StreetBoyz2biznizmen

T.I. Speaks To Boys And Girls Club Part1

noreply@blogger.com (SweetGyrl & StreetBoyz2biznizmen) — Wed, 13 Jun 2007 01:28:00 +0000

TI speaks to teens, its nice to see rappers that care about the Youth! I applaud TI.

RAPPER FROM DIPSET MURDERED THIS MORNING

noreply@blogger.com (SweetGyrl & StreetBoyz2biznizmen) — Tue, 12 Jun 2007 16:57:00 +0000

Posted June 11, 2007 -- Posted June 11, 2007 -- Stack Bundles, a member of Dip Set's Byrdgang, was shot and killed early Monday morning after leaving a New York City club. Bundles, born Rayquon Elliott, was shot once in the head and once in the neck around 5 a.m. in the lobby of his apartment building in Far Rockaway, Queens.

His murder was announced on New York radio station Hot 97 by DJ Envy, who also reported that Stack was last seen leaving Manhattan hot spot, Club Stereo. While a motive was unknown at press time, a spokesperson for the New York Police Department revealed that while the 24-year-old's chain was missing, his money and credit cards were untouched.

Though Stack had yet to release a major label album, he gained popularity by appearing on several mixtapes, including Jim Jones's M.O.B. (Members of Byrdgang) mixtape. While Jones was unavailable for comment, Diplomat Records' president and Dip Set member Freekey Zeekey released a statement that revealed he was with Stack shortly before his death. "I was with Stack last night in Stereo and it's just hard to leave someone a few hours ago [and] hear they had an untimely death. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family, epsecially his sisters." , a member of Dip Set's Byrdgang, was shot and killed early Monday morning after leaving a New York City club. Bundles, born Rayquon Elliott, was shot once in the head and once in the neck around 5 a.m. in the lobby of his apartment building in Far Rockaway, Queens.

Sensless Violence, another life lost over what???

Teen Sex Case Dismissed....

noreply@blogger.com (SweetGyrl & StreetBoyz2biznizmen) — Tue, 12 Jun 2007 02:18:00 +0000

Judge Voids Sentence in Teen Sex Case
Georgia Youth Convicted After Consensual Oral Sex
By SHANNON McCAFFREY
AP

Family Photo / AP Judge Voids Sentence in Teen Sex Case
Georgia Youth Convicted After Consensual Oral Sex
By SHANNON McCAFFREY
AP

Family Photo / AP Genarlow Wilson had faced 10 years in prison for a consensual encounter with a 15-year-old girl when he was 17.Talk About It:

ATLANTA (June 11) -- A Georgia judge ordered the release Monday of a man sentenced to 10 years in prison for consensual oral sex with a 15-year-old girl when he was 17, a sentence that had been widely criticized as grossly disproportionate to the crime. Several influential people, including former President Jimmy Carter , publicly supported Genarlow Wilson's appeals, and state lawmakers voted to close the loophole that led to his 10-year term. Monday's ruling doesn't ensure Wilson's freedom, though. Georgia Attorney General Thurbert Baker said Monday afternoon that he had filed notice of appeal, arguing that Georgia law does not give a judge authority to reduce or modify the sentence imposed by the trial court.

He said he would seek an expedited ruling from the Georgia Supreme Court . Tracy J. Smith, a public affairs officer for the state Department of Corrections, said Wilson, now 21, would not be released until the department receives guidance from the state attorney general's office or from the court that originally sentenced Wilson. Wilson's lawyer, B.J. Bernstein, said she plans to apply for a bond to release him while the appeal is pending. "It is extremely, extremely disturbing that the attorney general would take this action now," she said. "In essence, the attorney general is saying, 'Keep Genarlow Wilson in prison for 10 years and keep him on the sex offender registry.'"

The judge's ruling Monday threw out Wilson's 10-year sentence and amended it to misdemeanor aggravated child molestation with a 12-month term, plus credit for time served, and he would not be required to register as a sex offender. "The fact that Genarlow Wilson has spent two years in prison for what is now classified as a misdemeanor, and without assistance from this Court, will spend eight more years in prison, is a grave miscarriage of justice," wrote Judge Thomas H. Wilson, no relation to Genarlow Wilson.

"If this court or any court cannot recognize the injustice of what has occurred here, then our court system has lost sight of the goal our judicial system has always strived to accomplish ... justice being served in a fair and equal manner," the judge wrote. When the judge's order arrived Monday morning, Wilson's lawyers had applauded and hugged his mother, Juannessa Bennett, who wiped away tears. "I just feel like a miracle happened," Bennett said. A jury had found Wilson, an honor student, guilty in 2005 of aggravated child molestation for having oral sex with a 15-year-old girl during a 2003 New Year's Eve party involving alcohol and marijuana. Although the sex act was consensual, it was illegal under Georgia law. Wilson was also charged with rape for being one of several male partygoers to have sex with a 17-year-old girl, but was acquitted. The party at a hotel was captured on a videotape that was played for the jury.

Copyright 2007 The Associated Press. The information contained in the AP news report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed without the prior written authority of The Associated Press. All active hyperlinks have been inserted by AOL. had faced 10 years in prison for a consensual encounter with a 15-year-old girl when he was 17.Talk About It:

ATLANTA (June 11) -- A Georgia judge ordered the release Monday of a man sentenced to 10 years in prison for consensual oral sex with a 15-year-old girl when he was 17, a sentence that had been widely criticized as grossly disproportionate to the crime. Several influential people, including former President Jimmy Carter , publicly supported Genarlow Wilson's appeals, and state lawmakers voted to close the loophole that led to his 10-year term.

Monday's ruling doesn't ensure Wilson's freedom, though. Georgia Attorney General Thurbert Baker said Monday afternoon that he had filed notice of appeal, arguing that Georgia law does not give a judge authority to reduce or modify the sentence imposed by the trial court. He said he would seek an expedited ruling from the Georgia Supreme Court . Tracy J. Smith, a public affairs officer for the state Department of Corrections, said Wilson, now 21, would not be released until the department receives guidance from the state attorney general's office or from the court that originally sentenced Wilson.

Wilson's lawyer, B.J. Bernstein, said she plans to apply for a bond to release him while the appeal is pending. "It is extremely, extremely disturbing that the attorney general would take this action now," she said. "In essence, the attorney general is saying, 'Keep Genarlow Wilson in prison for 10 years and keep him on the sex offender registry.

'" The judge's ruling Monday threw out Wilson's 10-year sentence and amended it to misdemeanor aggravated child molestation with a 12-month term, plus credit for time served, and he would not be required to register as a sex offender. "The fact that Genarlow Wilson has spent two years in prison for what is now classified as a misdemeanor, and without assistance from this Court, will spend eight more years in prison, is a grave miscarriage of justice," wrote Judge Thomas H. Wilson, no relation to Genarlow Wilson.

