Human Interest
The Kali Muscle Story: Fresh Out – Life After The Penitentiary [Video]
August 20, 2013
Incredible documentary video (from the ‘Fresh Out‘ series) on former ex-con turned actor & professional bodybuilder Kali Muscle.
‘“Happier than a BodyBuilder Directing Traffic†is a Geico commercial we all know and love. That bodybuilder goes by Kali Muscle and he has an incredible backstory with a troubled past. Much like what happened with CT Fletcher, Kali is spreading across the internet after his short documentary surfaced on the Strength Project.’
Posted in Cover Story, Human Interest, Television, Videos | 
Tags: bodybuilder, Fresh Out, GEICO commercial, Kali Muscle, Life after the Penitentiary, The Kali Muscle Story | 
1 Comment »
Business: How Worker-Owned Companies Operate (Video)
August 20, 2013
I was speaking with a friend who is also an Oakland Raiders fan like myself. The Raiders have major financial obstacles in their attempts to get a new stadium built in Oakland or anywhere else in Northern California. The Oakland Raiders have also recently been ranked by Forbes magazine as the least valuable NFL franchise despite having a huge global fanbase. The Raiders have one of lowest amount of operating dollars of all the 32 teams in the NFL. Fans may not be able to help the stadium situation, but they can definitely change the value of the team. I have said on numerous occasions it would be great if the Raiders adopted a similar ownership system like the Green Bay Packers in which the fans of the team can become shareholders. The Green Bay Packers are the only NFL franchise that operates in this manner. Current NFL rules require an owner to have no less than a 30% majority share of the team. I feel this could work for the Raiders if owner Mark Davis offered a 49% or less share to the fans. Our discussion then turned to the corporate aspect of worker owned companies. Ironically I ran across this interesting short documentary on the topic while surfing the web that goes to further illustrate the point that collective ownership is the key to win in many instances.
READ MORE ABOUT HOW WORKER OWNED COMPANIES OPERATE AT MOYERS & COMPANY
Posted in Business, Cover Story, Human Interest, Opinion, Opportunity, Sports | Tags: Green Bay Packers, How Worker-Owned Companies Operate, NFL, Oakland Raiders, Ownership, Raiders | 1 Comment »
Technology: Carbon Fiber Jet Wing Lets ‘Jetman’ Fly In Formation With a Boeing B-17 Bomber (Video)
August 16, 2013
DaVinci. The Wright Brothers. And now…‘Jetman’ Yves Rossy shows us that man was meant to fly… all it takes is a dream, the vision, relentless work at design, and awesome tech! Check out what, in effect, is one giant step closer to pure human flight. The tech is his Carbon Fiber Jet Wing; and it is AMAZING!
And if you think the view from the ground during one of Yves’ flights is impressive, think about what the guys flying the planes are witnessing (like ‘how is he doing that without a plane?’).
Check out the incredible footage above! Shout out to my cousin Joe (love you man!) for shooting me the Wired piece on this.
READ: YVES ROSSY SHOWS US HOW TO FLY (WIRED)
– @ojones1
‘Chi Raq’ Documentary Highlights Chicago Death Tolls That Mirror Iraq & Double That Of Afghanistan (Video)
August 15, 2013
“Chi Raq” is a compelling video portrait of life in South and West Chicago by London filmmaker Will Robson-Scott. Shout out to my homie Hustle Simmons who appears in the mini-documentary/video portrait to speak on his own personal loss & offered some positive words about the escalating problem in Chicago.
“For the past decade, Chicago has been enduring a violence epidemic, with a death toll in the thousands and casualties mirroring the losses experienced by the US Army in Iraq war over the same period. Allowing its subjects to take center stage and tell their stories in their own words, Robson-Scottʼs film is unflinchingly honest in its depiction of life on the streets of one of the most dangerous cities in America.”
– Protein TV
Posted in Film, Human Interest, Lifestyle | Tags: Chi Raq, Chicago, Chiraq, death, Gun Violence, Hustle Simmons, iraq, Violent Crime, War, Will Robson-Scott | 5 Comments »
Questlove Speaks On Hip Hop’s 40th Birthday, ‘Stop & Frisk’, the Zimmerman Verdict, and His Experience With Racial Profiling (Video)
August 15, 2013
Amir “Questlove” Thompson is on video talking about all kinds of stuff for a hour… that ought to be enough, knowing that The Roots co-founder is an insightful societal and music industry commentator.
Questlove talks with DemocracyNow.org about his musical upbringing, stop and frisk, Hip-Hop’s 40th, his book “Mo’ Meta Blues” … and there’s more. Got a clip above. More video footage after the jump below….
