Monday, October 31, 2011

Likwuid | Likwuidation Reprise


Halloween is the time to address your biggest fears and play with them. On today the sensational rap phenomenon Likwuid released her brand new video for her song “Likwuidation Reprise” which explores here being tortured and beaten by a cult who is attempting to brain wash her and her talents… The video is taking you through the story in reverse order and allows the audience to see the torture process. My production company Off The Clock Productions was on hand providing the Make-up and Styling for the project. This video is definitely right on time to offer you an entertaining Halloween experience and it is one of the hottest videos you will ever see.

LiKWUiD (Stylez) is the stage name of American musician Faybeo’n LaShanna A. Mickens who was born in Columbia, SC and developed into an independent hip hop standout performing artist and freestyler in New York, NY. In 2011, Mickens released the “No Regrets EP” (Sano Business) produced by Italy’s Bassi Maestro, after releasing 3 independent projects Likwuidation: The 5th Element (2003), Southern Belle (2006), and Gummy Bears & Champagne (2010), respectively. The “No Regrets EP” has been described by Rap Reviews as a project that “pulls the listener in from the beginning and never lets go, making for a surprisingly deep release chock full of intelligent, thought-provoking lyrics that deal with everything from putting whack rappers in their place to empowering women in hip-hop and in other facets of life.”





Behind the Scenes of Likwuidation Reprise

Tuesday, October 25, 2011

Inspired In New York Honors LEN BURNETT & DOUG E. FRESH


Inspired In New York Honors

LEN BURNETT & DOUG E. FRESH

Hosted by: CHERYL WILLS (NY 1 News Anchor)

Event Date: November 15, 2011 in NYC

LEN BURNETT, Co-CEO & Group Publisher of Uptown Media Group & Vibe Lifestyle Network and American rapper, record producer, and beat box legend DOUG E. FRESH are being honored by INSPIRED IN NEW YORK on November 15, 2011 at Tian at the Riverbank in Harlem, NY. Attendance is by INVITE ONLY.

Len Burnett & Doug E. Fresh were both chosen to be honored by The Honorable Senator Bill Perkins due to their many years as innovators and trendsetters in the Music and Publishing Industries. Both honorees will receive a proclamation from New York for their contributions in the fields of media, arts and entertainment.

The crème de la crème of the entertainment industry will be in attendance to support and honor these trendsetters and innovators on their very special day. Special gifts and door prizes courtesy of Seven Brown, Owner of Harlem Skin Clinic www.harlemskinclinic.com and the Power of One Harlem Rewards Card for $1.00 you will be connected & save with the small businesses of Harlem.

For press inquiries and further information contact: camille@cmegrp.com.

RSVP: rsvp@cmegrp.com

A verb makes a statement. Yeah, a verb tells it like it is!



I get my thing in action (Verb!)
To be, to see, to feel, to live (Verb!)
(That's what's happenin')

I put my heart in action (Verb!)
To run, to go, to get, to give (Verb!)
(You're what's happenin')

That's where I find satisfaction, yeah! (Yeah!)
To search, to find, to have, to hold
(Verb! To be bold)
When I use my imagination (Verb!)
I think, I plot, I plan, I dream
Turning in towards creation (Verb!)
I make, I write, I dance, I sing
When I'm feeling really active (Verb!)
I run, I ride, I swim, I fly!
Other times when life is easy
(Oh!) I rest, I sleep, I sit, I lie.

(Verb! That's what's happenin')
I can take a noun and bend it,
Give me a noun -
(Bat, boat, rake, and plow)
Make it a verb and really send it!
(Show me how)
Oh, I don't know my own power. (Verb!)

I get my thing in action (Verb!)
In being, (Verb!) In doing, (Verb!)
In saying

A verb expresses action, being, or state of being.
A verb makes a statement. Yeah, a verb tells it like it is!

(Verb! That's what's happenin'.)
I can tell you when it's happenin',
(Past, present, future tense)
Ooh! Tell you more about what's happenin',
(Say it so it makes some sense)
I can tell you who is happenin'!
(Verb, you're so intense)
Every sentence has a subject.
(Noun, person, place, or thing)
Find that subject: Where's the action?
(Verb can make a subject sing)
Take the subject: What is it? (What!)
What's done to it? (What!)
What does it say?
(Verb, you're what's happenin')

I can question like: What is it?
(Verb, you're so demanding.)
I can order like: Go get it!
(Verb, you're so commanding.)
When I hit I need an object
(Verb, hit! Hit the ball!)
When I see, I see the object
(Do you see that furthest wall?)

