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Book Notes: “A Breakdown of the Latest Urban Reads” Celebrates Women’s History Month!

By: seandrasims Updated Category: Lifestyle
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March is Women’s History Month! An entire month was established by Congress in 1981 as a time to celebrate the contributions of women to American society.

Women have always been an important part of Hip-Hop music and culture. As executives, artists, attorneys, and producers, women have contributed to the culture, while often bearing the brunt of misogyny and derogatory lyrics, yet still loving and holding down the culture. In celebration of the many women who contribute to our music and culture through books, AllHipHop.com salutes some of Hip-Hop’s greatest women writers:

Sister Souljah
The author of The Coldest Winter Ever, one of the most successful Hip-Hop inspired novels to date, Sister Souljah is a rapper, writer, and activist. Her memoir, No Disrespect, is an oft-read look into the developmental life of a woman growing up in the Hip-Hop generation. Souljah was blasted by President Bill Clinton in 1992 for statements she made in reaction to the riots which followed the Rodney King trial. A wife and mother, Sister Souljah still writes occasionally contributing to Essence and The New Yorker.

 

Aliya S. King
An award-winning journalist, Aliya S. King, is the author of the novels, Platinum and Diamond Life which give insight into the behind-the-scenes lives of the spouses of fictional Hip-Hop stars. King has also been a ghostwriter, acting as co-author of Faith Evans memoir, Keep The Faith, and Frank Lucas’ memoir, American Gangster. A friend of AllHipHop.com, King has contributed to Vibe, The Source, US Weekly, Black Enterprise, and many more. Her latest novel, Diamond Life, was released in February.

Vickie Stringer
Considered the pioneer of Hip-Hop literature, Vickie Stringer began her career as a writer and publisher while serving a seven-year prison sentence for drug trafficking. She self-published her first novel, Let That Be the Reason, almost 10 years ago, and since then, through her Triple Crown Publications imprint, has released hundreds of books by urban authors who had limited access to the major publishing houses. Stringer’s most recent novel, Low Down and Dirty, will be released on March 27.

Nikki Turner
Her first novel, A Hustler’s Wife (2003) sold over 100,000 copies, a tremendous success in the world of self-publication. She then published 10 other bestselling novels, including Death Before Dishonor, which was published under the G-Unit book line.

Kiki Swinson
An author who has topped Essence’s best sellers list for years, Kiki Swinson turned her life around through urban literature after serving a five-year prison sentence due to her relationship with a Virginia drug dealer. Her debut novel, Wifey, based on her life, was released in 2004. The popularity of the novel prompted four more books in the series. Swinson has since published 10 other titles, all of which have earned her numerous accolades. A Showtime series based on the “Wifey” books is rumored to be in the works.

On the nonfiction side, numerous urban female authors have penned their tales, sometimes to mixed reviews:

Let’s Talk About Pep by Sandy “Pepa” Denton
Released in February 2010, Pepa wrote about her troubled childhood, her domestic violence survival, and most significantly, her experiences as one half of the legendary rap group Salt-N-Pepa. The outspoken Pepa is also a businesswoman and transitioned her career into a reality show and an acting career.

The “Vixen” Series by Karrine Steffans
Her debut book, Confessions of a Video Vixen, made her nickname a household name. She has since rejected the “Superhead” moniker that made her famous, and has authored an additional four books. Steffans has appeared in over 20 rap music videos, and was romantically linked to numerous artists. She also appeared in the film, A Man Apart. Steffans is currently the owner of her own publishing imprint, Steffans Publishing.

Straight From The Source by Kim Osorio
The subtitle of Kim Osorio’s memoir references her stint as a former employee of the so-called “Hip-Hop Bible,” The Source. An award-winning journalist and executive who was blasted for suing her former employers, Dave Mays and Benzino, for sexual harassment, Osorio’s $7.5 million settlement was blamed for the bankruptcy of the magazine, which has yet to return to its former glory. Years later, in 2012, Osorio was named as the new Editor-in-Chief of The Source, which is under new ownership.

