The Price of Wonder

I refuse to believe there is a such thing as coincidence. Everything happens, good and bad, because it is all part of a strategic plan. Whoever's plan that may be, is up to you.

Two weeks ago, my best friend randomly decided to move up to New York City. She had just graduated from Florida State University, and she wanted to pursue her event planning/marketing career in a place other than Boca Raton, Fl. She would be the only person I could see surviving in NYC, because she has that promise. She is the most motivated and inspirational girl I know.

After I visited her, and spoke with her on the day she was leaving, I was inspired to go to the Big Apple myself. I hadn't traveled out of the state in years, and I need to venture out of my comfort zone, even if I was weary about it.

It "just so happens" that my boyfriend, CJ, was asked to do a job up in Manhatten. He became aware of this about one week after Jenna left. He asked me to come.

"Wanna come to New York?"

"Maybe... when?"

"Next week."

"Whoa..."

For those of you who do not know me, I have terrible anxiety/panic attacks. That is 95% of the reason I have not made it past Orlando in five years. Seeing my best friend so willing and able to put her doubts aside and just GO and TAKE RISKS, inspired me to do the same.

Two days before I leave, I "just so happen" to get a message from Joyce He, label manager of Jamla/IWWMG Records. She said that she saw that I was going to be in NY, and was wondering if I wanted to go to the NYC Premier of "The Wonder Year," a documentary about 9th Wonder, made by Kenneth Price. This was once of the most amazing opportunities I have ever gotten in my life.

The point of this blog is to tell you about this film. However, just the fact that I was able to watch it at a PREMIER event, is a story in itself.

Walking into the venue and seeing all of these incredible faces, Yung Guru, 9th Wonder, Rapsody, and so many more, set the tone for the evening. However, nothing could compare to the hour and 20 minutes that "The Wonder Year" itself gave me.

I will talk about the film in a general sense, and mention things that especially stood out to me, because I want every single person to see it. I don't care if you like hip hop, I don't care if you don't like music, this film is a tool to educate, inspire, and entertain.

EVERYTHING is talked about in the film. Everything from 9th's childhood, to his split with Little Brother; the good, the bad and the ugly.

There is no holding back.

9th points out in the film that he has people that love him and people that don't like him. We all do. However, if you judge or question his career, make sure your accomplishments can take up an entire wall of space before doing so.


Exhibit A: Taken by Sharif Karim. 9th Wonder's Wall of Accomplishments

 Despite the fact that this documentary was incredibly entertaining, it taught me so much.

Before knowing about 9th and who he really was, on a personal and professional level, I was that person that would automatically discredit artists who have made it big. Essentially, I would consider them "mainstream" and lacking substance. 9th taught me that a dope artist is a dope artist. "It doesn't matter if they sell 10,000 albums, or 500,000 albums."

In the documentary, you will also hear commentary from artists like Drake, J. Cole, DJ Premier, and many more. You will also hear about his experience with his first sample he sold for $50, to his contribution to Jay Z's "The Black Album."

One of my favorite things he says in the film was how everyone is a rapper, everyone is a dj, no one is a fan anymore. It's so true! No one is JUST A FAN. What is the music for if we can't enjoy it? He puts these kind of things into perspective.

Finally, in "The Wonder Year," the audience is able to meet Patrick Douthit: Father, professor, friend, fan, school boy, brother and son. You see his hometown and get a sense of where everything started in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.

9th is going to kill me for this

If this film couldn't get any more inspiring, the director, Kenneth Price, was actually doing this film for his college thesis...

This film, whether it's the production or the content, will give anyone motivation. Anyone at all. Whether you like hip hop or not.

So the Price of Wonder? Priceless.

What am I listening to right now? Listen here!

Here are just a couple of new releases that are on my iPod right now. I will post more throughout the week. These songs that I chose are songs that can be enjoyed by just about anyone, in my opinion.

Common, enough said. Obviously the song will be great.



This song is catchy... I love the chorus and "Time After Time" beat. The lyrics are average, but the beat is what gets me.



This is a similar song to the one above... Catchy, but the lyrics are nothing special. This is a "radio hit." Tory Lanez makes the song.



Once again, Mac Miller doesn't disappoint. The song is short, but his message and lyrics are stellar. And Talib Kweli is featured in this... Guaranteed banger... #ThumbsUp



Here is my 9PM to 5AM song... Sexy!



This song is very encouraging. J. Cole has a way with his words. He is one of my favorite MC's.



This is just another example of Rapsody's ability to represent genuine hip hop. Raekwon's feature is incredible as well, and 9th Wonder brings it all together with the beat.



Cyhi and Pusha is an amazing collab. This song proves that.



I just love this song. I don't normally like Roscoe Dash's music, but he is a great addition to the song. This song gives me a pep in my step. (ha)



Big Sean and Lupe... Two great artists, one great song. This song isn't the greatest, lyrically, seeing as what these two artists are capable of, but the beat makes up for where the lyrics lack.



OK here's my club joint... ha ha. Substance is minimal, but if you're drunk in the club, who cares?

Rest in peace to Ryan Dunn and his new show, "Proving Ground"

Oh, the irony. Legendary Jackass star, Ryan Dunn, can get dragged behind 4-wheelers, ride his BMX bike through mud, jump ice barrels, and go "poo diving." Yet, the 34-year-old's life came to a tragic end after a car crash on Monday, June 20th, 2011. On that fateful day, Dunn was driving in his 2007 Porsche 911 GT3 in Philidelphia "when it careered off the road, flipped over a guardrail and crashed into the woods before bursting into flames," according to http://www.yahoo.com/.

Celebrities all over America are mourning his death and sending well wishes to his friends and family via Twitter:

 

@SteveO: I don't know what to say, except I love Ryan Dunn and I'm really going to miss him.

robdyrdek (Rob Dyrdek): Unreal tragedy. Rest in peace Ryan Dunn. My heart goes out to his family and friends. What a great human being. so sad

 

RT @tomgreenlive: Just heard that Ryan Dunn from Jackass died last night in a car wreck. Rest in Peace Ryan.

@TonyHawk: Sad day, we'll miss you Ryan.

The G4 network just aired his new show "Proving Ground" last week. According to PerezHilton.com, "the show followed the Jackass alum as he recreated professional stunts from film, TV and video games in real life. The series premiered last week to "eh" ratings by G4 thinks it might be a bit tactless to air the remaining eight episodes given the situation."

Rapsody: "THANK H.E.R NOW" Finally Here!!!!!!!

 DOWNLOAD "THANK HER NOW" HERE

"I'm thankful for the hip hop, and everything she gave..."

Jesse James reaps Karma, and... oh yeah, Justin Timberlake smokes weed

Are those Jesse's hands? Just wondering.

Ok... So maybe Jesse James isn't reaping Karma. Despite rumors that swirled about him and his fiancee, Kat Von D, calling off their wedding,  "That is absolutely not true," says James, in an interview with People.com.

"We're still going strong. Things are completely good with us," he adds.

We all know Jesse James from his messy split with Sandra Bullock, whom he pretty much embarassed with his affair with tatted up Michelle McGee. America may have been more compassionate towards the infidel if it wasn't for his carefree attitude and his sudden and surprising engagement to LA Ink's Kat Von D.

"Everything is on track," says James during his interview with People.com. "I am absolutely more in love today than I was a year ago. She's the one for me."

...Whatever you say James.

Now, on a lighter note (no pun intended), Justin Timberlake told Playboy magazine that he smokes weed. When asked if he smoked pot, he answered, "Absolutely!" There was no hesitation. Who woulda' thunk that the N'Sync star gets blazed on the regular?

"The only thing pot does for me is it gets me to stop thinking," Timberlake explains. "Sometimes I have a brain that needs to be turned off. Some people are just better high."

Maybe he needs a break sometimes from all the talk about how he allegedly cheated on the beautiful Jessica Biel. Seriously though, she's every man's dream. However, a wise man once told me, for every beautiful girl, there's a man that's sick of her. Ouch.

Do his eyes look red? Just wondering.

Actual Proof: AKA Freakin' Geniuses

This picture pretty much represents their persona. Actual Proof is composed of two incredibly talented goofballs.

Best friends for years, Sundown and Enigma were led into the hip hop game together, and have stuck by each other ever since. After becoming affiliated with 9th Wonder, their careers have been on the rise, and they are currently working on their next project, "Hotter Than July" which is said to drop in mid-July.

The Talented Tenth

Originally written by W.E.B Dubois, The Talented Tenth was a famous essay that described the likelihood of 1 in 10 black men becoming leaders in their oppressed society, through means of education and writing books. Actual Proof's reproduction of "The Talented Tenth" (which was their last critically acclaimed project) epitomizes classic hip hop beats and rhymes with historical references that essentially convey Enigma and Sundown's ability to embody public intellectuals.

Ahead of my years, but young in age... my growing pain is to better my peers... I weather these tears, i'm slowly drained and so afraid marching with the souls of slaves.... March...  

Download their latest project, "The Talented Tenth" that was featured on DJ Booth, here:
Actual Proof - The Talented Tenth - Mixtape Listen and Download

Love child of Arnold Schwarzenegger REVEALED, and Mildred Baena speaks out

Joseph Baena, the 13-year-old secret son of Arnold Schwarzenegger, is not so secret anymore.

The twice married mother of five recently had her "first and only" interview regarding her affair with the ex-governor of California.

Yesterday, June 14th, 2011, Mildred Baena spoke to Hello! magazine, revealing personal and crucial information about the illegitimate child of Schwarzenegger.

Maria Shriver, Arnold's wife of 25 years, questioned the child when she started to see the physical resemblance to Arnold. When she confronted Baena, Baena immediately dropped to her knees and began to cry.

In her interview with Hello! magazine, she explained Shriver's reaction to her confession:

“She was so strong. She cried with me and told me to get off my knees. We held each other and I told her it wasn’t Arnie’s fault, that it takes two.”

The bloodline of Joseph, the love child of Baena and Schwarzenegger, was never really discussed between the two, but it was always something that was noticed.

This was established when she said to Hello! magazine, “I knew Arnold was the father, and maybe as Joseph got older and began to look like him, [Arnold] wondered. But he never said anything to me.”

“It was as Joseph grew and I started to see the resemblance that I wondered – but it became more apparent as time went on,” said Baena.

When Joseph was told who his father was, he said, "Cool!" He is looking forward to building a relationship with Schwarzenegger.

Baena has nothing but love and respect for the now ex wife of Schwarzenegger. She said that Maria would often say things like, "I'm here if you need to talk."

She ended her interview with Hello! magazine with well wishes towards the broken family, and Arnold himself. “He’s a good man and I know he’s suffering too. He loves Maria. I hope with time they work things out.”

Black Girl Jedi: Rapsody ft. Heather Victoria

This is why I love this girl... Look at this video... "Black Girl Jedi" by Rapsody ft. Heather Victoria. This pretty much sums up Rapsody's character. Flannels, crip walkin', hip hoppin. This video was chopped and spliced from her tour with Mac Miller, made by the one and only Kenneth Price.

Hip hop has been revived by the savior that we call Jamla. This is just an example of the purity and substance that each artist represents.

Culture over everything...

RAPSODY - BLACK GIRL JEDI from Pricefilms on Vimeo.

Swavey The Mixtape

With features from artists like Meek Mill and Bun B, Tory Lanez' "Swavey the Mixtape" finally dropped on June 10th. This project is essentially a follow up to Chixtape, with more of his unique mixture of R&B, hip hop and reggae. It's best to call his style "Swavey" because Lanez prefers not to be labeled musically.

We get a lot of his trademark witty and humorous lyrics on this mixtape, as well as your "after dark" songs like "Shotgun" which reminded me of the golden era of R&B. When songs used to be SEXY. The track, "Wind It" shows off his reggae side, with the island instrumentals and vocals. I definitely like the variety on this project, and his ability to brand himself. Definitely a good download!

Click Here To Download

Update on Casey Anthony and Anthony Weiner

Instead of resigning from office, Weiner decided to go to treatment. For drugs? No. For his inability to keep his weiner under wraps. His spokeswoman, Risa Heller released a statement that said Weiner is going to treatment "to seek professional treatment to focus on becoming a better husband and healthier person. In light of that, he will request a short leave of absence from the House of Representatives so that he can get evaluated and map out a course of treatment to make himself well." Despite multiple Democratic leaders urging him to resign to focus on his family, unborn child, and new marriage, he refuses.

To everyone's surprise (sarcasm), inappropriate pictures continue to surface. According to foxnews.com,

"On Sunday, TMZ released 11 new pictures of the congressman, taken from what appears to be the House gym, a background which sets off more questions about the congressman's use of congressional facilities for less than official purposes. The pictures were taken by Weiner using the camera on his phone and a mirror." He's a total Myspace whore! Pictures in mirrors? Come on now, that's so juvenile. I'm surprised he didn't do the "kissy face."


And YES! You better believe I'm going to post them! **WARNING** Viewer discretion is advised! Don't worry, no genitalia. This is a blog, not a porn site... yet. Just kidding!

OK I'M DONE!!!
Now let's talk about Casey Anthony, Mom of the Year.


According to the Chicago Tribune, Wednesday's testimonies involved "A forensic computer expert [testifying] that someone in the Anthony house performed computer searches for such terms as "ruptured spleen," "internal bleeding," "neck breaking" and "chloroform" in March 2008, several months before Caylee Marie Anthony disappeared."


Ruptured spleen. Internal bleeding. Neck breaking. Chloroform.


Ok. Is it just me, or was a verdict just chosen?


Thursday's testimony was the event of the week, though. Photos were put on display of Caylee's remains which included her skull and the duct tape that was wrapped around the 4-year-old's nose and mouth. A Today Show correspondent said it best. "NO CHILD SHOULD BE DUCT TAPED." That means she was TORTURED. There is SERIOUS psychological issues here, there is no doubt about that. Casey had to exit the courtroom for "becoming ill."


That is ironic to me. Suffocating your child with chloroform is all fine and dandy, but the aftermath and long term decomposition makes you sick? Did you not research what happens to dead bodies over time? Ok, I can't make too many assumptions. The trial is said to last a couple more weeks before a verdict is chosen.


Casey... The only picture that should make you sick, is this one. Your beautiful daughter.

At one point is skinny TOO skinny? You be the judge

Celebrities and weight loss: How much is too much?

Recently, we have seen celebrities trim up and tone down. We have seen some dramatically lose weight. This post is to just visually see some of the recent transformations in Hollywood.

Seeing as our images of OURSELVES are shaped by society, how is this helping the self-image of women? Since when is scary skinny beautiful?

 Of all of these pictures, I think Jennifer Hudson is the only positive transformation. She looks AWESOME.

 Do you remember Jenna Jameson? Yeah... Now she's Jenna James because part of her is missing.

Now I'll let you be the judge... Before? Or after?

I say before.

NEW "Top Five" - Rapsody ft. King Mez & Laws (prod. by Amp)

*NEW!!* "Top Five" - Rapsody ft. King Mez & Laws (prod. by Amp) by JamlaArmy

Flo Rida gets a DUI in Miami

Eyes are bloodshot, but at least his tape is on point! ha ha

Last night at around 3:45 AM, police saw Flo Rida's 2008 Bugatti driving recklessly in Miami Beach, FLA. 31-year-old Tramar Dillard (which is his real name), appeared under the influence with bloodshot eyes and slurred speech. His inebriated appearance was explained when he blew twice the legal limit on a blood  alcohol measuring device. When asked to walk in a straight line, he was unable to. At the second attempt, Dillard admitted, "Officers, I can't do this. I don't feel I can walk a straight line. I had a few drinks. Let's try another test. I live on the other side of the bridge. I can make it home." Regardless of he pleas, officers charged the rapper with a DUI. In addtition to the DUI, it was found that he was driving with a suspended license after failing to pay a traffic ticket.  However, soon after his arrest, he was released on $2,000 dollar bail. According to Yahoo! News, a judge signed an order allowing him to fly Thursday night to Bangkok, Thailand, to perform several concerts. With this order, Flo Rida must return to the states on June 16.

***NEW MIXTAPE*** The Great Debater- Skyzoo DOWNLOAD HERE!

Download HERE from DJ BOOTH

New requirement for 2012 Politicians: Horny

OK. As a forewarning. I may get a little bit opinionated in this post. If you're not a reader (seeing as this post is a bit lengthier than most) scroll down to see some sweet pictures.

This year has been exceptionally scandalous in the political world, with recent stories involving Arnold Schwarzenegger, John Edwards, and as the face of our current scandal, Congressman Anthony Weiner. These stories are not your average "picture sharing" or "affair" situation, but these scandals involve lies and deceit. Deceit to the point of destruction. John Edwards impregnated another woman while his wife was dying of cancer. Schwarzennegger impregnated his HOUSEMATE while he slept soundly next to his wife every night. He kept mum for 10 years about his illegitimate child. These stories take SKILL. Not anyone can lie to an entire nation and maintain their sanity. It's almost scary, actually. These are the same people that make crucial decisions for our country.

So, for anyone who does not know what Anthony Weiner did, here it is, briefly:

Let's just say, Weiner had a bad case of the Tweets. Someone should have given him a Twitter lesson before he went sending  pictures via the incredibly popular social networking site.