If you can see it there, put the ball over the fence, man!

Go ahead. Yeah, alright.

What?! He hit it. It's going, it's going, it's gone!
(What!)

I get my thing in action.
(Verb, that's what's happenin')

To work, (Verb!)
To play, (Verb!)
To live, (Verb!)
To love... (Verb!...)

Sunday, October 23, 2011

VIDEO: Baltimore Ravens' Brendon Ayanbadejo for Marriage Equality

By

A video featuring Baltimore Ravens linebacker Brendon Ayanbadejo made its debut Friday, becoming the second in a Web campaign that seeks to build support for same-sex marriage legislation in Maryland.

“I support marriage for gay and lesbian couples who want to make a lifetime commitment to each other,” Ayanbadejo says in the video sponsored by Marylanders for Marriage Equality. “It’s the right thing to do.”

Gov. Martin O’Malley (D), who has pledged to sponsor the bill in the coming session, appeared in the campaign’s first video earlier this month. Organizers have vowed to produce a stream of videos until the bill is considered early next year. The videos are expected to include other athletes as well as clergy, law enforcement officers and other well-known politicians.


The Web campaign is loosely patterned after an effort in New York in advance of that state’s embrace of a same-sex marriage bill this year.

A same-sex marriage bill passed the Senate in the last legislative session but fell short in the House of Delegates. Advocates on both sides are gearing up for another intense round of lobbying.

Ayanbadejo spoke out in favor of the bill during last session as well, appearing in a video that was not as well-publicized.

“We are honored to have a three-time Pro-Bowler and a hometown hero join us in this historic campaign,” said Lisa Polyak of Equality Maryland, a member of the broader coalition pushing for the bill. “Brendon knows what it means to be a leader, both on and off the field.”

Saturday, October 22, 2011

Is The Person You Hate Actually The Person You Like?


It's quite an unusual realization. You might think at first glance that this doesn't happen in real life. Then once you pay close attention you realize that this unusual part of life that actually happens.

Do you remember that person you couldn't stand in the beginning. I'm talking about that person that did his/her best to get under your skin. Even if you are a calm person, there is just something about that person that rubs you the wrong way.

In the beginning, there is a incredibly rough pack between you two. There are words being exchanged and possibly fists. The second that person walks in the room, you are getting this terrible sensation in my stomach. Everyone met someone like that whether they like it or not. Then as the months or possibly years go by, you begin to develop these feelings you never had towards this person. You are looking at this person in a different way. Suddenly, you realize that you actually like this person. The crazy part is that the other person feels the same way.

It's quite an unusual thing, but this happens in everyday life.

Back in high school, I remember this one boy that I couldn't stand to be around. His way of playing around with me was rubbing me the wrong way. I couldn't stand looking at him. I am a calm person, but I would always explode in front of him. This man is still to this day the only person that I have ever cussed that much in front of a person. The other person is my mother.

Once graduation was over and I finally met him again at a rock concert, I couldn't help but to develop these unusual feelings I had towards this person. I instantly knew what it was, but I couldn't believe it was towards one of the people that made my life a living hell. I happened to have a crush on this man, which really frightened me.

After that confession, I began to think about life. If that the people that we despise the most are actually the people that are going to be a part of our lives for quite a long time? I know that your best friend and everything is part of the picture, but what about the ones that came into your life unexpectedly?

WATCH: Video - The Talk Party Series: Gay in Ghana


Each month, ACCRA [dot] ALT hosts The Talk Party Series, a monthly film and discussion series in Ghana where the dopest artists and creatives meet over good cinema, talk, food and music.

Over the past few months, President Mills, preachers, and Parliamentarians have made vigorous speeches about homosexuality being ungodly and un-African. In contest to these public statements, September's Talk Party explored life in Accra for young gay men.


These men (from the Coalition Against Homophobia in Ghana) spoke proudly of their sexuality and answered questions from our curious crowd about the challenges of being gay in Ghana.

Produced by REDD Kat Pictures

Camera: Abass Ismael
Edit: SelormJay



Friday, October 21, 2011

"I'm Not Alone @ the Table" - a benefit


presents:

"I'm Not Alone @ the Table" - a benefit

Saturday, November 19th, 2011 - 7:00pm-11:00pm

Doors open at 7:00pm. Program begins at 7:30pm.


