Highbrid Nation

SOUND OFF: Should the THC in Trayvon Martin’s blood be considered when prosecuting Zimmerman

2012-05-18T15:17:29Z

I could have told you this was coming but the autopsy report for Trayvon Martin revealed that the 17-year-old had THC, the psychoactive ingredient in marijuana, in his blood. This turn of events of course complicates the case even more. The development comes on the same day as surveillance video of the last images of Martin alive were leaked and police photos of his accused killer George Zimmerman were release showing what appeared to be lacerations confirming his story that he was attacked. Without any legal background at all I think its safe to assume the Second Degree Murder charge won’t stick. SOUND OFF: Do you think that finding THC in Trayvon’s blood should be considered when prosecuting Zimmerman

SOUND OFF: Your Thoughts on new Rihanna ‘Naked’ Facebook Photos?

2012-05-15T14:44:59Z

This is the home of the Fat Back Award (which oh by the way MAY be making a comeback…we’ll see.) But one thing is for sure Rihanna won’t ever be honored. None the less, she’s a sex symbol. The 24 year old recently posted over 100 new or should I say nude photos to her Facebook account lightly covering the goodies in body paint.

The pics are from the set of her new music video “Where Have You Been.” Ehhh, not for me but what do you think?

SMASH or PASS: Betty White

2012-05-15T14:33:29Z

You might have to wait in line to get a peace of this blond haired blue eyed gal because right now she only has eyes for the President. Betty White recently made an unusual announcement, sharing that she is endorsing the President for a second term. Typically tight lipped on her political views the 90-year-old actress came out to share her thoughts about the election.

White says in this year’s election, she likes what Obama has done and “how he represents us.”

Now she’s sure to need some love after all those elder conservative Floridians abandon her. So what say you Highbrid Nation. SMASH or PASS?!

SOUND OFF: Are You More or Less Likely To Vote Obama Following His Announcement on Gay Marriage?

2012-05-15T14:20:59Z

While Vice President Joe Biden probably deserves more of the credit for putting Gay Marriage on the National spotlight, President Obama certainly validated it. In a political nipslip, Biden let the genie out of the bottle when he came out in support of the unconventional institution of marriage, a topic the president has been tip toeing around for the last year and a half.

But whether you believe the move was indeed an accident or calculated, the facts remains the issue divides the President’s two must-have groups. Young voters strongly support gay marriage, while African Americans especially southern conservatives strongly oppose it. Call it a game of political chicken but it seems to me the President is daring those black voters to abandon him in favor of Romney while fully embracing a growing and very vocal young pro-gay marriage minority.

But perhaps the issue is far simpler. According to the Washington Post, one in six of Obama’s heavy donators is gay. While its a smart move in my opinion over what to me is a “non-issue” I wonder what type of long-term effect this could have on the party as the Gay Rights movement evolves in the future. Its sure to infuriate the opposition whose Tea Party fracture groups will certainly have much to say come 2016. So what do you think? SOUND OFF: What do you think about Obama’s choice to support gay marriage and does it make him a better or worse candidate?

Nicki Minaj Pepsi Campaign Kicks Off

2012-05-10T06:24:22Z

Yeah no one can say anything to Nicki Minaj right about now. She officially kicke off her 7 figure spokesperson deal with her new Pepsi Commercial featuring a remixed rendition of her hit “Moment 4 Life”. She joins the ranks of Michael Jackson, Mariah Carey, Kanye West, Britney Spears, Ray Charles, as the latest in a star-studded list of spokespeople for Pepsi.

CAPTION THIS: Hello Kitty Face Tattoo

2012-05-10T06:14:46Z

B.o.B. Performs on Jimmy Kimmel Live

2012-05-08T14:45:04Z

What do you think of B.o.B.? I honestly wasn’t a big fan but was impressed by his Jimmy Kimmel stint last night. His Strange Clouds joint drops today.

HIGHBRID NATION REMEMBERS: MCA of the Beastie Boys

2012-05-08T14:36:04Z

I’d be remiss if I didn’t recognize the passing of one of rap’s legend’s, the “Beastie Boys” MCA. Last Friday, Adam Yauch lost his battle with Cancer of his parotid gland and a lymph node. Yauch co-founded Beastie Boys in 1979 with Mike D, Mix Master Mike, and Ad Roc. The group was recently inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. He was 47.