"If this court or any court cannot recognize the injustice of what has occurred here, then our court system has lost sight of the goal our judicial system has always strived to accomplish ... justice being served in a fair and equal manner," the judge wrote. When the judge's order arrived Monday morning, Wilson's lawyers had applauded and hugged his mother, Juannessa Bennett, who wiped away tears. "I just feel like a miracle happened," Bennett said. A jury had found Wilson, an honor student, guilty in 2005 of aggravated child molestation for having oral sex with a 15-year-old girl during a 2003 New Year's Eve party involving alcohol and marijuana.

Although the sex act was consensual, it was illegal under Georgia law. Wilson was also charged with rape for being one of several male partygoers to have sex with a 17-year-old girl, but was acquitted. The party at a hotel was captured on a videotape that was played for the jury.
Copyright 2007 The Associated Press. The information contained in the AP news report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed without the prior written authority of The Associated Press. All active hyperlinks have been inserted by AOL.

The Sopranos Ending Or Not!!!

noreply@blogger.com (SweetGyrl & StreetBoyz2biznizmen) — Mon, 11 Jun 2007 22:48:00 +0000

I feel cheated! This is going to the movies, I know it. Sex in the City just made it to theaters.

There was no good ending, so 'The Sopranos' left off without one.The abrupt finale last night was almost like a prank, a mischievous dig at viewers who had agonized over how television?s most addictive series would come to a close. The suspense of the final scene in the diner was almost cruel. And certainly that last bit of song ? 'Don't Stop Believing,' by Journey ? had to be a joke. After eight years and so much frenzied anticipation, any ending would have been a letdown. Viewers are conditioned to seek a resolution, happy or sad, so it was almost fitting that this HBO series that was neither comedy nor tragedy should defy expectations in its very last moments. In that way at least 'The Sopranos' delivered a perfectly imperfect finish. -- Alessandra Stanley, The New York Times

Brian White HollyWoods Next Denzel??

noreply@blogger.com (SweetGyrl & StreetBoyz2biznizmen) — Tue, 05 Jun 2007 00:01:00 +0000

BRIAN J. WHITE

"HOLLYWOODS NEXT BIG THING"

I felt compelled to write about this young man for several reasons, besides the fact that he is a fellow Machasusettes man, and Taurus! is a Stock Broker, graduated from one of the most Prestigous Colleges in New England, and JoJo White's son.(and of course beautiful).

Brian White is hitting the big screen and doing it BIG. I remember being awake one night, with insomnia, I could not sleep for some reason. I was dosing in and out.

I happened to be flicking through the channels and saw this movie called "Redemption" it was about a young man caught up in the hype of Hollywood, and drugs and wanting to be an actor, the movie caught my eye, It was rather interesting. However; I felt compelled by the actor (White) for whatever reason, I felt as tho I knew him (without knowing anything about him). I could tell from the movie that he was educated and there was alot to him, but it was such a powerful role that I actually thought this brother was crazy! (watch the movie). I was like man, this guy is caught up. When you see an actor engulfed in his part the way (White) was, that is a good actor!

I totally forgot about it, I woke up and continued with my routines. Then about 6 months later I happened to be watching the "Shield" and there he was Again! "Tavon" however I did not appreciate the way his character faded to black! I was like ok....

Then came "Stomp the Yard" A movie that not only touched my soul but at one point had me in tears! The movie had depth and meaning. It was about struggles, talent, and triumph. The actor DJ (Columbus Short) brought the character to life. After losing his brother to senseless violence, taking the fall for the crime and being targeted with hatorade at "Truth University", DJ made it to the top.

White displayed Leadership as a Fraternity Leader (Sylvester). It was in this movie, I knew White was going to be HUGE. I watch my African American Male actors, such as Denzel, Samuel Jackson, Louis Gosset Jr., Delroy Lindo, Shamar Moore, up & coming "Walking Tall's Dwayne "The Rock" (fine as hell) Johnson, (Rocky Johnson's son, from back in the day wrestling).

Brian is currently involved in several HUGE projects coming up. Him and Director Sylvain White own and operate:
Media 3 Films it is a feature film production company based in Beverly Hills, CA. The company develops and produces independent feature, television and animation films for distribution in both the domestic and international marketplace.

Media 3 Films was formed in 2006 by actor Brian White, actor Boris Kodjoe, director Sylvain White, and media entrepreneur/finance executive Darius Kirksey.

Not to mention several projects in the works:

"The Game Plan" hits theaters September 28, 2007
An allstart cast featuring

An NFL quarterback (The Rock) living the bachelor lifestyle discovers that he has a 7-year-old daughter from a previous relationship.

Brian co-stars as Webber, alongside an all-star cast including: Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, Morris Chestnut, Roselyn Sanchez, Kyra Sedgwick, Gordon Clapp, and Madison Pettis.

> DOA: Dead or Alive �?? June 15, 2007 >

In the Name of the King �?? December 5, 2007

White touched my soul also by being involved in multiple PHILANTHROPY projects:

Phunk Phenomenon Urban Dance Theater, located in my native Massachusetts

And W.A.R.M 2 Kids

As you all know I am former Science teacher , & Psycho-Therapist, and I have my two start up companies, SweetGyrl & Streetboyz2biznizmen, I flock to celebrities that care about the youth!! I naturally gravitate.

Watch out for Brian folks, he is doing it big! Maybe I can get an interview from him one day!

And you all know one of my passions is the "arts/acting" maybe he can use me as an actress for one his flicks!!

Anyhoo, BLESSING TO BRIAN WHITE. To find out more about Brian, visit, http://www.brianwhiteonline.com/

50 Cent 400 Million Dollars Richer!

noreply@blogger.com (SweetGyrl & StreetBoyz2biznizmen) — Thu, 31 May 2007 19:02:00 +0000

50 CENT NETS $400 MILLION FROM COCA-COLA DEAL

Rapper 50 CENT is going straight to the bank - he's reportedly received a massive $400 million (GBP200 million) paycheque after The Coca-Cola Company bought the firm behind his energy drink Formula 50 last week (25May07).

Drinks makers Glaceau, which produces the Vitamin Water range inspired by the Candy Shop star, was acquired by The Coca-Cola Company for $4.1 billion (GBP700,000 million) last Friday.

And as 50 Cent - real name Curtis Jackson - owns a 10 per cent share of Glaceau, he also made a huge profit from the takeover, according to AllHipHop.com. As previously reported, the rapper will show off his classical skills in a new TV advertisement for the energy drink, when he conducts a symphony orchestra through a rendition of his breakthrough hit, In Da Club.

