Level 5 – KobeSystem – ‘Dominate’
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Do you DOMINATE?
Video: Pen Just Cries Away
Many may not have seen this and thought you would enjoy it. This was directed by my good friend and the talented artist W. Ellington Felton. If you aren’t familiar with this brothers music, I suggest you check him out.
Watch D’Angelo Return To The Stage In Sweden
R&B enigma has been out of the game for more than a decade, ever since he finished touring behind his 2000 album Voodoo. He’s supposedly been recording this whole time, but we’ve only heard a few isolated shreds of evidence, like this freaked-out “Black Hole Sun” cover. Earlier today, though, he apparently performed to an extremely excited crowd in Stockholm. And judging by the fan-made video below, he still looks like D’Angelo and still knows how to rock a crowd. Watch him and his band do an extended vamp-out on “Chicken Grease”
Via: StereoGum.com
Video: Making of Mister Nice Guy
Last year before I released, Mister Nice Guy, I did a 15 day countdown breaking down each track on the album. Below is day 1 “Mister Nice Guy.” Be sure to visit our Youtube page to gain more insight into the making of the album.
Photo: iDesk for Devices
Here’s an iDesk for your iDevices! Designed specifically for Apple products, this table by designer Sebastian Lara features a cleft, angled indention that supports and charges your iPod, iPhone or iPad. At the center there is also a built-in, hideaway platform that will hold your tablet at an ergonomic angle for working or reading.
Designer: Sebastian Lara
via Yanko Design
Positive Black Male News: Jalen Rose creates high-performing Detroit school
Jalen Rose can now add “educator” to his long list of social contributions. The former NBA star and current ESPN analyst has established the Jalen Rose Leadership Academy (JRLA) in his hometown of Detroit in order to help improve Michigan’s troubled education system — and ultimately give Detroit adolescents under his care the best education possible.
The thirty-eight-year-old was motivated to found JRLA due to a concern that Michigan’s stagnant economy is impeding students’ ability to succeed in high school and attend college.
“When the auto industry was around, adults weren’t necessarily going to college to get degrees,” Rose told theGrio. But that industry cannot support the region as it once did. “This domino effect has in turn affected children,” Rose continued.
Indeed, according to a recent study conducted at the Education Policy Center at Michigan State University, only 31.9 percent of Detroit’s public high school students graduate in four years. In addition, only 12 percent of adults in Detroit have a bachelor’s degree or higher.
To receive a good education, many students have to attend schools outside their districts. “If I live in a district where I know the school is poor performing, why should I have to make my child go there?,” Rose asserted.
The former University of Michigan basketball player expressed his sympathy for parents who are trying to educate their kids within this highly-flawed system.
“It’s embarrassing and ridiculous to me that politicians are talking about charter schools versus public schools and more,” Rose said. “We should just try to make sure that we have quality schools across Michigan.”
The Jalen Rose Leadership Academy helps solve this problem. JRLA is an open enrollment charter school that opened in September of 2011 on the northwest side of Detroit. The school’s first class consisted of 120 ninth graders, and will be followed by an additional freshman class each year until a maximum of 500 students is reached. Students are accepted into the school through a lottery system — and competition to get in is fierce.
“I wanted to create more quality performing schools than the public schools offered in Detroit,” Rose said. “I’m fortunate that basketball has placed me in a good position to help give kids the education that they need.”
Under Rose, JRLA provides the rigorous education necessary for students to attend college and earn a bachelor’s degree. Students are educated in a context based on real world, project-based experiences.
The academy differs from other schools with its longer school year — 211 instead of 176 days — and a longer school day, which goes from 7:30 to 4:00. Instead of taking work home, students complete their homework at school where they do not have distractions and can readily receive assistance.
Plus, the challenges of growing up near the harsh neighborhood where JRLA is housed are addressed. “We can’t take things for granted like… sex, violence, and drugs,” Rose said. “We need to instead show students how to overcome negative experiences as well as how to become responsible and disciplined global leaders of tomorrow.”
JRLA attendants also receive laptop computers, get paired with college student mentors, and will earn credit for a minimum of three college courses from the University of Detroit prior to graduation.
“Through our curriculum, we see victories in the classroom. We are trying to expose students to life as a college student and get them a step ahead of the game,” Rose said. “In the future I would like to have all colleges within Michigan give some type of support.”