Peter Rosenberg MCA Tribute — http://www.sendspace.com/file/yb6mi7
Naturally my favorite joint: No Sleep Till Brooklyn

One of the most creative videos of all time: The Pharcyde Feat The Beastie Boys “Drop“

So What Cha Want

One of the Newer Joints but one of my Favorites: Sabotage

Is Abstaining From Sex Before Marriage Realistic Anymore? Even for the Devout?

2012-05-08T14:17:04Z

An article in this month’s issue of Ebony magazine examines how even the most devout Christians have succumbed to sexual temptation but feel justified in their faith. It used to be the devout, especially in strict conservative Southern Christian households, that youths pledged to abstinence even signed contracts or wore purity rings. Committed to upholding Biblical principles against extramarital sex, they would hold out until the tender age of…21, maybe 22.

However, today’s reality is that marriage for most is only becoming a reality later in life. As many as 80 percent of young unmarried Christians have had sex, according to Relevant, a magazine for Christians aged 18 to 30. With U.S. Census data showing that nearly 40 percent of Black women do not marry until age 35 and more than 45 percent of African-Americans older than 14 have never been married, Black Christians face a long road of chastity. And for those who have experienced the joys of sex prior to taking a vow of celibacy those temptation can wear one down over the years. Here’s one story:

Yolanda Jordan* remembers the moment she decided to have sex for the first time. She was 27, fresh out of grad school, in a committed relationship — and horny. She was also raised in the Baptist church and had taken a vow of abstinence. “I was curious,” says Jordan, now 34, a graphic designer in Columbus, Ohio. “My mind was telling me one thing, my body another. I was grown [and] longing to be touched. I am not perfect; I struggle with sin. I strive to live a righteous life. Just because I have a Bible on my nightstand and condoms in the drawer doesn’t mean I love God any less or that He doesn’t love me.” …

My question is in an age where Professional obligations, supersede marital and when its becoming infinitely more expensive to raise a family is it realistic to abstain from sex before Marriage especially when the average age of Marriage isn’t until the mid 30′s…well beyond a woman’s biological sexual prime? Have we reached an age where sex and hence children before marriage should become more accepted? SOUND OFF!

A piece that originally appeared in the May issue of Ebony magazine takes a look at how people who are unmarried, but not so young anymore, are balancing their faith with real-world temptations.

DEAL WITH THE DEVIL: Obama Attempts To Make Peace With The Taliban

2012-05-02T14:19:26Z

Hours after President Obama’s left his surprise visit to Afghanistan marking the 1 year anniversary of Osama Bin Laden’s death, a bomb rocked Kabul, killing at least seven. A reminder, some have said, that Obama’s attempts at peace are far more complicated than he laide out in his speech hours earlier.

The President spoke of invoking “a new dawn” with the signing of a US-Afghanistan strategic partnership agreement. He reminded Americans that he has wound down two unpopular wars since taking office more than three years ago and said the defeat of al Qaeda is “within our reach.” However, just how confident the President remains in that is up for debate.

“My fellow Americans, we have traveled through more than a decade under the dark cloud of war. Yet here, in the pre-dawn darkness of Afghanistan, we can see the light of a new day on the horizon,” the President said. “The Iraq War is over. The number of our troops in harm’s way has been cut in half, and more will be coming home soon. We have a clear path to fulfill our mission in Afghanistan, while delivering justice to al Qaeda.”

In his speech the President also offered a truce to the Taliban in an apparent effort to reach out to more moderate leaders within the group in effort to defuse their strength.

“We must also support efforts by the government of Afghanistan to separate the extremists of al Qaeda and the Taliban from those who have joined their ranks not out of conviction, but out of desperation,” Secratary of State Hillary Clinton said at an international conference on Afghanistan in the Hague.

While Mr. Obama’s remarks were aimed at peace his top secret arrival and subsequent hurried departure under cover of darkness some say suggests otherwise. Its kind of curious that someone would proclaim victory in a war, meet with U.S. troops and to sign a ten-year agreement with President Hamid Karzai on the role of U.S. forces beyond the end of the war in 2014 then dip before anyone knew what was coming if they were truly confident in the security of the region.

