"Ever since politicians jumped on the social-media bandwagon, critics have been questioning the wisdom of elected officials using Twitter on the job."

It seems as though the rapid surge of politicians gravitating toward social media is raising some eye brows.

See full story here:

posted by Patrick Dieudonne

...Everybody get on up...everybody get on up...get up...get on up. The DJ opens up with a historical piece from James Brown as he scratches the record giving the atmosphere the most appropriate hip hop ambience. Stretching his arms over the crowd he introduces an artist baptized in Hip Hops own flow. With no further interruption Q-Tip strolls out onto the stage with the expected nonchalant demeanor and begins to perform like the vet he is. Performing hits from Midnight Marauders, The Low End Theory, and People's Instinctive Travels and the Paths of Rhythm the hundreds of people gathered to see Q-Tip were pleased to see that one of HIP HOP’s icons has still remained true to the game.

Written by Brian Murray

Not really much to say...Enjoy...Shout out to JJ from 3Sidez

The Hypocrisy of a Nation: The Power of Media

As the world mourns the King of Pop, and music television stations have Michael Jackson tribute shows on repeat, all I can do is shake my head at the hypocrisy of this country. For the last ten years of Michael’s life he endured extreme character assassination. Michael was slandered by American media for years. He was persecuted and ridiculed for his extensive nose jobs, questionable sexuality, skin color, and being an alleged child molester. I was listening to the 98.7 Kiss FM today while writing this and the DJ said, “he was a giant and we should honor him for all time.” Where was the honor when he was in times of despair? Where was his praise then? The most sentient and controversial moments of Michael’s life became the butt of every comedians joke and the blueprint for innumerable sketch comedy shows, but now that he's dead...we're sorry? Michael has said time and time again that he's a perfectionist, and nothing is every perfect enough. So is it possible that Michael tore his body apart to fit into the perfect mold he thought his fans wanted? Is it worth it to dedicate your life to millions of people whom didn't have your best interest at heart? Michael may have been the King of Pop and sold 100 million records, but he died a lonely man. I guess that's the price of fame. The good Michael did heavily out weigh any questionable "bad" and that is what he should be remembered for. Michael is among a handful of artists whose music was powered by an energy that was bigger than them and served a bigger purpose. Michael Jackson wasn’t, R&B, or Pop, or Rock n Roll, or Hip Hop. He was Music. The media was able to destroy this man, like they do so many other people. Again, lets remember not only what Michael has done as an artist, but as a humanitarian.

Dr. Cornell West has said time and time again that, “There can be no calling without a recalling, and there can be no vocation without an invocation.” These words stand true but have a much abbreviated duality. I personally believe what Dr. West is trying to say is that to be who “you” are, you have to go back and find out where “you” came from. People of all colors and creeds have benefitted and suffered from the rights and wrongs of the people that came before them. Many preach the ideology that the secure understanding of your history brings you to a more complete understanding of self: a minor echoing Ghanaian proverb “Sankofa”. Dr. West says that it is beneficial to you and your people to delve deep into your past to find your voice, but I feel it is just as important for people of the past to make it their obligation to help shape the tender minds of the future. The black community has been labeled as having a “crabs in a barrel” mentality where in direct contrast Jews and Italians “take care of there own”. Hopefully one day the “take care of you own” mantra will break past racial barriers and turn into an altruistic social standard. Reaching down from high places of achievement to help the next young person succeed is the catalyst that will spark maturation of an entire people. Mentorship is key. Helping to shape the paths of the future is something we all can do by tapping into the lives of other people. So as Dr. West urges the youth to learn their history, we as the youth should encourage and invite the past to come and help shape the present.

"A college degree is one of the most blatant forms of oppression"

What’s really relevant? Is it more useful to spend your life climbing up the academic ladder, getting countless graduate degrees validating your academic worth, or immersing yourself into the world and learning things that no class will cover? The obsession with “name brands” takes away from the human focus. People put themselves in a lifetime of debt to go the “name brand” schools and learn about great people and how they lived their live. This path seems to guarantee some form of a successful future….success by the “American” standard. But success isn’t something that can’t be measured on a customary rubric. Success is an individual journey but it seems that we take the formal, nationally accepted path to our own success.

