Speak On It, Mr. Cosby, Speak On It!

Speak On It, Mr. Cosby, Speak On It!
AMW !.e. Talent: DJ Single Handed
July 2, 2007

The iconic actor/comedian/advocate Bill Cosby has been extremely vocal about his dissatisfaction with the happenings in Philadelphia’s urban communities. He can often be found serving biting criticisms of the city’s residents, citing lack of responsibility on the part of parents and all community members as the cause of constant violence. In an article published on the grass roots web-based newsletter Free Republic, Cosby was quoted as saying "For me there is a time ... when we have to turn the mirror around…..Because for me it is almost analgesic to talk about what the white man is doing against us. And it keeps a person frozen in their seat, it keeps you frozen in your hole you're sitting in."

Cosby recently hosted a form at Temple University’s Center City Campus in downtown Philadelphia. He along with several professors addressed education students about violence in schools. He stressed the fact that anti-violence programs are necessary for not only the safety of the students but the teachers as well. The teacher retention rate is becoming much lower because they become frustrated and no longer feel like they can do their jobs.

Cosby’s poignant point of the night: "Programs are being pushed out because people don't care about the children. If they don't care about the children, then they don't care about the teachers."

I can’t possibly understand how people don’t care, but on the other hand, I do understand.

I can’t understand how people don’t care about the well-being of their own communities as well as others. Having the opportunity to get a good education is one of the central building blocks to a person’s success. It not only provides the knowledge needed to “get through life,” but also a sense of fulfillment necessary to instilling solid self-worth, which is an excellent antidote to violence.

Teachers, administrators, and all others in the education field should be our greatest, most important asset.

On the other hand, the fact that I can’t feel how all this affects me directly lessens the priority for me to spring into action and do something about this situation. I live in the suburbs of Philly and can easily go about my daily business since I only see what’s going on when I watch the 11:00 news. I know many others who have the same affliction.

I am a stereotypical Jew in some ways, which explains why I’m looking to get my master’s degree and teaching certification so that I can teach high school. The Jew would love to provide a good education for those who need it most right now. The other side of me worries about becoming just as frustrated and disillusioned as the current crop of teachers and eventually contributing to the attrition rate.

Only time will tell. Hopefully, I along with other current and future educators can put our idealistic goals where our mouths are.

Source: Eurweb.com

Freeman to Play Mandela!!!

Freeman to Play Mandela – Yess!!!
AMW !.e. Talent: Andrea M. White
July 2, 2007


Man, this HAS to be the most perfect casting role of all time. Oscar winner (and frankly one of the stars of one of my most favorite movies, Shawshank Redemption), Morgan Freeman will portray Nelson Mandela in a feature film, “The Human Factor,” based on a book of the same title written by John Carlin. Freeman’s production company, Revelations Entertainment, announced that they will start film production in 2008.

Freeman stated that he has known the former President of South African and Nobel Peace Prize Winner for many years. Freeman says, “I am continually in awe of his enormous presence in the world. The opportunity to portray him in this film is a great honor.”

This is just truly exciting news; there is no one who can bring Mandela to the screen better than Freeman. Mandela’s story is powerful and sad at the same time. Mandela was the face of the anti-apartheid movement; he was also the leader of the African National Congress. Mandela led the struggle for equal opportunity and equal representation in government, and sympathizers of apartheid called this peaceful leader a terrorist and a communist. The courageous leader of equal rights was unfairly and unjustly sentenced to a twenty-seven year sentence (sidenote - The arrest was allegedly made possible because the CIA tipped off Mandela’s whereabouts.) After twenty-seven years behind a cell, he was released and succeeded at creating an anti-apartheid, democratic, equally represented government in South Africa. This is just a slight summary, but there are so many people that do not know the story and the shady details; it is important that this story is told. It is important that we Learn and Remember.

If you can’t tell already, I’m excited about this movie and there is no one else who could play this role other than Morgan Freeman. Everyone get on your knees and pray that this movie does not meet the long-awaited fate of Marvin Gaye and Miles Davis’ movie - (whassup Jesse L. Martin and Don Cheadle). Support Black Film and as always, It is important that we Learn and Remember!

Busta Rhymes Leads the New School Once Again

Busta Rhymes Leads the New School Once Again
AMW !.e. Talent: Dj single handed
July 1, 2007

Longevity in hip-hop is not something that artists can expect these days. The shelf-lives of rappers and songs have hit an extreme, attention deficit-induced low. There must be a prevalent “cash in now with a catchy single and then get the hell out” mentality, because there’s no other explanation for the increase in “here today, gone tomorrow” songs and artists.

Hip-hop legend Busta Rhymes is out to shatter this conception by releasing his 86th (it’s really only his eighth, but I’m talking in present-day measurements) album. Celebrating his 17th year in the game, he’s working on a new album with no set release date. A recent article in Allhiphop.com claims the album is untitled at press time, but MTV.com published an article last November claiming the title to be Before Hell Freezes Over. That would certainly follow the themes of previous album titles such as Extinction Level Event, Genesis, and his most recent work The Big Bang.

The album will be released on Dr. Dre’s imprint, Interscope-distributed Aftermath Records, with production from the good doctor himself as well as Swizz Beatz among others. Swizz blessed Busta’s first single from the album, “Watch Ya Mouth.” I took a listen to it, and it should be an unquestionable banger. As inconsistent as Swizz has been in the past, he’s had a habit lately of making beats that would make the average person’s head fall off from nodding so hard. This song is no different, and Busta rides it with his usual smooth ferocity.

I hope to hear Busta Rhymes in true form when the album drops. I predict club hits, street joints for the more hardcore audience, and perhaps an apocalyptic theme or two. If I don’t get the same amazed feeling that I did when I first listened to “Put Your Hands Where My Eyes Can See,” then I’ll settle for wilding-out to “Touch It”-type material.

Lil Wayne; our newest Reality Internet TV Star?

Lil Wayne; our newest Reality Internet TV Star
AMW !.e. Talent: Andrea M. White
July 2, 2007


I have to admit I am almost impressed with the promotion and marketing exploits of rapper Lil Wayne. As if we can’t get enough of him on just about every remix or guest star appearance on someone’s album, Lil Wayne continues to prove he can be ground-breaking at any level. According to Billboard.com, Wayne’s newest project is an online Reality Series titled, "Making the Next Hit! With Lil Wayne,"

In this series, Lil Wayne and Cash Money Records are in search of unsigned, unknown rappers, models, producers, singers, and comedians. There are 27, hour-long episodes produced by MC Busy Bee and Pit – known for the recent hit “Party Like a Rock Star” by Da Shop Boyz. Auditions are being held beginning August 12 in Philly followed by events in Atlanta, New Jersey and New York. At the end of the series they will select a winner that will have the opportunity to sign with Cash Money Records.

With more Lil Wayne news, his duet CD with Juelz Santana has been pushed back for reasons that were undisclosed. Their CD is set to be titled “I Can’t Feel My Face” and Lil Wayne promised that there should be a single out some time in July.

Last but not least, Wayne released a You Tube Official Announcement regarding the leaking of his up-and-coming album, “Tha Carter 3.” To prove that he’s no prisoner to piracy, Wayne will release the leaked tracks in a mixtape called “The Leak”, and will develop a bigger and better release in 2008 for “Tha Carter 3.”

Lil Wayne is becoming a lil monster in this industry and is really proving that he’s able to keep Cash Money alive for right now. I’m actually interested in seeing how the series “Making the Next Hit! With Lil Wayne," on TheNext.TV will perform. He could either take this reality show thing to the next level or make us cringe with embarrassment. Either way, the young rap star has the game on his back has definitely proved that he’s the one to watch.