf***er nowadays. (Laughs)

BallerStatus.com: So let me ask you something. Could you easily live without a cell phone, iPod, etc?

Ice Cube: I mean, I got a cell phone for if I need to do business. But I'm just saying we're all dependent on it. You know, I'm not the kind of dude who's like, "Oh. I'm not going to wear the white man's product." (Laughs) You gotta have balance. I ain't gonna be so heavily dependent where I'm going to put my whole life into that phone, where I'm going to put my whole life in this thing. And if you can't survive, like if this thing [tape recorder] goes out, then you out? Nah you gotta write it down. You gotta keep writing it down.

BallerStatus.com: In the past, the west had rappers like you, Snoop, Pac, Dre holding the coast down, and today you have emerging stars like Nipsey, Jay Rock, and Game holding it down. Do you feel confident in these dudes holding down the coast like you guys did in the past?

Ice Cube: I feel confident. I feel as long as they rep where they're from, we'll always have representation. You know, it's the industry. It ain't the artists. The industry has basically abandoned the west. It's kind of like, "It's too west coast. That sh** sounds too west coast." What the hell does that mean? So, it's just a stigma. Most the industry is in New York. Most of the industry is in Atlanta. Some of it is in Miami. And, I'm talking about that run the industry. I'm talking about the Radio One, the Viacoms, and the Clear Channels. These are people that in a lot of ways run what's going to make it to the top. They don't think Nipsey Hustle is bumping 'cause they hear what's on the radio. Whoever is bumping out here, the whole country should be listening to that. You know, we don't get a shot. Ain't no major record companies out there no more that's really in the game. So if you're not on a major, ain't getting no awards, ain't on no awards show, you don't get none of that love. You only get love when you're on a major, or if you're a brand new artist and you have a breakthrough record. When you that kind of artist, there's no way going, but down.

BallerStatus.com: That's why you decided to go indie with this album right?

Ice Cube: Yeah. Go indie. Do what I want. Do what I feel. Don't try to follow no trends. Definitely don't listen to no suckas in those corporate buildings telling us how to make a record. Just be who we are.

BallerStatus.com: No Regis and Kelly.

Ice Cube: No, I mean it ain't Regis & Kelly. (Laughs) It's those A&R motherf***ers that sit up in these corporate buildings that say your records should sound like this. They'll be like "You need to do a record that's going to be hot. You need to do a record with whoever's hot. You need to record with Nicki Minaj." Yeah motherf***er, if I do a record with her, she's hot, so of course, it's going to be hot. Man, come up with something original. "Oh you need to do a record with T.I.. You need to do a record with whoever is the hot person."

BallerStatus.com: So, do you really feel there's a point to being in the music industry anymore if creativity is limited?

Ice Cube: Well it depends on what type of artist you are. Sometimes you gotta get in where you fit in. I'm talking from a different perspective. When I was coming up, I wish I had an A&R stuck in the studio with us. What? What is he going to tell me about the kind of music that I'm making? He wants me to sound like what he heard on the radio. So it's a different thing. I came in a different era. Some people gotta deal with that. You know what I mean? You should deal with that if it's the only way you could make a record. Sometimes you gotta do what you gotta do to get on. If there's someone with power, kick his ass out. So, you know, I ain't gonna tell people don't get into it because there's barely any people really doing it.

I Am The West drops July 13th. Head over to IceCube.com for more info.

http://www.ballerstatus.com/2010/06/07/catching-up-with-ice-cube-talks-state-of-music-industry-keeping-it-real-in-music/

New Music: CL - Don't Miss Me (Miss Me Freestyle) X The Night After Tracklisting

What's good yall. The Night After Mixtape is done. Everything is a go, and it'll drop on June 8th

Here's the tracklisting.

1. The Night After
2. I Want It All
3. Mr. Frosty Feat. JoeBe & Cally
4. How To Fly
5. Fly Away Feat. G$F
6. Living The Life
7. Just Say Hi
8. Suicide Skit
9. Hello World
10. Make It Alive
11. Stars
12. The Journalist
13 Elmont's Best Skit
14. Heating It Up
15. Bitter Industry
16. I'm Gone
17. The Rank

Here's a freestyle on Drake's Miss Me to hold yall over until Tuesday

Youngin!