50 Cent Speaks on Imus and Oprah @ BET

noreply@blogger.com (SweetGyrl & StreetBoyz2biznizmen) — Sun, 27 May 2007 03:31:00 +0000

SO HIP HOP IS TALKING ABOUT THIER PERSONAL EXPERIENCE GROWING UP? OR IS THE MEDIA BLOWING UP THE NEGATIVITY?

Curtis Jackson "50 Cent"

noreply@blogger.com (SweetGyrl & StreetBoyz2biznizmen) — Fri, 25 May 2007 17:24:00 +0000

IN THEATERS AGAIN - HOME OF THE BRAVE with 50 CENT
Posted May 11th 2007 7:46AM by Wilson MoralesFiled under: It's All Reel

If you didn't get a chance to see "Home of the Brave" when it came out in limited theaters last December, MGM is now releasing the film in wider areas. Starring Samuel L. Jackson, 50 Cent, and Victoria Rowell, the film centers on three soldiers who are returning home after a lenghty tour in Iraq and find that re-entering "normal" life after the continued trauma of battle is not an easy task. 50 Cent plays a soldier in Iraq who is deployed for one more mission to deliver medical supplies and the unit is ambushed. Now, as one of the surviving members of the battalion return home and attempt to readjust to civilian life, the physical injuries and psychological scars sustained during that tragic event continue to take a heavy emotional toll on the war-torn soldier. 50 Cent used his real name, Curtis Jackson, for the credits. I got a chance to talk to him in regards to the film.

What was the reason to use your real name instead of just 50 Cent in association with the movie?

50 Cent: Yeah, I think when people see 50 Cent they directly associate it to the music and the aggressive content of the music. They may be disappointed when they see my character and he doesn't have that same aggressive edge that they're familiar with from the music. So I told them to put 50 Cent in the middle so they would know it was me still... [laughing]
What was it about this movie that made you really pursue it?

50 Cent: It was the action in it that I really wanted to be a part of and it was different than everything I had seen so far from a war perspective. A lot of war films are set during the war and that's it and this film is about re-entering society after the experience of war. I actually enjoy war films. Prior to doing the research for my character I just watched the films that I had seen that had those types of action scenes in them as entertainment. It's after you start to do the research and you start to see people and images even more graphic than what you have seen in film. You start to have a different outlook on it.

Irwin Winkler wasn't keen to cast you at first, what was it that you did to impress him?

50 Cent: I threatened him. [smiling] No, I'm just kidding... People have a perception of me based on the aggressive content of my music, but that is a reflection of the environment I grew up in and not all that I am. Coming up where I am from I have to be two people, aggressive enough to get by in my neighborhood and I had to be my grandmother's baby.

Do you think hip hop should play a larger role in speaking out about the war?

50 Cent: You can't say hip hop in general because it is more than just hip hop as a genre of music that has a responsibility to be a part of it. When I travel, music has taken me all over the world, I get a chance to see how different news is broadcast in different areas and it makes me feel like even news is entertainment instead of the condition of the minds in the public. So in the U.S. they'll give us a certain picture of the U.S. and then when you get outside of the country you see the craziest stuff, the craziest things... unbelieveable what their perception is of the U.S.
Watch 50 and Sam Jackson talk more about their experiences on 'Home of the Brave.'

Brian White EveryWhere!

noreply@blogger.com (SweetGyrl & StreetBoyz2biznizmen) — Fri, 25 May 2007 17:16:00 +0000

Making his Mark on the Screen - Brian J. White
Posted May 23rd 2007 8:55AM by Wilson MoralesFiled under: It's All Reel
Everywhere I look, Brian J. White is somewhere on the screen. White has racking up a number up of film roles as of late.

Although, he's not a newbie in the biz, having done film work since 2001, but lately he's popping up all over the place. He played the frat leader in the hit film, "Stomp The Yard" and had a cameo appearance in Tyler Perry's "Daddy's Little's Girls". Most recently seen in the straight-to-DVD film, "Motives 2", White had a leading role in that film opposite Vivica Fox and Sharon Leal.

On the small screen, he's done some episodic work this year on the TV show, "Ghost Whisperer", and will be seen in the upcoming TV show "Football Wives" opposite Ving Rhames and Gabrielle Union. Sticking with the football theme, later on this Fall, White will appear on the big screen with The Rock in "The Game Plan". These last two roles probably wasn't a stretch for him considering he played pro ball with the New England Patriots before becoming an actor. Give your agent a bonus, he's got you working.

Robin Thicke & 50 Cent Team up!!

noreply@blogger.com (SweetGyrl & StreetBoyz2biznizmen) — Tue, 22 May 2007 11:38:00 +0000

50 CENT & ROBIN THICKE: New Ebony & Ivory
Posted May 18th 2007 1:09PM by Karu F. DanielsFiled under: Entertainment Newswire
By Karu F. Daniels, AOL Black Voices

There are some unlikely pairings underway in the music world.

One in particular is a merging of hardcore hip-hop with pop-laced neo-soul.
For his new album, titled 'Curtis,' hip-hop superstar 50 Cent has called upon the musical talents of blue-eyed soul crooner Robin Thicke.

The two Interscope Music Group-associated artists collaborated on the track 'Follow My Lead,' which will be a lead single for the June 26 release.
"It has a more mature vibe to it," 50 explained in an 'MTV' interview. "The older demographic is really becoming attracted to Robin Thicke and I think it has something to do with the reflection of his sales increasing on a steady level because the older you are, the less you've adjusted to MP3ing and downloading material. You're conditioned to going into the store and buying the CD. That's good."

Thicke, whose musical talents were first discovered by Hip Hop Soul architect Andre Harrell, was heavily influenced by the infectious culture.
"Even though I'm a singer and not a rapper I'm influenced more by hip-hop music than anything else in the world," Thicke said to interviewers early this week. "I think hip-hop music is the leader of artistic expression in the world right now. It's changing the way people dress in Asia and Russia. There is no painter that is doing that right now, there is no movie star that has everyone dressing like them and talking them."

With his sophomore album, 'Evolution of Robin Thicke,' the singer/songwriter (who's the son of actor Alan Thicke and husband to actress Paula Patton) has become a platinum-plated success story, and a fixture on the R&B charts. Appearances on 'The Oprah Winfrey Show' and 'Today' have bolstered sales of the Pharrell Williams-helmed opus, and also increased his visibility.
For his latest musical effort, he garnered two BET Awards.

Thicke has been confirmed to open for Beyonce Knowles on her new North American Tour this summer; they will both appear on 'Oprah' May 21.

He will also play Radio City Music Hall with Jill Scott next month.
A video for 'Follow My Lead' was filmed last week in Los Angeles.

I guess 50 cent wants to "polish" his image somewhat. This is a good move.

My Son Samuel

noreply@blogger.com (SweetGyrl & StreetBoyz2biznizmen) — Mon, 21 May 2007 00:17:00 +0000

This is my big "Why" I was listening to the radio the other day, and there was an interruption.

