sound: Dead Prez x The Beauty Within

"You're the TRUTH, never doubt that."



"this Hollywood world so pretentious
every other girl got a perm or extensions
but you don't even rarely wear lipstick
still your beauty is a natural mystic
indigenous strong cheekbone from your lineage
not what the mainstream image is
natural hair as your heritage
but to see it without chemicals
is rare as the pyramids." -Dead Prez

word:

word: Juice x Soulja Boy 2011

Rapper Soulja Boy said to be claiming the late Tupac Shakur's role of Bishop in a remake of the classic movie Juice. YouTube vlogger featured above shares words of disapproval.

 I agree with the brother. I'm not upset with Soulja Boy, the problem lies with those giving Soulja Boy the platform to spread his stupidy and ignorace. There are a plethora of young Black actors that I'm sure would have been perfect for this role. Given the fact that there is a small Black presence in Hollywood as it is, it is troubling to see a legitimate movie role go to someone such as Soulja Boy who is underserving and illfitting.

"I hope 'Pac come outta heaven and smack the shit outta Soulja Boy" - extract from video.

sound: Look At Me Now

if you havent seen this already, WATCH. this girl is a BEAST.

word:

"Inside every cynic is a disappointed idealist."-George Carlin

product review: Kinky Curly Knot Today

Kinky Curly Knot Today has been on my list of "to-try" products an after hearing rave reviews about it I was anxious to give it a try.  After months of prolonged procrastination I finally made it to Ricky's NYC and got my hands on a bottle. I must admit I was not dissapointed. KCKT not only has alot of slip for easy detangling but is similar to its counterpart KC Curly Custard in the fact that it is also very moisturing. I went two whole days before I felt the need to remoisturize using Shea Moisture's Curl Enhancing Smoothie.

 FULL DISCLOSURE: I mixed jojoba oil, olive oil and organic aloe vera juice in with the Knot Today before I applied it to my hair, therefore this review is a bit skewed as I can't speak to how Knot Today works alone.

(twist-out)

word:

REAL G's MOVE

IN SILENCE

LIKE LASAGNA

life: Easy like Sunday Morning (4.3.11)

I had a late Sunday night dinner with Lady Osa a couple of weeks ago. Our pow-wows are always insightful and comedic.

Me & OSA



sound: EMILIO ROJAS x "RIGHT TO STAY"

Emilio Rojas "Right to Stay"

This video does a great job illustrating the plight of millions of immigrants across the United States. Given the current political discourse surrounding immigrants and the "immigrant problem" I applaud Emilio for speaking on this subject. Not only does the video for "right to stay" pin point fallacies in American laws and political system but hones in on the fact that "illegal" immgigrants are racially, socially and economically disfranchisement and exploited.

photo:

top knot pimpin'

get Familiar: NomadnessTV x EVITA ROBINSON x BERLIN or BUST x KICKSTART

Last summer I stumbled across a blog titled NomadnessTV I was immediately captivated by the words and stories I read. The site is filled with stories ranging from life in NYC to time spent trotting the globe to Japan, France and India. I read notes on survival and love and watched a young woman come into contact with different cultures and watched as these experiences touched and shaped her life. I was thoroughly mesmerized by this woman who dared to follow her dreams; teaching, traveling and consequently being positively enlightened and shaped by the world and the many gifts and lessons it has to offer. I probably spent upwards of 2 hours skimming through all the post. By the time I had finished I felt I personally knew the woman behind the words. I contacted her, telling her how touched I was by her blog and how inspiring her stories were. Since then she has become someone I admire. I have never met Evita Robinson the young woman behind NomadnessTV (in my mind we're besties). Nevertheless, I see some of myself in her. I believe in her vision. I support her. Now Evita is taking the next step in her journey to kickstart her own show and film the pilot episode of NomadnessTV, Berlin or Bust  to bring her story to the masses. She needs our help.  Your help. She is looking to raise 5,000 by May 24^th.   I believe with our help she will not only reach her goal but surpass it. You can help achive her dreams and reach her goal by going to her kickstart page to learn more and to pledge. Any amount is welcome and makes a huge difference.

 Now you might be asking yourself "Why should I care?" "Why should I help?" You should pledge because the world needs more positive images of Black women. Because it takes a village to raise a child. Because we all need a platform to stand on, somewhere to begin. Because when you fund someone else’s dream you also fund your own. Because the youth is the future. Because it’s always fun daringly living vicariously through someone else. Because its hard making a dollar out of 15cents. Because Rome wasn't built in one day.  Because we weren’t  meant to survive cause it’s a set-up. Because Black is Beautiful. Because there is strength in numbers. Because if you let the world change you you can change the world. Because sometimes all you need is 5,000 and a dream. Pledge --> HERE

Evita on a recent trip to Cambodia

word:

get Familiar: JOVONNA RODRIGUEZ x PRONOUNS

One of my child hood friends Jovonna Rodriguez has just release a book titled  Pronouns. Pronouns categorizes life through writing, which is often separated by visions and experience. Pronouns is a collection of poetry and prose describing every aspect of the human existence in relation to emotions, and highlighting everystruggle and success. Pronouns is something everyone can feel.

Based on the principle that all life stories can be interchangeable, Pronouns explores each avenue, situation, and event. It starts off with a personal chapter introducing the author’s inspirations to write and poems that describe her life. Pronouns explores a different theme in each chapter, based on the definition of a
pronoun: She, Him, Us, Them, and We.

Pronouns is a showcase of passion, covering an array of issues including abuse, sex, artistry, incarceration, love, political activism, community collectiveness, youth, nature, and truth. It pays homage to Shatoya Currie (Girl X), 2009 Taser related deaths, incarcerated men, and our community.

About the Author

JOVONNA RODRIGUEZ

JoVonna Rodriguez is a vessel for words and emotions. She is a native New Yorker who now resides in Atlanta, Georgia since graduating from Emory University. She is AmeriCorps alum whose commitment to service is now bridged with being a life long educator. She makes sure to incorporate creative and innovative ways of learning how to love reading and writing in her classroom. JoVonna is releasing her first book of poetry and prose entitled, Pronouns. For more on JoVonna Rodriguez and Pronouns check her out at:www.joskidiesel.com, @JoskiDiesel or joskidiesel@yahoo.com.

sound: Song Of The Week x Frank Ocean x Novacane