The aforementioned pact officially designates Afghanistan a major non-NATO ally and states the U.S. will provide aid, advisers and support after NATO combat troops leave in 2014.

The Taliban immediately claimed responsibility for today’s attack, saying they planned and conducted the attack on extremely short notice as soon as they learned about Obama’s arrival, an arrival which comes at a perfect time to promote the Taliban’s annual spring offensive in which they increase military activity during warm weather months. Taliban officials have said they will target members of the Karzai government, parliamentarians, and international troops. While it was likely Obama was in no imminent danger, the morning blast indicates that even the mere rustle of American activity agitates terrorists and puts the innocent Afghans in harms way.

I’m no foreign policy guru but whoever says the President is weak on the subject is nuts. This is some real complicated, chess match, stratego ish right here. He HAS ended one 10 year war and is attempting to end yet another by appealing for peace. He’s been at the helm of killing two very powerful dictators and taking down the world’s most famous terrorist in Bin Laden last year and that’s all while winning a Nobel Peace Prize. Reaching out to the Taliban? I can hear the Republican’s lining up against that strategy. Me for on am shocked to hear it as well, but can I question him? I have to take a wait and see approach.

One thing I love about the Nation is its members of the Military. I hope you guys chime in.

SOUND OFF: Who will compete in the NBA Finals?

2012-04-30T14:30:02Z

Wow! What a weekend of NBA Basketball. If you’re only a marginal fan like myself, the action sure as hell got you pumped for what lie in store over the next month of playoff hoops. The Knicks were trounced by Lebron and the Heat, Andrew Bynam showed why he’s a manchild posting the rare triple double including an NBA Playoff record 10 blocks, Rajon Rondo bumped an official and was tossed and perhaps most shockingly, the oft injured Derrick Rose tore his ACL and will miss the rest of the season (and beyond?)

So the tea leaves are certainly shifting especially in the East. With two of the top three seeds missing their stud athletes (Rose and Howard) it has left the door open for teams like the Knicks, Hawks and Pacers but who will step up? SOUND OFF: Who do you think will compete in the NBA Finals?

SOUND OFF: Is Beyoncé is the Most Beautifulest thing in the World?

2012-04-26T05:11:35Z

On the Today show, People magazine revealed that Beyonce Knowles-Carter was somehow arbitrarily determined by their crack scientific committee of the world’s foremost judges of beauty as the most beautiful woman in the world.

Other black women making the list were Mariah Carey, Jennifer Hudson and Michelle Obama. Apparently being famous somehow was a prerequisite to beauty according to People Magazine.

“I feel more beautiful than I’ve ever felt because I’ve given birth,” Beyonce said. “I have never felt so connected, never felt like I had such a purpose on this earth,” said Beyoncé, who graces the magazine’s cover. “I’m very honored and it means more to me that I was named this after I became a mother.”

So while we haven’t been Ivy league trained in the science of beauty determination lets second guess People anyway. SOUND OFF: Do you agree that Beyonce is the Most Beautiful Woman in the World?

A Reserved President Obama ‘Slow Jams the News’ With Jimmy Fallon

2012-04-26T04:52:33Z

With the Republican candidates now reluctantly getting out of Mitts way its about time the President kicks his re-election bid into high gear. Last night President Obama joined Jimmy Fallon and The Roots for a highly anticipated appearance on the campus of UNC Chapel Hill in support of the student loan crisis. As a Late Night with Jimmy Fallon fan since way back (mostly because of the Roots) I was chuckling when the President or “Potus with the Mostus” as Black Thought of The Roots nicknamed him joined Fallon for his regular segment “Slow Jam The News”.

Previously, there were some groans from the hipster/ tech geek Obama base that he neglected the show during his rounds on the late night circuit during his first term. If Obama seems a little stiff, I would venture to say that’s by design. He’s stuck between a rock and hard place, while he probably wanted to chill a little bit more and let his hair down, so to speak, but given how his detractors have attacked him, he’d be at risk of being perceived as making light of the student loan crisis.