It’s No Secret: From Nas to Jay-Z, From Seduction to Scandal—a Hip-Hop Helen of Troy Tells All by Carmen Bryan
Released in 2007 with the assistance of G-Unit Books, Carmen Bryan tried to shake her reputation as “Nas’ Baby Mama,” by writing a book about the events that led up to the infamous Hip-Hop feud between her daughter’s father and Jay-Z. In her memoir, Bryan asserts that she was dating Jigga for five years, while still in a relationship with Nas. Bryan’s name recently resurfaced on gossip blogs for her references to Jay’s daughter with Beyonce being named after another of his ex’s, Blu Cantrell.

Keep The Faith: A Memoir by Faith Evans
Co-written by Aliya S. King, the memoir by the former first lady of Bad Boy Records, Faith Evans, is a sensational story that gives insight into life behind-the-scenes at the hottest label of the ’90s. In Keep The Faith, Evans details her courtship and marriage to Christopher “The Notorious B.I.G.” Wallace. Evans also talks about the controversy between her and Tupac Shakur, as well as her rivalry with Mary J. Blige and Lil’ Kim.

Decoded by Jay-Z, co-authored by dream hampton
A cultural critic, filmmaker, and Hip-Hop journalist, dream hampton was the first female editor of The Source. In that vein, she was called a pioneer who has been active in Hip-Hop music and culture for over 20 years. Her friendship with Jay-Z is well-documented, and hampton worked on the never released The Black Book, co-authored the best-selling Decoded, and is reportedly working with Sean “Diddy” Combs on his autobiography.

Women in rap may not always get to tell their stories through song and video, but as long as people are interested in hearing their tales, there will continue to be more books written by and about the “softer side of Hip-Hop” – the women in the industry. SALUTE!

Biba Adams is a Senior Staff Writer for AllHipHop.com and acts as the site’s Book Editor. An avid reader, Adams is also a college-level business writing instructor. Follow her on Twitter (@BibatheDiva).

Daily Word: Be Specific!!

By: seandrasims Updated Category: Lifestyle
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Happy Monday, my Creators of Life!

Welcome to the beginning of a wonderful week! Today’s Daily Word is dedicated to being specific! What I am about to say may upset some and become an eyeopener for others…. Either way, take heed and do what you have to do to change your life in the right direction.

Your life right now is exactly how you want it to be!! Good or Bad, you are living out the wishes that you have put out to the universe! We make wishes based on what we are currently going through, instead of being specific and ONLY concentrating on what we truly want! If you are going through hard times and you keep asking for strength, then the hard times have to persist in order for strength (What you asked for) to be given!

Instead of giving permanent energy to temporary things, try staying
focused on EXACTLY what you want! No matter what your current
situation is, ONLY concentrate on SPECIFICALLY what you want! If you
are looking for happiness, then ask for happiness. If you are looking
for financial security, then ask for financial security. If you are
looking for business success, then ask for business success….

Stop asking for things in a roundabout way, then wonder why it’s taking so long for it to come to fruition! Your mind is stronger than you even
realize! Use it to pay you a dividend, instead of putting you in debt!! You are in control! Use your powers wisely!! NOTHING CAN STOP YOU BUT YOU!!!
-Ash’Cash

“The mind has exactly the same power as the hands; not merely to grasp the world, but to change it.” -Colin Wilson

“Determine what specific goal you want to achieve. Then dedicate
yourself to its attainment with unswerving singleness of purpose.” -Paul J. Meyer

“We find what we expect to find, and we receive what we ask for.” -Elbert Hubbard

“Plan your progress carefully; hour-by hour, day-by-day,
month-by-month. Organized activity and maintained enthusiasm are the wellsprings of your power.” -Paul J. Meyer

“We can change our lives. We can do, have, and be exactly what we wish.” -Anthony Robbins

“People are where they are because that is exactly where they really
want to be / whether they will admit that or not.” -Earl Nightingale

“Whatever you vividly imagine, ardently desire, sincerely believe, and
enthusiastically act upon must inevitably come to pass.” -Paul J. Meyer

“Every moment of your life is infinitely creative and the universe is endlessly bountiful. Just put forth a clear enough request, and everything your heart desires must come to you.” -Mahatma Gandhi

TO HEAR THE AUDIO VERSION OF THE DAILY WORD – CLICK HERE.

