[JAIL HOUSE BLUES]: Letter #2 From Ja Rule (First Night In Jail)

Ja Rule has opened up about his unpleasant prison experience when he released his first letter here and has continued on further about his first night in prison, being tested by the other inmates and having to sign autographs under these predicaments. 

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July 9, 2011

My first night here was crazy inmates screaming, banging, and kicking the doors calling the male CO’s bitch ass niggas & faggots telling the female CO’s how they gonna fuck em, throwing plates of food out their cells onto the floor LOL. WELCOME TO THE GREEN MONSTER!  This type of shit would never happen upstate at best you’d be in the box for a month at worst the infirmary. I even got into it wit these stupid niggas trying to assassinate  my character talkin about I’m snitching to the guards and that I’m getting special treatment. I barked on these niggas and set em straight cause as a man there’s only so much you can take before you snap. At first I tried to ignore there lil comments until they started talkin shit like they gonna kick my door and all this clown shit. 

But the funny thing is when I started screaming on them lettin them know they got the wrong nigga they got excited it was like that’s what they wanted to bring the hood out of me. That’s when I realized that I’m dealing wit kids they can’t be niggas my age cause that would’ve lead to instant confrontation not instant admiration. After I set em straight they wanted to talk & ask me about the industry I could tell they wanted to be my friend but just didn’t know how to go about it. So I chatted wit them for a lil bit before letting them know I was tried and ready to lay down. 

But as I layed I listened to them talk telling there life stories of how one was born in a crack house and grew up selling crack to his mother and how another watched his father get murdered rite in front of him by some dudes he owed money as they robbed his house and how they were now in jail for crimes of their own one for beating his girl friend the other for a murder. One of them them is 19 the other just turned 23 yesterday. Both with kids of their own. When will we break the cycle? WILLIE LYNCH LIVES ON... DAMN!

When I got here I was happy to see some officers of the same skin color not that I’m racist or anything but in this type of situation and where I just came from you’d be happy to see some of your own too. Prejudice does still exist trust me I’ve been treated and seen it  people treated like niggers more in 1 month that I have my whole life I feel like a slave and even tho I haven’t heard anyone say it actions speak louder than words. 

As I walk through the door everyone staring like they can’t believe I just walked in cuffed from head to toe. Even tho I don’t feel like much of a star that’s all they see the star that has fallen. But as I look in their eyes I still see the love they still wanna meet me and greet me as if I’m on their own personal stage except there’s no screaming fans, fancy clothes & bright lights. Only screaming inmates me in my orange jumpsuit and little flash lights they shine in my cell at night. It’s hard to feel good signing autographs and taking pictures in this predicament but I did it with a smile cause I love my fans and never say no, no matter what mood I’m in after the meet & greet they took me to my cell where I’ll be housed till my court date it’s not the best but it’s not the worst either they gave me some pillows and an extra mattress so I’ll live. 

This is my 3rd here and IA already came and got me to investigate my lil meet & greet. I basically told them to fuck off and that those are good cops cause they really were nice to me last thing I wanna see is good people get in trouble cause they got an autograph or a pic from me. You wanna investigate something investigate the crooked Hip Hop Task Force that got me into this shit in the first place.

As I sit in my cell listening to their stories I think about me and my Dad and how I hated to love him for so many years and how I vowed to be nothing like him only to have my mother say “your just like your father” LOL. Which made me curious to know him and of course just as we start to get closer to one another he dies. But I have my closure I learned alot about him and him about me in the short time we spent together. 

Which makes me think about my kids and how I’m raising them I am a great father and I have broken the cycle even though I’m in prison the foundation has already been layed. I hate being away from them for 20 months but shit  could just as easily been on tour for that long. I feel compelled I wanna help other kids break the cycle. 

I’ve been to 5 different prisons and all I see is niggas and I ain’t talking about black people I’m talking about ignorance. See the problem wit most people is they don’t smell shit until they step in it and by that time it’s all over your shoe and everybody is tryin to get away from you. Now you have 2 choices you can either wash that shoe or throw it away.

 A lot of people choose to throw it away meaning they didn’t learn shit but those that choose to wash that shoe tend to watch their step knowing how hard it was to get em clean. I think I’ll wash my shoes this time cause this shit ain’t me. 

R.I.P William Jeffrey Atkins

BREAK THE CYCLE!

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[REALITY TV BITS] Emily Gives Deets On Leaving Fab + Kimbella Drama + New Clothing Line!