Posted in Book, Hip-Hop, History, Human Interest, Opinion, Politics, Videos | Tags: ?uestlove, Amir "Questlove" Thompson, Amir Thompson, DemocracyNow, Questlove | No Comments »
Inmates and Prison Officials Agree: “The House I Live In” Documentary Exposes The Failures of The U.S. War On Drugs Policy (Video)
August 15, 2013
HEADLINE: Inmates and Prison Guards AGREE on Failures of the Drug War!
Above is a behind-the-scenes teaser for a screening for Eugene Jarecki’s documentary “The House I Live In.” The venue: Joseph Harp Correctional Center (Lexington, Oklahoma, USA). Making a documentary at a jail… sure. But viewing it there, that’s different. But you know drug enforcement policy is more than a bit *messed* up if the C.O.’s and the prisoners can agree that it is!
See clips from the film (executive producers: Brad Pitt, John Legend, Russell Simmons and Danny Glover) after the jump. VERY interesting…
DOCUMENTARY: THE HOUSE I LIVE IN (ITUNES)
TWITTER: @DRUGWARMOVIE
FACEBOOK: DRUG WAR MOVIE
Posted in Cover Story, Film, History, Human Interest, Opinion, Politics, Videos | Tags: Brad Pitt, Danny Glover, Eugene Jarecki, Find Agreement, Inmates & Prison Guards Watch A Documentary On The Failed War On Drugs Together, JOHN LEGEND, Russell Simmons, screens for inmates and prison staff in Oklahoma, The House I Live In | 1 Comment »
12 O’Clock Boys (Trailer)
August 14, 2013
“I’ve been on this earth for a decade… and a couple of years. So, what’s that make me? I’m a grown a** man!”
Premiering at SXSW 2013, this is the documentary trailer for “12 O’Clock Boys.” At the core of the story is Pug, a hardened 13 year old, trying to join The Twelve O’Clock Boys, the notorious urban dirt-bike gang in Baltimore (Maryland, USA). The youth gang runs wild in the streets, clashing with police who cannot do not give chase for fear of endangering the public. Pug suddenly loses his older brother and really looks to The Twelve O’Clock Boys as a surrogate family. The “12 O’Clock Boys” documentary is directed by Lotfy Nathan.
Posted in Film, Human Interest, Lifestyle, Videos | Tags: 12 O'Clock Boys, Documentary | 1 Comment »
Technology: How To Build A Giant 9-Foot-5 inch Mechanized Robot (Video)
August 13, 2013
Now this is kinda cool! All too often, we see fantasy tech played out on screen with CGI, but check this real, in-person… um… in-robo tech out. The Wired Mech debuted at Comic-Con, and the people were dazed and amazed! Nowadays, the word is that the Mech is doing the morning show circuit. Nine-foot-five-inches of robo star power baby!
Check out the above clip on the Mech’s debut as the result of the work of dedicated designers, engineers, and staff… bringing unique tech experiences on (and now off) the movie screen.
‘[T]he crew from Stan Winston School and Legacy Effects reflect on a job well done. From concept to unveiling at Comic-Con, this was a labor of love, representing 2000+ man hours of work. Rest up guys, because next year … we are bringing the Mech’s BIGGER BROTHER to the show.’
– Wired
The above clip is the final, Part 7, of a Wired series that relates the story of the Mech’s development and launch. Check out Parts 1 through 6 after the jump.
Posted in Film, Human Interest, Technology, Videos | Tags: How to Build a Giant Robot Mech, Think Big, Wired, Wired App Wired, Wired Mech | 2 Comments »
Sean Price at Home Talking Music, Movies, Family, and More (Video)
August 13, 2013
“In here… I’m just… dad… husband… I leave that rap sh!t outside.” – Sean Price
Straight from the Sean Price’s kitchen, J Hart interviews the man who would be champ in the booth, Mic Tyson. Check out this clip from the Big Bang Show as Sean P talks about his “Mic Tyson” album, tours, family, faith, movies, and more. Stay through to the end to get some snippet sneak leaks.
Posted in Album, Hip-Hop, Human Interest, Lifestyle, Videos | Tags: Big Bang Show, J Hart, Mic Tyson, Sean Price | 1 Comment »
Steven Fulop: Marine Turned ‘Action-Adventure Mayor’ of Jersey City (Video)
August 9, 2013
Businessweek magazine had this article entitled “Action-Adventure Mayors” (renamed something far less fun in its online edition..but oh well). Could have been a new comic series or something; so of course, I had to read it. Turns out, Democratic politicians like Steven Fulop are beginning their careers by running for mayor in towns in need of a major turnaround. Check out this U.S. Marine vet who defeated a solid incumbent for the Jersey City (NJ, USA) top spot with this ad (above). Creative… oh yeah! Compelling… for sure. But did it really say anything about why he was qualified for office or how he proposed to turn things around? Is any of that ‘stuff’ (you know platform, policy stance, plans…) even necessary in today’s politics? Just saying.