Pics From The Ice Cube Interview

Blame Me

Blame Me...

Blame me for finding love in the wrong places

Gazing into those eyes, loving the wrong faces

Perceiving those gifts as thoughts of appreciation.

Claiming your fears were forms of hesitation.

Hesitating, because this love was written by the gods.

Unfazed by reality, gambling against the odds...

Maybe I pressured you, or maybe you were naive.

Naive to believe in the end you'll find me...

Waiting...

Arms opened, face radiant, smiling gleefully, because of your joyous return...

But instead...

You find no one...

House is vacant...

Number is changed...

Relationship status is fulfilled...

There's nothing you could do...

But blame me...

For providing you false will...

HipHopGame.Com - The Game Interview

HHG: I noticed you and Pharrell were recently shooting the video for “It’s Must Be Me”. How’s the video looking?

Game: Ah man that video is going to be a classic. Man we had so much fun shooting that video. We was in Compton, and I had Pharrell all on the block man. It was crazy man. For those niggas that haven’t been to Compton, one thing you need to know is that niggas don’t even get to go to Compton. That’s number 1. Two, you gotta get your hood passes and shit, you know what I’m saying? (Laughs) So we was on the block and shit. We had P {Pharrell} on the block. Then we took him to Crenshaw, and had him chilling with Nipsey {Hustle}. It was crazy man.

HHG: Pharrell was getting love in Compton?

Game: Yeah man. Compton, LA, South Central, we had it locked.

HHG: Oh ok. Now let’s get to your mixtape The Red Room which just dropped last week. What’s the overall reception you’ve been getting for the mixtape?

Game: Man that mixtape is killing the streets. I can’t even understand it man. We on right now man. You know it’s crazy because you know motherfuckers love to say some sideways shit about me man. But, I got no hate. No nothing this time around. On this album, everything I’m doing has been strategically done. I ain’t see no negative shit. I think the most negative might have been “this shit is too long, this 400 bars and shit”. But it’s good, it’s quality music. We shot a video for 400 bars the other day, and put that shit out. That shit got like 3 million hits on Worldstar. We locked and loaded man.

HHG: I gotta admit, you were pretty bold for hopping on Jay Electronica’s Exhibit C for 400 Bars after what he did to it. What was your thought process for not only writing the record, but jumping on that beat?

Game: Ah man. With going through that beat, we were just going through instrumentals, and we got to the Exhibit C beat. I was like it’s a lock. I always wanted to hop on that ever since I heard Jay {Electronica} on it. I called Jay, and I asked him if it was ok if I rock the 400 on it. He was like yeah he be honored. So I jumped on it.

HHG: As for the content, on Twitter, I know Jay Rock felt a certain way as far as a couple of your lines being directed towards him on 400 Bars. Were any shots directed at him on that record?

Game: Nah man. I don’t direct shots at no new cats. If I’m going at somebody, it’s going to be going at the top of the crop dog. BUT, anyway, if anyone feels a certain way about anything I do, then go ahead and drop something. Then, I’m gonna have to do what I have to do. But, anytime you decide to come at me, you gotta think about the livelihood of your career. You gotta think about ff you still love it, or if you still want it, because I’m going to do everything to detonate the bomb that’s going to end up terrorizing your whole rap career. So, that goes for every rapper in the world. Nigga you come at me, I’m coming, and it’s not going to be like a battle or war. Nigga I’m going to destroy nigga’s shit.

HHG: Just drop 500 bars?

Game: Man I might. Shit you never know fucking with me.

HHG: Besides the 400 Bars, another highlight on the tape was “Gangs of New York” featuring Jadakiss & Jim Jones. Being a West Coast rapper, how important is it for you to maintain that relationship with the East coast rappers, more importantly NY rappers in general?

Game: Man it’s because every time I come to New York, New York shows me so much love like I’m a New York nigga. So I appreciate them. And whenever Jada or Capo {Jim Jones} come out here, they already know it’s one love. Even from all the way back with the “Certified Gangstas” - when Jim came out here in the early days, before my album was even out – we were showing the nigga love. And when I went to New York, my nigga Billboard – rest in peace – Jim Jones picked us up from the airport, and the nigga took us all the way to Harlem. He had us on 145th buying leather coats and shit. Those are my niggas man. Kiss used to get me from the hotel and took me to Y.O. We hopped out the liquor store, and was sipping 40’s. So those my niggas man. So New York has always showed me love, and I always show New York love. Everybody knows where I’m from. I’m from Compton, representing Los Angeles. That’s what’s it’s going to be until I die. That’ll never change. But I’m gonna show everybody love. New York, Atlanta, down south, the Midwest. It don’t matter to me. I fucks with everybody.