Ash’Cash is a Business Consultant, Motivational Speaker, Financial Expert and the author of Mind Right, Money Right: 10 Laws of Financial Freedom. For more information, please visit his website, www.IamAshCash.com.

Spies Like Us: The Secret Relationship Between Rats and Rappers

By: seandrasims Updated Category: Uncategorized
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“Can’t win a debate so they sponsor every threat to me/ I wonder if Agent 800 is standing next to me” – “Young Lords”, Immortal Technique

During a recent panel discussion, Hip-Hop artist, Knowledge the Revelator, was just about to expose the diabolical plot of how they are using rap music to dumb down the masses. Suddenly, Alfred Jenkins, aka “King Alfred” pimp, slapped the person sitting next to him, which started a brawl that abruptly ended the conference. While fists and chairs were flying, Jenkins quietly exited through a side door where he was met by a man in a black suit and sunglasses, who handed him an envelope addressed to “Agent Rex 84…”

Last month, the Associated Press reported that Muslim students at “a dozen campuses in the Northeast” were being spied on by the NYPD. Coincidentally, around the same time, the NY Confidential website released a report that alleged that a 2008 meeting of Rev. Al Sharpton’s National Action Network was also infiltrated by the NYPD following the trial of the police officers who killed Sean Bell.

Although it came as a shock for some, the “Alphabet boys” (as Young Jeezy would say) have long sent snitches into organizations – both criminal and political.

One of the earliest rats to infiltrate a Black organization was James Wormley Jones (Agent 800), who spied on Marcus Garvey and the UNIA during the 1920s. According to a February 11, 2011, article posted on the FBI website, “A Byte Out of History,” other agents assigned to the UNIA included, Earl Titus, Authur Lowell Brent, and Thomas Leon Jefferson. Also, according to the PBS documentary, “Marcus Garvey: Look for Me in the Whirlwind,” one of Garvey’s closest associates, Herbert Bowlin, “owner of a Harlem based Black doll company,” was an informant known as “Agent P-138”

Later, Civil Rights organizations came under scrutiny by the Feds.

More than a decade ago, researcher Steve Cokely, shed light on a March 21, 1993, “Memphis Commercial Appeal” article that accused the NAACP’s former board chairman, Joel Spingarn, of being a major in the Military Intelligence Division who, “used his post to obtain critical information for MID, such as a list of the organization’s 32,000 members. ”

The same newspaper also reported in a September 12, 2010, article that noted Civil Rights photographer, Ernest Withers, was not only an FBI informant, but took the pictures at the scene of the Martin Luther King assassination.

It is more widely known that the Black Panthers and other “militant” movements of the late ’60s-early ’70s were heavily infiltrated by informants such as William O’Neal, who supplied intel to the Feds that led to the murder of Fred Hampton “and BOSS (Bureau of Special Services) agent, Eugene Roberts, who, not only was spying on Malcolm X when he was assassinated but, according to John Potash in his book, The FBI War on Tupac Shakur and Black Leaders, was later an original member of the New York Chapter of the Black Panther Party of which Tupac’s stepfather and mother were also members.

Although, Tupac Shakur inherited the legacy of government persecution from Mutula and Afeni Shakur, he was just one in a long line of rappers from NWA to the Wu-Tang Clan under investigation by the Feds. Back in 2000, Cedric Muhammad of Blackelectorate.com began releasing a series of “Rap COINTELPRO” articles exposing this fact.

So why would federal and local law enforcement agencies still be interested in a music that has become increasingly apolitical since the early ’90s?