Is college really the answer to a bright future? It is the only way that you will learn, and become intelligent? Is the goal to become as smart as you can, or to become smart enough to make money? The obsession with college almost seems to come back that notion of personal celebrity. “So, what is it that you do?”…”It doesn’t matter I went to Harvard”. People graduate from “brand name schools” and don’t know anything. I’m not knocking these schools at all, but this is a fact in any college.


A college degree is one of the most blatant forms of oppression. You spend foolish money to learn a bunch of abstract ideologies. Then you apply for a job, and they tell you that everything you learned over the last four years was bullshit so they put you in their “training” program and hire you anyway. Then it’s that same degree that they deemed worthless that dictates how much money they are willing to pay you. Ironic

We need to learn to valid success by our own measuring stick, and focusing on educating ourselves, but opening our minds to new places, cultures, and ideas. We need to step outside of our comfort level and put ourselves in positions of great responsibility. This is how you learn, grow, and mature.

Just some food for thought......

*I wasn't able to articulate this point as well I wanted to due to my concentration on the CAVS MAGIC game. My apologies

The obsession with these social networks (facebook, myspace, twitter) has become a paradigm shift in the digital world over the last few years. But what is the real addiction? Is it that you can find your first girlfriend from the 4th grade after not talking to her for 15 years? Is is that you use it as a great networking tool for jobs and internships?.....very possible....or is it that people are so obsessed with themselves that they want people to know what they are doing at all times? Are we that narcissistic that we need to have 15 albums of face shots in countless poses?

It seems to be a combo of both, but the "thc"(chemical in weed that gets you high) in these networks are the responses we get from other people. The "someone commented on your photo". The "someone likes your status", or 12 person threads on a picture/article/or video you posted. The affirmation of your friends and strangers makes us feel important, and we all love that feeling. When you log onto facebook, and you see that number icon above "inbox", it makes us feel good. You were important enough for someone to message you. On twitter, you have to "follow" someone. How ego boosting is that? " say man, I have 467 "followers" on twitter now. How many do you have?"". These social networks definately bring our personal celebrity into fruition. But its funny how a lot of these online celebrities tend to be very quiet in real life.

So I've been following the HBO series Brave New Voices for the last couple weeks, and every time I watch it I get goose bumps. These kids are using language to massage souls and stimulate minds in ways I never thought were possible. To publicly recite your most private of inhibitions, in a way that's therapeutic not only to an individual but to an ideology, is nothing short of amazing. The show gives us a true understanding of how powerful language really is. Talented teenagers across the globe show us how to use language to love, to fight wars, to apologize, to grieve, and most importantly heal. To be brave enough to tackle some of these issues and the reward that comes along with it is something I think we all should aspire for.

Cornell West and Lupe Fiasco give lecture at Calvin College


Grammy nominated Lupe Fiasco and laureate extraordinaire Dr. Cornell West displayed regal caliber enlightenment and intellectual prowess on stage at Calvin College a college in Grand Rapids Michigan. The irony is that they had never met before this encounter but in my following them over the years they have both cited and expressed inspiration from each others work. Dr. West acts almost as if to be a humbled reporter interviewing the world renowned musician. They go into deep reflection about the idea of "self" and both of their "legacies". I found this lecture to be extremely progressive, and a great way to show the depth to those involved in Hip Hop Music.

Courtesy of Nahright.com

you can stream it or download it here

"some n****s wanna sit down and complain about, I wanna sit down analyze see how it came about"

To a lot of you this video may be old, but this may be one of the most revolutionary assessments of hip hop culture that I've heard and I felt I needed to bring it to light again. This 15 minute cultural autopsy looks deep nucleus of hip hop music, challenging the very fabric that we use to sow our consciousness. As of late, Joey has had much digital success taking over the internet with endless music and giving the public a direct look into his life with Joe Budden TV. Joe Budden is giving fans a REALISTIC view of the life of a rapper. He uploads footage of him and his close group of friends having realistic conversations about real life. He's constantly filming: in the studio, on the street, and in his house (not the house he rented for the MTV cribs half hour special that was financed by his label) Surprisingly he has many uploads with his girlfriend Tihiri, and talks about proposing and getting married constantly. I find this amazing because this is not the stereotypical action of a rapper. To have "one" woman and profess your love for her publicly is the exact opposite of what a lot of rappers portray, not because that’s who they really are, but because they have to fit into an image molded by the public. I commend Joey for not being plagued by social cowardice and giving fans an organic blueprint of him. Shout out to Jump off Joey. Enjoy!

