The powerful off-Broadway play Seed, penned by award-winning playwright Radha Blank and directed by Niegel Smith, reflects many of the issues that spawned from the spread of crack cocaine. Blank was a Teaching Artist for 15 years, and has first-hand experience in the various topics tackled in the play.

Seed takes the audience through an emotional journey through the eyes of the main characters. The story is told at many points through Hip-Hop rhyme, and is accompanied by vivid background images set in Harlem, New York. Urblife.com recently got the word from Radha Blank about her personal memories of the crack epidemic, Hip Hop’s influence, the real story of Harlem and more!

Tell us about your play Seed.

Radha Blank: Seed is a Harlem story. It’s what I would call my love letter to Harlem. It centers around this social worker who becomes invested in the welfare of a child genius from the projects. While trying to help him along she confronts his young mother, so it becomes a tug of war between these two women. One woman who is middle class, in her 40′s, and childless; and another woman who is in her 20′s, from the projects, and was a teen mother. They’re both kind of battling over who knows what’s best for this boy.

Can you tell us a little bit about the main characters in this play, and why they’re important to the overall story?

RB: Through the characters in the play I could speak to certain issues that have always caused me concern. Some of the characters represent my concern about the welfare of children especially those from deprived communities. Can you be really smart and supported in a community like that?

That’s represented through Chee Chee who is 12, but has the learning ability of someone beyond his years. He has the ability to retain information and that kind of information is what makes him like a genius. Through Chee Chee I think I speak to our values or lack of values in education.

The social worker, Anne, represents the point of view of someone whose job it is to look out for children. Chee Chee’s parents speak about, something that’s really had a great impact on the Harlem community in the last 20 years, and that’s the crack epidemic. Both parents as well as one of Anne’s former clients, Rashawn, are children of that epidemic.

These are children that were raised by there grandparents because their parents were stung out by the addiction. So the characters for me represent the opportunity to introduce these issues, the different aspects of this community on a stage, and at the same time get to see these different people interact.

What do you personally remember about the era of the crack epidemic?

RB: I was between the ages of 12 and 14, that’s when I noticed a shift in different communities. I went from living in Brownsville, Brooklyn to moving to Harlem when I was 14, so both of those communities were ravaged by crack. As a kid there was a book that was a staple in our home, Harlem On My Mind. It was this photographic essay of the Black cultural Mecca that Harlem was from the 1920′s to I believe the late 1960′s. So always grew up with this image of Harlem, a very romantic and idealized image of Harlem in my mind.

Crack had really decimated the community that I lived in. It was hard to see whole buildings being abandoned and being the place where people went to smoke crack. I lived in a community where I knew what the smell of crack was, so it was very present in my life as a young person. I had family members that suffered from it, and just the pain as a young person trying to understand how a person could choose the drug over their child. As I got older I realized it wasn’t really a choice for them, it was this disease, and it was this addiction.

What are some examples in our society today that are the results of what happened during the epidemic?

RB: Two things that I could speak too… One, I do feel that there was a generation of children who were born addicted to the disease. I’m not a scientist and I’m not an anthropologist, but yet I’m sure if you looked at the learning abilities of children born out of that epidemic, I’m sure that there’s attention deficit, and hyperactivity as a result.  So a lot of young people had to work that much harder to stay focused and concentrate on their learning because they were affected by the drug first hand by being in the womb of someone abusing the drug.

The other thing is, there was this one particular block in Harlem [119th street] that was wiped out because the drug and addiction, so no people were living there. The property value went down, and it made it easier for someone to come in and revitalize that entire block to how they want it to be. Crack left this space for people to come in and re imagine the identity of certain parts of Harlem.

Now, this community has been temporarily gentrified, and let me tell you, I’m not against gentrification, but there’s always the question on how you enter a community.

Talk about the Hip Hop influence in the play Seed.

RB: The play is written in verse, there is a cadence, a rhythm in the play and everybody at some point speaks in verse or rhyme. It’s really inspired by my connection to Hip Hop music and me being apart of that generation. It’s me feeling like its a reliable resource in our day and age.