Hosted at:

Brooklyn Society for Ethical Culture

53 Prospect Park West

Brooklyn, NY 11215


This benefit seeks to raise funds for the completion of a documenatry, “You Are Not Alone”, in which Black gay men, through their stories, are breaking an inherent taboo of silence in the Black community and speaking out about their struggles with depression: the circumstances which led to their downward spiral, how they lived with it, and more significantly, how they overcame and survived it.


Through Black gay men sharing their stories, they are intent on encoraging other Black gay men who find themselves stuck in a racial, discriminatory and homophobic rut or loop, and who feel powerless and hopeless, that there is hope, that they are not isolated in their experiences, that it is shared by many, and that they could rise above and achieve their full potential.


The benefit will feature food & coffee tastings, a wine bar and cocktails created exclusively by El Dorado Rum, and " beer lovingly provided by Brooklyn Brewery".


Nationally renowned comedienne Tammy Peay hosts/MCs a program of performances by Roderick Young, Diamond Saunders, and Chris Udemezue; with music provided by NYC's best DJs Fred Pierce and Cameron Fitzpartick, spinning from their laptops.


Another feature is a Silent Auction of items from various businesses and individuals including: Charly Dominguez, Lawrence Graham-Brown, Jon Lucas, Kate Clinton, and many others. The auction is led by Kaz Mitchell, Circle of Voices, Inc. If you are interested in donating items for the auction, please reach out to Kaz Mitchell @ kaz@circleofvoices.org


Tickets are $45 per guest or $80 per couple and will include two (2) drinks, if purchased before November 1st.

(TICKETS PURCHASES AVAILABLE ONLINE ONLY)

Thursday, October 20, 2011

Wear Purple on October 20 for Spirit Day #SpiritDay


Millions of Americans wear purple on Spirit Day as a sign of support for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) youth and to speak out against bullying. Spirit Day was started in 2010 by teenager Brittany McMillan as a response to the young people who had taken their own lives. Observed annually on October 20, individuals, schools, organizations, corporations, media professionals and celebrities wear purple, which symbolizes spirit on the rainbow flag. Getting involved is easy -- participants are asked to simply "go purple" on October 20 as we work to create a world in which LGBT teens are celebrated and accepted for who they are.

Wednesday, October 19, 2011

Arts.Advocacy+Wellness: "Information is Powerful"



GROWING KNOWLEDGE

Just a quick post today. Take 2 minutes and watch this video. Information is powerful as Knowledge is powerful. As Americans we have the resources to access whatever we need in the world today through the internet. It is up to us to take initiative and action. If one man can help an entire village in Africa, just think what every(wo)man can do to revive her or his household, family, neighborhood, community.

Thank you Zack Matere for this video:






A.A+W
with Cornelius Jones Jr.
Tune in next Wednesday for more
Arts.Advocacy+Wellness with Cornelius Jones Jr.
Stay connected with me:
FaceBook: Cornelius Jones Jr.
Twitter: CorneliusJonesJ
FaceBook Fan Page: FlagBoy Official Fan Page of the Actor

Tuesday, October 18, 2011

Hueman Bookstore presents Page to Stage

Thu, Nov 17 at 8 pm
Fri, Nov 18 at 8 pm
Peter Jay Sharp Theatre
$50.00

Join Harlem's Hue-Man Bookstore and Touch One Events for a unique book event. Page to Stage is a multimedia evening, with readings, music, dance, video and conversation. This Broadway-like experience features bestselling authors: comedian Paul Mooney, Young and the Restless star Victoria Rowell, NY1's anchor Cheryl Wills, political commentator Keli Goff, Cheetah Girl creator Deborah Gregory, America's first African-American female combat pilot Vernice "FlyGirl" Armour, and special guest Melvin Van Peebles whose work will literally come to life on stage. The end result is a theatrical and thought-provoking show that touches on a variety of topics such as religion, wealth, sex, mentorship and family. The hour long dramatization will be directed by Ozzie Jones, who has directed for Ntozake Shange. Following the stage performance will be a round table discussion with the authors & celebrities which will fully engage the audience. The moderator of this discussion is Lisa Cortes who was executive producer on the award-winning film Precious.

Page to Stage will benefit the Melvin Van Peebles Foundation to promote literacy. The event is sponsored in part by by Iman Cosmetics, Symphony Space, A-Loft, Carib News and Alphabet Kids.