HIGHBRID NATION REMEMBERS: Lisa ‘Left Eye’ Lopes

2012-04-26T02:57:11Z

Its kind of hard to believe that its been 10 years since we lost Lisa “Left Eye” Lopes’ death. On April 25, 2002 while driving down a narrow road in La Ceiba, Honduras, she flipped her Mitsubishi Montero Sport. HOT 97′s Mister Cee dedicated his show to the former TLC signer during his midday show. Download it here.

Rodney King Mistaken: Not ‘Luckier’ Than Trayvon that his Beating on Video

2012-04-25T05:36:51Z

In 20 years will we still be talking about Trayvon Martin? I’m not sure if its fortunate or untfortunate that we probably won’t. The Rodney King beatings and the subsequent LA Riots that insued have become part of History as a defining moment in race relations history as well as the start of the Cameraphone era.

So it would almost seem ironic that although almost 20 years later and in an era where cameras are EVERYWHERE that the Trayvon Martin death was not caught on camera. King recently told TMZ that he hopes the Martin family will eventually get justice in court, but “Luckily I got [my attack] seen on tape.”

Regarding the Trayvon Martin case, in which the unarmed teen was killed by a self-proclaimed Neighborhood Watch captain, King says the judicial system is a “slow process,” and adds, “I’m hoping he gets justice for his family … ’cause he’s no longer here, so for his family.”

“It’s not one day that goes by that I don’t think about the incident … I get these headaches … when I [sniff], my sinuses start burning,” he told the website.

Honestly I’m a little confused by this. How was King “lucky.” If you think about it and I don’t think I’ve ever heard it put this way but, did it make a difference from a judiciary perspective that the Rodney King beating was caught on tape? I would actually venture to say NO! What the tapes did do however, was bring police brutality to primetime. It was on every evening news program and we all had a front row seat to what most considered the outrage of overzealous police officers. Was King lucky that happened? Were we lucky we saw it? I know for damn sure those store owners were far from lucky the Rodney King beatings were videotaped and depending on the outcome, I’m not so sure anyone should feel UNLUCKY the Trayvon killing wasn’t.

SOUND OFF: Should Ca. Middle School Teacher Have Been Fired for Porn Past?

2012-04-23T14:34:45Z

Do you recognize this face? If so, you’re a perv. It is the face of 31 year-old California middle school teacher Stacie Halas. Seems innocent enough, right?

Remember Stacie Halas? Well if you do you’re either a porno aficionado or a parent of the California middle school teacher’s student. Well at least former teacher. The 31 year old was recently fired after it became known that Halas was indeed a former porn star under the name “Tiffany Six”. The Oxnard, California school board voted unanimously to fire the three year veteran of the Richard B. Haydock Intermediate School.

But lets debate. In the three years that Halas has been a teacher, there have been no complaints or incidents of note. Quite the contrary. She was described as the model teacher. (No pun intended.) There is no evidence that any of her porno flicks were in fact filmed during here teaching tenure.

On the flip side you obviously don’t want to put your children’s education in the hands of people that take off their clothes for a living. But that’s just it. Her porn days were clearly in her early 20′s and given the popularity of the porno industry and its propensity to extend only very short career spans, I find it hard to believe she’s the only former porn star whose assimilated into the general job market. Now that this case has drawn public attention, naturally the parents and school board have felt pressure to succumb to the media attention. With the high incidence of sexual misconduct and statutory rape scandals often involving young female teachers and their male students its almost hard to keep her as employee around young students.

But what message are we in fact teaching? Its ok to be a porn star and then go on to be a teacher or perahaps instead that we shouldn’t forgive and forget? SOUND OFF: Is it wrong for the California School Board to fire the Porno Star Turned Middle School Teacher?

However, there is no evidence of misconduct on Halas’s part as far as her actual job duties. We’re talking about something she had done in her past.

Let’s look at the facts again. This lady had been teaching at the school for nearly three years. She’s 31. That would mean that she’s been teaching at this particular school at least since she was 28. Not only that, but She was probably in her early to mid-twenties when she appeared in the skin flicks. Those are ages when people are bound to make mistakes and questionable decisions (particularly those involving sex).

Do we want porn stars teaching our children? No, of course not. But how long will Ms. Halas have to pay for something she chose to do many years ago? It turns out that a few students found footage of her.