I once thought that the feeling of uncontrollable fatigue after a meal was a paradigm among the black culture. People have referred to this as "Nigger-itis" or "ethnic fatigue" for centuries. The stereo typical hour lunch outing being completed with a 15 minute power nap was a sight that employers have seen for quite some time. It has become so common it's written into your contract when you’re hired, "Anything more than 15 minutes "itis-time" is docked from your pay". It turns out there actually a scientific reason for all of this and its not exclusive to members of the darker nations, we just don’t hide it as well. Apparently, large amounts of blood are diverted away from muscles to the bowel to aid digestion. This would make it unwise for us to try and run and as a defense we feel like resting. Hunger keeps us awake, while sleep aids the digestive process. This is probably the most useful information I’ll ever write.

Christianity is the monotheistic doctrine of the New testament though the word of Jesus Christ. Originally a Jewish sect in the mid-first century, Christianity evolved into a dominant religion in the Roman Empire. Christianity also was responsible for shaping the foundation of Western civilization starting in the 4th Cen. Now...in 313 Constantine issued the Edict of Milan that proclaimed religions toleration throughout the Byzantium empire which heavily propelled the Christian faith. This essentially in my understanding,is the forceful indoctrination of a faith onto the people, and a direct contradiction in the "separation in church and state" that reverberates with fervor throughout the Western world today. Its pretty clear that the separation of church and state is non existent. Not with politicians campaigning in churches, using certain Christian beliefs sway a vote one way or the other. Not with for years people having to put there hand on the bible and swear to God they are telling the whole truth and nothing but the truth.

It is understood and no secret that Christianity was used for social control but not necessarily in nefarious manner, because in some fashion, there has to be order. But now, a group of people in the 4th Century who may have been poor, uneducated, so on and so forth are dedicating their lives to solely getting into heaven. With the advancement of humans mentally, physically, and emotionally, is buying into an ancient "story" hindering your ability to reach your human potential? Does it make sense to live under laws that were applicable centuries ago, in completely different context? Just my thoughts...not necessarily my beliefs....

All Jamaicans smoke weed, all Mexicans sell oranges and cut grass, all Jews are cheap accountants and lawyers, all Middle Eastern people blow shit up, all Irish people are alcoholics, all Italians are in the mob, all Chinese people are mathematicians, all Cubans swam to America, Asians are all good in the martial arts, All black people play some sport and eat fried chicken, all Asians own a convenient store in the hood, Athletes are dumb, all Africans have shot someone by age 10.

It is this ignorance that keeps the world divided. Once we rid ourselves of the indoctrination of the "stereotype", we will realize that the next man is just like you and it was complete fear that kept us from seeing it.

2009 brought monumental events, the biggest being the election of the first black or mixed president into the White House. Turns out brother Barack, lucky number 7 and not number 1. The First president of United States that was of color was none other than Thomas Jefferson. He was then followed by Andrew Jackson, Abe Lincoln, Warren Harding, Calvin Coolidge, and Dwight D. Eisenhower. Why has this monumental truth gone unknown for generations? These men denounced their black heritage and went as far as to destroy any document that made these facts known. Why don’t you know this? Ask your 10th grade US History teacher.

There's a great article written by a friend of mine on his blog that goes into much deeper detail about the cultural background of these men.

Click here for the article

"I am thankful for what I have been through because it has given me the courage to fight the war on traditional thinking." Kanye West said this during his performance on VH1 Storytellers after singing "Flashing Lights". Traditional thinking is what causes the masses to be social pacifists and follow as opposed to lead. Traditional thinking is based on rationality in which most of our thought processes lie, but Kanye like many other icons tend to think light years outside the box and embody the courage to walk down a different path and march to the beat of a different drummer. People who dazzle us with their personal genius make it look as natural as breathing but face the internal battle of trying to fit in by standing out, a path asymmetrical to normality. Most people want to fit in. why are we afraid to stand out and think differently?Are we afraid of the ridicule of others? Are we afraid of failure?.....or are we afraid of success and the responsibility that comes along with it?

