Category: Entertainment

Tamar-Kali Debuts new ablum “Black Bottom”

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I am a strong supporter of AfroPunk.com and the Afro Punk Culture. For those of you not familiar with this culture, just think Alternative, Hardcore Punk Rock by black artists in a community.  Up and coming artist Tamar Kali recently debuted her first album “Black Bottom” for download.  Her voice is very wholesome and timeless over the acoustic and rock instrumentals, it only makes you feel like you are powerful and dominating in every aspect of your life.  Her Bandcamp description describes this album as “a reflection of where she found herself after a particularly disheartening period.” Tamar-Kali is a Brooklyn Native that has alot of respect in the Black Punk culture.  Check out her album below and tell me what you think?

Wale- Eyes of a Tiger

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Wale is back, I’m over here patiently waiting and I said I wouldn’t post any of his leaks til I get a full compilation of  “More About Nothing” but ah hell, here’s “Eyes of a Tiger”.  He definitely speaks on real issues in many ways, and the whole Tiger Woods spin off helps.  What do you think?

Estelle- Fall in Love feat. John Legend x Nas

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New video with Estelle featuring John Legend and Nas.  “Fall in Love” shows Estelle’s stylist at work.  I always like to watch a music video for certain detail.

The Opening Act: The Dreamer x T-Ran

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While other artists are in competition to be different, Ta’Darrell “T-Ran” Randolph, Oakland native, has already won and is taking the next step by breaking the barrier for today’s Hip Hop music.  At a very young age, T-Ran first fell in love with hip hop after watching the movie “Kush Groove”.  Inspired by the talent and culture the film progressed, he was determined to make his love for music his career.  He began pushing his music freshman year of high school where he networked with artists and participated in local events in his community.  When transferring to Howard University (the other HU lol) his support system was so strong that he dived right into the scene, performing opening acts for homecomings and participating in events in Washington D.C.

“I am an artist from the bay, but I am not a typical bay artist,” he says as he describes his versatility to not conform to a certain genre.  With an opportunity to attend a school with all kinds of cultures from around the world, T-Ran’s exposure outside of the bay area is what shaped him.  By looking up to artists like Kanye West, Lupe Fiasco, Wale, and R&B sensations Pattie LaBelle and Usher, I would say that he has developed his own sense of music in the genre of Hip-Hop.  It’s very rare that you come across an artist willing to build its own brand in an industry that has all been recycled and reused.

T-Ran currently has a mixtape that has been out since March entitled  “The Opening Act: The Dreamer” which includes poetic stories created over recognizable instrumentals.  One of his first songs “Give it To Me” was inspired while working at his job for Nike.

“They would give me stacks of shirts to fold, so I started writing the first verse in my head to kill time,” T-Ran made sure that his voice was heard in and out of the studio.  Whether it is an on-air personality for Howard’s radio station or an internship for a business executive, his constant dream is on rotation to becoming a reality.

I always ask artists to share advice because with culture rapidly advancing, it is always aspiring to know one’s journey to their dream.

“If you always stay true to yourself more doors will be opened then closed”- T-Ran

For more info on T-Ran visit:

www.twitter.com/T_ranhiphop

and Download his latest mixtape here: http://www.hotnewhiphop.com/en/view-album/424-opening-act:-the-dreamer

Kid Sister- “Big N Bad”

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Her voice is such an oxymoron to her style, but I like the video. You better just rap in a hot dog stand lol what do you think?

Vodpod videos no longer available.

Ryan Nicole- The Lady MC of the Bay Area

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Although Ryan Nicole is not a new name to me when you are close friends with her brother,  I find this artist to be one of the most artistically inclined Lady MC’s (as I call it) to be birthed from the Bay Area. Oh, and not to mention she rocks and embraces her natural hair :).  Social networking and her support system are doing a great job at putting her voice out there.  I hear about her at events, word of mouth, and mutual blogs websites.  For those not familiar to the Bay Area, Ryan Nicole was born in Oakland, California where she discovered her passion as an artist.  She is writer, Artist, Rapper, Singer, Poet, and lyricist which has become a rarity in the urban culture….and for all that talent to come out of a WOMAN!? I must show my respect!!  With famous Lady MC’s like Queen Latifah, MC Lyte, and Missy Elliot holding the fort the down for many years I think its now time for Ryan Nicole to take over the throne.  To tickle your hip hop soul and intellect, she recently dropped her new mixtape entitled Dis’onance Vol. 1 which is currently on rotation with one of my favorites “Um Ums” & “Magic Carpet Ride”.  In my opinion this compilation captivates her whole persona poetically speaking.  She spits versus with references to her hometown, love, and empowerment on beats of The Neptunes and features with other local artists.  Ryan Nicole is next aspiring Lady MC that you should be looking for in the future!


