Art is a lifestyle

I can see a fire burning inside of him as he walks and smiles through the hallways of John Jay. We have not spoken, and maybe never will; but they speak of him. I admire the way his shirt sticks to his skin like it's his existence.He embodies his label. Ed ward Niles is a High school student from Brooklyn N.Y and designing/art is what he does. Ed says he started his clothing brand in December 2008, called Paper Yen and has recently changed it to 10 cash. Ed says “I’ve been designing since I was about 15 years old & have not stopped since I started.Designing has become part of my lifestyle because it seems like you can turn anything into a painting or a tee shirt. I plan on continuing with art/designing & hopefully my company gets bigger even though I am already happy with the little success the line has already achieved.”
Check out this link to his Blog;http://paperyen.wordpress.com/
Continue to allow his success 2 grown by purchasing 1 or MORE than 1 of his shirts!!!

DEBATE CHANGES LIVES!

A recent study conducted by Virginia Commonwealth University concluded that;African-American high school students who debate are 70 percent more likely to graduate than non-debate participants.I have recently obtained this information when I clicked on a link that led me to a video with young me debating on theGrio.com. I have had many encounters with the 2 young Black debaters who have not only allowed debate to progress through new rhetoric but have grown holistically as well.
1.I have had the opportunity to know Stephon since Elementary school;I have seen his confidence sky rocket. One that has blown me away! These two boys together have become dynamic, they not only rap about the plague of injustices on African-Americans but use their bodies as a tool also .



* I would like to hive a special Thank You to the coach Alex for his warm words and support/to Devonte and Stephon for continuing to debate performance despite the ridicule and criticism.

Support Our Troops!

Ever since Trey Songz cut those braids he became a man;maturity in his voice, swag in his walk, a message and voice in his music. I recently listened to his new single "your side of the bed" from a friend might I say who is IN LOVE WITH HIM unlike many others! I love how e is able to play with his audience in terms of what is aesthetically pleasing, while portraying a love a story that brings comfort and hope to the families of army troops.

Whatever u want

There are many artist that I have been following recently, and to experience one group in particular is amazing! I have watched the group Genisys move from just an upcoming duo of boys, to men striving to make their music be heard. Now they have a teaser out for their new single; though this may be a snippet at what is more to come the voices are on the point and the video quality is amazing.KEEP IT UP, AND I LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING MORE OF THIS AND OTHER PROJECTS!

*Here's a blog link;http://www.genisyslive.com/

New S'Kool is in session

As artist many times we become embed within our own crafts never understanding the importance of outside elements and their connections. On Friday June 25th I had the honor of witnessing a friend,and artist open like a cocoon. Christopher Williams otherwise known as H.A.C.K and a member of New S’Kool; Though I may not have the pleasure of knowing much about this extraordinary group of young men I have the honor of knowing H.A.C.K. Having only known him to be a rapper he allowed his voice to cascade me away to a place not even poetry has taken me before with his SINGING! I am still in the process of working on a bio of his group but in the meantime here is one of their new hits;DROP THE WORLD REMIX!
*PLEASE SUPPORT THE MUSIC, THESE ARE ARTIST FROM OUR COMMUNITIES, OUR YOUTH!

extended metaphor from a Friday session

Split my tongue 4 ways
Like the other 4 halves of me
Crazy glue my tonsils backwards
I want to remember what it feels like to be whole again

Comb the taste buds from my tongue
History holds no validation here
I’m fleshless
Meatless
Assimilation stripped

I’m a refugee
She’s a capitalist
I’m willing to turn her into a nationalist
Tame her like a scripture
Practice what she preach
Strip her jaw lines
Sew her smile tight
The burns aren’t too pretty
Beauty pains her

She’s a black canvas in living color
Color me His-Story
She wants to be History
Roaring panther, Jazz like, Stagnant

Memory Association

Archaic, dusty,faded
You're nothing but a memory
Glass in the shape of cartridges
i want to ride you like Mario rides Yoshi
Find me a golden star
Open the door to innocence after you rescue the frog

Restart
Press X to select

Ancient or Enlightened
They are each one and the same
Never enough memory to fit your heart into
Always deleting another requiem to build new shapes
Like triangles and squares
Nothing round enough to pump the words to twinkle, twinkle
never reaching (star)

Forgotten how green you shine
I've never beaten you b4
The cheat codes don't work in real life

*This is a comparison of a Sega game system to life!

THE EARTH DIDN'T JUST SHAKE!

Disaster Capitalism is described as "When a tragedy hits governments "particularly the U.S" use their funds and military influence as a way to control a drive that country into debt and more poverty than it may already be experiencing. This is what is happening in Haiti and has been before the recent earthquake; Naomi Klein is a writer that has recently published the book Disaster capitalism: how to make money out of misery. Attached is 2 links; 1 of her speaking at a conference, I believe that it is by far very interesting and is info. that should be passed on and the other of the military history in Haiti and the poverty!

KARATE KID

Hello, Hope all your days have been filled with as much love and and embracing as mines. recently I have gotten the opportunity to go out to a movie and eat with a couple friends. (<3) of course it had to be the one all are talking about;KARATE KID! I must say I was a bit skeptical at the breaking away from the traditional movies of Karate kid before this move, and after I was enthusiastic and amazed at the symbolism, humor, and love the movie was able to grasp within 2hrs. Since many of you may have not watched this yet I HIGHLY RECOMMEND IT! With that being said I have learned all over again how much it is to not just grow in area that we may be weak in but to combine these ares with out strengths. Grow fully each day in all we do, nothing is separate in our lives and shouldn't be1 thank you for giving me the opportunity to share this feeling with you! AND I MUST SAY;JADON SMITH IS AS A GREAT ACTOR AS HIS FATHER!