Reality TV is such a guilty pleasure and Love & Hip Hop is of course full of drama and relationship issues. However on the first season Emily B, who is the mother of Fabolous son appeared rather meek, scorned and emotional due to her and Fab's not so good relationship or lack there of. 

But she has a new found confidence about her self this season and gave Fab the boot and is focusing on her, her daughter and son. So in an interview with Freddyo she gave details on the show and more. 

Below are a few excerpts: 

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Her feelings of how she has been portrayed on the show: 

Um I think 6 months ago when I started filming that’s where I was at. A lot has changed in the last few months. I have grown and my relationships have changed. I’ve changed a lot from it. You know, there’s a lot more to me than what they show. I think a lot of it is negative and I don’t like it but you know it comes along with the territory of being a on a reality show. I have a story line I guess, so they follow the drama and the emotional part of me. I think that I am accurately portrayed in some areas, not in all of them.

On why she decided to leave Fab and move out on her own:

Well of course you see me moving out on my own. I have two children and I moved on my own in New York. You know I moved here to be with Fab so for me to be here and live on my own is just an experience for me. So you get to see that and you know I just focused on me. I realized that I had to put me first and everything else would fall in place. So on this season, I had to  go out on my own, I had to be independent. I had to do me. The first step in doing me was moving out on my own which was very, very difficult. A lot of people are wondering if I still live on my own. Yes, absolutely, I still have my own place and I still live on my own. Absolutely.

On if there is truth to the rumors that she and Fab are back together:

Well, we have been shooting for a very long time, and we are still shooting so I don’t want to give any of that info away (laughs).

On if she thinks Chrissy did the right thing by fighting Kimbellla:

No. I think she acted off of emotion and she knows that she could have handled it better. I don’t condone violence. I didn’t want her to get punched in her face, I don’t think anyone deserves that.

On her current feelings towards Kimbella:

I have no hard feelings toward Kimbella at this point. I cannot hold on to any type of resentment toward her because if I did, I couldn’t move on. That was the past and I moved on from it. She came on the show, she told me on national TV, she accomplished her goal and that’s it. (laughs)

On what we can expect from the rest of the episodes:

I continue to grow. Your going to see a little more sassiness from me this season (laughs). I have a mouth.

On what we can expect from her clothing line:

Well, the key thing is that it is going to be affordable. I want it to be affordable because I know that a lot of girls that watch my show are always asking what I’m wearing and I just want to make something that is affordable, chic, and trendy. That’s what you can expect..it’s entitled Emily B. and will be available some time in 2012. That’s the love of my life right now.

Outside of fashion and being a TV star, is there anything else you would like to accomplish?

Yes, definitely. I am starting a non-profit foundation for teen mothers. I just want to be a mentor to them as well because I was a teen mother myself, so that’s what I’m going to be dipping into.

[VIEW FULL INTERVIEW]

LEAVE YOUR THOUGHTS AND COMMENTS BELOW!! 

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[NEW MUSIC] Wale Feat. 2 Chainz, Rick Ross & Trey Songz (REMIX)

Wale drops the official remix of "Bait" a bonus record lifted off his new album Ambition and features Rick Ross, BET's Favorite Cypher MC - 2 Chainz and even Trey Songz unleashed his alter ego "Trigga" and showed off his rapping skills ... 


TAKE A LISTEN:

Wale Feat. 2 Chainz, Rick Ross & Trey Songz (REMIX)

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[NEW MUSIC] Common feat. John Legend - "The Believer"

Common releases his new single "The Believer" which features the soulful sound of John Legend on the hook and will be featured on his ninth album, The Dreamer/The Believer dropping 12. 20.11. 


This is such a sweet collaboration and having such powerful and conscience artists on the same track is nothing short of amazing and the message is deep!!! 

TAKE A LISTEN:

Common feat. John Legend - "The Believer" 

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[VIDEO] B.o.B feat. Lil Wayne - "Strange Clouds"

B.o.B drops the visuals for his new single "Strange Clouds" featuring Lil Wayne which is to be featured on B.o.B forthcoming album. 


Check it out! 

Get More: B.o.B, Strange Clouds feat Lil Wayne, Music, More Music Videos

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[NEW MUSIC] Karina Pasian - "I Love You So"

Known for her hit "16 at War", pop-soul singer Karina Pasian is all grown up now with a new look and is taking a much more mature approach in her music.

The 20 year-old songstress is back with an electronic soul filled record "I Love You So"  which is featured on her forthcoming EP 'Trips to Venus' which is scheduled to drop due 12.13.11. 

TAKE A LISTEN: 

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[EXCLUSIVE] Q&A with Gary Hines of Sounds of Blackness!!