On May 27th, a photo of a man's groin appeared on Weiner's twitter feed. Yes, it was Weiner's weener. How tragic to have such a name and be involved in such a scandal. Yet, you have to admit, it's pretty funny. His first response to the picture was that his Twitter was hacked, then he changed the story to say that he sent it to a woman by the name of Gennette Cordova as a joke. When that story didn't fly, he finally admitted to "several inappropriate" electronic relationships with six women over the course of three years. Weiner has a devout Muslim wife, who doesn't drink and essentially epitomizes good character. They have been married for a year and apparently, she is willing to work through the scandal although she is "disappointed," in Weiner's words. The Congressman currently has 69,259 followers under the name @RepWeiner. His last tweet was on June 1, saying:

RepWeiner Anthony Weiner

On with Rachel tonight. Gonna talk about Trump eating pizza with a fork! #DudeYoureANewYorker!

Clearly, he hasn't tweeted much since the scandal. I would be scared to go on if I were him, too. Twitter can be a scary place if no one likes you.

Some people are praising him for coming out and being truthful. He FINALLY came out and told the truth at a press conference. That was after two seperate announcements that both happened to be consecutive LIES. So what makes this one the truth? Just because he made himself look like an idiot? Just because he wasn't "hacked" and it wasn't a "joke?" That's the downside of dealing with a pathological liar; you never know.

Some say, that people's personal lives should not interfere with how they are seen as politicians. Their sexuality and home life does not affect their dedication to our country. However, if how they treat their family (people they supposedly care about), and consecutively lie about things they have done, that is a CHARACTER FLAW. To me, that is a red flag. Anyone making decisions for the PEOPLE need to be trustworthy and reliable. Period.

His marriage to his wife was officiated by none other than Bill Clinton last year. I'm sorry, I just had to put that in there. Oh, the irony.

The last picture is of him in his boxer briefs. Gross.

Skyzoo: The Great Debater

With Skyzoo's "The Great Debater," and Rapsody's "Thank H.E.R Now," June is shaping up to be a very exciting month in the world of Hip Hop and music in general. Both mixtapes are generating a lot of buzz, with Skyzoo's release date right around the corner, 6/7!

What can we expect from this? More Brooklyn. More of the Wordsmith himself representing where he came from. We can expect more storytelling and metaphoric speech that will keep you thinking and engaged in the music.

“I’m more proud just being an MC that tells the story of New York. When you heard Snoop, you knew he was from LA. When you heard Kanye, you knew he was from the Midwest. I want people to know when you hear Sky, you know he’s from New York. You can hear it in the way I rap. You can hear it in the things I talk about.’’
--Skyzoo

For the past few weeks, he has been leaking tracks from the much anticipated project on #DebateTeamTuesdays, including "Atypical" and "The Definitive Prayer." If both songs are any indication of the entire album, this will be a force to be reckoned with.


Listen to "Atypical" and watch the "Definitive Prayer" below

Casey Anthony: Greatest Actress of All Time?

Casey Anthony's murder case seems to be taking over news outlets all over the country. We are captivated by her pathological lies and her ability to deceive so effortlessly.

Why is she the best actress of all time? Not only has her case spread to entertainment based sites like People.com and Eonline.com (which indicate the ENTERTAINING aspect of this story), but she has taken on the persona of an innocent woman.

Casey Anthony is someone that I am truly afraid of. Not because she is believed to be a murderer (which is obviously terrifying), but because of her ability to live in this alternate reality she has created. Her conflicting stories and inconsistent conversations with her parents are characteristic of this bizarre case. "She lies when she doesn't have to," said a Today Show correspondent.

The 25-year-old is charged with seven counts in her daughter's murder; including first degree murder, aggravated child abuse and misleading police. If found guilty, she is facing the death penalty.

Anthony has recently been shown feeling victimized and expressing her anger towards the whole situation. She feels as if she is being treated unfairly.

"Nobody's letting me speak," says Anthony. "Give me three seconds to say something. ... My entire life has been taken from me. Everything has been taken from me." Oh that's funny. Your daughter would probably be saying the same thing if you didn't leave her to rot in your Pontiac Sunfire. (Just venting, sorry),

Anyhow, Anthony's attorneys are now claiming that she was sexually abused by her father (who she expresses her deep love for in past Jailhouse videos), which contributed to her reckless behavior prior to the knowledge of Caylee Anthony's disappearance. Apparently, she was out partying and doing hot body contests after she found out that her daughter was "missing." I can't speak for everyone, but usually when someone's child goes missing, the mother's focus is on finding that child, not partying. (Once again, that's just my opinion).

Every day, new and alarming evidence surfaces that questions Anthony's sanity. I feel like this case will be a long one, seeing as the jury selection alone took well over two weeks. If that's any indication of the longevity of this trial, Anthony may die of old age before she's even sentenced.

All I'm saying is, I can't wait for the movie.