HHG: Ok. Now as for the RED album, I know you’re dropping June 15th, same time as Drake. Do you think the media will try to conjure up a competition for sales like they did with the whole 50 & Kanye battle?

Game: Man they could do whatever they want, but I’m not going to participate in it because this time in my life I’m sort of phasing beef out. I’m just trying to have a good time, put my squad on, and let them do their thang and shit. I got a couple of new artists that I’m working with. I’m just worried more about the business side of things. I’m not really worried about trying to beef with somebody. But you know, if you pop the right shot, then nigga you know what it is man.

HHG: I know you got that Justin Timberlake track under your sleeve. How do you think people will respond to a track like that.

Game: Oh nah nigga we dropped that. They loving that shit man. I’ve been hearing the dope responses from that everywhere man. We gonna shoot the video for that in the end of May, and in Miami with Pharrell and JT on the boats and shit. That shit is going to be wild. I can’t wait to do that. I’m going to be Dapper Dan for that. I’m gonna have to leave my Bandana home that day man. (Laughs)

HHG: Come through in the tuxedo?

Game: Come through in the tux man, and keep it all the way gully. (Laughs)

HHG: Lets take a trip back to your last album. It was criticized by critics for having too many guest appearances. Do you ever feel maybe having too many appearances could actually serve as a negative since fans are looking to see what you personally could bring to the table?

Game: Man I don’t give a fuck about that man. I don’t give a fuck about the critics. Nigga I do records. I do 100’s of records for my album right? And at the end, I pick the 12-17 records that I think are most reminiscent of each other and gel the best. And if every one of them shits got somebody on it, then I don’t give a fuck about that. It’s a good song. And I don’t make albums or even music for the critics. Man I make music for Hip-Hop. I make music for Hip-Hop fans, and I make music for myself. I ain’t worried about what anybody is thinking. Man I came in with a Cadillac and two pit bulls nigga. Now I got Bentleys, and my pit bulls got houses the size of elementary bunkers, and nigga we good. So shit, I’m gonna do what I want to man. My fucking team is up. Everybody is rocking chains, and got cash in their pockets. Everybody is getting on, and got girls doing their thing man. Me, I’m just sitting back, and I’ve been did all that. I don’t wear jewelry no more. I’m just with my kids, my girl, my homies, and I’m just chilling man. Fuck the critics@gmail.com. (Laughs)

HHG: Now in terms of production, I know you and Dre have history, but recently you Pharrell have been going hard on your album. Who do you think have a stronger chemistry with overall?

Game: That’s a crazy question. Man, I don’t know. I probably say with Pharrell man because with Pharrell, you could kind of like get in there, and do you, while Pharrell is in there doing him, and that could bring us together. With Dre, it ain’t really a chemistry. With Dre, I know exactly what the fuck I gotta do. I gotta fucking go in there, bring my notepad, and learn something cuz’ Dre gon’ teach me. It ain’t about chemistry. It’s about sitting the fuck down, listening to what he say do, and you better listen to what he say do or else you’re gonna fall short.

HHG: Speaking of Dre, what’s up with Detox? Better yet that single?

Game: Man don’t ask me that question. I’m the wrong cat man. I don’t know nothing about Detox. (Laughs)

HHG: I know you’re lying man? (Laughs)

Game: Nah nah I don’t know man. When you holla at Dre, which is never man, (laughs), you could ask Dre man. I don’t even speak on Detox no more man. Until I hear a single on the radio man, then you could ask me all about it. I’ll tell you all about everything I know. But right now, I’m not selling nobody no dreams man. I don’t know when Detox is
coming, or if it’s ever coming. All I know is I’ve been in there, and I’ve heard some crazy shit.

HHG: You’re killing me man.

