Lupe Fiasco pays a visit to Clark Atlanta University…L.A.S.E.R.S

Lupe Fiasco graced the campus of Clark Atlanta University today. He sat down with Dr. Joycelyn A. Wilson, Director of  The HipHop 2020 Project in front of an audience full of interested college students/fans opening up about his manifesto, his 14 point philosophy as well as his new music and of course the new album LASERS set 2 drop on March 8th.
He opened about his thought process, why he wrote his manifesto. He opens up about what guided him to write some of his music especially within the project coming out. He opens up about his background, his family, and his upbringing really delving into his relationship with his father, who made sure Lupe was as well rounded as the westside of Chicago would allow. And I think this made him even more real. He was honest and that’s what fans who are into hip hop really want. We want artist that will be honest about what they know, what they feel, and what they think.

But I have 2 tell ya’ll I he is one of the dopest hip hop minds ever. And I say hip hop minds because he’s not only a talented rapper. He not just about spittin 16 bars and a hook, collect his pay check and move on. He is someone who takes into consideration the world. The problems, the blessings…the ups and downs and throws it into his music he touches lives on a personal, prolific, realistic level. I was almost in awe most of the time as he spoke because what he was saying, the place in which he was coming from was fascinating to me. I have recently within the last year and ½, become a fan of Lupe and when some times when I listen to his music, and I mean really listen, he says some real stuff.
What I love about Lupe he’s a thinker. And a thinker that can put it in his music, can reach thousands. He believes that we should be aggressively peaceful. In the hood there is no need to fight fire with fire. Some things are not worth fighting for. There is no point in fighting amongst ourselves.

 

“you wanna punch somebody…go punch the CEO of AIG, go punch his ass”

He really took his time and being honest about how he feels politically, socially and economically. Throughout the entire presentation he was given the chance to explain why he chose the words in which he did in both he songs ‘Words I never said’ and ‘The Show Goes On’.

And to end the presentation he has the entire audience stand and read his Manifesto out loud together.

L.A.S.E.R.S. MANIFESTO:

To every man, woman & child we want an end to the glamorization of negativity in the media│ We want an end to status symbols dictating our worth as individuals│ We want a meaningful and universal education system│ We want substance in the place of popularity│ We will not compromise who we are to be accepted by the crowd│ We want the invisible walls that separate by wealth, race & class to be torn down│ We want to think our own thoughts│ We will be responsible for our environment│ We want clarity & truth from our elected officials or they should move aside│ We want love not lies│ We want an end to all wars foreign & domestic violence│ We want an end to the processed culture of exploitation, over-consumption & waste│ We want knowledge, understanding & peace│ We will not lose because we are not losers, we are lasers!│ Lasers are the opposite of losers│ Lasers are shining beams of light that burn through the darkness of ignorance│ Lasers shed light on injustice and inequality│ Losers stand by and let things happen│ Lasers act and shape their own destinies│ Lasers find meaning and direction in the mysteries all around them│Lasers stand for love and compassion│ Lasers stand for peace│Lasers stand for progression│Lasers are REvolutionary │Lasers are the future

Love Always Shines Every time Remember 2 Smile – LF

It was an awesome experience and I’m looking forward to his album, his new foundation and any and all projects he has coming up in the future. LASERS is highly anticipated album, not just for Lupe as an artist but I think for hip hop as whole. So I’m ready, but are you?

-Ms. Shay

Love
Always
Shines
Every time
Remember 2
Smile

“School for some, education for everyone” -Lupe Fiasco

 

Lil Kim’s Mixtape Sells 113,000+ copies….on PayPal

ok so Lil Kim dropped her mixtape and has sold 113,000+ copies on paypal hmmm #sideeye but anyway if this is at all true, Congratulations! I guess. The only thing that makes me feel a lil weird about this is that the majority of the album is geared toward her “rival” Ms. Nicki Minaj. And it is obvious from the looks of the cover, the direction and attitude she was going for. But does anyone else feel like an entire mixtape geared toward dissing someone is just a lil bit crazy…ok it could be me!

But for those who do want the mixtape, you can purchase it for $9.99 on paypal’s website. now apparently over the last 28 hrs. since the release of this mixtape she has managed to shut down part of paypal’s server due to the high traffic in small time frame. If all this is true, then 2 thumbs up to her.