Please Click Here or on the Picture to Purchase Tickets to Page to Stage Nov 17th & 18th

Jill Scott, 'Hidden Beach Presents: The Original Jill Scott From the Vault Vol. 1'



When Jill Scott emerged on the scene in 2000 with Who Is Jill Scott? Words + Sounds, Vol. 1, a heavy sigh swept across the country. It was the collective exhaling of thousands of women who'd found a kindred spirit; a home girl who understood the depths of their passion, pain, self-determination and other life challenges, housed within a refreshing sanctuary of R&B/soul, hip-hop, gospel and jazz. Scott still has the touch: The Light of the Sun, her first album for Blues Babe/Warner Bros., debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 in June. But fans are in for an added treat with this collection from her former label. Comprising new tracks, alternate versions and bonus material recorded during her tenure with the label, the project (available in standard and deluxe editions) transcends the thrown-together, unfinished feeling frequently associated with from-the-vault projects. Hand-picked by Scott and Hidden Beach, standouts include the moving "Wake Up Baby," the empowering "I'm Prettier" and Scott's revamp of the Bill Withers classic "Lovely Day." The raw emotion and range of Scott's voice and her remarkable gift for wordplay are consistent throughout. It's the evolution of a career artist in the making.

Monday, October 17, 2011

Leave Beyonce's Baby Bump Alone

Beyonce has been accused of faking her pregnancy by wearing a padded baby bump. The pregnant singer appeared on Channel Seven's Sunday Oct. 9, and revealed to Molly Meldrum that she is due in February. As the interview begin she may have revealed even more than she thought -- a series of screengrabs show her stomach apparently folding in on itself!

It appears that her stomach was shrinking in side and folding over as she sat down.
This isn't the first time she has been accused of wearing a fake baby bump. According to some websites, she padded her stomach at the MTV VMAs to make her bump look bigger. And she has also been accused of hiring a surrogate to carry her baby. Below check out my mini monlogue entitled "Leave Beyonce's Baby Bump Alone." Regardless of whether she is pregnant or not its nothing wrong with having a good laugh; although I am positive she will be having a new born this coming February that she will actually push out (Sorry So Graphic).




Check out what Wendy had to say...

Saturday, October 15, 2011

Why Are So Many Young Gay Men Lost?

I thought I was going to avoid talking about something like this, but a recent incident just convinced me to do it.

One night, I was in the middle of the city, getting ready to walk inside this building, which held this event that I had to attend. All of a sudden, I ran into this old friend of mine outside of the building. He just happened to be strolling down the street.

I went up to see how he was doing. Without a simple greeting, he asked me if I knew this person he is dating. I told him I did. The guy is my ex-boyfriend, who I have not seen in over three years. I was instantly shocked on how he knew my ex. I have not seen him or spoke about him for that long. It wasn't a good relationship. It was a terrible on-off relationship that lasted for two years. The best thing I did was remove him from my life.

He revealed to me that my ex is his current boyfriend. My guard was already up. This boy is fifteen years old and my ex is twenty-five. They've been dating for three days and he said he's in love with him. When I asked him how much, he said they have been thinking about having bareback sex from now on.

I stopped talking to him, gave the security guard my pass, and entered the event. I was halfway focused on the entire event. I couldn't stop thinking about the conversation I had with that boy. It brought up a wide range of topics surrounding the gay community. I remember people calling me one of the lucky ones.  Now that I think about it, they're kind of right.

It's not a big secret. The gay community is still a work in progress. Even though we are fighting for our rights, we have to fix ourselves as well. These young gay men are so lost in this world due to the nonacceptance of family and friends, they go after numerous older men, hoping that they would found love. Little do they know they're expectations is going to bite them in the butt.

They're sexual actions are overshadowing their image as well. Admittingly, men loves sex. We talk about it and act it out all the time. So when it comes to two men dating, of course it's twice as crazy. However, there are some gay men who's sexual actions are overshadowing them as a person due to the fact that they think sex can solve everything. Little do they know that it can break a few things in the process.

The rise of HIV/AIDS is still at a high rate. It's almost as if it's been ignored. Everyone knows what will happen if you have unprotected sex. But it's almost like people don't care. They're afraid that if they don't have bareback sex, they'll lose they're lover. Eventually, they're going to have to realize that they're health is more important than they're lover.

Not only that, but it's also the terrible decline in education. I know that the gay community isn't the only place where this is occurring, but you see that a bunch. It's hard to have a normal conversation when you hear a cuss word coming out in every sentence. It becomes very uncomfortable and rubs you the wrong way.