I think it’s my job to use it as a resource and to make sure that the story telling is just as engaging as the rhymes may be. I feel like if I don’t then the play could easily be dismissed as novelty, a Hip Hop opera or Hip Hop play, and it limits it.

Why do you think there are parallels between the drug dealer lifestyle of fast cars, women, jewelry and money and the images portrayed in today’s American pop culture and entertainment?

RB:  It’s interesting, and the whole issue of drug dealing and how that image equals power comes up for two of the characters in the play. Chee Chee, he’s fighting to cover up his smarts, and uses the cloak and masquerade of a thug. There’s a moment when he turns on some 50 Cent to try to exercise his bravado. Rashawn is a character who was a drug dealer and this is how she provided for herself, and also kind of had a position of power.

I just think that anytime there’s a loss of leadership, people just look to different places to find themselves. We have to look back at what happened to some of the most important Black voices and Black leadership of our time. A lot of them were decimated, killed before they even reached the age of 40. So I think its that influence, along with what’s happening in various communities.

If our generation of Hip Hop is being misogynistic and glorifying drug dealing, then that means that it’s happening someplace. It’s not just invented in Hip Hop. I believe that it’s a symptom of what’s happening in the community.

Do you feel that Hip Hop culture had any bearing on the crack epidemic spreading throughout poverty stricken and [already] drug ridden communities?

RB: I look at someone like President Obama, regardless of what your politics are, he is a powerful symbol. I notice that when people are in need, they look to symbols. I think in Hip Hop, there are different artists that glorify that symbol, and if there’s a young person that hasn’t been exposed to other symbols, then that becomes the person they idolize.

I’m all for keeping it real, but if you’re going to keep it real on a record then when your talking about selling crack or something, can you talk about having pain from your father not being there, or wanting something better for yourself? Let’s get the full picture. If the symbols, characters, or the people that are being portrayed are portrayed in a rounded light, then we find out why and the consequence of their actions. Then people can sit back and say this is the whole story.

Are people today are more concerned with the future of children because of what they experienced during that era?

RB: We’ve done young people a disservice by not supporting them more, and I say that to the generation before me and before them. I think its very easy for them to dismiss young people in the Hip Hop generation. I think now’s the time to say I accept you, regardless.

Who has the biggest responsibility in helping to ensure that this type of epidemic does not come into our communities again?

RB: It’s a cycle of things. I’m working on this play about gangs, and the more I research the more I’m finding out that gangs grow out of areas where there are no jobs, economic strife, and then you couple that with the family being decimated. When I say family, I don’t mean there should be a mother and a father, I just mean the people who are standing up and surrounding a young person. They don’t have a whole lot of that.

I feel like when young people come up in that environment there’s no value of self, and there’s no value of other people’s lives, so that 16 or 17-year-old is either going to start taking crack or selling crack. I feel for a young person to see another human being and have some value for them, choose not to sell crack and get caught up in that gang, they have to value their own lives. We have to teach them that people who are smoking crack are trying to fill a hole or run from something.

What story does the Harlem of today tell with all of the changes in the community?

RB: I think the story of Harlem now – if I was to personify Harlem – Harlem is this woman who’s fighting to understand who she is, and she has this legacy that’s been handed down to her. How can I celebrate the old and welcome the new? And that’s what I think the story of Harlem is now.

There’s this weird dichotomy, this duality, a kind of schizophrenic nature, in terms of the identity of this community. I just wonder where Harlem is going to be in 50 years. How can we welcome new people, but still make sure that we maintain people of color or people of low economic background. How can we still maintain present and feel an ownership in this community.

Why should people see this play?

RB: Seed has something for everybody. It’s in salute to our grandmothers, it’s in celebration of our young people, our mothers, and fathers. It’s about asking this question, “What are we willing to do to protect the future of a community? That’s a question that I feel everybody should be asking themselves… “What role can I play to help the young people in the future of my community?”

For more information on Radha Blank go to RadhaBlank.com and purchase tickets for SEED at SeedThePlay.com

Follow the Hip Hop Theater Festival on Twitter @HHTF

By: Dove
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As a leader in the original neo-Soul movement, Philadelphia native Musiq Soulchild has won the hearts of fans all over the world in the past decade. On the business end of things, the ever-busy Soulchild recently released his sixth studio album via Atlantic Records, and on the personal side, he’s decided to make a worthy cause a part of his life.