The academy also nurtures its students through small classes.
Rose places tremendous expectations on the teachers at his academy, relating, “I wanted to approach the school like a business. Teachers, like students, have to perform at a higher level each year. They only have a year-long contract and do not get tenure.”
“We wanted teachers who could inspire, multi-task, and be responsible for helping each student not only graduate, but also go on to college,” Rose said.
Ultimately, the hope is that better education for Detroit natives will play a critical role in transforming the community into a vibrant intellectual and economic environment. In this way, Rose emphasized to the Grio that his school can help revitalize society’s perception of Detroit. But the most important thing to the former baller is helping eager kids make the most of their lives.
“I hope that students know that someone believes in them. I know this is not going to be an overnight success. It takes a long time. We all have to be willing to sacrifice,” Rose explained.
Yet, “It’s nice to see our students really are focusing on trying to make something of their lives, and we want to help them do that here,” Rose said, full of hope.
Some doubt Rose’s ability to be a role model due to previous behavior. Rose was arrested in March of 2011 in West Bloomfield, Michigan after crashing his Cadillac Escalade and failing a Breathalyzer test. Rose pleaded guilty to a single count of operating a vehicle while under the influence and served time in jail for his crime.
About this incident, Rose told The Wall Street Journal: “That was a terrible choice I made–a dumb decision, and at least I only put myself in harm’s way.”
Despite his previous mistakes, Rose’s current focus is positively influencing as many children as possible. Overcoming his own personal difficulties — including growing up without his dad — may have been his seed inspiration.
“You’ll see young men and women who are successful all the time in spite of circumstances,” Rose concluded about the power of his school to change lives.
“Yes, learning does start at home,” he reasoned, “but much of success starts from what one perceives as success. I’m here to help my students to never get distracted or discouraged, but instead to help them turn their lives into something positive.”
Via: TheGrio.com
Artist Who Sews Paper Into 3-D Sculptures
Jennifer Collier, a British artist who recycles paper into 3-D objects by sewing sheets of it like fabric. Not surprisingly, Collier worked with textiles before migrating to paper. “Found and recycled papers have always been my biggest source of inspirations, so it just came to be that they also became the media, as well as the inspiration for my work,” she tells Co.Design. Thereby, a typewriter is crafted from typewriter manuals, a telephone from phone directories, and a camera from old photos.
They’re all pieced together using an ordinary sewing machine. “With experience and practice you just get a feel for how far you can push the paper without it tearing,” Collier says. “I break surprisingly few needles
CASSETTE: A Documentary Film about the Cassette Tape
A few months ago, the term “cassette tape” was taken out of the Oxford English Dictionary. As recorded sound continues its love affair with the downloadable, ethereal digital file, the tangible artifact is quickly becoming a thing of the past. CASSETTE: A Documentary Film about the Cassette Tape from filmmakers Zack Taylor and Seth Smoot aims to shed a much needed light on a medium that brought so much joy to music purveyors over the years. After receiving kind words about the project from some notable folks at Sundance, Taylor and Smoot are currently raising funds via Kickstarter where they hope to reach their $25,000 USD goal.
Via: Hypeast.com
Eric Roberson Live in Concert- Chicago
(CHICAGO) (WLS) — On Wednesday, January 25th, The Shrine presents ”Eric Roberson Live In Concert” featuring fan favorites and tracks from his latest album, Mister Nice Guy.
Eric Roberson was recently named to numerous “Best of 2011″ lists – including NPR, Soultracks.com, Creative Loafing Atlanta, and others.
Roberson was the first independent artist to be nominated for a BET Award in 2007 and was the recipient of the Underground Artist of the Year BETJ Virtual Award with Rahsaan Patterson in 2008. Released in late summer 2009, his album Music Fan First debuted in the top 10 on the iTunes R&B/Soul Charts. The album went on to entering into the top 100 Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart for the song “Borrow You”, the Top 100 R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart for the album itself. In both 2010 and 2011, Eric Roberson received Grammy Award nominations in the category of Best Urban/Alternative Performance for the songs “A Tale of Two” and “Still” respectively, an amazing accomplishment for an independent artist.