D.C news kicked in and reported that there was a fatal shooting at a local Brand New Youth Center that was suppose to be a safe place for teens to go. This happened where there were many adults around and a cop on the other block.

It all happened over a "domino" game. It concerned me because they were African American Males "once again". It made me question, what is happening to our young men. Why all the anger? Why do they hate each other so much that they feel the need to "take each others lives". The news even highlighted how they came from homes with no fathers.

It made me sick back and give the Lord thanks that my son Samuel is safe, in school, playing football, and recently got his first part time job! He is going to be 17 years old June 11. Also starting 12th grade in the fall. I gave the Lord thanks that he has kept my boy safe and out of the madness that hits so many of our youth today.

I recently made a trip to Massachusetts to adopt my son's best friend, who was falling by the way side. I felt responsible. I could not allow this child to fall into the pattern that so many young men fall into. I took him under my wing and did the things a mom should do. He has been in and around my family far too long to let that happen. Not on my watch. I was able to do this while still maintaining a positive friendly relationship with his mother. She agreed and we did the process together. Let me correct myself " Legal Guardianship" I wanted to legally be his mouth piece for educational purposes. The school system was jerking them around, being that I was a former high school teacher and Psych-therapist, I know the system very well.

It was the same system that failed me as a teen growing up. Suspensions, no services, just craziness. Anyhow, Samuel and Randolph are my big big whys on WHY this organization is so needed and its powerful. We are currently looking to have positive celebrities to feature on our blog as Role Models. It's time for them to step up to the game. There is so much negative influence, its time for positive influence.

Please keep us in your prayers!

GAME GOES TO JAIL...

noreply@blogger.com (SweetGyrl & StreetBoyz2biznizmen) — Sat, 12 May 2007 11:39:00 +0000

The Game Over? Rapper in Police Custody
Posted May 11th 2007 11:20PM by TMZ StaffFiled under: Celebrity Justice

TMZ has learned that rapper The Game is in police custody, after LAPD officers executed a search of his L.A. area home in connection with an incident that took place in February. According to police sources, officers are currently transporting him to a station, where he will be booked on charges of making criminal threats.

We're told he's being extremely cooperative.
The Game, a multi-platinum selling rap star, was formerly a part of 50 Cent's G Unit group. Story developing...

AKON GOES TOO FAR!

noreply@blogger.com (SweetGyrl & StreetBoyz2biznizmen) — Sat, 05 May 2007 00:37:00 +0000

Akon Axed by Verizon Over Simulated Rape

Posted May 4th 2007 3:44PM by TMZ Staff
Filed under: Music

Rapper Akon has been fired by Verizon -- and is being threatened with prosecution -- after he reportedly simulated a rape of a 15-year-old on stage during a concert in Trinidad a few weeks ago.

Verizon promoted Akon as one of the musicians on its mobile-phone music service, and said it would no longer sponsor the Gwen Stefani tour in which Akon, who recently performed on "American Idol," is the opening act.

The rapper invited 15-year-old Danah Alleyne onto the stage, and the girl obliged, thinking that she was entering a dance contest to win a "trip to Africa," as Akon promised. But when Alleyne "won" the contest, the "trip to Africa" turned out to be an on-stage encounter with Akon during which her "head was hitting the floor, said Alleyne to the Trinidad Express (via FOX News).

In its account of the incident, the Trinidad Express said that the "Smack That" rapper was "turning, twisting and even flipping [the girl's] body," while "mimicking sexual positions" and sandwiching the girl with the assistance of another performer. The Security Minister Fitzgerald Hinds said, in FOX News' report, that Akon should be prosecuted.

This isn't the first time Akon has done some sketchy work on stage. TMZ obtained exclusive footage of Tara Reid getting the Akon treatment during a party at the Sundance Film Festival.

A rep for Verizon told TMZ they were sponsoring Akon and made a decision this week to end the relationship for, as they called it, "reasons." Beyond that, the rep would not elaborate.

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Self Destruction

noreply@blogger.com (SweetGyrl & StreetBoyz2biznizmen) — Fri, 04 May 2007 14:07:00 +0000

I LOVE THIS VIDEO I WAS IN 11TH GRADE WHEN THIS CAME OUT IN 1989!! THIS IS THE BOMB!! WHAT HAPPENED!! RAP SHOULD GET BACK TO THIS!

A NEW SPIKE LEE OR JOHN SINGLETON PERHAPS?

noreply@blogger.com (SweetGyrl & StreetBoyz2biznizmen) — Fri, 04 May 2007 13:56:00 +0000

I AM A HUGE DC COMICS FAN!

ITS GREAT TO SEE MEN OF COLOR DOING THEIR THING IN THE HOLLYWOOD FILM INDUSTRY! STOMP THE YARD'S "SYLVAIN WHITE" HAS A NEW PROJECT! STAY TUNED.....

Stomp The Yard's White to Direct Frank Miller's Ronin

Posted May 3rd 2007 9:45AM by Wilson Morales
Filed under: It's All Reel

With the success of "Stomp The Yard", Director Sylvain White has just received a distributor for his next big film. Shortly after the press conference that was held for the "300" cast members, IESB.net broke the news that White would be directing "RONIN" as his next film. 'Ronin" is another one of Frank Miller's graphic novels. I then scored an exclusive interview with White as he discussed his plans for the film. Today, according to Variety, Warner Bros. has optioned the rights to distribute Miller's "Ronin".

In the story, a ronin, or disgraced samurai warrior, bears the shame of allowing his master to be assassinated by a shape-shifting demon in 13th century Japan. When the master's sword is unearthed in mid-21st century New York, the ronin and the demon are brought to life and battle gangs of mutants and thugs to try to take possession of the mythical sword.

The graphic novel was published by DC Comics. "Ronin" will be shot in a fashion similar to that employed for "300," in which blue- and green-screen lensing was done on a Montreal soundstage to create an ancient Greece battleground for a $65 million film. Costs are comparable for "Ronin," making the film a big step up for White, who graduated from directing videos to helming the film "Stomp the Yard" at a cost of around $14 million.

When I interviewed him and asked him how he got the project, White said, "Producer Gianni Nunnari had contact me years ago before I had done "I'll Always Know What You Did Last Summer" and recently brought up the project back again. He had seen some of my short films. It was a combination of the music video work and the commercial work and the short films that I had done at that time and there was something in my work that he really liked and we met and he brought up this project, and I'm a huge Frank Miller fan and I'm a huge graphic novel fan. I grew up in France and we have lots of graphic novels there. Frank Miller is one of the few Americans whose graphic novels I really like; and so of course, Ronin is the best possible project I thought I could ever have. I jumped on it and now is the right time to go with it."

