B Yung the Poet-“Summer’s Here”

July 19, 2010July 19, 20102 Comments

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

Haziq- Live Larger

July 19, 2010July 19, 20105 Comments

Recording artist Haziq Ali is hip-hop’s best kept secret. Hailing from Washington, D.C. Haziq has been traveling all over the world on tours to get his name out there. He started of being interested in business but then branched out to make his business skills more musical with the talent that he grew fun of. He says, “My goal is to make the winning habits the dope ones to start,” encouraging his fans to start business that will prosper in the industry.

Haziq is currently working in India and plans to be on the cover of XXL freshmen 10 in the mere future. He’s also been on tour with Dondria, Nappy Roots, Tabli Kweli, and even Wale. MTVJams has premiered his video for “Freedom/Hussla” which is an even greater accomplishment. This unsigned artist has a very unique DC sound that’s very upbeat and personable. His featured song “Live Larger” is hot so give it a listen and tell me what you think.

Dispicable Me- Pharell

July 19, 2010Leave a comment

Dispicable me. This movie was the cutest of them yet this summer. Of Course I’m not into the movie spoilers but I will just let you know that if you are in for a sense of humor and animation make sure you hit your next matinee. As I was enjoying a laugh or two or three I noticed that the soundtrack was RAW. Then I googled and realized that Pharell, one of my favorite producers, was apart of this. He owned this soundtrack with features of The Bee Gees and Robin Thicke. Hip Hop is making its mark even in the children’s eyes of movie theatre, Who would’ve known?

Hair Update: The infamous Twisties Updo

July 19, 2010July 19, 2010Leave a comment

I’ve already posted on facebook, don’t mind the weird face I’m making but check out the HAIR! When you are bored at home with more free time then I was in school, I can discover different ways to do my hair. I was figuring out how to make my hair manageable, yet unique in a “corporate” kind of way. (Interview on Wednesday) Nonetheless, with Maury’s twist Gel and some African Shea butter this is what I came up with. I should start my demo video’s back up shouldn’t I?

To Be Continued.

Video: Monica – “Love All Over Me”

July 17, 2010Leave a comment

Monica has been winning alot of cool points with her leading guys in the music videos, I appreciate the appearance of Shannon Brown in this one, How about you?

Vodpod videos no longer available.

Video: Monica – “Love All Over Me”, posted with vodpod

Style Your Home With Funky DaDa

July 14, 2010July 14, 2010Leave a comment

I’m always browsing on the online store Etsy.com and came across the cutest decor by “Funky Dada”. She’s been in a previous post for her cute African print shoes so it was only right to catch you up to date with her new items. The throw pillows and bowls and spoons were handmade to perfect to give your home a chic style.

For more information on Funky DaDa visit the online store:

http://www.etsy.com/shop/FunkyDada?ref=top_trail

Six Months Brings Mental Illness to Haiti

July 14, 2010Leave a comment

I was watching ABC World news this past Monday and my heart became swollen as I watched a small boy tide up by all his limbs rolling around in the dirt, abandoned by on-lookers in the community of Port Au Prince, Haiti. It’s been months since the fatal earthquake has hit the capital of Haiti leaving lives lost and forgotten in now small institutions.

I had to fight back tears because knowing that I had no way of healing the minds of these forgotten humans. Just think of if you were stripped away from your house, you life, and your belongings, it will drive you insane to get back from rock bottom. There are many issues going on in the world today and not enough resources for the important ones that we should value like the Oil Spill and the aftermath of Haiti. We must lose hope on our world and faith on God that he will be a natural healer for the disasters that are taking over.

Terry Kennedy brings Skateboarding to BET

July 14, 2010July 14, 2010Leave a comment

You may have remembered him back in those Ice Cream days with Pharell, Terry Kennedy (TK) is a sexy professional skateboarder with Fly Society. I spotted him in the latest issue of Essence Magazine as one of the bachelors of the month. He’s moved on from previous girlfriend Angela Simmons, and has a reality show to premiere on BET this October. I can’t wait because I used to have a myspace crush on him in High School, oops! Guess he knows now!

Monday Soul at The New Parish

July 13, 2010Leave a comment

Mondays are now the hottest days of the week thanks to The New Parish in downtown Oakland. Every Monday The New Parish teams up with a group of local up and coming artists to put on a weekly event entitled “Monday Soul”. Soul is the perfect way to describe this event as artists with great talents grace the stage and the crowds brings confidence and a good time to the Bay Area.
Monday Soul was originally located at Air Lounge and was moved to the New Parish this summer by JE Media Company founded by Jackson Elis (better known as M. JE), Jareem, and DJ DSharp. These young gentlemen collaborated together to build a platform for aspiring bay area artists specializing in Hip Hop and R&B to showcase their talent in front of a respectable crowd every monday from 10 pm-1:30 am. Artists like J. Myers, Samm, Erk Tha Jerk, and the R.O.D project are amongst the many that share a relationship with the hosts to perform each Monday.
I was immediately drawn in by the New Parish’s lightly dimmed red lights and the diverse and expressive crowd that came out on a MONDAY to share their love of music, to enjoy a signature cocktail and comfortable conversation with their peers. I couldn’t picture a better place for such a soulful meanng. The house DJ (DJ DSharp) kept us vibin’ and head rockin’ to the sounds of James Brown, Common, Drake, and even Slum Village. The guest artist of the evening was the gorgeous recording artist Deja Bryson, Bay area’s own, that graced the stage with backup singers and dancers performing her hit single “I’m Power”. Making sure that she interacted with the crowd, Deja brought audiences to the stage and sang current Bay Area Anthems to keep us interested throughout the night.
Monday Soul is not just another party, what’s interesting about this production is that they value entrepreneurial endeavors as well as community efforts. In retro respect to making sure this event is worth your while, The New Parish provides memberships for $15 to have free entry, discounts, and updates on all events. Monday Soul has also partnered with Oakland Tennis and Macy Gray’s media group “Fusicology”. So ladies and gents, there is no reason why you should be sitting at home watching re-runs on a Monday night when you can enjoy an evening with the up and coming, best looking, well oriented, and influential people at the forefront of today’s Bay Area music.