Here is a few of her art pieces that are displayed on her online store:

For more information on Contacting Her:

http://www.ryannicole.com

http://www.nyannicole.bandcamp.com

Dame Fifty5: The Indie Pop Vision

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Music lovers can only go back to the future with this Cincinatti born artist, Dame Fifty5 is Indie Pop Culture’s next best unsigned artist.  He started off with a passion for fashion at the Fashion Institue for Design Merchandise in Los Angeles and soon grew into his love for music. Dame’s creative abilities have been expressed through many influences using different sounds to capture your mind and take your soul on a ride.  I’ve favorited one song entitled “Love Nior” off his first mixtape Rode to Ruins because I instantly fell in love with the lyrics and the sound seemed so timeless to Hip Hop.  While he is currently in Berlin, Germany right now I will continue to rock out to his music back here in the bay.

Mixtape can be downloaded and accessed Here:

http://www.rawemag.org/2010/02/11/dame-fifty5-interview/

http://www.twitter.com/damefifty5

http://www.facebook.com/damefifty5

Just a cool video that was on his myspace 🙂

Dondria- “Shawty Wus Up”

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Dondria’s “Shawty Wus Up” reminds me of summer time in the south. I had to put her on her to give my vibe a lil’ edge. Dondria was discovered and picked up by Jermaine Dupri on Youtube and is soon to be dropping her first album August 17th so look out for her. Enjoy!

B Yung the Poet-“Summer’s Here”

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This past Wednesday I attended Air Lounges “Hot Water Cornbread” Poetry night that happens every Wednesday at 8pm in downtown Oakland’s newest urban underground lounge.  There were many talented poets but what most caught my eyes, ears, and soul was a poet by the name of B Yung.  Brook Yung is young black man from Brooklyn, New York who just so happened to be traveling on tour and stopped by to share with us his passion for poetry.   He shares a love for composing music and writing poetry that he has been displaying on tour around the world for a living.  He’s traveled to China and Shanghai where he continues to discover and grow as an artist.

I was amazed by the feedback he received; finger snaps, ooh and aaahs, from the very eclectic audience of the evening.  He held his head high and kept his arms open as he spoke his original pieces from his Chapbook entitled “Summer’s Here”.  I have a poem excerpt from his website www.brookyoung.blogspot.com.

Red Sex Canteen

Fingers haunt the spine

Sweet fabric of moan

Gallery of kisses knotting

Gyrating flesh dessert; pink as salmon

Ritual of red heel and lace

Smooth buttons peeling, soft as sand

Skin static sizzling between stomachs

Hissing like an old record needle

Sweet wine of woman

Sweet slow burn of lust, silky stream of lashes

Tepid hearts roasting in the midnight of skin

Radiant after taste of moonlight

Blissful spine music, loose lantern of eyes

Innocent sex spell steaming like a small fever

Ocean wave of legs binding like string

Warm ink of eyes dripping,

Red sex canteen, Overload of lips

Small temper of nerve jumping in the skin

Nectarous thigh candy,

Naked tongue polish, slippery

House of bone melting

Penetrable leg meal

Old spice of eye voodoo

Sonnet of singing souls

Patient faint of dawn…

While scrolling through his blog I noticed his post on B. Yung’s Five Steps to being Successful:Capitalize, footwork,  show your face, and stay humble

As an artist whether it be poetry, music, or fashion it is important that you stay humble in your craft and really show your face; meaning in my words get your name out there, brand yourself and meet people that will help you become successful. B Yung’s personal steps can be great advice to anyone aspiring to be a successful artist today.

B. Young’s Chapbook is currently for purchase.  For more information on how you can learn more or support him as an artist please visit his website http://www.brookyung.blogspot.com