Game: Nah man. That ain’t my album man. My album comes out in a month and a half man. You good, I ain’t killing you. I’m about to give you something. (Laughs)

HHG: Matter fact, what track in particular do you think is going to blow everybody away? That one track that’s going to give everybody something to talk about.

Game: On my album?

HHG: Yeah.

Game: The Intro.

HHG: You went in?

Game: I went in. I went in so crazy on the intro that the label wanna shoot a video for it this week. So, we on man. When this album drop, we on. You, me, everybody, and the world. We on.

HHG: Switching gears, I know you have a tendency of working with 50’s enemies. What’s the possibility of you doing a record with Shyne since he’s out of jail?

Game: I was supposed to go out to Belize and really get it in with him, but it never really manifested because he over there, and he can’t come here. And I’ve been grinding with my team, and my album. So I wasn’t able to get it in. Shyne is like my brother from another mother man. So we’re going to definitely do a track when time permits.

HHG: A lot of fans have been real crucial of Shyne as far as his freestyles are concerned. If you were in Irv Gotti’s position, and played the manager role, what advice would you give to Shyne on his verge to a comeback?

Game: Man I’m not even going to judge the tracks cuz that’s my nigga. But shit, I would say just stay low until he perfects whatever the gameplan is, and bust out.

HHG: Understandable. I know you have a tendency of changing your feelings regarding 50 Cent & G-Unit. Like last week you said, 50 was cool, but Banks and Yayo were pussies. I gotta know, as of today, April 29th 2010, how do you feel about 50 Cent?

Game: Ah today, I ain’t really tripping off 50 man. Man whatever he doing man, I wish him the best. Tomorrow I might be like fuck him, and after that we might be cool. But that, that’s like even with my whole family and friends man. One day I might be fucking with my family, and the next day is different depending on life’s situation and whatever hurdles, and obstacles it brings. But, I’m just a real nigga. I just say how I feel. I don’t gotta like you every fucking day. You like everybody every fucking day?

HHG: Nah man.

Game: Hell nah. Some niggas might piss you off, and you change your opinion everyday. I was just in the fucking limelight in the media, so my shit looked like it was contradictory. But my opinion changes everyday. When we wake up and get dressed, how many times do you put on that sweater, take it off, throw on that hoodie, take that off, and throw on that tee, and be like “Ok. We can rock?” That’s how people are. We’re very opinionated, and opinions change man. That’s what it is man. I ain’t really tripping off 50 and them today. They should just stay out of my way. I’m like kryptonite for them.

HHG: Lets talk hypothetically. Let’s say Vince McMahon called you and said for Wrestlemania I want you to take on G-Unit in a six-man tag team match. Who are you going to have as your partners?

Game: You already know I’m coming with Raekwon and Beanie Sigel man. If it’s a WWE 6 man tag with G-Unit, me, Raekwon, and motherfucking Sigel nigga. We suplexing niggas for the top turnbuckle. That shit would be crazy. (Laughs)

HHG: Beans would be probably throwing dudes through tables. (Laughs)

Game: Oh nah man. Beans going to definitely be bouncing niggas off the turnbuckle. Me, I’m going go at 50, and put him in the headlock. And after that, I’m going make that nigga tap out. (Laughs)

HHG: Besides wrestling though, are you still going to take challenges for when Madden 11 drops?

Game: When Madden 11 drops, if anybody wants it in Madden 11, they can get destroyed man. Matter fact, you know what I wanna say while we’re doing this interview? Anybody that ever beat me on Madden online, that’s different circumstances. Like my record on this last year, was like 780-90, with like 45 drops. So for anybody that beat me online, don’t think you sweet nigga because if we get up close and personal, and on some real life shit, or I gotta do it for TV, I’ll beat the dog shit out of a nigga in Madden. So whoever claimed they beat me or whatever, I’m slashing.

HHG: Before I let you go, I remember listening to some tracks with you and Nas, and said to myself, these two have some great chemistry together. Would you consider doing an album with Nas before you call it quits?

Game: Nigga, I’m ready. Like Nas is my nigga. If he’s ready, then I’m ready. If we stayed in the studios for 7 days, didn’t go home, and it had like a shower, and a kitchen in that motherfucker, 7 days we would have an album. And that might see the light of day, because I talked to Nas about it before. I mean maybe. Maybe that will happen.

HHG: And if that does that happen, who do you want executive producing the album?