(That said… I think it is a cool video, too.)
– @ojones1
READ: ACTION-ADVENTURE MAYORS
Dice Raw Documentary: “Jimmies Back” (Video)
August 2, 2013
“The war on drugs is not a war on drugs. It’s a war on thugs.”
Words from Dice Raw, who is providing some of the ‘thug combatants’ from his hometown (Philly) a tool and a platform with and from which they can counterattack – a LP and documentary. Shout to OK Player for bringing this important work from this down-for-the-cause artist to light. Check out the documentary short above and how you can get involved. Check out the wisdom from OKP, too:
1. Stay out of prison – Crime never pays–and street life will eventually catch up with you.
Posted in Book, Film, Hip-Hop, Human Interest, Opinion, Politics, Videos | Tags: Dice Raw Documentary, Jimmies Back, Jimmy's Back | 1 Comment »
Technology: Thanks To Moto-Knee, Extreme Athletes Who Lose a Limb Need Not ‘Lose a Step’ (Video)
July 29, 2013
Mike Schultz, founder of Minnesota-based prosthetics company Biodapt, is a professional racer who had a need for speed… on a snow-ski. Then he lost a limb up to the knee in an accident. Then he replaced that knee with his innovation, the Moto-Knee, and kept it moving… better… stronger… faster.
(Yes! A ‘Six Million Dollar Man’ 70s TV reference! Recognize the G[eek] in me!)
Check out the demo video above to see just what a prosthesis can do (e.g. can allow an extreme athlete to do). Good tech. No down side to report on this one. Enjoy!
Posted in Human Interest, Sports, Technology, Videos | Tags: Extreme Athlete, Mike Schultz, Moto-Knee, Prosthetic Limb | No Comments »
Spike Lee Speaks On His New Kickstarter Project, Gentrification In Brooklyn, & School Daze 2 (Video)
July 27, 2013
Got three clips’ worth of good watching on vanguard filmmaker Spike Lee. In the first clip, above, Vibe interviews Spike on the challenges of fundraising for filmmaking via his Kickstarter campaign for his next film and the criticism it will bring. Innovative approach though: Spike invites all levels of participation (from even 5 bucks to those that can chip in $10,000)… and offers some interesting prizes can win (including signed Nikes, dinner with Spike and courtside seats at a Knicks game).
See two more clips after the jump: on his views regarding gentrification of his hood and on revisiting a classic.
Posted in Film, Hip-Hop, History, Human Interest, Opinion, Politics, Videos | Tags: Brooklyn, Gentrification, Kickstarter, School Daze 2, Spike Lee | 1 Comment »
Questlove Speaks On The Trayvon Martin Verdict (Video)
July 26, 2013
In an interview with host Alex Wagner of MSNBC’s Now, Hip-Hop icon and co-founder of The Roots, Ahmir “Questlove†Thompson declared that he was so taken aback when he found out that George Zimmerman got off (e.g. was acquitted of the murder of Florida teen Trayvon Martin) that he walked off of a DJ gig in Amsterdam. He noted that “it felt like I was watching my own trial,†adding later in an Internet post that “this whole Trayvon case has taught me: you ain’t sh!t. That’s the lesson I take from this case.â€
Watch the interview MSNBC interview clip above.
Posted in Hip-Hop, Human Interest, News, Opinion, Television, Videos | Tags: ?uestlove, Questlove, The Roots, Trayvon Martin | No Comments »
Actor Michael K. Williams Discovers His African Ancestry (Video)
July 26, 2013
Shout to OkayPlayer TV for posting this clip of actor Michael K. Williams aka Mr. Chalky White of ‘Boardwalk Empire’ (returning for a new season this Fall; can’t wait) tracing his roots back to Africa. ‘Heart of a King…Blood of a Slave’ – that Nas lyric rang true to Mr. Williams in this episode of ‘The Roots Of…’ Watch above.
Overwhelmed with emotion, Williams calls actor/friend Isiah Washington to share that indeed they are brothers!