I recently was blessed with the opportunity to interview Mr. Gary Hines who is the creative director of well popular soul group Sounds of Blackness who is known worldwide for their inspirational, spiritual and emotionally filled songs such as “ Optimistic” and “I Believe” and "Hold On". 

They are currently celebrating their 40th year anniversary and have also recently released their new self-titled album and the visuals to their new single "Fly Again" and below you can find out more deets on the history of the group, creative direction, their longevity and more!!! 

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NW: After some research, I found it quite interesting how SOB was formed, so for those who don’t know can you explain exactly how the group started?

Gary Hines: SOB as of this year are celebrating our 40^th anniversary began in 1971 at my alma mater, Macalester College here in Minnesota and a group students had gotten together actually a couple of years before that and formed a group called “The Macalester College Black Voices”. In 1971, I was asked to be music director and really the vision that God gave me for the group, which was already very excellent at the time, was to continue in the tradition of artist such as Duke Ellington and Quincy Jones  – that was Jazz, Blues, Gospel and Spirituals and we were going to format ourselves in that same mode and we needed a name that would represent that fact that we were going to do all styles of black music and hence the name Sounds of Blackness.

NW: How has SOB been able to stay creative and continue to incorporate R&B, Soul, Jazz, Reggae, Rock and avoid being labeled as just another gospel choir?

Gary Hines: We believe in the words of an old phrase “To thy own self be true” and as artists we are clear about who and what we are and what we do and why we do it, if were going to live up to the name Sounds of Blackness, that has to represent the music of a culture and yes the industry, the media and sometimes the public as well likes to, for convenience sake or whatever, to pigeonhole an artist or us into just one category and sometimes that is gospel and we gently correct them….it's not offensive it's just not correct and we do the music of the experience.

It’s really impossible to fully appreciate “the glory halleluiah of the gospel” with out the pain of the blues and the history of the spirituals and jazz and the work songs in the field howlers so that’s the full of family of American music and that is what we bring in SOB.

NW: Was it ever expected that SOB would help launch the solo careers of Ann Nesby, Cynthia Maria Johnson, as well as giving a platform for Mrs. Nesby’s daughter, Jamecia Bennett and her daughter American Idol Contestant Paris Bennett?

Gary Hines: Even from our early days as college students at Macalester, we would write out our goals and one of those goals was to eventually to be in the position one day to be in the springboard for solo careers.

So by the grace of God we have been blessed to do that … one of the great Alexander O’Neal, speaking of R&B, he was a SOB member and was with us for about a year. Also Cynthia Johnson is the lead vocalist on disco classic “Funky Town” and she started with us, then later started a solo career but she is now back with us and is a featured on our new CD as a lead vocalist.

NW: So the buzz is that Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis have a lot to do with SOB's career, explain 

Gary Hines: We always give big props to Jam and Lewis and in fact we such saw them last week in Atlanta for the taping of the Soul Train Awards and they're out with their own
with their own new project …. So I know they would want me to send them a Shout Out! … *laughs*  

We’ve known Jam and Lewis since the 70’s and when they were known as The Flyte Tyme Band, many times we would be performing at some of the same events…. And frequently SOB would open up the evening and often times The Flyte Tyme Band would close the show, so we spent a lot of time backstage together and were familiar with each other's music.

So that was important b/c when SOB was signed by Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis as the first artist on their Perspective Records Label, the first thing they said was “don’t change, we want to present you to the world just the way you are” and of course they were already familiar with SOB.

NW: What was the creative direction for new album ”Sounds of Blackness”?

Gary Hines: The feeling was to really bring the essence of SOB, that’s why we titled it, this is our first self titled CD, The Sounds of Blackness, and we really wanted to the convey the essence of the group and we are self produced on this one and within our very talented membership. Including our assistant director brother Billy Steele, Jamecia Bennett is a producer and writer as well, Carrie Harrington who is the choreographer, Drummer Larry Robinson (Cadillac) and also the SOB extended family, rapper XROSS, Kory Dean, and so it’s a family affair kind of things and really features the creative efforts of SOB singers and band.

NW: Features and Production on New Album?

Gary Hines: Our new CD features some real and astounding artists and international artists as far away as India, Japan so it has a real international flavor as well.

We have a big band arrangement of the classic spiritual “Every Time I Feel The Spirit” and that features Grammy award winning, jazz guitarist and vocalist, Norman Brown and legend in jazz Doris Hines on the vocals, so we have a real mix on this record and there is definitely something for everyone on this new CD.

NW: Why was “Fly Again” the first single?

Really for us it’s the “Optimistic” of 2011. The circumstances under which it (“Fly Again”) was created were many of the same circumstances as "Optimistic" - war, economic down turn, unemployment, layoff, repossessions and foreclosures… ppl are going thru so much right now that we felt that they needed an anthem that would be inspiring for them in the same way that “Optimistic” was in 1991.

So in 1991 it was SOB and “Optimistic” with Ann Nesby on the lead vocals and now in 2011, 20-yrs later it's SOB and “Fly Again”, with the daughter of Ann Nesby, Jamecia Bennett on the lead vocals.

NW: Mary Mary performed “Optimistic” at the 2011 Black Girls Rock Awards, How does it feel to have longevity in this business and being able to reach a younger audience? 

Gary Hines: It is very gratifying and very humbling at the same time to know that type of influence to that extent is so pervasive and transcends generations, ethnicity, religions, traditions etc … With that burden comes responsibility and we are always about being responsible in what we say and how we present.

It's important to us to have music and messages that are timeless that expand across generations and that’s one of the reasons in terms of reaching out to the youth now … we now have members who are the children of some original members who performing now in the group. And they relate directly to the youth as well.

NW: Feelings on the current state of the music and entertainment industry today?

Well, like so many things in life, there is some good and some bad. On the good, there is a lot of great creativity and continuity in R&B, HIP Hop, Gospel, and so forth.

On the downside for me, those very music styles have really evolved and the proliferation of them was band driven…So I am a little concerned about the level of musicianship ... and I would love to see a return of instruments in the music that it originated from.

NW: New Projects and Performances?

Gary Hines: We just returned, Jamecia and I, from an east coast and south – DC, Baltimore, Atlanta and, as mentioned, we did the Soul Train taping and we are going to continue to do that type of activity as well.

Our next live stage performance is here in Minneapolis, where we’re are based at the well renowned Guthrie Theater. We are going to do our annual musical play called “The Night Before Christmas - A Musical Fantasy” ….. and we are also looking to have some of our productions televised or ideally even made for the big screen.

For more information, stay connected with SOB on their website at www.soundsofblackness.com and be sure to follow them on twitter @SoundsOBlckness and  become a Facebook Fan!! 

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[NEW MUSIC] Chris Brown - "Complicated" Feat. Asher Roth

Chris Brown leaks "Complicated" featuring Rapper, Asher Roth and the two ride the mid temp electronic pop beat and rant about chicks that are crazy & complicated ... 

"You’re never satisfied, 

Guess what, I’ll stop f—ing trying

You suck

In case you didn’t know, you’re horrible 

But it’s always true 

I’m always wrong, anything I do 

And I always go to war with you

And I lose, yeah, yeah.”

TAKE A LISTEN:

Chris Brown - Complicated Feat. Asher Roth 

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[NEW MUSIC] Bobby V - "Naked"

Lifted off his new mix-tape "Vitamin V" which will be released in 2012, Bobby V drops off "Naked" singing "don't bring your clothes or your phone, I just wanna see you naked" 

TAKE A LISTEN:

Bobby V - "Naked"

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[NEW MUSIC] T-Pain feat. Chris Brown - "Look at Her Go"

You already know its a hit when T-Pain and Chris Brown team up for a new record and "Look at Her Go" is a dance club record and lifted off T-Pain's new studio album "RevolveR" which is scheduled to drop 12.6.11. 

TAKE A LISTEN:

T-Pain feat. Chris Brown - "Look at Her Go" 

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[NEW MUSIC] Nicki Minaj - "Roman in Moscow"

Are you "Barbs" excited about the return of Nicki Minaj's Alter Ego-- Roman??!

Well I'm not sure how I feel about all of theses mutiple personalities that she posses, but th track "Roman In Moscow" is a cool record and of course very animated but she is seriously running out of things to say ... 

TAKE A LISTEN:

Nicki Minaj - "Roman in Moscow" 

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[PAUSE FOR JESUS] Bishop Eddie Long Wife is READY TO SIGN DEM PAPERS!!!

There comes a point that even a woman of cloth can no longer "hold her man down" after he has been accused of touching, manipulating and sexing on little boys for years. 

It was just over a year ago that Bishop Eddie Long accusers came forward releasing details of how sick and perverted this "Man of God" really was. 

And from the beginning First Lady, Vanessa Long has been supporting her husband and declaring his innocence, but she has had a change of heart and released this statement: 

"After a great deal of deliberation and prayer, I have decided to terminate my marriage to Bishop Eddie L. Long. Accordingly, I authorized my attorneys to file for divorce on December 1, 2011."