WHEN: Wednesday, January 25th | Doors open at 9pm
WHERE: The Shrine | 2109 S. Wabash Chicago. [This is a 21 and over event]
TICKETS: Available at theshrinechicago.com
Schedule For Black Movies In 2012
JANUARY
PARIAH (now playing)- Kim Wayans, Adepero Oduye, Charles Parnell, Pernell Walker, Aasha Davis
SHAME (now playing)- dir by Steve McQueen, starring Nicole Beharie
JOYFUL NOISE (now playing)- Queen Latifah, Keke Palmer, Jesse L. Martin
RED TAILS (now playing)- Nate Parker, Terence Howard, Cuba Gooding Jr., Tristan Wilds, Elijah Kelly, Ne-Yo, David Oyelowo, Michael B. Jordan
01/27/2012 MAN ON A LEDGE- Anthony Mackie
FEBRUARY
02/03/2012 CHRONICLE – Michael B. Jordan
02/03/2012 DYSFUNCTIONAL FRIENDS- Stacey Dash, Terell Owens, Persia White, Jason Weaver, Essence Atkins, Meagan Good, Jason Weaver
02/09/2012 I AM BRUCE LEE (documentary)
02/10/2012 SAFE HOUSE- Denzel Washington
02/14/2012- Gang of Roses 2 (DVD) Amber Rose, Wiz Khalifa, Teyana Taylor, Kellita Smith, Claudia Jordan, Rocsi Diaz
02/17/2012 Ghost Rider Vengeance – Idris Elba
02/24/2012- Good Deeds- Tyler Perry, Thandie Newton, Gabrielle Union, Phylicia Rashad, Brian White
MARCH
03/09/2012 THINK LIKE A MAN- Taraji P. Henson, Gabrielle Union, Romany Malco, Kevin Hart, Meagan Good, Michael Ealy, Chris Brown
03/16/2012 21 JUMP STREET- Ice Cube, DeRay Davis
03/23/2012 HUNGER GAMES- Lenny Kravtiz, Amandla Stenberg
APRIL
04/06/2012 AMERICAN REUNION- Dania Ramirez
04/12/2012 THE LADY- Michelle Yeoh, Jonathan Woodhouse, Jonathan Raggett
04/13/2012 WOMAN THOU ART LOOSED: On The Seventh Day- Blair Underwood, Nicole Beharie, Sharon Leal
04/13/2012 THREE STOOGES- Jennifer Hudson
04/20/2012 SCARY MOVIE 5
04/20/2012 A Thousand Words- Eddie Murphy, Kerry Washington
04/27/2012 GIRL IN PROGRESS- Eva Mendes, Cierra Ramirez
MAY
05/04/2012 Avengers- Samuel L. Jackson
05/11/2012 WHAT TO EXPECT WHEN YOU’RE EXPECTING-Chris Rock, Jennifer Lopez
05/18/2012 BATTLESHIP- Rihanna
05/25/2012 Men In Black 3- Will Smith
JUNE
06/01/2012 ROCK OF AGES- Mary J. Blige
06/08/2012 PROMETHEUS- Idris Elba
06/08/2012 MADAGASCAR 3: EUROPE’S MOST WANTED- Chris Rock, Jada Pinkett Smith, Sherri Shepherd, Andre 3000
06/22/2012 ABRAHAM LINCOLN: VAMPIRE HUNTER – Anthony Mackie
06/29/2012 GI JOE: RETALIATION- Dwayne Johnson, RZA
JULY
7/13/2012 ICE AGE: CONTINENTAL DRIFT- Queen Latifah, JB Smoove
7/27/2012 The Marriage Counselor- dir. Tyler Perry, Jurnee Smollett, Eric Davis, Kim Kardashian, Vanessa Williams, Lance Gross, Brandy Norwood
AUGUST
08/10/2012 SPARKLE- Whitney Houston, Jordin Sparks, Carmen Ejogo, Tika Sumpter
08/17/2012 EXPENDABLES 2- Terry Crews
08/24/2012 PREMIUM RUSH- Dania J. Ramirez
SEPTEMBER
09/14/2012- RESIDENT EVIL: RETRIBUTION Boris Kodjoe
OCTOBER
10/05/2012 TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE – Trey Songz
10/12/2012 PARKER—Wendell Pierce, Jennifer Lopez
10/19/2012 GANGSTER SQUAD— Anthony Mackie
10/19/2012 Cloud Atlas—Halle Berry
NOVEMBER
11/02/2012—Red Dawn—Connor Cruise
11/07/2012 I, Alex Cross- Tyler Perry, Giancarlo Esposito, Cicely Tyson, Carmen Ejogo
11/09/2011 SKYFALL- Naomie Harris
11/23/2012 PAPERBOY- dir. by Lee Daniels (Precious)
DECEMBER
LINCOLN- Gloria Reuben, S. Epatha Merkeson, David Oyelowo
12/12/2012 WORLD WAR Z- Anthony Mackie
12/25/2012—Django Unchained”—Jamie Foxx, Kerry Washington, RZA, Samuel L. Jackson
TBD
LUV- Common
Dreams of a Life- Zawe Ashton
Yelling to The Sky- Zoe Kravitz, Gabourey Sidibe, Antonique Smith
courtesy of The Urban Daily
Eric Roberson Talks About Love and CD, ‘Mister Nice Guy’ on RollingOut.com
What artists of yesteryear if any inspiredMister Nice Guy?