Posted in Hip-Hop, Human Interest, Science, Television, Videos | Tags: Boardwalk Empire, Chalky White, Isiah Washington, Michael K. Williams, Okayplayer TV, The Roots Of | No Comments »
VICE: Israeli Killer Robots (Video)
July 25, 2013
‘Israel is the world’s biggest exporter of military drones, used around the world for everything from surveillance to precision rocket attacks on speeding cars in remote locales. Israel’s drone program hasn’t stirred as much controversy as its American counterpart, but not because their targeted killings are any less fatal. VICE sent Simon Ostrovsky to a drone testing airfield in Israel to find out what their latest eye-in-the-sky can see.’
Posted in Cover Story, Human Interest, Politics, Technology, Videos | Tags: Air Drones, drones, Israel, Israeli Killer Robots, Simon Ostrovsky, UAV, UAVs, Unmanned Aerial Vehicles, VICE | No Comments »
Nas Speaks On CNN With Anderson Cooper On The ‘Race And Justice In America II’ Special (Video)
July 25, 2013
Last night CNN’s Anderson Cooper held a special town hall discussion called ‘Race & Justice In America II’ on his Anderson Cooper 360 show & brought along a number of commentators to speak on the issues affecting the country. Nas was the most recognizable voice in the hip hop community who added his valuable 2-cents to the discussion. Check out more from the discussion featuring commentators Charles M Blow, Andre Perry, Michaela Angela Davis, & David Webb below….
Posted in Cover Story, Hip-Hop, Human Interest, News, Politics, Videos | Tags: Anderson Cooper, Anderson Cooper 360, CNN, Discussion, Nas, Race, Race And Justice In America 2, Race And Justice In America II, Racism, SOCIAL ISSUE, SOCIAL ISSUES | No Comments »
Whose Rhymes Are The Deepest? Tahir Hemphill’s Hip-Hop Word Count Has An Answer (Video)
July 18, 2013
You’ve probably argued with folks about which emcees’ rhymes displayed lyrical skill… and whose were garbage. Ever wish you had some statistical standard by which you could settle the argument? Well… Harvard University’s WEB Du Bois Hip-Hop Archive Institute Fellow Tahir Hemphill wanted the same thing – a way to mathematically measure the educational level of Hip-Hop lyrics. The result: Hip-Hop Word Count, an online searchable database with over 40,000 rap songs from 1979 to present. The application figures word count, average syllables per word, average letters per syllable, longest polysyllabic word, and educational level needed to grasp the meaning of a song’s lyrics. Hip-Hop Word Count also counts “cleverness” (use of similes, metaphors, cultural references, and rhyme patterns). The final score is a number between 0 (illiterate) to 20 (post-graduate degree).
So, how do some of rap’s standards measure up? Rakim’s “Microphone Fiend†scores 16, as does Jay-Z’s “Dead Presidents 2.†The Notorious B.I.G.’s “Warning†gets 11, and so does Lil Wayne’s “I’m Me.†50 Cent’s “I Get Money†comes in at a 7.
The program can also find out when a particular word or phrase (like references to champagnes or the word ‘Hater’) first appeared in a rap song and how many times it has been mentioned since.
PLUS: Using Hip-Hop Word Count and its features, Hemphill makes some interesting observations about the state of Hip-Hop and society above. Bonus clip after the jump below.
Posted in Hip-Hop, Human Interest, Technology, Videos | Tags: Hip-Hop Word Count, Tahir Hemphill | 1 Comment »
PBS Frontline: Two American Families (Documentary)
July 17, 2013
Watch Two American Families on PBS. See more from FRONTLINE.
I love PBS! Engaging, thought-provoking viewing. I’ve been a fan of Bill Moyers for some time now, and he has reaffirmed my faith in him as a social issues commentator this episode of Frontline.
‘Since 1992, Bill Moyers has been following the story of two ordinary, hard-working families in Milwaukee — one black, one white — as they battle to keep from sliding into poverty. A remarkable portrait of perseverance, Two American Families raises unsettling questions about the changing nature of the U.S. economy and the fate of a declining middle class.’
– Frontline
– @ojones1
Posted in Human Interest, Politics, Television, Videos | Tags: Bill Moyers, PBS Frontline, Two American Families | 1 Comment »
Black People Don’t Do: Atheism (Video)
July 15, 2013
From the ancient times, through slavery and the struggle for civil rights, and into modern times… worship and religiosity has been woven into the fabric of Black life worldwide. Has the time come for change in that regard? Does a Black atheist automatically throw away his/her ‘Blackness card’ in choosing to be such? Questions like these are what the National Black Programming Consortium (NBPC) clip above poses… among others.
Posted in Human Interest, Lifestyle, Videos | Tags: agnostic, Atheism, Black People, Black People Don't Do, Religion | No Comments »