These are just a few examples of what I see happening. I believe that if we want to make a change, we should start with the young audience. After all, our future is going to be in their hands soon. Even though we are still fighting for our rights, the one thing we should do is fix the problems that is going on in our community.

Thursday, October 13, 2011

Interview w/ R&B Singer/Songwriter Avant

By J9 of J9's MusicLife



October 7, 2011 - The Park at Fourteenth - Washington, DC


Avant (real name Myron Avant) is best known for his chart topping hits like Separated, Making Good Love, Read Your Mind, as well as his beautiful ballad duets My First Love and Nothing in This World with R&B singer KeKe Wyatt.  It's hard to believe that this Cleveland, OH native has been in the game for 10 years.  In December, he released his sixth album The Letter, which holds the same smooth R&B vibe he is known for and contains many songs he co-wrote and co-produced.  I sat down with Avant to talk about his career, music, of course the new album, and discover his MusicLife.

One-on-one w/ Avant


MusicLife:  You're about to give DC a live performance to show them what you're all about.  Now I know for me, a live performance is the epitome of getting to know the artist and their style.  If you can name an artist or group that you've seen in concert, who puts on the best live performance?

Avant:  There's a lot.  I respect the ol' skool so an O'Jays concert, The Isley Brothers, my man Charlie Wilson, New Edition, R. Kelly.  There's a lot people that love music and it's about loving music to me.  Some people get up there just to get paid, but some people really love the music and that's what I'm into.


MusicLife:  You've done amazing duets and everybody knows you for the ones you've done with KeKe Wyatt with Nothing in This World and My First Love.  If you could name another artist that you would do a memorable duet with, who would it be?

Avant:  It used to be my man Michael Jackson.  I've been blessed to work with a lot of different artists.  If you got that true flavor and are about the music, it's about the voice so you have to have an amazing voice to pull off a true duet.  So, it would be Beyonce.  You know what, but I would say Kelly [Rowland] cause I did a song with her too so I'd do another one with Kelly.


MusicLife:  You know the sound of music is always evolving.  And you see sometimes artists that can't keep up with the times and they fall off.  Then you have some artists who feel they need to change their sound completely and be totally different.  In your musical career, have you ever struggled with that?

Avant: Nah, once you get a true fan base like me, I've been blessed to have over 12 hit records so for me to switch up and go all the way left, I would lose all of my fan base.  Now, if you're an artist that has been in the game and hasn't established a true base, then I understand you trying to figure things out.  But once you get a true base, you really gotta give 'em what they want.  You can do a few different things but you gotta basically stay with the base.


MusicLife:  At the end of last year, you released your sixth album, The Letter.  And you said that was like a testimony, a letter to your fans to tell them what you've been going through.  If you could tell your fans what you would want them to get out of the album, what would it be?

Avant:  It would be to just have fun. Know that your life is in part of this album.  I know the people that listen to my music.  That's why I try to really strategically sit back and plan the album.  I wanted to deal with the issues that my people go through.  So if you listen to it, just know that I wrote it directly for you.  I have a song called Wake Up on the album and if you've been in a relationship, you know exactly what that song means.  So that's what I try to do, I try to feed into what the fans really want to hear. 




To read the rest of the post, click here.

Wednesday, October 12, 2011

Arts.Advocacy+Wellness: "OUT Artist Lester Greene - Regular Person"




GAY HIP HOP ARTIST
Lester Greene
Regular Person

Wanting to strip himself naked, wanting people to see "the real me," Lester Greene unapologetically shares his fantasies: a black man indulging intimately with a white man, in his provocative and exciting new video "Real Person."

Lester shared with me how after releasing the video he felt so much at peace. I could hear and feel the comfort in his voice during our conversation. How amazing and freeing it is when you embrace the Shadow&Light and live in your truth. The universe just opens up even more and you simply soar.

Congrats Lester and wishing you good health and prosperity.

Rocking the rhythmical lyrics and the sexy beats while humanizing the "Regular Person," I invite you on this journey with OUT Gay Artist Lester Greene. Now let's get this video on LOGO soon!







A.A+W
with Cornelius Jones Jr.
Tune in next Wednesday for more
Arts.Advocacy+Wellness with Cornelius Jones Jr.
Stay connected with me:
FaceBook: Cornelius Jones Jr.
Twitter: CorneliusJonesJ
FaceBook Fan Page: FlagBoy Official Fan Page of the Actor

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