Opinion
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 »
Dr. Cornel West Speaks On Failures Of President Obama & Apathy In The Black Middle Class (Video)
July 26, 2013
‘George Zimmerman is a criminal. President Obama is a “global George Zimmerman” because he tries to rationalize the killing of innocent children…in the name of self defense…Pakistan, Somolia, Yemen.’
– Dr. Cornell West
Well, damn. By now it is no secret that Dr. Cornell West is an outspoken critic of President Obama. He is not ‘holding his breath’ waiting for The U.S. President and Attorney General Eric Holder to ‘come through’ at the Federal Level on justice for Trayvon Martin or with regard to decriminalizing poor Black and Brown people. In the above video, West calls for people to get off the ‘Obama Plantation’… and that is not nearly the most scathing of his remarks. You’ve GOT to watch this!
Posted in Opinion, Politics, Videos | Tags: Barack Obama, Cornell West, Dr. Cornell West, Eric Holder, George Zimmerman, Middle Class, President Obama, Trayvon Martin | 1 Comment »
ESPN First Take: Master P States His Opinions On Jay Z Entering The Sports Agency Business (Video)
July 19, 2013
The first rapper to enter into the world of representing pro athletes was Master P. By now everyone should be familiar with the infamous deal that former NFL running back Ricky Williams signed with the New Orleans Saints that didn’t go over well in his favor. Master P stopped by ESPN’s First Take to speak with Stephen A. Smith & Skip Bayless to give his opinion on Jay Z’s entrance into the world of sports agency. Having dealt with the ups & downs of formerly running his no defunct NO LIMIT SPORTS agency, it was interesting to see Master P choose his words carefully without being negative or discouraging even though it feels like he’s saying it may not be the best move for a few parties involved.
Posted in Hip-Hop, News, Opinion, Sports, Videos | Tags: ESPN, ESPN First Take, Jay-Z, Master P, Roc Nation Sports, Skip Bayless, Sports Business, Stephen A. Smith | 1 Comment »
BET Experience 2013 ‘No Guns Allowed’ Panel Discussion With Host MC Snoop Lion (Video)
July 5, 2013
Incredible panel discussion held by the League of Young Voters, BET and Snoop Lion entitled “No Guns Allowed: Disarming Violence in Our Community.” This was a roundtable dialogue on the impact of gun violence in America filmed over the BET Experience 2013 weekend in Los Angeles.
Roundtable Host: Dr. Rob “Biko” Baker, League of Young Voters Executive Director
Panelists: Snoop Lion, T.I., Congresswoman Maxine Waters (D-Calif.), H.E.L.P.E.R. Foundation Executive Director Melvyn Hayward Jr., writer and director of the critically-acclaimed movie on gun violence “Fruitvale Station” Ryan Coogler and New Generation Foundation Executive Director Brandon T. Jones.
A short, but powerful recap everyone should watch.
Posted in EVENTS, Hip-Hop, Human Interest, Opinion, Politics, R&B, Soul, Television, Videos | Tags: BET Experience 2013, Disarming Violence in Our Community, No Guns Allowed, Panel Discussion, Snoop, Snoop Lion | No Comments »
She’s A Rare Find. But That Diamond You’re About To Buy Her… Not So Much!
June 14, 2013
‘As soon as you leave the jeweler with a diamond, it loses over 50% of its value.’
– Rohin Dhar, BusinessInsider.com
Fellas, why… why do we do it? With the money we spend convincing your special lady, her friends, and every onlooker (now and in the future) of the eternal love we have for her… with a big shiny rock… an investment in a nice nest egg could be made. Within a few years, you’d both have some real ‘finance for the romance’ down the road. But instead,
That’s right. The ‘grand tradition’ of showing everlasting love with a rare diamond started as a marketing campaign… and the tradition isn’t even a century old! Plus, that ‘rare’ diamond isn’t even all that rare. De Beers holds the diamond supply in check to make it seem that way.
Posted in Business, Fashion, Lifestyle, Opinion | Tags: De Beers, DeBeers, Engagement ring, Why Diamonds are a sham | No Comments »
Hard To Earn, Too Costly To Learn: How For-Profit Colleges Saddle African-American Students With Staggering Debt
June 13, 2013
President Obama echoes the sentiment of Black people throughout the ages in America: The key to “winning the future†is to get educated. Get educated, get paid, live the American Dream. That’s the path to prosperity right… right?