Game: Executive producing that album? DJ Premier.

HHG: Damn.

Game: You like that. Yeaaah! Let’s get that moving. (Laughs)

http://hiphopgame.ihiphop.com/index2.php3?page=game

Janelle Monae: Dance The Night Away

On March 4th, innocent minds of music executives, journalists, and entertainers were galvanized by the effervescent singer Janelle Monae’s debut album entitled The Arch Android. Loud shrills of excitement, and anticipation seeped through the cracks of the Rubin Museum of Art in downtown Manhattan, as P Diddy’s coveted artist delivered a slew of tracks from her long awaited debut.

The 25 year old crooner – known for her eclectic and artistic savvy - transformed the Rubin Museum of Art into her own personal playground for the night. Posters and postcards of the singer were scattered throughout the room, and even pictures of her were plastered on the doors of the main entrance.

“Wow. Atlantic {Records} definitely knows how to treat their artists. We haven’t even walked inside, and all I see is Janelle this, Janelle that. No hate. I’m just saying,” said rapper J.Whizz – real name Jason Miller.

After people walked in, and checked in their coats, many quickly gazed at the little bar which sat discretely at the corner in hopes of alleviating their stressful work day. “Janelle is already doing a great job. She must have been reading my mind, because I’ve been dying for a shot of vodka. And then to find out I don’t need to pay? Kudos to Janelle, I needed a shot of vodka, before we even got loose”, said Alton Rogers.

To make the situation even more interesting, a group of actors dressed in all black attire were ubiquitously swarming the room as their appearance rivaled characters from the movie Star Wars. From first glance, many people seemed a tad bemused by their presence, but as time progressed, the meaning behind their attendance would later be revealed.

As people continued to marvel at the actors and parlay during the cocktail hour, notable music executives began making their way into the building. Recording CEO of Recorded Music for Warner Music Group, Lyor Cohen –who has been influential in the signing and development of marquee artists like Bon Jovi, LL Cool J, Run D.M.C. and the Beastie Boys – was found side by side with Bad Boy Records Vice President Harvey Pierre, and Founder of the now defunct Uptown Records, Andre Harrell.

“Honestly, unless someone has a lot of hype, or a huge following, you most likely wouldn’t see these huge heavyweight executives at an album listening party, said Hip-Hop Journalist Juan Pierre. Janelle obviously has something that everybody is intrigued to see. If she wasn’t talented or had a significant buzz, none of these huge titans would even consider coming. That’s just the truth.”

Before Juan even had a chance to utter out his next word, his eyes steered towards the stairs. Walking up the stairs was the gracious Janelle Monae, laced in an all black tuxedo. An ordinary person wouldn’t be able to tell Janelle had superstar credentials, because her aura was simply enough to refute such thoughts. Light hearted, and full of fervor, Monae embraced the celebration as if she was a 16 year old surrounded by her longtime friends and family. As she walked onto the stage, she hugged everyone who accompanied her, and grabbed the microphone as if she was ready to perform. “First off, I wanna thank everyone for making it tonight. This truly means a lot to me. Thanks to my label, Atlantic Records, and Diddy for allowing me to have his chance, and providing me such a platform.”

Claps and shouts paraded the air as Janelle waved humbly. After she was flooded with a round of applause, she then instructed, “Now, I want dancing. Get up, and act a fool”. Before everyone was able to begin practicing their new dance moves Sean “P.Diddy” Combs abruptly popped on the screen. All eyes were glued towards the screen as Diddy sincerely apologized for his absence, and explained how he was in Paris handling business. As for Monae’s talent, Combs had this to say: "Janelle is my most artistic signing yet. She's not afraid to dream. I'm known for my hype, but her music speaks for itself." And as promised, Monae delivered. For 45 minutes people were up dancing, and having fun without even worrying about having to go to work the following morning.

Track after track exhibited Monae’s innate ability to pen a song. Not only did her seamless songwriting abilities catch the attention of the audience, but her selection of beats, and instruments served as a pleasant side dish to Monae’s quest in crafting a masterpiece.

Even rapper J. Whizz was blown away. “This is what I call music. We haven’t had someone who could blend sounds from different eras, and still make the music enjoyable. That’s what so impressive. She definitely has star potential no doubt. I’m buying the album May 18th. I recommend you do the same. I mean, if you endorse real music of course.