Bill Withers definitely inspired Mister Nice Guythrough his storytelling and relatable aspects.
I know a lot of people don’t think this, but Kanye West probably inspired Mister Nice Guy a lot.
Most of the time they think of him as being arrogant but there is a lot of times where he looks at it as more of poking fun at himself and I think that has been reintroduced into this industry. It hasn’t necessarily been around as much before that. Before him, you wanted to look cool and sexy.
You’re not just saying that because you’re in Chicago, Kanye’s hometown, are you?
[Laughs] How funny is that? I am so busy… if you’d ask me real quick I might forget where I was at. I am a big Kanye fan and I am not saying that because if I don’t some Kanye goons might come and find me. I am just a big fan of Chicago music in general. Chicago has a good list of some really dope singers.
If you had a new couple to listen to this album, which songs would you choose for them to understand, and in what order?
“Picture Perfect,” “Fall,” and “All For Me.” To maintain a good, strong, positive relationship I would say listen to “Picture Perfect.”
What is the one thing about Eric Roberson that you wish fans understood?
That I am not any different than they are. Like Andre 3000 said “we are neck and neck”, it’s really that way. We all contribute towards each other to get further on in our lives; whether it’s financially, musically or whatever. When I walk off stage from the applause; I am at home changing diapers, mowing the lawn and doing everything that everyone else does. There’s not much difference! That’s the main thing I want the fans to know.
–nekia nichelle
Via: RollingOut.com
Artist: Sir Shadow
I have been a fan of this artist, Sir Shadow, for many years. If you aren’t familiar with his name, I’m pretty sure you may have seen his art pieces somewhere. Sir Shadow is known for creating amazing artwork using one continuous line. He never takes his instrument off of the paper when creating. Sir Shadow is also a huge jazz fan, which is why most of his art depicts musicians. And you can always catch him humming a jazz tune while he’s drawing.
Check out the video below of him creating using his one line technique.
Please visit Sir Shadow’s website here.
Akai MPC Fly for iPad 2
As the technology landscape continues to change on a daily basis, it seems that new and innovative devices pose either a potential demise or an opportunity for software and electronics companies alike. Adapting its brand positioning to the changing climate, Akai debuts its MPC Fly for the iPad 2. Combining 16 backlit MPC pads into its built-in iPad 2 case, the MPC Fly is completed with an integrated iOS app that boasts an array of effects, a four-track mixer, sound library, sample editing and an EQ. Weighing in at just over two pounds, the MPC Fly – although not the most convenient iPad case – packs a lot of punch within its relatively small size.
Free song from Najee feat. Phil Perry
One of my favorite blogs Soultracks has selected the Choice Track Free Download for the month to be the latest single from Najee. The song “Just to Fall in Love” featuring Phil Perry is off of Najee’s upcoming album, The Smooth Side of Soul.
Take a listen of the song below and visit Soultracks here to download your free copy!
Lenny Kravitz: Black And White America Mixtape
Lenny Kravitz‘s ninth studio album, Black and White America, is centered strongly around the concept of integration. Taking musical cues from the past while looking forward, Black and White America seamlessly pulls together a wide range of musical and cultural influences, both urban and rural.
Expanding on the concept of blending and unifying, Lenny Kravitz has released the album as a DJ mixtape, presenting the tracks in a new sequence with skillfully crafted mixing and exclusive re-edits. To achieve this unique presentation, Kravitz enlisted Peace Bisquit‘s roster of talent, who collectively have remixed and DJ’ed for the likes of Beyonce, Radiohead, Foster the People, Lady Gaga, Rihanna, Passion Pit, Mariah Carey and many others.