Was Acura’s Casting of a “Not Too Dark” Black Actor in Superbowl Commerical Racist?

2012-04-25T05:37:58Z

Acura apologized Wednesday for a casting document that called for an African-American actor who was “not too dark” in the car company’s Super Bowl ad. TMZ (who continues to be the #1 source in truth I might add) first broke the story when a angry “an African-American actor who didn’t fit the profile” shared the document and was described as being “pissed.”

The role called for an “African-American Car Dealer” who would appear in a car showroom scene. More specifically the role called for a “Nice Looking, friendly. Not too dark. Will work with a MAJOR COMEDIAN.” That major comedian of course was Jerry Seinfeld. Jay Leno also appeared in the spot.

While the controversey brings to light the widely practiced selection process of casting based on skin tone in Hollywood is it racist? RDC… WHAT SAY YOU?! SOUND OFF: Was casting a “Not too dark” African American Actor Racist?

Shame on Obama for Shooting those GSA Videos and Lining Up Secret Service Hookers

2012-04-17T14:18:37Z

You ever have a day where no matter what you do the deck seems stacked against you? That’s pretty much been the Barack Obama Presidency. Despite a poor economy, The President was probably ok with the challenge after all he know it wasn’t going to be easy coming in. However, Democrats have long been criticized by Republicans for wasteful spending. Its the go to tagline like tax cuts for the rich is on the flip side.

However, over the past two weeks the Republicans, namely the presumptive Presidential Nominee Mitt Romney, have received a softball…check that….a beachball of sorts in their argument against Obama and the Democrats. In what couldn’t have otherwise have been planned two Government controversies have been exposed in the media highlighting abuse of taxpayer’s money.

You don’t have to be a Republican to be pissed off by the goofy videos produced by GSA executives poking fun of their wasteful spending sprees and thumbing their noses as struggling Americans who funded it. Then you probably cringed when you thought about the potential security threat posed by Secret Service members bagging a bunch of low budget Columbian hookers in advance of the President’s arrival.

Does it highlight waste? SURE! Were these reprehensible acts of frivolity and disregard? ABSOLUTELY. President’s fault? No more the President’s fault that it were you or me. Sure he’s going to have now roll some heads but to think that in some way, The President encouraged the GSA to not only spend a bunch of dough on some drunken GSA skits in Vegas but on top of it, to tape the whole thing is silly. To my knowledge, the President or his council was not in charge of lining up the whores and getting a little sample to make sure they were up to snuff for his boys. If we take that argument, honestly, then we must put credence in the argument that Islamic Terrorist used in the attack on 9/11. They believed that “We, The People” were responsible for unrest in their countries because we elected the officials and supported those that made it happen. If A=B and B=C does not necessarily mean A=C in this case.

So while I’ll sit back with my burnt microwave popcorn and wait for this one to shake out. We continue to show ourselves stupid by using the actions of few to qualify the wrongs of the many.

Nicki Minaj’s Has Temper Tantrum Over Criticism, Deletes Twitter & 11 Million Fans

2012-04-16T14:16:52Z

Think back Nation oh not that far…back when Nicki Minaj was a rising star with no album and little track record to speak of. The Nation was buzzing about her almost daily. Fast forward to the present and over 11 MILLION TWITTER FOLLOWERS later, she’s officially reached critical mass.

As with most celebrities, She’s completely lost touch with reality and has surrounded herself with so many “Yes Men” that she think the world is here to serve her. In the wake of a diva hissy fit she deleted her Twitter after the heavy criticism after Rap Radar leaked her music. Since when was it cool to be drama queen in rap? I mean…the whole tough guy movement was a bit much but Twitter Beefs and reality shows? Its all too much for me. Makes my stomach turn.

2Pac is ALIVE: Performs at 2012 Coachella Music Festival

2012-04-16T14:23:56Z

No that’s not Obi Won Kenobi. Nearly 30 years after George Lucas first conceptualized the idea of live holgraphic imagery and a little less than four years after CNN attempted to use the technology as a feature during the 2008 Presidential Election, it was perfected over the weekend. Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg closed out the Coachella Music And Arts Festival last night with a bang. During their set, they ressurected 2Pac in the form of a hologram. Pandora’s box is now open. Biggie? Elvis? Millie Vanilli?