Christopher Boyce: The Passion

Christopher Boyce: The Passion

“Wow. This weather is nasty. Do you see the snow? This is ridiculous,” said a disgruntled Christopher Boyce.

As he steers his head towards the window, and watches the snow blanket his home away from home - Queens College - Boyce, slyly erases his vexed attitude, and quickly smiles.

“You know, back in Jamaica, we never had to worry about whether it would snow or not. We never were concerned about snow days. We were more concerned about where the party was at,” said the vivacious 21 year-old. With a personality as exuberant and bubbly as a fresh bottle of Moscato, Boyce’s attitude always gleams, even through rainy days – or in this case, snowy.

Born in Jamaica, on January 5th 1989, Christopher Boyce, the youngest of four children, was always full of life and energy. “When I was younger, I was always running around as if I had an unlimited battery. I was like the energizer bunny. I kept going, and going…. you get the picture.”(Laughing)

Though Boyce dubbed himself the energizer bunny, one side that always went unnoticed, was his level of maturity. “I never was the type to follow suite. I was too hard headed. When I say that, I mean, I never followed trends. I was a leader. If someone forced me to do something, I went the opposite way.”

Even when he made his transition to the states, Chris remained steadfast on his beliefs. Early on though, his character would be tested. When he was in 3rd grade, he and a fellow classmate exchanged verbal jabs, which unfortunately escalated into a skirmish. “This dude thought he was slick because he was making fun of my mom being on field trips. So with me being me, I just said, ‘Hey, at least my mom is around to be on trips.’ That obviously pinched a nerve. That was real immature of me. I look back and regret it. I wish I could apologize to him even though it was years ago.”

After the fight, Chris’ mother began to worry about her son’s aggression. Rather than restrain his physicality, she felt it would be beneficial if he was able to exude his physical side in a more positive way. “I always had a passion for soccer. I mean, I still do of course, but, if you’re asking me to compare my passion for the game from then to now, I’d have to say I was in deep love straight from the beginning. Love at first sight.” Chris began excelling quickly with his rapid footwork, and dazzling agility which left his opponents baffled. When Chris attended Nazaerth Regional, he catapulted into stardom among his peers. “I really felt like a star. My friends and even my opponents showed me respect and admiration as if I was a star athlete. I felt like Rolandinho (star Brazilian soccer player), without the money.

And though Chris was playing at a tremendous level, once he entered Queens College, he recognized he would have to sacrifice his love, for his education. “When I came in freshman year, I was already working, and slowly adjusting to the whole college thing. Honestly, I couldn’t function properly. I knew had to make a decision that I wasn’t ready to make. I cried over and over. Inside my heart, I knew I was letting go of something that not only provided me with a sense of endearment, but more importantly, happiness. It felt just like the movies, all good things had to come to an end.

Though the sacrifice was a bitter pill to shallow, Chris was able to find happiness elsewhere. “I’ve always loved learning. I mean, just being able to gain knowledge, and understanding through different things is empowering. It’s exhilarating. That’s why the trade-off for soccer wasn’t as excruciating.”

As Chris leans back in his chair, he reaches for his portable Play station console discretely in hopes of not being caught by his Professor. “Yo man. You see this dude Rolandinho? His footwork is vicious. Just give me some time, and when this school thing is done and over with, I’ll be hopping on the first plane to Brazil. I don’t care how old this man is. He and I are going at it head to head. I will be victorious. You’ll see.”

I’m sure he wouldn’t want it any other way Chris. I’m sure he wouldn’t.

Pics: Black History Month RoundTable Discussion

Special Thanks To Assemblyman Tom Alfano, Assemblyman Carl Heastie, Professor Nkenge Gilliam, and White House Credentialed Reporter Carla Cohen For Allowing Me To Participate In Such Prestigious Event.

Journalists Vs. Bloggers: One Click Away

There was a day when a journalist’s elusiveness with the pen, and cogent wordplay was just enough to sway the reader into sparing 50 cents for their respective paper. There was a day when a journalist garnered the respect of many because of their tenacious pursuit in attacking each article as if it was their last. There was a day when a journalist never thought he or she would have to give up their jobs because technology would oust their company out of relevancy, and off into the wind. No, nobody thought that, but, in reality, all good things must come to an end. Print Journalism has played a significant role in history. From editorial writers fuming in regards to the Vietnam War, to the remarkable coverage of Watergate by the Washington Post, to even the Times’ deliverance after the catastrophe dubbed as 9/11, our trusted print papers were there. But I, firmly believe, it’s time to close the book on print, and allow the authors of the technological era to take center stage, and begin on their quest to engage in a new legacy.

Newspapers have already lost substantial consumers, and readers because of the launch of various news outlets who have soared online. According to Eric Alterman’s “Out Of Print”, “trends in circulation and advertising” and also the “rise of the Internet” have made newspapers look “slow and unresponsive”. Society, or at least the younger generation are attracted to things that can that they can have access to in a short matter of time. Rather than run outside, and grab a newspaper – which they would have to pay for – they can look online, and search CNN.Com, or ESPN.Com for the latest news. It’s no coincidence that the “average age of the American newspaper reader is fifty-five, and rising.” (Out of Print) The elderly are technologically inept, and are traditionally sounded, meaning, they are accustomed to walking to their local convenient stores outside, and purchasing the daily paper, because they were raised on that. The numbers continue to favor the rise of the internet because only “19 percent of Americas between the ages of 18-34 claim even to look at a daily newspaper ”. (Out of Print)Society is losing touch with their sense of tradition. The Sunday mornings of waiting for the local newspaper boy to deliver their paper lacks any value, because of the entrance of the Internet. Convenience is overriding tradition. In October 2009, The Washington Post had an article titled, “The Accelerating Decline in Newspapers”, and stated that “papers across the country lost 10.6 percent of their paying readers from April through September. In addition, in 1940, 41.1 million Americans bought a daily newspaper”, this is according to the Newspaper Association of America. People took pride in reading their newspapers, and engaging in fruitful conversations about the days’ topic at hand. Now, the numbers have declined and are sitting at 30.4 million as of October. With the readers running out the doors, and betraying the once heavily relied on newspapers, so are advertisers. Newspapers were cash cows in the past because they were able to depend on advertisers, but now, since they are pulling out, stocks have been declining, resulting in them being sold. Prominent newspapers such as the Los Angeles Times and The Wall Street Journal have fell victim to those ordeals, and were forced to sell off their “the majority of their holdings.” (Out of Print) Even the NY Times, a paper that has been around since the 1890’s – providing readers highly detailed reports and articles – have witnessed its “stock decline by fifty-four percent since the end of 2004.” (Out of Print). Papers like The Times, The Washington Post, and The Wall Street Journal, are clinging by a thread because of their names, and credibility. What’s interesting is that Times.Com even wrote an article predicting other credible newspapers that may fall into obscurity because of the two-headed monster named the recession and the Internet. They predicted newspapers such as the Boston Globe, The Philadelphia Daily News, The Minnesota Tribune Star, The Miami Herald, and The New York Daily News to either go cyber, or collapse.

Another reason why the demise of print is coming at such an alarming rate is because of the significant rise of bloggers. According to Webster’s Dictionary, “blogging” is simply writing entries. Somewhere along the line, blogging has become a huge phenomenon, and has exploded in the industry. In “Bloggers Vs. Journalists is Over”, NY Times writer Jim Schwartz candidly admitted how difficult the blogs were to beat. “For vivid reporting from the enormous zone of tsunami disaster, it was hard to beat the blogs.” The arduous task of competing against the blogs has been beyond tedious. With journalists going out of their way to do the excruciating dirty work of reporting and writing, blogs are hammering down papers by simply snatching reports that have been carefully collected, and placing them on their own sites for their viewers amusement. As Jay Rosen illustrated within his piece “Bloggers Vs Journalists is Over”, celebrities, and high profiled people no longer need the access of reporters to warrant public attention. With the access of the weblog, people such as Dallas Mavericks Owner Mark Cuban, Musician Kanye West, Golfer Tiger Woods, have taken up on the responsibility of reporting their lives through their own blogs. They figured, who better than themselves , should take the responsibility in enlightening people with their daily routine. Mark Cuban has singlehandedly destroyed several jobs of beat writers because Cuban “hardly deals with them anymore.”(B VS J) Accessibility and convenience should be the trademark behind the Internet, because of the stability it provides for its readers, and users. The beauty about blogs is that everybody has the chance to be a journalist of their own. Each person has the ability to voice their own opinion through an editorial on their respective blogs. Each person has the ability to post news that reporters were savagely trying to get done after transcribing, and writing up, to just simply reword, and place on their sites. Jon Lowder said it best: “The paper doesn’t have a voice.” The monotonous fact crunching and statistics are no longer appealing for today’s readers. Blogs are allowing people to open never before seen access to the lives of people – things the paper didn’t want the public to see. Why rely on things like the New York Times to have a journalist paint me a visual of the Woods accident, when I could go on his website, and get the artist himself to reenact that incident through his own eyes? Why flip through People’s magazine to hear the latest on Brad & Angelina, when people could just be one click away on TMZ for their celebrity gossip fix?