Download your free copy of the mixtape here
via Giantstep
See Another Side Of Ice Cube As He Celebrates The Eames
In the late ’80s, before he became famous as a member of the Compton, Calif., gangsta-rap group N.W.A., Ice Cube studied architectural drafting at a trade school in Arizona. This biographical detail makes the rapper’s appearance in a new video celebrating midcentury design icons Charles and Ray Eames only slightly less incongruous.
In the video, made for “Pacific Standard Time: Art in L.A. 1945-1980,” the sprawling Getty Institute-organized collection of exhibitions on the postwar Southern California art scene, Ice Cube tours the Eames House in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood, marveling at the resourcefulness of the husband-and-wife team.
“Got off-the-shelf factory windows, prefabricated walls,” he says, sounding as if he were admiring a tricked-out low rider. “They was doing mash-ups before mash-ups even existed.”
The rapper-turned-actor got involved in the project after being approached by an advertising agency working on behalf of the show’s organizers, and said he welcomed the chance to celebrate his hometown.
“What was appealing was showing off Los Angeles to people who think they know what Los Angeles is all about,” said Ice Cube, who is seen in the two-minute video cruising in a convertible 1960s Lincoln Continental and explaining the difference between the city’s “bougie” and “gangsta” freeways.
“Everybody who comes here thinks they got the place figured out, but you can never get this place figured out,” he said. “This place is like ‘The Wizard of Oz.’ ”
Ice Cube discussed his appreciation of the Eameses and his favorite architecture in Los Angeles in a conversation with a reporter.
What do you like about the Eameses’ work?
I had learned about them when I was studying architectural drafting. Back then, I didn’t know I was going to make money. So being that they put together a house in two days and used discarded materials — something about their style caught on.
As I got older, I could equate it to sampling. I see that’s what we were doing, taking discarded records from the ’60s and ’70s and revamping them.
In the video, you seem right at home in the Eames House.
If you were an artist, which I am, this seems like the house that you want to be in. It reminded me of something that defined the style. In Los Angeles, you see a lot of McMansions, where the house takes all the land. Here, it seemed they built this thing inside of a park. It kept the serene, quaint feel. Anybody could go there and collect their thoughts.
I enjoyed hearing you tick off your favorite buildings in Los Angeles, including one I was unaware of: 5 Torches.
The 5 Torches is an elegant ’hood restaurant. This is where all the old players went to hang out.
I didn’t want to show off the monuments that everybody knows. I wanted to highlight the ones in the neighborhood that we grew up in, like Brolly Hut. That’s just a hamburger stand, but it’s uniquely made, like a hat or a hut. Or Randy’s Donuts.
All these things are monuments to us — or were to me, growing up.
What about the Memorial Coliseum, where your beloved Raiders once played?
I think it’s great. But it’s a blessing and a curse. You don’t want to tear it down because of what it means to Los Angeles: Super Bowl I and the ’84 Olympics were held there. But it’s outdated, so nobody who wants a luxury box wants to play a game there. It’s the reason we don’t have a team right now.
Growing up, what was your experience with the more affluent areas, like Beverly Hills and Bel-Air?
My grandmother worked at one of those Bel-Air mansions and we would go — not too often, but every now and then — to pick her up. Hollywood was probably 12 miles from my house, but it might as well have been a million miles away.
The only time I saw that world was on TV. Until I started making records.
Did you move to a big house in the hills once you became successful?
Ain’t that what it’s all about: providing a better way for your family than you had? It’s a Mediterranean-style house and it feels, to me, like an Egyptian palace. Though I haven’t been on my architect game in 25 years.
But you still try to make good design a part of your life?
Yeah, a lot. What I learned from architectural drafting is that everything has to have a plan to work. You just can’t wing it. I can’t get all the materials I need for a house and just start building.
Whether it’s a career, family, life — you have to plan it out.
How are your drafting skills these days?
You don’t want to live in nothing I draw. I got a certificate. For a year. In ’88. I don’t think I picked up a T-square since.
For the exhibition Ice Cube wanted to recreate this famous photograph by Charles Eamessitting on a rare 1953 DAT-1 Chair.