To read what White had to say more about Ronin, click here -

http://www.blackfilm.com/20070202/features/sylvainwhite.shtml

THE POSITIVE ASPECT OF RAP MUSIC....

noreply@blogger.com (SweetGyrl & StreetBoyz2biznizmen) — Thu, 03 May 2007 11:24:00 +0000

Rap Can Help Teens, Film Shows

Posted Apr 30th 2007 1:20PM by Wilson Morales
Filed under: It's All Reel

Today is the premiere of "The Hip Hop Project", a compelling documentary of Kazi, a formerly homeless teenager who inspired a group of New York City teens to transform their life stories into powerful works of art, using hip hop as a vehicle for self-development and personal discovery. Last week, according to Variety, despite 17 uses of the F word, the MPAA's Ratings Review Board gave a PG-13 rating to the ThinkFilm's film after its R rating was appealed by director Matt Ruskin and the film's rapper subject, Chris "Kazi" Rolle.

The film, executive produced by Bruce Willis and Queen Latifah, follows the kids' four-year journey, including studio time funded by Willis and producer Russell Simmons.

Six of the panel's eight members agreed to change the rating, which was issued for the film's language. "We decided to appeal the R rating to allow teenagers access to see this film because they are the ones who need it most," said Rolle, founder of the offscreen Hip Hop Project. "After years of working with teens, I know you have to reach them when they are young. Just as I didn't have a parent to take me to the movies when I was a teenager, many of the young people who would benefit most from this film would have been denied access if the R rating stood."

Ruskin told the board, "This motion picture is a call to end the destructive forces of violence, misogyny and criminality that dominate the music our children are listening to." All net profit from "Hip Hop Project" will be donated to youth organizations. The film will be released May 11 in 15 urban markets

THIS IS GREAT!

AL SHARPTON KEEPS HIS WORD.....

noreply@blogger.com (SweetGyrl & StreetBoyz2biznizmen) — Thu, 03 May 2007 11:19:00 +0000

REV. AL SHARPTON: Taking it To the Streets

Posted Apr 30th 2007 12:10PM by Karu F. Daniels
Filed under: Entertainment Newswire

By Karu F. Daniels, AOL Black Voices

Who knew that two weeks after Don Imus's ouster and Oprah Winfrey's big "Town Hall" meeting, the saga demonizing hip-hop culture would continue.

Last week "Hip-Hop CEO" Russell Simmons asked the industry to ban "The N-Word," "The B-Word" and "The H-Word."

This week, Reverend Al Sharpton is staging a "March of Decency."

On May 3, the former presidential candidate and formidable civil rights activist will co-lead a march from Sony Music's United States headquarters on Madison Avenue and continue to Time Warner's Columbus Circle headquarters.
Universal Music Group's Broadway offices are also a part of the marching trail.

"I think it is important that we make a strong appeal as consumers to demand standards that will not offend us or dehumanize us based on race, gender or any other category," Sharpton said. "This march will be lead by Tamika Mallory, Councilwoman Darlene Mealy and other women, but we encourage that it be attended and supported by all and I am proud to be a part of it."

According to Sharpton's longtime spokeswoman Rachel Noerdlinger, the children of late "Godfather of Soul" James Brown will also march. May 3 would've been the music pioneer's 74th birthday.

Through its new Decency Initiative, the Sharpton-helmed National Action Network will call for record companies implement a code of conduct for artist in their lyrics. The primary focus of the march is to protest sexism, racism, and homophobia in music and the image that is perpetuated in the recording industry that glamorizes misogyny, Noerdlinger explained.

G-UNITS YOUNG BUCK HATES OPRAH...

noreply@blogger.com (SweetGyrl & StreetBoyz2biznizmen) — Wed, 02 May 2007 11:59:00 +0000

Young Buck Goes Off On Oprah

Posted Apr 27th 2007 11:21AM by Ken Gibbs
Filed under: Off Topic

Recently G-Unit's Southern general Young Buck came through to spit fire for the debut of AOL Music's 16 Bars. As you'll see in the video, he came prepared -- but so were we. It was only a day after Oprah Winfrey's (who is also from Tennessee, Buck's hometown) now legendary hip-hop round table with Russel Simmons, Kevin Liles, Ben Chavis and Common vs. Stanley Crouch, Jason Whitlock, et al. So After Buck was finished with his verse, I asked him what he thought about the big O and the allegations that his G-Unit partner Tony Yayo got physical with Jimmy "Henchman" Rosemond's 14-year-old son. Lets just say that after a few minutes I believed that he was ready to 'Buck the World.'

How do you feel about the current movement to censor hip hop?

"I just think that at the end of the day it can't be no individual that voices about any artists' things that they say in their music because they haven't walked in our pair of shoes of any of these individual artists. You can't control a thing as big as hip hop and try to make it the way that you want it or the way that any individual may want it. You gotta allow hip hop to take its course, good and bad. That's the nature of hip hop. You gotta let it be.

I think when you start putting people in pocket that are pretty much going against the negativity of it, or the harsh words out of it, things of that nature, you're taking the game to a whole 'nother level. So it's nothing wrong with them getting together, as long as they're coming up with tactics to stop bootlegging or something like that. Don't come together to migrate on trying to censorship these artists or nothing like that, or protest a certain crew, or anything like that. Come together because we dealing with situations in hip hop that's affecting the game financially more than us having to think about censoring somebody. You think censoring is going to help the financial aspect of hip hop? No, it's gonna take more from it.

So, at the end of the day I think it's just about people not allowing some of these people that have nothing to do with the hip hop world getting in and putting the influence on them to change the strategy that they followed for so many years. Anything that works, eventually it comes a time when the road gets bumpy. But if you ain't strong enough to hold onto the horse when that m---r is going over a rocky road, then you shouldn't be going over that m---r in the first place....

Can't nobody give criticism to no artists, or nobody that you ain't never put their shoes on. How can you tell this man that's speaking on what's going on in the projects that he can't say that when you ain't never experienced a day in living in them m----r -- including Oprah Winfrey! Oprah Winfrey is from my city, she graduated with my mother. She's always been a black white woman, all her life. I see her father everyday on Cleveland Street, at a barbershop. Her father owns a barbershop. She graduated with my mother from TSU, from Tennessee State University. Her character is known throughout my city, throughout the older people; they already know what type of situation it is.

I have no respect for Oprah Winfrey because she has no respect for the hip hop world, good or bad. Because there's plenty other artists that don't even push a negative line that don't even sat on her show. And they've probably surpassed some of the people she's sitting down. I mean, she'll have a child rapist and all kind of people like that sitting in front of the show, but she couldn't have a person, successful from the ghetto standing there and ask him questions. But she'll have a child rapist and ask him why did you do this to this child, and things of that nature.

Like I said, her father is from my city, he still has the hood thing. His barbershop is right on Cleveland Street in the middle of the ghetto. But as far as Oprah Winfrey, there's never been a respect throughout Tennessee for her, not from the ghetto perspective. 'Cause like I said, her father's there, but she's never even played a part in our city."