The craft of journalists will never be duplicated. That’s understood. But, as far as newspapers are concerned, it’s time to retire print, and embrace the new school. Allow bloggers, and the Internet to take heed, venture on, and establish a legacy of their own - just like print did. Print Journalism is equivalent to Elvis, The Beatles, & Michael Jackson – timeless material, incredible history, unforgettable moments that were Kodak worthy – but inevitably – a thing of the past.

Let's Grow: Editorial Piece

Let’s Grow


What I want to emphasize is the essence of growing, and developing substance. I remember, just recently, I was walking to the market on Village, and I saw a couple of kids engaging in some physical activities. Of course, the kid in me wanted to entertain this premature royal rumble as the on-going fiasco was taking place, but, the mature side felt the need to intervene. When I attempted to step in, to my surprise, kids were actually trying to push me away, because they were so determined in witnessing the outcome of this melee. At that moment, I asked myself, “Has the children of Elmont succumbed to the sheer thrill of violence, and ignorance, because it fuels excitement, and amusement?”

What befuddles me, is the fact that the children of Elmont are sometimes under the impression that we’re living in an impoverished area like East New York – where drugs and violence are prevalent. As a college student who attended Howard University in Washington DC – the on and off again murder capital, where dead bodies are ubiquitously found on every street corner – I came to realize that the infamous Bill Withers “Ain’t No Sunshine” wasn’t just a song that these people enjoyed listening to religiously, but was a harsh reality that they’ve come to accept. I always wondered why these people spewed such venom, and malice towards the newly arrived college students. One may grimly argue that jealously is a huge contributor. Well, if people are living desolate – destitute of prosperity outside of Pennsylvania Avenue, can you blame them? Can you blame people for being upset at the fact that everyday they’re undergoing a constant battle within themselves, debating whether they’ll make it home alive? Those two years of my life, opened my eyes up, and made me realize how good I have it. People living in poverty stricken areas don’t, unfortunately, have the resources we in Elmont are lucky to have. Our parents’ 9-5 is different from those living in areas like Watts, Detroit, Newark, etc. While they’re off to work, whether it is in an office, or a bank, the people far worse, are working as well, but in the streets. What we as society deem as taboo is what people enduring those tortuous conditions consider living. So why jeopardize your future over a skirmish involving sneakers, or things that hold little to no value. Why feel the need to posses a thuggish persona when indeed you’re living in a $ 500,000 dollar home, with a dog named skip canoodling his doggie treat, while you’re parents are contemplating whether Curacao or St Thomas would be a suitable vacationing spot?

Look around you people. We have it good. We may not be the richest out of the bunch, but we’re surely doing alright. We need to appreciate every morsel of life, because we’ve been positioned in such a righteous area, where violence isn’t rampant, where life doesn’t appear austere, or colorless, but more importantly, where sunshine is always beaming through our windows.

Something More

How could you relate to a chick that communicates at a non human rate?

Instead of replying, she dances around the question,

Prances around suggestions,

Chances of her advancing, gives you a glance at your connection?

Uhhhh, I mean, she’s gorgeous on the outside

But when the winter comes, you need a fortress to last the outcries.

Answers that leave your mouth wide,

Smitten and amazed…

Words simply engraved in your mind…

“Repeat that word. Better yet, repeat that line,” substitutes for your sly smile.

Stimulate me with your immense vocab, so we could both laugh, at slow cats competing

Because this evening, I’m leaning for something more…