-Ms. Shay

‘Love & Hip Hop’ VH1′s new reality show

Yea you read it right, VH1 has confirmed a new reality show. Entitled “Love and Hip Hop” The show will follow former wives/girlfriends of hip hop artist. Interesting to say the least. But the concept won’t be much different than shows such as Basketball Wives and Football Wives.  The show will feature Vibe.com’s Mashonda Tifere (ex-wife to Swizz Beats) Emily B (girlfriend to Fabolous), Chrissy Lampkin (wife of  Jim Jones), latin music artist Somaya Reece (ex-girlfriend of Joe Budden), and R& B singer Olivia

According to Vibe Magazine

“The series will follow the women as they balance personal relationships and making it in the entertainment industry. Cameras will show Emily and Chrissy trying to lock their men down while Olivia and Somaya give viewers a look at what upcoming artists forgo to get ahead in the music game.”

This is an interesting choice of women, but it’s a start. Everyone knows about the Mashonda and Swizz Beats (who is nowmarried to Alicia Keys) and how their divorce played out. But I think we all are itching to see how she got on with her life, and I’m personally hoping for the show to not harp on their relationship. The other women, haven’t really been in the lime light, which is good. Now we get to learn about the women behind these men who we worship in the world of hip hop. E! did a number documentaries on Hip Hop wives (which I love) but i think this will be nice to see them is real life. (or as real as VH1 will make it)

“The show is about strength and womanhood. I’m excited about the show and the women on it,” says Mashonda of the new venture.

I truly hope so, because this is what women in hip hop, and significant others of hip hop artist need. A positive light into their world. Keeping my fingers crossed VH1

The show is set to premier on March 21st on VH1

-Ms. Shay

Fashion Trend: Headphones…really!?

I didnt really want to write about this, but this particular fashion trend is getting a lot fo steam and I’m not sure why. HEADPHONES! Like celebs are really pushing and endorsing their brand of headphones. I must have been blindly unaware that the headphones market was so untapped lol. I’m you’ve all heard of Diddy promoting his headphones, and not 50 cent is following right behind him. to be called Sleek

check the video below.

Now i know wearing headphones as apart of ones outfit is nothing new…I am a product of the 90′s. but really I’m willing to bet that these headphones are gonna cost both arms and both legs, and I feel like what is the purpose and point of it all. I mean is there something wrong with the regular headphones?…but anyway I hope 50 and any other celeb that wants to promote headphones, does well.

-Ms. Shay

Pink Friday, should be called PLATINUM Friday!!!

Pink Friday is officially certified Platinum! YAY! Pink Friday Nicki’s debut album dropped in November and is still the #2 Rap Album and the #4 Album in the country on Billboard’s 200 (woot woot).

I’m actually proud of Nicki, being that I am a fan…

shout out 2 Nicki Minaj

-Ms. Shay

Lauryn Hill Tour dates

MAN OH MAN, yes Ms. Lauryn Hill is on tour. I stand by the fact that no other female artist as release an album like TheMiseducation of Lauryn Hill. I dare you to give another female that has a better album. but forreal, if you can be sure to snag your tickets cause I;m willing to bet you’re in for a feel good time.

-Ms. Shay

CITY	VENUE	DATE
New York, NY	The Blue Note	Tue	Jan 04 / 11
New York, NY	The Blue Note	Wed	Jan 05 / 11
Charlotte, NC	Amos’ Southend	Sat	Jan 08 / 11
Asheville, NC	Orange Peel	Sun	Jan 09 / 11
Charleston, SC	The Music Farm	Wed	Jan 12 / 11
Atlanta, GA	Center Stage	Fri	Jan 14 / 11
St. Louis, MO	The Pageant	Sun	Jan 16 / 11
Minneapolis, MN	First Avenue	Tue	Jan 18 / 11
Chicago, IL	House of Blues	Thu	Jan 20 / 11
Toronto, ON	The Sound Academy	Sat	Jan 22 / 11
Montreal, QC	Metropolis	Sun	Jan 23 / 11
Atlantic City, NJ	House of Blues	Sat	Jan 29 / 11
Montclair, NJ	The Wellmont Theatre	Fri	Feb 04 / 11
Miami, FL	Sun Life Stadium	Sat	Mar 19 / 11