"It is my sincere hope that this matter can be resolved expeditiously, harmoniously and fairly. I ask that you respect my privacy and that of my family, as my attorneys and I have agreed that we will not try this case in the media, and I do not intend to make any further statements concerning this matter."

My Thoughts: This issue truly makes me sick to my stomach and I DO believe his accusers because they have too much to loose and not enough to gain by making up such rumors. Either way ... Truth will be dealt with one way or another. 

[SOURCE]

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[WOW] Nicki Minaj Cops a New Pink "Barbie" Bentley Coupe!!

Nicki Minaj definitely loves attention and she indeed caused a frenzy as she pulled up driving an all PINK "Barbie Inspired" Bently Coupe to attend the Grammy Awards Concert at the Nokia Theatre in Downtown Los Angeles. 

Accompanied by her Boo, she rocked a Pink Wig and Vintage Barbie jackie to match her ride!! Hmmm has she taking this Barbie ish too far?? 

Peep The Pics Below!! 

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[VIDEO] Astro Speaks Out On Being X'd on The X-Factor!!

So #TeamAstro went haywire via when Brain Bradley aka Astro was sent home. Being X-Factor's first Hip Hop act he was such a ball of energy and great performer. 

Wise beyond his years, this 15-years-old, is very humble, highly articulate and aware of what he wants out of life. I feel that with a great team and family support he will definitely be signed to somebody's label. 

But watch the video below as he gets embarrassed and says it was "tacky" for him to give a  S/O to his girlfriend after he was eliminated. LOL

DO YOU THINK HE WAS ELIMINATED TOO EARLY??! 

LEAVE COMMENTS BELOW!

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[PRAISE BREAK] Get To Know Tiana Mckelvy!!!

Connecticut Native, Tiana McKelvy is an emerging Gospel Songstress and is not afraid of using her gift of song to uplift, empower and unite people all while giving reverence and honor to God.

The zeal of gospels greats such as The Clark Sisters, Mary Mary and Yolanda Adams have further ignited Tiana's passion to share her voice with the world, by competing in local talents competitions, singing in her church choir and of course standing out above the rest.

Her voice is sweet yet powerful with a beautiful combination of R&B and Soul. Tiana says,   “Music has always been my life. It’s how I express myself. I’m Grateful to God for the gift He has given me. I just want to share the music he gives me with the world”

Below is a video of Tiana McKelvy featuring The BreakOut Leader Youth Choir singing an orginal record she co-wrote with Annetta McKelvy. 

Stay Connected With Tiana McKelvy!!! 

OFFICIAL WEBSITE || YOUTUBE || TWITTER || FACEBOOK 

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[NEW MUSIC] Big Wynn - "I Made It"

Multitalented artist Big Wynn recently dropped a motivating and feel good type record, from his new project Best of My Worlds entitled "I Made It" and recognizes how he has  overcame the struggles of life but was truly Inspired by his sister who won her battle with cancer! (Praise God!!) 

So if you at some point in your life have went though trials, tribulations, disease, depression and/or adversity and had the ability to claim victory in the end, then this record is for you!! 

TAKE A LISTEN!! 

Big Wynn - I MADE IT by Stratus Digital Marketing

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[BUZZ WORTHY] Alicia "Ya Yah" Townsend - "Automagic" Video Teaser

Emerging Star: Alicia "Ya Yah" Townsend released her debut EP "Just Me" this past August which can be downloaded here, which is an assemble of beautiful melodies and inimitable arrangements.

And with great response to her single "Automagic", a mid-tempo record that incorporates a jazzy-pop-soul vibe, she released a 46 second video teaser intensifying the excitement to the see the finished and complete project!!! CHECK IT OUT!

Stay Connected with Ya Yah via Twiiter @theONLYYaYah and "Like" her on Facebook!

S/O to @DrPostAlot for Being Who He is!!! 

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Cory Jreamz (Green Stained Dreams) - "Victoria"

We previously introduced you to Cory Jreamz when he unveiled the visuals to his single "Love Is You", and he is back at it again with a new project entitled ''Polysemy'' and releases his first single ''Victoria'' in which he depicts a female who is hiding behind the fallacies of the world  and dishonesty.

His is so precise yet so free in his verbal expressions which makes him uniquely dope!! 

TAKE A LISTEN: 

Cory Jreamz (Green Stained Dreams) - Victoria

Stay In The Know With Cory Jreamz!! 

Vimeo || Twitter || Blog || Youtube

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