According to Supreme Understanding, author of How to Hustle and Win, “Hip Hop is just a euphemism for the Black and Brown underclass.” The author who also released the widely circulated guideline, “How to Spot an Agent,” also said, “Hip Hop is not as apolitical as people think. Many mainstream artists have a political element.”

Perhaps the most detailed evidence of law enforcement’s attack on Hip-Hop is the first hand report of the the NYPD’s “first Hip-Hop cop,” Derrick Parker. The book mentions the infamous “Hip-Hop binder” that the Miami police used to keep files on Hip-Hop artists, as well as other surveillance activities against New York rappers.

What is not often mentioned is that, although Parker was primarily assigned to watch rappers, he also tailed the late Black nationalist, Dr. Khalid Abdul Muhammad, whose voice was sampled on early Public Enemy, Ice Cube, and Tupac Shakur songs. This is proof that you don’t have to be a criminal nor a Hip-Hop superstar to be under the watchful eyes of the “Alphabet Boys.”

Just as the FBI used the techniques that it developed fighting the mob during the ’30s on activists during the Civil Rights Era, they have used the same techniques that they use to go after drug dealers on Hip-Hop artists of today.

This has raised a lot of questions that always go unanswered.

Since, according to John Potash, an FBI agent was present when Biggie Smalls was murdered, why didn’t he stop the bullets? Also, with so much government surveillance going on, how can the Feds catch rappers like T.I. with guns, but not see the trucks that are hauling them into the ‘hood? And, if they can catch members of street crime families trafficking drugs, how can they miss the planes and ships that are bringing them into this country?

This actually goes back to the Civil Rights era when activists asked if the FBI had so thoroughly infiltrated the Ku Klux Klan, why were civil rights workers still being murdered? The flimsy answer given then – that they were an “investigative” unit not a “preventive” unit – I suppose, still applies today.

The mistrust of law enforcement leaves the ‘hood caught in the middle between those who do dirt and hide behind the “anti-snitch” attitude of the streets, and law enforcement agencies that refuse to admit why the “stop snitchin’ ” code was created in the first place.

If we are going to stop crime in the ‘hood, we must first have an honest conversation about government surveillance and its ramifications.

But until then, as GZA said on “I Gotcha Back”:

“I gotcha back but you best to watch your front/because it’s the brothas who front/they be on a hunt.”

TRUTH Minista Paul Scott’s weekly column is “This Ain’t Hip Hop,” a column for intelligent Hip Hop headz. He can be reached at [email protected], on his website NoWarningShotsFired.com, or on Twitter (@truthminista).

Lil Wayne One Of The Top 5 Grossing Artists Of 2011

By: Grouchy Greg Watkins (@GrouchyGreg) Updated Category: News
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(AllHipHop News) Billboard magazine recently released its list of the top 40 highest earning acts of 2011 and rappers Lil Wayne and Kanye West make appearances on the list.

Billboard ranked the top 40 highest earning acts of 2011, based mostly on tour sales.

The list also factors in digital and physical album sales for the past year as well.

Only two Hop-Hop artists made the list this year, with Lil Wayne raking in over $23 million, while Kanye West earned the number 39 spot with over $5 million in income.

Success for Lil Wayne came via his hit album the Tha Carter IV, which moved over 930,000 units in his first week in stores.

The rap star’s rigorous touring schedule also helped place high on the list, earning the rapper $23,178,722.

Lil Wayne’s income put him in the top five earners for 2011, following behind Lady Gaga, Kenny Chesney, U2 and Taylor Swift, who topped the list this year with $35 million in earnings.

As for Kanye West, the Chicago rapper made a total of $5,363,661 in 2011.

West’s money came mostly from his albums My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy and Watch The Throne with Jay-Z, in addition to the Watch The Throne tour.

Other notable acts to make Billboard’s list include Usher (#35), Rihanna (#22), Adele (#10), Bon Jovi (#7) and Sade (#6).