Over the Summer, Musiq became an official ambassador for Susan G. Komen for the Cure Circle of Promise. In order to bring more attention to breast cancer awareness, the caring crooner decided to feature a group of breast cancer survivors in his music video for “Yes.” Below is more info from the official press release and some photos from the shoot! [Updated 9/19 - watch the official video below as well!]

Atlantic Records recording artist Musiq Soulchild announced his new role as ambassador for Susan G. Komen for the Cure® Circle of Promise, a movement designed to further engage black women around the globe in the fight against breast cancer. As an ambassador for the movement, Musiq will raise awareness about breast cancer so that younger women know the importance of early detection and why it’s important to pay attention to their bodies.

“Early detection is the key to winning the fight against breast cancer,” said Musiq. “Too often, black women are diagnosed in stage three and four when breast cancer is most difficult to treat. Some women are afraid to seek treatment for fear of losing their breasts or their hair. One’s physical appearance is much less important than the will to live. It’s time to remove the stigmas that are attached to this disease.”

To put his cause where his mouth is, Musiq Soulchild will feature a group of breast cancer survivors in his upcoming music video, “YES” from his sixth studio album, MUSIQINTHEMAGIQ. The video for the song will feature Musiq as a man who loves and supports his girlfriend through her battle with breast cancer. There will be a special scene in the video that will feature a group of breast cancer survivors who show their support by wearing t-shirts, pins, and pink ribbons—items associated with Susan G. Komen for the Cure®.

Musiq Soulchild will also work with Susan G. Komen for the Cure® Circle of Promise to create awareness through social media outreach, television and radio appearances, as well as lend his talents for a fundraiser in October during National Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

“We couldn’t ask for a greater level of commitment from someone who has such a strong connection to the target audience,” said Katrina McGhee, Executive Vice President & CMO. “We are certain Musiq will both transform and save lives through his ambassadorship of this program.”

Musiq said this cause is so dear to him, because his largely female fan base has been so instrumental in his success. “I care because they are at risk. They have always supported me and it’s time that I return the favor and support them. I feel the need to make an impact before breast cancer impacts them and if my music can be the vehicle, then I am happy to serve.”

To join the movement, log on to Circleofpromise.org or dial 1.877.GO-KOMEN.

About Susan G. Komen for the Cure®

Nancy G. Brinker promised her dying sister, Susan G. Komen, she would do everything in her power to end breast cancer forever. In 1982, that promise became Susan G. Komen for the Cure® and launched the global breast cancer movement. Today, Komen for the Cure is the world’s largest grassroots network of breast cancer survivors and activists fighting to save lives, empower people, ensure quality care for all and energize science to find the cures.

Thanks to events like the Komen Race for the Cure, we have invested nearly $1.3 billion to fulfill our promise, becoming the largest source of nonprofit funds dedicated to the fight against breast cancer in the world. For more information about Susan G. Komen for the Cure®, breast health or breast cancer, visit Komen.org or call 1-800 I’M AWARE.

About Musiq Soulchild

Born Taalib Johnson, but better known as Musiq Soulchild, this Philadelphia, PA native uniquely blends elements of R&B, soul, funk, hip-hop, and rock, creating an eclectic Neo-Soul sound unlike any other. Through his 11-year career, Musiq has released five studio albums, two of which have been RIAA-certified platinum, as well as 7 hit singles under his belt, showing no signs of slowing down anytime soon. He has received awards from Billboard, BET, The American Composers, Authors and Publishers, BMI, and Soul Train.

In addition to his incredible 13 Grammy nominations, 2 of which were for his 2008 album OnMyRadio and one at this year’s Grammy Awards for Best R&B Vocal Performance, Musiq has also earned MTV Video Music Awards, American Music Awards, and NAACP Image Awards nods. May 2011 saw the neo-soul superstar release“MUSIQINTHEMAGIQ, his sixth studio album, which features production from Swizz Beatz, Jerry Wonda and The Stereotypes, to name a few. 

For additional information, please visit MusiqSoulchild.com and follow him on Twitter @MusiqSoulchild

“YES” official video

By: David Geeson
Courtesy of The Gamer Studio
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War is hell! Ask a veteran and they’d agree. These days, though, you don’t have to ask a veteran, you can simply watch the latest TV series. Better yet, just turn on your console and jump head first into a battleground yourself.

For such a gruesome and evil thing, war gets paid a lot of attention, and the optimist in me wants to believe that this over-saturation of a genre has more to do with some hidden meaning than with simple financial gain. But if there’s more than just money at play here, what could possibly be the reason for wanting to repeatedly portray the lowest moments in human history?

Well, I can only think of one. One which takes a little explanation.

TV series like The Pacific and Band of Brothers make for brilliant television; they pull huge numbers on a consistent basis. Yet the subject material is hardly what would be considered “entertainment.” Are we truly entertained by war? It seems there would have to be a little more going on to fetch the numbers they do.

Let’s say it’s not the war that we want to watch, but the human stories. The lives of the brave and bold who fought for their country’s freedom were told, and somewhat embellished on the screen for all to see. More importantly, for us all to remember. So that we don’t forget what war is like, so that we don’t forget what war does to a person.

Despite the occasional well timed joke, programs like The Pacific are somber affairs racked with emotion and tragedy. If the message of a war recreation is to remind us of the somber and hallowed nature of it, then why don’t video games take the same tone?

I should preface this by saying that in no way do I think video games take light of the severity of the material they’re working with. It’s just that they shoot for a different message than a TV series.

First and foremost, video games are entertainment, but unlike a TV series the entertainment also has to come from the user experience, which includes the fighting and death. When you play Modern Warfare, you’re playing a story, but it’s never a story that’s going to move you the same way Saving Private Ryan did. There’s always a story and something resembling a human aspect to get you emotionally invested, but it’s never done with the same heavy Hollywood tone. Video games are stuck with a burden of having to make the strongest of subjects into something almost nonchalant.

Despite the monumental task that game designers are faced with, there has yet to be a war game that’s considered to be in bad taste – arguments about use of ‘The Taliban aside. So clearly it’s something that’s being done, but how? Mainly through liberal use of smoke and mirrors.

The Pacific uses well timed humor to break tension, and video games are no different. By using a well timed joke, visual gag or just something straight-up unusual, the game can make you forget that what you’re doing is actually quite so serious. Modern Warfare or Battlefield may use this technique a little more often than you’d see in Band of Brothers or Saving Private Ryan, but the technique is the same.

My personal favorite example of this comes from towards the end of Battlefield: Bad Company 2. After witnessing an explosion which devastates everything and everyone in the immediate area, your squad is demoralized – they just don’t have it in them to carry on.

This quickly changes after an inspirational speech reminding them what they’re fighting for, a list which definitely includes the “Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders.” What else are you going to fight for, right? It’s light-hearted and completely distracts from the fact literally hundreds of people were just evaporated in an instant, but they focus on the cheerleader aspect… and it works.

Secondly, there’s an aspect of realism that’s missing from games. When producers and directors make a series or a film covering the subject of war, it’s almost always done with utmost respect for actual events – they shoot for realism. This grips an audience, it makes them feel in a way you can’t ignore.

But video games don’t, the plots are often slightly outlandish, the dialogue more blasé, and for the most part the characters die less. Video games follow elite troops who go into heroic situations and against all odds survive, often taking down the evil enemy leader. They aim to tell a story that we want to hear, that makes us feel good. And there is the difference. The crowning feature of a realistic war game that makes it function as a game, and not a grim reminder of the mortality of war, is it’s distance from reality.

So where does this leave us? What really is the difference between Hollywood’s depiction of war and the video games industries depiction. The answer lies in the intent. We make TV programs about war as a reminder of the horror and the atrocities that were committed in the name of freedom. But we make video games to make ourselves feel the hero, to make ourselves feel okay about a subject that, at it’s heart, is endlessly tragic.

A truly realistic war game wouldn’t sell, because who’d want to be reminded so effectively of what war really is? Call of Duty, Modern Warfare, Battlefield, these games are undeniably well made. They allow us to be close to a subject that the human race is morbidly fascinated with, yet keep a level of detachment and distance from reality that keeps us safe.

I have the utmost respect for the teams that write and make these games, they have to deal with an issue that’s usually unheard of in the games industry. The only other time the real world has really had to be considered was the recent tragedy in Japan. Game releases that featured earthquakes and the such were set back out of a sign of respect for the human life lost.

Normally though, a game like Motorstorm Apocalypse wouldn’t have to consider it’s real world implications.

War is hell, that’s an undeniable fact. A TV program about war is a mirror we hold up to help us remember, and a video game about war is our tool to cope with this morbid truth. If we can play it and enjoy it, then we can overlook the subject material of what we’re really playing.

By: Isha “Ice” Cole
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The Historical Society of Washington was the place to be on April 9, 2011 in celebration of Sierra Leone ‘s 50th independence day! The third annual Green, White, And Blue (GWB) Ball was sponsored by Abstracts Event Management/ Design Firm and the GWB Commission, and brought hundreds of people from around the world to Washington, DC.

There were tons of fancy ladies and dapper gentlemen that were decked out in their finest clothing, which included beautiful styles of traditional African dress.

A VIP reception was held before the ball, honoring the Judge Abdul Kallon (U.S. District Court, N. District of Alabama), SLMTV, an internet podcast and radio show that showcases Sierra Leonean artists, and Mohamed Sanu, star wide receiver from Rutgers University.

After the reception, the DJs took over, heating up the dance floor as everyone ate, drank and partied the night away! Sierra Leone-born NFL star and 2010 GWB Ball award recipient Madieu Williams from the Minnesota Vikings was also in attendance.

Partial proceeds from the ball went to the Shine on Sierra Leone organization. This fabulous event is one of many taking place all around the U.S. in celebration of the Sierra Leone!

Click here to learn more about the Shine on Sierra Leone Organization!

Photography by Edwin Johnson of Edwin Jay Photos

**UPDATE, April 14, 2011**

Luther Campbell has officially announced his bid for Mayor of Miami-Dade County! Earlier this week, Campbell was among several candidates who filed proper paperwork to be placed on the ballot for May 24, 2011. Per his PR reps at TreMedia, here are a few key points he will address during his campaign:

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

We will revitalize the small business environment that supports existing enterprise, recruits new business and creates incentives to help meet long-term economic objectives. We will accomplish this revitalization through:

Responsible Growth and Development
Small Business Expansion
Attract new businesses
Generating new revenue sources for our county
Job Creation

Redevelopment – we will take the opportunity to enrich our landscape by refocusing, restructuring and rebuilding to achieve the highest and best use’ of our commercial and residential resources to:

Stabilize neighborhoods
Stop blight
Attract new residents
Uphold the cultural values of our diverse community

Beautification – Enhancing the “look and feel” of our neighborhoods is central to improving its economic outlook. We will seek to improve the quality of life by:

Improving the visual impression of our county
Instilling a sense of community and neighborhood pride
Fulfilling the vision of Miami-Dade County as a Tourist Destination

PUBLIC SAFETY

Every citizen has the right to expect a safe environment. We will work with the various stakeholders to implement results-oriented practices that provide protection, prevent loss at work and at home and enhance the well-being for our constituents.

Restore public trust
Build stronger bonds between law enforcement and community
Enhance current public safety and crime prevention programs
Increase patrolling to industrial and neighborhood areas
Support neighborhood watch and other preventative programming
Solicit feedback and suggestions, study trends, apply best practices

AFFORDABLE HOUSING

Thriving in property and housing opportunities, Miami-Dade County has a responsibility to ensure that every citizen has access to safe and affordable housing. We will work to:

Redesign the current public hosing model
Remove blight from areas such as Liberty City and Overtown without gentrifying the neighborhood

COMMUNITY

Community is the sum total of the cultural, social and economic make up of Miami-Dade County. It includes the cares of our citizens and stakeholders as much as it reflects a specific a neighborhood, leader or institution. Our community is about us, who we are and what we believe in. It also dictates what we must do to preserve our most precious values. We will improve the conditions of our communities by:

Engaging our youth
Caring for our seniors
Strengthening families
Support networks of community and faith-based resources to serve the needs of our communities

Read on to find out more in our original article by Chris Williams, and please answer the poll below to let us know if you’ll be voting for Luther Campbell!!

*******************

By: Chris Williams
—

Luther Campbell, affectionately known to the world as Uncle Luke, is patiently waiting for March 15, 2011 to arrive on the calendar. That’s the day there will be a vote to recall the current mayor of Miami-Dade County, Mayor Carlos Alvarez.

As a lifelong resident, Campbell has seen the lack of changes in his beloved city, and cites it as one of the main reasons he wants to replace the incumbent Alvarez as Mayor. Campbell, who recently became a columnist for the Miami New Times, wrote about his intentions with specific changes he’d like to make. His agenda includes improving relations between police and citizens, going after slumlords, and bettering local schools.

In a formal interview with Miami New Times on February 3, Campbell said:

“I get in my car, ride around Liberty City, and everything looks the same as when I was in the neighborhood growing up. I see the same crimes in the same areas. Officers and residents are still getting killed in the community I grew up in. I go to a city like Atlanta that has sensible affordable housing, and no one is being murdered.

I go to Miami International Airport and see the same construction that has been going on for like a hundred years. All of that frustrates the hell out of me. Why aren’t we getting it right in Miami-Dade? Why is our government only serving one set of people? That’s what is pushing me to run.”

Coming of age in the late 1980s with his group 2 Live Crew, Campbell and his comrades stirred up multiple controversies for their hardcore lyrics, steamy live stage concerts and adult album covers. Serving as the frontman for the legendary group, Campbell saw his share of infamous court cases.

2 Live Crew’s most successful album to date, As Nasty As They Wanna Be, led to the group being charged with obscenity violations in 1990 by Broward County Circuit Court Judge Mel Grossman, and later U.S. District Court Judge Jose Gonzalez due to complaints made by the American Family Association (AFA).

Selling of the now double platinum album was deemed prosecutable, but in 1992 the United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit overturned the previous obscenity charge, and it was upheld by the Supreme Court of the United States.

Campbell found himself back in court again in 1994 on charges of copyright infringement for their parody of a rock ballad performed by Roy Orbison entitled “Oh, Pretty Woman.” 2 Live Crew version was entitled “Pretty Woman” and the court case was labeled Campbell v. Acuff-Rose Music.

The U.S. Supreme Court sided again with Campbell, and established that a commercial parody can qualify as fair use. The money made from a record doesn’t make it impossible for a use to be fair. Campbell essentially made it possible for today’s current crop of artists to exercise their full rights regarding the freedom of expression, with no threat of repercussion from law enforcement.

Although Campbell is at the tail end of the Baby Boomer generation, he did, without a doubt, give Generation X the chance to have a true uncensored voice through Hip Hop, Rock and Pop music.

Now 50, Campbell asserts that he has always had the urge to make a valiant run for public office. His frustration stems from lack of accountability by politicians from previous decades until present, to properly serve the needs of the residents in his hometown. He is confident that he’ll be able to defeat Mayor Alvarez if given the opportunity, although there has never been a Black mayor of Miami-Dade County. Campbell would make history on many fronts if he is elected to the post this year.

From the February 3 interview with The Miami New Times, Campbell said

“I’ve thought about running for public office before, but someone would always end up talking me out of it, saying, ‘We have this good person here, he will do good for the community,’ so I always backed out. But I’d end up frustrated because they didn’t do anything. I’d give them ideas and they would just tell me what they wanted to hear.

“The current administration of Mayor Carlos Alvarez hasn’t created any new jobs, yet we keep these government employees who have been around for decades and aren’t doing anything. Then there’s affordable housing. People in the James E. Scott projects have been kicked out of their homes and forced to move to other parts of the county. The same has happened in other parts of the county. Places have been knocked down and never rebuilt. Folks were displaced because of politics and scandal.

“When I take Mr. Alvarez’s job, I’ll review the county budget with a fine-toothed comb. When I ran my record company, every year we would first go over what was making revenue for us and beef that side up. Then we would cut the areas where we were not generating revenue. The first place we looked was payroll. I’ll do the same with the county budget.”

Campbell is set on creating and implementing strategies centered on changing and empowering the people of Miami-Dade County for the better. He has made a career of overcoming the odds and this new challenge will prove to be no different.

There are people who, probably unaware of Luther Campbell’s affect on art and music, are already up in arms about his desire to run for office. What do you think? Would you vote for him to run your city?

Click here to read Luther Campbell’s full Miami New Times interview!

By: Dove
—
Last night (March 8), vibrant personality Simone “Boss Lady” Kapsalides of DrJays.com hosted an incredible International Women’s Day celebration for women in entertainment, fashion and media at the Carol’s Daughter flagship store in Harlem, New York.

Dozens of successful ladies came together to enjoy cupcakes from Get ‘Em Girls‘ Cupcake Suite and complimentary drinks from the Lady Hennessey line.

Starlets like singers Wynter Gordon and Mashonda and rappers Nina B and Tylibah were in attendance, along with entertainment mogul Mona Scott, Aleesha Smalls and Aura Harewood of the Roc Nation team and celebrity bloggers like Karen Civil and Eb the Celeb. That’s just a short list – the room was packed!!

People enjoyed manicures and select gift bags from Carol’s Daughter, as DJ Jazzy Joyce kept the music flowing through the room. The event was so successful, we’re hoping Boss Lady does this again soon!!!

Click here to check out the full coverage with Boss Lady over at DrJays.com!

Follow Boss Lady on Twitter @BossLadyNYC

By: Dove
—

Katrina “Trina” Taylor may be Hip Hop’s “Diamond Princess,” but her life isn’t always about diamonds… in fact, her gems for the 2010 holiday season went out to children at the Holtz Children’s Hospital at University of Miami’s Jackson Memorial Medical Center! This week, the 32-year-old platinum selling rap diva personally delivered toys to the youngsters, taking photos and doling out hugs left and right.

The goodies for giving were collected during the 3rd annual Jingle Bell Toy Drive & Fashion Night Out, and also benefited the His House Children’s Home.

Here is a little information about Trina’s visit to Holtz Children’s Hospital, along with some photos courtesy of NLPG Images.

The children were happy to receive the holiday gifts, but were more excited by Trina’s presence which brought the Diamond Doll’s Foundation Founder to tears at various points during her toy distribution. Trina put on her shades to help hide her tears of joy from the overwhelming response from the children.

One child said, “I love you so much I just want to see your eyes”.

Trina humbly obliged by removing her shades and exposing her tearful eyes. Trina explained, “Maybe we’ll do Christmas in July next time, and I’ll come back and visit the children since that meant a lot to them.”

Find out more about Trina’s Diamond Doll Foundation at TrinaFan.com, and follow her on Twitter @TrinaRockstarr. Also check out Trina’s Amazin’ cosmetic line at TheBaddestChick.com!

Trina “Million Dollar Girl” ft. Keri Hilson and Diddy (from Trina’s Amazin’ album)

By: Dove
—
Texas Hip Hop icon Bun B has joined with Boost Mobile to host a massive food drive for his local Houston Food Bank, with a free concert on December 18! Fans who donate five or more cans will get a free pair of tickets for the show, which takes place at Warehouse Live (813 Saint Emmanuel Street, Houston).

Over the past 10 days, various Boost Mobile locations have served as drop-off points for the non-perishable donations. Bun B expressed his joy in being able to reach those in need for this second annual event.

“Once again at this time of year, when so many are without the basic necessities of life, Boost Mobile and 2 Trill Entertainment are more than happy to recommit themselves to helping the Houston community,” he said in a recent press statement.

Boost Mobile’s local marketing manager Maurice Elrod echoed the sentiment. “Boost Mobile believes in the positive power of music. Partnering with Bun B to is a great way to encourage the Houston community to give back this holiday season. We are confident we will provide the Houston Food Bank a large contribution of canned goods.”

Last year, Bun B and Boost Mobile were able to gather over 7,000 cans of food to distribute throughout Houston. Hopefully this year will bring even more support from the community!

For drop off locations and show details, go to WarehouseLive.com. You can also learn more and RSVP on MySpace or Facebook!

Follow Bun B on Twitter @BunBTrillOG

CLICK HERE to read Bun B’s tips for maintaining a happy marriage!

By: Dove
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As an active radio personality, television host and mom, Egypt Sherrod has still been able to find the time to launch the Egypt Cares Family Foundation to help people in need. On December 13, 2010 Egypt will kick off the first annual Egypt’s Give Back Tour, along with various charitable organizations including New York Cares, Toys 4 Tots, The Children’s Aid Society, Jersey Cares and Hudson Cradle.

The five-day tour is a series of coat, toy, and fundraising events benefiting financially challenged residents throughout the Tri-State area (New York, New Jersey, Connecticut). Each day of the tour, Egypt will broadcast live on New York’s WBLS 107.5 FM, 10:00am-3:00pm EST, from locations in Brooklyn, Bronx, Harlem and Queens, New York, as well as Newark, New Jersey.

“Recent statistics report that well over a half a million NYC residents will lose their unemployment benefits between now and May of 2011. That number is staggering!” Egypt said via a press announcement. “I’ve always felt a sense of responsibility to utilize the power I have behind the radio microphone to serve a much greater calling to help our communities; one that gives a voice and hope to the legions of Tri-state residents whose basic everyday needs might otherwise go unmet. The Give Back Tour is a big step in that direction.”

People able to give can donate new or clean, barely worn coats or unwrapped toys for all ages. Financial donations will be accepted as well.
 Donations will be accepted from 10am-3pm on the dates listed below:

Monday, December 13
Brooklyn Center For Performing Arts
2900 Campus Road
Brooklyn, NY 11210

Tuesday, December 14
Uptown Grand
2110 Seventh Ave. @ 125th Street
Harlem, NY 10027

Wednesday, December 15
Paradise Theater
2413 Grand Concourse
Bronx, NY 10468

Thursday, December 16
Metro PCS
162-01 Jamaica Avenue
Jamaica Queens, NY 11432

Friday, December 17
The Spot Lounge
45 Commerce Street
Newark, NJ 07102-4002

“Egypt’s Give Back Tour” is brought to you in part by generosity from the Egypt Cares Family Foundation, 107.5 WBLS, I For Talent Management, Brooklyn Center For Performing Arts, Uptown Grand, Paradise Theater, Metro PCS and The Spot Lounge.

For more information please visit EgyptSaidSo.com, WBLS.com, Facebook.com/EgyptSherrod

Follow Egypt on Twitter @EgyptSaidSo

By: Dove
—
Carl Mitchell, better known to the entertainment world as the record-setting, chart-topping rapper Twista, pitched in recently with the Chicago Food Bank Producemobile program to serve fresh fruits and vegetables hundreds of people in his Illinois community.

The 38-year-old Chicago native volunteers with the Greater Chicago Food Depository mobile unit to help those in need in his old neighborhood, and continues to help fund their cause. Over 100,000 families rely on the Food Depository each week in the Chicago area alone, and Twista is doing his part to help out his community in every way he can.

As featured in the video below, Twista‘s entire GMG team rolled up their sleeves to work, doing whatever was necessary to assist the food bank staff. They also talked to the people about the very serious hunger problems in their community.

According to the Chicago Food Bank website, poverty in the area has been on the rise, with a staggering 21.6% of the inner-city Cook County residents living in poverty as of 2009. Here is more information from their site:

The need in our community was underscored by data from the 2009 U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey released on Sept. 28, which revealed that 15.9 percent of Cook County residents lived in poverty in 2009, up from 14.8 percent in 2008, and surpassing the national poverty rate of 14.3 percent.

Within city-limits poverty rates were even worse at 21.6 percent in 2009 or 603,218 people, compared to 20.6 percent in 2008. Children were particularly hard hit. In Cook County, 22.6 percent—or 286,310 children—lived in poverty in last year. In Chicago nearly one in three children lived in poverty in 2009, totaling 207,013 children. For additional reports and fact sheets, please visit Heartland Alliance.

Twista recently released his eighth studio album The Perfect Storm. Over the course of two decades, Twista’s contributions to music have included multiple hit songs and even a place in the Guinness Book of World Records in 1992 for being the fastest rapper ever.

Follow Twista on Twitter @TwistaGMG

For more information on Chicago’s Producemobile program and other initiatives, go to ChicagosFoodBank.org