Tell me the truth Buck, did Yayo put his hands on Jimmy Henchman's son?

I could tell you 135% that it's not true, as far as Yayo's involvement in the situation with him putting his hands on Jimmy Henchman's son. He didn't do that. I know that for a fact. Now, me speaking in general, I would say that any man that put his hands on a child is not right. I'm not saying that to say that my homeboy Yayo is guilty, by any fashion. And I know for a fact that he didn't do it, but I think we know that natural rule as men, the way that goes. And outside of that, s-t happens. But sometimes there be so much tension surrounding a crew like G-Unit, that when something like that happens we automatically did it.

I CANNOT DO GANSTA RAP, SORRY YOUNG BUCK, THE DISRESPECT TO WOMEN IS THE PROBLEM.

CAMERON APOLOGIZES....

noreply@blogger.com (SweetGyrl & StreetBoyz2biznizmen) — Sun, 29 Apr 2007 14:15:00 +0000

CAM'RON: In His Own Words (Again)

Posted Apr 26th 2007 4:53PM by Karu F. Daniels
Filed under: Entertainment Newswire

By Karu F. Daniels, AOL Black Voices

Cam'Ron surely knows how to get a rise out of people.

Through his savvy publicity team, rapper (legally known as Cameron Giles) issued the following statement, today, in response to the overwhelming response from his controversial '60 Minutes' interview.

The statement is printed in its entirety below:

"In 2005, I was a victim of a violent crime. I was shot multiple times without provocation by two armed men who attempted to carjack my vehicle. Although I was a crime victim, I didn't feel like I could cooperate with the police investigation. Where I come from, once word gets out that you've cooperated with the police that only makes you a bigger target of criminal violence. That is a dark reality in so many neighborhoods like mine across America. I'm not saying its right, but its reality. And it's not unfounded. There's a harsh reality around violence and criminal justice in our inner cities."

"But my experience in no way justifies what I said. Looking back now, I can see how those comments could be viewed as offensive, especially to those who have suffered their own personal tragedies or to those who put their lives on the line to protect our citizens from crime. Please understand that I was expressing my own personal frustration at my own personal circumstances. I in no way was intending to be malicious or harmful. I apologize deeply for this error in judgment."

What do you think of this?

I DON'T KNOW ABOUT YOU CAMRON, TO ME THERE IS SO MUCH HURT, ANGER AND HATRED BEAMING FROM YOU IN YOUR MUSIC AND YOUR WORDS..

I HOPE THIS APOLOGY IS REAL.

REAL RAPPERS GET NO AIRPLAY.... SAY IT ISN'T SO!!

noreply@blogger.com (SweetGyrl & StreetBoyz2biznizmen) — Thu, 26 Apr 2007 13:50:00 +0000

WHEN RAP MUSIC HAD A CONSCIENCE

Posted Apr 20th 2007 11:05AM by Felicia Pride
Filed under: More Than Words

Despite all the criticism surrounding hip hop music (when hasn't there been criticism?) and my personal feelings that "things done changed," I'm still a hip hop head. But don't ask me what's hot on Hot Black Radio Station, BET, or MTV.

Cause this sista doesn't know. I took Ice Cube's (and dead prez's) advice a long time ago and turned off the radio.

Yet, on the daily, I'm still listening to hip hop artists that I can relate to and that actually have something to say. Artists that paint their realities through rhyme. Artists that provide a life soundtrack ranging from the mundane to the serious. Artists that actually look at hip hop as an artistic form and not just a way to sport a rented Maybach.

Ask me how.

It's all about the periphery. There are TONS of talented artists still doin' the damn thing. But you won't hear them on the radio. You won't see them on 106th & Park. Oh the beauty of the Internet...

Shout-out to folks like Murs, Little Brother, CL Smooth (yes 1/2 of the classic hip hop group Pete Rock and CL Smooth dropped an album earlier this year), Dres (1/2 of Black Sheep dropped one recently as well), Jean Grae, Akrobatik, Ed O.G. (yes that one), Consequence. Check out Sadat X's recent joint. Check out Talib Kweli's new label Blacksmith Records. Pharaohe Monch recently dropped a single about gun violence, but we ain't heard about that. I was just introduced to the rhymes of Asheru and OKAI. Nature Sounds has a lot going on. Rest in peace J.Dilla. Thanks for leaving behind symphonies that still bang.

Let me reiterate, TONS of artists (on MySpace alone) that I don't even know about, but seek to discover, are representing hip hop lovely.

But they ain't flashy enough. Many of us who complain about the current state of hip hop do very little to check out what's going on beyond Hot Black Radio Station.

In a new book, WHEN RAP MUSIC HAD A CONSCIENCE, writer Tayannah Lee McQuillar reminisces about the good old days of hip hop, the golden era that she deems from 1987-1996. She conjures up the work of artists like X-Clan (Brother J wrote the foreword), Arrested Development, Public Enemy, A Tribe Called Quest, and De La Soul and links hip hop to progressive thought and action. It's a slim book that covers a relatively short period in hip hop, but I guess that's the point. She does make an interesting case when she writes, "It is important to note that the very existence of hip-hop culture is "conscious" as it gives a voice to the most marginalized sections of our population who would otherwise have none."

Any hip hop fan will tell you, the music ain't all got to be "conscious," (we love Biggie and Common alike and think Slick Rick is brilliant). We love to wave our hands in the air like we just don't care. But at the very minimum, it's got to be creative. Even through all the profanity, violence, and misogyny (all of which have been in hip hop for quite some time), we (including conflicted female fans) could at least argue that the music was creative. Hip hop's roots are heavily entrenched in the artistic/creative. Think Kool Herc and break beats; Flash and scratching; Bambaataa and musical fusion; Lee Quinones and graffiti; Crazy Legs and breaking.

But for the majority of today's mainstream rap music, we can't even argue that anymore. McQuillar's book title could very well have been WHEN RAP MUSIC HAD CONTENT.

Russell Simmons can call all contemporary "rappers" poets if he wants (I like how the "star" factor wasn't discussed when he was on The Oprah Winfrey Show), but we all know that when Lil' Junebug gratuitously rhymes (nowadays it ain't even got to rhyme) "spread your legs cause I'm hot as a potato," he ain't concerned with craft. He's trying to hit up Jacob the Jeweler.

During Oprah's Town Hall Meeting, Henry Louis Gates, Jr. actually got it right, it's all about the benjamins.

But Jay-Z said it best, "I dumbed down for my audience to double my dollars/They criticized me for it yet they all yell "Holla!"/'If skills sold, truth be told, I'd probably be lyrically, Talib Kweli/Truthfully I wanna rhyme like Common Sense/But I did five mill' -- I ain't been rhymin' like Common since."

Real poets are making noise, We just ain't listening.

I KNOW AM LATE FOR THIS POST BUT.....

noreply@blogger.com (SweetGyrl & StreetBoyz2biznizmen) — Thu, 26 Apr 2007 12:23:00 +0000

I LIKED THIS MOVIE, THO THE TOSTETRONE IS HIGH AMONGST THE YOUNG MEN, IT IS A STORY OF TRIUMPH, TALENT, AND VICTORY. CARRYING ON A LEGACY, SOMETHING MEANINGFUL, FULFILLING, ONES OR ANOTHERS DREAM.

I THINK THAT MORE YOUNG MEN OF COLOR SHOULD BE EXPOSED TO COLLEGE LIFE, I FEEL THAT THERE IS SO MUCH OUT THERE NEGATIVELY INFLUENCING THEM.

THERE NEEDS TO BE MORE EXPOSURE ON HOW TO POSITIVELY PUT THEIR HIGH ENERGY LEVELS TO CREATIVITY AND GOOD USE.

RAP IS ONE WAY, HOWEVER WHEN IT GETS VIOLENT AND HIGHLIGHTS JAIL LIFE, HATRED, WOMEN BASHING AND KILLING, THEN IT BECOMES A PROBLEM.

A LOT OF KIDS ARE EXPOSED TO THAT KIND OF MESSAGE ON A DAILY BASIS.

STOMP THE YARD ACTUALLY HAD A STORY TO TELL. IT COMES OUT ON DVD ON MAY 15, 2007, PICK UP A COPY.

IN THE MEANTIME, I WILL SEE IF I CAN GET AN INTERVIEW OUT OF ONE OF THEM! KEEP YOUR FINGERS CROSSED!!

Cam'ron on Snitchin and Virginia Tech

noreply@blogger.com (SweetGyrl & StreetBoyz2biznizmen) — Wed, 25 Apr 2007 12:23:00 +0000

THIS IS MORE PROOF OF THE NEGATIVE EFFECT THAT "CERTAIN" RAPPERS HAVE ON OUR YOUTH. ITS SO SAD, IT SHOWS THAT THERE IS SOMETHING WRONG WITHIN OUR COMMUNITY.

THE NEGATIVITY CONTINUES, HE EVEN MENTIONS 50 CENT? WHY? I JUST DON'T UNDERSTAND.

SNITCHES GET STICHES IN THE BLACK COMMUNITY?

noreply@blogger.com (SweetGyrl & StreetBoyz2biznizmen) — Wed, 25 Apr 2007 12:03:00 +0000

'Stop Snitchin'' Says a Lot About Black Community

Segment on '60 Minutes' Shows Prison Culture's Influence

By JASON WHITLOCK

AOL

Sports Commentary

I�??m going to sellout again today. Yep, it�??s time for a little more Uncle Tomming in the name of trying to wake up black people to a crisis in our community.

You watched �??60 Minutes�?? Sunday night, right? You saw Anderson Cooper�??s piece on �??Stop Snitchin�??,�??�?? which was basically a 13-minute expose on how prison values have intersected with hip hop culture and turned inner-city communities into un-policed killing fields?

I hope you watched. It was a televised version of what I�??ve been telling you right here at Real Talk for the past two months.

The rapper Cam�??ron bragged on camera that he wouldn�??t snitch on a next-door neighbor who was a serial killer. A black anti-violence advocate basically compared the millionaire rappers who promote prison values to the KKK. And a group of young black kids acknowledged that the gangsta rappers are influencing the values of young people.

�??Whatever they dish out, we eat it up,�?? one girl said of the rappers. �??They could dish out the nastiest thing in the world and we still would eat it up.�??

Surprisingly, not one of these kids mentioned being scarred for life by Don Imus or any other white man they did not know. Maybe Cooper cut out those soundbites. I�??m sure the ignorant ramblings of a radio shock jock did more damage to these young kids than the black-on-black violence they acknowledged witnessing.

Or maybe the kids are just a bunch of Uncle Toms, and they need a Vivian Stringer-type leader to explain to them why Imus�?? words are more harmful than the prison lifestyle that is promoted in popular rap music.

OK, I�??m done with the sarcasm. Cooper put together a powerful story. Unfortunately, he didn�??t connect all the dots. That�??s why it�??s necessary to come here.

Hip hop/prison culture is a natural outgrowth from Ronald Reagan�??s �??war on drugs/poor people�?? and the subsequent incarceration and brutalization of a large percentage of black men age 15 to 40.

Prison building and warehousing black drug offenders �?? the new, all-American Apartheid -- is big business. It�??s a booming industry financially and politically. Americans bought the lies told by political strategists that locking up black, brown and poor men for long stretches would make America safe.

Are we safer? Or are we in far more fear of not only crime but of the youth culture (hip hop) that is swallowing black and white kids?

It�??s worth restating what I�??ve said in previous columns: the tattoos, cornrows, sagging pants, hostile attitude, anti-snitching philosophy, down-low sexual lifestyle, rep-your-�??hood mantra and instant-gratification approach to life �?? the tenets of hip hop culture -- are all taken straight from the penitentiary.

The values needed to survive in America�??s barbaric prisons are being marketed to our children through gangsta rap. Denied hope, education, a legitimate opportunity at rehabilitation, the black men incarcerated in our prisons have immersed themselves in prison ethics and are passing along their hopelessness to their free and incarcerated children, relatives and friends.

It�??s all rather predictable. Much of art is born out of pain and suffering. America�??s flawed, immoral and discriminatory-enforced drug policies have created a significant amount of pain and suffering in the black community.

In order to diffuse this deadly culture, black America is going to have to develop the willpower to reject the negative aspects of hip hop and our country�??s lawmakers are going to have to end the �??war on drugs�?? and introduce hope, rehabilitation/habilitation, aggressive education and common decency into our prison system.

I�??m sorry, we cannot simply lock up human beings and forget about them. The price of this crime against humanity should now be obvious. You can�??t make the world more civilized by treating a segment of the population in an uncivilized manner. Prison building may be economically profitable, but the toll it is taking on society does not justify the profits. It�??s no different from the tobacco industry. Astronomical incarceration is hazardous to our health.

The reason I�??m adamant about fighting the negative images promoted in hip hop is because these powerful and pervasive images will damage the relief efforts made by well-meaning people to halt America�??s drug war and globe-leading incarceration rate.

As long as Cam�??ron and the other black KKK rappers are allowed to define us as lawless, uneducated buffoons, we will face impossible-to-overcome challenges in regards to changing our drug laws and introducing significant prison reform.

Based on what Cam�??ron said on �??60 Minutes,�?? do you think any sane person wants him as a next-door neighbor? Based on the picture he painted, don�??t you think it�??s a little more difficult today to convince viewers of that show that there are black men in prison worthy of rehabilitation?

