The ROC boys no longer in the building???

My girl Carmela is real. Peep this:


"You've got to consider the fact that Jay-Z has been spittin' for some time now & he has created his own style, empire, & sound. We love Jay, but every song on 'The Cool' sounds different.

Lupe is versatile & relatable. The lifestyle Lupe promotes is much more accessible to young people like you & myself.

I mean, who can honestly say they relate to 'The ROC Boys' video besides the people who were in it?"




Case and point.

"Don't like his baggy jeans, but I like what's underneath them..."

So that's my favorite line from the 'American Boy' track that I've really been feeling lately (you can find it on the blog playlist). It's by London native singer/rapper Estelle. It's featuring Kanye West, and I'm constantly playing it these days...especially now that I got it put on my iPod (big ups to Curtis & Kirstin). I'm really looking forward to copping her full album 'Shine' which is being released in February. Her sound is extremely unique, and her style is pretty sick. I honestly get that whole 'Lauryn Hill' vibe from her (you know, before she permanently relocated to Crazyville, ofcourse). Anyway, you guys should open up your ears to some Estelle. Anyone who can deliver us from Ms. Hill is alright in my book.



In other music news, several reputable sources are reporting that the New Kids on the Block are going to be making a comeback.
I knew this day would come. I've been patiently waiting...and thank goodness it hasn't been in vain.

Double Negative Equals a Positive...

2007 was a year of tragedy for me.
It was honestly like the worst horror film that which even the likes of Stephen King couldn't even fathom to create.
The aftermath of the events which occurred last year still affect me 'til this day, and the wounds will get easier to deal with over time, but they will never fully heal.
And even in the chaotic midst of all that, I made decisions which have led me to the point in life which I currently find myself.



To anyone else, this probably appears to be just an ordinary picture of a group of friends enjoying good times. Yet, when I look at it, and look at it closely, I see the truth. I see myself doing something that a few months ago, I thought that I would never be able to do again.
I'm smiling...I'm laughing...I'm happy.
Genuinely happy.

And no, I'm far from being completely over the events of 2007...but how I see it now, with more moments like the one above, 2008 will be exactly what I need.

I give a holla...

To my sisters on welfare, because Marissa cares, if don't nobody else care.

Big ups to Pac, rest in peace.

Idk, sometimes when I look at what's going on around me, what's happening to people just like me, people who look just like me, think just like me, have hopes & dreams just like me...I get so discouraged. And honestly, those people I look at are not that different from me at all...we're more than likely in the same unfortunate situations.

"But even though you're fed up, please, you gotta keep your head up."

Throwback moment...

So today, I was feeling pretty nostalgic and decided to break out some old CD's. I ended up groovin' to some SWV (sisters with voices haha), Xscape, Zhane, a little bit of Groove Theory, 702, and even a little bit of Total.

I was literally filled with pure joy listening to these songs (even though the groups all kinda sound alike haha). Oh how I miss the glory days of the 90's when female singing groups ruled the world.

Get to Know: Three-1-Zero

In a world full of people dying to break into the music industry, raw talent can oftentimes be difficult to discover. Specifically in the Los Angeles area, where everyone and anyone is a "rapper" these days and claim to be the next big thing. Thankfully, Inglewood based rapper/producer, Three-1-Zero, proves to be different from the pack. Simply put, he has real talent. I got a chance to probe into his mind and ask the rising talent a few questions, and the result was amusing and surprisingly refreshing.


1. First off, tell us your name and what you do?
My name is Three-1-Zero and I do everything. Rap, write, produce, graphic design, photographer, porn star, highway sheriff. You name it, I do it.

2. Three words that describe your sound?
Fun, Soulful, Neck-Breaking.

3. Who or what greatly influences your music?
Honestly man, I've been thinking about what one person influenced me the most and it had to be my pops. He's an avid trumpet player so I've been listening to jazz and soul all my life. And just being around dope music all the time influenced the way I make music today. Another thing that influences my music is just basic everyday shit. Real life. I know the average nigga ain't rollin on dubs with money stacks to the ceiling. The average nigga got like $5 and $2 in change, and don't get paid 'til next week. I like to make shit that regular muhfuckas can relate to and humbles those who have their heads in the sky.


4. If you could have it your way, which person, living or dead, would you most want to collaborate with and why?
Kanye West, because he is the one person who I have seen put so much effort into his music. Whether he's doing a song with Souljah Boy or Michael Jackson, I'm sure he will put in the same effort. I know if we were to collaborate it would be some dope ass shit. The odds are in favor.


5. In your opinion, who is ruling the rap game right now?
Souljah Boy.


6. What songs are you constantly bumping on your iPod these days?
A lot of Black Milk and my own shit.


7. What sets you apart from other artists out there?
I study rappers who aren't obvious. It's no secret that rappers study each other. Jay studied BIG, Wayne studied Jay, Nas studied RAKIM, and they are all good in their own right. But I feel that a lot of rappers don't look outside the box when it comes to who they listen to, and from that, they all sound the same. You ask them who they are influenced by and it's the same ole Jay-Z, Tupac, Biggie, etc. I would list my influences, but chances are you've probably never heard of them. So my rhymes are a blend between my own and a plethora of dope ass rappers you've never heard of.