Soulja Boy only worth 13,000 albums

Sooo Kanye sold 496,000 albums his 1st week, Nicki sold 375,000 albums her 1st week…hell even Taylor Swift is still hanging on with 241,000 albums sales as of last week and then there was Soulja Boy…13,000 DAMN!! ok ok What happened? After all this hype…this “boss man” mentality lol I’m sorry but this is too funny. and the sad thing is he is nostranger to poor 1st week album sales! I don’t know about you but I’m surprised he still has his deal. I mean I guess cause his singles do so well that it compensates for the horrible…atrocious…horrendous lol albums sales? ummmm NOT Soulja Boy take this as a calling. Find something else to do,

-Ms. Shay

Souljaboytellem.com: 117K

isouljaboytellem:46K

The DeAndre Way:13,360 (to be exact)

Nicki Minaj; MY TIME NOW

ok ok i know I’m super late with this review but I really wanted to find the right words for this. And I can honestly say that I am so proud to watch this documentary of Nicki. NICKI MINAJ; MY TIME NOW aired on MTV on Nov. 28th  I think what I enjoyed most was the honesty of it all. It wasn’t to much of a tear jerker, and wasn’t all about her ego either. The program followed the Young Money diva through her VMA appearances, her album making process and most importantly her return to home of Port of Spain, Trinidad & Tobago to perform for thousands of fans! in my opinion this is the closest the world will ever get to seeing the real Nicki!

I loved the documentation of her family, i mean it was little bit awkward to see just how much she spent on her family and the amount of cash that she carried, but hey who am I to judge… it was real. A lot of celebs say “I want to do better for my family”….”I don’t want my family to have to struggle anymore” And I think seeing her with not just her mother and brother, but with cousins as well added to her reality.

beyond that it was nice to see a soft side to the force that is Nicki Minaj. When she was talking about not seeing her mother for 2 years, when her mother first came to the states, you can tell this is not a joke, there is some real emotion.

“A lot of times, when you’re from the islands, your parents leave and then send for you because it’s easier when they have established themselves; when they have a place to stay, when they have a job. I thought it was gonna be for a few days, it turned into two years without my mother,” she says of living with relatives.

But ya’ll what got me was when she was asked about her grandmother, the tears….omg! and what made that moment truly real was how much she tried her best to not cry. beyond not wanting to mess up her make-up lol, that emotion…that love that she still holds for her grandmother, your heart goes out to her.

But Imma keep it 100 with ya’ll, as much as people want to call her a biter, or hate on her…you gotta give props where props are due! The amount of publicity she is getting, some celebs don’t get until a few years into their career.  sooooo yea! beyond the look out for it because you know MTV replays everything like a million times!

-Ms. Shay

Vegas Invaded…Nicki Style

Ms. Nicki Minaj celebrated her barbie inspired birthday themed start studded event at TAO. She rang in her 26th birthday in style with 2 cakes, of course ace of spades flowin. Boss man Wayne was in the buildin (no alcohol of course) and most of the young money crew come out to show love. She had her girls by her side and she was lookin ALL THE WAY fly…what more could a girl ask for!!! I wish i could’ve been there but for now I’ll just admire.

-Ms. Shay

 

 

 

 

 

 

Kim or Nicki…will it ever be settled

So I know everyone done heard Lil Kim’s new joint Black Friday. Clearly it’s a come back to Nicki Minaj’s Roman’s Revenge. No the interesting thing here is that there is a lot of back and forth between the two but i feel like they could be much more forceful if the actually did a track together.

Now my opinion on this Lil Kim/Nicki Minaj thing, i can’t say who is better because both women are very much the same but just different time periods. I think Nicki is definitely 10 times more vicious than Kim. You gotta give the girl her props she has a lot of balls. I think this new millennium Lil Kim fell off. I think the 1990′s Lil Kim would’ve taken Nicki and been mopped the floor with her. Nicki in a way is this generation’s lil kim, Back in the day Kim stood her ground among a male dominated industry, I think Lil Kim got comfortable, and now is tryin to fight her way back…idk. Kim’s black friday though she went hard! i mean she laid her ish down…but it was predictable. Like it was expected, obviously you’re going to claim that you were the original, you were the first, and you think she’s a biter….ok now what?

So the question is this…NICKI OR LIL KIM?!?! as for me…i gotta go with Nicki

-Ms.Shay