You want to see America spend more money on education in our inner cities? It would be easier to make the case and pressure lawmakers if Americans who have virtually no insight into us �?? except what they see on TV through pop culture �?? believed our culture valued education more than prison ethics.

Who caused more damage to black America�??s quest for social and economic equality, Cam�??ron or Don Imus?

INSPIRING STORIES MALE VIRGINS??

noreply@blogger.com (SweetGyrl & StreetBoyz2biznizmen) — Wed, 25 Apr 2007 00:04:00 +0000

Recently the topic of "abstinence pledges" have been brought up by students during my presentations. They have asked me to show them how to take one. So, you can imagine my shocked recently, after relaying this experience casually with some adults outside my work who told me they think abstinence pledges are "pushing morality on young people and that is a wrong thing to do to kids". I wish those adults could come with me into the classroom and see for themselves how students respond! These are two experiences I recently had. #1 I have an awesome story from a senior boy at a local high school in New Jersey.

After I gave my introduction, I was asked by a senior if I planned to hand out condoms. I gave my usual response with a smile,"I am going to give you something that works even better!"On the third day of our 5 day program, the same young man asked, "Are you going to give us abstinence pledges". I was a bit surprised as I do not put a lot of focus on them, and only mention some facts about them at the end of the second day. I asked him if he would like me to bring some and his response was, "Yes! I need one!" At the end of each class that day (I had 6), I informed the students that if they wished to see a pledge and that they would have the option to sign one the next day if they wished. The majority seemed excited and I heard no dissenters.

I asked permission from the teachers and they thought it was fine as all students had written permission from their parents to attend my classes and they were used to doing something similar in their DARE program. That evening I enlarged a copy of one we use at the end of one of our workbooks to 8x11, printed enough for all 200 students in bright limegreen and made smaller 2"x3" ones in deep turquoise for those who wished to just take one home to think about it. At the beginning of each class I passed them out to all students explaining that we would read it together as a class and those who wish to sign, could do so but they also needed to find an adult to sign as "mentor". Those who did not wish to sign or were not interested at this time, could just leave them on the desk when they left and at no time should they feel any pressure to do this.

I told them that those who wish to think about it or who have friends they know who might be interested can help themselves to the blue wallet sized ones. The senior who originated this "abstinence pledge" session, was in my first class of the day. After formally doing his pledge by reading it in front of the class he said he had heard about pledges and had wanted to do an abstinence pledge for years but did not know how. He then requested to say something in front of the class. He said, "I do not care what the other students think or will say about me but I want to thank this program for coming to our school." He then went onto tell me, as if we were the only 2 in the room (there were 55students), that whenever he was focused on his sports, he did not drink or have sex and he felt so great.

After each season he would slip into his old ways. He is not a virgin by a long shot but as Asecondary virgin he is now highly motivated and extremely sincere. It old him he needed a mentor. He pointed to his three friends (we recommend adults) but after speaking with them I could see he had chosen well. Also these are the friends who can keep a better eye on him than his own parents! He now wants to also work with us to influence younger students to do become pledgers as well! When I suggested he could read "I Kissed Dating Goodbye" by Josh Harris, and he laughed, saying his sisters had been trying to get him to read it for over a year, and he gladly promised he would. It was all so mature, the way he handled the seriousness of this. I told students that they did not have to sign one, they could just leave it on their desk, or if they want to think about it just put it in their backpack.

Out of 200 students that day, I had 8 left on desks. Many came to me asking for blue ones to give their friends. Students were even coming in from other classrooms asking for "the little blue papers"!!

JAM MASTER JAY MURDER SOLVED??

noreply@blogger.com (SweetGyrl & StreetBoyz2biznizmen) — Tue, 24 Apr 2007 23:50:00 +0000

Suspect Named in Jam Master Jay Mystery
By TOM HAYS, AP

NEW YORK (April 17) - Federal prosecutors have alleged that a low-level career bandit may hold the key to one of the more high-profile mysteries of the hip-hop world: Who killed rap pioneer Jam Master Jay?

Unsolved Rap Mystery
In court papers, the prosecutors identify Ronald "Tenad" Washington as the armed accomplice of a second unidentified gunman who shot Jay, whose real name was Jason Mizell, inside his New York recording studio in 2002. They say Washington also is a suspect in the 1995 fatal shooting of Randy Walker, a close associate of the late rapper Tupac Shakur.

The papers were filed earlier this month in the federal trial of Washington, who was convicted in a string of armed robberies that occurred just after Jay was killed. Prosecutors declined on Tuesday to discuss the unsolved slayings. A Mizell family spokeswoman welcomed news that authorities had for the first time publicly identified a suspect. "We're relieved there's some information coming out, although we understand that it's not the full story," said the spokeswoman, Fern Yates. Washington, 45, has denied any connection to either the Mizell or Walker cases. In a sworn statement, he claimed hostile detectives had hounded him about the slaying of his "childhood friend" Mizell and other crimes.

Washington's criminal record dates to 1982, and includes convictions for assault, drugs and grand larceny, authorities said. During the 1980s, Mizell made rap music history working the turntables as Joe "Run" Simmons and Darryl "DMC" McDaniels rapped on hits like "King of Rock," "It's Tricky" and a top-40 remake of Aerosmith 's "Walk This Way." Mizell was gunned down Oct. 30, 2002, at his 24/7 recording studio. According to a performer there, a man wearing a black sweat suit appeared, embraced Mizell, pulled out a .40-caliber pistol and opened fire. A first round missed Mizell and injured another person. A second bullet, this one fired from point-blank range, entered the left side of Mizell's head.

The shooter vanished. For his part, Washington "pointed his gun at those present in the studio, ordered them to get on the ground and provided cover for his associate to shoot and kill Jason Mizell," prosecutors said in court papers. While being sought for questioning in the Mizell case, Washington fled and lived in various motels, authorities said. He held up several fast-food restaurants and other businesses with a pellet gun before his arrest in December 2002. Prosecutors claim Washington was among three men involved in a fatal car chase with another hip-hop figure - Walker - on Nov. 30, 1995.

The suspect allegedly fired a gun out a car window, killing Walker and causing his minivan to crash. Walker had performed with the group Live Squad under the name Stretch. He also was known for producing several songs for Shakur, victim of an unsolved murder in 1996 in Las Vegas.

"ITS REALLY STRANGE TO ME HOW THESE RAPPERS MURDERS HAVE NOT BEEN SOLVED IN OVER A DECADE (TUPAC & BIGGIE). MAKES YOU WONDER DOES ANYONE IN LAW ENFORCEMENT CARE. HOPEFULLY SOMEDAY THE NEGATIVE IMAGE THAT PERMEATES RAP MUSIC WILL LIFT.