8. Finish the sentence: Lil' Wayne...
will die in the next ten years from a drug overdose. Mark my words.


9. Be honest, who won the classic battle between Jay-Z and Nas?
Jay-Z


10. Ultimately, what do you want people to get from your music?
Just to realize that regular muhfuckas are just as cool as the rap actors that we see all over. Like, it's okay to be a fan of a nigga you have more money than. Wouldn't you like Jay-Z more if he were your neighbor? Another thing is I just want life music to come back to the mainstream, and I think I can do that. When I say life music, I mean music you can clean out your closet to, music you can call your homies up and play cards to, music that can get you through your day. Say you were having a stressful ass day and you were just ready to go home and chill. Souljah Boy can't get you through that, T-Pain can't get you through that. But I bet if they played some shit like Tupac- 2 Live And Die in L.A., that shit would relax the shit out of you, and you'll just vibe out. Real Life music. Shit you can listen to while you wait for the moments that never come.


11. Any last words or shout outs?
GIRTH...ELLDEVINE...F2D...INGLEWOOD...CALIFORNIA...USA...WORLD...GALAXY.


12. Oh yeah...Beyonce or Lauren London?
Double L all day.


Look out for the upcoming music video for 'Corie Blount' (the newest single from Three-1-Zero). To listen to this song and more of Three-1-Zero's music, visit his MySpace music page. Also, be sure to watch out for the mixtape he'll be dropping in early summer.

That good ish: Alex Trochut

Based in Barcelona, graphic designer Alex Trochut can create some really good stuff. He has recently updated his own site with some new pieces. Check out some of my favorites below, and visit alextrochut.com to find and discover some of your own favorites. Enjoy!





And my personal favorite!

I just wanna know...

Why are they so frickin' cute???



Where is my guy who I can lounge around with while internet surfing on our matching his and her Macs?

Oh yeah...NOW I remember.

Epiphany at 11:03 pm...

I am the problem.


For years, I asked myself why?
Why is being loved so furiously sought after by me? I understand love is an intricate emotion that which most, if not all, human beings want to experience (yes, even the most cynical of cynics want it too). I understand it's human nature to love and be loved, and once you are loved, you don't want to ever lose that feeling. And if, God forbid, that love perishes, it is human nature to go out and find new love. I understand that me seeking love is not anything new. It is not original, it is not groundbreaking, it is not revolutionary. It is normal, it is expected, it is customary, average, standard, and conventional.

Let me expand on this. I believe that I have grasped love in the palm of my hand...once. And I believe that after that, I was shown glimpses of love here and there. So I understood that love was possible, even for me. Yet, knowing that I held love in my hands, I purposely gripped it too tight, choked the holy shit out of it, letting it slip and ooze out of crevices between my fingers. And seeing those tiny flashes of love, I stared too intensely, letting it blind me, as if I were staring directly at the sun with the naked eyes, so that I would be forced to put my hands up to dim the glare and turn my head away, no longer seeing it.

So I'm forced to alter my original age old question a little bit. No longer is it why do I want love, now it's why won't I let myself be loved? For me....love isn't enough. It wasn't enough for my parents, wasn't enough for most of my aunts & uncles. It's not enough for most people in the country, peep the divorce rate.

I won't let myself be loved because I understand that love is fleeting. It won't last, it will end. That was horribly pessimistic and heartbreaking for me to say. Wow...

I am the problem.

Thank you Beyonce...

This DVD changed my life.
True story.
After watching it, I was left feeling so incredibly inspired & rejuvanated and enlightened.
Sounds crazy, but Beyonce has that affect on me. I now feel more than well-equipped to take on anything that may come my way.

Just to be an ass...

...And rehash old shit (plus, it's been on my mind all day). Who really won this magnificent, glorious, and classic American beef?

Uh-oh, I'm doomed

Last week, Marvel comics decided to undo over 21 YEARS of love by reversing Peter Parker and Mary Jane's marriage & romantic relationship. I mean, POOF! just like that...it never existed. All of the sweat, blood, and tears, never happened. Wow.

They were perfect...more than perfect. They were the quintessential couple. They were each other's great, true loves.

And now, they're nothing?

I mean, I know it's just a comic book...it's not "real." But if Spidey & MJ can't make it, what the hell kind of a shot do I have?

Where did hope go?

I've found it in him.


“When we’ve been told we’re not ready or we shouldn’t try or we can’t, generations of Americans have responded with a simple creed that sums up the spirit of a people,” Mr. Obama said. “Yes, we can. Yes, we can.”



Yes we can.

HypeBeast!

I guess we all gotta stay fly.

2 of my favorite people doing 1 of my favorite things

On his blog, Kanye thanked everyone for all of their support during this trying time in his life, and mentioned how he would play Connect Four to help him get by also.

Apparently Beyonce was rumored to be quite the pro at this game, so Ye had to compete against her. (sidenote: Beyonce and I are so much alike, I'm the Connect Four queen...and I'm known to be able to beat anyone in ANY game = ] )






Beyonce beat him in 9 consecutive matches haha before he finally won one.



It's the little things, like Connect Four, that make all the difference. I'm glad Ye has good people around him at this time in his life because I know all too well how hard it can be dealing with the type of loss he's going through.

The Original

The originator of the true definition of "swagg."