Epic Fail of the Day: When Trash Talk Goes Wrong – FAIL ENSUES

By: Chuck Creekmur (@ChuckCreekmur) Updated Category: Rumors
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Oh, Hip-Hop.

OH, HIP-HOP.

Look what you have created. This chick wants nothing more than to be a good sh*t talker with a phatty. That’s right…we decided to go old school with it. PHATTY. Anyway, the fact is, this chick is trying so hard to be cool, its pathetic. I hope Tosh.0 gives her a shot at redemption, because her life is screwed at this point. You know, she’s still be able to graduate with honors and get a good job. But, a stroll in West Brooklyn? She’s food for sharks. Being cool or hot? Oh no. Lukewarm at best. Anyway, watch this all the way to the end…you will NOT keep a straight face.

We post this in honor of illseed and his “Epic Fails.”

Five Shot, One Killed At Pleasure P Concert In Wichita

By: Grouchy Greg Watkins (@GrouchyGreg) Updated Category: News
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(AllHipHop News) One person was killed after a concert featuring former Pretty Ricky member Pleasure P. in Wichita, Kansas.

Pleasure P. performed at Doc Howard’s Lounge on Friday (March 9) in the Old Town district.

According to The Wichita Eagle<;/em>;, a dispute broke out in a parking lot around 2:00 am Saturday morning, after the concert, resulting in gunfire that wounded five people.

Police engaged in a gun battle with a suspect who was chased into a parking garage.

It is not clear if the suspect who was chased into the garage was the person killed.

The owner of Doc Howard’s Lounge denied that the shooting took place in, around, or near the venue.

“We’re an easy target,” owner Bryan Shapiro told The Wichita Eagle. “We’re the biggest boy on the block, and the biggest boy sometimes takes most of the blame.”

Police plan to release more information tomorrow.

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Hip-Hop Rumors: Yelawolf Gets His Girlfriend’s Name Tatted On His Head!

By: ginatorres27 Updated Category: Rumors
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Ya boy Yelawolf sure does love his ink, doesn’t he! The Shady records MC, who already has the left side of his head tattooed up, just got a huge tattoo on the right side done with a photo of Johnny Cash and his wife, along with the name of his new girlfriend, Canadian singer, Fefe Dobson! Check out the new ink below:

Who gets someone’s name tattooed on their heads?! I hope for his sake that he and Fefe work out, because that is going to be one h*ll of a cover up! Check out a picture of the other side Yelawolf’s head.

That ish cray!

Non Hip-Hop Rumor: Is Bobbi Kristina Brown Changing Her Last Name to Houston?

By: ginatorres27 Updated Category: Rumors
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With the recent loss of her mother, music legend Whitney Houston, 19-year-old Bobbi Kristina will have to grow up fast. According to some of her friends, Bobbi Kristina’s first “adult” decision will be to change her last name from “Brown” to “Houston”.

Bobbi Kristina reportedly doesn’t want anything to do with her famous father, Bobby Brown, and is looking to rid herself of her last name to cement her separation from her dad.

According to reports, Bobbi Kristina wanted to change her name to “Kristina Houston” years ago when her parents first split, but her mother didn’t allow it at the time. Now that Kristina is free to make her own decisions, friends say she is “anxious” to make the change.

This is a really sad story. I’m sure Bobbi Kristina has her reasons, but I hope she finds it in her heart to forgive her father one day.

Hip-Hop Rumors: Azealia Banks Goes Off on T.I. for Defending Iggy Azelia!

By: ginatorres27 Updated Category: Rumors
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T.I. stopped by DJ Drama’s show on Atlanta’s Hot 107.9 earlier this week with his newest Grand Hustle signee, Australian rap cutie, Iggy Azelia. Iggy was the lone female on XXL’s 2012 Freshman cover, a fact that Harlem emcee Azealia Banks was none too happy with.

Banks cited that someone who calls herself a “slave master” in one of her songs should not be celebrated within the Hip-Hop culture.