Well, Kai Wright of Salon.com writes that something isn’t right:
Have we been had, hoodwinked, and bamboozled again? Kai makes a powerful argument. And were he here to speak on it today, Malcolm X might well quip: Plymouth rock landed on us. We climbed from under it. Then they dropped a mountain of debt on top of us!
Several of the top for-profit colleges are run by financiers, not educators. Damn. Now, more than ever, it costs to be poor; and it pays to exploit those striving for more.
Posted in Business, Cover Story, Human Interest, Lifestyle, Opinion | Tags: black, buried in debt, for-profit college, How for-profit colleges prey on African-American ambition, Kai Wright, student debt, targeted at those who can't afford it, Useless degrees are now too-good-to-be-true tickets to the American Dream, Young | No Comments »
Take a Tip From a Billionaire: Read the Book ‘Patent It Yourself’
June 12, 2013
We’ve posted on GoPro before. Maybe we can take a reading recommendation from the mini-cam company’s billionaire CEO Nick Woodman. A tweet asked: ‘What’s the one book a BIT (Billionaire-In-Training) should read?’ Here is Woodman’s answer.
YOUR TURN: Tweet your question to Businessweek with the hashtag #AskABillionaire.
WATCH: EVERYONE IS A SPORTS CAMERAMAN WITH GOPRO MINI-CAMS
– @ojones1
Talib Kweli Speaks on Artistic Integrity With Tavis Smiley (Video)
May 21, 2013
Brooklyn’s own Talib Kweli sits down with Tavis Smiley on his PBS television show to discuss his latest LP “Prisoner of Conscious,” his artistic approach (and how it has changed), and more. In the above clip, Talib relates his firm stance on artistic integrity; holding that succumbing to every whim of his fans would actually betray them… in that doing so would mean he was not being a true artist. View the entire interview after the jump.
TALIB KWELI – PRISONER OF CONSCIOUS
– @ojones1
Posted in Album, Hip-Hop, Opinion, Television, Videos | Tags: PBS, Prisoner Of Conscious, TALIB KWELI, Tavis Smiley | No Comments »
Jalen Rose Explains Why J.R. Smith Should Be At The Nightclub (Video)
May 21, 2013
Take a nap… Then champagne and campaign! Now, that’s hilarious (and true). Amen, Mr. Rose. Pay attention as Jalen Rose breaks down the ‘after-work’ life of those in NBA circles – like J. R. Smith (and himself) – in a way regular working folk can understand.
‘Jalen Rose explains to David Jacoby that in an NBA player’s lifestyle going to the nightclub late at night is no different than a 9 to 5 worker going to happy hour.’
– Grantland Channel
Posted in Lifestyle, Opinion, Sports, Television | Tags: David Jacoby, GRANTLAND, J. R. Smith, Jalen Rose | No Comments »
Comedy: DL Hughley Lobbies To ‘Save the Black Man’ With a Celebrity PSA and More (Video)
May 20, 2013
A witty public service announcement ‘directed’ by DL Hughley, featured on ‘The Endangered List’ – his special on Comedy Central. Dennis Haysbert, Clay Aiken, Howie Mandel, and Jennifer Tilly star in this PSA to Save the Black Man. Have you seen ‘The Endangered List’? It’s funny… but it’s true. Check out some clips from the special after the jump.
– @ojones1
Posted in Comedy, Human Interest, Opinion, Videos | Tags: DL Hughley, Save the Black Man, The Endangered List | No Comments »
Phil Jackson Makes Controversial Comparisons On The Skills Of Michael Jordan & Kobe Bryant (Video)
May 20, 2013
Legendary NBA coach Phil Jackson has coached 2 of the greatest NBA players to have ever played the game. For years he’s dodged the primary question most sports fans & reporters have desperately wanted him to answer. Now that he’s making the media rounds promoting his new book, Phil Jackson is finally speaking out. Phil Jackson compares Air Jordan to the Black Mamba in the above video of his interview with Jay Leno. Jay referenced Jackson’s book, Eleven Rings: The Soul of Success (due out May 21, 2013; available for pre-order at Amazon) in guiding their talk in this direction. In it, and in the above clip, Coach Jackson declares that both Jordan and Bryant are world class competitors; matched up in several aspects, but there are key differences, according to one of the few men in the world who can really say so. Coach ‘Zen Master’ also talks about how he set up a meeting between the two and his near-return to the Los Angeles Lakers’ bench. Kobe recently took to twitter & didn’t exactly seem too pleased with his former coach’s comparisons. I’d have to agree with Phil though….
The comparisons are #apples2oranges Wonder what the perception would be if M played wit @shaq instead #differentroles #differentcareerpaths
— Kobe Bryant (@kobebryant) May 17, 2013
More video after the jump below…..
Posted in Book, Opinion, Sports, Television, Videos | Tags: Jay Leno, Kobe Bryant, Michael Jordan, Phil Jackson | No Comments »
Action Bronson, Harry Fraud, and Killer Mike Speak On the ‘Current State of Rap Music’ (Video)
May 20, 2013
Journalist and music industry insider Matt Sonzala hosts a panel discussion at the Scion AV Music(less) Music Conference. The first segment of the ‘Current State of Rap Music’ is ready for viewing above. Matt has Killer Mike setting it off with straight talk on his story in the rap game. No punches pulled. No anger. Just Mike stating his point of view. Powerful! In part 2 of this exclusive panel discussion, the other panel members (Action Bronson and producer Harry Fraud) join in the discussion with their opinions of major labels. Check that out – as well as the rest of the panel discussion – after the jump.
‘The Scion Music(less) Music Conference 2012 is an exclusive mix of panel discussions and one-on-one conversations highlighting the brightest minds in today’s creative culture. Learn first-hand from industry movers and shakers as they offer their views on art and commerce.’
Great viewing. Watch all the clips. Thank me later!
– @ojones1
Posted in Hip-Hop, Opinion, Producers, Technology, Videos | Tags: Action Bronson, Current State of Rap Music, Harry Fraud, Killer Mike, Matt Sonzala, MUSIC, Music Conference, Music(less), SCION A/V | No Comments »
Chen Lo Speaks On His Remix of Jay-Z’s “Open Letter” and ‘Foreign Affairs’ Experience (Video)
May 17, 2013
Chen Lo is ‘a modern day griot’ with a very interesting story to tell. Watch.
‘Hip-Hop artist Chen Lo talks about his recently recorded remix of Jay Z’s “Open Letter” and the reason behind it. Chen Lo explains his understanding of the ‘Open Letter’ song and how it relates to his international experience with Hillary Clinton, the State Department, CBS, Aljazeera English and the U.S. Government’s use of Hip-Hop as a chess piece in its game of foreign affairs. Chen Lo also gives a viewpoint that only a select few Hip-Hop artists can address.’
– Footprints Web Series
Chen Lo’s album “Footprints” is due out September 10, 2013. But check out the audio for his “Open Letter” remix now.
Posted in Hip-Hop, Human Interest, Music, Opinion, Politics, Videos | Tags: CHEN LO, Jay-Z, Open Letter | No Comments »
Dr. Cornel West Sits Down For Conversation With Julian Assange (Audio)
May 14, 2013
WikiLeaks is an international, online, non-profit organization which publishes secret information, news leaks, and classified media from anonymous sources. A few years ago, WikiLeaks published the first set of more than 250,000 secret State Department documents … one of the largest leaks of classified information in history. All in the name of transparency – letting the people know what their governments don’t want them to know – which WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange believes is important in keeping societies free.
In the audio below, Assange sits down with Dr. Cornel West at the Ecuadorian embassy in London to speak on the importance of keeping societies and governments open, on propaganda campaigns against him (including those spurred by the U.S. government), on his latest text, “Cypherpunks,” and more. Very interesting listen.
Posted in Human Interest, Opinion, Politics | Tags: Cornel West, Julian Assange, Smiley and West, Tavis Smiley, Tavis Talks, The Conversation | No Comments »
Killer Mike x El-P on ‘The Combat Jack Show’ (Video)
May 10, 2013
Killer Mike & El-P have formed a brand new group that they call “Run The Jewels”. I love that name for a rap group. Check out part one of their appearance on Complex TV’s program ‘The Combat Jack Show’ above.
In Episode 2 of ‘The Combat Jack Show’ – Mike and El-P below they speak on the state of Rap Radio, on what a DJ is supposed to be, and more.
‘DJs know music more than everybody. This is what they do. That is the exact job definition of a DJ; is to know music… trust who you hire… don’t tell them they can’t play a record…That’s not what it’s about…Records… especially Hip-Hop records… have to blow up organically.’
-Â El-P
Great viewing. Check out Episode’s 2 & 3 after the jump.
Posted in Hip-Hop, Opinion, Radio, Videos | Tags: El-P, EP. 2, Killer Mike, Killer Mike & El-P on The Combat Jack Show | No Comments »
Why Some Women Are B!tches (Video)
April 25, 2013
Tracy McMillan – the ‘Supreme Matchmaker’ and author of “Why You’re Not Married Yet” – explains why some women are b!tches on ‘Sway in the Morning.’ Her rather simple yet candid answer makes all the sense in the world if you think about it. But Hey… Just sharing some insight with you. She also speaks a bit on her show ‘Ready for Love.’
Posted in Opinion, Radio, Videos | Tags: B*tches, bitches, In The Morning, Men Are From Mars, Relationships, Sway, Tracy McMillan, Why Some Women Are, Women Are From Venus | No Comments »
Comedy: ‘The Daily Show with Jon Stewart’ on ‘Fair Play’ in the NCAA (Video)
April 17, 2013
Aasif Mandvi (staff ‘reporter’ on The Daily Show with Jon Stewart) sticks it to the NCAA… in a comical way, of course. Jon Stewart’s show is about comedy first; but a lot of what’s funny on the show is true… REALLY true! Especially on this episode clip. C’mon now. You don’t think the NCAA really cares about the athletes, do you? Sure, they care about the athletes’… ability to put butts in seats, to put eyes on tubes, to put video games in kids’ XBox console… to make dollar$$$! But not about the athletes themselves. Not for real. Just watch the vid. Get ’em Aasif!
Posted in Comedy, News, Opinion, Sports | Tags: Aasif Mandvi, Daily Show, Jon Stewart, The NCAA's Perfectly Fair Rules | No Comments »
Countdown To 2042: Talib Kweli
March 19, 2013
By 2042 the U.S. is expected to become the most diverse it’s ever been racially speaking. The way the demographics are going, the U.S. will not have an ethnic majority. The team over at TheMMXLII interviewed Talib Kweli about growing up in the “melting pot” of Brooklyn and what diverse communities can teach us about self-identity and heritage. It’s the power of diversity
Read the rest of this entry »
Posted in Cover Story, Education, Hip-Hop, History, Opinion, Politics, Videos | Tags: Countdown To 2042, Diversity, Race, TALIB KWELI | No Comments »
Reality TV Shows: Battling The Stereotypes Of Black Men (Video)
March 11, 2013
Some great discussions surrounding the Black Male: Re-Imagined II conference that took place. More lectures & discussions below…
Reality TV Shows: Battling the Stereotypes of Black Men from Open Society Foundations and American Values Institute on FORA.tv
Read the rest of this entry »
Posted in Cover Story, Education, Human Interest, Opinion, Politics, Videos | Tags: Police Bias: The Perception Of Black Men & Boys | No Comments »
BLITZ – 3/4/13: Skeet Invaders
March 4, 2013
Jeru Tha Damaja – “Invasion”
HEADLINES
Lebron James Soars Above $1 Million Dollar Dunk Offers & Other Distractions
Vice President Joe Biden & Congressman John Lewise Re-Enact Voting Rights March In Selma
Fugitive Wanted For Intentionally Spreading HIV To 100s Of Gay Men In The New York Area
Scientists Says Baby Born With HIV Has Been Functionally Cured With New Treatment
Dennis Rodman Speaks On His Visit With North Korean Leader Kim Jung Un
How Dennis Rodman & You Too Can Visit North Korea
Mom Drowns Her Baby Boy Because He Had A ‘Small Penis’
Female Kicker’s Historic Bid To Enter The NFL Ends Painfully
Former NO LIMIT Artist ‘Mr. Magic’ & Wife Die In Car Accident; 12-Year-Old Daughter Survives
Nicki Minaj Fires Her Stylists, Hairdresser, & Makeup Artists In Efforts To Be ‘Taken Seriously’
Keith Olbermann Wants To Work At ESPN Again
Former NFL Wide Receiver Terrell Owens The IRS Over $430,000 In Unpaid Taxes
Man Breaks Into Popeye’s To Eat 16 Pies Then Falls Asleep On The Floor Before Cops Arrive
Randy Moss Hints That He Will Not Be Returning To The San Francisco 49ers
American Cities With The Highest & Lowest Taxes
Man Fakes His Own Kidnapping To Avoid His Angry Girlfriend & Gets Arrested
Jay Leno Leaving NBC’s ‘Tonight’ Next Season?
The Biggest Misconceptions About NBA Superstars
Bill Gates Dodges Questions Of Why He Owns 500,000 Shares Of Monsanto Worth $23 Million