We often find ourselves trying to be involved with whats current and not with whats relevant. Dressing in the latest fashion, downloading the latest song, being consumed with whats right now, and not whats right is an American staple. For some reason if you haven't heard the new 50 track that dropped 30 seconds ago, your not cool. We follow Hollywood trends of fashion and style like it's gospel. Evaluate things on your own and don't be a follower because your favorite rapper co signed something. Everyone should do their own thing. Dress in what YOU think is fly, not what Kanye said is fly. I'm sure Kanye isn't looking to us for fashion or music advice. He does his own thing. And that's why he has been able to be so successful, by being bold, different, and more importantly himself. Lupe Fiasco's The Cool was partially based on a comment by Dr. Cornel West saying, "The things that we think are cool now in the future will be uncool." Don't get caught up in the hype. Be yourself.

My personal belief is that, graduating high school, going to college, getting a degree in something you did out of convenience , to only get a job clocking fifty hours a week, waiting for that pay check every other month is not the formula to success. This is not conducive to being a "supreme being". When I say "supreme being", I mean finding out who we really are and why we are here. Traditionally people spend the first third of their life climbing the ladder of institutional education working hard to go to the best schools and get the best jobs. Then they wake up at 22 yrs old, drive to their entry level jr. analyst position at a high profile investment bank and realize, they hate their life. They spend 12 hour days making millions of dollars for someone else. That is not bringing them closer to the nucleus of their supreme ability.

Tapping into your own personal energy and exploring your strengths and weaknesses, likes and dislikes is what helps you to find out who your really are. Your brain is a powerful thing and I feel like it is highly under used. We live in a society where we are taught to be followers not leaders. Taught to believe what we are told and not question law. Questioning is imperative for learning. Question your professors, question you, pastor, question your parents. It is through this unyielding questioning where true knowledge is attained and secured. Those who buy into this iconoclastic philosophy are usually labeled as rebellious radical but it is this ability that keeps you rooted in being true to your self. As important as it is to "think" it is just as important to "live". Sitting in a room reading about the lives of others does stimulate the mind but leaving that room and writing your own life story is what builds character. Taking risks and failing, falling in love, helping others is what helps us etch our name in the stone of life.

Now, is it possible to be successful without going to college and getting a job to support yourself financially in this country? It's not impossible, but it's definitely not easy. The US is designed for people to incur debt and get jobs to pay it off. You leave college, a place of learning and growth, 80,000 dollars in debt. I fundamentally have an issue with that. So does the average college student have time to read for leisure and take trips across seas, while working two jobs making pennies, and taking 19 credits to graduate on time. Again, not impossible, but tough. I'm a firm believer in "understanding the machine". Everyone's "risk tolerance" is different given their social and/or economic status. We all can't do the things we want to do. Sometimes keeping your head above water is the only thing that matters and what you really want to do becomes irrelevant.

So in reality, the cycle will continue. We will continue to pay 20k a year for college, get an internship and springboard in to corporate America. When that cycle is broken, that will be a sign of the true maturation of humanity. The focus on making you and everyone around you reach their personal zenith for the benefit of all.

Why the Headless Giant? Media...we consume ourselves with the flamboyantly irreverent radio personalities who have made a career out of being a critic, the misogynistic, hyper sexual, violence ridden reality T.V shows(which have replaced that barrier braking uplifting sitcom, that people from the same gender, race, religious background can enjoy), the love scandals of Hollywood, rap beef and other things that can do absolutely nothing for you.

The media in the 21st century has no intention of making you any smarter. At all! Watching women compete in physical activity to see who is going to marry some bachelor, or a lesbian living in a house full of men and women who compete for her love, is not conducive to intellectually stimulating your mind. The bad part is, the television is literally raising our youth and this is what they see and emulate. So when the intelligence level of generation Y is lower than those generations preceding them, we can't exactly act surprised if we are subjecting them to such nonsense. Now don't get me wrong, it is the ENTERTAINMENT industry right? And at some point we watch these shows, and listen to the "crack" rap for mere entertainment. But there has to be balance.

Even as young adults we can't buy in to the glory and glamor of black cards, maybachs, diamonds, and girls, confuse it with the norm, and stray away from our own personal paths to righteousness. Even though its not readily available, we need to look beyond the smoke in mirrors to attain that balance to keep ourselves rooted in reality.

"A youthful, empirically intelligent assessment of culture, religion, and politics in the 21st Century"