When asked about the Banks’ comments, Iggy had this to say:

“This is my day and it’s my achievement. You have to work to have your own achievements, with all due respect. Instead of worrying about who else is on there, you should just be happy that I’m on there as a woman for women, and if you want to have your own achievement, work and have your own achievement. I can’t take what’s meant for you and you can’t take what’s meant for me.”

T.I., who admitted he had no idea who Banks is, went straight to the jugular with his comments:

“Strategically if she really cares about a freshmen cover maybe she could hope that she’ll suck enough to get shelved and then next year when the freshmen cover comes back around, maybe she’ll still be a freshman. If you spend half of your day getting money and the other half of your day counting money, you ain’t got no time in your day to worry about nobody else.”

Watch the video below:


Azealia Banks caught wind of the interview and went off on T.I. on her twitter.

“Lol I NEVER needed the next n-gga to sit up on a radio show with me and defend me. Furthermore, n*ggas r sitting up here trying to mask/defend what homegirl said. F*ck outta here. Everybody got something slick to say, but no one got an explanation. Come on T.I…. N*ggas is not scared of u and whatever sh-t u got to say on some radio show. @tip you corny for that one. How u a grown man commenting on what’s going on between two girls. Come on son. Stop it. Ruin my career: what f*cking ever… Y’all wish.”

Today Banks added:

“This situation is really funny to me. It’s not like I said some foul out of the water sh-t about Iggy Azalea… I questioned her artistic integrity because of insensitive lyrics. Its not like I made up some bullsh-t and came at her head. In fact the issue wasn’t even really her. The issue was XXL. Why were the only three females nominated for that cover kreayshawn, v-nasty and iggy? Where was Rapsody, or nitty Scott, or Angel Haze? But y’all n-ggas don’t hear me tho. LOL. I think what’s even more interesting about this, is how unable Iggy is to explain herself. T.i can’t even explain for her. Those r my last comments about it. The Internet is making me look like a villain.”

Do you think T.I. overstepped his boundaries by commenting on the situation? I know one thing. Banks is definitely looking like the 2012 Mad Rapper right now! Stop it 5!

Exclusive: Hughes Brothers Accused Of Stealing “Book Of Eli”

By: Grouchy Greg Watkins (@GrouchyGreg) Updated Category: News
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(AllHipHop News) Filmmakers Allen and Albert Hughes are being sued over their hit 2010 action movie “The Book of Eli.”

“The Book of Eli,” which is credited to writer Gary Whitta, with a rewrite by Anthony Peckham, starred Denzel Washington, Gary Oldman, Mila Kunis and others.

Woodstock, Georgia based writer Bridgette Burgin claims that the movie was stolen from an unpublished two-part book she originally wrote titled “The Final Call.”

According to Burgin, she entered 10 chapters of her book into a nationally advertised writers contest conducted by Writers Digest and The Peter Taylor Prize in Tennessee.

Burgin claims that numerous “screeners” who read manuscripts and submissions were allowed to take them home and keep after the competition.

The lawsuit claims that two “screeners” who were judges of the contest supplied Burgin’s manuscript to Gary Whitta, who presented it to the Hughes Brothers as “The Book of Eli.”

“Gary Whitta was one of the first recipients to receive Burgin’s manuscripts, and presented it to Allen and Albert to produce and direct, and yet unnamed sources who paid Whitta to replicate the manuscript’s last remaining chapters in the form of a screenplay, which he named “The Book of Eli.”

According to the lawsuit, there are over 50 similarities between Burgin’s book and the final version of “The Book of Eli,” which has grossed over $150 million worldwide at the box office.

Burgin is suing for copyright infringement and seeks damages for injury to her professional reputation, diminution of her intellectual property.

She is seeking a preliminary injunction to prevent further distribution of the film and a trial by jury.

The Hughes Brothers have directed a number of popular films, including “Menace II Society,” “Dead Presidents,” American Pimp” and others.

Albert Hughes is currently directing the upcoming action film “Motor City.”

Check out a copy of the lawsuit below: